AC/DC

AC/DC, formed by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young in 1973, became the greatest rock band the world had to offer. Out of Australia, AC/DC, who obtained their name from a sewing machine, began their career with their first singer Dave Evans. Dave Evans, due to his glam rock style, much like Gary Glitter's, was unsuitable for the position as front man. instead in 1974,  Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, who at the time was the front man for the band Fraternity, was chosen for the position as AC/DC next singer. Bon Scott, ironically, during the Dave Evans era was their driver for getting them from gig to gig. Mark Evans, Their bassist, was Eventually replaced by Cliff Williams. Malcolm Young was the rhythm guitarist. Phil Rudd became the drummer, and Angus young was their lead guitarist. Before Scott's death in 1980, AC/DC had made five studio albums, High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let Their Be Rock, Powerage, and Highway to Hell. Scott, before his time recommended Front man Brian Johnson of the band Geordie for their next singer. Brian proved to be a great predecessor tofBon. From 1980 till the present, ten albums were released.

I consider Bon Scott's five studio albums the bible of rock and roll. Iconicly, they have made their way to the top without even trying. Angus Young's power when he steps up on stage is like none other. Although their music hasn't changed since they were sanctioned, they continue to arouse rock and roll fans around the world. I dare some one to last forty years as AC/DC has without changing their sound, and be as great as they have been. To me AC/DC has given to us the purest of rock and roll that any one can give. Their inspiration, Chuck Berry had a lot to do with that. The Thunder from down under they were called.

The Beatles

"Look, if you really want to get in these bigger places, you're going to have to change, stop eating on stage, stop swearing, stop smoking." Says former Beatles manager Brian Epstein. In 1957 John Lennon Playing for The Quarrymen requested Paul McCartney to his attention. George Harrison a friend of Paul's tagged along. Lennon agreed to have the both of them in his band. In 1960 Johns School friends, who joined him in The Quarrymen, decided to leave. In January of 1960, Stuart Sutcliffe, a student colleague of Lennon's, became their new bass player. Stuart mentioned the word "The Beetles" used by Buddy Holly and The Crickets for a possible stage name to their new found band. This was later changed to The Beatles in August.Brian Epstein by the end of August was hired for the part as drummer. The Beatles now consisted as a five person band. Sutcliffe's death soon followed the following April by cause of a brain hemorrhage. Brian Epstein, who took The Beatles under his wing thought that Best's drumming skill weren't to his satisfaction. Ringo Starkey who regularly filled Brian Epstein absents during gigs, replace Best for the drumming position.

The "Fab Four" they were called. Together they released over twelve studio albums. The Beatles revolutionized the history of rock and roll in a way that not Evan Led Zeppelin could have done. Although their music gave variety of sort, Zeppelin couldn't compare to the audience The Beatles received during their time as a band. The Beatles exchanged the greatest variation of music, in my eyes more than any one else to date. From oldies music, to using synthesisers. George Harrison adopted an Indian instrument called the Sitar, this inspired great sound within their music.They also used harmonicas, and sounds never even heard of. The Beatles are one of my top three greatest musicians of all time, next to Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd, whose name derived from two blues musicians by the names of Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, formed their genre as a Progressive rock, psychedelic rock band. In 1963 while in the study of architecture, Roger Waters and Nick Mason helped to discover their new found band, Pink Floyd, later in 1965 .Their origins as an English rock band was in high success. their early rehearings took place in the basement of Regent Street Polytechnic. During this time they ran with the name, The Tea Sets. World wide they have sold over 200 million album copies. The Rock and Roll hall of fame inducted them in 1996. their most successful albums consisted of The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall.

Pink Floyd remains an inspiration to all who aspire to become them, one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Although their music is highly unique and widely different compared to usual sound of that era, They helped the world through a looking glass of music. From Run Like Hell, to Comfortably Numb, these songs remain masterpieces throughout all of time. Pink Floyd has released 14 albums. Their music continues in popularity even today. Pink Floyd has changed their sound throughout their career. First focusing on the blues Renaissance then evolving in to a whole new sound that, like Queen, Zeppelin and the Beatles, is how one is known through history, the diversity of sound in ones music.

Queen

In 1971 the group, consisting of Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon, and Freddie Mercury formed to call them selves Queen. This British rock band released their debut album in 1973 calling it Queen with its single Keep Yourself Alive. They followed that up with Queen 2 in 1974. Their after they released their most dynamic music ever featured on the albums Sheer Heart Attack and A Night at the Opera in 1974 to 1976 these would reefing their next albums to come. Killer Queen, Your my Best friend, and Bohemian Rhapsody were found on these albums. Bohemian Rhapsody is believed to be the greatest piece of work to date. Freddie Mercury wrote Bohemian Rhapsody and it took six studios to make. The other band members had no idea what they were making but it turned out to be their best song ever. Don't Stop Me Now, Fat Bottomed Girls and Bicycle Race, We Will Rock You and the rock ballad We Are the Champions Tie Your Mother Down, Somebody to Love, and Another One Bites the Dust became their greatest songs.

