Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Judas Priest- Sad Wings of Destiny

Many great acts, especially metal ones had to pay their dues before they finallly make it to the big time. This was especially true with the metal gods we worship to day as Judas Priest. When I worshipped these gods in concert two and a half years ago in Cardiff, Wales, Robert Halford told the audience how thrity five years ago, the band would come to Cardiff in a little white van to play at the local pubs and clubs at the time. Back in the 1970s, Judas Priest were virtually unheard of, especially outside the UK and paid their dues by playing all the back holes of Britain and opening for more popular bands of the time like Budgie. Fortunately for us, they perservered and went on to become the great metal act we all know and love.
The downside of many bands once they ascend to the big stage is that much of their earlier work goes unnoticed. Some people will buy a band's earlier stuff upon hearing about it, but it still doesn't get the recognition it deserves as most people seem to be focused on the new stuff. The same can be said for me in regards to Judas Priest. "British Steel" was the first Judas Priest album I ever heard and you could say the rest was history, I became a total Priest fan. It wasn't until a few years later, however, when I heard the song "The Ripper" on a metal compilation album that I went back to the past and investigated earlier offerings such as "Sad Wings of Destiny."
It is often said that before a heavy metal band gets discovered, their hunger is reflected in their music. This is definitely true for "Sad Wings of Destiny." Listening to such tracks as "The Ripper," "Deceiver" and "Genocide" show the hunger. However, the album also shows the unmistakable guitar riffs of Tipton and Downing as well as the unique vocals of Halford that would later eventually enshrine Judas Priest in the annals of metal glory.

Track Listing:

1. Victim of Changes

2. The Ripper

3. Dreamer Deceiver

4. Deceiver

5. Prelude

6. Tyrant

7. Genocide

8. Epitaph

9. Island of Domination

Judas Priest

Rob Halford- vocals

Gelen Tipton- guitars and piano

KK Downing- guitars

Ian Hill- bass

Alan Moore- drums

I recently read a quote by a fan who states that "70s Priest kicks the sh*t out of 80s Priest." I will not get involved in that argument, especially as 80s Priest gets quite a lot of mention in "Rock And Roll Children,"  but I will admit that the 70s albums like "Sad Wings of Destiny" and the one I'll be visiting in my next post show a raw and hungry sound that I really like. So with my teacher head on, your assignment today is go and have a listen to this great diamond in the rough of an album and you will see what I mean.

Next post: Judas Priest- Sin After Sin

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

Also available on Amazon, Froogle and Barnes & Noble

Book Signing- Result

Last Saturday night was a rather successful evening. First, I mananged to sell three books although one was the pub buying one at cost. I also found Fat Lil's to be a cool venue with a lot of true metal heads. It also features a lot of tribute acts. In the not too distant future such tribute acts as Mentallica, Greenish Day and Blondied will be playing there.

What a difference a year can make! Shepherd's Pie were very good when I saw them last year, but last night, they were even better. Some great covers of some great songs from Iron Maiden, Rainbow and Metallica and yes, they did play a Dio song last night and were given a free copy of Rock And Roll Children as a reward. Their cover of "Holy Diver" would have made Dio proud.

I was also invited to host another book signing at a nearby village pub frequented by the Creepy Crawlies MC.

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

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

Book Signing, Saturday May 12

I will be on location at Fat Lil's Pub in Witney, Oxfordshire to sell and sign copies of Rock and Roll Children. This will be my first book signing event of the year, so if you haven't bought a copy of Rock And Roll Children, here's your chance to get your own autographed copy. If you have, I will still autograhph it and you can tell me what you think of it.

Of course, it won't just be a case of me signing books because also appearing on the evening will be the sensational metal covers band Shepherd's Pie. These guys are a brilliant cover band and are definitely worth checking out. It should also be interesting to see if they rise to my challenge. A free copy of Rock and Roll Children is waiting for them if they play a Dio song during the night.

So, for a fantastic night of live metal and a chance to buy a great book, come to Fat Lil's this Saturday night. You won't be disappointed.

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html
Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle. Also on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of the 70s: David Bowie- The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders From Mars

I thought I was ready to move onto the next chapter of this tour through heavy metal history, but as what has been always happening to me, another great rock album from the 70s has sprouted to mind. I came upon this one while listening to my MP3 the other day which contains my two favourite Bowie songs of all time; "Space Oddity" and "Ziggy Stardust." I know that the album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders from Mars" only contains one of those songs, but I have decided to visit the album anyway.
The best reason for visiting the album is quite simple, for an ageing metalhead like me, it takes me back to a time of pure rock. Great tracks like the "Ziggy Stardust," "Starman" and "Suffragette City" are true rock anthems which helped laid a foundation to the metal we know and love today. For me, this was a time when I thought David Bowie was good before he settled for being popular. Sorry, I just couldn't get into that "Let's Dance" stuff in the mid 80s. But Metallica should take note.

