Greatest moments in Rock and Roll history

[Unclenny]

A local public radio station is compiling a list of the 800 or so Greatest Moments in Rock and Roll History.

I figured that I might as well blatantly co-opt their idea and throw it at the mercy of the unique and eclectic perspective that is the hallmark of GS.

So.....what ARE the Greatest Moments in Rock and Roll History?

I'll throw out two:

Bob Dylan going electric
Jimi Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock

[doorknocker]

Curve Dominant buying his Digi 001 rig.

[Robert Sands]

Beatles playing the Ed Sullivan show for the first time. Changed my life, made me a pro musician for all eternity and I've read\heard from so many other pros that it was the seminal moment in their lives also. I was about ten or so and mommy was making me take piano lessons and I was into it but when I saw and heard the Beatles that night a light went off in my mind and I NEW I had to be a part of what I was witnessing. There was no turning back, it was an epiphany. EVERYTHING changed after that night for so many people. Music, first and foremost of course but many other things took a turn to the left - the way people dressed, the length of guys hair, morals, drug use, love generation ... the list is very long because of what those four guys brought over from England. Industries were created. Societies were impacted. Amazing. We're still on that road that they started us on. All the music that they influenced. - HUGE. Nothing even comes close IMHO to what the Beatles brought to the table on that night. It was an "Oh My God" moment bigtime.
Sorry for the long winded response but I get very passionate about this everytime the topic comes up.
Rob

[wallawannabe]

Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds.

Those two records made music production the art that we see it as today. Not just a way of recording music to sell.

[musicmann]

Originally Posted by Robert Sands

Beatles playing the Ed Sullivan show for the first time. Changed my life,... Nothing even comes close IMHO to what the Beatles brought to the table on that night. It was an "Oh My God" moment bigtime.

Couldn't agree more.. Only 799 more to go!
Larry

[ssaudio]

Elvis dying...

[flail19]

Well, in my lifetime at least:

Nirvana releases Nevermind. Bringing punk, or alternative to the mainstream.

And just for fun; seeing The Red Hot Chili Peppers playing live shows clad only in strategically placed tube socks.

[chetatkinsdiet]

#1. Elvis on Sullivan....tops the beatles as it defined the first wave of rock and roll.
#2. Beatles on Sullivan...nuff's been said on this already.
#3. Stones at Altamont. The end of the hippy era.
#4. Woodstock...the power of rock and roll.
#5. Dylan goes electric at Newport.

A lot of my personal faves after this like Elvis Costello playing Radio, Radio on SLN after they'd told him not to. There are so many great things that have happened.

later,

m

[bashville]

I think, with the music market so fragmented into a million different subgenres, it's hard after the boomer period to find events that effected as many people at once as, say, the British Invasion in the 60's.

One of the greatest concerts I ever experienced was seeing Radiohead at Radio City in NY. It was the last show of their OK Computer tour. I've never seen a show that was more about the music. The audience stood for practically the whole show, and Thom Yorke's voice was right on the whole time, like they could have been lead vocals from the record.

There are bands in any particular period that are supported as much by their generation as the boomers supported theirs. Some 60's and 70's moments still stand out as amazing, whereas others just look like people getting out and doing their thing, like musicians have always done.

[joelpatterson]

#6. Gearslutz is launched.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Unclenny

A local public radio station is compiling a list of the 800 or so Greatest Moments in Rock and Roll History.

800? Why bother? Takes a really underwhelming definition of "greatness" to believe that there have been 800 qualifying moments over the past 50 years.

[joeq]

the invention of the extra-long guitar strap

[warhead]

800 is ridiculous.

I think VH1 has covered this stuff well, actually.

War

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by warhead

800 is ridiculous.

Agreed.

I think the '800 or so' number has something to do with the stations location on the dial.
And I think they are expecting a number of schmaltzy true life experiences.

Like, for instance.......sneaking in early to the Taj Mahal concert in 1972 at The Patrick Gymnasium in Burlington Vt. and hearing him yelling at John Hall to "get that fvvvving guitar together, NOW!" during the soundcheck.

My first real insight into the world of Rock.

[Geoff Firebaugh]

July 4th, 1976- The Ramones play the Roundhouse in London, giving birth to the clash, the damned, the sex pistols and thousands of postcard worthy haircuts.

[Drumsound]

Ummm...Multitrack recording and overdubbing!

[heyman]

1) Pete Wentz getting punched in the face..

