I revisited the “Turnstiles” album by Billy Joel today. It was the first time I’ve given the record a spin in at least a decade and it fit me like a glove. I often marvel at how music has the power to bring you right back to what you were doing when you first experienced […]
Today in Rock History – April 6
1968, Pink Floyd announced founder Syd Barrett had officially left the group. Barrett was suffering from psychiatric disorders compounded by drug use. 1968, Simon and Garfunkel went to number one on the US album chart with the soundtrack of Mike Nichols’ movie The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. The film boosted the profile […]
Today in Rock History – March 19
1962, Bob Dylan’s debut album Bob Dylan was released in the Untied States. Initially poor sales led the record to be known around Columbia Records as “Hammond’s Folly.” John Hammond was producer of Dylan’s early recordings and the man responsible for signing Dylan. The album was praised by the New York City weekly newspaper Village […]
Today in Rock History – February 21
1964, Three classic British singles were released, The Rolling Stones “Not Fade Away,” a UK number three, The Hollies “Just One Look,”a UK number two, and Billy J Kramer’s “Little Children,” a UK number one. 1964, New York band The Echoes recruited a new, young unknown piano player, named Billy Joel. 1967, Pink Floyd started […]
Today in Rock History – December 16
1965, Released as a double A-side The Beatles “Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out,” became their ninth UK number one, and their third Christmas chart topper in a row. The single was a US number one in January 1966. 1966, Pink Floyd appeared at a prohibition themed dance, the AA Students Christmas Carnival, […]
Today in Rock History – December 9
1966, Supergroup Cream released their debut studio album Fresh Cream in the UK. The power trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker also released their second single “I Feel Free” on the same day. 1967, The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut. Before the show, a policeman found singer […]
Today in Rock History – December 3
1964, The Rolling Stones had their second UK number one single with their version of “Little Red Rooster.” The Stones had recorded the song at Chess Studios in Chicago, the same studios where Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Little Walter had recorded their blues classics. 1965, Rolling Stone Keith Richards was knocked unconscious by an […]
Today in Rock History – November 23
1964, The Rolling Stones are banned from the BBC for unprofessionalism after showing up late for appearances on the radio shows Top Gear and Saturday Club. 1965, Dave Clark Five perform at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. 1965, Marc Bolan appeared live on the UK TV show Five O’Clock Funfair, performing “The Wizard.” 1967, The […]
Today in Rock History – June 14
1966, The Who record preliminary versions of two new Pete Townshend compositions “Disguises,” and a song from Pete’s first rock opera Quads, “I’m A Boy.” “Disguises” is rush mixed to be used the next day on the last episode of BBC-TV’s A Whole Scene Going. Pete wears a handlebar mustache and John plays a tuba […]
Song Of The Day – “Ballad Of Billy The Kid” (Live from C.W. Post College, 1977) by Billy Joel
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Things change… and so do opinions. Several years ago I thought that my days listening to Billy Joel were over. It had been many years since he released a record, and even many more since he released a really good record. I mistakenly passed on the Billy Joel/Elton John […]
