Blues-Rock
TOM PETTY
Upon the release of their first album in the late '70s, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers were shoehorned into the punk/new wave movement by some observers who picked up on the tough, vibrant energy of the group's blend of Byrds riffs and Stonesy swagger. In a way, the categorization made sense. Compared to the heavy metal and art rock that dominated mid-'70s guitar rock, the Heartbreakers' bracing return to roots was nearly as unexpected as the crashing chords of the Clash. As time progressed, it became clear that the band didn't break from tradition like their punk contemporaries. Instead, they celebrated it, culling the best parts of the British Invasion, American garage rock, and Dylanesque singer/songwriters to create a distinctively American hybrid that recalled the past without being indebted to it.
The Heartbreakers were a tight, muscular, and versatile backing band that provided the proper support for Petty's songs, which cataloged a series of middle-class losers and dreamers. While his slurred, nasal voice may have recalled Dylan and Roger McGuinn, Petty's songwriting was lean and direct, recalling the simple, unadorned style of Neil Young. Throughout his career, Petty & the Heartbreakers never departed from their signature rootsy sound, but they were able to expand it, bringing in psychedelic, Southern rock, and new wave influences; they were also one of the few of the traditionalist rock & rollers who embraced music videos, filming some of the most inventive and popular videos in MTV history. His willingness to experiment with the boundaries of classic rock & roll helped Petty sustain his popularity well into the '90s.
Born and raised in northern Florida, Tom Petty began playing music while he was still in high school. At the age of 17, he dropped out of school to join Mudcrutch, which also featured guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench. By 1970, Mudcrutch had moved to Los Angeles with hopes of finding a record contract. The fledgling Shelter Records, founded by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell, offered the group a contract. However, Mudcrutch splintered apart shortly after relocating to L.A. Cordell was willing to record Petty as a solo act, but the singer's reception to the idea was tentative. Over the next few years, Petty drifted through bands, eventually hooking back up with Campbell and Tench in 1975. At the time, the duo were working with bassist Ron Blair and drummer Stan Lynch; soon, Petty became involved with the band, which was then named the Heartbreakers. Petty was still under contract to Shelter, and the group assumed his deal, releasing Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in 1976.
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Initially, the band's debut was ignored in the United States, but when the group supported it in England with a tour opening for Nils Lofgren, the record began to take off. Within a few months, the band was headlining its own British tours and the album was in the U.K. Top 30. Prompted by the record's British success, Shelter pushed the album and the single "Breakdown" in the U.S., this time to success; "Breakdown" became a Top 40 hit and "American Girl" became an album-oriented radio staple. You're Gonna Get It, the Heartbreakers' second album, was released in 1978 and it became the group's first American Top 40 record. Petty & the Heartbreakers were poised to break into the big time when they ran into severe record company problems. Shelter's parent company, ABC Records, was bought by MCA Records, and Petty attempted to renegotiate his contract with the label. MCA was unwilling to meet most of his demands, and halfway through 1979, he filed for bankruptcy. Soon afterward, he settled into an agreement with MCA, signing with their subsidiary Backstreet Records. Released late in 1979, Damn the Torpedoes was his first release on Backstreet.
Damn the Torpedoes was Petty's breakthrough release, earning uniformly excellent reviews, generating the Top Ten hit "Don't Do Me Like That" and the number 15 "Refugee," and spending seven weeks at number two on the U.S. charts; it would eventually sell over two million copies. Though he was at a peak of popularity, Petty ran into record company trouble again when he and the Heartbreakers prepared to release Hard Promises, the 1981 follow-up to Damn the Torpedoes. MCA wanted to release the record at the list price of $9.98, which was a high price at the time. Petty refused to comply to their wishes, threatening to withhold the album from the label and organizing a fan protest that forced the company to release the record at $8.98. Hard Promises became a Top Ten hit, going platinum and spawning the hit single "The Waiting." Later that year, Petty produced Del Shannon's comeback album Drop Down and Get Me and wrote "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" as a duet for himself and Stevie Nicks. Featured on her album Bella Donna, which was recorded with the Heartbreakers' support, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" became a number three hit. Petty & the Heartbreakers returned late in 1982 with Long After Dark, which became their third Top Ten album in a row. Following its release, bassist Ron Blair left the band and was replaced by Howie Epstein, who previously played with John Hiatt.
Petty & the Heartbreakers spent nearly three years making Southern Accents, the follow-up to Long After Dark. Hiring Eurythmics' Dave Stewart as a producer, the band attempted to branch out musically, reaching into new territories like soul, psychedelia, and new wave. However, the recording wasn't easy -- at its worst, Petty punched a studio wall and broke his left hand, reportedly in frustration over the mixing. Southern Accents was finally released in the spring of 1985, preceded by the neo-psychedelic single "Don't Come Around Here No More," which featured a popular, pseudo--Alice in Wonderland video. Southern Accents was another hit record, peaking at number seven and going platinum. Following its release, Petty & the Heartbreakers spent 1986 on tour as Bob Dylan's backing band. Dylan contributed to the lead single "Jammin' Me," from the Heartbreakers' next album, Let Me Up (I've Had Enough), which was released to mixed reviews in the spring of 1987. Just after the record's release, Petty's house and most of his belongings were destroyed by fire; he, his wife, and two daughters survived unscathed.
During 1988, Petty became a member of the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, which also featured Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. The Wilburys released their first album at the end of 1988 and its sound became the blueprint for Petty's first solo effort, 1989's Full Moon Fever. Produced by Lynne and featuring the support of most of the Heartbreakers, Full Moon Fever became Petty's commercial pinnacle, reaching number three on the U.S. charts, going triple platinum, and generating the hit singles "I Won't Back Down," "Runnin' Down a Dream," and "Free Fallin'," which reached number seven. In 1990, he contributed to the Traveling Wilburys' second album, Vol. 3. Petty officially reunited with the Heartbreakers on Into the Great Wide Open, which was also produced by Jeff Lynne. Released in the spring of 1991, Into the Great Wide Open sustained the momentum of Full Moon Fever, earning strong reviews and going platinum.
Following the release of 1993's Greatest Hits, which featured two new tracks produced by Rick Rubin, including the Top 20 hit "Mary Jane's Last Dance," Petty left MCA for Warner Bros.; upon signing, it was revealed that he negotiated a $20 million deal in 1989. Drummer Stan Lynch left the Heartbreakers in 1994 as Petty was recording his second solo album with producer Rubin and many members of the Heartbreakers. Like Full Moon Fever before it, 1994's Wildflowers was greeted by enthusiastic reviews and sales, tying his previous solo album for his biggest-selling studio album. In addition to going triple platinum and peaking at number eight, the album spawned the hit singles "You Don't Know How It Feels," "You Wreck Me," and "It's Good to Be King." Petty & the Heartbreakers reunited in 1996 to record the soundtrack for the Edward Burns film She's the One. The resulting soundtrack album was a moderate hit, peaking at number 15 on the U.S. charts and going gold. Echo followed three years later. 2002 saw the release of The Last DJ, a scathing attack on the corporate greed inherent in the music business. It was followed in 2006 by Highway Companion.
Born on October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, FL; son of an insurance salesman; married, c. 1973, divorced first wife Jane, 1996; married second wife Dana York, 2001; children: Adria, Kim.
Albums:
Sources: John Cortez and Michael Belfiore; artistdirect.com
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TEN YEARS AFTER
Ten Years After is a British blues-rock quartet consisting of Alvin Lee (guitar, vocals), Chick Churchill (keyboard), Leo Lyons (bass) and Ric Lee (drums). The group were formed in 1967 in England, and were soon signed to Decca. Although their first album flopped, their second ‘Undead’, a live album, hit the charts both in the UK and America. The album featured ‘I’m Going Home’, a six-minute blues track, which was one of the bands greatest hits. Their 1969 album, ‘Stonedhenge’ reached the UK Top Ten.
The bands break in America came after an appearance at Woodstock, at which they played a nine-minute masterpiece of their hit, ‘I’m Going Home’. Their next album, ‘Ssssh’ reached the US Top Twenty, with the next album ‘Cricklewood Green’ reaching number four.
