The Georgia Satellites
At a time when rock & roll didn’t care about its roots, the Georgia Satellites came crashing into the charts with a surprise hit single to remind everybody where the music had come from. The hit single, 1986’s “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” rocked as hard as an old Chuck Berry song, as well as being almost as clever. The Satellites weren’t a back-to-basics roots rock band, either — their straightforward sound borrowed equally from Berry, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, Little Feat, and AC/DC, with a Southern backwoods bent. At their best, the Satellites were just a damn good rock & roll band, driven by the classic yet fresh songwriting of lead singer/guitarist Dan Baird. On the strength of “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” their first major-label album sold well, but the follow-up, Open All Night, did not; radio and MTV had treated the band as a kind of novelty — a bunch of hicks kicking out rock & roll offered a break between the slick pop-metal of Bon Jovi and the introspective pop of Peter Gabriel. By the time they released Open All Night in 1988, no one was interested, even if the album was only slightly weaker than the debut. After one more album, 1989’s In the Land of Salvation and Sin, the band called it quits. Guitarist Rick Richards joined Izzy Stradlin’s Ju Ju Hounds three years later; Baird pursued a solo career and had a small hit in late 1992 with “I Love You Period.” In 1996, he helped form the Yayhoos after releasing his second solo album. The Yayhoos have two albums, the most recent being 2006’s Put the Hammer Down. During the mid-’90s, the Georgia Satellites reunited without Baird. They released Shaken Not Stirred in 1997.
Read MoreThe Marshall Tucker Band
One of the major Southern rock outfits of the ’70s, the Marshall Tucker Band combined rock, country, and jazz, and featured extended instrumental passages on which lead guitarist Toy Caldwell shone. The band was formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1971 by singer Doug Gray, guitarist Caldwell, his brother bassist Tommy Caldwell, guitarist George McCorkle, drummer Paul Riddle, and reed player Jerry Eubanks. The six-piece group was signed to Capricorn Records and released their debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, in March 1973. They gained recognition through a tour with the Allman Brothers Band and found significant success during the course of the ’70s, with most of their albums going gold. Their peak came with the million-selling album Carolina Dreams and its Top 15 single “Heard It in a Love Song” in 1977.
The band was slowed down by the death of Tommy Caldwell in a car accident in 1980 and faded from the album charts after 1982. Toy Caldwell left for a solo career soon after, and the original lineup split in 1983. Later that same year, Doug Gray and Jerry Eubanks hired some Nashville studio musicians and took the band back out on the road; a little over a year later, the second wave of the Marshall Tucker Band began, as Gray and Eubanks returned home to Spartanburg, South Carolina, and hired guitarist Rusty Milner, bassist Tim Lawter, drummer Ace Allen, and guitarist Stuart Swanlund.
After the original band dissolved and new members took their places, the group has had country chart hits, toured constantly, made forays into the blues and adult contemporary, and suffered the loss of founding member Toy Caldwell, who died in 1993. Some band members left, some joined, and some stayed right where they were, but through it all, the Marshall Tucker Band endured. They continued to record steadily, maintained a loyal fan base, and eventually began to receive their dues as Southern rock pioneers. The 1998 Marshall Tucker Band consisted of Gray, Milner, Lawter, Swanlund, David Muse (formerly of Firefall, on sax, flute, and keys), and drummer B.B. Borden (formerly of Mother’s Finest). The band took several stylistic detours with 1998’s all-blues outing Face Down in the Blues and the 1999 spiritual album Gospel. A thorough reissue campaign was inaugurated in 2003, and the new studio record, Beyond the Horizon, appeared one year later. In 2006, the group released a live 1980 concert, Live on Long Island, and another new studio project, The Next Adventure, appeared in 2007. Multi-instrumentalist David Muse died on August 6, 2022 after he was diagnosed with cancer. He was 73 years old. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray, best known for his 1973 hit ‘Drift Away,’ was a multifaceted artist excelling in soul, country, pop, and musical theater. The origins of Dobie Gray are shrouded in ambiguity, with conflicting sources citing different birth names and birthplaces. His musical journey began in a family of sharecroppers where he developed a deep appreciation for gospel music, R&B, and country music. In the early 1960s, he ventured to Los Angeles in pursuit of his passion, initially recording under various names like Leonard Ainsworth and Larry Dennis before adopting the moniker Dobie Gray.
