Brits Beyond The Beatles & Stones – Page 7

The Yardbirds’ Keith Relf: From Electric Blues to Electric Demise

October 4, 2015March 22, 2014 by Dana Spiardi

The 1960s electric blues band The Yardbirds was the premier rock-n-roll incubator, cultivating three of the world’s most talented guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. But does anybody recall the name of the man who co-founded the British group and provided lead vocals and harmonica on its killer tracks, among them, “Heart Full of Soul,” “For Your Love,” and “Shapes of Things”? His name was Keith Relf, born 71 years ago today. He suffered one of the strangest deaths in rock history.

Rockin’ Through the Irish Rye

October 4, 2015March 17, 2014 by Dana Spiardi

When you think about Irish rockers, who comes to mind? Prickly, ginger-haired Van Morrison, in a near-transcendental state, wailing G.L.O.R.I.A? Bono in his wrap-around spaceman shades, righteously pouring out arena anthems with his U2 mates? Sinead O’Connor ripping up a picture of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live”? Well, there’s more to Ireland’s rock scene than that, boyo. On this St. Paddy’s Day, allow me to share a few of my favorite songs by several Irish artists who are lesser-known to American audiences.

Many Shades of Pale

October 10, 2015February 16, 2014 by Dana Spiardi

There have been more than 1,000 cover versions of “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” the debut single by British progressive-rock band Procol Harum. The hauntingly beautiful song with its Bach-like melody and trippy lyrics was a perfect soundtrack for the Summer of Love. It hit the #1 one spot on the U.K. charts on June 8, 1967, and remained there for six weeks. In fact, it’s one of fewer than 30 singles to have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Moons and Starrs: How Uncle Keith Inspired Zak’s Rock Dreams

October 4, 2015September 13, 2013 by Dana Spiardi

Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr was so determined that his eldest son NOT follow in his footsteps that he gave the kid but one drum lesson in his life. Zak Starkey, who turns 48 today, would have to master the skill all by himself…with a little help from his godfather, Keith Moon of The Who.

Is There a Drummer in the House?

October 4, 2015August 23, 2013 by Dana Spiardi

Keith Moon would have turned 68 today if he hadn’t died in 1978 from swallowing 32 tablets of Heminevrin, a sedative he was taking to help him with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The Who’s chemically induced clown/drummer mixed one too many horse tranquilizers with brandy on the evening of November 20, 1973, causing him to pass out twice during the band’s performance at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. But the show went on! Who guitarist Pete Townsend shouted out to the crowd: “Can anybody play the drums?”, and a young man stepped forward.