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Considered by some as the seminal King Crimson album for the band's 'classic period', Red stands as book-ends with the debut In the Court of the Crimson King, an album which guitarist Robert Fripp declared 'defined the progressive rock oeuvre'. Rumours have it that Red was the final album heard by Kurt Cobain prior to his untimely death while inspiring his band Nirvana's In Utero, citing one example of the influence it has had over the past fifty years. Also demonstrating King Crimson's approach to re-invention, Red points the way forward for proto-punk, grunge and math rock while casting a backwards glance to the grand ballad style represented on earlier albums such as In the Court of the Crimson King, In the Wake of Poseidon and Islands. Furthermore, the 1972-1974 Crimson re-wrote the ground rules for progressive rock, daringly transiting from the classical music quotation approach of other bands by applying modernist compositional techniques to such pieces as the driving title track and the mysterious improvisation, 'Providence', while anticipating the direction the band may have taken in songs such as 'Fallen Angel' and 'One More Red Nightmare' had Fripp decided not to jump ship prior to Red's release. 'The Crimson ethos is formed by the composite different feels, not by anyone feeling the same'. (Robert Fripp - Private Journal, 1974)

recorded their self-titled first album over three weekends. It is now regarded as the quintessential punk record. Over the next five years, they recorded another fourteen sides of long-playing vinyl including the platinum-selling double-LP London Calling, which was voted the best album of the 1980s and the eighth best album of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Through the triple-LP Sandinista! to their double-platinum Combat Rock plus a whole bunch of stand-alone singles and EPs, The Clash mixed both street and global politics with music spanning several genres including Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Rap, Calypso and Rockabilly. This new edition contains a wealth of recently-unearthed new material, providing a concise narrative of the rise and fall of The Clash, putting each song of their prolific musical output into context, including a selection of bootlegs and rarities. There is also advice about how to buy The Clash's music without falling into the record company trap of repeatedly buying the same material through different compilations, making this the most essential guide to the music of this iconic band yet written.

When David Bowie died in 2016 some people say the world went to hell in a handcart. It seems that while Bowie was alive his songs and their strange commentaries on modern life had some kind of deep significance that made sense of it all for many people. His music evokes something futuristic and prophetic to his fans. In this book, there is light shed on Bowie's songwriting in the early, most-lauded part of his career, his much-vaunted sense of alienation and his desperate search to make music that was art. Art-rock is an odd sort of genre to be associated with, but it fits David Bowie to a tee. Everything he did was infused with a kind of indescribable oddness, like his two mismatched eyes, the result of a teenage spat with a school friend over a girl. He had a lifelong interest in ideas about life on other worlds, and yet one of his many songs associated with this theme, 'Life On Mars', is more concerned with the failings of this planet. When he sang 'Starman' on Top Of The Pops in 1972, his arm draped around the shoulders of his talented lead guitarist and arranger, Mick Ronson, he lit up a million teenage hearts. This is a complete examination of all the songs from Bowie's golden years, which extends from his days as a mod saxophonist through to his astonishing 1980 hit album, Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps). His songs run the gamut from extraordinary to esoteric but were always written from the heart.

The Stranglers, or Meninblack, were once considered the bad boys of punk despite never really being a punk band. Formed in Guildford in 1974, they celebrate their golden anniversary as a band that have continued to tour and record throughout their history, giving us some classic tunes like 'No More Heroes', 'Peaches' and 'Golden Brown, ' just part of a legacy that includes 40 Top 40 UK singles hits and 18 studio albums.They have courted controversy, been jailed, been reviled and lauded - in fact, everything that can happen to a band has happened to The Stranglers. Still led by original bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel, The Stranglers have created some thought-provoking music with a sense of melody which proves that their musicality and intelligence were often greater than their contemporaries. This book examines every album and single recorded by the band, as well as rarities and their many videos throughout their history. With a foreword by current guitarist and vocalist Baz Warne, the band's colourful history is explored as we discuss every song created by one of the most interesting and eclectic bands in rock music.