Gray’s breakthrough came in 1965 with his rendition of ‘The ‘In’ Crowd,’ setting him on a path to success. However, it was his iconic song ‘Drift Away,’ released in 1973, that propelled him to stardom, securing a lasting place in oldies-radio playlists. His diverse musical style embraced country influences, evident in his collaboration with songwriters like Tom Jans and Troy Seals. Gray’s impact extended globally, particularly in Europe and Africa, where he advocated for integrated audiences during the divisive apartheid era. Despite commercial fluctuations, Gray’s songwriting prowess was recognized with covers by notable artists like Don Williams, Charley Pride, and John Denver.
Throughout his career, Dobie Gray experienced ups and downs, transitioning from soul to country music and navigating the changing landscape of the industry. His versatility as an artist shone through in hits like ‘You Can Do It’ and his foray into country music on Capitol records in the mid-1980s. Despite facing challenges in breaking into the wider country audience, Gray’s dedication to music persisted, evident in releases like Diamond Cuts in 1997, showcasing a mix of new compositions and reimagined classics. Dobie Gray’s legacy endures as a testament to his talent and resilience in the ever-evolving music industry.
Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend, renowned as the guitarist and primary songwriter for the iconic band The Who from 1964 to 1982, played a pivotal role in shaping the group’s sound and direction. Known for his innovative and conceptual works, Townshend penned classics like Tommy and Quadrophenia for The Who, showcasing his exceptional songwriting abilities. In 1972, he ventured into a solo career with his debut album, Who Came First, influenced by his spiritual mentor Meher Baba and carrying forward themes from The Who’s Next album.
Taking a deeper dive into his solo career, Townshend released Empty Glass in 1980, a major success with hits like “Let My Love Open the Door” and “Rough Boys.” Despite the band’s disbandment in 1982, Townshend continued his musical journey with subsequent albums like All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes. His creative endeavors extended beyond music as he published a book of short stories and explored thematic projects like the album White City: A Novel, showcasing his multidimensional talent.
Throughout the years, Townshend remained an influential figure in the music industry, engaging in collaborative projects with artists like John Lee Hooker and Nina Simone. His dedication to music persisted through various albums, including The Iron Man based on Ted Hughes’ children’s story. Townshend’s involvement with The Who experienced highs and lows, from successful reunions to challenging solo projects like Psychoderelict. His contributions to the music world continue to resonate, with landmark achievements like The Who’s Tommy earning him critical acclaim and a Tony Award, shaping his legacy as a visionary artist.
America
The band America emerged during the first half of the 1970s, a period characterized by introspective songwriting and close-harmony singing. Their debut with “A Horse with No Name,” a song reminiscent of Neil Young’s style, soared to number one in the U.S. and achieved global success. Hits like “I Need You” and “Ventura Highway” contributed to their Grammy win for Best New Artist in 1972. Throughout the mid-’70s, America continued to dominate the charts with Top Ten singles and albums, including favorites like “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair.” Their success extended into 1982 with the release of “You Can Do Magic.”
The trio of vocalists/guitarists Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley formed America in the late ’60s during their high school years in the U.K. After establishing themselves as an acoustic folk-rock trio, they signed with Warner Bros in 1970, embarking on a journey that saw them rise to fame with hits like “A Horse with No Name” and “Ventura Highway.” The group’s self-titled debut album and subsequent records solidified their place in the music industry, leading to accolades such as the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1972. Their sound evolved but remained distinctive, with albums like “Homecoming,” “Hat Trick,” and “Holiday” defining their legacy.
Despite a decline in the late ’70s, America bounced back in 1982 with the chart-topping single “You Can Do Magic.” The departure of Dan Peek in pursuit of a solo career marked a transition for the band, which continued as a duo releasing albums like “Silent Letter.” Their enduring popularity was evident with hits like “The Border” in 1983. America’s journey continued with successful tours into the ’90s, followed by releases like “Human Nature” in 1998 and a series of live albums in the new millennium. Collaborations with renowned producers and musicians rejuvenated their sound, resulting in albums like “Here & Now” in 2007 and “Back Pages” in 2011. The passing of band members like Dan Peek and Willie Leacox added chapters to America’s storied history, yet Beckley and Bunnell carried on, commemorating their 50th anniversary in 2019 with a tour and compilation album, celebrating the enduring legacy of America.
