*In 2013, after a 16 year absence, this band was finally reuniting from the classic lineup that produced one of, if not their best, 1987 album. The problem? One member, despite public affirmations that she was on board, bailed to pursue her solo career. Two other members who had written and readied songs for the band project, decided to record them anyway. Name the band and extra credit for the artist who bailed and the two who went forward...
*This British band's singer/guitarist wrote this song when he was a teenager, but didn't record it until much later, introducing it to the rest of the band 5 years after writing it. The track has taken on a life of its own with perhaps even more relevance today. The song basically says...just show you care. Whenever the band played it in concerts, they loved how the audience reacted with unifying hugs and singing along. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *This artist was perhaps better known for his exits from a couple of bands than his presence with them. He quit one band (in 1969) shortly before the release of their first album as he was not included in the final mix playback sessions. He lasted 6 years with his next band prior to another acrimonious departure. Name the artist and extra credit for the names of the two bands... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Takin’ Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive vs Back On The Chain Gang by The Pretenders ANSWERS 1. The Rascals 2. Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Linsey Buckingham, Christine McVie 3. Supertramp, Give A Little Bit 4. Randy Meisner, Poco, Eagles Battle of the Bands : The Pretenders won with 50.5% of votes
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*One of the few songs on this artist's debut album in 1979 does not dwell into interpersonal relationships and the matters of love as he is prone to do. Rather it is a condemnation of print media that specializes in sensationalistic and frightening news stories in an attempt to boost readership. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track...
*This great song first released on a 1994 live album was written by Jim Capaldi, Paul Carrack and Peter Vale and performed by this well-known band. Never formally released as a single in the U.S. it holds a couple of distinctions. It was not eligible to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100 under the rules in place at the time, but spent 3 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. It was also the last single to feature a band member who was terminated from the band in 2001. Name the band, and extra credit for the name of the song and the band member that was terminated... *This 1967 track from a great rock and roll band was somewhat controversial because of the lyrics of course. Some radio stations banned it and a live performance on television only happened with altered lyrics, so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of American TV viewers. Released as as A-side single, without airplay on banned stations, it meant the B-side of the single got much more airplay. Name the band and the name of the song. Extra credit if you can name the B-side song that gained the extra notoriety... *A couple members of this excellent band attended the Cannes Film Festival in 1971. They were staying on a hired luxury yacht and began writing a song we'll play later this evening. With music in hand, they played the song for their wives, who then assisted in creating the lyrics. The gist of the song has the subject lamenting the loss of his girl. The pain is made more intense by something he re-visits periodically reminding him of the good times they had. Name the artists who wrote it and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Last But Not Least by Zac Brown Band vs Wish I Knew You by The Revivalists ANSWERS 1. Joe Jackson, Sunday Papers 2. Eagles, Love Will Keep Us Alive, Don Felder 3. Rolling Stones, Let’s Spend The Night Together, Ruby Tuesday 4. Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Photograph Battle of the Bands : Zac Brown Band won with 52% of votes *This 1985 song was written to celebrate the street buskers of London. The song benefitted from a catchy keyboard sound and was the 2nd single released from this band's 1985 album, the 1st having established the band as MTV darlings. Add to that the song's incorporation of 'woos'...something that the writer regretted when listening to it later, because there were just so many of them. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song...
*A 1971 track from a quite famous double album was written from the perspective of a man who is hated and shunned. He's asking for empathy, but is clearly unhinged and seems to have anger issues. The lyrics were based on the band's guitarist whose own feelings of angst coming from expectations and pressure to be someone he's not. Name the band, the guitarist and extra credit for the name of the track... *This band had three members until 1977 when one of them left to pursue a career in a totally different genre. The other 2 continued as a duo, but struggled to find a hit with a cover of California Dreamin' being their only charting hit in the time period of 1977-1981. And then they recorded this song about a skeptic who doesn't believe in love until he meets a girl who shows him it's real. Part of the song was a nod to the Crosby, Stills & Nash song, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, which contains a similar musical section. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *This great band's keyboard player wrote a song which is about life, gradually descending into death. Hence the angrier and more intense first half with a dying person refusing to "go gently into that good night." The 2nd half is gentler, as the dying person gives into the inevitable and fades away. This track, was one of only a few band's songs to use a female vocalist. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Band on the Run by Paul McCartney vs Dirty Laundry by Don Henley ANSWERS 1. Dire Straits, Walk of Life 2. The Who, Pete Townshend, Behind Blue Eyes 3. America, You Can Do Magic 4. Pink Floyd, The Great Gig In The Sky Battle of the Bands : Don Henley won with 52% of votes *This 1970 track from a Brit band is all about a man who is unhappy with the modern world. He is looking to escape the problems created by his fellow human beings, so he plans a journey away from home, where he can live like the subject of the song's title. Name the band and the title of this 1970 track...one that appeared in the 1986 Robin Williams movie, Club Paradise...
