Chuck Berry
ORIGINAL ROCK AND ROLLER - JERRY LEE LEWIS
ORIGINAL ROCK AND ROLLER
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Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood is a British R&B band and is often seen as an influential group generally in the punk and rock scene of the 1970s. Hailing from Essex, the group is best known for its top ten hit, Milk and Alcohol. Its early singles, Back in the Night and Roxette are also widely recognised tunes by the band.
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According to the band’s website, the founding members were inspired to pursue music after going to a Howlin’ Wolf gig in Ilford. Shortly after, a rag tag Dr. Feelgood was formed to play a series of gigs in Holland. On the return to the British Isles, the lineup which consisted of Wilko Johnson, John B. Sparks, John Martin and iconic frontman, Lee Brilleaux agreed they had something special and they decided to take things seriously.
At the time, the local London music scene was embracing no nonsense pub rock bands and Dr. Feelgood quickly gained a reputation for energetic performances. One journalist at the time described them as “Hiroshima in a pint glass” or something to that effect.
In 1972, they were approached to become the backing band for a reunion R&B concert that consisted of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddly. Two years later, the band secured a deal with United Artists and released Down by the Jetty.
Its breakthrough record came in the form of a live album called Stupidity which skyrocketed to the number one spot on the UK charts. Johnson, the core song writer, decided to leave the band and was replaced by John Mayo. The last real chart success the band experienced was with Milk and Alcohol, a deep and simplistic rock tune.
In the 80s, there were numerous lineup changes and little chart entries but the band continued to be a sought-after live, touring act. In 1994, Brilleaux lost his battle with cancer at the age of 41.
The band wasn’t sure whether to carry on and decided that fans deserved the real Dr. Feelgood rather than the tribute acts that were coming out of the woodwork. They recruited Pete Gage but eventually settled on Robert Kane who did a stint as the front man for the The Animals.
Kane is still with the band and has racked up an impressive 1200+ live performances with the group including the annual concert that takes place in memory of Brilleaux .
A rockumentary type film called Oil City Confidential, which tells the tale of Dr. Feelgood’s early days premiered in October 2009. It received a standing ovation.
Juanita Appleby
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THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL LITTLE RICHARD
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward “Chuck” Berry was born in St.Louis, Missouri on October 18th 1926. Charles is one of the pioneers of Rock ‘n’ Roll and was one of the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Berry shot to fame in 1956 with “Roll Over Beethoven” reaching No.29 in the Billboard Top 100. His time with Chess Records was extremely success and a number of top 10 U.S. hits followed from 1957 to 1959 including "School Days," "Rock and Roll Music," "Sweet Little Sixteen," and "Johnny B. Goode."
Berry left Chess Records in 1966 for the Mercury label, however, the hits began to dry up and he returned to Chess Records in 1970. Although his first album had little success, he had a No. 1 hit with “My Ding-a-Ling” in 1972.
Berry never recaptured his original success but he continued to play 70 to 100 one-nighters per year in the 1980s, still travelling solo and requiring a local band to back him at each stop.
An absolute legend of Rock N Roll, Chuck Berry with Jonnie Johnson practically invented the genre and perfected it at the same time. Regarded as one of, if not the best guitarist ever by critics and his peers with many legends of the art have given him praise. John Lennon once said 'if you tried to give Rock N Roll another name, you could call it Chuck Berry', as well as Ted Nugent stating 'if you don't know every Chuck Berry lick, you can't play the guitar'. With as many tracks that will fill up a bookcase, the pedigree of Chuck Berry's work over the years has been one to admire. By later inspiring the likes of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, The Who, The Kinks, I could go on forever, we would have not enjoyed their music if Chuck was not about.
In 2008, Chuck Berry toured Europe and still regularly performs at Blueberry Hill, a restaurant and bar located in the Delmar Loop neighborhood in St. Louis.
In his 80s and Chuck Berry is still going strong as he shows the youngsters how its done.
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THE BEACH BOYS
The Beach Boys was mostly a family affair. The group was made up of brothers Carl, Brian and Dennis Wilson cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. The Wilson brothers father had modest success in the music industry. Brian had learnt to play piano while watching his father, and he and his brothers practiced vocal harmonies to hits of the day.
Their first gig was supporting Ike and Tina Turner in 1961. The following year, they signed a deal with Capital Records. The group had originally called themselves The Pendletons, named after the shirts they wore. However, on their first release, someone in the promotions department had named them The Beach Boys, in keeping with the current trend for surf bands. Their early sound drew influences from artists such as Chuck Berry and Phil Spector.
From the early and wistful sounds of summer, Brian created an altogether different sound for the classic album "Pet Sounds". He had been inspired by The Beatles’ album "Rubber Soul" and set about making “the greatest rock album ever made”. Although the newer sound wasn’t popular with band members, singles "Wouldn’t It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows" soared into the top 10 in the US and UK.
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Brian’s health deteriorated, exacerbated by heavy drug use, and he became increasingly reclusive. However, he continued to make music. Perhaps his greatest work, "Good Vibrations" was a masterpiece in complexity with its multi-layered harmonies and innovative use of unusual instruments, Wilson calls it his “pocket symphony” and ranks highly in the music press as one of the best singles of all time, whilst the album Pet Sounds ranks as one of the greatest achievements of the band.
