THE HISTORY OF
A MONTHLY TRIP THROUGH
MUSIC'S GOLDEN YEARSTHIS ISSU 1976
AHONTHLYTRIPTHROUGHr*MUSIC'S GOLDEN YEARSTHIS ISS|IE!1976★

FROM THE
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19761
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1976

UNK" - AS A NAME for rowdy, grassroots rock - has

PUNK" - AS A NAME for rowdy, grassroots rock - hasbeen floating around for the past 18 months. It is only
towards the end of 1976, though, that a bright NME
staffer called Tony Parsons grasps the nettle of a scene
which has as yet no major record releases, and attempt
to explain what it all might mean.
He nails the history and the context of this growing phenomenon, and also
the heart of the matter: the distance between music listener and band. The
been floating around for the past 18 months. It is onlyO"

towards the end of 1976, though, that a bright NME
staffer called Tony Parsons grasps the nettle of a scene

which has as yet no major record releases, and attempt
to explain what it all might mean.

He nails the history and the context of this growing phenomenon, and also

the heart of the matter: the distance between music listener and band. The

issue for the kids is ownership. "They are hungry for music that they canissue for the kids is ownership.

"They are hungry for music that they canidentifywith," Parsons says. "Their music, not product."
Established giants -Bowie, Zep - still dominate the charts and the press, butwith his radical stance, his passionate convictions and startling music, ourcover star Bob Marley is the artist of the year. He - and the reggae music being
explored seriously in his wake --resonates strongly with disaffected punks, anda wider public, too.
This is the world of The History Of Rock, a monthly magazine which follows
identify with," Parsons says. "Their music, not product."

Established giants- Bowie, Zep-still dominate the charts and the press, butwith his radical stance, his passionate convictions and startling music, ourcover star Bob Marley is the artist of the year. He-and the reggae music being
explored seriously in his wake- resonates strongly with disaffected punks, anda wider public, too.

This is the world of The History Of Rock, a monthly magazine which follows

each turn of the rock revolution. Whether in sleazy dive or huge arena,passionate and increasingly stylish contemporary reporters were there to
each

turn

of therock

revolution.

Whetherinsleazy

dive

or

huge

arena,

passionate and increasingly stylish contemporary reporters were there tochronicle events. This publication reaps the benefits of their understanding forthe reader decades later, one year at a time.
In the pages of this 12th issue, dedicated to 1976, you will find verbatim

chronicle events. This publication reaps the benefits of their understanding forthe reader decades later, one year at a time.
In the pages of this12th issue, dedicated to1976, you will find verbatim

articles from frontline staffers, compiled into long and illuminating reads.
Missed an issue? You can find outhowto rectifythat on page 144.
articles from frontline staffers, compiled into long and illuminating reads.
Missed an issue? You can find out howto rectify that on page 144.

Rock in 1976 has become a two -speed economy, with its celebrity action andRock in 1976 has become a two-speed economy, with its celebrity action andstreet -level reaction. Reporters from the music press are where it matters,
street-level reaction.

Reporters from the music press are where it matters,chasing the story wherever it appears. Fighting Parisian stallholders with Patti
chasing the storywherever it appears. Fighting Parisian stallholders with Patti

Smith. Receiving cryptic messages from the Rolling Stones. Exchanging

Smith.

Receiving

cryptic

messages

from

the

Rolling

Stones.

Exchanging

profanity with Derek & Clive.
"This"This bloke
bloke comes
comes up
up to
to me
me andand hehe says..."says..."
It's
It's notnot aa year
year forforthethe easily
easily offended.
offended.
profanity with Derek & Clive.

WorldMags.net

13

HISTORY
ROCK 1976
1976 I 3
HISTORY OF ROCKT

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The
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SexPistols
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tax. Stax
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Robert Plant
Plant evades
folds.
RIP,
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Howlin' Wolf.Ameetingwith
A meeting with
Dylan
Jacques Levy.
Levy.
Dylan collaborator
collaborator Jacques
6 Newson the cards, Ronnie Lane
continues on his own utterly
mercurial path. Musician or
farmer? He can't decide...

he confides over melon, steak
andand aa chocolate
chocolate pudding.
pudding.

on the cards, Ronnie Lanehe confides over melon, steakcontinues on his own utterly•*

mercurial path. Musician or
farmer? He can't decide...

Thin fizzy
Phil Lynott
and band continue
to cement theirreputation withthe chart success

46

Aft Thin Lizzy■ wPhilLynott

and band continue

7n Wings

David Bowie■iA David Bowie

10 The reclusive artist
I ^ The reclusive artist

emerges to talk music, movies
andand motivation.
motivation.

emerges to talk music, movies

A massive offer to reform
30 Wings
w W A massive offer to reform

The Beatles can't deter Paul
McCartneyfrom his
McCartney fromhis new
new band's
band'sprojects.
Linda cooks
projects. This
This time:
time: Linda
cooksonrecord!
on record!

The Beatles can't deter Paul

Li The Eurovis ion winners
attempt to win over a scepticalEnglish audience. Does it matter,really, when they have fanseverywhere else?
attempt to win over a scepticalEnglish audience. Does it matter,really, when they have fans

reputation withof "Jailbreak".

of'Jailbreak".

tax exile. And just how rockified
has
has reggae
reggae become?
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Led Zeppelin

29dG Robert Plant's recent

mmZm Robert Plant's recent

car accident cast a pall over thesessionsforthelatestZep
sessions for the latest Zep album.
album.
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ropes brought
brought out
out their
their best.
best.
car accident cast a pall over theRonnie Lane

Ronnie Lane

26 With a Small Faces reunion

26 With a Small Faces reunion

Yeah! Yeah!Yeah!

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rockers stake
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over an LP review, andblur...
therest isthe rest
is aa blur...

36 Bowie arrested! The

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Sixties

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News

STURM BROS

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AlbumsWhy Hammersmith Odeon isbanning reggae. Fairport are
dropped bylsland Records.

CC Albums

Why Hammersmith Odeon is

00 NewLPsfromSlik,banning reggae. Fairportareu New LPs from Slik,
6g

Canned Heat and Led Zeppelin.
New
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Canned Heat and LedZeppelin.

andAerosmith.

dropped by Island Records.

82 Peter Frampton

andAerosmith.

82

6R Bob Marley£ O Bob MarleyPeter Frampton

The former Herd man rejoices
inof hisin thethe successsuccess of
his live
live double
doublealbum,
FramptonComes
ComesAlive!
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album, Frampton

TheformerHerd man rejoices

to At home with the Jamaicanw U At home with the Jamaican

reggae sensation, as he preparesto visit the UK and deliver a new
album, Rastaman Vibration.

reggae sensation, as he preparesto visit the UK and deliver a new
album, Rastaman Vibration.

86 AC/DC86 AC/DC-*.

pace y*iBizm

Letters

35 Outrage at Robert Plant's

surveyla cats

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74

7^ Chris Black wellv.x
■ > -jDuring the band's London
residency, Angus Young reveals
the revolting truth of the"human kangaroo".
Duringthe band's London

residency, Angus Young reveals
the revolting truth of the"human kangaroo".

Qn

Lynyrd Skynyrd

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his band is true-and that's why

they get the kind of fans they do.

94
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Buzzcocks, The Clash andBuzzcocks,'e The Clash andthe Sex Pistols present arms at theIslington
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the Sex Pistols present arms at theAM

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Led ZeppeliniOC Led Zeppelin

126 Mountain climbing andNews
llfc TheSex Pistols
Today.
The Sex
Pistols on
on Today.

i i Q NewsThe perils of organising a punktour. Tony
tour.
TonyParsons
Parsons assesses
assesses what
what
"punk"
really means.
"punk" reallymeans.

'b
New LPs from the Bay

New LPs from the Bay

City Rollers andBurning Spear.
SinglesSingles areare fromfrom Hot
Hot Chocolate,
Chocolate,
City Rollers and BurningSpear.

14ri Sex PistolsI■ W Bans
Bans fromfrom thethe council.
council.
Arguments
Arguments with
with thethe otherother bands.
bands.
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least inin theory)
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most notorious
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Bob Marley, ABBA and Queen.

Bob Marley, ABBA and Queen.

former teachers defend theirposition.

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former teachers defend their

118 Patti
Smith
"Have
some heroin,position.

I

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Claude..." On tour in France withthevery stoned
stoned queen
queen ofof punk.
punk.
the very■M C

Who is a true "yobbo"?
102 ""eig`md

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On the release of Stupidity, Lee
Brilleauxand
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Sparko debate
debate their
their
hand
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and where
where it's
it's going.
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134 chat atthe top of theOn the release of Stupidity, Lee

EaglesToday's punks/tomorrow's
establishment. Has anyone
actually seen the SexPistols?

mountain. The band explain what

'111111f I 'Ads

establishment. Has anyone

mountain. The band explain what

122 A chat with the operators

Hotel California is all about.

122 A chat with the operators

w W Punk? Mine's a double...

Today's punks/tomorrow's

IwT A
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Punk Labels

Letters

Letters

145 Punk? Mine's a double...

Claude..." On tour in France withDr

actually seen the SexPistols?

Hotel California is all about.

THE HISTORY OF

Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, 3rd Floor, Blue Fin Building, no Southwark St, London SE1 OSU I EDITOR John Mulvey, whose favourite song from 1976
is Song For Sharon by Joni Mitchell DEPUTY EDITOR John Robinson Candy Store Rock by Led Zeppelin ART EDITOR Lora Findlay S -S -S -Single
Bed by Fox PRODUCTION EDITOR Mike Johnson Word On A Wing by David Bowie ART DIRECTOR Marc Jones The Killing of Georgie (Part I andII) by Rod Stewart DESIGNER Becky Redman Pasties And A G -String (At The Tvvo OiClock Club) by Torn Waits PICTURE EDITOR Kimberly
Kriete Sara by Bob Dylan COVER PHOTO Adrian Boot / 0 56 Hope Road Music THANKS TO Helen Spivak, James Hanman, Alexandra Warlow
MARKETING Charlotte Treadaway SUBSCRIPTIONS Letitia Barry GENERAL MANAGER Jo Smalley GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR Paul Cheal
COVERS PRINTED BY Polestar Wheatons TEXT PRINTED BY Polestar Chantry I WWW.UNCUT.CO.UK
Time

Inc.

(UK)

Ltd,

is Song For Sharon

3rd

Floor,

by Joni Mitchell

Bed by Fox PRODUCTION
II)

by

Rod

StewartBlue

Building,

DEPUTY

Becky

110

EDITOREDITOR Mike Johnson

DESIGNER

Kriete Sara by Bob Dylan

FinRedmanSouthwarkJohn

Robinson

Word On A

PastiesAnd

St,

London

SE1

OSU

|

EDITORJohn

Mulvey,Candy Store Rock by Led Zeppelin

ART

whose

EDITORfavourite

Lora

song

from

1976

Findlay S-S-S-Single

Wing by David Bowie ART DIRECTOR Marc Jones The Killing of Georgie (Part I andA

G-String(At

The

COVER PHOTO Adrian Boot / © 56 Hope Road MusicTwo

O'clock

Club)

by

Tom

Waits

PICTUREEDITOR

Kimberly

THANKS TO Helen Spivak, James Hanman, Alexandra Warlow

MARKETING Charlotte Treadaway SUBSCRIPTIONS Letitia Barry GENERAL MANAGER Jo Smalley GROUP MANAGINGDIRECTORPaul Cheal

COVERS PRINTED BY Polestar Wheatons TEXT PRINTED BY Polestar Chantry | WWW.UNCUT.CO.UK

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1976

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Wolf

DAVID BOWIE, WINGS,

ABBA, LED ZEPPELIN,RONNIE LANE AND MORE

"We're into chaos""We'reintochaos"NME FEB 21 the Sex Pistols play their first
pur.1116 irate at the Marquee Club in Soho.

NME FEB 21 The Sex Pistols play their firstpublic date at the Marquee Club in Soho.

URRYUP, THEY'RE having an orgy on stage," said the
bloke
as he
the tickets
ticketsurL
up. I
bloke onon thethe door
door ashe toretore theI wadedwaded toto
URRY UP, THEY'RE having an orgy on stage," said theiHi, the front and straightaway sighted a chair arcing
the front and straightaway sighted a chair arcing

gracefully through the air, skidding across the stage andthudding contentedly into the PA system, to the obvious
nonchalance of the bass, drums and guitar. Well, I didn't
think they sounded that bad on first earful - then I saw it was
the singer who'd done the throwing.
He was stalking round the front rows, apparently scuffing
over the litter on the floor between baring his teeth at theaudience and stopping to chat to members of the group's
retinue. He's called Johnny Rotten and the moniker fits.
Sex Pistols? Seems I'd missed the cavortings with two
scantily clad (plastic thigh boots and bodices) pieces dancing
up front. In fact, I only caught the last few numbers; enough,as it happens, to get the idea. Which is... a quartet of spiky
teenage misfits from the wrong end of various London roads,
playing '60s -styled white punk rock as unselfconsciously as
it's possible to play these days - ie, self-consciously.
Punks? Springsteen Bruce and the rest of 'em would get
shredded if they went up against these boys. They've played
less than a dozen gigs as yet, have a small but fanatic
following, and don't get asked back. Next month they play
the Institute Of ContemporaryArts if that's a clue.
I'm told the Pistols repertoire includes lesser -known Dave
Berry and Small Faces numbers (check out early Kinks'
B-sides leads), besides an Iggy and the Stooges item andseveral self -penned numbers like the moronic "I'm Pretty
Vacant", a meandering power-chord job that produced thechair -throwing incident.
No one asked for an encore but they did one anyway: "We'regoing to play 'Substitute'.""You can't play," heckled an irate French punter.
"So what?" countered the bassman, jutting his chin in the
direction of the bewildered Frog.
That's how it is with the Pistols -a musical experience withthe emphasis on Experience.
"Actually, we're not into music," one of the Pistols confided
afterwards.
Wot then?
"We're into chaos." Neil Spencer
gracefully through the air, skidding across the stage andthudding contentedly into the PA system, to the obvious

nonchalance of the bass, drums and guitar. Well, I didn't

think they sounded that bad on first earful - then I saw it was
the singer who'd done the throwing.

-t;

He was stalking round the front rows, apparently scuffing

over the litter on the floor between baring his teeth at theaudience and stopping to chat to members of the group's
retinue. He's called Johnny Rotten and the moniker fits.

Sex Pistols? Seems I'd missed the cavortings with two

scantily clad (plastic thigh boots and bodices) pieces dancing
up front. In fact, I only caught the last few numbers; enough,as it happens, to get the idea. Which is... a quartet of spiky

teenage misfits from the wrong end of various London roads,
playing '60s-styled white punk rock as unselfconsciously as
it's possible to play these days-ie, self-consciously.

Punks? Springsteen Bruce and the rest of'em would get

shredded if they went up against these boys. They've played
less than a dozen gigs as yet, have a small but fanatic

following, and don't get asked back. Next month they play
the Institute Of Contemporary Arts if that's a clue.

I'm told the Pistols repertoire includes lesser-known Dave

Berry and Small Faces numbers (check out early Kinks'

B-sides leads), besides an Iggy and the Stooges item andseveral self-penned numbers like the moronic "I'm Pretty

Vacant", a meandering power-chord job that produced thechair-throwing incident.

No one asked for an encore but they did one anyway; "We'regoing to play 'Substitute'.""You can't play," heckled an irate French punter.

r"So what?" countered the bassman, jutting his chin in the

fj* ••

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That's how it is with the Pistols - a musical experience withthe emphasis on Experience.

"Actually, we're not into music," one of the Pistols confided

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TheSex Pistols-(1-r)Johnny
TheSex Pistols-(l-r) Johnny

Rotten, Steve Jones, Pau I

Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul,

Cook and Glen Matlock Cook and Glen Matlock-outside the Marqueeat90
WardourStreet,
Wardour Street, London
London.
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will beTheywillbe bannedbannedafte
after
just
just one
one gig
gig there,
there, playing
playing
outside the Harqueeat90

support to Eddie & The Hot
Rods
on February
12,1976
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MARCH TVPMAROIIFP

bodices) pieces
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1

Nov 26,1976:
Nov26t1976:

Ozzy Osbourne
backstagebackstage at
at
CoboHall,CoboHall,
Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Detroit,OzzyOsbourne

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MM JAN 17 RIP,

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OWLIN' WOLF,ONE
ONE ofof thethe greatgreat

HOWLIN'WOLF,

names oftraditional blues,
died on Saturday in
a Chicago hospital.
He had been inpoor health formany months.
Wolf was a seminal
blues artist whosenames oftraditional blues,
\
.

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died on Saturday in
a Chicago hospital.

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Hehadbeen inpoor health formany months.

Wolfwasaseminalii

blues artist whose

work was one of thework was one of theprime influences

prime influences

behind the British.
R&B boom of
R&Bboomof thetheearly'60s.
early '60s. His
His
best-known
song,
best-known song,"Smokestack"Smokestack
Lightning", was
was ininLightning",
thethe repertoire
repertoire ofofmost British
British bands
bands
most
STACK LIGHTNINGSMOKE STACKUSHTNINStc
of theperiod,
period, and
and
ofthe
V
HOWUN'WOLf
HOWUN WOLF
his influence
his
influence was
was
1618
1611
acknowledged inacknowledged
in19711971
when
when Wolf
Wolf recorded
recorded London
LondonSessions, anan album
album thatthat also
also
Sessions,"His down-homefeaturedfeatured such
such luminaries
luminaries as
asEric Clapton,
Eric
Clapton, Bill
BillWyman,
Wyman,
Delta
Delta blues
blues style
style
StevieStevie Winwood,
Winwo od,CharlieCharlie
Watts andand Ringo
Ringo Starr.
Starr.
was learned from
Watts
was
Chester
Chester Burnett-Wolfs
Burnett -Wolf's
behindthe British

BLACK SABBATH'S FORMER
manager,manager, Jim
Jim Simpson,
Simpson, is
is to
to be
be paid
paid£35.000
settlementofofa
a HighHigh£35,000 inin settlement
Court legal
Court
legal disputedispute last
last week.
week. The
The bandband will
will
pay
to SimSimpsonpay £7,500£7,500 topson andand thethe remaining
remaining£27,500is to
be paidby manager-agent,£27,500 is
to bepaid bymanager -agent,
Patrick
Patrick Meehan,
Meehan,who
whodenieddenied"filching""filching" thetheband away
away fromfrom Simpson.
band
Simpson.
When
When thethe casecase began,
began, Simpson
Simpson claimed
claimedhe hadhadsteered
steered Sabbath
Sabbathfromfrom obscurity
obscurity totohestardom.
stardom. He
He suedsued thethe fourfour members
members ofof thetheband
band forfor breachbreach ofof contract,contract, alleging
alleging that
that
the
ofhis
his work
had been
the benefit
benefit ofwork hadbeen taken
taken away
away
from
him. He
from him.
He also
also claimed
claimed damagesfrom
damages fromtwo
two manager-agents,
manager -agents, Meehan
MeehanandandWilfred
WilfredPine. The
The casecase waswas contested
contested byPine.
by allalldefendants.
No order,order, however,
however, wasdefendants. No
was mademadeagainstPine under
under thethe terms
terms ofof thetheagainst Pine
settlement.
The bandband werehave
settlement. The
were said
said toto havemademade $14$14million
million(£7m)(7m)during
during their
their career.
career.
Simpson
Simpson said
said thethe money
money was
was inin respect
respectofof commissioncommission he
he would
would have
have received
receivedfrommanaging theband overfrom managing
the bandover thethe past
past few
few
years.
split, Simpson
Simpson has
has givenyears. Since
Since thethe split,
given upup
management
management andand now
now heads
heads BirminghamBirmingham based
Big Bear.
Bear.
based record
record company
company Big
BLACKSABBATH'S FORMER

14eStudios,4-7May,1971
Studios,4-7May,1971

doing

In August 1951, he cut"His down-homelearned fromCharley Patton"it

IHE SMALLFACES' reunion
is on.
THE
SMALL FACES'
reunion is
on. ThisThis follows
follows aa one-night
one-night standstandatat Essex
EssexUniversity,
University, Colchester,
Colchester, on
on Saturday
Saturday night
night when
when Steve
Steve
MarriottjoinedRonnie
Ronnie Lane,
Lane, playing
playing with
with his
his own
Marriott joined
own band,band, Slim
Slim
S
>Chance,for anChance,for
an encore.
encore. After
After aa meeting
meeting on
on Monday,
Monday, itit was
was announced
announced
Ff—
U
that
the Small
Small Faces-Stevelead guitar,
guitar,Ronnie
Ronnie Lane,
Lane, bass,
bass,
that theFaces -Steve Marriott,
Marriott, leado
Ian
Ian McLagan,
McLagan, keys,
keys, andand Kenney
Kenney Jones,
Jones,
drums-willdrums - will play
play at
at least
least two
two gigs
gigs thisthis" SMML
SMALL FACES :»*0 summer,
stadia. The
summer, probably
probably at
at footballfootball stadia.
The
first
project byby thethe reunited
reunited band
band will
first projectwill bebe^ZYSUNmZ
afilm, toto be
be screeneda promotional
promotional film,
screened on
on TopTopOf
The Pops
Of ThePops this
this Thursday
Thursday toto accompany
accompany
thePark", atthe re-released
re-released hit
hit "Itchycoo"Itchycoo Park",atNolO
singles chart.
No io inin thisthis week's
week'sMM
MMsingles
chart.

Aar SUNDff

Clapton,Olympic
Clapton,Olympic

InAugust 1951, he cut"Moanin' At Midnight""Moanin'At Midnight"
and"How Manyand "How
Many MoreMore
Years",bothYears",
both classic
classic Wolf
Wolf
tracks.
the South
South inintracks. He
He left
left the1952
1952whenwhen hehewas
was signed
signed byby
Chess
Chess Records
Records inin Chicago,
Chicago,Charley Patton"
realname-wasborninreal name -was born in
one ofof America's
America'spioneering
pioneering
one
Aberdeen,
Mississippi, on
blues
Aberdeen, Mississippi,
onblues labels.
labels.
June 10,1910.His
HisdowndownWolf finally
finally came
came totoJune
10,1910.
Wolf
Britain inat the heightheight of
the R&B
boom.
home
Delta blues
Britainin 1964,
1964, atthe
ofthe
R&B boom.
home Delta
blues style
style waswaslearned
learned fromfrom thethe
By
that time,
exampleexample ofof guitarist-singer
guitarist -singer Charley
Charley Patton.
Patton.
Bythattime, such
such songs
songs asas "Natchez"Natchez Burning",
Burning",
Duringthe early
early part
partofof Wolf's
Wolf's career"Spoonful"
During the
career hehe"Spoonful" andand "SmokestackLightning""Smokestack Lightning" had
had
moved toto North
NorthArkansas,
playedestablished him
new
moved
Arkansas, where
where hehe played
established
himas
asone
oneof
of thethe heroes
heroes of
of a
a new
alongside
generationand hishis concerts
alongside such
such legends
legends asas Robert
RobertJohnson
Johnson andandgeneration ofbluesmen,
ofbluesmen, andconcerts ininSonny Boy Williamson, picking up some ofthe
ofthe
this country
countrymade
tremendous impact
on
SonnyBoyWilliamson.pickingupsome
thismade aa tremendous
impact on
latter'sfans
fans andand musicians.
musicians.
latter's ideas
ideas onon harmonica.
harmonica.
He waswas leadinghis
leading his own
own groupgroup byand
His recordings
recordings areare admiredadmired forfor thethe band's
band'sHeby 1948,
1948, andHis
statedin thethe South
South thethe following
following
heavy
powerofofhis
his voice,stated broadcastingbroadcasting inheavy beat,
beat, thethe raw
rawpower
voice, the
the
year.
year. AndAnd about
about this
this time
time hehe beganbegan recording
recordingsimplesimple funkinessfunkiness ofof hishisharpharp playing
playing andand thethein Memphis.
Memphis.
in
often
quality ofof hisoften arrestingarresting quality
his themes
themes andand lyrics.
lyrics.

"They're doing it for fun"
MOS woorecording hisLonclor,
Sessions
Sessionswith
with Eric
Eric

for

fun

MM JAN 24 Small Faces to

MM JAN 24 Small Faces toreconvene for summer d'reconvene for summer dates.

The Small Faces will not record any new material, but following thesummersummer gigs
gigs thethe fourfour members
members will
will pursue
pursue their
their individual
individual directions
directions
All Stars.
Stars.
- LaneLane with
with Slim
SlimChance
ChanceandandMarriott
Marriott with
with Steve
Steve Marriott's
Marriott's All
Jones
lies.
Jones andand McLagan
McLagan have
havenot
notyetyetdecided
decidedwhere
where their
their future
future lies.
The
Lane onThe reunion
reunion was
was activatedactivated bybyMarriott's
Marriott's appearance
appearance with
with Laneon
SaturdaySaturday night.
night. It
It waswas known
known thatthat hehe would
would bebejoiningjoining his
hisformer
formercolleague
colleague forfor oneone number,number, thethe old
old Small
Small Faces
Facesclassic
classic AII"AllOr
OrNothing".
Nothing".
He
HonkyTonk
He stayed
stayed onon andandhandled
handled leadleadvocals
vocalsandandleadleadguitar
guitarfor
for "Hooky
Tonk
Women",
Whatcha Gonna
and "Going
Going Down
Down Down".
Women", "Whatcha
Gonna DoDo About
About It"It" andDown".
Lane,AII Orreverted toto hishis old
Lane, who
who played
played rhythm
rhythm onon "All
Or Nothing",
Nothing", reverted
old rolerole
asthat Lane
Lane would
as bassist
bassistfor
forthethethreethree other
other songs.
songs. It
It isisfelt
feltthatwould bebe thethestumbling
block inin plansa permanent
stumbling blockplansforfora
permanent reunion.
reunion. "They're"They're doing
doing itit forfor
fun,
fun, basically,"
basically," aa spokesman
spokesman said.
said. ''They've"They've always
always got
got onon wellwell together."
together."
The Small Faces will not record any new material, but following the

44

44

44

44

44

WorldMags.net

C,

I recording hisLonc/on_

55

They'reHowlin'Wolf

f Howlin'Wolfx

"IWorldMags.net
Atrue character

Atruecharacter

oithe'60s pop
ofthe'60spop

scene:
scene: Mai
Mal Evans
Evans"A pitiful situation""A

pitifulphotographedphotographed>

in1971
im97i

situation"

MM FEB14 Robert Plant blames Zeppelin's
MM FEB14 Robert Plant blames Zeppelin's

tax exile on "an outrageous state of affairs".
tax exile on "an outrageous state of affairs".

v

NOBODYREALLYEXPECTS
OBODY REALLY EXPECTS Robert
RobertPlant
Planthas
has

become the first rock superstar to hit out against
the British tax system. In an outspoken interview
with the Melody Maker, Plant said this week: "You can't
just sit down and write a song that you're prepared to
put out, because you'll be taxed to the hilt. Why thehell should you put out something and come out of itwith tuppence?"
become the first rock superstar to hit out against\

the British tax system. In an outspoken interview

with the Melody Maker, Plant said this week: "You can't
just sit down and write a song that you're prepared to
put out, because you'll be taxed to the hilt. Why the\hell should you put out something and come out of itiwith tuppence?"

Plant, with the rest of Led Zepp elin, is among the evergrowingcorn
munity of
Britain's tax
exiles allowed
allowed into
into
growingcommunityofBritain's
tax exiles
theirfor onlyof daysdays each
their own
own country
country for
only aa limited
limited number
number of
each
year.
year. Never
Never before,
before, however,
however, has
has aa rockrock star
star soso strongly
strongly
condemned thelaws.
condemned
theBritish
Britishtax
taxlaws.
Talking
in NewYork,New York,
Talking toto theMM's
the MM's Chris
Chris CharlesworthCharlesworth inPlantclaimed: "Itaggravates meme thatthat people
people have
have worked
workedPlant claimed:"It aggravatesfortime andhad toto leavefor somethingfor
something for aa long
longtime
and they've
they've had
leavebecause of
becauseof these
these taxlaws.
taxlaws.
"New
York, grey
as itbe, isis fu"NewYork,greyasit maymaybe,
fullII ofof somesome ofofthe
the finest
finestEnglishEnglish talent,talent, notnot just
just music
musicbutbutsports
sportspersonalities
personalities andandactors,whohashas aa flair
flairforactors, andand anybody
anybodywho
for something.
something.
"Weallallwant
wanttotogo
gohome,home,butbutthere's
there'sananoutrageous
outrageous"Westate ofstate
of affairs
affairstaking
takingplace
placeininEngland,
England, anan outrageous
outrageous
Plant, with the rest of Led Zeppelin, is among the ever-«75!

mishandlingof the country's affairs in general.
"It's a very pitiful situation when a lot ofthe moremishandling of the country's affairs in general.

"It's a very pitiful situation when a lot ofthe moreestablished musicians have to flee. You only have to go
fromfrom here,
here, andand fourfourskyscrapers
skyscrapers down
down thethe street
street there's
there's
Mick
Mick Jagger.
Jagger.He'd
He'dechoechothethesamesame thing.
thing. We're
We're all
all holed
holed upup
inlittle
here, looking
looking over
over Central
Central Park.
very,
inlittle boxes
boxes here,
Park. It's
It's very,
verysad. Now,
Now, II canverysad.
canjustjustimagine
imagine thethe lettersletters to
to Mailbag
Mailbagsaying, 'Fuck the money
saying,'Fuckthemoney andand come
come home',home', but
but you
you have
have totolive with
with reality.
reality.
live"It's one
one thing
thing toto forget
forget thethe money,
money, but
but there's
there's aa moral
moral
"It's
aspectwhich isis ludicrous.
Rock'n'roll isis a
aspect which
ludicrous. Rock'n'rolla veryvery lucrative
lucrative
form
form ofof makingmaking money
money easily,
easily,andandjustjust because
because thethegovernment
has lousedloused up
up allall thegovernment has
the way
way round,round, they
they
shouldn't justturn tomusic oror anyanyform
ofentertainment.
entertainment.
shouldn't
just turnto music
form of"If"If ititwasn't
wasn't forforthisthistax,
tax,we'dwe'dbebedoing
doinganan English
English tour
tour
at least
atleast once
once aa year
year forforsure,sure, but
but eveneven when
when we
we diddid
Earls
Earls Court
Court wewedidn't
didn't comecome out
outwithwithanything."
anything."
established musicians have to flee. You only have to go

Chris Chariesworth

Chris Charlesworth"Weallwanttogo"Weallwanttogo*4home": Roberthome"; Robert

Plant in TheSong
Remains
Same
Remains The
TheSarne
Plantin TheSong

V

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huge

man

MM JAN 10 Former Beatles road manager is killed by LA cops.

MM JAN 10 Former Beatles road manager is killed by LA cops.

A
MAL EVANS, THE one-time
A hugehuge andand strong
strong man,man, Mai
Mal waswasrarelyrarely argued
argued with
with byby promoterspromoters
roadroad manager
manager ofTheof TheBeatles,andBeatles, has
has been
been killed
killed bybyand hehe developed
developed aa warm
warm andandwinning
precisely
policewinning way
way forfor getting
getting precisely
police inin LosLosAngeles.
Angeles. The
Theincident
incident
happened,claimed
what
He hadhappened, claimed thethe police,
police, when
when
what The
The Beatles
Beatles wanted.
wanted. He
had aapassionate
roadies weretheypassionate belief
belief thatthat roadies
were
they were
were called
called toto aa house
house owned
owned bybyEvans'
They found
Evans
badly
and once
Evans'girlfriend.
girlfriend. They
found Evansbadly written
written off
off andonce formed
formedaa roadroad managers'
managers' association
association which
which
armed
which hearmed with
with aa rifle
rifle which
he refusedrefused totodrop.
guaranteed
drop. The
The police
police then
then shot
shot him.
him.
guaranteed thatthat roadies
roadies would
would notnotbebe "sat"sat on".
on".
Evans,
Evans, 40,
40, was
was
oneof
He
one of thecentral
the central
He believedbelieved
The
figuresin theThe Beatles
Beatles were
were
figures in
the riserise ofofHe
The
He believedbelieved The
The
secondhis
The Beatles.
Beatles. HeHesecond only
only toto hisidol,
Elvis Presley,was
idol, Elvis
Presley,
was thethe band's
band's roadroad
Beatles weremanageri,whosemanager fromfrom thethewhose every
every
start
start ofof their
their
record andand piece
piece
Second only 10 hlS
recordcareer,ofcareer, staying
staying withwithof paraphernalia
paraphernalia
idol, Elvis Presley
thehethe groupgroup until
until they
they
he possessed
possessed
eventually
andeventually split.
split.
andabout
about whom
whom
Ray
Mai
RayColeman
Coleman
Mal hadhad mademadewrites:Mai Evans
Evans wasawrites: Mal
was muchmuch more
more
a life's
life's academic
academic study.
study.
than
When
than The
The Beatles'
Beatles' roadie;
roadie; even
even
When II met
met Mai
Mal about
about aa year
year ago
ago
thoughheinAngeles, after
many years,
though thatthat was
was thethe official
official title
title hein LosLosAngeles,
after many
years,
y'know.
sharedheshared with
with Neil
Neil Aspinall
Aspinall during
during thethe
he said:
said:"I've"I've met
met himhim now,
now, y'know.
group's
The
group's rise
rise fromfrom thethe Liverpool
Liverpool
The King!
King! II want
want him
him toto record
record one
one
Cavern.
Epstein'sof
Cavern. Under
Under Epstein'sof mymy songs."
songs." AA truetrue charactercharacter ofof thethemanagement,
Evans and'60s
management, Evansand Aspinall
Aspinall'6os pop
pop scene,
scene, full
full ofof gruff
gruff andand bluff,
bluff,
physicallyyetMaiphysically got
got thethe groupgroup onon thethe roadroad
yet aa Beatle
Beatle fan
fan atatheartheart forever;forever; Malandwi
ill bemisse d.
and sorted
sorted out
out their
their problems.
problems.
will
be missed.
MAL EVANS, THE one-timeBeatles weresecond only to his
idol, Elvis Presley

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WorldMags.net
HISTORY
9
HISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
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1976

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July16,1975: Bo6Dylanwith
membersof
membersof his
his Rolling
Rolling
Thunder Revue,
Revue,including
includingThundermusicianmusician andand poet
poet Bobby
Bobby
Julyl6,1975: BobDylanwith

..

1976

/

Neuwirth(witharmraised),

Neuwirth (with arm raised),

T- Bone Burnett(with g uitar)andtheatre
theatredirector
directorJacques
andJacques
T-Bone Burnett (with guitar)

Levy (bottom right)atthe

Levy (bottom right) at the

Other End in NewYork City

OtherEnd in New York City

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MM JAN 24 low a chance meeting with Bob Dylan led theatre director Jacques Levy to co -write much of the Desire LP

MM JAN 24 How a chance meeting with Bob Dylan led theatre director Jacques Levy to co-write much of the Desire LP.

THOSE WHO HAVE already acquired
copy
album, Desire,
Desire, will
will
copy ofof Dylan's
Dylan's new
new album,
have
have noticed
noticed at
at least
least one
one difference
difference
betweenon
between this
this andand otherother Dylan
Dylan records
records -- onseven
seven ofof thethe ninenine tracks
tracks Dylan
Dylan has
hascollaborated
collaborated
with another
another writer,withwriter, Jacques
Jacques Levy.
Levy.
It
Dylan has
has worked
It is
is not
not thethe first
first time
time Dylan
worked ononwith another
another writerwriter -- insongs
songs within thethe past
past he's
he's
collaborated
with The
The Band's
Band's Richard
collaborated with
Richard Manuel,
Manuel,GeorgeHarrison and,
and, II believe,
Cash,
George Harrison
believe, Johnny
Johnny Cash,butpartnership has
has
but it's
it's thethe first
first time
time aa definite
definite partnershipdeveloped
developed forfor soso many
many tracks.
tracks.
Jacques
Jacques Levy
Levy isis notnot aamusician
musicianandandneither
neitherisis heheattracted
attracted toto thethe life
life ofof aa full-timefull-time lyricist,
lyricist,even
he hashas clocked
even thoughthough heclocked up
up aa successsuccess oror
two
in theknown inin
two inthe past.
past. InIn fact,
fact, he's
he'sbetter
better known
NewhavingNew York
York astheatrical director,
director, havingas aa theatrical
workedworked on
on about
about 3030 stagestage productions,productions,
THOSE WHO HAVE already acquired aaincluding Oh!Calcuttal.
including Oh!Calcutta!.

His friendship with Dylan came about
through
Roger McGuinn,
McGuinn, with
with whom
whom hehethrough Roger
collaborated
Mare" andandcollaborated on
on bothboth "Chestnut"Chestnut Mare""LoverOf TheThe Bayou",
Bayou", two
Byrds"Lover Of
two latterday
latterday Byrds
hits,
hits, andand also
also onon several
several tracks
tracks onon thethesubsequent
subsequent solo
solo albums
albums by
byMcGuinn.
McGuinn.Apart
Apart
from
to thethe lyrics
lyrics ofof hishisfrom aa few
few contributions
contributions tostage
stage productions,productions,this
this seems
seems toto be
be hishis
only
only experience
experience asasaa songwriter.
songwriter.
*
Jacques
Jacques Levy
Levy
livesinLaGuardia
lives in La Guardia
rf
Place,
Place, Greenwich
GreenwichVillage,
Village, andand waswas
mentioned inmentionedin
dispatchesdispatches while
while
Dylan
Dylantrottedtrottedaroundaround thethe folk
folk
clubs
clubs there
there last
last
summer.
summer. They
They were
were
His friendship with Dylan came about

|
H
H
O
CO
CO
<
0
2
5
1

that.
often in each other's company, and when thethat. We
We didn't
didn't see
see eacheach other
other forfor aa long
long time
time
Rolling
was Levy
until
Rolling ThunderThunder Revue
Revue hit
hit thethe roadroad ititwas
Levy
was walking
walking
until lastsummerwhen,again,helast summer when, again, he was
whoaroundwho suggested
suggested thethe sequence
sequence ofof songs
songs andand aaaround thethe cornercorner andand soso waswas I.I. We
We chatted
chattedrunningandand then,running order
order forfor thethe various
various combinations
combinations ofof
the apartment
apartment andthen,and hehe camecame up
up toto themusicians.
in muchrightout ofof theblue, hemusicians. He
Hedirected
directed thethe tourtour inmuch thetheright out
the blue,
he suggested
suggested IIwrote
wrotematerial forfor himas he'dsame
some
him assame way
way hehedirects
directs theatre
theatre productions.
productions.
some material
he'd liked
liked thethe things
thingsHe
I'dfor Roger."
Roger."
He lives
lives inin aa sprawling
sprawling but
but elegant
elegant loft,
loft, aa
I'd written
written for
New York
York but
but hardly
hardlyfrom thethe partnershippartnership
habitationThe
common toto New
The first
first song
habitation common
song toto comecome fromseen
was
Dylan hadseen inin England.
England. In
Ineffect,effect, it's
it's open-plan
open-plan living,
living,was "Isis","Isis", thoughthough Dylan
had alreadyalready put
put
whose
togetherverse: "He
whose absence
absence ofof walls
walls createscreates aa huge
together thethe first
first verse:"He had
had thethe generalgeneralhuge feelingfeelingoffeeling
he cameof space.
space. A
A PhD
PhD inin psychology,
psychology, Levy
Levypractised
practisedfeeling ofof thethe songsong when
when hecame aroundaround here
here
forthe theatre
andbutbefore entering
entering thetheatre andfor two
two years
years before
but hehe hadn't
hadn't got
got further.
further. We
We started
started to
to work
work
now,
on
now, inin hishis late
latethirties,
thirties, exudes
exudes thethe air
air ofof aa manmanon itit at
at nightand
night and bybythe
thefollowing
following morning
morning it
itfinished.We
did itittogether,tohas generally
was
Wedid
together, going
going backback
was finished.
to whom
whom life
life has
generally been
been good.
good.
Levy
and
Levy settled
settled down
down with
with aa Scotch
Scotch on
on iceice andandand forth
forth andand trying
trying things
things out
out onon eacheach other
other
a
to
wouldn't.
packet ofof Lucky
Lucky Strikes
Strikes andand talked
talked openly
openlyto seeseewhatwhatwould
wouldwork
workandandwhatwhatwouldn't.
a packetaboutwith Dylan.
Dylan. He
He was"We
about writing
writing withwas vaguevague onon
"We were
were having
having aagreat
great time
time here
here during
duringonly
July.
only onesubject-whether
one subject - whether
July. Bob
Bobwould
would write
write aaornotthesong,
or not the Rolling
Rolling ThunderThundersong, then
then pick
pick up
up aaguitar
guitarRevue
andRevue would
would rollagainandroll again andand rusharoundtorush around to thethe"It wasjust thatwhetherOther
End andwhether itit could
could thunderthunder
Other Endand getget upup ononacrossacross thethe Atlantic.
Atlantic. There
There
stage andand sing
sing it,
it, but
but ititthing with us
us sitting stage
wasa chance,
wasn'tthe
was achance, heheadmitted,
admitted,
wasn't the right
right atmosphere
atmospherebuthere and obviously
totoo seriously,
seriously, andandbut hehe honestly
honestly didn't
didn'tto writewrite tooknow,
byknow, nono moremore than
than heheby thisthis time
time we
we bothboth knew
knew
connecting"knew
he andwe wanted
webe serious
knew whether
whether heand Dylan
Dylanwanted toto beseriouswould
again, or
about
would collaborate
collaborate again,orabout writing
writing together."
together."
whetherIn
whether thethe rumoured
rumouredIn August,August, Levy
Levy andandWest
dates would
would taketake place.
place.
Dylan
West Coast
Coast ThunderThunder dates
Dylan went
went out
out toto aa house
house onon Long
Long Island
Island for
for
We
three
We beganbegan bybytalkingtalking about
about thethe events
eventsthree weeksand
weeks andputtogetherthe
put together the rest
rest ofof thetheleadingsongs.
leading up
up totowritingwriting Desire
Desire andand going
going onon thethesongs. The
The songsong "Joey""Joey" waswas anan oldold idea
idea ofofroad.
have known
Levy'smotivated
Levy's which
which Dylan
Dylan picked
picked up
road. "Bob
"Bob andand McGuinn
McGuinn have
known eacheach
up on,
on, motivatedotherforyears,ofespeciallyother for years, of course,"
course," hehe began,"and
began, "and Bob
Bob
especially bybyconversation
conversation during
during dinnerdinner oneone
knew
eveningevening with
with Marta
Marta Aurbach,
Aurbach, aa New
New YorkYorkknew allallthethethings
thingsI'd
I'dwritten
written forfor McGuinn.
McGuinn.
"Two
authoress
a book"Two years
years ago
agowe
wemet
metforforthethefirst
first time
time onon
authoress who
who isiscurrently
currently working
working on
on a
book
the
here. He
He wasabout
Joey Gallo,
Gallo,theNew York
one way
way andand II
walking one
aboutJoey
the New
York Mafiafigure
Mafia figure
the street
street here.
was walking
wasother, andand wewho
down in1970.
in 1970.
was walking
walking thethe other,
we bothboth knew
knew who
who
who waswas gunned
gunned downeach
and talked.
"She
and I
I
"She andand herher husband
husband knew
knew Joey
Joey well
well andeach other
other was,was, soso we
we stopped
stopped andtalked. We
Weknew"I spentspent
knew Joey
Joeythroughthrough them,"
them," said
said Levy.
Levy."Ispent
spent thethe evening
evening together,
together, agreed
agreed toto meet
meet
again
a
Joey inin thatlast year
again andandmaybe
maybework
worktogether,
together, andand leftleft it
it at
at
a lot
lot ofof timetime with
with Joey
that lastyear hehe waswasoften in each other's company, and when the"It was just thatthing withhere and obviously

connecting"

WorldMags.net
isittingWorldMags.net

RodStewart
on stagein
Los Angeles,
November 1976

alive, and Bob became very interested in it all.
We werewere tellingWe
stories about
about Joey,
Joey, andand whentelling stories
when
wehouse we
we left
left their
their house
we camecame backback here
here andandstartedstarted to
to work
work onon it."
it.""One"One More
More Cup
Cup Of
Of Coffee"
Coffee" waswas purely
purelyDylans creation,
Dylan'screation, though.
thoug h. It
It came,came, according
accordingto
Levy, while
he wasinto Levy,
while hewas living
living with
with gypsies
gypsies in
written by
Corsica.
by Dylan
Dylan
was written
Corsica. "Sara","Sara", too,
too, wasalone,
alone, but
but again,
again, thethe idea
idea ofof thethe songsong had
had
been
had
been inin Dylan's
Dylan's mind
mind forfor somesome time:
time: "Bob
"Bob hadbeen
been foolingfooling with
with 'Sara''Sara' forfor aa long
long time.
time. He'd
He'dgot
verses were
got thethe choruses
choruses down,
down, butbut thethe verses
wereactuallyout atat thisthis place
place onactually written
written out
on LongLong
IslandIsland where
where we
we stayed.
stayed. Out
Out there
there areare thethedunes
dunes andand beachbeachand
andallallthatthatstuff
stuffmentioned
mentionedin thethe song.
song. He
He would
would try
try things
things out
out oninon me,
me, butbutit
it waswasaavery
verypersonal
personalsong
songforfor himhimto
towrite."write."
Levy
Levy isishard-pressed
hard-pressed to
to explain
explain why
why Dylan
Dylan
shouldshould want
want toto taketake onon aasongwriting
songwriting partner
partneratthis stagestage in
"I don'theatthisin hishiscareer.
careen"!
don't think
think heever
ever mademade upup thisthis mind
mind thatthat hehe wanted
wanted totocollaborate
collaborate with
with someone,
someone, andand thenthen went
went
ahead
he said.
ahead andand looked
looked forfor somebody,"
somebody," hesaid.
alive, and Bob became very interested in it all.

"Itwasjust that thing with
with ussitting"Itwasjustthatthinghere
us sitting here
andeach otherand obviously
obviously connecting
connecting with
with eachother andandthrowingsuggestions at
at eacheach other."throwing suggestions
other."
When
Revue wasWhen thethe Rolling
Rolling ThunderThunder Revue
was first
firstmooted.
Levy playedmooted. Levy
played aa prominentprominent rolerole inin thetheplanning.
planning. He
He waswaspresent
present at
at thethe discussions
discussions
last
last summer:"We weretaking itit seriously,
seriously,
were taking
summer: "Werightright at
at thethe beginning,
beginning, but
but wewe realised
realised thatthat itit
would
be an
thing toto do.
do.
would bean extraordinary
extraordinary thing"It"It seemed
seemed like
like aa good
good idea
idea but
but aa very
very hard
hard
thing
thing talking
talking about
onething
about
thing toto pullpull off.
off. It
It waswas oneit
actually goingout andandit butbut another
another thing
thing actually
going out
doing
Bob left
New York
York atdoing it.
it. Just
Just before
before Bobleft Newat thetheend
end ofof thethe summer,
summer, after
after we'd
we'd done
done thetherecording,recording, we
we satsat down
down andand talked
talked about
about what
what
kind of show it would be and who would be in it.
"I
did aa loose"I didloose version
version ofof thethe outline
outline ofof thetheshow,down ideas
ideas onshow, putting
putting downon paper,paper, things
thingslike who
who would
would open
like
open andand who
who would
would gogo next,
next,
andand whatwhat kind
kind ofof aa song
song would
would bebe appropriate
appropriate
attime, andand theof how
how exactly
at whatwhattime,
the big
big point
point ofexactly
we'd
we'd getget toto thethe point
point where
where Bob
Bob camecame on,on,andplay his
his newmaterial. II sort
sort ofofand whenwhen toto play
new material.
switched
to aaswitched gears
gears fromfrom being
being aasongwriter
songwriter tokind of show it would be and who would be in it.

director. I built in the possibility of flexibility,

director. I built in the possibility of flexibility,

TheStax
The Sta xRecords
Records

be varied from night to night.
"Ithe secrecy"I think
thinkthesecrecy angle
angle was
was really
reallywell handled.
wellhandled. There
There was
was word
word aroundaroundbecausebecause quite
quite aa few
few people
people were
were
involved,
involved, but
but thethe generalgeneral information
information
wasn'twasn't out
out andand thethe public
public weren't
weren't
officially
officially informed
informed thatthat itit wasgoing totowas going
happenbeforeeach
each show.
show.
happen until
until right
right before"There wasa
"Therewas a deal
deal mademade with
with thethepromoters
and theythat if
if anyany
promoters andthey were
were told
told thatword
out about
about this
this theshow would
word got
got out
the showwouldbebe cancelled.
cancelled. There
There was,was, ofof course,
course, aascheduleschedule forfor thethe whole
whole tour,
tour, but
but itit waswas
only
only known
known byby aa few
few people."
people."And theAnd
the chanceschances ofof Rolling
Rolling ThunderThunder
reappearing
this year?
year? "Iknow. II
reappearing this
"I don't
don't know.
don't
had a
why itit won't.
won't. Everybody
Everybody had
don't see
see whyagreat
and it's
great time,
time, andit's hard
hard forfor meme toto imagine
imaginethat
happen again,
again, butthat itit won't
won't happen
but II don't
don't
know
know anything
anything forfor sure
sure at
at thisthis point.
point.
Or
Or going
going toto England?
England?"Wouldn't"Wouldn't thatthatbebe nice?
nice? Sure,
Sure, there's
there's aa chance.
chance. There's
There'sachance they
they could
could play
play inin Peking."
Peking."a chance
Levy'sLevy's first
first tentative
tentative steps
steps into
into
songwritingcame when
when hehe hadhad thesongwriting camethe idea
idea ofof
directingwestern musicalmusical for
directing aacountry
country &&western
for thethestage.
stage. He
He enlisted
enlisted thethe help
help ofof Roger
Roger McGuinn,
McGuinn,but
but althoughalthough they
they came
came up
up withwith aa loadload ofofsongs,
than thethesongs, thethe music
music never
never got
got further
furtherthan
planning
did, however,planning stage.
stage. McGuinn
McGuinn did,
however, record
recordmost
most ofof thethe materialmaterial andand these
these included
included"Chestnut
Mare" andand "Lover"Lover Of
OfThe
The Bayou".
Bayou".
"Chestnut Mare"
From
Levy andand McGuinn
McGuinn met
met
From then
then on,on, Levy
annually
annually toto prepare
prepare materialmaterial together.
together.
Levy
Calcutta!andLevy also
alsowrote
wrote aa songfor Oh!
Oh!Calcutta!
song fora ndhashasdabbled
dabbled with
with songs
songs forfor otherother proposed
proposedmusicals,musicals, but
but hehewillwillnot
not bebeturningturning totosongwriting
full-timedespite
despitetaking
takingonon suchsuch
songwriting full-time
Bob Dylan.
Dylan."Imyan"I likelike myillustrious partner
partner as
an illustrious
as Bobwork
and I
I don'twork inin thethe theatre
theatre anddon't want
want toto givegivethat
and it's
it's hard
hard toto imagine
imagine people
people coming
comingthat up,
up, andtoto me
me now
now asking
asking me
meto
towritewrite songs
songsforfor them.
them.
"I think"I
think. I'll
I'll dodo somework with
with Bob
Bob ininsome more
more workthebut it's
it's hard
hard tothe future,
future, but
to tell.
tell. We'd
We'd both
both like
like
to,andto, and IIknowthatduringthetourwewere
know that during the tour we weretalkingtalking about
about newnew possibilities
possibilities forfor songs,
songs, new
new
ideas
Chris ChariesworthCharlesworth
ideas thatthat came
came toto US."
us." Chrisbe varied from night to night.

"I'm at a loss"

building, Memphis,building, Memphis,

55

Ten nessee,in1967

Tennessee, in1967

I'm

MM
/i
' ///
///
//

//V

♦

4

9

so there were open choices, so it could

so there were open choices, so it could

at

a

loss

3 Stax Records is closed down.
Stax Records is closed down.

STAX RECORDS, THE company which attainedsemi -legendary status
status with
with artists
Otis
semi-legendary
artists such
such asas OtisRedding,
Isaac Hayes,
Hayes, Sam
Redding, Isaac
Sam && DaveDave andand Carla
Carla
Thomas, has
has been
been shut
shut down.
down.
Thomas,After aa six-hour
six -hour Memphis
After
Memphis hearing,
hearing, called
called byby thethe
Union
Bank-which
is suing
Union Planters
Planters National
National Bank
-which issuing Stax
Stax forfor
more than
than $10$10 million
million -- themore
was ordered
the company
company wasordered totocease operations.
operations.
cease
Stax
founder inincompany founder
Stax president
president Jim
Jim Stewart,
Stewart, company
1960, saidsaidofofthe
the decision:decision: "I'm
"I'm at
at aa loss.
loss. OneOne minute
minutei960,
you'rerecords andand theyou're producing
producing records
the next
next minute
minute you're
you'reshut down.
down. II don't
don't know
shutknow what
what toto say."say."
During thethe hearing,
Duringhearing, Stax
Stax waswas described
described asas"dishevelled, confused,"dishevelled,
confused, mixed
mixed up,
up, failing
failing andanddefunct"defunct"bythe bank.
bank. Stewart
Stewart andandby thethe attorney
attorney representing
representing the
Stax now
now have
have toto waitwait forfor aajury
jury trial
trial which
which will
will decide
decideStax
if
if thethe company
company isis insolvent.
insolvent. At
At itsits heightheight Stax
Stax rivalled
rivalled
Tamla Motown
Motown in
in itsitsinfluence
influence over
over black
black music.
music.
Tamla
STAX RECORDS, THE company which attained"Unforseen"Unforseen

recordingrecordinproblems'

ppoblems

MM JAN 31 Rod Stewart pulls
MM JAN 31 Rod Stewart pulls

His British tour dates.
his British tour dates.

ROD STEWART HAS cancelled his

ROD STEWART HAS cancelled his

giant Wembley Stadium concert
scheduled for July 3. And he has also
pulled out of an eight -date British tour
before it was even announced.
giant Wembley Stadium concert

scheduled for July 3. And he has also

pulled out of an eight-date British tour
before it was even announced.

Stewart was set to play four concertsatApollo, twoat thethe Glasgow
GlasgowApollo,
two atatManchester's
Manchester's
BelleVue
Vueandandoneoneeacheach ininNewcastle
Newcastle
Belleandand Sheffield.
Sheffield.
According to GaffMusic,
Gaff Music,Stewart's
Stewart's
Accordingto
management,
he cancelledmanagement, hecancelled because
because ofof"unforeseen"unforeseen recording
recording problems
problems which
which
would notnot allow
allow sufficientsufficient time
time forhim totowould
for himform
form andand rehearse
rehearse aa newnew band".
band".
Theyadd
that thethe concert
concert series
series maybe
maybe
They
add thatrescheduled forlater
rescheduled
for later this
this year.
year.
Stewartis currently
workingon
ona
a followfollowStewart iscurrently working
up album
album towhich issetup
to Atlantic
AtlanticCrossing,
Crossing, which
is setfori n May.
May.
for worldwide
worldwide release
release in
Tickets
forthetheWembley
Wembleyconcert
concert went
went ononT
ickets forsale last
last week
weekbut,
said promoter
promoter Rogersalebut, said
Roger
Forrester,
Forrester, all
all money
money will
willbeberefunded
refunded andandthethe rest
rest ofof thethetickets
ticketshave
havebeen
beenwithdrawn.
withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Forrester
left with
with his
his
Meanwhile,
Forresterisis left
JulyS
July3 booking
booking of
ofthe
thestadium,stadium, plus
plusanother
anothertwo dates
dates --July
31andandAugust21-- which
which
two
July 31
August 21
precludeGaff
preclude Ga
ffMusic's
Music'ssuggestionsuggestionthatthat thethe
Stewart concert
concert might
might beb erescheduled
rescheduled
StewartforlateAugust.
for lateAugust.
Forrester said
Forrester
said this
this week:
week: "1
"Iwillwillcertainly
certainlybeat least
leasttwo
two out
out ofof th
three
be promoting
promoting atreepossible concerts
concerts at
Wembley, andand atat thethepossibleat Wembley,
momentI'm negotiatingfor
moment I'mnegotiating for aaheadliner
headliner
forthethe original
original Stewart
Stewart date."
date."
for
Stewart was set to play four concerts

WorldMags.net
HISTORY
11
HISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976 111CJ
SoWorldMags.net
1976"A self-

"A

self-

inventedan"invented

DAVID BOWIE
DAVID

BOWIE

continues to elude
definition. His career
is diversifying(he wants to"become a _aim
everywhere"), and his
appetite for new ideas
helps him escape thecontinues to elude

definition.

y

|

man

His career

is diversifying(he wants to_

MELODY MAKEI FEBRUARY 6
MELODY MAKER FEBRUARY 6"become a nuisanceeverywhere"), andhisappetite for new ideas

helps him escape theprison of rock'n'roll.
"Unless you makebig mistakes," hesays, during a brieflull, "you are nevergoing to grow."
prison of rock'n'roll.

"Unless you

make

big mistakes,"

hesays, during a brieflull, "you are nevergoing to grow."W'M JUST DOING this tour forWWI

the money. I never earned any

Imoneybefore, but this timeI

I'm going to make some. I thinkI

I deserve it, don't you? "

"I

W
W

'M JUST DOING this tour forf

the money. I never earned any
money before, but this time
I'm going to make some. I think
I deserve it, don't you?"David Bowie is balanced
delicately
in suitesuite 1604
1604 indelicately inin an
an armchairarmchair inin thethe
Pontchartrain
HotelininDetroit,
Detroit,his
his legs
legs bent
Pontchartrain Hotelbent andand^hunched up,
hunchedat hisup, gazing
gazing absently
absently at
his barebare feet,
feet,
which,
which, like
like thethe rest
rest ofof him,him,look
lookremarkably
remarkably clean.
clean.
^
In
racksuit heIn hishis blue
bluettracksuit
he looks
lookshealthy
healthy and,
and,
althoughhe could
although hecould add
add aa fewpounds
few p ounds inin weight,
weight, his
his
^
brain
is as
brain isas trimtrim asas hishis figure.
figure.
His hair,His
hair, blond
blond at
at thethe front
front andand redred atat thethe back,back,
has
has been
been groomed
groomed bybyhis
hispersonal
personal hairdresser.
hairdresser. ItIt
is swept
swept up
up in
in aaquiff
quiff andand held
held inin place
place with
with water.
water.
isHis classic,
Hisclassic,Aryan
Aryanfeaturesfeaturesalternate
alternate between
betweenexpressions ofof genuine
genuine war
warmthand coldcoldexpressions
mth andcontempt
contempt wheneverwhenever hehe senses
senses troubled
troubled waters.
waters.
His leftleft eyeeyeisisstill
stillstrangely
strangelyimmobile,immobile, aa legacy
legacyHis
from thefrom
the childhood
childhood injury
injury he
he received,
received,
andand itit adds
adds anan incongruousincongruous touch
touch toto aa
David Bowie is balanced

deUcat(STATKDNTOSTATIONDAVIDBOWIESTATIONTOSTAT1ONDAVIDBOWIE

rather aristocratic appearance. Even if
David Bowie never opened his mouth, hewould have found some niche in life
purely on the strength of his looks.
With the possible exception of Bryan
Ferry, no other contemporarymusician is
as much preoccupied with his image as
Bowie. But, while Ferry remains the same,
Bowie changes hiswith regularity, notonly from tour to tour, but from month tomonth. One can never really tell, either,whether his replies to any interviewer are x,
rather aristocratic appearance. Even if

David Bowie never opened his mouth, hewould have found some niche in life
purely on the strength of his looks.

With the possible exception of Bryan

Ferry, no other contemporary musician is
as much preoccupied with his image as

Bowie. But, while Ferry remains the same,
Bowie changes his with regularity, notonly from tour to tour, but from month tomonth. One can never really tel 1, either,whether his replies to any interviewer are

WorldMags.net»

WorldMags.net
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WorldMags.net

HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

13

1976

WorldMags.net

19761

February.1975: in
Los
LosAngeles,
Angeles, Bowie
Bowie
and
andwife
wife Angie
Angie areareinterviewed
by RonaRonainterviewed byBarrett
on Good
Barrett on
Good
February, 1976: infact or fiction; his views on various subjects change
accordingto whim.
according to
whim.
A
Afew
fewmonths
months ago
ago hehewas
waswidelywidelyquoted
quoted as
as sayingsaying hehenever wanted
wanted to
his current
current US
tour isis nownow
never
to tourtour again,
again, yet
yet hisUS tourinthe starstar ofof thein itsits third
third week
week and,
and, accordingto
according to thethe show,show,
thingsaregoingvery,
nicely, thankyou.
thank you. Other
Other interviews
interviews
things aregoingvery nicely,
suggestedsuggested thatthat Bowie
Bowie waswasbecoming
becoming interested
interested inin radical
radicalright-wing politics,
right-wing
politics, statements
statements thatthathehe now
now shrugs
shrugs off
off bybyexplaining
he madetheexplaining thatthat hemade them
them upup totosatisfy
satisfytheinterviewer's
for astory.
interviewer's need
need fora sensational
sensational story.
Shock
he intended
to jolt
jolt me
Shock value,
value, II guess.
guess. Perhaps
Perhaps heintended to
me bybymaking the
touring forthe money,
money,
makingthe point
point thatthathehe waswas only
only touring
for theaa point
point hehe reiterated
reiterated more
more than
than once
once during
during aa 45-minute45 -minuteconversation
hotel suite.
suite.
conversation inin hishis hotel
So
So let's
let'sgetgetoneonething
thingstraightstraight fromfrom thethe veryvery start.
start. The
The
views andviews
and opinions
opinions ofof DavidDavid Bowie
Bowie asas quoted
quoted below
below
represent
his statements
made between
between 6.45pm
6.45pm andrepresent his
statements madeand7.30pmtime onon Monday,
Monday, March
March 1,
1,7.30pm US
USEastern
Eastern Standard
Standard time1976.
1976.What
Whathe's
he'ssaidsaidbefore
beforethat
thatdate,
date,andandwhatwhat hehe might
might
say afterwards,
afterwards, maymayvary
considerably.
sayvary considerably.
fact or fiction: his views on various subjects change

MorningAmerica

Morning America

<
/

\

ft
i

WEBEGAN BY talking about the current tour,

WE BEGAN BY talking about the current tour,

the staging of which is a massive departurefrom the elaborate Diamond Dogs
presentation two years ago. Simplicity is the keynote
this time around, right down to the "white lights" effectdesigned by Scottish tour manager Eric Barrett. As I saw
for myself later the same evening, it is wonderfully
effective; quite stunning in fact.
"It's more theatrical than Diamond Dogs ever
was," said Bowie, toying with an unlit Gitane andthe staging ofwhich is a massive departurefrom the elaborate Diamond Dogs

presentation two years ago. Simplicity is the keynote

this time around, right down to the "white lights" effectdesigned by Scottish tour manager Eric Barrett. As I saw
for myself later the same evening, it is wonderfully
effective; quite stunning in fact.

"It's more theatrical than Diamond Dogs ever

was," said Bowie, toying with an unlit Gitane anda glass of Heineken. "It's by suggestion rather thanbyby over-propping.
over -propping.ItItrelies
reliesononmodern
modern20th-century
20th -century
theatreconceptsof
oflighting,lighting, andand I
I thinkit
theatre concepts
think it comes
comes
over as being very theatrical.
theatrical. Whether
Whether thetheoverasbeingvery
audiencesareawareawareofofit,
it, I
audiences are
I don't
don't know.
know. ItItdoesn't
doesn'tlook like aa theatricallooklike
theatrical production,
production,butbutit
it certainly
certainlyis."is."Wasbefore? "No,
"No, it
Was itit getting
getting out
out ofof handhand before?
it waswas just
justboringto LosLosAngeles
Angelesand
andboringafter
afteraawhile.
while. Once
OnceII got
got todid
did thethe shows
shows inin thetheAmphitheatre
Amphitheatre there,
there, I'dI'dalready done
done 30
30 ofofthemthem andand ititwas
terrible. There's
There'salready
was terrible.
nothing
more boring
than aa stylised
nothing moreboring thanstylised show,
show, because
becausethere was
was nonospontaneity
spontaneity andand nono freedom
freedom ofof
there
movement.
movement. Everything
Everything was
was totally
totallychoreographedchoreographedand itandit waswas veryvery stiff.
stiff. It
It didn't
didn't look
look itit if
if youyou went
went andand saw
saw thethe showshow once.
once. TheThe
firstmuchinin it
it if
if youfirst time
time itit waswas probably
probably aa gas,gas,butbutthere's
there's nothingnothing muchyou arearedoing itit every
everynight.
night. ItItjust
justbecomes
becomesrepetition.
repetition. IIcan't
can't speakas
speak as anan
doingaudience,
but certainly
certainlyasasaa performer,
performer, it
it waswas hard
to keep
audience, but
hard tokeep itit up,
up, trekking
trekking
all overoverthethecountry
country doing
doingthesame thing
thing night
night after
after night.
night.
allthe same"This
It's awe"This one
onechanges
changes almost
almost every
night. It'sa lotlotlooser.
looser.The
Theonly
onlything
thingweevery night.
have isa runningrunning order,order, buteven changechange thatthat around.
around. The
lighting guys
guys
have
is a
but I
I evenThe lighting
have
cues, butbut that's
that'sonon spec
specasas well,"well."
have lighting
lighting cues,
It seems
It
seems hehe hashas changed
changed his
his onstage
onstageimage
imageyetyetagain.
again."So"So I
1 hear.
hear. I've
I've
heard
heard II look
look likelikeaacabaret
cabaretperformer,
performer, but
but I'veI'venever
neverseen
seenaacabaret
cabaretperformer,
wouldn't know.
The reaction
reaction is
lotbetter,better, andand II guess
guessthat
that
performer, so
so I
1 wouldn't
know. The
is a
a lot
is
want thatis because
because I'm
I'mstill
stillgiving
givingthem
themtheatre,
theatre,butbutwhether
whetherthey
theywantthat oror notnot
don't know
knowandand IIdon't
don'treally
reallycare.
care.The
Theaudiencesaudiencesare
areabout
aboutaatour
tourbehindbehindII don'tme,
they always
always are.
are. I'dme, but
but thenthen they
I'd getgetworried
worried if
iftheytheyturned
turned up
up inin outfits
outfits I'd
I'd
never seen
seen before.
before. I'd
I'd think
think II was
was aa tour
tour behind."
behind."never
For thethe DiamondDiamond Dogs
Dogs Tour
Tour Bowie
Bowierelegatedrelegatedhis
hismusiciansmusicians to
to aaposition
positionForof scantofscantimportance,
importance, never
never even
even acknowledging
acknowledging their
their presence
presence on
on stage.
stage.
This
This time
time aroundaround thethe musiciansmusicians stand
stand behindbehind him,
him, andand towards
towards thethe endendof thetheshow
showareareintroduced.
introduced. For
For thethe record
record they
they are;are: guitarist
guitarist Carlos
Carlosof
Alomar,
To Station;
Alomar, who
who worked
worked on
on Station
Station To
Station; Stacey
StaceyHeydon,
Heydon, who
who camecame inin at
atthe last
last minute
minute toto replace
replace Earl
Earl Slick;
Slick;bassist
bassistGeorge
GeorgeMurray
Murrayandanddrummer
drummertheDennisDavis, bothfrom theTo Station
Dennis Davis,
both fromthe Station
Station To
Stationsessions;sessions;andand keyboard
keyboard
player Tony
TonyKaye,lateofBadger
ofBadgerandandYes,
Yes,another
anotherlast-minutelast-minute addition.
addition.
playerKaye, late
"There"There areare three
three blacks
blacks andand three
three whites,
whites, including
including myself,
myself, andand that's
that'sa goodagood mixture,"
mixture," said
said Bowie.
Bowie. "They're"They're all
all good
goodmusicians.
musicians. Carlos
Carlos andand
Dennis have
two years,
years, but
but thethe rest
rest we
we assembled
assembled inin
Dennishave been
been with
with meme forfor twoeight days
days ofof rehearsal
rehearsal before
ay withwith meme forfor thetheeight
before thethe tour.
tour. The
The bandbandwill
willststay
duration
ofthetour,
duration of
the tour, but
but IIwon't
won'tneed
need them
them when
when we've
we'vefinished.
finished. II haven't
haven't
kept aa band
band together
together since
since thethe Spiders,
Spiders, andand IIdon't
don'twant
wantthetheresponsibility
responsibility
kept

Stay
- .TfcaglassofHeineken. "It's by suggestion rather than

>P
UJ
O

&

Me.

of keeping one. It's too much money, anyway, tokeep aa band
keepband together,
together, aa lot
lot ofofproblems
problems thatthat II don't
don't need."need."Musically,
Musically, Bowie
Bowiehas
hasveeredveered towards
towards black
black music
music over
over thethe past
past two
two years,
years,
especiallywith
He readilyreadily admits
admits hehe hashas been
been copying
copying
especiallywithYoungAmericans.
You/tgAmencfl7?5. He
what
what he's
he's heard
heard onon thethe radio
radio inin aadeliberatedeliberateattemptattempt toto bebecommercial.
commercial.
"Idon't
don't listen
listen toto itverymuchnow,though,"hesaid."Idon'tlike
it very much now, though," he said. "I don't like it
it very
very
"I
much
now. Itat allmuch now.
It waswas aa phase.
phase. II don't
don't like
like very
very much
much music
music atall now,
now, actually.
actually.
I likelikeperforming
performing with
with aa band,
band, but
but listening...
listening... notlistened toInotreally.
really. I've
I've listened
to
a
a lot
lotof
ofKraftwerk
Kraftwerkand
and any
anykindkind of,of,er,
er,cutecutemusic
musiclikelikethat,
that,butbutthere's
there's very
very
little happening
littlehappening musicallymusically thatthat interests
interests me
me now.
now.
"My
It's not"Myownownrecentrecent music
music has
has been
been good,
good, plastic
plastic soul,soul, II think.
think. It's
not veryvery
complex, but
but it's
enjoyable towrite. 1I did
did most
most ofof ititin
inthe
thestudio.
studio.ItItdoesn't
doesn'tcomplex,it's enjoyable
to write.
takevery long
about10,
10,15
Young
take very
long toto write...
write... about
15 minutes
minutes aa song.
song. II mean,
mean, with
with Young
Americans Ithought
thought I'd
I'd better
better makemake aa hit
hit album
album toto cement
cement myself
myself over
over
Americans!
here,
so I
really."here, soI wentwent inin andand did
did it.
it. ItItwasn't
wasn't too
too hard,
hard, really."
WasJohn
JohnLennon
Lennonan
animportant
important contributor
contributor toWasto "Fame"?
"Fame"?
"No,"No,not
notreally.
really.I Ithink
thinkheheappreciates
appreciates that.
that. ItItwas
wasmoremorethetheinfluence
influence ofofhavinghelped. There's
having him
him inin thethe studiostudio thatthat helped.
There's always
always aa lot
lot ofofadrenalin
adrenalinflowing
whenJohn
Johnisis around,around,but
buthishischief
chiefaddition
additionto
toit
it allall wasflowingwhen
was thethe highhighpitched
The riff
riffcamecame fromfrom Carlos,
Carlos,andand thethe melody
melody andandpitched singing
singingof4Fame'.
of'Fame'. The
mostif Johnmost ofof thethe lyrics
lyricscame
came fromfrom me,me, but
butititwouldn't
wouldn't have
havehappened
happened ifJohnhadn't beencredit for
hadn'tbeenthere.
there.HeHewas
was thethe energy,
energy, andandthat's
that'swhy
whyhe's
he's got
got aa creditforwritingit;
writing it; hehewaswasthetheinspiration."
inspiration."
Roy Bittan,Bruce
BruceSpringsteen's
Springsteen's pianist,
pianist, played
Station.
RoyBittan,
playedononStation
StarionTo
To Station.
HowdidHow did thatthat comecome about?
about?
"Itwas"It
was Eric
EricBarrett,Barrett, mymyroadroadmanager,
manager,who
whosawsawhimhimandandrecommended
recommended
him. I
wasn't aroundand Mike
Mike Garsonhim.
I neededneeded aapianist
pianist because
because Tony
Tonywasn't
around andGarson was
was
off being
being aaScientologist
Scientologistsomewhere,
somewhere, so
so IIneededneeded him.
him. He
Heimpressed
impressed me
me aa
off
lot, but
withSpringste
Springsteen.
lot,
but I've
I've never
never seen
seen him
himwithen. II once
once saw
saw Springsteen
Spri ngsteen when
when
he waswas just
just forming
forming everything,
everything, at
NewYork,and IIwas
wasimpressed
impressedheat Max's
Max's inin New
York, andWorldMags.net
14
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976
14 HISTORY

dank

.

of keeping one. It's too much money, anyway, toDAVIDDAVID BOWIEWorldMags.net
byhim but I didn't like the band. Thatwas when I recorded three of his
Bowie'sinMM,
MM, isis likely
Bowie's next
next movie,
movie, inin fact,
fact, asas exclusively
exclusively reported
reported inlikely to
to bebesongs, but
but they
they weresongs,At thebasednovel Ther/jeEog/eHasLa/rded,
were never
never released.
released.At
the timetime II waswasintending
intending to
to do
do an
an
based onon JackHiggins'best-selling
Jack Higgins' best-selling novel
Eagle Has Landed, whichis
which is
album
based
album ofofsongs
songs byNewYorkpeoplethatlliked.butlneverfinishedit."
byNewYork people that I liked, but I never finished it."based onon afictitiousplotto
a fictitious plot to kidnap
kidnap Winston
Winston Churchill
Churchill during
during thethe last
last war.
war.
In threethree years
years Bowie
Bowiehasn't
hasn't set
set foot
footininEngland.
England.Any
Anyparticularparticular reason?
reason?
In
Bowie
Bowie isiscastcastasasMax
MaxRadl,
Radl,a aGerman
Germanofficer
officerwho
whoorganises
organisesthe
thekidnap
kidnap"I
attemptfrom"Ijustjusthaven't
haven't got
gotaroundaround toto it,"
it," heheconfessed.
confessed. "Most"Most ofofmy
my affairs
affairs have
have
attempt from inside
inside Germany.
Germany.
been messed
messed up
so badly
badly thatthat IIjust
justhadn't
hadn't time.
time. There
There were
were plans
plans at
at one
one
been
up so
"I'm
"I have"I'm getting
getting into
into mymy Nazi
Nazi bit
bit forforthisthisone,"one,"hehecontinued.
continued. "Ihave anan inert
inert
time
DogsTourleftover mytime toto taketake thethe DiamondDiamond Dogs
Tour toto England,
England, but
but II doubt
doubt ififevereverthatthatleft hand
hand andand aapatch
patch overmy left
lefteyeeyeforforthethepart.
part.MichaelMichaelCaine
Caineandandshow will
will see
see theshow
the light
light ofof dayday again.
again. I've
I've still
still got
got thethe scenery
scenery stored
stored away
away inin
DonaldSutherlandare
arein
init,
it, too,too, soso it'llit'II beis
Donald Sutherland
be oneone hellhell ofofaa film.
film. Sutherland
Sutherland is
NewYork, sothe
NewYork,sothere's
there's always
always aa chance."
chance."the reason
reason thatthat II chose
chose toto do
doit-Sutherland
it- Sutherland has
has thethe money.
money.
That tour
tour must
must have
have been
been extraordinarily
extraordinarily expensive
stage.
That
expensive toto stage.
"If
As it"Ifititwasn't
wasn'tfor
forSutherland
Sutherlandandand thethe money
money IIwouldn't
wouldn't be
be interested.
interested. As
it"Apparently so.
so. IInever
neversaw
sawanyanymoneymoneyfromfromthat
thattour.
tour.I'm
I'monly
onlymaking
makingis,in aa Bergmanfilm called
called The
The Serpent's
is, I'mI'mmoremore interested
interested in
Bergman film
Serpent's Eggwhich
Eggwhich isis"Apparently
money now.
now.That's
That's why
whyIIwanted
wantedtotosimplify
simplifythings
thingsthis
thistimetimearound,around, totomoney
comingup, andI'd doto workcoming up,
and I'ddo thatthat forfor nothing,nothing, just
just towork with
with Bergman."
Bergman."make
I've got
Would
in favourfavour ofofactingifhis
make money.
money. I'm
I'm managing
managing myself
myself now,
now, simply
simply because
because I've
got fedfed upup
Would hehe dropdrop music
music inacting if his career
career blossomed?
blossomed?
with managers
managers thatknown."
withthat I've
I've known.""Er,"Er,no,no,1 Idon't
don'tthink
think so.
so.IIjust
justdodoanything
anything as
as itit comes
comes up.
up. I'veI'velearned
learned toto
Howwerebetween himself
himselfand
andTony
Tony Defries?
findlevel ofHowwere relations
relations between
Defries?
find aa much
much calmer
calmer level
ofintensity
intensity these
these days.
days. IIdon't
don'tpush
push forformuch,much, butbut
"I
"Ihaven't
haven't seen
seen him
him since
since thethe dayday I
I leftleft him.
him. IIwouldn't
wouldn't know.
know. IsIs thethe still
still inin
II seemseem toto movemove aalot
lotfaster
fasterwhen
when IIdo
dothings
things this
this way.
way.IIthink
thinkI've
I'vedonedone thethe bitbittheknow."
thatthe business?
business? II honestly
honestly don't
don't know."that II neededneeded to
to do
do in
in rock'n'roll.
rock'n'roll. I've
I'vemademademymycontribution
contribution toto rock'n'roll,
rock'n'roll,
Bowieseemed
seemed aalit
littlereluctant totoenlarge
enlarge on
Bowie
tie reluctant
andon thisthis point,
point, soso II mentioned
mentioned
and thethe only
only thing
thing II cancan dodo now,now, if
if IIstay
stayininrock'n'roll,
rock'n'roll, isis toto havehave aa rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll
that
Mick Ronson
career.
that Defries
Defries was
was still
still managing
managing Mick
Ronson andand asked
asked whether
whether Bowie
Bowie
career. Not
Not being
being very
very career-minded,
career -minded, IIdon't
don't want
want aacareer
career inin rock'n'roll.
rock'n'roll.
had any
opinions on
Dylan's Rolling
RollingThunderThunder Revue.
Revue.
had
any opinions
on Ronson's
Ronson'srolerole inin BobBob Dylan's"Ithing but
"Icouldn't
couldn't dodo anyanything
but survive
survive now.
now. Once
Onceyou've
you'vemade
madethatthat initial
initialEle"Yeah, Iboom,
else doHe seemed
seemed disinterested.
disinterested. "Yeah,
I heardheard all
all about
about that.
that. II don't
don't have
have anyany
boom, what
what else
do youyou have
have toto do?
do?So
SoI'm
I'mjustjustresting
restingaroundaroundand
and picking
picking
opinions.
honestly can't
can't remember
remember Mickthat wellnowadays. It's
It's aalong
opinions. I
I honestly
Mick thatwell nowadays.
long
up
up on
on allallthethethings
things thatthat have
have fascinatedfascinated me.
me. I'veI'vebecome
becomeinterested
interested inin artart
timeother bandovertime ago.
ago. He's
He'sjust
justlikelikeany
anyotherband member
member thatthat I've
I've had.
had. Maybe
Maybe!Iover thethe last
last twotwoyears
yearsandand I'veI'vedonedoneseveral
severalsilkscreenssilk screensand
andlithographs."lithographs."should react
react moreshouldmore than
than II should
should react.
react. Anyway,
Anyway, I'm
I'm not
not aa great
great Dylan
Dylan fan.
fan.
Was
in rock?
rock?
Was ititthat
thathehewas
wasfrightened
frightened ofofrepeating
repeating himself
himself in
II think
he's aa prick,
thinkhe's
prick, so
so I'mI'mnotnotthatthatinterested."interested.""It's"It's notnotthatthat sosomuch.
much. IIdidn'twant
didn't wantmy
myenthusiasm
enthusiasm forforrock'n'roll
rock'n'roll being
being
As
mixed
Ashis
hisownownmanager,
manager, Bowie
Bowiehas
has honed
honed his
his
mixedup
up withwith mymyown
owndissatisfaction
dissatisfaction withwithbecominga
entourage down
to threethree key
keypeople:
Pat
entourage
down topeople: Pat
becoming a rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll careerist.
careerist. In
In rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll
Gibbons
thearchetype,andas
Gibbons (acting(acting manager),manager), Corinne
Corinne Schwab
Schwabthe artist
artist quickly
quickly becomes
becomes ananarchetype,
and
as
"With
Young
(secretary)
DeWitt (presssoon
he has(secretary) andand Barbara
Barbara DeWitt(presssoon asas hehe becomes
becomes anan archetypearchetype hehas served
servedrelations).
"My officehisrelations). "My
office isisaasuitcase
suitcase thatthat stays
stays inin
his purpose.
purpose.
"I
my room.
room. It's
It's farfarbetterbetter than
than before
before when
when II never
never
my"Idon't
don't believe
believe it's
it's possible
possible forfor anan artist
artist to
to saysay
Americans,knew
is howmore
two new
knew what
what waswas going
going on,on, andand this
this ishow IIused
used
more than
than two
new things
things inin rock'n'roll.
rock'n'roll. One
One
artisthas oneone thing
thingtoto saysay andto do
do ititbackbackininEngland
England before.
before. My
Mylastlastmanager
managertoartist has
and it's
it's such
such ananIthoughthd
wasephemeral
sort ofof culture
thatafter
afterhe's
he's said
said it,it,
was MichaelMichael Lippman
Lippman andand hehe didn't
didn't cope
cope very
very
ephemeral sortculture thatwell. IIthinkitwas
think it was an
it'san experience
experience forhim,
it's just
just aa question
question ofwell.
for him,of staying
staying around.
around. Ifyou
If you dodothough. You'dbetter ask
ichael Lippman
Lippm an why
why
though.
You'd better
ask M
Michaelstrivestrive toto saysaysomething
something new,
new, ititgets
getsinterpretedinterpreted
better
make
a
Earl
as
of staying
staying around.
Earl Slick
Slick left
left meme onon thethe eveeve ofof thisthis tour.
tour. He's
He's
as justjust anotherway
another wayof
around. They're
They'remanaging
managing him
him now."
now."
doing
doing itit totoDylanDylanatatthe
themoment,
moment, andand poor
poor old
old
hit
album"
Talk
turned toto films
films andand Bowie
Bowiebrightenedbrightened up
Bruceup
Talkturned
Bruce Springsteen
Springsteen has
has hardly
hardly started
started before
beforehimself asconsiderably, Bowie
considerably,
Bowie nono longerlonger sees
they'resaying it
it tosees himself
asthey're saying
to him.
him. And
Andwhether
whether Patti
Patti Smith
Smith
only aa rockrockstar,star,sosoIIasked
askedhimhimwhether
whetherwill
onlywill ever
ever getgetthere,
there, they're
they're saying
saying ititmoviesabout
movies would
would become
become his
his prime
prime
about her.
her. It's
Ifs not
not thatthat interesting
interesting after
after
interest. "No.
of moneymoney isisinterest.
"No. Making
Makingaa bit
bit ofaa certain
certain point,
point, anyway.
anyway.
my prime
prime interest.
interest. I'm
I'm anan artist
artist and
and
my
"I'm
"I'm notnotdisenchanted,
disenchanted, because
because IIanythingthat makes
makes money
money isis OK.
any thing thatOK.
alwaysted that
always believedbelieved when
when IIstar
startedthat
II don't
don't know
know whether
whether I'm
I'm anan actor
actor oror
Ziggy,
Ziggy, forforme,
me,waswas whatwhat itit waswas allallnot,and II won't
won't knowuntil
know until II see
see thethenot, and
about.
said itit with
Ziggy five
about. II said
with Ziggy
five years
years
movie (Themovie
[TheMan
Man Who
Who FellFell To
ToEarth)
Earth) ininago
you cango up
ago andand II believe
believe thatthat youcan goup orora cinemacinema with
with people
people aroundaround me.
me.
a
come
or be
come down
down orbe carried
carried along
along byby thetheThat'llbe thethe test.
test. I
I want
lijSS
tide
for a
That'll bewant toto watchwatch
tide fora fewyears.
few years. The
The only
only thing
thing totot# ## •#
myself inmyselfin thatthat context.
context. IIacted
acted orggSji
do,
or nonnon do, ifyou
ifyo u want
want totocontributecontribute totov.actedcould inin thatthat film.
acted asas bestbest asas I
I could
film.
culture, oror politics,
politics, oror music,
music, orculture,orIt
required non-acting
non -acting because
because thetheIt required
whatever,to utilise
utilise your
your own
own$8$.
whatever, is
is to
. . .
.. ..
charactercharacterofofNewton
Newton that
thatII played
played isisgg:;:
persona rather
ratherthan
thanjust
justmusic.
music. The
The
personaaa very
very cold,c old,unexpressive
unexpressive person.
person. The
The
SilS
best
to do
do thisthis isis tobest way
wayto
to diversify
diversify and
and
v
.•>
y.-ys.
thing
thing hehe learnslearns on
on Earth
Earth isis emotion,
emotion,become aa nuisanceeverywhere."
becomenuisance everywhere."whichcomes hard
hard toto himhim andand reduces
reducesBut
which comes
But ititmust
must have
have been
been satisfying
satisfying totox-:-:
him tohim
to anhave aUS hitan alcoholic.
alcoholic.
havea massive
massive US
hit withwith "Fame"?
"Fame"?
• - •85 % V"I'd"I'd been
been offeredoffered aa lot
lot ofofscripts
scripts but
but"Well,"Well, ititkind
kind ofofput
put thethe capcap onon
II chosechose this
this one
one because
because itit was
was thethe only
only
things. It
It told
told meme I
I could
now,
things.
could finish
finish now,
one
where I1 didn't
didn't have
have tosing oror look
look
one where
to sing
pack
packitit allall inin now.
now. That
That meant
meant II had
had
3,1976-8PM
nclike
David Bowie.
Bowie. Nowl
Now IthinkDavid
think David
like David
done thethe two
two things
todone
things II was
was supposed
supposed to
A*.Wi
I■
Bowie
looks like
likeNewton.
Newton. One
One thing
thing
Bowie looks
do,do, whichwhich isis toto conquer
conquer this
this market
marketthat Nick
that
Nick Roeg
Roeg [the[the film'sdirector]
film's director] isisand conquer
the British
British market.
Onceandconquer themarket. Oncegood
at doing
doing isisseducing
seducing people
people into
into
good atyou've done
toyou'vedone thatthat youyou cancan pretendpretend torest onaa role,role, andand heheseduced
seduced meme completely.
completely.
rest
on your
your laurels
laurels andand all
all thethe otherother"He told
toldmeme afterafter we'd
we'dfinishedfinished ititclichesyou"Hecliches you cando whencan dowhen you
you hithit thethewouldtime toto getget outout
would taketake meme aa longlongtime
top. You
top.
Youcancan forget
forget longevity
longevity andand all
allof
the role
role andand hehe waswas deaddead right.
right. After
Afterof thethe things
you staythere, asasthethings thatthat makemake youstay there,fourmonths playing
wasfar asfar
as I'mI'm concerned
concerned..All
All thatthat staying
staying
four months
playingthe
theroleroleI
I was
Newtonfor sixmonths
six months afterwards,
afterwards,
Newton forat thefor me.
me.
atthe top
top isis justjust aaheartacheheartache forandandnowTmgraduallybecoming
now I'm graduallybecoming|"Iwant to do,do,"Ijustjustwant
want totodo
dowhatwhatIIwantto
Max
Radl forfor thethe next
next one."one."
Max Radl
and first,
andfirst, that's
that's makemake some
some money
money »
by him but I didn't like the band. That was when I recorded three of his"With Young
Americans,
I thought I'dbetter make a

hit album"---

S
SEATTLEE

CENTERCOLISEUMFEBRUARY 3,1976 8 PM

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CO-SPONSOREDBY KJR

15

HISTORY
ROCK 1976
1976 I 15
HISTORY OF ROCK

1976AO

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AI NUM

this showand I won't do any hits for the sake of
doing
as an
doing hits.
hits. II think
think people
people look
look onon thethe showshowasanhonestappearance,honest appearance, andand that's
that's why
why they
they
develop such
such aa strong
strong empathy
empathy for
For thethedevelopfor it.
it. Forfirst
first fewminutes
few minutes they
theyareare absolutely
absolutely alarmed
alarmed at
atwhat they
they areare seeing,
seeing, they
theydon't
don'tunderstandunderstand it,
it,
what
but
but there's
there's one
one point
point when
when itit breaks
breaks out
out andandpeoplepeople realise
realise what
what it
it isis allallabout.
about.
1
—
i
M
1
"It's
"It's notnot honest,
honest, really,
really, but
but thenthen I've
I've never
never
E
.B J
been
been aa let-it-all-hang-out
let -it -all -hang- outentertainer.
entertainer. One
One
thing
for a
thing II do
do isisfabricate
fabricate aa personality
personalityfor
a stage.
stage.
R
1
wasnevernever aarock'n'roll
rock'n'roll singer.
singer. II was
was clumsy
clumsy as
as
IIwas
a
singer, but
but I
I do
a rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll singer,
do havehave aa certain
certainE
penchant for
fabricating aacharactercharacter andandpenchant
for fabricating
portraying
feeling.
portraying aa cold,
cold, unemotional
unemotional feeling.
"I'm"I'm still
still giving
giving them
them aa persona,persona, but
but thatthat
personaout thereis possibly
persona out
there ispossibly anan exaggeration
exaggerationofof allallthethe things
things I!feelfeelabout
about me.
me. Maybe
Maybe it's
it's somesome
aspectof meblown-up
aspect ofme as
as aa person
person blown-up toto lifesize.
lifesize.
Alot ofofthe
theotherothercharacterscharacters were
were blow-ups
blow-ups ofof
Alototherrock'n'rollersthatlsawaround.I'mmore
other rock'n'rollers that I saw around. I'm more
approachable onstage
onstage this
this time
time around,around, unlike
unlikeapproachable
thethe last
last time
time when
when thethe charactercharacter II played
played waswasaaparanoid
paranoid refugee
refugee ofof NewYork
New York City.
City.That
That was
was
about
ofa
about thethe collapse
collapse ofa majormajor city
cityandand IIthinkthink
II waswasright
right totobe
beremote,
remote, don't
don't you?"you?"agreed. But
Butwaswasititnecessary
necessarynot
II agreed.
not eveneven totoItC/l
acknowledgeof theacknowledge thethe presence
presence of
the audienceaudience
davidbowie
or hisor
his group?
group?
TVC15"Oh
was inin a"Oh yes.
yes.That
That charactercharacter wasa world
world ofof
WE ARE THE DEAD
his own.
own. This
This time
time II at
at least
least saysay 'good'good
hisevening'
to thepeople.
evening' tothe people. Nowyou
Nowyou knowthat
know that
I'm not
not thethe warmest
warmest performer
performer onon stage,stage, andandI'm
II neverbecauseII feel
feelnever have
have been,
been, butbut that's
that's because
too shy
shy about
about talking
talking toto people
people onstage.
onstage. I've
I've
too
never
on stage.
never felt
felt comfortablecomfortable talking
talking on
stage. With
With
Diamond Dogs
Diamond
Dogs II eveneven wanted
wanted toto havehave thetheMay
May 2,1976:
2,1976: Bowie
Bowie
arriveson
arrivesonthe
the boatboat train
train
band
in an
band inan orchestra
orchestra pit.
pit.
at
at London's
London'sVictoria
Victoria"If everever1Ihave
havethetheaudacity
audacity to
to dodoaaDiamondDiamond"If
Stationhails his
Station andandhailshis
fansfromthebackof
Dogs Tour again, IIthinkl
DogsTouragain,
think! know
know howl
how I would
would
fansfromtheback ofaa black
blackMercedes600
Mercedes600
do it,
it, andandII will
will dodo ititproperly
properlybbecause
ecause ofofdoeverything
I've learned
over thethe past
past few
few
everything I've
learned overwithmakingit
it attime. I
I wanted
use anewwith this
this tour
tour andand enjoy
enjoymaking
at thethe samesame time.
wanted toto useanew
years. You
know, unlessunless you
you makemake some
some bigbig mistakes
mistakes you
you areare never
never going
going
years.
You know,kindthe most
tokind ofof staging,staging,andand IIthink
thinkthisthisstaging
staging will
willbecome
becomeone
oneof
ofthe
most
to grow,
grow, you've
you've got
gotto
tomakemakemistakes.
mistakes. I've
I've mademade one
one aa week,
week, andand ifyou
ifyou
importantimportant ever.
ever. It
It will
will affectaffect every
everykind
kind ofof rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll act
act fromfrom now
now on,on,
don't
don't makemake them
them then
then you
you won't
won't become
become aa self-invented
self -invented man.
man. I've
I've got
got totobecauseit's thethe most
most stabilised
stabilisedmove
move that
thatI've
I've ever
ever seenlearn
the charactercharacterthat
thatII am
am clawing
clawing the
because it's
seen inin rock'n'roll.
rock'n'roll.
learn toto makemake mistakes
mistakes toto understandunderstand thethe"I've reverted
reverted toto purepure Brechtian
Brechtian theatre,
theatre, andand I'venever seen
seen Brechtian
Brechtian
air for.
for.People
Peoplelike
likewatching
watchingpeople
peoplewho
whomakemakemistakes,
mistakes, but
but they
they preferprefer
"I've
I've never
airtheatreused like
like thiswatching
who survives
his mistakes.
To makein life,watching aa man
man whosurvives his
mistakes. To
make aa mistaketheatre used
this since
since Morrison
Morrison andThe
and The Doors,
Doors, andand eveneven then
thenmistake inlife, andandMorrisonneverusedusedwhite
whitelight
lightlike
like I
I do.
Morrison neverdo.
survive it,
the biggest
all.
surviveit, isis thebiggest kick
kick ofof all.
"I
it looks
version of"The"I think
think itlooks like
like aa corrupted"The so-calledso-called rebel
rebel figures
figures arecorrupted versionof thethe '30s'30sGerman
German theatre,
theatre,are not
not popular
popular because
because they're
they're rebels,
rebels, butbutwhat with
with thethe waistcoat,
waistcoat, which
which has
has always
always been
been aa favourite
favourite with
with me.
me. II
becausemade mistakes
mistakes andand got
got overover them.
them. II think
think audiencesaudiences go
go to
to
what
because they've
they've madeshouldhave hadrockand thethe artist
artistisis theone whoshould have
had aa watch-chain
watch -chain toto makemake itit perfect.
perfect. I'm
I'm trying
trying toto putput overoverrock concerts
concerts toto obtain
obtain information
information andthe onewho provides
providesthethe idea
idea ofofthe
theEuropean
European movement
movement with
with thethe DaliDalifilm
film [before[before he
he arrives
arrivesthat information.
that
information. II don't
don't know
knowwhatwhat thethe information
informationis,
is, but
but itit isissomething
somethingon
Buhuel film,
Un Chientoto do
do withwith survival.
survival. I'm
I'm sure
sure thatthat aa rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll
on stage,stage, thethe Dalf-Luis
Dali-Luis Buriuelfilm, Un
Chien
Andaiou, isis shown]
shown] andand playing
playing Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
singer has
has something
something to
do withwith survival,
survival, andandAndalou,
singer
to do
-r
over
I'd like
like tothat
the music,
music,
over thethe speakers.
speakers. I'd
to getget mymyhands
hands ononthat survival
survival instinct
instinct transcends
transcends thethe newEno
new Eno album
album toplay, actually.
actually. IIthink
think
the words
words andand everything
everything else."theto play,theelse."
side
It
Bowie
side one
one isisabsolutely
absolutely fabulous."
fabulous."
It wasn't
wasn't long
long ago,
ago,IImentioned,
mentioned, thatthat Bowie
His sets
sets changechange fromfrom night
night toto night
night but
but allallstated hewasn't going
to tourtour again.
again. HeHe
Hisstatedhe wasn't
going tothe
To Station
shrugged.
"Oh yes,yes, II did,the songs
songs fromfrom Station
Station To
Station areare played,
played,shrugged. "Oh
did,but
but!I don't
don't feel
feel that
that
alongwithalong
with half
half aa dozen
dozen songs
songs fromfrom Bowie's
Bowie'sway
way now.
now. 1I love
love it.
it.TheTheotherother tours
tours were
were misery,
misery,past.
Bowie says
as loosesoof people
past. Bowie
says he's
he's never
never been
been asloose onon
so painful.
painful. II had
had amazing
amazing amounts
amounts ofpeoplestage since
since thethe early
days ofof thethe Spiders,
Spiders, andandon thethe roadroad with
with me.
me. IIhad
hadaamanagement
management
stage
early dayson
he's
systemwhat itit washe's enjoyingthe
enjoying the experience.
experience. Despite
Despite hishissystem thatthat had
had nono ideaideawhat
was doing
doing and
andappearance on-severeand formal
formal -was totally
totally self-interested
self -interestedand
andpompous.
pompous. They
They
appearance
on stagestage severe andwashe"Thin Whitenever
the people
people onon thethe road,road, soso I
1never dealt
dealt with
with thehe denies
denies he's
he's thethe "Thin
White Duke"
Duke"referredreferredto onon thethe album.
album. It's
It's someone
someone else
else andand hehe
was getting
getting all
all those
those problems.
problems.
to
was
won't
who.
"I
"Iwas
wasgetting
getting all
allthetheproblems
problems every
every night.
night.
won't saysaywho.
Tenor 15
15 people
II asked
asked which
which ofof thethe old
old songs
songs hehe still
still liked
liked totoTenor
people would
would bebe comingcoming toto seesee memesing.
Genie' isis aa gas.
andand laying
laying their
their problems
problems on
on me
me because
because thethesing. "I"Ithink
think 'Jean'Jean Genie'gas. II likelikethat
thatone. II still
still love
love'Changes'.
'Changes'.All
still dodomanagement couldn't
one.
All thethe songs
songs II stillmanagement
couldn'tor
orwouldn't
wouldn't deal
deal with
with it.
it.
II still
Years' orFor
stilllike,
like,but
butI'mI'mnotnotdoing
doing 'Golden`GoldenYears'or
For meme touring
touring was
was nono fun,fun, nono funfun atat all.
all. They
They'Space Oddity'.
Oddity'. I've
I've really
really been
been very
very radical
radical forforwere little
little problems,
problems, but
but totoeacheachindividual
individual'Spacewere
this showand I won't do any hits for the sake of1

WorldMags.net
16
I HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976
16 HISTORYDAVIDDAVID BOWIE
BOWIEWorldMags.net
theywere important. I understood all their problems but I couldn't copewith them all, so the two major tours I did were horrendous experiences.
I hated every minute of them, so I used to say I'd never tour again. Then I
would be talked into doing it again to make somebody some money.
"This time, though, I will be touring again.
We've got it down to a sensible number and it
works. It's the most efficient tour I've been on,
and I can truthfully say it's the most efficient
tour I've seen. Everybody on this tour is in a
wonderful mood, and we're well through half
the tour. This time no one comes to me withproblems, so we get together as people instead,and I actuallyfind I'm spending time with theband, which is rare. I've actually written on theroad this time. The band and I have written three
things and I've never been able to do that before.
"If I'm in charge I'll tour again, whereas before
I always thought there was somebody better atdoing this kind of thing. It wasn't until Lennon
pointed it out to me that I realised maybe theartist is as good at managing as anybody else. It was John that sorted meout all the way down the line. He took me on one side, sat down, and told
me what it was all about, and I realised I was very naive. I still thoughtyou
had to have somebody else who dealt with these things called contracts,
but now I have a better understanding of showbusiness business."
And the right-wing politics I had read about? "Oh, that was just bullshit,
something! said off the cuff. Some paper wanted me to say sorneth ing"It's all verywell being number -one protest kid for awhile, but you havewith them all, so the two major tours 1 did were horrendous experiences.
toust protesting
to consider
consider whether
whether you
you areare jjustprotesting toto stay
stay aroundaround oror whether
whether youyou
I hated every minute of them, so I used to say I'd never tour again. Then I
reallyto protest.
be atreally mean
mean toprotest. If
If that's
that's thethe casecase you
you won't
won't beat thethe top
top ofof thethe hithit
parade all
the time,time, but
but ififyou
think yourelsewhere you'll
you'llwould be talked into doing it again to make somebody some money.
paradeall theyou thinkyour protest
protest lies
lies elsewhere"This time, though, I will be touring again.
changechange horses
horses andand quickly
quickly earn
earn some
some money
money
out
of thethe businessbusiness you
you areare good
good at.
at.That's
That's what
what
We've got it down to a sensible number and itout ofworks. It's the most efficient tour I've been on,
I'mnow, butI'll only
I'm doing
doing now,
but I'll
only do
do it
it if
ifI'm
I'menjoying
enjoying'A
lotof people
and lean truthfully say it's the most efficientthethe stuff
stuff thatthat I'm
I'm doing.
doing.
tour I've seen. Everybody on this tour is in a
"I'm
tour, so"I'm enjoying
enjoying this
this tour,
so I'llI'll dodo somesome more
more
wonderful mood, and we're well through half
tours.
tours. Albums?
Albums? I'll makemake some
some commercial
commercial
suggestall
the tour. This time no one comes to me with
albumsand I'll
albums andI'll makemake some
some albums
albums thatthat
possibly aren't
aren't as
as commercial.
commercial. I'll
I'll probably
probably
problems, so we get together as people instead,possibly
andlactuallyfindl'mspendingtimewiththe
keepproviding myself
myselfwith
keep alternating,alternating, providing
with aa hit
hit
kinds
of
album tomake thedo thethe next
next album,
album,
band, which is rare. I've actually written on thealbum
to makethe money
money toto doroad this time. The band and I have written threewhich
won'tsellsellasas well."well."
which probably
probablywon't
thingstosay,things and I've never been able to do that before.
At
Atthatthat point
point Bowie
Bowiewanted
wanted toto finish,finish, but
but somesome"If I'm in charge I'll tour again, whereas before
quick
quick probing
probing revealed
revealed thatthat hehe hashas completedcompletedA?
I always thought there was somebody better atan("without vocals
vocals that
an electronic
electronic album
album ("withoutthat you'd
you'd
and
I
do
doingthiskindofthing. It wasn't until Lennon
recognise").
Also, herecognise"). Also,
he still
still has
hasplans
plans totoproduce
producea recordrecord with
with Iggy
Iggy Pop,
Pop, who
whowaswasat
atthe
the hotel
hotel andandpointed it out to me that I realised maybe theaartist is as good at managing as anybody else. It was John that sorted meseemed("I'm alad. II lookseemed inin muchmuch better
better healthhealth than
than usual
usual ("I'ma goodgoo dlad.
look after
after
him"
- Bowie).
Bowie) And
And exactly
exactly thethe samesame show
showwillbe comingcoming toto London,
London,out all the way down the line. He took me on one side, sat down, and toldhim" will bethey were important. I understood all their problems but I couldn't cope

"It's all very well beingnumber-one protest kid for a while, butyouhave`_A lot of peoplesuggest allkinds ofthings to say,and I do"me what it was all about, and I realised I was very naive. I still thoughtyou.

though probablywith some additional numbers.
though probably with some additional numbers.

had to have somebody else who dealt with these things called contracts,
but nowl have a better understanding of showbusiness business."

And the right-wing politics I had read about? "Oh, that was just bullshit,

somethingl said offthe cuff. Some paperwanted me to say something

and I didn't have much to say, so I made things up. They took it all in."Why
to live
live inWhy hadhad hehe chosenchosen toin thethe US
USfor
forthethepastpastthreeyears?
three years?
"Because II didn't
didn't have
have any
any money
money toget out.
out. IIwas
wastold
told!I couldn't
couldn't gogo backback"Because
to gettoto England
England because
because II had
hadtaxtaxproblems
problemsthere
there andand didn't
didn't have
have thethe moneymoney
to payto
pay them,
them, but
but now
now II do,do, sosoI'm
I'mgoing
goingback.
back.Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, I'm
I'm going
going totohave
I wantto
tokeepkeepmymymoney.
money.I'd
I'd like
like tohave toto liveliveininSwitzerland,
Switzerland, because
because !wantto
live
live inin England
England because
because I1 don't
don't like
like America
America at
at all
all asas aa place
place toto live,
live, except
exceptmaybe
NewMexico.
maybe New
Mexico. IIhaven't
haven't lived
livedproperly
properly inin America.
America. I've
I've been
been here
here
but !I haven't
haven't lived.
I've been
been inin LosLosAngeles,
Angeles,coping
coping with
with aa town
town thatthat 1I
but
lived. I've
considerI'dconsider toto bebe thethe most
most repulsive
repulsive wart
wart onon thethe backsidebackside ofof humanity.
humanity. I'dratherhere inin Detroit
Detroit than
than inrather live
live here
in LosAngeles."Los Angeles."Bowie
Bewlay Brothers
Bowie has
has formed
formed his
his own
own film
filmproduction
production company,
company, Bewlay
Brothers
Ltd,
Ltd,whichwhichwill
willhandle
handle his
hismovie
moviebusinessbusiness inin thethe future
future and,
and, hehe hopes,
hopes,
produce films
itsown,own,especially
especiallyfilms
filmsofofartistic,
artistic,rather
ratherthan
than
producefilms ofof itscommercial,
merit. He
He plansin rockcommercial, merit.
plans onon sinking
sinking his
his money
money earned
earned inrock into
into the
the
film
as a
film company.
company. "I've"I'vebeen
been trained
trained inin aa career
career asa rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll singer
singer andandII now
well. Therefore,
nowseeseethatthat IIdo
dothatthatvery
verywell.
Therefore, like
like any
any good
good chapchap
who haswho
has aa career,
career, II should
should utilise
utilise my
my talents
talents andand thethe training
training
that
I've gotmake somesomemoney
moneyout
out
it. You
You havethat I've
got andand make
ofofit.
have toto ownown
up toto thatthat after
after while.
while.
upand I didn't have much to say, so I made things up. They took it all in."Mayi130976:aftera
May 18,1976: after ashow atthe Pavillon De
Paris,Bowieand
Paris, Bowie andDutch
Dutch
itcabaret
cabaret star
star Romy
Rolm' Haag
Haag
' celebratecelebrate thethe endend ofofglitter queens, maybe.

glitter queens, maybe.

"You know the funniest thing of all," he continued, talking like aconspirator, "I'dheard of
Lou Reed
Reeduntil
until somebody
somebody said
said mymy stuff
stuff
conspirator,"I'd never
never heardof Louwasby him.So
So whenwhen I
I heardthat, II started
saying itit myself,
was influenced
influenced byhim.
heard that,started saying
myself,that mymy songs
songs were
were influenced
influenced byReed. ItItseemed
seemedthe
the obvious
obvious thing
thing
that
by LouLou Reed.
toin Lou.
Lou. Theto say,say,andandthat's
that's when
when IIstarted
started getting
getting interested
interested in
The samesame with
with
Iggy.ItItwasn't
Iggy.
wasn'tuntil
untilpeople
people told
told meme mymymusic
musicwaswasvery
verysort
sortofofDetroity
Detroitythat
thatI
to discoverdiscover Iggy
Iggy PopI happened
happened to
Pop andand thethe Stooges.
Stooges. IIthought,
thought, 'What'What aa great
great
name', andheard them,used toto telltelleverybody
everybodywho
name',
and althoughalthough I'd
I'd never
never heard
them, I
I usedwho
askedthat I
I likedlot. Then
to meeting
Iggy, butitasked that
liked them
them aa lot,
Then II got
gotaroundaround tomeeting Iggy,
but it"You know the funniest thing of all," he continued, talking like a

wasn't until months later that I actuallyheard anything he'dwritten.
wasn't until months later that I act ually heard anything he'd written.

"It's marvellous. Alot of people provide me with quotes. They suggest allkinds ofthings toto saysay andand II do,do, because,
because, really,
really, I'm
I'm not
not veryveryhip
at all.
all. Then
Then
kinds
of things
hip atI
I gogoawayawayandandspout
spout ititall
alloutoutandandthatthat makes
makes
it
it easiereasier for
forpeople
people toto classify
classify me.
me. People
Peopledissectdissect thethe songs
songs andand saysaythat's
that's influenced
influenced
W&ft
by someone
someone oror other,other, but
but IIdon't
don't know
know
bywhetherwhether I'm
I'm influenced.
influenced.
All
AllII know
know isis I'mI'mt/ea}4
drinking
enjoying myself."myself."drinking aa beer
beer andand enjoyingWithforWith thatthat Bowie
Bowie retired
retired to
to bebe made-up
made-up for"It's marvellous. A lot of people provide me with quotes. They suggest all

DAVID

showatthePavillonDe

J.

S AA
PARTINGshot
I askedDavid
AS
PARTINGshot
I askedDavidwhether
whetherhehestilI
stillprofessed
professed totobeshock. "Oh"Oh Lord,
Lord, no.
no. Positively
be bisexual.
bisexual. Momentary
Momentary shock.
Positively not.
not.
A
That was
was just
just aa lie.
lie. They
They gave
gave meme thatthat image,so II stuck
stuck to
to it
it
That
image, soprettywell forfor a
pretty wella few
fewyears.
years.IInever
neveradopted
adopted thatthat stance.
stance. ItIt was
was givengiven totome. I'veme.
I've never
never done
done aa bisexual
bisexual action
action inin mymy life,life, onstage,
onstage, record
record oror
anywhere
else. II don't
don't think
thinkII evenevenhadhada
agay
gay following
following much.
much. AA few
anywhere else.
few

DAVID

BOWIE

eyeliner to accentuate his features, andplenty of water to keep the hair in place.
The
The concert
concert was
was aa huge
hugesuccess,success,capped
cappedwithwith aa couple
couple ofofencores,
encores,andand pretty
pretty muchmuch
thethe samesame asas hashas been
been described
described inin detaildetail inin
RC/I
previous issues
issues ofofMM.Allthe materialmaterial fromfromprevious
MM. All the
StationTo Station
Station To
Stationwas
wasaired,
aired,alongwith
alongwithchoice selections
selections like
"Changes", "Fame","Fame",
choicelike "Changes","Jean"Jean Genie",
Genie","Diamond"Diamond Dogs"
Dogs"and,
and, most
most
appropriately,
appropriately, "Panic"Panic In
In Detroit".
Detroit". The
The highlighthighlight
was"Five Years",
was definitely
definitely "FiveYears",though,though,which
whichsoared toto aa climax
climax as
asthe
thebandband poured
poured onlayerssoaredon layersofpower chords
Bowie's agonised
ofpowerchords behindbehind Bowie's
agonised vocals.
vocals,Dressed inblack pants,
pants, waistcoat
waistcoat andcrisp
Dressedin blackand aa crisp
white
Bowie still
white shirt,
shirt, Bowie
still seemed
seemed cold
cold andand formal,
formal,but towards
towards thethe endend hehe loosenedloosened up,
up, grinning
grinning
butandand flashingasides,
flashing asides, casuallycasually smoking
smoking Gitanes,
Gitanes,and playing
andplaying deliberately
deliberately toto thethe front
front rows
rows which,which,
becauseof theof bright
bright whitebecause of
the abundanceabundance ofwhite lights,
lights,were asas illuminatedilluminated as
the stage.
stage.
wereas theA
It's hard
Apicture
picture ofofhealth
health andand happiness.
happiness. It's
hard totothe lsolarworld tour
atL'AlcazarClub
at L'AlcazarClub

BOWIE

the Isolarworldtour

V

/

a

A

■Sf

the evening's concert-just alight dab ofeyeliner to accentuate his features, andthe evening's concert-just a light dab ofplenty of water to keep the hair in place.

WCbelieve. Chris Chariesworth 0

believe. Chris Charlesworth •WorldMags.net

I

\

17

HISTORYHISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976 I 17

fcr-j

1976

WorldMags.net
RCN

mum -^2.

`Just a hobbyr"
ABBA, a pop cottage industry,

a pop cottage industry

from Sweden, have triumphed at
Eurovision, but Britain is initiallyhostile. "Normally a group like us
doesn't make good albums,"
reckons Bjorn Ulvaeus, "and that's
probably what frightens people off."from

Sweden,Eurovision,

hostile.

have triumphed at

but

Britain

is initiallya\"Normally a group like us

doesn't make good albums,"

reckons

Bjdrn

Ulvaeus,"and that's

probably what frightens people off."

411111411110106-411111111p
JANUARY 31

JANUARY 31

HINGE WERE SO bad in Scandinavia, an MM

THINGS WERE SO bad in Scandinavia, an MM

reader there informed us some months ago, thatreader there informed us some months ago, that

ABBA were regarded as a progressive rock band.
ABBA, the pride of the Continent, can afford toscoff at such cynicism, for while they have nopretensions about being a rock band, worldreaction to their music during the past year has earned them anaura of respectability from many hitherto sceptical quarters.
They've been in the MMsingles chart twice in the past fourmonths, first with "SOS" and currentlywith "Mamma Mia",
two magnificent pop tunes; they've had four hit singles in th
States° charts, two of them Top 10- ers; they've had hit after
hit across the Continent; and down under inAustralia,
three of their singles are in the Top 10: "Mamma Mia"

ABBA were regarded as a progressive rock band.
ABBA, the pride of the Continent, can afford toscoff at such cynicism, for while they have nopretensions about being a rock band, worldreaction to their music during the past year has earned them anaura of respectability from many hitherto sceptical quarters.
They've been in the MMsingles chart twice in the past fourmonths, first with "SOS" and currently with "Mamma Mia":

two magnificent pop tunes; they've had four hit singles in th&.

States' charts, two of them Top 10 - ers; they've had hit after
hit across the Continent; and down under in Australia,
three of their singles are in the Top 10: "Mamma Mia"

at No 1, "SOS" atNo 2 and "I Do, I Do, I Do..." at No 6.

at No 1, "SOS" atNo 2 and "I Do, I Do, I Do..." at No 6.

ABBA,
youwillwillrecall,recall,first
firstcame
cametotoprominence
prominence
ABBA, youduringApril 1974, when
won theduring Apri11974,
when tthey
hey wonthe Eurovision
EurovisionSong Contest
Contest with
with thethe self-penned
self -penned "Waterloo".
"Waterloo".
Song
Since
in thethe rest
rest ofof Europe
Since then,then, their
their stature
stature inEurope has
has
grown phenomenally,
phenomenally, but
but Britain
Britain has
has lagged
laggedgrown
behind,behind, rejecting
rejecting their
their productproduct with
with aa
vengeance. Until
last year,
year, when
when thethevengeance.
Until last
breakthrough was
breakthroughwas made.
made.
While
wewerewerehumming
humming
While weand hawing over how
ABBAshould bebe
ABBA should'

approached, theband played it cool,WorldMags.net

18
18 I IHISTORYHISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976

WorldMags.net

r

r

1

t

w

ABBA:(I-r)Bjorn
Alvaeus,Agnetha
Alvaeus,Agnetha
Faltskog.AnniRiltskag,AnniFridLyngstad,
FridLyngstad,
ABBA:(l-r)Bjbrn

Benny Andersson

Benny Andersson

WorldMags.net
HISTORY
197u
I V,
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK\ 1976

L.

WorldMags.net

ctober19,1976 (aired
February.4,1977):ABBA
appearon ThelvfidnightSpecial, NBC's late -I nightmusicalvariety
show, California,USA

ignored our disregard and stayed home in Sweden, confident that, sooner
or later, Britain would come alive to their talent.
And at home they're their own bosses, have their own record label,
write, produce and play their own material and make a little fortune. The
two male members of the band, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus,
produce six ofthe artists on their Polar Music label, while the girls, AnniFrid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog, pass the time away fromABBA bysupervising dancing and singing lessons.
ignored our disregard and stayed home in Sweden, confident that, sooner
or later, Britain would come alive to their talent.

And at home they're their own bosses, have their own record label,

write, produce and play their own material and make a little fortune. The
two male members of the band, Benny Andersson and Bjdrn Ulvaeus,

produce six of the artists on their Polar Music label, while the girls, AnniFrid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog, pass the time away from ABBA bysupervising dancing and singing lessons.

"In a lot of ways, ABBA is just a hobbyfor us," said Benny. "We've had to"In a lot of ways, ABBA is just a hobby for us," said Benny. "We've had tospend more and more time with the group as it has become so successful.
We're ourour own
own bosses.
Our existence
existence doesn't
doesn't depend
being aa
We'rebosses. OurdependanABBA
on ABBA being
success,
whichisis lucky.
lucky. Most
have toto travel
travel to
to makemakea
aliving.
We
success, which
Most groups
groups haveliving. We
don't have
don't
have thatthat pressurepressure on
on us,
us, soso we
we cancan dodo whatwhat we
we want
want toto do.
do.
"The
has been
been aa mostmost difficult
difficultmarket
marketfor
forus.
us. We've
We've"The thing
thing isis thatthat England
England has
had hits
hits inin Europe,
Europe, America
America andandAustralia,
only Britain
Britain has
has been
been
had
Australia, but
but only
reluctant.
don't knowwhy.
know why. II think
thinkthetheproblem
problemwas
wasto
toget
get rid
rid ofof thereluctant. II don't
theEurovision
andat
atlastlast we
we seemEurovision reputation,
reputation, andseem toto havehave done
done that."that."
Despiteall thethough,ABBA
ABBA areDespite all
the hits,
hits, though,aredesperate
desperate now
now toto getgetrecognised
recognisedas anan albums
albums band,
band, andand can't
can't understandunderstand whytheyhave
achieved
aswhy they havenot
notyetyet achieved
that
whenoneoneconsiders
considers thatthat many
many ofof theirthat ambition-especiallyambition-especially when
their recent
recentsinglessingles were
were taken
taken fromfrom one
one album,
album, their
theirsecond,second,ABBA.
ABM.
"The
of everything
everythingwe
we do,"
do," Benny"The singles
singles aren't
aren't really
really representative
representative of
Bennyadded. "What
I wishwish isisthat
thatwewecould
couldbecome
becomeananalbums
albums band.
band. The
The
added.
"What I
albumshavea
a lot
lot moremore toto givejust aa single.
albums have
give than
than justsingle. We
We agreeagree thatthat we
we writewrite
quite simple
simple songs,
songs, but
but they're
they're catchy
effort put
put into
into thethequitecatchy andandthere's
there'sa
alot
lot ofof effort
arrangements.
Theonly
onlything
thing
getexposure
exposure
single.You
You see,arrangements. The
totogetisisaasingle.
see,normally aa group
group like
like usus doesn't
doesn't makemake good
good albums,
albums, andand that's
that's probably
probablynormallywhatfrightenspeople
peopleoff.
off.But
Butwe
we go
go in
try toto record
10 very
what frightens
in andand try
record 10
very good
good
singlessingles forfor anan album.
album. People
People don't
don't notice
notice that.
that.
"It's
usthatthat
wehavehaveaaNo
No 1
1 single.
is"It's notnot really
really important
important totous
wesingle. What
What isimportant isis thatand like
like what
what
important
thatpeople
peoplesit
sit andandlistenlistento
to thethe music
musicwe
we play
play andspend more and more time with the group as it has become so successful.

they hear." HarryDoherty

they hear." HarryDoherty-. MELODY MAKER MAY 22— MELODY MAKER

MY 22 —AS IT WAS Stockholm, and as the ever -witty lOcc were playing

AS IT WAS Stockholm, and as the ever-witty lOcc were playing

there, Eric Stewart thought it'd be nice to pay a little tribute toa Swedish group and hammered out a few bars of "MammaMia". The audience, fearing that it would be beneath their dignity to
acknowledge publicly the importance of this home-grown sound andgroup, whistled and howled at the gesture.
there, Eric Stewart thought it'd be nice to pay a little tribute toa Swedish group and hammered out a few bars of "MammaMia". The audience, fearing that it would be beneath their dignity to

acknowledge publicly the importance of this home-grown sound andgroup, whistled and howled at the gesture.

"C'mon," Stewart pleaded, "you should be proud of this." The audience,forweren't.ABBA
ABBA arefor somesome strange
strange reason,
reason, weren't.
arethethecurrent
current kings
kings ofof Euro-pop,
Euro-pop,
but
their involvement
involvement with
with thethe Eurovision
Eurovision SongSong Contest
Contest has
has mademade many
many
but their
loath
they have
have something
positiveto
to offer.
offer.
loath toto accept
accept thatthat theysomething positive
Without
Without Eurovision,
Eurovision, thethe worldworld might
might never
never have
have heard
heard ofABBA,
of ABBA,
though it
it isthoughisgenerally
generallyaccepted
acceptedthat
that there
there isisgenuine
genuinetalenttalentwithin
within their
theirranks: aa talenttalent forforwriting
writing good
goodpoppopsongs
songsand
andrecording
recordingand
andperforming
performing
ranks:
them, always
them,
always maintaining
maintaining an
an incredibly
incredibly highhigh standard.
standard.
There areare aathousand
thousand other
other pop
pop groups
groupson
onthe
theContinentContinentthat
thatwe're
There
we're
never
never going
going toto hearhear of,of,butbutrecently
recently Euro-pop
Euro-pop has
has been
been playing
playing aa more
more
important part
bands andand artists
artists areare starting
starting toto creep
creep
importantpartinin music.
music. Suddenly,
Suddenly, bands
intoand British
British charts.
charts.ABBA,
ABBA, though
into American
American andthough they
they dodo notnotattachattach any
anysignificancesignificance toto thethe fact
fact thatthat they
they areare Continental,
Continental, would
would seem
seem toto havehave
openedthe door
door thatthat gives
gives otheracts aa platform
to thethe world.
opened theother European
European acts
platform toworld.
From Germany,
Germany, theSilver Convention
Convention owes
owes asas muchmuch toto British
BritishFrom
the music
music ofof SilverandAmericanmusic
musicas
ABBA does.
UnlikeABBA,
ABBA, whoand Americanas ABBA
does. Unlike
who relyrelyononthe
the poppop
influences, Silver
Convention lookto thethe disco-souldisco- soulsound,sound, andand it's
it's with
with
influences,
Silver Convention
look tothat
they've achievedachieveda
a successsuccess thatthatisis almostalmostequallingABBA's.
equalling ABBA's.
that they've
They've had
had hithit albums
albums andand singles
in thethe States
States andand Britain,
Britain, thethe most
most
They've
singles inrecentthe infectious
infectiouschugalongchugalong"GetUp
UpAnd
And Boogie".
Boogie". The
recent being
being the"Get
The groupgroup waswasformed byproducer
formedby producerMichaelMichaelKunze
Kunzeatatthe
theendendof
of'74,
74, comprising
comprising ofof Ramona
RamonaWulf,
Wulf, Linda
LindaGGThompson
Thompsonand
and Jackie
JackieCarter.
Carter.Soon
Soonafterwards,
afterwards, Penny
Penny
McLean tookthe
tookthe place
place ofofCarterand after
after anan appearance
appearance the
McLeanCarter andthe following
following
year
year at
at thethe Midem
Midem Festival,
Festival, thethe group'sgroup's successsuccess took
took off
offinternationally.
internationally.
Theirfirst single,"Save Me",
Their firstsingle, "SaveMe",aaminor
minorhithitin
inBritain,
Britain, scoredscored inin 4343otherothercountries,
including thethe lucrativeAmeric
lucrative Americancountries, including
an market.
market. The
The second
second single
singlereinforced this
"Fly
Robin
reinforced
this breakthrough.
breakthrough.
"Fly
RobinFly"
Fly" went
went toto thethe top
top oftheof the US
USchartsbut again
again merely
merely scratchedscratchedthe
theBritish
Britishsurface.
surface."Get"Get UpUp Andcharts but
And
Boogie" brought
Boogie"brought down
down all
all thethe barriers.
barriers.
Thenbeen acclaimed
Then there's
there's Demis
Demis Roussos,
Roussos,who
whohashasjustjustrecently
recentlybeen
acclaimed ininBritain. In
In fouryears,Roussos,anEgyptianbornofGreek
four years, Roussos, an Egyptian born of Greekparents
who
Britain.
parents who
hasmostofof hishis life
has spent
spent mostlife inin Greece,
Greece, has
has soldsoldmoremore than
than six
six million
millionalbums.A
former member
member ofAphrodite's
he hashas reachedreached thethe stage
stage
albums.
A formerof Aphrodite's Child,Child, henow
play ain thenow where
where hehe could
could comfortably
comfortably playa string
string ofof concerts
concerts in
the Royal
Royal
Albert FlailHall andand not
not worry
worry about
about filling
filling them.
them.
Albert"Moviestar","Moviestar", byHarpo,
by Harpo, also
also fromfrom Sweden,
Sweden,waswasreleased
releasedon
onthe
theContinentContinent
almostalmost ayear
a year ago.
ago. Amassivehitwhich
A massive hit which Britain
Britain rejected,
rejected, butwhichDick
but which Dick
James
James Music,
Music,hishisrecord
recordcompany
company here,
here,were
wereconfident
confidentwould
wouldeventually
eventually
make itand thethe record
picking up
up on
on
make
it andrecord came
came awake
awakeabout
aboutaamonthmonthago,
ago,DJs
DJs picking
the song
happens whenthe Beeb
Beeb picks
thesong andand playing
playing ititto
todeath.
death.As
Asusuallyusuallyhappens
when the
picks
up on
on aa record,
record, it
it waswas aahit.
hit. Harpo,
Harpo, too,
too, struck
struck aablowfor
blow for Europe.
Europe.
up"C'mon," Stewart pleaded, "you should be proud of this." The audience,

WorldMags.net
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976
20 HISTORY

20

WorldMags.net
From Holland, the George Baker Selection were set to followsu it until
man-about-pop
man -about -pop Jonathan
Jonathan KingKing decided
decided thatthat he'd
he'd record
record aa version
version ofof their
their
Continental
hit, '"Paloma"Paloma Blanca".
called it
it "UnaContinental hit,
Blanca". Jonathan
Jonathan called"Una Paloma
PalomaBlanca", put
put itit out
out onon hishis own
own UKlabel,
UK label,and,
and,presto,
presto,had
had aahit.
After ananBlanca",hit. Afterinteresting
strugglebetween
betweenthe
thetwotwoversions
versionsearly
earlyon,on, thethe George
George Baker
interesting struggle
Baker
Selection's original
original conceded
conceded defeat.
defeat.
Selection's
ButtheBut "Paloma"Paloma Blanca"
Blanca" waswasthethe group'sgroup's 16th
16thsingle.
single.Written
Writtenby
bythe
guitarist,
guitarist, singer
singerand
andproducer,
producer,Jans
JansBouwens,
Bouwens,it
itwas
wasNo
No 1
1 in
in Germany
Germany forfor
14
weeks andAustria, Switzerland,
Africa14weeks
and also
also went
wenttotothe
thetoptopininAustria,
Switzerland, SouthSouthAfrica
andand Italy,
Italy,positions
positions thethegroupgrouphas
hasbecomebecomeaccustomed
accustomed toto hitting.
hitting. Britain
Britainwould
but forfor ourwould have
have been
been aa nicenice addition
addition but
our Jonathan.
Jonathan.
And there
there areare thousands
thousands ofother Continental
Continental artists
massiveAndof otherartists who
who areare massive
there
the turmoil
there andand totally
totally anonymous
anonymous here.
here.Throughout
Throughouttheturmoil surrounding
surrounding
From Holland, the George Baker Selection were set to followsuit until

their currentworldwide success,ABBAremain quaintly unaffected andstayin the comfort oftheir suburban Stockholm homes. They refuse topursue the glamour that such success inevitably brings, and remember,their success ranges from America to Australia to Japan. Explains Bjorn
Ulvaeus: "There are alot of groups who tour the whole year round. 1 don't
their current worldwide success, ABBA remain quaintly unaffected andstay in thecomfort oftheir suburban Stockholm homes. They refuse topursue the glamour that such success inevitably brings, and remember,their success ranges from America to Australia to Japan. Explains Bjorn

Ulvaeus: "There are a lot of groups who tour the whole year round. I don't

know howthey do it. We couldn't. We couldn't live from hotel to hotel.
That would
would kill
us. WeWecouldn't
couldn't write
write songs
songs inin hotelhotel rooms."
rooms."
That
kill us.
"This
We can"This lifestyle
lifestyle suits
suits usus perfectly.
perfectly. We
can dodo whatwhat we
we want
want toto do
do andandoccasionallygo outout andand tourtour andand showshow people
people thatthat we're
we're real
real andandoccasionally we'll
we'll gothat
group. That
That isis onewe're not."not."that we're
we're notnot another
another factory
factorygroup.
one thing
thingwe're"This"This lifestyle"lifestyle" isiswhatwhat makes
makesAbba
Abba soso special.
special. If
If there
there isis suchsuch aa thing
thing asas"thesituation"forfora
a pop/rockpop /rockband
band
bein,
in,Abba
Abba arearecloseclose toto it.
it.
"the perfectperfect situation"
totobeThey
don't have
have toto tour
Theydon't
tour toto earn
earn success,success, having
having reachedreached thatthat magicalmagical state
state
where
where records
records sell
sell themselves.
themselves. They've
They've gottheir
got their own
own independent
independent
organisation inownrecord,
record,publishing
publishingorganisation
inSweden.
Sweden.Polar
PolarMusic
Music isABBA's
is ABBA's own
andrecord company
and promotion
promotion company
company ("The("Theonly
onlyrecord
companyiinn thethe worldworld that
that
doesn'trelease records,"
records," boasted
boasted Benny).
From there,
there, they
they plot
plot their
their
doesn't release
Benny). Fromstrategy,take care
care ofof business.
strategy, record
record their
their songs
songs andand generally
generallytake
business.
With theWith
the help
help ofof manager
manager Stig
Stig Anderson,
Anderson, ABBA
ABBA have
havebecome
become their
their
own bosses,
bosses, working
workingunderthem
own
under their
their own
own pressure.
pressure. Polar
Polar gives
gives theminvaluable
invaluable freedom.
freedom.
There's more
more tothan "thatband thatthat won
won thethe Eurovision".
Eurovision". Bjorn
Bjorn
There's
toABBA
ABBAthan"that band
andsongs forfor many
and Benny
Benny had
had been
been writing
writingsongs
many years
years before
before they
they teamed
teamed upup
withFrida (Anni-Frid)(Anni-Frid) Lynstad
Lynstad andand Anna
Anna Faltskog,
Faltskog, twowith girlfriends
girlfriends Frida
two
Scandinavian
beautieswho
who were
were also
also successful
solo artists.
Scandinavian beauties
successful solo
artists. They
They
agreed tohelp their
their boys
boys out
out inin thetheplans
plans forforworld
worlddomination.
domination.
agreedto help
Bjorn andBjorn
and Benny
Bennyhad
had taken
taken aa conscious
conscious decision
decision thatthat they
they would
would write
write
only
in English
English andAfteronlyinand desert,
desert, forfor thethemostmost part,
part, their
their native
native tongue.
tongue.After
workingfor aAnni-Frid, andworking fora timetime asas Bjorn
Bjorn&&Benny,
Benny,Agnetha
Agnetha&&Anni-Frid,
andappearing
appearingin thethe Eurovision
Eurovision SongSongContest
singing "Ring"Ring Ring"
Ring" (they(theyinContestasassuchsuchinin 1973
1973 singing
finished
third), thethe name
namewaswas changed
changedto
to thethe snappierABBA
snappier ABBA (theirfinished third),(theirinitials)
initials) forfor thethe competitioncompetition inin Brighton
Brighton thethe foliowingyear.
following year.
Theirsong waswas "Waterloo":"Waterloo"; andand while
while ourour own
Newton -John was
was
Their songown Olivia
Olivia Newton-Johncryingabout
notlikinghersong,"LongLivemarched totocryingabout
notlikinghersong,"Long LiveLove",
Love", ABBA
ABBA marched
victory.
victory. "We"Wewerewereawareawarethatthat 'Waterloo''Waterloo' waswas not
not aatypical
typical Eurovision
Eurovision
song,""A lot
was toosong," Bjorn
Bjorn recalled.
recalled. "Alotofpeopleof peopleconsidered
consideredthat
that ititwas
too rocky
rocky for
for
the
butit
it waswas thethe songsong we
we wanted
tosing.
sing. WeWe wanted
to be
the contest,
contest, butwanted towanted itit tobedifferent fromthe rest."
rest."
different
from theWhat
Abba didn't
realise waswas that
WhatAbba
didn't realisethat there
there waswas anan inbuilt
inbuilt scepticism
scepticism inin thetheminds ofminds
of thethe British
Britishtotoanything
anythingEurovision,
Eurovision,that
thatanything
anything on
on Eurovision,
Eurovision,nogood oror original,
was regarded
as superficial,to be
no mattermatter howhowgood
original, wasregarded assuperficial, tobeforgotten with
with Sunday
lunch theforgotten
Sunday lunch
the next
next day.
day.
"There"There seemed
seemed to
to bebe thisthis thing
thing inin England,"England," said.
said Ulvaeus,
Ulvaeus, "that"that
anything fromthat's one
theanything
fromthethe Eurovision
Eurovisionlacked
lacked credibility.
credibility. But
But that's
one ofof thethingswe're after.
after. We
that what
what wethings we're
We believe
believe thatthat we're
we're aa credible
credible group
group andand thatwe
do isisworthwhile."
worthwhile."do"Itwasn't
wasn'tfrustrating
frustrating trying
tryingto
knew thatthat ififwe"It
to overcome
overcome thethe problem.
problem. I
I knew
wejust kept
just
kept putting
putting out
out good
good singleswe'd
singles we'd makemakeitit in
in England
England sooner
sooneroror later.
later.
We
We hadhad to.
to. The
TheEnglish
English areare always
always onon thethe look-out
look -outfor
forsomething
something new,new,which isgood."
whichis good.""I"I think
think we're
we're contributing
contributing something
somethingpositive
positiveto
tomusic.
music.There
Thereisis aa lacklackof strongstrong melody,
melody, that's
that's what
what II think.
think. Ifyou
Ifyou look
look at
at thethe English
English chart,
chart, aaofmonth
ago there
were sooldies."month ago
there wereso many
rnanyoldies.""Isuppose
suppose thatthat ispart ofof thethe"Iis partContinental
tradition thatthatwewe have.
Continental tradition
have.
In
and Italy,
In places
places like
like France
France and.
Italy, they
they
love
love that.
that. It
It hashas totobebeaastrong
strong melody
melodyto getgetintointothethecharts.
charts.And
this isisto
And thismaybe
maybe something
something wewe cancan contributecontributeto English
English pop."
pop." HarryDoherty
Ham/Doherty•
toknow howthey do it. We couldn't. We couldn't live from hotel to hotel.

An ideal

An

ideal

Christmas

Christmas

present

present

MM DEC 4 ABBA's third keens it short and sweet.
MM

DEC 4 ABBA's third

keeps it short and sweet.

rriv-1 EPIC
EPIC
There
is no
There isno doubt
doubt thatthat ABBA
ABBA
areare thethe classiest
classiest pop
pop outfit
outfitaroundaround Europe
Europe at
at thethe moment.
moment.
Bjorn
Bjorn Ulvaeus
Ulvaeus andand Benny
Benny
Andersson
Andersson write
write snappy
snappycommercial
commercial tunes.
tunes. ABBA,
ABBA, andandin
vocalists Frida
Frida andin particularparticular vocalists
and
Anna,
Anna,strengthen
strengthen thethe identity
identity
withwith tighttight vocal
vocal interpretations,interpretations,backedbacked by
by aa cool
cool Continental
Continental
instrumental
sound.
instrumental sound.
That
That isthe
is the basebasefromfrom which
which
ABBA
ABBA operate,
operate, rarely
rarely venturing
venturingoutsideoutside strictlystrictly defined
defined terms
terms
ofof reference.
reference. A
A toe-tapping
toe -tappingtune,
tune, aa simple,
simple, sing-alongsing -along lyric.
lyric.
ShortandThat isis theShort and direct.
direct. That
the
ABBA
ABBA sound.
sound. That
That isisArrival.
Arrival.
Ironically,
Ironically, althoughalthough thethe album
album
isisinitially
initially impressive
impressive byby itsits
ABBA

Hits album, which has been in

ABBA

forthright andinnocent
innocent outoutand-out
and-out pop,
pop,
after
after aa while
while

Hits album, which has been in

the Mfrialbums chart for nearlyaa yearyear now.
now.
Whether
Whether oror notnot Ulvaeus
Ulvaeus andandAnderssondoAndersson insist
insistthatthey
that theydo
notnot work
work toto aaformula,formula,Arrival
Arrivalhasjoined
has joined its
itscompilationcompilationpredecessor
in thelO
predecessor in
the Top
Top10
the MMalbums chart for nearlybecause they stick close to theprovenproven mixture.
mixture. It's
It's obvious
obviousthatis thethat thethe major
major ingredientingredient isthemelody.
melody. The
The lyrics,
lyrics, which
whichborderbetween thethe naive
naive andborder between
and
bland
Dum Dum
bland (("DumDum Diddle"joins
Diddle" joins"Mamma"Mamma Mia"
Mia" inin thethe corniest
corniest
words
all time
stakes) arewords ofof alltime stakes)
are ofofsecondarysecondary importanceimportance toto
ABBA,
ABBA, probably
probably because
because they
theyhaven'thaven't mastered
mastered thethe finer
finer arts
arts
ofin song.
of thethe English
English language
language in
song.
It's
It's down
down toto thethe tunetune andand thethenuancenuance ofof thethebecause they stick close to the44

forthrightand

After a while, theAfter a while,the clinicalaspectaspect oftheof theconstruction
constructionofof an
an ABBA
ABBA
song
song becomes
becomesannoying.
annoying.

vocalstoclinical aspect of
the construction

carry thetheaspect of

constructionof an ABBA songof an

ABBA song

becomes annoying
becomesI've had thisvocals totheclinicalthe clinicaldistinctive
distinctive

I've had thisannoying

carry themessage.
Most
Most ofof
thesongs
the songs
areare standard
standard
ABBA
ABBA
stuff,
stuff, andandmessage.

consistently
good
good at
at that.
that.
"Dancing
Queen"was
was a
a hit
"Dancing Queen"
hitsingle,single, andand I'mI'm sure
sure othertracks
other tracks
will
will keep
keep ABBA
ABBA inin thosethose charts
chartsforthefor the next
next year,
year, principally
principally"Knowing
Me, Knowing
Knowing You",You","Knowing Me,"Tiger",Me" andand"Tiger", "That's"That's Me"
possibly
Why Did
Did ItIt Have
Have ToTo
possibly "WhyBe
Be Me",
Me", onon whichwhich thethe bandband
uncharacteristicallyrock auncharacteristically rockalittle.
"Money,Money,
Money, Money",
Money",
little."Money,
whichsoundsasifbewhich soundsas if itshould
it should beone
one ofof thethe songs
songs inin Fiddler
Fiddler OnOn
consistently

album forfew
few weeks,
weeks, andand its
it's only
only now
now that
that
the
is
the coldness
coldness ofof thethe structure
structure is
beginning
beginning toto rubrub meme thethe wrong
wrong
way.
lO tracks
way. There
There areare10
tracks onon thetheLP.
The longest
4 minutes
LP.Thelongest isis4
minutes 20
20
seconds;
2.53. The
seconds; thethe shortest,
shortest, 2.53.
The
first
side is16.77
is 16.77 long
first side
long andand thethesecond14-95. Consider
second14.95.
Consider thatthat thethe
ideal
ideal length,forthe
length, for the bestsoundbest soundquality,
is around
quality, isaround 18
18minutes,
minutes,andand you
you wonder
wonder whether
whether ABBA
ABBA
have
havefreaked
freaked andand cut
cut thetheplayingin anplaying time
time drasticallydrastically inanefforteffort toto go
go forfor thethe perfectperfect
recordedrecorded sound,sound, or
or as
as is
is moremore
likely,likely, thethe sumsum total
total ofof aa year
year'ss
writingfrom thethe group's
writing fromgroup's writers
writers
was
was aa mere
mere 32
32 minutes
minutes ofof song.
song.
DespiteDespite those
those reservations,reservations, itit
isisan
analbum
albumthat
thatepitomises
epitomises thethe
ABBA
ABBA phenomenon,
phenomenon, thethe first
first
set
set showcasing
showcasing thethe Eurovision
Eurovision
albumforaavictory with "Waterloo"
couplecouple ofof years
years ago
ago andand thenthenvictory with14 Waterloo" aathe string of hit singles, "SOS","MammaFernando" andand"Mamma Mia",
Mia","Fernando"
theall onthe others,
others, allon thethe Greatest
Greatest
the string of hit singles, 44SOS",
44

44

The Roof, is the current hit.
But
But thethe best
best track
track ofof allall forfor memeisLove, Myisthe
the beautiful
beautiful "My"My Love,My
Life",
Life", which
which would
would have
have been
been anan
The Roof, is the current hit.

ideal Christmassingle, full ofsentimentality
and soppiness.
sentimentality andsoppiness.
The
The title
title track,
track, an
an instrumental,
instru mental,
isisthe
the most
mostContinentalContinental sounding
sounding ofof all,all, drawing
drawing fromfromthethe band's
band's Scandinavian
Scandinavian roots.
roots.
An
An ideal
ideal Christmas
Christmas present
present
ideal Christmassingle,full offor mums, dads, aunts, uncles,
for mums, dads, aunts, uncles,son, daughters, nephews,
nieces.
nieces. But
But who
who said
said "once
"once
more
Dohertymore with
with feeling"?
feeling"? Harry
HarryDohertyson, daughters, nephews,

A

WorldMags.net
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"We've done a lot of
constructive stuff": Jimmy
PagereflectsonLed
Zeppelin's progress since
Robert Plant'scar crashtheprevioussummer

WorldMags.net

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LED
LED ZEPPELINZEPPELIN

WorldMags.net

tA. bit of a
A

bit

of

a

amble"

gamble"Circumstances dictated LED ZEPPELIN'" newalbum be recorded in a hurry. JIMMY PA
Circumstances dictatedalbum berecorded

LED ZEPPELIN'S

in a hurry. JIMMY

new

PAGE

discusses Presence, "attack" and the band's
future. "As far as the playing side of it," he says,"I know that we can have a go at anything."
discusses

future.

"I

Presence,"attack" and the"As far as theknow that we can-band'splaying side of it,"he says,have a go at anything."

MELODY MAKER MARCH 20

MELODY MAKER MARCH 20 -JIMMY ENTERED Awhole hour late. But Abe, who was accompanying
him, was not in the least embarrassed by the delay. He muttered an
obligatory apology, something about missing the train. People have
waited longer for less.
Jimmy is Jimmy Page, guitarist, writer and creator of Led Zeppelin. Abe is
Abe Hoch (pronounced hock), a mainman down at Swan Song. Swan Songis Led Zeppelin's own record company, which also houses Bad Company (in the States),
The Pretty Things and Maggie Bell.
Swan Song is situated in London's fashionable King's Road -in the unfashionable end.
You'll notice that it's opposite the World's End pub. Ifyou don't, you'll never find it. There's
no sign that says "Swan Song, home of the world's greatest rock band, Led Zeppelin".
There's no grand building. No clue at all to what goes on behind those grim walls.
There is a grubby front that's showing the worse for wear. Dirty paint, once a cream
colour, flakes easily. There is a sign that says "ChelseaAnd Kensington Branch OfThe
British Legion". There is also a plaque on awall that proclaims: "This plaque is dedicatedto the memory ofAileen Collen, MBE, who devoted so much of her life to the welfare of
ex -servicemen and their families."
It's almost funny. A crummy building fronting a rock empire. But there is a sign inreception saying: "Ifyou can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit."
As he sat down, Page rested a bunch ofAmerican compilation albums on the table,
a collection of old rock'n'roll numbers. "I really love listening to these," he enthused.
"All those guys were looking for something new among all the shit."
JIMMY ENTERED A whole hour late. But Abe, who was accompanying
him, was not in the least embarrassed by the delay. He muttered an

obligatory apology, something about missing the train. People have

waited longer for less.

Jimmyis Jimmy Page, guitarist, writer and creator ofLedZeppelin.Abeis

Abe Hoch (pronounced hock), a mainman down at Swan Song. Swan Songis Led Zeppelin's own record company, which also houses Bad Company (in the States),

The Pretty Things and Maggie Bell.

Swan Song is situated in London's fashionable King's Road - in the unfashionable end.

You'll notice that it's opposite the World's End pub. Ifyou don't, you'll never find it. There's
no sign that says "Swan Song, home of the world's greatest rock band, Led Zeppelin".

There's no grand building. No clue at all to what goes on behind those grim walls.

There is a grubby front that's showing the worse for wear. Dirty paint, once a cream

colour, flakes easily. There is a sign that says "Chelsea And Kensington Branch Of The

British Legion". There is also a plaque on a wall that proclaims; "This plaque is dedicatedto the memory of Aileen Collen, MBE, who devoted so much of her life to the welfare of
ex-servicemen and their families."

It's almost funny. A crummy building fronting a rock empire. But there is a sign inreception saying; "Ifyou can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit."
As he sat down, Page rested abunch of American compilation albums on the table,

a collection of old rock'n'roll numbers. "I really love listening to these," he enthused.
"All those guys were lookingfor something newamong all the shit."

Just like today?
"There areare aa lot
lotofpessimists
ofpessimists about,"
about," hehe said.
said. "But
"But I'm
I'mreally
reallyvery
optimistic. II cancan seesee"Therevery optimistic.
something good
eventually." More
More about
about thatthat later.
later.
somethinggood coming
comingout
outof
of it
it eventually."
Page'sPage's conversation
conversation isis allusive.
allusive.Initially
Initiallyhe
heappears
appears awkward
awkward andand indecisive
indecisive about
about
some matters,
matters, or
he'll refuse
refuse point-blankpoint-blank totalk. Then
Then hehe hints
hints thatthat hehe doesdoes know
know
someor he'll
to talk.
somethingsomething but
but doesn't
doesn't care
care toto explicate.
explicate. Press
Press him
him aaJust like today?

little more and another titbit ofinformation emerges
before the drawbridge is finally brought down.
Robert Plant, for instance. Plant was seriously
injured in a car crash lastAugust on the Greek
island of Rhodes. He has made, by all accounts,
a miraculous recovery. First, of all, Page evaded thePlant injury issue completely. "We don't make a big y)little more and another titbit of information emerges
before the drawbridge is finally brought down.

SaK 19407 N

LEDZEPPELON»

Robert Plant, for instance. Plant was seriouslyginjured in a car crash last August on the Greek|

island of Rhodes. He has made, by all accounts,ga miraculous recovery. First, of all. Page evaded theS

Plant injury issue completely. "We don't make a big »WorldMags.net

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ROCK1976
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HAM --104

mwm

thing of it, 'cos it's not in order, really."
When thethe subject
subject comes
When
comes up
up again,
again,
hehe divulged
divulged aa little
little more
more information.
information.
"II don't
don'twant
want totomakemake too
too muchmuch ofof"aa hoo-hahhoo-hah about
about that,
that, about
about thethemending process.
wouldn't
mending
process. No,
No, IIwouldn't
really.
really. I've
I'vegot
gotvery
verysuperstitious
superstitious
after that.
that. It
It wasafter
was just
just strange
strange thatthat ititthing of it, 'cos it's not in order, really."

