Rock Town Hall • Rock Music Discussion

Provincial Rock Biz Verite: Canada 1973

Feb 082013

This 1973 TV documentary from Canada can be diverting. Rock-A-Bye gets you up close and dirty with shaggy bands and ill-dressed record company people, as a stentorian narrator describes the Business of Rock in very serious and occasionally cynical tones.

It is pretty random. We have clips of the Rolling Stones on stage, an interview with Ronnie Hawkins, an A&R man called John David Churchill Poser, the Canadian dude from the Lovin’ Spoonful, Muddy Waters, Alice Cooper mobbed at the airport by a group of gay guys, lots of obscure Canadian bands, and extremely bad hair.

BTW the fashion in 1973 was to be as ugly as possible.

Hat tip ——–> Voices of East Anglia

More of this fascinating documentary…after the jump!

Stevie Wonder: The Missing Link Performance?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 082013

This 1970 performance of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder shocked me on a few levels. First, it never occurred to me that the song was released in 1970. I grew up with that song and all of Stevie’s big hits, but as a greatest hits/anthology-type Stevie Wonder fan I’ve never gotten to know the ins and outs of individual studio albums. I would have pegged that single for a couple of years earlier, like 1967 or 1968, the era when Smokey Robinson & the Miracles were cranking out similarly sleek, driving productions like “Tears of a Clown.”

Once and For All: What’s the Saddest Story in Rock?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 082013

As we come together to determine—once and for all—the Saddest Story in Rock, we are reminded of just how painful the road to artistic enlightenment can be. It is not for us to judge why any of the following artists came to such sad conclusions, only to assess which life story is saddest. [Please note the box of tissues sitting on the coffee table between us.]

The nominees and the RTH People’s Poll for the Saddest Story in Rock follow…after the jump!

Posted Without Comment

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Feb 072013

I dare you to contemplate this

Once and For All: What’s the Greatest Use of the Electric Sitar in Rock ‘n Roll?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 072013

Townspeople, it’s time we determine—once and for all—The Greatest Use of the Electric Sitar in Rock ‘n Roll.

A show of hands for those of you who’ve jeopardized a close friendship by broaching this sensitive topic?

…

I feel your pain, brothers and sisters.

The selection committee, led by Townsman misterioso, has determined a fierce slate of contenders. This may be the end of some of our friendships, I’m sorry to say, but think of how our eventual determination—once and for all—of The Greatest Use of the Electric Sitar in Rock ‘n Roll will save future friendships and cut down on mistaken hits for that stupid Blue Swede version of “Hooked on a Feeling,” the one lacking the awesome electric sitar.

That’s right, the nominees and the RTH People’s Poll for Rock’s Worst Album-Naming Pattern follow…after the jump!

Once and For All: What’s Rock’s Worst Album-Naming Pattern?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 072013

Townspeople, it’s time we determine—once and for all—Rock’s Worst Album-Naming Pattern. The selection committee, led by Townsman Al, has determined a half dozen worthy contenders. I challenge any one of you to get turned on by even one of these artist’s album-naming pattern. Even when you were a teenager you knew the following nominees were lame. The nominees and the RTH People’s Poll for Rock’s Worst Album-Naming Pattern follow…after the jump!

All-Star Jam

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 072013

You can’t fake this excitement, man! All you can do is pile on with exciting finds of your own in this here All-Star Jam.

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