Great Metal Albums of 1981: Billy Squier- Don't Say No

You've all been waiting with baited breath for this, okay, maybe not but here it is. After all my ramblings about great British artists who never really made it in America, it's time for the best American artist not to have made it in Britain. That's right, the award goes to Billy Squier. I know from feedback from British readers of "Rock and Roll Children" that this is the case. Since one of his concerts appears early in the story, several British readers have said, that they never knew him or even heard of him. This is true, I never heard his name mentioned in UK metal circles, heard any of his songs on the radio or seen his videos on the Kerrang or Scuzz channels. His only real association with the UK is the fact that he played the 1982 Reading Rock Festival but other than that, very little. This is a shame because Squier is an excellent musician with several fine albums including this 1981 release: "Don't Say No."

For all my goings on about my paranoia about the singles being the opening song on the album, I must say that Billy Squier goes even further on "Don't Say No" by having all three released singles as the first three tracks on the album. This is not a bad thing in this case. I continue to listen to "In the Dark" and his biggest hit, "The Stroke" which even got played on AM radio back in 1981 but the third single, "My Kinda Lover" got the memories flowing. Furthermore, it doesn't matter about where you put the singles on the track list because the rest of the album is definitely not filler. "Lonely Is the Night" could also have been released as a single, especially as I like the intro in that one. "Too Daze Gone" and "Whadda You Want From Me" are also very strong tracks and his tribute to John Lennon, "Nobody Knows." I do think his vocals are a bit too high on that song but that is offset by a cool guitar solo. The songs on here don't disappoint so once again I find myself asking, Why wasn't this album better received in the UK?

Track Listing:

1. In the Dark

2. The Stroke

3. My Kinda Lover

4. You Know What I Like

5. Too Daze Gone

6. Lonely Is the Night

7. Whadda You Want From Me

8. Nobody Knows

9. Need You

10. Don't Say No

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="163" class=" "] Billy Squier[/caption]

Billy Squier- vocals, guitar, piano, percussion

Cary Sharaf- guitars

Alan St John- keyboards

Mark Clark- bass

Bobby Chouinard- drums

What I am hoping is that everyone in the UK reading this will rush out and buy this album or at least listen to it on YouTube. That will go a long way in making up for an opportunity that was missed over thirty years ago. By all means, Americans take it out, dust it off and listen to it once more. Then remember what a great album "Don't Say No" really was. I thought it was a great way to end the journey through 1981.

Next post: A Tribute to Some True Heroines

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

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Great Metal Albums of 1981: Black Sabbath- The Mob Rules

Vacation is over I'm afraid and now I am back in the UK. The remains of Yuengling and spicy buffalo wings are passing through my system. I had a great time on holiday although that wasn't the real reason why I went over, that was to look after my mother whose not in the best of health but I did get some time to enjoy myself too as you saw in my last post. Now that I'm back, I will go back to posting twice a week and what better way to celebrate my return than with Black Sabbath's 1981 album, "The Mob Rules."

This was the second album with Ronnie James Dio at the vocals and it was simply a continuation of their fabulous "Heaven and Hell" album a year earlier. Rolling Stone might have slated the album when it came out but what do they know? "The Mob Rules" is a fantastic album. It's yet another album that I really can't go on about individual tracks because they are all that good. One thing I must point out is the title track. It has been said that the mix on the album is different to the version that appears on the soundtrack of "Heavy Metal." This might be true but I don't hear any big difference. Both versions are fine with me. Another observation I have made is that Geezer, Iommi and Appice have to do very little to alter their style to match Dio's vocals nor does Ronnie alter his vocal style. The final three tracks definitely highlight this fact and what you get is some classic Black Sabbath at their best all over this album.

Track Listing:

1. Turn Up the Night

2. Voodoo

3. Sign of the Southern Cross

4. E5150

5. The Mob Rules

6. Country Girl

7. Slipping Away

8. Falling Off the Edge of the World

9. Over and Over

[caption id="attachment_2457" align="aligncenter" width="261" class=" "] Black Sabbath[/caption]

Ronnie James Dio- vocals

Tony Iommi- guitar

Geezer Butler- bass

Vinnie Appice- drums

Were Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in competition with one another back in 1981? Whose to say? If it was the case, that competition spurred all of them on to make a couple of magnificent albums in 1981. Half of that was "The Mob Rules."

Next post: Billy Squier- Don't Say No

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Great Metal Albums of 1981: ACDC- For Those About to Rock, We Salute You

For some of you, this is going to be a bit of a shock. The fact that I am writing about an AC/DC album without first going to see AC/DC tribute band Hell's Bells. The ironic part is that they are coming to town next Saturday, unfortunately, I am heading off to the States for two weeks on Thursday. I am a little miffed at not going to see them but this time I have a legitimate excuse. So, you'll have to settle for a picture of Hell's Bells from the last time I saw them.

[caption id="attachment_1987" align="aligncenter" width="300" class=" "] Hells Bells at their usual greatness[/caption]

Most everyone on the planet knows that "For Those About to Rock" was the follow up to the most highly successful "Back in Black" album. Many of the same people say that the follow up isn't as good but I say "Come on!" It would have been a monumental feat indeed if AC/DC or any band to think of it, was able to put out an album that measured up to "Back in Black." Credit where due though, "For Those About to Rock" comes fairly close.

I have heard many a person say that the only thing good about the title track is the cannons. True, they are brilliant and it's even more mind blowing to see it live. Hell's Bells do try to copy it using a computer but while it's a commendable effort, it's just not the same. I do try to describe this wonderful phenomenon in "Rock And Roll Children," but I probably fail. Even without the cannon, this song would probably have been my favourite on the album. The rest of the album also has the typically great tracks you expect from an AC/DC album. I remember hearing "Let's Get It Up" blasting out of many a juke box in the cafes of Toulon, France and "Evil Walks" is definitely a worthy choice for the "Iron Man 2" soundtrack. Angus Young works his guitar magic throughout the entire album but the most noteworthy from me is on "Night of the Long Knives." What "For Those About to Rock" proves is that AC/DC weren't about to rest on the laurels of just one great album.

Track Listing:

1. For Those About to Rock, We Salute You

2. Put The Finger  On You

3. Let's Get It Up

4. Inject the Venom

5. Snowballed

6. Evil Walks

7. C.O.D.

8. Breaking the Rules

9. Night of the Long Knives

10. Spellbound

[caption id="attachment_1989" align="aligncenter" width="280" class=" "] AC/DC[/caption]

Brian Johnson- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass, backing vocals

Phil Rudd- drums

The best thing about it not being 1981 anymore is that you can listen to "For Those About to Rock" without the specter of "Back in Black" hanging over it. This follow up is truly a fantastic album on its own and definitely one that reminds you why AC/DC have continued to rule for more than three decades.

I don't know when I'll be posting again but when I do, it will be: Black Sabbath- The Mob Rules

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

Great Metal Albums of 1981: Venom- Welcome to Hell

Thank God that my local record store back in the mid 1980s had the foresight to have a heavy metal import section otherwise I might not have heard of Venom for at least two more years from when I did. While Venom came out with all the other great NWOBHM acts in 1981, they didn't quite enjoy the commercial success of the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Saxon. This was in spite of the fact that commercial radio didn't totally suck at that time. There was a genuine danger of them slipping beneath my radar totally but fortunately they didn't and I got to hear great metal delights like their debut album "Welcome to Hell."

After my obligatory listen, twice, to "Welcome to Hell," I have come to the conclusion that Venom were actually ahead of their time. True, some people worried that rock music was the devil's tool and would lead many an impressionable young mind to sacrifice goats to the dark lord, there wasn't the all metal is Satanic fervor that would come a few years later and I was even dead smack in the bible belt at the time, thanks to the military. A few grumbled about demonic persuasion in music but Venom was the first band I know to come right out and sing about it. Songs like "Sons of Satan," the title track, "One Thousand Days in Sodom" and "In League With the Devil" are all songs that would have the bible bashers wanting to throw copies of this album onto the fire pit. The best thing is that I get the firm impression that Venom just didn't give a shit. I would never have taken the lyrics seriously then or now. In fact, I would have had a good giggle at them while enjoying the powerful metal that they deliver along with all those amusing lyrics. It can also be argued that they. along with Motorhead, were the first pioneers of thrash because there are a lot of thrash overtones on this album. I honestly believe that most of America wasn't ready for this type of ear bashing back then though I would have been. "Welcome to Hell" is just a totally enjoyable album.

