The guy who put this video together did a great job of combining all the clips he could find of U2 doing this song dating back to the early 90's.

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Another Musician Dead

"James Owen Sullivan, a drummer and backup vocalist for the Southern California band Avenged Sevenfold, was found dead at his home on Monday, authorities have confirmed"

Full story here and here.

This hits home for me because this is one of my son's favorite bands.  As some of you know, my son is currently 5 months clean from heroin addiction.  He's still in rehab.  The challenge of staying clean out in the real world has not hit him yet.  How will he take this news?  This was the first (only?) band he's ever seen in concert.  They are a local band from our area which somehow makes it feel more personal.

DAMN IT!  :(

Its kind of ridiculous that the media calls it "natural causes".  He was 28 frigging years old.  It is not natural to just DIE when your 28, even if there are no drugs involved (which I hope there aren't but statistically speaking....its likely).

My heart goes out to this young man's family, bandmates, friends, and fans.   I will add him to my list on Gone But Not Forgotten after I shed a tear and listen to some Avenge Sevenfold in his honor while praying that my son stay's on the right path.




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Merry Christmas, Baby!!! You sure do treat me nice...

We all have our favorite Christmas song/video - this is mine!

"I just want to kiss you under the mistletoe!"

Have a Joy and Peace-filled Holliday Everyone!

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In Memory of Steve

Steve "Red" Thompson

12/21/56 - 12/21/77

Red, every time I hear this song, for the last 32 years and forever, I think of you.

Still miss you.

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Jackson Browne Interview

Details magazine has an excellent interview with Jackson Browne.  Jeff Gordinier asked some pointed questions, and as always, Jackson shared openly. 

He talks about music, politics, and drugs (I have posted an excerpt on his thoughts on his friend Warren Zevon and Lowell George related to their drug use on my blog  Recovery Happens).

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Make it Or Break it Members of the Band...

My sister and I got in a discussion about bands that don't survive if one of the key members leaves (for whatever reason).

Some bands try to keep going, others don't.  Typically the lead vocalist carries the make it or break it factor, but not always.  Please feel free to add to this list, disagree or admit that I am right about all of these :)  Obviously some of these bands are still together so this is just speculation.

- The Doors - obviously Jim Morrison was The Doors

- Heart with either Ann or Nancy missing would never be the same.

- The Rolling Stones without Mick?  Hmmmm, no.

- The Who - these guys thought they could go on without Keith, then without Keith or John.  I think they should have quit while they were ahead.  Could they survive without Roger or Pete?  No.

- Led Zeppelin - they honored the fact that Zeppelin was all four of them, so with class and respect they laid the band to rest when John died.  Could it have survived without him?  Yes, but it never would have been as good.

-AC/DC is an example of a band that still did well after losing the lead vocalist, Bon Scott.  Brian Johnson was a great replacement.  But would they have survived without Angus?

-Pink Floyd.  I don't even know what to say about this complicated band, but they are one of my favorites.

-The Pretenders minus Chrissie Hynde = some talented musicians looking for a  new job.

- Kiss without Gene Simmons - eh, I don't really care.

- INXS was nothing, without Michael. Nothing.

- How about the Beatles?  I don't think they would have got by without John or Paul, but if those two stuck together I think Ringo or George could have been replaced.  Don't get me wrong, I love Ringo and George, and I'm glad that didn't happen.

- Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is a no go.  But they should have hung it up years ago.

- Journey tried it without Steve Perry, but in my opinion failed.

- Ok what about Rush?  I don't think they could get by if they replaced any one of them.

- Van Halen.  This is the only band I can think of that actually maintained, or possibly surpassed, their level of success after losing a very prominent lead vocalist.  Way to go Sammy!    (Personally I have to admit, I liked the DLR era better).  But then again, Van Halen is all about Eddie, and it should be.

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Daily Rock and Roll History Lesson

I stop by here for my daily rock history, so much more interesting and entertaining to hear it from Joe

Happy Birthday to Dickie B. and Happy Knight's Day to Mickie J.  :)





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We Miss You, John

I wasn't going to share my "where I was when I heard the news" today because its a very personal memory that contains a lot of emotion. Its eerie. Here is the short version:

I was with a friend who had just completed a charcoal portrait of Lennon. He was showing it to me when the news came on the TV that John had been shot.

There are more details but too painful to discuss. Obviously it was traumatic and shocking.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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A Reminder of Why I Like David Bowie

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Here's a copy of a letter he wrote to his first American fan, way back in 1967, here is the link its from Music News and Features Revival, easier to read from there.

(I will reveal the correct answers to the lyrics from yesterday later this week, but I know you people will come up with them all on your own before then :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How Well Do You Know Lyrics?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I haven't done this in a while.  Do you know the song each of these lyrics come from?  Key word:  "know".  Anyone can look them up on Google!  If you need a hint or two let me know....


1.  And we don't need the ladies
Cryin' 'cause the story's sad

2.  But he can't be a man cause
He doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as mine

3.  You can call me Joe
Buy me a drink and shake my hand

4.  I've got to keep on chasin' that dream, though I may never find it
I'm always just behind it.

5.  Cause I get down on my knees, Oh, I pray that love won't die
And if I always try to please, I don't know the reason why, yeah

6.  Feeling all alone and without a friend you know you feel like dying

7.  How his naked ears were tortured by the sirens sweetly singing,
For the sparkling waves are calling you to kiss their white laced lips.

8.  When you see a hand that's held out toward you,
Give it some love, some day it may be you.

9.  Some cat was layin' down some rock 'n' roll 'lotta soul

10.  But someone among them had the skill of deceit
And raised the hand that would open the road to Hell
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Bruce Springsteen - excellent interview in Billboard

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Here it is, the Billboard  interview with Bruce.  Blogness on the Edge of Town has some excerpts from the article, so if your not huge fan and don't intend to read the entire article, you can check out his blog.

Here is one thing that stood out to me, and its so TRUE, I actually feel sorry for the people born into today's world of music where you buy a CD and play a few good songs off it and ignore the rest:

We had done so many shows and were going to come back around one more time, so we were like, “OK, what can we do that we haven’t done? Let’s try to play some of the albums.” There were some people who were starting to do it, it sounded like a good idea, and my audience fundamentally experienced all my music in album form. People took “Born To Run” home and played it start to finish 100 times; they didn’t slip on a cut in the middle. And we made albums — we took a long time, and we built them to last. The idea is, “There’s no stinkers on this thing.”

The last questions of the interview with an answer that sums up what sets Bruce apart from so many other artists:

What haven't you done that you'd still like to do?

Well, I'm about to do it in about an hour from now. I'm looking forward to that. It's all in the doing right now. What I want to do is what I'm doing, except I want to do it a little better tonight than I did last night. I want to write some better songs to mine and my audience's life today. We've made records over the past 10 years that have found as integral a place in my fans' lives as any the records from my past days. They talk about who you are, who I am, where we are, where we live, and what we're about. I'm just looking forward to going out there in an hour and looking into those faces like I've done over the past 35 years.

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And the Winner of the Ray Davies CD is.....

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Slickriptide! 

Please email me your address at bll127925@yahoo.com

Congrats!  You'll love it

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Drawing for Ray Davies Music will be Tomorrow!

See this link below and leave your name in the comments if you are interested.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to read!!!!

You have to go over to Seano's blog today, Circle of Fits, and read what his friend Sadler Vader had to say about rock and roll music.  Its his commentary on the state of music today inspired by watching some of the greats last night on RRHOF's concert.  I think he's right on.  (bummer that it was on HBO, what a rip for those of us with budgets that don't allow that channel)

On a sad note...just updated the post on Ronnie James Dio, he has stomach cancer :(

RRHOF vs Ed Sullivan

Ok, all the COOL (and lucky) people got to watch the RRHOF concert on HBO tonight.  I am watching a public TV station doing "Ed Sullivan's Rock and Roll", which, is classic.  I rather be watching what Starr talks about (see comments on the last post) but I will settle for Herman's Hermits, The Animals, The Beatles, The Doors, The Stones....

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the ROLLING stones"

They won't allow me to embed the vid, but its worth a cruise over to YouTube to check out an extrememly young Mick Jagger when Brian Jones was still in the band...

Free Music - Ray Davies "The Kinks Choral Collection"

I have a sampler of this incredible CD to give away.  If you'd like it let me know in the comments, if there is more than one of you I will hold a drawing in the next few days.

