 |
From the Vault...
10/14/2012
#1329 |
|
info
Soundtrack
"Heavy Metal"
© Epic Records
Year of Release: 1981
Rating:
|
track listing
Heavy Metal--
Sammy Hagar
Heartbeat--
Riggs
Working In The
Coal Mine--
Devo
Veteran Of The
Psychic Wars--
Blue Oyster Cult
Reach Out--
Cheap Trick
Heavy Metal
(Takin' A Ride)--
Don Felder
True Companion--
Donald Fagen
Crazy (A Suitable
Case For
Treatment)--
Nazareth
Radar Rider--
Riggs
Open Arms--
Journey
Queen Bee--
Grand Funk Railroad
I Must Be Dreamin'--
Cheap Trick
The Mob Rules--
Black Sabbath
All Of You--
Don Felder
Prefabricated--
Trust
Blue Lamp--
Stevie Nicks
|
WSVNRadio Archives
Soundtrack related sites:
|
|
|
Soundtrack
"Heavy Metal"
Heavy Metal, the movie, was one of those midnight show classics when I used to work at River Oaks Theatres in
Calumet City, Illinois, back in the early 1980s. The movie consisted of various science fiction and fantasy stories from
and inspired by the magazine of the same name. The five-part animations combined the works of many artists and animators
from 17 different countries. The five parts were: "Soft Landing," "Grimaldi," "Harry Canyon," "Den"," and
"Captain Sternn." (Information on the five parts can be found
here.
I vaugely remember the movie, yet I've always remembered (one of) the title tracks. "Heavy Metal (Takin' A Ride)"
by Don Felder (member of the Eagles). Sammy Hagar also had a "Heavy Metal" song on the soundtrack, where many
remember the Don Felder version, and thought Hagar was the singer. Very impressive lineup of artists on the soundtrack:
Hagar, Devo, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Felder, Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan), Nazareth, Journey, Grand Funk Railroad,
Black Sabbath (with Ronnie James Dio), Stevie Nicks. Two bands not familiar with: Riggs and Trust.
Riggs -- Who is this band? The band was formed by Jerry Riggs. Originally from Tennessee, he formed his first group in
the 1970s (Lynx). By the end of the decade, his second band, Raggedy Ann was formed. When the original lead singer of
Raggedy Ann (Don Train) left, Riggs took over, and renamed the band Riggs. Their self-titled debut album was released on
Full Moon Records in 1980. (This album was recently reissued on CD through
Wounded Bird Records. Both songs from the Heavy Metal soundtrack
are NOT on Riggs' debut album.) His involvement with the Heavy Metal soundtrack followed the next year. Jerry Riggs joined
the Pat Travers Band in 1983, and stayed with this band 10 years. He now lives in Florida, and is a local favorite there,
as well as in Michigan and Wisconsin. He also performs with "Rock and Pop Masters," a group of musicians/professionals
in the area of Classic Rock events. As for the band Trust, not much info was found, just that they were compared to the
likes of Bon Scott and AC/DC.
Now, for the common Rock artists: Devo's version of "Working In A Coal Mine" is a great remake. Blue Oyster
Cult is an obvious choice for this movie; their song "Veteran Of The Psychic Wars" can also be found on the BOC album
Fire Of Unknown Origin. Cheap Trick has two songs here: "Reach Out" and "I Must Be Dreamin'
Cheap Trick as a "heavy metal" band? I don't think so. Yet, The latter song of the two just may impress you; it is more
of a harder rock sound than your usual Cheap Trick. Don Felder's "Heavy Metal" may not sound like an actual Eagles
tune, yet his other song, "All of You" could be a hit or miss if recorded by the band that made him famous.
Donal Fagen (of Steely Dan) slows down the heavy metal pace, with the nice and jazzy, Steely Dan-ish "True
Companion." Nazareth was best known for the ballad remake of "Love Hurts" and the Bob Seger-ish "Hair Of The
Dog." Their song "Crazy" (A Suitable Case Of Treatment)" easily fits the soundtrack, just as Blue Oyster Cult.
Journey's famous hit "Open Arms" is here, followed by Grand Funk Railroad's "Queen Bee." It's good to see
GFR here; they were best remembered from the 1970s, and considered a band in the Classic Rock category.
Ronnie James Dio had recently joined the band Black Sabbath, replacing original lead singer Ozzy Osbourne. Their
"Mob Rules" is on this soundtrack. This tune is defintely a hard rocking song, similar to "Wango Tango" by
Ted Nugent. Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac closes out the soundtrack, with "Blue Lamp." This song is different
from her other recordings, yet perfect for this soundtrack.
Heavy Metal is a good soundtrack. I cannot remember the movie off the top of my head; I'll have to look at the
movies I have. I just may have it. The Don Felder tune is the signature tune from this soundtrack/movie. There was a
sequel to this movie, Heavy Meatal 2000, released in the year 2000.
© WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Epic Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
|
|
