Album: For Your Love Year: 1965 Writer: Graham Gouldman Stats: Peaked at number-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-three in Britain. Background: “For Your Love” gave The Yardbirds a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic, but it also spelled the end of guitarist Eric Clapton’s stay with the band. For Clapton, it represented a move in a…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Magic Bus The Who: “Magic Bus” The Hook: Pete Townshend wrote the song because he had nothing better to do. Album: The studio version was included on The Who’s fourth American album, a studio record oddly titled Magic Bus: The Who on Tour. Ironically, the version most people know is the concert version from Live at Leeds. Years: Studio version…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: People Are Strange The Doors: “People Are Strange” The Hook: The idea came to Jim Morrison during a sunrise spent at the crest of Laurel Canyon following a deeply depressed evening. Album: Strange Days Year: 1967 Writers: Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger Stats: Peaked at number-12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Background: “People Are Strange” was the first single off The Doors’ second album,Strange…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Kickstart My Heart Motley Crue: “Kickstart My Heart” The Hook: Heart-stopping talk box guitar “stuff” from Mick Mars takes the place of a traditional solo at the end of Nikki Sixx‘s song about about the time his heart actually stopped. Album: Dr. Feelgood Year: 1989 Writer: Nikki Sixx Stats: The second single off Dr. Feelgood, following its Top 10 title track, “Kickstart…”…… Read more »
What was the A-side of the first single released by Apple Records? Stumped? Here are some hints. It turned out to be the band’s most successful single, selling nearly 6 million copies worldwide in 1968 alone. At the time, it was the longest song to ever top the British charts. It was written…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Killer Queen Queen: “Killer Queen” The Hook: Brian May says their breakthrough hit may not have rocked all that hard, but, boy, was it put together well. Album: Sheer Heart Attack Year: 1974 Writer: Freddie Mercury Stats: Peaked at number-12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number-two on the British charts. Background: When Queen released their third album, Sheer Heart Attack, in 1974,…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Free Bird Lynyrd Skynyrd: “Free Bird” The Hook: Easier to learn than you’d think. Album: (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) Year: 1973 Writers: Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant Stats: An edited version became Skynyrd’s second Top 20 hit, peaking at number-19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Background: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ricky Medlocke was the group’s drummer in 1970 and ’71, before they had a recording contract.…… Read more »
Black Sabbath founder and guitarist Tony Iommi turns 70 today (Monday). Born in Birmingham, England, where he still lives, he started playing guitar as a teenager after being inspired by Hank Marvin of The Shadows. He sliced off the tips of fingers on his right hand while working in a metal factory but didn’t give up the guitar. He compensated by attaching…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Welcome to the Jungle Guns n’ Roses: “Welcome to the Jungle” The Hook: Slash had the initial idea for it, but the whole band actually put it together in one three-hour rehearsal session. Album: Appetite for Destruction Year: 1987 Writers: Axl Rose and Slash Stats: Peaked at number-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Background: “Welcome to the Jungle” was initially released before “Sweet…… Read more »
Classic Cuts Eagles Eagles: “One of These Nights” The Hook: A personal favorite of the late Glenn Frey. Album: One of These Nights Year: 1975 Writers: Don Henley and Glenn Frey Stats: Topped the Billboard Hot 100. Background: The late Glenn Frey told us that he and Don Henley were really on a roll as songwriters by the time the Eagles recorded their fourth album, One of These Nights. And for him,…… Read more »