Song Anatomy of the Day

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…

Writers: Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, and David Coverdale Producer: Deep Purple Recorded: November 1973 at the Montreux Conference Center, Montreux, Switzerland Released: February 1974 Players: David Coverdale—vocals Ritchie Blackmore–guitar Glenn Hughes–bass, vocals Jon Lord–organ Ian Paice–drums Album: Burn (Warner Bros., 1974) “Burn” ushered in the era of Deep Purple’s “Mark III” lineup, which…

Writer: Peter Green Producer: Fred Catero and Carlos Santana Recorded: Spring and summer 1970 in San Francisco Released: October 1970 Players: Carlos Santana — guitar Gregg Rolie — vocals, keyboards Michael Shrieve — drums David Brown — bass Jose “Chepito” Areas — timbales Michael Carabello — congas Album: Abraxas (Columbia) Carlos Santana, a native of…

Writers: Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and David Lee Roth Producer: Ted Templeman Recorded: Summer 1983 at 5150 in Hollywood, California Released: December 31st, 1983 Players: David Lee Roth — vocals Edward Van Halen — guitar, synthesizer, vocals Michael Anthony — bass, vocals Alex Van Halen — drums Album: 1984 (Warner Bros) “I’ll Wait”…

Writer: Pete Townshend Producers: Chris Thomas Recorded: Late 1979/early 1980 at AIR and Eel Pie Studios in London Released: April 21, 1980 (album), May 29, 1980 (single) Players: Pete Townshend — vocals, guitar, synthesizer Tony Butler — bass John “Rabbit” Bundrick — keyboards Simon Phillips — drums Album: Empty Glass (Atco, 1980) After long complaining…

Writer: Paul McCartney Producer: Paul McCartney Recorded: August 1973 at EMI Studios in Lagos, Nigeria Released: October 26, 1973 Players: Paul McCartney–vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, drums Linda McCartney–vocals, keyboards, percussion Denny Laine–vocals, guitar Album: Band On The Run (Apple) The first single from Band On The Run, released a month prior to the album, “Helen…

Writers: Walter Becker and Donald Fagen Producer: Gary Katz Recorded: Late winter/spring 1973, Village Recorder, Los Angeles Released: July 1973 Players: Donald Fagen–vocals, piano Walter Becker–guitar, bass, vocals Jeff “Skunk” Baxter–guitar Denny Dias–guitar Jim Hodder–drums, vocals David Palmer, Sherlie Matthes Myrna Matthews, Patricia Hall, Royce Jones–backing vocals Lanny Morgan, Bill Perkins, Ernie Watts, John Rotella–saxophones…

Writer: Donald Fagen Producer: Gary Katz Recorded: Late winter/spring 1973, Village Recorder, Los Angeles Released: July 1973 Players: Donald Fagen–vocals, piano Walter Becker–guitar, bass, vocals Jeff “Skunk” Baxter–guitar Denny Dias–guitar Jim Hodder–drums, vocals David Palmer–vocals Album: Countdown To Ecstasy (ABC) “Bodhisattva” is the rare Steely Dan track written only by Donald Fagen, without the involvement…