Today in rock history: on this date in 1932, a true rock and roll legend was born. Little Richard (born Richard Wayne Penniman) from Macon, Georgia became one of the true innovators and architects of rock music and added a heavy dose of humor, flamboyance and fun to the mix. From his initial breakout in 1955 with his classic “Tutti Frutti,” Richard has been recognized as a true pioneer and trailblazer and has served as a catalyst for the genres of funk and soul along with being one of the true icons of rock and roll. His free spirit and panache helped to influence glam rock as well; David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Freddie Mercury all cited Little Richard as a huge influence as have countless others. Happy 85th to this truly original and influential rock and roll legend.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1987, Belinda Carlisle who’d recently embarked on a solo career away from The Go-Go’s, scored a No. 1 solo hit single with “Heaven Is a Place on Earth, ” the lead single from her second solo album of the same name. The single was a No. 1 in several other countries around the world, and it established Carlisle as a successful solo performer away from the all-girl group with which she’d originally risen to fame. The single was nominated for a Grammy award (although the trophy was instead awarded to Whitney Houston that year) but nonetheless, became Carlisle’s most successful solo effort. The music video for the single was directed by Oscar winning actress Diane Keaton and received heavy airplay on MTV, which helped it become a huge worldwide hit.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1966, Buffalo Springfield released its self-titled debut album. The band and the record are significant in that they served as the introduction for many to the work of Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Richie Furay who’d later go on to enormous success with other bands. The record consisted solely of compositions written by either Stills or Young and both musicians shared vocal duties (along with Furay) on all of the album’s songs. Recorded quickly, the band was supposedly not happy with the sound of the record once it was finalized and ready for release as it felt that the result didn’t completely capture the band’s live sound. The record was released in both stereo and mono versions with band members being allowed to oversee the mixing of the mono version which its felt was the definitive version of this debut album. Met with minimal sales and barely scratching the Top 100 on Billboard’s sales charts, the band would have to wait until the January 1967 release of their landmark single “For What It’s Worth” to receive the attention of radio stations and record buyers. Stephen Stills and Neil Young would soon form Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with ex-Byrd David Crosby and former Hollies member Graham Nash and Richie Furay would start the country-rock band Poco.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings released its third album, the massively successful Band On The Run. Initial recording sessions were held in Lagos, Nigeria but, amidst a violent and turbulent atmosphere, McCartney, wife Linda and guitarist Denny Laine were robbed at knifepoint. Demo tapes and written song lyrics were stolen from them, and the three retreated back to England to finish the sessions for the album that would eventually become McCartney’s most successful and most critically acclaimed album. Bolstered by hit singles “Jet” and the title track (which both performed well on sales charts around the world), the album became the best-selling record of 1974 in England. The album’s cover featured band members posing along with various celebrities including actors Christopher Lee and James Coburn. Widely considered to be McCartney’s finest post-Beatles work, this is a solid, consistent album that has deservedly achieved the status of rock classic. McCartney even tapped into some Wings when he played Amalie Arena this summer. Read our review here.
This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 7, 2017.
