Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock!
Encyclopedia
Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock was the title of an unreleased 1972 autobiographical album by the British rock band The Who
. In the liner notes for the Who's 1974 rarities collection Odds & Sods, guitarist and lead songwriter Pete Townshend
said, "I had an idea once for a new album about the history of The Who called Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock. That idea later blossomed into Quadrophenia
." The sessions for the album spanned from 19 May to 6 June at Olympic Studios in London. Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock was to be produced by The Who and Glyn Johns
and scheduled for release in October of 1972, but although the album was nearly completed (according to Townshend) the band felt as though it sounded too much like their 1971 LP Who's Next
. Townshend later stated that Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock was also going to be a TV special about The Who. Some of the songs recorded during the Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock sessions were originally written for another unreleased Who album, 1971's failed Lifehouse.
Townshend demoed another song, "Get Inside". It did not appear on track listings for Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock and therefore was probably not recorded by The Who.
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
. In the liner notes for the Who's 1974 rarities collection Odds & Sods, guitarist and lead songwriter Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
said, "I had an idea once for a new album about the history of The Who called Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock. That idea later blossomed into Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
." The sessions for the album spanned from 19 May to 6 June at Olympic Studios in London. Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock was to be produced by The Who and Glyn Johns
Glyn Johns
Glyn Johns is a musician, recording engineer and record producer.-Career:He has worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Easybeats, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Clash, The Steve Miller Band, Small Faces, Spooky Tooth, The Ozark...
and scheduled for release in October of 1972, but although the album was nearly completed (according to Townshend) the band felt as though it sounded too much like their 1971 LP Who's Next
Who's Next
Who's Next is the fifth studio album by English rock band The Who, released in August 1971. The album has origins in a rock opera conceived by Pete Townshend called Lifehouse. The ambitious, complex project did not come to fruition at the time and instead, many of the songs written for the project...
. Townshend later stated that Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock was also going to be a TV special about The Who. Some of the songs recorded during the Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock sessions were originally written for another unreleased Who album, 1971's failed Lifehouse.
Track listing
Proposed track listings, created by the band during the 1972 sessions for the album, are in existence. They contain nine songs as well as each song's length. The songs are:- "Join Together With The Band" - recorded on 22 May 1972, released as a single 16 June as "Join Together"
- "Relay" - recorded on 26 May 1972, released as a single 25 November
- "Long Live Rock" - recorded 5 June 1972, first released on Odds and Sods in 1974, released as a single in November of 1974
- "Put The Money Down" - recorded 6 June 1972, vocals completed in 1974 and released on Odds and Sods
- "Is It In My Head?" - recorded in May 1972, released on Quadrophenia on 18 October 1973
- "Love Reign O'er Me" - recorded in May 1972, completed 8 June 1973 released on Quadrophenia on 18 October 1973, released as a single 27 October 1973
- "Can't You See I'm Easy" & "Riot In The Female Jail" (AKA "Women's Liberation") - 2 songs demoed by Pete Townshend that may have been recorded by The Who (although neither Townshend's demos or The Who's recording - if there is a Who version - have been released) ; however, Pete Townshend's demos of "Can't You See I'm Easy" and "Riot In The Female Jail" have been unofficially released on Pete Townshend's "The Genuine Scoop" 5-CD bootleg.
- "Ambition" - performed by Pete Townshend on an episode of In the AtticIn the Attic (webcast)In The Attic was a live weekly webcast from Pete Townshend's Oceanic studios in London hosted by British singer-songwriters Rachel Fuller and Mikey Cuthbert. This lively show features regular guest appearances by Pete Townshend, Simon Townshend and Jerry Hall. The shows feature musical numbers,...
; he claimed The Who recorded a version during these sessions which was never released.
Townshend demoed another song, "Get Inside". It did not appear on track listings for Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock and therefore was probably not recorded by The Who.
Personnel
- Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
: lead vocals - Pete TownshendPete TownshendPeter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, Jews harp, vocals - John EntwistleJohn EntwistleJohn Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
: bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Keith MoonKeith MoonKeith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...