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Post by seminolefan on Dec 17, 2016 11:59:59 GMT -5
December 17 - Eddie "Cornbread" Kendricks. Born in Alabama, this future member of The Temptations got his start singing in the church choir with fellow future Temp Paul Williams. They and two friends formed The Cavaliers in the 1950s, eventually finding their way to Detroit and becoming The Primes. After they split up, Kendricks and Williams formed another group with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, becoming the Elgins; they quickly changed their name to The Temptations before signing with Motown. Kendricks was a Temp from 1961 until 1971. His solo career initially struggled to take off, but it would net him 6 Top 40 hits, including a #1. Sadly, he would pass away in 1992 at the age of 52. The Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park in Birmingham was dedicated in his honor in 1999. Eddie sang lead on a number of Temptations' hits, including their first Top 40 hit from 1964... The Way You Do The Things You Do - The Temptations...and this #1 classic from 1971. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) - The TemptationsAnd finally, his solo #1 hit from 1973. Keep On Truckin' - Eddie Kendricks
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 18, 2016 7:05:39 GMT -5
December 18: ... Bryan James "Chas" Chandler. Chas was the bassist for the Animals until 1966. The group disbanded due to disillusionment over financial issues. Eric Burdon would form his second version of the band, he being featured as lead. The original members would reunite on occasion, and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. After the band's initial breakup, Chas turned his attention to being a talent scout, manager, and producer. He was instrumental in the forming of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and managed Jimi through the first three albums. Disillusioned with the band's direction, he turned the management over to co-manager Michael Jeffrey. Chas would go on to manage and produce Slade who would have six #1 UK singles during his 12 year tenure. In 1983, he sold his business interests and turned back to being a musician. He would help finance the Newcastle Arena, a sports and entertainment venue shortly before his death in 1996. Two of the Animals' beloved hits are introduced with the unforgettable bass lines from Chas Chandler. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place - AnimalsIt's My Life - AnimalsDecember 18: ...Keith Richards. He is the master of guitar riffs, having created some of the most iconic ones during his life long tenure with the Rolling Stones. Although a majority of their songs are built off of Keith and the second guitarist (Brian Jones, Mick Taylor or Ronnie Wood) switching between lead and rhythm guitar, some of their most beloved recordings such as "Paint It Black" and "Gimme Shelter" feature only Keith. He and fellow Glimmer Twin Mick Jagger were neighbors until Keith's family moved away just before he went into high school. They reconnected on a train ride as Mick was headed to classes at the London School of Economics. They soon discovered a mutual interest in American rock and blues music. Eventually Keith moved into a London flat with Mick and Brian Jones in the early 60s, and the Rolling Stones were born soon after. Rather than following the drummer's lead, the Stones as a band play off of Keith's guitar making him the de facto bandleader. The uniqueness of his guitar work is acoustic based using chords and rhythms rather than speed. He does play acoustic guitar on tracks like "Angie" and "Jumping Jack Flash", and feels that the acoustic helps him get more out of the electric guitar despite its limitations. Some of the Jagger/Richards early songwriting efforts resulted in hits for other artists. Gene Pitney had a hit with "That Girl Belongs To Yesterday" and Marianne Faithfull went Top 10 in the UK (#22 US) in 1964 with "As Tears Go By". The Stones would have a Top 10 hit a year later with the latter. His personal life has been on the edge, somehow surviving excessive drug use, arrests, and criminal sanctions. He's the father of three children (son Tara passed away from SIDS at 2 months) through an unmarried relationship with Italian actress Anita Pallenberg. He has been married to model Patti Hansen since 1983 and have 2 daughters. Today is also their 32nd wedding anniversary. He is a grandfather to 5 children. His solo album "Crosseyed Heart" ranked #17 on Rolling Stone's 2015 list of best albums. He said this riff came to him in a dream, although it's debatable whether it's angelic or hell bent in nature. He woke up just long enough to record it on a cassette player he kept by his bed, and it became one of the iconic riffs in rock history. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling StonesThis top 40 Stones hit is unique because it's the only one to feature Keith on lead vocals. Happy - Rolling Stonesalso featured on "Happy" playing maracas and saxophone is...
