Music Banter - General Music

Music Banter - General Music https://www.musicbanter.com/ Discuss anything general about music and songs en Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:36:43 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.musicbanter.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Music Banter - General Music https://www.musicbanter.com/ How Black Blues Artists Reached White Audiences https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102233-how-black-blues-artists-reached-white-audiences.html Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:59:53 GMT es It wasn’t The Cream, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, or other British bands bringing the blues to white audiences who may never have heard of that art form before that allowed black musicians to share the spotlight. The truth is, many did not look beyond The Cream recording songs by Howlin’ Wolf to... es
It wasn’t The Cream, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, or other British bands bringing the blues to white audiences who may never have heard of that art form before that allowed black musicians to share the spotlight. The truth is, many did not look beyond The Cream recording songs by Howlin’ Wolf to discover who Howlin’ Wolf was and how he contributed to the blues and rock and roll. It took more than that. To me, the best rock autobiographies should explain not only where the music came from, but how it reached people who had never heard it before.

Black Artists On White Concert Bills
It took someone to place black blues artists and R & B artists to bring their music to the attention of the white masses, who were by far the lion’s share of the record-buying public. I did my bit to do just this. I did it knowingly and with the intent of introducing white audiences to black roots music. The best music memoirs should give those breakthroughs their due, because somebody had to make the bookings that put the music in front of new ears. That’s an important part of the story, because bringing those artists to new audiences didn’t happen by accident.

B.B. King And A Story Worth Writing
One of my earliest moves as a young agent at Associated Booking Corp. was to place B.B. King on a gig at the Fillmore. It was his very first major performance in front of a predominantly white audience. This was a major turning point in his crossing over to rock and roll audiences. For me, the best rock autobiographies come down to moments like that, when a booking actually changed who was listening. That booking belongs in a rock n roll autobiography as much as any backstage story, because it helped put the blues in front of a new audience and by the original writers/players.

Howlin’ Wolf Finally Takes The Spotlight
Also in 1967, Howlin’ Wolf debuted to white audiences at the Fillmore as well. Here was the songwriter for many British blues-based bands, finally having his day in the spotlight. To my mind, the best rock autobiography doesn’t begin with the British bands covering the blues. It begins with the men who created it.

Fats Domino And Almost Getting Fired
One of my earliest moves in the direction of getting great black talent in front of white rock and roll audiences was getting Fats Domino a gig at the Fillmore East. Fats of course killed it there and I came close to being out of a job for setting the Filmore date. Fats was relegated to touring the showband circuit of nightclubs, where he would play 6 nights per week and up to four sets per night. The Fillmore was two days of the week and two sets per night.

The problem was, that I created a move for Fats and his career that took commissions away from the Chicago office of ABC, as 6 nights paid far more than two, even though the right career move for Fats was to play the Fillmore. The head of the Chicago office was screaming for my head. However, I think Joe Glaser liked my balls and my move on behalf of Fats. Theese were the risks agents took when an artist’s future mattered more than a week’s commissions.

Three Blues Legends On One Bill
My all-time favorite show, which I packaged and sold to Bill Graham for the Fillmore, was on September 5, 1969, and featured the three blues greats, B.B. King, Albert King, and Bobby “Blue” Bland, at the Fillmore East in New York, New York. That September night is one of the reasons I believe the best rock autobiographies should remember who shared a stage, not just who ended up on the charts.

Throughout my time in the music agency business, I replicated these types of bookings many times, and it was far easier after the pioneering bookings to mix them on shows with the white rockers. That part of the best rock autobiographies often gets overlooked: somebody had to put those names on the same marquee.

Earth, Wind & Fire At California Jam
As time went by, other opportunities would present themselves. One such opportunity was the California Jam, at Ontario Raceway, in 1974, where I placed Earth, Wind & Fire, an R & B band, on the bill. What allowed me to do this was that a large segment of the acts that performed there were also represented by me, such as Deep Purple, Rare Earth, and The Eagles.

Earth, Wind & Fire tore it up. Maurice and his kalimba, along with the solid horn sounds of EWF, just broke the audience up with love for the band. Earth, Wind & Fire were received as a highly unique, energetic breakout act, winning over a crowd that was largely unfamiliar with them. If there’s a moment that deserves space in the best rock autobiographies of those years, it was watching that crowd fall for a band they hadn’t come to see.

This is how a booking could introduce exceptional performers to hundreds of thousands of new listeners.

Winning Over A Hard Rock Crowd
At California Jam, Earth, Wind & Fire burst onto the stage with sound and energy unlike anything the audience expected, quickly winning over thousands of fans who had barely heard of them before that day. California Jam also gave Earth, Wind & Fire something few concerts could offer: an enormous audience, extraordinary sound, and national television exposure. The festival’s powerful 54,000-watt sound system carried their music throughout the speedway, reaching spectators seated as far as half a mile from the stage with remarkable clarity.

The National Television Breakthrough
Their 42-minute performance was captured for ABC’s national television coverage, introducing the band’s distinctive sound and spectacular stage presence to millions of potential new fans. The timing couldn’t have been better. Just one year later, Earth, Wind & Fire would break through to mainstream superstardom with their number-one hit, “Shining Star.” What began as an unusual booking at a predominantly hard rock festival became an important stepping stone in the band’s rise to international fame. That’s the kind of crossover the best rock autobiographies need to remember, because a single booking could introduce an entire band to a new audience.

The icing on the cake was that ABC was so thrilled with Earth, Wind & Fire’s performance that I was able to get them on an episode of its major music show, “ABC In Concert.”

Parliament-Funkadelic On The Rock Circuit
Another incredible black band we represented at ATI in the early ’70s was George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic. The group was an amalgamation of The Parliaments, who were late doo-wop performers and early proponents of a smooth soul sound, and the band Funkadelic, whose early sound was raw, psychedelic rock with fuzz guitars. This amalgamation worked on bills with The Amboy Dukes, featuring Ted Nugent, The MC5, and the Stooges.

Crossing Over Without Leaving Their Roots
Like other black bands who were now crossing over into the mainstream of rock, they still played for black audiences. ATI was the agency responsible for representing and routing Parliament-Funkadelic’s massive live touring schedule during this exact era, navigating the chaotic festival circuits of the 1970s. One of my favorite dates was the 1973 Randall’s Island performance by the band. Crossing over didn’t mean leaving the original audience behind.

Randall’s Island And The Spirit Of P-Funk
The event’s atmosphere was truly that of a love culture event in the traditional rock festival style. The crowd was into P-Funk and was having a wonderful time. It was truly a carryover from the sixties, with its peace, love and happiness atmosphere. The best rock autobiographies should capture the atmosphere as much as the music, and Randall’s Island was a perfect example.

