A revival of veteran acts and an explosion of new blood in the '90s threatened to rival Southern Rock's golden era. This week, we look back at the highs of the '70s and the lows of the '80s.
Why leave out Atlanta Rhythm Section? They were def part the first wave. A lesser known but good band would be Amazing Rhythm Aces. A lot of middle name Rhythms.
A valid point. Loved ARS and the number of times my band covered "Homesick," I should have mentioned them. (In fact, I thought I had!) Consider them mentioned now, thanks to you! 'Champagne Jam' is an all-timer ("Large Time" is one of Southern Rock's greatest album openers).
As for ARA, I love Russell Smith and the guys. I regard 'Third Rate Romance" as one of the best songs of '75, and I'm a big fan of their self-titled album in '79, too. I just never considered them Southern Rock...but maybe I should.
“Many of us were too young to understand the darkness and evil that the Confederate flag represented.”
you started by explaining how it was a marketing trick which cut across demographics, and completely missed how that sentiment was reversed into something divisive. 🙄
Cool article. I really thought an explosion was coming with Georgia Satellites and then a little later in the decade with Steve Earle’s Copper Head getting serious rotation on AORR (at least 96 WAV in Charleston) and MTV. Not sure I saw the real impact of those hits until the early 90s with “alt country” acts getting some traction in my little part of the college radio universe and industry.
Both definitely made me, as I’ve written, feel comfortable to fly my Cash and Waylon fandom flag as a young metal head, and when I heard the likes of Uncle Tupelo and some others I more immediately knew what I was hearing and loved it.
Not sure this makes sense, but yeah neither Southern Rock or “country” wasn’t cool again in my estimation until the 90s. 80s weren’t too kind except some blips.
Distance makes the heart fonder. Seems there’s been little resurgences every half decade.Or at least that’s how I feel of myself at times. I’ve been obsessed with Strikes sense COVID (still looking for a pristine platter). Recently gotten really back into my Allman’s collection; been more successful getting nice copies of their Capricorn stuff. And I’m making a pilgrimage to Macon soon for them and Otis (another COVID era obsession that’s lasted).
Hell yes! Thanks so much for the detail, the context, and the props to so much important music. So many of these artists offer a distinct sense of place, both lyrically and sonically. Much maligned and misunderstood, but nevertheless funky (a lot of it) and, when seen in the light and in clear hindsight, essential.
Great piece. I've been looking forward to this as I do love me some southern fried rock (wasn't that a K-Tel album). Fun fact about .38 Special... actress Katy Segal (Married with Children, Sons of Anarchy) sang backup for the band. Watch the video for "Wild Eyed Southern Boys" and you'll catch a glimpse. I thought this comment about the Confederate flag was so succinct, well said, and so true - "lazy shorthand for the South." Can't wait for part 2.
Ha! I had that K-Tel 'Southern Fried Rock' comp as well as its "sequel" in '83, 'Rock, Southern Style'!
Great call on Segal. I knew she'd been a singer, but didn't know specifically that she'd worked with them. Add to that Springsteen falling for his first wife while watching the "If I'd Been the One" video and you've got a good dose of what Jon Wurster calls "rock'n'roll weirdness" for sure.
The Dixie Dregs, along with Sea Level, never really got the attention they deserved I have always thought. Saw them often in the NC Triangle club scene along with the B-52s and Mitch Easter's various projects. Ed King was playing in a house band in Greenville and teaching guitar lessons when I arrived in town. How a southern Californian ended up in what was then a very small town before joining Lynyrd Skynerd will forever remain a mystery as he passed away while working on his memoirs. Thanks for this post - whiile I sometimes cringe when I hear the term "Southern Rock" there was a lot of good music behind the bombast. If you have a chance, the two documentaries "If I Should Leave Here Tomorrow" and "Song of the South: Duane Allman and the Allman Bros" are well worth your time.
Excellent post, so much detail! And astute observations of how music changed going into the 1980s, and why. I look forward to diving into the playlist - I'm a big ABB & Skynyrd fan, but have only passing familiarity with most of the other artists there. Thank you.
