My Favorite Albums: Artists A-C

The first installment of my favorite all-time albums.

Magical Mystery Tour- The Beatles: I know it's not their best album, but I love it.

Sgt. Peppers- The Beatles: I still think this is the greatest album of all time.


461 Ocean Blvd- Eric Clapton: This reminds me of a nice summer day...not sure why.

August- Eric Clapton: A high school soundtrack.

Xylo- Coldplay: One of the few recent albums I like.

The Beatles: Free As a Bird (1995)

The surviving Beatles took a 1977 John Lennon demo and fleshed it out into their last major release in 1995. It was the band's first release of new material since 1970. It reached #6 on the charts making it the 34th Top 10 hit for the band in America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUW6nJQuDqM

Coldplay: Violet Hill (2008)

The song began as an anti-war protest and evolved into a commentary on Bill O'Reilly and banks. The band borrow from John Lennon and the Beatles as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IakDItZ7f7Q

1964 in Music

British invasion began in earnest. Beatlemania exploded in America. They arrived at Kennedy Airport to screaming throngs and then appeared on Ed Sullivan three times in February. Meanwhile, Elvis transitioned to motion pictures and enters into a musical wilderness. Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones released their debut album. Pete Townshend accidentally broke his first guitar and created a sensation. The Kinks made their American debut. On the American side, Bob Dylan releases his anthem "The Times They Are-A Changing", Simon and Garfunkel record for Columbia, The Supremes score five straight number ones, and Sam Cooke is murdered.

#1 song:
I Wanna Hold Your Hand by The Beatles.

Important recordings:
All Day and All of the Night by The Kinks
Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles
Dancing in the Streets by Martha and the Vandellas
Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey
Hello, Dolly! by Louis Armstrong
I Get Around by The Beach Boys
The Way You Do The Things You Do by The Temptations
Twist and Shout by The Beatles
A World Without Love by Peter and Gordon
You Really Got Me by The Kinks
She Loves You by The Beatles
A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles

Other notable hits:
As Tears Go By by Marianne Faithfull
Come See About Me by The Supremes
Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann
Gloria by Them
I'm Into Something Good by Herman's Hermits
Little Red Rooster by The Rolling Stones
My Guy by Mary Wells
Rag Doll by The Four Seasons
She's Not There by The Zombies
Tobacco Road by The Nashville Teens
Glad All Over by The Dave Clark Five

Ringo Starr: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2015

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

Rock Hall Bio: https://rockhall.com/inductees/ringo-starr/

Once the Beatles broke up, Ringo experienced a successful career. He also influenced many drummers.

It Don't Come Easy (1971): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoJM2NROFN8

Photograph (1973):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptctz_rnkJ8

You're Sixteen (1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkR7u_sOtHI

Wrack My Brain (1981): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DU6YweDyD4

Weight of the World (1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CONdOuNIv80

Postcards from Paradise (2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-OXMsjJn0I

Ringo still tours with his All Star Band and records.

1963 in Music

The Beatles begin their domination of the U.K. In response, The Daily Mirror coined the term "Beatlemania." They would launch the British Invasion in 1964. In the states, Bob Dylan releases The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" is deemed indecent because no one can understand it. The Beach Boys had a big year with several notable recordings. On a sad note, Patsy Cline perished in a plane crash.

The #1 song of 1963:
Sugar Shack by Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs.

Important tracks:
Louie Louie by The Kingsmen
Be My Baby by The Ronettes
Blowin' In The Wind by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
Surfin' USA by The Beach Boys

Other notable songs:
It's My Party by Leslie GoreLs
Another Saturday Night by Sam Cooke
Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals
Little Deuce Coup by The Beach Boys
Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas
My Boyfriend's Back by The Angels
Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Surf City by The Beach Boys
Little Surfer Girl by The Beach Boys
Walk Like a Man by The Four Seasons
Wipeout by The Safaris

1962 in Music

The Beatles are rejected by Decca Records, Bob Dylan releases his debut, and Peter, Paul, and Mary have a #1 album. Pete Seeger has a big year as well. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards meet Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones form. The Beatles appear on "My Bonnie", which is credited to Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers. Elvis dominated while the Twist permeated.

