Remembering the great Bob Marley today on the anniversary of his untimely passing. The reggae legend fell victim to cancer and passed away in a Miami hospital on this date in 1981. His greatest hits album Legend is the best selling reggae album of all time. Never to be forgotten.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1981, Jamaican singer, model, fashion plate and actress Grace Jones released her fifth studio album, Nightclubbing. Having previously stuck to disco on her first few albums, Jones shifted gears on her 1980 album Warm Leatherette and delved more into a new wave and reggae direction. But it was on this album, with the assistance of ace reggae musicians Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, that Jones added funk to her palate and the results were amazing. The groundbreaking singles from the album, "Pull Up To The Bumper" and "Walking In The Rain", have been sampled by hip hop DJs repeatedly over the years, proving Grace's impact and the strength of those songs. The album also features stupendous covers of "Demolition Man" by The Police, Bill Withers's "Use Me" and of course the Iggy Pop and David Bowie–penned title track. A classic album that fits into a multitude of genres and still sounds fresh and modern today.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1990, following the release of Soundgarden's first two full length albums Ultramega OK and Louder Than Love, Sup Pop Records released an album comprising of the Seattle band's very first releases, the EPs Screaming Life and Fopp. The band, who were already carving out a respectable niche as forerunners of what would later be recognized as grunge music, were well on their way to great success and this release gave their newfound fans a look back at their earlier releases that some were not previously aware of. The title track of the second EP, "Fopp", is an amazing reworking of a song by funk legends, the Ohio Players.
Born on this date in 1941 Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England: lead singer of The Animals, Eric Burdon. One of the finest vocalists to emerge from England during the initial 1960's "British Invasion", Burdon was one of the best in channeling the blues with his gruff, emotive screams and howls. Happy 76th birthday to Eric Burdon!
This article appears in May 11-18, 2017.