psychedelic rock
Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era: 1965-68 Reviewed
Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era: 1965-68 Reviewed
An indispensable illustration of the wild and vivid evolution of 1960s psychedelia.
ARCTIC MONKEYS
Discography:
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, Domino, 2006.
By distilling the sounds of Franz Ferdinand, the Clash, the Strokes, and the Libertines into a hybrid of swaggering indie rock and danceable neo-punk, the Arctic Monkeys became one of the U.K.'s biggest bands of the new millennium. Their meteoric rise began in 2005, when the teenaged bandmates fielded offers from major labels and drew a sold-out crowd to the London Astoria, using little more than a self-released EP as bait. Several months later, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the fastest-selling debut album in British history, entrenching the Arctic Monkeys in the same circle as multi-platinum acts like Oasis and Blur.
Frontman Alex Turner and guitarist Jamie Cook began their music careers in 2001, when the friends both received guitars for Christmas. Two years later, they began performing shows around their native Sheffield with drummer Matt Helders and bassist Andy Nicholson, two fellow students at Stocksbridge High School. A series of demo recordings followed, and the Arctic Monkeys' audience swelled as fans circulated those recordings via the Internet. The musicians soon found themselves at the center of a growing media circus, with such outlets as BBC Radio examining the band's music and mounting hype.
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By distributing their homemade material on the Internet, the Arctic Monkeys were able to build a rabid fan base without the help of a record label, effectively circumventing the usual road to superstardom. They continued to buck tradition by signing with Domino Records in 2005, eschewing a major label's help for Domino's D.I.Y. mentality and hip roster (which also included Franz Ferdinand, a touchstone for the band's sound). The smart moves paid off as the Arctic Monkeys' first two singles -- "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When the Sun Goes Down" -- both topped the U.K. charts. Critical reception was similarly favorable, but few could have predicted the whirlwind success of the band's debut album, which ousted Oasis' Definitely Maybe as the fastest-selling debut in British history (a record that was lost one year later to Leona Lewis' Spirit). Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not sold 363,735 copies during its first week alone, transforming the Arctic Monkeys from underground stars into mainstream figures.
The Arctic Monkeys' debut sold approximately 300,000 total copies in America -- enough to warrant more media coverage, but notably less than the album's British sales during its first week alone. Nevertheless, the band's success continued as they released a spring EP, Who the F**k Are Arctic Monkeys, and prepared for a stateside tour. Temporary bassist Nick O'Malley was brought aboard for the band's American shows, while a fatigued Nicholson stayed at home. Nicholson then announced his official departure when the band returned home in June 2006, and O'Malley remained with the Arctic Monkeys as a permanent member. That fall, the musicians received the 2006 Mercury Prize and donated the accompanying money to an undisclosed charity. Additional accolades included Best British Breakthrough Act at the Brit Awards and Best New Band at the NME Awards. NME also made a bold assertion by deeming the band's debut one of the Top Five British albums ever released.
Released in April 2007, Favourite Worst Nightmare updated the the Arctic Monkeys' sound with louder instruments and faster tempos. The bandmates had recorded the sophomore album quickly, wishing to return to the road as soon as possible, and the speedy turnaround between records only helped solidify the band's popularity at home. Favourite Worst Nightmare sold 85,000 copies during its first day of release, while all 12 tracks entered the Top 200 of the U.K. singles charts. As Alex Turner briefly turned his attention to a side project, the Last Shadow Puppets, the Arctic Monkeys received another Mercury Prize nomination and took home two titles at the 2008 Brit Awards.
Recording sessions for a third album commenced in early 2008 and lasted throughout the year. Meanwhile, the band released a concert album entitled Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo -- with accompanying video footage captured on 35mm film -- to maintain their prolific pace. ~ All Music Guide
Source: Andrew Leahey
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THE HOLLIES
The Hollies are a British rock group, formed in the early sixties, had the hits 'He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother' and 'Searchin’'. Formed in the early 1960s, the band have gone through line up changes but remain one of few bands from the ‘British Invasion’ era, alongside the likes of The Beatles, The Kinks, Manfred Mann, Rolling Stones and Steeleye Span, who still record and tour today.
The Hollies were the third most successful British 'singles' group of the 1960s, scoring twenty UK Top 40 singles between 1963 and 1969, following The Shadows and The Beatles. However, despite their numerous chart placings, the band only reached number one once in the UK , with 1965 single 'I’m Alive'.
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Following guitarist Graham Nash’s departure in 1968, when he went on to form the original ‘supergroup’ Crosby, Stills and Nash with Stephen Stills and ex Byrds singer David Crosby, Terry Sylvester joined The Hollies and saw continued success, with Sylvester proving a more than an adequate replacement.
