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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 11, 2023 15:40:38 GMT
Welcome to Sheriff John Stone's Rock, Roll & Remember. The intent of this thread to remember, recognize, and enjoy the greats of rock & roll. This could include a particular artist/group, a great song, or just a special performance. In our years and decades of fandom, while spending time discovering new music and artists, there is a tendency to forget or take for granted those and what came before. Hopefully, this thread will not only remind us of the artists and musicians who paved the way, but maybe it will help some younger or new fans discover something wonderful and timeless. I will simply be screening videos with some but little commentary. I prefer to let the music speak for itself. That being said, feel free to share your thoughts, feelings, or reactions. That's part of the fun of it!
First up...Roy Orbison with a little help from his friends. Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 - December 6, 1988), who possessed one of the great, operatic voices in rock & roll, had a string of hit singles and albums in the early/mid-1960s. Those recordings were very influential in the careers of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Mick Jagger, and Bruce Springsteen among others. After experiencing some personal tragedies and a career slump from 1966 - 1986, Roy began his career comeback by joining the supergroup, Traveling Wilburys (including Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne), and releasing (posthumously) his final album, Mystery Girl, including the single, "You Got It", in 1989. The video below, "Oh, Pretty Woman", is taken from the 1988 Cinemax TV special, Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black And White Night. Some of Roy's guests included Bruce Springsteen, James Burton, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, J.D. Souther, and k.d. lang. Enjoy!
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Post by jk on Mar 12, 2023 9:49:08 GMT
Good call, Sheriff, and a great first choice. Big fan of the Big O here. And not just his ballads but also the earlier stuff he did for Sun Records ("Ooby Dooby", "Rockhouse"). But my favourite will always be "Running Scared", a quite extraordinary record.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 12, 2023 11:02:23 GMT
"If you would try to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry." - John Lennon (1972)
THIS is rock and roll:
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 15, 2023 13:19:26 GMT
The MC 5 (short for The Motor City Five) was formed in suburban Detroit in 1965. The principal members were Rob Tyner (lead vocals), Wayne Kramer (lead guitar), Fred "Sonic" Smith (rhythm guitar), Michael Davis (bass), and Dennis Thompson (drums). The MC5 was known for their high-energy, loud, political, and chaotic concerts. They released three albums - Kick Out The Jams (1969), Back In The USA (1970), High Times (1971) - and all of them tanked. The group disbanded in 1972, but they are still considered very influential. Artists such as Iggy & The Stooges, The New York Dolls, KISS, Ted Nugent, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Dictators, Motorhead, and White Stripes have all cited The MC5 as influencing their music.
But, what was this music? How would you describe The MC5's music? Punk rock? Psychedelic? Political rock? Blues? Early heavy metal? Garage rock? Basic rock & roll? Even some jazz rock? How about all of the above. Kick out the jams, motherfu--kers!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 23, 2023 22:30:18 GMT
One of the greatest and most influential bands of the British Invasion in the mid-1960s was The Kinks. Formed in Muswell Hill, London, the earliest incarnation of the group consisted of Ray Davies (lead vocals, guitar), Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals), Pete Quaife (bass), and Mick Avory (drums). Ray Davies was the band's primary songwriter. The Kinks' first hit single, 1964's "You Really Got Me", featured one of rock & roll's most memorable power chords - not to mention a great solo - by guitarist Dave Davies.
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Post by jk on Mar 28, 2023 17:44:18 GMT
I like the early Kinks, say up to "Autumn Almanac", and have played a couple of Kinks songs with a couple of bands. I lost interest around the time of "Lola" -- the direction they were taking didn't appeal.
All I know about the MC5 are that "m*therf*ckers" was replaced by "brothers and sisters" for the single! And that Fred "Sonic" Smith was married to Patti Smith (Smith being her maiden name). Long ago, I read that the guys played their guitars the way Pharaoh Sanders played sax. And now I see Sanders and other free-jazzers were an influence on the band...
I look forward to reading more!
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Post by lonelysummer on Mar 29, 2023 1:36:29 GMT
I love all Kinks music, although I'm not as fond as the rock opera RCA years (1972-75) as some. Their earliest albums are a bit weak; a lot of filler material propped up by the hit singles. But those are some of the best singles ever cut! I don't know that I've ever heard an MC5 song. DC5, yes.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 29, 2023 11:28:40 GMT
I think Ray Davies' music, or the timeline, somewhat echoes Brian Wilson's. They both started out with a basic guitar, bass, and drums rock and roll sound. Many music fans associate The Kinks and The Beach Boys with that sound. Then Ray, like Brian, expanded his band's music with more complex arrangements and...different...lyrics. Both The Kinks and The Beach Boys - and Ray and Brian - plugged away in the 70s with some success, and then in the mid-80s, their bands had a bit of a renaissance. The Kinks had a hit single with "Come Dancing", and roughly the same time, The Beach Boys gave us "Getcha Back" and "Kokomo". While both Ray and Brian had solo careers (obviously Brian's was more substantial), they could never escape the vast shadow that their previous bands cast. Oh, and did I mention that Ray and Brian both gave us a cool yuletide hit to brighten the Christmas season!
Hey, lonelysummer, not many people have heard an MC5 song. However, fortunately a few teenagers did - James Osterberg, Stanley Eisen, Chaim Witz, David Johansen, Jeffrey Hyman, John Cummings, and Dick Manitoba among them. Like I posted above, their albums did not sell, and they weren't exactly a singles band. Sadly, after Atlantic dropped them in 1972, the group disbanded. Guitarist Wayne Kramer and drummer Dennis Thompson are the only surviving members from the original band. Through the years, Kramer has tried to keep the MC5 name alive by touring with various band configurations.
Here is a song, "Tonight", from The MC5's last album, Back In The USA:
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 15, 2023 12:07:50 GMT
Fleetwood Mac is unquestionably a legendary group. They were formed in 1967 by guitarists and vocalists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer, bassist Bob Brunning, and drummer Mick Fleetwood. Bassist John McVie replaced Brunning shortly after that, and keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie joined in 1970. In their early years, Fleetwood Mac was primarily known as a blues band with a touch of psychedelia. They released a few excellent albums and singles ("Albatross" went to #1 in 1968) in the U.K., but the band was not as commercially successful in the U.S. Peter Green gained the reputation as an influential blues-rock guitarist, inspiring future guitarists such as Gary Moore, Joe Perry, Mark Knopfler, and Noel Gallagher. Through the years 1967-1974, several members joined and left the band, either departing on their own or being dismissed. Those members included Green and Spencer, and such musicians as Danny Kirwan (guitar/vocals), Bob Welch (guitar/vocals), Bob Weston (guitar), and Dave Walker (vocals/guitar). Peter Green passed away in 2020 at age 73.
On New Year's Eve 1974, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac. This new Fleetwood Mac lineup - Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks - began a period (1975-1987) of unprecedented commercial success for the group. The albums Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, and Tango In The Night all went platinum. The group had hit singles, was featured on FM album-oriented radio stations, and toured to sold-out audiences. They were arguably the most popular band in the world. However, those years were also marked by disputes over the direction of the band, personal in-fighting, and substance abuse. Band members including Christine McVie, Buckingham, and Nicks continued to come and go, and new members such as guitarist Mike Campbell and vocalist/guitarist Neil Finn were brought in as replacements. Lindsey Buckingham left the band in 2018, and Christine McVie passed away in 2022. In February 2023, Mick Fleetwood was asked about the future of the band and replied, "I'd say we're done, but we've all said that before. It's sort of unthinkable right now."
This video of "Tusk" is taken from the Say You Will tour in 2004. It shows the power and on-stage chemistry of the band, and especially the talent and charisma of Lindsey Buckingham.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 23, 2023 19:07:23 GMT
Earlier in Rock, Roll & Remember, we featured The Kinks from Muswell Hill, London. This is another band from The British Invasion, The Animals from Newcastle, England. The group was formed in 1962-63 and was led by Eric Burdon (lead vocals) and Alan Price (keyboards). The Animals had several hit singles from 1964-1967 including "The House Of The Rising Sun", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place", "It's My Life", "Don't Bring Me Down", and "San Franciscan Nights". The Animals underwent numerous personnel changes, and the original band split up in 1966. Eric Burdon kept the group alive for decades with various lineups, and the original band reunited a few times including 1975 and 1983. The Animals' original members had notable careers after leaving the group:
Eric Burdon - In 1969 he joined the band, War, and had a #3 single with "Spill The Wine". Burdon recorded with Jimmy Witherspoon and Brian Auger, toured with Robby Krieger of The Doors, and is still touring and performing today as a solo artist.
Alan Price - After leaving The Animals, Price began a solo career. He recorded with Georgie Fame, and appeared in the 1965 D.A. Penneybaker documentary, Don't Look Back, with Bob Dylan.
Chas Chandler - Chas was the bassist in The Animals. After leaving the band in 1966, he became a talent scout, manager, and producer. Chas was instrumental in the early career of Jimi Hendrix and eventually became his co-manager. He also managed and produced the group, Slade, for 12 years. Chas Chandler died of an aortic aneurysm in 1996 at the age of 57.
