Rock to Bach Final Exam
Van Halen
The hopes and dreams of metal aspirants in Los Angeles were fed by the late 1970s success of this band, who had worked their way up through the scene and enjoyed a series of hit albums. But by 1984, the relationship between virtuoso guitarist Eddie Van Halen and lead singer David Lee Roth had gone sour. Roth's last album with the band was 1984 and after this Sammy Hager joined the band as lead singer for the album 5150 and performed with the group for the remainder of the decade.
The Eagles
They had another huge album that came out called Hotel California, which hit number one in the United States in early 1977 and included 3 hit songs: "New Kid in Town", "Hotel California", and "Life in the Fast Lane." Guitarist Joe Walsh replaced Bernie Leadon on this album, and the band abandoned their easygoing country rock approach for a harder rocking, more mainstream style. This band followed with The Long Run, an album among the top in 1979.
Public Enemy
This band first stormed the rhythm and blues chart with It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, containing the single "Don't Believe the Hype." "Fight the Power" which also makes direct reference to the black power movement, was featured in Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing. They became one of the most influential groups in rap, enjoying their greatest crossover success with Apocalypse 91 - The Enemy Strikes Back.
Motley Crue
A group featuring singer Vince Neil and drummer Tommy Lee, also emerged from the Los Angeles club circuit in 1983 with Shout at the Devil and increased in popularity throughout the decade before releasing Dr. Feelgood, which became their best selling album. They were a guitar driven, pop-oriented metal band. Neil's singing is almost is high, almost screaming, showing the influence of Led Zeppelin, while the drumming is loud and assertive.
Minor Threat
After Teen Idles disbanded in 1980, McKaye and Nelson formed this band, which became arguably the most important group on the D.C. hardcore scene. In 1981, the band released Minor Threat and In My Eyes, two extended-play records that took musical cues from the same brand of UK punk rock that inspired Fear, Black Flag, and Minutemen. This band took a different social course than much of the punk rock that came before, swearing off drugs and alcohol and advocating a clean lifestyle.
The Velvet Underground
Among one of the most important punk influences. The group emerged when Lou Reed, who had studied creative writing in college and then worked as a professional songwriter, and John Cale, who had studied avant-garde composition was playing with a performance ensemble led by avant-garde composer LaMonte Young, came together in the mid-60s. The band has an aspect of confrontation: An aesthetic
The Ramones
Among the other bands to play CBGB in its earliest days as punk headquarters was this band. Playing under the stage names of Joey (vocals), Johnny (guitar), Dee Dee (bass), and Tommy (drums) Ramone, this band produced a stripped-down, high-energy style of rock that focused on short, simple songs played very fast. The band signed with Sire Records - an important New York label - and released Ramones. Because of the resurgence of interest in the Ramone's music years later, many are surprised to learn the band never had significance success in the United States. Despite the groups importance in the history of punk, no Ramones album ever reached the Top 40 of the Billboard album charts.
George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic
An ambitious musician and songwriter based in Detroit, this artist, who was most closely associated with the extensive development of funk in the 70s. Beginning in the later 60s this artist combined the approaches of James Brown and Berry Gordy to establish one of the most successful music-business operations in the second half of the 1970s. This artist moved to Detroit during the Motown boom of the 60s. He sang, wrote, and produced songs for a vocal group called the Parliaments, who performed in the manner of the Temptations or Four Tops. Due to a dispute over the name of the group, he began recording with his back up musicians under the name Funkadelic to avoid legal complications. When the legal wrangling ended, he used both group names for contracts with different recording companies.