Track Listing:

1. Sons of Satan

2. Welcome to Hell

3. Schizo

4. Mayhem With Mercy

5. Poison

6. Live Like an Angel (Die Like a Devil)

7. Witching Hour

8. One Thousand Days in Sodom

9. Angel Dust

10. In League With Satan

11. Red Light Fever

[caption id="attachment_2436" align="aligncenter" width="209" class=" "] Venom[/caption]

Conrad 'Cronos' Lant- bass, vocals

Jefferey 'Mantas' Dunn- guitar

Tony 'Abbadon' Bray- drums

Reflecting back, I think the real reason why Venom and "Welcome to Hell" escaped my notice in 1981 was the fact I was down South at the time. It has nothing to do with religion, it was more the fact that I was in the South when Southern Rock had also ascended to its zenith. Come to think about it, what a fantastic year 1981 was for music! We had both Southern Rock and New Wave of British Heavy Metal. What more could a 20 year old US Marine, who was really digging music, could ask for?
On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts on the death of my father in law. The funeral went really well and again, thanks for all your support.

Next post: AC/DC- For Those About to Rock, We Salute You

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

Great Punk/Metal Albums of 1981: The Plasmatics- Metal Priestess

The best way to bring us out of the melancholy feeling I've just produced is to look at an album that has been left out of the spotlight for so many years. "Metal Priestess" was made because of the success with The Plasmatics' previous album "Beyond the Valley of the 1984." The producer, Dan Hartman, (you may have heard of him) thought that the band should have something to build on that success and since a full length album wasn't on the cards at the time, the six song "Metal Priestess" was made. There may have been only six songs on the album but wow! What great six songs they are proving that quality is sometimes better than quantity. Each song is an explosion of pure metal mania. Things begin with an impressive guitar opening in "Lunacy" and those guitars dominate but it's the voice of Wendy O. Williams that gives it the extra edge. Her sinister sounding vocals give meaning to the title of the song. That combination works equally as well on the track "Black Leather Monster" and I love the beginning of "Twelve Noon" as well. It too is a brilliant song and the live recording of "Masterplan" as the closer was stroke of genius for this LP. If you want a pure metal album from 1981 and that's exactly what this album is, pure metal, there are few which are better than "Metal Priestess."

In the past and even more so in the future, I have paid and will pay tribute to rock goddesses and metal queens. I have already mentioned such important ladies as Pat Benatar, Debbie Harry, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Grace Slick and even the first true queen of rock Janis Joplin. Future posts will include lovely ladies like Lee Aaron, Lita Ford and Doro Pesch. However, when any of these queens are mentioned, the name Wendy O. Williams seems to be missed out and to me that is a travesty. Speaking as red blooded male, Wendy is just as hot as any of the ladies I've just mentioned, hell, look at the album cover. And vocally she's no less talented. So let's give Wendy to adoration she so richly deserves when we talk about the great females who have contributed so greatly to our beloved genre of music.

Track Listing:

1. Lunacy

2. Doom Song

3. Sex Junkie

4. Black Leather Monster

5. Twelve Noon

6. Master Plan

[caption id="attachment_2395" align="aligncenter" width="275" class=" "] The Plasmatics[/caption]

Wendy O. Williams- vocals

Richie Stotts- lead guitars

Wes Beach- rhythm guitars

Jean Bouvoir- bass

Neal Smith- drums

Proof that sometimes less if more, the six songs on "Metal Priestess" can all be counted as great metal tunes. I rocked out to each one of them when I listened to it. Another album from a band that didn't last longer into the 80s and this album as the previous has me asking why. Maybe I'll get the answer further down the line.
Next post: TBA

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Great Metal Albums of 1981: Motley Crue- Too Fast For Love

Back in 1981, I thought I did a great job keeping up with all the music that was going around at the time, especially considering the fact that I was a bit hampered by serving in the military back then. However, the more I explore this year in music, not only have a drawn the conclusion that 1981 was a killer year for music, I feel slightly sick at my discovery of how many great albums that went past me unnoticed, including this debut album from Motley Crue.

