Vol VI, Issue 05 – Walk like a man (01 Jun 2021)

For the love of rock

Vol VI, Issue 5 – Walk like a man (01 Jun 2021)

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Name of song– Walk like a man

Band – Grand Funk Railroad

Writers– Don Brewer & Mark Farner

Release year– 1973

Album – We’re An American Band

Peak chart positions

# 16 – Canada

# 19 – Billboard Hot 100

Walk like a man

 “Grand Funk Railroad”- A seventies hard rock band started as a power trio with Mark Farner (Vocals, guitars, keyboards), Don Brewer (Vocals, drums) and Mel Schacher (Bass) in 1969 in Michigan USA. Deriving their name from the railway line Grand Trunk Western Railroad, they got highlighted from their early appearance in Atlanta International Pop Festival. Their legacy continued to soar during the seventies, albeit legal battles with their producer and internal conflict among the band members. By 1971, they even equalled The Beatles Shea Stadium attendance record with tickets being sold out in 72 hours! With numerous line up changes, they continue to perform even today. Although they never received all the name and fame they deserved, they were one of the most important hard rock bands of the seventies and have been the source of inspiration for the coming generations.

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Vol VI, Issue 03 – Dark eyed woman (01 Mar 2021)

For For the love of rock

Vol VI, Issue 3 – Dark eyed woman (01 Mar 2021)

www.intheloveofrock.com

 

Name of song– Dark eyed woman

Band – Spirit

Writers– Randy California & Jay Ferguson

Release year– 1969

Album – Clear

 

Dark eyed woman

 

“Spirit” – The late sixties band which became more famous for their lawsuit against Led Zeppelin for copying their instrumental “Taurus” in “Stairway to heaven”, actually deserve much more than that. A highly regarded rock band, with mix of jazz, folk, pop, art rock, progressive rock as well as psychedelic rock, have been an inspiration for many artists in the ensuing decades.

They have an intriguing history. Initiated in 1967 by Randy California (Guitars, vocals) and his stepfather Ed Cassidy (Drums), Randy was actually offered by then unknown Jimi Hendrix to follow him to England. However, Randy stayed back and formed “Spirit” with Mark Andes (Bass) and Jay Ferguson (Vocals, percussion). With charting albums in the late sixties and seventies, their most well known numbers include “Taurus”, “1984”, “I got a line on you”, “Fresh garbage” etc. The band continued to survive albeit with much difficulty and not so successful career. Except for their founding members, the band members kept on changing in the following decades and ultimately, the band ceased with the demise of Randy California and Ed Cassidy. However, new materials kept on surfacing till late.

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Vol V, Issue 11 – Top of the world (01 Nov 2020)

For the love of rock

Vol V, Issue 11 – Top of the world (01 Nov 2020)

www.intheloveofrock.com

 

 

Name of song – Top of the world

Band – Van Halen

Writers – Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Alex Van Halen

Release year – 1991

Album – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Peak chart positions

# 1 – Billboard Album Rock Tracks

# 27 – Billboard Hot 100

Top of the world

“Van Halen” – A prototype hard rock band, who shaped the entire hard rock and heavy metal scene in the late seventies and early eighties – and is credited with numerous hit singles and albums. Undoubtedly, most of the credit of their popularity goes to Eddie Van Halen who cofounded the band with his elder brother Alex Van Halen (Drums) in Pasadena, California in 1974, along with Michael Anthony (Bass) and vocalist David Lee Roth. The band’s numerous hit numbers have made them one of the best selling groups of all time. With sale more than 80 million worldwide, it is no surprise that they have the record of most multi-platinum albums by any American band. They have been ranked 7th on top 100 hard rock artists of all time by VH1. Although with repeatedly changing members, the group has been facing repeated controversies and uncertain future and with recent death of Eddie Van Halen, further uncertainty has loomed over the band at present.

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Vol V, Issue 8 – For shame (01 Aug 2020)

For the love of rock

Vol V, Issue 8 – For shame (01 Aug 2020)

www.intheloveofrock.com

Name of song– For shame

Band – Kix

Writer– Donnie Purnell

Release year– 1983

Album – Cool Kids

For shame

 

When one talks about the glam rock era of the eighties, many bands come ringing our mind. Unfortunately, “Kix” is not one of them! Actually, they deserve much more than what they have got. A full on hard rock band with amazingly powerful rock numbers which really rocked, “Kix” definitely is worth more than just another rock band of the eighties. Although their power ballad “Don’t close your eyes” is the most well known record, they definitely have numerous wonderful numbers to their credit. Songs like “Tears down the walls”, “The itch”, “Cold shower”, “Midnight dynamite”, “The kid”, “Heartache” and others have made them unforgettable hard rock band of the eighties. Despite various line up changes, they are still around with occasional performances. Overall, their contribution to eighties rock definitely cannot be undermined.

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Vol V, Issue 7 – Military madness (01 Jul 2020)

For the love of rock

Vol V, Issue 7 – Military madness (01 Jul 2020)

www.intheloveofrock.com

 

Name of song– Military madness

Singer – Graham Nash

Writer– Graham Nash

Release year– 1971

Album –Songs for Beginners

Peak chart positions

# 20 – Australian Charts

# 57 – Canadian Charts

#66- US Cash Box

# 73 – US Billboard Pop Singles

 Military madness

 “Graham Nash” is a British American folk-rock singer and songwriter, mostly famous for his contribution in “The Hollies” and the supergroup “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young” (CSNY). He is famous not only for his contribution in these bands, but also for his solo career. Besides being inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for both the groups, he is also well known for photography, philanthropy as well as anti-war activism.

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