Rockipedia
Do you have cherished obscure musical - Rock, Pop or other- fact?
Perhaps there's a little known nugget of information you find strangely soothing. Why not log it here (with references if possible) and create a Rockipedia (or Wordipedia) of Rock anecdotes - I'll start with....
Walk On The Wild Side
The distinctive bass sound on Walk on The Wild Side was created after Herbie Flowers suggested double tracking his bass line by using both electric and double bass. Genius cried the production team, however Herbie's agenda was commercial rather than creative - it was a stealthy way of claiming twice the session fee.
Reference - Classic Albums DVD:Transformer
Star Trek
Chekov's mop top was based on a Beatle cut.
Reference - Making of "Star Trek": Stephen E. Whitfield and Gene Roddenberry.
Sex Pistols
Sid Vicious could have been the original frontman for the Pistols or The Damned. Vivienne Westwood suggested a striking spiky looking John, a frequent visitor at Sex/Seditionaries, as a potential Pistol to Mclaren. He approached Lydon, she had meant Beverly (Sid's real name was John Beverly). Sid also failed to turn up for his Damned audition and Dave Vanian got the gig.
Reference - Englands Dreaming:Jon Savage and 77 Sulphate Strip:Barry Cain
- More from Dave C.
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Genesis
"When Peter Gabriel left in 1975, the rest of the band looked for a replacement among a diverse group, such as Allan Clarke from The Hollies; Mike D’Abo; Steve Gould from Rare Bird; Mick Rogers, ex-Manfred Mann’s Earthband and later in Aviator; Bernie Frost; Paul Jones; Andy Fraser to even David Dundas, who once had a hit with his single “Jeans On." Even Jess Roden and Nick Lowe auditioned!"
http://www.progressiveworld.net/genesis4.html
Deep Purple
I have always been under the impression that Machine Head was the 1st 'rock' album to be advertised on TV - but then again, I could have just imagined this. I have not looked for evidence to back this up, so cannot quote a reference - but that's never stopped Wikipedia, so why should it stop me?
I'm an old person....
....and I'm saying you imagined it. TV advertised albums began with K-Tel and Ronco.
I'm old too
but you're probably right. I seem to remember staying at my aunt & uncle's house in Pinner and it coming up on TV. It may well have been regional only, but I'm petty sure it happened! Honest. Still, if it isn't recorded then it didn't happen.
Jethro Tull
were the first band to be broadcast across the Atlantic by satellite in 1979 from Madison Square Gardens.
Reference: "Jethro Tull: A History of the Band, 1968-2001" By Scott Allen
wouldn't this be more useful on the real wikipedia
in the trivia section of each of the artist above particularly as you have references ;)
Golden Nuggets
These facts, stats and secret whispers are 'collectors only' quality. The sort of thing you can have a moment of quite smugness about. Whereas Wonkipedia is like a home made cassette, or Now album of greatest hits and infomania.
I think
Nick Lowe might be tempted to erase the Genesis connection from his posting. It's all open to revision.
and if its important enough it will get put back
and if its important enough it will get put back
Elvis Costello
In February 1980 Elvis Costello and The Attractions played 2 surprise gigs as The Horace Barlow Experience, supporting Rockpile and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
http://www.elviscostello.info/gigography/concert_80-84.php
Re: Electric and slap bass
When Billy Fury's seminal Sound of Fury was being recorded, they were at a loss as to how to achieve the slap-bass sound of authentic American rocknroll records until they too hit upon the bright idea of playing the basslines on both electric and double basses.
Woops
Don't tell Dave C, he thought it was Herbie Flowers what invented that sound, see above. Must, tho', be purely coincidence, what would seasoned sessioneer Flowers know of early 60s rockabilly sessions.....
(I was hoping here to find evidence of his playing on old Billy Fury singles, al I could find was he co-wrote Clive Dunns equally seminal Grandad)
Herbie rides again
I don't think Herbie's claiming to have invented it - I'd imagine it was probably a standard session muso trick to get a bit extra in the back pocket - probably called "twice played, twice paid" or somesuch.
Actually
was the Horace Barlow Band. Saw it myself at Bradford Uni. They played it as a warm up gig before touring the Get Happy album.
Oops............should have been a reply to Beany's entry just above!
I was
at the same gig, having been tipped off by the social sec. I remember the Experience, which is why I looked it up for verification, and Elvis would not lie to us (would he)?
well
I'm getting on and the memory plays tricks!
Were you actually at the Uni or a townie??
I came from the Dark Side
I was the social sec at Leeds Poly
Marc Bolan played guitar on River Deep, Mountain High.
Or Nutbush City Limits.
It was 'Nutbush City Limits', apparently...
...and he also played guitar on Bowie's original version of 'The Prettiest Star'.