Videos
Billy Joel: “The Longest Time”
Pianist/songwriter/performer Billy Joel draws on the d00-wop sound of the late ’50s for this pop/rock classic.
Barry Manilow: “Could It Be Magic”
Beginning with a Chopin prelude as a blueprint, Manilow crafts a “borrowed” tune which haunts and flows through musical ideas in this performance from a 1975 “Midnight Special” television performance.
Barry Manilow: “I Write the Songs”
With flowing harmonies, backup vocals, strings, and a POP-rock sound, Manilow was one of the dominant artists in the 1970s.
Neil Diamond: “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show”
Perhaps no other solo performer of the ’70s matched the charisma of Elvis Presley as much as singer/songwriter Neil Diamond. Like a gospel tent meeting, “Brother Love’s” builds from a simple guitar and voice to a big, energetic musical conclusion.
Neil Diamond: “Holly Holy”
By this 1971 performance in England, Neil Diamond was known as a songwriter/performer in Britain as well as the United States.
Neil Diamond: “I Am I Said”
Though he had been composing songs for other artists and rock groups, such as the Monkees, in the 1960s, by the early ’70s, Diamond was well established as a songwriter/performer in the soft-rock sub-genre.
The Carpenters: “Superstar”
With multi-tracked vocals, string and horn sections, electric piano, bass guitar, and drums, The Carpenters were the epitome of the soft-rock sound in the early 1970s.
The Carpenters: “We’ve Only Just Begun”
Karen and brother, Richard Carpenter brought a soft edge to rock in the 1970s. This was their first hit song in 1971, performed at the 1971 Grammys.
Carole King and James Taylor: “So Far Away”
Two masters of ’70s songwriting join for this King classic for the BBC on Feb. 10, 1971.