5,000,000
Encyclopedia
5,000,000 is Dread Zeppelin
's second full-length album. Recorded in early fall 1990, it was conceived and recorded during a three-week break from touring to support the surprisingly successful Un-Led-Ed
. Produced by Jah Paul Jo
and Rasta Li-Mon, the album once again featured their patented "Zeppelin-Inna-Reggae-Style" hybrid plus 3 original songs and a cover of Bob Marley's "Stir It Up" and "Train Kept A'Rollin'" by The Yardbirds. The album was released worldwide by I.R.S. Records in 1991.
The title is a reference to the Elvis Presley
album, 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong
. The cover image is an homage to the Led Zeppelin
album Led Zeppelin IV
.
." Producer/guitarist Jah Paul Jo had said that they left the Zeppelin classic off of Un Led-Ed on purpose so people would have to buy the second album, too.
"Stairway to Heaven" was edited to be released as a single in the UK (vinyl and CD format). It was also offered as a 3" CD in Japan. Dread Zeppelin's version of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" is the B-side of the UK single.
A video to promote "Stairway to Heaven" was proposed but never finished due to copyright considerations. The concept was a take-off on the Japanese film, "King Kong Versus Godzilla." This time, it was going to be a gargantuan Tortelvis fighting Godzilla. Many of Dread Zeppelin's 1991 Japanese performances were filmed for inclusion in the video, but it was never completed.
"Stir It Up" by Bob Marley
also got the Dread Zeppelin treatment. "Stir it up, Charlie... put it in a blender and get real gone," vocalist Tortelvis is heard to mutter on the fade. The song also features electric sitar and a Moog Synthesizer the band claimed to find in Dave Stewart's
(Eurythmics
) attic.
A video of "Stir It Up" was released in 1991 to promote the album. In it, various members of Dread Zeppelin appear as themselves and also as a backup singing group (The Michael Jordanaires) and Tortelvis as Bingo Master in Lederhosen at an Elk's Lodge.
Whereas Led Zeppelin had the picture of a mystic man holding sticks on the cover of Led Zeppelin IV, Dread Zeppelin featured Tortelvis' towel and water man, Charlie Haj holding various pool cues and cleaning gear. The inside of the album is a telethon with people manning the telephones and the band posing beside a large-size mock up of a check. The credits for the album are pictured as a tear-stained thank-you speech presumably never given.
In the USA, the cover is in color on the outside but black and white on the inside. UK and Japanese versions are full color inside and out.
In the UK, the album was released on vinyl and CD.
Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
's second full-length album. Recorded in early fall 1990, it was conceived and recorded during a three-week break from touring to support the surprisingly successful Un-Led-Ed
Un-Led-Ed
Un-Led-Ed is the debut album by Dread Zeppelin. Released in 1990 to a skeptical public, the album became a sensation on the strength of glowing reviews and a public endorsement by Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robert Plant, who claimed he preferred Dread Zep's version of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" to Led...
. Produced by Jah Paul Jo
Jah Paul Jo
Jah Paul Jo is a guitarist, bass player, singer and producer best known for creating the novelty band, Dread Zeppelin. From 1983 to 1988, Jah Paul Jo, as Severs Ramsey, was the singer/bass player in The Prime Movers...
and Rasta Li-Mon, the album once again featured their patented "Zeppelin-Inna-Reggae-Style" hybrid plus 3 original songs and a cover of Bob Marley's "Stir It Up" and "Train Kept A'Rollin'" by The Yardbirds. The album was released worldwide by I.R.S. Records in 1991.
The title is a reference to the Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
album, 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records - Volume 2 is the ninth album by Elvis Presley, issued on RCA Victor Records in November 1959. It is a compilation of hit singles released in 1958 and 1959 by Presley, from two recording sessions in June 1958 at RCA Studios in Nashville and...
. The cover image is an homage to the Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
album Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin IV
The fourth album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin was released on 8 November 1971. No title is printed on the album, so it is generally referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, following the naming standard used by the band's first three studio albums...
.
"Stairway to Heaven" and "Stir It Up"
A Led Zeppelin song notable for its inclusion on 5,000,000* is "Stairway to HeavenStairway to Heaven
"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band's untitled fourth studio album . The song, running eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which...
." Producer/guitarist Jah Paul Jo had said that they left the Zeppelin classic off of Un Led-Ed on purpose so people would have to buy the second album, too.
"Stairway to Heaven" was edited to be released as a single in the UK (vinyl and CD format). It was also offered as a 3" CD in Japan. Dread Zeppelin's version of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" is the B-side of the UK single.
A video to promote "Stairway to Heaven" was proposed but never finished due to copyright considerations. The concept was a take-off on the Japanese film, "King Kong Versus Godzilla." This time, it was going to be a gargantuan Tortelvis fighting Godzilla. Many of Dread Zeppelin's 1991 Japanese performances were filmed for inclusion in the video, but it was never completed.
"Stir It Up" by Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
also got the Dread Zeppelin treatment. "Stir it up, Charlie... put it in a blender and get real gone," vocalist Tortelvis is heard to mutter on the fade. The song also features electric sitar and a Moog Synthesizer the band claimed to find in Dave Stewart's
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
(Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
) attic.
A video of "Stir It Up" was released in 1991 to promote the album. In it, various members of Dread Zeppelin appear as themselves and also as a backup singing group (The Michael Jordanaires) and Tortelvis as Bingo Master in Lederhosen at an Elk's Lodge.
Album cover
In the USA, the cover is in color on the outside but black and white on the inside. UK and Japanese versions are full color inside and out.
In the UK, the album was released on vinyl and CD.
Track listing
Personnel
- Carl Jah – Guitars and Background Vocals
- Jah Paul Jo – Guitars, Keyboard and Background Vocals
- Put-Mon – Porn Bass and Background Vocals
- Tortelvis – Lead Vocals
- Ed Zeppelin – Conga, Percussion & Toast
- Fresh Cheese 'n' Cheese – Drums
- I-Lar-E Treadwell – Larry's Tower and Vocal Introduction On "Forgettin' About Business," Balalaika on "When the Levee Breaks"
- Bun-E Slopes – Blues Harp on “When the Levee Breaks” and "Train Kept A-Rollin'"
- The Dreadettes – Background Vocals
- Michael Jordanaires – Background Vocals
Production
- Producers: Jah Paul Jo, Rasta Li-Mon
- Engineer: Rasta Li-Mon
- Art direction: Hugh Brown
- Photography: Hugh Brown
- Charlie Haj is the man who hands Tortelvis his water and towels on stage.
Release formats
- CD: 1991 UK (IRS EIRSACD 1057)
- CD: 1991 US (IRS X2-13092)
- CD: 1991 JP (JVC VICP-5053)
- CS: 1991 UK (IRS EIRSAC 1057)
- CS: 1991 US (IRS X4-13092)
- LP: 1991 UK (IRS EIRSA 1057)