Music Break

For this month's music break, let's begin with something from the original lineup of Yes.  From their second album Time And A Word, this is No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed, written by Richie Havens.  Some of the instrumental sections, however, were taken from the opening theme from the movie The Big Country.  The original Yes included John Anderson (who later removed the "h" from first name) - lead vocals, Peter Banks - guitar & vocals, Tony Kaye - keyboards, Chris Squire - bass & vocals, and Bill Bruford - drums.  Soon after the album was recorded, Banks left and was replaced by Steve Howe, who appears in the video.  Anderson plays a guitar in the video, but most likely didn't play it on the record.

Here's something I ran across a year ago, and posted on AndRightlySo.  The Peanuts kids in A Charlie Brown Christmas take a cue from Sly and the Family Stone, and Dance To The Music.  The creator of this video did a good job combining cartoon action with the song's lyrics.

In England, the controversial English Defence League occasionally stages anti-sharia demonstrations, and sometimes gets arrested for it.  Whatever you think of them, they still have a catchy punk rock theme song.

The Hollies were a British band popular in the late 60's and early 70's.  Although going through several lineup changes, most of the time their lead singer was Allan Clark.  Original rhythm guitarist Graham Nash, who also occasionally sang lead, left in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills & Nash (& later Young).  In 1973, the Hollies had a minor hit with The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee.

Humble Pie was formed in 1969 by guitarists Steve Marriott (from The Small Faces) and Peter Frampton (from The Herd), bassist Greg Ridley (from Spooky Tooth) and drummer Jerry Shirley.  Marriott, Ridley and Frampton, in that order, share the lead vocals on Big Black Dog, something they commonly did during the band's first two years.  In 1971, Frampton left and was replaced by guitarist Dave "Clem" Clempson, who rarely attempted a lead vocal.  Afterwards, Marriott did most of the lead singing, with some help from Ridley.  The video show us man's best friend, including one who gets some symbolic revenge against a certain quarterback.