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 »
The late singer is featured in a new celebrity-heavy video PSA for his #KeepThePromise campaign for refugee children in war-torn countries. Tom Hanks, George Clooney,Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Ozzy Osbourne, Hugh Jackman, Don Cheadle, Ryan Gosling, Adam Levine, Serj Tankian, Jimmy Fallon and Cornell’s former bandmates Tom Morello and Matt Cameron are just a few of stars who speak in it. The clip starts with two of Cornell’s…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin: “Stairway to Heaven” The Hook: “The quintessential Zeppelin song.” Album: Led Zeppelin IV Year: 1971 Writers: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Stats: Never released as a single, it was, however, the most-requested song on FM radio throughout the 1970s. Background: John Paul Jones tells us the first time he heard “Stairway to Heaven” it was played to…… Read more »