Albert Hammond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lep0Fzq6omM
Unlike the Tom Dice song "Me And My Guitar" which was recorded nearly four decades later, Albert Hammond's monster hit "The Free Electric Band" is not about chasing the dream but about playing music just for the hell of it.
While written from an American perspective - the privileged upper middle class white kid who drops out much to the amazement (and probably disgust) of his parents - war baby Hammond was actually born in London, although his own parents hailed from Gibraltar, whence they returned shortly. Mike Hazlewood (1941-2001), who co-wrote the song, was also born in England, of native stock.
While written from an American perspective - the privileged upper middle class white kid who drops out much to the amazement (and probably disgust) of his parents - war baby Hammond was actually born in London, although his own parents hailed from Gibraltar, whence they returned shortly. Mike Hazlewood (1941-2001), who co-wrote the song, was also born in England, of native stock.
This is not a song about contempt for the system, middle class values, or anything like that, but about knowing what freedom and happiness really mean.
"Just give me bread and water, put a guitar in my hand,
'Cos all I need is music and the free electric band".
The narrator even gives up his girl because although she appears to share his dream, what she really wants is a house with a garden and a white picket fence, in short everything his parents had, want him to have, and for which he has no time at all. As stated, this is not a song about contempt for middle class values, it is not even one about self-discovery, but about a true vocation and true happiness.
"Just give me bread and water, put a guitar in my hand,
'Cos all I need is music and the free electric band".
The narrator even gives up his girl because although she appears to share his dream, what she really wants is a house with a garden and a white picket fence, in short everything his parents had, want him to have, and for which he has no time at all. As stated, this is not a song about contempt for middle class values, it is not even one about self-discovery, but about a true vocation and true happiness.
In September 2010, the British singer-songwriter George Michael was gaoled for eight weeks after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs. This was not the first time he had appeared in court due to this deadly mix; his other problems have been well documented by the media. At the time this occurred, Michael was probably worth around a hundred million pounds, and his music has brought him the adulation of millions, but it remains to be seen if he will ever find the happiness of Hammond's free spirited troubadour. Him and so many other talented, successful and wealthy men and women.
"The Free Electric Band" was released on the Mums label; the song was arranged and conducted by Michael Omartian, and produced by Hammond. It was backed by "You Taught Me To Sing The Blues". (thanks, Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above)
Albert Hammond
Hammond was born in London, England,[1] where his family had been evacuated to from Gibraltar during World War II. His family returned to Gibraltar shortly after his birth, and there he grew up.[1] In 1960, he started in music with Gibraltarian band 'The Diamond Boys', which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to popular music. The Diamond Boys performed at the first nightclubs in Madrid to stage modern bands alongside Spanish rock and roll pioneers such as Miguel Ríos. In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group The Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969.[1][2]
Hammond had success as a singer-songwriter with his Spanish recordings. His releases on Epic Records allowed him to successfully tour every region of Latin America. It was during this period that he met Manuel Montoya, CBS Mexico executive, who later became his personal manager in 1985, leading to the Grammy Award winning production of Lani Hall, "Es Facil Amar", producer and writer of "Cantaré, Cantarás" (the Latin American equivalent of "We Are The World"), and collaborations with Roberto Livi on recordings by Raphael, Eydie Gorme and others.
With Hal David, Hammond co-wrote "To All The Girls I've Loved Before", a hit in 1984 for Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson. Hammond collaborated with Diane Warren on "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now", a transatlantic #1 in 1987 for Starship, and "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love", a hit for Chicago that peaked at #3 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1988. Hammond also co-wrote "One Moment in Time", the theme song to the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, as performed by Whitney Houston.
He wrote several hits for Tina Turner, including "I Don't Wanna Lose You", "Be Tender With Me Baby", "Way of the World", and "Love Thing"). Turner also recorded the original version of Hammond/Warren's "Don't Turn Around", a UK #1 for Aswad in 1988 and a hit for Ace of Base five years later.
In 2005 he released his first album in many years, Revolution of the Heart (where Todd Sharpville was his music director), and the single "This Side of Midnight".
Hammond was born in London, England,[1] where his family had been evacuated to from Gibraltar during World War II. His family returned to Gibraltar shortly after his birth, and there he grew up.[1] In 1960, he started in music with Gibraltarian band 'The Diamond Boys', which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to popular music. The Diamond Boys performed at the first nightclubs in Madrid to stage modern bands alongside Spanish rock and roll pioneers such as Miguel Ríos. In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group The Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969.[1][2]
He also wrote songs for others with frequent collaborator Mike Hazlewood. These include "Little Arrows" for Leapy Lee, "Make Me An Island" (1969) (which Hammond himself re-recorded in 1979, in a Spanish disco-style version), and "You're Such a Good Looking Woman" (1970) for Joe Dolan, "Gimme Dat Ding" for The Pipkins in 1970 (itself a cover from the Freddie and the Dreamers album, Oliver in the Overworld), "Good Morning Freedom" for Blue Mink, "Freedom Come, Freedom Go" for The Fortunes in 1971 and "The Air That I Breathe" which was a hit for The Hollies in 1974.[1] In 1971. Hammond also sang on Michael Chapman's fourth album, Wrecked Again, and worked briefly with The Magic Lanterns on recordings of his and Hazlewood's songs and other material.[3]
He then moved to the United States, where he continued his professional career as a musician. He is known for his hits of the 1970s, released on Columbia subsidiary Mums Records:- "Down by the River" — US 91 (1972)
- "It Never Rains in Southern California" — US 5 (1972)
- "The Free Electric Band" (the only single of his to chart in the UK)[2] — UK 19, US 48 (1973)
- "Half a Million Miles from Home" — US 87 (1973)
- "If You Gotta Break Another Heart" — US 63 (1973)
- "The Peacemaker" — US 80, South Africa 1 (1973)
- "Down by the River" — US 91 (1973)
- "I Don't Wanna Die in an Air Disaster" — US 0 (1974)
- "I'm a Train" — US 31 (1974)
- "99 Miles from L.A." — US 91 (1975)
Hammond had success as a singer-songwriter with his Spanish recordings. His releases on Epic Records allowed him to successfully tour every region of Latin America. It was during this period that he met Manuel Montoya, CBS Mexico executive, who later became his personal manager in 1985, leading to the Grammy Award winning production of Lani Hall, "Es Facil Amar", producer and writer of "Cantaré, Cantarás" (the Latin American equivalent of "We Are The World"), and collaborations with Roberto Livi on recordings by Raphael, Eydie Gorme and others.
With Hal David, Hammond co-wrote "To All The Girls I've Loved Before", a hit in 1984 for Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson. Hammond collaborated with Diane Warren on "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now", a transatlantic #1 in 1987 for Starship, and "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love", a hit for Chicago that peaked at #3 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1988. Hammond also co-wrote "One Moment in Time", the theme song to the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, as performed by Whitney Houston.
He wrote several hits for Tina Turner, including "I Don't Wanna Lose You", "Be Tender With Me Baby", "Way of the World", and "Love Thing"). Turner also recorded the original version of Hammond/Warren's "Don't Turn Around", a UK #1 for Aswad in 1988 and a hit for Ace of Base five years later.
In 2005 he released his first album in many years, Revolution of the Heart (where Todd Sharpville was his music director), and the single "This Side of Midnight".
No comments:
Post a Comment