I was surprised at how much I liked this.  I was not sure what to expect but have always thought of Ray Davies as a masterful songwriter.  I highly recommend it and hope you give it a listen.  I'm not a huge fan of chorals, but it works and Ray's voice is as good as ever.

P.S. Not Goodbye - Just "See Ya Later"

Just to clarify on my last post....I am not shutting Layla's down or anything.  I will post when I have something to say...when the music in me comes alive again.

Also - I am not sitting around being depressed or anything, life is actually pretty good considering the circumstances!  My son has 96 days clean !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am looking and feeling good cause I am taking care of myself. 

Its just that there's this empty place in my  heart where that the music used to fill.  It will come back, I know it will : )

Thanks for your concern, you people ROCK my world, big time.

A sad lonely old blog

Layla's Classic Rock was the first blog I started, back in November 2004.  Its had some good conversations and fun times.

Its saddens me that I have let it go.  I almost feel like giving it to someone "here, do you want my blog, make it alive again".

I just don't have the same passion for writing about music as I once did.  This last year has been a very difficult one for me personally.  My son's drug addiction, incarceration, etc. has taken a toll on me.


I hope someday I have the desire to come back and write something worthy of being read.  But for now....Layla's will lie dormant as I focus on other areas of my life.

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Behind Blue Eyes - Question for You

I just did a post on one of my other blogs and dedicated this song to someone, it seemed fitting.  Without looking it up does anyone know what the song is about?  I've heard several stories about why it was written so am curious if any of you have heard the same, or different ones.

Also - any Ray Davies/Kinks fans - stay tuned.

Behind Blue Eyes - Roger Daltr...

Get Well Soon, Ronnie James Dio

UPDATE:

Sadly, Ronnie was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  Fortunately he is in the early stages.  Lets hope and pray for a full recovery.  

I saw this on "Classic Rock" blog this morning:

gbarton / News / 20/11/2009 16:55pm

Ronnie James Dio’s wife and manager, Wendy, has thanked fans for their messages of support following the veteran singer’s recent hospitalisation.
A message on Dio’s official website reads:
‘Wendy Dio would like to thank all of our friends and fans that have sent emails, cards, and blogs on Blabbermouth and let you know that she has passed them all on to Ronnie.
‘Wendy always reads Blabbermouth and gives Ronnie all the kind words the fans send, any mean ones she throws in the trash, which is where they belong.’
There’s still no word on Ronnie’s condition, and no details about what exactly caused his hospitalisation.
There is speculation that the 67-year-old frontman is suffering from a heart condition but we must stress this has not been confirmed by anyone in the Dio camp.

Classic Rock » Blog Archive » Dio In Hospital: Is It Heart Trouble?

Classic Rock » Blog Archive » Dio In Hospital: Is It Heart Trouble?

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Rock and Roll Guru's Review of Bruce on 11/15 - yeah!

Joe is a great guy, one of the few blog friends I actually go to meet IN PERSON. I love his review and enthusiastic about Bruce's concert this weekend :)

You can find Joe's very entertaining, informative and interesting blog at:


Rock and Roll Guru

On the Cover of the Rolling Stone...

LOVE IT!

Do any of you remember this songby Dr. Hook?  Its a fun one!

Well we are big rock singers, we've got golden fingers
And we're loved everywhere we go
We sing about beauty and we sing about truth
At ten thousand dollars a show
We take all kind of pills to give us all kind of thrills
But the thrill we've never known
Is the thrill that'll get you when you get your picture
On the cover of the Rolling Stone

Grateful Dead Fans:

Charlie at Bloggerythms was nice enough to point this out to me, looks interesting:

The Grateful Dead Archive documents the band's creative activity and influence in contemporary music history from 1965 to 1995, including the phenomena of the Deadheads, the band’s extensive network of devoted fans, and the band’s highly unusual and successful musical business ventures. The Archive contains original documents, clippings, artifacts, photography, posters, audio and video recordings, publications about the Dead and its individual members, its tours and performances, recordings and productions, and business. Correspondence and art contributed over the years by Deadheads are part of the Archive.

Here is the link for lots more info!

Pirate Radio is almost here...

