Great Rock Albums of 1978: The Sweet- Level Headed

I've said this before, The Sweet were one of the great, hidden influences of many metal bands, both for their sound and the make up. They, along with Marc Bolan, personified glam rock back in the seventies and was one of the reasons I included them in the section of "Other Great Metal Influences" on here. For further imput, go back and read that posting.

This brings me to the 1978 album, "Level Headed," which has been said by many to be the last great album by The Sweet. One of the reasons for this belief is that "Level Headed" contains their last big single, "Love is Like Oxygen." I remember this being another cool rock song that came blasting through the speaker of that little AM clock radio of mine in the early summer of that year. When I first heard this song however, I thought it was ELO due to the vocals. It was only when the deejay announced it was The Sweet, that I knew different. But that didn't change my view, it is still a good song. Of course there some other great tracks on this album ranging from the mellow sounding "Dream On" to the more traditional Sweet sounding ditties like "California Nights" and "Silverbird."

Track Listing: (US version)

1. California Nights

2. Silver Bird

3. Dream On

4. Fountain

5. Love is Like Oxygen

6. Anthem N0 I (Lady of the Lake)

7. Strong Love

8. Letters D' Amour

9. Anthem No II (Instrumental)

10. Air on "A" Tape Roof

The Sweet

Brian Conolly- lead and backing vocals

Andy Scott- guitar, synthesiser, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Dream On" and "Fountain"

Mick Tucker- drums, percussion, backing vocals

Steve Priest- bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on "California Nights"

US album cover

This would be the last album that would feature The Sweet as a foursome. Brian Conolly later left the band to persue a solo career and some say that this contributed to their decline after this album. I'm not sure about that, but I know this is a good album and is one of the reasons why The Sweet deserve their place in rock history.

Next post: Rainbow- Long Live Rock And Roll

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Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Party Films of 1978: National Lampoon's Animal House

In 1978, we were treated to not one, but two great party films. The first, "Up in Smoke" was covered last week. The second one was the all time classic "National Lampoon's Animal House." This film revolutionised the party attitude, especially in colleges for the next few years. I remember toga parties springing up around the area and not just in colleges. This film became an inspiration to anyone who wanted to party.

Animal House was the first film for John Belushi from Saturday Night Live fame. His role as Bluto made him a legend. It also encouraged a lot of people to smash cans on their head, but who cares, it was funny like the entire film. Also, how many of us wished they could down a fifth of Jack Daniels the way he did?

"Animal House" has another importance to the heavy metal world. If it hadn't been for this film, we never would have been treated to the ranting father in the Twisted Sister video "We're Not Gonna Take It." No one could have filled that role better than Mark Metcalf who played the infamous Niedermeyer in the film.

This film does get a mention in "Rock And Roll Children," since it is such a great party film, it was only natural the characters would want to watch it. So if you feel like drinking a skinful in the future, watch "Animal House" before you go out. You will be truly inspired! One word of warning though, stay away from the mayor's thirteen year old daughter.

Next Post: AC/DC- Powerage

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Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and for sale at Foyles Book Shop in London.

Great Party Films of 1978: Cheech and Chong's Up In Smoke

If any one film where it can be said influenced a generation, it would have to be the first film from the comedy duo of Cheech and Chong, "Up In Smoke." This movie was put on many a VCR at parties during the late 70s and early to mid 80s and watched by millions of youth worldwide. Furthermore, it was demonised by the establishment because of the subject content of marijuana. It was feared that the film would encourage youth to take up smoking the weed and corrupt the moral fabric of society. Of course, I am laughing very loudly as I finished writing the nonsense.

Actually, "Up In Smoke" was a piss take of the whole stoner culture. Even funnier, stoners knew this and it only encouraged them to watch it more. Many of them could identify with a lot of aspects of that film. I have personal experience of a smoke filled car, although it was actually a small booth in the car park I used to work at. I won't say any more on that one out of fear of self incrimination. But the film is rife with many pot related jokes as well as many other funny bits. I mean, how many of us would have loved to have pissed on a cop's leg? And of course, there is the sex fantasy acted out in the van, my favourite bit.

What many people forget is that "Up In Smoke" also has a pretty decent soundtrack. I love the first song,  which is the title track and as memories came flooding back for this post, I found myself singing the lyrics to "Framed."

"I was framed, I never do nothing wrong

But everytime I get the blame."

There some other fun tracks such as "Rock Fight" and the final song, they perform as a punk band on stage, "Earache My Eye." My marine buddies and I used to sing that song quite a lot.

Track Listing:

1. Finklestein shit Kid (dialogue)

2. Up in Smoke

3. Low Rider

4. 1st Gear, 2nd Gear (dialogue)

5. Framed

6. Searchin'

7. Ajax Lady (dialogue)

8. Strawberry's

9. Here Come the Mounties to the Rescue

10. When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go (dialogue)

11. Lost Due to Incompetence (Theme From Big Green Van)

12. Lardass (dialogue)

13. Rock Fight

14. I Didn't Know Your Name was Alex (dialogue)

15. Earache My Eye

16. Up in Smoke- reprise

So, if you're out to party this weekend, watch this film as it will be truly inspirational. Although I don't mention the film in Rock And Roll Children, I am very sure the characters would have been influenced by it.

Next post: National Lampoon's Animal House

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Froogle and Barnes & Noble and for sale at Foyles Book Shop in London.

Great Rock One Hit Wonders of 1978

I thought I'd take a break in the action and make a post of some of the great rock songs of 1978 which were done by one hit wonders. There are probably many others than the three I am going to mention here, especially with all the disco that was going around at the time. So without further ado:

Exile- Kiss You All Over

"Kiss You All Over" was a number one for the band Exile. They did get another song to number 40 in the charts but nothing else barely broke the top 100. This was one of those songs which successfully made the rock/disco crossover that year. Having refamiliarized myself with the song, I can definitely hear the disco sound with the keyboard with the intermitent sound of the rock guitar. It was the lyrics that made this song. I mean how many men have said to a lady:

"I want to kiss you all over, all over again,

I want to kiss you all over, til the night closes in."

It was a cool amusing song, now we head to the next song, "King Tut" by comedian/actor Steve Martin.

Back in 1978, before "The Jerk," Steve Martin was topping the world of stand up comedy. He was a constant host on the old Saturday Night Live show. It was on this show that he premiered his song, "King Tut." The song made into the top 20 and was constantly played on the radio and making the number one on the Dr Demento show. It was my favourite song that summer as well, where I was amused by the line, "Got a condo made of stona."

 This leads perfectly to my favourite song by a one hit wonder in 1978, "Thunder Island" by Jay Ferguson.

"Thunder Island" was a brilliant rock song, it still is. That is why it made it to my alternative compilation CD. It has all the trademarks of a good rock song and some very suggestive lyrics. As a naive teenager brought up in a religious environment, I found the lyrics, "With your dress undone" very amusing. So, of the three songs mention here, this one is definitely my favourite.

So, if you're feeling nostalgic, have a listen to these songs. They're readily available on YouTube, I'm sure you'll love them.

Next post: Great Party Films of 1978: Cheech and Chong's Up In Smoke

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London