The way the stories are told, it’s almost like there were two separate bands in the 1960s called the Beach Boys. One was a lush psychedelic chamber pop group that created some of the most ambitious and beautifully orchestrated pop music ever recorded led by a genius named Brian Wilson. The other was a chart-topping surf group that played easy pop tunes that almost guaranteed commercial success, and they were led by a master of showmanship named Mike Love.
rock and roll
Record #265: Chuck Berry – Chuck Berry’s Golden Hits (1967)
I don’t care what Back to the Future says: rock n roll was not invented by Marty McFly. It was invented by Mr. Charles Berry, who here offers newly recorded versions of his previous hits.
Record #154: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – Night Moves (1976)
If you can’t stand Pink, Katy Perry, Colbie Collette, modern rock, or CCM and want some decent music in my town, there are only two radio stations to turn to in my town: unsurprisingly, they are both classic rock/oldies stations. And as such, one thing is for sure: they play a LOT of Bob Seger. Just how much Bob Seger wasn’t revealed to me until a few months ago when I got Shazam and realized how many of the songs on their rotation were his.
Record #152: Elvis Presley – Elvis’ Golden Records (1958)
Even in the fifty-four years since this record’s release, there has been no one like Elvis Presley. And there is absolutely no mistaking that strong and warbling voice as it seems to permeate from every part of him. And Elvis’ Golden Records, a collection of his #1 singles up to that time, shows just how indelible The King’s mark on popular music is.