June 11, 1979 - The Knack and My Sharona

A long two and a half months since my last release another new band briefly joins my library when The Knack released their debut album "Get The Knack" on June 11, 1979. This album was a massive success, spearheaded by the lead single "My Sharona", the only song I have by these guys. But who are The Knack? They were a four-piece pop-rock band from Los Angeles consisting of Doug Fieger (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Berton Averre (lead guitar), Prescott Niles (bass) and Bruce Gary (drums). "My Sharona" would end up  being the biggest hit of the whole year and despite it ultimately being a one-hit wonder, it is a very catchy song. Gary starts it off with the main drumbeat and Niles' bass riff sounds pretty good and catchy. The guitar syncs up with the bass as they form the main riff and we hear Fieger's voice for the first time as he is singing passionately. He sings about a girl turning him on and if you've heard it before it's hard not to sing along to his "my my my aye aye whoa! M-m-m-My Sharona". They continue to play the super catchy main riff as Fieger delivers another well-done verse. After another chorus Averre goes off for his first solo of the song. It's not too flashy, but it fits the mood really well and sounds pretty good. They resume the main verse and after a slightly longer chorus it's time for Averre's second solo. This one leaves the first one in the dust as he is shredding it and playing some wicked stuff! This extended solo is pretty freaking great and Averre ends it leading nicely back into the main riff. Fieger gives us a few moans and a few more "My Sharona!" before this pretty cool song finally comes to an end. It's sad that The Knaxk couldn't replicate this success, because this song was quite good!

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