On Stage With P-Funk And No Room To Move
P-Funk’s set was slammin’ and the audience was jumping. All I could say to myself at the time was, “Thank God all were cool and enjoying themselves and the music,” as here was P-Funk, about a dozen or so players, myself and my partner, Sol Saffian, on a stage that could just about fit us all, providing we didn’t move about, which was not something that P-Funk could do as they rocked. Sol and I were on a stage without guards or guard rails, the only two white guys present, and it was truly an event of “peace, love and happiness.” That’s one of the things the best rock and roll autobiographies should capture: not just the musicians, but the moments when an audience discovered something entirely new. ]]> General Music Ira.Blacker https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102233-how-black-blues-artists-reached-white-audiences.html <![CDATA[Level by Dazmin D'leon]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102232-level-dazmin-dleon.html Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:50:54 GMT Been looping Level by Dazmin D'leon all week and it keeps getting better — instant playlist add for me. ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102232-level-dazmin-dleon.html <![CDATA[23 - Dazmin D'leon]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102230-23-dazmin-dleon.html Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:00:20 GMT Sharing today's find: 23 by Dazmin D'leon. Genuinely one of the best things I've heard this month — the energy never drops. ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102230-23-dazmin-dleon.html <![CDATA[The Long Haul - Dazmin D'leon & Sage Suede]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102226-long-haul-dazmin-dleon-sage-suede.html Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:01:53 GMT Sharing today's find: The Long Haul by Dazmin D'leon and Sage Suede. Genuinely one of the best things I've heard this month — the energy never drops. ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102226-long-haul-dazmin-dleon-sage-suede.html <![CDATA[Ejected by Dazmin D'leon — instant playlist add]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102225-ejected-dazmin-dleon-instant-playlist-add.html Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:34:59 GMT Been looping Ejected by Dazmin D'leon all week and it keeps getting better. That second verse is unreal — instant playlist add for me. ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102225-ejected-dazmin-dleon-instant-playlist-add.html <![CDATA[Whoop by Dazmin D'leon - my find of the month]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102223-whoop-dazmin-dleon-my-find-month.html Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:32:45 GMT Sharing today's find: Whoop by Dazmin D'leon. Genuinely one of the best things I've heard this month — the energy never drops.

Been looping it non-stop since this morning. Highly recommend giving it a spin if you need a pick-me-up! ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102223-whoop-dazmin-dleon-my-find-month.html Anna Von Hausswolff https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102222-anna-von-hausswolff.html Sun, 11 Oct 2026 11:29:13 GMT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpMH...VzdKAHAQ%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MecKYPrfaxs

album is so amazing ]]> General Music Mind-D https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102222-anna-von-hausswolff.html <![CDATA[New Drip - Dazmin D'leon (obsession alert)]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102221-new-drip-dazmin-dleon-obsession-alert.html Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:28:22 GMT Stumbled on New Drip (Dazmin D'leon) last night and I haven't stopped playing it. The production on this is so clean, highly recommend a full listen. ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102221-new-drip-dazmin-dleon-obsession-alert.html Buddy Holly https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102220-buddy-holly.html Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:30:02 GMT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGPN97ZmQZ0

Quote:

Oct 9, 2026 Notebookin' w/ Mindy Podcast

00:00 - Introduction: The Enduring Impact of Buddy Holly
00:41 - Keith Richards & The Blueprint for the Modern Band
01:07 - Redefining the Rock Star: The Relatable Guy Next Door
01:54 - Early Roots: From Texas Bluegrass to Elvis's Wake-Up Call
02:19 - Nashville Frustrations with Decca Records
02:37 - Late-Night R&B Radio & Childhood Musical Rebellion
03:19 - Heading to Clovis, New Mexico: Total Creative Freedom
03:39 - DIY Studio Innovations: Cardboard Boxes & Knee-Slapping
03:56 - Early Guitar Overdubbing & Tile Echo Chambers
04:15 - How the "Peggy Sue" Drum Beat & Name Change Happened
04:46 - Financial Mismanagement & Manager Norman Petty
05:51 - The Brutal Conditions of the Winter Dance Party Tour
06:21 - Chartering the Plane: Seat Swaps & The Coin Toss
07:04 - February 3, 1959: The Day the Music Died
07:42 - Enduring Legacy: Inspiring John Lennon, The Beatles & Modern Rock

