What do you get when you combine cellos, violins, woodwinds, horns and classical overtones to a stirring rock agenda?

Modern Opera?

Well kinda. ELO – or for the puritans – The Electric Light Orchestra. Hugely contemporary with unabashed lashings of everything from baroque to renaissance – Jeff Lynne and his wandering band of mistrals defied predictions from almost every quarter of the music world and turned ELO into one of the great success stories of the 70’s.

Despite the sometimes turbulent road the band travelled – there can be no doubt – collectively we were the better for their journey.

From some of its earlier work to their first US Top Ten “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” in 1975 – ELO provided countless musical anthems to the masses.

Evil Woman (who’s string hook was re-released by the Pussycat Dolls as part of their 2006 hit “Beep”), Livin’ Thing, Telephone Line, Rockaria and Sweet Talkin’ Woman all went multi-platinum while live – the band proved the biggest drawcard in the US by 1978 – averaging a massive 50,000 people at each of their shows.

And it didn’t stop there. With the onset of the disco era (and who doesn’t love disco), the ELO juggernaut continued unabated. In 1979 Lynne produced the album ‘Discovery’ (or had been cruelly suggested by some rock historians – Disco very), generating their biggest hit – “Don’t Bring Me Down”. In fact the album proved not only for its time but left a lasting legacy for bands such as Atomic Kitten and Lovefreekz – both of whom sampled the tracks Shine A Little Love and Last Train To London in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

Facts, figures and hyperbole aside – ELO – complete with its famous on-stage spaceship – fall into the comtempory music legend category. Turn to Stone, Mr Blue Sky, All Over The World, Xanadu plus so many, many more – ELO without doubt provided ‘A Strange (but hypnotic) Magic’ for millions.

Unfortunately it’s been a fairly dry period for fans who have longed for a Jeff Lynne-led musical oasis – the likes of which we’re unlikely to see again – yet drink from the well I say – the lifeblood of your youth lies deep within.

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Regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time KISS holds honors as one of America’s top gold record champions, recording 36 albums over 32 years selling over 75 million albums worldwide.

Performing at everything from the Super Bowl to the 2002 Winter Olympics , the KISS legacy continues to grow, generation after generation, transcending both age and cringeworthy crtics.

The unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS is an incredible testament to the band’s unbreakable bond with its fans.

The original lineup of Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, percussion and vocals) is the most successful and identifiable.

With their outlandish makeup and costumes, they took on the personae of comic book-style characters of The Demon, The Starchild, The Spaceman and The Catman.

Their rise to fame is of course well doumented as is their fall from grace during the 80’s and their ‘unmasked’ period.

Due to creative differences, both Criss and Frehley were out of the group by 1982 – which by no small co-incidence also saw the band’s commercial fortunes also wane.

But buoyed by a wave of nostalgia in the 1990s, the band’s original lineup reformed – and the resulting Kiss Alive/Worldwide/Lost Cities/Reunion Tour was the top-grossing act of 1996 and 1997.

The rest (as they say) is history.

I Was Made For Loving You

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‘The sirens are screaming and the fires are howling

Way down in the valley tonight . . . ‘

Could it be that the unmistakable melodic prose of Jim Steinman mixed with the bombastic style of one Marvin Lee Aday – better known to us all as ‘Meatloaf’ – afforded the world one of the greatest rock albums (commercially at least) that we’re ever likely to see?

Bat Out Of Hell (released in 1977) surely resides in either the mind or collection of every music lover – regardless of genre.

Still selling an estimated 200,000 copies each year, we know there’s at least 40 million fans out there who have willingly parted with their ‘hard-earned’ just so they can recount the delights of what Rolling Stone rated in its Top 500 Albums of all Time.

In fact it’s only one of two albums that have never actually exited the top 200 in the UK charts.

Facts aside – the album cover alone is a frame-able piece of pop art –
while culturally it is probably best remembered for the rock operetta “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”

Without doubt the most thesponian and spectacularly dynamic piece on the album, it features wailing vocals extravagances and what reviewer Steve Gdula penned as being a “testosterone-crazed tenor in an incremental game of sexual bargaining with the resistant, but willing, Ellen Foley.

“By employing exaggerated power chords, screaming vocals, over-the-top arrangements, and a sense of rock & roll as Broadway theater, Bat made Meat Loaf a star. “

One thing is certain – Bat Out Of Hell provided an Everest for both Steinman and ‘Meat’ – a summit that they’ve never quite managed to reach since.

Collectively though – we – their musical Sherpa’s will continue to delight in the achievement.

I think somebody somewhere must be tolling a bell . . .

Click here to listen to Bat Out of Hell

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Damn – that’s a tough one!

Conversation turned to this at a party held in the confines of the Doctor’s palatial residence recently – and the jury was still out 2 hours after the topic was raised.

Jimmy Hendrix vs Elton John, The Beatles v the Bee Gees, the Moon Landing vs Star Wars – the lists were endless – or seemingly at least.

The 70’s was afterall a time when Grease was the Word that We Heard, and The Jackson 5 taught us that learning the ABC was as easy as 1-2-3 and flares were either something you wore . . . a distress signal . . . or both.

It was a time when The Fonz was cool, the girls from ABBA were hot and protest marches were on the boil.

We had mood rings and sea monkeys, platforms and pet rocks, safari suits and slinkies Rubiks Cube and Rod Stewart.

We had Rocky, the Brady Bunch and CHiPs and a Million Dollar Man.

We saw Travolta dazzle and Nixon frazzle and we paid homage to a raft of new Hollywood Queens – yet publicity mourned the loss of the one and only King.

So welcome to the 70’s – where Stayin’ Alive was a credo – not a survival technique.

Of course the 60 saw indiginous Australians win the vote – and Americans lose a president.

 . . . when a band of 4 cheeky Monkees were telling us they were Believers

. . . and 4 foreign Beatles were wanting to Hold our Hand

Where Woodstock and the Flintstones both rocked

. . .  and hippies were simply chose to get stoned.

It was time when knee-high boots and Mini Skirts were in – and Vietnam resulted in our troops being shipped out, where The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady waxed lyrical and the Beach Boys waxed surfboards.

It was an era of hope and the Age of Aquarius . . .

So which was cooler?

I’m still getting splinters from sitting on the fence.

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What is it about 70’s music that evokes seemingly mature men to spontaneously adopt a Fender air guitar stance amidst normally civil (yet like-minded) individuals – and women to shun their inhabitations and regail in either the Nut-Bush or encouraging their girlfriends to join them on the dance floor – simply because “I love this song”?

One hit wonders including the likes of Patrick Hernandez or The Knack have a lot to answer for while groups such as the Bee Gees and their almost spirtual Saturday Night Fever album are just the tip of the whole disco iceberg.

Yes – Donna Summer, Roger Voudouris – the list goes on – and so does their music – no matter how good or bad their puritan talent may have been – you’ve gotta love an era where tie-dye was a fashion statement, where you could not only play vinyl but could wear it, where being a fan of big hair, big heels and big jewellery meant you were a big player.

But it was the ‘big acts’ – such as ACDC, Kiss and later Van Halen which led the Air Guitar renaissance – initiated by Chuck Berry and his legendary moves (so visually recreated in both Back to the Future I and II) with Johnny B. Goode.

There’s no doubt about it – the 70’s afforded us so much – yet the air guitar with its wailing six string riffs and hypnotic chord changes is a legacy which has defied the ages.

Go on – admit it – we’ve all done it before (either in the privacy of your own company) or on the dance floor – no doubt to the adulation of those adoring fans around you.

Why, there’s even a US Air Guitar Championship – with auditions in no less than 14 States including Boston, LA, Washington and New York – where those handy with an invisble “Axe” via for $1000 in prize money and a trip to Finland to take part in the World Air Guitar titles.

Yes – disciples unite.

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The Monkees were the quinessential ‘manufacturerd’ pop quartet, assembled in LA during the mid 60’s – purportedly to combat the scourge of the British invasion by bands such as The Beatles.

Marketed to the pre-teen and teen audience – the group is probably best known for its hit TV series – known (strangley enough) as The Monkees.

 Featuring Americans Mickey Dolena, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Englishman, Davy Jones – the group’s rise to stardom came about when two spiring filmmakersBob Rafelson and Bert Schneider  – having been besotted by the Beatles film A Hard Days Night – decided to develop a television series about a fictional rock ‘n’ roll group.

While both Nesmith, a guitarist, and Tork, who could play several instruments were legitimate musicians – Dolenz was in essence an actor (having starred on early TV programs such Circus Boy) and Jones and actor and sometimes session singer.

Spending up to 12-hour days on the set, before being called in to the recording studio to cut vocal tracks, the Monkees were essentially the creation of the recording studio, there were few limits on how long they could spend in the recording studio, and the result was an extensive catalogue of hit after manufactuered hit – with collaborative writers including Neil Sedaka and Carol Bayer Segar.

With Jones sticking primarily to vocals and tambourine (except when filling in on the drums when Dolenz came forward to sing a lead vocal), the Monkees’ act constituted a classicpower trio of electric guitar, electric bass, and drums.

Critics of the Monkees observed that they were simply the “prefab four”, a made-for-TV knockoff of The Beatles but the Beatles took it in stride, and made the Monkees welcome when they visited England. John Lennon publicly compared the Monkees’ humor to The Marx Brothers, George Harrison praised their self-produced musical attempts, saying “When they get it all sorted out, they might turn out to be the best” (Peter Tork was later one of the musicians on Harrison’s Wonderwall Music playing Paul McCartney’s five-string banjo.

The Monkees had several international hits which are still heard on pop and oldies stations. These include I’m A Believer, Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and Pleasant Valley Sunday along with their signature theme tune from the TV series.

 Despite their seemingly permanent reputation as a made-for-TV act, their hits and many lesser recordings present an enduring quality that has earned respect over the years.

Click Here To Hear The Monkees on YouTube

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We all know that no matter what time of the year it is – Girls Just Wanna Hun!

So when the Pop Doctor’s better half was asked along to a ‘Girls Night Out’ last week – thought it presented an opportunity to list a few Girl Songs – to help get the party started.

I’ve compiled a few here – but girls help me out  . . .

1) Man I Feel like a Woman – Shania Twain 

Click Here for Shania

 2) Ladies Night – Kool and the Gang

Ladies Night

3) It’s Raining Men – the Weather Girls

It\’s Raining Men

4) I’m So Excited – The Pointer Sisters 

Click Here

5) Bad Girls – Donna Summer

Click Here for Bad Girls

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We all have em’

Tunes we secretly love – but are too embarrassed to admit to in mixed company.

Hidden amongst the shelves of our album or CD collections they remain musical recluses to anyone other than you – finding freedom only occassionally – and then no doubt through the sanctity of the ipod.

Sandwiched between Spiderbait and Empire of the Sun pehaps there’s a Michael Bolton classic that you never freely admit to.

Maybe Boy George or Wham have infiltrated your ‘dirty musical secrets list’ or if the thought of a Flock of Seagulls/Roger Voudouris is too much to bear testimony to – perhaps you’d rather post your guiltiest pleasure anonymously.

But remember – when you’re with with good Doc Pop – there is always patient – doctor confidentially – trust me – I’m a xxxxxxxxx

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OK – so with such a tightly packed field vying for the title of Greatest Guitar Riff of All Time – it comes down to being subjective and (in many cases) the era you hold closest as far as creative palance is concerned.

The contenders are a virtual who’s who of the musical world and straight off the top of my head would cite “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple,  “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, Iron Man from Black Sabbath, Day Tripper for Beatles fans and even Leonard Skinnards – Sweet Home Alabama.

But what would be yours?

With barely a struck match between artists – and not a whole lot of room to move as each contest for centre stage – I would (for the sake of discussion at least) like to declare my hand in all this as well.

To find out where I stand click on the link below.

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Ever had one of those sorryful moments in your life when the radio and your own self absorbed mind found solice in a particular tune?

Perhaps Kelly Clarkson and Since U Been Gone struck a chord or Gloria Gaynor’s – I Will Survive – maybe even The Eagles – Heartache Tonight is a contender for pulling on the bleeding strings of your soul

The concept itself of listening to woe is me songs after a breakup  doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when in essence we should be trying to cheer ourselves up yet, there’s little doubt that most people tend to spend days, weeks (even longer) after a breakup indulging their misery.

You do reach a point though and whether its Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus or Always On My Mind by Elvis – we’ve probably all been there done that!

While I’m on the point – it would be interesting to know if these songs vary depending on whether your a fella or a girl.

Does “Hurt” by the Nine Inch Nails mean the same as say Irreplaceable by Beyonce?

Would love to hear your tale of woe.

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