2) Anyone that throws stuff at Pete Wentz while playing live...

3)GG Allin Defecating himself..

[henryrobinett]

Off the top of my head:

Charlie Patton born, learns Delta Blues from Henry Sloan and disseminates it to Son House, Robert Johnson, et al.

Blues goes electric in Chicago and Muddy Waters, Elmore James take charge.

Fats Domino

Chuck Berry

Alan Freed Moondog radio show exposes black R&B.

Sam Phillips realizes that if he could find a white man to play black music he'd make a million dollars. Therefore Rockabilly was born.

Elvis therefore records the Arthur Big Boy Crudup song, "That's Alright Mama."

Elvis on Ed Sullivan.

Payola scam and the first take down of Rock and Roll (Chuck Berry goes to jail, Elvis goes to the army, Holly dies, Jerry Lee marries 14 year old cousin and is shunned, Alan Freed taken out.

Kirshner and the Brill Building.

Corporate takes over R&R now that the uncontrolled pack is gone. Bubble gum is born.

Dylan hits Greenwich Village.

John, Paul and George meet in Liverpool and form the Quarrymen.

Berry Gordy forms Motown/Tamla and begins association with Smokey Robinson.

Young English kids fall in love with American delta and Chicago blues. Various groups form, many art students. Most notably Rollingstones, Yardbirds, Animals.

Beatles become huge sensation in England.

Beatles become huge sensation in US. Groundbreaking media, PR campaigns. Play Ed Sullivan. Mass female hysteria.

Bob Dylan Releases "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan". (Peter, Paul and Mary do "Blowing In The Wind.")

"A Hard Days Night" movies is released.

British Invasion.

Dylan tells Lennon that their music isn't saying anything.

Dylan releases "Like a Rolling Stone" (electric).

James Brown releases "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag."

The Supremes and other Motown artists have phenomenal chart success.

Jimi Hendrix goes to England.

Cream releases "Wheels of Fire."

Monterey Pop Festival introduces Hendrix, Janis, etc. to America.

Jimi Hendrix takes first US tour with the Monkeys.

Woodstock.

Isle of Wight/Altamont kill peace and love hippie movement. Dishonorable mention to Charles Manson.

Second major take down - post Woodstock. Soft rock Carpenter, Bread, Simon and Garfunkle.

Kiss introduces theater rock manufacturing image. Presages Bowie, Alice Cooper, Paliment/Funkadelic, Marilyn Manson, Tubes, etc.

CBGBs becomes venue for Ramones, Richard Hell, New York Dolls, Blondie, Talking Heads, etc..

Malcolm Maclaren sees this scene and masterminds Sex Pistols.

Peter Frampton explodes Corporate Rock/Arena Rock with the multi plantinum release.

Fleetwood Mac releases "Rumors."

"Rappers Delight" and Sugarhill Records.

Michael Jackson moonwalks on Motown special.

Michael Jackson breaksdown the race wall at MTV.

Nirvana.

Kurt Cobain dies.

Tupac and Biggie get killed.


That's all I can come up with off the top of my head. I think there's nothing really new been going on for a couple of decades. R&R has been created. It's purpose formulated and it's just become big business to the point where it's lost it purpose.

[allphourus]

[quote=henryrobinett;1399206]Off the top of my head:


Bob Dylan Releases "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan". (Peter, Paul and Mary do "Blowing In The Wind.")


Second major take down - post Woodstock. Soft rock Carpenter, Bread, Simon and Garfunkel.

Simon and Garfunkel (AKA as Tom and Jerry in 1957 first brush with success) First Simon and Garfunkel album 1965 belongs up above with BD and P,P and M.Not Soft Rock, Folk or Folk Rock.


Kiss introduces theater rock manufacturing image. Presages Bowie, Alice Cooper, Parliament/Funkadelic, Marilyn Manson, Tubes, etc.

The only band here that Doesn't predates Kiss is MM.
Kiss 1973
Parliaments 1955
Funkadelic 1968 Debut album 1970
David Bowie 1969
Alice Kooper/Schools Out 1972 I saw the perform as Alice Kooper the summer of 1970 with full Theatrics
Tubes early 1973 for the first album less than a year later for the second.

I personally think Kiss is a low point for Rock n Roll. A very bad Bar Band at best.Gene does have the marketing skills though.

