Lessons in Classic Rock - Lesson 1

[coily2]

Since I am appalled at the lack of knowledge of the history of excellent rock, I am going to take a personal interest in educating all of you (Bootsy, Cokies, you two are excused).

Lesson 1 - Deep Purple

Deep Purple has been rocking strong for 33 years now. They are one of the most influencial bands of the 70's in the hard rock genre, and for sure one of the most enduring. Please go to your favorite napster alternative and download "Highway Star", "Smoke on Water", and "Woman From Tokyo" and listen. Keep in mind that most metal/hair/hard rock bands that came to prominence in the 1980s have listed Deep Purple as a primary influence.

Get downloading!

[Devon King]

Nifty idea, Prof. coily2!

<hand up, waving madly> Um, when do we get the lesson on pre-MTV Eric Clapton and Cream? <grin>

[This message has been edited by Devon King (edited 07-05-2001).]

[Bootsy Whoosh]

With utmost respect to coily2, I'll attempt to field this one. (hopefully she won't mind )

Lesson 2 - Cream.

Cream were together for only a few years, but in that time they were immensly successful and influential.

At the peak of their success in the late 1960s, Cream were as popular as the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. They were extremely popular both in the US and their native UK.

Cream had a unique sound that was a mix of rock, blues, R&B, and psychedelic rock (ah the good ol' late 1960s drug induced rock!)

Run to your nearest Napster alternative and download "Sunshine of Your Love" (you may actually recognize the riff on this one)and "White Room".

Cream is the group that really propelled Eric Clapton to the forefront, though he had previously played guitar for the Yardbirds, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos.

Clapton is one of the best guitar players of his generation. Clapton's unique style earned him the nickname "slowhand".

Clapton has a whole long string of hits you could download. My personal favorites are "Layla" (the most famous version was with Derek and the Dominos), "I Shot the Sheriff", "Wonderful Tonight", and "Cocaine". The younger people here may actually have heard his early 1990s hit, "Tears in Heaven", but then that wouldn't fall under pre-MTV.


Who's next? Is there anyone in particular people want to learn more about?

[coily2]

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh:
The younger people here may actually have heard his early 1990s hit, "Tears in Heaven", but then that wouldn't fall under pre-MTV.

Layla was also done acoustically on this album, and it is frightening how many people think of this as Layla, and not the Derek and the Dominos version.

[Cokies]

Great lesson Coily! Deep Purple's "Hush" happens to be one of my all-time favorites. Most youngins' have only heard the "new" Kula Shaker cover of "Hush". But in no way, does it live up to Deep Purple's version.

And Bootsy, wasn't Cream known as the first supergroup? "White Room" is classic, by the way. Thumbs up on that one.

Keep up with the excellent lessons! Maybe I can think of some myself...



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" I love the dark, I love the dark. But I hate nature. I HATE nature ." - Chunk

[Mossopp]

Originally posted by Cokies:
Great lesson Coily! Deep Purple's "Hush" happens to be one of my all-time favorites. Most youngins' have only heard the "new" Kula Shaker cover of "Hush". But in no way, does it live up to Deep Purple's version.

Cokies, I'm very impressed with your knowledge of British music. I didn't realise how many of our bands actually made it over to the States.
Although I wish to apologise profusely for us Brits inflicting Kula Shaker upon the world!

And this "Lessons in Classic Rock" is a brillaint idea! But let's not forget greats like Black Sabbath, Guns N Roses and the mighty Meatloaf.

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"This life has been a test. If it were an actual life you would have recieved instructions on where to go and what to do."
- Angela, 'My So-called Life'

"...everything was there and around us. We knew exactly who we were and exactly where we were going. It was grand."
- Gordie, 'Stand By Me'

Please visit Mossopp's TV Corner -
http://members3.boardhost.com/TVcorner

[Cokies]

Originally posted by Mossopp:

Cokies, I'm very impressed with your knowledge of British music. I didn't realise how many of our bands actually made it over to the States.
Although I wish to apologise profusely for us Brits inflicting Kula Shaker upon the world!

Oh, I love British music. I mean, I'm an American, and I can admit that Brits usually are the better musicians and songwriters. The only American songwriter that can be compared to them could only be Bob Dylan.