#1 song:
Stranger on the Shore by Mr. Acker Bilk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFaH1KFmLyI


The Beatles- My Bonnie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgkAgyQgEH4

Important releases:
I Can't Stop Loving You by Ray Charles:
Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis:
Big Girls Don't Cry by The Four Seasons
Green Onions by Booker T and the MGs
He's a Rebel by The Crystals
If I Had a Hammer by Peter, Paul and Mary
The James Bond Theme by John Barry Orchestra
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
Sherry by The Four Seasons:
Surfin' Safari by The Beach Boys
The Twist by Chubby Checker
Twistin' The Night Away by Sam Cooke
The Wanderer by Dion

Other Notable songs:
Return to Sender by Elvis
Good Luck Charm by Elvis
409 by The Beach Boys
The Ballad of Paladin by Duane Eddy
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka
Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler
Johnny Angel by Shirley Fabares
The Loco-Motion by Little Eva
Roses Are Red by Bobby Vinton

Top 5 Beatles Albums

In chronological order....

Rubber Soul (1965)

Revolver (1966)

Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

The White Album (1968)

Let It Be (1970)

Honorable Mention: Please Please Me (1963), Meet the Beatles (1964), Help (1965), Abbey Road (1969)
 

Brian Epstein: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014

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

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/brian-epstein/bio/



Brian Epstein discovered The Beatles in 1961, then met with George Martin the following year. Epstein's early efforts helped the band become international monsters. He handled the band's business affairs and interpersonal relationships. Epstein eventually gained control of The Beatles' publishing, which caused major friction. Brian Epstein overdosed in 1967. The Beatles began to break apart shortly thereafter.

Andrew Long Oldham: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/andrew-loog-oldham/



Oldham managed the Rolling Stones from 1963-67. He encouraged Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to write their own songs, promoted the Stones image as a counter to The Beatles, and demoted Ian Stewart because he appeared too old. Oldham produced all the Stones recordings during this period.

1961 in Music

1961 provided a lull in rock music. Although Elvis returned, the pop scene focused on teen idols. However, change was coming. Motown began to move, Bob Dylan was a year away, and the seeds of the British Invasion were planted when The Beatles made their Cavern Club debut.

Motown scored it's first million seller with "Shop Around" and signed The Supremes. The Beach Boys release their initial single. Frank Sinatra starts Reprise Records. Judy Garland performed at Carnegie Hall. Patsy Cline is seriously injured in an auto accident.


Shop Around by The Miracles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM




I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuZTk1hdpMs




Judy Garland:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-i2uXjQZHs



#1 Song of 1961:


Stand By Me by Ben E. King:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZNL7QVJjE

Other important releases:



Runaway by Del Shannon

At Last by Etta James

Crazy by Patsy Cline

Crying by Roy Orbison

Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes

Runaround Sue by Dion

The Wanderer by Dion

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles
Other Hits:


Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker

Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis Presley

Calendar Girl by Neil Sedaka

Hello Mary Lou By Ricky Nelson

Spanish Harlem by Ben E. King

The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens

Top 30 Songs of 1996: #21-30

My Faves.

21. Big Me- The Foo Fighters

22. Don't Look Back in Anger- Oasis

23. Stupid Girl- Garbage

24. I'll Stick Around- The Foo Fighters

25. Free As A Bird- The Beatles

26. Mission Impossible Theme- Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.

27. Hook- Blues Traveler

28. Bulls on Parade- Rage Against the Machine

29. Over Now- Alice in Chains


30. Goldeneye- Tina Turner

1960 in music

In the year Kennedy won the White House, Elvis was discharged and hit the charts full steam. Ben E. King went solo. The Beatles make their Hamburg debut. Neil Young forms his first band at age 14.

