It's February 3, 1972, and very few visitors to the Lanchester Arts Festival in the Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, England, know that the guy in front of them on stage once thought about becoming a comedian in his youth. And if they knew, they'd cheer all the more, after every single line of the song. The man at the microphone rolls his eyes, grins, and acts like he can't hold back a drop of water: "This here song it ain't so sad, the cutest little song you ever had." Indeed, sir, the whole thing sounds more like shake rhyme and nursery rhyme than sophisticated rock art. But hasn't rock'n'roll always been a nursery rhyme? And weren't dirty innuendos part of the business model of spontaneous musical entertainment from the beginning, oh, long before rock'n'roll? The singer knows this: "Those of you who won't sing, you must be playin' with your own ding-a-ling!"
1971 marks a caesura in the history of progressive rock music: in that year, many of the bands that today are counted among the essential founders of this musical genre found their musical vision. At the beginning of a decade in which progressive rock was to play a prominent role, numerous albums were released that are today not only considered classics of the genre, but also laid the foundation for the careers of some of its central protagonists - be it "The Yes Album", "Fragile", "Aqualung" or "Pictures At An Exhibition".
Here we take an in-depth look at this important year for the development of prog and its famous and lesser-known protagonists, from Europe to South America. In particular, we will take a close look at the third Genesis album "Nursery Cryme" and the fourth King Crimson album "Islands". Current statements by Steve Hackett, Steve Howe and Peter Hammill round off the journey through time.
England is often referred to as the last prog band of the seventies. When their only studio record came out, Progressive Rock was already in the throes of death. The group itself came to an abrupt end due to a series of unfortunate coincidences - which is why keyboarder/singer Robert Webb, who has lived in Greece for fifteen years, looks back on this time with a laughing and a crying eye. "In the heyday of progressive rock, between 1967 and 1977, the musicians had every freedom to do what they wanted," explains Webb, who once sawed his Mellotron in half for transport reasons. "For two hundred years the British had had no musical style of their own. Progressive Rock thus offered the opportunity to create an independent music in Great Britain."
BLACK SABBATH
Four for Eternity: Sabbath's "Vol. 4."
"Vol. 4" is perhaps the most underrated album of Black Sabbath by the music interested public. Fans and connoisseurs see it differently, however, because the LP with the low association title is one of the most important in the career of the band that is so decisive for the history of hard rock. The fact that the album was released in September 1972 still borders on a miracle in view of the massive cocaine consumption of the band.
THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRESSIVE ROCK,
Part 13 The great discussion on the present and future of the genre
THE ROLLING STONES
Time is on our side: 50 years of Stones in rapid succession
"For most people, the sun, the moon, the stars - and the Rolling Stones - have always existed!" Keith Richards once commented on the longevity of his band. The Rolling Stones haven't been around as long as the sun - but long enough to look back on 50 years of Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll. We do this by looking through the past half century for the most relevant events in the band's history - and summarizing the 50 most important Stones numbers from an eclipsed point of view.
ECLIPSED @ ROCKPALAST III
The cult lives!
GENESIS
The band for all occasions
Genesis is familiar to anyone who owns a radio. So in the end every rock fan has an opinion about the multifaceted formation. Of course not everyone a good one. If Progressive Rock, whose figurehead the band was in its most exciting phase, is not everyone's cup of tea, rock lovers generally agree on the negative assessment of the British pop phase. But the truth is: Genesis are magicians, their music is still enchanting today. eclipsed lets himself fall into the comforting sounds of his old group together with Steve Hackett and presents a shopping list SPECIAL.
JOE BONAMASSA
Drive into daylight
The stage suit wearer Joe Bonamassa completed his most recent tour of Germany at the beginning of March - the most successful so far for him. And it seems that this would only be a stopover on the JB's autonomous way to the top. Without the big hype, without hits in the luggage - but with a lot of work and an ubiquitous master plan.
STORM CORROSION
Falling out of time
DEEP PURPLE
Swiss time was running out
When they recorded "Machine Head" forty years ago, it was an extraordinary feat of strength for the British hard rockers. Her management rushed her around the globe in the early seventies, from tour to tour. Also, internal trench warfare was a major problem for the band. In addition, there was an unprecedented chaos at the recording location in Montreux, Switzerland. But at the end it stood, the legendary sixth record of Deep Purple.
JETHRO TULL Highly
Creative Decay Process of a Band
THE DOORS
Mr. Mojo risin' and fallin'
Everything was different when the Doors went into the studio in November 1970 to record their sixth studio album "L.A. Woman". The band was more experienced than ever and yet everything felt different: new producer, new studio, new members and a new structure in the band. On the occasion of the re-release of the last album with Jim Morrison eclipsed spoke with Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek - and had the complete back catalogue commented.
AGITATION FREE
Hippies forever!