&
y

V

m

happened within aweek of rehearsals.
It was just like something saying, 'No,
you're not gonna do it.' It's personal.
That's why I don't wanna talk about it."happened within a week of rehearsals.
Itwasjustlikesomethingsaying,'No,r

you're not gonna do it.' It's personal.

\

That's why I don't wanna talk about it."

Avoiding the issue of the injury,
you see.
see.
you"Well,"Well,ititwas
wasbloody
bloodyunpleasant.
unpleasant.
knowyou're going
going toto bloody
bloody print
print itit
IIknowyou'reor
was just
orI'd
I'dtelltellyou
youthethetruth.
truth.ItItwas
justtouchtouch)

Avoiding the issue of the injury,

and go. I don't think those things should comeand go. I don't think those things should comeout in print. Far be it from me, or you, to startdelving into
into that.
that. It'sa veryverypersonal
personal thing.
thing. It
delving
It's aIt
reallywas touch
touch andand go."go."reallywas
There thethe mattermatter rested.
rested.
There
Then
the newalbum,
Then there's
there's thethe sleeve
sleeveofofthe
new album,
Presence. Page's
Page'sattitudeattitude toto thisthis one
one reveals
reveals
Presence.
anotherside ofof hisFirst heanother side
his personality.
personality. Firsthe sayssays thatthat
the title
title has
has nothingnothing to
do withwith thethe music
music andand isistheto doconnected
with thethe sleeve's
sleeve's artwork.
connected withartwork. Then
Then hehesays: "Well,"Well, ititdoes
does inin aaway.
There isis alinka linksays:
way. Therebetweenthe artwork
artwork andand thethe music.
music. The
between theThe
artworksuch thatat itit andand put
put
artwork isis suchthat youyou could
could look
look atyourit.It's
It's one
one ofof those."your own
own interpretationinterpretation totoit.
those."
out in print. Far be it from me, or you, to start"We never
We

never

seem to be at a

seem

to

be

at

for

up

new

stuff

particular period oftime."
Were Zeppelin in danger of becomingcliched? Page thought about that before giving

particularperiod oftime."

Were Zeppelin in danger of becomingcliched? Page thought about that before giving

a positive reply.
"The
cangetget clichedclichedis
is if
ifyou
"The only
only wayyou
wayyou can
you just
just
follow
followaaparticularparticular patternpattern toto whatwhat you
you know
know isisa positive reply.

successful along your particular line, but I don't
think..." he stopped before quickly resuming...
"Well, I know that we haven't done that." Another pause, and just to push
the point home: "We've been quite the opposite without consciously
successful alongyourparticularline.butldon't
think..." he stopped before quickly resuming...

"Well, I knowthat we haven't done that." Another pause, and just to push
the point home: "We've been quite the opposite without consciously

doing it."II suggested
after Houses
Houses Of
suggested to
to Page
Page thatthat after
Of TheTheHoly,
Holy,thethefourthfourthalbum,
album, andandwith theGraffiti, fans
fans werewiththe release
releaseofof thethe follow-up,
follow-up, PhysicalPhysical Graffiti,
were relieved
relieved totoA pause. "I'd rather that people saw it for themselves and see what they

doing it."make of it, because it's not a cut-and-dried situation. You can put anumber of interpretations on it, so it's best to leave it as an open-book

see that it was "the old Zeppelin". The band had returned to their hardrock framework fromwhich
rockframeworkfrom
which ttheyheyhadhadstrayed.
strayed.Page
Pagesnappedsnappedto
toattention
attention
andasked forfor anan explanation.
explanation.
explained
thatHousesThe
Holy, toto aa lot
and asked
I Iexplained
thatHousesOfOfTheHoly,lotof people,
people,presented
presented too
too muchmuch variety
variety outside,outside, andand not
not inside,
inside, thethe rockrockof
structureof thethe music.
structure ofmusic.
"Well,what
what about...
about... well,
don't know."
He was"Well,
well, I
I don'tknow." He"You see,wa shesitant.
hesitant. "Yousee, let
let meme
put
put itit thisthis way.
way.When
Whenthethethird
third LP
LPcamecameout
outafter,after,forforinstance,
instance,thethe second
secondone... ahm..."ahm..." Hestopped tosort out
out strategy.
strategy.
one...
He stopped
to sort"I
are done.
done. TheThe first
first LPLP really"I should
should really
really explain
explain how
how thethe things
things arereallyhad material
hadmaterial thatthat had
had been
been played
played onstage
on stage before
before itit waswas recorded.
recorded.
Then
Then we
we felt
feltatathome.
home.The
Thesecondsecond LP
LPwas
wasrecorded
recordedbasicallybasically onon thethe roadroad
when
could get
get insort ofofwhen everybody
everybody couldin thethe studio,
studio, so
so that's
that's got
got thatthat very
verysort
rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll orientation.
orientation.
"Now,
LP, where"Now,following
following that,
that, you
you hadhad got
got thethe third
third LP,
where aa lot
lot ofofthatthat waswaswritten
inthe
thecottage,
cottage,Bron-Yr-AurFin[in Wales]
Wales], andit's got,
written in
Bron-Yr-Aur
and it'sgot, you
you know,
know, thethewriting isis farfarmoremorenarrow
narrow inin approach.
approach. But
But there
there waswasan
anoutcryoutcryabout
about
writing
doing
the otherother acoustic.
acoustic. In
In fact,
doing this,this, thatthat andand thefact, there
there were
were acoustic
acoustic
numbers
numbers onon thethe first
first LP.
LP. It's
It'sjust
justthat
thatthethemoodmood waswas different.
It wasdifferent. It
was moremoredramatic
and moremore laidback.
laidback.
dramatic and"Iwould
wouldsaysayabout
aboutthisthisparticularparticular LP
that we're
we're playing
playing as"I
LP thatas aa group.
group. It's
It's
very controlled,
you know..
know. There's
it! It'svery
controlled, you
There'sno...
no... yeah,
yeah, that's
that's it!
It's very
verycontrolled.
controlled.
There's
blowing out
out ororwhatever.
of control
control on
There's nono blowing
whatever. There's
There'saa greatgreat level
level ofon thethenewwithinthe
the four."four."
new one,one, andand sympathy
sympathywithinHow
How did
did hehe seesee thethe music
music onon Presence
Presencedeveloping
developing fromfrom thetheotheralbums?
otheralbums?
"Abit"A
bitsubjective
subjective this.
this. Well,
Well, asas farfar asas layinglaying down,
down, II suppose
suppose thethe word
word isisorchestration,
guitarharmonies
harmoniesand
andstuff.
stuff. I've
I've usually
myselforchestration, guitar
usually immersed
immersed myself
init, laid
laid down
down things
things andand there'dthere'd beroom toamplify it
it withwith extra
extra
in it,
be roomto amplify
harmonies
harmonies orwhatever.
or whatever. With
With this
this one.
up. There's
There's aa hellhell
one, itit camecame straightstraight up.
of alota lotofofspontaneity
spontaneityabout
about it.
it.IIthink
think that's
that's thethe element,element, really.
Thatofreally. That
aspectof itwhen youaspect ofithas
hastotobebetakentakeninto
intoaccountaccountwhen
youstart
start talking
talking about
about thetheactualdevelopmentof
ofit,
it, because
becausethat's
that'sthethewhole
wholekey
keyto
to thethe theme
themeofofit,
it,
actual development
the level
level oftheof spontaneity."
spontaneity."
There
There was
was moremore spontaneity
spontaneity onon thisthan thethe others?
this album
album thanothers?
"Well, yes,in k so.
"Well,
yes,IIththink
so.YouYousee,see,ininthe
thepastpastwhenwhenititcame
cametotothe
thepoint
point where
where
we
were getting
getting anan album
album together,
together, there
always aa number
number of
we werethere were
were alwaysofframeworks thatyou
with at
at home.
frameworks
that you would
would toy
toywithhome. At
Atthisthisparticularparticular point
point inin
time
sort ofof complete
complete frameworks,
frameworks, just
just little
little bits
bits kicking
kickingtime there
there were
were nono sortsee that it was "the oldZeppelin". The band had returned to their hard--

situation as far as people seeing it goes.

"It could either be viewed as past or present. If you look at it, it could be

theand itit could
could also
also bethe '70s.
It's got
got toto bebeviewedviewed inin itsitsentirety,
entirety,the '40s'40s andbe the'70s. It's
otherwise
lost."
otherwise thethe whole
whole point
point would
would bebe lost."What isis thethe whole
whole point?
point?
What"Well, I'm
I'msorry
sorry toto be
be elusive
elusive on
on it,
it, but
but IIdon't
don'tthink
think II should
should say
say"Well,
thatthat it's
it's this,this, thatthat andand thethe other,other, because
because it's
it's anan ambiguous
ambiguous thing.
thing.
Photographically, it's
it's anan ambitious
ambitious statement,
not thethe right
right thing
thing
Photographically,
statement, so
so it's
it's notto laylaydown
downmymyimpression,
impression,because
because somebody
somebody might
might have
have aa more
more
toilluminating one."illuminating one."

IT'S THAT SAME sleeve that's holding up the release of Presence.
No pressing
pressing ofofthe
the album
album canNo
for fearcan bebe donedone --forfear ofof bootleggingbootlegging until thethe sleeves
sleeves areare completed,completed, andand thethe printers
printers areare having
having aa little
littleuntil
troubleup thethe colours.
colours. Page
trouble inin matching
matching up
Page isismost
mostannoyed
annoyed thatthat anan
IT'S THAT SAME sleeve that's holding up the release of Presence.

album finished before Christmas has been held back because of
printing problems.
Presence was recorded ultra -fast. It took only three weeks, and wasrecorded in Europe -the Musicland Studios in Munich -so that the band
could be close to their wives and families in Britain. Originally, a month
had been set aside to record, but one of the band -Page wasn't squealingon the guiltyparty- turned up a weeklate. He commented eagerly on the
speed of its production.
"It was a bit of a gamble, really, to just set down an amount of time andalbum finished before Christmas has been held back because of

printing problems.

Presence was recorded ultra-fast. It took only three weeks, and wasrecorded in Europe-the Musicland Studios in Munich -so that the band
could be close to their wives and families in Britain. Originally, a month

had been set aside to record, but one of the band - Page wasn't squealingon the guilty party-turned up a week late. He commented eagerly on the

speed of its production.

"It was a bit of a gamble, really, to just set down an amount of time andsay that it was going to be finished by such and such. We had kicked overthetracks, so
so we
we hadhad--what
would youyou callcall it?
-aa starting
ground. Robert
Robertthe tracks,
what would
it? starting ground.
was still
too many
many ofof thewasstill working
working on
on lyrics,
lyrics,andand IIhadn't
hadn't thought
thought about
about tootheoverdubs,
but oneone waswaspretty
pretty confident
confident thatthat we
we could
could doIt waswas just
just
overdubs, but
do it.
it. Itaa sortsort ofof aa test,
test, really.
really. We
We could
could have
have comecome dreadfully
dreadfully unstuck."
unstuck."
It waswas aagamble?
gamble?
It"A
we couId meetor not.
"Agamblegamble toto seesee whether
whet her we
couldmeet thethe deadline
deadline ornot. Fortunately,
Fortunately,
wedid. We
Weworked
workedpracticallypractically every
everyminute
It waswas really
really great
great
we did.
minuteofofthe
the day.
day. Ittofrom thethefirst
firstLPLP [Page
[Page
to be
be ableable toto do
do ititlike
likethat.
that. At
Atno
nootherothertime,
time, apartapart fromalwayscalls them
them LPs],
have weusually
always calls
TPs], have
we hadhad thatthat stretch
stretchinin thethe studio.
studio. We
We usually
recordedrecorded onon thethe road,road, andand itit wasover such
was spreadspread oversuch aa longtime."
longtime."
II wondered
wondered if
if thetheimmediacy
immediacy ofof working
workingso
sointensely
intenselyhad
hadbeenbeencaptured
capturedandand reflectedreflected inin thethe music.
music. Was
Was there
there anhad been
been lacking
lacking inan urgency
urgency thatthat hadin
any ofof thethe otherother albums?
albums?
any
say that it was going to be finished by such and such. We had kicked overcomingwith

What's your interpretation?
A pause. "I'd rather that people saw it for themselves and see what they
make of it, because it's not a cut-and-dried situation. You can put anumber of interpretations on it, so it's best to leave it as an open -booksituation as far as people seeing it goes.
"It could either be viewed as past or present. If you look at it, it could be

WorldMags.net

24 I HISTORYHISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976

aloss for coming
up withnew stuff"
loss

What's your interpretation?

24"There is a lot of urgency about it.
There's
There's aa lot
lotof
ofattack
attackto
tothe
the music.
music.
IIthink
think that's
that's reflecting
reflecting aa state
state ofof mindmindofofactuallyactuallybeing
beingconstantly
constantly onon thethe
move.
move. You
Youknow,
know,nonobase,base,because
becauseofofthe
thesituation
situation then.
then. That
That definitely
definitelyisis reflected.
reflected. II knowit'stalkingin
know it 'stalking in aa
prettypretty nebulous
nebulous fashion,
fashion, but
but IIthink
think
peoplewhat I
I meanpeople will
will know
knowwhatmean when
when
they
they hear
hear it.
it.
"No,
was missing"No,IIdon'tthinkit
don't think itwas
missinginin anyany ofofthe
theearlier
earlierones,
ones,because
becauseIIthinkeach LPLP hasthink thatthat eachhas anan identity
identityofof itsitsownownandandit's
it'sdifferent
different fromfromthe
Id n't say
the previous
previous one.
one. IIwou
wouldn't
say ititwas
any ofof thewas better
better oror worse
worse than
than any
theotherrecords.
other records.
"It"Itwaswasvery
verysort
sortofofuplifting
upliftingto
toactuallyactually tackle
tackleaa situation
situation like
like onon thethe newLP
new LPand
andfindfindthatthatthingsthings were
were really
really coming
coming out
out andand being
being fresh
fresh
all
to being
beingsortofcliched,
all thethe time,time, asas opposed
opposed tosort ofcliched,becausebecause you
you were
werejust
justconcentrating
concentrating on
on oneone"There is a lot of urgency about it.

,

LED
LED ZEPPELINZEPPELIN

WorldMags.net
around. There have been sort of phrases, melodies, rhythms that havebeen picked up on the travels through Morocco and places like that,which all get consumed. You take it all in and it comes out in the music."Page has spent much of the past year driving through deserts, visiting
the more exotic cities on our planet. Did he attach that much importanceto the influence his travels had on his music?
"Oh, dead right, sure. One is always open to new influences anddifferent concepts and approaches. I couldn't say that there was a number
built around a Moroccan rhythm on the new LP, but I definitelylearned alot from Morocco which I can relate to on songs. The whole thing that goeson in Morocco is incredible. It's trance music, basically, and when you see
the sort of things that are done by the power of music as such, one couldn't
help but sort of re assess what one thought one knew already."
But are there really that many ways that Zeppelin's music can progress?
Don't people expect a certain kind of music from the band?
"There's an unmistakable identity about the music and, whatever thepiece is, you naturally say 'that's them'. I don't mean cliched writing by
that, but certainly, as far as development goes, there's more intense
writing, unusual chord patterns. One wants to improve, and the onlywaythat you can feel satisfied is by setting up certain milestones along the way
as far as writing goes. A lot ofthat has to do with the construction of songs.
"All I know is that we're really critical of our own stuff, probably overcritical as far as writing goes. If something starts to sound similar tosomething we've done before, it immediately gets rubbed out. It doesn't
get used. But that's no problem within itself, because we never seem to be
at a loss for coming out with new stuff, new ideas, new rhythms. I'm notrelating this to anything else that's going on, because we only take up halfa degree of a 360- degree circle ofwhat's going on, but nevertheless, it's all
exploratory to us."But once more, what about those people who aren't fans and claim that
Zeppelin have rigidly adhered to a formula established on the first album?
"Well, I don't know. Obviously, there's an essence within the group, andobviously there was a certain intensity on the first LP, and I would say thatit grew from that and st retched this way and that. As far as the rockelements go, theyveered over one way, and the acoustic ones again
another way, and there's the blues side of it. I think that there are enoughelements within that to keep a changing face. It just comes out thatway.
It's not as though it's definitely planned or calculated."
Was there really that much scope within Zeppelin's framework?
"Yeah." The affirmative stretched over three seconds. "Definitely. If thecontent was being difficult, you know, if it was hard to write and we sat in
LA and nothing came out apart from a couple of numbers, then ! would
start to question it, but when everything is coming out so fluentlyand
there're no problems coming up with new ideas, I feel pretty confident. As
far as the playing side of it goes, I know that we can have a go at anything."
Anything?
"Yeah." There was an air of defiance. "Don't forget, John Paul Jones wasan arranger, and both of us worked on sessions. You never knew when you
went into a session what was coming. They didn't inform you that you
were going to do such and such a thing. You just walked in there and it
could be, you know, a huge great orchestra or a rock'n'roll session or jazz,
so you really had to be able to weather any storm. I guess that sort ofbackground helped us."
Was there really that much more for Zeppelin to do?
Page's reactions are constantlyinteresting to note. His hands wave
in the air. They indicated that there is more to do. He says: "Crikey, yeah.
I mean, we're only scratching the surface if you start relating it to classicalwork. It depends how far you want to take it."Did he really believe that?
"Sure I do. There's such a wealth. There are no horizons as to what could
be done. It just takes a lot ofwork, writing and recording. You can bet yourlife that in the next five or 10 years, there'll be some amazing things
happening, with musicians coming up.
"For instance, we got most of our influences from the blues players
and the early rock players. Well, the musicians that are coming throughnow have got such a great textbook to take it all from, that you just know
and feel that there's going to be some new and great music coming up.
I wouldn't accept in anyway that music or whatever is going to be
stagnant. People say, 'Oh well, it's just going to keep blossoming out."around. There have been sort of phrases, melodies, rhythms that havebeen picked up on the travels through Morocco and places like that,which all get consumed. You take it all in and it comes out in the music."Page has spent much of the past year driving through deserts, visiting

the more exotic cities on our planet. Did he attach that much importanceto the influence his travels had on his music?

"Oh, dead right, sure. One is always open to newinfluences anddifferent concepts and approaches. I couldn't say that there was a number
built around a Moroccan rhythm on the newLP, but I definitely learned alot from Morocco which I can relate to on songs. The whole thing that goeson in Morocco is incredible. It's trance music, basically, and when you see

the sort of things that are done by the power of music as such, one couldn't
help but sort of reassess what one thought one knew already."

But are there really that many ways that Zeppelin's music can progress?

Don't people expect a certain kind of music from the band?

"There's an unmistakable identity about the music and, whatever thepiece is, you naturallysay'that'sthem'.Idon'tmeancliched writing by

But there is a prevalent feeling of stagnation.
"No.
people"No.It's
Ifsonly
onlypeople
peoplethat
thatareare-- andand II don't
don't mean
mean toto insultinsult you
you --people
thathave got
weekly basis.
that have
got toto trytry andand keep
keep ittickingoveron
it ticking over on aaweeklybasi
s. Obviously,
Obviously,youweek. Things
you can't
can't have
have aanew
newtrend
trendcoming
comingout
outeveryeveryweek.
Thingstake
takemonths
monthsandand years
years toto comecome out.
out. Then
Then you
you getget aa really
really strong
strong thing,
thing, say
say likeThelike The
Beatles- you
Beatles ororHendrix
Hendrixor
orsomething
somethinglike
likethat
thatyou know,
know, people
people who
who could
could
just
just tie
tie upup allallthethe looselooseends
ends andand really
reallycome
comeforgingthrough.
forging through.
"Butstill a"But there're
there're still
a lot
lotof
ofhealthy
healthyaspects
aspects inin British
British music,
music, II would
would say,say,
inin relation
relation toto American
American music.
music. IIknowthere's
know there'saafeeling-afeelingthat
feeling- a feeling thatthethe American
American music
music has
has got
gotaalot
lotstronger-hut
stronger but I1 still
still believe
believe thatthat thethe
Britishhave it,
British musiciansmusicians haveit, you
you know.
know. They
They just
just had
had toto fight
fight aa lot
lotharder
harder totogetget ititgoing
goingandandcomecomethrough.
through. They
They didn't
didn't have
have itit really
really cushy
cushy toto begin
begin
with,
out of
with, andand II think
think thatthat outof everyeverystruggle
struggle there's
there's always
always aa lot
lot ofof sense
sense totocomecome through.
through.
"What"What IImean
mean isis thatthat I've
I've always
always felt
feltthat
thatthere's
there's far
far moremore conviction,
conviction,
especially
especially inin rockrock anyway,
anyway, inin people
people behindbehind British
British music
music than
than there
there isisinAmerican."in American."But there is a prevalent feeling of stagnation.

that, but certainly, as far as development goes, there's more intense

writing, unusual chord patterns. One wants to improve, and the only way

that you can feel satisfied is by setting up certain milestones along the way
as far as writing goes. A lot of that has to do with the construction of songs.
"All I know is that we're really critical of our own stuff, probably over-critical asfar as writing goes. Ifsomething starts to sound similar tosomething we've done before, it immediately gets rubbed out. It doesn't

get used. But that's no problem within itself, because we never seem to be
at a loss for coming out with new stuff, new ideas, new rhythms. I'm notrelating this to anything else that's going on, because we only take up halfa degree of a 360-degree circle of what's going on. but nevertheless, it's all
exploratory to us."But once more, what about those people who aren't fans and claim that

Zeppelin have rigidly adhered to a formula established on the first album?
"Well, I don't know. Obviously, there's an essence within the group, andobviously there was a certain intensity on the first LP, and I would say thatit grew from that and stretched this way and that. As far as the rockelements go, they veered over one way, and the acoustic ones again

another way, and there's the blues side of it. I think that there are enoughelements within that to keep a changingface.lt just comes out that way.
It's not as though it's definitely planned or calculated."

Was there really that much scope within Zeppelin's framework?

"Yeah." The affirmative stretched over three seconds. "Definitely. If thecontent was being difficult, you know, if it was hard to write and we sat in
LA and nothing came out apart from a couple of numbers, then I would

start to question it, but when everything is coming out so fluently andthere're no problems coming up with new ideas, I feel pretty confident. As

far as the playing side of it goes, I knowthat we can have a go at anything."
Anything?

"Yeah."Therewasanairofdefiance. "Don't forget, John Paul Jones was

AND WHATABOUT Zeppelin? In his sudden attack of
optimism,
did Page
Page envisage
optimism, didenvisage what
what thethe future
future rolerole ofofthe
thebandband
wouldbe? Didgo? Hewould be?
Did hehe havehave anan idea
idea ofwhatof what way
way toto go?
He hoped
hoped so,so,
andand said
said thethe next
next year
year would
would bebe spent
spent working
working really
really hard
hard andanddevoting
devoting aa lot
lotof
oftimetimetotowriting,writing,putting
puttingmaterialmaterial down
down onon tapetape andandbuildingbuilding aa reference
reference library.
library.
"I
to say.
"Idon't
don't know
know about
about newfans.
new fans. It's
It's hard
hard tosay. IIthink,
think, really,
really,when
whenyou're
you'retalking
aboutnew
newfolk
folk ortalking about
or whatever,whatever, you
you usuallyusually get
get those
those fromfrom singles,
singles,
II think.
you've got
think. By
Bythat,that, IImean
mean totosay
saythatthatyou've
got moremore ofofaapushingpushing power
power
throughthe medium
mediumof
ofradioradio andand television,
television, which
through thewhich wewenormallynormally don't
don't
exploit
exploit inin thatthat sort
sort ofof way.
way.
"I"Imean,mean,we're
we'remore
moreinto
intotouring,
touring,doing
doingdates,
dates,and
andcomingcoming acrossacross more
more
with
thing.Then
Thenthethenamenamegets
getsspreadspreadby
bywordwith thethe environmental
environmental thing.
word ofofmouth.
what happenedat themouth. That's
That's certainly
certainlywhat
happened at
the beginning.
beginning.
"We"Wedon't
don'twrite
writesingle
singlematerial.
material. It's
It's got
gotto
tosortsortofofbe
bewithin
withinthat
thatthreethree minutetime schedule.
schedule. When
When we'retogether, it's
it's justminute time
we're writing
writing things
things together,just aanumberthatdevelops
develops andand isis worked
number thatworked onon andand becomes
becomes aa statement
statement at
at thatthat
time,
and thenthen they
theygetget groupedgroupedtogether
togetheron
onan
anLP.
LP. It'stime, and
It's notnot evereverthought
thought ofofas
as single
single material,material, andand itit would
would bebe aa bitbit ofof aa drag
drag totohavehavetotostart
startthinking
thinkingthat way."
way."
that
Then what
what about
about aa band
band like
10cc,who
whoclaim
claimthat
thatthey're
they're an
Thenlike lOcc,
analbumsband andandthatthatthey'll
they'llrelease
releaseaasingle
single if
if there
albums band
there isis aa suitable
suitable track
track
on thethe album?
album?
on"With
lOcc, I'm
it's likegroup.II would
would saysay so,so.
"With 10cc,
I'm sure
sure it's
like aa singles-orientatedsingles -orientated group.
I don't
don't thinkthey'dthink they'd be
if somebody
somebody said
said that.
that. I'm
I'm sure
sure they
they dodoI
be pissed
pissed off
off ifthinkthat way.If
If youyou getto bringing
out aa record,
think thatway.
get accustomed
accustomed tobringing out
record, going
going
on
on television,
television, doing
doing aa spot
spot there,
there, getting
getting airplay,
airplay, you
you keep
keep fulfilling
fulfilling that
that
AND WHAT ABOUT Zeppelin? In his sudden attack ofrole, surely."
And television?
television?
Androle, surely."

went into a session what was coming. They didn't inform you that you"It's a shame in a waythat there isn't a programme thatjust goes intothat area of bands who don't necessarily concentrate on singles. The Old

were going to do such and such a thing. You just walked in there and it

Grey Whistle Test is the only one, as we well know."

an arranger, and both of us worked on sessions. You never knew when you

could be, you know, a huge great orchestra or a rock'n'roll session or jazz,"It's a shame in a way that there isn't a programme that just goes intothat area of bands who don't necessarily concentrate on singles. The Old

Grey Whistle Test is the only one, as we well know."
So thethe only
onlyway
Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin to
get exposure
exposure inlive.
So
way forfor Ledto getinBritain
Britainisis toto play
play live.

and the early rock players. Well, the musicians that are coming throughThe last
The
last gigs
gigs here
here were
were thethe series
series ofof shows
showsat
atEarls
EarlsCourt,
Court, London.
London. Many
Many
fans
fans were
were disenchanted
disenchanted thatthat thethe appearanceswere confined
confinedto
to London,
London,appearances were
despitethe travel
travel facilities
facilities laid
despite thelaid onon forfor thethe occasion.
occasion. What
What about
about aa major
major
British tour?
tour?
British"But"As far"But we
we can't,"
can't," Page
Page explained.
explained. "As
far asascriticism
criticism goes,
goes, we
we can't
can't win
win
over
over here.
here. When
When wewestarted
started doing
doing bigger
bigger places,
places, there
there waswas anan outcry
outcryaboutZeppelin
Boathouses,
about Zeppelin desertingthe
deserting the Marquees,
Marquees, thethe Nottingham
Nottingham Boathouses,
etc. SoSo we
we diddid aa tour
tour ofof thosethose andraised inetc.
and thenthenititwas
was(his(hisvoicevoice isis raisedin
MuhammadAli-style): 'How
be to
to play
MuhammadAli-style):°How selfish
selfish can
can they
theybeplay inin smallsmall pubs
pubs
when people
people can't
can'tget
get inin toto seeyou just
win."
when
see them?'
them?' II mean,
mean, youjust can't
can't win."
And until
Robert Plant's
leg injuries
And
until Robert
Plant's leg
injuries have
have fully
fully healed,healed, Zeppelin
Zeppelin will
will
bedoing nono touring.
touring. ThatBut
be doing
That might
might notnot bebe until
untilthetheendendofof thisthis year.
year. But
Page
about thethe lay-off.
lay-off. After
Page isn't
isn't too
too concerned
concerned about
Afterspendingthepast
spending the pastyear
travelling, hehe cancan getget somesome new
newmusic
musictogether
together during
during thetheyear travelling,

now have got such a great textbook to take it all from, that you just know

forthcoming months.

so you really had to be able to weather any storm. I guess that sort ofbackground helped us."

Was there really that much more for Zeppelin to do?

Page's reactions are constantly interesting to note. His hands wave

in the air. They indicated that there is more to do. He says: "Crikey, yeah.

I mean, we're only scratching the surface if you start relating it to classicalwork. It depends how far you want to take it."Did he really believe that?

"Sure I do. There's such a wealth. There are no horizons as to what could

be done. It just takes a lot ofwork, writing and recording. You can bet yourlife that in the next five or 10 years, there'll be some amazingthings
happening, with musicians coming up.

"For instance, we got most of our influences from the blues players

and feel that there's going to be some new and great music coming up.
I wouldn't accept in any way that music or whatever is going to beforthcoming months.

"We've done a lot of constructive work in the period off the road. It's notasHarryDoherty •as ifwe'veretired."ifwe've retired." HarryDoherty"We've done alot of constructive workin the period off the road. It's not

stagnant. People say,'Oh well, it's just goingto keep blossoming out.'"

Past. Presence-,

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1976

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JMlJMfl-*11», • H'Life is

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Life

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SMALL FACESSMALL FACESJANUARY 17

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IM,hAeNleSaIdISstEiDll gtoziinnteoltehaed over

HE ROMANS USED to mine lead overthere. The
waterand poisons the animals. This can bequite a dangerous place." Ronnie Lane,bubbling, effervescent, his face etched by
the cares of the rock life, but undaunted
and determined, swung the wheel of the grey Land Rover, as wetrundled through the border country between England andWales, heading for his home for the past two years.
The Ronnie Lane that the world knew as the cheery Small Face, or
Rod Stewart's compatriot in the Faces, has travelled many miles
before finding his ultimate destiny and happiness with hiswife andkids on an ancient homestead in the wilds of Shropshire.
|I|

there. The lead still gets into the waterIand poisons the animals. This can beIquite a dangerous place." Ronnie Lane,I

bubbling, effervescent, his face etched byT

the cares of the rock life, but undaunted

and determined, swung the wheel of the grey Land Rover, as wetrundled through the border country between England andWales, heading for his home for the past two years.

The Ronnie Lane that the world knew as the cheery Small Face, or

Rod Stewart's compatriot in the Faces, has travelled many miles

before finding his ultimate destiny and happiness with his wife andkids on an ancient homestead in the wilds of Shropshire.

Now he lives in a cottage, where thewater comes from a well atthethe top
top ofof thethe hill,hill, andand aawood
woodfirefireburns
burns inin thethe grate,
grate, where
where his
hisneighbours areoldneighbours
arescatteredscatteredover
overthethehills,
hills,and
andinclude
includefolk
folk like
like oldAnnie
to telltellAnnie who
who isisoverover7070and
andsnares
snaresrabbits,
rabbits, andand comes
comes aroundaround to
unwritten
fairytalesto
toRonnie
RonnieandandKateKate andand their
two kids.
unwritten fairytales
their twokids.
Ronnie met
Ronniemet meme atatShrewsbury
Shrewsbury station,
station, andand drove
drove thethe ninenine miles
miles or
or
so
so to
to thethe farm,
farm, waving
waving at
at passers-by.
passers-by. "These"These areare Border
Border people,"
people," heheexplained.
"Theydon't
don'tfeel
feel particularly
particularlyWelsh
orkngiEnglish,which
1,, a.
explained. "They
Welsh orish, whiCh,makes them
them nicer,
nicer, more
more independent."
independent."
makes
< U *
The
The mountains
mountains began
began toto grow
the horizon,
horizon, with
with smoke
smoke fromfromgrow onon theburning heather
givingthemaavolcanic
wepassedpassed thethe leadleadburningheathergivingthem
volcaniceffect.
effect.As
As wemines,
road toto alane,Ronnie
Ronniegave
gave ayell:
ayell: "See"Seemines, fromfrom thethe mainmain roada narrow
narrowlane,that bridge
bridge overthe stream,
stream, wellthis isis England...
England... andand this
isWales!"thatover thewell thisthisisWales!"
The
where Ronnie
Ronnie has
The farmyard
farmyard where
has been
been working
working on
on hishis new
newalbum
album
for theforthepastpastfew
fewmonths
monthspresented
presentedaaremarkableremarkable scene.
scene. The
The cottage,
cottage,Now he lives in a cottage, where the water comes from a well at

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untouched bytarty innovation or modernisation, nestled at the footof the mountain.
In the yard stood, jammed amidst the churned -up mud and hay,
the glistening, torpedo-like Lane mobile studio. *untouched by tarty innovation or modernisation, nestled at the footof the mountain.

In the yard stood, jammed amidst the churned-up mud and hay,

WorldMags.net
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HISTORYOF
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1976
26 HISTORY

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1976

WorldMags.netrofil NUM ---104

Ronnie says that Charlie was a great help to him in the preparation ofOne"I have
One ForFor The
TheRoad:
Road:"Ihave aafew
fewideas
ideasI Idon't
don'tthinkmuch
think much of,of, but
but whenyou
when youhear
band play,
play, ithear thethe bandit sounds
sounds all
all right-it'sgot
right -it's gotpossibilities
possibilities andand you
you taketake ititfrom there.
there. Charlie
Me andand CharlieCharlie wrote
wrote some
some ofof thethefromCharlie writes
writes aa little
little bit.
bit. Me
tunes
together. He
He waswas a
way thetunes together.
a greatgreat help
help anyway.
anyway. In
Inaaway
thealbum
album has
has beenbeen
a documentary
documentary oneight months."
months."aon thethe last
last eight
What was
was thethe significancesignificance of"Don't TryAnd
Change MyMy
Whatof titles
titles like
like "Don'tTry
And Change
Mind" --was
Mind"
wasit
it a
a rebuke
rebuke toto thosethose who
who might
might try
try toto telltell Ronnie
Ronnie how
how heheshouIdIive andshould live
and work?
work?
"It's
"It'sjust
justabout
aboutrotten
rotten me.
me, really.
really. II was
was trying
trying toto think
think commercially.
commercially.
People don'ttellmewhat
don't tell me what II should
should do,do, butthey
but they insinuate.
insinuate. They
They suggest
suggest all
all
Peoplethe time,time, andon your
your tits
tits after
after aa while.
while. It's
It's allallpigeon
pigeon holes,
holes, ennit?
ennit?
theandit
it gets
gets onIfyou
If you don't
don't fit
fit into
into aa pigeon
pigeon hole,
hole, then
then you're
you're anan oddity."
oddity."Does itit cause
cause Ronnie
Ronnie any
any problems,
problems, leading
leading his
his own
own life
life onon thethe farm
farm
Does
with
centre several
several hundred
hundredmiles
milesaway
away inin London?
London?
with thethe music
music businessbusiness centre"We're"We're clashingclashing all
all thethe time.
time. Why
Why dodo youyou think
think we're
we're here?
here? [laughter).
(laughter).
Ifyou'redown inin London,
London, you
you sit
sit inIfyou're down
in an
an officeoffice andand they
they say,say, 'Well
Well what
what areareyou
you doing?'
doing?' And
And they
they don't
don't know
know how
how you
you live.
live. You'd
You'd getget aa far
far better
better idea
idea
lookingaroundforhalfanhourthanyou
looking around thethe farmyard
farmyard forhalf an hour than you would
would sittingin
sitting in
London forfor three
three hours."
hours."
LondonWas
Was Ronnie
Ronnie looking
lookingforward
forward to
tohittinghitting thethe roadroad again?
again?
"Not
particularly, no.
no. I'll
I'll enjoy
enjoyititwhen
whenlI dodoit.it,butbutthethethought
thought ofofleaving"Not particularly,leaving
thisto me.
this place
place doesn't
doesn't appeal
appeal tome It's
It's notnot asas if
if IIhaven't
haven't done
done itit before.
before. If
If
there wasn't
there
wasn't soso muchmuch travelling
travellinginvolved,
involved, it
it wouldn't
wouldn't bebe so
so bad.
bad. But
But thethenoveltynovelty ofmotorwaysof motorways has
has wornworn off.
off.People
Peopledon't
don'trealise-theythinkit's
realise - they think it's
reallyall day.
day. I
really easy.
easy. They
They forget
forget you've
you've been
been travelling
travelling all
I lovelovetravelling,
travelling, but
but
it's transporttransportwe're
about.
it's
we're talking
talking about.
Thensurprisedme:me;"I'd"I'dreally
reallylike
liketoto go
go toto America,"
Then Ronnie
Ronnie surprised
America,"he"I've been
he suddenly
suddenly announced.
announced. "I'vebeen away
away long
long enough.
enough.
RONNIE LANE'SRONNIE
LANE'S
And
over there.
there. And
And I'dI'd beAnd it's
it's changed
changed overbe going
going over
overthere
there
SLIM CHANCESLIM
CHANCE
as smalltime
smalltime again.
change anyway.
asagain. That's
That'saa big
big change
anyway. I've
I've
not
Faces.
not been
been there
there since
since thethe Faces.
01
Of"If I'veI'vegotgotanyanyambitions
ambitions at
I'd like
like toto go
go on
ontourtour"Ifat all,all, I'd
COW
cot,"
in
conditions.
I'dlikeliketototurnturnititintointoa
alife,
in humanehumane conditions.
I'd
life,
■
WIP 6268
instead oftearing about
about allthe time,time, then
then sitting
sitting at
insteadof tearing
all theat
WIPX )'
liliinONW
Rsci'tb Ll
home forfor ato do.
do. I
homea monthmonth with
with nothingnothing to
I don't
don't think
think itit
WtriH' BfM
Moilc ■ S
has tohas
to belikebe likethat.
that.That's
That's thethe wayway itit waswas withwith thethe Faces.
Faces.
Cftuot Mu5*
1
"A
they'd like
1 ike to"Alot
lotofofpeople
peoplewould
wouldrather
ratherdo
dothatthat--they'dto
DON'T
CHANGE MY
DON'T TRYTRY 'H''N' CHANGE
MY MIN
kill 'emselves'emselves forforsixsixweeksand getget asas muchmuch money
money asaskill
weeks and
forft, theBo«'—HPS
9386
onejiruim
albumOnr'Ong
Floarr-IL
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PRODUCED 6Vr RawnL
RONNIE LAriz
LANE
they
they can.
can. II don't
don't see
see thethe point."
point."FOR I t:. RECORDS L D
That was
was thethe way
way Ronnie
Ronnie worked
worked inin thethe Faces
Faces with
with
That
Rod
in theRod Stewart
Stewart andand withwith Steve
Steve Marriott
Marriott in
the Small
Small Faces.
Faces.
1.$
Had hehe seenseen any
anyofof hishisoldoldcompatriots
compatriots inin recentrecent times?
times?
Had"Well
Novemberlast.
last.Yes,
Yes,"Well IIhaven't
haven't seen
seen Steve
Steve since
since November
11.1 l tii.ilt
1people have
I know
knowpeople
have been
been talking
talking about
about usus getting
getting
togetheragain. Well,
Well, IIwouldn't
like
together again.
wouldn't mind,
mind, but
but it's
ifs abita bitlikegoing
going backback toto your
your old
old school,
school, ain't
ain't it?
it?IIwouldn't
wouldn't mind
mind
visiting,
wanttoto go
go back
visiting, but
but you
you wouldn't
wouldn't wantback toto school,
school,wouldyou?"would you?"How
How did
did hehe feelfeelabout
about thethe reissue
reissue ofof Ogdens'NutOgdens' Nut
Gone Flake,
Flake,thethe old
old Small
Small Faces
Faces classic
classic first
first put
put outout
Gone*bylmmediate?
by Immediate?
"Not much.
"Not
much. No
Nonostalgia
nostalgia-- it's
it's gone,
gone, ain't
ain't it?
it? Yeah,
Yeah, itit

There was time for a cup of tea in the cottage. The interior could have
been
untouchedsince
sincethethe1920s.
1920s. ElectricElectric light,
light, but
but all
all else
been untouchedelse waswas ancient,ancient,aand knick-knacks.
knick-knacks. Old
Old Annie
a plethoraplethora ofof antiquities,
antiquities, andAnnie satsat (with(with herherteethteeth
in forforvisitors),
visitors),talking
talking toto thethe children,
children, while
while Ronnie's
Ronnie's wife
wife Kate
Kate brewed
brewedinthethe tea.
tea. CharlieCharlie Hart,
Hart, Ronnie's
Ronnie's keyboard
keyboard player
player with
with Slim
Slim Chance,
Chance, smiledsmiledaa cheerfulcheerful greeting,greeting, andaand hehe waswas eventually
eventually cajoled
cajoled into
into joining
joining us
us forfor alunch atattheCastlelnn.
lunch
the Castle Inn.
"We
"Wespent
spent most
most ofoftthishis yearyear working
working onon thethe album,"
album," Ronnie
Ronnie told
told meme as
as
wewe settled
settled down
down at
at thethe inn.
inn. "We"Westarted
started aroundaround July.
July.The
Thealbum
albumdidn't
didn'ttaketake thatthat long,
long, but
but all
all thethe things
things thatthat went
went wrong
wrong aroundaround thethe album
album took
tookup
ChrisThomas[producer], blessbless him,up thethe time.
time. Circumstantials.
Circumstantials. Chris
Thomas [producer]
him, has
hasbeen doing
Music, andand II thought
thought he
bit tight.
tight. He
He took
took
been
doingRoxy
Roxy Music,
he waswas leaving
leavingit
it a
a bit
on
make itit without. AllAll
on tootoo muchmuch andand couldn't
couldn't makewith us.
us. HeHe waswas just
just whacked
whacked out.
sorts ofof stupid
stupid things
things went
went wrong.
wrong. The
The boysboys stayed
stayed up
up herehere andand wewe
sorts
recordedrecorded itit inin thethe barn.
barn.
"It"Itgotgotdragged
draggedout,"
out,"said
saidRonnie.
Ronnie."I"Ididn't
didn'thave
haveany
anymaterialmaterialready
readywhen
when
we
it. I
of somewe started
started it.
I gotgotthethe bandband down
down toto work
work onon thethe roughrough demos
demos ofsome ofof
theideas. Most
Most ofof it
it turnedout all
all right.
the ideas.
it we
we kept
kept anyway,
anyway, because
because it
turned out
right. Then
Then
it neededneeded sorting
sorting out,
it wasn't
wasn't any
good, obviously,
obviously,itout, because
becausesome
someofofit
any good,
when we
we hadhad been
been down
down thethe pub."
pub."
when
Ronnie'smobilestudio,
studio,thetheLMS,
LMS, islife,
Ronnie's famous
famous mobile
is aa key
key factor
factor inin Ronnie's
Ronnie's life,
into which
which hehe hashas sunk
sunk most
most ofhis money.
money.A
shell -shapedobject,
object,which
which
into
of his
A shell-shaped
he proudly
heproudly calls
calls his
his space
space machine.
machine.
"It"It maybe
may be aacomplete
complete fluke,"
fluke," hehe told
told me,me, "but"but thethe soundsound inside
inside isis justjust
rightaren'tany
anycorners,
corners, it's
it's all
all rounded
off. So
right because
because there
there aren't
rounded off.
Somanymany
mobiles
mobiles I've
I've used
used before,
before,notnotmentioning
mentioning any
any names,
names, thethe soundsound cancan bebeveryflatteringandyou
studio toveryflattering and you getyour
get your recordings
recordings into
into anan ordinary
ordinary studiotomix and itit sounds
sounds terrible.
terrible. Faces
Faces did
did thatthat onon thethe second
second album."
album."
mixandRonnie says that Charlie was a great help to him in the preparation of

There was timefor a cup oftea in the cottage. The interior could have

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was all right. It's got a lot of holes in it. But when I wasovertheywere
were flogging
floggingit
it as
as if
if it
over inin thethe States
States they
it waswas somesome
sort
sort ofof collectors'
collectors' piece."piece.""Did you
you seeseeTheThe Passing
Passing Show?"Show?" Ronnie
Ronnie asks,
asks,
"Did
referringto hisbut ill-fatedill-fated '74
74 project.
referring to
his uniqueunique but
project. "I'm
"I'm
trying to talkEG
talk EG[his[hismanagement]
management] into
into thethe fact
fact thatthat it's
it's
tryingtor"v

was all right. It's got a lot of holes in it. But when I was

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gottabe done again. Do you remember the clowns -theworst clowns
worst
clowns ininthe
theworld?
world?!
I thought
thoughtthey
theywere
were hilarious
hilarious
but
but nobody
nobody saw
saw thethe point.
point. The
The audienceaudience was
was just
justlooking at
at 'em.
'ern.They
Theywere
totalbullshit,bullshit,they
theyjust
camelooking
were total
just camewiththe tent.
tent. We
We gotwith thegot as
as farfar asasScotland,
Scotland, andand II fired
fired 'em.
'em.
"The fire
fireservice
servicewas
wasthethehardest
hardest thing
thing totocontend
contend"Thewith.
We gotwasn'twith. We
got totoBathBath andand thethe guy
guywa
sn't going
going toto letlet usus
go on
on because
because we
we only
only had
had fourfour fire
fire buckets.
buckets. And
And thethegoextinguisher
wasn'tgood
good enough.
enough. So
Sojustextinguisher wasn't
just before
before they
theywere going
were
going toto closeclose thethe show.
show,BathBathArts
ArtsCouncil
Councilturned
turnedup
lent ushave seen
seen it.
it.
up andand lent
us aa fire
fire engine.
engine. Should
Should have
"Next time
time thethe firefire inspector
inspector turned
turned up
said,
"Next
up we
we said,'We'vethe back.'back.' So
So`We've got
got our
our own
own firefire engine,engine, it's
it's roundround thewe took
took him
him roundround andand there
geezers
wetherewere
were aa couple
couple ofof geezers
gottabe done again. Do you remember the clowns-theft
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January6,1976:Lanelooksbackonhis
travelling
looks backonhistravellingmusicalcarnival
carnival,The
musicalThe
Passing Show-"Weweree
losingSomuchmoney,but
January6,1976: Lane

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WorldMags.net

RONNIE LANEWorldMags.net
theywere supposed
supposed to
to bebe kicking
with long hair, standing there in
theywerekicking
oldjeansjeans with
with fire
firehelmets
helmets on.
oldagainst.
on,against. It
It allallbecame
became anan industry,
industry, andandlookingallpaleandwan.bythis
that'slooking all pale and wan, by thisthat's what
what really
really nausesme.lt
nauses me. It really
reallybleeding old
fire engine.
engine. So
webleeding
old fire
So we
does.
does. Because
Because alot
a lotoftheseof thesepeople
peopleearn
earnLsnappedenoughsnapped ourfingers-show
our fingers- show 'em,'em,
enough money,
money, andand have
have aa big
bigenoughenoughboys !And
thismiserable
miserable squirt
squirt ofofboys!
And thispullingpulling power
power andand enoughenough popularity
popularity totowater
actually
water came
came out
out thethe hose.
hose. The
The
actually do
dosomething
something andand turn
turn itit on
on itsits
inspector walked
walked off
shaking his
hisinspector
off shaking
head.
do they
they do?
do? Oh.
head. What
What doOh. They'll
They'll play
play
4
)
m
head
he'd had
had enough.
enough. He
He letthehead--he'd
let thethethe game.
game.And
Andperpetuate
perpetuate stagnation.
stagnation.
show gogo on.
on. SoSo wewe thought-whatthought -whatshow
Anything
kicks theAnything thatthat kicks
the cobwebs
cobwebs down
down
I
a
is
a greatgreat ruse
ruse andand talked
talked 'em'em into
into
is allall right
right byby me.
me.
lcoming round thethe country
country withwithcominground"Did"Did youyouknowknowthatthat when
when thethe Small
Small
•V
us
As it
us on
on theirtheir fire
fire engine.
engine.Asit
Faces
Faces folded
folded up
up we
we werewere left
left 3030grand
grand ininturned out,
engine waswas
turnedout, thethe firefire engine
debt?""And wedebt?" Ronnie
Ronnie asked.
asked. "Andwehadn't
hadn'tthespent
the biggest
biggest fire
fire risk
risk onon thethe show.
show.
spent aa lot
lot ofofmoney.
money. IIdidn't
didn't even
even have
have
It kept blowing
blowing up.
up.
Itkepta
to live."a car.
car. Didn't
Didn't even
even have
have aa place
place tolive."
When"Itwasreallyfantastic-we
had aa"It
was reallyfantastic-we had
When we
we finally
finally arrived
arrived backback atatlorry towing
towing aalorry,
lorry, towing
towingaa caravan;
lorry
Fishpoolcaravan; aa Range
Range Rover
Rovertowing
towing aabus,bus,towing
towingFishpool Farm
Farm again,
again, where
where thethe windwind howled
howled off
offthethemountain,
mountain, there
there was
was
a
just
before a
Id cometoa caravan.
caravan. And
Andthethe lawusedlawused toto comecomealongand
along andthey
theycouldn't
couldn't believe
believethis...
this...
just time
time toto hearhear thethe album
album before
a taxitaxiwouwould
comefrom
fromShrewsbury
Shrewsburyto
thingcoming
we hadhad aa ruse,
ruse, we
wehad
hadaatent
tentmanmancalledcalledCaptain
Captainthing
comingalong.
along. So
So we
whisk
andthethelifelifeofofa
a citycity slicker.
whisk meme backback toto thethe railhead
railhead andslicker.
Hill,Weout into
Hill, aa total
total pirate,
pirate, big
big geezer
geezer with
with aa red
red beard.
beard. And
Andwheneverwhenever wewe gotgot pulledpulledWeplunged
plunged somewhat
somewhat uncertainly
uncertainly out
into thethe teeth
teeth ofof aa gale
gale thatthat had
hadupby thethe law,
law,we'dwe'dsnakesnakeup.
up,allallover
overthetheroad,road,jamming
jammingthe
theroadroadboth
both
up by
blown
blown down
down aa great
great pile
pile ofof corrugatedcorrugated iron
iron lying
lying inin thethe yard.
yard. With
Withaa great
greatcrashing,
Ronnie threwit
we madeways, andand this
this geezer
geezerwouldout andand start
start arguing.
arguing. The
The lawwould
lawwould see
see
ways,
would getget out
crashing, Ronnie
threw it backback against
against aashed.
shed.Finally
Finallywe
made thethethis jamthis
jam buildingbuildingup
upand
andshout,
shout,'Get'Getgoing,
going,get
get going!'
going!' And
And wewe gotgot awayaway
mobile,mobile, andand undergoingundergoingaapantomime
pantomimetransformationtransformation scene,
scene, wewe foundfoundwiththree trucks
ourselves
with it.
it. There
Therewere
wereonly
onlythreetrucks workingin
working in thethe end.
end.
ourselves inin aatechnological
technological wonderland.
wonderland. Soft
Soft lights,
lights,carpets
carpets andand aa"It'sfunny
funny toto talk
talk about
about itit now,"It'sbattery
now,but
butIIwaswasupset
upsetatatthe
thetime,time,something
somethingbattery ofof controls
controlsand
andhumming
humming machinery.
machinery.
shocking.
weeks, mydid bend.
bend. I
I felt"What
It's mymy spaceship.
Welcome, myshocking. The
The first
first few
fewweeks,
my mindmind didfelt soso helpless,helpless, andand"What dodo yeryer think?
think?It's
spaceship. Welcome,my namename isis DrWho."
DrWho."
after thethe third
gave up
up anyway.
anyway. We
Wewerewerelosing
losingso
somuchmuchmoney
money
after
thirdweek
weekI
I gaveRonnieback withto waxRonnie settled
settled backwith his
his glassglass andand began
began towax philosophic.
philosophic. "This"This
life isit. It's-- butbut itit waswas anan experience.
experience. We
We tried
tried toto correct
correct thethe mistakes
mistakes as
as we
we went
went
life
is very
very simple.
simple. It's
It's asas simple
simple asyou
as you wish
wish toto makemake it.
It's also
also asasalong,
we nevercomplicatedas youyou wishwish toto makeit.
along, but
but wenever did."
did."complicated as
make it.
"I'll
ingnow everyone's
you and
Would hehe do
do ititagain?
again? "Maybe,"Maybe,but
but ititwouldn't
wouldn't be
be donedone like
like that.
that. It
It waswas
Would"I'lltel
tellI youyousomethsomething-now
everyone's gone
gone -- between
between you
and me,me,a
was all
all lovely
fact itlife
a veryveryromanticromantic idea,
idea, ititwas
lovelyandandsoundedsounded great.
great. In
In actual
actual factitas simple
simple asyou
as you want
want toto makelife isis asmake it,
it, andand asas complicated,complicated, andand I'mI'm doing
doing
wasn't. Unless'ard. Itwas still
still much
much more
more ofofwasn't.
Unless you
you reallywant
really wantto
todo
doit,
it. it's
it's 'ard.
It wasbothat thewhichII don't
don't like.
like. I'm
I'm trying
to make
it simple,
both atthe moment,
moment, which
trying to
make it
simple, but
but all
all
alife
the
it getsa lifethan
than pulling
pulling into
into ableedinghotel.
a bleeding hotel.
the timetime itgets more
more complicated."
complicated.""Youstart
start living
livinglike
likethethebourgeoisie,bourgeoisie, 'cos
'cos they've
they've got
got aa lot
lot ofofmoney.
Surelythe
the studiostudio wasa world
world ofofcomplications?
complications?
"You
money.
Surelywas a
They live
live ininbig
bighouses
houseswith
with hugehuge mortgages,
mortgages, buy
buy huge
huge cars,
They
"No,
cars, andand thethe"No, no,no, it's
it'saavery
verysimple
simpleroom.
room.There's
There'saamachine,machine, aa bunch
bunch ofof noisenoise
lifestyleisnot
notparticularly
particularly comfortablecomfortable forforlifestyle isreductors
and thethe ultimate
product. This
This isisreductors andultimate product.
them,
feel it's
it'snecessary.
necessary. And
And thenthenthem, butbut they
they feelaAh, yera veryverysimple
simplemachine.
machine.Ah,
yer bastard!"
bastard!"they end
end upup runningrunning tokeep upup thisthis life
life style,style,
they
to keepThis
was not
to me,
This latterlatter remark
remarkwas
not addressed
addressed tome,"They takeonbecause they're
becausethey'reterrified.
terrified.If
Ifit'sit's taken
taken away
away fromfrombut
but toto thethe simple
simple tape
tape machinemachine thatthat had
had just
just cut
cut
them, they'll
they'll be
be devastated.
devastated.
them,
Ronnie'sRonnie's finger.
finger. "Look,""Look,"hehecried,cried,pointing
pointing at
at the
the
"It's
to a
a lot
lot ofbespatteredtapespool.
spool. "Blood"Blood on"It's happened
happened toof people
people I've
I've known.
known.
bespattered tapeon thethe tracks."
tracks."this bleedin
Butyoucan'tgiveof these
these people
people advice
advice -But
you can't
givea
a lot
lot ofAs
As thethe tapetape ofof thethealbum
album began
began toto rollroll andand thethe
not inin thethe poppop business.
business. They
They think
think they
they know
know
notstrainsof'Don'tTryAnd
Change My
My Mind"strains of"Don't TryAnd Change
Mind"everything.
myself. I
everything. II don't
don't like
like musiciansmusicians myself.
I don't
don't
filled thefilledthe mobile,mobile, all
all Ronnie's
Ronnie's mock
mock cynicism
cynicism
title'musiciancount
as aa musician.
musician.
count myself
myself as
rolledrolled away,
away, andand hishis eyeseyes shone
shone andand aa beatificbeatific"Theytake ononthisthisbleedingtitle'musician'bleeding title 'musician'"They takesmile glowed
smile
glowed asashehelistened
listenedto
tothe
thesustained
sustained
andthey know
and they
andthey know
know everything.
everything. If
If you're
you're aa 'musician'jangle
You could'musician'jangle ofof thethe mandolin.
mandolin. You
could seesee hehe waswas
you're supposed
supposed toact like
likesomethingspecial.
something special.
knocked out
out withwith thethe way
you'reto actknockedway thethe bandband had
had treatedtreated- I'veI've had
had enoughenough of
it with
withIt's aaload
loadofofbollocks
It'sbollocks of ithis
his song,
song, andand waswas getting
getting highhigh onon thethe robust
robusteverything"
the people
people I've
I've worked
workedwith
withinthe last
last two
two years,
years,
music. "That's"That's thethe single,
actually."
thein themusic.
single, actually."letalone thethe eight
eight years
years before
before that.
that. Once
Once youlet alone
As theyouAsthe album
album progressed,
progressed, it
it seemed
seemed toto meme thatthatcan play-itseems
seemsyouyou cancan dodo thisthis thatthat andand thethe other,other, and
and I
I
can
play anan instrument
instrument -it
several ofseveralofthe
the otherothertracks
trackscould
couldmakemakesingles.
singles. But
But Ronnie
Ronnie fixed
fixed meme with
with
don't
aalot
don't know
know who
who mademade these
theserules,
rules,butbutthere's
there's
lotof
ofpeople
peopleliving
livingbyby 'em."'em."
agaze. "A"A single?
care. I've
I've got
got
a serious
serious gaze.
single?I'll
I'lltelltellyou
yousomething,something, mate.
mate. II don't
don't care.
Was
Ronnietalking
talking about
about professionalism?
professionalism?
some good
good management
management now.
If they
theywant
to makemake something
something ofit-- good
good
Was Ronnie
somenow. If
want toof it"No...
ifyou'veluck. [Pause)
ain't tired
tiredofof myself,
myself, orlife. Just
"No... see...
see... ifyo
Wyemademadeit,it,you're
you'resupposed
supposed to
to looksuch
look such andand dodo such.
such.
luck.
(Pause) I'm
I'm tired
tired ofof thisthisbusinessbusiness -1-I ain't
orlife.
Just
You'reexpected toto live
live ininaabig
bigmansion,
mansion,andand live
liveout
outthethepublic's
public'sdream.
dream.
thisall --whystill enjoy
enjoy playingplaying You're expected
this business.
business.I'm
I'mtiredtiredofofit
it allwhy shouldn't
shouldn'tII be?
be? I
I stillPigeonPigeon 'oles."'oles."
it's theonly thing
it's
the only
thing II know.
know.
Howlong
it taketake Ronnie
Ronnie toto discoverdiscover hehe didn't
didn't like
like thethe way
way things
things"I'm notnot complaining;
complaining; I'mjust saying
had enough.
enough. I'm
I'm not
not bitter,
bitter, no.
Howlong did
did it"I'm
I'm just
saying I've
I've had
no.
were
-in
the poppop business,business, f'rinstance?
f'rinstance?
werein theThat's pretty
prettynegative.
negative.
Youseesee-1
ain't
gotany
any
money
left.
AllI'veI'vegot
got isisThat'sYou-I ain't
got
money
left.
All
"It
was aa very
very slow
slow processprocess (silence)
maybe IIshouldn't
shouldn't shout
shout so
so loud,loud," It was[silence)... maybe
credibility, which
credibility,
which seems
seems toto be
be worth
worth money.
money. So
So I'mI'm gambling
gambling on
on my
my
'cos
as everyone
credibility,
for aprojectthat II really
really want
to do.
do.
'cos IIwent
wentthroughthrough thethe samesame thing
thing aseveryone else.
else. It's
It'sjust
justthatthat somesomecredibility, fora project thatwant topeopleter. When
was a
a kid
kid itit waswas all
all right.
right.
"And it's
it'saagame
gamethatthat I'm
I'm getting
getting tired
had itit allall withwith thethe Small
Small Faces,
Faces,
people thatthat areare olderolder should
should knowbet
know better.
When I
I was"And
tired of.
of. I
I had
II suppose
suppose it
it beganbegan when
when!I was
was happy,
happy, with
with thethe lady,
lady, andand thethe kids.
kids. AndAnd also
also
andthe Faces.
Faces. The
The Faces
and theFaces paid
paid off
off inin thethe end,end, but
but now,
now, I'm
I'm not
not sure
sure if
if
II thought,
thought, 'This
peoplewant tohear mymusic. II don't
don't know
knowwhat'Thiscan't
can'tgogoon
onforever,forever, andandII don't
don'twant
wantit
itto
to go
go on
on forever.'forever.'people want
to hearmy music.
what sells
sells oror gets
gets inin thethe
And yetyet I
ng that
II wasn't
wasn't going
going anywhere.
anywhere. And
Igetgetthisthisfeeli
feelingthat I'm
I'm looked
looked upon
upon
charts.
If thischarts. If
this isisaacompetition,competition, then
then II ain't
ain't ininthe
therunning.
running.
asan oddity."
oddity."
as an
"I'll
This isis justIt's no"I'll tellyou
tellyou something.
something. This
just anan album.
album. It'sno bigbigdeal-justdeal- just aa
Ronniehad experienced
experiencedall
allthethepoppoplifelifestylestylewhenwhenhehe waswas 15-16...
15-16...
bunch ofof songs.
songs. But
to makemakea
a big
big deal
deal out
out ofof
Ronnie hadbunch
But these
these days
days you're
you're supposed
supposed to"I
was 18,"18,"corrected
corrected Ronnie.
Ronnie. "It's"It'snotnotonly
onlythis
this business,business, it
it goeson"I wasgoes onit.
it. But
But I've
I've got
gotno
no bigbigspeech
speech to
to make.
make. II live
live thethe way
way IIdo,do,andand ififIIcan't
can'tmakemakeeverywhere. It
It depends
everywhere.
depends onon thethe individual
individual capacity
capacity toto growup,
grow up, IIsuppose.
suppose.
thisreallywill.
it
this businessbusinessinto
intomymylife,life, then
thenI'll
I'llleave
leaveit.
it. I
I really
will. I'm
I'm giving
givingitOr
to grow
grow down,
down, onethe two."another six
months."Or toone ofof thetwo."
anothersixmonths.""When we"When
we started
the Faces
Faces itwas
it was just
just forfor aa loon.
loon. Andto
You're determined?
started the
And thenthen they
they had
had toYou'redetermined?
turn
into something
something else.
Allthetherock
rockbands
bandsturned
turned into
into thethe veryvery thing
thing
"I'm
determined totolive
Chris Welch
turn itit intoelse. All
"I'm determined
livemymylife."life." Chris
Welch •
with long hair, standingthere in"They take on
this bleedin'
title 'musician'and they know
everything.

.

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HISTORY
ROCK 1976
1976
HISTORY OF ROCK

29
129

WorldMags.net
19761r"Follow

Follow

that"

V
I

«

that"

PAUL McCARTNEY is in receipt of an
PAUL McCARTNEY is inreceipt of anenormous offer to reform The Beatles.
Why would he, though, when NINA'' areon the road. "I talked to John [Lennon]
the other night," he says. "And we nevertalked about the reunion or about theoffer. The bugger didn't mention it."enormous offer to reform The

Why would

Beatles.

he, though, when WINGS areon the road.

"I talked to John

the other night,"

talked about thehe says.

[Lennon]"And we neverreunion or about theoffer. The bugger didn't mention

it."

r
-

MARCH 27
MELODY MAKER .,iARCH
27 -MELODY MAKER/c'M NOT GOING to be blackmailed into going." No,

I'M NOT GOING to be blackmailed into going." No,Paul wasn't talking about the much -publicised anddebated reunion of The Beatles. Nor even the Wings
tour ofAmerica. He was in the throes of attempting
to opt out of a dinner invitation, pressed home withpersistence by one of the throng milling at a WestEnd hotel last week.
Paul, Linda, and Wings were on the loose in a suite where sandwiches
piled up around bottles of beer. DJs tripped over journalists in the
merry-go-round of interviews at a press conference convened only
hours before the bandwere due to depart on their first dates of 1976.
Paul wasn't talking about the much-publicised and\debated reunion of The Beatles. Nor even the Wings\

tour of America. He was in the throes of attempting

to opt out of a dinner invitation, pressed home withpersistence by one of the throng milling at a West1

End hotel last week.

Paul, Linda, and Wings were on the loose in a suite where sandwiches

piled up around bottles of beer. DJs tripped over journalists in the

merry-go-round of interviews at a press conference convened only

hours before the band were due to depart on their first dates of 1976.

"Look, I'm off to Copenhagen tomorrow and I've got to get some sleep.""Butwe'd
we'd bebethrilledthrilled ifyou
if youcame..."came...""But
Well
Wellititwas
wasaaprivate
privateconversation,
conversation,but
but ititunderlined
underlined thethe kindkind ofofpressures still
the famousrock. Paul
Paulextracted
extractedpressuresstill exerted
exerted onon thefamous ones
ones ofof rock.
himself
himself fromfrom thethe situation
situation with
with aa mixture
mixture ofoffirmness
firmness andand diplomacy
diplomacybornlong practice.
born ofoflongpractice.
Forjust aa few
Forjustfewseconds
seconds thethe warning
warning signals
signals flashedflashed andand you
you could
could
sense thesense
the old
old Liverpudlian
Liverpudlian cutting
cutting edge
edge being
being honed
honed andandmademadeready.
ready,
andthedaysdays when
when all
all fourto cutand remembered
remembered thefour Beatles
Beatles werewerereadyreadytocut"Look, I'm off to Copenhagen tomorrow and I've got to get some sleep."through cant if threatened or surrounded.
But Paul relaxed and seemed eager and happy to talk about the newWings album WingsAtTheSpeed0fSound, with an enthusiasm andcourtesy that is rare among lesser talents than McCartney's. He waseven prepared to comment on the $25 million offer currentlybeing
made byUS promoter Bill Sargent to re-form The Beatles despite his
having made clear in the past that his interest is now in Wings and notr—■:ithrough cant if threatened or surrounded.

But Paul relaxed and seemed eager and happy to talk about the newWings album Wings At J'he Speed Of Sound, with an enthusiasm andcourtesy that is rare among lesser talents than McCartney's. He was.

even prepared to comment on the $25 million offer currently being

made by US promoter Bill Sargent to re-form The Beatles despite his

having made clear in the past that his interest is now in Wings and notthepast.

*the past.

,
E.

w
o

But first he discussed Wings' recent adventures.
"We"We hadhad fabfab funfun inin Australia,"
Austral ia,"saidsaidPaul,Paul,slipping
slipping into
into Mersey
Mersey Mania
Mania.
dialogue. "It
was thethe first
first real
real tour
tour we'd
we'd done
done forforaawhile.
»
dialogue.
"It waswhile. »But first he discussed Wings' recent adventures.

WorldMags.net
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HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
30 I IHISTORY

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-

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A

WorldMags.net

Wings in1976:(1-1-)Joe

English,Linda McCartney,
Paul McCartney, Denny
Laine, Jimmy McCulloch

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1976WorldMags.net

HAM --104

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Did"The audiences were great and we just dug playing. It was more like
Did PaulPaulwant
want toto involve
involvehimselfin
himself in aatheme,
theme, like
like VennsAnrfMflrs?
VenusAndMars?
a holiday."holiday."a"Well,And Mars, actually.
"Well,ititwasn't
wasn'treally
really aa theme
theme onon Venus
VenusAndMars,
actually. No,
No, IIdidn't
didn'tWhat
about thethinkat allto it
What happened
happened about
the trip
trip toto JapanJapan thatthat waswas cancelled
cancelled when
when
think atall ofofthemes.
themes. IIthought
thought ofofaa bunch
bunch ofof tunes...
tunes... There
There isis aa theme
theme toit
the JapaneseJapanese authorities
authorities wouldn't
to an
an oldold dopedope thewouldn'tlet
let them
them inin duedue toonce
few times,of family,
once you've
you've heard
heard itit aa few
times, aa sort
sort offamily, love-ish,love-ish, warm-ish
war m-ish feel.
feel.
smokingWell,
smoking offence?
offence?
Well, II can
can never
never analyse
analyse me
me ownown stuff."
stuff.""Itwaswas thethe minister
minister ofjustice's fault.
suppose he'd
was mymy fault
fault"It
ofjustice's
fault. I
I supposehe'd saysay itit wasWas
Was hehesteelinghimself
steeling himself forfor criticism?
criticism?
forweed. But
"Waal
You takefor having
having smokedsmoked some
some ofthedeadlyof the deadlyweed.
But wewe hadhad ourvisas
ourvisas signed
signed"Waal-you-you know,
know, this
this time...
time... You
take itit differently
differently each
each time.
time. II sit
sitthere
there
byby thethe London
LondonJapaneseJapanese embassy.
embassy. Everything
Everything had
had been
been cleared,
cleared, David
David
and
'It's gonna
and think,
think, 'It's
gonna bebe greatgreat reviews
reviews thisthistime,'time,'and
andyouyou areare
Baileywas coming
overtodisappointed
there isis oneBaileywas
coming over
to do
do afilm
a film andand wewewerewereininAustralia,
Australia,justjustaboutabout
disappointed ififthere
one badbad one.
one.
a weekweek out
out fromfrom going
going toto Japan,Japan, when
when aa littlea"But'I'm getting
getting on
on withwith it,
it, I've
little note
note arrived
arrived saying
saying sorry,
sorry, thethe"But this
this time
time I'm
I'mjustjust thinking,thinking, 'I'm
I've just
just mademadeJapanese
ministerof
ofjusticejustice says
says 'No'.
'No'.
aJapanese ministera record,record, let
let them
them getget onon withwith it.'it.' II hope
hope they
they like
like it,it,butbutififthethereviewers
reviewers"They're still
still old-fashioned
old-fashioned out
out there.
there. There's
There's aa generation
generation gap
gap andand thethe"They're
don't,
like it."
don't, well,well, IIhope
hope thethe people
people like
it."
wrong
Justice, asWillwrong end
end ofof thethe gap
gapisisininthe
theMinistry
Ministry Of
OfJustice,as ititisishere.
here.The
Theolderolder
WillPaulPaulincorporate
incorporate many
many ofof thethe new
new songs
songs inin thethe show?
show?
folksseeseeaagreat
greatdanger
danger ininallowing
allowing inin an
an alien
alien who
whohashasadmitted
admitted smoking
smokingfolks"Because
we're off
off to"Because it's
it's aa very
very new
new album
album andand we'reto Europe,
Europe, it's
it's aabit
bitsoonsoon
marijuana,
and supposedly
supposedlythey're
they'retrying
tryingto
stampitit out,out, usingall
formuch ofofthe
marijuana, andto stamp
using all thethefor anybodyto
anybody to have
have heard
heard muchthe stuff.
stuff. So
So we've
we've only
onlygotthree
got threewrong methods
methods as
as usual."
usual."
wrongof'Beware My
My Love',of thethe songs
songs inin- 'Beware
Love', 'Silly'Silly LoveLoveSongs'
Songs' andand 'Let'Let 'Em'Ern In',
In',
Did
Paul feel
all
play
DidPaulfeel angry
angry about
about being
being barred?
barred?
all uptempo.
uptempo. We've
We've got
gotplenty
plentyof
ofrehearsal
rehearsaltime
time before
before wewe actuallyactuallyplay"Oh yeah,yeah, aa bit
bit overover thethe top.
top. It
It was"Oh
America,will beWe're notwas just
just one
one ofof thosethose things,
things, but
but wewe felt
felt aa bitbit
America, andand byby thatthat time
time thethe album
album will
be betterbetter known.
known. We'renot
sickit. It's
sick about
about it.
It's soso short-sighted."
short-sighted."goingtopre-judge,
going to pre -judge,we'll
we'llseeseewhatwhatnumbers
numbers
After thetheAustralian
Australian tour
tour they
they sent
sent aa televised
televisedAfterpeoplelike."
people like."
versionIt
to me"Silly Loveversion ofof theirtheir showto
show to Japan.
Japan.
Itseemed
seemed tome thatthat "Silly
Love Songs"
Songs" waswas"We just
ran"Wediddid thethe TV
TVshow
showforforallallthethepeople
people who
who
"We
an
an obvious
obvious single.
single.
couldn't
get in"Yeah,
couldn't get
in toto seesee ususin
inAustralia
Australiabecause
because"Yeah,thatthat seems
seems toto be
be thethe oneone people
people arearesome ofof thethe tickets
tickets weresome
were going
going forforSinatra
Sinatra prices.
prices.
talkingtalking about.
about. But
But we've
we'vereleased
released thethealbum
album
wires
into
"And
of it
beforebecause the"Andweweimmediately
immediately got
got aa print
print of
it up
up to
to
before anyanysingles,
singles,mainly
mainlybecause
the radio
radio
Japan, soso thatthat thethe weekend
weekend we
we werewere supposed
supposed totoJapan,
stations
haven't been
beentold
told what
what isis ourstations haven't
our preference
preferencethekitchen.
have
andhave arrived,
arrived, they
they had
had aa bigTVshowand
big TVshow and they
they
and they
they cancan decide
decide forfor themselves.
themselves.
turned itit roundround into
bigcurrent
current affairs
affairs
turnedinto aa big"Andvarious cuts
"Andthey'll
they'llplay
playvarious
cuts andand seesee whichwhich
programme,
too, with
with anan hourhour andand aa halfprogramme, too,half ofof
rises'Silly Love
Love Songs'
rises toto thethe surface.
surface. 'Silly
Songs' isis thethe one
one
Take
one:
people discussing
we're
of at
peoplediscussing thethe merits
merits ofof marijuana.
marijuana.
we're thinking
thinking ofat thethe moment.
moment.
"In aaway
waywe
hadbecomebecome martyrs
martyrs forfor thethe"In
we had"Anotherme wasAnd"Anothersurprisesurprise forforme
was 'Warm`WarmAndcause,
is a
Beautiful'.
cause, which
which isa drag."drag."
Beautiful'. It's
It's nono wayway asingle,
a single,but
but 'Yesterday''Yesterday'
bacon
frying'With
With allallthisthis travelling,
travelling, when
when did
did PaulPaul getget time
time
wasn'twasn't single
single material.
material. It's
It's ininthatthatveinveinthough.
though.
toA
to start
start working
working onon thethe album?
album?
A nicenice song."
song.""Wefitfitititin,
in,y'know...
y'know...We
Wedid
didAustralia,
Aust ralia,and
andthenthenbecause
becauseJapan
Japandidn't
didn'tWhat was
was thethe origin
origin of'CookOfTheof 'Cook Of TheHouse'-Linda's
House' -Linda's speciality
speciality in
in
"We
What
come
off, we
weraunchycome off,
wehad
had aagreat
great holiday,
holiday,andand asas Hawaii
Hawaii waswas onon thethe way
wayback
backweraunchy rock'n'roll?
rock'n'roll?
stopped there
got thethe album
album together
together inin mymy head.
head.
stoppedthere and
and I
1 got
"Well, we"Well,
we werewere ininAdelaide
Adelaide andand rented
rented aa house
house toto stay
stayatatrather
ratherthan
than"We'ddone
done aalittle
littlebit
bitofofrecording
recordingininSeptember
Septemberand
andthenthen had
had
"We'd
a
a hotel.
hotel. And
Andafterafterthethe gig
gigeacheachnight,night, Linda
Linda andand IIwould
wouldgetgetdropped
dropped off
off
Christmas
Westarted
started onon thethe album
album inin January
January ororFebruaryFebruary and sit
up inin thethe kitchen
kitchen andlate -night bite.
bite.
Christmas off.
off. Weandsit upand have
have aa late-nightsometimesometime -- I'm
it could"They
all theofthe
I'm aabit
bithazy.
hazy.The
Thealbum
albumdidn't
didn't taketake too
too longlong -it
could have
have
"They had
had these
these pots
pots ofof sagesage andand oniononion -allthe condiments
condiments ofthebeen
done aa lot
been done
lot quicker.
quicker. We
Wedidn't
didn't rush
rush it,
it, but
but letletthethe ideas
ideas blossom.
blossom.
season -that's aajoke
that, condiments
condiments ofthe season."season."season-that's
joke that,
ofthe"There were"Therewantedto
todo.
do.I1 had
had aa songsong forfor
Oh,er,
fails towere aa few
fewthings
things IIespecially
especiallywanted
Oh, er,delayed
delayedMMlaughter
MMlaughter as
as slow-wittedjournalist
stow -witted journalist entirely
entirely fails
toDenny
writtenand
anda
a few
few otherwanted toto dodo andDennywritten
other tunes
tunes I1 definitely
definitelywanted
and got
got
spot jest.
jest.
spot
those
down. And
therewere
were aa fewwhat toto do"Well,
was athose down.
And thenthen there
few IIdidn't
didn't really
reallyknow
knowwhatdo"Well,allallthisthisstuff
stuff waswaslined
linedup,up,andand ititwasa kindkind ofof freakfreaksong,
song,andandwith.
track down,
down, thenthengot
got thethe idea
idea ofof getting
with. II put
put aa backing
backing track
getting Joe
Joe English
EnglishI tookI
tookeverything
everything II saw
sawandand tried
tried totoworkworkitit intointo thethe song.
song. Every
Every line
line inin thethetodo it,
it, because
because he's
very good
good voice.
voice.
to dohe's got
got aa verysong
song waswas actuallyactually inin thatthat kitchen."kitchen.""Linda's got
got this
this track,
track, 'Cook
The House',
House', so
so IIthought
thought it
it would
would bebeWhat were
were thethe sizzling
sizzlingnoises
noisesheard
heard in
inthe
theintroduction?
introduction?
"Linda's'Cook OfOf TheWhat
good
good toto givegive one
one toto JoeJoe asas well.
well. He
He said,
said, 'Oh,
`Oh, er,
er,well
wellOK.'
OK.'AndAndwhenwhenhe'dhe'd"WeLinda decided
to"Wewent
went roundround toto ourour househouse with
with thethe mobile
mobile unit
unit andand Linda
decided todone itit wewewerewereallallsurprised.
surprised. He
He cancan sing
well, can't
can't he?
he? But
But it's
it'snothingnothing totocook aameal
mealandand getgetcooking
cookingsounds
sounds recorded,recorded, andand thenthen fed
the meal
meal toto us
done
sing well,cook
fed theuswhat
andwhat hehe could
could do,do,butbutthat's
that's down
down toto thethe future.
future.
and thethe engineers.
engineers.
'And Denny
Denny II obviously
obviously wanted
wanted toto getget going
goingandandcooking
cooking aa bit,
bit, because
because"We allallhadhad aa laughlaugh andand aa drink.
drink. The
The mobile
mobile was"And"We
was outside
outside thethe househouse andandII likelikethethe idea
ideaofofgiving
givinghim
himaapush.
push.The
Thebandbandcamecame together
together aa couple
couple ofof
we just'Take one.
one. Bacon
wejust ran
ran wireswires into
into thethe kitchen.
kitchen. 'Take
Bacon frying.'
frying.' The
The first
first
British cooking
weeks
ago forfor rehearsals
rehearsals down
Elstree, andand thethe nice
nice thing
thing isthere isisweeks ago
down at
at Elstree,
is there
Britishcooking on
on record.
record.
aa songsong called
called 'Silly'Silly LoveLoveSongs',
Songs',which
whichhashasaabrassbrassbitbitwhichthe brassbrass
which the"Thereit sounds
like"There areare chips
chips at
at thethe end,end, which
which isis greatgreat because
because it
sounds likeplayers
in thethe bandband worked
out inin thethe studio.
studio.
applause. Ifyou
letters to
AnyQuestions,
Questions, youplayers inworked out
applause.
Ifyou getget any
any lettersto Anyyou cancan telltell readers
readers itit"Theyit, because
it's their
their bit.
bit. We
was an"They cancan really
really get
get behindbehind it,
because it's
We also
also used
used two
two
was
an E
E flatflatbacon
bacon panpan andand Selmer
Selmer chips.
chips.
euphoniums
Beautiful', but
but those
those areare session
session guys."guys.""The song
song isisvery
veryhighhighschool
schoolorientatedorientatedbecause
becausethat
thatwaseuphoniumson
on'Warm'WarmAnd
And Beautiful',"The
was Linda's
Linda's scene
scene
Was ititPaul'sPaul'sintention
intentionwith
with this
this album
album toto bringbring thethe members
members ofWings
ofWingsWas
as
as aa kidkidin
inAmerica.
America.Of
Ofcourse,
course,wewedidn't
didn'thave
haveany
anyofofthatthatdating
dating andandforward asas muchmuch asas possible?
possible?
takingin cars
cars at
at thethe ageage ofof 17.
forwardtaking chicks
chicks out
out in17.
"That'sthe objec
objectto tryget out"The"That's always
always thet withwith anything
anything II do,do, andand totry andand getout ofof"The most
most we
we hadhad waswas aahop
hop onon thethe backback ofofaatandem,
tandem, andand we'd
we'd have
have
aa rutrut andsomething different.
was inin Jamaica,
Jamaica, II heard
heard aa reggae
reggaeand dodo something
different. When
When II was
records
records inin thethe classroomclassroom at
at thethe endend ofof term.
term. IIremember
remember one
one day
when thedaywhentherecordwhich featured
featured aa trombone
trombone allrecord which
all onguy
on itsitsown.
own.ItItsoundedsoundeddaft
daft andand fruity
fruityguy inin thethe Remo
Remo Four
Fourbrought
brought aa guitar,
guitar, IIbrought
brought aaguitar,
guitar, George
George brought
brought
andfiled itit away
away atatthe
thebackback ofofmy
mymindmind thatthat I'd
I'd love
lovetotouse
useaatrombone.
trombone.
in
his guitar
guitar and
andwe
room.
and I
I filedin hiswewentwentinto
intothethehistory
historyroom,
room,Cliff
CliffEdge's
Edge's room.
"And,"And,ofofcourse,
course, wewehavehaveTony
TonyDorsey,
Dorsey, who
who plays
plays
_
"The
namewaswasMr
Mr Edge,
Edge, see.
"The teacher'steacher's nameremembersee. II remember
trombonewe could
could use
as aa solo
solo
tromboneforfor us,us, soso we
use itit as
doing'LongTalldoing 'Long
Tall Sally'
Sally'andand allallthethe old
oldstuff,
stuff,andand thatthat
instrumenton
on thethe album."
album."
was thenearestweweeverevergot
got toto aa high-school
instrument
wasthe nearest
high- school hop."
hop."
WINGS
What was
was thethe origin
origin of
the doorbell
doorbell used
used totoWhy
not getWings to
to do
do an
What
of theWhy not
get Wings
an albumof oldpop hits?
album ofold pophits?
LET'EM IN_
introduce'Let'Let'Em'EmIn',
In', thethealbum's
album'sfirst
firstt track?
"Listennow don't
don't getget meme onintroduce
rack? Were
Were
"Listen --now
on projects.
projects. There
There areare
BEWARE MY LOVEthey
the McCartney
McCartney householdhousehold chimes?
chimes?
they theso manysomany ofof thosethose toto do.
do. I've
I've got
got aa head
head full
full ofof that.
that.
"Well,
as itithappens,
happens, itit is"Well, asis ourA Buddy
our actual
actual doorbel
doorbellIA
BuddyHolly
Hollyalbum,
album,ananalbum
album ofof oldoldpoppoptunes
tunes
-O
^ V
which
our drummer
drummer boughtbought us,
us, soso itithasa groupgroup- therethere arelike that."that."
which ourhas aare millions
millionsof
of ideas
ideas like.Vsignificance. And
significance.
And itit seemed
seemed aa good
good introductionto
But howabout
the hits
hits ofofthe'70s?
introduction toBut
how about the
the '70s?
thealbum."
the album.""I
what youyet.""Iknow
knowwhat
you mean,mean, but
but itit hasn't
hasn't happened
happened yet.""The audiences were great and we just dugplaying. It was more like

"We just ran

wires into
the kitchen.
Take one:bacon frying"

WorldMags.net

32 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

32 I HISTORY OF ROCK 1976t-WorldMags.net

May3,1976:Paul
McCartneyand
Wings in concert in
Fort Worth, Texas

Were there anym ajar projects for Paul in the c oaring year other thanthethe Wings
Wings tours?
tours?
"Well,"Well, no.
no. WeWe go
goto
toEurope
Europe andandArneric
America,a, andand thenthen we
we haven't
haven't got
got
anythingplanned,
justsomesomebreather
breathertime.But
ButWings
Wings isis growing,
anything planned, justtime.
growing, andand
it surprises
surprises memein-expected itit not
not toto happen.
happen. It
wasitinawaya waybecause
becauseII half
half-expected
It wasaof follow
a question
question offollow that,
that, after
after The
The Beatles.
Beatles.
"Butit's
it'sestablishedestablished andand thethe mainmain thing
we areare enjoying
enjoying playing,playing, andand"But
thingisis wecan
get offovera
a lot
lot ofAs
can getoff onon it,
it,whichwhich isis aagreat
great advantage
advantage overof olderolder groups.
groups. As
Denny says,'It's aa great
great group.'group.' The
The old
old feeling."
feeling."Dennysays, 'It's
Does
Does PaulPaul getgettiredtiredabout
about being
being asked
asked about
about thethe Beatles
Beatlesreunion?
reunion?
"Idon't"I
don'tmind
mind-- asas II say,say, at
at thethe moment
moment wewe areare definitely
definitely going
going onon aa tour
tour
ofAmerica with
Wings, andnice thing
thing I'm
I'm looking
looking forward
forward to.
to. But
But
ofAmerica
with Wings,
and that's
that's aa nice
don't count
count out
out anything
anything else.
else.
II don't"Maybe"Maybe ininAmerica
America one
loon down
down toto a
we'llloon
a studiostudio withwith
one night,night, we'll
someone," said
said PaulPaulnoncommitally.
ear. The
The mainmainsomeone,"noncommitally."I'm"I'mjust
justplaying
playingit
it by
by ear.
thing
about this
this hugehuge offer...
offer... THE
thing about
THE HUGEHUGEOFFER...
OFFER, well
wellthethe man's
man's anan
Were there any major projects for Paul in the comingyear other thanembarrassment.

embarrassment.

"If I were a fellow back in Liverpool aged 18 doing me first job, well I'd
think,
think, 'Nobody'Nobody cancan refuse
refuse that,
that, can
can they?
they? It's
It's just
just too
too muchmuch money.'money.' EvenEven
if
we wereifwe
were terrible
terrible itit would
would bebeworthworth itit- right?
right?
"Wellforforme,
me,thethetrouble
trouble is,is, I'veI'vealways
alwaysbeen
been soso proud
proud ofof TheThe"Well
Beatlesof thethe thing
Beatles thing
thing andand thethe embarrassment
embarrassment ofthing isis thatthat sosomuchmoney isis beingmuch money
being offered,offered, most
most people
people inin thethe worldworld would
would
say,
say, 'You'Youhave
havetotoaccept.'
accept.'"But for
forme
methe
thethingis
thing isthatthat forforaathinglikething likethat
thattotoactuallyactually"But
happenwantititthatthatway,
way, 'cos'cos ofof money.
happen II wouldn't
wouldn't wantmoney. It's
It'swhat
what
people said
peoplesaidwhenwhen we
we split
split up.
up. All
All thethe wiseacres,wiseacres, all
all thethe JackJack"If I were afellowback in Liverpool aged 18 doing me first job, well I'd

The Lads- 'Well they'll be back soon enough, as soon as they
feel thethe pinch.'pinch.'
feel"I
what it's
it's comecome to.
to. It's
for me,"I hatehate thatthat that's
that's what
It's aa drag
drag and,
and, forme,
the mainmain truth
know asas muchmuch about
about
the
truthabout
aboutthethewhole
wholething
thingisis I
I know
thisoffer asyou
what's inthis offer
as you know.
know. Exactly
Exactlywhat's
in thepapers,
the papers, andand thethetelegram I've
received fromfrom this
this man
man BillSargent. ErEr -now
telegram
I've received
Bill Sargent.
now
II haven't
haven't had
hadanyanyotherothercommunication
communication besides
besides thatfrom
that fromanyone. You
anyone.
You cancan talk
talk toto thethe otherother three
three about
about it.
it.
"In
"In fact,
fact, IItalked
talkedto
toJohnJohnthetheotherothernight.
night.Just
Justhappened
happened totobe talking
talking tohim onon thethe phone.
phone. We
Wechatted
chatted forfor about
about anan hourhour
beto himandhe wasYork. Weand aa halfhalf- he
was inin New
NewYork.
Wejustjustchatted
chattedandandrambled,rambled,about politics,
politics, whateverwhatever we
we werewere interested
interested in.
in.
about
The Lads - 'Well t hey'l I be back soon enough, as soon as they

"A natter. And we never once mentioned the reunion or the offer. I"A natter. And we never once mentioned the reunion or the offer. I

thought about it afterwe got off the phone. We just didn't even mention it.
John didn't
John
didn't say,say, 'Well'Well what
what dodo youyou think?'
think?' So
So that's
that'swhere
whereit's
it's at
at forfor me.
me. It'sIt'sahow most
most people
people inin thethe worldworld think
we'd havea funny
funny one.
one. IIunderstandunderstand how
think we'dhave
to accept
accept it.
toit.
"Forme,way The"For me,thetheonly
onlyway
TheBeatles
Beatlescould
couldcomecome backbacktogether
together again
again
would bebe ifwe
if wewanted
wantedto
todo
dosomething
something musically,
musically, notnot lukewarm
lukewarm just
just to
to
would
get
You could
get thethe money.
money. You
could do
do it
it to
to makemake aa lot
lotof
ofmoney,money,but
but ititwould
would bebe thethewrong
wrong motive,
motive, andand this
this isis whatwhat bugs
bugs me.
me. II really
really don't
don't want
wa nt toto do
do aa thing
thing
that
was always
always forthat wasfor thethe right
right motives
motives -- andand The
The Beatles
Beatles were
were forfor thethe right
rightmotives --andmotivesandmakemakeitit aa totaltotal cop-out.
cop-out.
"Itwould
would ruin
ruin thethe whole
whole Beatles
Beatles thing
thing forme.
us werewere really
really"It
for me.If
If thethe fourfour ofof us
keen onon thethe idea,
idea, oror something
something in
I
keen
inthe
thenext
nextyear
yearmakes
makesususkeenkeenononit,
it, oror I
just
just talk
talk toto thethe others
others andand findfind out
out thatthat they
they areare really
really keen
keen secretly,secretly, thenthen
I mustmust feel
feelIIought
oughttotodo
dosomething
something about
about it.
it.
I
"But
as IIsay,say,wewetalkedtalkedononthethephone
phone forfor
"But notnot having
having talked
talked about
about itit at
at allall - asan hourhour andand didn't
didn't even
even mention
mention it.
And I'dI'dreadread thethe papers
papers which
which said
said
anit. AndJohn
John Lennon
Lennon was
was thethe hottest
hottest on
on this.
this.
"AndIIspoke"And
spoketotothe
thebugger
buggerandandhehedidn't
didn't even
even mention
mention it.
it. Where
Where dodo youyou
thought about it after we got off the phone. We just didn't even mention it.

go from there?" Chris Welch *go from there?" Chris Welch •ceartney:
ressurecooking
WorldMags.net

:THE
HISTORY
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The History Of Rock is a magazine series celebrating 50 years
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11976

Readers' letters'ifmrr,4NUttSDK'S

tIC

FOR'76

MM JAN-MAR ay up, Percy, "rockified" reggae and a string-driven thing.

MM JAN-MAR Pay up, Percy, "rockified" reggae and a string-driven thing.

He went of his
own accord
accordown
Robert Plant's
Plant's
RobertHe went of his

LP).WINNER!),remarks about the
British tax laws in your last issue
sickened and disgusted me.
He seems to believe that the
primary motive for creatingmusic is financial and to havean inflated opinion of his own
worth and relevance.
The creation of music shouldbe essentially an act of giving,
the imparting and sharingof emotional responses. But
remarks about the

British tax laws in your last issue

sickened and disgusted me.

He seems to believe that the

primary motive for creatingmusic is financial and to havean inflated opinion of his own

worth and relevance.

The creation of music shouldbe essentially an act of giving,
the imparting and sharingof emotional responses. But

Plant
as aa
Plant seems
seemstoto viewview itit asmanufacturing process with one
ear tuned to the sound of the cash
till. Has he forgotten that somepeople still playmusk just for
fun, and that some of his fellow
superstars use their privileged
positions to help the lessfortunate? On the same page as
Plant's outburst, for instance, it
was announced that Elton John
intends to tour for charity.

calculate the amount theywould

calculate the amount they would

Original issue
What aalot
Whatlotofofbickering
bickering
we've
we've
had
had
lately.
lately.The
The"Are"ArelOccand/orQueenlOcc and/or Queen
original?"
original?" argument
argument seems
seems to
to me
me
to
nt of
to miss
miss thethe poipointof music
music
altogether. Ifpeoplebealtogether.
If people want
want toto besubjective,
subjective, let
let them
them bebe so
so honestly.
honestly.
Original issueget, and weigh it against themoney
will inevitably
inevitablylose
money they
theywill
lose
bylostsales?
by lost sales?
I, likelike many
many others,
others, amam preparedpreparedtobuy albums
albums bylesser -known
to buyby lesser-known
bands,
providing I
I canbands, providing
can atat least
least hearhear
some ofwhat they
they do,do, but
but ifthis
someof what
if thisgoes
my recordgoes ahead
ahead myrecord shop
shop wi
willII notnot
play
play anan album,
album, II won't
won't buy
buy it,it, andandeverybodyloses, noteverybody loses,
not least
least thethe
young
young up-and-coming
up -and-coming bands
bands who
who
have sohave
so little
little exposure
exposure anyway.
anyway.
Take away
awaythatthat element
element andand yetyetTakeanother
will beanother nailna ilwillbehammeredhammered into
into
thecoffin ofof ourourmusicalmusical future.
future.
the coffin
get, and weigh it against theinterested me. The item thatreally caught my attention
concerned your correspondent's
interested me. The item thatreally caught my attention

concerned your correspondent's

review of Big Star's Radio City

South Normanton, Derbyshire.

album. He concludes with thetill. Has he forgotten that some

(MM, Jan 31)

people still play music j us t forfortunate? On the same page as
Plant's outburst, for instance, it

was announced that Elton John
intends to tour for charity.

In addition, if it is true thatmost rockrock stars
stars find
find their
their work
work
most
enjoyable
enjoyable andand satisfying,satisfying, they
they
simplysimply do
do notnot deserve
deserve thethe hugehugefinancial
rewards they
they receive.
receive.
financial rewards
Is Plant
Plant seriously
seriouslytryingusIs
tryingto
to telltell usthat
he could
not live
live andthat hecould notand work
work ininGreat Britain
Britain andand earnearn asas much
much
Great
after
after tax
tax asas thethe average
average coal
coal
workerworker oror nurse,
nurse, who
who works
works just
just asas
hard, andand performs
performs just
just ashard,
as usefulusefula servicea
service forforthethecommunity
community asashehe does?
does? Ifself-centred
If self-centredsuperstars
superstars
feel they
theymust
abroad fortax
feel
must live
live abroadfor tax
reasons
all youreasons all
you cancan really
really say
sayisisgood riddance.
riddance.
good
In addition, if it is true thatCHRIS DURSTON, Grove Road,
Emmer
Green,Reading
Reading(MM,(MM,Feb
Feb21)
2l)
EmmerGreen,
CHRIS DURSTON,Grove Road,

Rock and a jah place

The signing by Virgin Records ofPeter Tosh,Peter
Tosh, The
TheMighty
MightyDiamonds
Diamonds
and
U-Roy
and U
-Roymaymaynotnot prove
prove toto be
be"a major
major boost
boost forreggae" ifif"afor reggae"
RichardBranson has
has hishis way.
way.
Richard Branson
Hesays:"Wewantto
He says: "We want tobreak
breakthemthem
as
as artists
artists who
who cancan appeal
appeal toto bothbothwhite andand blackaudiences."
white
black audiences."
If thisIf
thismeansmeans their
their productproduct will
will
be subtlyalteredbesubtly altered toto becomebecome akind
a kindofof rockrock reggae,
reggae, then
then itit would
would bebe nonoboost atall.
boost
at all.
What
to BobBob
What has
has happened
happened toMarleyisis aa pointer.
Marleypointer.His
His live
live LPLP
shows
shows hehe waswas playing
playing this
this rockrockorientated reggae
reggae with
with less
lessorientatedemphasis on drum and bass andmore lead guitar.

album. He concludes with theinformation
thatbothboth Chris
Chris BellBell
information that
andand Alex
AlexChilton
Chiltonwere
wererecording
recordinginin NewYork
NewYorkduring
duringthe
the summer.
summer.
What
he didn't
didn't say
saywasthat
What hewas that
Chris
Chris Bell
Bellspent
spentmost
mostofoflastyear
lastyearinin London,
London, where
where hehe mademade several
severaltapes at
his own
own expense.
expense. While
While hishis
tapes
at hisbrother,David, wasbrother, David,
was tryingto
trying toattract
attract
the interest
interest ofof record
recordcompanies
companies
thehere
here andand being
being cold-shouldered
cold -shouldered forforhis pains,
pains, Chris
Chris was
was trying
trying his
his luck
luck
his

2^

* \

x

Uncivil rights
rightsW1jvilmovement
vV WINNER!
)
II am
am amazed
amazed atatthe decision
thedecision ofof thethePerforming
to askPerforming Rights
Rights Society
Societytoask
for royalties
royalties forfor records
records played
played in
in
for
shops
shops andand IIwonder
wonderwhether
whetheranyone has
has had
had thethe sense
sense totoanyone((LP)

novenent

What would be good for reggae
is ifmore
if morewhite
whitepeople
people could
could
is
growtoreal,
grow toappreciate
appreciate thethe real,
What would be good for reggae

folk singer by the name of Jim Lord.
Finally,
Finally, IItake
take issue
issue with
with your
yourunadulterated roots reggae.

correspondent's reviewof Radio
City,
City,which
whichhehesayssays"was"wasthethebetterbetterof theirtheir first
first couple
couple ofof albums."
albums."ofcorrespondent's review of RadioLOU CAZEAU, Bulwer Road,
Barnet,
Herts (MM,(MM, Feb
Feby)
Barnet, Herts
7)
LOU CAZEAU, Bulwer Road,

Although empathising with. Lou
Gazeau's(last week's
Gazeau's sentiments
sentiments (lastweek'sMailbag) regarding
regarding thethe increasing
increasing
Mailbag)"rockification"of reggae,"rockification" of
reggae, it's
it's
worth stressing
stressing thatwhile our
ourworththat while
intention
is tointention istopopularise
popularise ourourJamaican artists,
artists, they
they areare under
under
Jamaicannoto provide
no pressurepressure toprovide us
us withwithanythingcontrarytotheirwishes
anything contrary to their wishes
andand simply
simply send
send usus finishedfinished
masters forrelease.
masters
for release.
If
If allallheheisisprotestingagainst
protesting against isis
the welcome
welcome now
now being
being afforded
affordedthetoto whatwhat was
was previously
previously regarded
regarded asasan ethnic
ethnic backwater,
backwater, then
then hehe andandananyoneelse whoto keep
keep itanyone else
who wanted
wanted toittoto themselves
themselves isis going
going toto bebeextremely
disappointed inin theextremelydisappointed
themonths tocome.
monthsto come.
London W11 (MM, Feb21)
London Wn (MM, Feb 2l)

Tfa

Sm'
lere-

Aeba

Miw
///(*(«(////*r«(711tiriyikff

reir4 A II:11
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frrtu fHf el r*/r
mill C/M ruArtf,'arfafan.
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ravieV) am"/"C'ntujU'M
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nCCtf44,...rC/h h Oinod,/re *Terri
timed.

toeled

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folk singer by the name of Jim Lord.

unadulterated roots reggae.

AL CLARK, Virgin Records,

EIVXE

BV XER

turning in some pretty solid

more lead guitar.

AL CLARK, Virgin Records,a—~

as a solo artist and was getting verymuch
much thethe samesame kind
kind ofoftreatment
treatment
fromthe "know-it-all"clubfrom the"know-it-all" folk
folk cluborganisers on
the London
London circuit.
circuit.
organisers
on theEveryWednesdaynight from.
from
EveryWednesday night
May totoAugust,
August, Chris
Chris was
was playing
playingMayassinger at
as an
an unpaid
unpaid resident
resident singer
at thetheHalf Moon,
Moon,Putney,
Putney,andandwasHalf
was

I prefer No 1 Record. This was afarG

& If®4\.v

as a solo artist and was getting very

I prefer Afo 1 Record. This was afar

to2

turning in some pretty solid
performances, too.
performances,
too. HeHe also
also diddidsomeAmericansome gigs
gigsbacking
backingan
anAmericanemphasis on drum and bass andAlthough empathising with Lou

ROM
rROM

^

Your article in last week's MM,"ThoseWe Have
Loved","Those We
Have Loved",

South Normanton, Derbyshire.

positions to help the lessTHE
M NEV!
NEW ALBUM
M HI M

Your article in last week's MM,

ear tuned to the sound of the cash

The signingby Virgin Records of

How dare you!

How dare you!

Star in the making?

review of Big Star's Radio City

(MM, Jan 31).4,..77.-°CP

Star in the making?

GRAHAM TRU F FET, Corn Close,

superstars use their privilegedcote. .1,,..1.1,1e.

lOcc

GRAHAM TRUFFET, Corn Close,Rock and a jah placeSir.
* *...raw erbe-* - boner..
IW .4
bM IM
San
- !am..
m
Mfl.1.0.0
A>viH«rv«*B«rCo«*o4>*
Sto!il....r. WM. Urni Yaw
NM. BihrGareh.
a Sea, 'au

PETHILLS, Fennets
Fennets Road,PET HILLS.
Road, High.
High
Wycombe,Bucks (MM,(MM, JanJan 24)
Wycombe, Bucks
24)

manufacturing process with one

fun, and that some of his fellow

FOREVER & EVER

stronger collection of songs whichreachedascreamingclimaxwith
reached a screaming climaxwith
stronger collection of songs which

Bell's "Don't Lie To Me".
PETERHOLDFORTH,PETERHOLDFORTH,Munster
Munster
Bell's "Don't Lie To Me".

Road, London, SW6 (MM, Feb 21)

Road, London, SW6 (MM, Feb 2l)

ALARM
ALARM
PENALTY f OR IMPROPER USE £25

WELL WORTH
STOPPING FOR\v\ i\DAVIDBOWIEDAVIDBOWIESTATIONTOSTATIONSTATIOMTOSTATIONSTATKDNTOSSililOMOSTATENIIMBOW

Sobel
Vt. a 'lurk,

Fiddle aboutI
I havehave long
longbeen
beendriven
driven toto ecstasy
ecstasy,rtd,

Fiddle about

by the magnificent fiddling of
Horslips' Charles
Charles O'Connor
O'Connor
Horslips'
playing straightstraight rock,rock, then
then Irish
Irish
playing
traditionaland returning
again toto
traditional andreturning again
rock. Now,
Now,ononthe
thenew
newDylan
rock.
Dylan
album
Desire, IIgogo crazy
album Desire,crazy over
over thethesuperb violin
Scarlet Rivera.
Rivera.
superbviolin ofof Scarlet
The
The axemen
axemen have
have had
had their
their
day.
day. It's
It'stime
timethat
thathorsehair,horsehair, rosin
rosin
and
and sound-posts
sound -posts came
came into
into their
their

fAin

4404

.o a.; IF,1

nc/i

by the magnificent fiddling ofown. Viva Vivaldi!

own. Viva Vivaldi!

D CAMPBELL, Knock Road,
Belfast(MM,Feb
Feb14)
14)
Belfast (MM,D CAMPBELL, Knock Road,^-^ruV.NC.NTHtma

NASHVILLE'S MOST POPULARPEDAL STEEL GUITAR

NASHVILLE S MOST POPULARPEDAL STEEL GUITAR
tsza Uuxlon RoM. London »Wt. lot
till
T., 0)-7«4
0.1 71,6 7126

SOLE OFFICIAL UK AGENTS

SOLE OFFICIAL UK AGENTS

NEW!
NEW

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|T>
4171

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104
89p
-q?Pj

NYLON-FOLK-ROCKN ROLL-NYLON FOLK ROCKVROLLI-WorldMags.net
HISTORY33
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976 135

elodlWorldMags.net

lakerm
114 mit-

31 erg

1976

\

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*

APR

:rfm

■>

NEIL YOUNG, THIN LIZZY,~r=r. - •

VI

NEIL YOUNG

THIN LIZZY

F.T-

KISS, ROLLING STONES,

7-^

KISS

ROLLING STONESBOB MARLEY AND MORE

rsrvpc!

BOB MARLEY AND MORE

3

V

\

f

Surprised

Surprisedand shockedandshockedMM APR 3 David Bowie appears
MM APR 3 David Bowie appears

in court, charged withpossession of marijuana.
in court, charged withA

possession of marijuana.

DAVID BOWIE APPEARED in court atRochester,in Upstate
UpstateNew
NewYork,
York, onRochester, inon

DAVID BOWIE APPEARED in court atI»

Thursday, pleading not guilty tocharges of possessing marijuana in his
hotel suite in the town after a concert
there last weekend. Fans mobbed him as
he arrived at the courthouse.
Also pleading not guilty to the charge were
two members ofhis touring party, James
Osterberg and Duane Vaughans, who wereapparently in Bowie's suite when two
women narcotics agents, apparently
attending a party in the room, revealed
their identity and arrested all three men.
The case was adjourned until April 20, andthe three defendants were permitted toremain free on $2,000 bail each.
After the case, Bowie was besieged bynews reporters and he appeared on film on
the Channel Five news later in the day,expressing his satisfaction in the wayhe
had been treated by the police.
Asked by one reporter whether or notthere was any truth in a rumour that the
marijuana may have been planted by aformer business associate, Bowie looked
surprised and shocked at the suggestionand declined to comment.
Thursday, pleading not guilty tocharges of possessing marijuana in his
hotel suite in the town after a concert

there last weekend. Fans mobbed him as
he arrived at the courthouse.

S

Also pleading not guilty to the charge werei

two members of his touring party, James

Osterberg and Duane Vaughans, who wereapparently in Bowie's suite when two

women narcotics agents, apparently-ut

attending aparty in the room, revealed

their identity and arrested all three men.

The case was adjourned until April20, andthe three defendants were permitted toremain free on $2,000 bail each.

1

After the case, Bowie was besieged bynews reporters and he appeared on film on
the Channel Five news later in the day,expressing his satisfaction in the way hehad been treated by the police.

Asked by one reporter whether or notthere was any truth in a rumour that the
marijuana may have been planted by aformer business associate, Bowie lookedsu rprised and shocked at the suggestionand declined to comment.

On Friday night, Bowie played Madison
Square Garden
Garden andand aa small
smallparty
partywas
held
Squarewas held
afterwards
at thethe Penn
Penn Plaza
Plaza Club,
afterwards at
Club, thetheprivate lounge
lounge within
within the
the Garden.
Garden.
privateOn Friday night, Bowie played Madison

I
w
uX
w

WorldMags.net
36
HISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
36 I IHISTORY

WorldMags.net

March25,1976:
three
11%4 arch 25,1976:three

daysafter kisarrestandovernight
overnight detention
detention inin
MonroeJail-andMonroeCounty
CountyJail-andconcerts
Springfield,
concerts in
inSpringfield,days after his arrest and

Massachusetts, and New
Haven,Haven,ConnecticutConnecticut Bowie
his mugshot
Bowie hashashismug
shot
taken
taken before
before pleading
pleading
notnot guiltyto
guilty to drug
drug charges
charges
at
at RochesterCity
Rochester CityCourt
Court
Massachusetts,and Mew

>

*

/

A

DEPARTMEN

k

n:y.

ER

i

WorldMags.net

137

HISTORY
1976 1 37
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976

p'

xA
1

1976

WorldMags.net

The Beach Boyssailon in 76:(l-r)'76:(I -r) Dennis
Dennisonin
The Beach Boyssail,

Wilson,Carl Wilson,

Wilson, Carl Wilson,

Al Jardine, Mike Love
andBrianand BrianWilson
WilsonSOI

Al Jardine, Mike LoveAPRIL-^
APR

w

v

n

"Most

of the

album

be

wiU^

/

Brian"

r//album will be Brian, although there's one songofof mymy ownown thatthat may
may getget on.
on.
of Brian Wilson to active duty. "I am dumbfounded at him. I am in awe of him.""Actually,"Actually, we've
we'veput
puttogether
together something
somethinglikelike 40-odd
40 -odd tracks
tracks over
over thethe past
past few
few years
years but
but
After
never
ANEW
in theAfter years
years ofof management
management problems,
problems, they
they
never released
released them.
them. II guess
guess youyou could
could callcall
A
NEW STUDIOSTUDIO ALBUM
ALBUM isisintheworks,
inwere
taken overrather like
like choral
choral religious
religious music
music
works, Brian
Brian Wilson
Wilson isis backback inwere takentheover two
two years
years ago
ago byby JamesJames
the songs
songs rather
Williamrock mogul
thatlater.
business andbusiness
and The
The Beach
Beach Boys
Boys areare
William Guercio,
Guercio, thethe rockmogul who
who owns
owns
that moves
moves into
into rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll later.
planning toto visit
visit Englandlate summer.
"What weeveryplanning
England inin lateCaribou"What
is analbum where
where every
summer.
we want
want isan album
Caribou Studios
Studios inin Colorado,
Colorado, manages
manages
Chicagoanddesire toto joinThe
track
a total
These
These were
were thethe mainmain points
points toto comecome out
out
Chicago and had
had aa lifelong
lifelong desirejoin The
track isis great,great, nono low
low spots,
spots,atotal concept
conceptofDennis Wilson,
Wilson, who
who passed
passedBeachthatof aa chat
chat with
with Dennis
Beach Boys.
Boys. He
He played
played bass
basswithwith thethe group
groupthat we
we cancan bebe proud
proud of."of."through
New York
York last
last weekforwhile andand handledItthrough New
week toto spreadspread thetheforaa whilehandled their
their affairs
affairs withwith
It mustmust bebe hardhard shaking
shaking off
off thethe oldies
oldies image
image
word
The Beach
Beach Boys
Boys aresuperbandnew material,
word thatthat Theare nono longerlongerand getting
getting down
down toto newmaterial, especially
especiallysuperb strategy.
strategy.
Also
Boys wereasAlso The
The Beach
Beach Boys
were suddenly
suddenlyas thethe old
old materialmaterial was
was finding
finding aa new
new life
life with
with
going
going toto rely
rely onon theirtheir golden
golden oldies
oldies toto
new fans?
fans?
befriendedby anewmaintain their
their current
current statuses
major
befriended bya wholewhole host
host ofof other,other,
maintainstatus as aa majormore"Onconcertattractioninin thethe US.
US.
more successful
successful groups,
groups, whose
whose GoodGood
"On thethe new
new tourtour that's
that's coming
coming up
up we
we willwill
concert attraction
Over
Samaritan
hoisted them
them backback onbeSamaritan attitudeattitude hoistedonbe doing
doing thethe new
new stuff
stuff asas wellwell asOver thethe past
past three
three years,
years, thethe groupgroup has
has
as somesome oldold
thematerial,"
said Dennis.
will always
alwaysfound
here. While
found aa change
the concert
concert trail.
trail.
material," said
Dennis. "There"There willchange ofof fortune
fortune here.
While they
they
They
Chicago inin aa doubledouble billbillbethe older
They toured
toured with
with Chicago
were considered
considered unfashionable
at thethe turn
turn ofofbe people
people wanting
wanting toto hearheartheolder tunes.
tunes.
were
unfashionable atlast
II don't
last year,
year, were
were invitedinvited by
by
don't getget boredbored withwith
thedecade andand early
early '70s,'70s, The
The Beach
Beach Boys
Boys
the decade
Eltonplay atthem...
Elton John
John toto play
atthem... they're
they're fun.
fun.
have
have mademade aa comeback
comeback ofofgreatgreat proportions,
proportions,Wembleyin London,
London, andand"I
Wembley in"I havehave toto say,say,though,though,helpedby Capitol,
old record
helped not
not aa little
little by
Capitol, their
their oldrecord"You could call the
found
that
that II get
get tired
tired ofof playing
playingcompany, releasing
releasing aa couple
couple ofof double
double albums
albumsfound themselves
themselves playing
playingcompany,
massivesuchsomecomprising
numerous Beach
Beach Boys
massive arenas
arenas with
with suchsome ofof thethe old
old tunes,
tunes,
comprising numerous
Boys hits
hits during
duringsongs rather like
songs
top
drawers as
as Crosby,
but
but many
many ofof themthem areareof1974and 1975.
the summers
summers of1975.
top drawers
Crosby,the
1974 andchoral religious
timelessTwohave helped
Stills,Two otherother factors
factors havehelped them
themtimeless toto me.
me.
Stills, Nash&Young.
Nash & Young.
And"As aa musician"Asmusician you
you cancanreattain theira majormajortouring
touring band.
band.
And while
while all
all this
this waswasreattain
theirstatus
status as
as amusic that moves
moves
let
let gogo withwith them
them instead
insteadgoing
on, they
had nogoing on,they hadnocurrent
record toofof makingmaking them
them soundsoundcurrent record
to plug,
plug,
into rock and roll"
contrived.
You cancontrived. You
can play
play
only
only thethe classics
classics ofof the
the
'605
them
them inin aa newnew way
way eacheach'60s andand aa few
few songs
songs
time
from
from Holland,
Holland, their
their last
last album
album forfortime andand bring
bring inin little
little variations."
variations."
WarnerNevertheless,it's thethe old
old tunes
tunes thatthat have
have
Nevertheless, it's
Warner Brothers.
Brothers.
brought
about thetheBeach
Beach Boys
Boys renaissance.
But:
But: "We're"We're doing
doing aa newbrought about
renaissance.
new studiostudio album
album
which
be outin June,"said"Therewhen The
The BeachBeachlong ago,
ago, when
which we
we hopehope will
will beout inJune," said
"There waswas aa time,
time, longBoys
Dennis. "We've"We've been
been working
working on
on andand off
off ononBoys were
were aa very
very big
big touring
touring group.
group. Then,
Then,
Dennis.
thenine months,
after
a timewhile, there
there wasthe album
album forfor about
about ninemonths, andand thetheafter aa while,
was atime when
when itit waswas
uncoolbe into
The Beach
Beach Boys.
Boys.
uncool to
to beinto The
personnel
Beach Boys,
Boys,
personnel includes
includes thethe original
original BeachincludingBrian.
"SomehowThe"Somehow The Beach
BeachBoys
Boysdidn'tfitat
clidn'tfit atincluding Brian.
one"He
has alreadysix cuts
one period,
period, but
but now...
now... well,well, II guess
guess we're
we're just
just
"He hasalready recorded
recorded six
cuts with
with
us,
fittingagain. It's
It's notnot uncool
uncool toto likelike The
The Beach
Beachfitting again.
us, andand thethe wayway itit looks
looks isisthatthat most
most ofof thethe

MM APR 3 "tInnis Wilson explains the Beach Boys renaissance and the returnot Brian Wilson to active duty. "I am dumbfounded at him. I am in awe of him."album will be Brian, although there's one song

MM APR 3 Dennis Wilson explains the Beach Boys renaissance and the return"You could call therather likechoral religious
music that
into rock and roll"rlW

WorldMags.netvWorldMags.net
Boys any more. Personally I've always liked
them,"
laughing.
them," hehe says,says, laughing.
Boys any more. Personally I've always liked"But that is a fact," continues Wilson,
seriousserious again.
again."The"The group
group really
really wasn't
wasn't hot
hot
atat oneone time,time, andand thethe record
record sales
salesweren't
weren't
hot,
trail
on to
to thethe concert
concerttrail
hot, but
but weback onwe gotgot back
andand changed
changed things
things around.
around. It
It waswas hard
hard
work, but
but worthworth thethe effort
effort because
we're
work,
because we're
very
now."
very respected
respected now."
Wilson argues
Wilsonincreased
argues thatthe
thatthe increased
touring
was primarily
touring activity
activity was
primarily responsible
responsibleforfor thethe enormous
enormous sales
sales ofof EndlessEndless Summer
Summerandand Spirit
Spirit Of
Of America,
America, rather
rather than
than thetheotherwayother way round.
round.
"There"There were
were problems
problems with
with Warner
WarnerBrothers
help that,"
said
Brothers but
but wecouldn't help
that," said
we couldn't
Wilson.
Wilson. "We"We were
were drawing
drawing100,000
100,000
peoplepeople toto concerts
concerts yet
yet they
they couldn't
couldn't movemove
our
our moremore recent
recent albums
albums at
at all.
all.
"I'm"I'm sure
sure aa lot
had never
lot ofof people
people had
never heard
heard
the
the groupgroup until
until those
those records
records came
came out.
out.
I see
see 14-year-olds
14 -year -olds at
at thethe shows
shows who
who were
were
not
not eveneven born
born when
when wewestarted."
started."And JimJim Guercio's
Guercio's influence?
influence? "Well,"Well,
And
I!think
think we
we werewere alreadyalready coming
coming backback asasaband when
when hehejoined
joined us,
a concertconcert band
us, but
but wewehave
him andhave aa great
great respect
respect forfor himand wewe alsoalso
likelike Chicago's
Chicago's music.
music.
"I
that now
now The
The Beach
Beach Boys
Boys
"I think
think that
represent
truth inin thethe creative
creative sense
sense
represent thethe truthinsteadinstead ofof thethe poppop sense.
sense. There's
There's nono hustle
hustletothree oror fourfouralbums
albums out
out inin aato getget thethe threeyear,
year, just
just aa desire
desire toto createcreate something
somethingmeaningful...andmeaningful... and that's
that's why
why there's
there's been
been
this
this delay
delay ininputtingputting out
out aa new
new album."
album."
HavingHaving consolidated
consolidated their
their position
positionagain,
again, Wilson
Wilson says
saysthethegroupgroup intend
intend totorelax
relax live
live appearances
appearances inin favourfavour ofof thethestudio"It may
studio in
infuture.
future."It
may soundsound funny,
funny, but
but
years onon
II want
TO years
wanttotoconcentrateconcentrate thethenext
nextlOmakingmaking albums.
albums. Asa
As a Beach
Beach Boy
Boy II wantto
want tostay
stay with
with them
them andand standstand behindbehind Brian,
Brian,
being
his disposal
being aa tool
tool forfor hisdisposal forfor thethe rest
rest ofofmymy lifelife nowhether it's
it's music
music oror
no mattermatter whether
mowinghis lawnhim.
mowing hislawn forfor him.
"He
is a"He isammusically. II ama master,master, musically.
dumbfoundedat him.
him. II am
dumbfounded at
am inin aweawe ofof him.
him.
I've grown
grown up
up withwith him
and watchedwatched him
him goI've
him andgothroughchanges, andand hehe isthrough changes,
is thethe most
mostvulnerable humanknow. The
The depth
depth
vulnerable
human being
being II know.
ofof thatthat guy...
guy... I mean...
mean... hehe changed
changed thethe world
world
with
with his
his influence.
influence.
"Whenlike 'In"When you
you sing
sing onon something
something like
'In MyMy
Room'Room' andand thenthen sit
sit backback andand listen
listen toto whatwhat
he's
he'sdone,done, notnotjustjust with
with mymy part,part, but
but withwithrealise. I'm
I'mdevoting
devoting
the
you realise.
the song...
song... then
then youmyto Brian
Brian ona musical
my lifeVeto
on amusical level,
level, andand thetherest ofof thethe groupgroup allrest
all feel
feel thethe samesame way.
way.
When
When Brian
Brian plays
playssomething
something forfor us,us, wewe justjustgape.
emotional."gape. ItIt gets
gets very
very emotional."
Last
Last year
year The
The Beach
BeachBoys
Boysopened
openedtheir
their
own
in Losstudio in
Los Angeles,
Angeles, aa studioown studiostudio that
that
DennisDennis describes
describes as
as thethe best
best ininthe
the world.
world.
It
It isisavailable
availableto
toothers
others forfor hire,hire, but
but sofar
so farits
have been
its only
only incumbents
incumbents havebeen thethe groupgroup
themselves,
Brianthemselves, clusteredclustered aroundaround Brian
Wilson,Wilson, shaking
shaking down
down harmonies
harmonies that
that
he's
he'swritten.
written.
"Brianis like"Brian is
like aalittle
little kid
kid inin thethe studio,
studio, like
like
a
a kid
kid who's
who'sjust
just discovered
discovered sex
sex forfor thethe first
first
time.
He rushes
time. He
rushes aroundaround playing
playing this
this and
and
that,
that, andand telling
telling us
us to
to play
play this
this andand that.
that. TheThe
enthusiasm
enthusiasm hehe still
still has
has isisinfectious,
infectious, really."
really.""But that is a fact," continues Wilson,

I

I

Chris Charlesworth

Chris Chorlesworth"Additional

A

L"Additional
w

work together"
work

together"

MM JUN 12 Bowie, Eno, Fripp and

MM JUN12 Bowie, Eno, Fripp andeoo set to collaborate?

Iggy Pop set to collaborate?

DAVID BOWIE WILL probablywork

DAVID BOWIEWILL probably workwith Eno and Robert Fripp thisautumn- recording a new Iggy Pop
album in Canada. And there are plans
for further projects involving Bowie,
Eno and Fripp. The idea for the joint
project arose after Bowie had been quoted
extensively in American papers earlier
this year expressing admiration for Eno
and Fripp's work. In particular Bowie
with Eno and Robert Fripp thisautumn - recording a new Iggy Pop

album in Canada. And there are plans
for further projects involving Bowie,
Eno and Fripp. The idea for the joint

project arose after Bowie had been quoted
extensively in American papers earlier

this year expressing admiration for Eno
and Fripp's work. In particular Bowie

singled out Another Green World -Eno's
third
album.
third solo
solo album.
Eno
Bowie andhim aa copyEno contacted
contacted Bowie
and sent
sent him
copyofof Another
Another Green
GreenWorld
Worldand
andBowie
Bowieresponded
respondedwithwith thethe suggestionsuggestion ofworkingtogetherof working together
alongsidealongside Robert
Robert Fripp,
Fripp, who
whohashasrecorded
recorded
two albums
albums with
No Pussyfootingand
Pussyfooting andtwowith Eno,
Eno, No
Evening
Evening Star
Star.
Bowie
Bowie worked
worked with
with Iggy
IggyPopPopon
onhis
hisalbum
album
Raw
Powerandand since
since then
then Iggy
Iggy has
hasbeenbeen
Raw Power
Bowie'sconstantconstant touring
touring companion.
companion.
Bowie'slggy
ggy Pop:plans
p p
'dai
toore
recordanalbumin Canadac:singled out Another Green World-Eno's"The original idea," explained a spokesman"was that"wasthat Eno
Eno andand Fripp
Fripp would
would collaborate
collaborate
with
Bowie inout anan album
albumforforIggy.
Iggy.
with Bowie
in putting
putting out
But
But isis also
also looks
looks likely
likely thatthat Eno,
Eno, Bowie
Bowie and
and
Fripp
11 do
Fripp wiwill
do somesome additional
additional work
work together."
together."
Bowie andand EnoEno agreed
agreed on
on going
going ahead
ahead with
with ititBowie
atat thethe Empire
Empire Pool,
Pool, andand although
alt houghno
nocontracts
contracts
have
have been
been signed
signed as
as yet,yet,there's
there's little
littledoubt
doubt thatthat
itwillwillgogoaheadaheadininCanada
Canadathis
thisautumn.
autumn.
it"The original idea," explained a spokesman"It's their own fault"
It's

their

own

fault

MM JUN 26 be Greater London Lonna bans ELO's arsenal of lasers.
MM JUN 26 The Greater London Council bans ELO's arsenal of lasers.

HE ELECTRIC LIGHT Orchestra were banned from using a laser light show at their sellout concert
concert inwhich areare part
part ofofout
in London's
London's New
New Victoria
VictoriaTheatre
Theatreon
onSunday.
Sunday. The
The lasers,
lasers, whichthethe band's
band's full
full US
UStouring
touring equipment,
equipment, were
were deemed
deemed too
too dangerous
dangerous byby thethe Greater
Greater
Londonfilmed by
by aLondon Weekend
Weekend Television
Television crew
London Council.
Council. The
The concert,concert, which
which waswasfilmed
crew fora Londonfor aa oneone hour
hour Mike
Mike Mansfield
Mansfield special,
special, opened
opened with
with ananannouncement
announcement fromfrom stagestage that,
that, contrary
contrary toto thetheprogramme
would bebe no
programme advertisements,
advertisements, there
there would
no lasers.
lasers. The
The announcer
announcer apologised
apologised forfor thethe lacklack ofoflightsby thethey would
would notnot bebe there.
lights andand explained
explained thatthat itit was
was throughthrough aa directive
directive by
the GLC
GLC that
thatthey
there.
Later,
Later, Jeff
Jeff Lynne,
Lynne, ELO
ELOfounder,
founder, leadleadsinger
singerand
andguitarist,
guitarist, broke
broke off
off midway
midway throughthrough thethe show
show
to
do a
show than
to apologise
apologise yet
yet again.
again. "We'll"We'll doa betterbetter show
than usual,"
usual," hehe promised
promised "to"to makemake up
up forfor notnothavinghaving thethe lasers."
lasers."A
week thatthat certain
certain guidelines
guidelineshad
had been
been laid
laid down
down byby
A spokesman
spokesmanfor
forthethe GLC
GLCtold
told thethe MMthis
MMthis week
theof lasers
the council
council toto govern
govern laser
laser use.
use. He
He added
added thatthat their
their first
first experience
experience oflasersininentertainment
entertainment
for thethe council
council was
was im971
in 1971andsincethenthenengineers
engineersfrom
fromthethe council
council have
havesought
sought advice
advicefrom
fromforand since
authorities
he said,
authorities throughout
throughout thethe country
country on
on safety
safety guidelines.
guidelines. The
The ELO
ELO concert,concert, hesaid, contravened
contravened
somesome ofof these
these conditions.
conditions. "We"We try
try toto go
go outout ofof ourour way
way toto accommodate
accommodate people,
people, but
but wewe dodo needneed
time
to checklasers aretime tocheck if
if theirtheir lasers
are setset upup ininaccordance
accordancewith
with thethe rules.
rules. In
Infactfactthey
they didn't
didn't seek
seek
permission
using them,
them, thethe groupgroup didn't
didn't eveneven
was establishedestablished they
they were
were using
permission toto useuse lasers
lasers andand whenwhen itit was
give
like 1010 days'use ofgive ususany
anydetails
detailsof
oftheir
their lasers.
lasers. We
We look
look forfor something
something likedays' notice
notice forfor useof lasers,
lasers, butbutwhenwhen you're
you're only
only given
given
/
12
12 hours
hours oror soso there's
there's notnot\aa greatgreat deal
deal we
we cancan dodo
ELO'sJeff Lynne
Lynne
ELO'sJeff*
really.
really. We
We areare sorry
sorry they
they(centre): "We'll"We'll(centre):^5
doabettershow
doa better show
couldn't
couldn't use
use lasers
lasers but
butthan usual"
thanusual"
it's
it's their
their own
own fault."
fault."The ELOThe
ELO concert
concert waswas
filmedfilmed inin itsitsentirety
entirety forfor aaone-hourspecial
one -hour special onon thetheband
band inin aa new
new Mike
Mike)
4
Mansfield -directed TV
TV
Mansfield-directed
seriesseries as
as revealed
revealed inin MM
MMTHE ELECTRIC LIGHT Orchestra were banned from using a laser light show at their sell-last week. The ELO show
will
will bebe broadcast
broadcast on
on July
July
30
London30 atn.30pm
at11.3opm byby London
WeekendTV.
Weekend TV.

last week. The ELO show

WorldMags.net

Tom Waits

WorldMags.net

Kerouac, Moondog, Symphony
Sid... a chat with Tom Waits has historicalreferences, and vivid contemporary
touches. "I don't like the Eagles," he says.
NME"They're like watching paint dry..."CAME IN ON the southbound flyer, thenhoofed it halfway across town to see Tom.
From a nearbywindow drifted the sound of
Billie aqua-freshing "The Man I Love", Prezsinging long, thoughtful phrases and making
it, really making it. Was it really like that? Hell,no. But when you're booked to interview Tom
Waits, the Brian Case of singer -songwriters,then it's best to get in the mood.
I CAME IN ON the southbound flyer, thenhoofed it halfway across town to see Tom.

From a nearby window drifted the sound of

Billie aqua-freshing "The Man I Love", Prezsinging long, thoughtful phrases and making

it, really making it. Was it really like that? Hell,no. But when you're booked to interview Tom
Waits, the Brian Case of singer-songwriters,then it's best to get in the mood.

Waits is in town for a gaggle of nights at Ronnie[Scott][Scott] 's.
's.ThatThat his
his gig
gigseems
seems aa well-kept
well -keptsecretsecretI'llanotherchapter
chapter
Waits'asas-yetI'll agree-justagree -just another
ininWaits'-yet -

Waits is in town for a gaggle of nights at Ronnie

unwritten biography, TheLastOfTheBigTime
Losers. The guy's had three albums released so
unwritten biography, The Last OfTheBigTime

Losers. The guy's had three albums released sofar. The first was deleted after just a fly's life,
while
while thethe second
second never
never received
received aa UK
UKpressing.
pressing.
And thethe third,
third, alive-in -the -studio double,
double, got
gotAnd
alive-in-the-studio
slammedby reviewers
slammed byreviewers who
who never
never had
had aa chancechancetoto easeease onon intointo Waits
Waitsvia
viathethemoremoreaccessible
accessible
precedingduo. Three
Three strikes
strikesin
in a
a row
preceding duo.
row then.
then.
Writing -wise he's
he's been
been luckier.
luckier. It's
It's become
becomeWriting-wisefashionable
to include
fashionable toinclude at
at least
least one
one Waits
Waits song
song
on
However, ouron anan album.
album. However,
our herohero claims
claims this
this
trend
doesn'texactly
exactlykeep
keep himhimin
in Savile
Savile Row
trend doesn't
Rowfar. The first was deleted after just a fly's life,

suits -not as though sartorial elegance has everbeen a strong line with the Californian, whosebum -of -the -year appearance has brought forthaccusations of gimmick ry from non -believers.
"I'm not a household word - I'm just a legend
in my own mind," croaks Waits in a voice that's
broken out of Alcatraz and got shot up in theprocess. "Still, I've come a long way sincelwas
a dishwasher and had a good job sweeping up.
I once worked in ajewellery store and when I
quit I took a gold watch. I figured they weren't
gonna give me one 'cos I'd only been with themsix months anyway."
Back to those cover versions, though.
suits - not as though sartorial elegance has everbeen a strong line with the Californian, whose

bum-of-the-year appearance has brought forthaccusations of gimmickry from non-believers.
"I'm not a household word - I'm just a legend

in my own mind." croaks Waits in a voice that's
broken out of Alcatraz and got shot up in theprocess. "Still, I've come a long way since I wasa dishwasher and had a good job sweeping up.
I once worked in ajewellerystore and when I

quit 1 took a gold watch. I figured they weren't

gonna give me one 'cos I'd only been with themsix months anyway."

Back to those cover versions, though.

"I don't like any of 'em.""I don't like any of 'em."

May 25,1976:Tom Waits

brawsesthe bric-a-brac
at Portobello market,
West London

hub of the music world; all bop, berets andgoatees.
Waits himself
himselfsports
sportsaa35
35-year-old
goatees. Waits-year -oldgoateegoatee on
onhis
his 27-year-old
27 -year- oldchin.
chin.His
Histhreadbare
threadbare
capeven older.
cap seems
seems evenolder.
Talk about
about Kerouac's
OfCody("I've
got
Talk
Kerouac's Visions
Visions Of
Cody {"I've gotaby Jack"),a firstfirst edition
edition that's
that's signed
signed byJack"), Moondog,
Moondog,
the legendary
legendary blind
blind street
street musician
musician who
who once
once
the
made
the soundsof themade anan album
album featuringfeaturing thesounds ofthe
NewYorkstreets, Symphony
Symphony Sid,
who
New
York streets,
Sid, thethe DJD) whoonce
Bird andand DizDiz from
once preachedpreached Bird
from tiny
tiny Bronx
Bronx
notes, punctuating
notes,
punctuating thethe singer's
singer's own
own poetic
poeticradio
radio station
station WBNX,
WBNX, oror King
King Pleasure,
Pleasure, the
the
album
jottingswith
withthethewords
words"Rod"Rod McKuen"
McKuen"singer
who taught
taught thethe worldworld vocalese,album jottings
singerwho
vocalese, andandevery few
few seconds.
seconds. 1I remark
remark thatthat even
Waits
Waits latches
latches on,on, swapping
swapping story
story.
every
even if
if Waits
Waits
storyforfor story.
hasHe
has aa low
lowopinion
opinion ofofAndersen'sAndersen'soutput,
output, thetheHe digs
digsthethewhole
wholebeatbeatgeneration
generation scene
scene
reverse would
would notnot appear
appear to
to be
be true.
true.
("Iwaswassomething
something ofa misfit
misfit during
during thereverse("Iof athe '60s")'60s")"Yeah,
butthat his
his act
act is"Yeah, right.
right. But
But IIstill
still don't
don't like
like him.
him. II wish
wish hehebut resents
resents any
any suggestionsuggestion thatis anyany
didn't likeme. Wehad aa fight
fight once
once because
because hehepart ofthe current
current boom
boom inin nostalgia.
nostalgia. He
didn'tlike me.
We hadpartof theHe
wasabout with
with mymy girl.
girl. Y'know
shudders
when I
I tosslike Bette
was messing
messing about
Y'know
shudders when
toss aroundaround names
names likeBette
something?
It's really
Midler'Shiver Me
something? It's
really difficult
difficult toto hithit aa guy
guy who
who
Midler (who(who recorded
recorded Waits'
Waits"ShiverMe
likes
Timbers'
on herherlastlastLP)LP) or
Timbers' onorlikes you,
you, soso IIwish
wishhehedidn't.
didn't.
"I guessguess IIshouldn't
shouldn't
The PointerPointer Sisters.
Sisters.
"1
The
badmouthanybody,"The"The whole
whole thing
thing isisbadmouth anybody,my ownown"I've got myrampanty'know.
though. II mean,
mean, who
who thethe hellhell
rampant y'know. Those
Those
though.
tastes, andtastes,and II have
have
am
I? Still,
peoplewho gogo in
Still, I've
I've got
got myam 1?
my ownown
people whoin andand enjoy
enjoy
Manhattan
Transfer don't
tastes andhave toto saysaythatthat
Manhattan Transfer
don'ttastesand I
I haveto saysay that most of know
mostknow who
who thethe hellhell Lambert,
Lambert,most ofof thetheperformers
performers
currently on
currently
on thethe circuit
circuit
Hendricks
Hendricks andand Ross
Ross are.
are.
the performers onon
don't,
Music
is notMusic isnot aa big
big part
part ofof
don't, with
with thethe exception
exception ofofa few,
few,fallfallinto
intothatthat category."
category."
most people's
When ititamostpeople's lives.
lives. Whenthe circuit don't"_
stops
stops becoming
becoming something
something
Many oftheManyof the people
people Waits
Waits
actually admiresadmires are
you dodoand
and becomes
becomes rather
ratheractually
are long
longyougone...
Kerouac, Lenny
Lenny Bruce,
whatthen you
you beginwhat yougone... Kerouac,
Bruce,
you areare-- thenbegin totoLester Young,
Young, Tim
Tim Buckley.
Buckley.
understand what's
what's important
important
LesterunderstandWhileothers like
like Zoot
historically.
While others
Zoot Sims,
Sims,
historically. II don't
don't seesee
A1
anything II doanything
do as
as being
being
AlCohn,Cohn,CharlieCharlieMingus
Mingus
E-45371-A
E -45371-A
andnostalgic-I
feel very
and Thelonious
Thelonious Monk
Monk
nostalgic -I feel
very
(SP)
tsP'
ASCAP
®
19 >976
1576 byby
Mth Floe
Atylumremain as
living reminders
reminderscontemporary.
remainas living
contemporary.
Mum.
A4.. Inc.
In«
Raco'diIntro!Alto I IFORFOR RADIO
RADIO
t.mc
tun, 2 54
STATION
ofthe
"The
is to
of the time
time when
when New
New"The thing
thing isto do
doclo,e Fdde
Ckne
Fade
USE
ONIY
WE ONLY
MONO
York's52nd
52ndStreet
Streetwas
was thethesomething that's
that's notnotYork's0 something
Not even the Eagles' version of"01155"?
"Naw-I"Naw- I don't
don't like
like thethe Eagles.
Eagles.They're
They're about
about asasexciting
exciting as
as watching
watching paint
paint dry.
dry. Their
Their albums
albumsareare good
good forforkeeping
keepingthe
thedustdustoffyour
offyourturntable
turntable
and that's
that's about
andabout all."all."
Eric Andersen
Eric
Andersen then?
then? After
After all,all,Andersen'sAndersen's
included Waits'
songs onon hishis last
last two
twoalbums.
albums.
included
Waits' songs"Naw-I"Naw -I don't
don't like
like Eric
EricAndersen
Andersen either."either."He takes
takes thethe copy
copy ofofAndersen's
latest Arista
AristaHe
Andersen's latest
project,
which I
I proffer,project, which
proffer, andand reads
reads thethe sleeve
sleeveNot even the Eagles' version of "OF 55"?

hub ofthe music world; all bop, berets and"I've gottothat most of
the performers
the circuit don't"
001
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TOM WAITS

TOM WAITS40
HISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
40 I |HISTORY\STEP
STEPRIGHT
RIGHT UPUP(Tom
Mom Woiiq
WarrajPRODUC ZIONAND
ANDSOUNDSOUND BY
BY BONES
BONES MOWE
HOWE
\ PRODUCTIONAA MR
BONES PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
MR ROWS//

WorldMags.net
necessarily here today and gone tomorrow. But most people don't
care
they're under
underaa lot
lot ofre. Whencare about
about that,
that, they'reof socialsocialpressu
pressure.
When getting
gettinglaidwhat you've got
got inin yourlaid depends
depends upon
upon whatyou've
your record
record collection,collection, thenthenyou
you gotta
gotta have
have all
all TopTop lOhits-that'sthewayitis."
10 hits -that's the wayit is."Interviewing Waits
is bothboth easy
easy andand difficult.
difficult. It's
It's easy
easy because
because he's
he's
Interviewing
Waits isanon words,of scrabble.
an inveterate
inveterate raconteur,raconteur, aamainman
mainman onwords, aa sultan
sultan of
scrabble.
But
the difficultydifficultyarises
when hehe opts
opts forforbeing
beingWaits
theentertainer,
entertainer,
But thearises when
Waits thetestingwhole
testing wholeroutines
routineson
onunsuspectingjournalistswaitingmerely
unsuspectingjournalists waiting merely
for theforthe short
short answer.
answer. Already
Already he'd
he'd thrown
thrown two
two monologues
monologues mymy wayway-one(buttrue)storyinvolvingWaits- one beinga
being a hilarious
hilarious (buttrue) story
involving Waits himself,
himself, his
his'54
Jr and'54 Cadillac,
Cadillac, Ed
EdBegleyBegleyirand aagirl
girlfrom
fromPersia
Persiawho
whocouldn't
couldn't speak
speakEnglishEnglish ("I("Ihaddapinned
hadda pinned up
up against
against aa wall,
wall, tryingto
trying to explain
explain things
thingsto her").
her").Another
Another being
beingaa tale
tale called
called "Rocky"RockyAnd
Charlie Dutton"
Dutton"to
And Charlie
that'slikely towhat Waits
Waits terms
that's likely
to appear
appear on
onwhatterms his
his fourth,fourth, coming
coming(geddit?) album.
album. It
It takes
takes aalittle
time toto getget himhim backback ononcourse
course again.
again.
(geddit?)little timeSoband, Tom.
Tom.
Sotelltellususaboutyour
aboutyour backup
backup band,"Well, I've
"Well,
I'vegot
gotFrank
FrankVicari
Vicarion
ontenortenorsax,
sax,DrDrHuntingdon
Huntingdon Jenkins
Jenkins III
III JrJron
on upright
upright bass
bass andand Chip
Chip WhiteWhite onon drums.
drums. Vicari'sVicari's being
being playingsince
playing sincehe
13 years
he waswas about
about 13
years old.
old.HeHeusedusedtotolinelineupupoutsideoutsideBirdland
Birdland when
when hehe
was aa kid...
kid... thethe only
only white
whitetenor
tenorplayer
playerliningup
with aa whole
whole lotta
lotta
was
liningup withblack cats
cats -- just
just forfor aachancechance toto sitsitin,
in,listenlistenororhanghangout.
out.Since
Sincethenthenhe's
black
he's
playedlots ofof others."
played forfor Woody,
Woody,Maynard
Maynard Ferguson...
Ferguson... lots
others."Waits
has always
always had
had aapenchantpenchant forfor useful
useful tenor
tenor players,
players, people
people like
like
Waits hasTom
Al Cohn,
withTom Scott
ScottandandAl
Cohn, once
once ofofHerman's
Herman's great
great '48
'48Herd,
Herd,along
alongwith
Zoot
Zoot Sims
Sims andand Stan
Stan Getz.
Getz.
"Yeah,- but"Yeah, IIhad
hadTomTomScott
Scottononone
oneofofmy
myalbums
albumsbut thatthat waswas before
beforeI
Tom's OK
but he's
I foundfound out
out IIcould
could getgetanyoneanyone thatthat II wanted.
wanted. Tom's
OKbut
he's too
too
young
not really
young andand tootoo stylised,stylised, more
more like
like aa rockrock tenorman,
tenorman, notreally what
what
I'd callcall aajazz
jazzplayer,
player,thoughthough hehe cancan playjazz.
play jazz. He
He diddidsomesome nicenice stuff
stuff onon
I'd
the soundtrack
thesoundtrack ofof aa movie
movie called
called Taxi
TaxiDriverthat's
Driver that's very
very big
big inin thetheStates.
States. Al
Alplayed
played with
with meme forfor aa couple
couple ofof weeks
weeks once
once andand II hope
hope toto havehavehim
next album
if everything
his schedule.
him onon mymynextalbum ifeverything fits
fits ininwithwithhisschedule. IIadmire
admirehim andhim
and hishis style.
style. And
Andhehedrinks
drinks about
about aa quart
Johnnie Walker
Walker Red
Red
quart ofofJohnnie
Label aa night
night -- thoughthough howjust don't
don't know."
know."
Label
howhe
he doesdoes itit I
I justThoughThough Waits
Waits plays
playssomesomeguitar
guitar andand aa reasonablein gin-soaked
gin -soaked
reasonable line
line inpiano, hehe describes
describes himself
himself asa pedestrianpedestrian musician.
itpiano,
as amusician."I'd"I'd never
never cut
cut itasthat'swhat
whatII do.
do. I'mI'm gladas aasideman,sideman, IIjust
just accompany,
accompany, that's
glad toto havehave mymyband withband
with me,me, they're
they're aa realrealhigh-voltage
high-voltage bebop
bebop trio.
trio. I've
I've been
been onon thetheroadroad forfor about
about five
five years
years now
now but
but I'veI'venever
never been
been able
able toto afford
afford aaband
band
until recentlyrecently- andI justjustpay
paythroughuntil
andeveneven nowt
nowlcan't
can'tafford
afford it,it, Ithrough thethe ass.
ass."
Reminiscences
next -about
aboutthethetimetimehehetriedtriedtoto get
get a
a gig
then
Reminiscences nextgigwith
withaathen
unknown
Al Jarreau
Jarreauat
atthe
theBlah
BlahBlah
Blah ClubClub in
in LA
LA ("Areal
unknown Al("Arealtoilet,
toilet, that
that
place"),to Martin
Martin Mull
Mull justplace"), about
about MariaMaria Muldaur
Muldaur explaining
explaining tojust howhowmuch anan ancientancient necklace
necklace had
had cost
cost herher ("Just(lust imagine
have
much
imaginewhat
what you'd
you'd have
paid
if it
paid ifithad
had been
been new,"new,"said
saidMullMullininmockmockwonder),wonder),and
andabout
about thethemultitude
multitude ofofAmerican
American tradenames
tradenames andand expressions
expressions thatthat proliferate
proliferate
throughout
Waits' albums...
throughout Waits'
albums...
"Muckalucks areare carpet
carpet slippers,
Peterbilt is
is aatruck
truckandStacey"Muckalucks
slippers, a
a Peterbilt
and Stacey
Adams once
Adams
once were
were aavery
veryprestigious
prestigiousshoe...
shoe... Ifyou
Ifyou had
had them
them on,on, thenthennobody messed
messed withwithyouanywhere. Staceys
Staceys stayed
stayednobodyyou and
andyouyou could
could gogo anywhere.
aheadhip. Bytheahead ofof current
current affairs
affairs andand were
wereconsidered
considered extremely
extremelyhip.
Bythe
way, thethe shoes
shoes I'm
I'mwearing
are called
called Ratstickers!"
Ratstickers!°'way,
wearing are
It's retaliation
retaliation time,
Waits begins
begins writing
writing down
the British
It'stime, soso Waits
down some
some ofof theBritishexpressions
expressions hehe hasn't
hasn't heard
heardbefore.
before. "You"You callcallthem
them French
French Letters
Letters
here?...
or Packets
PacketsOf
OfThree?
here?... orThree? Yeah,
Yeah, I'll have
have toto remember
remember that."that."
One last
last question
question then.
then. Is
there anyone
world who
who he'dhe'dOneIs thereanyone inin thisthis wide
wide world
actually
like toto coverI'd like
actually likecover his
his songs?
songs? "Ray"RayCharles...
Charles... andand I'dlike Cleo
Cleo Laine
Laine
to do
do one.
one.TheThething
thing is,is,though,though, thatthat people
people never
never record
record thethe songs
songs I'm
I'm
toreallyproudof.
of. There
There areare songs
songs II do
magic isis still
reallyprouddo everyevery night
night andand thethe magic
still
there -butthere areare others
others thatthat youyou cancan ambush
ambush andouttherebut there
and beatbeat thethe shit
shit outofany moremore forfor you.
of until
until they
they just
just don't
don't water
water any
you.
"I've got"I've
got aa lot
lot ofof new
new songssongs -'A
ABad
Bad LiverLiverAndABroken
And A Broken Heart,'
Heart,' AA
BriefcaseAnd
Frank Is Here', 'Whitey
Ford'... and a lot of
Briefcase And The
The Blues,'
Blues.'TranklsHere','WhiteyFord'...andalotof
these haven't
glad if
if
these
haven'tbeen
beenwritten
writtenyet
yetbutbutI've
I've got
got thethe titles
titles andand I'll
I'll bebe gladsomebody
somebody covers
covers them.
them.
After
likely totoAfter aabrief
briefdiscourse
discourse regarding
regarding thatthat next
next album-whichalbum -which isislikelybe
And A G-String- the subject
subject moves
moves finally
finally to
be calledcalled Pasties
PastiesArzdAG-String-theto thetheineptitude ofsome country
countryrockers.
guys grewup
grewup inandineptitude
of somerockers. "Those"Those guysinLA
LA andthey
have cow
they justgot
gotclog
dog shit
they don't
don't have
cow shit
shit onon theirtheir boots
boots --theyjust
shit fromfromLaurelLaurel Canyon.
Canyon.They
Theywouldn't
wouldn't last
last two
twominutes
minutes inin Putnam
Putnam County,
County,that'sfor sure.
that's forsure. If
If somebody
somebody gets
gets shot
shot andand killed
killed there
there onon aaSaturday
Saturdaynight, thethe Sunday
Sundaypapers
natural causes!"causes!"night,
papers sayhe
say he just
just died
died ofof natural
At whichAt
which point
point I,I, inin thethe words
words ofWaits
of Waitshimself,
himself, mademade like
like aa hockey
hockeyplayer andand got
got thethe puckpuck outta
outta there.
there. FredDellar
FredDeliar•
playernecessarily here today and gone tomorrow. But most people don't

11

April 5,1969: Phil
Aprils.1969: Phil

Ochs performs
Ochs performs

ate peace marchatthe
at the Naumburg
Naumburg
Bandshellin
Bandshellin
CentralCentral Park,Park,
at a peace march

NewYork City

New York City

4

A fearlesA

fearless

MM APR 17 RIP,

MM APR 17 RIP,

protagonistournali!tic" folk
protagonist

singer Phil Ochs.

