Long Live Classic Rock!
Well, as you can see, Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend of the iconic rock band The Who are over the moon with excitement about this new post. Before we “rock on”, let’s take a moment to be impressed with just HOW HIGH Townsend leaps WHILE PLAYING HIS GUITAR!
For many, “classic rock” is the greatest genre of music ever – thanks to The Who and many other bands. Classic rock consists of timeless songs like “Layla”, “Freebird”, “Sympathy For The Devil” by The Rolling Stones and many, many more…but what is the greatest rock anthem of all time?
“Valhalla, I Am Coming…”
Well, many will chant this band’s name. Led Zeppelin created some of the great rock songs of all time, with lyrics like these:
“Hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new land.
To fight the hordes and sing, and cry.
Valhalla, I am coming…”
Just seeing pictures of Led Zeppelin in concert tells you that this band KNEW they were mythical: HAMMER OF THE GODS indeed!
But did they record the greatest rock anthem of all time? As I said, there are many contenders to the throne…
Here are three choices for you to ponder, beginning with a group considered the greatest of all time – and I agree completely with that assessment:
Look at that: in just six years, The Fab Four would go from clean-cut suits in classic black’n’white photos to the greatest single concert event ever captured – their London “rooftop” performance of all new material for the documentary “Let It Be”.
It would be, of course, the last time they ever performed together – and it’s an amazing experience to see – in fact, the “Let It Be” documentary was briefly released on VHS, and I have a copy – and Director Peter Jackson made the greatest rock documentary of all time when he expanded the original film by more than 6 hours!
The Beatles have so many great songs, but there has always been one that was more “anthemic” than all the others:
The Epic Brilliance Of “Hey Jude!”
It begins with some of the most iconic lyrics in music:
“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better”
It’s a song that runs longer than seven minutes, Paul singing a song of support to John’s young son Julian, as his parents were getting a divorce.
What makes this song even more powerful is that the band invited a studio full of friends and fans to join them for a live performance of the song, an iconic moment in music history…
“Hey Jude” begins as a soft ballad, slowly building before exploding into an audience participation chant of the chorus – it was the longest single ever released at that time.
Here is the amazing “promo film”, introduced in the studio by David Frost, and it begins with a minute of goofiness, then two takes of the introduction by Frost – before the camera cuts to Paul’s closeup, and he awaits his cue to begin:
WOW.
That video has been viewed millions and millions of times!
To see the trailer for the massive Beatles “Get Back” documentary, click here:
That’s my choice for the third best rock anthem of all time.
So, now it’s time to reveal my two favorite rock anthems of all time…and there was a big “switcheroo” involved!
“Who”?
Yes, indeed!
The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again!”
The Who really nailed their greatest rock anthem in 1971 with their classic “Won’t Get Fooled Again”!
“I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
No, no!”
Pete Townsend wrote the song: a epic statement about youth, rebellion, revolution and acceptance – eight minutes of rage, anger and energy that reaches a crescendo with what is, without a doubt, the greatest howl in rock history:
“Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
It’s almost impossible to accurately capture the power of this guttural primal scream that Roger Daltry performs in this song:
The song has great musicianship, two different solo bridges, changes in tempo, and of course, THAT SCREAM.
Watch this short clip, which begins with Drummer Keith Moon waling away on a massive drum kit before Daltry lets out his guttural roar live and Pete Townsend slides across the floor while playing his guitar!
What a moment in rock history! Then, what followed that scream is a summation that is cutting – and iconic in rock history – as these lyrics end the song:
“Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss…”
Anger, rage – and acceptance that nothing will ever change…
Pete Townsend is famous for his powerful guitar work – and his circular assault on the instrument throughout the song – but the lyrics are just so incredibly powerful – match by the energy of the entire band – here is an amazing performance of the song live from 1977 – one of the greatest live rock songs of all:
The Who continued to perform for more than 50 years – here is a look at their 50 year anniversary, and Townsend’s incredibly candid memoir:
So, when I first shared my favorite rock anthems list 8 years ago, this was actually the #1 song on the list…but a few things changed my mind…
The song is still as powerful, but another one just continues to grow and grow in power for me….so, with The Who dropping down to a still powerful #2 on my list, here is my favorite rock anthem of all time:
A “Bustle” In My “Hedgerow?”
Yes, Led Zeppelin have stormed into the lead, with their greatest song ever!
Without a doubt, “Stairway To Heaven” includes some of the most unique lyrics in rock history – and the most memorable!
“If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now,
It’s just a spring clean for the May queen.”
Jimmy Page was one of rock’s greatest Guitarists, and along with Singer Robert Plant, they wrote the most mystical song of all…with I think the greatest single lines in rock music history
“And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.”
“To Be A Rock And Not To Roll” Indeed!
Well, these lyrics are known by every rock fan – from what is widely referred to as one of the greatest rock albums of all time as well:
The song is from Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, known as “Zoso” or “Runes” – it’s a masterpiece, from the opening song “Black Dog” to the brilliance of “Rock And Roll” , then “The Battle Of Evermore” – every single song a classic rocker straight through to the end – but one song immediately reached iconic status:
The Majesty Of “Stairway To Heaven!”
It’s a brilliant song with some of the most-known lyrics of all time:
“There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh ooh and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.”
Here is the band performing the song live in 1975 from Earls Court in London – with the great Robert Plant ad-lib in the middle of the song:
“do you remember laughter?”
Here’s an extended live version of the song from the greatest rock band of all time:
WOW. What an incredible performance.
The slow build, the dramatic shift to hard rock, and the softly sung final lyrics…amazing.
All of the band’s music has been remastered with tons of extras – massive box sets that include rehearsals and alternate takes, plus great music videos as well – see more detail here:
So why am I telling you about my three favorite rock anthems of all time?
Because I am sharing my blogging friend’s Eric’s favorite songs – ONE THOUSAND OF THEM!
I got him to explain to me in more detail how and why he did this incredible journey though his musical history…I will be sharing his list and my interview with him in a few days but, since we are talking “best of”, why not “worst song” as well?
I got some angry reaction to this story – but read what I wrote and listen to the song – here is for me, the worst of all time – even worse than “Smoke On The Water!”
Good songs bad songs…but what about great album COVER ART?
This album cover by The Rolling Stones included a zipper that actually worked!
See an interesting list of some of the greatest album covers of all time – I disagreed with a few and you will too!
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Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Led Zeppelin, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, The Beatles
johnrieber 
Geez asking me which is the best is really tough…..I grew up in the 60s so damn near any rock song would be my favorite….but there are two that I will exclude…..’Freebird’ and anything done by Bread….really tough question/……well done chuq
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As you already know, I am not a fan of Rock Music. However, I think ‘Stairway To Heaven’ is one of the truly great modern songs. It is like a small opera, and I never tire of hearing it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s why it is so powerful to me Pete…the buildup and operative nature of it…the great thing about music is that there is SO much to love! Now off to some Donald Fagen solo albums while I work on a project!
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Three undeniably great songs, and you could have chosen just about anything by Bread for your “worst!”
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HA! I got some pushback when I first shared that story, but I did it for fun – there is so much awful music in our past – and even more in our present!
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They were a prime example of what I term “wimp rock.” I think you were right 👍
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