D-Block Europe
D-Block Europe is a platinum-selling collective known for their essential collection of tracks. The group recently announced their highly anticipated 3rd album, ‘Rolling Stone,’ set to release on January 12, 2024. Accompanying this exciting news was the release of a new single, ‘I Need It Now,’ on November 30, 2023. The announcement also included plans for more historic nights at the prestigious O2 Arena in London. With an impressive track record, D-Block Europe has achieved over 10 Gold and 6 Platinum singles, along with 6 Gold mixtapes. Their music has garnered over 5 billion global streams and resulted in 30 top 40 singles. Noteworthy among their chart-topping hits is the #2 single ‘Prada,’ featuring Raye and produced by Casso. Additionally, classics like ‘Overseas,’ ‘Darling,’ and ‘Make You Smile’ have solidified their status from local favorites in Lewisham to international stars. Collaborations with renowned artists such as Offset, Ed Sheeran, and Central Cee have further elevated their reputation on a global scale.
Read MoreNazareth
Scottish hard rockers Nazareth dominated the airwaves in the late ’70s with the biting rock anthem “Hair of the Dog” and the enduring proto-power ballad “Love Hurts.” Emerging in 1971, the band found mainstream success in 1975 with the release of their platinum-selling fifth album, Hair of the Dog. Despite numerous lineup changes, the group remained prolific and popular in Europe throughout the ’80s and ’90s, and continued to tour and record into the 2000s, with bassist and co-founder Pete Agnew serving as the sole constant member. In 2018, Nazareth celebrated its 50th Anniversary with the release of Tattooed on My Brain. Surviving the Law, the band’s 25th studio album, appeared in 2022.
Formed in Dunfermline in 1968, Nazareth’s initial lineup featured vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet. The band had relocated to London by 1970, and they released their self-titled debut album in 1971. Both Nazareth and 1972’s Exercises received favorable attention by British hard rockers, but it was 1973’s Razamanaz that moved them into the U.K. Top Ten (both “Broken Down Angel” and “Bad Bad Boy” were hit singles). Loud ‘n’ Proud and Rampant (both 1974) followed the same formula, yet were slightly less successful. Released the following year, Hair of the Dog established Nazareth as an internationally popular hard rock band.
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi spent most of the 1980s establishing his hard rock band Bon Jovi as one of the most popular in the Western world with multi-platinum albums like Slippery When Wet and New Jersey. He then put the band on hold to make a solo album, Blaze of Glory (released July 1990), whose songs were inspired by the motion picture Young Guns II. Bon Jovi the band was reactivated in 1992 with Keep the Faith, but the group’s namesake frontman continued to make time for his own projects during the following two decades, including the 1997 sophomore solo album Destination Anywhere.
Read MoreThe Knack
Forming in Los Angeles in the late ’70s, the Knack (Doug Fieger, vocals/guitar; Berton Averre, lead guitar; Prescott Niles, bass; and Bruce Gary, drums) were neither punk nor rock, but pure simple pop, standing out among the musical dross that littered the Sunset Strip. Signing with Capitol after a feeding frenzy of label offers, the Knack released their debut, Get the Knack, in 1979. With its leadoff single, “My Sharona,” the Knack climbed both the album and singles charts (eventually selling millions of copies around the globe), gained wide commercial acceptance, and regenerated the power pop scene that had laid dormant for half a decade.
The Knack’s image, or lack thereof, was often unfavorably compared to the Beatles, but their music relied on the rough punchiness of the Kinks and the Who rather than the Fab Four. Their refusal to do interviews turned critics against them, and by the time they released their second album, …But the Little Girls Understand, less than a year after the debut, the backlash had already begun (“Knuke the Knack”). The Knack then began a quick spiral downward that they were never to recover from. Their third album, Round Trip, was adventurous and daring and received favorable reviews, but the band decided to split up soon after the album was released. Due to their continuing underground popularity, the Knack resurfaced almost a decade later (minus Bruce Gary) and recorded the abysmal Serious Fun before hiding out once again to lick their wounds. The appearance of “My Sharona” on soundtracks and compilations caused the Knack to be thrown in the midst of a revival of sorts, reuniting and playing the occasional show in L.A. Bruce Gary temporarily returned to the fold, but by the time the Knack released their second “reunion” album, Zoom, during the summer of 1998, the drum stool had been filled by Terry Bozzio (formerly of Missing Persons and Frank Zappa’s band). Still, the bandmembers hoped that a whole new generation of music fans would get the Knack with the release of 2001’s Normal as the Next Guy, an album that found the group at its best when discarding old formulas. Fieger, however, died in 2010 after battling lung and heart cancer. ~ Steve Schnee, Rovi
Joe Satriani
Joseph Satriani, born on July 15, 1956, is an iconic American rock guitarist, composer, and songwriter. His musical journey started as a guitar instructor, where he mentored future stars such as Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, and Kirk Hammett, among others. Transitioning into a solo career in the mid-1980s, Satriani quickly rose to fame, becoming a 15-time Grammy Award nominee and selling over ten million albums, solidifying his position as the top-selling instrumental rock guitarist in history.