SSoc™

OCHS COMMITTED suicide on Thursday last week. He

PHI LOCHS COMMITTED suicide onThursday last week. He

died at his sister Sunny's house in the New York suburb of Far
Rockaway.
P1HIL
Rockaway. Ochs
Ochs waswas 3535 years
years old.
old. HeHe hadhad been
been severely
severely
depressed
the past
past six
six months,
which time
time hehe hadhad been
been
depressed forfor themonths, during
during which
virtually
virtually inactive
inactive onon thethe music
music scene.
scene. His
His last
last studiostudio album
album waswasreleased1970 andin thereleased in
in1970and Ochs'
Ochs' record
record company
company in
the United
United States
StatesrefusedHall.
refused toto release
release aa double
double album
album recorded
recorded at
at thethe Carnegie
Carnegie Hall.
He
however, for
his many
He will
will bebe remembered,remembered, however,for hismany early
early achievements.
achievements.
Born
1940, but
Born inin El
El Paso,Paso,Texas,
Texas,inin1940,
but raised
raised inin Ohio,
Ohio, Phil
Phil Ochs
Ochs
moved
New York
York inin 1961,
moved toto New
1961,met
metBob
BobDylan
Dylanwithin
within aa week
week and
anddied at his sister Sunny's house in the New York suburb of Far

immediately established himself at the heart of the Greenwich
Village
Village folk/protest
folk/protest scene.
scene. And
And althoughalthough there
there were
were plenty
plenty ofofcontenders
for Dylan's
Dylan's crown,
contenders forcrown, thethe generalgeneral consensus
consensus inin thosethose early
earlyVillagedays wasVillage days
was thatthat Ochs
Ochs would
would follow
follow Dylan
Dylan into
into thethelimelight.
limelight.
Hewith Elektra
Elektra in1964
in 1964 andHe secured
secured aa recording
recording contract
contract withandrecorded
AllTheThe News
News That's
That's Fit
recorded All
Fit ToToSing,Sing,establishingestablishing thethe simple
simpleformulahis next
albums. The
formula thatthat was
was toto seesee him
him throughthrough his
next two
two albums.
The
songs
in nature,songs were
were journalistic
journalistic innature, sketchingsketching out
out aa politicalpolitical scenario
scenario
andand thenthen offeringoffering criticism,
criticism, andand their
their impact
impact waswas considerable.
considerable.
GeorgeGeorge Wallace,
Wallace, forfor one,one, waswas unhappy
unhappy with
with 'Talking"Talking
Birmingham
To TheBirmingham Jam"
Jam" onon thethe second
second album.
album. And
And "Here's"Here's To
The State
State
Of
Mississippi", withOf Mississippi",with aa chorus
chorus line
linethat
thatdictateddictated "findyourself"find yourself
anotherto beanother country
country to
be partpart of",of", earned
earned Ochs
Ochs few
few friends
friends inin thatthatcornercorner ofof thethe world.
world. In
In fact,
fact, threats
threats toto hishislifelifeproliferated.
proliferated.
Eachthree Elektra
Eachofofhis
histhree
Elektra albums
albums charted,
charted, but
but hishis biggest
biggestcommercial
commercial successsuccess came
came notnot withwith one
one ofof hishis own
own recordings,
recordings, butbutwithJoan Baez's
with Joan
Baez'ssingle
single ofof hishis"There"There But
But ForFor Fortune",
Fortune", which
which waswasahitaroundworld, andmade
madethetheTopTop10
IO in
in Britain
Britain in
in July
July 1965.
1965.
a hit around thethe world,and
Ochs'
worked against
against him,
him, and
Ochs' notoriety
notoriety worked
and forfor aa couple
couple ofof years
years
hehe waswas subject
subject toto aa broadcastingbroadcasting ban
ban thatthat prevented
prevented him
him from
fromappearing
on TV
TV or
or radioradio inin thethe States.
States. In
In '67,
appearing on'67, hehesignedsignedwith
with A&M
A&M
andand issued
issued Pleasures
Pleasures Of
Of TheThe Harbor,
Harbor, ushering
ushering inin aa newnew musicalmusical style,style,
based
and thebasedaroundaround elaborate
elaborate arrangements
arrangements andthe lavish,
lavish,romanticromantic
pianistics"In suchsuch anPhil inpianistics ofof Lincoln
Lincoln Mayorga.
Mayorga."Inan ugly
ugly time,"time," wrote
wrote Phil
in ananexplanatory
sleeve note,
protest isis beauty..."beauty..."explanatory sleevenote, "the"the only
only true
true protest
Three
Tape From
Three more
more A&M
A&M albums
albums followed:
followed: Tape
FromCalifornia,
California,
Rehearsals
Rehearsals For
ForRetirement
Retirement (which(whichfeaturefeature Phil's
Phil'stombstone
tombstone asasaa covercover design)design) andand Greatest
Greatest Hits,
Hits, which,which, inin keeping
keeping with
with hishissardonic
sardonic outlook
outlook on
on life,life, waswas anan album
album ofof allall new
new material.
material.
Greatest
Hits, issued
issued in1970,
in 1970, wasGreatest Hits,
was hishis last
laststudiostudio album,
album,althoughalthoughatof thethe Watergate
Watergatefiasco
fiascohehe putputoutouta
a single
single on
on A&M,aat thethe heightheight of
A&M, aremake"Here's
ToTheState
remake ofof hishisoldoldMississippi
Mississippi diatribe,
diatribe, retitledretitled "H
ere's To
The State
Of
Richard Nixon".
Nixon". A
Of Richard
A doubledouble album
album ofof live
live material,material, recorded
recorded at
atCarnegie
Hall, which
declined to
toissueissue inin theCarnegie Hall,
which A&M
A&M declined
the States,
States, cancan bebeobtained
import.But
Butitithas
has toto be
be said,
said, Ochs'
obtained asas aa Continental
Continental import.
Ochs'
creativity
desertedhim
himin
inthe
the'70s'70sasas hehe drank
more andcreativity deserted
drank more
and moremore and
and
becamein '73,'73, hebecame lessless reliable.
reliable. Then,
Then, during
during aavisit
visit toto Africa
Africa inhe waswasrobbedwhich his
his vocalrobbed andand almost
almost strangled,
strangled, asas aa result
result ofof which
vocal cords
cords
were
were damaged
damaged andand hehe waswas never
never able
able toto singsing asas well.
well. When
When politicalpolitical
urgencies
urgencies arose,
arose, however,
however, Ochs
Ochs waswas still
still capable
capable ofof pulling
pulling off
off ananorganisationala fearlessorganisational coup
coup oror two.
two. InIn hishis day,day, hehe waswasa
fearless protagonist
protagonistof
how he'llof worthy
worthy causes.
causes. Hopefully,
Hopefully, that's
that's how
he'll bebe remembered.
remembered.
immediately established himself atthe heart of the Greenwich

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HISTORY41
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976| 141

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March 28,1976: Neil

March 28,1976: Neil

Youngleansintothewindfrom a huge fan at
windfromahugefanattheside of the stage
thesideofthestage
Young leans into the• sduring a four -night standduring a four-night standattheHammersmith
Odeon,London
Odeon,London

at the Hammersmith

WorldMags.r4

WorldMags.net

42 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

42 I HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

S

)-

NEIL
NEIL YOUNG
YOUNG

WorldMags.net"I live on
cc

I

live

nerves"on

33

NEIL YOUNG returns to

NEIL YOUNG

returns toEngland with CRAZY HORSE

England with

CRAZY HORSE

nervesand a sideways look at his

and a sideways look at his

work. "All those people who
say Neil Young songs are a
drag it's a sign of strength
rather than weakness
if you, the listeners, canwork.

"All thosepeople who

MELODY MAKER APRIL 10

drag - it's a sign of strength

rather than weakness

if you, thelisteners, cancope with them."cope with them."--MELODY MAKER APRIL 10-

say Neil Young songs are a

MM: "What epitaph would you like engraved on your tombstone?"
Neil Young: "This"Thisman,man, thethe longest
longest living
living rock'n'roll
rock'n'rollstar,
star,dieddiedsearching
searching
NeilYoung:for
Of Gold. He
rned afew people
for aa Heart
Heart OfGold.
He nevernever found
found ititbut
buthe
hetu
turnedafew
people on"on"(Smiles).
(Smiles).
MM: "What epitaph wouldyou like engraved on your tombstone?"

pERHAPS I SHOULD have been better prepared forthe whimsical reply. That afternoon, during a
bizarre three hours in Neil Young's suite at the
Dorchester Hotel, London, he'd finally quashed thelong -held theories that he was a manic depressive
whose songs were born out of sheer inner torture.
The sunken -eyed star whose stance and writing have been
portrayed as the fears and haunted images of a generation is suddenly
immenselyhappy! The hunted look has gone - almost. He's no longer
striking those self-conscious poses to complement the impression ofa loner which has stuckwith him all these years.
The huge success ofhis first real European tour had helped reassure
him that he had a place in the panoply of today's music. No, he added,
he wasn't exactly uncertain before he left California five weeks ago,but -well, who wouldn't be "up" after such ecstatic receptions? In thelast 14 days, he'd done 12 shows in eight countries.
"It's been like taking in Europe through one of those View -Masterslides. All the halls are a blur. The people backstage in each hall think
we're crazy -we nod and talk to them as if we sawthem the previous
night, whereas it was in a different country and we don't know where
we are. Of course we are nuts. Do you know a rock'n'roll musician who
isn't nuts?"
But seriously, the tour had been such an experience. Japan had beenconquered, and this during Neil's first visit. "Nobody spoke English to
us there, and the response was very different from western responses,
but they understood us, I think, and gave us a great reception.
"Myfirst time in Japan for those four cities, and it was amazing to see
people had come to the shows and copied even the wayI dress, thepatterned trousers. This has always happened everywhere, but when it
happens among people of a different culture, whose whole backgroundis so different from theWest's, it's nothing less than staggering.
"Apart from that, the main thing that occurred to me was the size of
people -we towered above them all in Japan!A psychologicaladvantage, which I needed". Shades of the old paranoia?
In each of the cities Neil has played during his European jaunt, he's
hired a film crew. Various aspects oflife
ERHAPSI SHOULD have been better prepared forthe whimsical reply. That afternoon, during a

bizarre three hours in Neil Young's suite at the

Dorchester Hotel, London, he'd finally quashed thelong-held theories that he was a manic depressive
whose songs were born out of sheer inner torture.

The sunken-eyed star whose stance and writing have been

portrayed as the fears and haunted images of a generation is suddenly
immensely happy! The hunted lookhas gone - almost. He's no longer

striking those self-conscious poses to complement the impression ofa loner which has stuck with him all these years.

The huge success of his first real European tour had helped reassure

him that he had a place in the panoply of today's music. No, he added,
he wasn't exactly uncertain before he left California five weeks ago,

but-well, who wouldn't be "up" after such ecstatic receptions? In thelast 14 days, he'd done 12 shows in eight countries.

"It's been like taking in Europe through one of those View-Masterslides. All the halls are a blur. The people backstage in each hall think

we're crazy- we nod and talk to them as ifwe saw them the previous

night, whereas it was in a different country and we don't know where

we are. Of course we are nuts. Do you know a rock'n'roll musician who
isn't nuts?"

But seriously, the tour had been such an experience. Japan had beenconquered, and this during Neil's first visit. "Nobody spoke English to

us there, and the response was very different from western responses,
but they understood us, I think, and gave us a great reception.

"Myfirsttimeinjapanforthosefourcities.anditwasamazingtosee

people had come to the shows and copied even the way I dress, thepatterned trousers. This has always happened everywhere, but when it

happens among people of a different culture, whose whole backgroundis so different from the West's, it's nothing less than staggering.

"Apart from that, the main thing that occurred to me was the size of

people - we towered above them all in Japan! Apsychological>Hadvantage, which I needed". Shades of the old paranoia?

sO

In each of the cities Neil has played during his European jaunt, he'saz<

hired a film crew. Various aspects of lifeof The Rock Star On The Road have beenof The Rock Star On The Road have been

filmed -backstage, in hotels, in cars, out
walking or relaxing. Early one morning
filmed-backstage, in hotels, in cars, out

Neil: feeliii

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1976
.£
APRIL

Marchl6,1976:ina
hotel
hotel inin Copenhagen,Copenhagen,Denmark,
on tourDenmark,ontour
withwith Crazy
Crazy Horse
Horse
Marchl6,1976:mamm

in London, the crewwas in his hotel bedroom toi'literally
literally film
film Neil
Neil waking
waking up,
up, getting
getting out
out ofof bed.
b ed.
mm
m
*
&
%
x
Connoisseurs of
the Youngstorywillrecall his
his
Connoisseurs
ofthe
Young story
will recall
flirtation withmovie -making throughthrough thethe years,
years,
flirtation
with movie-making
4
andby himand this
this exercise
exercise waswas described
described byhim asas "part"part ofof
theplan". He
Healsoalsointended
intended to
to loaf
loafaroundaround London
Londonthe plan".
W.
BridgeBridge during
during rush
rush hour,
hour, guitar
guitar inin hand,hand, to
to be
be
-v
filmedfilmed playing
playing at
at busking."busking. " Just
Just love
lovegetting
gettingv"
ci
some
film. I've
I've gotsome good
good film.
got loads
loads ofof footage
footageH1
X
ofof film
film backback home
home atat mymy ranch;ranch; mymy music
music
SEPfllSE
RECORDSREPRISE RECORDS
will
will continue,
continue, at
at least
least onon record,
record, but
but
eventually I'd
to makemake films.
haveeventually
I'd like
like tofilms. I
I haveall
all thethe movie
movie equipmentyou'dequipment you'd imagine
imagineTHE
THE
I
STILLS f STILLS
backhome,
and
it's
more
than
just
back home, and it's more than just
REP
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Time: 3:53
3:53
9
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Myown
My
own visit
visittotohis
hisDorchester
Dorchester hotel
hotel
5 st7try:1:14.
Neil Young5
andantl DonIf
Gen man.
room,
room, andand our
our conversation,
conversation, was
was partly
partlyffilmedtoo. He^&
filmed too.
He hadhad thethe chefs
chefs deliverdeliver anan
LONG
YOU RUNRUN
LONG MAY
MAY YOU
absurdlysophisticatedabsurdly sophisticated four-course
four -course dinnerdinner(NeilYoung)
Young)V,
SilverBMI
SilverFiddle
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for us,us,whichwhichpurported
purported toshow thatthat OurOur StarStarforto show©197601976 Warner
Warner Bros.
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Irrc.
wasin fact
fact he% 4f0,
was moremore relaxed
relaxed than
than inhe was.
was. The
The cool,cool,' ' C«««0A. ITD
**
1°'"
pre
-concert supper!
supper!
theybringof strength
strength rather
rather thanpre-concert
they bringyou
you down
down -it's- it'saa signsign ofthanweakness
weaknessif
ifyou,you,
Butthe
But there
therewaswasno
nodisguising
disguisingstraightforward
straightforward
the listeners,
listeners, cancan cope
cope with
with them.
them.
butterflies. It
butterflies.
It hadhad been
been two
two years
years since
since his
his last
lastconcerts,
concerts, apartapart fromfrom thethe"Songs"Songsmust
must makemake thethelistener'slistener's mind
mind workwork- they
they don't
don't have
have toto finishfinishsmall
thestory, butwith aa sortsmall club
club dates
dates inin America,
America,which
whichhehefavoured
favouredagainst
against mass
mass stadia.
stadia.
the story,
but leave
leave whoever's
whoever's hearing
hearing itit out
out there
there withsort ofof canvas
canvasComingthis tour,
tour, whichin sheertopictures.Anyway
AnywayOK,one
onedaydayNeil
Neil Young
Young will
Coming toto terms
terms with
with thiswhich insheer logistics
logistics had
had been,
been, forforto draw
draw his
his own
own pictures.
-OK,
will write
write
Neil,
Neil,absolutely
absolutelymonstrous,
monstrous, had
had been
beentraumatic.
traumatic.
a happy
happy song.
song. But
But I'll
I'll probably
probably sell
for aa commercial!"
commercial!"asellitit toto TV
TV for"Shall IIreally
reallydo
doEurope?
Europe?Are
Arethethepeople
peoplestill
stillthere?
there?Has
HasthetheContinentContinent"ShallAs
As aacomposercomposer ofof sosomanymanygenuinely
genuinely touching
touching lyrics,
lyrics, did
did hehe consider
consider hehedisappeared?
You read- let'stry
try it.
it.
disappeared?You
read soso muchmuch inin thethe newspapers!
newspapers! Ahhhh
Ahhhh-let's
had nowhad
nowwritwrittenten thethe song,
song, thethe oneone whichwhich hehe could
could never
never eclipse,
eclipse, thethe Neil
Neil
But
nerves?Are
youkidding?
kidding?Nothing's
Nothing'scertain
certainwith
see. Things
ThingsBut nerves?
Are you
withme,me, you
you see.
Youngwhich hehe would
be marked
for life?
life?
Young epic
epic bybywhichwould bemarked forgogo sosowrong
wrongororso
sorightrightanywhere,
anywhere,in
inthe
thestudio,
studio, atathome,home,anywhere.
anywhere. The
The"Ihopehope IIhave
havenot
notwritten
written THE
THE songsong yet.
yet.I'dI'dlikeliketotothink
thinkI'll
I'llhavehaveenoughenough"I
guitarout atnew
guitar head
head pulls
pulls out
at thethe very
veryworst
worsttime
timeduring
duringanan important
important song.
song.
new experiences,
experiences, feelings,
feelings, totodo
dosomething
something much
much better
better than
than what's
what's gone
gone
down.
we only
This tour's
tour's been
my career."
career."down. The
The past
past isisaatrap
trap--weonly remember
remember thethe good
good things."
things."Thisbeen aa greatgreat fillip
fillip to
to my
And
As
show,
And yes,
yes,he'dhe'dthought
thought long
long andand hard
hard before
before deciding
deciding toto include
include all
all thethe
As thethe timetime forforthetheconcert
concert drew
drew near,
near, Neil
Neilcontemplated
contemplated thethe show,familiar songs which had charted
charted his
In The Sand" "Heart"Heartnervously fiddled
fiddled with
with thethe piano
piano andand played
playedaroundaround with
with aa chocolate
chocolatefamiliarsongswhichhad
his path:
path: "Cowgirl"CowgirllnTheSand"
nervouslyOf
And TheDone," "After"After The
souffle.
soufflé. This
This had
had followed
followed melon
melon andand steaksteak andand redred wine,
wine, andand II remarked
remarked
Of Gold,"
Gold,""Needle"NeedleAnd
The Damage
Damage Done,"The GoldGold Rush".
Rush".No
Noneedneedtoto disown
disown them
them andand concentrateconcentrate on
on invention.
invention. Acknowledge
Acknowledge thethe past!
past!
that inthat
in spitespite ofof itsits excellence,excellence, ititdidn't
didn't seem
seem thethe most,
most, er,
er,purepure way
way ofofIt'stearing
down thethe West
West Cromwellon stage,
It's been
been aa good
goodpast,
past, heheconceded.
conceded. The
The artist
artist would
would always
always crave
crave thethetearing down
Cromwell Road
RoadtotoHammersmith
Hammersmith andand onstage,
public's patience,patience, care,
care,understanding,understanding, when
whenlate, forforaa concert.
concert. "Ilive ononnerves
nerves andand this
thispublic'slate,"I livetryingto movemove on.
on. "But"But I
I like—seems
way offor apreparing fortrying to
like those
those songs,
songs, II amam
seems nono worse
worse aawayof preparinganow
the Neil
Neil Young
now ableable toto detachdetach theYoung ofof todaytoday from
fromperformance thantheO"
performance
thanany
anyother,"other,"hehesaid.
said. "Also"Also thethemore
more nervous
nervous II makemake myself,
myself, thethe better
better II
the person
person who
who wrote
wrote them.
them. I'm
I'm older-clearlyolder- clearly I
need that
perform.
Keep myself
and ifif allallthosethose songs
songs areare going
going toto help
help meme reachreachperform. II need
need thatthat edginess.
edginess. Keepmyselfandpeople withnewer stuff,
stuff, that's
fine byby me.
uncertain.
On thethe precipice
precipiceofof disaster.
disaster. It's
It's thepeoplewith newer
that's fineme.
uncertain. On
theon"I've never"I've
never liked
liked it,it,though,though, when
when they
they shout
shout
onlyway
only
way I
I can
can function.
function. Ilove
love good
good foodfood- andandout
anyway,hey, man,
haven'teatenALL
eaten ALLDAY!"DAY!"
anyway, hey,man, II haven't
out forfor thethe old
oldsongs
songsimmediately
immediately after
after you've
you'vefinished anew
The film
film crew
crewwasleft toto finishfinish thethe foodfood
finished
a newone.
one.Kinda
Kindadeflating.
deflating.You
You know,know,
The
was lefttheprecipiceyou(scraps-from-the-rich-man's-table)
you pouryourselfintoasongyou've
pour yourself into a song you'vejust
just written,
written,(scraps -from- the -rich- man's -table) as
as
lose yourself
yourself inyour lyrics.
lyrics Applause.
Applause. Great!
Neil's manager
manager Elliot
Elliot Roberts
Roberts decided
decided there
there waswaslose
in yourGreat! You
You
Neil'sof disaster"
think:'Ah, thatnono timetime left.
left.Into
Intothethe limousine
limousine outside
outside thethethink: 'Ah,that one
one mademade it.'it.' Just
Justasasthe
theapplauseapplause
dies down,
down, someone
someone shouts
shouts out,
Dorchester, Neil
Neil collecting
collecting aa few
few disbelieving
disbelieving
diesout, "SOUTHERN"SOUTHERN
Dorchester,
MAN!"And
Andyouyouthink,
think, 'Awwwww,'Awwwww, they
they still
still
MAN!"
looks
looks inin thethe foyer
foyerfromfromconservatively
conservativelydressed
dressedprefer the
preferthe old
old ones.
ones. To
To HELL
HELLwithwith thethe old
old ones.'"
ones.'"
people who
peoplewho regarded
regarded his
his long,
long, straggly
stragglyhair,
hair,patched-up
patched -up trousers
trousers andandButby thetourofof hiscrazy
day, aspeculiar?
But yes,
yes,heheagreed,agreed,he'dhe'dbeen
been persuaded
persuaded by
the comeback
comeback tour
his
crazy Sherlock
Sherlock Holmes
Holmes hat,
hat, boughtbought thatthat day,as--shallshallwe
wesaysay -peculiar?
friend andBobthat evena helplessly
helplessly
Inside thethe car,car, Neil
Neilbegan
beganshowing
showingnervous
nervous signs
signsandandmuttering.
muttering. "Used"Usedfriendand artistic
artisticmentor
mentorBobDylan,
Dylan,in
in1973,
1973, thateven forfor a
Insidehopingto live
live withtohoping artist,
artist, itit was
was honourable
honourable towith thethe past.
past. "Dylan"Dylan has
has always
alwaysto be
be petrified.
petrified. Now
Now'I just
just wonder,"wonder," hehesaid,said,half
halfcontradicting
contradicting his
his earlier
earlier
had mytotal respect.
respect. He
He hashas shownshown sosomanymany ofofus,
us,especially
especiallywith
thatconfession. "Think
I'll changechange thethe showaroundshow around tonight.
tonight's thethehad
my totalwith that
confession.
"Thinkl'll
tonight. Yes,
Yes, tonight's
Before The
night.
why IIfiddle
Before
TheFlood
Floodalbum
albumtour
tourwith
withThe
TheBand,Band,that
thataamajor
majorperformer
performer cancannight. Do
Do youyouknow
knowwhyfiddlearoundaroundwith
withthetheinstruments
instruments during
during thethelive with
with his
his people".
people".
acoustic set
which begins
give people
people something
something toat.
live
acoustic
set whichbeginsthetheshow?
show?To
To giveto look
look at.
Neil'sIt's{talkinghimself
himselfinto
into confidence
confidence now.
now...)
Neil'scheerfulcheerful attitudeattitude towards
towards everyday
everyday things
things andand hishis careercareer It's very
very important
important (talking.) Helps
Helpsthem
them totoboosted byboostedby fourfour spine-tingling
spine -tingling London
London concerts
concerts which
which easily
easily regained
regained
focus, deviates
focus,
deviates fromfrom looking
looking at
at mymyfaceface all
all thethe time.
time. Boring,
Boring, just
just looking
looking atathimlive performancesanwith guitar
guitarinin handhand forfor half
an hour,how good
an artist
artist withhalf anhour, nono mattermatter how
good hishis
him aa temporarily
temporarily lostlostcrowncrownforforliveperformanceshere-were,
here were, though,though,at odds
odds with
with his
hismorosemorose personality
personalityofsongs are.
are. You
Youmustmustinterest
interestthe
theaudience.
audience. IIdon't
don't need
need totofiddle
fiddlearoundaround sosoatof old.
old.
songs
On
week, hemuch
to saysay toOn stagestage last
lastweek,
hepositively
positivelybounced,
bounced,compared
compared with
with thethemuch with
with guitars,
guitars, andand II sure
sure don't
don't have
have anything
anything toto anyone,anyone,introspective fumbling"Confidence. I've
I'vefoundfoundconfidence
confidence this
this
except thethe next
next song,
song, but
but ififIIchangechangeinstruments
instruments fora bit,
bit,that
thathelps
helps them,
them,
introspective
fumblingofof old.
old. "Confidence.
exceptfor atour,""And I'm
makesthem think
thinklknow what
I'm doing,
makes them
I know
what I'mdoing, tootoo - heh
tour," hehe stated.
stated. "AndI'm happy.
happy. IIguess
guessI've
I'vealways
alwayswritten
writtensongs
songsthatthat
heh heh!"
hell!"
made people
people think
think I'm
sad, butbut they're
they're just
just songs.
songs. Most
Most ofof mymy songs
songs areare"Don't worry," says
says Roberts.
Roberts. "Itwill all
all bebe overover two
two hours
hours frommadeI'm sad,"Don'tworry,""Itwillfrom now."
now."
lonesome;
easy.
"You
says Neil,"Youknow,
know,Muhammad
Muhammad Ali
Alialways
alwayscomes
comes backbacksolonesome; II find
find itit hardhard toto makemake aa happy
happy point
point inin aa song,
song, that's
that's kinda
kinda easy.
so strong,"
strong," says
Neil,
"Loneliness-I've"Loneliness -I've always
always found
found thatthat aa perfectperfect subject
subject forfor aa song,
song, andand"just as"just
as youyou thought
thought he'd
he'd lost
lost whateverwhatever hehe hadhad originally.
originally. Me,
Me, I
I can
can never
never
since
I'd havecome
come backback if
if I've
I'vebeen
beenanywhere
anywhere else.
else. IIfeel
feelmore
morelikelikeaaracehorseracehorse- aahorse
horsesince I! always
alwayswrite
write thethe music
music andand thethe words
words together,
together, I'dhave toto be
be pretty
prettyUP,andandundergo
undergo aacomplete
complete charactercharacter change,change, towrite aa song
songthatthatsaves up
up everyevery bitbit ofofenergy
energy forforthatthat race
race andand itit eithereither wins
wins orloses, nonoUP,
to writesaves
or loses,
conflicted
withmymysongs
songs soso far.
far. I
But
secondchancefor
for thethe knockout.
knockout.Yeah,
Yeah, that's
that'sit,it, aa performer
performerlike
likememeis
is likelikeconflicted with
Iwish
wishIIcould
couldwrite
writesomething
something happy.
happy. But
second chance
remember, all
Youngsongs
songsareareaadragdragbecause
becausea racehorse.
racehorse. Except
Coleman•remember,
all those
thosepeople
peoplewho
whosaysay Neil
Neil Younga
ExceptII don't
don'teateathay."hay." Ray
RayColeman
in London, the crew was in his hotel bedroom to

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"I need that
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the precipiceof disaster"

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44
HISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
44 I |HISTORYV.
i

NEIL YOUNG
NEIL
YOUNG

WorldMags.net
debut on Zuma) in the place of Danny WhittenonRalph
on rhythm
rhythm guitar,
guitar, theformidable
the formidable Ralph
Molina on
Molinaon drums
drums andand Billy
Billy Talbot
Talbot on
on bass
bass
shoring
structure ofof hishis
shoring upthe
up the impenetrable
impenetrable structure
songs,
playing isissongs, Young's
Young's electric
electric guitar
guitar playing
allowedan expressive
expressive freedom.
allowed an
freedom.
debut on Zuma) in the place of Danny Whitten"A furious and dazzling assault""A

furiousanddazzling

MM APRIL 3 bung and Crazy Horse bring a
MM APRIL 3 Young andCrazy Horse

assault"

nic hurricane to London.

bring a sonichurricane to

London.

AT APPROXIMATELY 8.25PM on Sunday,
He played,
played, ininfact,fact, with
with aavigour
vigour andandstrength
strength
renditions
He
more familiar
familiar compositions
compositions
renditions ofof moreNeilwhichvividly against
against his
his tornwhich contrasted
contrasted vividly
torn andand
Neil Young,
Young,unannounced
unannouncedbut
butimmediately
immediatelyfrom Harvest
from
Harvest (including(including aa simple
simple andand moving
movingfrayed physicalphysical condition.
condition. He
He maymay have
have
recognisable,"Afrayedrecognisable, loped
loped onon toto the"A ManMan Needs
NeedsAAMaid",
Maid",performed
performed at
at thethethe stagestage ofof thethelooked ason
Hammersmith
lookedpiano
Hammersmith Odeon
Odeon toto open,open, with
with aa brief
brief
piano andandfarfarsuperior
superior toto thethe overblown
overblownas if
if he'dhe'd just
just been
been washedwashed ashoreashore on
acoustic
sentimentalityof thethe original).
some
some deserted
deserted beach,beach, but
but hishis playing
playing onon
acoustic set,
set, hishisfirst
first solo
solo concert
concert inin London
Londonsentimentality oforiginal).
since
Tonight's"Don'tCryNo
No Tears",
Tears", especially,"Don't Cry
especially, wassince thethe traumatic
traumatic andand confusing
confusing Tonight's
The trio
trio ofof recentrecent compositions,compositions, lyrically
lyrically
was
The
The
1973.
at
gloriously
TheNight
Night performances
performances ofof November
November1973.
gloriously healthy.
healthy.
at least,
least, were
were ofof aamore
moreintimate
intimate nature
nature thanthan
He drew
drew even"SeemsHeevengreater
greater strength
strength fromfrom
"Seems like
like IIjust
justgot
got here
here fromfrom somewhere
somewhere
themajority ofof thethe songs
songs which
which appeared
appearedthe majority
Sampedro
Sampedro (a(astocky,stocky,genial
genialindividual
individual with
with ananelse,"
onnervous,on Zuma.
Zuma. "Too
"Too FarFar Gone"Gone" was
was instantly
instantly
else," heheobserved
observed quietly,
quietly, casting
casting aa nervous,
apprehensive
stare at
at hishis audience.
abrasiveabrasive rhythm
rhythm style
style which
whichcomplemented
complemented
apprehensive stareaudience.
both haunting
bothhaunting andand utterly
utterly compelling,compelling, withwith
Characteristicallydishevelled inin atherefrain "We"We had
had thethe drugs,
drugs, we
perfectly
the unorthodox,
unorthodox, robust
robust guitar
Characteristically dishevelled
perfectly theguitar ofofa torntorn andandthe refrain
we hadhad thethebatteredsuedejacketwhich
blues/We
still
had
Young)
battered suede
jacket which
blues/We
still
had
Young) andand Talbot
Talbot asas hehe unleashedunleashed an
an
hung
his
something
to lose..."lose..."
overwhelming,
something tooverwhelming, brooding
brooding andand extremely
extremely
hung loosely
loosely about
about hishunchedshoulders, andand hishis
sending
hunched shoulders,sending aa chillingchilling vibration
vibration
violent reading"He has theviolent
reading ofof "Down"Down By
By TheThe River".
River".
hairhearoundCaughtin theof Sampedro's
Sampedro's
hair long
long andand matted,
matted, hearound thethe theatre.
theatre.
Caught in
the crossfire
crossfire ofdemeanour of aaarrangedarranged himself
himself behindbehind"Day
And Night"wasNight" wasattack and thethe explosive
explosive bass
basspatterns,
patterns,Young"Day And
attackandYoungsimilarly passionate,passionate, withwithasimilarly
twitched
and cavorted
cluster ofof microphones
microphones
a cluster
twitched andcavorted acrossacross thethe stage,stage, lost
lost
thoroughly wasted,withlackofwith aa complete
complete lackof
Young
Young twisting
twisting andandcompletely
completely inin thethe passion
passion ofof hishis performance.
performance.
physicalcontorting
hisvoice
voice asasWith
Talbot andand SamSampedro
contorting his
With Talbot
pedro close
close aroundaround him,
him,
physical grace,
grace, mumbling
mumbling
disorientatedincoherently
helines,
heincoherently toto himself
himself asas hehehe repeated
repeated thethe lines,
he would
would turn
turn occasionallyoccasionally toto thethe microphone
microphoneselected"Jabtoto deliverdeliver thethe lyrics
lyrics ofof thethe songsong with
withselected aa guitar
guitar and,
and,
"Jab something
something throughthrough
James Stewart"
apparently
satisfied andapparently satisfied
andme, don't
don't makemake meme wait/wait/
demented force.
force.
me,demented
prepared,
eased into
Don't
"LosingEnd", another"Losing End",
another selection
selection from
fromprepared, eased
into "Tell"TellDon't cutout
cut out thethe goodgood
Me
Me Why".
Why". TheThe highhigh notes
notes ofof thethe songsong hehe hithit
thingsappreciate.
Everybody Knows
Knows This
This IsIsNowhere,
Nowhere,provided
providedthings 1
I appreciate."
Everybodywithand hehe smiledItawith difficultydifficulty andsmiled wryly
wryly as
It waswas withwith some
some sense
sense ofof relief,relief, then,then,of calm
calm andandincluded,
included, from
from
as he
he
a rarerare moment
moment ofnegotiatedthe guitar
chords. It
negotiated theguitar chords.
It waswas aathat thethat
the audienceaudience received
received thethe more
more
Young,
Young, aa solo
solo ofof somesome delicacy
delicacy andand wit.
wit.
"This isis another
another new
beautifully
informal, casualcasual introduction.
accommodating"HeartOf
Gold", with
with which
which
"This
bar ininaccommodating "Heart Of Gold",
beautifully informal,
introduction.
new song...
song... about
about aa bar"Let'shehe
California,""Let's see
see whatwhat we've
we've got
got here,"
here," hehe ended
ended thethe acoustic
acoustic segment,
segment, promisingpromising
California," hehe offeredoffered as
as anan introduction
introduction totocontinued,
towith Crazy
Crazy Horse
Horse after"Hurricane",a"Hurricane", a strange
and powerful
powerfulcontinued, grapplinggrappling with
with aa banjo
banjo andand fixing
fixingto return
return withafter aa short
shortstrange andaa harmonica
harmonica into
into thethe twisted
twisted metal
metal frame
frameinterlude, "tothis story
story moving".
composition whichinterlude,"to keep
keep thismoving".
composition
which proved
proved to
to be
be as
as
aroundNeilrelentlessly
By TheNeil Young
Young with
with Crazy
Crazy Horse,
Horse, as"Down By
The River".
River".
relentlessly fierce
fierce asaround his
his neck.
neck.He
Hebeganbegan"Mellow"Mellow My
MyMind"Mind"as thetheas "Down
from Tonight's
Tonight's The
The
- the
the only
only composition
composition fromferocious
electric set
the Hammersmith
Hammersmith
A largelarge fan
fanto
tothe
the right
right ofof thethe stagestagewhirred
whirredferocious electric
set ofof theA
into action,action, sending
sending aa sharp
Night heNight
he wasconcertemphatically stressed,
stressed, areare stillintopicking at
at thethe banjo
banjo
was toto performperform -- picking
concert emphaticallystill thethesharp breeze
breeze throughthroughandinto thethe harp.
harp. "Putinand blowing
blowing gruffly
gruffly into
"Put itit ingreatest
greatest bar
bar-room-room band
band ininthe
theworld.
world. WithWith
thethe air
air (a(atypically
typically idiosyncratic
idiosyncratic touch,
touch, that),that), asasYoung spiralledspiralled into
into aa dizzy
dizzy orbit
orbit during
duringupsidehalf-smiling.
Frank(who mademade his
his
^
Young
upside down..."down..." hehe grumbled,
grumbled, half-smiling.
Frank Sampedro
Sampedro (who"...Don'tthe"...Don't dodo thatthat every
every night."
night."
the climactic
climactic section
section ofof whatwhat maymayHeagain,beHe started
started again,
be hishis most
most expansive
expansive andand lunatic
lunatic
HAMMERSMITH ODEON
transforming
transforming thethe number
numbersong since
since"Don't"Don't Be
Denied".
song
Be Denied".
LONDONfrom"One
song," hehefrom its
its recorded
recorded form
form
"One more
more laid-backlaid-back song,"
into
into aacrude,
crude, rustic
rustic affair
affairlaconicallyannounced asCrazy
as Crazylaconically announced
Horse fell
fell inbehind him
hewhichwhich recalled
recalled "For"For TheThe
Horse
in behind
him andand heLIVE!
Turnstiles".
Turnstiles". He
He waved
waved aa brief
brief
led them
ledthem throughthrough "Let"Let ItIt Shine".
Shine".
We wereacknowledgement
to theWe
were backback ininthe
thefrontline,
frontline,
acknowledgementto
the
MARCH 28
audience
however,Back", asaudience and,
and, more
more relaxed
relaxedhowever, with
with "Drive"Drive Back",
asnow,
now, moved
Young
Young andand Sampedro
Sampedro combined
combined
moved toto thethe piano
piano
forfor aa delicate,delicate, achingaching"After"Afterto launchlaunch afurious anddazzling
toa furiousand dazzling/
The
Rush".
assault.
The GoldGold Rush".
assault. The
The audienceaudience had
had barely
barelyDespiteenoughDespite thethe intimacy
intimacy
enough time
time toto catchcatch its
its breath
breath*I4••
hebeforehe had,had, bybythisthis time,
time,
before thethe virtual
virtual holocaust
holocaust ofof#•
established,and
established, and thegenuine
the genuine"Southern"Southern Man"
Man" ("Another("Another oldold*natureof hishis casualcasual asides
tune
Lynyrd Skynyrd
madenature ofasidestune Lynyrd
Skynyrd made♦tofamouslong ago..."),
ago..."), an
to thethe audience,
audience, YoungYoungfamous longan
maintained
maintained an
exhausting,nerve -jangling
an airair ofof bruisedbruisedexhausting, nerve-janglingr ;•rdesperation.
He has,has,
desperation. He
juggernaut ofand energy
energyjuggernaut
ofsoundsound andcuriously,
which
which left
left Young
Young looking
looking drained
drainedcuriously, thethe generalgeneraldemeanourdemeanour ofof aa thoroughly
thoroughly
and tense.
tense.
andwasted,
James
He
two
Hereturned
returnedthen
thenforfortw
wasted, disorientateddisorientated James
Stewart,Stewart, ambling
ambling wide-eyed,wide-eyed,encores.
encores. A
A magnificent
magnificent version
version ofofhisconcentration
concentration slipping
slipping in
his
in
the
the epic
epic "Cortez"Cortez The
The Killer",
Killer", full
full ofof
anguishandoutof
anguish andand damaged
damaged grandeur,
grandeur,and out of focuscontinually.
focus continually.
r
Heincluded,inthis
which
which segued
segued into
into aa brisk
He included, in thisbrisk andand
efficient "Cinnamon
Girl".
openingnewefficient"Cinnamon Girl".
opening section,section, three
three newsongs:
By
10.30 itover. It's
By10.30
it wasall over.
songs: "Too
"Too FarFar Gone",Gone", "Day"Day
was all
It's
Acoustic
Acoustic segments
segments
And Night
Night We
These
extremely unlikelythat we
we shallshall
And
We Walk
WalkThese
extremely
unlikely thatpunctuate"ferocious"punctuate"ferociouswitness
Aisles"Say YouYouwitness a
Aisles" andand "Don't"Don't Say
a performance
performance more
more
sets
sets with
with Crazy
Crazy Horse
Horse
at
Win,
Don'tSay
Say You
You Lose",
Lose",
atHammersmith
Hammersmith
impressive,
impressive, fromfrom anan artist
artist ofof suchsuch
Win, Don't
Odeon,March28,1976
Odeon,March 28,1976
which
stature,againthis
this
year.
Allan
Jones
which hehe included
included between
betweenstature, again
year.
Allan
Jones
AT APPROXIMATELY 8.25PM on Sunday,"He has thedemeanour ofthoroughly wasted,disorientatedJames Stewart"

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THIN LIZZY have built a reputation, and arehavebuilt a reputation,

and arereaping the rewards. "I believe in the rock
culture," says Phil Lynott." Six months of yourlife travelling to gigs and the other six months
playing. Acting the star, I can't take that."reaping the

rewards.

culture," says

Phil

"I

believe in the

Lynott."rock

Six months of yourlife travelling to gigs and the other six months

playing. Acting the star,-

I can't take that."

MELODY MAKER APRIL 3-

MELODY MAKER APRIL 3 -THERE WE STOOD. Dumbfounded, we stared in starkamazement at the spectacle. It's Liverpool Stadium

THERE WE STOOD. Dumbfounded, we stared in starkamazement at the spectacle. It's Liverpool Stadium

and the mashed wood strewn around the floor had
earlier that night formed 10 rows of seats.
There's a distinct feeling of pride in the ranks. You

and the mashed wood strewn around the floor had
earlier that night formed 10 rows of seats.

There's a distinct feeling of pride in the ranks. You

know, sad about the damage, but we, Thin Lizzy, had
this traumatic effect on our audience. At last.
"Jaay... sus." The awesome silence is broken. Laughter breaks out, theband's reaction to the significance of the audience's ecstatic reaction.
Phil Lynott makes a reasonably balanced proposal. "Let's get out ofhere before they ask us for the money."
The night before, Lynott, overwhelmed bythe response, passionately
told the audience in Manchester that they'd earned the "best fans" tag.
Tonight, Liverpool has forced a reassessment.
The myth that Philip Lynott is Thin Lizzy is disintegrating speedily.
As the wheels of this British tour gather momentum, the parts played
by Brian Downey, drummer, and especiallythose of Scott Gorham andBrian Robertson, are being acknowledged as important. Just as Lynott
is a true rock character, so are the rest of the band. Lynott himself
accepts that his reign as the sole frontman is coming to an end.
"It's this band that'll crack it once and for all. The two guitars fill thesound out much better. They bounce off one another's playing. They've
brought in ideas that wouldn'a happened otherwise. I got the attention
because I was the darkie in the middle. I was the figurehead.
"I feel that in the band, everybodypulls their weight when it comes toknow, sad about the damage, but we, Thin Lizzy, had

this traumatic effect on our audience. At last.

" Jaay... sus." The awesome silence is broken. Laughter breaks out, theband's reaction to the significance of the audience's ecstatic reaction.
Phil Lynott makes a reasonably balanced proposal. "Let's get out ofhere before they ask us for the money."

The night before, Lynott, overwhelmed by the response, passionately

told the audience in Manchester that they'd earned the "best fans" tag.

Tonight, Liverpool has forced a reassessment.

The myth that Philip Lynott fsThin Lizzy is disintegrating speedily.

As the wheels of this British tour gather momentum, the parts played

byBrianDowney, drummer, and especially those of Scott Gorham andBrian Robertson, are being acknowledged as important. Just as Lynott
is a true rock character, so are the rest of the band. Lynott himself
accepts that his reign as the sole frontman is coming to an end.

"It's this band that'll crack it once and for all. The two guitars fill thesound out much better. They bounce off one another's playing. They've
brought in ideas that wouldn'a happened otherwise. I got the attention
because I was the darkie in the middle. I was the figurehead.

"I feel that in the band, everybody pulls their weight when it comes tothejust happen
happen to
the songs
songs andand lyrics,
lyrics, but
but whatwhat II dodothe music.
music. I
I justto writewriteaa lot
lot ofof thewith
Lizzy as opposed
opposedto
towhatwhatI'd
I'ddo
do if
if I
with Lizzyas
I was
was onon mymy ownown areare two
twocompletely different things. That's how I know it's a band. »)0completelydifferentthings.That'showIknowit'saband.

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HISTORY47
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976| 147

1976
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S"I let Thin Lizzy interpretrmymy songs
songs asas it
it wishes.
wishes. II come
come
The
best
down
down with
with aa song
song andand Brian
Brian[Robertson] says
says thatthat he'd
he'd[Robertson]like-rlike such
such andand suchsuch aa beat.
beat.
Then II let
letthethebandband develop
develop thetheThenencoreinsong,
song, andand eveneven if
ifII disagree,
disagree, mymyVpower's
power's only
only aaquarter.
quarter. I'm
I'm only
onlya
as farfar asa figurehead
figurehead asas thethe press
press is
is
the
world
concerned,
concerned, but
but that's
that's thethe superficial
superficial
thing.
Brian Downey
is thething. II mean,
mean, Brian.
Downey isthequietest member
band, buthequietest
memberofof thethe band,but ifif he
MM JUL11
JUL 11Lizzy
Lizzyput
put thethe seal
seal ononMMsays
a number,says hehe doesn't
doesn't want
want toto play
playa
number,their long-sought-after
status.
long -sought-after status.
that'sit stumped."stumped."that's it
LynottLynott isis as
as closeclosetotothe
thegrassroots
grassroots
THEPREVALENTMOODthathung
THE PREVALENT HOOD that hungasas anyoneanyone isis likely
likely toto getget inin thethe rockrock
overthis Hammersmith
Hammersmith Odeon
overthisOdeon gig
gig ononbusiness. He's
He's aatrue
trueshowbusiness
showbusinessbusiness.
Sundaythat thisthiswould
be thecharacter,always preparedfor aSunday night,night,thatwould bethecharacter, always
prepared fora goodgoodoccasionlaugh,
occasion toto heraldherald once
once andand forfor all
all thethelaugh, anan outrageous
outrageous Casanova
Casanova andandarrival ofgave thethe event
event anan
has thethe sort
sort ofof charisma
charisma thatthat makes
makes youyou
arrivalof ThinThin Lizzy,
Lizzy, gave
hasedgeoffeelofedge of excitementand
excitement and anticipation
anticipation
feel comfortablecomfortable inin hishis presence,
presence,ofLizzy's
Lizzy'sguitarists,
guitarists, Brian
Brian Robertson.
Robertson.
rarely noted
noted atconcerts thesewhetherbe withwith three
three persons
livingRobertson joined
He's just
justrarelyat rockrock concerts
these days.
days.
whether it
it bepersons inin aa living
Robertson
joined thethe bandbandatat18.
18. He's
Butin
room,
or in
in front
frontofof2,000
at a
a gig.
turned20, but
But in living
living up
up toto allallthetheexpectations,
expectations,room, or2,000 atgig.
turned 20,
but ininshowbusiness
showbusiness thatthat means
means
Lizzy
Lizzy did
did muchmuch more
more than
than merely
merely"I believe"1
believein
inthe
therock
rockculture;
culture;thatthat isisspending
spending
he'll
he'll always
always be
be 18,
18, eveneven 16
16 oror 17,
17,depending
depending ononconsolidatesixmonthsofyourof yourlife
life travelling
travelling toto gigs
theofthe
the storyteller,
storyteller, never
never19
19 or
consolidate their
their recently
recently acquired
acquiredsixmonths
gigs andand thethethe extravaganceextravagance oforpositionother
20.
position as
as top-league
top -league rockers
rockers andand took
took
other six
six months
months playing.
playing. Insofar
Insofar as
as actingacting thethe
20. He's
He'sthethetokentoken teenager.
teenager.
theto putput theirstar,Ican'ttakethat."
AsThinthe opportunity
opportunity totheir followers
followers
star, I can't take that."
As Thin Lizzy
Lizzymature
mature as
as aagreat
great band,
band,
throughwhat really
really amounted
through whatamounted toto anan
But while
while Lynott
Lynott isisas
asnormalnormal (abnormal?)(abnormal?) asas
Robertson will
will inevitably
inevitably mature
mature asa great
great
But
Robertson
as aendurancetheboy next
endurance test.
test.
the boy
next door,
door, there's
there's also
also aa longing
longing within
withinguitarist
guitarist (as,(as, indeed,
indeed, will
will his
his leadleadpartner,
partner, Scott
Scott
Lizzy could
could have
havechurned
churned out
out endlessendlesshim
to becomebecome aa star.
star. He
He wants
wants his
his namename tobein
Lizzyhim toto be
Gorham).
He will
Gorham). He
will also
alsobecome-already/s,
become - already is, in
riffs
rememberedin thethehistory
historyofof rock.
rock.
riffs toto guarantee
guarantee thethe desired
desired reception
reception
remembered infact--ana guitar
guitar hero,
hero, toto fans
fans ofofsimilar
similarfact
an idol,idol, abut
but instead,instead, early
early onon inin thethe act,
act,turned
turned thethe"I
it's howage,themselves inin hishis"Iwannawanna bebe successful,
successful, but
but it's
how we
we do
do it
it
age, andand younger,
younger, who
who seesee themselvestablestables toto pullpull aa bluesfrom
blues from their
their archives,
archives,that counts.
counts. That's
That's thethe most
most important
important thing
place. More
More than
than any
any otherother member
member ofthethatthing totoplace.
of the"StillIn Loveme.
go outdo 'Baby,band,
his combination"Still In
Love With
With You"
You"fromfrom Nig/it///e,Nightlife,
me. Tomorrow
Tomorrow we
we could
could goout andand do'Baby,
band, Robertson-with
Robertson -with his
combination ofofthat
at odds
that was
was totally
totally atodds with
with thethe hard
hard rockrock
Baby, Baby'
Baby' andand 'The'The Rocker'
Rocker' forfor thethe next
next year
year
youth andand talenttalent -is
to steal
steal the
the
Baby,
youth
- ismost
mostlikely
likely totheir audienceaudience undoubtedly
undoubtedly came
came toto see.
limelight fromPhil Lynott.
Lynott.
their
see.
and
limelight
from Philand gogo well,well,continuing
continuing with
with thethe setset thatthat people
peopleSurprisingly,
want
to hear.
Surprisingly, thethe audienceaudience reacted
reacted toto thisthiswant tohear.
Robertson
Robertson could
could bebesudden changechange warmly,
warmly,sitting
sitting backback(orsudden(or"But
the"But we've
we've taken
taken
the archetypal
archetypal rockrock
standing
and taking
the music
music instanding up)up)andtaking thein afterafter
the chance ofmusician. When
When he's
he's
thechanceof
musician.
I
wanna bevainlyvainly attempting
attempting toto clap
clap along.
along. Apart
Apart
introducing
all thenotnot onon stage,stage, playing
playing
introducing all
thefromechoeyJailbreak [thefrom featuringfeaturing thethe affectionate,affectionate, echoey
Jailbreak[the newnewsolos, throwing
throwing
solos,
vocalsalbum]
shapes,vocals ofof Phil
PhilLynott,
Lynott,thethe number
number provided
provided
album] numbers,
numbers,
shapes, hehe hashas thethesuccessful,butaof BrianBrian
a platform
platform forfor thethe guitar
guitar talents
talentsof
which we
we didn't
didn't have
have
uncanny knack ofwhich
uncannyknackof
Robertson
who played
playedRobertson andand Scott
Scott Gorham,
Gorham,whoto.
alwaysto. WeWe cancan getget upup
always being
being caught
caughtit's
how wedotwobeautifullyheld
held-backsolos.
withtwo beautifully-back solos.
there andthere
and dodo whatwhatwith aa glass
glass ofwhisky
ofwhiskyIt
was aagreat
great gig,
gig, one
one ofof thethe best
best I've
I've
wewant andand thethe kids
kids
It waswe wantorin hisor beerbeerinhis hand.
hand.
seen
haphazard
seen this
this year.
year. After
After aa fairly
fairly haphazard
are still
still payin'
payin' toto seesee
Heappears
appears
are
He
it
that
countsstart,
start, when
when Brian
Brian Robertson
Robertson appeared
appeared totoit.Ionlywanttobe
decadent,
it. I only want to be
decadent, shortshortbe
out ofsuccessful
be aa little
little outof sync
sync with
with thethe rest
rest ofof thethesuccessful forfor whatwhat
tempered, aahoy
boy
tempered,band
we
for whatus toworking
becominga
a man.
man. But
But he'sband andand PhilPhil Lynott
Lynott was
was slowed
slowed down
down byby
we areare rather
rather than
than forwhat people
people want
want ustoworking at
atbecoming
he's anan easyeasy
theof hishis recent
the effects
effects ofrecent illness
illness (doctors(doctors
be. WeWegot
gotthethebrandbrandimage
imagethingthing- Thin
person to
to talk
talktomaintains that
aware
be.
Thin Lizzy,
Lizzy,
personto andand maintains
thathehe isis awareadvised him
him not
not toto play,
but thethe showblahadvisedplay, butshow blah
heavy
If we
ofthe
of rock.
heavy rock.
rock. That's
That's not
not true.
true. If
we wannawanna dodo softsoftof the pitfalls
pitfalls of
rock.
blah),blah), Lizzy
Lizzy slipped
slipped into
into top
top geargear via
via thethesongs
songs andand hard
hard songs
songs onon albums,
albums, we
we cancan dodo
Sohe'sSo
he's notnotworried
worried thatthat he's
he's given
given up
up hishis life
life totothunderous Celtic
Celtic riff
riff ofthunderousof "Emerald""Emerald" and
and
them.
There'saa lot
lot ofof subtlety
in whatwhat we
we do.
do.
music?
them. There's
subtlety inmusic? "Naw,""Naw,"hehereplies
repliesimmediately,
immediately, in
in aa
after
after thatthat never
never let
let up,up, pushingpushing"Wedon't
don't want
want toto work
workininaavacuum.
vacuum. That's
That'sScottish accent
accent thatthat isisfaintly
faintlytainted
with aa"We
Scottishtainted withthemselves
themselves toto climax
climax after
after climax.
climax.
self-strangulation.
this onlittlelittle Irish.
Irish. "Once"Onceyou're
you're aa muso,muso, man,man, you're
you're aa
self -strangulation. We're
We'retaking
takingthison ourour ownown
Butboth band
band andand fans
But thethe orgasm
orgasm forfor bothfansterms, nobody
else's. If the crowd
crowd didn't
didn't like
likemuso forfor thethe rest
rest ofyour
ofyour life,
life, andand I'mI'm not
not going
going
terms,
nobodyelse's.lfthe
muso
came
what
to
came with
with thethe best
best encore
encore inin thethe world,world,
what we
we did,did, I'd
I'd have
have totomakemake aa definite
to changechange it.
it. I'veI'vebeen
been brought
brought up
up in
in Glasgow
Glasgow
definite decision
decision"Me
And Thewhetherto givewant or"Me And
The Boys
BoysWere
WereWondering
Wondering How
How
whether togivethethecrowds
crowdswhat
whatthey
theywantorand it's
it's aa really
really bluesy
bluesyplace.
The whole
whole band
band
andplace. The
You
stick
like I've
all meme life.
life.
has
up in
in centres
centresofof blues
blues music."
stick toto me
me guns,
guns, like
I've done
done allhas been
been brought
brought up
music."You And
And The
TheGirls
GirlsWere
WereGetting
Getting Home
Home
For
in a
a rockTonight",
Tonight", which
which builds
builds so
so fastfast thatthat thethe"To"To me,me, rockis
rock isjust
justaagame.
game.1Ijust
justwanna
wanna bebe
For Robertson,
Robertson, playing
playing inrock band,
band, aaheart
atruelivinggenius,"
famousof afamous rockrock band,
band, isis thethe realisation
realisation of
afantasy
fantasy
heart beats
beats furiously,
furiously, thethe adrenaline
adrenaline flows
flows
a true living genius," hehe laughed.
laughed. "I'm
"I'm workin'workin'like aa waterfall
waterfall andsmoke
on becomin'
becomin' aa genius.
lot ofofambition.
ambition.
that has
has lived
livedwithwithhimhimsince
sincehehewas
knee-high.
like
and then,then, aided
aided byby smokeon
genius.I've
I've got
got a
a lot
that
was knee-high.
bombs,IHe
He hashas been
been playing
playing aroundaround inin bands
bands since
since hehebombs, snaps
snaps toto reachreach yet
yet another
another high.
high.
I set
setmy
mygoals
goalsbutbutthere
thereisisno
nopreconceived
preconceived
Nothing, butcappedplan. II don't
don't know
know isis
was 13.
13.He'sHe'sjammed
jammedwith
theAverage
White
Nothing,
but nothing,nothing, could
could have
have cappedplan.
know where
whereI'm
I'mgoing.
going.All
All I
I knowwaswith theAverage White
that
that
Band,
AlexHarveyBand,
Band, Maggie
Maggie Bell
Band, thetheAlexHarvey
Bell and
andthat finish.
finish.
that I1 want
want successsuccess at
at whatwhat I'm
I'm
many
But hisAnd thethe answer
answerdoing because that's
that's how
howmany other
other Scottish
Scottish bands.
bands. But
his talenttalent goes
goesAnddoingbecause
toyou'rejudged.bythelevel offurtherthan justguitar. He's
He's hadfurther thanjust playing
playingguitar.
had eighteight
to thethe question
question
you're judged, bythe level
of
THIN
LIZZY
*
everybody's asking?
everybody's
asking?
success. You
success.
Youknowknowthatthat ififyou
youyears'
years' trainingin
training in classicalclassical piano
piano playing
playingand
and isis
responsible forforthethearrangement
arrangement on
on many
many of
of
Yes,
are
don't
you're failin'
failin'."responsible
Yes,Thin
ThinLizzy
Lizzyaredon't succeed,
succeed, you're."
big timetime now,
now, andand
Against thethe experience
experience andandLizzy'ssongs,
songs,particularly
particularly thethe dual-guitar
dual -guitar runs.
runs.
big
AgainstLizzy'sM«thriving
maturity
inrockrockofof Lynott,
Lynott,"Althoughrest ofof the"Although I'm
I'm younger
younger than
than thethe rest
thethriving on
on it.
it.
maturity in
m *
Harry
Harry Doherty
Dohertyconsider theoneband," hehe says,says, "I've"I've been
been onon thethe roadroad aslong asasconsiderthe youth
youth ofof oneband,"
as long"IletThin Lizzy interpret

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wanna besuccessful, but
it's how we doit that counts"

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WorldMags.net
48
HISTORYOF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
48 I IHISTORY

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JOHNNY THE FOX,v

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MM

OGT16 Lizzy's second

I -album of 1976 assessed.
album

of 1976

assessed.

1*

Thin tizzydThin LizzyA
k. -Johnny The Fox VERTIGO■j*Johnny The Po> vertigoo

It would be quite an album
i.
thatthat could
could eclipse
eclipse Jailbreak,
Jailbreak,
ALBUMS
thealbumthe album which
which
established
Corner"and isis practicallyanestablished Thin
Thin Lizzy
Lizzy
Corner" andpractically an
earlier
extension
earlier this
this year.
year. It's
It's nonoextension ofof thetheriff
riff onon thethemeanthat ininlatter.
mean feat,feat, then,then,thatlatter. "Boogie"Boogie Woogie
Woogie Dance"
Dance"
theandthe processof
process of nudging
nudging
and thethe old
old single,
single, "Randolph's"Randolph's
its
Tango",
its predecessor
predecessor into
into thethe
Tango", areare associatedassociated forfor thethebackground,
Johnny The
The FoxFox
obviousbackground, Johnny
obvious reasons,reasons, andand thethe vicious
vicioussharpens"Massacre"is asharpens thethe band's
band's identity.
identity.
"Massacre" isa cross
crossbetween
between two
two
The
Jaf/forea/c
tracks, creaming
The persona
persona ofof Jailbreak
Jailbreak was
was
Jailbreak tracks,
creaming off
off thethe neoneothat
Celticof "Emerald"" Emerald" andand thethat ofof aa solid,solid, power-chord
power -chord band,
band, but
but withwithCeltic riff
riff ofthe crazy
crazy chord
chord
plentyby 'Thepatternof "Angel"Angel From
From The
plenty ofof melody,
melody, as
as exemplified
exemplified by"The
pattern of
The Coast".
Coast".
Boys
Lyrically,Boys Are
Are Back
Back In
InTown",Town","Emerald""Emerald" andandLyrically, Lynott
Lynott veers
veers between
between thethe"FightOrFall".
Fall". Johnny
Johnny The
The Foxviciousness"Fight Or
Fox retains
retains
viciousness ofof thethestreetstreet andandheartfelt
heartfelt love
love
these
and adds
addstosongs.
and "Johnny"Johnny The
The Fox..."Fox..." arethese characteristics
characteristics andto them.
them.
songs. "Johnny""Johnny" andareThere'sarestories
There's more
more subtlety,
subtlety, thethe melodies
melodies.are
stories ofof urbanurban seediness,seediness, andand "Rocky","Rocky",stronger,the scope
scope
like'The
stronger, andand most
most importantly,
importantly, thelike "The Rocker",
Rocker", proudly
proudly proclaimsthe
proclaims theofis muchhard
relationshiprock'n'roll life.
life. The
The loveloveof thethe materialmaterial ismuch wider
wider than
than thethe hard
relationship with
with rock'n'rollrock
Lizzy.
songs
are: "Don't
rock associatedassociated with
with Lizzy.
songsare:"Don't Believe
Believe
Only
TO tracksA
Only five
five ofof thethe 10
tracksA Word"Word" (complete(complete withwithareand the"Lynott veers
stock
are head-shakers,
head-shakers,andthestock blues
blues riff
riff and
andothersambiguous
lyricsalaothers range
range fromfrom soft
soft
ambiguous lyrics
a labetween theballadsto
lOcc'sT'm
Not InIn Love");ballads to medium-paced
medium -paced
locc's "I'm Not
Love");
numbers.
thesingalong,numbers. Phil
Phil Lynott's
Lynott's
the singalong, but
but
viciousness of thewriting
has attouching
writing has
at lastlast returned
returned
touching "Borderline";"Borderline";
to"Old
Flame" (a(a lovely
to thethe versatility
versatility that
that
"Old Flame"
lovelystreet and heartmarked
Thechorus);marked Vagabonds
Vagabonds Of
Of Thechorus); andand "Sweet"SweetWestern
Marie",
Western World,
World, thethe first
firstMarie", aa poignant,poignant, very
very
felt love songs"
Lizzy's_
melodic
Lizzy's last
last release.
release.
melodic balladballadwritten
writtenAswithAs II said,
said, Lizzy's
Lizzy'sidentity
identity
with Scott
Scott Gorham.
Gorham.
on
There's
the prospector's
on JTFis
JTF is more
more robust
robust than
than ever,
ever, duedue toto thetheThere's also
alsotheprospector's story
story inincontributions
this time
time ofof all"Foolscontributions thisall fourfour members
members"Fools Gold".
Gold". On
On "Massacre","Massacre", Lynott
Lynott poses
poses
of
a
of thethe band.
band. Take
Takethethetwotwoguitarists,
guitarists, Scott
Scott
a controversial
controversial question
question especially
especially
Gorhampertinent
to thethe religious
religious conflictin Ireland.
Ireland.
Gorham andand Brian
Brian Robertson.
Robertson. Apart
Apart fromfrompertinent toconflict inplayingsolos ("Fool's
If GodGod isis inplaying better
better solos("Fool's Gold",Gold","If
in thethe heavens,heavens, how
how cancan thisthis"Johnny","Boogie Woogie
Woogie Dance",
Dance",
happenhe asks"Johnny","Boogie
happen here?"
here?" heasksdespairingly.
despairingly.
"Massacre"
stand out),Theof Johnny
Johnny The
The Fox"Massacre" andand "Sweet"Sweet Marie"
Marie" standout),
The subtleties
subtleties of
Fox areare inintheirdual-leadtaken athehidden behindbehind thetheir dual
-lead work
work isistakena stepstep further,further,the littlechugging
little chugging riff
riff hidden
theprogressing
runs
main
progressing fromfrom thethe predictablepredictable twin
twin runs
main power
power chord
chord onon "Johnny","Johnny", thethe second
secondtonuances ofcrisp
beat (Brian(Brian Downey
Downey isis ininto thethe dramatic
dramatic nuancesof "Johnny""Johnny" andandcrisp drum
drum beat"Old
Flame". One
impeccableand sneakysneaky"Old Flame".
One minor
minor criticism
criticism II would
would
impeccable form
form throughout)throughout) andmakebasslinemake isthat
is that Gorham
Gorham andand Robertson
Robertson must
must
bassline on
on "Rocky","Rocky", thethe beautiful,
beautiful, andandbeadmirably
be careful
careful toto avoid
avoidoverkill:overkill:thethe beautiful
beautifuladmirably restrained,
restrained, orchestralorchestral"Borderline",
for instance,
instance, suffers
arrangement
on "Sweet
and the"Borderline", forsuffers fromfrom oneone
arrangement on"Sweet Marie"
Marie" andtheguitaroverdub too
too many.
many.
tango
a touchguitar overdub
tango middle
middle section
section thatthat adds
addsa
touch ofof
Lynott,however, shapes
humourWoogie Dance".
Dance".
Lynott, however,shapes this
this identity.
identity.
humour toto "Boogie"Boogie Woogie
Apartfrom distinctive,
distinctive, richrich vocals,
vocals, theYou
Apart fromthe
You might
might also
also likeliketoto knowknowthatthat Johnny
JohnnyThe
The FoxFox is,is, I Ibelieve,
believe, aa pseudonym
pseudonym forformaterialmaterial hehe hashaswritten
written seems
seems toto draw
draw muchmuchfromhis own
Lynott,from hisown past.
past. There's
There's aa thread
thread runningrunning
Lynott, being
being aa reference
reference toto thethe American
Americanexpression
and there
there isis a
from
his early
Lizzy days
expression "foxy","foxy",anda looseloose
from his
early Lizzydays thatthat seems
seems toto bebeknottedThe Fox.
concepttothealbum
knotted on
on Johnny
Johnny The
Fox.
concept to the album builton
built on recollections
recollectionsofTheof incidents
incidents involving
involving Johnny's
Johnny's hectic
hecticThe opening
opening track,
track, "Johnny","Johnny", isis in
indirectdirectline
lifestyle.
To conclude,
Johnny The
The FoxFoxline ofofdescentdescentfrom
from"Little"Little Darling",
Darling", rightright
lifestyle. To
conclude,Johnny
represents
represents aa Thin
Thin Lizzy
Lizzy more
more versatile
versatile
down
down toto thethe emphaticemphatic use
use ofof brass.
brass. "The"The
Rocker",than
is notRocker", fromfrom Vagabonds,
Vagabonds, continues
continues ininthan onon Jailbreak.
Jailbreak. ItIt is
not asas immediately
immediately
powerfulpowerful as
as Jailbreak,
Jailbreak, but
but after
after aa few
few listens
listens"Rocky"its similarly"Rocky" with
with its
similarly raucous
raucous feel
feel(thoughthe vocal
vocal isis aharsh), while
you(though thea little
little harsh),
while
you realise
realise thatthat its
its power
power isis deceptive
deceptive but
but
neverthelessreal. There"Johnny
nevertheless real.
There areare true
true signs
signs ofof"Johnny The
The FoxFox Meets
Meets Jimmy
Jimmy The
TheWeed"Weed"
recalls
Boys OnaHarry Doherty
recalls thethe funkinessfunkiness ofof "Black"Black Boys
On TheThea greatgreat album.
album. HarryDoherty
It would be quite an album—

Thin Lizzyin1976:

Thin Lizzy inl976:(I-r)Phil Lynott,
ScottGorham,
ScottGorkam,(l-r)PhilLynottt
1

Brian Downey and
Brian
Brian Robertson
Robertson
Brian Downey andanybodyelse. Consequently, when I was 15,
anybody else. Consequently, when I was 15,

myfriends wereand 22.
grew up
up fast.
fast.
my friends
were 21
21 and
22.1Ijjust
us t grew"I'm
ofmy"I'm notnot veryvery aware
aware ofmy age.
age. II never
never have
have
been.
been. I've
I've had
had abearda beardsince
since
I Iwaswas12.
12. Really.
Really. InInsomesome ways,
ways, IIam
amdifferent.
different. Because
Because I'm
I'myounger
youngerthantherestrestofof theboys, I've
than thethe boys,
I've got
gotsomesome different
different

ideas and tastes. They remember records that
I've not even heard.
"For instance, I'm not into earlyDylan. I'm
into The Band more than I am Dylan. I can't
stand his fucking voice and the way he plays
harmonica.
ideas and tastes. They remember records that
I've not even heard.

"For instance, I'm not into early Dylan. I'm

into The Band more than I am Dylan. I can't

stand his fucking voice and the way he plays
harmonica.

"When Igo on stage, I just play what I feel.
II very
play the same
same solo
solo twice.
veryrarely
rarelyplaythe
twice. II can't.
can't.
getbored.
bored. When
When II play
play bad,bad, I'm
I'm lousy,
lousy, butbutII getwhen
hit some
when I'm
I'm onon aa good
goodnight,night, IIcan
canreally
reallyhitsomepeaks. Therepeaks.
There areare somesome nightsnights when
when II go
go onon"When I go on stage, 1 just play what I feel.

slashed, half -cut, drunk and playgreat.
"Imight
might cockcockaarun
runup,
but I've
I've never
never once
once
"Iup, butblown
blown aa gig
gigwith
withthisthisbandbandthroughthrough being
being
drunk
or smashed.
never will. When
When I
I firstdrunk orsmashed. II neverwill.
first
joinedtold meme tojoined thethe band,band, thethe management
management told
towatch
before goingwatch mymy drink
drink before
going onon stage.
stage. II said,
said,'Fuckoff,
I'll have
have asas many
many drinks
drinks as
like before
before'Fuckoff, I'll
as I
I likegoing
it, yougoing onon stage.'stage.' Ifyou
Ifyou cancan handle
handle it,
you cancanhandle it,
and II can."can."handleit, and
The current
current British
tourisis puttingon
The
British tour
puttingLizzy
Lizzy onnew planes,
newplanes, fromfrom where
where they'll
they'll achieve
achievemagnificent successes.
successes.
magnificent"It's"It's thethe samesame old
old system,"system," explained
explained Lynott.
Lynott.
"We're doing
doing thethe tourtour toto sellsellthethealbums
albums to
to makemake"We'retheto do
But we'rethe money
money todo thethe tours.
tours. But
we're trying
trying totobreak that circle.
breakthatcircle. Ifwe
If we cancan breakour
break our albums
albumssales
sales big,big, once
once andand forfor all,all, then
then we'll
we'll have
have very
very
little worries
worries andand we'll
we'll bebe ableable toto continue
continue ononlittledoing
doing whateverwe
whatever we want.
want.
"We'vebuilt
builtupupour
ourwhole
wholereputation
reputation inin thethe"We've'60s'60s sort
sort ofofstyle.
style.It's
It'slike
likeFreeFreebuilt
builtandandbecame
becamean
Yes built
an institution,
institution, Yes
built andand became
became ananinstitution.
That'sthethewaywaywe'rewe Tegoin'.
institution. That's
goin'. Lizzy's
Lizzy's
name hasname
has always
always been
been aa solid,solid, good
good name,
name, with
with
good
good players
players inin thethe band."band."
Sowhyissuddenly happeningin
happening in '76?
So
whyis itit suddenly
76?
Lynott,Lynott, aadedicateddedicated supporter
supporter ofof Manchester
Manchester
United, replied
replied inin truetrue footballfootball fashion.
fashion.
United,"Well,"Well,youyousee,see,we're
we'regoin'gain' forforthethedouble
double-America andthe lads
lads-America
andBritain.
Britain.Just
Just like
like the[United].
wingers [Gorham(Gorham and[United] With
With thethe two
twowingers
andRobertson] our
Robertson],our play
play isisspreadspread acrossacross thethe park.
park.
Seriously,
Seriously, IIdon't
don't knowwhy
knowwhy it
it hashas come
come good.
good.
Itjjusthas. Ayear
A yearago,
ago,wewewerewereconfident
confidentthat
thatIt
ust has.
it
to us
itwould
would happen.
happen. It's
It's nono greatgreat surprisesurprise tous
now thatthat ithas." HarryDoherty
now
it has."HarryDoherty •slashed, half-cut, drunk and play great.

.

,"Lynott veers

between theviciousness of thestreet and heartfelt love songs"

11

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HISTORY49
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976| 149

*

1976

WorldMags.net

1976
APRIL
AP

"We may
A surreal, possibly
fictional, encounter
A surreal,possibly

fictional, encounter

with a prickly

with a prickly

ROLLING STONESROLLINGSTONES"I only really listen
to black music thesedays," says Keith
Richards. "1 ain't
too interested inwhite bands who rip
off white bands
who ripped off
black bands.""I only really listen

to black music thesedays," says

Richards.

too

white

Keith

apart"aparty"I ain't

interested

bands who

off whitewhobe having

in

rip

bands

ripped off

black bands."

MAY 8— NME MAYS —HE NICE THING about the law of gravity is that it applies
to everybody.
Basically, the law of gravity don't give a flying one if you're
President of the United States or Princess Anne or Keith Richardor just some schmuck on the street. You mess with the law ofgravity, man, you get your centre of gravity at too acute an angle
to your feet and bubeleh, sure as bears poop in the woods you're gonna fall on
your rosy ass, and that fact.
Gerry Ford falls down a lot (maybe he was attempting to walk and chew gum atthe same time). Princess Anne got slung off her nag the other week and - da da hadadaba dada -Keith Richard, guitarist, songwriter and social arbiter to awholegeneration of middle-class drug abusers, skids wildly on the polished, dragon painted portable stage that the Rolling Stones are using on their '76 Tour Of
Europe and takes a dive in front of 10,000 earnest young Frankfurters right inthe middle of "Jumpin' Jack Flash".
It don't faze or Keith none, though.
01' Keith just collects his legs until he's sitting in some kind of weird
discombobulated lotus posture variant and continues whacking away at his
guitar, not missing a single saw-toothed rusty -chrome chord the whole time.
It don't faze Mick Jagger either -Mick. Jag-gur performing on the ramp that
leads down into the audience from stage centre like the tongue on the Stones
logo. Jagger just flounces over to his fallen comrade, his mouth a giant red 0 likesome dumb glossy PVC Claes Oldenburg sofa or something and he bends downoh -so -graceful and he hands Keith his pick -which the maestro has dropped on
his journey from here to there- and helps him locate his legs and jack-knife backon to his feet.
"Fallingdowngetsyouaccepted"-Mick Farren, 1976.
Yeah, but Keith Richard don't got to devote one second's thought to what getsyou accepted as opposed to what gets you the Cosmic Phooey. Keith, you dig, is
one of the ones who get to do the accepting -or, alternatively, to hand out the
THE NICE THING about the law of gravity is that it applies
to everybody.

Basically, the law of gravity don't give a flying one if you're

President of the United States or Princess Anne or Keith Richardor just some schmuck on the street. You mess with the law ofgravity, man, you get your centre of gravity at too acute an angle

to your feet and bubeleh, sure as bears poop in the woods you're gonna fall on
your rosy ass, and that/act.

Gerry Ford falls down a lot (maybe he was attempting to walk and chew gum atthe same time). Princess Anne got slung off her nag the other week and - da da ha

da daba da da - Keith Richard, guitarist, songwriter and social arbiter to a wholegeneration of middle-class drug abusers, skids wildly on the polished, dragonpainted portable stage that the Rolling Stones are using on their 76 Tour Of

Europe and takes a dive in front of 10,000 earnest young Frankfurters right inthe middle of" Jumpin' Jack Flash".

It don't faze ol' Keith none, though.

01' Keith just collects his legs until he's sitting in some kind of weird

discombobulated lotus posture variant and continues whacking away at his

guitar, not missing a single saw-toothed rusty-chrome chord the whole time.
It don't faze Mick J agger either - M ick Jag-gur performing on the ramp that

leads down into the audience from stage centre like the tongue on the Stones

logo. Jagger just flounces over to his fallen comrade, his mouth a giant red O likesome dumb glossy PVC Claes Oldenburg sofa or something and he bends down

oh-so-graceful and he hands Keith his pick-which the maestro has dropped on

his journey from here to there- and helps him locate his legs and jack-knife backon to his feet.

"Falling down gets you accepted" - Mick Farren, 1976.

Yeah, but Keith Richard don't got to devote one second's thought to what getsyou accepted as opposed to what gets you the Cosmic Phooey. Keith, you dig, is
one of the ones who get to do the accepting- or, alternatively, to hand out theWorldMags.net
50
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
50 I |HISTORY»I

WorldMags.net

Apri128:MickJaggerat
the Frankfurt
FrankfurtFesthalle,the
Festhalle,
Germany,thefirstdate
Germany,
the first date
April 28: Mick Jagger atof the Rolling Stones'
Tour OfOf Europe'76
Europe '76
Tour
ofthe Rolling Stones'/411

FRANKFURTFESTHALLELIVE!
- APRIL 28

WorldMags.net

51

HISTORYHISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976 I 51

1976
AP

WorldMags.net►,1

Cosmic Phooeys to the poor unfortunates who come over limp whenmeasured
Big Yardstick.
measured up
up toto thethe Big
Yardstick.
The
thefolks
The Rolling
Rolling Stones
Stones may
may not
not bebe Keith
Keith Richard,
Richard, saysaythefolks who
who areare hip
hip totothe finer
finer nuances
nuances of
the Rolling
Rolling
theof these
these things,
things,butbutheyheyKeith
Keith Richard
Richard isis theCosmic Phooeys to the poor unfortunates who come over limp when

Stones. You know the riffs:
There's
Richard comes
comes into
into aa room,
room,
There's thethe oneone thatthat goes
goes "When"When Keith
Keith Richard
rock'n'rollwalksinin thethedoor",door", right,
right, andand thethe "Keith"Keith Richard,
rock'n'rollwalks
Richard, thethe world's
world's

Stones. You knowthe riffs:

most elegantlywasted human being" which comes equipped withhyperbolic virtuoso prose which attempts to outdo the last writer's
description ofhow utterly, utterly out of it and cadaverous Mr Richard
looked at the time, and the scholarly bit about Keith's pitiless open -tuned
riffing and Newman Jones III and the four hundred and ninety-sevenguitars: all ofwhich boil down to a single one-liner terse enough to stickon a telegram and not be hurting when you get your phone bill, and thatmost elegantly wasted human being" which comes equipped withhyperbolic virtuoso prose which attempts to outdo the last writer's

description of how utterly, utterly out of it and cadaverous Mr Richard

looked at the time, and the scholarly bit about Keith's pitiless open-tuned
riffing and Newman Jones III and the four hundred and ninety-sevenguitars: all ofwhich boil down to a single one-liner terse enough to stickon a telegram and not be hurting when you get your phone bill, and that

one goes: "Keith Richard is rock'n'roll."
Yeah, well,Yeah,well,rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll just
just fell
fellononits
itsass.
ass.InInFrankfurt.
Frankfurt. Where
Where else?
else?
ANYWAY,enoughofthis-whoooooeeeeeeel-kandy-kolored
ANYWAY,enoughof this -wh00000eeeeeee!-kandy-kolored
tangerine-flakebabysittingand
anddown
downtoto hardhard-tacktangerine -flake streamline
streamline babysitting-tack brass-hat
brass -hatfax
Biggest Fuss
fax 'n''n' info
infoabout
about what
what this
this month's
month's Biggest
Fuss isisabout
about andand whatwhat aanumber ofyou-sized city
havenumberof you equivalentequivalentto
to thethepopulation
populationofofa
a decent
decent-sizedcity havesent
breadforfor aa chance
to getget aof: thesent out
out upfront
upfront breadchance toa brainfu
brainfulI of:
the Rolling
Rolling Stones
Stonesshow, 1976
1976model,
model,asasperformed
performedbefore
beforethethe finest
finest flower
flowerofofFrankfurt
Frankfurt
show,
youth
at somehall !
I neverof andand soonsoon toto beyouth atsome concert
concert hallnever found
found out
out thethe namename ofbeon displayondisplay at.
at Earls
Earls Court,
Court, anan occasionoccasion which
which will
will mark
mark thethe first
first
appearance
ofthe
the Glimmer
GlimmerTwins
Twins onappearance ofon thethe shores
shores ofof thisthis green
green andand
one goes: "Keith Richard is rock'n'roll."

unpleasant land for -ummmmmm- two years.
Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts -who earn less than their morecharismatic colleagues owing to their restricted compositional
activities -have been around more recently. In fact, I spotted themat a Heathrow check -in counter last year, and no one seemed to be
paying them much mind.
The new Stones show is prefaced by an admirable cassette tape of
exclusivelyblack and mostly pretty tough dirt -yard black music. It's got Bo
Diddley doing "You Don't Love Me", and some Robert Johnson
and Earl Hooker, plus some real dirty -ass JA juice, intermingledwith some soupy modern falsetto creamy pimp -suit crooning.
The journalistic herd in the cattle-pen press section right under
the left speaker banks plays conjecture poker and comes to theconclusion that the drunk-and-dirty-mo'-dead-than-alive stuff
was Keith's choice and the well-groomed shot -silk pimptnobile
muzakwas Jagger's, which is about 50 per cent correct, since welater ascertain that our phantom DJ is none other than Honest
unpleasant land for- ummmmmm - two years.

Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts-who earn less than their morecharismatic colleagues owing to their restricted compositional

activities - have been around more recently. In fact, I spotted themat a Heathrow check-in counter last year, and no one seemed to be

paying them much mind.

The new Stones show is prefaced by an admirable cassette tape of

exclusively black and mostly pretty tough dirt-yard black music. It's got Bo

the audience were into digging them while theywere there, but right now
it's
but nuthin'
nuthin'gets
gets toto delaydelay Stonestime.
it's Stonestime,
Stonestime, andand nuthin'
nuthin' but
Stonestime.
Not
Not bybymoremorethanthan half
half anan hour,hour, anyway.
anyway.
Welistenlisten to
toThe
TheTape
Tapeagain,
again,andand thenthen thethe lights
lights go
go downdown We
wheeeeeooooowwww!
WE A dude
wheeeee0000 owwww! --aaWEA
dude comes
comes onon to
to introduce
introduce thethe bandband -- inin
English,a concession
concession to
off thethe bases
bases who
who makemake up
up at
at
English, possibly
possibly as
as ato thethe GIs
GIs off
least half
You canleasthalf thethe audience.
audience. You
can spot
spot 'em'em easy.
easy.They're
They'rethe
the ones
oneswithwith thetheshortshort hair
hair andand thethe frayedfrayed jeans
jeans who're
who're looking
looking aggressive
aggressive andand hooking
hooking
downhash at
at as
as frenetic
down booze
booze andand hashfrenetic aa rate
rate asas possible.
possible.
The
WEA guy
The German
German WEA
guy says,says, "The"The Rolling
Rolling Stones!"
Stones!" like
like hehe waswas about
about tototaketake his
his bowafterperformingsome
bow after performing someparticularly
particularly abstruse
abstruse conjuringtrick,conjuring trick,and inin thethe dark
dark two
twoshadowy
shadowyhumans
humans with
with dapper
dapper silhouettes
silhouettes moveandmove
purposefully
towards strategic
strategic seats
kit andpurposefully towards
seats behindbehind drum
drum kitand piano.
piano.
And
then theJagger, Keith
KeithRichard
Richardand
and Ronnie
RonnieAnd then
the lights
lights comecome up
up andand Mick
Mick Jagger,
Wood
stage inin a
Wood lurch
lurch onto
onto thethe stagea clustercluster andand Bill
BillWyman,
Wyman, looking
looking timidly
timidlyrather thanratherthansatanicallysatanicallywithdrawn,
withdrawn,beams
beams
inintotohis
hisspot
spotininfront
front ofof hishisstack.
at a
a jaunty
over tostack. Wood,
Wood,cigarettecigarette mounted
mounted at
jaunty angle,
angle, scuttles
scuttles overto hishis amp,amp,
Keithwearing
Keith Richard
Richard ruffles
ruffles his
his hair
hair andand hitches
hitches up
up hishis guitar,
guitar, JaggerJagger -wearinga
Iver leather
thatlooks
lookstoto be
be partpartofofDavidDavid Bowie's
Bowie's 1972
1972 offstage
a sisilverleather jacket
jacket that
offstagewardrobe -- parades
parades aroundgait like
likehishispout
poutexpanded
expandedwardrobearoundthe
thestagestagewith
with aa gaitinto
into anan entirebodilystyle.
entire bodily style.
Charlie (ah,(ah, Charlie's
Charlie's good
goodtonight,
tonight,innee?
innee?Whaddyamean,
Whaddya mean, scumbag,
scumbag,Charlie
Charlie's good
good every
every night)night) lights
lights thethe fusefuse ononthatthat snare-basssnare -bass drum-anddrum -and Charlie's
cowbellintro
cowbell intro toto "HonkyTonk"HonkyTonkWomen".
Women". Keith,
Keith,leaning
leaningbackwards
backwards fromfromthe
opening chords
chords likelikethe knees,
knees, methodicallymethodically chops
chops out
out those
those measured
measured opening
each
each chord
chord waswas aa white
white line
line onon aa mirror,
mirror, Jagger
Jagger prowls
prowls thethe stagestage like
like he's
he's
sniffing
eachbit
bitof
ofitforaparticularodour-likeadogtryingto
sniffing each
it for a particular odour- like a dog trying toremember
rememberjust where
where hehe pissed
pissed thethe nightnight beforebefore- andStones right
right
just
andyep,yep, it's
it's thethe Rollin'
Rollin' Stones
enough.
enough. Know
Know 'em'em anywhere.
anywhere.
The
The soundsound isis loudloud andand aatrifle
triflefrazzled
frazzled roundround thethe edges.
edges. Only
Only thing
thing
wrong with
with itit isisthatthatyou
youcancan hardly
hardly hear
hear thethe guitars
guitars or
the vocals.
vocals. The
The
wrong
or thevocalsinto
vocals comecome up
up aa bitbitin
intimetime forforthethechorus,
chorus, Mick
Mickandand Keith
Keithleaning
leaning into
the mic
and Jagger
stretching out
SillyPutty,
Putty,rubber
rubberthemic and
Jagger stretchingout thethe syllables
syllables like
like Silly
the audience were into digging them while they were there, but right now

Diddley doing "You Don't Love Me", and some Robert Johnson

and Earl Hooker, plus some real dirty-ass JA juice, intermingledwith some soupy modern falsetto creamy pimp-suit crooning.

The journalistic herd in the cattle-pen press section right under

the left speaker banks plays conjecture poker and comes to theconclusion that the drunk-and-dirty-mo'-dead-than-alive stuff.

was Keith's choice and the well-groomed shot-silk pimpmobile

muzak was Jagger's, which is about 50 per cent correct, since welater ascertain that our phantom DJ is none other than Honest

Ron Wood, with a few additions made by Big Mick.

Ron Wood, with a few additions made by Big Mick.

The Stones' tradition had always been to have black support
acts, theacts,
the best
best they
theycould
couldget.
get.BBBB King,King, Stevie
Stevie Wonder,
Wonder, Ike
Ikeand
and
Tina
on a
a couple
Tina TurnerTurner (ITT(ITT tototheir
theiraccountant),
accountant), on
couple ofof dates
dates even
even
Muddy Waters-who
Watersis thethe blues
blues even
even more
more than
than Keith
is
Muddy
is
Keith isrock'n'roll
they've all
all vaulted
varying
rock'n'roll--they'vevaulted toto whitewhiteacceptanceacceptance ofofvaryingdegrees off
the Stones
Stones springboard.
springboard. It'sof thethe Stones
Stonesdegrees
off theIt's pretty
pretty cool
cool oftoget toto useuse these
these acts,
acts, 'cuz
'cuz before
before they
they comecome onon theirtheir audiencesaudiences gettosee aa lit
littlebit ofofwherewhere they're
they're coming
coming fromfrom andand why
they got
got thethesee
tie bit
why theysoul
to consider
there'sstill
still some
some dues
dues toto pay.
soul andand thethe balls
balls toconsider thatthat there'spay.
The Meters,
The
Meters, inin casecase they
they haven't
haven't slipped
slipped throughthrough your
your
screeningprocesses, areare Allen
screening processes,
Allen Toussaint's
Toussaint's house
house band
band fromfrom
N'Awlins:aafinger-lickin'tasty
finger-lickin' tastyfunkrhythm
funk rhythm section
section fronted
fronted by
N'Awlins:byasinger/percussionistwho,
who, inin terms
a ratherrather unfortunate
unfortunate singer/percussionist
terms ofof
sinuosity andand control,
control, outdances
outdances Jagger
completely; butinthe
but in thesinuosity
Jagger completely:
process
up sofails totoestablish
establish any
any
process winds
winds upso disco
disco prissy
prissy thatthat hehe fails
real individual
individual presence.
presence.
real
However,presence is
However, The
The Meters'
Meters' co/tectwecollectivepresence
is strongstrong andand happy.
happy.
From "Fire
From"Fire On
OnThe
TheBayou"
Bayou"throughthrough aarock'n'roll
rock'n'roll medley
medley andandeven their
their slightly-inflated version
Neil Young's
Young's "Down
"Down
even
slightly over
over-inflated
version ofofNeilByTheRiver" (which(which works
worksgreat
greatononthe
theverses,
verses,butbuttheirtheir
By
The River"reluctanceto getget into
blows itreluctance tointo any
any backing
backing vocals
vocals blows
it onon thethe chorus),chorus),they lay
lay ititdown
downwarm,
warm,sweet
sweetandand twitching.
twitching.
they
Guitarist
Leo Nocentelli(playing, forfor guitar
Guitarist Leo
Nocentelli (playing,
guitar freaks,
freaks, aa black
black
Telecaster Deluxe
Deluxe--thesame model
model thatthat Keith
Richard will
will
Telecasterthe same
Keith Richard
play
play later
lateron)on)proved
provedonce
onceagain
againthat
thatthethemostmostconstructive
constructive
elaborations ofelaborationsof thethe Hendrixlegacy
Hendrix legacy areare coming
coming fromfrom young
young black
black
guitarists
like Sugar
Sugar ofthe
guitarists likeof the Ohio
OhioPlayers
Playersand
andLabelle's
Labelle'scurrent
current
lead guitarist,
guitarist, notleadnot toto mention
mentionErnie
ErnieIsley.
Isley.
The
The Meters
Meters go
godowndown OK,OK,butbutthetheapplauseapplausehashasfaded
fadedalmost
almostbefore Art
Art Neville
Nevillehashasmademadeititinto
intothethewings,
wings,which
whichmeans
means that
that
beforeThe Stones' tradition had always been to Jiave black support

O■

May6,1976:Keith
Rickardsandkis
Richardsandhis
sonMarlon
Marlonattheson
at theHilton Hotelin
HiltonFlotelin

May 6,1976: KeitK

11.111111k.

friarrBrussels, Belgium '41
Brussels, Belgium

4

eve vent
WorldMags.net
52
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
52 I IHISTORYROLLINGROLLING STONESSTONESWorldMags.net
notes from rubber lips. ". .Haaaaaaaawonky
tonkahaawonky tonk-uh waaamaaanuhhhh. ."The Great Charlie Watts is playing so clean andcrisp and precise that it's almost a shock to pickup on the fact that there's also a ridiculous
amount of muscle in his backbeat. Even
notes from rubber lips.. .Haaaaaaaawonky

Mick leans
into the mic,
stretching out
the syllables
like Silly Putty

tonka haawonky tonk-uh waaamaaanuhhhh.

Mick

The Great Charlie Watts is playingso clean andcrisp and precise that it's almost a shock to pickup on the fact that there's also a ridicu lous

intoamount of muscle in his backbeat. Even

allowing for the fact that 011ie Brown, a leanallowingfor the fact that Ollie Brown, a lean

black denim percussionist, is whoppin' ass onvarious passive objects right behind him, it's
clear just who's down in the engine room hefting
the coal into the furnace.

leans

the

mic,

stretching

black denim percussionist, is whoppin' ass onvarious passive objects right behind him, it's

clear just who's down in the engine room heftingthethe coal into the furnace.

Next up they do "All Down The Line" off Exile

Next up they do "All Down The Line" off Exileoutsyllables

Exact Status of Ronnie Wood out of it) was theomnipresent
Billy Preston("Ivories tickledomnipresent Billy
Preston ("Ivories
tickled totoorder;
who, for
fororder; Beatles
Beatles andand Stones
Stones aa speciality")
speciality") who,

Exact Status of Ronnie Wood out of it) was thesome reason, appeared minus his mushroom cloud Afro wig and satin and tat.
Messrs Wood and Richard flanked Jagger,
looking for all the world like a pair of diseased
crows. They're a remarkably well -matched pairboth eyewise and earwise. Eyewise, theywere
like bookends propping up the Jagger Library
Of Poses; and Wood's extrovert contrast to
Mick Taylor's studious angelic self-effacingsome reason, appeared minus his mushroomcloud Afro wig and satin and tat.

Messrs Wood and Richard flanked Jagger,

lookingfor all the world like a pair of diseased

crows. They're a remarkably well-matched pairboth eyewiseand earwise. Eyewise, they werelike bookends propping up the Jagger Library
Of Poses: and Wood's extrovert contrast to

MickTaylor's studious angelic self-effacing

whiz-kid-in-the-shadows-next-to-BillOn Main St, and halfway through someone
whiz -kid -in -the -shadows -next -to -Bill
like
Silly
Putty
wakes
up behindbehind themixing desk
desk andand cuts
cuts ininconcentration
previously
wakes upthe mixing
concentrationerodes
erodes Richard's
Richard's previously
obviousthe afterburners
afterburners on
happens inin
obvious NumberTwo
Number Two Son
Sonposition.
position. He's
He'staken
taken
theon thethe guitars.
guitars. It
It happens
mid-chordand
mid-chordand suddenly
suddenly aa Keithchord
Keithchord comes
comes scything
scything out
out ofof thetheoverover some
some ofof thethe backing
backing vocals
vocals that
thatused
usedtoto be
be Richard's,
Richard's, andand hishis cheery
cheeryspeakers
and slices
slices thethe top
top ofof myfeel thatscampering
about andand winningways
winning wayswith
withaacigarettecigarettebutt
buttsetsetoff
off thespeakers andmy headhead off.
off. IIsuddenly
suddenlyfeel
that mymy skull'sskull's
scampering aboutthejust done
into aa two-and-a-halftraditionallylimnedlegendary
legendaryJagger
Jagger-and-Richardjustdone binbin metamorphosised
metamorphosised into
two -and-a-half minute
minute softboiled
softboiled
traditionally limned-and -Richardstagestagemannerisms.
mannerisms.
egg
is about
about toto digdig inEarwiseI'd foreseen(orforeheard).
egg andand thatthat some
some intensive
intensive bastard
bastard isin whichwhich aaspoon
spoon andandEarwise he
he works
works out
outinfinitelybetterthan
infinitely better than I'dforeseen (orforeheard).
eat mymybrains
I've heard
heard him
him play
play some
someofofthe
themostmostlamentablelamentableguitar
guitarknown
known totomedical
medicaleatbrains up.
up.
I've
Troubleput soso much(which,sciencehis daysdays with
Trouble is,is,thethe soundsound man
man putmuch treble
treble onto
onto thethe guitars
guitars (which,science during
during his
with thethe Faces
Faces (working,(working, perhaps,
perhaps, onon thethesince IIwas
wasright
rightunder
underananexceedingly
exceedinglymuscleboundmusclebound speakerspeaker stack,stack, had
had
principle
thesinceprinciple thatthat band
band andandaudienceaudiencealike
alikewere
weretoo
too wiped
wiped out
out toto know
know thesuddenly becomebecome hideously
hideouslyloud)loud) thatthat thethe music
music fromfrom there
there onon in
in wasdifference
and thatthat nobody
nobodycared
caredbutbuta
a few
few snotty
reviewers who'dsuddenlywasdifference andsnotty reviewers
who'd getgetreduced toreducedto being
being about
about asas aestheticallyaesthetically pleasingpleasing asas having
having some
some demento
dementosavagedsavaged byby theirtheir readers
readers inin thethe letter
letterss pages
pages anyway),
anyway), but
but now
nowandand then,then,engravethe Lord's
Lord's Prayer
drill. It
It waslike onengrave the
Prayer on
on your
your scalp
scalp with
with aa dentist's
dentist's drill.
was just
just
likeon thethe early
earlyStewart
Stewartsolo
soloalbums
albumsandand thethe Clapton
Clapton Rainbowconcert
Rainbow concert
too
loud toto makeany sense
sense put
put of,of, andandFaces gigs
too goddam
goddam loudmake any
and I! speak
speak asas aaman
man who
who once
once
and oneone oror twotwo occasional
occasional Faces
gigs when
when RodRod Stewart's
Stewart's ego
ego andand thethesatvarioushadbeenbeenkept
keptinin check,check, he'dsat five
five feetfeetaway
awayfrom
fromthethestagestage at
at aaSabs
Sabsgig
gigandandspent
spentthetheentire
entire set
setvarious consumptions
consumptions had
he'd hauled
hauled out
out somesomeyowling, "Louder!
Louder!"chops thatthat weren't
weren't tocoughed over.
yowling,"Louder! Louder!"
chops
to be
be coughedover.
Itgreatat
at thethe back,back, but
but fromfrom where
where I
I was...
look, I'm
Here,
as an
an extension
extensionof
ofRichard,
Richard, filling
fillingout
out RockAnd
RockAnd Roll
Roll
It probably
probably soundedsounded great
was... look,
I'm
Here, operating
operating as
only
telling you thisthissosothatthatyou'll
you'llrealise
realisethatthat allallmusicalmusicaljudgements
judgements
Himself's riffs
riffs andand squeezing
squeezing curlicues
the lead-guitar
lead -guitar tube
tube toto putput
only tellingyou
I
Himself's
curlicues out
out ofof thecontainedherein arethecontained herein
are approximate.
approximate.
the icingicing onon thethe cake,cake, hehe gotgot ititon
onwithwithaaferocious
ferociousenergy
energyt
Apart
Apart fromfrom 011ie
Ollie Brown,
Brown,thetheonly
onlyotherotherand aa commendablyandcommendably disciplined
disciplined andand cannycanny channelling
channellingofsupporting musician
the mysterious
mysteriousof same.
same. Dig:
Dig: nobody
nobody gets
gets 15
15minutes
minutes toto solosolo while
while thethesupportingmusician (leaving(leaving therrest
go off
off torest ofof thethe bandband goto leak,
leak, taketake aa hit,
hit, cop
cop aa drink
drink oror getget
OFblown
Nobody getsblown inin thisthis band.
band. Nobody
gets toto bebeself-indulgent
self-indulgent
On Main St, and halfway through someone

except You Know Who.

except You Know Who.

WHILE BACKAWHILEBACKI Iwas
wasrippedrippedat
atthe
thezoozoo with
with
Ian Mac
Mac andand thethe lady
lady I'm
I'm getting
getting married
married to,lanto,and as we drifted through the ape section we
saw a gibbon going through its party pieces. Using its
tail like a fifth limb, it was swinging around the trees
in its romping ground with a kind of insolent facility
and grace that said, "I'm only doing this 'cuz I feellike it, suckers. Any minute now I'm gonna stop andjust squat in a corner and you're gonna stand aroundlike dummies and wait for me to do it some more andAand as we drifted through the ape section weA

saw a gibbon going through its party pieces. Using its

wr*

tail like a fifth limb, it was swinging around the trees
in its romping ground with a kind of insolent facility
and grace that said, "I'm only doing this 'cuz I feellike it, suckers. Any minute now I'm gonna stop andrjust squat in a corner and you're gonna stand around■like dummies and wait for me to do it some more andI won't. So there."That gibbon
gibbon is
totallyhip
That
is totally
hipto
toMickMick Jagger.
Jagger.
ExceptExcept thatthat Jagger
Jagger don't
don't stop.
stop.He
Heprowls
prowlsandandstruts
strutsandand minces
mincesandhis wholeand flounces
flounces like
like aa faggot
faggot chimpanzee,
chimpanzee, hiswhole body
body one
one bigbig
pout.
balletic, likelikepout. His
Hismoves
movesareareathletic/gymnastic
athletic/gymnastic rather
rather than
than balletic,aa calisthenics
calisthenics programme
programme designed
designed jointly
jointly by
by Lionel
Lionel Blair
Blair andand
theRoyal Canadian
Air Force.
the Royal
Canadian. Air
Force.
He shoulders
shoulders into
into Ronnie
Ronnie Wood,
Wood,limpwrists
limpwrists sosoextravagantly
extravagantlyHe
that
spreads right
right up
up hishis arm
to histhat thethe movement
movement spreads
arm tohis shoulder,shoulder,and jives
jives outrageously
outrageously between
between numbers,
right!"
andnumbers,going
going"All"All right!"
and"Yeah!" andlike hehe waswas IkeIke Hayesand "Yeah!"and "Sssssssssu-guh!""Sssssssssu-guh!" likeHayes
or somebody.
somebody.
orThe
The only
only time
time hehe stays
stays still
still isiswhen
whenhehesitssitsdown
downbehindbehind thetheelectric
electric piano
pianoforfor"Fool"FoolTo
To Cry",Cry", one
one ofof thethefourfournumbers
numbers they
they
do
do offoffthethenewalbum
new album (the(theothers,
others, inincaseyou
case youwanna
wannalearn
learn thethewords inin timetime forforEarls
EarlsCourt,
Court,areare"Hey"HeyNegrita"
Negrita"- so-so-so-so-- "Hand
"Hand
words
Of
and "Hot"Hot Stuff"
Of Fate"Fate" -- more
more impressive
impressive live
livethanthan onon record
record-- andStuff"-whichwhichstill
stillsucks
sucks onon ice).
ice).
TheydoMyCloud",
Cloud", "You"You Can't
Always Get
You
They do "Get
"Get Offff My
Can't Always
Get What
WhatYou
Want", "Happy""Happy" (which
Jagger caps
caps with
with aa heavily
heavily sarcastic,
sarcastic,
Want",(which Jagger"Fankyou,Keef. That
"You Got"Fank you, Keef.
That wos
wos great"),great"), "You
Got ToToMove"Move" (with(with Keith
Keithstanding
standing backback toto spinspin out
out thethe guitar
guitar lines
lines andand Jagger.
Jagger,Preston
Preston andand
Wood
Wood clusteredclustered roundround thethe mics),mics), "Brown"Brown Sugar"
Sugar" (audience(audiencereally picking
picking up
yeah. yeah...
yeah. shoooooo!"sh000000!" bits)
bits)
reallyup onon thethe "Yeah"Yeah... yeah...
and"Midnight Rambler",
Rambler", which
and anan oddly
oddly perfunctory
perfunctory "Midnight
which doesn't
doesn'treally play
play tugtug -o'-warwith
withyouryournerves
nerves thethe way
wayititoughtta
oughtta »reallyo'-war
I won't. So there."

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HISTORY53
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976I 153

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May 6,1976:RonWood

May6,1976: Ron Wood

-whois-commendably
disciplined"stage-disciplined" ononstage-whois"commendably

and Mick Jagger relax
atthe hotel in Brussels
Brussels
atthehotelinand Mick Jaggerrelax

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despitethe ritual
ritual whipping
the stagestage with
with thethedespite thewhipping ofof thehallowed silver
belt andand not-quite-dramatic-enoughnot -quite -dramatic -enoughhallowed
silver belt
lighting changes.
changes.
lighting
Still, ititwas
was"Midnight"MidnightRambler"
Rambler"which
whichlaunchedlaunched
Still,
thethe setset into
into second
second gear,
gear, which
which ititneededneeded totocomingas
coming as
it diddidafterafterBilly
BillyPreston
Prestonsinging
singing"NothingFrom"Nothing FromNothing"
Nothing"andperforming
and performing
ita ratherrather undignified
undignified IkettesaIkettes dance
dance routine
routinewith
withJagger.
Jagger.
Where
all really
really cut
cut looseloose waswas onon thethe final
final "Jumpin'"Jumpin' Jack
Flash"/ "Street"StreetWhere itit allJack Flash"/Fightin'
Man" medley
medleywherein
down, etc,
etc, etc.
etc.Richard/WoodRichard/Wood
Fightin' Man"
whereinKeith
Keith fell
fell down,
doesn't have
have thethecrystalline
crystallinesnaky
snakylead/firing-from-the-hip
lead/firing-from-the-hiprhythm
rhythmdoesn'tpuritypurity as
as Richard/Taylor,Richard/Taylor, but
but it's
it's sothat if
if it
so raunchy
raunchy thatit moved
moved inin next
next door
door
your lawn
lawn wouldn't
wouldn't evenwait aroundaround long
move totoyoureven waitlong enoughenoughto
to die,die, it'd
it'd moveaa nicer
nicer neighbourhood.
neighbourhood.
The trouble
trouble isis thatthat Jagger's
Jagger'scosmic
cosmicinflationinflation ofofspoiledspoiledbrattishness
brattishnessThe
hasbeen socrudely exaggerated
exaggerated thatthat it's
stylised itself
itself up
has beenso crudely
it's stylised
up itsits own
own ass.
ass. It's
It's
aa good
good show,
show, sho'sho' nuff,
nuff, but
but hehe comescomes onon so
so strongstrong thatthat itjust degenerates
degenerates
it justinto
hamming. He
the spoiled
spoiled brat
brat much
much better
better offstage,
into hamming.
He playsplays theoffstage, anyway.
anyway.
Well,
inmy
mydreamdream hehe did.
did. Lemme
Lemme tell
tell youyou about
about it.
Well, init.
After thethe showshow II went
went backback up
After
up to
to my
my room
room andand hadhad aa smoke.
smoke. Somebody
Somebody
spoke andand II went
went into
into aa dream.
dream. II had
had meme aa dream
dream thatthat mademade meme sad,sad, about
about
spoke
the Stones
theStones andand the...
the.
In
In my
my dream,
dream, Dave
Dave Walters
Waltersfrom
fromWEAWEAusheredusheredme
meand
andthreethreeotherotherrockpress
into Ronnie
Ronnie Wood's
Wood's room
rockpress folks
folks intoroom soso thatthat we
we could
could like
like hang
hang out.
out.
And
as soonsoon asas I'dI'dbeenbeen introduced
introduced to
to Mr
MrWoodWood--who
actedpleasantpleasant andandAnd aswho acted
civil
despite mymy having,
having, ininthe
the real
realworld,world,written
writtensome
somefairly
fairlyunpleasantunpleasantcivil despiteandthings about
the past-we
past -we sat
down andand smoked.
smoked.
and uncivil
uncivil things
about him
him inin thesat down
The endThe
end ofofthe
the room
room we're
we're inin is
is occupied
occupied byby aa sofa,
sofa, aa table,table, aa gangof
gang ofchairsand aa mammoth
mammoth soundMerriweather,chairs andsoundsystemsystem blasting
blastingout
out Maceo
Maceo Merriweather,
Furry Lewis,
Lewis, Robertand good
good reggae.
reggae. OverOver atatthebigtable,
Furry
Robert Johnson
Johnson andthe big table,
Keith
Richard, who
who looks
looks-let's-let's just
just saysay "tired""tired" -is-is givingan
giving an interview
interview totoKeith Richard,
aa Swedish
Swedish radio
radio guy.
guy.
I'd
read inin thethe Sunday
Sunday Times
that each
each Stone
Stone received
received £25
a day
day pocket
pocketI'd read
Times that
£25 amoney, soblues aa little
money,
so afterafter we'd
we'd talked
talked blues
little bit,
bit, II asked
asked Woody
Woodywhat
what hehespent
spent
his
on.
his on.
"It's more
"It'smore like
like £350£350 aa week,"
week,"hehesaidsaidamiably
amiably enough.
enough. "That's"That's just
just thetheperdiem."
per diem."

I discovered that Honest Ron was brother to Art
Wood, former
former leader
leader of
The Artwoods, agroup
Wood,ofTheArtwoods,
a group who
who
I'd dug
I'd
dug whenwhen II was
was 15
15or
orso
soand
andwho'd
who'dincluded
included Keef
Keef
Hartley
andJon
Jon Lord
Lord onHartley onon drums
drums andon organ.
organ.
A
Aseat
seatatatThe
TheCaptain's
Captain's Table
Tablehad
had fallen
fallen vacant,vacant, soso
I annexedannexed ititjust
justasasKeithKeithstarted
startedinto
intoansweringansweringsomeone's
someone'squestion
questionI
about
why allon thewas aa yearor moreabout why
all thethe stuff
stuff onthe new
new album
album wasyear ormore old.
old.
"Those were"Thosewere just
just thethe dates
dates onon whichwhich we
we diddid thethe basic
basic tracks,"
tracks," hehearticulated
carefully."There"Therewas
was a
a lot
lot ofarticulated carefully.
ofoverdubbing
overdubbing andand mixing
mixing later
later
on,
on an
cover."
on, but
but there's
there's only
only soso muchmuch room
room forforinformation
information on
an album
album cover."I
tothe
thestuff
stuffthey'dthey'dcut
cutwith
withJeff
JeffBeck.
Beck.
I askedasked him
him whatwhat happened
happened to"Wedidn't
didn't do
do anyanysongs;
songs;wewejustjustplayed
playedandandsometimes
sometimes thethe tapes
tapes were"We
wererollingand
weren't."rolling and sometimes
sometimes they
theyweren't."
So how
howwasSo
was it?
it?
Irritable
flickerofof thethe eyes.
eyes. "You"You know'e waswas brilliant
Irritable flicker
know Jeff.
Jeff.Sometimes
Sometimes 'ebrilliantand sometimes
andsometimes it
it waswas rubbish.
rubbish. Ronnie
Ronnie cancan telltell youJeff
you farfar moremore about
about Jeff
Beck than
Beck
than II can
can anyway."
anyway."Richard assembles
assembles refreshments
refreshments delicately
delicately on
Richardon thethe tabletable inin front
front ofof him,him,
emits
emits aa resoundingsnffffandleansresound ing snffffand leans headlong
headlong into
into thethe next
next question,question,
which is:is: "What"What dodo youyou think
thinkofofgroups
groupslike
likeEddie
Eddie&& The
which
The Hot
Hot Rods
Rods andand TheThe
Count
Bishops andand thetheSexSex Pistols
Count Bishops
Pistols who
who areare like
like what
what thethe Stones
Stones used
used to
to be
be
like
years ago?"
like 1212yearsago?"It
dumbtoto askask aa cat
in Englandfor twoIt seems
seems pretty
pretty dumbcat who
who ain't
ain't been
been inEngland for
two years
years
what
what hehe thinks
thinks ofofthreethree unrecorded
unrecorded bands
bands who've
who've sprung
up in
sprung up
in thethe last
last six
six
months,buthell,hell, whaddya
whaddyaexpect
expectfrom
froma
a dream?
dream? Logic?
Logic?
months, but"I only
onlyreally
reallylisten
listen totoblack
blackmusic
musicthese
these days,"days," says
saysRichard,
Richard, snffff.
snffff"I"I ain't"I
ain't too
too interested
interested inin whitewhite bands
bands who
who rip
rip offwhite
offwhite bands
bands who
who rippedrippedoff black bands."
offblackbands."
Ronnieof cigarette
Ronnie Wood
Woodwanders
wanders over
over andand hands
hands Richard
Richard aa fragment
fragment ofcigarette
packet withwrittenRichardscans
snffffsit,
it, andand looks
looks atpacketwith something
somethingwritten
ononit.it.Richard
scans
it,it,snffffs
atme verymevery hard.
hard. He
Healsoalsomakes
makesnonoattempt
attemptto
topasspasshishisrefreshments
refreshments around.
around.
That
That fragment
fragment ofof mymy conscious
conscious mind
mind which
which isis monitoring
monitoring thethe dream
dream
wonders, "Is"Is thisofZen
Zen andand thethe artart ofofwonders,
this some
some masterly
masterly demonstration
demonstration of
Cool Maintenance,
Maintenance, oris thethe guy
guythethemostmostoutrageous
outrageous bogar
bogarter
in
Cool
or is
ter inChristendom?"
Christendom?"Keithlooks at
at thethe note
note andand thenthen backme.
Keith looks
back at
at me.

WorldMags.net

54 I |HISTORY
54
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976

I discovered that Honest Ron was brother to Art

ROLLINGROLLING STONESSTONESWorldMags.net
Wokerealisedthat
thatitit waswas only
only inThough I'm sitting opposite him, in some weird floating dream way
Woke up
up in
inthe
themorning,morning, andand thenthen realisedin mymy dream.
dream.
I- do youGod,
happened... thestoned thethe Stones.
Stones.
I cancan readread thethe note.
note. ItItsays,
says,"Keith"Keith-do
you realise
realise thatthat you're
you're talking
talking totoGod, ififonly
onlyitithad
hadreally
reallyhappened...
the nightnight!I stoned
Charles
big rock
Somehow,
Charles Shaar
Shaar Murray?"
Murray?" IImust
mustbebedreamingdreaming- bigrock stars
stars passing
passing
Somehow, itit mademade all
all thethe breadbread I'd
I'd spent
spent onon Stones
Stones records
records when
when II waswasnotes inin class.
class.
a kid
kidworthwhile.
worthwhile. Somehow.
Somehow. Couldn't
Couldn't quite
quite figure
figure out
out how,
how, though.
though.
notes
aWe
Albert King's
King's sti
butBB
BB King's
Then,
We talk
talk aabit
bitabout
about how
howAlbert
still11 fantastic
fantastic but
King'sThen, just
just after
after I'd
I'dchecked
checkedout,
out,thetheporter
porterrushedrushed over
over toto thethe cabcab andanddown
the panpan these
look upupfromfromNumber
Number Three
Three and
andhandedInside waswasdown thethese days,
days, andand thenthen I
1 lookhandedme
methisthisenvelope
envelopemarked
marked"Charles"CharlesMurray
MurrayRoom
Room572".
572". Inside
see
Jagger's comea
see thatthat Mick
MickJagger's
come into
into thethe room,
room,making
making aaGrand
GrandEntrance
Entrance
a notenote scrawled
scrawled inin redred felt-tip
felt-tip on
on aatorn-out
torn -outpage
pageoftheof thetour
tourprogramme.
programme.
which unfortunately
which
unfortunately nobody
nobodyreally
reallyreacts
reactsto.
to.Sure,Sure, II knowknow what
what
And thisAnd
this isis whatwhat itit said:
said:
Robertwrote inin STP
STPabout"Dear
Robert Greenfield
Greenfield wrote
about how
how byby hishismeremere presence,
presence,"Dear Charles
Charles (The
(Thedisappointed
disappointed man):man):
Jagger changes
he is
"Just
you getyour critical
Jaggerchanges any
any event
event thatthat heis present
present at,
at, but
but Jagger's
Jagger's coming
coming"Justtotosay
saythatthatwewehopedhopedyougetyourself
yourselfand
andyourcritical faculties
faculties
intosafelyget high?
high? YouYou sure
into this
this room
room don't
don't changechange itit none.
none. He
Hejustjustgets
getsthetheautomatic
automatic glance
glancesafely backback toto TinTin Pan
Pan Alley.
Alley. How
How come
come you
you don't
don't getsure work
work
that thean opening
opening door
and footsteps
gets.
at itithard
hard enough.
enough. That's
That's what
what London
London does
does forforyou.
you.Enthusiasm-unship
Enthusiasm -unshipthatthe soundsound ofof andoor andfootsteps always
always gets.
at
"I
(an
fromthethesmoke).
Did
youeveroverwrite
review
Exf/e? If
Ifyou"I readread your
your review,
review, Charles,
Charles, andand II thought
thought it
it waswas rubbish,"rubbish," KeithKeith(an equation
equation fromsmoke).
Didyou
write aareview
ofofExile?
you
says
suddenly and,
and, staring
staring defiantly
defiantly aroundaround theto daredare anyone
anyonedid, andand stillsays suddenly
the tabletable todid.
stillhave
haveaacopy,
copy, I'd
I'd like
like toto seesee it!
it!
toloudly. Weirdass
Nick Kent"Anyway,
at thedoor! Cometo callcall him
him out,out, snarfs
snarfs loudly.
Weirdass dream.
dream. Nick
Kent told
told meme thatthat"Anyway,thanks
thanks forforthethe number
number at
the door!
Come seesee usus in
in London
Londonwhen Keith
when
Keith gets
getsannoyed
annoyed hehe throws
throws ashtrays.
ashtrays.
andand we'll
we'll getget you
you mighty
mighty highhigh (you(you deserve
deserve it;it;hanging
hanging out
out withwith neurotic
neurotic"Yeah,
thought"Yeah,well."well,"I say,
I say,"I "I
thoughtthethealbum
albumwaswaspretty
prettydisappointing."
disappointing."
queens fromsee aa review
reviewqueensfrom thethe provinces
provincesis
isgloomgloombybythe
thebucket).
bucket).I'd
I'dlovelove toto see"Mostof
we understandall. Death
DeathtotoEddie
Eddie &&
"Most people
people liked
liked it,"it," hehe comescomes back.
back. "Did
"Did youyouwritewrite thatthat just
just toto be
beof your
your visit
visit toto Ronnie's
Ronnie's room,
room, now
nowwe
understand ititall.
different,
TheHotrods!"
different, then?"
then?"The Hotrods!""Naw,most
most people
people IIknow
knowthought
thought itit waswasdreadfuldreadful too."It waswasjustjustsigned
signed "Stones","Stones",butbutthatthat "number"number at
at thethe door"
door" bitbit just
just had
had to
to
"Naw,
too."
It
"Maybeyou
referwith Keith"Maybe you ought
ought toto broaden
broaden your
your circle
circlerefertotothe
thefinal
finalencounterencounterwith
Keith ininmy
myofacquaintances," hesaid.
dream. Butthat was
was impossible
impossible unlessunless Keithof acquaintances,"he said.
dream.
But that
Keith
"Oh,
had
"Oh, IIdunno...
dunno... it's
it's getting
getting broader
broader all
all
had had
had thethe samesame dream
dream!I had.
had.
Mick
said
if
the time."thetime."
After
After all,all, I've
I've never
never even
even met
met thethe Rolling
RollingDamn!
dare toto talk
talk backback toto Keith
Damn! II wouldn't
wouldn't dare
Keith
Stones. I'm
I'm not
not eveneven sure
sure I've
ever been
been inin
Stones.
I've everRichardFrankfurt.
Or reviewed
Richard like
like thatthat normally.
normally. I'm
I'm waiting
waiting for
for
Frankfurt. Or
reviewed aa new
new Stones
Stones album.
album.
you'renotout
him toto dodosomething
something bizarre
bizarre andand heavy
heavy andand
Or evenevenheard
heard about
about them
them putting
putting oneout since
since
him
Or
one out
Keithish
It's
It's Only
Only Rock'n'Roll.
Rock
Keithish when
when Ronnie
Ronnie Wood
Woodintercedes:
intercedes:in30
seconds
Look,
Really"There"There waswas something
something inin your
your review,"
review,"
Look,don't
don'tturntum meme in.
in. I'mI'm harmless.
harmless. Really
sez
I
all.
sez Honest
Honest Ron,
Ron, "that"that Keith
Keith got
got really
reallyupset
upset
I am.
armI'veI'vejust
justgot
gotaavivid
vividimagination,
imagination, that's
that's all.
about. II can't
can't quite
quite rememberwhat
remember what itit was,was,
I mademade all
all this
this up,up, honest.
honest. II mean,
mean, any
any foolfool
about.
I
hell getthebut...
I'm surprised
thathehe didn't
didn't taketake itit up
knows
but... I'm
surprised thatupknows thethe Stones
Stones aren't
aren't really
really like
like that.
that.
a?
with you."
Are they?
they?
with
you."
Are
From
heaviesHey
Hey Keith...
Keith... we
we can't
can't gogo on
on meeting
meeting like
like this.
this.
From beyond
beyond Wood
Wood comes
comes aa soundsoundexactlylike
saying inin hishisCharlesShaar
ShaarMurray
Murray io
exactly
like Mick
Mick Jagger
Jagger saying
Charles•
proletarianvoice, "Oi"Oifortyour
wosproletarian voice,fort your review
reviewwos
Though I'm sitting opposite him, in some weird floatingdream way"Mick said if
you're not out
in 30 seconds
he'll get theheavies"bahluddystoopid."
Mentally shutting out these disturbing hallucinations within.

bahluddystoopid."

Mentally shutting out these disturbing hallucinations within

the dream, I carry on talking to Wood.

UPPMANN RAU PRESENTS

LIPPMANN - RAU

PRESENTS

the dream, I carry on talking to Wood.

"Of FORT YOUR REVIEW WOS BLAHHHDYSTOOPID!""01 FORT YOUR REVIEW WOS BLAHHHDYSTOOPID!"

Louder this time. Omigawd-omigawdomigawd. This is a dream.
This
This isis aa dream.
if itwasn't,
wasn't,that
thatbit
bitwouldn't
wouldn'tbe
behappening.
happening.
dream. Even
Even ifit
Do notnot panic.
panic. Think
Think only
only ofyourself.
of yourself.Do...
Do...not...
not...panic.
panic.
Do
JaggerJagger gets
gets up
up andand flounces
flounces away
away toto talk
talk totoPaulPaulWasserman,
Wasserman,aAmerican who's
who's doinga heavy-set,heavy -set,bearded,
bearded, very
very straight-looking
straight-lookingAmerican
doing
the
tour PR.
PR.
the tour
Shortly after,
comes over
over toto me.
me. He's
He's
Shortly
after, Dave
Dave Walters
Walters fromfrom WEAWEA comes
turnedgreen.HeHe tells
tells meme thatthatMr
Mr Jagger
Jagger would
turned green.
would like
like meme andand mymyfellowrock chroniclers
fellowrock
chroniclers totovacate
vacatethethe premises
premises immediately.
immediately.
II gathergather up
up mymyvarious
various impedimentalike
impedimenta like aagood
good boyshould.
boy should. Dave
Dave
Walters is
isbackbackandandthisthistimetime he's
he'scolour-coordinatedcolour -coordinated to
to match
match
Walters
Billy
BillyPreston's
Preston's velvet
velvet jacket.
jacket.
"Paul Wasserman's
Mick said
if you're"Paul
Wasserman's just
just told
told meme thatthat Mick
said thatthat ifyou're notnot
out
out inin 30
30seconds
seconds he'll
he'll getget thethe heavies
heavies toto throwyou
throw you out."
out."Dream
Dream
or
I'm a
a loveror nono dream,
dream, I'mlover notnot aafighter.
fighter.Ultimately,
Ultimately, I'd
I'dratherrather bebeahealthywimp
than anan injured
injured punk.
punk.
a healthywimp than
Just past
past thethe threshold,threshold, Keithappears looking
looking placatory.
placatory.
Just
Keith appears"Look,""Look," hehe sayssays inin conciliatory
conciliatory tones,
tones, "Jagger...""Jagger..."heheenunciates
enunciates
the namename inin lessless than
than admiring
admiring tones,
tones, aa sort
sort ofof aw-come-on-youaw-come -on-youthe
know-what-he's-likek now -what -he's -likeintonation.
intonation. "Jagger"Jagger wants
wants toto go
go overover some
some
songs
songs andand rearrange
rearrange thethe set.
set. We're
We're probably
probably havin'havin' aa party
party inin BillBill
Preston's room
gets backback fromfrom eatin'...
eatin'... give
yer roomroom
Preston's
room when
when 'e'e gets
give usus yernumber andbuzz later
later on."on."numberandI'llI'llgive
give youyou aa buzzLouder this time. Omigawd-omigawdomigawd. This is a dream.

We roll a smoke, light it up.
As soonsoon asas ititgets
gets totoKeith,Keith,hehesays,says,"What's"What's your
your number?
number? 572?
As
572?
OK,
k to
with it.
it. WeOK,taltalk
toyou
youlater,"later,"and
andvanishes
vanishes into
into thethe room
room withWe are
are

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We roll asmoke, light it up.

left staring at the door.
With
ofthe
With thatthat tranquil
tranquil acceptanceacceptance of
the utterly
utterly impossible
impossible that
that
accompanies aa dreamaccompanies
dreamstate,state, I
1 assimilate
assimilate thethe fact
fact thatthat Keith
Keith
Richard,rock star,
star, cooland thethe idolidol
Richard, quintessential
quintessential rockcool personified
personified andof millions,millions, has
has just
just rippedripped me
for mymylastsmoke.
of
me off
off forlast smoke.
Backreadingmyb
my book.
And then
Back inin thethe room
room !I started
started readingook. And
then II took
took thethephone right
right offa
the hook.
hook.
phone
offa theleft staring at the door.

p •i•- - ^

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WorldMags.net
APRll-^—4

IFAII 1976"-

enough" over the top, and indulging in whatsounds like a drunken impression of Captain
Beefheart doing an I Roytalkover. Mandeltakes a lengthy psychedelic I -am -backward tape solo when Jagger pauses for breath,
which isn't nearly often enough. Richard's

enough" over the top, and indulging in what

Comes on like an idea -shaped vacuum
Comes

on

like

an

idea-shapedsounds like a drunken impression of CaptainvacuumBeefheart doing an I Roy talkover. Mandeltakes a lengthy psychedelic l-am-backward-

NME APRIL 24 he Stones' delayed 13th proves unworthy of the wait.
NME APRIL 24 The

Stones'delayed 13th

provesunworthy of the wait.

tape solo when Jagger pauses for breath,

which isn't nearly often enough. Richard's
The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones Mark And PIP

to the same session), Robert A Johnson (fromROLLING STONESJohn Entwistle's Ox), Harvey Mandel (late of

ROLLING STONES
44"THE
ROLLING STONES are
THEROLLINGSTONES
are aa really
really good
good
band,
but, like,
like, I
like aband, but,
I consider
consider tbem
them likea boys'boys'

band because they don't play men's music.
They don't play professional music for men,theyplay music for young people, and evenwith theirmost intelligent materialas astimulant, they play music for the young."- Mike Bloomfield,1968"I've heard some of the Rolling Stones' new
tracks and although l dig them, l don't thinkthey're anything more than what they are,which is incredible, delicious and wonderfulrock 'n'roll and well overdue from them. The
Rolling Stones shouldalways be a non progressive group." - Pete Townshend,1968"Quite simply, Ipersonally feel that theStones are the world's best rock 'n'roll band- quite unqualifiedly. Not that I think theirrecords are always great... it's like Glyn Johns
says about a Stones session, you can sit andwait for weeks and they'lljust churn out a lotof rubbish." - Pete Townshend,1970"That's what makes the Stones the Stones:
they never back down, never lose ground, theyplunge ahead as raw as life itself, and eventhough theymctde mistakes sometimes they're
not afraid to admit 'ern, and they'll takeanother wilder chance round the very next
bend. That's rock'n'roll, brother, and so are the
Rolling Stones." - Lester Bangs,1973.
The last time the Stones putout an album wasnearly two years ago. That was It's OnlyRock 'n'Roll and since then they've pacified the natives
only with a couple of crash-course-for-theraverscompilations of their Decca and Rolling
Stones Records periods (Rolled Goldand
Made In The Shade respectively), Bill Wyman's
Stone Alone, assorted cameos on Ron Wood's
solo LPs, and the everything -you -always band because tbey don't play men's music,

Tbey don't play professional music for men,tbey play music for young people, and evenwith their most intelligent material as a

stimulant, they play music for the young."- Mike Bloomfield,1968
uI've heard some of the Rolling Stones'new

tracks and although I dig them, I don't thinkthey're anything more than what they are,which is incredible, delicious and wonderfulrock Wroll and well overdue from them. The
Rolling Stones should always be a non-progressive group." - Pete Townshend, 1968
"Quite simply, I personally feel that theStones are the world's best rock'n'roll band- quite unqualifiedly. Not that I think theirrecords are always great... it's like Glyn Johns
says about a Stones session, you can sit andwait for weeks and they'lljust churn out a lotof rubbish." - Pete Townshend, 1970

"That's what makes the Stones the Stones:

they never back down, never lose ground, theyplunge ahead as raw as life itself, and eventhough they made mistakes sometimes they're

not afraid to admit 'em, and they'll takeanother wilder chance round the very next

bend. That's rock'n'roll, brother, and so are the
Rolling Stones." -Lester Bangs, 1973.

The last time the Stones put out an album wasnearly two years ago. That was It's Only Rock W
Roll and since then they've pacified the natives
only with a couple of crash-course-for-the-ravers compilations of their Decca and Rolling

Stones Records periods {Rolled Gold andMade In The Shade respectively), Bill Wyman's

Stone Alone, assorted cameos on Ron Wood's
solo LPs, and the everything-you-always-

wanted -to -hear -from -the -Stones -and -thenwanted-to-hear-from-the-Stones-and-then--wished -you -hadn't -asked Metamorphosis.
Mick Taylor blue -jaunted at the tail end of'74, just as the Stones were about to embark on
their next bout of recording, andvarious notables - including
Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood
(two guys I would deem
it inadvisable to invite

wished-you-hadn't-askedMetamorphos/s.

Mick Taylor blue-jaunted at the tail end of'74, just as the Stones were about to embark on
their next bout of recording, andvarious notables - including
Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood
(two guys I would deem
it inadvisable to invite

Greatest Rock And Roll Band In The World torhythm lick is awesomely casual in the timehonoured
honoured Keef
Keef tradition
tradition ofof playing
playing so
so looseloose
thatthat itit sounds
sounds as
as ififhe's
he's going
going toto miss
miss aa chop
chop atat
any
he invariably
invariably holds
anymoment-except
moment except thatthat heholds ititdown
down withwithhishispatented
patented throwaway
throwaway precision.
precision.
Plus Charlie's
Charlie'sgood
good tonight,
tonight, innee?
innee?
Plus
Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, even
even thethe sterling
sterling efforts
efforts ofoflay down their weary tracks.

these two stalwarts can't make "Hot Stuff"

to the same session), Robert A Johnson (fromJohn Entwistle's Ox), Harvey Mandel (late ofCanned Heat and John Mayall) and Wayne
Perkins (late of Smith, Perkins & Smith) zoomed in amid flurries of are -they -or -are they -not -the -new -Stones to help The
Greatest Rock And Roll Band In The World tolay down their weary tracks.
Anyway, Ron Wood won the door prize andgets his pic on the sleeve despite still not
being "officially" a full-fledged Stone, and thenationals generally play safe by referring to
him as "guitarist with the Rolling Stones andthe Faces" even though the Faces are gone gone. And guess what? Black And Blue, theStones' new album, released last week, iscomposed entirely of material recorded
between mid -December of 1974 and early
April of1975, featuring Wood, Mandel andPerkins on auxiliary guitars. Relevance, right?
Immediacy, right? Fast throughout, right?
In his celebrated Rolling Stone interview,
Keith Richard responded to Robert
Greenfield's remark that "Stones albums
usually take a long time" as follows: "Whichreally pisses me off. Because everybody's laidback a little more and everybody has otherthings, whereas when it was just a matter ofbeing on the road and recording, that's all you
did... and obviously you could do things muchquicker that way, but you can't have weddingsof the year and solo albums..."So Black And Blue comes out nearly a year
after it was cut, which would imply (a) that theStones have been having a more thansomewhat turbulent time of it and (b) a fairly
low read-out on the prolific -o -meter.
Still, it wouldn't matter a hoot in hell if thealbum had proved itself worth the wait, but
Black And Blue is a letdown of hideous
proportions, devoid of either the epic senseof sleazy grandeur or the galvanic bejewelledtension which are the Stones' twin ace cards.
From the top, then. Side one opens up with
"Hot Stuff", with two guitar parts from Keef,
led by Harvey Mandel, and a dollop of piano
from Billy Preston. It's little more than alengthy (nearly five -and -a -half minutes)
workout on a funk riff with Jagger
alternately breathing, "Hot Stuff, can'tgetrhythm lick is awesomely casual in the time-

Canned Heat and John Mayall) and Wayne
Perkins (late of Smith, Perkins & Smith) -zoomed in amid flurries of are-they-or-arethey-not-the-new-Stones to help The

these two stalwarts can't make "Hot Stuff"
anything more than an embarrassment.
"Hand Of Fate" is built around a cluster of
supposedly fail-safe Stones devices: a snarling,lurching Keef riff, a spitting, grandstanding
Jagger vocal, Watts cymbal smashes to boost
the momentum, mixed -down Preston piano,
and a hardnosed lead guitar (by Perkins, who

Anyway, Ron Wood won the door prize andanything more than an embarrassment.

gets his pic on the sleeve despite still not"Hand Of Fate" is built around a cluster ofbeing "officially" a full-fledged Stone, and the

supposedly fail-safe Stones devices: a snarling,nationals generally play safe by referring tolurching Keef riff, a spitting, grandstanding

him as "guitarist with the Rolling Stones andJaggervocal, Watts cymbal smashes to boost

the Faces" even though the Faces are gone-

the momentum, mixed-down Preston piano,gone. And guess what? B/ac/cAnc/8/ue, theand a hardnosed lead guitar (by Perkins, who

Stones' new album, released last week, issounds uncannily like Mick Taylor, whichsounds uncannily like Mick Taylor, whichbit). Only
Only trouble
trouble isitdon't
don't work.
work.
doesn'tis itdoesn't hurt
hurt aa bit).
Itlatest heir
heir toto "Brown" Brown
It sets
sets itself
itself up
up asas thethe latest
Sugar"
Blues", but
Sugar" andand "Stray"Stray Cat
Cat Blues",
but winds
winds up
up as
aslittlelittle more
more than
than aa poor
poor relation.
relation.

composed entirely of material recorded

between mid-December of 1974and early

April of 1975, featuring Wood, Mandel andPerkins on auxiliary guitars. Relevance, right?

"Cherry Oh Baby", the Stones' latest stabat reggae, waswritten by Eric Donaldson,
who recorded the original version which,regrettably, I haven't heard. It features Nicky
Hopkins in the unfamiliar role of organist andno less than fourguitar parts (three by Keefand one by Honest Ron Wood, putting in thefirst of his three cameo appearances). Charlie
Watts plays delightfully crisp and solid drums the best white reggae drums I've ever heard, infact - but Bill Wyman's bass is far too sluggish
and the guitars stumble over each other,completely demolishing the feel of the track.
The last time the Stones addressed
themselves to the wonders of datJA beat("Luxury" on It's Only Rock'n'Roll), they
covered their bets both ways bysimultaneously stylising reggae to hell 'n'gone, and maintaining a basic classic Stones
rough -edge drive with a reggae backbeat.
Here, they attempt a straightforward cop

Immediacy, right? Fast throughout, right?

"Cherry Oh Baby", the Stones' latest stabIn his celebrated Rolling Stone interview,at reggae, was written by Eric Donaldson,

Keith Richard responded to Robert

who recorded the original version which,Greenfield's remark that "Stones albums

regrettably, I haven't heard. It features Nicky

usually take a long time" as follows: "Which

Hopkins in the unfamiliar role of organist andreally pisses me off. Because everybody's laidno less than four guitar parts (three by Keefback a little more and everybody has otherand one by Honest Ron Wood, putting in thethings, whereas when it was just a matter offirst of his three cameo appearances). Charlie

being on the road and recording, that's all you

Watts plays delightfully crisp and solid drums -did... and obviously you could do things muchthe best white reggae drums I've ever heard, inquicker that way, but you can't have weddings

fact - but Bill Wyman's bass is far too sluggishof the year and solo albums..."and the guitars stumble over each other,

So Black And Blue comes out nearly a year

completely demolishing the feel of the track.

after it was cut, which would imply (a) that the

The last time the Stones addressed

Stones have been having a more thanthemselves to the wonders of dat JA beatsomewhat turbulent time of it and (b) a fairly("Luxury" on It's OnlyRock'n'Roll), they

low read-out on the prolific-o-meter.

covered their bets both ways by

Still, it wouldn't matter a hoot in hell if thesimultaneously stylising reggae to hell 'n'album had proved itself worth the wait, butgone, and maintaining a basic classic Stones

Black And Blue is a letdown of hideousrough-edge drive with a reggae backbeat.

proportions, devoid of either the epic sense

Here, they attempt a straightforward copof sleazy grandeur or the galvanic bejewelledof Actual Real J A Licks, and blow it.

"Hot Stuff", with two guitar parts from Keef,of Actual Real JA Licks, and blow it.
The vocal
vocal isThe
is so
so hammy
hammy thatthat any
any devout
devoutRasta,
Muslim or
Rasta, Muslim
or Jew
Jew wouldn't
wouldn't even
even allow
allow it
it
in
inthe
the house.
house. The
The final
final track
track onon thethe side,side,

led by Harvey Mandel, and a dollop of piano"Memory Motel", goes part of the way

from Billy Preston. It's little more than atowards reclaiming the lost ground. Perkins

tension which are the Stones' twin ace cards.
From the top, then. Side one opens up withlengthy (nearly five-and-a-half minutes)"Memory Motel", goes part of the way
towards reclaiming the lost ground. Perkins
and Mandel play guitars (acoustic and electricrespectively), and Jagger and Richard pianos(ditto), while Billy Preston weighs in on string
synthesizer (the acceptable faceof Mellotron). It's a fair -to middling example of the Stones
Ballad, with just enoughroughage from the vocal anddrums to satisfactorily
complement the pastoral
keyboardarama and extremely
winsome melody. It would be amore than adequate Second
Division cut on a Grade -A
Stones album, but on this one it's
the first track that actuallyachieves what it sets out to do.
In general, things pick up a little
on the second side. They don't
pull off any masterstrokes, but

and Mandel play guitars (acousticand electric

workout on a funk riff with Jagger

respectively), and Jagger and Richard pianos

alternately breathing, "HotStu//, can't get(ditto), while Billy Preston weighs in on string

synthesizer (the acceptable faceof Mellotron). It's a fair-to-t

middling example of the Stones/

Ballad, with just enoughroughage from the vocal and

/

h

A

v.V

drums to satisfactorily

complementthe pastoral

keyboardarama and extremely/

winsome melody. It would be amore than adequate Second
Division cut on a Grade-A

Stones album, but on this one it's
the first track that actuallyachieves what it sets out to do.

In general, things pick up a little

on the second side. They don'twWorldMags.net^

pull off any masterstrokes, butWorldMags.net

MayI9,1976; theStones intheirhotelat zarn after a concertin
Stafford -(I-r)C harlie Watts,
Billy Preston, 011ie Brown with
KeithRichards' six -year -oldson Marlon, Mick Jagger, Keef,
BillWyman and Ron Woodon the other hand they don't fumble the ball.

on the other hand they don't fumble the ball.

there's "Crazy Mama", another entry in thethere's "Crazy Mama", another entry in the

Write-A-Classic-Stones-Rock-Out
Write -A -Classic -Stones -Rock -Out
"Hey Negrita" is the album's winner dance
track;
sweepstakes.
track; sinuous,
sinuous, stomping
stomping funk
funk with
with Richard
Richardsweepstakes. The
The song's
song's aa bit
bit ofof aa 98-pound
98 -poundandweakling,
the track
track has
has aweakling, but
but thea rolling,rolling,and Wood
Wood onon guitars
guitars (a(a commendablycommendably
restrained
apiece) andmethodical,
restrained one
one guitar
guitar track
track apiece)
andmethodical, remorselessremorseless power,
power, with
with Richard
RichardPreston on
playing both
both thethe rhythm
rhythm andand thethe principal
principal
Prestonplaying
tailormade
on pianoorgan; tailormade
piano andand organ;
accompaniment
The song
leads,
accompaniment forfor stuff-strutting.
stuff -strutting. The
song
leads, augmented
augmented byby Mr
Mr dagger
Jagger himself
himself on
on
ain't
it's justAssistant
Assistant Rhythm
Rhythm andand (it(it says
ain't nono Nobel
Nobel Prizewinner,
Prizewinner, but
but it's
just solid
solid
says here)here) Wood
Wood and
andenoughliving andand
Prestonenough to
to give
givethetheriff
riff anan excuseexcuse forfor living
Preston forfor thethe gorgeousgorgeous solo
solo andandfade-out
fade-outthelick.
idea what
Preston's
lick. II haven't
haven't thethe faintest
faintest idea
what Preston's
the chorus
chorus vocals
vocals (by(by dagger,
Jagger, Richard,
Richard, Preston
Prestonandhave aplaying,and Wood)
Wood) havea nicely
nicely sassy
sassyurgency.
urgency.
playing, since
since itit sounds
soundslike
likethree
three guitars
guitars toto"Melody",which
follows, isis anotherme,"Melody", which follows,
another ofof thetheargue thethe toss
toss withwithme, but
but I'mI'm tootoo chicken
chicken toto arguealbum'san
Mock-Up
album's better
better moments.
moments. Cool,
Cool, slinky,
slinky, feline
felinean Actual
Actual Mock
-Up ofof Actual
Actual Engineers'
Engineers'and deceptively
deceptively mellow,
it gives
gives Billy
Billy Preston
Prestonandmellow, it
16-Track
16 -TrackMixing
Mixing Notes.
Notes.
aCommendations:
Keith Richard
Richard still
still plays
plays
a hands-down
hands -down landslide
landslide as
as itsits Best
Best Supporting
Supporting
Commendations: Keith
Playerhis piano,Keiththan anybody
anybody else,
else,
Player forfor hispiano, organ
organ andand backup
backup vocals,
vocals,Keith Richard
Richard better
better thanthoughhe's playedintho'a respectable
though he's
played itit considerably
considerably better
better in
tho' Bro'Bra' Keef
Keef comes
comes arespectable second
second for
for
his
the
is, onhand,
his snaky
snaky blues
blues fills.
fills. It
It also
also wins
wins BestBest Lyric
Lyric andandthe past.
past. CharlieCharlie Watts
Watts is,on thethe otherother hand,greaterthan ever.
ever. Mickdagger's
isgreater than
Mick Jagger's guitar
guitar isBest
not thatthat Jagger
dagger gives
gives himself
himself too
Best Vocal
Vocal-not
toomuch
There's a
improving
dramatically, andand he's
he's playing
improving dramatically,
playing very
very
muchcompetitioncompetition on
on thisthis album.
album.There'sarespectable
respectable piano
piano indeed.
indeed.
beautifulverse which
which goessump'n like:like:
beautiful verse
goes sump'n
'7
my
The
The Massed
Massed Engineers
Engineers (played(played by
by GlynGlyn"I took
took her
her out
out eatin'but
eatin' but she
she drank
drank upup allallay
dohns,
Phil McDonald
andpay/Shesaid,
7'mgon'/tx
my face, donJohns, Keith
Keith Harwood,
Harwood, Phil
McDonald andgonifix myface,
pay/She said, 'I'm
don'tt you
you gogo
Len Hahn)
Hahn) have
have achievedachieved aa radicallyaway'/1
for herhigh and
andlow
low like
like aLenradicallydifferent
differentaway /1 was
was lookin'lookid forher highaStonesmastera hound/She
out inin themasterfor
fora
Stones sound:sound: ultra-crisp,
ultra -crisp, clean
clean andand sharp,
sharp,
hound/She waswas passed
passed out
thewith anan enviable
bathroomin thewithenviable degree
degree ofofbathroom in
the arms
arms ofof mymysolidityand punchonthe
hest friend"solidity andpunch on thebestfriend."Cute,bass andand drums,
drums, asas opposed
Cute, huh?
huh? Unfortunately,
Unfortunately,
opposedas bass
It doesn't sound astoto thethe tangled,
tangled, shaggy
shaggythe
To Cry",the next
next cut,
cut, "Fool"Fool To
Cry",
throwsmeat-grinder
throws away
awayaavery
verypretty
prettymeat -grinder mixes
mixes ofof yore.
yore.
if the Stones are
It'sbacking(Richard andandIt's aa Conventional
Conventional Good
Good
backing track
track (Richard
too much in touch
Perkinson
Sound,
Sound, andand IIstill
still haven't
haven't
Perkins on guitars,dagger
guitars, Jagger
madeon
piano, Hopkins
made upup my
my mindmind about
about it.
it.
on electric
electric piano,
Hopkinswith what'son
Brickbats:on acoustic
acoustic piano
piano andand
Brickbats: thethe quality
quality ofofthethe materialmaterial andand ofof dagger's
Jagger's
stringsynthesizer) andand astring synthesizer)aactually happening
lovelyvocalsis atlovely chorus
chorus with
with aaquite
quite
vocals isat an
an all-time
all-time
StonesStones low.
low. TheThe songs
songs areareunprecedentedly
unprecedentedly crass
crasspoor, andvocal
mostlyand dagger
Jagger sounds
sounds strained
strained
vocal andand lyric.
lyric. Maestro?
Maestro?
mostly poor,andcaricature phrasingphrasing"/
come home,working all
and uptight,
uptight, substituting
substituting caricature
home, baby,
baby, after
after working
all nightnight"(comelong/Putandforthethedeadly,
deadly, lynx
lynx-likelong/Put mymy daughter
daughter onon mymy knee/And
knee/And shesheand enunciation
enunciation for-likeconfidenceof old.
old. Could
Could bebe he's
he's unhappysay,wrong?'/And'Daddy, what's
what's wrong?'/
And sheshe whisper
whisperconfidence of
unhappysay, 'Daddy,
inso sweet/ You knowwhat
whatsheshe say?/
withwith thethe songs
songs andand isisthus
thusunable
unable toto workwork
in mymy earearsosweet/Youknow
say?/withinto hishis customary
within them
them tocustomary degree.
degree.
She
to cry',.."
fool tocry'..."She say,say, 'Daddy,'Daddy, you're
you're aa foolLook,know Mick
Mick andAll
All inall,6/ac/(Anc/8/uecomesonin all, Black And Blue comes on like
like anan
Look,'I know
and Keith
Keith used
used totowritewrite forfor
Gene
For closers,
idea-shaped
Why itit wasn't
wasn't released
releasedidea -shaped vacuum.
Gene Pitney,
Pitney, but
but this
this isis ridiculous.
ridiculous. For
closers,
vacuum. Why"Hey Negrita" is the album's winner dance

It doesn't soundif the Stones are
too much in touchwith what's
actually happening

a year ago I haven't the faintest idea; and I cana year ago I haven't the faintest idea; and I canonly presume that it's surfacing now because
they
they haven't
haven't had
hadthethetime/energy/inspirationtime/energy/inspirationtoin theto cutcut anything
anything better
better in
the meantime.
meantime.
Perhaps
Perhapsthe
the most
most upsetting
upsetting aspectaspect ofof thethealbum
album isthat
is that parts
parts ofof itit alreadyalready soundsound dated.
dated.
"Hot
particularly, reminds
reminds one"Hot Stuff",
Stuff", particularly,
one thatthat aayear
folk inin thetheyear ago,
ago, when
when itit waswas cut,cut, earnest
earnest folk
rockbizby Thangs
Thangs Fonky
rockbiz were
were all
all enraptured
enraptured by
Fonky(Kool,
Players, Fatbacks,(Kool, Ohio
Ohio Players,
Fatbacks, etc)etc) andand thethelikes
and hishis pals
likes ofof Keith
Keith andpals were
were probably
probably dying
dying
to
hand at
at Summa
Summa Dat
to trytry their
their hand
Dat Fonky
Fonky Stoff.
Stoff.
(Dittomatter.) Well,
Well, Fonk
(Ditto reggae,
reggae, forfor thatthat matter.)
Fonk
precision-tooled
precision -tooled itself
itself into
into aa blind
blind alley
alley andand"Hot
Stuff"isis still
still staring
staring blankly
blankly atat thethe wall.
wall.
"Hot Stuff"
It doesn't
doesn't soundsound asIt
as if
if thethe Stones
Stones areare tootoomuchmuch inintouchtouch with
with what's
what's actuallyactually happening.
happening.
Black And
And BlueBlack
Blue isis neither
neither aatriumphanttriumphant return
returntoto show
show allto thethe forefront
forefront to
all thethe upstart
upstartbands
that thethe Original
Original
bands ofof thethe last
last two
two years
years thatIs
IsStill
StillThe
TheGreatest,
Greatest, nor
nor aawork
workofofresolute
resoluteclassicism.
classicism, Rather,
Rather,itit radiates
radiates confusion
confusion andandaridity;aridity; isolation
isolation andand stalemate.
stalemate.
Unquestionably
still got
got theUnquestionably they've
they've still
the chops
chops totoplayof theirnextsetof good
good ideas,
ideas,
play thethe ass
ass off
off oftheir next
set ofbut
ideas arebut those
those good
good ideas
are gonna
gonna haveta
haveta bebe
there
Rolling Stones
there if
if thethe Rolling
Stones intend
intend toto bebeanything
more than
than anan oldiesoldies band.
band. Blackanything more
Black And
And
Blue
Blue isis neither
neither aatrailblazing
trailblazing foray
foray off
off thethenor aa confident
beatenlap ofconfident lapof honour
honourbeaten track,
track, nor
roundround thethe mainmain freeway,
freeway, but
but aa directionlessdirectionlessmooch
mooch roundround thethe side
side streets.
streets.
Oh
naive at
Oh well.
well.'I suppose
suppose it's
it's rather
rather naiveat thisthispointcolossipoint toto expect
expect veteranveteran heroes
heroes -- even
even colossi
like
like thethe Stones,
Stones, The
The WhoWho andand LedLed ZepZep -- totoreturnreturn messianicallymessianicallytoting
toting rock'n'roll
rock'n'rollsalvation
salvation inin thethe form
form ofof Tablets
Tablets fromfrom thethe
Mountain. The-named bands
Mountain.
The two
two first
first-named
bands have
havebyby now
now enjoyedenjoyed longer
longer periods
periods ofof genuine
genuinecreativity
than either
either Elvis
Elvis orcreativity thanor Chuck
Chuck Berry,
Berry,
andand eveneven rockrock stars
stars {especially(especially rockrock stars)
stars)
have
havetotocontend
contend with
with built-in
built-in obsolescence.
obsolescence.
The
The hellhell with
with it.
it. IfIf they
they won't
won't rockrock us,us,
somebody
somebody will.
will. But
But thenthen youyou can't
can't always
always getgetwhat
what you
you want.
want. CharlesShaarMurray
Charier S haar Murray
only presume that it's surfacing now because

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WorldMags.net

1976
APR

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VV

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...
fit

Kissin1976:(I-r)
AceFrehley,Gene
AceFrehley.Gene
Simmons,Peter
Simmons,Peter
Criss, PaulPaulStanley
Criss,
Stanley
Kissinl976:(l-r)

orldMags.net

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8
HISTORY OF
ROCK 1976
1976

WorldMags.net"Largerthan life"
Larger

than

life"

In the wake of Alice Cooper, KISS Are storming
In the wake of Alice Cooper,

KISS are storming

America with their theatrical, sleazy rock.
"I love to do all those deliciously painful things
to you," says bassist Gene Simmons, "thatmake you writhe and groan in ecstasy."
America with their theatrical,"I

sleazy rock.

love to do all those deliciously painful things

to you," says bassist Gene

Simmons,make you writhe and groan

-

-

"that

in ecstasy."

