Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Eagles Tribute Bands And Others 70s Rockers

By George Fox


Formed in 1971, The Eagles are an award-winning, globally popular band formed in California. The members of the band were Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, and the late Glenn Frey. In addition to giving the world five number one singles, the band gathered numerous Grammy Awards, several American Music Awards and half a dozen number one albums. One of the most successful bands of the 1970s, it is not surprising that there are now a number of Eagles tribute bands. Among the other influential bands of the 70s are Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Deep Purple, Derek and the Dominoes, and Boston.

Known since 1968 as Led Zeppelin, the band originated in 1963 under the name, The Yardbirds. Then, it consisted of Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Keith Relf and Chris Dreja. The group also helped launch the career of the legendary guitarist, Eric Clapton. Beck, Clapton and Page are all among the top five on the Rolling Stone list of Top 100 Guitarists.

Despite releasing only a single album, Derek and the Dominoes made a huge mark in rock music history. Layla, the title track to their album, was borrowed from a fifth century Arabian poem about unrequited love. The story bore similarities with Clapton's forbidden love for Pattie Boyd, married at the time to Clapton's pal, George Harrison, a Beatle. Boyd eventually divorced Harrison and married Eric Clapton in 1979. They, too, ultimately split up.

The Allman Brothers formed in 1969, a product of Florida sunshine. Dubbed the fathers of Southern Rock, the band drew inspiration from elements of jazz, blues and country. Duane Allman, arguably the leader of the group, perished in a motorcycle accident in 1971. The following year, fellow band member Berry Oakley was also killed in an accident involving a motorcycle. Some friends believed that Oaklely's depression at the loss of Allman led to the crash.

Fleetwood Mac, a British-American rock group, formed in London during the year 1967. Their album, Rumours, became the eighth best-selling album of all time and sold more than 40 million copies. It spawned no fewer than four top 10 singles in the American charts.

Pink Floyd was another English rock band, having formed in London in 1965. One of their best known albums was "Dark Side of the Moon, " with the memorable track, "Careful with that Axe, Eugene." Their single, "The Wall, " formed the inspiration for a feature-length film.

British purveyors of heavy metal and hard rock, Deep Purple established themselves in 1968 in a town called Hertford. Hertfordshire County lies to the north of Greater London. The Rising Sun, a pub on the Herts and Essex border, is a haven for real ale drinkers.

Similar to the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd are sons of the state of Florida. They formed in 1964 under the name of My Backyard in Jacksonville, home of the Jaguars NFL football team. They later called themselves One Percent and the Noble Five, before finally settling for the name, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Two of their best-known hits include "Sweet Home Alabama, " and a tune much loved by fledgling guitarists, "Free Bird."




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