Positive Vibration

One can not discuss the genre of reggae music without mentioning the infamous name, Bob Marley.  As a man who “had so much things to say,” Marley spoke of life, love, and eternal struggles to the people of the world though his ingenious musical creations.  Simple songs such as “Three Little Birds” with the simple laid-back melody and lyrics, I am able to ease my mind and be reminded that that life doesn’t need to always be taken so seriously, because by the end of the day, it’s going to be all right. 

 

“Dont worry about a thing,

cause every little thing gonna be all right.

Rise up this mornin,

Smiled with the risin sun,

Three little birds

Pitch by my doorstep

Singin sweet songs

Of melodies pure and true,

Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)

 

On a more serious note, as I listen to the words, “Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the life you living," I do in fact sit back and reflect upon my life.  From these words of Wisdom, I always make sure that my “soul is satisfied” and I’m living a happy life.  If I come to a point in my life where I am discontent with any situation, these words remind me to do something about it.  Fortunately, since I was raised in a homey northern suburb of Chicago, I never had to face very difficult situations, intense living conditions or question my surroundings.  Mr. Marley however, was forced to examine and reflect upon the harsh realities of the Jamaican lifestyle, which he constantly applied when writing his songs.

 

Born in the small village of Nine Mile in St. Ann Parish, Jamica on February 6, 1945 Robert Nesta Marley (known as Bob Matley) was thrown into a world of poverty, corruption, governments of tension, poor housing, and no education.  In attempt to escape these conditions, Marley’s mother Cedella, decided to move with her 14 year old son to Trench Town in Kingston.  Sadly, Trench Town proved to be no place of economic growth for the Marley family and provided no luxury or social grace for the ordinary Jamaican citizens.  Living under oppressive socio-economic conditions, Marley became inspired to place themes such as inequality, poverty, oppression, and the need for peace and human rights into his musical creations.

 

In the year of 1963 the vocal quintet titled “The Wailing Wailers” composed of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Livingstone, Junior Braithwaite, and Beverly Kelso was formed.  After being discovered by record producer Coxsone Dodd in 1964, they changed their name to “The Wailers” and recorded one of the biggest Jamaican hits of the year, “Simmer Down” as the impoverished youth of Jamaica was easily able to relate their pain and frustration with the lyrics. 

 

Simmer down, oh control your temper

Simmer down, for the battle will be hotter

Simmer down, and you won't get no supper

Simmer down, and you know you bound to suffer

Simmer down, simmer, simmer, simmer right down

 

Braithwaite and Kelso left the group around 1965, but the Wailers kept on playing as Marley, Tosh, and Lingstone continued to develop the reputation of rebels as they spoke out for the poor inner city dwellers.  This was the beginning of Bob’s social injustice outcry through his music.

 

Up until 1974, before the three main members decided to pursue solo careers, The Wailers produced many songs that reflected social commentary and political protest such as, “Get Up, Stand Up,” and “I Shot the Sheriff”,

 

Some of the Lyrics to “Get Up, Stand Up”

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: dont give up the fight!

 

Preacherman, dont tell me,

Heaven is under the earth.

I know you dont know

What life is really worth.

Its not all that glitters is gold;

alf the story has never been told:

So now you see the light, eh!

Stand up for your rights. come on!

 

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: dont give up the fight!

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: dont give up the fight!

 

Most people think,

Great God will come from the skies,

Take away everything

And make everybody feel high.

But if you know what life is worth,

You will look for yours on earth:

And now you see the light,

You stand up for your rights. jah!

 

 

Some of the lyrics to “I Shot the Sheriff”

 

Sheriff John Brown always hated me,

For what, I dont know:

Every time I plant a seed,

He said kill it before it grow -

He said kill them before they grow.

And so:

 

Read it in the news:

(I shot the sheriff.) oh, lord!

(but I swear it was in self-defence.)

Where was the deputy? (oo-oo-oh)

I say: I shot the sheriff,

But I swear it was in self defence. (oo-oh) yeah!

 

Freedom came my way one day

And I started out of town, yeah!

All of a sudden I saw sheriff john brown

Aiming to shoot me down,

So I shot - I shot - I shot him down and I say:

If I am guilty I will pay.

 

Songs such as these questioned the unjust societies that many people of the time were living in and informed them that “every man has a right to decide his own destiny.” However one must not live with their eyes closed, but instead take a control of their fate and stand up for their rights.

 

Despite the break up, Marley continued to record under the title of “Bob Marley & The Wailers.” His new backing band included brothers Carlton and Ashton “Family Man” Barrett on drums and bass respectively, Junior Marvin and Al Anderson on lead guitar, Tyrone Downie and Earl “Way” Lindo on keyboards, and Alvin “Secco” Pederson on percussion. The “I Threes” consisting of Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, and Marley's wife, Rita, provided backing vocals.

 

As “Bob Marley & The Wailers”, Bob continued to spread his beliefs of inequalities and the need for peace and human rights.  Bob’s upbringing and life revolving around the political structure of Jamaica dramatically influenced his writings, which in turn affected the Jamaican politics of the day. Other songs based on these ideas are:

 

War

Exodus

Redemption Song

One Love

Them Belly Full

So Much Trouble In The World

 

The video below contains musicians around the world adding their part to one of Marley’s most powerful songs, “War/No More Trouble” as it travels around the globe.  We don’t need more trouble, what we need is love.  As he foresaw, the spirit of Bob Marley continues to live on. 

