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John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers • Known as the elder Statesman of British Blues • The finishing school for a large group of blues-rock artists • Players overshadowed Mayall’s capabilities • An adequate singer and multi-instrumentalist • Brought out the best from the other young players • Provided a context for them to play in the Chicago blues style The Yardbirds • The starting point for Clapton/ Beck/ Page • Began as a R&B- blues cover band • Early recordings with Sonny Boy Williamson • Branched out into moody, experimental rock • Early pioneers of psychedelic music • Yardbirds became a breeding ground for guitar effects • Eclectic/rsk-taking approach laid groundwork for progressive rock in the ‘60’s • Known for ad hoc jams (called raves) • Name taken from album entitled: Having a Rave Up • Raves- mix of R&B with extended guitar/ harmonica passages. Blues with a fierce drive to the music • Songs- I’m a Man, Got Love If You Want It, Smokestack Lightnin’ The Animals (Eric Burdon) • Second only to Rolling Stones in influence among R&B based bands • Origins are traced back to Newcastle (The Kansas City Five) • Like the Stones, the Animals were booked into the Brawdaddy Club in London • Group went through various changes after 1966/ Disbanded in 1969 • Eric Burdon went on to join the group WAR • Songs- Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker) and Talkin Bout You (Ray Charles) • Biggest hit- Housing of the Rising Sun (Leadbelly) The Kinks • Began as R&B/blues band • The most staunchly English group of all • Lyrics more “quintessentially English” (Pete Townsend) • Brought the “English Proper” into the music • Known as the precursors of heavy metal and punk rock • Later known as “power chord” playing • Set the stage for the 70’s (late 60’s) rock • Ray Davies drove the band and made them British*** • Songs- You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night • Stevie Wonder • Most successful artist in Motown’s history • Born Stevland Morris- May 13, 1950 • Blind since infancy (and lost sense of smell in car accident in 1973) • Introduced to Berry Gordy by Ronnie White (from the Miracles) • 11 years old when he signed with Tamla records • Novelty at the beginning: played bongos, harmonica, and had energy • Quick learner growing up at Motown • First big hit was Fingertips- Part 2 (age 12) • First live recording to hit #1 in rock history • Followed up with Uptight in 1964 • Signed, Sealed, and Delivered (70) was his first production work • Gained control of his finances at age 21 • 120 page contract with Motown made business history • Higher royalty rates and complete artistic freedom • By the 70’s Wonder was playing most of the instruments on his albums • Signed a 7 year contract with Motown for 13 million • Today: Wonder produces, writes music including music for several movie soundtracks Bob Dylan • Most important American contributor to rock music • Not commercially staggering; artistic significance • Leader of the folk movement of 1962/63 • Grew popular in NY in early years (college campuses) • Leading influences Woodie Guthrie & Hank Williams • Music reflects social awareness of race, human injustice • First poet of the mass media • Two distinctive time periods: acoustic and electric • This implies folk and rock are separate- Dylan shows that folk IS rock • Fusion of country, folk, blue, rock & roll and poetry both ancient and new • The music is raw (same as rock’s beginning) • His nasal, insistent voice has been a trademark during his entire career • Album notes printed in lower case (e.e. Cummings) • His lyrics have been discussed in English classes • Personal writing and lyrics contain assortment of references to: history, literature, poetry, international affairs, modern art
