Song Anatomy of the Day

Writers: Berry Gordy Jr., Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, and Frank Wilson Producer: James William Guercio Recorded: October 1968 at Columbia Studios, New York City Released: February 1969 Players: David Clayton-Thomas—vocals Bobby Colomby–drums Steve Katz–guitar Jim Fielder–bass Dick Halligan–keyboards, flute Jerry Hyman–trombone Fred Lipsius–saxophone Lew Soloff–trumpet Chuck Winfield–trumpet Album: Blood, Sweat & Tears (Columbia, 1968) Originally…

Writers: Deep Purple Producers: Deep Purple Recorded: Early December 1971 at the Pavilion Theater and the Grand Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland Released: March 1972 Players: Ian Gillan – vocals Roger Glover — bass Jon Lord — organ Ian Paice — drums Album: Machine Head (Warner Bros., 1972) Legend has it that Deep Purple wrote “Highway…

Writers: Steve Miller/Ertegun/Curtis Producer: Steve Miller Recorded: 1973, Capitol Records, Hollywood Released: October 1973 Players: Steve Miller – vocals, guitars, harmonica Dickie Thompson – organ and clavinet Gerald Johnson – bass John King – drums Album: The Joker (Capital, 1973) Steve Miller taught Boz Scaggs to play guitar during their high school days in Dallas,…

Writer: Robert Lamm Producer: James William Guercio Recorded: January 1969 at CBS Studios in New York City Released: Spring 1969 Players: Mark Farner–vocals, guitar Don Brewer–drums, vocals Mel Schacher–bass Band Member Album: Second Helping (MCA, 1974) Chicago formed in 1967, originally calling itself The Big Thing, then Chicago Transit Authority. It dropped “Transit Authority” after…

Writer: Willie Dixon Producer: Mickie Most Recorded: Spring 1968 at EMI Studios, London Released: Late summer 1968 Players: Jeff Beck — guitar Rod Stewart — vocals Ron Wood — bass Mick Waller — drums Album: Truth (Epic) After leaving the Yardbirds in November 1966, Jeff Beck recorded the song “Beck’s Bolero” with Jimmy Page and…

Writer: Pete Townshend Producer: Shel Talmy Recorded: November 16th, 1966, at IBC Studios in London Released: December 25th, 1965 Players: Roger Daltrey — vocals Pete Townshend — guitar, vocals John Entwistle — bass, vocals Keith Moon — drums Album: My Generation (Brunswick) “The Kids Are Alright” was one of Who singer-guitarist Pete Townshend’s “state of…

Writer: John Lodge Producer: Tony Clarke Recorded: Early 1968 in England Released: Summer 1968 Players: Justin Hayward — guitar, vocals John Lodge — bass, vocals Mike Pinder — keyboards, vocals Ray Thomas — percussion, vocals Graeme Edge — drums Album: In Search Of The Lost Chord (Deram, 1968) The Moody Blues formed in 1964 in…

Writer: Mark Knopfler Producer: Muff Winwood Recorded: February and March 1978 at Basing Street Studios, London Released: June 1978 Players: Mark Knopfler — vocals, guitar David Knopfler — guitar John Illsley — bass Pick Withers — drums Album: Dire Straits (Warner Bros) Dire Straits formed in 1977 in Deptford, England. Frontman and chief songwriter Mark…

Writers: Jon Anderson and Steve Howe Producers: Eddie Offord and Yes Recorded: Early summer 1972 at Advision Studio, London Released: September 1972 Players: Jon Anderson — vocals Steve Howe — guitar, vocals Chris Squire — bass, vocals Rick Wakeman — keyboards Bill Bruford — drums Album: Close To The Edge (Atlantic) The 18-minute, side-long title…

Writer: John Lennon and Paul McCartney Producer: George Martin Recorded: July 1969 at EMI Studios, London Players: John Lennon–vocals, guitar Paul McCartney–vocals, bass, piano George Harrison–guitar Ringo Starr–drums Album: Abbey Road ( (Apple, 1974) “Come Together” began as a theme song for Timothy Leary’s campaign for governor of California against Ronald Reagan in 1969. Lennon…