Mike Jones
Prior to gaining mainstream exposure during late 2004 and early 2005 with his single ‘Still Tippin,’ Houston-based MC and self-promoter extraordinaire Mike Jones had long been a stalwart of the Swishahouse label, with a handful of releases under his belt. His breakout album, Who Is Mike Jones?, was released in April of 2005, distributed via Warner Brothers. It topped out at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. His second effort on a major label, the EP/DVD set The American Dream, followed in July 2007, but not before another series of mixtape releases. Two years later he returned with the single ‘Cuddy Buddy’ along with the album The Voice. Andy Kellman, Rovi
Read MoreYes
Yes are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968 by lead singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and drummer Bill Bruford. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes throughout their history, during which 20 musicians have been full-time members. Since February 2023, the band has consisted of guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, singer Jon Davison, and drummer Jay Schellen. Yes have explored several musical styles over the years and are most notably regarded as progressive rock pioneers.
Yes began performing original songs and rearranged covers of rock, pop, blues and jazz songs, as showcased on their self-titled debut album (1969), and its follow-up, Time and a Word (1970). A change of direction later in 1970 led to a series of successful progressive rock albums, with four consecutive U.S. platinum or multi-platinum sellers in The Yes Album (1971), Fragile (1971), Close to the Edge (1972), and the live album Yessongs (1973). Further albums, Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973), Relayer (1974), Going for the One (1977), and Tormato (1978), were also commercially successful. Yes toured as a major rock act that earned the band a reputation for their elaborate stage sets, light displays, and album covers designed by Roger Dean. The success of ‘Roundabout’, the single from Fragile, cemented their popularity across the decade and beyond. Anderson and Squire remained with the group throughout the 1970s, with Banks, Kaye, and Bruford all departing across 1970 to 1972, and being replaced by Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Alan White, respectively.
Wakeman left the group in 1974 but returned two years later, with Patrick Moraz taking his place in the interim. After a final album, Drama, and tour in 1980, both of which saw Downes and Trevor Horn replace Wakeman and Anderson, respectively, Yes disbanded in 1981. In 1983, Squire and White reformed Yes, with Anderson and Kaye returning, and guitarist Trevor Rabin joining. Rabin’s songwriting helped move the band toward a more pop-oriented sound, the result of which was 90125 (1983), their highest-selling album, which featured the band’s only U.S. number-one single, ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’. Its follow-up, Big Generator (1987), was also successful. In 1989, Anderson and former members Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe released the self-titled Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album, after which they and the other then-current Yes members–Squire, Kaye, White, and Rabin–unified into an eight-piece line-up of Yes for the 1991 Union album and its subsequent tour.
From 1994 to 2001, Yes regularly released studio albums with varying levels of success. After a five-year hiatus, they resumed touring in 2009 and have continued to release new albums; their latest, ‘Mirror to the Sky’, was released in 2023. Former members Anderson, Wakeman, and Rabin collaborated as Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman from 2016 to 2018. Among the longest-serving members of the band, Squire (the last original member) died in 2015, and White died in 2022. Yes are one of the most successful, influential, and longest-lasting progressive rock bands. With a discography spanning 23 studio albums, they have sold 13.5 million Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified albums in the U.S., as well as more than 30 million albums worldwide. In 1985, they won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance with ‘Cinema’, and received five Grammy nominations between 1985 and 1992. They were ranked No. 94 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. In April 2017, Yes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which chose to induct current and former members Anderson, Squire, Bruford, Kaye, Howe, Wakeman, White, and Rabin.
The Edgar Winter Group
In 1972, the American blues rock multi-instrumentalist Edgar Winter established the iconic Edgar Winter Group by bringing together talented musicians Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose, and Chuck Ruff. This legendary band is renowned for producing timeless rock classics, including the chart-topping ‘Frankenstein’ and the ever-popular ‘Free Ride’. The group’s first album, ‘They Only Come Out at Night’, was released in 1973 and achieved remarkable success, reaching the impressive #3 position on the Billboard Hot 200 chart and maintaining its presence on the charts for an astounding 80 weeks. The album received gold certification in April 1973 and later earned the prestigious double platinum status in November 1986. Even to this day, the album garners high praise from critics, with the All Music Guide praising its tracks as ‘red-hot’. Members of the Edgar Winter Group include Chuck Ruff, Dan Hartman, Edgar Winter, and Rick Derringer.