Queen, like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Who before them, created original music. Queen never believed in creating the same thing twice. Their originality in music is so unique that the same thing couldnt be done by any other group. Queen had a distinctive sound uncomparable to anyone elses. Queen had created a more inovative and divers sound, incorperating beautyful instrumental chords, and hidden lyrical messages. Queen has inspiered many others which have taken to my liking, The Styx, Meat Loaf, Kansas and Metallica being four of them.

Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page, arguably one of the greatest musicians of all time, originally kicked off Led Zeppelin's career after his association with The Yardbirds. Jim McCarty and vocalist Keith Relf, after leaving the band, gave Jimmy Page the rights to to the Yardbirds. He formed the New Yardbirds consisting of Robert Plant on vocals, Jimmy Page, lead guitar, John Paul Jones playing bass, and John Bonham as the drummer. After the completion of their first album, The New Yardbirds were asked to change their name after a cease and desist was issued by an original band member. Keith Moon and John Entwistle, band members of The Who, were asked by Jimmy page before the formation of the New Yardbirds, to form a super group. They respectively declined saying that it would go down like a "lead balloon". The New Yardbirds coined lead balloon into what is now known as Led Zeppelin.




Led Zeppelin is thought to be the biggest influence on rock throughout the 70's decade, as the Beatles were during the decade before. Led Zeppelin is widely known as one of the greatest bands ever conceived. overall they have sold 200 million albums world wide. All nine of their studio albums have reached top ten on the United States Billboard album charts, with six of them hanging on the number one spot. After John Bonham's death in 1980, the band split.


 

Led Zeppelin is found on my top five most favorite bands, and without their originality in music they never would have made it. Their fourth album was an unnamed album. It remains one of my favorite albums of all time. The instrumental sound that is produced from them is highly divers from any other group to this day.

Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is considered one of the greatest pioneers of rock and roll. Chuck Berry was born on October 18, 1926 in  St Lewis, Missouri. Berry refined the influence of what was known as the Blues in to what is now known as Rock and roll. Chuck berry's distinctive rhythm blues is what made a huge elemental change to music in general. His greatest works include "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Rock and Roll Music", and "Johnny B. Goode". He loved focusing on what teen life meant to him in most of his music. Berry first recorded with Chess Records 1957. Reaching number one, "Maybellene" found on the "After School Session" album, had sold over a million copies. Chuck berry continued to record 18 studio albums all the way up to 1979.

Chuck berry wrote songs that fit my line of music, which is found in the blues/ rock genera. Berry wrote Oldies music and I'm proud that I'm probably one of the only people in this school that would allow my self to listen to it. I focus on music that people dont listen to. So trust me when i say, what people like, in my opinion, is crap. Because in reality one would think if it wasnt for the blues and the original rock, you wouldnt have your rap, unfortunantly we do.

The Cars

The Cars united in 1976 with Ric Ocasek as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Elliot Easton on lead guitar, Greg Hawkes who played multiple instruments such as keyboards, saxophone, percussion, the synthesizer, as well as bass. David Robinson as drummer, and benjamin Orr who also played bass.Their name originated from David Robinson who was on a high influence of pop art, and thought it would be authentic to name themselves The Cars. During the winter of 1976-1977 they began writing songs for their debut album. Electra Records took The Cars in after hearing the song "Just What I Needed" on Boston's WBCN radio station. This would become their first single on their album "The Cars", it reached number 18 on the Billboard 200. Other songs followed reaching the Billboard Hot 100, "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Good Times Roll". In 1979, "Candy-O", their second album, consisted of the famous "Lets Go", and "Its All I Can Do". In 1980 then came "Panorama" they followed that up with "Shake it up" in 1981. "Heartbreak City" proved to be their most successful album. MTV awarded "You Might Think", video of the year at the first MTV video music awards. Their last album ended with "Door To Door" in 1987.

The Cars have proven to be one of the greatest pop rock artists of all time. those words from me are rare in itself considering most of my music back ground consists of mostly the blues and rock.The Cars have, in a way, revolutionized a new form of rock and roll and combined it with the New Wave sound of the time. The voice that is used by the lead singer is what allows for one of the most soothing sounds that a singer can provide. Their Love songs can lead one to believe that love is out their, so come get me. This technique is also used in oldies songs sung by bands such as the Beatles. The Cars reunited in 2010 after breaking up in 1988. In 2011 they released "Move Like This".

REO Speedwagon

The Formation of REO Speedwagon was in 1967 as an American Rock band. Their name, REO Speedwagon, originated from a Flatbed truck and a Fire Engine made by the REO Motor Company. REO came together in Champaign, Illinois at the University of Illinois. The group in 1967 kicked off by playing in campus bars and only allowing themselves to play cover songs. The original band line up consisted of Neal Doughty playing key boards, Mike Blair as bassist and vocalist, Alan Gratzer on drums, and Joe Matt on guitar and vocals. in 1971 REO signed a deal to Epic Records to begin their first original album. 1980 comes around and REO Speedwagon records their most successful album ever, "Hi Infidelity", selling a high of ten million copies commercially. "Keep on Loving You", "Take it on The Run", "In Your Letter", and "Don't Let Him Go" were found on the charts for sixty five weeks running, and for thirty two of those weeks they remained on the top ten. "Hi Infidelity was a true rock and roll masterpiece. In all Speedwagon recorded sixteen albums.

