Music Diary – 31st October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 31st October!

On 31st October 1996, guitarist Slash announced that he has left the Hardrock band Guns N‘ Roses.

In his book „Slash“ (2007) he remembers his historic decision:
„After working to make that band all that it could be for the better part of my life, saying good-bye to the institution I helped build was as alien as being launched into space. But once I’d done it, a weight was lifted from my shoulders and the lead was out of my shoes. It was like decompressing after a deepwater dive. The day I made my decision, I woke up early and called the powers that be to deliver the news, and went back to sleep. I don’t remember anything else of theat day aside from the fact that when I woke up again I was refreshed. I felt as if I’d just slept for a week.“

Slash was the lead guitarist in Guns N‘ Roses from June 1985 until October 1996. So after eleven years he was leaving one of the most successful rockbands in the world and started working on his solo career and other projects like Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver.

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Music Diary – 30th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 30th October!

Drummer Chris Slade was born on the 30th October 1946 in Pontypridd, Wales (UK). The Welsh musician has worked with many acts – just to name a few: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Tom Jones, Asia, Uriah Heep, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Gary Moore. Slade also played with Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page in The Firm.

But Chris Slade is best known for his drumming for AC/DC from 1989 to 1994. He joined in November 1989 and took over the place from Simon Wright. In this period he recorded the studio album „The Razors Edge“ (1990). His powerful drumming is also featured on the releases „Live“ (released 1992), „Big Gun“ (1993 – Single for the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie „Last Action Hero„) and „Live at Donington“ (recorded 1991 – DVD). During the recording sessions for the next AC/DC album „Ballbreaker“ (1995), Malcolm Young told him, that the band wanted to do a reunion with former drummer Phil Rudd. Chris Slade about his time with AC/DC: „It was an honour and a privilege to play with those guys.“

In 2015, Chris Slade returned to AC/DC and took over the place from Phil Rudd again, who get into big legal troubles.The official band’s announcement: “Chris Slade will be on drums for the upcoming Rock or Bust world tour.”

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Music Diary – 29th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 29th October!

Peter Green

On the 29th October 1946, Mr. Peter Allen Greenbaum aka Peter Green was born in Behnal Green, London, UK. The British Blues Rock guitarist and singer was the founder of the legendary Fleetwood Mac (1967). In 1970 he left the band and started later a successful solo career. Many of his songs were covered by artists like Santana, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Judas Priest or Gary Moore, just to name a few. Also his very unique guitar style influenced a lot of other musicians all around the world.

Green’s first band was „Bobby Dennis and the Dominoes“, later he was a member of the Rhythm and Blues band „The Muskrats“, then he joined „The Tridents“ (in which he played the bass). In 1966 he was the lead guitar player in Peter Bardens‚ band „Peter B’s Looners“ where he met drummer Mick Fleetwood. In the same year, Green was asked to take Eric Clapton’s place in John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and he made his recording debut with the Bluesbreakers on the album „A Hard Road„, which was released in 1967. The LP featured the two Peter Green compositions „The same Way“ and „The Supernatural“. Shortly after that, he decided to found his own band – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. The line up featured Mick Fleetwood on drums, Jeremy Spencer on guitar and Bob Brunning on bass, who only stayed for a very short time and was replaced by John McVie in September 1967. Although the first single „I believe my Time ain’t long“ didn’t chart, the debut album „Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac“ was a success. Also the second LP „Mr. Wonderful“ (1968), which was released under the shortened moniker Fleetwood Mac, was a typically Blues album. In the same year the classic „Black Magic Woman“ was released as a single. The song became a big hit for Santana (which is featured on his album „Abraxas“ in 1970). In 1969 the instrumental „Albatross“ went No. 1 on the British Singles Charts and more hits followed like „Oh Well„, „Man of the World“ (both 1969) and „The Green Manalishi“ (1970), which was later covered by the Metal Gods of Judas Priest.

After the third studio album „Then Play On„, Peter Green left Fleetwood Mac in May 1970 and did some various recording sessions, before he completeley disappeared – more or less – from the scene. In the late nineties he formed his new band Peter Green Splinter Group. The group recorded nine albums before splitting up in 2004. Five years later Peter Green began recording and touring under the moniker Peter Green and Friends.

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Music Diary – 28th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 28th October!

Bill Berry (R.E.M.)

