While I was never a huge fan of Whitney Houston, it’s hard to deny that she was superbly talented. Once again, the star making machinery brought someone to the highest of highs and then seemingly jettisoned her to the gutter when the world was through with her. Whether it was Elvis, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse […]
Today in Rock History – May 25
1965, Blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, Sonny Boy Williamson died in his sleep. Van Morrison, Aerosmith, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds, and Moody Blues all covered his songs. According to the Led Zeppelin biography Hammer of the Gods, touring the UK in the 60’s, Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Dour Percentage” by Of Montreal
Kevin Barnes and his collective known as Of Montreal released their eleventh album called “Paralytic Stalks” a few weeks ago. Once again, the group has created a collection of songs that are both ethereal, proggy and funky at the same time. While most of their records celebrate life as a hedonistic party that never ends, […]
Today in Rock History – May 24
1966, Captain Beefheart appeared at the Whisky a Go Go. West Hollywood, California. Supported by Buffalo Springfield and The Doors. 1967, Jimi Hendrix played at Gröna Lund in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1968, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band appeared at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan. 1968, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull are arrested on charges of […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison
Some songs are forever changed by the movies that they appear in. For instance, one can’t help but feel the pain and helplessness of the police torture scene in the film “Reservoir Dogs” when listening to the Stealers Wheel hit “Stuck In The Middle With You.” Roy Orbison’s rather innocuous “In Dreams” also took on […]
Today in Rock History – May 23
1964, Marvin Gaye appears on American Bandstand singing “You’re a Wonderful One.” 1967, Pink Floyd performed at Town Hall in High Wycombe, England. 1967, Jimi Hendrix appeared at Klub Bongo in Malmö, Sweden. 1968, Johnny Lee Hooker, supported by The Hallucinations performed at Boston Tea Party in Boston, Massachusetts. 1968, Pink Floyd played two late […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress” by The Hollies
By the time this song had hit the charts in 1972, The Hollies were already on their second career having survived the setback of having two key members leaving the group. Throughout the sixties, they released indelible singles like “Bus Stop,” “Stop Stop Stop,” “Look Through Any Window,” “Carrie Anne” and “Jennifer Eccles” before original […]
Today in Rock History – May 22
1964, The Beatles arrived back from their first US trip at Heathrow Airport and were greeted by thousands of fans. Also on this day The Beatles scored their second chart topping album with The Beatles Second Album. It displaced Meet The Beatles! from the top of the charts. 1965, The Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride ” surpassed Herman’s […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Mr. Dieingly Sad” by The Critters
Although their name was inspired by another ’60s group, The Animals, the similarities end there. The Critters were far more easy listening than their rough and tumble contemporaries. They formed in New Jersey in 1964 around singer/songwriter and guitarist Don Ciccone. Their three top forty hits included a cover of a John Sebastian song, “Younger […]
Today in Rock History – May 21
1965, The Who’s second single, “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere” backed with “Daddy Rolling Stone” is released in the UK on Brunswick. Derek Johnson in New Musical Express calls is “a wild racer, with just about every conceivable gimmick…it commands attention and should do well.” 1967, Jimi Hendrix signed with Reprise Records on the US Warner Brothers […]