Read MoreJoe Walsh
Joseph Fidler Walsh, born Joseph Woodward Fidler on November 20, 1947, is a prominent American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is widely recognized as a key member of the iconic rock band Eagles, with a musical journey spanning over five decades. Aside from his contributions to Eagles, Walsh has made significant strides in his solo career and also collaborated with various bands such as James Gang, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, and New Zealand’s Herbs. His versatility as a musician has earned him a place in the supergroup The Best and established him as a sought-after session artist, known for his appearances on numerous recordings. In a testament to his talent, Rolling Stone honored him by ranking him 54th on the esteemed ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ list.
Following his time at Kent State University in the mid-1960s, Walsh began his musical journey with local Ohio bands before achieving national recognition with the James Gang. The band’s hit ‘Funk #49’ was a showcase of Walsh’s exceptional skills, leading to their signing with BPI in Cleveland under Roger Abramson. Subsequently, Walsh embarked on a new chapter by forming Barnstorm alongside Joe Vitale and Kenny Passarelli after parting ways with the James Gang in 1972. Despite the band releasing three albums, their work was predominantly perceived as Walsh’s solo endeavors, with the album ‘So What’ (1974) notably featuring substantial contributions from Eagles members.
Molly Hatchet
Named after a legendary Southern prostitute who allegedly beheaded and mutilated her clients, Jacksonville’s Molly Hatchet melded loud, hard-rock boogie with guitar jam-oriented Southern rock. Formed in 1971, the group’s original lineup featured three guitarists — Dave Hlubek, Steve Holland, and Duane Roland — plus vocalist Danny Joe Brown, bassist Banner Thomas, and drummer Bruce Crump. They recorded a self-titled debut album in 1978, which quickly went platinum; the follow-up, Flirtin’ with Disaster, was even more successful, selling over two million copies. Danny Joe Brown left the group in 1980 after the constant touring became too tiresome; he was replaced by Jimmy Farrar for Beatin’ the Odds, but Farrar’s voice was less immediately identifiable, and Molly Hatchet’s commercial appeal began a slow decline. The band experimented with horns on Take No Prisoners, but Farrar left for a solo career soon afterward.
Danny Joe Brown rejoined the band in 1982, but the ensuing album, No Guts…No Glory, flopped, and guitarist Hlubek insisted on revamping Molly Hatchet’s sound. After The Deed Is Done, a straightforward pop/rock album, the group took some time off in 1985 while its Double Trouble Live album, a collection of some of its best-known songs, was released. Molly Hatchet returned in 1989 without Hlubek for an album of straight, polished AOR, Lightning Strikes Twice. Not even the group’s fans bought the record, and Molly Hatchet disbanded shortly afterward. They reunited in the mid-’90s as an active touring outfit, releasing Devil’s Canyon, their first record since Lightning Strikes Twice, in 1996. Continuing to recapture the style of their glory days, Silent Reign of Heroes followed in 1998, and Kingdom of XII appeared in early 2001, the year after guitarist Bobby Ingram — who had joined the group in 1987 — assumed legal ownership of the “Molly Hatchet” trade name. A slew of live recordings from a group now undergoing significant changes from its original lineup appeared during the next few years, and the studio recording Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge was released in 2005, the same year that guitarist Hlubek rejoined the outfit after nearly two decades. Their 13th album, Justice, appeared in 2010.