MELODY MAKE MAY 15

ELODY MAKER MAY 15 -FEEL
eithlehr.

IV! takef youre dc

I DON'T FEEL I have itt
to kdeedefend myself
and I
ieslnfto
tooyou, na,ntdh
Iowon't take yoursomeonewho pays money to see us wants to offer an opinion or advice,
then I'll gladly listen. They're the ones that count...
thenf

criticism
criticismDON'T either. I'd take the criticism of a fan, though. If someonecc

who pays money to see us wants to offer an opinion or advice,
then I'll gladly listen. They're the ones that count...

"I'm a star, you see, a big star. I'm a larger -than -life hero and that's
whatlong time
what II want
want andand have
have toto be.
be. I'veI'veknown
known I'm
I'm aastar
star forforaalongtime
because II have
have aa very
verybig
bigego.
ego.Stars
Starsshould
shouldlook
looklike
likestars,
stars,they
theyshould
shouldlook
lookbetter
betterthanthanbecause"I'm a star, you see, a big star. I'm a larger-than-life hero and that's

their audience."
Gene Simmons is an outspoken fellow, perhaps the most outspoken member of themost outspoken band that Americ a has thrown up in the last two years. He is the bass
player of Kiss, a band that has erupted from being a heavy metal garage outfit tosuperstars in the last 12 months.
their audience."

Gene Simmons is an outspoken fellow, perhaps the most outspoken member of themost outspoken band that America has thrown up in the last two years. He is the bass
player of Kiss, a band that has erupted from being a heavy metal garage outfit tosuperstars in the last 12 months.

The facts speak for themselves all too plainly. On last New Year's Eve, Kiss headlinedaa concertconcert at
at thethe giantgiant Nassau
Nassau Coliseum
Coliseum on
on Lone
LoneIsland,
Island,topping
topping thethe billbilloveroverthatthatotherother
USheavy
heavymetal
metal outfit,
outfit, Blue
Blue Oyster
Oyster Cult.
Cult.Twelve
Twelvemonths
monthsbefore,
before,Kiss
Kisssupported
supported the
the
US
Cult
York Academy ofof Music.
Cult at
at thethe New
NewYorkAcademy
Music.
Duringthe past
past 12
12 months,
Kiss's albums
have sold
not only
During themonths, Kiss's
albums havesold inin hugehuge quantities,
quantities, notonly inin thetheUS
USbutbutalsoalsoininAustralia,
Australia,Japan
Japanand
andCanada.
Canada. Germany
Germany seems
seems to
to be
bethe
theonly
onlyEuropean
Europeancountry
thathashaspicked
picked up
up onon themso far,of Englandcountry thatthem sofar, butbut their
their upcoming
upcoming tour
tour ofEngland andand thetheContinent
may change
Continent may
change all
all that.
that.
The
actto
to Kiss
Kiss on
US rock
Alice Cooper,
The nearest
nearest comparable
comparable acton thethe US
rockcircuit
circuit isisprobably
probablyAlice
Cooper,thoughthough Alice
Alicehas,
has,ininrecentyears,
recent years,cut
cutdown
downononthetheoutrageousness
outrageousnessand
and mingled
mingled withwiththe establishment
establishment tomore youthful
youthful following.
theto thethe detriment
detrimentof
ofhis
his morefollowing.
BetweenBill Aucoin noticed
the void
Between them,
them, Kiss
Kiss andand their
their manager
manager BillAucoin
noticed thevoid thatthat Cooper
Cooper(and probably
probably Grand
Grand Funk
Funk Railroad)
Railroad) had
had leftleftbehindbehind andand systematicallysystematically moved
moved in.
in.
(and
Acombination
riffmusic,
A combination ofof hardhard work,
work,unrelentingheavy
unrelenting heavy metal
metal riffmusic, sado-masochistic
sado -masochistic
suggestions andand every
every conceivable
conceivable theatricaltheatrical cliche
cliche ofoftheir
theirgenre
genrehashasturned
turned themthemsuggestions
intostory ofof theinto thethe biggest
biggest successsuccess story
the past
past year.
year.
Unquestionably, their
Unquestionably,
their audienceaudience spans
spans anan ageage groupgroup somewhere
somewhere between
between14
14 andand 18,18,
theage group
thatAlice
Alice appealed
to during
duringhis
hispeakpeakyears
yearswithwiththetheoldAC
AC Band.
the samesame agegroup thatappealed to
old
Band.
Kiss's complete
complete lack
lack ofofmusical
musicalsophistication
sophistication sticks
fingers up,
not only
only at
at thethe
Kiss'ssticks two
two fingers
up, not
establishment,
but also
also at
at otherrock bands
establishment, butother establishedestablished rockbands who,
who, over
over thethe years,
years, have
have
progressed beyond
beyond thethe confines
confines oftheirof theiroriginal
originalstatements.
statements. »progressed
The facts speak for themselves all too plainly. On last New Year's Eve, Kiss headlined

):

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WorldMags.netrhim
On stage, Kiss look like refugees from a Marvel comic, complete with
him toto taketake onon thethe groupgroup inin thethe first
firstplace.
place.Bob
BobEzrin's
Ezrin'sintroduction
introduction into
into
bats'
leather costumes
and circus
circus clown
clown-likethe- Ezrin, ofcourse, producescame about
about notnot onlybats' wings,
wings, black
blackleather
costumes and-likemakeup
makeupthat
that
the fold
fold-Ezrin,
ofcourse,
producesCooperCooper came
only
would
if it wasn'tall
all intermingledintermingledwith
with thethe SM
SM posewould lookfunny
look funnyifitwasn't
pose they
they
throughAucoin's invitation,
invitation, but
throughAucoin's
but also
also throughthrough his
his own
own intuitiveness.
intuitiveness.
adopt. It's
It'snonocoincidencecoincidence thatthat their
their namename Kiss
and thethe logologo they
they utilise
utiliseadopt.
Kiss and
Believein touchyoung kids
kids who
Believe ititor
ornot,
not,Ezrin
Ezrinisisconstantly
constantlyin
touch with
with young
who callcall
him
in rock.
Kiss,
includesincludes thethe twin
twin "S""S" symbol
symbol ofof thethe Nazi
Nazi secretsecret police.
police.
him toto discuss
discuss newdevelopments
new developments inrock. Such
Such aa fan
fan called
called up
up about
about Kiss,
Similarly, their
their stagestageroutine
routine includes
includes fire-breathing,fire -breathing, thethe speciality
speciality ofof
Similarly,
mentioned
that thoughthough their
their stagestage act
act wasmentioned thatwas quite
quite unbelievable,
unbelievable, their
their
Simmons,
records
Simmons, andand extensive
extensive use
use ofof strobe
strobe lighting,lighting, smoke
smoke bombs,
bombs, police
policerecords were
were lousy.
lousy.Forewarned,
Forewarned, Ezrin
Ezrin accepted
accepted Aucoin's
Aucoin's invitation
invitationsirens andand any
any otherother prop
prop they
they cansirenscan lay
laytheirtheir hands
hands onon toto addadd toto thethe grossgross
without
without hesitation.
hesitation.
spectacleof aa live"They'll
spectacle oflive Kiss
Kissconcert.
concert.
"They'll get
get moremore musicalmusical now,"
now," said
saidAucoin.
Aucoin."Don'tforgetthat"Don't forget thatwhen
when
Simmons'
you'rearoundthestagelike
likeKiss
Kiss do,do, you
Simmons' other
other speciality
speciality is
is hishisprotruding
protruding tongue,
tongue, which
which seems
seems toto
you're runningrunning around
the
stage
you can't
can't bebe overly
overlycriticalcriticalbelook ofabout
be at
at least
leastanan inchinch andand aa half
half longerthan
longer than normal,
normal, givinghim
giving him thethe lookofabout every
every note
note you
you play.
play.
a vampire,
vampire,accentuatedaccentuated with
with makeup
makeup thatthat includes
includes aa triangulartriangular black
black
a
"Now
on thethe roadroadforfor aof years"Now they've
they've been
been ona couple
couple ofyears andand know
know how
how totopath
down tobridge ofof hishand
le anon thethe finer
finer points
pointsofof music."
music."
path runningrunning down
to aa point
point near
near thethe bridge
his nose.
nose.
handlean audience,
audience, they
they cancan concentrateconcentrate on
He's thethe bass
bass player
playerand,
and,forforthethetechnicallytechnicallyminded,
minded, hehe uses
uses aa Gibson
GibsonHe's
As
toAsaapress
pressconference
conference last
lastweek
weekdemonstrated,demonstrated, itit isis really
really quite
quite hard
hard toGrabber,getfrom any
anyof
ofthe
membersof
ofKiss.
Kiss. After
Grabber, asingularlya singularlyappropriate
appropriate choicechoice ofinstrument.
of instrument. Elsewhere,
Elsewhere, weweget straightstraight answers
answers fromthe members
After half
half anan hour's
hour'shave guitarists
guitarists Paul
Stanley, easily
easilyidentifiable
identifiable
havePaul Stanley,questioning
questioning byby about
about 15
15reporters
reportersgatheredgathered to
tobythe blackblack star
witness
this "eve"eve ofbythe
star over
over his
his right
right eye
eye andand Gibson
Gibsonwitness thisof European
European tour
tour occasion",
occasion", itit
Flying -V,andand"Space""Space"Ace
AceFrehley,
Frehley,whose
whose eyes
Flying-V,
waseyes
was doubtful
doubtful whether
whether anyone
anyone waswas muchmuch wiser
wiser
Sure,
we've
are
by silver
silver stars
about
ofthe
are surroundedsurrounded bystars andand who
who makes
makes
about thethe fourfour members
members of
the band.
band.
dubious claims
claims about
about being
being descended
descended fromfromdubious
Talking
Talking isisnot
nottheirtheirforte
forteandand they
theyseemed
seemedastyle hemuch
a racerace ofof spacemen
spacemen whose
whose fashion
fashion stylehemuch happierhappier striking
striking ridiculously
ridiculously exaggerated
exaggerated
pickedup
emulatesemulates toto thisthis day.
day.
poses
model who
who isis shortly
poses with
with aa blonde
blonde model
shortly totoOnrums weappearas thein Playboy
Playboy
On ddrums
we findfind PeterPeter Criss,
Criss,who
whopaints
paints his
hisappear as
the centrespread
centrespread in
Alice's
crowd...
nose red,
red, daubs
daubs ononstripes
stripeslike
likeIndian
Indianwarpaintwarpaintnose
magazine,
who hadmagazine, who
had been
been brought
brought along
along toto addadd
andto spring
spring likelikeato theuglinessofof Kiss's
Kiss'sand adopts
adopts aa catlike
catlike pose,
pose, ready
readytoa touchtouch ofof glamour
glamour tothe uglinessajungle predator.
predator. Up
Up until
until now,
now, themade-upfacade.
ajunglethe music
music they
they
made-up facade.
Grand
Funk's,J
playhasprovided aa backdrop
backdrop toto aa display
display
play has merely
merely provided"I"I waswas bornborn aa pervert,"
pervert," replied
replied SimmonsSimmons when
when
V
of
II caughtof outrageous
outrageous behaviour
behaviour andand spectacle.
spectacle.
caught him
him alone
alone some
some time
time later,
later, but
but hishis talk
talk
Sabbath's
Butallallthisthismaymaybe
changing soon,But
be changing
soon, asas BobBob
Ezrin,
Ezrin, thethe noted
noted producer,
producer, has
has been
been brought
brought inin
to taketake over
over thethe musicalmusical sideof things.
things. Out
Out ofof thethetoside ofmarketingconcepthas
hasdeveloped
developedthe
theKiss
Kiss Armymarketing concept
Army centred
centred inin
the Midwest
Midwest ofofAmerica,
where theiris bigger
biggerthanthantheAmerica, where
their following
following isanywhereelse.
anywhere else.
For
For thethe benefit
benefit ofof theirtheir Army,
Army,Kiss
Kissmakemakepublic
publicappearances,appearances,notnot only
only playing
playing concerts,
concerts, but
but simply
simply totoshakeshakehands,
hands, meet
meet
a
fans
and-- asas always
always -- appear
appear as
as larger
larger than
than life
lifecharacterscharactersfans andOn stage, Kiss look like refugees from a Marvel comic, complete with"u r e5 we've

picked up
Alice's crowd...

Grand Funk s
Sabbath's'

from another planet.
That their gamble paid off was a huge relief to both Aucoin
and Neil Bogart, the boss of the Casablanca label. Their
success has taken the rest of t he industry by surprise.
The Kiss story begins in 1973, which is the year thatAucoin,a dapper little chap who seems to have a high regard for Shep
Gordon, Alice Cooper's manager, saw the group appear at the
Diplomat Hotel in NewYork. Up until that stage, they had no
manager, and were handling their own business activities,
promoting themselves and inviting anyone associated with
the industry to come and see them.
At first, Kiss weren't too impressed with Aucoin. He wasn't
a real manager w ith experience in management and they
thought he was just an amateur with optimistic dreams.
"I told them that in two weeks I could get them a record
contract and set down specific plans as to their future. If that
didn't happen, they could have nothing more to do with me,"he said.
Aucoin, unlike many managers, is very open about thefinancial side of things. "The original deal was that Kiss weresigned with a $15,000 advance, but between Bogart and Rock
Steady (Aucoin's management company)... Well, we wound
up putting a quarter of a million into the band before the firstyear was out.
from another planet.

That their gamble paid offwas a huge relief to both Aucoin

and Neil Bogart, the boss of the Casablanca label. Their

success has taken the rest of the industry by surprise.

*1

The Kiss story begins in 1973, which is theyear that Aucoin,a dapper little chap who seems to have a high regard for Shepy.

Gordon, Alice Cooper's manager, saw the group appear at the
Diplomat Hotel in New York. Up until that stage, they had noPmanager, and were handling their own business activities,'

promoting themselves and inviting anyone associated with

the industry to come and see them.

Iif/.

At first, Kiss weren't too impressed with Aucoin. He wasn't

a real manager with experience in management and they*V
1thought he was just an amateur with optimistic dreams.

m"1 told them that in two weeks I could get them a record

contract and set down specific plans as to their future. If thatididn't happen, they could have nothing more to do with me,"A

he said.

>1
H

Aucoin, unlike many managers, is very open about the✓/financial side of things. "The original deal was that Kiss were

✓

-

✓

signed with a $15,000 advance, but between Bogart and Rock

4iZ

Steady (Aucoin's management company)... Well, we wound*\

up putting a quarter of a million into the band before the firstiyear was out.

±v

"We were out of pocket until the last fewmonths of this year. It
costten
tenthousand
thousand aaweek
keep thethe bandband onon thethe roadroad at
at thethecostweek toto keep
beginning,
beginning, andand six
six months
months ago,
were justago,whenwhenthey
theywere
justbeginning
beginningtobreak nationally, itit waswas costing20
costing 20 thousand
thousand toto breaknationally,
to keep
keep itit going.
going.
"The"The record
record company
company put
put ininanotheranother 120
120thousand
thousand andand wewe putputin thethe rest,
rest, butbut there
there was
was never
never any
any real
real negativity
negativity about
about usus notnotinmakingit.Thefeelingwas
makingit. The feeling was always
alwaysthere
there thatthat ititwould
would happen
happen in
in
the
end."
the end."
Aucoinwas, in fact,
Aucoinwas.infact,aware
Cooper's
aware ofAliceof Alice Cooper's-v"We were out ofpocket until the last fewmonths of this year. It

approaching "retirement"
approaching "retirement"

and this was a factor that led
and this was a factor that led

»
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60 I IHISTORY60
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ROCK 1976
1976

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WorldMags.net
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became more reasoned as we progressed. His image is, perhaps,
best
upin
inhis
his own
own sleeve
sleeve notes
notes onon Kiss's
Kiss's live
best summed
summed up
livealbum,
album,
where
he writes:"I love
where hewrites: "Ilovetotodo
doall
allthosethosedeliciously
deliciouslypainful
painful things
things tototi*
you thatthat makemake you
you writhe
writhe andand groan
spiked seven
seven
you
groan inin ecstasy.
ecstasy. My
My spikedinchinch bootboot heels
heels areare atat thethe readyready should
should you
you bebe inin thethe mood
mood forforheavy
sport."
heavy sport."Allratherlike
like aa classified
advert fromfrom Screw
Screw
Allofwhich
ofwhich sounds
sounds rather
classified advert/**
magazine, somagazine,so it
it comescomes asas aa surprisesurprise toto discoverdiscoverthat
that2626-year-old-year -old
Simmonsti me or
Simmons was,was, at
at oneonetimeor another,another, aa teacher
teacher inin aasecondary
secondary.
'"schoolschool and.
and, byby allallaccounts,
accounts, anan academic
academic successsuccess at
at university.
university.
/
Ttfe
lowest"fwit4r..
He
like theStones andand The
The Who,He also
also worships
worships British
British bands
bands likethe Stones
Who,and makes
makes nosecret ofbasing his own
own musicalmusical ideas
ideas onan them.
them.
andno secretofbasinghisPaul
Stanley and (right)
PaulStanleyand(right)Simmons
Simmons isis reluctant
reluctant toto talk
talk about
about his
his past,
past, partly
partly because
because Kiss
Kiss
Peter
at thePeter Criss
CrissattheHammersmitharecurrently sosuccessful thatof nonointerest
interest
H arnmersrnith Odeon,
Odeon.
are currently
so successful
thathehe feels
feels thethe past
past isis ofdepths>London,May l61976
London,Mayl
6,1976andbecausehehewas,
was, with
with Stanley,
Stanley, inin aand partly
partly because
a bandband once
once signed
signed totoColumbia
Columbia whose
whose album
album was
was never
never released.
released. Mention
Mentionofof allall this,
this, hehe-911.M1111111111, 4111=1111.....mmlagr
thinks, could
could prompt
prompt thethe labellabeltorelease thethe album
album ononthe
thestrength
strength
thinks,to releaseMM
22 The.iie Kiss
Kiss phenomenon - fake
fake blood,
MM MAYMAY 22
phenomenon
blood,
ofof Kiss's
Kiss's namename andand hehe doesn't
doesn't want
want itit totohappen.
happen.
Sufficethe otherother members
membersof
ofthisthis early
early five
five-piece
Suffice toto saysay thatthat the-piece outfit
outfit were
were
we rugand all
all - fails
fails
toimpressthecritics.
fireworks
andtoimpressthecritics.
fired by
bySimmons
Simmons andandStanley
Stanleybecause
because their
their physicalphysicalcharacteristics
characteristics
fired
and
AN, KISS
Rhythmand vocalist
MAN,
KISSHAD
HADeverything;
everything;
Rhythm guitarist
guitarist andvocalist
and attitudeattitude towards
towards live
liveperformances
performances didn't
didn't shape
shape upup toto whatwhat they
they had
had
every
in the
Paul
in
mind.
every single
single effecteffect inthePaul Stanley
Stanley almost
almost matches
matchesin mind.
"We'vebook.
had a
Simmonsfor
book. They
They hada perfect
perfect
Simmons for this
this distinction.
distinction.
"We've always
always felt
feltthat
thatwewehavehavetotolook
lookbetter
betterthan
thanthethe people
people who
who comecome
ighting system;
system; dryice; smoke
He's
to seetosee us,"us,"hehesaid.
said."There's"There'ssomething
somethingwrong
wrongwhen
when thethe audienceaudience looks
looks
lighting
dry ice;smoke
He's thethe "link"link man",man",hollering
hollering out
out
his lines
lines like
like aa man
betterthanthethepeople
peoplethey've
they'vecome
cometoto see.
see. It's
It's very
to us
bombs;
hisfire-eater; aa huge
man possessed.
better thanvery important,important, to
us atatbombs; aa fire-eater;huge
possessed.
lightedAs
any
any rate."
rate."
lighted insignia;
insignia; sirens;sirens;confetti
confetti
As wellwell asas that,that, he's
he's about
about thethe
Legends
of stories
that
that simulated
simulated aa blizzard;
worst
I've ever
ever heard.
heard.
blizzard;
worst guitarist
guitarist I've
Legends areare mademade ofstories like
like this
this one:
one: SimmonsSimmons andand Stanley
Stanley
guitarsjdrums.
Acenegotiated an
Columbia and,
and, with
with thethe money,
money, rented
rentedguitars; drums.
Ace Frehley,
Frehley, thethe leadleadnegotiatedan advanceadvance fromfrom Columbia
EVERYTHING.
guitarist,
had a
EVERYTHING.
a GreenwichaGreenwich Village
Village loft
loft ininwhichwhich totorehearse,
rehearse, filling
filling ititwith
with English
Englishguitarist, II had
a little
littleBut
sympathy
But what
what. Kiss
Kiss
sympathy for.
for. AA few
few
amplifiers
to emulate
the British
amplifiers inin theirtheir attempts
attempts toemulate the
British heavy
heavy metal
metal soundsoundtimes,justafew,
hadn'tgot
hadn't got at
at their
theirof the early '70s.
oftheearly'70s.
times, just a few,
Hammersmithhe"We
we wanted
to be
so we
Hammersmith
he looked
looked as
as if
if he
he
"Weknew
knewwewanted to
be exciting,exciting, so
we asked
asked ourselves
ourselves who
who wewewas wellwell into
into what
what
Odeongigon
wasOdeon gig on
thought wasthere's The
Who, Led
Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin andand Jimi
Jimi
thought
was exciting...
exciting...Well,
Well, there's
The Who,SundayheTo
Hendrix,
Sunday nightnight
he waswas doing.
doing. To
Hendrix, thethe loudloudguitar-orientatedguitar -orientated bands...
bands... soso that's
that's what
what we
we hadhad totowaswas aa feelingfeelingthebecome. Then
Then we
we decided
decided thatthat ififwe
had oneone frontman,
frontman, there
there waswas aathe others,
others, itit
become.
we hadformusic. They
seemedfor music.
They
seemed to
to be
be justjust
possibility thatthe audiencemight become
becomebored
boredwith
with him.
him. So
So ourpossibility
that theaudience might
our idea
idea
dependedanothertheir
another gig.
gig.
was towasto getget fourfour frontmen,
frontmen, each
each one
one could
could have
have his
his own
own personality,
personality, looklookdepended onon theirblandMusically,
Kiss sinkbland pyrotechnics
pyrotechnics totoMusically, Kisssinkdifferentyetfitintoaunifyingband."different yet fit into a unifying band."win overover this
this English
Englishwin
toDrummer Crissto thethe lowest
lowest depths.
depths. The
The
Drummer
Criss waswas discovered
discovered after
afterplacing
placing anan advert
advertinin RollingStone,
Rolling Stone,
audiencewall
which
audience and,
and,admittedly,
admittedly, they
theywall ofof noisenoise only
only partiallypartially hides
hides
which SimmonsSimmons answered.
answered.
was allallseemedtheir
musical inadequacies:
their musicalinadequacies: forfor"BeforeIIasked
askedhim
himabout
abouthismusical ideas
asked whether
whether he
was fat,fat, if
ifseemed toto dodo that.
that. But
But itit was"Beforehis musicalideas I
I askedhe wassothenight they
they slammed
slammedhelike that.
so nauseatingly
nauseatingly contrived
contrived thatthat
the entire
entire night
he worewore aa beard
beard andand things
things likethat. He
He couldn't
couldn't believe
believe thatthat II wanted
wanted totothethe showmanshipshowmanship meant
meant
out
out mindlessmindless riff
riff after
after mindlessmindlessknowthose things,
it waswas important
important because
because we
we hadhad toto getget thethe visuals
visuals
knowthose
things, but
but itnothing.
myself in
riff,
and it's
nothing. II comfort
comfort myself
in thetheriff, andit's aa reflection
reflection on
on their
their
right
right fromfrom thethe start.
start.
knowledge
mediocritythat they
they allall sounded
mediocrity thatsounded"Then II went
"Then
went toto seesee him
him inin somesome club,
club, playing
playing inin aa band,
band, andand hehe waswasknowledge thatthethat the audienceaudience
were
into submission
submission
theDetroitwere batteredbattered into
the same,same,apartapart fromfrom ""Detroit
great.
do, soso hegreat. He
He hithit thethe snaresnare real
real hard,
hard, like
like thethe English
English drummers
drummers do,
he
by
all.
Rock
by thethe sheer
sheer fantasia
fantasia ofof it
it all.
Rock City",City", which
which II quite
quite liked.
liked.
was in."wasm.
II rememberAndthe lineAs
forremember whattheirwhat their
And don't
don't give
give memetheline that
that
Asaatrio,
trio,Kiss-for
Kiss-forthe
thenamename had
had been
been decided
decided on
on bybynow-rehearsed
now- rehearsed for
manager Bill
Bill Aucoin
manager
said inthat'swhat heavy
heavy metal
bands
three months
months andcouple ofofinterested
interested companies.
companies.
Aucoin saidin lastlast
that's what
metal bands
threeand eveneven auditioned
auditionedfor
for aa coupleweek'sare"Then,
we werelayer, we"Then, when
when we
we thought
thought wewere ready
ready toto addadd anweek's MM:
MM: "When"When you're
you'reare about,
about, because
because that's
that's just
just
an extraextra layer,
weadvertised
for asecond
secondguitarist
The
VillageVoice.
Voice.
runningahonestly
can honestly
advertised fora
guitarist
ininTheVillagerunning aroundaround thethe stagestage likelikea feeble
feeble excuse.
excuse. I can
Kiss
state
Kiss do,do,youyoucan't
can't bebe overly
overlystate thatthat at
at nono stagestage during
during thethe"Ace
we heard...
"Acewaswasabout
aboutthethe30th30thguy
guywe
heard... IImean,
mean, we
wehad
hadguitarists
guitarists who
whocritical80
stage
critical about
about every
couldn't speak
couldn't
speakEnglish
English coming
coming along,
along, but
butAceAce camecame inin andand II noticed
noticed very
very
every note
note youyou
80 minutes
minutes Kiss
Kisswere
wereononstageplay."
didplay." AnAnadmission
admissionof
oftheir
their
did mymy nerves
nerves tingle
tingle at
at anything
anything
distinctlythat hehe wasone reddistinctly thatwas wearing
wearing one
one orangeorange sneakersneaker andand onered sneaker.
sneaker.
everpathetic
musical ability
they
is simply
pathetic musicalability if
if ever"He seemed
seemed sospaced out
washe hadhad todo waswasthey did.
did. AndAnd thatthat issimply"He
so spaced
outthatthatI1 knewheknew hewasit.
it.All
Allhe
to do
there
becauseinshave
moustache andandhe
he waswas in."in."there waswas one.
one.
because there
there was
was nono feelingfeeling inshave off
offhishismoustache
what they
they were
doing, noFirst,
the image
what
no sense
sense
were doing,
They mademade their
their first
first appearance
appearance inusingwhatever
girls'First, let's
let's look
look at
atthe
image
They
in January
January 1973,
1973, usingwhatever girls'ofwere ice-cold.
makeuptheir handsonof purpose.
purpose. They
Theywere
ice-cold.
which they
they stake
staketheir
theirmakeup they
they could
could lay
laytheirhands onon andand adopting
adopting aa style
style ofof dress
dress asason whichmuch
reputation.
There's thethe facial
facialPleasePlease bar
bar meme thethe intellectual
intellectual
much like
like thethe present
present style
style asas they
they could
could afford
afford onon theirtheir stretchedstretched budget.
budget.
reputation. There's
argument
Kiss areargument thatthat Kiss
areaa parody
parodyDuringtheirfirstyearunderAucoin's
makeupDuring their first year underAucoin'smanagement,
management, SimmonsSimmonsmakeup andand leather
leather gear
gear that's
that'sobviouslyofhas gonein rockrock forforgone onon inestimates theestimates
the bandband played
played 290
290 concerts
concerts supporting
supporting just
just about
about every
every
obviously calculated
calculated toto outrage.
outrage.
of allall thatthat hasthethe pastlOyears.
past10 years. Noway.
No way. Even
Even
headliner
on thethecircuit.
circuit.He
He delights
delightsin
in recallingrecallinghow
howKiss
Kiss usedThisisheadliner onused toto getgetThis semblance
semblance ofof outrage
outrage isapparent
parodies
have talent.
newspaper coverageover thethe headliners
headliners simply
simply because
because they
theywereapparent inin everything
everything they
they
parodies havetalent. II pray
pray thatthat
newspapercoverage overwere soso
Kissoutrageous,butsayssays thatthat thethe only
only other
otheract
act toto givegive themon oneattempt
to do.
do. Bass
Bass player
Kiss will
will notnot have
have thethe samesameoutrageous, butthem trouble
trouble on
one ofofattempt toplayer Gene
Gene
Simmons
the fore.
He's
superficial
superficial effecteffect onthese double
was ZZZZTop,
Top,whowhoobjected
objectedtototheir
theirperformance.
performance.
Simmons isiswellwelltotothe
fore. He'son thisthisthesedouble bills
bills wascountry
as they
have in
to*
Paul
the
country as
they haveinPaul Stanley
Stanley admits
admits thatthat they've
they've picked
picked up
the guy
guy who
who breathes
breathes fire
fire inin oneone
up fans
fans fromfrom other
other acts,
acts, notably
notably
Cooper.
we've pickedsong
America.
America. They're
They'reCooper. "Sure...
"Sure... we've
picked up
up Alice's
Mice's crowd,
crowd, we've
we've picked
picked up
up GrandGrandsong andand aa couple
couple ofof minutes
minutesboring.
boring. HarryDoherty
Harrynoherty
Funk'sBlack Sabbath's,"later
later starts
starts spitting
spitting blood
blood asas heheFunk's andand Black
Sabbath's," hehesaid,said,joining
joiningin
inthe
theconversation,
conversation, while
while
'Oc*
S£4r
pumps
Simmons went
Simmons
went off
off inin searchsearch ofof thethe Playboy
Playboy model.
model.
pumps outa
out a bassline.
bassline. Healso
He alsoYii"A
get olderas goodsticks"Anatural
natural thing
thing isis thatthat bands
bands getolder andand asgood asas thethe Stones
Stones are,are,sticks his
histongue
tongue out
out aa lot
lot
and,they're reaching
I don't
don't know
knowand, like
like hishiscomrades,
comrades, poses.
poses.
they'rereachingaa point
pointwhen...
when...well,well,inina
a couple
couple ofof years
years I
howwill be.
be. If
If my
I'd beOf
band, II reckon
Of thethe entire
entire band,
reckonhow credible
credible they
theywill
myfatherfather was
was playing
playing rock'n'roll,ro ck'n'roll, I'd
be aa bitbithesceptical." Chris
ChrisCharlesworthCharlesworth•
he mustmust feel
feel thethe most
most stupid.
stupid.
sceptical."became more reasoned as we progressed. His image is, perhaps,

1v

The loaves

depths

f

1

-

-

I

B

WorldMags.net

Kiss plumbthe deaths
deathsWorldMags.net
r
APRIL-<"He deserves
to be copied"uHedeserves

DAVID BOWIE returns to

DAVID BOWIE returns to-

London. As if to confirm hisrole as "the generational
leader of the '70s", hisaudience includes an armyof doppelgangers. "I'mdevoted to him," says one.
"If it wasn't for him I'd belike everyone else. I'dprobably be at home
London. As if to confirm

hisrole as "the generational

leader of the 70s",

BILLY NEVINS HAS the look of some hoodlum

space punk created by Harlan. Ellison after a visionsuggested by David Bowie in Diamond Dogs. A wild
mutation of Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, his
makeup is smeared and grotesque; his T-shirt
grimy and torn across the chest, an old fox fur stoleis draped in nonchalant contempt about his shoulders. Badges andstickers and graffiti swarm over his jeans and shirt. He stares wildeyed, with a kind of demented innocence, his eyes slightly glazed.
How old are you, Billy? "Fifteen," he replies, with a trace of cocksurearrogance in his voice and shrug of his shoulders which establishes
a mood of petulant defiance. Billy has come to see David Bowie at
Wembley Empire Pool. He has travelled, on the underground, fromhis home in Rayners Lane, Harrow, and suffered, without
embarrassment, the indignant and outraged reactions of thosemembers of an older generation he encountered on his journey.
"I didn't care what they thought. I'm devoted to David Bowie. If it
wasn't for him I'd be like everyone else. I'd probably be at home
watching television or something. I'm dressed like this because it's
like a fantasy. When Bowie was Ziggy, it was a fantasy. He's not a
fantasy any more, but I'm still devoted to him. He's playing David
Bowie now. He's expressing what he feels like because David Bowie
isn't as interesting as Ziggy Stardust."
As MichaelWatts observed last week in his MMreview ofthe
opening night of David Bowie's concerts at the
Empire Pool, where he played over six nights to an
estimated 48,000 people, no other rock star of the '70s
has captured so vividly and with such accuracy theimagination of the contemporaryteenage audience.
He may have inherited from Jagger a capacity foroutrage, but Bowie has not been content to merelyreflect the frustrations and aspirations ofhis
audience. Rather, he has sought to interrupt themood of the times and created for himself the role ofa significant influence over the lives and attitudes ofhis most ardent followers. He has connected with themood of constant change which has characterised
this decade and instilled in his fans a fervent andchallenging appreciation of the necessity to confront
the anonymity which contemporary society would
seek to impress upon them by celebrating the notion
ChristopherAslanan,
21,fronriLiverpool:of outrageous individuality.
"Igetintofights
Everywhere at Wembley over those sixevenings
becauseoftheway
his influence over his followers was apparent in the
Idressand behave"style of their dress and mannerisms and ideas. The
space punk created by Harlan Ellison after a visionhissuggested by David Bowie in Diamond Dogs. A wild
mutation of Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, his
makeup is smeared and grotesque; his T-shirt

grimy and torn across the chest, an old fox fur stole"I'mis draped in nonchalant contempt about his shoulders. Badges andstickers and graffiti swarm over his jeans and shirt. He stares wild-

devoted to him," says one.

eyed, with a kind of demented innocence, his eyes slightly glazed.

How old are you, Billy? "Fifteen," he replies, with a trace of cocksure"Ifitwasn'tforhiml'dbe

like everyone else.

-

BILLYNEVINS HAS the look of some hoodlum

audience includes an armyof doppelgangers.

MELODY MAKER MAY 15- MELODY MAKER MAY 15-

arrogance in his voice and shrug of his shoulders which establishes

a mood of petulant defiance. Billy has come to see David Bowie at

I'd

Wembley Empire Pool. He has travelled, on the underground, fromhis home in Rayners Lane, Harrow, and suffered, without

probably be at homeembarrassment, the indignant and outraged reactions of thosewatching television."

members ofanoldergenerationheencounteredonhis journey.

watching television.""I didn't care what they thought. I'm devoted to David Bowie. If it

wasn't for him I'd be like everyone else. I'd probably be at home

watching television or something. I'm dressed like this because it's
like a fantasy. When Bowie was Ziggy, it was a fantasy. He's not a

oi
w
-j

fantasy any more, but I'm still devoted to him. He's playingDavid

Bowie now. He's expressing what he feels like because David Bowie

rn
(/
&
s
u

isn't as interesting as Ziggy Stardust."

As Michael Watts observed last week in his MMreview of the

opening night of David Bowie's concerts at the

Empire Pool, where he played over six nights to an^'

estimated 48,000 people, no other rock star of the '70s-

has captured so vividly and with such accuracy theimagination ofthe contemporary teenage audience.
He may have inherited from Jagger a capacity foroutrage, but Bowie has not been content to merely-Ureflect the frustrations and aspirations of his

audience. Rather, he has sought to interrupt themood of the times and created for himself the role ofa significant influence over the lives and attitudes ofhis most ardent followers. He has connected with the///#mood of constant change which has characterisedwmthis decade and instilled in his fans a fervent andchallenging appreciation of the necessity to confront
the anonymity which contemporary society would

Christopher Aslananr
21f from Liverpool:seek to impress upon them by celebrating the notionof outrageous individuality.

"Igetintofights

because of the wayV

I dressand behave"

Everywhere at Wembley over those six evenings

his influence over his followers was apparent in thestyle of their dress and mannerisms and ideas. The »WorldMags.net

62

HISTORY OF I

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JerernyGood,17,. IfromHavant,from Havant,
J Hampshire:
Hampshire;"Ithinkwhathe's-Ithink what he's
1 saidaboutfascismsaidaboutfascism
1 isjustawhim"
isjusta whim"|jeremyGood,17,

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I 63

HISTORY
1976 I 63
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976

1976

WorldMags.net

1976
APRIL'^AP

austerity of his current persona was copied by dozens
andand dozens
dozens ofof young
young kids
kids who
who probably
probably had
had nono inkling
inklingasBowie wasas toto thethe referencesreferences Bowie
was making,making, throughthrough thethepresentation ofshow andand hishisappearance,
appearance, toto thethepresentationof hishis show
BerlinBerlin ofthe
ofthe '30s
'30s with
with its
itsatmosphere
atmosphere ofof radical
radicalupheaval
and socialsocial andand moral
moral change.
change.
upheaval andAnd thoseAnd
those closest
closest inin theirtheir style
style ofof dress
dressandand affinity
affinity
to Bowie
toBowieandandhishismusic
musiccould
couldbarely
barelyarticulate
articulate the
the
depth
One thing,
depth ofof theirtheir passion
passion andand admiration.
admiration. One
thing,
however,clearly: all
however, emerged
emerged quite
quite clearly:
all were
were totally
totallyinfatuatedwith Bowie's
Bowie's persistently
infatuated withpersistently changingimage.
changing image.
Indeed, their
their appreciation
appreciation of
wasdominateddominated
Indeed,of Bowie
Bowie wasby
by an
an imperativeimperative demand
demand thatthat hehe nevernever remain
remain thethesame. InIn an
an ageage of"grandof "grand illusion",
illusion",totoquote
quotethethemanmansame.
himself,
himself, itit is,
is,afterafterall,all,appropriate
appropriatethat
thatthethe current
current hero
hero
be an
be
an artist
artist who
who isis anan establishedmasterestablished master ofofdisguise.
disguise.
austerity of his current persona was copied by dozen s"Why do I like Bowie? Because he's such a beautiful
man.
He's anan original
original gay.
gay. Everyone's
man. He's
Everyone's bisexual.
bisexual. II have
have
toto putput upup withwith aa lot
lotof
ofabuseabuseininManchester
Manchesterbecause
because
I go
goto
togay
gayclubs.
clubs.Tonight's
Tonight'sbetter.
better. It's
It's aaspecial
special night.
night.
I
Everyone's dressed
Everyone's
dressed up.
up. II don't
don't care
care what
what hehe sayssays about
about
fascism.
I was
was into
into fascism
fascism long
longbefore
fascism. I
before Bowie."
Bowie."
Nigel
17, ofNigel Cummings,
Cummings, 17,
of Selkirk
Selkirk Road,
Road, Bolton,
Bolton,andandJeremyJeremy Good,
Good, 15,
15,of
ofWarbington
Warbington Secondary
Secondary School,
School,Havant,Bowie's
Havant, were
were more
more vague
vague inin assessing
assessing Bowie's"Why do I like Bowie? Because he's such a beautiful

importance and explaining their infatuation. Both,however, had paid over £20 in fares for travel andaccommodation in London.
It is enough for Cummings to saythat he likes Bowie,
without explanation: "He's unique, isn't he? He's
always startling. Everyone follows him. He's always
doing something different. No, I don't always dress
importance and explaining their infatuation. Both,however, had paid over £20 in fares for travel and

STEVE GARDINER, 18, from Lynwood Road,

Blackburn, expressed an attitude which wasentirely representative. "It's important to havesomeone to follow. Someone to associate with. He's
distinctive and individual. He's always different. He
avoids monotony by changing all the time.
Blackburn, expressed an attitude which wasentirely representative. "It's important to havesomeone to follow. Someone to associate with. He's

distinctive and individual. He's always different. He
avoids monotony by changing all the time.

"I respect him for the glamour of his image and hismusic.
music. He's
He'soutrageous
outrageous andand listening
listening toto outrageous
outrageousmusic,
like Bowie
Bowie andLou Reed
the New
New York
Yorkmusic, likeand Lou
Reed andand theDolls, breaks
breaks thethe monotony.
monotony. He's
He's notnot aa great
great artist,
artist,Dolls,
but
but he's
he's anan influence,
influence, so
so itit doesn't
doesn't matter.
matter. It's
It's more
more
importantimportant that
thatthere's
there'ssomeone
someoneto
tofollow.
follow. It's
It's ananoccasionto seesee Bowie.
Bowie. It
occasion to
It makes
makes you
you want
want toto dress
dress up."up,"
Alan Davies,
Davies, 18,
ahairdresser
hairdresser from
Alan
18, a
from Bristol
Bristol Avenue,
Avenue,Bolton, andBolton,and Martin
MartinSharp,
Sharp,17,
17, fromfrom Lever
Lever Edge
Edge Lane,
Lane,
Bolton,who
whohadhadadopted
adopted anan extravagant
extravagant punk
punk style
Bolton,style
forfor thethe concerts,
concerts, werein
were even
even more
more assertive
assertive inrecommending Bowie's
recommending
Bowie's image
image above
above his
his music.
music.
Davies:Davies: "He's"He's always
always exciting.
exciting. He
He does
doeswhatwhat hehe wants
wants
and getsandgets away
awaywithwith it.
it. HeHe doesn't
doesn't care
care about
about anyone
anyoneelsewhat they'll
they'llthink
thinkofofhim.
him. The
The music
music isis less
else ororwhatless
important thanneeds anan image
image
important
thanthetheimage.
image. Everyone
Everyone needs
toYou've got
to hold
hold your
your attention.
attention. You've
got totobe
beoutrageous."
outrageous."
Sharp:"We want
Sharp: "Wewant totobe
beoutrageous,outrageous, andand soso we
we identify
identify
with
Bowie andto bewith Bowie
and want
want tobe likelike him.
him. People
People at
at home,home,most ofthe lads,
lads, think
think ififyoulike
you like Bowie
Bowie youmust
you must be
be
most
ofthe
strange.
You getget aa lot
strange.You
lot ofofdirty
dirtylooks
looksand
andstares
stares andand wewe
get
get into
into fights.
fights. ItItgets
getsaabit
bitfrightening
frighteningsometimes,
sometimes, butbutwethatwewe likelike Bowie,
Bowie, so
we want
want toto show
show everyone
everyone that
so wewe
don't care.
care. He's
so greatgreat thatthat hehe deserves
deserves tobe copied."copied."don't
He's soto be
Christopher
Aslanan,21,aa chefchef fromfrom SandfieldPark,
ChristopherAslanan,
21,
Sandfield Park,
Liverpool, has,
has, like
like Davie
Davieand
andSharp
Sharp sufferedsuffered thetheLiverpool,anger
anger andand violence
violence ofof thosethoselesslessthanthansympathetic
sympathetic totoBowie. He
He isiscurrently
currently aa carbon
carbon copy
Bowie, with
with
Bowie.
copy ofof Bowie,
two-tone
two-tone hair,
hair, black
blackwaistcoat
waistcoat andand trousers
trousers andand crisp
crisp
white shirt.
whiteshirt. He
He eveneven sports
sports aa pack
pack ofof Gitanes,
Gitanes, aa detaildetailheof Bowie
he picked
picked up
up fromfrom photographs
photographs ofBowie ininconcertconcert(such isis thethe extent
extent ofof Bowie's
Bowie'sinfluence
influence thatthat hehe hashas just
just(suchstartedstarted smoking).
smoking).
"Ialwaysalwayswanted
wanted to
to be
be different,"
different," hehe said.
said. "Bowie"Bowie waswas"I
different,
so I
I copied
him. He's
He's aa lot
different, so
copied him.
lot like
like me.
me. HeHehas
has thethesame style
style andand he's
he's aa bit
bit ofof aa rebel.
rebel. II likeliketotobe
benoticed
noticedsame
andto lookand tolook aabit
bitspecial.
special.I'm
I'man
anexhibitionist
exhibitionist really.
really.
II getgetintointofights
fightsbecause
because oftheof the way
way IIdress
dressandand behave.
behave.
People call
call meme aa poof
poof andand aa queer.
queer. But
But ififyou
dress like
like
Peopleyou dress
this youyou expect
expect people
react likethat. No,No, ititwasn't
wasn'tthispeople toto react
like that.
importanttome
me when
whenBowie
Bowie said
said hehe wasimportant towas bisexual."
bisexual."
Cliff Parker,
Parker, ofDouglasRoad,Aylesbury,of Douglas Road, Aylesbury,aasalesman
salesman
Cliff
forJohn Collier
forJohn
Collier thethetailors,
tailors,attachedattached rather
rather more
more
importance toprofessed bisexuality:
have
importance
toBowie's
Bowie's professedbisexuality: "I"I have
tremendous
respectfor
for him
him asas awritertremendous respecta singer
singerand
andaawriterand asandas aa performer
performer hehe isisincredibly
incrediblyversatile.
versatile. But
But I
I alsoalso
respect
him because
becausehehe waswas thefirst rockrespect him
the first
rock star
star toto admit
admit
that hewas bisexual,
bisexual, andof courage."courage."that
he wasand that
thattook
tooka
a lot
lot ofDavid
Carr, 18,
18, ahairdresserfrom
David Carr,a hairdresser from Manchester
Manchester andand ananuncanny Bowie
lookalike, waswas eveneven more
more forthright:
forthright:
uncanny
Bowie lookalike,"I respect him for the glamour of his image and his

64

white heat

white

heat

MM MAY 8 Bowie brings
MM

MAY 8

Bowie brings

a LULIGl1 UI Isherwood's

a touchof Isherwood's

Berlin to his home town.
Berlin tohishome town.

always startling. Everyone follows him. He's always(HATEVER ANYONE
1NHATEVERANYONEWRITES
WRITES now
now about
about
David
David Bowie,
Bowie, itit will
will have
have

doing something different. No, I don't always dress

no bearing upon his position

It is enough for Cummings to say that he likes Bowie,

without explanation: "He's unique, isn't he? He's

like this. It's just for the show, and to show everyone
I'm
too."
I'm aa Bowie
Bowiefan,
fan,andand thatthat I'm
I'm aa bit
bit unique,unique, too."JeremyJeremy Good
Good waswas aa little
little lessless defensive,
defensive, if
if nono moremore
enlightening: "I"IheardZ/ggyandllhoughtitwas
heard Ziggy and I thought it was
enlightening:brilliantbrilliant andand veryimportant.
very important. I've
I've followed
followed him
him everever
since.
Ihad
had red,red, spiky
spikyhair
hair at
at thethe timetime ofZiggy,
ofZiggy,and
andthenthensince. I
I
Iwent
went onto
onto thethe Cracked
Cracked Actor
Actor looklookandand nowthis
now this (he(hewaswas dressed
dressed like
like Bowie
Bowie inin TheThe Man
Man Who
Who FellFell To
ToEarth).
Earth).
"I
is just"Ithinkwhat
think what he's
he's said
said aboutfascism
about fascism isjust aawhim.
whim.
I
as a
I don't
don't think
think he'd
he'd bebe accepted
accepted asa politician.
politician, II
wouldn't mind
politics if
ifhe
stayed ininwouldn't
mind ifhe
if he went
went into
into politics
he stayed
rock'n'roll.
as apolitician.
Ifrock'n'roll. II think
think he'd
he'd bebe competentcompetent asa politician. If
he puts
heputs his
his mindmind toto something
something he
he always
always succeeds."
succeeds."
Steven17, anSteven Huttersley,
Huttersley, 17,anelectrician
electrician ofof Henley
Henley Street,
Street,Manchester,and Martin
MartinHaley,
Haley, 17,
17, anManchester, andanapprenticeapprentice
hairdresser
from Manchester,
hairdresser from
Manchester, were
were lessless convinced
convinced
about Bowie
as aaprospective
prospective fascist
fascist candidate:candidate: "It'sabout
Bowie as"It's aapublicity
publicity stunt,"
stunt," Huttersley
Huttersley observed.
observed. "It's"It's got
gotnothingnothing
to do
do withwith his
his music.
music. He
He admits
admits thatliar. The
The
tothathe's
he's aa liar.
press
press pester
pester him
him andand hehe sayssayssomething
something outrageous.
outrageous.
WeknowWe
knowwhatwhat hehe really
really means."means."
Dick
Dick Key,
Key,18,18,originallyoriginallyfrom
fromMaidstone,
Maidstone, now
now aakitchen portera hotelhotel ininAbersoch,
North Wales,
kitchenporter in
in aAbersoch, North
Wales,
waslittle more
was inin contrast
contrast aalittle
more cynicalcynical about
about thethe whole
whole
event: "I
used tothink Bowie
poof, you
you know,
know,
event:"I usedto think
Bowie was
was a
a big
big poof,
inearly days.
days. But
But I
Ain thethe early
I was
was aa bitbitofofaahoodlum
hoodlum then.
then. A
real hooligan,
hooligan, II used
used toto wearwear makeup,
makeup, but
but itit waswas more
more
real
of
of aaClockwork
ClockworkOrangething.
Orange thing.I've
I'vejust
justdressed
dressed like
like this
thistonight
for thethe occasion.
occasion.II love
love totonight for
to seesee all
all these
these dudes
dudes
dressedup, II love
love 'em.
dressed up,'em. It's
It's notnot thatthat II really
really want
want toto likelikehim; it's
just forfor thethe birds
birds really."him;
it's justreally."Frenchie,
18, agushing
Frenchie, 18,a fashion
fashion designer,designer, was
was moremore gushingin herher praisepraise for"He's opened
opened doors
us.
infor Bowie
Bowie:: "He'sdoorsforfor all
all ofof us.
This
This isisaaveryveryemotionalemotionalexperience
experiencetonight,
tonight, because
becauseI think
think it's
it's thethe endas aa cult
cult figure.
figure. He's
He's
I
end ofof Bowie
Bowie aschangedandwe've
we'veall
all growngrown up.
up. He's
He's grownup, too."too."changed andgrown up,Jez Blake,
Jez
Blake, 18,
18,whowhoworks
works forforhishis father,father, who
who isis aanewsagent
in Enfield,
Enfield, madenewsagent inmade notnot aa single
single attemptattempt totorationalise his
rationalise
hisfeelingfeelingtowards
towardsBowie.
Bowie. His
His was,was,perhaps,the most
most extreme
extreme attitudeattitudeto
toBowie,
Bowie, who
who heperhaps, thehedescribed astickets forfive
describedas"my"myGod".
God". HeHe spent
spent£15£15 forfor tickets
for fiveofof thethe six
sixshows
shows(he(hemissed
missedTuesday's
Tuesday's concert).
concert).
"Ilikelikehishisimage.
image.He's
He'sflamboyant
flamboyantand
and different.
different.
"II
I think
think hehe said
said allallthatthatabout
about fascism
fascism because
because somesome
reporter was
reporter
was getting
getting on
on hishis nerves.
nerves. It
It makes
makes nonodifference,
anyway. If
If hehe wasI'd godifference, anyway.
was sincere
sincere I'dgo along
alongwith
with
it andand agree
agree with
with 'im'im because
because he's
my God,God, ain't
ain't he..."he..."
ithe's myJezstated
Jez stated finally
finallythatthat hehespends
spends his
histimetime drinking,drinking,
playing golfand
golf and "spending"spending money
playingmoney onon myself."myself."
Perhaps
Perhaps thethe final
final word
word should
should go
go to
to Christopher
Christopher
Aslanan. Rather
Rather exasperated
exasperated with
with hishisblank
blankacceptanceacceptance
Aslanan.
ofof everything
everything Bowie
Bowiedid
didandandhishisdetermination
determination totoemulate every
emulateevery changechange Bowie
Bowie went
went through,through, II asked
asked

casuallywhat he would do ifBowie suddenlybecame
infatuated with the idea of shooting members of his
audience for the encore. "I'd buy a gun, I suppose,"casuallywhat he would do ifBowie suddenly became
infatuated with the idea of shooting members of his
audience for the encore. "I'd buy a gun, I suppose,"he replied with no trace of a smile. Allan Jones

he replied with no trace of a smile. Allan Jones •WorldMags.net
64 II HISTORYHISTORY OF
ROCK 1976
1976
F ROCKtie/

accommodation in London.

likethis. It's just for the show, and to show everyone

STEVE GARDINER, 18, from Lynwood Road,

Black tie!

Black

no bearing upon his position
as a rock figure. At London's

as a rock figure. At London'sWembley Empire Pool on
Monday,of sixsix
Monday, thethe first
first ofconcerts
and hishisonly
concerts there
there andonly
BritishBritish appearance
appearance forfor almost
almostthree
athree years,
years, hehe waswas givengiven areceptionthat eventually,
eventually, as
asreception thathehe performed
performed "Jean"Jean Genie"
Genie"
forfor thethe final
final encore,
encore, brought
broughttears
tears toto hishis eyes.
eyes.
But
But hehe waswas not
not thethe only
only oneone
overcome.
overcome. From
From thethe moment
momenthe
he walked
walked on
on stage,stage, young
young
male
male lookalikes
lookalikes with
with redred frosted
frosted hair
hair were
were making
makingsobbingsobbing protestations
protestations with
with
hands
handsoutstretched,outstretched, while
while
the
the impressive
impressive show
show ofof
unanimity
unanimity amongst
amongst thetheaudience
audience atat thethe endend finally
finally
confirmedthat Bowie
Bowie isis theconfirmed thatthemost
most potent
potent British
British tastetaste maker
maker since
since Mick
Mick dagger.
Jagger.
Even
Even thethe most
most impassive
impassivecriticcritic would
would have
have toto admit
admit this
this
was
was a
a realreal event,
event, andand not
notjustjustanan exercise
exercise inin thethe minting
minting ofof
LSD,
LSD,forfor Bowie
Bowieleft
left Britain,
Britain,when
in Julywhen hehe"retired""retired" in
July
1973,
1973, with
with only
only aa shaky
shaky
optimism,
but hehe hashas
optimism, but
returned
returned fromfrom America
America asas thethefulfilmentof Tony
Tony Defries'
fulfilment of
Defries'
prophecyprophecy thatthat one
one day
day hehewould
would bebe anan "empire".
"empire".
No'70s rockrock star
star has
has
No otherother '70s
represented
represented so
so muchmuch inin thethefashions
fashions andand socialsocialconduct
conduct ofofthethe young,young, or,or, forfor thatthat matter,matter,been
been soso overwhelmingly
overwhelmingly
ambitious
ambitious asas toto want
want totoextendextend thatthat influence
influence over
overthethe cinema
cinema andandintellectual
intellectual
circles.
circles. That
That hehe hashasdonedone this
this
withwith some
some successsuccess must
must be
be at
at
least
least partly
partly due
due toto hishisgreatest
greatest
talenttalent as
as aa manipulator
manipulator ofofimagesimages andand socialsocialforces.
forces.
He
is so
in
He is
so dominating
dominating in
teenageteenage culture
culture not
not only
only
becausebecause hehe knows
knows soso manymany
morehisrivals,
more things
things than
than hisrivals,but
but because
because hehe understands
understands
how
how toto exploit
exploit them
them toto stay
stayahead,
ahead, ififonly
onlyinstinctively.
instinctively.
For
For instance,
instance, his
hisappearance
appearance inin blacksilk
black silk
Wembley Empire Pool on

DAVID BOWIEWorldMags.net
This performance, in short, wasmore
and ofmore about
about Entertainment,
Entertainment, andofiStationworld
Station ToStation
To Stationworldasuperior andand calculated
calculated kind,
kind,a veryvery superior
tour
tour stops
stops at
at thetheWembley
Wembleythanthan Art,
Art, thoughthough itit wasn't
wasn't without
without its
its
EmpireEmpire PoolinLondonfor
Pool in London foraasix-night
six -night residency
residency
that, like
like other
other
affectations.
affectations. It
It seems
seems that,rock
rock artists
artists with
with extravagant
extravagant
conceptionsof theirwork, hehe cannot
conceptions of
their work,
cannotresistresist thethe touch
touch ofof kitsch.
kitsch.
.
It
It waswas surely
that, andand not
surelythat,
not aa sense
senseof
him toof humour,humour, which
which prompted
prompted him
toprefacehis own
preface his
own appearance
appearance with
with thethe
Bunuel/Daliwarhorse, Un
Un Chien
Bunuel/Daliwarhorse,
Chien
Andalou,
now tame,tame,
Andalou, whose
whose grander,
grander, ifif now
moments
moments ofof shockshock surrealism
surrealism (the(theslitting
slitting ofof aawoman's
woman's eyeball,eyeball, thethepokingpoking with
with aa stick
stick ofof aa severed
severed hand,
hand,
A
the
of breasts,
breasts, etc)
the fondlingfondling ofetc) were
werederisively
young audienceaudience
derisively greeted
greeted byby aa younginterested
only inin theinterested only
the imminent
imminent arrival
arrivalofof Bowie
Bowie andand its
its own
own self-conceit.
self-conceit.
1
Yetthestagingof hishisactual
Yet the staging ofactualperformance
Using anperformance waswas inspired.
inspired. Usingan
LONDON EMPIRE POOL,
overheadandoverhead bankbank ofof neonneon lights
lights and
WEMBLEYof kliegs,
kliegs, hehethepower ofthe auxiliary
auxiliary power
exposedin a
exposed thethe stagestage ina brilliant
brilliantglare
glare ofof black
black andand white
white
LIVE!
expressionism
expressionism thatthat emphasised
emphasised
S
MAYS
the
harshness ofmusic andthe harshnessof thethe music
andreflected
as areflected upon
upon his
his own
own image
image asabwhite-shirted,
black-suited
white-shirted, black-suited creature
creature
waistcoatand trousers,with his
his hairaofwaistcoat andtrousers, withhair slicked
slickeda ratherrather naive,
naive, aspiring
aspiring performer,
performer,
of Herr
Herr IIshyvoo's
shyvoo'scabaret.
cabaret. It
It was,was, II think,
think,
forcefully,
rock
flat
back, andsotheflat back,and looking
looking like
like aa charactercharacter from
fromsang forcefully,
the mostimaginative
most imaginative lighting
lighting ofof aa rockhe. HeHe sangso inin control
control was
was he.
Isherwood's
andconcerthave everIsherwood's Berlin,
Berlin, raised
raised immediate
immediate echoes
echoesand largely
largely without
without thethe chansonnierchansonnierconcert II haveever seen.
seen.
of hishis recent
recent controversial
controversial commentscomments about
about
ofmannerisms
on hishis JacquesAllmannerisms thatthat jarredjarred on
Jacques Bre
Brel
All these
these achievements,
achievements, then,then, andand yetyetfascistinterpretations,butthenthen inin thisthis show
show there
ultimately
confess II remained
fascist rule
rule forfor Britain.
Britain.
interpretations, but
thereultimately II confessremained unmoved
unmoved bybyNo
No otherother rockrockartist
artist --certainly
certainly not
not Elton
Elton
is
is no
noroomroom forfor songs
him.
him. If
If hishis showshow has
has thethe pacesongs thatand slickness
slickness ofofthat disrupt
disrupt thethepace andJohn-could
momentum;and hishistorchy
style waswasaJohn -could provoke
provoke thatthat kind
kind ofof intellectual
intellectual
momentum; andtorchy stylea soulsoul revue,
revue, hehe neverthelessnevertheless failed
failed toto createcreateconnection.
Yet it's
it s debatabledebatable how
how great
great isis hishis
mercifullythemercifully moderated
moderated on
James Brown,
Brown,
the emotionalemotional involvement
involvement ofof aa James
connection. Yeton suchsuchmodern
modern pitfalls
pitfalls
actualto music,
music, asas
On A
A Wing"and "Stay".
ora Samactual contribution
contribution toas opposed
opposed totoas "Word"Word OnWing" and"Stay".
or eveneven aSam && Dave.
Dave.
the
But
is now
He
One
while with
But hishis stagecraft
stagecraft isnow considerable.
considerable. He
the lifestyle
lifestyle andand theories
theories ofof popular
popular culture.
culture.
One isis facefacetotofacefaceafter
afteraawhilewith thetheThoughhe hashas hadmugs
paradoxhis talentisThough he
had hishisartistic
artistic successes
successes
mugs andand flounces
flounces with
with thethe conviction
conviction ofof aaparadox ofof Bowie;
Bowie; that,
that, thoughthough his
talent is
Broadway
extremelyis
Broadway trouper
trouper andand nonenone ofof thethe earnestly
earnestly
extremely admirable,
admirable, even
even fascinating,fascinating, itit is- perhaps
perhaps most
most notably
notably with
with thethe doomdoom mongering
mimetic
movements thatthat once
once mademade hisnotmongering DiamondDiamond Dogs
Dogs -- his
his gift
gift seems
seems
mimetic movements
his
not often
often likeable.
likeable. He
He invites
invites ourour respect,respect,
alwaysperformanceat thethe old
old Rainbow
Rainbowbut
because usually
performance atalways toto havehave been
been toto synthesise
synthesise styles,
styles, asas hehebut not
not our
our sympathies,
sympathies, because
usually he
he
has
Young
uncomfortableto watch.
watch.
ishas donedone even
even onon hishis last
last two
two albums,
albums, Young
uncomfortable tois observingjustthat
observing just that
Americans
To Station,Ondistance
unfamiliar, vastly
vastlyAmericans andand Station
Station To
Station, where
where heheOn an
an unfamiliar,
distance fromfrom us.
us.
performs
what hehe describes
reworkedYouperforms what
describes as
as "plastic"plastic soul".
soul".
reworked version
version ofof "I'm"I'm
You might
might answerthat
answer that
"It's undoubtedly
Indeed,Waiting
For The
The Man"Man" hehe hadhad
Jaggeris really
Waiting For
Jagger isreally aa showman,
showman,Indeed, thoughthough only
only thethe keyboard
keyboard player
playerfunky, but it
Yes musician,musician, Tony
Tony Kaye
Kaye even
also,
- the
the former
former Yes
- was
was
even developed
developed aa shrewd
shrewdalso, butbut they
they areare two
two veryverywhite,
at Wembley
bycameo
for himself
himself asdifferent
people. Bowie
Bowie onwhite, thethe music
music performed
performed at
Wembley byas thedifferent people.
oncameo fortheremains somehow
Bowie
nervous
stage
Bowie andand hishis five-piece
five -piece band
band had
had aa metallic
metallic
nervous white
white boy
boy trying
tryingstage isisalmost
almost too
too cerebral
cerebral
ring
to
for
tastes, andand not
for mymytastes,notto scorescore "uptown".
"uptown". He
He went
went
ring thatthat waswas oddly
oddly familiar
familiar fromfrom every
every album
album
mechanistic in
into
this perfectlittle shtick
shtickenoughisHonky Dory.
Dory.
intothis
perfect little
enough animal,
animal, which
which ishehe hashas mademade since
since Hunky
It'sfunky, but
but itit remains
remainsofwhereof fumbling
fumbling with
with his
his cigarettecigarette
where dagger's
Jagger's appeal
appeal really
reallyIt's undoubtedly
undoubtedly funky,
its intensity"
somehow
in itsandlies.
and mumbling
mumbling apologies
apologies
lies. But
But this
this isis nota
not a point
point ofofsomehow mechanistic,mechanistic, ferocious
ferocious inits
sir, I'm
I'mjustjust
viewthat would
would commend
commendloudness("Ohviewthatme, sir,
loudness andand intensity,
intensity, andand quite
quite unlike
unlike soulsoul("Oh pardon
pardon me,
waiting
his presence
on aaitselfto hishis audience,
white
white oror black.
he hashas
waiting forfor mymy man")man") forfor hispresence on
itself toaudience, which
which seems
seems toto seesee ininblack. In
In vulgar
vulgar shorthand,shorthand, hedoctored"heavy metal
metal soul",soul", inin which
HarlemBowie
a heroHarlem street
street cornerthat blew
blew open
open Lou
Bowie notnot only
onlya
hero but
but aa figurehead,
figurehead, aa
doctored "heavy
which thethecorner thatLou
Reed'spositionsustain
Reed's own
own sullen,sullen, defiant
defiant version
version ofof thethe song.
song.
position ofof whichwhich hehe isisperfectly
perfectly aware.
aware.
sustain andandfeedback
feedback style
style ofof guitarist
guitarist Stacy
Stacy
Heydon,Withsuch touches
In
In thisthis sense
sense "Changes""Changes" waswas theWith just
just such
touches as
Heydon, andand thethe conventional
conventional rockrock keyboards
keyboards
as these
these hehe defined
definedthe mostmosthimself
poignantof Kaye,are contrasted
himself as
as aa musical
musicalperformer
performer rather
rather than
than asaspoignant song
song ofof hishis performance.
performance. When
When heheofKaye, arecontrasted with
with thethe strokestroke playing
Carlos Alomararepeatinghis
hishits.
hits. HeHe hashassangchange me,
I may
orimaythe lines
lines "77me"Time maymaychangeme, orrock act
act dutifully
dutifully repeatingplaying ofof secondsecond guitarist
guitarist Carlos
Alomar andanda rocksang theevenchangehis understanding
even learned
learned toto movemove with
with passablepassable expertise,
expertise,change time..."time..." [sic][sic] one
one felt
felt hisunderstanding
bassistbassist George
George Murray,
Murray, andand thethe [Bernard][Bernard]
Purdie-likedrums ofof Dennis
Dennis Davis.
Davis.
thoughhis graceofof hishis ego;Purdie-like drums
though hisgrace seemed
seemed acquired
acquired rather
ratherof hishis power,
power, thethe extent
extent ofego; but
but whenwhen hehethanpointeddirectlyat
at hishis audience,In
In practicepractice this
this worked
worked extremely
extremely well.
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audience, aagesturegesture heheItrock music,
music,
snappedmadeaship -swivel andand hishislegs
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bond.
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M.A.M./)ohn
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M.A,M.jjohn Smith
ENTER AT
CHTfR
albumssincefollowed
companion,
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Bowie isis theIt's aswell toto remember
remember that
thealbums since followed
companion, Iggy
Iggy Stooge,
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Earley Associates
Associates presents
MORTM
ENTRANCE
ENTRANCE
who
only
who once
once maintained
maintained
only real
real generational
generational leader
leader ofof thethe '70s,'70s, aaswiftlyswiftly upon
upon each
each other.
other.
BOWIE
DAVID
BOWIE
DAVID
This
that
Bowie could
rock
never
rock artist
artist who
who neither
neither settles
settles forfor thethe present
present
This professionalism
professionalismthat Bowie
could neverON
STAGE
ON STAGE
MAY, 1976
SATURDAY.
8 MAY,
1976
cut
he
nor
SATURDAY, 8
made
cut itit inin rockrock because
because henor looks
looks backback toto thethe past,
past, but
but speaks
speaksfor
for thethemade nonsense
nonsense ofof oldoldat
8 p.m.
p.m.
ROW
at 8
POW
memoriesof Bowie
Bowie asascouldn't
dance.
future.
Michael Watts
future. Michael
couldn't dance.
memories of
Watts
This performance, in short, wasDavid Bowie on stage as
theDukeasashis
the Thin
Thin WhiteWhite DukehisDavid Bowieonstage as"It's undoubtedly
funky, but it

remains somehow
mechanistic in

its intensity"

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HISTORY
1976 I 65
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976

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WorldMags.netr'Slik:(1-r)Billy1McIseac,

Slik:(l-r) Billy Mclsaac,r

JimMcGinlay,Midge

Jim McGinlayr Midge

Ure and Kenny Hyslop

APRL

Ure and Kenny Hysiop

again, this time withaa wholewhole album
album ofof dynamic
dynamic
compositions
compositions delivereddelivered
withwith aa fervour
that shows
shows
fervour thathow
how anxious
anxious thethe bandband were
were
to
new ideas.
ideas.
to getget down
down their
their new"Achilles
Last Stand"is"Achilles Last
Stand" isZeppelin
Zeppelin at
at theirtheir most
most
propulsive,
its speed
speed and
and
propulsive, its
pacepace regulated
regulated byby thethelocomotive
locomotive drumming
drumming ofofJohnJohn Bonham,whohasthe
Bonham, who has the
.Jk
knack
knack ofof finding
finding aa fresh
fresh beat
beat
I
to
to work
work out
out onon andand provide
provide1
thethe basis
basisforfor thethe duelling
duellingIrole of Jimmy's
Jimmy's guitar
guitar androleofandRobert's
vocals.
Robert's vocals.
The guitar
guitar drifts
drifts inTheinunaccompanied
unaccompanied inin aa moodmood setting
setting statement,
statement, thenthenblazesblazes into
into action
action asasthethe pacepace accelerates
accelerates
ubums
like
hymn.
like aa battle
battle hymn.
Butthisisnomere
But this is no mererock
bash J^EVlE'Ur
rock bash- thethe tunetune
has aa mosthas
most unusual
unusualconstruction,
1976
construction, Robert's
Robert's
vocal
vocal linesadding
lines adding
unexpected
extra phrases,
phrases,
unexpected extra
heavilyheavily emphasised
emphasised likelike
Ledswan SONG
song
Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin esenc
esenc. SWANaa litany.
litany. There
There isissomething
something
There
a man
man II know,
know, aa college
There isis amysticalcollegeway this
this piece
piece
mystical about
about thethe waylecturer,
whom there
is onlydevelops,
this
lecturer, forfor whomthere isonly
develops,andandundoubtedly
undoubtedlythisrock band.
band. He
He literally
literally knows
lengthy performance
performance provides
providesone
knows
lengthy
one rock
of
the
of no
no otherother groupthangroup than Led
Led
the most
most satisfying
satisfying moments
moments ofof
Zeppelin,
and while
his tastes
side
Zeppelin, andwhile histastesside one
one andand would
would bebeworthworth thetheotherwise
priceotherwise roam
roam'twixt'twixt classicalclassical
price ofof thethe album
album alone.
alone.
andObserveand jazz
jazz music,
music, when
when itit comes
comes toto
Observe thethe way
way thethe drums
drums
rock
and
in therock hehe will
will listen
listen entranced,
entranced,
and guitar
guitar work
work together
together inthesolely to
to Zeppelin.
Zeppelin.
final bars
bars ofof Robert's
Robert's first
first vocal,
solelyfinal
vocal,
Suchchoruses
Such isthe
is the powerthe
power the band
band hold
holdchoruses phasingphasingtogether
togetherwith thethe power
power ofover
devotees. Andwithof sixsix combined
combinedtheir devotees.
And withwithover their
good
is a
orchestras.
good reason,
reason, forfor there
there isa classic
classic
orchestras. Then,
Then, when
when Jimmy
Jimmy
simplicity
aboutZeppelin's
music
takes offtakes
off forfor hishis singing
singing guitar
guitarsimplicity about
Zeppelin's musicthatis instantly
solo,that isinstantly recognisable
recognisable totosolo, thethe bass
bassandanddrums
drumsbatterbatterthose
outa
those who
who appreciate
appreciate symmetry
symmetryout a ferociousseriesof
ferocious series of unison
unisonandforces. From
From thetriplets;
and interlocking
interlocking forces.
thetriplets; aa simple
simple enoughenough device
deviceopeningbut
placed. And
opening, bars
barsofofthe
theremarkableremarkable
but oneone perfectly
perfectly placed.
And"Achillesinstead"Achilles Last
Last Stand",Stand", thethe unity
unity ofof
instead ofof slowing
slowing down
down thetheZeppelin, inin thethe eighth
eighth year
year ofof
Zeppelin,action,heaps more
more coals
coals ononaction, itit heaps
the
their
existence, isis striking.
the furnace.
furnace.
their existence,
striking.
Each
The
Thetriplets
triplets return
return as
as Robert
Eachmember
member fulfils
fulfils his
his
Robertsings
sings asasififcallingcallingthe
thefaithful
faithful totofunctionfunction with
with complete
completeawarenessprayerprayer fromfrom someawareness ofof whatwhat thethe others
others arearesome easterneasternminaretminaret at
at sundown.
sundown. GreatGreat gusts
gusts
doing
and why,
why, sodoing andso thatthat every
every
slightofslight moan
moan oror ad
ad liblibfromfrom Robert
Robertof cymbal
cymbal andand bass
bassdrum
drum hammer
hammerhome(like(like thethe "we//,"well, we//"well" ofof risingrisinghome thethe beats
beats inin six-eightsix -eight timetime
my counting),
counting), then
then
expectation
at the(according(according toto my
expectation at
the beginning
beginning ofofthestops as"For Your"For
Your Life")
Life") seems
the pounding
pounding stops
as Jimmy
Jimmy
seems toto fitfit into
into aalogicaltakes
takes out
out thethe piece
piecewith
with rotatingrotating
logical place
place against
againstthe
therhythmic
rhythmic
menacing
menacing chords.
chords.
pulsespulses emanating
emanating fromfrom John
John
Bon
ham, John PaulPaul andand Jimmy.
"Forhastofollowthis"For YourYour Life"
Life" hasto follow thisBonham,John
Jimmy.
stunning
and theystunning workout,
workout, andthey neatly
neatly"Rhythmic"Rhythmic pulses"
pulses" seems
seems very
very
tame
drop
tame when
when one
one isisattempting
attempting totodrop into
into aa relatively
relatively relaxed
relaxedbackbeat,describe
the rockrock-solid
backbeat, with
with cliff-hanging
cliff -hanging
describe the-solidheartbeatthat
isthesuspensebeats, theheartbeat that is
the mainspring
mainspringsuspense between
between beats,thetensionincreased byby aa simpleoftension increased
simpleof thethe band.
band. The
Theexcitement
excitement
Zeppelintambourine
beat. Robert
Zeppelin generated
generated with
with their
their
tambourine beat.
Robertweavesin andandrelentless performances
performances ofofweaves inand out
out ofof thethe firm
firm andrelentless"Trampled
ferocious
guitar lines,
lines, jamming
ferocious guitar
jamming"Trampled Underfoot"Underfoot" atat theirtheir
andand scatting
scatting in
intime-honoured
time-honoured
last
last concerts
concerts was
was amongamong thethemorerock events
fashion.
fashion. The
The guitar-vocal
guitar -vocal
more memorable
memorable rock
events ofof
dialogueis athelastcoupleof
Well,dialogue isa tradition
tradition thatthat goes
goes
years. Well,the last couple of years.
Zeppelinhave comeusbackjazz andand blues.
Zeppelin havecome among
among usback toto thethe roots
roots ofofjazzblues.
again,this time with

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ALBUMS
Slik

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Silk Slik BELL

Slik, it appears, have been

Slik, it appears, have been

granted the honour of becoming
theband tobethe first
first teenybop
teenybop band
to becreditedof skillandcredited with
with aa bit
bit ofskill andhope.
hope. And
Andthoughthough their
their debut
debut
album
album isisnothingnothing special,
special, there
there
are
is
are signs
signs thatthat this
this optimism
optimism iswell-founded.
well-founded.
Apartfrom thethe two
two classy
classy pop
Apart frompop
singlessingles onon Slik
Silk -- "Forever"Forever And
And
Ever"
Ever" andand their
their most
most recent,recent,"Requiem""Requiem" -- thethe material,material,featuringcompositions fromfeaturing compositions
from the
the
band
Phil
band asas wellwell asas producer
producer Phil
Coulter,
Coulter, isis quitequite ordinary,ordinary,
nothing
too sensational
sensational at
at all.
all.
nothing too
granted the honour of becoming

It's an album on which no
chancescompilation
chances areare taken,
taken, aa compilationofsongs, simpleof poppy
poppy songs,
simple enoughenoughtoto pleaseplease thethe teenybop
teenybop audienceaudiencethethe bandband have,
have, initially
initially anyway,
anyway,chosenchosen toto aimaim for.
for. I'd
I'd like
like toto havehave
seen
seen aa more
more daring
daring approach
approachtaken-Sliktaken - Slik dodoinsist
insistthat
thattheir
their
influences
influences range
range fromfrom thethe light
light totothethe heavy-butthen
heavy - butthen II suppose
suppose it's
it's
It's an album on which nodifficult to depart from theproven formula.
provenformula. The
The Coulter
Coulternumbers,
numbers, apartapart fromfrom thethe MOR
MOR
balladThan II Do",Do", areballad "Better"Better Thanare thethepredictable,commercial
predictable, commercial

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alland
Like alland nonenone too
too memorable.
early
by aspiring
early compositions
compositions byaspiring
songwriters,
about love
love songwriters, they're
they're about"Do
It Again"(Ure), "Day"Day By
By Day""Do ItAgain" (Ure),Day"
band numbers are less polished

ALBUMS

compositions he has made hisforte.
"Requiem", with
with its
its unusual
unusuaforte. "Requiem",timechanges, stands
time changes,
stands out.
out. The
The
compositions he has made hisd%and "Darlin'(vIcIsaac) and "NoWe
You"
We Won't
Won't Forget
Forget You"
(McGinlay).
(McGinlay). Hopefully,
Hopefully, they'll
they'll
improve
improve with
with experience.
experience.
So,
So,withwithnothingnothingtoo
toostartlingly
startlinglyand "Darlin"' (Mclsaac)and "Nofresh in the material, we must
looktothemusicianshipforlook to the musicianship for
substantiation
substantiation ofof theirtheir optimistic
optimistic
claims,claims, andand that,
that, indeed,
indeed, isis wherewhere
wehope. Midge
Midge Ure
Ureisawe findfind hope.
is a
good
good vocalist
vocalist andand fairfair guitarist,
guitarist,
with
with aa fine
fine sense
sense forfor feel;
feel; Billy
Billy
Mclsaacis a
Mclsaac isa capable
capable keyboards
keyboards
man;man; Kenny
Kenny Hyslop's
Hyslop's drum
drum work
work
isisquitequite good;
good; andand JimJim McGinlay's
McGinlay's
bass
bass playing
playing isisadequate.
adequate.
McGinlay,as
McGinlay, too,
too, comes
comes acrossacross asanan outstanding
outstanding singer
singer on
on thethetrackstracks hehe handles:
handles:"No"No We
WeWon't
Won't
ForgetForget. You","Darlin'"You", "Darlinm andand"Betterwith aa vocal
vocal"BetterThan
Than II Do",Do", withthat
that sounds
sounds like
like aa cross
cross between
betweenPaul
PaulMcCartney
McCartney andand Clifford
Clifford T
T
Ward.
Ward. TheThe harmony
harmony work
work ofof thetheband,
is wellband, too,
too, iswell above
above average.
average.
That'sSlik's
That's Slik's debut.
debut. Perhaps
Perhapsnext
show anext time
time they'll
they'll show
a little
littlemore
onmore nerve
nerve andand gogo outout ona limb,alimb, which
which they
they refuse
refuse to
to do
do
here.
here. It's
It's anan album
album thatthat doesn't
doesn'tgive too
too many
many glimpses
glimpses of
of
give
their
but whichwhichtheir credibility
credibility butshows,
live
their live
shows, asas their
performances
performances diddidearlierin theearlier inthe year,
year,
that
that there's
there's more
more totothem,
them, musically,
musically, than
than
fresh in the material, we mustmeets the eye. Harry

meets the eye. Harry

Doherty, Mtv/ tviay22

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It's this living quality that Page
thehas captured,
the producer
producer has
captured, while
while
the
studio soundsound isis
the West
West German
German studio
fantasticallyclean andand clear.
clear. The
fantastically clean
The
combination
combination ofof studio,
studio, producer,
producer,compositions
and energy
compositions andenergy onon thethesessionsession has
hasworked
workedwith
with thatthat
indefinableindefinable chemistrychemistry thatthat
everybody
hopes will
everybody hopes
will result
result whenwhen
it
it comescomes toto makingmaking anan album.
album.
This
This single
single album
album has
hascertainly
certainly
caughtcaught Zeppelin
Zeppelin with
with their
their
atomicyou will
atomic particles
particles flying,flying, ifif you
will
pardonpardon thethe expression.
expression. The
The
explosive
is maintained
explosive power
power ismaintainedonon theside (play(play side
the second
second side
side
one
a few
one a
few times
times before
before allowing
allowing
oneself
oneself thethe pleasurepleasure ofof exploring
exploringthethe rest
rest ofof thisthis offering).
offering).
"Nobody's
Fault But
But Mine"
Mine" has
has
"Nobody's Fault
RobertRobert inin recalcitrant
recalcitrant mood,
mood, asasheline, andhe stags
stagsthethe title
title line,
and thetheguitarseems toguitar seems
to runrun inin thethe point
point
with
with nagging
nagging insistence.
insistence. Jimmy
Jimmy
whirlswhirls throughthrough aa series
series ofof furious
furiousruns
runs before
before joining
joining with
with Robert
Robertinbluesy unison
in aathoroughly
thoroughly bluesy
unisonguitar/vocal
guitar/vocal section.
section.
They
They suddenly
suddenly abandon
abandon this
thispiece toto switch
switch into
into "Candy"Candy Store
Store
piece
Rock",
Rock", which
whichwould
wouldintrigue
intrigue
ChrisSpedding,who
Chris Spedding, who has
has tried
tried totoachieveachieve this
this very
very '50s'50s sound.
sound.
Echo
as theEcho fills
fills thethe room
room asthe drums
drums
anda brutaland guitar
guitar bounce
bounce over
over abrutalJohn
John PaulPaul Jones
Jones bassline.
bassline. The
The
guitarsound recalls
guitar soundrecalls Neil
Neil Christian
Christianandanyone cancan
and The
The Crusaders,
Crusaders, ifif anyone
rememberthatfar
back. Andremember that far back.
And just
just
when
when youthink they've
they've said
said allall
you thinkthey
they can
can withwith thethe riff,riff, they
they get
get into
intoaa sexysexy boogie,
boogie, ideal
ideal forfor go-go
go-go
dancers
dancers thethe worldworld over.
over.
A nightnight onon theA
the tiles
tiles follows
follows with
with
"Hots
On ForFor Nowhere","Hots On
Nowhere", aajazzy
jazzy
dance
dance beat,
beat, which
whichwill
willthoroughly
thoroughly
exhaustexhaust thetheaforementioned
aforementioned
go-go
go-go dancers.
dancers. Another
Anotherpotential
potential concert
concert rave-up
rave-upnotablenotable forfor somesome unusual
unusual Page
Page
guitarwork, where
where hehe drops
inguitar work,
drops insome
Stax-type licks
licks
some thoroughly
thoroughly Stax-type
beforemood grows
grows inin
before thethe party
party mood
excitement.
Just listen
listen toto Bonzo's
Bonzo's
excitement. Just
answeringanswering snare
snare drum
drum crackle
crackle totoJimmy'sguitar
Jimmy's guitar break!
break!
Well, before
before we
Well,
going
we start
start goingover
isover thethe top,top, our
our emotion
emotion iscontained,bycontained, then
then rechannelledrechannelled bytheitem, "Tea
"Tea For
the final
final item,
For One",
One",
which
which isis theZeppelin
the Zeppelin II loveto
love tohear,
hear,working
working out
out onon aa slow
slow blues,
blues,

perfectly complements the
optimism andand strident
strident
optimism
attack of "Achilles"Achilles Last
attackofLastk'perfectly complements the"TStand" and makes a solid
conclusion
has
conclusion toto anan album
album thatthat haspace,
and tremendous
pace, direction
direction andtremendous* "It's this living quality that Page

abeyance and ever-readytoto breakbreak out.
out. Robert
Robertintonesthe firm
firm
over theintones softly
softly overbutbass andbut laidback
laidback bass
and rideride
cymbal,cymbal, while
while Jimmy
Jimmy
chordschords with
with atmosphericatmosphericfervour.
The mood
fervour. The
mood here
here
abeyance and ever-readyer.

Stand" and makes a solid

Aerosmith's
StevenTylerand(right)JoePerryistyle. Chris Welch, MP4 April io
SINGLESThin Lizzy

UNITED ARTISTS

Corral UNITED ARTISTS

Thin Lizzy

White plagiarists almost killedthevital force
force ininthe blues
blues asas aa vitalpopularpopular music.
music. The
The perpetual
perpetual
rip-offofElmore
Elmore James'
James' phrases
phrases
rip-off ofandof John
and thethe piquantpiquant cries
cries ofJohn Lee
Lee
Hooker,Hooker, BB
BB King
King etet al
al rendered
renderedthemand meaningless,meaningless, thethem trite
trite andthebuttof satirists
satirists andand cynics.
butt ofcynics. But
Butthethe mid
mid-'60s
the blues
blues boom
boom ofof the-'60s
was
was founded
founded on
on aagenuine
genuineenoughenough passion
passion forfor thethe blues.
blues.
Soof suchSo mention
mention today
today ofsuchaHeat draws
a bandband asas Canned
Canned Heatdraws
groan. Ita
It recalls
recalls ana hollowhollow groan.
an eraeraofperhaps best
best
of exploitation
exploitation perhaps
onforgotten.
Which isis unfair
forgotten. Whichunfair on
CannedCanned Heat,
Heat, who
who despite
despitetheir
their patentpatent limitations
limitations asasmusicians
musicians (they(they never
never could
could
swing
swing much),much), were
were sincere
sincere andanddeeplyto thethe blues
blues
deeply committedcommitted toheritage. And
And still
still are,are, ofheritage.
of course,
course,asof theband
as aarecent
recent edition
edition of
the bandhasjusthas justcompletedcompleted aa visitto
visit tothese
these shores.
shores.
These
These "live""live" recordings
recordings stem
stem
from
in
from aa gig
gig atTopanga
at Topanga Corral
Corral in

The Boys Are Back

White plagiarists almost killed

early 1967, and although thetempi
drag aa bit
on tunes
tempi dragbit ontunes likelike
"Bullfrog
Blues", due"Bullfrog Blues",
due toto thethethen-popularthen -popular habit
habit ofof drummers
drummers

re Back

111 TOW

attempting to keep time witheight
eight beats
beats onon thethe bass
bass drum,
drum,
there
is somethere issome fine,
fine, atmosphericatmospheric
blues
blues guitar
guitar soloing
soloing on
on "Sweet"SweetSixteen",Sixteen", andand "Wish"Wish You
You Would"
Would"
develops
develops aa kind
kind ofof insistentinsistent
thump
thump thatthat contrasts
contrasts with
with thethemuchmuch more
more neurotic
neurotic Yardbirds
Yardbirds
versionversion recorded
recorded aa year
earlier.
year earlier.
They
They areare muchmuch better
better on
on thetheslow
slow tempi,
tempi, where
where thethe guitar
guitarandand vocals
vocals have
haveplenty
plenty ofof space
space
to
to work
work out,
out, than
than onon thethe fasterfasterriffs,
riffs, where
where they
they tend
tend toto getgetmessy
messy andand thethe tempi
tempi wobble
wobbleuncertainly.
uncertainly. It's
It's aa shame
shame thethe drum
drum
fills
leadfills manage
manage toto ruinruin thethe finefine lead
guitarplaying by
guitar playing
by Henry
Henry Vestine
Vestineon
ison "Sweet"Sweet Sixteen",
Sixteen", but
but there
there issufficient good
blowing here
here forfor
sufficient
good blowing
those
in an
those interested
interested inan eraera ofofBritishBritish andand American
American rockrock
developmentthat isis being
development thatbeing
somewhatsomewhat haughtily
haughtilyforgotten.
forgotten.
Chris Welch, WI -lune 5

VERTIGOVERTIGOA lilting Phil Lynott song,radiatingwarmth andandradiating warmthhooliganism,sunghooliganism, sung bythemanby the man
who
who isis heirheir toto Van
VanMorrison'sMorrison's
Irish
Irish soul,soul, cascading
cascading words
words over
overaeight-barline, each
each onea trickytricky eight-bar line,oneapicture:"You knowknow
a different
different picture
"You
that
that chick
chick who
who useta
use ta dance
dance aa
lot/Everynight she'd
she'd hebe on
lot/Every nighton thethedance
ddance floor
floor shakinshakin' what
what she
she'dgot/Man,when I
gotThan, when
/ telltell ya
ya sheshe waswascool,mean sheshecool, she
she waswas redred hot/1
hotilmeanwaswas steamin..."steamin..." Punched
Punched along
along
byby unexpected
unexpected power
power chords,
chords,sharp-shooting
bass andsharp -shooting bass
andstuttering
guitar chorus.
chorus.
stuttering guitar
Thealso
The B-side,
B-side, "Emerald","Emerald", also
fromfrom thethe superb
superb Jailbreak
Jailbreakalbum,
is a
album, isa pulversingly
pulversingly violent
violent
piece
piece thatthat crescendos
crescendos into
into aapositiveassault byby apositive military
military assaultabatteryof guitars
guitars andand drums.
battery ofdrums.
Only
NMEMayS
Only 65
65 pence.
pence. NME
May8
A lilting Phil Lynottsong,

NME May8

NME May 8

ill!

David Bowie
RCA

RCA
w
The
ex-Spiders
ex -Spiders
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From
From Mars
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vocalisthas
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himself
d by John
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over
over thethe last
last few
few
years,
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but byby thethe soundsound ofof
thisjust might
might bebe missing
missing thethis hehejustthelads.
lads. After
After all
all thatthat hanging
hanging out
out ininon SoulSoul Train
Train
LA
LA andand appearing
appearing on
he'shome tohe's returned
returned home
to England,
England,bringingalong aa recordbringing along
record thatthatsoundssounds uncannily
uncannily like
like itit could
could
have
sessions hehehave been
been cut
cut atat thethe sessions
recordedrecorded with
with thethe Spiders
Spiders forfortheSane LP,LP, three
the Aladdin
Aladdin Sane
three long
long
years
years ago.
ago. Actually,
Actually, thethe players
playersareare all
all Yanks
Yankswith
with names
names like
like EarlEarl
andyou canand Carlos,
Carlos,butbutyoucan close
close your
your
eyes
eyes andand pretendpretend its
its Mick
Mick andand
Woody
Woody andand everything's
everything's hunky
hunky
dory.
NME May8
dory. Nice
Nice one,
one, Dave.
Dave. NME
May8
The

AerosmithCBSCBSlong runThis has recently had>39David Bowie

Aerosmithearly 1967, and although theChris Welch, MM June 5rock song

SINGLES

"Tinanga

Canned Heat Live At Topanga

attempting to keep time withrock song"Superman""Superman"
shouldshould have
have been
beenaa smash.
smash.AC/DC,
AC/DC,
like
heavy
like soso many
many heavy
bands,getmighty
bands, get mighty
boringboring over
over thethe length
length of
of aa
stage
stage performance,
performance, but
but they
they
send
send thethe adrenalin
adrenalin countcountsoaring
the threesoaring over
overthethree minutesingle. Crass
Crass
minute single.
lyrics,lyrics, but
but aa buzz.
buzz.

B

style. Chris Welch, MM April TO

Canned Heat*:This has recently had aa long run

on the US charts certainly it's
grower. The
grower.
is yerThe B-side
B-side isyer usual
usual

aon the US charts: certainly it's a

HM blitz, with Steven Tyler's
voice
voice rather
rather like
like McCartney
McCartney thetheRocker,A-side'sRocker, but
but thethe A-side's aa real
real
surprise.
A slow,song,
surprise. A
slow, spirallingspiralling song,maturemature andand restrained,
restrained, but
but notnot H M blitz, with Steven Tyler's

yet -addictive. NME May8

yet-addictive. NME May 8

Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac

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Kiln House
House
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album, andand have
have stuck
stuck with
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since. And
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who cancan blame
blame them?
them?
in
The
is a
The soundsound isa big
big successsuccess in
thethe States,
States, even
even if
if it's
it's aa bit
bit tootooMac, who hit a new groove

Something is stirring in theoutback.
outback. Already
Already this
this year
year there
there
have
have been
beenstrong
strong single
singlereleasesreleases fromfrom down
down under
under byby
Hush-aHush -a brainlessbrainless metallic
metallic
revivalDCs sdelicate
revival ofof thethe DC5's
delicate toto bludgeon
bludgeonawful
itsawful "Glad"Glad AllAll
its way
wayontoonto thetheOver",
BritishBritish charts.
charts.
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WorldMags.net

1976

1976

SI

APRIL'^
APR\

June15-18,1976:Bob
Marley&Marley & The
The Wallers
Wailers
June 15-18,1976: Bob\

playfour nightsat theplay four nights at theHammer smith Odeon
duringtheRastaman
Rastamanduringthe
VibrationTour
Vibration Tour
Hammersmith Odeonu\WorldMags.net

68 I

197\6

68 I HISTORYHISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976\rWorldMags.net
Lot

4

y music
fi ht against

the system"
Already a songwriter andAlready a songwriter andperformer, BOB MARLEY steps

1111110'

performer,

BOB

MARLEY steps

into a new role: superstar.
"People come to me, say
into a new role:superstar.

"People come tome, say`Bob Marley, big international
artist' and I laugh," he says.
"If God had-na given mea song to sing, I wouldn't
have a song to sing."'Bob

Marley,artist' and"If GodI

big international

laugh,"

he says.

had-na givenasongto sing,me

I wouldn't

have a song to sing."-

4011111101.

MELODY MAKER JUNE 12- MELODY MAKER JUNE 12 -"Don't want success. Success mean nuttin. Plenty
people been successful, but dey still living dead.""Don't want success. Success mean nut tin'. Plenty

people been successful, but dey still living dead."Bob Marley
Boh Marley

IT'S NO ORDINARY rehearsal room, thedoor -less outhouse in the garden of Bob
Marley's house in Hope Road, Kingston,just a few minutes along from the prime

IT'S NO ORDINARY rehearsal room, thedoor-less outhouse in the garden of Bob

Marley's house in Hope Road, Kingston,just a few minutes along from the prime

minister's residence.

minister's residence.

The Wailers practise here, in a room
about twice the size of the average British lounge.
What makes it extraordinary in atmosphere is theunmistakeable feeling that when the musicians
are there, playing and smoking and planning a
concert or an album, it's as if nothing had ever
happened and they were still jamming purely for
fun, as theydid 10 years ago. With fewcares or
considerations beyond the next tune, the new
single, and not the faintest prospect ofworld tours
and hit albums.
The Waiters practise here, in a room

about twice the size of the average British lounge.

What makes it extraordinary in atmosphere is theunmistakeable feeling that when the musicians
are there, playing and smoking and planning a
concert or an album, it's as if nothing had ever

happened and they were still jammingpurely for
fun, as they did 10 years ago. With few cares or
considerations beyond the next tune, the new----

single, and not the faintest prospect ofworld tours..4and hit albums.

WorldMags.net^

WorldMags.net

1976
AP

A drum kit lies idles, an empty guitar case here, a chair or two... andwhat'sthis? Arunning
what's this?
A running order
order isis scribbled
scribbled andand stuck
stuck toto thethe wallwallreading
reading
as follows:
follows:
as"Revolution // Natty
I ShotThe Sheriff
Sheriff //"Revolution
NattyDread
Dread/ /So
So JahJah Seh
Seh // No
No Woman
Woman//1
Shot The
Talking Blues
Talking
Blues // Road
Road Block
Block // Belly
Belly Full
Full /I Jah
Jah Live
Live//Trenchtown
Trenchtown RockRock // NiceNice
Time/ Concrete
Concrete Jungle/ Midnight
Midnight Ravers
No MoreMoreTime /
Jungle // Kinky
Kinky Reggae
Reggae /Ravers // No
TroubleBend Down
Low /Trouble // Bend
Down Low/ Get
Get Up
Up StandStand Up
Up // Rat
RatRace
Race//Burnin'
Burnin' AndAnd
Lo otin' // Stir
Lootin'Stir ItItUp
Up//Duppy
Duppy Conqueror
Conqueror // Slave
Slave Driver
Driver// RockRock MyMy BoatBoat // One
One
Love
Love // ThankYou
ThankYou Lord."
Lord."On
On another
another wall,
wall, anan article
article ofoffaith-afaith- a portrait
portrait with
with thethe words:
words:"Imperial
Majesty, Emperor
Emperor
Haile
Selassie,
King
ofKings,
Kings, Lord
Lord ofofLords.""Imperial Majesty,
Haile
Selassie,KingofLords."
Incongruously, aa sticker
pinned beneath
it:it:"Album
Incongruously,
sticker isis pinned
beneath"Albumofof thethe Year
YearNatty
Natty Dread".
Dread" .
Bob
Marley lives
liveshere,
here,works
workshere,
here,plays
playshere;
here;andand ififthere's
there'sone
one thingthing
Bob Marleyabsolutely
about thethe wholeabsolutely endearing
endearing about
whole Jamaican-Rastafarian
Jamaican -Rastafarian reggae
reggae story
story
as
as ititreaches
reaches its
its British
British peak
peakwith
withBob
Bob Marley's
Marley's tour
tournext
nextweek,
week, it's
it's this:
this:whatyou
what you see,see, andand whatwhat they
they say,say, isisall
allthere
thereis.
is.There's
There'snonohidingbehindhiding behindposes,
soundofof theirwithposes, andand thethe uncluttereduncluttered soundtheir music
music runs
runs synonymously
synonymouslywith
their personalities.
personalities. The
The rehearsal
rehearsal room
room isthe opposite
opposite ofof pretentious.
pretentious.
theiris theAdrum kit lies idles, an empty guitar case here, a chair or two... and

MARLEYIS HARD to reach.

MARLEYIS HARD to reach.

I asked him first about his evident need to smoke ganja (herb), of which
heof it
it washe partakes
partakes aa pound
pound aa week,
week, andand why
why thethe smoking
smoking of
was soso dovetailed
dovetailed
into
into his
his Rasta
Rasta beliefs.
beliefs.
"Herb isis healing
healing ofa nation,"
nation," hehe said
said quietly.
quietly. "When"When yousmoke, you
you
"Herb
of a
you smoke,
don't
don't frighten
frighten so
so easy.
easy. Herb
Herb bringall
bring allbrethrenbrethren together,
together, all
all thinkingalike,thinking alike,and that's
that's why
they locklockyou
up whenwhen yousmoke herb,
herb, because
because it
makes
and
why they
you upyou smoke
it makes
peoplesame way.
way. But
thinkpeople think
think same
Butifpeople
if peopledon't
don'tsmoke
smokeherb
herbthey
theythinkdifferent
different fromfrom each
each other,other, cancan bebe told
told what
what totodo
doand
andget...
get... confused.
confused.
"In"In Babylon
Babylonwewegivegivethanks
thanksfor
forherb,
herb,and
andifwe
ifwedidn't
didn't have
have herb
herb totoeducateby fools
fools who
educate us,us, wewe bebe educatededucated by
who telltell us
us toto live
live like
like funny,
funny, like
like ininBabylon.
Babylon. Herb
Herb isisthe
the healingofa
healing of a nation,nation, Bible
Biblesaythat.
saythat. Herb
Herb comecome out
out ofofthe ground!"ground!"theDid
Did this
this contempt,
contempt, then,then, forfor materialism
materialism andand Babylon
Babylon (western(western culture)
culture)and evenfor organisedorganised society
hisandeven forsocietyrepresent
representBlackBlackPower,
Power, andanddiddidBob
Bob feel
feel his
music
music waspreachingTO
was preaching TO white
white ears,
ears, oror toto blacks
blacks about
about whites?
whites?
"My"Mymusic
music fight
fight against
against thethe system.
system. My
Mymusic
musicdefend
defendrighteousness.
righteousness. If
If
you'reyou're white
white andand you're
you're wrong,wrong, then
then you're
you're wrong;wrong; ifyou're
ifyou're blackand
black and you're
you'rewrong,
you're wrong.
wrong. People
Peopleare
arePEOPLE.
PEOPLE. Black,Godwrong, you'reBlack, blue,
blue, pink,
pink, green
green --Godmakepeople suffer
why we must
make nono rulesrules where
where mymypeople
sufferand
andthatthatwhywe
must have
have
redemption andisisnow.
Against white
white people?
people? Couldn't
Couldn't
redemption
andredemption
redemption
now. Against
saythat.
saythat. II fight
fight against
against thethe systemsystem thatthat teachteach you
you toto live
live andand die."die."
I asked him first about his evident need to smoke ganja (herb), ofwhich

Even his friends say that

Even his friends say thatstrangers, particularly
white ones, should not go to his
house unless accompanied by a face^strangers, particularly;

white ones, should not go to his

house unless accompanied by a facewhich Marley recognises. It isvirtually impossible to make an
appointment to see him, because heappears not to recognise schedules,
even for himself. But, eventually, onthat hot evening, he appeared fromthe table tennis room in his houseand walked me outside, saying hewould think better with some air.
His house is large and old andrambling, and bears the vibrations ofa commune. People drift in and out, by car
and on foot, and he waves to them all, whileremaining seated on the steps.
The house is a positive statement by
Marley. Opposite, there are some terrible
new apartments which look like prison cells,
andBob continually laughs at the fact thatthey have bars up, protecting them fromburglars. "Noway to live, no way to live!" hekeeps saying. "Must run home like mind.
which Marley recognises. It is

,kfi
&
r n

virtuallyimpossibletomakean

appointment to see him, because heappears not to recognise schedules,-

even for himself. But, eventually, onM

that hot evening, he appeared fromt

the table tennis room in his houseA

and walked me outside, saying hewould think better with some air.

A

ON
rj

His house is large and old andrambling, and bears the vibrations ofa commune. People drift in and out, by car

and on foot, and he waves to them all, whileremaining seated on the steps.

The house is a positive statement by

Marley. Opposite, there are some terrible

new apartments which look like prison cells,and Bob continually laughs at the fact thatthey have bars up, protecting them fromburglars. "No way to live, no way to live! "hekeeps saying. "Must run home like mind.

Keep open."Thus, Marley's
Thus,
Marley's home,
home, Island
Island House,
House,
inin Hope
Hope Road,
Road, Kingston,Kingston, isis openopen toto allall Keep open."comers. Especially Rastafarians.As theMarley/Wailers success gathers
momentum, so their allegiance to
Rastafarian principles becomes moreconcentrated. Every other sentence ofMarley's speech is punctuated by a reference
to Jah (God) and as he drew harder on his
cigar -sized spliff (joint) repeating:"Righteousness must cover the earth like thewater cover the sea", I had visions ofa sermon rather than a conversation,and certainly fading hopes of alucid conversation.
And yet it's too easy to dismiss theobsession with Rasta as excluding their
attachment to reality. It's impossible tocatch, first time round, everyword andcomers. Especially Rastafarians. As theMarley/Wailers success gathers

momentum, so their allegiance to

Rastafarian principles becomes moreconcentrated. Every other sentence ofMarley's speech is punctuated by a reference
to Jah (God) and as he drew harder on his
cigar-sized spliff (joint) repeating:"Righteousness must cover the earth like thewater cover the sea", I had visions of-a sermon rather than a conversation,and certainly fading hopes of alucid conversation.

And yet it's too easy to dismiss the1111111111

obsession with Rasta as excluding their
attachment to reality. It's impossible tocatch, first time round, every word andnuance of what Marley is saying, but

nuance of what Marley is saying, but

his drift is quite simple to understand, andwhile he keeps returning to his declarations
that commercial gain is not his aim, he isacutely aware of all that's happening aroundhim. His mind moves very quickly indeed,
and his powers of observation are uncanny.
his drift is quite simple to understand, andwhile he keeps returning to his declarations

June13,1976:Marleyona
riverboatn Amsterdam,
Amsterdam,
river
boat in
Netherlands, before
before that
that
Netherlands,
evening's concert
evening's
concertata
atan
nice
ice
rinkintheeastoftheCity
rink inthe east of theCity

Junel3»1976: Marleyona

that commercial gain is not his aim, he isacutely aware of all that's happening aroundhim. His mind moves very quicklyindeed,

and his powers of observation are uncanny.

WorldMags.net

70 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

70 I HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

BOB MARLEY

WorldMags.net
June 23rd.
Bristol Colston Hall

June 15th,16th.17th,111th

So his music existed for
propaganda?
He laughed
propaganda? Helaughed at
at thetheseriousness ofthe
ifseriousness
oftheword.
word. "No,
"No, if
God had-na
had-na given
song totoGodgiven meme aa songsing,
have aa songsing, IIwouldn't
wouldn't havesong toto sing.
sing.
So it's
it's notnot MY
MYmusic,
from mymy soul,soul,Somusic, fromdoingthesethings.sayingthesedoing these things, saying thesewords. II don't
words.
don't know
know about
ab outSo his music existed for

propaganda but in telling truth,and I don't deal with the wrong
things oflife, and I don't want toknow them, you... know them,and because you're not perfect
you might try to change. Don't likethe idea of propaganda, that's nothowl -and -I see it. Don't deal withdark things."
And yet many of his songs,

Hammersmith Odeon.
LondonJune
June20lh,
20th,
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Civic
Civic Hall
Hall
June
June 22nd,
22nd,
Birmingham
Odcon
Birmingham Odeon

June 241h,

Exeter University
June
June26th
26th,
Leeds
LeedsUniversity
University
June
June 27th
27th,
Vue
Manchester
Manchester Belle
Belle Vue

uneasy in the company of nonRastafarians, but not relaxedeither. He wanted to stress,

though, there was no antipathy
towards non-Rastas.

"Well, I say give a man a"Well, I say give a man aand I don't deal with the wrong

know them, you... know them,and becauseyou're notperfect

you might try to change. Don't likethe idea ofpropaganda, that's not

how I-and-I see it. Don't deal with

I said, were laced with stabs at
various inequalities.
variousinequalities."Bellyful","Bellyful",forrely afor example,
example, was
was susurelya
I said, were laced with stabs atchance if he's not Rasta. The
Bible
Bible full
full ofstoriesofpeopleof stories of people notnottreated rightnot believing.
believing.
treatedright forfor not
Problem
Problem isis notnotwithwith people
peoplewho areare not
not inin touch
touch withwith
who
Rasta,
Rasta, but
but withwith people
people whowhoare
are once
once Rasta
Rasta andand thenthen have
have
left
left itit andand have
have toto go
go backback toto it.
it.
These
These cancan bebe difficult
difficult and...
and...
confused people."
people."confused
Propaganda for
Propaganda
for
Rastafarianism
Rastafarianism waswaschance if he's not Rasta. The

things of life, and I don't want to

And yet many of his songs,

with the people and theirvibrations. He felt-well, notpropaganda but in telling truth,

dark things."

easilyhave something to dowith the people and theirvibrations. He felt -well, notuneasy in the company of non Rastafarians, but not relaxedeither. He wanted to stress,
though, there was no antipathy
towards non -Rastas.
easily have somethingto do

Bsb Mari*"andsad Ik*theW.*ler«
Wiliers
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ItAttostan Vibration
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*

commentary on the starvationof some as compared with theabundant wealth of others?

something he admitted,

commentary on the starvation

somethinghe admitted,

of some as compared with the

if not for black repression.

if not for black repression.
Are youAre
you trying
trying to
to makemakeabundant wealth of others?

audiences
Not exactly, Marley answered.
audiences outside
outside
BOB
MARLEYBOB MARLEY
It"You
Jamaica
It waswasmoremoresubtle
subtlethan
than thatthat--"YouJamaica appreciate
appreciate what
what
&
& THE
THE WAILERS
WAILERS
Rastafarianism
standsfor?
for?
belly's full,
full, but
but we're
we're hungry
hungry for
Rastafarianism stands
belly'sfor"Yeh,mon,Rastaman
Rastaman Vibration
Vibration gonna
gonna cover
cover the
the
your
"
Yeh, mon,your LOVE
LOVEofofyouryourbrethren.
brethren. Food's
Food'sininyouryourstomach,stomach,01
earth!
but cannot
butcannot you
you seesee there
there isis moremore toto living
living than
than filling
filling
earth! Jah
Jah say:say: until
until thethe philosophy
philosophy which
which places
places one
one
COPV
it?
Where's thethe love
love forrace
and oneone race
it?Where's
for your
your brother?"brother?"race superior
superior andrace inferior
inferior isis finally
finally andandWIP6265 A
ttlPi u)1 1
No, heheaverred,averred, ititwasn't
wasn'tentirely
entirelyamaterialistica materialistic
permanently discreditedNo,
permanently
discredited andand abandoned,
abandoned, then
then we
we
ONW
commentary,
more a
a sad
ofthe
won't
won't have
have nocommentary, more
sad declaration
declaration oftheno peace.
peace.
"Babylonbankruptcy of
believing thatthat everything
everything ended
ended"Babylon believe
believe inin divide
divide andand rule,rule, but
but Rasta
Rasta oneone
bankruptcy
of believing
with
But heway
do itwith self-gratification.
self -gratification. But
he waswas positively
positively notnot
way only,
only, thethe right
right way,
way, andand wewe cancan doit butbut itit taketake
JAM LIVE
longer.
playing aa role.
role.Asked
ifhe
feltanyanyresponsibility
as thethelonger. We
Wehavehaveredemption
redemption now,
now, nobody
nobody cancan stop
stop it..."it..."
playing
Asked if
he felt
responsibility as
moststar reggae
reggae had
had produced,
produced, hehe said:
said: "I"I don't
Marleyofthe
Bible every
Marley said
said hehe readread aa chapter
chapter ofthe Bible
every day,
day,andandmost popular
popular star
don't
think
think about
about it,it, you
you know.
know. Too
Toobusy
busyworking.
working. People
People comecome totobased hisbased
his belief
belief on
on that,that, including
includinghis
his diet.
diet. He
He isisaavegetarian,vegetarian,me,althoughthat isis notRastafarianism. He
me, say,
say,'Bob'BobMarley,
Marley,bigbiginternational
international artist,'
artist,' andand II laugh.
laugh. IIdon't
don't
although that
not aaprerequisite
prerequisite ofofRastafarianism.
He didn't
didn'tknowwhatmean more
more people
people listen,listen, enjoy
enjoy music,
music, then
then
drink, hehe said,
said, because
because ititwas
obvious thatthat pumping
pumping chemicals
chemicals into
into hishisknowwhat that
thatmean.
mean.If
Ifit
it meandrink,
was obvious
good.
all."
bodywould
him ill.
ill. "Alittle
good. That's
That's all."body would makemake him"A littlewine,
wine,sometimes,"
sometimes," hehereflected.
reflected.
Still,of reggae
Still, hehehadhadbeenbeen watching
watching thethe adoption
adoption of
reggae byby others,
others, andand hehe"The reason
reason people
people drink
totofeelwhen"The
drink isis because
becausetheywant
they wantfeelhow
howII feel
feel whenI
version oftheof the Marley
Marley song,
song,
liked
Nash's"Stir"StirIt
It Up",
Up", aliked Johnny
Johnny Nash's
a world-hit
world -hit version
I smoke.
smoke. Everybody
Everybody need
need toto getgetaalittle
littlehighhighsometimes,
sometimes,just
just thatthat somesomeand hehe waswas interested
interested inother incursions
incursions into
style, mentioning
mentioning Paulpeople get
get highhigh onon thethe wrongwrong thing.
thing. Herb
Herb does
does grow.
grow. How
HowmuchI
andin other
into thethe style,Paulpeoplemuch dodo I
Simon'ssmoke?
Simon's "MotherAnd"MotherAnd Child
Child Reunion"
Reunion" ("nice").
("nice").
smoke? Plenty."
Plenty.""See, dem
"See,
demAmerican
American players
players comecome down
down here
here andand play
playwithwith Jamaican
Jamaican
Could
Could someone
someone be
be aa Rasta
Rasta andand not
not smoke?
smoke?
musicians
who areare veryvery friendly.
"Yeh...
you believe
musicians who
friendly. Make
Make good
good records.
records. ItIthappens
happens all
all"Yeh... but
but ififyou
believe ininRasta
Rastaandand fight
fightagainst
against thethe herb,
herb, youyou
the time."
time."
arewrong.
wrong.Herb
Herbneeds
needstotobe
beunderstoodunderstood
the
are
So
to keep
properly,
Rasta, it
it isproperly, but,but, inin hands
hands ofofRasta,isthethehealing
healing
So there
there waswasno
nodetermination
determination tokeep reggae
reggaeas aawholly
whollyprivate
privatescene,
scene,andand Jamaica
Jamaica waswashappy
happy
of aanation."
nation."
as
of
"Herb
bring
for
Smokingis
Smoking is highly
highly illegal
illegal in
in Jamaica,
Jamaica, however,
however,
for thethe worldworld toto go
gointointoKingston
Kingston andand join
join in?
in?
"Nah, world
world cannot
cannot takeBob replied
repliedand Marley
repeats histhat societyis"Nah,take it,"it," Bob
andMarley repeats
his view
viewthatsociety isimmediately.
"This isis onefrightened
ofpeoplethinkingthe
same way.
way.
frightened ofpeople thinking the same
immediately. "Thisone ofofthemthemthings
things thetheall brethrenworld cannot
world
cannot take.
take.It's
It'slike
like gold
gold isis gold
gold andand silver
silver"Vampires!" he"Vampires!"he roared.
roared. "Most"Most people
people areareissilver, andand whatwhat is.
is silver,
is... imitation
can bebe seennegative
imitation canseennegative out
out there,
there, but
but Rasta
Rasta people
people think
think
together,allt'be imitation.
imitation.
positive. Most
Most people
people inin Babylon
Babylon want
want power.
power.
t'be
positive.
"So
from
Devil
"Sothetherealrealthing,
thing,nobody
nobody can
can taketakeaway
awayfrom
Devil want
want power.
power. God
God don't
don't want
want power,
power,but
but
Devil
here. You
Youhavehavetotoreally
reallycome
come ininto
tothisthis thing
thing at
at
Devil need
need power,
power, 'cos
'cos Devil
Devilinsecure."
insecure."
here.
thinking
ourto havefeel, y'know.
Insecurity
never botheredhim. Even
Even when
Insecurity neverbothered him.
when
our timetime tohave thethe feel,y'know. It's
It's art,
art, y'know,
y'know,
art. Not
Not just
just aapurposeful
purposeful thing,
thing, but
but fromfromhe travelled
travelled outside
outside Jamaica,
Jamaica, heheremained
remained
art.
he
alike
knowing.
That'swhy
why I
I-and-I
confident,
secure, positive.
positive. The
place heknowing. That's-and -Iknow
knownobody
nobody cancanconfident, secure,The only
onlyplacehetaketake it.
it. They
They cancan gogo anywhere
anywhere andand play
play funky
funky
would contemplate
would
contemplate set
settlingin,tling in, except
except Jamaica,
Jamaica,and- too
wasAfrica-thiswas
and soul,soul, but
but reggae
reggae-too hard,
hard, reggae.
reggae. Must
Must
was Africa - this wasnaturally
naturally boundbound up
up withwithhave aa bondbond with
with it.
it.TheTherealrealreggae
reggaemust
mustcome
comefrom
fromJamaica,
Jamaica,because
becausehis Rasta
Rasta convictions
convictions --but
without thesettling there,
there, he
he
have
his
but eveneven without
the prospect
prospect ofof settlingotherpeoplecouldnotplayitallthewhile,anyway-it
plannedthe day
day Marley
Marley goesother people could not play it all the while, anyway- it would
would gogo against
againstplanned aa trip
trip there
there soon.
soon. Friendssay
Friends say they
they dread
dread thegoes
their whole
whole life.
life. Reggae
Reggaehas
hast'be...
t'be... inside
inside you."there, because
because he's
such aa highly
highly charged,
charged, sensitive
sensitive man
man thatthat itit isisbound
bound
their
you."
there,
he's such
Marleywas nowtrying
to getget himself
to definereggae music
music asas clearlytoonewayway orhis beliefs.
Ma rleywas
nowtrying tohimself todefine reggae
clearly asas
to changechange his
his entire
entire attitude,
attitude, oneor thethe other,other, towards
towards his
beliefs.
possible, andand thethe nearest
nearest hecould getget waswas toto saysayit
was like
like jazz.
jazz. "Jazz"Jazz -aa
He said
said thethe systemsystem taught
taught people
people thatthat theymust live
and die,die, but
but hehe andandpossible,he could
it wasHe
they must
live andcompletemusic," hestill smoking.
"Reggae complete
too. Reggae
his brethren
did not
were totally
totally opposedcomplete music,"
he declared,declared, stillsmoking. "Reggae
complete too.
Reggaehisbrethren did
not agree.
agree. Furthermore,
Furthermore, they
theywere
opposed toto thetheis funky,isfunky,butbutit'sit'salso
alsodifferent
differentfrom
fromfunky,
funky,and
andsometimes
sometimes IIthinkfunky
think funky
worshipping of
worshippingof materialmaterial goods
goods toto thethe point
point where
where people
people inin "Babylon""Babylon"soulgoes little
little too
too farfar init tries(Bob'ssoul music
music goesin whatwhat ittries toto do.
do. Reggae
Reggae music
music isis simple,
simple, all
all(Bob'sall-embracingword
all- embracingword forforthethe centre
centre oftheof theworld's
world'sproblems)
problems) died
died
the while.
while. Different
Different fromfrom soul
soul asas well.
well.Cannot
Cannot be
be taught,
taught, that's
that's aa fact."fact."
working forfor materialmaterial objects
objects which
which would
would dodo nothingnothing toenrich their
theworkingto enrichtheir lives.
lives.
It
If he
It reliedrelied on
onaamental
mentalattitude,
attitude, hehe explained.
explained. If
he waswasdepressed
depressed andand waswas
It
Itwasn't
wasn't thatthat hepersonally
he personally renounced
renounced materiallymateriallyuseful
useful things:
things: bicycles,
bicycles,going into
into aa studio,
studio, hehe could
could notnot makemake music
music properly.
properly. But
But then,then, itit might
mightcars, were
were OKOKin
inthe
theRasta
Rastacreed,
creed,butbutthey
theyweremerely aameans
means toto an
an end.
end. »»
going
cars,
were merely
Not exactly, Marley answered.

"I Ier o bringall brethren
together, allthinking
alike"

WorldMags.net
HISTORY71
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976| 171

S-

WorldMags.net

1976

1976

r

ODEON
HAMMERSMITH
HAMMERSMITH ODEOH

JlPRlL'^API ItLONDON"If somebody gave me a spaceship, I would give it back to ^him^him because
because II could
could notnot useuse it,"it,"Marley
Marleycontinued.
continued.
Heto thatugly block
He pointed
pointed tothat ugly
block ofofnew
newhouses
housesopposite,
opposite, andandlaughed sadly.
laughedsadly. "Those"Those people
people over
over there
there areare working
workingto
to live
liveintoin aasituation
situation not
not good,
good, butbutthethe systemsystem educatededucated them
them tothinkthat
said. "People"People not
not taught
taughtthink thatis
isthe
theendendofof theirlife,"
their life," hehe said.
to
you
to be
be at
atpeacepeacewithwiththemselves.
themselves. Education
Education all
all wrong.
wrong. Put
Putyouin aa bracket
inbracket where
where youyou earearnn enoughenough money
moneytoto paypay forfor thesethesethings!" (Hepointed at
at thethe houses
houses again.)
again.)
things!"(He pointed"Well,
man to"Well,youyouhavehavetotobe
bea aRasta
Rastamantobeatbeatthethesystem,
system, andand
when
do, andwhen they
they cancan getget aa Rasta
Rasta man
man inin jail,jail, they
theydo,and thenthen they
they
try toto getget youyouback
backthere.
there. Everyone
Everyone wants
wants thethe biggest
biggest car,try
car,refrigerator,
refrigerator, crazy,
crazy, mon
mon -- this
this isis thethe systemsystem IIkeep
keeptalking
talking
about..."He started
about..He
startedto
tosingsing"Rat"Rat Race".
Race".
What
race forthe biggest
What about
about thethe racefor thethe title
title ofofthe
biggest reggae
reggae band
bandin theinthe world,world, then?
then? DidDidheheconcede
concede such
such aacontest
contest existed?
existed?
"Can'tthat," heheanswered,convincingly."I"I-and-I,"Can't saysaythat,"answered, convincingly.
-and -I, andandmyonly answer
answerto
tomyselfmyselfandandto
toJah.
Jah. If
If de
my brethren,brethren, only
de Waiters
Wailersaresomebody,
are inin somesome race,
race, we
wemustmust have
have been
been put
put there
there bybysomebody,but not
not us."us."
butHowabout
thefuture
futureof
oftheband,
Bob? Does
Does itit planHowabout thethe band, Bob?
plan totochange,progress inin anyanyforeseeablechange, progress
foreseeable way?
way?
"When
the jobhas
hasbeenbeendonedonethat"When II feel
feelthat
thatthejob
that I I-and-I-and -I have
have
been
been sent
sent toto do,
do, I
I-and-I-and -Ipack
packitit up,"
up,"hehestatedstated firmly.
firmly. When
When
would
be? "When"When I
I feelwhen JabJah tells
would thatthat be?
feelsatisfied
satisfied andandwhen.
tells me
me
II am
be at
at thethe endend ofam finishedfinished with
with this
this work.
work. ItIt might
mightbeof thetheAmerican visit,
the English
English visit
visit--1I will
will know
knowthatthat when
when asas
Americanvisit, oror themany
as possible
have learned
what we
we have
many people
people as
possible havelearned what
have toto say."say"
When
When thethe systemsystem isis challenged?
challenged?
"Systemto go,""System boundbound togo,"heheanswered.
answered.
The personal
personal manager
MarleyisJamaican -born Don
DonThemanagerofof BobBob Marleyis Jamaican-born
Taylor,who
Taylor,whohashasworked
workedwith
withTarn
Tamla
la Motown
Motown in
inDetroit,
Detroit, andandespecially closelywithMarvin
LittleAnthony,
Marthaespeciallycloselywith
Marvin Gaye,
Gaye, Little
Anthony, Martha
ReevesMarleyfor
for aayear,
Reeves andand Chuck
Chuck Jackson.
Jackson. He's
He's managed
managed Marleyyear,
and sayssays hehe waswas warned
warned against
against taking
taking on
on BobBob bybylocals
locals who
whoanddescribed
Marley as
described Marleyas aa "problem,"problem, difficult
difficult character".
character".
"What"What you
you must
must remember,"remember," said
said Taylor
Taylor one
one day
day asas hehe"Ifsomebody gave me a spaceship, I would give it back tocontemplated the escalating Marley storyyet again, "is that
Bob's sharper than all of us. Right now, he's getting to theposition he was in 10 years ago, of nottrustingpeople, andthat's a pity. Lots of people hangaround the studios, forinstance, saying theyare broke and askinghim for 10
dollars just like they used to. He always used to givefriends dollars if they needed it, but nowthe whole world
seems to be joining in.
"Maybe it's because there's jealousy in this town because
Bob's the one who made it, and people are out to take him
fora ride. This is real bad, y'know- theyshould realise that
he's made it possible for everyone to make it. Instead, people
are talking behind his backand speaking all this crap about
selling out. Listen, the same guyswho knew Marley when
he was in Trenchtown are talking behind his back now, andit's sickening..."Bob Marley, he declared, knew all about the rats and theroaches of Trenchtown living. "He also knows all those oldslogans about no money, no jobs, no future. Well, Marley's
giving them a future."
Flying out of Kingston next day aboard Air Jamaica,
I asked the hostess her views on reggae, Rastafarianism
and Bob Marley. She was about 23, a black Jamaican.
"Rastafarianism?
Oh, it's quite
popular but only
contemplated the escalating Marley story yet again, "is that
Bob's sharper than all of us. Right now, he's getting to theposition he was in 10 years ago, of not trusting people, andthat's a pity. Lots of people hang around the studios, forinstance, saying they are broke and asking him for 10
dollars just like they used to. He always used to givefriends dollars if they needed it, but now the whole world
seems to be joining in.

"Maybe it's because there'sjealousy in this town because

Bob's the one who made it, and people are out to take him

for a ride. This is real bad, y'know-they should realise that

he's made it possible for everyone to make it. Instead, people
are talking behind his back and speaking all this crap about
selling out. Listen, the same guys who knew Marley when

he was in Trenchtown are talking behind his back now, andit's sickening..."Bob Marley, he declared, knew all about the rats and theroaches of Trenchtown living. "He also knows all those oldslogans about no money, no jobs, no future. Well, Marley's
giving them a future."

Flying out of Kingston next day aboard Air Jamaica,

I asked the hostess her views on reggae, Rastafarianism
and Bob Marley. She was about 23, a black Jamaican.

"Rastafarianism?

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young here. I don't
thinkreggaewill
think reggaewill
ever catch
catch on
on
ever
much.
It's reallymuch. It's
reallydance music
dance
music
fortheyoung.
for the young.
What would
would youyou
What
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like to drink?"
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purposebrings redemption to

T'S FREQUENTLY SAID that no
singlehas yetsingle artist
artist has
yetcaptured
captured thetheflagging
spirit ofof thethe '70s.
'70s. Led
Led
flagging spirit
Zeppelinand heavy
Zeppelin andheavy metal,
metal, singersinger songwriters
by thesongwriters by
the score,score, middlemiddleof-the-road
demons like
like Theof-the-road demons
The
Carpenters,
rock, folk
Carpenters, soft
soft rock,folk rock,
rock,
jazz
rock, glam
glam rock,
jazz rock,rock, electronic
electronic rock,
rock,
sham
sham rockrock and
andThe
TheChieftains
Chieftains -- it's
it's
all
all valid
valid andand honestandhonest and worthyandworthy andgoodgood ofof itsits kind.
kind. But
But it's
it's true
true toto saysay
that
has erupted
that nono oneone solitary
solitary force
force has
eruptedwhich
which cancan bebe accurately
accurately described
described asasreflecting
the heart
heart ofof thethe '70s'70s inin areflecting theameaningful
fashion, like
like The
meaningful fashion,
The Beatles
Beatles
did
did withwith the'60s.
the '60s.
The
The single
single star
star who
who comes
comes nearest
nearesttois Bobto it
it is
Bob Marley.
Marley. This
This isis partly
partlybecausebecause his
hisconcerts
concerts areare actual
actualeventsevents as
asimportant
important forfor thethe occasionoccasionasmusic heas forfor thethe music
he so
so powerfully
powerfully
projects- and partly
partlybecause,
because, byprojects -andbyvirtueof thethe fact
fact thatthathe's
he's black
black andvirtue ofandsings'70s, he's
he's
sings thethe blues
blues ofof thethe '7os,
capturing
the heatheat ofcapturing theof thethe times.
times.
The
The manman hashas aa hypnotic
hypnotic magnetism,
magnetism,
andand it's
it's thethe sure
sure sign
sign ofof aagiant
giant when
when itit
scarcelythat thescarcely mattersmattersthat
the quality
quality ofofhis
his music
musicisisoccasionallyoccasionallyrough.
rough.What
What
countsis solelycounts issolely thatthat he's
he's upup there,
there,
delivering
delivering andand communicating.
communicating.
Fortoolong,itseemsto
For too long, it seems to me,me,contemporary
music has
has failed
contemporary music
failed totoemphasiseemphasisethe
theemotionalemotionalrapport
rapportessential
essential between
between an
an artist
artist andandthe
Bob Marley
& The
The
the audience.
audience. Bob
Marley &Wailers,
Wailers, during
during their
their concerts
concerts at
at
Hammersmith
London, lastHammersmith Odeon,
Odeon, London,
last
week,
week, had
had thatthat rare
rare aura
aura ofof familiarity
familiarity
andand warmth
warmth andand heart
heart andand presence.
presence.
Feel The"Feel
The Vibes"
Vibes" said
said thethe notice
noticeT'S FREQUENTLY SAID that noWorldMags.net
ft

MarleyofBabylon,W6.

outside the Odeon, and inside, theRastaman's
Rastaman'svibrations
vibrations were
were powerful
powerful
indeed.
indeed. "Let"Let peace
peace andand love
love abide
abide inin
this
this house,"house," said
said Marley
Marley asas hehe took
took thethestage,
stage, flanked
flanked byby congas
congas draped
draped ininthethe Ethiopian
Ethiopian coloursof
colours of green,yellow
green, yellow
andand orange,orange, andand atop
atop thethe stage,stage, aa flag
flag
ofof thethe samesame persuasion
persuasion bearing
bearing aa
portraitof thethe Rastafarians'
Rastafarians'idol,
portrait of
idol,
Haile
Haile Selassie.
Selassie.
Audiences
Audiences were
were very
very mixed
mixed inincolour,colour, but
but white
white oror black,
black, all
all werewere
instantly
instantly caught
caught up
up in
inthe
the intensity
intensityofToday, ofof thethe event.
event. Today,of course,
course, Marley
Marleyisis moremorepoliticallypolitically committedcommitted toto thetheblack
black ''redemption""redemption" cause
cause than
than hehe
waswas aayear
year ago
ago whenwhen hehe played
played that
that
very
very special
special gig
gig atat thethe Lyceum,
Lyceum,London.
London. Everyone
Everyone at
at thetheHammersmith
gigs last
last week
Hammersmith gigs
week seemed
seemedpeculiarly
peculiarly aware
aware ofof thethe seriousness
seriousness ofof
Bob
Bob Marley
Marley && The
The Wailers'
Wailers' stance.
stance.
He
He camecameout,out,singing
singing "Trenchtown"Trenchtown
Rock",
away, asas thoseRock", andand wewe werewere away,
those
deceptively
deceptively simple
simple rhythmsgrippedrhythms grippedanan audienceaudience which
which immediately
immediately
abandoned
abandoned its
its seats
seats anda nd took
took totothethe floor
floor or,or, like
like me,me, stood
stood onon seatsseats
forview. "Onefor aa better
better view.
"One good
good thing
thing
about
about music,
music, when
when itit bits
hits youyoufeelfeel nono
pain"
pain," sang
sang Marley,
Marley, andand hishis message
messagewaswas accepted.
accepted.
The
as cold
The Odeon,
Odeon, aa venue
venue ascold asas thisthis
music
music isishot,
hot,often
often eats
eats artists
artists alive,
alive,
becausebecause itit isisimpossible
impossible forfor them
them totoradiateradiate much
much fromfrom thethe invisible
invisible
barrier
erected byby thethe stage.
stage. Yetbarrier erectedYetwithinwithin seconds,
seconds, Marley
Marley had
had donedone itit
audience- completely
completely enveloped
enveloped hishisaudienceandand commanded
commanded thetheentire
entire theatre.
theatre. ItIt
wasa remarkable
was .aremarkable achievement.
achievement.
outside the Odeon, and inside, the.

BOBMARLEY
BOB MARLEY

WorldMags.net
Bob Marley at the\

Bob Marley atthe

HammersmithOdeon,

Hammersmith Odeon,
where
he is
where heis seenseen toto bebe"concentrating more"concentrating moreheavily on animation
andandtheatrics"
theatrics"
heavily onanimation

4

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ODEON

ODEON Menagor:"AMMERSMITH
Tel. 01-748^081
IX,A";:rsPl'irililTp141.1)115()1-"3-4181
Philip Loivors
A.L.E.
A.L.E. LTD.

pro
pros

MARLEY. Alp.
BOB MARLEY

BOB

WAILERSWAILERSEVENING 8r0

EVENING

Wed., Jun9,16th, 1976

Wed., Ju

tli,

1976

STALLS---1'

STAL

E2.50

£2-50

BLOCK

-

BLOCK

What was equally surprising was the speed

What was equally surprising was the speedwith which he raced through his songs."Rasta-far-i!" heexclaimed after
after thethe first
first song,ta-far-i!"
he exclaimed
song,
and thethe crowd
crowd roaredroared backbackapprovingly
approvingly as
and
as he
he
sailed into:
into: "This"This morning
morning II woke
woke upsailedup inin thethecurfew... How
How many
curfew...
to crossmany rivers
rivers to
cross before
before wewetalk toto thethe boss..."boss..."C("Burnin'
And Lootin'").
Lootin'").
talk
Burnin' And
All
All Marley's
Marley's songs
songs have
have these
these cryptic
cryptic dashes
dashesso thateven when
when
demonic fury,
fury, soof purepure demonicthat evenof
youVe
you're unaware
unaware ofof thethe complete
complete storyline,
storyline,
it'ss easyiteasytoto catchcatch thethe mood.
mood. Furthermore,
Furthermore,
Marley isMarleyis nowmore heavily
now concentrating
concentrating moreheavilyon
He mayon animation
animation andand theatrics.
theatrics. He
may dress
dress
meanly, in
inred
redT-shirt
T-shirt andandordinary
ordinary denims,
denims,meanly,but hishis out-stretchedout -stretched arms,
arms, with
with hands
hands acrossbutacrossface
face inin desperation,
desperation, clenchedclenched eyes,
eyes, fingerfinger pointing to
the extreme
extreme tohome aapoint
pointing
to theto stabstab home
point
- all
all these
thesecharacteristics
characteristics are,are, if
if notnotrehearsed,
rehearsed, at
at least
leaststatements
statements ofof intent.
intent. Bob
Bob
isnow
nowworking
lines,
isworking hard
hard toto getgetacrossacross his
his lines,
as aa professional
every
every bit
bit asas seriously
seriously as
professional actor.
actor.
Head held
held back,back, hehelaunchedlaunched into
into 'Them
"Them
Head
Belly Full",Full", aa reminder
reminder that
songs
Belly
that most
most ofof hishis songs
stand up
stand
up as
as anthems
leadanthems inin themselves;
themselves; thethe leadguitar solofrom Donald
was aaguitarsolo here,
here, fromDonald Kinsey,
Kinsey, waskiller.Throughoutthe
Kinseykiller. Throughout the concerts,
concerts, Kinsey
impressed with
with guitar
guitar licks
licks thatthat absolutely
absolutely
impressed
flew, but
but raced
raced away
awaywith
their understatedunderstatedflew,with theircontrolrather than
than dabble
dabble into
into thatthat headheadcontrol rather
strong philosophy
desperate rocker.
strongphilosophy ofof thethe desperaterocker.
On"I Shot
Shot TheTheSheriff",
Sheriff", Marley's
Marley's
On "Ienunciation was
was fascinating.
enunciationfascinating. He
He roderode far
far awayaway
from thethe Eric
Clapton version,
version, relying
relying more
more
from
Eric Clapton
onon thethe potency
potency ofof thethe lyrics
lyrics than
than Clapton,
Clapton,
who took
took thethe songsong upup theon thethe chart
chart onthe crest
crest
who
of
its rhythm.
rhythm.
of itsHere, hisarm -waving as
as hehe spatspat out
out "...but"...butHere,
his arm-waving
II didn't
didn't shoot
shoot thethedeputy"
deputy" waswas immaculately
immaculately
timed,
the back-up
the II Threes
Threestimed, andand theback-up vocals
vocals ofof thewas anwasan objectlesson inand taste.
object lesson
in restraint
restraint andtaste.
(A
word about
about theThrees. They're
They're Marcia
Marcia(A wordthe II Threes.
with which he raced through his songs. "Ras-

Griffiths,

Griffiths,

Judy

Judy

HowattMowatt17

17

NO TICKET EXCHANGED

SEAT

SEAT

Y2

NOR MONEY REFUNDED
This portion ^S
to be staineddN0R MKS?

No ro-adrno s skin

and Rita
Marley.
Marley. Not
Not only
only dodo they
they look
look majestic
majestic in
in

and Rita

hottest song, all demonstrated what animmensely
immenselypowerful
powerful repertoire
repertoire thethe Wallers
Wailers
hottest song, all demonstrated what an

now have; I thought they had used up too
manywith anything
anything
many ofof thethe goodies
goodies toto encore
encore withsignificant,significant, but
but how
how wrongwrong can
can you
you be!
be!
Here,his speechHere, Marley
Marley delivereddelivered his
speech inin thetheform"Until theform ofof thethe words
words ofof Haile
HaileSelassie:
Selassie:"Untilthephilosophy
philosophy where
where oneand
one racerace stay
staysuperior
superior andtheis finallythe otherother inferior
inferior is
finally andand permanently
permanently
discredited
and abandoned,
discredited andabandoned, there
there will
will bebenono peace..."peace..."
Dancing
Dancing off
off thethe stage,stage, asas hehe hadhad donedone
severalhe hadhad assumed
several times
times thatthat night,night, heassumed thethemantlemantle ofof aa finely
finely honed
honed artist.
artist. ItIt may
may wellwell
havefrom Trenchtown,
have seemed
seemed aa long
long way
wayfrom
Trenchtown,
andand hehe maymay besongs fromfrom aa safe
be spouting
spouting songs
safe
vantagesome ofhis
vantage point,
point, which
which irritates
irritates someof hisbrethrenbrethren -- but
but atat least
least hehe isisDOING
DOING it.
it.
Forshow last
For hishisfinal
final London
London show
last.Friday,
Friday,before
beforethethe bandband took
took off
off forfor its
its provincial
provincial tour,
tour,
MarleyMarley was
was inin eveneven more
more joyous
joyous mood
mood than
than
onshow. Dancing
on thethe opening
opening show.
Dancing aroundaround thethestage,
as if
hestage, arms
arms andand dreadlocks
dreadlocks flailingflailing as
if he
had
he looked
looked andandhad been
been choreographed,choreographed, hesoundedsounded physicallyphysically tired
tired andand mentallymentallyhighhim through.
through.
high enoughenough to
to carry
carry him"Iand "No"I Shot
Shot TheThe Sheriff"
Sheriff" and"No Woman,
Woman, No
No
Cry"Cry" were
were again
again thethe musicalmusical andand spiritualspiritualpeaks,
hadpeaks, andand byby thisthis show
show thethe II Threes
Threes had
added
to
added short
short but
but cutecute individual
individual dances
dancestothert ofof several
severa I of
the sta
startof thethe songs.
songs.
Again
Again thethe audienceaudience waspoliticallywas politically
receptive,
receptive, especially
especially wailingwailing when
when Bob
Bob
sang
we
"We build! your penitentiaries... wesang "Webuildyourpenitentiaries...
build
build your
your schools..."schools..."(during(during thethe glaringly
glaringly
anti-capitalist
anti -capitalist song
song "Want"Want More").
More"). What
Whatofof thethe music?
music? Economy
Economy isisthe
thestrength
strength ofof
MarleyMarley && The
The Wailers'
Wailers' sound.
sound.Aston
AstonBarrett's
Barrett's
bass,
bass,Earl
Earl"Chinna""Chinna" Smith's
Smith's rhythm
rhythm guitar,
guitar,now have; I thought they had used up too

flowing white and Ethiopian flashes, they
deliverback-up vocal
vocal shots
deliver back-up
shots inin honeyedhoneyed tones.
tones.
As
Carltontastefuldrums
drums andand theAs always
alwayswith
withthethegreatest
greatest ofofartistry,artistry, it's
it's
Carlton Barrett's
Barrett'stastefulthepercussion
whatleave out,
percussion work
work ofof Alvin
Alvin Patterson
Patterson combine
combinewhat they
they leaveout, andand where
where they
they choose
choosetoshow, that'sforwhich doesn't
to joinjoin thethe show,that's so
so special.
special. Their
Their
on volume
lift-off which
doesn't rely
rely onfor aa lift-offvolume atat
all,cohesioncohesion andand timing
timing wasall, butbut throughthrough thethe insistence
insistence ofof thethe beatbeat
was aa pure
pure joy.)
joy.)"Reflexes
me... whatandof thethe music,
music, makes"Reflexes got
got thethebetterbetter ofof me...
what isis totoand heart-beatheart-beat ofmakes forfor
intoxication
afteraa couplebeintoxication after
couple ofof minutes.
minutes.
be mustmust be"be," sang
sang Marley,
Marley, hand
hand over
over face,
face,Marley andand thethe Wailers
Wailers grab
grab youpointing
his handhand toMarleythepointing his
to thethe audience.
audience. And
And next,
next,
you bybythe
gulletgullet andand refuse
refuse toto compromise.
compromise. No
No otherother
his handhandregularly
regularly covering
coveringonon "Want"Want More",More", his
his"They stabartistspeaks forandhis faceface asas hehedelivereddelivered thethewords:
words:"Theystab
artist speaks
for thethe timetime soeloquently, andso eloquently,
theis likethe pure
pure honesty
honesty ofof purposeyouyou inin thethe back...
back...After
After you
you getget whatwhat you
purpose is
like aa breath
breath ofofyou want,want,
dogardenair inbygarden air
in aa scene
do youyou want
want more?"more?"
scene recently
recently dominateddominated bybusiness
The blood-curdling
blood -curdlingThebusiness motives.
motives.
organ
Marleyorgan ofof Tyrone
Tyrone Downie
DownieMarley may
may wellwell bebe thetheannounced
classic
pawn
announced thethe classic
in aa Rasta
Rasta chesschess game
pawn ingame"I Shot The"No
Woman, No
and-woollyhats bearing"No Woman,
No Cry",Cry", and-woolly hatsbearing thetheSheriff" and "No
althoughRasta
although nothingnothing cancan eclipse
eclipseRasta colours,
colours, posters
posterstheandthe memory
memory ofof thisparticular
this particular
and T-shirts
T-shirts areare onon salesale atat
Woman, No Cry"
Lyceum last
lastyear,
song
year,
concerts,
song atthe
at the Lyceum
concerts, so
so thethe marketing
marketingMarleyofhas certainly
Marley did
did itit OK.
OK.
of aa cult
cult hascertainly taken
taken
were the musicalThe audienceaudience chanted
chantedThe
hold.
Whetherthat'sa
hold.Whetherthat's
a goodgood"Everything'sorthe music's
music's"Everything's gonna
gonna bebe allallor badbad thing
thing forfor theand spiritual peaks
right"
along with
futureisdebatable,buttheright" alongwith thethe song,
song,
future isdebatable, but theandmomentumwould seem
seem toand thethe simple
simple act
act ofof
momentum would
toclapping by
Threes in
mid -song was
reallyclappingby thethe II Threes
in mid-song
was reallybethe moment,
moment, though,Bob
be unstoppable.
unstoppable. For
Forthethough, Bob
something.
count...
MarleyThe Wailers
Wailers are
the mostmostsomething. It's
It's thethe littlethingsthat
little things that count...
Marley &&The
are thethe leaders,leaders,theAnd soso itit went:
went: "Lively
And
Up Yourself",
potent"Lively Up
Yourself", "Roots,"Roots,potent voice
voice toto erupt
erupt into
into thethe contemporary
contemporary
Rock,
music
past six
six years.
Rock, Reggae"
Reggae" with
with thethe II Threes'
Threes' glorious
gloriousmusic arena
arena within
within thethe past
years.
counterpoint
to Marley's
Marley's voice,voice, andand theAndhimself isis a
artist, full
And Marley
Marley himself
counterpoint tothe crowd
crowd
terrific artist,full
a terrificreallyloving thethe line:line: "You"You know,
know, mister,mister, musicof
really loving
musicof nervous
nervous intensity,
intensity, delivering
delivering thethe goods
goods
sure
good to me!"me!"
spectacularly,
music thatsure soundsoundgoodto
spectacularly, with
with aa wealthwealth ofof hothot music
that
Whetherby planning
Marley'scanevents inin
Whether byplanning oror accident,
accident, Marley's
can chillchill thethe spine
spine like
like few
few otherother events
encorewas devoted
his politicalslants.
recentyears. All
All this,
this, andand hehe hasencore wasdevoted toto hispolitical slants.
recent years.
has hishisfinger
finger"Rastaman"Rat Race"
Race" andand aon
"Rastaman Vibration",
Vibration", "Rataon thethe mood
mood ofof aa generation,
generation, too.
too.
lengthy"GetUp,Up, StandStand Up",Up", perhaps
perhaps his
his
Who
Could ask
ask more?
lengthy "Get
Who could
more? RayColeman
R ay Coleman
flowing white and Ethiopian flashes, they

"I Shot The

Sheriff" and "Nowoman, NoCry
were the musicaland spiritual peaks

WorldMags.net
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976 | 73
HISTORY
73

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WorldMags.net

1976
P"It's goingto spreadeverywhere"
CHRIS BLACKWELL
CHRIS

BLACKWELL-

didn't invent BOB

didn't invent BOB

MELODY MAKER JUNE 12- MELODY MAKER JUNE 12 -MARLEY, but he did

OVING AROUND REGGAE circles in Kingston, Jamaica,

MARLEY, but he did

MOVING AROUND REGGAE circles in Kingston, Jamaica,

it's easy to sense uneasiness about the commercial
bandwagon to which some of the music is hitched.
There's generally delight that Bob Marley has "made it",but still a suspicion that musicians had better be wary of=Armopportunistic record businessmen from America andBritain, who see the music as a current fad, to be exploited quickly and thendropped just as speedily when all the dollars have been drained off.
Such is the love and dedication of many of the players that they are loath tosign anything. The rumours of rip -offs are to be heard everywhere, and "trust"is not a word uttered anywhere. The attitude is understandable, yet also s elfdefeating, because the very thing wanted by musicians who know full well thatthey have "it" is, indeed, commercial success and international recognition.
What they all seek to help them, therefore, is that rare animal, a combination
between genuine fan and shrewd businessman. Someone who can exercise
discretion in weighing up the music, and who can bring a little, say, taste into
the business end. Chris Blackwell has these attributes. He's head of Island
it's easy to sense uneasiness about the commercial

believe in him andbelieve in

him andbandwagon to which some of the music is hitched.

