- Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen: Lead singer, Freddie Mercury was an unprecedented showman, and his unique persona made its mark on all of the band’s music; but this epic recording stands alone in its innovation and originality. Even decades later, with all of the advances in music technology, there is nothing like it.
- December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) – The Four Seasons: Also known as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, their string of 1960‘s hits made them one of the most successful vocal groups of all-time, eventually propelling them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And while the signature falsetto of lead singer Frankie Valli was at the forefront of almost every big hit, it was drummer Gerry Polci who sang lead on this 1975 hit, which went on to become the group’s biggest selling single.
- Owner of a Lonely Heart – Yes: Through ten albums, and more than a decade, art rock band “Yes” habitually produced 8 -10 minute opuses that didn’t fit well into the pop radio format. But all of that changed with the 1983 release of the album “90125”. This pop music gem went on to become the band’s one and only #1 single.
- Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana: In the early nineties there was nothing on pop radio that sounded remotely like Nirvana’s brand of rock, which was ultimately dubbed, “grunge”. Even their record company was caught completely off guard by the meteoric rise of the band, their single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, and its corresponding album, “Nevermind”.
- Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) – Us3: This Jazz/Hip-Hop fusion from 1993 was revolutionary for it’s day, and it’s mass appeal helped drive the Rap/Hip-Hop genre from the fringe of popular music to the heart of popular culture.
- Beth – Kiss: By the mid-seventies, the band, “Kiss” had risen to stardom on the strength of their spectacular stage shows, and their hard rock sound. In keeping with what had brought them success, the band released the single, “Detroit Rock City” in 1976. But to the surprise of everyone associated with the band, it was the B-side of that record, the ballad, “Beth”, that went on to become one of the groups most successful songs.
- Jane – Jefferson Starship: Founding member, Paul Kantner, and his band, had a string of soft rock hits (e.g. Miracles, With Your Love, Count on Me) following their transition from the original “Jefferson Airplane” lineup. But with the 1978 departure of lead singers, Grace Slick, and Marty Balin, they found themselves at yet another crossroad. Then, the addition of “Fooled Around & Fell in Love” singer, Mickey Thomas, and a new harder rock sound, propelled their surprising 1979 single, “Jane” up the charts; beginning a new chapter in the bands long and diverse history.
- Tusk – Fleetwood Mac: Following up on the phenomenal success of the classic album “Rumours”, with its four top ten singles, was a daunting task. But the 1979 album, “Tusk” provided twenty new songs to choose from. Of those, the unusual title track seemed to be the least likely candidate for release as a single. Nonetheless, this pop music oddity reached the top ten later that year.
- Because the Night – The Patti Smith Group: Nothing in Patti Smith’s eclectic artistic history would have indicated that a Top 40 record was anywhere in her future, but her reworking of this Bruce Springsteen composition ruled the airwaves upon its 1978 release.
- Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby & David Bowie: In what had to be one of the most unlikely pairings in pop music history, 1940’s crooner Bing Crosby, and 1970’s glam rocker David Bowie teamed for this Christmas medley, which was included as a part of Crosby’s 1977 television Christmas special.
Posts Tagged ‘Freddie Mercury’
10 Surprising Singles
Posted in Entertainment/Music/Sports, Lists, tagged Because the Night, Bing Crosby, Bohemian Rhapsody, Cantaloop, David Bowie, Detroit Rock City, Fleetwood Mac, Frankie Valli, Freddie Mercury, Grace Slick, Jane, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Kiss, Marty Balin, Nevermind, Nirvana, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy, Queen, Smells Like Teen Spirit, The Four Seasons, The Patti Smith Group, Tusk, Us3, Yes on January 25, 2015| Leave a Comment »
10 Gifted Artists Who Greatly Benefited Through Collaboration
Posted in Entertainment/Music/Sports, Lists, Opinions, tagged Art Garfunkel, Benjamin Orr, Blind Faith, Cream, Crosby, David Crosby, David Gilmour, David Lee Roth, Dennis DeYoung, Derek & the Domino's, Eddie Van Halen, Elliot Easton, Elton John Bernie Taupin, Eric Clapton, Freddie Mercury, James Young, JJ Cale, John Lennon, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Lennon & McCartney, Nash & Young, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Queen, Ric Ocasek, Roger Waters, Sammy Hagar, Simon & Garfunkel, Stills, Styx, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Cars, The Yardbirds, Tommy Shaw, Van Halen on June 28, 2010| 2 Comments »
1. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel): Undoubtedly Art Garfunkel possessed one of the most distinctive voices in popular music; but despite his moderate success as a solo artist, it was really his collaboration with Paul Simon that allowed his gifts to be fully realized. Simon’s amazing songwriting and his deft vocal interplay were the perfect vehicle for Garfunkel to shine. While Simon’s career continued to soar as a solo artist, Garfunkel never again scaled the heights he visited in this partnership.
