Idols: Bowie, Wonder, Collins #30bandsin30days

I is for idols of The Script. I always find it fascinating how musicians get inspired by other musicians without blindly copying over their styles (while that might happen too, it’s less interesting).

Today’s post was written by Sammi, my talented friend whose style you’ll fall in love with.

David Bowie

Quick facts

Started in: 1962

Hometown: London, England

Released albums:
* David Bowie (1967)
* David Bowie (also released as Space Oddity) (1969)
* The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
* Hunky Dory (1971)
* The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
* Aladdin Sane (1973)
* Pin Ups (1973)
* Diamond Dogs (1974)
* Young Americans (1975)
* Station to Station (1976)
* Low (1977)
* “Heroes” (1977)
* Lodger (1979)
* Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980)
* Let’s Dance (1983)
* Tonight (1984)
* Never Let Me Down (1987)
* Black Tie White Noise (1993)
* The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
* Outside (1995)
* Earthling (1997)
* Hours (1999)
* Heathen (2002)
* Reality (2003)
* The Next Day (2013)
* Blackstar (2016)

Instruments: guitar, keyboard, harmonica, saxophone, stylophone, viola, cello, koto, thumb piano, drums and percussion (phew!)

Best song in our opinion: Underground (The Labyrinth)

“Life can’t be easy.
It’s not always swell.
Don’t tell me truth hurts, little girl,
‘Cause it hurts like hell”

Can we all just have a minutes silence. Like real quick… Just stop reading this and think about the epic music video that was Dancing in the Street, or Jared’s legging-clad bulge in the movie The Labyrinth, or even the belter that is the Under Pressure duet with Mr Mercury. Ask any artist and I can guarantee most, if not all, will name Bowie as one of their influences. With an estimated 140 million record sales worldwide, making him one of the worlds best selling artists, it’s not hard to see why music lovers worship him. Born in January 1947, and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996, the chameleon legend lost his secret battle with liver cancer at the start of this year, but leaves behind an impressive catalogue of 27 studio albums, some of the worlds most intriguing lyrics, and the fantastically kooky, Ziggy Stardust.

Stevie Wonder

Quick facts

Started in: 1961

Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan

Released albums:
* The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie (1962)
* Tribute to Uncle Ray (1962)
* With a Song in My Heart (1963)
* Stevie at the Beach (1964)
* Up-Tight (1966)
* Down to Earth (1966)
* I Was Made to Love Her (1967)
* Someday at Christmas (1967)
* Eivets Rednow (1968)
* For Once in My Life (1968)
* My Cherie Amour (1969)
* Signed, Sealed & Delivered (1970)
* Where I’m Coming From (1971)
* Music of My Mind (1972)
* Talking Book (1972)
* Innervisions (1973)
* Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974)
* Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
* Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through “The Secret Life of Plants” (1979)
* Hotter than July (1980)
* The Woman in Red (1984)
* In Square Circle (1985)
* Characters (1987)
* Jungle Fever (1991)
* Conversation Peace (1995)
* A Time to Love (2005)

Instruments: piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, organ, melodica and Clavinet.

Best song in our opinion: Master Blaster

“Everyone’s feeling pretty
It’s hotter than July
Though the world’s full of problems
They couldn’t touch us even if they tried”

If I said the name Stevland Hardaway Judkins would you have a clue who I was talking about? What if I said he was in Saginaw, Michigan on May 13th 1950, and just calls to say he loves you? Any warmer? Okay, how about despite the fact he’s been blind since just after his birth he is able to play the piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, organ, melodica and Clavinet. Quite impressive! I’m talking about phenomenon that is Stevie Wonder. With more than 30 US top ten hits and 25 Grammys, the most presented to a male solo artist, Wonder has graced the world with his soulful crooning for over 5 decades.

(Editor’s note: and look at that joy he shares when playing in that video! Seriously warms the heart.)

Phil Collins

Quick facts

Started in: 1968

Hometown: Chiswick, Middlesex, England.

Released albums:
* Face Value (1981)
* Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982)
* No Jacket Required (1985)
* …But Seriously (1989)
* Both Sides (1993)
* Dance into the Light (1996)
* Testify (2002)
* Going Back (2010)

Instruments: Drums, piano, keyboard, bagpipes.

Best song in our opinion: Easy Lover

“Easy lover
She’ll get a hold on you believe it
Like no other
Before you know it you’ll be on your knees”

At the tender age of just five years old, a young Philip David Charles Collins was gifted his first drum kit. As the years went by he began to hone his craft by playing along to music on the radio and television.

In August 1970, Phil became John Mayhew’s replacement drummer as part of the rock band Genesis, though he went on to become their lead vocalist five years later. A left-handed drummer who has favoured the kits of Gretsch, Premier and Pearl, Phil was voted the fourth most influential progressive rock drummer in 2014 by Rhythm Magazine readers, the fifth greatest drummer in rock history by Planet Rock listeners in 2005 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

In 1981, Collins released his first solo album, Face Value, which proved to be more successful than any Genesis album. The instantly recognisable ‘In the Air Tonight’, as used by Cadburys in their hugely popular advert containing a gorilla and a drum kit, features on this album. Phil recently began reissuing some of his most loved works under the tag line ‘Take a Look at Me Now…’, which involves recreating the album artwork in the present day, wrinkles and all!

In 2009, Phil had surgery to try and correct a dislocated vertebrae which devastatingly didn’t go to plan, with surgeons accidentally cutting the nerves to his hands. This resulted in Collins’ grip being severely compromised and has stated in interviews he couldn’t play without taping the sticks to his hands. However, after the latest surgery, late last year, he is confident in his ability to reacquaint his love for playing stating that doctors have given him the go ahead to begin practicing again.

About our guest contributor: Sammi

Drum-bashing self confessed nerd with a love for anything retro, Japanese movies and anything to do with unicorns. Wannabe Pokemon Master who likes to collect memories to tape into homemade scrapbooks. Will make blanket forts if life gets too hard. Unicorns and flamingos make me smile. Possessor of an innie.

“It’s impossible.” said pride.
“It’s risky.” said experience.
“It’s pointless.” said reason.
“Give it a try.” whispered the heart.

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In April we’re featuring 30 bands in 30 days as part of the A to Z blogging challenge. I’ve selected the bands from the artists that worked or toured with The Script before – simply because they have a good taste in choosing bands to work with! The posts are written by my regular contributors, some special friends as guest bloggers and myself. Sign up if you’d like to keep in touch via email.
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Hop over to The Windy Days of an English Teacher to check out today’s post about how I use music to teach English.

Today’s featured blogger is  A to Z co-host Alex J. Cavanagh , click to check what’s he’s up to!

About Miss Andi

Learning to be unapologetically me but healthier. Shamelessly personifying my dog, Mia, who is my soulmate, though doesn't let me read as much as I used to. One day I'll finish a novel that will not save the world - but might make it smile.

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