There's generally delight that Bob Marley has "made it",fund him. In Jamaica,
the Island Records
owner explains how
and why. "I don't wantto sound too cleverabout this," he says,"but it's a mistake tofund him.

the

In Jamaica,

Islandbut still a suspicion that musicians had better be wary ofopportunistic record businessmen from America andRecords

Britain, who see the music as a current fad, to be exploited quickly and thendropped just as speedily when all the dollars have been drained off.

owner explains how

Such is the love and dedication of many of the players that they are loath tosign anything. The rumours of rip-offs are to be heard everywhere, and "trust"and why."! don't want

is not a word uttered anywhere. The attitude is understandable, yet also self-

defeating, because the very thing wanted by musicians who know full well thatto sound too cleverabout this,"they have "it" is, indeed, commercial success and international recognition.

What they all seek to help them, therefore, is that rare animal, a combination

he says,

between genuine fan and shrewd businessman. Someone who can exercise

discretion in weighing up the music, and who can bring a little, say, taste into

"but it's a mistake tothe business end. Chris Blackwell has these attributes. He's head of Island

Records. His name will be identified by all reggae fanciers, not only as the
producer
ofmuchmuchofof BobBob Marley's
Jamaicanproducer ofMarley's work,
work, but
but also
also asas aa projector
projector ofofJamaicanmusic
its days
music since
since its
days ofof purepure novelty
novelty value.
value.
When Millie's
Lollipop" waswas aa smash
smash hit
hit inin 1964,
Blackwell- a white
white
When
Millie's "MyBoy"My Boy Lollipop"
1964, Blackwell-a
Jamaican
who hadier- ran
Jamaican who
had arrived
arrived inin.London
Londontwo
twoyears
yearsearl
earlier-ran
the Sue
Sue label.
label. (Incidentally,(Incidentally, itit was
was onon Blackwell'sBlackwell's classy
classythelittlelittle Sue
Sueoperation
operation thatthat The
The Beatles
Beatles originallyoriginally(U 1976
RacordaL«d.
Aimed* Lid.
1571lalandIt
planned toand funky, just
justplannedto modelApple:
model Apple: "Small"Small andfunky,
JOHNNYWASJOHNNY WAS
liketold me.)like Sue,"
Sue,"George
GeorgeHarrison
Harrison once
once toldme.)yVibrillon" IL-13,1SA
From
L-35,153
FromthaOn lalandlolorldAlbum
Album"Raalaman"Rislamen Vibration"(R.
(Rondor)/M, Marlay)
Money) ITIondo0
Blackwell had grown up in Jamaica
Blackwellhadgrownupinjamaica
M
subconsciously/'
K-6428subconsciously realisingthe
realising the fermenting
fermenting
11X49300
Records. His name will be identified by all reggae fanciers, not only as theunderestimate artists."

underestimate artists."

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musical culture, but not untilhe reached
Britain did he fully appreciate the long-range
potential for the music. x.
Britain did he fully appreciate the long-range
potential for the music.

1

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WorldMags.net
74
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
74 II HISTORY(3.46)

musical culture, but not until he reachedm

IRE WA11ERS
RiLERS
BOB
MAR!IYBOB mArt!
EY & THE
Bob Marlay
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"Ifeel that Island has
been
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beenrather
ratherlike
Atlantic,n theonlycompanythat
theonly companythatj" decidedtobuildartists"
decided to build artists";ii Chris
Chris BlackwellBlackwell inin"IfeelthatIsland has

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Today, he is acknowledged as a sort of father figure of reggae's success,livingliving testimony,
testimony, perhaps,
perhaps, totothe
theidealism
idealisminherent
inherent inin allallmusiciansmusiciansthat
that
they
eat it.
it.
they cancan have
have their
their cake
cake andand eat
In Blackwell,Blackwell,art
artmeetsmeetsmoney
money andand survives.
survives.
In
CuriouslyBlackwell did
when theCuriously enough,enough, Blackwell
did not
notknowMarleyknow Marleywhen
the two
two menmen
lived inin lamaica.
Jamaica. Chris
but not
did BlackwellBlackwell
lived
Chris had
had heard
heardofofBob,
Bob, butnot until
until 1971
1971 didmake
make contact
contact with
with him,
him, when
when both
both were
were inin London.
London.
Together, they've
they've forged
forged aakind
Together,kind ofofmusical
musicalrevolution
revolution since
since aa first
first
meeting
at Island's
nowis
meeting at
Island's Basing
Basing Street
Street studios,studios, andand their
their rapport
rapport now
iscomplete. Talking
Talking toto eacheachmanman separately,
separately, one
complete.
one becomes
becomes aware
aware ofof
apeculiar
relationshipof
oftrust,yet not
not ofofwarmth.
Blackwell has
a peculiar relationshiptrust, yetwarmth. Blackwellhas
masterminded an
tomastermindedanincredible
incredibleoperation
operationwhich
whichhas
has hoisted
hoisted Marley
Marley tothethe top
top ofof thethe reggae
reggae tree,
tree, soso thatthat now
now hehe isisfaced
facedwithwiththetheinevitable
inevitablequestion of:which way
way now
now andand how
how dodo wewefacefaceaafuture
futureeven
eventrickier
trickierquestionof: whichto give a lot of money to convince them you know and believe, and that's
what
did withwith Bob
Bob Marley.
what!I did
Marley.
II knewit
It's aa weirdknew itwas
wasgoingto
going tohappen
happen eventually.
eventually. It's
weird way
way toto work,
work, andand
hard
but it's
it's about
hard forfor thetheaccounts
accounts department,
department, but
about music,
music, andand music
musiccannot
cannotalwaysalways be
be defined
defined inin purely
purely logicallogical terms.
terms.

Today, he is acknowledged as a sort of father figure of reggae's success,to give a lot of money to convince them you knowand believe, and that's

Do you see your personal role as the music business's populariser of
reggae? Did you feel evangelical about it years ago, or do you feelthat
Do you see your personal role as the music business's populariser of

reggae? Did you feel evangelical about it years ago, or do you feel thatway now? No, not at all, I just love it. I understand it well, always have done,
II think,
think, andand I'mI'm ableable totohelphelpititalong
alongatatthis
thisimportant
important time
time because
because 1I also
alsoknowtheside ofof theSo far,know the rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll side
the business.
business. So
far,I'veI'vebeen
beenthetheperson
person most
most
able
- well,put
putit
it across.
across. But
But I
I thinkit.
able toto-well,think aa lot
lot moremore people
people will
will comecome into
into it.

way now? No, not at all, I just love it. I understand it well, always have done,

Do you think this is reggae's beginning rather than the middle part?
I think it's the beginning, but I hope the beginning really gets started,because at the moment the scene has a crazy-ish feel to it, which is very

Do you think this is reggae's beginning rather than the middle part?

than the past, artistically speaking?
Marley, however, though not a man to emit emotion with muchcandour, was laying himself on the line, by his own standards, when hesaid to me without any prompting: "Chris Blackwell do good for reggae.
Do much to encourage musicians, and no bad deals."than thepast, artistically speaking?

I think it's the beginning, but I hope the beginning really gets started,

Marley, however, though not a man to emit emotion with muchbecause at the moment the scene has a crazy-ish feel to it, which is very

dangerous. It would be terrible if the people who are very good don't getaoff.
a chance
chance toto comecome out
out before
before reggae
reggae as
as aasubject
subject becomes
becomes written
written off.

candour, waslayinghimselfontheline,byhisown standards, when hedangerous. It would be terribleifthe people who are very good don't get

said to me without any prompting: "Chris Blackwell do good for reggae.
Do much to encourage musicians, and no bad deals."

Blackwell jet -hops round the world these days, but the Blackwell inswimming
trunksdrinking
drinkinglime
limejuiceat thethe poolside
poolsideofa
swimming trunks
juice atof a Kingston
Kingston hotel
hotel
is different
different fromfrom thethe manman ofaction inbigger cities.
cities.
isof actionin bigger
Yes,heheagreesagrees herelaxed andand athome here
in Kingston,Kingston, even
even
Yes,
he feels
feels relaxedat homehere inthough nowadays
thoughnowadays it
it feels
feelsrather
ratherheady
headyreturning
returning totosuchsuchteaming
teaming
intensity.
helivedintensity. When
When helived here,
here, there
there waswas scarcely
scarcely any
any local
local scene,
scene, which
which
was precisely
precisely thethe reason
reason hewashe left.
left. Now,
Now,thethetown
townisisawash
awashwithwithmusic,
music,and
and
heofwhathad achievedachievedwith
withMarley.
Marley. "He"He will
he waswas proud
proud ofwhat his
his company
company had
will bebebigger than
than Hendrix,"
Hendrix," hehe declares.
declares.
biggerBlackwell jet-hops round the world these days, but the Blackwell in

And how do you view other record companies' activities in reggae? Well,itwelcome ait depends
depends on
on whowho they
they areareandandwhatwhat they
they do.
do.I Icertainly
certainlywelcomea CBS
CBS ororan
A&M or
Warner Brothers
into reggae
reggae if
if theyan Atlantic
Atlantic or
or an
anA&M
oraaWarner
Brothers coming
coming into
they
would
sign. AndAnd thewould really
really getgetbehindbehind andand promote
promote whichever
whichever artist
artist they
theysign.
thesmall
small basic
basic reggae
reggae labels
labels which
which have
have always
always existed
existed inin England
England play
play aavery
part inin exposing
were, unknown
very important
important part
exposing all
all the,the, asasititwere,
unknown artists.
artists.
II agreethat tries
tries toto do
do aagree with
with any
any record
record company
company thata job,
job,getgetbehindbehind thetheartists
to whomwith labels
artists towhom they
they should
should be
be committed.
committed. II only
only getgetangryangrywithlabelsthatup something
somethingbecause
becausethey
theyfeel
feel it's
it's thetothat pick
pickupthe rage,
rage, andand they
they plan
plan tothrow
the regular
throw out
out reggae
reggae as
as "releases""releases" with
with thethe rest
restofofthe
regular rockrockalbums.
albums.
And how do you view other record companies' activities in reggae? Well,

Do you feel Marley would have warmed to you and to Island Records ifyouthinkitit goesgoes roundthe otherotherway.
way. In
you had
had not
not been
been aa Jamaican?
Jamaican? II thinkround theIn
many cases
manycases aa record
record company
company does
does not,not, oror eveneven cannot,
cannot, add
add a
a lot
lot to
to an
an
act's
but I
I knowthat
in thisthis case
case II was
act's long-termlong-term future,
future, but
knowthat in
was ableable totocommunicate
with Bob
Bob andcommunicate withand aa large
largepart
part ofofthe
theearly
earlyrelationshiprelationship waswas
based onon mymy needneed toto eliminate
eliminate his
his mistrust
mistrust andand lack
lackofofunderstanding
understanding
basedof whatwhat IIwas
wasplanning.
planning.
of
II know
know this
this will
will soundsound like
like I'm
I'm believing
believing inin mymy ownown publicity,
publicity, but
but thethefact
is thatthat thatthat assurance
assurance for
could notnot have
have comefact isfor Bob
Bob could
come fromfrom just
just anybody.
anybody.
IfhadnotnotbeenbeenJamaican,
Jamaican, with
with some
If IIhadsome sort
sort ofof knowledge
knowledge ofof thethe local
local
situation, II don't
don'thonestly
honestlybelieve
situation,
believe any
any otherother company
company could
could have
have comecomealong andand got
got thethe samesame results.
results.
along

Do you feel you have changed or diluted Bob Marley and the Wailers'
music
music inin ordertogetabiggeraudience?Not
order to get abigger audience? Not diluted,
diluted, no,
thingno, II don't.
don't. The
The thingpeoplerealiseabout
aboutBob
Bob Marley
Marley andpeople must
must realise
and thethe Wailers
Wailers isis thatthat they
they could
could
never
to do
do anything
theydid
didnotnotbelieve
believe in,in, soso thereis nonever bebe persuaded
persuaded toanything they
there isnosense in
in whichwhich I,or they,
sense
I, or
they, could
could properly
properly bebeaccusedaccused ofofmanipulation
manipulation ofof
theor thethe musiciansmusicians or
the public.
public.
On
On Catch
CatchAA Fire,Fire,IIdeliberately
deliberatelytried
tried toto putput something
something into
intoitit whichwhichI1 felt
felt
they could
they
could relate
relate to,to, withwith rockrockmixes
mixesrather
ratherthan
than reggae
reggae mixes
mixes andand thethebass heavier
heavier up
upfront
frontandandmoremorethings
thingshappening
happening on
bass
tried toon top.
top. IIsimply
simplytriedtogetthat wasway but
get from
fromthethemusiciansmusicians something
something thatwas basicallybasically there
there any
anywaybut
wasn't coming
producer exists
wasn'tcoming out.
out. That's
That's what
what aa producer
exists for.
for.

Exactlywhat was it, then, that clinched your relationship and madeWhat did Marley and the others think of your attitude, which must have

Do you feel Marley would have warmed to you and to Island Records if

Do you feel you have changed or diluted Bob Marley and the Wailers'

What did. Marley and the others think ofyour attitude, which must havebeen motivated by a commercial ear? Theywere very happy with it. But it
wasn't a "let's get success" move, just a natural progression. Catch A Firewas not a commercially successful album, wasn't considered rootsy
enough, perhaps.

Exactly what was it, then, that clinched your relationship and madeit work, bearing in mind. Marley's suspicions? I like to think that Bob
Marleycame toto us
us andand stayed
stayed with
with us
us because
because hehe andand hishis bandband could
could seesee
Marley camewe
we loved
lovedtheir
theirmusic,
music,believedbelievedininthem,
them,andandmostmostimportant,important, would
would stay
stay
with
them.
with them.
it work, bearing in mind Marley's suspicions? I like to think that Bob

been motivated by a commercial ear? They were very happy with it. But it
wasn't a "let's get success" move, just a natural progression. Catch AFire
was not a commercially successful album, wasn't considered rootsy
enough, perhaps.

I mean, Island Records has invested over $200,000 in the band, so that'ssome act of faith. Reggae artists are not used to that level of money, quite
naturally, and the difficult thing is that they sometimes tend to equate
the amount of space they get, say, in the Melody Makerwith the amount ofmoney they should be getting.
For example, David Bowie might get a full -page article, and a reggae
artist who has not earned any money might also get a full -page article formusical reasons, rather than commercial reasons, and straight away the
reggae musician will say something like, "Hey, where are my royalties forthe amount of space they get, say, in the Melody Makerwith the amount of

Did you sense with that album that certain purists would say Marley
was heading towards "selling out"? Sort of, yes, You always get thatbacklash of feeling when an artist has a kind of-well, destiny. But I'mquite happy even looking back on what happened, because what needed

money they should be getting.

to
to be
be donedone waswas done.
done.

I mean, Island Records has invested over $200,000 in the band, so that'ssome act of faith. Reggae artists are not used to that level of money, quite
naturally, and the difficult thing is that they sometimes tend to equate

Did you sense with that album that certain purists would say Marley

was heading towards "selling out"? Sort of, yes. You always get thatbacklash of feeling when an artist has akind of-well, destiny. But I'mquite happy even looking back on what happened, because what needed

For example, David Bowie might get a full-page article, and a reggae

artist who has not earned any money might also get a full-page article formusical reasons, rather than commercial reasons, and straight away the

reggae musician will say somethinglike, "Hey, where are my royalties for

100,000 sales?"So unlessunless you're
you're really
reallysure,sure,youyoucancanendendup
upgiving
givingthem
themadvancesadvancesSoor payingroyalties forfor records
that willnever
neverbebesold.
sold. It's
It's aa veryorpaying them
them royalties
records thatwillvery
100,000 sales?"delicate business, but sometimes when you are convinced, you just havedelicate business, but sometimes when you are convinced, you just havecircles

Kingston.

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When
it sayssays ononan
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album "Produced"Produced byhris BlackwellBlackwell andand thethe
Wailers", what
does thatpreciselymean?
mean?
Well, forfor example,
on Catch
Wailers",
what doesthat precisely
Well,
example, on
CatchA
Fire,withwithallallthethetracks
tracksrecorded
recorded inin Jamaica,
Jamaica, IIwasn't
wasn't here.
here. They
Theywere
AFire,
were
producedby
by thethe Wailers
Wailers themselves.
Then Bob
Bob Marley
Marley cameproducedthemselves. Thencame toto England
Englandwithwhat we
did together
was put
with thethe tracks
tracks andand inin England
Englandwhat
we didtogether was
put onon thethe otherother
instrumentslead
guitarsomethings,
things,Moog
Moog here,
here, organ
instruments-lead
guitarononsomeorgan onon otherotherthings.
things. Then
Then I
1 would
would actuallyactually mix
mixitit with
with Bob.
Bob. OnOnthe
the second
second album,
album,
almostallthe
almostall the—stuffwasstuff was done
done
in Jamaica,inJamaica, but
but
overdubbedin
overdubbed
inEngland,England, andand
we wereall
wewere alltogether again,
again,
togethermixing andmixingandremixing.
My
remixing. My

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ISLAND RECORDSISLAND
RECORDSWorldMags.net
With the general feeling among reggae purists that reggae has or mightsoon sell out, exactlywhat do you think the musicians can do tocounteract against that possibility? I think the musicians generally feelso strong today, and they must know that what theyhave is what iswanted, that I can't see it possible that theywill get dumped by anybody,perhaps extending a track, saying this track is really good, maybewe
shouldit, doshould put
put moremore colour
colour into
into it,
do itit again,
again, maybe.
maybe. But
But now,
now, asas always,
always, the
the
basic
basic roots
roots ofof thethe music
music have
have always
always rested
rested with
with Bob
Bob Marley
Marleyandand thethe
Wailers. On
On thisthis latest
latest album,
album, they've
they've done
done allthe stuff.
stuff.
Wailers.
all theperhaps extendinga track, sayingthistrackis really good, maybe weWith the general feeling among reggae purists that reggae has or mightsoon sell out, exactly what do you think the musicians can do tocounteract against that possibility? I think the musicians generally feelso strong today, and they must know that what they have is what iswanted, that I can't see it possible that they will get dumped by anybody,

Did you envisage in your early associations with reggae its influence on
the mainstream of popular music, with the adoption of the style by Paul
Simon, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder? I do know that when I firstsigned the Wailers, what I wanted to do urgentlywas get their records tomusicians. Because ! really felt the correct way to break them would be bygetting them respected among other players.
The musicians were so unusually strong, instrumentally, that I fully
expected other artists to get as hung up as I had become on basslines,
things like that. Often a musician would say, 'Well, ah, it needs to havesomething more going, you know. It's loud and boring.' But I'd have toargue that that's not the music, really, it's a controlled sort of sound.

if
you seeseewhatwhat IImean.
mean.
if youThese
peoplehave
havea
a lot
lot toThese people
to offer
offer today.
today. ItIt boils
boilsdown
down toto really
really caringfor
caring forartists:
artists: when
when I1 gave
gave Bob
BobMarley
MarleyandandthetheWailers
Wailersthat
thatfirst
firstcash
cash advanceadvance totogopeoplesaid
saidII was
was madmad andand II could
kiss goodbyetogo andand makemake anan album,
album, people
could kissgoodbye toit.
it. They
They reckoned
reckoned I'dI'd getgetaacallcallfrom
fromJamaica
Jamaicasaying
sayingthey'dthey'dfinishedfinished three
three
trackstracks andand runrun out
out ofof money,money, end
end ofof story.
story. IIdon't
don'twant
wanttotosoundsound too
too clevercleverabout all
all this,
this, but
but it's
it'salways
alwaysaamistakemistaketotounderestimate
underestimate artists.
artists.
about

Did you envisage in your early associations with reggae its influence on

the mainstream of popular music, with the adoption of the style by Paul
Simon, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder? I do know that when I firstsigned the Wailers, what I wanted to do urgently was get their records tomusicians. Because I really felt the correct way to break them would be bygettingthem respected among other players.

The musicians were so unusually strong, instrumentally, that I fully

expected other artists to get as hungup as I had become on basslines,

How convinced were you, on that rust meetingwith Marley, of any
charisma attached to the man?Right from the start, when he walked into
my office above the Basing Street studios. It wasn't apparent in his othertwo musicians at the time, though it is now, but at that moment I realised
he has a special... presence.

things like that. Often a musician would say, 'Well, ah, it needs to have

How convinced were you, on that first meeting with Marley, of any

something moregoing, you know. It's loud and boring.' But I'd have tocharisma attached to the man? Right from the start, when he wal ked into

argue that that's not the music, really, it's a controlled sort of sound.

my office above the Basing Street studios. It wasn't apparent in his othertwo musicians at the time, though it is now, but at that moment I realised

In those early days, and we're only talking of say four years ago, wereyouof thethe music?
Itwas
you awareaware ofoftthehe politicalpolitical stancestance ofmusic? It
was impossible,
impossible, asasa Jamaican,
Jamaican, tobe unaware
unaware of
it.
a
to be
ofit.
In those early days, and we're only talking of say four years ago, were

a. 1'
i

Do you see the strength of the music today as in its
messageratherthan
thanasasdancedancemusic?IfIfyou
you aremessage rather
music?
are aablack
black Jamaican
Jamaican andand you
you come
come fromfrom Trenchtown,
Trenchtown, or
or if
if
your
your friends
friends comecome fromfrom Trenchtown,
Trenchtown, andand you
you areare
writing
yourown
own songs
songs andand producing
producing reggae
reggae music,
music,
writingyour
thethe natural
natural source
source ofyour
ofyour music
music isyour
is yourenvironment.
environment.
Reggae musiciansmusicians here
here feel
feel ostracised
ostracised byby societysociety
Reggaeat large.
atlarge. It's
It'sstill
stillvery
verymuchmuchundergroundunderground music,
music,
really.
really. We
Weallallknowknowthatthat Bob
Bob Marley
Marley andand thethe Wailers
Wailers
are huge,huge, but
but itit hasn't
hasn't got
got throughthrough on
level
are
on everyevery levelout
out here.
here.
Do you see the strength of the music today as in its'

he has aspecial... presence.

ar 074e tt al arc

'
///

U

koeit Ram.
✓//

As a Jamaican, do you feel mentally at one withthethe music,
music, thatthat this
this isis my
my country's
country's soundsound andandthearrival ofa giant
giant starstarlike
akind
kind
the arrivalof alikeMarley
Marley isis aofnationalistictriumphforyou?Well,of nationalistic triumph for you? Well, II definitely
definitely
feel
feel it's
it'sthethe music
music ofofJamaica.
Jamaica. If
If only
only thethe people
people ininsocietysociety atat large
large here
here would
would realise
realise it!
it! It's
It'soriginal
original
andand it's
it's going
goingtotospreadspreadeverywhere
everywhereandandcertainly
certainly
As a Jamaican, do you feel mentally at one with

I feel a pride.

I feel a pride.

I'm really pleased to have something to dowithis absurd
you can'twith it.
it. But
Butititreally
reallyisabsurdthat
thatyou
can't hearhearaa notenote ofofreggae
reggaemusic
music inin thisthis hotel,
hotel, except
except on
on thetheradio occasionally.
occasionally.
radio
It's
It's going
going totobreakbreak here,
here, though,though, this
this year,
year,
above -ground. When
Jamaica inabove-ground.
WhenII left
left Jamaica
in 1962,1962,
thethe biggest-sellingbiggest -selling album
album inin Jamaica
Jamaica ever
ever waswas
TheStudent
Student PrincehyMano
Prince by Mario Lanza,
Lanza, andand to
to be
be an
an
The
intellectualmusiclover
lover was
was toto tunein toto Andy
intellectual musictune inAndy
Williams. It
Williams.
It takes
takes aalong,
long, long
long time
time toto changechangepublic taste
publictaste really
really drastically.
drastically.
I'm really pleased to have something to do

210\

enithefif Mar
/

/

f.

Do you agree with Bob Marley that many
reggaereggae musiciansmusicians have
have been
been exploited
exploited byby" WhenI
gave
recordbusinessmen?
Yes, thethe rip-off
rip-off stories
record businessmen?
Yes,stories are
are
often
is a
side tooften true,
true, butbut there
there isaside
to thethe early
early stages
stagesinin aa career,
career,when
when anan artist
artist claims
claims toto havehave been
been
theWailers
ripped off,
off,thatthat bears
bears thinking
thinking about.
about. For
For
rippedinstance,
let's take
Have
instance, let's
take thethe casecase ofof [Blackwell[Blackwellnames
names
Have you
youever
everhadhadaaserious
seriousargument
argument with
with
Marley?
local producer].
producer]. 1Italked
talkedyesterday
to aa musician
musician
Marley? No,
No, andand II don't
don't think
think we'd
we'd ever
ever really
reallylocal
yesterday tothatadvance,who
out thatthatititwas
was aa kindof school
have
who pointed
pointed out
kind ofschoolhave one.
one. IIthink
think it's
it'smore
morethanthan possible
possible thatthat
everyone went
went to,and everyone
everyone claims
claims that
thatat somesome time
time we
we might
might part,
part, Bob
Bob andand Island,
Island,everyone
to, andatpeoplesaidIhebecauseit's inbecause it'sin thethe nature
nature ofof aasmall
smallindependent
independent
he rippedripped people
people off,
off,recorded
recorded them,
them, mademadelots oflots
of moneymoney out
out ofof them,them, then
then moved
moved onon toto thethecompany thatcompanythat when
when aa contract
contract expires,
expires, anan artist
artistnext
musician.
next musician.
on
wayup
upgoesgoestotoan
anRCA
RCA oror aa CBS
CBS oron thethe wayorwas
mad"
But really,
really,asasaarecording
recordingoperation,
operation, itit should
shouldwherever, because
because often,
though not
all
But
wherever,often, though
not inin allbe
exactly as
as acases,
get alike oneone
be regarded
regarded exactly
a schoolschool inin whichwhich thethecases, thethe artist
artist cancan geta dealdealrather
rather likemusician canwentthere,
there,didn't
didn't pay
payanything
anything toto learn,
learn, andandmight getget fromfrom ananinsurance
insurance company.
company. And
Andwhenwhenthey
theystart
starttalking
talkingthat
thatmusiciancan learn.
learn. You
You went
might
didn'tget paid
to writesort
like Island,
is notdidn't get
paid anything
anything towrite million-selling
million -selling tunes
tunes ororwhateverwhatever they
they
sort ofof moneymoney against
against aa company
company like
Island, which
which isnot aa public
publicmight be.
be. The
The musician
musician did
session, andand goodin aa way,
way, toto thethecompany- well, you
you seeseethemight
did hishis session,
good luck,
luck, incompany-well,
the problem.
problem.
producerhe hadproducer ifif he
had aa hit.
hit.
The producer
The
producer wasn't
wasn't behaving
behaving as
as aa conscious
conscious rip-off
rip- off merchant,merchant, butbut
Does
Does thatthat prospect
prospect
make
make
you
you
despair?
despair?
Yes.
Yes.
But
Butthere
there
isisnonoway
wayoutoutofof it.
it.
operatingin
his own
operating in his
own little
little spheresphere on
on aacertain
certain basis,
basis, where
where supply
supply andanddemandwas
turned around.
around.
Finally,
let's gogo backback totoMarley
Marley thethe man.
man. What
What kind
kind ofperson do
you seeseedemandwas completely
completely turned
Finally, let'sof person
do youHebusinessman,and
andhe
hedidn't
didn'tsay,'OK,'OK, signin
He wasn't
wasn't aahard-headed
hard-headed businessman,say,sign here
here
in him?
him? Super-sensitive,
Super -sensitive, amazingly
amazingly bright,
bright, takes
takes inin aa lot
lotof
ofthings
things right
right totoforleft him,
for five
fiveyears.'
years.'Everybody
Everybodyleft
him,but
butit's
it'sworthworthremembering
rememberingthatthat they
they
the backof his head.
head. He's
He's aanatural
natural leader,leader, andand hehas somesome very,
very, very
very
theback ofhis
he hascould
heavy
heavy people
people aroundaround him-whenhim -when II say
say heavy,
heavy, IImean
meanininthe
thesense
sense that
that
could leave.
leave. There
There waswasno
nocontract.
contract.
It waswas aakind
kindofofusefulusefulworkshop.
workshop. Some
Some people
people might
might call
call thatthat aa rip-off,
rip-off,they're very
very bright,
bright, very
very intelligent
intelligent andand talented.
talented.
It
they're
but
too.
And
but onon reflection
reflection I!believe
believemusiciansmusicians gained
gained something,something, too.
And itit says
saysaalot
lotforforhimhimthatthatthey
theyacknowledge
acknowledge him
him asas theirtheir leader,leader,because they
becausethey areare all
all veryvery strong
strong people
people inin theirtheir own
own right.
right. Basically,
Basically, thetheNevertheless,Marley seems
seemstoto regard
regardyou
you quiet
quietly
attitudeof BobNevertheless, Marleyly as
as somesome kind
kind ofof
attitude of
Bob andand thethe Wailers
Wailers has
has always
alwaysbeen
been thatthat they
they would,
would, onon theirtheirsaviour who's
who's comecome along
along andand wiped
wiped thethe slateslate clean,
clean, making
making itit possible
possibleterms, like
like toto expandexpand their
their music.
music.
saviourterms,
forto achieve
Theyfor him
him andand otherother musiciansmusicians toachieve some
some credibility.
credibility. Does
Does that
that
They had
had their
their own
own little
little shop
shop here
here even
even when
when II knew
knew them
them at
at first,
first, and
and
weigh
on yourshoulders?
Well, it's
it's aa bit
whenwantedsome
somemoney
moneythey'dthey'dgogoandandmakemakea
a few
few records
and sellsellweigh heavily
heavily on
your shoulders?
Well,
bit weird.
weird. It's
It'sjust
just thatthat thethewhen they
theywanted
records andbusinesshere has
has been
been soso muchfeel
themthemselves. So
So they've
always beencrowd ofbusiness here
much like
like thethe early
early rhythm-and-blues.
rhythm-and-blues. II feelthem themselves.
they've always
been aa very
veryindependent
independent crowdofthat Island
Island has
has been
beenrather
ratherlike
likeAtlantica parallel
parallel situationinpeople, thethe Wailers.
Wailers.
that
Atlantic - asituationto
toR&B
R&B inpeople,that
you remember,that Altlantic,
Alt lantic,ififyou
remember, waswasthethe only
onlycompany
company thatthat decided
decided totobuild artists.
build
artists.
AsaanonAs
non--Rastafarian,
Rastafa r ian, how
how dodo youyou manage
manage toto getget suchsuch closenesscloseness with
with
Other
Ifitwaswho
Jamaicanmusicians?I1 don't
don't participate
participateinin thethe Rasta
Rasta thing,
thing, but
Other labels
labels just
just cut
cut tunes.
tunes. If
it wasaahit,
hit,great!
great!Didn't
Didn'treally
reallymattermatterwho
Jamaican musicians?
but whatwhatsang it!
it!ThatThatused
used totobe
bethe
thesystem.
system.Here,
Here,I've
I'vealways
alwaysbeen
beenmoremoreinterested
interested
I knowknowabout
about it.
it,IIlike.
like.There's
There'sa ageneralgeneralattitudeattitudeofofanti-establishment
anti-establishment
sang
I
in
records.We
We take
not just
about
it thatgo alongin artists
artists than
than records.
take onon artists
artists notjust forfor their
their first
first album
album oror
about itthat II appreciate
appreciate andand goalongwith.
with. MusiciansMusicians areare traditionallytraditionally
single they
they make,
make, but
but forfortheirtheir future.
future.
anti-establishment, andI Iguess
I Ialways
Coleman•singleanti-establishment,
and
guess
alwayshave
havebeen
beentoo.
too.Ray
RayColeman
Do you agree with Bob Marley that many

"When I gave
the Wailers
that advance,
people said I
was mad"WorldMags.net

177

HISTORY OF
HISTORY
1976 I 77
OF ROCKROCK 1976

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Moore debut their foul-mouthed>.
/ralter egos, Derek & Clive.

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pETER COOK LAUGHS like a drain, though

PETER COOK LAUGHS like a drain, though

he has to admit that the prospect of aduffing up by muscle-bound Mickey
Hargit ay - Jayne Mansfield's most celebrated
ex-husband - is not to be dismissed lightly.
Peter Cook and DudleyMoore may just havesomething to worry about, as anyone who's lentan earful to the infamous Derek 'n' Clive tape will
he has to admit that the prospect of aduffing up by muscle-bound Mickey^ .i

Hargitay- Jayne Mansfield's most celebrated

1ex-husband - is not to be dismissed lightly.

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The Derek
Derek 'n''n' Clive
Clive tape?
tape? ItItallallwent
wentdown
down some
some
The
HK%.'
three
years back,back, when
when Cook
Cook and
Moore forfor some
three years
and Mooresomejp;reasonnot exactly
exactly clear
reason not
clear took
took themselves
themselves into
into aaycmrecordingofrecording studiostudio andand put
put down
down onon tapetape aa series
series of,s>*r Aoutrageously funny,
funny, frequently
frequently obscene
obscene routines
routines
outrageouslyofof thethe kindkind thatthat makemake your
your average
average stag
stag club
club
compere soundcomperesound like
like thethe Pope.
Pope.
For
For instance,
instance, PeterPeter Cook,
Cook,who
whoassumes
assumes thethecharacterofClive
Clive tocharacter of
to Dudley
Dudley Moore's
Moore's
Derek,
Derek, revealing
revealing thatthat thethe worst
worst job
job
Bow. -camhe ever
ever had
had waswas nursing
nursing Jayne
Jayne
he
Mansfield
Mansfield throughthrough an
an affliction
affliction
known asas lobsterisimus
lobsterisimus
knownbumaquisimus,
which you
you won't
bumaquisimus, which
won't
testify.

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find in anymedical dictionary but
is an unpleasant and pleasantly rare
condition where a certain species of
seafood somehow takes up residence
in the victim's rectum.
The removal of this aquatic parasite
is a highly skilled but unappealing

Xi 0

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is an unpleasant and pleasantly rare
condition where a certain species ofrseafood somehowtakes up residence
in the victim's rectum.

The removal ofthis aquatic parasite

is a highly skilled but unappealing

task rivalled only by the worst job
Derek (Dudley
Derek(Dudley Moore)
Moore) ever
ever had:
had:collecting
bogies.
collecting Winston
Winston Churchill's
Churchill's bogies.
Yougetgetthethepicture?
picture? Not
Not exactly
exactlyYouyourusual
BBC 11Light
your usual BBC
LightEntertainment
Entertainment
fare, thoughthough thethe tapes
tapes were
were never
never »)5fare,task rivalled only by the worst job

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August 20,1976: Peter|

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Cook (left) and Dudley

Moore at a press cal !for
the
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Derek AndAnd
C/ive(Live),Hampstead,
Clive (Live), Ham pstead, t
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1976
JULY

WorldMags.net
OEN

oom

THERE
HERE ARE
ARE OTHEROTHER cuts
cuts onon

the album, which, throughcontinuous usage, render as
harmless words that shock and offend
certain sections of the public.
the album, which, throughcontinuous usage, render as

harmless words that shock and offend
certain sections of the public.

Says Moore: "We set out to explore

Says Moore: "We set out to explore

aa whole
wholearea
areaofofhumoursomehumour thatthat forfor someV.
reasonhas beenreason oror another
another has
been glossed
glossedi&jover. Derek
over.
Derek and.
and Clive
Cliveisisbasicallybasicallyabout
about
peoplepeople who
who areare muchmuch too
too daftto
daft to talktalk
any
any otherother way."
way."
Y"There"There areare plenty
plenty ofof people
people likelikethatthataround," says
sorts ofof people
peoplearound,"saysCook.
Cook. "All"All sorts
who
by what's going
going on
who areare outraged
outraged bywhat's
on in
in
the
world but
but whoofthe world
who have
have nono wayway ofarticulatingthemselves.
articulating themselves. Instead,
Instead,they're forever
they'reforever inin aa blind
blind fury;
fury; that's
that'spreciselywhat
Derek andand Clive
Clive arepreciselywhat Derek
are allallabout.
about. Pete
Pete andand Dud
Dud may
may differ
differ quite
quite
drasticallyfrom Derek
Derekand
Clive, but
drastically fromand Clive,
but
January24,1976:
January
24,1976:
Cook and Moore
Moore
Cookandtruthfully Derek
emergetruthfully
Derek andand Clive
Clive emerge
as'Theas"The British
Britishmorebeings."more asas human
human beings."
Sonny& Cher"on
Sonny&
Cher"on"Pete andand Dud
Dud don't
don't really
really see
see thetheSaturday
Night Live
"Pete
SaturdayNightLive
world
world at
at all,"all," insists
insists Moore.
Moore.
"Or,"Or,forforthatthatmatter,matter, meet
meet anybody,"
anybody,"
MMM=M
adds
Cook.
adds Cook.
intendedfor public
Cook andfamiliar"They'reintended for
public consumption.
consumption. Cookandfamiliar Pete
Pete andand Dud
Dud characters.
characters. Pete
Pete andand"They're enclosed
enclosed inin aa small
small boxsomewherebox somewhere inin
Dudtalkknowledgeablybutrespectfullyabout
Kilburn,
talkaboutcosmicsubjects
Moore did
did their
their Derek
bit forfortheirtheir own
own
Dud talk knowledgeably but respectfully about
Kilburn, where
wherethey
theytalk
about cosmic subjects
Moore
Derek 'n''n' Clive
Clive bittheworld andand its
its mysteries.
mysteries. Derek
and Clivearelike religion,
religion, sex
sex andand life
life itself.
itself. They
They only
only ever
ever
amusement,
and forfor friends.
the world
Derek and
Clive arelikeamusement, andfriends.
PrettyaemergePretty soon,
soon, though,though, thethe Pete'n'Dud-asPete'n'Dud-asa couple
couple ofof oiks
oikswhowhoarearejustjustpissed
pissedoffwith
offwith thetheemerge forforthethe odd
odd packet
packet ofofdrieddriedprunes,"
prunes,"wholebusiness.
Moore
observes. "But
"Butit's
it'sobvious
obviousthat
thatDerek
Derekand
Derek'n'Clive
whole business.
Moore observes.
andDerek'n'Clive tapes
tapes had
had attracted
attracted wider
wider
attention
than just
just their
their immediate
immediate circle
circle ofI
who sayssays `Hello''Hello' toisCliveattention thanof
I mean,mean, anyone
anyone whoto themthem isCliveareareright
rightininthere
therebeingput
beingput upon,
upon, out
out onon
friends.
automatically a..."automaticallya ..."
thethe streets
streets rubbing
rubbing shoulders
shoulders withwithhumanity...
humanity...
friends. Duplicate
Duplicate cassettes
cassettes proliferated
proliferated as
as
Cutto
in
Fried Chicken
their notoriety
notoriety spread.
spread. Ahot
A hotlittle
littleproperty
propertyfor
Cut to aarecorded
recorded highlight:
highlight:
in thethe Kentucky
KentuckyFried
Chicken shop,
shop, down
down the
the
their
for
the
rock star
star-who
has everything.
lav.
the Palais,
lay, upup thePalais, down
down thethe disco..."disco..."
the manman-ororrock-who has
everything.
Clive:The WhoWho picked
picked one
one up;up; LedLed Zeppelin
Zeppelin got
got
Clive: IIwas
wasatatTottenham
TottenhamHotspurs
Hotspurswatching
watching"Absorbing as they do," muses
muses Cook,
Cook, "the"theThe
"Absorbingastheydo,"
whole richrich panorama
panorama oflife
passes byby their
their
hold
a
whole
of life as
as itit passes
hold ofof aacopy
copytotoamuse
amusethemselves
themselves onon thethe road.
road.
a gamegame against
against Arsenal
Arsenal andand this
this bloke
bloke came
came upup
So
So diddidthetheStones,
Stones,Bad
BadCompany,
Company,etc,
etc,etc
etc-so
- so
to me
to
me andand said,said, "Hello"...
"Hello"...
windows
windows as
as aa never-endingpageant."
never-ending pageant."
that
possessionofofa
a Derek
Derek:Oh no.
Even
however,that possession
Derek 'n''n' Clive
Clive cassettecassette was
was
Derek: Ohno.
Even ininthesethese "permissive""permissive" times,
times, however,as prestigious
prestigious ine labellabel
Clive:AndI thought,
thought, "Christ,"Christ, this
this blokecomes
there areare those
those who
who will
will argue
argue thatthat byby exposing
exposingasin certain
certaincircles
circlesasasa
a whitwhite
Clive:
And 1
bloke comes
thereof
the Watergateupthemselves
as Derek
Derek andand Clive,
Clive, theofthe
Watergate tapes.
tapes.
up toto me
me andand says,says, 'Hello'...
'Hello'...
themselves as
the much-loved
much -loved
Derek:
There itit would
would have
have ended,
ended, except
except thatthat Cook
Cook
Derek: Provocative
Provocative fucker...
fucker...
figures ofof PetePete andaridDud
Dudarearetakingtaking anan
Therefigures
andthat if
if they
Clive:
unnecessary
gamble: thatthatitit might
might prove
prove toand Moore
Moore decided
decided thatthey could
could find
find aa
Clive: IIsaid,
said,"What"What dodoyou
youmeanmean 'Hello','Hello',and
and
unnecessary gamble:
torecord company
companywith
sufficient nerve
nerve they
they
do youyou know
knowwhathe camecame backbackwith?
said,
be detrimental
detrimental toto theirtheir future
future career.
career. "I"Iknowknow
recordwith sufficientdowhat hewith? He
He said,bemight"Hello".
precisely
you mean,"says Cook.
Cook. "Imight asas wellwell bring
bring their
their tapes
tapes well
well andand truly
truly"Hello". IIsaid,
said,"I"Icancansuss
sussyou
yououtoutforforastart...
a start...
precisely what
what youmean," says
"I cancan seesee
into
into thethe public
public domain.
domain. Island
Island took
took thethe plunge,plunge,get thisgetthis inin thethe bollocks",
bollocks", soso IIkicked
kicked him
him ininthethe sort
sort ofofreviews
reviews appearing
appearing inin thethe press
press which
which
and
the
balls andand asas hehe fellfell
begin;'Why
begin: 'Why do
do PeterPeter Cook
Cook andand Dudley
Dudley Moore,
Moore,
and released
released them
them this
this week
week
the balls
as thethe album
album DerekAnd
to thethe floor
floor hehe said,
said,
who havehaveaacertain
certainwittinesswittiness about
about them,
them, need
need
asDerek AndClive
Clive
to
who
(Live)
with a"Yuuucccchhhh."
to(Live)withawarning
warning onon thethe"Yuuucccchhhh." II said,
said,
to resortresort toto thisthis kind
kind ofof materialmaterial forfor laughs?'
laughs?'"A matter of taste
cover: "This"Thisrecord
recordcontains
contains"Don't you'Yuuucccchhhh''Yuuucccchhhh'
Well,it's
it'snot
notresorting
resorting totothisthis kind
kind ofofmaterial,material,
cover;"Don'tyou
Well,language
of an
at
but
but utilisingutilising thethe kindkind ofofmaterialmaterial thatthat most
mostlanguage ofan explicit
explicit
at me,
me, mate"...
mate"...
doesn't comedoesn'tcome
Derek:
Like henature that
Derek: Likehe comescomes ininpeople don't,
don't, andand making
making itit humorous."
humorous."
naturethat maybe
maybe offensive
offensive
peopleinto it, or morality.
andnot bewith"Hello" andSo
would youand should
should not
be played
played ininwith "Hello"and comes
comes out
out
So how
howwould
you answer
answer thethe critics?
critics?
thethe presence
presence ofof minors."
minors."withwith "Yuuucccchhhh"?
"Yuuucccchhhh"?
"I'd"I'd just
just have
have toto saysaytthat
hat itit makes
makes usus laugh,"laugh,"
It's notIt's
not malicious
malicious
Even
Clive
Clive:
Moore
possible
Even so,so, Derek
Derek AndAnd Clive
Clive: Isaid,
I said, "Don'tyou"Don't you
Moore declares.
declares. "That's"That'sthetheonly
onlypossible'Yuuucccchhhh'
at me,me,(Live)won't
be exactly
exactly'Yuuucccchhhh' atcriterion. A
A mattermatter ofof tastetaste doesn't
doesn't comecome into(Live)
won't becriterion.
into it,
it,
m
any
way
in
any
welcomedin everymate,"
kicked hisorIt's notinany
anyway.
If ititwelcomed inevery record
recordmate," andand!I kickedhisor morality.
morality. It's
not malicious
malicious inway. If
fuckin'in andshop inin thethe land,land, andand ifMaryfuckin' teeth
teeth inand thenthen hehewas, then
then ititcouldn't
couldn't possibly
possiblybe
humorous."shop
if Marywas,
be humorous."
Whitehousedoesn'tget
get there
there first
first it's
it's odds
went,
"The
out," Cook
"The only
only people
people we've
we've missed
missed out,"
Cook
Whitehouse doesn't
odds onon
went, "Aaaaahhhh..
"Aaaaahhhh..."."AndAnd II said,
said, "Don'tyou"Don'tyou
some Member
Member of
Parliament is
to bebefuckin' 'Aaaaahhhh'
Aaaaahhhh' atso II really
really kicked
kickedinterjects, "arebut thatthat kind
kind ofof remarkremarksomeof Parliamentis going
going tofuckin'at me",
me", sointerjects,"are thethe Jews,
Jews, butwavingin outrage
outrage before
before long.
long.
his
him right
right inin thecan
his carcar in...
in... bunged
bunged him
the carcar withwithwaving his
his Hansard
Hansard incan makemake ititappear
appear as
asififsomething
somethingdeliberatedeliberate"It's not"It's
notmeant
meant asas aa come-on,"come-on," says
says Peter
Peter
the
the leftleft boot,boot, andand d'you
d'you know,
know, hehe still
still had
had thethehappened
happened whenwhenininactualactualfact
factitit didn't.
didn't. As
As farfar asas
Cook,
audacity
with, "Yurrrhhh-hhhBritain
Cook, referringreferring toto thethe warning
warning sticker.
sticker. "It's"It's notnot
audacity toto comecomeout
outwith,"Yurrrhhh-hhhBritain isisconcerned,
concerned, there
there aren't
aren't many
many sacredsacredlike those
those movie
movie posters
posters which
which proclaim:
proclaim: `Ifurrrrhhh- I'm dying."say
cows left..."left..." He
He pauses
pauses forfor aamoment.
moment. "There's"There'slike'If
urrrrhhh-I'm
dying."Well,
Well, what
what could
could I
I say
cows
you'reby scenes
toaway. II left
only
Winston Churchill,
Churchill, Sir
Sir Francis
onlyWinston
Francis Chichester
Chichester
you're offended
offended byscenes ofof explicit
explicitsexuality
sexuality
to that...
that... II just
just walked
walked away.
leftthethesituation.
situation.
thenplease stay
stay away.'then pleaseaway.'Which
Which usuallyusually means;means:!wasn'tbe putput upon.
upon.
and thethe Queen
Queen Mother,
Mother, andand asas we've
we'veincluded
included1
wasn't going
going to
to be
and
'Come
Derek:
to!
WinstonWinston andand thethe Queen
Queen Mother
Mother on
on thethe album,
album,`Come inside
inside andand seesee aa lot
lotof
ofpeople
peoplescrewing
screwing
Derek: You
Youweren't
weren't going
going toto be
be dictateddictated to!
eacheach other
other andand inin particularparticular watch
watch thethe alligator
alligator
Clive: Why
Whyshould
should IIbe
dictated toby somesomethat only
onlyleaves
Francis."Clive:
be dictated
to by
that
leaves Sir
Sir Francis."
screenleft.' DerekAnd
Derek AndClive
Clive (Live)(Live) iscunt
II wonder
wonder if
ifsailing
sailingaroundaround thethe worldworld singlesinglescreen left.'
isnot
notaimed
aimed
cunt who
who sayssays "Yuuucccchhhh"...
"Yuuucccchhhh"...
at theatthe Pete
Pete 'n''n' Dud
Dud audience."
audience."
Derek: Preceded
Derek:
Precededbyby "Hello"!
"Hello"!
handedhandedwas
wasthetheworst
worstjob
job Sir
Sir Francis
Francis ever
ever had?
had?
Dudleyway, Derek
Clive:
Roy
Dudley Moore
Moore agrees.
agrees. "In"In every
everyway,
Derek
RoyCanCarr
Clive: What
What aa cunt!
cunt!
and Clive
areandClive arevery
very different
different
from thethe moremore
from"A matter of taste

into it, or morality.

way"

'AD
EVER
I
JOB
THE WORST-human life
WorldMags.net

80 HISTORY OF ROCK 19.

80 | HISTORY OF ROCK 19;

THE
■rx

WORST

JOB

EVER

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sub
panorama
and Clive and the rich
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-4101,71.7.T.IF2

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WorldMags.net

JULY-ftVUMBER

Jamaican roots
reggaereggae vocalvocal-

Jamaican roots--harmonygroupthe

harmony group the

1976

Mighty Diamonds
intheearly'yosin the early '70s
Mighty Diamonds

1976)1.- Six tons of the>-Sixtonsofthe

Beatles' compilation

Beatles'compilation

al bum Rock 'n'Rollr

album Roc/cn'Ro//

Music were shippedfrom London
London to
to
from
Japan
Japan recently
recently totomeetthemeet the demand
demandthere.
there. Fifteen
Fifteenthousandalbums ininthousand albums
all
all were
were sent
sent fromfromEM
EM I'sl'sfactory
factory at
atHayes,
Hayes,Middlesex,
Middlesex,toJapan, another
toJapan,another
Mus/c were shipped

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tii

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country grippedbyby thethe resurgence
resurgenceofof Beatlemania.
Beatlemania.
country gripped^ 1

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worriedMM JUL 3 Jell -out shows by Bob Marley or no, re: ae is banned from the Hammersmith
Odeon. "Curious." Rays Virgin's Richard Branson, 'when it's the music of the moment "MM JUL 3 Sell-out shows by Bob Marley or no, reggae is banned from the Hammersmith

Odeon. "Curious," says Virgin's Richard Branson, "when it's the music of the moment."

Beatlescompilation albums,
compilation
albums,underconcept
under concept tags
tags
like
like thethecurrent
current>- Beatles

REGGAE HAS BEEN banned from London's mostprestigious
prestigious rockrock venue,
venue, thethe Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Odeon,
Odeon, andand thethe first
first victims
victims areare thethe Mighty
MightyDiamonds,
ban
Diamonds, U-Roy
U -RoyandandDelroy
DelroyWashington.
Washington. The
The banfollows
the recent
recent series
seriesfollows incidents
incidents involving
involving thethe police
police atattheofof BobBob Marley
Harley && The
The Wailers
Wailers concerts
concerts at
at thethe venue.
venue.
VirginVirgin Records,
Records, who
whowerewerepromoting
promoting thethe Mighty
MightyDiamonds
Diamonds package,
package, learned
learned ofof thethe banban whenwhen they
they
attempted
a furtherdate forfor theattempted toto reserve
reserve afurther date
the artists
artists apart
apart
from
from AugustAugust1414and
and 15,15,whichwhichhad
hadalreadyalreadybeen
been verballyverbally
agreedOdeon leaseholders
leaseholders Rank
Rank Leisureagreed with
with Odeon
Leisure Services.
Services.
They werespokesman forfor Rank,
Tony Williams,
Williams,
They
Rank, Tony
were told
told byby aa spokesman
that
Diamonds northat neither
neither thethe Mighty
Mighty Diamonds
nor U-Roy
U -Roycould
could playplay
atthe theatre
theatre inin thefuture". He
He addedatthethe "foreseeable"foreseeable future".
added thatthat
thethe company
company would
would "still"still be
be interested
interested inin putting
putting on
on suchsuch
concerts
at theconcerts at
the Lewisham
Lewisham oror Kilburn
Kilburn Odeons,
Odeons, which
which
we
we feelfeel would
would bebe ableable toto copecope much
much better."better."Virgin's
Virgin's
managing
managing
REGGAE HAS BEEN banned from London's most

Reggae banned
R

eggae

bannedat HammersmithatHammersmith

director

director

RichardBransonBranson said
said
this
this week:
week: "It"It
Richardseems curious that such a ban should be imposed when
reggae isreggaeis by
byfarfarthethemostmostpopular
popular music
music ofof thethe moment.
moment.
When
Diamonds is
When aatop
top groupgroup like
like thethe Mighty
Mighty Diamonds
is prevented
prevented
from playing
at aa major
on suchsuch thin
thin
fromplaying at
London theatre
theatre on
major London
grounds,
grounds, itit isistimetime totoget
get worried."worried."Williams"I havehave come
Williams said:
said:"Icome toto thethe conclusion
conclusion thatthat itit
would
would bebe commerciallycommercially wrong
wrong forfor this
this company
company toto allowallow
theMightyDiamonds
Diamondsand
U-Roy
the Mighty
and U-Roy toto play
playatatHammersmith
Hammersmith
Odeon
Odeon inin thethe foreseeable
foreseeable future.
future. It
It cancan only
only create
createproblems. If
If we
we areare not
not ininproblems.
we want
want toto keep
licence, we
keep our
our licence,ato antagonise
antagonise local
local
a position
position where
where we
we cancan afford
afford toresidents,
residents, thethe generalgeneral public,thepoliceorthe
public, the police orthe local
local
authorities.
We want
lastauthorities. We
want toto assessassess fully
fully thethe implications
implications ofof lastweek'sweek's Bob
Bob Marley
Marley && The
The Wailers
Wailers concerts.
concerts.
"It
have been"It will
will bebe somesome time
time before
before thethe complications
complications havebeen
sortedout andand thatthat isis whya similar
similar
we areare unable
sorted out
why weon aunable toto putput onconcertfor thethe timetime being.
being.We
We havehave toinconcert for
to be
be thethe arbiters
arbiters insuchand thedecision we
we makemake has
has tosuch aa situation
situation andthe decision
to bebe thetherightRank Leisureright one
one forfor Rank
Leisure Services."
Services."
Virgin areare currently
Virginseeking a
suitable forfor thethe only
only
currently seeking
a venuevenue suitable
LondonDiamondsand
andU
U-Roy.
London appearances
appearances ofof thethe Diamonds-Roy. The
The
original
original Hammersmith
Hammersmith dates
dates were
were set
set toto precede
precede thetheappearances
band atappearances ofof thethe bandat thisthis year's
year's Reading
Reading Festival.
Festival.
seems curious that such a ban should be imposed when

Rock 'n'Rolir Music,

Rock 'n'Roll Music,

which is No» in thiswhich is Noll in thisweek's Mt4chart,
will
will become
become aa
regularregular featurefeature ofofweek's MMchart,

EM I'S releases in

EMI'Sreleasesin

the future. EMI
areconsidering
are considering
releasingreleasing previously
previously
unissued materialmaterial
unissued-includinga- including a live
live
album.
album. The
The Beatles
Beatleshave
have never
never had
had aalive
live set
set released,
released,althoughtapesof
although tapes ofconcerts exist
andconcerts
exist andbootlegbootleg versions
versions
thefuture.EMI

have been issued inhave been issued in

the past. MM JUL17

thepast.MM JUL17)- LedLed Zeppelin
Zeppelinreleaserelease aa double
doublealbum
album next
next month
month
-the
soundtrack of-the soundtrackoffilm of the band inconcert.
The
concert. Titled
Titled The
SongSong Remains
Remains The
The
Same,
Same, thethe live
live set
set
was
was recorded
recorded at
at thetheband'sband's New
New YorkYork
Madison Square
MadisonSquare
GardensinGardens concert
concert in
1973.
It features
1973.1tfeatures aa
27-minute27 -minute version
versionofof "Dazed"Dazed And
And
Confused"and aConfused" andaclosing
14-minuteclosing 14-minuteversionversion ofof"Whole"WholeLotta
Love".
Lotta Love".
Zeppelin's
Zeppelin's label
label
Swan
SwanSong
Songtold
told MMMM
thealbumwillbe
the album will beavailable
available latelate next
next
monthandmonth and thethefilm
film inin November.
November.
afilmofthebandina*'*■

Critical indifference

Criticalindifference

MM JULY 11 fairport Convention are off Island.

MM JULY 17 Fairport Convention are off Island.
r

AIRPORT HAVE BEEN dropped by Island - ending an association

FAIRPORT HAVE BEEN dropped by Island - ending an association■

Lthat has lasted more than seven years. The label, which has
released all Fairport's records since their second album What We
Did On Our Holidays, in February 1969, has decided not to renew thecontract which expired after last month's release of Got tie OGeer, an
album received with critical indifference.
But the band, who are planning a 30 -date British tour in theautumn, are not despondent about Island's decision and are
currently negotiating for a new record deal, saying a label change
will give them a recharge with their new lineup. They dropped theConvention in their name after Sandy Denny, Trevor Lucas and Jerry
Donohue quit the band earlier in the year to be replaced by Dan Ar
Braz, Roger Burridge and Bob Brady. Richard Green

v
'i<n^

that has lasted more than seven years. The label, which has

released all Fairport's records since their second album What We

Did On Our Holidays, in February 1969, has decided not to renew thecontract which expired after last month's release oiGottleO'Geer, an
album received with critical indifference.

But the band, who are planning a 30-date British tour in therautumn, are not despondent about Island's decision and are

currently negotiating for a new record deal, saying a label change

will give them a recharge with their new lineup. They dropped theConvention in their name after Sandy Denny, Trevor Lucas and Jerry
Donohue quit the band earlier in the year to be replaced by Dan Ar
Braz, Roger Burridge and Bob Brady. Richard Green

WorldMags.net

The Gottle 0*Geer

The Gott/e O'Geer
Fairportlineup:
A Fairport
lineup:(l-r)Dave Pegg,
DaveSwarbrick,
DaveSwarbrick,Simon
Simon Nicol,
Nicol,
Bruce
Bruce Rowland
Rowland(l-r)Dave Pegg,MM
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WorldMags.net" sEet1976.

"I can't
flake out
now!"

a

I

can

t

flake

c

now!"

A minor character in The Herd andA minor character in The Herd andHumble Pie, PETER FRAMPTON has

Humble Pie,

PETER FRAMPTON

has

hit it big in the USA with a massive
live album: Frampton Comes Alive!.
"The audience was behind me," hehit it big in the USA with a massive

live album:

Frampton Comes Alive!.

"The audience was behind

me,"

he

says. "There were ovations during
songs as well as at the end."says.

"There were ovations during

songs as well as at the end."

i

^5-

i

MELODY MAKER JULY 10^

MELODY MAKER JULY 10

ARTHAT WAS IT about the '50s that

WHAT WAS IT about the '50s thatencouraged the birth of so muchtalent? Was it the result of H-bomb
testing or increased sunspot
activity that resulted in the mumsof the British Isles yielding up aplethora of sons and daughters destined to be key figuresin the evolution of rock music?
During the '60s we saw most of that talent flowering andforming the cornerstone of contemporary music. But it
encouraged the birth of so much/talent? Was it the result of H-bomb
testing or increased sunspot

activity that resulted in the mumsiiof the British Isles yielding up aplethora of sons and daughters destined to be key figuresin the evolution of rock music?

During the '60s we saw most of that talent flowering andforming the cornerstone of contemporary music. But it

seemed as ifwe had seen the last of the Pete Townshends,
John Lennons, Eric Claptons and David Bowies. Were
there anymore songwriters, guitarists and embryo pop
phenomenaleft in the vaults?
Well t here was one man left that '60s watchers had longcherished as a potential superstar. But it seemed that Peter
Frampton would never emerge from the cocoon of restraintthat seemed to dog his career.
He had flashed to fame with The Herd in 1966-7 and wassuch a good-looking young musician with much potential asa singer, guitarist and songwriter. But, apart from his initialstardom as a teen idol, it seemed as if the rock audience atlarge could not take him seriously, evenwhen he flnallytore
himself away from the strictly formalised confines ofThe
Herd (a great band despite the chart image), and took on a
subsidiary role as Steve Marriott's cohort in Humble Pie.
seemed as if we had seen the last of the Pete To wnshends,

John Lennons, Eric Claptons and David Bowies. WererFrampton Comes Alive!
Frampton Comes Alive!

there any more songwriters, guitarists and embryo pop
phenomena left in the vaults?

Well there was one man left that '60s watchers had longcherished as a potential superstar. But it seemed that Peter

Frampton would never emerge from the cocoon of restraintthat seemed to dog his career.

He had flashed to fame with The Herd in 1966-7 and wassuch a good-looking young musician with much potential as
asinger, guitarist and songwriter. But, apart from his initialstardom as a teen idol, it seemed as if the rock audience at

1large could not take him seriously, even when he finally tore
himself away from the strictly formalised confines of The

Herd (a great band despite the chart image), and took on a
subsidiary role as Steve Marriott's cohort in Humble Pie.

»

WorldMags.net

82

82

>

HISTORY
ROCK 1976
1976
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKA*WorldMags.net

October -27,1976:

October27.1976:

Peter Frampton
onstageattheon stage atthe
Birmingham
BirminghamOdeon
Odeon
Peter Frampton

*.

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WorldMags.net

HISTORY OF ROCK 976

I

83

1976

WorldMags.net

My -album,
but hehe told
At first, Frampton and Marriott were equals in the Pie adventure.
album, but
told meme toto gogoaheadahead with
with aadouble.
double. 'ShowMeTheShowMe The Way'
Way'
Certainly,
his debt
Steve inwasn'teven meant
meanttoto be
be aa single.
Certainly, PeterPeter has
has always
always admitted
admitted his
debt toto thethe bandband andand Stevein
wasn't evensingle. We
Weput
put thethe album
album out
out first,
first, then
then we
we gotgot
helpinghim
thewanted toto hear.
helping him find
find his
his feetfeetandand musicalmusical direction.
direction. But
But there
there came
came aa time
time
the radio
radio playsheetsplaysheets andand thatthat was
was thethe track
track everybody
everybodywanted
hear.
when PeterHe chosechose toto split
split fromfrom Pie
Piejustjust asas thethe"I'd never
never had
had aa hit
hit before
before-- nono single
single hits
hits -- ever.
ever. I'd
I'djustjustbeen
been plugging
pluggingwhenPeter had
hadto
to go
go hishis own
own way.
way. He"I'dband
huge inin America
away
If Wind
WmrfO/C/jangehadband were
were breaking
breaking huge
America after
after gruellinggruelling tours
tours fromfrom state
state
away onon tour,
tour, just
just learning.
learning. If
OfChange had been
been aa hit
hit album
album
tostate.
forme ititwould
wouldhave
havebeen
beenaamental-homemental -homejob
job--just
too muchmuch ofof aastrain.
strain.
to state.
for mejust tooPeter
away hitI
have been
been ready
readyforfor it.
it.
Peter formed
formed his
his own
own bandband andand straightstraight away
hit problems.
problems. His
His groupgroup
I wouldn't
wouldn't have
was calledwascalled Camel,
Camel, anan unprepossessing
unprepossessing namename which
which reflectedreflected Peter'sPeter's"But"But IIknew
knewthatthatititwas
wastimetimetotodo
dothe
thelivelivealbum.
album.The
Theaudienceaudiencewas
wasright
rightdesirebehind me,
me, whichdesire not
not toto cashcash inin on
on looks
looksand
andteenteen appeal.
appeal. Strictly
Strictly lowprofile
lowprofile waswas thethebehindwhich meant
meant thatthat II waswasgetting
gettingthere.
there.IIwas
wascommunicating
communicating
attitudethat Frampton
Frampton fostered,fostered, toto hiswithwere giving
attitude that
his own
own detriment.
detriment.
with them
them asas muchmuch asas thethe music
music does.
does. They
Theyweregiving us
us ovations
ovationsThe
little induring
The bandband meant
meant little
in England,
England, alreadyalready overcrowded
overcrowded with
with struggling
struggling
during songs
songs asas wellwell asasatthebeginningand
at the beginning and end.
end.
groups. In
In thethe week
week Camel
Camelwerewerelaunched,launched, there
there were
were about
about aa dozen
dozen other
other"And!I said,
said, 'Dee,'Dee, thethe next
next one
one hashas gottabe
gotta be live.'live.' The
Thekids
kidsjust
justcan't
can't
groups.
"And
newbands
hittingthe
road inin searchsearch ofof success.
containthemselves at
at thethe beginning
beginningofof aa number,and thenthey gogo really
new bands hitting
the road
success.
contain themselves
number, andthen they
reallyPeter
was starting
starting fromfrom scratch
scratch andand foundand money
money hard
hard toto comecomequiet during
during anPeter wasfound gigs
gigs andquiet
an acoustic
acousticsong.
song. It's
It's great!
great!
bywhile he"Theof albywhilehe learnt
learnt thethe craftcraft ofof leading
leadingother
othermusicians,
musicians, who
whosometimes
sometimes"The fans
fans areare aacomplete
complete spectrum
spectrum of
all1 age
age groups.
groups. There're
There're young
young
had ideas
had
ideas ofof theirtheir own
own thatthat did
did not
not necessarily
necessarily fit
fit with
withthetheFramp
Frampton
ton way.
way.
kids thekids
the Top
Top 4040stations
stations areare built
built on.
on, thethe 1212-year-olds-year-olds -- again
again --which
which isisFlis
however, influenced
to somesome extent
by onereallyfor me.
His songwritingdeveloped,
songwriting developed, however,influenced toextent byone
really funny
funny for
me.
of
"But
of hishis idols,
idols,Stevie
StevieWonder,
Wonder,andand hishis lyrics
lyrics were
were unmistakableunmistakable reflections
reflections"But IIlove
loveit,it,because
becausethey're
they'rethe
theones
ones thatthat mademade itit aahit.
hit.AndAndthere're
there're thetheavidfans who
who have
have stuckof hishismercurial
mercurial personal
personal relationships
relationships witha fashion
fashionavid Frampton
Frampton fansstuck byby me
me overover thethe years
years andand grewup
grew up on
onofwith his
his girlfriend
girlfriend Mary,
Mary, amodel, who
who later
later became
became his
the Herd
Herd album.
album. They
heard that
here whenthat II waswas
model,
his wife.
wife.
theThey heardthat over
over here
when they
they picked
picked up
up that
Meanwhile,
theguitar player
player with
with Humble
HumblePie.A
Pie. A lot
lot ofthe
Meanwhile, althoughalthough hehe released
released aa succession
succession ofof likeable
likeableandandattractive
attractive
the guitarof the fans
fans fromfrom Pie
Piestayed
stayedwith
withalbums,seemed hecould notnot breakbreakout
the webweb ofofapathy
apathy thatthatme
when I1 left,
left, too."
too."
albums, it
it seemed
he could
out ofof theme whenpressedin on
Theago topressed inon himhim atat home.
home. FlefoundHe foundsolace,solace,personal
personalhappinesshappiness andand
The Herd
Herd must
must seem
seem aa longtime
longtime ago
to PeterPeter now,
now,IIsaid,
said,remembering
remembering
eventually success,eventually
success, ininAmerica.
America.
their gigs
theirgigs inin Bromley
Bromley andand atat thethe Marquee
Marquee Club.
Club.
With
manager
Anthony behindWith aa newlady
new lady andand hishis rock-likerock -I i ke
managerDee
DeeAnthonybehind him,
him,
"It's lOyears
10 yearsago!
ago!Sixteen
SixteenIIwas...
was. andwas"It's
andIIlied
lied about
aboutmymyage,
age, too.
too. II said
said II was
andAmericacame alive.
alive.
15.
was 1010 years
and thethe challenge
challenge that
thatAmerica offered,offered,Frampton...
Frampton... came
15.Yep,
Yep,1 Iwas
wasjustjustworking
working itit out
out -- 'From'From TheThe Underworld'
Underworld' wasyears
Nobodywas more
his liveago,
Nobodywas
more shocked
shocked bybythe
theinstantinstant successsuccess ofofhis
ive double
doubleago, andand II can't
can't remember
remember thethe words.
words.
album Frampton
FramptonComesAlive!than
and itit seemed
seemed fans
fans ininAmerica"Itwaswasaastrange
strangealbum,
album, though.
though. You
Youremember
remember thethe big
bigbandband track,
track,
album
Comes A/ive! than Peter,
Peter, andAmerica"It
couldof hissingle"Show"ShowMeThe'Impressions
Of Oliver',could notnot getget enoughenough of
his music,
music, thrustinghis
thrusting his single
Me The'Impressions Of
Oliver', andand there
there were
were all
all thethe singles.
singles. Andyou
And youWay"high inin thethe chart.
chart.
Way" highremember
oneof
ofthe
first songs
songs II everremember one
the first
ever wrote
wrote -- 'Woken'Woken Up
Up TheThe Blackbirds:
Blackbirds:
Theyshows, andandnow
nowBritain,
Britain, forfor soso long
They flocked
flocked toto hishis headlining
headlining shows,
long
Better Run'?"Run'?"
Betterasleep toasleepto hishis existence,existence, has
has hailed
hailedthetheman,man,whowhoat
at26
26 still
still looks
looks 16
16 andand
Did
Did Peter
Peter feel
feelmore
moreconfidence
confidence as
as aa writerwriter now?
now?
"Oh
me. It's
feels his
his career
career has
has onlyjust
only just begun.
begun.
"Ohsure,sure,successsuccesshas
has donedonetwo
twothings
things totome.
It's mademade meme muchmuch more
more
feels
With
will beconfident
as aWith aa Top
Top 1010single
single andand album,
album, Frampton
Frampton will
be comingcoming home
home soonsoon confident asa writerwriter andand itit makes
makes meme want
want toto gogobackbackandandpractise
practise and
and
as
It is
as aa conqueror.
conqueror. It
isdifficult
difficult toto grasp
grasp just
just how
how big
big Frampton
Frampton isis inin thethe States
Statesrehearse. Normally,
when II getgetthroughthrough aa tour,
tour, IIjust
justwant
want toto relax,
relax, eat,eat,
rehearse.
Normally, whenat thethe moment.
moment. In
hotels hehe hashas totocheck
checkininunderunderthethenamename of
ofhis
road
at
In hotels
his road
sleep
TV. But
sleep andand watchwatch TV.
Butnow
nowI've
I'vebeen
beenaccepted
acceptedlike
likethis,
this,IIcan't
can'tstagnate.
stagnate.
managermanager toto avoid
avoid thethe groupies
groupies andand fansfans who
who patrol
patrol thethe corridors.
corridors. He
He hashas
This isThis
is aa crucial
crucial time
time forfor meme now,now, but
but II rely
rely onon DeeDee andand Jerry
Jerry Moss
Moss andandtobodyguards andand chooses
chooses his
theirguidance."
to bebesurroundedsurrounded by
bybodyguards
his restaurants
restaurants andand barsbars
theirguidance."with caution
caution to
avoid inevitable
inevitable mobbing.
mobbing.
withto avoid
But whenButwhen we
we metmet inin aa New
NewYork
York hotel
hoteltotocelebratecelebrate his
his
success with
with toasts
toasts ofcold beer,beer,heheseemed
seemed utterly
utterly
successof cold
unaffectedby thein hisunaffected by
the changechange inhis fortunes,
fortunes, except
except thatthat hehenowhasa confidence
confidence thatthat was
was lacking
lacking indays ofyore.
of yore.
now
has ain days
FRAMPTON
Duringon half
half aDuring ourour chatchat hehe waswas interrupted
interrupted ona dozendozen
occasions by
occasionsby phone
phone calls
calls fromfrom aroundaround thethe world,world, from
from
Japan
Australia, asas rockrock writers
to findJapan andandAustralia,
writers clamoured
clamoured tofind out
out
COMES AUVE!
all they
they could
couldabout
about this
this mysterious
mysterious new
new superstar.
superstar.
all
HABITAT.
"You
NATURAL"Youwant
want meme toto telltell youyou about
about mymycredentials,"
credentials,"grinned
grinnedIN
HIS
FRAMPTON
peter
frampton in his natural habitat.
PETER
Peter
Peter asas hehetalked,talked, with
with difficulty,
difficulty,totoan
anearnest
earnestinterviewerin Tokyo.
Tokyo. "Yes,interviewer in"Yes,I Ihave
havebeen
beenplaying
playingthe
theguitar
guitaraa long
longtime..."time..."All theBut
But Peter
Peter isisfunny
funnyandandpatient,patient, andand eager
eager toto talk
talkaboutabout
incrediblethethe events
events ofof thethe past
past few
fewmonths
months which
which have
have left
left him
him
presence andbreathless.
He now
now lives
lives in
New York andbreathless. He
in upstate
upstate NewYork
and hashas nonoplans toto return
return to
England on
on aapermanent
permanent basis.
basis.
plans
to England
dynamics
He
who went
went over
over toHe waswas delighted
delighted toto seesee hishis parents,
parents, whotoof a live
Philadelphia to
the incredible
incredible 120,000
Philadelphia
to seesee himhim play
play at
at the120,000Frampton
strongconcertinin thetheJFKJFK stadium.
But hestrong concert
stadium. But
he feels
feels that
that
America, which
which hasmuch, ishis homehome now.
now.
America,has givengiven him
him soso much,is hisconcert faith"It"Itallallstarted
started taking
taking off
off ininMarch,March,withwiththethedouble
double album
album
capturedfully
becoming
becoming aa hit.
hit. There's
There's aa funny
funny story
story about
about that...
that... IIon a speciallywantedto do
do aa double
butDeeDee said,said, 'No,
'No, youwanted to
double album,
album, butyou/priced two mustn't.' He
wanted me
use thethe cream
cream oftwo albums,
albums,mustn't.'
He wanted
me toto useof twoaa couple
couple ofofacoustic
acousticnumbers
numbers andand somesomerecord set.
rockers. It
was originallyoriginally goingrockers.
It wasgoingtoto be
be 'All
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Face','JumpingJackFlash','LinesOn My
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FRAMPTON
COMES ALIVE!

and 'How Do You Feel'.
"It"Itadded
added upup to
to aa single
single album.
album. We
We played
playedand 'How Do You Feel'.

iit to JerryMoss and he turned round andsaid, 'Where's'Where's thethe rest?'
rest?'
said,
"And
I'd
"And IIsaid,
said,'What'What dodo youyou meanmean more?'more?' lid
been programmed
singlebeen
programmedto
to do
do alivea live single

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84 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

84 I HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

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Aren't you bigger now than Humble Pie were
all thethe way
way through.
through. It's
talk toall
It's really
really nicenice toto talktoayears ago?
ago?
audienceslike that.
like 'I'I lovea couple
couple ofofyears
audiences likethat. II say
say things
things likelove you',you', andandIt?v
"Yeah...
they
at like"Yeah... II know...
know... which
which isis really
reallystrange.
strange. When
When
they like
like it.
it. They
They don't
don't wanna
wanna bebe shouted
shouted atlike sosoM.
walked on
onstageto thatthat ovation
ovation at
at Philadelphia
Philadelphia II
many groups
groups do.
do. IfIfyou
communicate subtly,
they'll
II walked
stage tomany
you communicate
subtly, they'lliturnedround and
understandyou."
turned roundand sawmy
saw my parents
parents on
on stagestage watching
watching
understand you."me. IIjust
just couldn't
couldn't believe
knew itit waswas going
going
Peter
admitted that
American now
heme.
believe it.
it. I
I knew
Peter admitted
thathehefeltfelt American
now heto
lived"I'm usedbig
to happen
happen because
because it's
it's been
been happening
happening on
on
lived abroad.
abroad. "I'mused toto thethe facilities,
facilities, thethe big
every gig,
every
gig, butbut they
they didn't
didn't know
knowwhatwhat toto expect.
expect.
cars..
cars..."."His
His girlfriend
girlfriend Penny
Penny isis American.
American.
"When
Where
"When II sold
sold out
out aa gig
gig inin 24
24hours
hours II knew
knew it
it
Where did
did they
they meet?
meet?
I
couldn't
wasthings. But"In
was aa pointerpointer toto greater
greater things.
But there
there waswas
"In New
New York,
York,when
whenIIwas
wasstill
stillwith
withHumble
Humbleafelt II was
Pie.
a timetime when
when II felt
was banging
banging mymy headhead against
againstPie. We
Wesortsortofofgot
gotitittogether,
together,asaspeople
people do.
do. SheShe
write
acoustic
the wall.
wall.
was jusjustt aa friend
friend ofof aafriend
friend at
at thethe time.
time. It
It waswasthewas"Aroundgreat"Around thethe timetime IIrecorded
recorded XheFrampton
the Frampton
great when
when itithappened-it
happened- it was
wasjustjustsomething
somethingalbum
the castle
castle ininWales,
Icouldn't
couldn't afford
affordneeded. I'm
I'm aahappy
happy person
person now
now andand thatthat isisalbum at
at theWales, I
II needed.
songs
with
to
reflected
in myto putput aabandbandononthe
theroadroadunlessunlesssomething
somethingreflected in
my songs."
songs."
happened. That
happened.
That album
album did
did better
better than
than all
all thetheWhyhadn't
Why
hadn't PeterPeter gained
gained greater
greater personal
personal
HumblePie,soothers put
took thethe live
live album
album totosuccess earlier
earlier inin hishis career?
career?
othersput together,
together, but
but itit tooksuccessmake"Everybody
make thatthat one
one aa gold.
gold.
"Everybody needs
needs thatthat bubble
bubble ofof thethe businessbusiness"Whenaroundthem to"When II came
came backback toto thethe States
States II was
was
around themto harden
harden into
into aa shell.
shell. ItIthappened
happenedI
hadtoleave"
headlining atwith aa middle
middle spot
spot
to me
me withwith [Ken][Ken]Howard
Howard andand [Alan]
Blaikleyheadlining
atall
all thethe gigs,
gigs, withto
[Alan] Blaikley
once
andSteve Rowland
once oror twice.
twice. That
That Frampton
Frampton album
album moved
moved ususand Steve
Rowland andand Jack
Jack Baverstock
Baverstock ininup
the market
market totoalmost
almostheadline
headline status.
status.
The
Herd, andand itit worked.
worked.
up theThe Herd,"It
and I
I stillone. MyMy next"They
me worked.
worked. And
And it"Itwaswas mymybest-everbest -everstudiostudio album
album andstill love
love thatthat one.
next"They fought
fought off
offoutsiders
outsidersand
andthethemachinery
machinery aroundaround meitalbum I'll
album
I'll record
record ininAmerica
Americainin aa househouse where
where everybody
everybody cancan live,
live, wake
wake
was aa protectivewasprotective layer
layer thatthat didn't
didn't let
let anybody
anybody inin thatthat wasn't
wasn't wanted.
wanted. II was
was
up,
a
up, have
have breakfast,
breakfast, kickkickaaballballaroundaroundand
andstart
start recording.
recording. The
The best
besttapes
tapes
a guitarist,
guitarist, occasional
occasional singer
singer andand songwriter,
songwriter, with
with nonogreatgreataspirations.
aspirations.
arefive inalways."That'sword-1 had
had aspirations,aspirations, but
but I
I neverare donedone between
between one
one andand fivein thethe morning,morning, always."That's thethe wrongwrongword-1
never thought
thought mymy songs
songs
Was Peter
Peter broke
brokewhen
when hehemademade thatthat last
last but
but oneone album?
album?
were thatthat incredible.
incredible.
Was
were"Very.People
Peoplewere
werethrowing
throwing other
other groups
groups at
join. But
But IIthought
thought if
if"Very.
at me
me toto join.
"Thenof justplaying
playingto
to people.
people. They
"Then IIneededneededthree-and-a-halfyears
three-and-a-halfyears ofjust
Theycanit was1I dodoanything,anything, I'll
I'll bebe aasession
session man
man andand try
try again
again later.
later. But
But there
there were
were only
only
can telltell you
you what's
what's right
right oror wrong,
wrong, nobody
nobody else
else can.
can. Whether
Whether it
was aa good
good
two
whenII was
was living
living ineverythingwas
wasvery
verylow.
low.
move
two months
months whenin London
London when
when everything
move oror aa badbad move,
move, IIhad
hadaavery
veryenjoyableenjoyabletime
time inin Humble
Humble Pie.
Pie. Maybe
Maybe itit
Frampton was
was aa do-or-die
do-or-die album
album madeof desperation
desperation andput
wasn't theme toto do,
do, but
but ititwas
wasaagreat
greatstomping
stompingground...
ground...
Framptonmade out
out ofand I
I put
wasn'tthe right
right music
music forfor meeverything
hadintointoit,it, asas I
I thought
would bebe thethe last
last I
I did
while."
andeverything II had
thought itit would
did forfor aawhile."
and wewe diddid stomp!
stomp!
Were thethe lyrics
lyrics ofof thethe songsong "Show"ShowMeMeThe
TheWay"Way"prophetic?
prophetic?Did
Didthey
theyhave"Iknowyou
knowyou really
really loved
loved thethe band,band, anda really
really good
good band.
band. But
it
Were
have
"I
andit
it waswas a
But itspecialgot
whereII nono longerlonger had
had thethe facility
facility to
to dodo what
special significance?
significance?
got toto thethe point
pointwhere
what II wanted.
wanted. II"Yeah, maybe.
maybe. IIjust
justmetmetsomebody
somebody thatthat gave
gave meme suchsuch confidence.
confidence. She
couldn't write
write acoustic
acoustic songs
songs andand stuff,
stuff, soso II had
had toAnd I'mI'm veryvery glad
glad"Yeah,
She
couldn't
to leave.
leave. And
does...
my lifelife isAll thethatldid.
does... myiscompletely
completely changed.
changed. All
the lyrics
lyrics ininthatthat song
song areare aboutaboutthat I did.
"Although,me andmeand her.
her. The
The lineline people
peoplepick
pick out
outis,
is, 'I
7 wonderwonder if
ifI'm
I'm dreaming,
dreaming, II feel
feelsoso"Although, at
at thethe time,time, IIthought
thought ititwas
was thethe oneone big
big blunderblunder I'd
I'd mademade ininunashamed
can'tbelieve
believe thisto me.'mymy life.
life.I Ileftleftandandthethealbum
albumwent-wham!
went -wham!There's
There'sno
nodoubt
doubttheir
theirsuccesssuccess
unashamed II11can't
this isis happening
happening tome.'"That's aboutyou,
about you, everybody...
everybody... soso they
they allallthink
think I'm
I'm singing
singing about
about
spurred me"That's
spurredme on."
on."them.
the audienceDid
to Humble
them. I've
I've learnt
learnt thethesecretsecretthroughthrough that.
that.TheyThey -theaudience -- areare thethe
Did Peter
Peterhave
haveany
anythoughts
thoughts on
onwhatwhathappened
happened to
Humble Pie
Pie after
after
their
first flushto speak.
"I'm very
most important
important people.
can write
write personal
personal songs
about me,me, whichwhich they
they
their firstflush ofof success?
success? He
Heseemed
seemed reluctant
reluctant tospeak. "I'mvery close
close
most
people. II cansongs about
think
are about
about them.
them.AllAll myfriends with
with Jerry
Jerry [Shirley][Shirley] again,
and hehe lives
lives nearus. But
But thefriends
again, andnear us.
the band?
band? Well,
Well,
think aremy songs
songsarearepersonal,
personal, andand I've
I've been
been put
put down
down
for itit many
many times.
times.
the music
music went
went inin thethe wrongwrong direction
direction --for
me.
for
the
for me.
"Mythat II do-I
know that.
that.But
But II thinkon"It"Mylyrics
lyricsareare thetheworst
worst thing
thing that
do -I know
think on.
"Itwaswasheavy
heavyEnglish
English rockrockandand thenthen ititwent
wentinto
intoAmerican
American soul,soul, which,which,
Frampton the
Framptonthe lyrics
lyrics were
were aa 100
100perpercent
centimprovement.
improvement. They
They were
were honest,
honest,to me,
tome, wasn't
wasn't right.
right. And
And Steve
Steve thought
thought it
it was.
was. IIthought
thought thatthat was
was wrong,wrong,
theyweren'ttrying
tryingto
tohidehideanything.
anything.They
Theywere
were just
just myself
myself being
being happy.
but
but that's
that's just
just mymy personal
personal opinion
opinion andand that's
that's not
not putting
putting thethe bandband down.
down,
theyweren't
happy.
Now Ising
sing 'Lines'Lines On
On My
MyFace'Face' with
with aa smile.
smile.
But IItell
tellyou,
you,hehestill
stillexcites
excitesme
mewhenwhen IIsee
seehim.
him. He
Hedid
did aatour
tour here.
here. The
The
Nowl
But
"And
But I
band
wasn't that
thattogether,
together,butbutthey
theygot
got asometimes. But
I couldn't
couldn't not
not dodo thatthat number,number,"And itit seems
seems wrong
wrong sometimes.
band wasn't
a greatgreat ovation.
ovation.
because itit gets
gets anan ovation.
ovation. Diana
doing thethe song.
song. 1Ithink.
think. She's
She's"Idon't
don'twant
want 8080pages
pagesofofme
mesingingsingingmy
myown
ownpraises
praisesandandthenthenputting
puttingbecauseDianaRoss
Ross isis doing"I
done'Baby I Love
Love Your
Way', and'Lines On
On My
down
do youyou understand?
understand?
Youknow
knowII never,done 'Baby!
YourWayl,
andsomebody
somebody else
else has
has donedone 'LinesMy
down Steve
Steve --doYou
never, ever
ever want
want toto putput
Face'. Barbra
Barbra StreisandStreisand also
also wants
wants toto do
do thethe song.
song. Things
Things like..."like..."
people down,
do seesee mistakes
mistakes beingknows, I've
I've mademadeFace'.
peopledown, but
but I
I do
being made.
made. GodGod knows,
Petersuddenlydropped
from his
hisAmerican-tingedsomePeter suddenly dropped from
American -tinged tones
tones into
into pure
pure
some heavy
heavy ones!"
ones!"
Mike Reid
Mike
Reidcockney:
cockney: "It's"It'scompletely
completelyfreaky!
freaky!After
After allallthisthistime...
time... well
well
After tours
After
tours ofAmerica,
ofAmerica, Australia
Australia andand Japan,
Japan, PeterPeter will
will bebe comingto
coming to
II can't
and now
now itit has.
Britainwhen hehe isis expected
to play
can't flake
flake out
out now.
now. I've
I'vealways
alwayswanted
wanted it
it totohappen
happen andhas.
Britain in
in thethe autumn,
autumn, when
expected toplay aaconcert
concert at
atCharlton
Charlton"So
I'mgoing
goingtotolocklockmyself
myselfaway
awayandandwrite.
write. I've
I'vegot
gotenoughenough stuff
stuff forforthethefootball groundground inin southsouth London.
London.
"So I'mfootballnext
already. I'm
Peter
next album
album already.
I'm writing
writing ail
all thethe time,time, but
but IIwant
wantananintense
intense period
periodPeter agreed
agreed thatthat his
his bandband had
had been
been aa bit
bitshakyshakyonontheir
theirappearance
appearance ininalone toto putput itit allall together
together forfor aasingle
singlestudiostudio album
album with
with about
songs."
Philadelphia,
John
years
alone
about 11
11 songs."
Philadelphia, butbutexplained
explainedthat
that
JohnSimios
Simioshadhadjustjustleft
leftafter
afteraa few
fewyearsWill
voice bagandhis feet.
feet.
Will PeterPeter use
use thethe voicebag again?
again?
and Andy
Andy Newmark
Newmark was
was still
still finding
finding his"I've got
got to,to, it's
it's mymy trademark
trademarknow.
see Ringo
Ringo hehe comescomes upup toto"It takes
takes time
time toto getget aa band
band together.
I can't
can't really
really direct
direct them
them onon stage,stage,"I've
now.Every
Every time
time I
I see"It
together. I
megoes,''Wah,
Wah, wah,
wah, wah,
wah, wah,
wah, WAAH.'
WAAH.' I'dbecauseI'm tootoo husy
with thethe audience.
audience.The
The bandbandbefore
beforewas
was aa workingme andand goes,
I'dlikeliketotodo
doaawhole
wholenumber
numberbecause I'm
busywith
working
and just
andjust talkit
talk it through.
through. The
The voicevoice bagbag waswas first
first used
used inin 1925
1925 oror something,something,machine, andmachine,and sometimes
sometimes you
you have
have toto makemake aa change.
change. Bob
Bob Mayo,
Mayo, mymyandthe oneone I
I use
took four
keyboard
player, leads
band forfor meme whenkeyboard player,
leads thethe band
when I'm
I'm out
out front,
front, andand whenwhen IIand theuse took
four oror five
five years
years toto evolve.
evolve.It's
It'sbeen
been aasecretsecret forforaa
longtime,
simple.
don't have
have toto sing,
sing, IIbecome
become thethe director.
director.
longtime, but
but it's
it's soso simple.
don't"Stevie
My Mind,"Round"Round about
about October,
October, November,
November, we'll
we'll bebeplayingplayingMadison
Madison Square
Square"Stevie Wonder
Wonder used
used itit on
on Music
Music Of
OfMy
Mind,which
which brought
brought itit backback
instantly. Then
did itit andand mymy girl
girlPenny
Penny found
found out
out where
where Joe
Joe
Gardens forfor two
two ororthreethreedays.
days.Nobody
Nobodyknows
about thatthat yetyet-- butit's
instantly.
ThenJoeJoe Walsh
Walsh did
Gardens
knows about
but it'sgotgonna
And I've
I've got
gotlots
lotsofofsecretsecretsurprises
surprises lined
lined upgot ititfrom.
from. TheThe oneone IIuse
useisiscalled
called aaHeil,
Heil,which
whichisisfrom
fromBob
BobHeil's
Heirssoundsound
gonna bebe amazing.
amazing. And
up -brass-brasssection,things like
like that.
I'll playsystem. He
made one,
one, andand instead
instead ofbag overover thethe shoulder
shoulder hehe hashas aa box
box
section, strings,
strings, things
that. I'll
play numbers
numbers fromfrom every
every album,
album,
system.
He made
of a
a bag
on
thingsI've never
never done
done before
before onon stage.
stage. I
I can'ton thethe floor.
floor. It's
It'squite
quite difficult
difficult totouse-I
use -I couldn'ttalkwith
couldn't talkwith ititfor
for aa longtime.
long time.
things I've
can't tell
tell youyou all
all thethe dates
dates yet,
yet, but
but"But all"But
all itit consists
consists of
of is
is a
a smallsmall speakerspeaker inin abox,a box, with
with aa tube
tube comingout
coming out
they'll be
they'llbe announced.
announced.
oflung or"You
I've"Youknow,
know,I Inever,
never,evereverthought
thoughtI'd
I'dgetgetaaNoNo1 hit
1 hitanywhere,
anywhere,and
andnownowl'veof thethe top
top leading
leading totoyouryourmouth.
mouth. The
The boxboxbecomes
becomes another
another lungor
diaphragm. You
just have
have toto over-mouthover -mouth thethe words.
words.
had aa hit
hit inin America,
America,England
England andand Japan.
Japan. It's
It's all
all coming
coming true
true --likebigdiaphragm.
You just
had
like aa big"IStevie isis going,
dream.
And I'mI'm grateful.
I'm gonna
keep doing
doingwhat
what I'm
I'm doing
doing forfor a
"Ialwaysalwaysremember
remember thatthat bitbit onon Music
Music OfMyMindwhen
OfMy Mindwhen Stevie
going,
dream. And
grateful. I'm
gonna keepa longlong
In otherother words...'words... ' If
If youyougo
gobackbackandandlistenlistentotothat
thatalbum,
album, he's
he's talking
talkingtime. It's
put anotherWelch•'Intime.
It 's put
another25
25 years
yearsononmylife."
my life."Chris
Chris Welch
Aren'tyou bigger nowthan Humble Pie were

"I couldn't
write acoustic
songs withhumble Pie, so
I had to leave"

WorldMags.net

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HISTORY
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The potential is there to do it if they'd onlyharness and direct the- MELODYAUGUST 21
MELODY MAKER
MAKER AUGUST
21 music,
Angus Young
Young havemusic, andand vocalist
vocalist Scott
Scott andand punk
punk guitarist
guitaristAngus
havecertain
certain
THOSE
THOSE PUZZLEDPUZZLEDBY
BYthe
theStatus
StatusQuo
Quophenomenon
phenomenon
charismaticcharismatic qualities.
qualities. Scott,
Scott, with
with his
his moody
moody stare
stare andand distinctive
distinctive
shouldbeware.AC
AC/DC,
Scottishof, asshould beware.
/DC, fromfrom thethe samesame rockrock family,family,Scottish voice,voice, could
could bebe aafirst-classfirst-classfrontman
frontrnan instead
instead of,as hehe strikes
strikes me,me,
could wreak
wreak similar
similar havoc,
havoc, but
but
a poorpoor cross
cross between
between Alex
Harvey andand Stevie
Steviecould
aAlex Harvey
they will
they
will only
onlyrealise
realise their
their
Marriott.
trifleseem aa trifle
Marriott. His
His enthusiasm
enthusiasm did
did seem
full potential
potential if,
amid all
all thethecontrived attimes.
full
if, amid
contrived
at times.
"I
don't
like
to
raucousness
Seventeen-year-oldYoung,raucousness thatthat inevitably
inevitably
Seventeen-year- oldYoung, with
with his
hissurrounds power-chord
power-chord bands,
bands, they
they better
betterschoolboy uniform
uniform (discarded(discarded after
after thethesurrounds
schoolboy
organisefourthnumberofof theorganise their
their assaults.
assaults.
fourth number
the setset because
because ofof saunasauna bathbathplay aboveor
Butwhatever
But
whatever they
they dodo lack
lackininpresentation
presentation at
atconditions), hasconditions),
has hithit onon thethe really
really good
good gimmick
gimmick
theoflookinglikearock'n'rolloflooking like a rock'n'roll Norman
Norman Wisdom,
Wisdom,the moment,
moment, thethe bandband isis certainly
certainly making
making great
great
strides towards
towards becoming
becoming aa major
major attraction,
attraction, as
as
only more
more backward.
backward.
strides
only
below people'swasThough(solos over
was suggested
suggested byby theirtheir Monday-night
Monday -nightresidency
residency
Though not
not aa great
great guitarist
guitarist (solos
over thetheat London's
London's Marquee
Marquee Club.
When IIcaught
caught thetheone -minute markbecame,
mark became, tothe least,
least,
at
Club. When
one-minuteto saysay theheads
band there
there last
last week,
week, they
repetitive),
he's arepetitive), he'sa greatgreat showman.
showman. Where
Where dodoband
they had
had just
just broken
brokenanotherhouse attendance
record, which,which, I'm
another houseattendance record,
I'm
AC/DCgogofromfromthetheMarquee
Marqueeininmurky
murkyWardour
AC/DC
Wardourtold,
the previous
previous week.
week.
Street?
told, they'dthey'd set
set themselves
themselves theStreet? Judgingfrom
Judging from thethe wildwild reaction
reaction ofof their
their
AC
AC/DC
I DC have
havebeenb eentagged
taggedasasananAustralian
Australian band,
band, thoughthough three
three ofof thetheaudiences,audiences, they
they could
could just
just about
about slip
slip comfortably
comfortably into
into Status
Status Quo's
Quo's shoes
shoes
members,brotherguitarists
guitaristsAngus
Angus andand MalcolmYoung
Malcolm Young andand singer
singer BonBon
once
have pulledpulledtheir
their
socks
up.
HarryDoherty
Dohertymembers, brotheronce they
they have
socks
up.
Harry
Scott, areare Glaswegians,
Glaswegians,withwith only
onlythetherhythm
rhythm section
section ofofdrummer
drummer Philip
PhilipScott,
Rudd
Rudd andand bassist
bassist MarkMark Evans
Evans being
being children
children ofof Melbourne.
Melbourne.
- NME
OCTOBER16
16NME OCTOBER
Although I'm
saw atat thethe Marquee,
Marquee, where
where sweat
sweat was
was
AlthoughI'm sure
sure that
thatthethegig
gig I
I saw
shed
EPENDING ON
WHO they
were trying
shed byby thethe bucketful,bucketful, waswas anan off-nightoff -nightfor
forthetheband-soundband-sound troubles
troubles
DEPENDING
ONWHO
theyweretryingto
toimpress,
impress, thethe best
best(twice) brought
brought thethe gig
gig totoaahalt
haltthey did
didenoughenough totoshow
showthat
thatthey're
they'reways forfor any
any bandband toleave aa gratefulgrateful audienceaudience usedbe(twice)- theyways
to leaveused toto bealurch full
full-tilt
a goodgoodboogie
boogieband,
band,withwithapparently
apparently nonopretensions
pretensions about
about being
being
to eithereither viciously
viciously trash
trash their
their equipment,
equipment, lurch-tilt into
into
D to
anything else.
anythingelse.
aa rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll medley,
medley, oror disappear
disappear inin clouds
clouds ofof drydry ice.
ice.
But
But
jaded. And
And with
But IIwas
wasleft
lefthoping,hoping,somewhere
somewherearoundaround thethe middle
middle ofof theirtheir set,
set, that
that
But times
times change.
change. Appetites
Appetites become
become jaded.
with few
few exceptions,
exceptions,they'd shattershatter the
vocal andand solosolo (in(in thatthat order),order), which
which
those well-rehearsed
well -rehearsed tactics
tactics thatthat once
once transformed
transformed therows ofof
they'dtheuniformity
uniformityof
ofriff,riff, vocal
those
thefront
frontsix
sixrows
allafter awhile,a while, andtheall tended
tended toto becomebecome much
much ofof aa muchness
muchness after
and widen
widen thethe
the local
local Odeon
Odeon into
into aa demolition
demolition area
area areare nowforgotten
now forgotten byby thethe timetime thethescope aa little.
little.
house lights
gone upup -- andand thethe punterspunters quietly
through thethe exits
exits
scope
house
lights have
have gone
quietly file
file throughThe potential is there to do it if they'd only harness and direct the"I don't like toplay above or
below people's
heads"

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88
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976
SS HISTORY

A

AG/DC
AG/DC

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WorldMags.net,

August 9.1975:backstage
August 9*1976: backstag

attheMarquee- (I -r)

at the Marquee-(l-r)

Angus Young, Mark Evans

Angus Young, Mark Evans(foreground),Malcolm(foreground), Malcolm

Youngand Bon Scott
Youngand BonScottiI

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he argues. "Basically, I just like to get up front of atoof Darkcrowd
rip itit up."
to thethe strains
strains ofDark
crowd andand rip
up."
Side
The Moon.
Tutored
Tutored over
over thethe last
last sixyears
sixyears by
by hishisbrotherbrother Malcolm
Malcolm
Side Of
OfThe
Moon.
IT'S
A LONGIT
S A
LONG WAY
WAY TOTO THETHE TOPTOP
N R41.11(IF
WANNAROC%ROCK N
ROll)(IF YOU WANNAIn
of rock(a
In terms
terms ofrock(a whiz-kid
whiz -kidin
inhis
hisday)day)ononaadiet
dietofofBerry,
Berry,Hendrixand
Hendrix and
I'owa 4AC
DC
AC/DC
brinkmanship, itit seems
seems
reRichard (Keithand.Little),
Little),Angus
Angustheorises
theorises thatthat thethe worst
worst
brinkmanship,
Richard(Keith and
PBOCHKID B*
byVANDA,..D. & YOUNG
vOu
Pcy.
&LOW
PROPUCTIOuS
4
IOf> AiBEUT PRODUCTIONS.
f 1976
TO6Ailoo'.c
Am.:,
0.0
nothingshortofHariKaricanthing
nothing short of Hari Kari canthing any
any rockrock band
band cancan dodo isistotoperform
perform forfortheirtheir own
own
oshock aa mid-70s
mid -'70saudienceaudience -- andandamusement:
visual.
shock
amusement;"That's"That'swhywe
why wekeep
keep itit simple
simple andand makemake itit visual.
even
Youeven thatthat might
might notwarrant
not warrant an
an encore!
encore!
Yousee,see,there
therearearesomesome people
people who
who can't
can't getget off
offon
onmusic
musicnonomattermatter how
how
We've seen
We'veseen itit allall before.
before. So
So whatwhat else
else isissimplesimple you
you play
play it.
it. You've
You've also
also got
got toto catercater forfor them.
them. RockRock isisall
allaboutabout
new?
havingfun,
and ififyoutakethenew? I'll
I'lltelltellyou
you-the-theHuman
Human Kangaroo!
Kangaroo!
havingfun, andyou take the businessbusiness parttooseriouslyitisn'tfun
part too seriously it isn't fun any
any
Accordingto
more
According to Angus
Angus Young,
Young,demented
demented
more-- andand thethe audienceaudience sense
sense it."it."
17-year-old
withAC
AC/DC,
Havinggotasfar
Australia, AC
AC/DC
17 -year -oldlead
leadguitarist
guitarist with
/ DC, it's
it's
Having got as far asasany
anyrock
rockbandband cancan getget ininAustralia,/DCarrived
arriveda japejape thatthat hehe picked
picked uponhere in
inAprildeadline ofmonths inbreak it.
aup fromfrom singer
singerBBon
here
April with
with aa deadlineof sixsixmonlhs
in whichwhich toto makemake oror breakit.
Scott,
WithinScott, who
who employedemployed itit toto jolly-up
jolly -upapres-gig
apres-gig
Within weeks
weeks they'dthey'd risen
risen fromfrom aa£25-a-nighti25 -a-nightsupport
support band
band totopotential
potential
piss -ups.
piss-ups.
bill-toppers.
bill -toppers.
The
Angus
"I'm
we happened
happenedso
soquickly
quicklyinin Britain,"
Britain,"
The Human
Human. Kangaroo?
Kangaroo? Young
YoungAngus"I'm reallynot
really notall
allthatthatsurprised
surprised thatthatwecomes complete
comescomplete withwithinstruction
instruction manual.
manual.
Angus says
Angus
says without
without any
any trace
trace ofof egotism.
egotism. "1"Isaysaythatthatbecause
because IIhonestly
honestly"Whatbelieve thatwant. Ifwe
Ifwedidn'tthen
we'd bebe on"What IIdo,"do,"hehebegins,
begins,masticating
masticating every
every
believethat we
we give
givethethepublic
publicwhat
whatthey
theywant.
didn't then we'don
word,
"is toourback toto Australia
bynow."
now."
word, "isto go
go behindbehind thethe equipment,
equipment, strip
strip
our way
wayback
Australiaby
off
But
out ofmileage?
By
off all
all memeclothes,clothes, put
put meme legs
legs tightly
tightly
But whatwhat ifhisprecocious
if his precocious bratimageeventuallybrat image eventually runs
runs outof mileage?By
together, meme hands
hands behindbehind me
me backback andandthe timetime he's
grown out
his togs
togs andand teens
teens hecould bewashed up.
together,thehe's grownout ofof hishe could
be washedup. "Yeah,""Yeah,"
hop
stage."
he sighs,
hop like
like madmad acrossacross thethe stage."hesighs, "I"I might
might bebe aa has-been.
has-been. IfIf II am,
am, II hope
hope I'm
I'm aa richrich one.
one. But
But really,
really,Not, IIassure
assure you.
you, aa pretty
pretty sight,
sight, but
but it's
it's
that'snot themost important
important thing
like totoconquerconquer thethe
Not,
that's not
the most
thingtotome.
me.Of
Of course
course I'd
I'd likemadehim thethe sevenseven-stone
world
and gogo on
on forever
forever likeI i ke Chuck
Chuck Berry,
Berry, but
but ifif 1I don't,
made him-stone darling
darling ofofworld and
don't, ififaa wholewholenewnewgeneration
generation ofof thrillthrill suddenly
suddenly tomorrow
tomorrowit
itall
all ends,
ends, at
at least
least II cancan saysayllve
I've done
done it.
it.
"And,""just so
so longlong asdo likeli ke sose ekers.However,
However,Angus
Anguspoints
points"And,"heheconcludes,concludes, "justas we
we don't
don't dososeekers.
out
manybands dodrift away
out inin allallmodesty
modesty thatthat this
this
manybands
do- driftaway fromfrom thatthat thing
thing thatthat mademade
ALBUMS
artistic portrayal
portrayal isn'tde
us famous
famous -I-I don't
think there's
worry
artistic
isn't deus
don't think
there'smuch
muchforfor usus toto worry
about forCarr •
rigueur
at everyevery gig.
gig.
about
for thethetimetimebeing."
being."Roy
RoyCarr
rigueur at"I usually"I
usually do
do it
it as
as aa special
specialhe argues. "Basically, I just like to get up front of a

_

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■.

-

-

REVIEW

treat- I've done it at theMarquee when
when thethe audienceaudience
Marquee1976
hasreally great.
great. But
But inhas been
been reallyin anyanycase II makemake sure
sure the
the
case
The
same
old
boogieuLnrnMkids
go awaykids don't
don't goaway
disappointed."
disappointed."MM
excitement.
MM JULJUL 33 AC/DC's
AC/DC'sdebut
oeuutfails
fails toto spark
spark exciteme.
PreciselyhowAngus
Precisely howAngus Young
Young
pleases allpleases
all thethe people
people all
all thethe
AOOC
gh Voltage
Voltage ATLANTICATLANTIC
AC/DC
AC/DC Highandand lack
lackofofsophistication
sophistication that's
that'stime
time takes
takes this
this form.
form. Having
HavingE
Anyalwaysspent thethe best
best part
part ofan hourhour
Any new
new bandbandthatthat opens
opens its
itsfirst
first
always useful
useful inin thethe heavy
heavy branchbranch
spent
of an
SOUL
IPWR
album
of
trashinghis
Gibson,album with
with aa song
song thatthat goes,
goes, "It's"It'sof rock.
rock. BestBest ofof allall isisthe
the suitably
suitably
trashing his Gibson,a
you wannalaboured
stomping thestage inin brightbright a longtong way
way toto thethe top
top ififyou
wanna
laboured punningpunning andand innuendo
innuendo
stomping
the stagerocknro//," isin
red
rock'n'roll,"
is askingaskingfor
fortrouble.
trouble.
in The"The Jack",
Jack",aa song
song which
which only
only
red schoolboy
schoolboy uniform
uniform andandAnd
apposite inintheshaking his head
head asas thoughthoughAnd it's
it's particularly
particularly apposite
the naive
naive will
will think
think isis about
aboutshakinghis
theplaying
the casecase ofof AC/DC,
AC/DC, whose
whose
playing cards.
cards.
tryingto removeit fromtrying toremove itfrom hishisC4^musicalisstillThisshoulders,shoulders, hehe strips
strips toto hishismusical development
development isstill at
at
This track
track isisevidence
evidence that
that
AC/DC
(said toto be
be Australia's
AC/DC (saidAustralia's
briefs,thebriefs, mounts
mounts thethe highest
highestthe raw
raw stage.
stage. Not
Not thatthat there's
there'sanything
punk rock,most
hard rockspeaker stack
stack and,
and, having
havinganything wrong
wrong with
with punkrock,
most popular
popular hardrock band)
band)
speakerhave
But thenturnedhis backback toto thecrowd,
of
Lenny Kaye
have some
some potential.
potential. But
then sosoturned his
the crowd,of course,
course, but
but ifif Lenny
Kaye ofofthePattiSmithband,anddid
Aussies Daddy
dramatically lowers
below
his knees
Full
the Patti
Smith band,anddid fellow
fellow Aussies
Daddy Cool
Cool
dramaticallylowers his
his undergarment
undergarment
belowhiskneestotogivegive aa Full(arguably
best rock'n'rol
rock'n'roll
Moon.
"You've got
acknowledged(arguably thethe best
I
entertain aa crowd
crowdnowadays,"
nowadays,"maintains
maintains
Moon. "You've
got totoreally
really entertain
acknowledged expert
expert on
on thesethesematters,
revivalthe fearlessfearless flasher.
flasher. "Personally,
think ithelps if
if aa lead
lead guitarist
guitarist has
hasmatters, cancan claim
claim thatthat his
his groupgroup
revival band
band aroundaround -- andand long
longthe"Personally, I
I think
it helps
beforebefore most
most everybody
everybody else
else got
got
somearen'tpunk becausesome kind
kind ofvisualof visualgimmick.
gimmick. Truthfully,"
Truthfully," hehe squeaks,squeaks, "I"Ijustjustcouldn't
couldn't
aren't punkbecause they
they don't
don't
have
in
stand
stand there
there inin front
front ofof thethe groupgroup without
without doing
doing something!"
something!"
have aa Farfisa
Farfisa organ,organ, then
then there's
there'sin onon thethe act),act),andandwhatwhathappened
happenedtoto them?
them? MichaelOldfield
Michael Oldfieici
AC/DC
nolack ofAC /DCareareeverythingyou'deverything you'dexpect
expectananantipodean
antipodean boogie
boogieband
band
no reason
reason forfor AC/DC's
AC/DC's lackoforiginality
comprised ofthree expat
to be;
be: crude,
crude,
originality totocomprisedof three
expat Scotsmen
Scotsmen andandtwotwo Aussies
Aussies torude
exceedingly randy.
randy. Onberude andand exceedingly
On stagestage they
they sweat
sweat andand swagger
swagger andandbe lauded.
lauded.
seem- flat out.
Theirseem toto play
playatatjust
justoneonespeed
speed-flat
out.
Their mainmain
Butgeneral ribald
ribaldimage,
image,AC
AC/DC
fault
lies inBut despite
despite thethe general/ DCarearebuilt
builtalmost
almostfault liesin thetheinstrumentals:
entirely aroundaround thethe uninhibited
uninhibited antics
youngAngus.
Though as
as aa
instrumentals:
entirelyantics ofof young
Angus. Though
guitarist
he maybe runningrunning
onaaquite
quitedifferent
differentartistic
artisticticket
ticketto,
to, say,say,
it's
guitarist hemaybe
onit's thethe samesame£olda Becka
Beck oror aa Gallagher,
Gallagher, hehe hashas hishis own
own kindkind ofof starstar quality.
quality.
old boogie,
boogie,Angus
the%Angus makes
makes itit clearclear thatthat hehe hashas nonorealrealaspirations
aspirations toto becoming
becoming thethethe samesame old
old
ts.
sub-metal
fastest new
new guitar-slinger
guitar-slinger incast aside
aside his
his
sub -metalriffs
riffs
fastestin thethe west,
west, but
but evenso,
even so,if
if youyou cast
penchantfor
for doffing
doffing his
this bonabona fide
fide Seventh
you'vepenchant
his trousers,
trousers, thisSeventh Son
Son builds
buildsyou've heard
heardaup suchsuch aa head
head ofofsteamsteam thatthat only
only thethe veryvery
a thousand
thousandup
fittesttimes
fittest can
can keep
keep pace.
pace.
times before.
before.
Too
He equates
equates primitivism
primitivism inro ckwith
Too many
many ofofHe
in rock
with
T.N.T.
r(From the Album
honesty,and feels
feels there'll
always betheirsongs
honesty, andthere'll always
be
their
songs
(Younsp-Young-Seatl) Albertsound
a ready-madeaready-made market
market forfor bands
bands
sound thethecontent
to sticksame.Still,content tostick toto basics
basics andand not
notsame. Still,
4b R.P.M.
there's
get trapped
trapped byillusions ofofthere's hope.
hope.
get
by illusions
STEREOAPI
1070
i
AP -11070
grandeur.
"I don't
don't like
like toto playThe
have
The lyrics
lyrics have
grandeur. "I
play
7YAPA1282
7TAPA3202
ALBERT,3Z
aabove oror below
belowpeople's
heads,"
a brashness
brashnessabove
people's heads,"
rms.
PRODUCTIONS
treat- I've done it at the

The same old boogie

41111111113Y!

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Iin197S(3.32]

SAt.

AC/DO
Produced by Vsnela 460 Young
Recorded .1 Alban Studio.. Sydney, Aust.

4.

An Abollr43116.

An Atniltdlien

WorldMags.net
41%

WorldMags.net"We draw
a rowdy
crowd""H

cc

AAfedrawaEverything you've
read about goodol' Southern boys

Everything you've

read

ol'

about goodSouthern

crowd"boys

YNYRD SKYNYRDLYNYRD SKYNYRD

is true. "As soon as
one of us gets drunkand disorderly
and we're put in
jail," says singer
is true.

"As soon as-

MELODY MAKER SEPTEMBER 4

MELODY MAKER SEPTEMBER 4 -one of us gets drunk

I. Y'ALL COME in now..." Ronnie Van

HI. Y'ALL COME in now..Ronnie Van

Zant, two minutes out of the sack, wears astetson, strengthening the popular theory
that he was born complete with one.
Lynyrd Skynyrd have jetted into Englandfor the Knebworth Fair (theywere thesuccess ofthe day, it turned out), and Van Zant insists that he hasn't
touched a drop of drink so that his vocal cords will be in perfectcondition for the band's most important gig ever in this country.
Which explains the two empty bottles of Moet & Chandon on a
dressing table, another half-emptyb ottle of bubbly in another cornerof the hotel room, and a just -opened bottle of whiskynext to the bed.
His resistance was low.
Lynyrd Skynyrd have just about made it big in England, a feat that
was achieved with relativelylittle difficulty, via a few prestigious
support spots, plus one short headlining tour at the end oflast year.
In fact at Knebworth theywere playing in front of an audience which
numbered more people than they've played to in all their previous visits
Zant, two minutes out of the sack, wears aand disorderly

and we'restetson, strengthening the popular theory
that he was born complete with one.

put inLynyrd Skynyrd have jetted into Englandfor the Knebworth Fair (they were thejail," says singer

success of the day, it turned out), and Van Zant insists that he hasn't

RONNIE VAN ZANY',

touched a drop of drinkso that his vocal cords will be in perfect

RONNIE VAN ZANT,

condition for the band's most important gig ever in this country.

"we git press for it,
just like that."

Which explains the two empty bottles of Moet & Chandon on a

"we git press for it,

dressing table, another half-empty bottle of bubbly in another corner
ofthe hotel room, and a just-opened bottle ofwhisky next to the bed.

just like that."

His resistance was low.

Lynyrd Skynyrd have just about made it big in England, a feat that

was achieved with relatively little difficulty, via a fewprestigious

support spots, plus one short headlining tour at the end of last year.

In fact at Knebworth they were playing in front of an audience which

numbered more people than they've played to in all their previous visits

here. All i 11 one day.
here.Allinone day.

Van Zant adopts a low profile about the Knebworth business;nono wild
wild claims
claims about
about who
who they
wouldblow
blow off
offtheno bumming,bumming, notheywould
thestage, nono moansmoans about(who'd probably
probably play
play
stage,
aboutwhy
why lOcc
lOcc (who'd
third
to thembill) were
third tothem onon an
an American
American bill)
were billed
billed above
above
them here.
here.
them
■»■Wins •■■a7170 672460
But
But there
there waswasaadefinite
definiteundercurrent
undercurrent ofof confidence
confidence
YNYRD SKYNYRD
thatwould set
set them
them upthat this
this gig
gig would
up forfor thethesuperstarrish
superstarrish
recognition here
here thatthey enjoyStateside,
Stateside, which,recognition
that theyenjoy
which,
twodays after
after our
our meeting,meeting, they
they had
had gained.
gained.
two days
Thoughthe bulk
bulk ofof Skynyrd's
Though the
Skynyrd's publicity
publicity has
has been
been
gearedtowards their
their drunkenness,
drunkenness, rowdinessrowdiness andand »»
geared towards
Van Zant adopts a low profile about the Knebworth business;

u
o
Q
Z
<
-J
f£
w
<
X
o

WorldMags.net

90 I IHISTORY90
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976

WorldMags.net..rAugust 21,1976:appearing
betweenTodd
between Todd Rundgren's
Rundgren's
UtopiaandlOcc,
Utopia andlocc, Lynyrd
LynyrdAugust 21,1976: appearing

Skynyrd performatthethird

Skynyrd perform at the third

Knebworth festival, headlinedby
the RollingStones
bytheRollingStones
Knebworth festival, headlined

WorldMags.net
HISTORYHISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976

91

91

1976

WorldMags.net

JULY -SEPTEMBER

free bird 4. gimme

October 1,1976: Lynyrd
Skynyrd backstageat anopen-

air concertin LA -(clockwisefrom left) Artimus Pyle, Gary
Rossington, RonnieVanZarbt,
Allen Collins,SteveGaines,
Billy Powel land LeonWilkeson

subsequent arrests, they're much more subtle
than that image suggests.
Loud they are, boogie they do, but there
are few bands around in the worldwho've
consistently come up with loud, boogie classics:

subsequent arrests, they're much more subtle
than that image suggests.

Loud they are, boogie they do, but there

are few bands around in the wo rid who've

consistently come up with loud, boogie classics:"You git hit
with frisbees...
Crazy - it
can get outof hand"
"You

with

a
b"

git

hit

frisbees...

,"Free Bird", "Gimme Three Steps" and "Simple
Man"'SkinthisMan" (from(from(Pronounced(Pronounced'Leh-'nerdrehinerd 'Skin
this American
American policeman
policeman listened
listened to
to nobody
nobody'nerd)); "Sweet"SweetHome
HomeAlabama"
Alabama" andand "Workin'"Workin'and started
started grabbin'
grabbin' Artimus
Artimus by
byhis
beard toto'nerd));
andhis beard
Crazy itFor
leadlead him
him away.
away.Artimus
Artimusknocked
knocked thethe shit
shit outta
outta
For MCA"
MCA"{from(fromSecond
SecondHelping)-,
Helping);"Saturday"Saturday
Night Special"Rock-A -Roller"him, knocked
knocked his
NightSpecial"and
and"Whiskey"Whiskey
Rock-A-Roller"him,
his helmet
helmet off.
off.
can
get
out
[fromNuthin'Fancy);"About(from Nuthin' Fancy); andand "DoubleTrouble","Double Trouble","Aboutthat
that time,
time, aabatch
batch of'em
of 'emcame
came upupand
and"Cry ForThe"Cry
For The Bad
BadMan"Man" and"and "(I(I Got
GotThe)The) SameSamethey allthey
all handcuffedhandcuffed him,
him, threw
threw him
him inin thethe backback
Old
GimmeBack
Back MyMy Bullets).
ofwaggon andof aapaddy
paddywaggonand did
did aa little
littlenumber
number onon
Old Blues"
Blues" (from(from Gimme
Bullets).
of hand"
But it's
it'salways
alwaysthetheboozing
boozingand
andfighting
fighting thatthat
his head.
head. He
had aa black
black eye
eye andand knocks
knocks all
all over
over
But
his
He hadgets
the boysboys inhisgets thethe attention,
attention, probably
probably because
because theinhis head.
head.
the bandband booze
lot.
"Little things
things like
like thatthat getget all
all thethe publicity.
publicity. IIdon't
don't git
gitintointomany
many fights
fightsthebooze andandfight
fight aa lot.
"LittleThey
now,
andyouyoumissmissa
a gig,
gig.
now, notnot me,me, 'cos,'cos, fuck,
fuck,youyougitgithurt,hurt, hit
hit onon thethe throat,throat, andThey expect
expect audiencesaudiences toto throw
throw bottles
bottles andand similar
similar armouryarmoury atat themthem inin
the States,
States, says
says Van
Van Zant;
Zant; they
theythenthat's what's
what'sCut thethe guitar
guitar player's
player's fingers,
fingers, andand there
Skynyrd forfor aawhile.
thethenthrow
throwthem
themback.
back. SoSo that's
Cut
there goes
goes Lynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
while.
called"There'sin thethe States
States especially,
especially, who
who wants
wantsaa go.
go. Itcalled "audience"audience communication".
communication".
"There's always
always somebody,somebody, inIt"I've"I'veseen
seenAllen
Allen [Collins,[Collins, one
one ofof thetheguitarists]
guitarists] git
git hit
hit inin thethe headhead withwith
was quite
wasquite funny
funnywhen
when we
we played
played Memphis
Memphis onon thethe Fourth
FourthOf
OfJulyJuly andand II waswasawalkin'backstage toto thethe dressin'
dressin' room,
room, and
andII know
knowitwalkin' backstage
it waswasgittin'
gittin' pretty
prettya bootboot one
one time.
time. Staggered
Staggered thethe poor
poor boy,boy, buckled
buckled his
his knees,"
knees," cowboy
cowboybadwall, they
Ronnie chuckles.
chuckles.
bad whenwhen II sawsawthisthis man;
man; there
there was
was these
these two
two kids,
kids, onon aawait,
they must
must
Ronnie"We"Wewerewerelaughin'laughin' like
like hell
hell andand hehe wasround about
about 12
12 bars
later.
havebeen 13,
13, maybe
14, realas I
have been
maybe 14,real young,by,IIheard
heard onewas comin'
comin' roundbars later.
young, andand asI waswaswalkin'walkin' by,one'Goddamn
it. Gotcha,
Gotcha, didn't
didn'the?'he?'You
You git'Goddamn it.
git hithit withwith frisbees.
frisbees. 'Throw'Throw aa frisbee
frisbeego, 'Hey,'Hey,hehedon't
don't looklookso
sobad
badto
tome,
me,doesdoes he?'he?' That's
That's really
really bad,bad, isn't
isn't it?"
go,
it?"
at
head.' Crazy.
Crazy. It
It canFunny,
butanyway,
anyway, Van
Van Zant
at thethe group.
group. Maybe
Maybe II cancan hithit himhim onon thethe head.'can gitgit out
out ofofhand.
hand.
Funny, II had
had formed
formed thethe samesame impression,
impression, but
Zant waswas"Idon't
don'tlike
likeseein'
seein'anybody
anybodygit
hurt oror fightin',fightin', but
but there's
there'snothin'nothin' youyou
beginningof thetheband's
band'scharactercharacter has
has been
been"I
git hurt
beginning toto resent
resent thatthat thatthat side
side ofcanreceivingso
can dodo about
about it.
it. IfIfyou
youhollerhollerdown
downthethemicrophone,microphone, 'Please'Please quit
quit fightin','fightin','receiving somuch
muchunmerited
unmerited attention.
attention.
they
they say,say, 'Fuckyou'Fuck you too.'
too.' If
If they're
they're gonna
gonna dodo it,
it,they're
they're gonna
gonna dodo it.
it. They've
They've"We've"We've had
had enoughenough ofof it,
it, yaya know?"
know?" His
His Southern
Southern brogue
brogue develops
develops aa
paid
money toto comefight eachsudden,serious purr.
purr. "It's"It's been
been carried
carrieda
a little
little bit
bit too
too far.
paid their
their money
come out
out andand fight
each other.
other. Crazy
Crazy people."
people,"sudden, serious
far, I'd
I'dratherrather talktalk
VanZant
Zantcallingcallinghis
hispatrons
patrons "crazy""crazy"whenwhenhishisownownreputation,
reputation,andand thatthat
about thethe music."
music."
Van
about
of
The music
Themusic andand especially
especially thethe lyrics,
lyrics, written
written mostly
mostlyby
by VanVan Zant,
Zant, areof hishisband,band, had
had not
not been
been thethe most
most peacefulpeaceful inin rock'n'roll?
rock'n'roll?
are"Yep,"hehenods.
nods."I"Ithink
thinkwedraw allallthemthem rowdy
rowdy bastards.
bastards. We
We draw
draw
often far
far fromfrom rowdy.
rowdy.
"Yep,"
we drawoften
acrowd inin theStates. A
people.
"Simplea rowdy
rowdycrowd
the States.
Abunchbunch ofofdrunks.
drunks. Our
Ourtypetype ofofpeople.
"Simple Man"
Man" tells
tells ofofthe
theadviceadvicehis
hisgrandmother,
grandmother, aa very
very religious
religious"Yeah, most
most ofof ititisistrue
trueabout
about us.
us. But
But almost
almost every
every group
group II know
knowsoul, gave
gave him
him during
during his
misspent youth.
your lust
lust"Yeah,
soul,
his misspent
youth. "Forget"Forget yourforfights.
Youdon't
don't hear
hear about
about it,soon asone ofus getsgets
for richrich man's
man's gold,"
gold,"sheshetold
toldhim.
him.AndAndthenthenthere's
there's thethefights. Youit, but
but asas soonas oneof us
mm RECORDS^
flin aalittle
inlittlething,
thing,drunk
drunk andand disorderly
disorderly ororsomething
something and
and
story
story ofof"Gimme"Gimme Three
Three Steps"
Steps" ofofhow
how Van
VanZant
Zanthashasbeenbeen
mami bullets
Van Zanf>
we'rein jail,jail, wecaughtwith somebody's
somebody's wife
wife andand begs
begs for
we're put
put inwe gitgit press
press forfor it,it,justjust likelikethat.
that.
caught cavortingcavorting withfor
"Other groups,
groups, they
love toto pick
pickupa head start.
"Otherthey don't,
don't, but
but they
they jist
jist loveupaheadstart.
on
it. That's"I've
on thatthat shit
shit andand write
write about
aboutit.
That's thethe wayway itit started
started"I'vehad
hadthatthat happen
happen toto me
me several
several times.
times. I'm
I'm suresure
Mk he; sMwt
Mnk
DvchcHout andand they're
they're still
still writin'
writin' about
about it.
you have
have too."
too." Huh?
Huh? "Well,"Well,IIdon't
don'tknow
know if
ifyou
got
out
it.
you
you got
MCA-40565
Cory /G*t Io«sp"Free Bird", "Gimme Three Steps" and "Simple>H
UJ"Matter of fact, Allen and Artimus [Pyle,
drummer] is
pending on
on trial
trial rightr ight now,
now, only
only
drummer]is pending
lucky
wegot
got out
out ofof theStates forfor thegig really.
luckywethe States
the gig
really.
See,
See, they
they [the[the police]
police] beat
beat thethe shit
shit outta
outta him
him
[Animus] He hit a policeman at aWho gig.
[Artimus].HehitapolicemanataWhogig.
"He waswas tryin'
tryinl to
to git
gitin
inat
atthe
thestagestagedoor
door andand"He"Matter of fact, Allen and Artimus [Pyle,(MC4772)

Caro .,;e1 Leese
Mw
Mini( Inc.
inr.
BMP 31 71
M
Alm;

WorldMags.net

92

92 I HISTORY1976
HISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976

LYNYRDLYNYRD SKYNYRDSKYNYRDWorldMags.net
a gun pulled on you, but Jesus, I'm sure you've had someone say: 'Stayaway
She's mine.'mine.' Well,
Well, thisto doaway fromfrom thatthat woman.
woman. She's
this guy
guy wanted
wanted to
do me
me in,
in,anddoor.'"and there
there II was
was sayin',sayin', 'Gimme`Gimme three
three steps
steps towards
towards thethe door.'"Van Zant
Zant rises
rises toto display
display aa wound
wound inVan
in hishis leg.
leg.
"When"When II was
was aa kid,
kid, IIshot
shotmyself
myselfright
rightthere,
there,fuckin'fuckin'aroundaround with
with aa gun.
gun.
I'm
tellin' ya,
they hurt.
hurt. Blew
hole right
right there
I'm tellin'
ya, they
Blew aa holethere inin mamaleg."leg."
Back
Van Zant
Back totothe
the music,
music, though,though, andand Van.
Zantargues
arguesthatthat if
iftheytheyplay
playaa badbad
gig,
gig,inquests
inquests areare held
held immediately
immediately inin thethe dressing
dressingroorn
roomasasto
to whywhy suchsuchaa disasterdisaster occurredoccurred andand steps
steps taken
taken toto ensureensure thatthat thethe samesame mistakes
mistakes
don't
twice.
don't happen
happen twice.
"Maybeand didn't
to draw
drawtheline.""Maybe somebody
somebody got
gottootootipsy
tipsyanddidn't knowwhen
knowwhen to
the line."
Skynyrd
make nono secretsecret ofof thethe fact
fact thatthat they
they rely
relyonondrink
drink toto putput themthem
Skynyrd makeintoright sort
sort ofof looseloose moodfor work.
into thethe right
mood for
work.
"Ya
Yacan
canoverdo
overdoit.it.IfIfthat
thathappens,
happens,thethe whole
whole group,group, well,well, they've
they've got
got onon"me
who fucks
itme before,
before, scolded
scolded me.
me. The
The rest
rest ofof thethe group'll
group'll get
get onon thethe guy
guywhofucks itup. Thatup.
That happens
happens quite
quite aalot.
lot.
"We"Werehearse
rehearse aa lot
lotandand play
playaalot
lotandandititjist
jistreally
reallyshouldn't
shouldn'thappen.
happen.
Everybodyknows their
theirpart.
part.I1 cancan telltell bylookin' atat theirtheir eyes
eyes if
Everybodyknows
bylookin'
if they've
they'vebeen
too much."much."
been smokin'smokin' oror drinkin'drinkin' too
Recording -wise, Skynyrd
Skynyrd areare asasmeticulous
meticulous inin theirtheir ownasRecording-wise,
own little
little ways
ways astheto getget thethe next
next big
big band,band, relying
relying aa lot
lot onon aa laidback
laidback atmosphere
atmosphere to
the work
work
done
or,ifit's
ifit'saafun
funsong,song,bringing
bringingfriends
in totocreate
createaaparty
partymood.
done or,friends in
mood.
Talk
Talk ofofproducer
producer Tom
TomDowd,
Dowd,who
whofirst
firstproduced
produced Skynyrd
Skynyrd onon theirtheir latest
latestalbum, GimazeBackMyBullets,
album,
Gimme Back My Bullets, drifts
drifts into
into conversation
conversationabout
aboutAlA1 Kooper,
Kooper,thestar whowent
wentSouth,
South, discovered
discovered Skynyrd,
Skynyrd. got
the rockrockstarwho
got them
them aa recording
recordingcontract,
and produced
producedfor
for three
threealbums,
albums,until
untilititall
all went
went stale.
stale. Whatcontract, andWhat waswasthein thethe difference
difference inthe two
two men?
men?
"There had
had been
been fights
in thethe studio.
studio. Tom
Dowd's aareal
realproducer,
producer, where
where"Therefights in
Tom Dowd's
A1very hardto
to getget along
along within thethe studio.
studio. It
It hadhad toto be
Alwas
wasveryhard
with inbe hishis way
way oror thatthat
wasit. NoNocompromise,compromise, andand thatthat just
just wasn't
wasn't cuttin'
cuttin' itit with
with us.
was it.
us.
"It"Itwaswasourouralbum.
album. We
Wewereweregonna
gonnahave
havetotosufferthe
suffer theconsequences,consequences, soso
we wanted
we
wanted to
to do
do it
it ourour way.
way.TomTomisismore
morehelpful,helpful,encourages
encourages us
us andandsuggests things,
things, butforces
but forces nothing.
nothing. He
Heworks
with us.
us.
suggests
works with"We'll"We'llsay
saytotohim,
him,'We'Wewant
wantthethesnaresnaretotosoundsoundlike
likeCharlieCharlieWatts'
Watts'snare
snare
on
the bass
on 'Satisfaction'.
'Satisfaction'. We
Wewantwantthebass toto soundsound like
likesomethin'somethin' fromfrom thetheGrateful
to soundlike John
Grateful Dead.
Dead. We
Wewantwant thethe rhythm
rhythm tosound likeJohn Fogerty,'
Fogerty,' andand hehejust goes
just
goes 'OK'.
'OK'. He's
He's thatthat good.
good. He's
He's aa genius.
genius.
"Wewerewerefightin'fightin°all
allthethetimetimewith
withAlinthe
thestudio,
studio,andand bothboth ofof us
usagreedagreed"WeAl in'no moremore albums',
albums', eventhough itit was
was successful.
successful. Alwas
just about
about to'noeven though
Al was justtohavehave aa nervous
nervous breakdown
breakdown andandwe
we werewere goin'
goin' crazy
crazy ourselves.
ourselves. We're
We're still
stillgood friends.
friends.
good"I
Matterof
offact.durin'"Ithink
think AJnt/im'Fancj'was
Nuthin'Faneywas thethe turnin'point.
turnin' point. Matter
fact, durin'
Nuthin'Fancy,
Kooper from
NuthinTancy, we
we chasedchased Kooperfrom thethe studio.
studio. Made
Made him
him gogo to
to New
New
York
were down
Atlanta recordin'
Yorkandandstay
staythere
there forforfive
fivedays.
clays.We
WeweredownininAtlanta
record in' andandwe jist said `git
wejistsaid'git out'.
out'.
"I
"Idid
didoneonesongsongand
andhe
hewas
wasup
upininthe
thecontrol
controlroom
roomarguing
arguing withwithsomebody and'said
I Iwasrun thewas still
still bitchin'.
bitchin'.
somebody
and I
said
wasready
readytoto do
do it,
it, runthe tape.
tape. He
He wasThe
andII sang
sang itit allandgotgotit
it off,off,
The songsong waswas 'On'On TheThe Hunt'
Hunt' andall thethe way
way throughthrough andjust thethe way
way IIwanted
wanted to.
to.
just
"I
it felt"Iknew
knewitfelt right.
right.Al
Alwantedwantedme
meto
todo
doititagin
aginbecause
becausehehehadn't
hadn't even
even
recorded it.
it. Him
Him andand hishisengineers
engineers were
were arguing
arguing andand weweweretrying totorecorded
were trying
makemake aa record."record."Steve
Steve Gaines,
Gaines,Skynyrd's
Skynyrd'snew
newguitarist,
guitarist, brings
brings their
their lead
lead guitar
guitarforce
backtothree, after
after almost
almost ayear
ayear when
made dowithforce backto three,when they
they madedo withonlyRossington
ofofEdonly
Rossingtonand
andCollins
Collinsafter
afterthethedeparture
departure
EdKing.
King. KingKing
andand Gaines,
Gaines, notnot surprisingly,
surprisingly, have
havequite
quitesimilar
similartechniques,
techniques,
good rhythm
rhythm players
can churnmighty solo
when
good
players who
who canchurn outout aa mightysolo whencalledfor.
called for.
Kingwasthe second
second original
original member
member of
the bandband toto quitquit
King
was theof theowing
Bobowing toto thethepressurespressures ofofconstantly
constantly touring.
touring. Drummer
Drummer Bob
BurnswasBurns
wasforced
forcedto
toretire
retirebecause
becauseofofillness.
illness."Blew"Blewaa 50
50-amp-amp
fuse,"
fuse," asas VanVanZant
Zant put
put it.
it."We're"We'reall
allbettin'
bettin' toto seesee whowhogoes next.°'
goes
next."
Gaineson hardhard work,
work,
Gaines has
has joined
joined aa band
band thatthat thrives
thrives on
and another
another "torture
the States
States has
has alreadyalreadyand"torturetour"
tour" of
ofthe
been
present
been fixed
fixed evenevenbefore
beforethetheconclusion
conclusionof
oftheir
theirpresent
schedule, aa three-monththree-month trek
with thetheschedule,
trektoto coincide
coincide withreleaserelease ofof thethe livelivealbum
album inin October.
October.
"Three"Three months
months ofof one-nighters
one-nighters cancan bebe hell,"hell," Van
Van
Zantus. "Pure
All theZant informs
informs us.
"Pure hell.
hell.Allthe travellin',
travellin', thetheairplanes, allairplanes,
all thatthatshit.
shit. There'll
There'llbe
be alot
alotofof fightin'.
fightin'.
There'llbea
a lot
lot oftour. II guarantee
it."
There'llbeof publicity
publicity on
onthatthattour.
guarantee it."HarryDaherty
HarryDoherty •a gun pulled on you, but Jesus, I'm sure you've had someone say: 'Stay

rf I
•/ I

"A beautiful marriage""A

beautifulmarriage"new producer finally capture
Skynyrd's earthy passion on album foun
MM 31 JAN

MM 31 JAN A new producer finally captures

Skynyrd's earthy

passionIffilYrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd

onalbum four.

with guitars, creatingamarriage.
a beautiful
beautiful marriage.
with guitars, creating

iimi ne Back
Gimme
Back Mv
My Bullets
Bull' mca
MCA

The
is
FOR SUCH A great continent,
The bandband soundsound asas aa wholewhole isAmericahas givenmorethan onAmerica has
given thethe outside
outsidemore distinct
distinct thanon anyany other
other
world
album,
world very
very few
few real
real rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll
album, due
due totothe
the excellent
excellentbands.
vocalsbands. Many
Many have
havewateredwateredvocals ofof Ronnie
Ronnie Van
Van Zant.
Zant.
down
His
down thethe true
true essence
essence ofof rockrock
His uniqueunique offhand
offhand style,style,
towhere itit lacks
lacks
combinedto thethe point
point wherecombined with
with guitars
guitars thatthat play
play
attack.
mostlyasattack. Lynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Skynyrd areare oneone
mostly lead,
lead, set
set Skynyrd
Skynyrd up
up as
ofthe
an
rock band.
band. Theof the few
few exceptions.
exceptions.
an outstanding
outstanding rockThe
Not
album's
Not many
many bands
bands aroundaround play
play
album's failings
failings areare onon SideSide
withsuch anpassion.
One.
with suchan earthy
earthy passion.
One. I'm
I'm leftleft onon occasions
occasions with
with
The
and
the
The music
music isisfromfrom thethe roots
roots andthe impression
impression thatthat Skynyrd
Skynyrdgives
aregives thethe bandband aadistinctive
distinctive
are trying
trying to
to manufacture
manufacture anan
Deepanthem,Deep SouthSouth sound,sound, aa soundsound
anthem, bidding
bidding toto record
recordthat
anotherthat has,
has, forfor thethe first
first time,
time, been
been
another "Freebird""Freebird" oror "Sweet"SweetcapturedHome
captured effectively
effectively on
on record
recordHome Alabama".
Alabama". "Every"Everyon
album.
Mother'son this,this, their
their fourth
fourth album.
Mother's Son"
Son" andand "Trust""Trust"None
areNone ofof thethe three
three previous
previous
are thethe tracks
tracks which
which offend.
offend.
albumshave comeBut
the last
last track
albums havecome anywhere
anywhere
Butthetrack onon thatthat side
side
near
"(I
near capturing
capturing thethe potential
potential ofof"(I Got
Got The)The) Same
Same Old
Old Blues"
Blues"
thisby
J Calethis wild
wild bunch.
bunch. Al
Al Kooper,
Kooper, who
whoby J.1.1
Calecould
couldreach
reach such
such
producedshow
status.
The number
number is
is givenproduced them,
them, didn't
didn't show
status.The
given aatootremendous
too muchmuch sympathy.
sympathy. TomTom
tremendous treatment-slide
treatment -slide
Dowd,
this LP,LP,
guitar
Dowd, who
who produced
produced thisguitar on
on toptop ofof an
an infectious
infectious
has
riff,
hasmanaged
managedto
todiscipline
discipline them
themriff, aa sluggish
sluggish drum
drum beat,
beat, aaandstop,and harness
harness thethe talent.
talent. Dowd
Dowd
stop, andand thenthen Van
Van Zant
Zant entersentershascleaned
has cleaned
on vocals. The
onvocals.The
thebest
the soundsoundbest track
track onon
considerably,
thealbum.
considerably,
the album.
"Tom Dowd has
butThe
but not
not tootoo
The second
secondcleaned up themuch.The
side
much. The
side sees
sees
grittiness
Skynyrdgrittiness that
that
Skynyrd play
playsound, but not
setsSkynyrd
atsets Skynyrd
at theirtheir best
best
apart
isstillonapart isstill
on songs
songs
too much"very
very evident.
which
evident.
which suit
suit
He's
their
He's put
put
their style
style
instrumentsin theperfectly.
It opens
with theinstruments inthe proper
properperfectly. It
openswiththeperspective
raunchy
perspective -- lead
lead guitars
guitars areareraunchy "Double"Double Trouble",
Trouble",
heard
with
heard only
only when
when necessary;necessary; thethewith aa female
female chorus
chorus adding
adding thetherhythmis given
guts.
rhythm section
section is
given aa body
body
guts. AA screeching
screeching guitar
guitar solo
solo
that
lacked. It'stheopensthat itit previously
previously lacked.
It's theopens "Searching","Searching", another
another
firstalbum Skynyrd
Skynyrd have
have done
magnificenttrack.
Drumsarefirst album
done
magnificent track. Drums
arewithout
guitarist Ed
Ed King,King,brought
without third
third guitarist
brought up
up inin thethe mix
mix toto match
match
who
the
work andand thump
who quit
quit during
during last
last
the guitar
guitar work
thump thetheyear,
messageyear, andand they've
they'vemessage home.
home. TheThe
tailored
redoubtable
Artimus Pyle,
Pyle,
tailored their
their
redoubtable Artimus
work
drummer,
is atwork soso wellwell
drummer, is
at hishis crispest.
crispest.
that
he is
"Cry
For The
The BadBad Man"that heis notnot"Cry ForMan" vies
vies
missed.
with"Same Oldmissed. Gary
Gary
with "SameOld Blues"
Blues" forfor thetheRossington
honours.
Again, itit builds
builds slowly
slowlyRossington
honours.Again,
andtowith thethe bass
bass
and AllenAllen
to aa crescendo,
crescendo,with
Collinsdeal
work
Leon Wilkeson
Collins deal
work ofof LeonWilkeson well
well totoeffectively
theThe highlighteffectively
the forefront.
forefront. The
highlight ofofthethe track
track comes
comes withwithajointa joint lead
lead fromfromr
Rossington
Rossington andand
Collins,
Collins, asasnotesnotes comecomescreaming
screaming out
out ofof thethespeakers.
speakers.Gimme
Game
Back
Back MyMy Bulletsv/\\\
Bullets will
win
win Skynyrd
Skynyrd many
many
newfansin
new fans in Britain.
Britain.
Southern
Southern FriedFried
BoogieBoogie rules,
rules, OK.
OK.
FOR SUCH A great continent,"Tom Dowd hascleaned up thesound, but not
too much"

Harry Doherty

Harry Doherty

WorldMags.net
V',•

HISTORY93
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976I 193

WorldMags.net-

RE SCREEN

THE SCREENON
THE GREEN
GREEN
ON THE

19761- LONDONLONDON

Aggro chic
Aggro

chic

"Someone's got to come along andsay to all ofus, 'All your ideas
about
all
about rock'n'roll,rock
all your
your ideas
ideas about
about sound,sound, all
all your
your ideas
ideas about
about
guitars,
all your
your ideas
ideas about
aboutthisthisandandthatthatareareaaioload
of wank.
wank. ThisThis
guitars, all
ad ofisis where
where it
it is!'...
is! ... Someone's
Someone's got
got toto comecome along
along andand say,say, 'Fuck'Fuck you'..."
you'...""Someone's got to come along and say to all o/us, 'All your ideas

A [ex Harvey, No Verrther7973
Alex Harvey, November 1975

-

LIVE!
-

-

LIVE!

NICE SEPT 11 The Clash and the Sex Pistols

NME SEPTH The Clash and the Sex Pistols

Ilay an Islington cinema. Teeth are broken.

play an Islington cinema. Teeth are broken.

