#22 Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is the only person inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame three times. Before going solo, Clapton was a member of the blues based “Yardbirds.” He left the band when they went commercial. He then joined the super group “Cream” which broke apart as egos clashed. Clapton then went solo after a brief stint in Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominoes.

Clapton’s music has always been blues based. However, he was always willing to incorporate other styles including pop and reggae. Next to Hendrix, Clapton is rock's greatest guitarist. Fans compared him to god and some considered him god. Despite major substance abuse problems, Clapton’s career has been steadily successful from the 1970s through today. It’s his ability to both originate and incorporate while sticking to his blues roots that makes Clapton so successful.

Rock n Roll Moment: Clapton’s memory blanked while under the influence. He does not remember doing TV commercials as well as other events in his life. As a result, he opened a rehab clinic of his own.

Essential Clapton:

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)- w/Derek and the Dominoes
461 Ocean Blvd (1974)
Slowhand (1977)
Crossroads (1988)- Box Set
Journeyman (1989)
Unplugged (1992)
From the Cradle (1994)
Me and Mr. Johnson (2004)

Clapton’s Top 10:

Layla (With Derek and the Dominoes)
I Shot the Sheriff
After Midnight
Cocaine
Lay Down Sally
Wonderful Tonight
Promises
Pretending
Let it Rain
It’s in the Way that You Use It

#26: The Police

The Police formed at the height of Punk and outlasted it. Some consider them the first New Wave Act since they were neither classic rock nor punk. They incorporated jazz, punk rock, and reggae into their work. In fact, they were one of the first acts to incorporate reggae into their music.

In 1977, The Police began their slow climb to greatest band in the world. Drummer Stewart Copeland formed the band with Sting and Henry Padovani. Padovani was a weak guitarist and was later replaced by Andy Summers. Their fusion of rock, jazz, and especially reggae into their act was novel especially in the United States. They soon earned a recording contract.

Their first album contained the hit “Roxanne” which was completely unique. It did not sound like rock or punk or disco. The song provided an introduction into the U.S. and Australia and got them a gig at the CBGB punk club. Their second album made them stars in England and included “Message in a Bottle.” They toured the world and released a third album that included “Don’t Stand So Close To Me.” The band was now a worldwide sensation.

While the band thrived, front man Sting became a star. He appeared in movies such as Quadraphenia and later Dune. This led to a conflict of egos with Stewart Copeland. The tension continued throughout the early 80s and served to destroy the band as they conquered the world. By 1983, they were the biggest band in the world. Their album Synchronicity spawned several smash hits including one of the decade’s most iconic songs, “Every Breath You Take.” In fact, that song beat out “Billie Jean” for song of the year at the Grammy Awards.

There was no official split. Sting did a solo album and Copeland did some work on his own. Summers waited for the band to reunite. With the exception of three concerts for Amnesty International in 1986 and a completely reworked re-release of “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” the band would not play again until the 2007-08 reunion tour. Between 1986 and 2007, Sting got married and bragged about 6 hour tantric sex, Copeland made a documentary on the Police (very good), Summers worked as Dennis Miller’s musical director, and the group was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Rock n Roll Moment: In one South American banana republic, Andy Summers kicked a military policeman that was attacking fans. He was threatened with arrest, but managed to get out of the country.

Essential Police:

Outlandos d’Amour (1978)
Reggata de Blanc (1979)
Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Synchronicity (1983)

The Police Top 10:

Every Breath You Take
Roxanne
Can’t Stand Losing You
Message in a Bottle
So Lonely
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
King of Pain
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Synchronicity II
Spirits in the Material World

#66: Bob Marley

Bob Marley’s influence and popularity transcended reggae. He grew up in abject poverty and became an international star in the mid 1970s. Reggae was his art form, but his popularity came from his charisma, optimism, and talent. Marley influenced the punk movement, was covered by Eric Clapton and Joe Strummer, and was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame by Bono. The lyric that best summed up Marley came in “Redemption Song”: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our minds.”

Rock n Roll Moment: Marley gave writing credit for “No Woman, No Cry” to his friend Vincent Ford. Ford ran a soup kitchen in the Jamaican ghetto where Marley grew up.

Essential Bob Marley: Catch A Fire (1973), Burnin’ (1973), Exodus (1977), Legend (1984)

Bob Marley’s Top 10:
Redemption Song
Jamming
I Shot the Sheriff
Get Up, Stand Up
Buffalo Soldier
Could You Be Loved
No Woman No Cry
Exodus
Waiting In Vain
One Love

#73 Blondie

Blondie has sold over 50 million albums. Originally, Debbie Harry was in a folk group. She met Chris Stein and they formed Blondie. The band’s repertoire was so eclectic, they were compared to The Who. Blondie incorporated Punk, New Wave, Disco, Reggae, Rap, and other musical forms into their work. They eventually hit the big time and Debbie Harry became bigger than the band itself. In the early 80s, Chris Stein suffered a rare fatal disease and Blondie disbanded. Stein somehow recovered. They were highly influential (Madonna, Shirley Manson) and reconstituted in the late 90s and hit #1 in the UK with “Maria.” In 2006, they scored a top 10 hit in the US with “Rapture Riders” (with the Doors). They were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and still tour.

Rock n Roll Moment: There were some issues during their induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Two former members wished to play during the induction, but Debbie refused as she had the current lineup ready to go. (awkward!)

Essential Blondie:
Blondie (1976)
Parallel Lines (1978)

Blondie’s Top 10:
Call Me
One Way or Another
Rapture
Dreaming
Heart of Glass
Maria
Atomic
Rip Her To Shreds
The Tide Is High
Island of Lost Souls