Horns! The Brass section. Trumpets, Trombones, saxophones, French horns and, occasionally The Tuba. The horn section in American music was both its staple and it’s cornerstone. Going back to the early to mid 1920’s when America gave birth to “Big Bands The horns delivered the melody, harmony, rhythm, and deep bottom end. A typical configuration included 5 saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones and a Tuba, augmented and supported by a rhythm section of Guitar, Bass, Piano and Drums. Through the years, the typical line up would adjust accordingly as America’s Big Band sound morphed and matured into sub genres like “Dance Band” ” Stage Band” ” Jazz Band” and “Swing Bands” The popularity of this Brass enriched American sound dominated the sheet music business, saturated the fledgling radio industry, established a recorded music fever and even made a splash in The Movies in The 30’s and 40’s “Battles of the Bands” became the standard attraction every weekend at theaters and concert/ dance halls across the country, frequently featuring a half-dozen or more bands on the same bill. But!…No matter how popular the “Horn centric” sound of America’s music sounded in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s’ Audiences and taste’s change and mature and by the end of the 1940’s popular music in America placed less emphasis on the Brass section with traditional arrangements and began focusing more on inspired improvisation by a strong rhythm section perhaps including a trumpet and a “Reed” instrument It was called Bee Bop and by the beginning of the 1950’s the horn heavy sound of “Big Band” and “Swing” had all but vanished, and a new generation of music lovers were hungry for their own sound, and it certainly wouldn’t include a “Brass section……..UNTIL, of course, THE 1960’s ! Beginning in 1967 the sky’s opened up and it rained down Brass sections. We’re certain, here at SMS, that when you think of horn bands, Two bands come to mind…Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears. Two distinctively different groups but both focusing their power and creativity on their horn sections, an easy twenty years after the last vestiges of the Big Bands reverberated off in the distance!
Somehow, Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears made horns COOL again… B,S, and T and Chicago made their debut’s in ’68 and ’69 respectively. However, did you know that in 1967 The Buckingham’s scored 5 top twenty nit singles with a sound they called “Brass Rock”
Billboard magazine dubbed them “The most listened to band in America” But, we’re guessing you remember The Buckingham’s as just another Top 40 band that got played too much. But not the members of Chicago and B, S, and T. They all credit The Buck’s with re – introducing horns into popular music and they took the idea, ran with it, and made “Brass Rock” the coolest new music on the radio, as well as selling millions and millions off records ! (it needs to be noted that Chicago’s first three albums were double record sets!….Unheard of !
Sooo, this brings up an old 1960’s argument…..The argument?….” who was better, “Chicago”, or “Blood, Sweat and Tears”?
We’re a curious bunch here at SMS and we gotta know, which team were you with….Team “Chicago” or Team”Blood Sweat and Tears” ?
Please comment back and let us know your preference and why !
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To help aid your memory…Team Chicago
And of course…Team… Blood Sweat and Tears
P.S. Didja know that The Buckingham’s, Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears were all produced at one point by the same man. James William Guercio….. Unbelievable!
I would pick Chicago, primarily because I think they were a much better band. B,S&T went through so many personnel changes, and were so closely associated to David Clayton-Thomas’ voice. Chicago wrote most of their own songs, and had an incredible talent in Terry Kath. While we are on the topic of bands with horns, we Canadians had a little group called Lighthouse back in those days who were no slouches either!
I never knew the two giant horn bands out of Chicago showed so much (well deserved!) love to the Buckinghams. You always teach me something Rick. I never thought of them as a “horn” band as my ears always seemed to focus on the harmonies, the organ, the psych break in “Susan” (my favorite by any of these bands)…but now that you point it out I can’t believe I didn’t at least credit the crazy horn charts on “Kind of a Drag.”…Jeez!
Don’t know if you saw Jersey Boys on stage, but around this time, Bob Gaudio was in a big fight with his label over whether to even record (let alone release, let alone push to radio) “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The horns showing up on a record associated with Frankie Valli is a BIG moment in the show. The show doesn’t credit them, but I wonder if ‘Kind of a Drag” taking off in Feb. had a big impact on Valli recording “Can’t” in April….and it taking off in May….I got a feeling it played a role!