]]> General Music Mind-D https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102220-buddy-holly.html <![CDATA[New obsession: 15th Street – Dazmin D'leon]]> https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102218-new-obsession-15th-street-dazmin-dleon.html Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:37:14 GMT New obsession: 15th Street — Dazmin D'leon. Everything about this works, the beat, the vocals, all of it. Trust me on this one. ]]> General Music befuddledtruffle https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102218-new-obsession-15th-street-dazmin-dleon.html Singers and musicians you are proud of for not selling out? :) https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102217-singers-musicians-you-proud-not-selling-out.html Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:35:24 GMT I am proud of Young MC for not selling out with his Ain't Going Out Like That Album. He said the music industry wanted him to sell out and be part of the hip hop and rap fad that was extremely popular in 2000 like Ludacris, Juvenile, Jay-Z, and JA Rule but he refused to sell out and remained true to his self and made Ain't Going Out Like That Album which was similar to his 80's album. In 2000 the 80's music was considered passe but Young MC decided to stick with what he was, not sell out to the 2000's hot fad. Interestingly enough three of the hot fad artists are considered irrelevant has beens today(Ludacris , Ja rule, and Juvenile, and only Jay-Z is considered relevant today) whereas Young MC is STILL considered a legend to this day. He did the right thing by not selling out to the 2000's hot fad and sticking to his true self. :) ]]> General Music Karice https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102217-singers-musicians-you-proud-not-selling-out.html Pick the 9 albums that made you https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102214-pick-9-albums-made-you.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:36:30 GMT Search more than two million albums, put your nine in order, and share the poster.

https://www.my9albums.com/

Everyone on Twitter is posting theirs. I'm just not sure about the age cutoff: at what point was I done being made? Let's say 20.

]]> General Music jadis https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102214-pick-9-albums-made-you.html Sharing my Halloween song, Scary Night! What are your favorite Halloween songs? https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102213-sharing-my-halloween-song-scary-night-what-your-favorite-halloween-songs.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:58 GMT Hi! This is Cory McAtee! I just released my new Halloween song, Scary Night! Would love it if you’d take a listen on Youtube or Spotify! What are some of your favorite Halloween songs?https://youtu.be/0xS28JBrThU?feature=shared Hi! This is Cory McAtee! I just released my new Halloween song, Scary Night! Would love it if you’d take a listen on Youtube or Spotify! What are some of your favorite Halloween songs?https://youtu.be/0xS28JBrThU?feature=shared ]]> General Music Music4kids https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102213-sharing-my-halloween-song-scary-night-what-your-favorite-halloween-songs.html Pretty Hate Machine is one of the greatest albums ever made https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102212-pretty-hate-machine-one-greatest-albums-ever-made.html Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:06:05 GMT it's one of my favorite albums ever made
I think it's a God-Damn Masterpiece ]]> General Music JayTheTerminator1992 https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102212-pretty-hate-machine-one-greatest-albums-ever-made.html Using photo references for album cover art - how do you approach visual styling? https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102210-using-photo-references-album-cover-art-how-do-you-approach-visual-styling.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 01:37:12 GMT Hi everyone, When working on DIY music projects, demo tapes, or local gig promotion, visual presentation is often just as important as the sound itself in setting a mood. A common approach many independent artists and bedroom musicians take is starting with a raw photo—like a candid rehearsal... Hi everyone,

When working on DIY music projects, demo tapes, or local gig promotion, visual presentation is often just as important as the sound itself in setting a mood. A common approach many independent artists and bedroom musicians take is starting with a raw photo—like a candid rehearsal shot, a moody street corner, an instrument close-up, or a distorted shadow—and transforming it through image-to-image styling (whether digital filters, texture overlays, or generative reference workflows) into album cover art or flyer concepts.

It can be a great way to brainstorm aesthetic directions (e.g. vintage 70s gatefold grain, 90s shoegaze blur, or gritty lo-fi collage) before committing to a final physical sleeve design. But there is always that tension between keeping the raw authentic character of the original photograph versus over-stylizing it into something that feels detached from the music. Image to Image

Curious how musicians, designers, and listeners here view the visual side of music releases:
1. When designing or browsing album art, do you generally prefer raw photographic covers or heavily stylized/transformed concept art?
2. For those who have designed your own single or album art from photo references, what visual styles or processing techniques felt most natural to your sound?
3. In your opinion, which classic album covers did the best job of turning an ordinary photograph into an iconic piece of sleeve art?

Would love to hear how folks here approach or appreciate album art aesthetics! ]]> General Music ethanjamescolez https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/102210-using-photo-references-album-cover-art-how-do-you-approach-visual-styling.html