Scottish rock & pop icon ROD STEWART (aged 81 now) scored a No. 1 hit
in the UK and the US with MAGGIE MAY (more than 440 million streams
on Spotify) today 55 years ago, on 9 October 1971.
The song was co-written with his guitarist Martin Quittenton and
appeared on his 3rd dolo LP, titled Every Picture Tells A Story.
It also hit the top spot #1 in Canada and Australia.
Written from Stewart‘s personal experience, Maggie May expresses the ambivalence
and contradictory emotions of a boy involved in a relationship with an older woman.
The woman’s name was not Maggie May. Rod The Mod has stated that
the name was taken from “an old Liverpudlian song about a prostitute”.
“Wake up, Maggie, I think I got somethin’ to say to you.”
It tells the story of a gay man who was killed in New York City.
It appeared on his A Night On The Town LP. The song spent
ten weeks on the UK Singles Chart, reaching a peak position
of No. 2.
Lyrics
“In these days of changing ways
So-called liberated days
A story comes to mind of a friend of mine
Georgie boy was gay I guess
Nothin’ more or nothin’ less
The kindest guy I ever knew
His mother’s tears fell in vain
The afternoon George tried to explain
That he needed love like all the rest
Pa said, “There must be a mistake
How can my son not be straight
After all I’ve said and done for him?”
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 2]
Leavin’ home on a Greyhound bus
Cast out by the ones he loves
A victim of these gay days it seems
See Rod Stewart Live
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Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 3]
Georgie went to New York town
Where he quickly settled down
And soon became the toast of the great white way
Accepted by Manhattan’s elite
In all the places that were chic
No party was complete without George
Along the boulevards he’d cruise
And all the old queens blew a fuse
Everybody loved Georgie boy
[Interlude]
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 4]
The last time I saw George alive
Was in the summer of ’75
He said he was in love, I said I’m pleased
George attended the opening night
Of another Broadway hype
But split before the final curtain fell Deciding to take a short cut home Arm in arm, they meant no wrong A gentle breeze blew down Fifth Avenue
[Interlude]
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 5]
Out of a darkened side street came
A New Jersey gang with just one aim
To roll some innocent passer-by
There ensued a fearful fight
Screams rang out in the night
Georgie’s head hit a sidewalk cornerstone A leather kid, a switchblade knife He did not intend to take his life He just pushed his luck a little too far that night
The sight of blood dispersed the gang A crowd gathered, the police came An ambulance screamed to a halt on Fifty-Third and Third
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 6]
Georgie’s life ended there But I ask who really cares George once said to me and I quote He said, “Never wait or hesitate
Get in kid, before it’s too late You may never get another chance ‘Cause youth’s a mask but it don’t last Live it long and live it fast” Georgie was a friend of mine Oh yeah
Album: 10 000 HZ LEGEND
The French synth duo’s 2nd LP was released
on 28 May 2001, today 25 years ago.
AllMusic said: “10,000 Hz Legend is a darker work, just as contemplative
and unhurried as its predecessor, but part of a gradual move from drifting,
almost pastoral melancholia to a downright post-modern helplessness in
league with Radiohead.”
It peaked at #7 in the UK, and #3 on the US Dance Album Charts.
Rock ‘n’ roll outlaws FACES were a supergroup featuring Rod Stewart and
guitarist Ronnie Wood who both played in the Jeff Beck Group. Keyboardist Ian McLagan, bassist Ronnie Lane and drummer Kenney Jones all three
had been with the Small Faces (fronted by Steve Marriott).
They released 4 LPs between 1969 and 1975.
Afterward they reunited several times for
special occasions.
And today Rod The Mod Stewart announced another one-off comeback.
He, Wood and Jones (Ronnie Lane passed away in 1997, only 51 and Ian
McLagan passed away in 2014, aged 69) play Glastonbury Festival (UK)
on its closing day (Sunday, June 29th)
Wait, there’s more. Wood and Jones confirmed the
rumors that a new Faces album is in the making.
Jones: “It’s a mixture of stuff we never released which is worthy
of releasing and there’s some new stuff which is really wonderful.
Rod is writing the lyrics and he’s really keen on it.”
ROD THE MOD will be 80 (born 15 Jan 1945) when he’ll visit America
for the last time next year.Rock oldtimers Cheap Trick will keep him
company.
Last February he released his 33rd LP. A collaborative one with pianist, bandleader,
singer, composer, once upon a time a member of British band Squeeze and television presenter Jools Holland.