The band have continued to tour steadily since, continuing to capitalise on their 1960s heyday, even though singles throughout the 70s and 80s failed to chart. In 2009 the band were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Members include Bernie Calvert (born on September 16, 1942, in Lancashire, England), drums; Allan Clarke (born on April 5, 1942, in Lancashire, England; left group temporarily, 1972), lead vocals; Bobby Eliott (born on December 8, 1942, in Lancashire, England), bass guitar; Eric Haydock, drums; Tony Hicks (born on December 16, 1945, in Lancashire, England), lead guitar; Graham Nash (born on February 2, 1942, in Blackpool, England; left group, 1968), songwriting, guitar; Don Rathbone, bass guitar; Terry Sylvester (born on January 8, 1947, in Liverpool, England), vocals, guitar.
Albums:
Source: Susan Salter
(SM)
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
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AN INSIGHT INTO THE MIND OF ONE OF ROCKS GREATEST FRONTMEN - JIM MORRISON
THE YARDBIRDS
Discography:
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The Yardbirds were a British R&B/Psychedelic influenced band that launched the careers of seminal musicians, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
Their best known songs were gems such as: ''For Your Love'', ''Heart Full Of Soul'' and ''I'm A Man'' and were a highly influential band - their guitar sound - heavy with feedback - was unique at the time.
They celebrated a period in their career of a joint musicianship between Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck but went on to become a quartet for the remainder of their career, despite experiencing many line-ups changes.
The band split in 1968, after the classic ''difference in musical direction'' and played their final gig in July 1968 at the Luton Technical College in Bedfordshire, England.
From the ashes of The Yardbirds emerged the formation of music giants, Led Zeppelin. Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja reformed The Yardbirds in the 1990's - in 2003 the album ''Birdland'' was released.
Nearly all the surviving members from the band attended the induction into the ''Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame'' in 1992, including Beck and Page.
Sources: Wendy Gabriel; Lloyd Hemingway
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THE GRASS ROOTS
Rock band and AM Oldies’ radio favourite, The Grass Roots, have sold over 30 million albums worldwide and set a record for over 307 weeks of Billboard chart presence.
The band was primarily active during the years of 1966 through 1975. It has had many reincarnations with no less than 42 individual members credited to The Grass Roots’ line-ups.
The name “Grass Roots” originated as the brainchild of songwriting pair, P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri to capitalise on the rising folk rock movement. But it was the 1967, third generation line-up with vocalist, Rob Grill that actually yielded the first top ten hit.
Many more hits and radio airplay followed like that of Midnight Confessions, Sooner or Later and Let’s Live for Today.
From the 70s onward, The Grass Roots experienced limited success and the band officially disbanded in 1976.
In the 80s, Grill decided to reform the band and continues to be the front man for the group in the 21st century.
Albums:
Where Were You When I Needed You, Dunhill, 1966.
Let's Live for Today, Dunhill, 1967.
Feelings, Dunhill, 1968.
Golden Grass, Dunhill, 1968.
Lovin' Things, Dunhill, 1969.
Leavin' It All Behind, Dunhill, 1969.
More Golden Grass, Dunhill, 1970.
Their 16 Greatest Hits, Dunhill, 1971.
Move Along, Dunhill, 1972.
Alotta' Mileage, Dunhill, 1973.
Self Titled, Haven, 1975.
The ABC Collection, ABC, 1976.
14 Greatest, Gusto, 1978.
Powers Of The Night, MCA, 1982.
Live At Last, RFG, 2000.
Symphonic Hits, Cleopatra, 2001.
Live Gold, RFG, 2008.
Source: Juanita Appleby
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
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LENNY KRAVITZ
American “retro” rocker, Lenny Kravitz’s style has been compared to such greats as Prince and Jimi Hendrix. His career boasts multi-platinum albums, four consecutive Grammy awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and over 40 million album sales globally.
Kravitz’s influence also reaches his peers. His collaborative efforts read more like a Hollywood A-List party - Jay-Z, Aerosmith, Mick Jagger and P. Diddy amongst others.
In the 80s, Kravitz worked under the stage name Romeo Blue. He developed a demo but was told he wasn’t “black enough” to compete with the RnB styles that dominated the radio airwaves at the time. Undeterred and without a label, Kravitz decided to started work on an album and managed to attract the attention of Virgin Records.
Within a few years, he traded the Shakespearian nom de plume for a freshly signed Virgin Records contract and released his debut album Let Love Rule in 1989 to mixed reviews.
In the first few years of the 90s, Kravitz spent writing and producing for other artists including Madonna’s Justify My Love but also experienced his first chart success with second album Mama Said. This album featured a song titled It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over and collaborations with Guns 'N' Roses’ Slash and Beatles’ Offspring, Sean Lennon.
In 1993, Are You Gonna Go My Way was released and reached #12 on the Billboard charts and won Kravitz a BRIT award. He followed up with Circus in 1995 which hit #10 despite it only having two moderately successful singles.
In 1998, Kravitz exploded onto the mainstream music scene with his fifth album, suitably named 5, thanks to the hit single Fly Away. This song helped make the album multi-platinum, featured on advertisements and secured Kravitz his first Grammy in 1999.
Success continued in 2001 with an award-winning, cover version of the Guess Who’s American Woman for the second Austin Powers movie soundtrack.
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Kravitz subsequently released three more studio albums and became more involved in other projects like political activism, acting and collaboration. He also established his own record label named Roxie Records and a design company aptly named Kravitz Designs. In an era of throwaway music careers, Kravitz has proven his critics wrong with a three decade long career that continues to flourish.
Juanita Appleby
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THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP
The Spencer Davis Group was a mid-1960s beat group from Birmingham, England. In their heyday, the group consisted of Steve Winwood (vocals), Muff Winwood (bass), Pete York (drums) and Spencer Davis (lead guitarist/vocals).
Spencer Davis moved to Birmingham from London in 1960 to study. In 1963, he recruited the Winwood brothers and started The Spencer Davis Group. The band performed regularly in the city and were signed to a recording contract after an appearance in a local club.
The group’s first professional recording was a cover version of ‘Dimples’, but they came to success at the end of 1965 with ‘Keep on Running’, the group’s first number one single. In 1966 they followed this with ‘Somebody Help Me’ and ‘When I Come Home’.
By the end of 1966 and the beginning of 1967, the group released two more hits, 'Gimme Some Lovin' and ‘I’m A Man’. These tracks proved to be their two best-known successes, especially in the U.S.
In 1967, Winwood left to form Traffic; his brother Muff moved into the music industry as A&R man at Island Records. In a so-called joint venture, the soundtrack to the film Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush featured both The Spencer Davis Group and Traffic.
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Despite the Winwoods’ departure, The Spencer Davis Group continued performing and released more singles, though not repeating earlier successes. They released 'Mr. Second-Class' in late 1967, which was heavily played on Radio Caroline, and the group’s last minor hit, ‘After Tea’, in 1968.
Although short-lived, The Spencer Davis Group was very influential, with many of the band’s songs covered by other artists over the years.
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THE NICE
The Nice were a late Sixties progressive / psychedelic rock band. While they did not last more than three years, they were a major influence in bridging the gap between the psychedelic rock of the Sixties and the progressive rock of the Seventies.
Led by keyboard maestro Keith Emerson, who was greatly influenced by the work of Mozart and Tchaiovsky, (later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer) they were one of the first bands to fuse rock with an orchestra. The group began as the backing band for British soul singer P.P. Arnold, and also featured guitarist David O'List, drummer Brian "Blinky" Davison, and bassist Lee Jackson.
The band were infamous for being banned from playing the Royal Albert Hall in 1968 when Emerson set fire to an American flag when playing the song ‘America’, originally by Sondheim and Bernstein.
After The Nice dissolved, bassist/vocalist Lee Jackson and drummer Brian Davison formed Refugee with Patrick Moraz on keyboards (later of Yes).
In 2003 The Nice reformed and toured with Keith Emerson’s solo band.
Brian Davison passed away on 15th April 2008.
Albums:
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THE MOODY BLUES
The Moody Blues are a UK band that have had hit albums in the UK, US and worldwide – with an impressive 50 million albums sold and 14 platinum and gold discs. They started life as a Rhythm and Blues based sound in 1964, emanating from Erdington in Birmingham. Their name developed from a planned sponsored from a brewery and was also a nod to the Duke Ellington song: 'Mood Indigo'.
They were initially John Lodge, Michael Pinder, Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick, undergoing a few line-up changes throughout the years, notably recruiting Justin Hayward as the singer. First signed to Decca Records, the band hit gold with their 2nd single, ‘’Go now’’ which remains their sole No. 1 in the UK.
Despite debut album, 'The Magnificent Moodies' sounding distinctly rhythm and blues influenced, their sound changed for their 2nd album 'Days of Future Passed' – which was more orchestral, and contained well-known track 'Nights in White Satin' which went on to become a million seller when re-released 5 years later, in 1972.
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They moved on to a more psychedelic sound that helped to define the progressive rock genre, with their 1968 album 'In search of the Lost Chord'.
The band took a long break in 1974, reuniting in 1978 with the album 'Octave' which sold well, and in 1979 the band toured the US and England, by 1981 The Moody Blues had reached No.1 again in Billboard charts and Top 5 in the UK with LP 'Long Distance Voyager'.
Between 1991 and 1998, the band took an extended break from recording , instead trying to perfect live music with an orchestra. 1999 saw the return of the long-running band, with the modestly received album 'Strange times' and an appearance on The Simpsons.
Since the turn of the century, The Moody Blues have released a live concert 'Hall of Fame', the film Journey into Amazing Caves and a Christmas themed album.
Their most popular albums were re-released in 2006, and the following year the now closed Hard Rock theme park in the US announced a ride: 'Nights in White Satin – the Trip'.
The band continue to tour.
Albums:
Sources: Wendy Gabriel; Debra Power
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