What was the first song that hit you between the eyes and took over your mind? Something that really put you into an altered state (without the drugs).
The first time I heard "Whole Lotta Love" in 1969 I couldn't believe what my ears were hearing. Jimmy Page's guitar grabbed me by the head and turned my brain into a Denver omlette.
"The Pusher" (Hoyt Axton) performed live by Steppenwolf at the Olympia in Detroit (1969?), 4th row (my ears are still ringing). It was a mind-boggling awakening to loud, fuzzy, gutteral, blues-rock ... thank God!
I liked many songs previously, but the first song that made me pull over to the side of the road was John Stewart's "Mother Country". I don't know how it made it to AM but I became a John Stewart fan that day. When I got the album, California Bloodlines, the song "July You're a Woman" also blew me away. Still one of the best albums I've heard.
Twelvth of Never by Johnny Mathes. I was probably 8yo. Then Buddy Holly with Peggy Sue, Rave On, and That Will Be The Day. Influenced by an older brother. John
I remember laying in bed about ready to doze off listening to AM radio when Little Wing by Jimi came on. I had never heard a song like that in my life. The only problem was this was 1966... and the song wasn't recorded UNTIL 1967. I tried to find out who the artist was to no avail until the song recieved heavy airplay in 1967 did i hear it again.(insert twilight zone theme here)
There were probably songs earlier that "blew me away" but the one that holds the most weight to this day is probably Duane Allman's guitar playing in Boz Scagg's " Loan Me A Dime" on his first solo album entitled "Boz Scaggs"(of course his singing and the Memphis Horns didn't detract anything from the feeling). Another one that comes to mind is Badfinger's "Baby Blue". George Harrison's song "It Don't Come Easy" done by Ringo Starr also comes to mind. Also like "Beware of Darkness". I guess I'm drawn to minor chord songs. "In My Lonely Feeling" on Journey's first album warrants mention. As does Albert King's "I'll Play The Blues For You". Zep's "Since I've been Loving You" works for me. I guess I'm not really adhering to the thread but I just LOVE these songs.
I was photographing the group in concert (one of tens of dozens I've covered) and was allowed on stage just as this song was beginning. Several stacks of amps and speakers literally did "blow me away," although not in a good way.
Good that I was young and walked off stage for Kleenex for the ears before walking back on, otherwise I might not be posting on a high end audio site today.
Hey Tvad, I was a teenager listening to the radio late at night circa 1976 and was "blown away" by what was announced to me afterward as the new Genesis album, the cut being "Dance on a Volcano" Similar experience a year or so later hearing "11th Earl of Mar" from Wind and Wuthering. Besides that, the 1st time I heard Gentle Giant, and the 1st time I heard King Crimson's "Starless and Bible Black" what a mindblower for a young mind.
This question made me think hard (ouch). I guess I have to say almost any song from The White Album. Makes me wonder how many times I listened to it start to finish.
1973, I was into Bowie, T.Rex, Zeppelin, Purple, I'd just bought Fireball...every thursday when I get in from school, everyone else would be out for a couple of hours more. Time for my best music! Well, one day I noticed that my elder sister's boyfriend had left a record here, Dvorak New World Symphony, Kertesz/LSO. Put it on... after a couple of minutes took it off again bored. Following week, same scene, this time I told myself I WILL listen to it all. The allegro exploded after that slow introduction! I fell in love with the symphony orchestra and symphonic music that day, sold off my rock/pop albums within a few weeks, and started collecting classical. My own first purchase was Klemperer's Bruckner 5, and I still love Bruckner's symphonies perhaps more than any others. Because of a quiet house, and a guy who left his stuff lying around.
Wow a really hard one for me a guy who went to many Filmore east shows. But the real piece of music that turned my heart to pains of remorse and filled my eyes with a great flood of tears was for the first time hearing Carlo Bergonzi sing the aria Vesti la giubba from the opera Pagliacci. After that I was sold on classical music.
The very first? I'm not sure I can remember back that far, but it's a good bet it was either Eric Clapton "Layla", or maybe Traffic "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys".
Ditto "Maggot Brain" that song used to be and maybe still is on at midnight on 98.5 WNCX Cleveland (if it is webcast check it out) on Saturday nights, very cool song. I somehow think there is a Cleveland connection with the preformers in that song but I may be wrong.
Goin' Home by Ten Years After. I never heard anybody molest a guitar like that. Don't need to play the CD, I can still hear that song in my head if I concentrate enough. Day of the Eagle by Robin Trower is another one that comes to mind. Guess I'll go listen to some music now. Later.
"Keep Your Knockers Up"- Rusty Warren- Played on my parent's turntable, I even remember the clicks and pops.
"You Ain't Nothin But A Hound Dog"-Elvis- Played on my older sister's turntable. Black album cover w/ pink letters. Probably my start down the road of that sinful rock n' roll.
"Honey Don't"- Carl Perkins- Played it at the neighbor's house at a slower speed so we could make sure he was saying the "f-word".
"Maybelline"-Chuck Berry- On a neighbor's LP and on the radio. Helped with the push towards fast cars and loose women.
"21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson. 'Nuff said! OK, maybe not. Years later, "Sound Chaser" by YES from the LP "Relayer" changed my peception of what music could be and what musicians could do, and re-shaped my guitar playing.
"School" by Supertramp. I bought the record because I liked the cover and wasn't prepared for the sonics and prowess of this record. Haven't been the same since.
Very young (maybe seven) but the power of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody To Love" was overtaking. My parents were normal blue collar workers but they had bought the house next door so my brothers and I could have a yard. Hippies rented that house and sat on the flat roof in the back playing recorders and guitars. Every now and then they'd have the stereo on the roof. One time, while playing baseball, "Somebody To Love" came on and all of us started playing air guitar. I still can't sit still once it hits that first chord.
I don't know about the Denver Omlette Brain syndrome, but the earliest albums that I remember really opening my ears to music that I'd never heard before that were Tommy by The Who, and the Beatles Sgt. Pepper. I enjoy both still, but they're certainly not at the top of my list today. Dylan also, but can't recall the album.
Maggot Brain by Funkadelic Guitars that took my head to a whole new place. Would play that album for others and they would be mesmerized and after the record played the question would always be "who the heck was that? or What was that? of course that was 35 years ago and drugs were always involved. I listen to it every now and then just to bring a smile to my face.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
