Ebony Eyes Cover
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- This week’s “Remake of a Classic” is Bob Welch’s 1978 tune, “Ebony Eyes”. This time, instead of staying true to the original I decided to change it up a little in that I upped the tempo a bit and went with a much heavier sound. The result is more hard rock than pop. Still, the bones of the original are there.
For those who are unaware, Welch was in Fleetwood Mac from 1971 until the end of 1974. During that time he wrote 22 tunes that appeared on five albums. At the time of his departure, Welch was suffering with personal and professional issues: his marriage was failing, and he felt he had exhausted his creativity with the band. After he resigned he was replaced by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Despite the fact that the Fleetwood Mac albums on which he appeared had sold millions of copies, Welch wasn’t invited to participate in the band’s 1998 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Original band members Peter Green (who Welch replaced), Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie were inducted, as were Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks, but Welch was left out. Welch felt the snub stemmed from a 1994 lawsuit he filed against Fleetwood, the McVies, attorney Michael Shapiro and Warner Bros. for breach of contract over royalties. In 1978, Welch and the band had signed a contract with Warner Bros., agreeing to an equal share of all royalties from the albums they did together. Welch claimed the members later made a new deal with Warner for higher royalties, and Welch wasn’t informed. The suit was settled in 1996, and in 2003 Welch and Fleetwood Mac reconciled; apparently the snub came from the RRHOF and not the band.
In 1976, Welch went on to form and record two albums with Paris, a power trio in the vein of Led Zeppelin (search RUclips for ‘Paris Welch’ and you’ll find them…they’re actually pretty damn good). Sales weren’t up to snuff, so the band called it quits and Welch started a solo career. In September 1977 he released his first solo album, French Kiss. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, peaking at number 12 on Billboard’s 1978 chart. It yielded three hit singles: "Sentimental Lady" (which went to number 8 and was produced by Buckingham and McVie), "Ebony Eyes" (featuring Juice Newton on backing vocals) that went to number 14, and "Hot Love, Cold World" which only went to number 31. Between 1979 and 1999 Welch recorded six more solo albums; none of which were major successes.
In the mid-80s, his career slump drove him to a life of addiction; mostly cocaine and heroin. In the spring of 1985, he was hospitalized for detox, after which he was sober for the rest of his life. In the 90s he and his second wife, Wendy, moved to Nashville. He continued to write, and several of his songs were recorded by Kenny Rogers, Sammy Hagar and the Pointer Sisters.
In early 2012 Welch had spinal surgery. Sadly, doctors told him his prognosis for recovery was poor, and he would eventually become an invalid. Still in considerable pain, and not wishing to become a burden on his wife, Welch committed suicide on June 7, 2012, by shooting himself in the chest. He was 66.
A sad ending for a brilliant songwriter and decent guitarist. Who knows what might have happened had Welch not stepped in to take over for Peter Green...Fleetwood Mac might have ended right then and there.
Bob was my best pal, and he would have loved this...
What a lovely thought...thanks so much!
Saw him in Kc in the mid seventies at a summer jam concert ! Great Concert love this song ❤❤Stadium went crazy when his band got on stage and started playing this
Awesome cover!love it! Being a fan of the ORIGINAL Fleetwood Mac, founder Peter Green, ‘I need your love so bad’. One of the best songs ever.
I like Bob Welch's music . He was gone too soon .
Absolutely....FM gave him the shaft.
This is absolutely amazing! You've done a lot of justice to both Bob Welch and the original song!
Absolutely 🔥🔥🔥
Awesome! Nothing cooler to me than a one man band, seriously!! Not many can pull that off!
Thanks Audrey...I appreciate it so much!
He’s truly amazing
Hey man, that was awesome, this just popped up on my feed as it’s one of my favorite songs, you did a fantastic job really enjoyed that!
Class! Masterful performance!
Thanks a ton!
Dang! Awesome as always!
Thank you!
Nice Work!!! You are having to much FUN.
Yes we are! Thanks!
Oh my man I was so in love with this song when I was a kid and you really made it so good ❤️
So glad you enjoyed it...many thanks for listening in!
Awesome ❤
Wow!!!
Thanks!
God you are so good. Love this Bob Welch (formerly of Fleetwood Mac) tune.
Wow, Matthew, thank you so much! Really glad you enjoyed it!
Again, you are terrific at all instruments, Keyboards, Lead Guitar, Rhythm guitar, drums, Bass, and your lead and backing vocals are spot on. Truly a one man band.
@@russwilloughby501
Standing on my chair with my lighter burning high! What a great cover! Getting it done!
LOL...thanks much, David; I really appreciate it!
Another great cover by Russ Willoughby and The Clones!! Russ, you never cease to amaze me! Brings me back to when I use to listen to Bob Welch on my 8 track player.
Would love to hear you and "the guys" perform the Moody Blues hit "Question".
As always, love your work!
Thank so much, Charles. I never thought about doing "Question", but that's a great suggestion....great tune!
Love this Thank you sir !
Thanks, Steve...I always appreciate the nice comments.
This is outstanding Russ! Everything. Would you consider adding a lead break? For a time I was addicted to Bob's version in that nightclub in around 1981 w Stevie.
