On This day – Little Susie is Being Suggestive!
Oct 14, 2009 On This Day
On this day in 1957 The Everley Brothers reached the top of the charts in the USA with “Wake Up Little Susie”. That inspite of it being banned by some radio stations because of the suggestive lyrics.
I have always said that it is a dirty little song, a threat to the morals of our youth and quite capable of destroying society. (Sorry, I was having a irrational time warp back to the 50s moment). However, that is just what some people thought, otherwise sensible and responsible people. Mind you, most people thought that fighting a nuclear war, and surviving it, was entirely possible. Also remember that the FBI investigated a song (Louie, Louie) because of the filthy lyrics (the whole story here).
There have always been bans imposed on rock music. Given the origins I do not think that we should be surprised. Rock was born on the back of black ‘race’ music. Music made by and for black America. It was not heard or played by white people. When rock began it took the rhythms, feel and in some cases whole songs. That worried the white establishment. Sexual references was just one area that scared the hell out of them. Hence not showing Elvis’ hips when he was singing. That “Wake Up Little Susie” should fall foul of the censors is just a reflection of the paranoia of the time.
What the establishment wanted was more Rock Hudson and Doris Day films (sort of ironic of course).
One notable incident of banning music from being played that predates rock was the banning of Billie Holiday’s version of “Gloomy Sunday” by the BBC in 1941 (and that was the version with the rewritten happy ending!).
However, banning became far more common with the advent of rock. “such a Night” by Johnny Ray was banned by the BBC in 1954. The police in Memphis banned The Drifter’s “Honey Love”. Both banned because of the suggestive lyrics. There are many more examples in the late 50s and early 60s. But the practice went on, and on. In 1969 “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus” was banned (again by the BBC) because of the sexual nature of the recording. Other, obvious examples are Hendrix “How Would You Feel”, Van Morrison’s “Gloria”, The Who’s “Pictures of Lily”. There are so many.
More worrying as far as I am concerned is the banning of songs because of political or social comment. The Byrds “8 Miles High” was banned by many US radio stations because of the drug reference, “Puff The Magic Dragon”, Janis Ian’s “Society’s Child” was banned because by many US radio stations because the interracial dating references. Sponsors of the Pet Clark Show got their nickers in a twist when she touched Harry Belafonte on the arm during a duet. etc etc.
Somehow I am not surprised that the Colonels in Argentina banned more than 200 songs because they threatened the regime. I am not worried that the Soviet state and its satellites banned hundreds and hundreds of rock music. I find it hard to see Elton John as being a threat to society but any society should be able to stand up to threats from the arts, and the arts should threaten society.
Luckily, the act of banning a record only helps to make it receive more attention than perhaps it otherwise would. Again there are many examples of that. Frankie goes to Hollywood’ “Relax”, The Pistol’s “God save The Queen”, “Je T’aime”. Just add your favourites to the list. The “explicit Lyrics” stickers were a joke, and a magnet to some record buyers. One Zappa album has an “explicit Lyrics” sticker, even though it is purely instrumental!
The censorship of album covers has also gone on as well. Here are a couple of examples;
There are other examples, of course, Blind Faith, Black Crows, Scorpions, the Beatles with the ‘Babies cover’ etc.
I think that censorship is rarely right (exceptions being child porn, coercion, exploitation). I also believe that it is largely ineffective.
Tags: censorhip, classic rock music, elvis presley, frank zappa, love rock music, On This Day, rock and blues, rock music, the who
On This Day – Spencer Davis Group Split
Jul 20, 2009 On This Day
Classic rock music
On this day in 1969 The Spencer Davis Group announced through its management that it was splitting up.
Their first single was ‘Dimples’ a cover of John Lee Hooker’s classic. Unfortunately for them it was released at about the time of John Lee’s original in the UK and overshadowed by it.
They are best remembered for ‘Gimme Some Loving’ released in November 1965 which became an instant classic, if such a thing is possible – surely being a classic requires the hindsight of time – anyway it has endured. It is also notable for the maturity of Steve Winwood’s voice, he was 17 at the time!
Were they a seminal band? I don’t think so. Were they a very good band? Of course. ‘Gimme’ remains much loved, and guaranteed to get non dancing men of a certain age up and shaking their over large stuff at parties (works for me)……………
Tags: classic rock music, On This Day, real rock and blues, rock music, spencer davis
The Dead’s Last Gig
Jul 9, 2009 On This Day
On this day in 1995 The Grateful Dead gave their last concert before the death of Jerry Garcia at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Jerry was dead a month later of a heart attack. He was staying ata drug rehab clinic at the time.
Jerry Garcia was, for many, the heart of the band. He was a prodigious talent who started playing guitar when he was 15. He started hi own band (called Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions) and the basis of the Dead began to form. Along the way the band changed their name to The Warlocks and eventually to The Grateful Dead.
