I have to give Manfred Mann credit. If while walking my dogs I encountered someone snapping their fingers, shuffling their feet, and singing “Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do,” I wouldn’t see wedding bells in our future.
Manfred Mann was born Manfred Lubowitz on this date in 1940. A few of his tracks are included on today’s playlist.
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Eric Burdon rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band The Animals, which was part of the British Invasion that took the music world by storm in the 1960s. With his powerful and distinctive vocals, Burdon helped the band achieve international success with hits like “House of the Rising Sun” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”
In the late 1960s, with a new set of Animals, Burdon embraced the psychedelic sound that was popular during that era. This incarnation of the band showcased Burdon’s ability to evolve with the changing times, as they incorporated elements of funk, soul, and psychedelic rock into their music.
In 1970, Burdon introduced the world to the band War. Their collaboration resulted in the hit song “Spill the Wine,” which fused elements of rock, funk, and Latin music. I’m impressed by Burdon’s versatility and willingness to explore new musical territories.
Eric Burdon was born on this date in 1941. A few songs from him are included on today’s playlist.
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I say let the sun catch you crying. You have control over your own life. As long as you’re not impinging on someone else’s rights or happiness, do it. Cry.
The late Gerard Marsden of Gerry and The Pacemakers was born on this date in 1942. A couple of his group’s tunes are on this week’s playlist.
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Today’s playlist celebrates the August 19 birthdays of Johnny Nash, Queen’s John Deacon, Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan, Cream’s Ginger Baker, Edwin Hawkins, Europe’s Joey Tempest, Billy J. Kramer, Looking Glass’s Elliot Lurie, Fat Joe, The Poppy Family’s Susan Jacks, Blue Magic’s Ted Mills, Blue Mink’s Roger Cook, Bob Kuban, and Nate Dogg.
A movie director takes words on a page, a script, and brings them to life, guiding actors to deliver the best performances possible and deciding on the best ways to convey the story. A music producer plays the same roles in the creation of a record, taking words on a page, a song, and brings them to life, guiding singers and musicians to deliver the best performances possible and providing input as to how the recorded song should sound.
Sir George Martin, born on January 3, 1926, is recognized as one of the most influential producers in the history of pop music. He is best known for producing all of the albums by The Beatles except for Let It Be. It was Martin who suggested the string quartet on “Yesterday.” It was Martin, with recording engineer Geoff Emerick, who combined two distinct recordings of “Strawberry Fields Forever,” played in different keys and at different tempos, into the one with which you’re familiar. Martin suggested speeding up a ballad Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote, which resulted in the #1 hit “Please Please Me.” His production of “I Feel Fine” includes one of the earliest uses of guitar feedback. Martin conduction the string section on “Eleanor Rigby.” He brought in a 40-piece orchestra for “A Day in the Life.” On “Tomorrow Never Knows,” Martin’s use of tape loops, reversing a recording of a guitar solo in playback, and having Lennon’s vocals go through an organ’s speaker, helped Lennon achieve his desire of a recording to sound like his mind on LSD. He played piano on “In My Life,” and sped up his recording of the piano part to match the song’s tempo. He suggested the group replace original drummer Pete Best.
Sir George, who died in 2016, also produced artists other than The Beatles. Here are thirty of his finest productions.
Inspired by the August 19 birthdays of Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan, Billy J. Kramer, Johnny Nash, Fat Joe, Nate Dogg, Queen’s John Deacon, Edwin Hawkins, Looking Glass’ Elliot Lurie, Blue Mink’s Roger Cook and Blue Magic’s Ted Mills.
Inspired by Black Music Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, and the June 14 birthdays of Culture Club’s Boy George, the xx’s Oliver Sim, The Zombies’ Rod Argent, Jr. Walker, Faithless’ Maxi Jazz, Linda Clifford, Deer Tick’s John J. McCauley, Gunna, and Broadway composer Cy Coleman.
Several years I ago I had the honor of attending a presentation in the recording studio in the iconic Capitol Records tower in Hollywood. Sir George Martin was there to speak about a documentary series he was working on. I was asked to help out with the show’s music licensing.
Sir George Martin, who died yesterday at the age of 90, was a record executive, musician, composer and arranger, but he is best-known to most people as a producer, specifically, the producer of every album by The Beatles save Let It Be.
Sometimes it’s intimidating to meet one’s idols. What if they aren’t friendly or approachable? I’m happy to say that most times that isn’t the case for me, and it wasn’t the case with Sir George. He graciously accepted my request that he autograph the cover of The Beatles album I brought with me. He started signing in the upper left corner, but when he realized his misheard my name, he scribbled out what he wrote and started over in the center. He apologized to me for mussing up, to which I replied, “Are you kidding me?? I now have original George Martin artwork! I’m honored!” After signing my album cover we chatted for a few minutes, until he was called away to tend to other business. Friendly, approachable and gracious, the man was a class act and a true gentleman.
Here are twenty of Sir George Martin’s finest productions:
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