Queen
Inspired by The Beatles, this band featuring the singing of Freddie Mercury and the guitar of Brian May, the band scored its first success in the UK with Queen 2. Sheer Heart Attack brought this band to attention in the US, while A Night at the Opera featured the extravagent "Bohemian Rhapsody", established the band as a cross between the glam aspects of David Bowie and the classical ambitions of progressive rockers. They continued their successes in the late 70s with A Day at the Races and News of the World, the latter of which contained the anthemic one-two punch "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions." More success followed in the early 80s with "Another One Bites the Dust." However, in 1991 Mercury died from AIDS and he raised public awareness of a disease that had been devastating the gay community for several years. While he never came out as gay, his death forced many rock fans to confront sexual stereotypes, opening the door for many gay musicians to feel comfortable revealing their sexual orientation to the public.
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
Keith Emerson was apart of King Crimson - he was the multi-keyboardist and he received a lot of commercial success. Emerson was well known on the London scene. Greg Lake was part of this band as well (vocalist). While touring the US with King Crimson, Emerson and Lake decided to form their own band together, drawing in Carl Palmer, who had played the drums with Arthur Brown. Picked up right where Nice left off.
Metallica
Metal also had its more serious-minded, musically earnest, and ambitious practitioners during this period, and this band was a prime example of one. The band began in Los Angeles but moved to the San Francisco area, where they felt they had metal fans with a deeper appreciation for the music. They embraced a form called speed metal, which refers to the fast tempos and blazing guitar passages featured in the music of a growing sector of metal bands.
David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust
Most important British glam rocker who stormed the UK charts. His first performance success in the UK came with the single "Space Oddity." He also created the character Ziggy Stardust for the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which contained "Suffragette City" - the only glam artists to achieve significant success in the US.
Chapter 12: Black Sabbath -- Ozzy Osbourne
One of the most important bands in the the growing heavy rock scene at the end of the 70s. By the end of 1977, Ozzy Osbourne quit this band to pursue a solo career. The group continued on with Ronnie James Dio taking over lead vocals, while Osbourne recruited virtuoso guitarist Randy Rhoads and released a pair of successful solo albums. Osbourne and this band became high-profile acts, playing for stadium crowds and enjoying the benefits of past success.
Kool Herc
One of the most popular early hip-hop DJs was this person, and he made a practice of bringing his powerful sound system to a local park, using a city power source for electricity, and spinning records loud enough for everyone to hear. He was perhaps the first to use a MC. These early MC's would soon develop into rappers, blending this new role with the clever patter of black radio disc jockeys.
Marvin Gaye
One of the most successful AA male vocalists of the 1960s, who had also married into the Gordy family, this artist experimented as a songwriter and producer by helping create music for the Originals. He produced one of the first concept albums in black pop, reflecting yet another link with rock-music practice while remaining faithful to his Motown groups. His albums confronted problems of black urban life and issues of environmentalism in modern society, and questioned the US presence in Vietnam.
Punk: Roots, DIY, US vs UK, reasons for rebellion, fashion
Punk worldwide had its roots in America, associated with confrontation; response to hippie/corporate rock. The home of the US punk scene started in New York which highlighted punk fashion and the DIY aesthetic. Punk roots in the US came from The Velvet Underground, the Stooges, and the MC5 while the rise of punk in the UK came from Malcolm McLaren and the Sex Pistols.
Sex Pistols, Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious, Malcolm McLaren
This band was the catalyst for punk in the UK and they started when British manager and shop owner Malcolm McLaren became a central character in helping this socioeconomic frustration find its voice in punk music and culture in the UK, the band was started. McLaren ran a clothing store in London called Let It Rock and later he was providing matching red leather suits for the band New York Dolls, which they sported during performances in New York in early 1965. 2 men started a band and urged McLaren to manage them. His first move was to change Lydon's name to Johnny Rotten. With McLaren now calling the shots, the Sex Pistols began gigs in late 1975. After controversy with "God Save the Queen" album cover, the band had broken up (with Sid Vicious replacing Matlock on bass during the final months).
