Page 101 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

OPINION

"Their 1962 UK tour was

supported by a bunch of

kids called The Beatles"

Paul Rigby

’ve touched on the notion of Trouble is, because we live Another major part of The
influence before in past col- in a society dominated by short- Beatles (and The Yardbirds, Lulu
umns. You see it all around termism, sound-bite media and plus others) was the work of the
when new singers name- restricted attention spans, our Isley Brothers (‘Just One Mo’ Time/
check their heroes and talk sense of truth, context and worth Singles As & Bs, 1960-1962’). Their
I about how this or that sing- is often buried, subsumed and song, ‘Twist and Shout’ was a major
er or band influenced their career mutated so you don’t have to be a event in rock and the career of
or current style. When an influence blind fan-boy/girl to view a popular The Beatles.
is noted, unless that person is aged musical artist in such a way. In fact this band – which would
around the age of 12, it tends to OK, I’m not asking you to span not only decades of time but
be a famous person of 60s vin- take a night-school course on the generations in terms of the group’s
tage who is quoted as the giver history of the Beatles (although line up – bestowed influence and
of knowledge: The Beatles, Stones, I wouldn’t mind attending such was influenced at the same time.
Dylan, Hendrix and the rest. a thing, I have to add) but we all While British creatives were
The issue I have with this must be aware that, as the old feeding off the talent of the Isleys,
frame of reference is this. Despite saying has it, ‘there’s nothing new a certain Jimi Hendrix (then Jimmy
the undoubted talents of all of under the sun’. James) was honing his technique as
the above mega-stars, despite the All of the above figures learned part of the Isley’s touring outfit.
changes they all brought upon from others. They were moulded The Isley Brothers would
music and how they moved their by others. They blatantly stole evolve and transform from an
particular fields forwards, there is from others (in the nicest possible R&B/Motown-a-like band to a
a danger that we see all of these way, of course) and without brilliant funk combo in the early
names as some sort of source. Like these ‘others’ they would have seventies and they did that with a
a turntable. had no chance as creative artists certain amount of influence from
There are many music fans out themselves. Jimmy Nolen (‘Strollin’ with Nolen
there that see these musical greats Such influences are - Hot Guitar, 1953-1962’) who was
as a Year One. That everything everywhere. My latest jiffy bag of known as the father of the funk
they did was perfectly sculpted, CDs from Jasmine Records (www. guitar. In fact his work backing
that their output was unique and jasmine-records.co.uk) had no James Brown was significant. ‘Papa’s
emerged from their respective trouble in offering four. There were Got A Brand New Bag’ wouldn’t be
brains in some sort of artistic Big only four in the envelope too. So I the same without him.
Bang. When that’s really not the didn’t even try to filter. Which goes Meanwhile, everyone was
case. to show how powerful was the influenced by Bob Diddley (‘Say
No blame is attributed to influence of older artists on the Man, Back Again - The Singles As &
the great names above, of course; whippersnappers of the 60s. Talent Bs, 1959-1962 Plus’). A man who
it’s not their fault. But there is was everywhere. It was ubiquitous. expanded the use and realised
an assumption by many fans and Even little-known characters the potential of the electric guitar.
music enthusiasts that these names like Bruce Channel (‘Hey! Baby His energetic style also set the
effectively leapt forth from the soil, - The Early Years 1959-1962’) were tone for axemen to come. Again,
fully formed. critical. His mid-tempo, 1962 No.1 Hendrix would have been a pale
I see this line of thought all hit spanned rock, country, blues imitation of his future self without
of the time on social media. If and more. It featured Delbert Diddley while The Rolling Stones
you ever visit a Facebook Group McClinton on harmonica. During based their attitude on the man.
devoted to a singer or band, for their 1962 UK tour, they were The Yardbirds, Animals...even Buddy
example, the people within will supported by a bunch of kids called Holly referenced Mr Diddley.
treat them as god-like figures The Beatles and one John Lennon Bottom line? If you have a
who did no wrong, can do no was madly in love with McClinton’s musical hero. No matter what time
wrong and everything they said style. To such an extent that he period you care to pick. Five will
was tantamount to holy scripture. copied it for the band’s debut hit, get you ten that they’re a complex
That’s understandable and ’twas ’Love me Do’ and many others amalgam of those who came
ever thus. after that. before.

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 101