reggae
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse was formed in 1975 in Birmingham, England. The band capitalised on the punk and roots reggae combination made popular in the era of recession and political upheaval using crisis management training. The band initially had difficulty in getting live gigs because of their revolutionary ideals and satirical stage presence. But this was overcome with the support of bands like The Police and The Clash.
Steel Pulse’s key early singles gained them some following amongst many reggae fans and critics. These were 1978’s Prodigal Son, Soldiers and 1979’s Babylon Makes the Rules.
In the late 80s, Steel Pulse broke the American market and eventually won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for Not King James Version.
The 1992 live album, Rastafari Centennial, marked the beginning of a return to the group’s roots origins. The following the year, Steel Pulse performed at US President Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration.
Despite being plagued with numerous line-up changes, the band remains to be one of Britain’s most successful Afro-centric bands in terms of creative and commercial successes. Its 1978 debut, Handsworth Revolution remains a landmark in the roots-reggae genre.
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE UNIQUE STEEL PULSE VIDEOS
Steel Pulse is stilla ctive in the reggae genre and continues to contribute to the musical landscape with a political message like with a special song dedicated to US President, Barack Obama's campaign.
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
Why Not Check Out:
Bob Marley
Grateful Dead
The Police
Blood On The Tracks
Rokpool's Official Merchandise Store
UB40
UB40 experienced its greatest achievements in the 80s and 90s by producing sophisticated and softer, Jamaican-style music that complemented the social and political plights experienced in their native area of Birmingham. The name UB40 was a sarcastic reference to the UK unemployment benefit form and also was the cover art for its first album called Signing on.
Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques.
The band formed its own record company called DEP International by the time it released its second album, Present Arms, that featured the single One in Ten. UB40 solidified its reputation for serious reggae with its hit single Red Red Wine which featured on its third album, Labour of Love. Other notable singles from this time were Please Don’t Make Me Cry, Cherry Oh Baby and If It Happens Again.
In 1987, the band released a Greatest Hits compilation which also contained collaboration with Pretender’s vocalist, Chrissie Hynde. Hynde was a catalyst in the band’s early success. She noticed them performing in a pub and offered them the supporting act spot for her band’s tour.
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE UNIQUE UB40 VIDEOS
Chart triumphs continued into the 90s with a cover of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love which was the group’s third UK #1 single. The band also had top ten hits with Kingston Town, I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight with Robert Palmer, Higher Ground and Come Back Darling.
By the 21st Century, UB40 could lay claim to a three-decade long career, many sell-out live performances and over 70 million records sold.
Unlike other similar ensemble-structured bands, UB40’s line-up remained unchanged from 1978 to 2008. The band was spearheaded by the Campbell brothers, Ali and Rob. Ali Campbell was eventually replaced by another Campbell sibling, Duncan in 2008. The band also toured with another popular reggae vocalist, Maxi Priest.
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
Why Not Check Out:
Robert Palmer
Elvis Presley
Bob Marley
Ike Turner
Exclusive, Rare, Un-Edited, Unheard Interview with Robin Campbell
Rokpool's Official Merchandise Store
The Clash
The Clash was an English Punk Band founded in 1976. The bands stalwarts were Joe Strummer on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Mick Jones lead guitar/ vocals and Paul Simon on on bass guitar and backing vocals. Nicky “Topper" Headon on drums and percussion would join the band later.
Click on the image to visit the ebay shop:
CLICK HERE FOR A UNIQUE SELECTION OF THE CLASH VIDEOS
After some time, Headon left the group as did Mick Jones, however the band continued to perform with new members until they disbanded in 1986. The Clash’s sound was based on punk rock, reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap and rockabilly and their lyrics and musical experimentation had such an influence on rock and, in particular, alternative rock they were referred to by some as “The Only Band That Matters".
Why Not Check Out:
Have You Seen This???
The Clash signed to CBS Records in 1977. Their first album "The Clash” was a major success in the UK and while CBS released only a “radio friendly” version in the US, the original album became the best selling imported album of all time in the USA. The Clash’s third Album “London Calling” released in 1977 is regarded as one of the greatest rock albums every recorded.
The band recorded a further three albums: “Sandinista,” “Combat Rock” and “Cut the Crap” before disbanding in 1986.