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Watt completed the group's Decca contract, after which they signed with Columbia and moved in a more mainstream pop direction, shown through their gold-selling 1971 album ‘A Space in Time’, and it’s Top Forty single, ‘I’d Love to Change the World’.
Subsequent efforts in that direction were less successful, however, and Ten Years After split up after the release of ‘Positive Vibrations’ in 1974.
They reunited in 1988 for concerts in Europe and recorded their first new album in 15 years, the aptly named ‘About Time’, in 1989 before disbanding once again. In 2001, Ric Lee was preparing the back catalog for re-release when he discovered the Live at the Fillmore East 1970 tapes. He approached Alvin about getting back together to promote the lost album, but Alvin Lee declined. The rest of the band was up for it, though, and together with guitarist Joe Gooch, Ten Years After started touring again. In addition to touring the world, this new incarnation recorded their first new material in about a decade and a half and released Now in 2004 and added the live double CD set 'Roadworks' in 2005
Albums:
Ten Years After, Deram, 1967.
Undead (Live Album), Deram, 1968.
Stonedhenge, Deram, 1969.
Ssssh, Deram, 1969.
Cricklewood Green, Deram 1970.
Watt, Deram, 1970.
A Space in Time, Columbia, 1971.
Rock & Roll Music to the World, Columbia, 1972.
Recorded Live (Double Live Album), Columbia, 1973.
Positive Vibrations, Columbia, 1974.
Rocket Fuel, RSO, 1978.
Ride On, RSO, 1979.
About Time, Chrysaliis, 1989.
Live at the Fillmore east 1970 (Double Live Album), 2001.
One Night Jammed (Live), 2003.
Now, 2004.
Roadworks (Double Live Album), 2005.
Evolution, 2008.
Live at Fiesta City (Live DVD), 2009.
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WHITESNAKE
Whitesnake are an English hard rock band established in 1977 by David Coverdale and was initially compared by critics to Deep Purple, the previous band of David Coverdale The band was initially influenced by blues-rock heavy metal but by the midlle of the 80’s they had changed their style to commercial hard rock. Whitesnake were recently listed as the 85th ‘Greatest Hard Rock Band Of All Time’ by VHI. The initial line up of the band included David Coverdale, Micky Moody, Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray, David ‘Duck’ Dowle and Brian Johnston.
Their first EP, “Snakebite” was released in 1977 and contained a cover of a Bobby Blue Band song, “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” and became the first hit for the band. Their first full album, “Trouble”, was released in 1978 and reached No. 50 in the UK, they then toured Europe to promote the album and then recorded their first live album “Live at Hammersmith” whilst on tour. Their next album “Lovehunter”, released in 1979, was controversial due to the risqué album cover featuring a naked woman straddling a coiled snake and reached No. 30 in the UK charts.
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In 1980 David Dowle was replaced by Ian Paice resulting in three ex-Deep Purple members now being in the band. The new line up released “Ready an’ Willing” which went Top 10 in the UK and made the US Billboard 100. They toured the same year and headlined Reading Festival. 1981 saw the release of “Come an’ Get It” which reached No. 2 in the charts and yielded the hits “Don’t Break My Heart Again” and “Would I Lie To You”. 1982 saw Coverdale taking time out to nurse his sick daughter before restarting the band in 1983 with 3 new members, they recorded the album, “Saints An” Sinners” which was another Top 10 hit and included perhaps their best known single, “Here I Go Again”.
1984 saw another line-up change and a major record deal with Geffen. A remixed version of “Slide It In” was released in the US and despite misgivings from Coverdale went double platinum. Their tour of 1984 saw yet more line-up changes and the tour ended with the band playing to a 100,000 strong audience at the Rock in Rio festival, Brazil. In 1987 the band changed its line-up (surprise, surprise!!) again and recorded the album, “Whitesnake”, which was called, “1987” in Europe and “Serpens Albus” in Japan. This album sold over 8 million copies in the US and included 2 huge hits, “Is This Love” and re-recording of “Here I Go Again” which went to No.1. The 1989 album, “Slip of the Tongue” saw MORE line-up changes (yawn!) and was a Top 10 hit in both the UK and the US. After a hiatus until 1994 the band reformed with more new members and released their “Greatest Hits” and went on a short European tour.
