50 years of fuzz guitar

If you're an afficionado of rock music, you'll want to read and listen to a couple of looks at fuzz, aka guitar distortion, whose birth came 50 years ago. 

The "Soundcheck" episode above was inspired by William Weir's Atlantic article "50 Years of Making Fuzz, the Sound That Defines Rock 'n' Roll" (worth a read and a listen for its embedded audio examples).  

I was stunned to learn that Weir credits country singer Marty Robbins with the first recorded use of fuzz, thanks to a faulty connection in a mixing board. I had thought Link Wray (whom Weir also mentions) would get the nod.

It's tough to top the Stones' "Satisfaction" in terms of fuzz brilliance, although more than a few comments on Weir's article rightly toss some love to My Bloody Valentine, a 90s-era band whose ear-shattering sound seemed to be all fuzz. 

RIP, Don Kirschner

Here's a nice "Soundcheck" tribute to the legacy of the late Don Kirschner, the music impresario best known for his weekly late-night "Rock Concert" TV program. Kirschner also was the brains behind The Monkees, whose mammoth success no doubt funded "Rock Concert," which was a one-of-a-kind experience at the time.

For many teens growing up in the 1970s, "Rock Concert" was the only program to air real live rock performances, as opposed to the lip syncing on "American Bandstand" or afternoon talk shows. As "Soundcheck," notes, "Rock Concert's" decadelong run came to an end just as MTV was debuting.

My favorite "Rock Concert" was an experimental show with so-called new wave bands The Cars, The Records, Suicide and another act or two I can't remember. The show was also memorable for having no Kirschner introductions at all; not sure if that was a contractual requirement of the bands or Kirschner stepping aside because he had no clue about this "new wave."

I've searched periodically for a recording of that concert but have come up empty. Anyone know of a copy available for sale?

A new twist on cover songs

It's kind of incredible to think that artists like Squeeze are re-recording their best-known songs, note for note, without any intent to make money from their fans but instead gain more control over publishing royalties.

"Soundcheck" does a nice job of looking at why artists are doing this, and how some fans get hoodwinked into buying something that isn't truly original. At least Squeeze, tongue in cheek, named its new greatest hits collection "Spot the Difference."