1st Album-1st Song-Great Debut

[Needs More Cowbell]

I'm a bit freaked out over today's edition of 1st album/1st song

Paul Revere and the Raiders hit the U.S. national charts back in 1965. Dressed in Revolutionary War garb in addition to their name, this band seemed to be on a mission to confront the British Invasion of music ( The Beatles etc.) and win the day for American garage band rock. And a mighty battle Paul Revere and his crew did fight with 10 Top 20 songs between 1965 and 1969. The two highest charting hits during this period were

Kicks-Paul Revere and the Raiders

Good Thing- Paul Revere and the Raiders

And just when you thought their musket was empty, they came up with a surprise #1 song in 1971. This time they enlisted the aid of the American Indian Nation to ensure the British stayed on their side of the ocean

Indian Reservation- Paul Revere and the Raiders

But now I have discovered that the history of this group goes further back than I ever knew. They actually formed back in 1958 and their first album was released in 1961



Now here is the 1st Song from that First Album: Like,Long Hair by Paul Revere and the Raiders

But then I discover another song on that first album. A song titled Groovey

Wait a minute!! It's 1961 and they are singing about Long Hairs and Grooviness. And they are all dressed up to fight off the British Invasion. Can it be that somehow they were able to peer into the near future to see future trends for their own musical inspiration? Or, was Paul Revere an actual time-traveler who journeyed from the 18th century to continue his call-to-arms against the British occupation but this time concentrating on the Billboard and Cashbox charts? Further investigation seems necessary

 

[Needs More Cowbell]

Blondie- X Offender (1976)

From the self titled debut album, the lead-off cut was supposed to be titled Sex Offender and be the album's first single. Radio stations balked at the title so it was changed

 

[Needs More Cowbell]

Three Dog Night- One (1968)

The first track on the debut record was written by Harry Nilsson. Interestingly, the first single from this album titled "Nobody" bombed on the charts, reaching #116. The 2nd single "Try A Little Tenderness" (An Otis Redding classic) did much better, scoring a # 29. But it is was "One" that got national attention for the new group, reaching # 5

The group went on to 17 more Top 20 songs through 1974

 

[Needs More Cowbell]

William Shatner- Mr. Tambourine Man (1968)

William Shatner, this star system's greatest interpreter of song, began his recording career with the album The Transformed Man. Since then 5 other albums have been released, cementing his reputation as an artistic gift to us mere mortals.



The Transformed Man album begins with The Shat reciting some literary works (King Henry V & Cyrano) before we get to his first song. Full speed ahead, Mr. Sulu

 

[Nora]

Disorder - Joy Division

 

[Nora]

Tubular Bells, Part One - Mike Oldfield

 

[Nora]

In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins

 

[Needs More Cowbell]

Al Di Meola- The Wizard (1976)

Al began his career with the Jazz Fusion band Return To Forever. After 3 albums, he went solo in 1976 with the album Land Of The Midnight Sun. 25 studio albums and 5 live ones later, he remains one of the best jazz guitarists

 

[Needs More Cowbell]

Canned Heat- Rollin' And Tumblin' (1967)

Canned Heat released their debut album right after their appearance at the Monterrey Pop Festival. The original band would release 9 albums through 1973 as well as perform at Woodstock. The pre-eminent boogie/blues band of it's time, a new lineup of members would sporadically record new albums into the new millenium

Rollin' And Tumblin', a Muddy Waters tune was the first cut on their debut

 

[Needs More Cowbell]

Bonnie Raitt- Bluebird (1971)

Bonnie Raitt began performing in clubs in 1970. She landed a record deal and cut her first LP, self-titled Bonnie Raitt, in 1971. Although continuously earning critical acclaim, it took 18 years of constant touring and 9 studio albums before achieving super-stardom with 1989's Nick Of Time

For her debut song, Bonnie chose a cover of Steven Still's Bluebird, originally recorded by The Buffalo Springfield