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Today in rock history: on this date in 1976, Boston-based hard rock band Aerosmith released its fourth album, Rocks. Typically referred to as the band’s strongest and most consistent album, Rocks was a huge hit for the band as the follow up to its 1975 breakthrough record, Toys in the Attic. One of the very first albums to achieve sales of one million copies sold upon its release, Rocks was another success for the band that was one of the leading hard rock outfits in the 1970s. Featuring the singles “Last Child” and “Back in the Saddle,” both which received heavy airplay on rock radio stations, Rocks is, for many of the band’s fans, its finest, rawest moment in the catalog. Widely praised by critics and musicians alike, staunch supporters of this hard rock classic include Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, Metallica’s James Hetfield as well as the late Kurt Cobain of Nirvana who referred to Rocks as one of his all-time favorite albums. Rocks climbed as high as No. 3 on Billboard’s pop albums chart and eventually went on to sell over 4 million copies.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1988, Vivid, the stunning debut album by New York City rock band Living Colour was released. A surprise hit from the onset, Living Colour benefitted from the success of the album’s first single, the tough, brawny rocker “Cult of Personality.” Appealing to a wide variety of listeners of several different genres of music, “Vivid” became a multi-platinum success and found its way to the upper reaches of Billboard’s top 10 albums sales charts. Vernon Reid, the band’s extraordinary, inventive guitarist wrote the bulk of the songs on this fine album which included guest appearances by Mick Jagger as well as Public Enemy Members Chuck D and Flavor Flav. Other singles followed and performed well prolonging the success of this stellar debut album. The topical “Open Letter (To a Landlord),” the paranoiac “Funny Vibe” and the scathing “Glamour Boys” helped show the many sides and faces of this versatile band and helped make Vivid arguably the best debut album released in 1988. Adding to the fantastic original material on the record, a dazzling cover of the Talking Heads classic “Memories Can’t Wait” which again helped to define the versatility Living Colour was capable of displaying.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1933, American musical legend and Godfather of Soul, James Brown, was born in Barnwell, South Carolina. One of the most important figures in American culture and in the history of popular music, Brown was, based on many opinions, one of the most influential and substantial solo artists to emerge from any genre of music. Often called the “hardest working man in show business,” Brown built a reputation on his dynamic stage performances, his dance moves, his energy and his unmistakable vocal talents. Known for early hits like “Please, Please, Please” and “Try Me, it wasn’t long before James Brown began to unleash a steady stream of legendary hit singles like “It’s a Mans Mans Mans World,” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and the classic “I Got You (I Feel Good).” Expanding his style and his musical palate, Brown would later create his own brand of danceable soul music which would later be acknowledged as the catalyst for the birth of funk music. Brown wasn’t afraid to shy away from socially relevant topics and subject matter either: his song “Say It Loud-I’m Black and I’m Proud” came at a crucial time when racial inequality was brewing throughout the country and empowered countless listeners to stand up and take pride in their heritage. Brown passed away at the age of 73 in 2003 due to a bout with pneumonia but his musical catalog will remain as one of the most substantial and significant for the rest of time. Achieving 17 No. 1 R&B hits throughout his long career, Brown has also become the most sampled artist of all time which has earned him a significant role in the creation and evolvement of hip-hop music as well.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1986, British blue-eyed soul crooner Robert Palmer went to No. 1 on America’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with his sultry rocker, “Addicted to Love.” Powered by an unforgettable music video where the singer was surrounded by a band made up of gorgeous, striking, look-alike models, the visually arresting clip helped propel the single all the way to the top of the charts not only in the U.S. but in several countries all around the world. The song became Palmer’s signature song despite already having a deep, lengthy catalog of records to his credit. Originally intended to be recorded as a duet with soul diva Chaka Khan, her record label refused to grant permission for her to appear on the recording and, therefore, her vocal parts were stripped from the final version that would become a smash hit. The song’s slinky, powerful guitar work came courtesy of ex-Duran Duran axe man Andy Taylor and the powerful drum sounds were supplied by former Chic drummer Tony Thompson (both were brief band mates of Palmer’s during his stint as lead singer of The Power Station). “Addicted to Love” has been covered by a variety of artists including Tina Turner, Garth Brooks and Florence + the Machine to name a few. One of the biggest hits of the 1980s, “Addicted to Love” also stands as one of the most recognized and familiar music videos of the era as well.
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This article appears in May 3-10, 2018.
