Great Rock Albums of the 70s: AC/DC- Let There Be Rock

This is the first time I've done a back to back post with the same act. Usually when I think of the great rock artists from the 70s, there is one album that sticks out. However, with AC/DC, this isn't the case. None of the four albums they put out between 1976-78 stick out for me, I love them all equally. This post looks at the second of these, "Let There be Rock." But don't worry, the other two albums in this group, "Powerage" and "If You Want Blood, You Got It" will definitely be featured in future posts. There is a method to my madness.

"Let There Be Rock" picks up perfectly from where "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" left off. It continues to showcase the hard rock sound that is unique to AC/DC and each time I listen to it, I start headbanging from the opening notes of "Go Down" and don't stop until the final notes of "Whole Lotta Rosie." Other highlights include the title track that tells the story of the origins of rock through great music and after listening to the track, I totally agree that Hell ain't a bad place  to be.

Track Listing:

1. Go Down

2. Dog Eat Dog

3. Let There Be Rock

4. Bad Boy Boogie

5. Problem Child

6. Overdose

7. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be

8. Whole Lotta Rosie

As I wrote each track down, I found myself singing that track in my head, that shows what a kick ass album it is. Scott, Young, Young, Evans and Rudd prove themselves to be the good tight band which would see them climb to the top a few short years later, although this would be the last album for bassist Mark Evans.

AC/DC

Bon Scott- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar

Mark Evans- bass

Phil Rudd- drums

It was albums like this one why AC/DC are still a great live act even after all these years including an account in "Rock And Roll Children" which took place in 1985. If you listened to "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," then why don't you continue the party and listen to "Let There Be Rock." You won't be disappointed.

Next post: Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run

To buy Rock And Roll Children visit: www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: AC/DC- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

I didn't hear of this album until 1981 when it was re-released in the U.S. By that time, AC/DC had already climbed to the precipice of rock with killer albums like "Highway to Hell" and "Back in Black." "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" was originally released back in 1976, when practically no one outside of Austrailia knew who they were. This was a shame because back then, AC/DC definitely had the hunger which many acts who haven't made it to the big time have and this album is living proof of that.

Like Judas Priest, AC/DC were an act that paid their dues throughout the 70s before making it big in 1979 and 80. I was one of the many, who after hearing either "Highway to Hell" or "Back in Black," explored the early discography of this band. So, when this particular album came out, I immediately went out and bought it and I haven't regretted it for one minute. 

While the album showcases AC/DC's hard rocking sound that millions around the world have come to love, it also shows a more humourous side to them. Listening to the lyrics of the title track and the double entendre behind "Big Balls," which must still give the PMRC a stroke, brings a smile to my face each time I have listened to it over the past 30 years. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" continues to be one of those lost treasures still enjoyed today.

Track Listing:

1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

2. Love At First Feel

3. Big Balls

4. Rocker

5. Problem Child

6. There's Gonna Be Some Rockin'

7. Ain't No Fun (Waiting Around to be a Millionaire)

8. Ride On

9.  Squealer

Bon Scott- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcom Young- rhythm guitar

Mark Evans- bass

Phil Rudd- drums

This is a classic album from one of the classic bands of all time. If you haven't heard this album in a while, take it out and relive some great classic rock by a greatly loved band.

Next post: AC/DC- Let There Be Rock

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: The Sweet- Desolation Boulevard

Long before the glam metal antics of Motley Crue and Ratt and even before the make up of KISS, there were the glam rock founders of Alice Cooper, Marc Bolan and of course, The Sweet. Way back in 1973 or early 74, the song "Little Willy" became my first official favourite song. I knew nothing about The Sweet, not even what they looked like, however, one thing I knew was that I liked that song, still do. Not long after, this great album was released and then I knew that The Sweet was one kick ass band, although I probably didn't use those words back then, I was a good boy. (LOL)
Desolation Boulevard is one of The Sweet's best known albums and was even included in Wayne's World's top ten list along with some great offerings from Aerosmith and Led Zepplin. But for me, I can still see myself skating around the roller rink silently jamming to such great tracks as "The Ballroom Blitz" and "Fox on the Run." Even then, I knew that this was a killer album.
There are two versions of "Desolation Boulevard," a US version and a UK version. Being brought up in the US, I am more familiar with the US version and probably would prefer it more because of "The Ballroom Blitz."

