"Night Songs" Album Description:
In the world of rock and roll history, certain albums stand out not only for their musical prowess but also for the stories woven around their creation and release. One such tale is that of Cinderella's debut album, "Night Songs," and the Dutch release that played a pivotal role in the band's rise to fame.
The Birth of Cinderella:
Cinderella burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s, at the height of the glam metal movement. The band, consisting of Tom Keifer (vocals, guitar), Eric Brittingham (bass), Jeff LaBar (guitar), and Fred Coury (drums), had a sound that blended bluesy hard rock with a touch of glam, making them a unique force in the burgeoning hair metal scene.
"Night Songs" Debut:
Released in 1986, "Night Songs" was Cinderella's inaugural album. It was a musical journey that showcased the band's raw energy, Keifer's raspy vocals, and a penchant for crafting anthemic rock ballads. The album's success can be attributed to the breakout hit "Nobody's Fool," which received substantial airplay on MTV and became a staple on rock radio.
Bon Jovi's Influence:
The album's fortunes were further propelled by a stroke of luck and collaboration. Cinderella found themselves on tour, not just with any band, but with rock legends Bon Jovi. At the time, Bon Jovi was riding the wave of their massively successful "Slippery When Wet" album. This tour exposed Cinderella to a wider audience, solidifying their presence in the competitive rock landscape.
The Dutch Connection:
Amidst this whirlwind of success, the Dutch release of "Night Songs" played a pivotal role in Cinderella's global conquest. The Netherlands has a rich history of embracing diverse music genres, and it was in this musical melting pot that Cinderella found an enthusiastic audience.
The 12" Vinyl LP Album:
Vinyl records were the dominant format during this era, and the 12" vinyl LP of "Night Songs" became a collector's item. With its larger-than-life cover art and pristine sound quality, the vinyl format added a tactile element to the musical experience that resonated with fans.
Collectors' Item Status:
The Dutch release of the 12" Vinyl LP Album not only marked a geographical expansion for Cinderella but also turned into a collectors' item over the years. The vinyl, with its distinctive Dutch markings, became a sought-after piece for fans and collectors alike, further cementing Cinderella's place in rock history.
Legacy:
As the years passed, "Night Songs" continued to be a beacon of Cinderella's legacy. The Dutch release of the album became a symbol of the band's international success and the impact of their music on a global scale.
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Notes:
Night Songs is Cinderella's debut album, which sold several million copies due to a combination of the single Nobody's Fool, MTV airplay, and an opening slot on Bon Jovi's tour (in support of their album Slippery When Wet).
"Night Songs" went all the way to #3 on the US charts, and went double platinum (2 million copies sold) in that same country during the year. In 1991 it was certified triple platinum (3 million copies sold), proving that its commercial status hadn't shrunk. |
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Music Genre:
Glam Rock / Glam Metal Music, Hair Metal
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Album
Production information:
Produced by Andy Johns.
Andy Johns - Sound engineer, producer
Andy Johns is one of those names I keep bumping into when I trace why certain records sound massive instead of merely loud. From the late ’60s into the ’70s he helped define the studio sound of bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Free, Humble Pie and later Van Halen, capturing raw power without sanding off the danger. His work feels hands-on, instinctive, and gloriously unpolished — exactly how rock was meant to hit.
Management: Larry Mazer.
Recorded at Bearsville Studios, Kajem Studios, Warehouse Studios, Sigma Studios and the Sound Factory.
Mixed at the Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA.
Assistant Sound Engineers: Mark McKenna, Joe Hauserman, Nick Didia, Paul Wertheimer, David Glover.
Photography: Mark "Weissguy" Weiss.
Mark Weiss – Rock music photographerThe “Weissguy” behind a huge chunk of the 1980s rock image—backstage, on tour, and way too close to the hair spray. Read more... Mark Weiss, Mark “Weissguy” Weiss is the rock photographer whose images basically taught the 1980s how to pose. His origin story is wonderfully punk: in 1977 he got arrested for selling his KISS photos outside Madison Square Garden, and by June 1978 he’d landed a national splash with a Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) centerfold for Circus—then ended up on staff. In the 1980s, he wasn’t just “covering” bands; he was riding alongside them as a tour photographer for artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Poison, Metallica, and Twisted Sister, helping lock in that whole glam-and-guts look while it was still hot and loud. Later on, his lens also tracked bigger pop-culture gravity wells—acts like The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and Wu-Tang Clan—but the heart of the Weiss legend is still that late-’70s-to-’80s run where rock didn’t just sound larger-than-life; it looked like it too. |
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Record Label & Catalognr:
Mercury 830 076
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Media Format:
12" Vinyl LP Gramophone
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Year & Country:
1986 Made in Holland
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