December 18: ... Bobby Keys. Like Keith Richards, he also was born December 18, 1943. Like and with Keith, he also lived his life on the edge. Legend has it that he had a falling out with Mick and the other Stones over being a bad influence on Keith! He was most noted as the saxophone playing sideman for the Stones, joining them for their "Let It Bleed" sessions. He was "exiled" after "Goat's Head Soup", but toured with them occasionally during the latter half of the 70s. He rejoined the band full-time for the "Emotional Rescue" sessions, and recorded and toured with them until his passing last year. Born in Texas, at 15 he was touring with Buddy Holly and Bobby Vee. He first met the Stones at the San Antonio Teen Fair in 1964, and developed a friendship initially with Mick. He served as best man for his wedding. The albums he has played on are some of the best selling and critically acclaimed of the rock era. Besides the Stones, a partial list includes, Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs And Englishmen", George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass", Carly Simon's "No Secrets", Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Schmilsson", Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Second Helping", and Ringo Starr's self-titled album. Two of Bobby's great contributions to the "Sticky Fingers" album were on the tracks "Can You Hear Me Knockin'" and this #1 classic. Brown Sugar - Rolling StonesHis sax kicks off and is all over this ex-Beatle's first #1 single. Whatever Gets You Through The Night - John Lennon
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 19, 2016 0:30:03 GMT -5
December 19: ... Alvin Lee. Lead vocalist and guitarist for Ten Years After, the band could be considered an ultimate one hit wonder. Their only Top 40 single spent 2 weeks at the #40 peak position. I'd Love To Change The World - Ten Years AfterKnown for his lightning fast guitar style, Alvin gained a national reputation for his performance of this song at Woodstock. I'm Going Home - Ten Years AfterDecember 19: ...Maurice White. His early professional years include session drumming at Chess records, and in the Ramsey Lewis Trio from 1966 - 1969. He went on to join two friends in the Salty Peppers. They had a regional hit with "La La Time" but when the follow up failed, he moved to Los Angeles and renamed the band after the elements in his astrological chart: Earth, Wind & Fire. He was their band leader, producer, and shared lead vocals with Philip Bailey. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has won 6 Grammy awards. Maurice also earned a seventh Grammy for his arrangement of "Got To Get You Into My Life". He also co-wrote and produced the Emotions #1 hit "Best Of My Love", and worked with Deniece Williams on her first two Columbia albums. He was the drummer on this sixties classic. Rescue Me - Fontella BassThe title track to this #1 album reached #12 on the Hot 100. YYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That's The Way Of The World - Earth, Wind and FireHe co-produced Deniece Williams' first hit (#2 R&B, #25 Hot 100). Free - Deniece Williams
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 20, 2016 6:29:38 GMT -5
December 20: ... Chris Robinson. The vocalist for the Black Crowes has continued fronting the Chris Robinson Brotherhood since the Black Crowes' 2015 breakup. They released their third album "Any Way You Love, We Know How You Feel" earlier this year and are currently touring. A pair featuring Chris on lead vocals from his Black Crowes days. Their Otis Redding cover which went Top 40 in 1991... Hard To Handle - Black Crowes... and this one co-written with his brother Rich that topped the Album Rock Tracks chart for 11 weeks in 1992. Remedy - Black CrowesDecember 20: ...Alan Parsons. In addition to the success of his own group the Alan Parsons Project, Alan was involved in production work of some of the top albums of the rock era. He was an assistant engineer on "Abbey Road", and also worked on the Beatles album "Let It Be". Probably his most famous engineering work was with Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon". He also produced Ambrosia's first two albums and put this artist on the map. Year Of The Cat - Al StewartHe also worked with this Scottish group, propelling them to the Top 5 with this hit. Magic - PilotThe Alan Parsons Project's only Top 10 hit was this one. This version includes the instrumental lead in. Sirius/Eye In The Sky - Alan Parsons ProjectFrom their first Top 10 album, this track segues the title instrumental with their second Top 40 hit. I Robot/I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You - Alan Parsons Project
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 21, 2016 4:49:57 GMT -5
