The 1970s, a decade of even louder rock & roll than the previous decade was capable of delivering. This one decade brought along novel concepts, such as nostalgia in music, as heard in Don McLean's timeless classic "American Pie"; the first benefit concert, disco music was all the rage, and the idea of a live two-record album was born.
In the midst of all of the loud rock & roll teenagers listened to at that time was a band called Cheap Trick, Robin Zander on lead vocals and Rick Nielsen as lead guitarist. Their second studio album, In Color, produced by Tom Werman, was released just seven months after their debut studio album, Cheap Trick. Though they failed to chart in the States, they had a fan base in Japan with these two albums.
The album starts out with a short but simple message: Are you ready to rock? Though it is a rhetorical question to this day for the lifetime rock music followers, it is a great way to start off an album in the late '70s. What makes me drool are the sound effects. It's just to make sure you're "all ears." because the songs ahead are going to blow your ears and your mind.
The quality of the music only gets better.
Of course, you can't forget the immortal "I Want You To Want Me." Sadly, this song didn't receive any favorable attention or ratings until the Live in Budokan album a few years later. And the rest, they say, is history.
This one album has the sounds I have always loved about Cheap Trick: loud but simple guitar melodies, vocals, and drum patterns. It's the type of music I can play for days and years on end without ceasing. The simplicity of this music is heard in such songs as "Southern Girls" and "Clock Strikes Ten." That latter song, and many more that were to come from Cheap Trick, makes me feel forever young. Another trait about 70s rock music that I consider unusual is, rock bands recording at least one disco song. Hey! If the Rolling Stones and KISS did it, why shouldn't Cheap Trick, right? "You're All Talk" has a raw disco-esque rhythm, combined with vocals of the same kind to appropriately and simultaneously contrast and fuse with the beat. Though it has taken me 40 years for my ears to be graced with this album, I'm glad to have spent the summer listening especially to Cheap Trick, especially the songs I had never heard, most of which are on this one album. Am I ready to rock? Well, even more so; I know you are, too.
Nineteen eighty-four was a great year for pop and rock music. We were introduced to timeless pop icons Madonna and Cyndi Lauper; Kenny Loggins kept our fine lower extremities moving, and the late Michael Jackson cranked out one hit after another, from Thriller.
Then there was also a hit that, to me, stood out among all the glam-rock glitter. "Round and Round" by Ratt, the biggest hit from their Out of the Cellar album and of their entire career.
To this day, I'm still fascinated by Stephen Pearcy's silky-smooth resonating voice, with lyrics about the ever-complicated life with women. I had a chance to go to the Forum in Hazard, Kentucky, to see the Stephen Pearcy Band play all of the hits that made Ratt famous, up to and including "Round and Round."
To kick off this weeknight of rock was Kiss Kiss Bang, a band straight out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Their debut appearance started off with a good, loud bang, both with their powerful, loud-and-proud music and stage presence, partly brought to us by drummer Corban Burke. A mere three songs into their set, and someone in the front row shouted, "Holy sh**!" Well, of course: their music is clear, so easy to listen to, flawless. That's more than enough to elicit such a response. The one song that had the crowd begging for more: "Supa Fine Sugga."
An even more super-fine band played after them: Sinful Lilly. There's a whole lot I could say about their set. But what I will say is: It's a rock show at its finest....and beyond. From the moment you hear the rippling guitar intros coming from lead singer Fredi Handshoe's Gibson, you will chew on it for days at the eternal rich talent coming from him. Sinful Lilly had a great selection of songs, not the least of which was "Anti-You" to start off their set, "California Man," and "Devil Music and the Record Machine."
This was the second time I'd seen them, but the first with drummer Trey Bledsoe. He did a fine job in engaging the audience behind his drum set. The audience...where bass player Nik Valklix was, running around, rolling around on the floor, even bending over a speaker on the stage. I don't think there was a bored person there; they were all "qualified to raise hell" with the band. If you want to see them live again, go to the Forum on September 23rd. They will open up for Winger.
Stephen Pearcy is one of many rockers who is still touring and making new music...and playing all of the hits. But he and his backup singers weren't the only ones doing that job. The audience gladly sang the choruses to "Loving You's is a Dirty Job," "Back for More," "You're in Love," and "Round and Round." That tells me there are some things about a rock concert that are so vital, to keep the magic alive for rock music...Or should I say Ratt & Roll music?
