Although originally named Yesterday & Today, Y&T was truly a band ahead of their time back in the late 70’s and 80’s. They released their first two albums in 1976 and 1978. In 1980, A&M signed the band and their name was shortened to Y&T.
The San Francisco band was formed by and around Dave Meniketti (lead vocals and lead guitar). Joey Alves (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Phil Kennemore (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Leonard Haze (drums) rounded up the lineup that cranked out classic albums from 1980-86.
Unleashed in 1981, Earthshaker was a monster of an album that did not get the attention it deserved. If released later in the metal dominated decade of the 80’s, it would have been a chart sensation. At the time, this was the best and most powerful metal in the US. “Hungry For Rock”, “Shake It Loose”, “Squeeze”, “Hurricane” and “Knock You Out” were slices of metal stacked with brutal savage intensity. “Rescue Me” is a timeless classic that had the lyrics and emotions of a power ballad, but still built up to a knockout punch. It was a momentum gaining power rock tune similar to the formula which The Scorpions were able to use to became rock giants in the later 80’s. The album still sounds fresh over twenty-five years later and deserves recognition as a true underrated gem.
“Black Tiger” and “Mean Streak” came out in ‘82 and ‘83. The albums helped build the tide of rock that was rolling off the West Coast, but did not garner the band national recognition. Still the albums were the best United States rock available in that time period. Black Tiger opens up with a furious but brief guitar intro then explodes into “Open Fire”. “Open Fire” was like Van Halen on steroids. “Black Tiger”, “My Way Or The Highway”, “Forever”, and “Barroom Boogie” gave this black tiger a mean set of claws.
“Mean Streak” completed a tremendous trifecta that established Y&T as respected rockers. The album saw the band begin to focus on more commercial goals. Still, it was a hard rock explosion. “Down and Dirty” and “Hang ‘Em High” were two more Y&T classics.
The band reached number 46 on Billboard’s top 200 album chart in 1984 with “In Rock We Trust.” Although a solid album, you can detect that the band had more commercial aspirations in mind. In 1985, they released their seventh album “Down For the Count” which contained their biggest hit “Summertime Girls.” The song hit 55 on the top singles chart and 17 on mainstream rock.
Although “Summertime Girls” sounds kind of cheesy over twenty years later, it is regarded by many as their signature song.
All in all, Y&T has sold over four million records. Still, it is this mean trio of CDs from the early 80’s that stand as timeless masterpieces. While the charts remember them for “Summertime Girls,” it is “Earthshaker,” “Black Tiger,” and “Mean Streak” that represent the band’s best rock work.
They are still playing, but have had different lineups. Dave Meniketti is still the backbone of the band. If you want to check out great rock that preceded the US pop metal explosion, dig up the three masterpieces of early Y&T, which are available from the group's website.
