Marshall Crenshaw
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Marshall Crenshaw (born 11 November 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Berkley. Crenshaw began playing guitar at age ten. He led the band Astigafa from 1968 to 1973 (an acronym for "A splendid time is guaranteed for all", a lyric from "Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite" from the album Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles). He got his first break playing John Lennon in the off-Broadway company of the musical, Beatlemania. While in New York, he recorded a single for Alan Betrock's Shake Records, "Something's Gonna Happen," after which he was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Retro rocker Robert Gordon took Crenshaw's "Someday, Someway" to #76 in 1981, and Crenshaw's version made #36 the next year and would be his only Top 40 hit.
Crenshaw's eponymous first album was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving him a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, Field Day, sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but Field Day is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album[1], and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation."
Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era[citation needed], with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly—to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film La Bamba. In 1989, he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1, which was extremely well-received. In 1993, he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994, he published a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies. He continued to record in the 1990s and 2000s, and, in 1999, released the critically acclaimed #447.[citation needed] In the 2000s, Crenshaw played guitar as a special guest with the reunited members of the MC5. Penned the title track from the 2007 film, Walk Hard starring John C. Reilly; the song, as sung by Reilly, was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. [1].
Crenshaw is also a noted guitarist who uses offbeat chord progressions (almost verging towards jazz) and tight leads.
[edit] Remakes
Many notable artists have recorded cover versions of Crenshaw's songs, including:[2]
- "Brand New Lover" - covered by Lou Ann Barton
- "Communication" - covered by Ronnie Spector
- "For (Her) His Love" - covered by Ronnie Spector
- "Soldier Of Love" - covered by The Derailers, from the album Soldiers Of Love
- "Some Hearts" - penned by Diane Warren, covered by Carrie Underwood
- "Someday, Someway" - covered by Robert Gordon
- "Something's Gonna Happen" - covered by Robert Gordon and Ronnie Spector
- "Til I Hear It From You" - covered by Gin Blossoms
- "Whatever Way the Wind Blows" - covered by Kelly Willis
- "Whenever You're on My Mind" - covered by Marti Jones and Ronnie Spector
- "You're my Favorite Waste of Time" - covered by Bette Midler, Owen Paul and Ronnie Spector
[edit] Discography
- Marshall Crenshaw (1982)
- WRIF LIVE At Hart Plaza - Rare Detroit Radio Station Promo (Vinyl Only)- Performed "Soldier Of Love", a Shirelles song
- Field Day (1983)
- Our Town (U.S. Remix EP) (1984)
- Downtown (1985)
- Mary Jean & 9 Others (1987)
- Good Evening (1989)
- Life's Too Short (1991)
- A Collection [Promo Only] (1991)
- Live...My Truck Is My Home (1994)
- Miracle of Science (1996)
- The 9 Volt Years: Battery Powered Home Demos & Curios (1998)
- #447 (1999)
- This Is Easy! The Best Of Marshall Crenshaw (2000)
- Bug Music Presents: 14 High Class Tunes (2001)
- I've Suffered For My Art...Now It's Your Turn (2001)
- What's In The Bag? (2003)
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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