Today in rock history: On this date in 1968, George Harrison became the very first member of The Beatles to release a solo album. Harrison’s first release, the mostly instrumental Wonderwall Music, served as the soundtrack for the psychedelic film Wonderwall released the same year. The very first release to be issued on the band’s newly founded Apple Records label, the record was a departure from what Harrison was making with his Beatles bandmates and contained forays into Indian music, psych, country and experimental styles. Featuring appearances by a variety of musicians like guitarist Eric Clapton and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, the album only charted in America, Canada and Germany while making no impact at all in Harrison’s home country of England. Eventually deleted from the Apple catalog, the album has always garnered mixed reviews ranging from being called an outright misstep to being recognized as a bold and adventurous move. Considered to be an early precursor to the interest in world music, the record was also highly admired by many of the Britpop bands that rose to fame in the 1990s and helped influence the title of "Wonderwall," the biggest single in the Oasis catalog.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1960, country music singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett was born in Klein, Texas. The accomplished and well-respected artist has released 13 albums throughout his career and remained a critical favorite for decades. Enjoying a second career as an actor, Lovett has appeared in many films and television programs with his most memorable roles coming in a pair of early 1990s Robert Altman films, The Player and Short Cuts. The four-time Grammy winner has remained one of the most inventive and clever songwriters for years and is recognized for his highly entertaining live performances and his skills as an engaging storyteller. Lovett turns 58 years old today and will appear at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall with Robert Earl Keen on November 2.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1970, San Francisco-based psychedelic band, The Grateful Dead, released its fifth album, American Beauty. Delving more into American roots music, the band showed off its versatility by experimenting with folk and country music as it had done on its previous album, the classic Workingman’s Dead, which was released only five months prior. Considered to be one of the band’s finest albums, the record includes Dead classics like “Friend of the Devil,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Ripple” and “Truckin’” (the sole single released from the album). Charting respectably upon its release, American Beauty peaked at No. 30 on Billboard’s pop album charts and is still regarded as one of the very best releases from the band’s lengthy catalog.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1965, Motown Records singing group The Miracles released their fantastic album, Going to a Go-Go. Significant for being the first release to be credited to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, the record contained several hit singles that became instant classics. The album is the highest charting Miracles album, peaked at No. 8 on Billboard’s pop albums chart and went all the way to No. 1 on the R&B charts. Included on this fine album are unforgettable singles “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Ooo Baby Baby,” which are two of the greatest pop songs of all time. The album’s title track was also a hit single for The Rolling Stones when they covered it in the early 1980s. Produced by the group’s lead singer and chief songwriter, Smokey Robinson, Going to a Go-Go is undoubtedly one of the best and most consistent albums to be released under the legendary Motown Records imprint.
This article appears in Nov 1-8, 2018.