Notable collaborations in Satriani’s career include serving as Mick Jagger’s lead guitarist on his inaugural solo tour in 1988 and touring with Deep Purple post-Ritchie Blackmore’s departure in 1993. Additionally, he founded the renowned G3 tour in 1995, showcasing his talent alongside other guitar virtuosos. Since 2008, Satriani has been a pivotal member of the supergroup Chickenfoot, enriching the music scene with his exceptional guitar skills and innovative musical style.
Panic! At The Disco
The artist is a virtuoso known for their captivating musical performances that enrapture audiences worldwide. With a talent that transcends boundaries and genres, the artist has solidified their place as a visionary in the music industry. Their innovative approach to music has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fan base that eagerly anticipates each new creation.
Born with a passion for music, the artist discovered their musical prowess at an early age, honing their skills through dedication and relentless practice. Their artistry reflects a deep connection to emotions and experiences, weaving stories through melodies that resonate with listeners on a profound level. The artist’s discography is a tapestry of sound, each track a masterpiece that showcases their mastery of composition and performance.
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983. The band consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarists John Shanks and Phil X, percussionist Everett Bradley, and bassist Hugh McDonald. Original bassist Alec John Such left the band in 1994, and longtime guitarist and co-songwriter Richie Sambora left in 2013. The band has been credited with ‘bridging the gap between heavy metal music, rock and pop with style and ease’. In 1984, Bon Jovi released their self-titled debut album, and its single ‘Runaway’ managed to reach the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. In 1986, the band achieved widespread success and global recognition with their third album, Slippery When Wet, which sold over 20 million copies and included three Top 10 singles on the Hot 100, two of which reached No. 1: ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ and ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’. Their fourth album, New Jersey (1988), was also commercially successful, selling over 10 million copies and featuring five Top 10 singles, including the number ones ‘Bad Medicine’ and ‘I’ll Be There for You’. The band toured and recorded during the late 1980s, culminating in the 1988–90 New Jersey Syndicate Tour.
In 1992, the band returned with the double-platinum Keep the Faith, which included the hit ‘Bed of Roses’. This was followed by their biggest-selling and longest-charting single ‘Always’ in 1994. The album These Days (1995) proved a bigger success in Europe than in the US, producing four Top Ten singles in the UK. Following a second hiatus, their 2000 album Crush, particularly the lead single, ‘It’s My Life’, successfully introduced the band to a younger audience. The band followed up with Bounce in 2002. The platinum albums Have a Nice Day (2005) and Lost Highway (2007) saw the band incorporate elements of country music into some songs, including the 2006 single ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’, which won the band a Grammy Award and became the first single by a rock band to reach No. 1 on the country charts. The Circle (2009) marked a return to the band’s rock sound. The band further success touring, with the 2005–06 Have a Nice Day Tour and 2007–08 Lost Highway Tour ranking among the Top 20 highest-grossing concert tours of the 2000s. After releasing Because We Can in 2013, lead guitarist Richie Sambora left the band, just before a concert during the supporting tour to spend more time with family. The band released their first studio album without Sambora, Burning Bridges, in 2015 and the follow-up album This House Is Not for Sale in 2016, touring it in 2017–19. Their album 2020 was reworked to include songs inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests; its supporting tour was delayed to 2022. Bon Jovi has released 15 studio albums, five compilations and three live albums. They have sold more than 120 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling American rock bands, and performed 2,700 concerts in 50 countries for 34 million fans. Bon Jovi was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The band received the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards in 2004.