Rock n' Roll Nights
Encyclopedia
Rock n' Roll Nights is a studio album
by Canadian
rock band BTO, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music
). This album was one of three BTO albums that did not feature co-founder Randy Bachman
. Rock n' Roll Nights is also one of the two albums from this band to feature Jim Clench
, formerly of April Wine
. This album generated world wide sales of only about 250,000 copies, though a single from the album called "Heartaches" managed to reach #60 on the U.S. charts. It is a rare find on CD, as it was released only for a short time on that format in 1990.
The band played two songs -- "Heartaches" and "Jamaica" -- live on American Bandstand
in February, 1979 to support the Rock n' Roll Nights album release. During an interview segment on the show, Dick Clark mentions to the band that he is concerned about the increasing and dominating popularity of Disco
at the time. Many consider disco and the decline of guitar-based hard rock in the late 1970's to be among the reasons that both Street Action
and Rock n' Roll Nights sold so poorly.
The band used multiple outside songwriters on Rock n' Roll Nights, including Jim Vallance
of Prism
and Bryan Adams
(who penned the song, "Wastin' Time"). C.F. Turner and Jim Clench would later appear as session musicians for Adams' debut album in 1980.
Singles
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock band BTO, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
). This album was one of three BTO albums that did not feature co-founder Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman
Randolph Charles "Randy" Bachman, OC, OM is a Canadian musician best known as lead guitarist, songwriter and a founding member for both the 1960s–70s rock band The Guess Who, and the 1970s rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive...
. Rock n' Roll Nights is also one of the two albums from this band to feature Jim Clench
Jim Clench
Jim Clench , was a Canadian bassist best known for his roles in the Canadian rock bands April Wine and Bachman–Turner Overdrive.- With April Wine :...
, formerly of April Wine
April Wine
April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969. According to the band, they chose the name 'April Wine' simply because members thought the two words sounded good together...
. This album generated world wide sales of only about 250,000 copies, though a single from the album called "Heartaches" managed to reach #60 on the U.S. charts. It is a rare find on CD, as it was released only for a short time on that format in 1990.
The band played two songs -- "Heartaches" and "Jamaica" -- live on American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
in February, 1979 to support the Rock n' Roll Nights album release. During an interview segment on the show, Dick Clark mentions to the band that he is concerned about the increasing and dominating popularity of Disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
at the time. Many consider disco and the decline of guitar-based hard rock in the late 1970's to be among the reasons that both Street Action
Street Action
Street Action is an album by Canadian rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive , released in 1978, . It was the first BTO album released after the 1977 departure of co-founder Randy Bachman, and had a distinctively heavier sound than the previous two BTO studio albums...
and Rock n' Roll Nights sold so poorly.
The band used multiple outside songwriters on Rock n' Roll Nights, including Jim Vallance
Jim Vallance
James Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
of Prism
Prism (band)
Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
and Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
(who penned the song, "Wastin' Time"). C.F. Turner and Jim Clench would later appear as session musicians for Adams' debut album in 1980.
Track listing
- "JamaicaJamaica (BTO song)"Jamaica" is a song by Canadian rock group Bachman–Turner Overdrive that appears on the 1979 album Rock n' Roll Nights. It features Jim Clench on lead vocals. It was written by well-known songwriter Jim Vallance. It was released as a single but did not chart...
" (Vallance) – 4:08 - "Heartaches" (Turner) – 3:51
- "Heaven Tonight" (Clench, Thornton) – 3:03
- "Rock and Roll Nights" (Clench) – 5:30
- "Wastin' Time" (Adams) – 3:28
- "Here She Comes Again" (Clench, Thornton, Vallance) – 3:00
- "End of the Line" (Clench) – 3:25
- "Rock and Roll Hell" (Vallance) – 4:06
- "Amelia Earhart" (Simmonds, Vallance) – 6:19
Personnel
- Robbie BachmanRobbie BachmanRobin "Robbie" Bachman is a drummer and the youngest brother of Canadian guitarist, singer and songwriter Randy Bachman. He was the original drummer for both the Brave Belt and Bachman–Turner Overdrive bands.While growing up, Bachman practiced the drums at home, often playing along with his older...
- drums, percussion - Jim ClenchJim ClenchJim Clench , was a Canadian bassist best known for his roles in the Canadian rock bands April Wine and Bachman–Turner Overdrive.- With April Wine :...
- bass, vocals - Blair ThorntonBlair ThorntonBlair Thornton is a rock guitarist and songwriter most widely known for his work with the Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive . He also played in the Vancouver-based band Crosstown Bus prior to joining BTO.Thornton was recruited by BTO to replace founding member Tim Bachman, who left the...
- lead guitar - C.F. Turner - guitar, vocals
Production
- Producers: Jim VallanceJim VallanceJames Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
- Engineers: John Brand, Rolf Henneman
- Assistant engineer: Mike Donegani
- Mixing: Jim VallanceJim VallanceJames Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
- Art direction, photography: James O'Mara
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Pop Albums | 165 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Heartaches" | Pop Singles | 60 |