Long John Baldry had some hits going on in the 1960s in the UK, most notably 1967's "Let The Heartache Begin". Baldry was almost everything the record executives were looking for: tall (6'7"), blond, handsome and talented. What they didn't like was that he was a gay man, and even in the 60s, he didn't want to play the games. In fact, the laws were so repressive for gay men and lesbians, Baldry decided to leave the country and head for North America. No, not the United States, who were even more repressive. He went to Canada, the most socially progressive country around. When he was still flying high though, he worked with two young men who appreciated all he did for them. One was young rocker Rod Stewart, and the other was keyboardist Reginald Dwight, later known as Elton John. His buddies helped him out later, producing the 1972 album 'Everything Stops For Tea'. Each took ownership of one side of the album, hoping to help their friend revive his career. One of the songs not only featured Baldry, but also Stewart, as both took on the traditional Blues song "Mother Ain't Dead". I hope you enjoy it.
The album did not return Long John to the top of the charts, but is did bring him closer and closer to the music he loved, the Blues. In fact, he was one of the artists I enjoyed listening to, even before I discovered he was gay. I still enjoy listening to his music, but I am sad that he has been gone for almost 10 years now. 'Everything Stops For Tea' can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon.
With my recent posting featuring Long John Baldry, I was reminded of Rod Stewart. According to Stewart himself, Long John discovered the singer while he was singing , drunkenly, on a train. Like many stories, it might not have been quite that simple. Stewart became interested in a career in music in 1961. He fell in love with the music of Bob Dylan, Ewan MacColl, and Woody Guthrie. Soon, he was hanging out in London, learning to play the harmonica, and playing on the streets for tips. He did the same in Paris. In 1962, he auditioned to sing vocals for the Ray Davies Quartet, but did not get the job. Later, the name was changed to The Kinks. In 1963 he joined The Dimensions, playing the harmonica and sometimes sing lead. Later, The Dimensions were hired by singer Jimmy Powell, and were renamed Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions. But this also demoted Rod to harmonica only. But they were booked into Studio 51 in London, where Stewart got to see and learn from the Rolling Stones playing live. Soon Stewart left his band. In January of 1965, a drunken Stewart went to see Cyril Davies and the All Stars, and afterward was playing his harmonica on the platform, when Long John Baldry, then the lead vocalist for the All Stars, heard him play, and invited him to sit in with the band. Not long afterwards, Cyril Davies passed away, and Baldry asked Stewart to join the newly christened band, The Hoochie Coochie Men. Stewart played the harmonica, and was given time to sing, too. He was also part of Steampacket, the band also featuring Baldry, Julie Driscol, and Brian Auger. Soon, Stewart was moving out on his own, working with great guitarist Jeff Beck, and then joined the rock group Faces, featuring Ian McLagan, Ronnie Lane), and Kenney Jones, as well as guitarist Ronnie Wood. Just as Faces were coming together, Rod was also kick starting his solo career.
Rod Stewart photographed by Chris Walter.
In 1971, Stewart released his second solo album, 'Every Picture Tells A Story', a combination of Rock, Soul, Blues and Folk that seemed to speak to listeners. The album went Platinum in sales in the US as well as topping the Billboard album chart, with the help of a big hit found on the album. "Maggie May" went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and could be heard playing all over radio. Listen and watch as Rod sings about young love and sex with "Maggie May".
In 1972, Stewart released 'Never A Dull Moment', another great collection of music. Stewart himself had a hand in writing four of the nine songs included on the album. The first single off the album, "You Wear It Well", topped the UK charts, and went to #13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified Gold in sales, keeping Stewart as an artist who could deliver music making the studio very happy. Here is Rod singing "You Wear It Well".
Stewart's next few album had some success, but it was 'A Night On The Town', Rod's 1976 album that once again had people buying. The album has be certified Double Platinum, on the strength of a great line-up of songs. But the song that caught the attention of the world was "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)". The song made it to #5 on the British singles chart, but made it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is a sexually suggestive ballad, written by Stewart himself. It also included some whispering from his sexy then-girlfriend, Britt Ekland. HEre is the music video for "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)".