On the 28th October 1997, R.E.M. drummer William Thomas „Bill“ Berry announced that he is going to leave the band. In the official announcement he said: „I’ve been playing the drums since age nine. I’m at a point in my life where my priorities have shifted. I loved my 17 years with R.E.M. but I’m ready to … move on to a different phase of my life.“ Berry has been becoming a farmer after his good-bye.

Born on the 31st July 1958, Bill Berry and his friend Mike Mills (Bass) met Michael Stipe (Vocals) and Peter Buck (Guitar) in Athens, Georgia. The four young musicians started playing songs together and on the 5th April 1980 the first performance happened on a friend’s birthday party. Shortly after that the group was baptised R.E.M. and the quartet played more and more concerts and a tour through the Southern United States followed. In summer 1981 the first single „Radio Free Europe“ was released and the initial pressings of one thousand copies were sold quickly. The song is also the opener on the debut album „Murmur“ (1983). Berry’s drumming is also featured on the R.E.M. LPs „Reckoning“ (1984), „Fables of the Reconstruction“ (1985), „Lifes Rich Pageant“ (1986), „Document“ (1987), „Green“ (1988), „Out of Time“ (feat. the megahit „Losing my Religion„)(1991), „Automatic for the People“ (1992), „Monster“ (1994) and „New Adventures in Hi-Fi“ (1996).

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Music Diary – 27th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 27th October!

Lou Reed (2nd March 1942 – 27th October 2013)

On the 27th October 2013, Lou Reed passed at the age of 71. In May of the same year he underwent a  liver transplantation and it seems that Lou should recover. But five months later he died from liver disease.

Lewis Allan „Lou“ Reed was born on 2nd March 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. He was an autodidact and learned playing the guitar from the radio. In early years he was already interested in Rock’n’Roll, Ryhthm and Blues and also Jazz. In 1960 he started to study journalism, film directing and creative writing at Syracuse University (New York). Four years later he graduated with honors with a B.A.

In the same year he met the musicians John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker and they formed the band The Velvet Underground. Artist Andy Warhol crossed their paths shortly after the group has been founded and he suggested to add the female singer Nico into the line up. Warhol also helped Velvet Underground to get a record contract with MGM’s Verve Records.

On the 12th March 1967 the legendary debut album „The Velvet Underground & Nico“ featuring the banana artwork by Andy Warhol was released. The LP reached only No. 171 on the US charts but is still considered as one of the most important albums of all time. Almost all eleven songs became rock classics like „I’m waiting for the Man„, „Venus in Furs„, „All Tomorrow’s Parties“ or „Heroin„.

After the recording sessions Nico left the band and concentrated on her solo career. In 1968 the second Velvet Underground LP „White Light/White Heat“ (with the classic tracks „Sweet Jane“ and „Rock & Roll„) hit the shops. In March 1969 the self-titled album followed and after „Loaded“ (1970) Lou Reed left the band and started working as a solo artist. His biggest commercial success followed in 1972 with the album „Transformer“ and the hit „Walk on the Wild Side„.

Lou Reed recorded 21 studio albums until 2007. On 12th April he married Laurie Anderson and in 2011 he worked with Metallica for his last work „Lulu„.

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Music Diary – 26th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 26th October!

On the 26th October 2008, the AC/DC album „Black Ice“ went to No.1 on the UK album charts.The LP became also No. 1  in 29 different countries (including USA, Canada and Australia). Originally released on the 17th October 2008, it was the long awaited follower to „Stiff Upper Lip“ (2000). The 15 new songs were recorded in March and April 2008 at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver (Canada) and produced by Brendan O’Brien, who also worked with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Bruce Springsteen (just to name a few).

The four singles issued from the album were „Rock ‚N‘ Roll Train„, „Big Jack„, „Anything Goes“ and „Money Made„.

 

The song  „War Machine“ won a Grammy in the category „Best Hard Rock Performance“ (2010).

Sad note:
„Black Ice„ seems to be the final AC/DC studio album featuring rhythm guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young, who retired due to health issues in 2014.

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Music Diary – 25th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 25th October!

GlennTipton (Judas Priest)

Glenn Tipton was born on the 25th October 1948 in Blackeath, West Midlands (UK). Before becoming the guitarist of the legendary Heavy Metal band Judas Priest, Glenn attended Olive Hill Primary School at the age of five. And as a young boy he was taugt to play the piano by his mother.