The Beach Boys without Brian continued to perform whilst he spent all his time in the studio, eventually loosing his mind. Several albums were produced during that time including Endless Summer and Holland both containing some great tracks. During this time Brian worked on a sol concept album, Smile which he kept locked away for forty years fearing critical failure, the album eventually being released in 2004.
Elton John fans will be aware that his 1974 hit "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me" featured The Beach Boys on vocals. Success was slim until 1988 had a No. 1 hit in the 80s with "Kokomo", a track from the film soundtrack to ‘Cocktail’.
The Beach Boys’ story is marred by tragedy. Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983 after succumbing to drug abuse. Brother Carl lost his battle with lung cancer in 1998.
Surviving members reunited for the 40th anniversary of the release of Pet Sounds: Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks.
Brian Wilson still tours, as do a watered down version of the Band.
Originally formed in Hawthorne, Calif., in 1961 as the Pendletones; name changed to the Beach Boys, 1961; original group consisted of Mike Love (full name, Michael Edward Love; born March 15, 1941, inlnglewood, Calif.) lead vocals and saxophone; Brian Wilson (born June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, Calif. ) on keyboards and bass as well as being the group's composer and producer (has not toured with group since late 1960s); Dennis Wilson (born December 4, 1944, in Inglewood, Calif.; died by drowning, December 1983) on drums; Carl Wilson (born December 21, 1946, in Inglewood, Calif. ) on guitar, and Al Jardine (born September 3, 1942, in Lima, Ohio) on rhythm guitar, since late 1960s Bruce Johnston has taken Brian Wilson's place on live tours and has recorded with the band; numerous other musicians have recorded and performed with the group; debuted as the Beach Boys with the single "Surfin'," December, 1961; gave first professional performance, New Year's Eve, 1961; made first U.S. concert tour, 1962; made first major European tour, 1964.
Awards: Named the world's top musical group in England's Melody Maker poll, 1966; named band of the year by Rolling Stone, 1975; inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, January 1988.
Addresses: Office—c/o CBS Records, 1801 Century Park W., Los Angeles, CA 90067.
A landmark year, 1963 saw the Beach Boys leap to national celebrity, their success far outstripping all expectations. As their popularity escalated, so did demand for live concerts, and the rising stars found themselves constantly on the road. After several years, Brian, the group's main composer, decided to stop touring; while he stayed home to create new material for the group, Bruce Johnston replaced him live. By the end of 1964, the Beach Boys had recorded six albums for Capitol. Their future looked promising, and in the middle sixties the group assured their star status with hits that included such favorites as "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," "California Girls," and "Barbara Ann."
Impressively, the Beach Boys were one of only a handful of American acts to survive the British Invasion of 1964 that was spearheaded by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Their music not only tapped into the surfing mania and the subsequent car craze, but it had also unfolded as a creative new sound distinguished by pure, joyous harmonies. In 1966 the group released their most sophisticated and successful song until that time, "Good Vibrations." By the end of the year polls were showing them to be the most popular group around, surpassing even the Beatles.
Nineteen sixty-six had also seen the release of their extraordinary Pet Sounds album, an unusual, innovative recording that critics acclaimed as one of the most brilliant in the annals of popular music. A departure from the Beach Boys' traditional fun in the sun themes, Pet Sounds employed extraordinary production techniques to help present an emotional exploration of the various states of mind experienced on the way to maturity. Perhaps too sophisticated for the typical Beach Boy fan of the day, Brian's brainchild album fared better with the critics than with the average audience.
Before 1967 was half over, many people believed the Beach Boys were washed up. They had issued no new recordings for months and there was evidence of turmoil in the stars' personal lives as well as rumors of divisiveness within the group. In addition, their long-awaited Smile album, expected to be Brian's master-piece, was scrapped (a few recovered cuts appeared on Smiley Smile, issued in lieu of the original). In retrospect, however, it appears that the Beach Boys' careers were only in remission. After their obscurity during the late 1960s, they made a successful European showing in 1970, reclaimed status in the United States the following year, and hit another peak when their 1974 album Endless Summer went double platinum. In 1975 Rolling Stone magazine named the Beach Boys band of the year.
Although the Beach Boys in fact never quite regained the adulation they commanded during their heyday, the musicians have succeeded in remaining among the most popular, and most versatile, live entertainers in the business. They have survived not only extraordinary changes in popular music, but strife amongst themselves and their changing membership as well, including the 1983 death of Dennis Wilson. Woes notwithstanding, the group has continued to find itself in demand throughout the 1980s—albeit as "oldies" entertainment—and in recognition of their achievement, the members of the original Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Beloved by fans around the world, the Beach Boys, according to Timothy White in the New York Times, are regarded by many music lovers as "the most successful musical group in American history." Trying to sum up the reasons for the group's appeal, White suggested that "The Wilsons' happy myth of an untrammeled life of endless summers struck a chord in American suburbia in a way no other popular musicians had done. The essence of the American Dream is the belief that anyone can escape the limits and sorrows of his background by reinventing himself. . . . The Beach Boys themselves embodied and celebrated that dream."
