A few weeks ago, I read “1971 - Never a Dull Moment: Rock’s Golden Year” by David Hepworth.
In the book, Hepworth argues that 1971 was the most important year in rock history. According to the author, the rock landscape changed in those twelve months, with massive shifts at an industrial, social and cultural level.
As a result, a huge number of monumental albums were released; The Stones’ “Sticky Fingers”, “Who’s Next” and “Led Zep IV” to name but a few. And, it was the year that a plethora of rock legends established their place in the pantheon of popular music.
Hepworth makes a compelling argument, and the book is a bloody good read (it took me less than a day to plough through its 384 pages; “unputdownable” as they say in the press!). But, while reading, it struck me that there are several other key years in rock history that could lay claim to the title of “rock’s most important.”
These were years in which the music went through profound shifts, years in which landmark records came out and bands that redefined not just music, but popular culture emerged.
So, just for fun, I’ve compiled my cliff notes on several of rock’s key years below. For each of my picks, I’ve included key events, important albums and emerging acts.
1964
Key Events:
Key Albums:
Key Acts:
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Joan Baez, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin
1967
Key Events:
Key Albums:
Key Acts:
Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield
1969
Key Events:
Key Albums:
Key Acts:
Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Neil Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones
1973
Key Events:
Key Albums:
Key Acts:
Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Paul McCartney
So, if I were to whittle it down, those would be my four contenders (five
alongside the aforementioned 1971).
But I want to know what you guys think! What do you think is rock’s greatest year, and why?
And, which key events in rock n’ roll history do you remember witnessing, and what impact did they have on you?
As always share your thoughts, stories and opinions in the comments section.
From being found in the wash to being left on counters and desks to being counted with change out of a guitarist’s pocket, guitar picks are the definitive proof that the holder undoubtedly plays the instrument.
But as omnipresent as they are, how many guitarists have pondered the history of the pick itself? Who are they? What were they doing?
The origins of Heavy Metal can be traced back to a couple of bands. The most average ones that get name-dropped include Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer and many other contemporaries.
Dear reader, in this writer’s opinion, the only band that can be defined as ground zero for Heavy Metal, as far as sound and style are concerned, was Black Sabbath, a band from Birmingham, England.