Rock Comes of AgeRock Comes of Age

The Concept AlbumThe Concept Album

Concept albums were intended as Concept albums were intended as thematically and aesthetically unified works, thematically and aesthetically unified works, not simply collections of unrelated cuts: not simply collections of unrelated cuts: – The Beach Boys’ The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds Pet Sounds (1966)(1966)– The Beatles’ The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club

Band Band (1967)(1967)– The Who’s “rock opera” The Who’s “rock opera” Tommy Tommy (1969) (1969)

By the early 1970s, the twelve-inch high-By the early 1970s, the twelve-inch high-fidelity LP had become the primary medium fidelity LP had become the primary medium for rock music. for rock music.

Rock Comes of AgeRock Comes of Age Many progressive rock musicians viewed Many progressive rock musicians viewed

themselves as artists, and their recordings as themselves as artists, and their recordings as works of art.works of art.

The promise of rock music as a zone of The promise of rock music as a zone of interracial interaction seemed to have largely interracial interaction seemed to have largely vanished by the early 1970s.vanished by the early 1970s.

Early rock festivals (Monterey in 1967 and Early rock festivals (Monterey in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969), regarded as the climax of Woodstock in 1969), regarded as the climax of the 1960s counterculture, had become highly the 1960s counterculture, had become highly profitable mass-audience concerts by the mid-profitable mass-audience concerts by the mid-1970s.1970s.

A series of bands that sprang up during the A series of bands that sprang up during the early 1970s tailored their performances to the early 1970s tailored their performances to the concert context.concert context.

– Toured the country with elaborate light shows, Toured the country with elaborate light shows, spectacular sets, and powerful amplification systems.spectacular sets, and powerful amplification systems.

Studio TechnologyStudio Technology New recording techniques and New recording techniques and

experimentationexperimentation High-fidelity stereo soundHigh-fidelity stereo sound Sixteen, twenty-four, and thirty-two-track Sixteen, twenty-four, and thirty-two-track

recording consolesrecording consoles– enabled complex aural textures, enabled complex aural textures, – could construct any given track on an LP over could construct any given track on an LP over

time, andtime, and– could add or subtract individual instruments or could add or subtract individual instruments or

voices. voices. Recordings took much longer to create and Recordings took much longer to create and

became very expensive.became very expensive. A few multitalented musicians could play all A few multitalented musicians could play all

of the instruments on a given track.of the instruments on a given track.

David Bowie, Glam Rock, and David Bowie, Glam Rock, and Ziggy StardustZiggy Stardust

David Bowie created the character of David Bowie created the character of Ziggy Stardust, anZiggy Stardust, an a alien who visits lien who visits Earth and becomes a rock superstar. Earth and becomes a rock superstar.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Marsthe Spiders from Mars (1972) (1972) – Concept album centered on Ziggy Concept album centered on Ziggy

StardustStardust– The The Ziggy StardustZiggy Stardust concert tour was an concert tour was an

elaborate theatrical presentation with elaborate theatrical presentation with special lighting effects and spectacular special lighting effects and spectacular costumes.costumes.

David BowieDavid Bowie

Bowie’s ability to create quasi-fictional Bowie’s ability to create quasi-fictional stage personae with every new album stage personae with every new album was a precedent for the image was a precedent for the image manipulation of 1980s stars like manipulation of 1980s stars like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince. Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince.

David Bowie was a pioneer of “glam David Bowie was a pioneer of “glam rock”rock”– Emphasized elaborate, showy appearance Emphasized elaborate, showy appearance

and costuming and costuming

Joni Mitchell and Joni Mitchell and Blue Blue (1971) (1971)

Consists of a cycle of songs about the Consists of a cycle of songs about the complexities of love complexities of love

The album is carefully designed to create The album is carefully designed to create a strong emotional focus.a strong emotional focus.

The sound of the LP is spare and The sound of the LP is spare and beautiful, focusing on Mitchell’s voice beautiful, focusing on Mitchell’s voice and acoustic guitar.and acoustic guitar.

– ““All I Want”All I Want”– ““My Old Man” My Old Man” – ““Carey” Carey” – ““Little Green” Little Green” – ““The Last Time I Saw Richard” The Last Time I Saw Richard”

Pink Floyd and Pink Floyd and Dark Side of the Dark Side of the MoonMoon (1973) (1973)

The album is based on the theme of madness The album is based on the theme of madness and the things that drive us to it: time, work, and the things that drive us to it: time, work, money, war, and death.money, war, and death.

– The LP starts with the sounds of a beating heart, a The LP starts with the sounds of a beating heart, a ticking clock, a type writer, a cash register, gunfire ticking clock, a type writer, a cash register, gunfire and the voices of the band discussing their own and the voices of the band discussing their own experiences with insanityexperiences with insanity

The album’s feeling of unity has something to The album’s feeling of unity has something to do with its languid, carefully measured pace, as do with its languid, carefully measured pace, as well as texture and mood. well as texture and mood.

