29. In 2009 this hard-driving rock song with an iconic riff was ranked as the 34th greatest hard rock song of all-time by VH-1. The song was born from the personal rage and fury of the song's writer and lead singer. You see, the band's label, as a publicity stunt for the album, had taken out a full page ad in Rolling Stone , propagating and implying a false and cruel narrative about an incestuous, lesbian relationship between bandmates of the legendary 70's band.
After a show in Detroit , a sleazy record promoter asked the singer , "How's your lover doing?" At first, she thought he meant her boyfriend at the time. She eventually realized he was referring to her very own sister. Pretty disgusting. She went to her hotel room and unleashed her fury with pen and paper, and this rock classic was born.
Now about that iconic riff.... Around 1976 and into 1977 the band was touring Europe alongside a Scottish hard rock band, best known for their iconic version of a song that peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1976. The Scottish band was doing a song called "This Flight Tonight," which was a cover of a Joni Mitchell song, and included a riff that greatly influenced the one that became legendary in the classic rock anthem described above.
"We kinda borrowed that riff, " confessed the guitarist of the legendary 70's band. The Scottish band was pretty pissed about it, saying , "You took our riff!" With a smile, the guitarist responded, "That's how music works; you take what you love and make it your own."
The song peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977. South Africans loved it, as it went to #1 there. Also, hit #2 in Canada. It remains a staple of retro rock radio today and is a signature song for the band who made it an iconic rock anthem.
So, there are three questions here. What is the name of this classic rock anthem, born of defiance and rage? Who penned the words to the song ? What was the name of the Scottish band , whose riff was "borrowed" and incorporated into this song?
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