The Allman Brothers Band: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-allman-brothers-band/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/

The Allman Brothers began as a garage band in 1963 Georgia. They got a record deal in 1967 and released two bombs. With the release of their debut album in 1969, they drew widespread acclaim.

Whipping Post (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCtdKWWfZG8

Revival (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKWXluFBNoY

In 1971, they released one of the great live albums in history, At Fillmore East.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (from At Fillmore East) 1971:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22MRGWnPPIU

Duane Allman died in a motorcycle crash in October, 1971. In 1972, Berry Oakley also died in a motorcycle accident.

Melissa (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwbowi-8Yoo

Ramblin’ Man (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x28jaeyX2s

Jessica (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfM6nRVBvGs

By this point, the Allman Brothers were a major concert draw and one of the leading purveyors of southern rock.

By 1975, inner turmoil, legal problems, drugs, and Cher became major distractions. The band broke up and later reformed in 1978. They’d break up again in 1982 and reunited in 1989.

Crazy Love (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ilbS0C5Ku4

Straight from the Heart (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GPxgobzIi4

Good Clean Fun (1990):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdqUgPKEVOQ&ob=av2e

Seven Turns (1990):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqxywPYRCbI&ob=av2e

No One to Run With (1994):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofiakkm_kPo

The band kicked Dickey Betts out.

Firing Line (2003):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpN79-vu8Vs



　

　

Janis Joplin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio: 

http://rockhall.com/inductees/janis-joplin/bio/

After graduating high school and developing into something of a rebel, Joplin gravitated toward singing blues and folk music. She was already a heavy drug user when she hit the big time.

In 1966, Joplin joined Big Brother and the Holding Company. They released an album in 1967 and performed at Monterey.

Down on Me (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RMg0anuc04

Monterey Music Festival (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui4c0PKvVMU

Cheap Thrills made her a superstar.

Piece of My Heart (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7JVxE2SYxo

Ball and Chain (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Pk1KjL_pg

She left the band at the end of 1968 to go solo. She formed the Kozmic Blues Band and recorded a new album

To Love Somebody (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkGUt4QYc08

Kozmic Blues (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLN72sR9w0M

Like many major artists, she performed at Woodstock.

Woodstock (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBJnoMP1Uyc

On Dick Cavett:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yybz0TcIgDk&feature=related

She continued to perform and record. Joplin even tried to kick the drug habit, but failed. Janis Joplin died October 4, 1970 from a heroin overdose.

The album, Pearl, was posthumously released.

Me and Bobby McGee (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXV_QjenbDw

Mercedes Benz (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tGuJ34062s

Led Zeppelin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/led-zeppelin/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.ledzeppelin.com/

Led Zeppelin formed out of the Yardbirds’ ashes. In fact, they formed as the “New Yardbirds” in 1968. They helped pioneer the next phase of album oriented rock that dominated the early seventies. Zeppelin began as a blues-oriented rock band and expanded to other forms such as folk and even medieval music. The band explored many themes including mythology and history to go along with the usual rock topics.

Whole Lotta Love (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQmmM_qwG4k&ob=av3n

Dazed and Confused (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkb1R_yif9I&ob=av2n

Immigrant Song (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBmueYJ0VhA

Black Dog (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npQbPpDF6hA

Misty Mountain Hop (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwG9iRFmY1I&ob=av2n

Stairway To Heaven (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YZb8s7Kxa4

The Song Remains the Same (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcYZlRWWxO0

Dancing Days (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGST7qYvlMw

Over the Hills and Far Away (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BokEvEqiVA

The Ocean (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbSugn0dB4c

　
Zeppelin hit its zenith in the mid-70s and developed a reputation for destructiveness and lewd behavior (fish story). Meanwhile, Jimmy Paige was accused of being involved in black magic and the occult.

Kashmir (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTaOvzZKRxA

Achilles Last Stand (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9K-Zv_pTfk&ob=av2n

In the Evening (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg6MIuXrFf8

The group disbanded following drummer John Bonham’s death in 1980. Band members continued on with other projects. They reunited in 1985 for Live Aid and for Atlantic Records 40^th anniversary in 1988.

Live Aid (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppxkcb9r52g

They initiated a “boxed set” craze in 1990 and released a video to promote it.

Traveling Riverside Blues (1990):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSht5j3Cnh0&ob=av2n

Page and Plant recorded and toured in the mid-90s.

Page and Plant (1995):

http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=zfuYT-qLsUA

They reunited one more time in 2007 for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v81ZPRuH3tw

Since then, Paige filmed a movie with Jack White and The Edge while Plant achieved amazing success with Alison Krause and bluegrass music.

　

　

Al Green: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/al-green/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.algreenmusic.com/

Al Green has sold 20 million records and peaked in popularity in the 70s. He formed a group in high school and released his debut LP in 1967.

Back Up Train (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vfVNGL5Wk

Tired of Being Alone (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK3IXhAlIuE&ob=av2e

Let’s Stay Together (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8qQAe0EcA&feature=relmfu

I’m Still in Love With You (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWPb5eM9A0

You Ought to be With Me (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG5-x1CRGIM

Call Me (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POd4EzHHVs

Livin’ For You (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235pwiLnMs0

In 1974, he turned to gospel music after a girlfriend dumped boiling grits over him.

Take Me To The River (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGD8aQ2GKr0

L-O-V-E (Love) (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpAbAFJ4MJI

Full of Fire (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVf20HsQEUg

Belle (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EJsmZbS-vg

Green returned to soul in 1988 with his duet with Annie Lennox.

