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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 5, 2016 6:06:02 GMT -5
December 5: … J.J. Cale. One of the originators of the Tulsa sound (Leon Russell, David Gates, Elvin Bishop, Dwight Twilley…), John Weldon Cale has composed music that has been covered by rock elite. Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Santana have featured J. J. Cale originals prominently as singles and/or album tracks through the years. Like his Tulsa compatriots, Cale migrated to Los Angeles in the early 60s and found work as an engineer. He began playing a regular gig at the Whiskey a Go Go. To avoid confusion with the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, club owner Elmer Valentine suggested the name change to J. J. Cale. Unable to make ends meet on an engineer’s pay, he moved back to Tulsa in the late 60s and began playing locally. In 1970, it was bought to his attention that a song he released as a demo in the early 60s had been covered successfully and released as Eric Clapton first Top 40 solo single. It was suggested that he should take advantage of the publicity and release an album of his own. “Naturally” was released in early 1972, and contained his only Top 40 hit. Additionally, it contained “Call Me The Breeze” which became a staple in the Lynyrd Skynyrd catalog. A re-recording of Clapton initial Top 40 hit also stands out. Cale released “Troubador” in 1976. It contained “Cocaine” which Clapton would cover the following year on his “Slowhand” album. The next album “5” contained “The Sensitive Kind” which Santana covered on their early 80s album “Zebop!” In his 2003 biography, Neil Young ranked J. J. Cale as one of the great electric guitar players, on a level with Jimi Hendrix. Eric Clapton called him a fantastic musician and his hero. Eric has recorded at least 10 of Cale’s songs through the years on his solo albums. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits is also a great admirer of Cale’s work. J. J. Cale was awarded a Grammy in 2008 for his collaboration with Eric Clapton on “The Road To Escondido”. He passed away in 2013 after suffering a heart attack. We feature J. J. Cale's "Naturally" album. Released in late 1971, his only Top 40 hit peaked at #22 in early 1972. Crazy Mama - J. J. CaleThe follow-up was his re-recording of his original which Eric Clapton successfully covered. It was a lost 70s classic, peaking at #42. After Midnight - J. J. CaleDecember 5: ...Jim Messina. An admirer of surf guitar, an album "The Dragsters" was released in 1964 by the band Jim Messina and His Jesters. Jim moved on to do some engineering work with Buffalo Springfield and performed a couple of tracks on bass for their final album "Last Time Around". After the band's breakup, he formed Poco with fellow Buffalo Springfield member Richie Furay. His tenure with the band was short, two studio and one live albums. Touring took its toll, and he left the band to focus on becoming a record producer. He did rejoin Poco in 1989 for a successful reunion album and tour. Jim signed with Columbia Records as an independent producer. In late 1970, one of his first projects was working with songwriter Kenny Loggins. The pair worked up a number of Kenny's songs. Loggins was inexperienced at the time, having no representation (agent, business manager). His music was folk oriented, but Jim felt Kenny's voice was also suited for diverse genres such as country-rock, pop and R & B. He persuaded Kenny to switch to electric guitar, and Columbia agreed to Jim adopting a jazz tradition for Kenny's first solo album. The tradition was to have a more accomplished musician "sit in" with the solo artist on their debut lending credence to the recording. He also contributed songs and vocals as well as assembling the band for the project. By the time the album was to be released, Kenny and Jim decided that it should be presented as a collaborative effort. In late 1971, "Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In" was issued. The group going forward would become the duo of Loggins and Messina, releasing a series of successful albums and singles during the early and mid-seventies. Although many of the signature songs from the duo were written and performed by Kenny, some of the tracks such as "Angry Eyes" and "Your Mama Don't Dance" were collaborative efforts. Two of the Top 20 singles for the duo "Thinking Of You" and "My Music" featured Jim on lead and Kenny on harmony. The duo would split in 1976. Kenny would go on to a successful solo career, and Jim would release three solo albums "Oasis", "Messina", and "One More Mile" between 1979 and 1983. They would reunite for successful tours in 2005 and 2009. Jim is still very active in the fields of painting, welding and carpentry. He owns a studio and continues his work as a recording and mixing engineer. He also created "The Songwriters' Performance Workshop", leading six day intensive workshops around the country. His most recent performances as a singer was with fellow Poco band mate Rusty Young late this past summer. Jim's guitar is featured on this surf classic. The Jester - Jim Messina and the JestersHe wrote and sang lead on Poco's first Hot 100 single, a lost 70s classic. You Better Think Twice - PocoThis great album track from Loggins & Messina's "Mother Lode" was written by Jim and features his lead vocals. Be Free - Loggins and Messina