Track Listing (UK)

1. The Six Teens

2. Solid Gold Brass

3. Turn It Down

4. Medusa

5. Lady Starlight

6. The Man With The Golden Arm

7. Fox on the Run

8. Breakdown

 9. My Generation

Track Listing (US)

1. The Ballroom Blitz

2. The Six Teens

3. No You Don't

4. AC DC

5. I Wanna Be Committed

6. Sweet FA

7. Fox on the Run

8. Set Me Free

9. Into the Night

10. Solid Gold Brass

The Sweet

Brian Conelly- lead vocals

Steve Priest- bass, backing vocals

Andy Scott- guitar, backing vocals

Mick Tucker- drums

The Sweet were one of the kings of early glam metal and with albums like this one, they definitely had the sound to go with the look. I can safely say that they were a major influence on many of the hair and make up bands in the 80s.

Next post: AC/DC- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon

Question: What does a metal head do when they feel like mellowing out a bit? Yes, I can already hear many metal heads screaming, "Me, mellow out, never!" But I know there are many who once in a great while like to take it down a notch. So, do you listen to Air Supply or whatever love song is in the top 10 at the moment? I say a big "HELL NO!" to that, what many of us listened to and many still do now is Pink Floyd.
Throughout the 70s, Pink Floyd put out several really good albums such as "Animals," "Wish You Were Here" and the most popular of those, "The Wall." I will be looking at the last one at a later date. However, it is "Dark Side of the Moon" that got me truly listening to Pink Floyd and was my official mellow out party album. I've known rockers the world over to put this album when having partied their hearts out and want to relax and unwind a little. The songs on this album provide the perfect atmosphere in which to do that. Also there is something to be said about the album, like many Pink Floyd albums, to be thoroughly enjoyed after puffing the magic dragon. It is probably the way one song leads straight into the next that keeps the buzz going. Even in the days before CDs when you had to pause to turn the tape over, the first track on the second side, "Money" does a great job in returning you back to the proper atmosphere.

Track Listing:

1. Speak to Me

2. Breathe

3. On the Run

4. Time

5. The Great Gig in the Sky

6. Money

7. Us and Them

8. Any Colour You Like

9. Brain Damage

10. Eclipse

Pink Floyd

David Gilmour- guitar, synthesisers, vocals

Roger Waters- bass, vocals, synthesisers, tape effects

Nick Mason- percussion, tape effects

Richard Wright- keyboards, synthesisers

One thing I need to mention is that I can include David Gilmour in that growing list of underrated guitarists. His efforts, especially on his solo on "Money" proves that he can smoke a finger board. His style helps to create the music that Pink Floyd is best loved for. So, if you ever want to relax and just go mellow for a few brief moments, then this is the album to have on your stereo.

Next Post: The Sweet- Desolation Boulevard

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Heart- Dreamboat Annie

Forget about power ballads such as "What About Love" and "Alone" which Heart were famous for in the 1980s, because a decade earlier, Heart were a true hard rock outfit. I freely admit as a red blooded male, it was the attractiveness of the Wilson sisters that first turned my head in their direction, they were the first true rock chicks, but when I heard this album, I was hooked by their cool hard rock sound.
"Dreamboat Annie" was the album that launched Heart into the ionosphere in rock. It served as the springboard for what would be a string of albuns and singles that would keep them at the top throughout the last half of the 1970s. Hits like "Magic Man" and "Crazy On You," along with the ballad "Dreamboat Annie," helped to make this album the great album it became.

Track Listing:

1. Magic Man

2. Dreamboat Annie (Fantasy Child)

3. Crazy On You

4. Soul of the Sea

5. Dreamboat Annie

6. White Lightning and Wind

7. (Love Me Like Music) I'll Be Your Song

8. Sing Child

9. How Deep It Goes

 10. Dreamboat Annie (Reprise)

Heart

Ann Wilson- vocals

Nancy Wilson- guitar

Roger Fisher- guitar

Howard Leese- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Michael De Rosier- drums

Steve Fossen- bass

If you want a good nostalgic rock out, then this is a great album.

