New Musical Express
New Musical Express, or NME, is a British weekly music journalism publication, published since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s and 90s, changing from newsprint in 1998. An online edition, nme.com, was launched in 1996. In 2000 it absorbed its principal competitor, Melody Maker.
6,992 articles
List of articles in the library
Jet Harris & Tony Meehan, The Shadows: Tony Meehan: Why I Left The Shadows
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 13 October 1961
I AM A FIRM believer in following the policy which maintains that, since life is so short, it is most important that one should do ...
Sandy Nelson: Life-lines of Sandy Nelson
Profile and Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 26 January 1962
Real name: Sander L. Nelson. ...
Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt: Alan Smith Welcomes — Ella and Eartha
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 February 1962
WELCOME BACK, Ella! Yes, the world's "First Lady of Jazz," Ella Fitzgerald, will also be in this country at the weekend, commencing her tour with ...
Rolf Harris: Rolf-Of-Every-Trade
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 21 February 1962
ROLF HARRIS, the man who currently makes with 'Sun Arise' one of the most interesting noises in the hit parade, was tired. He had been ...
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 23 February 1962
C'MON EVERYBODY, let's do the twist! Did I hear someone say they don't know how to do it? That's ridiculous. Anyone can do it, I ...
Shirley Bassey: Can Shirley Bassey Make It Three Show Hits In A Row?
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 February 1962
NO DOUBT about it, show tunes seem to have hit written all over them for Shirley Bassey! Her latest is 'Tonight', now in its second ...
George Martin: The A&R Manager Behind The Comedy Successes Forecasts...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 March 1962
...Cribbins, Drake, Sellers, Milligan, Bentine Have Bright Disc Futures ...
Pat Boone: Why I Became A Beatnik
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 March 1962
PAT BOONE fans who saw last week's NME pictures of him at the Royal Film show won't see him looking so clean-cut in his latest ...
Doris Day: Doris Looks Younger Every Day
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 March 1962
REMEMBER THOSE not so far off days when the charts were aglow with Doris Day numbers like 'Sentimental Journey', 'Que Sera' and 'Secret Love'? They ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 March 1962
PLENTY OF TALENT IN THIS SHOW ...
Nina & Frederik: Gaumont, Watford
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 April 1962
New programme from Nina and Frederik ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 April 1962
PUZZLING, isn't it, that no one has thought of an award for the wives of hit parade stars — to be presented when they inspire ...
Ketty Lester: New to the Charts: Ketty Lester Sang 'As Herself' To Notch Hit
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 April 1962
A SUDDEN decision to sing "in my own style" has brought instant success for chart newcomer Ketty Lester, whose 'Love Letters' stands at No. 27. ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 April 1962
At the NME's sensational Poll Winners' concert — CLIFF, SHADOWS, HELEN, BILLY, ADAM GIVE THRILL OF LIFETIME ...
Rick Nelson: Ricky Nelson: Now Ricky's Name Change Is Official!
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 April 1962
'YOUNG WORLD' is probably the last disc by Ricky Nelson you'll see in the NME Charts – but don't panic. At 21 Ricky has no ...
Lonnie Donegan: Palace Theatre, Manchester
Live Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 4 May 1962
RIP-ROARING DONEGAN! ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 May 1962
NEW SHADOW MAKES LONDON DEBUT ...
Winifred Atwell: Win Gets In Trim For Hit!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 May 1962
WINIFRED ATWELL is determined to bounce right back into the hit parade with her first disc for Pye, 'Game Of Chance'. ...
Anthony Newley: I'm Worried About My Discs: I Still Need Hits admits Tony Newley
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 July 1962
ANTHONY NEWLEY smoothed out a crease in the trousers of his tuxedo suit, sipped from a large mug of Shepperton film studio tea and looked ...
John Leyton Phones Alan Smith From Munich To Say: Filming In Germany Is Dangerous
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 July 1962
(But It Could Make Me A Star In America) ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 August 1962
THE NEWS that Cliff Richard is being sought for American TV's world-famous Ed Sullivan Show this autumn couldn't be more appropriate than it is right ...
Connie Francis: Connie Will Rock For Britain!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 August 1962
THERE'LL BE no more weepie-weepie songs from Connie Francis once her current hit 'Vacation' leaves the charts... for Connie is to record special future releases ...
Frank Ifield: It Was All The Better For That Ifield Smile!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 August 1962
Recording manager NORRIE PARAMOR reveals a secret behind the No. 1 hit ...
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 August 1962
Acker's Happy With His Vocal Success ...
Ray Charles: Mother Taught Ray Charles To Cope With Blindness
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 31 August 1962
THOUGH HE has been blind since the age of six, one of Ray Charles' biggest hates is to be treated as a blind person. It ...
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 September 1962
ANTHONY NEWLEY had every reason to look a little worried as he boarded a Philadelphia-bound airliner at London Airport on Sunday morning. And no wonder. ...
Bobby Vinton Replies To Ronnie Carroll
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 September 1962
...and reveals a secret to ALAN SMITH ...
Lonnie Donegan: Lonnie takes 'Dustman' to U.S.
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 September 1962
I MANAGED to catch Lonnie Donegan — but only just! — before he left this country for his third visit to America on Sunday. ...
The Springfields Think U.S. 'Stunning'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 September 1962
SAID TOM Springfield (of the Springfields): "You've no idea how stunned we were when 'Silver Threads And Golden Needles' got into the U.S. Hot 100. ...
Nat King Cole, George Shearing: George Shearing is very happy about Nat Cole's hit
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 October 1962
WHEN 'Ramblin' Rose' leapt high into the NME Charts last week, nobody was happier than George Shearing, in London for the start of his tour. ...
Sam Cooke: Sam Ploughed Money Into Act
Profile by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 5 October 1962
SAM COOKE is currently one of America's hottest disc properties. Since he scored his first hit with 'You Send Me', Sam has had a pretty ...
Elvis Presley: Dates With Elvis
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 October 1962
Presley's Follow That Dream co-star ANNE HELM talks to Alan Smith ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 October 1962
He talks to Alan Smith about having two albums in the charts ...
Pat Boone: Royal Welcome Awaits Boone
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 October 1962
ONE top American star you can't accuse of neglecting his British fans is Pat Boone, who'll be flying into London next week for his third ...
B. Bumble & The Stingers: Cavern Club, Liverpool
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 October 1962
Thumper Bumble ...
The Beatles: Newcomers To The Charts: Liverpool's Beatles Wrote Their Own Hit
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 October 1962
MAKING THEIR NME Chart debut with 'Love Me Do' this week are the Beatles, a vocal-instrumental group who hail from Liverpool, the birthplace of such ...
Acker Bilk Picks 'Desert Island Discs' — And Talks About Others He Wanted
Report and Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962
MR. ACKER BILK found himself on a desert island this week — recording his part as a castaway on the BBC's long-running Desert Island Discs ...
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962
ROCK INSTRUMENTS INVADE TRAD ...
Adam Faith: Alan Smith Learns About Adam Faith's Far East Joy And Agony
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962
TIRED BUT tanned, Adam Faith flew into Britain on Sunday after his first tour of Australia and New Zealand — and then went straight back ...
The Everly Brothers, Phil Everly: Phil Everly says Thanks
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962
PALE AND drawn after his four week tour of Britain without brother Don, Phil Everly slumped into a deep armchair in his dressing room at ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962
WE WERE sitting in Frank Ifield's dressing room at Liverpool Empire on Sunday — the last night of his triumphant tour with the Phil Everly ...
Dave Brubeck, Ronnie Scott: Near-in Brubeck
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 30 November 1962
IT WAS a new Dave Brubeck on tour in Britain this time. ...
Patsy Cline Overcame Grave Car Crash Injuries
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 December 1962
PERSONAL tragedy is nothing to Patsy Cline, who sings of 'Heartaches' on her first big hit disc in Britain. Her fast-rising career was interrupted last ...
Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline: Grand Ole Opry Show: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 December 1962
C-and-W invades the New York concert world ...
The Crystals, Phil Spector: The Crystals: New to the Charts — Six Girls With Two Names!
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 December 1962
SO VAST is the American disc scene that quite often an artist or group can get high into the charts without anybody here knowing much ...
Mel Tormé: Now Mel Gets With The Beat!
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 4 January 1963
HALF-WAY through 1961 Melvin Howard Tormé was moaning that "there were no songs being written that were worth singing. ...
Duke Ellington, Odetta: Ian Dove Gives a Big NME Welcome to Ellington and Odetta
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 11 January 1963
COME SLUMP or boom, war or peace, fad or fashion, Duke Ellington has gone on leading a big band. For 37 years, to be precise! ...
Johnny and The Hurricanes: Gaumont State Ballroom, Kilburn, London
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 18 January 1963
HURRICANES IMPRESS ...
The Limeliters: Alan Smith invites you to meet The Limeliters
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 January 1963
INTO THE Limelight this week come... the Limeliters. This lively American folk trio arrive today (Friday) for their first-ever visit to Britain. ...
The Four Seasons: Old Movie Has Inspired Four Seasons' Latest Hit
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 25 January 1963
'BIG GIRLS don't cry' — current hit for vocal group the Four Seasons — owes it all to film stars John Wayne and Joan Crawford! ...
Brian Hyland: Welcome Brian Hyland
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 January 1963
THE BLOND, blue-eyed singer who emerged as Bobby Vee's biggest rival in 1962, Brian Hyland will come slap-bang into a controversy when he arrives for ...
The Rooftop Singers: *New to the Charts* — Rooftop Singers Start Moving Here
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963
'WALK RIGHT IN', by the Rooftop " Singers — the disc that starts off like a folky guitar instrumental and then turns into a vocal ...
Little Eva: Alan Smith Says 'Welcome, Little Eva'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963
THE GIRL who put a new twist into the twist – Little Eva – arrives in London today (Friday) for her first tour of Britain. ...
Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk: Bilk Courts 'Twins': Ball Sticks to Band
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963
Ian Dove talks to two trad giants and finds different outlooks ...
The Bachelors: Astor Club, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963
Debut At Astor ...
The Beatles: You've Pleased-Pleased Us Say The Beatles
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963
THINGS ARE beginning to move for the Beatles, the r-and-b styled British group which crashed back into the NME Chart this week at No. 17. ...
Tommy Steele, The Tornados: Alan Smith On Film Sets With The Tornados and Tommy Steele
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1963
A HAUNTING theme-tune echoed across the stage of a dingy London theatre on Tuesday morning, as film cameras turned on that "Globetrotting" hit group, the ...
Mike Berry Takes Things Smoothly
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1963
ALAN SMITH talks to a new Top Ten singer ...
Erik Darling, The Rooftop Singers: 'Walk Right In': The Man
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 15 February 1963
ERIK DARLING, musical director and organiser of the Rooftop Singers — "We're a folk music group," he insists — has a hit on his hands ...
Billy Fury, The Tornados: NMExclusive: Billy Fury by the Tornados
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 22 February 1963
IT IS NOW almost fifteen months to the day that our group — itself only about six months old — played an audition to Billy ...
Ella Fitzgerald: Finsbury Park Astoria, London
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 1 March 1963
Ella Throws 'Loop De Loop' Away ...
Judy Garland: Judy Cried At Herself
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 March 1963
"BRITAIN IS A home from home to me," said Judy Garland recently. "I remember my career was at a low ebb back in 1950 and ...
The Beatles: Beatles Almost Threw 'Please Please Me' Away
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 March 1963
THE BEATLES opened a copy of the NME and gazed proudly at the Charts when 'Please Please Me' hit the top recently. It was a ...
Patsy Cline Killed In Air Crash
Report by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 8 March 1963
A TRAGIC air accident again struck a cruel blow at the pop music world this week. Four years after Buddy Holly's death, country-and-western star Patsy ...
The Bachelors: The Bachelor Boys Are Happy!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 March 1963
THE HAPPY Bachelors, celebrate their ninth week in the NME Chart today (Friday), standing at lucky No. 13 with their hit disc 'Charmaine'. ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: New to the Charts: Gerry, Pacemakers from Beatle-land!
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 March 1963
CRASHING into the NME Chart this week comes another beat name from Beatle-land, Liverpool's Gerry and the Pacemakers. Gerry is featured vocalist on 'How Do ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Gerry And The Pacemakers Reveal Their Success Secret: 'We Let Go!'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 April 1963
"UND JETZT," said Gerry (of the Pacemakers), "ein wünsche für..." The rest of his announcement was drowned by a burst of good-natured jeering from the ...
Hank Locklin on Newcomers' TV Show!
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 April 1963
ONE OF America's biggest country-and-western stars, Hank Locklin, is arriving in London today (Friday) for his first visit to this country. Regrettably, most of his ...
Roy Orbison: Janet Martin Describes to Ian Dove Roy Orbison's Home-Life
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 12 April 1963
ROY ORBISON may live just outside Nashville, Tennessee — in Hendersonville, to be exact — and he may record his hit discs in the celebrated ...
Kenny Ball, The Kingston Trio: Kenny Ball talks about the Kingston Trio
Profile and Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 12 April 1963
JAZZMAN KENNY Ball is happy about appearing with America's top folk group, the Kingston Trio... a group he saw on his recent American tour. ...
Ruby & the Romantics: New to the Charts: Ruby, Romantics Make It At Last!
Profile by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 12 April 1963
'OUR DAY Will Come' couldn't be a more appropriate disc title for Ruby and the Romantics, who enter the NME Chart this week. Their record ...
The Chiffons: New to the Charts: Tokens aid Chiffons
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 19 April 1963
'HE'S SO FINE', the disc by the Chiffons — a coloured, all-girl group with a Shirelles-type sound — looks set to confirm the prophecy of ...
The Beatles: Throat Sweets Keep Us Going Say Beatles!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 April 1963
A NEVER-ENDING supply of throat sweets is one of the secrets behind the continued success of the Beatles, who come crashing into the NME Chart ...
Skeeter Davis: Alan Smith Conducts a Transatlantic Question-Time with Skeeter Davis
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1963
A MODEST, charming person who's far from being as sad as she sounds on her first British hit, 'The End Of The World'! — that's ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1963
MIKE BERRY burst into the second half to the throbbing beat of 'La Bamba'. Close on its heels came his current release 'My Little Baby' ...
Gerry Mulligan: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 26 April 1963
Melodic Mulligan ...
Jerry Lee Lewis: Beaty Welcome for Jerry Lee Lewis
Report by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 3 May 1963
JERRY LEE LEWIS looks like getting a wild welcome when he arrives to start his British tour at Birmingham Town Hall on May 6. At ...
The Beatles, Billy J. Kramer: Billy J. Kramer Adds To Liverpool Chart Invasion!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 May 1963
FIRST THE BEATLES, then Gerry and the Pacemakers. Now a new Liverpool name, Billy J. Kramer, looks set to take the NME Chart by storm ...
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 3 May 1963
LEYTON PACKAGE FEATURES NEW MIKE SARNE ...
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 3 May 1963
IAN DOVE quizzes SHADOWS, TORNADOS, BEATLES, JET & TONY, and GERRY & PACEMAKERS ...
Andy Williams Explains Why He Didn't Do A Palladium TV
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963
ANDY WILLIAMS settled back into a deep armchair at London's Dorchester Hotel. "I couldn't appear on Sunday Night At The Palladium," he said, "because of ...
Eddie Cochran: Fans Prove Label Wrong About Cochran
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963
EDDIE COCHRAN'S chart entry 'My Way' is only one of several previously unissued discs the U.S. star left behind after his death in April, 1960. ...
Heinz, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent: Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, Heinz: Town Hall, Birmingham
Live Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963
Two 'houses' shouted 'We want Jerry'! ...
The Beatles: From You To Us Inspired 'From Me To You'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963
according to THE BEATLES who told Alan Smith ...
Ray Charles: Welcome to Ray Charles
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963
THE GENIUS... Messiah... Prophet... High Priest. Big words, and strange words to apply to a singer! But all have been used with religious fervour describing ...
Billy J. Kramer: Singing Was Forced On To Me!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 May 1963
BILLY J. KRAMER sat back in his manager's London office and looked thoughtful as the bubbles settled on top of his cup of hot tea. ...
Ray Charles: Finsbury Park Astoria, London
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 17 May 1963
Too hard a job for Ray Charles? ...
Ray Charles: "I Don't Know What Is The Real Me," Admits Ray Charles
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 24 May 1963
"CARY GRANT, the film star. You know, he's a friend of mine and he used to tell me to come to England. He told me ...
Bobby Rydell's British Recording Hits The Bull's Eye!
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 24 May 1963
BOBBY RYDELL came from America in March to appear on Sunday Night At The London Palladium. While here he said: "Just lately I haven't been ...
Paul & Paula: Paul and Paula Make a Frank Statement About Marriage
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 24 May 1963
PAUL AND PAULA, the "Young Lovers" who sing simple songs of love and tenderness to each and project the same kind of image, received poor ...
Freddie & The Dreamers: The Hilarious Account Of How Freddie 'Floated' From Milk To Hit
Profile and Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 7 June 1963
MR. FREDERICK GARRATTY has it all worked out exactly when he became just plain Freddie, a full-time professional entertainer with a backing group called the ...
Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly: Buddy Holly Scores Fourth 'Bo' Hit!
Report by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 14 June 1963
ONCE AGAIN, 'Bo Diddley' is a hit — the fourth time it has been in the pop music charts, this time steered there by the ...
Lesley Gore: Parties Are Lucky For Lesley
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 June 1963
MAKING HER chart bow this week with 'It's My Party', attractive Lesley Gore actually owes her disc success to the occasion she sang a song ...
Kenny Ball, Heinz: Kenny Ball and Heinz on the Film Set
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 June 1963
ONE HOUR'S worth of story, 20 minutes of music (including Kenny Ball's new hit 'Rondo') is the way they've planned Britain's latest pop film, Live ...
Jim Reeves: Long-lasting Jim Reeves Takes Things Very Calmly
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 21 June 1963
JIM REEVES comes from Texas, has that celebrated lazy Texan drawl and a relaxed attitude towards singing and his audience. Everything appears to be taken ...
The Everly Brothers: Phil And Don Everly Put Up A Fight
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 June 1963
NOBODY could say the fortunes of the Everly Brothers have been at their highest just lately, but the boys are determined to put up a ...
The Isley Brothers: Beatles Make Isleys' Hit
Report by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 28 June 1963
THREE brothers, O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald — the surname is Isley — have to be very thankful to Liverpool's Beatles. For if the Beatles weren't ...
Connie Francis Returns to Sing for our Queen
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 June 1963
CONNIE FRANCIS must hold some kind of record for the number of times she's visited Britain in the past few years! She'll be adding another ...
Lesley Gore: The Singing Rebel
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 June 1963
IT'S THE BEATLES' favourite disc of the moment and it's sung by a 17-year-old American girl who had a genteel upbringing in the sedate neighbourhood ...
Sophie Tucker: The Talk Of The Town, London
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 28 June 1963
Same Old Sophie ...
The Swinging Blue Jeans: Blue Jeans Swing into Chart
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963
THE SWINGING Blue Jeans have been swinging for a long time. Back in 1957, when they were first formed, the line-up was typical of those ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Just Say 'Didn'I' To Get The Pacemakers Laughing
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963
GERRY AND the Pacemakers staggered into their dressing-room, glistening with perspiration as each fell into a chair and sipped an ice-cold drink. "Like it?" grinned ...
The Tremeloes: New to the Charts: Brian Poole & Tremeloes
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963
IT'S FIFTH time lucky for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, who make their chart bow this week with 'Twist And Shout'. ...
Nat King Cole: Welcome Back to Nat 'King' Cole
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963
INCREDIBLE — but in December, 1940, in a Hollywood recording studio, Nat "King" Cole made the first of many hit discs, 'Sweet Lorraine'. It is ...
Billy Fury: My Top Ten by Billy Fury
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 12 July 1963
'DESTINY' by Johnnie Ray. — Before the days of rock 'n' roll, I was a great Johnnie Ray fan, following his career and records closely. ...
The Searchers: Searchers Paid £40 To Make LP
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 July 1963
THE SEARCHERS might not be in the NME Top Ten this week – making an amazing jump from No. 24 to No. 5! – if ...
Bobby Rydell: Experiment Worked After Two Years Says Bobby Rydell
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 July 1963
BOBBY RYDELL is head over heels at the success of his British-made disc 'Forget Him' — his first record to hit the NME Chart since 'Sway' almost ...
Mickie Most: Newcomer to the Charts: Mickie Most Goes Right Back...
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 19 July 1963
MICKIE MOST may be a newcomer to the NME Top 30 with 'Mr. Porter', but he's had one of the longest careers in beat music ...
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 July 1963
THERE'S A long and fascinating story behind the big come-back success of 'Twist And Shout' (now with three versions in the best-sellers) — and it's ...
The Dakotas, Billy J. Kramer: Billy J. Kramer Talks About the Dakotas
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 9 August 1963
BILLY J. KRAMER stood in the wings at Southend Odeon at the weekend, clicking his fingers to the rhythm of the Dakotas. A spotlight penetrated ...
The Beatles, Paul McCartney: Close-Up on Paul McCartney, a Beatle
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 August 1963
I WENT roof-climbing with the Beatles – up a rickety wooden ladder, over drainpipes, and past the huge chimney-pots of London's plush Washington Hotel. The ...
The Caravelles: Two Smart Girls
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 9 August 1963
THE CARAVELLES sound "like so many Peggy Lees all singing at once," said one entranced listener when he heard their debut disc 'You Don't Have ...
Gene Pitney, The Supremes: Gene Pitney's 72 Days With The Supremes
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 2 October 1964
GENE PITNEY recently took a bus journey with the Supremes. They shared front seat views — FOR 72 DAYS AND OVER 30,000 MILES. Gene, who ...
Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers: Newcomers to the Charts: Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers
Profile and Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 2 October 1964
FOR CLIFF Bennett it's seventh record lucky! Cliff has finally made it with 'One Way Love' at No. 29 in the NME Chart. ...
The Hollies: Through? Not The Hollies!
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 2 October 1964
LOTS OF PEOPLE said that the Hollies were through because they were taking too long issuing another record. So the Manchester group agreed "We're Through" ...
The Beatles: What We Bought At Harrods
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 December 1964
CHRISTMAS COMES but once a year... and when it comes it brings special problems for the Beatles. Those four famous faces can't just nip into ...
Françoise Hardy: ★ Newcomers To The Charts ★ Enter Mlle. Hardy
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 1 January 1965
FRANÇOISE HARDY is one of those French singers whose records were always good sellers in the specialist shops — she is a female equivalent of ...
The Moody Blues: Moody Blues almost gave up!
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 1 January 1965
'GO NOW' is the title of their hit disc... and earlier this year that was what the Moody Blues said to each other. The scene ...
Cilla Black: Cilla Is Knocked Out By New Disc!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 January 1965
KEITH ALTHAM meets a sun-tanned singing star and discovers... ...
Live Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 15 January 1965
Olé, it's Chuck 'Crazylegs' now! Ian Dove covers latest Berry tour ...
The Moody Blues: Moody Blues Are Really Quite Happy!
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 15 January 1965
I DONT KNOW why they are called the Moody Blues. They aren't moody or blue. ...
The Animals: Animals In America
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 February 1965
ERIC BURDON v. Cassius Clay might sound like an unlikely title bout but Eric informs me that it was almost reality when the Animals were ...
The Seekers: Seekers Are Goon Fans
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 February 1965
"HELLO Folks!" That Spike Milligan salutation would seem highly appropriate to open an article about Australian folk singers, The Seekers, who attribute a great deal ...
The Hollies: Hollies Get Into No 1 Hit Mood
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 February 1965
"IT'S GREAT to be Number One – you can't get much lower than that!" shouted Graham Nash, as the Hollies invaded the NME offices on ...
Ray Charles: Ballad in Blue (Dir. Paul Henreid; 20th Century Fox)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 19 February 1965
Good-value Ray Charles ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 February 1965
TREE KINKS and I turned off Charing Cross Road into a cafe. But with his face embedded in a copy of the NME, Mick Avory ...
Nat King Cole: Nat "King" Cole, Loss To World
Obituary by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 19 February 1965
WHEN NAT "King" Cole died of lung cancer on Monday, aged 45, the world lost a great artist. Those who saw his stage shows knew ...
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 February 1965
TONIGHT, TUESDAY, February 23, 1965, saw the death of Old Man Rock 'n' Roll and the triumphant birth of Kinky Blues at the Olympia Theatre, ...
Sandie Shaw: Why Sandie triumphed
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 February 1965
ONLY SANDIE Shaw, who has just come through the most terrifying test of her career, would have done it. I was with her recently in ...
Gene Pitney: Flashback for Gene Pitney to The Most Ridiculous Session Ever
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 5 March 1965
WORD WENT around very quickly about the "most ridiculous recording session ever." Accountants blanched as they put the cost in their account books. Heads of ...
The Rolling Stones: Startling Stones Discovery!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 March 1965
I DISCOVERED the secret of the Stones act last weekend at the Edmonton Regal. It is — THEY DON'T HAVE ONE! ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 March 1965
FOUR NEW TUNES IN THE ACT ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 March 1965
STRAIGHT from his long run up the North Pier, Worthing, Tom Jones arrived bleary-eyed and bewhiskered in his dressing room at Ready, Steady, Go! to ...
Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 19 March 1965
BRITAIN'S Mr. Tamla-Motown — he's Dave Godin, organiser of the Tamla-Motown Appreciation Society — was walking around warning the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, the ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 March 1965
MARIANNE FAITHTULL frightens me to death. She is cool, confident, clever and highly successful. The kind of beauty you meet at a party, regulate yourself ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 March 1965
BACK from a hectic five-day promotional tour of France I found Sandie Shaw and composer Chris ('Long Live Love') Andrews seated at a piano in ...
Herman's Hermits: ?-Time with Herman who keeps Twinkle up late!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 March 1965
HERMAN'S TROUBLE sticks out like a sore thumb or to be more precise, like a thumb broken in three places. While sipping his coffee the ...
Adam Faith, Sandie Shaw: Sandie Shaw and Adam Faith
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 April 1965
ADAM GOT the Rolls out and with Sandie Shaw and I in the back we drove along Tooting Bec Broadway searching for a fish and ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 April 1965
THERE IS a touch of the "Paul McCartneys" about Peter Quaife of the Kinks. Like Paul he plays bass, and like Paul he is the ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 April 1965
MY NEW disc will be issued in mid-April! I'm being backed by Buster Meikle, Humble Garwood, Pigmy Halliday, Lem Lubin, Count Moules and Sweat Moeller. ...
Marianne Faithfull: Marianne Never Does What A Pop Star Should
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 April 1965
SHE HAS a pert, child-like face which darts out at you from a cascade of fine, fair hair. The face seems to be concentrated into ...
Dave Berry: Surfing, What's That?
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 April 1965
"SURFER" DAVE BERRY, as his publicist Andy "Wipeout" Wickham is now pleased to title him, phoned me from his home in Manchester. Needless to say, ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 April 1965
IT WAS THE GREATEST POP SHOW ON EARTH ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 April 1965
RAY DAVIES is the King Kink. He composed all their hits and although there is no official leader in the group, Ray is the driving ...
The Supremes: LISTEN! in the name of Supremes
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 April 1965
FLOP. THAT'S the only way to describe the much-vaunted, ill-fated Tamla-Motown road show. When it ended its first British tour last week it left behind ...
Donovan: I'll Quit After Two More Years
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 April 1965
GIPSY DAVE sat in Donovan's dressing room playing a strange instrument – a leg off a Queen Anne chair strung with one guitar string. ...
The Animals: Eric Burdon, Animal Trainer
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 April 1965
CLAD in a black track suit, zippered to the neck, and still wearing his carpet slippers, the chunky figure of Eric Burdon lay writhing on ...
Françoise Hardy: One Girl Music Organisation!
Profile by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 April 1965
AT TWENTY-ONE, Francoise Hardy is undoubtedly the most attractive musical organisation in the world. She is her own accompanist, agent, manager and composer. For that ...
Peter and Gordon: Peter & Gordon Are Poles Apart
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 April 1965
BEFORE THEIR trip to Japan and the Far East I lunched with Peter Asher and his sparring partner Gordon Waller, and a more unlikely combination ...
The Ivy League: Ivy League battle against themselves
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 May 1965
THE IVY League have decided to cut down on their session work, as they have arrived at the ludicrous position where they are competing with ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 May 1965
MANFRED MANN (not to be confused with the group) is often cynical, outspoken and sometimes frank to the point of being rude. He is also ...
Marianne Faithfull: Marianne Meets Dylan And Baez
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 May 1965
THE COLOURFUL combination of Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, Joan Baez, John Mayall and "a nice fat man called Albert" (Dylan's manager) met to dispose of ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 May 1965
I CAN'T say that it came as a surprise to find that – after three cancelled appointments with Them – they were not at the ...
Peter and Gordon: Peter & Gordon Push Elvis, Everlys
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 June 1965
SQUATTING in my waste-paper basket, crunching a wafer biscuit and gulping a carton of cow juice, last Friday evening, sat the finest unpaid publicity man ...
The Yardbirds: Yardbirds Don't Like Own Hits
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 June 1965
IN THE middle of a field in Windsor sat Yardbirds' vocalist Keith Relf dressed as an Elizabethan page with plumed hat and a huge silk ...
Françoise Hardy: Françoise Sweeps In
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 June 1965
FRANCOISE HARDY swept into London's Savoy Hotel in a red jacket, boots and bell-bottom trousers. It had been quite a day for the French star ...
The Kinks: Kinks Back To Abnormal
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 June 1965
FOLLOWING Dave Davies' recent cymbolic headache and the Kinks withdrawal from their tour, there's been wild speculation about their future. I met them last Friday ...
The Walker Brothers: American Walkers Love Wild Wild Fans
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 June 1965
THERE are fifteen mirrors in one bedroom; a cavalry sword on the wall; a marble bust of nobody in particular on the mantelpiece; an enormous ...
Elvis Presley: More Old Songs: Tickle Me
Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 June 1965
Tickle Me isn't the GREATEST film Elvis has ever made, but it isn't the worst, either. ...
Manfred Mann, The Rolling Stones: Stones and Manfreds: Jones Boys Talk About Chart-Making EPs
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 June 1965
FOR THE first time two EPs have crashed into the NME Chart simultaneously. They are the Rolling Stones' 'Got Live If You Want It' and the Manfreds' ...
The Who Use Force To Get The Sound They Want!!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 June 1965
HE SAT TENSED against a hard-backed chair, dressed in a Carnaby Street blue jacket and with a blond, Mod hairstyle that showed dark at the ...
Donovan Gambles On Anti-war Song About Vietnam
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 July 1965
DONOVAN doesn't wear his faded denim cap any more. But this isn't the only change in the life of the young curly-headed folk singer whose ...
The Hollies: Hollies Get Into No. 1
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 July 1965
...and tell Keith Altham about it ...
The Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones: When Everlys joined Stones
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 July 1965
I SUPPOSE you could have called the act the Rolling Everlys — or the Stones Brother! But whatever the name, there's no mistaking the terrific ...
Bob Dylan, Dana Gillespie: Bob Dylan's Not A Singer At All — Says His Friend Dana
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 July 1965
"HE'S NOT really a singer at all. He just writes poems and sings them because he thinks a narrative would bore people. Donovan's voice is ...
The Everly Brothers: Everlys Thrilled Over British Tour
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 9 July 1965
"WE'RE looking so much forward to going back to Britain," exclaimed Don Everly on the phone from Decorah, Iowa, to my office in California. "We're ...
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 July 1965
HOW MANY people thought that Joan Baez would be seen back in the NME Chart again, once 'We Shall Overcome' had faded into the distance? Not many, ...
The Yardbirds: Yardbirds Question Time
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 July 1965
THE YARDBIRDS were in no mood for pulling punches when I called on them in their dressing room at the Ready, Steady, Go studios in ...
Adam Faith, Jackie Trent, Sandie Shaw, Val Doonican: Eve Taylor: Queen Bee Of Show Business
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 July 1965
EVELYN TAYLOR – affectionately, respectfully, jealously and irreverently known as the "Queen Bee of Show Business" – has a loud voice, grey hair and the ...
Donovan: Hollywood Not So Hot — say Donovan and Baez!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 July 1965
"I WASN'T exactly knocked out with it, man," said Donovan, having "done" Hollywood and in the process of "doing" a large plateful of ravioli in ...
P.J. Proby: I'm Still The Greatest
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 July 1965
LOOKING rather like a refugee from a Biblical nightmare, P.J. Proby – with beard and shoulder-length hair – loped down the corridor from Top Of ...
The Pretty Things: Scotland's Really Wild Report Pretty Things
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 July 1965
APART FROM being banned from swimming pools, finding their dressing-room in the middle of the girls' cloakroom, and being pulled off stage with alarming regularity, ...
Dusty Springfield: Tired Dusty Raves Over Next Single
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 July 1965
IT WAS 2.30 in the afternoon and Dusty Springfield was still sound asleep when I rang her at her London home. There was a slight ...
The Ivy League: Ivy League Are Inspired By Life
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 July 1965
"MIDNIGHT... neon signs bursting into life and winking out... theatres with names in fire... Sammy Davis in Golden Boy... your first time walking down Broadway... the ...
Manfred Mann: Manfred plays the "Baiting" Game
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 July 1965
...AND VENTS HIS SARCASM ON REPORTER KEITH ALTHAM ...
The Dave Clark Five: Dave Clark is Plane Unlucky
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965
DAVE CLARK arrived back in Britain on Tuesday from America six hours late. His original plane had to return to Kennedy Airport with a damaged ...
The Animals: John Steel — The Forgotten Animal
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965
JOHN STEEL is a very rare Animal. Seldom seen with the pack (Messrs. Rowberry, Chandler, Burdon and Valentine) and seldom heard. He remains the background ...
Jonathan King: New to the Charts: Jonathan King No. 19
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965
THE TWENTY-one-year-old verbal machine-gun, by name Jonathan King, who entered the NME Chart at No. 19 with 'Everyone's Gone To The Moon' sat down in ...
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs: Sam The Sham Has Sung In Opera!
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965
Special from Tracy Thomas in Hollywood ...
Joan Baez, Dana Gillespie, Paul Simon: Two Views on Baez, by Paul Simon and Dana Gillespie
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965
A SMALL, dark, intense man from Greenwich Village (home of his folkship, Bob Dylan) came to my office last week and talked about Joan Baez. ...
The Yardbirds: Yardbirds Lash Out
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965
THE YARDBIRDS are bristling with hurt anger this week — at Thank Your Lucky Stars Summer Spin; at their manager, and at a pop promoter who ...
Tom Jones: From Tom Jones In New York: New release is STUPID!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965
JONES THE Pop sounded dull and unhappy when I rang him at the Gorham Hotel in New York this week. He thinks it's "damn stupid" ...
Georgie Fame : Will I be Flop of the Year?
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965
THE BLUE Flames had gone home, and Georgie Fame stood in the middle of a recording studio, reaching up to the mike and belting out ...
Marianne Faithfull: Baby Halts Marianne's Plans
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965
"BABIES are taking over," Marianne Faithfull informed me. "My little 'third party' is going to prevent me going to the U.S. or Mexico as I ...
The Beatles: John Lennon Slams The Critics
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965
JOHN LENNON shouted for food, then turned to me in the vast, near-deserted auditorium of Blackpool's ABC theatre. In two hours he and the rest ...
The Fortunes: Fortunes Have Got Their Own Troubles
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965
'YOU'VE GOT YOUR TROUBLES' and the Fortunes have certainly got their own as I found out when I spoke to them recently. "Our greatest problem ...
The Rolling Stones: The Stones Hit Back
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965
I WENT to see the big, bad Rolling Stones during their first-ever performance at the London Palladium last Sunday. ...
Joan Baez, Donovan: It's School-Marm Joan Baez Now!
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 August 1965
JOAN BAEZ has turned school-marm. In a Californian town she has started an unusual "School For Non-Violence", where children turn up to sit in silence. ...
Sonny & Cher: Sonny Became Singer Giving Cher Courage
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 August 1965
"I NEVER intended to be a singer," confessed Sonny, when I found him squatting on the stairs in the corridors of a BBC Theatre in ...
The Animals: Eric Burdon Turns Author
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 August 1965
STAND by for Eric Burdon, author. I've just been going over some of the roughs that Eric is preparing for his first book (publisher wanted). ...
The Animals, The Beatles, Steampacket: Wild Richmond Festival — and Meeting Two Unexpected Guests
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 August 1965
FROM A STEEL tower out in the middle of Richmond Athletic Ground the anxious voice of an American cameraman crackled through a walkie-talkie set held ...
The Kinks: Kinks' Room Had Iron Gates!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 August 1965
BACK FROM a weekend trip to Germany at London Airport on Monday, I met four hungry Kinks — three pale (Dave, Ray and Pete) and ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 August 1965
Byrds' Weak Stage Act ...
The Righteous Brothers: Brothers Riding High!
Report and Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 20 August 1965
"BILL and Bob are thrilled about their New York stay," Karen Medley, wife of Righteous Brother Bill Medley, revealed to me in a telephone conversation. ...
The McCoys: New to the Charts: The McCoys on New Label
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 August 1965
IT'S IMMEDIATE success for the Andrew Oldham-Tony Calder "Immediate" disc label — and a first NME Chart entry for the American group the McCoys! The label's debut ...
Sonny & Cher Take Over Three Chart Spots! Including the Top!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 August 1965
Keith Altham spent four days with them to write this revealing article ...
The Walker Brothers: Walkers Make It Sound Easy — But It's Not!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 August 1965
TORN, TATTERED, but triumphant — the Walker Brothers have got the big hit they needed with their second record, 'Make It Easy On Yourself'. Hysterical ...
Brenda Lee: Brenda Really Means Those Sad Love Songs
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965
MARRIAGE CAN be a dodgy business when you're a pop star — as I found when a sad-voiced Brenda Lee phoned me from Nashville, Tennessee. ...
Horst Jankowski: Janie Marden Talks About Her Friend Horst Jankowski
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965
LOOK AT his picture and if you didn't know he was in the charts right now you might visualise Horst Jankowski as a bank clerk ...
The Rolling Stones: Now They're World-Wide Stones
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965
THE NEWS OF the big Stones shake-up broke in the Ready, Steady, Go! canteen last Friday evening as Bill Wyman and I sat chatting about ...
The Dave Clark Five: Question time with DAVE CLARK
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965
Conducted by ALAN SMITH ...
Billy Fury: Billy's New Outlook
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 September 1965
HE WORE a small-brimmed leather trilby and a dark grey jacket, and in the palm of his hand he flicked a king-sized cigarette lighter. Like ...
The Beatles, Ken Dodd: Ken Dodd Champions The Beat Groups
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 September 1965
"YES!" CACKLED Ken Dodd as he stood there in his dressing room at the London Palladium, wearing big boots, baggy trousers, a yellow daisy and ...
The Animals, Manfred Mann, The Rolling Stones: Stones Take Over!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 September 1965
ON THE TV monitor was Andrew Oldham, clad in bobcat waistcoat, miming to Cher's voice singing "I don't care if your hair's too long" and ...
Sonny & Cher: NMExclusive: Transatlantic phone call reveals... Sonny's Collapsed!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 September 1965
BUT THEY'VE BROKEN RECORDS ACROSS U.S. ...
Cher: All I Really Wanna Do (Liberty)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 September 1965
CHER'S LP — Track-by-track ...
Manfred Mann: Paul Jones says — No Smut In Latest Hit
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 September 1965
"SUGGESTlVE," "Blatant" and "Embarrassingly obvious" are just some of the harsh words being levelled at Manfred Mann's new hit 'If You Gotta Go, Go Now'. ...
The McCoys: McCoys Are America's Wildest Group
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 September 1965
...says ALAN SMITH ...
Billy Fury: Long Wait For Billy's Next Disc
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965
IT WILL BE only a week or so to Christmas before Billy Fury records the follow-up to his current hit, 'Run To My Lovin' Arms' ...
Dusty Springfield: Dusty: New Sound, New Look
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965
LOOK CLOSELY at this picture of Dusty Springfield. To me it is one of the liveliest and brightest shots of her I have ever seen. ...
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965
SING A SONG of protest — and you, too, could find yourself there in the charts. Suddenly a whole flood of these let's-put-the-world-right numbers has ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965
IN THE SPACE of four weeks 100,000 people will sit, and stand, and scream. More than 90,000 ice-creams and hysteria-cooling drinks will be sold. Hot, ...
Barry McGuire... Protests About Protests
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 1 October 1965
"I LEFT to be myself. I felt there were better things to be said. If I can't have fun then I'm not real, and if ...
James Brown: 95 Per Cent of Credit
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 1 October 1965
IT COULD have been James Brown, professional boxer or baseball player. Instead he chose to enter the world of entertainment and became a giant, playing ...
Wilson Pickett — Stones, Tom Jones Fan!
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 1 October 1965
"I WAS SITTING on the front porch picking at my guitar and singing. This neighbour boy came up and asked me to play some more. ...
Dusty Springfield: Sunday Paper Scared off Dusty's Man
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 October 1965
THE DELECTABLE Miss Dusty Springfield was in candid mood when I spoke to her this week — about wigs, her nose . . . and ...
Andy Williams: Delighted Andy Williams Says Proudly Now I'm a British Pop Star!
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 22 October 1965
NMExclusive interview in Hollywood byTRACY THOMAS ...
The Yardbirds: Our Emotional Experiences in Sound! — by the Yardbirds
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 October 1965
IT COULD be the flop of the year — or it could be the biggest thing in package shows since the invention of the electric ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 October 1965
SONNY struck back last week! When I phoned him at his home in Los Angeles recently, I got him out of bed at five o'clock ...
The Walker Brothers: The Scott Walker Interview
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 October 1965
HIS MOTHER CALLS him "the madman." His manager, agent and publicist call him all kind of things when he disappears for days without telling anyone ...
The Fortunes: Fortunes Admit It: They Use Session Boys!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 29 October 1965
THE FORTUNES go on record as the first group I have met who have had the honesty to admit they use session musicians on their ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones Hit Back
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 29 October 1965
TEATIME with the Rolling Stones in the Ready, Steady, Go! canteen proved most entertaining. David Jacobs was the conversational target to start with. Keith Richard ...
Peter and Gordon: Peter & Gordon Kill Split Rumours
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 November 1965
IF PETER and Gordon look just a little untidy when they appear on your TV screens in the Lennon-McCartney Spectacular at Christmas, you can put ...
The Animals: Animals Want to Wax a 'New Tracks' EP
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 November 1965
I PICKED up Eric Burdon at the BBC Maida Vale studios at 11 last Friday morning. ...
The Who: Smashing Time Costs WHO Fortune!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 November 1965
ANYONE WHO has ever seen a demolition gang smashing down a building will know what it's like when the Who get up steam. Their music ...
Len Barry, The Dovells, Bobby Vee: NMExclusive Interview with Len Barry
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 19 November 1965
...who talks about the disc nobody thought would make it! ...
The Toys: 'Toy June Is So Cute You'll Bite Her' says Toys' Manager!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 November 1965
LONDON-NEW YORK INTERVIEW by ALAN SMITH ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 December 1965
"CHUTCHY-FACE." That would have been comedian Bernie Winters' name for Cliff Richard only a few months ago, when Cliff was a chubby-cheeked character who could ...
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 December 1965
PROBABLY the oddest chart story of the year lies behind 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco' — the silky, sophisticated Tony Bennett disc which ...
The Beatles: ALAN SMITH goes on tour with THE BEATLES!
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965
LIKE SOMETHING from the world of James Bond and international intrigue, a sleek Austin Princess with black tinted windows headed out of London in the ...
Spencer Davis Group: New to the Charts: Spencer Davis Group Makes Stones Happy
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965
THE GROUP that every other group — from the Stones to the Animals — wanted to have a hit, that's the Spencer Davis Group, and ...
Sandie Shaw: Sandie's Set To Act!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965
"'ELLO, IS THAT you? This is me. I've been trying to get through to you for over 20 minutes. What are you — a god ...
The Beatles, The Moody Blues: Odeon, Glasgow
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965
Beatles terrific... and rest of bill ...
The Who: Who Admit They're Feuding
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965
WHAT'S WRONG with the Who? Rumours that all is not well with the group have been circulating in show business circles for some weeks. ...
George Harrison, The Hollies: Hollies' Graham Nash Blasts back at George
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 December 1965
GEORGE HARRISON is probably the friendliest and most easy-going member of the Beatles. But something he said in the NME last week has brought him ...
Fontella Bass: Life-Lines of Fontella Bass
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 17 December 1965
Real name: Fontella Bass. ...
The Beatles: London Turns On The Beatlemania
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 December 1965
Another tour special by ALAN SMITH ...
The Walker Brothers: Thrown Out!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 December 1965
WALKER BROTHERS GET FLAT SMELLING 'FUNKY' THEN THEY'RE THROWN OUT! ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 December 1965
WHEN I SAW Kink Ray Davies last week he was wearing a blue suit, white ankle socks and a weak smile. He was playing a ...
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 December 1965
Reports KEITH ALTHAM who previews the show ...
The Beatles: What They Bought At Harrods
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 December 1965
CHRISTMAS comes but once a year... and when it comes it brings special problems for the Beatles. Those four famous faces can't just nip into ...
Cilla Black: Little Red Riding Hood, Wimbledon Theatre, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 31 December 1965
Cilla a most vital 'Red Riding Hood' ...
Spencer Davis Group: 'Keep Running' was Originally the Flip Reveals Spencer Davis
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 31 December 1965
APPARENTLY BATH was flooded on Monday morning and, following this momentous news, Spencer Davis decided he had time at last to come to the NME offices for ...
The Four Seasons: Seasons Hate Miming
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 31 December 1965
ANN MOSES talks with BOB GAUDIO ...
Otis Redding: Tracy Thomas discovers Stones Knock Otis Out!
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 31 December 1965
THEY call James Brown, "Mr. Dynamite," Roy Head is known as "Mr. Rubber Legs." But the title "Mr. Soul" belongs exclusively to Otis Redding, one ...
The Walker Brothers: We're Sure Glad We Came Here, Say Walker Brothers
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1966
THEY ARRIVED in Britain in February, 1965, because they felt that to achieve success in Britain was more important than doing so in the States. ...
Roger Miller: Coppers on Bikes Got Roger Miller Swinging!
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 7 January 1966
"England swings like a pendulum do. Bobbies on bicycles, two by two. Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Big Ben; The rosy-red cheeks of the little children." (Part ...
Gary Walker (Leeds), The Walker Brothers: Gary Walker
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 January 1966
"EVERYONE IN the Business will hate it," Gary declared. "And especially the good singers. It should sell about two million copies — at which point ...
The Kinks: Kinks Go For Spider Sound
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 January 1966
THE MYSTERIOUS Spider Korner who plays "seven" string guitar and "roams the world", is the musical influence behind the Kinks' next single, Dave Davies revealed ...
Fontella Bass: British Trip Caused Heartaches For Fontella
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 January 1966
AS A RESULT of her recent British visit I found that sensitive "soul" Fontella Bass suffering from a big back-ache and a little heartache just ...
The Beatles, George Harrison: Wedding Belles: George Pities Paul
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 January 1966
"I PITY Paul," said George Harrison, with a wry grin, "'cos now he's the only Beatle left, you lot will hound him all over the ...
Spencer Davis Group: Spencer Davis: He's Deep, Very Deep
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 February 1966
SPENCER David Nelson (his father was a paratrooper!) Davis soared in my estimation last Friday when he sent the Rolling Stones' chauffeur-driven Austin Princess to ...
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 11 February 1966
HER BOOTS may have been made for walkin'! But Nancy Sinatra's 'Boots' also jumped, ran and scrambled up the pop charts in both America and ...
The Rolling Stones : Neurotic Bird Song
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 February 1966
AN INTERVIEW with the Rolling Stones is something to go to with mixed feelings. The prospect of being confined in a small office off Baker ...
Spencer Davis Group: The Spencer Davis Group: Steve Winwood — Modest Wonder Boy
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 February 1966
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Steve Winwood "the boy wonder" in the Spencer Davis group (lead vocals, guitar, piano, vibes and drums) is a modest – but "colourful" character! ...
The Walker Brothers: Walkers' Great Bodyguard!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 February 1966
IN STRODE the most enormous pair of grey jeans in the World and stood next to Scott Walker (a mere six foot) making him look ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boys' Fame Just Grew and Grew!
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 18 February 1966
THE FIVE Californian Beach Boys – Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine – began their music career with little intention of ...
Spencer Davis Group: Muff Winwood: Shy Guy
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 February 1966
BASS guitarist Muff (in memory of "Muffin The Mule") Winwood is the Spencer who hides in the toilet when the photographers are about! ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces: Big Problems!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
STEVE MARRIOTT said: "Me muvver and farver kept on at me to get a decent job." ...
Sonny & Cher: Sonny, Cher back in the NME Chart
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
"TOO MANY records, too soon and too often." That was the verdict of the critics when Sonny and Cher slipped from the charts last October ...
