Guitar World recently compiled a list of the 100 greatest guitar solos voted on by readers. Songs include Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zeppelin; Eruption, by Van Halen; Freebird, by Lynyrd Skynard; Comfortably Numb, by Pink Floyd; All Along the Watchtower, by Bob Dylan; and One, by Metallica.
Taco’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” was his one hit wonder, released on his debut album After Eight. The song was a cover from an old Fred Astaire favorite. This makes sense because Taco initially remade oldies song with contemporary feels to them.
The song, released in 1982, gained popularity in 1983. So much, in fact, that RCA records funded the entire album. After Eight sold over 500 thousand copies and reached number 4 on the American charts. Sadly, his later albums did not bolster his success, even experimenting with other musical genres.
This Bangles’ hit was actually written by Liam Sternberg on a ferry when he saw people walking awkwardly to keep their balance, reminding him of Egyptian heiroglyphics. Liam first offered the song to Toni Basil, who turned it down.
Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele, and Susanna Hoffs each sing a different verse of the song. Susanna Hoffs’ screen time in the music video was a contributing factor in the band’s break up.