*During the recording of this 1979 album and specifically this song, the band did some 70 takes of it...trying to achieve the right feel the band's leader felt it deserved. It got so tedious that the guitar player (and co-writer of the track) ultimately just walked out of the studio, leaving the project for a few days, claiming he just had a mental breakdown. This great album held down the #2 position in the US for 7 straight weeks...being held out of the #1 slot by Pink Floyd's, The Wall. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *In 1974 this great band's frontman wrote a breakup song in which the man is regretting his decision. Despite writing the track and handling many of the group's lead vocals, another member sang lead. The song portended a shift in the band's musical style, as they began recording more ballads and relying less on horns. Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine, all of The Beach Boys sang backup on this track. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song that was this band's 3rd track to reach #1 on the Adult Contemporary Charts... *This exceptional artist played a pivotal part in at least two of the major musical movements of the classic rock era. He started his professional career with a band that helped pioneer the British Invasion. The other band in question helped usher in the transition from hippie folk-rock to the reflective singer/songwriters of the 70's. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the ground-breaking bands... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt vs Blue Bayou by Roy Orbison ANSWERS 1. Kinks, Apeman 2. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Refugee 3. Chicago, Wishing You Were Here 4. Graham Nash, Hollies, Crosby, Stills & Nash Battle of the Bands : Linda Ronstadt won with 54% of votes *As a songwriter, this artist has long displayed a somewhat theatrical bent, and has created a handful of stock characters who seem to, with certain variations, continue to reappear in his songs over the years. One of the artist's favorites is the not-so-lovable rogue whose fondness for adventure and aversion to consequence often leads to perilous situations. This 1978 track features an anti-hero in need of and imploring for specific support. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song...
*A song from this band's 1974 album is considered one of, if not, their smoothest (that is saying something) and a true exemplar of the 1970's California sound. The lyrics attempt to comfort the singer's friend who is going through a difficult time. The refrain in the beginning starts with encouraging lyrics from one friend to another in a time of need. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *A 1975 live album contained this very romantic love ballad. The artist is telling his girl that he loves everything about her and wants to be with her day and night. The track actually went nowhere when it was released first as a single, but when it was included on the live album a year later, it became one of many huge hits. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... *A 1971 hit produced one of their most well-known songs, but this band wasn't looking for a hit at the time. The album version ran 8:29, but was edited to 3:27 for release as a single. It climbed to #13 on the US Hot 100 giving the band their biggest hit until another track eclipsed it 12 years later in 1983. The first time the band heard the song, it was on the radio. They had no idea it had been released. They objected to the amount of editing...that is until it became a big hit. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Sussudio by Phil Collins vs Baby, I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton ANSWERS 1. Warren Zevon, Lawyers, Guns and Money 2. Steely Dan, Any Major Dude Will Tell You 3. Peter Frampton, Baby, I Love Your Way 4. Yes, Roundabout Battle of the Bands : Peter Frampton won with 54% of votes *Back in 1972, a gent by the name of Elliot Randall, who was not a member of the band in the studio at the time, stopped by on an invite from an existing member while they were recording the track we'll enjoy this evening. One thing led to another and he ended up playing the guitar solo, marking the first time of many, the band would use studio musicians. By their 4th album, nearly every player was a studio musician. Randall would go on to play on 2 additional albums by the band. Name the band and of course, extra credit for the name of the track...
