Dear Friends,
After many years of work, my book Bíbor köd (Purple Haze) has finally been published: A History of Blues and Rock, 1965–1970.
Freedom, experimentation, the desire for self-expression — these are what make the latter half of the sixties so special. A multitude of new musical genres, iconic performers, classic albums, and defining songs. A detailed overview of the most intense musical revolution in the history of popular music.
In the latter half of the sixties, the most intense revolution in the history of music took place. Rock music underwent an explosive evolution, entering a creative era that continues to influence the musical world to this day. The spirit of the age — freedom, experimentation, and the desire for self-expression — was rooted in the traditions of blues and jazz, yet moved far beyond them. Countless new genres emerged: the origins of progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, punk, and funk all trace back to this period.
However, musical freedom did not come at the expense of quality — the music was raw and instinctive, yet highly sophisticated, and it achieved remarkable popularity as well.
Here's a short detail from the book:
The year 1965 unfolded in the midst of the Cold War, marked by the ongoing rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. In March, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to perform a spacewalk, followed in June by American astronaut Edward Higgins White.
That same year, the U.S. deployed troops to Vietnam for the first time—a decision that sparked massive protests back home. On November 27, Jimi Hendrix’s birthday, 35,000 people marched on Washington against the war.
Civil rights protests were also escalating. Influential activist Malcolm X was assassinated in New York on February 21, 1965. He urged African Americans to embrace Islam, to reject the customs and names imposed by their former oppressors. Among those inspired by his message was boxer Cassius Clay, who converted to Islam, adopted the name Muhammad Ali, and—on May 25—won his first world heavyweight title by knocking out Sonny Liston.
Meanwhile, much of the world was in upheaval. African nations were breaking free from colonial rule: Gambia gained independence from the U.K. in February, while Rhodesia declared itself independent (as Zimbabwe) on November 11.
The year also brought major losses to the music world. On January 20, rock ’n’ roll pioneer and disc jockey Alan Freed passed away. Jazz pianist Nat King Cole died on February 15, and on May 25 the blues lost one of its greatest harmonica players, Sonny Boy Williamson II.
Before his death, he had recorded an album in England with Brian Auger and Jimmy Page, later released posthumously as Don’t Send Me No Flowers.
During those sessions, Jimmy Page—who also appeared on the Williamson album—was offered a spot in the Yardbirds after Eric Clapton quit the band in February 1965. Already a successful session musician, Page declined but recommended his friend Jeff Beck instead.
By then, the Yardbirds were a major name in England and even more popular in the U.S., ranking just behind the Rolling Stones among rhythm & blues acts. While they stuck to traditional blues forms, their delivery was wilder and faster. Listening to drummer Jim McCarty, one could almost imagine him in a thrash metal band decades later.
Their first album, Five Live Yardbirds, had been released only in the U.K. in 1964, but their two 1965 records were U.S.-only releases: For Your Love—featuring mostly Clapton recordings—and Having a Rave Up, issued that November to coincide with their American tour. The A-side contained new tracks with Beck, while the B-side included earlier live material with Clapton.
I dedicate this book to the memory of my father, Endre Groszmann, who introduced me to the beauty of this music and supported and encouraged me throughout.
The book has been published with the support of United PC, whose work I would also like to thank.
For now, it is available only in Hungarian language; the English version is currently in progress.
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