Song Anatomy of the Day

Writers: Led Zeppelin Producer: Jimmy Page Recorded: 1969 at Olympic Studios, London Released: November 7, 1969 Players: Robert Plant—vocals Jimmy Page–guitar John Paul Jones–bass John Bonham–drums Album: Led Zeppelin II (Atlantic, 1969) “Whole Lotta Love” peaked at Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1969. It is Led Zeppelin’s highest charting single.…

Writer: Christine McVie Producers: Fleetwood Mac, Richard Dashut, and Ken Caillat Recorded: Late summer and fall 1976 at studios in Los Angeles, North Hollywood, and Miami Released: Spring 1977 Players: Christine McVie — vocals, keyboards Lindsey Buckingham — guitar, vocals Stevie Nicks — vocals John McVie — bass Mick Fleetwood — drums Album: Rumours (Warner…

Writers: Trevor Rabin, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, and Trevor Horn Producer: Trevor Horn Recorded: Summer 1983 at Sarm Studios in London, England Released: October 1983 Players: Jon Anderson—vocals Trevor Rabin–vocals, guitar, keyboards Chris Squire–bass, vocals Tony Kaye–keyboards Alan White–drums Album: 90215 (Atlantic, 1983) “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” was Yes’s first Number One hit in…

Writers: Deep Purple Producers: Deep Purple Recorded: December 1971 at the Pavilion theater and the Grand Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland Released: Spring 1972 Players: Ian Gillan—vocals Ritchie Blackmore–guitar Roger Glover–bass Jon Lord–organ Ian Paice–drums Album: Machine Head (Warner Bros., 1972) Deep Purple’s most enduring hit, “Smoke On The Water” tells the saga of the recording…

Writer: Roger Waters and David Gilmour Producer: Pink Floyd Recorded: January-July 1975 at Abbey Road Studios in London Released: September 1975 Players: David Gilmour — vocals, guitar Roger Waters — bass Rick Wright — keyboards Nick Mason — drums Stephane Grappelli — violins Album: Wish You Were Here (Columbia) “Wish You Were Here” is a…

Writer: Don McLean Producer: Ed Freeman Recorded: May 26th, 1971, in New York City Released: October 13th, 1971 Album: American Pie (United Artists, 1971) Don McLean was born October 2nd, 1945, in New Rochelle, New York. He kicked around as a folk singer for a number of years before writing and recording “American Pie.” An…

Writer: Hoyt Axton Producer: Richard Perry Recorded: Summer 1974 at Sunset Sound and Producers Workshop, Los Angeles Released: November 1974 Players: Ringo Starr — vocals Jesse Ed Davis — guitar Nicky Hopkins — piano Klaus Voorman — bass Jim Keltner – drums Harry Nilsson — backing vocals Bobby Keyes, Trevor Lawrence, Steve Madaio, Lou McCreery…

Writer: Ted Nugent Producers: Lou Futterman and Tom Werman Recorded: Summer 1975 at the Sound Pit in Atlanta, Georgia Released: Fall 1975 Players: Ted Nugent—guitar Derek St. Holmes–guitar, vocal Rob De Lagrange–bass Cliff Davies–drums, vocals Album: Ted Nugent (Epic, 1975) “Stranglehold” was the first track on Ted Nugent’s first solo album, following the dismantling of…

Writer: Kerry Livgren Producer: Jeff Glixman Recorded: 1976, Studio on the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana Released: November 1976 (album), January 1977 (single) Players: Steve Walsh–keyboards, lead vocals Robby Steinhardt–violin, viola, vocals Kerry Livgren–guitar, keyboards Rich Williams–guitar Dave Hope–bass Phil Ehart–drums Album: Leftoverture (Kirshner, 1976) “Carry On Wayward Son” was Kansas’ first top 40 hit. Entering…