Another superb episode of "Classic Albums" I think anyone with even mild appreciation or knowledge for the band will find something to enjoy. For me it was hearing Joe Elliot's acoustic rendition of "Hysteria" and hearing him explain why, when and where they got the drum beat from "Rocket"
For years, literally since I was a kid and first learning to play the drums on an old knackered beer covered Marshall amp at my brother's band practice room, that drum beat stood out as immense and unique to the rest of the album. I sing, play piano and harp but remain a drummer at heart I think and "Rocket" has always sounded the tits. I remember being 12 or 13yrs old at the stables drumming that beat on an upturned bucket with two good study pony carrots.
Sure as God made babies, Joe explained someone else played him a tape with the same drumbeat and made him as hooked on it as I was which made me search for and discover the existence of "Burundi Black" and then go "OH MY GOD THAT'S ACE!!!" and realise the influence on other artists. I love it when you go from minor almost passing curiosity about something to going head first into the rabbit hole and when you come out, there's an entirely new world full of music waiting to lead you elsewhere. This is what Classic Albums does and this one did for me.
I did not know what nonsense I've been singing during the middle part of Rocket either although I knew it was nonsense just not how much. Sounded to me as a 10yr old something like "Face" or "Fights" and I never took note or made time to find out cos I was too caught up in that awesome drum beat. Turns out it's "Bites" as in "Love Bites" and I'm grateful to have been put right but still sing my alternate nonsense version anyway.
True solidarity and friendship abound with this lot which I know everyone tends to jump at pointing out like it's the only thing about the group that needs to be said but seriously, they overcame a lot of struggles, lot of battles, loss and bereavement and nobody skipped out, ditched or felt it was too much time and effort to keep up.
It's an issue for any drummer to lose an arm. It's an even bigger issue when you're a drummer in one of the most successful rock bands. It's not a problem if you're old mates from Sheffield though... Nowt bothers us Northern Folk.
That drum beat though...
For years, literally since I was a kid and first learning to play the drums on an old knackered beer covered Marshall amp at my brother's band practice room, that drum beat stood out as immense and unique to the rest of the album. I sing, play piano and harp but remain a drummer at heart I think and "Rocket" has always sounded the tits. I remember being 12 or 13yrs old at the stables drumming that beat on an upturned bucket with two good study pony carrots.
Sure as God made babies, Joe explained someone else played him a tape with the same drumbeat and made him as hooked on it as I was which made me search for and discover the existence of "Burundi Black" and then go "OH MY GOD THAT'S ACE!!!" and realise the influence on other artists. I love it when you go from minor almost passing curiosity about something to going head first into the rabbit hole and when you come out, there's an entirely new world full of music waiting to lead you elsewhere. This is what Classic Albums does and this one did for me.
I did not know what nonsense I've been singing during the middle part of Rocket either although I knew it was nonsense just not how much. Sounded to me as a 10yr old something like "Face" or "Fights" and I never took note or made time to find out cos I was too caught up in that awesome drum beat. Turns out it's "Bites" as in "Love Bites" and I'm grateful to have been put right but still sing my alternate nonsense version anyway.
True solidarity and friendship abound with this lot which I know everyone tends to jump at pointing out like it's the only thing about the group that needs to be said but seriously, they overcame a lot of struggles, lot of battles, loss and bereavement and nobody skipped out, ditched or felt it was too much time and effort to keep up.
It's an issue for any drummer to lose an arm. It's an even bigger issue when you're a drummer in one of the most successful rock bands. It's not a problem if you're old mates from Sheffield though... Nowt bothers us Northern Folk.
That drum beat though...
