*This artist's first solo recording in 1970 made history for its length. He'd built up an incredible backlog of compositions by the time, all of which contained material that managed the rare feat of conveying spiritual mysticism without sacrificing his gifts for melody and grand sweeping arrangements. Name the artist...
*By the time this band's last album was released in 1991, the end of the group had been foretold, as their front man was already involved in so many and different ventures. And, he had taken all the necessary steps to retain usage of the band's name for obvious reasons, commercial and otherwise. Name the artist and the band... *This artist has had an interesting , yet arguably frustrating career. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he spent 5 years and 5 albums with an epic band in the early 70's, but left them just before they became a superstar act. His departure led to a contentious relationship that included suing them for royalties he thought he deserved. Name the artist and the former band.... *This megastar artist released an album in 1989 that was heavily influenced by R&B, although he was never actually considered such a performer. The album's timing was just right as nostalgia for the 60's music-wise at least, was in high gear with big soundtracks such as Dirty Dancing and The Big Chill, taking boomers back in time. Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Midnight Confessions by The Grass Roots vs You Were On My Mind by Wee Five ANSWERS 1. George Harrison 2. Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits 3. Bob Welch, Fleetwood Mac 4. Elton John Battle of the Bands : The Grass Roots won the Battle by a single vote
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*1976 saw the release of a live album by this artist that vaulted him and his band to new heights. Then a fantastic studio album released in 1980 confirmed the band's excellence. This album, released in 1981 is comprised of songs from the artist's previous 3 best sellers...albums in 1976, 1978 and 1980. Name the artist...
*When any artist records in this famous music town, it is difficult to dismiss the city's magnificent soul tradition. This artist certainly soaked up that vibe with his 2013 album paying homage to that city's history. Using a local producer and session musicians long connected to the city, the artist even chose a most appropriate title for the album. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the album... *This band was nothing short of country rock genius and produced some most entertaining studio albums (15 of them in roughly 15 years) over a period that started in 1970. The band also survived a bit of a rotating cast of personnel, but their sound was always pure and identifiable. Name the band... *Bands enjoy special moments periodically and one for this group happened because Princess Diana loved this particular track. The band was enlisted to perform it in her honor at the 2007 Concert For Diana at Wembley Stadium. The band was humbled and quite nervous performing the song, but the crowd loved it, singing along the entire way. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Daydream by Lovin’ Spoonful vs A World Without Love by Peter & Gordon ANSWERS 1. Bob Seger Album...Nine Tonight 2. Boz Scaggs Album...Memphis 3. Poco 4. Supertramp Give A Little Bit Battle of the Bands : Lovin’ Spoonful won the Battle with 51% of the votes *We'll go all the way back to 1964 for the biggest hit by this group. It was actually recorded in the last 5 minutes of their recording session. In the song, a guy goes to Mexico and enjoys the company of a young lady whose boyfriend, Jose, is kind of a bad dude. Name the group and extra credit for the name of the song...
*The release of an album in the fall of 1971 gave this great band their 7th gold record in less than 3 years. That same album produced 2, top ten singles. This album also inspired the band into thinking that they could be successful playing stadium and arena venues. Name the band... *Is this artist country or not? After his first two albums (prior to 1989) one might have put him in that genre. Then that 1989 album seemingly sidelined any career aspirations as a mainstream country act as much of it displayed a smoky, late-night vibe of a low-key jazz joint. Name the artist... *Recording other people's songs and giving them a sound of their own is deeply ingrained in this band's working method. It is kind of what we've come to expect with their album released in 2022, as the band has changed little over the course of 35+ years. Covering great tracks regularly...Name the group... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Questions 67 & 68 by Chicago vs Question by The Moody Blues ANSWERS 1. Jay And The Americans, Come A Little Bit Closer 2. Three Dog Night 3. Lyle Lovett 4. Cowboy Junkies Battle of the Bands : The Moody Blues won the Battle with 52% of the votes *For much of this group's early years, they were 3 regular members strong. Their 18th album came much later in 1994. By then, they were a duo and had not had a hit on the music charts in over a decade. You loved them in the early 70's and as it turns out...for decades later. Name the band...
