First heavy Metal recording?

Mike21

What was the first recorded heavy metal song? Would have to be before 1969.

Bo Diddley by Bo Diddley?

Sweet Nothings by Brenda Lee?

Louie Louie by the Kingsman?

You Really Got Me by The Kinks?

Summertime Blues by Blue Cheer?

Hendrix?

Something on the Revolver album by The Beatles?

Wha?

comfortablycurt

A lot of people will argue that it was Iron Butterfly's "Ina Gada Da Vida".

Fongolio

Blue Cheer's Summertime Blues
Steppenwolf's Born To Be Wild
Beatles Helter Skelter

All appeared at roughly the same time.
First full album of metal has to be Black Sabbath's debut album.

BlueFox

Mike21 wrote: »

What was the first recorded heavy metal song? Would have to be before 1969.

Good luck. This would require defining what makes "Heavy Metal", and that is going to be subjective. For example, Led Zeppelin is sometimes cited as a heavy metal pioneer, but we cannot forget Link Wray and His Raymen in 1958.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_Wray

mrbigbluelight

I had to lookup Link Wray's "Rumble" on YouTube as that wasn't ringing any bells for me.

Within a couple of cords, the lights came on. I recall it from "Pulp Fiction".


Can't embed the video here, but here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUBV8qPZhw


Pretty amazing stuff for 1958 (video is later, of course).



First Heavy Metal overall ? Black Sabbath.

Music Joe

not in the "Rock & Roll Hall Of [Sh]ame."

muncybob

Interesting that Born To Be Wild is mentioned, form what I was told this is the song that coined the phrase "heavy metal".

ND13

Zeppelin and Sabbath are not heavy metal, imo. They just play blues based R&R about as hard/loud as it possible to do so.

nooshinjohn

beatles white album is loaded with what could be described as the birth of Heavy Metal... Helter Skelter for one track, Revolution another

Fongolio

ND13 wrote: »

Zeppelin and Sabbath are not heavy metal, imo. They just play blues based R&R about as hard/loud as it possible to do so.

Which describes all metal. Only difference is newer metal is faster. Have a listen to Immigrant Song by Zeppelin and you'll hear the roots of viking metal.

comfortablycurt

muncybob wrote: »

Interesting that Born To Be Wild is mentioned, form what I was told this is the song that coined the phrase "heavy metal".

Very good point...a lot of people have argued that Born To Be Wild is the first heavy metal song, due to the lyrics "heavy metal thunder".

ND13 wrote: »

Zeppelin and Sabbath are not heavy metal, imo. They just play blues based R&R about as hard/loud as it possible to do so.

Essentially all rock/metal is based on the same methods and techniques used in blues music. Most of the common scales and chord progressions used in rock/metal are essentially sped up, distorted blues scales. You could say that blues music is really where all rock music came from.

Even the newer "heavy metal" bands, are still playing with the same basic pentatonic scales and blues scales that Sabbath and Zeppelin were using, along with all of the blues musicians before their time. Granted, the newer bands do take their own twist on it, but it's still essentially the same playing style.

obieone

I'm gonna say....'Sgt. Pepper, reprise' on what USED to be the B side of the album.
I don't know the chronology, but I believe that came out B4 Iron Butterfly.
I wouldn't classify the Kinks as Metal, but Punk. Same for Pink Floyd, during the days of Syd Barrett
Ofcourse, some will argue it was Cream???
Steppenwolf? Nah! Progressive/ Hard rock, but not metal. Ditto for LZ:rolleyes:

ben62670

I see a lot of rock being mentioned that I do not consider heavy metal. Black Sabbath is one of the first Heavy Metal bands if you ask me (1968). Others are more like classic/hard rock. I will give credit to Iron Butterfy May of 68, and Hendrix 67.

BlueFox

That is the problem with this type of exercise. While fun and interesting, it is all subjective, unless an objective definition can be agreed upon. However, I suspect that everyone's definition will magically validate their suggestion.

Anyway, the question was first song; not first band, or first album.

SCompRacer

BlueFox wrote: »

...unless an objective definition can be agreed upon.

