Today in rock history: On this date in 1969, late New York City singer/songwriter Laura Nyro released her third album, New York Tendaberry. Often referred to as the influential artist's most consistent and revered work, the album had a darker, moodier feel than her previous output. Best known as a songwriter, Nyro penned songs that wound up becoming hits for artists like The 5th Dimension, Three Dog Night and Barbra Streisand. Nyro's own records (and especially Tendaberry) revealed the true depth of her talents as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Although she never achieved much commercial success on her own, this album did climb as high as No. 32 on Billboard's pop albums chart. Laura Nyro was a huge influence on so many singer/songwriters that followed her lead, and this record is a perfect example of the truly original artist she was.
LOVE HER TOMORROW
Today in rock history; Laura Nyro's amazing covers LP, Jeff Buckley is born and more
Nevermind by Nirvana was released on this day in 1991. The album entered the chart at No .144 on its first week. The album (which peaked at No. 1 in January 1992) has now sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The idea for the now iconic front cover shot of the baby swimming came after Kurt Cobain and drummer Dave Grohl saw a TV documentary on water babies. The influence and the impact this album has had on popular culture and the complexion of the music business in particular is immeasurable, and it is a true modern day classic that surpassed all expectations while also arriving as a much needed and symbolic changing of the guard of the music scene.
SMELLS LIKE A SINGLE
Today in rock history: Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was released on this day in 1991
Today in rock history: On this date in 1971, the album that kick-started the glam rock movement in the U.K. was released. After releasing several whimsical folk albums under the moniker Tyrannosaurus Rex, singer and songwriter Marc Bolan decided to truncate the group's name to the sleeker T. Rex and took the band in a new direction. It's self-titled 1970 album was a moderate success, but T. Rex's sophomore album, Electric Warrior, was a smash hit. The album featured the band's signature song "Get It On (Bang A Gong)" as well as T.Rex classics "Jeepster," "Mambo Sun" and "Cosmic Dancer." The record made Bolan and T.Rex immediate superstars in England and officially kicked off a pandemonium which was sometimes referred to as "T.Rextacy." Electric Warrior is a marvelous, brilliant, important and ground-breaking album that still sounds as fresh and exciting as it did upon its release in 1971.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1975, Canadian power trio Rush released its third album, Caress of Steel. It was Rush's second release of the year, and arrived just months after its sophomore record, Fly By Night came out in February. Unfortunately the record did not continue the momentum Rush built with its first two records.The album, a commercial disappointment, contained two extended, lengthy pieces that might have played a role in the record not charting well. One of those selections, "The Fountain of Lamneth" clocked in at almost 20 minutes and took up the entire second side of the record. Supposedly the album cover was intended to have more of a steel-colored tone to coincide with the album's title but instead ended up as more of a brownish hue due to a printing error. Regardless of the reception of the record, the band would regroup and regain accolades from its first two album by releasing 2112 in 1976.
This article appears in Sep 20-27, 2018.