Today in rock history: on this date in 1932, country music legend Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas. Becoming interested in singing while working with his family in the fields of their farm at an early age, Cash, one of seven siblings, learned to play music from his mother as well as through a childhood friend. By the age of 12, Cash was writing his own songs and developing a deeper love and appreciation of music of all styles but especially for gospel and Irish music. Cash soon began recording for Sam Phillips’ famous Memphis, Tennessee record label, Sun Records, which, at the time boasted other future stars like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis on its roster. Johnny Cash eventually became one of the most popular and beloved country music artists thanks to incredibly popular signature songs like “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line.” Throughout his long and legendary career, Cash became known for dressing in solid black clothing which earned him the nickname “The Man in Black.” He recorded songs of different genres including folk, rock and roll, gospel and blues. Before his death in 2003, Cash recorded and released a string of successful records with record producer Rick Rubin. The albums found him covering songs by contemporary artists like Tom Petty, Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails, and Cash was awarded with Grammy awards for those efforts. Cash had also recorded with acts like U2, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles as well as with his longtime wife, June Carter throughout his career. Johnny Cash sold in excess of 90 million albums throughout his celebrated career and is still regarded as one of the greatest and most important country music artists of all time.
ALWAYS CARRY CASH
Review: Julie Chadwick cashes in on Saul Holiff's connection to the Man In Black
Today in rock history: on this date in 1965, before he’d become a member of British blues-rock band The Yardbirds which led to his formation of Led Zeppelin, lead guitarist and co-songwriter Jimmy Page released a solo single that received very little attention or accolades. A highly sought after session musician in London at the time, Page played on a variety of records from artists like The Kinks, The Who and The Rolling Stones and was constantly in demand. Page decided to try his hand at his own release with a single entitled “She Just Satisfies” which was released on the Fontana Records label in England. Page played all the instruments on the track (except drums), produced it, and, in rare fashion, handled lead vocal duties as well. Encouraged to do so by his then girlfriend, pop singer Jackie DeShannon, Page created the record which featured a song entitled “Keep Moving” on the b-side which was co-written with DeShannon. While the record did little to bolster the career of the gifted musician, it has since become a highly sought after collectible and an original copy of the rare single is known to go for as much as $500 in collector’s markets when it surfaces.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1979, the soundtrack album for the ill-fated film notorious British punk rock band The Sex Pistols created, The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, was released. Released as both a single-LP as well as a lengthier 2-LP set, the soundtrack consisted not only of songs by The Pistols but also included various other guest artists as well as several novelty songs. Outspoken lead singer Johnny Rotten (nee John Lydon) had already left the band and refused to cooperate with the development of this project. Original vocal tracks from early Sex Pistols tunes featuring Rotten’s voice were used in conjunction with re-recorded songs prepared specifically for the soundtrack. Rotten’s absence also gave the other Pistols members a chance to take the mic and handle lead vocal duties on several songs. Most notably, drummer Paul Cook’s raucous rocker “Silly Thing,” guitarist Steve Jones’ sizzling “Lonely Boy” and bassist Sid Vicious tackling a pair of classic Eddie Cochran rockabilly classics, “Something Else” and “C’mon Everybody”. Vicious also sang what’s arguably the most recognized track from the soundtrack, his version of the soaring Paul Anka-penned anthem “My Way” which had previously been made popular by both Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Throwaway tracks like a disco medley of Sex Pistols songs and a symphonic version of the band’s classic “God Save the Queen” round out this collection which consists mostly of strong material from the band whose short foray with fame and tabloid fodder had come to a crashing end by the time this soundtrack album was released.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1981, British heavy metal band Judas Priest released its seventh album, the highly successful Point of Entry. After the band's previous album, 1980’s British Steel, exceeded sales expectations and introduced the groundbreaking metal band to a wider audience, the band continued the momentum with this follow-up record that continued to keep its at the forefront of the early 80s metal movement. Featuring radio-friendly hits like “Heading Out to the Highway” and “Hot Rockin’,” the band found its way into MTV’s music video rotation schedule thanks to the promotional films it created to accompany the singles. A gold-selling record in the United States, “Point of Entry” performed well in the band’s native England as well and has often been cited as being one of the best heavy metal albums of all time.
This article appears in Feb 22 – Mar 1, 2018.