However, these post-millennial years also saw many of Molly Hatchet’s early members pass away: Danny Joe Brown in 2005, Duane Roland in 2006, Bruce Crump in 2015, and Banner Thomas in 2017, the same year that also saw the passing of band co-founder Dave Hlubek. Steve Holland, the final surviving member of the original lineup, passed on August 2, 2020 at the age of 66.~ Steve Huey, Rovi
Power Station
Power Station is a Taiwanese rock duo known as 動力火車 in traditional Chinese and 动力火车 in simplified Chinese, formed by Yu Chiu-hsin (尤秋興) and Yen Chih-lin (顏志琳), both belonging to the Paiwan tribe of Taiwan’s Pingtung County. The duo’s music is characterized by energetic rock ballads and electrifying rock anthems. Their distinctive looks with long hair set them apart in the Taiwan pop scene, drawing comparisons to western heavy metal musicians. In 2001, Power Station released their debut album ‘Walking Along Zhongxiao East Road Nine Times’ under the Grand Music label (later HIM International Music). The album’s title track received the Silver Award for Best Mandarin Song at the 24th RTHK Top Ten Golden Song Awards.
Read MoreSweet
Sweet (known as The Sweet until the early 1970s) are a British glam rock band who rose to prominence in the 1970s. Their best-known line-up consisted of lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bassist Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott and drummer Mick Tucker. The band formed in London in 1968, originally with the name the Sweetshop, and achieved their first hit, Funny, Funny, in 1971, after teaming up with songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman and record producer Phil Wainman. During 1971 and 1972, their musical style showed a marked progression, from the Archies-like bubblegum style of Funny, Funny to a Who-influenced hard rock style, supplemented by a use of high-pitched backing vocals. The band achieved success in the UK charts during the 1970s, having thirteen Top 20 hits, with Block Buster! (1973) topping the chart, followed by three consecutive number-two hits: Hell Raiser (1973), The Ballroom Blitz (1973) and Teenage Rampage (1974). The band turned to a more hard rock style with their mid-career singles, such as 1974’s Turn It Down. Fox on the Run (1975) also reached number two on the UK chart. The band were popular in West Germany and other countries on the European mainland. The group achieved success in the US with the top ten hits Little Willy, The Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, and Love is Like Oxygen. Sweet had their last international success in 1978 with Love Is Like Oxygen. Connolly left the group in 1979 to start a solo career, and the remaining members continued as a trio until they disbanded in 1981. From the mid-1980s, Scott, Connolly, and Priest each played with their own versions of Sweet at different times. Connolly died in 1997, Tucker in 2002, and Priest in 2020. Andy Scott is still active with his version of the band. Sweet have sold over 35 million albums worldwide.
Read MoreJames Gang
With the emergence of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience during the late ’60s, the path was cleared for other hard-rockin’ ‘trios.’ Arguably, the finest to emerge from the subsequent American crop was the James Gang. Despite penning a few of classic rock radio’s most enduring songs, the James Gang ultimately failed to deliver on their initial promise, as constant lineup juggling ultimately derailed the group. The Gang’s roots stretch back to 1966 in Cleveland, OH, where drummer Jim Fox formed the group with a few fellow Kent State University students, guitarist Glenn Schwartz and bassist Tom Kriss. But when Schwartz left to join Pacific Gas & Electric, Fox and Kriss opted to carry on with new singer/guitarist Joe Walsh. The James Gang’s debut album, Yer’ Album, followed in 1969, and while it didn’t spawn any hits, it did set the stage perfectly for their next few releases. (The album was also one of the first recordings that noted producer Bill Szymczyk worked on.) Prior to sessions for the group’s sophomore effort, Kriss exited the group, and was replaced by Dale Peters, resulting in the James Gang’s definitive lineup. Peters soon proved to be the missing piece to the puzzle, as evidenced by the group’s subsequent album, 1970’s classic Rides Again, which spawned the rock gem ‘Funk #49.’ Although the song didn’t come close to the top of the singles charts at the time of its release, it later became one of rock’s most instantly identifiable tracks, and also established Walsh’s talent for penning exceptional guitar riffs. (Pete Townshend became a vocal supporter of Walsh’s guitar skills, and the Who took the James Gang on a European tour around the same time.) Although it appeared that the James Gang was just hitting their stride, Walsh was growing increasingly disinterested with the group; he longed to launch a solo career. He managed to hang in there for another top-notch studio album, 1971’s Thirds, which spawned an additional classic rock radio standard, ‘Walk Away.’ Around the same time as the appearance of a live set later the same year (Live in Concert), Walsh departed the group, first focusing on solo work before joining up with one of the ’70s’ biggest bands, the Eagles. Once more, Fox opted to keep the group afloat and expanded the band to a quartet, greeting new bandmembers Roy Kenner (vocals) and Domenic Troiano (guitar). Walsh’s shoes proved hard to fill, though, as two lackluster albums released back-to-back in 1972, Straight Shooter and Passin’ Thru, failed to expand the group’s following.
