Metallica, the #86 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"One of the best rock bands ever."

"Immortal"

"Legendary"

"...Headbanging so hard I get whiplash."

"Metallica will forever live."

"The Masters of Metal."

"Metallica is good for my soul.  It does for me what no other band can do."

I'm proud to say Metallica is my favorite band."

"Their music still gives me goose bumps after all these years."

"Long live Metallica."

"I love you, Metallica.  Thank you for your amazing music that has brought life into my soul."

In 1981, Danish drummer Lars Ulrich purchased an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper.  Vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield responded, and Metallica was born.  Ulrich took out another ad for a lead guitarist, and Dave Mustaine answered.  The three recorded the song "Hit The Lights" for the Metal Massacre I compilation, and, after adding bassist Ron McGovney, performed live for the first time March 14, 1982 at Radio City in Anaheim, California.

Later in the year, Ulrich and Hetfield went to see the group Trauma at the famous club Whisky a Go Go.  After seeing bassist Cliff Burton, the two Metallica members asked Cliff to be in their group.  Burton accepted only on the condition that the band move to El Cerrito near San Francisco.

Metallica had enough original material to record an album, so promoter Johny Zazula shopped the demo to record companies in New York City.  When the company executives who couldn't recognize talent if it bit them in the nose showed no interest, Zazula borrowed enough money to record the band himself and signed Metallica to his own label, Megaforce Records.

In 1983, Metallica began recording its debut album in Rochester, New York.  Just before the sessions began, the group fired Mustaine due to drug and alcohol abuse and violent behavior.  Kirk Hammett, formerly with the group Exodus, replaced Mustaine that afternoon.  Hammett's first appearance with the group was on April 16, 1983 at The Showplace in Dover, New Jersey.

Metallica released the album Kill 'Em All in 1983 when their members were just 19 years old.  The album did not sell well initially, but the group gained a following and Kill 'Em All has now topped three million in sales.  "Hit The Lights", filled with riffs and great guitar solos is a Top Track* from the album.  

Hetfield's rhythm guitar drives the album "Seek And Destroy" is another fan favorite and one of The Top Tracks of the Rock Era*.

 

The band traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to record their follow-up, Ride the Lightning, which was released in 1984.  Thanks to great songs like "For Whom The Bell Tolls", the album has now cleared six million in sales.

 

 The driving guitar makes "Creeping Death" another fan favorite.

 

"Fade To Black", which contains some of Hetfield's best lyrics and an amazing G-string in the intro that gives chills, hit a chord with metalheads worldwide.

Meanwhile, Michael Alago, A&R director for Elektra Records, and Cliff Burnstein, co-founder of Q-Prime Management , saw Metallica perform in September.  They were hooked--Burnstein signed a management deal with the group and Alago hooked Metallica up with a major recording contract.

Metallica toured the United States and Europe, playing before 70,000 at the Monsters of Rock Festival at Donington Park, England and in front of 60,000 at the Day of the Green festival in Oakland, California.

 

The band released the album Master of Puppets in 1986.  Beautiful and brutal at the same time, "Damage, Inc." is arguably Metallica's best song.

 

The album reached #29 and remained a best-seller for 72 weeks.  It went Gold that year and has now sold over six million.  The title song is another which instantaneously won over fans.

 

"The Thing That Should Not Be" features haunting lyrics, that great opening, and pounding riffs.

 

The guitar solo transforms into the vocal melody, like an orbiting echo.  This is "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)".  

Burton shines again on this great track:  "Orion".

On September 27, the band was riding in their tour bus in Sweden while on the European leg of their tour.  The bus driver lost control at around sunrise and the bus overturned several times.  Burton was pinned under the bus and died.  The three other members escaped injury.

After the tragedy, Hammett, Hetfield and Ulrich met to decide the group's future.  With the Burton family's blessings to continue, Metallica listened to 40 bassists before deciding on Jason Newsted.  The band also relocated to San Rafael, north of San Francisco, during this time.

 

The new lineup recorded the album ...And Justice for All, released in 1988.  The single "One" rose to #3 in Sweden and the Netherlands, #4 in Norway and #5 in Australia and sold over one million copies.  It also earned an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Heavy Metal Video.

 

The album became the first Top 10 for the group, and was quickly certified Platinum.  Metallica accepted the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for "One" and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, Vocal or Instrument for the album.  ...And Justice for All has now topped eight million units sold around the world.  With its exceptional intro, enjoy "Blackened".

