Defining R&B on Motown Week

This week's Classic Track Look Back features the magic of Motown, a record label that rocked the charts during the 60s and 70s with artists and groups who both helped to define rhythm and blues and traveled beyond. We're rocking you back with the music that made our Motown memories.

And please check out our Announcement at the bottom of this post - we're very excited about it!

1969 - The Temptations 

It was this week in 1969 when the Temptations scored their second #1 with Can't Get Next To You. Their first #1, rising to the top from a mountain of 60s classics was My Girl. This week, our featured Temps track is the one that topped the charts as the 60s bordered on the 70s.
I Can't Get Next To You

1970 - Jackson 5 

On to Oct 1970, when the Jackson 5 hit #1 with their assurance that they would be there. That ssong spent 5 weeks on top. But that's only part of their 1970 story. According to Motown, their singles during that year sold a combined 10 million records!
I'll Be There

1970 - Stevie Wonder

Finally, let's head back to Oct 1976 when Stevie Wonder found the right key with his double album Songs in the Key of Life. It was a key that opened the door to a #1 LP. The album included the hit singles Sir Duke, I Wish and Isn't She Lovely.
I Wish

Announcement! Maindog Sound is on Storify 

Social Media is great because it provides an ever evolving platform to share. The Classic Track Look Back was born on Twitter, where all week long we tweet special moments in rock history. It then moved to this blog (and thank you for checking it out, by the way), and now we add another one to the mix.

We will continue to do the live tweets for #rockhistory, and right here, but you can check out our rockin' tweets and links to the music that inspired them (and some extra stuff too). Just visit Maindog Sound on Storify, and read this week's story here.

A Double Shot Look Back

Our Classic Track Look Back takes a weekly look and a listen at the music that made our memories. Lots of double shots of rock, and check out the Remaking Rock History at the end of this post.

Rock continues to evolve as it should. Our mission is to remind you of where it has been, and offer a peak of where it's going.

1962 - The Beatles 

The Beatles' Love Me Do was released in England 50 years ago this week spending 26 weeks on theUK charts and peaking at number 17. The Fab 4 classic would not cross the Atlantic as a North American hit until 1964.
Love Me Do

1965 - The McCoys

Our next Classic Track Look Back takes us for another ride in the way back machine, this time to October 1965 for a song with 2 titles. When the McCoys released it, it was called Hang On Sloopy. It was with this song that they enjoyed their only chart topper. Not long before, the song had been released by the Vibrations, who called it My Girl Sloopy. Here's the McCoys version.
Hang On Sloopy

1969 - The Beatles 

Last week marked the anniversary of Abbey Road's UK release. This week, another track from that album, as we celebrate its' October 1969 arrival in North American record stores. Here's one from the album that we don't hear as often as we should.
Oh! Darling

1969 - Creedence Clearwater Revival 

None of their singles topped the charts but CCR's Green River LP hit #1 and stayed for 5 weeks in October 1969. This album is about more than the hits it contained. Check out Wrote a Song for Everyone.
Wrote a Song for Everyone

1971 - Janis Joplin 

This week in 1970 Janis Joplin died after an accidental heroin overdose. Still her music lived on. In 1971 her Pearl album and Me and Bobby McGee single topped the end of year charts.
Me and Bobby McGee

1971 - Rod Stewart

In October 1971, Rod Stewart's Every Picture Tells a Story album netted him a double sided 45 hit with Maggie May and Reason to Believe. Together, the tracks topped the singles charts for 5 weeks. The album remains my favourite Stewart release.
Maggie May (Side A)


Reason to Believe (Side B)

1975 - Pink Floyd 

Pink Floyd's album Wish You Were Here was selling strong in October 1975. The album included a tribute to former Floyd member Syd Barrett. That track is featured here.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond

1982 - John Mellencamp 

John Mellencamp doubled the fun with his double No. 1 in October '82. #1 LP with American Fool & #1 single with Jack and Diane.
Jack and Diane

1983 - Bonnie Tyler 

In Fall '83 Bonnie Tyler enjoyed a total eclipse of the chart, when Total Eclipse of the Heart eclipsed all other tracks of the day, landing at No. 1. That accomplishment made her the only Welsh singer to achieve No. 1 status.
Total Eclipse of the Heart

1987 - Aerosmith 

This week in 1987, Aerosmith hit the album charts for a long stay with Permanent Vacation. The album included 2 hit singles, Dude Looks Like a Lady and Rag Doll.
Dude Looks Like a Lady

Remaking Rock History 

This week we're closing with a rock remake. The song Money has received generous air play from at least 4 artists. First came:

1962 - Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)


Then there was the Beatles in 1964, the Kingsmen in the same year... and and then came the most recent, just 50 years after the original...

2012 - David Gray - Money (That's What I Want)


Till next time, that's our Classic Track Look Back, yet another slice of rock history.

Looking Back: Born to be Wild and Crazy

This week, our Classic Track Look Back moves in a new direction. It will now be based on the rock history tweets that I present during the week. As is only natural, some of those tweets rise above others in their importance to music's legacy. So what I'll do is present the best of those tweets, eeach week in this space. Of course, I'll also offer a YouTube link to each entry, so that you can hear each song.

Whether you're hearing each classic track for the first time or are just rocking with it once again, I hope you enjoy our new twist to the Classic Track Look Back.

1968 Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf took their brand of "heavy metal thunder" all the way to the million seller mark this week in 1968.
Born to Be Wild

1969 Blind Faith

In the Fall of '69, Blind Faith was hot with their self-titled and only album
Can't Find My Way Home

1969 John Lennon

In a September 1969 meeting with Paul and Ringo, John Lennon announced he was leaving the Beatles.
Cold Turkey

1970 Edwin Starr

It could be said that Edwin Starr was anti-war. His song that said so topped the charts for 3 weeks as summer turned to Fall in 1970. The Temptations were the first to record the song, but it was decided to have Edwin Starr record the single due to concerns that the track might offend more conservative elements among the Temptations fan base.
War

1970 Jimi Hendrix

Was this week the week the music died? No, but in 1970 it was the week when we lost Jimi Hendrix
Angel

1974 Barry White

Back to 1974 when Barry White enjoyed his only #1 single
Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby

1974 David Bowie 

Early Fall '75 meant Fame 4 David Bowie as the song he co-wrote with John Lennon hit #1
Fame
  

1980 Queen

Queen played the album charts game and won when their LP the game hit #1 in fall 1980
Another One Bites the Dust

1981 Rolling Stones

Did the Stones tattoo your album buying dollars to their fall '81 release? If so, you're not alone. Tattoo You began a 9 week #1 album run that year as fall was born.
Start Me Up

1994 Dave Matthews Band

Fall '94 saw the release of Under the Table and dreaming by the Dave Matthews Band.
What Would You Say


'Til next time, that's another Classic Track Look Back at rock history.