Well there's rock, soul, rap, metal, pop, hip-hop, blues, folk, country, jazz, classical... ...Then there's... December 21: ...Frank Zappa. Frank's work embodies many of the above-mentioned genres, creating his own unique thumbprint in the process. We lost him 23 years ago this month and he is a 1995 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. From his only top 10 album "Apostrophe (')", this seasonal selection was his first Hot 100 single. Don't Eat The Yellow Snow - Frank ZappaOne of five albums he released in 1979, "Shiek Yerbouti" yielded this #45 single. Dancin' Fool - Frank ZappaDecember 21: ...Carl Wilson. We lost Carl way too early, passing away from lung cancer at 51. He was the Beach Boys lead guitarist and acted as the music director on stage when Brian's struggles took him off the road. He initially contributed backing vocals, but as the sixties progressed he stepped to the forefront singing lead on "Good Vibrations", "I Can Hear Music", and "Wild Honey". One of his first lead vocals was this Beach Boys "B" side. God Only Knows - Beach BoysHe also sang lead on this hit, recently the subject of an episode of the "Big Bang Theory". Darlin' - Beach BoysTrivia bit: It was the death of Carl's dog that inspired this Top 10 hit. Shannon - Henry Gross
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 22, 2016 6:09:51 GMT -5
December 22: ... Rick Nielsen. Lead guitarist and songwriter for Cheap Trick, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. They're still at it, albeit with Rick's son Daxx on drums since 2010 in place of the departed Bunn E. Carlos. They released "Bang, Zoom, Crazy ... Hello" last April, and are preparing for a New Year's Eve concert in Vegas. Rick penned the band's first Hot 100 entry, a classic rock staple that peaked at #62. Surrender - Cheap TrickHe also wrote this interesting Top 40 power ballad. Voices - Cheap TrickDecember 22: ...Maurice and Robin Gibb. Very sad to see them both gone, but we honor them as 2/3 of the Bee Gees. They're a group who staged multiple comebacks that led to a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame career. Their output in the second half of the seventies rivaled careers of the Supremes and even the Beatles. We'll go back to their first wave of popularity, to feature their first UK #1 hit with lead vocals courtesy of Robin Gibb. Massachusetts - Bee GeesFrom their second wave of popularity, this hit reached #3 in 1971. Maurice's piano kicks off and is prominently featured on the track. Lonely Days - Bee Gees
December 22: ...Edgard Varese. Though he lived from 1883 to 1965, his musical theories and research led him to be dubbed the "Father Of Electronic Music". He influenced generations of musicians, coining the term "organized sound" and influencing Frank Zappa and the Beatles. He advocated that music be more open ended, rather than bounded by structure. Chicago member Robert Lamm was a fan as well, penning the opening track on Chicago V honoring his achievements. A Hit By Varese - Chicago
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 23, 2016 1:18:36 GMT -5
December 23: ...Eddie Vedder. He's the front man for Pearl Jam who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Eddie hooked up with the band, then known as Mookie Blaylock via Jack Irons who was an ex-drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He gave Eddie a demo tape that the band was using to advertise for a lead singer. Eddie wrote lyrics and recorded vocals to three of the songs and mailed the demo tape back to Seattle. The songs would eventually be recorded and released as "Alive", "Once", and "Footsteps" by Pearl Jam. When the band signed with Epic records, they were forced to change their name. Pearl Jam was born, but their debut album was titled "Ten" honoring ex-NBA star Mookie Blaylock's jersey number. The band became one of the icons of the grunge movement, with Eddie contributing lead vocals and songwriting skills. They show no signs of slowing down. The band completed a four month tour last August. The band's last album "Lightning Bolt" was released late in 2013. Eddie also spent much of the early fall cheering on the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years, singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" during game 5 of the 2016 World Series and being present for the game 7 clincher in Cleveland. Featuring Eddie lyrical skills and vocals on Pearl Jam's second single from "Ten". Even Flow - Pearl JamHe contributed a Beatles cover as a solo artist to the "I Am Sam" soundtrack. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Eddie VedderDecember 23: ...Eugene Record. Eugene was the lead singer of the Chi-Lites in the sixties and part of the seventies. He left the band and recorded three solo albums, before rejoining in 1980. He left again in 1988, and eventually became a gospel singer. He passed away in 2005, but his son Brian released a biography "My Dad In Lites" earlier this year. It covers his dad's life and examines the music he created. He was the lead vocalist on this chart-topper. Paul Young's remake would also be a Top 10 hit peaking at #8 in 1990. Oh Girl - Chi-LitesThis was one of 6 Top 10 singles in the UK, peaking at #5 (#54 US, 3 R&B). Homely Girl - Chi-Lites
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 24, 2016 0:06:57 GMT -5
