This blog presents our findings of our project work on Rock History. We have been researching on different topics. The entries represent the variety of our interests as well as musical taste... so enjoy...
The song was written by Joe South for Billy Joe Royal, which became just a minor hit. The more famous version is from Deep Purple, recorded in 1968 for their debut album Shades of Deep Purple.
Original sung by Billy Joe Royal
Other cover versions:
Deep Purple 1968
Russell Morris & The Rubes 1976
Kula Shaker 1997
The version from Deep Purple was used in various movies:
Appollo 13 (1996)
Isn`t she great (2000)
When strangers appear (2001)
Beyond the sea (2004)
Children of men (2006)
I think that the version by Gotthard is the best, because... Well, just because^^
The success story of Gotthard began in 1990. Founded by Steve Lee (lead singer) and Leo Leoni (guitar).
Gotthard was founded in the beginning of 1990 in Ticino under the name Krak. They changed their name after Chris von Rohr joined them as their producer and co-songwriter and they signed the recording contract with BMG.
Their first album "Gotthard" was released in 1992 and instantly became a great success in switzerland. All the following albums reached No.1 in the swiss album charts.
The Band was the supporting act of many famous rock bands and singers such as Bon Jovi, ACDC, Deep Purple, Bryan Adams,...
Singer Steve Lee† (5.8.1963 - 5.10.2010)was on a bike trip in the desert of Nevada with his wife and was involved in a traffic accident on the 5. october 2010 and died. This bike trip has been his dream for a long time.
His last appearance was in the end of september during the Miss Switzerland election and their last concert in front of an audience was at the Open Air Gampel in august.
After 18 months of touring the Bon Jovi Band decided to go their separate ways, which led to Bon Jovi's solo album, Blaze of Glory (1990). Then, a year later, they band released its album, Keep the Faith (1992), which ended any break-up rumors circulating about the band. Then Bon Jovi changed his look completely, losing the big 80s hair and going for a newer more up-to-date look.
Then the band released another album, These Days (1995), right before they went on a full-scale world tour. But afterwards the band took a break as Bon Jovi took to acting all through the later part of the 90s. He took his first role in the 1995 film; Moonlight and Valentino. He then went on to play roles in Ed Burns' No Looking Back and the World War II submarine adventure U-571. In 1999, the band regrouped to record "Real Life" for the EdTV soundtrack.
In March 1963, the Beatles released their first album, Please Please Me, came out and reached number one on the British charts. Their iconic "drop-T" logo also made its debut in 1963. During this year, their popularity grew, and a frenzy called "Beatlemania" spread. Before shows, the Beatles were met by screaming fans. To control them, Police had to use high-pressure water hoses. Even in the British Parliament they had to discuss the problem, because the fans were a big risk to the policemen protecting the Beatles. One witness described it as a "scene similar to a shark-feeding frenzy."
At first, American record companies didn't want to release the Beatles' albums. Private record companies released several singles. Initially, they didn't go over so well. Americans ridiculed the Beatles because of issues with the British royalty and the Beatles' signature "mop-top" hairstyle.
After a news segment on Beatlemania, the demand for Beatles in the US greatly increased, and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in December 1963. But when the Beatles left for their US debut in February 1964, they were nervous about how they would be received. When their plane landed, and estimated three thousand fans came to meet them. Two days later, they gave their first live US television performance, which was viewed by 74 million people... at the time, that was over 40% of the American population! They toured America, and started their international tour in June, and Beatlemania spread even further.
In the summer of 1964, the Beatles starred as themselves in a "mockumentary" called A Hard Day's Night, which was very successful.
A year later, a second movie with the Beatles, Help!, was released. McCartney said "Help! was great but it wasn't our film—we were sort of guest stars. It was fun, but basically, as an idea for a film, it was a bit wrong.
The song was released as the first single from the group's 1991 album "Out of Time".
"Losing My Religion" is based on Peter Buck's mandolin-playing. The song became R.E.M.'s biggest hit in the United States. The single stayed on the chart for 21 weeks.
It was nominated for several Grammy Awards, and won two for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Short Form Music Video.
The music video was nominated in nine categories at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards. The video won six awards, including Video of the Year, Best Group Video, Breakthrough Video, Best Art Direction, Best Direction, and Best Editing. "Losing My Religion" also ranked first in the music video category of the 1991 Pazz & Jop poll.
Shiny Happy People
The song appeared on their 1991 album "Out of Time" and was released as a single in the same year. It features guest backing vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52's, who also has a prominent role in the song's music video.
If you want to know more about Kate Pierson and about the B-52's have a look at their official website:
--------> http://theb52s.com/
"Shiny Happy People" became the first R.E.M. song to reach the top ten in the UK and the only one to reach the top ten in both countries. To date, it was the last single to reach the top ten on the chart in the United States.
Other Versions: The band performed it on Sesame Street under the title "Furry Happy Monsters." The female vocal was performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo. An adaptation was written by Sesame Street writer Christopher Cerf, changing many of the lyrics to fit the context of the scene.
The song has also been covered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, but without the lyrics.
In the mid to late 80s Bon Jovi released 4 albums; Bon Jovi (April 1984), 7800 Fahrenheit (May 1985), Slippery When Wet (September 1986), and New Jersey (September 1988). Their first two albums proved to be big sellers, as they both went gold (500,000 sales). But their big breakthrough album proved to be Slippery When Wet as it went gold and platinum and by the end of the year, had sold over 14 million copies. The hit album was said to be powered by songs such as; "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name". Then, their next album, New Jersey, proved to be a big hit too. It sold over 7 million copies and included five Top Ten hits; "Bad Medicine" (Number One, 1988), "Born to Be My Baby" (Number Three, 1988), "I'll Be There for You" (Number One, 1989), "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Number Seven, 1989) and "Living in Sin" (Number Nine, 1989). But not only were their albums getting them noticed but they were also opening for bands like; The Scorpions, Kiss and Judas Priest, enhancing their fans base even more because of their powerful stage presence.
Then in 1989, Bon Jovi married his school sweet-heart, Dorothea Hurley, in Las Vegas while on tour.
In March 1957, sixteen-year-old John Lennon formed the group “The Quarrymen.” In July, he asked Paul McCartney, then fifteen years old, to join the group. By the end of the year, McCartney was able to convince Lennon to allow George Harrison to join them. In 1958, they changed their name to “Johnny and the Moondogs.” In 1960, a friend of Lennon’s, Stu Sutcliffe, became the band’s bassist. The band changed their name once again, this time to the “Silver Beetles.” A few months later, they dropped “Silver” and changed “Beetles” to “Beatles.” In August 1960, the Beatles auditioned and hired drummer Pete Best, and left for their first tour in Germany. In early 1961, Sutcliffe dropped out of the band, and McCartney switched from rhythm guitar to bass. The band now consists of: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best. Over the next few years, they performed at clubs and gained popularity in both Germany and England. During one of their appearances at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, they met Brian Epstein, a local record storeowner and music columnist. He was appointed as the band’s manager in January 1962. George Martin signed the group to EMI’s Parlophone label. In June 1962, the Beatles had their first recording session in London. Martin complained about Best’s drumming, so the Beatles replaced him with Ringo Starr. The Beatles as we know them today were complete. In October, the band released their first single, “Love Me Do.”
