Today in rock history: on this date in 1991, incomparable lead singer and rock and roll frontman Freddie Mercury passed away. The longtime flamboyant focal point of one of Queen, one of the world's most successful and recognizable rock bands, died at the age of 45 at his home in London, England. After a 20-year career with the successful British rock band, Freddie (born Farrokh Bulsara) scored countless hit singles and gold and platinum sales awards throughout his life and boasted a four-octave vocal range making him one of the most powerful and gifted vocalists of the rock and roll era. Mercury’s records with Queen have continued to sell steadily since his untimely death 26 years ago today.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1971, one of rock music’s most underrated yet incredibly innovative rock and roll bands The Kinks released its brilliant album, Muswell Hillbillies. The album was a commercial disappointment upon its release; it charted poorly although it came on the heels of Lola Versus The Powerman, the band’s 1970 album which was a commercial and critical success. Muswell Hillbillies featured a new sound for the band; ace songwriter and singer Ray Davies took the band in more of a direction that these days would be categorized as “Americana” or roots music which, at the time, was a radical move. Although few paid attention to the record upon its release (it failed to chart in the U.K. and peaked only as high as No. 48 on U.S. album charts), the record has since been revered as an unequalled triumph for the band and is now considered one of the Kinks' very best works. The album did feature one single, the quirky and clever “20th Century Man” which was issued as a single in America only and not in the band’s native homeland of England.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1976, the very first platinum sales award (marking the sales of more than one million copies sold) for a country music album was issued. Wanted! The Outlaws, a collection of songs by artists Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser was released to capitalize on the rising interest in the country sub-genre referred to as “outlaw country, ” a direct reaction to the slick, pop-oriented music that was being produced in Nashville in the mid-70s. Based in honky-tonk music, rockabilly, folk and blues, the genre appealed to fans of more traditional, honest country music and no two other artists represented the style better than Willie and Waylon. The album consisted of previously released material by the featured artists who appeared on it but was a hit nonetheless. The record features signature tunes like Waylon’s “Good Hearted Woman” and Willie’s “Yesterday’s Wine” and remains a bona fide classic country music album.
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Review: Roger Daltrey plays Who rarities, turns the amps up loud at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater
Today in rock history: on this date in 1964, after changing its band name to The Who, the band formerly known as The High Numbers appeared for the first time at London’s legendary live music venue, The Marquee. The band would become a staple at the renowned live music venue and from its debut there in ’64 through 1968, it would make almost 30 appearances there making The Who one of the most popular acts to appear at the club. A now iconic black and white poster that was printed to advertise the band’s appearances at The Marquee that featured a photo of guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend holding a Rickenbacker featured the phrase “Maximum R&B” helped stir excitement for the band’s recurring anticipated appearances which drew more and more attendees as its popularity increased.
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2017.