The Rockets (album)
Encyclopedia
The Rockets is the sole release by The Rockets in 1968.
Selling only about 5,000 copies, it was far from a success. Nevertheless, the album found among its fans Canadian
singer-songwriter Neil Young
, who would soon take Danny Whitten
, bassist Billy Talbot
and drummer Ralph Molina
for his backing band on the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
. They first dubbed themselves War Babies, but Young re-named them Crazy Horse
, a name that would stick. The Rockets soon folded due to Young's insistence on having Whitten, Talbot and Molina keep to a strict practice schedule. Talbot and Molina have remained as part of Crazy Horse to this day, and all of the other Rockets, except for Leon Whitsell, would eventually collaborate with Young.
"Hole in My Pocket" was released as a 45. "Let me Go" was covered by Three Dog Night
. "Mr. Chips" was allegedly about Ahmet Ertegün
. He would not sign them to Atlantic Records. The Rockets had been known as the psyrcle (the psychedelic circle) on Lorna, a division of autumn, but the label was floundering.
Selling only about 5,000 copies, it was far from a success. Nevertheless, the album found among its fans Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
singer-songwriter Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, who would soon take Danny Whitten
Danny Whitten
Daniel Ray Whitten was an American musician and songwriter best known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and for the song "I Don't Want To Talk About It", a hit for Rita Coolidge, Rod Stewart and Everything but the Girl.- Biography :Whitten was born on May 8, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia....
, bassist Billy Talbot
Billy Talbot
Billy Talbot is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the bassist of Crazy Horse.-Music career:Born in New York City, Talbot started his musical career singing on street corners at the age of 14. He moved to New Jersey with his family the next year, and by 17 he had moved to...
and drummer Ralph Molina
Ralph Molina
Ralph Molina is an American musician, best known as the drummer for Neil Young's backing band Crazy Horse.Born in Puerto Rico, Molina has been a member of Crazy Horse since they were formed in 1962 as Danny & the Memories. He has remained throughout the band's many personnel changes, and has...
for his backing band on the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is the second studio album by Canadian musician Neil Young, released on Reprise Records catalogue RS 6349...
. They first dubbed themselves War Babies, but Young re-named them Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
, a name that would stick. The Rockets soon folded due to Young's insistence on having Whitten, Talbot and Molina keep to a strict practice schedule. Talbot and Molina have remained as part of Crazy Horse to this day, and all of the other Rockets, except for Leon Whitsell, would eventually collaborate with Young.
"Hole in My Pocket" was released as a 45. "Let me Go" was covered by Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
. "Mr. Chips" was allegedly about Ahmet Ertegün
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegün was a Turkish American musician and businessman, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum...
. He would not sign them to Atlantic Records. The Rockets had been known as the psyrcle (the psychedelic circle) on Lorna, a division of autumn, but the label was floundering.
Track listing
- "Hole in My Pocket" (Danny Whitten)
- "Won't You Say You'll Stay" (Danny Whitten)
- "Mr. Chips" (Danny Whitten)
- "It's A Mistake" (Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot)
- "Let Me Go" (Danny Whitten)
- "Try My Patience" (Leon Whitsell)
- "I Won't Always Be Around" (Leon Whitsell)
- "Pill's Blues" (George Whitsell)
- "Stretch Your Skin" (Leon Whitsell)
- "Eraser" (Leon Whitsell)
Participants
The group used to let anyone off the street jam with them in their garage, a.k.a Rocket's headquarters.- Barry GoldbergBarry GoldbergBarry Goldberg is a blues and rock keyboardist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:As a teenager in Chicago, Goldberg sat in with Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, and Howlin' Wolf. He played keyboards in the band supporting Bob Dylan during his 1965 'electrified' appearance at the Newport Folk Festival...
- producer - Danny WhittenDanny WhittenDaniel Ray Whitten was an American musician and songwriter best known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and for the song "I Don't Want To Talk About It", a hit for Rita Coolidge, Rod Stewart and Everything but the Girl.- Biography :Whitten was born on May 8, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia....
- guitar, vocal - George Whitsell - guitar, vocal
- Leon Whitsell - guitar
- Billy TalbotBilly TalbotBilly Talbot is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the bassist of Crazy Horse.-Music career:Born in New York City, Talbot started his musical career singing on street corners at the age of 14. He moved to New Jersey with his family the next year, and by 17 he had moved to...
- bass - Ralph MolinaRalph MolinaRalph Molina is an American musician, best known as the drummer for Neil Young's backing band Crazy Horse.Born in Puerto Rico, Molina has been a member of Crazy Horse since they were formed in 1962 as Danny & the Memories. He has remained throughout the band's many personnel changes, and has...
- drums, vocal - Bobby NotkoffBobby NotkoffBobby Notkoff is a violinist who played with The Rockets in the 1960s and Family Lotus in the 1970s. He was a founding member of Electric Flag, one of the first supergroups, with Mike Bloomfield and Buddy Miles.He lives in New Mexico.-Selected discography:...
- violin