Why leave out Atlanta Rhythm Section? They were def part the first wave. A lesser known but good band would be Amazing Rhythm Aces. A lot of middle name Rhythms.
A valid point. Loved ARS and the number of times my band covered "Homesick," I should have mentioned them. (In fact, I thought I had!) Consider them mentioned now, thanks to you! 'Champagne Jam' is an all-timer ("Large Time" is one of Southern Rock's greatest album openers).
As for ARA, I love Russell Smith and the guys. I regard 'Third Rate Romance" as one of the best songs of '75, and I'm a big fan of their self-titled album in '79, too. I just never considered them Southern Rock...but maybe I should.
Thanks for reading!
“Many of us were too young to understand the darkness and evil that the Confederate flag represented.”
you started by explaining how it was a marketing trick which cut across demographics, and completely missed how that sentiment was reversed into something divisive. 🙄
Cool article. I really thought an explosion was coming with Georgia Satellites and then a little later in the decade with Steve Earle’s Copper Head getting serious rotation on AORR (at least 96 WAV in Charleston) and MTV. Not sure I saw the real impact of those hits until the early 90s with “alt country” acts getting some traction in my little part of the college radio universe and industry.
Both definitely made me, as I’ve written, feel comfortable to fly my Cash and Waylon fandom flag as a young metal head, and when I heard the likes of Uncle Tupelo and some others I more immediately knew what I was hearing and loved it.
Not sure this makes sense, but yeah neither Southern Rock or “country” wasn’t cool again in my estimation until the 90s. 80s weren’t too kind except some blips.
Distance makes the heart fonder. Seems there’s been little resurgences every half decade.Or at least that’s how I feel of myself at times. I’ve been obsessed with Strikes sense COVID (still looking for a pristine platter). Recently gotten really back into my Allman’s collection; been more successful getting nice copies of their Capricorn stuff. And I’m making a pilgrimage to Macon soon for them and Otis (another COVID era obsession that’s lasted).
Outstanding article!
Hell yes! Thanks so much for the detail, the context, and the props to so much important music. So many of these artists offer a distinct sense of place, both lyrically and sonically. Much maligned and misunderstood, but nevertheless funky (a lot of it) and, when seen in the light and in clear hindsight, essential.
Good article! Thanks!
Great piece. I've been looking forward to this as I do love me some southern fried rock (wasn't that a K-Tel album). Fun fact about .38 Special... actress Katy Segal (Married with Children, Sons of Anarchy) sang backup for the band. Watch the video for "Wild Eyed Southern Boys" and you'll catch a glimpse. I thought this comment about the Confederate flag was so succinct, well said, and so true - "lazy shorthand for the South." Can't wait for part 2.
Ha! I had that K-Tel 'Southern Fried Rock' comp as well as its "sequel" in '83, 'Rock, Southern Style'!
Great call on Segal. I knew she'd been a singer, but didn't know specifically that she'd worked with them. Add to that Springsteen falling for his first wife while watching the "If I'd Been the One" video and you've got a good dose of what Jon Wurster calls "rock'n'roll weirdness" for sure.
Thanks for reading!
The Dixie Dregs, along with Sea Level, never really got the attention they deserved I have always thought. Saw them often in the NC Triangle club scene along with the B-52s and Mitch Easter's various projects. Ed King was playing in a house band in Greenville and teaching guitar lessons when I arrived in town. How a southern Californian ended up in what was then a very small town before joining Lynyrd Skynerd will forever remain a mystery as he passed away while working on his memoirs. Thanks for this post - whiile I sometimes cringe when I hear the term "Southern Rock" there was a lot of good music behind the bombast. If you have a chance, the two documentaries "If I Should Leave Here Tomorrow" and "Song of the South: Duane Allman and the Allman Bros" are well worth your time.
Hearing Marcus King covering Sea Level a few weeks ago in Raleigh was the best part of the show.
Excellent post, so much detail! And astute observations of how music changed going into the 1980s, and why. I look forward to diving into the playlist - I'm a big ABB & Skynyrd fan, but have only passing familiarity with most of the other artists there. Thank you.
Thanks for reading and happy hunting!