December 24: ... John Akkerman. We salute the guitarist for Focus with their only 2 charting Hot 100 singles. This one peaked at #9 in the spring of 1973... Hocus Pocus - FocusWhile the follow-up could go no higher than #89 during its summer of '73 five week stint. Sylvia - FocusDecember 24: ...Dave Bartholomew. Wishing this New Orleans legend a happy 97th birthday. His production work and writing partnership with Fats Domino were among the reasons he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a non-performer. In January 1952, Dave wrote and recorded a record whose cover version would become a #1 hit 20 years later. "My Ding-A-Ling" proved to be Chuck Berry's only Hot 100 #1 single. In mid-1952 he produced the #1 R&B hit "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" for Lloyd Price. Some of the hits Dave produced and/or co-wrote with Fats Domino include "Blueberry Hill", "I'm Walkin", and "Walking To New Orleans". Fats, Pat Boone, and the Four Seasons had a Top 40 hit with this one. A live cover version was also released and made the Top 40 in the late 70s. Ain't That A Shame - Cheap TrickA 1955 R&B #2 hit for Smiley Lewis co-written by Dave, it was covered in 1970 and peaked at #4 on the Hot 100. I Hear You Knocking - Dave Edmunds
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 25, 2016 0:00:11 GMT -5
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 26, 2016 7:12:17 GMT -5
December 26: ...Phil Spector. Mastermind behind the "Wall of Sound", Phil was also a part of a #1 single as a performer. As a member of the Teddy Bears, he wrote, produced and performed "To Know Him Is To Love Him". It topped the charts in 1958. In the music business, he is best known for producing acts like the Crystals, Ronettes, Darlene Love, and the Righteous Brothers. Later he worked with the Beatles as a group and John Lennon and George Harrison solo. His influence is well documented in the annals of rock and roll, from Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run", to early ABBA recordings and Meatloaf's "Bat Out Of Hell". He was behind the board on two of the most beloved Christmas classics, John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". Unfortunately behind the mastermind seemed to be a tortured soul. Reclusive and domineering, his sometimes bizarre persona culminated in 2009 when he was convicted in the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson. He is currently serving a 19 years to life sentence in the California Health Facility at the California State Prison in Stockton. From this conflicted person came these production masterpieces. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous BrothersInstant Karma (We All Shine On) - John LennonDecember 26: ...Abdul "Duke" Fakir. He is the last surviving member of the Four Tops and still tours with the vocal group. They are scheduled to perform a series of concerts in the US and UK in 2016. The band is noteworthy for having no personnel changes from their 1953 inception (as the Four Aims) until the 1997 passing of Lawrence Payton who succumbed to liver cancer. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. We salute "Duke" and his mates with a pair of 1965 hits that reached #24 & #19 respectively on the Hot 100. Both peaked at #9 on the R&B charts. Ask The Lonely - Four TopsSomething About You - Four Tops
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 26, 2016 23:02:36 GMT -5
December 27: ... Mike Pinder. Founding member and original keyboard player with the Moody Blues, Mike wrote some of the signature album tracks during the band's initial successful run which ended with "Seventh Sojourn" in 1972. You know...the band that has never been NOMINATED for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! From 1970, here's a great one from "A Question Of Balance"... Melancholy Man - Moody Blues... and one from 1972's "Seventh Sojourn". Lost in A Lost World - Moody BluesDecember 27: ...Mick Jones. He's the guitarist and founding member of Foreigner. The band was initially named Trigger, but the name was already taken. Mick came up with the Foreigner moniker due to the fact that no matter where they played, at least part of the band (3 US, 3 Brits) would be considered foreigners. He wrote the band's only #1 single "I Want To Know What Love Is". He continues to tour as the only remaining member of Foreigner. They are set to tour the US in February - May 2016. Mick is also a producer of note, producing Van Halen's "5150" and Billy Joel's "Storm Front" albums. He also co-wrote "Bad Love" with Eric Clapton for which Eric would win a 1990 Grammy award. Other band credits include Spooky Tooth, Leslie West Band, and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. He wrote the band's first hit... Feels Like The First Time - Foreigner...and this one from "4" that featured Junior Walker on the sax solo. Both songs peaked at #4 on the Hot 100. Urgent - Foreigner
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 28, 2016 6:38:36 GMT -5
