Wow, so good, Steve! What a trip down memory lane! I had 'em all at the time...except that one Shoes (and, I thought I had all their Black Vinyl releases, certainly all the Bomp, and, of course, the Elektras), and The Winkies (import only, and I must've read enough about it in the rock press to be dissuaded from getting it)!
Thanks for quoting my Zuider Zee rave! I think I shed a bit of a tear for both those Columbia ones.....ZZ and Artful Dodger. Both were so soundly ignored, and if it was a lack of promotion, there's no excuse for the largest label in the land....except, again (as I hinted), they were so busy with their superstars, working to make sure they STAYED there! Both songs you featured by A to ZZ woulda/coulda been their hits.
Speaking of those superstars, whose records everyone knows by heart, and likely helps fill out our readers' collections, I hope your really marvelous piece, here, sends readers to their online streamer of choice (not to mention used-record stores or conventions....or Discogs!) to look for these wonderful animals out in the wild! Thanks again!
Glad you dug it, Brad! You tapped into the whole spirit of this series of 20, 30, 40, and 50 birthday posts…nostalgia for the fans, vindication for the true believers, and a gateway drug (see what I did there, Lori?!) for music fans willing to go down the rabbit hole. Feed your head!
I’ve heard some of those stories too, but not firsthand. Although, this was the mid-70s, so I’d venture a guess that many of these other labels were in their cocaine era too. 👃🪞 And pretty certain that many of the major recording studios already were.
There were a lot of great albums release in 1975. I can't argue with any of your choices, but I could also add Eric Carmen's self titled album, The Hudson Brothers' "Ba-Fa" (which has "Rendezvous" on it) and The Dictators debut "Go Girl Crazy"
I had never heard of Zuider Zee or The Winkies, but I'll be checking them out as soon as I finish typing this. Fun list! Like Brad said, these great posts do send me searching for these gems. I will also have to find the Shoes one too, as I know I don't own it and possibly haven't heard it either.
The Ramones have cited the Bay City Rollers as an influence. When they cane up with Gabba Gabba Hey they were trying to emulate the chants of Rollers records such as Saturday Night.
Thanks for this. I only really know HORSES so I have some good listening ahead.
Perfect! Enjoy.
Wow, so good, Steve! What a trip down memory lane! I had 'em all at the time...except that one Shoes (and, I thought I had all their Black Vinyl releases, certainly all the Bomp, and, of course, the Elektras), and The Winkies (import only, and I must've read enough about it in the rock press to be dissuaded from getting it)!
Thanks for quoting my Zuider Zee rave! I think I shed a bit of a tear for both those Columbia ones.....ZZ and Artful Dodger. Both were so soundly ignored, and if it was a lack of promotion, there's no excuse for the largest label in the land....except, again (as I hinted), they were so busy with their superstars, working to make sure they STAYED there! Both songs you featured by A to ZZ woulda/coulda been their hits.
Speaking of those superstars, whose records everyone knows by heart, and likely helps fill out our readers' collections, I hope your really marvelous piece, here, sends readers to their online streamer of choice (not to mention used-record stores or conventions....or Discogs!) to look for these wonderful animals out in the wild! Thanks again!
Glad you dug it, Brad! You tapped into the whole spirit of this series of 20, 30, 40, and 50 birthday posts…nostalgia for the fans, vindication for the true believers, and a gateway drug (see what I did there, Lori?!) for music fans willing to go down the rabbit hole. Feed your head!
Chrysalis the cocaine days! I’ve heard firsthand accounts of the debauchery! 😂
I’ve heard some of those stories too, but not firsthand. Although, this was the mid-70s, so I’d venture a guess that many of these other labels were in their cocaine era too. 👃🪞 And pretty certain that many of the major recording studios already were.
Yes, most definitely.
There were a lot of great albums release in 1975. I can't argue with any of your choices, but I could also add Eric Carmen's self titled album, The Hudson Brothers' "Ba-Fa" (which has "Rendezvous" on it) and The Dictators debut "Go Girl Crazy"
Agree! Interesting year for music.
Funny enough, Eric Carmen was on the original list, but got bumped for some reason or other. So was "Ba-Fa," but only briefly.
And The Dictators album is on the list!
Yes, it is. Not sure how I missed that. I agree the Hudson Brothers album isn't consistently amazing, so I can understand it not making the cut.
I had never heard of Zuider Zee or The Winkies, but I'll be checking them out as soon as I finish typing this. Fun list! Like Brad said, these great posts do send me searching for these gems. I will also have to find the Shoes one too, as I know I don't own it and possibly haven't heard it either.
Awesome. IMO that's what music blogging is all about. Fans sharing music with other fans. Enjoy!
Finally Dick Manitoba gets the recognition he deserves as the most handsome man in rock & roll. Long live The Dictators.
The Winkies were Eno’s backing band on his only solo tour. The bassist is on the first two solo Eno albums.
Didn’t know that! Amazing. Thanks.
The Ramones have cited the Bay City Rollers as an influence. When they cane up with Gabba Gabba Hey they were trying to emulate the chants of Rollers records such as Saturday Night.
The Ramones had great taste!