But if your really looking for the roots of theater rock how about Genesis in 1968, or even Jesus Christ Superstar or Hair, Or even Little Richard?



"Rappers Delight" and Sugarhill Records.

Tupac and Biggie get killed.



These two do not bear mention in a discussion of Rock n Roll unless in the context of the death of Rock n Roll, but thats been predicted before and hasn't happened yet.

All in All Quite a list Henry,well done.

My vote would be for the "Summer of Love" and the rush by all the majors to sign up all those San Fransisco bands.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I was only thinking of the top 5, and really tried to keep death out of it...unless you count altamont as a death. It was, but in the bigger picture, the death of the peace and love era.

If you do count those things, the biggest would have to be "the day the music died" and Buddy Holly et all, went down in that cornfield. That was something we've never seen since. Morrison, Hendrix, Janis and all the other's that died back then were tragic, sure, but nothing like that plane crash.

Now, Lennon getting shot...that would make the top 10. Brian Jones last swim...that would be top 25 for sure. Bonham, Moon, Sid Vicious....lots of things like that would make it.

Good call on that Ramones show in the UK. While on that thought...what about that first Dolls tour over there. That one sure shook things up.

m

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

That's all I can come up with off the top of my head.

"A History Of Rock And Roll (abridged)" by henryrobinett

[billgennaro]

Originally Posted by heyman

GG Allin Defecating himself..

what a load of crap!

[henryrobinett]

[QUOTE=allphourus;1399566]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

O
Kiss introduces theater rock manufacturing image. Presages Bowie, Alice Cooper, Parliament/Funkadelic, Marilyn Manson, Tubes, etc.

The only band here that Doesn't predates Kiss is MM.
Kiss 1973
Parliaments 1955
Funkadelic 1968 Debut album 1970
David Bowie 1969
Alice Kooper/Schools Out 1972 I saw the perform as Alice Kooper the summer of 1970 with full Theatrics
Tubes early 1973 for the first album less than a year later for the second.

Don't think for a minute I LIKE or EVER LIKED KISS! I too saw Alice Cooper early. '70?? I guess you're right. My time line was wrong. Bowie that early? Parliment/Funkadelic weren't doing the theatric thing as early as '55! Or were they?

I saw Cooper open up for Steve Miller. Nobody knew who he was. He was very effeminate using rubber chickens and plastic toy guns. He was booed. Quite a bit different from is later act.

Tubes predated Kiss for theatrics?

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by allphourus

Simon and Garfunkel (AKA as Tom and Jerry in 1957 first brush with success) First Simon and Garfunkel album 1965 belongs up above with BD and P,P and M.Not Soft Rock, Folk or Folk Rock.

I know. But I'm not writig a book! I think S&G help brig on and define the later watered down soft rock. But Bridge Over Troubled Water appeared at the end of '69. It was virtually a 70s release. Book Ends, Parsely Rosemary and Sage, Mrs Robinson were all clearly mid to late 60s. But they were still soft rock, in my book.

[henryrobinett]

[QUOTE=allphourus;1399566]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

Tupac and Biggie get killed.



These two do not bear mention in a discussion of Rock n Roll unless in the context of the death of Rock n Roll, but thats been predicted before and hasn't happened yet.

All in All Quite a list Henry,well done.

My vote would be for the "Summer of Love" and the rush by all the majors to sign up all those San Fransisco bands.

Hm. Then why did you not add Kurt Cobain to that list?

I thought of Haigh Ashbury and the SF bands. Summer of Love thing. I just mentioned the death of it all. I was thinking that any mention of demise would neccesitate talk of it's birth. Examples Tupac, Biggie, Cobain, Woodstock (Isle of Wight/Altamont).

It was off the top of my head after all! Sheesh!

[RawBeanZen]

The day God invented Les Paul would have to rank pretty high for me.

[henryrobinett]

[QUOTE=allphourus;1399566]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

"Rappers Delight" and Sugarhill Records.

Tupac and Biggie get killed.



These two do not bear mention in a discussion of Rock n Roll unless in the context of the death of Rock n Roll, but thats been predicted before and hasn't happened yet.

If by this you mean either BLACK ARTISTS or HIP HOP artists I reject either one out of hand. A look at the history indicates that R&R, by any definition you'd like to apply, is a music of rebellion, non-conformity against the establishment, of youth and serves as a media outlet. The music has always been influenced greatly by black culture. It always pushes at the bounds of established taste and cultural mores.

