electric funeral
Just listening music
In a review from their first album a reviewer stated that Roxy Music could be of potentially big musical influence.
As influences for Roxy themselves he said are King Crimson and Velvet Underground amongst others.
Roxy Music played a kind of Glamrock but with more experimental and sophisticated elements and stood out because of the stylish and bizarre costumes they wore. It’s also said they are a huge influence on punk bands and early New Wave acts.
What made them musically interesting is the feud between Bryan and Eno. Bryan had a shine for Beatles like tunes and American soul. Eno on the other hand wanted to change the ongoing rock music with his keyboard experiments.
After their second album For Your Pleasure Brian Eno left the band. Fans were afraid that would change the originality of the music but replacement Eddie Jobson more than made up for that with his synthesizer play and his electric violin. Also Bryan Ferry could up his stage performance due to Eddie taking over the keyboards.
Roxy Music split up after Siren and came back with the release of Manifesto in 1979. Their music changed becoming more and more crooning pop songs.
Some interesting events leading up to the formation of Roxy and their first album.
- Bryan Ferry loses his job teaching ceramics due to his classes turning into listening sessions
- Bryan had an audition with King Crimson. He didn’t get the job although Mr.Fripp is impressed enough to recommend him to his management.
- Bryan further advertised for a keyboard player and Andy Mackay responded to that. Andy also brought along a friend. That friend was Brian Eno.
- In trying to come up with a name for the band Bryan and Andy searched a list of cinema names. Initially they wanted the name Roxy. That couldn’t go through with that due to an American band using that name. The word ‘music ‘was added as a pun on Rock Music.
- Together with Graham Simpson, Brian Eno, Dexter Lloyd and Roger Bunn they recorded early versions of The Bob Medley, Ladytron, Grey Lagoons, Chance Meetings and 2HB.
- Richard Williams wrote a good review in Melody Maker in December 1971.
- In 1972 they recorded a Peel session.
- Roxy Music released their debut on Friday16th June 1972.
Discography:
- Roxy Music (1972)
- For Your Pleasure (1973)
- Stranded (1973)
- Country Life (1974)
- Siren (1975)
- Viva! Roxy Music (live, 1976)
- Greatest Hits (anthology, 1977)
- Manifesto (1979)
- Flesh + Blood (1980)
- The First Seven Albums (box, 1981)
- Avalon (1982)
- The High Road (live, 1983)
- The Atlantic Years (anthology, 1983)
- Street Life 20 Great Hits (anthology, 1986)
- The Ultimate Collection (anthology, 1988)
- Heart Still Beating (live, 1990)
- More Than This (anthology, 1995)
- The Thrill Of It All (4 cd box set, 1995)
- The Early Years (anthology, 2000)
- Slave To Love (anthology, 2000)
- The Best Of Roxy Music (anthology, 2001)
In 2002 they released the Live a The Apollo dvd. Well worth the time and money!!
What I personally like about Roxy Music is their mix between croners/ballads, space/dream like anthems and all out rockers.
Recommend tracks:
Re-Make/Re-Model
If There is Something
In every Dream Home a Heartache
Editions of You
A Song For Europe
The Thrill of it All
End Of The Line
Both Ends Burning
Do The Strand
Pyamarama
Avalon
(vids - Editions of You and Song For Europe)
Sources:
The Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music Archive - Roxyrama!
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Music
Roxy Music Official Website