Unfortunately Joe Strummer died of a heart problem in 2002, The Joe Strummer Foundation (Strummerville) was set up by Lucinda, his wife shortly after his death and continues to champion new music.
Mick Jones continues to play and collaborates with Tony James releasing several albums under the Band name Silicon/Carbon.
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
Why Not Check Out:
Sex Pistols
Tom Petty
The Pogues
Stone Roses
Theatre Of Hate
The Higsons
Steel Pulse
New York Dolls
Complete History Of Punk
THE POLICE
The Police was a three-piece British pop band who came into prominence in the wake of the punk rock phenomenon. The trio formed in 1977, consisting of Sting (bass and lead vocals), Stewart Copeland (drummer) and Henri Padovani (guitarist). This line-up issued the band’s first single, "Fall Out" in May 1977. Following this Andy Summers joined the band, who now toured as a four piece. Summers told Padovani that he wanted to experiment with 'new sounds, so Padovani quit the band (He probably regrets his hastiness.)
For The Police, their first album, "Outlandos d'Amour" was difficult working on a small budget, with no manager or record deal. Copeland's older brother, Miles, heard "Roxanne" and immediately got them a record deal with A&M Records. The single was re-released in 1979, and it was then that The Police achieved widespread fame in England. In October 1979, the group released their second album "Regatta de Blanc", giving way to reggae-influenced hit "Walking on the Moon".
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE UNIQUE THE POLICE VIDEOS
In March of 1980, The Police decided to embark on their first World Tour, and soon became a world famous act. Pressured by their record company for a new record, The Police quickly released their third album, "Zenyatta Mondatta" in 1980. The album gave the group a U.K. No. 1 with "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", (what?), which charted successfully across the world. As Sting would later put it, this was the last album they worked on 'as a band.'
Their fourth album, "Ghost in the Machine", released in 1981, featured a thicker sound and vocal textures, holding the hit singles, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Spirits In The Material World".
They released their last, and classic, album, "Synchronicity", in 1983. Notable songs from that album include "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger". Shortly after, each band member gradually began his own solo career. A short-lived attempt to reunite in 1986 produced a re-recording of their song "Don't Stand So Close to Me". On 10th March 2003, The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Police have reformed recently however after touring and earning shed loads of money say they will not tour again.
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
Why Not Check Out:
Gong
Bob Marley
Eddie Cochran
Blood On The Tracks
Rokpool's Official Merchandise Store
THE EQUALS
An energetic East London combo, the Equals balanced maximum R&B with plenty of pop, plus a few nods to vocalist Eddy Grant's West Indian background. Grant, born in British Guyana, moved to England with his family at the age of 12, and settled in a council estate named Hornsey Rise in northeast London. Four years later, he formed the Equals with schoolmates Lincoln Gordon (guitar), his twin brother Dervin Gordon (originally the vocalist), Pat Lloyd (guitar, then bass), and drummer John Hall. The band began gigging around London, amazing audiences with their apparently limitless energy and a distinct style fusing pop, blues, and R&B plus elements of ska and bluebeat.
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE UNIQUE THE EQUALS VIDEOS
By 1965, the Equals began doing dates in Europe as well, and released their first single on President Records. Though "Hold Me Closer" didn't perform on the charts, DJs began playing the flip side and by 1967 "Baby, Come Back" had hit the top of the charts in Germany and the Netherlands. One year later, the single hit number one in Britain as well, and brushed the charts in America. Subsequent singles lacked the immediate punch of "Baby, Come Back," however, and the Equals landed only two more Top Ten hits: "Viva Bobby Joe" and "Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys," the latter an apt message track from one of the few racially mixed bands of the era.
Grant left the Equals for a solo career in 1971, and though the band never charted again, they remained a popular live act, especially on the continent. Drummer Ronald Telemacque and guitarists Dave Martin and Frankie Hepburn were later added to the lineup. ~ All Music Guide
Albums:
Unequalled = Equales, Laurie Records, 1967.
Unequalled, President Records, 1967.
Sensational, President Records, 1968.
Supreme, President Records, Stateside, 1968.
Explosion, President Records, 1968.
Baby, Come Back, RCA Victos, 1968.
Born Ya!, Mercury, 1976.
Mystic Syster, Ice, 1978.
20 Greatest Hits, Astan, 1984.
Baby, Come Back, Platinum, 1985.
Strike Again, Ariola.
Unqualled, Ariola.
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
