‘Up the Hill Backwards’ is the second track, and fourth single, from David Bowie’s 1980 album Scary Monsters.
This was Bowie’s first album following his critically-praised but commercially-challenged Berlin trilogy, and it had a more mainstream sound than its predecessors. First single ‘Ashes to Ashes‘ gave him his second #1 hit in the UK.
Yesterday I featured David Crosby, and today is dedicated to another music legend we lost in recent weeks: Jeff Beck.
The English guitarist is widely considered one of the greatest talents to ever strap on the instrument. Beck started his career in the mid-60s as a member of The Yardbirds (replacing Eric Clapton) and went on to have a solo career blending largely instrumental rock music with blues and jazz.
David Crosby, who had a front row seat for some of history’s most iconic music, died a couple of weeks ago at 81.
Crosby was a founding member of two classic bands — The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. His sweet vocals and gift for harmonies helped both groups forge a sound that still feels essential. My younger daughter just recently started listening to The Byrds and was instantly smitten.
My final post on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2013 covers the other non-performer honored that year, Lou Adler. Adler is a record and movie producer responsible for some iconic work over the course of his lengthy career.
The acts most associated with Adler are the unlikely grouping of Carole King, the Mamas & the Papas, and Cheech & Chong. Adler produced King’s classic Tapestry and nine other albums by the singer-songwriter. He’s also the producer of the Mamas & the Papas’ biggest hits, including ‘California Dreaming‘ and ‘Monday Monday.’
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame also inducts non-performers with notable contributions to the music industry, and in 2013 that honor went to Quincy Jones. I don’t know if there are similar eligibility rules for non-performers but Jones got his start in the early 50s so I assume he could have (and should have) gotten this award even earlier.
Jones has worked as a performer, composer, arranger and producer for seven decades now, collaborating with some of the most notable artists in the world. His work with Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson alone could earn him a spot in the Hall.
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