Ian Lloyd is the perfect subject for the IN THE MIX series.
If you were around when Stories’ Brother Louie topped the charts, 52 years ago, I don’t need to tell you that lead singer Ian Lloyd’s voice leapt out of the radio. Eddie Kramer’s production is just as memorable. The drums sound amazing, the bass is fearlessly funky, and the strings are textbook perfect. Which only seems proper—because both Ian & Stories co-founder Michael Brown are sons of session violinists who were introduced by their fathers. Brown had already scored two Top 20 hits with his previous band, The Left Banke, and left Stories just after their #1 hit was released.
Younger readers may be familiar with the track, as it was re-recorded by Lloyd, to be used as the theme to Louie CK’s sitcom Louie. Louie requested one change, that Lloyd sing: “Louie Louie, you’re gonna die.” Both versions are included here, as is another great Stories track; If It Feels Good, Do It.
After going solo, Ian Lloyd hit some incredible highlights across his five albums. He was the first person to record Bryan Adams’ Straight From The Heart, and he also recorded with Adam’s songwriting partner Jim Vallance, and (Aerosmith’s “comeback”) producer Bruce Fairbarn in the band Fast Forward. The three continued to work together after the band broke up. What's It Gonna Take is taken from their only album.
Lloyd was regarded highly enough to convince Ric Ocasek & Benjamin Orr to back him on Slip Away during The Cars’ heyday. It could be an outtake from Candy-O except for Lloyd’s vocal, and the absence of David Robinson’s muscular drumming.
Lloyd introduced Foreigner co-founders Mick Jones & Ian McDonald when they played sessions for him—which lead to Lloyd singing backgrounds on the first five albums by the band—and Lou Gramm singing background on Ian’s I'm Ready. Ian also appeared on a lot of Yes albums and sang the hook for their Dangerous. Glass Moon’s cover of On A Carousel brightens up this compilation—sounding like The Hollies backed by Yes.
Along the way, Ian provided backing vocals on albums by Billy Joel, & Survivor, and many other big star’s albums. While Ian’s contribution is always top-notch, they weren’t always the best songs by the artists—so they didn’t make the cut.
Ian is currently an actual member of the NYC-based band, Social Hero which is lead by his son, guitarist David Lloyd. As you’d expect, their voices blend beautifully. They’ve got four tracks on today’s offering, and it was difficult to keep it down to four. They’re great!
Take it from “the one who stinks” and sample these great songs with Ian Lloyd in the mix while they're hot--as the scoop of savory trivia slowly melts on top of them.
