Computer Age

Dennis Wilson (9-Dec-1944) was the most womanizing, and wild problematic of the three brothers, the black sheep in an extended family which over time would be no white sheep was precisely. He felt special passion for the sea, fishing, surfing, attractions coupled with the music compaginó happy with the girls, cars and drugs. In a family where music was part of daily life (his father, a tyrant and frustrated as all chronic composer, played the piano, her mother the body), it was not uncommon to see the brothers Wilson performing songs in school holidays or family gatherings, especially on Friday afternoons. His concerns, interests and rebellion that Dennis did not show much interest or abilities as their brothers. His mother had to intercede to accept what would happen in the band in history as The Beach Boys. Besides participating in the voices, they decided to offer the post of the battery, although he was not always recorded by the instrument on the discs. Being the only surfer was logical that it was the most influenced by any fashion that emerged around this sport, girls, sun, holiday music, instrumental with Dick Dale and his Deltones as the spearhead. The group said it would be fun to compose a song about that youth fashion, born and what would be the first success of the band, "Surfin '. Over time, though often got into fights and some car accident, ended up becoming a good player, he learned to play the piano, and although it was certainly the most limited of the brothers to sing, Dennis filled the gaps in his voice with high doses of privacy and an enviable ability to bring emotion. Debuted as a composer when the fame of the Beach Boys quoted at the low and the British Invasion upward was the end of the decade of the'60s, the heyday of psychedelia and hippismo. The shadow of Brian Wilson becomes blurred at times, drawing the other loopholes to begin to show the brightness of its lights. The first song composed by all the Beach Boys without the collaboration of Brian Wilson appears on the 1967 album "Wild Honey" (the theme "How She Boogaloo It"). In the next record, "Friends" (1968), Dennis Wilson signed his first compositions without the participation of their brothers, simple but deep emotional ( "Little Bird" and "Be Still", the latter sobrecoge only with voice and keyboard), where the excesses already beginning to be felt in their vocal cords. Friends of the risk, this time Dennis was not any substance or Ascos party and whether there were women through much better. Were just two friends of Charles Manson which led him to make friends with this crazy character, friendship that almost cost him the life he and his son ( "I am the most fortunate of the world, because it left little to lose money "). Both his career as the Beach Boys were very touched after the discovery of his relationship with the murderer.
Dennis reached compositional maturity coinciding with the decade of change and house, showing all their talents on the first disk of the Beach Boys for Warner, much more collective and less direct involvement of Brian (although it continued to offer it, not one of the best pearls of the disc), entitled "Sunflower" (1970), which deserves special mention Dennis composition "Forever", a moving ballad with all the ingredients to become a classic, with the height the best songs of the group. In 1971 the film was edited road led by Monte Hellman "Two-Lane Blacktop" (paved road in two directions) that Dennis played one of the leading roles as "The Mechanic". That same year in an accident with a glass door was cut several tendons of the hand, which prevented him from playing the drums for five years. Reappears in the credits as a composer and producer on the album "Carl And The Passions - So Tough" published in 1972 ( "Carl & The Passions" was the name of a group called the Beach Boys before), with two songs bringing the record of dirty water for browsing most of the time: "Make It Good" and especially that closes the album "Cuddle Up, intimate, heartbreaking at times, not a masterpiece in the subsequent desentonaría solo album "Pacific Ocean Blue." We found another jewel to be placed on the altar of the best ballads on the album "Holland" (1973), "Only With You", this time sung by his brother Carl. In 1974, collaborated with Billy Preston in the composition of the song "You Are So Beautiful," which would make it known that Joe Cocker and Dennis sing in many concerts as a tribute to their fans.
