Rock Vibrations

Christmas 1976: the Eagles’ new album hits the shelves. One week later, a million copies have been sold. Yet few realise that Hotel California, a pure moment of musical grace, was born amidst savage tension. At the time, relations between the band members were charged, and it wasn’t uncommon for fights to break out after a concert. Such is the way: the greatest songs of rock all have their stories, and they are fascinating. Like a Rolling Stone, Stairway to Heaven, Sultans of Swing, Losing My Religion, Smells Like Teen Spirit and many other legendary hits are perfect fusions of raw passion and romance, something rock has always been so adept at creating. Daniel Ichbiah has gone behind the scenes at the major record labels, gaining the trust of both songwriters and musicians as he conducted his investigation into the music scene and pieced together that eternal puzzle of success, from the Stones to Nirvana, via Kate Bush. What can one say? The genesis of rock hits has rarely been a smooth ride. As more than one reader has confessed: once you venture into the labyrinthine sagas of these now-legendary songs, it’s impossible to put these pages down. Rich in revelations and strewn with exclusive insights, this exceptional book takes us to the heart of the songs that have shaped and defined our era. By recounting the creation and the journeys of these legendary hits, Rock Vibrations lets us relive the thrill of several decades of rock history.