I believe Hip Hop is the R&R du jour. whether I like it or not. It's this generations Punk, which was itself a strong reaction against the establishment. Hell, none of those guys could play their instruments!

So I'm not sure what you meant by the above that niether one belong in a discussion of R&R. You may have a different point of view of what R&R means to you, as might everyone on this list, but when taken with an overview of the historical movement, I disagree.

[allphourus]

I don't wish to disagree with you Henry ,nor do I wish to hijack this thread,But just as a way of explaining myself.

I'm just not that familiar with these styles ( rap and hip hop ) beyond their beginings......I kind of see them as a new form unto themselves,a new branch of the river,I kind of think that without rock they might never have existed,but have left the main stream and maybe circled back around a bit and back into their roots further back in time ( R&B,it really predates R&R, which wouldn't exist without R&B, round and round we go ).I have no denial of the extent of this genres influence on all of the rest of us, most importantly on Jazz.

You seem to be a champion of all styles and very well informed, I could probably learn a lot from you and not just about guitar.

Your right on about S&G. I just came to them from the folk-rock side.

OK, The Tubes and Kiss share the same time frame.I liked the Tubes, Kiss just went right by me and I missed it,Thought they were of the same ilk as the Monkeys, who also might belong somewhere in the discussion of the greatest moments in rock as well as Kiss none the less.

As far as the rebellion, non-conformity against the establishment,and not being able to play your instrument,I think it's highly over rated,Talk about rock theater that might be the worst of all the Rock n roll clichés out there,It seems to be a big act with most,I know the kingsmen never won any downbeat polls, but some of these garage band non-musicians could really play there asses off.I think It was just so much marketing ,Kinda like plastic love beads,Nehru shirts and black light posters.

Hope this puts us on better terms,

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

I know. But I'm not writing a book!

I think you do know. And I, for one, would buy the book.

Don't stop now.

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by allphourus

Hope this puts us on better terms,

Ha! Who said we were on bad terms?!

I see it all coming from the same stream. Nothing exists in a vacuum or sprouts from itself all alone. R&R started out as R&B. Before that it was an electric form of Delta Blues. Rockabilly was Elvis, Carl Perkins, Bill Haley and even Buddy Holly, which was the combination of "hillbilly" and R&B done by white folks. And this, to me, was a bastardization of R&B.

Rock and Roll are terms that go way back. They have a combined and independent meaning of sex and dance. Trixie Smith sang in 1922 "My daddy rocks me with one steady roll."

None of this music could've existed without the blues. Gospel, spirituals, tin pan alley and ragtime were also early factors. The blues took much of its form from work songs and field hollars of the slaves -- call and response. This call and response is still the backbone of much of what we call R&R today.

What some people refer to as R&R is but a substream of what I call Rock and Roll, which is the overall macro stream. Hip Hop and Rap are but another substream of this actual stream of events; a timeline of musical creation separated by artists, innovation, styles and genres, but not by the overall stream. And to separate them does all the rivers and streams, substreams, a disservice by misunderstanding the motion and intent. They cannot be separated by race, or defoliated from the trunk without not understanding the movement. It is a human movement crucially important to this age. It's a vitally important stream of COMMUNICATION through the medium of art: primarily simple songs. Simple enough for young people of a given era, to create, relate to and to call their own.

By I am by no means the arbiter of all things rock and roll. It's just my opinion. But what is good is to look at these things while suspending ones personal opinons of the worth of these artists. I'm looking at the movement devoid of my affinity for Sex Pistols (a band I personally did not like) or of some misogynistic and "N" word laden hip hop I personally take issue with. But my personal opinon need not sway my ability to see that Kiss, a band I despised on so many levels, were valuable. And not positively valuable, but valuable nonetheless. I can see the attractiveness, or have tried to see and understand what people saw in Kiss, or Frampton, or Sex Pistols or Tupac, NWA, Nirvana. I can understand the attraction and yet not be personally attracted.

The visceral reaction/effect, which is part of "rock and rol" is very similar whether it's early Beatles hysteria, Elmore James singing "Dust My Broom", Hendrix playing "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)", Clash doing "White Riot", Run DMC doing ""Walk This Way" or N.W.A doing "Straight Out Of Compton". It's the same river, trunk, tree, whatever. But it's impossible to see if you're looking from the vantage point of sitting on or being a branch. You gotta look over and beyond it. You gotta be the whole thing.