December 28: ... Alex Chilton. (moved from December 20; source error) Saluting the enigmatic front man of the Box Tops and Big Star with a Top 20 hit from his Box Tops years... Soul Deep - Box Tops... and a song he co-wrote that would become the theme for "That 70s Show" when it was covered by Todd Griffin and later Cheap Trick. In The Street - Big StarDecember 28: ...Edgar Winter. He made a splash in 1970 with his critically acclaimed album "Entrance". Forming Edgar Winter's White Trash, he released a successful self-titled studio album and followed that up with a live album "Roadwork" which went gold. Recruiting Ronnie Montrose and Dan Hartmann, Edger reached his commercial peak with "They Only Come Out At Night". The first single was an instrumental initially titled "The Double Drum Song". Intended as a "B" side only release, it was added to the album at the last minute with a new title. The song was edited from a series of jam sessions of which pieces were spliced together creating the final product. This monster of a hit topped the Hot 100 under the title "Frankenstein". The second release "Free Ride" peaked at #14 and has also become a classic rock staple through the years. He has continued releasing albums, working with Rick Derringer and his late brother Johnny through the years. He has also toured several times as a member of Ringo Starr's All Starr Band. He had a full touring schedule in 2015 and is planning one for 2016. Edgar took this British Invasion hit for the Nashville Teens and made it a signature song for him. It was released on his debut album. Tobacco Road - Edgar WinterThis was the third top 40 hit for the Edgar Winter Group. Featuring vocals by Dan Hartmann and guitar work by Rick Derringer. River's Risin' - Edgar Winter Group
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 29, 2016 6:24:43 GMT -5
December 29: ... Yvonne Elliman. Yvonne first rose to fame in 1970 singing the part of Mary Magdalene on the original recording of the concept album "Jesus Christ Superstar". She sang on the 1971 original Broadway Cast album and the 1973 film soundtrack as well, and acted for four years in the traveling cast. She reprised her Mary Magdalene role, starring in the motion picture, and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Two singles from the Broadway cast album "I Don't Know How To Love Him" and "Everything's Alright" performed by Yvonne reached the Hot 100. Although out charted by Helen Reddy's cover, "I Don't Know How To Love Him" was her first Top 40 hit, peaking at #28. She married her first husband Bill Oakes who was president of RSO records. She landed a recording contract and toured as a part of Eric Clapton's band for three years. She contributed backing vocals to Eric's albums released during that time frame, including his #1 single "I Shot The Sheriff" from "461 Ocean Boulevard". Yvonne continued charting as a solo act as well, reaching the Top 40 an additional 4 more times. "Love Me" was a #14 hit penned by the Bee Gees, and her final chart entry was the #34 "Love Pains" in 1979. Her cover of a Barbara Mason hit reached #15 in 1977. Hello Stranger - Yvonne EllimanThe Bee Gees originally wrote "How Deep Is Your Love" for Yvonne, but Robert Stigwood wanted the Bee Gees to sing it for the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. Instead Yvonne sang this Hot 100 chart topper penned by the Brothers Gibb. If I Can't Have You - Yvonne EllimanDecember 29: ... Ray Thomas. Ray was a flautist, composer, and singer with the Moody Blues from the band's inception until his retirement in 2002. He wrote and sang lead on this FM classic from "In Search Of The Lost Chord"... Legend Of A Mind - Moody Blues...and this one from "Seventh Sojourn". For My Lady - Moody Blues
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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 29, 2016 23:59:11 GMT -5
December 30: ... Jeff Lynne. Won't even to try to list all his accomplishments and awards; trekkielo is all over it. I will extend congratulations for ELOs induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this month. Also expound on Jeff's incredible career as a producer. When you do production work for George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Del Shannon, Dave Edmunds, Brian Wilson and Roy Orbison, you must be doing something right. Add to that his production and musicianship in the Move, ELO, and Traveling Wilburys, as well as his work on the Beatles anthology series and you have a RRHOF worthy second career as a producer. Love the early stuff. This one was the only Hot 100 hit for the Move, but would become a Top 40 hit when re-recorded during Jeff's initial ELO run. Do Ya - MoveThis great early track became a lost 70s classic twice (#53-1973, #59-1976) Showdown - Electric Light OrchestraOne of my favorite production work of Jeff's is this lost 90s classic. He also sings harmony vocal. The World Tonight - Paul McCartneyMore fun than a barrel of... December 30: ...Davy Jones. We honor his memory and celebrate his birthday with the first Monkees single to feature him on lead vocals... A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You - Monkees...and this solo single originally co-written and recorded by Neil Sedaka. Rainy Jane - Davy Jones
December 30: ...Mike Nesmith. Mike sang lead on this 1969 single... Good Clean Fun - Monkees...and he made the Top 40 in 1970 with this beautiful country hit. Joanne - Mike Nesmith and the First National Band
PS: There is another birthday of "electric" proportions, but I can't "orchestrate" it as well as a certain other member. He can certainly shed some "light" on the other birthday honoree.
