History of Rock Test 4
Elton John
-Collaborating w/lyricist Bernie Taupin, releases 28 Top 40LPs -American debut at Troubadour -one of most prolific and enduring recording artists in history -"Candle in the Wind" the largest selling single in history
The Eagles
-Commercially successful, often criticized -1971: band forms, members all started from different bands -1972: The Eagles, went gold oPlaylist: "Peaceful Easy Feeling" -1975: The Eagles/Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975- 1st certified platinum LP -1976: Hotel California -3 diamond LPs; 13 others platinum or multi-platinum albums
Gram Parsons
-Country rock pioneer -1966: International Submarine Band, Safe At Home Album -1967: the Byrds, Sweetheart of the Rodeo -1968: Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin -Playlist: "Christine's Tune (Devil in Disguise) -1973: death, cremation legend
Music Cut #45: "Ziggy Stardust"
-David Bowie -produced by Ken Scott and David Bowie -1972, RCA -Album: LP The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Southern Rock
-Deeply rooted in country music and the blues -'grittier' than country rock, between country and hard rock -Identifies w/Southern stereotypes: good old boys, macho posturing, etc -Larger instrumentation: often 2-3 guitarists, 2 drummers, etc
Creedence Clearwater Revival
-1959: formed in Bay area, led by Fogarty brothers -signed with Fantasy Records, known as Blue Velvets -country influenced rockabilly guitars and John Fogerty's raspy voice -down to earth and non political storylines for songs -1969-70: five #2 hits including "Proud Mary" and: -Playlist: "Fortunate Son"(attack on privileged class who could afford to stay out of Vietnam)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
-1965: band forms in Jacksonville, FL; named after gym teacher -signed to MCA -1973: debut LP Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd includes tribute to Duane Allman, "Free Bird" -warm up act on Who's Quadrophenia Tour -1974: Second Helping Music Cut 39: "Sweet Home Alabama" -1977: plane crash 3 days after release of Street Survivors
The Dylan Influence
-1965: folk rock emerges; early examples include: "Mr. Tambourine Man" the Byrds, Newport Folk Festival, Bringing It All Back Home, "The Sound of Silence" S&G -Laurel Canyon(mountainous wooded area in Hollywood where many rock artists lived) -The Troubadour (folk rock club)
Fleetwood Mac
-1967: formed in London blues scene by Mick Fleetwood, John McVie -Early 1970s: move to LA, new production team, addition of Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks -1975: Fleetwood Mac (The White Album) o"Rhiannon" -1977: Rumours Music Cut 40: "Go Your Own Way" -1978: Tusk, included African drumming, USC Marching Band -1983: all pursue solo careers
Led Zeppelin #2
-1969: Led Zeppelin I: o "You Shook Me" (Dixon) -1969: Led Zeppelin II: o "You Need Love" Muddy Waters, composed by Willie Dixon Music Cut 42: "Whole Lotta Love" -1970: Led Zeppelin III: o "Bron-Y-Aur-Stomp" -1971: Led Zeppelin IV (Zoso) o "Black Dog o "Stairway to Heaven"
Pink Floyd #2
-1973: The Dark Side of the Moon charts for 14+years, state of the art concept album, themes of isolation and insecurity o "Speak to Me/Breathe" o "On the Run" o "Time" Music Cut 44: "Money" -1979: The Wall, epic rock opera in which Waters examines the emotional wall he built. o "Another Brick in the Wall" scathing attack on British educational system
Carole King
-1st career as songwriter for Aldon Music w/then husband Jerry Goffin -1967: moves to LA to reinvent herself -1970: Tapestry, won four Grammy's -"Will You Love Me Tomorrow" Music Cut 37: "It's Too Late" -1970s: 4 more Top Ten LPs, 13 Top 40 singles
Black Sabbath
-1st heavy metal band? -1st to use lower tunings, occult themes, distortion, volume -were schoolmates, first Polka Tulk, then The Earth -were rejected by 14 labels, then signed with Vertigo -1970: Black Sabbath, Paranoid -Guitarist was missing tips of two fingers on right hand Music Cut 41: "Iron Man" -Ozzy dismissed for drug/alcohol
Late 1960's/Early 1970's
-A time of great change in American society (Vietnam War, assassinations, etc) -A time of great change in rock (Altamont, deaths of Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison, breakup of the Beatles, etc) -New sense of reality sets in: retreat, pessimism -Late 1960s: rock fragments/audience expands -Labeling
Simon and Garfunkel
-As Tom and Jerry, appear on American Bandstand, 1957 -1962: sign w/Columbia, release Wednesday Morning, Three A.M. -After adding rock rhythm section, "Sounds of Silence" hits #1 -1968: The Graduate soundtrack o"Mrs. Robinson" -1967: appearance at Monterey o"Homeward Bound" -"Bridge Over Troubled Water" 1970 Grammy for Album of the Year
Pink Floyd
-At the vanguard of art rock, technology, live shows -1965-68: Syd Barrett years, electronic effects, free form instrumental breaks, feedback, and psychedelic light shows -1967: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn o "Astronomy Domine" -1968-83: Roger Waters years, reshaped into darker, grander, and more experimental unit.