Troiano exited the group to join up with the Guess Who, leaving the James Gang’s guitar slot vacant once more. Troiano’s departure proved to be a blessing in disguise, however, as the guitarist who replaced him, Tommy Bolin (supposedly at the recommendation of old friend Walsh), instantly breathed life back into the floundering group. Bolin’s red-hot and versatile guitar playing (as well as compositional talents; he and songwriting partner John Tesar wrote the majority of the songs) helped reinvigorate the group, as two fine yet underrated albums followed: 1973’s Bang! and 1974’s Miami. However, just like the previous guitarists to play with the James Gang, Bolin grew disenchanted quickly, and exited in 1974. Following in Walsh’s footsteps, he subsequently launched a solo career of his own before briefly serving as a member of Deep Purple. Sadly, Bolin passed away from a senseless drug overdose in 1976. The James Gang decided to call it quits after Bolin’s departure, but not for long. Fox and Peters launched a new version of the group in 1975, complete with new members Bubba Keith (vocals, guitar) and Richard Shack (guitar). Predictably, the latest version of the group only lasted for a pair of ignored recordings, 1975’s Newborn and 1976’s Jesse Come Home, before the James Gang finally called it a day for good. Subsequently, little was heard from the group besides the appearances of several best-of compilations (including 2000’s Greatest Hits). By the late ’90s, the group (with Walsh) reunited for sporadic appearances, including a performance at the 1996 election rally for then-President Bill Clinton at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center, as well as an appearance on The Drew Carey Show. In February of 2001, the James Gang played at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, and performed a pair of sold-out shows the same week at the Allen Theater. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers, a legendary band in rock history, experienced two distinctive phases at the peak of their success in the 1970s. They started as boogie rockers known for their laid-back vibes and later transitioned into a polished blue-eyed soul group. The band’s journey included successful reunions and years of captivating live performances that blurred the line between their iconic hits like ‘Black Water’ and ‘What a Fool Believes.’ With numerous chart-toppers under their belt, The Doobies cemented their status as classic rock icons with timeless hits such as ‘Listen to the Music,’ ‘Long Train Runnin’,’ and ‘China Grove,’ all penned and performed by Tom Johnston, the original guitarist and frontman.
As the band evolved, Michael McDonald, a talented keyboardist with a distinctive husky voice, replaced Johnston as the lead vocalist. McDonald’s soulful touch reshaped The Doobie Brothers’ sound, steering them towards a smooth, soft rock style that would later be known as ‘yacht rock.’ His contributions, including hits like ‘Takin’ It to the Streets’ and ‘Minute by Minute,’ marked a new era for the band. Despite lineup changes and musical shifts, the core trio of Johnston, John McFee, and Patrick Simmons remained constant, recording new material like the 2021 album ‘Liberte.’ The band’s enduring legacy is a testament to their timeless music and unwavering passion for creating unforgettable melodies.
The Guess Who
The Guess Who is a renowned Canadian rock band that originated in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With a discography of eleven studio albums, all achieving chart success in both Canada and the United States, the band has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Their iconic 1970 album, American Woman, soared to the number one spot in Canada and secured the ninth position in the United States, while five other albums made it to the top ten in Canada. The Guess Who also made a significant impact on the music charts with fourteen Top 40 singles in the United States and over thirty in their native Canada.
