The answer is a resounding NO! The Kinks and specifically Dave Davies of the Davie brothers did not invent the concept of guitar distortion. The fact is that guitarists have been intentionally overloading their amps to create distortion for pretty much as long as amplifiers have been around. The Kinks happened on a sound that … Read more
Canned Heat had a smash hit with their 1968 song ‘Going Up the Country.’ Few know that their song was actually a reprocessed version of a much earlier blues song by Henry Thomas, aka “Texas Ragtime” called Bull Doze Blues, recorded in 1928. Although the melody line and lyrics of the song are not all that unique, … Read more
Song: House of the Rising Sun (1964) Artist: The Animals Label: Columbia Writer: Traditional (arrangement by The Animals, et al.) House of the Rising Sun Original? The tune most identified with the animals was not written entirely by them and yet was not a cover. House of the Rising Sun, also known as Rising Sun … Read more
Although American Girl never charted in the U.S. the first time it was released in 1976, it has become one of the favorite Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs of all time. It is considered an absolute staple of classic rock and may be the song most identified with the band’s sound. It’s certainly my … Read more
Joan Jett has had a storied career. Before she was the frontwoman of her own band, she was a part of the band The Runaways, famous for such songs as “Cherry Bomb.” The song she is most known for, however, she did as part of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: I love Rock ‘n Roll. In … Read more
Before you hit play on Darius Rucker’s massive country hit, you might be surprised to learn that this simple little ditty has a history far deeper than its 2013 chart-topping run. While Rucker took “Wagon Wheel” to the top of the Billboard Hot Country charts and snagged a Grammy for it, the song’s journey from … Read more
Song: Cum on Feel the Noize (1973) Artist: Slade Label: Polydor Writers: Noddy Holder, Jim Lea Cum on Feel the Noize is the song that made Quiet Riot, but the original band who did the song, Slade, was almost unknown in America at the time, despite having already been around over 15 years, with a … Read more