My thoughts exactly. Here are two that popped up in a quick search...

heavy metal: loud and harsh sounding rock music with a strong beat; lyrics usually involve violent or fantastic imagery
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn



Heavy metal (often referred to simply as metal) ….the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are generally associated with masculinity and machismo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music

The point being once you have a definition, and a song fits, it is metal regardless of our opinion.

ND13

Say all you want, Zeppelin is not Metal. As far as what most people consider metal, http://judaspriest.com/disc/default.asp 1974

I was raised on Zeppelin. I've heard everything they've laid down..studio wise. Have most of it right here in the house.

I will say that they did a couple of metalesque songs with Immigrant Song and Achilles Last Stand.

If ya'll want to go with an old song that was ahead of it's time as far as raw power, then "White Room", Cream.1968

Fongolio

I agree that Zeppelin in general should not be considered metal. Black Sabbath on the other hand.....
I also agree with White Room and several other Cream songs such as Sunshine of Your Love. This is one of those discussions that there is never a clear winner on. It's fun to hear everyone's input though.

SCompRacer

ND13 wrote: »

I will say that they did a couple of metalesque songs with Immigrant Song and Achilles Last Stand.

My point exactly. Also leans toward the point of the original post. I will agree one or two songs doth not earn a metal band label, however they obviously made songs that will fit into the heavy metal definitions posted.

schwarcw

I was waiting for someone to say the Ventures or some of the '50's instrumental bands. Link Wray was cool but there were many bands of that era just as good.

Cream, Hendrix, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf, Blue Cheer, hell even Bob Seager's Heavy Music (1967) were among the metal bands in the '60's. They sound like pop rock or hard rock now, but they were very avant garde in their time.

Now give me the moldy cheese, I've got my smokin' jacket, pipe and snobby French wine.

SCompRacer

Now give me the moldy cheese, I've got my smokin' jacket, pipe and snobby French wine.

You be high class. In the basement, I'm happy with a shirt that don't smell, a bag of Cheetos and some Edelweiss beer. When I get my Yamaha D10 going in the retro rig, Steppenwolf the Second will be the first LP spun.

Systems

Wasn't it Def Leopards High and Dry?


Nah, always considered Sabbath to be the first real
metal

Mike21

I am the original OP. I was not looking for a "winner"; I was just seeking opinions. IMO, "heavy metal" is whatever YOU think it is.

Back in 1970 (when I was 24), eveyone was calling LZ heavy metal (probably becuase of the band's name) and I was arguing that they were basically a blues band w/ some hard rock and psychedelia thrown in. For me, "Comminications Breakdown" and "Good Times, Bad Times" were metal. Black Sabbath's first album was 75% metal.

Going back to 1967, I think The Young Rascal's "Aint Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" was right on th cusp of metal.

And what about CCR's version of "Suzie Q"? Hell, what about the original version by Dale Hawkins in 1957?

Link Ray? Never though of that, but yeah that could be metal prototype.

I thought it was a given that rock evolved from the Blues. :cool:

Well, anyways, let's all keep on rockin'!!!

Erik Tracy

Mike21 wrote: »

I am the original OP. I was not looking for a "winner"; I was just seeking opinions. IMO, "heavy metal" is whatever YOU think it is.

Back in 1970 (when I was 24), eveyone was calling LZ heavy metal (probably becuase of the band's name) and I was arguing that they were basically a blues band w/ some hard rock and psychedelia thrown in. For me, "Comminications Breakdown" and "Good Times, Bad Times" were metal. Black Sabbath's first album was 75% metal.

Going back to 1967, I think The Young Rascal's "Aint Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" was right on th cusp of metal.

And what about CCR's version of "Suzie Q"? Hell, what about the original version by Dale Hawkins in 1957?

Link Ray? Never though of that, but yeah that could be metal prototype.

I thought it was a given that rock evolved from the Blues. :cool:

Well, anyways, let's all keep on rockin'!!!

MC5 was kickin' out some pretty heavy stuff before 69.