Music Cut#41: "Iron Man"
-Black Sabbath -produced by Roger Bain -1971, Vertigo/Warner -Album: LP Paranoid -one of the defining songs of early heavy metal
Music Cut #37: "It's Too Late"
-Carole King -produced by Lou Adler -1971, Ode -Album: Tapestry -named record of the year at the 1972 Grammy Awards -heartfelt lyrics and soothing music
The Mamas and the Papas
-Denny Doherty, "Mama" Cass Elliot, John and Michelle Phillips -Early 1960s: Greenwich Village/Virgin Islands -signed with Dunhill -known for strong four part multi-tracked vocals and their good time hippie look -1965-68: ten Top 20 singles including "California Dreamin'", "Monday, Monday"
Late 1960's
-Dylan records country-influenced John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline -Country rock-other precedents o The Hawks (later the Band) o Rick Nelson o International Submarine Band (Gram Parsons)
James Taylor
-Early life marred by heroin addiction, mental issues -1968: debut LP on Apple -1970: Sweet Baby James -Playlist: "Fire and Rain"
The Band
-Eclectic mix of folk, blues, classical, rock; Americana -1958-63: the Hawks, led by Ronnie Hawkins -1964-66: tour/record with Dylan; the Basement Tapes -1968: Music From Big Pink(revolutionary surprise) Music Cut 38: "Tears of Rage" -1969: The Band (their commercial breakthrough) -1976: The Last Waltz(documentary film about last concert at Winterland Ballroom) o"The Weight"
Origins of Art Rock
-Emerged from unique nature of English class distinctions -Common philosophy: incorporate elements of high culture, including classical music, jazz, avant-grade
Music Cut #40: "Go Your Own Way"
-Fleetwood Mac -produced by Fleetwood Mac -1977, Warner -Album: LP Rumours -written by Lindsey Buckingham in reference to the breakup of his romance with Stevie Nicks
Difference Between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal
-Heavy metal has lyrical themes of darkness, death, and evil -Heavy metal uses classical music influences -Heavy metal is more extreme: louder, more intense, and heavier
1970's Rock Business Growing
-In addition to record sales, concert appearances were becoming lucrative -Outdoor arenas book 50,000+ fans, need huge sound, video and lightning systems -Performers create larger-than-life personas to be visible to all fans in arena
Buffalo Springfield
-Included Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Jim Messina -shortest lived folk rock group -debut gig at Troubador -1966: group forms, signs w/Atlantic, releases debut LP -1967: performance at Monterey -"For What It's Worth" -1968: break up
Music Cut #42: "Whole Lotta Love"
-Led Zeppelin -produced by Jimmy Page -1969, Atlantic -Album: Led Zeppelin II -lyrics loosely based on Willie Dixon's "You Need Love"
The Allman Brothers
-Led by brothers Duane (guitar) and Greg (organ, vocals) -1969: band forms in Macon, GA -legendary on stage jamming -unique combo of blues, boogie, R&B, country, and jazz. -1971: At Fillmore East o"Statesboro Blues" oPlaylist: "Whipping Post" -Brothers and Sisters, only #1 album -1971: Duane killed -1972: Berry Oakley killed
Music Cut #39: "Sweet Home Alabama"
-Lynyrd Skynyrd -produced by Al Kooper -1974, MCA -Album: LP Second Helping -inspired by Neil Young's lyrics about racism and slavery in the South
Van Morrison
-Musical chameleon -Quirky, soulful vocalist -raised in working class family, quit school at 16 to tour with R&B group -"Gloria" Them(band) 1966 -"Brown Eyed Girl" 1967 -1968: Astral Weeks: jazz/folk/blues/classical hybrid -Playlist: "Madame George" -1970s: many hits, including "Moondance", "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You", "Wild Night", "Domino", etc