OCTOBER 17
OCTOBER
17'MIL

screen and someone gets creative with the lights. The area nearmeme 'n''n' thethe missus
missus reeks
reeks ofof amylamyl nitrate.
nitrate.
There isis nothingnothing more
more tedious
There
tedious andand embarrassing
embarrassing than
than inept
inept
recreationsof thatthat which
which waswas consideredavant-garde 10
lO years
recreations ofconsidered avant-garde
years
ago.
ago. Someone
Someone has
has obviously
obviously read
read too
too many
many articles
articles about
about thethescreen and someone gets creative with the lights. The area near

Andy Warhol/Velvet Underground Exploding Plastic Inevitable
Show.
Show.Andy
Andy andand Lou
LouandandCaleCalewould
wouldlaughlaughtheir
their butts
butts off.
off. This
This
ain't
this isis interestocide.
ain't rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll --thisinterestocide.
Soonergroup called
Sooner oror later-later,
later - later, actually-a
actually -a groupcalled Clash
Clash taketake thethestage.
stage. They
They arearethethe kindkind ofof garage
garage band
band who
who should
should be
be speedily
speedilypreferably with
with thethe motor
motor running,running,
returnedgarage, preferably
returned toto theirtheir garage,
which
and
which would
would undoubtedly
undoubtedly be
be moremore ofof aa loss
losstoto theirtheir friends
friends andfamiliesor roll.
roll. Their
Their extreme-leftextreme -left guitarist,
guitarist,
families than
than toto eithereither rockrock orallegedly
he andallegedly known
known asasJoe
Joe Strummer,
Strummer, has
hasgood
good moves,
moves, but
but heandtheshaky onon groundground thatthat involves
involves starting,starting,
little shaky
are aa little
the bandband arestopping
and changing
the samesame time.
stopping andchanging chord
chord at
at approximately
approximatelythetime.
In between
between times,
times, they
they show
Kenneth Anger'sInshow Kenneth
Anger's Scorpio
Scorpio Rising.
Rising.
The
isassembled
The Pistols'
Pistols' gear
gear isassembled inin aa commendablycommendably shorttime
short time with
withanequally
absence ofof fuss
fuss andan equally commendable
commendable absence
and pissing
pissing about
about andand
then
Pistols slope
lays somethen thethe Pistols
slope onon stagestage andand Johnny
Johnny Rotten
Rotten layssomeritualto play.
play.
ritual abuse
abuse onon thethe audienceaudience andand thenthen they
they start
start toAndy Warhol/Velvet Underground Exploding Plastic Inevitable

IT'S ALMOST FUNNY. Not quite worth an uproarious
explosion
explosion ofof uncontrollable
uncontrollable hilarity,
hilarity, but
but definitely
definitely good
good forforawhen itit happens
happens toto someonea wry
wry chuckle
chuckle oror twotwo whensomeone else.
else.
Troubleis, noTrouble is,no one's
one's laughing
laughing because
because allallthethe professional
professionalon them.
them.
chucklersjust
chucklers just found
found out
out thatthat thejoke's
thejoke's onAnypulse-fingerer
knows that
Any halfway
halfway competentcompetent rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll pulse-fingerer knows
that
ITS ALMOST FUNNY. Not quite worth an uproarious

this is The Year Of The Punk. You got. Patti Smith doing

this is The Year Of The Punk. You got Patti Smith doing

Rimbaud's-in-the-basement-mixing-up-the-medicine, you got
Brucewith his
his down
down-these-mean-streets-a-manBruce Springsteen
Springsteen with-these -mean -streets -a -man Rimbaud's-in-the-basement-mixing-up-the-medicine, you got

must -go stereologues, you got the Ramones as updated Hanna
Barbera Dead
BarberaDead EndEnd Kids,
Kids, youdoingI l-used-to-beIan Hunter
Hunter doing-used -to -be you got
got Iana-punk-until-l-got-old-and-made-all-this-money,a -punk -until -I -got -old -and -made -all -this -money, you
you got
got everyeverybody
body andand hishiskidkidbrotherbrother (or(or sister)sister)crawling
crawling out
out ofof thethe woodwork
woodworkintolooklooklike
like they
theywere
werehellhell onon wheels
wheels inin aain leather
leather jackets
jackets trying
trying tostreetfightandand shouting
shoutingPut
PutTheThe Balls
Balls Back
Back Into
Into The
Music.
street fightThe Music.
Ultimately,of Punk
Punk means
Any
thatI I had
had heard
heard andand that
thatyou
you may
may have
have heard
Ultimately, ifif thethe whole
whole concept
concept ofmeans anything
anything itit
Any reports
reports that
heard
means
aboutthePistolsbeing
lameandandmeans Nasty
anything itit means
Nasty Kids,
Kids, andand ifif Punk
Punk RockRock means
means
means anything
about the Pistols
being lameand sloppy
sloppy arecompletely
are completely andmusic
utterlyfull ofof shit.
shit. They
They play
play loud,music of,of, byby andandforfor Nasty
Nasty Kids.
Kids. So
Sowhenwhen aagroup
group ofof realreal live
live Nasty
Nasty
utterly fullloud, clean
clean andandtight
tight andand they
they don't
don't
Kids comemess around.
Kids
Nasty Kids
Kids music
messalong playing
playing Nasty
music andand actuallyactually behaving
behavingaround. They're
They're well
well into
into thethe two-minute-thirty-second
two -minute -thirty-second
come along
like
Kids, it
it is
is no
good at
at allall forthose who
who have
have
powerdrive,
like Nasty
Nasty Kids,no bleeding
bleeding goodfor those
powerdrive, thoughthough they're
they're aa different
different cup
cup ofof manic
manic monomania
monomania
along andand blow
blow all
all
been
than
Ramones.They
been loudly
loudlythirsting
thirsting forfor someone
someone toto comecome along
than thethe Ramones.
They have
have thethe samesame air
air ofof seethingseething justjust themhands inin prissy-ass
about-repressed
the Feelgoods
Feelgoods have,
have, andthem old
old farts
farts away
away toto throw
throw upup theirtheir hands
prissy -ass horror
horrorabout -repressed violence
violence thatthat theandand
oh no,
no, thiswatching
watching them
them gives
gives thatsameclenched-gutfeelingthat same clenched -gut feeling that
this wasn't
wasn't what
what they
theyand exclaim
exclaim inin duchessy
duchessyfluster
fluster thatthat ohthat youyou
meant
please gogo away.
away.
getShepherd's Bush
Bush justmeant at
at all
all andand won't
won't itit please
get walking
walking throughthrough Shepherd's
just after
after thethe pubs
pubs shut
shut
In
Sex
and
In words
words ofof oneone (or,looking for
for(or, at
at thethe most,
most, two)two) syllables:
syllables: you
The Lads
Lads hanging
hanging out
out onthe cornercorner looking
you wanted
wanted Sex
and you
you seesee Theon thePistols'em. Trouble
somethe action
action might
be you.
Pistols andand now
now you've
you've got
got 'em.
Trouble is,is, they
they look
look like
like they
theysome action
action andand you
you wonder
wonder whether
whether themight beyou.
going
The Pistols
Pistols areare all
all those
those short-haired
short -haired kids
are you
you going
aren'tThe
kids ininwhat arearen't going
going toto go
go away,
away, so
so what
to
the
to do
do withwith them?
them?Alternatively
Alternatively -- haha ha
ha -- what
what
the big
big boots
boots andand rolled-up
rolled -up baggies
baggies andandthey going
going toto dowith you?
are
do withyou?
sleevelesssleeveless T-shirts.
T-shirts. Their
Their music
music isiscoming
coming fromfromare they
The Pistols playInthestraight-out-of-school-and-onto-the-dole
In aa way,
way, it's
it's aa classic
classic horror-movie
horror -movie situation.
situation.
the straight-out -of -school -and -onto -the -doleDr
loud, clean anddeathtrap
which wehaveengineered
engineered
Dr Frankenstein'sFrankenstein'smonster
monsterdidn't
didn't turn
turn out
out
deathtrap which
we seemseem toto haveaccordingto planplan buthe wasforYoung: the'76 British
stasis,according to
but hewas stuck
stuck with
with itit
for Our
Our Young:the '76
British terminal
terminal stasis,tight and they
anyway,Bozo opensup aa pyramid/
theurban blind
blind alley.
alley.
anyway, Professor
Professor Bozo
opens uppyramid/the modern
modern urban
summonsDark
The
summons aa demon/goesdemon/goes up
up toto thethe Old
Old Dark
The first
first 30
30 seconds
seconds ofof theirtheir set
set blew
blew out
out
don't mess around
Mansionall
Mansion despite
despite thethe warnings
warnings ofof thethe villagers
villagers
all thethe boring,boring, amateurish
amateurish artsy-fartsy
artsy-fartsy mockmock anddecadenceand getsgets into
into aa whole
whole messmess ofof trouble.
trouble. Don't
Don't
decadence thatthat precededpreceded it
it purely
purely by
by virtue
virtuerub thethe lamp
rub
lamp unlessunless youofand utter
realism. They
They didhandle thethe genie.
genie.
songs withof itsits tautness,tautness, directness
directness andutter realism.
did songs
withyou cancan handle
The
Punkophilia andand Aggro
Chic has
has
titleslike "I'm
A LazyThe current
current vogue
vogue forfor Punkophilia
Aggro Chic
titles like
"I'm A
Lazy Sod"
Sod" andand "I'm"I'm Pretty
Pretty Vacant",
Vacant", they
they did
didcreatedin whichblasts-from-the-pastgroup likecreated thethe atmosphere
atmosphere inwhich aagrouplike thethe SexSex Pistols
Pistols
blasts -from -the -pastlike
like"I'm"I'mNot
NotYourYourSteppin'Stone"
Steppin' Stone"
could
and find
dig it(lO
points forfor doing
doing it,
it,10
could getget started
started andfind anan audience,
audience, andand--digit -- itit isisentirely
entirely(io points
10 moremore forfor doing
doing itit well)well) and
and"Substitute""Substitute"
toobecause they
they behave
behave like
like real(aon rockin'.
rockin'.
(aShepherd'sShepherd's Bush
Bush special,
special,that)that) andand they
they kept
kept ontoo late
late toto start
start complaining
complaining because
real Nasty
Nasty
Kids
"Should
fings like
like 'peace'peace andand love,
love,
Kids andandnotnotthethestylised
stylisedabstraction
abstraction ofof Nasty
Nasty Kiddery
Kiddery which
which"Should II say
say all
all thethe trendy
trendy fings
we've
we've been
been demanding
demanding andand applauding
applauding fromfrom sensitive,
sensitive, wellwellmaaaaaaan'?"maaaaaaan'?"asked
askedJohnny
JohnnyRotten,
Rotten,leaning
leaningout
outoff
off thethe stage
stage
educated,late-20s
manicallyjerking
educated, late
-20s pop
pop superstars.
superstars.
manically jerking off
off hishis retractable
retractable mic-stand.
mic-stand. '"Are"'Are youyou allall
Anyway, time's
time's a-wastin'.
a-wastin'. Their
Their gig
gig atat TheThe Screen
Screen On
On TheThe GreenGreenhaving aa good
good time,
time, maaaaaaaan?'?"Believe it:
it: thisthisAnyway,havingmaaaaaaaan?'?" Believe
has
ain't
hasalreadyalreadystarted;
started; in
in fact
fact we've
we've alreadyalready missed
missed thethe first
first band,
band, aa
ain't thethe summer
summer ofof love.
love.
Manchester
Manchester groupcalled Buzzcocks.
Buzzcocks. All
All kinds
kinds ofof folks
folks inin Bizarre
Bizarre
They
They ain't
ain't quite
quite thethe full-tilt
full -tilt crazies
crazies they'dthey'd like
like totogroup called
Costumesat Bowiebe,
his false
Costumes -- thethe kindkind ofof clothes
clothes you
you used
used toto findfind at.
Bowie gigs
gigs
be, though:though: Johnny
Johnny Rotten
Rotten knocked
knocked his
false tooth
tooth
<
A'
,
'
before'e went
all funny
like out
before 'ewent allfunny like- are
are milling
milling aroundaround thethe foyer
foyer playing
playingout onon thethe mic
mic andand hadhadthethefront
front rows
rows down
down onon their
their
knees
He kept
knees amidst
amidst thethe garbage
garbage looking
looking forfor it.
it. Hekept
theThe occasional
the wildwild mutation.
mutation. The
occasional celeb
celeb -- Chris
Chris Spedding,
Spedding, who
who
fHe scfttB
through thegig; Iggy
Iggy
has
Pistols, andis mingling.
bitching
about itit allall thethe gig;
bitching about
the way
way throughhas eyeseyes toto produce
produce thethe Pistols,
and Sadistic
Sadistic Mika
Mika--ismingling.
Ptesents,
wouldn't
Upon
Piece time.
wouldn't even
even have
have noticed.
noticed. Still,
Still, they
they got
got moremore
Up on thethe stagestage it's
it's Party
Party Piece
time. AA bunchbunch ofof people,
people,includingenergyany new
new British
real than
than any
including aa chick
chick ininSM
SMdragdragwith
withtits
titsoutout(photographer(photographer fromfrom oneone
energy andand moremore real
British act
act totoONemergebig andandofemerge this
this year,
year, andand eveneven if
if they
they getget bigof thethe nationals
nationals working
working overtime,
overtime, presumably
presumably withwiththethe intention
intention
lir?' 4.0
SEX
SE fJSTotoflook-at-all-this-disgusting-decadencefamous
famous andand richrich IIreally
reallycan't
can't imagine
imagine Johnny
Johnny Rotten
Rottenof selling
selling aa nicenice big
big fatfat look-at -all -this -disgusting -decadence showing'n'showing up
up at
at parties
parties with
with Rod'n'Britt
Rod'n'Britt 'n'
and-degradationand aand -degradation centrespread)centrespread) anda lumpy
lumpy guy
guy inin rompers
rompers are
are
+
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CL ASHdancingaroundtoabarrage
of
Ferry
and
Bowie
records.
Every
Mick'n'Bianca
orbuyingthenext-door
villa
toMick'n'Bianca
ordancing around to a barrage of Ferry and Bowie records. Everybuying the next-door villa toKeef'n'Anita
in thethe South
South ofof France.
France. And
Keef'n'Anita in
And ifif Elton
Elton ever
ever
time
lumpy go-gotime thethe lumpy
go-go boyboy does
does aaparticularly
particularly ambitious
ambitious move
move thethe+
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he'll neverrecordandseesswear he'll
never bethem II swear
be ableable toto sing
sing
record jumps.
jumps. He
He makes
makeselaborate
elaborate not-my-fault
not -my -fault gestures
gestures andsees them"Saturday(For Fighting)"
again
keepsdancing.The"Saturday Night's
Night's Alright
Alright (ForFighting)" again
keeps dancing. The record
record keepsjumping.
keeps jumping.
-fie.
Kb
13
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without
his Dr
Dr Pepper.
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choking on
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goes onon forfor quite
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projected onon thetheChariesShaar ..
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WorldMags.net
94
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
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IAugust290976:theSex
Pistols'Glen
Matlockand
PistoleGlenMatlockand- (right)
JohnnyRottenat(right)JohnnyRottenat
1 TheScreenOnTheGreen,
TheScreenOnTheGreen,
1 August 29»1976: the Sex

Islington, North London

Islington, NorthLondon
kM>:

WorldMags.net-

v'|RY OF ROCK 1976

95

1976

WorldMags.net

19761
JULY

-SEPTEMBER

"What
cc

What

the kids

Protégés of Dr

Proteges of Dr

Feelgood, EDDIE &Feelgood,

EDDIE &

the[HI HIM

THE

HOT

- are

RODS arewant"a young, "higha young,"high-

33

energy rock'n'rollband", into theMC5 and "gain' out
energy rock'n'rollband",

MC5 andkids

into thewant"goin' out

there an' loin' it".
there an' doin'it".

"The Stones can't
relate to kids now,"
says bassist Paul
Gray. "They're acompletely different
generation,""The

NME EPTEMBER 18

Stones can't

relate to

Gray.

pROBABLY FOR THE first time thisdecade, Tap
ThePops
Popswasone ofofdecade,Top Of
Of Thewas onethose
miss-it-if-you-dare
those miss-it -if -you -dareshows
shows last
last

PROBABLYFORTHE first time thiskids now,"

says bassist-- NME SEPTEMBER 18 -Paul

Thursday. People rushed home to dump
themselves in front of the box at 7.10 and- "Uggle-uggle-uggle, good evening,guys and gals" -watch Jimmy Savile introduce thehottest new act to make the show in years.
Thursday. People rushed home to dump

themselves in front of the box at 7.10 and"They're a- "Uggle-uggle-uggle, good evening,guys and gals" - watch Jimmy Savile introduce thecompletely different

hottest new act to make the show in years.

It was worth it, too, wasn't& Paul Gray pacing
malevolently
from side
side tomalevolently fromto sideside behindbehind Barrie
Barrie Masters,
Masters,
who
his unlevelled
his eyeballs
who waswas doing
doinghisunlevelled best
best toto spitspithiseyeballs out
out
thewonderful Eddie
the screen
screen at
at thethe nation,nation, while
while thethe very
verywonderful
Eddie&
The Hot&The
HotRods
Rodsrocketedrocketedtheir
theirway
waythroughthrough thethe demonic,
demonic,
chart- climbing LiveAt The Marquee EP. Yourschart-climbingL/feArr/teMfl/'^ueeEP.
Yours forfor just
just£1.00£1.00andand worthworth thethe price
price ofof admission
admission forfor thethe oneone tracktrack
theydidtheir fast-as -lightning -and -twice -as they
didon
onTOTP,
7"OTP, theirfast-as-lightning-and-twice-aselectricversionofofBob
Bob Seger's
Seger's "Get
"Get OutOut OfOf Denver".
electric version
Denver".
Even
Even more
more worth
wor ththetheprice
priceofofadmission
admission these
these days,
days,
though,is a
alivethough, islive Hot
HotRods
Rodsgigbecause,
gig because,unlessunless somesome
It was worth it, too, wasn't it: Paul Gray pacing

generation."

nascent, jet-propelled beat group is alreadywarming
up to wrench the Rods' crown away b efore they've evenfinished trying it on for size, this is undoubtedlythe
hardest -rocking combo in the kingdom.
Cram yourself into the Marquee when
they're back there next Tuesday. It's a goodsummer for that venerable establishment,with the Rods and AC /DC appearing
virtually on alternate weeks, each groupbreaking the attendance record set by theother mob the previous week. Obviously,that can't go on much longer, so you'd better
get in while you can...
The doors are closed within an hour of
opening; the air is unbreathable; the disco »
nascent, jet-propelled beat group is already warming

up to wrench the Rods' crown away before they've even>•Sfinished trying it on for size, this is undoubtedly the-j<hardest-rocking combo in the kingdom.

Cram yourself into the Marquee when

1
'

•v. t

they're back there next Tuesday. It's a goodsummer for thatvenerable establishment,

*
x K m

i

with the Rods and AC/DC appearing

virtually on alternate weeks, each grouprw%

breaking the attendance record set by theother mob the previous week. Obviously,that can't go on much longer, so you'd better
get in while you can...

The doors are closed within an hour ofeopening; the air is unbreathable; the disco

WorldMags.net»

WorldMags.net>•

Eddie &The Hot Rods:(clockwise fromfro mtop)(clockwise
top)
BarrieMasters,
BarrieMasters, Dave
Dave
Higgs,Steve
Higgs, Steve Nicol
Nicol
and PaulGray
andPaulGray

Eddie & The Hot Rods:

/

i

/

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•

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WorldMags.net
HISTORY97
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976| 197-

WorldMags.net
The Hot Rods at the
The HotRodsatthe

is good- the new Velvets bootleg EP, for instance; semi -rival
punks
punks TheThe Damned
Damned hang
hang out
out withwith thethe tiresomely-paranoidtiresomely -paranoidtill-you-get-to-know-themtill -you- get -to -know -themlittle
littlecliquecliquethat
thatsurrounds
surrounds thethe
Hot Rods.
Rods. It
It feels
feelsspecial.
special.
Hot
is good-the new Velvets bootleg EP, for instance; semi-rival

NashvilleRoomsin
West Kensington,West
Kensington,
London,where they
London,wherethey
hadajoint
ajoint residency
residency
hadwithwith JoeJoe Strummer's
St rummer's
Nashville Roomsin

imersinlate1975
101ersinlatel975

WIEN EDDIE &The Hot Rods bounce like a

WHEN EDDIE & The Hot Rods bounce like awicked Bay City Rollers (oh, there are links:
mods begat
mods
begat skins
skins begat
begat blank
blank begat
begat Rods;
Rods; mods
mods
begat
begat Rollers
Rollers begatcult) youbegat skins
skins begat
begat aa newyouth
new youth cult)
you havehave
to
not toto know
to be
be deaf,
deaf, dumb
dumb andand blind
blind notknow it's
it's real
real special.
special.
The
yet really
really friendly,
The atmosphere
atmosphere isis beautiful,
beautiful, so
so cramped
cramped yet
friendly,and how
how else
else could
could ititbe
bewhenwhenthese
theseexhilarating
exhilarating kids
kids are
are
and
i .
boundingtheirwaythrough"TheKids
Kids Are
Are Alright"?
bounding their way through "The
Alright"?
Regressive,
innit?Funny
Funnythat-I
that-I picked
Who
Regressive, innit?
picked up
up thatthat first
first Who
album
in a
a junknot long
album injunk shop
shop notlong ago,
ago, andand I'dI'dforgotten
forgotten just
just howhowregressive
regressive The
The'Oo'Oo were
were backback then,then, Bo
Bo andand JBJB andand all...
all...
n
The Rods
Rodsevenevenclatterclattertheir
theirway
waythroughthrough Townshend's
Townshend's
The
idiotic"solo" andbuild backback totoidiotic windmilledwindmilled "solo"
and thethe hammering
hammering buildthethe verse.
verse. Good
Good stuff.
stuff.
a
They proceed
proceed toto blitz
blitzanan ecstatic
ecstatic audience,
audience, anan endlessendless
Theystreamof high-energy
three-minuteshots,
shots,Dave
Dave Higgs
Higgs
stream ofhigh- energythree-minuteiT
starting eachdriving guitar
guitar riff
riff that
that
starting
each number
numberwith
with aa drivingunfailingly runs
runs straight
Barrie Masters'
Masters' spoken
spoken intro
intro
unfailingly
straightout
out ofof Barriejust right.
justright. PaulPaul Gray
Gray andand Steve
Steve Nicol
Nicolpile
pileininon
onbassbassandanddrums
drums
andfour bars
bars Masters
Masters grabs
grabs thethe songsong andand shoves
shoves it
it in.
and within
within fourin.
It'spolishedshow,
show,forfor all
all its
It's anan impressively
impressively polishedits vimvim andand itsits
ivenom,
venom, its
its occasional
occasional tight-rope
tight -ropecollective
collectiveimprovisations
improvisations
and its
its occasional
occasional pratfalls
pratfalls uninsured
uninsured bysafety net
net
andby anyany safety
exceptto getget upexcept thethe bravado
bravado toup andand swagger
swagger on.
on.
Onesuch pratfall
pratfall comes
comeswhen
whenMasters'
Masters'rampaging
rampaging limbs
limbs
One suchpass
Gray, snatching
off hispass aa little
little too
too close
close toto thethe shaded
shaded Gray,
snatching off
his
strap
strap andand ripping
rippingout
outhishis lead.
lead. It
It taketake anan awful
awful long
long time
time forfor
Gray
Gray totosortsortititall
allout;out;hishisnervous
nervouscool
coolisisseverely
severelypunctured,punctured,
andlooks heand thethe murderous
murderous looks
he spears
spears at
at
Masters augur
augur dressing-rooms
dressing -rooms fights
fights after
after
Mastersthethe gig
gigperhaps.
perhaps.
"Afterthegig
It wasIt
wasPaulPaulGray
Graywho
who IIinterviewed
interviewed after
after thetheRods'at the Reading
Reading
Rods' midday
midday appearance
appearance atthe
Festival. Trying
Trying toto getgetthatthat together
together was
was
Festival.
they 'llsay
impossible,
impossible, traipsing
traipsing aroundaround with
with thethe bandband
and manager
manager Eddie,
getting chuckedofandEddie, getting
chucked out
out oftheirbecausethe
thenext
nextact
act needs
needs itit toto'You'rethetheir caravan
caravan becausechange in,in, loiteringloitering at
at thethe bar...
bar... I'd
I'd just
just about
about
changegiven up
up forfor thethe day
day whenwhen aafriendly
friendly coach
coach
given
same
age
as
driverdriver let
let PaulPaul andand meme useuse hishis coach.
coach.
wicked Bay City Rollers (oh, there are links:r'60s called the Central Heating Big Band) andjoinedjoined Higgs
Higgs alongsidealongside two
two otherothervirtual
virtualnovices, Masters
novices,
Masters andand Nicol,
Nicol, andand Lew,
Lew, thethe blues
blues
harp
player who
harp player
who hashas now
now moved
moved on.
on.
This was
was just
just last
last July.
July.Since
Sincethenthenthethegroup
group
This
has
got its
working(Graygot
gothishisby
byworkinghas got
its geargear together
together (Grayforfor thethe Civil
CivilService
Servicedays
daysandand thethe Rods
Rods at
at night
night
all
all last
lastautumn),
autumn), infiltrated
infiltrated thethe pub
pub circuit
circuit(initial introduction
introduction via
the Feelgoods),
Feelgoods), landed
landed(initial
via theaIsland inin December,a contract
contract with
with Island
December, put
put out
out twotwo
singles, played
singles,
played Reading
Reading andand now,
now, with
with anan EPEP'originallymerelyasas aa gesture
originally intended
intended merely
gesture toto fansfans
FIRST
FIRST THINGS
THINGS FIRST:
FIRST:bread.
bread. Are
Are thethewho wanted
wanted aa representation
representation ofact onon
whoofthe
the live
live actus,
samelevel'
Hot
recordheadingfor
for thethe TopTop 30,Hot Rods
Rods still
still onon thethe £20£20 per
per week
weekrecord heading
30, they're
they're one
one ofof thethementioned by
April, oror
most in-demandin- demand bands
bands inin thethe country.
country.
mentioned
byMax
MaxBell
Bell backback inin April,mosthasof theApril headline,A
air ofof onehas thethe impetus
impetus of
the EP
EPbeenbeen sufficient,sufficient, totoquotequotethat
thatApril
headline,Agoodgoodyear.
year. "It"It'as'as'appened'appened very
very quickly,"
quickly," PaulPaul agrees
agrees with
with thethe airone
for thethe bandband toto "up"up their
their wages
wages to£25 aa week
week andand findfind true
true happiness"happiness"??
who hashas adjusledadjusted toto being
being onon thethe way
way upup already.
already.
forto £25who"I'e gotquid from,"
from," Gray
"I dunno
dunno where
where 'e
got thatthat twenny
twenny quid
Gray says,
says,settling
settling into
into
E CONFESSES
havingthethe coachcoach seatseatandandlighting
lighting aa fag.
fag. "We"We waswas onon 15.
15. We're
We're still
still onon 15
15 quid
quid
HE
CONFESSESTO
TO
havingbeen
beeninto
intoheavy
heavymetal
metal before
beforeaings goner extra.
joining
the band,band,while
whileNicol
Nicol waswas "into"into jazz"Higgs
joining the
jazz" andand Higgs
a week,week, but
but ififth
thingsgo allall right
right we
weget
getaatentennerextra.
H into"But IImean
mean even
even 25
25quidquidgoesgoesnowhere
nowhere when,
when, like,
like, you're
you're onon thethe road.
road.
into blues.
had really
really diverse
diverse interests.
interests. But
But thethe oneone"But
blues. "We"We hadLike
up 'n''n' dahndahnthetheM1
M1 andand thethe services
services at
at fourfour o'clockcommondenominatorwas
washighhighenergy,
energy, just
just goin'
goin' outan' doin'doin' it,it,
Like fuckin'fuckin' truckin'truckin' up
o'clockcommon denominatorout there
there an'inthe amountamountofof cigarettes,
cigarettes, booze
booze andand food
food youy'know,
people get
get off
off onin thethe morning...
morning... theyou consume
consumey'know, so
so thatthat people
on it,"
it,"hehesays,says,setting
settingthe
the centre
centre ofof theirtheir
ismutual interest
interestabout
aboutthetheMC5MC5andandJJ Geils,
Geils.
is astonishing."
astonishing."
mutualYoucan't
can't actuallyactually live
live onon £25£25aaweek...
Uh huh.
huh. And
Andwhatabout thethe newer
newer USpunks? (Profuse
apologies forforYouweek...
Uhwhat about
US punks?
(Profuse apologies"Well,
using
word-Gray
reckons we
we lazyjournalists
new term"Well,none
none ofofus
usactuallyactually live
live onon it,"
it,"hehesays,says,andand forforaamoment
moment IIexpect
expectusing thatthatwordGray reckons
lazy journalists should
should coin
coin aanew
term
him
to reveal
Masters is,
is, incurrentfashion,
fashion,bionic.
bionic."We"We all
all live
live
for'70s rock'n'roll".
rock'n'roll".Yet
Yet thehim toreveal thatthat Masters
in thethe current
for thethe Rods,
Rods, like
like "high-energy"high-energy '70s
the Rods
Rods areare probably
probably
closertoday towiv our parents, see,that's why."closer than
than any
any otherother band
band aroundaround today
to whatwhat "punk""punk" meant,meant, inin terms
terms
wivourparents,see, that'swhy."
So how
howdo
dotheytheyfeelfeelabout
aboutsupporting
supporting aabunch
bunchofofrock'n'roll
rock'n'rolldelinquents?
delinquents?
of music,
music, when
when II was
was aa kid.)
kid.)
So
of
"Me,
boardingschool,
school, right,
right, an'an'II got
got chucked
out, andand mymy old"I"Me, II was
was atat boarding
chucked out,
old
"Ifinkfink it's
it'sgreat...
great... II liked
liked Patti
Patti Smiff
Smiff atatfirst,first, but
but IIthinkshe's
think she's aa bitbit
man sortof manages
manages aa bankbank an'an' he's
he's sorta
sorta quite
quite highhigh classclassan'an'everything,
everything,overdone... II dunno,
dunno, what
what other
other punk
punk bands
bands arethere?"
mansort ofoverdone...
are there?"so
TheRamones.
so hehe freaked
freaked out
out aa little
little bit.
bit. IIwent
wenttotothe
theTechTechininSouthendSouthend [an[anacademy
academyThe Ramones.
which has
has vouchsafedvouchsafed theat least
least one
one necrophiliac
necrophiliac genius
of my"They're all
all right
right forfor oneone song,
song, butbut thethe album
album II just
just can't
can't fuckin'fuckin' tolerate.
tolerate.
which
the worldworld atgenius ofmy"They'reacquaintance]
uptilllast
ti 11 lastJune.IIdon't
don'tknow
knowwhat
whatII wanned
todo;
do; I
I wentThe
wiresmemeup
mostisis thevocals. Can't
But IIthinkacquaintance] up
June.
wanned towent
The thingthat
thing thatwires
up mostthe vocals.
Can't stand'em.
stand 'em. But
think
on theonthe dole
dole forfor aa month,
month, but
but I
I 'ad
'ad aa shitty
shitty old
old guitar
guitar andand like
like aa Vox
Voxampamp 'an'an
the best
thebest band
band inin thatthat ilk
ilk were
were thethe MC5
MC5-I-1 should
should think
think they're
they're mymyalsorta crap
crap-I-1fortfortI'dI'dtrytry'n''n'getgetin
in aa bandbandjust
justforfora
a laugh.
laugh. So
So I
favourite
band really."
really."allI thatthat sorta
I put
put anan
favourite bandadvert in
the local
local paper,
paper, of
all fings,
fings,andand Dave
Davephoned
phoned up..."up..."
So that's
that's where
where thethe Rods
Rods taketake their
their lead
lead from?
from?
advertin theof allSo
Love
fortheRods at
at Feelgood"No,
MC5 only
Love at
at first
first sight.
sight. Gray
Grayauditioned
auditioned for
the Rods
Feelgo od House
House (Dave(Dave"No,because
because we
we only
only sort
sort ofof discovered
discovered MC5
only like
like afewmonths
a few months
Higgs comes
comes fromfrom Canvey,
Canvey, used
used tobe inin aa local
local 10-pieceI0 -piecesoul
soulbandband inin thetheago,"Gray
Graytells
tellsme,me,without
withoutthetheleast
leasthint
hintofofrealising
realisingthat
thathe
hemay
maybe
Higgs
to be
ago,"
be

'After the gig
they'll say:`You're thesame age asus, same lever"

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WorldMags.net

98

98 |I HISTORYHISTORY OF
ROCK 1976
1976
F ROCK'60s called the Central Heating Big Band) andEDDIE & THE HOT MSWorldMags.net
since about the early '70s. Punk rock's such a big thing. So
many
many bands
bands areare doing
doing it,
it, andand soso many
many kids
kids areare inin it,
it,andandgetting
getting
pissedoff with
pissed off
with thethe olderolder bands
bands like
like thethe Stoo
Stooandand thethe Hones..."Hones..."
Who?
Who?
"Er,
"Er,thetheWhoWho andand thethe Stones.
Stones. Like,
Like, backinback in 1965
1965kids
kidshadhadthemthem
twoand The
TheAnimals
and there
there waswastwo and
Animals andandTheThe Yardbirds,
Yardbirds, andnothinglikethatrightupuntillastyear.Nowit'sallnothing like that right up until lastyear. Now it's all
comingcoming back,back, andand kids
kids today,
today, who
who weren't
weren't into
into allall
that,
that, they
they felt
feltaabit
bitmissed
missedout-I
out -Iknowl
know!did-and
did -andRT
they'vethey've got
got this
this whole
whole newnew thing
thing coming
coming on.
on.
THE"Sotheythink,'Great.Icangetinon
right"So they think, 'Great, I can get in on it-I'm
it -I'm rightat thethe beginning.'
beginning.' God
God knows
knows what
what direction
direction it'll
it'll
at
go
ago, sogo in.
in. But
But IIwas
was 1818two
two weeks
weeks ago,so likelike IIsorta
sorta
£3*
know, 'cos
'cos I'm
I'm aa kid
kidy'know,
y 'know,and
andI Iknow
knowwhatkids
know,
what kids
feel
feel like.
like.Old
OldmenmenlikelikethetheStones
Stonescan't
can't relate
relate totokidskids now,
now, they're
they're aa completely
completely different
different generation.
generation.
So
Soifyou'reayoungband
if you're a young bandlike
likeusyouknowwhat
us you knowwhat thetheft^HRTV
DEC.23kids
kids want.
want.
"Aftertalk to"Afterthe
the gig
gigthey'll
they'll comecome up
up andand talk
to yeryer andandsay, 'It's
It's great
great thatafter aa gig
gig
say,
thatwewe cancan talk
talk toto yeryer after(which[which may
may strikestrike cynics
cynics as
as thethe aren't-we-havingaren't -we -havingfun attitudeattitude tohaving fun],fun] , andandyou'rethe samesame
fun
to having
you're theage.
level asage, onon thethe samesame levelas us';
us'; kids
kids playingto
playing to kids."
kids."
r
I'll leave
I'llleave you
you toto draw
drawyour
your own
own conclusions
conclusions
TH(heof such(he lied)lied)about
about people
people who
who makemake aa virtue
virtue ofsuch
accidental
as theirtheir sex
sex oraccidental attributes
attributes as
ornationality...
nationality...
or theirtheir age.
age.
or"That's"That's why
why wewewouldn't
wouldn't play
play Ammersmiff'Amtnersmiff
Odeon,
wouldn't be
be likeOdeon, 'cos
'cos ititwouldn't
like that.
that. IIcan't
can't seesee usus
doing
like theFeelgoods did,"
did," hehe reckons.
"Youdoing thatthat likethe Feelgoods
reckons. "You
could dodo twotwo nightsnights atatthe
the Roundhouse,
Roundhouse, say,
say,rather
rathercould
than
one at'Cos fuckin'than oneat Hammersmiff.
Hammersrniff. 'Cos
fuckin' seats,
seats, man,
man,■that's notgotta have
have aa floor
floorwhere
where
that'snot rock'n'roll.
rock'n'roll.You
You gotta
you
you cancan freakfreak about."
about."
saying something
something aa little
Presumably comingof thetheSouthendSouthend scene
scene -saying
little uncool.
uncool. "An'"An'
Presumably
coming out
out ofvimiesit.0
Records
14 -or frvi-n. Earth. Records SuckinAllarfv-TickeMusie_
ourauditionshas helped
our ideas
ideas were
were alreadyalready set."
set."
auditions at
at Feelgood
FeelgoodHouse,
House,etceteraetcetera -hashelpedHisth,S
HcmeL
Nettle. Irienvectela
putist,..z....frielt.err-lam
Movinginto
theLondoncollector
I...A.011,V.
Moving into the London collector
thethe Rods
Rods aa lot.
lot. Even
Even now
now Graeme
Graeme Douglas
Douglas ofoftthehe
F L _Moore
mert,4,0-oi?
MetuW^P "og Lkor t QvKursaals is being veryhelpful
helpfultowards
towards The
TheWharf
Wharf
scene
1
Kursaalsisbeingvery
scene byby virtue
virtue ofof thethe music
music they
they
played,they came
came into
into contact
contact with
with
Rats, who
who could
could well
well bebein
inthe
the position
position thethe HotRodsplayed, theyRats,
Hot Rods
peopleon toareyear's time.
are inin now
now ininaayear's
time.
people who
who could
could turn
turn them
them ontosuchthoughPaul
Paulstill
still stands
standsbyhis
by hisliking
likingfor
for LedLed Zeppelin.
such esoterica
esoterica --though
Zeppelin.
"Yeah,there's
there's quite
quite aalittle
littlesortsortofofcommunity
community ofofbands.
bands. But
Butthere's
there's also
also
"Yeah,"But
were doin'afriendly with
with
"Butthethe MC5,
MC5,atatthe
thetimetimethey
theywere
doin' it...
it... what
what other
other music
music was
was
a lot
lotof
ofcompetition.
competition, Like
Like when
when we
we started
started we
we werewere very
very friendly
goin' roundround then...
then... I1 think
They shoulda
the Feelgoods,
Feelgoods, but
but whenwhen we
we started
started tothey got
got aa little
little hostile
hostilegoin'thinkthat's
that'sfuckin'fuckin'genius,
genius,I1 really
really do.
do. Theyshoulda
theto makemake itit they
madetowards
made it,it, moremore than
than any
any otherother band.
band.
towards us.
us.
And theAnd
the Stooges
Stooges I
I likelike asas well,well, andand John
John Cale...
Cale... I1 don't
don't like
like NewWave,
NewWave,"1"Idon't
don'twanna
wannasaysay much,much, 'cos
'cos it's
it's all
all right
right now,
now, but
butIIdon't
don'tthink
thinkthey
theyy'know,
Like them,though, II only
only really'emthoughtwe'd
we'dmakemakeit.
it. A
A lot
y'know, II preferprefer thethe originators.
originators. Like
them, though,really 'eard'eard 'ernthought
lot ofofpeople
peoplethatthat used
used toto writewrite forfor Feelgoods
Feelgoods
information
writetotous
usnow,
now, andandwe
we getget aa lota coupla
coupla months
months ago.
Lou Reed,
Reed,everybody's
everybody's 'eard'eard 'im.
'im. But
But most
most
information write
lot ofofFeelgood
Feelgoodfreaks
freakscoming
comingaago. 'Cept'Cept Lou
people'dsay, 'MC5?
Who's that,to ourto
our gigs.
gigs.They're
They'renot
notreally
reallyinterested
interested inin thethe Feelgoods
Feelgoods now,
now,because
becausepeopled say,
`MC5?Who's
that, aanew
newpubpubband?'"band?"And hashas hearing
hearing them
them affectedaffected thewayyour
theyhaven't
much."
And
the way
your hand
hand plays?
plays?
theyhaven'tbeen
beengigging
gigging much.""Notwanna bebe like"Not really,
really,'cos'coswewedon't
don'twanna
like nono oneone else-we
else -we just
just sorta
sorta play
play
ACKATTHE
what we
we play.
play. We
Weallknowwhat
all knowwhat wewe wannawanna play,
play, soso there's
there's nono point
point rippin'
rippin'ACKAT THEMarquee,
Marquee,it's
it'sobvious
obvious thethe Hot
Hot Rods
Rodshave
have been
been
what
off
we're likeway, thegigging
off otherother people.
people. But
ButIIthink
thinkwe're
like them
them inin aaway,
the samesame sort
sort ofof
gigging aa lot.
lot. Not
Notonly
onlyareare they
they right
right onon toptop ofof everyevery single
singlenumberthey play,
play, buthigh- energy
highenergy thing
thing andand vibe
vibe thatthat they
they caused."caused."number they
but thethe audienceaudience isis wellwellacquainted
acquainted withwithsince about the early 70s.Punkrock ssuchabigthing.So

1

1

most of the set, singing along with many of the songs particularly"Wooly Bully" which, miraculously, is actually enjoyable.
most of the set, singing along with many of the songs - particularly

NE OBJECTION TO that remark, my knowledge of the MC5's

ONE OBJECTION TO that remark, my knowledge of the MCS's

10"Wooly Bully" which, miraculously, is actually enjoyable.

performance being limited mainly to one blurred gig
witnessed under the influence of LSD -25, or something similar,
would be that the MC5 were political animals, White Panthers.
performance being limited mainly to one blurred gig

witnessed under the influence of LSD-25, or something similar,

would be that the MC5 were political animals, White Panthers.

The rest of the set features R&B oldies like "Gloria", "Satisfaction","96Tears"
Tears"andand"Hard"HardDriving
DrivingMan"
Man"--all,notably,associatedassociatedwith
withwhite"96
all, notably,
whitebandswell as
as aafew
feworiginals
originalslike
liketheir
their two
twosingles'
singles' B-sides,
B-sides, "Cruisin'"Cruisin'bands - asas well
In TheThe Lincoln"
Lincoln" andand "Horseplay".
"Horseplay".
InThe
The Rods
Rods areare farfarless
lesspurist
puristthan
than DrDr Feelgood,
Feelgood, their
their own
own songs
songs being
being
The rest of the set features R&B oldies like "Gloria", "Satisfaction",

Gray, as if excusing their folly, reckons that was " probably forcedonin aon them"them" -- andand ina way
way he's
he'sright,
right,justjustasasthe
thecurrent
current politicalpolitical void
void inin
British kids'
Britishkids' culture
culture has
has "forced""forced" aanon
non-political-political stancestance onon thethe Rods
Rods andandmore melodic
more
melodic andand moremore catchy
catchythanWilko's
than Wilko's tend
tend toto be.
be. They
Theymust
must standstandaon thePistols.
aand gettinga nihilistic
nihilistic stancestance on
the Pistols.
a muchmuch better
better chancechance ofof writing
writing their
their own
own hithitsingles
singles--andgetting
At 18,
18,PaulPaulGray
Grayepitomises
epitomisesthe
the younger
younger breed
breed ofrock player
player who's
who's very
very
"Denver" inin thethe charts
charts has
has alreadyalready taken
taken them
them one
one step
step beyond
beyond their
theirAtof rock"Denver"
consciousof hisyouth
conscious of
his youth andand who
who isis profiting
profiting fromfrom aa
mentors,
mentors, as
as wellwell asasisolating
isolating them
them asas leadersleaders
similar, later
later swing
swing inin thethe somewhat
somewhat lessrock
among their
their peers.
peers.
similar,less fickle
fickle rockamong
j ■; tpublictheRollers.
Rollers.
Flopefully
public toto thatthat inin poppop whichwhich launchedlaunched the
Hopefully they'll
they'll still
still have
have records
records inin thethecharts
charts"Because we're
we'reyoung"young"isisan
anextraordinary
extraordinary phrase
phrase10years
yearshence,
hence,and
andwilllaugh at
at thethe daysdays when
when"Because10
will laugh
HOTRODS
totoday, but
but itit comes
easily totheyrapportwas
was duedue toto hearhear resuscitatedresuscitated today,comes easily
tothey thought
thought their
their audienceaudience rapport
to ageage
his lips.
his
lips. It's
It'srather
rather likelikeasking
askingPaul
PaulNewman
Newmanwhat's
what'sratherrather than
than music.
music. But
But ininthe
themeantime,
meantime, whether
whetherhis
he says:
you'reyoungthing
thing
16 or
or an
an oldold fogey
his appeal
appeal andand hesays: "Because"Because I'm
I'mhandsome."handsome."
you're aa brightbright young
ofof16
fogey ofofGray talks
talks abouthis
about his successsuccess thus:
thus: "Everybody's"Everybody's
26 (or(orevenevenolder,older,ififthat's
that'spossible),possible), taketake itit fromfrom one
one
Gray
26
got
who's
long enoughgot aabit
bitpissed
pissedoff
offwith
witheverything
everythingthat's
that's been
been
who's been
been aroundaround longenough toto knowthescore,knowthe score,'appenin'. There's
been nothingnothing new,there,
kiddo, thethe Rods
are Hot.
Hot. PhilMeNeill'appenin'.
There's been
new, 'as'as there,
kiddo,
Rods are
Phil McNeill •y cGray, as if excusing their folly, reckons that was" probably forced

I.

V
WorldMags.net
HISTORY99
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976I 199

WorldMags.net

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N'OCKS

ROCKS

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i
A

The BayCity Rollers in
1976:
(l-r)
1976:(I-r) Eric
Eric Faulkner,
Faulkner,
TheBayCity Rollersin

ByDerek Longmuir,Stuart"Woody"Wood, Les
"Woody"Wood,Les
McKeownand
McKeownand Ian
IanMitchell
MitchellDerek Longmuir,Stuart

ALBUMSALBUMS

just another group that appeals

just another group that appeals

Aerosmith icksces
CBS
Americahas until
America has
until now
now avoided
avoidedaa head-on
head-on confrontation
confrontation with
with thethebig
big British
British production
production oror stagestage
bands.
bands. Since
SinceLed
LedZeppelin
Zeppelinfirst
first
smote
music biz
smote thethe music
biz onon thethe farfar
sideback inin '69,'69,
side ofof thethe Atlantic
Atlantic backAmerica
America seemed
seemed toto reelreelsomewhatsomewhat under
under thethe pressure.
pressure.
And
And whenwhen we
we followed
followed up
up withwith
ELP,
ELP,Yes,
Yes,Genesis,
Genesis, Pink
Pink Floyd
Floyd andandthethe heavy
heavy metal
metal menmen -- Heep,
Heep,
Purple,so on
on -Purple, Sabbath
Sabbath andand soAerosmith

to the vast mass of kids.
IIcan
canalmostalmost see
see thethe heads
heads
bobbing
to thethe beatbeat ofof "Back"Back InIn
bobbing to
The
The Saddle"
Saddle" atat thethe Odeon,
Odeon,
Hammersmith,even now.
now. What
What
Hammersmith, evenhave
have this
this hugely
hugely successful
successful

Americans preferred countryrock,
almostrock, singer-songwriters
singer -songwriters--almost
anything
anything except
except thethe type
type ofof"arranged
music with"arranged musicwith glamorous
glamorous
lead
lead vocalist"
vocalist" package.
package.
TherewasGrand
There was Grand FunkFunkRailroad,
Railroad, ofof course,
course, but
but nothingnothingquite
quite like
like Queen
Queen toto addadd toto thethelonghonours list.
list. Thatlong British
British honours
That waswas- untilwas
until Aerosmith.
Aerosmith. II suppose
suppose itit was
thethe mixture
mixture ofof instrumental
instrumental
Americans preferred country

prowess, musical attack and dashofof flairflair thatthat attracted
attracted me
me toto thetheprowess, musical attack and dashfirst Aerosmith album when it
arrivedarrived on
on ourour shores
shores virtually
virtually
unheralded
unheralded aa couple
couple ofof years
years
ago.
ago. I'm
I'm still
still notnot aa rabid
rabid fan
fan ofof thetheband
band -- wewe haven't
haven't even
even had
had aachancechance toto seesee them
them yet.
yet. AndAnd ofofcoursecourse they
they areare boundbound toto upset
upset
most
most critics
critics byby appearing
appearing totofollow
follow aa time-honoured
time-honoured course.
course.
Dullrock writers
really,Dull stuff
stuff forfor rock
writers really,first Aerosmith album when it

>•
H
fUJ
O

combo (in America) got to offer
then,
then, II can
can almost
almost hear
hear resentful
resentful
sceptics
andsceptics sniff
sniff with
with hostility
hostility andsuspicion?
sais
suspicion? A
A certain
certain je
je nenesaisquo/.
quoi. Steven
Steven Tyler
Tyler isisthethearrogant,arrogant,
ill-tempered
lead vocalist
vocalist of
ill-tempered leadof thethesaturninefeatureswho
who looks
looks asassaturnine featuresif
if hehe might
might give
give Freddie
Freddie Mercury
Mercuryaa severely
severely slappedslapped wrist
wrist ifif they
they
crossedcrossed laser
laser beams.
beams. But
But most
most
impressive
impressive isisthe
the relentlessly
relentlessly
riffing
guitars ofof JoeJoe Perry
Perry andandriffing guitars
mightymighty Brad
Brad Whitford.
Whitford. While
While
Steve
Steve isisshouting
shouting outthe
out the vocals
vocalsonon "Last"Last Child",Child", listen
listen toto thetheWhitfordguitar (he(he co-wrote
Whitford guitar
co -wrote itit
withwith Steve)
Steve) dig
dig into
into asriff
as nasty
nasty aa riffassince
as hashas been
beenblasted
blasted forth
forth since
Jeff
Beck was
Jeff Beckwas hooked
hooked up
up withwith
CarmineCarmine Appice.
Appice. Not
Not toto putput tootoo
finefine aa point
point onon it,
it, they
they cook,
cook, andandthethe guitars
guitars send
send those
those icy
icy fingers
fingersalong
along thespine.
the spine.
Dighi-hats
beltinin 'aa
Dig thethe way
way thethe hi-hats beltlala John
John Bonham
Bonham onon thethe fast
fast "Rats"Rats
In TheThe Cellar",
Cellar", aa kind
Inkind ofof tributetribute totothethe canyons
canyons ofof New
New York
York City.
City.
Solid
Solid vocal
vocal harmonies,
harmonies, driving
driving
guitars
guitars -- what
what more
more could
could aa
simplesimple rockrock fan
fan request?
request? And
And forfor
more
more laidback
laidback tastes
tastes there
there arearecombo (in America) got to offer

the chiming chords and Who -likeaggressionof "Sick"Sick As
As A
aggression of
A Dog",
Dog",aa mostmost listenable
listenable stomper
stomperfollowedby thefollowed by
the eveneven more
more
raucousraucous "Nobody's"Nobody's Fault",
Fault", withwithTyler getting
getting almost
almost apoplectic.
apoplectic.
Tyler
Joey
is theJoey Kramer
Kramer is
the manman inin thetheengineengine room,
room, aa blare
blare ofof flailingflailing
crashcrash cymbals
cymbals andanddetonating
detonating
tom-toms,
and hehe kicks
kicks along
along aa
tom-toms, andboogieepic like
The LeadLeadboogie epic
like "Get"Get The
Out"
Out" with
with angry
angry vehemence.
vehemence.
Depending
Depending on
on your
your philosophy,
philosophy,
it's
it's irresistible
irresistible stuff
stuff thatthat will
will getgetknees
knees pumping
pumping inin thethe three-quid
three -quidseats,
seats, andandgroansgroansfrom
fromscribblers
scribblers
inthefreebies.
in the freebies.
But
But atat thethe risk
risk ofof being
being cut
cut deaddead
atat thethe annual
annual rockrock writers'
writers'
convention, II find
find thethe sensuous
convention,
sensuousrhythmsand
rhythms and animal
animal pulseof
pulse of "Lick
"Lick
many
And
And A
A Promise"
Promise" (just(just oneof many
one oferoticselections), a
erotic selections),
a strangely
strangely
heady
heady brew.
brew. They
They could
could keep
keep upupthiseclectic
hullaballoo based
based onthis eclectic hullaballoo
on
thefamiliar
the familiar backlog
backlog ofof rockrock riffs
riffs
all
all night,night, andand I'dI'd feel
feel nono pain.
pain.
the chiming chords and Who-liketo the vast mass of kids.

Chris Welch, Mho July /0

Chris Welch, MM July 70

The Bay City Rollers
Dedication bell
Dedication
BELL

The Bay City Rollers

The Rollers are such an emotive
subject
is aa problem
subject itit isproblem toto unrave
unravelfact fromfact
from fantasy,
fantasy, toto separate
separate
fanaticism
fan willwill
fanaticism fromfrom fury.
fury. AA fanswoon at the sight of Ian
Ian Mitche
Mitchellswoonatthesightof
placing one
placing
one delicate
upon
delicate hand
hand uponaknee. The
atartan-trimmed
tartan -trimmed knee.
The rockrock
The Rollers are such an emotive

WorldMags.net

100 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

100 I HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

community at large froths at themouth
mouth at
at thethe apparent
apparent crass
crass
incompetence
incompetence they
they represent.
represent.
And
And yetyet somewhere
somewhere between
betweentheis justthe extremes...
extremes... there
there isjustanotherstruggling like
like
another group,group, strugglingall
all thethe rest
rest toto getget anan audienceaudience off
offtheand shouting:shouting:
the deckchairs,
deckchairs, up
up and"More!"
Only difference
difference is,is, the"More!" Onlythe
Rollers
Rollers don't
don't have
have toto struggle
struggle ininthatthat department
department any
any more.
more. Now
Now
theythey want
want toto prove
prove thatthat they
they
cancan playand
play and deliverdeliver music
music
slightly
more demanding
demandingslightly moreandthanandadventurous
adventurousthan"Bye
Bye Baby".
"Bye ByeBaby".
They
They have
havecreatedcreated their
their
own
own separate
separate world
world fromfrom thetherest
rest ofof us,
us, andandyetyet buried
buriedbeneathbeneath all
all thethe banners,banners, tears
tears
and
is someand headlines,
headlines, there
there issomesinceresincere musicalmusical enterprise.
enterprise. If
If one
one
can
being
can forgive
forgive them
them forfor being
RollersisRollers andand listen,listen, then
then there
there isevidence
evidence forfor thethe casecase thatthat thethe
Rollers
Rollers really
really cancan play
play andanddon't
don't
need
need menmen inin whitewhite coats
coats toto switch
switchontheir amplifiers.
on theiramplifiers.
It
It seems
seems unlikely,
unlikely, even
even inin
this
this cynicalcynical age,
age, thatthat aa totally
totallydifferent
different group,group, heavily
heavily
disguisedin false
anddisguised infalse beards
beards anddarkdark spectacles,
spectacles, waswas called
called in
in to
to
the
the Canadian
Canadian studios
studios where
where this
this
album
over
album was
was recorded
recorded to
to taketakeoverthethe essential
essential chores
chores ofof playing
playingandand singing
singing onon thethe Rollers'
Rollers' behalf.
behalf.
I am
am quitequite preparedprepared toto believe
believe
this
this isis allalltheirtheir own
own work,
work, in
in whichwhich
case
case they
they deserve
deserve aa gold
gold star
star andandaa tick.
tick. II am
am constantly
constantly surprised
surprisedatthescopeof
at the scope of thethe Rollers'
Rollers'
arrangements,
arrangements, their
their brisk
brisk
percussive
percussive power,
power, which
which could
could dodocreditcredit toto anyany new-wave
new -wave New
New YorkYorkrockrock band,
band, andandtheirtheir disciplined,disciplined,
melodious
melodious vocal
vocal harmonies.
harmonies.
Listenpower
Listen toto thethe driving
driving poweroftheof "Rock'n'Roll"Rock'n'Roll Letter",
Letter",or
orthe
Ramones-likeRamones-like "Yesterday's"Yesterday's
Heroes";andHeroes"; soso virile,virile, resonant
resonant andfilledthe clangourof life.
life. Eric
Eric
filled with
with theclangour ofcommunity at large froths at the>I

Faulkner's lead -guitar solos aresofunky on"Rock'n'Roller" thaton "Rock'n'Roller"thatsofunky
if thethe bandband arrived
arrived unannounced
unannounced
iffor
R&Batthefor aseta set ofof maximum
maximum R&B
at theNashville
Nashville Rooms,
Rooms,thethe placeplace would
would
be
be in
in uproar.
uproar.
And
is stillroom forfor
And there
there isstill roomromance.
romance. Note
Note thethe warm,warm,
Faulkner's lead-guitar solos areWorldMags.net
emotive vocals by Les McKeown on"WriteA Letter",
Letter", andand when"Write A
when Ian
Ian Mitchell
Mitchellemotive vocals by Les McKeown on

offers up a heartfelt monologue on
offers up a heartfelt monologue on"Dedication", with its massive Phil
Spectorish
Spectorish string
string arrangement,
arrangement, one
one
could
could imagine
imagine itit bringing
bringing aatear
tear toto thetheeye
eye ofof Elvis
Elvis "The"The King"King" Presley
Presley himself.
himself.
There areThere
are somesome weaknesses.
weaknesses. Bryan
Bryan
Ferry
Ferry fans
fans have
have been
been heard
heard toto chaffchaff at
at
Leslie's
allegorical, almost
almost surrealist
surrealist
Leslies allegorical,
treatmentof Brian
Brian Wilson's
Wilson's somewhat
treatment ofsomewhattrashyWorry Baby",
Baby",
pop songsong "Don't"Don't Worrytrashy pop
onon purely
purely aestheticgrounds,andaesthetic grounds, and ititisis truetrue thatthat compared
compared to
to Ferry's
Ferry'salternative
version, McKeown
McKeown lacks
lacks
alternative version,aje ne saisquoi
quo/ oror commentcomment
certainienesais
a certain
esttonpere.
est tonpere.
But
Jimmy lennerlenner andand hishis
But producer
producer Jimmy
engineer
have given
given thethe Rollers
Rollers aa veryengineer havevery
respectablesound, richrich inin presence,
presence,
respectable sound,withwith some
some ofof thethe best
best vocal
vocal tracking
tracking
I've
I've heard
heard this
this summer.
summer.
The
The Rollers
Rollers areare generally
generally better
betterplaying their
their own
playing
own sturdy
sturdy andand simplistic
simplistic
riffs
riffs than
than dealing
dealing with
with thethe materialmaterialofhere they
they show,
show,
of others,
others, but
but here
especiallya dramatic
especially onon adramatic andand oddly
oddly
mysterious
mysterious grand
grand finale,
finale, "Dedication","Dedication",that
Rollers arethat thethe Rollers
are moremore serious
serious about
about
their
music thanfans oror
their music
than either
either their
their fanssternest
might suppose.
suppose.
sternest critics
critics might"Dedication", with its massive Phil

Chris Welch, NI'M Sept

Chris Welch, MM Sept n
17rock fan (no disrespect intended that's
that's where
where I'm
I'm coming
coming fromfrommyself)back tomyself) scampering
scampering backto thethesafer
more familiar
familiar groundgroundsafer andand moreofof BobBob Marley,
Marley, Third
Third World,
World,

rock fan (no disrespect intended -an
The Hills
Hi!
islandBurning Spear 'in
InInTheISLANDNext
to thethe current
Nexttocurrent crop
crop ofof wild-eyedwild-eyed
wired-op
wired -op weird-asses
coming out
out ofofweird -asses comingJA
JA these
these days,
days, Burning
Burning Spear
Spear soundsound
almostalmost conservative.
conservative.
They
They leave
leave dub
dub sorcery
sorcery andanddreadlocks-a-go-go
down there
right down
there
dreadlocks -a -go-go rightinin thethe dumper
dumper forfor thethe carefree
carefreeyoungbloods
youngbloods toto play
play with;
with; their
their nitty's
nitty'sa different breed of gritty. Burninga different breed of gritty. Burning

Spear don't play games.
They'rein plain
They're dealing
dealing inplain speaking.
speaking.
Theirmusic has
has aTheir musica subdued
subdued but
but pushingpushingbackbeat,backbeat, discreet
discreet horns,
horns, carefully
carefully
layeredlayered keyboards;
keyboards; thethe occasional
occasional
touch
touch ofof ack-ack
ack-ack guitar
guitar stands
stands out
out likelikeafence inin an
a barbed-wirebarbed-wire fence
an openopen field.
field.
Theirbased (usually
Their tunes
tunes areare modally
modally based(usuallywith
l-IV
with aa simple
simple two-semitone
two -semitoneor
orl-IV
modulation)
modulation) rather
rather than
than structured
structured
aroundaround chord
chord sequences,
sequences, andand their
their
combinationof unassailable
unassailable dignity
andcombination of
dignity andextremeis reminiscentextreme simplicity
simplicity isreminiscent ofofnothings©
nothing so much
much asas thethe classic
classiccountrycountry bluesof thethe '2os'20s andand '30s.
blues recordings
recordings of'30s.
Burning
Burning Spear's
Spear'sstark
starkunderstatement
understatementiscasualis almostalmost enoughenough toto sendsend thethe casual
Spear don't playgames.

>'a-

U -Roy and Toots.

U-Roy and Toots.

In other words, unless you're hiptoto thethe groundground rules
rules itit ain't
ain't thethe kindkind ofof
reggaereggae album
album you
you buy
buy unheard
unheard onon
impulseimpulse toto slap
slap onon atyourat yournext
nextparty
party
when
when thethe skankskank initiates
initiates andand midnight
midnight
raverstheir weakness
weaknessravers want
want toto forget
forget theirandand dance.
dance. Not
Not thatthat youyou can't
can't dance
dance
to
se while
to it
it perper se- it'sit's just
just thatthat after
after aa while
you'llyou'll find
find your
your self
self either
either listening
listening totoWinston Rodney's
vocals or
WinstonRodney's vocals
or elseelse notnotlisteningat all.
all.
listening at
RodneyRodney isis Burning
Burning Spear's
Spear's lead
lead singer
singerandand composer-in-residence.
composer -in -residence. He
He wrote
wrote
nineofnine of thelOsongscontained
the 10 songs contained herein
hereinallin
all onon hishis lonesome
lonesome andand thelOththe 10th inconjunction
with oneone P
P Fullwood.
conjunction with
Fullwood.
Excellentthough
Delroy Hines
Hinesand
Excellent though Delroy
andRupertRupert Willington'sWillington's backing
backing vocals
vocals are,
are,
it's
much Rodney's
Rodney's show
show allit's pretty
pretty muchall thetheway:
way: he's
he's thethe oneone you
you listen
listen to;to; he's
he's thethepictureand hispicture andhis arrangements-subtly
arrangements - subtly
colouredby Jack
Jack Ruby
Ruby (AKA
L Lindo)'s
coloured by(AKA L
Lindo)'s
production
production -- areare thethe frame.
frame.
B
BSpear's
Spear'sfirst
first album,
album, Marcus
Marcus Garvey
Garvey(which(which contains
contains their
their most
most celebrated
celebrated
song,
Days", radically"Slavery Days",
radicallysong, "SlaveryaIn other words, unless you're hipreinterpreted by Third World on their
firstalbum) isfirst album)
is probably
probably thethe most
mostcomprehensive
comprehensive musicalmusical collation
collation ofof
Rastafarian
Rastafarian politics
politics andandtheology
theology
reinterpreted by Third World on theirBurning Spear

w*™
s

s

extant. Man In The Hills, while no lessextant. Man In The Hills, while no lesscommitted, contains an extended
range
range ofof subject
subject mattermatter within
within aa similar
similarframe offrame
of reference.
reference. The
The philosophy
philosophy isisthedeliverance,
the samesame (liberation,(liberation, deliverance,
brotherhood,peace) but
brotherhood, peace)
but thetheexpression
is looser.
expression islooser.
committed, contains an extended

Rodney is at his most movingonon "Black"Black Soul",Soul", aa slow,
slow, ecstatic,
ecstatic,
Rodney is at his most moving

incantation of pride and solidarity...
reminds
of how
how blackblack folks
reminds meme painfully
painfully of
folks
addressandaddress eacheachotherother asas "brother""brother" and"sister""sister" asasaamattermatter ofof course.
course. HowHowcome
any ofof us
hard forfor any
come it's
it's soso hardus to
to callcallanyonesound like
like weanyone "brother"and"brother" and sound
we
mean
over
it? IfIf anything,anything, white
white racism
racism overmean it?
thehas cost
the centuries
centuries hascost white
white people
peoplemore
more than
than itit hashas black.
black.The
Thetangible
tangiblethingsthings thatthat we
we took
took fromfrom them
them they
they cancan
we lostlost inintake
take back;back; thethe intangibles
intangibles thatthat wethethe processprocess we
we maymay never
never regain.
regain.
Anyway,Anyway, on
on withwith thethe funfun 'n''n' games...
games...
Lemme
Lemme saysay itit this
this way.
way. Bob
Bob Marley's
Marley'sashaman, astoned Holy
Holy Roller;
Roller;dervish shaman,a dervish
a stoned
Toots
Toots isisintointo hoarse
hoarse hellfire.
hellfire.
RackedRacked up
up against
against those
those two,
two,
Burning
Burning Spear
Spear areare puritans.
puritans.
They'reThey're aa slow
slow burnburn rather
rathermm m the Him
than
than aa white-light-whitewhite -light -white heatflash.
heat flash.
If
If you're
you're preparedprepared to
to work
work
atinto them
them andandat getting
getting into
lettingthem work
letting themwork at
at getting
getting
into
into you,could find
find that
that
you, youyou could
prisingprising thisalbum
this album off
off youryourturntable
is aturntable isa tasktask akin
akin toto shotshot putting
putting aa pregnant
pregnant elephant.
elephant.
incantation of pride and solidarity...

Charles Shaar Murray, NME Sept 11

Charles Shaar Murray, NME Sept 77

t

1

%

Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate

frontmanfrontmanErrol Brown

Errol Brown.

SINGLESSINGLESBob Marley &The Wailers

Bob Marley & The Wallers

RPOOlf ISLANDISLANDAs Scrooge was haunted by Marley's ghost, so it
seems
rock critics
critics must
must bebe haunted
haunted byby hishis
seems thatthat rocksubstance.
substance. Having
Having resolutely
resolutely sung
sung his
his praises
praises forfor
somereviewers areare faced
faced with
with Marley's
Marley's vast
vast
some years,
years, reviewers
popularpopular success.
success. What
What waswas once
once thethe preserve
preserve ofof thetheselecthas caught
on withwith thethe masses.
select few
few hascaught on
masses. And
And this
this
poses adilemma. There's
There's nono prestige
prestige ininsupporting
supportingposes
a dilemma.
anwants toon Mount
Mount Olympus,
Olympus,
overdog. Who
Who wants
to live
live onan overdog.
if it's
it's packed
packed with
with picnic
if
picnic areas?
areas?
The
result isis mixed
reviews, thus
The inevitable
inevitable result
mixed reviews,
thus
denyingdenying kudos
kudos tothearmy
to the army ofof latecomers.
latecomers. You
You knowknow
the"I dugdug Thethe sort
sort ofof thing:
thing: "I
The Wallers
Wailers when
when their
their
music
music waswas still
still valid."
valid."The irony,Theirony, ofof course,is thatMarley's music
music has
has
course, isthat Marley's
become lesslesscommercial,commercial,rather
ratherthan
more, overover
becomethan more,theCatch AA FireFire had
had aa thick
thick
the last
last few
few albums.
albums. Where
Where Catchlayerof studio
studio cosmetics,
cosmetics, Rastaman
Rastarnan Vibration
Vibration islayer ofislargely
ofsuchsuch disguises,
disguises, andlargely stripped
stripped ofand undeniably
undeniably
closercloser to
to JA.
J A. NmEJui3
NMEJuls
As Scrooge was haunted by Marley's ghost, so it

Queen ou're My Best Frier - EMI

Queen You're My Best Friend emi

There was no way they could top the grand guignolofRhapsody", andof "Bohemian"Bohemian Rhapsody",
and it's
it's asas wellwell they
they didn't
didn'ttry.
operetta isis enough.
enough. Whentry. OneOne brilliant
brilliant operetta
When thethesecondall complexity
complexity andand pidgin
pidginsecond one
one comes
comes out
out -- all
Italianis bored,heard itit allall
Italian -- thethe public
public isbored, they've
they've heard
before.
before. So,
So, instead,instead, aa potential
summer classic.
classic.
potential summerJohn
True-Life
Romance.
John Deacon's
Deacon's melodicchunkof
melodic chunk of True
-Life Romance.
Gorgeous
Gorgeous vocals
vocals fromfrom Freddie,
Freddie, peerlesspeerless harmonies,
harmonies,
exquisite
loose-stringed
from Brian
Brian May.
May.
exquisite loose-stringed guitar
guitar from
Possibly
Possiblythe
the finest
finest thing
thing they've
they've done,
done, butbut thentheneverything
they'vedone
donehashasbeenbeen fairly
fairlyfine.
fine.NMEJul
NMEJu/3
everything they've
3
There was no way they could top the grand guignol)ancing(jAbba Daiiiiing
Queen epic
EPIC

Abba

The original exponents of pop autopsies, BennyAndersson
Andersson andand Bjorn
Bjorn Ulvaeus
Ulvaeuscontinue
continue toto produce
producethemselves
themselves andandtheirtheir pre-programmed
pre-programmed grand
granddesign.
isdesign. The
The title,
title, inin using
using thethe word
word "dancing","dancing", isasas hiphip toto thethe prevailingprevailing Zeitgeist
zeitgeist as
as werewere all
all thosethoseearnestearnest hacks
hacks ofof lastlast year,
year,when
whentotohavehave"rock'n'roll""rock'n'roll"ofsomewhere
in yourbook -phrase wassomewhere inyour book-phrase
was aaguarantee
guarantee ofcovering
time andand pressing
pressing costs.
costs. The
covering studiostudio time
The word
word"Queen",too, isis closely
money.
"Queen", too,closely associatedassociated with
with money.
The original exponents of pop autopsies, BennyNME Aug 74

NMEAug 74

Hot Chocolate
HeavenIn ITheRAK
neaven Is
isia
pie Back
Back Seat
Seat OfOf My
My Cadillac
Ca(
RAK
Hot Chocolate

Errol Brown is the master of what connoisseursof schizophrenia
schizophreniaterm
termthethe"inappropriate"inappropriate affect".
affect".
ofYou
You cancan thus
thus bebe suresure thatthat this
this obvious
obvious invitation
invitation totoaheavy -petting session
session will
will soundsoundstrangely
strangelya heavy-petting
Errol Brown is the master of what connoisseurs

menacing. It's on RAK, so it must be a hit. NmEAug14

menacing. It's on RAK, so it must be a hit. NMEAug 74

WorldMags.net
HISTORY101
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976I 1101

JULY-SEPZEBER

1976

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Hammersmith

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Admission £2.00 in advance

Doors open 700pm

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WilkoJohnsonand(right)(right)LeeBrilleaux
Lee Brilleaux-increasingly at
at-increasingly
loggerheads
loggerheads
offstage-during
offstage -during
DrFeelgood'sshort
Dr Feelgood'sshort
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business"business)L:-v5.

DR FEELGOOD ire about to release a live album,
DR FEELGOOD

are about torelease a live album,

called Stupidity. It's not a flashy effort. "You
don't have to be dressed up like some old tart insatin and sequins to play rock'n'roll," says LEE
calledStupidity.

It's not a flashy effort.

don't have to be dressed
.1

up

"You

like some old tart insatin and sequins to play rock'n'roll," says LEE

BRILLEAUX. But where do they stand on punk?
BRILLEAUX. But where do they stand on punk?

—

MELODY MAKE SEPTEMBER 18

SEPTEMBER 18 —FIRST ENCOUNTERED DR Feelgood in November 1974, at London's

I FIRST ENCOUNTERED DR Feelgood in November 1974, at London'sRoundhouse where they were supporting, quite incongruously, theveteran space warriors Nektar. It was a vivid introduction.
The Feelgoods' reputation was already considerable, but I was totally
unprepared for the point-blank intensity and naked aggression of theirunsophisticated, but immensely potent, Anglicised rhythm and blues (or,Roundhouse where they were supporting, quite incongruously, theveteran space warriors Nektar. It was a vivid introduction.

The Feelgoods' reputation was already considerable, but I was totally

unprepared for the point-blank intensity and naked aggression of theirunsophisticated, but immensely potent, Anglicised rhythm and blues (or,as vocalist Lee Brilleaux would have it, "rivvum 'n' blooze").
Ten
Ten minutes
minutes ofof thethe razor-edgedrazor-edged velocity
velocity ofWilko
ofWilko Johnson's
Johnson's guitar,
guitar, Lee's
Lee's nicotinenicotine smeared
vocals andand thethe unrelenting
unrelenting
urgency
Sparko'sbassbassandandTheThe Big
Big Figure's
smeared vocals
urgency
ofofSparko's
Figure's
percussion,
and I
I was
percussion, andwascrunched.
crunched.
The bandband waswas successfully
successfully making
making thethe transitiontransition frompubs andand clubs,
clubs,
The
from thethe London
London pubs
where
where they
they has
has first
first gained
gained attention,
attention, toto larger
larger venues
venues andand larger
larger audiences.
audiences. In
In
December
December ofof thatthat year
year thethe Feelgoods
Feelgoodsaccompanied
accompanied Hawkwind
Hawkwind onon thethe preliminary
preliminary
dates
Britain, anddates ofofthatthatband's
band'smassive
massivewinterwintertour
tourofofBritain,
and mesmerised
mesmerised audiencesaudiences ininGlasgow,Newcastle,
Newcastle,Manchester,Manchester,Birmingham
Birmingham andcal mob
mob ininSouthend.
Southend. In
In
Glasgow,
and their
theirlolocal
Februaryof 1975,
Rhythms
February of
1975,thethebandbandconsolidated
consolidatedthat
that successsuccesswith
with thethe Naughty
NaughtyRhythms
Tour, with
with Chilli
Chilli Willi&The
TheRedRedHotHotPeppers
Peppers andand Kokomo.
Kokomo.
Tour,
Willi &
Itwasabold
It was a boldco-operative
co -operativeventure,
venture,designed
designedto
tobreakbreakallallthreethreebands
bands fromfrom thetheinsularity ofFeelgood ititworked.
worked. The
TheChillis
Chillisdidn't
didn'tinsularity
ofthe
the London
London pub
pub scene.
scene. For
For DrDr Feelgood
survive
Komomo still
survive thethe tour.
tour. Komomo
still exist
exist inin aastrange
strange kind
kind ofof limbo,
limbo, unable
unable toto fully
fully
establish
establish themselves
themselves outside
outside aa small
small circuit
circuit ofofBritish
British gigs.
gigs.
Down
Down By
ByThe
TheJetty,
Jetty,thetheFeelgoods'
Feelgoods'recording
recordingdebut,
debut,waswasreleased
released totocoincide
coincidewith
withthat tour
tour andand its
its sales
salesreflectedreflectedtheir
theirincreasing
increasingpopularity.
popularity. Their
Theirappearances
appearances later
later
that
that
Festival inthat year
year at
at thethe Orange
Orange Festival
in thethe South
South ofof France
France andand thethe Reading
Reading Festival
Festival inin
England demonstrated
demonstrated that
captured theofofbbothoth »Englandthatthey
theyhadhadeffectively
effectively captured
theimaginations
imaginations
as vocalist Lee Brilleaux would have it, "rivvum 'n' blooze").

A

WorldMags.net
HISTORY103
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976I 1103

1976

WorldMags.net''

JULY-SEPZEMBERJULY-Continental and domestic audiences. By November they wereconsidered important enough to have the news of their first headlining
tour (an exhausting 25- citytrek) announced on the MM's front page.
Within a month of that tour, culminating in a concert at Hammersmith
Odeon, the Feelgoods were in America. They played at the CBS
convention in SanDiego, decided that the country was hungry for moreof their ferocious R&B vitality and returned earlier this year (with asecond album, Malpractice, behind them), for a gruelling two -and -a -halfmonths of intensive gigging.
Since their ret urn to Britain the group has
been largely inactive. They've played only six
concerts, principally to reassure themselvesthat theirpopularity had not declined during
theirAmerican campaign, and prepared forrelease this week a live album.
It is disarmingly titled Stupidity and is acollection of the most requested numbers fromtheir stage show. Recorded during their last
British tour in Sheffield and Southend, Stupidity
reaffirms the Feelgoods as one of the mostvicious and electrifying R&B bands ever to strut
their stuff on the planks.
Simultaneously, the group begins anotherextensive tour of the country. It's good to havethem back...

"Stupidity," observes Lee Brilleaux, relaxing with a bottle of gin (that's
considered important enough to have the news of their first headlining
being
Artists Records
being rapidly
rapidly drained)drained) inin thethe United
UnitedArtists
Records press
press office,office, "is"isthethetour (an exhausting25-city trek) announced on the MM's front page.
naturalculmination
firstphase
phaseofofDrFeelgood's
natural culmination
ofofthethe first
Dr Feelgood's career."
career." ItItcaptures
captures
Within a month of that tour, culminating in a concert at Hammersmithaa certain
certain quality
quality ofofexcitement
excitement andand strength
strength thatthat was
was lost
lost in
inthe
theSpartan
SpartanOdeon, the Feelgoods were in America. They played at the CBS
arrangementsof/etryandsuggested
suggestedonly
onlyonarrangements oflettyandon thethe moremore successful
successful tracks
tracksconvention in San Diego, decided that the country was hungry for moreonon Malpractice.
Malpractice.
oftheir ferocious R&B vitality and returned earlier this year (with a
Rumours
Rumours thatthethat the band
band waswas struggling
struggling toto complete
completeaathird
thirdstudiostudioalbum
album
second album, Mfl/prachce, behind them), for a gruelling two-and-a-halfaredeniedby
by LeeLee andSparko, who
are vehemently
vehemently denied
and Sparko,
who finally
finally gets
gets his
his nose
nose out
out ofofmonths of intensive gigging.
aa glass
glassofwhisky
ofwhiskyto
torefute
refutethethesuggestion.
suggestion.
Since their return to Britain the group has
They
They have
havebeen
beenrecording
recording successfully,
successfully, hehebeen largely inactive. They've played only six
affirms.
affirms. But
Butthethe next
nextstudiostudioalbum,
album, they
they
"I
think
this
concerts, principally to reassure themselves
anticipated,
anticipated, would
would mark
mark aadeparture...
departure... slight,
slight,thattheirpopularityhad not declined during
but
but definite,definite, andand hadhad itit been
been released
released now,
now,
their American campaign, and prepared forwould
live album,
would have
have mademade aasubsequent
subsequent live
album, of
of
whole
punk
release this weeka live album.
materialmaterial similar
similar toto thatthat included
included on
on Stupidity,
Stupidity,
Continental and domestic audiences. By Novemberthey were

It is disarmingly titled Stupidity and is acollection of the most requested numbers from"I think thiswhole punkthing has got

thing

got

It would have been too retrospective, offers

too stylised"

British tour in Sheffield and Southend, Stupidity
reaffirms the Feelgoods as one of the mostvicious and electrifyingR&B bands ever to strut
their stuff on the planks.

Simultaneously, the group begins anotherextensive tour of the country. It's good to have

H
UJ
O

has

quite redundant.

quite redundant.

It would have been too retrospective, offers
Lee,
Lee, totohavehavereleased
releasedthe
thealbums
albums inin thatthatsequence.
sequence. Better
Better thisth is way,
way, hehe continues,
continues, tototoostylised"satisfysatisfy those
those who
who have
have long
longdemanded
demanded aa
Feelgoods
Feelgoods live
live collection,collection, andand also
also toto prepare
preparethethe way
way forfor thethe new
new studiostudio work.
work.
r"We'veto studios
studios now,"
now," he"We'vebecome
become accustomed
accustomed tohe says.
says.
"There"There were
were difficulties
difficulties at
at first,
first, but
but they
they were
were gradually
gradually
vlW
encounteredandgradually
graduallyovercome.We
overcome. Wefeel
feel weencountered andwe cancanstretchlosing any
any ofstretch ourselves
ourselves aa bit
bit moremore now,
now, without
without losingofthethe intensity.
intensity. II think
think this
this next
next album's
album's gonna
gonna require
requiretime.
time. II think
think we
we allall realise
realise that.
that.
4"We've"We'verealised
realisedthat
that there's
there's aa lot
lot moremore we
we cancan dodo inin thethe&Istudio,studio, andand we're
we're determined
determined to
to taketake our
our timetime over
over thethenewalbumto makemakesure
surewewe do
do it
it right.
right. It'll
It'll still
new album tostill bebe Dr
Dr
Feelgood.
that it's
it's us,"us,"Feelgood. There'll
There'll be
be nono mistaking
mistaking thatcomments
Sparko. "The"The ferocity
will still
still becomments Sparko.
ferocitywill
be there.
there. That
That
fc M'
is
of Dr
is thethe soundsound ofDr Feelgood.
Feelgood. It
It isiscut
cutdown
down toto thethe bone.
bone.
"It's thethe rawness
rawness of
"It's
of Dr
DrFeelgood
Feelgoodthat
thatdistinguishes
distinguishes usus
4from thethe thousands
thousands ofother bands.
bands. But
fromof otherBut you
you cancan makemake thethestudiowork fordestroyingthe
impact. We
Westudio workfor you,
you, without
without destroying
the impact.
still won't
won't getgetintointo doing
doinghundreds
hundreds ofoverdubs. If
Ifwe
still
of overdubs.
we wentwentt
into
acting like
like ainto aa studiostudio andand started
started acting
a lot
lotofpansies,
ofpansies, fiddling
fiddling
about,
about, then
then itit wouldn't
wouldn't be
be Dr
Dr Feelgood.
Feelgood. ItItwouldn't
wouldn'twork."work."
Certainly, theCertainly,
the Feelgoods'
Feelgoods' successsuccess cancan bebe attributed
attributed toto thetheveryof theirvery basic
basic appeal
appeal of
their music.
music. At
At theirtheir best,
best, thethe bandband isissavagely
They emergedsavagelyunrestrained.
unrestrained. Theyemerged at
at aa time
time ofofincreasing
increasing musicalmusical complexity
complexity andand remindedreminded us
us thatthatrock'n'roll
torock'n'roll could
could bebe excitingand
exciting and fun
fun without
without recourse
recourse toadvanced
technology. Theyadvanced technology.
They maybe
maybe derivative,
derivative, andand nono oneone
could
could accuse
accuse them
them of
ofattemptingto
attempting to innovate,
innovate, butbuttherethere
cancan bebe nono denial
denial ofof theirtheir energy
energy andand ability
ability to
tostimulate
stimulatejaded
jaded senses.
senses. The
The Feelgoods,
Feelgoods, andand their
their pub
pub rockrockcontemporaries
likeKilburn
Kilburn&The&The HighHigh Roads,
Roads, Charlie
contemporaries likeCharlieAnd
later TheThe Kursaal
And The
The Wide
Wide Boys,
Boys, Chilli
Chilli Willi
Willi anda ndlater
KursaalFlyers, played
Flyers,played music
musicwith
with anan enthusiasm
enthusiasm andanda
a lustlust forfor

their stage show. Recorded during their last>-

"Stupidity," observes Lee Brilleaux, relaxing with a bottle of gin (that's

them back...

4

/

r

-•
/

pleasure, entirelywithout pretension.
pleasure, entirely without pretension.

They played
the music
music they
theyliked,
liked, forfor fun.
fun. It
It wasTheyplayed thewas asas simple
simpleas
For Leeas that.
that. For
Lee andand Sparko
Sparko it
it isisstill
stillasassimple
simpleasasthat,that, andandthey deny that their original stance-which provided somany j ournalists with reams of colourful copy-was
consciously a rebellion against the techno-flash
extravagance of so many bands. Their aggression, says
Sparko, was not contrived: "Ifyou're playing something
you believe in and no one's listening, it makes you mad."they deny that their original stance - which provided somany journalists with reams of colourful copy-was
consciously a rebellion against the techno-flash

extravagance of so many bands. Their aggression, says

Sparko, was not contrived: "Ifyou're playing something

you believe in and no one's listening, it makes you mad."V"Yeah," Lee"Yeah,"
Leeagrees.
agrees. "You
"Youlook
lookatatan
anaudienceaudienceandand think,
think,'Fuckyou lot.
know this
this isgood even'Fuckyoulot. II knowis goodeven ifyou
ifyou don't.
don't. So
So listen,listen,you cunts.'
And youyoucunts.' And
you put
put thatthat feelingfeeling ofof aggression
aggression into
into the
the

V
*■

I

music, rather than battering the audience with all theverbals. I never went in for calling the audience cunts.
I used to think it sometimes, but I don't think it's reallya good thing to tell them.
"All you can do is impress them through yourperformance. Ifyou can show an audience that you mean
business, then they'll payyou a bit of attention."
During their recent US tour, adds Spark°, audiences were
often stunned, frequently confused, but never indifferent.
music, rather than battering the audience with all theJ.
.
rverbals. I never went in for calling the audience cunts.

*

I used to thinkit sometimes, but I don't think it's reallya good thing to tell them.

March23,19761DrFeelgood
bythe rooftop
rooftop pool
atthe
bythe
pool atthe
Hyatt Regency
RegencyHotel,
Hyatt
Hotel,
West(l-r)
West Hollywood,
Hollywood, LALA -(l
-r)
Wilko
Johnson, Lee
Wilko Johnson,
Lee Brilleaux,
Brilleaux,
John"The BigBig Figure"Martin 144.
John"The
Figure -Martin
March 23,1976: Dr Feelgood

and bassist John B Sparks

and bassist John B Sparks

WorldMags.net
mtiT
4'."I**"HISTORY OF ROCK 1976
sMM

"All you can do is impress them through yourperformance. Ifyou can showan audience thatyou mean
business, then they'll pay you a bit of attention."

During their recent US tour, adds Sparko, audiences were

often stunned, frequently confused, but never indifferent.

Dr. Feelgood

WorldMags.net
om

Manic urgency"Most places, the kids never knewwhat hit
Manicurgency
them,"
Lee. "I
them," contributes
contributes Lee.
"Idon't
don'tthink
think they'dthey'deeverseen anything
like us.
everseen
anything likeus. Lots
Lots ofof thosethose kids
kids
had never
never really
really heard
heard rivvum
rivvum 'n'blues. II mean,
mean,
had
'n' blues.
MM
OGT 2
MM OCT
2 Two
Two shows;
shows; one
one live
live
it
itwas
was aaweird
weirdone.
one.WeWewerewereplayingrivvum
playing rivvum 'n'
'n'
album
of raw
raw Feelgood
Feelgood factor.
album offactor.
blooze totoan
anAmerican
audience ininAmerica
bloozeAmerican audience
Americaandand itit soundedsounded foreignforeign toto them.
them.
UNITED ARTISTS
Dr
artists
Dr feelgood
feelgood Stupidity united"And"Andthey
theywere
weresurprised
surprised not
not only
only byby thethe
ALBUMS
music,
They areare still
still
Stupidity
music, but
but also
also our
our appearance.
appearance. They
Stupidity is,
is, without
without doubt,
doubt, thethedefinitive
Dr Feelgood
Feelgood album.
very
very used
used totomusiciansmusicians getting
getting on
on stagestagedressed
dresseddefinitive Dr
album.
up
kit. YouA
up in
in allall thethe kit.
Youknow,
know,thethe whole
whole rock-starrock -star
A recordrecord thatthat makes
makesredundant
redundant
reviewI
bothprevious albums,
albums,bit. It's
It's still
still thethe samesame old
old business.
business. But,youboth ofof theirtheir previous
bit.
But, you
0
don't
Down
don't have
have toto be
be dressed
dressed up
up likelike some
some old
old tart
tart inin
Down By
By The
TheJetty
Jetty andand
1976
Malpractice,and confirms
satin androck'n'roll. The
The music
music
Malpractice, andconfirms
satin
and sequinssequinsto
to play
play rock'n'roll.
shouldtheirshould speakfor
speak for itself,
itself,and
andthepeople
the people should
shouldtheir reputation
reputation asas thethe premierpremier
contemporary
speak
speak forfor themselves.
themselves.
contemporary exponents
exponents ofof white
white
Ik
"The
rivvum'n' blooze
Dog"and"The point
point about
about rock'n'roll,
rock'n'roll, andand thethe reason
reasonrivvum 'n°blooze (as(as Lee
Lee Brilleaux
Brilleaux sosoDog" and "She"She Does
Does ItIt Right"are
Right" arecolourfully
describes it).
itmore
it started
started inin thethe first
first place
place waswasthatthat anyone
anyonecolourfully describesit).
more examples
examples ofof vintage
vintage Feelgood
Feelgood
virtually
couldplayit.
play it. Someone
Someone could
could getget hold
Compiledmadness.
closes side
virtuallycouldholdCompiled fromfrom tapes
tapes ofof twotwo concerts
concerts
madness. The
The latter,latter, which
which closes
side one,one,
recordedlast year
in May,May,of aaguitar
guitarand
and learn
learn toto play
playitreasonably well
well
recorded lastyear (Sheffield(Sheffield in
screams inin fromfrom nowhere,
nowhere, propelledpropelled bybyof
it reasonably
screams
andplay.
Southend
Wilko's
the bandand thenthen jump
jump onon aa stagestage andand play.
Southend inin November),Stup/dity
November), Stupidity captures
captures
Wilkes guitar
guitar as
as hehedrives
drivestheband onon withwithconclusively
manic,"Rock'n'rollisn't
isn'tsatin
satinfuckin'fuckin' trousers
trousers andandconclusively thethe vibrant,
vibrant, frequently
frequently manic,
reckless determination.
determination.
"Rock'n'roll
recklessmusicalTheit, isislimousines andamplifiersmusical personality
personality oftheof the band.
band.
The SouthendSouthend side,
side, ifif you
you cancan believe
believe it,limousinesand massive
massive banks
banks ofof amplifiersA
even
and thousands
andthousands ofof roadies
roadies everywhere.
everywhere. It's
It's
A ferociously
ferociously orchestrated
orchestrated attack
attack on
on thetheeven more
more crazed.
crazed. The
The quality
quality oftheof the sound
sound
about
are
nervousis irresistible.
isabout people!
people! Human
Human beings.
beings. They
Theyarenervous system,
system, its
its energy
energy isirresistible. If
If
is evenevenbetter
better here,
here, with
with every
every guitar
guitar run
run
there
is suchimportant.
The rest
andimportant. The
rest don't
don't mean
mean nothing."
nothing."
there issuch aa thing
thing asas auralaural GBH,
GBH, thenthenand cymbal
cymbal splash
splashrecorded
recorded with
with absoluteabsoluteIt
Stupidity
should get
the Feelgoods
Feelgoods sent
sentclarity.
From theand
It isisthe
theuncompromising
uncompromising attitudeattitude thatthat has
has
Stupidity should
get theclarity. From
the opening
opening drum
drum blitz
blitz anddowncharacterised theone
down forfor aa long
long stretch.
stretch. The
The action
action starts
startsraucous guitar
guitar runs
runs thatthat introduce
introduce "Going"Goingcharacterised
theFeelgoods'
Feelgoods' career.
career. And
And oneraucouscanwithaggression ofof Lee's
Lee's
Backby Lee's
Lee's
can divine
divine inin thisthis defiancedefiance anan influence
influence onon thethewith thethe strangled
strangled aggression
Back Home",
Home", which
which isispunctuatedpunctuated bybruisedbruised vocals
vocals tearing
tearing into
into Chuck
Chuck Berry's
Berry's
pugnacious harmonica,
harmonica, toto thethe closing
closing
attitudeassumed currently
currentlybyso
byso many
many ofofthe
pugnacious
attitude assumed
the"Talking
You", whichfrenzyit's clear
clear thatyounger bands
bands who
followed thethe"Talking About
About You",
which opens
opens thethefrenzy ofof "Roxette","Roxette", it'sthat this
this gig
gig
younger
who have
have followed
Sheffield
side, andFeelgoods
Sheffield side,and hashasWilko's
Wilko'sguitar
guitarmust
must have
have been
been aaspectacular
spectacular nutcrusher.
nutcrusher.
Feelgoods into
into thethe pubs
pubs andand clubs
clubs inin London.
London.
buzzing
Bands like
like The
TheLovers-particularly
Lovers -particularly Joe
buzzing andand skatingskating acrossacross"I Don't
Don't Mind","I'mMind","I'm A
A
Bands
Joe
"I
the
Strummer(who's now
now strumming
Hog
the pneumatic
pneumatic insistence
insistence
Hog ForFor You
You Baby"
Baby" (with(with
Strummer (who's
strum ming withThewith The
ofthe
its
Clash) -- Eddie
Eddie &The Hot
Hot Rods,
Rods, even
even thethe SexSexof the rhythm
rhythm section.
section.
its extraordinary
extraordinary guitar
guitarClash)& The"The
music is"The musicis"20
Yards Behind"is"20 Yards
Behind" issolo), "Back In TheNight"
Night"
Pistolssolo),"BacklnThe
Pistols may
may not
not have
havedeliberately
deliberately copied
copied thethestripped to thedespatched
and"Checking
Up On
sartorial
sartorial style
style popularised
popularised bybythe
the Feelgoods
Feelgoods
despatched with
withand "Checking UpOncharacteristicMycharacteristic urgency,
urgency, andandMy Baby"areall
Baby" are all
and
Ian Dury
And The
The Wide
Wide Boys,
Boys,
and Ian.
Dury andand CharlieCharlie Andbonebone andandjerks
jerks
gives
characterisedby an
but their
their shambling,shambling, ruffian
iscertainly
certainly
gives way
wayto
tothe
thetitle
title track,
track,
characterised byanbut
ruffian look
look isintroduced
byWil
Wilko'sderived fromderivedfrom these
these sources
introduced byko's
almost brutal
almostbrutal energy
energy andandsources ofof inspiration.
inspiration.
with aggression"
explosivea"You'retalking
talkingabout
about allallthethe so-calledso-called fuckin'fuckin'explosive chords,
chords, which
which
a captivating
captivating lunacy.
lunacy.
"You'reispunks,
ain'tyer,"
yer," scowls
II don't
punks, ain't
scowls Lee
Leewhenwhen IImention
mentionis pistol-whipped
pistol-whipped toto thethe
don't really
really know
know what
what
groundvocal
thefor DrDr Feelgood-although
this connection.
connection. "Butmean, what's
what's aafuckin'ground by
by Brilleaux's
Brilleaux's belligerent
belligerent vocal
the future
future holds
holdsforFeelgood -although
this"But I
I mean,fuckin'performance.
is, however,
performance. ItIt is,however, with
with Wilko's
Wilko's
the successsuccess ofof thisthis album
album isisguaranteed.
guaranteed. Lee
Lee
punk?
A punkshould
should be
be 17
17 andthepunk?Apunkand convinced
convinced that
that
"All
the bandband really
Brilleauxand Sparko
he's
he's aa star.
star. Even
Even ifif he
he can't
can't play.
play. AndAnd 1Iadmire
admire"All ThroughThrough The
The City"City" thatthat thereallyBrilleaux andSparko have
havealreadyalreadyintimatedintimatedskewerskewer thethe listenerlistener -- thethe music
music isisstripped
stripped totothat thethe bandhave reviewed
reviewed their
their musical
that
that
band havemusicalthat when
when itit happens
happens naturally.
naturally.
thestance"But IIdon't
don'tadmire
admire ititwhen
whenpeople
people makemake out
out
the bone,bone, andand twitches
twitches andand jerks
jerks withwithstance andand realised
realised thatthat they
they must,
must, ifif they
they
"But
authentic"I'm AA Man"
that
they'repunks
punksandandthey
theygot
gottwoA-levels.
two A-levels.
authentic aggression.
aggression."I'm
Man" delivereddeliveredareare toto continue
continue toto flourish,
flourish, expand
expandtheir
their
thatthey'reWhendays, thosewithby Wilko,
sound
When we
we camecame onon in
inthe
theearly
earlydays,
thosewith deadpan
deadpan authority
authority by
Wilko, follows.
follows.
sound andand exploit
exploit new
new directions.
directions. But
But forfor
Againclothes
we wore,the
Again nono apology
apology isisofferedoffered forfor thethethe moment,
moment, one
one cancan simply
simply enjoy
enjoy this
thisclothes thatthat wewore, they
they wasn't
wasn't stagestage clothes
clothesclaustrophobic
here, asrecord.
It's rocktheywe'donned'. They
They were
were thethe clothes
clothes thatthatclaustrophobic tension
tension createdcreated here,asrecord. It's
It's raw
raw andand exhilarating.
exhilarating. It's
rock
they
we 'donned'.
Wilko's
bites at
at thethe heels
heels ofWilko's guitar
guitar bitesof TheThe
and roll.
roll. DrDr Feelgood
Feelgood know
how it's
it's played
playedweup toto thethe gig
gig in.
andknow how
we turned
turned up
in. That's
That's what
what we
weFigure's
andwere wearing...."
were
wearing...."
Figure's relentless
relentless beat.
beat. It's
It's aa smouldering
smoulderingand burnburn parts
parts ofof your
your brain
brain thatthat most
most bands
bands
furnacefurnace ofof aa performance.
performance. "Walking"Walking The
The
couldn'twith aa blowtorch.
blowtorch. AllanJones"I
couldn't singe
singe with
Allan Jones"Ialwaysalways used
used toto wearwear meme bestbest suit,"
suit,"
interjects Sparko.
interjects
Sparko.
"Yeah,"Yeah,wewedidn't
didn't decide
decide toto trytry toto look
lookscruffy
scruffy
and wearwear oldsuits. We
Wejustjustthought
thought thatthat since
since we
we werewere playing
playing music
music thatthat
style, however.
however.They
Theyoweowetheirtheirstature
statureto
tothe
thesupport
support ofoftheir
theiradmirers
admirers
andold suits.
style,
everyone
there would
would bebe no
inpreparedto
to forget
forget thethe fact.
fact.
everyone thought
thought was
was uncommercial
uncommercial there
no point
point inintartingtartingin these
these areas
areas andand aren't
aren't preparedourselves up
up andand blow-drying
blow- drying ourour hair.
hair. We
Weweren't
weren'tdeliberately
deliberately trying
trying toto"Ithink
thinkit's
Lee,"when"when some
some bands
bands makemake itit andand thenthenourselves"I
it's unfair,"unfair," says
says Lee,developpeople picked
picked up
up on
on it.
it. Wedecidethey will
will dodevelop aa style.
style. It's
It'sjust
justthat
thatpeople
Weneverneverdeliberately
deliberately
decide thatthat they
do only
only four
four major
major gigs
gigsandand sodsodthethe people
people inNorthin Norththrew
to.
threw mudmud overover ourselves.
ourselves. We
We didn't
didn't have
have to.
Yorkshire who
Yorkshire
who want
want toto seesee them.
them. If
If people
people inin North
North Yorkshire
Yorkshire want
want toto seesee"Wethat we
we hadus,say, 'Sod
want toto see"Wehadhadthisthisvanvanthatthatwewespent
spentsosomuchmuchtimetimeunderneathunderneath that
had
us, wewe ain't
ain't gonna
gonna say,'Sod yer!
yer! Ifyou
Ifyou reallyreal lywant
see usyer'll
us yer'll have
have totoenough stains
into all
all that.
that. IIthink
think
come down
down tofuckin' Manchester!'Yorkshire. It's
It's notnotenoughstains on
on ourour clothes
clothes without
withouthaving
havingto
to getget intocome
to fuckin'
Manchester!'We'll
We'llgogo andandplay
playinin Yorkshire.
thiswhole punkthingatthe
at themomenthasgotgottootoo stylised.
stylised. There's
There's no
theend ofofthe
thiswhole
punkthing
momenthasno suchsuchthe endthe fuckin'fuckin' world."
world."
thing asas punks
punks anymore. This
This lot
lotareareconsciously
consciouslymaking
making themselves
themselves out
out
Inevitably, such
such aadecision
decisionprecipitates
precipitatesenormous
enormous pressurespressures onon thethething
any more.
Inevitably,
tonot. They're
to comelittleyobbos.
band.
Lee: "You"You always
to be
be something
something they're
they're not.
They're trying
trying tocome onon likelikelittle
yobbos.
band. Lee:
always feel,
feel, see,see, thatyou'rethat you're under
under anan obligation
obligation toto finishfinishAnd they're
they're notyobbos don't
up on
on stagestage
the act.
act. People
Peoplehave
havepaid
paidtheir
theirmoney
moneytoseeyou,you,andandthree-quarters
three-quarters ofofAnd
not little
little fuckin'fuckin' yobbos.
yobbos. Little
Little yobbos
don't getget uptheto seeandplay guitars.
Yer little
kick people."thethroughthe
thesetyou
setyoumayfeel
may feel
reallysickandill, but
but itand play
guitars. Yer
littleyobbos
yobbos go
godowndown thethe disco
disco andand kickpeople."the way
waythroughreallysick
and ill,
it really
really don't
don't"And,""And," says
says Sparko,
Sparko, adding
adding aa final
finalword
wordononthe
thesubject,subject, "they"theywear
wearsmartsmart
mattermatter ifyou
if you die.
die. You
You wanna
wanna dodo your
your job.
job. It's
It'shard
hard andand getting
getting nono easier."
easier."You
clothes lilike
me.NotNotsecond-handsecond-hand rubbish."rubbish."Youshould,
should, IIsuggest,suggest,"incorporate"incorporate anan acoustic
acoustic set
set inin thethe middle
middle ofofclotheske me.
AsIImentioned
mentioned above,
above, this
this current
current tour
tourisis Dr
Feelgood's first
first since
since thethethe act".
act".
As
Dr Feelgood'sthemarathontrek last
last November.
takes themLeeday, mate,"
marathon trek
November. Once
Onceagain,
again,their
theiritineraryitinerarytakes
them toto
Lee looks
lookshorrified
horrified atatthethesuggestion.
suggestion. "That'll"That'll bebe thethe bleedin'
bleedin' day,mate,"
provincial centres
centres mostbands
days
not thethe Feelgoods'
Feelgoods'
he replies.
replies. "That'llbe"That'll be thethe bleedin'
bleedin' day."day." Allan
Aiianknes
provincial
most bandsthese
these
daysavoid.
avoid. It's
It's notheJones •
"Most places, the kids never knew what hit

stripped to thewith aggression"

WorldMags.net
HISTORY| 103
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
19761105

WorldMags.net

1976

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March22,1976; Queen

March22,1976: Queen

aiming foranatmosphereof"excitement,
expectation"excitementexpectation
and,and,ultimately,
ultimately, enjoyment"
enjoyment"
aimingfor an atmosphere of

atTo kyo's Nippon Buclokon

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And as their forthcomi ng

H c/Milk concert testifies,
1.E 'I are doing all right.

Hyde Park concert testifies,ftt

QUEEN are doing allright.

"We don't think we're above
anybody," says Roger Taylor.
"We don't consider ourselves
to be above our audience.""We don't think we're above

anybody," says

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Roger Taylor.

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be above our audience."e do
he best

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SEPTEMBER 18
SEPTEMBER 18

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A

RIAN MAY REMEMBERS Queen's first -ever free gig well. It was
years ago,
ago, wheninin London,
London, five
five years
invited 120
120 people
when thethe bandband invited
peopleA 1t

BRIAN MAY REMEMBERS Queen's first-ever free gig well. It was

Xu

v

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v

along to a lecture theatre in Imperial College to hear them play.
Orange juice and popcorn were served to the 80 or so whobothered to show their faces and lend an ear.
Since that unremarkable debut, the capital has hosted many
landmarks in IQ ueen'swell-planned climb to the top : the Imperial College gig in
September, '75; the Rainbow' n March, '74 (promoter Mel Bush convinced theband that they were big enough to sellout a concert there); two sell-out gigs
at the Rainbowduring November '75; and, last year, four shows at
Hammersmith Odeon. The icing on the cake, to confirm that Queen havewell and truly arrived, is on Saturday, when the band play in front of
perhaps 200,000 at Hyde Park. Theyinsist, however, that the gig should
not be interpreted as a "we're a big band now" gesture.
along to a lecture theatre in Imperial College to hear them play.
Orange juice and popcorn were served to the 80 or so whobothered to show their faces and lend an ear.

Since that unremarkable debut, the capital has hosted many

landmarks in Queen's well-planned climb to the top: the Imperial College gig in
September, '75; the Rainbow in March, '74 (promoter Mel Bush convinced the

..
r

.

band that they were big enough to sell out a concert there); two sell-out gigs

mat the Rainbow during November '75; and, last year, four shows at

Hammersmith Odeon. The icing on the cake, to confirm that Queen havev- •:well and truly arrived, is on Saturday, when the band play in front of

perhaps 200,000 at Hyde Park. They insist, however, that the gig should
not be interpreted as a "we're a big band now" gesture.

"I really hope it's not taken in that way," May said sincerely.
NNW """■"Theremustbeotherwaysofdoingthat.YoucanplayWembley-411.
"There must be other ways of doing that. You can play Wembley
Stadium. I!reallytaken inin thethe spirit
spirit thatthat we're
we're
Stadium.
really hope
hope thatthat it's
it's taken
thinking
just ato do.
dream
thinking ofof -justa nicenice thing
thing todo. It's
It's aadream toto be
be ableable toto do
doa freefree gig
gig ininHydeHydePark,
Park, like
like thethe old
days. It's
as romanticromantic asasthat.
>>»aold days.
It's asthat.
!

'"I really hope it's not taken in that way," May said sincerely.

WorldMags.net,..opmedoiroaimpoeuilimisiovisiti0000411mab:..

HISTORY107
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976I 1107•• 'SS

1976

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BE

JULY - SlYAlW
JULY

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Rhapsody","I don't think there's ever been a show like we're going to do in theRhapsody", thethe six-minutesix -minuteopus
opuswith
withthetheoperatic
operaticmiddle
middle section,section,Park.
gave
who went
out inPark. We're
We'renotnotgoing
goingtotoholdholdback
backatatall
alljustjustbecause
becauseit's
ifs aa free
free concert.
concert.
gave them
them aa much
much wider
wider audience,
audience, whowent out
in force
force totosamplesampleIt'll
theon AMg/rMfTVrcOpcra.Nowthey're
It'll bebe thethe whole
whole works.
works. IIhope
hope ititall
allfits
fitstogether
together as
as aavery
verynice
nice andandthe variety
variety ofwaresof wares on
A Night At The Opera. Now they're one
one ofofpeaceful andand enjoyableenjoyable afternoon.
afternoon. It's
It's aa way
wayof
ofsaying
sayingthankyou.
thankyou. It's
It's ananpeaceful
Britain's
Britain's biggest
biggestbands.
bands.
adventure,through15
15 million
million miles
miles ofof redadventure, fightingyourway
fighting your waythroughred tape.
tape. It's
It's
quite hilarious."
hilarious."
quite
UEEN BOAST
QUEEN
BOASTTHREE
THREEstrong
strongvocalists
vocalists -- Freddie
Freddie Mercury,
Mercury,Had
to Queen
Queen four
four years
Brian
Had anyone
anyone mentioned
mentioned toyears ago
agothethe possibility
possibilitythat
that
Brian May
May andand RogerTaylor.
Roger Taylor.Mercury's
Mercury's lead
lead vocal
vocal gives
gives
they
theywould
would bebe topping
toppingaa concertconcert inin HydeHyde Park,
Park, it's
it's likely
likelythat
thatthethebandband
immediate
identification, butthat, Queen
Queen worked
immediate identification,
but behindbehind that,workedmembers
Id notonmembers wou
would
not have
havebatted
batted anan eyelid
eyelid andand would
wouldhave
haveaccepted
accepted thatthaton achieving
achieving aanotable
notableharmony
harmony sound,sound, with
with guidance
guidance from
from
itwas
wasmostmostlikely
likelythat
thatthey
theywould
wouldeventually
eventually play
play aa gig
itMay.
gig ofofsuchsuchmagnitude.
magnitude.
May.While
WhileMercury's
Mercury'swas
wasthethevoice
voicethethepublic
publicassociatedassociated with,
with,
much
They always
always knewthey'dknew they'd be
be aa bigbigband,band, andand they
they were
were conscious,
conscious, from
from
They
much ofof thethe successsuccess inin thethe harmony
harmony vocals
vocals falls
falls onon toto thethethe start,
start, ofof thetheimportanceimportance ofof creating
creating aahighly
highlydistinctive
distinctiveandandpersonal
personal
theincredible
rangeofofTaylor.
Taylor.
incredible range
soundwith them.
Withsound thatthat could
could bebeassociatedassociated only
onlywiththem.
With their
their own
own identity
identity intact,
intact, Queen
Queen refusedrefused toto followthe
followthe
Queen's roots
roots lie
lie inin aaband
band called
called Smile,
Smile, which
which Brian
Brian May
May(guitar)(guitar) andand
Queen's
accepted
working constantly
on theaccepted guidelines
guidelines forfor successsuccess--working
constantly on
the clubclub
RogerTaylor
singer, Tim
circuit-andinsteadplayed
played at
at parties
for friends.
Roger Taylor(drums)(drums) played
played together
together in.
in. When
When thethe singer,
Tim Staffell,
Staffell,circuit- and instead
parties forfriends.
left toto pursue
pursue aa solo
solo career,
left
career, Freddie
Freddie Mercury
Mercurycame
camealong
alongand
andpersuaded
persuaded
Taylor:Taylor:"We"Wedidn't
didn'treally
reallywant
want totoget
getintointothatthat small-clubsmall -clubcircuit.
circuit.
them
After sixmonths,
Wewanttostuck
them toto form
form aabandbandwithwith him.
him.After
six months, John
John Deacon
Deacon joined
joined onon
Weall
allwanted
wantedto
toplayplaybig,
big,bigconcerts,
big concerts,and
anddidn't
didn'twant
toget
getstuckbass andand Queen
Queen was
was formed.
formed.
bass
incircuit forfor years
and years,
years, which
whichisis so
so easyin thatthat circuit
years andeasy toto do.
do, nono mattermatterBut
rock'n'roll turnedsour,
sour, thethemenmen in.
in Queen
howgoodyouare."Buthadhadthethe life
lifeofofrock'n'rollturned
Queen could
could easily
easilyhowgood you are."have returned
returned towho designed
designedhaveto comfortablecomfortable professions:professions: Mercury,
Mercury, whoOnfour albums
albumstoto date,date,Queen,
Queen,Queen
QueenII,
II, Sheer
Sheer Hearttack
On theirtheir fourHeart At
AttackQueen's
May received
andQueenhave
Queen's logo,
logo,studiedstudied graphic
graphic design
design andand illustration:
illustration; May
received aa BSc
BSc
and ANightAt
A Night AtThe
TheOpera,
Opera,
Queen havemeticulously
meticulouslystamped
stampedtheir
their
inphysics; Taylor
Taylor graduated
graduated inand Deaconclass
in physics:
in biology;
biology: andDeaconwon
wona
a firstfirst-classown
enemies because
because they've
they've been
been soso fussy
own sound,sound, andand earned
earned enemies
fussy
honourshonours degree
degree inin electronics.
electronics.
about
theirwork.
work.Sheer
SheerHeart
HeartAttack
AttackandandA
A Night
At Theabout theirNightAtThe Opera
Opera were
were
The result
result ofo f aa studioThe
studio trial
trial at
at London's
London's De
De LaneLane Lea
Lea studios
studios was
was aa demo
demo
particularly
open toto these
attacks, but
but theparticularly open
these attacks,
the daysdays areare past
past when
when
tapeconsisted ofof mostId appearQueentape thatthat consisted
most ofof thethe songs
songsthatthat wou
would
appear on
on thethe first
first
Queen have
have been
been affectedaffected bybysuchsuchsuperficial
superficialjudgments.
judgments.
album,
andEMIEMI rushed
to signsign thethe band.A
band. Afirst
firstsingle,
single. "Keep"Keep Yourself
They
to getalbum, andrushed toYourself
They gogo intointo thethe studiostudio to
get thethe best
best soundsound they
they possibly
possibly can,
can,
Alive", wasOctober 1973,
1973, andand
Alive",
was released
released during
during Octoberand flopped,
flopped, andand thethe band's
band's gig
gig
and adopt
adopt whateverwhatever means
means areare atat theirtheir considerable
considerable disposal
disposal totoas support
support act
act onon aMotta MottThe
TheHoople
Hoopletour
tourearned
earnedthem
themmeagre
meagreattention.
attention.
asdodo so.
so.
The
Queen II,11, however,
The second
second album,
album, Queen
however, broke
broke thethe deadlock,deadlock, andand itit
Queen's
Queen's first
first album
album isis still
still considered
considered by
by many
many ofof theirtheir fans
fans asas>H
includedRhye".From
Fromthenthen on,on, itit was
was
includedthe
thefirst
firsthithitsingle,
single, "Seven"Seven Seas
Seas OfOf Rhye".
theirbest. Like
Like mosttheir best.
most debut
debut discs,
discs, it's
it's aawork
workthat
thatencompasses
encompasses
W
o
plain
sailingfor
plain sailingfor Queen.
Queen. They
They soonsoon
thethe materialmaterial thatthat has
has been
been accumulated
accumulatedo;w
consolidated their
their successconsolidated
success as
as aa singles
singlesandon thefor ayears
and played
played on
the roadroad fora few
fewyears
H
Oa.
DICESARE ENGLER
band
with thethe snappy
snappy"Killer"Killer Queen"
DICESARE
band with
Queen"ENGLER
beforebefore they
they got
got aachancechance toto record,
record, but
but
InIn associcilion
rIqcpcialinn wilh
w
Qi
and,
as
an
albumsand,asanalbums
band,
with
Sheer
many
band,
with
Sheer
many ofof thethe songs
songscontinue
continue toto form
form anan integral
integral
Q
John
Ried
John
Ried
Z
<
HeartAttack.
Heart
Attack. Then
Then last
last year,
year, "Bohemian"Bohemianpart ofthe stagestage act.
act.
part
of theprems
presenls"Keep
Alive" and"Liar" are"Keep Yourself
YourselfAlive"and "Liar"are classics
classics ofofthe bandtheband that
that'll'11 probably
probably never
never bebe dropped,
dropped, while
while"Doing"Doing All
AllRight"
Right"andand "Son"SonAnd
AndDaughter"
Daughter" arearecontrastingrockers that
contrasting rockers
that could
could bebe dispensed
dispensed with
with
r
to
to makemake room
room forfor new
new material.
material.
Overall,
Overall,thethealbum
album epitomised
epitomised what
what Queen
Queen were
wereL
aboutnot just
just aa hardofabout- nothard rockrock band,
band, but
but aa group
group ofH
musicians
well intomusicians wellinto melody,
melody, playing
playing with
with aasubtlety
subtletythat
many '70s'70s bands
had ignored.
ignored. The
The music
that manybands hadmusic waswasaa '70sthe '60s'60s'70s music,
music,influenced
influenced andand flavoured
flavoured by
bythe
but
and orchestrated
orchestrated(especially(especially May's
May's
but structured
structured andguitarwork) inguitar work)in aafashion
fashion thatthat owed
owed little
little toto thethe past.
past.
r
May;
May: "It"Ithadhadthetheyouth
youthandandfreshness
freshness which
which waswas
neveryoung once.
once. Itnever regained,
regained, because
because you're
you're only
onlyyoungItA
had
had aa lot
lot ofofroughrough edges,
edges, aa lot
lot ofofbad
bad playing,playing, aa lot
lot ofofbadbut obviously
we didn't
bad production,
production, but
obviouslywe
didn't have
have that
that
Queen
time toto spend
on it,
it, whichIttimespend onwhich we
we diddid subsequently.
subsequently. It
Friday Feb.
Feb. 20
Friday20
Mm
was
was all
all donedone inin oddodd times
times when
when Trident
Trident Studios
Studiosft**!
zot tficatthewere available,
so it
were
available, so
it sounds
sounds aa bit
bit bitty
bitty toto me,
me, andandZtanicy Theatre
Stanley
Theatresound-wisepatchy. But
But I
I would
sound -wise it's
it's very
verypatchy.
would never
never
Reserved Seats
Reservedavailable at all National
Seats available
at all National
Recordthinkofof going
going backlike
Record Mart
Stanley Box Office
thinkback andand redoing
redoing it
it ororanything
anything likeMart Stores
Stores andand thethe Stanley
Box Officethat,think ithas aa freshness
that, because
because I
I think
it haswefreshness which
whichwe
won't
won't have
have again.
again.
"I still
stilllike`The Night
Night Comes
Comes Down',
Down',which
which was
©KESflRE"I
like 'The
was
IDICESRRE dENGLEft
effIGLER
4
done asas aa demodemo onon ourourownownat.
at De
It- doneDe LaneLane Lea
Lea Studios.
Studios. It
ft
/
\
was
was thethe first
first time
time we'd
we'd been,
been, asas aa group,group, inin thethe studios
studios\
together. I'd
I'd also'My Fairy
Fairy King',
together.
also mention
mention 'My
King', because
because\thata portent
portent ofthings tocome. That
That waswas ananthat waswas aof things
to come.
iexperimentalthing.
thing.It
It wasreally ofexperimental
was thethe beginning
beginning reallyofFred playing
the piano.
piano. He
He usedusedtoto play
play forfor hisFred
playing thehis ownown
amusementbut
butwaswas veryvery against
puttinga
piano inin theamusement
against putting
a pianotheVstage act.
also felt
felt
stage
act. HeHe didn't
didn't feel
feel confident,
confident, II suppose,
suppose, andand alsothat hehe wanted
wanttoto be
be stuckthat
wanted toto movemove around,around, didn't
didn'twant
stuck
playing
playing aa keyboard.
was built
keyboard. The
The whole
wholetrack
trackwasbuilt aroundaroundSeptember
18,1976:
September18,1976:
%
,
v
Brian
May and Queen
BrianMayandQueenthat
and thethe backing
backing trackthat andtrack waswas donedone onon thethe piano.
piano.
playafreeconcertin
play afreeconcertin"The
piano isis gradually
gradually creeping
creeping in"The pianoin onon thethe stage
stage
London's
Hyde Park to
London'sHydeParkto>anestimated audienceact
is good.
anestirnatedaudience
act now,
now, which
which isgood. It
It gives
givesususso
somuchmuch more
more
of150-200,000
of150-200,000*
scope. From
From aa thing
thinglikeKing' came
came 'Black
scope.
like'My'My Fairy
Fairy King''Black"I don't think there's ever been a showlike we're going to do in the

QueenWorldMags.net-vWorldMags.net

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to do with guitars and voices; doing the more
'Bohemian Rhapsody'."
fairlysongs,
fairlyemotionalemotional songs
songs andand structured
structured songs,
Queen II wsis
which we
we couldn't
couldn't eventhink ofdoing onon stagestage
Of all four albums, Queen //remains firmly
whicheven thinkof doingbut
my favourite. A work that brimmed over with
but whichwhich we
we could
could dodo on
on album.
album. All
Allthatthatwaswassafe
forthethesecondsecond album.
album.
inventiveness, it was Queen at their mostsafe for
a
point
where
"The
"The songs
songs have
have aa lot
lotof
ofmeaningfor
meaning forus,
us,andandconsistent and certainly at their most mature,musically. The songs were outstanding,for ourfor
our audience.
audience. That
That album
album crystallised
crystallised
all
the
what
what Queen
Queen was,was, IIthink,
think, because,
because, atat thatthat time,
time,complemented brilliantly on record by theirinstrumental skill. Brian May's role as guitarist
all
was onall thethe equipment
equipment we
we hadhad toto offer
offerwason
on Queen //was not as guitar hero, but of one
display
way, thedisplay inin aaway,thesongwriting
songwriting andand thetheadventurous
means oftreating anan album
album separate
separate froma
who worked totally with the group to give ameansof treatingfrom astrong, unique sound. And 1 don't think thatstage show.
stage
show. IIthink
thinkthatthat set
setourourdirection
direction more
morev
Freddie Mercury has out-matched his Queen II
thananything else.
else.
than anything
ideas
came
out
"Queen//was//was aa point
point where
where all
all thetheperformance on any other record.
"QueenThe album had most ofwhat is good aboutadventurous
ideas camecameout.
out. There
There areadventurous ideas
are seeds
seeds inin
Queen II
IIof
ofalmost
almosteverything
everythingwe've
done since,
since, but
but ititwas
wasso
socompressed
compressed
Queen. The songs reflected versatility in that department. From May
Queen
we've donecame the classic in the moving "Some Day One Day", and, of course,
that
all ofyou'd listened
listenedvery
veryclosely."closely."that allof ititdidn't
didn't comecome out
out unlessunless you'd
IfQueenQueenIIIIofferedofferedadventure,adventure,excitement
excitement andand aa definitive
definitive Queen
Queen
Mercury penned the first hit single, "Seven Seas Of Rhye", while the two
Ifcontributed the tracks that were to form the loose concept of the album,
sound,
Attack is, insound, then
then Sheer
Sheer Heart
HeartAttackis,
in retrospect,retrospect, thethe calm
calm after
after thethe storm,
storm,"White(As ItOf The"White Queen
Queen (AsIt Began)"
Began)" (May)(May) andand "The"The March
March OfThe BlackQueen"
Black Queen"anan album
album which
which presented
presented nothingnothing startlingly
startlingly new
new fromfrom thethe band,band, save
save
(Mercury),
good andandevil.
evil. Mercury
Mercury also
also gave
gave usaa bunchbunch ofof excellent,
excellent, slickly
slicklyproduced
produced songs.
songs. Again,
Again,Freddie
Freddie Mercury
Mercury(Mercury), thethe battle
battle between
between goodus thetheravaging"Ogre Battle",
ravaging "Ogre
Battle",withwith its
itssavage
savagebattle
battlesequence.
sequence.
and Brian
Brian May
Maydominateddominated thethe songwriting,songwriting, but
but thethe contributions
contributions of
of
and
To
Roger
Roger Taylor
Taylor("Tenement("TenementFunster"
Funster" -Taylor-Taylor averages
averages one
one rocker
rocker perper
To me,
me,Queen
QueenIIwas
Ilwasananalbum
album which
which gave
gavethethebandband aadirection,
direction, andand totoalbum)
for thedabble adventurously
adventurouslywith
stage inin theirtheir career
career was
was
album) and,
and, forthe first
first time,
time,John
JohnDeacon
Deacon (the(thesoothingsoothing andand poppy
poppy
dabblewithrockrockatat suchsuch anan early
early stagea"Misfire")ability. Strangely
Strangely"Misfire")widened
widened thethe writing
writing scopea movemovethat
thatdisplayed
displayedunusual
unusual confidence
confidence inin theirtheir own
own ability.
scope aa little.
little.
enough,the subsequent
subsequentalbums,
albums,SheerHeartAttack
Heart Attack
and A
NightAt
At TheThe
enough, the
Sheer
andA
Night
Mercury's songs
songs veered
veered fromfrom thethe smartness
smartness ofQueen" andand
Mercury'sof "Killer"Killer Queen"
Opera,
the unity
unityevident
evidenton
onQueenQueen II.
II.
"Flicklike "Lily"LilyOfThe
Opera, have
have notnot portrayed
portrayed the"Flick OfThe
Of TheWrist"
Wrist"totothe
thepoignancy
poignancy ofslowerof slowernumbers
numbers like
OfThe
May: "IMay:"Imustmust admit
admit it's
it's mymy favourite.
favourite. It
Itwas
was thethe first
first time
time we've
we've been
been able
able
Valley"andValley"and "In"InThe
TheLapLapOfTheOfTheGods".
Gods".May's
May'scontributions
contributions toto thethe album,
album,
tohavinggot
got all
all thoseout ofhowever, were
"Dear Friends",
to--having
those things
things outof ourour systemsystem ononthe
thefirst
firstalbum
album-however,were more
more defined,
defined, forfor apartapart fromfrom one
one track,
track, "DearFriends",
construct an
Everything thatthat went
went onon
his songs
songs were
were mainly
mainly straightaheadstraightahead rockers,"Now
construct
an album
albumfromfrom awhitea whitesheet
sheetofof paper.
paper. Everythinghisrockers,likelike"Brighton"BrightonRock",Rock", "Nowthat
we'd decided
I'm
lesser-paced "She"She Makes
that album,
album, we'ddecided was
was right
right forforthethe album
album out
out
I'm Here"
Here" andand thethe slightly
slightlylesser-paced
Makes
of aalot
lotof
ofsongs
songswe
wehad
hadaroundaround atatthe
the time.
time. We
Wereally
reallyMe (Stormtrooper(Stormtrooper In".
ofMeInStilettos)
Stilettos)".
didinto aa coherent
Sheer
did try
try andand shape
shape ititinto
coherent whole,
whole, both
both
Sheer HeartAttackhas
HeartAttackhas been
been thethe only
only album
album onon
SOMEBOCVTOIM
musically andand thematically.
thematically.
which May
May hashas stuck
stuck soso closely
closely toto thethe hard
hard rockers.
rockers.
musically
which
"It
He
"It really
reallywas,
was,I Ithink,
think,thethemostmostconsidered
considered album,
album,He usuallyusually shows
shows other
other sides
sides ofofhis
hischaractercharacter by
bybecause that
becausethat albumhad
album had been
been dreamed
dreamed of
ofrightright backbackwriting
writing well-structured,
well -structured, often
often complicatedcomplicated pieces.
pieces.
beforethe first
first album.
We knew
May:for thebefore wewe mademade thealbum. We
knew we
we werewere
May: "I"Ido
dofeelfeelananaffinity
affinityfor
the hard-rockhard -rockbands
bands
getting all
the stuff
stuff out
our systems
systems so
so thatthat we
we
who areare not
not ashamedashamed to
do hardhard rockrock all
all nightnight andandgetting
all theout ofof our
who
to do
i.
could
could concentrateconcentrate on
on makingmaking anan album
album andand doing
doing
dodo ititincredibly
incrediblywell,well, bands
bands like
like Status
Status Quo.
Quo. IIthink
think
all these
these orchestralorchestral things
things thatthat we'dalwayswanted
wantedthat ifl
if Iwasn't
wasn't doingwhat
doing what I'm
I'mdoing
doing now,
now,that's
that's »x.
allwe'd always
that

Queen', on the second album, and then`Bohemian Rhapsody',"
Of all four albums, Queen II remains firmly
my favourite. Awork that brimmed over withinventiveness, it was Queen at their mostconsistent and certainly at their most mature,musically. The songs were outstanding,complemented brilliantly on record bytheirinstrumental skill. Brian May's role as guitarist
on Queen //was not as guitar hero, but of one
who worked totally with the group to give astrong, unique sound. And I don't think that
Freddie Mercuryhas out -matched his Queen II
performance on any other record.
The album had most ofwhat is good about
Queen. The songs reflected versat ility in that department. From May
came the classic in the moving "Some Day One Day", and, of course,
Mercury penned the first hit single, "Seven Seas Of Rhye", while the twocontributed the tracks that were to form the loose concept of the album,
Queen', on the second album, and thenueen II wasa point where
all theadventurous
ideas came out"

to do with guitars and voices; doing the moreuWorldMags.net

1 109

HISTORY
1976 I 109
HISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976
1

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1976

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what I'd be doing, and I'd gain a lot of satisfaction out
of it.
it. It's
It's one
one ofofin thethe worldof thethehardest
hardest things
things inworld to
to be
be aa
reallyTo writereally good
good rockrock band.
band. To
write really
really good
good rocksongs
rock songs
ismuchmuchharderharder than
than writing
writinglittle
fit
islittle things
things thatthat all
all fittogether
together well,well, soso IIsuppose
suppose that's
that's what
what isis inin mymymindmind
when II do
do those.
those.
when"I"Inevernever like
like toto seesee usus getget too
too farfar away
away fromfrom rock.
rock. IIhope
hope
we're
we're never
never too
toosophisticated,sophisticated, if
if that's
that's thethe word,
word,and
andthat
we'll always
always be
be ableable tothatwe'li
to justjust getget out
out there
there
and dodo somesome rock'n'roll.
androck'n'roll. II think
think thatthat would
would bebea
it isa loss,loss, really,
really, because
because it
isnot
not totobe
besneeredsneered at
at ininany way,
way, andand toto dodo thatthat kindsay,anykindofofthing
thingis,is, asas I
I say,
asas demanding
demanding as
as doing
doing any
any ofofthe
thecomplex
complexthings wedo."thingswe do."
So
SoSheer
SheerHeart
HeartAttackwas
Attackwasthe
thestraightest
straightest rockrock
album Queenyet recorded,recorded, strong
strong but
safe.
album
Queen have
have yetbut safe.
4
Although
Although ititfailed
failedtotopresent
presentan
anexperimental
experimental
band, which
which thethe second
second album
album did,
did, and
and
band,
A
Mr
.•;§?
althoughit worked
although it
workedwithin
within aa much
much tighter
tighterframework, it
it waswasthethealbum
album which
which virtually
virtuallyframework,
broke
broke Queen
Queen asas aa major
major band
band worldwide.
worldwide.
FRIEND
May: "I"Iregard
regardSheer
SheerHeart
HeartAttack
asthe
themostmostMay:
At tack as
polished
polished album,
album, thethe most
most finishedfinished product,
product, ininthe sense
sense thatthat we
we werewere playing
playingbet
betterand thethethe
ter andsongs
songs areare allallquitequiteseparate
separate andand treatedtreated inin theirtheir own
own
ways. It
It waswas donedone more
more forways.
forcontrast
contrast than
than forfor continuity.
continuity.
The
The songs
songs contrast
contrast but,but, at
at thethe samesame time,
time, we
we weren't
weren'tgoing out
out onon anyany great
great limbs.
limbs. Everything
Everything wasa logical
logicalgoing
was a
Idevelopmentfrom Queendevelopment from
Queen 11,II,althoughalthoughpeople
peopledidn't
didn'trealise it
at thethe time,time, but
but II think
think theyrealiseit atthey dodo now."now."
May's right.
right.Sheer
SheerHeart
HeartAttackwas
a neatlyneatly packaged,
packaged,
May's
Attackwas aconcise rockrockwork,
unlike lastyear's
lastyear's release,
ANightAt
concisework, unlike
release,ANightAt
The
TheOpera,
Opera,which
whichdisplayed
displayedthe
thespirit
spiritof
ofadventure
adventurethat
thatmarkedQueen II.
11.
marked Queen
Queen
toQueen were
werewellwellestablishedestablishedwhen
whenthethetimetimecamecarnet°September
18,1976:
Septemberi80976:
FreddieonFreddieMercury
Mercuryon
record their
their fourth
fourth album
album andand they
they decided
decided thatthat they'dthey'drecordstageatstage at Hyde
Hyde Park
Park
spend whateverwhatever period
period was
was necessary
necessary on
on finishingfinishing the
the
spend
after
delaying theafter delaying
thenewalbum.
band'sas long
new album. They
They obviously
obviously went
went into
into thethe studios
studios
band's entrance
entrance as
longas
their light
aspossible
possibleso
sotheirlight
determined
product would
would portray
portray aa band
band
determined thatthat thethe endend productshow
show would
would bebe seenseen at
at
much more
more diverse
diverse musicallymusicallythan
thanany
anypreviousmuchprevious
its best
best ininthe
the dark
dark
its
album, which
did.
album,
which itit did.
There were
were typical
typical Queen
Queen rockers
rockers inin "Death"Death On
On
There
TwoLegs"
Legs"and
and"Sweet"SweetLady"
Lady"andandtypical
typicalQueen
Queen
Two
symphonies inthe brilliant
brilliant "Prophet's
andsymphonies
in the"Prophet's Song"Song" and
"Bohemian
Rhapsody". Songs
Songs likefrom Queen.
ANight At The"Bohemian Rhapsody".
like those
those areare expected
expected from
Queen. Not
Not
ANightAt
The Opera,
Opera,thethebandband had
had two
two days
daystotorehearse
rehearse aa stagestage act
act thatthat
expected
SundayAfternoon", folky
expected were
were thethe vaudevillianvaudevillian"Lazing"LazingOn
On A
ASundayAfternoon",folky
would
the world.
world. The
the stagewould bebe takentaken aroundaround the
The result
result has
has been
been thatthat thestage act,
act,"39",jazzy
jazzy"Good
Company"andand middle-of-the-road
middle-of-the-road love
song, "LoveOf
good thoughthough ititis,
is,hasn't
hasn'tcompared
comparedwith
withrecorded
recordedperformances,
performances, which
which
"39",
"Good Company"
love song,"Love Of
good
MyLife".
My
Life".ItItwas
wasQueen
Queenputting
puttingthemselves
themselves out
out onon aa limb
limb again,
again, saying,saying,isn't
is put
isn't surprising
surprising when
when nowhere
nowhere near
near thethe samesame thought
thought is
put into
into making
making"Look,"Look,we're
we'renotnotjustjustaarockrockband,band,we're
we'resomething
somethingdeeper
deeperthan
than that.
that.
it original.
original. The
The signs
signs arearethatthat thatthat approach
approach willchange thisyear.
itwill change
this year.
Here's thethe proof."
proof."
Here'sMay:
few
May: "It"Ithashasbeenbeen quite
quite aproblem.
a problem. What
What we've
we've decided
decided on
on forfor these
these few
Pretentious though
ititmight
seem
totosay
it, A Night At The
TheOpera
Operapulledpulledgigs atatthe
themoment
moment is
is to
to do
do aahalfway
halfwaything,
thing, with
with aafewnewsongs
few new songsthrown
thrownPretentious
thoughmight
seem
sayit.ANightAt
gigs
them
Zeppelin,them awayfrom
away from comparisonscomparisonswith
with heavy-metal
heavy-metal giants
giants Led
Led Zeppelin,in. It'sin..
It'sright
rightforforwhatwhatwe're
we'redoing,
doing,because
becausethey're
they'reunusual
unusual gigs
gigs andand aa lot
lot ofofandpushed them
them nearer
The Beatles.
Beatles. By
Bybecoming
becoming more
more diverse
diverse andandand pushed
nearer toto Thepeoplepeople will
will seesee usus who've
who've never
never seen
seen us
us before.
before. It's
It's right
right totopresent
present thethewriting
wider range
range ofofmaterial,material,Queen
Queenhad
hadmademade themselves
themselves morewriting aa widercomplete
history ofof whatthe onemore
complete history
what we
we havehavebeen.
been. For
Forthethenext
nexttourtour -theone after
after
accessible
wider public.
public.
these
-that
'11be
bethe
theoneonewhere
wherewewestartstartrestructuring.
restructuring.
accessible toto aa widerthese gigs
gigs that'll
ANightAt
The Opera,
Opera, inin myANight At The
my opinion,
opinion, still
still had
had aa few
few looselooseends
ends that
that
"In
we
"In thethe casecase ofof thethe last
lasttour,tour,there
therewaswasalmostalmost nonorehearsal,
rehearsal, because
because weweren'ttied up,
up, butbutthethenext
nextalbum
albumwillprobably see
see thethe full
full
went
ahead anddeath totry
weren't completely
completely tied
will probably
went ahead
and plannedplannedall
allthethe tourtourandand worked
worked ourselves
ourselves toto deathto tryfruition ofof thewas toandand there
there were
were only
only two
fruition
the ideas.
ideas. For
For allallintents
intents andand purposes,
album wasto QueenQueenpurposes, thethe album
and getget thethe album
album finished,finished, andtwo daysdays between
betweenwhat
Pepper was
was toto TheThe Beatles.
Beatles. It's
It'sopened
opened so
so many
many unexploredunexplored areas
areas
finishingalbum andon tour.
tour.
what Sgt
Sgt Pepper
finishing thethe album
and going
going onthat
followed --atlosing original
original fans.
fans.
that have
have toto be
be followed
at thetheriskrisk ofof losing"But"But forforthethe next
next tour,
tour,we'll
we'llrehearse.
rehearse. We're
We're notnot going
going toto makemake thethe samesame
May:"Night AtThe
TheOpera
Operaisis
reallytheconundrum,
conundrum,because
because II don't
don't really
reallyMay: "NightAt
reallythemistakemistake again.
again. Maybe
Maybe we
we could
specialififwe'dcould have
have pulledpulled out
out something
something special
we'd
think
it as
as aavery
commercial album.
the onewhich broke
thinkofof itvery commercial
album.But
Butit
it waswas theone whichbroke allall
had moremore time
time toto rehearse,
so thistime we're
we're goinghadrehearse, so
this timegoing toto finishfinish thethe album,
album,
therecords. It's
not nearly
nearly as
as easy-listening
easy -listening anan album
album asas Sheer
Sheer Heart
Heart
make
we havehave thethe right
right time
time forforrehearsal
rehearsal andand thenthen gothe records.
It's notmake sure
sure wego on
on tour."
tour."
Attack. There's
Attack.
There's aa lot
lotofveryof veryuncomfortableuncomfortable things
things about
about it.
it.
"Wewereweredeciding
deciding totobranchbranch out
out again.
again. It
was aa conscious
conscious decision.
decision.
"We
It wasUEEN HAVE
that
QUEEN
HAVEMAINTAINEDMAINTAINED
thatrecord
recordperformance
performanceandand stage
stage
Thinkingthat
thatSheer
Sheer Heart
Hea/tAttacA:
but safe,
safe, if
'performance
should be
be treatedtreated asas totally
totally separate
Thinking
Attack had
had been
been successful
successful but
if youyou
performance should
separate entities,
entities, andandknowwhatmean, withANightAt
we wanted
wanted toto bebethat when
one thing
thing onknowwhat I
1 mean,with A Night AtTheThe Opera
Opera weithat
when they
they dodo onebe no
on record,
record, there
there should
should benoadventurousagain,
again, butbutat
at thethe samesame time,
time, use
use thethe expertise
expertise which
which we'd
we'd
obligation
to repeat
repeatthe
thefeatfeat inin front
front ofof aa liveadventurous
obligation tolive audience.
audience. Their
Their stagestage act
act
learnedlearnedin
indoing
doingSheer
Sheer HeartAttack,Heart Attack, andandin
in doing
doingall
all thethe millions
millionsof
ofgigsgigs
comes incomes
in thethe form
form ofof aa compromise
compromise which
which works
works well.
well.
in between.
The bandadapttheir
theirsongs
songsasasbestbestthey
theycancanforforlive
live workinb etween. I'm
I'm pleased
pleased with
with itit onon thethe whole.
whole. It's
It's got
gotsomesome very
veryaccessible
accessible
Theband adapt
work and,
and, toto bridge
bridgethingsvery inaccessible
inaccessible things."
things."thegap between
between thethe perfectperfect soundsound onrecord, they
they create
create anthings andand also
also some
some very
the gapon record,
an atmosphere
atmosphere
Queen's fascination
for, andto, recording
studios, however,
however,aroundtheirset
set thatthat involves
involves their
totally: so
so suddenly
suddenly it
it doesn't
Queen'sfascination for,and addiction
addiction to,recording studios,around their
their audienceaudience totally;
doesn'thastaken its
toll onon thethe stagestageact.
act.When
Whenthey
theyhadhadfinishedfinishedrecording
recordingmatteras on
on record.
record.
has taken
its toll
matterto
to punterspuntersany
anymoremorewhether
whetherorornot
notthey
theyplay
play songs
songs aswhat I'd be doing, and I'd gain a lot of satisfaction out

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WorldMags.net

110 HISTORYHISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976
110

QUEEN

WorldMags.net
The set at the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh the other weekwas
further
proofofof Queen
Queen following
following this
this logic,
logic, when
they took
took itfurther proof
when they
it aa step
step
further
thanlastyear's
lastyear's
Britishtour.
tour.For
Forthetheduration
durationof
oftheset, dry
dryiceice isfurther than
Britishthe set,isused tocreate aa hazy
hazy mist
mist onon stage,stage, soso thatthat thethe bandband aresort ofofused
to createare givengiven aa sortobscurethe attention
attentionofof onlookers.
onlookers.
obscure presence
presence thatthat captures
captures theIndividually,songs areare treatedtreated with
with whateverwhatever effects
they need
need toIndividually, songs
effects theytotransmit
thefeelingfeeling inin them:transmit thethem: smoke
smoke bombs
bombs inin thethe battle
battle sequence
sequence ofof"But the live show really is all about atmosphere. That's what rock'n'roll
isit's aa show."show."is all
all about,
about, even
even thoughthough it's
TheofQueen's
Queen's live
live show
showis
The flashness
flashness of
is aa mere
mere extension
extension oftheof theindividual
individual
personalities ofband. John
always manages
manages todress inin
personalitiesof thethe band.
John Deacon,
Deacon, who
who always
to dressasoberfashion,
Mercury andand Taylor,a comparatively
comparatively sober
fashion, Mercury
Taylor,in
inparticular,
particular, and
and
Mayon
onstagestagedondondistinctive
distinctiveuniforms.
uniforms.
May
Taylor:Taylor: "The"Thestagestage showhasalways
show has always been
been aa show,
show, andand always
always will
will bebe"Ogre Battle";"Ogre
Battle"; dry
dry ice
ice toto createcreate aa cloud
cloud effecteffectonon"In"InThe
TheLap
LapOf
OfThe
The Gods".
Gods".
a littlealittle different.
different. The
The emphasis
emphasis is
is on
on 'the'the show'.
show'. People
People areare paying
payingmoney
Queen's stagea showshow ininthe
the true
true sense
sense oftheof the word.
word.
money toto comecome andand seesee you,
you, sosowe
wewantwanttotogive
givethem
themsomething
somethingthat's
that'sQueen'sstage act
act isis a
However,criticism ofof thisthis show
show isisprettyentertaining.You
You cancan dodo it
it withHowever, thethe generalgeneral criticism
pretty entertaining.
with just
justthat
Queen could
could domusic,
that Queen
do aa lot
lot moremore totorecreate
recreate thethemusic, but
but doingthe
doing the visualvisual andand audio
audio thing
thing isissound ofof theirtheir records,
records, andand thatthat thethe "separate"separate
much better.
better. The
Stones have
have always
alwayssoundmuch
The Rolling
Rolling Stones"Why thehell
entity"is adone
entity" statement
statement isa lamelame excuse,excuse, anan easyeasydone that.
that.
cop-out toc,"Allweweevereverdiddidwaswasreflectreflectour
ourpersonalities,
personalities,
cop-out
to savesave themthemfrom
froma
a lot
lot ofbother.
of bother.10c
lOcc,
"All
peoplewill say,andall we'rewepeople will
say, gogoon
onstagestageand
andrecreate
recreate their
their
and that's
that's all
we're doing
doing now.
now. It's
It'sjustthat
just thatwe
go
on
stage
and
recorded sound,recordedsound, using
using tapes
tapes andand whateverwhatevercan afford
canafford to
to do
do it
it in
in aa more
more sort
sort ofoflavishlavish way
way
else
now,
without becomingtoo
else isisneededneeded (an(an extra
extra musician),musician), quite
quite
now, butbuthopefully
hopefullywithout
becoming too
comfortably.
Why not
showbusiness,
which isis always
comfortably. Why
not Queen?
Queen?
showbusiness, which
always aa danger.
danger.
pretend you
Taylor:IIwouldn't
Taylor: "We"We could
could never
never dodo whatwhat we
we do
do on
on
wouldn't like
like itittotobecome
becomeshowbusiness
showbusinessrecord. We
try toto getget asas nearnear asas we
we can.
can. We've
We've
because, quite
ck'n'roll.
record.
We trybecause,quitesimply,
simply,it's
it's still
still rorock'n'roll.
can
do
it
like
never
I think we could
cou Id very
never used
used any
any outside
outside musiciansmusicians either
either onon
thinkwevery easily
easily gogo overover thethe top
top nownowstage oror on
on record.
record. It's
It'snot
notbecause
because ofof anyany strict
strictifwe're notcareful.
not careful.
stage
ifwe'repolicy,"Peoplepolicy, more
more due
dueto
topersonal
personal satisfaction,satisfaction, by
by"People seem
seem toto think
think wewedon't
don't try
tryenoughenoughtherecord?"dragging
dragging itit out
out ofofourselves.
ourselves. We
We likelikeon stage,onstage, but
but whenwhen we
we comecome off
off wewe areare totally
totallyexperimenting
and voices
voices to
wiped
A lot
them seemexperimenting with
with instruments
instruments andtowiped out,
out, exhausted.
exhausted. A
lotof
ofthemseem totogetresentthe fact
fact that
Theysay
say thatthat we've
we've got
got noget thethe effecteffect on
on record
record thatthat we
we want.
want. We
Wedon't
don't really
reallytry
tryto
torecreate
recreate thetheresent thethat it's
it's entertaining.
entertaining. Theyno sense
sense ofofsoundlike "Prophet'sSong" likesound onon stage.
stage. IImean,
mean, youyou can't
can't dodo aa thing
thing like
"Prophet's Song"
like thethehumour, whichridiculous. How
could we
we havehave nono sense
sense ofofhumourhumour,which isis ridiculous.
How could
humourrecord onstage.
a six-partsix -partharmony,harmony, andand there's
there's only
only three
three
recordon stage.It's
It's like
like awith
thatFreddie
Freddie isis wearing
these days?
days? Nobody
with thethe things
things thatwearing these
Nobody could
could wear
wear
singers.
singers. There's
There's nono waywaythatthatyou
you cancan dodo it.
it.
those without
those
without having
having aa sense
sense ofof humour.
humour.
"Those areare problems
problems thatto solve
solveourselves,
ourselves, but
but ifit
ifit sounds
sounds"Thosethatwe've
we've got
got to"People"People saysaythatthat we've
we'vekept
keptabove
aboveourouraudience,
audience, but
but IIdon't
don'treally
reallythink
think
good,
have cause
for complaint.
Ifit
good, IIdon't
don'tthink
think anybody
anybody cancan havecause forcomplaint. If
it doesn't
doesn'tthat's true.
is these
these days
days aabit,
bit,but
butonly
onlythroughthroughnecessity,
necessity,because
because thethethat'strue. It
It is
sound
organisation
so big.
big. But
sound good,
good, fair
fair enough.
enough.
organisation isis so
ButIIcancanremember
remember thethe first
first two
two ororthreethree tours
tours"Allyou
youcancando
doisisdo
doeithereithermedium
medium totothe
the best
best ofofyouryourability
ability atatthe
thetime,time,
we did:did: we
wealwaysalwaysused
usedtototry
tryandandletletanybody
anybodywho
wanted toto come
come
"All
we
who wantedand
intodressingroom.
room.But
But wewe can't
do thatnow, obviously.
into thethe dressing
can't dothat now,
obviously.
and inin thethe studio,
studio, you
you have
have sosomuchmuch time
time andand sosomanymany different
different things,
things,you have
have all
all thethe advantages
advantages -- soso whywhy not
not makemake itas perfectperfect asas youyou can,can,"Wedon't
don'tthink
thinkwe'reabove anybody.
anybody. We
Wemight
mightthink
thinkwe're
a
you
it as
"We
we're above
we're aeven
to do?
betterband thanthanmost,
most,butbutwe
we don't
don't consider
considerourselves
ourselves toto be
be aboveeven ifit
if itdoes
doesmakemake thethe stagestage act
act aaharderharder thing
thing todo?
better band
above
"You say"You
say about
about using
using tapes,
tapes, as
as 10cclOcc do;do; well,well, IIdon't
don't agree
agree with
with that.
that.
our audience."
ouraudience."
When
comes toto aa concert,
When anan audienceaudience comes
concert, they
they comecome toto hearhear music
music played
playedTHE PAST
PAST year,
live, notnotto
tohearhearbacking
backing tapes.
tapes.
INNTHE
year,Queen
Queenhave
have enteredentered aa classclass ofoftheir
their own.
own. This
This rise
rise
live,
"All
coincidedwith thethearrival
arrivalofofa
a new
new manager,
John Reid,
Reid, who'd"AllIIcan
cansaysayisisthatthat weboth mediums,
mediums, andandcoincided withmanager, John
who'd
we do
do thethe best
best we
wecan
canwithin
within both
we're honesthonest inin both.
both. 1I don't
don't thinkthat
think that saying
saying wewetreattreat recordingand
recording andalready mademade his
his namename byhandling Elton
John. When
When hehe plottedplottedwe'realreadyby handling
Elton John.
playing
live asis a
thefor hisplaying live
as separate
separate entities
entities isa cop-out;
cop-out; IIthink
thinkthat's
that's honest.
honest. Ifwe
Ifwe
the course
course forhis first
first year
yearwithwith Queen,
Queen, Reid
Reiddecided
decidedthat
that they
they should
shouldwanted tocop out
out we'd
we'd use
use lotslots ofof tapestapes onon stage.
stage. The
The harmonies
harmonies onon stagestage
spend aa substantial
substantial period
crackingAmerica widewide open.
open. TheThe result
result waswaswantedto copspend
period cracking
Americaarenot tapetape-loops.
thatthe bandband areare now
now oneone ofof theare usus singing,singing, they're
they're not-loops.
that thethe biggest
biggest rockrock acts
acts inin thethe States
States and,
and, nine
nine
"When
"When we
we go
go on
on stage,stage, wewe want
want toto makemake people
people enjoy
enjoy themselves,
themselves, totomonthsmonths after
afterits
its release,release,A
A Night
NightAt
At TheThe Opera
Operaisisstill
stillininthe
thecharts
charts there.
there.
lift
The
American success
lift them.
them. We're
We'recertainly
certainly not
not being
being politicalpolitical inin anyway
anyway at
at thethe moment.
moment.
The feedback
feedback fromfromthetheAmerican
success has
has opened
opened many
many English
EnglishPerhaps aa bit
bit later
later on
on in
inall
allthis,this,we'll
we'llwant
wanttotosay
saysomething
somethingreal
realabout
about thetheeyes, andand hashas givengiven both
both Queen
Queen andand Reid
the confidence
confidence tostage thethe freefreePerhapseyes,
Reid theto stagethingsthat really
really matter,matter, poverty
poverty oror whatever,
but atit's notshow
show inin HydeHyde Park.
Park.
things thatwhatever, but
at thethe moment
moment it's
notthe right
right time
time orplace toto saysayit.
May: "I'm"I'm staggered
staggered byby
theor place
it.
May:
"For
It would
the"For one
onething,
thing, we're
we'renotnotinfluential
influential enough.
enough. It
would only
onlydamage
damagethe past
past year.
year, I'm
I'm amazed.
amazed.
ourselves to
do itit andand ititwouldn't
wouldn't have
have much
much effecteffect onon people,
people, andandIsuppose
suppose nowwe're
nowwe'reourselves
to do
I
«
....
K
1
a
possibly
we'renotnotevenevenmature
matureenough
know
how
sayit
ityet.
yet. I
I hopeconsciousof having
having to
to live
live
possiblywe'reenoughtotoknow
how
totosay
hope
conscious ofvr'»wewe saysay something
something onon thosethose lines
lines after
after we've
we've done
donesomething
something on
on purely
purelyup toupto something,something, whereas
whereasmusicallines,which
whichisis whatwhat we're
we're trying
beforemusical lines
lines andand entertainment
entertainment lines,
trying totobefore we
we weren't,
weren't, so
so that's
that'sdo now.
now.
an additional
additional strain.
will
do
an
strain. II will"What
was trying
tryingto
todo
doafter
afterheheleft.
left Thebeas longlong asas I
I feelbe happy
happy asfeel
"What John
John Lennon
Lennon was
The Beatles
Beatles waswas
amazing.
He washis statements
amazing. He
was just
just being
beinghimself.
himself.Some
Someofofhis
statements might
might have
havethat welive up
up to
to
that
we do
do livebeen
naive, especially
especiallyin
in retrospect,retrospect,butbutwhatwhataabrave,
brave,honesthonestway
wayto
to do
do it.
it.
people's
opinionof
ofus.
us.If
IfI
I
been naive,
people's opinion
I've got
gotunreachable
unreachable heights
heights ofof admiration
admiration forhim."thinkwe justify it, then
then I'm
I'm
I've
for him."thinkwejustifyit,
Backhappy. I'm
happy.
I'm always
always striving
striving
Backtotothe
thestagestageact,
act,and
andQueen
Queeninvolving
involvingtheir
theiraudience.
audience.
"What"What we
we want
want toto do
do as
as soonsoon asas we
we start
start our
our setset isisto
tocreate
create anan
to see thatwe do.
toseethatwe
do.
"We'recertainly
certainly notnot
immediate
atmosphere,if
ifpossible,
possible, of"We'reimmediate atmosphere,of excitement,
excitement, expectation
expectation and,
and,resting
ultimately,
going
resting on
on ourour laurels
laurels ininultimately, enjoyment.
enjoyment. It's
It's involvement
involvement andand lifting
lifting themthemout
out ofof going
homeandlisteningtoTheA/r/zmorwatchingSo/tGoes.
anyway.
home and listening to The Archers orwatching So It Goes.That's
That'swhat
what
any way. We're
We're always
alwayspushingon tomakes thework asas goodgoodasasthe
therecorded
recorded work.
work.The
Therewards
rewards ofofpushing on
to new
new things.
things.
makes
the live
live work
working
live arebecause ofoftheInway, itworking live
are soso muchmuch more
more immediate,
immediate, because
the feedback.
feedback.
In aaway,
itwould
would changechange"Wereally
reallyenjoy
enjoytouring
touring when
when we
we getget into
into it,
it, but
but wewesellsellsosomanymanymore
more
us lessless than
than most
most people,
people,"We
us
records
we play
play tobecausewe've always
records than
than weto people
people thatthat it's
it's aamuch
much more
morefar-reaching
far-reaching thing.
thing.
because we've
alwaysWhy theWhy
the hellhell gogo on
on stagestage with
with backing
backing tapes
tapes behindbehind you
you andand pretendpretend youyou
had those
had
those attitudes
attitudes really.
really.
canelse. YouYouWe
can dodo it
it likelikethethe record?
record? IImean,
mean, youyoucancan give
givethem
them something
something else.
We alwayswent
always went forfor
can give
give them
them aa visualvisual spectacle,
spectacle, your
your live
livepresence
presence thing,
thing, andand ananperfection incanperfectionin thethe faceface
excitement
and anan involvement
involvement thatthatyou
don't getget bylisteningtothe
offinancial
excitement andyou don't
by listening to theof financial disaster."disaster."HarryDoherty •record. II think
think weget pretty
pretty near
lot ofof things.
things.
HarryDoherty
record.
we getnearonon aa lot
The set at the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh the other week was"Butthe live showreallyis all about atmosphere. That's what rock'n'roll"Why the hello on stage andpretend you
can do it likethe record?"