Chapter 8: Led Zeppelin
With a string of 8 #1 albums in the UK and 6 #1's in the US, they were among the most successful new British groups of the 70s. Jimmy Page co-wrote most of the groups songs and was deeply devoted to the album format - resistant to releasing tracks as singles - and their type of music was a blend of acoustic, blues, and psychedelic elements found in their most popular song "Stairway to Heaven". Band disbanded after the tragic death of John Bonham (the drummer) related to alcohol.
Stevie Wonder
After his 21st birthday in early 1971, this artist was also given complete artistic control over his records and produced a series of albums that each cohered in a similar manner to album-oriented rock. Unlike any other Motown artist of the time, this artist often wrote, produced, and played many of the instruments on his albums. This artist was a leading force in African American dance music and balladry and his experiments with new sounds and timbres (including extensive use of the synthesizer) and studio techniques were highly indebted to rock.
Movement of alternative into the mainstream
Alternative rock had roots in hardcore, indie rock underground scenes of 1980s and 70's punk. REM's hit became blueprint for major label success. Originated from Seattle. 90's alternative rockers reacted against visually oriented MTV artists and virtuosic heavy metal groups with casual dress, no extended solos (amateur musician image), and DIY recording (no major labels). Pioneer was Nirvana with lead singer Kurt Cobain (rebellious attitude with traditional songwriting, return to simplicity launched alternative music/life style, sparked breakthrough by Nevermind album). In 1990, alternative broke through and went to the mainstream with the help of Nirvana and the popularity of the grunge and Britpop movements.
Afrika Bambaataa
Another early DJ expanded the range of source recordings employed within hip-hop. He also founded Zulu Nation in the early 70s, a gang-like organization devoted to building a sense of fraternity among hip-hop artists and de-emphasizing the role of fighting and crime in the urban neighborhoods of New York. Known in the community as the "master of the record."
Black Sabbath
Band was originally named "Earth" and changed it after a horror movie. Consisted of guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward, and singer Ozzy Osbourne. First four albums were a great commercial success and laid the foundation for the use of music and images that would become central to the emergence of heavy metal a few years later. By the end of the decade, the original lineup parted ways and Ozzy went on to a solo career as one of the most prominent practitioners of heavy metal in the 80s and 90s.
Disco roots and Disco Sucks
Disco emerged when rock became the music that was primarily used for listening instead of dancing. It emerged onto the national scene in 1977 with the release of Saturday Night Fever, a film starring John Travolta, and he became the model for the macho disco dancer, establishing a markedly heterosexual context for disco. The rise of disco after the release of Saturday Night Fever caused a violent reaction within parts of the rock-music community. Perhaps the clearest instance of this can be seen in the anti-disco rally held by Chicago rock DJ Steve Dahl in 1979 between games of a Tigers-White Sox doubleheader. The hatred among disco was widespread among rock fans who popularized the phrase "disco sucks."
Allman Brother's Band
During the late 60s, a Nashville born guitarist Duane Allman became a studio favorite of Rick Hall at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. Through his playing at Muscle Shoals, he came to the attention of Phil Walden. By the end of the decade, Walden was managing Allman and the young guitarist formed this band. Blues influenced vocals and organ playing band. Blended blues and rock like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Duane died in 1971 from a motorcycle accident and later Oakley was killed by a similar accident, so the band added 2 members.
FM Radio and AOR Rock
FM radio goes from late 60s free form to AOR -- album-oriented rock" -- The radio industry saw tremendous growth in the 70s when FM stations were broadcasting rock music and focusing on album cuts, following the model established by Tom Donahue in San Francisco. The change was accompanied by a decrease in the freedom of disc jockeys to choose their own music.
Yes
Focused on religious institutions and traditions. Led by vocalist Jon Anderson. In terms of instrumental prowess, this band was perhaps the most accomplished group in all of progressive rock, with Howe, Squire, Wakeman, and Bruford consistently winning awards for their playing in magazine polls on both sides of the Atlantic. Spiritual themes found on Fragile, but more obvious on Close to the Edge. The bands heady blend of instrumental virtuosity and spiritual subject matter proved to be a winning combination.
