“I don’t care about the rules. In fact, if I don’t break the rules at least 10 times in every song then I’m not doing my job properly.” — Jeff Beck — “Heart Full of Soul” by the Yardbirds Graham Gouldman, later of 10cc, wrote the Yardbirds’ first hit, “For Your Love,” and their second, 1965’s “Heart Full of Soul.” In the interim, Eric Clapton left the band, unhappy with its musical direction. Clapton was replaced by Jeff Beck, who brought a…

I Don’t Mean Tomorrow, I Mean Right Now — 1. This famous bluesman wrote “Boom Boom” by the Animals A. John Lee Hooker B. Robert Johnson C. Son House D. Muddy Waters 2. Groucho Marx said he was the last great hope for vaudeville A. Leo Sayer B. Tiny Tim C. Alice Cooper D. Gene Simmons 3. Elvis Presley…

The Beatles, Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn, Sinatra — and John Wayne — Twisted at the Trendy Discotheque: New York Groove Book Excerpt — High Society discovered rock and roll at the Peppermint Lounge, 128 West 45th Street, one rainy night in 1961. Joey Dee & the Starliters were on stage, and the young, raucous crowd was doing the Twist, the dance craze popularized by Chubby Checker’s 1960 number-one hit.

Country Joe McDonald Remembers the Renowned Promoter: Fillmore East Book Excerpt — Bill Graham was born on January 8, 1931. The producer and impresario left an indelible mark on the rock music industry with his Fillmore East and West concert halls, eclectic show lineups, and mega-sized concerts he staged until his death in 1991 in a helicopter crash. Country Joe McDonald was…

Disappointment Haunted All My Dreams — 1. Before the Monkees reached number one in 1966 with “I’m a Believer,” its writer Neil Diamond intended it as a country song to be recorded by A. Glen Campbell B. Buck Owens C. Eddy Arnold D. Marty Robbins 2. The Dixie Hummingbirds sang…

Don’t Let the Screen Door Hit You on Your Way Out — 1. The Sanford-Townsend Band’s “Smoke From a Distant Fire” was inspired by A. Wildfires in Los Angeles near Johnny Townsend’s home B. A poem written in college by Ed Sanford C. A Smokey the Bear Forest Service ad D. A neighbor burning incense

Unraveling the Story Behind the Sam the Sham Classic — Despite the robes and headdress, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs were part of the Tex-Mex musical tradition of Doug Sahm and Freddy Fender. Sam is Domingo Samudio, a Dallas, Texas rocker whose first and biggest hit was 1964’s “Wooly Bully.” Samudio told Classic Bands how his name and the…

When the Zombies arrived at London’s Abbey Road studios in August 1967, their creativity was high, but success was in the past. The British Invasion band had two innovative hits, 1964’s “She’s Not There,” followed the next year by “Tell Her No.” Keyboardist Rod Argent and bassist Chris White wrote…

New York Groove Book Excerpt — In this excerpt from New York Groove: An Inside Look at the Stars, Shows, and Songs That Make NYC Rock, the Velvet Underground begins its short but influential career that would influence rock, punk and new wave bands for decades. The Velvet Underground Forms, 56 Ludlow Street The Velvet Underground…