Beech Tree News Network

 Oh, You Didn’t Know?

This week, I’ll share a few items I’ve learned from Sirius XM, namely 60’s on 6 and Little Steven’s Underground Garage.  Along with those sources, there was one factoid I picked up just by being curious, researching Freddie Mercury when the movie Bohemian Rhapsody was released. 

Before going solo, Van Morrison was the lead singer of Them.  The band was from Northern Iowa.  They were formed in Belfast in April 1964.  They were most prominently known for the garage rock standard “Gloria”.  The original five-member band consisted of Morrison, Alan Henderson, Ronnie Milling, Billy Hanson and Eric Wrixon.  The group was marketed in the United States as part of the British Invason.

Them scored two U.K. hits in 1965 with “Baby Please Don’t Go” (U.K. #10) and “Here Comes The Night) U.K., Ireland #2).  The latter song and “Mystic Eyes” were top 40 hits in the U.S. Morrison quit the band in 1966 and went onto a successful career as a solo artist.  Despite their relatively few hit singles, the Belfast group had considerable influence on other bands, such as the Doors.  Billy Harrison reformed a version of Them in 2012 with Mike Willgar on harmonica and sharing vocals.  They played some festivals in 2012-13.

Did you know that the late Freddie Mercury released two studio albums? In 1985, in the midst of Queen’s break(which was, if you saw the movie, a first break-up), Freddie released Mr. Bad Guy on the CBS label.  It was certified Gold and reached #6 in the U.K.  October 1988, Mercury released his second and final solo release, Barcelona, with Montserrat Cabalie on the Polydor label.  It reached #15 in the U.K. and was was certified Silver.  There were compilations and remix albums and a Solo Collection box set released in 2000.  He had solo singles in ‘73(2), ‘84(3), ‘85(2), ‘86(2), ‘87(1). ‘88(1), ‘89(2), ‘92( 2 new and 1 re-release), ‘93( 1 remix), 2000(1 release) and 2006( 1 remix).

The final bit of information I have for you is that Rod Stewart was once lead singer of the group Faces.  From ’69-’75, ’09-’11 and reunions in ’86, ’93, ’12 and ’15.  They released 4 albums.  In contrast, Rod’s ongoing solo career began in 1969.  He earned his first #1 in 1971 with “Maggie May”.  He’s had 6 #1 solo singles. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to go listen to some of this music.