– dusty machine parked amongst the Piñon Pine and Scrub Oak as well as the eponymous Joshua Tree. Like some relic from U2’s photo shoot for their ‘87 album it blends into the arid landscape waiting for its sun-wrinkled leather skinned owner to kick it into life and ride peacefully through the desert.
– Mr Grohl turns fiddy too the day. he is the Ace of Spades.
– Mick, Keith, Bill, Charlie and Brian enjoy the classics too. This album recorded in the early sixties are compiled of their covers of Chuck Berry standards, amongst others. The first track listing is Bobby Troupe’s “Route 66”, hence the BSA motorcycle themed Rorschach-like cover.
The King of Rock & Roll
– one of the most memorable song in late 80’s British music was the “hot-dog” song by Prefab Sprout. Written by Durham bred Paddy McAloon it tells the poignant tale of a washed up crooner living off a one hit wonder from decades past. Photo on blog is from photoshoot of their ‘85 LP titled Steve McQueen; the album was titled “Two Wheels Good” for the US market.
– Continuing the weeks theme unearths this classic.
– Quite a look; and a serious hairdo to boot! Two-Stroke screamer is pure seventies sixteen year old adventure.
– get the turntable spinnin’ and unsleeve the LP’s for some ‘non-stop hit-party’. They have had at least another three in the series, so it must have fared well in the German top 40. I notice the fraulein in pink is handing the BSA’s leather trench coat clad operator a flute of sweet white. No wonder the exhaust is spluttering in smoke and sparks…
A young Bruce Springsteen captures the hearts of a disillusioned working class America with his music in the seventies. Lyrics that resonated and a beat that was alive. He rode motorcycles to escape the familiar and explore a country seemingly on the brink.
– here’s a vintage photo of a pair of ladies rough riding over the moors on a brace of Model H Triumphs.
– Welsh singer actor Lee Evans promoting a thirties vibe in sheepskin lined belted leather coat, tall engineer boots, and over the shoulder napsack. The Vincent Comet is a suitable motorcycle prop for the magazine shoot. The vintage backdrop adds a perfect foil.
George Harrison would have been 77 today. His music was more thoughtful especially his opus-like triple album All Things Must Pass. He also supported the arts as a movie producer and had an interest in racing, both Formula One and Motorcycle Grand Prix. Here he is with Barry Sheen #7 at some racetrack. Barry is wearing a non-flammable racing outfit rather than his usual leathers so must be getting in a four wheeled racer.
Born to be Wild | Keyboardist of Californian band Steppenwolf Goldie McJohn sits on a BSA Rocket 3 whilst American Recording Studio producer Richie Polodor looks on from his Jeep. Polodor was producer for Three Dog Night who had hits such as a #1 cover of Eric Burden’s Mama told me (not to come).
The Great Pretender | “Let’s talk with Pete Farndon. When he’s not playing his electric bass, you can probably find him on his bike.”
Bassist from the original line up of the English American rock group The Pretenders Pete lived life in the fast lane on his Trident.
Luftballon | not ninety nine… just the one. The bobber ‘cycle rider is adrift with the escapism one experiences when cruising along. Fun artwork from Douglas Thompson who captures the gravity defying nature of motorcycling.
Fender | the music of the motorcycle. A Jaguar electric guitar hooned around on a Tiger.
