This week’s My Choice selection is from Mark the Engineer from Brisbane, Queensland.
The song title is a link to that song on the Bang a Gong website, or to a YouTube link that Mark has provided.
Mark’s comments about the songs are in italics.
The songs are in no particular order.
Living in the 70s – Skyhooks
In my opinion, Australia’s greatest ever band. They really captured the essence of the decade in Australia through their music. I was lucky enough to see them at Twin Towns in 1990 on the reunion tour. Still fantastic music.
Cum On Feel the Noize – Slade
My favourite ever band – still is. I think this is the best rock song ever made, and Noddy Holder is rock’s greatest vocalist and frontman.
Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll – Ian Dury and the Blockheads
All his songs were great, particularly all of the album ‘New Boots and Panties’.
Personality Crisis – New York Dolls
A mate of mine in high school brought in their first album, and we thought, what the …..? But great rock and roll. Produced by Todd Rundgren!
Cosmic Dancer – T.Rex
Love all of Marc Bolan’s music, but this is just beautiful, particularly the strings and Tony Visconti’s production.
White Punks on Dope – The Tubes
Just outrageous fun, and a great rock song.
School’s Out – Alice Cooper
I remember playing this at a party when school broke up. Loud!
Incense and Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock
I like lots of late ’60’s psychedelic music, but this is a beauty.
The Ballad Of Bonnie and Clyde – Georgie Fame
Another catchy ’60s song that I just love. Georgie recorded this after seeing the Warren Beattie classic movie.
Sunrise (Come My Way) – Buffalo
A ’70s Aussie hard rock band that no-one seems to remember these days. I recall listening to their first album with a mate when his parents were away – it was so loud and heavy.
Love on the Radio – Skyhooks
A beautiful song showing Shirley Strachan’s great vocals.
This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us – Sparks
Sparks are such a great band with the Mael Brothers still touring. Lots of great songs but this was the first and best hit.
Iron Man – Black Sabbath
So many great songs, but this is so heavy with a memorable riff. I first saw them in 2013 for the 13 Album tour.
Papa Was a Rolling Stone – The Temptations
I have a memory of lying in bed listening to this when I was about 13. Great beat and rhythm.
I Feel Love – Donna Summer
I’m not normally a disco fan, but I feel the love for the song with its hypnotic beat. You can tell Georgia Moroder was involved in the writing and production.
C’mon and Love Me – Kiss
Evidently this was a single in 1975, but I don’t remember it being released as a single in Australia. But my favourite song from the ‘Kiss Alive’ album.
Paper Plane – Status Quo
I saw Quo a number of times at Festival Hall in Brisbane in the ‘70s. Just love the rhythm and vocals in this song.
Baby Please Don’t Go – AC/DC.
I’m definitely a Bon Scott as lead vocalist fan. Loved all their ’70s singles, but this is so memorable, particularly my memories of Bon dressed up on Countdown. Great memories.
48 Crash – Suzi Quatro
Second single in Australia even bettered the first. I’ve seen Suzi a number of times, including her tour with Don Powell from Slade and Andy Scott from Sweet as QSP.
Know Your Product – The Saints
Another fantastic Aussie band – from Brisbane!. Just love how the horns make the song.
Psycho Killer – Talking Heads
The first and best of their singles in my opinion.
Space Oddity – David Bowie
Remember listening to this song with my mates in school. Who is this guy? The beginning of a legend.
A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall – Bryan Ferry
First saw the clip of this on some obscure TV show in Brisbane. Thought it was odd at first but it grew on me with Bryan Ferry’s magnificent delivery.
The Rain, the Park and Other Things – The Cowsills
This band did so many fantastic melodic songs that get stuck in your head.
Anarchy In The UK – Sex Pistols
This was played on 4ZZZ In Brisbane which was the only station that would play punk and new wave. I remember my parents overhearing it, and complaining “what was that noise?”, so that convinced me to listen to it again and again.
Nice N Sleazy – The Stranglers
Just got to love the melody and lyrics.
Kill ‘Em At The Hot Club Tonight – Slade
Another song from my favourite band. Oddly enough, I never heard it until 2007 when they released their B Sides Album. Should have been a single. So different from their other songs, with great vocals from Noddy Holder and beautiful violin from Jim Lea.
Theme from Suspiria – Goblin
My favourite horror movie; it’s the sound track by Goblin that makes the creepy atmosphere of a masterpiece. Even Alice Cooper is on record saying the same thing.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard
It was a toss up between the fantastic ‘See My Baby Jive’ or this, but I thought I’d end on a festive note.
Thank you Mark for a great selection, and for introducing us to some excellent lesser known tracks.
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