Fear
Formed in 1977, this band was a fixture in the Los Angeles scene that, like so many hardcore bands, performed fast, loud, and distorted music to support the mostly screamed vocals of guitarist and singer Lee Ving. The group is perhaps best known for their 1981 performance on Saturday Night Live that went awry. The group antagonized the New York based studio audience by performing a song called "New York's Alright if You Like Saxophones" discussing some of the less-appealing aspects of the Big Apple. Afterward, members of the band openly screamed "New York Sucks!" They also dove off the stage (called moshing or slam dancing) and the audience found it chaotic and violent.
Chapter 10: Peter Frampton
Had a million-selling album from the 1970s called Frampton Come Alive! (1976) This artist had been a member of Humble Pie but left to go solo after the Rockin' the Fillmore album in 1971. His music exemplified approachable, middle-of-the-road rock from the period that focused on his guitar solos and melodic songwriting. The substantial financial returns of albums such as Frampton Come Alive! helped transform the record business into an attractive possibility for investment.
Deep Purple
Had its origins in late 1960s rock. Formed in London in 1968, the group had a #4 US hit single that year with a version of Joe South's "Hush." The band mixed blues-based rock with classical music. "Highway Star" often cited as one of the songs that influenced the development of heavy metal in the late 1970s and early 80s, but in context of the hippie legacy, it illustrates how they blended rock and classical idioms.
James Brown
His career began in the 50s, and by the mid-60s, his groove-oriented music made him one of the most important figures in black pop. His successes in both the mainstream and soul markets continued into the first half of the 70s with hits like "Get Up Sex Machine" and "Super Bad." After the assassination of MLK Jr., this artist became an important voice within the black community, encouraging black pride. He also made statements against drug abuse. Many of his 70s tracks put more emphasis on the rhythmic interlocking of guitar, bass, and drums than his '60s records had, although horns still played an important role in these later tracks.
Blondie
In 1974, the Stillettos - a band influenced by the early 60s girl groups - played CBGB. At that time, the band included singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. Soon, however, the band reconfigured itself and became this band. By 1976, the group featured Harry, Stein, keyboardist Jimmy Destri, guitarist Frank Infante, drummer Clem Burke, and bassist Nigel Harrison and this line up released Blondie on the small Private Stock label. This first album was not very popular, but after the Sex Pistols brought punk to the attention of the mainstream rock audience in the US; for now, punk was an underground scene in the United States.
Sugar Hill Gang
In 1979, a new label called Sugar Hill Records released "Rapper's Delight," arguably the first hip-hop single. Credited to this trio, the record went to number 4 on the rhythm and blues chart. Sugar Hill developed the most important rap label of the early 80s, signing an impressive roster of rappers and DJ's, and releasing a series of classic old-school tracks.
R.E.M.
In many ways, college rock got its start in Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia and a local band. This local band was led by guitarist Peter Buck and vocalist Michael Stripe. They had a string of successful albums in the second half of the 80s, marking what is perhaps the most significant instance of independent rock success in the mainstream during the decade. Their core aesthetic was moderately cryptic, energetic rock and roll performed by a classic rock band lineup. They had much more chart success in the US than in Britain.
Chapter 9: Sly and the Family Stone
It is hard to express the influence this band had on the course of black pop at the end of the 60s because it was so great. The changes brought by this band inspired an entire generation of funk and pop, ranging from groups like the Temptations to the Jackson 5. Released a series of crossover hit singles that rose to number one on both the pop and rhythm and blues charts such as their first big single "Dance to the Music."
Development of funk from James Brown, through Sly, Kool and the Gang and others, to George Clinton
James brown was one of the main influences of the funk music. He played shows and got people to love the music style. He became an anthem of Black Power. Sly was the main influence of funk elements in the early 1970s and influenced many other bands. George Clinton was the most closely associated with the extensive development of funk in the 1970s.
