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Today in rock history: On this date in 1971, R&B and soul composer Billy Preston released his sixth solo album, I Wrote a Simple Song. Following Preston's string of impressive, yet commercially unsuccessful, albums on Apple Records (the label owned and operated by Preston's friends and frequent collaborators, The Beatles) this album marked the first in a long line of successful records as part of the A&M Records label roster. The record was a hit and featured the downright funky dance tune, "Outa-Space," which topped Billboard's R&B singles chart and earned Preston a Grammy. The album was self-produced by Preston, featured good friend and former Beatle George Harrison playing lead guitar on several songs, and also set the stage for Preston to go on and have several more hit singles that crossed R&B and pop lines throughout the early '70s.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1981, Architecture & Morality, the third studio album by English electronic music band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark was released. More often referred to by the truncated moniker, O.M.D., the band scored an incredible hit with this release. After launching several underground and indie dance club hits since its beginnings, O.M.D. branched out into more pop-oriented material with this fine album. Considered by many aficionados as one of the integral releases in the rise and formation of synth-pop, the album boasted three sizable hits with "Joan of Arc," "Maid of Orleans" and the romantic ballad "Souvenir." Universally hailed as one of the band's most intriguing and consistent works, Architecture & Morality originally came housed in an attractive, arty sleeve that featured a die-cut cover and beautifully placed photos which made the record resemble an elaborate catalog or art book rather than a pop album. Arriving a few years before the band reached international fame with its 1986 breakout hit "If You Leave," this album served as a true and accurate snapshot of the early days from this fine outfit that had an ability to create smart, danceable and thought-provoking music. Read CL's interview with Andy McCluskey.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1968, Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations was released. The collaboration between the two best-selling singing groups on the Motown Records label roster at the time coincided with a television special entitled "TCB," which featured both acts. The record found both groups singing together on a variety of material including the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' hit "I Second That Emotion" and "The Impossible Dream," which originally hailed from the Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha. Hits from the record included "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and "I'll Try Something New," which helped the album attain platinum sales status and rise to the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on album sales charts in the U.K. and the U.S.A., respectively.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1990, To Be Continued…, a lavish, four-disc career retrospective of Elton John's work up to that point, was released. Starting at his work with 1960s blues act Bluesology and running through John's late 1980s hits, the collection was, at the time, the most comprehensive collection of the songwriter's work. Containing a slew of album tracks, hit singles, remixes, live tracks and previously unreleased material, the set was a revelation for longtime, dedicated fans and, as a result, sold incredibly well. One of the best-selling box sets of all time, the collection came packaged with an elaborate and thorough booklet that contained detailed notes about all the songs included as well as plenty of historical information that helped make this a must-have item for every hardcore Elton John fan around the globe. The pop superstar's farewell tour hits Tampa's Amalie Arena on November 28.
This article appears in Nov 8-15, 2018.