Rebel (John Miles album)
Encyclopedia
Rebel was the first solo album of John Miles
. It was his most successful album to date with singles "Highfly" and "Music".
in the summer of 1975 (Miles would later sing on several tracks on several albums of his the Alan Parsons Project
). The first song they recorded was the song "Highfly" and it was released as a single eventually reaching 17 in the UK and #68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
.
Because of the success of the single, plans were made to record a full album and recording of the album took place in November–December 1975 at Abbey Road studios. The song "Music" was released, became an instant hit (reaching number 3 in the UK, number 88 in the United States) and is one of his most memorable songs. The album reached the lower level of the U.S. Billboard 200
albums chart, peaking at #171.
The album title was based on the album cover on which he posed with a big gun on his shoulders reminding very much of James Dean
who is considered a rebel.
"Music" was according to Miles written in half an hour and was originally meant to be a basis for other songs, but because of its distinctive character, it was developed as a complete song.
John Miles (musician)
John Miles is an English rock music vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player, best known for his 1976 Top 3 UK hit single, "Music".-Career:...
. It was his most successful album to date with singles "Highfly" and "Music".
History
When Miles eventually signed to Decca, they introduced him to producer Alan ParsonsAlan Parsons
Alan Parsons is a British audio engineer, musician, and record producer. He was involved with the production of several significant albums, including The Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be, as well as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon for which Pink Floyd credit him as an important contributor...
in the summer of 1975 (Miles would later sing on several tracks on several albums of his the Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project was a British progressive rock band, active between 1975 and 1990, consisting of singer Eric Woolfson and keyboardist Alan Parsons surrounded by a varying number of session musicians....
). The first song they recorded was the song "Highfly" and it was released as a single eventually reaching 17 in the UK and #68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Because of the success of the single, plans were made to record a full album and recording of the album took place in November–December 1975 at Abbey Road studios. The song "Music" was released, became an instant hit (reaching number 3 in the UK, number 88 in the United States) and is one of his most memorable songs. The album reached the lower level of the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
albums chart, peaking at #171.
The album title was based on the album cover on which he posed with a big gun on his shoulders reminding very much of James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
who is considered a rebel.
"Music" was according to Miles written in half an hour and was originally meant to be a basis for other songs, but because of its distinctive character, it was developed as a complete song.
Tracklisting
All tracks written by Bob Marshall and John Miles; except where noted- "Music" (Miles) 5:58
- "Everybody Wants Some More" 3:38
- "High Fly" 3:53
- "You Have it All" 7:01
- "Rebel" 3:19
- "When You Lose Someone So Young" 4:35
- "Lady of My Life" (Miles) 4:08
- "Pull the Damn Thing Down" 7:18
- "Music (reprise)" (Miles) 2:11
Personnel
- John MilesJohn Miles (musician)John Miles is an English rock music vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player, best known for his 1976 Top 3 UK hit single, "Music".-Career:...
: Lead vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Synthesizer - Bob Marshall: Bass
- Barry Black: Drums, Percussion
- Andrew PowellAndrew PowellAndrew Powell - musical composer, arranger and performer - was born 18 April 1949 in London, England of Welsh parents.- Early life :He began taking piano lessons at the age of four and later attended Kings College School, Wimbledon by which time he was also learning the viola, violin and orchestral...
: Orchestral arrangements
Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
171 |