An interesting and informative book about music composers, artists and groups: from Abba, Simply Red and Meat Loaf, through Gershwin, Delibes and Mozart. You'll be surprised at what you didn't know!
Excerpt:
Abba
A Swedish group, which enjoyed massive commercial success in the 1970’s. Founded in 1973 and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest at the second attempt in 1974 with Waterloo, the group derived its name from the first letters of its four member’s names: Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Annifrid Lyngstad. Subsequent hits include Mamma Mia (1975), Dancing Queen (1976), Knowing Me Knowing You (1977), and The Winner Takes It All (1980), all of which reached number one in the UK. The group finally disbanded in 1983, by which time the marrieges of the two couples had come to an end, but was revived in the shape of various tribute bands in the early 1990’s.
Ac/Dc.
Australian heavy metal band which emerged as one of the more influential hard rock groups in the mid-1970’s. Led by singer Bon Scott. Ac/Dc came together in Sydney in 1974 and rapidly earned a reputation as one of the most theatrical live acts of the era. The band’s stage show was enhanced by Young’s adoption of a mock schoolboy costume complete with cap and short trousers. Hit albums included Highway to Hell (1979), the last album on which Scott appeared before his death in 1980. Englishman Brian Johnson, former lead singer of the rock band Geordie, took Scott’s place as lead vocalist, and the band retained its status as one of the most successful heavy metal outfits with albums like The Razor’s Edge (1980), for Those About to Rock (1981) Blow Up Your Vidio (1988) and Ballbreaker (1995). The expression Ac/Dc (borrowed from the terminology of electricity) is widely used of bisexuals or of those homosexuals who take both passive and active roles in a sexual encounter.
Adam and the Ants.
British pop group, which enjoyed repeated chart success in the early 1980’s. The band led by singer Adam Ant (Stuart Goddard), achieved stardom in 1981 with the number one hit single ‘Stand and Deliver’. A raunchy, colourful song about highwaymen. The accompanying album kings of the wild frontier was equally successful blending elements of punk with the rolling drum rhythms (called the burundi beat) of african Tribal Music. Two more UK number ones – Prince Charming and Goody Two Shoies – followed in the next 12 months or so before the groups success faltered, later singles being credited to Adam Ant alone. Goddard later concentrated on acting.