Can't wait to go see this, it starts friday:

Pirate Radio

Steven Tyler Leaves Aerosmith !?!

No offense to Joe Perry, and the other guys....but imo, Steven Tyler IS Aersosmith.

Here's the article from Live Daily

Sky Arts - Dark Side of the Moon

"Sky Arts pays tribute to Pink Floyds iconic Dark Side of the Moon album cover, recreating the acclaimed artwork over Primrose Hill, London, yesterday to celebrate the screening of Pulse: Dark Side Of The Moon Live, the bands 1994 live performance of the album at Earls Court, which will be screened on Sky Arts 1 HD this Friday 23rd October and again on Monday 16th November."

VH1 Honors The Who

I've seen this about three times but it never gets old.  Right now Pearl Jam is doing "Love Rain on Me" and "Can You See the Real Me".  Is it Rain or Reign?  Too lazy to look it up and I know one of you will know.

Damn Chris Cornell sounds good.....

Lots of New Stuff to Buy in November (Christmas Gifts???)

(I took this info from Dave White's wondreful site:  About Classic Rock)

Creedence Clearwater Revival - 'Singles Collection' CD/DVD box set

Release date: November 3, 2009
Creedence Clearwater Revival managed a feat few bands attained. Through the late '60s and early '70s their singles were all over Top 40 AM radio at the same time that progressive FM stations were playing their non-single (or B-side) album tracks. It is those familiar singles that are highlighted in this two-CD set. A bonus DVD contains four CCR videos.
John Fogerty - 'Comin' Down The Road: The Concert At Royal Albert Hall' DVD

Release date: November 3, 2009
The timing of the release of this 2004 concert video probably has less to do with the CCR box set released on the same day than with Fogerty's Live By Request appearance on PBS a few days later. This performance at Royal Albert Hall came 37 years after Fogerty and CCR performed there in 1971. The set drew from the artist's CCR and solo catalogs.
'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum: Live' DVD box set

Release date: November 3, 2009
No, these are not the just-staged Rock Hall 25th anniversary concerts at Madison Square Garden. No doubt, that will come sometime after they are telecast on HBO. This three-DVD set consists of performances and speeches from the Rock Hall induction ceremonies of the past 24 years. The package might best be summed up by Mick Jagger's observation as Rolling Stones were inducted at the 1989 ceremony. "Tonight you see us on our best behavior. But we re being rewarded for 25 years of bad behavior."
AC/DC - 'Backtracks' CD/DVD box set

Release date: November 10, 2009
AC/DC's Backtracks: The Ultimate AC/DC Experience is a box set of "studio and live rarities" on three CDs, two DVDs, and a vinyl album, accompanied by a coffee table book and fistful of reproductions of posters, flyers and stickers. A limited edition (for serious collectors and very generous gift-givers only, at $200+) comes packaged in an actual working guitar amp.

'The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 2 - Let It Rock' CD

Release date: November 10, 2009
Jerry Garcia is remembered as much for his work ethic as his musicianship. In 1975, Grateful Dead were recording Blues For Allah, The Grateful Dead Movie was in production, and still Garcia found time for one of his many side projects, Jerry Garcia Band. In November 1975, JGB played The Keystone Berkeley, in the shadow of the University of California campus. This two-CD set was recorded during that performance.
Vendor's Site
Ray Davies - 'The Kinks Choral Collection' CD

Release date: November 10, 2009

As lead singer and principal songwriter, Ray Davies had much to do with The Kinks' distinctive (and highly successful) style. He also has much to do with keeping the band's music alive and fresh. In 2007, he enlisted the Crouch End Festival Chorus to collaborate in recording choral arrangements of Kinks classics like "You Really Got Me," "All Day And All Of The Night" and "Waterloo Sunset."

Paul McCartney - 'Good Evening, New York City' CD/DVD

Release date: November 17, 2009

Good Evening, New York City is a two-CD, one-DVD set recorded during Paul McCartney's July 2009 performance at the new Citi Field (formerly Shea Stadium.) Macca performs a mix of material from his solo, Wings and Beatles catalogs.

The Doors - 'Live In New York' box set

Release date: November 17, 2009
Nearly 40 years after The Doors played four shows at the Felt Forum theater at New York's Madison Square Garden, those performances, in their entirety, are being released in this six-CD set. Most of the material on Live In New York is being released for the first time. These were the band's last New York performances with Jim Morrison, who died just a few months later.

