Eric Troy 
Song: La Bamba (1958) Artist: Ritchie Valens Writer: Traditional Mexican Folk Song, rock arrangement by Ritchie Valens Label: Del-Fi Although his biggest hit was Donna, Richie Valens will forever be most recognized for his enduring Latino rock song La Bamba. In fact, I think it is safe to say that he single-handedly brought “Laino rock” into … Read more
Juice Newton had a big ‘crossover’ country-pop hit with Angel of the Morning in 1981 but the song has actually been covered by many artists, including Olivia Newton-John. The first person to sing the song, in 1967 was actually a singer named Evie Sands who recorded a number of songs by songwriter/producer Chip Taylor and … Read more
Song: Barracuda (1977) Artist: Heart Album: Little Queen Writers: Ann Wilson, Micheal Derosier, Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher Barracuda is perhaps the song most identified with Heart. It is one of those songs that makes people think of Heart as a Led Zeppelin-influenced hard rock band with legendary female vocals. Their angriest and edgiest song, it … Read more
Song: Don’t Know Much (1980, 1989) Artist: Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville Album: Cry Like a Rainstorm – Howl Like the Wind Writers: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Tom Snow Don’t Know Much is perhaps one of the most famous duets ever recorded. Like many such songs, though, it was not written as a duet. It was first … Read more
There are many ways to start a band. One way, apparently, is to decide you’re a good-looking guy with talent and place an ad in a paper looking for other guys with the same qualifications. This is how the band Kajagoogoo began. Kajagoogoo means ‘good-looking guys’ in baby talk. The band started a bit of … Read more
Song: Abacab (1981) Artist: Genesis Album: Abacab Writers: Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford Abacab was one of three singles to hit the U.S. charts from the 1981 Genesis album of the same name. It is a progressive rock song that reached no. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 14 weeks on the charts. The … Read more
Don’t you tell me no…Soul, I hear you calling…Oh, baby please give a little respect to me.. If it’s not the repeated refrain, “that you gimme no,” it’s the refrain “don’t you tell me no” that people remember most about this song. The song is actually called A Little Respect and there is not a moment … Read more