There was a lot in the cauldron simmering about that time, but I'll tell you, when I first heard the opening notes of Sabbath's first...chills dude...chills...

metal83

I'd personally vote for Black Sabbath myself, that's my opinion.

timlitton

I gonna have to agree with some others here - although a lot of the bands listed flirt with, and eventually influenced the metal sound - Sabbath is the first true metal band. IMO

inspiredsports

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Very good point...a lot of people have argued that Born To Be Wild is the first heavy metal song, due to the lyrics "heavy metal thunder".



Essentially all rock/metal is based on the same methods and techniques used in blues music. Most of the common scales and chord progressions used in rock/metal are essentially sped up, distorted blues scales. You could say that blues music is really where all rock music came from.

Even the newer "heavy metal" bands, are still playing with the same basic pentatonic scales and blues scales that Sabbath and Zeppelin were using, along with all of the blues musicians before their time. Granted, the newer bands do take their own twist on it, but it's still essentially the same playing style.

This is a true point, but misinterpreted as "heavy metal thunder" referenced a chopped Harley or Triumph and not the sound of the guitars.

Mike21

For me, "Paranoid", "Iron Man" and "Caravan" are THE definitve heavy metal songs. There were many songs/groups leading up to that sound - but Black Sabbath was the first undeniably metal sound: one guitar, a bass, drums, The Ozz's vocal style and the lyrics.

A lot of people argue it was "In A Gada Davida", but there was too much organ in the song and the lyrics were So Cal hippie stuff. Mike

Erik Tracy

Mike21 wrote: »

For me, "Paranoid", "Iron Man" and "Caravan" are THE definitve heavy metal songs. There were many songs/groups leading up to that sound - but Black Sabbath was the first undeniably metal sound: one guitar, a bass, drums, The Ozz's vocal style and the lyrics.

A lot of people argue it was "In A Gada Davida", but there was too much organ in the song and the lyrics were So Cal hippie stuff. Mike

True dat...in my younger years in the early 70's I was like Thusla Doom and his "Riddle of Steel" search - except I was questing for the ultimate metal experience.

Nothing quite struck to the heart of that sound I was looking for - the thirst first began with Sabbath's Paranoid - especially, for me, "War Pigs" and what I call the Wagner equivalent of layered thunderous metal. Most other supposed 'metal' of that time never achieved the level I was after.

Then...Master of Reality came out - and it was when I heard "Into the Void" I creamed my pants

Of course, since then, there have been many bands and songs that are worthy of the status of respected metal - but Sabbath holds a special place for me as...my first....ahhhh....:p

mrbigbluelight

Summer of '72, San Diego, California.

Just out of boot camp, waiting for BEEP school to start.

Saw the ad for a concert at the San Diego Convention Center (?...I think that's what they called it).

Appearing ...... ELO and .........


BLACK SABBATH !!!


Walked there. About 2 cords into their opening song, my adrenalin glands went into hyper-drive: this was it. This was the real deal. This was metal. 100 %, unabashed, no shades of grey, full tilt metal.

There's pop rock. Then there's rock n roll. Then there's rock. Then there's hard rock.

Then there's metal.

IMO, when you hear the real deal, you know it.
With Black Sabbath, you knew it, especially with their first 4 albums (never was a big fan of the Sabbra Caddabra stuff).

Erik, I absolutely agree with you about the "Master of Reality" album.
"Into the Void" .....gawd...... the opening ....... leading to the power guitar riffs ..... awesome.
On the other extreme, "Planet Caravan" and "Solitude" .... metal melancholy at its maximum !

Toolfan66

BLACK SABBATH is my pick. IRON BUTERFLY well i can't stand them, Ina Gada Da Vida SUCKS BALLS IMHO.

Gretsch6136

Black Sabbath's first record is where it all came together. Yes, Led Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, Link Wray and others had rockin' beats and distorted guitars beforehand, but they were missing one vital ingredient.... the flat 5.

The essence of metal is the use of the flat 5 interval in music, also known as the devil's interval. Black Sabbath exploited this to the max. The opening track of their first record hammers this interval into history, forming a template for all subsequent metallers to follow. A more contemporary example is Enter Sandman by Metallica, another song based hugely on flat 5 intervals.

Cheers,

Mark