Steve Morse Band - 'Out Standing In Their Field' CD

Release date: November 17, 2009

The former Deep Purple guitarist is back with Steve Morse Band's 12th studio release. Morse's virtuosity is front and center -- all 11 tracks are instrumentals. Out Standing In Their Field is a fusion of rock, jazz, funk, and country, in keeping with the range of styles the artist has sampled over the years.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - 'Live Anthology' box set

Release date: November 24, 2009
Compiling this four-CD set was no small feat when you consider the sheer volume of performances by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers between 1978 and 2007. Engineer Ryan Ulyate compiled more than 400 titles from more than 3,500 concerts. Producers (Ulyate, Petty and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell) promise a realistic mix -- no fixes or overdubs -- to accurately reproduce the live experience.

A New Respect for Jon Bon Jovi

I've always liked Jon, he seems like a down to earth guy and his music I consider "fun rock".  Tonight I am watching a show on him on the "Bio" channel and I am now officially a huge fan of him as person.  I had heard that he he was a philanthropist but hadn't realized how active he is in helping people and giving away his millions.

I haven't had much to say lately but I wil say this:  Jersey grows some good guys.

Rock Star for a Day

Most people don't like to admit it - but many of music lovers have fantasized of being a rock star.  I mean really - haven't you ever been driving your car listening to a great band and imagining yourself on stage in place of ____________.  ?????

I will admit to pretending (in my mind of course) to be Eddie Van Halen, Neal Pert, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Page and a few more...I dare you to share ....

Which Was the Greatest Performance EVER at MSG?

This is kinda cool, was just sent this info on how people can VOTE for who they think put on the best performance ever at Madison Square Garden:

This JUST ANNOUNCED is the “100 BEST: Vote Down to the Greatest Garden Show of All Time” where you and your readers can vote, interact with other Rock&Roll lovers, and play a role in deciding which Rock Legend put the greatest show on at the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden!

Here's how it works:

Each week, you will get the chance to place your vote and advance your favorite artist/musical group from each decade to the next round of the competition! From rock legends Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, Elton John to today's top acts John Mayer, Alicia Keys, The White Stripes and tons more from the  '70s, '80s, '90s, and '00s! Stay tuned each week to see what lineup is revealed for the next decade and if your favorite concert made it to the polls! Fans can vote every day, all day leading up to the February finale, in which MSG will reveal the WINNER of the the greatest Garden performance of all time!

Click here for more details about the VOTEDOWN:   http://msg.com/100best/

 

Click here to check out the competition and place your vote for the best Garden show of the '70s: http://msg.com/photos/100-best-madison-square-garden-shows-the-1970s/

 

This week's vote is for the greatest Garden show of the '70s! Polls for the '70s decade, Round 1 End on Sunday, November 8th so get as many votes in as you can NOW!

Things to Check Out:

Streaming of ACDC from "Backtracks".

Any Rod Stewart fans out there? Here is an interview with him discussing his new album "Soulbook".

Lita Ford is still hot and shredding and I am late in announcing this: She has a new ablum out and I have a FREE SAMPLE COPY TO GIVE AWAY. So if you would like it, let me know and send me your address via email. In the meantime you can check out"Wicked Wonderland" here.

And, last but not least:

I know many of us that read here are not huge fans of the RRHOF, but they are having a 25th Anniversary Show that sounds worth checking out. Among others these artists are performing: Bonnie Raitt, Simon & Garfunkel, John Legend, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Osbourne, and Aretha Franklin. You can check here to see who else will be there.

U2 adds dates for more US tour !!

Sweet, I guess I was meant to see them closer to home in June vs. last night at the Rose Bowl.  Just hope Bono's voice holds out, it was cracking...



U2 360° TOUR 2010 North American Dates

6-June Anaheim, CA
On sale soon

12-June Denver, CO
On sale Nov. 6

16-June Oakland, CA
Presale opens Oct. 27th
On sale Nov. 2

20-June Seattle, WA
On sale soon

23-June Edmonton, AB
Presale opens Oct. 27th
On sale Nov. 2

30-June East Lansing, MI
On sale soon

03-July Toronto, ON
Presale opens Oct 27th
On sale Nov. 2

06-July Chicago, IL
On sale soon

09-July Miami, FL
On sale soon

12-July Philadelphia, PA
On sale soon

16-July Montreal, QC
On sale soon

19-July New York
On sale soon

The next best thing to being there...