"Harvester Of Sorrow" is a Top Track* on the album.

Join us for Part Two below!

Metallica, The #86 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Two

In 1990, Metallica recorded a cover of Queen's "Stone Cold Crazy", which won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, for the compilation album Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary.

Metallica brought Bob Rock in to produce their next album.  Rock had credits with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue and the Cult, among others.  It is said that the album was remixed three times, cost $1 million and ended three marriages.  

 

In 1991, Metallica released their self-titled album, also popularly known as The Black Album.  The single "Enter Sandman" stalled at #16 in the U.S., but reached #2 in Norway, #5 in the U.K., #8 in New Zealand, #9 in Germany and #10 in Australia and the Netherlands.  The #16 peak in the U.S. is especially puzzling, considering the fact that the single sold two million copies in that country--seems to be a serious methodology problem with the organization making up the numbers.

The video for "Enter Sandman" won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video among three nominations.  Metallica earned a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance and "Enter Sandman" was nominated for Best Rock Song.  Billboard Music Awards for Catalog Album of the Year and Catalog Artist of the Year.  The album debuted at #1 in 10 countries and sold over 650,000 its first week.  "The Unforgiven" also sold over one million copies and peaked at #10 in Australia.

 Metallica pulled a third hit off the album with "Nothing Else Matters", a #3 song in Norway, #4 in the Netherlands, #5 in Switzerland, #6 in the U.K., #8 in Australia and #9 in Germany.

 

The band was nominated for American Music Awards for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist and Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album in 1992 and they won the AMA in the former category in 1993.  "Wherever I May Roam" reached #2 in Norway and #8 in New Zealand.

Metallica toured the U.S., Japan and the U.K. for 14 months in support of the album.  But on August 8, 1992, Hetfield suffered second and third degree burns to his arms, face, hands and legs after walking into a 12-foot flame while performing "Fade To Black".  Several dates had to be canceled, but Hetfield returned as lead singer with John Marshall filling in on guitar.  The Black Album has sold over 16 million units.

 Metallica was nominated for Best Metal Performance for the track "For Whom The Bell Tolls" at the Grammy Awards.

Metallica was exhausted after three years of touring, and took a year to write and record songs for a new album.  Creativity was at its best, as the group had enough songs to do a double album.  They decided to release half the songs as the album Load in 1996, which also debuted at #1 and topped album charts throughout the world.  Another of the group's best, the single "Until It Sleeps", soared to #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart and also topped charts in Australia and Switzerland and #2 in Norway, #5 in the U.K. and the Netherlands and #10 in the U.S. overall.  It sold over one million copies.

 Metallica won another MTV Video Music Award for Best Hard Rock Video for "Until It Sleeps", which was also nominated for Viewer's Choice.  The band headlined the Lollapalooza Festival later in the year and captured the American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Rock Artist and the Billboard Music Award for Rock and Roll Artist of the Year.  "Hero Of The Day" also went to #1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart and peaked at #2 in Australia, #8 in Norway and #10 in Sweden.  Load has sold over five million copies.

The group continued to work on the other half of the material they had written, and released the remaining songs as the album Reload the next year.  "The Memory Remains" reached #3 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #3 in Norway, #4 in Sweden and #6 in Australia.

Reload gave Metallica three consecutive albums to debut at #1--it has now gone over the four-million mark in sales.  The single "The Unforgiven II" hit #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #8 in Norway and Sweden and #9 in Australia.

"Fuel" peaked at #6 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #2 in Australia and was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the Grammy Awards.

 

In 1998, the band released a double album of cover songs entitled Garage Inc., which has sold over five million worldwide.  Metallica's cover of the Bob Seger tune "Turn The Page" soared to #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

"Whiskey In The Jar" rose to #4 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #4 in Norway and won another Grammy for Metallica for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2000.

The track "Better Than You" won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance" while "The Call Of Ktulu" won in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Metallica recorded performances with the San Francisco Symphony on April 21-22, 1999 and released the project as the album and concert movie S&M.  It debuted at #2 on the Album chart in the U.S., was a Top 10 album in virtually every country in the world and has sold over six million copies.

In 1999, the video for "One" was voted #38 in MTV's Top 100 Videos of All-Time.