UEEN

WorldMags.net

11.1111111MIIIIMINIP"MDSIGaLJ

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PATTI SMITH, EAGLES,LINPA R
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PATH SMITH, EAGLES,AINDEPENDENT LABELS,

INDEPENDENT LABELS,Pi

STRANGLERS AND MORESTRANGLERS AND MORE

NEWS
SPECIAL

PUNK

1976
1976

"Say somethingoutrageous...""Say

somethingoutrageous..,NME DEC 11 The
SexPistols
Pistolsappear
appear on
iie Sexon

NME DEC 11'Way, dii arly-evening news show. An
inexpurgated transcript appears in NME.
Today, an early-evening news show. An

unexpurgated transcript appears in NME.

HE INTERVIEWTHAT started the controversy
took place on Wednesday December 1 onThames TV's early current -affairs programme
Today. The actual interview lasted one minute40 seconds, after a short introduction by Grundy
and a 40 -second clip of the Pistols on stage. Our
recording started a few seconds after Grundy's
introduction as he faced the four members of theband seated in the studio. Standing behind the
Pistols was a group of fans.
The following is a transcript of what ensued.
THE INTERVIEWTHAT started the controversy
tookplace on Wednesday December 1 onThames TV's early current-affairs programme

Today. The actual interview lasted one minute40 seconds, after a short introduction by Grundy
and a 40-second clip of the Pistols on stage. Our
recording started a few seconds after Grundy's

introduction as he faced the four members of theband seated in the studio. Standing behind the
Pistols was a group of fans.

The following is a transcript ofwhat ensued.

GRUNDY (To camera) ...Chains round the necks

GRUNDY (To camera) ...Chains round the necks

and that's just the fellas, innit? Eh? I mean, is it justthe fellas?
fellas? Yeah?
Yeah?They
Theyarearepunk
punkrockers.
rockers.The
The newnewthethey tell
tell me.
me. Their
Their heroes?
heroes? Not
Not thethe nice,
nice,craze, theycraze,
clean Rolling
Rolling Stones...
Stones... you
you seeseetheytheyareareas
asdrunk
drunk
clean
they areare clean
clean bybycomparison.
comparison. They're
They'reas 1Iam...
am... theyascalled thethe Sex
SexPistols,
andII amamsurroundedsurroundeda
Pistols, anda groupgroup calledby allallof
ofthem...
them...
by(Readingthe
theautocue)
autocue)InInaction!
JONES (Reading
JONES
action!
letus
ussee
seethetheSexSexPistols
inaction.
action.
GRUNDYJust
GRUNDY
Just letPistols in
Come
Come on,on,kids...
kids...
(Afilmclip
clipofofLondonLondonWeekend's
Weekend'sdocumentary
documentary(Afilmon
the previous
punk broadcast
broadcast theprevious Sunday
Sunday came
came onon
onpunkand that's just the fellas, innit? Eh? 1 mean, is it just

SEE
WANNA
YOU

YOU

WANNA

U IK
V 9
.'U

SEE

MEDI
OVER

MEDIA

the screen)(hits hishiskneeknee withwith
am told
toldthatthat thatthat group
group (hits
GRUNDYIGRUNDY' am
the screen)

sheaf ofpapers) have received £40,000 from a record
be slightly
slightlycompany. Doesn't
Doesn't thatthat seem,
to becompany.
seem, er,
er, toopposed totheir anti-materialistic
anti -materialistic view
oflife?
opposedto theirview oflife?
MATLOCKNo,
themoremorethethemerrier.
merrier.
MATLOCK No,thesheaf of papers) have received £40,000 from a record

OVER

_KILL

GRUNDYReally? »GRUNDY Really?

WorldMags.net

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p
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WorldMags.net

V"Whatafuckingrotter":"What a fucking rotter":when Queen cancel at
the last
last minute,
minute, stand-ins
stand-insthewhen Queen cancel at

the SexPistolsandtheir"Bromley Contingent"Contingent""Bromley
the Sex Pistolsand theirentourage ghee Today
entourage give Today

presenter Bill Grundy
morethan hehe bargained
morethanbargained
presenter Bill Grundy

for, Dec1,1976

for, Dec!,1976iralfflivi"14WorldMags.net
HISTORYHISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
76 1113
113

1976
oc of

WorldMags.net
SinuxsieSioux (neeSusan Ballion)inl976:
Ballion) in1976:
Susan
toappearalongside
to appearalongside
thethe Pistols,
Pistols, Ramones
RamonesandTalking
andTalking Headsat
HeadsatSiouxsieSioux(neer-a-WM1 8a0CrOBER-^fi

MATLOCK Oh yeah.
GRUNDY
Well tell
GRUNDYWell
tellmememoremorethen.
then.
JONES
JONESWe'vefuckin'We've fuckin' spentit,
spent it, ain'twe?
ain't we?
GRUNDY Idon't
don't know,
know, have
have you?
you?
GRUNDYIMATLOCKYeah,
MATLOCKYeah, it's
it's all
all gone.
gone.
GRUNDY Really?
Really?
GRUNDYJONESDown
Down thethe boozer.
boozer.
JONESGRUNDYGRUNDYReally?
Really? Good
Good lord!
lord! Now
NowII want
want toto
MATLOCKOhyeah.

abigLondondate?

a big London date?

know one thing...

knowonething...

MATLOCKWhat?
GRUNDYAre
are you
GRUNDYAreyou
youserious
seriousor
orare
you just
just

MATLOCKWhat?

making me -trying to make me -laugh?

making me - trying to make me - laugh?

MATLOCK No, it's all gone. Gone.
GRUNDY
Really?
GRUNDYReally?
MATLOCKYeah.
MATLOCKYeah.

MATLOCKNo, it's all gone. Gone.

GRUNDYNo, but I mean about what
you'reyou're doing.
doing.
MATLOCKOhyeah.
MATLOCK Oh yeah.
GRUNDYYou
GRUNDYYouare
areserious?
serious?
MATLOCK Mmrn.
MATLOCKMmm.
GRUNDYBeethoven,
GRUNDY Beethoven,Mozart,
Mozart, Bach
Bach and
and
Brahmshave allall died...
died...
Brahms have
ROTTENThey're
heroesof
ofours,ours, ai
ain'tthey?
ROTTENThey're allal heroes
n't they?
GRUNDYGRUNDYReally...
Really...what?
what?What
What were
were youyou
saying,saying, sir?
sir?
ROTTENThey're
ROTTEN They'rewonderful
wonderful people.
people.
GRUNDYAre
GRUNDYAre they?
they?
ROTTEN Oh
Ohyes!
yes!They
Theyreally
reallyturn
turn usus on.
on.
ROTTENJONESBut
JONES
Butthey're
they're dead!
dead!
GRUNDYWell
supposethey
theyturn
turnother
other
GRUNDY Well suppose
peoplepeople on?
on?
ROTTENROTTEN [Under(Un derhis
hisbreath)breath)That's
That'sjust
justtheir
their
tough shit.
shit.
tough
GRUNDYNo, but I mean about what

GRUNDY It's what?

GRUNDYIt'swhat?

ROTTEN Nothing. A rude word. Next question.
GRUNDYNo, no,GRUNDYNo,no,whatwhatwaswasthethe ruderude word?
word?
ROTTEN Shit.
ROTTEN
Shit.
GRUNDYWas itGRUNDYWas
itreally?
really?Good
Goodheavens,heavens, youyoufrighten me
me toto death.
death.
frighten
ROTTENROTTEN Oh
Ohall
allright,
right,Siegfried...
Siegfried...
GRUNDYGRUNDY(Turning(Turningto
tothosethosestanding
standing behindbehind the
the
band)
band) What
What about
about you
you girls
girls behind?
behind?
MATLOCKyer dad,MATLOCKHe's
He'slike
likeyer
dad,inne,
inne, this
this geezer?
geezer?
GRUNDYAreyou, er...
er...
GRUNDYAre you,
MATLOCKOryour
MATLOCK
Or yourgrandad.
grandad.
GRUNDYGRUNDY (To(ToS/ota)
Sioux)Are
Areyouyouworried,
worried, ororare
are youyoujust enjoyingyourself?
enjoying yourself?
just
SIOUXEnjoyingmyself.
SIOUX Enjoying myself.
GRUNDYAre you?
you?
GRUNDYAreSIOUXYeah.
SIOUXYeah,
GRUNDYAh,that's
that'swhat
what IIthoughtyou
thought you
GRUNDYAh,were doing.
doing.
wereSIOUX
SIOUX1Ialways
alwayswanted
wanted toto meetmeet you.
you.
GRUNDY
Didyouyou really?
really?
GRUNDYDidSIOUXYeah.
SIOUXYeah.
GRUNDYWe'll
GRUNDY
We'll meetmeetafterwards,
afterwards, shall
shall we?
we?
(Sioux does
doesaacamp
camp pout)
pout)[SiouxJONES
JONES You
Youdirty
dirty sod.
sod. You
Youdirty
dirty old
old man!
man!
GRUNDYWell
Wellkeepkeepgoing,
going,chief,
chief,keep
keep going.
going.
GRUNDYGo
Go on,
on,you've
you'vegot
gotanother
another five
five seconds.
seconds. Say
Say
ROTTEN Nothing. A rude word. Next question.

something outrageous.

something outrageous.

JONESYou dirty bastard!
GRUNDYGoon,again.
again.
GRUNDY
Go on,JONESYouJONESYoudirtyfucker!
dirty fucker![Laughterfrom(Laughterfrom
the group)
thegroup)
GRUNDY
What aGRUNDYWhat
a cleverclever boy!
boy!
JONESWhat
What aafucking
fuckingrotter.
rottenJONESGRUNDYWell,
GRUNDYWell,that's
that's ititfor
fortonight.
tonight.The
Theotherotherrocker,rocker, Eamonn,
Eamonn, andand I'mI'm saying
saying nothingnothing else
else
about
him, will
will bebe back
I'll beabout him,back tomorrow.
tomorrow. I'll
be seeing
seeingyou soon.
soon. II hope
hope I'm
I'm not
not seeingyou
seeing you [the[the band]
band]
you
again.
again. From
From me,me,though,though, goodnight.
goodnight.
Today theme.
theme. Closing
credits.
Today
Closing credits.
JONESYou dirty bastard!

NEWS

SPECIAL

V:

f§\"The start of a wave"
"The

start

wave"

major British
British tour
tourforforthetheSexSex Pistols
Pistols tour
tour isis planned.
planned.
MM NOV I The
Thefirst
first major
MM

start
of a
a wave.
ABIG PUNK ROCK concert starring
start ofwave. I Ithink
thinkthey're
they'rethe
the rarerare breed
breed
the
of
and ininthe SexSex Pistols
Pistols isisbeing
beingplannedplanned forforof artist;
artist; they're
they're total
total entertainment
entertainment andLondonmonth. The
The showain whatLondon later
later this
this month.
show
a lot
lot ofof ways
ways uncompromising
uncompromising inwhat they
theycelebrates
debut
want
celebrates thethe release
release ofofthe
theband's
band'sdebut
want toto do."
do."single,In The
The U
UK",
Mobbs
is onesingle, "Anarchy"Anarchy InK", onon Novemberl9.
November 19.
Hobbs isone ofof thethe top
top A&R
A&R directors
directors
Thefeaturedin theDialogue, which
The showshow will
will also
alsofeaturefeature Chris
Chris Spedding
Spedding &&featured in
the MM's
MM's Dialogue,
which this
this
The
week
The Vibrators,
Vibrators, whose
whose "Pogo"Pogo Dancing"
Dancing" single
singleweek discusses
discussesthe
the statestate ofof British
British rock.
rock.
is
"The
isavailable
availablefrom
from November
November 12,
12,together
together withwith
"The time
time isis right
right forfor anan act
act thatthat kids
kids of
of
Suzi
16
says
Suzi && The
The Banshees
Banshees [sic][sic]and,
and,fromfrom New
New
16to
to18
18can
canactuallyactuallyidentify
identify with,"
with," says
York,theMobbs.
"The key
key pointis thatYork, the RamonesandTalking
Ramones and Talking Heads.
Heads.
Mobbs."Thepoint isthat thethe groupgroup are
are
The
very
The venue
venue has
hasyetyetto
tobe
bedecided,
decided,thoughthoughvery young.
young. There's
There's other
other groups
groups giving
givingthere
entertainment,
but this
this group
group areare only
there were
were plans
plans toto stagestage thethe showshow at
at thetheentertainment, but
only
Talk
19-year-olds
Talk OfOf TheThe Town,
Town,London's
London'straditional
traditional
19 -year -oldsand
andbecause
becausethey're
they're young
young
cabaretclub. This
This idea
they'llcabaret club.
idea waswas dropped
dropped after
after
they'll growand
grow and their
their audienceaudience will
will growgrow
difficulties
laws.
with
difficulties over
over thethe licensing
licensing laws.
with them.
them.
The
"In
the Rolling
Rolling Stones
The show
showwill
will bebethe
theprelude
prelude toto thethe Pistols'
Pistols'"In thethe samesame way
way thatthat theStonesfirstmajor British
were
first major
British tour,
tour, exclusively
exclusivelyreported
reported
were known
known asas symbols
symbols ofof rebellion
rebellion when
when
they
in
they started,
started, so
so areare thethe SexSex Pistols.
Pistols. The
The
in thethe MM
MM lastlast week.
week. The
Theconcerts
concerts will
will bebeco-headlinedby thePistolsand
Ramones
Stonesco -headlined by
the Pistols
and thethe Ramones
Stones areare now
now thethe elite
elite ofof thethe rock'n'roll
rocklnlroll
establishment
and theSexestablishment andthe Sex-who
made their-who madetheir British
Britishdebutat
Pistols
are thedebut at London's
London's
Pistolsare
the new
new people
peopleknocking
knocking at
at thethe door.
door.
Roundhouse
Roundhouse earlier
earliera"I think a
lot of kids
this
"Toa
this year.
year. Spedding
Spedding"To a lotof
lot of kidsthe
kids theStonesandTalking
Stones andand groups
groups fromfromand Talking Heads
Heads will
will
watch them and
also
that
a thing.
also bebe on
on thethe tour.
tour.
that eraera don't
don't mean
mean athing.
think, 'Yeah, I could
They'reThe20-date
They're too
too old
old forfor aastart,
start,The 20 -date tour,
tour,
from
30 to
all
from November
November30
toall overover 30,
30, andand thethe kids
kids
do that, let'swant
want some
some young
young people
peopleDecember21, visits
December 21,
visits all
all
of
they
of Britain's
Britain's major
major cities.
cities.
they can
can identify
identify with.
with.
form aa group'""A"A lotlot ofof people
people criticise
criticiseAmongdates willAmong thethe dates
will bebeathefor nota showshow at
at London's
London's
the Sex
SexPistols
Pistolsfor
notplaying
Hammersmith
Palais.
playing well,well, butbut they've
they'veonly
onlybeen
beentogether
together
Hammersmith Palais.
The
as theforabout eight
eight months.
months. I
I thinkThe concerts
concerts comecome asthe climax
climax to
to aa
for aboutthink aa lot
lot ofof kids
kids
watch
and think,
Yeah, II could
triumphant
threemonths
monthsfor
fortheSex
Pistols,
watch them
them andthink, 'Yeah,
could getget upup
triumphant three
the Sex Pistols,
Britain's
band. They
there
and doBritain's top
top punk
punk band.
They were
were one
one ofofthere anddo that,that, let's
let's form
form aa group'.
group'.
"Again,"Again, thatthat hasn't
hasn't happened
happened forfor aa long
long
the
in
the big
big successes
successes at
at thethe punk
punk rockrock festival
festival in
Londontime
London two
two months
months ago,
ago, andand ininOctober
Octobertime because
because groups
groups areare too
too good;
good; thethemusicianshiphas beenmusicianship has
been soso highhigh thatthat kids
kids ofof
theywith EMI.
EMI.
they signed
signed aa recording
recording contract
contract withIn
16
In thisthis week's
week's Melody
Melody Maker,
Maker, Nick
Nick Mobbs
Mobbs
16havehavebeen
beenput
putoff.
off. But
But already,already, there
there areareofaboutl2of EMI,
EMI, thethe manman who
who signed
signed thethe Pistols,
Pistols,
about 12 groups
groups inin London
London directly
directly inspired
inspiredclaims:byclaims:"I"Igenuinely
genuinelythink
think thatthat they're
they're thetheby thethe SexSex Pistols."
Pistols."
A BIG PUNK ROCKconcertstarring"I think lot of kids

watch them andthink, 'Yeah, I could
do that, let's

form group"

4

WorldMags.net
114
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
114 I | HISTORY

of aWorldMags.net
li

.*

99

"Rubbish"I

Rubbish&to

MM NOV 20 A punk package

Jf

MM NOV 20 A punk package•tfl

Loth proves problematic.

tour proves problematic.

pUNKS
UNKS ARE
ARE AT
ATwar!
war! The
The\

special punk package tourin December, co -starring
Britain's Sex Pistols and New
York's Ramones, has collapsed.

♦ 4

special punk package tour

*

v

» #>

Ml

in December, co-starring

Britain's Sex Pistols and New

Sw

York's Ramones, has collapsed.

The Ramones, Talking Heads andChris
Spedding &The Vibrators
Vibrators
Chris Spedding& The
have pulled out -leaving the Pistols
Pistols
havepulledout-leavingthe
to soldiertosoldier onon alone.
alone. But
But thethe whole
whole
tour
has been
been revamped
tourhasrevamped andand thethe
Pistolsjoined by
Pistols areare now
now joinedby thetheHeartbreakers-theband formed
formed bybyHeartbreakers -the band
ex -NewYork
YorkDoll
DollJohnny
JohnnyThunders
Thunders
ex-New-The
DamnedandandTheClash.
-The Damned
The Clash.
Highlight
new tourthe first-everHighlightof
of thethe new
tour will
will bebe thefirst-everconcert
at a
a new
Roxy
concert at
new major
major London
London venue,
venue, thethe Boxy
Theatre,Theatre, Harlesden,Harlesden,on
onBoxing
Boxing Day.
Day.
Ramones
Fields claimed
Rarnones manager
manager Danny
Danny Fields
claimedthis
this week
week thatthat thethe tourtour was
was never
never really
really on
on -but Pistols'
Pistols' manager
manager Malcolm
Malcolm McLaren
McLaren has
has
but
slammedthatstatement
statement"aloadload ofof rubbish".
slammed thatasas"arubbish",Fields told
FieldstoldMMthis
MM thisweek:
week:"As"As ofof lastlastSunday
Sundaynight
night only
only three
three dates
dates had
hadbeenbeen confirmed
confirmedof thethe 2020or
orsosothe
theSexPistols'
SexPistols'management
managementof
had
who washad told
told usus about.
about. Fred
Fred Bannister,Bannister, who
waspromoting thethe tour
tour
promotingandwho waswas aandwhoamajor factor
factor ininmajor
The Ramones, Talking Headsand

persuading
Phonogram tot

The Ramones inSanta
Monica,Monica, California,
California,.
August1976: (I(l-r)
August1976;-r) DeeDee
Dee,
Dee, Tommy,
Tommy, Joey
Joey

TheRamonesinSanta

andJohnnyRamone

and Johnny Ramone

worried about - we'd be in
the thick of it, not them."
thethickofit,notthem."

Phonogram said they
were not in business to set
up tours, and any decisionbythem would not haveaffected the shows.
Promoter Bannister was
unavailable for comment.
But Malcolm McLaren, theback it financially,
had pulledpulled outout had
andand whenwhen hehe quit,quit,

were not in business to set

up tours, and any decisionbythem would not haveaffected the shows.

Promoter Bannister was

unavailable for comment.

But Malcolm McLaren, thegetting any

publicity,

just that Phonogram wouldn't
cough up anymoneyto promote

cough up any money to promote

SOME
T*

•

**/
i

"We weren't too
11^violence. Perhaps

Phonogram were,

ILL*
.K

but that's

starts3 at
atstarts on
on December
Decembers
NorwichNorwich University.
University.
Further dates:
Furtherdates: Derby
Derby
Kings
4),
Kings Hall
Hall (December(December 4),
Newcastle
City Hall
Hall (5),(5),
Newcastle City
Leeds
(8),
Leeds Polytechnic
Polytechnic (8),Manchester Electric
CircusManchester
Electric Circus(9),(9),Lancaster
Lancaster University
University(10),Liverpool
LiverpoolStadium
Stadium(10),

not my fault"

just that Phonogram wouldn't"We weren't too

and I know
promoters
promoters arearealwaysalways worried
worriedaboutviolence.But
about violence. But
I don't
don't see
see what
what
I
Phonogram
Phonogram arearethey weren't
getting any
publicity, but that's
not my fault"
they weren't

Pistols' manager, said: "Allthat about
about therubbish. It's
that
the tourtour isis rubbish.
It'spulled out.

andIknow

Ramones felt

Pistols' manager, said: "AllPhonogrampulled out.
concerned about
violence. Perhaps
Phonogram were,"The

Phonogram said theyPhonogramconcerned about"The Ramones felt

the tour. The Ramones felt they
weren't getting
weren'tgetting any
a ny publicity,
publicity, but
butthat'snot mymy fault.
fault. Anyway,
Anyway, if
that's not
if thethe
Pistolswere
weretouring
touringAmericawith
Pistols
America with
theand wewe only
only got
the Ramones
Ramones andgot oneone
line IIwouldn't
wouldn't blow
blowthewholeline
the wholethingout. It'sthing out.
It's ridiculous.
ridiculous.
"Talking Heads
Heads areare out
out because
because"Talking
theywere part
partofof thethe deal
deal wetheywerewemade with
madewith thethe Ramones."
Ramones."
McLaren
McLaren claimed
claimed thatthat Spedding
Spedding
had pulledpulled out
out because
because hehe wanted
wantedhadtohis own
to play
playhisown dates,
dates,butbutneither
neither
Spedding
Spedding nor
nor hishis record
recordcompany,
RAK, would
company, RAK,
wouldcomment.
comment.
McLaren
McLaren has
has revamped
revamped thethe tourtour
for thethe SexPistols,
Sex Pistols,which
which now
now
for
the tour. The Ramones felt theyPhonogram toback it financially,rworried about-we'd be inpersuadingw:(11), Cardiff Top Rank (12),Bristol Colston
Bristol
Colston Hall
Hall (13),(13),
Glasgow
Apollo (15),(15), Dundee
Caird Hall
Hall (16),(16),
GlasgowApollo
Dundee Caird
Sheffield(18),
Sheffield City
City Hall
Hall (17),(17),SouthendSouthend Kursaal
Kursaal (18),(11), CardiffTop Rank (12),Guildford Civic Hall (19), Birmingham Town
Hall (20),
B our nemouthVillage
Hall(20), Bournemouth
VillageBowl
Bowl (21),(21),
LondonRoxyTheatre(26).
London RoxyTheatre (26).
The Damned
Damned havepulled outof theirtheir tour
tour
The
have pulled
out ofwith
Flamin'Groovies.
Groovies. The
The Groovies
Groovies failed
with thethe Flamin'
failedto arrivetoarrive at
at London's
London's Roundhouse
Roundhouse on
on Sunday,
Sunday,leavingTheandTheTheTroggs,
Troggs, wholeaving The Damned
Damned andwho were
were
also
for
also onon thethe bill,bill, without
without aa PA.
PA. A
A spokesman
spokesman forThe
told MMthis
MMthisweek:
week: "We"We agreed
The Damned
Damned told
agreed totoplay thethe tourtour toto give
givesome
somemodern
modern credibility
credibility to
to
play
it.
it. But
Butwe
weare
arenotnotinterested
interestednowin
nowinsupporting
supporting
orbailinglegends."
or bailingout
out living
living legends."
Guildford Civic Hall (19), BirminghamTown

Phonogram refused to comment.
Roundhouse concert promoter John Curd,
however, said the Groovies told him theywere
suffering from, flu. He dropped the admission
price for the concert, which started three hours
Phonogram refused to comment.

Roundhouse concert promoter John Curd,

however, said the Groovies told him they were
suffering from flu. He dropped the admission

rvj

price for the concert, which started three hours

late with a replacement PA, from £1.70 to £1.20.

late with a replacement PA, from £1.70 to £1.20.

Assassination attempt
Assassination

attempt\

MM DEC 11 Bob Marley snot at home. Haack possibly "politically motivated.

MM DEC 11 Bob Marley shot at home. Attack possibly "politically motivated".

REGGAE SU PERSTAR BOB Marley was the victim of an assassination attempt last week.
Gunmenshot theirway into
into his
his home
Gunmen shot
their wayhome inin Kingston,Kingston, Jamaica,
Jamaica, on
on Friday
Fridaynight,night, but
but Marley
Marleysuffered
only asuffered onlya slight
slight arm
arm woundwound inin thethe raid.
raid.
His
as they
His manager,
manager, Don
Don Taylor,
Taylor,threw
threw himself
himself between
between Marley
Marley andand thethe gunmen
gunmen as
they opened
opened fire.
fire. HeHe
wastimes andand isis now
he maywas shot
shot five
five times
now onon thethe criticalcritical listafter
list after anan emergency
emergency operation.
operation. It
It isisthought
thought hemay bebepermanently
his injuries.
permanently crippledcrippled as
as aa result
result ofof hisinjuries. Marley's
Marley's wife,
wife, Rita,
Rita, was
was wounded
wounded andand clubbed
clubbed during
during thetheattack,attack, but
but sheshe waswas released
released fromfrom hospital
hospitalafter
aftertreatment.
treatment.
Speculation
motivated. There
There will
will beSpeculation suggests
suggests thethe attack
attack was
was politicallypolitically motivated.
be aa generalgeneral election
election in
in Jamaica
Jamaica
REGGAE SU PERSTAR BOB Marley was the victim of an assassination attempt last week.

in three weeks' time, and Marley,despite his allegedly apolitical stance, had accepted an invitation toappear,withThe
The Wailers
Wallers andand Burning
Burning Spear,
Spear, attogether withat aaconcert
appear, together
concert benefit
benefit forfor thetheIsland's
Island's current
current premier,
premier, MichaelMichael Manley.
Manley. The
Theinvitation
invitation followed
followed thethe release
release ofofaMarley single,
single, "Smile"Smile Jamaica",
Jamaica", ininwhichwhichheheextols
extolsthethevirtues
virtues ofofthe
the country
countrya new
new Marleydespiteviolence.
despite its
its recent
recent history
history ofof politicalpolitical violence.
Marleyin three weeks' time, and Marley, despite his allegedly apolitical stance, had accepted an invitation toMarley>>r/

December3,1976:
Bob
atthe
BobMarley
Marleyatthe
December 3f 1976:

UniversityHospital,
Kingston,
Jamaica
Kingston,Jamaica

W

University Hospital,

WMAT

y.
S

WorldMags.net

is shot

is

shot

DRY
ORY OFOF ROC
ROC

L'i

\

\

'

1976
OCTOBEWorldMags.net

a-WaBE

1

►

#ifn

¥

\
v

PUNK

The

C
1

kids

a

are

r

hungryOCT 2 The energy in the "punk" movement
should give senior rockers pause for thought. "Thistime next year," writes one young staffer, "they
could be laughing on the other side of their faces."
OCX 2 The energy in the "punk" movement

should give senior rockers pause for thought. "Thisspa*time next year," writes one young staffer, "theyMM

could be laughing on the other side of their faces."

SQUALID"Smashing guitars used to be proper anger;
it
it isn't
isn't any
any more.
more. It's
It's theatricaltheatrical melodrama"
melodrama""Smashing guitars used to be proper anger;

Pete Townshend,Januaryi968

Pete Townshend, January 7968

"I think this whole punk thing at the momenthas
has got
got tootoo stylised.
stylised. There's
There's nono suchsuch thing
thing asas
punks
punks any
any more.
more. This
This lot
lot areare consciously
consciously
makingmaking themselves
themselves out
out toto be
be something
something they're
they'renot. They're
not.
They're trying
trying toto comecome onon likelike little
little yobbos.
yobbos.
Andlittle fucking
And they're
they're not
not little
fucking yobbos."yobbos.""I think this whole punk thing at the moment

Lee Brilleaux,Septernberi976

Lee Brilleaux, September 7976

"Go! Geet-outa-Denver baybee"Go/ Geet-outa-Denver bay bee

Go! Gee t-outa- Denver baybee!
Go!
Go! Geet-outa-DenverGee t-outa-Denver baybee!!
baybee!!
Go!
Go! Go!
Go! Go!
Go! Go!"Go!"
Go! Geet-outa-Denver bay bee!

Eddie & The Hot Rods, rightnow

Eddie & The Hot Rods, right now

SO IN THE year of ourpunki 976 theveteranveteran end
end ofof thethe rockrock world
world finally
finally
woke
woke upthat
the nine-year-oldnine -year -old fact
up toto thefactthat
this
this ain't
ain't thethe summer
summer ofof love.
love. TheThe kickkick inin thetheteethsavagely brought
teeth thatthat savagely
brought anan endend toto itsits
slumberrise andandslumber was,was, ofof course,
course, thethe mercurial
mercurial rise
still
still risingrising ofof amphetamine-stimulated
amphetamine -stimulated highhighenergy
music playedenergy '70s
'70s street
street music
played byby kids
kids forfor
kids
forthethefirst
firsttime
timeininmaybemaybe12
12 years.
kidsforyears.
Yeah,you
Yeah, you guessed
guessed it-theit - the unfortunately
unfortunately
titledpunk rock.
rock. Unfortunate
because punktitled punk
Unfortunate because
punk
rock
is a
used torock isa second-handsecond-hand namename first
first usedto
SO IN THE year of our punk 1976 the

>f—
H
UJ
O

u
Q
z
<

describe American garage bands like? AndTheThe Leaves
Leaves and
The Mysterians,
Mysterians, The
and Shadows
ShadowsOf
Of
KnightKnight who
who started
started making
making their
their music
music after
after
of
being
won overover toto thebeing completely
completely won
the cause
cause ofrocking
heard thethe bands
bands ofrocking when
when they
they first
first heardof thethedescribe American garage bands like ? And

mid -'60s like the Fab Four, the Stones, The
Who,
Who, TheThe Kinks,
Kinks, The
The Yardbirds
Yardbirds andand all
all thethe rest
rest.
mid-'60s like the Fab Four, the Stones, The

Unfortunate because punk rock is thetermterm used
used toto describe
describe thethe descendants
descendants ofof
those
those garage
garage bands
bands inin thethe States,
States, combos
comboslikethenowdefunct
New York
York Dolls,
Dolls, thelike the now defunct New
theRamones,Tom
andRamones, Tom Verlaine's
Verlaine's Television
Television andtheHeartbreakers.
the Heartbreakers.
Unfortunate
because of
Unfortunate becauseof thethe stancestance that
that
Britain'sso-calledbandsareBritain's so-called punk
punk rockrock bands
aretaking,the SexSex Pistols
Pistols andand Eddie
Eddie && The
The Hot.
Hottaking, theRodsinRods being
being top
top ofof thethe crop
this moment
moment incrop at
at thistime
time isis original
original enoughenough to
to warrant
warrant aa handle
handle aallofof itsits own.
own.
Punk
Punk rockrockjust
just won't
won't dodo -- thethe namename isis tootoo
old,
old, too
too American,
American, too
too inaccurate.
inaccurate. The
The
teenagekids inin theHot Rods
Rods who
teenage kids
the Hot
who shakeshake thethefoundations
week
foundations ofof Wardour
Wardour Street
Street every
every week
ain't
"punks". Thatmakes them
ain't "punks".
That makes
them soundsound like
like
refugeesfrom WestWest Side
Side Story.
refugees from
Story.
They
They areare kids
kids who
who areare thethe productproduct ofoftheKingdom inin thel970s;
the United
United Kingdom
thei 970s; more
more
specificallyspecifically thethe teenage
teenage wasteland
wasteland ofof thethe
Essex
Essex Overspill.
Overspill. The
The music
music they
they play
playreflects
reflects
theirtimes, notheir times,
no more,more, nono less.
less. Kids
Kids rockrock would
would
Unfortunate because punkrockistheWorldMags.net
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976
116 HISTORY

116

be more to the point than punk rock. Sure, they
play
play aa lot
lot ofof materialmaterial thatthat they
they didn't
didn't write
write
themselves.
themselves. So
So diddid thethe Stones
Stones andand The
The WhoWhoold. What's
What's sowhen
18 years
years old.
when they
they were
were18so goodgood
about
Hot Rods
Rods andand theSex
about thethe scene
scene thatthat thethe Hot
the Sex
Pistols areare inin is
is notnot only
Pistols
only isisititthe
the most
mostexciting
exciting
be more to the point than punk rock. Sure, they

thing happening in this country at the moment,but
but also
also thethe members
members ofof thethe bands
bands have
have timetime
toto develop
develop as
aswriters,
writers, which
which they
they must
must dodo ififtheyperiod ofofgoing toto survive
survive over
over any
any period
they areare goingtime,
Make It.
It. Thattime, let
let alone
alone Make
That is,is, toto dodo whatwhat thetheevolve fromfrom their
their stomping
stomping
Feelgoods
Feelgoods did
did -- evolve
grounds
of smallsmall clubs
grounds ofclubs andand pubs
pubs andand makemake thethetransition
to playing
playing large
large venues
TO
transition tovenues ininfront
front ofof10
times
losing thetimes asas many
many people
people without
without losingtheessential
malevolence ofmusic,
essential blitzkrieg
blitzkrieg malevolenceof theirtheir music,
makemake their
their set
set aa healthy
healthy mixture
mixture ofof original
original
materialmaterial andand old
old masters
masters and,
and,ultimately,
ultimately, cut
cut
records
live show.
show.
records asasexciting
exciting asas theirtheir live
It waswas theIt
the Feelgoods
Feelgoods who
who blazed
blazed thethe trail
trail
aroundthearound thethe pubs
pubsandandclubs
clubsofofLondon
Londonthat
thatthepunk/kids-rockbands areThey
punk/kids-rock bands
are following.
following. They
madebands like
like theSex Pistols,
made itit possible
possible forfor bands
the Sex
Pistols,theRods,The
Rats, The
the Hot
Hot Rods,
The Wharf
Wharf Rats,The Damned,
Damned,The
The Clash
Clash and
andallallthetheothers
others toto getget venues
venuestwice
a weekup
twice aweek oror moremore where
where they
they cancan getget upandand play
playthethe music
musicthey
theywant
want to
to in
infront
front ofofpeoplepeople who
who areare getting
getting off
off onon it.
it.
The
The Feelgoods
Feelgoodsweren'ttheweren'tthe only
only band
band ononthethe pub-rockcircuit,pub -rock circuit, ofof course,
course, but
but byby using
using
thing happening in this country at the moment,WorldMags.net
their success tofurther thetheirsuccess toVfurther thecause of bands

causeofbands

Wc
r
IN

like the Hot

like the Hot
m

if K

I

Rods, theFeelgoodscan
Feelgoods canRods, thedeservedly be
F considered
considered thethegodfathers
godfathers ofof thethewhole punk/kidspunk/kidswholerock
rock scene.
scene.
But
But thethe Feelgoods
Feelgoods areare not
notpunks
punks oror kids;
kids; ifif you
you called
called Lee
Lee
Brilleauxa
Brilleaux a punk
punk hehe would
would nono
doubt
doubt bottle
bottle your
your eyeeye out
out before
beforeyoulggy && The
The
you could
could saysay "Iggy
Stooges".
You only
Stooges". You
only have
have totocomparecompare thethe old
old masters
masters ofof thetheFeelgoods
Feelgoods toto thethe old
old masters
masters ofofNovemberlS,
November's,theRods tothe Hot
Hot Rods
to seesee thatthat they
they areare
1976:theSex
1976:the Sex
fromgenerations from different
different generations
- the
the
Pistolsatthe
Pistols at the
Notre
Dame Hall,
Feelgoods,
NotreDame
Hall,
Feelgoods, along
along with
with thethe Wilko
Wilko
LeicesterPlace,
Leicester Place,JohnsonJohnson material,material, dodo songs
songs bybycentralcentral London
LondonChuck
Rufus Thomas,
Chuck Berry,
Berry, Rufus
Thomas,Lieber/Stoller,
Sonny BoyBoy
Lieber/Stoller, Sonny
Williamson
and Solomon
Williamson andSolomon Burke,
Burke,
while
Hot Rods
Rods arewhile thethe Hotare coming
comingfromthe Stones,
Stones, Who,from theWho, Them
Them and
and
?
? And
And The
The Mysterians
Mysterians time.
time.
That'srock
That's thethe point
point --aa rock
generation
lasts only
generation lasts
only two
two oror
threemost. I'm
I'm 2222 andthe most.
andthree years
years at
at theII felt
felt prematurely
prematurely middle-aged
middle-aged
theday whenthe otherother daywhen aa honeyhoneythighed
16-year-old jailbait
budthighed16-year-old
jailbait bud
who
who looked
looked like
like aa roadie
roadie forfor
The
The Runaways
Runaways told
told meme thatthat
her
Stones album
her favourite
favourite Stones
album
was
was Rolled
Rolled Gold,Gold.
If thethe punk/kids-rockpunk/kids-rock bands
If
bands
want
they have
have
want toto survive,
survive, then
then they
got
got toto comecome toto terms
terms with
with thethe fact
fact
that
trade onthat they
they cancan only
onlytradeon their
their
youth
youth forfor soso long.
long. Otherwise,
Otherwise,
there
there will
will bebe younger
younger kids
kids coming
coming up
up inin aa year
year
or
so andseen
or so
and thethe punks
punks ofof todaytoday will
will bebe seenclutchingbatteredFenders
Fenders andand Strats
clutching their
their battered
Stratsandlike beachedbeached whales
whales all
all alongand floundering
floundering likealong
WardourStreet,21
21 andWardour Street,
and wellwell past
past it.
it.
The message
The
is clear:message isclear: trade
trade onon thethe fact
fact thatthatyou
you areare youngyoung enoughenough to
to bebe thethe sonson ofof thetheRolling
Rolling Stones'
Stones' rhythm
rhythm section
section forfor asas longlong asasyouin theyou can,can, kid,
kid, but
but realise
realise thatthat inthe endend you
you willwill
stand
stand oror failfail byby thethe music
music you
you make.
make.
Inthough,you
you cancan sneer
sneer allall
In thethe meantime,
meantime, though,youdressed up
about rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll mutton
mutton dressed
you want
want aboutup
as
as lamb,lamb, all
all those
those tax-exile
tax -exilesuperstars
superstars ofof thethe'60s, jaded
jaded old
old farts
farts thethe lot'60s,
lot ofof them,them, andandanything
anything thatthat you
you say
say about
about them
them they
they
deserve.
main reason
the punk/kids-rockpunk/kids-rockdeserve. The
The mainreason the
scene
is so
is because
scene isso healthy
healthy isbecause thethe kids
kids who
who
are
are playing
playing it
it andand thethe kids
kids who
who areare getting
getting
off
off onon itit areare all
all hungry,
hungry, andand thatthat breeds
breeds good
good
rock, rock,rock, ROCK!
ROCK!
rock,
They
music that
They areare hungry
hungry forfor music
that they
they cancanidentify
with, their
their music,
music, notidentify with,not product.
product.
Hungryto makemake it,Hungry toit, toto be
be stars.
stars.Hungry
Hungry forfor
good
and ecstasy.
burn itit allallgood times
times andecstasy. Hungry
Hungry toto burn
down
again. Listen,
down andand start
start again.
Listen, when
when you
you seesee
Elizabethor Princess
Elizabeth Taylor
Taylor or
Princess Margaret
Margaret at
at aa
Who
Who oror Stones
Stones concert
concert drinking
drinking champagne
champagne
backstage
your heroes,
backstage with
with yourheroes, andand you've
you'vequeuedqueued forfor six
six hours
hours forfor your
your overpriced
overpriced
ticketand theticket andthe officials
officials at
at thethe stadium
stadium treat
treat
X

you like dirt and your girl gets her head
openedand there's
opened up
up by
by aa bottle
bottle andthere's thethe rockrock
aristocracyin thethere inthe clouds
clouds sipping
sippingaristocracy up
up there
your
your wages,
wages, there's
there's only
only one
one thing
thing youyou cancan do,do,nothere's only
only onewhat ageone
no mattermatter what
age you
you are,are, there's
thing
thing youyou cancan do-vomit.
do - vomit.
you like dirt and your girl gets her headdeservedly be

44

Harris putting down the New York Dolls after"Jet
Looking For"Jet Boy"Boy" andand ""Looking
For A
A Kiss"Kiss"fromfromtheir
their
first
first album
album onon thethe OGW7,
OGWT, skidding
skidding about
about onon
theirboots (remember(rememberthem?),them?), andtheir platform
platform boots
andplaying
playing loud,loud, brash,
brash, amateurish.
amateurish.
II thoughtthey
thoughtthey were
were great,
great, but
but thenthen II was
was
never
of half-hoursolos.
never very
very fondfond ofhalf-hour guitar
guitar solos.
"Mock"Mock rock,"rock," Whispering
Whispering Grass
Grass said
said with
with
an
has,
an it-couldn't-happen-here
it -couldn't -happen -here smile.
smile. Well
Well itit has,
and
while
for myA shortshortwhile
my taste.
taste. A
and nonenone too
too soonsoon forafter
that TV
TV slot,
slot,Lou
Reed wasquoted
after that
Lou Reed
was quoted
sayingsaying about
about thethe Dolls:
Dolls:"I"Ilike
likethethetitles
titlesof
oftheir
their
songs
songs ["Pills",[" Pills","Personality"Personality Crisis",
Crisis", "Subway"Subway
Train",
Train", "Bad
"Bad Girl",
Girl", etc]
etc] more
more than
than thethe actual
actualsongs."
bands aresongs." Well,
Well,thethe punk/kids-rockpunk/kids-rock bands
are
going
going toto havehave toto getget used
used toto thosethose kind
kind ofofcomments.
In aa scenecomments. In
scene where
where ex-hippies
ex -hippies andandex-junkiesjust
is boundain't relevant,relevant, there
there isbound totoex -junkies just ain't
be
be aa lot
lot ofof ill-feeling.
ill -feeling.
But
But it's
it's OK.
OK. Kids
Kids aremen
are used
used toto oldold menbitching.
bitching. They
They can
can taketake it.
it. And
And they
they cancan getgettheirmusic.
their revenge
revenge throughthrough their
their music.
Punk
Punk rockrock isis reallyjust
really just aa lazy
lazyjournalist
journalist
media spiel
spiel forfor aa genuine
genuine new
new wave.
wave. After
After all,
media
all,
what
what has
has Patti
Patti Smith
Smith (who(who isiscalled
called punk
punk rockrockbyNME), who
whobrings
bringstogether
togethersome rags,
rags, notnot NME),by someinasin herher music
music such
such diverse
diverse influences
influences asHarris putting down the New York Dolls after

OCK MUSIC IN1976 needs middleaged
aged has-beens
has-beens like
like aa leper
leper needs
needs aadose ofof thethe clap.
clap. But
But toto getget rid
rid ofof
R dosethem
be easy.
The Beatles
Beatles andand athem won't
won't beeasy. When
When Theallthethe rest
rest happened
happened inin thethe '60s'60s there
there waswas
literally
literally nonocompetitioncompetition -- Eddie
Eddie Cochran,Cochran,
Buddy
were both
Buddy Holly
Holly wereboth dead,dead, Gene
Gene Vincent
Vincentwaswas still
still recovering
recovering fromfrom thethe carcar crashcrash thatthat
killed Eddie,
killedEddie, Elvis
Elvis waswas backback fromfrom thethe army
army andandsingingsinging ballads,Chuckballads, Chuck Berry
Berry wasdoing
was doing time
time
up rockfor
rock forandRichard had
had givenand Little
Little Richard
given upreligion.
religion. There
There waswas aa gap
gap inin rockrock thethe size
size ofofthe
moved in.
in. And,And, ofofthe cosmos
cosmos andand everyone
everyone moved
course,had real
course, they
they were
were great,
great, they
they hadreal hunger.
hunger.
Pete
Pete had
Pete Townshend,
Townshend, forfor instance.
instance. Petehadahe wasa big
big nose
nose andand whenwhen hewasgrowing
growing up
upeveryonelaughed at
at himhim andand mademade his
his life
life
everyone laughed
hell.
hell. So
Sohe
hestayed
stayedindoors
indoors forfor two
two years,
years, only
only
leaving home
home toto goleavinggo to
to school
school andand getget laughedlaughedat
at because
because ofof hishis nose
nose andandhe
helearned
learned guitar
guitarso
Burroughs/Velvets/Dylan/Ginsberg/
Burroughs/Velvets/Dylan/Ginsberg/
so hehe could
could lead
lead aa rockrock band
band andand become
becomefamous,his face
Stones/masturbating
Rimbaud's
famous, get
get hisface onon thethe cover
cover ofof everyevery
Stones/masturbating toto Arthur
Arthur Rimbaud's
rockin theGreatest
Hits, have
have inrock paper
paper inthe world,world, big
big nose
Greatest Hits,in common
common with
with straightstraight nose andand all,all, ram
ram it
it
back
ahead
rockers like
like Joey
Joey Ramone,Ramone,back into
into thethe faceface ofof everyone
everyone who
who laughedlaughed atatahead nihilistic
nihilistic rockers
him, makemake aa billion
him,
and screwDeebillion dollars
dollars and
Dee DeeDee Ramone,Ramone, Tommy
Tommy Ramone
Ramone andandscrew any
any chickchickheJohnnyRamone?
he wanted.
wanted. And
And hehe did.
did. HeHe
Johnny Ramone?
diditall.
What
did it all. Hehadreal
He had real
What does
does "Birdland""Birdland"
hunger,him,
have
hunger, real
real fire
fire inside
inside him,
have inin common
common with
with "Now"Now
The
The kids
kids who
who areand
II Wanna
WannaSniff
Sniff Some
Some Glue?"
Glue?"and I'dI'd rate
rate himasthe
him as the most
most
playing it and theexcitingon
Right
exciting performer
performer on
Right first
first time.
time. Nothing.
Nothing.
stage
thatII ever
ever saw.
saw.
I!can
can getget off
off onstage thaton both,both, but
but
kids who are
Butdays, oftoare
But these
these days,of course,
course,to presuppose
presuppose thatthat they
they arelike
one
like allallthetheotherother one-time
one-time
one andand thethe samesame andand callcall itit
getting off on
iton
greats'60s, thepunk
greats ofof thethe '60S,
thepunk rockrock along
along with
with all
all thethenewwave bands
and now,
now,
newwaveangergone andbands coming
coming up
anger has
has goneup
are all hungry
after
having all
overis,after having
all thethe money,
money,
over here
here is,theifyou
if you will,
will, bullshit.
bullshit.
the glory,
glory, thethe girls,
girls, thethedrugs,
booze, what
does heIfdrugs, thethe booze,
what does
he do
do
If theyoung
the young bandscausing
bands causingnow?
sonow? Make
Make home
home movies
movies about
about
so muchmuch controversy
controversy atat thetheMeher
Baba. Well,
momentMeher Baba.
Well, that's
that's not
not as
as badbad
moment areare going
going toto sustain
sustainasthemselves,
as jet-set
jet -set cocktail
cocktail parties
parties oror inviting
inviting
themselves, then
then they
they have
have got
gotroyaltytoroyalty toto your
your concerts,
concerts, but
but II can't
can't
to start
start writing
writing thethe soundtrack
soundtrackhelp but
but wander
wander off
off andlookof thethe lives
lives ofof theirtheir audienceaudience with
with
help
and lookofelsewhere
elsewhere forfor thethe rock'n'roll
rock'n'rollsongs like
like thetheSexSexPistols'
Pistols-Anarchyr
songs"Anarchy
excitementthat II used
used toIn
In TheThe UK".
UK". That
That song
could only
only
excitement thatto getget fromfrom The
The
song could
Who.
have
in 1976.
1976.
Who. AndAnd I'mI'mgetting
getting itit fromfrom thethe punk/
punk/
have been
been written
written in
kids-rockmagine themImaginethem doing
doing itit on
onkids -rock bands
bands thatthat have
have got
got asasmuch
Topmuch hunger
hunger inside
inside them
them asas
Top O/T/ie
Of The Pops.
Pops. Tony
Tony
Blackburn meets
meets Johnny
JohnnyTownshend,
BlackburnTownshend, JaggerandJagger and Lennon
Lennonhad
Rotten.Oh,yeah!
had whenwhen they
they started
started out.
out.
Rotten. Oh, yeah!
When aa band
Those
When
band like
like thetheThose bands
bands areare getting
getting aa lot
lot
of
Sex
of criticism
criticism fromfrom thethe samesame
Sex Pistols
Pistols gets
gets inin aapeoplepunch-uppunch-up with
with members
members
calling out
out
people who
who were
were callingforof
for aareturn
return toto high-energy
high-energyof theirtheir audienceaudience halfway
halfway
raw-power
throughraw -power rockrock five
five years
years
through aa performance,
performance,ago,
itgets aa bigago, andand now
now thatthat it's
it's here
here
it probably
probably getsbig
theylike it!
laff
all thoselaff with
with allthose cokecoke they don't
don't likeit! But
But thatthat
don't
snortingsuperstars
don't matter.
matter. How
How manymany
snorting superstars
30-year-old
up
30 -year -old fans
fans did
did thetheup there
there onon Olympus,
Olympus,Bromley
Bromley Contingent
Contingent
asas theStonesas securesecure as
the Tsars
Tsars
Stones have
have when
when they
they were
were
mainstay
and punk
mainstayand
punkplaying
attheScene
in Soho,icon Soo Catwoman
iconSooCatwomanof
Russia. Just
playing at
the Scene in
Soho,
of Russia.
Just maybe,
maybe,
if
if things
things work
work out
out asas
1964?You
Youshouldn't
shouldn't call
call
1964?
the
they
the doctor
doctor ifif you
you can't
can't
they should,
should, this
this time
time
next
be
next year
year they'll
they'll beaffordthe pills.
pills.
afford theAlaughinglaughing onon thethe other
other
A few
few years
years back
back
side
II remember
remember Bob
Bob
side ofof theirtheir faces.
faces.
"Whispering
Grass"
Tony"Whispering Grass"
Tony Parsons
Parsons
OCK MUSIC IN 1976 needs middle-

areplaying it and thekids who are

getting off it
are all hungry

WorldMags.net

117

HISTORY
1976 I 117
HISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976

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ycrOBER-^5!4"Intoxication
takes a lot offuckin' work"aIntoxication

takes

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lot

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work

PATTI SMITH embarks on a European tour. Frenchmen, hecklers,
PATH

SMIT

embarks on a European tour.

Frenchmen,bootleggers, George Melly and hash all play a part.
bootleggers,

GeorgeMelly andhash allplay a part.

MME OCTOBER 23- NME OCTOBER 23 -T'S LIKE... I'M not ever gonna be a hundred per cent cool, y'know...
I mean,mean, forfor you
you totolikelikeeven
eventrytryto
tobebeaahundred
hundred per
per centcent cool
cool to
to me
me
I
O"
is
is likelikejust...
just... aa joke.
joke.I'm
I'mneverneveraahundred
hundred per
per centcent cool
cool andand look
look howhowcool IIam..."am..."
cool
Patti
movie forfor thenight appears
appears
beDon't
Don'tLook
Look Back.
Back. She
Patti Smith's
Smith's movie
the night
totobeSheshowedshowed up
up forfor thethe post-gig
post -gig press
press andand media
media binge
binge held
held inin thethe barbar ofof herher
Amsterdam
hotelininfullfull regalia
regaliaof
ofthe
the 1965
1965 Bob
Amsterdam hotel
Bob Dylan.
Dylan. Dark
Dark suit,
suit,white
white shirt,
shirt, thetheidentical impenetrable-rimmed shades.
room finally
finally doing
doing thetheidentical
impenetrableheavy
heavy-rimmed
shades.Now,
Now, up
up in
in herher roominterview
all day,day, herinterview she'd
she'd been
been postponing
postponing all
her voicevoicecrackles
crackleswith
withexhaustion
exhaustion as
as sheshealternates NYC
street -sneersand
andput-downs
put- downswith
withlong
longellipticalellipticalsurrealist
surrealist streams-ofstreams -ofalternates
NYC street-sneersconsciousness(to putputit
it politely)
politely) andspacedjive
jive babbling(to not).
not).
consciousness (toand spaced
babbling (toShe's definitely
definitely into
into her
her role
role asas Dylan
Dylan in
Back.
She's
in Don't
Don'tLook
Look Back.
Me,
Me, IIseem
seemtotobe
becastcastasasthe
themanman fromfrom T/memagazine.
Time magazine.
"..
"...It's.It's like...
like... there's
there's nono shameshame inin notnot being
being cool
cool sometimes,
sometimes, y'know...
y'know... I'm
I'm often
often really
reallyuncool.
Back inuncool. Backin thetheStates
Statesthey
theycallcallme'winghead'becauseme `winghead' because mymyhairhair always...
always... didj'ever
didj'evernotice how
my hair
hair sticks
sticks out?"
out?"
noticehow my"I
you did"Ithought
thoughtyou
did thatthat onon purpose,"
purpose," IImurmur.
murmur.
"It sticks
sticks out
out because
because I'm
too spaced
spaced outmean, why
why dodoyou
youthinkthey
think they"It
I'm tooout toto taketake care
careofof it.
it. II mean,
call
long
call them
them "dreadlocks','dreadlocks', man?
man? It's
It's allalltangles,
tangles, man...
man... when
when you've
you've been
been onon thethe roadroad aalong
time you
you forget
forget what
what you
you looklike,look like,youyouenterenteraakind
kindofofmonkeymonkeystage.
stage.I think
I thinkwe'regettingtime
we're gettingtosectionof
ofthe
the tour.
tour. By
By thetime we
we getget toto thethe monkey
monkey section
the time
to England
England.I'm
I'm really
reallygonna
gonna bebe aamonkey. II wantmonkey.
want toto be
be aa really
really mean
mean monkey..."monkey..."Theof town.
The gig
gigwaswasatatthe
theParadiso,
Paradiso,aaconverted
converted church
church near
near thethe centre
centre oftown. It's
It's thethe most
mostfamous rockvenue
the
top
club
I small gig
in town.
town.
famousrock venueinin thethe country,
country,undoubtedly
undoubtedly
thetopclub/small
gig inLike theLike
the Melkweg,
Melkweg, aa moreclub withmore ormore recent
recent andand less
less publicised
publicised clubwith moreor lessless thethe samesame
setup, it's
renowned for
the Milky
Way (I(Iended
endedupuptherethere
setup,
it's renowned
foritsits openly
openlysold
sold dope.
dope. Last
Last year
year at
at theMilky Way
becausethe Paradiso
Paradiso waswas closed
closed thathash laid
laid out
because thethat night),
night), they'dthey'd had
had giantgiant slabs
slabs ofofhashout ononstalls so
so thatthat youyou could
could taste
taste andand try,
try,buybuyhowever
muchyou
youwanted
or could
could afford,
afford, andandstallshowever muchwanted orthenwanderover
over toto athen wandera tabletable andand smoke
smoke yourself
yourself stupid
stupid inin aaparanoia-freeparanoia -freeatmosphere.
atmosphere.
ThingsThings seem
seem toto havehave tightenedtightened up
up some,some, though,though, because
because we're
we're told
told thatthat anybody
anybody
who's
bloke atwho's buyinghas
buying has toto gogothroughthrough some
some complicatedcomplicated play-acting
play-acting rituals
rituals with
with thethe blokeatthe pipes-and -skins stall.
stall. We're
We'realso
alsotold
toldtotowatch
watchout
outforfordealersdealerspalming
palmingthe
thewareswaresandandthepipes-and-skins
replacingthepackagewithaseeminglyidenticalout ofreplacing the package with a seeminglyidentical dummy
dummy oror inferior
inferior one
one sneaked
sneaked outofa pocket.
pocket. This
Thisain't
ain't thethe summer
summer oflove.
aof love. »IT'S LIKE... I'M not ever gonna be a hundred per cent cool, y'know...

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118
HISTORY OF
OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
118 I IHISTORY

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October9»1976:

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Patti Smith poses
forphotographs
following a show\attheParadiso.a
converted churchp/in the centre of
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WorldMags.net
1976

119

1976

WorldMags.net
) • V

9
i

19761r0,0R

There was an ominous crackle in the air. Things had
gottengotten off
off totoaabadbadstart
start when
when Patti's
Patti's piano
piano player
playerRichardreferred toRichard Sohl-generally
Sohl- generallyreferredto as
as "DNV","DNV", ananabbreviation of
Death In
Venice,because
because of
ofhis
abbreviationof Death
In Venice,
his
v
/
/d
resemblance
who plays
plays Dirk
Dirk Bogarde's
resemblance toto thethe youngyoung boyboywhoBogarde's\\ubêtenoire --had
hisbete noire
haddropped
droppedout
outofof thethe tourtour because
because ofof hisdislikedislike ofheavy-dutytouringandof heavy- duty touring and large
largeconcert
concert halls.
halls.
AND
HER
GROUP
iii
DNVhadDNV
had been
been with
with Patti
Patti longer
longer than
than any
any ofof herher
musicians except
and therefore
therefore Andy
Andymusicians
except Lenny
Lenny Kaye,
Kaye, and
WITH GUESTS THF
STRANGLERS
Paley,
Paley, aaformer
former member
memb er ofofthe
theSidewinders
Sidewinders andand aa longlongtime
drafted inin astime friend
friend oftheof theband-had
band -had been
been draftedas pinchpinch hitter, done
done two
two rushedrushed rehearsals
rehearsals andand schleppedschlepped
hitter,hammersmithodeon
straight
off tostraight off
to Europe.
Europe.
CAROLINE ST.W.6
ST W 6QUEEN
QUEEN CAROLINE"Andyisis
realcrazy,
amazing.Amazingly.
crazy.
"Andy
real
crazy,
he'she'samazing.
Amazingly crazy.
He
He waswas telling
telling me
me whatwhat aa good
good soldier
soldier hehewaswasgonna
gonna bebe
FRI/SAT-22nd/23rd
OCTOBER
at-7-30 p.m
FRS
-left
left right
right left
left right,
right, y'knowy'know - hehe waswas gonna
gonna bebe aa real
real
OFFICE 748 4081, LONDON THEATRE
THEATRE
BOX
(INC
VAT)
ADVANCE00,£1 SO (INC.VAT) ADVANCE THEATRE BOX OFFICE 748 4081. LONDON THEATRE
TICKPTS£2 00X1-50.
TICKETS£2
£250
50,L2
fascistandhe's
he'ssoso spaced
spaced out.
out. YouYou know
what hefascist -andknowwhathe putput usus
PREMIER BOX OFFICE, 240 2245 ,USUAL AGENTS OR ON NIGHT
AVE
439
3371,
BOOKINGS SHA^^SBURY AVE.,439
3371.PREM.ER BOX OFF.CE.240 2245.USUAL AGENTS 0R0N NIGHTBOOKINGS SHAFTESBURY
through?
The first
through? The
first night
night we're
we're onon thethe road,road, aa girl
girl comes
comes
into
word sheinto his
his room
room toto interviewhim
interview him andand thethe only
onlywordsheknows isis 'champagne'.
'champagne'. Thenhe hadhad aa nervous
nervousknows
Then hebreakdownTmsorrythatwewon'tbeabletotells Patti
breakdown andand heart
heart attack.
attack.
"I'm sorry that we won't be able to stay
stay andand seeyou,"see you," Melly
Mellytells
Patti"Everyheavymetal
metalrecord
recordhappened
happened tohim onon thisthis airplane
airplane on
urbanely,
we havehave another
another show
do tonight
tonight inin thethe Hague."
Hague." Patti
Patti"Every heavy
to himon thethe wayway
urbanely, "but"but weshow toto dotells
sheknows
knowshowhowit
is.
to Hamburg
Hamburg andand wewe hadhad totoput
puthimhimininan
anaudience...
audience...ambulance.
ambulance. Lenny
Lenny
tells him
him sure,sure, she
she understands,
understands, she
it is.
toand II had
and
had our
our pockets...
pockets... II had
had soso muchmuch hashhash onon me
me andand wewe werewere sitting
sitting inin
By
Byshowtime
showtime thethe clubclub isispretty
pretty thoroughly
thoroughly packed.
packed. Up
Up inin thethe balconies
balconies asasthiswith all
all these
like nurses,
I've neverwellthis hospital
hospital withthese people
people like...
like... likenurses, y'know?...
y'know?... I've
neverwell asas down
down onon thethe floor,
floor,it's
it'slike
likethetheDistrict
DistrictLine
Lineininthetherushrushhourhour except
except
been
to a
that
been toa fuckin'fuckin' hospital,
hospital, man,man, I'd
I'd rather
rather crawl
crawl acrossacross thethe floor
floor aathat everybody's
everybody's stoned
stoned as
as fruitbats
fruitbats andand thethe train
train ain't
ain't leaving
leaving thethe station.
station.
thousandtimes andand bang
bangmyheadagainst
againstthewallthango
Lightstothousand times
myheadthe wall than go toto hospital...
hospital...
Lights go
godown,down,roadies
roadiesloom
loomaroundaround with
with torches,
torches, thethe troops
troops gogoon
onto
and there
were ininthisthisNazi
Nazihospital
hospitalin
inHamburg..."Hamburg..."the usual
usual preliminary
preliminary clang-honk -tweetsand
andthenthen Patti
Pattiandand thethebandband
andthere we
we weretheclang-honk-tweets
Everyoneblaze
Uncle Lou's
Lou's "We're"We're Gonna
Have A
A RealEveryone seemed
seemed tired
tired andand onon edge.
edge. Downstairs
Downstairs inin thethe dressing
dressing room
room
blaze into
into Uncle
Gonna Have
RealGood
GoodTime
TimeTogether"
Together" asasarea
a young
young French
French fan
fan called
called Claude
Claude waswassprawled
sprawled ininaachairchairterminallyterminallythelights go
goup.
up.It'sIt'saagreat
greatopener-short,opener- short,sharp,
sharp,appropriate
appropriate without
without
area athe lights
drunk.
He'd beenhanging aroundaroundall
all daywaiting
daywaitingfor
chanceto
to meet.
meetbeingtoo
Kaye arealreadydrunk. He'dbeen hanging
for aa chancebeing too obvious.
obvious. Ivan
Ivan Krai
Kral andand Lenny
LennyKayeare already inin overdrive
overdrive on
on
Patti andPatti
and thethe management
management
had
had
let
lethimhimwaitwaitininexchange
exchangefor
fora
a bit
bit ofofthe guitars,
theguitars, Jay
JayDeeDeeDaugherty's
Daugherty'slamming
lamming into
into his
his drums
drums like
like aa crazycrazyamateurstagehanding.
Buthereherehehewas
was finally
finally inin frontman,slippingahi-hat
ofthe
beat toto givegive it
amateur stagehanding.
But
front ofof Patti
PattiSmith
Smithandandman, slippinga hi -hat accent
accent just
just aa whisker
whisker ahead
ahead ofthe beatitjustjustheto recognise
recogniseher.
her.All
All hehe cando isis vomit
thePatti
the right
right jet-boostingjet -boosting surge,
surge, with
with Patti leaping
leaping up
up andand down
down like
like aa
he waswas tootoo drunk
drunk tocan dovomit what
what at
at first
first looks
looks
dementedpogo stick,
stick, her
her flea-market
like blood
blood but
but--toeveryone's reliefrelief -turns
wine.
demented pogoflea -market rags
rags aaconstantconstant blur
blur ofof motion.
motion.
liketo everyone's
turnsout
out toto be
be wine.
Nice applause.
applause. She
She calls
calls them
them children
children ofof Paradise,
Paradise, tells
tells 'em
'em thatthat she's
she's
Patti
in a
York street"Hey Claude,
Nice
Patti snaps
snaps ina one-liner,
one-liner, New
NewYorkstreet stylestyle- "HeyClaude, ya
yawantwant
been
like thinkwindmillssomesome heroin?"heroin? " -- then
then genuine
genuine concern
concern takes
takes over
over andand sheshe moves
moves in,in,been "sampling"sampling thethe local
local wares.
wares. II rilly
rillylikethinkwindmills areare sooooo
s00000cool, yaknow."
ya know."
holdinghim
cool,
holding him byby thethe shoulders
shoulders andand talking
talking toto himhim urgent
urgent andand gentle,
gentle, close
close
Puzzledthe equivalentequivalent lunglungpower
up. HisHis headhead tilts
tilts backback andand hehe heavesheaves up
Patti
Puzzled silence.
silence. One
Onejovial
jovialdrunkwith
drunkwith thepower ofofup.
up somesome more
more wine.
wine. "It's"It's OK,"
OK," Patti
says,aa mid-pricePA system
It Op!
I've evereverfucked
fuckedhas
hasthrown
thrown up
up on
mid -price PA
system yells,
yells, '"Break"'Break It
Op!'"says, "every"every man
man I've
on me
me at
at least
least once."
once."
Everyone stands
stands aroundaround embarrassed.
"It'saalittle"Ifyoutake one
one part
part windmills,"
windmills," says
says Patti
Patti fromfrom thethe stage,stage, "one"one part
part
Everyoneembarrassed.
"It'sgetting
getting
littlebit
bit too
too real,"
real,""If
you takesomeoneHanging thick
thick inin thehashishraggedcheers
cheersofof recognition
recognitionofof thethe keykeyhashish andand onesomeone mutters.
mutters. Hanging
the air
air isisthatthatpeculiar
peculiar mixed
mixed reaction
reaction
one part
part cocaine..."cocaine..." ragged
peopleget whenwhen they
they seesee somesome one
one stripped
stripped down
as aawords. The
The drunkyells,
drunkyells, "'BreakIt Op!"'
Op!'"again
againandandthenthen changes
changes his
his mind.
mind.
people always
always get
down andand ugly
ugly aswords.
"'Breaklt
resultofmoremore oror lessHeand bawls,
bawls, "Fock!
"Fock! Fock!"
Fock!"
result ofof ananoverdose
overdoseof
ofanythinganything -aa reaction
reaction compounded
compounded of
less
He refills
refills his
his lungs
lungs andequal measuresequal
measures ofof contempt,
contempt, repulsion,
repulsion, pity
pity andand guilt
guilt which
which tells
tells them
them
Patti
Patti ignores
ignores him.
him."..
"...you.you getgel aa rilly
filly great
great drink."
drink."
thatto hit
They
They work
worktheir
their way
waythroughthrough thethe set,set, throughthrough aa few
few selections
selections fromfromthat if
if something
something drove
drove them
them tohit aabottle
bottle ororchemicalchemicalthat
that hard
hard they
they
wouldn't bepresenting aa much
much more
more admirable
admirable spectacle
spectacle themselves,
themselves,Radio Ethiopia
Ethiopia ("Thisfrom ouro olrecord
recordwith
withwouldn't
be presenting
Radio("This isis from
our new
new album.
album.It's
It'sa
afillyrillycocoool
there-but-for-the-grace-of-God-go-I
andaborrowings-athere -but -for -the -grace -of -God -go -I
anddon't
don'tlaughlaughtoo
toohardhard ororcrack
crack
a rilly
rillygreat
greatbass
bassandanddrum
drum sound"),sound" ),aacouple
coupleofofborrowings-a greatgreat
blasting
versionStones'"Time"TimeIsIsOn
On My
My Side",too wisewise because
because next
next time
time itit could
could bebeme
mealonealoneandandincapacitatedincapacitated inin aa
blastingversion
ofofthethe Stones'Side",precededpreceded as
as always
alwaystooroomfulbyof Louroomful ofof strangers.
strangers.
by Patti's
Patti's "Tick"Ticktook-fucktack -fuck thetheclock"clock"recitation
recitation riff,
riff, andand their
their medley
medley ofLou
Gradually
Gradually thethe fogfog begins
begins totoclearclearandandClaudeClauderealises
realisesthatthat someone's
someone's
Reed's "Pale"Pale BlueBlueEyes"
Eyes"andandthethePunkArchivist
PunkArchivist National
National Anthem
Anthem "Louie"LouieReed'sLouie" -- andtalking
Louie"of thefrom Horses.
Horses. Throughout
it all,talking toto himhim soothingly
soothingly andand wiping
wiping his
his mouth
mouth with
with aa damp
damp cloth
cloth andandand somesome ofthe materialmaterial fromThroughout it
all, our
ourthatstentorianfriendkeeps
keepsononhowling
howlingfor
for "'Break"'Break It
It Op!'".
that it's
it's Patti
Patti Smith.
Smith.
stentorian friend
Op!".
He
reacts first
firstwithwithshame
shame atathaving
havingdisgraced
disgracedhimself
himselfbefore
her, thenthen
He reacts
before her,"Redondo
Beach" is,is, as
as ever,
ever, talked
talkedin.
in."Redondo!
"Redondo!Beach!
Beach!IsIsA
A Beach!
"Redondo Beach"
Beach!
angry because
because hethinks she's
shoves her
her hard
hard inin thethe
Where! Women!
Women!Love
LoveUthaaaaahhhh!
Uthaaaaahhhh! Women!"
Women!"staccatos
staccatos Patti,
Patti, then
then
angry
he thinks
she's laughing
laughingat
at him.
him. HeHe shoves
Where!
shoulderand thethe manager
manager moves
moves inin to
Patti waves
closescloses inin onon thethe mic
mic toto makemake little
little kissing
kissing noises.
noises.
shoulder andto restrain
restrain him.
him. Patti
waves him
him
away andand takes
takes Claude
her arms.
arms. He
begins toEveryone looks
looks away
away
They dodo aafair
fairversionof "Kimberly";"Kimberly"; their
their live
liveperformances
performances ofalwaysaway
Claude inin herHe beginsto cry.
cry. Everyone
Theyversion ofof it
it always
andwanders up
up forfor the(nopall
to thethe album
album track,
track, because
becauseKral
Krai andand Kaye
Kaye arepall inin comparison
comparison toare bothboth onon
and thenthen wanders
the soundsound check.
check. Patti
Patti andand Pennie
Pennie Smith
Smith (noguitarbassline isis therefore
by itsrelation) gently
gently lead
lead Claude
Claude upstairs.
upstairs.
guitar andand thatthat magnificent
magnificent bassline
therefore conspicuous
conspicuous byits
relation)The
act forfor theis Georgeabsence.
Both becauseof a
The support
support act
the evening
evening is
George Melly
MellyandandthetheFeetwarmers.
Feetwarmers.
absence. Bothbecause ofa basic
basic shift
shift ofofmusical
musicalemphasis
emphasis andand inin orderorder toto
Mellystrolls
Mellystrolls in
inlookinglooking likelikethethe Mayor
MayorofofSavannah
Savannah inin aa cowboy
cowboy hat
hat andandtake thetake
the weightweight off
off Paley,
Paley,thethe bandband isis muchmuch more
more guitar-heavy
guitar-heavy than
than they
they
ancheck suit.
suit. He's
He's chewing
were
Paley moves
Krai
an ostentatious
ostentatious checkchewing aa More
More andand leaning
leaning onon ananwere thethe last
last time
time I'd
I'd seen
seen them.
them. Paley
moves toto bass
bass forfor "Gloria""Gloria"--Kral
elegant white
white cane,
cane, which
which hehe describes
describes as
as "purely"purely anan affectation,affectation, really"
really"sketches inin thethe opening
opening chords
chords on
on piano
piano andand resumes
resumes his
his guitar
guitar duties
duties as
elegant
sketchesas
when
about his
his health.
soon
andplaysplays some
some guitar
on thewhen questioned
questioned about
health. Someone
Someone later,
later, rather
rather uncharitably,
uncharitably,soon asas thethesong
songhotshotsupup-andguitar on
the encores.
encores.
ascribes itit toto gout.
gout.
Patti has
has ampamp trouble
trouble during
and this
adds toto thetheascribesPatti
during"Radio"Radio Ethiopia"
Ethiopia" andthis only
only adds
The
in Early
Early Gangster,up
irritation
caused by
The Feetwarmers,
Feetwarmers, all
all immaculately
immaculately costumed
costumed inGangster,set
setup
irritation causedby thethe audience's
audience's fairly
fairlysubdued
subduedreaction
reactionthroughout
throughout
theirprofessionalism while
while
their equipment
equipment with
with aa sulphurously
sulphurously phlegmatic
phlegmatic professionalism
the set.
Bythe
thetimetime thethe setset proper
proper ends
ends she's
she's onon thethe verge
verge ofoflosing
her
theset. Bylosingher
Pattiman, Mo,Mo, express
tempertemper andand walks
walks straightstraight offstage.
offstage.
Patti andand thethe bandband andand their
their soundsound man,
express various
various differences
differencesof opinion.
ofopinion. "It"Itsounds
soundsreally
reallyMickey
MkkeyMouse
Mouse upup here,"here," snaps
snaps Patti
Patti asas thethe
The
The first
first encore
encore isis thethe speciality
specialityversion
versionofof"My"My Generation"
Generation" with
with Kral
Krai
slow
singing
the alternate
alternateverses
versesandandKaye
Kaye taking
takingaa nicely
nicely overslowand
andpainful
painful processprocess ofofadjusting
adjustingeach
eachamp,
amp,mic
micandandinstrument
instrument
singing theover thethe top
top bass
bass
sound winds
winds interminablyinterminably on.
Feetwarmers seem
regard rockrock
solo. Patti
Pattileaves
leavesstill
stillsimmering,simmering, andand onon herherreturn
return forfor thethe second
second encore
encoresoundon. The
The Feetwarmers
seem toto regard
solo.
bands
strugglingto
to sortsort out
out theirofgeargear asas being
berates
those whole
whole dwell
dwell inin aberates thosein thethe "false"false paradise"paradise" ina longlongimprovised
improvised
bands struggling
their mountains
mountains ofbeing inept,
inept,
spoiled brats
brats who
who can't
can't work
work their
their own
own gadgets.
gadgets.
rhythmical tongue-lashing.
a rap
rap about
about breathingbreathing andand energy
energyspoiledrhythmical
tongue-lashing.She's
She's into
into aThere was an ominous crackle in the air. Things had

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1976
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PATTI SMITH
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and pyramids and triangles when our friend Break It Op starts
broadcasting
again. Without
broadcasting again.
Without even
even pausing
pausing forfor breath
breath she
she goesgoes fromfrompyramids
you, asshole!"
pyramids andand triangles
triangles andand breathingand
breathing and energy
energy toto "Fuck"Fuckyou,asshole!""Doyouyouthinkyou're
think you're really
really coolcooljust
juststanding
standing there
there going,
going,"Do'bleccccchh'?
she snaps.
snaps. "I"I cancan dodo thattoo. Why
Why don't
Ibleccecchh'?"" shethat too.
don't you
you taketake your
your dickdickout?
Gowan taketake your
your dick
dick out!
out! Or
Orwhyncha
whyncha gogohomehome andand just
just saysayout? Gowan'blechhhhhhh!'
frontofofthe'blechhhhhhh!' ininfront
the mirror?"mirror?"
There
There isis silence.
silence. Mr
Mr Break
Break ItItOp
Ophas
hassubsided.
subsided. She
She getsgets backback into
into her
her raprap
andthey really
really drive
drive itit inand steers
steers itit into
into "Land""Land" andand finally
finally theyin andand drive
drive itit
home
drive itbut it'shome andand drive
it deep
deep andand thethe people
people start
start dancing,
dancing, but
it's too
too little
little andandtootoo late
late toto effecteffect any
anykindkind ofofmajormajorreconciliation.
reconciliation.
As thethenumbernumber rampages
rampages toclimax, she
she steps
steps toto thethe mic
mic andand rattles
rattles off
off
As
to a
a climax,"What was so good about the '60s," she'd said over dinner, "was that we
had
Jones withhad soso many
many great
great dressers
dressers toto copy.
copy. Every
Everytime
time IIsaw
sawBrian
Brianiones
with
some
some newnew trousers
trousers II had
had toto getget some...
some... II remember
remember II sawpicture
saw picture ofof PaulPaul
McCartney insome really
really great
great striped
striped trousers.
trousers. He
wasn't mymy favourite
favourite
McCartney
in some
He wasn't
Beatle,Beatle, but
but those
those trousers
trousers were
were sooooo
s00000 cool
cool thatthat even
even John
John had
had toto getget aapair.
hitch -hikedinto
intotown
townandand 1Ifound
foundaapair
pairininaadepartment
department store
store and
andpair. II hitch-hikedI
want to dowant to provide
provide kids
I got
gotthem...
them... thatthat waswas suchsuchaathrill.
thrill.I Iwantto
dothat;that;IIwantto
kidswith somethingwithsomething cool
cool toto copy..."copy..."
She's
her Keith
Keith Richard,
her Bob
She's had
had herher lookalikelookalike phases,
phases, her
Richard, her
Bob Dylan,
Dylan, her
her
JeffBeck,
Jeff Beck,her
herJim
JimMorrison.
Morrison.
"I
at it
"Iput
put inin aa lotta
lotta work
workstudying
studying those
those cats.
cats. When
When you
you work
work asas hardhard atit as
as
I did,
did, youyoureally
reallyend
endup
upgettinggetting them
them down.
down. I've
been studyingofI
I've been
studyingaa lot
lot of"Andy-Paley-Ivan-Kral-Jay-Dee-Daugherty-Lenny-Kaye-the-PattiJeanne
Moreau.She
Sheisis likelike soso cool.
"Andy -Paley -Ivan -Kral -Jay -D ee-Daugherty-Lenny-Kaye-t he -Patti Jeanne Moreau.
cool. SheShe isis sooooo
s00000 heavy.
heavy. She's
She's thetheSmith -Group !",makes
makesaapfui-l-wash-my-hands-of-you
pfui-I-wash-my-hands-of-yougesturegesture andandcomplete woman...
woman... complete
been
Smith-Group!",completecomplete anything,anything,shesheis
is justjust complete.
complete. I've
I've been
looking at
Brigitte Bardot,
rushes offstage.
who's workingwith
working with thethe roadroad crew
crew ononlooking
at aa lot
lotof
ofphotographs
photographs ofofBrigitte
Bardot, too..."too..."
rushesoffstage. Her
Her brotherbrotherTodd,
Todd, who'stour, takes
tour,
takes her
herarmarmandandthenthenthey
theyvanish.
vanish.
In
In thethe studiostudio ofof aaDutch
Dutchphotographer,
photographer, she
she asks
asks him
him whatwhat kind
kind ofof photos
photosThe
broughtdown
down more
more byby herhesome riffs
riffs- he
The audience,
audience, probably
probablybrought
her anger
anger than
than byby anyany
he wants.
wants. When
When hehe shrugs
shrugs obligingly,
obligingly, she
she runs
runs throughthrough somehedeficiencies
in thethe set,set, leave
leave quickly
quickly andand quietly.
quietly. You
You cangetsarrogantpoker
poker-facedeficiencies in
can telltell thatthat it's
it's one
one ofofgets thethe eye-bulging
eye -bulgingspeedfreak,speedfreak, thethe blank
blank arrogant-face sneer,
sneer, the
the
those
occasions where
where itit isgaminegrin, thewith thearmy shirt
opened at
at thethe top
top tothose occasions
is definitely
definitely not
not cool
cooltotowanderwanderinto
intothethedressing
dressing
gamine grin,
the sexy
sexy guerilla
guerillawith
the army
shirt openedtoroom before
before allowing
allowing aa reasonablereasonable intervalinterval ofof cooling-off
cooling-offtime
elapse.
show thethe tops
tops ofof herherbreasts
breasts andand knottedknotted up
he gets
gets mockmockroom
time toto elapse.
show
up overover her
her belly;
belly; heWhenSmith and
and I
I are
Vogue,
When Pennie
Pennie Smith
are finally
finally summonedsummoned toto joinjoin thethe assembled
assembled
Vogue,hegets
he getswistful-little-girl...Riffs.
wistful -little -girl... Riffs.
company,
the unspoken
unspoken feelingenfolding thethe room
room seems
seems toto be
be thatthat"Sowhatwhatmakes
makesthethedifference
difference between
between aa really
reallygreat
greatrock'n'roll
rock'n'rollrecord
recordcompany, thefeeling enfolding"Sothey'dthoroughly. Whether
Whetheritit wasandhappen?" I
I ask,
role asthey'd just
just blown
blown Amsterdam
Amsterdam pretty
pretty thoroughly.
was thetheand oneone thatthat doesn't
doesn't happen?"ask, faithfully
faithfully adheringto
adhering to mymyroleas manman
exhaustion, theexhaustion,
the residue
residue ofof various
various injuries
injuries andand illnesses,
illnesses, thethe soundsoundfrom Time.
from
Time.
"If
problems, theAnd while
while anan
"If ititmakes
makesmemefeelfeelgreat...
great... ififititmakes
makesmemelaugh...
laugh...likelikeaabubble
bubblebreaking
breaking
problems,
the audienceaudienceorwhatever,or whatever,it'd
it'dbeen
beenaabadbadgig.
gig. Andartistof genius
genius who
who does
does aa bad
gig canof genius,inartist ofbad gig
can still
still bebe an
an artist
artist ofgenius, aa badbad giggig
in my
my heart.
heart. Like
Likeaareally
reallycompletely
completelysincere
sincereeffort
efforttotocommunicate
communicate and
and
by
gig.
desireeven ifby an
an artist
artist ofof genius
genius isis still
still aa badbad gig.
desire toto connect;connect; even
if ititdoesn't
doesn'ttotally
totallycome
comeinto
intofocus,
focus,thetheintention
intention"Sowhat's
what's your
your instinctive
instinctive reaction
out?"
is so
so clearclearthatthat unlessunless you're
you're aareally
reallybitter
bitterperson
person you'll
you'll open
open your
your heart
heart toto"Soreactionto
toa
a guy
guy inin thethe crowd
crowd who
who yells
yells out?"is
II askitaskPatti
Patti backback inin thethe Don't
Don't Look
LookBack
Backsuite.
suite."To"Toignore
ignorehim
himor
orcut
cuthimhim
it andand letlet itit reachreach you.
you.
back
or what?"what?""See,
there's like
like two
two different
different great
great kinds
kinds ofrock andand roll.
roll. There's
There's fascist
fascistback or"See, there'sof rockrock
like a"It'sthethe sameasyour
same as yourinstinct
instinct might
might be.
be. Sometimes
Sometimes I'll
I'll laugh,laugh,sometimes
sometimesrock andand roll,roll, which
which isis like
likeBowie
Bowieandanddisco
discoand
andMotown...
Motown... y'know,
y'know, likea
"It's
I'll tellI'll
tellhim
him totofuckfuckoff,
off,sometimes
sometimesI'll
I'llignore
ignorehim,
him,sometimes
sometimes I'll
I'll like
likeseduce
seducemetronome. It's
metronome.
It'srilly
rillygreat,
great,it's
it's perfect,
perfect,II mean
meanititgetsgets ya.
ya. You
Youcan't
can't help
help butbut
him toto do
do it
Like IIdon't
gethim
it more.
more. I'm
I'm just
just reacting.
reacting. Like
don't have
have likelikeaastagestageact-1
act -Idon't
don't
get caught
caught inin thethe groove,groove, y'know?
y'know?
have
she pronounces"1 don't"The
have like
like aa stagestage persona"persona"--shepronounces itit per-son-naper-son-na - "I
don't turn
turn onon"The other
other one
one isn't
isn't really
really defined;
defined; it's
it's like
like raw
rawenergy
energythatthat you're
you're trying
tryinga
set ofof reflexes
a separate
separate set
reflexes when
when IIget
geton
onthe
thestage;stage;I'm
I'mthethesamesameperson
person II am
am
to sensuously
sensuously andand rhythmaticallyrhythmatically honeisisthattohone thatthe
theright
rightword,
word, Lenny?
Lenny?
here. InIn fact
fact often
often I'm
I'm better
better here
here than
here.
thanII am
am upup there,
there,y'know?
y'know?II know
know what
what II
Hone?
hone...you
youdo
do your
your honing,honing, get
get into
into different
kinds ofof plants,
Hone?--hone...
different kinds
plants,canintoxicating andand toto getcan dodo alonealone asas anan artist,
artist, y'know,
y'know, andand it's
it's rilly
rillyintoxicating
get upup ononkind ofkind
of cupcup-shaped...
-shaped... more
more like
like bell-shaped
bell -shaped likeliketulips...
tulips... no,
no, not
not like
likeaa stage,stage, y'know,
y'know, andand toto trytryandand matchmatch thatthat intoxication
fuckin'intoxicationtakes
takesaalot
lot ofof fuckin'tulipsbut like
like lilies...
you getget into
horn ofof anyhas aa belltulips but
lilies... you
into thethe horn
any flower
flower thatthat hasbell
work.
work. A
Alot
lotoffuckin'work.
of fuckin' work.Your
Yourheadheadhashastotobebelikelikepoundinglike
pounding like inside
insideshape andand it'sa really
really pleasurable
pleasurable thing...
thing... ya
sound. If
you're really
reallyshape
it's aya know,
know, sound.
IfyouTethe belly
thebelly ofafaabell,bell, bebemademade ofoflikelike concrete.
concrete. But
But soft,
soft,rubbery
rubbery concrete.
concrete.
relentlessly
andyou're
you're into
into sound,sound, it
it gets
gets torelentlessly into
into something
something andto thethe point
point
"It's
"It'sjust
justincredible
incredible whatyou
whatyou have
have toto do
doand
andthenthen sometimesyou
sometimes you don't
don't
where itit doesn't
doesn't mattermatter whether
evil orordreamdream oror
where
whetheryou're
you're good
good oror evil
even
get o
off
nightmareor whatever,you
yougetget into
into this
this rhythmof soundand youeven getffbecause
because thethe people
people areare like
like uptight
uptight oror they
they don't
don't understandunderstandnightmare orwhatever,rhythm ofsound andyou just
just
that
they'refree,
free, y'know.
y'know. I
I don'tgive athat they're
don't givea shitshit what
what people
people do.
do. They
They cancan saysaylI
have toto be
be greatgreat nono mattermatter who
who you
you are.
are. IImean,
mean,Karen
KarenCarpenter
Carpenter could
could bebehavehate youas longlong asastheytheysay...
say...anything,anything, y'know?
y'know? Sometimes
Sometimes II really
really digdig
hate
you asgreat
if she'dgreat if
she'd just
just loosenloosen up
up aa little.
little.
peopleit's friction
people who
who give
give meme aa hard
hard time
time because
because it's
friction but
but it's
it'sreaction..
reaction...""It's all"It's
all there.
there. You
Youjustjusthave
havetotobe
bewilling
willingto
toget
getbaptised
baptised over
over andand overoveragain.
they got
got
again. Most
Most people
people just
just getgetbaptised
baptised once
once andand they
they think
think they
THAT
THATAFTERNOONAFTERNOONWE'D
WE'Dallallgonegonedown
downthetheflea
fleamarket.
market. Patti
Patti
everything covered.
Theyknow
how they're gonna
for thethe rest
rest
everything
covered. They
knowhowthey're
gonna think
thinkforboughtan obviously,
obviously, blatantly
blatantlyfake
fakeUS
US ArmyShe wasofbought an
Army shirt.
shirt. She
wasof theirtheir lives..."lives..."
wearing an
Amelia Earhart
Earhart flying
flying cap
cap andand enormous
enormous goggle
Do youyouwant
want toto makemake aa fascist
fascist rockrock record?
record?
wearingan Amelia
goggleDolike"Ilike Station
like shades.
shades. She
She delightedly
delightedlytraded
traded insults
insults with
with aa couple
couple ofof very
verystoned
stoned"Iwannawanna makemake something
something like
Station To
ToStation...
Station...something
something ininas
asand extrovert
extrovert gays
gays who
who asked
asked if
if they
they could
could buy
buy
purposive aa state
Station andand asasand_purposivestate asas Station
Station To
To Station
Ivan
perfect
as Black
Black And
Ivan Krai
Kral ("I("I might
might pick
pick you
you upup if
if youyouwerewerealonealone
perfect as
AndBlue.
Blue.ThoseThosetwo
twoalbums
albums areareand wearing
andwearing different
different coloured
coloured boots")boots") andandlike Sgt
like
Sgt Pepper
Pepper andand PetPet Sounds
Sounds oror something...
something...
"1
don't
turn
posed
for pictures
copies ofof herandRadio Ethiopia
Ethiopiahecause
it's going
going toposed forpictures waving
waving aroundaround copies
her
and thenthen Radiobecause it's
to bebethree bootleg
Cultreally great.
great. IIreallyre allylove
bothelements
elements--there's
threebootlegalbums
albumsandandaaBlue
Blue Oyster
Oyster Cult
reallylove boththere'sbootleg.
Turn It
It Up
Up andmore
two elements,
bootleg. (Two(Twoout
outof
ofthe
thethreethree-Turnandmore than
than twoelements, there's
there's three.
three. There's
There'sonaseparate
Hard Nipples-are
Nipples - are actuallyactually thethe samesame one
one ininlike language
language which
which you
you don't
don't have
have toto dealdeal with
with
Hard
like
different- I'd
I'd just
just asI'm
different packaging,packaging, so
so be
be warned.
warned. The
The third,
third,
as soonsoon deal
deal with
with sound,sound, but
but whenwhen I'm
setof reflexes
calledin orderTeenage Perversity
PerversityAnd
Ships InIn TheThe Night,
Night, isis thethecalled upon
upon toto useuse language
language inorder toto go
go aa step
step
Teenage
And Ships
one
anyway.)higheror a
to explore
explore justfor thehigher ora stepstep further
further tojust forthe
one Patti
Patti recommends,
recommends, anyway.)
The guyTheguy behindbehind thethe stall
stall doesn't
doesn't understand.
understand.
pleasure... ofpleasure...
of man...
man... isis realreal cool.
cool. II forgot
forgotwhere
where
when
I
get
on
He
this crazy
crazy girl
girl isis trying
thissentencewas
was goinggoi ng to
to end...
had toto sayHe thinks
thinks thistrying toto steal
steal his
his
this sentence
end... II had
sayrecords. He
He grabs
grabs andand shouts.
shouts. She
She turns
turns onon him.
him.
°realcool'cool'because
because IIcouldn't
couldn'tremember
remember where
where
records.
'real
thestage""Fuckyou.asshole-I'm"Fuck you, asshole - I'm Patti
the
Patti Smith
Smith andand thisthisthe sentence
sentence should
should end
end up...
up...
is my
myrecord!
record!IIain't
ain'tgetting
getting any
any money
money forfor this
this"RadioEthiopia isa lot
lot like
like Albert
Albert Ayler.
Ayler.That's
That'sis—"Radio Ethiopia
is aaaaroiA-1
callthecopsonya..."notwhat
not hard
hard totounderstand.
understand. II don't
don't know
knowwhatA.
-1 oughtta
oughtta callthe cops on ya ..."
Apinch-facedpinch -facedcustomer
customerwith
withhorn-rimmed
horn -rimmed
people will
will think
think ofof ourour record,
record, but
but how
howlIviewisA
peopleview itit is-Ml „ | I *glasses,like...
the first
first record
recordwas
was like
like aa little
glasses, spots
spots andand thethe kindkind ofof short
short hair
hair thatthat they
they had
had
like... thelittle egg,
egg, ya
ya know...
know...
before long
beforelonghair,
hair, unhesitatingly
unhesitatingly sides
sides with
with thetheTandand this
this one
one isis likelike aa little
little chick...
chick... andand thenthen thethe little
littlestallholder
and grabs
grabs thethe records
records back.
back. They
chick
and takes
takes inin astallholder andThey stare
stare
chick opens
opens its
itsmouth...
mouth... anda little
little worm...
worm...
SmiUi
dumbly at
at thisthis frenzied
frenzied apparition
apparition in
jackboots,
and getsgets nourishednourished andand getsgets strong
strong andand becomes..."becomes..."dumblyin thethe jackboots,andflapping
goggles and"A
Kaye.
flapping khaki
khaki coat
coat andand shirts,
shirts, goggles
and flying
flying"Abiggerbiggerbird,"
bird,"croons
croons Lenny
Lenny Kaye.
River
helmet. She
turns andCharlesShaar
ShaarMurray
Murray•helmet.
She turns
and stalks
stalks away.
away.
Charlesand pyramids and triangles when our friend Break It Op starts"What was so good about the '60s," she'd said over dinner, "was that we"I don't turnon a separate
set of reflexes
when I get on
the stage"
P

WorldMags.net

1121

HISTORY
ROCK 1976
1976 I 121
HISTORY OF
OF ROCK1976

WorldMags.net

1976
flCrOBER-^BEfl

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NOVEMBERNOVEMBER 6 -N JANUARY 1959, Berry GordyJr founded Motown Records on thestrength of a £400 loan. In July 1976, Dr Feelgood's one-time tou r

IN JANUARY 1959, Berry Gordyjr founded Motown Records ofttjie(istrength of a £400 loan. In July 1976, Dr Feelgood's one-time tour

manager, Jake Riviera, in partnership with Graham Parker's
manager Dave Robinson, launched. Stiff Records with precisely thesame amount. Their £400 was advanced by the Feelgoods.
manager, Jake Riviera, in partnership with Graham Parker's*

manager Dave Robinson, launched Stiff Records with precisely thesame amount. Their £400 was advanced by the Feelgoods.

"Today's Sound Today", a respectful paraphrase of Phil Spector's"Tomorrow's Sound Today", is Stiff's slogan- and an accurate one for alabel
which in less than three months has established itself as the prime outlet for
aspiring local club talent.
A shoestring operation run with boundless enthusiasm from a small
converted lock -up shop in London's Notting Hill, Stiff has built up the kind ofstreet -level credibility that the major record companies never attain, despite
their standing on the stock exchange.
"Credibility," Dave Robinson insists, "is even more important than actual
finance at the beginning of a venture like Stiff." Whiteman doesn't speak withforked tongue!
For the time being, Stiffonly have sufficient cash to enter into one-off deals(with an option), but the fact that an artist of Nick Lowe's stature (exofBrinsley
Schwarz) was prepared to inaugurate the label has meant that Riviera andRobinson have had little difficulty in attracting fresh talent to the fold.
Of the artists so far pacted, none are what could be termed "other labels'
rejects". Primarily, they are those souls who normally don't fit into most major
record companies' five-year investment plans.
"Today's Sound Today", a respectful paraphrase of Phil Spector's"Tomorrow's Sound Today", is Stiffs slogan - and an accurate one for a label

which in less than three months has established itself as the prime outlet for
aspiring local club talent.

A shoestring operation run with boundless enthusiasm from a small

converted lock-up shop in London's Notting Hill, Stiff has built up the kind ofstreet-level credibility that the major record companies never attain, despite
their standing on the stock exchange.

"Credibility," Dave Robinson insists, "is even more important than actual

finance at the beginning of a venture like Stiff." White man doesn't speak withforked tongue!

For the time being, Stiff only have sufficient cash to enter into one-off deals(with an option), but the fact that an artist of Nick Lowe's stature (exof Brinsley

Schwarz) was prepared to inaugurate the label has meant that Riviera andRobinson have had little difficulty in attracting fresh talent to the fold.

Of the artists so far pacted, none are what could be termed "other labels'

rejects". Primarily, they are those souls who normally don't fit into most major
record companies' five-year investment plans. »WorldMags.net

CRY OF122 1 HISTORYOF ROCKROCK 1976
1976

7

WorldMags.net

TheDamnediStiff

The Damned:StifF
Recordsmade
them
the first
UK punk band
thaefirst
band
to getasingleMoor&
out with
Records made them

togetasingleout with

"New Rose", released"New Rose", released
oriOctober 22,1976

on October 22,1976

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Independent labels
Independentlabelscome out of thecome out of theclosets, and into
closets,
and into
the streets
the streets

Indecent three

Indecent
page exposure
three
page
exposure
inside.
See page
inside. See
25-27
page

1976 "OCTOBERWorldMags.net'>

Mann's"5-4-3-2-1". Roogalator
Mann's "5-4-3-2-1".
Roogalator will
will gogo intointo thethe blackblack at3,000,
at 3,000,because
becauseIt's the immediacy of Stiff that makes it such an attractive and exciting
enterprise.
For, intheyis theenterprise. For,in very
very much
much thethe samesame way
way asasthe
themoremore responsible
responsible
they received
received aa £100
£100 advance.
advance. One
One thing
thing thatthat does
does remain
remain constantconstant isthesectionsof thele reports
exceptionallyhigh royalty
royaltyofof 15
15 persections of
the rockrock press
press fifile
reports on
on emergent
emergent talent,talent, Stiff
Stiff areareexceptionally highper centcent thatthat Stiffpay
Stiff paytheir
theirartists.
artists.
recording many
these artists
artists while
got hunger
hunger inin their
their
Says Robinson:
Robinson: "We're"We're not
not inin aaposition
position toto give
givelarge
largeadvances.
advances. The
The
recordingmany ofof thesewhile they've
they've still
still gotSaysbellies,backs. The
hundredquid we
we paid
hundred quid
paid Roogalator
Roogalator was
bellies, fire
fire inintheir
their blood
blood andand anan HP
HP company
company onon theirtheir backs.
The upshot
upshotwas anan exception
exception andand also
also about
about as
as
high
as we
afford toto go.
go. Sois thatthat they
they getget thetheresults
results out
out onon thethestreets
streets while
while it's
it'sstill
stillhappening.
happening.
high aswe could
could afford
So we
we askaskaagroup
grouptotocomecome along
along with
with us.
us.
is
DespiteThey
to lose.
Despite aa limited
limited cash
cash flow,
flow,Riviera
Rivieramaintains
maintains thatthat if
ifnecessary,necessary,within
withinThey really
really haven't
haven't got
got thatthat much
much tolose.
two weeks
twoweeks ofof signingsigning aaletter
letterof
ofagreementagreement (who(who can
can afford
afford lawyers?),
lawyers?), anan"To"Tobegin
begin with,
with, they
they getget aa record
record inin thethe shops
shops andand ifif it
it sells
sells well
wellthey
they areareact
in
act cancan have
have their
their record
record pressedpressed andand inin thethe shops.
shops.
in aa position
position toto makemake aa good
good profit.
profit. To
Toaarelatively
relativelyunknown
unknown club
club band,
band,
Thoughchooses extremes
extremes toto illustrate
illustratehis
his logic,
logic, heagigs."
Though Riviera
Riviera sometimes
sometimes chooses
hea single
single isis ofofgreatgreathelp
help with
with regard
regard toto getting
getting gigs."
neverthelessmakeshis
hispoint.
point."For"Forfarfar too
too long,"
long," heThoughis ansides inin Stiff's
nevertheless makes
he says,says, "there"there has
has been
been
Though there
there isan option
option clauseclause on
on bothboth sides
Stiff's lettersletters ofofa gap
gapbetween
between thethe million-quid
million -quid advanceadvance andand scuffling
agreement withartists, therea distinct
distinct possibility
possibility thatthat because
becauseascuffling about
aboutinin aa cellar.
cellar.
agreementwith their
their artists,
there isis a
Thereground.I Ibelieve
believeStiff
Stiffisis it."
it."ofthe
one ofoftheir
There had
had toto be
be aa middle
middle ground.
of the media
media coveragecoverage thatthat Stiffhas
Stiff hasgarnered,garnered, any
anyonetheir acts
acts could
could
Now
£400isn't
isn'taahelluva
helluvalot
lotof
ofmoneymoneywithwhich toto trytry totoset
set thetherecord
recordchalk up
up aa small
small hit,
hit, aa big
bigreputation
reputation andaNow £400
wit h which
chalk
andas
as a
a result
result be
be picked
picked up
up by
by a
industryon fire,fire, but,but, with
Spiro toto holdmajor
industry on
with just
just svelte
svelte Suzanne
Suzanne Spirohold thethe fort,
fort,
major label
labelwho
whowouldn't
wouldn't have
havenormallynormallyconsidered
considered signingthe
signing the acts
actsthatthat
answer theanswerthe phone,
phone, handle
handle thethe paperwork
paperworkand
andhealhealthethesick,
sick. Stiff
Stiff seems
seems toto
Stiff
Stiff thrive
thrive on.
on.
get
As
and a
a few
fewastute
A&R menget bybywithout
withouttoo
toomany
manytraumas.
traumas.
As Riviera
Rivierapoints
points out:
out: "Already"Alreadypublishers
publishers andastute A&R
men areareThethingisis thatthatStiff
Stiff sells
sells records;
starting
to think
thinkthatthatififit'sit's goodfor Stiff,
ust maybe
The most
most important
important thing
records; maybe
maybe only
only aa few
few
starting togood enoughenough for
Stiff,thenthenjjustmaybe they
they
shouldget inthousand copies
most, butbut that's
that's still
still afewthousanda few thousand more
more than
than most
mostshould getin quick.
quick.
thousandcopies at
at most,new artists canhope
can hope tosell.Along
Alongwithother similarlabels.Stiffhassimilar labels, Stiffhas"Weareareaalittle
littlescaredscaredof
ofthatthathappening,"
happening," hehe admits.
admits. "Naturally,
newarlists
to sell.
with other"We"Naturally, we
weinstigated
its own
network ofof specialist
want
to build
Stiff into
instigated its
own market
market throughthrough an
an international
international network
specialist
want tobuild Stiff
into aasteadysteadything,
thing, but
but atat thethe samesame time
time we
we don't
don't
recordshops andand mail-ordermail- ordercompanies.
companies.
wantother labels
labels toto useuse usussimply
simplyas
asaastepping
steppingstone-once
record shops
want otherstone once we've
we've
You
with thethe major
major labels,
labels, unlessunless it's
it's ademonstrated
thatthere's
there'saademand
demandforan
anact,
act,aa majormajor label
label comes
Youhavehavetotounderstandunderstand thatthatwithademonstrated thatforcomes along
along
specialist
specialist release,release, aa goldengolden oldie
oldie oror aadisco
disco demand,
demand, aa record
record either
either sells
sells
and
and reaps
reaps all
all thethe benefit
benefit fromfrom thethe hard
hardwork
work we've
we've put
put into
into thethe act.
act. I
I can
can
tell
off."
no moremore than
than theorder
it'stell you,
you, we
we work
work ourour butts
butts off."notheinitial
initialpressing
pressing
orderofofa
a couple
couple ofof hundred
hundredororelse,else, if
if it's
lucky,
With few
Havingthat asas yetyet there
lucky, ititmakes
makes thethe charts.
charts. Withfew exceptions,
excep tions, there
there areare nono in-betweens.
in-betweens.
Having alreadyalready admitted
admitted that
there isn't
isn't sufficientsufficient floating
floating cash
cash
Stiff
to
Stiff releases
releases move
move off
off thethecompany's
company's shelf
shelf asas quickly
quickly as
as they
they arrive
arrive fromfromto lurelure acts
acts with
with large
large advances,advances, Dave
Dave Robinson
Robinson hopes
hopes toto putput into
into effecteffectEMI's pressing
pressing plant.
plant. "Actually,"
says Riviera,
Riviera, "EMI
"EMIfreaked
freaked when
when we
we gotgot
EMI's"Actually," saysawill swell
swell Stiff's
At onea planplan thatthatwill
Stiff's coffers.
coffers.At
onetime,time, Robinson
Robinson used
used toto runrun thethestarted.
They began
who theguys who
recordingstudio at
at thethe Hope
Hope &
Anchor instarted. They
began toto askaskwhothe hellhell areare these
these guys
who areare doing
doing
recording studio&Anchorin Islington,
Islington, during
during which
which time
time hehe
5,000with
with thethe Pink
PinkFairies
Fairiesandand otherother groups
groups they've
they've never
never heard
heard of.
They
5,000
of. Theyrecorded"live" every
every groupever torecorded "live"
group everto play
play there.
there.
still
quite getget overover it.
at 500500 orstill can't
can't quite
it. They're
They're soso usedused toto singles
singles turkeying
turkeying atorOnce Robinson
Robinsonhas
hassecured
secured thethenecessary
necessary releases
releasesfrom
fromvarious
bands,
Once
various bands,
selling upwards
selling
upwards ofof20,000,
20,000,and
and here
here we
we areare forever
forever reordering
reordering 1,000
1,000 copies
copiesheto compileof'70she intends
intends tocompile aa double,
double, maybe
maybe aa triple
triple album
album of'70s pub
pub roots
roots
immediately
after one
one lot
lot hasimmediately after
has been
been pressed."pressed."rock featuringfeaturing everyone
Ace andandrock
everyone fromfrom thethe Feelgoods
Feelgoods toto thethe Brinsleys,
Brinsleys, Ace
Thoughoverheadscontinue
continue
escalate,£300will
willstill
still getget 2,000
2,000 copies
Kokomo.
Kokomo,Robinson
Robinson andand Riviera
Riviera reckon
reckon thatthat thethe profit
profit fromfrom such
such aa projectproject
Though overheads
totoescalate,£300
copiesof anyany record
record pressedpressed andand also
also cover
cover thethe royalties.
royalties. The
The cost
cost ofof thethe picture
picturewould bebe farfar moremore amenable
amenable than
than having
having aa silent
silent financial
financial partner.
partner.
ofwould
sleeveStiffwill succeed
sleeve isisextra,
extra,but
butStiff
Stiffcancanstill
stillmaintain
maintainquality
qualitycontrol
control andand bring
bring their
their
Stiff isisasink-or-swim
a sink -or -swimoperation.
operation.ItItwill
succeed oror fail
failononits
itsprinciples.
principles.
product into
product
into line
line with
with other
other labels
labels by
by selling
selling aa single
single atatthe
therecommended
recommended
Whatever the
Whateverthe outcome,outcome,thethepartners
partners areare determined
determined to
to avoid
avoid thethe pitfalls
pitfalls
retailpriceofof 70p.
70p.
that plague
plague most
most labels:
labels: heavylack ofretail pricethatheavy release
release schedules,
schedules, lackofpromotion
promotion timetime
So apart
apart fromfrom aa picture
picture sleeve,
what else
can Stiff
Stiff offer
offer anan artist?
artist?
- and apathy.
apathy.
So
sleeve, whatelse can-and"The"The way
waythings
things are"We'veRiviera continues,
continues, "we"we cancan"We'vegot
gotto
tomakemakeStiff
Stiffaaself-reliant
self-reliantorganisation,"organisation," Riviera
Rivieraare atat thethe moment,"
moment," Riviera
virtually guarantee
few thousand copiesofinsists. "Because
to be
be truthful,truthful, aside
virtuallyguaranteetotosellsell quite
quite aa fewthousand
copies ofinsists.
"Because toaside fromfrom thethe money
money we
weareceived
to backa recordrecord by
by aagroup
groupthat,
that, forforvarious
variousreasons,reasons, thethe majors
majorsreceived fromfrom thethe Feelgoods,
Feelgoods, nohody
nobody isis preparedprepared tobackwould never
never consider
consider signing."
signing."us. They all think we're bloodymad.
bloody mad.Don't
Don'treally
reallythink
think
would
us.Theyallthinkwe're
Roogalator
is offered
we'vethey know
know thatthat if
if we
Roogalator isoffered by
by Riviera
Riviera asasaaprime
prime example.
example.
we've got
got aachance.
chance, For
Forinstance,
instance, they
we
"They received"They
received some
some exceedingly
exceedingly fine
fine press
press coverage,
coverage,suddenly
suddenly found
found we
we hadhad aa chart
chart hit
hit onon ourour hands
hands we'd
we'd
ever
y A&R manbeeveryA&R
manchecked
checked them
them out,
out, but
but whenwhen ititcame
came
be forced
forced toto leaselease itit toto oneone ofof thethe majors
majors like
like they
they dodoto thethe crunch
crunch nobody
nobodywasa chance
chancein America."towas preparedprepared to
to taketake ainAmerica."
BUY
BUY 6
6
Street Music Cc
SIDE
SIDE A
Luy
with
BUY
Neithernor Riviera
Riviera werewith them.
them.
BUY66A*A*
Neither Robinson
Robinson nor
were born
born yesterday.
yesterday.
STEREOSTEREO
1.99
1.99"Working"Working with
with thethe kindkind ofof limited
limited financefinance we
we have
have
They are fully awarethat
thatmusiciansmusicians areare extremely
extremely
Theyarefullyaware
0 1976Is7s
45
45 RPM
RPM,
Still Record*
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Uo"-Turn ItllLID
at
at ourour disposal,
disposal, it
it cancan often
often prove
prove
to be
befrustrating
frustrating whenwhenyouknow
toyou knowNEW
NEW ROSE
ROSE
ItilarBrianJames)_
ion
James). „forfor aafact
factthatthat with
with aa band
band likelike
Pa triway
Produced
Produced bybv Nick
Nick Lowe
Lowe ag
at Pathway
for Leather
Lesthor Nun
Nun Production*
PrOduchonstor
Ba
Roogalator we
Roogalator
we cancan easily
easily sellsell
THE DAMNEDDAMNED
5,000
5,000 EPs
EPsin
inadvance,
advance, yet
yet only
only
have sufficientsufficient funds
funds toto place
place anan
have
initialorder of2,000,
of2,000. For
initial pressing
pressing orderFor
instance, we
6,000advanceadvanceinstance,
we gotgot 6,000
I u.
ordersorders onon thethe Pink
Pink Fairies
Fairies single
singleand 2,000
for anan unknown
unknown band
band
and2,000 forlike The
TheDamned."
Damned."like
Owing
Owing totodifferent
differentproduction
production
budgets,
has its
its ownbudgets, each
each record
record has
own
break-even sales
figure; everyone
every onebreak-evensales figure:ofof Stiff's
Stiff'sreleases
releases has
has not
not only
only
recouped thethe initial
initial outlay
outlaybut
recoupedbutthey'veall shown
they've allshown aa profit.
profit.
The Lew
Lew Lewis
Lewis single
single "Boogie"BoogieThe
OnThe
to sell
On The Street"
Street" only
only neededneeded tosell
800 copies
800
copies before
before itit showed
showed aa
Label
Jake Riviera
Labelco-founderco-founderJake
Rivieraturnsaas Captainturnsa blind
blind eyeeyeas
Captainprofitthe Feelgoods
Feelgoods gave
profit because
because thegave
Sensibletries
a little gentle
Sensibletriesalittle
gentleStiff thethe tapes
tapes gratis.
gratis. As
a result,
result,Stiff
As apersuasion
persuasion on
onoffice
office mainstay
mainstay
Lewis
SuzanneSpiroat the Stiff
fices
Lewis will
will bebe cutting
cutting aa follow-up,
follow-up,
Suza nneSpiroatthe
Stiff ofoffices,
32
Alexander Street, London W2
32AlexanderStreet,LondonW2
probably aa reworking
reworking ofofManfredprobably
ManfredIt's theimmediacyofStiffthat makes it such an attractive and exciting

THE

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Alh''
WorldMags.net

124 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976,

INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENT LABELSLABELSWorldMags.net

<v

1

1

i

|

'G
his
ambitious and that loyalties can be bought for a hefty
his stall
stall inin thethe Soho
Soho Market
Market andand just
just before
beforecash
Nevertheless, Stiff
Stiff feels
Christmas
last year
cash advance.
advance. Nevertheless,feels thatthat there
there areare
Christmas ofoflastyear hehe notnot only
onlyopened
opened aa shop
shop
sufficient
to maintainthelabellabel andand enableenable itit toinsufficient bands
bands tomaintain thetoin Kentish
Kentish Town
Town Road,
Road,butbutlaunchedlaunched Chiswick
Chiswicksurvive without
without compromise.
compromise.
Records with The Count
Count Bishops'
Bishops'"Speedball"EP.
survive
RecordswithThe"SpeedbalF'EP.
3\
Carrollis a"Let's"Let's not
not kid
kid ourselves
ourselves forfor aa minute,"
minute," says
says Riviera,
Riviera,Carroll argues
argues thatthat asas Chiswick
Chiswick isa logical
logical"none ofof ourouracts
actshave
havesecured
secured deals
deals with
with otherother
extension of
RockOn.
On,hehecouldn't
couldn'tcompromise
compromise"none
extensionof Rock
himselfwhen
came toto recording
the Bishops.
Bishops.
labelsas aresultofrecordingfor
a result of recording for Stiff.
Stiff.So
Soififnobodyis
hirnselfwhen itit came
recording thelabels as
nobody is
going
going toto pick
pickupup thethe Pink
Pink Fairies
Fairies oror Roogalator
Roogalator andand we've
we've got
gotsufficientsufficient"You'vegot"You'vegotto
tostartstart thethe way
way you
you intend
intend toto continue,"
continue," Carroll
Carroll theorises,
theorises,money
single-orin thethecasecaseofofNickLowe,withresult thatthat hehe invested
invested 1150
£150 onmoney forfor another
another singleor in
Nick Lowe,ananalbum-andalbum - andwith thethe result
on studio
studio time,
time, £400
£400 ononthe
thepressing
pressing
they
wanttoto do
do it,
it, thenof2,500"1 reckon,"
theywant
then we
we cancan keep
keep ononissuingissuing records
records bybythemthem because
becauseof 2,500records,
records, plus
plus thethe cost
cost ofof thethe sleeve
sleeve andand thethe labels.
labels. "I
reckon," says
says
we
know
Carroll,
we knowinknow inadvanceadvancetheir
theirminimum
minimum sales
sales potential.
potential. Also,
Also,they
theyknow
Carroll, "that"that itit costs
costs£800,£800,but
butwe've
we'vealreadyalreadyrecoupedrecoupedthat
thatamountamount andandthey're nothonestly think
think it's
it's thatthat kind
kind ofof freedom
freedommade aa profit."
profit."they'renot stuckwith
stuck withus
usfor
for life.
life. II honestly
made
that
The
that cancan often
often bring
bring out
out thethe best
best inin an
an artist."
artist."The "Speedball""Speedball" EP
EP hashasalreadyalready notchednotched up
up salessales of2,500,
of 2,500,while
whilemost
mostHowever,itneeds
needstotobe
bepointed
pointedout
outthatthatStiff's
Stiff'scomparative
comparativeminor
minor
of thethe 1,000
1,000re-orderre -orderpressing
pressinghave
havealreadyalready been
been accounted
accounted for.
it
However, itoffor. "If"If itwasn'tfor therush, I'd
I'd have
have reordered
2,000, because
success is
is alsoalsobeginning
beginning toto work
workagainst
againstthem.
them. On
Onthosethose occasions
occasionswasn't for
the Christmas
Christmas rush,
reordered 2,000,
because II cancansuccess
when they've
when
they've approachedapproached aa major
major label
label totoenquireenquire about
about thethe possibility
possibility
get
get rid
rid ofof them."them."
ofChiswickalmosthadaminorof leasingleasingold
oldmastermastertapes
tapesthey've
they'vebeen
beentreatedtreatedChiswick almost had a minor hit
hit withwith their
their
with
secondwith suspicion.
suspicion.
second release,release, aa reissue
reissue ofof thethe early-'60s
early -'60s
British"It's notnot soso muchmuch thatthat they're
British rockrock classic
classic "Brand"Brand NewCadillac"
New Cadillac" byby"It's
they'rescaredscaredofof us,"
us,"
"We
don't
says Robinson.
Robinson. "Just"Justthatthat they're
they're not
not sure
sure what
what
Vince Taylor
Taylor &&The
ThePlayboys.
Playboys.Had
HadChiswick
Chiswick
says
Vince
we're
finalised
we're upup to
to andand howwe
howwe cancan keep
keep onon selling
selling
finalised their
their distribution
distribution deal
deal with
with President
President
thousands
people they've
they've never
never
Records when
when thethe single
single waswas hot,
hot, itit might
might have
have
thousandsofof records
records byby people
Records
want
other
heard
of or
wouldn't wantto
madeheard oforthatthey
that theywouldn't
want to record.
record.
made thethe Top
Top40.
40.Despite
Despitemissing
missingimportant
important"Therefore,""Therefore," hehe concludes,concludes, "when"when Jake
Jake and
andconcentrated
concentrated sales
sales action,action, "Brand"Brand New
Newlabels touseus
II comeCadillac"
10,000 copies
comearoundaround askingto
asking toleasesomethingthey
lease something they
Cadillac" isis approachingapproaching 10,000
copies andandautomaticallythink its
its worthstillselling
automatically thinkworth aa fortune,
fortune, but
butstill selling steadily.
steadily.
they'd never
never think
think ofreissuing itit themselves.
themselves.
However, Carroll
Carroll isn't
isn't losing
losing sleep
sleep over
over thethe
they'dof reissuing
However,
simply asaThey
prefer to
to sitVince
They much
much prefer
sit onon ititandand dodonothing."
nothing."
Vince Taylor
Taylornear-miss,near -miss,for
forhe
hehas
haslittle
littledouht
doubt
Stiff
Stiff can't
can't afford
afford totoprocrastinate.
procrastinate. AsAs aa mattermatterthat
that Chiswick
Chiswick will
will getget aa hit
hit andand hopefully
hopefully it
it
of
will
will bebewith
withHammersmith's
Hammersmith's arcanearcane modmodof fact,
fact,neither
neither can
can they
they afford
afford toto paypaytheirtheir staff
staff
stepping
stone"
wages. Robinson
Robinson andand Riviera
Riviera earn
earn their
their daily
daily
power -trio,The
TheGorillas,
Gorillas,thetheonly
onlyact
actunderunderwages.
power-trio,
crust
but throughexclusive
to Chiswick.
crust notnot fromfrom Stiff
Stiffbutthrough their
theirexclusive contract
contract toChiswick.
management company,
134 apiece
week.
Carroll has
has invested
invested money
money inin new
new equipment,
equipment, aa manager
manager isis being
being
managementcompany,and
andthenthenthey
theyonly
onlydraw
draw£34
apiece each
each week.
Carroll"It'ssought,sought, aa French
French tour
tour supportingTheFlamin'Groovies
supporting The Flamin' Groovies isisupcoming,
upcoming,"It's gonna
gonna bebe oneone helluva
helluva time
time before
before wewe becomebecome tax
tax exiles,"exiles," quips
quips
Riviera, "but"but there's
there's always
always thethe possibility."
possibility."
together with
with aa December
December 55 gig
gigat
atthe
theRoundhouse.
Roundhouse.
Riviera,together
Berry
do so
for himself
on £400
Carrolllabels like
like Chiswick
Berry Gordy
Gordy didn't
didn't doso bandband forhimself on£400 either.
either.
Carroll insists
insists thatthat labels
Chiswick andand Stiff
Stiff andand thethe French-based
French -based
SkydogSkydogoperation
operation will
will succeed
succeed because
because not
not only
only dodo they
they show
showaa genuine
genuine
TED
interestin thethey release,release, but
hut they
they also
also have
ED CARROLLCARROLLISISadamant.
adamant.Within
Withinthe
the next
next 1212months,
months,interest in
the records
records they
have integrity.
integrity.
TChiswick
Records will
will have
have aahit
hit record.
record. A
Agregarious
gregarious redred "So few
fewof
ofthe
themajor
majorlabels,"labels,"insists
insistsCarroll,
Carroll, "have"haveany
any integrity.
integrity. They
They areare
Chiswick Records"So
beardedDubliner, Carroll
Carroll exudes
exudes thekind ofof confidenceallIt's aa factmost ofof theall money-making
money -making machines.
machines. It's
fact thatthat mostthe people
people who
who workwork
bearded Dubliner,
the kindconfidence oneone
would expect
expect fromman who's
had hisOn record
record shop
shop
in themthem know
know bugger
bugger all
allabout
aboutthethemusic
musicorortheir
theirartists,
artists,and
andtruthfully
truthfully
wouldfrom aa man
who's had
his Rock
Rock Oninimmortalised
thelyrics
lyricsofofThinThinLizzy's
Lizzy's "The"The Rocker".
Rocker".
they don't
just
immortalised ininthe
they
don't want
want toto know.
know.For
Forallallthatthatthey're
they'recontributing,contributing,they
theymight
tnightjust
The proprietor
proprietor of
On andand Chiswick,
Chiswick, Ted
Ted Carroll
Carroll isis thethe most
most
as wellwell bebe selling
selling beans,beans, andTheof bothboth RockRock Onasandthethekids
kidshavehavegot
got wisewise toto it.
it.
respected
characteramong
amongBritish
British record
record collectors
collectors and
and a
a man
"The
"who works
respected character
man who
who hashas"The only
only person
person II know,"
know,"Carroll
Carrollcontinues,
continues, "whoworks forfor aamajor
major
an
for fairan enviableenviable reputation
reputation forfair trading.
trading. He'd
He'd much
much preferprefer to
toundersell
undersellrecord company
recordcompanywho
who isis totally
totally aware
aware ofwhat
ofwhat he
he isis doing,
doing, isis inin aa powerful
powerfulthanoversell his
positionand isis successful,is AndrewLauder
Lauderover
over at
at Unitedthan oversell
his wares.
wares.
position andsuccessful, isAndrew
United Artists.
Artists. I'm
I'm
Avisitto anyany ofofCarroll's
Carroll'sthree
threeRockRockOnOnstalls/shops
stalls/shops isisaacompulsory
compulsorypartpartsure there
there areare otherother people
people like
likeAndrew
in otherother record
record companies,
companies, butbutAvisit tosure
Andrew inofany
howof any visiting
visiting rockrockfan's
fan'sLondon
London itinerary.
itinerary.
how often
often areare they
they given
given anan opportunity
opp ortunity toto really
really prove
provethemselves?"
themselves?"
While still
still living
living ininDublin,
Dublin, Carroll
Carrollwas
wasfirst
firstbaptised
baptised into
into rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll
Though they
they might
might notnot have
have real
real effecteffectononthisthiscountry's
country's balancebalance ofof
While
Thoughwhen
guitar with
with thethe Caravelles
Caravelles before
payments,
Chiswick Records
Records isfor,when hehe played
played rhythm
rhythm guitar
before switchingswitching totopayments, Chiswick
is buildingbuilding up
up aa large
largeexport
exportbusinessbusiness -- for,accordingbass when
when they
they mutatedmutated toto The
TheGreenbeats
Greenbeats andand recorded
recorded anan obscureobscureaccording toto Carroll,
Carroll, both
both here
here andand abroadabroad aa whole
whole new
new record
record market
marketbass
is crystallising.
crystallising.
Jagger-Richards
for Pye.
isJagger -Richards original
original forPye.AAmusician
musicianby
bynight,night,Carroll
Carroll also
also held
held
down
teller. However,down aa nine-to-fivenine -to -five gig
gig asas aa bankbank teller.
However, when
when hehe waswas"The"The shops,"
shops," Carroll
Carroll reveals,
reveals, "are"are aa direct
direct reaction
reaction toto Boots
Boots andand Smiths.
Smiths.
Today,
there areare two
two ways
waysofofrunningrunning aa record
record shop.
shop. You
Youeithereitherdiscountdiscounttransferred
to aaborder
town inin 1961
1961 heToday, theretransferred toborder town
he quitquitplaying
playing andand became
became aapartparttime promoter,promoter, organisingsessions at
at aatearoom
tearoom onon thethethe TopTop 5050 ororyou
youspecialise.
specialise.
timeorganisingweekly
weeklyR&B
R&B sessions
the
beach
at Killarney.
"It'sbeach atKillarney. Two
Twoyears
yearslater,
later,thethepolice
police closed
closed him
him down
down forfor"It'sthose
thoseshops
shopswho
whospecialise,
specialise,stock
stockimports,
imports,cut-outs,
cut-outs,rarities
rarities andandovercrowding thethe venue.
venue.
small labels
labels thatthat areare beginning
beginning to
do good
goodbusinessbusiness andand buildbuild up
up regular
regularovercrowding
small
to do
Soon
anearly
earlySkid
Skid Row
Row
customers.
There's aa bigSoon after,
after, Carroll
Carroll got
got himself
himself involved
involved inin managing
managing ancustomers. There's
big market
market forfor individuality,
individuality, andand asas aa result
result these
theselineup that
Lynott as
as leadlead vocalist.
vocalist. That
That kept
kept Carrollthespecialist shops
shops cancan open
open up
up without
without having
take out
out large
large accounts
accounts
lineupthat included
included Phil
Phil Lynott
Carroll off
off thespecialist
having to
to takestreets
until 1968, whenwithwith thethe majors.
majors.
streets unti11968,
when hehe moved
moved to
toBournemouth
Bournemouth where,
where, forfor thethe next
next
two
two years,
years, hehe drove
drove aacorporation
corporation bus.
bus. On
On aavisit
visit toto Dublin,
Dublin, Carroll
Carroll once
once
"The
"The great
greatthing
thing about
about aa label
lab ellike
likeChiswick
Chiswickisisthat
thatunlike
unlike thethe majors,
majors,againato sellsell toagain met
met upup withwith thethe Skids
Skidsand
andimmediately
immediately accepted
accepted thethe position
position ofofa recordrecord isn't
isn't deaddead after
after three
three weeks.
weeks. The
The productproduct continues
continues tototour managermanager- aasix-month
gig
took
him
totoAmerica-weekpeople who
who might
might notnot have
have picked
picked up
up on
on somesome ofof thethe releases
releases when
when they
they
tour
six-month
gigthat
that
took
him
Americaforfora
a fourfour-week
peopletour.
ring aweretour. Du
Duringa stop-overstop -overin
inSacramento,
Sacramento, Carroll
Carroll purchased
purchased aa copy
copy ofofwere originallyoriginally issued.
issued. Thankfully,
Thankfully, thethe back
backcatalogue
catalogue continues
continues totoCharlie Gillett's
move. And
Andnow,
now,withwithour
ourdistribution
distribution with
with President,
President, should
should one
ourCharlie
Gillett's bookbookSound
SoundOfThe
Of TheCity.
City.
move.
one ofof ourOn
to London,records
take off,
off, they
On hishis return
return to
London, hehe quitquit thethe Skids
Skids and,
and, with
with some
some Decca
Decca andandrecords suddenly
suddenly takethey cancan handle
handle it.
it. They've
They'veproved
provedthemselves
themselves
London -American deletions
deletions he'd
he'd picked
picked up
up onon thethe cheap
cheap fromfrom anan Irish
Irish
over andand overover again
again with
with hits
KC
London-American
overhits forfor Hank
HankMizell,
Mizell, George
GeorgeMcCrae
McCraeand
and
KC &
&
warehouse, opened-Only record
the rearanwarehouse,
openedhis
hisSaturday
Saturday-Only
record shack
shack inin therear ofof an
TheSunshineBand.
The Sunshine Band.
arcade inarcadein Golborne
Golborne Road
Road at
at thethe flea
flea market
market end
end ofof Portobello
Portobello Road
Road inin"Youknow,""Youknow,"Carroll
Carrollconcludes,concludes, "the"the first
first shoe-string
shoe -string label
label toto scorescore aa hit
hit
October1971.
wil
out ofof theOctober 1971.
will1 scare
scare thethe shit
shit out
the majors.
majors. You
Yousee,see,we're
we'restraightstraight off
offthethestreets
streets
Though Carroll
Carroll had
had taken
taken over
overThin
ThinLizzy's
Lizzy'smanagement
management seven
sevenmonths
monthsand areare moremore inin touch
touchwithwithwhat's
what'shappening
happening than
than all
all those
those expenseexpenseThoughandearlier,
Gary Moore
account
A&R men.
earlier, heheabdicatedabdicated soon
soon after
after guitarist
guitarist Gary
Moore quit.
quit. From
From there
there ononaccountA&R
men. We
Weain't
ain'tgonna
gonnataketakeoveroverthetheentire
entirerecord
record business,business,in, Carroll
Carroll devoted
devoted his
his energies
energies toexpanding Rock1974heheopened
openedbut we're
we're gonna
gonna getby. That's
That's forforcertain."certain." Roy
RoyCanCarr•in,to expanding
Rock On.
On. InIn 1974but
get by.
ambitious and that loyalties can be bought for a hefty"We don't

want otherlabels to use us
simply as a

stepping stone"

WorldMags.net
HISTORY123
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
1976| 1125

WorldMags.net

197

1976

O, OBR"Romm^m"Have weHave

weone overt e top?"
one

over

A?

t

JIMMY PAGE ponder LED ZEPPELIN'S

JIMMY PAGE ponders LED ZEPPELIN'S

The Song Remains The Same. A fantasy
The Song Remains The Same.

A fantasy

sequence found him scaling a Scottish
sequence foundmountain ("aepic projec

him scaling a Scottish

hairy, actually"), but themountain ("a bit hairy,

onin nnninnf hoc

actually"),ense.

hdMMMaiAbtho nvnnnca

epic

-

but thexpense.

MELODY MAKER NOVEM

MELODY MAKER NOVEMBER 20

AWARM HANDSHAKE, TWINKLING eyes and blac

A WARM HANDSHAKE, TWINKLING eyes and black

hair grown thicker than he has allowed for somehair grown thicker than he has allowed for somewhile - Jimmy Page arrived at his London office inthe King's Road exuding good cheer.

while - Jimmy Page arrived at his London office inthe King's Road exuding good cheer.

And he had plenty to be pleased about with thelaunching, after a three-year delay, of Led Zeppelin's
first plunge into the movies, with the epic The SongRentains The Same.
Fans are currently queuing to packed cinemas in Britain, as t hey havein America, to watch one of our finest and longest established groups commit themselves to the probi
eye of the cinema camera.
VID
Any faults are cruelly exposed on a screen, and that
Zeppelin emerge with their mystique intact shows their
good sense in not attempting to become actors in a role.
The nearest they get to that is in the mildly controversial
fantasy sequences, where each member portrayshimselfin some personality -revealing situation.
The film is an accurate portrayal of Zeppelin as they
were one day in Madison Square Gardens. Whether you
appreciate the movie depends on how much you enjoy
Led Zeppelin and their music.
The film's release, together with a fine double album,
shows just how committed Zeppelin still are in 1976.
Not for them insularity or idleness. Physical Graffiti,
Presence and now a double LP and film- Zeppelin areheading for even greater peaks of productivity in 1977.
Page, whose powerful solos during"Dazed And
Confused" are one of the highlights of Song..., talked v
And he had plenty to be pleased about with thelaunching, after a three-year delay, of Led Zeppelin's

first plunge into the movies, with the epic The Song Remains The Same.
Fans are currently queuing to packed cinemas in Britain, as they havein America, to watch one of our finest and longest-3^

established groups commit themselves to the probing
eye ofthe cinema camera.

Any faults are cruelly exposed on a screen, and that

Zeppelin emerge with their mystique intact shows their

good sense in not attempting to become actors in a role.

The nearest they get to that is in the mildly controversial
fantasy sequences, where each member portrayshimself in some personality-revealing situation.

The film is an accurate portrayal of Zeppelin as they

were one day in Madison Square Gardens. Whether you
appreciate the movie depends on how much you enjoy

Led Zeppelin and their music.

ai sjM

The film's release, together with a fine double album,

shows just how committed Zeppelin still are in 1976.

n

Not for them insularity or idleness. Physical Graffiti,■

Presenceand now a double LP and film - Zeppelin areheadingfor even greater peaks of productivity in 1977.
Page, whose powerful solos during "Dazed And

_7

- M ^

Confused" are one of the highlights of Song..., talked »WorldMags.net

JOHN aotoim JOHN PAUL JON

ES - JIMW RAGE
ihmse"stukirca RAW 0110050N
ROIDERT PLANT
keftwuk.

SWAM. icoe

SQUARE GOMM

Mt OA aro. Cor,,...1

eftlftWorldMags.net%

I

Jimmy Page appears
as 60thhim 5eli and
the Staf f af Wisdom wielding Hermitin The
Song Rema ins TheSame
WorldMags.net

HISTORY OF ROCK 1976 1127

WorldMags.net

iA

toBER-^ef

July29,1976:the last

July 29.1976: the lastfof three Led Zap showsat
at Madison
Madison Square
SquareGarden,Garden, New
New YorkCity,
York City,all
The Song
all filmed
filmed forfor TheSong
Remains
Same
Remains The
TheSameofthree Led Zep shows

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"Curiously enough, no, I hadn't
seen
seen many
many ofof thethe otherother rockrock films,
films,
exceptWoodstock.
except Monterey
Monterey andand Woodstock.
don't know
knowwhatfilm waswas
II don't
what Slade's
Slade's film
like,like, theysayitwas
they say itwas aa rock'n'roll
rock'n'rollfeature film.
was just
just aafeaturefilm. This
This one
one wasmusicalmusical really,
really, thethe gig,
gig,with
withfantasy
fantasy
sequences,
sequences, part-documentary.
part-documentary. It's
It's
one
frozen inin celluloid."
one sequence
sequence frozen
celluloid."
Did
Did ititachieve
achieve allallthethe aims
aims Jimmy
Jimmy
had
had inin mindmind when
when thethe film
film waswasfirst conceived?
conceived?
first"Yeah,"Yeah,pretty
pretty much.
much. Obviously
Obviously
therewere things
things which
which weren't
weren'tthere werequite
quite thethe way
wayoneonewanted
wanted them.
them.
It's
It's amassivea massive compromise,compromise, making
makingfilms.
films. You
Youcancanjustjustgogoon
onspending
spendingaa fortune,
fortune, there's
there's nono twotwo waysways
about
about that.
that.
"The fantasy
fantasy sequences
sequences were
were
"The
introduced
introduced because
because wewe knewknew
we hadhad gaps
gaps inin thethe film
film ofof thetheweperformance,
andyoucan'treally
performance, andyou can't really"Curiously enough, no, I hadn't

cut the soundtrackbecause s

cut the soundtrackbecause so/much of our stuff is improvised.
"So
"Sowe
wethought,
thought, let's
let's dodo ititthat
that
way,
it's fairway, andand curiously
curiously enough,enough, it'sfairtoto saysay ititbuilt
built very
very much
much like
like aaZeppelin
Zeppelin song
song oror track.
track. 'Achilles'
Achilles'
Last
Last Stand'Stand' grew
grew andand built
built inin thetheistudio, andand thethe samesame with
with thethestudio,tifantasyin thethe film,
film, asfantasy sequences
sequences inasideas were
were added.
added.
ideas"Weof the"Wehadhad complete
complete control
control ofthefilm, which
which was
was mademade during
during our
our
film,
non-residency
UK] period.
non -residency (ofthe[ofthe UK]
period.
WecategoricallyWe
categoricallystipulated
stipulated what
what
we
we wanted,
wanted, andand itit waswaspretty
pretty muchmuch
done thatthat way."
done
way."
How
of theHow did
did eacheach member
member oftheband gogo about
about selecting
selecting his
his fantasy
fantasy
band
sequence?
sequence? John
John Bonham
Bonham dragdrag
racing,racing, forfor example,
example, Jimmy
Jimmy
climbing
climbing aa cliff
cliff face
face ininScotland,
Scotland,K
John
John PaulPaul Jones
Jonesthethewild
wildhorseman
horsemanandand Robert
Robert Plant,
Plant, aknighta knight rescuing
rescuing
fair maidens.
maidens.
fair"It"Itwaswaslikelikewhenwhen weweeacheach chose
chose
a symbol
symbol forforthethefourthfourth album.
album.
aWe
idea. ItIt gave
We eacheach went
went away
away andand camecame up
up withwith anan idea.
gaveinsightinsight into
into each
each
personality, whether
whether itit bebetongue-in-cheektongue-in-cheek oror deadly
deadly serious."
serious."personality,
And
And Jimmy
Jimmyindulged
indulgedin
inmountaineering?
mountaineering?
"Yeah,"Yeah, it
it waswas aa bit
bit hairy,
hairy, actually.
actually. It
It wasn't
wasn't done
done inin oneone taketake-- thatthat was
was thethetrouble.
It wastrouble. It
was aavery
verysteep
steepclimb
climbatatthisthisplaceplaceininScotland,
Scotland, andand ititdidn't
didn'toccur
to me
me I'dI'd haveoccur tohave toto go
goand
and dodo ititagain!
again!The
Thecrewsaid,
crew said, 'Backdown'Back down
there', andandbelieve
believeme,me, it's
it's very
very steep,
steep, andandI've
I've got
got aa greatthere',
great fear
fear ofof heights.
heights.
"I"Iwantedwanted toto getget aafull
fullmoon
moon ininthe
the shot,
shot, andand ititcame
came up
up in
inDecember.
would bebe greatgreat inin snow,
December. II thought
thought itit would
snow, soso there
there would
would bebea luminescentluminescent quality.
aquality.
"Curiously
we arrived"Curiously enough,enough, thethe nightnight wearrived waswas afull
a fullmoon,
moon,andand blowme
blowmeif there
ifthere wasn't
wasn't snow
snow onon thethe mountain.
mountain. But
But they
they didn't
didn't get
get thethe cameras
camerasup
next night.
night. It
It wouldn't
have
up in
in timetime andand thethe snowhad
snow had melted
melted bybythethenext
wouldn't haveworked anyway.
anyway. You
Youneedneedsosomuchmuchfloodlighting
floodlightingto
togetgetthatthatluminescentluminescentworkedquality.
quality. It
It would
would have
have been
been nice,
nice, though."though."Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin had
DidJimmy
Jimmyfeel
feelthatthat movies
movies were
were
Led
hadlong
longfought
foughtshy
shyof
ofTV.
TV. Didabetter medium
medium forfor theabetterthe band?
band?
"Well,TVhas
TVhasbeen
been done
done now
now byby bands
bands like
like Queen.
Queen. You
Youneedneed agoodrange
a good range"Well,
ofof frequencies
frequencies toto be
be ableable toto hearhear what's
what's going
going onon inin groups
groups like
like ours,
ours, andandyou canyou
can dodo thatthat now
nowwithwith stereo
stereo radio
radio broadcasts
broadcastsalong
alongwith
withTVTV sound.
sound.
"The
was going
going tothe way,
way, which"The film
film soundtrack
soundtrack was
to be
be in
in Quint,
Quint, bybythewhich isisa formform ofofQuad.
Q uad.Take
Takestereo,
stereo,forforexample.
example.InInthethecinema,
cinema,stereo
stereo isn't
isn't two
twoatracks-it'stracks - it's three.
three. This
This waswas all
all newto
new to me.
me.When
When they
they refer
refer totoQuad,Quad, they
they
have anan extraextra track
trackwhich
Quint.
have
which makes
makes itit Quint.
much ofourstuffisimprovised.

