This here’s a fascinatin’ bit of musical history in my opinion!
First up is the Beatles’ “Lady Madonna,” released in March 1968. In several places, McCartney has said things about the origins or inspiration for the song. One factor is supposedly a picture from the January 1965 issue of National Geographic, below.
In a 1994 interview, McCartney recalled that he was trying to emulate Fats Domino with the song.
Exhibit Number Two, above, is “Benny the Bouncer,” from Emerson Lake & Palmer’s classic 1973 album Brain Salad Surgery. This raucous song, really just a filler track, nevertheless contains plenty of ELP showmanship.
What do these songs share? A common ancestor!
That’s right, listen to the 1956 track “Bad Penny Blues,” by Humphrey Lyttelton and His Band. The piano was played by Johny Parker.
Impressed? I am!
See you Thursday, fellow music mavens!
