For entertainment value alone, which era of rock ‘n roll do you feel is most likely to deliver the goods? For instance, if I’m blindfolded and reach my hand into a bag of unmarked rock ‘n roll performances from a given era, the bag of early 1970s rock is likely to turn up a gem—strictly from an overall entertainment value, not necessarily a musical one—such as this 1971 performance by Atomic Rooster.
I get no musical satisfaction out of this clip, yet I’m happy as a clam to watch these prog-blooz hippies hunker down in their suede, fringe, and headbands and manufacture what are, to my ears, exciting tones, regardless of the music that emanates from those tones.
Musically, like so many geeks around here, I’m more easily satisfied by records from 1966 and 1967, but perhaps because some of the music I most love is from that period I get thrown for a loop when confronted with a random selection that offends my aesthetic sensibilities, like this:
I was watching this last night, which I feel is great early 70s rock entertainment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JsSULH4BCQ
Of course, when it comes to the 1967 era, you can never go wrong w/the Bonzos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od2PBlZ3ZQM
Here’s something from the modern era, a few days ago in fact, a friend of mine doing the old mach schau! in Ireland from a unique vantage point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fenFl4ypSA
The only thing standing between that first clip and total greatness is the presence of Slade.
Atomic Rooster, a band whose grasp exceeded its reach.
I would go for the mid-60’s (1964-67). If you do pull a bad performance out of the bag, you know you only have to put up with it for three minutes max!
No big surprise – I’d go for the 80’s, especially the early 80’s with Post Punk started to morph into New Wave. Not only do you get to sample the hair, makeup and wardrobe stylings, but you could watch some early MTV fodder all. And the music: even if you don’t want to hear it, you can identify it in about 2-5 seconds. And my “favorite” sound of the 80’s, the 12 inch singles.
Album Era
I’m really curious about that Atomic Rooster footage because the film quality and sound is so much better than most other 1971 film clips we see these days. Its almost too polished… it it a recreation?
As you know, mrclean, Atomic Rooster demanded The Best. My guess is it’s from German TV. German TV quality always seems better to my eyes that most nations’ feature film quality.
Even back in ’71 I am guessing their TV broadcasts could be enjoyed in True German Stereo on their Telefunken sets.