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 6, 2016 6:46:20 GMT -5
December 6: ... Peter Buck. Co-founder and lead guitarist with REM, Peter has also been involved with numerous side projects through the years. Hindu Love Gods, Tuatara, and The Baseball Project are three examples. He has also had a solo career as well as been a producer for groups like The Fleshtones and The Jayhawks. Peter met Michael Stipe while working at Wuxtry Record Store in Athens, GA. He had dropped out of Emory University and was enrolled at the University of Georgia. He also met Bertis Downs who would become REMs legal representative and manager. His guitar work through the years was a signature sound for REM. His distinctive, aggressive style can be traced back to Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, but it was Byrds-influenced bands like Big Star that helped him develop his distinctive style. Peter currently resides in the Pacific Northwest. He released his third solo album "Warzone Earth" in 2015. REM's breakthrough was a 1983 re-recording of their first single. Radio Free Europe - REMAlways liked their remake of a 1969 song that was the "B" side of a top 40 hit by The Clique. Superman - REMDecember 6: ...the late great Mike Smith. As the vocalist of the Dave Clark Five, Mike was another of the great rock and roll voices singing lead on the majority of their hits. He also co-wrote many of them with Dave, as well as played keyboards. He lost his son, a professional diver in June 2003 due to a diving accident in the Red Sea. Three months later, after locking himself out of his home Mike fell from a 7 foot gate trying to climb over. He was paralyzed from the waist down and in his left arm, eventually dying at the end of February, 2008 due to pneumonia complications. Two of my favorites are this one written by Dave Clark that peaked at #14... Any Way You Want It - Dave Clark Five...and this one that reached #12, co-written by Mike and Dave. Try Too Hard - Dave Clark Five
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 7, 2016 6:35:32 GMT -5
December 7: ... Harry Chapin. Elektra records had just merged with Warner/Atlantic, and they went toe-to-toe with Clive Davis and Columbia for the first time on equal ground attempting to sign new talent. Harry Chapin was the first artist to benefit from this, signing a contract with Elektra. He felt that his music would receive more attention with the label. It was the largest advance at the time, but less than what Columbia offered. However the contract also included free studio time, a clause that saved hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the contract. It was 1972 when Harry stepped front and center with his first solo album "Heads And Tales". The album was a success and "Taxi" became a Top 40 hit with the help of Boston radio personality Jim Connors pushing the single to programmers across the country. In an era where many singles were edited from album tracks, Harry's "Taxi" was unique clocking in at 6:44. It was the story teller's fourth album "Verities And Balderdash" that saw Harry at his commercial peak. The album was a Top 5 smash, and the introspective "Cat's In The Cradle" would top the Hot 100 on the December 21, 1974 Billboard charts. In 1993, it would return to the Top 10 courtesy of Ugly Kid Joe. He would continue to appear on the album charts for the remainder of the decade. After his contract expired, he signed with Boardwalk Records and enjoyed a revival of sorts with the album and Top 40 single "Sequel" in the early 80s. "Sequel" appropriately picks up where "Taxi" left off ten years later. Harry was a champion of numerous causes, the main one being combatting hunger in the United States. Many of his concerts were benefit in nature, and he was extremely generous with his time and money to the point of stretching himself too thin. A heart attack contributed to his passing in July, 1981 in a horrific crash on the Long Island Expressway. He was on his way to perform in a free concert that evening at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. He was 38 years old. After his death it was difficult to maintain support for all the causes Harry championed. The Harry Chapin Foundation was formed, and his widow Sandy continues as chairman carrying forward Harry's legacy. Harry received the Congressional Medal of Honor on what would have been his 45th birthday December 7, 1987. He also served as inspiration for the 80s causes USA for Africa and Hands Across America. The charitable events were organized by Ken Kragen who was Harry's manager at the end of his career. Harry's talented brothers Tom and Steve performed with Harry through the years, and occasionally perform together with some of Harry's old band mates. They also created "Lies And Legends: The Musical Story of Harry Chapin" a play I had the honor of seeing during its initial national tour. It was based on a concept by Joseph Stern and Sandy Chapin was a creative