Roxtrospective(s)

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On this day in music history: December 10, 1976 - “A Day At The Races”, the fifth album by Queen is released (US release is on December 17, 1976). produced by Queen, it is recorded at The Manor Studios in Shipton-On-Cherwell, Oxfordshire, UK, Sarm East Studios, Wessex Studios and Advision Studios in London from July - September 1976. When the tour in support of “A Night At The Opera” ends in April of 1976, Queen return home to the UK to take a brief rest before beginning work on their next album. Having created their first true masterpiece with their previous release, the band look to craft a sequel to “Opera”. Also taking its title from another Marx Brothers comedy classic, “A Day At The Races” continues to embrace the musical excess and grandeur that trademarks of Queen’s sound. One major difference is the band take the opportunity to seize the production reigns rather than working with producer Roy Thomas Baker. Though all four members of the band contribute songs to the project, the album is largely dominated by Freddie Mercury and Brian May’s songs. Inspired by the use of the multi-tracked vocal harmonies that made “Bohemian Rhapsody” an instant classic, Mercury uses the technique to great effect on the tracks “You Take My Breath Away” and the album’s gospel flavored first single “Somebody To Love” (#2 UK, #13 US Pop). Inspired by R&B icon Aretha Franklin, Mercury, May and Taylor record layers of multi-tracked vocals to replicate the sound of a 100 voice choir. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it is followed by the hard rocking “Tie Your Mother Down” (#31 UK, #49 US Pop) written by Brian May, becoming another highlight of Queen’s live performances over the years. Other highlights include “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy”, “White Man” and “The Millionaire Waltz”. Also in keeping with the idea of “Races” being a thematic sequel to “Opera”, it is packaged with similar cover artwork. It features matching typography, but with a black background rather than the stark white used on the previous album. Well received by the public upon its release, Queen immediately follow it with another extensive tour, kicking off with dates in US and Canada from January to March of 1977 before going to Europe in May and June. First issued on CD in 1986, it is remastered and reissued in 1991 with two bonus tracks. It is also reissued briefly on vinyl as part of EMI Records’ Millennium Vinyl Collection series. It is remastered and reissued as a 180 gram LP in 2008, followed by new CD remaster in 2011 with five additional bonus tracks. The album is most recently reissued on vinyl in 2015. “A Day At The Races” spends one week at number one on the UK album chart, peaking at number five on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: November 30, 1991 - “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” by P.M. Dawn hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also peaking at #16 on the R&B singles chart on the same date. Written by Attrell Cordes and Gary Kemp, it is the biggest hit for pop/rap duo from Jersey City, NJ. Consisting of brothers Prince Be (Attrell Cordes) and DJ Minutemix (Jarrett Cordes), the duo make their debut in 1989 with the single “Ode to a Forgetful Mind”. The record flops in the US, but fares much better in the UK when their US label Warlock Records licenses it to Gee Street Records. After Gee Street is purchased by Island Records in 1990, P.M. Dawn begin work on their first album. While working on the album, Prince Be hears Spandau Ballet’s 1983 hit “True”, and comes up with the idea to base a new song around a sample of that songs’ intro. Calling it “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss”, they also add samples of hip hop staples like The Soul Searchers “Ashley’s Roachclip”, and Bob James’ “Take Me To The Mardi Gras” to the track. The lyrics make reference to a number of different songs including Joni Mitchell’s “The Boho Dance”, George Michael’s “Careless Whisper”, The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance”, A Tribe Called Quest’s “Bonita Applebum”, with the latter’s lyric altered to name check actress Christina Applegate. For its single release, the track is remixed by Youth (birth name Martin Glover) of the British post punk band Killing Joke.  Released in the UK first, it peaks at #3 on UK singles chart before it is released in the US in September of 1991, as the second single from PM Dawn’s debut album “Of The Heart, Of The Soul And Of The Cross: The Utopian Experience”. Entering the Hot 100 at #50 on October 19, 1991, it vaults to the top of the chart six weeks later. The music video for the song features a cameo appearance by Spandau Ballet lead vocalist Tony Hadley. “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” makes history as the first single to hit number one on the US pop chart using the Soundscan and BDS (Broadcast Data Systems) computer systems to tabulate radio airplay (the actual number of spins on air) and sales information (the number of copies sold in record stores). “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: October 19, 1973 - “Quadrophenia”, the seventh album by The Who is released. Produced by The Who, Kit Lambert and Glyn Johns, it is recorded at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London and Ramport Studios in Battersea, London w/ Ronnie Lane Mobile Studio from May 1972 - June 1973. The Who’s first studio album in over two years, it is the bands’ second rock opera, focusing on the central character “Jimmy” a young man with four distinct and different personalities, set against the background of mid 60’s London and Brighton, UK. It is a huge critical and commercial success upon its release, and is regarded as one of The Who’s finest works. The original double LP package includes a thick booklet containing song lyrics, written text of the storyline and photographs. The band also tours extensively in support of the record, which is their