*Born and raised in west suburban Maywood, Illinois, this artist was a prominent member of Chicago's folk revival in the early 70's. Not merely a gifted musician, but a masterful storyteller as well...bringing light to heavy topics of love, life and current events. Working part-time as a mailman and some of the clubs all around Chicago, he was discovered by a young journalist named Roger Ebert, who gave him his 1st ever review in the Chicago Sun Times and it was quite popular. Name the artist... *We'll play a song from 1967 that is all about Marianne Faithfull, the British singer/actress who had a most famous romance with Mick Jagger at one time. Additionally, she dated the singer/guitarist of this band for a short time. 'Marianne' was then altered to the character name of the track, so it would not be totally obvious. The band kept it a secret until 1995, when a key member of the band spilled the beans in a documentary. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *In 1968, this keyboardist was fine-tuning a career in music that was about to take a giant step forward. The song we'll enjoy was written with that intent in mind. But he did not release it until he joined this band in 1969 and he shared with the rest of the band a song that was perfect for them. The track was included on the group's 1969 album, but was not released as a single until 1970 with a slower pace, a different key and a string section. It became one of, if not the most well-known ballads the band ever had. Name the artist, the band he joined and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Spare Me A Little Of Your Love by Fleetwood Mac vs The Joker by Steve Miller Band ANSWERS 1. Steely Dan, Reelin’ in the Years 2. John Prine 3. Hollies, Carrie-Ann 4. David Gates, Bread, It Don’t Matter To Me Battle of the Bands : Steve Miller Band won with 53% of votes *We'll enjoy a song which appears to be a narration of a rock-bottom suburbanite's fantasy of becoming a romantic saxophonist. The assumption here is that the guy is ready to ditch his life to become the musician of his dreams, but it is unclear if the guy actually achieves his dream or even if he can even play the horn. Name the song and the band that released it in 1978...
*A Baltimore born musician moved to San Francisco in 1972 and ultimately formed a band that released nine albums between 1978 and 1986. They did not have a hit until album #6 and perhaps their most popular song came on album # 8. After that success, the musician would go on to write several novels and became the morning DJ at K-Fox in San Jose, California. Name the artist... *This British band formed in 1962 and while they did not have a crazy amount of hits, they were certainly one of the most influential and original bands of the '60's and a rather easy pick for the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame which they entered in 1992. Their first notable hit in 1965 caused a personnel change as an important member quit, thinking the band was becoming 'too commercial'. Name the band and extra credit for the name of their first hit... *This artist's father started a life of music as a director of high school bands in Illinois, first one in Peoria. The artist we'll enjoy this evening was their youngest of 3 children born in 1951. By that time, his father was the band director at Bradley University. They played concerts and performed at basketball and football games and the father would allow his 4 year old son to stand in front of him and also conduct the band. The personal song we'll play, released in 1981 is a tribute to his father. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS For Your Love by Yardbirds vs I’ll Feel A Whole Loy Better by Byrds ANSWERS 1. Deacon Blues, Steely Dan 2. Greg Kihn 3. Yardbirds, For Your Love 4. Dan Fogelberg, Leader of the Band Battle of the Bands : Yardbirds won with 52% of votes *In 1978, this Canadian band just might have been the picture under the definition of the word underrated. It certainly would include the album cover and the album itself in that category. Unorthodox and infectious melodies, hard hitting bass, phenomenal production and fantastic lyrical content were totally present as the album was considered far ahead of its time. Name the band (artist) and extra credit for the album...
