It's Back! "I Could've Been A Contender"

[Pete70s]

One of the big things every September is the beginning of a new fall season. Well, Season 2 of "Contender" begins today!

And it's starting off with a bang (albeit a noisy distorted one!)



Blue Cheer

The huge success of Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967 led to a slew of power trios in the late 60's and early 70's. Grand Funk Railroad, Mountain (whom I think were a trio at one point), Rush, ZZ Top, and lesser-known bands like Budgie would all show a tremendous influence from the classic power trio format.

But the first all American power trio to achieve success was Blue Cheer. Named after a strain of LSD, and managed by a Hell's Angel, the band was made up of guitarist Leigh Stephens, bassist Dick Peterson, and drummer Paul Whaley. Unlike their contemporaries, however, Blue Cheer were terrible musicians, and they compensated for this by turning up as loud as possible, drowning their music in feedback and power chords. Thus, what many consider the first "Heavy Metal" band was born!

The band idolized Jimi Hendrix, who in turn hated them. After a strong debut with a top-20 remake of "Summertime Blues" and almost top-10 album "Vincebus Eruptum", they released four more albums yet couldn't score another hit single and broke up in 1971. A short-lived reunion in the early 80's resulted in one album and little fanfare.

Today Blue Cheer is almost totally forgotten, but their influence can be heard everywhere from Metallica to Sonic Youth. They will probably never see the Rock Hall, but they do deserve to be recognized for their contributions to metal, grunge and punk.

[Dawn]

Great that this is back, Pete. I've always enjoyed this feature!

Their version of Summertime Blues was definitely unique, and very different from most of what was on the charts at that time. I think I've heard one or two of their other tracks, but Summertime Blues is the one I'm mainly familiar with.

That's interesting about Jimi hating them. Was it mainly because of their poor musicianship, or something more personal?

I didn't realize they had re-formed in the '80s, but I think it would be interesting to hear that album and see how it compares with their earlier material, as well as the other hard rock/metal artists of the time.

[H2IZCOOL]

Glad to see this feature again, Pete.

I remember only their cover of Summertime Blues, and though I prefer the Eddie Cochrane original, this was a very good interpretation.

I'd actually never heard of Blue Cheer LSD, and thought the band took it's name from the detergent. -- Although, I read now that the LSD took it's name from the detergent.

Like Dawn, I'm curious about the Hendrix thing.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

It's back and so am I to respond!

I only know their one biggie and it certainly is interesting to say the least! I wouldn't mind investigating more.

Count me in with those who'd love to know why Hendrix hated them!

Was the 80's reunion all three of them, or just one guy out there with two 20 year olds calling it a reunion?

Looking forward to more, Pete!

[Pete70s]

I think it mostly had to do with poor musicianship. I remember reading somewhere in a magazine about Hendrix trashing them at the time. All i could find was a quote from Jimi to the extent of "At least I respect the audiences ears".

[Pete70s]

admin said:

I didn't realize they had re-formed in the '80s, but I think it would be interesting to hear that album and see how it compares with their earlier material, as well as the other hard rock/metal artists of the time.

The album was called "The Beast Is Back" and was on Megaforce Records (the New York indie metal label that launched the careers of Metallica and Anthrax). I remember hearing "Summertime Blues" on a metal radio show around that time and thinking "Wow, that sounds pretty advanced for 1968!" (I hadn't heard the original yet, but had been curious about it for some time). Turns out that the new album contained a re-recording that was more comtemporary sounding. So I actually heard THAT version first!

[Pete70s]

sat said:

Was the 80's reunion all three of them, or just one guy out there with two 20 year olds calling it a reunion?

I THINK the reunion was two of the original members, but I'm not positive.

[Ken]

It's great to see this return

I'm also only familiar with Summertime Blues. I also have the video clip of the band performing the song on Beat Club.Their version had a very raw, heavy and yeah even a punk feel to it. Can you imagine hearing this for the first time back to back with say Yummy Yummy Yummy on AM radio in '68? ;D I always thought Vincebus Eruptum was a great psychedelic title.