We previously wrote about Bruce Springsteen’s new single, “We Take Care of Our Own” from his upcoming album, Wrecking Ball
What do you think of the new video? Leave your two cents in the comments.
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Author: chimesfreedom
Editor-in-chief, New York.
Ziggy Stardust Birthday
In February 1972, David Bowie first appeared onstage as Ziggy Stardust.
On February 10, 1972, the yet-to-be-superstar David Bowie stepped on the stage of The Toby Jug pub in London making his first appearance as Ziggy Stardust. At the time, Bowie had found some popularity with his song “Space Oddity” in 1969 and other work, but he had been searching for his own style and broader success. Bowie’s album about Ziggy, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, would not come out for six months after Ziggy’s first appearance.
Still, at least some of the sixty patrons of the pub recognized something big was happening. One audience member later recalled: “Bowie had brought theatre to a humble pub gig….I couldn’t blink for fear of missing something—nothing would ever be the same again.”
The alien rock star Ziggy arrived at the right time. The music of the album and Ziggy’s story of a rock star coming to earth and finding his destruction was perfect for the time. Rock music was changing, London was facing economic hard times, and the world was embraced by a Cold War. Bowie’s album went to number 5 on the U.K. Albums Charts (and number 75 in the U.S. n the Billboard 200).
Below is another 1972 performance from a little later in the year on June 21, 1972. The video features video from a Dunstable show synced with audio from another 1972 show. Check it out.
For more about Ziggy Stardust and his impact on society and music, check out this BBC documentary, David Bowie & The Story Of Ziggy Stardust. Among the interesting tidbits in the documentary, the narrator explains how Anthony Newley had an impact on Bowie.
Will Ferrell Introduces Bulls & Hornets
On Wednesday night, actor Will Ferrell did the introductions for the visiting Chicago Bulls and the home team New Orleans Hornets. The introductions are pretty funny (“he majored in Econ but minored in looove”), and the NBA players seemed to take the jokes in good humor.
The New Orleans fans had fun, at least through the introductions. The Bulls won the game 90-67.
Was it good fun to have Will Ferrell do the introductions or was it a distraction from the game? Leave your two cents in the comments.
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New Discovery: Sadie Jemmett “Up on the Heath”
I recently ran across some excellent music by Sadie Jemmett, a British singer-songwriter who claims to be influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I hear a little Natalie Merchant in there, but I just know I really like her song, “Up On the Heath” and have been listening to it over and over again.
Below is an acoustic version of the song. Check it out.
If you like that one, check out the full band arrangement of the song and the rest of the album, The Blacksmith’s Girl (2011), below. Although she has been writing, performing, and recording with others for about a decade, The Blacksmith’s Girl is her first solo CD. Make sure to listen to “I’m Glad You’re Back.”
Sadie Jemmett – The Blacksmith’s Girl by Sadie Jemmett
Check out an Acoustic Magazine interview and her website for more music and to learn more.
Beatles Arrive in America This Date in 1964
On February 7 in 1964, the Beatles landed at New York’s Kennedy airport, arriving in the United States for the first time and taking the country by storm. Two days later, on February 9, Paul McCartney (21), Ringo Starr (23), John Lennon (23), and George Harrison (20) appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in front of screaming fans.
The four continued on a short American tour before returning to England on February 22. In the next few months, they had several hits in the U.S. and released their film, A Hard Days Night (1964). And then they returned to the U.S. in August to play sold-out arenas.
On their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, during the first half of the show, the Beatles performed “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” and “She Loves You.” They returned later in the program to sing “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”
Before the last two songs, Sullivan announced that Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker had sent the group a congratulations telegram.
The video below features the Beatles performing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” at this appearance. So, remember when rock was young while watching The Beatles play during their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show around a half century ago.
What do you think of the performance? Leave your two cents in the comments.
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