 

In 2000, Metallica recorded "I Disappear" for the movie Mission:  Impossible II, but prior to the release of the soundtrack, discovered the song was already receiving radio airplay.  Upon investigation, the group found that Napster had been playing the song as well as the group's entire catalog for free.  Metallica filed lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Napster for copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

In a settlement, Napster agreed to block users who shared music by artists who did not want their music shared.  The single also rose to #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart and its video was nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Rock Video and Best Video from a Film. 

Newsted left the group in 2001.  Metallica's next album was delayed five months when Hetfield entered rehab for alcoholism and other addictions.  Producer Bob Rock played bass on the album and at several live performances.  Robert Trujilo replaced Newsted. 

In 2003, Metallica released the album St. Anger, which also debuted at #1.  The title song peaked at #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart and reached #6 in Norway and #9 in the U.K. and Sweden.  It earned a Grammy Award for Best Metal performance and Metallica was nominated for Favorite Alternative Artist at the American Music Awards and the video was nominated for Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Metallica toured for two years in support of the album and took a break afterwards.  In 2006, Metallica released the DVD The Videos 1989-2004.  The group recorded a remake of the Ennio Morricone song "The Ecstasy Of Gold", which was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the Grammy Awards.

After 15 years, Metallica decided to switch from Bob Rock to Rick Rubin as producer.  In 2008, the group released the album Death Magnetic, yet another album to debut at #1.  Metallica became the first group to debut at #1 with five consecutive studio albums in history.  

The album also debuted in 32 other countries, including the U.K., Canada and Australia.  The single "The Day That Never Comes" sold over one million copies but peaked at #31 overall.  It reached #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart and hit #1 in Norway and #3 in Sweden.

The band earned Grammys for Best Metal Performance (for "My Apocalypse" and Best Recording Package while nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "The Ecstasy of Gold".

Metallica was nominated for World's Best-Selling Act at the World Music Awards, but the group's deal with Warner Brothers ended.  In 2009, Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  

Metallica released the box set The Metallica Collection in 2009.  The band continued to tour for two years in support of the album.   In 2011, Metallica headlined the Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro.  The group celebrated its 30th anniversary with four shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco. 

In 2012, Metallica launched its own record label, Blackened Recordings and released the movie and soundtrack Metallica:  Through the Never, which was a Top 10 album in several countries, in 2013, with the movie also nominated for Best Music Film at the Grammy Awards.  In 2014, they headlined the Glastonbury Festival and returned to headline the Lollapalooza festival for the first time in 20 years in 2015.  

 Metallica released the album Hardwired...to Self-Destruct in 2016, which debuted at #1.  The group toured the United States in support of the album in both 2017 and 2018.  They were nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song for the title song and won a Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album while also nominated for Top Rock Artist.

"Atlas, Rise!" is another #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Metallica extended the tour and released performances of the concerts to theatres to celebrate the 20th anniversary since S&M.  The group also released an album, DVD and box set featuring the shows and called S&M2, which reached #1 in Australia and Germany, #2 in the U.K. and #4 in the U.S.  Metallica was nominated for Top Touring and Top Rock Tour at the Billboard Music Awards.

Metallica planned to tour South America in 2020 but when Hetfield re-entered a rehabilitation program, all those shows were canceled.

The band has landed 16 career hits with one Top 10 song.  They have excelled on the Mainstream Rock chart, accumulating 37 hits, 24 of those landing in the Top 10 and 10 going to #1.  Six career albums debuted at #1.  

Metallica has sold over 120 million records worldwide.  

They have won two American Music Awards from six nominations, nine Grammy Awards out of 23 nominations, five Billboard Music Awards from nine nominations and three MTV Video Music Awards from 13 nominations, and were also nominated for a World Music Award.

Eric Clapton, the #87 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"Amazing musician."

"Eric Clapton is timeless & the epitome of coolness that never fades or goes out of style."

"What an incredible artist."

"Clapton's music touches my body and soul."

"A real gem."

"The most soulful bluesman of the 21st century!"

"Clapton is so versatile--he can do any kind of music."

"A definitive musican."

"Eric Clapton has got me thru good times and bad times,no matter what."

"One of the most enduring stars."


The accomplishments of this next artist are many.  When you add his legendary guitar work and membership in the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & the Dominos as well as his solo work, Eric Clapton is one of the primary contributors of the Rock Era.  It is his solo career that is ranked here.

Eric was born March 30, 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England to 16-year-old Patricia Clapton and 25-year-old Edward Fryer, a Canadian soldier.  Fryer served in World War II prior to Eric's birth before returning to Canada.  Eric grew up with his grandmother, Rose and her husband Jack Clapp.  

