Bob Dylan isn’t the only artist supposedly having a late career renaissance. Over the last several years, septuagenarian, Ian Hunter, has put out a succession of terrific records packed with full-on Mott rockers complete with the Dylanesque wordplay he’s come to be known for. Now, let me digress a minute because it seems that in […]
Today in Rock History – March 1
1967, The Beatles began recording “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” at Abbey Road studios, London. Work on the new John Lennon song began the day before with extensive rehearsals. Despite the acronym of the song spelling out LSD, the origins of the composition came from a drawing that Lennon’s son Julian had made of […]
Today in Rock History – November 12
1965, Velvet Underground’s manager and music journalist Al Aronowitz arranged for the group’s first paying gig, $75, to play at Summit High School, in Summit, New Jersey, opening for the Myddle Class. 1966, The Monkees debut album started a 13-week run at number one on the album chart, selling over three million copies in three […]
Today in Rock History – October 27
1964, 31-year old Salvatore Philip Bono married 18-year old Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere. For a time they performed together as Caesar and Cleo before changing the name of their act to Sonny and Cher. Their union lasted twelve years. 1966, The Four Tops were at number one on the UK singles chart with “Reach Out […]
Today in Rock History – September 23
1966, The Rolling Stones 66 12-date UK tour kicked off at the Royal Albert Hall London. Supported by The Yardbirds, Ike and Tina Turner, and Peter Jay and the New Jaywalkers. Both Keith Moon and John Entwistle from The Who were in the audience. 1967, The Mothers Of Invention appeared at the Royal Albert Hall […]
Today in Rock History – August 28
1965, The Rolling Stones announced that Allen Klein, who they had met three days earlier, would co-manage the group along with Andrew Long Oldham. At the same time, The Stones signed a five-year recording deal with Decca Records. 1965, The Beach Boys “California Girls” was at No.3 on the singles chart,the single peaked at No.26 […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Sucker” by Mott The Hoople
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Sucker” by Mott The Hoople Mott The Hoople was a British pub rock group consisting of Ian Hunter on vocals, guitar and piano, Mick Ralphs on guitar and vocals, Verden Allen on organ and vocals, Pete Overend Watts on bass and Dale “Buffin” Griffin on drums. By […]
Today in Rock History – July 8
1966, The Beatles released the Nowhere Man 4-track EP in the UK, which included “Drive My Car,” “Michelle,” and “You Won’t See Me.” All four tracks were taken from The Beatles’ sixth UK studio album, Rubber Soul. 1966, The Who appeared at Top Rank Suite in Cardiff, Wales. 1966, The Rolling Stones performed at Cobo […]
Today in Rock History – July 6
1957, John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time at The Woolton Church Parish Fete where The Quarry Men were appearing. As The Quarry Men were setting up for their evening performance, McCartney eager to impress Lennon picked up a guitar and played “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran, and Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” […]
Song Of The Day – “Ready For Love” by Bad Company
I was a rock snob during the 1970s and 1980s. I admit it, and for those that know me well, this revelation should come as no surprise. I loved prog rock, some southern rock, glam rock and glam’s second cousin disco. I had little tolerance for what I’ll term meat ‘n’ potatoes “dumb-ass” rock. As […]
