Post by petrolino on Aug 5, 2023 0:27:19 GMT
Signalling Elton John ~ 'A Small Punk Selection'
Over the years, I've amassed some interesting quotes from American punk musicians on Elton John. By all accounts, British punks tended to treat him as a figure of fun (or worse) but some American punks were open and avowed fans. Despite some rough and ready treatment at the hands of Britain's notorious bad boys, this didn't deter John from expressing his passion for some of the music being created in his homeland, and he was quick to praise frontrunners like the Sex Pistols and the Clash.
“Joe (Strummer) had that rare quality that two other singers we’ve lost in the last year - Nina Simone and Johnny Cash - both had : Whatever he sang affected you because it was just so raw.”
- Elton John, Far Out
So I put together a short UK punk playlist for Elton John in his final year of touring, using bands he's appreciated over the years. One thing that leaps out is his passion for a strong rhythm section (that kid could dance).
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FROM THE ARCHIVE : BROTHERS IN ARMS
999 (GREATER LONDON) / THE LURKERS (MIDDLESEX) / THE MEMBERS (SURREY)
'The longest river to enter Surrey is the Thames, which historically formed the boundary between the county and Middlesex. As a result of the 1965 boundary changes, many of the Surrey boroughs on the south bank of the river were transferred to Greater London, shortening the length associated with the county.'
- Google Maps
'Named after the UK's emergency telephone number, 999 were founded in London by two brothers: singer and guitarist Nick Cash, and Guy Days. Cash was a member of the pub rock band Kilburn and the High Roads, and Days a session guitarist who played on some of the band's demo tapes. In late 1976 they placed an advertisement in Melody Maker for band members, and ended up turning down Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Jon Moss (Culture Club) and Tony James (Generation X). They recruited Jon Watson on bass and Pablo LaBritain on drums, LaBritain having briefly played with the Clash. The band that eventually became known as 999 performed their first concert at the Northampton Cricket Club in January 1977. After experimenting with several different band names, they became 999 in May 1977.
999 soon established themselves as a powerful live act on the London punk scene, and became regulars at the Hope and Anchor, Islington. Their self-financed debut single "I'm Alive" was well received, becoming a firm favourite in the punk clubs. On the strength of it, 999 were signed to United Artists Records around the same time as the Buzzcocks. The band's second single, "Nasty Nasty", was cited nearly 20 years after its release as a seminal punk single.'
999 soon established themselves as a powerful live act on the London punk scene, and became regulars at the Hope and Anchor, Islington. Their self-financed debut single "I'm Alive" was well received, becoming a firm favourite in the punk clubs. On the strength of it, 999 were signed to United Artists Records around the same time as the Buzzcocks. The band's second single, "Nasty Nasty", was cited nearly 20 years after its release as a seminal punk single.'
- Wikipedia
"Kilburn and the High Roads used to visit the club a lot and one of the bands we saw was a fantastic gig by Roxy Music in 1972. The whole band (the Kilburns) used to live at the vicarage in Wingrave. Ian Dury lived with us at the time as well obviously - that's all in the film. And Friars was an important place to go. After seeing Roxy Music, we all decided to get our hair cut short! (laughs). I was speaking to David Stopps and he was telling me that one week was David Bowie, the next Roxy Music and the next Lou Reed.
When you think how important that gig was and it's so great to be coming back to Friars with Eddie and the Hot Rods and the Buzzcocks. It's a great bill and I hope it does well. I heard from David that there's people coming from America for this gig."
When you think how important that gig was and it's so great to be coming back to Friars with Eddie and the Hot Rods and the Buzzcocks. It's a great bill and I hope it does well. I heard from David that there's people coming from America for this gig."
- Nick Cash, Friars
999
The Lurkers
The Members
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SHAKE SOME DRUM 'N' BASS ACTION
'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' - Ian Dury And The Blockheads
'Cut-Out Shapes' - Magazine
'Everybody's Happy Nowadays' - Buzzcocks
'Strange Town' - The Jam
On a final note, you'd have to look hard to find a veteran who sponsors more young talent in the music industry today than Elton John. I wasn't surprised at all when he recently secured a "bucket list" podcast interview with Hayley Williams and told her he'd been a fan of Paramore since day one. 'This Is Why' (2023) is my favourite album of the year so far and an album built for bass interpolations, improvisations and innovations. This is probably why it's also spawned my top bass cover I've heard this year, the kind of workout Dee Murray would have relished.
“Whenever I see something that really affects me, I get hold of those people on the phone and say, ‘Listen, you don’t know me, but I thought that was brilliant, well done’. I know Paul Weller does it and Paul McCartney keeps his ear to the ground, but I just go a little step further. I make sure I telephone or FaceTime them, and then they become friends.
It meant the world that George Harrison was getting in touch, or that The Band came to see me, that Leon Russell took me on tour, that Linda Ronstadt was at my concert. It’s nice to be able to give people that confidence.”
It meant the world that George Harrison was getting in touch, or that The Band came to see me, that Leon Russell took me on tour, that Linda Ronstadt was at my concert. It’s nice to be able to give people that confidence.”
- Elton John, Music Week
Dee Murray Inside The Studio | Manic Bass Improvisation _ Paramore
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