*2021 was a huge coming out party for us all, but particularly for artists deeply impacted by Covid. One such artist had an album ready to go just prior to the pandemic, but serious personal impediments for the next 3 years forced this solo album out to 2021. We loved his music as part of a monster band, but his solo work was equally entertaining. Name the artist... *Coming off the mega-success of his 1984 album, this artist could have easily turned out another ten rock & roll anthems and continued down that lucrative road endlessly. Instead, he turned inward with an album that delved into the deepest crevices of one of the most mysterious and terrifying places on earth: the human heart. Granted, the artist was suffering from marital problems at the time and this track creates the feeling he realized when the person he loved the most became the person he least trusted. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the excellent 1987 track... *Early on in her career, this singer/songwriter was marketed as a country artist, but strangely, it took ten albums before she would venture into any Nashville recording studio. We'll dip into her 2004 album of new material with a simply excellent supporting cast of musicians pitching in. Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Tell Me Why by Neil Young vs Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Steven Stills ANSWERS 1. America 2. Lindsey Buckingham 3. Bruce Springsteen, Brilliant Disguise 4. Mary Chapin Carpenter Battle of the Bands : Steven Stills won the Battle with 53% of the votes *Born in Canada, this artist played with a band by the name of the Devrons before joining the group that ultimately gained world-wide popularity. Spending 10 years with that band, his departure meant the start of his solo career. Name the artist...
*We'll play a track written by this U.K. band's guitarist.singer who shared that it was inspired by a real person, but one that shall go nameless. What the artist discovered was that the song's title and message was actually a common experience for many people. That did not stop the woman, for whom the song was written from suing the band for royalties for hinting the song may be about her. Name the band and extra credit for the song title... *This rocking lady's debut album in 1975 inspired a generation of female rockers, but her 1988 album sounded like she'd been listening to later Pretender's albums (A good thing BTW) and taking tips from Chrissie Hynde, one of her spiritual sisters. Shortly after the release of this album...a retreat from the public eye until later in the 90's. Born in Chicago and raised a Jehovah's Witness, she eventually gave up on organized religion feeling it too confining. Name the artist... *When this group began singing together in the late 60's, they could bring shivers to the spines of even the hardest rock cynics. And when the group reunited for a 1994 album, cynics became even more cynical. After all, how could the group ever top their past accomplishments? Name the band whose singing defied the aging process... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Back in the High Life Again by Steve Winwood vs Running On Empty by Jackson Browne ANSWERS 1. Burton Cummings 2. The Moody Blues, Your Wildest Dreams 3. Patti Smith 4. Crosby, Stills & Nash Battle of the Bands : Jackson Browne won the Battle with 56% of the votes *This Virginia born artist scored box office gold with this track, a continuation from his previous hit that shared similar success. This song is about a failed southern romance between two people who enjoy the rainfall and spent a lot of intimate time in it. However, now that she's gone, the singer mourns her loss and is reminded of her whenever he hears rain. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track...
*This artist's ex-wife readily admits and claims this particular song was written for her. The artist is actually non-committal about her claim. He wrote this song with the intention of giving it to Elvis Presley, who reportedly refused it. Elvis passed away 2 years later. The artist then recorded it in 1975 himself. Name the British artist... *This artist got an excellent start to a most incredible music career in the 60's and 70's as a member of a number of exceptional bands. But...he then struggled a bit trying to find success as a solo artist. Teaming with a lyricist who had written songs for Barry Manilow, B.B. King, Joe Cocker and The Crusaders, made the difference for the songs released on his 1980 album, a keepsake for his legion of fans. Name the artist... *Ever hear of a group engaging the talents of six different vocalists for an album of 8 tracks? Such was the case on this group's 1978 album. The track we'll enjoy teaches that our souls are our most important asset. This from a band who specialized in presenting such messages with their music. Name the band... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Bad Company by Bad Company vs Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf ANSWERS 1. Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Mandolin Rain 2, David Bowie…Golden Years 3. Steve Winwood 4. The Alan Parsons Project Battle of the Bands : Steppenwolf won the Battle with 56% of the votes *This 1984 album was released on January 9th of the year, ending (by 9 days) this American rock band's streak of releasing one album every year since 1978. The single released first from this album was the band's first track to get much attention on pop radio and is by far, their biggest hit (and only chart topper). The album was recorded at the band's frontman studio in California. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song...
*Much like another artist, David Bowie, considered a contemporary of his, this artist consolidated his glam-era success with a covers album, his first full solo effort even while his band was going full steam. This Brit touched on everything from Motown to early jazz standards on the album, released in 1973. Name the artist... *The 1979 album release found this legendary artist writing new music as a born-again Christian, hence the religious theme that appears in our chosen track. The song was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Rock vocal Performance by a Male in 1980. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track performed at the 1980 Grammy ceremony... *A fine example of the 'Southern California Sound' was a mix of country, folk and rock that this band became known for. The track also contained melancholy lyrics all wrapped in sweet melody, another attribute of the band's early songs. The story of the song is one where the singer is left longing for a woman and trying to make sense of it. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS You’ve Got A Friend by James Taylor vs You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon ANSWERS 1. Van Halen, Jump 2. Bryan Ferry 3. Bob Dylan, Gotta Serve Somebody 4. Eagles, Take It To The Limit Battle of the Bands : James Taylor won the Battle by a single vote *This band (of teenagers at the time) from Hertfordshire, England recorded this huge hit in 1964 after they won a talent contest that led to a recording session. The song tells the story of an alluring woman who won't be tied down to one man. Most follow-on releases bombed, but Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears fame heard them and orchestrated a U.S. contract for the group. Name the band...
