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Classic Rock History: Tools Of The Trade: 

In the late 1950s, a groundbreaking invention emerged in the world of music— the Maestro Echoplex. Conceived by Mike Battle and released by the Maestro company in 1959, this tape delay effect unit swiftly became a trailblazer in shaping the sonic landscape.

Operating on tape delay technology, the Echoplex utilized a loop of magnetic tape to craft mesmerizing echo effects. Its mechanism involved recording the signal onto the tape and playing it back after a brief delay, resulting in a warm and distinctive sound. This innovation quickly found favor among musicians, particularly guitarists seeking to experiment with novel delay effects.

...continue reading "The Maestro Echoplex"
Back Catalog Albums: 

Released September 20, 1975, "Masque" is the third studio album by the American rock band Kansas. Kansas is known for their unique blend of progressive rock, art rock, and hard rock elements.

I first became aware of this album, and of Kansas itself, when a fraternity brother from another chapter named Joe transferred to my school and moved into the frat house that year, bringing his collection of albums with him. Kansas' breakout album "Leftoverture" was still a year away, but "Masque" was my preview of coming attractions.

...continue reading "Kansas: “Masque” 1975"
Classic Rock History: Tools Of The Trade: 

The Gibson Flying V is a distinctive electric guitar known for its V-shaped body design. The design was the brainchild of then-Gibson president Ted McCarty, in an effort to update, modernize and generate interest in Gibson electric guitars. In the late 1950s, futuristic styling abounded and Gibson looked for ways to capitalize on it. In this article we cover the history of the Gibson Flying V.

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Guitar Heroes: 

Steve Vai is an American guitarist, composer, and producer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. He was born on June 6, 1960, in Carle Place, New York. Vai's musical journey began at a young age when he started playing the guitar at the age of 13. He quickly displayed exceptional talent and became dedicated to mastering the instrument.

In his early career, Steve Vai studied guitar with fellow New Yorker Joe Satriani, and later at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Afterward, he started working as a transcriptionist and a music transcriber for Frank Zappa. Vai's virtuosic playing and his ability to execute Zappa's complex compositions led to his recognition as a remarkable guitarist.

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Classic Rock History: 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a museum and hall of fame located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, dedicated to preserving the history and celebrating the achievements of rock and roll music. Hundreds of artists have been inducted over the years. But it has not been without its controversies.

The idea for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was initiated by Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records, in 1983. He envisioned a place that would recognize and honor the pioneers and contributors to the genre of rock and roll. Ertegun, along with other key figures in the music industry, formed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation to oversee the project.

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Classic Rock History: 

The development of the cassette tape format is a fascinating journey that transformed the landscape of audio recording and playback. Before the cassette tape, there were various attempts to create portable audio formats. The most notable was the compact cassette's predecessor, the Phillips EL 3585, introduced in 1962. It was a small reel-to-reel tape system designed for dictation but lacked widespread consumer adoption.

In this article we cover the key milestones in the development of the cassette tape format.

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Classic Rock History: 

The 45 revolutions per minute (RPM) record, also known as the "single" or "single record," was developed as a format for shorter musical recordings, typically featuring one song on each side. The 45 RPM record was introduced by RCA Victor in March 1949 as a response to the 33⅓ RPM long-playing (LP) record introduced by Columbia Records the previous year.

RCA Victor aimed to create a format that was more suitable for shorter musical recordings, particularly popular songs. It would become widely embraced by young recorded music buyers

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Classic Rock History: 

The history of blues music in the United States is deeply rooted in the African American experience, and its evolution over the years has had a profound impact on the broader musical landscape. Blues originated in the late 19th century, with its roots in African musical traditions, spirituals, work songs, and field hollers. It grew and developed in the rural areas of the Southern United States, particularly in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and other states with large African American populations.

...continue reading "How The Blues Became Classic Rock"
Classic Rock History: 

The development of the 33⅓ revolutions per minute (RPM) long-playing (LP) record by Peter Carl Goldmark was a significant milestone in the history of audio recording. The LP record revolutionized the way music was distributed, providing longer playing times and improved sound quality compared to the existing 78 RPM records.

In the late 1940s, the standard format for recorded music was the 78 RPM record, which typically could only hold about three to five minutes of music per side. Goldmark recognized the limitations of this format and sought to create a record that could accommodate longer musical performances, such as full symphonies or extended jazz sessions.

...continue reading "The 33⅓ RPM LP Record"
Classic Rock History: 

In addition to vinyl records, a significant amount of classic rock music, in its heyday, was consumed on 8-track tapes.

The 8-track tape player, also known simply as the 8-track player, was a popular audio playback technology that gained prominence in the mid-1960s and remained popular throughout the 1970s. It was a significant development in the history of portable and in-car audio entertainment.

The 8-track tape format was developed by Bill Lear, the inventor of the Learjet and founder of Lear Incorporated. Lear, along with his team, sought to create a reliable and convenient way for people to enjoy music in their cars. The 8-track cartridge was their solution.

...continue reading "1965: The 8-Track Tape Player"