Rock Evolution – The History of Rock & Roll - 1985 - (page 203)

[homerdog]

There's been loads of absolutely brilliant choices, so it's hard to pick anything that really stands out, but I'd like to nominate a couple. The first is a song that featured on the first album I ever bought, so has special memories, as I listened to it over and over on my cheap Ferguson turntable. This song was written and sung by Rick Parfitt - allegedly when he was high as a kite - and I'll let Francis Rossi explain how the song came about:
They lie to young people about drugs – how terrible they make you feel. The truth is, drugs make you feel great – at first. I remember when we did Mystery Song. We left Rick in the studio one night, sitting on a stool, playing: da da da, da da da… We came back in the morning and said: ‘You all right?’ He said: ‘I ain’t been home yet!’ Still speeding. Da da da, da da da…

Mystery Song (album version) - Status Quo

The second is a song I first saw performed on The Old Grey Whistle Test and I wasn't really that keen on it - it was only a few years later when I got my first decent hi-fi that someone recommended it to me as a great recording. I guess the fact that it was produced by Alan Parsons is the reason for that, but I also came to love the album and title song:

Year of the Cat - Al Stewart

 

[OB1]

There's been loads of absolutely brilliant choices, so it's hard to pick anything that really stands out, but I'd like to nominate a couple. The first is a song that featured on the first album I ever bought, so has special memories, as I listened to it over and over on my cheap Ferguson turntable. This song was written and sung by Rick Parfitt - allegedly when he was high as a kite - and I'll let Francis Rossi explain how the song came about:
They lie to young people about drugs – how terrible they make you feel. The truth is, drugs make you feel great – at first. I remember when we did Mystery Song. We left Rick in the studio one night, sitting on a stool, playing: da da da, da da da… We came back in the morning and said: ‘You all right?’ He said: ‘I ain’t been home yet!’ Still speeding. Da da da, da da da…

Mystery Song (album version) - Status Quo

The second is a song I first saw performed on The Old Grey Whistle Test and I wasn't really that keen on it - it was only a few years later when I got my first decent hi-fi that someone recommended it to me as a great recording. I guess the fact that it was produced by Alan Parson is the reason for that, but I also came to love the album and title song:

Year of the Cat - Al Stewart

Glad someone picked Year of the Cat.

 

[RobMCFC]

A lot of it was overblown production wise, theatrical and more importantly, said nothing to me about my life.

Things is, I already know everything about my life because I’ve lived it/am living it.

I want to hear about other people’s lives in the lyrics - some guy in the Australian desert or somebody down on their luck in Seattle. I also want to hear some decent music played by proper musicians.

I’m sure there will be some punkish songs I like as the years roll on but the examples in the list so far are pretty poor compared to what else is on offer. Considering that they feature on millions of T-Shirts across the world, the Ramones effort is pretty poor. They must have done better.

 

[threespires]

Glad someone picked Year of the Cat.

Not sure I am. Favourite album of my first proper, ultimately doomed, love. Bittersweet memories.

In fairness I did assume someone would have the good taste to pick it at some point.

 

[OB1]

Things is, I already know everything about my life because I’ve lived it/am living it.

I want to hear about other people’s lives in the lyrics - some guy in the Australian desert or somebody down on their luck in Seattle. I also want to hear some decent music played by proper musicians.

I’m sure there will be some punkish songs I like as the years roll on but the examples in the list so far are pretty poor compared to what else is on offer. Considering that they feature on millions of T-Shirts across the world, the Ramones effort is pretty poor. They must have done better.

It’s interesting to me to hear your take because you didn’t live through this period (as a music fan) but you do like a lot of stuff that I like; although we also diverge in plenty of places e.g. long songs , live albums (which my next album review thread offering might be full of).

Where I am very much of the same mind is I have never been into songs that speak to me about my life: I want to be entertained and taken away from reality. Of course there’s serious songs I like, Hurricane by Bob Dylan would be a good example; nothing to do with my life but about a very real injustice, and it’s a crime that it is not on this playlist, along with a few dozen other songs but, hey, I didn’t make the rules.

I had a phase, probably 20 odd years ago, of buying punk and new wave albums and I only buy things I like or think I’ll like. Some of it I’d have avoided as a younger person but some I would have thought was ok but I would not have spent money on. Can’t say I go back to those albums much now but I am happy to have them my collection.

One could write a lot on this but, in short, punk etc had a impact and in some respects it has lasted, some bands made songs shorter and played less long solos; you would probably tag self-indulgent on their but I do not believe self-indulgent is solely, or correctly, applicable to long songs or solos. It is irrelevant anyway, it is about whether it entertains the audience it is aimed at. A lot of newer bands seem to have forgone solos, not that I am their market.

What punk didn’t do is kill off all the rock “dinosaurs”: only old age will do that.

 

[OB1]

Things is, I already know everything about my life because I’ve lived it/am living it.

I want to hear about other people’s lives in the lyrics - some guy in the Australian desert or somebody down on their luck in Seattle. I also want to hear some decent music played by proper musicians.

I’m sure there will be some punkish songs I like as the years roll on but the examples in the list so far are pretty poor compared to what else is on offer. Considering that they feature on millions of T-Shirts across the world, the Ramones effort is pretty poor. They must have done better.

P.S. IMO, The Ramones do have better songs. Pretty much all in a similar vein though.

 

[threespires]

A lot of it was overblown production wise, theatrical and more importantly, said nothing to me about my life.
Punk was the bare bones. Striped down and low on production, high on energy and the majority of times delivered with a message that the kids got.

The worst 4 years of my life was when I left school and worked as an apprentice in a Ford Main Dealer in the parts department.
The fact I didn’t then and still don’t now give a shit about cars was bad enough, but being forced to listen to wonderful Radio 1 all day almost sent me over the edge. 79-83 and daily force fed REO Wankwagon, Air Supply, Journey, Foreigner, Styx, Boston, Kansas, Toto, Chicago…….. no no no!!!!!!

Here you go, moral dilemma - they unearth a load of unreleased material from Toto - one of the tracks is similar in musical tone to Africa but it's title and subject matter is Bridges of Vermont. What are you giving it out of 10? :-)

 

[RobMCFC]

Of course there’s serious songs I like, Hurricane by Bob Dylan would be a good example; nothing to do with my life but about a very real injustice, and it’s a crime that it is not on this playlist, along with a few dozen other songs but, hey, I didn’t make the rules.

I’m sure we can allow a few more songs on Monday as the playlist is only just over 4 hours at the moment.

 

[OB1]

I’m sure we can allow a few more songs on Monday as the playlist is only just over 4 hours at the moment.

Always happy to oblige if needed :-)

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

For my fourth and final pick (sorry, Steve Miller), another AOR staple that I love:-

Alright, I've been thinking about this all week, and like Al Stewart's classic track (sorry, spires), this song MUST be on this playlist to give us "the playlist the year deserves" to quote the correct 1.

But what if I could tie in the AOR classic rock song in with the punk rockers given the recent banter on the last few pages? Well, that would be truly special as The Church Lady would say on a Sunday.

So for Rob and many of us, I'll put this out here and hope I hit the right track, because there is many to love off Miller's classic 1976 album. After just moving to the Philly region that year, you couldn't escape this song being a Philadelphia Eagles fans favourite, and was a constant FM radio staple in that market as a result. "Rocky" united the city in 1976 and took Elton John's 1975 song I nominated for the last playlist of "Philadelphia Freedom" to the next level as well, but this song with that organ seemed other worldly and a musical breakthrough to me.

Though the song was often linked to drug use and "flying high", I and many always looked at this based on the lyrics about having the power within people to rise above, to help one another, in the midst of the passing of time, to make things better for those around you. To seek freedom as the soaring eagle does.

Oh, oh there’s a solution...

And here comes the link - the guitar riffs on this song were pulled from Miller’s 1966 song “My Dark Hour,” which was co-written with and features Paul McCartney on backing vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. However that earlier song was credited as "Paul Ramon", a name McCartney often used to check into hotels. And of course that pseudonym is what was used to also inspire punk pioneers The Ramones their band name and with everyone taking on that last name in their releases.

So, here it is, the title track (a 3rd for me this week, I might add ;) to Steve Miller's truly breakthrough album where 6 tracks would appear on his highly successful GHs 74-78 album. You can't deny the Hammond B3 organ on this song as it takes center stage.

"Fly Like An Eagle" - Steve Miller Band

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin', into the future

 

[Blue2112]

Very interesting. Great post @Blue2112. Have never had any idea whatsoever in all these years he was a blue.
Roy Harper is one of these musicians people have been talking about to me in earnest, hushed, awed tones these last fifty-five years. At least since Flat Baroque and Berserk. A bit like the way born-again Christians stare into your eyes and ask you whether you're realised how much Jesus loves you. And yet — incredibly! — I've never quite got round to listening to him!! Really must do it — before I pop my clogs, or he does.