Deep Purple
-One of the 1st metal bands to use classical influences, started as hard rock band -finest album: Machine Head -"Smoke on the Water" documents burning of Montreux Casino in Switzerland -"Highway Star"
Music Cut #44: "Money"
-Pink Floyd -produced by Pink Floyd -1973 at Abbey Road Studios -Album: The Dark Side of the Moon -use of cash register and coin sound effects
Key Characteristics of Heavy Metal
-Power trio w/vocalist -Loud, aggression, distortion -Showcase for guitarist -Themes: Satan, drugs, evil, etc -Blues riffs, power chords
Led Zeppelin in 1970's
-Preoccupation w/occult, esp. Aleister Crowley -Redefined rock touring, only in large cities -Legendary offstage behavior -Feuding w/rock press -1975: Plant family misfortunes -1980: John Bonham dies
Joni Mitchell
-Restless musical experimenter -raised in wide open prairies of Alberta Canada -learned to play guitar while recuperating from polio -became fixture in local coffeehouse scene -1969: Clouds o "Both Sides Now" -1970: Ladies of the Canyon o "Big Yellow Taxi" -1971: Blue -confessional, subtly humorous lyrics -idiosyncratic, playful vocal style
King Crimson
-Robert Fripp: influences include, Bartok, Holst, etc. -live performances were some of the most explosive ever witnessed -1969: In the Court of the Crimson King, mapped out future direction of art rock o "21st Century Schizoid Man" o "Epitaph"
Mergers and Megahits
-Rock became dominant music format -1970s: explosive growth of record industry; by the end of the decade, 6 corporations (Capitol, Colombia, MCA, Warner, RCA, MGM) control 80% of record and tape sales -Many megahit LPs, include: o Eagles/Their Greatest Hits, Rumours, Saturday Night Fever, The Dark Side of the Moon, Tapestry -Era of corporate greed, hubris begins, will last until late 1990s.
Other Glam Rockers
-Rod Stewart -Roxy Music
The Byrds
-Roger McGuinn; Rickenbacker electric 12-string guitar -1965: folk rock period Music Cut 36: "Mr. Tambourine Man" -"Turn, Turn, Turn" (#1) -1966: psychedelic period -"Eight Miles High" (#14) -1968: country rock period w/addition of Gram Parsons -"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
-Singer/songwriters from Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Hollies -perhaps most influential folk rock band -1968: group forms, goes on tour, performs at Woodstock -"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" -1970: Déjà Vu -broke up due to internal conflicts
Aerosmith
-Steve Tyler, Joe Perry (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wannabes) imitation of Rolling Stones 1972: signed with Colombia -1975: Toys in the Attic o "Janie's Got a Gun" about incest, won Grammy o "Walk This Way"
Early Examples of Art Rock
-The Beatles "In My Life" 1965 -"A Whiter Shade of Pale" 1967 -Mellotron- "Strawberry Fields Forever" (tape player type of keyboard i.e. flute sounds) -Mini-Moog (electric music synthesizers)
Glam Rock
-Theatrical; influenced by Alice Cooper, lighting, props, makeup, big hair, costumes -Wide variety of musical styles -Flamboyant fashions, assaults on sexual conventions -Shock value: glitzy, campy, outrageous
Singer/Songwriters
-Umbrella term describing solo composer/artists of the late 1960s/ early 1970s -Dylan influence -Characteristics include: o Personal, confessional, reflective lyrics o Soft, soothing music o Willingness to experiment o Women's viewpoint o Solo artists who performed with backup bands -brought voice to female performers. They were now writing their own songs
Music Cut #43: "Eruption"