In a year containing groundbreaking releases from the likes of Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, and Van Halen, 1984 also saw Prince return bigger and bolder than ever. Not content with solely focusing on the lead acting role in his semi-autobiographical movie, Prince worked overtime on a set of songs for the accompanying soundtrack album, and the results were there for all to see upon the unveiling of the masterpiece that was Purple Rain. Arriving at a time of significant world change, and with his eccentric and talented backing band - The Revolution - in tow, Prince's rise to superstardom was cemented with a set of delicious dancefloor hymns. These included the power ballad of all power ballads, a lead single void of customary songwriting traditions; and a track so controversial that it brought about the establishment of the PMRC, and the creation of the 'Parental Advisory' label. Purple Rain celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024, and this book digs deeper into the writing and recording process of the diamond-certified album. Also discussing the stories behind the songs, and the host of B-sides to have followed over the years, this book also pays tribute to Prince - the inimitable mastermind behind the entire Purple Rain project. Oh, no, let's go!

Released in 1977 during the height of disco fever and punk rock, Bat Out of Hell is an ambitious debut album that bucked the trend and confounded critics. With the help of several hit singles, it struck a chord with record buyers and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Benefitting from a combination of catchy melodies, anthemic rock, dazzling musicianship, inventive choral work and audacious narratives, the songs have a universal appeal that has stood the test of time. The memorable hooks and high production values also signposted the power ballads and arena rock style of the 1980s. This book examines the individual songs that make up Bat Out of Hell, along with the album's conception, recording, reception, subsequent tour, and legacy. It also traces the backstory of its creators, Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf, and their work - together and apart - that followed in the album's wake. This includes two successors, released in 1993 and 2006 respectively, and Bat Out of Hell: The Musical which premiered in 2017.

In this, the second of two volumes on Lou Reed, we will see the phoenix-like rebirth of his career occur in terms of both critical and public resurrection and redemption. Starting in 1989, Lou Reed would release a trio of stunning LPs that would finally give him the respect and success that he felt had so eluded him for most of his career. Having finally gained such a long-deserved, lofty position among the critics and fans, he would spend the duration of his life and career both bitterly shunning and cagily embracing his new-found elder status of 'artistic outlier/punk progenitor.' In this, the second half of his career, Lou Reed would revise, and subsequently rebuff, old musical alliances and allegiances, forge new ground both within and without music, and as is typical for Lou, struggle against and lash out at the very things he wished to achieve for himself, both personally and professionally. We will also observe the puzzling and at times erratic final decade of Lou's artistic life, which due to a lack of new personal material, produced a plethora of live albums, avant-garde experiments, and oddly paired collaborations, resulting in his final release a collaboration with a globally- successful band that still baffles and disgruntles listeners to this day. Despite having bid farewell to his wild days, the years of 1989 to 2011 were by no means fruitless for Lou Reed. His voice, his vision, and his guitar playing, truly, his own personal Magic and Loss, are very much the passionate and untamed forces that they were throughout his entire life, and his works of this time display that clearly, time after time.

Despite only being active for less than a decade and releasing just three studio albums during their short tenure, Nirvana's overwhelming musical and cultural impact on the world cannot be understated. Within such a narrow timespan, the famous trio made themselves synonymous with what came to be known as grunge; a potent mix of melodic punk and heavy metal that evolved in America in the mid-1980s. Combined with the band's anti-glam, battered image and Kurt Cobain's lyrical themes of social alienation and world apathy, Nirvana rallied the youth to their beck and call with anthemic, head-banging singalongs and introspective dirges, providing a haven for those feeling lost and abject. Thirty years after the shocking death of Kurt Cobain, Nirvana still dominate the musical conversation and their influence continues to be far-reaching. This book aims to justify such a strong legacy with a detailed analysis of every song from Nirvana's three studio albums, as well as non-album singles, B-sides and any other outliers. In addition, tracks from live and compilation albums will be considered in this appraisal of a band that managed to showcase so much in such little time. They only reveal more as the years go by - as this assessment will prove.

