1994 Live Beats: 30 years of ROCK’N’ROLL
Recently, The Prodigy embarked on another tour, delighting fans with a new track. This event inspired us to look back at the past, recalling similar events from 30 years ago, when the band also toured in support of their album Music for the Jilted Generation. It was during that tour that a tune debuted, which would go on to become a hallmark of The Prodigy’s performances at the time — Rock’n’Roll. Although the track never received an official release, it captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Today, we’re diving into the story of this iconic track, a vital piece of the band’s history.
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact premiere date of ‘Rock’n’Roll’, but it seems to have occurred between October 11 and October 20, 1994. Interestingly, in the early versions of the track, there was no guitar — a feature that would later become central to the song. At first, the spotlight was entirely on the energetic timbales, which became a hallmark of the show.
A couple of years ago, we recreated this early version (without the timbales) and recently completed a studio master of the track. You can find it on our patreon page!
1995 • Jim Davies
During the tour where Jim debuted, the band filmed material for their Electronic Punks movie. Footage from several concerts, including a live performance of ‘Rock’n’Roll’, made it into the final cut. Interestingly, the VHS release was the only official release of the track, which quickly gained popularity among the masses.
Rock’n’Roll ’96
That same spring of 1996, alongside the revamped version of ‘Rock’n’Roll’, The Prodigy introduced a new guitarist, Gizz Butt. More details about his role in the band were covered in one of our previous articles. However, contrary to popular belief, Gizz didn’t immediately take over the guitar parts for the updated track. His debut occurred on July 13 at the T in the Park festival. Until then, the guitar sections for the revamped track were still performed by Jim Davies, who remained part of The Prodigy’s live crew.
A couple of years ago, we also recreated this ’96 version with Gizz Butt on guitar. You can find it on our patreon page!
A year later, in 1998, the track transformed into a funky big-beat anthem tailored for the new wave of b-boys (as discussed in one of our previous articles). In this way, Rock’n’Roll, constantly evolving and adapting, remained a vital part of The Prodigy’s live shows, showcasing the band’s progression and their search for new sonic forms.
Headmaster: SIXSHOT
Additional thanks to: All Souvenirs Crew
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