The sound of the record is complex but clear.The sound of the record is complex but clear. Interesting sound effects: Interesting sound effects:

– During the song” Money,” sounds of clinking coins and During the song” Money,” sounds of clinking coins and cash registers are used as rhythmic accompaniment. cash registers are used as rhythmic accompaniment.

The album stayed on the The album stayed on the BillboardBillboard Top LPs Top LPs charts for over fourteen years.charts for over fourteen years.

Marvin Gaye and Marvin Gaye and What’s Going What’s Going On?On? (1971) (1971)

““Theme album” that fused soul music Theme album” that fused soul music and gospel influence with the political and gospel influence with the political impetus of progressive rockimpetus of progressive rock

The basic unifying theme of the album is The basic unifying theme of the album is social justice.social justice.

The title track was inspired by the return The title track was inspired by the return of Gaye’s brother from Vietnam and is a of Gaye’s brother from Vietnam and is a plea for nonviolence. plea for nonviolence.

Other songs focus on ecology, the Other songs focus on ecology, the welfare of children, and the suffering of welfare of children, and the suffering of the poor in Americas urban centers.the poor in Americas urban centers.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Emerson, Lake, and Palmer and and Pictures at an ExhibitionPictures at an Exhibition

(1971) (1971) Live album that borrowed its structural Live album that borrowed its structural

elements from a suite of piano pieces by elements from a suite of piano pieces by the Russian composer Modest the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839Mussorgsky (1839– – 81)81)

Mussorgsky’s composition was inspired Mussorgsky’s composition was inspired by a walk through an art gallery.by a walk through an art gallery.

Consists of a sequence of accessible, Consists of a sequence of accessible, reasonably short, easily digestible reasonably short, easily digestible “paintings” “paintings”

The album concludes with “Nutrocker,” a The album concludes with “Nutrocker,” a rock ’n’ roll version of Tchaikovsky’s rock ’n’ roll version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker SuiteNutcracker Suite..

The Rolling Stones and The Rolling Stones and Exile on Exile on Main StreetMain Street (1972) (1972)

Often cited as the best album recorded by the Often cited as the best album recorded by the Rolling StonesRolling Stones

The double album is held together by its texture, its The double album is held together by its texture, its rough unpolished studio sound, and its bad attituderough unpolished studio sound, and its bad attitude

Consists mainly of blues-based rock tunes, material Consists mainly of blues-based rock tunes, material from the Rolling Stones’ rootsfrom the Rolling Stones’ roots

Recorded in the basement of Keith Richard’s home Recorded in the basement of Keith Richard’s home in France, where they were living in tax exile at the in France, where they were living in tax exile at the timetime

Overall impression is one of bleakness and Overall impression is one of bleakness and desolationdesolation

Demonstrates influences that formed their style: Demonstrates influences that formed their style: urban blues, soul, and country musicurban blues, soul, and country music

Led Zeppelin and “Stairway to Led Zeppelin and “Stairway to Heaven” from Heaven” from Led Zeppelin IVLed Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin formed in 1968 in London. Led Zeppelin formed in 1968 in London. – Jimmie Page, guitarJimmie Page, guitar– John Bonham, drumsJohn Bonham, drums– John Paul Jones, electric bass and organJohn Paul Jones, electric bass and organ– Robert Plant, vocalsRobert Plant, vocals

Guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant Guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant were fascinated by mythology, Middle Earth were fascinated by mythology, Middle Earth fantasy, and the occult. fantasy, and the occult.

They became one of the most enduring bands in They became one of the most enduring bands in rock history, selling over 50 million records. rock history, selling over 50 million records.

Influences drew from various sources: urban Influences drew from various sources: urban blues, San Francisco psychedelia, the virtuoso blues, San Francisco psychedelia, the virtuoso guitar playing of Jimi Hendrixguitar playing of Jimi Hendrix

““Stairway to Heaven” Stairway to Heaven”

Anthem of heavy metal musicAnthem of heavy metal music Thunderous volumeThunderous volume The eight-minute track was never The eight-minute track was never

released as a single. You had to purchase released as a single. You had to purchase the album to own a copy of the song.the album to own a copy of the song.

The album cover did not bear the name The album cover did not bear the name of the album, band, or record company. of the album, band, or record company.

– Led Zeppelin IVLed Zeppelin IV eventually sold fourteen eventually sold fourteen million copies and reached Number Two on million copies and reached Number Two on the the Billboard Billboard Top 10 LP charts; it stayed on Top 10 LP charts; it stayed on the charts for five years. the charts for five years.

