Classic Rock (album) explained

Classic Rock
Type:	Studio
Artist:	The London Symphony Orchestra
Cover:	London_Symphony_Orchestra_-_Classic_Rock.jpg
Released:	1 July 1978
Genre:	Classical, Rock
Length:	51:42
Label:	K-Tel International
Producer:	Jeff Jarratt, Don Reedman
Next Title:	Classic Rock – The Second Movement
Next Year:	1979

Classic Rock, produced by Jeff Jarratt and Don Reedman, is the first album in the Classic Rock series by London Symphony Orchestra. It was released on 1 July 1978 by K-Tel International, and entered the UK Albums Chart on 8 July 1978, rising to number 3 and staying in the charts for 39 weeks.^[1] The album gained platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry on 10 November 1978.^[2] The album was recorded at EMI Abbey Road Studios on 15–16 October 1976. A further nine albums in the series followed, between 1979 and 1992.

Track listing

Side one

1. "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Freddie Mercury) – 6:23
2. "Life on Mars?" (David Bowie) – 4:19
3. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid) – 3:51
4. "Whole Lotta Love" (John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Robert Plant) – 4:28
5. "Paint It Black" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 5:27

Side two

1. "Nights in White Satin" (Justin Hayward) – 4:49
2. "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 6:06
3. "Without You" (Thomas Evans, Peter Ham) – 3:53
4. "I'm Not in Love" (Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart) – 7:30
5. "Sailing" (Gavin Sutherland) – 4:56

All tracks arranged and conducted by Andrew Pryce Jackman except:

• Track 3 on side 1: Arranged and conducted by Martyn Ford
• Tracks 3 & 4 on side 2: Arranged by Ann Odell, conducted by Martyn Ford

Personnel

• The London Symphony Orchestra
• The Royal Choral Society
• Anthony Camden – Chairman of LSO
• Neville Taweel – Leader of LSO
• Michael De Grey
• The Rhythm Section
  • Les Hurdle
  • Clem Cattini
  • Paul Keogh
  • Nigel Jenkins
  • Ricky Hitchcock
  • Alan Parker
  • Mike Moran
  • Frank Ricotti
  • Tristan Fry
  • Chris Karan
• Peter Straker – Solo vocal on "Bohemian Rhapsody"
• David Bell – Organ solo on "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Classic Rock. Official Charts Company. 2016-04-10.
2. Web site: Certified Awards Search . . 10 April 2016.
3. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1979 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Recorded Music New Zealand. 28 January 2022.