*There are many songs about towns...both big and small. This one captures the essence of nostalgia, longing and the bittersweet experience of growing up in a small one. Our protagonist's struggle to pursue his own dreams while being weighed down by the expectations of others is on full display. This 1975 track peaked at #9 and won a grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. Name the artists and the track...
*Barbed wire, gravediggers, stained glass and matrimony all came together in a video for this 1982 track. With such a barrage of inherent symbolism, all kinds of questions are raised. What's going on? What's this song about? We probably won't resolve anything, but we will rock to a track that implies...rock! Name the song and the artist... *This artist does covers and does covers well...Her first one released in 1994 earned a Grammy nomination. Her second like album came 21 years later and included efforts on songs from folks like Tom Waits, Robbie Robertson, Paul Simon, John Fogerty and even, The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. Name the artist... *I'm not quite certain how long it took to write certain classic songs back in the day, but this combination of lyrics, music and vibe had to take a while. With lyrics presented..."like a hurricane around your heart when earth and sky are torn apart", there is the suggestion that despite the existing chaos, there is still hope for unity and understanding. 1970 gave us this most excellent song from this British band's 4th album. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song.... BATTLE OF THE BANDS White Wedding by Billy Idol vs Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad by Meatloaf ANSWERS 1. Simon & Garfunkel, My Little Town 2. Billy Idol, White Wedding 3. Shawn Colvin 4. Traffic, Freedom Rider Battle of the Bands : Meatloaf won with 55% of the votes
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*This artist may have made his biggest impact on the country rock sound behind the scenes or in a supporting role to some of the bigger pop names of the 70's. He had an impressive and critically acclaimed series of solo albums that have unfortunately disappeared from music fans' radar. The artist was born in Detroit, but was raised in Amarillo, Texas, which explains his stylistic roots. He brought all that talent to California to make his mark. Name the artist...
*The concept for this artist's 3rd solo album in 2006 was clear with a tip-off from the album's title. He had the road in mind. While the album does seem to be ideal for road trips, there is some gear changing to a bittersweet acoustic vibe as well. And the collection of tracks does lend itself to the artist's vibe from the past with his band. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the album and even the name of his previous band... *We'll enjoy a song that is divided into 2 sections...the first running 3:35 and the second at 3:21. There are many purposeful lyrics contained in this track, but one has solid connection with a Beatle. And that Beatles would be John Lennon who had a rather large influence on this band. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *Early in the 2000's, this artist experienced one of his periodic revivals thanks to the legions of contemporary country singers indebted to his sunny, relaxed party music. He would go on to record a number of collaborations with country artists and we'll get into a most excellent one during encore time this evening. Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Fly Like An Eagle by Steve Miller Band vs Fins by Jimmy Buffett ANSWERS 1. J. D. Souther 2. Tom Petty, Highway Companion, Heartbreakers 3. Yes, I’ve Seen All Good People 4. Jimmy Buffettt Battle of the Bands : Steve Miller Band won with 53% of the votes *We'll enjoy the last big hit for this midwestern band from 1974 as the group ended...breaking up in 1976. Their last album released that year was produced by none other than Frank Zappa. The song's protagonist has met the girl of his dreams, but at an awkward time in his life, meaning he may have to let her go. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the group's last big hit...
*This exceptional 1973 track tells the story of a mysterious and captivating woman who captures the narrator's attention and imagination. The lyrics depict a nostalgic memory of their first encounter, where he first saw her walking across the delta towards her desolate and isolated dwelling. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *We'll play a song from one of the most prolific songwriter/artist teams of our prime music years. The wife of the artist's manager was pregnant at the time and the writer of the song suggested the title of the track for the baby's name...if a baby girl. The artist became the godfather of the girl named after this track. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the baby girl... *A song about 'the one who got away' will grace our ears this evening. The singer wonders if his long-lost love remembers him the way he remembers her. The song was written by this British band's guitarist/singer who shared it was indeed inspired by a real person, but one that would remain nameless. The song became really popular because of the concept of it and how so many people shared such an experience. Name the band that included this song in one of their later albums in 1986... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Talking Back to the Night by Steve Winwood vs In The City by Joe Walsh ANSWERS 1. Grand Funk Railroad, Bad Time 2. Doobie Brothers, Dark Eyed Cajun Woman 3. Elton John, Amoreena 4. The Moody Blues, Your Wildest Dreams Battle of the Bands : Joe Walsh won with 57% of the votes *This American Mid-Western band had five charting hits, but the most unique thing about that is...they all occurred in 1967. Billboard magazine labeled them, 'the most listened to band of the year! Only one of this band's charting hits made it to #1 and that is the one we'll enjoy this evening. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the band's #1 hit...
