Route 66 - February 28, 2019

This month marks the 25th Anniversary of Soundgarden's "Superunknown" - the band's biggest hit. Everyone knows this album because it featured the songs "Black Hole Sun," "Fell On Black Days," and "Spoonman." It was released on March 8, 1994 and established Soundgarden and their lead singer Chris Cornell as a mainstream success. Rather than focusing on him or the band tonight, I thought I'd talk about something else.

It's fascinating to remember a time before digital downloads or streaming services, when music was only available for purchase on physical media from a brick and mortar store. Music fans who wanted to be first to hear their favorite band's new album had to go in person on the day an album was released. This was always a Tuesday, and it was usually the best and busiest day to visit a record store. This lasted for many years, up until the the invention of iTunes in 2003.

Even more exciting was when record store's wouldn't wait until Tuesday morning, but instead would open their doors at 12 Midnight on Monday and start selling the new releases. People would line up outside the store, often in the cold, dark night, bonding with their friends, or making new ones with similar tastes in music. This happened all across the country from college campuses to the Tower Records on Sunset Strip.

I mention all this today, because I remember when Soundgarden's "Superunknown" was released during a midnight sale. And this is something that's been lost today if you're only buying things online or streaming. That strong association of  memories with a particular item that you've bought and own. Where you were, who you went went, what you were wearing. It made everything, especially the music, that much more special.

So in memory of past midnight sales I'm remembering this album from Soundgarden, because I have no doubt that many, many fans purchased the CD on the day it was released, and also bought it at a midnight sale back in 1994. Here now are the first two tracks from "Superunknown:" "Let Me Drown" and "My Wave."

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As we've been doing for the past several weeks, we're remembering the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock. Tonight's selection is a band that is uniquely tied to that era. They didn't have much experience before Woodstock (it was only their 4th live performance), and they didn't have a long career in the ensuing years. They were a New York band with a Southern Rock sound. And they were known as Mountain.

The band is best known for the song "Mississippi Queen" which is still a staple on Classic Rock radio, and many fans think of them as a good ol' Southern band much like Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers. They released several albums in the late 60s and early 70s, all featuring bright psychedelic artwork on the record covers. Sadly, the band suffered a major tragedy in the early 80s when their leader Felix Pappalardi was shot and killed by his wife. Yet another tragic, early death in rock history.

Mountain remains a fan favorite and well worth checking out if you enjoy such groups as Cream or The Yardbirds. And it's no stretch to say they've influenced many bands, including Soundgarden who we heard earlier. Mountain played on the second day of Woodstock: Saturday August 16th, 1969. Here is one of the songs from that set-list, the very cool and cinematic: "Theme for an Imaginary Western."