I did hear the album in retrospect after hearing the great follow up to it and I did like it then but hearing it again after such a long lay off, I like it even more. There are some killer jams laid down on this one. The first five songs on this album really get things going here. All of them can be metal classics so I find myself asking "Why aren't they?" Maybe I will find the answer as I continue the journey through the golden age of heavy metal. Actually, I should say the first six songs because "Piece of the Action" was quite a good belter as well. Again, I don't take anything away from the rest of the album as they too are decent songs and the title track quite rightly can stand along side the first six. What I conclude was that in 1981, Motley Crue were definitely hungry and that hunger shown in the intensity of "Too Fast For Love."

Another issue from listening to the album has also surfaced here. I now offer an official apology to Crue guitarist Mick Mars. See, I always had him written down as the worst guitarist in metal but now I withdraw that branding from Mick. Getting things in perspective, I am not going the other way and start comparing him with the likes of Van Halen, Nugent, Rhodes or even Iommi, but "Too Fast For Love," proves to me that he's not as bad as I first figured. Mick, if you're reading this, my most humble apologies.

Track Listing:

1. Live Wire

2. Come and Dance

3. Public Enemy #1

4. Merry Go Round

5. Take Me to the Top

6. Piece of the Action

7. Starry Eyes

8. Too Fast for Love

9. On With the Sh0w

[caption id="attachment_2427" align="aligncenter" width="276" class=" "] Motley Crue[/caption]

Vince Neil- vocals

Nikki Sixx- bass

Mick Mars- guitars

Tommy Lee- drums

"Too Fast For Love" shows Motley Crue at a time when they were hungry and just wanted to create some good in your face heavy metal. As we will see further on down the line, something changed but we can leave that til another day. In the mean time, lets celebrate what has become for me, one of the biggest surprise albums from 1981.

Next post: The Plasmatics- Metal Priestess

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

Great Metal Albums of 1981: UFO- The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent

Like Riot, UFO were another band that I should have listened to back in the day but never did. While, Riot were always in my to do tray, UFO almost completely passed me by. I had heard of them but nothing more. It wasn't until I came to Great Britain in 1986, that I finally listened to them thanks to a friend who had been listening to them for years. More unfortunate was the fact it wasn't this damn fine 1981 album, "The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent" but due the the year, it was the material they had put out around the time.

Now that I have rectified that mistake, I feel slightly sick that this great album escaped my notice for so so many years. What's not to like on it? The album starts with a very attention grabbing guitar riff and then blossoms into "Chains Chains," a song that will be added to my ever growing list of great album opening tracks. "Long Gone" moves the album along very nicely and makes me want to bang my head (against a wall for missing out this album.) While some people may debate whether UFO should be considered "proper metal," I must bring a little history into the debate. See, back then, even as early as 1981, there were some who were quick to label any music with a hard guitar riff, heavy metal and right or wrongly, UFO were put into the group. True, the next two tracks, I would consider to be more AOR sounding, but not really any less heavy. However, the three tracks after that, do stamp UFO's heavy sound. I love how "Lonely Heart" where the combined title and intro sucks you in with the belief it's going to be a ballad before ambushing you with some really heavy sounds and the guitar riffs in "Couldn't Get it Right" are just sublime. The album finishes with a bit of irony. Any song called "Profession of Violence" would lead me to believe that it would play well to those in a mosh pit. Instead, it's a very well played bluesy number with some impressive soloing. Well done lads, this album made a believer out of me.

Track Listing:

1. Chains Chains

2. Long Gone

3. The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent

4. It's Killing Me

5. Making Moves

6. Lonely Heart

7. Couldn't Get It Right

8. Profession of Violence

[caption id="attachment_2420" align="aligncenter" width="189" class=" "] UFO[/caption]

Phil Mogg- vocals

Paul Chapman- guitars

Neil Carter- keyboards, guitars, saxophone, vocals

Pete Way- bass

Andy Parker- drums

If like me, you let this album slip past you, do like me and listen to it straight away. If you do so on Youtube, you may have to search one track at a time but it's worth it. "The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent" is a great album.

Next post: Motley Crue- Too Fast For Love

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