 

"My music will go on forever. Maybe it's a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever."

 

-Bob Marley

Information was based on following sites:

Rastaman Vibration

Official Site

Rolling Stone

Bob Playing Guitar

In The Day Of...

1971 - The Rolling Stones' single "Brown Sugar" his #1 in the U.S. 

1972 - Paul McCartney released his version of the nursery rhyme, "Mary Had A Little Lamb." 

1973 - Record executive Clive Davis was fired from Columbia Records for misappropriating $100,000. 

1973 - Mike Oldfield released his "Tubular Bells" LP. The title track would later become the theme for "The Exorcist." 

1973 - Roger McGuinn (Byrds) made his solo debut at New York's Academy of Music. 

1977 - In Baltimore, Elvis Presley left the stage in the middle of a concert and did not return. It was the first time he terminated a show in this manner. 

Music by Numbers

1970:
Floppy disc was invented.

1971:
The microprocessor is introduced.
George Harrison organized the first benefit concert, Concert for Bangladesh.

1973:
Music business had become a $2 billion/year industry (approximately the size of the film and sports industries combined). Mergers, joint ventures, and distribution deals expanded the music business and consolidated the economic power.

1974:
Top four record companies account for over 50% of all records and tapes sold.

1976:
Apple Computers is founded.

1979:
The Who Concert Tragedy: December 3, 1979. 11 people were trampled to death outside the Riverfront Coliseum in Cicinnatti.

Rediscovered talent using the Internet

In recent years, a huge topic of controversy has been how readily available music is online. The music industry has filed lawsuits because they've been losing money as people no longer purchase CDs and instead download the music for free. For some, the internet has served as a wake-up call as they discover their fan base online.

Vashti Bunyan is an English folk-singer who began in the 1960s. She attended an art and music school but was expelled at age 18 for spending too much time writing songs and not enough time painting. Still, she was discovered and released various singles in the 60s. Unfortunately, the singles didn't really sell. She spent 2 years in Scotland with her boyfriend and was basically isolated. Vashti wrote songs about her personal feelings and experiences in Scotland and took them to Joe Boyd, an American producer that she had crossed paths with, who recorded them. In 1970 she released her full-length album, Just Another Diamond Day, which did not sell well. Dejected, she retired from music to raise a family in Ireland and led her life as a housewife and mother.

She felt misunderstood when no one really connected with her album and felt ashamed and like a failure for the lack of popularity. She never even told her children about her music, hiding cassettes and rarely playing guitar. When she did play guitar, all the feelings of sadness from her first album returned. Her luck improved in 1997 when she bought her first computer. Out of curiousity she typed herself into a search engine and found that copies of Diamond Day were selling on eBAY for 900 pounds! The only way she realized her fan base was ONLINE! In 2000, Diamond Day was re-released on CD.

Her fan base motivated her to return to music. She released the CD Lookaftering in 2005, which was an album full of love songs to her children. The title signified the years of looking after her family and she even had artwork on the album done by her daughter. She has found her fan base and now travels on tour again to multiple countries. Vashti has even performed in New York City where the NY Times reviewed her, which is no easy feat. She's in her 60's and just now discovering her true talent and fans.

If not for the internet, Vashti Bunyan would have continued to just fade into the mix, not even realizing that her music was now popular. The internet helped her see where her fans were and realize that they even existed. While some producers find the internet a nuisance, as it can be seen as draining their profits, it can have enormous benefits for artists and fans.







Vashti in the 1970s (Left) and Current (Right)




Sites where Vashti Bunyan biography information was obtained:
http://www.filter-store.com/fms/artist/bio/0,,1046986,00.html
http://www.nme.com/artists/vashti-bunyan#biography
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Vashti-Bunyan-Biography/B1FB5CD7483476B0482570E80006DEC8
http://scaruffi.com/vol2/bunyan.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/sep/18/popandrock1

1970s picture URL
Current picture URL

Rock Musicals and Concept Musicals

When checking out popular musicals of the 1970s, I was surprised to see how many different styles there were. They range from rock musicals to nostalgic revivals and new book musicals. I chose to cover rock musicals and concept musicals, especially since these two emerged largely in the 1970's.

Rock musicals were a new idea of the 1970's. Because rock music was so popular in the music scene, producers saw it as new hope for Broadway. If they created a musical that combined the theater and the rock music, they could attract all sorts of viewers. In 1970, The Me That Nobody Knows was born. This was a compilation of poems written by inner-city children and performed by teenagers. It wasn't necessarily rock music, but it was protest music and it worked to pump people up, show the poor conditions in cities, and spread the word that change was necessary!

The first big rock musical was Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971. It started out as a British music recording then eventually hit Broadway. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the intent was to show the role that fame had in Jesus Christ's fate. The dialogue was all set to music and this show could even be considered a rock opera. Below is a link showing a song from the musical when it was showing in 1973:



Another hugely popular rock musical was Grease. Released in 1972, the plot was set in the 50's around two seniors in high school as they found romance and friendship. It first opened in Manhattan theaters then became a Broadway show. It was the "most commercially successful 1970's rock musical." Also, until another musical broke the record in the 80's, it was the longest running musical in Broadway history. In 1978 it moved back to theaters and became the highest grossing musical ever in Hollywood! It starred Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta and songs from the movie are still recognizable and popular. Its popularity continues, as Broadway brought it back for over 1,500 shows in 1994. Below is the section from the movie Grease with the song "Summer Nights."

The Wiz (1975) was a remake of The Wizard of Oz as a summary with an all-black cast. The soundtrack ranged from soul to rock music and it was the last hit of the 70's to be deemed a rock musical. I found it really interesting that I was researching this tonight because I literally watched an episode of Scrubs (a TV show that focuses around a hospital and its interns, but it's really funny and one of my favorite shows) where the main character was talking about how he had the role of "The Wiz" in this musical. I had never heard of it before, so I was pretty shocked when I went to research and saw the name listed! It's still known today, as producers even include it in popular television shows.

Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, and The Wiz were just three of the hits-- there were also many flops in rock musicals. Still, it was an idea introduced and adopted in the 1970's. To read more about rock musicals, click here.













Concept musicals were not built with a traditional plot. An exact definition is a "presentational rather than strictly narrative work that employs out-of-story elements to comment upon and at times takes part in the action, utilizing avant-garde techniques to defy unities of time, place, and action." These musicals go through a stage in life and then comment on anything about that stage. This concept was resented by some. For example, one producer (Harold Prince) made musicals which were deemed 'concept musicals' although he defined them as integrated shows, so he felt his audience was limited by the label 'concept musical.' This genre actually refined Broadway and motivated a "soul-searching" redefinition of the genre, musical.

One hit for concept musicals was Company which came out in 1970. The plot was a single man in New York trying to find love. It focuses around his married friends and a bunch of single women who want to be with him. He's not really sure where he fits in. It shows the concept of loneliness as he turns 35 and has the string of internal questioning-- is protecting himself from ever possibly getting hurt worth risking NEVER finding love? Many can relate to this battle of internal wills, and since he is single and older it was especially relateable to some people who sometimes feel like they just missed out on the time to find love.

Another hit, which didn't really become a hit until decades later, is Chicago. The plot is two flappers in the 1920s who are trying to become famous. Their method is marital homicide. This musical focuses brutally on media-based celebrity (doing anything for money) and social hypocrisy. It never really found its crowd in the 70's, but Broadway brought it back in 1996 and to the big screens in 2002 and it now extremely well-known.

To read more about concept musicals (and where the definition above yields from), visit here.

Below is a video of the song "He Had it Coming" from the musical Chicago. In this song the women sing about their murder of their husbands.



Rock musicals and concept musicals are just two genres of musicals which emerged in the 1970s. Undoubtably there is a plethora of other musicals which are still highly popular today, including No, No Nanette and Annie but these were not rock musicals or concept musicals. The 1970's actually produced a large number of musicals and advances in Broadway.



Jesus Christ Superstar URL
Grease picture URL
Chicago picture URL

Dance or Disco - I'm a little ambivalent

Is disco still around? Yes.

Disco may be know as the revolution that swept through the 80's, but in fact Disco started in the 70's. The evolution of this craze has developed into what is now known as dance. Although the motivations, costumes, and culture has changed with society, the structure and design remain the same.

Very few credit the 70's for the music culture so ingrained in the youth of today. Club culture has become a standard feature of the contemporary entertainment landscape.

Love Saves the Day, by Tim Lawrence argues that in the beginning of the 1970's, the Loft and the Sanctuary spawned a new mode of DJing and dancing that went to to become the most distinctive cultural ritual of the decade, and current DJing techniques, dance-floor design, and music aesthetics were largely in place by the end of 1979.

Billboard's Hot Hot Hot 100

The #1 Songs of Billboard's Hot 100 Based On Each Year of the 1970’s

 

1970 : Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon/Garfunkel

1971 : Joy To The World - Three Dog Night 

1972 : The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack 

1973 : Tie A Ribbon Around The Ole Oak Tree - Tony Orland/Dawn

1974 : The Way We Were - Barbara Streisand

1975 : Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain and Tennille

1976 : Silly Love Songs - Wings

1977 : Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart

1978 : Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb

1979 : My Sharona - The Knack

Although I was familiar with all of these artists and songs (excluding Roberta Flack) you could only find a fifth of these songs on my iTunes.  That would include "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel and "Silly Love Songs" by Wings.  I guess my favorite tunes from the 1970’s don’t exactly agree with Billboard's Hot 100, but then again my favorite songs from this day and age don’t either.  As one could guess, I don’t listen to much “popular music.”   

These statistics can be found at Billboard's Historical Charts of the Hot 100

Billboard Logo

Sleepy Sounds and Heart Racing Rhythms

Does any one need some tunes to ease their mind and relax?  How about some songs to add to your workout playlist?  Whether you’re having some trouble falling asleep or need a blood pumping motivator at the gym, I’ve listed below some songs to help out in both situations.

 

Relaxing/Going to Sleep

 

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin

Melissa - The Allman Brothers Band

Indian Summer - The Doors

 

Working Out/Running

 

The Boys Are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy

Can’t Get Enough - Bad Company

Smokin’ - Boston

Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin

 

Why not apply these songs from the past to our everyday lives?

 

Any frequent music listener knows that music has the magical ability to produce a desired state of mind or mood.  However, a crucial factor to this process is the listener’s ability to choose and select their own music, rather than having songs imposed on them.  When people ARE allowed to choose their own music, they can apply a specific song or playlist to help them achieve a particular goal, such as falling asleep or lifting weights.  In both cases, studies have shown that music has the ability to produce physical reactions and can change heart beat, respiration, blood pressure, and neurochemical levels such as dopamine, adrenaline, norepinephrine, and serotonin.  By knowing the physiological reactions your body will have to a particular song, the better chances you have at achieving a particular goal.

 

Of all factors, the tempo of a song proves to the most decisive in this case. 

 

When attempting to relax and/or fall asleep, choose a song with a slow tempo ranging around 60-70 bpm.  Also avoid any rapid changes in pitch, loudness, or rhythm in order to maintain a relaxed and pleasant state.  Personally, I get a very calming sensation from the sounds and melodies of an acoustic guitar.  If you were to hear my playlist titled “Mellow Yellow,” (which I often fall asleep to) you would hear an acoustic guitar being strummed in a majority of the songs.  Comfortably Numb, The Rain Song, Melissa, and Indian Summer can all be found on my “Mellow Yellow” playslist.

 

On the other hand, for you arousal seekers out I would recommend choosing a song at 120 bmp or above to get the blood pumping.  A fast tempo and driving pulse is best used to synchronize body movements, such as the ones used while running or lifting weights.  The songs I posted above not only have fast tempos, but also contain loud guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats to keep me moving when I work out. 

 

In both situations, the content of lyrics don’t serve a very impacting purpose for me.  Instead, the pitches and levels used by the singers are more like an instrument, helping me relax to the soothing voices of David Gilmore and Roger Waters in “Comfortably Numb,” or get energized with the belching screams of Robert Plant in “Immigrant Song.”

 

Give these songs a try and let me know what you think.

Information from the following source was used to help describe the physiological effects of music and contained knowledge of what to look for in songs, such as tempo when attempting to achieve a specific state of mind or goal. 

Levitin, Daniel J. Life Soundtracks: The uses of music in everyday life: Report prepared for the exclusive use of Philips Consumer Electronics B.V., Eindhoven, The Netherlands May 11, 2007 http://levitin.mcgill.ca/pdf/LifeSoundtracks.pdf

Image of sleepy dwarf can be found here

Kiss This!

Described as the “hottest band in the world” by the devoted fans of the KISS Army, the guitar shredding, fire spitting, make-up wearing band known as Kiss, is often regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time.

 

The original lineup of Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, percussion and vocals) can be credited for the development and success of the band.

 

Tracing back to the roots of a rock and roll band under the name of Wicked Lister, we find Simmons and Stanley in New York City during the early 1970’s. Displeased with the direction of Wicked Lister, Simmons and Stanley who had co-founded the band, decided to split from the other members of the band and form a new group

 

In 1972, Peter Criss was discovered in a Rolling Stone ad under the description of a drummer “looking to do anything to make it.”  Several months later, Ace Frehley auditioned for the band and Kiss was finally formed.  Focusing on a much harder style of rock than Wicked Lester had originally played and through the theatrical inspirations of Alice Cooper, Slade, and the New York Dolls, Kiss had begun to find the sound and image they were looking for.

 

After signing a record deal with Casablanca Records, Kiss entered the recording studios and produced the self-entitled album “Kiss” in February of 1974.  Although this album along with their seconded recorded album, “Hotter Than Hell” did not receive the commercial success that Casablanca Records was looking for, the band’s live shows had started to stir up some noise as stories of blood spitting, guitar smashing, and fire-breathing rockers were spread through word of the KISS Army.

“Rock And Roll All Night” which would soon become KISS’ trademark song was produced on their 3^rd album “Dressed to Kill” in March of 1975.  Unfortunately, the album had not proven much more of a success in record sales as its predecessor. Although Kiss was quickly gaining a reputation as a top-flight live act, the costs of the smoking guitars and blazing flames sent Casablanca Records towards bankruptcy.  In order to survive, some sort of breakthrough was drastically in need.

 

Thus a double live album titled “Live!” was released on September 10, 1975.  Achieving gold status and eventually platinum status, this record had finally captured the excitement and exhilaration that the studio records had been missing and sent Kiss on their way towards stardom as listeners began to realize the true sounds of Kiss.

 

Between the years of 1976 and 1979, Kiss produced 6 platinum records featuring songs such as, “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud,” “Love Gun,” and “Beth”.  Sadly however, towards the end of the decade the once heavy metal sound and image of Kiss began to fade.  Tension began to grow between Criss and the rest of the group and left the band for a solo career.  The drummer Eric Carr filled Criss’ shoes and strummed away into the 90’s.

 

From 1980 to 1998 Kiss produced 11 more albums of which 5 went gold and 3 platinum and still continue to rock into the 21^st century remaining in the eys of some as the “hottest band in the world.” 

More detailed history of Kiss can be found here 

Kiss logo can be found here

Top Decade - Top Songs!!

The Top 10 Singles of 1970
1."Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon And Garfunkel
2."American Woman" - The Guess Who
3."Get Ready" - Rare Earth
4."Band Of Gold" - Freda Payne
5."Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" - B.J. Thomas
6."ABC" - The Jackson 5
7."Let It Be" - The Beatles
8."(They Long To Be) Close To You" - Carpenters
9."Mama Told Me Not To Come" - Three Dog Night
10."War" - Edwin Starr

The Top 10 Singles of 1971
1. "Joy To The World" - Three Dog Night
2. "It's Too Late" - Carole King
3. "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart" - Bee Gees
4. "Indian Reservation" - The Raiders
5. "One Bad Apple" - The Osmonds
6. "Go Away Little Girl" - Donny Osmond
7. "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" - The Temptations
8. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver
9. "Maggie May" - Rod Stewart
10. "Knock Three Times" - Dawn

The Top 10 Singles of 1972
1. "American Pie" - Don McLean
2. "Alone Again (Naturally)" - Gilbert O'Sullivan
3. "Without You" - Nilsson
4. "Brand New Key" - Melanie
5. "I Gotcha" - Joe Tex
6. "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" - Wayne Newton
7. "Let's Stay Together" - Al Green
8. "The First Time Ever I Saw You Face" - Roberta Flack
9. "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" - Looking Glass
10. "Lean On Me" - Bill Withers

The Top 10 Singles of 1973
1. "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree" - Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
2. "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" - Jim Croce
3. "Crocodile Rock" - Elton John
4. "My Love" - Paul McCartney & Wings
5. "Let's Get It On" - Marvin Gaye
6. "Touch Me In The Morning" - Diana Ross
7. "Delta Dawn" - Helen Reddy
8. "Playground In My Mind" - Clint Holmes
9. "Killing Me Softly With His Song" - Roberta Flack
10. "Me And Mrs. Jones" - Billy Paul

The Top 10 Singles of 1974
1. "The Way We Were" - Barbra Streisand
2. "Come And Get Your Love" - Redbone
3. "Seasons In The Sun" - Terry Jacks
4. "Show And Tell" - Al Wilson
5. "Love's Theme" - The Love Unlimited Orchestra
6. "The Loco-motion" - Grand Funk
7. "Bennie And The Jets" - Elton John
8. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" - The Stylistics
9. "Sunshine On My Shoulders" - John Denver
10. "T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)"" - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees

The Top 10 Singles of 1975
1. "Love Will Keep Us Together" - Captain & Tennille
2. "Rhinestone Cowboy" - Glen Campbell
3. "Fame" - David Bowie
4. "Shining Star" - Earth, Wind and Fire
5. "My Eyes Adored You" - Frankie Valli
6. "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" - John Denver
7. "Philadelphia Freedom" - Elton John
8. "One Of These Nights" - Eagles
9. "Pick Up The Pieces" - Average White Band
10. "At Seventeen" - Janis Ian

The Top 10 Singles of 1976
1. "Disco Lady" - Johnnie Taylor
2. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" - Elton John and Kiki Dee
3. "Play That Funky Music" - Wild Cherry
4. "Tonight's The Night" - Rod Stewart
5. "Kiss and Say Goodbye" - The Manhattans
6. "Silly Love Songs" - Paul McCartney and Wings
7. "A Fifth Of Beethoven" - Walter Murphy
8. "Love Machine (Part 1)" - The Miracles
9. "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" - Paul Simon
10. "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" - The Four Seasons

The Top 10 Singles of 1977
1. "You Light Up My Life" - Debby Boone
2. "I Just Want To Be Your Everything" - Andy Gibb
3. "Evergreen" - Barbra Streisand
4. "Undercover Angel" - Alan O'Day
5. "I Like Dreamin'" - Kenny Nolan
6. "Dancing Queen" - Abba
7. "Torn Between Two Lovers" - Mary MacGregor
8. "Higher And Higher" - Rita Coolidge
9. "Best Of My Love" - The Emotions
10. "Southern Nights" - Glen Campbell

The Top 10 Singles of 1978
1. "Night Fever" - Bee Gees
2. "Shadow Dancing" - Andy Gibb
3. "Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees
4. "Kiss You All Over" - Exile
5. "Three Times A Lady" - Commodores
6. "Boogie Oogie Oogie" - A Taste of Honey
7. "Baby Come Back" - Player
8. "Emotion" - Samantha Sang
9. "You're The One That I Want" - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
10. "Grease" - Frankie Valli

The Top 10 Singles of 1979
1. "My Sharona" - The Knack
2. "Le Freak" - Chic
3. "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" - Rod Stewart
4. "Bad Girls" - Donna Summer
5. "YMCA" - Village People
6. "Reunited" - Peaches and Herb
7. "Ring My Bell" - Anita Ward
8. "I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor
9. "Too Much Heaven" - Bee Gees
10. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer

The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll ed. by Patricia Romanowski, Holly George-Warren and Jon Pareles (New York: Fireside, 1995).

Popular in the 70's and still touring today

Many bands who found fame in the 70's have long ago faded into the mix, many no longer producing music, but there are some groups who continue to shine. Two of these bands are Kansas (sometimes called Kansas III) and Aerosmith.




Kansas formed in 1970, originally under the name The Reasons Why, and toured extensively throughout the 70's and 80's. The members have included: Steve Morse, Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart, John Elefante, Billy Greer, Dave Ragsdale, Robbie Steinhardt, and Rich Williams, with the current members highlighted in green. The self-titled album released in '74 and the group released their two biggest songs, "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," in 1976 and 1977. This success led to constantly sold-out concerts.

