Album Information:
Album ID: 10035
About The Charlie Daniels Band:
The Charlie Daniels Band is a Southern rock and country music group that was originally formed in 1970 in North Carolina. The group is led by the legendary musician and fiddler Charlie Daniels, who is known for his unique blend of country, rock, and bluegrass music.
Throughout their career, The Charlie Daniels Band has released over 30 albums and has had numerous hits including 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia', 'Long Haired Country Boy', and 'Uneasy Rider'. With their gritty sound and energetic live performances, the group quickly gained a dedicated following and became one of the most popular acts in the country-rock scene in the 1970s and 1980s.
Charlie Daniels was born in Leland, North Carolina in 1936 and grew up in a musical family. He started playing the guitar at an early age and went on to play with a number of bands before forming his own group. Daniels’ musical influences include bluegrass, country, rock, and gospel music, which all feature prominently in his music.
The early years of The Charlie Daniels Band were marked by numerous lineup changes, but the group finally solidified in 1970 when they recorded their first album, “Charlie Daniels”. The album featured the hit song “Uneasy Rider”, which became a breakout hit for the group and helped establish their unique style.
Over the years, The Charlie Daniels Band went through several different phases, experimenting with different styles of music while still maintaining their trademark sound. They recorded several albums that focused on traditional country music before delving into southern rock in the late 1970s. In 1979, the group released their biggest hit, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”, which became their signature song and earned them a Grammy Award.
Despite the ups and downs of the music industry, The Charlie Daniels Band continued to record and perform throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Their music continued to evolve, incorporating elements of gospel, blues, and even jazz music. The group’s live performances continued to be a major draw, and they regularly performed to sold-out crowds around the world.
Throughout his long career, Charlie Daniels established himself as a true icon of the music industry. His contributions to country, rock, and southern rock music have earned him numerous awards and accolades, including induction into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Sadly, Charlie Daniels passed away in July 2020 at the age of 83, leaving behind an incredible legacy of music and a legion of devoted fans. The Charlie Daniels Band continues to perform, keeping Charlie’s music alive and celebrating his life and legacy.
About the album The Ultimate:
The Ultimate by The Charlie Daniels Band is a compilation album that was released in 2002. It features 20 of the band's greatest hits, all remastered for this release. The album covers the band's career from their early days in the 1970s up to the late 1990s, providing a comprehensive overview of their music.
The album leads off with 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia,' which is undoubtedly the band's most famous song. This classic track has everything that makes The Charlie Daniels Band great - catchy fiddle riffs, driving guitar work, and a memorable chorus that practically begs you to sing along.
From there, the album takes us on a journey through the band's many hits and fan favorites. 'Uneasy Rider' is a rollicking tale of a hippie trying to escape from redneck country, while 'In America' is a patriotic anthem that celebrates the best aspects of the United States.
Elsewhere on the album, we get a taste of the band's bluesy side with 'The Legend of Wooley Swamp' and 'Long Haired Country Boy.' These tracks showcase the band's impressive instrumental chops, with Daniels' fiery fiddle playing taking center stage.
One of the highlights of The Ultimate is the inclusion of several live tracks, which capture the band's electrifying live performances. 'Honey in the Rock' and 'The South's Gonna Do It Again' are both taken from the band's stirring 1976 performance at Volunteer Jam, while 'Simple Man' was recorded at the band's 1995 performance at the Grizzly Rose in Denver.
Overall, The Ultimate does an excellent job of highlighting The Charlie Daniels Band's impressive career. This album is a must-have for fans of southern rock and country music, as it showcases one of the genre's most talented and influential bands.
Members:
The Charlie Daniels Band has had a number of members throughout its history, so I will focus on the key members who have made significant contributions to the band’s musical success.
1. Charlie Daniels – Charlie Daniels was the frontman and founder of The Charlie Daniels Band. He was born on October 28, 1936, in Wilmington, North Carolina, and grew up listening to bluegrass, country, and gospel music. Daniels started his music career as a session musician in Nashville, Tennessee, and played guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. He formed The Charlie Daniels Band in 1970 and went on to record 32 albums and win numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1979 for his hit song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Daniels was also known for his philanthropy and support of the military. He passed away on July 6, 2020, at the age of 83.
2. Joel “Taz” DiGregorio – Joel DiGregorio was the keyboardist for The Charlie Daniels Band and a key songwriter. He was born on March 7, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts, and had a background in jazz and rock music. He joined The Charlie Daniels Band in 1972 and played on all of their albums until his death in a car accident on October 12, 2011, at the age of 62.
3. Tom Crain – Tom Crain was the lead guitarist for The Charlie Daniels Band. He was born on July 18, 1948, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and started playing guitar at a young age. He joined The Charlie Daniels Band in 1975 and played on all of their albums until he retired in 1995. Crain was known for his dynamic guitar playing and contributed to many of the band’s hits.
4. Fred Edwards – Fred Edwards was the drummer for The Charlie Daniels Band. He was born on December 23, 1945, in Macon, Georgia, and started playing drums in his teenage years. He joined The Charlie Daniels Band in 1972 and played on all of their albums until his retirement in 1999. Edwards was known for his powerful, driving drumming style and was a key member of the band’s rhythm section.
5. Charlie Hayward – Charlie Hayward was the bassist for The Charlie Daniels Band. He was born on January 5, 1948, in Savannah, Georgia, and had a background in jazz and rock music. He joined The Charlie Daniels Band in 1972 and played on most of their albums until his departure in 2005. Hayward was known for his versatile and melodic bass playing and contributed to many of the band’s popular songs.
Track List for The Ultimate:
Unfortunately, as an AI language model, I don't have access to specific information on albums such as the tracks, their play time, and detailed descriptions of the tracks. However, I suggest visiting a music platform or website such as Apple Music, Spotify, or AllMusic to find a complete tracklist, play time, and detailed description of each track on the album The Ultimate by The Charlie Daniels Band.
Discography for The Charlie Daniels Band:
Albums:
1. Charlie Daniels (1971)
2. Te John, Grease, & Wolfman (1972)
3. Saddle Tramp (1976)
4. Midnight Wind (1977)
5. High Lonesome (1976)
6. Million Mile Reflections (1979)
7. Full Moon (1980)
8. Windows (1982)
9. Powder Keg (1987)
10. Simple Man (1990)
11. Renegade (1991)
12. The Door (1994)
13. Steel Witness (1996)
14. Blues Hat (1997)
15. Tailgate Party (2005)
16. Songs From the Longleaf Pines (2005)
17. Live Record (2016)
Singles:
1. 'Uneasy Rider' (1973)
2. 'The South's Gonna Do It Again' (1975)
3. 'Long Haired Country Boy' (1975)
4. 'The Legend of Wooley Swamp' (1980)
5. 'In America' (1980)
6. 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' (1979)
7. 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Live Version)' (1979)
8. 'Still In Saigon' (1982)
9. 'This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag' (2001)
10. 'Iraq Blues' (2003)
Other Releases:
1. 'Live at Rockpalast' (1980)
2. 'Super Hits' (1994)
3. '16 Biggest Hits' (2006)
4. 'Essential Charlie Daniels' (2015)
Release dates vary by region, so the order listed may not be the same for all locations.