James Brown - RIP

The Godfather of Soul died today. He was 73. James Brown was one of the most influential figures in American pop culture history. Link to Wikipedia bio, and here's coverage in the NYT. Here are some links to vintage video of him in performance: Eyesight, Super Bad, I Feel Good, It's A Man's World, Please Please, Sex Machine, at the Olympia, Soul Power, Ed Sullivan, and an unusual TV interview (shorter clip here) Mr. Brown did when he was in a chemically altered state of consciousness after having been released from jail.
(taken from Boing Boing)

The 80's Nut Newsletter

I am going to start a few new things this year. I know most of you stay up to date on all this related to music, but one source of info I ALWAYS find something "new" on is Martin's "The 80's Nut Newsletter". Of course you can subcribe to it yourself and get all the scoop, but I will put some highlights that interest me here each week starting right NOW:

Queen guitarist Brian May recently confirmed on his Web site that a
film about Freddie Mercury is in the early stages. Rumors claim that
Johnny Depp is in the running for the part. Depp was supposedly in

"in the running" to play the lead in an upcoming Ozzy Osbourne biopic.

Daryl Hall and John Oates' rendition of "It Came Upon A Midnight
Clear" has taken the #1 spot on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.
(personal note about me and Daryl - did you know he used to be my boyfriend back in the 80's???? No? Well, you're not alone, he never knew either but I sure did love him :)


David Bowie recently told New York magazine, "I'm fed up with the
industry and I've been fed up for quite some time. I'm taking a year
off -- no touring, no albums."

Aretha Franklin has been recording a new studio album with many
featured guests. Aretha: A Woman Falling Out Of Love will be released
in the first quarter of 2007 via her Aretha's Records label. Franklin
co-produced and co-wrote many of the tracks.

Bono will be given an honorary knighthood early next year the British
ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway. Because he is an Irish citizen
and not British, he will not be entitled to use the title "Sir." The
singer was given a similar honor in France in 2003, Legion D'Honneur.

The Flaming Lips will be performing live on the Oklahoma Centennial
Birthday Float at this year's Rose Parade on Jan. 1st.

John Lennon FBI File Revealed

I have to interrupt my "vacation" from this blog to say:

HA!

I knew the FBI h ad nothing on John! I hope they feel stupid and ashamed for trying to make him look bad!

See You In 2007 - or ON my other blog...

Hi Guys and Gal,

I appreciate your faithful readership to this blog. There are a few of you who read here and leave comments and I love to see what you have to say. I enjoy reading your blogs too. Lately I have been a bit slack over here at Layla's and visting your blogs as well. I am going to take a break from here till the New Year so hopefully I will have some fresh ideas.

God bless each and every one of you! Have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends!

Hugs and kisses to all you guys,

Layla

Barbara is still blogging you can visit her at "Writing from the Inside Out"

Ticket Scalping

I am in a grouchy mood so I am going to write about something that really ticks me off. Ticket scalping. It's been going on for years, but it seems like these days its almost IMPOSSIBLE to get a ticket for face value. Most of us are forced to go through a "ticket agency" or bid for tickets on-line (I just saw Clapton tickets on eBay for $250 each - face value, $85).

A friend of mine started a "ticket agency" back in the 80's so I know the inside scoop. He will pay loads of people (usually high school kids or people desperate for cash) to stand in line and buy the maximum number of tickets allowed. So, he will pay some kid to stand in line for five hours, lets say he gives the kid $50. To the kid, $10 an hour for standing around in a party like atmosphere is great money. So for every one fan you see standing in line (or these days calling or going on-line) there are hundreds of paid people buying tickets for various ticket brokers across the country.

Lets say the tickets are for Eric Clapton and sell for $55 - 85 per seat. If a broker paid fifty people to buy six tickets each, he now has 350 tickets which he can turn around and sell for double or triple face value. So it cost him $500 but he just made a profit of $3000.00.

But who PAYS for this? WE DO. It cracks me up to hear someone say "buy from a reputable ticket broker..." That's an oxy-moron!

One year I decided to use my friend's "agency" for tickets to Bruce because typically his tickets sell out so fast that I am forced to go through an agency to buy them. So when I showed up, hoping to get a decent ticket from this guy, he he took full advantage of the fact that he knows how much I love Bruce and tried to gouge me for even MORE than he would a "regular" customer. I had known this dude for years and even dated him for awhile! Greed does ugly things to people.

