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Today in rock history: On this date in 1978, at the height of her popularity, queen of disco Donna Summer released her first live album, the 2-LP set Live and More. Consisting of three sides of live concert performances, the record contained in-concert recordings of some of Summer’s biggest hits to date like “Last Dance,” “Love to Love You Baby,” and “I Feel Love.” Side four contained a studio recording of a medley that included Summer’s cover of the Jimmy Webb-penned song “MacArthur Park,” as well as a brand new song, “Heaven Knows.” The side-long suite clocked in at over 17 minutes and, when released as singles in edited formats, both of those songs became huge chart hits for Donna with her version of “MacArthur Park” going all the way to the very top of Billboard’s pop singles chart. A massive seller, Live and More went on to sell over a million copies in the U.S. alone and became Summer’s first album to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s pop albums chart, furthering her reign as the undisputed queen of disco.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 2004, American rock and roll trio Green Day released one of its hardest-hitting and commanding singles, “American Idiot.” The overtly political song surprised many of the band’s longtime fans but simultaneously expanded Green Day’s fanbase thanks to its direct and no-nonsense approach. Preceding the album which shared the song’s title, "American Idiot” was widely praised by the press and forced many to view the band in an entirely different light. Earning the band four Grammy award nominations, the song has become arguably Green Day’s most recognizable, and its message is still as crucial today as it was upon its release. Making an impressive showing on Billboard’s pop charts, “American Idiot” became Green Day’s first single to ever chart on the publication’s pop singles chart and sold incredibly well in countries all around the world.
FALL ARTS 2018
Here are 20 can’t-miss Tampa Bay concerts for the fall
Today in rock history: On this date in 1948, Rudolf Schenker was born in Hildesheim, Germany. As one of the founding member of Germany’s best known and most enduring hard rock band, Scorpions. Rudolf started the band in the mid-1960s and remains the only member to have played on all of the band’s many albums and participate in all of its world tours. The band at one time also boasted the guitar prowess of Rudolf’s younger brother, Michael Schenker, who would eventually depart in order to form his own hard rock band, the underrated UFO. Known for regularly playing the distinctive Gibson Flying V guitar, Rudolf has served as the band’s rhythm guitar player and one of its chief songwriters since its beginning. This longtime hard rock veteran celebrates his 70th birthday today and is still very much active with Scorpions, who are currently out on the road on another concert tour. Scorpions plays Tampa's Amalie Arena on September 14, and the show is part of our fall arts concert preview.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1957, Squeeze lead singer, lead guitarist and co-songwriter Glenn Tilbrook was born in London, England. In the early 1970s, Tilbrook replied to an ad that his eventual songwriting partner and band founder Chris Difford placed in a shop window. Difford was looking for a guitarist for his band (although Difford truthfully had no band at the time), and Tilbrook was the only person to respond to the ad. In an act of pure fate, the duo that would wind up becoming the most prolific and most clever songwriting pair of the new wave era was formed. Releasing its first album in 1978, Tilbrook has served as Squeeze’s lead singer since its inception. His sweet, soulful, voice has helped give the band its distinctive edge and its charm. Squeeze was instantly successful upon its beginnings in its home country of England and its popularity has spread to many countries around the world. Earning a diehard fanbase, Tilbrook has served mainly as the band’s musical writer while his partner Chris Difford has been the chief lyricist for the band’s tenure. A solo career filled with several impressive records of his own has also been a successful vehicle for Tilbrook, who continues to write, record and tour both as a member of Squeeze as well as on his own. Glenn Tilbrook turns 61 years old today and is still as engaging and splendid a singer, guitarist and presence today as he’s ever been.
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This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 6, 2018.