We must not forget that the punk and new wave imposed between news magazines and broadcast music in 1977, when it released the first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys, the "Pacific Ocean Blue Dennis Wilson that although it had good reviews, was acceptable, but little public response. Music was not fashionable, it could see even in many aspects such as a review of previously developed and styles. But, as often happens with the things that one delivers it all, the time was in charge of making light with increasing intensity all the personality, talent and emotion that contain grooves. It became a cult record, and today is no longer unusual to see it in lists of the best rock albums. Dennis was involved in the most responsible for the entire process of composition, arrangement, production, vocals, keyboards and drums (with the collaboration of prominent Gregg Jakobson, family and abundant wind musicians, choirs, bass and guitar). In this work, gave his soul, in the midst of the chaos that had become his life to find the spirit of vibrant flowers destroyed years ago. We spoke in great wish "River Song", his love of rock and roll on "What's Wrong" and "Friday Night" (with an introduction that clearly reminiscent of the "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd, which I personally believe that group fleet environments and songs of this album), love and loneliness in the heartbreaking "Thoughts Of You" and "Time" (Randy Newman, born in Los Angeles, inevitably comes to my head too several songs in this work) of ecology in "Pacific Ocean Blue", color and hope in "Rainbows," Farewell to the inevitable and atmospheric great "Farewell My Friend", dreams and reality in "Dreamer" or which closes the album "End Of The Show" with a broken voice movingly. Embraced by a sumptuous arrangements and exquisite production the beating heart is a disc of shadows and solitude, away from the sun and joy, where the only lights that shine are the moon and hope.
The new edition of the disc, released earlier this year, is made with care and affection. Besides the excellent presentation, photos and information, provides plenty of unpublished material, with special attention to songs from the album before it was preparing to die, "Bamboo" (before the re-release for this research was known as "Bamboo"). It is generally less dark themes and personally I believe in emotional intensity, and the feeling that I often leave the accompanying such reissues: interesting, exciting and at times even that satisfying the desire and the illusion complete, but never exceeded what was heard (by the time I stay with "Love Remember Me," "Wild Situation", "Album Tag Song" and especially the bonus Tug Of Love "and the version performed by this time It's "Only With You").
The publication of the solo album is not meant to stop members of the Beach Boys, continued as a member of the band with its ups and downs due to problems arising from drug addiction, with expulsions and reconciliations, delivering two good compositions for the album of the Beach Boys " LA Light Album "in 1979, which had provided for" Bamboo ":" Love Surrounds Me "and" Baby Blue. "
In 2007 the sale was the DVD documentary "Dennis Wilson Forever," a look at his life through interviews with people who knew him closely, produced and directed by his brother Billy Hinsche component group Dino, Desi & Billy, as well as support for multi Beach Boys and other formations (I have not had a chance to see it).
Rebel and charismatic five marriages with their divorce (including Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac), five children, Dangerous Liaisons, several unsuccessful attempts at rehabilitation, spent a fortune getting out of control to lose one of their most cherished belongings The sailboat "Harmony", the band several expulsions reaching hands with his cousin Mike Love, who decided not to hire bodyguards to approach him, especially when they were drinking "orange juice" (used to use it to mix vodka) . Strictly complied with the slogans "Live fast, die young and have a nice body" or "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll" accompanied by heavy doses of self generosity. People who knew him knew that was not made to last, so the news of his death on 28 December 1983 was somewhat surprising that most expected. In one of his dives in Marina del Rey was not afloat. While conflicts still continue. Family members discussed where to bury him, whether with his father or at sea, which won the view that it wished to do so in the Pacific Ocean, but we need the intercession of Ronald Reagan to get the permit. Also failed to agree on the song of farewell and you read a story from the Bible, while his son Michael would have nightmares for years with the burial.
Finally, a family with their problems and conflicts that will be remembered for composing a soundtrack for your very special film for us.