At the age of 19, Tipton began to play the guitar – his first instrument was a Hofner acoustic. Later he changed to a Rickenbacker before he could afford a Fender Stratocaster.This one was stolen and he replaced it with a black axe of the same type. Later he also bought a Gibson SG.

Tipton’s first band was called „Shave Em‘ Dry“ – the named changed into „Merlin“ and „Flying Hat Band„. And in April 1974 he joined Judas Priest during the recording sessions for the debut album „Rocka Rolla„. The band was founded by Kenny „K.K.“ Downing (Guitar) and Ian Hill (Bass). The line up that time was completed by Rob Halford (Vocals) and John Hinch (Drums). The title track was the single outtake in August 1974 – the album followed one month later. Judas Priest toured then through Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Denmark. The LP was a flop and also the concerts were not really successful. In November and December 1975 the next album „Sad Wings of Destiny“ was recorded and released on 23rd March 1976. Especially the tracks „Victim of Changes„, „The Ripper“ and „Dreamer Deceiver“ stood out and a great fanbase was created. And in 1977 with „Sin After Sin“ (released on the major label CBS and produced by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover) the band had found its very own sound and metal style which was refined over the years with classic albums like „Stained Class„, „Killing Machine“ (both1978) and „British Steel“ (1980).

In 1990 one of the most outstanding Heavy Metal releases ever, „Painkiller“ (1990), hit the market and this LP is still considered as one of miletstones of this genre.

After some changes in the line up (Rob Halford left the band in 1991 and returned twelve years later, K.K. Downing retired and was replaced by Richie Faulkner in 2011) the latest album „Redeemer of Souls“ (2014) hit the stores and Judas Priest are still touring all around the world.

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Music Diary – 24th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 24th October!

Bill Wyman

Happy birthday to Mr. William George Perks „Bill“ Wyman, who was born on the 24th October 1936 in Penge, Kent (UK). Bill Wyman was the bassist for The Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1993. Hired officially on the 7th December 1962, he announced his leaving after the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tours (1989 – 1990) in January 1993. Darryl Jones took over his place and Bill started in 1997 his own band Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings (featuring Albert Lee and Georgie Fame).

When Bill joined The Rolling Stones in 1962, the band was also impressed by his instrument and amplifiers. Wyman was married, employed and the oldest member of the Stones at their beginning. Drummer Charlie Watts followed in January 1963 and so the classic line up was complete with Mick Jagger (Vocals, Harmonica), Keith Richards (Guitar), Brian Jones (Guitar) and Ian Stewart (Keyboards). With the release (7th June 1963) of the first single „Come On“ (Chuck Berry cover) the legendary history of The Rolling Stones has been started.

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Music Diary – 23rd October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 23rd October!

Hey Joe (UK Single)

On the 23rd October 1966, the Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded their first single. Jimi, Mitch Mitchell (drums) and Noel Redding (bass) choosed the traditional „Hey Joe„, which the trio recorded in London at De Lane Lea studios.The single was produced by Chas Chandler and hit the stores on the 16th December 1966 in the UK with „Stone Free“ on the flip side. And it was the first top ten hit for Jimi Hendrix and his band – the song reached No. 6 on the UK Single Charts. US fans had to wait for the single release until 1st May 1967 – with „51st Anniversary“ on the B-side. Contrary to the British market the song failed to chart in the USA.

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Music Diary – 22nd October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 22nd October!

Mookie Blaylock (Pearl Jam)

On the 22nd October 1990 a band called Mookie Blaylock played their fist concert in Seattle at the Off Romp Café. Eddie Vedder (vocals), Stone Gossard (guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), Mike McCready (guitar) and Dave Krusen (drums) named their new group after the Basketball star Mookie Blaylock.

The young quintet shared the stage that night with the bands Bathtub Gin and Inspector Luv & The Ride Me Babies (who later became Green Apple Quickstep).

When you read Mookie Blaylock’s setlist of that show you will recognise some songs, I do guess:

Release
Alone
Alive
Once
Even Flow
Black
Breath
Just a Girl

Watch and listen to this historic concert here:

Shortly after this, the band renamed into Pearl Jam and signed to Epic Records. In March 1991 the Grunge Rockers started to record the epic debut album „Ten„. This LP was released on the 27th August 1991 and sold over 13 million times in the USA until today and marks the most successful album in Pearl Jam’s history.

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