Sorry I've been away for a few weeks due to the first daughter giving birth to our first grandchild and my second daughter moving into her first home so its been a busy period.

Yes Roy is a rare gifted thing from that period of time when your spirit was free, pot was smoked all too freely, flowers were worn in your hair and nakedness was worn with gay abandon. Have a listen to Commune, Hallucinating Light, I'll See You Again or Me and My Woman and you realise he really is as good as it gets.

That was then and a time long gone but Roy never allowed himself to be rooted in the past and at 72 years of age I defy anybody to write an album as good as his 2013 album Man and Myth. The album explores themes of anger, rueful reflection, and poignant contemplations on time and its passing. It also delves into friendship, love, betrayal, and memory. When Roy leaves this world behind he will be revered and spoken of in high regard by his peers and people will come to realise what they missed whilst he was here. As I said he's touring for the final time, coming off the back of his 5th Glastonbury performance and playing the Bridgewater in September. To miss him for the final time is at you're own loss.

 

[Blue2112]

I was about to send a shout out to @Blue2112 that he might want to soon jump in, but you've covered this track well. I held out yesterday and now I have a clear path with at least the album for tonight narrowed down.

Sorry guys but as Ive just mentioned elsewhere I've been away with the birth of our first grandchild and a second daughter moving into her new home its been a hectic couple.of weeks. I'll maybe bounce back in with Rush for a later year.

 

[Mancitydoogle]

Rainbow was only the second best gig I saw in 1976: the best was my first Kiss concert, a riotous affair at the Free Trade Hall, people were coming out of the stalls covered in blood - ok, fake blood coutesty of blood spitting, fire breathing bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons.

After the gig we waited backstage to see if we could get autographs and see the band sans make-up. A towering Gene Simmons appeared and said a big howdy but his bodyguard kept everyone at bay. We only realised Peter Criss had gone by when he disappeared onto the tour bus. Paul Stanley, instantly recognisable by his hair, did sign my programme, which I still have.

Kiss were promoting their new album Destroyer, which I reviewed and eulogised about producer Bob Ezrin and I’ll quote myself again for pick 4.

Ezrin’s influence is immediately evident on the finest album opener ever. Detroit Rock City is a cautionary tale of the dangers of slinging gravel under the influence of rock and roll. It sets off with an extended introduction and crashes out with a coda of cinematic audio effects. All this is wrapped around a classic riff driven piledriver with a distinctive Shaft like bass figure and depth charge drums. The guitar solo is a Flamenco inspired affair written by t

I was in the circle for that gig and my eyebrows almost got singed: those fire columns were hotter than hell, talk about a firehouse (sic)! I'd not heard KISS' music at that point but I loved that too, and still do, but I get why other people don't.

We may have gone to lots of the same gigs, you'd see a lot of the same faces. I used to see the person that eventually became my best man at gigs well before actually meeting him; albeit he would ususally be with his brother and his friend who were both in my Latin set at school. One guy you'd see at so many gigs looked a bit like Ozzy Osbourne and was always taping gigs, I never knew him personally but his name was Ian and my best mate bumped into him recently; he's still got the Ozzy hair, and the tapes.

The gigs I attended in 1976 - in reverse order, with ticket prices where I still have ticket - were:

Steve Hillage
Palace Theatre (I think - don't have a ticket or recall going but must have had a reason for listing it: I did dig my old diaries out from the loft during covid to help record all my gigs on Setlist.FM; a good friend was fond of Gong)

Eddie & the Hot Rods
Free Trade Hall £1.25

Thin Lizzy
Free Trade Hall £1.50

Peter Frampton / Gary Wright
Kings Hall at Belle Vue £2.80

Dr. Feelgood
Palace Theatre

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Free Trade Hall £1.75

Rainbow
Free Trade Hall

KISS
Free Trade Hall

Camel
Free Trade Hall £1.65

Robin Trower /John Miles
Free Trade Hall (Got the ticket but it's signed on the back by RT and stuck on a piece of card)

I loved the FTH, best concert venue ever, the number of times I saw the front rows demolished. What was great was they would sell seats near the front but on the side more cheaply because of restricted view (due to the PAs) so we'd buy those for gigs that you knew the crowd would rush the stage and end up standing in front of the stage.

Happy days.

