Today in rock history: on this date in 1968, groundbreaking New York City band The Velvet Underground released its second studio album, White Light/White Heat. The album was the last founding member and experimental musician John Cale would appear on but his presence is definitely felt on this fine record. After severing its relationship with pop artist Andy Warhol and parting ways with Nico, the German chanteuse who appeared on The Velvet Underground's astounding 1967 debut album, Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground slightly changed its approach and came up with a noisy, feedback-drenched album that has been cited as being a catalyst for the creation of punk rock, art rock, experimental rock and noise rock. The title track, a tune about amphetamines, was covered by David Bowie throughout his legendary Ziggy Stardust tour in 1972. And the album’s closing track, “Sister Ray” — a seventeen minute chaotic, improvised noise-filled opus that touches on violence, homosexuality and drug usage — was covered by renowned Manchester post-punk band Joy Division and served as the inspiration for many avant-garde rock bands and artists who’d follow in the footsteps of the band.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1961, The Shirelles became the first girl group to land a No. 1 hit single on Billboard’s pop singles charts. The Passaic, New Jersey-based singing group took the Carole King and Gerry Goffin-penned song “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to the top of the pop charts and as high as No. 2 on R&B charts. The group would enjoy many more hits and helped open the door for many more girl groups to rise to prominence throughout the early 1960s.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, New York City band Wicked Lester, which had recently changed its name to the simpler and more memorable moniker KISS, made its live concert debut. The four-piece band appeared at The Popcorn Club in the borough of Queens in New York City and played to an audience of 10 patrons. The band, still in the process of formulating face makeup designs and costumes, performed two sets on the night of its initial performance and was paid a total of $50. The band that would in a few short years become one of the most popular rock bands in the world already had some songs that would soon become part of its regular live repertoire like “Deuce” and “Black Diamond” in its arsenal and performed them even at this early stage of their formation.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1947, Steve Marriott was born in London, England. Marriott, a fashion icon and the face of the mid-1960’s British Mod movement, founded and fronted one of England’s most exciting and influential rock and roll bands, The Small Faces. Marriott’s raspy, R&B soaked vocal style set him apart from most of his contemporaries and packed a mighty punch, especially coming from the diminutive singer who stood just a little over five feet tall. After leaving The Small Faces, Marriott fronted another highly dominant British band, Humble Pie, which also featured Peter Frampton as part of its earliest lineup. Often cited as being one of the best rock and roll singers of all time, Marriot left his mark on the music of the 60s and 70s and sadly, passed away at the age of 44 in 1991 as the result of a house fire that took his life.
This article appears in Jan 25 – Feb 1, 2018.