Spencer Davis Group: Spotlight on the Spencers: Useful Pete
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
PETE YORK, 23-year- old drummer with Spencer Davis, is the one who quit and came back. ...
The Animals: Animals Took Liberty With Prison Song
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
"WE TOOK A terrible liberty with 'Inside Looking Out'," admits Eric Burdon. "It's the first number we've recorded without a tune. It originates from a ...
Jonathan King, The Mindbenders, Sandie Shaw: The Mindbenders: Danger From Clippy!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
AS I APPROACHED the Mindbenders' dressing room down in the vaults of the BBC-TV Centre, a young lady hurtled out of an adjacent ladies' room ...
The Mindbenders: Danger from Clippy!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
AS I APPROACHED the Mindbenders' dressing room down in the vaults of the BBC-TV Centre, a young lady hurtled out of an adjacent ladies' room ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966
THE MINDBENDERS have come a long way since the days when they were backing group to Wayne Fontana — and Wayne, believe it or not, ...
James Brown: Two Sides of James Brown
Report and Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 4 March 1966
JAMES BROWN. Such a plain name – they call him Mr. Dynamite. They are one person. But there are two faces to the entertainer. Thousands ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boy Brian Solo — Has Stand-In With Group!
Report and Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 11 March 1966
IMAGINE THE Stones planning their next British tour, knowing that Mick was going to stay in London and write songs! Or what if Spencer Davis ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 March 1966
AN INTENSE person, who is over sensitive to criticism of his work, I found Scott Engel (Walker) more than a little irked by Eric Burdon's ...
The Yardbirds: Yardbirds Split!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 March 1966
THE YARDBIRDS ARE to split – but only on disc! In the group's dressing room at Ready, Steady Go last Friday I spoke with manager ...
The Kinks: Kinks Don't Mind 'Formby Quartet' Tag
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 March 1966
IN A LARGE WHITE house in East Finchley with an orange door (which he says is "red"), in a room with orange walls and an ...
The Who: Who Are Going Around In 'Circles'
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 March 1966
FOLLOW this closely – this is the saga of the group that is running around in "Circles" – who else but the Who? ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 March 1966
LAST WEEK NME revealed that Bernard Webb, writer of Peter and Gordon's latest hit, 'Woman', was no less than Paul McCartney. The reason for the ...
The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stones Have Reached Peak At Home
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 March 1966
BRIAN JONES returned last week from his Australian-American exploits with innumerable albums by Ravi Shankar (an Indian citarist) and wearing his full-length Kangaroo coat. He ...
The Walker Brothers: Great To Be Alone At No. 1
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 March 1966
"IT'S GOOD to have it all to ourselves at the No. 1 spot this week," said Scott Engel when I spoke to him on Tuesday. ...
The Yardbirds: Yardbirds slam "live sound" critics
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 March 1966
NME READER Robin Segulem really lashed out in our "From You To Us" columns last week... and it was the Yardbirds who felt the sting. ...
The Rolling Stones: In Paris with the Rolling Stones
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 April 1966
Keith Altham finds there's never a dull moment! ...
The Rolling Stones: Olympia, Paris
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 April 1966
IN PARIS Keith Altham (flying as Keith Richard!) reports BILL STOPS BOMB EXPLOSION! ...
Simon & Garfunkel: New to the Charts: Enter the intellectual S & G!
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 8 April 1966
"LIFE IS like a game. Everyone keeps trying to find out how to win. If you stopped trying to discover this, life would be nothing." ...
The Rolling Stones: Aftermath (Decca)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 April 1966
NMExclusive track by track review of STONES NEW LP ...
The Who, The Yardbirds: With Who And 'Birds At Paris Allez-Oop!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 April 1966
READY, Steady, Allez-oops, from the Locomotive in Paris last Friday, was largely held together by the efforts of the Who and the Yardbirds, who were ...
Spencer Davis Group: 'Somebody' Makes No. 1 — But Too Quickly For Spence!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 15 April 1966
THAT WELL-known chart topper and expectant father ("If it's a bloke I'm going to call him Gregory") and man about Potters Bar – Spencer Davis, ...
The Walker Brothers: Walker Hostility On The Wane
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 15 April 1966
BEING misunderstood is a full-time occupation for Scott Engel. As the Walker Brothers' reputation soars, so Scott manages to over-exercise his incredible talent for putting ...
Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel: Paul Simon: Now They All Want Paul Simon Songs!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 April 1966
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT influence in popular music today, since the emergence of that well-known Lennon-McCartney firm, seems to be the mini-sized music-maker Paul Simon, who ...
The Lovin' Spoonful: Nice, Abnormal Spoonful!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 April 1966
JOHN SEBASTIAN, twenty-one-year-old composer and singer of the Lovin' Spoonful's latest hit 'Daydream', which is currently No. 4 in America, arrived at the group's Pye ...
Manfred Mann: NME Chart Proves Manfreds Wrong
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 29 April 1966
DOWN AMONG the devil worshippers at the BBC Top Of The Pops studio last Thursday afternoon was Paul Jones, that disturbing combination of schoolboy charm ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 May 1966
THOUSANDS upon thousands of fans converging on the massive Wembley Empire Pool for the biggest pop show in the world on Sunday... the staggering, the ...
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich: Dave Dee Laughs, Too — All Way To The Bank!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 May 1966
DAVE DEE, DOZY, Beaky, Mick and Tich are a gift to mediocre comedians who fall about making "unpunny" remarks like: "Oh, yes, 'Wavy Lee, Drunken, ...
Bob Dylan: Dylan's Press Reception
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 May 1966
HAIR BRISTLING about like a Fijian suffering from a severe electrical shock, wearing a blue suede jacket and white striped trousers, Bob Dylan meandered into ...
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich: Focus on BEAKY and DOZY
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1966
BEAKY (real name John Dymond) is the gaunt-faced rhythm guitarist with the group whose sinister looks contradict his "matey" nature. He has a fund of ...
Percy Sledge: Blues Singer's Gamble Paid Off
Profile by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1966
TIME WAS when the biggest stars of show business had names like "Rock Stone" or "Lex Treason" — strong, rugged names that helped to give ...
The Small Faces: Steve Marriott: I'm A Raver, Not A Singer
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1966
THE SMALL ("ah! – aren't they cute?") Faces are doing BIG things on the pop scene. Their third big hit, self-penned and called 'Hey Girl', ...
The Animals: Animalisms (Decca) ****
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1966
ERIC RAVES ON "ANIMALS" NEW LP ...
The Beach Boys: Complex and Intricate
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1966
"THE BEACH Boys' ambassador in tennis shoes," as their publicist Derek Taylor so aptly describes new group member Bruce Johnston, surfed into the Waldorf Hotel ...
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich: Focus on MICK…and TICH
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1966
MICK began his musical career banging about on biscuit tins, inspired by Bill Haley records like 'See You Later Alligator'. "I just listened to the ...
Roy C: NMExclusive: ALAN SMITH has a Transatlantic Interview With ROY C
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1966
'Shotgun' ended dire poverty ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1966
Mick Will Be Ernie In New Film ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 June 1966
THE TROGGS, who have a monster hit with 'Wild Thing', are still new and enthusiastic enough to be excited by the glamour and attention injected ...
The Animals: Could 'Don't Bring Me Down' Be Last Animals' Disc?
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 June 1966
Out of chaos came their 'best technical' recording, but Keith Altham gets a feeling – quite unofficial – that it might be, but hopes it ...
The Beatles, George Martin: The Beatles: Ringo Played Cards As Others Sang 'Paperback'!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 June 1966
...reveals GEORGE MARTIN, the Beatles' recording manager, in an interview with Alan Smith. ...
The Kinks: Kinks Keep To Humour On Discs
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 June 1966
WHAT with the new tattooed Kink; Ray Davies sniffing aesthetically into a brown paper bag; Bongo drums, metronomes, flute pumps and golf balls being bandied ...
The Beatles: My Broken Tooth — by Paul McCartney
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 June 1966
I HAVE interviewed Paul McCartney travelling in a car at speed. Battling up a crowded flight of stairs. In a smoky billiards room. On the ...
The Mamas and The Papas: The Mama and the Papas: The Morning after the Beatles' Night Before
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 June 1966
THE FIRST THING you discover about the Mamas and Papas is that they are not – although Papa John is married to Mama Michelle. The ...
Jonathan King, The Walker Brothers: Scott Walker: Scott Walker Hits Out Again
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 July 1966
FRANK SINATRA is back in the pop pillory, but the big surprise is that chucking the rotten eggs is not Mick "Paint Him Black" Jagger, ...
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 1 July 1966
SOUND MARS SPECTACULAR ...
The Troggs: From Nowhere The Troggs (Fontana)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 July 1966
Troggs' first LP — Track-by-track review by Keith Altham ...
Elvis Presley: Paradise Hawaiian Style
Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 July 1966
Presley's usual (Hawaiian) style ...
Percy Sledge: EXHAUSTED! — That's The Price Percy Sledge Is Paying
Profile and Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 8 July 1966
Special from Tracy Thomas in Hollywood ...
The Kinks: Kinks Calm Over No. 1 News
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 July 1966
RAY DAVIES lifted the plastic lid covering his salad and viewed the mayonnaise disgustedly. "Oh, no – I hate ketchup!" he sighed and probed disdainfully ...
Jimmy Page, The Yardbirds: The Yardbirds: Why I Left and Why I Joined
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 July 1966
"I'M A BIT TOO old at twenty-three for all those screaming kids leaping about. I don't really think I'll be missed in the group – ...
Elvis Presley: Paradise Hawaiian Style – NME Readers Reply
Readers' Letters by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 15 July 1966
B. UYDER, Sheffield: Why should Alan Smith (NME last week) have to apologise to Elvis fans for saying what he thinks of his new film ...
Simon & Garfunkel: Too Many Releases 'Kill' Simon And Garfunkel 'Rock' Single
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 15 July 1966
IN AUGUST, 1965, an album titled The Paul Simon Song Book was released by CBS featuring the composition 'I Am A Rock'. In September a ...
Ike & Tina Turner: Tina Turner Peels Potatoes as She Raves Over 'River Deep'
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 15 July 1966
"I WAS knocked out by 'River Deep' the first time I heard it," exclaimed Tina Turner, peeling potatoes over the sink of her Los Angeles ...
The Troggs: Troggs Have A Lot To Go Wild About
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 15 July 1966
REG PRESLEY and his band "barn" into the NME Chart this week with the highest entry — 'A Girl Like You' (No. 19) composed by ...
Elvis Presley: Elvis, Usually Surrounded By Girls, Is Now Encircled By Controversy
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966
SOME Of Elvis' staunchest British fans want to boil me in oil again. Another suggests I lower myself into a spin-dryer and turn it on. ...
James Brown Shined Shoes Here!
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966
"SHINE, MISTER?" a tiny shoeshine boy called after a passing businessman, who dismissed him with a shake of his head. The young Negro sighed and ...
Report and Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966
THERE WAS excitement both inside and outside of the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Sunday, when the James Brown Show played to an audience of ...
The Beatles: John Lennon: 'A Subconscious Urge To Get Above People'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966
Beatle Dreams by Alan Smith ...
The Rolling Stones: Jagger Phones From America
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966
LAST FRIDAY Mick Jagger, the suppressed Stone, rang me at home from Missouri, where the group is in the middle of their U.S. tour. ...
Ike & Tina Turner: Tracy Thomas, in Hollywood, visits the Exciting Turner Family
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966
THE TINY stage is packed; ten musicians in sleek, blue suits; the three young, pretty Ikettes in pop-art dresses; Ike Turner in more casual, but ...
The Beatles: Paul McCartney: 'I Get Caught Out In Street In Underwear!'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 29 July 1966
Beatle Dreams by Alan Smith ...
The Troggs: Troggs Went Wild Over Fan Slur
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 29 July 1966
THE TROGGS are "wild things" this week and the man responsible for raising the wrath of the West Country group is singer-journalist-composer-student and good all-round ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: ? Time with Beach Boy Brian Wilson
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 5 August 1966
THE Beach Boys — in demand for appearances all over the world — used to be one of the most difficult groups to track down. ...
Alan Price: 'Lili' Is A Fun Tune
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 August 1966
HAVING proved that it takes a worried man to sing a worried song with 'I Put A Spell On You', Alan Price has accomplished a ...
Andrew Loog Oldham, The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stone Oldham: Talented, Insulting, Outrageous
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 August 1966
ROLLING STONES manager Andrew Loog Oldham is on the move and as usual with this ubiquitous personality ("The Beach Boys' new single is not dedicated ...
The Rolling Stones: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 5 August 1966
Stones a hit at Bowl ...
Cream, Georgie Fame, The Who: The Who, Cream et al: National Jazz and Blues Festival, Windsor
Live Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 5 August 1966
Who 'wreck' festival ...
Paul and Barry Ryan: Ryans Feel Established
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 August 1966
I ARRIVED nearly an hour late at Harold Davison's Regent Street office for my interview with Paul and Barry Ryan due to freak monsoon weather ...
The Troggs: Double-Top Troggs In America And Britain!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 August 1966
LAST WEEK the Troggs were in the enviable position of being No. 1 in England with 'With A Girl Like You' and No. 1 in ...
The Beatles, George Martin: George Martin: Make Them Top Here!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 August 1966
NMExclusive: 'Submarine' recording hilarious recalls A&R manager GEORGE MARTIN to Alan Smith ...
Manfred Mann: New Mann d'Abo Hungry For Success
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 August 1966
IN SPITE OF certain visual evidence to the contrary — the differences between the new "Mann," Michael d'Abo (Cambridge University "sent down") and the old ...
The Temptations: The Trip, Los Angeles, CA
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 19 August 1966
Temptations go well at Los Angeles' Trip club ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 August 1966
CLIFF BENNETT, that well-known Cockney about Uxbridge, has made a welcome return to the NME Chart, courtesy of Lennon and McCartney's 'Got To Get You ...
The Lovin' Spoonful: Flashback For Lovin' Spoonful — To Days When They Were Just Kids
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 26 August 1966
Special from ANN MOSES in Hollywood ...
The Four Tops: Four Tops Kept Trying and Won!
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 August 1966
"IF AT FIRST you don't succeed, try, try again." A tired old saying, but it gets new life this week as the Four Tops climb ...
The Beatles: Shea Stadium, Queens, New York NY
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 26 August 1966
THE BEATLES THRILL 45,000 AT SHEA'S ...
The Walker Brothers: Portrait (Philips)
Review and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 August 1966
The Brothers produce a super Portrait album ...
The Beatles: Beatle Bravery Worth More Than Money
Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, 2 September 1966
A FEW days after the tornado, we're still recovering from the Beatles visit! The concert is over, and so is the tour. The amount the ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 September 1966
Communication means everything for Sonny & Cher ...
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 2 September 1966
Meanwhile, back in California... ...
Junior Walker & the All Stars: Junior Walker Makes Fans Sit Up
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 September 1966
IT DIDN'T mean a thing in Britain ...but a record called 'Shotgun' was the one that blasted Junior Walker and the All-Stars to hit parade ...
Sonny & Cher: They're Pop's Most Lovable Couple
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 September 1966
IT'S THAT 'Little Man' again and bouncing back into the NME Chart this week at No. 18 comes popdom's most lovable couple, Mr. and Mrs. ...
The Small Faces: Steve Marriott: Everyone's 'Luv' And 'Mate'
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 September 1966
SHOULD Steve Marriott ever chance to meet royalty it would be safe to assume that within five minutes he would be calling them "luv" and ...
The Troggs: The Astonishing Troggs Do It Again!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 September 1966
THOSE astonishing Troggs have done it again! At the little Olympic studios, concealed in a small mews off Baker Street, during an incredible session Larry ...
Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers: Cliff Bennett
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 September 1966
AS CLIFF Bennett and the Rebel Rousers rocket their way up the NME Charts courtesy of Lennon and McCartney we questioned the leader about his ...
Lee Dorsey: Panel-Beating Gave Him Rhythm
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 September 1966
LEE DORSEY is a small, flyweight ex-boxer who always looks as if he doesn't know where his next dime is coming from. ...
The Small Faces: Small Face Kenny Keeps Quiet
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 September 1966
KENNY JONES is the lost Face. Like a great many group drummers he has been placed in the background and prefers to remain there. ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces: Mystery Man 'Plonk' Lane
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 September 1966
RONNIE PLONK LANE, bass guitarist and grand old man of the Small Faces at the age of 20, is the group's "Mysteryman." "Mystery" is Plonk's ...
Jim Reeves: Jim's First Number One
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 September 1966
From Tennessee Mrs. Mary Reeves says thanks for Jim's first number one ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones Reveal Secrets
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 September 1966
LAST THURSDAY I went to see "Molly Richard" and "Sarah Jagger" – names Keith and Mick have been called since their famous photograph advertising the ...
The Small Faces: Mac's Flu Is Permanent!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 September 1966
"MAC"-FACE (Ian McLagan) says he was born in "Houns-low-on-mud" on May 12, 1946. of an Irish mother and a Scottish father, and he and his ...
The Walker Brothers: A Clever Singer Never Loses His Voice
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 September 1966
THE WALKER-Troggs-Dave Dee popathalon (33 dates must make it a marathon tour) starts running at East Ham Granada tomorrow (Saturday), so last Monday I taxied ...
The Who: Drummer Moon On Zither, Double-Track Tuba, On Who LP
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 October 1966
IN AN Italian restaurant off London's Soho last Thursday, which boasts on the menu, "hilarious waiters and spaghetti alla vongole on Sunday" there was baby ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 October 1966
ACTION stations for Sonny and Cher. In a transatlantic phone call from his home in Encino, Sonny told me that their first film, Good Times, ...
The Rolling Stones: New Pop Generation's Revolution Is At Hand
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 October 1966
IN FLANAGAN'S bar off Kensington High Street, Keith Richard, Brian Jones and I were being watched – by two bartenders in Edwardian dress and grey ...
The Four Tops: NME Chart News Woke Up The Four Tops In Record Time!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 October 1966
THE PHONE rang eleven times in Room 3055 at New York's Hilton Hotel before Lawrence Payton roused himself from his slumbers and dragged it towards ...
The Rolling Stones: Come Into Brian Jones' New Hideaway!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 October 1966
A ROLLING STONE in his own environment is a revelation. Brian's new home incorporates his liking for the dramatic with his taste for the antique. ...
The Troggs: Troggs: Trogg-Men Ridicule Song Ban
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 October 1966
FOLLOWING AUNTIE BBC's policy of giving The Troggs' new single, 'I Can't Control Myself' the cold shoulder with only restricted airplay, that land "down under" ...
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 October 1966
"THE First is last and the last is first but the first, the second and the last are the Cream," so reads the perplexing handout ...
Graham Nash, The Hollies: Hollie Graham Nash Finds His Face!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 October 1966
THE HOLLY WHO has found his face is Graham Nash. For too long the Hollies have been written about as "the faceless wonders of pop" ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 October 1966
Eric Burdon Beats The Hecklers! Geno An Earthquake ! ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 October 1966
THE TROGGS' lead guitarist, Chris Britton looks at women because he likes them — smiles at strangers as though he had known them all his ...
Chris Farlowe, Mick Jagger: Chris Farlowe: The Art Of Chris Farlowe
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 November 1966
TRACK BY TRACK OF THE ALBUM ...
Cliff Richard: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 4 November 1966
ON HIS LATEST TOUR CLIFF CHANGES DYLAN'S WORDS ...
Chris Farlowe, Mick Jagger: Jagger Talks About Farlowe LP
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 November 1966
MICK JAGGER'S latest line in telephone impersonations misfired last week when he rang to talk to me about the Chris Farlowe LP he has just ...
The Animals: Burdon's New Animals Not Set Yet
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 November 1966
SPEAKING this week to Eric Burdon, that well-known "Freak-about-town" (since "Freak-out" music is having a considerable influence on our Animal), he revealed to me that ...
The Troggs: Soft-hearted Reg Presley
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 November 1966
REGINALD MAURICE BALL is a soft-hearted ex-bricklayer born in Andover on June 12, 1943, who reads the Daily Mirror, is particularly sensitive to anything which ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boys Sensational Visit
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 November 1966
MY FIRST MISTAKE was trying to escape from London airport on Sunday morning, through approximately a thousand fans, with drummer Dennis Wilson, whom I later ...
Spencer Davis Group: Feuding Spencer Davis Group
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 November 1966
LAST Thursday at Shepherd's Bush Top Of The Pops studio there was the strange case of the group who did not appear to be talking ...
The Beach Boys, Lulu: Finsbury Park Astoria, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 November 1966
SCREAMERS SILENCED! ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boys' Crazy Last Night!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 November 1966
AMONG those getting in each others' way in the Beach Boys' dressing room at Hammersmith Odeon on Monday night were publicist Derek Taylor (minus moustache), ...
The Beach Boys: Meanwhile... What's BRIAN Doing Back at Base?
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 18 November 1966
WHILE THE Beach Boys are rocking Europe, BB-mastermind Brian Wilson, has not been resting on his and their laurels! ...
The Troggs: He's Got A Grip On Their Money
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 November 1966
THERE IS the air of a surprised cocker spaniel about Trogg drummer Ronnie Bond who uses his hands to communicate what his conversation lacks. He ...
The Hollies: For Certain Because (Parlophone)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 November 1966
HOLLIES MIX MOODS ON LP ...
The Easybeats: Easybeats Didn't Copy The Beatles
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 December 1966
THE EASYBEATS are new and young — all teenagers — and so are vital in a slightly sagging pop scene that was given a shot ...
The Animals: Eric Burdon Meets New Lennon And Harrison
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 December 1966
EVERYONE is talking about the new Animals. But few have spared a thought for the new Eric Burdon with "bluesynite," the wonder ingredient which enables ...
The Kinks: Kinks Have Problems
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 December 1966
CONSIDER, if you will, the disturbing fact that Ray Davies wants to be Walt Disney; Dave Davies is turning into a saxophonist; Pete Quaife is ...
The Troggs: Troggs Caged In Berlin Zoo!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 December 1966
ERIC BURDON, who is so devoted to the birds in London's St. James's Park, would love it here on the twelfth floor of the Berlin ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 December 1966
JIMMY RUFFIN is a tall, sad-looking figure, who looks as if he's speaking from experience when he asks: 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?'. He doesn't ...
Spencer Davis Group: The Spencer Davis Group: Spencer Davis Played On Church Steps!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 December 1966
HERR SPENCER DAVIS is a top pop person in Germany, firstly because the young people like the group's earthy, exciting sound, and secondly they like ...
The Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson: The Beach Boys: Danger Spice Of Dennis' Life
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 24 December 1966
A Beach Boy a Day by Tracy Thomas ...
The Who: Who's For A Merry Xmas!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 December 1966
WHO'S FOR a merry Christmas, then – if we are to judge by their seasonal bounce up into the NME Top Twenty this week with ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 31 December 1966
Dusty wakes 'em ...
The Kinks: Future Of The Kinks
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 31 December 1966
BUSY DOING "nothing much" just prior to Christmas was Kink Mick Avory (an occupational hazard with this group at present) at his home in West ...
Donovan: All Things Bright and Beautiful
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 January 1967
At new Wimbledon home DONOVAN talks about shape of things to come ...
Jimi Hendrix: New To The Charts: Wild Jimi Hendrix
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 January 1967
THE MAN for whom the words "Wild One" were invented has hit us! Jimi Hendrix, 22, from Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., courtesy of ex-Animal Chas Chandler ...
The Rolling Stones: Between The Buttons (Decca)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 January 1967
The STONES' LATEST ALBUM, reviewed track-by-track by Keith Altham with special comments by Mick Jagger ...
Scott Walker, The Walker Brothers: Scott Walker: Chaos For Scott
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 January 1967
SCOTT ENGEL, the man likely to be more miserable than most in 1967, was in the highest spirits when I found him at his apartment ...
The Troggs: Trogg-Maker Reveals Secrets
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 January 1967
LARRY – "Lawrence" to his friends – Page is the one-man organisation behind the phenomenal success of the Troggs. Lawrence is the group's business manager; ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Beach Boy a Day: Brian — Loved or Loathed Genius
Profile by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 28 January 1967
IF YOU should ever meet Brian Wilson, you would either take to him or despise him immediately. His continual drive for a new "kick" would ...
The Rolling Stones: Jagger Scorns Critics
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 January 1967
THOSE naughty Rolling Stones – the ones who write wicked things like 'Let's Spend The Night Together' – wouldn't go on the nice man's roundabout ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 February 1967
THIS IS THE Cream interview which got loose in London – ran wild over their publicists' office – finally plunging from the depths of Mao ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 4 February 1967
FOUR TOPS HAD US ALL ON OUR FEET reports Alan Smith ...
The Rolling Stones: Our Fans Have Moved On With Us
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 February 1967
LET US consider that unique phenomenon – the Rolling Stones' public image! ...
Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye: Marvin and Kim: Swingin' Twosome!
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 February 1967
SIX FEET high, aged 27, songwriter, athlete, ballad singer and rock 'n' roller — this is Marvin Gaye. Attractive, intelligent, married to a producer and ...
The Troggs: Trogglodynamite (Page One)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 February 1967
Keith Altham tracks down an undiluted pop album ...
Elvis Presley: A Word Picture Of Elvis
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 18 February 1967
His girl friend lives with his granny in here ► says next-door neighbour ...
The Monkees, Michael Nesmith: I Was Hungry, Ugly, Skinny, Poor! By MIKE NESMITH
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 18 February 1967
IT'S VERY hard for me to write about my life, since I can't remember farther back than two years! I don't think there's much of ...
Elvis Presley, Johnny Rivers: Johnny Rivers Knows the Sporty Elvis
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 February 1967
THE MAN called "the best handled myth in the world" is once more back in the NME Top Twenty with 'Indescribably Blue' — Elvis Aaron ...
Jim Reeves: Mary Reeves Tells Alan Smith About Jim's Greatest Tribute
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 February 1967
"THE MOST loyal people in the whole world" — those were the warm words with which Mary, widow of the late Jim Reeves, described British ...
Gene Pitney, Sounds Incorporated, The Troggs: Gene Pitney, The Troggs: Finsbury Park Astoria, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1967
Gene Captures Audience Despite Sitdown! Says Keith Altham ...
The Hollies: Elvis Inspired Hollies Hit
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1967
INFLUENCES behind the latest Hollies hit, 'On A Carousel' include Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and "Doddy". At least these were some of the inspirations which ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 February 1967
DAVY JONES – the little Monkee with a big heart – arrived via Nassau last week wearing a battered black top hat, purchased from a ...
The Animals, The New Vaudeville Band: Burdon Animals Toast of the Town
Report and Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, 26 February 1967
THIS WEEK was chat time with the new Animals, following their absolutely sensational, shattering opening night at Hunter College, New York City. It was also ...
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 26 February 1967
Down in the dumps ...
Tom Jones: One Hit A Year Will Suit Me says Tom Jones
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 February 1967
"'ANG ON a minute," cried Tom Jones briskly, "telephone call." He and his skintight houndstooth trousers fought a valiant battle for survival as he bounded ...
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 4 March 1967
P, P & M protest ...
The Monkees: Monkee Davy Talks About The Beatles
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 March 1967
"GEORGEP AULJOHNRINGO," our very own pop monster, has now grown to that exalted position where it is a kind of sacred cow whom none may ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 March 1967
WHENEVER returning from interviewing Donovan these days I feel that I've been the subject of a Sunday School treat. He surrounds himself with such nice ...
The Everly Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Herman's Hermits, Kim Weston: Marvin Gaye Is The Nicest Tamguy
Interview by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 11 March 1967
MARVIN GAYE has got to be one of the nicest performers to come out of Motown headquarters in Detroit, which is famous for sending out ...
Petula Clark, Julie Felix, the Fortunes, Helen Shapiro: Palladium, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 March 1967
PET SMASH HIT ...
The Animals, Roy Orbison, The Who: Roy Orbison's Tour May Be Last
Report and Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, 11 March 1967
June Harris in New York ...
The Troggs: Trogg Reg Reveals Success Secret
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 March 1967
THERE WAS a touch of the "Ready Steady Ooops" about the Troggs' new single, 'Give It To Me', after it leapt high into the NME ...
John's Children: First Of The Anti-Lust Groups
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 March 1967
JOHN'S CHILDREN, who make their chart debut this week with their own composition 'Just What You Want' (Columbia) are described by their manager Simon Napier ...
The Hollies: We're As Psychedelic as a Pint o' Beer wi' t' Lads!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 March 1967
I HAVE NEWS for Hollies fans who think the whole group has suddenly become all psychedelic and way out of sight, baby! It hasn't. The ...
The Four Tops, The Temptations: Tamla Keeps Hits Rolling
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 March 1967
Wives taught us to dance — FOUR TOPS ...
The Royal Guardsmen: School-Going Guardsmen Still Sparetime Hitsters
Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, 25 March 1967
SNOOPY HAS turned out to be worth a cool three million discs for the Royal Guardsmen, but as far as the group's concerned, they're now ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 April 1967
WE WERE WELL and truly blitzed with "mini-happenings" on the Walker Brothers’ tour opening night, at Finsbury Park Astoria last Friday, when Jimi Hendrix literally ...
Otis Redding: A Talk With Otis Redding
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 April 1967
BIG OTIS REDDING tugged a comb through his wiry hair, wiped a trickling bead of perspiration from his glistening face, and sat edgily on a ...
Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix IS Out Of This World
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 15 April 1967
EVEN HIS EX-ANIMAL MANAGER NEEDS A SPLIT PERSONALITY! ...
Eddie Floyd: When's 'Wood' Gonna Lay Down and Die?
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 April 1967
ROLY-POLY Eddie Floyd beamed a big banana-sized grin. "Man," he said, "When am I gonna get a chance to get another record in the charts? ...
The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: Laurence Payton, The Quiet One
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 May 1967
LAURENCE the Top has a homely round face, honest, open eyes, and a liking for big shirts with big collars. He sits with his dark ...
Elvis Presley: Elvis' Wedding Secrets
Report by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
IT WAS 9.40 am on the morning of May 1 that Elvis Presley, the highest salaried male movie star in the world married Priscilla Ann ...
The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: How I Got Out Of The Ghetto by Renaldo Benson
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
TOP RENALDO is the most instantly likeable man I ever met. Happiness was made for Renaldo. It sparkles out of his honest eyes. It gleams ...
Helen Shapiro: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
HELEN SHAPIRO ON BEACH BILL ...
P.P. Arnold, The Nice: New to the Charts: Top Team Gives P.P. Her Debut
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
P.P. ARNOLD, from Los Angeles, makes her NME Chart debut this week with 'The First Cut Is The Deepest' (Immediate), aided and abetted by a talented team ...
Jimi Hendrix: Question Time with Jimi Hendrix
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
THE REAL JIMI HENDRIX is now beginning to emerge from behind that skilfully placed publicity screen of early days when success was too fragile to ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
POLL SHOW THRILLS ALL THE WAY ...
Scott Walker, The Walker Brothers: The Walker Brothers: Why The Walker Brothers Split Up
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967
"I WANT to make it clear that it was not solely my decision to break up the Walker Brothers, but for the first time in ...
The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: Easy-Going Abdul Fakir
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 May 1967
TOP ABDUL is the one the others call Duke — why, he doesn't quite know. Maybe it's his air of royal dignity. ...
Jimi Hendrix: Are You Experienced (Track)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1967
Track-by-Track on Jimi Hendrix debut album ...
The Who: 'Lily' Isn't Pornographic, Say Who
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1967
THE LUGUBRIOUS looking Pete Townshend with the mincer-like mind ground up an interesting selection of subjects for attention over a lemon tea in London's Act ...
Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra: Nancy Sinatra: Nancy Sets The Record Straight About Frank
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 May 1967
"I had to drag dad bodily into the studios to record 'Stupid'." ...
The Monkees: Colour Monkees Are Terrific
Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967
DAVY JONES is sitting in a chair facing the camera. His face has a rich brown tan, and his brown eyes and brown hair stand ...
The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: Levi The Leader
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967
MUSTACHIOED LEVI Stubbs is the undoubted leader of the Four Tops — the man in front, the quiet man of influence, and a singer with ...
Jeff Beck Not Nearly So Wicked As He Thinks He Is!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967
JEFF BECK gets a somewhat perverse satisfaction from having a "wicked" reputation in the pop business. At his best, he is a talented, guitar-perfectionist with ...
Procol Harum: Procol Crash In At No. 11!
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967
WATCH OUT for Procol Harum. This British group with that beautiful, beautiful record called 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' is going to be one of ...
The Monkees: Monkees' Headquarters
Review by June Harris, Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967
MONKEES' NEW LP TRACK-BY-TRACKFrom June Harris & Tracy Thomas in America ...
The Beach Boys: Two Things Make Beach Boys Sad
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967
ONE OF the Beach Boys seemed very pleased about their new single when I visited their dressing room before a concert and their eventual departure ...
Jose Feliciano, The Monkees: José Feliciano, the blind blues singer, knew a very poor Peter Tork
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 June 1967
NOW, LIFE is good for Monkee Peter Tork. He's got success, adulation, millions of fans — and money. But it isn't so many years since ...
P.P. Arnold, The Nice, Ike & Tina Turner: Marriage Before Twenty Should Be Illegal says P.P. Arnold
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 June 1967
"SOMEBODY," SAID dusky and delightful P.P. Arnold, "should ban marriage before the age of 20. I got married when I was 16. Who really knows ...
Mel Tormé: Talk of the Town, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 June 1967
CRISP, CRACKLING, sharp, superb, swinging, casual, brilliant, completely at ease, masterly, humorous, likeable — I could run out of superlatives for Mel Tormé, who opened ...
Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back (dir. D.A. Pennebaker)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 17 June 1967
BOB DYLAN'S first and only movie (so far) called Don't Look Back is currently being screened at an "underground" theatre in San Francisco, where it ...
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich: No Beards for Dave Dee & Co!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 June 1967
ROLLING Stone Brian Jones once described himself as "a straight Ernie." And the same might be said of Dave Dee. An "Ernie," I was assured ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 June 1967
TONY HICKS is the young Hollie (21) who has just move into a neat new little mews house of Knightsbridge. ...
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 June 1967
WE DROVE to London Airport in Animal manager Mike Jeffery's Rolls-Royce while he dictated a few last minute instructions to assistant Tony Garland — "Ring ...
The Monkees, Ike & Tina Turner: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 24 June 1967
WELCOME MONKEES! And here is a preview of what you may see at Wembley... ...
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 1 July 1967
Who, Jimi win high praise ...
Procol Harum: I Knew Procol Would Be A Success
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 July 1967
says KEITH REID the man who created the group – to ALAN SMITH ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 July 1967
"SOMEONE has just shot our gardener – I can't speak to you just now. Come up tomorrow," invited a harassed John Phillips, of the Mamas ...
Scott Walker: Scott Keeps One Step Ahead
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 July 1967
AND SO THE moving singer, having moved — moves on. Scott Walker is still one jump ahead of the fans in his pursuit of privacy. ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boys 'Heroes' leaps in at No. 16 and Bruce's trip pays off!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, August 1967
WELL, THAT was Bruce Johnston, that was! The Beach Boys' all-purpose, all-weather, swing-winged auxiliary and unpaid publicist promoting 'Heroes And Villains' in England last week. ...
Scott McKenzie: I'm No Professional Flower Child
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 August 1967
"I AM NOT A professional flower child," stressed Scott McKenzie over the transatlantic phone wire. "I'd rather carry a flower than a gun. But I ...
The Monkees: Bob Rafelson: Man Behind The Monkees
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967
Why I picked THESE four ...
Dave Davies: Kink Dave Embarrassed by 'Clown' Hit
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967
WITH THE solo success of 'Death Of A Clown' times are a changing for Dave Davies. He is both delighted and nervous over the success ...
Gladys Knight & The Pips: Glad Loses Pip!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967
IT WAS ENOUGH to give Gladys Knight the pip, the tough struggle this attractive Tamla singer had in getting a hit in Britain. For a ...
The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stones: Interviews with Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967
THE NEW MUSICAL Express versus Michael Philip Jagger – Friday, August 4,1967 in his managers' chambers of high appeal – New Oxford Street, London, – ...
The Rolling Stones: 'We Love You'
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967
MICK JAGGER gave me the preview of the new Stones single, 'We Love You'/'Dandelion' last Friday in manager Andrew Oldham's office and looked enquiringly across ...
John Lennon: How I Won The War (Dir. Richard Lester, United Artists)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 August 1967
HOW DID JOHN LENNON WIN STAR BILLING? asks ALAN SMITH ...
Alan Price: 'Jack' a Now or Never Hit
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 August 1967
"IT WAS really a question of now or never," was how Alan Price referred to his composition 'The House That Jack Built', over lunch in ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 August 1967
"ELVIS," SAID Nancy Sinatra, as she drew back the curtains and looked out at the sun shining down on Los Angeles, "is at once a ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces: Youth has saved Faces
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 August 1967
IT HAS been an Immediate success story for the Small Faces this year — at No. 15 in the NME Chart with 'Itchycoo Park' — ...
The Doors, Jefferson Airplane: Jeffersons, Doors are Tops
Profile by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 2 September 1967
LET ME TELL you about the two groups which are currently the most popular in America: the Doors and Jefferson Airplane. Both have been playing ...
Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix Admits Lamp Is A Bit Smoky
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 September 1967
TIME TO TUCK the tiny tots up and put them safely abed with a nice Monkees' record! Why? Because "the electric bogeyman" is back in ...
Traffic: Uncontrollable Traffic
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 September 1967
KEITH ALTHAM pins down a highly elusive group... ...
Marianne Faithfull, The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stones Starting To Mellow
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 September 1967
THE TIMES THEY have a-changed, as Bob Dylan predicted – and with them – the Rolling Stones. There was a time when one approached a ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces Fun World
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 September 1967
A FUNNY THING happened to me on the way through Chiswick Park recently to meet the Small Faces. For "starters" there were printed placards pinned ...
The Righteous Brothers: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 23 September 1967
AS YET ANOTHER of the many examples of how extensive is rock 'n' roll's acceptance by the adult world, the Righteous Brothers are currently packing ...
Herman's Hermits, The Who: The Who, Herman's Hermits: Anaheim Convention, Anaheim CA
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 23 September 1967
Who steal the show from Hermans Hermits ...
Frankie Vaughan: I'll Never Change Now Says Frankie
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967
It's top hat and cane for ever ...
The Monkees: It's Monkeeteers Now! — all forone and one for all
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967
Says MONKEE friend, SAMANTHA JUSTE to ALAN SMITH ...
Scott Walker Hides Away In A Gloom-World
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967
BIG LOUIE is the first person you meet when calling at the secluded terrace house, off London's Regent's Park — the latest home of Scott ...
The Animals: Question Time With....Eric Burdon
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967
IT SHOULD, OF course, be Eric Burdon and the "anything but the Animals," because this new group has about as much connection with the original ...
Traffic's British Stage Debut Was Well Worth Waiting For
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967
TRAFFIC HAVE been a long time getting it all together but last Sunday's debut at the London Saville proved that it has been well worth ...
Traffic's Dave Mason — Pop Face Of 1967
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 October 1967
REMEMBER the teenage idol – all liquid eyes, milk teeth, Cupid's bow and simply oozing with the wonder ingredient, sex appeal? Eyes right and you ...
The Move Don't Care About Top Billing
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 October 1967
THANK goodness for Carl Wayne of the Move! It is a long time since I have found anyone new to the scene so pleasant, co-operative ...
The Small Faces: Travel is A Nightmare
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 October 1967
THE SMALL FACES – most often through no fault of their own – find great difficulty in getting from place to place, i.e. interviews, photographic ...
The Mamas and The Papas: The Big Mamas And Papas Mystery
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 October 1967
NOW YOU see them – now you don't! The Mamas and Papas have cancelled their projected concert at the Royal Albert Hall on October 30. ...
The Herd Take Over As Screamers' New Idols
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 October 1967
MY CONTENDER as the man "most likely to get ripped to pieces by hysterical females" in 1967 is Peter Frampton, the seventeen-year-old vocal-guitarist with the ...
The Who: Who Ready To Hit You With New Ideas
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 28 October 1967
AFTER six weeks with "the last Schmaltz" it is good to find the Who back in the charts with a new single, 'I Can See ...
The Kinks, Ray Davies: Ray Davies
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 November 1967
THERE is something of the smoking volcano about Ray Davies. Six foot of suppressed quietly spoken, quietly smiling and quietly watching! It is what some ...
Sandie Shaw: Her Anatomical Assets
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 November 1967
PROVING quite conclusively that she has legs right up to her shoulders, Sandie Shaw wearing her self-designed string mini dress (or was it a vest?) ...
Bonzo Dog Band, Cream: Taking the Saville By Storm: Cream
Review by Nick Logan, New Musical Express, 4 November 1967
THE soaring, singing guitar, the elegant artistry of Eric Clapton... a tortured Jack Bruce jerking out the blues like a puppet stitched by machine ...
Aretha Franklin: Philharmonic Hall, New York NY
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 11 November 1967
ARETHA IS great — Aretha is sensational! Aretha is the finest girl blues singer in this country, bar one, and she proved it beyond any ...
The Herd, Traffic, The Who: Traffic, The Who, The Herd: Danger: Who At Work!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 November 1967
THE WHO-TRAFFIC-Herd-Tremeloe tour, while proving to be a sell-out attraction, has caused a certain amount of anxiety among those people whose job it is to ...
The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes: The Supremes: Psychedelic Tamla!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 November 1967
Brian Holland, one of Motown's famous composing team, speaks to Alan Smith, and tells about PSYCHEDELIC TAMLA! ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 November 1967
HERE COMES the pop phoenix again! Arising from what so many cynics thought were their own ashes, the Troggs now have their sixth smash hit ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 November 1967
I WENT several rounds with Eve Taylor and Sandie Shaw over dinner last Friday, where among other things we discussed her performance at last week's ...
Jimi Hendrix: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Axis: Bold As Love (Track)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 November 1967
UFO COULD BE JIMI! ...
The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stones: Their Satanic Majesties Request
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 December 1967
KINDLY RAISE YOUR hands in the air. Empty your mind on to the desk and your brains into the ash-tray. Now let us see what ...
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 December 1967
TRAFFIC IN the City may have come to a stand-still due to the recent rail dispute, but Traffic in the charts is still moving full ...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 17 December 1967
THE BIRTH of the Traffic was this year after months of planning and searching and getting themselves together. ...
The Beach Boys: 1968 Will See Better Things From The Beach Boys
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 December 1967
DESPITE THE fact that the Beach Boys new single, 'Wild Honey' is having a sticky time in the charts, the group is still able to ...
The Beach Boys: Wild Honey (Capitol)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 December 1967
THE BEACH Boys new album, Wild Honey (Capitol), to be released in late January, is the antidote for all those who were confused and a ...
The Rolling Stones: The Banned Stones Cover
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1968
It is ‘We’ against ‘Them-and They’ time again in the Rolling Stones’ life, as they run head-on into another fracas with the ‘oldies’. This time ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces star Steve Marriott Declares 'Tin Soldier' The Real Us
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 January 1968
ONCE MORE unto Andrew Oldham's inner sanctum off Oxford Street to interview his group — the Small Faces — and discuss the fate of 'Tin ...
Paul Butterfield Blues Band: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band: The Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Tracy Thomas, New Musical Express, 6 January 1968
Butterfield come-back ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 January 1968
TRAFFIC is now on the move again but as a trio. So it was that I scaled the eight flights to drummer Jim Capaldi's Earl's ...
Bob Dylan: John Wesley Harding (Columbia)
Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 20 January 1968
DYLAN'S NEW LP IS GIGANTIC WINNER ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 January 1968
A ROLLING STONE, having rolled, has come to rest in a magnificent, centuries old manor house, just outside Lewes in Sussex, which was reputedly used ...
Plastic Penny: Put Scratch On Record
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 January 1968
A PLASTIC penny for your thoughts then, or to be more precise, tuppence-worth in the shape of vocalist Brian Keith and organist Paul Raymond who ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces Shatter Old Image
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 January 1968
THAT'S my body you're laughing at!" said Ronnie Lane indignantly, having removed his shirt to reveal a torso which could have given Charles Atlas a ...
The Supremes: Supremes Live It Up In London
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 January 1968
THE SUPREMES didn't sleep for two days at the weekend, then they flew from the warmth of Cannes to the chill of London, after which ...
The Supremes: Talk of the Town, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 January 1968
A WHO'S WHO of British show business made up most of the audience (note I didn't say sat in the audience; half of 'em were ...
The Moody Blues: Moody Blues Deserve Much Greater Success
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 February 1968
AT A TIME when the charts do not testify to any great composing originality — except for Lennon-McCartney — there is one disc staggering about ...
The Supremes: Supremes Heart Chat!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 February 1968
YOU COULD see it: the Supremes were overwhelmed. They sat there in the room and hit back with answers as best they could. Reporters and ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 February 1968
THERE ARE few people in pop who deserve as much respect as that truculent Geordie with the big baby face, who speaks through his nose ...
The Foundations: Alan Smith Finds Foundations An Unusual 'Bunch'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 February 1968
THE BEATLES had it. So did Gerry "Engelbert Humperdinck" Dorsey, the Four Tops and Tom Jones. I'm talking about faith — an artist's faith in ...
Mike D'Abo, Manfred Mann: Manfred Mann's Mike d'Abo
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 February 1968
MICHAEL D'ABO is anxiously searching for Michael d'Abo. At his London home he and I looked everywhere for him with the assistance of a beautiful ...
The Bee Gees: Anaheim Convention Centre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 10 February 1968
BEE GEES TRIUMPH ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces Sink Australia
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 February 1968
THE ABOVE head-line was sarcastically suggested by Ronnie Lane, who declared after the group's recent trip down under –"they would even have accused us of ...
The Scaffold: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 February 1968
THANK U SCAFFOLD ...
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 24 February 1968
Peter Tork gives party guests healthfood ...
Tom Jones: Copacabana, New York NY
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 24 February 1968
Tom Jones took my advice! ...
Profile by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 2 March 1968
IMITATORS and/or carbon copies of top groups seldom make it big in the business of pop. But a probable exception may be Blue Cheer, who ...
Cream: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 2 March 1968
THE CREAM met great success here. when they played before 300 people a night at the Whisky-a-Go-Go last year. This trip they got equal acclaim ...
Otis Redding: Otis New Hit His Greatest Tribute
Comment by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 March 1968
DURING HIS all-too-brief lifetime, Otis Redding was respected by the world of music — and virtually ignored in his own home town of Macon, Georgia. ...
The Foundations: Foundation Clem Reveals Popland's 'Black Spots'
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 9 March 1968
MENTION SCOTLAND to Clem Curtis and he grimaces. Mention Ireland and you get an "Oh man" reply, with an anguished expression. But mention Amsterdam and ...
Jeff Beck: What Do The Fans Want From Me? Pleads Jeff Beck
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 9 March 1968
TO THOSE who remember the raving old days at the Richmond Crawdaddy with "geezers" hanging from the rafters in ecstasy whenever Eric "Slowhand" Clapton did ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones Are On The Rampage Once More
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 March 1968
NME's Keith Altham finds to his cost! ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boys Meet Elvis
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 March 1968
THE BEACH Boys meet Elvis! Beach Boys tour with London Philharmonic Orchestra? Bruce Johnston sings Lennon and McCartney! Beach Boys to do rock 'n' roll ...
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich: Dave Dee: Dave Dee Whips Up Fans
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 March 1968
ALL this "Marquis de Sade" and "Kiss of the Whip" bit is somewhat wasted on Dave Dee! He's about as kinky as a pint of ...
1910 Fruitgum Company: Simon's not our bag, says Fruitgum Co.
Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, April 1968
I HAD A wonderful chat with two members of the 1910 Fruitgum Company this week about the success of 'Simon Says' in the U.K. and ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 April 1968
Concert review by Keith Altham ...
Esther and Abi Ofarim: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 April 1968
MEMORABLE NIGHT FROM ESTHER & ABI ...
The Beach Boys, The Beatles: Maharishi links Beatles and Beach Boys
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 April 1968
NME helps find World Peace venue ...
Arthur Conley, Otis Redding: Conley Cuts Tribute to Otis
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 April 1968
A RECORD tracing the deep bond of friendship and artistic respect between Otis Redding and himself has been waxed by Otis' "Soul Protégé" Arthur Conley. ...
Reparata & the Delrons: Sets of Three
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 13 April 1968
'Captain' hit big surprise for Reparata ...
The Small Faces: At Home With Face Steve...What An Experience!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 April 1968
TO VISIT the Thameside abode of Small Face Steve Marriott is something of an experience — to put it mildly! Come with me and you'll ...
Bobby Goldsboro: Before 'Honey' I Had Almost Given Up Hope, Says Bobby Goldsboro
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 4 May 1968
HIT AFTER HIT has been written by Bobby Goldsboro, but for other people as far as Britain is concerned. His own songs have taken him ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces Thought ‘Sunday’ Too Much Of A Joke
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 4 May 1968
ONCE more unto the magic cave – better described as Andrew Oldham’s emporium from whence all things Immediate happen – and the office where I ...
Report by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 4 May 1968
Mike Nesmith wanted me to expose how rude he is reveals Ann Moses in this NMExclusive from Hollywood. ...
Otis Redding: A Sad Reminder Of The Great Otis: Otis Redding: Dock Of The Bay
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 May 1968
ALMOST EVERY TRACK of Otis Redding's new Dock Of The Bay album is a constant and sad reminder of the sheer soul — there is, ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 May 1968
ONE-HIT-WONDER groups have been coming and going ever since pop music began but one group likely to stay the pace are the four Londoners called ...
The Hollies, Graham Nash: Graham May Split The Hollies
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 May 1968
He talks about this... his ego... the future... his faith in God... and the Hollies, Scaffold, Paul Jones tour ...
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap: Californian Union Gap Spurn The Psychedelic
Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, 25 May 1968
Want second hit before trip here ...
The Small Faces: Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 May 1968
THE SMALL Faces new album Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake (Immediate), apart from being encased in the first circular sleeve I have ever seen, is a ...
The Animals, Zoot Money: Eric Burdon & The Animals with Zoot Money: The Revolution, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 June 1968
POWERFUL ERIC ...
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 1 June 1968
NANCY SINATRA is a flag, waver and you know it the minute you walk into her brand new Boots Enterprises office above the Sunset Strip. ...
The Rolling Stones: The Stones In-Session
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 June 1968
OUTSIDE THE recording studio there were two little teeny-boppers from a by-gone age, sheltering from the rain in a shop doorway in the hope of ...
Aretha Franklin: Houseproud Aretha Loves To Get Home
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 June 1968
"SIDDOWN," said the Queen of Soul. So I saddown — on a plush settee in a room at the Dorchester — and Lady Aretha excused ...
The Equals: Rehearsal track gives the Equals hit
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 June 1968
I HAVE NEWS for groups and singers who consider it's always necessary to do about 50 "takes" before they get their records to the right ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones Set Studio On Fire!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 June 1968
First film gets off to a blazing start ...
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap: Union Gap Play Only Own Songs On Stage
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 22 June 1968
THE SUPREMES, the Animals and Union Cap have one thing in common — they all now feature the name of their lead singer before that ...
The Equals: Equals Stunned By No. 3 Hit
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 29 June 1968
EVEN THE Equals can't believe an old half-forgotten track like 'Baby Come Back' could have boosted them from nowhere right up into the big money-earning ...
The Herd, Scott Walker: Scott Walker, The Herd: The Dome, Brighton
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 29 June 1968
GREAT SCOTT! That's my immediate reaction after seeing and hearing Scott Walker break through the scream barrier last Friday evening at the Brighton Dome. The ...
Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart: Standing Ovation For Jeff Beck
Report by June Harris, New Musical Express, 29 June 1968
THE GREATEST thing happened in New York last Friday. On his first performance in this country, Jeff Beck became a star. Even in his Yardbird ...
Dusty Springfield: Dusty Says 'I Want To Hit Back'
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 July 1968
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD would, I was informed, like to "hit back!" Now this did not sound like the fun-loving lass I knew of old. A skilfully ...
Gene Pitney: Variety Club, Batley
Live Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 6 July 1968
VERSATILE PITNEY ...
Pentangle: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 6 July 1968
Pentangle's big debut ...
The Monkees: Question Time With Monkee Davy
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 6 July 1968
BEFORE Davy Jones completed his famous disappearing trick and returned to America, I joined the hordes of reporters and photographers waiting to see "Mighty-Monkee" at ...
Jimmy Webb, Richard Harris: Richard Harris Talks About Jim Webb
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 July 1968
On transatlantic phone to NME's Keith Altham ...
Tiny Tim: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 13 July 1968
TINY TIM IS BIG ENJOYMENT says ANN MOSES from Hollywood ...
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich: Nine Hits In A Row
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 July 1968
WHEN I arrived at the Lime Grove TV studios it was to find that Tich, Mick, Beaky, Dozy and Dave Dee (how about that for ...
Elvis Presley: In TV-Film Show With Elvis!
Report by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 20 July 1968
On steps five feet from him ...
Jimmy Webb, Richard Harris: Richard Harris: A Tramp Shining (Dunhill)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 July 1968
RICHARD HARRIS-JIM WEBB LP MUST BE BEST SELLER ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces: We're Getting Better Ideas
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 July 1968
HAVING nipped smartly into the No. 1 best selling album slot with Ogdens Nut Gone Flake, the Small Faces are now deservedly considered big wheels ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Clubs Give Sly And Family First Hit
Profile by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 July 1968
ANOTHER example of discotheques and clubs turning a little-known group into a hit outfit comes in the shape of Sly and the Family Stone who ...
Elvis Presley: Elvis Takes Off Tiny Tim And Richard Harris
Report by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 27 July 1968
The continuing story of ELVIS and ANN MOSES (Editor of Tiger Beat) ...
Jimi Hendrix: Jimi Brings Manager's New Club Roof Down!
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 July 1968
JIMI HENDRIX literally brought the roof down on the opening night at his manager's club, Sergeant Peppers in Majorca by the simple expedient of ramming ...
The Equals: Thwarted Fans Threaten Equals With Bomb!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 July 1968
TAKE THREE distinct styles of music — out-and-out Soul, happy-to-be-in-de-sunshine Calypso, and straight commercial Pop — and the chances are you'll find three distinct sets ...
Tommy James & The Shondells: The Chart Toppers Phone NME From New York
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 July 1968
TOMMY JAMES and the Shondells are going into the studios this week to record some new Beatle songs and one of them may be their ...
Dusty Springfield: Dusty Feels Like Two People
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 August 1968
ALAN SMITH discovers during a late-night QUESTION TIME ...
Herb Alpert: My 'Guy' Called For No Great Vocal Pipes!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 August 1968
Says Herb Alpert to Alan Smith ...
O.C. Smith: Tired But Amiable O.C
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 3 August 1968
THE COLOUR problem in America is, of course, far worse than it is here. Pop music, however, has alleviated some of the tension, according to ...
Richard Green Takes You Out To An In-Party! At The Revolution In London
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 3 August 1968
GO DOWN TO the Revolution, we thought. Take a photographer and get some pictures of the star names. And what a night we picked! It ...
Don Partridge: Don Partridge (Columbia)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 August 1968
'DOCK OF THE BAY' is a beautifully balanced version of the Otis Redding hit with addition of flute and organ but the surprising feature for ...
The Small Faces: Faces Shatter Country Calm
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 August 1968
...in their Bucks hideaway invaded by Keith Altham ...
Roy Orbison: Talk Of The Town, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 August 1968
Orbison needs do no more than sing ...
The Beatles: "Beatles' Loose Habit Of Recording"
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 August 1968
Paul McCartney in a no-punches pulled interview with NME's Alan Smith ...
Live Review by Keith Altham, Richard Green, New Musical Express, 17 August 1968
STARS, SUNSHINE and a SHAMBLES ...
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 17 August 1968
NEWPORT FESTIVAL FAILURE ...
Sly & The Family Stone: Sly Buries Underground And Has Fun!
Profile and Interview by June Harris, New Musical Express, 24 August 1968
YOU'LL JUST love Sly and the Family Stone when you see them next month. They're what I call a fun group, who get a kick ...
The Kinks: The One-up Kink: Raymond Douglas Davies
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 31 August 1968
RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES, as he now insists on being referred to, is one who excels in the unexpected and the slightly bizarre. He is probably ...
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 31 August 1968
RASCALS ARE FINEST! ...
The Doors, Jefferson Airplane: The Doors/Jefferson Airplane: The Roundhouse, London
Live Review by Derek Grant, New Musical Express, September 1968
THE RUMOURS were flying. Doors drummer John Densmore was missing. The groups were arguing as to who would go on first. There was some speculation ...
Aretha Franklin: Alan Smith Discovers That Aretha (26) Feels She's A Lot Older
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 September 1968
...because she's lived such a hard life ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boys still meditate despite losing fortune touring with Maharishi!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 September 1968
...reports BRUCE JOHNSTON to NME'S KEITH ALTHAM ...
Johnny Nash: Rock-Steady is Coming
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 September 1968
JOHNNY NASH arrived in London on Tuesday for six days to promote his hit single, 'Hold Me Tight', with the message that Rock-Steady is on ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Topless Dancers Drove Me Out says Sly of the Family Stone
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 September 1968
TOPLESS DANCERS and the resultant craze in San Francisco became so too much for a young musician that he left his job, became a record ...
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 September 1968
Observe four old young men known just as Traffic/Suffer their tedious setting the stage/Then hark to their magical music and live it/And when the fuzz ...
Amen Corner: Amen Andy Is New Teen Idol
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 September 1968
JUST as everyone was beginning to think that the day of the teenage idol was over, another young 'god' has come quietly and modestly upon ...
Canned Heat: Revolution, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 September 1968
"IT'S A LOW-down... dirty shame," sang big Bob Hite, lead singer with Canned Heat, when the American blues group in the NME Chart with 'On ...
Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall: Mayall Helps Mac Break Into Singles
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 September 1968
ACE BLUESMAN John Mayall went to a concert given by super ace bluesman B.B. King in America, took a tape recording of it and later ...
The Rolling Stones: The Banned Stones' LP Cover...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 September 1968
Mick Jagger protests against 'Dylan offensive' charge ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 September 1968
GREAT TRAFFIC LP ...
Canned Heat Have Sunflower, Bear & Tree Man!
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 September 1968
THIS IS the story of Canned Heat, a young lady, myself and the Incredible Sliding Bed (in fact, two Incredible Sliding Beds). You are invited ...
The Rolling Stones: Our Live Shows More Subversive Than 'Street Fightin' Man'! admits Keith Richard
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 September 1968
Part two of the Jagger-fights-on story. ...
The Nice: Richard Green goes afloat with Nice
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 September 1968
And nearly goes down with them! ...
The Kinks: The Village Green Preservation Society (Pye)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 September 1968
KINKS REMINISCING ON THE VILLAGE GREEN ...
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 5 October 1968
IT IS VERY unlikely that the Editor will send me to Biafra to cover the war for the NME or that I shall be asked ...
The Herd: After Big Split Herd Out Of Exile
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 October 1968
YOU MAY NOT have seen much of the Herd recently since their self-imposed retreat following a dispute with managers Howard and Blaikley, but I have ...
Aretha Franklin: Philharmonic Hall, New York NY
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 12 October 1968
ARETHA FRANKLIN, the first lady of soul, appeared at Philharmonic Hall last weekend and was the guest of honour at a huge dinner party thrown ...
Joe Cocker: John And Paul Send Their Thanks To Joe
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 October 1968
"WITH A Little Help From Our Friends" Lennon and McCartney, 23-year-old Sheffield born, Joe Cocker makes a welcome appearance in our charts this week with ...
Jose Feliciano: Jose Makes Old Very Avantgarde
Profile and Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 12 October 1968
IF, AS THE cynics say, there is nothing new in the world, then the mark of the truly creative performer is one who can make ...
Joe Cocker: I'm Not A Pop Pin-Up... I'm Gruesome
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 26 October 1968
NME's Keith Altham quizzes a happy JOE COCKER who this week leaps to No 6. ...
Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones: I Miss Mick's Bath Scene
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 9 November 1968
...moans KEITH ALTHAM but catches up with Jagger later ...
The Beatles: The Beatles (Apple)
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 November 1968
BEATLES DOUBLE-LP IN FULL The Brilliant, the Bad and the Ugly — Track-by-Track review of 30 songs ...
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 November 1968
TINY'S BIG HIT ...
Bob Dylan: Dont Look Back (Dir. Don Pennebaker)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 16 November 1968
Evil genius? Volatile? Merciless? Hydra headed Monster? Film shows other side of Bob Dylan ...
The Rolling Stones: One Plus One (Dir. Jean Luc Godard)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 November 1968
COMING NOT-too-shortly, I hope (the official London premiere is at the National Film Theatre on November 25) — the Rolling Stones in One Plus One ...
Aphrodite's Child: Greek Chartsters
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 November 1968
'RAIN AND TEARS' is one of those songs with a prickle at the nape of the neck moving to a shiver down the spine, and ...
The Rolling Stones: Beggars Banquet (Decca)
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 23 November 1968
I KEEP changing my mind about Beggars Banquet which is the Rolling Stones new album in the sleeve which has now been passed fit for ...
Jeannie C. Riley: A Wild Jeannie
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968
PARAGON PUBLICITY use a Rolls and a chauffeur to get me to Jeannie C. Riley ("it belonged to the Beatles," says the man proudly, "but ...
Joe Cocker: Hit Single Was Just A Fluke
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968
New LP is much more important he tells RICHARD GREEN ...
The Beatles: The Beatles (The White Album)
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968
BEATLES CHART HISTORY BY GETTING DOUBLE LP IN. ...
The Beatles: Paul Recalls Inspirations Of LP
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968
PAUL McCARTNEY has been talking about The Beatles' new double-album and he is understandably and humanly chuffed at the cover versions of his songs. He ...
Love Sculpture: Amen's Andy Tipped Love Sculpture
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 December 1968
AMEN CORNER'S Andy Fairweather-Low has recently been bending my ear about a Welsh trio called Love Sculpture who, he felt sure, were going to be ...
The Beach Boys, Barry Ryan: Palladium, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 December 1968
Beach Boys' magic ...
Crosby Stills and Nash: Crosby Stills & Nash: Splitting Holly Graham Forms Group That Isn't
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 December 1968
TO THE MOSCOW Road, London W.2., where Mr. Graham Nash had news and views and also the company of Mr. David Crosby and Mr. Stephen ...
Elvis Presley: Elvis (NBC Television Special)
Film/DVD/TV Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 14 December 1968
Elvis television triumph ...
Eric Clapton, John Lennon, The Rolling Stones, The Who: Rolling Stones: The Greatest Show On Earth
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 December 1968
THE ROLLING STONES put in some overtime last Wednesday when they spent 17 hours working on their telethon production of The Rock and Roll Circus ...
Simon & Garfunkel: Film Graduation For Simon, Garfunkel
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1969
"THE Graduate, the film which features ‘Mrs. Robinson,’ has given Simon and Garfunkel the kind of status in America that the Beatles have now," their ...
Scott Walker: Scott His Own Worst Enemy
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1969
SCOTT WALKER is a super talent who will probably never become a Super-Star because he will defeat himself or maybe more simply he will deliberately ...
Booker T & The MGs: Booker T. puts hits before tours
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 25 January 1969
SOUL is a much maligned word which tends to bring a sneer to the lips of the musical cynics, probably because there has been so ...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 25 January 1969
LULU IS finding that twenty four hours are not enough to cope with her string of commitments which includes a television series, the Eurovision Song ...
Hair: Not a Show for the Sqeamish — for Audience or the Cast!
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 February 1969
WHATEVER the Lord Chamberlain may have thought about Hair, its message and content, the cast agree on one thing — it is not a shocking ...
Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield: Jerry Wexler: 'Team Work Is Secret Of Atlantic's Soul Success'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1969
Label chief JERRY WEXLER talking to Alan Smith ...
Canned Heat Fight Blues Prejudice
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1969
LIBERTY RECORDS took their time releasing Canned Heat's 'Going Up Country', follow-up to 'On The Road Again', and frankly I had thought that the heat ...
Stevie Wonder: Two Sides of the Great Stevie Wonder
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1969
Stevie champions the under dogs; Musically he's only at the beginning ...
Wilson Pickett: "I'm tired — I ain't doing no TV"— but he does!
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 February 1969
Alan Smith welcomes to England an unhappy WILSON PICKETT ...
Esther and Abi Ofarim: Esther & Abi Ofarim: Rockefella Wed Cinderella To Get Her Out Of The Army
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 February 1969
THE BIGGEST cliché about a woman's eyes is that they look like lovely, limpid pools... and yet "lovely, limpid pools" is about the only possible ...
Sam & Dave: Sam and Dave — soul brothers on stage — but not off
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 March 1969
SOUL BROTHERS on stage... but not so brotherly in real life. That seemed to be the implication by Sam Moore, of Sam and Dave, when ...
Marv Johnson: Marv still works as Tamla clerk
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 March 1969
And he gave label its first ever hit! ...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 March 1969
NME's Richard Green talks to their producer, Bob Johnston ...
Joe South: I'm Proud To Be Schizophrenic!
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 12 April 1969
JOE SOUTH is a songwriter, singer, guitarist and record producer and self-confessed schizophrenic. But first he is a poet. His publicist told me this in ...
Review by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 19 April 1969
DYLAN HAS CHANGED again. His latest album, Nashville Skyline, the 14-month-later follow-up to John Wesley Harding, presents the folk-rock star in a completely new guise. ...
Junior Walker & the All Stars: Junior Walker: A Hit For Junior — Because He Couldn't Sit Still
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 19 April 1969
AROUND THE Tamla Motown offices, Junior Walker became something of an oddity. Instead of sitting around, biding his time like the rest of the artists, ...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 26 April 1969
Island Records boss CHRIS BLACKWELL talks to Richard Green ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1969
WHEN BOB and Earl fly into Britain next week I'll be fascinated to find out if they now call themselves Bobby Garrett, Bobby Day or ...
Desmond Dekker: Dekker Dekkos* London
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1969
IT WAS going to be one of those "day-in-the-life " adventures, with photographer Stuart Richman and I showing excited tourist Desmond Dekker the sights of ...
The Beatles, John Lennon: Beatles Music Straightforward On Next Album: An Interview with John Lennon
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 May 1969
"IF I COULD ONLY get the time to myself right now, instead of all this Monopoly and financial business with Northern Songs, I think I ...
The Pretty Things: Tamla invest in Pretty Things
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 May 1969
ONE OF the most astounding pieces of news recently has been the signing by Tamla Motown of the Pretty Things, a group famed for its ...
Clouds, Ten Years After: Ten Years After, Clouds: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 17 May 1969
ALBERT HALL FANS STAND FOR TEN YEARS AFTER ...
The Who: Tommy (Track stereo 613 013/4; 76s 1d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 24 May 1969
WHO'S SICK OPERA ...
Otis Redding: Bound To Be A Big Hit: Otis Redding: The Dock Of The Bay (Atco)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 June 1969
IT'S ALMOST a waste of time to review an Otis Redding album: everybody already knows how great he was. ...
The Beatles, John Lennon: John Lennon: Ringo's Right, We Can't Tour Again
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 7 June 1969
JOHN LENNON, over here in Canada with his wife Yoko, revealed for the first time that there had been considerable disagreement between him and Paul ...
The Lovin' Spoonful: Revelation: Revolution '69 (Kama Sutra)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 June 1969
MY, HOW THE Spoonful have changed since the days of John Sebastian and the lunatical Zalman Yanovsky. ...
The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger Talks To NME About The New Stone, The Ex Stone, And Two Albums
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 June 1969
"WE'D KNOWN for a few months that Brian wasn't keen; he wasn't enjoying himself and it got to the stage where we had to sit ...
Sam & Dave: Sam and Dave: Double Trouble (Atlantic)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 June 1969
ANYONE who's ever seen Sam and Dave on stage will appreciate just how hard the dynamic duo work. ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 June 1969
ZEPPELIN FLY HIGH ...
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Question-Time with Smokey of the Miracles
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 21 June 1969
KNOWING THAT Smokey Robinson is one of the five vice-presidents of the fabulously successful Tamla Motown label, I expected him to be a bustling businessman, ...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 28 June 1969
NOBODY REALLY expects anything connected with the Who to be quite normal, but with Thunderclap Newman, Pete Townshend has come up with a gem. Apart ...
The Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson: Love, Respect Binds The Beach Boys
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 28 June 1969
By RICHARD GREEN — the sixth Beach Boy ...
Report by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 5 July 1969
NOW THAT the Newport '69 Pop Festival (called that to borrow a little of the fame from the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, but actually ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 5 July 1969
RICHARD GREEN says ROCKING NICE HIT ...
Billy Preston: Billy's a Natural
Profile by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 12 July 1969
IF EVER there was a "natural" for the charts, Billy Preston's 'That's The Way God Planned It' — which enters this week at No. 19 ...
Desmond Dekker: Sister's Fall Inspired Des' 'It Mek'
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 19 July 1969
AS A CHANGE from Which came first, the chicken or the egg? — which came first, the 'Israelites' or the 'It Mek'? ...
The Beach Boys: Beach Boy Mike Would Love To Convert You
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 26 July 1969
Richard Green Tries A Spot Of Meditation ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Creedence Perkins Fans
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 26 July 1969
CREEDENCE Clearwater Revival are at the top of America's pop group list. They are No. 12 this week in the NME charts with 'Proud Mary', ...
Desmond Dekker: Sweetened Ska Beat Could Sweep The Country Claims Desmond Dekker's Producer
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 July 1969
ARE DESMOND Dekker's 'Israelites' No. 1 and his latest release 'It Mek' only flashes in the proverbial pan, man... or could a hybrid mix of ...
Johnny Cash: At San Quentin (CBS mono and stereo 63629; 37s. 6d )
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, August 1969
CASH RECORDS SMASH IN JAIL ...
The Isley Brothers, John Peel: Isleys and Peel 'Do Their Thing'
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 2 August 1969
THERE IS no obvious connection between John Peel and the Isley Brothers. Both are in a different "bag," yet both have one thing in common ...
Elvis Presley, the Sweet Inspirations: International Hotel, Las Vegas NV
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 9 August 1969
SENSATIONAL LIVE SHOW COMEBACK! ...
Conway Twitty: Darling, You Know I Wouldn't Lie (MCA mono and stereo MUP 386; 37s 6d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 23 August 1969
COUNTRY TWITTY ...
Jane Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg: Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg: Jane Sighs Her Way To Charts!
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 23 August 1969
IT'S ALL VERY well for people to scream and shout that the BBC won't play their records enough, thus giving them no chance of becoming ...
Muddy Waters: After The Rain (Chess mono and stereo CRL 4553; 37s 5d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 23 August 1969
NEW ALBUM FROM MUDDY ...
The Nice: Nice (Immediate mono and stereo IMSP 026; 38s. 6d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 23 August 1969
NICE WORK AND YOU CAN GET IT ...
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 30 August 1969
CLAPTON ADORATION ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 September 1969
200,000 roar approval including John, George, Ringo and wives! But Dylan didn't quite sink Isle of Wight, reports Richard Green ...
Jane Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg: Deep Breathing: Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg (Fontana)
Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 6 September 1969
THE DEEP-BREATHING GIRL, Jane Birkin, gets the boys breathless with her panting contributions to the lovely tune and deep-voiced singing of Serge Gainsbourg in 'Je ...
Jethro Tull: Ian Anderson Wrote Music For Next Tull Album On U.S. Tour
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 September 1969
MOST GROUP members, when they visit America, spend all their spare time looning about clubs and generally having a rare old time. Not so Ian ...
The Temptations: Can You Put A Name To The Temptations?
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 September 1969
I'VE ALWAYS had the feeling that although the Temptations have enjoyed good record sales in this country, they've never quite made it as people with ...
Cher: 3614 Jackson Highway (Atco mono and stereo 228 026; 37s 6d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 13 September 1969
WITH THREE Bob Dylan songs, one by Steve Stills and another by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper, Cher has a pretty good mixture — and ...
Elvis Presley: International Hotel, Las Vegas NV
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 13 September 1969
SECOND LOOK AT ELVIS ...
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 20 September 1969
Hard life of the legendary folk star ...
The Beatles: Abbey Road Album Track-By-Track
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 September 1969
A YOUNG lady wrote to Radio One's Scene and Heard at the weekend, her heart full of hate, her pen dipped in vitriol, and her ...
Jane Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg: At Home with Sounds of Love star Jane
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 September 1969
IT'S ALL VERY well to have a public image of a fun-loving, "anything goes" girl about town, but in private life things can be very ...
Chicken Shack Full Of Clucking Sounds
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 September 1969
STAN WEBB was grinning evilly as he strode into a pub, but no maniacal deeds were going through his mind, he was just dead chuffed ...
Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash Fantastically Together
Report by June Harris, New Musical Express, 27 September 1969
CROSBY, Stills, Nash and Young arrived in New York last week for performances at the Fillmore East. Needless to say, all four shows resulted in ...
The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder: Motowners have Racial Problems
Report by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 27 September 1969
SINCE SO many Motown artists are currently in the British charts, I thought I might pass on some things about them that have been circulating ...
The Nice: Nice: Good Music & Showmanship Is Their Formula For Success
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 September 1969
MUSICAL COMPETENCE and showmanship rarely go hand-in-hand. At least, if they do, one often takes precedence over the other and the overall effect is one ...
Ten Years After: Ssssh (Deram mono and stereo DML 1052, 37s 6d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 September 1969
TEN YEARS AFTER VERY ADVANCED ...
Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by June Harris, New Musical Express, 4 October 1969
THE START of this week's column should be called the continuing story of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I know that from the English point ...
The Temptations: Making Hits Is As Easy As Pie says Temps Dennis
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 4 October 1969
"MAKING HIT records," claims Dennis Edwards, lusty lead singer of the Temptations, "is like making cakes. You just need the right basic ingredients and you're ...
Jerry Lee Lewis: Sings The Country Music Hall Of Fame Hits Vol. 1 and 2 (Mercury)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 11 October 1969
Jerry Lee's good examples ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 11 October 1969
KINKS WITH POP OPERA ...
Radha Krishna Temple, London: Are You Getting Krishna's Message?
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 October 1969
...wonders ALAN SMITH ...
The Four Tops, Diana Ross, The Supremes: Four Tops Hoping For British Tour, Diana Splits Next Year
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 October 1969
ALAN SMITH reports the latest views from DETROIT, A CITY PACKED WITH NATURAL MOTOWN TALENT. ...
Harry Nilsson: Nilsson — The Complete Opposite of a Pop Star
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 October 1969
NICE GUY Nilsson remains — as ever — a nice guy... And in a pop world which occasionally tends to suffer a little too much ...
The Nice: A Nice A Week: 1 — Keith Emerson Wants Classical Music To Survive
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 November 1969
ONE OF the highspots of Keith Emerson's career occurred only a fortnight ago, when the Nice played with the London Symphony Orchestra at Croydon's Fairfield ...
The Beatles, George Harrison: Beatle Single — By George!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 November 1969
1969 WILL END up being George Harrison's year. He's waited a long time for real recognition, has George, but his composition 'Something' is released as ...
John Mayall: Turning Point (Polydor mono and stereo 583 571; 37s 6d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 November 1969
MAYALL MINUS DRUMS ...
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 November 1969
JUST HOW firm a hold reggae is taking on the charts is demonstrated this week by the arrival in the NME Top Thirty of three ...
Holland, Dozier, Holland: This Song Team Wrote 7 Million-Sellers On The Trot!
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 15 November 1969
No. 2 IN THE LP CHART THIS WEEK IS MOTOWN CHART BUSTERS, VOL 3. THREE HITS ON THIS ALBUM WERE BY HOLLAND DOZIER HOLLAND ...
Joe Cocker, Leon Russell: Leon's 'Lady' lucky for Joe Cocker
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 15 November 1969
Transatlantic interview by RICHARD GREEN ...
Stevie Wonder: Stevie Sees Very Clearly
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 November 1969
IN A WORLD of darkness, sound has obviously become almost Stevie Wonder's chief guide and consolation... so I was hardly surprised to hear this week ...
The Rolling Stones: Forum, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 22 November 1969
Stones terrific ...
Gene Vincent, The Wild Angels: Gene Vincent, Wild Angels, the Nashville Teens: Palladium, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 November 1969
BACK 12 YEARS WITH ROCKER GENE VINCENT ...
Joe Cocker: Joe Cocker! (Regal Zonophone stereo SLRZ 1011, 37s. 5d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 November 1969
CREDIT TO ALL FOR JOE COCKER'S U.S. LP ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 November 1969
THE PERSONABLE Mr. Gaye is in top form on this album, which teams him up with Mary Wells, Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell. Marvin has ...
Mighty Baby: Mighty Baby (Head stereo playable mono. HDLS 6002. 39s. lid.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 November 1969
MIGHTY BABY comprises five young men who have been playing in various groups for a number of years and who have now combined to produce ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 November 1969
THIS ALBUM is obviously a collection or the group's newest recordings, as the sound has changed out of recognition. Gone has the rock and roll ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 November 1969
GREAT STONES ALBUM! Declares RICHARD GREEN ...
Elvis Presley: From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis (RCA)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 December 1969
PRESLEY FANS WANT TO SPEED UP ISSUE OF THIS ...
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 6 December 1969
THE NEWS that the Rolling Stones have resumed personal appearances must have gladdened the hearts of pop fans everywhere. The Stones always were the most ...
Jimmy Cliff: Jimmy Cliff (Trojan stereo TRLS 16; 37s. 5d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 13 December 1969
JIMMY CLIFF has done well out of reggae after a couple of years without much activity and he's following up his hit, 'Wonderful World, Beautiful ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 December 1969
Friendship and a mutual love of music brought George Harrison and Eric Clapton together for the recent Delaney and Bonnie tour. At a stopover In ...
The Beatles, John Lennon, Yoko Ono: John Lennon: Bore, Fool or Saint?
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 December 1969
THEY SAY John Lennon is insane, a fool, and a bore. They call him an embarrassment, a joke, and a man too interested in his ...
Plastic Ono Band: Lyceum, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 December 1969
Oh, no to Ono, 1984 ...
The Beatles, Delaney & Bonnie, George Harrison: Question Time With George Harrison
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 December 1969
Roy Carr concludes his exclusive Question-time with George Harrison, taped in the lounge of a Liverpool hotel during a break in the recent Delaney and ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, Fall 1969
THE MOVE are a sometimes thing. In the past three years the group have given us precisely one album and seven singles which can hardly ...
Tony Joe White: Tony Joe, Elvis, and Polk Salad Annie
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 1970
TONY JOE WHITE was one of the first of the new school of Southern singer/songwriters – along with Jerry Reed, Joe South, Leon Russell, Dough ...
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 3 January 1970
Special QUESTION-TIME conducted by ANN MOSES IN HOLLYWOOD ...
Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 January 1970
SUPER CONCERT! ...
Taste: On The Boards (Polydor stereo 583 083. 37s 6d).
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 January 1970
IF MY memory serves me correctly, Taste is an Irish group I first saw playing in Harrods Way In boutique a few months back. The ...
David Ackles: Subway To The Country (Elektra stereo EKS 74060; 39s 11d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 17 January 1970
DAVID ACKLES seems to have a preoccupation with gloom, doom and disaster when writing songs, but it usually turns out that numbers written in that ...
Badfinger: New to the Charts: Badfinger Make Apple Feel Rosy
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 January 1970
IT'S BIG smiles and happy heads at Apple this week, where the once much-maligned label now has a further chart name — BADFINGER — to ...
The Supremes, The Temptations: Super Star Diana Right To Quit Supremes Say Temptations
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 January 1970
ONLY THE absence of 'flu-bound Eddie Kendricks took the edge off the Temptations' arrival in Britain at the weekend, but the rest of them were ...
The Bar-Kays: Soul Finger (Atco stereo 228 030; 37s 6d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 17 January 1970
THE INFLUENCE that Booker T. and the MG's have had on this five-piece outfit is obvious, but the Bar-Kays haven't quite got it together in ...
Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 31 January 1970
Hendrix joins the friends bandwagon ...
The Nice: RICHARD GREEN spends a hectic weekend with NICE In Paris
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 31 January 1970
WHAT DO you have to do to have 'Granada' sung in your left ear by three Spaniards at 5.30 on a Sunday morning and a ...
Top Of The Pops: Are These The Two Most Frighteningly Powerful Men In Pop?
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 February 1970
PROBABLY ONLY one in a thousand teenagers have the vaguest ideas who Mel Cornish and Stanley Dorfmann are, but in the pop record business they ...
Elvis Presley: International Showroom, Las Vegas
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 7 February 1970
KING ELVIS RULES VEGAS AGAIN. New songs and old in his act after his first night including 'Proud Mary', 'Walk A Mile In My Shoes', ...
The Temptations: Temps Aren't Puppets of Motown
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 February 1970
ARE SOME of Tamla Motown's artists "Monkees of Soul"... professional acts who seem so puppet-like and programmed that they hardly come across as real people? ...
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires: Byron Lee is Jamaican Idol
Profile by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 February 1970
RELATIVELY unknown in this country, except to West Indians, Byron Lee is one of Jamaica's biggest attractions. In fact, he is to the Jamaicans what ...
Profile by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 February 1970
IT'S ALL very well to go round saying pigs can't fly, but who can honestly say that they expected to see Lee Marvin in the ...
The 5th Dimension: Love Keeps Us 5th Dimensions Together says Marilyn
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 14 February 1970
AT A PERIOD when groups come and go and musical moods change quickly, the lasting power and dependable good vibration sounds of the 5th Dimensions ...
The Band: Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach CA
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 14 February 1970
MAGNIFICENT BAND ...
The Nice: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 February 1970
NICE VERSATILITY IS LIMITLESS ...
Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash — The Man, His World, His Music (Dir. Robert Elfstrom, Verité Production)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 February 1970
DON'T MISS THIS JOHNNY CASH FILM advises RICHARD GREEN ...
Rod Stewart: An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (Vertigo stereo VO4; 37s 6d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 February 1970
ROD IN TOP FORM ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 February 1970
Rockin' Ronnie ...
Ronnie Hawkins: Mid-Rock Man Hawkins Found John & Yoko Silent Guests
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 28 February 1970
JOHN LENNON spent several days as a guest at Ronnie Hawkins' secluded country house in Canada prior to, during and following the peace concert. Yoko ...
Frank Zappa: Hot Rats (Reprise stereo RSLP 6356; 40s 8d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 7 March 1970
WIDE RANGE FROM ZAPPA ...
Chicago: Chicago (CBS stereo 66233; 49s 11d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
TOO MUCH SOUNDS SAMEY ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Willy And The Poor Boys (Liberty stereo LBS 83338; 38s 7d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
CREEDENCE REALLY IS A ROCK BAND ...
Hank Williams Jr.: Hank Williams, Jr.: Live At Cobo Hall (MGM stereo MGM-CS- 8116; 37s. 5d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
IT WOULD be silly to try and compare Hank Junior with his late father, so a review must be done with a completely open mind. ...
Profile by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
WHAT HAVE Spooky Tooth, Traffic, King Crimson, Free, Renaissance, Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention, Nick Drake and Fotheringay in common? They all are, or ...
The Nice: Nice and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
NICE UNITE CLASSIC AND POP FANS ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
Guitar ace with Booker T, Stax producer and formerly with Otis Redding's show ...
Syd Barrett: Syd Speaks Out — At Last!
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 March 1970
IT WOULDN'T BE as far-fetched as it sounds to say that what Bo Diddley was to the rock and roll scene, Pink Floyd were to ...
Bob and Marcia: 'Why Marry? Our Way's Okay' says Bob Smiling While Marcia Frowns
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970
Reggae stars in London ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: An 80 Buck Bummer Made Us Start Learning
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970
ANN MOSES INTERVIEWS JOHN FOGERTYlead singer of Creedence Clearwater Revival ...
Fairport Convention, the Humblebums: Lyceum Ballroom, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970
ANY DOUBTS about the future of the new-look Fairport Convention since Sandy Denny's departure were immediately shattered after their opening number at the Lyceum on ...
Pentangle: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970
THERE ARE five prominent points to a Pentangle and each one was individually displayed by Terry Cox, Bert Jansch, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn and Danny ...
Pickettywitch Take Up Dancing!
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970
ONE GROUP which really seem to have a most positive and realistic approach to their future in the highly competitive record game are NME chart ...
Renaissance: They Want You To Listen
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970
FOR PURELY personal reasons I think the nicest thing about Renaissance is Jane Relf, but as as a music journalist I must own up and ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: John Fogerty (continued): I Gave Up Note-making a Year Ago
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 28 March 1970
The second part of Ann Moses' long rap with John Fogerty, lead singing star of Creedence Clearwater Revival, takes the form of a frank Ask-In ...
Taste: Trio Gives Taste More Challenge
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 28 March 1970
TASTE ARE just starting to become a very hot property in England and on the Continent, already having conquered the Irish fans. All the trappings ...
Yes: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 28 March 1970
LAST SATURDAY saw the solo debut by what must surely be one of the next major concert attractions in this country... Yes. Before a capacity ...
Arthur Brown: Marquee Club, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
ARTHUR BROWN MAD AS EVER! ...
Led Zeppelin: ASK-IN with a LED ZEPPELIN a week: Bassist JOHN PAUL JONES
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
Part one of an exciting New Series by RITCHIE YORKE ...
Junior Walker & the All Stars: Back To School For Jr. Walker!
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
DROP INTO any discotheque you care to mention in any city or holiday resort in Europe and you can bet safely that at least three ...
Black Sabbath Have Nothing To Do With Spooks! says Lead Guitar Tony
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
A NUMBER of pop groups seem to have decided that it's the in-thing these days to meddle in black magic and present their version of ...
Bob and Marcia Take Plenty Preparation Time
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
DON'T BELIEVE all that stuff about black artists just jumping up on a stage and doing their thing without a moment of preparation. It happens... ...
Grateful Dead: Live/Dead (Warner Bros., WS1830. 72s. 5d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
FOR YEARS now all my friends have raved to me about the Grateful Dead. When it came to playing their albums I must admit that ...
Jimmy Ruffin Forecasts Motown Sound Chances
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970
"WITHOUT A doubt there is going to be a big change in the Motown sound as we know it. And many of today's 'happening' names ...
Woodstock (Dir. Michael Wadleigh, Warner Bros.)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 11 April 1970
WOODSTOCK FILM IS WORTHWHILE ...
Led Zeppelin: ASK-IN with a LED ZEPPELIN a week: Robert Plant
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 11 April 1970
LAST WEEK, I reported the sayings of bass player John Paul Jones. Continuing NME's four-part series on Led Zeppelin, I turned to lead singer Robert ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Creedence's "Band" Tribute To Rock Stars
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 April 1970
"IN THE States, they tell us Creedence Clearwater Revival are the stop-gap between the Beatles and the 'next Beatles — whoever the next Beatles may ...
Led Zeppelin: ASK-IN with a LED ZEPPELIN a week: JOHN BONHAM drummer extraordinary known as BONZO
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970
THE THIRD member of Led Zeppelin to be interviewed in-depth in our four-part Ask-In profile of the group is drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham, surely the ...
Dionne Warwick: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970
DIONNE DAZZLES ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: In Europe With Creedence
Report by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970
SCARY GERMAN FUZZ-FAN SCENE! ...
Norman Greenbaum: 'Sky' Star Hits At Showbiz Phonies
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970
I'm not religious but I live a pure life says Norman Greenbaum ...
Paul McCartney: McCartney (Apple)
Review and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970
McCartney is a warm pleasure PAUL TALKS ABOUT LP TRACK BY TRACK ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 25 April 1970
ROCKERS TAKE OVER FOR A NIGHT ...
Pentangle: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 25 April 1970
ENCHANTING PENTANGLE ...
Blodwyn Pig: Blodwyn's Mixed Audiences Means They Sometimes Get Mobbed
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 2 May 1970
AND THEY LIKE IT, ADMITS JACK LANCASTER ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 May 1970
ALAN SMITH talks to Tamla's most consistent solo hitmaker ...
Joe Cocker, Leon Russell: Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 2 May 1970
COCKER SURVIVES AND TRIUMPHS ...
Simon & Garfunkel: Simon and Garfunkel's Amazing Reaction to London Concert
Comment by Miranda Ward, New Musical Express, 2 May 1970
AUDIENCE HYSTERIA DISMAYED THEM ...
The Beatles: Let It Be (Apple)
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 May 1970
NEW LP SHOWS THEY COULDN'T CARE LESSHave Beatles sold out? asks NME's Alan Smith ...
The Who: Live At Leeds (Track stereo 2406 001; 42s 6d).
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 16 May 1970
BRILLIANT WHO ...
The Beatles: Let It Be (Dir. Michael Lindsay-Hogg, United Artists)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 May 1970
Unusual, fascinating Beatles documentary ...
Woodstock (Dir. Michael Wadleigh, Warner Bros.)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 23 May 1970
WOODSTOCK — BEST FILM EVER MADE ABOUT POP ...
Buck Owens And His Buckaroos: Tall Dark Stranger (Capitol stereo E-ST 212; 39s 11d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 May 1970
BUCK OWENS is regarded very highly by country-and –western people, performers and customers alike, and his albums sell consistently well. Unfortunately, he has never had ...
Amen Corner, Fair Weather: Fair Weather: Andy Pleads, Don't Scream At Me Any More
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 May 1970
WHEN DOZENS of emotional young girls screamed and hysterically rushed the stage in a vague attempt to grab hold of Andy Fairweather Low, the singer ...
Christine Perfect: For Christine, Hard Work Hasn't Made Perfect
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 May 1970
HARD WORK is not always rewarded, as Christine Perfect is unfortunately finding out. Since leaving Chicken Shack to spend more time with her husband, Fleetwood ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 May 1970
PEACEFUL FESTIVAL OF GOOD MUSIC ...
The Nice: Five Bridges (Charisma, stereo CAS 1014; 39s 11d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 May 1970
End of Nice ...
Various Artists: Woodstock (Atlantic, stereo 2663001; 150s)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 May 1970
Monster albums from Woodstock ...
Glen Campbell – Former Beach Boy and Elvis Guitarist!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 June 1970
IT MAY NOT be generally known that Glen Campbell is a former member of the Beach Boys... that he was once a brilliant session guitarist ...
Taste, Toe Fat: Lyceum, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 June 1970
London likes raving Taste ...
Audience, Van Der Graaf Generator: Van Der Graaf Generator, Audience: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 June 1970
CONCERT SUCCESS OF TWO GROUPS ...
Black Sabbath: Black Magic Is Not Our Scene Say Black Sabbath
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 13 June 1970
We're fed up with the confusion, they tell ROY CARR ...
The Beatles, Booker T & The MGs: Booker T-MGs Invade Beatle Land
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 13 June 1970
THINK YOU recognise the album cover on the right? Well, just look again! It's the sleeve to Booker T & the MG's new album McLemore ...
Profile by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 13 June 1970
THEY MAY be new to the charts, crashing in at No. 18 with 'Alright Now', but Free are by no means newcomers on the scene. ...
The Who: Who Rehearsed Live Album During American Tour
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 13 June 1970
KEITH MOON, a little more serious these days, talks to RICHARD GREEN ...
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 June 1970
Clapton leads — and sings his heart out ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Creedence John's Convictions Landed Him In Prison
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 June 1970
For 20 years I was in a 'dungeon' ...
Free: Fans make it a Free for all
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 June 1970
TO MANY wide-eyed, starstruck groups, a hit record is the culmination of their career; they can see no further. It is, for them the be-all ...
Report and Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 June 1970
JOHN BONHAM is an incredibly happy person. But if there is one thing that's apt to annoy Led Zeppelin's powerhouse drummer and arch-raver, it's the ...
Jimi Hendrix: Band Of Gypsys (Track stereo Super. 2406.002; 42s. 6d.)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 June 1970
JIMI HENDRIX is one of the very few true originals in music. He is a power unto himself and perhaps the only person to whom ...
Roger Miller: Roger Miller 1970 (Mercury stereo 6338 001; 30s. 11d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 June 1970
BECAUSE ROGER Miller is such a good songwriter it's odd that only one of the tracks here is his own composition. It would be much ...
Steppenwolf: Steppenwolf Live (Stateside stereo SSL 5029; 39s 11d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 June 1970
HERE COMES THE WOLF ...
Diana Ross Doesn't Miss Supremes
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 4 July 1970
DIANA ROSS is a supremely confident person. She has progressed from being a member of just another Tamla Motown group called the Supremes, to making ...
John Entwistle, The Who: John Entwistle: I Nearly Quit Top Of The Pops
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 4 July 1970
A bass player who objects to being ignored by TV cameras: That's John Entwistle of the Who. He told his troubles to NME's Richard Green ...
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 July 1970
THE PROGRAMME for last weekend's Bath Festival of Blues & Progressive Music stated... "All times subject to possible change." And they weren't joking either. ...
Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant: Sexy? It's all a bit of a giggle says Zeppelin's Robert Plant
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 July 1970
THERE IS no denying that Robert Plant is bestowed with the contemporary handsomeness and poise of which pop heroes are made. Subsequently, and without any ...
Ten Years After a Week: Alvin Lee
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 July 1970
WOODSTOCK FILM BIG BOOST FOR ALVIN ...
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 4 July 1970
WHO HEAT UP SUMMER ...
Deep Purple: Lyceum Ballroom, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 July 1970
Deep Purple at riotous best ...
Free: Fire and Water (Island stereo, ILPS.9120. 37s. 5d.)
Review and Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 July 1970
FREE'S FASTEST-SELLER Roy Carr's track-by-track with vocalist Paul Rodgers ...
Colosseum, Steppenwolf: Steppenwolf, Colosseum: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 July 1970
Roy Carr at Wolf's concert ...
Humble Pie: NME Crashes in on Stevie...
Review and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 18 July 1970
...to do a track-by track on Humble Pie latest album ...
Black Sabbath, Yes: The Lyceum, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 25 July 1970
WITH CHAMPAGNE in hand, Herr Klook re-emerged before a capacity crowd to present his new series of Friday night scenes at the Lyceum. ...
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 25 July 1970
I THOUGHT I'd just wander down to Hyde Park, lay under a tree and quietly listen to the music. However, it seems that Blackhill organisers ...
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 25 July 1970
NOT ONLY were there some incredible scenes going on inside the Marquee on Tuesday when the Taste completely shattered the all-time box office record held ...
Free's chart success makes it tough on the fans
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 1 August 1970
'But its the only thing that bothers us' says SIMON KIRKE ...
Tony Joe White: Tony Joe Declares — Ah'm Aginst Unhealthy Things!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 August 1970
LISTENING TO Tony Joe White speak is like taking an excursion deep into the man's boots via the steamy swamps of his native Louisiana, where ...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 August 1970
WHATEVER analytical terms are used by people in attempting to define Traffic's music, however many superlatives are attached to the group and among the hundreds ...
Traffic: John Barleycorn Must Die (Island stereo ILPS 9116; 39s 11d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 August 1970
THE FIRST Traffic album for far too long consists of a mere six tracks. This is not a bad thing though because each one is ...
Jeff Beck: Strange Scene at Tamla
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 August 1970
...reports Mickie Most ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 August 1970
NICKY THOMAS came to town the other day, all happy and rarin' to reggae. He smiled a lot and laughed a lot and sat in ...
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Smokey and Miracles Used To Record Two Songs in Three Hours
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 August 1970
BOB DYLAN once referred to Smokey Robinson as "America's greatest living poet," a statement which is not quite so bizarre as it might at first ...
Hotlegs' hit more atmosphere than songs says Lol Creme
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
"I SUPPOSE you could say that 'Neanderthal Man' is really a freak record... Well, it's hardly a song, is it?" ...
Jimmy Cliff, Cat Stevens: Jimmy Cliff Has No Plans To Do Another Stevens Song
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
WHEN I ARRIVED at Island Records' outpost, which is just a stallholder's cry off the colourful Portobello Road street-market in West London's Notting Hill Gate, ...
Nancy Sinatra, The Osmonds: Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas NV
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
FRANK SINATRA played host to 500 members of the Press to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Caesar's Palace and his daughter Nancy's opening. ...
Elvis Presley: One More Time with Feeling! Elvis Presley: Showroom Internationale, Las Vegas
Live Review by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
ANN MOSES GOES TO THE LATEST PRESLEY FIRST NIGHT, THIS TIME FILMED FOR THE WORLD TO SEE, AND REPORTS ...
Deep Purple: Rock Album Solved Deep Purple Rift
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
RECORDING AN album of rock did Deep Purple a lot more good than most people realize. It solved a lot of personal problems that arose ...
Blodwyn Pig: Why Mick Decided He Had To Jilt Blodwyn
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
THE VARIOUS antics of Mick Abrahams ceased to amaze me months ago. The lad is a natural comedian with a wide range of goonish voices ...
Yes: Time And A Word (Atlantic stereo, 2400.006; 42s. 6d.)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 August 1970
YES, IT'S SUPERB! ...
Bread Aim to be One of the World's Top Five Groups
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 29 August 1970
DAVID GATES FLIES IN AND CHATS TO RICHARD GREEN ...
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 29 August 1970
YES FOLLOW NICE PATH ...
Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs and Englishmen (stereo A&M SP 6002; 59s. 11d.)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 5 September 1970
Fantastic, fiery Cocker ...
