I write this post to put in perspective just how ridiculous Rod Stewart's comments were last night on American Idol (discussed in yesterday's Turnipblog post).
The History
The Yardbirds is a famous white boy blues band from England from the 60's. Any Rock Trivia person must be familiar with The Yardbirds' history of great guitarists; Jeff Beck replaced lead guitarist Eric Clapton, who was then replaced by Jimmy Page. Page and Beck were actually band mates for a six-month period in 1966. Then, depending on whom you believe, Beck either quit the group or was fired.
Beck moved on, seeking to create a “super group” featuring a heavier blues sound. Beck formed the Jeff Beck group, and in 1968 the group released their first album, Truth. The Jeff Beck Group featured a then relatively unknown 23 year old, Rod Stewart on vocals, Ron Wood on bass, and Mick Waller on drums. Beck also got legendary rock pianist Nicky Hopkins to guest on several tracks, and even future Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones appears on organ.
Jeff Beck is known, by music geeks, as one of the best guitar players of all time. Beck is not as well known as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, or Jimi Hendrix because Beck can't sing, write songs, or keep a band together. Sure enough, after a second album (Beck-ola), Rod Stewart and Ron Wood quit the band in 1969. They joined the Small Faces, who became The Faces. Ron Wood later joined The Rolling Stones as a guitar player, and Stewart went on to a successful solo career.
The Significance of TruthMany people consider Truth the first heavy metal album, preceding the early Led Zeppelin albums, with which it has much in common in terms of its approach. That approach = a combination of wailing vocals by Rod Stewart, the thunderous rhythm section of Ron Wood's bass and Mickey Waller's drums, and Beck's blistering lead guitar.
Truth established Jeff Beck as a star in his own right and brought Rod Stewart to a wider audience. It also established the group in the US and had a major impact on Jimmy Page who was in the process of putting together Led Zeppelin and developing the sound.
Truth was released several months before Led Zeppelin shipped their first album. Jimi Page used Truth as a blue print for Led Zeppelin's sound, as Beck 'n' company belted out blues-based hard rock. Truth has a cover of "You Shook Me", and so does Led Zeppelin I.
Truth was a launching pad of three Rock legends and an important piece in the history of rock. Others may have perfected the heavy metal sound, but Truth is where it all began.
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