Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Heart’s Ann Wilson celebrated birthday #75 this year. She was born June 19, 1950 in San Diego, California and raised in Seattle, Washington. Dubbed “The female Robert Plant” and an incredibly big fan of Led Zeppelin, it was she & her sister, Nancy Wilson, who paid tribute to that iconic rock band at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors with their rendition of “Stairway To Heaven” accompanied by John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums.

When Heart was founded in 1973, the Wilson sisters really came across as two definitive rock chicks led by Ann’s incredibly powerful voice, Nancy’s guitar prowess and their roles as the group’s primary songwriters. I discovered that chapter of Heart first and really enjoyed it. But then the band went through a major lineup change, a decline in popularity and a contract with a different record label, Capital Records. That led to Heart’s MTV years which started 40 years ago with the release of their self titled album in June 1985. It produced five singles over the next year including their first #1 hit (“These Dreams”) and three Top Ten hits including “What About Love”, “Nothing At All” and my favorite track which for some reason they have distanced themselves from. But many saw the videos featuring the Wilson sisters in corsets, big hair and heavy makeup singing more streamlined pop songs as a real betrayal of their rock roots.

When Dan Rather conducted The Big Interview for AXS TV with Ann and her sister in 2016, he asked them straight out if they sold out during those video driven years. Without hesitation, Ann replied “Yes”. Much respect for that acknowledgement rather than a denial or justification. They could not blame that decision on being innocent kids new to the industry when this chapter unfolded-they were both over 30 with 10 years of recording under their belt-which began with their debut album, Dreamboat Annie, released 50 years ago in September 1975. But the videos did the job the record company hoped for and increased the group’s popularity with a whole new audience. Over the last several decades, the Wilson sisters reclaimed their rock roots as their performance at the Kennedy Center Honors proved. Heart was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013.

Top: Heart’s 1985 self-titled album. Bottom: Ann Wilson (L) and Nancy Wilson (R) onstage performing “Stairway To Heaven” at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

In March 1975 David Bowie released his ninth studio album, Young Americans. In addition to the title track, it includes “Can You Hear Me”, and two collaborations with John Lennon: One is a cover of The Beatles’ “Across The Universe” and the second, which was also the album’s second single-became Bowie’s first #1 hit-which reached the top spot in the country 50 years ago on September 20, 1975 for two weeks.

Five years later, Bowie released Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) which has one of my personal faves, “Ashes To Ashes”. Over the next five years he changed his image slightly to embrace the new found medium of music television. By July 1985 he was riding high on the success of two big albums-1983’s Let’s Dance and 1984’s Tonight-which led to his performance at the UK Live Aid show. A month later, he gave us the collaboration we did not know we needed but we did. It was not only spectacular, it was an ode to the power of Motown. He and Mick Jagger-who was enjoying his own success thanks to his first solo record, She’s The Boss, released at the beginning of that year-teamed up to cover one of the Motor City’s biggest songs in August 1985 as a charity single to benefit the Live Aid relief fund. Their version became a #1 song in the UK and a Top Ten hit in the U.S., peaking at #7 forty years ago on October 12, 1985. The video is campy and fun and a testament to the power of these music icons in the video genre during its heyday.

Top: David Bowie’s 1975 album. Bottom: David Bowie (L) and Mick Jagger (R) in the video for their 1985 collaboration. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Jefferson Starship released Red Octopus 50 years ago on June 13, 1975. It was their second record in their second life-a spin-off born from the ashes of the 1960’s band, Jefferson Airplane-which formed in San Francisco in 1965 & was known for songs like “Somebody To Love”, “White Rabbit” and “Volunteers”. Marty Balin-a founding member of Airplane who quit the band in 1971-joined Starship after co-writing and singing lead on the song, “Caroline” for their 1974 album, Dragon Fly. Then he became the primary vocalist & songwriter for them until his departure in October 1978. The band’s string of hits in the 1970’s were either sung by or written by Balin (“With Your Love”, “Count On Me” and “Runaway”, ) and his reign of popularity started with their highest charting song-it peaked at #3 in October 1975-from Red Octopus.

The front & back covers of Jefferson Starship’s 1975 album. Back cover photo: Back row (L-R): Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Craig Chaquico and David Freiberg. Front row (seated, L-R): Grace Slick, Pete Sears, Papa John Creach and John Barbata. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Tom Waits released his seventh studio album, Heartattack and Vine, 45 years ago in September 1980. It contains the song that fits Bruce Springsteen like a glove-“Jersey Girl”-which was included on his Live 1975-1985 album. But Waits’ original is all his own, not just because it is delivered in his signature distinctive gravelly voice but because it is his observation from his unique perspective as only he can describe it.

His ninth studio album, Rain Dogs, celebrates a milestone this year as well. It was released forty years ago in September 1985. The best known track on this record was also made famous by another voice-this time, Sir Rod Stewart-who released it as a single near the end of 1989 & it peaked at #3 in January 1990. But as great as the cover is, Waits’ original stands as another testament to the stories he tells about the every day moments in life so many tend to take for granted.

Tom Waits’ 1980 album (top) and his 1985 release (bottom). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Heart: “Crazy On You” (1975, written by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson).

Heart: “Never” (1985, written by Gene Bloch, Holly Knight and “Connie” (pseudonym for Sue Ennis, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson).

David Bowie: “Fame” (1975, written by Carlos Alomar, David Bowie and John Lennon).

David Bowie: “Ashes To Ashes” (1980, written by David Bowie).

David Bowie & Mick Jagger: “Dancing In The Street” (1985, written by Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter and William “Mickey” Stevenson).

Jefferson Starship: “Miracles” (1975, written by Marty Balin).

Tom Waits: “Jersey Girl” (1980, written by Tom Waits).

Tom Waits: “Downtown Train” (1985, written by Tom Waits).

Stay safe & well.