Hilton Valentine - Hilton was The Animals' guitar player. He was responsible for the famous electric guitar intro on "The House Of The Rising Sun". After The Animals disbanded in 1966, Hilton had a brief solo career. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 77.
John Steel - Steel was the band's original drummer. After the original group disbanded, John continued to participate in future reunions, and in 1988 was actually granted ownership of The Animals' name. Eric Burdon appealed, won, and is now the owner of The Animals' name. Steel eventually became a businessman and worked in Chas Chandler's management and publishing companies. He still performs in various "Animals and Friends" bands.
"The House Of The Rising Sun" was The Animals' biggest hit, reaching #1 on September 5, 1964 where it stayed for three weeks. According to John Steel, Bob Dylan told him that when he first heard The Animals' version on his car radio, he stopped to listen, "jumped out of his car" and "banged on the bonnet" (the hood of the car), inspiring him to go electric. Dave Van Ronk said that the Animals' version - like Dylan's version before it - was based on his arrangement of the song. Dave Marsh described the Animals' take on "The House of the Rising Sun" as "the first folk-rock hit", sounding "as if they'd connected the ancient tune to a live wire". Writer Ralph McLean of the BBC agreed that it was "arguably the first folk rock tune" and "a revolutionary single", after which "the face of modern music was changed forever."
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Post by Kapitan on May 23, 2023 19:15:57 GMT
"The House Of The Rising Sun" was The Animals' biggest hit, reaching #1 on September 5, 1964 where it stayed for three weeks. According to John Steel, Bob Dylan told him that when he first heard The Animals' version on his car radio, he stopped to listen, "jumped out of his car" and "banged on the bonnet" (the hood of the car), inspiring him to go electric. Dave Van Ronk said that the Animals' version - like Dylan's version before it - was based on his arrangement of the song.
Interesting. My recollection of Van Ronk's story is that there was no middle man: that Dylan heard Van Ronk's, asked if he would mind he (Dylan) covered it, and that Van Ronk politely declined, noting that he was about to record it, himself...only to find that Dylan either already had, or was about to, record and release it in that version. I think it's in the No Direction Home documentary as told by Van Ronk. But of course these old stories evolve in different people's minds over time. Who even knows the real story?
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 23, 2023 19:20:50 GMT
"The House Of The Rising Sun" was The Animals' biggest hit, reaching #1 on September 5, 1964 where it stayed for three weeks. According to John Steel, Bob Dylan told him that when he first heard The Animals' version on his car radio, he stopped to listen, "jumped out of his car" and "banged on the bonnet" (the hood of the car), inspiring him to go electric. Dave Van Ronk said that the Animals' version - like Dylan's version before it - was based on his arrangement of the song.
Interesting. My recollection of Van Ronk's story is that there was no middle man: that Dylan heard Van Ronk's, asked if he would mind he (Dylan) covered it, and that Van Ronk politely declined, noting that he was about to record it, himself...only to find that Dylan either already had, or was about to, record and release it in that version. I think it's in the No Direction Home documentary as told by Van Ronk. But of course these old stories evolve in different people's minds over time. Who even knows the real story? I honestly don't know the real story. I lifted that quote right out of Wikipedia, so who knows...
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Post by Kapitan on May 23, 2023 19:23:37 GMT
I don't think anyone knows the real story! Or at least, generally speaking, I think with stories like this--stories that get retold--there are a lot of "real stories," depending on who you ask. And I don't even think people are lying, I just think memory is a funny thing. There are plenty of examples in the Beach Boys world, too.
That used to strike me as ridiculous, but honestly the older I get, the more obvious it seems! Half the time, if I were to be questioned on my own stories, I would second-guess myself. "Is this REALLY real, or is it just the way I've gotten used to telling it, or...?"
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 1, 2023 12:57:58 GMT
Back in the day, Dick Clark not only brought us American Bandstand, but he also produced some very good "anniversary specials". In 1981, for the 30th anniversary of American Bandstand, Dick assembled an all-star lineup to perform Bill Haley & The Comets' "Rock Around The Clock". While some of the participants might raise questions as to their inclusion, others are true legends of rock & roll. It's a fascinating collection of musicians. It's a lot of fun and takes you back to a time when many of these artists were still in the spotlight. How many do you remember? Enjoy!
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 1, 2023 13:58:35 GMT
The surprising thing about that band to me is the diversity of the musicians' styles. Country, rock, pop, blues, jazz, funk...they're covering a lot of ground.
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