For the love of rock

Vol V, Issue 9 – Journey to the center of the mind (01 Sept 2020)

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Name of song– Journey to the center of the mind

Band – The Amboy Dukes

Writers– Ted Nugent & Steve Farmer

Release year– 1968

Album – Journey to the Center of the Mind

Peak chart positions

# 16 – Billboard Charts

# 19 – Canadian Charts

                         Journey to the center of the mind

 “The Amboy Dukes” may not have had series of hit numbers to their credit, but their contribution to the genre of psychedelic rock is just enormous. Formed in 1964 in Chicago by Ted Nugent, the band soon relocated to Detroit and from there, they soared into the world of psychedelic acid rock. Interestingly, their name was derived from one of The Rolling Stones cover band in Detroit, who had just disbanded, who themselves had picked up the name from the title of a novel by Irving Shulman. Their debut album and second album “Journey to the Center of the Mind” were most successful ones among the total eight albums produced during their career. Except for Ted Nugent, the band had several line-up changes, and ultimately got disbanded in 1975. Although they had only one hit single, they did shape the psychedelic rock and also helped engineer the solo careers of its members.

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For the love of rock

Vol IV, Issue 22 – Free for all (01 Dec 2019)

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Name of song– Runaway

Band – Jefferson Starship

Writer– N. Q. Dewey

Album- Earth

Release year– 1978

Peak chart positions

# 9 – Canada RPM Top Singles

# 12 – US Billboard Hot 100

# 13 – US Cash Box Top 100

# 37 – US Adult Contemporary

                                                       Runaway

One of the most important pioneers of sixties psychedelic sound, “Jefferson Airplane” had it all-the sound, the voice, the lyrics as well as the instruments. Although their potential may not have been fully realized, their contribution in shaping the last sixties hippie sound could never be undermined.

They originated in 1965 under the leadership of Marty Balin in San Francisco, and several line up changes occurred during the coming years. Their debut album “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off” in 1966, could not generate much interest, although the lyrics change from the record labels considering it provocative, did fuel up the interest among the rock fans. Presently, their debut album with the original lyrics is collector’s item now. Their second album “Surrealistic Pillow” in 1967, indeed became their break-through album. They literally gained surrealistic popularity “Surrealistic Pillow” and become the first band to gain international acclaim from San Francisco Bay area. Subsequently with too much of name, fame, drugs, sex and rock and roll, tensions started to build up within the band members, leading to several line-up changes during the following years. And soon, with different band members going their own ways, they finally transformed to “Jefferson Starship” in 1972.

Read more “Vol IV, Issue 22 – Runaway (01 Dec 2019)”

For the love of rock

Vol IV, Issue 21 – Free for all (01 Nov 2019)

www.intheloveofrock.com

Name of song– Free for all

Singer – Ted Nugent

Writer– Ted Nugent

Album- Free-For-All

Release year– 1976

                                                 Free for all

One hard rock American guitarist perhaps undermined and underrated, “Ted Nugent”, born Theodore Anthony Nugent, is definitely a rock ‘n’ roll hero for all rock fans around the world. Initially highlighted as the lead guitarist of the 1963 psychedelic rock band “The Amboy Dukes”, he was so influential that in the years to come the band came to be known as “Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes”. Later in 1975, he officially quit Amboy Dukes and pursued a solo career, which made the world realize his guitar prowess. Always known for his guitar virtuosity, energetic live shows, and classic hard rock albums, he is also known as a rare hard rock guitarist who never got into drugs and alcohol, but definitely drove into controversy repeatedly for his political stand and assertions. He is considered a hard core Republican with strong advocacy for gun and hunter rights. However, his songs do rock and his guitar playing is undoubtedly out of the world.

Read more “Vol IV, Issue 21 – Free for all (01 Nov 2019)”