My biggest concern with REO Speedwagon was their band members. Throughout the years from 1967 to 2007 they have changed every original band member from the beginning. REO has made a total of seventeen replacements. I have a hard time believing that the band could stay together for the time that they did. The only band member who was willing to stay was Neal Doughty on key boards. Their main reason why they had a declining popularity during their latest years was because of their variety of band member replacements, but, at the same time, i believe this added  a diversity in their music, for that reason I believe they make a great group. Their greatest song would have to be their 1973 Ridin' The Storm Out.        

The Who

In 1962 two men by the names of Townshend and Entwistle formed their own Dixieland Jazz band with Townshend on banjo an Entwistle on french Horne they called themselves The Confederates. Later on, Entwistle would met a bass player while walking down the street. his name, Roger Daltrey, asks Entwistle to join his band the Detours. Entwistle, one week later, asks Townshend to try out as a guitarist. Together, the band members were now Daltrey at lead Guitar, Townshend on Rhythm guitar, Entwistle on bass, Doug Sandom, drums, and Colin Dawson as the band vocalist. Daltrey would later replace Dawson as vocalist after leaving the band. They now sought a recording contract but were told to find a better drummer. Sandom, in 1964 leaves the bands drumming position, and was replaced by Kieth Moon after destroying the drum kit provided to him. In February of 1964 they change their name to The Who. During the performance on September 1964 at the Railway Tavern in Harrow and Weadston London, Townshend accidentally busted the top of his guitar through the ceiling. Outraged by the audiences snickers and giggles Townshend slams his guitar against the ground, he then grabs a second guitar he had at hand and continued the show. At their next concert the audience began to beg at Townshend to repeat what he had done during his last gig. He refused, instead Moon accepted to destroy his own drums. For years to come the who became famous for their entertaining instrumental destruction. Rolling stone made the incident at the Railway Tavern one of "50 moments That Changed The History of Rock and Roll". The Who would go on to write a song that had the very first bass solo, "My Generation". and their single "I Can See For Miles" was their first song to reach #1 in the United States. During the filming of "The Kids Are Alright" Kieth Moon bribed the band's stage hand to load his drum set with explosives. VH1 made the incident one of the top 10 on their "100 Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Moments on Television"

In 1968 a man by the name of Abbie Hoffman attended the 1968 Woodstock Festival as a staff member at the medical tent. By the time The Who, who were playing at the event, ended a song, Hoffman, while under the influence of LSD, preceded immediately by jumping up on stage, grabbing the mike, and saying "I think this is a pile of s*** while John Sinclair rots in prison !". Townshend whipped around and screamed "F*** off ! F*** off my F****** stage !" he then grabbed his guitar and stuck him. What Hoffman was doing was protesting the case of a famous poet, John Sinclair, who was given a 10 year prison sentence for offering a Marijuana cigarette to a narcotics officer. These type of occasion were perfect examples to how great The Who actually were. Waiting to protest until the who arrive onstage was just that of stupidity, but it made me realize if you were going to protest something, you had to do it in front of one of the greatest bands of all time. The Who went on to inspire Brian May of the band Queen, and Geddy Lee of the band Rush.          

Robert Leroy Johnson

Robert Johnson was born on May 8, 1911. Johnson worked his way up as a solo singer and guitar player for the blues of that time, more specifically the Delta Blues. His Influence at first was thought of as a racket, nobody wanted to be around him if he walked in with his guitar at hand. "Your Guitar playing is horrible" most would say behind his back. However their has been a legend, one that has been debatable since its coming. For three months Johnson went missing, During this time Johnson claimed he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for guitar playing powers. The crossroads 49 and 61 in Clarksdale Mississippi was where the alleged meting place of Robert and the devil took place. The dark man stood in front of him, and reached out to grab Johnson's guitar, he began tuning it, he followed by a few tunes. The devil returned it to its owner, Johnson found himself home again after his 3 month delay, people were amazed by what he had learned.

To this day Robert Leroy Johnson has been the biggest influence on rock and roll history. He, I believe was the very first influence to music as a whole. Eric Clapton believed Johnson was "the most important blues musician who ever lived." Robert Plant, Famous singer for Led Zeppelin said “Robert Johnson, to whom we all owed our existence, in some way.” on the day of Zeppelin's formation Robert Plant believed he needed powers of his own it is rumored that Robert plant keeps a vile of dirt from where the devil made his pact with the king of delta blues. Both Brian Jones and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimi Hendrix all of which may have never existed without Robert Johnson. In his life time he only recorded 41 songs. Its amazing how something so little can create something big enough to be apart of our culture.