The band is still active today (although probably with another different line-up…) and toured in 2008 with Def Leppard and are due to be touring with Judas Priest in the summer of 2009.
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THE ANIMALS
The Animals formed in 1963 after Eric Burdon joined the existing group of Alan Price Combo. The group performed R’n’B covers around Newcastle in the early Sixties. The group were brought to London by Ronan O’Rahilly but were soon being managed by Mickey Most.
The Animals had a series of successful hits starting with Bob Dylan’s “Baby Let me Take you Home” however, their most iconic track “The House of the Rising Sun” which was a cover of a song relating to a brothel, even now is the subject of acrimony as Alan Price managed to obtain all the royalties for this track, apparently excluding the other members of the band. Once the group had found fame and toured America, Alan Price left being unable to cope with the pressure and went on to form The Alan Price Set and tour with Georgie Fame. After a number of successful hit singles the band broke up in 1966. Chas Chandler went on to discover and manage Jimi Hendrix and Slade; while Eric Burdon went on to form The New Animals. There have been a couple of attempts to reform the band during the Seventies and Eighties but with little success.
Eric Burdon continues to gig and record around the globe.
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Members include Alan Price (born April 19, 1941, Fairfield, Durham, England), organ, piano; Eric Burdon (born May 11, 1941, Walker, Northumberland, England), vocals; Chas Chandler (born Byran Chandler, December 18, 1938, Heaton, Northumberland, England; died July 17, 1996, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England), bass; John Steel (born February 4, 1941, Gateshead, Northumberland, England), drums; Hilton Valentine (born May 21, 1943, North Shields, Northumberland, England), guitar.
Other members include: Vic Briggs (born February 14, 1945, Twickenham, Surrey, England), guitar; Barry Jenkins (born December 22, 1944, Leicester, England), drums; Danny McCullough (born July 18, 1945, London, England), bass; Tom Parker, organ, piano; Dave Rowberry (born December 27, 1943, Newcastle, England), organ, piano; John Weider (born April 21, 1947, London, England), guitar.
Band formed as the Alan Price Combo, 1962; changed name to the Animals, 1962; released self-titled debut album, 1964; Price left the band, 1965; Steel left the band, 1966; the Animals disbanded, 1966; Eric Burdon & the Animals formed and released Animalization, 1966; band relocated to California, 1967; Burdon dissolved band, 1968; reunited for Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted, 1976; reunited for Ark and Rip It ToShreds: The Animals Greatest Hits Live, 1983-84.
Like several of their contemporaries, the members of the Animals didn't see very much of the money they earned from their success. When they broke up, Steel sold his publishing rights for 4,000 pounds, and was the only member to leave the band with any money. "We all carme out of the Animals relatively sane, because, although we were manipulated, we were never sheltered and protected like the Beatles," Burdon told Bob Hart in Rolling Stone.
Drummer Jenkins and singer Burdon decided to form a new version of the Animals within a few months. They quickly recruited bassist Danny McCullough and organist Tom Parker. In October of 1966, they released Animalization on MGM Records. The following year, they all moved to California and added guitarist Vic Briggs. But before their next album was recorded, Parker left the group.
Albums:
The Animals, MGM Records, 1964.
The Animals on Tour, MGM Records, 1965.
Animal Tracks, MGM Records, 1965.
The Best of the Animals, MGM Records, 1966.
Animalisms, MGM Records, 1966.
Animalization, MGM Records, 1966.
Help Me Girl, MGM Records, 1967.
The Best of Eric Burdon & the Animals, Vol. 2, MGM Records, 1967.
Winds of Change, MGM Records, 1967.
The Twain Shall Meet, MGM Records, 1968.
Every One of Us, MGM Records, 1968.
Love Is, MGM Records, 1969.
The Greatest Hits of Eric Burdon & the Animals, MGM Records, 1969.
Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted, Barn Records, 1976.
Ark, I.R.S. Records, 1983.
Rip It To Shreds: The Animals Greatest Hits Live, I.R.S. Records, 1984.
The Best of Eric Burdon & the Animals (1966-1968), Polydor Records, 1986.
Source: Sonya Shelton
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