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Post by trekkielo on Dec 30, 2016 15:17:33 GMT -5
December 30: ... Jeff Lynne. Won't even to try to list all his accomplishments and awards; trekkielo is all over it. I will extend congratulations for ELOs induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this month. Also expound on Jeff's incredible career as a producer. When you do production work for George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Del Shannon, Dave Edmunds, Brian Wilson and Roy Orbison, you must be doing something right. Add to that his production and musicianship in the Move, ELO, and Traveling Wilburys, as well as his work on the Beatles anthology series and you have a RRHOF worthy second career as a producer. Love the early stuff. This one was the only Hot 100 hit for the Move, but would become a Top 40 hit when re-recorded during Jeff's initial ELO run. Do Ya - MoveThis great early track became a lost 70s classic twice (#53-1973, #59-1976) Showdown - Electric Light OrchestraOne of my favorite production work of Jeff's is this lost 90s classic. He also sings harmony vocal. The World Tonight - Paul McCartneyThanks 1finemrg . I also like The World Tonight. John Lennon talks about ELO and ShowdownHappy 69th Birthday Jeff Lynne, born on December 30th, 1947, co-founder, leader, frontman and lead guitarist of my all-time favorite band Electric Light Orchestra from 1972-1986, 2001 & 2015, ELO's Hold On Tight along with their Time album are as you all know still both sentimental for me starting back in 1981. ELO's time machine is stalled somewhere between Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Star Trek, yet as long as Jeff Lynne's future-vision Beatlemania comes in near-perfect Top Forty spurts, why moan? Time's thematic conceit (supposedly a look backward from the twenty-first century) is pretty superfluous: the synthesized rock & roll cellos in "Hold On Tight" and the Spanish stroll of "The Way Life's Meant to Be" make those tunes all-weather singles for the here and now. And you can't help but wonder what the endless bottom of "Another Heart Breaks" might do to the slow dancers out on the killing floor. Only one major quibble: against the electronic landscapes, vacuum-packed vocals and sleight-of-the-art edits, all-time bashing great Bev Bevan becomes just another sound effect–a wandering cymbal amid the beep alarms and intermittent circuits. If ELO's not careful, they're going to end up becoming the kind of cheese that squirts out of an aerosol can. As it is, they're perilously close to fitting the description of the heartache in Lynne's "Yours Truly, 2095" dream home: "...the latest in technology/Almost mythology, but she has a heart of stone." (RS 358) Deborah Frost (Posted: Dec 10, 1981) Electric Light Orchestra - Prologue (Audio)AT40 #38 Electric Light Orchestra - Yours Truly, 2095 (Audio)"Remember the good old 1980's, when things were so uncomplicated, I wish I could go back there again, and everthing could be the same" "I wish I was back in 1981" Electric Light Orchestra - The Way Life's Meant To Be (Audio)ELO - Another Heart BreaksBillboard Bubbling Under #1 or Billboard Hot 100 #101, 1982 Electric Light Orchestra - Rain Is Falling (Audio)Electric Light Orchestra - From The End Of The World (Audio)Electric Light Orchestra - The Lights Go Down (Audio)Electric Light Orchestra - 21st Century Man (Audio)After hearing "Hold on Tight" on Casey Kasem's American Top 40 Mighty 690AM Radio Show back in 1981 while with family around Ventura, California, a U.S. Route 101 road trip to Santa Barbara's Mission when I was just 8 years old, Dad then bought me my very first Electric Light Orchestra album from Tower Records, an audio cassette of Time by ELO, thus started the fandom 35 years ago, appropriate for this occasion... AT40 #10 ^The previous year, David Bowie had released his "Ashes to Ashes" music video which was considered as the most innovative to date at that time. But Electric Light Orchestra were largely regarded to have surpassed that with their music video for "Hold on Tight". At the time it was the most expensive ever made at around £40,000 - Source: UK Midlands Central TV News, August, 1981, thanks Ade! Electric Light Orchestra - Epilogue (Audio)
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