Hey John,
You raise some very interesting points and yes, we did see Jersey Boys and was quite intrigued by that moment in the show. BTW, we loved The Buckinghams and we agree “Susan” was their standout track with, of course that very psychedelic bridge! Didja know that there was a big argument within the group about whether or not to include the “Freaky” bridge section, in fact that debate nearly broke the band up!…
Lastly, didja know that Uber producer James William Guercio, produced The Bucks, Chicago AND Blood Sweat and Tears at one point or another!….Guercio, you may recall built and owned Caribu Ranch Studios….Guercio also produced and directed the film “Electraglide in Blue” which starred Robert Blake and featured Terry Kath from Chicago…..TMI?
Thanx John, always great when you show up!
Rick
Hey Rick,
Great topic and horns have always been the 5 star for bands that have them and as mentioned TOP has maintained their status as the band you do not dare follow for good reason.
Horns have in the last 30 years been the icing on the cake instead of what used to be the norm.
Horny is good.
Hey Harri, First, it’s so great to see you here at Sixties Music Secrets. Welcome aboard! Meanwhile, you are so right about bands with horn sections. They raised the bar on The Standard of Excellance for popular bands. Furthermore you make a great point about Tower Of Power. Without question they were the TIGHTEST band on the planet. If they had only produced “What is Hip” they’d be at the top of the heap, but their body of work makes them untouchable…….and…..”The band you never want to follow”
Thanx Harri got your insightful contribution to this weeks “Horny conversation, Horny IS good”
Come back soon and share some further thoughts…..
Rick
Always dug TOP. Rhythmically always interesting and fun.
Btw- saw Bloomfield’s last performance with the Electric Flag. At the end of the set Buddy Miles introduced a “friend to come up and play some blues.” Jimi Hendrix came up and played an full set with the band. Incredible.
Hey Phil, Once again I find myself envious of another of your concert experiences…..I certainly saw my fair share of great live shows…..But unfortunately none of them included Jimi…WOW!
Did you know that he was the opening act forThe Monkees, on their first tour? WOW, yet again! Can you imagine how surprised those young Monkees fans( and their parents) must have been when Jimi hit the stage?……Whoa
Thanx again Phil, for stimulating the conversation!
Actually the best rock band with horns
from that era was The Electric Flag featuring Mike Bloomfield and Buddy Miles. i saw them at the Filmore East and they were tremendous. Their only album was released around the same time as the very first B,S&T album, which was Al Kooper’s band. To my mind, that was B,S & T at their peak creatively, although not commercially.
Well Phil, I can’t disagree with you. The Electric Flag did, in fact, create their own unique niche as a horn band, and they were awesome ! To be honest, I’m quite envious that you got to see them live ! Well Done !…..Furthermore you raise a great point that actually speaks to the true core argument re: horn bands in thr 60’s ” Who was better ? Blood Sweat and Tears featuring Al Kooper, or Blood Sweat and Tears featuring David Clayton Thomas. Sounds like you’re an Al Kooper guy, meanwhile I preferred The David Clayton Thomas years. I liked how the band went mainstream and enjoyed massive commercial success.
Thanx Phil for your insightful commentary to this weeks conversation……
Meanwhile, here’s a further question for you. “How did you feel about Tower of Power” ?
Rick
I was a fan of both however with songs, Beginnings, Call on Me, If You Leave Me Now, Happy Man and the Haunting melody of Wishing You Were Here, I have to go with Chicago as my favorite. I also enjoyed the Buckinghams “Don’t you Care” and Hey Baby They’re Playing Our Song” even though one of their big hits was, “Kind of a Drag”. And speaking of “Horns” you would have to include Herb Alpert’s “Lonely Bull” in 1967.
Hey Julie, you make a great point! Although I tended to like B,S, and T’s more traditional Big Band arrangements, I can’t deny the quality and consistency of the Song Writing with Chicago. You listed a half dozen incredible songs from Chicago and you barely scratched the surface. “Saturday in the Park” alone paints a perfect picture while telling a great story! Meanwhile, nearly all of B,S and T’s early hits were covers of songs by outside writers. With the exception of “Spining Wheel” which was written by David Clayton Thomas. By the way, Didja know that B, S, and T seriously considered having singer/songwriter Laura Nyro join the band before deciding on adding David Clayton Thomas ?
Lastly, you make a great point about Herb Alperts “The Lonely Bull”. A haunting, Latin flavored horn driven hit!…..Didja know that he recorded the track in his garage and released it on his own label with his financial partner Jerry Moss…..Jerry was the “M” in A & M records ( Alpert and Moss records) They bought Charlie Chaplins old film studios in the heart of Hollywood and converted the complex into recording studio’s and offices for A&M records! They took The Lonely Bull and A&M records and turned it into the most successful garage based record label in history….