Big Blasts From The Past

British Anarchistic Funk Punks THE POP GROUP Released Their Startling 1979 Debut Album ‘Y’ 45 Years Ago – R.I.P. MARK STEWART

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Back in time

21 April 2024

Today 45 years ago, on 21 April 1979, British funk-punk mavericks THE POP GROUP released their startling debut LP Y that still sounds spooky, anarchistic, and gloriously
out of the ordinary today.

Single ‘She’s Beyond Good And Evil

ALBUM

Exactly 1 year ago today the band’s charismatic frontman and
renowned dub artist Mark Stewart passed away, aged only 62.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Mark twice and interviewing
him once. He was not only an influencing artist but also a warm-hearted
and down-to-earth person.


At Sonic City Fest in Belgium, 2015

A quote from Mark about the early days.

16 April 1964 – Today 60 Years Ago The Self-Titled Debut LP Of THE ROLLING STONES Came Out

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Top longplayers from the past

16 April 2024

60 years ago today, on 16 April 1964, the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in history released their self-titled debut LP. 11 out of the 12 songs were covers of, mostly, American R&B songs, from Chuck Berry, Rufus Thomas, Buddy Holly, Willie Dixon and others.

The only original, written by the glimmer twins Jagger/Richards, was hit single Tell Me.

The album’s front cover was a photo taken by Nicholas Wright. No title or identifying information other than the picture and the Decca logo. An “unheard of” design concept originated by visionary manager Andrew Loog Oldham.

Some notable artists were on the track ‘Little By Little’: Allen Clarke and Graham Nash (both in The Hollies at the time) with backing vocals, crooner Gene Pitney on piano, and infamous producer Phil Spector on percussion and maracas.

The LP topped the UK and Australian charts.

STREAM


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STONES: Story – Albums

9 April 1969 – BOB DYLAN Released His ‘NASHVILLE SKYLINE’ Album 55 Years Ago Today

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9 April 2024

NASHVILLE SKYLINE was the 9th BOB DYLAN album. A country one, inspired by chats and jamming with his friend/star Johnny Cash, who sings in duet with Dylan on opening track Girl From The North Country. It’s the album where Dylan‘s voice doesn’t really sound like Dylan‘s voice. Less hoarse, more polished.

It was released 55 years ago this day, on 9 April 1969. The LP
peaked at #3 in the US and was his 4th number one in the UK.

Endearing single ‘Lady Lady Lay’

ALBUM


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Bob Dylan: Story – Discography

8 April 1977 – THE CLASH Released Their Self-Titled Punk Masterpiece 47 Years Ago Today

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8 April 2024

THE CLASH – Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon – translated
their social commitment and political discontent into a loud and clear, self-titled classic debut album.

A historic LP and probably one of the most important punk albums ever. A new generation raised its voice. Loud, clear, fast, innovative and straight in the face of the narcissistic, right-wing establishment.

WHITE RIOT

ALBUM


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THE CLASH: Story – Albums

6 April 2004 – MODEST MOUSE Released Their 4th Album ‘GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS’ 20 Years Ago Today

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6 April 2024

Two years ago alt-pop rockers MODEST MOUSE from Portland, Oregon
celebrated their 30th year as a band and the 25th anniversary of their
2nd LP The Lonesome Crowded West.

And today the band have another celebration party with the 20th anniversary
of their 4th album GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS, which
came out on 6 April 2004.

Standout single ‘Float On’

Pitchfork said about the LP: “Modest Mouse are still finding ways to invigorate their sound while retaining a sense of definiteness and sincerity. While Good News is neither a unilateral return to the scruffier Modest Mouse of yore, or an even more experimental expansion of The Moon & Antarctica, it is host to more than its share of great– and, perhaps more importantly, distinctively great– moments. In spite of a substantial line-up change and the daunting spectre of their previous full-length, Modest Mouse have issued yet another record that uniquely explores what the band does best; being Modest Mouse.”

ALBUM


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Celebrations on the road this summer.

MM: Bio – Discography

23 March 1991 – Today 33 Years Ago R.E.M. Scored Their First No. 1 UK Album With ‘OUT OF TIME’

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Back in time

23 March 2024

It seems like ages ago since R.E.M. (1980-2011) was one of the greatest bands on this planet. After 31 years and 15 LPs they sure went into history as a once in a lifetime rock sensation.

One of their best and most successful longplayers is, undoubtedly, their 7th one, named OUT OF TIME, which features smashing hit single Losing My Religion (almost 1,3 billion streams on Spotify). It was the group’s first No. 1 seat full-length in the UK. It also topped the charts in the US and several European countries. It sold 18 million copies worldwide.


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R.E.M: Bio – Discography

21 March 1999 – Britain’s Legends BLUR Topped The UK Albums Chart With ’13’ Today 25 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

21 March 1999


The LP’s cover is a portion of an oil painting by guitarist Graham Coxon called Apprentice

BLUR topped the UK Albums Chart on 21 March 1999, today 25 years ago.
It hit the top seat in Ireland and in several European countries too.

Q (British music monthly) said: “13 is a dense, fascinating,
idiosyncratic and accomplished art rock album.”

It featured romantic stadium sing-along anthem TENDER. It was written by the four band members about frontman Damon Albarn‘s breakup with musician turned painter Justine Frischmann (Suede / Elastica).

– 13 –


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BLUR: Bio – Discography – Instagram

9 March 1987 – U2 Released Their Magnum Opus ‘THE JOSHUA TREE’ This Day 37 Years Ago

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9 March 2024

On 9 March 1987 – 37 years ago today – U2 released their worldwide magnum opus
THE JOSHUA TREE. The Irish rockers fifth album, produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian
Eno, made them 24 Carat superstars all over the planet. Influenced by their American
tour experiences, relating literature and Uncle Sam’s politics and probably because of
their commercial and competitive desire to confirm their already huge status in the U.S.
of A., the band chose America as a central theme for the record.

Superb Singles: I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For /
Where The Streets Have No Name / With Or Without You

– I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR –

– WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME –

– WITH OR WITHOUT YOU –

Superb Album


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U2: Instagram – Bio – Discography

7 March 1987 – BEASTIE BOYS Became The First Rap Act With No.1 Album In The USA

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Classic longplayers from the past

7 March 2024

37 years ago today (my God, times flies), on 7 March 1987, fight for your right legends BEASTIE BOYS were the first rap act to have a No.1 album in the US. It happened with their debut LP, LICENSED TO ILL. The longplayer is one of Columbia Records‘ fastest-selling debut records to date.

The origins of rap music go way back to the 40s. In modern times Afro-American artists made it globally famous with their own specific rhyming style. Yet, it was a white rap band that scored the genre’s first number one LP in the US. Yep, rap moved in mysterious ways.

LICENSED TO ILL

BB: Bio – Discography

‘MEET THE BEATLES!’ – First No 1 Album In The US For The Fab Four 60 Years Ago Today

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15 February 2024

The Fab Four scored their first No 1 album in the US with
MEET THE BEATLES! 60 years ago today, on 15 Feb 1964.

It stayed on the top of the charts for 11 weeks until
The Beatles’ Second Album took over.

The cover featured the iconic portrait by photographer/art designer
Robert Freeman, the same one used for the UK’s LP version
‘With The Beatles’.

SIDE ONE

1. I Want to Hold Your Hand
2. I Saw Her Standing There
3. This Boy
4. It Won’t Be Long
5. All I’ve Got to Do
6. All My Loving

SIDE TWO

1. Don’t Bother Me
2. Little Child
3. Till There Was You
4. Hold Me Tight
5. I Wanna Be Your Man
6. Not a Second Time