most successful to date. “Quadrophenia” also inspires a feature film released in 1979 that features three additional songs written by Pete Townshend. The album is remastered and reissued in 2011 on CD, with a Super Deluxe box set containing four CD’s/one DVD-A disc, with the original album on the first two discs, with the third and fourth including previously unreleased demos, with the fifth being a DVD-A disc with 5.1 surround remixes of eight songs. The box also includes a 7" vinyl replica of “5:15” b/w “Water” in a repro picture sleeve, a one hundred page hard bound book and additional inserts. The original double album is also reissued on 180 gram vinyl in 2015. “Quadrophenia” peaks at number two on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: August 6, 1977 - “Strawberry Letter 23” by The Brothers Johnson hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #5 on the Hot 100 on September 24, 1977. Written by Shuggie Otis, it is the second chart topping single for the R&B/Funk duo from Los Angeles, CA. Musician Shuggie Otis (son of bandleader Johnny Otis) is inspired to write the song by his girlfriend who had sent him numerous letters scented with Strawberry perfume. After the couple exchange 22 letters between them, he writes the song as the 23rd letter to her. The song originally appears on Otis’ 1971 album “Freedom Flight”, which George Johnson hears after receiving a copy from one of Otis’ cousins whom he is dating at the time. The brothers cover the song when working on their second album with producer Quincy Jones. George and Louis record the track accompanied by Harvey Mason (drums), Ian Underwood and Dave Grusin(keyboards), Ralph MacDonald (percussion) and Lee Ritenour (guitar), who play the songs guitar solo. Released as the first single from “Right On Time” in June of 1977, it becomes an immediate hit on R&B radio, quickly becoming a pop crossover smash. Running an even five minutes on the album, it is trimmed down to 3:39 for the commercially released 45. That edit later appears on the brothers’ greatest hits album “Blast!” in 1982, and CD compilations “The Best Of The Brothers Johnson” and “Classic”. A&M Records also releases an extended 12" version of “Strawberry Letter 23” (along with the long version of “Get The Funk Out Ma Face” on the B-side), pressed on clear “strawberry red” vinyl and packaged in a custom 12" jacket. Over the years, the song has been featured in a number of films and television programs. Director Quentin Tarantino features “Strawberry Letter 23” in his films “Pulp Fiction” and “Jackie Brown”, and it is also heard in episodes of “Nip/Tuck” and “Six Feet Under”.  It is has also been sampled numerous times, by DJ Quik, St. Lunatics, and Das EFX. Singer Tevin Campbell records a cover version for his 1991 debut album “T.E.V.I.N., produced by Quincy Jones, the original producer of The Brothers Johnson’s hit rendition. "Strawberry Letter 23” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: July 13, 1985 - The “Live Aid” concert is broadcast live via satellite worldwide. Organized by Bob Geldof, the two concerts held at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, consists of over 50 acts performing to over 172,000 fans (at the individual venues) and a TV viewing audience of 1.9 billion people. The event raises over $300 million for Ethiopian famine relief at the time of the original broadcast. An abridged edition of the historic concerts, featuring ten of the sixteen hours worth of performances originally broadcast, is released as a four disc DVD box set in November of 2004, eight months shy of the events 20th anniversary. The entire concert is not released due to video tapes of certain performances having gone missing over the years, with ABC (one the original US broadcast carriers) having erased their broadcast tapes of the event (at Bob Geldof’s request). However MTV did preserve their tapes as well as the BBC (though some performances were also lost). Other performers such as Led Zeppelin and Santana ask to have their performances omitted, feeling they are subpar. In lieu of their performances appearing on the box set, they donate money to the Band Aid Trust instead.

On this day in music history: May 28, 1991 - “Electronic”, the debut album by Electronic is released. Produced by Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr, it is recorded at Clear Recordings in Manchester, UK, from September 1989, January 1990 - Early 1991. Originally conceived as a one off project, the album is a collaboration between New Order lead singer and guitarist Bernard Sumner, Pet Shop Boys vocalist Neil Tennant, and former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Having met each other in 1984, Sumner and Marr first work together on a track for Factory Records A&R man/DJ Mike Pickering’s side project Quando Quango. Some four years later, Sumner calls Marr up and ask if he’s interested in a new project. Wanting to explore dance music even more outside of New Order, their initial plan is to release a handful of white label 12" singles through Factory Records. Recording takes place at Marr’s home studio in Manchester. Midway through the project, Neil Tennant of The Pet Shop Boys hears of Sumner and Marr working together through graphic design artist Mark Farrow (of Circle 3), and asks if he can participate. The initial release from the trio is the single “Getting Away With It” (#12 UK, #38 US Pop, #7 US Club Play, #4 US Modern Rock) which quickly climbs the UK singles and dance charts. From the buzz that it receives as an import single, New Order’s US label Qwest/Warner Bros issues it as a domestic 12", becoming a solid hit on modern rock radio and in dance clubs. When the full album finally surfaces eighteen months after the initial release of “Getting Away With It”, it spins off three more singles including “Get The Message” (#8 UK, #1 US Modern Rock, #8 US Club Play) and “Tighten Up” (#6 US Modern Rock). “Electronic” peaks at number two on the UK album chart, and number one hundred nine on the Billboard Top 200.

On this day in music history: April 13, 1973 - “Aladdin Sane”, the sixth album by David Bowie is released. Produced by Ken Scott and David Bowie, it is recorded at Trident Studios in London, and RCA Studios in New York City and Nashville, TN from October 6, 1972 - January 24, 1973. Issued as the follow up to his watershed album “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars”, the LP’s title is a pun on the term “a lad insane”. Bowie records the album in between US tour dates in support of the “Ziggy Stardust” album. Featuring a harder rock edge than the previous album, it reflects the manic atmosphere in which it was created.  It spins off four singles in the UK (two in the US) including “The Jean Genie” (#2 UK, #71 US Pop) and “Drive In Saturday” (#3 UK). The albums iconic cover shot (taken by photographer Brian Duffy, and designed by graphic artist Freddie Burretti), featuring a head shot of Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust persona with a lightning bolt painted on his face, become among the most recognizable and parodied in rock music history. Reissued numerous times over the years, the album is most recently remastered in 2015 as part of the “Five Years - 1969 - 1973” box set on vinyl and CD. To commemorate the forty fifth anniversary of its release, “Sane” is released as a limited edition 180 gram LP, pressed on silver vinyl on April 13, 2018. “Aladdin Sane” hits number one on the UK album chart, peaking at number seventeen on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: February 28, 1983 - “War”, the third album by U2 is released. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, it is recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland from May 17 - August 20, 1982. The Irish rock bands third release marks a major stylistic shift, with them moving away from the more spiritual lyrical themes of their first two albums “Boy” and “October”. The new album features a rawer (but more polished) sound than their previous work, with many of the songs exploring the affects of warfare and its emotional aftermath on humanity. The music strikes a nerve in the public consciousness, and provide the U2 with their breakthrough in the US. Anchored by the tracks “New Year’s Day” (#53 Pop), “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, and “Seconds”, it is their first overtly political musical statement. Like their debut album “Boy”, the album cover features a photo of Peter Rowen taken by photographer Ian Finlay, the younger brother of Bono’s close friend Guggi (Derek Rowen) from the Irish post-punk band The Virgin Prunes. The album is remastered and reissued on CD and vinyl in 2008, with the LP release containing a sixteen page 12" x 12" booklet with previously unpublished photos of the band, song lyrics and new liner notes. “War” hits number one on the UK album chart, peaking at number twelve on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 4x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: February 22, 1975 - “Pick Up The Pieces” by the Average White Band hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also peaking at #5 on the R&B singles chart on the same date. Written by Roger Ball and Hamish Stuart, it is the biggest hit for the Scottish soul band. Formed in Dundee, Scotland in 1972, the band quickly make a name for themselves, earning a spot as the opening act for Eric Clapton on his 1973 comeback performance at the Rainbow Theatre in London. The performance attracts the attention of MCA Records who put AWB under contract and in the studio to record their full length debut. The album titled “Show Your Hand” sells poorly and the band are dropped from the label. However, Clapton’s road manager Bruce McCaskill believes in their potential, offering to manage them and using his contacts to secure them another record deal. McCaskill helps AWB land a record deal with Atlantic Records, having them move to the United States. They are paired with producer Arif Mardin (The Rascals, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler), and quickly get to work on their sophomore effort, recording at Atlantic Studios in New York City, and Criteria Studios in Miami, FL. Written by saxophonist Roger Ball and guitarist and vocalist Hamish Stuart, the funky instrumental is an immediate stand out durng the sessions. Issued as the first single from their second album, it initially goes unnoticed in the UK after its July 1974 release. When it is released in the US three months later, radio stations begin giving it airplay after breaking in dance clubs, and slowly builds up momentum. Entering the Hot 100 on December 7, 1974, it climbs to the top of the chart eleven weeks later. The success of “Pick Up The Pieces” also sends their second album “AWB” to number one on this date also, spending one week at the top, and selling over a million copies. “Pick Up The Pieces” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.