By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
With the golden glow of the summer of love just underway, British Beat merchants the Zombies entered Abbey Road studios to record what would eventually become one of the most celebrated albums of the 1960s, 'Odessey and Oracle.' The Zombies had struck gold in 1964 with their early singles, 'Tell Her No' and 'She's Not There,' number 1 and 6 respectively in America, with their debut LP hitting shops in early 1965.
Then, things stalled. The band would continue to release an incredible string of singles for the next two year, but no follow-up album, missing the transitionary run all the other bands had. With 1967 upon them, they were suddenly thrust into a new world of sounds, styles and recording possibilities, the result of which would be their masterpiece, 'Odessey and Oracle,' an album packed from start to end with brillian songs.
Five months of recording ensued, with the album finally released in the spring of 1968 in the UK but was initially unreleased in the states. World famous musician Al Kooper convinced the label he and the Zombies shared to issue the LP. Finally seeing the light in the U.S. in the summer of '68, it would be another several months until the second single from the LP, 'Time Of The Season,' would make its way to hit status, eventually becoming one of the most beloved songs of the era.
No icing on the cake however, as by the time it became a hit, the Zombies were no more. It would take the next few decades for more and more people to realize the greatness of the album which, by 2023, is routinely included on countless top albums of all time lists, and regularly name dropped as a favorite of many artists including Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller.
Oh, and the misspelling of the title was a genuine mistake, no hidden tale to tell. The art director simply misspelled it!
Tune into The Summit FM all day Thursday, May 11th to hear tracks from Odyssey and Oracle as our Summit Album Essential of the week!
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
Forty years ago this month, Roxy Music -- one of the most unique, forward looking and, well, coolest bands ever -- put a cap on their initial run. Formed in 1970, Roxy Music truly was unlike any other rock and roll band up to that time. Formed by singer/songwriter/visionary Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music would, over the course of the decade, create some of the most unique, challenging and exciting music on the planet.
After auditioning for a recently open role as lead singer of King Crimson, Ferry started charting his course. Though Robert Fripp and company weren't interested in his talents for Crimson, they liked what he had to offer and helped get him a production deal with their label, EG Records. Guitarist Phil Manzanera, a friend of Ferry's, was recruited early on, followed by 'non-musician' and style progenitor Brian Eno, saxophonist Andy Mackay and powerhouse drummer Paul Thompson. It was Ferry's vision of what a rock and roll band could, and should, be that lead the band to adopt a style all their own, merging a sort of 1950s chic with a golden futuristic glow.
Glam rock was a complex beast as it could be defined by the swagger of Marc Bolan, the sexual ambiguity of David Bowie, as well as the bubblegum stomp of Sweet. One other very important angle came from Ferry and Roxy (along with Cockney Rebel and Be-Bop Deluxe) who gave 'Glam' a more intellectual and artsy setting in which to act out, creating a genre best tagged 'Art Rock,' riding that third rail between Prog, Pop and Glam to an entirely unique destination. Everything about their entire presentation was linked together and very intentional, from the band’s image, to the album sleeve art, to their live performances.
Roxy Music released their classic debut single, ‘Virginia Plain,’ to rave reviews in 1972. That three-minute blast of pop-art was a heads up that something new was happening. Their debut album followed quickly, cementing their place at the forefront of this new post-Woodstock era. It remains one of the most cherished and heralded debut albums of all time. 1973 brought their sophomore effort, the equally thrilling 'For Your Pleasure,' which raised the band’s profile. Brian Eno left the band at this point to pursue a solo career that would know no boundaries as both artist and producer. Eno would release a handful of influential ‘pop’ albums before basically inventing ‘ambient’ music. He would then go on to produce acts ranging from Devo and Talking Heads to U2 and Coldplay.
The band carried on releasing three more classics, ‘Stranded,’ ‘Country Life,’ and ‘Siren’ over the next two years. After scoring their first U.S. hit with ‘Love Is The Drug’ in 1975, Roxy Music continued to record and tour, but by the time of 1980's 'Flesh And Blood,’ they were down to a trio of Ferry, Manzanera and Mackay. Their final album would prove to be another hit as they changed style yet again, this time to a very lush and more sophisticated vibe with the gorgeous ‘Avalon,’ which spawned the hit 'More Than This.'
Following the 1982/83 tour, Roxy Music just kind of evaporated. No blow-up, fist fights or tragedy, they simply called it a day, though their influence would be felt throughout the decade and beyond. All members remained active in music, occasionally crossing paths, but a full-on reunion (sans Eno) would have to wait until 2001. Roxy Music was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
If you have never immersed yourself in all things Roxy Music, do yourself a favor, and do so now!
After 4 years and three albums, the White Stripes had built a rock-solid reputation and a rabid fanbase, elevating them to blushing-like status in the underground. Their mix of distorted blues, chaotic garage rock and a reverence for vintage cool made them the poster children for a new generation of rock and rollers.
In the spring of 2001, 'Elephant,' would elevate their status into mainstream waters with a little help from the ultra-catchy, head bopping, fist pumping anthem, 'Seven Nation Army.' That song alone, still their best-known tune, became a staple on The Summit FM and countless other stations far and wide -- both commercial and public -- ever since. It has also become regularly heard at various sporting events as well.
Others songs such as 'The Hardest Button to Button' and a surprising cover of the Bacharach/David classic ' I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' helped seal the deal. The album was recorded at the legendary Toe Rag Studios in England, home to countless amazing records by the UK garage elite. The studio's use of primarily vintage gear immeasurably helped achieve the vintage glow that shone from their slightly more contemporary sounds.
'Elephant' made Top 10 several places across the globe, including No. 6 in America.
Written by Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
Tune into The Summit FM all day Thursday, May 4th to hear tracks from Elephant as our Summit Album Essential of the week!
The annual Portage Lakes fireworks display is BACK! Happening Saturday, July 8th (rain date: July 9th), it's the largest privately-funded fireworks display in Northeast Ohio.
The Summit FM is the official station for the show, so tune in to 91.3 FM while at the lakes for hand-picked music to go along with the fireworks!