consultant. Saluting Harry with his ode to the DJ. It peaked at #36 in 1974. W*O*L*D - Harry ChapinThis lost 70s classic told the story of meeting his wife Sandy. It was the follow up to "Cat's In the Cradle". I Wanna Learn A Love Song - Harry ChapinDecember 7: ...Louis Prima. Louie would have been 105 today. He came from New Orleans and was a musical chameleon of sorts. He rode the trends of various musical eras to success, from New Orleans jazz, to swing, big band, Vegas lounge act, and contemporary. As singer, songwriter and trumpeter nothing was held back. He found success in spite of struggles against management and record executives. On the flip side, he was a man of the people always giving time to his fans. He wrote "Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing)" which became a huge hit for Benny Goodman in 1937 and a jazz standard for the ages. He voiced the orangutan King Louie in the Disney animated feature "The Jungle Book", and sang the "Winnie The Pooh" theme on a 1967 album released by Disneyland records. A couple of his most popular songs were covered in the 80s and 90s. He paired two songs popular in the 20s in a medley and had this hit in 1956. David Lee Roth would take it into the Top 10 in the mid-80s. Just A Gigolo/I Aint Got Nobody - Louis Prima with Sam Butera and the WitnessesHe wrote this one in 1956. The Brian Setzer Orchestra would popularize it during the swing revival in the 90s and win a Grammy in 1999. Jump, Jive and Wail - Louis Prima featuring Keely Smith with Sam Butera and the Witnesses
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 8, 2016 6:03:03 GMT -5
December 8: ... the Lizard King, Jim Morrison. As with Harry Chapin, I can remember exactly where I was when I learned of his passing. I was listening to a transistor radio on a beach watching the waves roll in from Lake Michigan as the DJ played "Riders on the Storm". The Doors' iconic front man was raised a military brat, continuously switching schools when his father would be reassigned to a new military base. He graduated from high school in Alexandria, Virginia. At the time, he was a class mate of Mama Cass Elliot. He was an avid reader, focusing on the works of poets and philosophers. Their works along with his attending UCLA and earning a degree with their Theater of Fine Arts were very influential in developing his songwriting skills and stage persona. Jim and Ray Manzarek founded The Doors in the summer of 1965. Robby Krieger joined and John Densmore auditioned based on Robby's recommendation, completing the group. They took their name from the Aldous Huxley book "The Doors Of Perception". Opening for the group Them at the Whiskey A Go Go, Jim's stage presence was quickly influenced by observing another Morrison, Van perform. Jim also used his skills honed at UCLA to make promotional films featuring the band. Some of their early film works included "The Unknown Soldier" and "People Are Strange". The Doors signed with Elektra and catapulted into the national spotlight with the release of their second single "Light My Fire". It would top the Hot 100, and would lead to their legendary performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. After the band was told to change the lyrics to "Light My Fire" from "Girl, we couldn't get much higher" to "much better", the band said they would comply but secretly resolved not to do so. Jim defiantly sang the original lyrics, and Ed would not shake the band members' hands. They were informed by a producer they would never perform on the show again, which elicited Jim's response "Hey, man! We just did the Sullivan show!" All six of the Doors studio albums released before Jim's death reached the Top 10, and they charted 8 Top 40 singles. They reached #1 a second time with "Hello, I Love You" on the singles charts, and "Waiting For The Sun" peaked at #1 on the album charts. Morrison's erratic behavior resulted in his battling legal issues toward the end of his career. His last public performance was in New Orleans on July 12, 1970. It resulted in an apparent breakdown where he quit performing during the middle of the performance. The other band members decided to end their live act. Jim would take a leave from the band after the recording of the "L. A. Woman" album and head for Paris, interested in becoming a writer in exile. He would never return passing away July 3, 1971. The band carried on until breaking up in 1973. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Besides their two #1 singles, their follow up to "Hello, I Love You" resulted in a third Top 10 single (and a shout out to an Ajax Laundry Detergent commercial tag line). It would peak at #3. Touch Me - DoorsThe song that features one of rock's coolest anagrams, Mr. Mojo Risin' (Jim Morrison). Billy Idol's cover would become a lost 90s classic. L. A. Woman - DoorsDecember 8: ...Gregg Allman. We salute this legendary guitarist with a great one he wrote and recorded with the Allman Brothers for their third album "Eat A Peach"... Ain't Wastin Time No More - Allman Brothers...and this wonderful cover of a Jackson Browne classic he recorded for his "Laid Back" solo album. These Days - Gregg AllmanRIP John Lennon 12/8/80.