Development of Reggae(Ska to Rock Steady to Reggae)
Reggae had roots in American rock and rhythm and blues and played a peripheral role in mainstream popular music in the US since the 50s. In the early 60s, a Jamaican form of popular music called "ska" emerged, which emphasized upbeat tempo reminiscent of American rhythm and blues and featured an offbeat "skank" rhythm pattern. As the 60s progressed, ska was replaced by a newer style called "rock steady", which was popular from about 1966 to 1968. Reggae developed out of this second style. The leaders of reggae had backgrounds in Jamaican pop that stretched back into the early 60s.
Boston
Rethinking Previous Approaches: New Arrivals in the Late 70s----This band blended blues rock with aspects of progressive rock to produce music that sold well and received generous radio play. Their first album was released in early 1977 and quickly climbed to number 3 on the album charts. As a compact rock song with several highly organized instrumental sections, "More Than a Feeling" is a representative song of the groups approach. Their next album, Don't Look Back, seemed to ensure their continued success, but a dispute with their record label kept the highly anticipated Third Stage from being released until 1986.
The New York Dolls
The most important band to connect the late '60s with the mid-70s was this band. Fronted by the flamboyant David Johansen, the band incorporated elements of British glam into their performances of gritty, hard-driving rock music. They used makeup and costumes, although they nevertheless projected an image of toughness, danger, and reckless disdain for convention that would become central to punk music. Their two albums, The New York Dolls and Too Much Too Soon, sold poorly and the group never gained national popularity. Nevertheless, the band was an important step between the art-based experimental music of the Velvet Underground and the New York punk scene to follow. Alongside this band, many others in New York began to develop an approach that drew on the underground music of the late 60s.
Bob Marley and the Wailers
The most important figure among this trio of musicians was this person. There was a group of three and the other 2 supporting roles were filled by Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston. This group was signed by Jamaican producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, who recorded the group backed by his band, the Upsetters. This bands records did well regionally, but Perry convinced them they needed to play instruments to be successful. While they were popular among reggae fans, their music remained mostly underground until the mid 70s. Reggae also garnered attention with the success of Eric Claptons cover of "I Shot the Sheriff" originally performed by this artist. Claptons fans sought out this artists music.
Green Day
The most popular band to emerge from the California pop punk scene was this one. They combined the speed, distortion, and style of punk with catchy pop hooks. San Francisco's band, led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist was Billie Joe Armstrong. They enjoyed their first success in 1994 with Dookie and followed in 1995 with Insomniac. The band's music is often hard driving and aggressive, marking their stylistic debt in 70s punk. The song "When I Come Around" from the Dookie album provides a good example of how the energy of power-chords on the guitar can be blended with a strong pop melodic sensibility in the band's music.
Run-DMC
They consisted of Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels and DJ Jason Mizell. The group enjoyed some crossover success with the single "Rock Box," in part because the video for the song was played on MTV. The bands first album is often cited as the most influential releases of early rap. Two years later, Raising Hell became a mainstream hit, thrusting Run-DMC into the center of the American music scene. Rubin and this group brought rap to many white rockers who probably would have ignored it otherwise, and "Walk This Way" became an important record bringing rap into the pop mainstream.
Grandmaster Flash
This DJ as well as Kool Herc claim credit for technical innovations that would spawn important developments in modern rap. For years, radio stations and dance clubs had used at least two turntables, one for the record being played and a second for the record that would follow. They also developed techniques such as "break spinning," in which a DJ repeats a short phrase by spinning one record backward while the other is playing.
NWA
This band brought an even angrier approach to rap, creating much controversy in the process. The groups 1989 album, Straight Outta Compton, contained a track titled "**** Tha Police," which earned its record company a warning letter from the FBI. In an interesting historical instance of crossover appeal, this penchant for depicting dangerous urban life appealed strongly to white listeners, many of whom were from the American midwest.