But yeah, Brits usually make a splurge over here. Not as big as the invasion in the early 60's, but we've had our share. The last "invasion" would have to be that of Oasis and Blur. "What's the Story, Morning Glory" was a pretty big album over here, and the single "Wonderwall" was a top ten hit. "Champagne Supernova" was also a popular one. Too bad "Don't Look Back In Anger" wasn't as big, for in my opinion is Oasis' best song ever. ( Up there with "Live Forever").
Right now, Coldplay is getting radio play with "Yellow", while Travis is a favorite as well. Personally, I wish the Manic Street Preachers would make it big over here.
Sorry, I'm just rambling now. I'll shut up.
But keep up with the lessons!

[Miller15]

Coily2,
This is an excellent idea! I'm so sick of people who are completely unaware of anything recorded before 1990. You know, these are the people who think Smashmouth wrote "I'm a Beliver," or that Puff Daddy is an original artitst. Keep up the good work! I just hope some of those who are less aware of classic rock read these posts, instead of those who already have a fair amount of knowledge on the subject.

[Bootsy Whoosh]

Miller, that's exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking, me, Cokies, coily2 and probably only a handful of others are the only ones actually reading this, LOL.

Also, ditto your statement about music recorded before 1990. One day, on the radio, they were playing the Eurythemics' "Sweet Dreams", and some guy called in and goes "Dude...someone made a cover of a Marilyn Manson song?"

[lesliem14]

I read this and I'm enjoying it! This gets really dated in terms of cover songs, but when I was 9 or 10 my dad and I had this conversation:

(in the car-classic rock station, song comes on)
L: Oh, that's the Wonder Years theme song
D: (Shaking his head) No, that's the Joe Cocker version of a Beatles's song.
L: Really? I didn't know that.
D: If your my daughter you better remember that.

End of conversation. That song became my high school class song (and it's very wise when your practicing it for Honors Day that the person bringing it in bring the Beatles's version and not the one by Joe Cocker from Woodstock).

The Smashmouth version (which I admit I do like, so shoot me) of the Monkees's song, I had to laugh today coming home from work. This radio station I listen to does a top five countdown of the 5 most requested songs of the day. Fourth was the Smashmouth version which was playing when I turned the ignition on. I turned it up and then turned it down when the song went off. The dj decided instead of playing the no 3 song then to play the Monkees's version. I got so excited and turned the radio up even louder!!!!!!!!!!! It was a fun ride home! Everclear has a cover of "Brown-eyed girl" that is wierd.

My problem with classic rock is that I know a lot of songs, but half the time I don't know who sings them or what the song name is. coily-I probably have heard that group sometime or another (should probably look through my father's record collection), but I can't remember. Classic rock is so awesome though. Much better then 95% of the stuff being produced today.

[Lynn]

Don't worry, I'm reading. I'm an eager student that could use a lesson or two on classic rock.

Lesliem, I'm the same way - I've heard the songs but I never know what the title is or who the singers are.

[coily2]

Originally posted by lesliem14:
Everclear has a cover of "Brown-eyed girl" that is wierd.

I used to consider myself a fan of Everclear, but this song disgusts me. They destroyed a classic, and a whole generation of little MTV teeny-boppers are going to forever think that's the way that song is supposed to sound. One day they'll hear the Van Morrison version and say to their friend, "Whoever did this screwed up this song."

I really hate it when big MTV bands cover songs. Its an act of laziness and sometimes of desperation. They want to stay popular and in the public's eye, but rather than writing their own songs, they borrow someone else's tried and true song.

Anyhow, back on topic, I don't think that the people who were meant to read this are either! Oh well. I'm having fun, pulling out all my old Deep Purple albums I haven't listened to in ages (yes, they actually are albums, not cds, not tapes... that's how old they are). But for the next lesson, I was actually thinking of another Brit band - Pink Floyd.

[Cokies]

Originally posted by coily2:


Anyhow, back on topic, I don't think that the people who were meant to read this are either! Oh well. I'm having fun, pulling out all my old Deep Purple albums I haven't listened to in ages (yes, they actually are albums, not cds, not tapes... that's how old they are). But for the next lesson, I was actually thinking of another Brit band - Pink Floyd.

Yes, lesson on Pink Floyd. That would be excellent. Of course you're going to discuss "Dark Side of the Moon".

[Bootsy Whoosh]

Originally posted by Cokies:
Yes, lesson on Pink Floyd. That would be excellent. Of course you're going to discuss "Dark Side of the Moon".

And the Wall right? That entire album is great, and the movie is good too.

[coily2]

The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon are excellent albums, but I was thinking actually of Animals - not as popular but every bit as good. I need to tap Mr. Coily's brain on this one. He is the knower of all things Pink Floyd. I wouldn't want to spread mis-information.