BOLLOCKS BRACKET
The Bee Gees upset the Beatles! “Lonely Days” and “Stayin’ Alive” prove too much for the Liverpool lads’ “She’s Leaving Home” and “It’s All Too Much.” Beatles fans can’t believe it. Bee Gees fans knew it could happen.
A titanic struggle between The Rolling Stones (the haunting “Two Thousand Light Years From Home” and the fiery “Gimme Shelter”) and Led Zeppelin (“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and “Stairway To Heaven”). Did Brian Jones contribute to “Gimme Shelter?” We will probably never know—Brian was present, but not credited on the song—yet it has crunchy elements which feel like Brian—obviously the great guitar lead is Keith’s. Led Zeppelin’s two songs both begin and end strongly. Led Zeppelin wins!
BRAHMS BRACKET
Nina Simone defeats Ray Charles—because she is the queen. If you haven’t heard “I’ll Look Around” and “Just Say I Love Him” from the album Forbidden Fruit, go breathe the magic!
T. Rex out-grooves the Zombies. “Bang A Gong” is as fun as it gets, and “Cosmic Dancer” is interesting, as well.
BEETHOVEN BRACKET
Jefferson Airplane in a very close contest with Spanky And Our Gang. “White Rabbit” and “Lather” are perfect—but discomforting and depressing. “Sunday Will Never Be The Same” and “I’d Like To Get To Know You” entrance on every level. The irony is that “escapism” is the subject of the Jefferson Airplane songs, as Spanky And Our Gang attempt to triumph with pure pop escapism in their arrangements and hooks. Jefferson Airplane advances to the Elite Eight.
Don McLean edges Love with the sweep of his classic, “American Pie.”
BACH BRACKET
The Animals get by Leonard Cohen. “House Of The Rising Sun” and its blistering organ overcomes the suavity and sweetness of Leonard Cohen. We must leave him down by the river with Suzanne.
The Ronettes‘ infectious “Baby” chorus cancels the Temptations swaying smoothness and their great social commentary song, “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.”
The ELITE EIGHT
Led Zeppelin defeats the Bee Gees— Led Zeppelin reaches the Final Four.
Nina Simone defeats T. Rex—Nina Simone reaches the Final Four
Jefferson Airplane defeats Don McLean—Jefferson Airplane reaches the Final Four
The Ronettes defeat The Animals—The Ronettes reach the Final Four
THE FINAL FOUR
LED ZEPPELIN—BABE I’M GONNA LEAVE YOU/STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
NINA SIMONE—WHERE I CAN GO WITHOUT YOU/JUST SAY I LOVE HIM
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE—WHITE RABBIT/LATHER
THE RONETTES–BABY I LOVE YOU/BE MY BABY