Thanks so much; so glad you enjoyed it. As for a lead break, I've already deleted the tune from my DAW, so it would entail doing the entire thing over again.
Wow!
Thanks for listening!
And the squabbles there’s enough blame to go around to everyone, but Bob got more than he deserved. Sad ending to a fabulous career.
Awesome cover on all fronts! Really love your vocals especially
You hit it out of the park again Russ. That was one of my favorite songs from the late 1970's.
Thanks so much, Kyle...I appreciate it!
Most excellent I'm 68 and I've been in the music my whole life that is excellent one of the better covers that I've heard you done a great job putting that together you play the drums which look like they're electric drums you play the bass you played a guitar you do everything that is great I'm glad that you have pride and what you do so it sounds like the real deal way to go man way to go I'm 68 and I'm still slamming the guitar
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate the nice comments!
Such a great song! Sadly he passed away a few years ago here in Nashville. He was a mentor to a good friend of mine that I co-wrote with although I never got to meet him. Great rendition!
Yeah, really sad. Thanks much!
Awesome!
Thanks!
I'm a bit older than you, but we have nearly identical taste in music. I LOVE your selection of covers! All of them I've seen from you are incredibly well done! This was a surprise, just great!
As always, I really appreciate the kind words...many thanks!
I love the video. It must've took you hours to shoot.
Thanks....each one takes about nine hours.
Great version and such a tragic story, thank you for providing that information. 5 stars!
Thank you so much!
Great job! I don't know how you play all those instruments, and play them so well, and layer them all into a song and video. Props!
Thanks so much; I really appreciate it!
Thanks, Russ for another great job! I like how you improved on the original with this updated remake. A sad story for Bob Welsh, he contributed so much to music only to have his life end so tragically.
Thanks so much. Yes, it's terrible that some people think that's the only solution.
Russ! You do it all and so damn well! How is this even possible? Thank you for sharing this and for all that talent! I actually think you sing better than Welch.
Thanks Peter....I appreciate it so much!
Another amazing job Russ!!! I have to admit i dont remember this one!!!
It was here and gone rather quickly. As always, many thanks, Chris!
Wow...just wow!!! Great job covering this song. One of my favorite songs of all time ❤️
Thanks a million!
I'd forgotten all about this song. I used to love it!!!! I LOVE the heavier feel you gave it. Thanks. Oh, and great harmonies, as always :)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks
Fantastic. Perfect reverb! Nice guitar. Great drumming. The keyboard guy is really good, too. Lol.
Thanks a lot!
Awesome 🎉🎉🎉
I see that the original group is back. Awesome job Russ!
Yeah, we ironed out our differences...especially with the one guy. Thanks so much!
Excellent as always and vocals are on point. 👍🏻☮️
Appreciate it, Jeff...thanks very much!
As always great.
Thank you so much!
OMG JUST WOW..
Thanks so much!
Epic cover dude! Thank you.
Thanks a ton!
Dang Russ! Another addition to RW's Greatest Hits Package! Yes, noticed the tempo boost from the get-go. Although I live in Nova Scotia now I remember spinning this one as a DJ in West Palm Beach at WIRK, the Rock of the Palm Beaches. Ya brought it back in fine style Russ!
Thanks, Joe...as always, I appreciate it! Been to Nova Scotia...beautiful. Would love to return to drive the Cabot Trail.
Russ, I just stumbled upon your stuff, and my wife and I enjoying it immensely. :)
Awesome, thank you!
Wow, Dude, you killed this song in the best way. Rad. Rock on, mate! Thanks for this.
So glad you liked it...many thanks!
Increíble. Bob nunca sonó mejor. Enhorabuena.
Thank you!
Another Fantastic cover, better than the original by Bob Welch 👍
Thanks Linda, I appreciate it!
Wow, Russ, another terrific creation. This song always takes me back to Ontario Motor Speedway in 1978 for the Cal Jam II. If my foggy memory is correct, Bob Welch and Ebony Eyes was the very first performance on stage that day. A LONG TIME AGO.
Thanks, Mark. That would have been cool to see!
Nailed it!
Thanks!
Flashbacks!
Thanks for listening!
Jeez that was great. Well done mate.
That's very lick...thanks so much!
Increíble como siempre
Thank you so much!
Great cover. Keep them coming please!
Thank you! Will do!
🤙
Thanks!
Can you do Desiree by Neil diamond and a few other from him maybe bobs best song sentimental Lady
Thanks for listening! You never know....
Better than the original!!😃
Thanks so much for listening!
OK I looked and did a search on some of your vids and did not see it ... if you see this Russ.... I saw on one post you stated what video editor you use ... yes could you please post which one you use .. I'm looking for one thanks
I use Movavi...about a $50 download.
Not one of my favorites, but that being said it was still nicely done.
Thanks much...I believe Bob was an acquired taste.
To fast
Perhaps you meant "TOO fast" (as opposed to not eating). Either way, thanks for the highly constructive comment.
Your reply to "To fast" just made my life! Lol!
PS- Astounding cover.
@@UncleMullet glad I could give you a laugh!
I just now played the Bob Welch version a couple times to refresh my memory. What a fun song! But Russ' changes have added an edge and so much pizzazz, and in my humble opinion it is a fabulous improvement. This cover really does the song justice.