The Eagles
This band brought together many elements of previous rock styles, and their first hit "Take It Easy" is a good example of the groups country-rock approach. When the backup vocals enter, they show a marked Beatles and Beach Boys influence. This song is simple verse. (No chorus) Band consisted of Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
This band did not completely fit into the alternative template. They were formed in 193 in Hollywood, the group seemed just as influenced by funk as by punk, and this especially evident in the playing of the band's bassist, Flea. Their second album, Freaky Styley, was produced by George Clinton, while 1989's Mother's Milk contained a cover version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground." They developed a reputation for innovative videos, many of which became staples on MTV.
The Replacements
This band emerged in the early 80s as a representative of the Minnesota scene and was fronted by singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Paul Westerberg. The groups first album, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take out the Trash, was released on the local Twin/Tone label, which became an important arbiter of Minnesota-based independent label. The music of this band certainly had connections to the loud, fast, and distorted styles popular on the West Coast and in Washington and New York, but Westerberg's penchant for striking melodic and harmonic material set it apart. This band also remained active throughout the decade, becoming more accessible to the average rock listener as the 80s unfolds.
Talking Heads
This band helped with the rise of new wave. They were regular CBGB players and became stars under this banner, leaving the Ramones and the punks behind. If punks were angry, new wavers were iconic. Like many so-called new wave groups that would follow, this band took punks rebellion in a new, "artsy" direction. If punk turned passion into violence, new wave turned it into introspective vocals and more complex music.
Chapter 13: Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl
This band was probably the most significant of the "grunge" bands that came out of Seattle in the first half of the 90s. Led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Kurt Cobain, the band quickly became stars, despite Cobain's dedication to the idea that Nirvana's music rejected the rock star apparatus in show business. Cobain and Nirvana projected an image of amateurism, but Cobain was in fact a gifted songwriter and a tasteful guitarist. Despite the rejection of commercialism that was central to alternative rock, Cobain was clearly skilled at working with the traditional elements of pop songwriting and arranging, as this and many other Nirvana tracks demonstrate. Bassist, Krist Novoselic, and drummer, Dave Grohl, provided Cobain with expert support. The bands career was cut short with the tragic suicide of Cobain.
The Hippie Aesthetic
This is based on the idea that the rock musician should produce sophisticated music that will stand up to repeated listening. Album and singles became nearly separate markets. Stylistic range of rock expanded, rock musician was an artist who had a responsibility to create sophisticated music.
Foreigner
This was a late 1970s band that showed radio success could come from merging popular styles from the early 1970s. Formed by guitarist Mick Jones and featuring the lead vocals of Lou Gramm, the bands debut, Foreigner, and the tracks "Feels Like the First Time" and "Cold as Ice" quickly established them with American audiences. The next album, Double Vision, contained the hit singles "Hot Blooded" and "Double Vision." Gramm's vocal approach was clearly derived from an interest in rhythm and blues, while Jone's blues-rock guitar hooks drove the songs forward.
Guns N' Roses
This was an American group that emerged from the metal scene as mainstream stars. Singer Axl Rose and lead guitarist Slash fronted the quintet, releasing Appetite for Destruction in 1987. There music often focused on the seedier side of life in Los Angeles, singing openly about drug and alcohol abuse and urban chaos. Relationships with the band tended to be stormy even during the best of times, however, and while the group simultaneously released two enormously successful albums in 1991, but split up just a few years later.
Def Leppard
This was an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield. They were in the emerging British heavy metal scene and became internationally popular after the release of High'n'Dry. One of their apparent singles "Photograph", which became more popular in the US than any of the groups prior releases due, in part, to a video that became an early staple of MTV. All of these bands were referred to collectively as the "new wave of British heavy metal," emerging into rocks mainstream in the early 80s and continued to record and tour successfully throughout the decade.