*This band (actually a duo) always thought their ballad compositions to be their strength, and then this song, their only real hit, happened in 1970. The duo actually wrote the song at a Los Angeles coffeehouse, an environment they frequently performed in. The song's title describes an all too common occurrence for musicians of that time. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *1970 also gave us this song, that not unlike many others is quite metaphorical and fairly heady stuff at the time. The song explores themes of love, strategy and the complexities of relationships through the metaphor of a card game. The song comes from the debut solo album of an artist previously part of a most incredible super group. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song... *It wasn't until this artist's 3rd album in 1972, that saw him catapulted to superstardom. The double album was entirely him! He wrote, recorded, produced and played all the instruments. (How is that even possible?) Amazing! Certainly a few other artists have done the same, but this collection of 25 songs put this artist into star status! Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top vs Werewolves Of London by Warren Zevon ANSWERS 1. The Zombies 2. Brewer and Shipley, One Toke Over The Line 3. Stephen Stills, Black Queen 4. Todd Rundgren Battle of the Bands : Warren Zevon won the Battle with 53% of the votes *A U.K. band that is known for their cerebral lyrical approach and their storytelling prowess penned a song that seemingly dons an innocuous facade. But I understand...you need more! The title and their constant references leave little doubt of just how to connect with 'the soul' of the song, something that many did with this artist in the decade of the 50's. This is a fun one...Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song...
*This Brit band released their 1st album for a new label in February of 1977. They had basically and almost officially gone off the radar since their huge Top Ten Hit in 1970. This album got them pushed into the start of one of rock's greatest comebacks and launched a successful 'arena rock' phase that even they did not see coming. Another fun one...Name the band... *Once upon a time there was a painter most aptly named Neon Park. He became best known for the images that strongly defined covers for nearly every album by this excellent group. A band that has entertained us well since the decade of the 70's. An amazing 1973 album had a rather incredible distinction. It fell short of reaching out to the wider public...but the truth is...the wider public failed to reach out to it! Nice! Name the band... *One needs to invent new adjectives for this artist. That, with all his diversity, he could come out with an album that has the ability not only to entertain, but to make you think...mission accomplished with his 1992 album. One could easily consider this a concept album as we ponder, society, the health of the planet...he is worried about what will be left for grandchildren. You've loved him in multiple bands...or solo just as well. Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young vs Centerfield by John Fogerty ANSWERS 1. Dire Straits, Calling Elvis 2. Kinks 3. Little Feat 4. Joe Walsh Battle of the Bands : John Fogerty won the Battle by a single vote *The movie Detroit Rock City has a scene where one of the characters escapes from the boarding school his mother had taken him to and heads for a Kiss concert at Detroit. The soundtrack for the film included this track that was also used in a 2017 commercial for Sonos home audio equipment. Name the song and the band that provided the track...
*the writer/producer of this 1967 song employed the riff from his song's chorus to create a bass line opening which is as identifiable as 'Sunshine Of Your Love' would become14 months after the release of this classic. It turned out to be this group's 2nd top five hit in March of 1967, The track was almost as short as The Box Tops, The Letter at 2 minutes, 8 seconds. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *This British pop artist came across the pond to Memphis to record her first US-produced album. It did not go well as when she was told she was recording in the same studio, using the same microphone as Aretha Franklin, she froze. How could she possibly perform where one of her greatest influencers did previously? Name the artist... *The writer of this great song was, in his opinion, a heartfelt song of devotion, but claims the inspiration for the song is no longer recalled in his memory bank. He's not overly concerned about that fact as he says many songs are created without any specific moments of divine inspiration. He suspects the song comes courtesy of early life moments of reflection and thoughts that he could be a better person. Name the 1972 song and the band (named after actual band members)... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Can’t Get It Out Of My Head by Electric Light Orchestra vs I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You by Alan Parsons Project ANSWERS 1. Jailbreak, Thin Lizzy 2. Tommy James And The Shondells, I Think We're Alone Now 3. Dusty Springfield 4. From The Beginning, Emerson, Lake & Palmer Battle of the Bands : Alan Parsons Project won the Battle with 54% of the votes |
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