Unfortunately the group's unity did not last... in the 80's, some of the group became born-again Christians, which produced controversy over how religious the music should be. Since then, different group members rotate in and out, but they are still together and touring (although the members have changed some and four members broke off to form their own group, Native Window, which released their first cd last year). "Carry on Wayward Son" is still very popular, and apparently Will Ferrell likes Kansas because their songs have appeared in his movies Old School and Blades of Glory.

A full band biography, along with pictures, is available here
Information for the biography above was also found here



Another group that earned its fame in the 70's and today is Aerosmith. Their first gig together was in 1970, but they primarily played outside Boston University's student center, never receiving press or recognition.

All six of them shared an apartment together in Boston and were packed in it. They had two of them living in the kitchen even. It was the epitome of "starving artist" living situation. In 1971, they were making about $300, nearly getting kicked out of their apartment because they can't pay the rent and are stealing food from stores to survive. Eventually, their luck improved. They were able to practice in The Fenway Theater for free and their potential began to be recognized.

In the summer of 1972 Columbia signed them for a record deal for $125,000 after a New York show. They had recorded and mixed their debut cd within just two weeks. The cd released in January of 1973 and they began touring. The Boston area gave the album rave reviews, yet other press still wasn't picking up on it. That June they released "Dream On" and it won Song of The Year at two Boston radio stations.

They released the single "Same Old Song and Dance" in 1974 and Circle Magazine ran an article on them. The public responded, writing to the Editor saying they wanted more articles on Aerosmith. Finally they were discovered by more than just the Boston area. The album Get Your Wings is released in 1975 and it went gold. They released various new songs, some of which broke the Top 20 or score a place on The Billboard's Top 40.

This pushed the band into becoming a headlining act, ranking with ZZ Top and KISS as one of the "top concert attractions in the country." Their fourth album went platinum almost immediately and they made the cover of Rolling Stones magazine with a six-page article inside. Creem Magazine voted them #1 Favorite Band of the Year.

The band toured almost non-stop for seven years. From 1977-1979 they had their "Draw The Line" tour then began working on their seventh album right after touring ended. Since then, they have released even more music and are still releasing music and touring today. They released "Jaded" in 2000, have performed on various shows, and tour the country, still attracting fans. Last year they became the first band to have their own edition of Guitar Hero (Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, 2008). Eventually, the guys may settle down and retire for good but as of right now, they started up over 30 years ago and don't seem to be stopping any time soon.

A full Aerosmith biography is available here
Aerosmith logo came from here

A cappella

A cappella music is something that genuinely interests me. My school back home (a small college of 1,900) has 3 a cappella groups, all-male, all-female, and co-ed. The co-ed group is directed by my roommate and my best friend is one of the members, so I've been actively into a cappella since I began college two years ago. Surprisingly, a cappella has been around for decades, but there wasn't much action in the 1970's with it. The most prominent band was The Persuasions.

The Persuasions began in 1962 in Brooklyn, although the five members hail from all parts of the USA. They got their start performing on street corners and at parties and worked alongside President Robert F. Kennedy in Project Restoration, a project aimed to help African-Americans in inner-cities. Since their beginning, they have released 19 albums, with the most recent in 2003. All the members now are original members; they have been together over 40 years. The members include Jerry Lawson, "Sweet" Joe Russell, Jimmy Hayes, and Jayotis Washington. Originally, there were 5 members, but Herbert "Tuobo" Rhobes died in 1988 while he was touring with the group.

Their sound is heavily influenced by gospel music and soul. Their first album was released in 1970 and was titled Straight. Since this release, they've been dubbed the Kings of Acappella. They were not the first a cappella group by any means, but they have kept it alive, spanning their popularity for more than 40 years! They also had numerous Billboard 200 hits. One of their hits, "Up On the Roof," is below:


They stand for truth and their message is pure. Rolling Stones magazine called them "one of the hundred best works of the 1970's" regarding their 1977 album, Chirpin'. There were some other groups who released a cappella work in the 1970's, but it was often one song on the album or part of a song, never working as a fully- a cappella group. This is one of the music styles of the 1970s that never found popularity by having many groups adopt the style, but The Persuasions definitely found fame and success in the 70's and today through their a cappella music.

Full biography available here

Picture URL

A Cappella Picture URL

Lyrics and their Importance

Though some claim that lyrics are immensely important to a song, countless songs have proven otherwise. Sometimes, people either grab only tiny snippets of a song, giving it entirely different meaning, do not even understand the lyrics to begin with, or can't tell what the musician is saying. Other times, music can act as a way to communicate emotions and thoughts that are otherwise difficult to convey. Lyrics are more important for the sounds, not necessarily the meaning. They make music more pleasing to the ear and allow a person to grasp excerpts and express themselves through the lines.

Below are a few songs which came out in the 70's. The lyrics are either often misused, misunderstood, or just plain have no great purpose (nonsensical lyrics).

Albert Morris-- Feelings

"Feelings, nothing more than feelings,
trying to forget my feelings of love.
Teardrops rolling down my face,
trying to forget my feelings of love."