Track Listing:

1. Five Years

2. Soul Love

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Starman

5. It Ain't Easy

6. Lady Stardust

7. Star

8. Hang On In To Yourself

9. Ziggy Stardust

10. Suffragette City

11. Rock And Roll Suicide

David Bowie- vocals, piano, accoustic guitar, harpsichord

Mick Ronson- guitars, piano, backing vocals

Trevor Bolder- bass

Mick Woodmansey- drums

The other thing David Bowie can take credit for is being a key player in the glam rock of the early 1970s. Bowie along with Alice Cooper, The Sweet and later KISS would create an image which would influence a good many metal bands a decade later. If you fancy listening to a classic rock album, then try this one.

Next Post: Judas Priest- Sad Wings of Destiny

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

Also available in Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle

Rest In Peace- Levon Helm

Blog entry- star date 27-04-12, Supplemental

Regrettably, I am saddened to learn of the passing of The Band's drummer Levon Helm this past Friday. According to official reports, Levon died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 71.

Natrually, I am now reflecting back to the film, which I saw in 1978 and remember him very well. Not only was he a great drummer, he also sang lead on such famous songs as "Up on Cripple Creek" and "The Shape I'm In," both hits for The Band. Tributes have already been pouring in from all over the music world, including Bob Dylan and I am expressing my deepest condolences for Levon's family.

Rest in Peace Levon Helm

Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Kansas- Point of Know Return

 Have you seen the episode of Family Guy where Brian advices Peter to walk through the streets in deep contemplation with the song "Dust in the Wind" playing in the background? Better yet, whenever you needed a walk to think things over have this song come to mind or listen to it on a MP3 or walkman? I have. "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas from the album "Point of Know Return" is one of the greatest accoustic ballads of all time. The funny thing is that it was only written when Kerry Livgren's wife suggested he add lyrics to a piece he had written as a finger excercise and he wasn't sure whether or not the band would like it as Kansas was not known for accoustic ballads. Needless to say, the song was written and recorded and you could say, the rest is history.

 However, "Dust in the Wind" isn't the only good song on this album. There are some great rock tunes like "Lightning's Hand" and song cool instrumental solos like "Paradox." Furthermore, the title track is also a very good track. These are all reasons why this album proved to be an excellent follow up to the previous Kansas album, "Leftoverture." The album also helped to establish Kansas as a great live act.

Track Listing:

1. Point of Know Return

2. Paradox

3. The Spider

4. Portrait (He Knew)

5. Closet Chronicles

6. Lightning's Hand

7. Dust in the Wind

8. Sparks of the Tempest

9. Nobody's Home

10. Hopelessly Human

 

Kansas

Kerry Livgren- guitar, keyboards

Phild Ehart- drums

David Hope- bass

Robby Steinhardt- violin, vocals

Steve Walsh- keyboards, vocals

Rick Williams- electric and accoustic guitars

"Point of Know Return" was released in late 1977 and helped the waters of rock along its way to overflowing its banks a year later. This I have no doubt.

Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Foghat- Live

I had never heard of Foghat before until I saw them advertised as the headliner at the Philadelphia Spectrum one evening in June 1978. I didn't go to the concert as I was heading across the street to Veterans Stadium to watch the Phillies play the Dodgers. Obviously, I missed what probably was a memorable concert, but the band's name stuck in my mind. Fast forward a few months later when my cousin took out this live album and played it to me. After hearing this great live album, I can say that things changed for the better for me in a musical sense.

As I said before and will probably say many times more, there are many good album and show opening tunes out there, but there are smaller number of those which are truly great. These songs are the ones that grab you by the throat and say, "You're going to listen to us and like it!" Two posts ago, I included "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith and on this album, the opening track, "Fool for the City," is also one of those songs. Whenever I hear it, I can't stop to quicken my step and headbang away. "Fool for the City" sets the tone for the rest of the album. There are other great tracks which carry on the good vibe of Foghat "Live" from where "Fool for the City" leaves off. Two tracks that definitely stand out are "Slow Ride" and their version of "I Just Want to Make Love to You." Both are great party songs and I'm speaking from first hand experience here. The rest of the album supports these and it is what makes this album one of the best live albums of all time.

Track listing:

1. Fool for the City

 2. Home in My Mind

3. I Just Want To Make Love To You

4. Road Fever

 5. Honey Hush

6. Slow Ride

Foghat

Dave Peverett - rhythm guitar, vocals

 Rod Price - lead guitar, slide guitar

 Craig MacGregor - bass

Roger Earl - drums

I realise that I am in great danger of calling every live album I visit, one of the greatest live albums of all time. However, for Foghat- "Live," I can say that the shoe definitely fits on this one.

 Next Post: Kansas- Point of Know Return

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

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle