Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

Welcome to another journey through the time and various musical styles.

1960: Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

1965: James Brown

1982: The Clash

1971: Janis Joplin

1984: The Bluebells

1970: The Kinks

1981: The Specials

1981: The Go-Go's

1969: The Cambers Brothers

1975: Janis Ian

1975: Jim Croce

1979: The Cure

Twanging Tuesday # 86

One of the pioneers of British Rock 'n' Roll was Johnny Kidd & His Pirates. Most of you will know his chart efforts like Shakin' All Over and Please Don't Touch. Always dressed in a pirate outfit or black leather but always with his eye-patch he entertained us with guitar dominated sounds. Most important was the way he played guitar. The band had only one guitar player. Johnny Kidd played lead and solo guitar at one time. And therefore he had influence to the next generations of guitar players. This one's a seldom played song but worth to be featured in this series.

Johnny Kidd & the Pirates - Feelin'

Live At Leeds

Last week I posted on Twanging Tuesday a song from Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and remembered that there exists a great cover version by The Who. So I grabbed out the record the first time after a few years. And I was astonished how clear and fresh the sound was on Live At Leeds. It's probably the best live recording ever. Unbelievable how Keith Moon beats out the drums and Pete Townshend never played a better guitar.

The Who - Shakin' All Over
The Who - Magic Bus

Twanging Tuesday # 5

Today's song comes from Johnny Kidd & The Pirates maybe the best Rock 'n' Roll band from Great Britain in these days. He's the one who gave us Shaking All Over a number one worldwide. Influenced by early Elvis Presley he became the leading figure in British Rock 'n' Roll maybe because he didn't try to copy him. Please Don't Touch was his first single and sadly not his biggest hit. For me it is nearly the perfect rock song ever. It has everything a rock song should have: short and compact, a hookline, entreated lyrics and a good guitar. 

Johnny Kidd & The Pirates - Please Don't Touch

And Lemmy also know how good this song is. He made the definitely cover version:

Motörhead & Girlschool - Please Don't Touch