Rock 'n' Roll Archives - Vinyl Stories

Frank Turner – FTHC (2022)

August 31, 2023

In 2022 Frank Turner said goodbye to his home town of London in his bittersweet song “Farewell to My City.”

Today I say goodbye to mine,.

Various Artists – Beyond the Valley of the Dolls Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1970)

August 14, 2023

In 1970 director Russ Meyer introduced a new rock band, The Carrie Nations, to audiences in his film epic “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.” With music written by Stu Phillips, and featuring the talents of Lynn Carey, The Strawberry Alarmclock, and The Sandpipers, the film contained some of the freshest and most dynamic rock music ever written for a film, reflecting the sounds and attitude of Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip culture. But the music would be ignored by the Billboard charts and barely found an audience while one of the key players was mysteriously missing from the soundtrack album. An introduction to the world of “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” and the music of The Carrie Nations.

Rodriguez – Cold Fact (1970) and Rodriguez – Coming From Reality (1971)

August 10, 2023

This week we said goodbye to The Sugar Man. In 2012 Detroit based singer/songwriter Sixto Rodriguez inspired struggling musicians and music fans world wide via the Oscar winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” The lessons I learnt from Rodriguez, how his story changed the way I thought and wrote about music, and a loving tribute to his songs and legacy.

The Vampires’ Sound Incorporation – Psychedelic Dance Party (1969)

August 3, 2023

Who were the Vampire Sound Incorporation? When European horror film director Jess Franco commissioned two German composers to create an overlooked psychedelic masterpiece! Extra: The tragic legacy of Soledad Miranda, the woman who inspired the music of The Vampire Sound Incorporation.

Roy Orbison – Crying (1962) and Roy Orbison – Mystery Girl (1989)

July 21, 2023

Nobody sang a sad song like Roy Orbison, but few performers knew true suffering and loss than The Big O, giving a haunting reality to his ballads. From the height of his popularity in the 1960’s until his triumphant comeback in the 1980’s, tragedy seemed to follow Roy Orbison at every fatal turn.

Roy Orbison – There is Only One Roy Orbison (1965)

July 19, 2023

Was Roy Orbison too ugly to be put on record cover? The real story of why he adopted his signature sun glasses and how it changed the way the world looked at Roy Orbison. forever Extra: Roy Oribon’s British adventure with The Beatles!

Roy Orbison – At the Rock House (1961)

July 17, 2023

In 1956 Roy Orbison and his band, The Teen Kings, arrived at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee to recut their record “Ooby Dooby.” However, despite being signed by Sam Phillips, Roy would find himself floundering at the legendary label and wouldn’t find chart success until 1961 and at a different label. Why did it take Roy Orbison so long to make it, and how did Sam Phillips allow Roy Orbison to slip through his fingers? A look at Roy Orbison at Sun Records.

The Shangri-Las – Leader of the Pack (1965)

July 10, 2023

A look at the lives, music, secrets and legacy of rock n’ roll’s original “bad girls” of pop, The Shangri-Las’ Extra: The story of the Shangri-Las; architect Shadow Morton, and the story of “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Leader of the Pack.”

The Velvet Underground – Squeeze (1973)

July 7, 2023

When is a Velvet Underground album not a Velvet Underground album? When it’s “Squeeze” A look at the Velvet’s junior member Doug Yule, and how recording a Velvet Undergound album without any members of the Velvet Undertround got him erased from the VU’s legacy,

The Black Belles – The Black Belles (2011) and Olivia Jean – Bathtub Love Killings (2019)

July 5, 2023

A look at Third Man Records’ one album sensation The Black Belles. and the ongoing solo career of their enigmatic front woman Olivia Jean.

Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA (1984)

July 3, 2023

When Bruce Springsteen released “Born in the USA” he went from struggling singer/songwriter to a rock n’ roll icon. But when President Ronald Regan name dropped The Boss, perhaps he should have listened to Springsteen’s lyrics first. A look at “Born in the USA” and the history of Republican politicians who have foolishly tried to use it. Extra: How Bruce Springsteen keeps Sam Tweedle’s spouse up at night.

The Crew Cuts – Rock and Roll Bash (1956)

June 30, 2023

Although thier sound barely sounds like rock n’ roll by todays standards, in 1954 ,Toronto based vocal group The Crew Cuts drove 600 miles in a snow storm to Cleveland and became the first Canadian group to enter the Billboard charts with their doo wop classic “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream).” A look at Canada’s earliest entry into the pop industry when rock was very young.

Gene Pitney – It Hurts to Be in Love (1964)

June 28, 2023

How Gene Pitney helped give The Rolling Stones thier first American “hit.” The story of “The Girl Belongs to Yesterday.” Extra: The time the Stones and Gene Pitney recorded together. Not for the faint of heart or easily offended.

Bobby Curtola – 12 Golden Hits (1967)

June 16, 2023

When Sam Tweedle met Bobby Curtola in his darkest hour. A haunting memory by a writer who loved the man, but not necessarily his music.

Black Widow – Sacrifice (1970)

June 9, 2023

Some bands sing about black magik, but Black Widow took it to a whole other level. The story of how prog-rock band Black Widow shocked the Church of England in the summer of 1970 with their ritualistic stage show combining magik, demonology and Satanisim.

Coven – Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls (1969)

June 7, 2023

In 1969 Chicago’s Coven became the first rock band to mix black magik and Satanisim with rock n’ roll in thier lp “Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls” making them the pioneers of occult rock. Extra: Lead singer Jinx Dawson reveals how Black Sabbath stole Coven’s legacy.

Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)

June 5, 2023

Just who or what was the girl on the front cover of Black Sabbath’s 1970 debut album? The myths, and the truth, behind one of rock n’ roll’s most iconic images.

Night Ranger – Midnight Madness (1983)

May 22, 2023

“You’re motorin’.” The story behind Night Ranger’s 1983 power ballad “Sister Christian” – a brother’s coming of age advice to his little sister.

Elvis Presley – Elvis (1956)

May 17, 2023

After more than two decades of interviewing celebrities, Sam Tweedle has heard a lot of stories about Elvis Presley, but this is the best Elvis story he was ever told. A story about a former child star’s encounter with the King of Rock n’ Roll, and an insight into one of the quieter moments of Elvis’ life, humanizing a legend.

Mashmakhan – Mashmakhan (1970)

May 15, 2023

If Jethro Tull and The Doors had a love child, it’d be Mashmakhan. Montreal based prog-rockers Mashmakhan had a massive hit in Canada and Japan with “As Years Go By” but the less commerical psychadelic infused tracks that made up the remainder of their 1970 debut album confused radio programmers and record buyers, making them a “one hit wonder.” An appreciation of one of the best underappreciated Canadian albums ever recorded.

Dino, Desi and Billy – I’m a Fool (1965)

May 8, 2023

How a wobbly voiced Hollywood garage band got the best of everything, and moved to the top of the charts. Was it nepotisim, or being in the right place at the right time? A deep dive of 60’s pop act Dino, Desi and Billy. Extra: Billy Hinche reveals the real story behind being signed by Frank Sinatra, and D,D & B’s special relationship with The Beach Boys.

Mark Lindsay – Arizona (1969)

May 5, 2023

Sometimes it pays to meet your idols. The time Sam Tweedle had a chance backstage meeting with Paul Revere and the Raiders’ front man Mark Lindsay!

Paul Revere and the Raiders – The Spirit of ’67 (1966)

May 3, 2023

When Mark met Manson. A chilling story from Paul Revere and the Raider’s front man Mark Lindsay about the time he met one of the 20th Century’s most notorious villains, and “The Spirit of ’67’s” unlikely link to the Sharon Tate murder.

Paul Revere and the Raiders – Something Happening (1968)

May 1, 2023

Despite being one of the best American bands of the 1960’s, Paul Revere and the Raiders never found the legacy they’ve deserved. Was it the gimmicky costumes, their association with Dick Clark Productions or the animosity between Paul Revere and front man Mark Linsday which prevented them from becoming top tier rock legends? A look at the rise and fall of Paul Revere and the Riaders, and why they need to be rediscovered.

Various Artists – Zabriskie Point Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1970)

April 28, 2023

Although it was one of the biggest box office bombs of the all time, Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1970 film “Zabriskie Point” spawned one of the best soundtrack albums of the era with original music by The Grateful Dead, The Youngbloods, Kaleidoscope and Pink Floyd. The resu.t was a soundtrack album more culturally relevant and remembered than the film that spawned it. Extra: A brief overview of the lives of the couple on the cover, Mark Frechette and Daria Halprin,.

Davy Jones – David Jones (1965)

April 24, 2023

On February 9th, 1964 73 million viewers tuned in to watch The Beatles on TheEd Sullivan Show. But they weren’t the only British pop stars making their American television debut that night as a young Davy Jones watched from the wings.. A look at the early days of Davy Jones’ career from the Artful Dodger to his 1965 pre-Monkees debut album “David Jones.”

David Bowie – Black Tie White Noise (1993)

April 19, 2023

His first solo album in years, David Bowie’s 1993 album “Black Tie/White Noise” got little attention upon it’s original release, but has reemerged as one of Bowie’s most powerful statements about racial conflict and American hate. How the LA riots juxtopossed with his mariage to Iman inspired Bowie to write an overlooked masterpiece which deservesd rediscovering.

Vinyl Stories

Category: Rock ‘n’ Roll