-Van Halen -produced by Ted Templeman -1978, Warner -Album: LP Van Halen -heard around the world for guitar players -considered to be one of the most influential guitar solos in history -helped Van Halen achieve diamond status
Alice Cooper
-Vincent Furnier leads Earwigs; in 1968 become Alice Cooper -Influential use of gruesome stage antics, theatrics -freaky, odd clothes, ghoulish makeup -signed to Straight Records, then Warner Bros -1970: "Eighteen," Love It to Death
Carly Simon
-Wealthy childhood in NYC -Late 60s: w/ Elephant Memory -signed with Elektra -LA debut at Troubadour -1970: releases debut LP, 1st single,"That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" -1971: Anticipation album -1972: No Secrets, pop breakthrough o "You're So Vain" -Role model to women -married James Taylor, then divorced
Led Zeppelin
-Wide variety of musical styles; deeply rooted in the blues -Mid 1960s: Jimmy Page is in-demand session guitarist -1966: Page Joins Yardbirds -1968: New Yardbirds w/Plant, Jones, Bonham o "Dazed and Confused" -1969: debut LP Led Zeppelin I, 1st American tour w/ Vanilla Fudge
Folk Rock Characteristics
-combines elements of folk music -Acoustic guitars, rock rhythm -Softer dynamics -Rich choral vocals -Lyric story lines
Van Halen
-emerged from Sunset Strip bar scene -two brothers developed love for rock and roll -contract with Warner Brothers after Gene Simmons financed a demo tape -Guitarist Eddie Van Halen use of hammer-ons, pull-offs, fret board tapping Music Cut 43: "Eruption"
Judas Priest
-grew out of shadows of steel mills -1974: debut LP Rocka Rolla -adopted leather and studs look -member would often ride Harley on stage, led to endorsement with the company -biggest seller: Screaming for Vengeance
David Bowie
-influential glam performer -Early career: experimented w/mod, Buddhism, mime, art -1972: creates Ziggy Stardust his alter ego (bisexual alien rock star) -Later acting career Music Cut 45: "Ziggy Stardust" The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars 1972
Yes
-legendary for superior musicianship, high three part vocal harmonies, and intricate and complex compositions. -instant acclaim in England, The Yes Album broke through to the US
Queen
-music highly produced, heavy doses of overdubbing -1975: A Night at the Opera o "Bohemian Rhapsody" -Rock anthems: We Will Rock You and Another One Bites the Dust -Group member Mercury died of AIDS
Characteristics of Art Rock
-predominant use of keyboards/synthesizers -use of classical forms (operas, multi movement suites, concept albums) -use of classical instruments -virtuoso performers with classical music training
Country Rock
-style that combines elements normally associated with country music, like pedal steel guitars, two beat rhythm and twangy vocals, with rock
Music Cut #38: "Tears of Rage"
-the Band -produced by John Simon -1968, Capitol -Album: Music From Big Pink -low tempo, mournful lyrics
Music Cut #36: "Mr. Tambourine Man"
-the Byrds -produced by Terry Melcher -1965, Columbia -Album: Mr. Tambourine Man LP -the Byrd's transformed Dylan's original version and created the template for their early sound
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: Deja Vu
-wide assortment of musical influences, acoustic folk, rock, country, pop -"Carry On" (Stills) -"Teach Your Children" (Nash) -"Helpless" (Young) -"Almost Cut My Hair" (Crosby)
KISS
-wore make up that reflected their personalities -signed with Casablanca -"KISS Army"(their loyal fan base) comic books, animated TV special, etc -LP Alive
The Industrial Roots
•Heavy Metal o Born in English industrial cities o Rooted in blues/hard rock o Term coined by William Burroughs in novel o "Born to Be Wild" Steppenwolf