....watching U2 on YouTube live.

I feel bad for not posting more often

This blog has been neglected lately and I miss writing here.  The truth is, I haven't been listening to any new music, and hardly any old music.  I'm in some sort of musical limbo or something.  I've given most of my on-line attention to the blog about my son and reading the blogs of other parents of addicts.  The support and hope and strength I get from those things is priceless to me.

I am going to try really hard to catch up on all your blogs soon.  I've been reading some but just can't find the words to comment most of the time.

I will be back to "normal" soon.  I am still trying to sell the U2 tickets but will go if I have to.  Its just one of those weird times of life, this too shall pass.

U2 Tickets for sale - Face Value for THIS SUNDAY @ Rose Bowl

Unfortunately I am selling my U2 tickets because I just don't have the desire to go.  If you or anyone you know wants these, let me know ASAP.

I am selling these at face value plus the convenience fee ($23.00 each) the Fast Delivery fee (2.50 each) and the processing fee (4.00 each). I have the invoice if you want to see it. The total for two tickets is $555.50

GREAT SEATS!
Section 7-L, Row 5, Seats 13 & 14

Paypal only. Will email you tickets after purchase.

Them Crooked Vultures

John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme

This is a band I want to check out!  I heard about it first over at Circle of Fits, then a friend sent me this article.

"That their output delivers a punch to the gut can only be seen as the fulfillment of a promise. The band doesn’t feel like naked derivation, but its parentage is hammered home with every fat and bruising riff."

Tommy

How many of you have seen the movie "Tommy"?  Yeah, that's the one, The Who and their "rock opera".  I saw it several times back in the day and just watched a few clips of it on youtube.  Cheap entertainment for a Friday night.

If you saw it, did you like it?  What scenes stick out?  What's one word you would use to describe it?

You Know What Makes Me Happy?

Finding a young person who appreciates good old rock and roll!

I remember meeting Jeff (Imagine Echoes) via blogging years ago and he's been impressing me with his insights and knowledge of music ever since.

There is another young (college student) blogger who has a great blog on classic rock.  Here is how she describes herself in her profile:

I'm a college student who grew up two decades too late and missed out on some fantastic music. I relive those years through this blog, by talking about anything and everything rock music related from the '60s, '70s, and '80s.

If you don't read her blog, you should go say hello at Classic Rock for the Soul

Personal thoughts...No Line on the Horizon

Haven't felt much like writing or listening to music.

I have a U2 concert coming up on the 25th at the Rose Bowl...at the moment it sounds like a drag but I am sure I'll be feeilng happier when the day arrives.

Last night I listened to "No Line on the Horizon" on my iPod as I tried to fall asleep.  I don't think I ever listened to all the lyrics before because some of the songs seemed new to me.  "Unknown Caller" and "Moment of Surrender" were interesting.

I wish I had more to say to keep this blog alive....

So talk to me - what are YOU listening to these days?

Can you imagine this????

Being at the House of Blues in Chicago to see Pearl Jam and having Robert Plant show up to sing this?  Wow.  It seems too good to be true, most things are.



The video quality is shitty but hey - so is life sometimes.

Attention Lynryd Skynyrd Fans near NYC !

 Just heard about this so am passing it along:

iheartradio is hosting a private show from Lynyrd Skynyrd on Wednesday, September 30th. This is a special invite only show for only 200 guests in NYC. We are giving away tickets through our contest.   All of the details and rules are on this page

Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam - Awesome show on Sept. 26

I've never reviewed a concert I haven't been to, but I know for a fact that Davy and his band were great last night - because they are just GREAT.

I was suppose to go see them open for Queensryche and Chickenfoot but got lost for hours due to my terrible sense of direction and bad memory.  I really don't want to talk about it further than that :(

(I did get to see Robert Cray on 9/24 and he wrote the song "Back Door Slam" which Davy named his band after).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

Thank goodness I don't have to bitch about the stupidity of these "rock and roll" nominees this year and list all the bands that have been ignorantly overlooked.

Just go read Seano's blog.  I would have said the exact same thing, but of course in a much more ladylike and much less witty way.

Happy Birthday, Bruce!

60 years old never looked so appealing - full of energy, in great shape and still rockin!

Bruce, my friend, may you have many more (and many more tours) you make my life happier!

Billy Corgan "Meets" My Son :)

WOW - this is one fun thing to share, I am so jazzed.  My son hasn't even heard about this yet!

Here is the story:  First of all, Keven's favorite band is Smashing Pumpkins.  He thinks Billy Corgan is "the man" and he indentifies with him because of some of the things Billy shares about his life that Kev can relate to.

So....the other day two of Keven's friends go to see Billy's solo band, and in honor of Keven not being there they made a sign that said "Free Keven". ( I smiled at this because its kind of cute but it makes him sound like he's in jail unfairly - he's certainly not!)

Well they kept holding up the sign and Billy finally says, "Okay, who's Keven and what's the story?" and proceeded to have a conversation with Andrew about Keven while Matt filmed the whole thing on his cell phone!!! 

So imagine it - your favortie musician (in my case lets use Bruce) is up in front of a crowd at a concert having a conversation about you - even though you aren't there to hear it - but its all caught on tape.  Keven will DIE! 

So tomorrow Andrew and Matt are going to surprise Keven with a visit (this is a first so far only family has gone to see him).  He is going to FREAK OUT in HAPPINESS to see them and then he will GO INSANE to hear the story I just shared! 

I LOVE IT!!!  I am so happy that my son is going to have such a great visit!  I can barely stand it!!  I had just sent him about five Smashing Pumpkin songs (lyrics only) the other day.  They aren't allowed music but he reads the lyrics and can hear it in his head.

I am waiting for the video to be transferred to YouTube, you KNOW I'll post it here!  (FYI, Keven is doing well and may be out next week to receive the help he needs.  He is not a criminal, he's a drug addict.  Unfortunately being an addict often turns one into a criminal)

Springsteen poll: What’s next for Bruce and the band?

Springsteen poll: What’s next for Bruce and the band?

I decided to steel this from my buddy Pete. Bruce fans only please, no smart alec remarks, Pete is a very serious fan I would not want to offend him in any way ;)

How can I Manage to See Him One More TIme This Tour?

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band planning hiatus

By Phil Gallo / LiveDaily Contributor

Bruce Springsteen [ tickets ] and the E Street Band are expected to take one or two years off after performing 26 shows booked though Nov. 22 in Buffalo, NY.
"We are going to take a break," E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters. "I don't know how long, one year, year-and-a-half, two years off. This is a good time to see us. We may not be as pretty, [but] we seem to be getting better in funny ways.

"You never know. This could be be the last tour. We do every show like it's our last show anyway."
Subtly, Van Zandt was pushing the idea that the current tour was a must-see for fans who have put off purchasing tickets. While Springsteen and the E Street Band have sold more than 2 million tickets this year, shows have not sold out as quickly as in the past. Currently, 17 shows--among them the five final concerts at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ--have tickets available. Two shows at Madison Square Garden go on sale Friday (9/18); concerts in Washington, DC, and Baltimore go on sale Sept. 25.
One of the highlights of the current tour has been a "stump the band" segment in which the band plays a cover. Fans submit requests by making signs that Springsteen collects and sorts through onstage.
So far, the band has not been stumped.
"We may mess the song up a bit," Van Zandt says. "We're kind of familiar with all these crazy songs. We may do something a bit unusual from time to time. Nothing too obscure, too schlocky. Honestly, I can say we have not had that train wreck yet. I'm knocking on wood."