*If one was to credit Linda Ronstadt as being the first artist to record this track in 1977...well...they'd be wrong. The actual writer of the song wrote, recorded and released it the year before in 1976. The track itself is also reputed to be a friendly swipe at Jackson Browne and his songwriting that could be deemed quite depressing every now and then. Name the artist and the song... *The decade of the 60's found many an artist and bands on the West Coast dabbling in drugs. The lead artist of this band (one such drug user) wrote a famous track based on the lyrics of an 1865 children's book. Name the artist, the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *This band released their first album in 1972 and it became an unexpected hit. Their response resulted in an album the next year that showed them acting more like a rock and roll band with louder guitars and pronounced backbeat on many of the tracks. The album also heralded the arrival of the group's full-time lead vocalist, a position that would never be relinquished. Name the band... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon vs School’s Out by Alice Cooper ANSWERS 1. Gino Vannelli 2. Warren Zevon, Poor Poor Pitiful Me 3. Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, White Rabbit 4. Steely Dan Battle of the Bands : Alice Cooper won with 53% of votes *Kenny Loggins co-wrote the track we'll play released by a great California band in the 70's. The lyrics were written by one of the band members. The concept was a scenario where 2 people meet in a restaurant...the 2 having had a passionate relationship years ago. The man thought the affair the greatest thing in his life...the woman thinking it was fun, but definitely time to move on. The man doesn't get the message. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song...
*This band from North of the border was highly influenced by British musicians as they rode a meteoric rise to success. They really became popular in the U.S. in the 70's without even visiting this country. Name the band... *This song was first published in 1910 and was the signature tune of the great music hall star, Harry Champion. The title is a reference to royalty. The band that ultimately recorded and made this a hit in the mid-60's used the Harry Champion recording as their foundation for their version which rose to #1 on the U.S. charts, knocking off The Rolling Stones, I Can't Get No Satisfaction from that lofty position. Name the band and the song... *This 1993 album found this artist trying to regain his faith in himself and others after being betrayed by people he thought he could trust. His former Brother-in-law stole millions of dollars from him and his lawyers failed to protect him as well. The original title of the song we'll play was 'The Motorcycle Song' about middle-aged professionals getting themselves in biker gear and buying Harleys. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS First We Take Manhattan by Joe Cocker vs Share the Land by Guess Who ANSWERS 1. The Doobie Brothers, What A Fool Believes 2. Guess Who 3. Herman’s Hermits, I’m Henery the Eighth, I am 4. Billy Joel, All About Soul Battle of the Bands : Guess Who won with 54% of votes * This song from the late 60's was written for Francis Ford Coppola's, You're A Big Boy Now, a coming-of-age film about an awkward young man looking for love in New York City. This band's frontman was responsible for the entire soundtrack, but was tasked to write this specific song for an important love scene. Unfortunately, the movie was largely ignored, but the song fared pretty well with a #15 entry on the Hot 100 chart. The song was also revived a couple of years later during an impromptu performance at Woodstock in 1969. Name the band and the frontman who recorded the song...and extra credit for the name of the song...
*This artist was a member of a somewhat successful band, who had a big hit in 1973...one that is inscribed in our collective memory banks. But he came out with a song as part of his solo efforts in 1978...the song being about a man who dreams of owning a house and living away from his neighborhood. Problem is, he drinks too much and can't achieve his goal...drinking to forget what he doesn't have and never realizes he's a rolling stone with no direction. Some great sax on this track. Name the artist and song.. *This band might be considered a 'One-hit' wonder, as it is probably difficult to name another song by the band, because this track was hugely popular. They were more than a 1-hit band though. The band's lead singer wrote the song which is about depression. It took a few years to complete it as at first it had different lyrics with a refrain of 'laughing in the rain', which the artist knew was too familiar to the Neil Sedaka song, 'Laughter In The Rain'. The artist himself went through some dark times and it was then that the metaphor hit him...providing the name of the song and finishing the lyrics in one, single setting. Name the artist, the band and extra credit for the name of the 1992 track... *After a most remarkable string of hits through 1969, this band released another brand new album, its fourth in less than 18 months. It made its way to #8 on the charts in 1970. The album consisted primarily of songs written by some of rock music's best, but at the time, unheralded, composers....Randy Newman, being one. The song we'll play, however, was written by Paul Williams. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Why Georgia by John Mayer vs Last But Not Least by Zac Brown Band ANSWERS 1. the Lovin’ Spoonful, John Sebastian, Darling Be Home Soon 2. Gerry Rafferty, Baker Street 3. Dave Pirner, Soul Asylum, Runaway Train 4. Three Dog Night, Out in the Country Battle of the Bands : Zac Brown Band won with 53% of votes |
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