Horn bands, also known as brass rock, can be defined as a group with a horn section as a prominent and permanent feature of the band. Brass rock isn’t a genre or style, IMO, it’s a sound that adds another texture or dimension to the rock music.
The horn section typically consists of a trumpet, a trombone, and a saxophone. There may be multiples of each type of instrument and there may be additional brass instruments as well, such as tuba or french horn. A 1973 recording by Tower of Power (below) includes a 15 second flugelhorn solo (time mark approximately 2:35-2:50). This may be the only time a flugelhorn has been part of a rock band, but it works beautifully.
Undoubtedly, the two best known examples of horn bands are Chicago (originally Chicago Transit Authority) and Earth Wind & Fire, both of which were featured previously on The Night Owl.
Brass can be heard on many tunes from the rock era, but not every band with a brass rock track can be considered a horn band because they don’t use horns in all (or at least most) of their compositions. Here are a few of my favorite horn bands, but this is by no means a comprehensive list — not even close. (The Band isn’t a true horn band IMO, but Don’t Do It rocks enough to earn an honorable mention.)
1966
Hold On, I’m Comin’ (2:36)
Sam & Dave
1967
Soul Man (2:39)
Sam & Dave
1968
I Can’t Quit Her (3:39)
Blood, Sweat, & Tears
1969
You’ve Made Me So Very Happy (4:19)
Blood, Sweat, & Tears
1969
Spinning Wheel (4:09)
Blood, Sweat, & Tears
1969
And When I Die (4:05)
Blood, Sweat, & Tears
1970
Hi-De-Ho (4:24)
Blood, Sweat, & Tears
1970
Vehicle (2:56)
Ides of March
1971
One Fine Morning (5:20)
Lighthouse
1972
Don’t Do It (4:45)
The Band
1973
So Very Hard to Go (3:38)
(2:35-2:50 flugelhorn solo)
Tower of Power
