The British Difference
by 
Chuck Hinson on February 11th, 2008
Still getting info for the story on Ron Ryan, so hang tight … I’ll have it for ya in a coupla clicks, okay?
‘Til then, I’ve gotta share this email I just got in the RockMailbag:
Dear Relic, it reads, What’s the differnce (sic) between the groups from England and our boys? Why can’t any one here be sucessful (sic) as they were in the invasion?
Y’know, it made me think a bit (a “first” for me, huh?). Actually, there were elements that many of the groups used that … well, just aren’t done anymore, apparently.
First, you have to remember that these acts came up the hard way … they served their time in the musical trenches, playin’ gigs wherever they could find ‘em! They didn’t have CD burners, internet YouTubes, Ipods, or whatever. They had to hone their craft by playing in person … long hours, small pay (if any), fine-tuning their acts to turn on the audience. Today, groups throw their songs onto a CD, hook it up to one of these music-download things on the internet, and off they go! Or so they think …
Second, they knew the value of the attack! That meant to start with something that’d “hit ‘em between the eyes”! Don’t ever go into the song tentatively, or without showing absolute confidence in what you’re playing!
Third, they didn’t actually try to copy someone. If it was the blues, 4/4 rock or whatever, they’d incorporate a sound into theirs, but wouldn’t try to “chapter-and-verse” it. One thing many of our groups tried to do was be mini-Beatles, Searchers or Stones. Since most of America had ‘Invasion Fever’, some of these made it to the charts, but only for a short time. When the ”Fever” more or less broke, the acts over there were still goin’ strong while many of their American copies couldn’t clone around anymore.
Fourthly, they knew how to interact with the audience. They learned this from playing at parties, occasionally-rowdy pubs, and places like The Kaiserkeller and The Star Club.
Here, they incorporated their individual personalities in their sets. Today, so many acts just do their sets and get off the stage after simple “thank you’s” at the end.
There are other reasons, like repetitive hooks, strong rhythm, solid harmonies and a good backbeat with only fills to embellish the song. They also enjoyed performing; to them, it wasn’t just a “paying gig”; it was the energy that coursed through their blood.
Well, I hope that answered Brian-from-Tennessee’s question. If you’ve got one, just send it on to me at therockrelic@yahoo.com, or just leave a comment at the end of a specific post. So, until next time, remember:
Keep yer eyes on the skies (also on this blog, ’cause Ron Ryan’s story’s comin up in a coupla clicks), yer feet on the ground, yer heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side …
| 2.5 |
Related Stories
POSTED IN: 60's rock, British Invasion, influences, instruments and elements, rock roots
0 opinions for The British Difference
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: