Tag Archives: The Beatles

Dick Rowe

On June 6, 1986, Richard Paul “Dick” Rowe, died aged 64. He was A&R man at “Decca Records” in the 50’s and the 60’s, became known to the wide audience “as the man who did not sign The Beatles”. Brian Epstein. The Beatles manager paid “Decca Records” one-hour audition. After the audition Rowe told Epstein “Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein”.  But Rowe was actually one of the most successful producers and record executives in the 50’s and in the 60’s and he  signed to “Decca Records” many important artists including The Rolling Stones, Them (Van Morrison), The Moody Blues, The Tremeloes, The Zombies, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, The Brumbeats, The Tornados, Tom Jones and The Small Faces.

Capitol Records

Capitol Records

On June 4, 1942, “Capitol Records” was founded by Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn Wallichs. Over the decades, the label became home to artists such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Bobby Darin, Glen Campbell, Steve Miller, Dr. Hook, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Heart,  Nat King Cole, the Four Knights, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Stan Kenton, June Christy, Louis Prima, Keely Smith, the Louvin Brothers, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Harry James, Andy Griffith, Shirley Bassey, the Kingston Trio, Dean Martin, The Four Freshmen, Helen Reddy, Anne Murray, April Wine, Blondie, Bloodrock, Burning Spear, Buzzcocks, David Bowie, Kim Carnes, Rosanne Cash, Max Webster, Lee Clayton, Natalie Cole, The Goose Creek Symphony, Sammy Hagar, The Knack, Maze, Mink DeVille, Juice Newton, Raspberries, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, Sweet, The Specials, The Sylvers, Ten Wheel Drive, The Stranglers, Tavares, George Thorogood, Triumvirate, Little River Band, Wings, The Persuasions, Richard Marx, The Motels, Billy Squier, Crowded House, Peter Blakeley, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Doobie Brothers, Willie Dixon, Glass Tiger, Katrina & The Waves, Grace Jones, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Sawyer Brown, Queen, Roxette, Brian Setzer,The Smithereens, Spandau Ballet, The Tubes, Paul Westerberg, Butthole Surfers, Concrete Blonde, Billy Idol, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Exodus, W.A.S.P., Poison, Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche,  Beastie Boys, King Tee, Mantronix, Mellow Man Ace, Robbie Robertson, Dave Koz, Ashford and Simpson, Freddie Jackson, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Skinny Puppy and others.

 

Bo Diddley

On June 2, 2008, Ellas Otha Bates aka Bo Diddley, died aged 79. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter and music producer, played important role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. His original syncopated beat – three strokes /rest/ two strokes, became the core rhythm of rock ’n’ roll. His style influenced big number of music acts including The Animals, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Parliament Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles.

Led Zeppelin: Same

LZ

On January 12, 1969, “Atlantic” label released the self-titled, debut Led Zeppelin album. It was recorded October 1968 at “Olympic Studios” in London in only 36 hours, and  was produced by Jimmy Page. The album art was coordinated by George Hardie; the back cover photography of the band was taken by former Yardbirds member Chris Dreja. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 29 on its of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; in 2004 it was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.

Personnel:

  • Jimmy Page– acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitars, backing vocals
  • Robert Plant– lead vocals, harmonica
  • John Bonham– drums, timpani, backing vocals
  • John Paul Jones– bass guitar, Hammond organ, backing vocals
  • Viram Jasani– tabla
  • Glyn Johns – engineer
  • Peter Grant– executive production

Track listing:

  1. Good Times Bad Times – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Robert Plant
  2. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You – Anne Bredon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
  3. You Shook Me – Willie Dixon,  B. Lenoir
  4. Dazed and Confused – Jimmy Page, inspired by Jake Holmes
  5. Your Time Is Gonna Come – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant
  6. Black Mountain Side – Jimmy Page
  7. Communication Breakdown – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Robert Plant
  8. I Can’t Quit You Babe – Willie Dixon
  9. How Many More Times – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, John Bonham

The 10 Greatest Double Albums of All Time

On January 9, 2014, magazine “Rolling Stone” published the Readers Poll ”The 10 Greatest Double Albums of All Time”. The top 5 albums were:

No.5. Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti

Led_Zeppelin Physical Graffiti

No.4. Bruce Springsteen: The River

Bruce_Springsteen The River

No.3. The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street

Exile on MainSt

No.2. Pink Floyd: The Wall

the-wall

No.1 The Beatles: White Album

WHITEALBUM

The Beatles: A Day in the Life

On September 10, 2005, The Beatles track “A Day in the Life” from the album “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was voted the best British song of all time by the British music experts. Magazine “Q” named the track “the ultimate sonic rendition of what it means to be British”. The Kinks’ song ‘Waterloo Sunset’ was second and Oasis song “Wonderwall” was voted third on the list.

The Beatles: Hey Jude

On September 08, 1968, The Beatles performed “Hey Jude” on the BBC TV show “Frost On Sunday” .This song was the first single from The Beatles record label “Apple Records”. It spent nine weeks as no.1 on the US charts becoming the longest run at the top for The Beatles. “Hey Jude” was over seven minutes long, at the time the longest single ever to be no.1 on the UK charts.

The Beatles Abbey Road Photo Session

1c

On August 08, 1969, the photo session for the cover of The Beatles “Abbey Road” album took place on the crossing outside Abbey Road studios. Photographer Iain McMillan, balanced on a step-ladder in the middle of the road took six shots of Paul, John, Ringo, and George walking across the zebra crossing while a policeman held up the traffic.