Canned Heat: Alan Kept Balance
Obituary by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 September 1970
THE DEATH of Alan Wilson at the weekend left more than a musical gap in the line-up of Canned Heat. Up against the earthiness and ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Sly Slips The Questions
Interview by Roy Carr, Richard Green, New Musical Express, 12 September 1970
Put to him by Richard Green and Roy Carr ...
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Smokey Can Do All The Tamla Jobs —
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 12 September 1970
– but still finds time for his golf! ...
The Mothers of Invention: Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 12 September 1970
IF YOU'RE A Frank Zappa fan eagerly awaiting the album with the new line-up, don't be fooled into thinking that Weasels Ripped My Flesh is ...
Dusty Springfield: Dusty, Singer At Crossroads
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 September 1970
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD is the latest recruit to the British pop business's newest in-thing, conveyor belt interviews, and I therefore joined a queue of fellow-journalists the ...
Eric Burdon, War: Eric Burdon & War: Hyde Park, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 19 September 1970
BURDON AND WAR: BEST LIVE BAND WE'VE EVER SEEN ...
Black Sabbath Win Struggle Against Black Magic Tag
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 26 September 1970
BY RICHARD GREEN WHO ALSO REVIEWS PARANOID LP ...
Desmond Dekker Is To Reveal His Two Sides On Double LP
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 26 September 1970
THE WHOLE economical structure of pop music is to seek out an acceptable format and then market it for mass appeal and consumption. So what ...
Obituary by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 26 September 1970
A tribute by Richard Green, who once worked with him ...
Deep Purple: Single Success Puzzles Deep Purple
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 26 September 1970
3 months to make chart, but now, by leaping 15 places it's the week's fastest climber ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Lyceum, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 26 September 1970
Sly and Family Stone send Lyceum ravers berserk ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 2 October 1970
Blues pioneer thinks Union out of date ...
Charles Aznavour: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 3 October 1970
BROODING AZNAVOUR ...
The Carpenters: Right Song Saved The Carpenters
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 3 October 1970
TODAY THE Carpenters are soaring from requests to make in-person concerts and television appearances, and record fans are buying their discs like crazy! ...
Clarence Carter: Hard Work Overcame Blindness Handicap
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970
CLARENCE CARTER was struck by tragedy early on in his life — he lost his sight! He found a compensation of sorts, however, through his ...
Hot Chocolate, Music Chocolate!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970
Just the job for a cold night indoors ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970
AS WITH the legendary knights of old, reputations or a fair damsel's heart were either won in the lists or on the field of honour. ...
The James Gang, The Who: The James Gang: They lift audience to 'pow' level
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970
WE BORROW THE JAMES GANG FOR TOUR WITH WHO ...
The Voices of East Harlem: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970
SENSATIONAL SHOW BY HARLEM VOICES AT ALBERT HALL ...
Humble Pie: We May Lose Humble Pie: "We're not having to do the walking on the water bit"
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970
STEVE MARRIOTT PHONES FROM PHILADELPHIA ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 24 October 1970
DYLAN'S NEW LP NOT UP TO EXPECTATIONS — but it's still good! ...
Clarence Carter, Dada: Revolution Club, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 24 October 1970
THOUGH EVERYONE came specially to hear 'Patches' man Clarence Carter make his only live British appearance at the Revolution Club on Tuesday it was the ...
James Brown — Outrageous Extrovert
Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 October 1970
PERHAPS ONLY the outrageous James Brown could get away with a single like 'Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine', which stands at ...
Black Sabbath: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 31 October 1970
PAGANINI WOULD turn in his grave if he even thought that a group like Black Sabbath were playing at the Royal Festival Hall, and if ...
Emerson Lake & Palmer: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 31 October 1970
IT MUST have been around 10.30 p.m. on Monday night at the Royal Festival Hall, when Keith Emerson proved beyond all fear of contradiction that ...
The Jackson 5: Jackson 5 Still Do Chores At Home
Profile and Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 7 November 1970
OUTSIDE THEIR back window, the lights from the steel mill flashed as the molten metal poured into the waiting moulds, while the incinerators belched out ...
Derek & The Dominos: Derek and the Dominos: Clapton misses concert
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 21 November 1970
Ann Moses, editor of Tiger Beat in Hollywood ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 November 1970
ANYONE WHO still thinks that Emerson Lake and Palmer are a cheap imitation of the Nice should give this album a spin and be proven ...
Johnny Winter And: Johnny Winter And (CBS stereo, 64117, 39s 11d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 November 1970
I THINK IT'S about time that certain people stopped getting themselves hung-up on what they figure to be Johnny Winter's somewhat bizarre appearance and got ...
Merry Clayton: Gimme Shelter (A&M Ode 70 series, stereo, AMLS 995, 39s 11d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 November 1970
OVER THE last year or so Merry Clayton has graduated in status to the almost royal ranks of the fashionable clique of international sessioneers. Her ...
George Harrison: All Things Must Pass (Apple)
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 December 1970
Loads of talent, and yet... ...
Free: Highway (Island, ILPS 9138, 39s 11d)
Review and Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 19 December 1970
Free have never felt so close before Paul and Andy talk to Roy Carr about the new album ...
MC5: Back In The USA (Atlantic stereo SUPER 2400 016. 42s 6d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 19 December 1970
STUDIO DRIVE ...
The Move: Looking On (Fly, FLY 1; 39s 11d)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 19 December 1970
MOVE PACK IN SEVEN ROCKERS FOR FLY DEBUT ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 16 January 1971
WHEN IT comes to the subject of owning-up-time, I suppose we've all got to admit to having a dusty, decaying skeleton hanging up in our ...
Black Sabbath, Curved Air: Guild Hall, Southampton
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 16 January 1971
BLACK SABBATH are about as subtle as an enraged mule kicking down a stable door, yet it is this controlled use of sheer physical brute ...
McGuinness Flint — We're Not Out To Prove Anything
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 16 January 1971
THE FURTHEST thing from the minds of members of McGuinness Flint when they first started recording was to release a single, they felt that their ...
Soft Machine: Robert Wyatt — an out of work singer currently on drums with Soft Machine
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 16 January 1971
WHEN SOFT Machine aren't packing concert halls across America and Europe, their extremely good humoured drummer Robert Wyatt, and part-time Centipede luminary, can often be ...
Eric Burdon, War: Burdon Led The Wildest War Party In Paris
Report and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
FOR ONCE, the fashion writers have got it right — women's shorts are catching on, in Paris at least. And while the birds are gettin' ...
Chicago: Chicago III (CBS stereo. 66267. 59s 10d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
Disappointing Chicago ...
Delaney & Bonnie: To Bonnie From Delaney (Atco, stereo, Super, 2400, 029, 42s 6d)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
DELANEY & BONNIE — AN ESSENTIAL BUY ...
Grand Funk Railroad: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
AMERICA'S Grand Funk Railroad were virtually unknown in Britain until a few weeks ago and let's hope they revert to this former state. It was ...
Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon: Johnny Johnson Likes To Feel Lively And Gay When He's On Stage
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
THE ULTIMATE experience for Johnny Johnson right now would be to appear in cabaret at the Talk of the Town. He's an unashamed seeker of ...
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
Bros across the ocean ...
Yes move into the gap left by Nice
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971
SOME CHEERFUL dullard in his misguided wisdom recently asked Yes, (quote) ..."When are you chaps going to happen?" To which he was promptly and most ...
Santana: Elusive Santana phone from California
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 30 January 1971
WE DON'T WANT TO BECOME A BAND OF GRINNING STARS ...
Eric Burdon, War: Eric Burdon & War: The Black-Man's Burdon (Liberty stereo LDS 84003/4. 69s)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 30 January 1971
Burdon whips up a storm ...
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 30 January 1971
THE MAGIC Motown formula, an amalgam of glamour, professionalism and good, driving music brought excitement to dark and dreary Finsbury Park last week when the ...
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 13 February 1971
A HUNDRED or so enegetic dancers had surrounded the stage by the end of Free's concert at Croydon's Fairfield Hall on Saturday but I don't ...
Stevie Wonder: Stevie: British Audiences Prevented Me From Giving Up Singing
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 13 February 1971
"IN THE PAST I've occasionally thought about giving up singing," said Stevie Wonder. "But what happened at Hammersmith last week was something I'll never forget. ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 13 February 1971
OVER THREE hundred fans queued for their money back at Brighton's mammoth Big Apple on Saturday night when promoter Brian Mason announced that War would ...
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971
SIXTY-FIVE year old blues-man Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, whose songs 'That's Alright Mama' and 'My Baby Left Me' were hits for Elvis Presley back in ...
The Equals: 'Black Skins' Could Be Equals' Biggest In The States
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971
LEADER-SONGWRITER Eddie Grant lives and breathes the Equals, whose fat, pumping 'Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys' single is at No. 19 in this week's NME ...
Buddy Miles: We Got To Live Together (Mercury, stereo, 6338028; £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971
YOU CAN'T be non-committal about that big black boogalooin' buddah of rock... Buddy Miles; you either dig him or you don't. It's as simple as ...
Grand Funk Railroad: Live (Capitol, stereo, E-STDW.1/2, £3.10)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971
NEVER TAKE sweets from a stranger and never accept albums from a grinning assistant editor. For, with almost Machiavellian delight, our beloved John Wells, walked ...
Janis Joplin & the Full Tilt Boogie Band: Pearl (CBS 64188; £2.25)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971
JANIS, THE ROCK TRAGEDIENNE An in-depth review of her last album by ROY CARR ...
Twink: Think Pink (Polydor Standard stereo 2343 032; £1.49)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971
A MOST ODD offering from the boisterous Twink who is known to almost all and sundry as one of the Pink Fairies' two drummers. For ...
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 March 1971
Why Beatles ended in a sordid mudbath.It isn't coincidence that these solo singles have just been released, says Alan Smith ...
James Brown the Cassius Clay of Music
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 March 1971
JAMES BROWN — broad and stocky — America's Soul Brother Supreme, with a warm smile etched deep into his granite face — perhaps the very ...
James Brown: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 March 1971
"I WANNA know... do I you feel alllllrrriiiigggght?" "Yeaaaaahhhh," roared the audience in reply. "Did yaa bring your sex machine with you?" The affirmative cry ...
James Brown: The Cassius Clay of Music
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 March 1971
JAMES BROWN — broad and stocky — America's Soul Brother Supreme, with a warm smile etched deep into his granite face — perhaps the very ...
Lynn Anderson: Pssst! Don't tell the British that Lynn sings Country!
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 20 March 1971
SUCH IS THE stigma attached to country music by a large number of people in Britain that before Lynn Anderson left America she was warned ...
Ray Stevens: 'Bridget The Midget' Man Says Religious Lyrics Will Be Next Big Thing
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 20 March 1971
People are getting sick to death of the 'put-the-world-to-rights songs' ...
Mott The Hoople: America's druggies scared Mott to death
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
"IF PEOPLE want revolution then they should join an organised party en block instead of sitting on their backsides bemoaning their fate. It's absolutely no ...
Deep Purple, Ian Gillan: Deep Purple: commercial without compromise
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
FOR DEEP Purple fans the end of an era is approaching. After late April or May, familiar numbers like 'Speed King', 'Child In Time' and ...
Jimi Hendrix: The Cry Of Love (Track stereo 2408 101 £2.40)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
Not the best Hendrix ...
Osibisa: Meet the Band: Osibisa
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
AS AUDIENCES get cooler — almost listening to music has now become a kind of intellectual exercise — it is good to see a group ...
Melanie: Given Up All Hope Of Making It Here
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
Within minutes I felt I was talking to an old friend ...
Olivia Newton-John, Toomorrow: Olivia Newton John: Olivia Emerges from Shambles of Toomorrow
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
"EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! James Bond man launches new supergroup! Toomorrow tipped for the top!" Remember all that carry-on a few months ago ...
The Groundhogs: After Stones, Back To The Grind
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
AFTER THE excitement and ballyhoo of the Rolling Stones tour the Groundhogs, the supporting group, now have to go back to playing the draughty halls ...
Yes: From groups' group to people's band
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 March 1971
"THEY OUGHT to play Frank Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia' on Two-Way Family Favourites instead of constantly churning out 'Land Of Hope And Glory', because it ...
David Crosby: If I Could Only Remember My Name (Atlantic stereo deluxe 2401005; £2.40)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 3 April 1971
DAVID CROSBY SOLO: WITH MANY FRIENDS! ...
Hot Chocolate's Errol Brown owns up... The Lady Is A Nympho!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 April 1971
"NO MESSIN' about," chuckled Errol Brown, that shiny-domed Hot Chocolateer who co-wrote 'You Could've Been A Lady' — "it's a song all about a nymphomaniac." ...
Eggs Over Easy: Meet the Band: Eggs Over Easy
Profile and Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 April 1971
WHEN AN invitation to a cultural evening at the American Embassy dropped on my desk my first thought was that someone was playing a merry ...
Mott The Hoople: Wildlife (Island, ILPS 9144; £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 10 April 1971
WILDLIFE CAN WIN MOTT WIDER FAME ...
Three Dog Night: Naturally (Probe SPBA 6257; £2.40)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 April 1971
Naturally is really good ...
Deep Purple: A compromise in five parts
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 24 April 1971
RICHIE BLACKMORE talks to RICHARD GREEN ...
Yes Mustn't Sit On Their Backsides
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 24 April 1971
REAL PROS, the ones who last, take a little longer than "overnight" before they find mass appeal. In the case of Yes it was three ...
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 May 1971
NME's Alan Smith endeavours to interview this week's chart toppers ...
The Byrds: ? — Time with the Byrds
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 8 May 1971
conducted by Richard Green ...
Deep Purple: Roundhouse, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 8 May 1971
THIS COULD easily be a review consisting entirely of superlatives, but it wouldn't be so easy to understand unless you were actually at the Roundhouse ...
Family, Sam Apple Pie: Roundhouse, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 8 May 1971
ON A GOOD night at the Roundhouse there is always a nice, free and easy atmosphere in the air. It was like that on Saturday ...
Black Sabbath: Following Recent Sensational London Concert Black Sabbath Admit...
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 8 May 1971
...U.S. tour got us together we're into some nice things now ...
Rita Coolidge: Scene Needs Male Groupies
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 8 May 1971
YOU'VE SEEN her with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, you've seen her with Eric Clapton. You probably think you saw her with Joe Cocker, too, ...
Chicago: 3000 To Be Turned Away But Chicago Defend London Concert Cancellation
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 May 1971
"UNDERGROUND IS now Overground," said Chicago's Terry Kath... "and Overground is commercial." We were on a transatlantic phone line at the weekend and he was ...
Paul McCartney: Paul And Linda McCartney: Ram (Apple)
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 May 1971
Alan Smith assesses the McCartney Ram album and sums up with... PAUL, WHAT A MESS YOU'VE MADE OF IT! ...
The Jackson 5: Jackson 5: Jacksons Give Teenyblacks Hope
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 29 May 1971
FROM THIS SIDE of the Atlantic it may seem somewhat difficult to appreciate the Jackson-mania — and there is no other word for it — ...
Emerson Lake & Palmer: Emerson, Lake And Palmer: Tarkus (Island I LPS 9155; £2.15)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 12 June 1971
'ELP OUR EARDRUMS ...
Fleetwood Mac, Tea & Symphony: Fleetwood Mac, Tea and Symphony: Kinetic Circus, Birmingham
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 June 1971
LESSER BANDS might have given up the struggle to survive after going through so many setbacks, so close to each other, but not Fleetwood Mac. ...
Free: Live (Island ILPS 9160. £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 12 June 1971
Free's last album — their finest ever? ...
Report and Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 12 June 1971
In true Mickey Spillane style, Roy Carr investigates the case of the six-year-old hit. ...
Labelle, Laura Nyro: And Laura Nyro Captivates, Too!
Report by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
says Nancy Lewis from New York ...
Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Lindisfarne: Bob Johnston: The most envied man in pop
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
Roy Carr talks to the man who records Dylan, Cash and Cohen ...
Carole King: Look Out For Carole
Report by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
YOU'LL BE hearing the name Carole King a lot very soon, so be prepared. Quietly her album Tapestry was released on Ode Records in the ...
Deep Purple, Rupert Hine: Deep Purple Celebrate Year In LP Chart
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
"I'M VERY proud of In Rock. We knew it was going to sell because we'd done six months of concerts and we knew it would ...
John Kongos: Point Blank Refusal To Cash-In On Hit
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
YOU'RE NOT going to find John Kongos suddenly rushing around the country on a quickly arranged, nationwide tour just because his single 'He's Gonna Step ...
B.B. King: Question & Answer with B.B. King, legendary guitarist
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
IT'S NOT every day of the week that one gets the rare opportunity of meeting a legend, let alone a childhood idol. For that is ...
Traffic: Stevie Winwood Talks About The Future Of Traffic
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
SLUMPED IN a chair, Steve Winwood looked tired. ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 19 June 1971
And ROY (Humphrey) CARR is very glad about it! ...
Deep Purple: Iceland Gives Deep Purple (and our Richard Green) a Hot Reception!
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 26 June 1971
There may be snow on peaks but there's fire down below! ...
The Beatles, Hurricane Smith: Beatles Were Awful... They Talked Their Way Into A Recording Contract
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 July 1971
...says their former soundman NORMAN 'HURRICANE' SMITH to ALAN SMITH Former Beatles' sound engineer Norman "Hurricane" Smith talking about the world-dominating group with whom he worked ...
Bread: Manna (Elektra EKX 74086; £2.15).
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 July 1971
BREAD AN OPEN QUESTION ...
The Edgar Broughton Band: Edgar Broughton Band: Edgar Broughton Band (Harvest SHVL 791; £2.40)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 July 1971
Lighter Broughton ...
Report by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
IT'S ALL OVER now. The Fillmore East closed its doors at approximately 5.0 a.m. recently — after a strenuous and occasionally sentimental night of action. ...
Grand Funk Railroad, Humble Pie: Shea Stadium, Queens NY
Live Review by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
Beatles Still Hold Record ...
Jo Mama, Carole King, James Taylor: James Taylor, Carole King, Jo Mama: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
FROM THE outset you just can't but help having a warm affinity for James Taylor. Seemingly all arms, legs and baggy trousers, Taylor shyly lopes ...
The Doors, Jim Morrison: Jim Morrison, Dec. 1943-July 1971
Obituary by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
AMERICA DIDN'T have a Jagger. It did have Jim Morrison... the first major American male sex symbol since James Dean. ...
Mott the Hoople: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
WHEN MOTT the Hoople took the dear old Albert Hall by storm on Thursday evening it was like a return to the halcyon days of ...
Slade: Bovver Boys Who Grew Their Hair And Got A Hit
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
SLADE, BRITAIN'S first skinhead band — were launched just over a year ago in the true tradition of eye-catching pop publicity. But the implications of ...
The Four Tops, The Supremes: Supremes and Tops aren't Puppets of Motown
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971
NME's Alan Smith on the phone to Supreme Jean Terrell in Los Angeles. ...
Humble Pie: America Makes a Cookin' Pie, Britain the Humble Crumble
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
STEVE MARRIOTT in U.S. talks to RICHARD GREEN ...
The James Gang: James Gang Ride On Their Own
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
IT WAS through the auspices of Pete Townshend that the James Gang toured Britain with the Who last year. They made some impact, but suffered ...
Jonathan King: My Ego? Its Still Huge Says Jonathan King
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
Each week Roy Carr puts an In-The-News name in the NME Hot Seat ...
The Doors: L.A. Woman (Elektra EKS.75011; £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
CONTROVERSIAL DOORS ...
The Moody Blues: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (Threshold THS5; £2.19)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
FROM STAR TREK TO THE POWER OF LOVE ...
Medicine Head: The Warmth And Magic That Make The Medicine Go Down
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
"WE ARE NOT," said Medicine Head's John Fiddler, caught betwixt a meal of rich dark chunks of bread and butter and mellow yellow hunks of ...
The Doors, Jim Morrison: Why Manager Kept Silent About Jim Morrison's Sudden Death
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971
Ann Moses in Hollywood ...
John Lennon, Yoko Ono: John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Doing The Rounds For Publicity
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 31 July 1971
He knows it, I know it – the next Lennon album is the greatest says Alan Smith ...
The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter (Dir: Albert and David Maysles, Cinema V)
Film/DVD/TV Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 31 July 1971
STONES' FILM TERROR ...
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Plastic Ono Band: At Home With The Lennons, Part 2
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 August 1971
In which John burns down the Beatles 'cause he loves 'em ...
Eric Burdon, War: Eric Burdon: War Was Too Soft For Me!
Interview by Ann Moses, New Musical Express, 7 August 1971
ERIC BURDON ANSWERS QUESTIONS FOR ANN MOSES IN HOLLYWOOD ...
Live Review by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 7 August 1971
GEORGE CREATES GREATEST ROCK SPECTACLE OF DECADE ...
Medicine Head, Status Quo: Lyceum, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 7 August 1971
THE RIGHT MEDICINE ...
Black Sabbath: Master Of Reality (Vertigo 6360 050; £2.30)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 14 August 1971
BLACK SABBATH were rightly pleased when, at their Royal Albert Hall concert a few months ago, they were presented with a gold disc for sales ...
David Bowie: The Space Oddity Comes Down To Earth
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 14 August 1971
AT ONE TIME singer/songwriter David Bowie used to write songs because, "I truly believed we songwriters were going to change the face of the world." ...
The Jackson 5: In New York It's Jackson Power: Jackson 5: Madison Square Garden, New York
Live Review by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 14 August 1971
THE Jackson Five, school exams behind them, are now on tour in America, storming their way round and playing to packed audiences. ...
Heads Hands and Feet: Heads, Hands & Feet: Heads, Hands & Feet (Island ILPS 9149; £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 August 1971
THIS DEBUT album has been a long time in coming, but it has been well worth the wait. With foresight the group have held off ...
The Mothers Of Invention: Mothers Of Invention: Fillmore East — June, 1971 (Reprise, K44150; £2.05)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 August 1971
Outrageous Mothers at their best ...
Rory Gallagher: The Influences Behind His Unique Guitar Playing
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 21 August 1971
HARDLY a day goes by without someone or other phoning the NME and saying: "I've got the next Hendrix" or "My band's gonna blow your ...
Live Review by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 21 August 1971
THE WHO, in America after a year's absence, are creating a bigger sensation than ever. Statistics don't lie. They completely sold out two New York ...
Mick Farren: Rock Rebel with a Cause
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 28 August 1971
TWENTY-SIX-year-old Mick Farren, ex-singer with the Deviants, writer, political activist and spokesman for the underground, has been called many things. However, he prefers to define ...
King Crimson, T. Rex: BP Fallon: He can't do our press, he doesn't wear socks
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
IT WOULD have been so easy and so obvious to give the third degree treatment to one of these hard-sell publicists who daily hog the ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Free Trade Hall, Manchester
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
ANY DOUBTS as to the impact of the new streamlined Creedence Clearwater Revival were completely erased from people's minds by the time they had roared ...
Deep Purple: Too Much Work — But It's Not For The Money
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
RICHARD GREEN talks to DEEP PURPLE'S RITCHIE BLACKMORE ...
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
IT WAS a shame to find London's Queen Elizabeth Hall not completely full for East of Eden's concert on Monday. The band really do deserve ...
Jack Bruce, Roy Harper, King Crimson: Hyde Park, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
AFTER THE confusion that reigned at Weeley, it has become quite apparent that you don't need every band that lives, breathes and plugs in to ...
Jefferson Airplane: Bark (Grunt Records. FTR 1001. £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
Airplane: One of year's best LPs ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: John Fogerty: I've always wanted to be a rock 'n' roll star
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
IF THERE has been one solitary factor which has completely dominated John Fogerty's lifestyle, it has been his insatiable desire to be a successful rock ...
Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
JOHN SINGS LONG TRACK ABOUT PAUL ...
Miles Davis: A Tribute to Jack Johnson (CBS 70089; £2.19)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
FOR WELL over two decades of music, trumpeter Miles Davis has remained as one of the few unchallenged innovators and to this day he still ...
Mott The Hoople: This Group Means T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
...or that's what some promoters think as Mott The Hoople face the same hang-ups that the Rolling Stones once experienced It's unfair, as any fan knows, ...
Traffic: Welcome To The Canteen (Island 12TS 9165; £2.15)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971
TRAFFIC MUSICAL HISTORY ...
Deep Purple: Guildhall, Portsmouth
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 18 September 1971
LITTLE DID the capacity crowd at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday night know just how new Deep Purple's opening number 'Highway Star' really was. On the ...
Lee Hazlewood, Nancy Sinatra: Lee Hazlewood: We Only Record For The Fun Of It
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 September 1971
THREE YEARS ago, Lee Hazlewood tired of writing and producing Nancy Sinatra – split to Stockholme to carry on his interest in film work – ...
Sandy Denny: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 September 1971
PERHAPS I was expecting too much from Sandy Denny, or maybe I wanted too much, but I'm afraid her concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall ...
Shirley Bassey: State Of The World Means 'Kids' Can Now Relate To Me Says Shirley Bassey
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 September 1971
UNEXPECTED, but marvellous – and Shirley Bassey puts down her latest recording success, 'For All We Know' down to a change of style, which she ...
Terry Reid: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 18 September 1971
OH, WHAT a good 'un Terry Reid has become. I hadn't seen him for something over a year until his Queen Elizabeth Hall concert last ...
The Groundhogs: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 September 1971
OUT Of the many gigs I've seen Groundhogs play, their concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Saturday was easily one of the best. Perhaps ...
Report by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 25 September 1971
Sun Records have Cash, Presley, Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins tapes locked in vault ...
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 25 September 1971
THE LEGEND that has grown up around Johnny Cash got its first in-person airing in Britain for three years at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on ...
The Bay City Rollers: New to the Charts: Bay City Rollers from Scotland
Profile by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 25 September 1971
NEXT IN the line of Scottish groups to make it South of the Border, called the Bay City Rollers, this week enter the NME charts at No. ...
Traffic: The Gaumont, Worcester
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 25 September 1971
TRAFFIC: THEY NEVER PLAY THE SAME TWICETour review by TONY STEWART ...
Led Zeppelin: Zeppelin: More Solid Than Ever
Report and Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 25 September 1971
Ritchie Yorke, in Canada, attends a Led Zeppelin concert and, with Jimmy Page, previews the group's next album ...
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 2 October 1971
LOOKING UNUSUALLY relaxed, perhaps with more confidence than he has previously had, Cat Stevens took the stage at the Coliseum on Sunday, with the house ...
CCS, Alexis Korner: CCS: Alexis Kornered
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 2 October 1971
CCS: with 21 people it needs to be commercial ...
Peter Frampton, Humble Pie: Not So Umble Pie
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 2 October 1971
Frampton Always Been The Odd Man Out ...
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 2 October 1971
Part two of RITCHIE YORK'S interview in Canada ...
The Carpenters, Labi Siffre: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 2 October 1971
MUSICALLY THE Carpenters are a very pleasing group and the selection of numbers they played at their Royal Albert Hall concert on Friday were well ...
Curved Air: Second Album (Warner Bros. K46092 £2.15)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 9 October 1971
Curved Air: No need for gimmicks ...
Stoneground: Good Time Stoneground
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 9 October 1971
AS PART OF the travelling Great Medicine Ball Caravan, Stoneground hit this country last year, and now they are back, but on their own, and ...
Sandy Denny: The North Star Grassman And The Ravens (ILPS 9165 £2.15)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 9 October 1971
SANDY'S VOICE CARRIES IT ...
Al Green, The Bill Black Combo: Al Green: Now Green Smashes The Big Memphis Monopoly
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 16 October 1971
MEMPHIS HAS long been accepted as capital city of rock 'n' soul, but to the casual fan this means just Elvis on the rock side ...
Stone The Crows: Teenage Licks (Polydor Super 2425 071 E2.15)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 16 October 1971
FROM THE first track on this third album from Stone The Crows it is obvious where their roots lie, in good time rock and R&B; ...
John Sebastian, The Who: The Who: Surrey University, Guildford
Live Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 16 October 1971
OO'S GOT THE most exciting stage act in the world, then? The 'Oo, that's 'oo. And 'ow do I know? 'Cause I know all about ...
Carole King: How Carole King Became Queen...
Profile by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 23 October 1971
IN MANY ways, and for many reasons, it took Carole King a long time to record her first album, Writer, in 1970. As a writer ...
Pentangle: The Five Sides of Pentangle
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 23 October 1971
PENTANGLE'S RISE in popularity has been unobtrusive but definite. They play a unique and compelling blend of styles spanning the world of jazz, blues, country, ...
Judy Collins: "Music Reminds Us That We're Human Beings"
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 30 October 1971
LIKE A CHILD Judy Collins posed for photographers at a special reception held for her this week to welcome her back to Britain for the ...
The Velvet Underground: Velvet Underground: Lowdown on the Underground
Profile and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 30 October 1971
Tony Stewart reports on the 'mysterious' Velvet Underground – a super-hip cult based on four reluctant 'intellectuals' ...
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 3 November 1971
DESCRIBING Larry Williams as a "great unknown" might raise a few eyebrows for he had a hit with 'Bony Moronie', a rock 'n' roll classic, ...
James Brown: Hot Pants (Polydor 2425086 £2.15p)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 6 November 1971
IF YOUR big turn on is leapin' n' boogalooin' about in stuffy, sweatin' coalbunker discotheques while having your ears and mind blown by a thundering ...
Richie Havens: A State Of Mind (Verve)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 6 November 1971
DON'T CONFUSE this with the soon-to-be-released Havens album, The Great Blind Degree. ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 6 November 1971
COULD THE BEACH BOYS actually be doing a Moody Blues? The whole theme of this is: the world might be in a pretty dismal state ...
Allman Brothers Band: At Fillmore East (Atlantic T659005, £3.45)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 13 November 1971
WITH THE current output of albums at saturation point, it is extremely hard for a reviewer to devote more than just one brief hearing to ...
Ann Peebles: Will Princess Ann Be Queen
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 13 November 1971
ON THE distaff side, soul music has produced a long run of superb girl singers and these soul sisters have found it far easier to ...
B.B. King: 'I Owe My Popularity To The Beatles. They Started The People Towards Really Listening...'
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 13 November 1971
GUITARIST-SINGER B. B. King, at 45 the toast of many young musicians, arrives at London Airport next Friday (19) to appear in London and Bristol ...
Slade: How Slade's image caused them bovver
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 13 November 1971
THE SKINHEAD era worked two ways on Slade — who had become the first group of the skinhead kind. It brought them to the attention ...
Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV (Atlantic Deluxe, 240.1012 £2.35)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 November 1971
A GUARANTEED million seller well before it's release, perhaps in theory even before it was recorded, this, the long-awaited fourth album from Led Zeppelin is ...
Mountain, Wishbone Ash: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 20 November 1971
WISHBONE ASH are without a doubt one of our finest new bands — they make good albums, and their ever-increasing following is loyal. However, at ...
Quintessence: Peace... Love... And Success Without Sell-Out
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 20 November 1971
FOR QUINTESSENCE, 1971 must go down as one of the most successful years in their history – they have been going through a period of ...
Wings: Wild Life (Parlophone PCS 7142; £2.15)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 20 November 1971
TWO SIDES OF McCARTNEYS ...
Isaac Hayes: Good Hayes music, but a flat film!
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 27 November 1971
"JUST ONE moment please. Mr Hayes will be right with you," said the voice at the other end of the transatlantic phone. Fifty minutes later ...
Jimi Hendrix: Rainbow Bridge (Reprise. K44159, £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 November 1971
THIS IS the second album of hitherto unreleased Hendrix material put out by different companies in as many weeks, three if you count the duplications ...
Led Zeppelin, Stone the Crows: Empire Pool, Wembley
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 November 1971
Zeppelin circus roars into town ...
Marc Benno: Minnows (A&M, AMLS 64303; £2.30)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 November 1971
DURING 1968/69 Marc Benno was part of the Asylum Choir with Leon Russell, then he came over here with Rita Coolidge and was picked up ...
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 27 November 1971
THE REASON I have for linking these two albums together is to try to demonstrate the right way and the wrong way to do it. ...
Mott The Hoople: Brain Capers (Island ILPS 9178, £2.15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 1 December 1971
MOTT: NEAR PERFECTION ...
New Riders Of The Purple Sage: New Riders Of The Purple Sage (CBS 64657, £2.08p)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 1 December 1971
"Unknown" Riders will please you ...
Steve Miller Band: Rock Love (Capitol E-SW 748; £2.15)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 December 1971
TOTALLY DIFFERENT from the Sailor album, which remains to date the best offering from the Steve Miller Band. This is more of the loose rock ...
Status Quo: Bubblegum Has Stuck To Status Quo, And It's A Stain They Need Ridding Of
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
IMAGES FOR bands are acquired, changed, but seldom forgotten – and such is the case with Status Quo. Underrated yet very talented, over a period ...
Emerson Lake & Palmer: Pictures At An Exhibition (Island, HELP. 1; £1.50).
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
"HANS, IS das cheering on zee stereo gramafunken for zee Furhrer at zee 1937 Nuremburg Rally?" ...
Family: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
IT WAS A Family affair on Friday evening, when the Fearless Five doubled the size of their personnel to perform a diverse selection of their ...
Grateful Dead: Grateful Dead (Warner Bros. K66009. 2-album set, £3.75).
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
IT'S A SAD but true fact. There are not many people in this country who have had the enviable pleasure of actually seeing THE Great ...
Humble Pie: The Roundhouse, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
THE STARK black and white posters for Sunday's Humble Pie London concert boldly proclaimed, "Humble Pie Performance, Rockin' The Roundhouse," and that's exactly what the ...
Melanie: Gather Me (Buddah 2322 002 £2.35)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
IT WOULD appear that everyone I Know is in love with Melanie. And once you've seen her you realise that she is the enigmatic image ...
Mott The Hoople: Mott, Working Class Heroes
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
IF IAN HUNTER'S vision becomes a reality, then we are about to witness the first generation gap within the new rock culture. For Hunter states ...
The Faces: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
FANTASTIC FACES DRIVE NEW YORK WILD! ...
Traffic: The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (Island ILPS 9180, £2.15)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
FRANKLY I am more than a little disappointed with the new Traffic album, mainly because I had put so much faith in the new line-up ...
Van Morrison: Tupelo Honey (Warner Bros. K.46114; £2 15)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 December 1971
THERE ARE those albums which one enjoys so much that one doesn't want to review them, but just play continuously. This, Van Morrison's latest epistle, ...
Al Green: You're Never Alone With Al
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 11 December 1971
THERE WAS no chance of Al Green getting tired of being alone when Decca Records welcomed him to Britain with a turkey and Christmas pud ...
B.B. King, Freddie King: B.B. King and Freddie King: Kings Of The Blues
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 11 December 1971
Two bluesmen who have become living legends talk about their careers and the state of the blues today. And B.B. King and Freddie King both ...
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 11 December 1971
IF ANY one man personifies the solid beat of Memphis soul then surely it's Willie Mitchell. Not only has he turned out 14 hit albums ...
Al Green: Upstairs at Ronnie Scott's, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 18 December 1971
DESPITE the counter-attraction of the Buddy Rich big-band downstairs there was a packed house for Al Green "Upstairs" at London's Ronnie Scott's including many big ...
Grand Funk Railroad: E Pluribus Funk (Capitol EA-SW 853; £2.40)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 18 December 1971
NOT ENOUGH FUNK! ...
Stray: Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 December 1971
ANY LONDON gig for Stray is a gas, I was informed. So just to see how good the band are in other venues, I visited ...
Yoko Ono: Fly (Apple SAPTU 101/102 £4.30)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 December 1971
ELECTRIC YOKO MISSES OUT ON MUSIC ...
Little Richard: King Of Rock 'n' Roll/Various Artists: This Is How It All Began
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 25 December 1971
PERHAPS IT'S just that I'm a bit too fussy, but basically I don't like going to see live gigs of the artists I admire. Too ...
Big Mama Thornton: The Hound Dog Howler Who Inspired Janis
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 1 January 1972
IN THE DEEPEST depths of Transatlantic's Marylebone High Street (London) headquarters there's a wire cage which looks like Death Row in your favourite neighbourhood prison. ...
Rufus Thomas: Rufus and The Funky Penguin
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 1 January 1972
RUFUS THOMAS was half-way through a busy tour the last time we met. This time round I caught up with him just two days before ...
Bloodstone: The Bloodstone Sound Spectrum
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 January 1972
THERE'S BEEN a growing flood of black American artists to these shores over the past few years, and more and more of them have decided ...
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 15 January 1972
WITH AIRFORCE, Ginger Baker succeeded in providing the rudiments of the Afro-beat. Consciously he wanted to go back to the roots of highly percussive music, ...
Sandy Denny Breaks Her Silence
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 15 January 1972
After playing a Greta Garbo role for three months, the leading lady of British folk comes out of her shell to talk to Tony Stewart ...
Traffic: The Grech Traffic Report
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 15 January 1972
A RECENT trip to America proved to be a traumatic period for Traffic. ...
America: If We'd Spent Years Playing Clubs, Our Music Could Hardly Be Fresh
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 22 January 1972
AMERICA talk to James Johnson ...
Stevie Wonder: Audiences Will Accept New Things From Me, Says Stevie Wonder
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 22 January 1972
MUSICAL BARRIERS are tumbling down – that's the reckoning of Stevie Wonder, currently on another 20-date European tour. "Audiences used to have a pre-conception of ...
Dave Mason Gives New Meaning To That Old Cliché 'Doing My Own Thing'
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 22 January 1972
DAVE MASON arrived at Heathrow Airport last Wednesday about a quarter of an hour earlier than planned, and even if the TWA chick hadn't tipped ...
Jefferson Airplane, Papa John Creach: Papa John Creach: Papa John Makes It With Rock
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 22 January 1972
THE ONE-TIME phenomenon of young white rock musicians playing on records by old black blues musicians has become a commonplace thing. ...
Stevie Wonder: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 22 January 1972
STEVIE WONDER is the first artist to make Motown work for him rather than vice-versa. He has full control over his music and has acquired ...
T. Rex: Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincs.
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 22 January 1972
REXMANIA At the Boston Gliderdrome on Saturday, T. Rex turned the musical dock back to the early sixties. In scenes of hysteria and confusion unparalleled since ...
Bloodstone, Curtis Mayfield: Curtis Mayfield, Bloodstone: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 29 January 1972
WITH THE Curtis Mayfield/Bloodstone show, the Rainbow Theatre proved conclusively that the Albert Hall has lost its place as the capital city of bad acoustics. ...
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 29 January 1972
ON THE DAY I was to meet David Bowie at his home in Beckenham, Kent, I really didn't know what to expect. I had heard ...
David Bowie: Hunky Dory (RCA Victor)
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 29 January 1972
Bowie at his brilliant best ...
Donnie Elbert: The Mystery Of The Vanishing Chart Star
Report by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 29 January 1972
Wanted: DONNIE ELBERT to contact numerous, and despairing record company executives ...
Pink Floyd: Electric Chaos, But Just Great
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 29 January 1972
Tony Stewart at the debut of Pink Floyd's new masterpiece. ...
America: "Stale" America Need A New Act — And They May Extend Their Line-Up
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
IMPERIAL COLLEGE, London, was America's last gig before their current tour of the States. Backstage it was more than a little chaotic, with the dressing ...
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
OF ALL the heavy German bands Can are perhaps the most interesting and could prove the most influential. Next month they tour Britain and, judging ...
Captain Beefheart: The Spotlight Kid (Reprise)
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
THE CAPTAIN is back with this latest album of Space Blues and poetry in motion. ...
Edwin Starr: Involved (Tamla Motown)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
THIS ALBUM'S title is Edwin Starr — Involved, but somehow it comes across as being a token gesture. Black white soul at its most blatant ...
Frank Zappa: Zappa On Rock, Porn And Blues
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
HE LOOKS a bit like an identi-kit picture of our own most infamous anarchist Guy Fawkes, this much-vaunted, often-maligned rock guitarist who more than anyone ...
Isaac Hayes: Black Moses (Stax)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
HAYES SPREADS IT THIN ...
Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia: A Rare Interview
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
Roy Carr in New York: the problems of making the Dead NOT happen ...
Lonnie Mack: The Hills Of Indiana (Elektra)
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
ONLY RECENTLY did Lonnie Mack turn to the word of God and leave pop for an indefinite period. It's such a shame because this LP ...
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
LOU ADLER is a music giant behind the scenes. He started his career writing songs with Herb Alpert, but the partnership split up because Alpert ...
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
Outspoken Danny Holloway series ...
The Chi-Lites: Roy Carr in Harlem sees the Chi-Lites
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
IT HAS TAKEN the Chi-Lites ten years to become an overnight success. A decade of dues playing on the Chitlin' circuit which helped justify their ...
Hawkwind: The Truth About Hawkwind
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 5 February 1972
LIKE THEM or not, you must admit that Hawkwind are honest. Guitarist Dave Brock is not loath to admit that most of the band's musicians ...
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 February 1972
ONE OF THE MOST ADVENTUROUS BILLS EVER ...
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 February 1972
RON WOOD would have swept the floor of Pye's No. 2 studio as he boogied round during the Chuck Berry super-session during Saturday. He saw ...
The Archies, Carole King, The Monkees: Don Kirshner: I Discovered Carole King
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 12 February 1972
THEY MOST often call Don Kirshner the King of Bubble-gum. But he's not worrying. Sitting high in his suite at the Dorchester he has the ...
Frank Zappa on Death, Rock Writers, Money
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 12 February 1972
ZAPPA IS NOT renowned for his appreciation of rock writers and their work, and he makes his point quite forcibly on the subject. ...
Marc Bolan, T. Rex: Marc Bolan: A Weird Kid With No Friends
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 12 February 1972
Outspoken Danny Holloway series ...
Pink Floyd (part 1): 'Things Just Somehow Happen To Us — We Don't Plan'
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 February 1972
SIX YEARS ago an evening with Pink Floyd resembled a riot, with bottles, glasses and verbal abuse being hurled in their direction. ...
Stevie Wonder, Bags Of Chips And Clapton
Report and Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 17 February 1972
NME calls in at all-night recording session ...
Free: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 19 February 1972
THE AUDIENCE WENT mad from the moment Free were introduced on Thursday at the Albert Hall. Nearly every number was greeted warmly with hoops and ...
Pink Floyd (part 2): Simple But Not Banal
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 19 February 1972
LAST WEEK, NICK Mason talked at length about the evolution of Pink Floyd up to the Atom Heart Mother stage. The policy of the band ...
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 19 February 1972
OF ALL THE groups who have dabbled in politics over the last few years, the MC5 seem to have gained the reputation as one of ...
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 26 February 1972
"IT'S ALL BULL. Having offices and secretaries and all the moodies and the phones. It's just crap. It's nothing to do with making records. Making ...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: Alex Harvey: NME Free Night, Marquee Club, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
I WONDER just how many of those present at last Wednesday's NME free gig at the Marquee Club were aware that the evening's attraction, Alex ...
Joe Cocker, Leon Russell: Cordell, the Coaxer Behind Cocker
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
DENNY CORDELL roamed around the music business in London during the early sixties before discovering the Moody Blues and consequently becoming their producer. He assisted ...
Deep Purple: Orchid Ballroom, Purley
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
FORGET ABOUT chart placing and record sales for just one moment. The true testing point of any big group is its drawing capacity at the ...
Mountain’s Pappalardi: Hell-Bent On Becoming A Rock Legend
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
"And the cold winds blow,He was brave but he's laid lowBy her body in the island mist,I saw him give her one last coldkiss...one last ...
Chicory Tip: Progressive and Pop Narrow the Gap — Chicory Tip
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
Chart's No.1 pop band ...
Steve Miller Band: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
Miller's night to remember ...
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 4 March 1972
TOMMY HUNT is a name you'll be hearing a lot of if the best laid plans of the entertainment business don't go astray. More than ...
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 11 March 1972
I HAVE KNOWN Marc Bolan for several years now and have never thought of him as being, well, completely normal. By that I don't mean ...
Jeff Beck, Heaven: London College of Printing, Elephant and Castle, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 11 March 1972
IN SPITE of heavy criticisms of audiences recently the one at London College of Printing, Elephant and Castle, on Friday night to see Jeff Beck, ...
Randy Newman: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 11 March 1972
ANYONE WHO considers sarcasm the lowest form of wit has not heard the heights to which Randy Newman has raised the art during a live ...
Isaac Hayes: The Aloof Mystique of Isaac Hayes
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 11 March 1972
...but he's part of the people in his gold-plated Rolls Royce ...
Focus, John Bryant, Iguana: Marquee Club, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 18 March 1972
LIKE MANY other European bands, Holland's top group Focus follow their own ideas rather than imitate those of English and American musicians. And, as they ...
The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson: Schmaltz or Genius?
Comment by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 18 March 1972
In his day perhaps they thought Mozart was a hype ...
America, Judee Sill: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 25 March 1972
America — simply so successful ...
Aretha Franklin: Young, Gifted & Black (Atlantic)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 25 March 1972
THIS NEW album once again illustrates Aretha as one of the finest interpretive artists of this era and the diverse material — beautifully arranged by ...
Harry Nilsson: Come Out, Harry, The Time Is Right
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 March 1972
NILSSON filled Trident studios with old people to help record 'I'd Rather Be Dead' for his album. The song is a "lively, up-tempo number about ...
Joe Cocker: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Lenny Kaye, New Musical Express, 25 March 1972
Cocker On Stage – A Big Let-Down. A Disillusioned Lenny Kaye Reports New York Opening ...
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 25 March 1972
SLADE: BRASH, RAW, FLASHY — AND GREAT ...
Wilson Pickett: Don't Knock My Love (Atlantic)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 25 March 1972
SINCE THE mid '60s when Pickett came up with such goodies as 'Midnight Hour' and 'Mustang Sally' his voice has changed very little. And now ...
Film/DVD/TV Review by Nancy Lewis, New Musical Express, 1 April 1972
BANGLA FILM RELEASED ...
Brinsley Schwarz: Silver Pistol (United Artists)
Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 1 April 1972
THIS CAPTURES much of the easy-going feel that makes this band such an entertaining outfit on stage. Recorded at their home in Northwood, London, the ...
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 1 April 1972
AS A PRELUDE to the good captain, a ballerina dressed in white, with a crown to match, did her stuff, followed by a belly dancer ...
Captain Beefheart: A Trip Into The Mind Of The Spotlight Kid
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 1 April 1972
RECENTLY MOVED FROM his desert domain in Lancaster to the remote forests of oceanside Eureka in Northern California, The Captain, at a comfortable 31, is ...
Colin Blunstone: For Sale: A Singer
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 April 1972
Despite his talent, there was a suspicion of hype in the air, writes Keith Altham ...
Deep Purple: Machine Head (Purple)
Review by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 1 April 1972
Purple: what we've got is a lot ...
Sandy Denny: Sandy and Band, Coping Cheerfully
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 5 April 1972
FROM THE outside the Denny residence in Fulham looks a place of tranquility. Inside, though, a different story prevails. As Watson the huge Airedale lumbers ...
Deep Purple: Victims Of Their Own Fame
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 April 1972
DEEP PURPLE'S new album Machine Head comes to you courtesy of the Rolling Stones' redoubtable studio manager Ian Stewart who saved their famous mobile recording ...
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 8 April 1972
ACCORDING to Judee Sill: "Out of the mud grows a lotus". In other words something beautiful comes from something unpleasant. The phrase applies well to ...
Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead: The Dead
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 8 April 1972
GARCIA stabs at the record business — 'We want to get out' ...
Al Green: Let's Stay Together (London)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
WHILE SUPER Spade and Mighty Whitey have been down in the alley battling it out to see who has the most soul n' funk, Al ...
Linda Lewis, Jimmy Webb: Jimmy Webb, Linda Lewis: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
THERE MAY BE something extremely valid in a composer performing his own highly successful material in concert, and though Jimmy Webb accomplished this to a ...
Grateful Dead: The Grateful Dead: Dead Come Alive
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
IT'S TAKEN a long time for the Dead to get themselves back over here. They probably made it more by good luck than good judgment. ...
Grateful Dead: The Grateful Dead: Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
SINGIN' AND BOPPIN' WITH THE DEAD ...
Carla Thomas, The Temptations: The Temptations, Carla Thomas: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
IF ELVIS himself had stepped onstage at the Hammersmith Odeon on Friday he could hardly have created more excitement than the Temptations stirred up with ...
Todd Rundgren: Something/Anything? (Bearsville Records)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
ENTER, ONE lanky fair-haired youth called Todd Rundgren weighed down with an armful of instruments, a clear head filled with sun-blessed songs 'n' sounds, a ...
T. Rex, Tyrannosaurus Rex: Took Talks! about T.REX
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 15 April 1972
SINCE HE LEFT T. Rex, Steve Took says he's spoken to Marc Bolan just twice. The last time was about three months ago at Boston ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 April 1972
TALKING TO the Allman Brothers at their overnight camp in a palatial hotel in Hollywood, it soon became obvious that everyone still thinks and talks ...