Eric received an acoustic guitar for his 13th birthday but he found it difficult to play.  Two years later, however, Clapton picked it up again and began playing consistently.  After graduating from Hollyfield School in Surbiton, he stained glass design at Kingston College of Art for one year but was dismissed because Eric was focused more on music than art.  
Clapton began busking around the West End of London and other nearby cities and joined David Brock as a duo in 1962, performing in pubs around Surrey.  When he was 17, Clapton joined the Roosters, which also included future Manfred Mann member Tom McGuinness.

Clapton was a member of the Yardbirds for two years before branching off to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. 
Clapton them formed the group Cream (above right) with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker.  They proved to be short-lived, as did Clapton's next group Blind Faith.  

 Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett co-wrote most of the songs on Clapton's first solo album.  Although the single "After Midnight" reached #10 in Canada, it stalled at #18 in the U.S., qualifying it to be one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

 Another track which received significant airplay is "Let It Rain".

Clapton, who had played guitar for the Beatles on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", helped George Harrison out on his solo album All Things Must Pass.  Eric also recorded with John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, Dave Mason and Dr. John during this time.

Clapton then formed the group Derek and the Dominos to try to prove that he could function as part of a group.  But once again, it didn't last long.  Clapton's friendship with Harrison led him to pursue Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, romantically.  Not only did he betray Harrison's trust, Clapton then publicly humiliated him by writing "Layla" about the experience.  Some friend, huh?

The album Layla included help from another elite guitarist, Duane Allman.  But while planning a second album, there was a clash of egos and Clapton walked out on the group.

Troubled by problems that were his own doing, Clapton became addicted to heroin and passed out on stage while performing at the Concert for Bangladesh.  In 1972, Clapton released the compilation album History of Eric Clapton, which peaked at #6 in the United States.  

The following year, Eric began electro-acupuncture treatment for his addiction.

In 1974, Eric began living with Pattie Boyd, whom he married in 1979.  Pattie wised up in 1988 after Clapton first had an affair with Yvonne Kelly that resulted in the birth of daughter Ruth in 1985 and then had another affair with an Italian model that resulted in the birth of son Conor in 1989. 

In 1974, Clapton recorded his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard.  His remake of the Bob Marley song "I Shot The Sheriff" went to #1 in the United States, Canada and New Zealand, #5 in the Netherlands, #7 in Japan and Belgium and #9 in the U.K. and was certified Gold in the U.S.

 Clapton toured the U.S., Europe and Australia in support of the album.  Eric starred in the movie Tommy in 1975.  The following year, Clapton performed in the final performance of The Band, filmed and released as the documentary The Last Waltz.  Clapton has a Top Track* with "Let It Grow".

 Clapton released There's One in Every Crowd in 1975 and No Reason To Cry in 1976 but neither has yet to sell at least one million copies worldwide.  Clapton did record the Top Track* "Sign Language" from the latter.  

On August 5, 1976, a visibly drunk Clapton announced during a concert in Birmingham, England, that Great Britain was in danger of becoming a "black colony".  Clapton shouted, the racist remark "Keep Britain white!"

 

In 1977, Clapton released the finest studio album of his career, Slowhand.  "Lay Down Sally" peaked at #3 in the U.S. and Canada and #5 in Japan, but did not come close to the Top 10 anywhere else in the world.  It became Eric's second Gold single.

 

The follow-up, "Wonderful Tonight", stalled at #16 in the U.S.  As proof that it is one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, it went on to sell over one million copies and reached #1 in Japan, #2 in the Netherlands, #3 in France and #5 in Belgium.

 Another track on the album for which Clapton is famous for is "Cocaine".

 

The following year, Eric released the album Backless, which contained "Promises", #7 in Canada and #9 in the United States.

 Clapton toured the world in support of the album.  In 1980, Eric released the live album Just One Night, which was recorded in 1979 at the Budokan Theatre in Tokyo, Japan.  The album went Gold and features this live performance of "Cocaine".

 
In 1981, Clapton released the album Another Ticket, which yielded the #10 song "I Can't Stand It".  But he had to cancel a 60-date tour of the United States after he went into the hospital with bleeding ulcers.  The next month, Clapton was involved in an auto accident and was hospitalized for that as well.

Join us for Part Two of Eric Clapton's story, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!

Eric Clapton, The #87 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Two

Clapton and Jeff Beck performed together at The Secret Policeman's Other Ball in London.  Clapton then checked into the Hazelden Treatment Center in Minnesota.  Eric began working on his next album, which was released under the title Money and Cigarettes.

