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These are the rock music’s most significant groups and individual performers from 1960 to the present. These artists defined the sound of an era, creating influential songs that remain timeless and continue to shape modern music.
As rock music evolves, many artists from the 1980s, 1990s, and even the 2000s are now being considered part of the classic rock legacy. Bands like Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters have stood the test of time, influencing new generations and earning a place alongside the pioneers. Whether from decades past or more recent years, classic rock remains a powerful and enduring force in music.
Neil Youngs’s Resume Buffalo Springfield Buffalo Springfield was formed in L.A. in 1966 by Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, Dewey Martin, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. They were key to the early development of Folk Rock. The band took their name from a steamroller parked outside their house. Buffalo Springfield – Though they only stayed together for a couple…
“Urgent” started with what sounded like Led Zeppelin’s “Rock N’ Roll” riff slowed down and shot through massive reverb. Then came Lou Gramm’s “urgent” vocals. Instead of a guitar solo there was wailing sax delivered by Soul legend Jr. Walker. A killer track. Also, “Foreigner 4” had the ultimate guitar-destiny song “Juke Box Hero.” It…
By ’79 AC/DC had produced three albums. The Rolling Stone Record Guide published that year, roundly dismissed AC/DC as both sonically and visually offensive. Their albums, one of which was “Powerage,” got the lowest possible rating. A rating that questioned AC/DC’s musical competency. Even ABBA who was alphabetically listed just above, got a two-star rating for most…
Early Aerosmith got slammed for being a second-rate Rolling Stones. Singer Steve Tyler possessed more than a passing resemblance to Mick Jagger. It wasn’t his fault. Jagger just got to the look first. Guitarist Joe Perry was pegged as a Keith Richards knock-off. (Of course, Richards was once dismissed as a Chuck Berry knock-off.) But…
Often bands are missing a key element and go looking for it in another band. Drummer Butch Vig, multi-instrumentalist Duke Erikson and guitarist/bassist Steve Marker first saw the Scottish-born Angelfish singer Shirley Manson on MTV’s “120 Minutes.” They hooked up with her when Angelfish toured the States. Manson went through what was termed an “introductory…
After building a stellar reputation with the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and back to Traffic, expectations were high for Steve Winwood’s solo career. But it got off to a slow start with his self-titled debut, a good, solid, if unremarkable record. On the ’81 set “Arc Of A Diver” Winwood played all the…
For a time, the mightiest Blues shouter in the U.K. was a teenage Steve Winwood, the singer for the Spencer Davis Group (“Gimme Some Lovin’“). He also played organ, piano and guitar. When the Spencer Davis Group’s limited scope became too confining Winwood served notice. Eric Clapton and Winwood talked about forming a group but…
They arrived during the Cold War and in the U.S., shortly after President Kennedy’s assassination. They were irreverent and fun. Just what the U.S. and the world, needed to pull itself out of the doldrums. It didn’t hurt that they were exceptionally talented. But what often got lost was their discipline and hard work ethic….
INXS started with the Farris Brothers (guitarist Tim, keyboardist Andrew and drummer Jon) in ’79. School friends, bassist Gary Beers, guitarist/sax player Kirk Pengilly and vocalist Michael Hutchence soon came on board. Interestingly, this line-up remained intact through the band’s lengthy history (’79 to ’97). Honing their act, INXS (in excess) set out on a…
On this day… The Eagles entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band’s Don Henley and Glenn Frey had a few “priceless” comments. “I want to thank (manager) Irving Azoff, without whom we wouldn’t be here today,” said Henley. “Well, we might still be here,” blurted out Frey. “But we wouldn’t have made…