Fairport Convention: With no original members remaining Fairport back to square one, says Dave Pegg
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 22 April 1972
DAVE PEGG looked puzzled. Adjusting the rim of his giant hat, he mused the question over. He wasn't too sure whether Fairport should continue to ...
Hot Tuna: Burgers (Grunt Records)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 April 1972
DESPITE THE fact that Hot Tuna are a direct off-shoot from the Jefferson Airplane hanger, they have managed with discretion to avoid any obvious hype, ...
James Brown: Revolution Of The Mind (Polydor Double-Album).
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 April 1972
SOMETIMES IT'S hard to separate James Brown the entertainer from James Brown the social voice of the down-trodden American negro, but in Brown's case he ...
Jim Capaldi: Oh How We Danced (Island)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 22 April 1972
Capaldi hits a new creative peak ...
Valerie Simpson: Exposed (Tamla Motown)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 April 1972
THIS DEBUT album is one of those rare and very beautiful moments when an artiste is completely successful. ...
Dr. John From Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 29 April 1972
DR. JOHN'S contributions to pop music have been highly original and creative. Even if he claims that all the credit is due to the music ...
The Rolling Stones: Eight Stone Exiles
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 29 April 1972
IT COULD TAKE the Rolling Stones' new double-album Exile On Main Street, says NME's ROY CARR, to awaken those members of the rock nation so ...
Led Zeppelin: Gassin' With Zeppelin
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 29 April 1972
HOW ROBERT PLANT STAYS FRESH ...
The Band, Todd Rundgren: Raving Over The Runt, Alias Todd Rundgren: Rock Whiz-Kid
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 29 April 1972
THE NAME Todd Rundgren may sound more like a catarrhal growl than the monicker of an aspiring 23-year-old young musical whiz-kid. ...
The Rolling Stones: Exile On Main Street (Rolling Stones Records)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 29 April 1972
And here, a track by track of the upcoming Exile On Main Street set three weeks before release ...
America: Following a Remarkable Year, America Take Stock
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 6 May 1972
THE LAST THREE weeks have been something of a resting point for America. After returning from the States each of them split for a holiday, ...
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 6 May 1972
THE MUSIC MAN sits there sipping tea and talking music. Although he has always been a bit of a loner, he is certainly not an ...
Stone The Crows: Les Harvey — A Rock Tragedy
Obituary by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 13 May 1972
LIFE AS a rock star isn't all glamour. It's a hard, gruelling existence which too often can end in tragedy. ...
Wilson Pickett On African Soul
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 13 May 1972
WILSON PICKETT is back — as big and brash as ever, and if his press reception this past week at WEA Records (nee Kinney) is ...
Jackson Browne: Vanishing Minstrel
Profile and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 20 May 1972
JACKSON BROWNE is no new name to pop. He's been here all the time. He's one of those guys who used to just appear at ...
The Faces: Kenny Jones: The Face in the Shadows
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 20 May 1972
THE FACES phenomenon started eight months ago when they supported T. Rex at the Weeley Festival. They followed that appearance with another crowd pleaser at ...
Joe Cocker: The Joe Cocker Ritual Sacrifice
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 May 1972
WE APOLOGISE for the slight reduction in Cocker-power but it now looks as though normal service has been resumed following the one year strike (respite) ...
The Temptations: Behind The Slick Veneer
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 20 May 1972
TALKING TO the Temptations can at times smack of talking to a tape-recording. So many of the answers are stock phrases, learned in Tamla Motown's ...
Dr. John: Dr John: The Mind And Music Of A Delta Voodoo Rocker
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
ACCORDING to Dr. John almost everything started in New Orleans, from rock and rail to rhythm and blues to himself. ...
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
Free fall through being too complacent ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
PERHAPS MORE than anything else the recent appearances of the Grateful Dead in this country at Wembley and Bickershaw and more currently the Lyceum, have ...
Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones: Jagger: Solo Without Splitting
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
JUST LIKE the thrill-seekers who attend a bullfight in the hope of seeing the handsome matador gored or the daring young man on the flying ...
Pink Floyd: Obscured By Clouds (Harvest)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
FLOYD JOY FOR ALL ...
Ry Cooder: The stars' star steps out
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
RY COODER is a familiar name to groups like the Rolling Stones and Crosby, Stills and Nash who regularly utilised — I sometimes wonder whether ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
Tony Stewart meets Ray Thomas: Part 1 ...
The Osmonds: They're Enough To Make You Scream…
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 May 1972
LAST FRIDAY at High Noon it was 'teen time' at London's Churchill Hotel, where those Beetle-haired Monkee-faced and indecently wholesome Osmond Brothers (You have probably ...
Profile by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, June 1972
THE BEST NEWS of last week was that Johnny Winter, after a year in medical exile, was once again alive and functioning, and due to ...
Badfinger: beating a bad image
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
IN AMERICA, Badfinger are respected musicians. In Britain they are nothing more than another singles-producing tin of baked beans. It's weird how wide the Atlantic ...
Electric Flag, Jimi Hendrix, Wilson Pickett, Santana: Buddy Miles: Big black hunk of funk
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
BUDDY MILES ON SANTANA, HENDRIX ...
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
A survey of New Orleans, by Dr John ...
Peter Frampton, The Herd, Humble Pie: Frampton: the Musician Who Beat a Pretty Face
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
PETE FRAMPTON has seen a lot of changes in his 22 years. There was a time when the pretty Face of '68 was showered with ...
Arthur Conley, Inez Foxx: From The Soul: Inez Foxx and Arthur Conley
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
INEZ FOXX is currently engaged on her 18th British tour — the fifth of sixth since she split from brother Charlie. ...
The Rolling Stones: Going into Exile — Producer Jimmy Miller talks about the Stones' new album
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
The degree of enjoyment is the only yardstick to use ...
Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage: Lyceum, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
I SAW the first night of the Dead's four concerts at the London Lyceum last Thursday. where they were ever so good for ever so ...
Steve Miller Band: Recall The Beginning... A Journey From Eden (Capitol)
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
MILLER HAS improved by leaps and bounds over Rock Love, his last offering. This is much more cohesive, and the songs reach back to the same ...
The Beach Boys: Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
I AM, it should be emphasised, a Beach Boys freak from way back, to 'Wendy' and 'Surfin' U.S.A.', through Pet Sounds to Surfs Up, and ...
The Moody Blues: Moody Music — The place of electronics
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
PART TWO of Tony Stewart's in-depth interview with RAY THOMAS of the Moody Blues. The band are noted for their use of electronic sound aids ...
Yes: Confessions Of a Musical Idiot
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 3 June 1972
JON ANDERSON OF YES TALKS TO TONY NORMAN ...
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
Soakin' At The Palace: TONY STEWART reviews the Garden Party that should have been a lot better ...
Byzantium, Buddy Miles, Nazareth: Buddy Miles Express, Byzantium, Nazareth: Lyceum, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
I MAKE NO apologies for the fact that I was fast asleep during the first number of Buddy Miles' set at the Lyceum's Midnight Court. ...
David Bowie: The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (RCA)
Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
Bowie at his best ...
Diana Ross: Gems Amid The Schmaltz
Report by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
IF ANY one soul artist has totally transcended the limitations of the term and become a star of ultimate "show business" status then it must ...
John Entwistle, The Who: Doctor Who? Doctor Entwistle
Interview by Richard Green, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
DR. WHO was in the studio last week doing the final mixes for his second solo album, but let's make it clear that this doctor ...
Electric Light Orchestra, The Move: Move Over For The ELO
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
THE FIRST love in Roy Wood's life is obviously his new 10-piece mini-orchestra, the ELO, but meanwhile the Move are apparently still alive and very ...
Dr. Ross, Muddy Waters: Muddy Waters, Dr. Isiah Ross: 100 Club, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
IF AUTHENTIC blues music really is dying on its feet, perhaps someone should inform the thousand enthusiasts who packed the 100 Club to see Muddy ...
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
In this final part of his interview with Ritchie Yorke, Miller talks about the many artists he has recorded, and in particular about tracks which ...
The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Stylistics: Stylistics sock it out sweetly
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
THOUGH THE music of Detroit, Memphis and Muscle Shoals receives more publicity over here, the East Coast city of Philadelphia, just over 100 miles south ...
The Beach Boys: With Love And Good Vibes part 1
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
THE BEACH BOYS are the most successful and oldest working rock and roll band on the road today and this is a crucial year in ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 10 June 1972
Battle Against Bread Heads ...
The Rolling Stones: Andrew Loog Oldham: Behind the Shades — The Stones, and Other Stories...
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
ANDREW OLDHAM, THE MAN WHO DISCOVERED THE STONES ...
David Bowie & the Spiders From Mars: City Hall, Sheffield
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
THE LAST time I saw David Bowie was six months ago when he was playing a purely acoustic set. And although I'd heard his new ...
Frederick Knight: Freak Hit for Knight
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
PROVIDED HE isn't burdened down with a surfeit of bills and tax demands, the arrival of the postman is one of the brighter moments in ...
J. Geils Band: Festhalle, Frankfurt
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
"DO YA Like rock'n'roll?" The age-old crowd rouser was yelled out by J. Geils' high-energy vocalist Peter Woolf. As most of the 10,000 or so ...
Lou Reed: A Voice From The Underground
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
ONCE HE wore black, tinselled clothes and was a human screen for movies. He sang and wrote about evil characters; sometimes happier ones. But always ...
The Beach Boys: With Love And Good Vibes part 2
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
THE FINAL part of Keith Altham's interview with Beach Boy Mike Love. Last week Love talked about the group's involvement with transcendental meditation. Now he ...
The Rolling Stones: The Forum, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
WEEKS PRIOR to their Los Angeles date, the entire population in L.A. was struck by Stones fever. Tickets went quick and 350,000 people had to ...
The Staple Singers: Soft Sounds That Burn Deep
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 17 June 1972
JAMAICAN SINGERS have yet to follow up their undoubted success in Britain with a similar impact in the States but neverthelless reggae is making a ...
Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson: Richard Thompson: The Session Great That Nobody Knows
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 22 June 1972
THE TERM "GUITAR hero" is used with increasing regularity. Pete Townshend's splintering aggressive antics have won him the tag; Alvin "up and down the fretboard ...
American Spring: Mrs Brian Wilson
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
MARILYN WILSON and her sister Diana Rovell, are American Spring, and their first album is very much a family affair, because her famous husband Brian ...
The Rolling Stones: Andrew Oldham: Last Part of the Tony Norman Series
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
LAST WEEK, Andrew Oldham talked about his life with the Rolling Stones. Like Brian Epstein, Oldham seemed to be more than just an ordinary manager. ...
Cliff Richard: The Peter Pan of Pop
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
POOR OLD Cliff is still a bit too good to be true for most people – the Peter Pan of pop, and a Christian to ...
Fleetwood Mac: Bare Trees (Reprise)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
The Fleetwood formula ...
Gladys Knight and the Pips: From the Soul: Gladys Knight
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
EXACTLY a week after leaving the employ of Music For Pleasure Records, and on the eve of departing for a much needed holiday, I received ...
Love Unlimited: Love Unlimited (Uni)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
DEEP-SOUL freaks will really flip for this one, set for UK release in two weeks. ...
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
IN TOWN TO RECORD HURRICANE'S HIT, AND KNOCKED AND ROBBED IN A LONDON STORE, MAMA CASS TALKS TO FRED DELLAR ...
Roberta Flack: First Take (Atlantic)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
AFTER BEING around for three years, this suddenly shot to number one in the American charts in the wake of the single cut 'The First ...
The Chi-Lites: The Windy City Sound
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 24 June 1972
IF ANY outfit holds serious aspirations to usurping the Temptation's crown as the world's leading soul group then it must surely be Chicago's Chi-Lites who ...
Jeff Beck: Jeff Beck Group (Epic)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 1 July 1972
Beck doesn't make it ...
The Flamin' Groovies, Man: Man, The Flamin' Grooves: Lyceum, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 1 July 1972
IT'S EASY TO sympathise with the aims of the Flamin' Groovies. All they want to do is play rock and roll and get people dancing. ...
Joe Cocker: Cocker: When The Strain Begins To Show
Report by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 8 July 1972
JAMES JOHNSON reports on the EUROPEAN TOUR ...
Deep Purple: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 8 July 1972
THE RAINBOW came back to life on Friday night with a snarl, a cheer and a smile. The near-capacity crowd had come to see Deep ...
Led Zeppelin: The Forum, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 8 July 1972
LED ZEPPELIN appeared in concert at the Los Angeles Forum on Sunday night without a support act. It was definitely for the better as far ...
Smith, Perkins & Smith, The Sutherland Brothers: The Marquee, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 8 July 1972
ONE HELL OF a band called Smith, Perkins and Smith, played the Marquee last week. Now, they're not your ordinary run of the mill band. ...
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 July 1972
WHEN THE J. Geils Band team up with Brinsley Schwarz and Brewer's Droop for a night's rockanroll, you can be sure that you're going to ...
Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Ravi Shankar: The Concert for Bangla Desh (Apple/Twentieth Century-Fox)
Film/DVD/TV Review by John Pidgeon, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
A SPECIAL PREVIEW BY JOHN PIDGEON ...
Alexis Korner: Kornering The Market
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
ALEXIS KORNER has been for so long at the heart of rhythm and blues in Britain, and touched off so many groups who have gone ...
Love Unlimited, Barry White: Love Unlimited Bring Deep Soul to Britain
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
SOUL ENTHUSIASTS used to call it "deep-soul", the kind of sound which usually didn't even get released over here, and when it did, sold in ...
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
SMOKEY ROBINSON is a hell of a lot more than just a giant of soul or Motown. For more than a decade, his original and ...
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
BY WORD-of-mouth reputation alone, this debut album by the Eagles — born out of Poco and the Burritos — has suddenly become one of the ...
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
FOR MORE than a decade, the Impressions have been a legendary soul name, besides having produced two fine solo performers — Jerry Butler and Curtis ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 15 July 1972
Will they burn out, or blast through the time barrier? ...
Jimmy Cliff: The Harder They Come (dir. Perry Henzell)
Film/DVD/TV Review by John Pidgeon, New Musical Express, 22 July 1972
"The oppressors are trying to keep me downMakin' me feel like a clown" ...
David Bowie: David at the Dorchester: Bowie on Ziggy and other matters
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 July 1972
THREE CHANGES of dress and a kiss from Lou Reed. The waiters were horrified. ...
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 July 1972
THIS WAS one of the few gigs I can remember where all the acts deserved a full-length review to themselves. The teaming of Reed, Gnidrolog ...
Rod Stewart, T. Rex: Rod Stewart: Never A Dull Moment/T. Rex: The Slider
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 July 1972
TEENAGE TEARDROPS... Or, would you buy a used riff from these men? ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 22 July 1972
Will CSN&Y ever re-unite and find true happiness? ...
Iggy Pop, The Stooges: An Initiation Into Iggy Pop
Profile by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 29 July 1972
For those who think Bowie a trifle lame... ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Not Only Sly, But Sometimes Just Plain Damn Evasive
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 29 July 1972
ROY CARR talks to Sly Stone — why he missed Bardney and other tales ...
Stone the Crows: Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 29 July 1972
MAGGIE'S MIRACLE — THE SURVIVAL OF STONE THE CROWS ...
Todd Rundgren: Todd the Whizz Kid
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 29 July 1972
EVEN THOUGH his name may not mean much to the general public, Todd Rundgren is undoubtedly a success. ...
Arthur Lee, Love: Arthur Lee: On Life and Love
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 5 August 1972
IT WAS easy to see that the sands of time had shaken this poor boy pretty hard. Twenty-seven-year-old Arthur Lee strolled into A&M's Hollywood offices ...
Emerson Lake And Palmer, Free: ELP Plus Tull in Dirty Raincoats, and How Free May Drop the Name
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 August 1972
WATCHING EMERSON, LAKE and Palmer play a concert with Free in the middle of a raging typhoon in Tokyo with Carl Palmer performing an incredible ...
Roberta Flack: Young Gifted and Black
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 5 August 1972
James Johnson talks to the reluctant Queen of Soul ...
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 12 August 1972
WITHIN a year of its composer Bill Withers taking it high up the American chart, 'Ain't No Sunshine' has become firmly established as a soul ...
Jackie DeShannon: Jackie (Atlantic).
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 12 August 1972
ONE OF THE few white singers ever to get convincingly into soul-music and be accepted even by purist fans. ...
Little Richard: What Richard Said
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 August 1972
"UH, HOWdo you do. Mr. Penniman, it's a great..." "HALLELUJAH BROTHER it's great to be here in your wunnerful country. I want y'all to know ...
Randy Newman: Sail Away (Reprise)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 August 1972
RANDY NEWMAN AND ACID OBSERVATIONS ...
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 12 August 1972
A menace to society ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 19 August 1972
Aretha at her greatest ...
T. Rex: Marc Bolan: On Love, Hate and the Press
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 August 1972
MARC BOLAN may not be one step ahead of the shoe-shine, but he has certainly been slandered, libelled, heard words you've never heard in the ...
Sam Cooke: Who Remembers Him Now?
Retrospective by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 19 August 1972
"NOT 'ALF Sam Cooke's been an influence on me," Rod Stewart was saying in his NME interview last week, adding that the inclusion of 'Twistin' ...
Van Morrison: Where Is The Restless Lion Now?
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 19 August 1972
I'M AFRAID that the Van Morrison you know, may not be quite the same person as the one I envisage. ...
Rev. James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin: Aretha Franklin: Amazing Grace (Atlantic)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 26 August 1972
THOUGH IT HAS received wide critical accalim Aretha Franklin's latest album, the double set Amazing Grace, is far and away the least commercially orientated she ...
David Bowie, Roxy Music: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 August 1972
GOING TO THE Rainbow these days is definitely an outing, an excursion, something of a treat. Unfamiliarity breeds respect, and though the cheerful hippies who ...
Bo Diddley: Hey! Bo Diddley: The Man Whose Sexuality Was Too Much For America
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 August 1972
Diddley Freak Charles Shaar Murray, in the presence of the main man... ...
Cecil Womack, Mary Wells: Mary Wells And Her Guy Still Making Hits
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 28 August 1972
IT WAS PAST five in the afternoon but Mary Wells was still fast asleep, recovering from the rigours of her whistle stop British tour and ...
Bill Withers: Morale Music For The People In The Ghetto
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
A TELEPHONE CABLE that runs off the edge of Britain, down under the Atlantic, and up again into the heart of North America to St. ...
Frank Zappa: Fearless Frank Tells What He'll Lay On You At The Oval Concert
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
IT'S THE Frank Zappa show ... starring Larry The Dwarf with his guests Suzy Creamcheese, Ruben Sano, and Willie The Pimp. ...
James Brown: There It Is (Polydor)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
WHERE JAMES BROWN IS AT ...
Johnny Otis, Shuggie Otis: 100 Club, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
DO YOU FEEL all right? I mean, are you ready to put yo' hands together one time and say yeah? Louder, I wanna hear you ...
Lindisfarne: Suffering from a Surfeit of Kindness
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
IF IT WERE ever possible to kill a group with kindness then Lindisfarne might be the first victims of their own success. Their new album ...
Jackie Edwards, Harry J All Stars: Various Artists: Tighten Up Volume 6 (Trojan)
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
THIS CONSISTS mainly of the pop side of reggae. Tunes like Isaac Hayes's 'Do Your Thing', Dandy Livingstone's 'Suzanne, Beware Of The Devil' and the ...
Yes: Close To The Edge (Atlantic)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 2 September 1972
Meaningless magnificence from Yes? ...
Leo Sayer: Who's like Dylan, Cocker, Rodgers And Rod? Leo Sayer
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 16 September 1972
LEO SAYER is Patches — Patches is Leo Sayer — described by his mentor as "the Huckleberry Finn of Rock", but fortunately he is good ...
Roxy Music: The kind of example we wish to set our parents?
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 23 September 1972
THE CHAMPAGNE was flowing freely when I interviewed Phil Manzanera, guitaring personality of Roxy Music, in freefall at twenty thousand feet over the English Channel ...
Report and Interview by John Pidgeon, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
KEEP ON ROCKIN' is in town, and so is the rock film revolutionary who created this celluloid spectacle of Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck ...
Beck, Bogert and Appice, Steeleye Span: Great Caledonian Express Festival, Grangemouth, Scotland
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
Mr. Beck we salute you ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
FIRST THE facts: Greasy Truckers are basically two people who wish to be known as Melvin and Fanny Hotrock (We all have our problems, I ...
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
HAWKWIND ARE ONE of the very few "Underground" bands to make the big time almost entirely on their own terms, without any real concessions to ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
THE SIGNS were there once again at what was in effect just another one-day festival that a bummer was to be had by one and ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
PUTTING MARC Bolan into perspective is no easy matter because he refuses to fit into any recognisable category. On the surface it could seem that ...
Matching Mole: Cosmic Music and a Weird Fripp Trip...
Report by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
INSIDE THE control-room of CBS Number One, Whitfield Street, producer Robert Fripp leans forward in his swivel chair and addresses the studio in general: "This is ...
Steeleye Span: Below The Salt (Chrysalis)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 30 September 1972
THERE'S A very select coterie of bands who give off an aura of total peace. Listening to their performance gives you a sense of security ...
Allen Toussaint, Jerry Butler: Jerry Butler and Allen Toussaint: The Spice Of Life
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 7 October 1972
IT'S NOT so long since soul albums were merely collections of singles, plus a few make-weight tracks. ...
Johnny Cash: Hard Cash To Cleanse Your Soul
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 7 October 1972
IT'S 7.30 P.M. at the backstage entrance of the Albert Hall and strange things are happening. It's Wednesday, the second of Johnny Cash's performances at ...
Phillip Goodhand-Tait, Lou Reed: Lou Reed: Edmonton Sundown, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 October 1972
EDMONTON IS NOT exactly the rock capital of the world, and when Phillip Goodhand-Tait took the stage, the auditorium was somewhat underpopulated. This was somewhat ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 7 October 1972
JUST WHEN IT seemed that all the excitement, glamour and sparkle were going out of rock – along with the anger, vulgarity and vitality which ...
Procol Harum with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 7 October 1972
IF THERE'S ONE band with the class and elegance to successfully combine on equal terms with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra then it has to be ...
Roxy Music: Ferry Interesting Roxy
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 October 1972
BRYAN FERRY, stunning in gold trimmed black pyjamas and matching shades, greeted me from where he reclined, half-submerged beneath a heap of scented fanmail, on ...
Manassas: Edmonton Sundown, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 October 1972
I DON'T THINK I've ever heard so much good music and so much bad from the same group at the same time as when I ...
Lou Reed: The Stones, Bowie, Roxy and Mott. And What They Owe To The Inspiration of This One Man
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 14 October 1972
NICK KENT analyses the growing influence of America's LOU REED ...
10cc, Hotlegs: 10cc: a Hot Property from Old Hotlegs
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 21 October 1972
BY NOW YOU probably know that 10 c.c. are more or less a reincarnation of Hotlegs, who scored a hit around two years ago with ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 October 1972
JUST BEFORE THEY left for their current U.S. tour, NME took the three founder members of Family on a nostalgia-tinged trip back to their Leicester ...
Review by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 October 1972
I'M STILL TRYING to unscrew my head after listening to Santana's new album, Caravanserai (CBS). One side features sheer technical brilliance. The other side, wow... ...
Black Sabbath: Satan, The Bomb And Geezer's Dreams
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 October 1972
CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY looking for flames ...
Chairmen of the Board: Long Wait for a seat on the Board
Report by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 28 October 1972
AFTER WAM-bam-slamming onto the soul scene with a run of hit singles of which 'Give Me Just A Little More Time' was the real biggie ...
Jeff Beck: Beck Looks Back (part 1)
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 28 October 1972
Page and Zeppelin, Stewart, the old band and the new... ...
Melanie: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 October 1972
CLEARLY, A Melanie concert is no place to be for a boozed up, doped out degenerate to sit chain-smoking and picking his nose. The vast ...
Pink Floyd: Empire Pool, Wembley
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 28 October 1972
Quadraphonic Smokebombs ...
The Kinks: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 28 October 1972
THE KINKS returned to their native stomping ground, North London, on their Rainbow gig last Saturday night. At first without the brass, they plunged awkwardly ...
Jeff Beck: Beck Looks Back (part 2)
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 4 November 1972
Beck, Page and bad vibes ...
The Stylistics: Stylistics: Who Has The Talent?
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 4 November 1972
IN THIS technological age it's sometimes said producers and arrangers are more important than artists. ...
Hawkwind: Cosmic Calypso And Sonic Surprise
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 11 November 1972
UNLESS YOU'RE DEAF, dumb and blind, or alternatively haven't been keeping up with the music press, you will know that Hawkwind embark this week upon ...
Liberace: Magic Moments In Showbiz Schmaltzville
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 11 November 1972
Mean teen NICK KENT (along with Abe and Ruby from Wisconsin and Tom and Ethel from Phoenix) meets LIBERACE ...
Alice Cooper: Green's Playhouse, Glasgow
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
BROKEN RIBS AND FAKE BLOOD — SPECIAL REVIEW OF THE ALICE COOPER CONCERT BY NICK KENT ...
Curtis Mayfield: Curtis the Crusader
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
FIGHTING A DRUG MENACE IN AMERICAN GHETTOES ...
Hawkwind: Queensway Hall, Dunstable
Live Review by John Pidgeon, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
THE SECOND gig of Hawkwind's Space Ritual tour was at the Queensway Hall, Dunstable, last Thursday. The previous night at King's Lynn — the opener ...
Joe Cocker: They Put Me In The Same Cell As A Bank Robber And A Murder Suspect
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
IT SEEMS that life is still intent on batting Joe Cocker about the head with all the subtlety of a navvy driving a tin-tack into ...
Little Richard: A Bizarre Interview With The Amazing, Self-Styled King Of Rock 'N' Roll
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
HE CALLS HIMSELF the Georgia Peach, the Bronze Liberace and the King of Rock and Roll. Little Richard calls himself a lot of things. Some ...
Roxy Music: All This and Eno Too… How Can They Fail?
Profile and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
T.S. ELIOT, MUSING upon a takeaway Chinese meal once asked "Is true art dead?", while over at the pinball machine Little Richard picked his nose ...
Roxy Music: City Hall, Newcastle
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 November 1972
IT'S DEFINITELY a chic wasteland at the Newcastle City Hall. There wasn't even a platform boot in sight when I went down there to see ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 25 November 1972
DRIVING OUT of London in his sparkling red Citroen, bound for Manor Studios, Oxfordshire, John McCoy talked about his girl Claire Hamill in a manner ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 25 November 1972
IT SEEMS THAT, despite a few "huns in the sun", that good old heavier-than-air machine Led Zeppelin is still flying high. And with their first ...
Amon Düül, Tasavallan Presidentti: Amon Düül II, Tasavallan Presidentti: Imperial College, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
A CULTURAL ANECDOTE: It's early 1967 and The Soft Machine are having a little trouble getting it together — particularly Mike Ratledge. Finally, Daevid Allen ...
Carly Simon: No Secrets (Elektra)
Review by Robin Katz, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
CARLY SIMON possesses a great cross between charisma and class. She looks just like Mick Jagger; but never photographs the same way twice. She changes ...
Amon Düül, Can, Faust, Kraftwerk, Nektar: Krautrock: Germany Calling
Overview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
TIME WAS WHEN a sudden loud crash around West Germany was probably just an other F-One-Eleven. These days it's more likely to be the local ...
Millie Jackson: Millie's Mojo Soul
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
AMONG THE better girl artists to emerge from America's R&B charts of late is Millie Jackson, who's been creating no small action over here in ...
Captain Beefheart, Ry Cooder, Randy Newman: Ry Cooder
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
On himself, BEEFHEART and RANDY NEWMAN — and backing JAGGER by remote control. ...
Allman Brothers Band, Otis Redding: The Allman Brothers: A Rock Tragedy
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
WHEN BERRY Oakley died two hours after crashing his motorcycle on November 11, another chapter was added to the succession of tragedy which seems to ...
The Jackson 5: The Jackson Five: Five Pranksters Puppets
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 9 December 1972
TAUNTS THAT the Jackson Five are nothing more than carefully manipulated puppets just aren't borne out by the facts. Five minutes in the company of ...
Overview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 16 December 1972
BOMB BLASTS AND THE BEAT: PART TWO OF IAN MACDONALD'S DEFINITIVE SURVEY OF GERMAN ROCK ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 16 December 1972
LOU REED WITH COLOURED GIRL DAVID BOWIE... ...
The Pink Fairies: Pink Fairies: Pink Finks
Profile by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 16 December 1972
NICK KENT charts the rise and astonishing survival of the Pink Fairies. ...
Amon Düül, Faust, Popol Vuh: Krautrock: Germany Calling #3
Overview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 23 December 1972
From Amon Düül to Faust's new sound-world ...
Led Zeppelin (part 1): A Whole Lotta Rock 'N Roll
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 23 December 1972
IT'S WAY past the midnight hour and the room at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, is starting to look a trifle the worse for wear since ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones In The Sun (part 1)
Report and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 23 December 1972
All-night rock; drug rumours; new album. Danny Holloway reports. ...
Led Zeppelin (part 2): Hail Hail Rock 'N Roll
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 30 December 1972
Nick Kent on the Zeppelin on-stage spectacular ...
Merry Clayton: The Triumphant Acid Queen
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 30 December 1972
MERRY CLAYTON is the girl who stopped the show at the London Rainbow performance of Pete Townshend's rock opera Tommy earlier this month. Even the ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones In The Sun (part 2)
Report and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 30 December 1972
JAMAICA IS a country of convenience – which means nobody's going to put themselves out for you, unless it's convenient for them. ...
Kevin Coyne: New London Theatre, Drury Lane
Live Review by Miles, New Musical Express, 1973
Without doubt one of the most powerful presentations I’ve ever attended. When it was over Kevin was drained, his band was drained, the audience was ...
King Crimson: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 1973
IT'S A ROCK concert evening and the stalls are filling to the accompaniment of music played over the public address system. A review-functionary takes his ...
David Bowie & The Spiders from Mars: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 6 January 1973
ZIGGY PULLS THE SQUEALERS ...
J. Geils Band: Live — Full House (Atlantic)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 6 January 1973
THERE COMES a time in each man's life when he needs to have his brain tissues reduced to absolute smouldering wreckage. ...
Joni Mitchell: A Tender Dignity
Guide by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 6 January 1973
ONE DAY, many years ago, Al Kooper went home with a blonde Canadian chick who used to hang out with the Blues Project. In the ...
Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood, Traffic: Steve Winwood: Winwood (U.A. Import).
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 6 January 1973
WHAT A strange world it is. A couple of years ago this same double set was released in America, and swiftly withdrawn following objections – ...
Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend: Eric Clapton & Pete Townshend: Go Get 'Em Eric
Interview by Bill Phillips, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
BILL PHILLIPS previews the CLAPTON comeback concert – and talks to PETE TOWNSHEND ...
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
ALTHOUGH OUR entry into the European Economic Community is being saluted with umpteen art forms and rock concerts in the capital, perhaps the greatest – ...
Loudon Wainwright III: Album III (CBS)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
YOU'LL PROBABLY never meet anyone less like a star than Loudon Wainwright III. G.I.-short hair with the stubble of his next beard, scruffy clothes that ...
Marvin Gaye: Trouble Man (Tamla Motown)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
THE GAYE JAMES BOND ...
Michael Nesmith: The Hits Just Keep On Comin' (RCA)
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
IT'S LITTLE known information, but Stephen Stills auditioned for the Monkees. So it follows illogically that CSN&Y was just Steve's ambition to be a Monkee ...
Poco: A Good Feelin' To Know (Epic).
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
I KNOW a lot of city-boy cynic rock writers like to put down this band, pointing out how lightweight they are and how they come ...
Stevie Wonder: Talking Book (Tamla)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
LAST YEAR, Wonder achieved overdue recognition for his first solo album, Music Of My Mind — which was, simply, the most overrated album of '72. ...
Traffic: Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory (Island)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 13 January 1973
COME ON NOW, put away the hammer and nails and the coffin; save them for a much lesser band than Traffic. Agreed, over the last ...
Archie Bell and the Drells: Archie Bell & the Drells: Here I Go Again (Atlantic)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
BELL HAS been not a little embarrassed by the rather belated success here of 'Here I Go Again'. Not that he isn't extremely pleased with ...
Blue Mink: Out of Preaching Bag
Profile and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
UNTIL THE advent of Blue Mink and hits like the current 'Stay With Me' and 'Melting Pot' — which established them a couple of years ...
Chuck Berry: Green's Playhouse, Glasgow
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
TONY STEWART REPORTS FROM GLASGOW OH THE FIRST BERRY CONCERT ...
Nina Simone: Emergency Ward (SF 8304)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
LOGGING A BIG pop hit sometimes does more harm than good to artists who previously had a rather specialist appeal. ...
Prince Buster: Reggae Part 1: Jamaica
Report by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
WHENEVER I've gone home to America in the past couple of years, the question I'm always asked is "What's happening in England?" And okay, I ...
The Faces, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart: Rod Stewart: The Scarecrow Harlequin
Overview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
STRANGE AS it may seem, there was a time when Rod Stewart used to hide behind Jeff Beck's amplifiers and only come out front if ...
Roxy Music: The Man Who Put Sequins into Middle Eights
Interview by Nick Kent, Ian MacDonald, Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
The BRYAN FERRY interview, in which the Roxy mastermind meets IAN MacDONALD, CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY and NICK KENT ...
Profile and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
IF YOU TAKE a certain measure of pride in staying fully in touch with the Music Press (where trends bend and fashions flourish), the question ...
Suzi Quatro: Tipped For Success This Year
Report and Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
[NOTE: This uncredited piece was included in a Radio Luxembourg promotional special inset entitled the 208 Times.] ...
J. Geils Band: The J. Geils Band: Hard Drivin' Sweet Soundin' Rock and Roll
Profile and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
TAKE A LOOK at the cover of the first J. Geils Band album on Atlantic. The sleeve itself simply contains two plain, no-nonsense black-and-white photographs ...
Valerie Simpson: Valerie Simpson (Tamla-Motown)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
SOME FACTS about Valerie Simpson: yes, she is a good songwriter and has been responsible for such fine numbers as 'And If You See Him', ...
Yoko Ono: Approximately Infinite Universe (Apple)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 20 January 1973
IN AS MUCH AS the Lennons have spent four years trying to turn self-dramatisation into an art-form, the criticism of indulgence so often aimed at ...
Billy Paul: Nostalgic Chart Topper For Paul
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
Keep a check on Billy Paul. Before long, he's going to top the British chart, repeating his two million selling number-one in America with the ...
Deep Purple: Sometimes I Feel There's a Conspiracy Against Us...
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
IAN PAICE talking to JAMES JOHNSON ...
Elton John: Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player (DJM)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
WELL, WHADAYA know – another fine Elton John album. Despite sneers, calumny and general foulness, the former Reg just keeps on writin', playin', singin' and ...
Discography by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
ONE OF THE best of a large number of good British bands to emerge in 1967, Family were for about 18 months the most exciting ...
David Bowie: Goodbye Ziggy And a big hello to Aladdin Sane
Review and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
Two days in the life of David Bowie - A rare interview and a preview of his new album... ...
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
SO WHAT'S this? Joe Cocker talking to the Press? Can it be Sheffield's own recluse-superstar, the man who returned from the Godforsaken land of Rock'n'Roll ...
Johnny Paycheck: Somebody Loves Me (Epic)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
FOR QUITE A few years, black American singers have milked Nashville for meaningful ballad songs. Joe Simon, Esther Phillips, Joe Tex and O.C. Smith are ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
LYNSEY DE PAUL is a Gemini, which she thinks explains a lot. ...
Greyhound: Reggae Part 2: Reggae in Britain
Report by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
WHEN LABOUR IN England was becoming hard to come by during the 1950s, enticing proclamations were urgently sent to the West Indies. "Your Mother Country ...
The Rowan Brothers: Rowan Brothers: Rowan Brothers (CBS)
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
THESE TWO caballeros made their first appearance of note with the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore West: two downy-cheeked youths on acoustic guitars with Uncle ...
Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley: Scotty Moore: The Man Who Launched A Thousand Licks
Interview by Norman Jopling, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
PEOPLE AROUND at the time Elvis first made it claim that guitarist Scotty Moore was the musician most responsible for "The Elvis Presley Sound". Moore ...
The Beach Boys: Holland (Warner)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
DESPITE MY better judgment, I temporarily dropped my rock n' roll-cynic persona, used when confronting 90 per cent of what is going down in music ...
Bill Bruford, King Crimson: Under the Influence — This Week: Bill Bruford of King Crimson
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
JOHN McLAUGHLIN: 'Pete The Poet'. From Extrapolation. Fantastic — well, that whole album is. Very fast, tight bop playing and some great drums from Tony ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
ONE ONLY HAS to mention the name Traffic these days and somebody'll grunt, groan and lower their eyes, dismissing the subject. Undeniably, the group have ...
Walter/Wendy Carlos: Walter Carlos: Sonic Seasonings (CBS Quadraphonic)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 January 1973
HERE'S ONE for Tangerine Dream freaks. ...
Brian Eno, Roxy Music: A Flight of Fantasy: Eno
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
ENO'S PLAYBOY bachelor flat in mystical Maida Vale possesses a decor that is God's own gift to a journalist caught for a good opening paragraph. ...
Elton John: They Laughed When He Played The Piano
Retrospective by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
FOR MANY MOONS it has been ever-so-chic to take pokes at Elton John. To admit to a considerable admiration for the man and his work ...
Isaac Hayes: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
ISAAC HAYES, they tell me, is the leading light of the new black life-style. Black Moses, yet. ...
Louisiana Red, Taj Mahal: Louisiana Red: It's All Blues
Report and Interview by Peter Kent, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
"I AM LOUISIANA Red and I come from behind the sun" — those words, belting out of a cheap mono record-player, introduced me to the ...
Roberta Flack: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
MAJESTIC, CERTAINLY, with a voice as clear as crystal – but I'm afraid to say that Miss Roberta Flack, in concert, is something of a ...
Roy Harper: The Original Hippie
Report by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
"I'LL COME back and see you, but I'm not getting smashed. I'm 24 and feeling it.""That's all right Robert, neither am I. We'll stand in ...
The Kinks: Drama On The Village Green
Report and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 3 February 1973
IN A SMALL tearoom in BBC's Shepherd's Bush Theatre, Ray Davies sits resting between rehearsals for an In Concert TV show which will eventually hit ...
Beck, Bogert and Appice: Imperial College, London
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
WERE LOTS TO be drawn for the identity of the world's most crazed rock guitarist, you better believe the result would contain the name of ...
Beck, Bogert and Appice: Rock 'n' Roll Vandals
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
"HEY," SAID Jeff Beck a trifle slyly, tilling his head to one side and allowing a patently nasty leer to edge its way across his ...
Derek & The Dominos: In Concert (RSO)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
QUESTION NUMBER One: how do you follow up a masterpiece? ...
Doug Sahm: Doug Sahm and Band (Atlantic)
Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
DESPITE WHAT some people may say to the contrary, the most significant thing about it is NOT the fact that Bob Dylan crops up for ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
FOR THOSE who have ears as well as eyes, the current British tour by Genesis, which opened at London's Rainbow theatre on Sunday, should prove ...
Isaac Hayes: The Man They Call Moses
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
IMAGES DON'T come much heavier than that surrounding Isaac Hayes. But take away the dark shades, the heavy chains, the robes, the immense mink coats, ...
Sweet: The Sweet Soft Underbelly of Rock
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
FUNNY how moods change – there we all were...the Sweet and myself...in the bar, having a few drinks, sharing a joke or two y'know, getting ...
Uriah Heep: The Heep Bombard Frankfurt
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 10 February 1973
SATURDAY IN FRANKFURT, Western Germany, and Hans and Monika have pooled their Deutsche Marks to go and see Uriah Heep in concert. It's been a ...
Bette Midler: Just A Working Class Girl Living Out Her Fantasies
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
BETTE MIDLER, the Divine Miss Bette Midler, is a star. Ahmet Ertegun, man of wealth and taste, and head of Atlantic Records, believes it; Aaron ...
Bobby Charles: Bobby Charles (Bearsville, EMI import)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
IT'S BECOMING increasingly fashionable for session musicians to produce albums which highlight their own talents, and to employ on them the people who in turn ...
Report and Interview by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
CHUCK BERRY. To a fan, the name sparks off a warm smile. After that depending on how old he or she is, the first song ...
Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show: Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show: Sloppy Seconds (CBS)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
NOW DON'T get me wrong. I ain't no weenybop, but I have to admit that I really dig this Dr. Hook album here. Hell, I ...
Judy Collins: True Stories And Other Dreams (Elektra).
Review by Robin Katz, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
Springtime with Collins ...
David Bowie: Lookin' Back, David Bowie: Sinister Odyssey Through a Treacherous Landscape
Overview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
RIGHT NOW David Bowie's albums are the subject of more close and obsessive study than anybody else's since the days when hippies all over the ...
Mahavishnu Orchestra: Birds Of Fire (CBS)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
THE INNER Mounting Flame was a very extreme record: extremely fast, extremely dazzling, extremely lyrical, extremely passionate. If you go along with Robert Fripp's "Head ...
Miles Davis: On The Corner (CBS)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
I WAS LYING around listening to Miles Smiles the other day, thinking about how it's a great record. And then I remembered the 30-odd other ...
Stevie Wonder: The New Wonder Ingredient
Interview by Tony Norman, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
BLACK AND PROUD, MUSIC FROM THE SOUL ...
The Faces: Natty Mac, Incidentally
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
IAN McLAGAN talks to JAMES JOHNSON ...
Elton John: The Fightin' Side of Elton John
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 17 February 1973
ELTON JOHN SITS cornered on his sumptuous settee, talking about the comic strip character he portrays. And as if to emphasise the image, he's wearing ...
Alice Cooper: Billion Dollar Babies (Warner)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
YOU'VE GOT to hand it to Alice Cooper and the boys – they know just when to pump out another album for the kids to ...
Back Door: Just Who Do Back Door Think They Are?
Profile and Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
ONE OF the peripheral pleasures of a thriving music scene is being able to tell your friends about this great unknown group you've just discovered. ...
Beck, Bogert and Appice: Beck, Bogert & Appice: Edmonton Sundown, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
EVER BEEN totally numbered by the hero of your adolescence? Viz: "What did you think of the gig?" asked Jeff Beck. "Tremendous," I gushed. "Really great. You really ...
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
THE STAGE WAS filled with manic, shadowy figures: three guitarists, two drummers, two singers, and a saxophonist. Through the barrage of noise, one could distinguish ...
Chuck Berry part 2: How Many Comebacks?
Interview by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
AS WE TALKED, Berry looked over a copy of Golden Decade Vol. 2 and ran his eye down the sleeve discography, commenting on some of ...
David Bowie: Gay Guerillas & Private Movies
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
ALRIGHT, SO you're a rock singer out of Beckenham, Kent called David Bowie and you're hotter than a stolen atom bomb packed with pictures of ...
Focus, Jan Akkerman: Jan Akkerman: A Poor Relation Comes Good
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
IN A SMALL OFFICE at the Manchester Hardrock, reeking of stale beer and dirty ashtrays, Jan Akkerman is struggling to light a cigarette. Outside, where ...
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
THE MARQUEE MAY be an ace gig as far as groups are concerned but, for audiences, it can be most uncomfortable – particularly when the ...
Led Zeppelin: The Zeppelin Road Test
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
"ROBERT PLANT QUITS showbusiness and joins National Dairies. There's a good headline for you. Print that as a news item in your paper, O.K.?" ...
David Bowie: Lookin' Back Part 2, in which Murray looks at Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust
Overview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
AFTER MAN Who Sold The World came Hunky Dory (RCASF 8244), with its Garbo cover-pose and its extraordinary range of mood and sound. The hard ...
Eric Clapton, The Who: Pete Townshend part1: The True Saga Of Clapton's Rainbow Gig
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
IF YOU TURN up at the famous Track office in Soho's historic Old Compton Street, you're sure of a big surprise – there's a glitzy ...
Rita Coolidge: The Lady's Not For Sale (A&M)
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
ONE OF the bright young kids in the NME office played 10 seconds of each cut on side one, heard not a sound, and chucked ...
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
HE COMES ON stage with Slade like an over-decorated, perambulating Christmas tree – smothered in silver-stars, gold and glitter from head to toe – but ...
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
WHEN THE O'JAYS fly in for an extensive British tour next month it'll be the fulfillment of a longstanding ambition. It will not be their ...
Report by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 24 February 1973
WHEN FOUR people have given rock one of its biggest facelifts, it's natural they should never be far apart. So in the same way that ...
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
IT'S EASY TO detect a strong jazz influence in Billy Paul's vocal on 'Me And Mrs. Jones'. The reason is simple enough. Paul, now 35, ...
Faust: The Sound of the Eighties
Comment by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
A LOW buzzing sound, at first almost subliminal, emanates from a position somewhere between the twin stereo speakers. It wavers, hesitantly, from side to side ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
IT'S BEEN nearly 18 months since we heard anything new from Paul Butterfield. In 1971 he released Sometimes I Just Feel Like Smilin' which was, ...
The Who: Pete Townshend part 2: If The Who Split We'd Really Have To Own Up
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
PETER TOWNSHEND is an amiable sort of dude. He sits in Track Records' office, with booze and dog to hand, and talks about anything that ...
The Birds, The Faces, Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood: The Complete Works of Ronnie Wood
Profile and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
REMEMBER A BAND called the Birds? Nope friend, I do not mean the Byrds, Bobby Dylan's old honchos from Los Angeles, nor am I alluding ...
Timmy Thomas: The Timmy Thomas One-Man Show...
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
'WHY CAN'T We Live Together?' asks Timmy Thomas on his sensationally different million-selling American hit. But, ironically, it turns out that the record itself is ...
Curtis Mayfield: Things Go Better With Coke: Curtis Mayfield's Superfly soundtrack
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
Charles Shaar Murray previews SUPERFLY ...
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 3 March 1973
THE FIRST ENCORE at the Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, started with Jim Capaldi up front, his face pressed hard against a microphone to ring out ...
Clyde McPhatter: Atlantic Masters (Atlantic)
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
WELL, IS SINGING coming back or not? The signs are, maybe yes. Billy Paul, for instance, and the Chi-Lites, Stylistics, and Detroit Emeralds. ...
Cornell Dupree: The Boss Guitar of Cornell Dupree
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
CORNELL DUPREE's name will mean nothing to the general public, but those who scan LP sleeve credits will recognise him as one of America's busiest ...
Gladys Knight and the Pips: Help Me Make It Through The Night (Tamla Motown)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
THOUGH IT'S packaged to make you think it's that way, this isn't an all-new album, the title track being the only recent cut. The rest ...
James Brown: He Ain't Slowing Down
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
SOUL BROTHER Number One leaned back in his chair, adjusted his robe, and expounded: "Back in 1969 King Records didn't want to know. They said ...
James Brown: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
SOUL BROTHER Number One's in town, and the James Brown Revue's gettin' down and gittin' it on at the Rainbow. Bop through to the stalls ...
Jerry Lee Lewis: London Sessions (Mercury).
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
IN SOME ways, it hardly matters what this record sounds like. It's the idea that counts. If everything works out more or less to plan, ...
King Crimson: Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Island).
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
A NICE RECORD of pleasant, middle-of-the-road music which should prove a great favourite with everybody's mum and dad this Easter. Bill Bruford's whistling has improved ...
Hawkwind: Stacia, Happy Amazon of the Cosmic Trailways
Profile and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
"SO THERE I was on the planet Saturn dancing naked with my body painted, and this weird craft loaded with strange degenerates landed near me ...
Steeleye Span Versus The Time Warp
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
SOUND TECHNIQUES studios in Chelsea is not exactly the most luxurious of settings for musical activity. Boards, speakers and tape reels are scattered fairly haphazardly ...
Profile and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
IN A COMFORTABLE Chelsea flat, Texan Glenn Frey is looking a bit depressed as he sits surrounded by a pile of the latest rock albums ...
The Incredible String Band #1: Eight Years On
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
THE INCREDIBLE String Band, in various forms, have been playing for eight years and have recorded 13 albums, including two doubles and solo sets by ...
The Osmonds: Ever Thought Of Stringing Jimmy Up On Stage?
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
HAVE YOU heard? Donny Osmond's in town – along with big brother Alan – and the secret weeny bopper jungle telegraph knows where he's going ...
Thin Lizzy: And Now A Drop Of The Real Hard Stuff
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
THIN LIZZY would like it known that while they're delighted with ther hit single 'Whisky In The Jar' it shouldn't be confused with the 100 ...
Brian Eno, Roxy Music: Under the Influence: Eno of Roxy
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 10 March 1973
Velvets & Beethoven ...