August 2009
19 - Hartford, CT - Comcast Theater
22, 23 - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center
25 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

September 2009
12 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
13 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Bank Atlantic Center
16 - Greenville, SC - Bi-Lo Center
20 - Chicago, IL - United Center
21 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena (on sale Aug. 22)
30 - East Rutherford, NJ - Giants Stadium

October 2009
2, 3 - East Rutherford, NJ - Giants Stadium
8, 9 - East Rutherford, NJ - Giants Stadium
13, 14 - Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum
19, 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum
25 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
26 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
29 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert)

November 2009
2 Washington, DC - Verizon Center (on sale Sept. 25)
3 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Arena (on sale Aug. 28)
7, 8 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden (on sale Sept. 18)
10 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena (on sale Aug. 22)
13 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace At Auburn Hills (on sale Aug. 22)
15 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center
18 - Nashville, TN - Sommett Center
20 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena (on sale Sept. 25)
22 - Buffalo, NY - HSBC Arena (on sale Sept. 12)

The Most Important Messages in Songs:

Many songs have a message for us. One that is very relevant to me these days is by the Stones, and its one I'd like my son to "get" also. The song is, "You Can't Always Get What You Want", but damn it, if you TRY, sometimes you get what you NEED! (key words, want, try and need).

My goal is to ask some famous Rapper to re-record some songs with POSITIVE messages so my son will actually listen to and perhaps adopt the message.

What songs can you add to the list?

(To those of you following the saga of my son, thanks for listening between the lines , he's still not learning his lessons but at least he's someplace "safe" for the moment. Addiction is an ugly, evil disease).

Happy Birthday, Neil Peart!

Never Forget...

Listening but not writing

Music is as much a part of my life as ever, but I have not been writing much here. Too much going on in my personal life. Some of you are following the saga of my son's drug addiction on the new blog I started about it, I thank you for your support. Its in the side bar called "The Needle and the Damage Done".

Others are following the saga of my love life, my unemployment, my back injury and all that other stuff.

Just too much going on at once.

But music still prevails and helps me through each day.

I hope to write more soon.

Do you recognize those eyes???????????????

So, What's Up Chuck?

Did Charlie Watts quit The Stones? Rumors were flying yesterday that he did but the "official word" is that he didn't.

To tell you the truth, as much as I love the Bad Boys of Rock, they haven't been bad or boys in a long time so perhaps Charlie is the smart one and recognizes all good things must come to an end (and it's always better to quit before you are forced to stop, if you know what I mean).

Forgot to mention...

If you like Super 400 (see post below) and want a chance at winning a free CD that has has the single “Flashlight” and the harder track “FFMN” on it, leave me a comment! I will hold a drawing by next Thursday, Sept 10.

New Music Tuesday (on Wednesday)

Heard about this band from Jake over at Rock Ridge Music. This is what caught my eye:

Think Led Zep meets Backdoor Slam meets Soundgarden.

Sounds good to me! I listened to a few tracks and like them, let me know what you think if you take a listen. One of the special things about them is that they record in analog - no digital remastering for this album at all.

Each of their completely unique performances evokes the raw, euphoric essence of Rock and Roll. Their upcoming release, Sweet Fist, truly reflects the light and dark of this new millennium; it unravels the tales of this modern world with an analog tongue rarely heard in the digital age. It represents both homage to their influences and an insightful progression of the dynamic power of Super 400.

Their forthcoming release “Sweet Fist,” was recorded at the legendary Ardent Recording Studios in Memphis, home to Stax Records for many years, and used the same lathe that was used on many Stax recordings. Recorded on 2 inch tape, the album is pro-tools and auto-tune free. The artwork for the album was created by Klaus Voormann, designer of The Beatles’ “Revolver.”

You can hear an audio stream here - "Flashlight (Radio Edit)" http://vista.streamguys.com/jspiewak/400_flashedit.wma

You can hear a harder track, “FFMN,” Here - http://vista.streamguys.com/jspiewak/400_ffmn.wma

19 years ago we lost him:

(thank you, Drew, for reminding me)

My Generation

This is pretty much the entire song:.

People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation) And don't try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)

Just thinking about generations over the years and how different things are now than in the 60's, 70's, 80's.

I think a lot of (not all!) our youth today is really messed up. And who is to blame? Possibly my generation.

Who's Got the Biggest Collection?

How big is your music collection?

Personally, mind is pretty small these days. I have about 100 CDs, 100 vinyls albums, and 4,500 songs on my iPod.

Happy Birthday, Robert Plant!

Robert is one of my all time favorite vocalists...and I will never, ever tire of watching "The Song Remains the Same" or any other video of Zeppelin. Hope he has a great birthday (even though I'm still disappointed in him for not wanting to do a reunion....)