““Stairway to Heaven”Stairway to Heaven” Text composed by Robert PlantText composed by Robert Plant

– References to mythological beings References to mythological beings The May Queen and the Piper The May Queen and the Piper

– Rural imagesRural images Paths and roads, rings of smoke through the forest, a Paths and roads, rings of smoke through the forest, a

songbird by a brook, the whispering wind songbird by a brook, the whispering wind – Helped create a cumulative mood of mystery and Helped create a cumulative mood of mystery and

enchantment enchantment Structure of the songStructure of the song

– Basic building blocks are straightforward four- and eight-Basic building blocks are straightforward four- and eight-measure phrasesmeasure phrases

– Three main sectionsThree main sections– The arrangement is constructed to create continual The arrangement is constructed to create continual

escalation in density, volume, and speed. escalation in density, volume, and speed.

Carlos Santana Carlos Santana (b. 1947)(b. 1947)

Born in Mexico, began his musical career Born in Mexico, began his musical career playing in the nightspots of Tijuanaplaying in the nightspots of Tijuana

At fifteen, moved to San Francisco, where he At fifteen, moved to San Francisco, where he was exposed to many musical influences:was exposed to many musical influences:

– Jazz, particularly Miles Davis and John ColtraneJazz, particularly Miles Davis and John Coltrane– Salsa, a New York–based style of Latin dance musicSalsa, a New York–based style of Latin dance music– Late 1960s San Francisco rock, including artists Late 1960s San Francisco rock, including artists

such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Sly and the such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Sly and the Family StoneFamily Stone

Formed his own band in 1968 from middle- Formed his own band in 1968 from middle- and working-class Latino, black, and white and working-class Latino, black, and white musicians from various cultural backgrounds musicians from various cultural backgrounds

Carlos SantanaCarlos Santana

Their first album,Their first album, Santana Santana, was , was released in 1969 and reached released in 1969 and reached Number Four on the Top LPs chart.Number Four on the Top LPs chart.

Santana’s success is due in large Santana’s success is due in large part to their performance at part to their performance at Woodstock and their appearance on Woodstock and their appearance on the film and soundtrack. the film and soundtrack.

Abraxas Abraxas (1970)(1970) AbraxasAbraxas was released by Columbia was released by Columbia

Records in 1970. Records in 1970. It held the Number One position on the LP It held the Number One position on the LP

charts for six weeks, spent a total of charts for six weeks, spent a total of eighty-eight weeks on the charts, and sold eighty-eight weeks on the charts, and sold over four million copies in the United over four million copies in the United States alone.States alone.

The album produced two Top 40 singles: The album produced two Top 40 singles: “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va” “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va”

The singles were shorter versions of the The singles were shorter versions of the tracks on the LP.tracks on the LP.

““Oye Como Va” Oye Como Va” Number Thirteen pop, Number Thirty-two R&B in Number Thirteen pop, Number Thirty-two R&B in

19711971 Composed by the New York Latin percussionist Composed by the New York Latin percussionist

and dance music king Tito Puenteand dance music king Tito Puente Instrumentation—guitar, electric bass, Instrumentation—guitar, electric bass,

keyboards, drums plus Latin percussionkeyboards, drums plus Latin percussion Recording “mix”—tone quality, balancing, and Recording “mix”—tone quality, balancing, and

positioning of sounds recorded on various tracks positioning of sounds recorded on various tracks in studioin studio

– The band’s sound was centered on the fluid lead guitar The band’s sound was centered on the fluid lead guitar style of Carlos Santana and the churning grooves by style of Carlos Santana and the churning grooves by the rhythm section.the rhythm section.

– The rhythmic complexity of “Oye Como Va” required a The rhythmic complexity of “Oye Como Va” required a clean stereo image so that the various interlocking clean stereo image so that the various interlocking parts could be clearly heard. parts could be clearly heard.

““Oye Como Va”Oye Como Va”

The arrangement is 136 measures long.The arrangement is 136 measures long.– Only 16 measures are devoted to singing.Only 16 measures are devoted to singing.– Song lyrics are less important than the Song lyrics are less important than the

musical groove and texture.musical groove and texture.– Nearly half of the recording is devoted to Nearly half of the recording is devoted to

improvised solos by the guitar and organ.improvised solos by the guitar and organ. The solos were cut when the track was The solos were cut when the track was

edited for radio airplay. edited for radio airplay.

““Oye Como Va”Oye Como Va”

Carlos Santana’s solos provide a Carlos Santana’s solos provide a good example of a talented rock good example of a talented rock improviser. improviser. – Santana uses the electric guitar to Santana uses the electric guitar to

sustain notes, creating long, flowing sustain notes, creating long, flowing melodic lines that gradually rise in melodic lines that gradually rise in intensity, lifting the whole band with intensity, lifting the whole band with him. him.