*We'll enjoy a track that is considered this exceptional artist's musical autobiography. After touring relentlessly on the East Coast, a record deal was secured signalling an achievement that gave the artist some stability and success, proving his naysayers wrong. This song represents a 'kiss-off' to everybody that counted him out. The artist also considers this his best love song he's ever written. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... *This artist's live album released in early 1974, in its original form, featured 5 songs, 4 of which were initially recorded by his earlier band. The Rolling Stone editor at the time, claimed this album as a 'record to be played loud'! We'll play the opening track of the album and you may want to have the volume control handy. Name the American artist who was born in 1942 and passed away in 2013, and extra credit for the name of the track we'll enjoy... *This 1989 song is about sudden change in a city that lives it. The sounds of sirens, trains and a famous landmark all indicate the city it's about. Name the artist that performs the song and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS A Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum vs The Dock Og The Bay by Otis Redding ANSWERS 1. The Buckinghams, Kind Of A Drag 2. Bruce Springsteen, Rosalita 3. Lou Reed, Intro / Sweet Jane 4. Don Henley, New York Minute Battle of the Bands : Otis Redding won with 54% of the votes *This band, originally named Chocolate Hair, scored a big hit in 1970, but after getting signed to a record label, was asked to change their name largely because management was nervous about the potentially racist interpretation of their original name. Name the band... (and Chocolate Hair is not what I'm looking for...😁)
*After a rather long layoff from this great late 60's, early 70's band's success, this exceptional guitarist cut a blistering rock album in 1988 with his band named after him. For this album, he included a pianist and a second guitarist, both of whom would join the next edition of the old band when they reformed. Name the artist and his previous band... *We'll enjoy a song from the 60's written by the leader of the group about the truly complicated affair his wife was having at the time. The object of his wife's desire ironically received songwriting credit for the track. Name the band, its leader and extra credit for the name of the co-writer... *Bands break up, stay broken up, but sometimes...they get back together.. Such was the case with this band, but in between the time of breakup and reunification (5 years), two of the band's members released a most excellent album under a different name. Name the band that broke up, got back together and extra credit for the name of the group that released the one album during the breakup... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Three Roses by America vs I Saw Her Again by Mamas and the Papas ANSWERS 1. Sugarloaf 2. Dickie Betts, Allman Brothers Band 3. Mamas and the Papas, John Phillips, Denny Doherty 4. Moody Blues, Bluejays (Justin Hayward & John Lodge) Battle of the Bands : Mamas and the Papas won with 57% of the votes *A 1974 song we'll enjoy paints a vivid picture of an encounter between a man and a con woman. The protagonist finds himself in the lounge of a hotel, seeking diversion through drinking and introspection. He has also placed a bet on the outcome of a hockey game, which further adds to the atmosphere of the narrative. Enter the woman with lacy sleeves, who apporaches and proposes to him...with clear intentions. Extract money or, at the very least get him to pay for her drinks. Name the song and artist...
*A single (actually the title track) released from an album in 1981 was a big hit for this band, getting them into the Top Ten for the very first time. The track has a few throwback elements, like the 'ooo ooo ooo' backing vocals and references to a 'quirky jerk' and 'night cats'...lingo that was hep in the 80's when songs about dancing were in vogue. The song also had a bit of a futuristic feel to it. Name the song and band... *An occasional quarter who performed their second ever gig at the original Woodstock Music Festival in 1969, have released just three studio albums together...this over the broad expanse of 50 years or so. They have toured together on occasion and had a few one-off gigs and one of them, of all places, was the Bridge School Benefit Concert that took place in Oakland, CA. on the 4th of December of 1988. They lined up some additional A-Listers to play including Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jerry Garcia, Billy Ido and Nils Lofgren. Name the band... *Combining Hollywood pizazz with soulful swagger, this band sounded big and brassy even in their quietest moments. Their music boldly displayed a colorful blend of show biz savvy, punchy horns, and gutsy vocals...all of which gave them a remarkable string of Top Ten singles in the early 70's...hits that helped define the dawning of post-hippie pop music. Name the band... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Imaginary Lover by Atlanta Rhythm Section vs The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby & The Range ANSWERS 1. Raised On Robbery, Joni Mitchell 2. Shake It Up, The Cars 3. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 4. Three Dog Night Battle of the Bands : Bruce Hornsby & The Range won with 52% of the votes *This remarkable American artist released four studio albums from 1972-1976, a rather hectic pace, but a schedule that was typical for artists in the '70's. To catch a break while still honoring their obligations to their labels, acts would often put together a live album periodically, which saved them the trouble of recording new songs. Such was the case when in 1977 a live album was planned based on the artist's tour taking place. But when they started compiling it, this artist and his band thought it would be better with all new songs. This album was the result. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the album...
