Thursday 14 February 2013

New to Dave


Dave never wanted to be The Fonz

In 1977 Jean Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers maintained that their keyboard player, Dave Greenfield, was not aware of The Doors; to be precise, not aware that he was royally nicking Ray Manzarek's Vox Continental arpeggios; thus giving the punks at the time another reason (apart from their ages) to doubt their credentials. Not that they were particularly bothered: Rattus Norvegicus, their debut album, was the fastest selling album on their label (UA), so if they wanted a 60s keyboard driven sound, with saxophones chucked in for good measure (Grip), no safety pinned, bin bag wearing Carnaby Street punk was going to stop them.

The Stranglers - (Get a) Grip (On Yourself) - 1977

2 comments:

  1. Did I tell you I had a night out with Pal Hugh last year - for chats and natter about his latest album Totem and Taboo. Worra top chap,intelligent articulate and free of the battered-by-rock glaze that usually coats rockers of a vintage cloth...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYxUrCVO0hE

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  2. M: That's a dreadful tune though, isn't it? Not hard to see why he made the video. Shame, as he could always be relied on to shake things up on the hill.

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