Captain Beefheart: The Captain's Kind To Animals Too...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
WHEN, IN all seriousness, Captain Beefheart describes Mohammed Ali as hh favourite percussionist and talks of him being "probably one of the greatest living musicians," ...
David Bowie: The Revolution Is Here
Essay by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
IN THE NINE months since he broke through to mass recognition, David Bowie has had more written about him than most rock artists will in ...
Deep Purple: Who Do Purple Think They Are?
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
IN CONTEXT, WE'RE AS VALID AS ANYTHING BY BEETHOVEN. ...
Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon (Harvest).
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
SINCE THEIR performance of this work at the Brighton Dome last year, when, due to technical hitches, the piece fell apart half way through, the ...
The Coasters: Atlantic Masters (Atlantic).
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
HOW CRUEL fate is. At the very moment that Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are proving themselves to be perfectly tuned in to 1973, with ...
Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show: The Funny Side of Dr Hook
Profile and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
DR. HOOK were unexpectedly thrust to popularity via their international hit 'Sylvia's Mother' last summer. The strange thing is, people were buying the song and ...
The Incredible String Band #2: Scientology and the Incredibles
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 17 March 1973
MacDONALD: Was there any consistent philosophical or spiritual attitude behind the group's work during the Elektra period, or were you just tossing in anything you ...
Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen: Hot Licks, Cold Steel and Truckers Favorites (Paramount)
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 24 March 1973
IT WAS like driving through an infinite oven, the sun dancing in cool water-mirages across the four-lane asphalt. Wayne wiped the sweat from his brow. ...
Dr. John: Dr John: In The Right Place
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 24 March 1973
Out of the swamp, into the chart? ...
Claire Hamill, King Crimson: King Crimson/Claire Hammill: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 24 March 1973
ON SUNDAY night, at that big weird place in Finsbury Park, Messrs. Derek Moss, Bart Brassert, Don Wilton and Rodney Frock most certainly did not ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 24 March 1973
THERE ARE A large number of people in the music business who would be delighted to hear that Roxy Music had blown it. Their sudden ...
The Beach Boys #1: The Perfect Wave
Discography by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 24 March 1973
"I love to make records that my friends like to hear." – BRIAN WILSON ...
The Pretty Things: Still As Strong As Bo Diddley's Guitar Arm
Report and Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 24 March 1973
FEEL THE svelte red leather. Take in the expensive walnut dashboard surrounding the precision instruments; the speedo flicking between 70 and 80. Experience the full ...
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
THE BECK, BOGERT and Appice album is completed and virtually upon us, and it leads us to two inescapable conclusions. The first is simple: man ...
Elton John: Sundown, Edmonton, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
I WAS counting the number of fainting chicks pulled up out of the audience. After the 38th, I gave up. ...
The Temptations: Following Darling David, it's the Temptations Sensation
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
ROGER ST. PIERRE ON THE BIG SOUL TOUR ...
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
WELL NOW, there's country music, and there's country music. And this here's the second of the two. The first is what you would hear at ...
Emerson Lake & Palmer: Lake the Strongman
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
EVERY SO OFTEN, Greg Lake refers to the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer as art. He chooses the word quite deliberately. Everything he speaks ...
Led Zeppelin: Houses Of The Holy (Atlantic)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
Zep make masochism worthwhile ...
Little Feat: Dixie Chicken (Warner Bros.)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
SINCE SAILIN' Shoes, the group's last album, asthmatic Pachuco bass-player Roy Estrada, formerly of The Mothers, has departed to join Captain Beefheart under the pseudonym ...
The Faces, Rod Stewart: Rod Stewart: Oo La La
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
I AM DEATH. Huddled in my anorak. Alone and palely loitering in the stalls of the empty Rainbow Theatre. I am miserable with cold in ...
Sutherland Brothers and Quiver: Shaw Theatre, London
Live Review by John Pidgeon, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
IRONICALLY the Sutherland Brothers' first 'major'' London gig since teaming up with Quiver was opened by an acoustic duo, as if to remind the audience ...
The Beach Boys #2: The Exiles Return
Discography by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 31 March 1973
THE SECOND and concluding part of Jonh Ingham's retrospective look at the Beach Boys covers the '66 to '73 period. ...
Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Best Of… (Vanguard)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
BUFFY SAINTE-Marie is one of the special ones. She's one of the few performers guaranteed to move me to tears, and side two of She ...
Detroit Emeralds: Smooth-Cut Emeralds
Report and Interview by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
"I DON'T THINK we're what people expect us to be," James Mitchell of the Detroit Emeralds explained after receiving a lukewarm reaction from a music ...
Harry Nilsson: Nilsson Schmaltzson
Report and Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
STUDIO ONE at De Lane Lea studios in Wembley is a massive room; big enough to hold close to a 50-piece orchestra. Most of the ...
Henry Cow: Just Happy Playing Their Music
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
HENRY COW, a quintet formed at Cambridge University five years ago, are probably best known — though the group themselves would rather forget it — ...
The Faces: Private Lives, Public Faces
Report and Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
JAMES JOHNSON DROPS IN ON A FACES PARTY, AND FINDS THE BAND ITCHING TO GO ...
Procol Harum: So Who Loves Procol Harum?
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
WHO LOVES Procol Harum? Not England, it seems. Apart from a tough faction of loyal devotees, this isle has said cheerio boys. ...
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
ATTENTION PLEASE. For the next few weeks, Britain will have the chance of witnessing 'live' one of rock's most creative and significant guitarists. ...
Sweet: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
I'M STILL trying to work this one out, but here's a brief rundown of what basically happened at the Sweet's Rainbow gig. ...
The Faces: Ooh La La (Warner Bros.)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 April 1973
FIRST THERE'S this rolling piano lick, then in comes Ronnie Wood's guitar. Nice tough chording, anchored down with a bent note descending to the root ...
Black Sabbath: To Knock OR Not To Knock The Rock
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 14 April 1973
WHEN IT COMES to obvious targets for critical assassinations, then Black Sabbath are sitting ducks – very loud, very basic, very brash. And now at ...
Captain Beefheart: The Beef Of The Matter
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 April 1973
DON VAN VLIET and his orchestra are here for their third British tour. The current line-up of The Magic Band features Zoot Horn Rollo (first ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 April 1973
Bye-bye, Ziggy. It was nice seeing you, and I hope you'll keep in touch. Hello, Aladdin Sane, make yourself at home. David Bowie's new album ...
Diana Ross: Rapping with Lady D
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 April 1973
THE DISTINGUISHED-looking old gentlemen in the red braided uniform accepts my coat with an expression of mild distaste and ushers me into the Pine Room ...
Roger Daltrey, The Who: Roger Daltrey: Who Does What In The Who
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 14 April 1973
WHAT'S HAPPENED to the Who? Pete SHOULD be writing and recording for the Who. John Entwistle SHOULD be concentrating on the Who's future, but he's ...
Steeleye Span: Parcel of Rogues (Chrysalis)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 April 1973
IT WOULD be considerably more than a pity if Steeleye Span, that most English of bands, have to become superstars in the States before really ...
Don Covay: Are You Reggae For Don Covay?
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
AMERICA JUST had to catch on to reggae. After all, the roots of Jamaican music lie in the '50s out-put of Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis ...
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
THE MAN from the customs – a surly-looking Negro – eyed me suspiciously for a full ten minutes, and checked and rechecked my baggage and ...
Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page, the Mild Barbarian
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
JIMMY PAGE'S slightly timid, mild-mannered exterior is of course, deceptive. There's no need to explain how Led Zeppelin come across on stage, while in between ...
Roxy Music: The Dome, Brighton
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
GROUPS TOURING Britain are expected to put on that little bit extra for their London dates on the simple score of the probable presence of ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
BACKSTAGE at Bristol, and everything is panic and turmoil. Steeleye Span's support act hasn't arrived half-an-hour before show-time. Jo Lustig, Steeleye manager, is standing with ...
Steve Miller: Miller's Hard Grind
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
STEVE MILLER'S concerts at London's Rainbow theatre last year were two of the most pleasant gigs of 1972. Since he'd never played here before, Miller ...
Traffic: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 21 April 1973
DEAR MR. FANTASY played us some tunes, something that made us all happy. No, it was more than that. All of us at the London ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
BY NOW, most people know that Fanny are one of the best rock bands currently functioning. Their albums, particularly Charity Ball (their second, but the ...
Profile by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
IF YOU asked someone who, apart from Elvis, has contributed the most to rock and roll, he'd probably say Chuck Berry, Little Richard or Jerry ...
Lou Reed: The Sinatra Of The 70's
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
LOU REED SURE is a card. The day before this interview was supposed to take place, an associate of mine phoned up the Reed management ...
Roberta Flack And All That Jazz
Interview by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
DANNY HOLLOWAY talks, in New York, to the lady who made the big transition from jazz to mass acclaim. ...
Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
"I'D BEEN nursing the idea for Roxy since my last band," says Bryan Ferry, "since 1964-65. Obviously, when I stopped with the other band I ...
Roxy Music: Ultra Pulp Images On The Video-Cassette Of Your Mind
Profile and Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
THE FIRST COSMIC rock law of the seventies is this: "Everybody is a star". To which the answer is: "So what?". Roxy Music, undeniably, have ...
T. Rex, Tyrannosaurus Rex: T. Rex: Where Now, Elemental Child?
Comment by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 April 1973
ONCE UPON A time there was Tyrannosaurus Rex. In the days immediately following flower-power, rockanroll music was getting very sweaty around the edges. What with ...
Dory Previn: Madness, Fear and the Demons Inside
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
AT THE END of the Dory Previn concert at Carnegie Hall, a couple of New Yorkers are standing near the exit, one whispering to the ...
Profile by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
CREATOR OF one of rock's two most distinctive bass styles (the other being Paul McCartney's), Jack Bruce has, during the course of a long and ...
New York Dolls, Wayne County & The Electric Chairs: New York: The Dark Side Of Town
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
THE GRAFFITI IN the toilets at Max's Kansas City is abysmal. It's the only word that comes to mind – there's not one subversive scrawl, ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
HERE'S A TEASER for you to masticate the ole' brain molecules on: pretend you're a big record corporation and you've got these two acts, one ...
Speedy Keen: Speedy Words and Speedy Keen
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
JOHN 'SPEEDY' KEEN is the rock and roll war-horse who wrote 'Something In The Air' for Thunderclap Newman. He's recovered from that – scarred of ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
JON HISEMAN is sitting in a Viennese coffeehouse on a bright Sunday morning, and talking about the four-piece rock band he formed earlier this year. ...
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 5 May 1973
IT BECAME Friday night in Birmingham on a Friday morning in London – when I listened to this live Heep set. ...
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
ANGIE BOWIE is a gas. She really is. She's sitting between Cherry Vanilla and an ice-bucket at a table in the colossally elegant main dining ...
Focus: Focus And The American Hell
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
MIDNIGHT was our cue to quit the Swiss restaurant and return, like five Cinderellas, to our hotels. It wasn't a case of trembling at the ...
Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces Of A Man (Philips 6369 415)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
Heron, with the sound of the black revolution ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
LOS ANGELES: If we hadn't been formally introduced by a super cool hip slingin' secretary I very much doubt that I'd have recognised Smokey Robinson. ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
This is the man Presley's musicians turn to when they're sick of those Las Vegas riffs. ...
Paul Simon: There Goes Rhymin' Simon (CBS)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
LISTENING TO an album twice through the No. 1 studio sound system at CBS is not the best way to hear a new set. Nor ...
Dada, Vinegar Joe, Geno Washington: Pete Gage, The Man Who Drives Vinegar Joe
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
WHEN VINEGAR JOE are on stage Pete Gage is probably the last person you notice. He stands towards the back, almost out of sight, adding ...
Sly & The Family Stone: Fresh (Epic)
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
SLY IS AN interesting enigma. Top soul dj-turned-musician, he singlehandedly influenced the course of soul music with a sound that owed more to acid than ...
The Beach Boys: California Dreamin'
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 May 1973
IT WAS ALL a California Vision come to life. Pure and simple. Speeding down from the Hollywood Hills, leaving behind all the emaciated refugees on ...
Alice Cooper: Alice, Nixon and Batman at LA Party
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 19 May 1973
ALICE COOPER was introduced by a fake President of the United States at a reception at the Coconut Grove to mark the group's appearance at ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 May 1973
"AND WHEN he arrived they screamed and they cried, and they rushed, and gushed forth and beat their feverish feminine fists into..." FORGET IT! This ...
Hatfield And The North: New Band on the Old Road…
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 19 May 1973
PIP PYLE, Phil Miller, Dave Stewart, and Richard Sinclair have been on the road a few years between them. ...
Hawkwind: Space Ritual Alive At Liverpool Stadium And Brixton Sundown (United Artists)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 May 1973
WELL, THESE COSMIC tacos ain't about to make you wet yourself, but it's still a fact that, contained on these four sides, are the very ...
Roy Buchanan: The Guitarist's Guitarists' Guitarist
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 19 May 1973
THE WORD is out and the message is self-explanatory. Buchanan, they say; Roy Buchanan, they mean. And if you've missed this paean that's currently ringing ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
"I'M AGELESS," said David Bowie in a recent interview – and these 21 tracks from the very earliest days of his career point up the ...
David Bowie: Total Sensory Overload
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
Following the controversial London Earls Court gig, Charles Shaar Murray and photographer Joe Stevens check out Bowie on tour – and find a riot goin' ...
Flo & Eddie: Flo and Eddie: Flo & Eddie
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
MR. HOWARD KAYLAN and Mr. Mark Volman are a somewhat literal-minded pair. When they originally left the protectve aegis of Frank Zappa to strike out ...
Profile by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
WHEN HE'S playing nice, you couldn't possibly hope to hear more creative or more exciting rock guitar playing than that of Jeff Beck. He was ...
Judge Dread: Working Class Hero And The Robin Hood Of Reggae
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
NICK KENT SPECIAL interview (snigger, snigger) with the man who's rude (snigger) but heaven forbid – not crude ...
Liza Minnelli: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
LUREX 'N ADULATION — OR, WHAT HAPPENED WHEN FLAME TORSO (with a T) REVIEWED LIZA MINNELLI'S RAINBOW GIG ...
Steeleye Span: So Who ARE These Limeys Playing Folk Music?
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
IT TAKES approximately 11 hours to fly from London to Los Angeles. You get off the 'plane, and the heat fills your lungs like a ...
The Eagles: Desperado (Asylum)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
IT IS ARGUABLE that the test of a fine example of any genre is to consider the extent to which it transcends its category. Our ...
The Wailers: Speakeasy, London
Live Review by Danny Holloway, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
IF YOU FOUND the Wailers' debut Island album, Catch A Fire, an uncomfortable sidestep to your usual tastes, I'd strongly advise you to witness a ...
Ike & Tina Turner: Tina Turner: Get Your Eyes Off... and Listen
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
THE MAKING of Tina Turner — was it the singer or the song? Well, we all know the answer to that one don't we? The ...
Led Zeppelin: Zeppelin Take The States By Storm
Report by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 26 May 1973
THE LATEST Led Zeppelin tour is taking America by storm, proving yet again that this is the top rock 'n' roll band in the world. ...
Eric Burdon: Back On Stage… The Charlton Heston of Rock
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
Eric Burdon has been absent from the rock scene — but never gone. He’s made more comebacks than Jesus... and now he’s making another. And ...
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
LEON WANTED US TO LIVE IN HIS HOUSE...WE WEREN'T INTERESTED NEEDLESS TO SAY ...
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
I'VE NO CLEAR idea of what was going on at this concert at all. Faust, hardly the most publicised of bands, appear suddenly at Plymouth ...
Gladys Knight & The Pips: A Day With Miss Knight
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
IF GLADYS Knight took time off to reminisce there's no doubt she could come up with a few interesting tales about the record business. Simply ...
Jefferson Airplane: 30 Seconds Over Winterland
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
THERE'S REALLY nothing quite as dead as the recent past – for further proof just dig out those old Jefferson Airplane albums currently collecting dust ...
Loudon Wainwright III: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
PERHAPS THE most refreshing thing about Loudon Wainwright's concert at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall last Monday was that there was a songwriter who was more ...
Suzi Quatro, Sweet: Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman: The Dynamic Duo Of Plastic Pop
Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
Nicky Chinn is an ex-public schoolboy, Mike Chapman a one-time waiter. Together they're... The Dynamic Duo Of Plastic Pop ...
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
Will Slade break America or will America break Slade – that was the question being resolved by the Noddy Holder Experience as they ...
Suzi Quatro: This Is Suzi Quatro. She's Heavy
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 2 June 1973
ON THE HORIZON of Charles Street, London, or more precisely in the RAK Record Company offices, is a Star. Her name is Suzi Quatro. Five ...
Lou Reed: A Walk On The Wild Side Of Lou Reed
Comment by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 June 1973
"I HAVE ALWAYS thought it would be kinda fun to introduce people to characters they maybe hadn't met before, or hadn't wanted to meet, y'know. ...
Thom Bell, The Spinners: Detroit Spinners: Memories of the Brown Beatles
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 9 June 1973
SINCE LEAVING Motown the Detroit Spinners have changed considerably, largely because of the recording direction of Philadelphia genius Thom Bell. ...
Roxy Music: Last Tango In Amsterdam
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 June 1973
BEING A ROCK writer isn't so bad. Quite often you get to go down to a nice hotel, get a few drinks, maybe even a ...
Silverhead Training For The Heavyweight Stakes
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 June 1973
THE SIGN on the marquee outside the Continental Hyatt House on Sunset Blvd., L.A., read: "Welcome Silverhead." Well, not quite: the 'a' was missing after ...
David Bowie: The Bowie Experiment
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 9 June 1973
THIS IS ONE OF those restaurants where quiet good taste just screams its presence. You just know that they have pheasant under glass, and that ...
Fleetwood Mac: The Fleetwood Mac of Today
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 16 June 1973
FLEETWOOD MAC have been through a lot of changes since the club days. What began as a straight blues band has progressed into new musical ...
Gilbert O'Sullivan: Gaumont, Ipswich and Royal Festival Hall, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 16 June 1973
Big G and the Scream Machine ...
John Entwistle: Rigor Mortis and the Happy Funeral
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 16 June 1973
THE ROOM is deathly silent, apart from the occasional rumble of a stomach going by. We are gathered together on this day for a belated ...
Johnny Nash: My Merry Go Round (CBS)
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 16 June 1973
LISTENING TO this record the first time through is as frustrating as trying to see a beautiful woman through a steamed-up window. But the third ...
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 16 June 1973
"I DON'T EVEN like Led Zeppelin," the girl in the black velvet jacket and hotpants said petulantly as she bummed a cigarette off an acquaintance ...
Bill Withers: Live At Carnegie Hall (A&M — double album)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
SOUNDS OF applause, opening bars or lazy stereotyped black funk, then a hoarse voice yelping out "I don't mind you're using me — uh! — ...
Cat Stevens And A Revolution In Athens
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
THE shining white block of the King George Hotel stands imposingly on Constitution Square, Athens. It's dauntingly grand in the true sense of the word: ...
Gladys Knight and the Pips: Gladys Knight & the Pips: Neither One Of Us (Tamla Motown)
Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
SINCE GLADYS Knight and the Pips have now joined the Buddah label this will be their last album released on Motown, unless the company chooses ...
The Jackson 5: J5 Kick Harder Than Ever: Jackson Five: Skywriter (Tamla-Motown)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
BOISTEROUS young Charles Shaar Murray wrote a more-than-adequate appraisal of this fine album before it was released and I can only restate his enthusiasm for ...
Jefferson Airplane: Just An Exercise At Being Repulsive?
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
"WE ARE all outlaws in the eyes of America," sang Grace Slick from the stage at Woodstock. God, it must be fun to be a ...
Junior Campbell, Marmalade: Junior Campbell: Hallelujah Campbell
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
JUNIOR CAMPBELL is one artist with a hit single who you won't find on stage. After 10 years with Marmalade, he's content to take things ...
Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant — And That Below-The-Belt Surge
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
A HOT AND sticky Friday afternoon in L.A. Nine stories over Sunset Boulevard, Robert Plant takes Roy Harper's Lifemask off the stereo in his hotel ...
Medicine Head: The Unknown Celebrities
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
AT A DELIGHTFUL pub in Twickenham on Saturday eve, Medicine Head's Peter Hope-Evans sat drinking a glass of Lowenbrau. The perpetual grin across his face ...
Sparks: A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing (Bearsville)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
I ONCE found myself involved in a curious argument with one of Detroit's more-respected rock writers concerning his contention that Sparks were dangerous to the ...
Carole King: Subtle, Intense: Carole King: Fantasy (Ode Import)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
AFTER THE DISAPPOINTMENT of Rhymes & Reasons, I found myself approaching this album with a certain degree of trepidation. For, having failed to ignite any ...
Suzi Quatro: Rock 'n' roll violence and gig hassles
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
Suzi Quatro answering all the allegations ...
The Temptations: Masterpiece (Tamla-Motown).
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
AND SO it came to pass, dat one day de Nazz summoned Norman Whitfield — de man dat dotted de most funkiest of crotchets — ...
Todd Rundgren: A Wizard, A True Star
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 23 June 1973
BOY, IS THIS a great record. I love it and that's saying a lot seeing as I don't seem to like that much of anything ...
Alice Cooper: Madison Square Garden, NYC
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 30 June 1973
LET'S ASSUME, just for the purpose of arguement, that you're a sensitive soul filled with love for your fellow humans, and that you really get ...
Jimmy Helms: Helms In Need Of A Direction
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 30 June 1973
JIMMY HELMS is at a cornerstone of his career. 'I'm Gonna Make You An Offer (You Can't Refuse)' wasn't just a hit record — it ...
Sweet Little Sixteen making out on Sunset Strip
Report by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 30 June 1973
FROM ROY CARR A KEYHOLE GUIDE TO THE GROUPIES OF L.A. RESEARCH: CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY, NICK KENT ...
Cymande, making it with West Indian "Rasta" soul
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
WHATEVER BRITISH fans think about homebred groups, blue-eyed or otherwise, it seems Americans are prepared to listen to them with enthusiasm. ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
VOODOO CHILE ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
SEX, DRUGS, VIOLENCE AND THE MAFIA? FORGET IT. THIS GUY'S THE SAVIOUR OF NEW ORLEANS. ROY CARR reports from Montreux. ...
Fairport Convention: Fairport And The Mysterious Lady
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
"FOTHERINGPORT CONFUSION", states Trevor Lucas with a wry smile. That's his pet description of the present Fairport Convention. After all, the band comprises part of ...
Mahavishnu Orchestra: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE ...
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
Far more so than all the Bowies, Bolans and Roxies... Slade are easily the most important British band of the '70s. ...
Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin: The Captain Kirk in John McLaughlin
Overview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
PART 1: IAN MacDONALD CHARTS THE RISE AND RISE OF THE COLOSSUS OF ELECTRIC GUITAR ...
Faust: The Helmet of the Policeman is on the Head of the Musician: Faust In Britain
Report by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 July 1973
FAUST WERE bored. Bored with the set they'd been playing on tour, feeling that they'd much rather lounge around all day in their London flat ...
Allen Toussaint, Producing the New Orleans Feel
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
QUESTION: What could Alvin Lee, Frankie Miller, Mac 'Dr. John' Rebennack, Robbie Robertson and Lee Dorsey possibly have in common? Answer: Allen Toussaint. ...
Brinsley Schwarz: Beware of the Rock Machine: Brinsley Schwarz
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
BRINSLEY SCHWARZ are playing nice clean rock 'n' roll these days – but they're wary of getting caught up in that rock 'n' roll machine. ...
David Bowie: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
THERE ARE crowds of kids outside the hall, waiting for Stardust to limousine into view. And for them this is all three times as real, ...
Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show: Dr Hook: Sylvia's Mother Meets Durty Cindy Lou…
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
WE ALL KNOW the famous American rock venues, don't we? We've all heard of the Forum in L.A., the Academy of Music and Madison Square ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
SEEMS LIKE only yesterday that Family returned from America, wheezing and coughing about the sheer enjoyment of their tour. And quite a number of Family ...
Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin: John McLaughlin: Gimme Dat 11/8 Time Religion
Overview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
PART 2: IAN MacDONALD ON THE SPIRITUAL McLAUGHLIN ...
Professor Longhair: Longhair, the man who started it all
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
ROY CARR MEETS PROFESSOR LONGHAIR, THE WORLD'S MOST RIPPED-OFF LEGEND ...
David Bowie: The Case For and Against Bowie: Shrewd Publicity Stunt Or Necessity?
Interview by Roy Carr, Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 July 1973
AFTER CALLING Jeff Beck on stage to climax last week s final night of his British tour, David Bowie reappeared alone before the curtain to ...
John Martyn: The Stormbringer Comes Into The Sun
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 21 July 1973
"Love me with your head and heart.Love me from the place it starts;Love me from your head and heart.Love me like a child." ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Sly: the cosmic cowpoke comes clean...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 21 July 1973
Dr Jekyll has finally beaten Mr Hyde. Though it was Mr Hyde made all those great records ...
War: The Battle Against 'Unlove'
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 21 July 1973
THIS IS the story of war declared but not yet unilaterally. Approximately two years ago, when the American 'jazz-rock-blues-soul' band appeared in the U.K. with ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 28 July 1973
SINCE THE Beatles re-created the album market with Sergeant Pepper we've become used to the idea that the best of rock'n'roll is invariably found in ...
Edgar Winter: Just A Friendly Texan
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 28 July 1973
STEVE PAUL'S in a good mood right now. He's just been informed that West Side Story is playing somewhere in London and already he can ...
Brian Eno: Eno: Of Launderettes And Lizard Girls
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 28 July 1973
...and things that go bump in Ladbroke Grove. Nick Kent stakes out Eno's closet ...
Horslips: Well You See, There Was These Five Irishmen...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 28 July 1973
TONY STEWART reports the long, involved story of Horslips ...
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 28 July 1973
SOUL MAN Joe Simon has scored a long run of American hits — with country songs. And now his 'Step By Step' currently climbing the ...
The Pointer Sisters: The Pointer Sisters
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 28 July 1973
ANITA, RUTH, JUNE and Bonnie Pointer come to us with the fervent recommendations of seemingly everybody in America. But with the best will in the ...
Albert Hammond: Moroccan Strip Clubs To All American Boy
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
DESPITE THAT rich, drawling brogue and songs like 'It Never Rains In Southern California', Albert Hammond is no American. As it happens, he was born ...
The Osmonds: Br-r-r-ring... Hi, this is Alan Osmond
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
WIMP ROCK AND WEIRD CITY. IT'S THE OSMONDS GROWING UP. IAN MacDONALD REPORTS ...
David Bowie: Bowie-ing Out at The Chateau
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY WITH THE MAIN MAN IN FRANCE. WORK ON NEW PROJECTS, REPORTS MURRAY, IS GOING AHEAD DELICIOUSLY IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT ...
Greenslade and the Trumpet Maniac
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
THE WAYS bands are born vary immensely. Like, the idea may be only two hours old when Phantom Balloon hits the stage, but other outfits ...
King Crimson: Latest Shade of Crimson
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
SOME REPORTS from America suggested that King Crimson's recent tour had bombed completely. Others maintained that everything had gone according to plot and that audience ...
Smokey Robinson: Miracles And Meditation
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
IT'S JUST on a year since Smokey Robinson split from the Miracles to spend more time as an executive of the Motown Corporation. Now, he ...
The Faces, Nazareth: Strangely missing that barrow boy stagger: in Frankfurt with the Faces
Report and Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
IT'S EARLY Sunday evening and three large Mercedes limousines are skimming through the outskirts of Frankfurt in rather regal convoy. In one, Keith Moon reclines ...
Van Morrison, Them: Van Morrison: Early Them and all the vocal fire of Tarzan with a hernia
Retrospective and Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 4 August 1973
BUT WITH CONTROL, MAN, WITH CONTROL ...
Genesis: The Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 10 August 1973
IT'S A LITTLE dishonest using the same strokes to hammer Genesis as are periodically used against Yes. But there you go. Such is the nature ...
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 11 August 1973
CAN YOU AFFORD TO LAUGH – AND MISS OUT ON 10CC? ...
David Bowie: Tight Rope Walker At The Circus
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 11 August 1973
THE CHATEAU D'HEROUVILLE is probably the only recording studio in the world boasting a resident chef who does Charlie Chaplin impressions at suppertime. Trouble is, ...
Status Quo: Enjoying A New Status
Report by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 11 August 1973
TONY STEWART GOES SWISS WITH STATUS QUO, WHO ARE BIG BUSINESS THERE ...
The Who: Bang A Gong The Who Get It On
Report by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 11 August 1973
THE MAN across the road didn't really understand why Keith Moon was standing in the pouring rain, beating on a Paiste gong outside the Who's ...
Alice Cooper, Lou Reed: Bob Ezrin: The Square And The Faggots
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
"DETACHMENT. Yes, that's it exactly. We were both talking about that. Lou said last night: 'This album is an exercise in detachment and apathy'. I ...
Carly Simon, James Taylor: Carly and James: The Taylors in Paris
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
WITH CARLY MAKING OLE LONESOME JAMES SMILE (WELL ALMOST) — IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF TRUE LOVE GUARANTEED TO THREATEN THE DEFENCES OF THE MOST HARDENED ...
Earth, Wind & Fire, Isaac Hayes: Isaac Hayes: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
Brilliant Hayes: the bald facts ...
Stackridge: Lummy Days Are Over, Stackridge Move On…
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
ONCE BILLED as the Almost Greatest Show On Earth, those remarkable young men from the West Country known collectively as Stackridge are currently at work ...
Manu Dibango: Apollo Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
MANU DIBANGO'S appearance at the Apollo was the capper for a frenzied week of concert-going in New York and the East Coast. ...
Nazareth: So You Wanna Stay A Rock 'N' Roll Star?
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
DAN McCAFFERTY has no pretensions. As he sits chain smoking in his manager's flat – a mere Rolls Royce-throw away from London's Hyde Park Corner ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
NOW THIS is a little more like it. Of course, it would be ludicrous to expect a sudden reconciliation with the original classic Byrds feel ...
Allman Brothers Band: The Allman Brothers: Brothers And Sisters
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
IT MUST have been just at the point where the Grateful Dead has started to tarnish their once peeless charisma as the magic band that ...
Tony Joe White: Home Made Ice Cream
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 18 August 1973
I'VE HAD a healthy respect for the work of Tony Joe White for quite some time now, and it is because of the excellence of ...
Commander Cody: Country Casanova
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
I'VE GOT to admit I was thrown when I first saw the cover of this album. The dude in the cowboy shirt leaning next to ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
"ZAPPA'S IN TOWN," they said. "Wanna go along and talk to him?" Oh sure, sez I, always glad to have a chat with Frank. So ...
Genesis: The Man Behind The Mask
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
THE MUSIC world rarely awakens before noon, but I met Peter Gabriel at the unlikely hour of 9.30 a.m. Genesis, having finished their Selling England ...
Hot Chocolate: Chocolate Brown
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
THERE IS absolutely no getting away from the fact that it was an excessively hot and sticky afternoon. Sweaterama incarnate. Clothing stuck unpleasantly to the ...
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
SO YOU'RE a dues-paying rock 'n' roll star with a couple of weeks to kill and you decide to flit off to Ahmadnagar and hang ...
Mott The Hoople, New York Dolls: New York Dolls/Mott The Hoople: Felt Forum, NYC
Live Review by Michael Gross, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
THE EVENING SIMPLY reeked of promise. Mott the Hoople, the Anglo glamour band of the moment, billed with New York's very own Dolls. ...
New York Dolls: The Guys In The Dolls
Report by Michael Gross, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
THE BACK room of Max's Kansas City is generally bathed in a pink glow of lighting effects. Depending on how much liquor you've consumed, it ...
Genesis: No Exodus Yet for Genesis
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
"OBVIOUSLY we're out of the public's attention – but we come back that much stronger; some bands seem afraid to take time off; they feel ...
Robert Fripp, King Crimson: Robert Fripp: Head, Heart and Hips
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
ROBERT FRIPP doesn't give many interviews – which is silly because he's a shrewd, witty, and engrossing man who, when he's not sitting on a ...
New York Dolls: The New York Dolls: The New York Dolls (Mercury Import)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 25 August 1973
THE NEW YORK Dolls are trash, they play rock 'n' roll like sluts and they've just released a record that can proudly stand beside Iggy ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, September 1973
I COULDN'T find the name 'Dobie Gray' in any of the rock encyclopaedias. Presumably after 'The In Crowd' he became one of those half-forgotten names ...
Report and Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
BARBARA CHARONE TAKES THE HIGH ROAD WITH BABE RUTH. ALL THE WAY TO WICK, CAITHNESS – A MERE CABER-TOSS FROM JOHN O' GROATS. AND DISCOVERS ...
Black Sabbath: Sabbath Days Of Rest
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
Forget witchcraft, forget heavy metal – Tony Iommi is laying back in his luxury pad, listening to the Carpenters and Sinatra ...
Funkadelic, Mandrill, Osibisa, Rare Earth: Black 'Woodstock': A Violent Fiasco
Report by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
IT COULD have been the biggest event of the summer. For many of us trapped in the iron heart of the city, it promised to ...
Frank Zappa: Penguins in Bondage and Other Perversions
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
WHERE WERE WE? Oh yeah, Frank Zappa. Anyway, ol' Frank is sitting in his hotel room above Kensington, discoursing on this and that and demonstrating ...
Jaki Whitren: The I Don't Want To Be A Star Star
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
NOT THE USUAL pub or press office for interviewing this newcomer. Oh no. For Jaki Whitren — CBS have put their money where their faith ...
Kilburn & The High Roads: Kilburn and the High Roads: Hardened Criminals Plan Big Break-Out
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
AT LEAST, THAT'S THE WAY THEY LOOK. BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BE BIG: NICK KENT ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS WITH KILBURN AND THE HIGH ...
Robert Fripp, King Crimson: Robert Fripp: The Sexual Athlete
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
ROBERT FRIPP paused in a virtuoso display of cross-picking on Francisco Tarrega's 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra', the interlude music he'd chosen between the two parts ...
Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds: Session Star: Jimmy Page
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 1 September 1973
JIMMY PAGE is as wary of discussing his formidable past as he is talking to the press in the first place. ...
Allman Brothers Band: Allman Explosion
Report by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
IT'S THE speed of the thing that's been most memorable – the way the Brothers And Sisters album literally exploded across North America. Within the ...
Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music: Bryan Ferry: Party Fun From an Old Poseur
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
AT NOON PRECISELY, on a colourless day, I pressed the bell-push of Bryan Ferry's chic Earl's Court flat. Fifteen minutes later I was still ringing. ...
Howard Tate, Lou Courtney: Howard Tate and Lou Courtney: The Blues and Dance Men
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
TWO ARTISTS of widely different appeal, Howard Tate and Lou Courtney both deserve inclusion in this series because although only modestly successful even in the ...
The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stones: Goat's Head Soup (Rolling Stones Records)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
Stones: you can sometimes get what you want... ...
Toots & The Maytals: The Maytals: From The Roots (Trojan)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
IF EVER a group deserved recognition beyond the realms of its chosen music form, then it's the Maytals. ...
The Rolling Stones: Goat's Head Soup
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
FIRST COMES the riff. It's like 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' 'cept it's slowed down so it sounds like it's being played on horse tranquilliser. Ominous and ...
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
THIS INTERVIEW had the most ordinary of beginnings. David Byron and Uriah Heep's Press Miss and myself left the other four members of the band ...
ZZ Top: Tres Hombres (London, Import)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 8 September 1973
THERE'S A huge spread of all-American grub dominating the sleeve of this album. ZZ Top are a three-piece Southern fried chicken band from Texas, and ...
Candi Staton: Foxy Lady Of Soul
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 September 1973
RIGHT FROM the days when Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Ida Cox and later the ladies Holliday, Vaughan, Fitzgerald and Washington ruled the blues/jazz roost there ...
Report and Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 15 September 1973
THIS PIECE might easily be subtitled "How to operate with ice-cool expediency without ruffling your cosmique mantle." But that would definitely be rushing things. ...
Alan Price: That Lucky Old Price
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
THERE'S still much of the flat cap rocker about Alan Price. At his best he's a kind of cross between Randy Newman and Jackie Charlton ...
Alice Cooper: Alice Shows His Muscle
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
"YA WANNA SCOOP?" grins Shep Gordon, the inimitable manager of Alice Cooper, a paragon of virtue in his rust-coloured brushed velvet jacket. "Sure" hisses the ...
Billy Preston: God Planned It Good
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
AFTER YEARS spent as a session man for an astonishing roster of star names the Beatles, the Stones, Barbra Steisand, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sam ...
The Delfonics, Eddie Kendricks: Eddie Kendricks, The Delfonics: Apollo Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
Hot night at the Apollo ...
Jethro Tull: The House That Jethro Built
Comment by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
IT NOW SEEMS rather incongruous to think back on Jethro Tull as veterans of the Great 1968 Blues Boom, right out of the same scene ...
Report by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
Keith Altham gets a sneak preview at the next original Slade Album ...
The Carpenters: Summer Sweethearts
Overview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
If it's muzak you're looking for, look no further... ...
Jimmy Hughes: The Great Unknowns: Jimmy Hughes
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
"I NEVER FELT more like singing the blues," sang Guy Mitchell and Tommy Steele a long while ago, and both did a lot of business ...
The Rolling Stones: Stones-On-The Road Special
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
THE LADY behind the amps, staring hazily at Billy Preston and his band performing on stage, looked elegantly damaged. Half of her face was covered ...
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 22 September 1973
IF ALL THE world were a movie set, the Japanese artist could have married her rock star and lived happily ever after in the East ...
Beck, Bogert and Appice: The Axeman Cometh
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
IT JUST GOES to show that things ain't always what they seem. Bopping down Savile Row in the general direction of Apple Studios (ah, Apple! ...
Deep Purple: Purple, Introducing The…Err…Unknown Mr. Coverdale
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
PURPLE RECORDS took the press down to Clearwell Castle on the Welsh-English border last week to meet their new singer boy. The name of this ...
Diana Ross: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
ANYONE WHO doubts that Diana Ross is a star in the old-fashioned sense of the word should have been at the Albert Hall last Tuesday. ...
Focus: At The Rainbow (Polydor)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
LIVE ALBUMS basically attempt to recreate a concert atmosphere with favoured musical pieces by the band in question and sycophantic noises from the audience. ...
Genesis: Selling England By the Pound (Charisma)
Review by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
GENESIS FANS unite, stand proud and be counted; get ready to say 'I told you so' to all those people who have been doubting your ...
John Martyn: Inside Out (Island)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
YOU COULD SAY that the post-decadence rock scene is structured rather like the society of ants: a hangover of old drones twittering away behind last ...
Judy Collins: In Through The Other Door
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
TRANSATLANTIC phone calls can be a precarious undertaking at the best of times. But on this grey Wednesday afternoon, as successive international operators tried vainly ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
LOU REED and James Taylor on the same bill? What a masterstroke of pure gonzo rock n' roll strategy! ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
THE FIRST TIME I saw Slade I thought they were dreadful. It was that memorable night at the Lanchester Arts Festival when Chuck Berry cut ...
Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
THE SWEET'S BALLROOM BLITZKRIEG GOES ON. BUT BEHIND THE ONSTAGE MINCING AND MAKE-UP, THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE IN THE AIR. IN FACT, THE ROCK PARIAHS NOW ...
Profile by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
ANYTIME THE American media welcomes a new act with such an overt display of scraping and bowing for superlatives, it's time to be suspicious. ...
The Righteous Brothers: Two By Two (MGM)
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
INCREDIBLE, They may not have been black, they may not even have been soul music (though to my mind they were), but nobody could deny ...
Mick Taylor, The Rolling Stones: The Rolling Stones: Dead Goats And Other Delicacies
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 29 September 1973
THE CURRENT European tour has again given us all the opportunity to dogmatically state that the Rolling Stones are indeed the greatest rock 'n' roll ...
Brenda Lee: Mmmmm…Sweet Nuthin's
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA, Monday: "To make the most of the things you were born with...Think Big." ...
Fairport Convention: Nine (Island)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
I'VE BEEN trying for some time not to like a Fairport Convention album. After the endless catalogue of disaster and misfortune, it seemed vaguely unnatural ...
Gilbert O'Sullivan: I'm A Writer, Not A Fighter
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
ANYONE WHO IS a regular reader of this paper will be aware that in the past I've criticised Gilbert O'Sullivan quite strongly, and yet I've ...
Gram Parsons: The Superstar Who Didn't Quite Make It
Obituary by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
GRAM PARSONS somehow never quite got to be the nationally-touted superstar he deserved to be, which is possibly as much his own fault as anyone ...
John Denver: Farewell Andromeda (RCA)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
Y'KNOW IT'S somehow comforting to know we've got a guy like John Denver to kick around. ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
JUST WHEN you think your ex-idol has slumped into a pitiful display of gross terminal self-parody, Lou Reed comes back and hits you with something ...
O.V. Wright: Wright Man In The Wrong Place
Retrospective by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
MANY SUPPOSEDLY great soul singers are, in truth, only as good as their current producer and/or writer. O.V. Wright's reputation however is solidly based on ...
Report and Interview by John Pidgeon, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
John Pidgeon reports as, ever so slightly, America begins to quiver... ...
Suzi Quatro : You Don't Have To Be A Dyke…
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
I FIRST ran into Suzi Quatro late last year. She was a nice, bouncy little American chick who played bass, wrote songs, was forming a ...
Roger Daltrey, The Who: The Who: Triumph And A Threat
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
IT HAPPENED TO THE BEATLES, BUT IT WON'T AFFECT THE WHO. AND ROGER DALTREY NOW PREPARES TO DO THREE YEARS HARD LABOUR ...
Bruce Springsteen: Was Bob Dylan the Previous Bruce Springsteen?
Interview by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 6 October 1973
"RANDY NEWMAN is great but he’s not touched. Joni Mitchell is great but she’s not touched. Bruce is touched... he’s a genius!" Manager Mike Appel ...
Brian Eno: Happiness Is A Warm Jet
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
...BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE LATEST RECORDED WORK OF MR. BRIAN ENO, LATE OF ROXY MUSIC, AND FEATURING BLANK FRANK, FRIEND OF THE MASSIVE MASSIMO ...
David Cassidy: Real Cool Cassidy
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
I ALWAYS FIGURED secretly that David Cassidy was a cool guy. ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
FAUST IV is the chronological successor of So Far (The Faust Tapes being from the period of the transparent album) and, as such, represents the ...
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
THE MUSIC world rarely awakens before noon, but I met Peter Gabriel at the unlikely hour of 9.30 a.m. Genesis, having finished their 'Selling England ...
Lindisfarne: How Wee Wee Music Went Down The Drain
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
LAST WEEK I heard the new Lindisfarne album, provisionally titled Don't Rip It...I'll Take It By The Yard with sleeve complete and scheduled for release ...
Neil Young: Time Fades Away (Warner-Reprise)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
NEIL YOUNG didn't really have too much to say after the days with the Buffalo Springfield. ...
The Kinks: Ray Davies: Doggie Tricks And Bizness Licks
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
THIS IS THE TRUE STORY of a street dog and his best friend – an incorrigible pair who get to see each other only on ...
Rory Gallagher: Full Blooded Gallagher
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
DURING A RECENT trip to America I was able to watch Rory Gallagher work at that musical pit of iniquity known as 'The Whisky A ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
I GUESS I ought to be grateful to Status Quo. If I hadn't heard this album, I wouldn't have thought of writing the "Heavy Metal" ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
"WE GOT a great new single comin' out," says Suzi Quatro from the depths of a rather predatory-looking brown armchair in Mickie Most's office at ...
James Carr: The Great Unknowns No. 9: James Carr, the Memphis Master
Retrospective by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
JAMES CARR has never had a hit record in this country and has now disappeared from the scene. Yet at one time he was seriously ...
The Lovin' Spoonful: Golden Spoonful (Polydor Twosome)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
JOHN SEBASTIAN was the best P.R. man that hippies ever had. ...
Donny Osmond, The Osmonds: The Osmonds Fan Club
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
TONY STEWART meets a mother to 60,000 gymslips ...
The Persuasions: Big Legs 'n' Bad Asses
Profile and Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
WE'RE BACKSTAGE at Birmingham's Odeon, logjammed into a feeble grey van – a constable and sergeant at the controls – and now we're going to ...
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 13 October 1973
EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 20 October 1973
THE GOLDEN AGE Of Rock is almost universally assumed to have been in full swing between about 1954 and 1959, following which, according to every ...
Don McLean: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 20 October 1973
AFTER RECEIVING one of the warmest receptions that it's possible for a sepulchral Albert Hall audience to give there can be no doubt about either ...
Garnet Mimms: The Mysterious Fade-Out Of Garnet Mimms
Retrospective by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 20 October 1973
JIMMY HELMS has a fair rendering of 'I'll Take Good Care Of You' competing in the chart stakes right now, but soul freaks who can ...
Judy Collins: Easy Times Come Hard
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 20 October 1973
JUDY COLLINS TALKS TO BOB WOFFINDEN ON MUSIC, FILMS, PEACE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT ...
McGuinness Flint: McGuinness Is Still Good For You
Profile and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 20 October 1973
McGUINNESS FLINT should now be regarded as an emerging new band – and an exceptionally good one at that. But instead they're being cautiously measured ...
The Moody Blues: Moody Blues: Saints Or Sinners?
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 20 October 1973
SO THE Moody Blues have just finished then cathedral-rock tour of Europe and Britain – their first British dates for over a year. As usual ...
David Bowie, The Troggs: David Bowie: Zigs and Troggs and Backless Nuns
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
IT DOESN'T MATTER who's playing. The Marquee's always a drag on Saturday nights. It's hot, crowded, uncomfortable, and noisy, and it poses a severe visibility ...
Don McLean: Playin' Favourites
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
AN ALBUM of other people's songs from someone who's written a few celebrated ones of his own? Yes, this is Don McLean laying bare his ...
Faust, Henry Cow: Faust: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
I SENSED something weird was in the offing the moment I was met in the foyer of the Rainbow by a lady dressed as a ...
Brian Eno, Robert Fripp: Fripp and Eno: No Pussyfooting (HELP)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
Sex of one, Eno of the other ...
Maria Muldaur: Maria Muldaur (Warner Brothers, Import)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
Maudlin Maria malady of rock ...
Stephen Stills: Behind The Malicious Rumours
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
EVER SINCE he wrote 'For What It's Worth' Stephen Stills has had his share of criticism. And oddly enough it's often been more personal than ...
The Rolling Stones: Up Against The Wall and Other Seedy Tales
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
WEST BERLIN has to be the absolute lowest, scuzziest dive sprawled out within the bounding perimeters of Western Capitalist Society. ...
Review and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
TOWNSHEND'S Quadrophenia is a rather daunting proposition. Another Who double-album rock opera? About a kid called Jimmy? With a massive booklet of grainy monochrome tableaux ...
Thin Lizzy: Civic Hall, Gravesend
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
THE GRAVESEND Civic Hall is a remarkable institution featuring a different event nightly — everything from wrestling to old time music hall. Sunday night is ...
The Groundhogs: Tony McPhee: Who Will Save McPhee
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 October 1973
What makes a respected guitarist ditch his axe for the complete Rick Wakeman multi-keyboards trip?Tony (T.S.) McPhee tells Tony (T.J.) Stewart... ...
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, November 1973
"I NEVER EXPECTED anything like this," exclaimed a small enthusiastic person who occupied the seat next to mine in Plymouth's famous Guildhall on May 19 ...
Al Stewart: Of Simon, Seers And Ages Past
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
IF YOU'RE in New York at the end of the seventies, don't drink any water – because it's liable to be poisoned. ...
Don McLean: One Of Mammy's Boys
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
DON McLEAN on the traumas of 'instant' success and the virtues of Al Jolson's act...not to mention, of course the incredible Perry Como and Bing ...
Duke Ellington: Westminster Abbey, London
Live Review by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
IF DUKE ELLINGTON was responsible for the banal lyrics accompanying his new composition Sacred Concert which was premiered at Westminster Abbey last week he should ...
Ellie Greenwich: Leaders of the Pack
Interview by Roy Carr, Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
Ten years ago the American pop scene was dominated by two opposing song factories — KIRSHNER'S Krazy Kids and the Behemoths of the BRILL BUILDING. ...
Faust: "We're Just Trying to Be Here Now"
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
FOLLOWING A PAPER TRAIL, IAN MacDONALD TRACKS DOWN FAUST TO A DISUSED CAR LOT OUTSIDE SOLIHULL WHERE THEY REVEAL DRAMATICALLY... ...
Manu Dibango: Joining Soul With Its Afro Roots
Interview by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
THINGS HAVEN'T improved much in the last few weeks. The Apollo, the main showcase for black talent in the New York area, continues to run ...
Neil Young: The Naked Cowboy Fresh Out Of Beans
Essay by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
EXPERIMENTS IN college dormitories with electrodes, erectoids and heat-meters show that the most consequential moment of a stripper's act is just prior to the panties ...
