Song Anatomy of the Day

Writer: Pete Townshend Producers: The Who and Glyn Johns Recorded: June 8th, 1973, at Olympic Studios in London Released: October 1973 Players: Roger Daltrey — vocals Pete Townshend — piano, guitar, synthesizer John Entwistle — bass Keith Moon — drums Album: Quadrophenia (MCA, 1973) The closing track of the Who’s second album-length opera, Quadrophenia, “Love…

Writers: Elton John and Bernie Taupin Producer: Guy Dudgeon Recorded: December 1973 at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado Released: Spring 1974 Players: Elton John — vocals, piano Davey Johnstone — guitar Dee Murray — bass Nigel Olsson — drums Ray Cooper — percussion Lenny Pickett — tenor sax solo Tower Of Power — horns Album:…

Writer: Peter Gabriel Producers: Bob Ezrin Recorded: Late 1976, The Soundstage, Toronto Released: February 10, 1977 (album) Players: Robert Fripp–guitar Tony Levin–bass Dick Wagner–backing vocals Jim Maelen–percussion Steve Hunter–guitar Larry Fast–synthesizers Allan Schwartzberg–drums Album: Peter Gabriel (Atco, 1977) Peter Gabriel’s debut was the first of four self-titled albums. His fourth album would have remained Peter…

Writers: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Producers: The Rolling Stones Recorded: Spring 1973 and spring 1981 at Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston, Jamaica Released: October 1981 Players: Mick Jagger — vocals Keith Richards — guitar, vocals Mick Taylor — guitar Bill Wyman — bass Charlie Watts — drums Billy Preston — piano Sonny Rollins –…

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…