 

In 1985, Clapton released the album Behind the Sun, produced by Phil Collins.  "Forever Man" stalled at #26, but it did reach #1 with the much smaller Rock audience.

Collins returned in 1986 to produce the Clapton album August.  The first single was "It's In The Way That You Use It", which was featured in the movie The Color of Money and gave Clapton another #1 Rock hit.

Clapton, Collins, bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes toured for two years, with videos of the performances released as Eric Clapton Live from Montreux and Eric Clapton and Friends.

 

In 1989, Clapton released the album Journeyman.  "Bad Love" won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and a Billboard Music Award for Best Rock Tracks Artist.

In 1990 and 1991, Eric performed 32 concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.  But on March 20, Clapton's son, four-year-old Conor, died after falling from a 53rd-floor window of his mother's friend's apartment in New York City.

Eric wrote the song "Tears In Heaven" as an expression of his grief and it became his biggest career hit, going to #1 in Canada, #2 in the United States and #5 in the U.K. and selling over two million copies. 

 

Clapton released the live album Unplugged, which included an acoustic version of "Layla", a song he had recorded with Derek & the Dominoes.  "Layla" raced to #1 in Canada and #9 in the U.S.  

Clapton won six Grammy Awards among 10 nominations for the song and his Unplugged album (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Tears In Heaven" and Best Rock Song for "Layla".  He also captured a World Music Award for Best-Selling Rock Artist of the Year.

Unplugged reached #1 in the U.S. and #2 in the U.K. and has sold over 10 million copies.  "Tears In Heaven" also captured Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards.

In 1994, Clapton released the album From the Cradle.  He won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album (also nominated for Album of the Year) and a special Billboard Music Award for Artistic Excellence.

The following year, he teamed with Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, Cher and Neneh Cherry in the song "Love Can Build A Bridge", with proceeds going to the charity telethon Comic Relief.

Clapton released the single "Change The World" from the movie Phenomenon, which won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.  He also recorded the album Retail Therapy under the pseudonym TDF, with the song "SRV Shuffle" winning another Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

 

In 1997, Eric released the album Pilgrim, the first new album of new material he had recorded in nearly 10 years.  Clapton captured a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "My Father's Eyes" while Pilgrim was nominated for Best Pop Album.

Eric released the compilation album Clapton Chronicles:  The Best of Eric Clapton in 1999.  The following year, Clapton collaborated with Santana on the song "The Calling" from Santana's masterpiece album Supernatural, which won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Clapton worked with B.B. King on the album Riding with the King in 2000, which won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.

In 2001, Clapton was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and released the studio album Reptile.  Clapton won another Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the title song, while "Superman Inside" was nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

The following year, he performed at the Party at the Palace concert outside Buckingham Palace in London.

In 2003, Clapton's song "I Shot The Sheriff" was accepted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

In 2004, Clapton released the albums Me and Mr. Johnson and Sessions for Robert J., covers of songs by Robert Johnson.  The former earned two more Grammy nominations for Best Traditional Blues Album and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for the song "Something".  

In 2005, Eric performed at the Tsunami Relief Concert in Cardiff to aid victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.  He joined old mates Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker to reunite for several Cream concerts.  

Clapton released the album Back Home later that year, which earned him another Grammy nomination for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the song "Revolution".  Eric was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys.

In 2008, Eric won another Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for The Road to Escondido.

Clapton continued to tour extensively, making appearances with artists such as Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood and members of the Allman Brothers Band.  He released the album Clapton in 2010 and toured the U.S. and Europe in 2013 to celebrate his 50-years as a professional musician.

In 2013, Eric released the album The Breeze:  An Appreciation of JJ Cale.  Clapton performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City and during a seven-night residency at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2015.  

Clapton released the albums I Still Do in 2016 and the Christmas album Happy Xmas in 2018.

In 2020, Clapton was in favor of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to kill as many people around the world as possible.  He was nonetheless inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

Eric has collected 20 career hits, with 6 of those reaching the Top 10 and one #1 song.

Clapton has won 18 Grammy Awards among 38 nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, one World Music Award and one MTV Video Music Award out of six nominations.

The Police, the #88 Artist of the Rock Era

"Legendary group".

"One of the best bands ever."

"A case of the band being more than the sum of its parts."

"These guys are phenomenal; I love them."

"Brilliant band."

