After going electronic on Trans, country and western on Old Ways, and then turning himself into a rockabilly cat with The Shocking Pinks, what else could Neil Young have had in store for fans whose patience was beginning to wear thin as the 1980s drew to a close? Soul man! In 1988, Neil Young put […]
Today in Rock History – January 24
1965, The film Ferry Cross the Mersey premieres at the Liverpool Odeon. It was the first to be shot on location in Liverpool after the city’s emergence into the music mainstream For authenticity, many scenes were shot in clubs near the home of Gerry and the Pacemakers’ frontman Gerry Marsden. Marsden wrote nine new songs […]
Song Of The Day – “Bacon Fat” by Andre Williams and his New Group
Oh lawd, have moicey…this “Bacon Fat” is show nuff greasy! I listened to Taj Mahal’s 1969 double album Giant Step earlier this week for the piece I wrote on his cover version of “Take A Giant Step.” The album also has a version of the song “Bacon Fat” that is credited to J.R. Robertson and […]
Today in Rock History – January 23
1964, The Searchers were at number one on the singles chart with the Sonny Bono song “Needles And Pins.” 1965, The Who play the Corn Exchange at Chelmsford and then an all-night rave at the Club Noreik in Tottenham. Opening for The Who at the all-night rave is The Muleskinners featuring future Small Faces’ keyboardist, […]
Song Of The Day – “My Dark Hour” by Steve Miller Band
Here’s an instance where an artist cribs from his own back catalog and creates another hit. Miller revisited this riff from this 1969 song that originally appeared on his “Brave New World” album again in 1976 for “Fly Like An Eagle” and took it to new heights. The bass and backing vocal duties on this […]
Today in Rock History – January 22
1964, The Yardbirds, featuring Eric Clapton appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England. 1965, The Rolling Stones began a 16-date tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Agricultural Hall at Manufacturers Auditorium in Sydney with Roy Orbison, The Newbeats and Ray Columbus and the Invaders. 1965, The Who pre-tape their first appearance on Radio […]
Song Of The Day – “Lose Yourself To Dance” by Daft Punk
So Daft Punk has released a straight-up ‘70s Disco album and everybody is going nuts. Daft Punk fans are going nuts because there are real instruments and, gasp, real voices on this record. Critics are going nuts because the group has made a ‘70s disco album, and a ‘70s disco album stands out because it’s […]
Today in Rock History – January 21
1965, The Byrds record “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The only actual member of the band who performs on the record is lead guitarist/singer Jim McGuinn. Musicians from the fabled “Wrecking Crew,” including Larry Knetchel on bass, Leon Russell on piano, Hal Blaine on drums, Jerry Cole and Bill Pittman on guitar, replace the rest of the […]
Song Of The Day – “Take A Giant Step” by Taj Mahal
There is no rhyme or reason as to how I come up with the songs I choose to write about every day. They usually spring out of something I’ve been listening to or something I’ve read. So, if you regularly follow this column, you’ll get a pretty good idea of some of the stuff I […]
Today in Rock History – January 20
1967, Jimi Hendrix performed at Haverstock Hill Country Club in London. 1967, The Monkees TV show was shown for the first time in the UK. 1968, Fleetwood Mac, The Move, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Fairport Convention all appeared at the Roundhouse Chalk Farm in London. 1968, The Who play at Festival Hall […]
