Here’s a shot in the dark (or maybe dim light) on your answer of those three guitar legends.
As you mention, all three were at one time members of the Yardbirds. I think for one album both Beck and Page were in the group at the same time. But one other thing that they had in common was they were British, right int he middle of the famous “British Invasion.” You had the Beatles and the Stones, as well as the Dave Clark 5, the Kinks, the Who, and a slew of others. It totally changed the music scene, and you had these three guitarists who were members of a successful group that was part of that scene. But at the same time, all three weren’t really tied into a specific group like George Harrison and Keith Richards were (at least until Page got Led Zeppelin started.) I remember reading a book where Clapton never considered it a necessity to be a permanent part of any particular band, that he could go from band to band as they record albums – “I thought it was a natural thing to do.” As such, there’s a level of independence with these three that made them stand out.
In addition to the British Invasion, it was also the dawn of harder Rock with a strong guitar lead. Yes, we did have guitar leaders in the past such as Duane Eddy, but I’m thinking there’s a factor in there that I can’t really describe correctly.
You had to bring up Terry Kath. Having almost all of Chicago’s early albums (the only ones I don’t have with Kath on them are V and XI) I’m fully aware of what he could do. He was actually the leader of that group during his tenure, even though you were more likely to hear Robert Lamm on lead vocals, which slowly switched to more Peter Cetera by the mid 1970’s. Despite all that, he was the member who was most out front at the concerts. You provided the link to “I’m a man,” but you get a super-strong solo even with the first track on side 1, aptly titled “Introduction.” Ironically, I was playing that track the day before you published this article! In addition to the solos in their “Protest era” albums, he had a screamer in their 1975 album Chicago VIII, with “Oh, thank you great spirit.” 7 minutes. Starts out slow and easy, but ends (and I love that end!) with your speakers on fire. His death really changed the band. In a short few years and a couple of changes in producers, David Foster turned them into a soft pop group and deemphasized the horns, and the result was 4 of their best-selling albums. 100% different from the first 5 albums. Almost impossible to be a fan of both eras.
Guitarists now? Tons of talent out there, but you never hear them reach the status of the earlier ones. Probably because they were the pioneers of their era.
Really really good dive into it! I'm in the process of expanding on this post a bit in my next couple of articles, but I love what you wrote here.
For Chicago, I never really got into their music until a few years ago. When I was a teenager, my uncle had their 2nd album that had Colour My World and 25 or 6 to 4 on it and I liked those two songs (they are the ones that got the airplay) but as you mentioned, they really went soft after terry died, and that wasn't my jam. But a few years ago I bought their best of album, and I was shocked at how many of their songs were hits that I didn't realize came from them, or knew it but didn't acknowledge it. Much like my rediscovering Steeley Dan and Fleetwood Mac, I didn't really appreciate those bands until I actually grew old enough to relisten to them and give them a second chance. One of the great things recently as I had posted here before, was attending a Chicago concert at the Washington State Fair. What a show. The funny part was, towards the end of the concert, they were playing this rather lengthy instrumental, and as they were playing it, I started to realize, it was the instrumental that led into Colour My World, and I got goosebumps from recognition and really enjoyed that transition into it. Such a great concert.
Here’s a shot in the dark (or maybe dim light) on your answer of those three guitar legends.
As you mention, all three were at one time members of the Yardbirds. I think for one album both Beck and Page were in the group at the same time. But one other thing that they had in common was they were British, right int he middle of the famous “British Invasion.” You had the Beatles and the Stones, as well as the Dave Clark 5, the Kinks, the Who, and a slew of others. It totally changed the music scene, and you had these three guitarists who were members of a successful group that was part of that scene. But at the same time, all three weren’t really tied into a specific group like George Harrison and Keith Richards were (at least until Page got Led Zeppelin started.) I remember reading a book where Clapton never considered it a necessity to be a permanent part of any particular band, that he could go from band to band as they record albums – “I thought it was a natural thing to do.” As such, there’s a level of independence with these three that made them stand out.
In addition to the British Invasion, it was also the dawn of harder Rock with a strong guitar lead. Yes, we did have guitar leaders in the past such as Duane Eddy, but I’m thinking there’s a factor in there that I can’t really describe correctly.
You had to bring up Terry Kath. Having almost all of Chicago’s early albums (the only ones I don’t have with Kath on them are V and XI) I’m fully aware of what he could do. He was actually the leader of that group during his tenure, even though you were more likely to hear Robert Lamm on lead vocals, which slowly switched to more Peter Cetera by the mid 1970’s. Despite all that, he was the member who was most out front at the concerts. You provided the link to “I’m a man,” but you get a super-strong solo even with the first track on side 1, aptly titled “Introduction.” Ironically, I was playing that track the day before you published this article! In addition to the solos in their “Protest era” albums, he had a screamer in their 1975 album Chicago VIII, with “Oh, thank you great spirit.” 7 minutes. Starts out slow and easy, but ends (and I love that end!) with your speakers on fire. His death really changed the band. In a short few years and a couple of changes in producers, David Foster turned them into a soft pop group and deemphasized the horns, and the result was 4 of their best-selling albums. 100% different from the first 5 albums. Almost impossible to be a fan of both eras.
Guitarists now? Tons of talent out there, but you never hear them reach the status of the earlier ones. Probably because they were the pioneers of their era.
Really really good dive into it! I'm in the process of expanding on this post a bit in my next couple of articles, but I love what you wrote here.
For Chicago, I never really got into their music until a few years ago. When I was a teenager, my uncle had their 2nd album that had Colour My World and 25 or 6 to 4 on it and I liked those two songs (they are the ones that got the airplay) but as you mentioned, they really went soft after terry died, and that wasn't my jam. But a few years ago I bought their best of album, and I was shocked at how many of their songs were hits that I didn't realize came from them, or knew it but didn't acknowledge it. Much like my rediscovering Steeley Dan and Fleetwood Mac, I didn't really appreciate those bands until I actually grew old enough to relisten to them and give them a second chance. One of the great things recently as I had posted here before, was attending a Chicago concert at the Washington State Fair. What a show. The funny part was, towards the end of the concert, they were playing this rather lengthy instrumental, and as they were playing it, I started to realize, it was the instrumental that led into Colour My World, and I got goosebumps from recognition and really enjoyed that transition into it. Such a great concert.
Kind of a somber note for me from what you mention here.
“One of the great things recently as I had posted here before, was attending a Chicago concert at the Washington State Fair. What a show.”
I had tickets to see Chicago at the then-Puyallup fair. The date of the show?
September 12, 2001.