"Exceptionally-written music."

"An innovative and wonderful group."

"My favorite band of all-time."

"Such an awesome band."

"Super cool band--classic."

In 1976, drummer Stewart Copeland of the band Curved Air met vocalist/bassist Gordon Sumner, who was nicknamed Sting.  Sting was playing in a group called Last Exit at the time.  Two months later when Sting moved to London, he contacted Copeland to get together for a jam session.  Copeland's group had recently broken up and he was ready to form a new group.  Sting and Copeland recruited guitarist Henry Padovani and formed the Police.  They performed live for the first time on March 1, 1977 at Alexander's in Newport, Wales.  

The Police performed in pubs in the area and toured in support of other groups.  They recorded the single "Fall Out" later in the year, which received little interest.  Mike Howlett invited Sting to join him in his group Strontium 90.  Sting brought Copeland with him into the band, which also included guitarist Andy Summers, a musician with credits including playing with Eric Burdon and the Animals.

Strontium 90 performed in London and recorded several demo tracks.  Sting still wanted to pursue the prospects of the Police, though he wasn't happy with Padovani on guitar.  Impressed by Summers, Sting asked Andy to be in the band.  Summers agreed, but only if he replaced Padovani as he wanted to play in a trio.  Copeland and Sting were loyal to Padovani and played as a four-piece on two occasions that year.  But after a failed recording session, Summers demanded Padovani be fired from the group. 

 

The new lineup performed live for the first time on August 18 at Rebecca's in Birmingham.  Sting and Summers also recorded three albums as part of a group assembled by Eberhard Schoener while still continuing in the Police.  Copeland's brother Miles financed recording of the group's first album at Surrey Sound Studios.  When Copeland heard "Roxanne", he enabled the Police to sign a recording contract with A&M Records.  The single was released in 1978 but failed to chart.  Later in the year, the group released their debut album Outlandos d'Amour.  The single "Can't Stand Losing You" became a minor hit.

 

In 1979, "Roxanne" was released as a single in North America and peaked at #31 in Canada and #32 in the United States, one of The Most Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.  Given the renewed popularity, the song was re-released in the U.K. and reached #12.

The song may not have been a big hit at the time, but it led to an appearance at the famous New York City club CBGB.  Not able to afford the finer pleasures of touring yet, the Police drove around the United States in a van on an extensive North American Tour.  "Can't Stand Losing You" was also re-released in the U.K. and rose to #2.

 

Fans have since pushed the album to Platinum status.  In 1979, the band released the album Reggata de Blanc, the first of five consecutive #1 albums in the U.K.  The single "Message In A Bottle" also topped the U.K. and Ireland Singles charts and reached #2 in Canada, #4 in the Netherlands and #5 in Australia.  

"Walking On The Moon" went to #1 in the U.K. and Ireland but did not spread to North America.

Reggata also has sold over one million copies.  The Police went on their first world tour, including stops in Mexico, India, Honk Kong, Greece and Egypt.  The title song of the album, though it received little airplay, won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.  

 

The Police released the album Zenyatta Mondatta in 1980.  The first single, "Don't Stand So Close To Me", rose to #1 in the U.K. and Ireland, #2 in Canada and New Zealand, #3 in Australia and the Netherlands and #10 in the United States.

 

"Don't Stand So Close To Me" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and finished the year as the best-selling single in the U.K.  The single "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" jumped to #2 in Ireland, #5 in the U.K. and Canada, #6 in Australia, #8 in Ew Zealand and #10 in the U.S.

The trio once again received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance with "Behind My Camel".  Zenyatta Mondatta has sold over two million copies in the U.S. alone.

 

The Police followed up with another solid album, Ghost in the Machine, released in 1981, which has gone over the three-million mark in sales.  The band scored a huge hit with "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", #1 in the U.K., Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland, #2 in Australia, #3 in the United States and #7 in New Zealand.  It is one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.

 

The great song "Spirits In The Material World" managed to make it to #6 in Ireland and #8 in the Netherlands, but was highly underrated nearly everywhere else.

After a world tour, the members worked on separate projects, with Sting getting particular attention on the big screen.

 

The band released the album Synchronicity in 1983 despite growing internal strife.  The three members each recorded their parts individually in separate rooms.  The single "Every Breath You Take" was a monster hit with an eight-week lock on #1 in the United States, #1 in the U.K., Canada and Ireland, #2 in Australia and #3 in the Netherlands  and sold over one million copies.  The killer hit is another Police song in The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.