Put a Little Love in Your Heart w/Annie Lennox (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X15j3CDmSs&feature=fvst

Lay It Down (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz2_N_9ggHI

Let’s Stay Together (w/David Gilmour) (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKkUJs0pxMM

President Obama channels Al Green (2012):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uHR90Sq6k
　

Frank Zappa: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/frank-zappa/bio/

Official Site:
http://www.zappa.com/

Zappa was a self-taught iconoclast. He was a prolific artist that achieved widespread critical acclaim. Zappa used humor to express social commentary and supported free speech and political participation. He also ran for president.

Who Are the Brain Police? (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0QP4pdfK7w

My Guitar (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pECXxfQ-sw4

Peaches en Regalia (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKlAIhuXRLE

Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLIppgE45wM

Dancin’ Fool (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI0SIg4njx0

Bobby Brown Goes Down (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8vrKrwhTa0

Joe’s Garage (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8vrKrwhTa0

Valley Girl (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8vrKrwhTa0

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMd2HrY3kwk

Stairway to Heaven (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKgK91zCq44

Zappa died in 1993 from cancer.

　

The Orioles: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-orioles/

The Orioles formed in 1946 and are considered the first true R&B group. In their wake came a number of “bird” groups such as The Flamingos, The Penguins, et al. They recorded one of the first so-called “race records” to break into the mainstream.

It’s Too Soon to Know (1948):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojQSK_LxKO4

Afterward, they began touring successfully.

Lonely Christmas (1948):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctCe7hmuJi0

Tell Me So (1949):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGaV2Pkumw

Baby Please Don’t Go (1952):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gPLJUHl8Io

They broke up in 1956 and reunited briefly in 1977. Various versions continued afterward for the next 30 years.
　

Martha and the Vandellas: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio: 

http://rockhall.com/inductees/martha-and-the-vandellas/bio/

Barry Gordy signed Martha and the Vandellas in 1962. It did not take long for the group to hit it big.

Heat Wave (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCpDMQf5o9s&feature=related

Dancing in the Street (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b5HXZRQFss

Nowhere to Run (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhcflDSUMvc

I’m Ready for Love (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ZKJjN5IeY

Jimmy Mack (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbOu3XZraWg

Honey Chile (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxhO-qZIrJc

Around this time, Gordy began focusing almost exclusively on The Supremes and Diana Ross. As a result, the quality of material sent to the Vandellas suffered. Infighting made the troubles worsen.

Baby Don’t Leave Me (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4UKsuBXJsM

　
Motown moved to Los Angeles and Reeves did not want to go. She negotiated out of Motown Records and signed with MCA. She received critical acclaim for her first solo album, but fell into alcohol abuse. She sobered in 1977 and became a born-again Christian. She served as a Detroit city councilwoman from 2005-2009.

“Dancing in the Streets” was later covered by Van Halen and Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

Van Halen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CAHDI_vkSs

Mick Jagger and David Bowie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y-x2fWKbmo

Paul Ackerman: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/paul-ackerman/bio/

Ackerman served as music editor for Billboard Magazine as rock n roll took off. He ensured the genre was taken seriously because he refused to mock an art form. Ackerman began as Billboard’s music editor in 1943 and remained at his post until 1973. He died in 1977.

Pink Floyd: Welcome to the Machine (1975)

Pink Floyd grew disillusioned with the music industry after Dark Side of the Moon. Wish You Were Here recounts the band's guilt and sadness over losing Syd Barrett as they hit it big, but also the cannibalistic world of the recording industry. The song is particularly notable for its synthesizers, which help to create an industrial-era world in which the individual is consumed by the collective "machine." It spooked me as a kid!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnzaykWhlXs

Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills (1982)

Many believed heavy metal brainless noise. Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills" disproves this belief. The song tells the story of Native Americans being attacked by whites. It recounts the destruction of Native cultures and theft of Indian lands. It's a story of the conquest.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geHLdg_VNww0
 

George Harrison: All Those Years Ago (1981)

Remember The Beatles? The greatest musical act since Mozart? Well George Harrison, the quiet Beatle, paid homage to his mates in 1981. The video is great nostalgia for people of a certain age and history for the rest of us.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Smw33PKJA

Paul McCartney: My Brave Face (1989)

Elvis Costello cowrote "My Brave Face" with McCartney. The song went on to be Paul's last Top 40 hit in America. It is also the last song by a former Beatle to crack the Top 40. The Spanish loved it and sent it to #1. "My Brave Face" is on the underrated Flowers in the Dirt album and is worth checking out if you are a Beatles fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h85OGkCaKIg

Gotye: Somebody I Used to Know (2012)

I can't believe this is #1. I think I wrote the music to this on a fisher price xylophone back in 1975.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

Genesis: Just a Job to Do (1983)

Love this song. It's about a private investigator chasing a bad guy. Very appropriate for the 80s considering all the P.I. shows at the time. Who didn't love Magnum P.I.?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaGyPYTKTH4

Greatest Songs of the 1980s part III

The third and final installment of my favorite songs of the decade.

One Hit (to the Body)- The Rolling Stones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUy8Ydq-oUA

Welcome to the Jungle- GnR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg&ob=av3e

Eminence Front- The Who

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5-DaI5ULg

I Can’t Drive 55- Sammy Hagar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k&ob=av2n

Photograph- Def Leppard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ5bS3_BCDs

　

Greatest Songs of the 1980s part 2

Some more of my faves...

Synchronicity II- The Police

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbQd3jxth5k

Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrOQC-zEog

Dreams- Van Halen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwi8m4SIejE

Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St_ppgWT8I4

Message in a Bottle- The Police

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXWrmQW-OE&ob=av2n