The Bands and the Sounds They Make

Boys joined bands to get the girls. This truth is as old as your dad’s 78s’. You might think that the best songs are filled with the dominating guitar, but you would be wrong. Here are a list of songs or albums that feature instruments that are not your typical fare…

AC/DC pulled out the Bagpipes in “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll).” Chicago and Huey Lewis made the brass and horn section essential in their music as we didn’t seem to mind one bit. The sideband ‘Tower of Power’ can be heard on many of the greatest rock songs.

Earth Wind and Fire is a perfect example of horns making rock and roll, while Jethro Tull and his flute will one day get Ian Anderson to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Weird Al” Yankovic used his Accordion to get a record deal, and the ‘melodica’ was prominently played in ‘And We Danced’ by the Hooters.

“Tubular Bells” was the first and most popular album of English musician Mike Oldfield. You may not remember the album or instrument, but you’ll remember the movie that made it famous. Yes, it was the theme song in the movie ‘The Exorcist’ in 1973.

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