Links:
In this link you have a very comprehensive page on Dennis and other members of the Beach Boys (in Castilian)
Here is a good chronicle about everything that surrounded his death (in English)
Here an interview in 1976 (in English)
In this youtube another TV in a short interview to the group in 1980 with Dennis ... somewhat "lost" is not good but it's worth. Notice in the greeting "good morning" ... it is still in the morning ...

"Bo Diddley" was born on a cotton farm near McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928, being named Ellas Bates. With 6 years was adopted by a cousin of his mother, taking his last name and renamed Ellas McDaniel happening. Coinciding with the "Great Migration African American" (from the poor areas of the southern industrial cities of northern USA) moved to Chicago where he studied violin, until her sister Lucille gave him an acoustic guitar. In this city lived the changes that had the blues, including electric instruments, drums, harmonica, and sometimes saxophones. Would be pledged to the sound of the electric guitar, formed different groups with which he played in spare time to let the various offices with which he earned a salary. A first recording for Chess Records label in 1955 (with Bo Diddley songs and I'ma man), the success that he smiled and critical to a band sound so special, especially to Jerome Green maracas and voices, and their sister "The Duchess" to accompany the electric guitar, not forgetting of course the wild African rhythms and drums. Partner and frequent changes of address. Multiple collaborations with groups and artists from the first row, his style and influence of music over the decades (from Buddy Holly to the Rolling Stones, the Who to Bruce Springsteen, the Sex Pistols to Jesus & Mary Chain), hundreds of versions their subjects (who do you love the one of the subjects with fewer chords and more different versions in the history of music), and recognition as the most important prizes in popular music, have marked his career until 2 June 2008 when heart problems forced him to move out of district, this time for good.
With a very personal style, percussive rhythms, repetitive, rasposos, tribal and distorted, became the father of rhythm & blues, a key part in the evolution of rock & roll and the "creator" of the sound itself, the Bo Diddley sound, something very few have been able to achieve. While it is based on African rhythms, no one had made the sound and vibration syncopated guitar and his compositions down. Without boasting or technical virtuosity in the left for posterity riffs and rhythms that have become classics such as, engraved in the consciousness of many people who know but do not know the name of its author. In the interpretation of his songs, full of humor and enthusiasm, and showed a contagious primitive melting sound and movement, with the exact dose of restraint and energy. I have not had the chance to attend a live concert of his, but I think it would certainly be one of the most shocking. So you can travel back in time we will have to view video content with singing and guitar playing its distinctive square Gretsh "square-bodied," but this time I preferred to choose their first two videos from time to design before the guitar.

"Bo Diddley - Road Runner"

"Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley, 1955 (in the controversial Ed Sullivan Show)

Surely the angels are celebrating with dances and convulsive maracas in his hands, the arrival of French black and fast pace. bee bee bam bam bam bam bam bee ...

Roky Erickson and The 13th Floor Elevators
Eyes Estrellados

The history of roky Erickson (15/07/1947 Roger Kynard Erickson, Dallas, Texas) is one of those rare sites and personal hardships that occasionally leaves the history of Rock and Roll. The success story, falling to the depths of madness and the resurrection of a name key to understanding the music of the twentieth century.
Roky Erickon is well known as a leader and founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators, a group emerged in Texas in 1965 and that in his short career under several important milestones, such as being the first to use the term "psychedelic" in the world of music , opening and one of the most important of the current 60. Was the title of his first album, "The Psychedelic Sounds Of The 12th Floor Elevators" (1966) an album that included the theme "You're Gonna Miss Me", a commercial real hit at the time, and still remains its most recognizable theme.
The sound of The 13th Floor Elevators, despite what it may seem, was not too much to do with the current psychedelic groups that emerged in the U.S. (especially in the West Coast) to mid 60s. While this started a few folk sounds andalusia adding new instrumentation to achieve that characteristic sound "friendly", the left Elevators principles much more savage and guitar, heavily influenced by the blues-rock to the point where some sources pointed out the band as a precedent about remote American Punk.
The sound of the band was known, apart from the strident guitars and distinctive nasal voice roky Erickson instrument called the Electric Jug-it certainly was his trademark style feature. The kettle was just a pitcher with a microphone attached to the bottom and which was obtained by blowing this peculiar sound.
But that first album, which was part of its success, it contained a lot of memorable themes as "Splash1," "Do not Fall Down" or "Fire Engine", which makes this debut a benchmark rather than promising for the band.
The second disc of The 13th Floor Elevators, "Eastern Everywhere" is unanimously considered by critics as his best work. With production more care and a greater variety of entries this album contains some of the best songs composed by roky Ericson for the band. There is room for energetic and hypnotic songs like "Slip Inside This House," "Slide Machine" and "Somebody To Love" but also for more introspective songs, a certain beauty as "Dust", "I Have To Tell You" or " It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, "Bob Dylan cover.
"Eastern Everywhere" (1967) does not have a clear hit like "You're Gonna Miss Me" and even though the critical reception was good, the reception was not much business, and began to emerge early differences within band, while roky Erickson began to take refuge in the consumption of all types of narcotic substances.
"Bull On The Wood" (1968), the third studio album of training not only confirmed the decline in the band's own and Erickson, very eroded and their mental faculties, to the point that most compositions are guitarist Stacy Sutherland. It goes without saying that the quality of this work was greatly diminished by these factors.
Just at this time roky Erickson begins to commit petty crimes to pay for its many additions in 1969 and eventually was arrested and sent to a psychiatric institution. Ends the story of a band and started the descent into hell of a person reduced to the minimum expression of the human condition. A teen pop star into a disinherited sentenced to a life of madness.

After the dissolution of The 13th Floor Elevators details on the biography of roky Erickson become confused and even contradictory from different sources. It seems clear that the period from 1969 to 1972 roky what happens at a psychiatric some versions claim that there was subjected to electroshock therapy and heavy medication to treat schizophrenia, but what is clear is that his departure center, in 1972, roky Erickson was no longer the same.
This is not the place to further develop mental problems and a personal situation that undoubtedly had to be difficult. What if we are talking up the race musical roky Erickson after this point. A race that much more unknown and have truly brilliant moments.
At some point in this stage roky form a new band, Bleib Alien, with a sound much harder than for Elevators and a thematic focus on science fiction and horror movies. With this new band is starting to garitos local concerts and compose new songs, like the remarkable "Two Headed Dog," "Cold Night For Alligators," "Starry Eyes" and "Stand For The Fire Demon".
Although the figure of around roky Erickson then formed a large group of fans, commercial success has not backed this new phase and the various scams on the part of promoters and producers to make that sort came under his discography is a work practically impossible since, guided by his mental condition roky signed several contracts with record labels that are distributed obscure the benefits of their works and edited numerous singles, 45RPM, lp's semi and all kinds of material with songs that may not were nothing but a tiny models with recording quality and the roky Erickson did not see a single dollar.
To come to a good start to the work of roky Erickon alone recommend the box "I Have Always Been Before: The roky Erickon Anthology" (Shout Factory, 1994) which collects all the rigorous work of the musician.
Throughout the 70 roky Erickson up an enormous amount of music of all kinds, alone, along with The Aliens and other local bands or combos like The Ressurrectionists or The Explosives. Songs ranging from the mad ferocity of "Creature With The Atom Brain" and "Bloody Hammer" to the delicately beautiful acoustic songs such as "I Have Always Been Here Before" and "You Do not Love Me Yet."
In 1981 roky Erikson said they had been abducted by an alien, and gradually disappearing from now until early music of the 90 different bands like REM start causing him to claim his return to the present. Starting to re-record some concerts and new songs.
Roky Erickson, during these three long decades living on the edge of poverty, various subsidies, abandoned to their fate without any specific treatment for their condition. Not until 2001 when his brother took their custody and roky begins to receive care and treatment.
Some of our readers surely had the chance to see him in concert recently, and recovered very happy to devote himself heart and soul into what has become a living legend: The Rock and Roll.

Listen:
You Do not Love Me Yet

Dust

Recommended Pages:
- Pagina official
- My Space for roky Erickson
Article in-Contratiempos Light
-Article in The Dream of 100,000 Philbert Desanex