Best known as one of the finest guitarist of the world, this talented chap was born in 1945 and had a very pitiable life. The melancholy and sadness that filled his life was however overcome by his deep love for music. Infact many believed that this victim of circumstance gained his personal victory through his unquestionable ability as a musician.
Till the age of nine he thought his grandparents to be his real parents. When he was 9, it came to be known that his father was a Canadian service man who returned to Canada after World War II, and his mother left soon after to join him. Clapton could recognize his interest in music particularly in Blues as a young teenager when one day he happened to watch Jerry Lee Lewis perform on television. He studied to become a stain glass designer but his ambition was subverted when at 17 he was asked to leave his school as he was caught playing guitar during class hours. This episode led him to choose the path of music for his life.
Now, over to his early career. To earn his living, Clapton took up some jobs that gave him an average earning. During this time, he had at his disposal, considerable space to learn to play the blues in his guitar. In 1963, Eric became a member of a band called Yardbirds which like himself had two eminent guitarists - Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. The band enjoyed immediate success. However, Eric did not stay long with the band as he was unhappy about the band’s attempt to shift to mainstream rock and roll. The following year he spent much time and efforts popularizing a band called Bluesbreakers, but the very next year, that is in 1966, he wanted to have a band of his own. This led to the founding of Cream which turned out to be smash throughout the world. All their albums were a resounding success. Still the band was alive only for a few years. Most people attribute the fall of the band to drug abuse and ego clashes. Nevertheless, his years at Cream (essentially Rock) were supposedly the best, as that was a stint when he and the other two members, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker tried their hands with Jazz.
In my earlier posts, I’ve explored the musical journey of singers who have successfully survived the tough music business. Some of their hits are still widely listened to. Thought for a change it would be good to review few of my country music favorites of 2008. Here’s my pick of 10 lovely songs that I’ve been listening to pretty often.
1) Good Time Coming On (Chuck Wick) – Starting Now
The album Starting Now perhaps was a great start for Chuck Wicks. This talent as was proved in his debut release is sweeping listeners off their feet. Couples would enjoy this song as it’s about a couple who are out on a particular day enjoying the cool clear water. It takes us through a sequence of events and finally leaves it to our imagination. The feel good tune is accompanied by the beautiful surroundings in the video. Music is great especially the sound of the acoustic guitar.
One of the wildly successful bands that spanned over 30 years during which the members released some inventive musical styles and created massive interest among its loyal core audience is the Fleetwood Mac. In July 1967, the band was originally formed by Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood who were formerly part of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. The two entered into a recording contract with Blue Horizon Records during which Jeremy Spencer a second guitarist came to the forefront. Later, Bob Brunning and John McVie were inducted into the group. The quintet made their debut on August 12, 1967 with the release of Fleetwood Mac which hit the UK Top 5. The album was seminal in the development of British Blues in the 60s. Two hit singles titled “Black Magic Woman” (popularized by Santana later) and “Need Your Love So Bad,” a composition of Little Willie John further gave them their due credit. The band was also triumphant in their sophomore effort, Mr. Wonderful. This album featured musical works of Christine Perfect, a pianist from Chicken Shack. With the inclusion of Danny Kirwan, a third guitarist in September 1968, a European hit single “Albatross” was released in 1969 which had the influence of Classic Rock. In 1970, Peter Green left the band. While Christine who later married John McVie was admitted into the band, Spencer withdrew from the band in pursuit of a religious cult. His replacement was the American guitarist, Bob Welch. Danny Kirwan left the band and his substitute was Bob Weston.
ABBA, a band that’s popularly known not just in Europe but throughout the world dates back to June 1966 when Björn Ulvaeus (25 April 1945), part of the Hootenanny Singers met Benny Anderson (born 1946) who was at that time playing the keyboard for Sweden’s most celebrated music band, The Hep Stars. At the end of that decade, they wrote their first song together. Benny quit The Hep Stars and the Hootenanny Singers only existed in the record studio. The real life changing events took place in 1969 when Björn and Benny met the women of their lives who were not only to be their fiancées but also to fill the two missing letters – BB – to form ABBA. Agnetha Fältskog (5 April 1950) was by then an established solo singer who released her first single in 1967. The other member, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (15 November 1945) also called Frieda had commenced her career much earlier than Agnetha. Agnetha wedded Björn in 1971 just two years after their meeting. Frieda and Benny Anderson however delayed their nuptials which took place only in 1978.
This great talent was born on May 13th, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan and developed into a singer, songwriter, producer, musician, humanitarian and social activist in his own right. Being blind from infancy, he began his recording at the age of 12 for the renowned Motown label and till date continues recording for the label. He is a also a multi-instrumentalist playing instruments as piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, organ, talk box, melodica, and clavinet. Throughout his career, he has made critically acclaimed albums and hit singles and was also engaged in writing and producing songs of other artists. To his credit, he has ten U.S. number-one hits on the pop Charts, 20 U.S. R&B number one hits, and his album sales has raked in more than 150 million units. His achievements include 22 Grammy awards, an Academy Award for Best Song, the Polar Music Prize and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. Naturally, it would be apt for critics to bill his quality of compositions as indicative of musical genius.
Among his first hits which showed himself to the public was “Fingertips”, a single released in 1963 when Stevie was only 13. The track topped the US Pop and R&B charts at #1. In 1964, he tried his hand at acting making his film debut in Muscle Beach Party. During mid 1960s, he had hits like “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”, “With a Child’s Heart” and even a cover version of “Blowin’ in the Wind.” In 1968, he went on to compose some instrumental soul/jazz tracks under a fictitious name Eivets Rednow, which was Stevie Wonder spelled backwards.
Born on November 5th , 1959, this Canadian singer and songwriter, has made a remarkable career achievement in a span of 20 years. His hometown is Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and he was born to fortunate English parents with whom he later moved throughout Europe and Middle East. At the age of 10, he laid his hands on the guitar and at 11, he came to own his electric guitar. He began auditioning as a guitarist at the age of 14 and at 15 he quit school to be part of bands like Shock and Sweeney Todd and play at nightclubs as a lead singer. He got his break as a songwriter when he met and collaborated with drummer, Jim Vallance in 1977 to write songs. Their partnership continues till date and their material is covered by many artists.
Nothing rejuvenates better than a collection of inspirational songs. It’s time to warm up and listen to some upbeat songs as we welcome another year. Here is a countdown of 35 inspirational songs to bolster your spirits.
35. I Feel Good – James Brown
Recorded by James Brown in 1965, this is also known as I Got You (I Feel Good) and is one of his signature songs. This was one of James Brown’s 99 hits to have made it to the Billboard Hot 100 and was ranked #3 in the list. In Rolling Stone’s magazine list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, it was rated #78. In 1966, Brown re-recorded the song which was featured in the album I Got You (I Feel Good). The song was also the soundtrack for many number of movies including The Nutty Professor, Home Alone 4, Boat Trip, K9, Garfield, Transformers etc. Brown remade the song in 1975 and this version was featured in a film called White Men Can’t Jump.
To all you music lovers out there, I’ve compiled this list of 50 Greatest Songs of the Century. They’re from different genres and I’m sure you can find your favorites here. Drop in to enjoy these videos and post your feedback
1. YESTERDAY (Lennon/McCartney) 1965
This is the first Beatles pop song to have captured a great proportion of adult audience (from the album Help). Recorded in the year 1965 and written by Paul McCartney, it has over 3000 versions according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It was played live by Paul McCartney and his string quartet and is said to have some elements of classical music. The song’s another distinctive mark is that it has been performed 7 million times during the 20th century. Although credited Lennon / McCartney, Paul McCartney wrote it alone. While the tune was done easily, it took about 2 weeks to get the lyrics completed. It’s would be astonishing to know how the composition was done, the melody was made in his dream one night he had spent in his room at the Wimpole Street home of his then girlfriend Jane Asher and her family. Once he woke up, he immediately switched on the tape recorder and played the tune in his piano before the tune could die out in his mind. The song is also said to have strained the friendship he had with Michael Jackson. McCartney requested Michael Jackson to get the song featured in his movie Give My Regards to Broadstreet. Jackson outbid McCartney for the publishing rights to The Beatles catalog. Boyz II Men, Ray Charles, En Vogue, Marianne Faithfull, Marvin Gaye, Tom Jones, Nana Mouskouri, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Supremes, The Toys, Andy Williams, and Tammy Wynette.were among the many artists who had covered the song.
This awesome looking lady was born on August 28th, 1965 in Windsor Ontario Canada. By birth, she was known as Eilleen Regina Edwards and didn’t have the privilege of being born rich, in fact, it would be right to say that she grew up in poverty, though not absolute. Just two years after her birth, her parents Clarence and Sharon divorced and Sharon with her three daughters went some 500 miles towards north to Timmins Ontario where she met Jerry Twain, a native Canadian whom she married eventually. Jerry adopted the three girls, Eilleen, Jill and Carrie Ann. Jerry and Sharon also had children of their own who were named Mark and Darryl. Together they were five and Eilleen being the second of the five. They had an impoverished existence with hardly any food but lots of music. Her mother was often depressed about their poor state of affairs.
I believe that the emotional experience given by a country flavor is enduring and Kenny Rogers has supplied music lovers with a collection of well done country hits that remain popular till date. Born on August 21st, 1938, in Houston, Texas, Kenneth Donald Rogers was one of seven children to parents, Edward Floyd and Lucille Rogers. Kenny had a humble beginning, brought up in one of the poorest sections of the town. Nevertheless, he managed to complete his high school and learned to play the guitar and the fiddle. While in high school, he joined a band called the Scholars and released three singles. On graduating, he released two singles “We’ll Always Fall in Love Again” and “For You Alone.” For a brief period, he attended the University of Texas only to quit shortly and play bass for a small band called the Bobby Doyle Three. Just before Kenneth Rogers left the jazz combo, the band had an album released. Kenny set his next course with Kirby Stone Four but it didn’t last long. Soon afterwards, he secured a solo record contract with Mercury. “Here’s that Raniny Day” was the sing recorded for Mercury. Sadly, it flopped, and Kenny went to become a member of the “NewChristy Minstrel” group. He then kept changing his groups and changed his appearance as well – grew beard, had long hair, had one earing on one of the ears and wore a pair of pink sunglasses too.
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