“Ladytron” by Roxy Music
From the 1972 album Roxy Music

I’ve never really been a big fan of Roxy Music. I know them mainly as the early glam/art rock band that launched Brian Eno’s career, and for having lurid album covers (especially the decidedly NSFW Country Life) that I have always had trouble believing would have been stocked in record stores in the ’70s.

This video, once again from the BBC’s irreplaceable Old Grey Whistle Test, shows the band in its earliest form, proving that oboe does have a place in a rock band. Or… at least… did.* And of course, don’t miss Brian Eno rocking the VCS3 off in the corner.

*Regarding oboe in rock music: Back in the ’80s, when I was about 10, I was a big Huey Lewis and the News fan. Big. And one of my favorite Huey Lewis songs was “Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” There’s a line in that song where he sings “Well the old boy may be barely breathin’ / But the heart of rock ‘n’ roll / Heart of rock ‘n’ roll is still beatin’.” Until recently (really… like, within the last year), I always believed he said “oboe” where he says “old boy.”