In 1977, Stewart released another album that would have more success than anyone dared to dream. 'Foot Loose and Fancy Free' flew up the charts, certified Platinum in the UK, and Triple Platinum in the United States. It went to #1 in the UK and Canada, and #2 in the US on the album charts. At least part of the success but be due to the amazing appeal of "You're In My Heart (The Final Claim)", the song written by Stewart and the first single off the album. The song helped to create a new sound for Stewart, who was coming to be quite the troubadour. Here is Rod singing "You're In My Heart (The Final Claim)".
This was an impress run for the man who debuted as a solo artist just six years before. In fact, it was just over 10 years after being discovered by Long John Baldry on a train platform. For more about Rod Stewart, visit his official website. You can also 'like' Rod's fan page on Facebook. All four songs can be found on 'The Definitive Rod Stewart', available for purchase from iTunes and Amazon.
Left to right: Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry, Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger.
In case you don't know who The Steampacket are, they were thought to be one of the UK's first Supergroup. The band was made up by Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, and Julie Driscoll on vocals, and Brian Auger on Organ, Vic Briggs on guitar, Ricky Fenson on bass guitar, and Micky Waller on drums. Long John Baldry was an amazing Blues singer, an inspiration for young rockers like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. He also worked with a young Reginald Dwight, who later changed his name to Elton John, adopting his surname from Long John, as the Blues singer helped Elton come to terms with being gay. Here Long John takes the lead on "Lord Remember Me", a great performance.
Scottish singer Rod Stewart and English guitarist Jeff Beck first started working together in 1967 when Beck hired Stewart to do the vocals for the Jeff Beck Group. They went on to be a part of the legendary line up of the band, The Faces. But one of their most memorable collaborations, at least for me, was their 1985 recording of the great Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready", an iconic song if there ever was one. Check it out.
Another of their collaborations that might not be quite as spiritual is when they covered a great song by Johnny Mercer and Doris Tauber, "Drinking Again". It was recorded by the Jeff Beck Group in 1968 on the album 'Truth', only titled "I've Been Drinking".
McKinley High School completes another school year, only this time, it is a little different. The New Directions are National Champions. Coach Sue is with child, and helped Mr. Schue lead the show choir to the win. Mr. Schue and Miss Pillsbury are not only engaged, but they put some issues aside, and share a deeper intimacy than ever before. Quinn is out of the wheelchair, and planning on taking the Ivy League by storm. Rachel and Finn are still in love, and plan to start this new part of their life together. That includes them moving to New York City, with Kurt. But this does leave Blaine alone in Ohio, taking on his senior year without the reason he transferred to McKinley. Will they all be leaving Puck behind, or can he pass the test? All these questions we hope to be answered in the final episode of season 3, Goodbye.
Top: The New Directions. Clockwise: Beyoncé; Bruce Springsteen; Madonna; Guys And Dolls; Rod Stewart; The Beatles;Room For Two; and New Radicals.
As Mr. Schue is walking down the hallway, he hears the kids singing in the chorus room. Artie, Tina, Kurt, Mercedes and Rachel playfully sing "Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat," part of the score for Guys And Dolls.
He watches them a bit, but then takes a deep breath, and walks in. He reminds them there is nothing left to prepare for, well save the last assignment. He'd like them to prepare a song to say goodbye. The underclassmen will say goodbye to the seniors, and the seniors will say goodbye to everyone. Mr. Schue dons the guitar to kick it off with a stripped down acoustic version of "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart.
Next we see Kurt walking down the hallway, remarking on how far he has come since he was a timid freshmen at McKinley High. He is reminded how his actions has made it possible for other young gays to wear nice frocks to school. He walks into the auditorium, and finds his father there, on stage. Mr. Hummel is telling Kurt how proud he is of his son, and what they accomplished together. He reminds Kurt when they started getting honest. He found Kurt in a unitard, dancing with Brittany and Tina. They were dancing to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)."
Kurt can't help but laugh as his father does the number, still applauding as Mr. Hummel leaves, blowing kisses. Kurt couldn't imagine a better graduation present. Blaine reminds him of the monogrammed towels he bought for Kurt, and then mentions they need to talk. Blaine reminds him Kurt is graduating, but Blaine has another year to go. Can their love survive the distance between Lima, Ohio, and New York City? Kurt thinks they can make it work, for he has no intention of saying goodbye to Blaine, his high school sweetheart. But how will he say goodbye to everyone else? Well, he'll sing a Madonna song, of course. He dedicates "I'll Remember" to everyone, but especially the boys who never cared that he was gay.
In the hallway by Kurt's locker, Rachel comes up to Kurt and Finn to get them to agree they must open the letters from their prospective schools together, and in the chorus room. They agree. In another part of the hallway, Santana fights through a forest of balloons to find Sam and Mercedes, with Sam eager to talk about Mercedes record contract in L.A. Well, an indie label wanting her to sing backup, anyway. But Sam is so proud of his girlfriend. Santana congratulates Mercedes, and learns that Mike is getting a scholarship to dance with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. Santana gives him a hug, and Tina mentions Santana's plan to go to the University of Louisville. As she walks away, Santana thinks about what she wants to do, and how she is every bit as talented as Mercedes, Mike, Rachel or Kurt, so why can't she chase her dream, too? Cut to dinner, with Santana and her mother, played by the beautiful Gloria Estefan, and Brittany. She tells her mother that she wants to skip college, and head to New York. While trying to be supportive, her Mama Lopez urges her to go to school. New York will still be there when she has a degree, something Mama never got the chance to accomplish. That is when Brittany explains she is not graduating, having failed everything, and hopes to do better on her second time as a senior. If Brittany stays in Lima, maybe Santana will stay with her... Back in the chorus room the next morning, the seniors get together to sing to the underclassmen. They perform "You Get What You Give" by The New Radicals.
There were plenty of hugs and knowing glances shared, but soon we are with Finn and Rachel, talking about chairs for the reception. Finn is worried that Rachel is settling for him as her husband, but she assures him that is the one thing she is definite about. Cut to Finn walking down the hallway, thinking how his career was a success, having won a State Championship in football, and a National Championship in glee club. There is only one thing that scared him - the future. But not anymore. He's marrying his great girlfriend, and moving to New York with her and his gay step-brother. Every straight boy's dream, right? Finn thinks he nailed his audition with James Lipton. He stops by to see Mr. Schue, who was signing his yearbook. He asks Finn to sit down, and apologizes about having blackmailed him to make him join glee club. Finn mocks him, and leaves. At home, Finn is spending time with his mother and a picture of his Dad. He regrets he wasn't able to get his Dad an honorable discharge, and thinks he should have tried harder. How can he redeem his father's name if he runs to New York to be an actor? His life seems to be coming together, but not this aspect. The next morning in the chorus room, the underclassmen have a chance to say their goodbyes to the seniors. First, they have a special dedication to Finn, who as the starting quarterback on the football team, had the most to lose by joining show chorus, and treat the members with respect. They perform "In My Life," by The Beatles and written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
This is lovely, but I keep getting surprised Sam is not a senior. Now we travel down the hallway with Quinn, who remarks how she has gone full circle in her McKinley journey, from popular cheerleader captain, to troubled unwed mother, back to Cheerios captain again. She is so grateful and impressed with her friends, although she still worries about one - Puck. She sees Coach Beiste quizzing him, helping he prepare for the make-up exam he needs to pass. Quinn wants to give back in her last week of high school, and starts with a Metro Pass for her friend Rachel, so they can visit when Quinn is at Yale and Rachel in New York City. She also tries to help Puck study, and when he is about to quit, she tells him she loves him. They've been through too much together, and she won't let him give up. She kisses him, hoping Rachel was right - when she and Puck were together, she brought out the best in him. Cut to Puck walking down the hallway, well, really strutting. He has his swagger back, thanks to Quinn. He is ready to ace that exam. Roz, who is back to coaching the synchronized swim team, comes to see Coach Sue. But she would like to join forces with Sue to take out Principal Figgins. On her way out, she passes Quinn, who is coming to see Coach Sue. Sue tells her she first thought she was just like a younger version of herself, but now sees that isn't true. Quinn is not evil, and Sue admires that about Quinn. She provokes Quinn to tears, and a spontaneous hug. There are tears and honest love there. Cut to the hallway outside of the civics classroom, where all the kids are with Puck, waiting to get the results of the exam. He get's a C-, or, as he says, "a Puckerman A+!" He will graduate with the others. Puck is suddenly in his graduation getup, carrying his electric guitar as he sings "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen.