-------

"Feelings, feelings like I've never lost you
and feelings like I've never had you in my life."

These make sense, but the context the song is used in typically does not. This song was popular at weddings, yet it's about breaking up. How's that for starting off a marriage on the right foot?

Full lyrics here



Janis Ian-- At Seventeen

"To those of us who know the pain
Of valentines that never came,
And those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball.
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
And dreams were all they gave for free
To ugly duckling girls like me."

"Remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
Indebentures of quality
And dubious integrity."

This song provides teenage girls with an outlet for their feelings. One purpose lyrics have is that they can act as a catharsis, and be a huge relief for people when they realize that they are not alone in their feelings. Even if they feel terrible, others can relate. Since teenage years are hormonal and stressful, having a song for "ugly girls who can't get dates" (as my Dad described it) can be helpful.

The second lines I included serve as a pick-me-up for the girls listening to it, showing that those who just pursue the guys and always get what they want don't necessarily end up with love; eventually they may find themselves cheated of what they had always craved-- true love.


Full lyrics here



Tony Orlando and Dawn-- Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Round the Ole Oak Tree)

"Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me (still want me)
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree"

Songs with lyrics like this were aimed at soldiers returning from Vietnam. They hadn't seen their families in years, and e-mail and Facebook didn't exist so they literally could return to strangers. Feelings of apprehension and fear were common, as they knew they could find their family completely different and not even needing them. This is another catharsis example and the song ends inspirationally with one hundred yellow ribbons tied around the tree, showing that not only did the wife still care, but she was eagerly anticipating his return.

Full lyrics here

Wainwright Loudon-- Dead Skunk

"Take a whiff on me, that ain't no rose!
Roll up yer window and hold yer nose
You don't have to look and you don't have to see
'Cause you can feel it in your olfactory

You got yer
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high Heaven!

Yeah you got yer dead cat and you got yer dead dog
On a moonlight night you got yer dead toad frog
Got yer dead rabbit and yer dead raccoon
The blood and the guts they're gonna make you swoon!
You got yer
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high Heaven!"

Here is an example of a nonsense song. Singing about roadkill won't exactly change the world, but music doesn't always need to do that. Sometimes, just having the sounds present makes people enjoy it. It has a more country sound and lyrics are important in country songs merely because they tell a story.



Full lyrics here

So, lyrics may appeal to some people, but they are not what makes a song. In rap and protest music, they are important because rap is literally spoken poetry with music in the background and protest music needs to infuriate people and promote a change. Other than that, lyrics may just provide the sounds with the music that people crave.

Popular Music in the USA, in conjunction with politics

The Vietnam War, which was very trying on people worldwide, ended in 1973 and President Nixon resigned in 1974, so much of the 60's music had been protest music (against the war), which supported the hippie and anti-war movement. Some of this music filtered into the 70's, but most people were so relieved that the war was over that they wanted to be completely past it. Read more about the withdrawal from the war here. They were ready for something lighter, more upbeat. Disco became prominent in the late 1970's and it was a new type of music for people; as opposed to the typical 2 guitars, 1 drum, maybe a keyboard style band, disco featured lots of orchestral instruments.

The movie Saturday Night Fever, which came out in 1978, showcases many popular disco songs. One band in particular stepped up and claimed the disco spotlight in the U.S. The BeeGees had been popular in the 60's then faded into the music mix. When disco evolved, they created themselves as the falsetto leaders of it, cranking out hits such as Stayin' Alive. Songs were upbeat as everyone was ready for carefree, party music. To view Top 500 Disco Song charts and other disco information, click here.

During this time there were still occasional protesting songs, but they were usually about the environment. The Beatles had broken up by this point, but they were doing individual work-- John Lennon continued protest pop about the establishment. Another artist, Billy Joel, began his career in the 1970's, releasing songs such as Allentown. This song hones in on steel mills and the frustrations of trying to work in the U.S.A. at that time. It includes the lyrics:

Well we're waiting here in Allentown
For the Pennsylvania we never found
For the promises our teachers gave
If we worked hard
If we behaved.

So the graduations hang on the wall
But they never really helped us at all
No they never taught us what was real
Iron and coke,
Chromium steel.

Listen to the song and see the music video here. Full lyrics can be found here. Many identified with his song, regardless of what state they were trying to work in. Working hard in school did not yield any better job than had they dropped out. Even though the disco movement was going on, there was still dismal songs. Life wasn't fixed just because the Vietnam War was over, and many people had problems finding work once they returned from war. He is just one example of this type of music, but was a very popular artist because people viewed him as a a "thinking man's artist" but with blue-collar roots. Many people could identify with him.

The 1970's was a period of growth and change for the US. The Vietnam War had ripped apart life for many people and the 70s was a time to try to put it back together. Some approaches, such as disco, worked just to restore spirits while others, such as Billy Joel's music, worked to show that the country still wasn't perfect and that jobs were still problematic.