*This American band basically broke up a few times in the 70's, the most notable breakup coming in late 1979 largely due to the passing of the band's leader. The remaining members kicked around with other projects but ultimately reunited in 1987 and surprised old and new fans alike with a slick update of their loose-limbed boogie of the past, but very much honoring their history. Name the band... *This American band formed in the mid-60's and made their mark with some blues-tinged rock and roll. Decades later,they released two back-to-back albums in 2010 and 2011 that harkened back to the band's early blues roots, delighting old fans while generating some new ones. This artist and his band have always included a few blues numbers in their concerts through the years and these two albums proved they hadn't lost any of those musical chops. Name the band... *By the late 90's, this artist had earned the sort of financial stability that affords an artist enough freedom to take as long as they like between projects. The artist took full advantage, allowing his solo career to lay fallow for more than 20 years while only sporadically pursuing his former most significant band as a part-time occupation. He joined that London-formed band two years after its formation in 1965. We'll dip into this guy's 3rd solo album released in 2006, a full 22 years after his previous solo album. Name the artist and the band he joined in 1967... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Golden Lady by Stevie Wonder vs Freeway Of Love by Aretha Franklin ANSWERS 1. Jackson Browne, Running On Empty 2. Little Feat 3. Steve Miller Band 4. David Gilmour, Pink Floyd Battle of the Bands : Aretha Franklin won with 53% of the votes *When this artist was 44 years of age in 1994, he released his 2nd and what is largely believed to be his greatest solo album. All the adversity in his life (divorce, family responsibilities, drugs) didn't make it easy to complete. The album hinted at all that as it showed hopelessness, anger, disappointment and regret. Name the American artist and extra credit for the name of the album...
*Back in the mid-80's, there was a hit television cop show. The series married MTV-style visuals with popular songs of the day and appearances by pop and rock stars themselves/ This musician appeared on the show 4 times as they used a number of his songs as well. Name the show and the artist... *For this artist's 15th studio album, he wanted to make a record that barely had drums on it. His inspiration came from a 1966 Donovan album, Sunshine Superman, as he very much wanted that same kind of vibe, Eastern, very grand stories, fairy tales. The frontman of the band gave each band member a copy of Donovan's album to listen to and help create the desired vibe. Pretty unexpected for the rocker that he was. Name the artist... *This song became a staple of Elton John's early concerts and one that Bernie Taupin claims not knowing a thing about what the lyrics of the song represented. Not being concerned with rhyming or meter, he just chose words that he thought sounded right. Any guesses as to which Elton John tune we are talking about? Very cool if you do know!!! BATTLE OF THE BANDS Turn! Turn! Turn! by Byrds vs Crazy Love by Poco ANSWERS 1. Tom Petty, Wildflowers 2. Miami Vice, Glen Frey 3. John Cougar Mellencamp 4. Take Me to the Pilot Battle of the Bands : Poco won with 51% of the votes *This US artist cut albums under about 4 names until he settled on one. We'll play the 1st single released from his 7th album in 1983...a track that was intended to be political as he felt government policies were crushing down on the poor. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song...
*This introspective and inspirational 1976 track reminds us that time is always ticking away, so we'd best make the most of it. The message of freedom through revolution is one picked up by the California band's frontman from his days in the mid-60's music scene. The Vietnam War brought out more than a few protests, musically or otherwise. This band could also jam and oftentimes took the popular radio version of this song and jammed for 12+ minutes with it. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *Perhaps like this artist felt, you might feel there are unscrupulous news people doing anything for a story in the media. This artist valued privacy and hated anyone prying into his personal life. The song's lyrics showed contempt at every level of news broadcasts, but gave a few folks working behind the scenes credit for recognizing the superficial and vapid product they took part in against their better judgment. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the 1982 song... *With a resume that includes participation in bands like Delaney And Bonnie and Derek & The Dominoes, this artist's musical prowess was never in question...even when he started releasing solo albums. We'll dip into his 1972 album for a great track. Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sly & the Family Stone vs Sing A Song by Earth, Wind & Fire ANSWERS 1. John Mellencamp, Crumblin’ Down 2. Steve Miller Band, Fly Like An Eagle 3. Don Henley, Dirty Laundry 4. Bobby Whitlock Battle of the Bands : Sly won by a single vote *Back in 1972 this very popular song was released by a band that took advantage of the country-rock sound popularized by Poco and Eagles (of course, started by The Byrds). In this song, the guy has driven the gal (whose name is the title of the song) off by trying to control her...and now...she's with another guy. That's all in the 1st verse. The rest of the song is spent with him trying to get her back. Name the band and song...
*This 1971 song is 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 are based on the group's guitartist who has his own feelings of angst...indicating how lonely it can be to be powerful. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was inspirational counsel to a number of early rock artists in the 60's. He also hosted an American actress and her sister at a time that overlapped this band's stay. While the entire experience inspired any number of songs, this one in particular assisted the sister in recovery from her depression. Name the actress, the band who wrote the song and the title of the song... *How is it that this track is often played at weddings and anywhere else one wants to demonstrate affection, when the band believes it to be a breakup song? The song was written in a Los Angeles restaurant as the three who wrote it studied women and relationships during the many times spent there. The song became the band's first #1 hit. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Brass In Pocket by Pretenders vs Right Place, Wrong Time by Dr John ANSWERS 1. Pure Prairie League, Amie 2. The Who, Behind Blue Eyes 3. Mia Farrow, Beatles, Dear Prudence 4. Eagles, Best Of My Love Battle of the Bands : Dr John won with 52% of votes |
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