This Month in Rock and Roll - November

This Month In Rock and Roll – November

By Hunter60

November 20, 2001: Creed releases their third and final album "Weathered". Certified six times platinum, it entered the Billboard Top 200 chart and remained there for eight weeks, tying a record set by The Beatles. For a volatile band whose solid guitar sound, ripping vocals and lyrics that seem to run the entire range of emotions, "Weathered" became the bands peak both commercially and critically. Although some may argue that timing may have had something to do with it's initial success; it was released approximately 2 months post 9-11 and the first single "My Sacrifice", hit number 4 that fall. That song remains one of the best known screams of outrage about the tragedy. However within 3 years of the release of 'Weathered", Creed broke up due increasingly frequent conflicts between Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti.


November 24, 1991: Queen front man/vocalist Freddie Mercury dies. Arguably one of the finest vocalists in popular/rock music, Freddie Mercury, died quietly at his London home of bronchial pneumonia, a complication from AIDS. There had been rumors of Mercury's affliction for some time before but Mercury himself quietly announced his illness the day before his death. A benefit concert by several acts, an album by the remaining members of Queen and a chart topping reissue of the classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody" generated large amounts of cash for AIDS related charities in Freddies name but perhaps his grandest legacy was that his death opened up the eyes of the music community to the ravages and insidious nature of AIDS.

November 23, 1981: AC/DC releases "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You). A follow up to the bands resurrection record, "Back In Black", "For Those About To Rock" hit the airwaves with the thunder promised by the cannon on the cover. The Young brothers (Angus and Malcolm) guitar work proved as searing as anything previously done and the disc is replete with the head banging riffs that makes their music instantly recognizable. Vocalist Brian Johnson seemed to have stepped out from behind the shadows of the original front man, Bonn Scott, and put his own stamp on the tracks. Of interest is that this was, until 'Black Ice', released in October, was their only #1 album in the United States. "For Those About To Rock" clearly established AC/DC as an international attraction and judging by their sold-out concerts the world over, it remains true. Of note: The Spanish version of "For Those About To Rock" showed a black cover with a gold cannon rather than the standard release which had the opposite color scheme. If you have one, hang on to it. It's a collectors item. Ibid

November 6, 1975: The Sex Pistols play their first gig at St. Martins College of Art and Design in London. According to bassist Glen Matlock, "We only did about three or four numbers and there was a punch-up and they pulled the plug". Literally. It has been told that the only reason they got the gig in the first place was because the college social secretary was amused by the bands name. Despite the almost requisite controversy and violence that seemed to attach itself to any Sex Pistol show and the resultant outcry from many people, there was no denying that Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock provided the somewhat predictable music scene a much needed shot in the arm. Their initial career lasted on 3 ½ years, created four singles and one studio album but their explosive nature and generally 'rotten' attitude has helped keep them considered to be one of rocks more iconic, if not quick rising – fast falling, acts. They were also responsible for the reemergence in popularity of the safety pin by expanding it to a more cosmetic use.

November 8th, 1971: Led Zepplin release "Zoso". Already international superstars on the strength of their first three albums, it was the fourth album moved the band from earth to Olympus in the minds of rock and metal fans everywhere. The track list could just as easily now be called a greatest hits volume with such songs as "When the levee breaks", "Rock and Roll" and "Black Dog" but it's "Stairway to heaven" that pales them all. "Stairway" is considered by many fans as near a perfect rock song as has ever been written and according to countless polls and industry tracking guides, it is the most popular rock song ever recorded. (It is not without controversy as there are some who contend that the opening riff is dangerously close to the opening of the song "Taurus" by an LA based band name Spirit. Spirit toured with Zepplin in the late 60's) The album, although never actually titled by the band, has been called "Zoso" in an acknowledgment to the 4 celtic symbols on the album cover. Much has been written about the true meaning of the symbols and there are dozens of theories behind the choices but Jimmy Page once explained that each member designed his own and had his own reasons for the choice he made. Fair enough I suppose.

November 9, 1967. Rolling Stone magazine is launched. Rolling Stone grew out of the hippie culture of San Francisco but with an eye towards intent to provide a more serious angle on rock and roll than had been done before. Before Rolling Stone, although much had been written about rock and roll, it had been done by outsiders who treated the music with a certain amount of disdain. Rolling Stone set about changing that. The brainchild of Jann Wenner and jazz music critic Ralph Gleason, the first issue was essentially a 6 page fold over printed on newspaper stock but it was clear from the first issue that Rolling Stone was not just a fan-zine. Wenner knew that the rock and roll generation had grown up and were involved in the world beyond just the music. It didn't take long before Rolling Stone writers began to tackle politics as well as providing in-depth looks at bands and the music industry itself. It remains a very influential publication.

November 12, 1960: Hunter60 is born. Hunter60, rock and blues writer extraordinaire was born on this day in 1960 in a tiny hamlet in rural western Pennsylvania and the villagers rejoiced. Moments later, they stormed the hospital with burning torches and pitchforks. (I apologize for the shameless plug)

November 26, 1945: Savoy records what some consider to be the greatest jazz session ever. Consider this lineup: Charlie 'Bird' Parker (sax) , Dizzy Gillespie (piano), Miles Davis (trumpet), Curly Russel (bass) and Max Roach (drums). It reads like a who's who in jazz at the time. This session marked the first time that Parker had led a recording session and every song they played had been written by Parker and it showed. Although he could play as fast as anyone, on this recording, he played deliberately with each line completely logical, fitting into the scheme perfectly. It was the setting for be-bop, a form of jazz that shows its disdain for the rigidity of form and allows for more improvisation. It has been written that Parkers playing on the track "Ko Ko" was a master class for any innovative musician. Long live Bird!




Notable November Birthdays:

11/1/62: Anthony Kiedis
11/3/73: Mick Thompson
11/4/40: Delbert McClinton
11/5/31: Ike Turner
11/6/48: Glenn Frey
11/7/43: Joni Mitchell
11/8/49: Bonnie Raitt
11/9/70: Susan Tedeschi
11/11/53: Marshall Crenshaw
11/12/45: Neil Young
11/12/47: Donald Roeser
11/13/42: John Hammond Jr.
11/14/80: Ben Harper
11/16/64: Dianna Krall
11/17/46: Martin Barre
11/20/46: Duane Allman
11/22/50: Stevie Van Zandt
11/27/42: James (Jimi) Marshall Hendrix
11/29/33: John Mayall
11/30/15: Brownie McGhee