Steven Wilson has been described by The Telegraph as 'probably the most successful British musician most people have never heard of'. His last three solo albums have made the top five in the UK, and he played to over a quarter of a million people on his last tour.

Small Faces. Big Sound. There were but four Small Faces. This is the full story, track-by-track, song-by-song, from the very start, to the final end...

Few artists have had as great an impact with their debut single as Procol Harum. Mesmerising and perplexing in equal measure, 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' remains the perfect distillation of the possibilities of psychedelia in that brief period when British pop seemed to promise a summer of love that would last forever.

The second in a brand new series taking deep dives into rock classics. One of the most pivotal albums in the evolution of rock music, no other recording has had more impact than the 1965 classic Bob Dylan, Bringing It All Back Home.

Towards the tail end of the 1980s, Neil Hannon: a talented singer/songwriter from Northern Ireland, formed his first line-up of The Divine Comedy. In 1989, he signed a deal with independent label, Setanta Records, which led to The Divine Comedy becoming the label's most successful chart act of the 1990s.

AC/DC - a global rock institution and big brand name. The secret to their success has always been they are a rock 'n' roll band, pure and simple, undiluted by trends. They have a solid authenticity with no frills or pretentiousness.

Between 1977 and 2012, INXS went from touring the Australian pub scene to conquering the world with their unique hybrid of rock, pop and funk. Despite soaking up a vast number of influences along the way, INXS transcended all music scenes, retaining their individuality which helped them sell 95 million albums across the world.

Released in 1969, Let it Bleed was The Rolling Stones' eighth studio album (tenth in the USA). This account examines in detail the background, inspiration and recording of the songs, the reception of the work as a whole, and its legacy and influence on subsequent generations of bands and performers to this day.

The White Stripes were one of the breakout bands of the early 2000s 'rock revival'. They produced some of the most indelible songs of the 21st Century and reintroduced a sense of mystery and panache to the staid indie rock scene of the era. But that was only the beginning for singer-guitarist Jack White.

Dive into the musical universe of solo Ian Hunter songs like never before with Ian Hunter On Track. We unlock the secrets behind every lyric, riff, and melody in this one-of-a-kind musical journey. From the soul-stirring anthems that defined an era to the hidden gems that eluded the spotlight, this book leaves no chord unheard.

The brother and sister team of Karen and Richard Carpenter rank as one of the most successful acts in pop music history. This book explores the background to each of their studio albums and classic singles, as well as their solo recordings, live albums and compilations of rare tracks.

Dave Grohl once said of Oasis, 'We've played shows with them before, where we play with them we think "That's the greatest rock band I've ever seen in my life"'. The quality of the songs they were releasing, especially between 1994-1996, would seem to confirm that sentiment, with the quality of even their B-sides becoming the stuff of legend. Their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? would go on to become the best-selling album of the 1990s in the UK and all the while, it became impossible to open a newspaper or music magazine in the mid-1990s and not read about Oasis. From the time their debut album was released in 1994, Oasis' climb to the top was one of the fastest in music history. Even their leader, Noel Gallagher, would say they should have split after their Knebworth 1996 concert. Yet when they walked off that stage in 1996, they still had over a decade left together, and, to the shock of some, many good songs left to write. Heavy on music and short on gossip, this is the story of all those songs; the life-changing anthems and the forgotten gems, the throwaways and the covers.

Most lauded for the gorgeously baroque Odessey and Oracle, and the ageless singles, 'She's Not There' and 'Time of the Season', The Zombies' were at the forefront of The British Invasion, recording music described by Tom Petty as 'so original it hurt'. The Zombies On Track voyages through every release, beginning with their first incarnation in the 1960s and uncovering how a US number one and a film appearance with Laurence Olivier were no guarantees of continued chart success. Poor publicity, unwise management and bad timing almost killed off the band; yet sublime songwriting and a lucky break with Al Kooper reanimated them...The book recounts their many afterlives, including the posthumous RIP; the story behind the 'counterfeit' Zombies; their first reunion album New World; and considers how their later version has sustained success more than the original line-up. Drawing on both archive interviews and new conversations with Argent and Blunstone to mark the release of The Zombies' latest album - the critically acclaimed Different Game - this book proves why The Zombies not only have an immortal back catalogue but are also still making vital music today.