#1 song:
It's Now Or Never by Elvis Presley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkMVscR5YOo



Other classics:

Are You Lonesome Tonight? by Elvis Presley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPjnE1WRMKo

Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OlDPqYBLw

Cathy’s Clown by The Everly Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXvKAWiU_cQ

Chain Gang by Sam Cooke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmZdvVnMXCc

El Paso by Marty Robbins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-y3DB0wLh4

Only the Lonely by Roy Orbison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjq4wYuwgxs

Shop Around by The Miracles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM

Walk, Don’t Run by The Ventures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW21rcHiVU0



Chubby Checker set off a major dance craze:

The Twist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im9XuJJXylw



and then this...

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge9Ou3-YyqU

The Beatles: Yer Blues (1968)

John Lennon wanted to write a blues song. In the end, "Yer Blues" became a parody of British acts that tried to do the blues. Much of the song is tongue in cheek.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCu1UjezDc

Glyn Johns: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/glyn-johns/bio/



Glyn Johns is a recording engineer and producer. He rescued The Beatles Get Back sessions, which eventually became Let It Be under Phil Spector. He also worked on albums ranging from Who's Nextby The Who to Ryan Adams' Ashes & Fire. Johns is renowned for his "Glyn Johns Method" of drumming with a groundbreaking mic arraignment that is still used today.

John Lennon: Instant Karma (1970)

"Instant Karma" was the first solo record by a Beatle to sell a million copies. Lennon’s solo work actually competed with his band on the charts. "Let It Be" also reached the top 5 in 1970. Phil Specter produced the Lennon hit, which took 10 days to record and release. Two months later, the Beatles split.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

Jeff Beck: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2009 part 3

1991-the present

During the 90s, he worked with Roger Waters, Kate Bush, recorded a tribute to Gene Vincent and almost played with Guns n Roses.
What Mama Said (1999): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsOfQVTkmDw

Dirty Mind (2001): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JCs_OSaoBI

A Day in the Life (2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHY3eRUMsM

Over the Rainbow (2010): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJqrNAkndd0



He continues to record, collaborate, and tour.
  
 

The Dave Clark 5: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008

The Dave Clark Quintet began in 1957. They changed their name to the Dave Clark Five (DC5) in 1962. They were the second British Invasion group to appear on Ed Sullivan after the Beatles. The DC5 charted 17 times in the Top 40.
This knocked the Beatles out of the #1 spot in 1964:

Glad All Over (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P94S8IAv94w

Bits and Pieces (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoRLIJJSG4o

Can't You See That She's Mine (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsPlbKCZQP4

Because (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX9SJNHz9hM

Anyway You Want It (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUqiuICUD04

I Like It Like That (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDujWM5rBSI

Catch Us If You Can (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-cqUstY-kM

Over and Over (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbyHPxFrFU8

You Got What It Takes (1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_3E_VFzMvw

The hits began to dry up after 1967 because they did not change with the times. The DC5 broke up in 1970. Much of their catalogue remained unavailable between 1975 and 1993 because of a licensing issue. Rumors swirled that Jan Wenner blocked the DC5's induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in favor of Grandmaster Flash. The band finally made the Hall in 2008.

Beatles top 10 songs

My own top 10 Beatles songs...just my favorites....extremely difficult to compile and subject to change on a whim...

I Am the Walrus

Please Please Me

A Day in the Life

Drive My Car

Get Back

Hello, Goodbye

I Should Have Known Better

Helter Skelter

Revolution

Strawberry Fields Forever

George Harrison: When We Was Fab (1988)

George Harrison decided to take a nostalgic and critical look at his Beatle years. It is the second time Harrison revisited his youth. In 1981, he released “All Those Years Ago” which also reminisced on Beatlemania. The music video included Ringo Starr, Elton John, and Jeff Lynne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxr3tV-ieyY