Rock Classics of the Seventies

Rock Classics of the Seventies was arranged by Ted Ricketts (see below) in 2007.

The medley begins with 1972’s “Smoke on the Water”, released by the English rock band Deep Purple on their 1972 studio album Machine Head. The song's lyrics are based on true events, chronicling the 1971 fire at the Montreux Casino in Montreux, Switzerland.

Next comes “Night Moves”, which was written by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger. It was the lead single from his ninth studio album of the same name (1976). Seger wrote the song as a coming of age tale about adolescent love and the adult memory of it. It was based on Seger's teenage love affair, which he experienced in the early 1960s.

“Dust in the Wind” was recorded by the American progressive rock band Kansas and was written by band member Kerry Livgren. It was first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return. The title of the song is a Bible reference paraphrasing Ecclesiastes: “I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: everything he has accomplished is futile — like chasing the wind!” A meditation on mortality and the inevitability of death, the lyrical theme bears a striking resemblance to the biblical passages Genesis 3:19 (“...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”) and Ecclesiastes 3:20 (“All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.”).

The final song of the medley, “More Than a Feeling”, was released by the American rock band Boston as the lead single from the band’s 1976 debut album. The song took band member Tom Scholz five years to complete. He wrote the lyrics based on the idea of losing someone close, and on the way in which music can connect a person to memories of the past. Though not based on any specific event in Scholz’s life, he included the name of his cousin Marianne in the lyrics.

Arranger Ted Ricketts (b. 1945) is a highly creative music professional with national and international experience producing and directing live and recorded music. In his 24-year tenure as Music Director and Producer for Walt Disney World, Ted contributed to hundreds of stage shows, parades, concerts and atmospheric instrumental and vocal groups for Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. In addition, he produced recordings in major cities in Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States.

As an innovative composer, arranger and orchestrator, Ted's commissioned and published works have been heard on television, commercially produced albums, in Walt Disney theme parks, and performed live throughout the world. Mr. Ricketts holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Masters of Arts in Music from California State University at Long Beach. Early in his career, he served as Assistant Director of the marching band and concert band at Long Beach City College. At the high school level, Ted was Director of Music at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, CA.

In recent years, Ted has been a college instructor in Commercial Music Arranging at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Ted has recently relocated to Los Angeles, where he is currently a freelance music director, producer, composer and arranger.

The music for Rock Classics of the Seventies was provided for the band by Brian Murray.