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with the same youthful exuberance he showed that dayback in 1968
when hehe walked
walked unannounced
unannounced into
he hadhad just
just
when
intothetheMMoffice
MMoffice andand said
said heformedformed aa group.
group.
Jimmy
Jimmy said
said how
how muchmuch hehe hadhad enjoyedenjoyed thethe London
London launch.
launch.
"Wehadhad two
two premieres
premieres inAmerica,"Wein America,one
onein
inNewYorkNew Yorkand
andin
inLA.
LA.
They held
held them
them apart
few daysdays sosowe
wecould
couldcheck
checkthethecinemas
cinemas out.
out.
They
apartby
by a
a few
It's
It's notnot asas easyeasyaajob
jobasasyou'd
you'dthink,
think,getting
gettingthe
thesoundsound right
right forforcinemas.
cinemas.
remember seeing
seeing Woodstockandthey
theyhadspeakers."
II remember
Woodstock andhad towers
towers ofof speakers."
How
How did
did ititfeel
feelsitting
sittingininthe
theaudienceaudiencewatching
watching his
his own
own group?
group?
"Well, thethe first
first time
time in
NewYork
it waswas great,
great, thethe first
first time
time one
one hadhad satsat"Well,in New
Yorkitinevery timeII had
had seen
seen thethe film
film before
before wasin aarealrealaudienceaudience- everytime
was withwithtechnicians, people
technicians,
people with
with aa really
really criticalcritical eye.
eye. Then
Then thethe film
film lived
lived forfor thethefirst
first time
time andand you
you could
could seesee people
people getting
getting off
offon
onthings,
things,applauding
applauding andandlaughing at
the right
right times,
times, generally
generally vibing.
vibing.
laughing
at the"Althoughwe hadn't"Althoughthe
theprojectprojectspanned
spanned threeyears,
three years, obviously
obviouslywe
hadn't worked
workedon itit every
everyweek
forthreethree years.
years. When
When you've
you'vebeen
been ononsomething
something forfor thatthatonweekforamountof time,time, there
there isis always
have we
we goneamount ofalways thatthat slightslight reservation:
reservation: havegone overover
the top?"
top?"
the
What
him doubts?
doubts? What
What caused
caused him
What could
could have
have been
been improved?
improved?
"Er...""Er..." Jimmy
Jimmy paused.
paused.
"Just
me. When
When you
you have"Just thethe length
length ofof things,
things, but
but itit doesn't
doesn't botherbother me.
havecommitted yourself
something, andand there's
there's aa highhighstandard
standard totocommitted
yourself toto something,competewith, like
like Woodstock
Woodstockand
those otherrockfilms,
compete with,
andallallthose
other rockfilms, you
you realise
realisethere isis nono mucking
mucking about,
about, nono half-measures.
half -measures.
therewith the same youthful exuberance he showed that day back in 1968

WorldMags.net
HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976
128 HISTORY

128

LED
LED ZEPPELINZEPPELIN
lllfl

WorldMags.netm\\"We started to work to that system,
but wewe foundout thatwhen Tommy
Tommy
but
found outthat whenwent aroundout-of-town cinemas,
wentaround thethe out-of-town
cinemas,they hadthe
the music
music coming
coming fromfrom four
theyhadfour
speakers
and thethe voices
voices coming
coming out
out ofspeakers andofthe fifththefifth speakerspeaker behindbehind thethe screen,
screen,and atat apoints in
you
and
a lot
lotof
ofpoints
inthe
thecinema
cinemayou
couldn't get
get a
picture.
couldn't
a complete
complete soundsound picture.
"We started to work to that system,know
exactlywhen.
know exactly
when. The
The mainmain thing
thingis,is,
we'reon thethe road,road,
we're bursting
burstingto
to getget backback onimagine."asyou
well imagine."as you may
maywell
II expressed
expressed surprisesurprise thatthat Jimmy
Jimmy■
hadn'tlost any
his enthusiasm
forhadn't lost
any ofofhis
enthusiasm fortouringuellingyears.
touring after
after soso many
manygrgruellingyears.
Helaughed again
again andand explained:
explained:
He laughed
SUMO
"That
Presence album
album reallyso
C 19T6"That Presence
really did
did usus soI
WarnerBfOl
Bro«. Mu*|c/concept
Supt.hYPI MUlh4
much good.
much
good. When
When you've
you've been
been together
togetherILEDF H ZERBEtdift-m-_/•thatembarkupon
uponananLP,
LP,that long
long andand embark
PROM THE FILM
THE 5,6iJNOTAACK
jy NDLLTiit
SAME
Ira? Ptli1A1SS Tilt
whateverwe've got
got ready,ready, wewhatever we've
we saysay 'Forget'ForgetROCK
P. Jonas., J. 8884/19. Plant
J. 88.9h9rn/J.
about that,straight in.'
And thetheabout
that, we'll
we'll gogo straightin.'Andj.
Pege/B-P'V'
J. P498,11.
spontaneityofof rehearsals
in thespontaneity
rehearsals inthe studiostudio brings
brings44 RAINbain SONG
Plantirfmout
the best
best inus. ToTocomecome upupwithwith allallthatthat stuff
stuff&
out thein us.
08:418141188°,884!!
afterand emotional
period, andand toto findfindafter aa frustrating
frustrating andemotional period,,
COPYING fUbUCfl*
PUIsUCFLIO"'"
441DCCIFYING
it wasit
was allallthere,
there,waswasmarvellous.
marvellous.
$

P3"Theywere getting a strangled soundwith the voices, so we took all this into
account and settled on four -track stereo
te%- three at the front and one at the back. It
works out to give you a circle of sound.
"It's by no means an easy job to get the soundright in everyvenue. Cinema managers don't like it
if you say, 'Your equipment isn't quite what we need,y'know, the low end, the driving basslines.' Theylook down their noses at you, especially if they
think their stuff is tip-top."
I loved Jimmy's use of such a quaint, oldfashioned phrase, and it took on a much more
cutting edge as Page beamed innocently. He
warmed to his theme.
"There's no standard, you know, about thereflective quality of the screen; some have very
bright images, some are very dull; same again
with the speakers and amplifiers. There's just no
standard. It really shocked me.
"One would have thought a chain of cinemas
would have standard equipment, but no! It wasawhole newworld to me! Slightly frustrating,but some cinemas have put in special speakers
for Tommy, Lisztomania and Earthquake."
How important was making the movie to Zeppelin's career as awhole?
"An incredible challenge, because we're not a bunch of chaps thatcompromise easily. When things went out of sync, for example, it justwent right against the grain. Having got over the hurdle of making it, it's
exhilarating to feel the response. NewYork was incredible. It's a great
relief that it's out.
"We didn't just want the film to be an in -concert type of thing, it had tohave bigger dimensions. InAmerica they have a lot of stereo broadcasts
linked with TVconcerts, so with the film we had to have more than justthe sound to capture the imagination."
Would Zeppelin find themselves in the strange position of having to live
up to a film when they start "live" gigs again?
"No - not really. The film ends up with 'Whole Latta Love', which we
only play a couple of bars of now. It means nothing here anyway -it's the
Top Of The Pops signature tune now! People who have beamed in on us at
a later date would think, 'What's that load of rubbish?'"They were getting a strangled soundwith the voices, so we took all this into

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711E SAME E)

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4.9881

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"It's by no means an easyjob to get the sound.

right in every venue. Cinema managers don't like it

if you say, 'Your equipment isn't quite what we need,

4.944.

espc 894 82 PW

y'know, the low end, the driving basslines.' They

"You see,ly a"Yousee, we
we werewere ononly
a weekweek oror so
so away
away

fromdate ofof aatour
tourwhenwhenthethe accident
accident
from thethe first
first date
thinktheir stuff is tip-top."
happened,and suddenlywe
suddenly we were...
were... letlet down,
down,
happened, and
There
is
a
not knowing
knowing at
all whatwhat waswas coming
coming inin thetheI loved Jimmy's use of such a quaint, oldnot
at allfashioned phrase, and it took on a much more
future.
offuture. There
There waswas aagreat
greatamountamount ofuncertainty.
very tight.
tight.
cutting edge as Page beamed innocently. He
uncertainty.Now
Now thethe groupgroup isis verygreat
feeling
warmed to his theme.
Nobodywentoff
off toto do
like
Nobodywent
do sessions
sessions ororanything
anything like
"There's no standard, you know, about thethat.
that. There
There isis aa greatgreat feelingfeeling inin thetheband,band,
reflective quality ofthe screen: some have very
y'know.
We'll bebe going
y'know. We'll
going onon forfor years!
years!
intheband.
"The good
good feelings
feelings areare still
still there.
there. Before
Before ourourbright images, some are very dull; same again"Thewith the speakers and amplifiers. There's just no
rehearsals forlast album
album began,
had nonorehearsals
for thethe last
began, we
we hadWell begoing
idea aa thing
thing like
like 'Achilles''Achilles' would
would comecome out,
out, andandstandard. It really shocked me.
idea"One would have thought a chain of cinemas
itwas
so exhilarating.
exhilarating. You
never know
knowwhatit was so
You neverwhat isisA?
would have standard equipment, but no! It was
going
going toto comecomearoundaround thethe cornercorner next,
next, andandon
for years!
that's thea whole newworld to me! Slightly frustrating,that'sthewhole
wholemagic
magicofofit."
it."but some cinemas have put in special speakers
Will.Zeppelin
Will
Zeppelinstart
startwork
workononanotheranother album
album
for Tommy, Lisztomania and Earthquake."yet, ororwilltheywait
until thethe soundtrack
soundtrackhas
course?
yet,will theywait until
has runrun its
its course?
Howimportantwasmakingthe movie to Zeppelin's career as a whole?
"Well,"Well,I'm
I'mgladgladyou
youcalledcalledititthe
thesoundtrack
soundtrack andand not
not aa 'live''live' album,
album,
becausewe havehave soso muchmuch good
good live
livestuff.
stuff.Obviouslywe
Obviouslywewere
werecommittedcommitted"An incredible challenge, because we're not a bunch of chaps that
because wecompromise easily. When things went out of sync, for example, it justtoalbum out,
out, althoughalthough it
it wasn't
necessarily thethe best
best live
live stuff
to putting
putting this
this album
wasn't necessarily
stuff
lot atat home.
home. I've
got aa couple
couple ofof longlong pieces
pieceswehave. I've
I'vebeen
beenworking
on aa lot
went right against the grain. Having got over the hurdle of making it, it's
we have.
working on
I've got
exhilarating to feel the response. New York was incredible. It's a greatthat would
that
would makemake good
good albums.
albums.
"We'vegot
gotsixlive
six liveconcerts
concertson
ontapetapewhichwhichwere
weregood
goodnights.
With aareliefthatit'sout.
"We'venights. With
"We didn't just want the film to be an in-concert type of thing, it had tocomputerised
computerised desk
deskyou
youcancanputyour
put your
mix
mix
down,
down,
leave
leave
ititinina
a box,
box, put
put itit on
on
two years
years later
later andand it's
it's exactly
exactly as
as youyouoriginallyoriginally plannedplanned it.
And you
you cancanhave bigger dimensions. In America they have a lot of stereo broadcasts
twoit. Andlinked with TV concerts, so with the film we had to have more than justbuild
build itit up
up gradually
gradually andand makemake aa lot
lotof
ofdramatic
dramaticchanges
changes within
within thethe spacespace
of aa four-minutefour -minute track.
track.
the sound to capture the imagination."
of
- and
and
Would Zeppelin find themselves in the strange position of having to live
"We'veat thetheRoyal
Royal Albert
Albert Hall
Hall inin 1970
1970"We've got
gotsomesome ancientancient stuff-live
stuff -live at
different versions
versions ofof
it'sinteresting tolisten toto now.
now. You
Youcancancompare
compare different
up to a film when they start "live" gigs again?
it's very
very interesting
to listen"No - not really. The film ends up with 'Whole Lotta Love', which wetunes
as they
they span
span aa couple
couple ofof years.
tunes asyears. AAchronologicalchronologicalcompilationcompilation isis thethething I've
always been
beenkeenkeenon,on,butbutthethesoundtrack
soundtrack came
came instead,instead, so
sothatthat
only play a couple of bars of now. It means nothing here anyway- it's thething
I've always
canwhile."
can bebe shelved
shelved forfor aawhile."
Top Of The Pops signature tune now! People who have beamed in on us atReturningto TheThe Song
Song Remains
Returning toRemains The
The Same,Same,did
didJimmy
Jimmyfeel
feelthere
therecould
could
a later date would think, 'What's that load of rubbish?'"On
America, we
have
have been
been more
more inin thethe movie
movieabout
about thetherunningrunning ofof thethe band,band, backstage
backstage"On thethe last
last tour
tour we
we diddid ofofAmerica,
we inin fact
factonly
onlyplayed
played eight
eight bars
bars ofofscenes, more
more ofPeterGrant.theirlegendarymanageratwork?
of Peter Grant, their legendary manager at work?
'Whole Lotta
Latta Love'
Love' without
without any
anyvocalititwas
link andand wewe werewereending
ending'Wholevocal was just
just aa linkscenes,with"Well,
moved onon fromfrom there.
there. We've
We've had
had two
two"Well,wewewerewererather
ratherdubious
dubiousabout
aboutputting
puttingsomething
something like
like thatthat down.
down.
with 'Stairway','Stairway', so
so youyou see,see, we've
we've moved
honest, II thought.
thought. [Thiswas aaThe scene
scene featuringfeaturing PeterPeter was
was pretty
pretty honest,
albumsalbums out
out since
since thatthat concert
concert was
was filmed-there's
filmed- there's aa wealthwealth ofofnew
new stuff.
stuff.
The[This wasreference toto thethe backstage
backstage management
management vspromoter hassle.]
hassle.] IIsuppose
suppose"We
referencevs promoter"Wehavehavealreadyalreadystarted
startedrehearsals
rehearsals andand areare pacing
pacing ourselves
ourselves towards
towardssawthat link-up
you noticed
noticed thethe silences,you? 1Idon't
don't knowifyou
know ifyou sawthat
touring.And
We havehave sosomanymany more
more good
good
touring.
AndI'mI'm really
reallylooking
looking forward
forwardto
to it.
it. Weyousilences, did
did you?
link-upepics
broadcastto thethe States
States whenPeter Cookbroadcast towhen they
they had
had Peter
Cook onon andand they
theyplayed
played part
part
epics toto getget into!"
into!"of Derek
Derek&Clive&CliveLive
Live
andthey
theyhadthebleeps
bleeps in?
in?Ifyou
Ifyou cancan lip
lip read,read, ititwas
was
Jimmy seemed
seemed as
as excited
excited as
as aakid
kidatatthe
theprospect
prospectof
ofZeppelin
Zeppelintouring
touring
Jimmy
of
and
had theagain,
of eight
eightyearsa& Clive.
a bit
bit like
like Derek
Derek &
Clive.
again, as
as if
ifthe
thebandband had
had formed
formed yesterday
yesterday instead
instead ofyears ago.
ago.
of that,that, butbut thethe thing
thing we
wewantedwanted most
most
"Possibly we
we could
could have
have had
had moremore ofembark on
on waswas going
going toto include
include"The"Possibly
we werewere going
going toto embark"The tour
tour ofof thethe worldworld we
was thethe pacepace toto build."
build." Jimmy
Jimmy snappedsnapped his"The film
filmcould
could
placescome together.
together. We'd
We'd stillwas
his fingers
fingers slowly.
slowly. "Theplaces like
like Cairo,
Cairo, but
but thatthat didn't
didn't comestill like
like totodo
dothatthathave been
been another
another conceptButhelluva lot
lot ofof
oneday,because
because you've
you've gotta
gotta have
have change,change, you
youcan't
can't stand
stand still.
still.
have
conceptaltogether.
altogether.
Butit
ityou
you have
have aa helluva
one day,"We'renow anddialogue,you stop
and wewe were"We're rehearsing
rehearsing now
and will
will start
start aa tour
tour inin February.
February. It'll
It'll bebe thethedialogue, then
then youstop thethe music
music altogether,altogether, andwere trying
trying toto keep
keep
the music
music going
going asasmuchmuch asas possible.
possible.We
Wedidn't
didn'twant
wantinterviews
interviews with
with eacheachStateswhen we'll
we'll bethe
States toto begin
begin with.
with. IIdon't
don'tknow
knowwhenbe backback toto England.
England.
Obviously
memberleave out
out thethe New
NewYork
York hotel
hotel
member oftheof the group.
group. We
We werewere going
going toto leave
Obviously next
nextyear
yearsometime,sometime, but
but II don't
don't
robbery -but
a documentary,
documentary, itit was
all true,
true, itithappened."
happened."robberybutit
it waswas a
was all
It
from
Ithad
hadstarted
started to
tobebeaadocumentary
documentary andand thenthen shied
shied away
awayfromthat - didn't it?
that-didn't
it?
PAGE;
It's
WARNER"Mmmm."
looked dubious.
dubious."Well, itWARNER 9"Mmmrn." Jimmy
Jimmy looked" Well,itwas
wasaamontage,
montage,
wmm
END
WEST
WEST END
the challenge,
challenge, tokeep itit fromfromwasn't it?"
it?" hehe said
said quietly.
quietly. "That"That was
was thewasn'tto keep
THURSDAYmassive
THURSDAYMfc..
just
it'saafair
old balance.
It could
just beinga
being a concert,concert, andandII think
thinkit'sfair oldbalance. It
could bebe\Nov. 44
NOV.
interesting toa fullfulldocumentary
documentary on
the group,group,
interesting
to do
do a
on thatthatside
side ofof the8,30 forfor 99 p.m.
8.30
y'know,
Getyour imagination
imagination
y'know, what
what goes
goes down.
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But it's
it's aa taster.
taster. Getyour
compromise
ss.
— t
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OVEORNIAL
working!" Chris
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DRESS
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look down their noses at you, especially if they

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HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
19761129HISTORY
I 129

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WorldMags.net

1976

1976

OCTOBERWB R"Democracy
has collapsed"a

THE STRANGLERS

THE STRANGLERS

don't rate "pay -avoid
clown" Johnny
Rotten or "Iggy
Bombom", but talk agood punk game.
"The trouble withrock in the last few
years," says Jean.
don't rate "paranoid

clown" Johnny

Rotten or "Iggy

Bombom",but talk agood punk game.

"The trouble withrock in thelast few

years," says Jean-

Jacques Burnel, "isthat it's becomeverbose, self
indulgent and safe."

Jacques Burnel, "isthat it's becomeverbose,self-

indulgent and safe."-

HUGH CORNWELL AND Jean -Jacques Burnel, Stranglers lead and bass

HUGH CORNWELL AND Jean-Jacques Burnel, Stranglers lead and bass

guitarists, are ready for me. The instant I walk through the door I'm
assailed by their criticisms of my review of their Marquee gig, which has
appeared in the morning's NME.
guitarists, are ready for me. The instant I walk through the door I'm

assailed by their criticisms of my review of their Marquee gig, which has
appeared in the morning's NME.

"You don't look so youngyourself.""Doyouyouconsider
consideryourself
yourselfmature,
mature,then?
then?"""Do"Cometell us"Come on,on, then,then, tell
us where
where we
we soundsound like
like 'The'The Doors'."
Doors'.""Do"Do you
you look
lookatatthe
theaudienceaudience when
when youyou reviewa
review a gig?
gig?"""Didyou"Did yousee
seehowhowthey
theywereweregetting
gettingoff
offon
onwhatwhatwewesaidsaidabout
aboutthetheMarquee?"
Marquee?"Andon...
And sosoon...
This
This isis justjustwhatwhat IIneed,
need,having
having leapt
leapt out
out ofofbed
bedlate,late,paid
paidthetheearth
earth forfor aa cab,cab, got
gotsoaked
soakedwalking
to theand whenwhen I'm
I'm still
to force
walking to
the interview,interview, got
got nono cigarettes,
cigarettes, had
had nono breakfast,
breakfast, andstill trying
trying toforce
myselfmyself awake.
awake. It's
It'sespecially
especiallygalling
gallingbecause,
because,apartapart fromfrom criticising
criticising thethe band's
band's "stance","stance", I'd
I'd
given
given them
them aa rare
rare review.
review. MusicallyMusicallythey
theyareareoneoneof
ofthe
themostmostexciting,exciting,adventurous
adventurous combos
combos
I've
I've heard
heard inin aa long
long time.
time.
Burnel, in
Burnel,in standard
standard issue
issue black
black leather
leather jacket,
jacket, andand Cornwell,
Cornwell, swamped
swamped into
into anan enormous,enormous,
ostentatiously
rippedovercoat,overcoat,analyse
analysemy
myreview
review point
pointbyby point.
ostentatiously ripped
point. It's
It's aa novel
novelexperience,experience,notnotsimplyI'm forced
at nosimply because
because I'mforced toto rigorously
rigorously defend
defend every
every word
word I've
I'vewritten,
written, but
but also
also because
because atnopoint
the interview/argument,
onour
ourwithdrawal
withdrawalto
tothe
thepub,pub, dodo thepoint during
during theinterview/argument, ororon
the two
two Stranglers
Stranglers
relax
suspicion ofof me.
relax their
their suspicionme.
They
thatthetheMarquee
Marqueeis
isdead,dead, despite
despitethe
thefact
fact that
thattwo
two ofof thisThey maintain
maintain that
this year's
year's most
most
successful
AC/DC andsuccessful newbands,
new bands, AC/DC
and Eddie
Eddie &The
& TheHot
HotRods,
Rods,have
havelaunchedlaunchedthemselves
themselves fromfromMarqueeresidencies. That
That thethe clubclub did
did notor strip
strip joint
joint years
ago isMarquee residencies.
not become
become aa discothequediscotheque or
years agoisalmostto befor.
almost enoughenough to
be thankful
thankful for.
Theylinking thethe Rods
Rods withwave, despite
the Rods
Rods are
They object
object totomy
mylinkingwith thethe new
newwave,
despite thethe fact
fact thatthat theare thethe
only
withthatthatscene
scenewho
whohavehave got
got nationwide
nationwideexposure
exposureon
onTV,
TV,
only band
band remotely
remotely connectedconnected withradio
in many
many people's
people's minds.
minds.
radio andand thethe road,road, andand therefore
therefore may
may epitomise
epitomise "punk""punk" in
They
They carp
carp atatmy
myDoors
Doorscomparison,comparison,thoughthoughit's
it'sundeniable
undeniable inintheir
theirlineup
lineupand
and their
their
keyboard
and leadlead-guitarstyles, while
keyboard and-guitar styles,
while they
they claim
claim it's
it's coincidencecoincidence thatthat Dave
Dave Greenfield
Greenfield bases
bases
his playing
playing aroundaround 3rds
3rds andand 5ths
5ths (Burnel(Burnel trying
trying toto blindblind meme withwith science)science) like
likeRay
RayManzarek.
his
Manzarek.
But
But whenwhen we
weget
getdown
downtotomy
mycriticism
criticismof
oftheir
theironstage
onstagerabble-rousing
rabble -rousing wewequickly
quicklydead-end
dead-end
ourselves;
ourselves; "But
"But IIthinkyou're
think you'rejust
justbatteringyour
battering your heads
heads against
against thethe wall."wall.""OK,"OK,sosowhere's
where'sthe
the wall?
wall?"""Er,"Er, um,
urn,well...
well...IIdunno,
dunno,IIsuppose
supposeit's
it'sthethemusic-biz
music -bizestablishment..."establishment..."And
And atat thisthis point
point IIconfess
confessto
tobeing
beingcheckmated.
checkmated.
But
be. See,But IIshouldn't
shouldn't have
have letletmyself
myselfbe.
See,The
TheStranglers
Stranglers get
getup
upon
onstagestageatatthe
theMarquee
Marqueeandandrant
rant
about
and telltell theto smashtheplace
place up
up after
the gig
gig ("Itabout its
its obsolescenceobsolescence andthe audienceaudience tosmash theafter the("Itwasn't
wasn't ananorder,
was suggestion").
ifyoudon't
don'tlike
like it,it, don'torder, ititwas
suggestion"). This
This IIfind
findquite
quiteunwarranted:
unwarranted: ifyou
don't play
play there.
there.
The
however, see
see thethe Marquee
Marqueeasasa
a majormajor stanchion
stanchion
thesystem
systemwh
which
The Stranglers,
Stranglers, however,ofofthei ch they
they
reckonreckon has
has repressed
repressed their
their talent.
talent. Like
Likemost
mostofoftheir
theirpunk/dole
punk/dolequeue/new
queue/newwave
wave rockrock
cohorts,
cohorts, they
they areare martyrs
martyrs andand rebels.
rebels.
Humbug.
Humbug.
Let's
Let's have
haveaalook
lookatathow
howmartyredmartyredandandrepressed
repressedthe
the Stranglers
Stranglers are.
are. They
Theyformed
formedthe
thebandband
just
just ayear
a yearago.
ago.Since
Sincethenthenthey've
they'vebeen
beenworking
workingconstantly;
constantly;they've
they'vesupported
supported Patti
Patti Smith
Smith »
"You don't look so youngyourself."

WorldMags.net
ROCK 1976
1976
130 I HISTORYHISTORY OF ROCK130-

DECEMBER 4
WiAr DECEMBER
4-WorldMags.net

Jean-JacquesBurnel

Jean-JacquesBurnel
rt1976:6assistthistory
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1976

OCTOBERocrn^mLR

use psychology. And that relies on the context and the situation.
United Artists. They've really had it tough, haven't they?
"Someone"Someone told
told meme they
they saw
sawJohnny
Johnny Rotten
Rottenandand hehelookedlookedbored,bored, andand thetheWhile they're on the subject, let's look at a couple of theirsecondsecond time
time hehe looked
looked bored,bored, andand thethe fourth
fourth time,
time, andand byby thethe fifth
fifth time
time
theywere
was thethe same...
same... aa stereotype.
stereotype. We'remuchcontemporaries. The SexPistols have just released ablow against thetheywere bored
bored because
because it
it wasWe're much
empire called "Anarchy In The UK", a pretty good thunderous single
more
more organicorganic than
than that."that.""Ithink
think thatthat whole
wholenew
newscene's
scene'sbeing
beingmanipulated,"
manipulated," CornwellCornwellsuddenly
suddenly
which I like a lot. But in so doing these "anarchists" have signed on as"Iminuscule fish in the colossal pond of EMI. Watch its foundations shake.
breaks inin fromfrom nowhere.
nowhere.
breaksOh, andThe
Oh,
and The Damned.
Damned. "Dole"DoleQueue
Queue
Rock",
Rock",isis it?
it? Look,
Look, mate,mate, II was
was onon thethe
By
ByMalcolm?
Malcolm?
dole"Anddole forfortwotwoyears
yearstryingto
trying tolaunch
launch aarockrockband.
band.ItIthadhadnonobearing
bearing"Andotherother people
people too,
too,who've
who'vegot
gotfinancial
financial interests
interests inin it.
it.They're
They'rewhatsoever
to setmanipulating
thekids
kidsaway
away fromfrom what
they really,whatsoever onon thethe kindkind ofof music
music we
we played,
played, andand wewe didn't
didn't presume
presume toset
manipulating thewhat they
really, y'know..."y'know..."To
ourselves up
up as
as spokesmen
spokesmen for
Queue Kids.
Towhatwhatextent
extent does
does your
your audienceaudience clash
clash oror mix
mixwithwith theirs?
theirs?
ourselvesfor somesome great
greatnew
newbreed
breedofofDoleDole QueueKids.
The Damned
Damned claim
be society's
society's rejects
rejects --aa very
very lucrative
lucrative business.
business.
"There's aacertain
certain amountamount ofoverlap," Hugh
Hugh reckons,
reckons, "but"but wewedon't
don'tThe
claim toto be
"There'sof overlap,"
attract
people...."
attract thethe hard-corehard-core manipulated
manipulated people...."HE TIME
TIMEHAPPENSHAPPENStotobe
berightrightforforaanewnewyouth
youthcraze,craze, andand selfselfaskwhyThe
Stranglers are
sneered atthose circles.
THE
II askwhy The Stranglers
are sneeredat inin thosecircles.
styledYoung Men"For
styled Angry
AngryYoung
Men areare it.
it. It's
It's aalong
longtime
timesince
sinceanyone
anyone had
had"Fornot
notdigginglggy
digging Iggyand
andthetheStooges
Stoogesand
andtelling
tellingthem
them so,"
so,"erupts
eruptshad anhad
an easiereasier route
route toto aarecording
recordingcontract
contract than
than thethe Pistols,
Pistols,
Burnel. "And,Burnel.
"And, er,
er,notnotdigging
digging really
really on
onplastic
plastic andand not
not going
going down
down King's
King'sRoad
we've been
Stranglers, Damned
Damned andand Vibrators-noneVibrators - none ofof whom
whom have
have been
been playing
playing
Road toto thethe Roebuck
Roebuckand
and thethe Sex
Sexshop.
shop.That's
That'swhy
whywe'vebeen ignored
ignoredStranglers,inthe ironicironic fact
fact isain public
public forformoremorethanthan aayear
year-- andand theis thatthat their
their
a lot.
lot. We've
We've been
been slated
slated byby thethe hip
hip scene,
scene, only
only because
because we
we don't
don't wanna
wanna
overnight
success is
is partly
beintothattrip."overnight successpartly due
due toto playing
playing up
up thethe way
way thethe rockrockbeinto that trip."
establishment isis supposedly
them.
Seems toto me
me these
these guys
is to
to be
bereally
really ignored.
ignored. Later
Later
establishment
supposedlytrying
tryingto
tomakemakelife
life difficult
difficult forfor them.
Seems
guys have
have nono idea
idea what
what itit isTheof theon
The Stranglers
Stranglers claim
claim toto be
be different
different toto thethe otherother bands
bands ofthe newwave
newwaveon Burnel
Burnel tells
tells me:me: "Maybe"Maybe we're
we're notpopularbecausewedon'tsingabout
not popu lar becausewe don't sing about-whileclaim toa placeplaceininits
itshierarchyhierarchy -because
arepleasant
flowers
you'," which
which isiseithereither barebare- whilestill
still laying
laying claim
to abecause they
they arepleasantlittle
little meadows
meadowsand
andflowersand11
and T love
love you',"
"more
faced
"more politicallypolitically aware",aware", andand areare not
not just
just into
into showbiz,
showbiz, which
which they
they reckon
reckonfaced double
double talkor
talk oraacomplete
completemisunderstanding
misunderstanding oftheof thecurrentstatuscurrent statusa lot
alot ofof thethe otherotherbands
bands are.
are. Their
Their politics?
politics? Well,
Well, that's
that's aa tricky
tricky one
one--let's
let's
quo.
quo. Arealistic
A realisticrephrasing
rephrasing would
would be:be: "maybe"maybe wewe areare sosopopular
popularbecause..."because..."
leave
The
to oneleave itit tilltill later.
later.
The Stranglers,
Stranglers, standing
standing to
one sidesidewithin
within thethe punk
punk explosion,
explosion, cancanButactually
the benefitsof theBut they
they spout
spout many
many ofofthe
thesamesamelitanies
litanies as
as thethe otherother bands.
bands. For
Foractually reap
reap thebenefits ofthe scene
scene without
without forgoing
forgoing their
their
instance,
it's now
independence?
"Bythetheendendof
ofnextweek there's
going to
to be
be 20
instance, it's
now apparently
apparently dede rigueur
rigueur forforless
lessmainstream
mainstream punks
punks totoindependence? "By
next week
there's going
20 newpunk
new punk
bands," mocks
they're alldenybands,"
mocks Burnet.
Burnel. "And"And they're
all going
going totodeny any
any knowledge
knowledge ofof thethe Stooges
Stooges before
before this
this
year.
like tobething. It's
It's justbe likeyear. TheThe Stranglers
Stranglers liketo be
be classifiedclassified asas
be doing
doing thethe samesame thing.
just gonna
gonna belike
psychedelic, though
they're at
at pains
pains toto telltell mea
we're going
psychedelic,though they'reme
a big
bigmelee...
melee... andand we'regoing toto comecome out
out fromfrom"We'redueforexactlywhatpsychedeliaofunderneath. Because
direction toaexactly
what psychedeliais
is notnot (hippies,(hippies, ofunderneath.
Because there's
there's nono direction
to acourse),disclaim any
any knowledge
knowledge ofofthe
lot oflot
ofthem;them; thethe only
onlydirection
direction isis aa commercial
commercial
course), andand disclaim
theNuggetsbands
bands who
who appear
appear tobe suchsuch aa strong
strongone, which
which isis very
verysuccessful."
successful."
Nuggets
to beone,
tyranny.
influencethem(Electric(Electric Prunes,
Prunes, Standells,
Standells,
Cornwell
influence onanthemCornwell mulls
mulls this
this over
over toto himself
himself while
while
etc, etc)etc)IIcan't
can'thelp
helpthinking
thinking they
theyarearedonningdonning
Burnel andand II discuss
discuss Steve
Miller as
as aa brief
brief
etc,
BurnelSteve Miller
Peoplelaugh,adiversion,
gives mediversion, then
then suddenly
suddenly gives
me hishisopinion
opiniona mantle
mantle they've
they've misconstrued.
misconstrued.
Anotherwhen
Burnel backback to
Another newwave
newwave litany:
litany: they
they refuse
refuse toto reveal
revealwhen II turn
turn Burnel
to thethe Pistols,
Pistols, Clash
Clash
what
It
and
what they
they were
were doing
doing before
before The
The Stranglers.
Stranglers. It
and Damned.
Damned.
but
I
think
it
later slips
slips out
out thatthat two
two have
haveteachingteaching experience.
experience.
"Well,they
theyrelyrelyaalot
loton
ontheir
theirconnections
connections with
with
later
"Well,
And
Jean-Jacquesthesort ofof agoraphobia
young kids.
And another:another: Jean
-Jacques recites
recites his
his "criteria"criteria
the mental
mental sortagoraphobia ofofyoung
kids.
could
happen"for good
good rock"rock" -- "It's"It's gotta
gotta bebe energetic,
energetic, it's
it's gotta
gotta
So 1Ithink
thinkthey're
they'rerelying
relyingvery
little upon
upon their
their
for
So
very littlerock,music:
relying much
more onon therock, it's
it's gotta
gotta bebeeconomic
economic andand it's
it's gotta
gotta bebemusic; they're
they're relying
much more
the waywayaware. It's
It's gotta
gotta bebeneo-revolutionary,neo-revolutionary, even
even if
ifit'saware.
it's
justfuckingpeople's
venue, politicaljust fucking people's heads
heads about
about aavenue,
political
at that
atthat low
low aa level.
level.And
Andthethetrouble
troublewith
with rockrock inin thethe last
last
fewyears
fewyears isis thatthat it's
it's become
become verbose,verbose, self-indulgent
self-indulgent
and safe."
andsafe."
What"safe"rock?
rock? II cite
What constitutes
constitutes "safe"
cite TheThe Kinks,
Kinks, andandmost major
major beat
beat groups,
groups, as
examples of
great
most
as "safe""safe" examplesof greatrock.
rock. Yet
YetlaterlaterI Iwind
windupuparguingarguingCornwellCornwelland
andBurnel's cause
cause bybywondering
whether inin thesetheseBurnel's
wondering whether
austeretimes thethe emergence
emergenceof
ofaa "new"new Rolling
austere times
Rolling
Stones"Stones" might
might notnot bebe aa more
more real
real threat
threat toto socialsocialstability
the originals
originalswere
were inin theirtheir heyday.
heyday.
stability than
than the(In fact,
fact,while
whileititmay
maybe
alittlelittlecomplacentcomplacent of
ofme
to
(In
be a
me to
point
is
point itit out,out, thetheso-calledso-called rockrockrevolution
revolution-- which
which is£A
nowadays sneeredsneered at
as aafailure
failure-- did,
did, undeniably,
undeniably,
nowadays
at as
f
play
for,
play some
some kind
kind ofof roleroleininsettingsetting thethe socialsocial climate
climate for,¥S
say, thet he legalisation
legalisation ofofhomosexuality
homosexuality andand abortion,abortion,say,theVietnam,the endend oftheof t heAmerican
Americanpresence
presencein
inVietnam,
Watergate, andWatergate,
and most
most non-economical
non- economical leftward
leftward*developments
ofthe
thepastpast1010 years,
years, fromfromthetheSLA
SLA todevelopments of
to
i n
*
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Women's
Lib.)
I
Anotherwave litany:
Another new
newwavelitany: "There's"There's nothingnothing worse
worse
than
apathyor
orsmugness
smugnessrockgig."
gig."
than apathy
atataarock■
This
This fromfrom Burnel,
Burnel, who
who does
does most
most ofof thethe talking
talking ininAhis
schoolvoice.
voice. Cornell,
Cornell, who
who sits,sits,
his jumpy,
jumpy, boarding
boarding schoolhead
the two
two ofof us,
head bowed,
bowed, between
between theus,occasionallyoccasionally
fixes
fixes meme quizzicallyquizzically andand chucks
chucks inin somesome remark.
remark.
The Stranglers:
TheStranglers:"Peopleat thewe take"People areare often
often surprised
surprised at
the stances
stances wetake atat(I-r)JJean-Jacquesea n-Jacgues(l-r)
gigs,"hehe tells
tellsme.
me."We"Weonly
onlytaketakeaastancestancebecause
because it's
it's
gigs,"
Burnel,Jet
BurnelJet Black,
Black,
Dave
Greenfield
betterthantakingno
DaveGreenfield
better than taking no stancestance at
at all.
all. YouYou put
put overover thethea ngHugh
HughCornwellCornwellang—^•music inin thethe best
best way
possible," says
says Burnel.
Burnel. "So
you
music
way possible,""So you

on both her media blitz tours, and they've now landed a contractwith
UnitedArtists. They've reallyhad it tough, haven't they?
While they're on the subject, let's look at a couple of theircontemporaries. The SexPistols have just released a blow against theempire called "AnarchyIn The UK", a pretty good thunderous single
which I like a lot. But in so doing these "anarchists" have signed on as
minuscule fish in the colossal pond ofEMI. Watch its foundations shake.
on both her media blitztours, and they've nowlanded a contractwith

use psychology. And that relies on the context and the situation.

"We're due fortyranny.
People laugh,but I think it
could happen"ttiWorldMags.net

132 I

132 I HISTORY1976
HISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976

THE8TRANGLER8
THE STRANGLERS

WorldMags.net
that they're identifiable with their audiences.
I think they've been manipulated."
The bands or the audience, it's not clear. I put

probably holds similar luxuries for them, andlabourfact that
doss around.
Y'know,
I think they've been manipulated."labour thethe fact
that they
they dossaround. Ylknow,"Rotten s
too
The bands or the audience, it's not clear. I put
realreal andand street...
street... andand boring.
boring.
it totohim
him thatthat inin aa way
waythethekids
kidsmay
mayhavehavebeen
been
it
Returning
to Nazi
Nazi fetishism,
Jean tells
tells meReturning tofetishism, Jeanme it's
it's
manipulatedasymptomofsomething
deeper,thecountry
manipulated into
into thatthat agoraphobia
agoraphobia anyway.
anyway.
asymptomofsomething
deeper,thecountry
stupidto be
beingtime since"Youreckon?
reckon?You
Youdon't
don'tthink
thinkthere's
there's anyany"Youbeing weakerweaker than
than at
at anyanytimesince Cromwell
Cromwellthere
wayjust(hey,
there any
anywayjust because
because ofofdisillusionment,
disillusionment,(hey,youyoucancan telltell which
which one
one taught
taught history).
history). HeHe
a signsign ofofthe
the times?"
times?"
asaw
recently andsaw Cabaret
Cabare trecently
and reckons
reckons ititparallels
parallelsawareofHavingin nocontemporary
Britain.
Having suggested
suggested it,
it,I'mI'mactuallyactuallyinnocontemporary Britain.
position totohazard
hazard any
anykindof guess
positionkind of"I think
whetheryou're
you're into
into itguess asas totothinkwhether
it oror not,not, it's
it's
anything larger
whethergonna
You knowPlato'stheory
whether I'm
I'm right
right ororwrongwrong- except
except that
that
gonna happen.
happen. You
know Plato's theory that,
that,
discontent rarely
breeds unprompted.
unprompted. But
discontent
rarely breeds
But I
I
um,
urn, democracy
democracy leads
leads toto oligarchy,
oligarchy, oligarchy
oligarchy
canleads
can suggest
suggest thatthat had
had many
many ofthenewbands'of the new bands'
leads totoaristocracy,
aristocracy, andand aristocracy
aristocracy leads
leads totothanhimself"
current audienceago,
current
audienceseen
seenthem
themcoldcolda
a yearyear ago,tyranny,tyranny, or...
or... there's
there's definite
definite progressions,progressions,theirreaction might
might well
well havetheir instantinstant reaction
have been
been
systems,they always
always recycle.
recycle. Well,
systems, andand theyWell,IIthink
think
that itit was
was absoluteabsolute crap.
crap.
that
democracy
has totally
totallycollapsed,
collapsed,it's
it'slost
lostall
all its
its credibility.
credibility. So
So we'redemocracy has
we're duedue forfor"Oh
tyranny.
People laughEngland isis thethe last
lastplace"Ohsure,"sure,"Jean-JacquesJean -Jacquesagrees.
agrees."The"Thefactthattheyplay
fact that theyplay badly
badly andandtyranny. People
laugh at
at that,that, because
because Englandplace forfor that,that,
people say,say, 'So'So what?'peoplesnobbery, isn't
isn't it?"it?"butwhat?' That's
That's inverted
inverted snobbery,but IIreally
reallythink
think ititcould
couldhappen."
happen.""I
But"Ireckonreckon aa lot
lot ofthemof themsuffer
sufferfrom
frombadbadmusicalmusical systems,"
systems," says
says Cornwell.
Cornwell.
But you
youareareat
atthe
thecentre
centre ofofthatthat scene,
scene, more
more oror less,less,with
with thethe kids
kidsthat
that"Y'know,
the PA's
PA'sterrible
terrible andand ititjust
just comes
comes out
out asas aadin.
din. Once
Once they
they getgettheir
their"
Y'know, thewear
Nazi emblems.
Obviouslylittle
littleboys
boyslike
likeEater
Eaterjjust
wear Nazi
emblems. Obviously
ust seesee itit as
as aapretty
prettymusicaltogether, then
thenyou'll
you'llbebeableabletoto really
reallyjudge
patternon theirtheirtrousers,
trousers,but
butdo
doyou
thinksomeofthesekids aremusical systems
systems together,judge if
if they're
they'repattern on
you thinksome ofthese kids
are really
reallydoing
anything."
doing anything."
right
right wing
wing politically?
politically?
IIsuggestthat
have to"No,"sayssuggest thatmaybe
maybepeople
people don't
don't pickup
pick upon
onrebels-theyrebels -theyhave
to bebe"No," saysJean.
Jean."They're"They'renot
notpoliticallypoliticallyrightwingright wingbut
butthey're
they're politicallypolitically
told: this
this isa rebelrebel forfor you.
you. Burnel
Burnel agrees
told:
is a
agrees andand cites
cites James
James Dean
Dean as
as an
an
ripe,
ripe, IIreckon.
reckon.Until
Untilthere's
there'sanother
another symbol
symbol toto replace
replace thethe swastika,
swastika, oror
exampleofthis.
another
ideal, they're
they'regonna
gonnastick
sticktoto thatthat one.
one. It's
It's gotta
example ofthis. "We"Weneededneeded heroes,
heroes, so
so pick
pickoneoneout."out." (Certainly(Certainly it's
it's
another ideal,
gotta bebe as
as strongstrong asasamusing
to think
thinkofof thethe number
numberof
ofpeople
peoplewho
who stuck
stuck pix
pix ofthat...
it's gotta
gotta bebe seento beamusing toof DeanDean onon their
theirthat... it's
seen tobe as
as strongstrong as
as that,that, asas energetic
energetic asas that.
that.
"But
the next
next 10
10 years.
walls duringthe
during the great
great 20th
20th Anniversary
Anniversary media
media madness.
madness.
walls"But it'll
it'llhappen
happen within
within theyears. Very
Verystrange
strangethings
things areare"It's thethesamesame with
with thethe music
music scene
scene at
at thethe moment,"
moment," opines
opines Burnel.
Burnel.
"It's
happening,very strange
he adds
adds darkly,
darkly, "andhappening, very
strange undercurrents,"
undercurrents," he"and they're
they're"They'regettingand louder."louder.""They're picking
picking out
outoldoldheroes
heroesbecause
becauseat
atthe
themoment
momentthey're
they're still
stilltrying
tryinggetting louder
louder andtoget new
newheroes
IggyBombom
Bombom isisbecoming
becoming
to getheroes together.
together. That's
That's why
why Iggy...
Iggy... Iggy
Yes.
to it.
Yes,but
butwhatwhat IIwant
wantisisyour
yourattitudeattitude toit. As
Asone
oneof
ofthe
theleading
leadingbands,
bands,
whatwould
a cultcult figure.
figure.
awhat would your
your influence
influence be
be onon thethe waythesewaythese kids
kids think?
think?
"The thing
thing is,is,there
therearen't
aren't any"The
Cornwell;any heroes.
heroes. Politically
Politically there
there areare nonoheroes
heroesCornwell: "Well,"Well,they
theywant
want totobelong
belong totosomething."
something."
Burnel:to believe
believe ineither; that's
that's why
why everything's
everything's goinground in circles,
very directionless."
directionless."
either;goingroundincircles, very
Burnel: "Theywant"Theywant aa change:change; theywant
theywant toin something.
something. And
And
that
is a
that isa veryverystrong
strong image.
image. They
They definitely
definitely don't
don't wanna
wanna bebe associatedassociated
ALTHOUGH
withALTHOUGHTHE
THESTRANGLERSSTRANGLERSplay
playtotally
totallydifferent
differentmusic
music
with leftist
leftist things:
things; there
there aren't
aren't any
any leftist
leftist heroes
heroes really..."really..."from most
most punk
punk bands,
bands, they
they are,Tellthatthat totothe
theRussians,
Russians,Chinese,
Chinese,Cubans
Cubans andandYugoslays...
from(if more
Tell
Yugoslavs...
are, asas I've
I've said,
said, similar
similar (ifmore"They'rethe leftist
leftist ones."
articulate) inin theirtheir attitudeattitude -- much
much ofit, IIsuspect,suspect, received
received
articulate)of it,"They're not
not street-levelstreet -levelheroes:
heroes;they're
they're all
all intellectuals,
intellectuals, theones."
from rockrock critics'
critics' post-Velvets
post -Velvetspunk
punkintellectualisations.
intellectualisations.
from
Come
Come again?
again?
Maybe
they cancan shed
shed aa light
light on"Leftiston thethe Nazi
Nazi fetishism
fetishism thatthat had
had crept
crept inin
"Leftist heroes
heroes were
wereveryverymuchmuchmiddle-classmiddle-class heroes.
heroes. Theywant
They want
Maybe they
here
here somehow.
somehow. "Well,"Well, it's
it'sjust
just'cos'costhatthatisisthetheonly
onlything
thingaround,around, thethe only
only
warriorwarrior heroes..."heroes..."vibe, thatthat isis united
united andand withwith aa certain
certain direction,"
direction," Hugh
Wewanderwander up
up thisthis blind
blind alley
awhile,haven't gotavibe,
Hugh reckons.
reckons. "People"PeopleWe
alley awhile, till!
till 1 realise
realiseI1 still
still haven't
got awant direction."
direction."wantstraight
straight answer.
answer.
"Everyone isisparanoid,"paranoid," Jean
Jean tells
tells meme fervently.
fervently. "There's"There's decay
decay
You're very
very good"Everyone
You'reside ofgood at
at doom-mongering,
doom -mongering, Jean,
Jean, but
but whichwhich sideof thetheeverywhere. We've
We'vealways
alwayslived
livedwithwiththetheassumption
assumption thatthat things
things were
were
everywhere.
barricades
do youbarricades doyou lineline up?
up?He'sHe'sboasting
boastingabout
abouthis
hismusicalmusicalsophistication
sophistication
getting
being
getting better
better andand better
better materially,materially, progress
progress all
all thethe time,time, andand suddenly
suddenly
being "another"another weapon"
weapon" inin hishis "armoury","armoury", but...
but... do
do youyou consider
considerit'slike,youyouhearhear every
everydaydaythere's
there's aa crisis.
crisis. Things
Things being
being laid
laid off,
off, people
peopleit's like,yourselvesto havepolitical message
messagebeyond,beyond,er,
er, self
self-liberation?
yourselves tohave any
any sort
sort ofofpolitical-liberation?
arenot working.
"Well,yes,"
yes,"hehesays.
says.Then,
Then,after
afterwe've
we'vebeen
beentalkinglittle
talking littleexcept
except politics
politics
are networking.
"Well,"Everything's coming
grinding halt,"
he goesmoving"Everything's
coming toto aa grinding
halt," hegoes on,on, while
while IIstart
start moving
for nearlyfornearly an
an hour,hour, hehe hashas thethe nerve
nerve toto telltell me:me: "But"Butthis
this isisneither
neither thethe timetimetoward the
Selfridges forfor aa gas
gas mask.
mask. "No
"Nooneone sees
sees anyany
nor placeplace tointo it."towardthe door
door toto nipnip out
out toto Selfridges
nor
to getget into
it."heroes.
Totally
they don't
heroes. The
The politicians
politicians have
have lost
lost their
their credibility:
credibility; politicalpolitical philosophies
philosophies
Totally bemused,
bemused, II try
try toto coerce
coerce them
them byby suggestingthat
suggesting that ififthey
don't
are nono longerlonger relevant.
relevant.Sure,
Sure,they
theywant
something dynamic."
dynamic."
arewant somethingstate
themselves,they
theyleave
leave itit up
state their
their position
position themselves,up toto people
people toto makemake upup their
their
Those sort
sort ofofparanoid
paranoid fantasises
fantasises used
used toto enticeentice me
Thoseownwith all
all this
fascistme whenwhen II waswas aa speedspeed own minds-andminds- and withthis gush
gush about
about thethe imminent
imminent fascist
freak,
days. Still,
Still, I
freak, but
but I1 can't
can't work
work myself
myself into
into aa terror
terror these
these days.
Isuggest
suggest thethe oneone
apocalypse, well...
apocalypse,
well...
about thethe Stones
Stones not
"But
about
not being
being soso dangerous,
dangerous, as
as theytheyarrived
arrived inincomparatively
comparatively"But we're
we'renotnotassociating
associating ourselves
ourselves with
with any
any ofof thethe otherother bands,"
bands," Burnel
Burnelaffluent
The Stranglers
Stranglers agree.
agree. II ask
ask ifif they
they reckon
reckon Johnny
Johnny Rotten
Rotten isprotests.
right out
out onon aalimb
limbmusicallymusicallyand
andphilosophically..."philosophically..."affluent times.
times. The
isprotests. "We're"We're rightgoing to
going
to be
besubsumed
subsumed into
into thethe systemsystem inin thethe way
way thatthat Mick
Mick Jagger
Jaggerbecame
became"Hey,it?" muses
who's"Hey, thatthat sounds
sounds aa really
really heavy
heavy work,
work, doesn't
doesn't it?"muses thethe guy
guywho'stolerated as
our kindkind ofof ambassador
ambassador of
Swingin' London
London freakiness.
freakiness.
beentoleratedas ourof Swingin'
been reciting
reciting Plato.
Plato.
of"Definitely," Burnel
Burnel asserts.
asserts. "Because"Because he's
he's too
too stupid
stupid to
to be
be awareaware of
"Definitely-"
STRANGE INTERVIEW.
anything
than himself.
Togetgettotothat
thatpowerful
powerfulposition
position-because
anything larger
larger thanhimself. To- because
ASTRANGE
INTERVIEW.THE
THEStranglers
Stranglersare
arepossibly
possiblythe
the most
mostrock
is probably
probably thethe most
most powerful
powerful medium
medium inrockisin thethe worldworld forforyoungpeople
self-righteous
young people
self-righteous intervieweesinterviewees I've
I've met,
met,modishlymodishlyarrogant
arrogant about
about
A
-- to
to getget totothatthat position,
position, IIthink
think Rotten
Rotten is
istoo
toostupid,
stupid, having
having talked
talked toto him,him,.theirtheir musicalmusical worth,worth, andand convinced
convinced they
they have
have aa partto play
part toplay in
in
to bethat. He's
He's nottoato
be awareaware ofofanything
anything broader
broader than
than that.
not coherent
coherent enoughenough toa socialsocial upheaval
upheaval they
they maybe
maybe paranoiacallyparanoiacally see
see evidenced
evidenced inin thethesacrificefuture gain."gain."
physicaltrapping of
an in -crowd whom,
whom, paradoxically,paradoxically, they
they sneer
sacrifice present
present gain
gain forfor future
physical trapping
ofanin-crowdsneer at
at
"Ifeelfeelreally
reallysorry
sorryforforhim,"him,"CornwellCornwellstatesstatesdrily,
drily,"because"because he's
he's
"Ifor being trend
fol lowers. Yet
for'being
trend followers.
Yetwhenwhen ititcomes
comestotothe
thecrunch,crunch, forfor alallI their
theirparanoid
himself in.And
he's got
gottotomaintain
maintain this
thisonstage aggression,
aggression, they
they won't
won't commit
commit themselves.
themselves.
paranoid about
about what
what he's
he's put
put himself
in. And he's
onstagestanceto thethe sacrificesacrificeofof hishis own
If you ever
ever try
talk toto himThey arelive aton December
10, andstance toown head.
head. Ifyou
try andand talk
him youyou
They
are recording
recording liveat thethe Nashville
Nashville on
December 10,
and they're
they'recan't
any sort
sort of,of, you
you can't
can't rap
rap toto himhim about,
about, like,
like, what
what thethe problems
problems
going into
into aa studiostudio at
at thethe endend ofof thethe month
month torecord aa single,
single, either
either "Go
can't getget any
going
to record"Go
are.
He's always
always wanting
wanting to
I feelfeelveryverysorry
sorryforforhim,him,because
becauseare. He's
to keep
keep itit going.
going. I
Buddy
kely "Grip".
an
Buddy Go"Go" oror moremore lilikely"Grip".The
Thesingle's
single'soutoutlatelateJanuary
January andand anhe's
he's aa paranoid
paranoid clown."
clown."
album, hopefully,
album,
hopefully, inin February.
February.
They
don't consider
consider thecontract aa sellout, thoughthough they
they dodo
They don't
the Pistols'
Pistols' EMI
EMI contract
sell-out,
I'm notof theirbut makemake nono
I'm
not enamoured
enamoured of
their spoken
spoken pronouncements,
pronouncements, but
say thethe Sex
SexPistols
Pistolslost
lostcredibility
credibilitythroughthrough it
it andand by,by,forforinstance,
instance, staying
staying
mistakeare great
great musiciansmusicians whosaymistake about
aboutit,it, these
these guys
guys arewho areare going
going toto makemakein first-class
to Cornwell,records thatthatwillbe playedout. AndAnd asTheinfirst-class hotels
hotels when,
when, according
according toCornwell, they
they had
had said
said they'dthey'drecords
will beplayed till
till theywear
theywear out.
as The Stranglers
Stranglers are
are
never
do that.
that. Even
Even so,so,The
TheStranglers
Stranglersare
arereluctant
reluctant totoadmitadmit thethefuture
futurewellaware, thatpower.
PhilMcAleill
never dowell aware,
thatmeansmeans
power.
Phil McNeill 0•
probablyholdssimilarluxuries for them, andthat they're identifiable with their audiences.

ccliotten's too

stupid to beaware ofanything larger
than himself'

WorldMags.net

1133

HISTORY
ROCK 1976
1976 I 133
HISTORY OF ROCK

1976
I

WorldMags.net

I

OCOBR
flcroBER-^-V

The Eagleson stage in
1976,
1976,following
following thethe
The Eagles on stage indeparture of Bernie
Leadononeofthefour
Leadon,oneof
the fourfounders
founders ofof thethe group
group
departure of BernietWorldMags.net

134 HISTORY OF ROCK 1976
134 I HISTORY OF ROCK 1976

WorldMags.net

has

been

EAGLES

EAGLES

I

*

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t

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/

WorldMags.net
HISTORY1976
HISTORY OF
OF ROCK 1976

1135
135

1976
oc.

WorldMags.net

ycrOBER-^51

Rsessions were crammed into spare days when the band wasn't playing
live and, like all their albums, it reflects the cautious approach that theband have towards all their albums.
It seems, at times, as if all the individual words and notes, all the
intricate little harmonies and all the little background guitar chops, arecarefully considered before insertion. Sometimes the results are almost
too good to be true, but usuallythey produce the best floating harmonies,
effortlessly easy-going music, since The Everly Brothers.
sessions were crammed into spare days when the band wasn't playing

MELODY MAKER DECEMBER 11- MELODY MAKER DECEMBER 11 -live and, like all their albums, it reflects the cautious approach that the

HAT'S IT LIKE, I asked, being an Eagle? Glenn

WHAT'S IT LIKE, I asked, being an Eagle? Glenn

Frey, a perpetual talker, paused to consider
the question and the silence lasted almost aminute. "Oh well... it's not unlike anything I've
Prey, a perpetual talker, paused to consider

band have towards all their a Ibums.

It seems, at limes, as if all the individual words and notes, all thethe question and the silence lasted almost a

intricate little harmonies and all the little background guitar chops, areminute. "Oh well... it'snot unlike any thing I've

carefully considered before insertion. Sometimes the results are almost

too good to be true, but usually they produce the best floating harmonies,
done all my life. It's not unlike being in any otherband, butband,
but thethe worldworld aroundaround me
me seems
seems toto changechangeeffortlessly easy-going music, since The Everly Brothers.
its
on me
me as
as muchas I
I changeon it.
it. So
So whatits perspective
perspective onmuch aschange mymy perspective
perspective on
what itit
isass."
HE NEW
ALBUM isis really...
really... it's
it's aa pain
pain inin thethe ass."THE
NEWALBUM
isbasedbasedloosely
looselyaroundaroundaaconcept
conceptin
inthatthat the
the
Frey
State
Frey andand DonDon Henley
Henley collapsed
collapsed into
into laughter.
laughter.
State ofofCalifornia
California represents
represents aa hotel
hotel whose
whose guests
guests have
have
"What hehe meansmeans byby that,"that,"saidsaidHenley,
Henley,attempting
attempting totointroduce
introduce anansomehow reachedreached thethe day;somewhat vaguely
it's
"What
somehow
the endend ofof theday; somewhat
vaguely it's
element
over
supposed
to chronicle
chronicle thethedecaying
decayingmorals
moralsof
ofthe
the '70s.
'70s. Frey
Frey andelement ofof seriousness
seriousness into
into anan interviewthat
interview that had
had alreadya I readylasted
la stedwell
welloversupposed toand Henley
Henleyanhour, "is"is thatthat especially
especially overthe past
past year
year we
we havehave felt
feltaatremendous
tremendous
don't enjoy
enjoy explaining
explaining thethe meaning,
meaning, which
far less
less obvious
obvious than
than thethe
an hour,over thedon'twhich isis faramountof pressure.
pressure. It's
It's almost
almost harderharderonce
onceyou
you getget toto thetop ofwesternconcept ofof Desperado,amount of
the topof thethewestern concept
Desperado, their
their second
second album.
album.
mountain thanmountainthanititis
is climbing
climbing it.
it. It's
It's hard
hard toto stay
stayupuptherethereandandmaintain
maintain it.
it.
Musically
Musically ititfeaturesfeatures more
more extremes:
extremes: thethe lusher
lusher cuts
cuts areare asas mellow
mellow asas thethe"I
Eagleswhere one
one trackis
as an"Iadmire
admire thethe Stones,
Stones,nonomattermatter what
what IIthink
thinkabout
abouttheir
their music,
music,because
becauseEagles have
have evereverbeen,
been,even
eventotothe
thepoint
pointwheretrack is reprised
reprised asanthey've
Paul Simon
instrumental
with only
they've stuck
stuck there.
there. II admire
admire Paul
Simon andand The
The WhoWho simply
simplybecause
because
instrumental with
only aa string
string section
section playing,playing, while
while thethe uptempo
uptempothey'vematerial
along withthat mustJoe
they've stuck
stuck aroundaround andand not
not burnedburned themselves
themselves out.
out. It's
It's hard
hard because
becausematerial bounces
bounces alongwith aa harshness
harshness thatmust have
have comecome fromfrom Joe
you loselose aa lot
lotof
offriends
Walsh. Surprisingly,
Surprisingly, Walsh's
only composercomposer credit
song hehe wrotewrote
youfriends along
along thetheway."way."
Walsh.
Walsh's only
creditisis aa slow
slow song"Beingsaid Frey,someWalsh's defunct"Being anan Eagle
Eagle cancan bebe aa handicap,"handicap," saidFrey, "but"butonly
onlybecause
becauseofwhat
ofwhatsome time
time ago
ago withwith JoeVitale,
Joe Vitale,onetime
onetimedrummer
drummer in
inWalsh's
defunctotherlifeisisnot
notyour
yourown
ownanyanymore,but that's
that'sBarnstorm band.
band.
other people
people tend
tend toto think.
think. YourYour life
more, butBarnstormaI'm willingto"A
to us,"a concession
concession I'mwilling to make."make.""Alot
lotofofthe
themusic
musicononthisthisalbum
albumcame
came very
very easy
easytous," said
said Frey,
Frey,sipping
sipping"But"But we
we asked
asked forfor it,"it,"added
added Henley.
Henley.
coffeecoffeeininaabungalow
bungalow atat thethe Beverly
Beverly Hills
Hills Hotel
Hotel
The
last
week. "We"We worked
ree ofof thethe songs
The Beverly
Beverly Hills
Hills Hotel
Hotelsitssitselegantly
elegantly atat thethelastweek.
worked up
up th
three
songs forfor
junctionofSunsetSunset Boulevard
BoulevardandandBeverly
Beverly Drive,
Drive,
the Octoberjunction ofthe
October tour
tour thatthat we
we played
played andand foundfound them
them
"Joe'sown
easytodoonstage.
its pink
pink rococo
rococo walls
wallsalmost
almost camouflaged
camouflaged byby thetheeasy to do on stage.
its"Wehavehavebeen
beenplaying
playingthe
thetitle
titletrack,
track,'Wasted'Wastedpale-green"Wepale-green palm
palm trees
trees thatthat have
have been
been planted
planted inin
songs
provedTime'and 'New'NewKid
endless rows
endless
rows along
along thethe grassy
grassy sidewalks
sidewalks ofof this
thisTime' andKid InIn Town',
Town', but
but it's
it's difficult
difficult totodo new
new tunes
tunes onon stage.
stage. If
Ifthethepeople
people haven't
haven't
most
Los Angeleandomost sumptuous
sumptuous Los
Angelean suburb.
suburb,heard
them onon thethe radio
theyjust
Stories concerning
concerning theare legendary,legendary,heard them
radio then
then they
just don't
don't pay
pay
Storiesthe hotel
hotel aretobeprincipally because
because it
it has,thatmuch attention.
There has
has toto beover thethe years,
years,
principallyhas, overthat muchattention. Therebe aarepetition
repetition
factorhoused richand famous
famous guests
guests whose
whose
factor forfor somesome reason.
reason.
housedrich andbehaviour
has mademade Hollywood"Whenbehaviour has
Hollywood synonymoussynonymous"When wewestartstart touring
touring again
again in
in March
March thetheshowstoppers
with
Nonetheless it
it is
is a
album
will havewith decadence.
decadence. Nonethelessa discreet
discreetalbum will
have been
been out
out two
two months
months oror so,
so, andanda?
establishment:
if theby
we'll beit allit."establishment: if
the bellhops
bellhops know
knowanything
anythingby thatthat time
time we'll
be playing
playing it
all oror mostmost ofalit."
in
the
set
they
they keep
keep their
their lips
lipssealed
sealedandand conversations
conversations inin
Although it's
Althoughit's been
been almost
almost ayear
ayear andand aa half
half
the
since
the Polo
Polo Room
Room Bar
Barareare deflected
deflected byby thethe walls
walls
since thethe group'sgroup's last
last studiostudio album,
album, One
One OfOf
T/icseMg/tfs,
that surroundsurround thebooths.
These Nights,they
theydidn't
didn'thave
havethetheusual
usualwealthwealthof
ofsparesparematerialmaterial that
that
that
the choicechoice booths.
The
referred to
to byby themostaccumulate.
"Wehardly
hardlyeverdo,"do," said
said Henley.
Henley. "We"We can
The hotel
hotel itself
itself isisprobably
probably not
not thethe onemost bands
bands accumulate.
"We
ever
can
one directly
directly referred
the Eagles
Eaglesinin thethe title
title track
track ofoftheir
their new
newalbum
album Hotel
HotelCalifornia,
California,thoughthough thetheusuallytell
past anan eighth
eighth of
the wayway
usually tellwhen
whenwewe start
startaa songsong thatthat ifwe
ifwe getget pastof theambienceof theis neatly
neatly reflectedreflected inin thethe song's
song's lyrics.
intoit, it'll
it'll bedoing. If
Ifwe
into finishingfinishing it,
be worth
worth doing.
we don't
don't getget thatthat far
far thenthen we
we knowknow
ambience ofthe establishment
establishment islyrics.
Either way,
way, itit waswas thethe locationlo cation chosen
chosen by
Glenn Frey
and DonDon Henley
Henley forfor
it won't
won't bebeworthworth finishing.
finishing.
Eitherby Glenn
Frey and
it
one
week.
"The
"The ones
ones thatthat getget finishedfinished wind
wind up
up on
on thethe record.
record. II know
knowsome
somepeople
peopleone ofoftheir
their rare
rareinterviews
interviews last
lastweek.
Frey andFrey
and Henley,
Henley,thethetwotwomainmainvocalists
vocalistsin
inthe
thegroup,group,arearethetheperennial
perennial
write aa lotwrite
lot ofoftunes,tunes, pick
picktthehebestbest andand throw
throw thethe rest
rest away,
away, but
but withwith usus they
they
spokesmen
for theneverfar. We
spokesmen forthe band,band, whose
whose music
music has
hasconsistently
consistently reflectedreflected thethenever reach
reach thatthat far.
Wedodosavesaveideas,
ideas,though,though,especially
especially ballads.
ballads We
We alsoalso
sound of
California in
the '70s
as muchmuch asasThe
TheBeach
BeachBoys
Boysrepresented
represented
try toto balancebalance anwork ofof artart andand ititshould
shouldsoundof California
in the'70s astry
an album,
album,because
becausewewebelieve
believeit's
it's aa work
the
'60s.
have
at thethe Golden
Golden State
State inin thethe '60s.
have contrast
contrast andand continuity
continuity at
the samesame time."
time."The otherother longest-serving
longest -serving member
member ofofthe
theband,band, Nebraskan
Nebraskan bass
bass player
player"The rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll onon thisthis album
album came
who always
always
The"The
camefrom
fromFelder,"Felder," said
said Frey,
Frey, who
Randysuch tracks
tracksasas"Take"TakeIt
It To
To
refersby hisas if
if toRandy Meisner,
Meisner, whose
whose soaring
soaring falsetto
falsetto graces
graces suchrefers toto thethe band's
band's second
second guitarist
guitarist by
his surname
surname as
todifferentiate
differentiate
The Limit",
Limit", isisaashy,
retiring man
man who
who rushes
rushes home
home toto hishis wife
wifeandandthreethreebetweenenough, Joewrote aa ballad,ballad, but
but memeTheshy, retiring
between him
him andandHenley.
Henley. "Strangely"Strangely enough,Joe wrotechildrenwhenever thethe groupgroup have
have aa freeandon oneone track
track together.
together. I
I think
Joe waschildren wheneverfree moment.
moment.
and JoeJoe andand DonDon here
here collaborated
collaborated on
think Joewassavinglike hisEaglesWhich isn't
Which
isn't very
very often
often these
these days.
days. Throughout
Throughout 1976
1976 thethe Eagles
Eagles have
have
saving his
his songsong because
because hehe knew
knew something
something likehis joining
joining thethe Eagles
touredthe US
US almostwascomingup."
toured thealmost constantly,
constantly,
was coming up."
finally consolidating
consolidating their
their position
position as
as
Thecircumstances
circumstances surrounding
surrounding
finallyThe
oneworking)
Walsh's
one ofof thethe top
top few
few(regularly(regularlyworking)Walsh's entry
entry into
into thethe groupgroup seemed
seemedbands inthe country.
country.
to be
be almostalmost too
too convenientconvenient to
to be
be true.
true.
bands
in the
to
Their
on a
a shakyWalsh,isWalsh, as
Their year
year began
began onshaky notenote
as aa solo
soloartist,
artist, waswas andand iswithwith Bernie
Bernie Leadon's
Leadon'sdeparture
departure andandmanaged byoff, who
who hashas
managedby IrvingAz
Irving Azoff,
thearrivalofJoe
of Joe Walsh,
Walsh,
run
the Eagles
Eagles since
the simultaneous
simultaneous arrival
run thesince hehe quitquit asas an
ana partnershipapartnership thatthat seemed,
seemed, on
on paper,paper,
employee of
employeeof thethe Geffen-Roberts
Geffen -Roberts
toof rockto be
be aacurious
curious mixture
mixture ofrock andandmanagement team who
who handled
handled thethemanagementteam
harmony. It's
It's worked,
worked,though,though, andand thetheaffairs ofYoungharmony.
affairsof Crosby,
Crosby, Stills,
Stills, Nash
Nash && Young/
Eaglesever.
Eagles areare now
now bigger
bigger than
than ever.
at oneat
one time.
time.
Their Greatest
Greatest Hits
Hits album
album has
has
When Bernie
Bernie Leadon
Leadon quit
quit thethe group,group,
Their
WhennotchedWalshnotched up
of fivefiveup salessales inin thethe region
region ofWalsh waswas between
between bands,
bands, soso hishis
million copies
copies and.
and, at
at thethe samesame time,time,
baptism as
as anan Eagle
Eagle waswas aanatural
naturalmillionbaptism
introduced
the bandbandtoto aa wholebusinessmove even
even if
introduced thewhole newnew
business move
if somesome sceptics
sceptics
audience. Joe
audience.
Joe Walsh,
Walsh,who
whodoubtless
doubtlessdoubted his
doubtedhis musicalmusical compatibility.
compatibility.
hadlowing of"We
had aa fol
followingof hishis own,
own, has
has"Weactuallyactually knewhim
knew him some
some time
time
probably done
done thethe samesame thing.
thing.
before hejoined," said
"Evenprobably
beforehe joined,"
said Frey.
Frey. "Even
Work
while
Work onon HotelHotel California
California began
began ininwhile Bernie
Bernie waswas still
still ininthe
the bandband we
weMarch andand ended
ended in
October. The
The
had aa feelingfeeling thatthat hehe might
might bebe aa part
part ofofMarchin October.
haddone all my life. It's not unlike being in any other"Joe's own

songs proved
to beshowstoppers
in the set".

WorldMags.net m*

136

136 II HISTORY OF ROCKROCK 1976
1976
A
a •-

WorldMags.net

TheHotelCalifornia
Eagleslineup:(I-r)Don
Felder, Don Henley,

JoeWelsh,GlennFrey
and Randy Meisner

us before long. We had an indication a year and a half beforeBernie left
that
orat
atleastleast hehe wasn't
going towith usthat hehe waswas planningplanning toto leaveleave or
wasn't goingto stay
staywith
us
for
as we
we saw
for thethe duration.
duration. The
The duration
duration as
sawitit was
was aa much
much longer
longer period
period ofoftime
he wanted
wanteditit toto be.
time than
than hebe.
"We had
had talked
talked to
as early
early asas thethe beginning
beginning ofandhishisattitudeattitude"We
to JoeJoe asof 1975
1975 andwaseverhappens,
happens,give
givememea
acall.'
call.' He'd
He'd spent
spentaa lot
lot ofwas that...
that... If'Ifititeverof timetime inin
his solohissolo ballpark,
ballpark, but
but hehe alsoalsoknewknewwhatwhat itit waswas like
like toto be
be in
in aa band.
band. So
So we
we
more
whichway
way things
thingswere
weregoing
goingtoto go
go andmore oror lessless knew
knewwhichand itit was
was moremore oror
less aa mattermatter oft ime. Even
Evenasasfar
farback
backasasthe
thelastlasttime
timewewewerewereininEngland,
England,lessof time.
which
Elton John
which was
was thatthat Elton.
Johnconcert,concert, weweknew
knewsomething
something was
was going
going totohappen,althoughwe
we didn't
didn'twant
wanttoto talk
talk about
about it."it."happen, although"Weroad," said
"We knewknew forfor two
two years
years thatthat Bernie
Bernie wasn't
wasn't happy
happy with
with thethe road,"saidHenley. "He'd"He'd been
been doing
doing ititlonger
longerthan
than thethe rest
rest ofof us.
He'd been
been inin thetheHenley.
us. He'dBurritohis road
five orBurrito Brothers,
Brothers, remember,remember, andand hisroad map
map started
started fiveor sixyears
sixyears
before we
beforewe beganbegan travelling
travelling at
at all.
all.
"Besides,"Besides, Joe
Joewaswasgetting
getting tired
tired ofof being
being thethe leader
leader ofof aagroup
groupandandfeeling thatthat heafeeling
he justjust wanted
wantedto
tobe
bein
ina
a groupgroupforfor aa change.
change.He
He waswas toto be
be a
participantrather
ratherthan
thanaachiefwho
hiredandandfired
firedpeople.
people. Writing
Writingall
participant
chiefwho hired
all thethesongs gets
gets toto be
be aabig
bigburden
burden on
on anyany solosolo artist."
artist."songs"Thereof tryingtrying anybody
anybodyelse,"
else,"saidsaidFrey.
Frey. "We"We
"There waswas never
never any
any question
question of
neverwasn't anybody
anybodyelse
else who
never mademade any
any otherother calls
calls because
because there
there really
reallywasn't
who
could
and wewe wanted
to keep
keep itit a
could join
join ourour band,band, andwanted toa five-piece
five -piecegroup
groupinstead
insteadof goingofgoingbackbackdown
down toto fourfour again.
again.
"Weof aa five-piece
we gotgot Felder"Welikelikethethe advantages
advantages offive -piece band.
band. When
When we
Felder ititallowed me
me totojustjustplay
playrhythm
rhythm guitar
guitar andand still
still there
there were
were two
twoguitar
guitarallowedplayers, so
players,
so wewecould
could have
have two
twoleadleadguitars
guitars playing
playing with
with each
each other,other, yetyetthere isis still
stillaarhythm
rhythminstrument
instrument playing
playingwith
the bass
bass andand drums."
drums."
therewith theAccordingAccording toto Henley,
Henley,Walsh
Walshfitted
fittedinto
intothethebandbandmuchmucheasiereasierthanthandoubters suggested:of thethe media
media suggested
suggested hehe wouldn't
wouldn't fit
fit
doubterssuggested: "Most"Most ofbecausewe werebecause wewere aamellower
mellowerband
bandthanthan anything
anything he'd
he'd done
done before,
before, butbutII readread every
everyreview
reviewof
ofour
ourlastlasttourtourandandtheytheyallallsaid
saidhowhowhehedidn't
didn'tclutter
clutteroror getget ininthe
thewaywayof
ofour
ourmusic
musicandand howwell
howwell wewe played
played his
his music.
music.
"On stage wewedid'Rocky
did 'RockyMountain
Mountain Way'and'Funk#49'and'TurnWay' and `Funk#49' and 'Turn To"OnstageTo
Stone'.
do andwe're capableof playing
Stone'. He's
He'scapable
capable ofplaying
ofplaying thethe stuffwe
stuffwe doand we'recapable ofplaying
his music.
music. Sure
Sureheheintroduced
introduced some
some harderharder guitar
guitar playing,playing, even
even thoughthoughhis
hedidn'tputitonthisalbuminthewayofsongwriting.butlthinkheand
he didn't put it on this album in theway of songwriting, but I think he andFelder played
played some
some killer
killer guitar
guitar for
us all.
all. To
To me
me it's
it's like
like Duane
DuaneAllman
Felderfor usAllmanand
Eric Clapton
and Eric
Clap tontogether."
together."
Frey agreed.
Freyagreed. "Those"Those boys
boys [[Felder
Felder andand Walsh]
Walsh] really
really get
get ononwellwelltogether,
together,whichhappenwith
withBernie
Bernie andand Felder."Felder."which didn't
didn't happen"Bernie had
had bluegrass
bluegrass roots,"roots," continued
continued Henley.
never really
really"Bernie
Henley. "He'd"He'd nevermessedrock'n'roll guitar,
guitar, andand hehe nevernever really
really understood
howto
get
messed with
with rock'n'roll
understood how
to getthat dirty
dirty rock'n'rollsound. He
was just
justnot
notschooled
schooledor
orprogrammed
programmed ininthatrock'n'roll sound.
He wasus before long. We had an indication ayear and a half before Bernie leftthat area. We also knew that Joe was so controlled that he could play theballads
with nono problem
at allpeople doubted
ballads withproblem at
all andand aalot
lotof
ofpeopledoubted that.
that.
"AlsoFelder
Feldercan
canplay
playthethebanjo
banjoandandaamean
meanmandolin,
mandolin, so
so wewedidn't
didn't lose
lose
"Also
anything
in thatthatarea
areawhen
whenBernie
Bernie left."left."
anything inthat area. We also knew that Joe was so controlled that he could play the

THE EAGLES' LAST concert with Leadon was in the fall of 1975 in
front
front ofof55,000
55,000fans
fansatatAnaheim
Anaheim Stadium
Stadium inin California.
California. Ten
Ten daysdays

THE EAGLES' LAST concert with Leadon was in the fall of 1975 inlater, the remaining four Eagles were rehearsing with Walsh fora tour of Australia and NewZealand and Japan.
"We didn't want any rumours to get around that Bernie had left and thatlater, the remaining four Eagles were rehearsingwith Walsh fora tour of Australia and New Zealand and Japan.

"We didn't want any rumours to get around that Bernie had left and thatwas it for the Eagles," said Frey. "We wanted it out quicklythat Bernie had
beenreplaced by
by Joebeen replaced
Joe andand thethe groupgroup were
were onon theirtheir way
wayto
toNewZealand.
NewZealand.
Even sosotheretherewerewererumours
rumours thatthat Joe
Joewasn't
wasn'tstaying
stayingwith
us andand thatthat thethe
Evenwith usgroup
was going
going togroup wasto split
split up.
up.
"Joe'scontract"Joe'scontract with
withABC
ABC hadhadexpired
expiredandandIrving
IrvingAzoffwas
Azoffwas shopping
shoppingaroundthelabels
labels toto getget himsolo deal.
deal. FirstFirst there
there was
was talkofaround thehim another
another solo
talk of
Columbia, then
then staying
staying with
withABCand hehefinally
finallywound
up with
withAsylum,
Columbia,
ABC andwound up
Asylum,but
he waswas shoppingfor a
but because
because heshopping fora solosolo deal
deal people
people construed
construed itit asas
was it for the Eagles," said Frey. "We wanted it out quickly that Bernie had

meaning that he couldn't have been interested in recordingwith theEagles and that this was a short-term thing. All that was bullshit.""The band is his first priority," said Henley. "I don't think he cares if heever makes another solo album."
According to Frey, American audiences were quick to accept the new look Eagles. "I received one letter from someone who wanted the oldmeaning that he couldn't have been interested in recording with theEagles and that this was a short-term thing. All that was bullshit.""The band is his first priority," said Henley. "I don't think he cares if heever makes another solo album."

According to Frey, American audiences were quick to accept the new-look Eagles. "I received one letter from someone who wanted the old

Eagles," he said. "He wanted those mellow Eagles.""And
show withthe showwith Joe
Joe"Andthat,"
that," said
said Henley,
Henley, "was"was before
before he'd
he'd even
even heard
heard thein'How can
can you
you letlet Joein it.
it. ItItsaid
saidsomethinglike...
something like... °How
Joe Walsh
Walsh fuck
fuck up
up youryour
harmonies',
butthatthatwaswasbefore
beforethey'dthey'deven
evengivengiven usus aa chance.
harmonies', butchance. II don't
don't
knowwhether
knowwhether wewe ever
ever wrote
wrote him
him backback oror not,not, but
but wewe don't
don't need
need those
those
kind
kind ofof people
people anyway.
anyway.
"Joe's"Joe's own
own songs
songs proved
proved to
to be
be showstoppers
showstoppers inin thethe set,set, andand thatthat waswas aagreat
for me.
n factgreat changechange forme. IInfactthey
theysaved
savedme,me,because
because we've
we'vebeen
been playing
playing'Witchy
Woman'and
and
that
stuff
since
1972,andandto
todo
do new
new songs
songs was
was like
WitchyWoman'
that
stuff
since
1972,
like
a
of materialmaterial andand always
always havea shotshot inin thethe armarm forfor us.
us. WeWe cancan play
play that
that'kindind ofhave
been able
been
able to."to.""We
that musicit"Wewerewerekindkindofofreticent
reticenttotoplay
playthatmusicunlessunless we
we could
could makemake itsound great,""Wedidn't
didn't want
want toto makemake aa limp-wristed
limp-wristed attempt,
attempt,
sound
great," said
said Frey.
Frey. "Webecausewe didn't
have thethe right
right kind
kind ofof guitar
players before.
before. We've
because we
didn't haveguitar players
We've been
been
working on
working
on getting
getting thethe right
right guitar
guitar lineup
lineup forfor thethe last
last three
three years
years andand now
now
Eagles," he said. "He wanted those mellow Eagles."we feel we've got it."we feel we've got it.""We're not about to change direction, though," said Henley. "We'll be
keepingthebestofthe
keeping
the best of theold
oldstylestyleandandnotnotabandoningcountryrockor
abandoning country rock orwhatever you like to call it. We
Wejustjustwant
wanttotostretchstretch things
things out
a little bit.
bit. »x.
whateveryouliketocallit.
out alittle"We're not about to change direction, though." said Henley. "We'll be

WorldMags.net
HISTORY137
HISTORYOF
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ROCK1976
1976| 1137

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NEW KID IN TOWNNEW KID IN TOWN

out and we couldn't stop them. We had a say in picking the tracks,"That
was whatwhat we
we looked
looked likelikeafter
afterwriting
writing all
all thosethose"That wassongs," quipped
quipped Henley.
Henley. "But
"Butanother
another reason
reasonwhy
songs,"
why I
I
didn'tfeel baddidn't feelbad about
about putting
putting aa Greatest
Greatest Hits
Hitsalbum
album
out waswas thatthat itit definitely
definitelymarked
phase foroutmarkedthe
theendendof
of aa phaseforus.
of five
fiveyears,
years,and
andthisthisnew
newalbumalbum
us. ItItmarked
marked thethe endend ofopens up
up aa whole
whole newnew eraera forfor us.
us. EverEver since
since 'Best'Best Of
Of
opens
My
My Love'Love'kicked
kicked off
offaawhole
wholebigbigthing
thingforforus,
us,moving
moving usus
rfrom
from thethe top
top 9090 perper centcent ofof bands
bands ininAmerica
America toto thethe top
top
10
10per
percent,
cent,we've
we'vebeen
beenrunningrunning andl
and ! never
neverhad
had timetime
to stopstop andand think
think about
about how
howwellthe Greatest
Greatest Hits
Hits
towell therecorddid. Weto stay
stay busy."
record did.
We justjust wanted
wanted tobusy."
Apattern,pattern, coincidencecoincidence perhaps,
perhaps, seems
be emerging
emerging with
with thethe release
releaseA
seems toto beofof HotelHotelCalifornia.
California.The
TheEagles'
Eagles'first
firstalbum
albumcontained
contained three
three hit
hit singlessingles "Take ItItEasy",
Easy","Witchy"WitchyWoman"
and"Peaceful"PeacefulEasy
EasyFeeling"
Feeling"--and
was
"Take
Woman" andand wasfollowed by
Desperado]thetheOneOneOf
OfThese
These Nights
followedby aa concept
concept album,
album, Desperado;
Nightsafbum
album
contained
contained three
threehithitsingles
singles-the
- the
title
title
track,
track,"Lyin'"Lyin'
Eyes"
Eyes"and
and"Take"TakeIt
It To
To
The
and isis followed
The Limit"
Limit" --andfollowed bybytheir
theirsecond
secondconcept
concept approach.
approach.
"LikeDesperado
Desperadoititdidn't
didn'tnecessarily
necessarily start
start out
out toto bebeaaconcept
concept album
album but
but itit"Likebecameoneafterafterall,"
all," said
said Henley.
Henley. "It'sbecame one"It's aamore
moreurbane
urbane version
version ofof Desperado
Desperado
inasmuch as
inasmuchas thethesymbolism
symbolismisn't
isn'tset
setin
in thethepastpastbutbutis
is herehere andand now."now.""We
off One
These Nights"Wehadhad allallthosethose hit
hit singles
singles off
One Of
OfTheseNightsandand thatthat gives
gives youyou
more room
room toto breathe
breathe andand makemake anan album
album more
more like
like thethe kindkind ofofalbum
album wewemorereallywanttoto make,"make," said
said Frey.
Frey. "Wereallywant"Wetook
tooksomesomeartistic
artisticliberties
liberties with
with thethenew
we hadn't
taken before,
before, andit wasnew record
record which
whichwehadn't taken
and part
part ofofit
was because
because we
we felt
felt
a
had donedone soso damnwell."
a slight
slighteaseeaseofofpressurepressure because
because thethe last
last album
album haddamn well.""Hit singles
singles areare nono crime,"
crime," said
said Henley.
Henley. "Some"Some people
people view
view them
them to
to be
be
"Hit
somethingthat can't
can't bebe good
good artistically,
as farsomething that
artistically, andand that's
that's total
total nonsense
nonsense asfar
as I'mI'm concerned.
concerned. Paul
Dylan has
has hithit singles,
singles,asPaul Simon
Simon has
has hithit singles,
singles, Bob
Bob Dylan
Neil
Young has
The Beatles
Beatles had
had lotslots ofof hitNeilYounghas hithit singles,
singles, andand Thehit singles.
singles.
"The way
way thethe record
record businessbusiness is
isstructured
structured these
these days...
days... ifyou
ifyou don't
don't
"The
have
you cancan forget
forget it.
it. You
have singles
singles you
Youcancan work
workforfor10
10years
yearsmaking
makingeclectic
eclectic

sequencing them and doing the graphics."

and artistic underground albums and maybe you'll get the recognition

On this album we get into R&B a little bit, which wassomething that
Borderandandsomething
thatwewe beganbeganononOn
On TheThe Borderdeveloped
further
onOne
OneOfTheseOf TheseNights.
Nights. But
developed furtheron
But onon thethetour
was awholea wholeload
loadofof kids
kids whotour there
there was
who were
were yelling
yelling
forJoe, andwhole load
forJoe,and IIthink
think there
there was
was probably
probably aawhole
load ofofthem who'd
who'd never
never heard
heard hismaterial either.
wasthem
his material
either. It
It waslike newnew songs
songs forfor them."
them."
like

WC. ill! ok

On this album we get into R&B a little bit, which was

VICTim OF LOVE

4'ir*

Leadon, meanwhile, has had an easyyear, though
he does have plans to record a solo album in the newyear. Glyn Johns, who produced the first two Eagles
albums, will be producing the record in a studio that
Leadon has built in his home.
"We always knew that he wouldn't just retire completely," said Henley.
"He justwanted to do things at his own pace while we were caught up in a
momentum and had to take it to the limit, if you'll pardon the expression."
Neither Frey nor Henley expected their Greatest Hits album to do as wellas it did. "I never expected it to do five million," said Frey with genuine
disbelief. "The numbers this year are staggering, and I try not to look atthem any more. It's a different kind of person that buys Greatest Hits
albums... people who buythem for gifts for children and not the kind
who buy regular albums. I think you reach more people with them... youreach the over -25s and the under -15s a lot."
Henley seemed vaguely embarrassed by the success of the record. "Letus say that we aren't really advocates of Greatest Hits albums," he said.
"They are more or less a ployby the record company to get free sales. They
don't have to spend any money to make them and they get a lot of money
back. We got a couple of hate letters after the Greatest Hits album cameout that saidwe were selling out... they said that us and Steve Miller werethe last bands who were holding off selling out this way.
"But we didn't have anything to do with it. The record company put it
out and we couldn't stop them. We had a say in picking the tracks,
sequencing them and doing the graphics.""I must say," said Frey, "that an eagle's skull which appeared on thesleeve isnot very good karma in terms of the American Indian. By putting
this shiny eagle's skull on the album we felt like we knewwhere theGreatest Hits thing was at."
Leadon, meanwhile, has had an easy year, though

he does have plans to record a solo album in the newyear. Glyn Johns, who produced the first two Eagles

albums, will be producing the record in astudio that

Leadon has built in his home.

"We always knew that he wouldn't just retire completely," said Henley.

"He just wanted to do things at his own pace while we were caught up in a

momentum and had to take it to the limit, ifyou'll pardon the expression."
Neither Frey nor Henley expected their Greatest Hits album to do as wellas it did. "I never expected it to do five million," said Frey with genuine

disbelief. "The numbers this year are staggering, and I try not to look atthem any more. It's a different kind of person that buys Greatest Hits

albums... people who buy them for gifts for children and not the kind

who buy regular albums. I think you reach more people with them... youreach the over-25s and the under-15s a lot."

Henley seemed vaguely embarrassed by the success of the record. "Letus say that we aren't really advocates of Greatest Hits albums," he said.

"They are more or less a ploy by the record company to get free sales. They
don't have to spend any money to make them and they get a lot of money

back. We got a couple of hate letters after the Greatest Hits album cameout that said we were selling out... they said that us and Steve Miller werethe last bands who were holding off selling out this way.

"But we didn't have anything to do with it. The record company put it

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"I must say," said Frey, "that an eagle's skull which appeared on thesleeve is not very good karma in terms ofthe American Indian. By putting
this shiny eagle's skull on the album we felt like we knew where theGreatest Hits thing was at."and artistic underground albums and maybe you'llget the recognition
you deserve when you're half-dead.
you deserve when you're half-dead.

"But even the FM stations here are playing singles just to stay inbusiness.
Admittedlythere's
there'saalot
lotof
of fucking
business.Admittedly
fucking rubbish
rubbish inin thethe singles
singles charts.
charts.
IIwon'tnames, thoughthoughwe
we allall know
who they
theyare,are, soso 1
won'tmention
mention any
anynames,
knowwhoI think
think"But even the EM stations here are playing singles just to stay inWorldMags.net
138| HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976
138 I HISTORY-EAGLESWorldMags.net"And that's much too much togetherness," said Henley. "When we dogetget away
away wewelikeliketotoget
getaway
awayproperly.
properly.We
Weall
allhave
haveladies
ladiesandandotherotherfriends,
friends,
andand thisyearwe've
this year we've neglected
neglected ourour relationships
relationships with
with other
other musiciansmusicians
like JacksonJackson Browne,
Browne, JJD
Souther,Linda
LindaRonstadt
Ronstadtand
and otherother people
people wewelike
D Souther,
11 V
tarmiNs
would
would like
like totohanghang out
outwithwith andand write
write songs
songs with
with aa little
little more.
more. InIn thethe next
next"44'
wriENI solim-10
twoor threethree months
months we'd
we'd likeliketotoreopenreopenall
allthosethosedoors
doorsandandthink
think about
about
two orournextalbum.
our next album.
"John"John DavidDavid had
had aagreat
great deal
deal toto dodowith
withHotel
HotelCalifornia,
California,and
andhadhad
Jackson
The Pretender,Jackson Browne
Browne not
not been
been inin thethe studiostudio making
making The
Pretender, I'm
I'm suresurethat
he would
wouldhave
havebeen
beeninvolved
involved
well.JDJ D helped
helpedus
usdo
do'
NewK
Kid
that heasaswell.
'New
id In
In
HAMMOND ORGAN
ORGAN MAKES
Town''VictimOf
OfLove',Love', too."
AHAMMOND
MAKES its
its first
first
Town' andand hehe helped
helped us
us finishfinish 'Victim
too."
appearance on
album inin"BillSzymczyk
Szymczyk[the[theband's
band'sproducer]
producer]waswasalsoalsoveryveryinstrumental
instrumental ininappearanceon an
an Eagles
Eagles album"Bill
A.HotelHotel California,
California, andand Walsh
Walsh waswas also
also
helping
helpingus
us withwith thethe musicalmusicalside
sideofofthisthis album,"
album,"saidsaid Frey.
Frey. "He's"He's always
alwaysbrought
in on
on various
various synthesizers,synthesizers, aa talenttalentinfluenced
direction andand inin thethe rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll side.
side. IIthink
think thatthat
brought in
influencedus
usin
in thethe R&B
R&B direction
which
as a
to thethetechniquethat
thatwewe developed
developed andand perfected
perfected byby thewhich came
came asa bonusbonus surprisesurprise to
the rest
rest ofofthe recording
recording technique
the timetime we
wethe band.
theband. Extra
Extra keyboard
keyboardinstruments
instruments arearegot
got toto OneOneO/TheseMg/its
OfThese Nightsreachedreachedaaconceptual
conceptual peak
peak here."
here."
now
the Eagles
Eagles on
Although
now accompanying
accompanying theon thethe road.
road.
Although it
it appears
appears that,
that, asas almostalmost always,
always, thethe bandband areare writingabout
writing about"Wethe act
act toto stay
thethat itit isis just"Wehavehave totobeefbeef upup thestay inin there,"
there,"
the StateState ofof California,
California, Henley
Henley insists
insists thatjust aa microcosm
microcosm forfor thethesaidley. "Weto beefrest
said Hen
Henley.
"We don't
don't want
want tobeef itit up
up with
withrest oftheof the country.
country. "It's"It's thethe Bicentennial
Bicentennial Year,Year,andandthisthis isisour
ourBicentennial
Bicentennial
flash andand meaninglessmeaningless theatrics
theatrics like
like funny
funnystatement," he
said.
flash
statement,"
he said.
"It'sclothesclothes andand flashlights,
flashlights, oror smokebombs
smokebombs oror anyany"It's kind
kind ofofabout
aboutthethedemise
demiseoftheof the'60s'60sandandthethedecadence
decadenceandandcraplike that.
that. TheThe groupgroup has
has toto keep
keep growing
growing
escapism weare experiencing
experiencing in
It's also
also about
about thethe kindkind ofof limbo
limbo
crap likeescapism
we arein thethe '70s.
'70s. It's
musicallyon stage,stage, evenwe dodo have
we'remusically oneven thoughthough wehave toto
we're experiencinginthemusicbusinesswhilewe'rewaitingforthe
experiencing in the music business while we're waiting for the next
next
keep playing
keepplaying oldold material.
material.
big surgebigsurge ofofinspiration,
inspiration, like
like The
The Beatles
Beatles oror whatever.
whatever.
"When
"It's
"When Joe
Joearrived,
arrived, thethe olderolder songs
songsbegan
began"It's anan attemptattempt toto shakeshake people
people out
out oftheof the apathy
apathy they
they areare going
goingsounding
different. I
we werethrough,and also
also aof thesounding different.
I think
thinkwe
were tighter
tighter andandthrough, anda commentcomment on
on thethe destruction
destruction of
the air
air andand thethe planet
planetandall thatbecause it
it isless clutteredcluttered on
on stage.
stage. II cancan still
still sing
sing 'Witchy`Witchy
and thethe ecology.
ecology. IIthankthank California
California represents
represents allthat because
is thethe
less
Woman' asinspired asever sang
sang
vanguard ofAmerica,
Woman'
as inspiredas thethe first
first time
time II evervanguardof America, thethefarthest
farthestplace
placeyouyoucancango."
go."it,"We'vepeople onon theit, because
because people
people want
want toto hearhear it,
it,andand that's
that's"We'veoften
oftenbeen
been criticised
criticised by
bypeoplethe East
East Coast
Coast forformarketing
marketingtheSouthern California
California lifestyle...
lifestyle... thebeautiful girls,
the houses
houses inin thetheenoughfor me.Sure
SureII cancangetget tired
tiredofofit
it afterI've
the Southern
the beautiful
girls, theenough forme.
after I've
been
out onbeen out
on thethe roadroad forfor three
three weeks,
weeks, but
but eacheachhills,
the footloose
footloose people
people andand all
all thatthat kind
kind ofofthing,
thing,but
butIIthinkpeople
thinkpeople
hills, thenight seems
night
have spoken
havespoken too
too soonsoon onon that.
that. We
Wethink
think thatthat thisthisalbum
album represents
represents thetheseems toto bringbring out
out aa little
little more
more
whole
inspiration inparticular song."
whole world,world,notnotjustjustCalifornia,
California,asassomethingelegantwhichsomething elegant which has
has beenbeeninspirationin anyany particularsong.""For
corrupted,"said Frey.
Frey.
corrupted," said
"For memethisthissummer
summer it
it waswas Joe's
Joe's stuff
stuff that
that
excited me,"
"It waswas good
good totoknow
knowthat"This used
used toto be
be aa beautiful
beautiful placestill isisfairly
fairlyattractive,
attractive, but
but\
excitedme," said
said Frey.
Frey. "It
that
"This
place andand itit still
America used
before wewe camecame over
over here
here andand fucked
fucked itup," said
said
after
moreEagles
Eagles songs
songs we
we wereAmericaused toto be
be tootoo before
it up,"
after three
three more
were going
going toto
do onedoone ofofJoe's.And,
Joe's. And, ofof course,
course, thethe new
new stuff
stuff isisHenley. "We
Henley.
"We have
have aa love
love-hate-haterelationshiprelationship with
with California.
California. Like
Likeanything
anything
youlove,you're
you'recapable
capable ofofhating
hating it,
it, too.
too.OnOnthisthisalbum
album we're
we're simply
simplyalwaysinteresting.It
Itwas
wasgood
goodtoto seesee ififwe
you love,always more
more interesting.
we could
could pull
pull off'Hotel
off 'Hotel
California' andand 'Wasted
Time', totosee
seeifwe
ifwecould
couldmakemakethem
themhappen
happenandandholding California
California up
as anan example.
example.
California''Wasted Time',
holding
up as
make
dignewtunes.
"I
away, I'd
make thethe audienceaudience dig
new tunes.
"Iwouldn't
wouldn't live
liveanywhere
anywhere else,
else, though.
though. II wouldn't
wouldn't run
run away,
I'dratherrather"Iguess
guess 'Take'Take ItItTo
ToThe
TheLimit'
Limit'asaswell.
well.Randy
Randy[Meisner][Meisner]gets
getsaastanding
standing
stand here
The songsong 'Hollywood'Hollywood Waltz'
Waltz' waswas about
about people
people who
who
"I
stand
here andand fight.
fight. The
ovationcame
it, thenthen moved
moved onon somewhere
else, but
ovation wheneverwhenever hehe hits
hits thethehighhighnotes,
notes,and
andsometimes
sometimes thethe applauseapplausecame here
here andand corrupted
corrupted it,
somewhere else,
but we're
we'regoes onon forfor two
two oror threethree minutes.
minutes.
not doing
doing that.
that.
goes
not
"In
"This
"In thethe lastyear
last year andand ahalfRandy
a half Randy has
has really
really"This place
place has
has givengiven usus allall we've
we've got
gotbecause
becausefoundhimselfas
found himself as aa vocalist.'Take
vocalist. 'Take ItIt To
To TheThe Limit'
Limit'
we became
webecame successful
successful here
here andand we're
we're proud
proud of
of
"On
this
and
with soit,and 'Too'Too Many
ManyHands'
Hands' were
weresung
sungwithso muchmuch
it, but
but people
people fromfrom thethe East
East Coast
Coast have
have really
reallybrilliance on
the record
record thatthat heis aachanged
changednailed us
us toto thethe wallwallforforsomething
something thatthat they
theybrillianceon thehe isnailedsingerthink
we represent.
think werepresent. II think
think it's
it's really
really aapersonal
personal
singer inin thethe solosolo vocalist
vocalist category.
category..InInthethegroup
group
album
we're
he's always
always been
been phenomenal,"
phenomenal," said
vendetta rather
the music."
he's
saidFrey.
Frey.
vendetta
ratherthan
thanaacriticism
criticismof
ofthemusic.""RandyCurrent
plans areare forfor thetwo"Randy has
has always
alwaysbeen
been thethe ribbon
ribbon on
on ourourCurrent plans
the Eagles
Eagles toto play
playtwo
simply holding
package. He
He provides
provides allallthethebottom
bottom andand thethedates in
inDecember-shows
December- shows they
theyhadcancelpackage.
dates
had toto cancel
top,
earlier
top, but
but wewe havehave toto findfind thethe right
right song
song forfor hishis
earlier thisyear
this year because
because ofrecordingof recordinghigh
it musthigh voice
voice andand thatthat usuallyusually means
means itmust bebecommitments
commitments --andand thenthen taketake three
three months
monthsCalifornia up
incategory. He
off
in April.
in thethe balladballad category.
He delivers
delivers on
on suchsuch
off before
before aaEuropean
European tour
tour in
April. "There"Therehigh
too... hehe eveneven sounds
high intensity
intensity too...
sounds aa little
littleneeds tobe aa period
period ofof input
input after
after all
all the
the
needs
to be
V
like
output,"said Henley.
like Gene
Gene Pitney."
Pitney."output," said
Henley.
asanexample"He's kind
kind ofof aaquiet,
quiet,shyshyguyguywitha family,family, andand"Then we're
we're going
goingtotoEurope
Europeto
toplayplayvarious"He'swith a"Thenvarious
he's
doing itit longer
we have,"countries
we haven't
haven'tplayed
played before,"
before," said
said Frey.
Frey.
he's also
also been
been doing
longer than
than wehave," said
said
countries weHenley. "He"He waswas inin aa band
band calledout here
here inin 1968
and thenthen inin"We've never
never played
played inin Germany
Germany andand never
never played
played inin France,
France, so
so thatthat needs
needs
Henley.
called The
The Poor
Poor out
1968 and"We'vePoco,care about
about interviews
interviewsand
andsosoforth.
forth.As
As fartoPoco, andand hehe doesn't
doesn't care
far asas he's
he's
to be
be done.
done. We're
We'realso
alsoplanningplanning toto play
playininScotland
Scotlandthis
thistimetime around.
around. The
The
concerned he'll
concerned
he'll just
just let
let Glenn
Glenn andand meme shootshoot off
off our
our mouths
mouths andand makemake fools
fools
only
onlytimetime we
we ever
ever did
did thatthat before
before was
was withwith Neil
Neil Young.
Young. The
The last
last time
time we
weofit's done."went
was reallythe only
only time
time I
I could
enjoy itwent toto London
London was
really the
could enjoy
it properly."
properly."of ourselves.
ourselves. He
He doesdoes hishisjobjobandand goesgoes home
home toto Nebraska
Nebraska when
when it'sdone.""We've comecome toto learn
learn thatthat weare different
different people,""Wework
worksosomuch
muchbecause
becauseit's
it'stherapeutic,"
therapeutic," hehe added.
added. "Sometimes"Sometimes it's
"We'vewe arepeople," said
saidFrey.
Frey. "We
"We
"We
it's
learnedthe experience
experience ofthof thiseasierWe havelearned throughthrough theis groupgroup thatyou
that you can't
can't try
try toto changechangeeasier to
to bebe thethe underdog.
underdog. We
have toto keep
keep changing
changing ourour goals
goals soso muchmuchpeople toto thethe waywayyouwant themis aa very
verydedicateddedicated
now. What
What we
we havehave toto look
look for,for,whatwhat I'm
I'm doing
doing toto keep
keep meme going,
going, isis toto trytry
peopleyou want
themtoto be.
be. Randy
Randy isnow.
musician
and whenwhenhehe goesgoes home
home gets
gets toideas forandeach time.
time. I
1 try
musician andto work
work ononnew
newideas
for thethe next
next
and getget better
better eachtry toto makemake mymy singing
singing aa little
little better,better, andand mymyalbum inin aa little
little studiostudio hehas built.
built. Felder
lives here
here in
in Malibu
Malibu andand hehemusic aa little
little better.
better. At
Atthisthis point
point it's
it's either
either growgrow ororstagnate,stagnate, andand wewe won't
won't
album
he hasFelder lives
musicdoChrisCharlcsworth
stays there
there inin hishis ownownstudio
studio recording
recording likelikeaamadman.
madman.
do that."that." ChrisCharlesworth•stays"These"These things
things areare going
going
onallthetimeinthis
on all the time in thisgroup. We
We havehavebeen
beengroup.
together
together almost
almost non-stop
non-stop
for thethe past
past 11
11months."
months."forAM needs a shot in the arm and I am glad thatwesomething thatthat I
I consider
we cancan contributecontribute something
considerqualitymusic toAM airwaves.
quality music
to thetheAMairwaves. God
God
knows... itneeds something.
something.
knows...
it needs"There'll
album,"There'll be
be somesome singles
singles off
off thethe new
new album,
butthey'll besongs. None
the tracks
tracks isisbut they'll
be longlong songs.
None ofof themuch
under five
five minutes
long, butmuch underminutes long,
but we're
we're going
going
to releasetorelease aa double
double-sided-sided single
singleof
of'New`New Kid
Kid InIn
Town' andand 'Victim
Town''VictimOf
OfLove'."Love'."AM needs a shot in the arm and I am glad that

"And that's much too much togetherness," said Henley. "When we do"On thisalbum we're
simply holding
California up
as an example"

dare...
here Eagles
WorldMags.net

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MM DECEMBER 11

MM DECEMBER 11

THE SEX PISTOLS' headlining British tour has been
reduced to ruins. Just six dates from the original 19 areleft following mass action by local councils and hall

He said the council was disgusted by the Pistols' lack of manners inmaking themKing's Hall
Hallforfornothingnothing- andhave
reduced to ruins. Just six dates from the original 19 aremakingthem wait
wait at
at King's
and added:
added: "I"I haveleft following mass action by local councils and hallpersonally
spoken topersonally spoken
to thethe manager
manager oftheof the group
group andand hehe told
told methat
me that they
they
managements
Pistols manager
managerwill
not performperform before
before thethe council
council unlessunless we
we comecome here
here this
this evening
evening andandmanagements acrossacross thethe country.
country. Pistols
will notMalcolmsee
ofthe
Malcolm McLaren
McLaren plans
plans toto taketake legal
legalaction
action against
againstsee thethe whole
whole ofthe show.
show.
everyoneeveryone involved
involved with
with thethe band's
band's cancelled
cancelled dates
dates andand"This
"This we
we areare not
not preparedprepared to
to do.
do. WeWehavehavebent
bent over
overbackwards
backwards toto putput
onclaims thatthat thethe Musicians'
Musicians' Union
Union support
support him
on thisthis rehearsal,
rehearsal, but
but inin fairness
fairness toto thethe group,group,thethe promoter
promoter andand thetheclaimshim andand thethe Pistols.
Pistols.
A"We haven't
public,have decided
decidedthat
thatthetheSexSex Pistols
Aspokesman
spokesman forfor thethe Union,
Union, however,
however,commented:
commented: "Wehaven't had
had ananpublic, thethe committee
committee have
Pistols will
will notnotperformperform
opportunity
assessthethesituation.
situation.The
TheSexSex Pistols
here
opportunitytotoassess
Pistols wouldn't
wouldn't be
be regarded
regarded
here tonight."
tonight."
as different
different toto anyany otherother band
band comingwith aa problem.
problem. If
Ifwe
feltthere
there
He said
said thethe rest
rest oftheof thepackage
package-The-The Clash,
Clash, The
TheDamned
Damned andand TheTheascoming to
to us
us with
we felt
He
Heartbreakerswished. The
was aa legitimate
waslegitimate complaint
complaint wewe would
wou Id taketakeitit up."
up."
Ieartbreakers - could
could play
play ififthey
theywished.
The Clash
Clash andand TheThe
Dissent
Said McLaren:
McLaren: "The"The ClashClashHeartbreakers refused.
refused.
Dissent has
has broken
broken out
out onon thethe tourtour itself.
itself. Said
Heartbreakers
andare behindbehind us
us butwithTheand thethe Heartbreakers
Heartbreakers are
but wewe arearenotnotininsympathy
sympathywith
The Damned,
Damned, staying
staying at
at aadifferent
differenthotel,
hotel,considered
consideredtheir
theirresponse
response
The Damned
The
Damned andandwe
we will
will ask
ask them
them toto leaveleave thethe tourtour after
after thethe showshow atat
and,
and, says
says MM
MMreporter
reporter Caroline
Caroline Coon,
Coon, itit waswas rumoured
rumoured among
among thetheLeeds
touringpartythatThe
Damnedwould
wouldplay.
play.
Leeds Polytechnic."
Polytechnic."
touring partythat The Damned
McLarenconsideredplaying
playingat
at Derby
Derby Kings
Kings Hall
The
Dave Vanian"Although we
we do
do not
McLaren said
said TheThe Damned
Damned consideredHall
The Damned's
Damned's Dave
Vanian announced:
announced: "Although
not alignalignonwhen thethe Pistols
to play
local
on Saturday
Saturdaywhen
Pistols were
were refusedrefused permission
permission toplay bybylocalourselves with
with thethe Pistols'
Pistols' politicalpolitical position
position wewe sympathise;
sympathise; but
but wewe areareourselves
councillors. "We
were disgusted
disgusted byoffgoing toto do
do allallthethegigs
gigswewecan
canandandanyanyothers
others thatthat comecome along."
along."
councillors.
"We wereby thisthisandandso
sotheytheywill
willhave
havetoto getget off
going
the
Said
McLaren: "We
this statement
the tour."tour."
Said manager
manager McLaren:"We were
were disgusted
disgusted bybythisstatement andandMcLarenhas arranged
arranged new
the tourtour
wefeelthatthat The
TheDamned
Damned have
have nono place
place onon
McLaren has
new dates
dates forfor thewe feelandtold MM:
MM: "There
we arethisand told"There isis nono waywaywe
are going
going totothis tour."tour."
be preventedbeprevented fromfrom playing
playingin
in Britain.
Britain. This
This isis
The originalThe
original opening
opening datedateofof thethe tourtour was
was toto"We'llhavetopure
censorship andand aa complete
complete denial
denial ofof thehave
University on
on Friday,
pure censorshipthehave been
been Norwich
Norwich University
Friday, but
but
principleof freethisprinciple offree speech."speech."this date
date waswas cancelled
cancelled byby thethe university
university
Radio stations
stations acrossacrossthecountry
the country areare banningbanningauthorities. The
vice-chancellor, Frank
Frank
Radio
authorities.
The vice-chancellor,haveaspecialthe SexSex Pistols'
Pistols' debut
debut single
single "Anarchy"Anarchy In
In TheThe
theThistlethwaite,
met two
two membersof theThistlethwaite, met
members of
theUK"andUK"and oneone major
major record
record store
store chain
chain isisStudents'
Students' Union
Union socialsocial committee
committee onon thethelistentotheconsidering
whether theymorningof the
to an
an SU
SU
considering this
this week
weekwhether
they should
shouldmorning of
the showshow and,
and, according
according tospokesman,"took itto force
force therefuse toto stockstocktherecord.
spokesman, "took
it uponupon himself
himselftotherefusethe record.
One
union
to cancel
One radio
radio station
station waswasswamped
swamped with
with phone
phone
union tocancel thethe punk
punk package
package concert.
concert.
singletosee
ifcalls after
after playing
playing thethe single
single andand inviting
inviting"Since thethe university
university own
own thethe hall,hall, they
they arearecalls"Sincelisteners'
comments.But
But sales
sales ofof thelegally
to dolegally entitledentitled to
do thisthis byby simple
simple refusing
refusing totolisteners' comments.
the record
recordallow
the union
have rocketedrocketed inin somesome parts
parts ofof thethe country.
country.
allowtheunion use
use ofof thethe hall.
hall. WeWe wishwish it
it to
to be
be
have
it
is
offensive"
One
known
One record
record retailer
retailer in
in Manchester
Manchester claimed
claimed heheknown thatthat we
weare
aredisgusted
disgustedwith
withthethemannermannercould
could have
have sold
sold asas many
many records
records as
as EMIEMI could
could
in whichinwhich this
this decision
decision was
was taken."taken."
haveand blamed
blamedhis
hislacklack ofof stockSaidhave supplied
supplied andstock ononthe
the lightning
lightning strikestrike byby
Said aaspokesman
spokesman forforthetheauthorities;
authorities: "Because"Because oftheof thegroup'sgroup's reported
reported
workers at
at EMI's
EMI'spressing
pressingplant
plant ononFridayFridayafter
afterthethePistols'
Pistols'controversial
controversial
views onon violence
violence wewefeltfeltthere
therewaswasaapossible
possiblethreat
threat totopersonal
personal safety
safety if
if
workers
views
appearanceon Thames
Television.
the concert
had gone
appearance on
Thames Television.
theconcert hadgone ahead."ahead."
Another punkband, The
claim they
they have
have sufferedsuffered aabacklash
backlash
Atpresspresstime
timethetheStudents'
Students' Union
Unionreported
reported they
theywereplanning to
Another
punkband,The Vibrators,
Vibrators, claim
Atwere planningtobecauseof people
their music
music with
with that
thatofof therearrange
the concert
concert despite
despite thethe university's
university's views.
views.
because ofpeople associating
associating their
the Pistols.
Pistols. Three
Three ofofrearrange thetheirtheir British
British dates
dates have
havebeen
beencancelled
cancelled andand aa full
full European
European tour
tour scrapped.
scrapped.
Twomoremoredates
datesdisappeared
disappeared because
the venues,
venues,Twobecause thethe owners
owners ofof theIn
Apollo on
Rank
Rank Leisure
Leisure Services,
Services, refusedrefused to
to bebeassociatedassociated with
with thethe Pistols.
Pistols. Rank
Rank
In Glasgow,
Glasgow,where
where thethe Pistols
Pistolswere
wereduedueto
toplayplaythetheApolloonDecember
Decemberinformation
officerChris
ChrisMoore
Mooretold
toldMM:
MM: "The"The date
date at
at Cardiff
Cardiff Top
Top Rank
15,the15,
thelocal
localcouncil
councilrevoked
revokedthe
thetheatre's
theatre'sentertainment
entertainment licencelicence forfor just
just
information officer
Rank
that
on
14 wasthat night.
night. Said
Said Councillor
Councillor Robert
RobertGrey,
Grey,explaining
explainingthe
theunprecedented
unprecedented
on December
December 14
was never
never really
really on.
on.We
Wehad
hadsigned
signedno
nocontracts
contracts withwith
move: "This"Thisgroup
group attracts
attracts aa young
young element
element andandanyone connectedconnected withmove:
anyonewith thethe SexSex
II honestly%
Pistols
honestly believe
believe wewehavehavegot
gotenoughenoughproblems
problems
Pistols forfor thatthat date.
date,
'The
whole thing"Thewholething isisin Glasgow
Glasgowwithout
importingyobbos.""AsforforBournemouth
Bournemouth Village
Villageinwithout importingyobbos."I"As
ridiculous":Johnnyridiculows":Johnny
Local
in Derby,Bowl
7, theSex
Local councils
councils in
Derby, Newcastle,
Newcastle, Liverpool,
Liverpool,
Bowl onon December
December 7,
the SexRottenthe Pistols
Pistols
Rotten withwiththeatLeeds Polytechnic,
atLeeds
Polytechnic,
Bristol,Sheffield,
Sheffield,Guildford
GuildfordandandBirmingham
Birmingham all
all
Pistols' appearance
appearance on
Bristol,
Pistols'on TV
TV
December
6,1976
December 6,1976
bannedthe Pistols
Pistols fromfrom playing*
broughtthat toto ahead.
a head.We
We werebanned theplaying inin theirtheir towns.
towns.
brought that
wereThis wasThis
was anan unprecedented
unprecedented decision
decision for
for
concerned about
concerned
about thethe security
securityr
Sheffield
aspectof it
it all.
Sheffield Council
Council since
since they
theyhave
havenever
neverbannedbannedaspect of
all.WeWewerewerecertainly
certainly
1
anyrock group
groupfromfromthetheCity
City Hall
Hall before
before now.
anyrocknow.
not keenkeen toto be
be associatedassociated with
with aanot
Newcastle
ArthurStabler
Stabler said:
bandof thisNewcastle Councillor
CouncillorArthur
said:band ofthis sort."
sort.""Itwaswasdecided
decidedto
tocancel
cancelthe
theconcert
concert inin thetheMoore added
added thatthat thethe question
question
"It
Moore
*
interestsof protectingofinterests ofprotecting thethe children.
children. We
We cancanof future
future Sex
SexPistols
Pistolsconcerts
concerts■»
had
control what
what happens
happens at
Hall but
but notnothad been
been discussed
discussed andand said
said
controlat thethe City
City Hallwhaton thethe stage."stage."
thewhat happens
happens on
the company
company wouldn't
wouldn't bebeIn
Saturday thethe Pistols
Pistols kept
kept aIn Derby
Derby on
onSaturdayainterested ininterested
in booking
booking them
them if
if
15-strongthey
Id not15 -strongcouncil
council delegationdelegation waitingfor
waiting for two
twothey cou
could
not prove
prove they
they had
had
jhours atHall.The
Thebandband had
had agreed
agreedchanged themselvesfrom thethehours
at thethe King's
King's Hall.
changedthemselves fromtocurrent
to stagestage aaspecial
specialpreviewconcert
preview concert sosothatthat
current format.
format.
councillors could
judge whether
whether thethe showshow
The only
only dates
datesremaining
remaining fromfromcouncillors
could judge
Theyshouldthetime were
were Leeds
should gogo aheadahead ornot.
or not.
the tourtour bypress
bypress time
Leeds
The Pistols
Pistols stayed
stayed inin theirtheir hotel
hotel asas thethe
Polytechnic on
on Monday
Monday this
this
The
Polytechnic
councillors
refusingto
week,councillors waited,
waited, refusing
to travel
travel with
withweek, Manchester
Manchester onon Thursday,Thursday,a waitingawaiting policep olice motorcade
motorcade into
into thethe centre
centre ofof thetheDundee Caird
DundeeCaird Hall
Hall (December(December
town.
16).
(21)
town. Eventually
Eventually thethe council
council delegationdelegation
16).Plymouth
Plymouth Woods
Woods Centre
Centre (21)conferred insecret at
at thethe hallhall andand Councillor
Councillor
and London
Theatre (26).
conferredin secretandLondon Roxy
Roxy Theatre(26).
LeslieDates
Leslie Shipley,
Shipley,leader
leaderof
ofthe
thedelegation,delegation, thenthenDates were
were added
added at
at Leeds
Leeds
announced the
Polytechnic -aasecond
oking announced
theconcert
concertwas
was off.
off.
Polytechnicsecond bo
bookingTHE SEX PISTOLS' headlining British tour has been

He said the council was disgusted by the Pistols' lackof manners in"We'll have tohave a special

listen to thesingle to see if
it is offensive"

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WorldMags.net
142
I HISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK 1976
1976
142 I HISTORY'SEXSEX PISTOLSPISTOLS

WorldMags.net

10on Wednesday, Liverpool's Eric's^V r(December12), Caerphilly(December 12),
Caerphilly Castle
Castle Cinema
CinemamtJL(14),(14),Maidenhead
Maidenhead Skindles
Skindles (18),(18),Birmingham
Birmingham
Bingley Hall
Hall (20),(20),Paignton
PaigntonPenelope's
Penelope's (22)(22)andandPlymouth
Plymouth Woods
Woods Centre,
Centre,Bingleyanother
repeatbooking
booking(23).
(23).
another repeatRadio
One isis refusing
refusing toto play
play thethe "Anarchy"Anarchy In
In UK"
UK"single
single during
during its
itsRadio One
daytimebut denies
denies thatthat its
its decision
thedaytime programmes,
programmes, butdecision was
wasprompted
prompted bybythecontroversy surrounding
controversy
surroundingthe
thePistols.
Pistols.Said
Said aa spokesman:spokesman: "The"The record
record has
hasbeen
by Johnspin onbeen played
played byJohn Peel
Peelasasaanew
newspinon hishislate-night
late -nightprogramme,
programme,
which
new bandsof interest."
which has
has always
always featured
featured new
bands ofinterest."Peel
to punk
Peel will
willbebedevoting
devotinghis
hisRadioRadioOne
Oneshowthis
show thiscoming
comingFriday
Fridayto
punkrock, with
with TheThe Damned
Damned making
debut andand records
records byby thetherock,making their
theirBBCBBC debut
Pistols,
The Saints
York punks Television.
Television.
Pistols, Australian
Australian punks
punks TheSaints andand New
NewYorkpunks
Producernot meantmeant toa history
history ofpunk,
Producer John
John Walters
Walters toldMM:
told MM: "It's"It's not
to be
be a
of punk,
butof theofbut aa presentation
presentation of
the music
music after
after alallI thethewords
wordsabout
aboutthethesociology
sociologyof
the players.
theplayers. It's
It's notnot like
likethetheBeeb
Beebjumping
jumpingon
onthe
thepunk
punkbandwagon,
bandwagon, butbutjust
what the controversial
controversial artists
artists soundsound like."
like."
just some
some examples
examples ofofwhatthe
But
But ininSheffield
Sheffieldthe
thelocal
localcommercial
commercial station,
station, Radio
Radio Hallam,
Hallam, has
hasbannedthePistols'
Pistols'
single.DJ
DJColin
Colin Slade
Slade told
told thethe MM:
MM: "Itbanned thesingle.
"It waswas played
played last
last
week during
during thethe lunchlunch show
show andand thenthen we
we threw
threw thethe phones
phones open
open toto thetheweeklisteners.
in lessless than20
listeners. We
We gotgot80
80calls
callsthroughthrough ourourjjammed
am med switchboard
switchboard inthan 20
minutes,
rest thought
thought itit waswas
minutes, andand onlyfour
only fourpeople
peoplesaid
saidthey
theyliked
likedit.
it. The
The rest
terrible.
clear mandate
terrible. We
Wedecided
decidedthis
thiswaswasaapretty
prettyclear
mandate fromfrom our
our audience,
audience,and soandso thethe record
record isis notnot being
being played."
played."In
Radio saythe record
record isis notIn Manchester,Manchester, Piccadilly
PiccadillyRadiosaythenot onon theirtheirplaylist,
and BRMB
BRMB
playlist, andand thethe samesame goes
goes forfor Capital
Capital Radio
Radio inin London
London andin Birmingham.
Birmingham.
inon Wednesday, Liverpool's Eric's

N RECORD SHOPS across the country, sales of the single rocketed

IN RECORD SHOPS across the country, sales of the single rocketed

after the Pistols' TV appearance. One retailer in Cambridge said:"People who would never normally be seen in our shop have been
coming in and asking for the single. They've been buying because of
curiosityvalue and because of the Pistols' appearance on television."
Another retailer in Manchester told MMhe sold every record he had instock. "We could have sold plenty more but EMI didn't have anymore in

1

after the Pistols' TV appearance. One retailer in Cambridge said:"People who would never normally be seen in our shop have been

coming in and asking for the single. They've been buying because of

curiosity value and because of the Pistols' appearance on television."
Another retailer in Manchester told MMhe sold every record he had instock. "We could have sold plenty more but EMI didn't have anymore instock, which was a great shame from our point of view."
AspokesmanA
spokesmanfor
for EMIEMI said
said thatthat sales
sales were
were very
veryhealthy
healthy but
but refusedrefused totogivegive figures.
figures.
"That's not
not our
ourpolicy.
let memejustjust saysayititwas
doingfinefinebefore
beforethat
that"That'spolicy. But
But letwas doing
television
but it's
it's doing
fine now."
now."
television programme,
programme, but
doingfineEMI'spressing
pressing plant
plant inin Hayes
Hayeswaswashithitby
byalightning
EMTs
a lightning strikestrikeonon Friday.
Friday.
Women
to pack
theSexSex Pistols
Women onon twotwo shifts
shifts refusedrefused to
packthePistols single
single inin protest
protest over
overtheir television
television appearance.
appearance. They
They handled
handled other
other records.
records. The
The problem
problemtheir
was
was resolved
resolved andand thethe plant
plant waswas backback toto full
fullproduction
production on
on Saturday.
Saturday.
A
spokesmanfor
forEMIEMI said:said; "We"We can
Aspokesman
can appreciate
appreciate what
what these
these ladies
ladies were
were
upset
and I
I won'twere exactly
exactly delighted
to havehave toupset about
about and
won't suggest
suggest thatthat they
theyweredelighted totogo back
backandandcarry
carryonpackingthe
does notnot condone
condone thethegoon packing
therecord.
record.EMI
EMI itself
itself doesuse
use ofofbadbadlanguage,
language, but
but there
there isisnonoquestion
question of
ofactionactionbeing
beingtaken
taken against
againstthe Sex
Pistols."the
Sex Pistols."The
denied suggestions
suggestionsthat
thatdirectors
directors
ofEMI
EMI were
The spokesman
spokesman deniedofwerestock, which was a great shame from our point of view."

attemptingto force the recordingdivision to revoke the band's contract.
"That's totally out of the question. Their contract is signed and that's all

attempting to force the recording division to revoke the band's contract.
"That's totally out of the question. Their contract is signed and that's all

there is to it."there is to it."Boots are currently considering whether to continue stocking the
Pistols single. Said a spokesman: "Some of our branches have copiesof the single, but I think we will need to have a special listen to the single
to see whether it is offensive before deciding on whether to continue
Boots are currently considering whether to continue stocking the

Pistols single. Said a spokesman: "Some of our branches have copiesof the single, hut I think we will need to have a special listen to the single
to see whether it is offensive before deciding on whether to continue

selling it."
Pistols singer
singer Johnny
Johnny Rotten,
Rotten, speakingtoMM
speaking toMMat
Leeds,
Pistols
at hishis hotel
hotel inin Leeds,

sellingit.""Clever management""Clevermanagement"Rock stars comment on tit PISTOLS 'outrage".

Rock stars comment on the PISTOLS "outrage".

Alex
HarveyAlex Harvey'The"The hypocrisy
hypocrisy ofofallthisstaggersme
all this staggers me-if- if everyone
everyone used
used
four-letterwords onfour-letter words
on TV,
TV, thenthennobodyBut howhow
nobody would
would object.
object. But
can
can a
a wordword like
like fuck
fuck bebe offensive;
offensive;one
one wonders
wonders what
what Shakespeare
Shakespeare
wouldhave said.
said. Yetwould have
Yet you
you getgetaa man
man who
who sayssays thethe TVTV showshow
offended
him admitting
heoffended him
admitting thatthat hewould
hiswould use
use these
these words
words toto hismates,
mates, but
but hehedidn't
didn't want
want itit
comingin hiscoming inhis home.
home. Well,
Well, how
how
hypocritical
hypocritical can
can you
you get?
get?
"The"The whole
whole ofof rockrock music
music
breakstheisonlybreaks the rules-whichrules -which is
only
what
what these
these kids
kids were
were doing,
doing, andandwhat
Stones did.
Jazz
what thethe Stones
did. Jazz
anotherfour-letter
word, brokeanother four-letter word,
broke
the
the rules.
rules. As
As forfor thethe talk
talk ofof themthem
being
to me,
being violent
violent--tome, whenwhen mymykids
kids cancan seesee anan advert
advert Join
Join The
The
Professionals,
Professionals, that's
that's far
far moremoreviolent
like ads
ads toviolent--liketo joinjoin thethe Argyll
Argyll&Sutherland& Sutherland Highlanders.
Highlanders.
"I
the adverse
adverse"I don't
don't think
think thepublicity
will dodotheSex
publicity will
the Sex Pistols
Pistolsany
any harm.
harm. IIdon't
don't know
know ifif they
they
canthen allall
can playplay-- but
but ifif they
they can,can,thenthat
that publicity
publicity cancan only
only dodo themthem
good.
This is1976;
is 1976; andgood. Thisand thesethesekids think differently."

kids think differently."

Eric Burden"This"This isis obviously
obviouslyaa spin-off
spin-off fromfrom thethe
RollingStonesera.
Rolling Stones era.
II haven't
Sex Pistols
haven't heard
heard thethe Sex
Pistolsyet,yet, but
but anything
anything thatthat publicises
publicises
hot
hot rockrock oror moremore sex
sex isis allallright
right
Eric Burdon

with me.

with me.

"This is really a very cleverpiece
piece ofof managementandis
management and istypicalof thetimes, which
typical of
the times,
which seem
seem
toon theto throw
throw more
more attention
attention onthemanagement
management than
than thethe music.
music.
Perhaps
aspect isis
Perhaps thethe warning
warning aspectthethe quasi-Nazi
quasi -Nazispin-off
spin-off from
from
New
have
New York.
York. Hitler
Hitler would
would havebeen
been very
very proud
proud ofof Clockwork
Clockwork
Orange,Andy Warhol,
Warhol, Kiss
Kiss and
Orange, Andy
andthethe SexSex Pistols.
Pistols. It's
It's when
when this
thisgets
playful side,
side, andandgets beyond
beyond thethe playful
youngsters
youngsters could
could perhaps
perhaps bebe
manipulated
manipulated forfor otherother reasons,reasons,thatthe real
real danger
set in.
that thedanger would
would setin.
"Hitler"Hitler was
was veryvery much
much"This is really a very clevercommented: "The whole thing is ridiculous. I don't see why councillors
shouldto people
should dictate
dictate topeople what
what kids
kids gogo outout andand listen
listen toto anyany night.
night.
"It'sand paytaxesjust
like anyone
anyone else
else toto decide"It's upupto
tothe
thekids
kidswho
whowork
workand
paytaxes justlike
decidewhat they
just sickof thethe whole
whole thing.
thing. We
feellikelikeaabunch
bunch
what
they want
wanttoto do.
do. I'mI'm just
sick ofWe feelofprisoners."
ofprisoners."
under
STOPPRESS:PRESS:Sex
SexPistols
PistolsLondon
Londonconcert
concert at
at Roxy
RoxyTheatre
Theatre on
on Boxing
Boxingunder thethe influence
influence ofof Wagner
WagnerSTOP
Day
Day cancelled.
cancelled.
- andand this
this waswas anan unpleasantunpleasantassociation
Sir John
John Read,
Read,chairman
chairman ofEMI,saidsaidatatthe
thecompany'sAGM
company'sAGM on
on
association with
with music.
music. But
But
Sirof EMI,
Tuesday
are considering
considering "very"very carefully
II don't
Tuesdaythatthey
thattheyare
carefully
don't want
want totopre-judge
whether towhether
to release
release any
any moremore Sex
Sex Pistols
Pistols records".
records".
pre -judge thethe Sex
Sex
He"EMI will
will reviewits
Pistols;
He also
also told
told shareholders:shareholders: "EMIreview its
Pistols; II haven't
haven't
Sex Pistols
Pistolsheard
play.
general guidelines
guidelines regarding
regarding thepopheard them
them play.
generalthe contents
contents ofof pop******* DAMNED
DAfVlNEn *******
records.
The
records. We
Weseekseektotodiscourage
discourage records
records which
which areare
The name,
name,From The U.S.A.
us
however,likely totocausecauseoffence."
offence."•however, turns
turns memelikelyThe HeartHea
commented; "The whole thing is ridiculous. I don't see why councillors

rt

Breakers
Breakers

off. But from what other people
have
have said,
said,their
their music
music isis not
not thatthat
important.
Let's hear
hear somethingimportant. Let's
somethingwhichability, andand thenwhich shows
showsability,
then we
we
won't
say."
won't care
care what
what they
they say."off. But from what other people

Roger Daltrey"The"The best
best possible
possible
hype
hype image
image since
since
The
The WhoWho andand thethemodmod thing.
thing. It's
It's notnot all
all thatthatoriginal.
original. If
If youyou look
look backback
throughthefilesfilesofofold
oldNIs4sMMsthrough the
you'llhow much
you'll be
be surprised
surprised how
muchthethe SexSex Pistols
Pistols soundsound like
like us.
us.
"Swearing"Swearing doesn't
doesn't botherbother memeatall;
at all; ljustthink
I just think they
they could
could have
have
said
said something
something really
reallysensational.
sensational. II don't
don't dislike
dislike what
what
they
they do,do, but
but I'dI'd like
like toto telltell them
them
they'reice, forthey're skatingskating onon thinthin ice,forthethe press
press jumped
jumped very
very quickly
quicklyonon thethe sensational
sensational aspectand
aspectand ififthethe groupgroup can't
can't produce
producesomethingsomething more
more substantial
substantial totobackback them
them upthey
up they areare going
going to
to
be
be in
in forfor aavery
very tough
tough time.
time.
"It's
about time
time thethe youngsters"It'sabout
youngsters
kickedkicked upand
up and maybe
maybe this
this will
will
lead
lead toto aa more
more mellow
mellow attitudeattitude
in
But a
a lot
is
in people.
people. But
lot ofof thisthis isgood
hype.
good old
old rock'n'roll
rock'n'roll hype.
"The"The Sex
Sex Pistols
Pistols may
may now
now feelfeel
theychange, butthey won't
won't change,
but youyou
don't
don't see
see things
things thethe samesame at
at 32
32
as
19. Andas youyou dodo at
at19.
And only
only
someonesomeone ofof 32
32 cancan telltell you
you that.
that.
It's
It's all
all like
like reading
reading about
about TheThe
Who
Who smashingsmashing up
up hotels-so
hotels- sowhat'swhat's original
original aboutthat?"
about that?"
Roger Daltrey

Phil Collins"I"I suppose
suppose their
theirvsbehaviourisbehaviour is
aimed
aimed at
at teachingteaching
somethingmusic can't
something other
other music
can't
reach.
And ifreach.And
if thethe public
public reaction
reactionisanything toisanything
to go
go by,
by, thenthen they
they
couldn't
have hadPR
couldn't have
had aa better
better PR
jobdoneforthemselves.
job done for themselves. It
It willwill
arousein thearouse interest
interest in
the group,group, andandas
as thethe mainmain aim
aim ofof aa group
group is
is to
to
get
get aa record
record inin thethe charts,
charts, then
then itit
iswould now
now buybuy aais likely
likely people
people would
disc
disc byby thethe SexSex Pistols
Pistols out
out ofofcuriosity.
curiosity. But
But ifif Johnny
Johnny Rotten
Rottenandand hisgroupaim
his group aim toto becomethe
become the
next
do so
so
next Beatles,
Beatles, they
they won't
won't doonon shockshock tacticsalone-they'lltacticsa lone - they'll
have
havetotoproduce
produce something
somethingmusically
musically worthwhile.
worthwhile.
Phil Collins"A friend video-taped the

BIRMINGHAM
Monday December
20th

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publicity wewe played
played itit overover
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out ofof curiosity.
curiosity. All
All wewe foundfoundgroup on a So/t Goes TV

was a complete lack of talent."

was a complete lack of talent."

WorldMags.net
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1976

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11976

Readers' letters

flC70B[R-^EL^™

MM OCT-DEC Punk ruffles feathers, Chrysalis impresses, vinyl gets a sound kicking.
MM OGT-DEG Punk ruffles feathers, Chrysalis impresses, vinyl gets a sound kickingfiVrelevant
to thePunkP I'll drink to that
relevant to
the new
new violence
violence
Whatisishappening
What
happeningtoto
music
music
today
today generation.
generation. They
Theywill
will become
become the
the
that
MM
every week to tothingtheydespisenow.thethat forces
forcesthetheMMeveryweek
thing they despise now, thewriteestablishment.
Unlike bands
likewrite reams
reams onon thethe so-calledso-calledpunk
punk
establishment. Unlike
bands liketherock controversy?
controversy?
the Stones,
Stones, The
The Beatles
Beatles andand thetherock
For two
two years
years oror moremore thethe
Floyd, they
they won't
won't survive
survive withwithFor
Floyd,
MelodyMakerhas
their
Melody Makerhasbeen
beenprinting
printing
their own
own generation
generation because
because they
they
regular (though(though with
with increasing
increasinghave
no talenttalent andand they
theywon't
regularhave nowon't
vehemence)
articles onon whatprogressvehemence) articles
what has
has
progress fromfrom punpunkk music
music
been apparently
been
apparently accepted
accepted asas thethebecause they
becausethey can't.
can't. So
So realreal music
music
new
wave inin rockrock music.
loversnewwavemusic.
lovers just
just bebepatient;patient; punk
punk rock
rock
Don't
will
Don't you
you think
think thatthat perhaps
perhapswill kill
kill itself
itself with
with its
its own
own hate
hate ofofestablishment.
this attitudeattitude amounts
amounts totheestablishment. CHRISCHRIS WHITAKER,
WHITAKER,
this
to theOngar,
Essex (MM,(MM, Nov
Nov27)
greatest form
form ofofadulation
adulation that
that
Ongar, Essex
27)
greatest
punkrock could
punk rock
could ever
ever receive?
receive?
Whatevercaused thethe current
current
Whatever caused"success" ofof these
these bands,
bands, it"success"itcertainly was notcertainlywas
not their
their music.
music.
IIwould
to laywould bebe tempted
tempted tolay thetheblame
at your
your feet.
feet. If
If youblame atyou really
reallywould
would like
like punk
pun k rockro ck to
to be
be no
no
more, maysuggest you
you ignore
ignore it,
more,
may I
1 suggestit,andin sixmonths
it wouldand insix months itwould bebefgone? Punk
Punkrockreally does
does notnotgone?
rock reallyhave
Ihave thethe popular
popular appeal
appeal your
yourweekly articles
weeklyarticles on
on it
it would
would have
have ususbelieve:believe; letletthosethosethatthat need
need ananauralkeep themusic toaural lobotomy
lobotomy keep
the music
tothemselves andthose ofof us
us whowho
Punk: the tputh
truth
themselves
and letlet those
Punk:theIn reply
reply toto Chris
ChrisWhitaker's
Whitaker's letter.
letter.
understandtherealreal emotive
emotive powerIn
understand thepower
1of musicofmusicreadreadabout
about intelligent
intelligent
I would
would like
like toto saysaythatthat it's
it's notnot what
what
music
the
are playing
music within
within your
your pages.
pages.
the punk
punk bands
bands areplaying that
that
The only
only time
time II have
have ever
ever comecomematters, it's
what they
they areare saying.
saying.
The
matters,
it's what
acrosslive
I've been
I'vebeen involved
involved with
with music
music
across these
these punker-wallahs
punker-wallahs live
now
for about
about 16
16 years,
was atat aa gig
gig thethe Sex
SexPistols
Pistols did
did atat
nowforyears, andand one
one
was
my
thing
I've learnedis thatmy oldold college.
college. Within
Within two
twothing I've
learned isthat music
music
minutes II andand half
half thet heaudienceaudience
and truth
truth gogo together
together hand-inhand -in minutes
and
were
hand.
For too
too long
were rolling
rolling about
about laughing.
laughing. The
The
hand. Forlong now
now we've
we've been
beenother half
otherhalf had
had fled
fled forfor thethe bar;bar;
inundated withinundatedwith bands
bands who
who arearevery
technical, veryvery
II humbly
very technical,very clever,clever, very
humbly suggestyou
suggest you do
do likewise.
likewise.
Whatever punk
punk rockrock isissupposed
supposedpolished, but
away fromfrom thethe
Whateverpolished,
but shy
shy awaytoimportantissues
issuesof
oflifelife andto be,
be,it's
it'scertainly
certainlyamusing
amusing andandimportantand cover
cover
them
it's aagreat
great excuse
excuse tototurnturn toto drink.
drink.
them up
up withwith technicaltechnical wizardry
wizardryit's
BILL
Slaithwaite Road,
Road,
and
lyrics that
BILL DYKE,
DYKE,Slaithwaite
and pretentious
pretentious lyrics
that have
have
Lewisham
Lewisham (MM(MM Oct
Oct 9)
9)no relevance.
relevance.
no
NowI'mnotknockinggood
Now I'm not knocking goodmusic, butmusic,
but let's
let's have
have good
good music
music
Today's
punks,
Today's punks,
andtogether. You
You may
and truth
truth together.
maythink
think((L P'
tomorrows
tomoppow's
punkbands lack talent; thismaypunkbandslacktalent;
this may
WINNERly/beestablishment
establishment
be truetrue inin thethe musicalmusical sense,
sense, but
but
I'd like
like toto know
know why
why
there isno lacklack ofofhonesty
honesty and
and
I'd
there
is no
the
truthfulness
in whatwhat they
they do,the worldworld isis sosoworked
workedupup andandtruthfulness indo, andandsurprised by
the arrival
arrival ofofpunkpunk
this must
must surely
be thethe rarest
rarestsurprisedby thethissurely berock,
to come.
come. OK,OK,
talent ofof themall.
talentthem all.
rock, asas itit was
was boundbound toit's
it's aa loadload ofof crap
crap andand anyone
anyone with
with
Thankyou, punkThankyou,punkrockers;
rockers; itithands cancan play
play it,
it, but
seems
the Age
Aquarius isn't
hands
but thethe samesame
seems theAgeOf
OfAquarius
isn'tdeadafterall.GEOFFGRAHAM,
was true
true ofof early
earlyrock'n'roll
rack'n'roll andanddead after all. GEOFF GRAHAM,
wasEnglish2
English reggae.
reggae. Both
Both ofof thesethese
2 TudorTudor Road,
Road,Camp
CampHill,
Hill,Nuneaton,
Nuneaton,types ofof music
musicattracted
attracted thetheWarwickshire (MM,Dec ii)
types
Warwickshire(MM, Decll)
violent
violent element
element ofof theirtheir generation
generation- thethe rockers
rockers andand thethe skinheads
skinheads -Pistols live,
live, after
after aa fashion
fashionPistolsandThe
and todaypunkrock
todaypunk rock attracts
attracts
The likes
likes ofof thethe SexSex Pistols
Pistols have
have yetyet
our violent element: theourviolentelement:
the punks,
punks,
to provetoprove thatthat they
they areare only
only worthy
worthyI suppose
led.
of
supposeIthey're
they're calcalled.
of aamention
mention inin aapublication
publication
The thing
thing is,given two
two toto fourfour
dealing solelywith
fashion, andandTheis, given
dealingsolely
withfashion,ifthe music
music they
deliverlive
live isisyears, theyears,
the 1919-year-old-year-old musiciansmusicians
ifthe
theydeliver
will bebe 22,23
22, 23andand nono longerlongeranything toby,IIthink
thinkthatthat their
their
will
anything
to go
go by,
Punk? I'll drink to that

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o
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audacious lyrics and discordantmusic will not hold their heads
above water when their followers
tire of torn jumpers and safety pins.

\

audacious lyrics and discordantmusic will not hold their heads-Vabove waterwhen their followers■-

131%1 TOURtire of torn jumpers and safety pins.

O/V TOURdi
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STEVEN MORRISSEY, Kings Road,
Stretford, Manchester
(MM,
Dec
TO
Stretford,
Manchester(MM,
Decll)STEVEN MORR1SSEY, Kings Road,

Publicity
Publicity nono stunt
stunt
I
I wonderwonder if
if IImay,
may,throughthrough thethecolumns
columns ofyourof your magazine,
magazine,
express mymydeepest
thanks totheexpress
deepest thanks
to thepublicoffice ofpublic relations
relations officeof Chrysalis
Chrysalis
Records.
Records. On
On Tuesday,
Tuesday,November
November
30,1sent
sentaletter
aletter toto Chrysalis
Chrysalis
30,1
requestingon RobinRobin
requesting information
information on
Trower.
AsIIposted
posted thethe letter
letter II
Trower. As
thought
would receive
receive aa reply,
thought II would
reply,
good
good oror bad,bad, inin aa month
month oror two.
two.
Howwrong I
I was,
Howwrong
was,because
becauseon
on Friday,
Friday, Decembers,
December 3, just
justthree days
sent thethe letter,
letter,threedays after
after II sentI
with theI received
received aareply
replywiththeinformation
had asked
asked forfor
information I1 hadplus
plus two
two photographs.
photographs.
The speed
speed ofof thethe reply
replyjust
left
The
just leftme astounded.
In thesemeastounded. In
these days
days when
when
one hears
hears soso muchmuch about
about record
recordone

DATE=woe dm.
DAVE FREEMAN e&lggg? *mkt Aid FCARLIFEEWLYORNIA
1

bw J fair na DJ5 601

r1=1111:1*

Stvheit Stills and Weil Young

Stephen Stills and (Ate*/ youngareare togetheragain.
together again. ^ru(Very together.
together.

$*companies treating the consumer
in a shoddymanner, it is gratifying
to find a company that does careabout its customers.
companies treating the consumer

in a shoddy manner, it is gratifyingc *to find a company that does careabout its customers.

I really hope you will print thisIreallyhopeyouwillprintthis
letter, nota desiredesire toto seesee mymyletter,not out
out ofof anamename inin print,
print, but
but because
because itit isis
about time
time thatthat thethe record
recordaboutrr'tor isirvk"ILoi ig May\bii Rui a"
The stfigle
The*ogleandandthethedbim.
fibin

ROUNDHOUSE `-m".
ROUNDHOUSE

SUNDAY
4th
SUNDAY
4thJUIY/t/IYat-5-30p.ni
at 5-30 la.mV* Mancompanies that take trouble
over their consumers got some

wmmm

favourable publicity. GEORGE P

favourable pub] icity. GEORGE P

RdrnoitEs

COLE, Acland Hall, Bingley College,
Bingley,
Yorkshire (MM,Bingley, Yorkshire(MM, Dec
Dec 25)25)m STMHCLERS
INQT OUNKLC WHC UVWJUKC BOXj

companies that take trouble

over their consumers got some

RAMOIIES
7HE ST/MHCIERS

COLE, Acland Hall, Bingley College,§0i0KiC4POOF
♦rom

Dr.

Pressing problem
The price
price ofof records
records
The()
VV WINNER! y
I continues to increase,continues to increase,
yet thethe quality
quality ofofyetpressing
to decline.
decline. It's
It's
pressing continues
continues toannoyingannoying toto partpart with
with ananamount
amountapproaching£4 forapproaching £4
for anan album,
album, andand
thenplay it,it, only
then play
only toto findfind thetheenjoymentbyenjoyment ofthe
ofthe music
music ruined
ruined bycrackling
crackling andand hissing
hissing noises.
noises.
This
This situation
situation seems
seems eveneven
more inconceivableinconceivable when
when oneone
more
considers thatthat inin recentrecentyears
theconsiders
years theimprovement in
improvementin hi-fi
hi-fi equipment
equipment
means
faults onmeans thatthat faults
on pressingspressings
become even
even more
more apparent.
apparent.
becomeSurely,Surely,asassoundsoundrecordingand
recording and\UVI oltK-r sn/noiY .
.

jrw-vi
W/ "ROXinin

Pressing problem

LP

reproduction equipment
improves, so should the quality
reproduction equipment

improves, so should the qualityof record pressings.
A
Areturn
return toto thethe quality
quality ofofpressings ofpressings
offivefive oror 10
10 years
years ago
ago
can't
can't bebe beyondbeyond thethe bounds
bounds ofofpossibility.
GRAHAM GREEN,
possibility. GRAHAM
GREEN,of record pressings.

Staines Road, Twickenham,
Middlesex(MM, Dec
Dec 25)25)
Middlesex (MM,

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si
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New Kid irirowri..-New
sir^k-firomfrom thethe J1k.
aJbum ntCW Kid in lown.
Nevo,nwk

ROUNDHOUSE '11,4"'

ROUNDHOUSE

FRI/SAT/SUIHOU12 DICEMBIRal-7-30
FRI SAT31114-10/1112
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ROCKP1LE
rc^rwfliM mtem^rnW
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ALKATRAZ

Staines Road, Twickenham,
ADM

ALKATRAZ
iwf -frnm tiwm- JV*9 0na•HiiNACMhCt «KV>€ •OlO»»
VtalAtlltf
Ay> >*/' O* AT
ODCit
NGDY

WorldMags.net
HISTORYHISTORYOF
OFROCK
ROCK1976
19761143
1145

WorldMags.net
1976r

AfONTH^*MUS1ULAT i If-PISTOLS❖>

Yo» to
lour

00
<

■ ■

Hm

love
/.esterLester Bangs
Bangs falls
falls inin love(and sees
Land)
(and
seesthethe Promised
l'reinissiiLLInd)

Corning next.

Comingnext

in 1977!

in

1977!

S0 THAT WAS 1976. Hope you said something outrageous.
Certainly, that's not it from our reporters on the beat. The

SO THAT WAS 1976. Hope you said something outrageous.

Certainly, that's not it from our reporters on the beat. The

staffers of NME and Melody Maker enjoyed unrivalled accessstaffers of NMfandMe/ody Mater enjoyed unrivalled accessto the biggest stars of the time, and cultivated a feel for therhythms of a diversifying scene; as the times changed, so did
they. While in pursuit of the truth, they unearthed stories
that have come to assume mythical status.
That's very much the territory of this monthly magazine. Each month,
to the biggest stars of the time, and cultivated a feel for therhythms of a diversifying scene; as the times changed, so did

they. While in pursuit of the truth, they unearthed stories

that have come to assume mythical status.

That's verymuch the territory of this monthly magazine. Each month,The
History0/,Rod:will
Of Rock willbebringing youverbatim
verbatimreports
reportsfrom
from thethe pivotal
pivotalT/ieMstory
bebringingyou
eventsin popcu Iture,one
oneyearyeara
a month,month,oneoneyearyearatataatime.
time.Next
Nextup,up, 1977!
1977!
events in
pop culture,
FLEETWOOD MAC

FLEETWOOD MAC

THE DOUGHTY JOURNEYMEN of the British blues boom enjoy theirtransformation into a classy, enormously successful MOR act that hasdelivered Rumours. "Now we can make jokes," says Mick Fleetwood,"but it wasn't very funny at the time."

THE DOUGHTY JOURNEYMEN of the British blues boom enjoy theirtransformation into a classy, enormously successful MOR act that hasdelivered Rumours. "Now we can make jokes," says Mick Fleetwood,"but it wasn't very funny at the time."

THE CLASH
THE CLASH

IN THE CAFF and on the tube with the drummerless punks. On theagenda: violence, revolution and inferior bands. "All the new groups
sound like drones," says Joe Strummer. "I ain't seen a good new group

IN THE CAFF and on the tube with the drummerless punks. On theagenda: violence, revolution and inferior bands. "All the new groups
sound like drones," says Joe Strummer. "I ain't seen a good new groupfor six months."

for six months."

THE SEX PISTOLSTHE SEX PISTOLSA TRIP TO Scandinavia with the band and their new member, Sid
A TRIP TO Scandinavia with the band

andtheir new member,

SidVicious, who Johnny Rotten calls "the philosopher in the band". "I'm ahighly original thinker," says Sid. "He's just jealous because I'm reallythe brains of the group."Vicious, who Johnny Rotten calls "the philosopher in the band". "I'm ahighly original thinker," says Sid. "He's just jealous because I'm reallythe brains of the group."

PLUS...

PLUS...

BOWIE!

BOWIE!

THE JAM!
THEJAM!

LED ZEPPELIN!

LED ZEPPELIN!

TOM PETTY!
TOM PETTY!

WorldMags.net

146

146 II HISTORYHISTORY OF
ROCK 1976
1976
F ROCK

WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net

FROM THE
MAKERS OF UNCUT V
WorldMags.net

FROM

THE

MAKERSOF

UNCUT

THE HISTORY OF
HISTORY\

976/

Every month, we revisit long -lost NME and Melody Maker interviews

Every month, we revisit long-lost NME and Melody Maker interviews

and piece together The History Of Rock. This month: 1976.
"Ifyou get down andyou quarrel every day/You're sayingprayers to the devils, I say..."and piece together The History Of Rock. This month:

1976.

"Ifyou get down andyou quarrel every day I You're saying prayers to the devils, I say..."K»SS

RtCEflf
TUtp,w

IND/fc^Jbama
:♦

:v
LAMA
4

Yeah! Yeah!
Yesh yeah
Yeah
FabFahGear.'hair! Why
why the

I

K
'

H

4 7E

V

RAM
BAMA
* LOO

Ringing Sixties
Sleforiog
Sixtieswere:c'c so special

so sileciai■
cfconlll)f>ll AM) Hit
kMOTtOO%

>

I
/

i
Lx

u

JSb* '

Relive the year..,

BOB MARLEY BECAME ASUPERSTARBOBM ARLEY

BECAMEASUPERSTARDAVID BOWIE CONQUERED STAGE AND SCREEN
DAVID

BOWIE

CONQUERED STAGE

ANDSCREEN

PUNK ROCK OUTRAGED A NATIONPUNKROCK OUTRAGED A

NATION...and QUEEN, PATTI SMITH, LED ZEPPELIN and many moreshared everything with NME and MELODYMAKER... and QUEEN, PATTI SMITH, LED ZEPPELIN and many moreshared everything with NME and MELODY MAKER

More from UNCUT...
More

IMEuENIBSUI SENSE MiRliN

40

from UNCUT...

THE
THE ULTIMATEULTIMATE MUSIC GUIDETUE ULTIMATE MUSIC GUIDETHE BEATLES

1.611.W

THE BEATLES

RIIiN

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MLR.

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