 

The Police may have had their problems with each other, but they were superstars as a result of the album.  Their world tour included a show in front of 70,000 in Shea Stadium in New York City and four sold out performances at London's Wembley Arena.  The single "Wrapped Around Your Finger" hit #1 in Ireland, #7 in the U.K. and #8 in the U.S.

Synchronicity remained on top of the U.S. Album chart for 17 weeks and now tops eight million in sales.  The title song was a minor hit.

 

"King Of Pain" also hit the Top 10--#1 in Canada, #3 in the United States and #7 in Ireland.

The Police received American Music Award nominations for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Single (for "Every Breath You Take").  They won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Every Breath You Take" and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Synchronicity" and were nominated for Album of the Year and Record of the Year (for "Every Breath You Take").  The group was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Group Video, Best Overall Performance and Viewer's Choice at the MTV Video Music Awards for "Every Breath You Take".

Increasingly, Sting was a star in his own right and recorded a successful album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, in 1985.  The Police played three concerts to benefit Amnesty International.  The band planned to record a new studio album but Copeland broke his collarbone after falling from a horse.  The Police disbanded, with each member recording their own material over the next 20 years. 

The group released their compilation Every Breath You Take:  The Singles in 1986; it has become a five-million seller.  In 1993, the Police released the compilation Message in a Box:  The Complete Recordings, which has now gone over one million in sales.  The album Live! in 1995 has sold over one million copies, while the album The Very Best of Sting & the Police in 1997 was certified Gold. 

In 2003, the Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  To mark the group's 30th anniversary, they reunited at the Grammy Awards in 2007 and then toured the U.S. Canada, Germany, France, the U.K. eastern Europe and South America.  The Police grossed $358 million, the third-highest-grossing tour of all-time at that time, and sold 3.7 million tickets. 

The group charted 12 career hits with five Top 10's and the huge #1 hit "Every Breath You Take".

The Police have sold over 75 million records.

They have won six Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award.

The Commodores, the #89 Artist of the Rock Era

"One of the best groups ever."

"The Commodores had it goin' on."

"They were rich in melody and talent."

"Beautiful music and harmony."

"Music that's good for the soul."

"Songs that were straight from the heart."

"Genuine songs from a truly amazing group."

"I am of a younger generation and can only say that we need this kind of music back to cure the craziness of the world today.  

"These guys gave me beautiful memories in my life and for that I am forever grateful..."

"Awesome group."

This great group formed in 1968 when students at Alabama's Tuskeegee Institute (now University) called themselves the Mighty Mystics and entered a talent contest to impress girls. Saxophonists Lionel Richie and Jimmy Johnson and lead guitarist Thomas McClary of the Mystics later combined with the Jays, which included Andre Callahan (drums), bassist Michael Gilbert, William King on trumpet and Milan Williams (keyboards, trombone and guitar). Their choice of a name was simple--King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word. "We lucked out", he likes to say, "We almost became 'the Commodes'!"

The group played at fraternity parties on campus and weekends at the Black Forest Inn in Montgomery, Alabama.  The Commodores played cover songs as well as some original material.  Tuskeegee sent the Commodores to New York City to play a benefit at Town Hall.  Businessman and promoter Benny Ashburn saw the group and told them they had great potential. 

The band impressed and members went back to their studies at the Institute.  That summer, they contacted Ashburn, who signed a management contract and whose influence would play a big part in their success.  Ashburn arranged an audition at Small's Paradise in the Harlem section of Manhattan.  

In 1969, Ashburn arranged for an audition with Atlantic Records, and the group recorded an album.

In September, Walter "Clyde" Orange replaced Callahan, who didn't think the group would make it.  Ronald LaPraed (bass and trumpet) replaced Gilbert, who was drafted into the U.S. military along with Johnson.

In 1970, Ashburn set the Commodores up with dates on the European club circuit. Upon returning home, the group performed at the Turntable In New York City, where they were seen by Suzanne de Passe, who was searching for an opening act for the Jackson 5.  The Commodores signed a recording contract with MoWest, a Motown subsidiary created when the label moved from Detroit to Los Angeles, in 1972, though it would be several years before they recorded an album on the label.

The Commodores had dreams of writing their own songs and being big stars.  But the way Motown worked was the label would assign songwriters and producers to work with their new artists.  The group also found out that studio time was a precious commodity, with the Four Tops, the Jackson 5, the Supremes and Gladys Knight & the Pips dominating the facilities.  The Commodores recorded two songs written for them which went nowhere.