In the realm of singer songwriters, few have been as influential as Neil Young, whose music has always been creative and relevant throughout six decades. Neil is a chameleon for whom boundaries of genres do not exist. He has delved into folk, country, r&b, rock 'n' roll, grunge, hard rock, electronic and pop and made them his own. But the sixties were his launch pad. This book follows his music through that seminal period when he played with The Squires, Mynah Birds, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Crazy Horse and The Stray Gators. During this seminal period, Young wrote or co-wrote some of his greatest songs, including 'I Am A Child', 'Southern Man', 'Helpless' and - most importantly - 'Ohio'.It is the story of how one of the most seminal artists of the last fifty years learned his trade - every band, every twist and turn and every track.

Always enigmatic and outside of the mainstream, most people associate Hawkwind with 'whoosh' noises, 'Silver Machine', Lemmy and 'Space Rock' music. From the beginning, Hawkwind have been trailblazers, even when they have explored blind alleys and cul-de-sacs, and have never been afraid to innovate and mutate into strikingly different musical arenas. The band have a unique history in the world of rock music and have inspired not just other bands but also an entire sub-genre of music: Stoner Rock. Hawkwind's stated aim was to be a substitute for mind-expanding drugs. Instead, they used music, poetry, lights, projections, theatre and dance in an assault on the senses. Albums such as X In Search Of Space and Warrior At The Edge Of Time as well as classic live album Space Ritual set a template for their astonishing take on rock music.This book is a track-by-track analysis of every studio album and major live release to date. Beginning with the highly-regarded early albums of the 1970s, it continues through the hard rock hardships of the 1980s and the sometimes awkward musical dalliances of the 1990s, finishing on the unexpectedly triumphant return of the band in the 2010s and 2020s. It is now updated to include the band's 2021 album Somnia and 2023 The Future Never Waits.

The Smashing Pumpkins rose to fame during the grunge movement of the early nineties, however, the Chicago quartet's soaring guitar-driven anthems and beautifully crafted ballads instantly set them apart from their Seattle contemporaries. Possessing not one but two magnum opuses in their extensive back catalogue- the moody and reflective Siamese Dream, and the sprawling double-disc, diamond-certified Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, found the band once tipped to be the next Nirvana entirely in a league of their own. The Pumpkins' career has been meticulously orchestrated by Billy Corgan, a songwriter for the ages who has never shied away from exploring and expanding the boundaries of alternative rock. Without his immeasurable creativity and irrefutable desire, the Smashing Pumpkins would never have achieved the successes which came their way. The Smashing Pumpkins on track revisits the band's triumphant first decade, uncovering the stories behind the songs on their six studio albums released during this period, as well as standalone singles, movie soundtrack entries, EPs, and a whole host of B-sides and rarities. Also acting as a detailed biography, this book is an essential guide to the music of one of the nineties' biggest rock bands.

Best known for his international hit, 'Streets of London', Ralph McTell has recorded over 300 songs in a career that spans more than 50 years. Due to his considerable melodic and lyrical gifts, a good many of McTell's compositions surpass 'Streets' in quality and have won him the admiration of fans and critics alike. This album-by-album, track-by-track review of his career explores the elements of his craft. Heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and dozens of American country-blues artists, McTell eventually found his own voice. In this examination of his works, distinct themes emerge. These include compassion, optimism, fathers and sons, and the struggles faced by musicians and other artists who portray not just what life is, but how it feels. If his soothing voice and delicate guitar skills make his songs enjoyable to so many, McTell tempers such grace with a definite edge. Many of his best works are protest songs. A portrait painter, McTell's canon is populated by dozens of memorable figures that spring both from his experiences and his imagination. Yet upon listening to his recordings, perhaps the most fascinating character that emerges is McTell himself. In this book, readers meet both the man and the musician.