Next Post: Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Alice Cooper- Welcome to My Nightmare

Wtih the release of the new Alice Cooper album, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare," I felt it was only appropriate for me to visit the original "Welcome to My Nightmare" album, which was released back in 1975. It also helped me to choose which of the great Alice Cooper albums to feature on here. Back in the 70s, Alice put out some classic memorable albums such as "School's Out," which was the first Alice Cooper album I ever heard. There was also "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Goes to Hell." But it is this memorable classic rock album that I am visiting here.
What makes "Welcome to My Nightmare" so great? The opening title track gives you the answer. The song "Welcome to My Nightmare" is one of the best concert opening songs in history. With Alice's vocals behind it, the song reaches out and grabs you by the throat and says, "You're gonna listen to me." One reason I was glad he opened with that song when I finally got to see him live in 1988. As far as the album goes, the title track sets the stage and draws the listener in to not only listening to the entire album, but loving it as well.

Track Listing:

1. Welcome to My Nightmare

2. Devil's Food

3. The Black Widow

4. Some Folks

5. Only Women Bleed

6. Department of Youth

7. Cold Ethyl

8. Years Ago

9. Steven

10. The Awakening

11. Escape 

Another great item I really like on the album is the vocal by Vincent Price on the track "The Black Widow." It takes a good song over the edge to make it great. Forget Michael Jackson and "Thriller," Alice Cooper had the idea first and does it a lot better, although I could be a bit biased here.

 

Personnel:

Alice Cooper- vocals

Bob Ezrin- Synthesiser, arranger, keyboards, vocals

Vincent Price- Speical effects, vocals

Dick Wagner- guitars

Steve Hunter- guitars

Joseph Chirowski- synthesiser, vocals, keyboards, clavinet

Prkash John- bass

Tony Levin- bass

Pete "Whitey" Glan- drums

Johnny "bee" Badanjek- drums

One of my regrets when writing "Rock And Roll Children" was the book was set during the mid 80s when Alice Cooper had nearly faded into obscurity through heavy drinking. That is why he only gets a brief mention in the book. What the characters didn't know was that Alice Cooper was a major influence on many of the great metal bands of the 80s and it was albums such as this one that made it so.

Next post: Heart- Dreamboat Annie

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Blue Oyster Cult- Agents of Fortune

When I first heard of the band Blue Oyster Cult, it was in the religious world where everyone there was describing them as Satanic. The name Blue Oyster Cult gives the impression that if you listen to any of their albums, you will immediately start sacrificing chickens, goats and virgins on the altar of Beelezebub. Of course, it doesn't help when the first big single is entitled, "Don't Fear the Reaper," but it was that song that got me listening to them. Although Blue Oyster Cult have a number of other singles and many great albums, it is this song which the rock and metal world identify them with. Proof of this is I have a number of rock compilation albums and the song appears on at least three of them.
Although "Don't Fear the Reaper" is the song that thrust the band and this album, "Agents of Fortune" into the spotlight, the entire album is brilliant and puts Blue Oyster Cult into the category of one of the great metal influences. Songs like "Extra Terrestrial Intelligence" and "Tattoo Vampire" also make the album great. In fact, all of the songs in my metal opinion make this album.

Track Listing:

1. This Ain't the Summer of Love

2. True Confessions

3. Don't Fear the Reaper

4. Extra Terrestrial Intelligence

5. The Revenge of Vera Gemini

6. Sinful Love

7. Tatto Vampire

8. Morning Final

9. Tenderloin

10. Debbie Denise 

Blue Oyster Cult:

Eric Bloom- guitar, percussion, vocals

Albert Bouchard- drums, percussion, harmonica, vocals

Donald "Buck Dharma" Roesser- guitar, synthesiser, vocals

Joe Bouchard- bass, piano, vocals

Alan Lanier- guitars, keyboards, bass, vocals

Apart from great albums such as this one, Blue Oyster Cult have always been known for being a fantastic live act. One of the major regrets of my life is not having been able to see them in concert. This is probably why I have the main characters in Rock And Roll Children lament over the fact they didn't see them open for Rush. I only have great albums like "Agents of Fortune" as a consolation.

Next Post: Alice Cooper- Welcome to My Nightmare

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

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle