Bloodrock - Songs

ABOUT

Bloodrock was a hard rock band with a heavy metal sound that became famous during the early 1970s. They are best known for "D.O.A." (1971), a somber and graphic power ballad with ambulance siren noises and ominous organ and guitar riffs narrated from the perspective of a dying airplane crash victim.

Formed in 1963 in Fort Worth, Texas and first known as The Naturals, the band had become known as Bloodrock by 1969 after a number of name and personnel changes and additions. Led by Jim Rutledge, the classic lineup also consisted of Rick Cobb (drums), Ed Grundy (bass), Lee Pickens (lead guitar), keyboardist Stevie Hill (d. September 12, 2013), and guitarist Nick Taylor (October 29, 1946 - March 10, 2010), most of whom shared backing vocals. In 1970, Bloodrock signed to Capitol and released their eponymous debut album. They worked closely with Grand Funk manager/producer Terry Knight and were one of that band's favorite opening acts.

Bloodrock debuted on the Pop/Rock charts in early 1971 with "D.O.A.," which became a Top 40 hit and the band's best known song. Co-written by all six band members, this song was inspired by an actual event in which Lee Pickens sadly witnessed a pilot friend of his perishing in an airplane crash. The band had one other charting song in late 1971 with the hard-driving blues rocker, "Jessica." Bloodrock released several mostly eponymous albums through 1974 that have remained cult favorites among fans of hard rock and proto-metal. The band's second album, "Bloodrock 2," which includes "D.O.A.," reached #21 on the Billboard 200 and was gold-certified by the RIAA in 1990.

After a number of personnel changes and a gradual change in style to a more progressive rock format, Bloodrock finally disbanded in 1975. They reunited many years later in 2005 for a concert in Fort Worth which was filmed and released on DVD.

MERCHANDISE

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SONGS

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Bloodrock

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