During the late 60s and early 70s, The Guess Who experienced their peak under the dynamic leadership of singer/keyboardist Burton Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman, delivering timeless hits like “American Woman”, “These Eyes”, “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature”, and “No Time”. Following Randy Bachman’s departure in 1970, Kurt Winter joined the group, leading to the release of their best-selling album, Share the Land, which featured hits such as “Hand Me Down World”, “Hang On To Your Life”, “Albert Flasher”, “Clap for the Wolfman”, “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon”, “Star Baby”, and “Glamour Boy”.
After the exit of lead singer Burton Cummings in 1975, The Guess Who officially disbanded. However, the band members reunited for a brief tour of significant cultural venues in Canada in 1983 and later embarked on a more extensive reunion tour from 2000 to 2003, showcasing their enduring legacy and musical influence.
Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf, the pioneering band of American hard rock, made their mark with hits like “Born to be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride.” Led by the iconic John Kay, Steppenwolf’s sound fused blues with a level of lyrical swagger and a full-bodied attack, hinting at the emerging genre of acid rock. The band’s music evolved from wild good times to addressing serious themes such as politics, militarism, feminism, and the environment. Steppenwolf’s journey began in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1964, as Jack London and the Sparrows, later transforming into Sparrow with John Kay, Dennis Edmonton, and Goldy McJohn at the helm.
After initial setbacks, including a failed debut single and lineup changes, fate smiled on Steppenwolf when John Kay connected with producer Gabriel Mekler. With a revamped lineup and a new sound, Steppenwolf signed with Dunhill Records and released their debut album in 1968, featuring the iconic hit “Born to Be Wild.” The band’s success continued with chart-topping singles like “Magic Carpet Ride” and albums exploring political themes. Despite lineup changes and brief breakups, including their second dissolution in 1976, Steppenwolf persevered with intermittent reunions and new music until finally disbanding after a long and eventful journey in the music industry.
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Manfred Mann and its various permutations ranked among the most adept British Invasion acts in both styles. South African-born keyboardist Manfred Mann was originally an aspiring jazz player, moving toward R&B when more blues-oriented sounds became in vogue in England in the early ’60s. Original Manfred Mann singer Paul Jones was one of the best British Invasion singers, and his resonant vocals were the best feature of their early R&B sides, which had a slightly jazzier and smoother touch than the early work of the Rolling Stones and Animals. It was a couple covers of obscure girl group songs, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” (the Exciters) and “Sha La La” (the Shirelles), that broke the group internationally — “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” reached number one in the States, and “Sha La La” just missed the Top Ten. The Paul Jones lineup never duplicated this success, although “Come Tomorrow” and “Pretty Flamingo” were smaller hits. From 1964 to 1966, they took the approach of playing gutsy pop/rock on their singles (including the original version of “My Little Red Book”) and soul and R&B on their albums, with occasional detours into jazz, Dylan (their cover of his then-unreleased “If You Gotta Go, Go Now” was a big British hit), and competent original material.
Jones left for a solo career and acting in 1966, and the group reformed around singer Mike D’Abo (Beatle friend Klaus Voormann was also in this aggregation on bass). Adopting an even more pop-oriented approach for the singles, with occasional psychedelic and progressive touches, the band ran off a string of Top Ten hits in their homeland until 1969, although the only one to hit the jackpot in the U.S. was their cover of another unreleased Dylan song, “The Mighty Quinn.” Mann dissolved the D’Abo lineup in 1969 to form Manfred Mann Chapter Three with drummer Mike Hugg, who had been in the band since the beginning. The outfit’s early jazz-rock efforts were interesting, but not very popular, and Manfred steered the ship back toward mainstream rock by forming yet another incarnation, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. The heavier, more synthesizer-oriented outfit made quite a few albums in the 1970s; 1976’s The Roaring Silence made the Top Ten, and featured the number one hit “Blinded by the Light” (Mann also made the Top 40 with another Springsteen cover, “Spirit in the Night”). Ironically, despite Mann’s oft-proclaimed preferences for serious explorations of jazz, blues, and progressive music, it’s his pop/rock recordings that hold up best, and for which he’ll be remembered most. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi