On July 4, 1966, a semi-diplomatic incident occurred between members of "The Beatles" the government and the people of the Philippines. (Photo: Beatlesbible.com) The Beatles members did not show up for the reception hosted by President Marcus' family at the Royal Palace in Manila, to which they were invited. President Marcus' family, as well as 300 close guests of the administration, waited for the Fabulous Four in vain, as they were not informed that "the Beatles" had declined their invitation. It all started the day before, on July 3, 1966, when "the Beatles" landed at the Manila Airport in the Philippines. In the airport, 50,000 enthusiastic fans were waiting for them on the verge of hysteria, ahead of two performances that were scheduled to take place the next day. "The Beatles" members were rushed from the airport with police escort straight to a private yacht to attend a party of wealthy and famous locals. The party ended only at four in the morning. On the morning of July 4, when the Beatles woke up in their hotel rooms, they were exhausted. That day they were scheduled to go up for two shows at Riesel Football Stadium in Manila in front of 80,000 spectators. In light of this, when "the Beatles" manager Brian Epstein received an invitation to come to the palace, he simply and politely declined. Beyond that, "the Beatles" members had a policy of not accepting such "official" invitations, so it was clear to him that the band members were not going to come to the palace. Epstein, however, did not anticipate the reaction that followed. "The Beatles" soon found themselves "enemies" of the Philippine regime, which was not used to receiving "no answer", and saw it as an insult. The Philippine media portrayed the incident as a deliberate act by "The Beatles" members, and when Brian Epstein tried to convey the band's response to the incident on television, his words were interrupted by static noises. The next day, as "the Beatles" made their way to Manila Airport, they discovered to their surprise that the Philippine government had removed their police protection as an act of retaliation for the insult. They had to make their way to the field on their own and without any escort. At the airport they were greeted by an angry and a raging mob. The members of "the Beatles" were not protected. The crowd spat at them. The hostile crowd beat the Beatles' show manager - Mel Evans. After the band members boarded the plane, Epstein was forced to hand over to the Philippine tax authorities 6,800 British pounds in pesos, before he could return to the plane. "The Beatles" flew from there to New Delhi, with a short stop in Bangkok. They never forgot this hallucinatory and frightening incident. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today we will tell you interesting facts about the singer/songwriter Bill Withers: (Photo: Gilles Petard) 1. He was born on July 4, 1938 in West Virginia, USA, as William Harrison "Bill" Withers Jr. 2. He was the youngest of six children and was born with a stutter that as a child made it difficult for him to integrate socially. 3. At the age of 18 he enlisted to the U.S. Navy and served there for 9 years, during which time he overcame his stuttering and became interested in music and writing. 4. In 1965 he was discharged from the Navy and in 1967 moved to Los Angeles in search of a musical career. 5. Concurrent with attempts to succeed musically and perform in local clubs, he worked as an assembler of mechanical parts at companies such as Douglas Aircraft Corporation, IBM and Ford. 6. In the early 1970s, he signed his first recording contract with "Sussex Records" and in 1971 released his debut album "Just As I Am" which included the hits "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands". 7. The album was produced by Booker T. Jones who also played guitar and keyboards. Another famous artist who played on the album is none other than Stephen Stills. 8. The album cover was photographed outside Bill's workplace during the break while Bill was holding his lunch box. 9. Despite the success Withers still did not believe he could make a living from music and continued to work in the factory. 10. The album was included in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 greatest albums album of all time and the song "Ain't No Sunshine" from the album entered the magazine's top 500 songs list. 11. In 1972 Bill won his first Grammy for the song "Ain't No Sunshine". Later he will be nominated for another 6 awards of which he will win two. 12. In the same year he released his second album “Still Bill” which included among others the hit “Still Bill” and became his most successful album in the US. 13. Later Bill got into a legal dispute with the record company that did not allow him to release albums. During this time he collaborated with musicians James Brown, Etta James and B.B. King, and also appeared with them in 1974 in a show called "When We Were Kings". 14. In 1976 he was released from his contract with "Sussex Records" and signed with "Columbia". 15. But the problems did not stop and "Columbia" tried to intervene with Bill's creative side preventing him from releasing some of the songs he wrote. 16. The problems and frictions forced Withers to concentrate on collaborating with other artists, thus was born, among other things, the song "Just the Two of Us" performed together with jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. The song earned Bill his second Grammy. 17. In 1985 Withers released his eighth and final album "Watching You, Watching Me" after which he left the record company Columbia after years of conflict. 18. In the following years he concentrated on creating re-arrangements of his songs. At the same time he continued to perform and stated that he did not regret she is not recording anymore. 19 In 2007 his song “Lean On Me” entered the Grammy Hall of Fame and in 2015 he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 20. He passed away as a result of heart complications on March 3, 2020 and is 81 years old. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The Foo Fighters' debut album was released on July 4, 1995, signifying a significant day for both us and the music world. This tale revolves around an individual's album that came to life after another person's death, resembling the start of a gripping bestseller or a Hollywood movie script, yet this was the true story. After Kurt Cobain's death, Dave and Krist's worlds shattered. "Nirvana" soared to great heights, touching the clouds and even crossing the atmosphere, but then, unexpectedly, it exploded due to a lack of oxygen and intense atmospheric pressure. The explosion scattered fragments back to Earth, leaving them without a sense of belonging. The two experienced profound trauma from Cobain's death, particularly because it was unforeseen. Despite Cobain's ongoing issues, mainly with drugs, they never imagined he would take his own life. Following Cobain's death, Dave and Krist spent a lot of time together, trying to support each other, but it was challenging. Dave fell into depression and developed a fear of music. He avoided listening to music or owning instruments, let alone creating or performing again. To escape, he traveled to the UK, driving for miles to disconnect from the media and the threatening environment, avoiding thoughts of returning to music or forming a new band. Upon returning from his trip, Dave received calls from colleagues and various bands inviting him to play, but he was too afraid to perform or even sit behind the drums. However, in 1994, Greg Dulli, the singer of "The Afghan Whigs," invited him to join a band recording the soundtrack for the movie "Backbeat." This supergroup featured notable talents of the time, including bassist Mike Mills (REM), guitarist and singer Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), guitarist Don Fleming (Gumball), and singer Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum). Performing with them at the MTV Movie Awards in 1994 restored Dave's confidence and passion for music. Dave, who regularly wrote material during breaks between "Nirvana" shows and recordings, decided to consolidate his work into something more meaningful. He felt ready to embark on an independent musical project, seeing it as therapeutic and a way to heal from the trauma. He secluded himself for six days at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, bringing producer Barrett Jones along, and began recording his music. (Photo: Mick Hutson) The pair would enter the studio in the morning, begin recording at noon, and complete about four songs each day. Dave would move from booth to booth to record all the parts of the song on various instruments, and then he would record the vocals. Apart from a guest appearance by Greg on the song "X-Static," Dave recorded the entire album himself. The only song where they spent extra time on the recordings was "I'll Stick Around". Dave felt uneasy about singing, as it was a new experience for him. To mask any perceived flaws in Dave's singing (which were simply due to low self-confidence, as he has a great voice), they used the Double Track technique, typically used for guitars, to create a richer and fuller vocal by doubling the recording. Regarding this song, Dave mentioned that they not only doubled but layered the song four times, known as the double-double track. With many concerns about listeners' reactions and insecurity about his ability to create and perform music solo, Dave chose to release the album anonymously, without any connection to him or Nirvana. He independently made 100 tape copies of the album and distributed them to friends, family, and anyone who approached him expressing admiration for "Nirvana." It is rumored that in January 1995, an "anonymous" individual named Eddie Vedder performed two tracks from the album on his radio show Self-Pollution, which helped the sound to start spreading. The record companies that followed him and listened to the tape he distributed started to court Dave. During that period, Dave received two highly enticing offers, at least the ones we are aware of. One was to join as a drummer for Tom Petty and his band, with whom he once appeared on the SNL show. The second offer was to become the drummer for Pearl Jam. Encouraged by the positive feedback from his close acquaintances, art friends, and record companies, Dave chose to pursue a new direction and signed a record contract with "Capitol Records". Dave did not want to keep this project as a solo endeavor; instead, he aimed to transform it into a band. He often expressed in interviews his love for being part of a band. He enlisted Pat Smear, with whom he had played in "Nirvana," and two other friends from "Sunny Day Real Estate": Nate Mendel on bass and William Goldsmith on drums. Dave did not want to make a big splash by starting as an opening act for major bands or trying to get into large festivals; he wanted to begin everything from scratch. Like in the "Nirvana" days, they simply took a small and red van, loaded all their gear, and started traveling from club to club to spread their music—truly poetic! Dave mentioned that for a long time, he struggled to adapt to the role of the singer on stage or as the interviewee. He was very young and insecure, unsure of how to act or what to do with himself. After securing the record deal, the album underwent only mixing and mastering, resulting in a release of no more than 100 copies, not limited to tapes. The initial single released was "This Is a Call", one of the rare songs Dave wrote following the breakup of "Nirvana". He mentioned composing it during his honeymoon in Ireland. The second single released was "I'll Stick Around". Although we didn't launch it here, Dave had (and still has) a very complicated and tense relationship with Cobain's wife, Courtney Love, especially after Cobain's death. She was strongly opposed to Dave starting his own project and criticized him for allegedly exploiting Cobain's death and Nirvana's success for his own benefit, to pursue a successful solo career. This song was written about her. For years, Dave denied this (similar to his denial of other songs being about specific people), but eventually, he emphasized reading the lyrics to understand. The album's third single, "For All the Cows", is a track in which Dave expresses his feelings about the pressure he experienced and its effects on him. The fourth single, "Big Me", is a heartfelt ballad Dave wrote for his wife Jennifer. However, the song gained significant attention due to its music video, where the band members humorously used Mentos candies, dubbing them Footos. In our view, this album signifies the start of a major band in the modern era, known for delivering outstanding albums, incredible music, and electrifying performances. We hope to see them in Israel soon! Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is a very talented musician, one of the founders of "The Rolling Stones" and its secret weapon. We want to tell you some facts about one of the tragedies of the Rock world - Brian Jones: (Photo: NME.com) 1. He was born on 28 February 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, under the name Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones. 2. In his youth, Jones grew up on music at home, from classical, through blues to jazz. 3. His father was an aeronautical engineer, but also a piano teacher. 4. His mother played organ and piano and conducted the local church choir. 5. At the age of 15, he asked his parents to buy him a saxophone, after hearing Cannonball Adderley - an American jazz artist playing an instrument. 6. At the age of 17 his parents bought him his first guitar. 7. Saxophone and guitar were not enough for him. He was also a clarinet player in the school band. 8. At the age of 17 he got his girlfriend, then a 14-year-old, pregnant, she gave birth to the baby and the two gave him up for adoption. 9. Following this Jones left school and went on a trip to Northern Europe with his guitar, playing on street corners for pennies. 10. Later he started playing blues and jazz music in pubs and clubs. 11. At that time he became a professional blues musician, calling himself by the Christian name Elmo Lewis. 12. In 1959 Jones put a married woman pregnant. She gave birth to his daughter on August 4, 1960, and raised her along with her husband. Jones never knew he had another girl. 13. But that was not enough, on October 22, 1961, Jones' girlfriend at the time - Pat Andrews gave birth to his third child. 14. In 1962 it was Jones who was responsible for the founding of "the Rolling Stones" and according to Keith Richards, he was also the one who gave it the name. 15. "The Rolling Stones" made their debut on 12 July 1962 at the Marquee Club in London. It was with Jagger, Jones, Richards, and Dick Taylor on bass, and Tony Chapman on drums. 16. By September 1963, Jones, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards shared an apartment in Chelsea. At the time Jones was playing and listening to a lot of music, especially blues by Muddy Waters, Willy Dixon, Jimmy Reed, and Howlin' Wolf. 17. At the same time, Jones taught Mick Jagger to play the harmonica. (Photo: David Farrell) 18. On January 18 1963 The Rolling Stones' classic line-up was completed with Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. 19. The band started out playing blues and jazz clubs around London, slowly building a devoted fan base. 20. Despite Mick Jagger's charisma, Jones was the one who led the band, getting them performances and negotiating the payment. 21. Jones then played rhythm guitar, harmonica, and slide guitar. Bill Wyman later claimed he was one of the first slide players in England. 22. Jones was the one who enriched the sound of the Stones as he slowly added more musical instruments. The fundamental change began with the 1966 album "Aftermath" and intensified on subsequent albums "Between the Buttons" from 1967, culminating that year with the album "Their Satanic Majesties Request". 23. Jones was a multi-instrumentalist who played in the Rollin stones albums on instruments like guitar, slide, piano, sitar, tambourine, organ, dulcimer, mellotron, xylophone, marimba, flute, clarinet, harp, and more. 24. Between 1962-1968 Jones also provided background vocals to the band. 25. In 1964, his girlfriend Linda Lawrence gave birth to his fourth child. Lawrence later married singer and songwriter Donovan. 26. That same year another girlfriend of his Dawn Molloy gave birth to his fifth child, at that time Jones was already with the Rolling Stones and she got a nice check to keep the matter a secret. 27. As the band became more famous, band director Bill Oldham shifted the weight of the band's leadership from Jones' shoulders to those of Jagger and Richards. This kept Jones away from the rest of the band. 28. The many performances and trips on the road, as well as fame and fortune, did not do well for Jones, whose sense of alienation from the rest of the band deepened. 29. Jones became addicted to drugs and alcohol, frequently using LSD, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. 30. The increasing use of alcohol and drugs did not go well with his physical condition which was not good in the first place, partly due to chronic asthma he had from childhood. 31. He was hospitalized more than once and began experiencing paranoia attacks. 32. In June 1967, Jones traveled to the Monterey Pop Festival with Nico, who was his partner at the time. There he met Frank Zappa, and took the stage to introduce Jimi Hendrix. Jones was nicknamed "the unofficial king of the festival." 33. Following this, the rift between Jones and the other members of the band deepened. (Photo: Mark and Colleen Hayward) 34. One of the crises was in the summer of 1967, when Jones 'girlfriend Anita Pallenberg fled to Richards while Jones was in the hospital, thus severely damaging Jones and Richards' friendship. 35. Jones' last significant recordings with the stones were made in the summer of 1968 with the single "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and the album "Beggars Banquet". 36. Jones' last official appearance with the Stones was at "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus", a film organized by The band and had half a concert and half a circus, with many guests such as "Jethro Tull", the Who, Eric Clapton and more. 37. In the film, Jones is seen under the influence of drugs, lost and confused. 38. In 1968 Jones produced, composed, and played the soundtrack for the film "Mord und Totschlag". One "person" who played the soundtrack was Jimmy Page. 39. During the filming, Jones and his girlfriend were photographed while Jones was seen in a Nazi uniform over a naked doll. Jones was by no means a Nazi, but many were hurt by the picture. 40. In early 1968, Jones played the percussion in an unreleased version of Jimi Hendrix's Bob Dylan's song "All Along the Watchtower." 41. He also played an alto saxophone in the Beatles' song "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)". 42. Jones' condition worsened, he didn't get to recordings, and even when he did he was late and didn't do much. 43. In the hearts of the other members of the band grew the decision to fire him. They knew he was slowing them down and that if they wanted to succeed, they would have no choice but to release him. 44. Jagger and Richards allowed him to do so respectfully and announce that he was the one leaving the band, and so it was. On June 9, 1969, Jones announced in the media that he was leaving the Rolling Stones. 45. Less than a month later on the night of July 2-3, Jones was found dead at the bottom of the pool of his estate. The doctors who arrived at the scene determined his death when the cause of the mysterious death was determined as drowning. In doing so, Jones became one of the first to join "the 27 club". 46. ​​Many greats paid tribute to Jones in songs they wrote in his memory, including Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, and even Jim Morrison who died exactly two years later, also 27 at the time of his death. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Written By: Moti Kupfer Release date - 01.07.1968 Whoever controls the media controls the minds of the people. Long before anyone imagined the overwhelming power the media would one day have to manipulate public opinion, Jim Morrison seemed to foresee it. That same sense of totality defined Morrison's stage presence, where his theatrical performances gave him an almost hypnotic control over his audience. On December 9, 1967, "The Doors" performed at the New Haven Arena in Connecticut. The concert came to an abrupt end when police arrested Morrison on stage. It was later revealed that before the show, Jim Morrison had been kissing a female fan backstage when a police officer, unaware that he was the band's singer, ordered him to leave the area. Morrison responded with profanity, and during the performance he continued mocking the officers while sarcastically singing about the incident. The show ended when a police lieutenant approached Morrison, who forcefully shoved the microphone into the officer's mouth. Morrison was taken into custody and charged with inciting a riot, indecent behavior, and public obscenity. The remaining members of "The Doors", Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore, watched in frustration as the charismatic frontman who had captivated audiences from the very beginning gradually became a man who no longer knew where to draw the line. Just as he was completely committed on stage, he was equally consumed by alcohol and drugs off it. By 1968, "The Doors" had become one of the biggest rock bands in America. After releasing two albums within just seven months, both packed with future classics that propelled them to stardom, they suddenly realized they had very little new material left for their third album, "Waiting for the Sun," which was released on July 3, 1968. "When we got to our third album, we had enough money to spend endless hours in the studio. We wanted to get every part just right, and Jim, whose vocal sessions always came last, would get bored waiting around and head to a nearby bar. By the time it was his turn to sing, he was useless," Robby Krieger recalled. Beyond the shortage of new material, the band had intended to include a 17-minute epic titled "The Celebration of the Lizard." Producer Paul Rothchild felt the piece was not commercial enough, leaving only "Not to Touch the Earth" to survive from the ambitious composition. Jim Morrison was born in Melbourne, Florida. At the age of four, he experienced a traumatic event when he witnessed a horrific traffic accident in the desert involving a Native American family. Morrison later claimed that the incident haunted him for the rest of his life, and he would eventually reference it in several of his songs. As a child, Morrison moved frequently between military bases across the United States because of his father's career as a senior officer in the U.S. Navy. During his teenage years, one of his greatest passions was reading philosophy and poetry. Among all the thinkers he studied, Friedrich Nietzsche had the deepest influence on him. Morrison frequently explored Nietzsche's ideas and reinterpreted them in "The Doors'" music, particularly in "The End," whose themes resonate with Nietzsche's philosophical reflections on death and eternity. Nietzsche's philosophy often inspired Jim Morrison's extreme behavior on stage. He would deliberately provoke audiences, screaming at them to wake up. After graduating from high school, Morrison moved to Florida to live with his grandparents, where he began studying film at Florida State University. He later completed his studies in film and cinematography at UCLA in Los Angeles, where he met Ray Manzarek. During the summer of 1965, the two began writing songs together. Manzarek soon discovered Jim Morrison's remarkable singing ability, and together they recruited John Densmore and Robby Krieger, whom they met through a meditation class. The four adopted the name "The Doors," inspired by Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception. In 1966, they began performing in California clubs such as the legendary Whisky a Go Go. Before long, they released their self-titled debut album, "The Doors." Beyond being a captivating frontman and exceptional vocalist, Morrison considered himself an American poet. He constantly wrote poetry and aspired to be far more than just another rock star. Likewise, "The Doors" believed they were much more than a source of entertainment. They maintained that their purpose was to stimulate the listener's mind, and Morrison was frequently portrayed as an artist rather than merely a performer. Ray Manzarek, the band's keyboardist, first developed his musical skills as a pianist while also playing competitive basketball throughout high school. After graduating, he briefly studied economics at DePaul University before pursuing theater, film, and television at UCLA between 1962 and 1965, where he met Jim Morrison. Robby Krieger was born in Los Angeles to a Jewish family. His father was an engineer with a passion for classical music. While attending the private Menlo School in Atherton, Krieger used a free study period each evening to teach himself how to play guitar. During the mid-1960s, he studied flamenco guitar under Frank Chin, a style that would later find its way into "Spanish Caravan," one of the standout tracks on "Waiting for the Sun." Compared to its predecessors, "Waiting for the Sun" was a more restrained and melodic album. Among its highlights is the gentle ballad "Love Street," inspired by the house Morrison shared with his longtime partner Pamela Courson in Laurel Canyon. The couple affectionately referred to the neighborhood as "Love Street." The album's biggest hit is "Hello, I Love You," whose main riff and melody have often been noted for their striking resemblance to "All Day and All of the Night" by "The Kinks." Other standout tracks include "The Unknown Soldier," a direct criticism of the Vietnam War, "Summer's Almost Gone," a nostalgic reflection on the end of summer and the loss of innocence that Morrison had written before meeting Manzarek; and "Five to One," a song that has inspired countless interpretations over the years, with many viewing it as a protest against the prevailing culture of the era. To date, "Waiting for the Sun" has sold approximately seven million copies worldwide and remains the only "Doors" album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, securing its place as one of the band's most commercially successful releases. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He was a great performer, dripping with charisma and he's one of rock's great vocalists, let's read 27 facts about Jim Morrison who passed away at the age of 27. (Photo: CBS) 1. He was born on December 8, 1943, in Melbourne Florida as James Douglas Morrison. 2. When he was four, Morrison suffered a serious car accident in the desert, which involved a family of Indians. The event greatly influenced Morrison, who also wrote several songs about the event, such as, "Dawn's Highway", "Peace Frog" and more. 3. In his youth, Morrison read books of philosophy and poetry and was greatly influenced by Nietzsche and the French poet Arthur Rimbaud, who influenced his writing style. 4. After graduating from high school he moved to live with his grandparents in Clearwater Florida. 5. In 1962 he began studying film at the University of Florida. Cinema was an area that Morrison had been drawn to since he was a child. 6. In 1963, during his studies, Morrison was arrested at a football game, due to drunkenness and for disturbing the public. 7. In 1964 Morrison moved to Los Angeles where he studied film and photography at UCLA. 8. At one point he moved to Venice Beach where he lived a bohemian lifestyle on the roof of a building, consuming LSD and writing some of the first songs of "The Doors". 9. In the summer of 1965, the Doors band began to form when keyboardist Ray Manzarek - Morrison's friend from school began writing songs with him. Later, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore whom Manzarek and Morrison met in a drama class, joined the band. 10. They chose the name "the Doors" for themselves after the book "The Doors of Perception" by Aldous Huxley, which was also influenced by the English poet William Blake. 11. In 1966, the band began playing in clubs in Los Angeles, including "Whiskey a Go-Go", where they served as an opening act for Van Morrison's "Them". 12. In 1967 the band released their first album simply called "The Doors". The album included several hits such as "Light My Fire" and "Break On Through (To the Other Side") which were a huge success and won the band huge fame quickly. 13. Morrison is the first artist to be arrested on stage during a performance. This happened during the band's performance in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, on December 9, 1967. 14. This was not Morrison's only arrest on stage. He was arrested in 1969 and put on trial in Miami Florida, following an unnecessary incident in which he exposed his penis during a performance. This incident heralded the beginning of the band's disintegration, in part after the band had to pay large sums of money during and after the trial. 15. Although many believe that Morrison did not play on "The Doors" albums, in the song "Orange County Suite" he plays the piano. Also, in the song "Strange Days" he plays the synthesizer Mog. 16. In 1969 Morrison released a book of poems he had written. 17. Morrison had a brief relationship with the well-known singer Nico. 18. He also tried his luck with Janis Joplin, but she was not happy about it and broke a "Southern Comfort" bottle on his head. 19. Morrison is also known as the Lizard Man - "The Lizard King" and "Mr. Mojo Risin". 20. Morrison recorded himself a lot while reading his poetry, even during his stay in Paris in 1971 shortly before his death. 21. Seven years after his death, the band released the album "American Prayer" based on these recordings in which Morrison reads the poetry accompanied by the music of the doors. 22. On July 3, 1971, Morrison apparently died of a heroin overdose while he was only 27 years old. He was found lifeless in the bathtub of the hotel where he was staying in Paris. According to French law, no autopsy was performed on her body and his death was determined as a heart attack. 23. The person who found him lifeless in the bathtub of the hotel was his girlfriend Pamela Courson. 24. Although Morrison and Pamela were never married they were considered a common-law couple in the state of California, where there was no such precedent at the time. After her death, Pamela was buried under the name Pamela Susan Morrison. 25. Pamela is known to have inspired many of Morrison's songs, including "Love Street," "Queen of the Highway," and "Twentieth Century Fox." 26. Morrison is buried in the "Per Laches" cemetery in Paris, where many celebrities such as Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Edith Piaf, and more are buried. Only five people attended his funeral. 27. During such a short period of only 4 years of activity, Morrison along with "The Doors" has released six masterpiece albums featuring a huge list of songs engraved in rock history forever. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 2, 1982 "Demon" released their 2nd album "The Unexpected Guest". For those who never heard of the band, "Demon" formed in England in 1979, as a heavy metal band, by vocalist Dave Hill and guitarist Mal Spooner previously from the glam rock band "Iron Cross". The two recruited former "Hunter" members Les Hunt (lead guitar), Chris Ellis (bass), and John Wright (drums). Their debut album, "Night of the Demon", was released in 1981 showing a blend of old school hard rock, blues rock, and NWOBHM, creating a sound more reminiscent of American hard rock / AOR band, than British, with melodic, commercial-sounding. They quickly became known for their shocking and elaborate occult-themed performances, drenching their bodies in paint and pentagrams, and emerging out of coffins on stage. These elements of shock-rock distinguish them from other bands in the NWOBHM scene. A glance at their debut album cover is enough to learn that this is maybe the first metal album to show such a macabre, ghastly image on its cover. But it wasn't only that, the music and lyrics were gloomy and dark. Their second release, "The Unexpected Guest," stands out as a unique and influential album in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era. Known for their distinctive blend of melodic hard rock and bluesy undertones, "Demon" carved a niche for themselves with this concept album that revolves around a séance gone wrong. This thematic journey into the darker aspects of the human mind gives the album a compelling narrative thread. The album starts with a short instrumental Intro ("An Observation") and ends with the track "Outro", giving it a beginning and an end that fits a concept album. Just looking at the song titles one can understand that this album revolves around the concept of a bad séance experience (maybe influential on King Diamond's "A Dangerous Meeting" with "Merciful Fate"). The album explores themes of madness, possession, destiny, and the loss of reality, with tracks like "Don't Break the Circle," "The Spell," "Total Possession," "Sign of a Madman,", "A Strange Institution," "Victim of Fortune," "Beyond the Gates of Hell," "Deliver Us From Evil," painting vivid pictures of the supernatural and existential. The narrative warning about the dangers of the occult, rather than advocating for it, echoes the cautionary tales found in early "Black Sabbath" songs, lending a very human feel to the album. Musically, "The Unexpected Guest" is dominated by the twin guitar sound of Mal Spooner and Les Hunt, and Dave Hill's distinctive, passionate raspy vocals. Hill’s voice, though not technically exceptional, is uniquely powerful and filled with raw emotion, making his delivery memorable and impactful. The production, managed by Mike Stone, captures the band's energetic essence while maintaining a polished and warm sound. The inclusion of keyboards adds a melodic and atmospheric dimension that sets the album apart from many of its contemporaries. "Demon's" sound on this album draws heavily from 70s hard rock influences like "UFO", "Thin Lizzy" and early "Black Sabbath", with a distinctly American hard rock feel due to its melodic refrains. The album's big "hit" is "Don't Break the Circle", later covered by "Blind Guardian". This track is a highlight, featuring layered guitar melodies that build to a powerful crescendo. It encapsulates the melodic and atmospheric essence of the album. Other notable tracks from the album are: "The Spell" with its Haunting and repetitive, fitting well within the album's dark thematic framework, The energetic upbeat "Total Possession", "The Grand Illusion" - One of Demon's heaviest tracks, showcasing the band’s versatility and heavier side, "Have We Been Here Before?" - A more melodic track that deals with reincarnation, displaying key NWOBHM characteristics with an upbeat feel, "Strange Institution": - A dark semi-ballad with a bluesy solo, adding depth to the album's emotional range, and the catchy "Deliver Us From Evil". "The Unexpected Guest" is a cohesive and compelling album that rewards repeated listens, revealing new details and nuances each time. For fans of NWOBHM and 70s heavy rock, this album is a must-listen. It captures the peak of "Demon's" creative output before they ventured into more experimental and less consistent territory. While the NWOBHM label initially helped "Demon" gain recognition, after this album, "Demon began" to experiment sound, moving towards more melodic and varied musical styles, even Progressive Rock. "The Unexpected Guest" remains a high point in "Demon's" career, showcasing their unique blend of hard rock and heavy metal. It's a timeless and influential work in the heavy metal genre. Its combination of dark lyrical themes, skilled musicianship, and memorable songs make it a standout album that continues to captivate listeners decades after its release. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 2, 1994 "Stella Maris" released their second studio album "The Open Gate". Occasionally, we ponder whether "Hed Artzi" would have signed "Hayehudim" and if the album "Metziut Nifredet" would have been released at all, without the success of this album, which was launched on the rival "Helikon" label. We decided to explore this question, and it appears that "Hayehudim," like other Israeli metal bands, owe a great deal to "Stella Maris" and especially to this album, which, as its name implies, "opened the gate" for those who followed. "Stella Maris" is undeniably one of the trailblazers of metal in Israel. The band was formed in Haifa in 1990 by new immigrants from Russia, guitarist Nick Miller, and keyboardist Fima Shuster. They began their journey alongside bassist Dobby Sonny in a cover band called "Uranium". Later, drummer Eitan Khodarji and vocalist Pablo Rosenberg from the band "Monitor," who immigrated to Israel from Argentina, joined them, thus completing the band's classic lineup. Pablo Rosenberg was the one who urged the band members to perform songs in a heavy rock style, with lyrics in Hebrew. He believed this approach would more easily attract the Israeli audience. The band started playing in clubs in Haifa and the Krayot, and later at the legendary "Roxanne" club in Tel Aviv, eventually catching the attention of Avi Peretz, who was then the promoter for the band "Tislam". From there, it was a short journey to signing with the "Helikon" company. Photo: Raly Avrahami The band's debut album, "Stella Maris," was released on September 10, 1992. It is a classic hard rock and heavy metal album, a rarity in Israel at that time. During an era dominated by alternative and grunge music, the band and the record company showed great courage in releasing an album with a traditional hard rock sound and virtuoso performances. However, when you commit fully to something, it often yields positive results. The album featured successful tracks like "Let me go", "Mistake", "Survive", "Pharaoh's Curse", "Come home", "Ishtar", and "Lila Tov". The band gained exposure on MTV with the music video for "Ishtar", marking the first Hebrew music video aired on the channel. Encouraged by the debut album's relative success, the band chose to intensify their sound and style with "The Open Gate". While the first album was influenced by classic hard rock and heavy metal, reminiscent of "Deep Purple" and "Led Zeppelin", this new album advanced further with a more metallic, dark, and heavy sound. The one who contributed to the unique sound of this album was the famous producer Chris Tsangarides, who worked with artists such as Gary Moore, "Thin Lizzy", "Helloween", Yngwie Malmsteen and produced albums such as "Painkiller" and "Tattooed Millionaire". Chris came to visit Israel, the members of the band met with him and that is what created the foundation for Collaboration. Chris and the band succeeded in crafting a metallic sound previously unheard of in Israel, reminiscent of "Judas Priest," with whom Chris collaborated. For instance, you can hear this in the opening riffs of songs like "Black Roses" and "I'm Lost." The album was a hit and featured tracks such as "Dangerous Games", "Black Roses", "I'm Lost", "How Will I Know", "White Lie", "Two Kings", "It's Not Too Late", and notably, the ballad "A Candle By The Window", which was a significant success in Rosenberg's solo career and was also performed on the show "Kohav Nold". This album marks the final release from the band with its classic lineup. By October of that year, Pablo Rosenberg departed to pursue a solo career, and bassist Dobby Sonny also exited the band. "The Open Gate" is often recognized for the ballad "A Candle By The Window," the band's most successful track. However, we believe it should be celebrated as a pioneering album that "opened the gate" for metal in Israel. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The album "The Last In Line", the second by the band "Dio", was released on July 2, 1984. About a year after the release of their debut album, "Holy Diver", Dio releases their second album which is an almost direct sequel to the debut album released in late May 1983. As we mentioned in the previous coverage of "Holy Diver" - the debut album, then Dio is the band of legendary singer Ronnie James Dio, who retired from "Black Sabbath" during the mixing of the live album "Live Evil" released in 1982. Dio took drummer Vinny Appice with him And turned to his old friend from the "Rainbow", bassist Jimmy Bain, to join them in the new band. To complete the band's lineup, Dio added then young and unfamiliar guitarist - Vivian Campbell. This cohesive and oiled lineup continues on the second album as well, being reinforced by a fifth member, keyboardist Claude Schnell, who was a member of the glam metal band "Rough Cutt". Claude accompanied the band as a hired player during the tour of the album "Holy Diver", and became a full member of the band, during the recording of the album "The Last In Line". This album continues the winning formula of "Dio" from the previous album, but with some minor changes. This album is less aggressive than its "older brother". Indeed, Campbell's formidable riffs, virtuoso solos, and guitar harmonies are still present here in full force. Ronnie's voice is as strong, versatile, and dominant as ever, and Appice's solid and aggressive drumming accompanies us on this album as well. But still, this album sounds "light" and more accessible than its predecessor. The songs are less complex and the production much more polished. Although Claude Schnell was not involved in writing any of the songs on the album and although this album does not have a heavy presence of keyboards, the influence of Claude's membership in the band still hovers over a large part of the songs on the album. This influence of "lightness" by the way, will intensify for the band's next album "Sacred Heart", which was released a year later. Another minor change that exists in this album in relation to its predecessor, is the emphasis given to the bass roles in the final mix. Examples can be found in the bass line of the song "We Rock", in the track "One Night In The City" or in the slight lashes of Jimmy Bain in the song "Eat Your Heart Out", without a doubt a refreshing addition to the overall sound of the band. As we have already learned, Dio loves to open albums powerfully. Similar to "Stand Up And Shout" from the debut album, this album also opens strongly with "We Rock", with Vivian Campbell's sharp riffs, Appice's crazy drumming on the snare, and Jimmy Bain's beating bass. The band continues to stick to the formula that brought them the dizzying success of the first album, and in the same way, takes care to place the theme song of the album as the second track. "The Last In Line" is perhaps the best song on this album, and it opens with Campbell's melodic and quiet guitar intro that leads us to 2 calm and peaceful verses, in which Dio puts us in a narrow corridor into the intricacies of the song in his philosophical words: "We're the ship without a storm The cold without the warm Light inside the darkness We're a laugh without a tear The hope without the fear We are coming, home" Then, right after, comes the sentence that reminds us "that we're coming home," and immediately everything explodes inside us with a delightfully heavy with guitar-keyboard riff that is Dio's all-too-familiar stamp. And the bass.... what a line, just so beautiful. And you must not, you simply must not miss Campbell's smart and amazing guitar solo starting at 2:56, without a doubt one of the greatest and best of his career. We continue with the roller coaster and Dio's heavy breaths with "Breathless". A song is very reminiscent of Dio in the "Rainbow" era built on Vivian Campbell's interesting riffs and Dio's melodic roars. Have we already said bass? Listen to Jimmy Bain here, definitely not technically complex but smart and fun, so good the band decided to bring him forward in the mix this time. The next track is a song which is as its name implies "I Speed ​​at Night". A classic speed-metal song that shows us the virtuoso abilities of all the musicians in the band. Closes the first side of the vinyl "One Night in the City". This may sound a bit unusual to you, but we decided to invent a new concept in honor of this song - "Pop-Metal". A catchy and beautiful song that is again built on the ingenious riffs of Vivian Campbell and the dominant singing of Dio. "Evil Eyes" opens the second side of the vinyl, with classic eighties heavy metal and it's hard not to hear the resemblance to the Dio era in "Black Sabbath", for example in the song "Turn Up The Night", especially in Vivian Campbell's guitar sentences between the lines in the verses. In "Mystery" we return to Dio's "pop-metal" with a song filled with keyboards in a style that will become more dominant on Dio's next album. Listen to the song "Hungry For Heaven" from the album "Sacred Heart" and you will understand what we are talking about. Dio has created a formula that on the one hand will sound like good "pop" accessible to the MTV generation and on the other hand will stick to the classic metal. And finally, we came to the icing on the cake, the piece "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" which reminds us of Rainbow's great works from the great era with Dio, with the heavy rhythm and oriental hue - Middle Eastern metal - ah-la "Stargazer". This piece seems to tell the story of the album cover, with the graceful heaviness reserved for this amazing artist. And we can not talk about this amazing song without mentioning the beautiful transition section in the middle of the song starting at 3:12, a melodic and beautiful section that reminds us again how diverse the voice of this immortal singer is. A little unpleasant to say this but the melody in this section really reminds us of the melody of the verses in the song "Susanna" by the pop band "The Art Company", God forbid. Yes, yes, listen to the melody in these bridge and hear the similarities. And note the following figure, the song "Susanna" came out a year before Dio's album was released and was a huge hit, so even if it's not minded theft, it's probably a subconscious effect. Make no mistake, we have no problem with this resemblance, this is Dio in his best, a melody on the verge of pop combined with heavy metal. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

This week, Travis Barker, renowned as Blink-182's drummer, mentioned in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine: "Obviously, there's a huge pop-punk revival right now. And rock music is on its way back." He likely attended the event at "Ozen Bar" in Tel Aviv yesterday because that statement perfectly captured what happened there! The performance was a powerful and energetic display of punk rock, featuring an array of incredible talents at an exceptional level. The music was incredibly good, professional, sharp, captivating, and intense. This marked the first performance of the Israeli punk-rock/pop band "Bare Dreams" since COVID. We had seen them two years ago opening for Walkways, and their music resonated deeply with us. So, we just had to be at this show! This remarkable group was established in 2017 by Eldar Moshe (drums), Itay Aviv (vocals and guitar), Itamar Hayuth (bass), and Roee Berezowitz (guitar). Eldar and Itay grew up together and knew right from the start the musical path they envisioned for the band. Each member contributes their unique influences, and the band's musical style is primarily shaped by bands like My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, and more, as noted by Itay. In 2018, they released their debut EP "Au Revoir." Itay mentioned that this EP is a compilation of songs inspired by each band member. Everyone contributed their part, and what started as an acoustic session with classical guitars and drums transformed into an electric EP featuring six songs, all written and produced by the band members with assistance from Priel Horesh (the drummer of Walkways). Following the EP's release, the band toured extensively across Israel, performing wherever possible to spread their music. Besides Israel, the band also participated in several European festivals, gradually building a growing fan base. To maintain their momentum and take things up a notch, the band decided to record their second EP overseas. They sought a suitable producer and found Neil D. Kennedy from England, known for working with bands like Creeper, Milk Teeth, and Boston Manor. The band traveled to London to record their second EP "Lost With All Hands," which was released in April 2020. During their time there, they formed connections with Neil and other bands recording at the studios. They had planned a UK tour to promote the EP with the English band MAYPINE, but the tour was canceled due to COVID. Like many artists globally, Bare Dreams' plans for 2020 were disrupted by COVID. Beyond the canceled tour, their plans to record their first album were also affected. Flights were canceled, and pre-production was halted, placing the band under significant pressure. It's important to note that the band members handle everything themselves. Like many artists in Israel, they save money diligently and set goals to achieve as funds allow. Although flights were canceled, pre-production continued using Zoom, the popular tool of 2020. As soon as travel was possible, they flew to Neil's studio "The Ranch" near London to work on their debut album. Itay mentioned that their connection with Neil grew significantly stronger during the album's production compared to the EP period. Neil and his Jewish wife, notably, embraced the band members, offering support and working closely with them to ensure the album would be the best it could be. The album is set to be released soon, and we eagerly anticipate it. Yesterday, we arrived at the Ozen Bar club a bit late, just as the opening act "The City Revival" was ending. We joined the rest of the fans who had sold out the tickets, eagerly waiting for the band Bare Dreams. As the band members took the stage, the excitement was palpable; both the band and the audience were thrilled, as if they had been anticipating this moment for years. Despite a minor technical issue during the intro, it didn't stop the band from launching into the opening song "Crooked Smile," released as a standalone B-Side in August 2020, with full energy. The band went on to perform 10 more songs, including four new ones. During the show, they bid farewell to their former bassist and one of the band's founders, Itamar Hayut, who was replaced by Shachar Schwartz, well-known from the band Dream Escape. We tend to become emotional, so let's dive into those feelings... As we mentioned earlier, there's something incredibly powerful about this band. Their musical prowess is exceptional, with Eldar's intense drumming paired with Shachar's bass creating a rhythm section that supports the diverse dynamics of the songs with remarkable precision and flexibility. This is complemented by Roy's guitar and Itay's rhythm. And the vocals... simply outstanding, with incredible power, flexibility, and a range that injects a cosmic energy into their refreshing punk-rock style. The show was relentless, with only brief pauses between songs when Itay and Roy took a moment to tune their guitars. The audience, eagerly anticipating this performance, energized the band with a fervor that nearly lifted the club's roof. Even the band seemed surprised by the audience's expertise in the lyrics, joining in on the choruses and especially the complex sections of the songs, which were masterpieces that erupted within the intimate venue. We can now repeat ourselves multiple times without feeling pathetic because each encounter with local Israeli bands excites us anew. These bands blend high-quality music with the performance, energy, and charisma typical of the renowned big bands we all admire. We invite you to listen to their first EP "Au Revoir" and to their second EP "Lost With All Hands". And of course, we are still eagerly waiting for their debut album... "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Written By: Moti Kupfer Release date - 01.07.1970 Steve Winwood's voice once prompted legendary Island Records founder Chris Blackwell to famously describe him as "Ray Charles on helium." The comparison reflected Winwood's remarkably high tenor voice during his years with the "Spencer Davis Group". Blackwell always expressed enormous admiration for Winwood's importance to the label. "He was really the cornerstone of Island Records. He's a musical genius, and because he was on Island all the other talent wanted to sign to Island." Winwood had joined the "Spencer Davis Group" at the age of just 14. Four years and three albums later, he left the band. Thanks to the success of several hit singles, he had earned enough money to buy his own Hammond organ and form his next band, "Traffic," whose third studio album, "John Barleycorn Must Die," was released in July 1970. Winwood formed "Traffic" in 1967 alongside three exceptionally talented young musicians: drummer Jim Capaldi, multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood, and guitarist Dave Mason. Initially inspired by "The Beatles," the band embraced psychedelic rock before gradually evolving toward progressive rock, introducing increasingly sophisticated arrangements, Mellotron, flute, and jazz-inspired techniques into their music. Following the success of their debut album "Mr. Fantasy," tensions with Dave Mason began to surface. Mason left the band, returned, and then departed once again after the second album, on which he had written roughly half of the material. In response, the 21-year-old Winwood left as well, effectively bringing "Traffic" to an end. He joined forces with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech to form the supergroup "Blind Faith," whose remarkable debut album ultimately proved to be its only release. Still contractually obligated to deliver another album to Island Records, Winwood returned to the studio in early 1970, initially intending to record his first solo album under the working title "Mad Shadows." He recorded two songs with producer Guy Stevens, "Stranger to Himself" and "Every Mother's Son," but soon realized he longed to work again with musicians who shared his musical vision. He invited Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi to join the sessions. As a result, what had begun as Winwood's solo project evolved into a reunion of "Traffic," albeit without Dave Mason, effectively relaunching the band's career. The title "Mad Shadows" would eventually be used by "Mott the Hoople" for their second album, which was also produced by Guy Stevens. The reunited band's new album was instead titled "John Barleycorn Must Die," inspired by the traditional English folk song "John Barleycorn." Originally dating back centuries, the song became associated with numerous interpretations during the early twentieth century. "Traffic" reimagined it through a contemporary folk-rock lens, drawing inspiration from British folk groups such as "Pentangle" and "Fairport Convention." The song itself is a satirical allegory surrounding alcohol, humanity's dependence on it, and the absurdity of attempting to suppress its production. It transforms an old traditional ballad into a timeless reflection on prohibition and everyday life. Where earlier "Traffic" albums had relied on relatively concise songwriting, "John Barleycorn Must Die" pushed the band decisively toward progressive rock and a freer jazz fusion approach. Extended instrumental passages and expansive jams became central to the band's identity and would define much of their work throughout the 1970s. Winwood frequently praised Chris Wood's broad musical knowledge and the unique influences he introduced during the recording sessions. "Chris Wood was very instrumental because he'd bring in music for us to listen to that we'd never heard before. He'd play us Japanese classical music and wonderful jazz things." The album opens with three energetic tracks, two of them instrumentals. "Glad" immediately establishes the mood with Winwood's vibrant jazz-influenced piano riff before flowing naturally into the funky groove of "Freedom Rider." It then transitions into "Empty Pages," featuring Jim Capaldi's lyrics about leaving a failed relationship behind, turning the page on the past, and looking optimistically toward the future. Side two begins at a slower pace without sacrificing any of the album's intensity. Lyrically, "Stranger to Himself" feels just as relevant today as it did in 1970. Its central character, whether interpreted as a hippie, a politician, or simply someone blinded by their own convictions, remains instantly recognizable decades later. One of the album's defining characteristics is that, aside from the title track, it is relatively sparse lyrically. For "Traffic," however, this was never a weakness. Capaldi and Winwood often excelled more at creating emotional landscapes than telling conventional stories. The greatest leap forward comes in the band's compositional abilities. Psychedelia had already encouraged experimentation with song structures, but very few musicians possessed the technical skill, musical education, or instinct to weave multiple themes into coherent, satisfying compositions. Whether inspired by Winwood's time with Clapton and Baker or simply by artistic maturity, every composition here is built around strong musical ideas and remarkable balance, allowing tremendous stylistic variety without ever losing focus. This is the first "Traffic" album that truly presents a collection of carefully constructed pieces forming one complete artistic statement, making "John Barleycorn Must Die" one of those rare albums best experienced from beginning to end in a single uninterrupted sitting. Sometimes, taking a break can make all the difference. The album reached No. 5 on the US Billboard album chart, becoming "Traffic's" highest-charting release in the United States. Recording engineer Andy Johns always spoke with enormous admiration about Steve Winwood's musicianship. Recalling the earlier "Blind Faith" sessions, he said: "I came back one day from lunch and the soundproof door was open a crack and I could hear him playing the Hammond. He was playing the manuals, the bass pedals and singing. I looked at him and he was looking at the ceiling. Not only was he playing the top manual, the bottom manual, the bass pedals and singing, he was probably thinking about what he was going to have for dinner. He was doing four or five things at once and the music was unbelievable. I hate using the word genius, but this guy has more in his little finger than a whole tribe of musicians. He's the real thing." For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Congratulations to Debbie Harry who is celebrating her birthday today !!! (Photo: Roberta Bayley) We have filtered out for you some important facts about the woman and the blonde: 1. She was born on July 1, 1945, in Miami Florida as Angela Trimble. 2. At just three months old, she was adopted by Richard and Katherine Harry in New Jersey. 3. At the age of 4 she learned that she was an adopted child. In the 1980s she was able to locate her biological mother, she was a pianist but preferred not to be in touch with Harry. 4. Her biological father was a singer and he was the one who probably wanted to give her up for adoption, since at the time he was married. 5. In high school, Debbie was part of a school choir and also part of the cheerleading team. 6. After graduating from high school, Debbie studied art at a college in New Jersey. (Photo: Harry Papadopoulos) 7. In the late 1960s, after graduating from high school, she moved to the big city of New York to seek her fortune. She has worked as a secretary at the BBC, as a waitress, as a gogo dancer, and even as a Playboy bunny. 8. Her first band was the folk band "The Wind In The Willows" with which she released an album in 1968. 9. She later moved on to a girls' band called "The Stilettos". After a short time, they added guitarist Chris Stein who also became her boyfriend. 10. During this time, Harry was raped in her shared apartment with Stein. The rapist also stole all the guitars that were in the apartment. 11. After the breakup of "The Stilettos" Harry and Stein formed "Angel and the Snake" which later turned into "Blondie". 12. The name Blondie came from the color of Harry's hair, but did you know that her original color is red? Harry dyes her hair from a young age. 13. Blondie has gained momentum in regular appearances at the mythical CBGB club, alongside bands like "Television", "Talking" Heads, and "The Ramones" which even was the opening act for Blondie while still being called "Angel and the Snake". 14. In 1976 Blondie released their first album which was simply called "Blondie". Already then, Harry was revealed as a great performer but also as a songwriter, with 6 of the album's songs written in collaboration with her. 15. At the same time, the band continued to perform in clubs in New York and the surrounding area as Harry became an iconic figure in the punk scene. 16. The band's second album - "Plastic Letters" was a hit outside the US as well, but on the third album "Parallel Lines" Harry and the band already broke out with hits like "Heart of Glass" that made them a worldwide act. 17. The band's next hit - "One Way or Another" was written about a harasser who also threatened Harry with a gun. 18. Debbie and the band continued with the momentum of success on two more albums and in 1980 released the song "Call me", which entered the soundtrack of the movie "American Gigolo" and became a huge hit all over the world. 19. In 1980 Harry and Blondie became rap pioneers with the song "Rapture". Harry and Stein, who were exposed at the time to the hip hop scene in the Bronx, wrote the song that became the first rap-oriented song that reached number one in the US. 20. At that time Harry teamed up with Andy Warhol who released a series of her paintings. In return, she was a guest on his MTV TV show "Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes." 21. In 1981, Harry began her solo career with the album "KooKoo". The album cover featuring Debbie with nails nailed to her face has sparked controversy in England. 22. Harry later released four more solo albums, the last of which was from 2007. 23. Her big hit as part of her solo career - "French Kissin 'in the USA", co-written by Chuck Lorre, creator of the series "Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men". 24. The song "For Your Eyes Only" from the 1982 album "The Hunter" was written by Harry Westin for the James Bond movie of the same name, but was rejected in favor of a song of the same name by Sheena Easton. (Photo: Private Stock Records) 25. This was the band's last album released until the reunion in 1997. The break the band took was due in part to a rare illness of Stein. 26. Harry and Stein continued to be a couple until 1989 when they separated, but continued to collaborate on Blondie's albums and Harry's solo albums. 27. In 1997 Blondie reunited with the original lineup and released the successful album "No Exit". 28. That same year the band recorded a song for the Iggy Pop tribute album under the name "Adolph's Dog". The choice of the name came in response to fans spreading rumors that the name Blondi was chosen after the dog of Adolf Hitler Blondi (note the change in spelling). 29. In 1999 Harry broke a Guinness record when she became the oldest singer to put a song at number one on the UK charts. It was with the song "Maria" from "No Exit". 30. Harry released 11 studio albums along with Blondie, the latest from 2017 was called "Pollinator" in which Debbie and her friends collaborated with artists like Sia, Dave Sitek from "TV" on the Radio, and Johnny Marr from The Smiths. 31. In 2002, Harry contributed her voice to the computer game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City". 32. Harry also has an extensive acting career. She has starred in over 50 films, including "Videodrome," "Hairspray," "New York Stories" and more. 33. Interesting to note that she was also the first choice to play the role of Pris in the iconic film "Blade Runner", but lost to Daryl Hanna. 34. In 2007, Harry was voted one of the 100 most beautiful people over the age of 60 by People magazine. 35. In 2008 she was a guest on the "Out Out Boy" album "Folie à Deux" on the song "West Coast Smoker". "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website