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Post by dukelightning on Dec 8, 2016 8:05:25 GMT -5
Jim passed on July 3, 1971. One of the few rock star deaths I will always remember the date of. Ironically, we are on such a date today.
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 8, 2016 11:03:01 GMT -5
Jim passed on July 3, 1971. One of the few rock star deaths I will always remember the date of. Ironically, we are on such a date today. Really good! Remembered where I was, what I was doing, but forgot the date... Think I was focused on that he died at the age of 27, but used it as the date. Thanks dukelightning.
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 9, 2016 6:57:51 GMT -5
December 9: ... Donny Osmond. Saluting the multi-talented entertainer with the first hit he had with his siblings. Written for the Jackson Five, they chose to record "ABC" instead. Subsequently, the song would top the Hot 100 for 5 weeks and prevented the Jackson Five from having their fifth consecutive #1 single (Mama's Pearl). As a group, the Jackson Five (and Jacksons) would never top the Hot 100 again. One Bad Apple - OsmondsDonny's comeback in the late 80s resulted in this single that just missed the top of the charts. Soldier Of Love - Donny OsmondDecember 9: ...Dennis Dunaway. As bass player for the Alice Cooper Band, he helped to write some of the bands biggest hits such as "School's Out" and "Elected". After Vince Furnier left the band in 1974, he officially took the Alice Cooper name and the persona he had developed through the years. Dennis formed Billion Dollar Babies along with members Michael Bruce and Neal Smith after much legal wrangling over the name. They released an album "Battle Axe" in 1977 before disbanding. Dennis has been married to his wife Cindy since the mid-70s. Cindy is drummer Neal Smith's sister and the designer of much of the Shock Rock costumes the band wore during their hey day. The original members have had several one-off reunions through the years. Dennis also played on Alice Cooper's "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" 2010 release, and was inducted with the other band members into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Dennis currently plays in two bands Blue Coupe and 5th Avenue Vampires. He released his memoirs "Snakes! Guillotines! Electric Chairs! My Adventures In The Alice Cooper Group" earlier this year co-written with Rolling Stone Magazine writer Chris Hodenfield. He co-wrote Alice Cooper's first Top 40 hit... Eighteen - Alice Cooper...and this lost 70s classic. Under My Wheels - Alice Cooper
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 10, 2016 7:21:12 GMT -5
December 10: ... Chad Stuart. Having successfully recovered from knee replacement surgery, Chad Stuart recently completed a final tour with his singing partner Jeremy Clyde. All good things came to an end with a final performance in Tacoma, Washington at the end of October. Speaking of "All Good Things", it serves as the title of a three CD retrospective that included unreleased material available through their website. Celebrating Chad's birthday and the duo's career with two of their seven Top 40 singles. Their first hit released in 1963, that became a #21 US hit in the spring of 1964 as part of the British invasion... Yesterday's Gone - Chad & Jeremy...and the follow up which didn't chart in the UK, but was their only US Top 10 reaching #7 in the fall of 1964. Both selections were co-written by Chad. Summer Song - Chad & JeremyDecember 10: ...Walter "Clyde" Orange. Although Lionel Ritchie was the main lead vocalist in the Commodores, there were several tracks that featured Walter on lead. Walter joined the band as their drummer in 1972 and is one of two original members (William King) still performing with them today. Couldn't imagine this Commodores' classic without Walter singing lead. Brick House - CommodoresHe co-wrote and sings lead on this Grammy award winner. Nightshift - Commodores
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 11, 2016 1:55:07 GMT -5
December 11: ... Brenda Lee. Saluting "Little Miss Dymamite" with a pair of songs that had an effect on music in the 70s and 80s. Peaking at #4 in 1962, it would be a #11 hit for Juice Newton in the early 80s. Break It To Me Gently - Brenda LeeSpeaking of going to 11, this one did for Brenda. It was famously name called during the 70s on Golden Earring's first US Top 40 Hit. Coming On Strong - Brenda LeeDecember 11: ...David Gates. One of David's first forays into the music world was when his band backed Chuck Berry for a 1957 concert. He had a regional hit "Jo-Baby", named for his wife Jo Rita whom he married in 1958. In 1961, he and his family moved to Los Angeles where he began to build his reputation as a songwriter, studio musician, and producer. He also released a string of singles under his name, but also using pseudonyms such as Del Ashley, and The Manchesters. His first success was when the Murmaids reached #3 with David's composition "Popsicles And Icicles" in early 1964. His song "Saturday's Child" is one of the better known Monkees album tracks. Other success of note were arranging Glenn Yarborough's 1965 hit "Baby, The Rain Must Fall", and production work with Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. 