This is sung by Puck and Finn as the seniors we know and love accept their diplomas in their red cap and gowns. After the ceremony, Finn, Kurt and Rachel meet in the chorus room, ready to find out about their future. Finn opens his first, and finds out he did not get into the Actor's Studio. Kurt opens his letter, and tells them he didn't get accepted to NYADA. That leaves Rachel, and she slowly opens up the envelope, and learns she was accepted to NYADA. We cut to Rachel clearing out her locker, getting ready to leave school. All her dreams had come true; she was Prom Queen, National Show Choir Champion, and marrying the quarterback. Yet she can't be happy, worrying about her fiancee, Finn, and her good friend Kurt. She will defer school for a year, and make sure they both will be with her in New York. Santana is clearing out her locker, and her mama comes to get her for her party. She also gives Santana an envelope, her graduation present. Santana is shocked at the amount, but gives it back. She doesn't need the money - she is not going to college. Mama tells her to take the money, and move to New York, she believes in Santana and her dreams. Feel the love! Finn picks up Rachel, just as they planned for a post-graduation wedding. But Finn heads to the train station, and he tells Rachel he loves her so much, he is calling off the wedding. He won't let her put off her future because of him. She can't stay with him, he is joining the army. So he wants her to get on the train and be the star she is meant to be. Rachel is a teary mess, and they kiss goodbye. Finn walks her to the train, and all the kids are there to see her off. She sings "Roots Before Branches" by Room For Two.
The song starts in Ohio, and ends in New York, with Rachel with her mod outfit walking by Broadway theaters. I halfway expected her to be spinning around and tossing her hat in the air, a la Mary Tyler Moore. Rachel is moving to New York, and Mercedes is moving to L.A., and Mike will be in Chicago. I guess Santana is New York-bound. Quinn will be in New Haven, Connecticut, and Finn in the Army. What will Kurt do? And Puck? Guess we won't know until season four starts in the fall.
Not only can it be said that Rod Stewart had the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 40 years ago this week, you can say he had it for the entire month of October. In fact, Maggie May, with the hit B-side Reason To Believe, held the top spot for 5 consecutive weeks. I remember all the str8 boys at school thinking it was the coolest song, cause it meant a guy was getting sex from a more mature woman, which intrigued them all. Here he is, singing Maggie May.
The year spanned the second half of my freshman year at college to the first of my sophomore term, with a summer working at home in Delaware in the middle. I was going a good deal of 'finding myself' at this point, really on my own for the first time and having a chance to really reflect on my own thoughts and desires, not what those around me had in mind. And the music that was playing was perfect for that time, a bunch of mindless entertainment, a great deal of fun. There was some dancing to be had, and it got me outta my head. The #5 song on the year-end Billboard chart was Donna Summer's rock song, Hot Stuff. With the guitars bold and strong, and Summer's voice breaking through the music, this was one of my favorites for the year.
In bars and at dances, the next song was the slow dance/make out song of the year. Reunited by Peaches & Herb was all about celebrating the love, with thick syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Well, maybe no cherry was involved...
The #3 song on the countdown is Do You Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart. Up until this point, Rod was a serious rocker, spanning back to his Maggie May days. For many, this was a step too far, moving into the realm of Disco. But for countless others, it was a song made to dancing, and they bought it up.
Making her second appearance in the Top 5, Donna Summer placed #2 with her anthem to naughty women, Bad Girls. The song combined the strong rhythms of the dance floor with the hard sound of rock music to carve out a strong corner of the market for her spectacular voice.
The #1 song of the year was My Sharona by The Knack, a punk-inspired rock/pop feel to a chart dominated by dance music and pop lollipops. lead by the driving drum and hearty guitars, the band scooped up fans like raisins for the bran, and took the top spot for 1979.
Simon Cowell produced the single Everybody Hurts with an all-star roster of UK stars including Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, Mika, Michael Buble, Joe McElderry, Miley Cyrus, James Blunt, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jon Bon Jovi, James Morrison, Susan Boyle, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kylie Minogue, and Robbie Williams.
It is scheduled for digital release on February 7th, with physical CD release on February 8th. Not sure if that is UK only, or worldwide.
