Mad Dogs and Englishmen is a famous concert tour and live album by English musician Joe Cocker. The tour took place in 1970 and featured a large ensemble of musicians, including Leon Russell, Claudia Lennear, and Don Preston. The album was a commercial and critical success and is widely considered one of the greatest live albums of all time. In this project, we’ll delve deeper into the performers who made up Mad Dogs and Englishmen and explore the impact of the tour and album on music history.
The History of Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Mad Dogs and Englishmen is a phrase that has become synonymous with the British Empire’s colonial past. The phrase was first popularized in a song written by Noel Coward in 1931. The song was featured in Coward’s musical, “Words and Music,” and was later recorded by several other artists, including Joe Cocker.
The song’s lyrics describe the British upper class‘s colonial lifestyle in the early 20th century. It portrays the British as being obsessed with their reputation and their social standing, to the point that they would willingly endure extreme hardships and discomforts to maintain their image.
Who was in Mad Dogs and Englishmen?
The song has been covered by many famous artists over the years, but one of the most memorable versions was performed by Joe Cocker. The song was included on his 1970 live album, “Mad Dogs and Englishmen,” which was recorded during a tour of the United States.
Cocker’s version of the song features a large band of musicians, including a horn section, backup singers, and a group of female singers known as the “Space Choir.” The album was a commercial and critical success, and it helped establish Cocker as an important figure in the music industry.
The Legacy of Mad Dogs and Englishmen
The phrase “mad dogs and Englishmen” has become a part of the English language lexicon and is often used to describe the British upper class‘s colonial mentality. It has also been used to describe people who are reckless, careless, or foolish.
The song and album have had a lasting impact on popular culture, and they continue to be celebrated by music lovers around the world. The album’s title has been used as the name of a variety of events and organizations, and it is often referenced in popular media.
The phrase “mad dogs and Englishmen” has become a significant part of British colonial history and popular culture. The song and album of the same name have been covered and referenced by many artists and media outlets over the years. The legacy of the phrase serves as a warning against the dangers of arrogance and the pursuit of social status at any cost. Additionally, the album’s mix of British and American musicians reflects the cultural exchange that was taking place during the 1970s.