 

The band set out on a world tour with the Jackson 5 that eventually lasted three years.  In 1974, the Commodores released the album Machine Gun, a good example of their harder Funk period.  James Anthony Carmichael produced the album, and the chemistry on Machine Gun kept Carmichael with the group until 1982.  The funky instrumental title song was an R&B hit but stopped at #22 overall.

Things began to click, as the Commodores spent the next two years opening for the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder.  In between, the group released the live album Caught In The Act, which received good airplay.  

 

The following year, they began to soften their sound, as evidenced by their 1975 album Movin' On.  The single "Sweet Love" became their first big hit at #5 overall; it was #2 on the R&B chart.

 

Hot on the Tracks in 1976 became their biggest album to date at #12.  "Just To Be Close To You" continued the momentum, rising to #7 on the Popular chart and leading the way with the R&B crowd. 

In 1976, the Commodores opened for the O'Jays on a tour of the U.S.

 

In 1977, the Commodores released their self-titled album.  "Easy" jumped to #4 overall and was the group's third R&B #1.  The group's sound began to spread around the world, with "Easy" also reaching the Top 10 in the U.K. and New Zealand.  The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.

The album rose to #3, the band's first Top 10 release.  They graduated to a headline act, touring the world, including 85 shows in the U.S.  "Brick House" soared to #2 in New Zealand and #5 in the United States and sold over one million copies.

 

The band released the album Natural High in 1978.  "Three Times A Lady" achieved a triple #1--#1 Popular, #1 Adult Contemporary and #1 R&B and also reached the top in the U.K., Canada and Ireland.  It was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Natural High reached the Top 10 in the United States, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands and sold over two million copies.    

The title song was a minor hit, a bit underrated at #38. But the unreleased song "Flying High" was better.

The Commodores received a second nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus for the album at the Grammy Awards.  In 1978, the group appeared briefly during the movie Thank God It's Friday.  At the end of the year, they released their Greatest Hits package.

 

The Commodores were one of the most successful recording artists of the period, and they continued a hot streak with the 1979 album Midnight Magic.  The single "Sail On" coasted to #4 overall and was a Top 10 hit on the Adult and R&B charts and a Top 10 song in every major country in the world.  "Sail On" was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards and the entire album was cited in a nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus.  

Midnight Magic also peaked at #3 in the U.S. and sold over 500,000 copies.  "Still"  topped both the Popular and R&B charts and reached #6 on the AC chart in the U.S. and hit #2 in Canada, #3 in Ireland and #4 in the U.K.

The group returned to Platinum status with the album Heroes in 1980, doing so without the benefit of a big hit.  The Commodores received another nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus at the Grammy Awards for the album.  

 

The band's 1981 album In the Pocket also went over the one-million mark in sales.  "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" peaked at #1 in New Zealand and #8 in the United States.  The song was nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus at the Grammy Awards.

  

 

"Oh No" made it to #3 in Canada and #4 in the U.S.  The Commodores were nominated for Best Inspirational Performance at the Grammy Awards for "Jesus Is Love".

Longtime manager Benjamin Ashburn died of a heart attack on August 17, 1982.  Shortly after, Richie announced he was leaving the group, replaced by Skyler Jett.  The group released the album Commodores 13 in 1983, but it represented a big drop-off in sales.

McClary also left to begin a solo career in 1984, with Sheldon Reynolds taking his place.  J.D. Nicholas joined the group just prior to the recording of the album Nightshift.  The single rose to #1 R&B, #2 AC and #3 overall in the U.S. and reached the Top 10 across the glove.

"Nightshift", which helped the Commodores win their only Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, led to the album going Gold.

The Commodores switched to Polygram Records and released the album United in 1986.  LaPread left following the release of the album.  Down to four members, the group toured Europe in support of the album.  Reynolds left to join Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987. 

In 1988, the Commodores were dropped from Polygram and Williams left the band in 1989.  The remaining members persevered and have released three albums since.  They continue to tour to enthusiastic audiences.

The 2003 album The Definitive Collection has proven to be the group's best-selling collection, going over the one-million mark.

The Commodores have accumulated 27 career hits, with an impressive 11 of those reaching the Top 10 and three #1's.  On the Adult Contemporary chart, they have scored 14 hits with seven in the Top 10 and one #1.  They have sold over 60 million records.

The group has shown their staying power, long ever Richie left for a solo career.