Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the most influential Southern rock bands of all time. The original members consisted of Ronnie Van Zant on vocals, Allen Collins on guitar, and Gary Rossington on guitar. They all attended high school together in Jacksonville, FL. The three of them formed the band called “My Backyard”. Later on, they added bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell, and drummer Bob Burns. With this new line up, they called the band Lynyrd Skynyrd and began performing shows all over the South. They had little success at first however Al Kooper signed the band to MCA after seeing one show in Atlanta. For a more edgy sound, they added a third guitar player Ed King. Three guitars became the standard image of Lynyrd Skynyrd. They were featured in the song “Free Bird” which was dedicated to Duane Allman after his death. The band’s sound can be described as powerful blues-rock with a rebel redneck image. Sadly, the band did not become popular until Van Zant’s death in a tragic plane crash. – Source: Stephen Thomas Erlewine, The All Music Guide.
The end of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hit “Free Bird” features a very famous extended guitar solo. The tempo getting into the guitar solo does what?
A) Slows way down to a comfortable blues tempo.
B) Speeds up like a bird taking off in flight.
C) Stays the same.
D) Speeds up but then slows down near the end to get back to the original tempo.
Madonna (Louise Veronica Ciccone)
Madonna was born in 1958 and become the first female pop star that had complete creative control of her music. Her sexuality was known to manipulate her audience through her videos and lyrics. Madonna initially dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer so she moved from her hometown Michigan to New York in 1977. There she met a new boyfriend who later decided to start a band. Madonna played drums in that band until they finally decided to make her the lead singer. Her career took off shortly after that when she met a new boyfriend who made her leave the projects she was working on to pursue dance music. A demo of her work eventually made its way to Mark Kamins, a producer in New York. He took that tape to Sire Records and it was there Kamins produced Madonna’s first single “Everybody” in 1982. “Holiday” was released shortly after in 1983 and it was that song that made to the top 40. Madonna’s music career was jumpstarted after this hit as well as her career as an actress/producer, a nude model and an author. The videos she acted in earned her the “bad girl” image that everyone is familiar with. At the end of 1984, “Like a Virgin” was release and that track hit number 1 and stayed there for 6 weeks. Throughout the 1980s she released a variety of songs that topped the pop music charts in the US and Europe. In 1992 she switched over to Time-Warner in order get complete control over her production company called Maverick. Her biggest hits include: Into the Groove, Express Yourself, Vogue, Erotica, Don’t Justify My Love, This Used to Be My Playground, Take a Bow, Frozen, Cry for Me Argentina, Music, and 4 Minutes. – Source: Susan McClary, Oxford Music Online.com .
In Madonna’s hit “Like a Virgin”, after she says “you make me strong, yeah you make me bold,” what happens next?
A)His love touches her for the first time
B)His love is promised forever
C)His love thaws out what was scared
D)His love warms her soul
Nirvana – Kurt Cobain (vocals and guitar), Krist Novoselic (vocals and bass), Dave Grohl (drums)
Nirvana was formed in Aberdeen, Washington and has had the same members since 1990. They released three albums in their career all of which received some level of success and acclaim. A clear influence of Pixies, Sonic Youth, and The Velvet Underground can be heard in Nirvana’s sound. Nirvana’s first album Bleach was released in 1989, and was said to have been greatly influenced by their record label. This album has a raw, and thin sound and was recorded for under 600 dollars. Through touring, and constant promotion this album became a marginal success for the band. In the Fall of 1992 Nirvana released Nevermind, which is considered the apex of their career. Due to chart topping hits such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” this album went platinum ten times. However, due to the nature of success “Smells Like Teen Spirit” received the band considered this track to be more closely related to pop music of the time rather than grunge. Nevermind is much more refined than it’s predecessor and blended catchy lyrics with their signature style. By blending grunge with pop Nirvana helped move grunge and alternative rock into the mainstream. In 1993 Nirvana released In Utero, but a large amount of controversy started surrounding the band. Kurt Cobain’s drug abuse, and mental instability led to a heroine overdose and a suicide attempt. This would be the first of many events leading up to Nirvana’s demise. As a result of the controversy however, Nirvana received a lot of attention for In Utero. The strong polished production of this album attracted new audiences, and sold more than 4 million copies. More drug overdoses, suicide attempts, and substance abuse issues followed the release of In Uterountil Kurt Cobain was found dead in his home. Much like his life however, controversy followed the circumstances of his death. Source: Stephen Thomas Erlewine, The All Music Guide
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was the break away hit for the album Nevermind. True (yes) or False (no): As you listen to “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” read the description above and determine whether the members of Nirvana would consider this song to be the epitome of the grunge style?
—
True
False
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