Transport Yourself Back A Decade Or Five With These Classic Rock VideosIn Correlation With Our Drum Charts
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| "Last Night" by The Mar-Keys | "Late In The Evening" by Paul Simon |
| I don't mind these turntables at all on YouTube, because they give us a an opportunity to hear these great classics, like "Last Night." People get understandably confused when it comes to those early '60s instrumental bands. There was a connection between the Bar-Kays, the Mar-Keys, and Booker T & The MGs. The Mar-Keys, who scored with "Last Night" in 1961, had two musicians (Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn) that went on to Booker T's group. Later, drummer Al Jackson of Booker T's group went on to form the Bar-Kays ("Soul Finger," 1967). Got It? Good. | One of my favorites. Great groove from Steve Gadd. At this concert at Central Park, there are some nice shots of Gadd and fellow drummer Grady Tate. Paul Simon is quite the composer. |
| "The Letter" by The Box Tops | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens |
| This song is a little diamond. The Box Tops are one of my secret pleasures. Alex Chilton, the singer, was only 16 when he recorded this. This song was also covered by several other artists, most notably Joe Cocker. | This song goes on a list of songs that refuse to die. The Tokens were a group of movers and shakers in the music industry on the east coast in the '50s & '60s. The song originated in Africa, got picked up by the folk group The Weavers, then got this very special treatment by the Tokens. And then of course, there's the movie The Lion King. |
| "Little Sister" by Elvis Presley | "Loco-Motion" by Little Eva |
| Studio scene again. I think this is my favorite type of video. I much prefer seeing musicians play and sing because that's the way many of us learned to play ourselves. How's the drummer playing that beat? What chord is the guitarist playing there? That's why even though bouncy models running on the beach are nice, somehow I still like to see musicians play on video. Ron Tutt is on drums (notice the toms are single headed - a clue that this is done in the '70s). Legendary session guitarist James Burton is playing that Fender. I always loved how Elvis faded out on the last word of the first line: "Little sister don't you go." | The pre-British Invasion early '60s were characterized by teen idols, girl groups, and dance crazes. Little Eva (Eva Boyd) was the teenage baby sitter for the writing team of Carole King and her husband Gerry Goffin. Eva was asked to sing "The Loco-Motion" on the demo, so the song could be pitched to singer Dee Dee Sharp. Sharp's producers turned the song down, and Little Eva's version was released, going to #1 in 1962. Gary Chester is the drummer. |
| "Long Cool Woman" by The Hollies | "Long Distance Runaround" by Yes |
| The Hollies were part of the second wave of the British Invasion, not hitting the U.S. charts until 1966, with "Bus Stop." They lasted longer than most British bands from that period, with pop singles that incorporated good material with distinctive harmonies (other hits included "Stop Stop Stop," "On A Carousel," and "Carrie-Anne"). "Long Cool Woman" was a hit in 1972, going to #2. Bobby Elliott is the drummer. | Here a YouTuber shows us he's got the bass chops to handle "Long Distance Runaround." There are some meter changes here, so stay awake! |
| "The Long Run" by The Eagles | "Love Me Do" by The Beatles |
| Another studio scene (Yay!). This medium rocker features drummer Don Henley on vocals, who also co-wrote the song with fellow Eagle Glenn Frey. Don Henley is one of those natural drummers whose playing reminds us that "feel" can go a long way. This song has special memories for me because it was the first song I transcribed for Modern Drummer, for the column I created, "Rock Charts." | Time capsule of the Beatles 62-64. Background on song: On June 21, 1962, Texan Bruce Channel (pronounced Chanél, like the perfume), who had a number one hit in the U.S. with "Hey Baby," was headlining a show in England. Channel's harmonica player, Delbert McClinton, wandered into the dressing room, and met John Lennon (the Beatles were also on the bill), who prevailed upon him for some tips. Three months later, the Beatles were recording their first single. Lennon, a quick study, came up with this harmonica part on the spot at the session. |
| "Love Will Keep Us Alive" by The Eagles | "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" by Journey |
| The album name is in reference to a quote by Don Henley, after the band's breakup in 1980; he commented that the band would play together again "when Hell freezes over." One of the most notable tracks is a new arrangement of "Hotel California" that features an extended acoustic guitar and percussion opening. The new song "Get Over It" became a modest hit, and another new song, "Love Will Keep Us Alive", reached #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The album went to #1 on the Billboard album chart upon its release where it stayed for two weeks [notes by Wikipedia]. | Although "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" was Journey's first hit in 1979, the band was formed back in 1973, in San Francisco. Although the band boasted a capable lineup, their first three albums drew little response. The band's manager recommended adding Steve Perry as vocalist, and soon the band became an '80s sensation. Drummer Steve Smith shows a bit of creativity with this bluesy, triplet feel. |
| "La Grange" by ZZ Top |
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