*these insights were gained through talking to people who grew up in the 1970's in America and the above linked websites*
* URL of Saturday Night Fever picture

Popular Artists of the 70's

Some of the popular artists of the 1970s:

'Outlandos d' Amour'

‘Outlandos d’ Amour’ was released in 1978 and is the debut album by three piece rock band The Police. It includes the classic songs ‘Can’t stand losing you’, ‘So lonely’ and ‘Roxanne’. Initially when released, the album received poor reviews from the press and was not very successful. Despite this, The Police kicked on for a tour around America, which got them and the song ‘Roxanne’ attention and radio air play. When ‘Roxanne’ was rereleased, the album was a huge success. Sting wrote Roxanne about a prostitute after seeing a number of them when staying at a seedy hotel in France. Roxanne went on to become one of The Police’s biggest hits.
Outlandos has more of a punk edge than later albums. I like this album because it really captures the raw energy and talent of The Police as they were starting their musical career. You can hear the band beginning to experiment with other styles of music like blues and reggae. Reggae would later become part of the bands signature sound.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd was an English progressive rock band formed in 1965. Its original member Syd Barrett tragically lost his mind and left the band in 1967, leaving Richard Wright on keyboard, Dave Gilmour on lead guitar and vocals, Roger Waters on bass and Nick Mason on drums. Waters, Gilmour and Wright became the main songwriters and the band soon established their classic sound.

Dave Gilmour’s unique style of guitar playing became a distinctive element in Pink Floyd’s sound. Gilmour’s playing was bluesy, emotional and very expressive, he is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His guitar solo on ‘Comfortably Numb’ is highly regarded and is often voted as the greatest guitar solo of all time in magazines and so on. Here is video taken from the movie ‘The Wall’, Gilmour’s amazing solo is right at the end.

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The 1970s was the breakthrough era for the band, much of their best work was created during this period. Floyd released great albums such as 'Meddle', 'The Wall, 'Dark Side of the Moon' and "Wish You Were Here'. Many of these albums are considered masterpices, and helped establish Pink Floyd as one of the greatest bands in the world as well as defining the progressive rock genre. Dark side of the moon was so successful that it remained in the Billboard top 200 from 1976 to 1988.
While more of an ‘albums band’, Pink Floyd had a number of highly successful singles like ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Money’, ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’.

Pink Floyd was also renowned for their live performances. Floyd were pioneers of the live music experience. Their stage shows often consisted of amazing over the top visuals and special effects like pyrotechnics and stunning light shows. The band reformed for a one off show in 2005 at the Live 8 concert in London, their first in 24 years. This performance sparked many rumours the band would reform for a world tour, but members of the band denied this. Richard Wright died in 2008, making it even more unlikely the band would ever play together again.


The video below, brillantly captures Pink Floyd live in their prime, performing the epic song 'Echoes' from the album 'Meddle'. The clip is taken from the 'live in Pompeii' concert.

For more information about the band including a biography, check out fansite http://www.pinkfloyd.net/

Studio 54

Studio 54: "Studio 54" nightclub was originally opened in New York City in April 1977. At that time it seemed to be a marvelous replica of the wild, flamboyant, free and decadent party lifestyle of the 70's. For almost three years this popular club had a reputation for a universal center of thundering disco music, outstanding guests and musicians, and the party that never ended. At Studio 54 nightclub, tubes studded with lights steadily rose over the dance floor and descended Flash Gordon style in a wild frenzy, while a space sound system pumped out the steady beat of hot dance compositions at sometimes insufferable decibels. Drugs were as common at "54" as was alcohol, sex and a phenomenal light and sound show.


The club attracted celebrities and guests from all parts. Co-owner Steve Rubell would limit entry to the elite, thus lots of others were named by as the "gray people" and turned away. Gaining entry into Studio 54 became an almost unrealizable wish for many hungering to be a part of the "beautiful crowd".



At present, Studio 54 has been shut down with the exception of private parties and special events. No club will ever be the cultural phenomenon that Studio 54 was, although an identical nightclub was opened in Las Vegas. Situated on two levels, the club has four bars, a main dance floor, two raised dance platforms, two electronic/movable go-go cages, an exclusive VIP lounge area and the party crashers lounge area. The walls are decorated with the photographs of celebrities from the original Studio 54 nightclub in New York City. The distinguishing features of the new club are: special lighting, smoke machines and lasers, confetti cannons, ceiling swings used by Studio 54 dancers and 45 video screens showing dancing crowd.

Timeline:
January, 1976: Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager rent space at 254 West 54th Street, currently a closed, vacant CBS Television Studio.

April 26, 1977: Studio 54 at opens for business!

1977: The club grossed an estimated 7 million after one year of operation.

1977 through 1979: Studio 54 guests include: Cher, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Halston, Calvin Klein, Elton John, Andy Warhol, Christopher Reeves, Michael Jackson, Brooke Shields, newlyweds Donald and Ivana Trump, Truman Capote and Margaux Hemingway.

June, 1979: After Rubell publicly bragged one too many times about how much the club was taking in, federal agents armed with guns and a search warrant raided the premises. Schrager is arrested for possession of cocaine.
Rubell & Schrager are charged with tax evasion, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

December, 1979: The club and owners are busted by 50 IRS Agents after being tip-offed by a disgruntled former employee and an article in a November 12, 1979 issue of New York Magazine.

More recently, a movie was released about the famous New York City nightclub, seen and told through the eyes of a young employee. With its own soundtrack released in conjunction with the movie:












For an insightful and academic look at the culture of the club, and an explanation on the array of techneques used by owners/creator's of this clubbing marvel, see Love Saves the Day, by Tim Lawrence, pp.2-4.