Rock Classics

Bat Out Of Hell was released in 1977 during the height of disco fever and punk rock. The product of two larger-than-life figures in composer Jim Steinman and vocalist Meatloaf, it remains an ambitious debut album that bucked the trend and confounded critics. With the help of several hit singles, it struck a chord with record buyers and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Benefitting from a combination of catchy melodies, anthemic rock, dazzling musicianship, inventive choral work and audacious narratives, the songs – like 'You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth' and the epic title track - have a universal appeal that has stood the test of time. The memorable hooks and high production values also signposted the power ballads and arena rock style of the 1980s. This book examines the individual songs that make up Bat Out Of Hell, along with the album's conception, recording, reception, subsequent tour, and legacy. It also traces the backstory of its creators and their work – together and apart – that followed in the album's wake. This includes two successors, released in 1993 and 2006, respectively, and Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical, which premiered in 2017. Geoffrey Feakes is an author, music journalist and retired design engineer based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in the north of England. He has five previous books to his credit: The Moody Blues On Track published in 2019, The Who On Track in 2020, Steve Hackett on track in 2021, 1973: The Golden Age of Progressive Rock in 2022 and Rick Wakeman in the 1970s in 2023. He has been a writer for the online Dutch Progressive Rock Page since 2005 with hundreds of reviews and interviews to his credit.

Arguably the greatest album by the best rock band ever, The Beatles - also known as The White Album – proved to be a watershed recording. This extraordinary double album reflects a remarkable, turbulent time. They were attempting to follow on from the psychedelic masterpiece Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; manager Brian Epstein had died, long-term relationships were coming to an end, and they had become disillusioned with the Maharishi. The album heralded changes in style and marked the start of the falling apart of the previously tight-knit group. A wildly diverse album, its creation and dynamics are revealed. But as the sixties came to an end, so too did the band. The album also followed on from their first highly criticised TV flop, Magical Mystery Tour, the success of the first global satellite triumph of 'All You Need Is Love', and the highly ambitious Apple business venture. George Martin ducked out and conflict broke out between band members. But, among all the pressures and stress, they found time to write and record an incredible array of songs that synergised into a spectacularly successful album with a fascinating story. This is the tale of every track and every facet of this remarkable record. Opher Goodwin is the author of many books on rock music and science fiction and taught the first History of Rock Music classes in the UK. He was fortunate to spend the sixties in London, the epicentre of the underground explosion of rock music and culture, where he was able to see everyone from Pink Floyd, Hendrix and Cream to The Doors, Captain Beefheart and Roy Harper. He was also fortunate to spend time in the Abbey Road Studios, where the Beatles recorded. He never fully recovered but now lives happily in East Yorkshire, UK.