Pete Townshend, The Who: Pete Townshend: Who's Jimmy?
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
IN THE SECOND LEG OF THE TOWNSHEND-MURRAY TALKABOUT, PETE TELLS ALL...AND MORE. ...
The Osmonds: The View From Seat T39
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
He thought it would be good clean fun… Safe family entertainment. He was wrong. Now Charles Shaar Murray reveals the full horror of the night ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 3 November 1973
Grateful Dead: In the Wake of the Flood (Grateful Dead records, Import) New Riders Of The Purple Sage: The Adventures of Panama Red (CBS, Import)America: ...
Report and Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 10 November 1973
ROY CARR in Wandsworth with another of those up'n coming pub bands. ...
Bettye Swann: Still Waitin' for a Swann Song
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 November 1973
IT WAS indirectly through Joe South that I first got turned on to the delectable Miss Bettye Swann. I'd done an interview with the white ...
Focus: Queen Juliana and the Boys Nextdoor
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 10 November 1973
TONY STEWART goes Dutch and finds FOCUS in the painful throes of an identity crisis. Get your paranoia here, folks. ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 10 November 1973
IN A WAY, Roxy Music's original ambiguous stance – the Chinese Box thing that was probably their most enticing quality – always fought against their ...
Report and Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 10 November 1973
THIS TIME around, Slade are making a dent in the American market. Armed with a new record company and determined to knock 'em dead, the ...
Fleetwood Mac: New Singer and A New Sound
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 13 January 1974
NEW FLEETWOOD MAC singer Dave Walker says his move to the group from Savoy Brown has given him a feeling of liberation. He claims it ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE the importance of ritual.Most rock bands have a certain schtick that's always part of the show, something the audience knows that it's gonna ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
WOWEE, that Alice Cooper is certainly a funny fellow an no mistake. ...
The Band, Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan & The Band: Night of the Zimmerman
Report by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
CHICAGO, ILLINIOS – land of Lincoln, booming metropolis of the Mid-West, heart of Middle America. Not as sophisticated as New York, nor as small as ...
Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music: Bryan Ferry
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
"I TELL ya, mate, just wait till Bryan Ferry gets onstage – 'is face is goin' to look like a fuckin' cancered lung". ...
Hank Ballard and the Midnighters: Hank Ballard: The Man Who Twisted Himself
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
COVER VERSIONS have long been the bane of the rhythm and blues field of music. During the 'Fifties, the major record companies kept their ears ...
John Lennon: Please, Your Majesty, Can Our John Have A Free Pardon?
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
Heavy breathing over the phone as ANDREW TYLER gets the lowdown from LENNON in L.A. Genius is police harassment, says the Walrus ...
Mott The Hoople: Memoirs of a Street Punk
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
IAN HUNTER knows a thing or two about being a rock 'n' roll star. ...
Ringo Starr, Wings: Paul McCartney: Band On The Run/Ringo Starr: Ringo
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
RINGO STARR is a wonderful person. His new album proves it. ...
The Faces: Rod Stewart & The Faces: Live Coast To Coast/Overture And Beginners (Mercury)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
LADIES AND gentlemen, a study in disintegration.When the Faces began their current incarnation, their boozy looseness helped to add some riotous vibes to a tight, ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
SANTANA WERE always a good group, even though debs and deadheads liked them and played 'Soul Sacrifice' endlessly at boring Friday night Strand-ups. ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
WHATEVER REASON you might tender to explain the artistic atrophy that has overtaken Dylan, it's beginning to seem as though his old cronies, The Band, ...
The Beach Boys: The Beach Boys On Tour (Warner Bros. Import)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 January 1974
WELL NOW, there are live albums and there are live albums. ...
Can: Future Days (United Artists)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
I'VE HAD MY paltry reservations about Can in the past, but their previous album, Ege Bamyasi, allayed most of them and this, the group's fourth ...
Carly Simon: Hotcakes (Elektra)
Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
SINCE SHE recorded her No Secrets Carly Simon has been through a huge change in status, becoming widely recognised and appreciated through 'You're So Vain' as well ...
Cockney Rebel: The Human Menagerie (EMI)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
JUDGING FROM the mass of press coverage that Cockney Rebel are currently grabbing for themselves, it would appear that their verbose frontman Steve Harley is ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
THERE WAS a curious smell in the Belle Vue Hall, Manchester. ...
Golden Earring: New Wax From Earring
Profile and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
"WE'RE JUST AVERAGE REALLY", SAYS GEORGE KOOYMANS, GUITARIST WITH GOLDEN EARRING. TONY STEWART LENDS AN EAR TO A TOUCH OF DUTCH ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
YOU WILL soon be told that this cat is going to be the big breeze in 1974. Receive this piece of information with sceptical, though ...
Retrospective by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
SOUL MUSIC and the blues have boundaries which are largely indefinable — a factor which has allowed many artists to straddle the two. ...
New York Dolls: Dead End Kids On The Champs-Elysées
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
"NOW JOHN LENNON... y'know, that song 'Gimme The Truth'?" The Dolls' David Johansen's cracked Brooklyn drawl appears from the side of his mouth while a ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 26 January 1974
MAKES YOU SICK how desperate some folks are getting when it comes down to basic rock 'n' roll hype. ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
THE COVER of this album has real style. Bonnie Raitt is photographed in one of those cavernous early-twentieth century railway stations, slumped in a large ...
Bruce Springsteen: The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle (Columbia Import)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
Howls of derisive laughter, Bruce ...
Brian Eno: Everything You'd Rather Not Know About Eno
Interview by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
IT WAS WITH a certain apprehensive curiosity that I first noticed the brown lace-up shoes. He displayed a normalcy that I just couldn't trust. After ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
COME TO THINK about it, I always did rate Gladys Knight very highly. ‘Take Me In Your Arms and Love Me’ especially was one of ...
Marianne Faithfull: As Years Go By
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
EVEN THOUGH it's so bloody cold, everyone wants to know what happens to John Osborne's loathsome soldier hero in the end. ...
Allman Brothers Band: The Allman Bros. Band: Dead Or Alive?
Essay by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
IS IT ENOUGH TO LOVE YOUR MOTHERS, HATE FAGGOTS AND RIDE A MOTOR CYCLE? WELL, PLAYING A LITTLE MUSIC OCCASIONALLY HELPS, SAYS NICK KENT, WITH ...
The Isley Brothers: 3+3 (Epic)
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 2 February 1974
BLACK MUSIC is currently well entrenched in the process of mixing recent rock forms into the standard sound of soul, a process in which the ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 February 1974
Planet Waves has so far been received with resounding critical acclaim. Robin Denselow in The Guardian describes it as "an album that ranks with Blonde ...
Charlie Rich: Behind Closed Doors (Epic)
Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 9 February 1974
IT HAS taken Charlie Rich all of twenty years of concentrated recording and innumerable kick-backs to become the kind of big star his devotees always ...
Joni Mitchell, Tom Scott: Joni Mitchell and Tom Scott: Lost Innocence with a Rock and Roll Band
Report and Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 9 February 1974
JONI MITCHELL, no longer an innocent folkie, has turned her back on the garden for rockier pastures. Yep the times certainly are changing. ...
Man: This Is The Man Band. In 6 Years They've Had Six Lineups. It Looks Like This One May Do It
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 9 February 1974
TRANSLATED FROM THE HERO'S TONGUE BY CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY, WHO'S ABOUT AS WELSH AS A NICE JEWISH BOY CAN GET THESE DAYS... ...
Bob Dylan: Remember Those Fabulous Sixties? An NME Consumer's Guide to Bob Dylan
Guide by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 9 February 1974
Enigma, prophet, fink or sell-out? MICK FARREN looks back over Dylan’s recorded career at a time when argument over the artistic worth — or lack ...
10cc: Have You Seen A More Boring Picture Of A More Bored Looking Bunch Of Creeps?
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
WOW, HEAVY STUFF, MAN. BUT LOL CREME, THE SMALL ONE, SAID IT. NICK KENT, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS NEITHER BORED NOR BORING — IN ...
Bob Dylan: An NME Consumer's Guide to Bob Dylan, Part 2
Guide by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
CONTINUED FROM PART 1 ...
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
NICK KENT slinks unobtrusively into the back-room for something a little stronger ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
NEW LINE-UP time, folks. As all you well-informed young people will have been aware for nigh on a full season, Ian Gillan has left to ...
The Edgar Broughton Band: Edgar Broughton
Profile and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
SHED A TEAR or, if you will, a small sympathetic whimper, for The Edgar Broughton Band. ...
Linda Ronstadt: Ronstadt Country
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
TIME WAS when being a country music fan was difficult going. You could secretly dig people like Dolly Parton or Charlie Rich but it wasn't ...
Report and Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 16 February 1974
PEOPLE ARE always saying that the real modern age miracle is how you can fly London to Furt-frank and stand a penny on a table, ...
Al Green: Call Me (London), Livin' For You (London)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
THESE TWO ALBUMS have been released here in the last three months, in uncomfortably close succession, mainly because Decca procrastinated over issuing Call Me by which time Livin' ...
Gram Parsons: Grievous Angel (Reprise import)
Review by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
WHEN YOU'RE sitting in a trailer at 2 a.m. somewhere out in 'Last Stopsville', and there's just you, one more hit of apple wine, the ...
Loudon Wainwright III: Attempted Mustache (CBS)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
LOUDON WAINWRIGHT'S a mean son of a bitch. Maybe his bark is worse than his bite, but his bark is still pretty nasty. ...
Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon
Essay by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
IF YOU'D played this to an average record-company executive at the beginning of '73 and told him it would become the year's best-selling rock LP ...
Roger McGuinn: Spacemen in my garden
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
ROGER McGUINN has been around a long time. Way before the Byrds, he was with the Chad Mitchell trio – superstars of the Peter, Paul ...
Roy Harper: Valentine (Harvest)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
THIS ALBUM is going to sell a lot of copies, and not just because Jimmy Page and Keith Moon are on it, either. It's going ...
Steely Dan: Walking Slow, Drinking Alone, And Moving Swiftly Through The Night…
Profile and Interview by Wayne Robins, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
WERE SITTING drinking Campari in the Angry Squire in Seventh Avenue on a dull sweltry Sunday night, watching the sippers and swallowers drift through a ...
Suzi Quatro: A Rap In The Loo With Suzi Q.
Interview by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
CHRISSIE HYND, who's got this thing about black leather, snuggles up to SUZI QUATRO for an intimate girl-to-girl tête-à-tête in the Ladies' toilet ...
Van Morrison: A Van For All Seasons
Interview by Ritchie Yorke, New Musical Express, 23 February 1974
LET'S talk about the albums, starting with Hard Nose The Highway. ...
Greenslade: Olé… Greenslade Rock The Spanish Inquisition
Report and Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, March 1974
ADMIRAL BLANCO'S assassination could have caused a big clamp-down in Spain. But luckily for the developing life-style based on British rock, the Espana government don't ...
Black Oak Arkansas, Blue Oyster Cult: Blue Oyster Cult/Black Oak Arkansas
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 2 March 1974
THIRD TIME down 52nd and 6th, and this guy from The Process is still trying to accost you with his pamphlets and spectre-of-doom rap. ...
Brian Eno, The Winkies: Eno, the Winkies: Greyhound, Croydon, London
Live Review by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 2 March 1974
IN THE CAR travelling back to London, Eno was making some excuses. The acoustics of the hall were terrible, he said, and the heat put ...
Marc Bolan, T. Rex: Marc Bolan: Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow (EMI)
Review by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 2 March 1974
I WAS HOPING the spangled dwarf was going to pull off something approaching musical competence just so as I could do my small bit to ...
Todd Rundgren: A Wizard, A True Star and Todd
Essay by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 2 March 1974
SHOO AWAY, Todd, and stop filling my head with this blue vinyl trash because it turns my head to glass and I'll never see light ...
Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers: Marquee Club, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
CHILLI WILLI and the Red Hot Peppers are gonna save your soul. They're the only band in the country specialising in funky country, an area ...
Kool and the Gang: Kool The Brand Leader In Funky Stuff
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
KOOL AND the Gang are just about the biggest thing on the Southern (of England that is) soul scene at the monent, and they're even ...
Lou Reed: A Stumble on the Wild Side
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
A sort of... uh, you know, interview with... uh, LOU REED, who's lost three stone but still has problems ...
Live Review by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
Music to build empires ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
A FINE RECORD. And that sentence goes first because the fact that a band as perfectly poised as Steely Dan can reach their third album ...
Dr. John: Tell me, Dr. John... Dr. John? Dr. John? Wake up Dr. John!
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
THE KING OF VAUDEVILLE FUNK NODS OUT ON NICK KENT ...
Todd Rundgren: Todd (Bearsville Import)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
Rundgren's musical jungle ...
Van Morrison: ...It's Too Late To Stop Now... (Warner and his wonderful Brothers)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 9 March 1974
Hey, the caravan is on its way... ...
Blue Oyster Cult: Tyranny And Mutation (Columbia Import)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 16 March 1974
WELL, HERE it is then: volume two of Sandy Perlman's boys' collective voyage in the S.S. "Cosmic Greaser Speed-freak" towards strange new worlds of murk ...
Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Stephen Stills: CSN&Y: Euphoric Acoustic Good Guys Hit The Dylan Trail
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 16 March 1974
"WELCOME AMERICAN Dairymen" read the hotel display-board and beneath it, in smaller letters, "Welcome Stephen Stills Group". Upstairs, overlooking Chicago in just another hotel room, ...
Overview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 16 March 1974
Is it time to shut the closet door? OUR HERO SEES THROUGH THE SEE-THROUGHS AND COMES TO THE CONCLUSION THAT ELEGANCE IS MORE THAN A LIMP ...
Genesis Is The Start Of Something?
Report by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 16 March 1974
ARRIVING AT THE seedy looking Capitol Theatre, New Jersey's lower middle-class palace of rock, you could tell something good was going on inside. With even ...
Vinegar Joe: King's College, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 16 March 1974
Over and out.. ...
Aretha Franklin: Apollo Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 23 March 1974
Aretha: a Queen with no dignity? ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 23 March 1974
Seven years in the shadow of Diana Ross ...
Hatfield And The North: Hatfield And The North
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 23 March 1974
TO BE BLUNT, Hatfield And The North have missed the boat. What they're doing on this record, admirable as it may be in itself, is ...
Live Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 23 March 1974
'I'M DOIN' Fine Now' was a great pop soul single. 'Quick Fast In A Hurry' their current, much played, 45 is a disco and a ...
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 March 1974
STRANGE THING about the Return To Forever gig at the Rainbow, and that was that the place seemed fuller than I've ever seen it before. ...
Elton John, Marc Bolan, The Rolling Stones, Roxy Music, Slade, Sweet: Fashion: The Politics of Flash
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 6 April 1974
NICK KENT traces the Rise and Fall of The Satin Jacket...and generally walks it like he talks it into the land of 'Rock Chic.' ...
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 13 April 1974
Central Station soul special ...
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 13 April 1974
The Hawkwind 1999 party rolls across the plains of America, dealing in cosmic vibes and - more important in the eyes of the Chicago denim ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 13 April 1974
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends: Will The Circle Be Unbroken (United Artists)Dillards: Tribute To The American Duck (United Artists)Country Gazette: Don't Give Up Your ...
Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd: The Cracked Ballad of Syd Barrett
Profile and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 13 April 1974
The summer of '67 went up like a psychedelic mushroom-cloud – and some of the fall-out's still coming down. Brian Jones was casually snuffed out, ...
David Bowie: The Scruffy Little Failure who became David Bowie
Profile and Interview by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 18 April 1974
Ken Pitt, Bowie's former manager and the only man In the world who's lived with both Bowie and James Dean, reflects on the days before ...
Eddie Cochran: He Shouldn't have Used The Car 'Cos He'd Been Workin' Late
Retrospective by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 20 April 1974
But he did – and, fourteen years ago this Easter, EDDIE COCHRAN died of multiple injuries when a tyre blew out. MICK FARREN traces the ...
Graham Nash: Return of the Manchester Mind Wrestler
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 20 April 1974
CONSIDERING the wastage rate in the higher echelons of rock 'n' roll, it's not difficult to accept as the norm a situation in which an ...
MC5: Kramer Climbs Back From MC5 Wreckage
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 27 April 1974
NEW BAND AND A NEW IMAGE: Mick Farren in Detroit ...
Grateful Dead: Lookin' Back: The Grateful Dead
Retrospective by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 27 April 1974
Whatever happened to the Cosmic Dream? Part 45 (13th Hexagram) ...
Ten Years After: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 27 April 1974
TEN YEARS AFTER just don't cut the bread. I find it hard to recall just when I heard a more boring, bored and listless performance. ...
New York Dolls: The New York Dolls: Too Much Too Soon (Mercury)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 27 April 1974
Sloppy seconds ...
The Velvet Underground: 1969 Live
Review by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 27 April 1974
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT. I'm alone and all I don't wanna do is keep leafing through this copy of Vogue I got in my mits - ...
Emerson Lake And Palmer: Welcome Back, My Friends, To The Show That...
Report and Interview by James Johnson, New Musical Express, 27 April 1974
… requires 40 tons of equipment, 18 humper/loaders, seven personal roadies, six sound crew, five trucker/drivers, four spot manipulators, three heavy musicians two outside coordinators and (we guess) a man to make the ...
Au Bonheur des Dames, The Frenchies, Jim Morrison, Magma, Nico: Last Drongo In Paris
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 4 May 1974
FRANCOIS MITTERAND… GUY CHABAN DELMAS… GISCARD D'ESTAING… YOU WILL BE AS RELIEVED AS US TO LEARN THAT NONE OF THESE TURGID FRENCH DEMAGOGUES APPEAR IN ...
MFSB: set for a smash despite the slagging?
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 4 May 1974
A NUMBER one album and single in the American pop charts, with strong chances of rivalling the success of 'Love's Theme' in the UK, make ...
The Groundhogs: Groundhogs: Groundhogs Best 1969-1972
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 11 May 1974
FATHER, I HAVE sinned. Though the words may echo through my remaining days on this doomed planet, though I be haunted through eternity by these ...
Dr. John: Dr John: Anytime, Anyplace
Review by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 18 May 1974
Chance discovery yields delightful work ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 18 May 1974
ONE WAY or another, 1974's turning out to be quite a year for rock 'n' roll. ...
Monty Python's Flying Circus: Monty Python: Hi There, Tiger!
Report and Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 25 May 1974
THE DUNBLANE HYDRO bestrides a cemented hillock just five miles across freeway and dale. ...
New Riders of the Purple Sage: Home Home On The Road
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 May 1974
IT WAS Greil Marcus who founded what has since become known as the "What-is-this shit?" school of rock criticism. ...
Scott Joplin: The Great Pianoforte In The Sky
Retrospective by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 25 May 1974
IT WAS ALMOST as hard as getting to Dylan – but, eventually aided by an agent called Godwin, who knew everybody worth knowing, I was ...
Sparks: Nouveau Riche Sweet Young Brats Strike Sparks
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 25 May 1974
TALK ABOUT BEING short changed! The way I heard it, these Sparks whizz-kids take great pride in escorting the press cognoscenti to the finest hostelries ...
The Beatles: Silly Charlie and the Not-So-Red-Hot Pepper
Essay by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 May 1974
Will Ringo get the mums? Can George hold the mystics? Who was the Walrus? Is Charles Shaar Murray a loony? Only the last question need ...
Graham Bond: The Death Of Graham Bond
Obituary by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 May 1974
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS before his death two weeks ago, Graham Bond phoned the NME offices. He sounded purposeful, optimistic, enthusiastic, and full of energy. ...
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 1 June 1974
Super Euro group developing super ego ? ...
Kiki Dee, Steely Dan: Steely Dan, Kiki Dee: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 1 June 1974
Thumbs down for the Dan ...
Essay by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 1 June 1974
Death has always been big business as a perverse form of entertainment. In the 18th Century, public hangings had similar pulling power to Emerson Lake ...
Black Oak Arkansas, Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath/Black Oak Arkansas: Black Power
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
IF JIM DANDY'S PANTS were any tighter they'd have hair growing out of them.Fringed suede jacket, fringed suede boots, and those white satin pants. Now, ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
ONE THING you gotta admit about Steve Harley, and that is that he does the funniest interviews since Marc Bolan. He even opens up Cocky ...
David Cassidy: Terminal Fandom
Report and Interview by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
IN "FREE" ADULTS, mass frustration breeds war. In "free" teenagers, mass frustration breeds rock phenomena. ...
Deep Purple: Monsters of the Deep
Report and Interview by Lester Bangs, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
I'M SITTING on Deep Purple's jet waiting to take off from Detroit Metro. The accommodations are luxurious and the general mood is a Saturday afternoon ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
YEAH, KING of the Laid-Back and all that bananas, but it goes a little deeper than that – cos, even though he probably spends more ...
Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Brian Eno, Nico: Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Nico, Eno: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
Ayers puts the A in ACNE ...
Live Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
Resuscitated zomboid wows Gallic crowd ...
Live Review by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
Randy Newman: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London ...
Tim Buckley: How a Hippie Hero became a sultry Sex Object...
Interview by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
...and had a simply devastating effect on the glands of a certain Chrissie Hynd [sic]. ...
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 8 June 1974
"IT GETS ON my tit when people start talking when I'm listening to music, so when I'm at 'ome I always turn the sound right ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 15 June 1974
Take a holiday, Elton. Take two. ...
Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones: Keith Richards: It's Only Rock 'N' Roll But I Like It
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 15 June 1974
ROUTE 66 REVISITED By NICK KENT ...
Randy Newman: Aw, forget it. Just ask me my favourite colour…
Profile by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 15 June 1974
Randy Newman says he’s not an over-indulgent cynic. He also says he’s sick of folks asking him silly questions. After all, Dylan’s said he likes ...
Richard Thompson, Richard and Linda Thompson: Richard and Linda Thompson: Life without Fairport
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 15 June 1974
RICHARD THOMPSON wrote 'Meet On The Ledge', in case you'd forgotten. On that basis alone the man would be due a certain portion of immortality. ...
San Francisco: Who needs music when we've got the Zebra?
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 15 June 1974
IT WAS A bad times for San Francisco. It was spring, but whereas in most places this is greeted with some joy – with snows ...
Stomu Yamashta: Stomu Yamash'ta: He Say "Not Really"
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 15 June 1974
A VERY CURIOUS thing happened to me about 15 months ago. There I was, coming on home about two o'clock one Saturday morning feeling a ...
Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight: Gladys Knight: Claudine (Original Soundtrack)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 22 June 1974
IT MUST have seemed a good idea. Amalgamating the talents of Buddah stablemates Gladys Knight and Curtis Mayfield for the sound-track of Claudine. ...
The Heavy Metal Kids: Heavy Metal Kids: Heavy Metal Kids
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 22 June 1974
THERE WAS a time, way back in the middle of the sixties, when the British mod-Motown bands were all growing their hair and going psychedelic, ...
Pharoah Sanders has been here and gone
Retrospective by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 22 June 1974
BRIAN CASE delves back into the jumping New York scene of the '60s, to a time when avant garde musicians like Ornette Coleman, Archie Shepp, ...
Rock on TV: Old Grey Whistle Test
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 22 June 1974
Meanwhile, in a small, cramped studio, dedicated men wrestle desperately with obsolete equipment in a noble attempt to produce meaningful rock TV for 800 quid ...
The Butts Band, The Kinks: The Kinks; The Butts Band: The Palladium, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 22 June 1974
GIVE THE Kinks album a review and you bear the responsibility for Ray Davies' crying for the next three days, I'm told. ...
10cc: Viability Of New Marketing Techniques Illustrated
Interview by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
What's this? A band with no image. They'll never shift the vinyl, insists STEVE TURNER firmly. But 10cc prove that there's more to the art ...
The Band, Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan: Before The Flood
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
AN APPOSITE QUOTE from Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles (the town preacher talking): "Oh Lord, can we truly accomplish this great task – or are we ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
WHY DO people make albums? There are probably three reasons: ...
Leonard Cohen: Depressing? Who? Me?
Profile and Interview by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
Nervous? Tense? So’s Leonard Cohen. In fact, he’s so miserable he’s even given up suicide. Steve Turner attempts to pin down the Beautiful Loser himself, ...
Dr. Feelgood: Doctor Feelgood: Dingwalls, London
Live Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
IT'S NOT often that the jaded, booze-soaked crowd that throng Dingwalls dancehall bring an almost unknown band back for three encores. ...
Tangerine Dream: Exclusiv interview mit Tangerine Dream
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
They were in Oxfordshire, mixing it at the Manor and sunbathing with scantily clad ladies in the presence of fully clad FRED DELLAR, who here ...
Laura Nyro: The Five-Year, Five-Album Span Of High-Pressure Creativity
Overview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
"Nights in New York street angels running down steps into the echoes of the train station to sing..." ...
Budgie: Rapping with a Burke from Budgie
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
...is extremely difficult, seeing as he's not the slightest bit interested that The Album has made the charts. In fact, he couldn't care less. What's ...
Uriah Heep: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 29 June 1974
Heep howl out at Hammersmith ...
Al Green, Laura Lee: Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York NY
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
Uptight Green holds it all back ...
Retrospective by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
Gothic horror, funeral processions, The Exorcist ten years early on a crazed tenor. The critics loathed it. Audiences stayed away in droves. ALBERT AYLER. Have ...
Andy Mackay: In Search Of Marcel Proust
Interview by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
IN TERMS of the rock machine they were chronologically burned out from the start. Who but a pack of literary looneys could have survived falling ...
Be-Bop Deluxe: Be Bop Deluxe: Axe Victim
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
IT'S GREAT to be right in there on the first still-to-be-perfected artistic utterance of A Truly Great Group To Be. That old warm self-congratulatory glow ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
OL' COCONUT Bonce is back. Elton Schmelton himself in the too, too solid flesh, still opening up interview sessions by walking into the room at ...
Hawkwind: Dorkwind in Dutchland
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
JUST OVER a year ago I went up to the Cambridge Corn Exchange to get my first ever taste of Hawkwind live. ...
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
ALL THE New York City rockers had come down to the Bottom Line to check out Rocket Records' latest entry, Kiki Dee. Elton John and ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
EVER SINCE the Allman Brothers came howling out of Macon, Gorgia, and Texas graciously gave Johnny Winter and Janis Joplin to the world, Southern rock ...
Interview by Chrissie Hynde, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
The cool gentleman above is MOSE ALLISON. Among others, he penned 'Young Man Blues', 'Live The Life I Love', and 'Parchman Farm'. Randy Newman's spiritual ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
I NEVER COULD understand why so many Rock Critics (sic) couldn't stomach The Supremes. ...
Todd Rundgren, Utopia: Todd Rundgren: Thank God for Todd
Live Review by Michael Gross, New Musical Express, 6 July 1974
Todd Rundgren: Central Park, NYC ...
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 13 July 1974
FRED DELLAR. Nothing strange about that name is there? It's sort of, well, homely, Comforting. And he lives in Badger's Walk, too. A far cry ...
Report by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 27 July 1974
If Buxton was beastly and Olympia just plain limp, then even the gloomiest of us have to admit that the Knebworth Festival was indeed pretty ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 27 July 1974
I'VE ALWAYS HAD me suspicions about Johnny Cash. ...
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 27 July 1974
Take one midget, add a small guitar, wind him up and hear him talk ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 July 1974
COUNTING MATCHING Mole's first album, this is Robert Wyatt's third solo record. It echoes his previous ventures in being a strong statement of mood, but ...
Robert Wyatt: Join The Professionals, Form A Rock Band…
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 27 July 1974
YEAH, WELL – Robert Wyatt (fact) drummed with Soft Machine, led Matching Mole, and fell from a fourth-storey window in Maida Vale early last year, ...
Crosby Stills Nash & Young: A Stadium Fulla People An' Neil Young's Dog An' No Fist Fights
Report and Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 3 August 1974
TIME DOES indeed fade away. Four years and lots of solo albums later, 52,000 fans are sitting in the Milwaukee baseball stadium on a Sunday ...
Be-Bop Deluxe: 1974 was Last Year’s Thing
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 August 1974
...so what about the Sound of ‘75, man? Could it even be BE-BOP DELUXE, already? (We knock ‘em down and then we build ‘em up ...
Grateful Dead: The Exhumation of The Dead
Essay by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 3 August 1974
They've been slagged, slated, abused, and misused – most often in these very pages. But Hell hath no Fury like a Dead fan scorned, and ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 3 August 1974
THE MAIN OBSTACLE between a rock song-writer and Major Form (as ye olde musickologists have it) is Objectivity. ...
Gryphon: Medieval Knight Jousts At Rock Press Knaves
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 10 August 1974
RAY HARRYHAUSEN, as anyone who's seen The Golden Voyage of Sinbad will attest, knows all about strange creatures. So if he says that a Gryphon ...
Jefferson Airplane: Jefferson Airplane Takes Off
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 10 August 1974
Birth-pangs of the acid monster ...
Mickey Baker: l00 Club, London
Live Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 10 August 1974
THE EPITHET "Living blues legend" has been much overworked. but in Mickey Baker's case it doesn't even begin to be adequate. He's that, and so ...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: Alex Harvey
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 17 August 1974
Pain-wracked Glasgow octogenarian fights tooth decay, endorses anarchy ...
Jimmy Buffett: Living And Dying In 3/4 Time
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 17 August 1974
JIMMY BUFFETT will never be a rock'n'roll star. ...
The Fugs: Lookin' Back at The Fugs
Retrospective by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 17 August 1974
... a word of thanks to the guys who made all this decadence, vulgarity and debauchery possible. ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 17 August 1974
RIGHT NOW NEIL YOUNG is in kind of an invidious position. On The Beach is his equivalent of Lennon's Plastic Ono Band album in terms ...
The Osmonds: Our Man in Lost Wages
Report by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 17 August 1974
The man to the right of this announcement is ANDREW TYLER: He's a hippie. And he's on the loose in YOUR neighbourhood. Parents, protect your ...
Eric Clapton, Yvonne Elliman: Yvonne Elliman
Interview by Barbara Charone, New Musical Express, 17 August 1974
How come a lady who'd never played rock music in her life has recently been doing so with RSO record star Eric Clapton? ...
Nico: I Was a Hausfrau from Hanover — Until I Discovered Heroin...
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 24 August 1974
...the effect is shattering NICO confesses to NICK KENT ...
John Cale, Phil Manzanera, Roxy Music: Phil Manzanera: Snake-Eyed Latin Lothario Goes Pan-Tonic
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 24 August 1974
...And that's not all, as NICK KENT discovers after conversations with none other than marimboid Roxyite PHIL MANZANERA. (P.S. John Cale is involved in this ...
Dr. Feelgood: Doctor Feelgood: Rocking at the Canvey Island Oil Refinery Claimants Union Ball
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 31 August 1974
NICK KENT probes the aesthetics of DOCTOR FEELGOOD's chisel-toe chic. ...
Harpers Bizarre: The Best Of Harpers Bizarre
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 31 August 1974
THE TRADITION of the American pop/soft-rock interpretative/performing outfit, apparent now in the Pointer Sisters and Three Dog Night, goes back into the '60s (and ultimately ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 31 August 1974
Rock verite — the Beatrix Potter way ...
Henry Cow: Gerroff An' Milk It
Profile and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 31 August 1974
CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY wanted to call it 'How I listened to HENRY COW – and lived' ...
Robert Palmer: Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 31 August 1974
I ALWAYS felt more than a little sorry for Robert Palmer when he was in Vinegar Joe. ...
The Drifters: Drifting With An Endless Identity Crisis
Report by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 31 August 1974
"BELL RECORDS and Henry Sellers Ltd., on behalf of Faye Treadwell, manager of the Drifters, wish to make known that Charlie Thomas and the Drifters ...
Alice Cooper: Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
Alice's absurd achievements ...
Annette Peacock: Primitive Bird Tries New Thing
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
ANNETTE PEACOCK, erstwhile prisoner in the Bowie/DeFries camp, reveals big plans for what you've all been waiting for... Yes folks, it's THE NEW MUSIC. Here ...
Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: So Far
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
Gormlessly groping ...
Hawkwind: In The Hall Of The Mountain Grill
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
DON'T TELL anybody, but yours adoring thinks that he's finally got this bunch sussed. ...
Jimmy Cliff: Skanking In Exile
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
I'VE BEEN living in Stoke Newington for about six months. The area's one of the most cosmopolitan in North-East London, with an immigrant population that ...
John Mayall: Empty Rooms/The Turning Point
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
WHAT WE HAVE here is a shrewd exercise in marketing. Two deleted albums reissued as one double package for the apparently reasonable price of £2.99. ...
Lorraine Ellison: Lorraine Ellison
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
THE STORY so far: in 1966 Lorraine Ellison made one vast contribution to popular mythology with 'Stay With Me, Baby', unquestionably a classic (maybe this ...
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
Peace and paranoia: The Metropolitan Police Force's Gala Weekend Outing at Hyde Park ...
The Byrds, Roger McGuinn: Roger McGuinn: A Man's Gotta Do...What A Man's Gotta Do
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 7 September 1974
NIK COHN seemed to have it pretty well summed up in his Byrds caption for Rock Dreams: "The Byrds weren't so much a band as ...
Billy Preston: The Busiest Soul In Showbusiness
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
THANKS TO his prodigious session-work, as well as his own tours, Billy Preston is one of the most frequent American soul visitors to our isle; ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
Can in Curio City ...
Miles Davis: Young Man with a Horn
Retrospective by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
THE EARLY YEARS OF MILES DAVIS: on the bandstand with Bird where changes came fast and tricky... to keep fools away. ...
Robert Wyatt: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
EVEN THOUGH the gig was due to start at 8.30, Drury Lane had started to clog up with earnest-looking hippies nearly two hours before the ...
Roxy Music: Discovery Of Amazing Corporate Hippie
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
EDDIE JOBSON is quite a cute little cookie. ...
Todd Rundgren, Utopia: Todd. Wizard? Or Silly Sod?
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
Genius is paid — and none more highly than T. Rundgren, ace gelding of the New York Production Stud. Count his teeth! Hear him neigh! ...
Toots & The Maytals: Toots and the Maytals: In The Dark
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 September 1974
This, Toots, was made for dork-ing ...
Grateful Dead - How the hell do ya play them five-hour sets without slinkin' off for a leak?
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 21 September 1974
Yes, it's an interesting one isn't it? I mean, five hours...that's a long time, and well...camels are different of course, so really it must be ...
Jefferson Airplane: Don't Just Do Something, Stand There…
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 21 September 1974
UP GOES the window and out comes the head. ...
The Jimmy Castor Bunch: Jimmy Castor: The Everything Man
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 21 September 1974
SUBTLE ONE, that title. See, in the centre of the sleeve there's a picture of the dude who is presumably Jimmy Castor wearing a standard ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 21 September 1974
THE LATEST saga in the Great American Singer/Songwriter Conspiracy, Jewish Division, in which Cohen and King are chief protagonists. ...
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 21 September 1974
WE HAD IT ALL is the country album Walker's been planning for sometime. And it's country the Walker way, sophisticated and on velvet. Del Newman ...
The Small Faces: Small Faces: Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 21 September 1974
UP IN EAST HAM, Stratford and, in fact, all the way out to the end of the Liverpool Street suburban line, they liked their acid ...
Dr. Feelgood: Dingwalls, London
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
FORGET THE Yardbirds, forget J. Geils. Last Thursday, Dingwalls had the real demolition men in. Name of Dr. Feelgood; they're what rhythm and blues is ...
Report and Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
Sickness and diseases may bring you down, and FAIRPORT CONVENTION have had more than their share, but they always come back for more. BOB WOFFINDEN ...
Johnny Bristol: Hangin' Out with the Other JB
Profile by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
PRODUCER/SONGWRITERS turned artists are an increasingly common feature of the soul scene. ...
Lou Reed: Sally Can't Dance (RCA Import)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
"Life is such monotony/Without a good lobotomy" – Roy Harper ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
IN 1965 Jac Holzman, then head of Elektra and master of good taste, pulled a young man and his group out of an L.A. club, ...
Miles Davis: Not Waving But Drowning?
Retrospective by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
Miles Dewey Davis, Part Two...in which the temperamental Frank Sinatra of jazz swings a pugnacious blow at the faithful by blowing a little jazz-rock ...
Neil Diamond: Gold Diamond Vol. 2
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
ALTHOUGH IT'LL never get to the situation where the ramifications of his use of Room 109 are being discussed, the time is probably just about ...
Neil Merryweather: Space Rangers
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
THIS GUY'S got to be kidding. ...
Beck, Bogert and Appice, Vanilla Fudge: Vanilla Fudge: From Pizza to Fudge
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 September 1974
SO WHAT did happen to Beck, Bogert and Appice?. ...
Frank Zappa: Roxy And Elsewhere
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
CAPSULE REVIEW for the Busy Reader: if you like Apostrophe and Over-Nite Sensation better than any of Uncle Frank's other efforts, then ooze into your ...
Frank Zappa: Relax, Frank. We Ain't No Liggers. A Few Of Us Just Came To Join In…
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
WHY IS Stephen Stills not smiling? To be more precise, why are those noble, rugged features sporting an expression roughly equivalent to that of a ...
John Lennon: Walls And Bridges
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
IT'S A FINE, warm day here in London, Johnny. What's the weather like in New York? ...
Kiki Dee: The Life Story Of A Hot Girl
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
I'LL SHOOT you a few names. Dusty Springfield – okay on that one? Susan Maughan – yeah? Then how about The Caravelles? Louise Cordet? Ethna ...
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
THE PREVIOUS two albums by this final King Crimson lineup have never been as hysterically self-conscious in their obvious adventurousness as the first four studio ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
MARTHA AND The Vandellas never really made the grade. ...
Mick Greenwood: Midnight Dreamer
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
THERE ARE a large number of musicians who make music that's always eminently listenable though hardly likely to send record companies' sales-graphs climbing like a ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
"A VINDICATION of the South?" Hey Randy – y'all gon' lay A CONCEPT ALBUM on us? Yeeee-haw! ...
Robert Fripp: Something Is Stirring Down At Wimbourne
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
IT'S NOTHING to do with egos, you know, this final dissolving of King Crimson. No, there's something of a much grander design — somewhat rather ...
Steeleye Span: Hark The Village Wait
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 5 October 1974
IN THE BEGINNING there was Ashley Hutchings, he of steadfast purpose, leaving Fairport to form a group dedicated to the preservation of English folk-song in ...
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
JIMMY PAGE talks about guitars he has owned, the development of his style and reminisces on those early Yardbird and Led Zep days ...
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
THOUGH HE had a massive hit here some years back with 'Who's Making Love' and has consistently been one of the top-selling Stax artists, Johnnie ...
Johnny Bristol: Hang On In There, Baby
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
HEY, THIS cat's a whole lot better than Barry White. ...
Maggie Bell, The Pretty Things: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
OKAY, FIRST things first. When Maggie Bell's done a few more gigs (and maybe even a couple more rehearsals) with her new band, then there's ...
The Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor: Mick Taylor: But I Still Love Him...
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
...admits a "thoroughly reasonable," or maybe just "resignedly realistic," MICK TAYLOR as he lets us in on what it's like to be a Secondary Stone in this year of Our Lord 1974... ...
Roxy Music: Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
Fairbanks triumph at ersatz Nuremburg rallies ...
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
"ON OUR first American tour," says Ricardo Kemprini, famed Italian bass player, "the agents put us on the bill with everybody and his dog, right? ...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: The Impossible Dream
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
ALEX HARVEY has just released the first rock and roll comic book. ...
Utopia: Todd Rundgren's Utopia
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 12 October 1974
OF THE presumably few people who ignored the charges of self-indulgence and pretentiousness generally levelled at Rundgren's last effort (the double-album Todd) and, despite everything, ...
Black Oak Arkansas: Hot And Nasty
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
ACTUALLY Atlantic are taking a hell of a chance with this album. In case you haven't yet glommed the cover in your local, it's a ...
Alice Coltrane, Santana: Carlos Santana & Alice Coltrane: Illuminations (CBS)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
SO WHAT did you expect he'd do next? Open a macrobiotic restaurant in Marin County? ...
Curtis Mayfield: Sweet Exorcist (Buddah); Move On Up — The Best Of Curtis Mayfield (Buddah)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
IF CURTIS Mayfield had started out with the intention of riding squarely astride every bandwagon that was rolling he couldn't have done better than 'Sweet ...
Doug Sahm: Groover's Paradise (Warner Bros.)
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
OL' UNCLE Doug sure is a goodtimer. Take a whole chunk of that Johnny Rivers Boogie Band feel, dilute with a touch of pure Mike ...
Elvis Presley: There Is No Truth In the Rumour that Elvis Is Losing His Marbles
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
ELVIS AARON PRESLEY, one time truck driver and supreme rock-and-roll superstar, has been taking some pains of late to allay a host of false rumours ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
AN IRRATIONAL prejudice: Given a choice between the sound of New York and the sound of New Orleans, I'd always go for the former. If ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
IT MUST BE something of a bringdown for Pete Atkin that so much of the critical interest in his albums is focused on his collaborator, ...
Tim Buckley: Look At The Fool (Discreet Import)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 19 October 1974
SO WHAT'S all this fuss about Tim Buckley all of a sudden, already. ...
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
IF YOU WANTED to be crass you could say that the main features that made Buddy Holly a legend were that, first, he was the ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
IS THERE life on Uranus? Dunno. Things were pretty quiet last time I looked. On the other hand, Tony Defries' little redhead has a new ...
Gong: Look! There's A Pothead Pixie Arriving
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
THERE'S A lot of musicians around that are going to be kissing Mike Oldfield's dirty underpants. The success of Tubular Bells has almost certainly uncovered ...
Robert Wyatt: I Played Robert Wyatt At 78rpm And Saw God
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
THERE'S SOMETHING extra special about green suede boots. A certain devil-may-care attitude, a touch of fearless dandyism combined with a sense of the earthy and ...
Ivor Cutler: Dandruff (Virgin)
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
I REMEMBER the time when you got seven tracks on each side of an album. Over the years, the quantity has been steadily decreasing and, ...
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
DON'T WORRY. This is not as that first peek at the multi-stellar sleeve credits may have suggested, the Greg Lake contribution to the Arts for ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
PEOPLE WHOSE tastes are rooted in the Blues did not, apparently, find what Ron Mael was doing with rock on Kimono My House either interesting ...
Supertramp: Crime Of The Century (A&M)
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
OWN UP – you'd written Supertramp off, hadn't you? ...
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
THE COMMODORES, a sextet who compare roughly with Kool And The Gang and the Ohio Players, appeal to me in a limited way. ...
The Meters: Funk From The Crescent City
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 26 October 1974
THERE'S ALWAYS been something unique about New Orleans music, whether it's the jazz of Louis Armstong, the boogie-woogie blues of Champion Jack Dupree, the lopping ...
Bobby "Blue" Bland: Bobby Bland: Dreamer
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, November 1974
ONE DAY last week I tuned into Noel Edmunds and I heard it – and fell back into bed. ...
Can: They Have Ways Of Making You Listen…
Profile by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 9 November 1974
ONE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER 1969 the phone rang in Irmin Schmidt's Cologne home. Schmidt got out of bed to answer it and found himself talking ...
Eddie Holman: Holman's Recurring Revived 45
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 9 November 1974
REVIVED 45s are a familiar part of the British pop scene, but Eddie Holman's '(Hey There) Lonely Girl' is somewhat special in that it's now ...
Jeff Beck: Music And Cars And Sex…
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 9 November 1974
A DIGESTIVE BISCUIT is poised, somewhat uneasily, a few inches away from Jeff Beck's celebrated nasty leer. ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 9 November 1974
SO THE BARON displayed a certain lack of sartorial "chutzpah" in his last choice of onstage image-tackle. So blame his tailor. Country Life is so ...
Report and Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 9 November 1974
THINGS COULDN'T really have got off to a worse start for Sparks. First their coach broke down in Barnsley – of all places – which ...
Blue Magic, Aretha Franklin: Aretha Franklin, Blue Magic: Radio City Music Hall, New York
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
ARETHA FRANKLIN ascended into the firmament that was always hers by right anyway with a spectacular Radio City Music Hall series of concerts that would ...
Barry White - Can't Get Enough
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
THE TITLE TRACK has just left the British and American top thirty. The album itself is resting at No. 1 on the US album charts ...
David Bowie: Mr. Bowie Has Left The Theatre
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
NEW YORK'S Radio City Music Hall, with its elaborate art deco Thirties interior, must be the ideal place to present a David Bowie show. Unfortunately ...
Hatfield and the North: Hatfield & The North
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
IN A LAND and a business where quickfire hype and quickfire playing are adjudged almost twin brothers, Hatfield And The North are very much on ...
Frank Zappa: How To Write, Sub, And Lay Out A Frank Zappa 'Lookin' Back', part 1
Retrospective by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
"LEMME TELL YOU SOMETHING. You've got our recordings, you've seen us work a few times, you interviewed me three or four times, you've read a ...
James Brown: The Apollo Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
UPTOWN AT the Apollo, an eager audience is wondering when The King of Soul will make his appearance. ...
Maria Muldaur: Waitress In A Donut Shop
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
MARIA MULDAUR'S got class – no argument about it. It may have been a long, hard climb, but she is now receiving the attention she ...
Tangerine Dream: Is This The End Of Rock As We Know It?
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 16 November 1974
EVER HEARD of a group who would rather not be visible to their audience and let the music work on its own? Seems peculiar even ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 23 November 1974
CAN AL GREEN recover his credibility and save the world after all?, is the theme of today's programme. ...
Daryl Hall & John Oates: Hall & Oates: War Babies
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 23 November 1974
DARYL HALL and John Oates are acquiring something of a cult following in this country. ...
Frank Zappa: How To Sub And Lay Out A Frank Zappa Lookin' Back Part 2
Retrospective by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 November 1974
"PERHAPS THE most unique aspect of the Mother's work is the conceptual continuity of the group's output macrostructure. ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 23 November 1974
IN WHICH two culture heroes find themselves well and truly on the artistic skids. ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 23 November 1974
ONE GOOD album deserves another, they say — but that's as maybe. What we have here is John Lennon's maxim of "never change a winning ...
The Pretty Things: Silk Torpedo
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 23 November 1974
IT GIVES you faith to know that through all the impermanency and transience of this beast we call rock, The Pretty Things soldier on. ...
Can: Imagine 20 bulls and cows going up a hill...
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
...or learn guitar the avant garde way! MICHAEL KAROLI of Can, talking to CHRIS SALEWICZ ...
Elton John: Ms. Streisand & The Pants of John
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
LOS ANGELES. – It was a busy week for Elton John: a couple of hours in the DJ chair at KMET radio, a tennis game ...
Fanny: Unnnghhh! Grunt, Slurp…
Report and Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
LETS BE SEXIST for a coupla paragraphs. ...
Hawkwind: The Regular 'Wind Miracle
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
NEW YORK just doesn't seem to be the place for Hawkwind. ...
Frank Zappa: How To Complete The Subbing And Layout Of A Very Long Frank Zappa Lookin' Back, Part 3
Retrospective by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
THE ALBUM and movie of 200 Motels erupted late in 1971. Both received near-unanimous critical meat-axe jobs and both were ignominious commercial failures. United Artists, ...
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
HONESTLY, HAVING even to think about Jeff Airplane/ Starship/whatever these days is getting to be a bore. ...
John Sebastian: Speak Up Ya Creep!
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
THERE ARE certainly more than one or two among us who suspect that John B. Sebastian has long since gone right over the top; that ...
The Delfonics: Developments In The Delfonic Dilemma
Profile and Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
MENTION THE Philly sound, and people will start thinking about The O'Jays, Billy Paul, The Intruders or The Three Degrees. ...
Brian Eno: ANNOUNCEMENT: Texans like steak, oil-wells, large hats and Eno…
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
WELL, I SUPPOSE we should start as we intend to continue. So come along, Eno, how does it feel to be just regarded as Good ...
Cornell Dupree: Teasin' (Atlantic)
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
THE COVER sums this one up: a comfy sofa and an old electric fan and a Coke machine that's about fifteen years old, with the ...
Dr. Feelgood: Dingwalls, London
Live Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
BACK IN JUNE I made one of my regular midnight creeps to Dingwalls in Camden Town with the main purpose of getting drunk. ...
John Lee Hooker: Free Beer And Chicken (ABC)
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
ANYBODY WHO'S ever listened to a fair amount of John Lee Hooker will have realised that recording him with a band is a task on ...
Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti (Swansong/Atlantic)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
Quintessential doyens of the kamikaze dizzbuster game Exclusive preview by Nick Kent ...
Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page: Led Zeppelin: The Graffiti of the Physical...
Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
...and the Exploration of the Metaphysical. A candid interview with Led Zep. ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
A LOT OF people are going to be highly disappointed with this album, Lee's first with the new but not improved Love. Not that he ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
COINCIDING with their decision to reform comes this compilation of Moby Grape, not a greatest of hits but a personal faves number allotted to Bill ...
