Chuck Berry, the undisputed father of rock and roll guitar was born.
The man was responsible for everything.
John Lennon and Keith Richards would never have picked up guitars if not for this man.
He will still kick your ass onstage to this day.
I warned you....
Sunday, October 18, 2009
YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT SONIC BOOM INSTEAD!!!
Last week, the unthinkable happened.
After 12 years of incessant touring behind no new material, KISS released an all new studio record. And the fucker debuted at #2 on Billboard.
Unthinkable because I had completely given up hope on any new KISS songs in my lifetime. I figured that since Gene and Paul were still making big bank on playing the same setlists that worked for them since reforming the classic lineup in 1995, why mess with a sure thing? And besides, who in this day and age wants new KISS anyway? And could they even scrape up ten or twelve new songs worth recording?
I am happy to say "Sonic Boom" does not suck. It is far from being a return to the glory days of, say "Destroyer", "Love Gun", or even "Creatures Of The Night", but it is not an embarrassment on the level of say, "Crazy Nights" or "Music From The Elder" (which I personally have a soft spot for). It's not a major comeback in the "Death Magnetic" sense of the word, but it's not a "Chinese Democracy"-sized shit stain, either.
The plus side-- No outside songwriters. The eleven songs are all pretty short and to the point. The band actually sound like they were all in the studio together during recording. Every song has an element of classic KISS in one way or another. Catchy chorus, simplistic riffs, very simplistic lyrics.
The minus side-- As competent as Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer are on lead guitar and drums, there really is some kind of spark missing in the new equation. They just can't let it RAWK. Hell, I listen to them and yearn for the reckless abandon of the Eric Carr-Bruce Kulick period. After 35 years, there is no reason for KISS to sound professional and polished like The Eagles. It was never part of their appeal in the first place.
I wish after all these years I could explain why I still care about KISS. It's like if they catch you between the ages of 8 and 15, they put some kind of hook in you that never leaves. They still do things that make me say, "Oh...there is just no way I'll ever like them again" and somehow I end up liking them again.
They may no longer be the same band I fell in love with as a kid, yet I simply could not imagine what the hell my friends and I would talk about if they ended it all tomorrow.
Here they are on Letterman playing the lead off track, Modern Day Delilah. Gene and Dave together at the end of the song are priceless.
After 12 years of incessant touring behind no new material, KISS released an all new studio record. And the fucker debuted at #2 on Billboard.
Unthinkable because I had completely given up hope on any new KISS songs in my lifetime. I figured that since Gene and Paul were still making big bank on playing the same setlists that worked for them since reforming the classic lineup in 1995, why mess with a sure thing? And besides, who in this day and age wants new KISS anyway? And could they even scrape up ten or twelve new songs worth recording?
I am happy to say "Sonic Boom" does not suck. It is far from being a return to the glory days of, say "Destroyer", "Love Gun", or even "Creatures Of The Night", but it is not an embarrassment on the level of say, "Crazy Nights" or "Music From The Elder" (which I personally have a soft spot for). It's not a major comeback in the "Death Magnetic" sense of the word, but it's not a "Chinese Democracy"-sized shit stain, either.
The plus side-- No outside songwriters. The eleven songs are all pretty short and to the point. The band actually sound like they were all in the studio together during recording. Every song has an element of classic KISS in one way or another. Catchy chorus, simplistic riffs, very simplistic lyrics.
The minus side-- As competent as Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer are on lead guitar and drums, there really is some kind of spark missing in the new equation. They just can't let it RAWK. Hell, I listen to them and yearn for the reckless abandon of the Eric Carr-Bruce Kulick period. After 35 years, there is no reason for KISS to sound professional and polished like The Eagles. It was never part of their appeal in the first place.
I wish after all these years I could explain why I still care about KISS. It's like if they catch you between the ages of 8 and 15, they put some kind of hook in you that never leaves. They still do things that make me say, "Oh...there is just no way I'll ever like them again" and somehow I end up liking them again.
They may no longer be the same band I fell in love with as a kid, yet I simply could not imagine what the hell my friends and I would talk about if they ended it all tomorrow.
Here they are on Letterman playing the lead off track, Modern Day Delilah. Gene and Dave together at the end of the song are priceless.
Friday, October 16, 2009
LINDA MCCARTNEY SINGS!!!!
Okay, first of all, I am really sorry it took me this long to post. It has been an insane month. But when I get time, I got LOTS to write about.
This video jarred me back into posting:
Linda was the inspiration for some of the best songs ever written: Maybe I'm Amazed, My Love, Another Day to name a few. But, wow, was she unable to actually sing any of them.
This audio was isolated from Paul's performance of Hey Jude at Knebworth, UK in 1990.
