Great
Moments in Music History
Moments in Music History
If I were a
music DJ (does such a thing still exist?) I would curate a show that focussed
on some of the greatest moments in music and radio history. There would be
plenty of room to talk about first radio transmissions and music innovations,
but I would also address great solos and production of modern music phenomena.
Today’s blog highlights one such moment.
music DJ (does such a thing still exist?) I would curate a show that focussed
on some of the greatest moments in music and radio history. There would be
plenty of room to talk about first radio transmissions and music innovations,
but I would also address great solos and production of modern music phenomena.
Today’s blog highlights one such moment.
Even though
it only lasts a little more than 40 seconds, the saxophone solo on the song “Urgent”
by Foreigner is one of those great moments in music history. The album, Foreigner Four, was released in 1981 and
contained the song. It was instantly popular on Top Forty Radio for its rhythms
and guitars, but it was the sax solo that made it a legend that lives on to our
current day.
it only lasts a little more than 40 seconds, the saxophone solo on the song “Urgent”
by Foreigner is one of those great moments in music history. The album, Foreigner Four, was released in 1981 and
contained the song. It was instantly popular on Top Forty Radio for its rhythms
and guitars, but it was the sax solo that made it a legend that lives on to our
current day.
Junior
Walker of Motown fame who led the band Jr. Walker and the All Stars, played the
solo on the recording. Take a listen to it again here. Notice how there is a hint of the solo at approximately one minute and thirty
seconds of the song; then the true solo breaks out at 2:40. Mick Jones of
Foreigner heard that Junior Walker was touring through the same town in which
they were recording Foreigner Four. Jones sat in on his sets at the Lone Star Café
and then talked to Junior in his dressing room. Junior was happy to oblige and went
down to the studio. However, he was taken aback by the fact that he was playing
to the track previously recorded by the band. He had wanted to play live with the band.
Walker of Motown fame who led the band Jr. Walker and the All Stars, played the
solo on the recording. Take a listen to it again here. Notice how there is a hint of the solo at approximately one minute and thirty
seconds of the song; then the true solo breaks out at 2:40. Mick Jones of
Foreigner heard that Junior Walker was touring through the same town in which
they were recording Foreigner Four. Jones sat in on his sets at the Lone Star Café
and then talked to Junior in his dressing room. Junior was happy to oblige and went
down to the studio. However, he was taken aback by the fact that he was playing
to the track previously recorded by the band. He had wanted to play live with the band.
The
recording was done and it took a few edits to get what they wanted. But, when
Junior Walker played with the band in concert a few weeks later, they were perfectly
in-sync and played like they had always played together. It is truly one of
those great moments in music history.
recording was done and it took a few edits to get what they wanted. But, when
Junior Walker played with the band in concert a few weeks later, they were perfectly
in-sync and played like they had always played together. It is truly one of
those great moments in music history.
Send me one
of your favourite moments in music history. Maybe you will see it featured on this blog.
of your favourite moments in music history. Maybe you will see it featured on this blog.