I hardly ever kept the ticket stubs unfortunately, but I remember going to see
in no particular order

Peter Frampton Kings Hall

Dr Feelgood FTH

KISS FTH

10cc FTH

Be Bob Deluxe FTH

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel both FTH and The Palace

 

[homerdog]

I remember reading a review of Tyler and Perry in one of the music papers that disparagingly compared them to the original Glimmer Twins, Jagger and Richards. I was outraged, thinking that Aerosmith were far more exciting than the Stones had been for years!

I think this song, from the brilliant Rocks album, showcases the band at their most aggressive, galloping best, with Perry's fantastic riff (written on 6 string bass), Tyler's screaming vocals (about sex!) and Whitford's superb guitar solo.

Back in the Saddle - Aerosmith

Just realised it's already been nominated - oh well, happy to reiterate what a great song it is!

 

[Mancitydoogle]

Taken four days for this to be mentioned! Wilson was there too so by extension other bands conceived beyond those initial ones.

Supported by Wythenshawe's finest in Slaughter and The Dogs. I was still at primary school with what I believe was Mike Rossi's little sister, at that point.

Given the impact v size of audience (no more than 50?) it must be up there as the most creatively productive gig of all time? Way more so than the later 100 club gig.

I met Mick Rossi and Wayne Barrett a few times at Mick Ronson /Ian Hunter gigs. They persuaded M
R to appear on their first album, they also gave us free tickets to watch them at Rafters in 1977 they were that bad they should’ve paid us!
Punk was responsible for any body with or without any musical talent to form a band, some were very good a lot weren’t.

 

[threespires]

I’m sure we can allow a few more songs on Monday as the playlist is only just over 4 hours at the moment.

I wasn't planning to go 'full OB1' but I do think there's a handful of songs that are representative of the times that should be there. One of them I really disliked at the time but I now consider to be redolent of a simpler and more innocent time and so has grown in my affections.

I remember reading a review of Tyler and Perry in one of the music papers that disparagingly compared them to the original Glimmer Twins, Jagger and Richards. I remember being outraged, thinking that Aerosmith were far more exciting than the Stones had been for years.

I think this song, from the brilliant Rocks album, showcases the band at their most aggressive, galloping best, with Perry's fantastic riff (written on 6 string bass), Tyler's screaming vocals (about sex!) and Whitford's superb guitar solo.

Back in the Saddle - Aerosmith

Ah caught out! I might have already gone "a bit OB1" and slipped that one in myself this morning. My excuse m'lud is that OB1 had in fact behaved himself so far(!) and that something from Rocks did need to go in. Fully expect him to now announce we've picked the wrong song to include :-)

 

[Out on blue 6]

I wasn't planning to go 'full OB1' but I do think there's a handful of songs that are representative of the times that should be there. One of them I really disliked at the time but I now consider to redolent of a simpler and more innocent time that it's grown in my affections.




Ah caught out! I might have already gone "a bit OB1" and slipped that one in myself this morning. My excuse m'lud is that OB1 had in fact behaved himself so far(!) and that something from Rocks did need to go in. Fully expect him to now announce we've picked the wrong song to include :-)

I think there is a song probably totally different from what has gone on so far that merits thinking about including and I thought was later in the seventies

Joan Armatrading - Love and Affection

 

[Blue2112]

I only joined this thread late in the day in 1974 and so I've missed a few bands and songs from the previous years. I'd have loved to have offered Jimmie Spheeris for 1971 with 'I am the Mercury' but there is a great live version from 1976. So although it's not strictly correct its well worth a listen. However I can put forward his song 'Child from Nowhere' from the 1976 album 'Ports of the Heart'.

Jimmie came to prominence with his 1971 album 'Isle of View' with help from his friend the excellent Richie Havens whom I have been lucky to see live and meet and he was a genuinely beautiful human being, known most notably for being asked to open the Woodstock Festival when most of the musicians could not reach the stage due to the enormous crowds that turned out. Jimmie started his musical career with a soft laid back folk style and later experimented with jazz rock fusion. He recorded 5 albums and was tragically killed at the young age of 34 when his motorcycle collided with a van, the driver being found to be under the influence of alcohol.

 

[homerdog]

Fully expect him to now announce we've picked the wrong song to include :-)

I did think about a few others; Last Child, Sick as a Dog and Nobody's Fault, to name but three!

 

[homerdog]

Given that Detroit Rock City has already been nominated (even though I prefer the live version on Alive II), I won't try to force another Kiss song in. However, Destroyer is, without doubt, Kiss' finest moment, so would like to give a shout out (see what I did there?) to Shout It Out Loud, a sub 3 minute rock 'n' roll powerhouse of a song!