Long story short - I did not buy the tickets from him I saw through his scheme and never did business with him again. Sure, I still had to pay way over face value for good seats, but at least I knew I wasn't being played for a fool and taken advantage of.

I miss the days when I would spend 8 hours in line to get the best ticket possible. It was fair game - if you wanted them bad enough you got your ass to the Ticketron or Ticketmaster at 2 am and sat there until 10 am the next morning when they opened.

It's not right. Its so unfair. I went into debt to see U2 last year (I paid $400 per ticket for 2 seats - $800!! I had NO CHOICE, they were sold out and that was the best deal I could get with a decent seat).

I appreciate performers like Tom Petty who are actively fighting ticket scalping to insure that their fans can see a concert at a fair price.

Ok, I am done bitching. I feel better now.

John

26 years ago today...

I usually write about it but have been in a weird place in my own mind so I will skip it this year and just say:

"I miss you, John"

My Girl Is Coming to Town!

But dang it, not MY town! I have a buddy who is going to see them FRONT ROW this week. He lives in Minnesota and I am so envious I could scream.

Oh yeah, they're opening for The Who. I guess they would be kinda cool to see front row too.




I went back to Ohio
But my city was gone
There was no train station
There was no downtown.....

First Lines

What do these four "first lines" of songs have in common?



There are those who think that life
Has nothing left to chance
With a host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance

If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?

The mountain is high
The valley is low
and you're confused on which way to go

She’s a good girl,loves her mamma,
loves je -sus,  
and america
too.

Donovan

I'm too young to have been an official hippy or flower child of the '60's, but that has never stopped me from loving all the "groovy" music from that era. My all time favorite is Donovan.

I'm going to be lazy and just cut and paste someone else's description of his music because they said much better than I could:

Donovan, Sunshine Superman (1966)

No record better epitomizes the early, starry-eyed days of the hippy era than this seductive, low-key blend of Eastern exotica and druggy folk music. So much in tune with the times that it easily could be mistaken for a much later recording, Donovan Leitch's second and best-known LP alternates between ethereal, loosely structured mood pieces that highlight sitar and tabla ("Ferris Wheel"), and methodically produced orchestrated rock with clever string, mellotron and harpischord arrangements ("Celeste"). Donovan's gentle, slowly-paced baritone vocals and fanciful verbal imagery work perfectly with the material, and his songwriting is consistently solid. So there are tons of high points: the funky, harpsichord-driven title track, a #1 hit featuring Jimmy Page on guitar; "Season Of The Witch," a superb acid rocker with an unforgettable, loping beat; the surprisingly professional, Simon & Garfunkel-like jazz diversion "Bert's Blues"; the super-mellow Eastern/Elizabethean blend "Guinevere"; and the wry hippy anthem "Fat Angel," which mentions the Jefferson Airplane and later was covered by them. There are some lapses in taste - the seven-minute "Legend Of A Girl Child Linda" goes over the top with an experimental string/woodwind arrangement, "The Trip" is a predictable electric Dylan imitation, and the mock-Indian tunes are occasionally unfocused and pretentious ("Three King Fishers"). But you wouldn't expect anything else from such a quintessential 60s record. Donovan's next four albums through 1969 all sold strongly, as did a series of singles including "Mellow Yellow" (with Paul McCartney on bass), "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "Atlantis," and "Goo Goo Barabajagal" (where he was backed by the Jeff Beck Group). By 1970 the public had lost its taste for psychedelic folk, but Donovan released several more albums during the 70s and attempted a comeback in the late 90s. (JA)

New Beatles?

I am hoping someone has heard the new music and can tell me what they think. Mr. Young? Jeff? Ben?

I am seriously considering going to Vegas to see the Cirque du Soleil show. I have a blog friend up there, Lora, I would love to meet her if I go.

Anyhow - what do you think of the new music????

Joshua Tree

For a really great post by on U2 check out Ray's blog!

(oh, that's me at Joshua Tree National Park a few years ago)

BRUCE BRUCE BRUCE

WARNING:

I am on a MAJOR Springsteen wave right now! I still have not written anything to have published in that book, but I am did a post about him on my other blog, check it out:

Writing from the Inside Out

Here are three quotes of his:


People deserve... the truth. They deserve honesty. The best music, you can seek some shelter in it momentarily, but it's essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.