I had heard of it for years until actually hearing it today. It lives up to its legend.
This video jarred me back into posting:
Linda was the inspiration for some of the best songs ever written: Maybe I'm Amazed, My Love, Another Day to name a few. But, wow, was she unable to actually sing any of them.
This audio was isolated from Paul's performance of Hey Jude at Knebworth, UK in 1990.
I had heard of it for years until actually hearing it today. It lives up to its legend.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
FIRST, YOU SHOCK THEM, THEN THEY PUT YOU IN A MUSEUM...
from www.blabbermouth.net
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame LIVE
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Write a Review
Time Life proudly presents the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Live, a 9 DVD collection featuring rare, one-of-a-kind performances from the induction ceremonies of the Rock Hall Of Fame, shot during the last 24 years. You'll see the biggest names in rock 'n' roll perform in intimate settings, and jam in combinations not seen anywhere else. Additionally, each DVD features exclusive induction speeches by rock royalty, from heartfelt tributes to hilarious zingers. Plus, each DVD has over an hour of bonus material, including rare, behind-the-scenes material and rehersal footage. Some highlights include:
Bruce Springsteen and Bono share a microphone on U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
The original 3 members of Cream take the stage for the first time in 25 years to play a 3 song set of the group's biggest hits.
Mick Jagger and Tina Turner perform a sultry duet of the Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman."
This is the first time ever these performances have been available on home video! With 125 exclusive performances, over 24 hours of classic rock entertainment, and over 9 hours of bonus material, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Live is a comprehensive collection sure to exceed the expectations of any rock 'n' roll fan!
You can make jokes all you want about The Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears or Milli Vanilli. For my money, the single biggest joke ever pulled in the name of popular music continues to be The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. If you don't believe me, ask yourself this.
Who decides who gets inducted and who gets left out? Where does the money come from to put on these big ceremonies every year? Why did VH1 Classic start airing these shows only five years ago? How come they are just as tepid and cumbersome as any other awards telecast? Where is that 120 dollars going that I shelled out for this DVD box set?
And, of course, the most obvious one: How the fuck did someone decide that The Pretenders and Elvis Costello had a greater effect on the course of rock and roll than, say, The Stooges or The MC5?
How does Metallica manage to be the first heavy metal band inducted before Motorhead, Iron Maiden or Thin Lizzy?
Today, the Clown College, excuse me, Hall Of Fame announced their nominations for induction. Not the actual inductees, but the artists who have a shot at getting in this year.
The list of potentials includes Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Stooges, ABBA, Genesis and, most shockingly, KISS. Gene Simmons has been brutally honest in his disdain for the institution. If they make it in on their first go-round, I will start telling myself we are winning the war in Iraq.
Also, to keep hip-hop in the running they announced LL Cool J. Why it seems so important to put rap music in the place I don't understand. I like early hip-hop but something tells me when they open up The Rap Museum nobody is going to induct Anthrax for their contributions to the genre.
And, also, not surprisingly, they snubbed Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper for Laura Nyro. Anyone who can tell me who the fuck that is and why she belongs in the museum gets my vinyl copies of "Welcome To My Nightmare","At Budokan" as well as a swift kick in the ovaries.
What I do know about the Hall Of Fame is this-- Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner pretty much decides everything that happens involving the inductees. It is determined by his preferences and musical tastes (which explains ABBA) and what he feels will make good copy in his magazine and bring in ratings when VH1 airs the ceremony. For thirty years, he and his magazine have done a great job of pretending like Alice and KISS never happened so why should his vanity chest of a museum be any different? I speculate that because VH1 and KISS have made a lot of money on DVDs together lately that they may have weighed in on how good it would be for them to be in the show.
Mark my words on what WILL definitely happen this year. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a shoo-in. Not that they don't deserve it, but because Flea inducted Metallica last year. Don't be surprised if Lars Ulrich does the honors this time. Also, The Stooges are a lock this year because they performed "Like A Virgin" at the ceremony inducting Madonna two years ago. It was bizarre and beautiful, like Iggy Pop himself.
At the end of the day, none of this shit matters. I have my own Hall Of Fame, and I encourage you to start your own, too. We may not have the money the "official" one has but at least we know ours has integrity.
One thing I was really impressed with was earlier this year when Metallica were inducted, James Hetfield had the guts to mention a bunch of other bands who needed to go through the museum doors before him....forward to the 6:00 mark in this clip...
