Thanks for joining me for another edition of the Rocktober Music Mewsic Fest, the second annual event hosted by Mary from Jingle Jangle Jungle.
This month, I’m revisiting some of the classic 70s mewsicians and songs that either I didn’t catch the artist/band name or just forgot or maybe never even heard before now. I hope you’ll stick around to enjoy some lost gems from the past.
When I began pulling together this post, I came across a few 70s bands that went right over my head. One such band is Traffic, an English band, formed by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason in 1967. I found it interesting that it was Traffic who first recorded the song I always thought belonged to Jim Cocker, Feelin’ Alright in 1968. Winnwood left the band in 1969 but by 1970 the group sorta reformed unofficially to record the US Billboard 200 #5 charting album, John Barleycorn Must Die. After this, the band varied until 1974 when they broke up again. Traffic partially reunited with band members Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi went on tour with the Grateful Dead, opening for the act at the suggestion of a fan. The band released an album to break the top 40 charts in the UK and US, Far from Home. In the early Millenium (March 2004), Traffic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Unfortunately in January of the following year collaboration for any future Traffic mewsic came to an end with Capaldi’s death. Did you know because I certainly did not, the 1975 international hit Love Hurts purrformed by Scottish heavy metal band, Nazareth, was also covered by Jim Capaldi? It’s true, in fact, Capaldi’s version went to #5 in the UK.
Now, if that doesn’t blow you outta the water, do you wanna know who did the original cut? The squeaky clean 60s, Everly Brothers!
One more 70s band that grabbed my attention is the English Blues-rock band Ten Years After, who were popular in the late 60s and early 70s. The band hit #10 in the UK singles chart with “Love Like a Man” but it wasn’t until they changed record labels producing more commercial material with the release of their 1971 hit album, A Space In Time, and from it, I found my purrsonal favorite, I’d Loved To Change The World. The band broke up in 1974 which brings me to the discovery of band member Alvin Lee. Lee didn’t like the mewsic direction of TYA. He preferred Blues-rock to pop which allowed him to do what he loved. Teaming with Christian rock pioneer Mylon LeFevre and guest mewsicians George Harrison, Steve Winwood, Ronnie Wood, & Mick Fleetwood, Lee recorded the celebrated forefront country-rock album, On the Road to Freedom which I really liked and decided to share with you today. Give it for the late Alvin Lee & company!
I’m back from our vacation. My normal blogging routine begins now which is sure to mean I’ll find it a bit difficult to get into the groove again. I will make a diligent attempt to revisit everyone who stopped by while I was gone, so I ask for a little patience with the catch-up process. 
I hope you’ll travel with me back in time tomorrow with another edition of Rocktober Mewsic Festival!
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I hope you had a great vacation! I know the songs and had to giggle at the guy’s outfit in the first video..ahh fashion.
Capaldi’s “Love Hurts” is a tad too fast, I think. Welcome back!
John,
It’s good to be back, my friend, and I agree Capaldi’s version is a bit too fast. I prefer Nazareth’s rendition better.
The Everlys were too slow and Capaldi was too fast, but Nazareth was just right.
Welcome back from your vacation!! Hope you both were able to really relax and enjoy some quiet time!
Rain,
We did have a very relaxing and enjoyable time together. We’re looking forward to doing it again at the end of next month for two weeks. Whoo-hoo!
I LOVE 70’s music!
Christine,
It’s a hard decade to outdo!
Those were good ones!!! Hmmm, I thought it was Joe Cocker.
Brian,
Looks like I’m not alone in my thinking.
“Love Hurts”–I haven’t thought of that one in a long time but I can definitely still sing the chorus.
Jacqui,
The chorus is about the only thing I remember. lol
I LOVE Traffic! I learned about them in 1977, while taking the “Rock Poetry” class in high school. (Best class EVER!)
[Link> Me at far left, reading song lyrics in my Rock Poetry class
Today I own a really good two-disc set of Traffic’s best songs. If I had to pick one favorite song, it might be ‘Rock And Roll Stew’, although ‘Light Up Or Leave Me Alone’ and ‘The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys’ are right there in the running!
Dang! Now I’m in the mood to listen to the Traffic. Think I’ll put it on right now!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Stephen,
I consider all of my fellow BoTBers serious mewsic enthusiasts who know a hectic a lot more about artists and songs than I do, so it doesn’t surprise me that you’ve heard of Traffic. These discoveries are a wealth of information that enlightens my little brain. The thing is I generally don’t retain the data as efficiently as I’d like and find that I have to repeat my research to get it to stick. Anywho, loved the picture share. They actually had a Rock Poetry class in school? That’s really interesting. When I was in high school poetry went over my head generally, maybe I was reading the wrong stuff but I found it too hard to relate to especially anything that was tragic or sad. I’m way too happy to wear a frown.
I remember the song “Love Hurts” but hadn’t heard this version. Not really familiar with Traffic either but I like Steve Winwood. Interesting how the bands merge and meld.
Janet,
I was surprised to read the history and involvement of some of these great mewsicians. I recall being introduced to the name Steve Winwood in the 80s but he was in the industry decades before I knew he existed.
Interesting choices, I don’t remember these songs but I like.
Robin,
Me, too! So, glad to share it with you.