1967 saw David producing and arranging the debut album for The Pleasure Fair. Member Robb Royer would join David and Jimmy Griffin to form Bread in 1968. Their 1969 first album (self-titled) was a minor success, but the singles "Dismal Day" and "Could I" failed to chart. 1970 saw the release of "On The Waters" and the #1 single "Make It With You". It began a string of 11 consecutive top 40 singles for the band, five which reached the top 10. After 5 albums the band broke up in 1973, only to reunite in 1976. They would release the successful "Lost Without Your Love", and the title track would run their streak to 12 Top 40 singles of which 6 reached the Top 10. Their last single "Hooked On You" would miss the Top 40, and they disbanded after the subsequent tour. They would tour one last time in 1996 and 1997 to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary. David's solo career was revived following the band's initial breakup. His solo album "First" reached #107 on the Billboard album charts, and the single releases "Clouds" and "Sail Around The World" made the upper half of the Hot 100 but missed the Top 40. In 1975, the title track from his second solo album was his first Top 40 solo success. "Never Let Her Go" would peak at #29. His biggest hit as a solo artist was when the title track from "The Goodbye Girl" reached #15 in 1977. The follow-up single "Took The Last Train" would be his last Top 40 hit peaking at #30. He began to withdraw from the music business in the early 80s, but returned with an album in 1994 titled "Love Is Always Seventeen". He included some new material in "The David Gates Songbook" released in 2002. He has run a cattle ranch in California through the years and he and his wife Jo Rita raised 4 children who have been successful in the legal and medicine fields. The band re-recorded a track from their first album and it was released as the follow-up to "Make It With You". It would peak at #10. It Don't Matter To Me - BreadAlways like their rockers like "Mother Freedom". Unfortunately, they didn't sell as well. Their third Top 40 single would reach #28. Let Your Love Go - Bread
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 12, 2016 6:39:17 GMT -5
December 12: ...Terry Kirkman. Keyboardist and founding member of the Association, Terry also penned 2 of the band's 5 Top 10 hits. This wonderful pop masterpiece reached #10 early in 1968... Everything That Touches You - Association...and their first #1 hit from 1966. Cherish - AssociationDecember 12: ...Francis Albert Sinatra. He sang on Billboard's first #1 single, Tommy Dorsey's "I'll Never Smile Again" (July 27, 1940). His impact continues to this very day, nearly 18 years since his passing. The music world will celebrate his 100th birthday this Sunday with a 2 hour special on CBS. He is Ol' Blue Eyes. He is The Chairman of the Board. We salute him with this mid-sixties hit, a personal favorite. Summer Wind - Frank SinatraOf the two songs he sang about Chicago, this is my favorite. My Kind Of Town - Frank Sinatra
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 13, 2016 6:23:33 GMT -5
December 13: ... Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. Jeff was a founding member of Steely Dan. When Donald F a g e n and Walter Becker retired the group from touring, he joined the Doobie Brothers in time to record their 1975 album "Stampede". He left the Doobies after the "Minute By Minute" album, and returned to session work with the rock and pop elite (Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Barbra Streisand...). He toured with Eton John and Linda Ronstadt through the years. In the mid-80s he began a second career as a defense consultant, chairing a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense. He has also worked with NASA. With his second career taking off, it seems only appropriate that we feature "Skunk" on lead guitar for this lost 70s classic from "Countdown To Ecstasy". My Old School - Steely DanAs a full time member of the Doobies, he played lead guitar on this #11 Motown cover from "Stampede". Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me) - Doobie Brothers December 13: ...Skip Prokop. Along with Paul Hoffert, Skip founded Lighthouse in 1968. The Canadian band had some success in the states with five Hot 100 singles, 2 of which reached the Top 40. In their native country they proved to be quite popular. They won three consecutive Juno awards from 1972-74. Four of their singles reached the Top 10 of the Canadian charts; their best effort "One Fine Morning" peaked at #2. Other notable musical achievements for Skip include drumming for Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield for their "The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper" album. He also put together a band to record with Janis Joplin after she left Big Brother and the Holding Company. Lighthouse disbanded in 1976, but reunited for four well-received Canadian concerts in 1982. In 1992, the band re-formed again and continues to perform throughout Canada. They recently performed on a Moody Blues cruise in April 2014. After lead singer Bob McBride was a no-show for a 1973 recording session, Skip sang lead vocals for this lost 70s classic. It was at its #53 peak position on the Hot 100 dated December 15, 1973, and peaked at #9 on the Canadian charts. Pretty Lady - LighthouseSkip's drumming kicks off their biggest hit (#24 US, #2 Canada). One Fine Morning - Lighthouse
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 14, 2016 8:29:34 GMT -5
December 14: … Dick Wagner. A legend in Michigan rock and roll history, Dick built a local following fronting the Bossmen and Frost in the 60s. He briefly worked with Billy Joel in a short-lived project Ursa Major. In 1973, Dick was recruited by Producer Bob Ezrin to be a member of Lou Reed’s band. He worked with Lou on the “Berlin” album, and was also featured on the live “Rock & Roll Animals” effort. He had also developed a friendship with Vince Furnier (aka Alice Cooper) during Dick’s time with Frost. When Alice Cooper began to chart nationally, Dick was bought in to play on the band’s sessions beginning with the “School’s Out” album. When the band broke up, Dick remained and became Alice’s principal co-writer, lead guitarist, and band director through the remainder of the 70s and 80s. Through the years, Dick also worked with Kiss, Aerosmith, Peter Gabriel and Air Supply. Dick rejoined Alice in 2009 for his “Welcome 2 My Nightmare” release. He released his memoirs “Not Only Women Bleed, Vignettes from the Heart of a Rock Musician” to great acclaim in 2012. Dick was inducted into Rock & Roll Heaven on July 30, 2014 at the age of 71. This local hit was voted a legendary Michigan song in 2009. Mystery Man – FrostHe bought this song to Alice from his Frost days. They rewrote it, and it ushered in Alice’s career as a solo artist. Only Women Bleed – Alice CooperDecember 14: ...Gary Usher. Gary was a songwriter, musician, and producer who was very influential during the surf-rock era. He also assembled studio groups like the Hondells and Super Stocks. He co-wrote several Beach Boys songs with Brian Wilson including "409" and "Lonely Sea". Moving to Columbia Records he produced several Byrds albums in the mid and late sixties. He also wrote "Don't Give In To Him" a #15 hit for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. He co-wrote this "B" side masterpiece with Brian Wilson which charted and peaked at #23. His studio group Sagittarius would also reach the Hot 100 with their version, peaking at #89 in 1969. In My Room - Beach BoysSpeaking of Sagittarius, he also produced this lost 60s classic. With lead vocals by Glen Campbell backed by Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher, their other Hot 100 single would peak at #70 in 1967. My World Fell Down - Sagittarius
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 15, 2016 7:58:32 GMT -5
December 15: ... Dave Clark. Namesake for the British Invasion band that followed in the wake of the Beatles onto the American shores, drummer Dave Clark proved to be quite an entrepreneur as well. He had the foresight to own the Dave Clark Five music masters from the beginning. Dave was also the band's manager, and a television producer and director. In the mid-80s, Dave created the science-fiction musical "Time". It ran for two years in London's West end and spun off a successful soundtrack album featuring Dionne Warwick, Cliff Richard, Leo Sayer, Stevie Wonder, and his close friend Freddie Mercury. Dave also owns the rights to the UK music show "Ready Steady Go". The Dave Clark Five had 8 Top 10 US singles including "Over And Over" which peaked at #1. They appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show 18 times, and were the first of the British Invasion bands to tour the US. Dubbed the "Five Headed Noise Machine", the DC5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Dave Clark co-wrote many of the band hits either with lead singer Mike Smith or lead guitarist Lenny Davidson. Featuring two that Dave wrote on his own. One that lived up to the band's moniker. It peaked at #14 early in 1965... Any Way You Want It - Dave Clark Five...and one that showcased the other side of the band. This pop ballad was a #3 smash late in 1964. Because - Dave Clark FiveDecember 15: ...Carmen Appice. He was a drummer for several groups, most notably Vanilla Fudge. Other bands include Cactus and Beck, Bogart, and Appice. He also was a member of Rod Stewart's backing band. His influences came from his classical training and jazz drummer greats like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Some of the great rock drummers like Phil Collins, John Bonham, Neil Peart, and Roger Taylor often cite Carmen as an influence in the development of their drumming styles. He brings the hammer down on Vanilla Fudge's two Top 40 singles. Their Top 10 single (#6 peak) was a Supremes psychedelic cover... You Keep Me Hanging On - Vanilla Fudge...while the follow-up had been previously recorded by Dusty Springfield and Evie Sands. It would peak at #38. Take Me For A Little While - Vanilla Fudge