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame LIVE
Product Rating
0 stars
(0 Ratings)
Write a Review
Time Life proudly presents the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Live, a 9 DVD collection featuring rare, one-of-a-kind performances from the induction ceremonies of the Rock Hall Of Fame, shot during the last 24 years. You'll see the biggest names in rock 'n' roll perform in intimate settings, and jam in combinations not seen anywhere else. Additionally, each DVD features exclusive induction speeches by rock royalty, from heartfelt tributes to hilarious zingers. Plus, each DVD has over an hour of bonus material, including rare, behind-the-scenes material and rehersal footage. Some highlights include:
Bruce Springsteen and Bono share a microphone on U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
The original 3 members of Cream take the stage for the first time in 25 years to play a 3 song set of the group's biggest hits.
Mick Jagger and Tina Turner perform a sultry duet of the Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman."
This is the first time ever these performances have been available on home video! With 125 exclusive performances, over 24 hours of classic rock entertainment, and over 9 hours of bonus material, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Live is a comprehensive collection sure to exceed the expectations of any rock 'n' roll fan!
You can make jokes all you want about The Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears or Milli Vanilli. For my money, the single biggest joke ever pulled in the name of popular music continues to be The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. If you don't believe me, ask yourself this.
Who decides who gets inducted and who gets left out? Where does the money come from to put on these big ceremonies every year? Why did VH1 Classic start airing these shows only five years ago? How come they are just as tepid and cumbersome as any other awards telecast? Where is that 120 dollars going that I shelled out for this DVD box set?
And, of course, the most obvious one: How the fuck did someone decide that The Pretenders and Elvis Costello had a greater effect on the course of rock and roll than, say, The Stooges or The MC5?
How does Metallica manage to be the first heavy metal band inducted before Motorhead, Iron Maiden or Thin Lizzy?
Today, the Clown College, excuse me, Hall Of Fame announced their nominations for induction. Not the actual inductees, but the artists who have a shot at getting in this year.
The list of potentials includes Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Stooges, ABBA, Genesis and, most shockingly, KISS. Gene Simmons has been brutally honest in his disdain for the institution. If they make it in on their first go-round, I will start telling myself we are winning the war in Iraq.
Also, to keep hip-hop in the running they announced LL Cool J. Why it seems so important to put rap music in the place I don't understand. I like early hip-hop but something tells me when they open up The Rap Museum nobody is going to induct Anthrax for their contributions to the genre.
And, also, not surprisingly, they snubbed Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper for Laura Nyro. Anyone who can tell me who the fuck that is and why she belongs in the museum gets my vinyl copies of "Welcome To My Nightmare","At Budokan" as well as a swift kick in the ovaries.
What I do know about the Hall Of Fame is this-- Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner pretty much decides everything that happens involving the inductees. It is determined by his preferences and musical tastes (which explains ABBA) and what he feels will make good copy in his magazine and bring in ratings when VH1 airs the ceremony. For thirty years, he and his magazine have done a great job of pretending like Alice and KISS never happened so why should his vanity chest of a museum be any different? I speculate that because VH1 and KISS have made a lot of money on DVDs together lately that they may have weighed in on how good it would be for them to be in the show.
Mark my words on what WILL definitely happen this year. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a shoo-in. Not that they don't deserve it, but because Flea inducted Metallica last year. Don't be surprised if Lars Ulrich does the honors this time. Also, The Stooges are a lock this year because they performed "Like A Virgin" at the ceremony inducting Madonna two years ago. It was bizarre and beautiful, like Iggy Pop himself.
At the end of the day, none of this shit matters. I have my own Hall Of Fame, and I encourage you to start your own, too. We may not have the money the "official" one has but at least we know ours has integrity.
One thing I was really impressed with was earlier this year when Metallica were inducted, James Hetfield had the guts to mention a bunch of other bands who needed to go through the museum doors before him....forward to the 6:00 mark in this clip...
Sunday, September 20, 2009
ACE IS BACK AND HE TOLD YOU SO....
Ace Frehley has always been a BIG reason why I have loved KISS. I loved all four of the guys and their personas for various reasons, but Ace's playing and attitude has always stood out for me. He had better chops than the rest of the band, the songs he wrote just had a more streetwise feel to them, and, onstage or off, he really did seem to come from outer space.
As a kid, i was too young to realize that was just the effects of constant consumption of champagne and painkillers.
Until a couple of years ago, I really thought we were gonna lose The Space Ace. He's one of those guys who you knew was gonna go on partying and playing til he dropped, but, realistically, how much longer until that happened?
Ace got all sobered up on us a couple years ago, went out on the road with a solid and lucid touring band, and now he has come roaring back with ANOMALY, the solo album he has been telling us about since, i don't know, Bill Clinton's first term or something.
The good news is, it doesn't suck. His playing is as loose and fluid as his drunkest nights onstage and his vocals are more confident than ever. It rocks hard and loud as you would expect it to and it almost feels like with his newly found sobriety he has realized that he needs to reclaim his status as a genuine guitar hero.
