In 1975 the Rolling Stones were the biggest band in the world. Millions of albums sold, selling out world tours and names constantly in the tabloids you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing of the band’s exploits. So, when at the end of 1974 Mick Taylor decided to quit the band the biggest job in music… Continue reading 29: Wood, Black and Blue, and Finding A Replacement
28: P.R, Planes, and Visas
In music, you need to stand out. It’s why as mentioned in the last article Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire. It’s why artists and bands dress up on stage and pyrotechnics are added because it’s more than just music to get people in the seats. There are offstage antics too. Snazzy press conferences… Continue reading 28: P.R, Planes, and Visas
27: Package Tours, Standing Out, and Fire
Pink Floyd’s The Wall tour, Arthur Brown’s fire helmet and Motley Crue’s Rollercoaster drum kit. Bands have been trying to get the edge over others in live performances throughout the whole music industry. As live performances are the best way for bands and artists to earn money, they want to put on a show to… Continue reading 27: Package Tours, Standing Out, and Fire
26: Eric, George, and Pattie
When love triangles are mentioned you think of an episode of EastEnders or Jerry Springer. You don’t necessarily think of music. Sure, there have been some over the years, Fleetwood Mac produced their most famous album over various affairs between members and Keith Richards stole Anita Pallenberg from Brian Jones but most of these ended… Continue reading 26: Eric, George, and Pattie
25: Blues, Drugs Dependency, and Free
It’s often in music that the light shines bright and quick. The life in the fast lane approach of the rock n’ roll lifestyle takes a lot of casualties. This is one of these stories. Paul Kossoff was one of the best blues guitarists of his era but ended up with a reliance on drugs… Continue reading 25: Blues, Drugs Dependency, and Free
24: Interviews, Criticizing, and Apologies.
Quincy Jones is one of the best, if not the best producers in the world. He has been nominated for 75 Grammy awards and won 28 of those. He is a legend in the music industry. So, on his birthday I thought I would recount a story about an interview with the Legend where he… Continue reading 24: Interviews, Criticizing, and Apologies.
23: Faces, Small Faces, and Humble Pie
In music, it’s not uncommon that many bands are intertwined with others. When bands toured in the beginning there are normally two or three others that are on the same local circuit. Like most people who are into the same hobbies, you befriend them. This is one of those stories where not only one of… Continue reading 23: Faces, Small Faces, and Humble Pie
22: Boybands, Blimps, and The Long Con
It’s a well-known cliché in music that managers of bands often screw them over. It’s been happening to all performers for hundreds of years. Right back to the 1800s. A rare site is when the manager gets their comeuppance. This is one of those instances where the manager does. This week the Beat Marches On… Continue reading 22: Boybands, Blimps, and The Long Con
21: Steroids, Hitmen, and Ex-Wives
I am guessing many of my readership wouldn’t have heard of the band “As I Lay Dying”. To be honest I am not too familiar with the band myself. When I was doing my research for a story this week this just seemed too good to resist. This week the Beat Marches On to 26th… Continue reading 21: Steroids, Hitmen, and Ex-Wives
20: Bad Management, Tragedies, and Deep Cuts
We all know that moment in a romantic comedy. The main characters have a fight and a montage of them looking gloomy and depressed in the window or doing mundane things on their own and generally, it’s raining. A few weeks have passed, and they catch each other across the room. Then the big musical… Continue reading 20: Bad Management, Tragedies, and Deep Cuts