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 16, 2016 5:45:36 GMT -5
December 16: ... Billy Gibbons. The driving force behind ZZ Top, Billy has also displayed his acting chops. He has had a recurring role in the TV series "Bones" playing a fictionalized version of himself as the father of Angela Montenegro. The band was also featured in "Back To The Future III". ZZ Top continues to tour and record, Billy released his first solo effort "Perfectamundo" late in 2015. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Speaking of fiction, the band second Hot 100 single reached a fictional #33 peak on AT40 in 1973. It actually peaked at #41, but did reach #24 on Cashbox. La Grange - ZZ TopFrom 1990, the song featured in "Back To The Future III" peaked at a disappointing #50. Doubleback - ZZ Top December 16: ...Tony Hicks. Tony is a man who believes in long term relationships. He and his wife Jane have been married since 1974. Musically, this guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has recorded and performed as a member of the Hollies since early 1963. He and drummer Bobby Elliott have performed together since August, 1963. He was an integral part of the Hollies songwriting team with Allan Clarke and Graham Nash for their major sixties output. In addition to his lead guitar work, he would supply unique instrumentation to many of their songs. A good example is his banjo playing on their Top 10 hit "Stop! Stop! Stop!". Tony and Bobby continue to tour with the Hollies in Europe. He usually contributed harmony vocals, but stepped out as featured vocal on the Hollies first US Top 40 single. Look Through Any Window - HolliesHe was a major factor in re-discovering Hollies' demo recordings and having them released as successful singles such as the #2 UK singles "Just One Look" (#98 US) and "I Can't Let Go" (#42 US). This one featuring Elton John on piano became a #7 US, #3 UK hit in 1969. In 1988 it was re-released and topped the UK charts for two weeks. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Hollies
December 16: ...Ludwig van Beethoven. This 18th century music superstar would have celebrated his 245th birthday according to some sources. He has made several appearances in the rock era. A piece of his fifth symphony was discofied into a #1 single in the mid-70s... A Fifth Of Beethoven - Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band...while a portion of his ninth symphony was adapted into a top 20 hit in 1970... A Song Of Joy - Miguel Rios...and Chuck Berry name-called him in this rock and roll classic. One of the best cover tunes in the rock era, this version integrated portions of Beethoven's fifth symphony into this 8 minute masterpiece. As an edited single, it just missed the Top 40 peaking at #42 in 1973. It went to #6 in the UK. Roll Over Beethoven - Electric Light Orchestra
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 17, 2016 1:24:07 GMT -5
December 17: ... Jim Bonafanti. He was the drummer for this band who had this great lost 60s classic. A timely statement for what were currently experiencing across the US. It's Cold Outside - ChoirThe remnants of the Choir added a new lead singer and became this successful group in the 70s. Tonight - RaspberriesDecember 17: ...IMO he belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of lead vocalists, Paul Rodgers. Through the years you have heard him on some of the essential recordings of the classic rock era. In 1970, he sounded like this... All Right Now - Free...and in the second half of the 70s, he sounded like this. Burnin' Sky - Bad CompanyIn the mid 80s he fronted this band... Radioactive - The Firm...and in the early 90s he scored this #1 AOR hit fronting this band. Laying Down The Law - The Law In the mid-90s he fronted his own band and had some airplay with this single. Soul Of Love - Paul Rodgers BandHe wrapped up the millennium reuniting and touring with Bad Company. They recorded 4 new tracks that were released as part of their Anthology release, including this hit. Hey Hey - Bad CompanySince then he's had many solo and collaborative releases, most notably recording and touring as Queen + Paul Rodgers in 2005-06. Most recently he toured as a member of Bad Company in 2014. Also in 2014, Paul released "The Royal Sessions" recording and covering songs from the Memphis music scene in the 1960s and 1970s. He will be announcing 2016 tour dates shortly.
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