Tonight’s special guests are the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and the Edgar Winter Group.
In reminiscing about ELO and the 1970’s, the BBC’s Cliff Wootton wrote in 2001, “Back then, we all wore our hair afro-style, had outrageously flared trousers, stack heeled kinky-boots and gold lame jackets. And that was just the blokes.”
From ELO’s website:
“The Electric Light Orchestra's ambitious yet irresistible fusion of Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements, and futuristic iconography rocketed the group to massive commercial success throughout the 1970s. ELO was formed in Birmingham, England in the autumn of 1970 from the ashes of the eccentric art-pop combo the Move, reuniting frontman Roy Wood with guitarist/composer Jeff Lynne; announcing their intentions to "pick up where 'I Am the Walrus' left off," the quartet sought to embellish their engagingly melodic rock with classical flourishes.”
In 1973, “the group returned to the Top Ten with their grandiose cover of the Chuck Berry chestnut ‘Roll Over Beethoven.’ The record was also their first American hit.”
In a review, feedsfarm.com called ELO’s first big hit, “a cover of Chuck Berry's popular rock & roll tune mixed with Beethoven's ‘Fifth Symphony.’ Epic in scale, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ effortlessly zigzags between Chuck Berry rhythm and Beethoven melody, becoming an elegant blend of pure instrumental composition and classic 50s rock.”
Like his older brother Johnny, Edgar is an albino. In interviews, Edgar admits his eyesight has always been poor, preventing an ability to sight read. That makes it so amazing that he has become a prolific writer.
Winter’s official website says, “In late 1972 Edgar brought together Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff to form The Edgar Winter Group, the legendary band that created such hits as the number one Frankenstein and the ever popular Free Ride. Released in 1973, They Only Come Out at Night peaked at the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for an impressive 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 and double platinum in November 1986. Edgar invented the keyboard body strap early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances. He was also the first artist to feature a synthesizer as the main instrument in a song. Frankenstein revolutionized rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound.”
Just this week, as Winter prepared to go on tour with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, he was interviewed by the Niagara Falls Review. Winter talked about his classic instrumental hit from the early 70’s:
Edgar Winter didn't have Boris Karloff on the brain when he wrote his classic rock instrumental, "Frankenstein."
It was just a simple riff he had come up with years earlier and recorded in bits and pieces. When he decided at the last minute to put the track on his 1973 album "They Only Come Out at Night," the tapes were scattered around the recording studio.
"It was cut up into pieces and we were trying to figure out how to put it back together," recalls Winter. "Chuck Ruff, the drummer, mumbled the immortal words, 'Wow, that is like Frankenstein.' That was it! The monster was born."
"It just has that lumbering, monster feel. I couldn't have written anything that sounds more like Frankenstein if that had been my real intention."
Somehow, this pieced-together instrumental hit No. 1 on the pop charts and changed Winter's life.
He's still not sick of playing it. The song allows for such epic jamming, "Frankenstein" is a different beast every night.
"'Frankenstein' is my favorite live song, just because it's so spontaneous," he says. "It's very much in the tradition of jazz in that there's a lot of freedom within that song. There's plenty of space to ad lib.
"I never tire of doing that song simply because only about five per cent of it is the same. The rest is just a big jam."
Like the previous clip of ELO, this video of the Edgar Winter Group features some great solo work.
Again, from the Niagara Falls Review:
Winter was part of the last All-Starr tour in 2006 and is "flattered and thrilled" to be invited again.
It's not just fun, it's humbling to play alongside a Beatle.
"That pervasive feeling of peace and love ... that sounds like a line, but I really mean it," he says. "I really feel like Ringo is carrying on the spirit that the Beatles came to represent.
"I stand in awe of the Beatles. What they did transcended music. They brought about a whole revolution without firing a shot. They caused a paradigm shift that changed the mindset of a generation. It's such an honour and privilege to be able to perform with him."
Edgar Winter will be onstage with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band July 9th at the Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi. The concert is sold out.
Thanks for tuning in.
Next week, a very historic edition of Friday Night Live......don't miss it.
