The challenge has been accepted, three consecutive studio albums released by artist or band. My top 20 list of consecutive releases. No live or greatest hits allowed. The list of course is very subjective and is absent some major artists, and some remarkable albums. No Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Beach Boys, Grateful Dead or Van … More Three Great Consecutive Musical Albums Released (my list of 20)
Part 2. Picking up where we left off. Warner Bros. was concerned when Tommy Johnston was forced to leave the Doobie Brothers because of his ulcer. He had collapsed at a concert and was in critical condition. “So I was heartbroken when he walked away. I never told anybody this, but some part of me … More The Doobie Brothers and Producer Ted Templeman, Part 2
It’s difficult to write about the success of the Doobie Brothers without also talking about Ted Templeman, an uber-successful record executive, who produced their classic period albums. Two books help tell different sides of the same story. These are not the typical rockstar tell-all book of 1970s bad behavior. Templeman was one of the red-hot … More The Doobie Brothers and Producer Ted Templeman, Part 1
Eagles, Can’t Buy a Thrill, Toulouse Street. The year 1972 was a prosperous one for great rock albums. Three in particular signaled a titanic shift in music for the rest of the decade. Let’s not use the term “yacht rock” because these groups could rock. The Eagles debut album was simply called Eagles. Country-rock is … More A Trio of Smooth, Genre Defining Rock Bands
What lineups were the best for bands? Membership changes happen for various reasons: death, substance abuse, ego, solo careers, etc. Here are some of my favorites: Beatles. The post Best and Sutcliffe days, obviously. Rolling Stones. The Mick Taylor years, after Brian Jones. The classic era. Fleetwood Mac. Obviously, the McVies, Fleetwood, Buckingham and Nicks. … More Classic Band Lineups
Rock star, pop star, country star, children’s recording star. What a long and successful career for Kenny Loggins, who just published his memoirs, Still Alright. Loggins was also a 1980s film soundtrack hit machine, in addition to his solo album successes, then he began a slow fade as most every successful artist does. The difference … More Kenny Loggins: Still Alright (book review)
Forty years ago, I discovered a recording by Paul Anka, a song that actually got played with other contemporary songs. At first, I thought I might have misunderstood who was singing on it, but no, I was correct. Paul Anka? In the 1980s, Anka was about as far from hip as a teen heartthrob from … More Paul Anka in the 1980s
Success in the music industry is fickle, a creature of timing, promotion, talent, and luck. Here are five albums I own that sadly were neglected and passed into history. Larry Lee, Marooned. The sweet, polished vocalist of “Jackie Blue” of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Offered a solo album where he wrote or co-wrote the songs, … More A Dozen Debut Albums that Failed Expectations, but are Deserve a Listen
As a wannabe guitar player, I’m drawn more to smooth sets of chords forming an irresistible melodic progression. A catchy and inventive guitar riff is a thing of beauty for the soul. Riffs seem most closely associated with rock’n’roll, which I agree, but they can be found across musical genres. Riffs catch the ear, and … More Riffing: Music Artists Who Who Utilize the Technique
These 50 year anniversaries are a bit depressing, how can so much time has passed? I was a teenager then, but not quite age legal to drive. The early 1970s was one of the most eclectic periods in music. The phrase, anything goes, could apply to what you heard in 1972. I am known as … More 1972: The Year in Music (50 Years Ago)
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