Seriously, The Space Ace influenced as many future guitarists in the 70s as Eddie Van Halen, Brian May or Jimmy Page. Unfortunately, I think he let his lifestyle interfere with his legacy for the past three decades and, save for us loyal KISS Army geeks, the rest of the world kind of forgot about the depth of his greatness.
Anyone who checks out Anomaly or the upcoming live shows will happily have their memories refreshed along with a face full of smoking Les Paul solos.
Sure, I miss the drunk lunatic Ace who was literally in his own world when he played and loved to make the crowd feel like he was hosting a big party for all of us. I loved hearing all the wild stories about the car wrecks and near-death experiences. But I am genuinely happy to see that he has found some true inner peace and has raised the odds of sticking around for a few extra years.
I'll take the clean and sober Ace over no Ace at all.
Bless you, Curly. ACK!!
As a kid, i was too young to realize that was just the effects of constant consumption of champagne and painkillers.
Until a couple of years ago, I really thought we were gonna lose The Space Ace. He's one of those guys who you knew was gonna go on partying and playing til he dropped, but, realistically, how much longer until that happened?
Ace got all sobered up on us a couple years ago, went out on the road with a solid and lucid touring band, and now he has come roaring back with ANOMALY, the solo album he has been telling us about since, i don't know, Bill Clinton's first term or something.
The good news is, it doesn't suck. His playing is as loose and fluid as his drunkest nights onstage and his vocals are more confident than ever. It rocks hard and loud as you would expect it to and it almost feels like with his newly found sobriety he has realized that he needs to reclaim his status as a genuine guitar hero.
Seriously, The Space Ace influenced as many future guitarists in the 70s as Eddie Van Halen, Brian May or Jimmy Page. Unfortunately, I think he let his lifestyle interfere with his legacy for the past three decades and, save for us loyal KISS Army geeks, the rest of the world kind of forgot about the depth of his greatness.
Anyone who checks out Anomaly or the upcoming live shows will happily have their memories refreshed along with a face full of smoking Les Paul solos.
Sure, I miss the drunk lunatic Ace who was literally in his own world when he played and loved to make the crowd feel like he was hosting a big party for all of us. I loved hearing all the wild stories about the car wrecks and near-death experiences. But I am genuinely happy to see that he has found some true inner peace and has raised the odds of sticking around for a few extra years.
I'll take the clean and sober Ace over no Ace at all.
Bless you, Curly. ACK!!
SO MUCH FOR THE ZEPPELIN REUNION....
To the delight of dozens of rock fans everywhere, Bonham has just announced the following U.S. tour dates--
from Blabbermouth.net
Oct. 14 - Revolution Live - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Oct. 15 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL
Oct. 16 - State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL
Oct. 29 - Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Oct. 30 - The Canyon - Agoura Hills, CA
BONHAM will perform selections from LED ZEPPELIN, UFO, FOREIGNER "and a whole lot more."
BONHAM released its first record, "The Disregard of Timekeeping", in September 1989, which was eventually certified gold, and featured the single "Wait For You". A follow-up album, "Mad Hatter", was released in 1992.
BONHAM singer Daniel MacMaster, 39, died unexpectedly on March 16, 2008 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada following complications from pneumonia, after a strep A infection entered his bloodstream.
I think I speak for all rock fans everywhere when I say it won't feel like Bonham without whatshisname...i mean, er, ah, Daniel MacMaster.
from Blabbermouth.net
Oct. 14 - Revolution Live - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Oct. 15 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL
Oct. 16 - State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL
Oct. 29 - Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Oct. 30 - The Canyon - Agoura Hills, CA
BONHAM will perform selections from LED ZEPPELIN, UFO, FOREIGNER "and a whole lot more."
BONHAM released its first record, "The Disregard of Timekeeping", in September 1989, which was eventually certified gold, and featured the single "Wait For You". A follow-up album, "Mad Hatter", was released in 1992.
BONHAM singer Daniel MacMaster, 39, died unexpectedly on March 16, 2008 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada following complications from pneumonia, after a strep A infection entered his bloodstream.
I think I speak for all rock fans everywhere when I say it won't feel like Bonham without whatshisname...i mean, er, ah, Daniel MacMaster.
LEONARD COHEN FAINTS ONSTAGE IN SPAIN....
Remarkable...
Even Leonard Cohen can't stay awake while listening to Leonard Cohen.
Fast forward to about 3:20 to see the music finally take its toll on the poor guy who has to sing it every night....
Even Leonard Cohen can't stay awake while listening to Leonard Cohen.
Fast forward to about 3:20 to see the music finally take its toll on the poor guy who has to sing it every night....
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