Pete Shelley has died. Heart attack, age 63. Front man, guitarist and lead vocalist, of Buzzcocks, the embodiment of DIY, from the formation of the band to their debut record, a self-released four song 45 (to call it an EP is a little inaccurate), Buzzcocks broke into it with no industry connections. A great quote by Shelley regarding that first record says it all, "It just shows what can happen if you’re stupid enough to believe that you can do something. History is made by those who turn up.” That's as succinct as it gets.
If you're of a certain age, you know these songs like the back of your hand. Let yourself be reminded of what a pure band Buzzcocks were. Nice hooks, trademark buzz guitar sound, and, yes, musically inoffensive, as in you might not like it but there's no denying the craft. Like a punk rock version of Abba. Not in sound, but in relative stature.
Claven asks, did you know the Roger Daltrey, Elton John, and Robert Plant sang on a Buzzcocks cover, on the same record? It was a benefit tribute to John Peel a year after his death. A cover of "Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" that also had Shelley and a bunch of other people, and was produced by Andy Gill from the Gang of Four. Fuckin' weird.
If you're of a certain age, you know these songs like the back of your hand. Let yourself be reminded of what a pure band Buzzcocks were. Nice hooks, trademark buzz guitar sound, and, yes, musically inoffensive, as in you might not like it but there's no denying the craft. Like a punk rock version of Abba. Not in sound, but in relative stature.
Claven asks, did you know the Roger Daltrey, Elton John, and Robert Plant sang on a Buzzcocks cover, on the same record? It was a benefit tribute to John Peel a year after his death. A cover of "Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" that also had Shelley and a bunch of other people, and was produced by Andy Gill from the Gang of Four. Fuckin' weird.
Here's a mess of prime-era Buzzcocks, a couple videos and a few things to read. Definitely check the How Buzzcocks invented indie thing at The Guardian to truly appreciate the impact of the early Buzzcocks.
~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Listen:Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't 've?) mp3 at ATumblr (?)
Buzzcocks - Autonomy mp3 at ATumblr (?)
Buzzcocks - Fast Cars mp3 at Internet Archive
Buzzcocks - Why Can't I Touch It mp3 at Rock Town Hall
Buzzcocks - You Tear Me Up mp3 at Nodel
Buzzcocks - Love You More mp3 at ATumblr (?)
Buzzcocks - Promises mp3 at ATumblr (?)
Roger Daltrey, Elton John, Robert Plant, Pete Shelley, and others - Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've?) (streaming) at YouTube
Video:
Buzzcocks - What do I get? (Live 1977, The Electric Circus) at YouTube
Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love (1978 Top Of The Pops) at YouTube
Visit:
Pete Shelley, lead singer of punk band Buzzcocks, dies at 63 at The Guardian
How Buzzcocks invented indie (with help from the Sex Pistols, a Renault and the Quo) at The Guardian
Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley Dies At 63 at NPR
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