Steeleye Span: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
IT WAS not one of Steeleye's better gigs – perhaps the Rainbow doesn't suit them. ...
The Beach Boys: Hello Bruce, this is Bruce, Bruce
Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
GIVE BRUCE Johnston credit; he isn't put off his chosen path easily. ...
Thelma Houston: Sunshower (ABC)
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 7 December 1974
IF I REMEMBER correctly, this is the third time that Sunshower has appeared in this country — not that I'm complaining, I just think it's ...
Profile by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 14 December 1974
Some things turn me on...like the way you might say a word or the way you wear your hair and have a certain smile on ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 14 December 1974
UNEASY PREAMBLE: I don't really know what to make of this album. Bits of it seem to me very good, other bits leave me unconvinced, ...
Eric Clapton: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Steve Turner, New Musical Express, 14 December 1974
THURSDAY NIGHT marked the final gig in the third of Eric Clapton's post-hibernation tours and in conjunction with the Wednesday night concert, the first time ...
MC5, The Stooges: MC5/Stooges: Panic in Detroit
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 14 December 1974
THOSE FUN lovers from the motor city, the Stooges and the MC5, are winding up for another rampage. Of course, we've heard tales like this ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 14 December 1974
IN WHICH it begins to look disturbingly like influences are dangerous toys indeed. ...
Bryan Ferry: Tired of that same old anorak?
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
Achieve the Country Life look in a Komfi-twede blazer. By Ferrari of South Kensington. ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
THERE'S NOTHING more disappointing than finding one's teenage heroes crumbling ineluctably into middle-aged mediocrity. Hari Georgeson (as he often refers to himself) is on a ...
Gong: You See A Lot Of Frenchmen With Berets... But Not Too Many With Fried Eggs On Their Heads
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
GONG'S HOTEL in the Avenue de Wagram in Paris is directly opposite the Salle Wagram where they are due to gig tonight. It should take ...
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wally: Lynyrd Skynyrd/Wally: Rainbow Theatre, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
CLOSE ONE, you know. I mean, after Lynyrd Skynyrd had played their first few numbers it was decided that this might have to be a ...
Otis Redding: A Legend During His Lifetime, Or Only After His Death
Retrospective by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
The former, argues ROGER ST. PIERRE, in this appreciation of OTIS REDDING, who died seven years ago this month – the Boss Man soul music ...
Rick Wakeman: Beers of the World
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
"ON OUR rider for the tour of America – for the seven of us – we had twelve six-packs of Budweiser, two bottles of tequila, ...
Report and Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
CONTRARY to popular belief, Santa Claus – alias Saint Nicholas – is alive and well and living in Amsterdam. ...
Johnnie Allan: The Promised Land …… And How To Get There: Oval Records
Report by Charlie Gillett, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
Inside looking out; CHARLIE GILLETT, who has started his own record label, Oval Records, reports from the other side of the fence on the processes ...
The Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor: The Rolling Stones: Melodrama in Munich
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 21 December 1974
Blockaded in a Hilton cocktail bar the Rolling Stones bathe their wounds in whisky... while Jagger recounts the events that led to Mick Taylor quitting ...
Alvin Lee: Alvin Thrills the U.S. Army Freaks
Report and Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
ALVIN LEE is a deceptive character. He's never really worked at making his presence felt in the way Rod Stewart or Elton John have done, ...
Bryan Ferry: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
THE ALBERT HALL is teeming, brim-full with the beautiful awaiting the first solo airing of his master's voice in the Capital. ...
Edwin Starr: The Thespian Anglophile And The Motown Machine
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
EDWIN STARR has a rather special place in the British soul scene, since none of America's top soul acts can match his record of some ...
Fumble, Rock Bottom: King's Road Theatre, London
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
ON SUNDAY, at the ratty end of Chelsea, the King's Road Theatre opened its doors for a double bill of rock'n'roll; pretty disastrous it was ...
Gary Glitter: Ballroom Dancing With The Big G
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
GARY GLITTER is sensibly ensconced in a very old fashioned smart hotel where the only thing liable to disturb his peace-of mind is a nutty ...
Dr. Feelgood, Hawkwind: Hawkwind and Dr Feelgood On Tour
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
THE START OF a tour is never really any great cause for rejoicing. It's the end of a tour that is usually all fun and ...
Santana: Latin Limbo Dancing Over Hot Coals
Retrospective by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
OF ALL the really big American bands perhaps Santana remain the most enigmatic, the least publicised – yet, ironically, enduring the test of time and ...
Overview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 28 December 1974
Are Steeleye Span last year's thing? Is Alan Stivell just a Celtic showman? And where is Richard Thompson now that Bob Woffinden needs him most ...
Buddy Holly: Never Mind The Lubbocks, Here’s Buddy Holly & The Crickets : 20 Greatest Hits
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 1975
THE ROCK and roll of the ‘50s produced three incomparable all-rounders equally adept and influential as signers, composers and guitarists. ...
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 1 January 1975
Black is busting out all over ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
IF YOU LIKED the instant, stylised commercialism of 'Pinball', with its dilettante finger poppin'; then the album of that name might be just up your ...
Bryn Haworth: Let The Days Go By
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
SO UNASSUMING IS Bryn Haworth's Let The Days Go By that I was initially tempted to dismiss it as just another singer/songwriter effort, but having ...
Hound Dog Taylor, Junior Wells: Chicago: Big City Blues
Report by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
How ya gonna pull a black chick, honkie baby? The answer: Don't try. You could get wasted — BRIAN CASE prowls round the rough, tough blues joints ...
Donovan: Portrait Of The Artist As A Desert Rat
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
– a small, furry, herbivorous animal, which possesses the happy knack of elusiveness. Just like DONOVAN, in fact, who's so elusive that even CHRIS SALEWICZ ...
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
RELUCTANTLY, ONE MUST admit that Aretha Franklin has now lost her crown as America's top female singer to Miss Knight. Gladys and her Pips have ...
Mott The Hoople: Ian Hunter: 'I Have Nothing To Say'
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
THERE IS a certain poetic irony in the fact that Saturday Gigs and Mott The Hoople Live turned out to be Mott's farewell recordings anyway, despite the addition of ...
Cher, LaBelle: LaBelle: It Happened In Hollywood
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
IT HAPPENED in Hollywood.To be precise it happened on The Cher Show. ...
Mick Ronson - Play Don't Worry
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
DUNNO ABOUT YOU, but from where I'm sitting it seems as though you can't go on saying that someone has potential for too long unless ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
SCAFELL PIKE ARE a four-piece, three guitars and piano, who confine themselves to British traditional song and seem to specialise in sea shanties. Given that, ...
The Delfonics: Alive And Kicking
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
THE REAL SOUND of Philadelphia belongs to the Delfonics, who started not only the Philly sound but almost the whole black vocal-group syndrome back in ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
WAS THIS ALBUM WEIRD? You bet yer snakeskin mitts it was. ...
The Faces: Kilburn State, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
"YES, MY PEOPLE, you make me strong," sighed the Golden Catarrh with a de rigeur flexing of the neck muscles as The Faces knocked into ...
The Faces: Kilburn State, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
"YES, MY PEOPLE, you make me strong," sighed the Golden Catarrh with a de rigeur flexing of the neck muscles as the Faces knocked into ...
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
OR, CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR... BUT, FOR ROD STEWART, EVERY BLEEDIN' NIGHT (jammy git) Being a crisp resume of three nights in the life ...
The Righteous Brothers - Give it to the People
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 4 January 1975
ANOTHER ILLUSION SHATTERED. ...
Ace gotta play their cards right
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
When you've spent your life on the breadline, one hit single doesn't mean a financial freakout. Our economics correspondent ROY CARR reports. ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
I CANNOT THINK of any legal way in which the Baker-Gurvitz Army can be prevented from Becoming Huge, so maybe there's something to Adrian Ben ...
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
That’s SOUL TRAIN, a TV showcase not only for the cream of US soul acts, but for the stuff-struttingest most fashion conscious kids on the ...
Report and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
POSTING HER way to a real left-field hit is Gloria Gaynor with 'Never Can Say Goodbye' which sounds like a revived 45 but isn't. ...
Jan & Dean: Jan and Dean: You Don't Come Back from Dead Man's Curve
Interview by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
Mick Farren talks to Dean Torrence ...
Essay by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
Question: what well-known biped possesses an upper-register vocalic system, is pleasant to look upon, and is almost universally misunderstood and/or patronised? Answer: any Rock 'n ...
Kiki Dee: I've Got Music in Me
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
THIS ALBUM RIDES out with a crescendo of powerful, robust rock, as the band and Kiki pull out all the stops. The song in question, ...
Mike Oldfield and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Tubular Bells
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
AS IT ALREADY appears that every other person in Great Britain possesses a copy of this much-venerated work, I doubt if it's necessary to explain ...
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
IT'S JUST ANOTHER of the great Woodstock fallacies. Let's face it, aside from the Who, Havens, and lovable John B. Sebastian it was those nice ...
Ozark Mountain Daredevils: It'll Shine When It Shines
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
THINGS ARE STIRRING in Jefferson City, Missouri. It'll Shine When It Shines is The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' second album and mighty fine it is too. ...
Soul (Style): Baggy Trousers Will Not Be Admitted
Report by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
THE STYLISTIC rivalry between soul fans in the North and South of England has been well publicised. But what magazine odes to regional soul tend ...
Art Ensemble of Chicago: The Art Ensemble of Chicago: Like Hi Man, I's Yo New Neighbour
Report and Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
Yep, it's a tough town and the music fits like a glove. BRIAN CASE meets The Art Ensemble of Chicago on their home patch. ...
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 11 January 1975
A CURIOUS ONE indeed is Wally's first album. You know, I listened to it the appropriate five or six times and each play only highlighted ...
Billy Swan: I Can Help (Monument)
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
CRUNCH. THAT'S my pick-up going down for the hundredth time on 'Don't Be Cruel', unbelievably placed second track in on side two — a killer ...
Dave Cartwright: And Now, Half An Hour Of Masochism
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
BY THE TIME this article gets into print, Dave Cartwright will have bitten his fingers down to the knuckle or gone prematurely grey. He worries, ...
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
NOW THE FACTS are these: 7-Tease is a concept album; 7-Tease is a massive made-in-Nashville production; 7-Tease is also The Album Of The Stage Show. ...
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
Which is a slick way of saying The Package Tour She Lives She Breathes She Is Reborn. You remember the Package Tour, eh kids? It ...
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
THE ONLY THING wrong with Sun Secrets is that Eric Burdon should have made it six years ago. ...
Grand Funk Railroad: Grand Funk - All the Girls in the World Beware
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
...I GOT TAR on my teeth but I don't care/I got dark brown stains in my underwear... ...
Kinky Friedman: Kinky Friedman
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
ONE LEARNS FROM the customary reliable sources-from-which-one-learns things that Kinky Friedman's original ideas for the title of this album included "Come Back Little Kinky" and ...
Lady June: Lady June's Linguistic Leprosy
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
FILE THIS ONE under Everybody Is A Star. ...
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
HERE'S A NICE fresh pizza, straight from our favourite Italian baking firm, manufactured live and steaming at gigs in Toronto and New York, last August. ...
Peggy Lee: Let's Love (Atlantic)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
"The landing lights of the jetliners flickered in the night sky. The smell of hashish wafted across from the hippy section." ...
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
HERE'S A NICE fresh pizza, straight from our favourite Italian baking firm, manufactured live and steaming at gigs in Toronto and New York, last August. ...
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
HMMM...NOT BAD. Quite a jazz lady actually – mind you she's got her sights on that kind of bluesy, folksy, nostalgia-filled hinterland that's proved so ...
Queen: Helpful Boy Scout Transforms into Werewolf
Interview by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
Well, perhaps that's putting it a little strongly... let's just say he transforms into a demon who pushes old ladies under oil tankers. But WHO ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
ONE DAY WHEN it was raining, I swore a great and terrible oath. ...
Overview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 18 January 1975
"Oh yeah, who says?" asks a sceptical ROY CARR who, after swigging hard on the Confederacy's brew of Redneck Rebel Rock, remains stubbornly unintoxicated. ...
Bob Dylan: Blood On The Tracks (CBS)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
Fate on the Skates ...being an exclusive peekaboo into the head of R. ZIMMERMAN via his latest LP of pop songs. Consultant Psychiatrist: NICK KENT ...
Dr. Feelgood: Down By The Jetty (United Artists)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
BOYS, BOYS now what did I tell you about being "too ethnic"? ...
Linda Ronstadt: Heart Like A Wheel (Capitol)
Review by Tony Stewart, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
LINDA RONSTADT is a remarkable Country Rock singer who sells plenty of records, with Capitol reportedly shifting 150,000 copies of this new one in the ...
Profile and Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
STUDENTS OF the currently emergent Miami Sound will have noticed the proliferation of album credits, both as writer and musician, for one Willie Hale. ...
Roy Wood, Wizzard: Roy Wood: Yeah Roy, But What Do You Sound Like?
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
THERE WAS the time that Roy Wood shoved his jeans in the washing machine and ended up with one very wet, very tattered and very ...
Soft Machine, The Wilde Flowers: Soft Machine, part 1
Retrospective by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
CLASS OF '61 at the Simon Langton School, Canterbury – an exclusive, private establishment for the sons of local artists and intellectuals. Very free, emphatically ...
Suzi Quatro: For Your Information, She Happens To Be A Lady
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
"ALISTAIR...CAN YOU go through your solo again and count exactly how many bars you need for it?" ...
John Coltrane: The Trane now waiting on p.30...
Retrospective by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
...was no cheap day-excursion, bub. This guy went all the way — heap far out, kemo-sabe. JOHN COLTRANE, him make mighty spirit music. BRIAN CASE, ...
Three Dog Night: Greatest Hits
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 25 January 1975
IT WOULD BE an amusing little taskenheimer indeed for some rock-oriented socio-anthropologist to work out exactly why Three Dog Night were at one time The ...
Bob Pegg: The Strains Of The Life Of A Non-Superstar
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
IN 1972 Bob and Carol Pegg parted company and their band, Mr. Fox, one of the most individual folk-rock outfits, terminated its existence. ...
Bruce Springsteen - The brilliant, the awful and the bumfluff shuffle
Comment by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN IS an excellent rhythm guitarist, which just about compensates for the fact that he grows a terrible beard. ...
Doobie Brothers: In Defence Of The Doobie Brothers…
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
IT IS, PRIMARILY, totally incorrect and irrelevant to give the Doobies an out-of-hand dismissal simply because their role as bill-toppers over Little Feat at the ...
Review by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
IF YOU'RE a pal of Babbling Barry's you gotta have a Theme. Love Unlimited have got one — so has Gene Page — and Jay ...
John Holt: Reggae In The Moonlight
Review by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
ETHNIC REGGAE'S TRADITIONAL image has been of rough raw-edged sounds, but Jamaica has always had just as strong a strain of ultra-smooth ballad-styled sounds. ...
Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin: John McLaughlin: Phew! — This is a Jolly Interesting Article!
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
— And BOY! has it got a lot in it! First, there's the full gen on Miles Davis, plus all the top-secret stuff about In ...
Profile by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
"LIFE BEGINS AT forty," they say, so 1975 maybe the year in which Little Milton finally breaks out of the Chitlin circuit – that long ...
The Ohio Players: Ohio Players: Fiery, Freaky and Funky
Profile by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
CURRENTLY THE HOTTEST item on Billboard's album chart is The Ohio Players Fire (Mercury). Phonogram must have burnt their fingers in the rush get it ...
Soft Machine, part 2: The End of an Ear at the Proms
Retrospective by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
IN LAST week's issue, Part One recounted the history of the Softs from their schooldays to the break-up of the group following the recording of ...
Steeleye Span: Commoner's Crown
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
STEELEYE SPAN ALWAYS deliver on time. Commoner's Crown is the fourth offering from the Mk. III line-up in a little over three years, and they've ...
Thin Lizzy: Imperial College, London
Live Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 1 February 1975
IT WAS WITH thunderous welcome that the dynamic Thin Lizzy returned to London last Saturday, winning many new fans and "wowing" old ones in a ...
Bo Diddley - Bo's a Lumberjack!
Essay by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
THE WHOLE THING about Bo Diddley was that he was by far the weirdest and craziest musician ever to come out of either blues or ...
Chick Corea, Return to Forever: Chick Corea: Playing the Harmonics of a Hotel Ass Cushion
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
...among other harmonics of course. The piano man describes the development of his new outlook to BRIAN CASE ...
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE Don Covay made with this album was in making 'It's Better To Have' track one, side one. ...
Elvis Presley: The Promised Land
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
IT HAS ALWAYS been accepted as an article of faith by ladies and gentlemen in the critical profession that Elvis Presley is not dead. ...
Report by Vernon Gibbs, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
...Look what a hole he's in. From New York VERNON GIBBS reports on the man's present crises, and on funk acts Kool, BT Express, and ...
John Cale: Cale and Eno Horror Story…
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
CO-STARRING ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL CHOIR ...
Interview by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
SO GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION RUNS TO SCHEDULE... ...
Nick Drake: Requiem For A Solitary Man
Obituary by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
ON OCTOBER 25th, 1974, at approximately six in the morning Nick Drake, a 26-yearold singer/songwriter, died from an overdose of Typtasol, an antidepressant, in the ...
Mike Heron, Nico: Nico/Mike Heron: Imperial College, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
NICO DOES RATHER have an ability to polarize her audiences, you know. ...
Mike Oldfield: Tom Newman: The Man Who Taped the Tubular Bells
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 8 February 1975
WHEN IT COMES to tape, who better to talk to than the guy who did the 2,000 over-dubs on Tubular Bells, engineer Tom Newman? ...
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
WHILE RADIO and club exposure sells a whole lot of records, it's easy to overlook the importance of word-of-mouth recommendation, which is the medium likely ...
Albert King: I Wanna Get Funky
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
I WANNA GET Funky is the best album I've heard all year. ...
Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias: The Marquee, London
Live Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
The very serious business of trying to be funny: An assessment of ALBERTO Y LOST TRIOS PARANOIAS by MICK FARREN ...
Blue Öyster Cult: That's Right, Another Bunch Of Neo-Fascist Heavies
Profile and Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
"We're pain, we're steel, we're a plot of knives...we're obsessed with the technology of matter...our symbol is a swastika substitute..." ...
Ducks Deluxe: Man in the Moon, London
Live Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
THE DUCKS ARE one of the few '70s bands that have the power to redefine rock and make it a vibrant life force once more, ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
AHA! ESSRA Mohawk, formerly plain ol' Sandy Hurvitz. You may remember her as the original Uncle Meat in F. Zappa's late sixties circus until she ...
Gene Vincent: Po' White Punk from the Pool Hall
Retrospective by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
MICK FARREN traces the career of GENE VINCENT, the Rock 'n' Roll star who didn't sell out his audience or his origins. ...
Leiber and Stoller: Jerry Leiber And Mike Stoller: By Royal Appointment
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
THE SCENE IS the Dorchester Hotel, one of the last vestiges of Britain's Imperial splendour and we've just been refused admission to the restaurant for ...
Montrose, Rapping with the Ring of Confidence
Report and Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
RONNIE MONTROSE hates doing interviews. When I arrive at Warner's hideout I'm apologetically informed that Ronnie is too shattered to talk after driving down from ...
Flying Burrito Brothers: Sneeky Pete Kleinow
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
SNEEKY PETE KLEINOW looks like you'd expect a veteran pedal-steel player to look. Green shirt with an elaborate marijuana-leaf motif emblazoned there-on, neatly pressed, white ...
Syl Johnson: Barbarella's, Birmingham
Live Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
MOST OF the soul artists who do the one-nighter round of the UK and USAF bases have some kind of hit going for them, or ...
The Flamin' Groovies: Grease; Alive Forever! (More Grease)
Review by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
SOME OF YOU may remember The Flamin' Groovies. ...
Alice Cooper: The Man Who Ate Alice Cooper
Retrospective by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 15 February 1975
Yes, once again CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY, Regius Professor of Logic, Rhetoric, Trash Aesthetics, and Hohner Super Vamper, leaps forth with a mouthful of scintillating verbosity ...
Elton John: The Life And Times Of Elton John, part 1
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
Part one: how the sand kicked in his face turned to gold-dust after all ...
Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
ETHYL'S FRIGID AS an eskimo pie, she's cool in bed/she oughta be, 'cuz Ethyl's dead... ...
Bobby Womack: I Can Understand It
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
CALLED IN America Greatest Hits, this album simply illustrates the unsatisfactory position that Bobby Womack finds himself in in England. Hitless. ...
Larry Coryell: Coryell and Spam... (With Not So Much Miles In It)
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
"I'm always secretly happy when somebody comes to me after a concert and says 'I didn't like it because it was too commercial.' It means ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
ONLY ONE OBJECTION to this album, so let's put it right up front. ...
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
UP UNTIL Max Bell gave us his reasoned defence of Kiss a couple of weeks ago, I had assumed they were simply an also ran ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
THE AVERAGE WHITES broke the ice with their second album and Kokomo will be the first of the beneficiaries. ...
Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
IT'S A SOMEWHAT perplexed Chi-Lites who recently embarked on their second and most extensive UK tour of Clubs and Cabaret. ...
The Kursaal Flyers: Today Central Poly – Tomorrow The World?
Report by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
"I'VE ONLY GOT the five shirts, so I just take 'em off and leave them to dry. It's no good washing them too much, they ...
Raspberries: The Raspberries - Starting Over
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
I DON'T KNOW why but it always seems odd when American groups try to sound English, although the reverse is quite acceptable. ...
Tom Rush - Ladies Love Outlaws
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 22 February 1975
IN THE PAST Tom Rush has been hailed as a great interpreter, someone who can lift a number by nuance and feeling. His latest album ...
Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions: Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions: Big Sixteen
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, March 1975
IT'S PLEASING to see Anchor pushing out this classic compilation, as it's been unavailable for several years. It was originally issued on the old HMV ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
AIN'T NO GETTING round it: 10cc make brilliant records. ...
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
BETTY WRIGHT IS, as they say, a lot more than just a pretty face. She's also got a voice that's stacked with burning southern soul, ...
Claire Hamill: Stage Door Johnnies (Anchor)
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
CLAIRE HAMILL'S AGED 24 if you take notice of the inaccurate bumf from Anchor Records, but considerably younger than that – about 20 – if ...
Elton John, part 2: They Laughed When I Stood Up To Play The Piano
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
NME: Earlier, you said that when you first met Taupin his lyrics were somewhat influenced by the Flower Power fad. It was a period when ...
Report by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
THE NAUGHTIES OF THOSE NAUGHTY RHYTHMS ...
Chuck Berry: Rancid and Smutty (Apologists Only)
Live Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
Chuck Berry: Lewisham Odeon, London ...
The Kids Are Not Necessarily Alright
Essay by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
Or how the '70s has seen a limp-wristed sell-out of the ideals of the 60s. MICK FARREN discusses the way the Uncle Toms of Teendom ...
Tim Buckley: Greeetings From L.A.
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
WAY BACK in the dim and distant, old Tim had to sing for his supper, along with the likes of Steve Noonan and Jackson Browne, ...
Tim Buckley: Greetings From LA
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 1 March 1975
WAY BACK IN the dim and distant, old Tim had to sing for his supper, along with the likes of Steve Noonan and Jackson Browne, ...
Chuck Berry: Chuck Has Been Leaving The Stage For 20 Years
Report by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
They weren't complaining – they were awestruck ...
Elton John part 3: Maybe It's Because I'm A Socialist…
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
TELL US, El, what is Rock all about? Having a bloody good time. When I was a kid and went to see those Larry Parnes-Billy ...
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
"STEELEYE ARE A jumped-up lot – we've had a standing challenge with them for six months now and they've never taken it up." ...
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
THIS WAS THE one that mattered for the Kiki Dee Band, and they made sure it counted. ...
LaBelle: Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi Ce Soir?
Report and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
"THE RE-VO-LU-SHUN...will not be televaaaaaazed," declaims Patti LaBelle, staring into the audience from the stage of the Congressgebouwe in the Hague. ...
Interview by Lester Bangs, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
"Lou Reed is a completely depraved pervert and pathetic death dwarf — a wasted talent living off the dumbell nihilism of a '70s generation that ...
Milk 'n' Cookies: Mlk'n'Cookies: Sweetness & Light With Milk & Cookies
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
IF I TOLD you that the latest band to ride the grapevine from New York to London, Milk'n'Cookies, are three guys from the affluent suburban ...
Richard and Linda Thompson: Do You Wanna Be A Star?
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
IT WAS ONE of those large Edwardian houses in London's Hampstead, just off the main road. Like most of the others, it had been converted ...
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 8 March 1975
LOVE THAT title, Hard Core Poetry. Unfortunately the album does not move me as much. ...
10cc: The Punk And I or Two Jews Blues
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
...In which two nice young men of Hebraic extraction (LOL CRÈME and CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY) engage in heated debate about 10 c.c.'s collective attitude. Or ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
WHERE have all poppa's heroes gone? Living in New York, every one. A hard city by reputation, but presumably it has its compensations for someone ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
READING THE CREDITS and titles to Franco Battiato's Clic you'd be forgiven for thinking that here was just the latest example of technoflash absurdia masquerading ...
Genesis: Gabriel's Cosmic Juice
Report and Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
"I believe in getting art out of the galleries and onto the streets. Status Quo are so cultural, so Wagner..." ...
Paul Kossoff, John Martyn: John Martyn: Imperial College, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
YES, THAT'S right, "Koss" turned up for the final couple of numbers. ...
LaBelle: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
Live Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
THE PROVERBIAL BREATH of fresh air. ...
Alice Cooper, Lou Reed: Nick Kent – A Limey in LA #1: Hey Man, You With A Gwoop?
Report and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
Speech impediments are the thing in Los Angeles this year. There are quite a lot of naked men jumping out of bushes – whereas more ...
The Moments, Shirley & Company: Shirley & Company and The Moments: The Carpenters Are My Real Faves
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 15 March 1975
Al Goodman, A & R man for All Platinum label. So what are you doing on the Soul page with Shirley & Co., Al? ...
Blue Oyster Cult: On Your Feet Or On Your Knees
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
FIRST OF ALL let me tell you about the art work that John Berg has concocted for the Blue Oyster Cult's most extreme venture to ...
God is Alive and Well and Living Off Rock'n'Roll...
Essay by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
Unfurling his roadmaps for the soul, MICK FARREN, Bachelor of Divinity of this parish, slumps grimly over his flea-ridden Olivetti to bang out the sandwich-luncher's ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
IAN? IAN? ...
Jonathan King: A Rose in a Fisted Glove
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
WHEN JONATHAN KING first manifested his presence upon this already sufficiently troubled planet he was able to masquerade as a genuinely provocative presence, mainly because ...
The Chieftains: How to record 4 albums in 18 years, and still sell out the Albert Hall
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
"HE'S LIKE ONE of the little folk – a lovely, lively leprachaun, with an enormous musical talent and sense of humour to match." ...
King Crimson, Uriah Heep: Uriah Heep: Ex-Crimson Bass Man Seduced
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
JOHN WETTON JOINS HUMBLE WEALTHY HEEP ...
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 22 March 1975
PETE SAGE'S FUR-TRIMMED cap and hunched stance give him something of the aura of a demented Moroccan camel trader as he relaxes into the flow ...
Dollar Brand/Abdullah Ibrahim: Dollar Brand: Improvisations on Life
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 29 March 1975
DOLLAR BRAND don't take music lightly. No sir! So fasten your seat-belts please for a guided tour of Allah, the meaning of life, Africa, the ...
The Mighty Clouds of Joy: Hey You, Get Onto The Mighty Clouds Of Joy…
Comment by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 29 March 1975
...and discover the undiluted gospel fervour and emotional commitment you thought black music had lost. ...
Ronnie Lane: Seedy Lad Discusses Tent Collapse
Interview by Jonh Ingham, New Musical Express, 29 March 1975
SOMEWHERE IN the hinterlands of this once-proud isle, in a medieval pub which has beams wallpapered with matchbooks proclaiming the existence of "Joe's Cafe", Ronnie ...
Gloria Gaynor: I just love your British discos
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
ROGER ST. PIERRE talks to GLORIA GAYNOR, the girl who sums up what the disco boom is all about ...
James Brown: Reality and Breakin' Bread
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
A WORD OF advice. Never attempt to review James Brown product whilst the records are actually playing. It's impossible either to write or type when ...
Johnny Mathis - The Heart of a Woman
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
JOHNNY BRISTOL'S RISING reputation as an ace producer hasn't, as far as I can see, resulted in any really solid product to back up the ...
Lou Reed at the Hammersmith Odeon
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
THERE'S AN ILLUMINATED sign outside the Hammersmith Odeon that says: "It's all too much. Lou Reed in Concert." Wry humour or someone taking a subtle ...
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
ALSO INCLUDES: The Dog That Ate The Dog That Ate Los Angeles ...
Rick Wakeman: The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
The Cadbury capers, part 1: the management requests you leave your brain at the door ...
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
THIS ALBUM worries me. It worries me because so much of the music here is so blatantly lacklustre compared with the exhilaratingly high standards already ...
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
"WHERE ELSE BUT in America could a person own a Rolls-Royce, an Eldorado Mark IV, a Mercedes limousine, an estate in Long Island, an apartment ...
Tangerine Dream: Rubycon and Alpha Centauri
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
IF I'VE ASSESSED the vibe correctly, it would seem that the appropriate critical response to Tangerine Dream is to dismiss Edgar Froose, Chris Franke and ...
Interview by Fred Dellar, New Musical Express, 5 April 1975
"WHAT DO YOU think of the new album then?" ...
Alphonse Mouzon: Meet the Seaside Landlady's Nightmare
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
Your delicate NME representative cowers under his seat in the hotel lounge while Alphonse Mouzon ('my real name's Manny Finkelbaum') lives up to his heavy rep as ...
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
IN WHICH CHARLIE Rich, understandably exhausted after a twenty year struggle to Make It, manages to record one side of an album and then runs ...
Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson: Hunter Ronson at Hammersmith Odeon
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
SHUCKS. TO THINK it's well over a year now since I last saw Ian Hunter and the whole Hoople caboodle in this very same theatre ...
Iron Butterfly - Scorching Beauty
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
SEEMS LIKE 1968 all over again, doesn't it? ...
Lee Dorsey, Labelle, Allen Toussaint: Marshall Sehorn: The Night They Drove Lee Dorsey Down...
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
MARSHALL SEHORN had to get him out of jail. ROGER ST. PIERRE raps to one of the mainmen of New Orleans soul. ...
Report by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
...in a tune-up room on the last night of the Faces' 1975 LA gigs? Why, the closing aria in D from 'il Cavalleria Rusticana', of ...
Ringo Starr: Everyone One Of Us Has All We Need…
Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
SOMETIMES your friendly neighbourhood interviewer is allowed to conduct his interview in a small room with only the interviewee and a tape, recorder for company. ...
Rock and Western Films: My baby useta love western movies...
Essay by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
OVER CHRISTMAS THE BBC showed The Magnificent Seven – and gave us a very forcible reminder of how great an effect western movies have had ...
Tangerine Dream: 1983 — A Synthesiser I Will Be
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
Do TANGERINE DREAM, wizzkids of organic electronic rock, play their instruments?Or do the instruments play them? ...
The Dictators - The Dictators Go Girl Crazy
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
PSSST. WANNA BUY a dirty record? ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
THE VERY Famous Tony Williams once included on one of his albums a track entitled 'Some Hip Drum Shit'. ...
The Winkies: Winkies - Winkies
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 12 April 1975
AND SO, AS if to pinpoint that they'd stuck a ring through the collective nose of every other pub rocker when it came to osmosing ...
The Byrds, David Crosby, Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby Stills Nash & Young: David Crosby
Profile by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 April 1975
IT STARTED with trademark objects, really. When The Byrds got their hit with 'Mr Tambourine Man', Jim McGuinn established himself as the one with those ...
Loudon Wainwright III - Unrequited
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 19 April 1975
THE WORST THING that ever happened to Loudon Wainwright III was being branded The New Dylan, kiss of death to any self-respecting artist who hopes ...
Phil Manzanera: Head hunting in darkest Acton
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 19 April 1975
YOU'VE GOT TO be quick to catch a Manzanera. No sooner has it left America than it's off to sunny Hawaii to sojourn, returning home ...
Report and Interview by Bob Fisher, Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 19 April 1975
From the great lost soul label of Atlantic it came, writhing with synchronized funk, its many black heads chanting and wailing. Nothing like it had ...
Steve Harley at the Hammersmith Odeon
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 19 April 1975
INSIDE THE HALL you could tell it would be one of those nights. Row upon row of bowler-hatted disciples clutched onto their Harley scarves in ...
Al Green: Eaten Something Funny Al?
Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
"L.O.V.E. SPELLS LOVE," says Al Green on his current NME chart rider of the same name, while according to Jimmy Witherspoon's current US hit, it's ...
Allen Toussaint: Southern Nights
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
IF ALLEN TOUSSAINT ever wants to make the great album he's obviously capable of, he'd be best advised to first take a year's sabbatical from ...
Anne Murray: Victoria Palace, London
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
THE DIFFICULTY OF categorising Anne Murray as a singer – is she pop, country, soul or strictly MOR? – was probably the main reason for ...
The Edgar Broughton Band, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd: British Psychedelia: More Zits Than Hitz…
Guide by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
It's dream-time in Compilationsville once again, amigos. This week CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY does his worst to induce EMI into issuing Volume Two in his discocartography ...
Carla Bley: Arrangements for the Death Dance
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
The socio-musical thoughts of Carla Bley ...
Report and Interview by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
Mothers albums nestle amongst the legal papers. A stereo system has been set up in front of The judge. The scene is Law Court Seven. ...
Grand Funk Railroad: Grand Funk at Wembley Stadium
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
LORD, LORD, WHY hast thou forsaken me? ...
J. J. Barnes: The Groovesville Masters
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
DESPITE A couple of very successful tours of the Midlands and the North, JJ seems dogged by bad luck. ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
AT LAST the 1972 show! ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
JUDY COLLINS HAS recently completed a movie about a female symphony conductor. ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
KANSAS ARE THE latest group to hoist the Dixie flag, though thankfully they don't seem anxious to broadcast the fact that "the South is gonna ...
Pete Atkin And Clive James: From Little Atkins Great Oak Trees Grow
Interview by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
A fearsome encounter between two of the foremost minds of a Generation...uh...two of the most cerebral Rock Critics afloat...um, two of the most Accomplished Raconteurs...the ...
Syl Johnson: A Whole Lot Of Whiplashes And Scars…
Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
NOT MANY artists hot on the US Soul charts have had the apprenticeship of Syl Johnson. ...
The Pink Fairies: Looking Back
Retrospective by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
A thrilling tale of Ladbroke Grove, loose aggregations, hanging out, and falling about – recounted in loving detail by an actual participant in those glorious ...
Sweet: The Sweet: No Longer Unfashionable
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
ROCK SNOBBERY. THAT'S what it is. A prevailing attitude that anything commercially successful in terms of the charts must therefore be top-twenty hype, not suitable ...
Steely Dan: Yes, it's Steely Dan Versus the Fifth Ice Age
Interview by Richard Cromelin, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
A meteorological report from stalagmite-encrusted California, U.S.A. ...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: Alex Harvey - Thou shalt have no other punk before me…
Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
AND NOW, ALEX Harvey, your starter for ten. What is rock and roll? ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
LET'S GET ONE thing straight right up front. ...
Bees Make Honey: The Kensington, London
Live Review by Vivien Goldman, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
BACK AT THE Kensington, the pub they first opened up to rock music, Bees Make Honey gave a storming set as usual. ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
THE GRAPEVINE WHISPERS Billy Joel is going to be a superstar. ...
Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
IT WAS THE Chairmen of the Board's umpteenth tour of the UK, but this time round, the venues were a little classier, with week long ...
Emmylou Harris: Pieces of the Sky
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
THIS IS AN album that has been quite eagerly anticipated, mainly because of the reputation Emmylou Harris built for herself with her participation as co-vocalist ...
Iggy Pop, The Stooges: Iggy Pop: The Mighty Pop vs. the Hand of Blight
Special Feature by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
Never before told! The story of a brilliant monster called IGGY POP, whose life and countless near-demises have provided Rock with one of its most ...
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Nuthin' Fancy
Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
WELL, IT LOOKS as though they're here to stay. ...
Man: Recall the Beginning! A journey from Eden, cert U
Report and Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
"Director Andrew Tyler and stars The MAN Band together produce a moving enconium for a dying lifestyle. I wept"William F. Buckley ...
Mickey Jupp: The Lost Legends of Southend Rock
Profile and Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
Down where the fag-end of London slopes into the sea, there lies the forgotten land of Southend, home of the whelk stall and source of ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
HOW MUCH SUGAR do you take? ...
Steeleye Span at Hammersmith Odeon
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
THIS WAS STEELEYE'S loudest gig, a fact which may or may not indicate the shape of things to come. ...
The Amboy Dukes - Journeys and Migrations
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
THIS MOST RECENT collection of The American Amboy Dukes, taken from the first three albums, is strictly one for masochistic archivists. Amusement value only. If ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 3 May 1975
If you're a living blues master, are you better off dead? ...
The Beatles: Apple Corps: They didn't have to be so nice... (We would have liked them anyway)
Report by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
Inquest by ROY CARR ...
Arthur Lee, Love: Arthur Lee: 'I've been black all the time,' admits controversial star
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
He also admits to a severe case of baldness. Otherwise it's still ARTHUR LEE, back in Britain with a new Love ...
Bachman Turner Overdrive: Bachman-Turner Overdrive - And this isn't all they do
Profile and Interview by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
"WHEN I'M TRYING to do a solo, I'll try and play what Jeff Beck would play, or I'll try and play what Eric Clapton would ...
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
'SUPERNATURAL Thing Pt. 1' marks the first occasion on which Ben E. King has hit the American Top twenty since 'Don't Play That Song' in ...
Earth, Wind & Fire: Earth, Wind and Fire: 'Turn on the funk motor'
Profile by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
...ordered Godfather James Brown, and the welter of street-funk bands has been unstoppable. EARTH WIND AND FIRE are this month's chart faves. BOB FISHER examines ...
Special Feature by Roy Carr, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
Hey, punk! — Didja know that... ...
Geno Washington: Ram Jam Thankyou Ma'am
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
In other words GENO WASHINGTON is back. And proud. And Bald. ROGER ST. PIERRE talks to the veteran soulster on his return from the Amazon ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
THE FIRST TRACK on John Cale's Slow Dazzle is so excellent that I played it eight times before I could bring myself to continue. ...
Ronnie Scott: The East End whizz kid who copped the bop
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
FEATURING THE RONNIE SCOTT STORY, IN GLORIOUS BRIANCASERAMA ...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 17 May 1975
Slicker and rougher ...
Barry White: Villa Park, Birmingham
Live Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 24 May 1975
THERE'S BEEN some controversy about the prices on Barry White's English gigs – £5 was the top price at Birmingham. ...
Bill Monroe: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Vivien Goldman, New Musical Express, 24 May 1975
BILL MONROE IS the main-man of bluegrass music, a veteran innovator whose recording career spans 40 years. ...
Live Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 24 May 1975
WHY SHOULD DON McLean have chosen to open his Albert Hall-concert – and with it his first British tour for eighteen months – with his ...
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 24 May 1975
COVENT GARDEN HAD its second major rock venue re-opened last Thursday for a series of regular concerts by bands not big enough to warrant an ...
Cecil Taylor: Ladies and gentlemen, please adjust your re-entry goggles
Profile and Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
...CECIL TAYLOR has left the Stanford-Binet scale and is still climbing fast. The treble clusters are zipping into the stratosphere. The memory banks have blown. ...
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
I'M HUNTING THROUGH the cartridges in the glove compartment of Chris Squire's '63 Rolls Royce as we head out of Liverpool towards the M62 and ...
Patti Smith, Television: Down In The Scuzz With The Heavy Cult Figures
Report by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
C.B.G.B. is a toilet. An impossibly scuzzy little club buried somewhere in the sections of the Village that the cab-drivers don't like to drive through. ...
Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
Forever doobeedoobee beedoobeedoo ...
Henry Cow: In Praise of Learning
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
IT HAS been said that rock has lost its vision. It has also been suggested that the current drought of spectacular things to behold in ...
John Cipollina, Man, Quicksilver Messenger Service: John Cipollina
Interview by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
JOHN CIPOLLINA, he's the real thing. Smallish, wiry, hair tied back, nicotine stains up to his elbow and the confident loquaciousness of a man who ...
Sailor - No sex please we're Russo-Nordic
Profile by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
TWO HAIRDRESSERS, a parachutist and a tortured poet; a band called Sailor, dressed in nautical gear, including a Ruskie prince and a member of the ...
The Beach Boys: Wild Honey and Friends
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
IN THE GRAND old tradition of milking every last drop from The Beach Boys' catalogue comes this double coupling of the '67-'68 albums Wild Honey ...
The Exciters - Dark Clouds Over the Black Country
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
INTERNAL DISSENSION IS the bane of any cult, and though the Northern Sounds soul movement might seem healthy from the outside, in reality it's torn ...
Report and Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 7 June 1975
There is no mention of brown rice on this page. Persian rugs and health food in general? Well, OK...yeah, but not in any harmful quantity. ...
Candi Staton, Bettye Swann: Candi Staton and Bettye Swann: Broken Hearts, Do Right Women
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
EVERY TIME I hear Bettye Swann's pained 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' I'm so moved I want to go and punch that ...
Curtis Mayfield: America Today
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
THREE YEARS AGO, Curtis Mayfield was one of the golden boys of New Wave soul, having broken with marketing formats (The Impressions) and joined the ...
Eddie Cochran: The Very Best of Eddie Cochran (15th Anniversary Album)
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
I SUPPOSE WITH Showaddywaddy up in the singles chart with 'Three Steps to Heaven', and the 17-year-old version of 'C'mon Everybody' once again bubbling under ...
Billy Swan, Eddy Mitchell, The Jordanaires: Eddy Mitchell/Billy Swan/The Jordanaires: Olympia, Paris
Report and Interview by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
Vegas on 8 cheeseburgers a day...or a bitch-in with Nashville's men of steel in Gay Paree. Which would you prefer? ...
Brian Eno, Robert Fripp: Fripp & Eno: Palladium, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
"IT'S NOT just an ordinary loop system. In fact, it's very complex. I invented it. Why don't you come and see me tomorrow and I'll ...
Georgie Fame: The Nashville, London
Live Review by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
WHILE APPRECIATING THAT what George Fame and his occasional Blue Flames are delivering is white rhythm'n'blues and not soul, it's perhaps unfortunate that he chose ...
Loudon Wainwright III - at Victoria Palace, London
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
YOU MIGHT HAVE noticed that Loudon Wainwright III has been in Great Britain recently, completing the second lap of his tour; you might have noticed ...
Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 14 June 1975
UNLESS PAVLOV'S DOG prove to be a figment of Sandy Pearlman's crazed imagination, then their debut album must make them great white hopes for the ...
Smokey Robinson: Smokey's Backatcha
Profile and Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 15 June 1975
MOTOWN announced the retirement of William "Smokey" Robinson in January 1972. ...
Al Kooper - Al's Big Deal and Unclaimed Freight: An Al Kooper Anthology
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
AL KOOPER IS good at lots of things. ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson: The Last Beach Movie part 1
Retrospective and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
THE INCIDENT MUST HAVE occured a little over a year ago. Paul McCartney, complete with the inevitable Linda, had just flown into Los Angeles – ...
Cher, Tammy Wynette: Cher: Stars/Cher's Greatest Hits; Tammy Wynette: The Best Of Tammy Wynette
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
IN MANY WAYS Cher and Tammy Wynette make up the two facets of the Cosmopolitan philosophy, that candy coated version of feminism that seems to ...
John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Sonny Rollins: Elvin Jones: This Is The Surgeon Who Pared The Flab
Interview by Brian Case, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
His name? ELVIN JONES — the man who dissected drum technique, put it together with new muscles, and has been demonstrating the product at Ronnie ...
Gay and Terry Woods: Backwoods
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
AFTER BEING INITIATORS in the early development of English folk/rock – a period which culminated in their helping to form the Steeleye Span's first cup-winning ...
Jackie Wilson said... 'Reet Petite'. And the mothers of Harlem said 'No'
Retrospective and Interview by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
BOB FISHER traces the sometimes controversial career of 'Mr. Excitement,' currently stomping his way across Britain. ...
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
IN WHICH JOHNNY Cash meets up, quite casual-like, with the '70s and discovers that even though they don't really have a whole lot in common, ...
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 21 June 1975
"I WAS BORN to fly higher, born to stand where I'm standing now/Basking in the light of the neon fire/As it burns my useless body ...
Neil Young: Tonight's the Night: Play It Loud and Stay in the Other Room!
Interview by Bud Scoppa, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
NEIL YOUNG isn't out to win any popularity contest. Just as he reached the top of the heap three years ago with the huge-selling Harvest, ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson: The Last Beach Movie part 2
Retrospective and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
PET SOUNDS was about to be released when Derek Taylor was taken on The Beach Boys' pay-roll. 750 dollars for dealing with the group's publicity. ...
Hamilton Bohannon: The Great Disco Mystery
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
H. BOHANNON DISCOVERS WHERE IT'S AT ...
Review by Bob Woffinden, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
THIS ALBUM REPRESENTS Joan Baez's volte-face; after the years of diatribe and tireless dissemination of political views by every available channel, her records included, she's ...
Pete Seeger: Together In Concert
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
PETE SEEGER HAS just about every credential it's possible for a folk singer to have without actually being dead. ...
Stax - The Stax Story - Volumes I & II
Review by Ian MacDonald, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
SINCE THE 32 tracks collected here were cut after the 1968 Stax/Atlantic split it would be unwise to take the over-all title of this two-record ...
The Beach Boys, The Eagles: The Beach Boys and The Eagles at Wembley Stadium
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
"HI, WE'RE THE Eagles from Los Angeles." Well that was a fact as predictable as the set those five gentleman dished up, a kind of ...
The Rolling Stones - Made in the Shade and Metamorphosis
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
ECONOMICS: When a famous big-time rock and roll band reaches that particular special point in its year when it's time to pack the clean socks ...
Van Der Graaf Generator: In and Out of The Box
Interview by Andrew Tyler, New Musical Express, 28 June 1975
INTROSPECTION. THAT'S WHY your face is on the floor and you're listening... doo dee dum doo. The French are good at it. French rock crowds ...
Review by Bob Fisher, New Musical Express, July 1975
ELVIN BISHOP'S place in the scheme of post-Beatles US Rock has been pretty much undervalued over the years. This is probably owing to his uncanny ...
The Band, Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan & The Band: The Basement Tapes (CBS)
Review by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 July 1975
A drunkard's dream (Nos. 13 & 35) EIGHT years after they were first recorded with The Band in Woodstock, Bob Dylan's "lost" basement tapes have finally ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson: The Last Beach Movie part 3
Retrospective and Interview by Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 12 July 1975
EARLY MARCH 1975: The clapper-board reads "The Last Beach Movie – The Brian Wilson Story" Take 96, and our camera zooms in on the exterior ...
Larry Coryell: Dingwalls, London
Live Review by Max Bell, New Musical Express, 12 July 1975
YOU COULD tell it was Jazz night at Dingwalls. ...
Little Richard: Lewisham Odeon, London
Live Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 12 July 1975
THE DEBUT DATE of Little Richard's UK tour at the half empty Lewisham Odeon was little short of a disaster. Possibly the person least to ...
Dionne Warwick: Worries of the Warwick sisters
Interview by Roger St. Pierre, New Musical Express, 12 July 1975
WE'RE A LONG way on from 1964 and 'Walk On By' but, despite the profusion of instantly forgetable records Dionne Warwick has turned out since ...
Interview by Chris Salewicz, New Musical Express, 19 July 1975
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART (AKA Don Van Vliet) moves in sufficiently mysterious ways for me to believe that Zoot Horn Rollo (aka Bill Harkleroad) may just possibly ...
Frank Zappa - One Size Fits All
Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 July 1975
THE FIRST WORD of this review is "deteriorate." It means to Lose Your Magic. ...
10cc, Man, Steeleye Span: Man, Steeleye Span and 10cc at Cardiff Castle
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 July 1975
DEKE LEONARD IS getting incoherent. ...
Review by Mick Farren, New Musical Express, 19 July 1975
MENTION THE name Keith West to anyone and odds on they'll say "Teenage Opera" and not much else. ...
Gong, Henry Cow, Robert Wyatt: Robert Wyatt and Henry Cow, Gong: Piazza Farnese, Rome
Live Review by Charles Shaar Murray, New Musical Express, 19 July 1975
The Roman Spring Of Mr. Wyatt Thrill to the chariot racing. Dice with death in the streets of the Italian capital. Listen to the music. Special ...