Sunday Morning Vault: Gary "U.S." Bonds--Quarter to Three (1961)

     Gary Anderson had his name changed early in his career to "U.S. Bonds" to somewhat confused people in associating it with some public service announcements regarding government issued bonds. That was altered a bit when people started thinking that it was a group rather than an individual singer, so it was changed again to Gary "U.S." Bonds.
     His first hit was "New Orleans" in late 1960, but hit No. 1 with, "Quarter to Three". Despite 5 top 10 hits in those pre-Beatle years, this was the song that secured his fame in rock forever. He had a bit of a resurgence in the middle 80's with the help of Bruce Springsteen who was a big fan;.
     He still continues to tour and make records. His latest was 2009's, "Let Them Talk"

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Bruce Springsteen--Born to Run (1975)

     In the grand history of rock and roll, there were probably albums that were as important, The Who's, "Who's Next", and The Rolling Stones', "Sticky Fingers" are a couple that come immediately to mind. But both bands had made their initial mark in the late 60's and will always be identified with that era. However, in my mind, the album that made the biggest impact by a 70's era act was "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen".

      His two previous albums had been very well received by critics, but hadn't really taken hold by the listening public. The next album was truly a make or break one, and it sounded like it. The sprawling production, the grand themes and the desperate optimism of the subjects in his songs came across the speakers literally bigger than life. As far as singles go, Bruce would find greater success in later years, as his music and lyrical vision sharpened is focus, but beginning with the FM crowd, the release of this album was like a bomb going off.

     Frankly, this was not only my favorite Bruce album, but I still think it's the best one he ever made. As he soon began to straddle himself between a singles machine and our generation's version of Bob Dylan or Woody Guthrie, he seemed to lose me on both sides. But the sound of those opening drums still excite me and remind me that I might not have been there to see Elvis or the Beatles on TV, but I heard Bruce Springsteen's coming out party, and that's not bad at all....

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Farewell to Clarence Clemons...

     I was in a hotel room in St. Louis when hearing the news of Clarence's passing. He had suffered a stroke about a week before, and died of complications on Saturday. For almost 40 years his tenor saxophone was as distinctive a sound to the E Street Band as the voice of their leader, Bruce Springsteen.
    Clemons had made his claim to fame with Springsteen, but has a long list of credits to his resume recording with artists as diverse as The Four Tops, Twisted Sister, Joe Cocker, and most recently, Lady Gaga. He was also could be found in several movies and television shows through the years.
 

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