Although hugely popular as a live act on the West coast the Dead found themselves hugely in debt to Warners after 3 albums. Their saviour seems so obvious now but at the time was a revelation, a live album. ‘Live/Dead’ featured a 23 minute version of Dark Star and showed the whole world what the band was about.
To many, the epitome of the band was the release of American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead. To those who regard themselves as ‘true’ Dead fans there is nothing to compare to the gigs, and albums, whether live or studio were just pale imitations. The Dead tribe was formed.
While the very epitome of hippydom, the Dead were also consistantly one of the highest grossing live acts in the world. Even after JG’s death the music went on, this time in the exelent Dick’s Picks series of albums.
Tags: classic rock, Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, On This Day, real rock and blues, rock music
Michael Jackson – What’s going on now?
Jul 1, 2009 Rants
I read with dismay an interview with the Nanny who has brought up MJ’s children. She was sacked by MJ shortly before his death. Apparently, he sacked her regularly and then re-hired her.
She maintains that the kids think of her as their mother, but she is being denied contact. The implication is that he who holds the kids gets the cash. (I am sure that seeking the custody of the children is motivated by nothing other than a genuine regard for the children’s future).
That being said, the money men are beginning to come out of the woodwork.
There is the story of a relative asking the nanny where MJ might have hidden cash. (story here)
More about the family wanting the kids, and the cash here.
The record company, MJ impersonators, the relatives, creditors all eye the estate (more here).
Lastly, just a bit about what life was really like for MJ, Here.
Tags: michael Jackson, rock music
Michael Jackson Why Wait ’till he’s Dead?
Jun 30, 2009 Rants
That MJ was a tremendous recording artist is beyond doubt, although popularity does not guarantee quality – just remember the Spice Girls phenomena.
What really annoys me is that lots of people are going out and buying MJ records. Let me explain that a bit better. It is not that people are buying his records per se. It is that they are buying them just because he is dead. If they liked MJ’s music then why didn’t they buy the CDs when he was alive? Dieing is a good career move.
Tags: deaths, michael Jackson, rock music
Rocked Around the Clock
Jun 26, 2009 On This Day
In 1955 on this day Decca Records (remember them?) announced that Billey Hailey had sold More than 3 million records, in just 13 months.
These days, when new sensation follows new sensation, it would be unusual for the sale of a single to continue for so long, or to sell so many copies. Formats have changed of course. LPs were not the format of choice then being more aimed at jazz and classical music rather than pop. That did not really change until the 60s.
Commercial Radio Stations the End of Civilisation?
Jun 23, 2009 Rants
This is not as stupid a question as it first appears. At least, not if you think that music is important. I believe that music is one of the foundations of society. It predated written communication and probably the spoken word. Rhythm and melody is with us before we are born. Babies in the womb respond to music. They respond to the rhythms of the heartbeat of their mothers. We assimilate basic rhythms as we grow up, music becomes part of us.
Our lives are dominated by sounds and music almost as much as they are by light and images. We pay musiciansand singers a fortune to use their skills and talents to reflect and sometimes change our lives. Well, some of them get paid a fortune. In history balladeers were feted and valued, and this is how it should be. Music has developed from the streets be it Blues, rock and roll, Punk, Folk etc. In the modern world there is a disease. It is that growing and spreading scourge of all thinking human beings, disposable, irrelevant, musical pap.
Bubblegum for the ears has always been around. One of the main culprits responsible for the growth of this rubbish has been the MOR commercial radio stations. These radio stations use music is the filler between inane quizzes and adverts. These stations provide a diet of extended jingles and tell us that it is music. They demand shorter tracks to play, they ignore any music that may make us think (they do not want us to do that). They ignore any music that may make us upset. Their prime requirement is to have a safe platform for their adverts.
Music, real music, must challenge and excite. The purpose of music, of all art, is to reflect, challenge and change. The growth and development of civilisation goes hand in hand with questioning. One of the prime sources of that questioning is music. Real music exists but it is under threat from the dumbing down of the broadcast media. That way lies the end of civilisation as we know it.
Tags: classic rock music, live music, love rock music, real rock and blues, rock music
On This Day 1969
Jun 21, 2009 On This Day
Can you believe that it is 40 years, to the day that Space Oddity was released by Bowie?
Neither can I, the rst as they say is history.
Tags: bowie, rock music
Hello world!
Jun 10, 2009 About and things, Uncategorized
A new blog, but not a new site, this is Real Rock and Blues. Originally the site supported a radio programme I did for a community radio station, with the play lists and links to good bands etc.
The station died, lack of funds and too many egos…….. and so did the site.
But it is back! (Sorry about that).
What to expect?
Well lots of me pontificating about what “Real Rock and Blues” means and who does it. (Hint, not Celine Dion). Some stuff about on this days and a smattering of my thoughts (if any) and pet hates (lots).
I hope that you enjoy the ride.
Right, I am off now to clean my office (attic) while listening to Nick Cave – sort of sums up my attitude to hoovering.
Phil
Tags: blues music, nick cave, real rock and blues, rock music