When Crowded House arrived with their debut album and hit single 'Don't Dream It's Over' in 1986, the seed of a unique musical journey was planted into our collective musical consciousness. The Aussie/Kiwi trio created a sound as playful as Split Enz - out of which two of its members graduated - with an adventurous spirit inspired by The Beatles, and crafted genuinely enduring melodies. Earworm-worthy songs like 'Weather With You', 'Distant Sun', 'Better Be Home Soon' and so many others have become genre-bending, sing-along-able and timeless creations. What began with three buddies, led by songwriter Neil Finn, playfully frolicking, and mugging the camera in music videos, developed into mature artists reflecting on life, love and mortality after the death of their beloved drummer. In time, this blossomed once again into a true family band as the younger Finns joined their father as permanent members. Along the way, Crowded House consistently churned out unforgettable melody after intoxicatingly unforgettable melody over eight studio albums. This track-by-track exploration of their poetic lyrics and musical legacy recognises the quality that has brought them the love and admiration of music fans and fellow musicians from around the world.

Linda Ronstadt is one of the most important women and people in the history of popular music. Starting her solo career in 1969, she redefined what a music superstar could be by expanding her repertoire from her country rock roots, crossing over to mainstream success with pop music, and then evolving into operetta, American jazz standards, and mariachi. This work provides a track-by-track breakdown of the first twenty years of her solo career when her output totalled an amazing 17 albums. Transcending genres and applying her own vision to not only her career, but each song she interpreted, Linda Ronstadt garnered a wide fan base and left shattered records in her wake. Those familiar with her work, as well as those entirely new to it, will find something to discover through this analysis of her work through 1989. All the best-known hits are covered in this volume; however, the real fun is finding new favourites by visiting or revisiting lesser-known works. So sit back, put some of her songs on, crack this book open, and indulge in the voice that sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Alex Harvey was active in the music industry from the very birth of British rock and roll. A Zelig-like figure, he won a contest to become Scotland's Tommy Steele in the 1950s, followed the Beatles to Hamburg in the early 1960s, dabbled in psychedelic rock during the Summer of Love, and joined the house band of counterculture musical Hair at the close of the decade. By the time 1972 rolled around, he had been there and done that, but had never made it big. He was 37 years old, and thinking of calling it a day. Also thinking of calling it a day were Scottish hard rockers Tear Gas. They had released two albums, each with a different line-up, none of which set the world alight, and now their singer wanted out. In a last-ditch effort to salvage something, Alex Harvey and Tear Gas's respective managers decided to unite their respective acts. The result was Sensational. This book examines not only the eight albums by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, but also Harvey's earlier work with his Soul Band and solo, and his post-SAHB releases. It also reviews those two Tear Gas albums as well as Fourplay, the album SAHB released without Alex.

1972 was the year Progressive Rock came of age, when bands and artists still revered today produced some of their most ground-breaking, inventive, and enduring musical creations. In this fascinating and absorbing book, Kevan Furbank looks at some of the artists and albums that made 1972 such a watershed in musical achievement. He follows their development from the first tentative notes and chords to the full-blown recordings that, more than 50 years later, are still seen as the masterpieces of the genre, and the gold standard by which all Progressive Rock is judged. Travel Close To The Edge with Yes, dance a Foxtrot with Genesis, tussle with Gentle Giant's Octopus and discover you don't have to be Thick As A Brick to enjoy Jethro Tull's 40-minute opus. There's a Trilogy by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, some Demons And Wizards from Uriah Heep, and a Grave New World courtesy of The Strawbs. The author also Focuses on manic yodelling, the End Of The World, an island Obscured By Clouds and a cult album that could be hobbit-forming. Written with passion and wit, the book is a must-have book for every music-lover with an open mind and open ears.

In 1974, as Apple was winding down, George Harrison and RIngo Starr both wanted to help new artists, so rather than trying to salvage Apple Records, each ex-Beatle created their own label. Ringo Starr established Ring'o Records, while George Harrison created Dark Horse Records, set up to be a much smaller scale label, releasing records from new artists as well as some of his old friends, with an eye to eventually releasing his own solo music.