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2. David Crosby (The Bryds, Crosby Stills Nash & Young): Like Art Garfunkel, David Crosby possessed a truly unique and beautiful voice. Though he was also an able songwriter and musician, it was his collaborations with people like Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Gene Clark (The Bryds), Graham Nash (The Hollies), Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield) and Neil Young that created a lasting impact.
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3. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen): Eddie Van Halen is not only a tremendous guitar player, but a multifaceted musician and the creative force behind the band “Van Halen”. Yet despite his ample talent, it is unlikely that he would have ever achieved the same level of success without finding someone to be the face and voice of his band. Needless to say, he found two of rock’s most memorable showmen in David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar.
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4. Freddie Mercury (Queen): Almost the polar opposite of Eddie Van Halen, Freddie Mercury was a quintessential showman, in need of collaborators to create the proper setting to showcase his talent. He found that in Brian May and the other members of the band Queen. This highly underrated group of musicians provided an accessible context and added valuable substance to Mercury’s eccentric persona.
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5. Ric Ocasek (The Cars): Undoubtedly the quirky pop genius of Ric Ocasek was the driving creative force behind the music of “The Cars”. And while it seems unlikely that they would have had been noticed without him, the band’s best work occurred when Elliot Easton’s edgy guitar and Benjamin Orr’s emotive vocals were allowed to balance out his off beat lyrics and synth-pop sensibilities.
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6. Dennis DeYoung (Styx): Like Ric Ocasek of the Cars, Dennis DeYoung of the band “Styx” was the pop visionary behind their most successful music. His creative flourishes fueled the concept albums and stage productions that distinguished the band from its peers. But at its core, Styx worked best as a rock band and in those moments, Tommy Shaw and James Young were essential in balancing DeYoung’s more theatrical sensibilities. Neither DeYoung nor the remaining members of Styx (who perform without him), have been as compelling since they parted company.
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7. Elton John: Without question, Elton John is a tremendously gifted musician, singer and performer in his own right; but it is through his 40+ year songwriting collaboration with Bernie Taupin that his most memorable work has been produced. It is difficult to know what his career would have been without Mr. Taupin’s contributions.
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8. Roger Waters (Pink Floyd): Certainly Roger Water’s dark cynicism and disdain for standard musical conventions were at the heart of Pink Floyd’s most memorable recordings, but without the balancing contributions of his band mates (most especially David Gilmour), his solo work has been erratic and far less compelling. Considering his sizable contributions to the band’s collective identity, the remaining members have made some surprisingly worthwhile music without him.
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9. Eric Clapton: Though Eric Clapton has enjoyed a long and successful career as a solo artist, his most notable moments have almost always come through his collaboration with other artists. His contributions to bands like “The Yardbirds”, “John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers”, “Cream”, “Blind Faith” and “Derek & the Domino’s” were legendary and even much of his most memorable solo work showcased other songwriters like J.J. Cale (After Midnight), Robert Johnson (Crossroads) and Bob Marley (I Shot the Sheriff).
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10. Lennon & McCartney (The Beatles): While inferring that either one of these musical legends wasn’t talented enough to stand alone would amount to sacrilege in the minds of most people, I would submit that both benefited greatly from their collaboration. Though they each created some classic music on their own, neither consistently produced anything that rivaled their work together.
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