#72 - The Eagles: Hotel California: (1976)

One of the most popular bands ever, and one of the most popular songs ever.

Indeed, did you realize the Eagles are the #1 selling band of all time, with 150 million albums and six number ones? They were, of course, synonymous with California rock, a smooth style with country and folk influences.

This album represented something of a departure, being a little more rock and roll, and prefiguring the band’s reign as arena rock stalwarts.  In addition to the title song, its hits include “New Kid in Town” and “Life in the Fast Lane.” It sold 42 million copies, clocking in as the third best selling all time.

The cover features the Beverly Hills Hotel, and was designed by John Kosh (with photographer David Alexander).

Kosh had a couple more really famous ones (stay tuned), did several classical covers, won three Grammys, did work for many corporate clients (including the logo for Super Bowl XXI), and also did some documentaries.

As for the song, the Eagles claimed it was inspired by John Fowles’ Magus, though others have claimed it’s about the Church of Satan, Camarillo State Hospital, heroin addiction, and cannibalism! Most, though, agree that it has to do with the decadence of the rock world of Southern California.

The group had one other cool cover, but most were pretty forgettable.

And here's the band:

Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B Schmitt

Surprisingly, there where no real parodies out there.  Next time you’re in Zurich, though ...

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#73 - Bruce Springsteen: Greetings from Asbury Park (1973)

Most of Springsteen’s covers are of … well … Springsteen. His first one, though, was definitely a little different.

The only other album cover that does not feature Bruce

I’m a huge fan of old postcards, so I just love this. That particular design was very popular back in the ’20 through ‘50s. Here, for example, is one of my hometown.

Can’t tell if that was a real card or not. Most of what I could find on eBay looked more like this:

The designer for the cover was John Berg, a local boy (well, from Flatbush).  

Berg got started in 1961, and totaled more than 500 credits (including 4 Grammys). He actually did classical, jazz, Streisand, Leonard Cohen, Sinatra, and many, many rock covers as well.

GFAP was Springsteen’s first album, and gained more critical than popular reception. Needless to say, though, the Boss was on his way.

Oh man, my first album!

Asbury Park is a seaside town famous for its music scene, especially the Stone Pony, where Bruce, Bon Jovi, and the Ramones all played.  

Yup, there’s one or two salutes and parodies out there:

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#74 - Steve Miller Band: Book of Dreams (1977)

Good Lord!  Has this guy been around forever or what?  It’s hard to believe, but the Steve Miller Band actually dates all the way back to 1966.

Steve Miller, then and now

“The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle”? Whoa, it’s like I’m back at Gateway Senior High School.

I love the ’70s feel on this one. The lettering, the shiny stuff, that horse. In fact, that horse is pretty darn iconic. Indeed, the band really rang the changes on that horse thing:

Book of Dreams was designed by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse, credited as "Kelly and Mouse." 

Kelly (l), Mouse (r)

The two also get credit for all of Journey’s rather cool stuff and a lot of great work with the Dead. They also did some classic psychedelic posters as well. You might be seeing a little bit more of these guys. They’re pretty much total geniuses.

As for the album, it’s not bad. No big hits, though seven of the tracks got covered on another album – Greatest Hits 1974-1978.

And for all you bronies out there - yes, I did find a parody of this one:

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#75 - Avalon: Roxy Music (1982)

Roxy Music!  Boy, did I love those guys. So smart, so arch, so cool, so elegant, so ‘80s. I had everything they ever recorded.

They were glam, they were new wave, they were a little punk, and they were pretty darn great. I’m sure you’re familiar with Bryan Ferry. Not everyone, though, knows that Brian Eno started with them as well.

Brian Eno, then and now

Honestly, though, Avalon’s not their typical stuff. Not a lotta dance music here. Much more sedate, stately even “adult,” someone called it. The title track and “More Than This” were the singles off of this one.

It was their last real album, released in 1982. Yup, 1982. All their other stuff really dates back to the ‘70s. Indeed – they were way ahead of their time.

Interestingly, this is another Peter Saville album. A little different than the stuff he did for Joy Division, for sure.

Even more interestingly, the model in this photo continues an old Roxy Music tradition of featuring women on their covers. The person under the Viking helmet is no less than Brian Ferry’s wife, Lucy Helmore.

Marie Antoinette (er, Lucy Helmore) & Brian Ferry

Another very attractive cover model (and girlfriend) was Gerry Hall, one-time spouse of Mick Jagger, and now married to Rupert Murdoch:

Marilyn Cole was a Playboy model (and Ferry girlfriend as well):

Kari-Ann Muller, a former Bond girl, somehow managed to resist Ferry’s charms:

Some more cool Ferry covers:

And here's, not a parody, but an alternate:

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