Albums (For Capitol, except as noted):
Surfin'Safari, 1962.
Surfin' U.S.A., 1963.
Surfer Girl, 1963.
Little Deuce Coupe, 1963.
Shut Down (two songs), 1963.
Shut Down, Volume 2, 1964.
All Summer Long, 1964.
Christmas Album, 1964.
Beach Boys Concert, 1964.
Beach Boys Today, 1965.
Summer Days (and Summer Nights), 1965.
Beach Boys Party, 1965.
Pet Sounds, 1966.
Smiley Smile, Brother, 1967.
Wild Honey, 1967.
Friends, 1968.
20/20, 1969.
Sunflower, Reprise, 1970.
Surf's Up, Reprise, 1971.
Carl and the Passions: So Tough, Reprise, 1972.
Holland, Reprise, 1973.
Beach Boys in Concert, Reprise, 1973.
Live in London, 1976.
Fifteen Big Ones, Reprise, 1976.
Beach Boys Love You, Reprise, 1977.
MIU, Reprise, 1978.
LA. (Light Album), Caribou, 1979.
Keepin' the Summer Alive, Caribou, 1980.
The Beach Boys, CBS, 1985.
The True to Your School.
California Girls.
Also released numerous anthologies, including Sesf of the Beach Boys, 1966, Volume 2, 1967, Endless Summer, 1974, Spirit of America, 1975, Stack of Tracks, 1976, Ten Years of Harmony, 1985, and Golden Harmonies, 1986.;
Source: Enotes.com
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THE ROCKIN BERRIES
Despite a couple of British Top Ten hits in 1964-65, the Rockin' Berries made no dent in the U.S. market at the height of the British Invasion. Much of the Berries' output reflected the lighter pop-rock face of the British beat boom, emphasizing catchy, carefully constructed tunes supplied by British and American songwriters, with high harmonies indebted to the Four Seasons and the Beach Boys. The Berries wrote little of their own material, and this, combined with the wimpiness of some of their recordings, doomed them to little recognition, and little critical respect, even among British Invasion aficionados. For what they were, however, their best pop-rock outings were pretty respectable. A career strategy that put an eye on the "all-around entertainer" niche, however, led them to record many comedy numbers that have dated excruciatingly badly, and also ensured that they were denied artistic credibility and fell out of the British charts after the mid-1960s.
The Rockin' Berries were formed in the early 1960s when guitarist Brian "Chuck" Botfield was performing with the Bobcats, a Birmingham band, at the Star Club in Hamburg. Several Bobcats (including singer Jimmy Powell, who went on to record with the Five Dimensions in the 1960s) broke off to form their own band, and Botfield brought in some Birmingham friends to regroup as the Rockin' Berries. Vocal arrangements were the Berries' forte, with Clive Lea taking the harder-rocking stuff and falsetto-voiced Geoff Turton pacing their most famous, Four Seasons-influenced material.
After a couple of flop singles for Decca in 1963, the Rockin' Berries signed with the Pye subsidiary Piccadilly. After a mild hit with a cover of the Shirelles' "I Didn't Mean to Hurt You," their cover of the Tokens' "He's in Town," penned by star songwriting team Gerry Goffin and Carole King, took them to #3 in the British charts in late 1964. "He's in Town" was a gentle harmony number, like a less shrill Four Seasons, and the group turned to another cover of an American record, the Reflections' "Poor Man's Son," for their follow-up. More somber than "He's in Town," this made #5 in the UK. At around the same time, the Berries' debut LP In Town, with a manic variety of material encompassing operatic ballads, R&B, harmony pop-rock, comedy, and the German "Ich Liebe Dich," was a fair success in Britain, making #15.
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The Rockin' Berries' versatility, though a boon to their live work in enabling them to play more mainstream theaters and cabarets than some British Invasion acts, worked against them on record. They would frequently insert comic routines into their live shows, and their second album, Life Is Just a Bowl of Berries, was half-occupied by terrible novelty/comedy numbers. They continued to record pop-rock by professional tunesmiths on their singles, including Goffin-King's "You're My Girl," material by British hitmakers John Carter, Ken Lewis, and Perry Ford (who were also writing and recording hits as the Ivy League at the time), and even a little-known tune co-written by a pre-Blues Project Al Kooper, "The Water Is Over My Head." Goffin-King's "You're My Girl" (which, like their "He's in Town, " was first given to the Tokens) and "The Water Is Over My Head" were minor British hits in 1965, but after that there was no chart success for the band. They continued to get work on the cabaret circuit and record singles for Piccadilly and Pye through 1968, when Turton left for a solo career, getting a Top Thirty hit in the US in early 1970 under the name of Jefferson (with "Baby Take Me in Your Arms"). Turton eventually rejoined the still-active Rockin' Berries, who continued to play cabaret for the rest of the century, as well as making some more recordings. ~ All Music Guide
Albums:
Source: Richie Unterberger
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