I believe the war on poverty is a more American idea than the war on the war on poverty. I believe that most people feel like that. And I believe that it ain't over till it's over.

In America everything's about who's number one today.

Rocking out in the Office...

Helpful Hint: It's probably NOT a good idea to walk around singing the chorus of certain songs while working (especially in a conservative office like mine!). Today I learned that as I strolled down the hall signing the chorus to "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth. Can you think of any other choruses that you probably should sing at work?

Major Wrtier's Block!

Okay you guys, you know how much I love Bruce right? Well I have been trying for days to write my 300 word story for the book that's coming out next year. It means a lot to me, I want to be included in it. BUT I can't get the words out. I KNOW how I feel, I LOVE to write, I am even not half bad at it...yet, the words are elusive, its not easy to put on paper what it feels like to be there - seeing Bruce perform. Feeling the energy of the night and the passion he exudes as the rocks the house down.

SHIT!

I never cuss on my blog and I really feel like saying something worse. I have a few more days to come up with something. I hope I can.

Johnny Cash

A friend of mine had this on her blog...wow, lots of people in this video! There were quite a few I could not recognize. It's good.

Time Magazine Really Blew It...

...but at least they admit it. I found this interesting. They listed what they thought to be the 100 most influential albums of all time, and in the 2nd sentence of the article admit that they left out PINK FLOYD! Not one single Floyd album! if I got a subscription to this mag, I'd cancel it.

Here is the article (it's actually got great links to each album, worth checking out):

"So here's how we chose the albums for the All-TIME 100. We researched and listened and agonized until we had a list of the greatest and most influential records ever - and then everyone complained because there was no Pink Floyd on it. And that's exactly how it should be. We hope you'll treat the All-TIME 100 as a great musical parlor game. Read and listen to the arguments for the selections, then tell us what we missed or got wrong. Or even possibly what we got right."

Guess who showed up the most times on the list (without peeking):

Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones

U2

Condolences to Mick

Joe Jagger: 1913-2006
Condolences to Mick Jagger and family on the death of Mick's father. The elder Jagger was a fitness instructor, which is probably why his son is as agile as he is, bouncing around the stage at age 63. Mick, who is on the road with the Stones' seemingly never-ending tour, visited his father at his home in England just last week. Basil "Joe" Jagger was 93.

from About Classic Rock

The Black Crowes

I never thought I'd like this band, but someone FORCED me to listen to them and now....well, I do like them!~

That's all I have to say. Short and sweet.

Come on Baby, Light My Fire

Thought I'd end "Doors Week" with a video of their first hit song. Enjoy.

Congrats to a fellow Blogger!

Hey check this out - Cybersmusic (they are in my link, I had their name wrong utill today).

They were Blog of the day chosen by Blogger - now THAT is cool! Out of the zillions of blogs out there, theirs was noted as one to check out!

I think that deserves a round of applause!!! Good going, guys!!! You truly do ROCK!

The Doors by The Doors

This is a book I will most likely read since it's an "authorized" biography.

As you probably know, Jim and his father had a tumultuous and strained relationship. But his father, George Morrison is quoted in the book and has positive things to say about Jim. To see that excerpt, check this article by Reuter's on CNN

(Thank you Arlen, for the link!)

Doors Celebration - My personal musings

I live about 50 miles south of Los Angeles. It's kind of cool to know that some Rock n Roll history was made so close to home. Lots of bands are from LA, but The Doors are by far the best known.

In honor of their 40th Anniversary, our local Classic Rock station, KLOS, is hosting several events starting this evening. Its tempting to head up there just to be part of the excitement, feel the energy of the crowd, rub shoulders with young and old Doors fans. But - I don't have anyone to go with that would enjoy it.

On second thought, as I reviewed the the link to KLOS and was checking out what Ray, Robbie and John would be doing (they are each at a separate significant location where The Doors once performed) I asked myself if Jim would show up to this event if he were still around.

The website says "Jim Morrison will be omnipresent in spirit" and I thought to myself "would he want to be?" Or would he view this as a bunch of hype to sell their new CD set and make them some money (like they need more). What is the real purpose of these events?

Or - maybe I am just having a bad day of cynicism? Any thoughts....I mean none of know how Jim would feel about this, but from what I do know of him, he would have either shown up really drunk and made some sort of spectacle or chosen not to go. I guess I come to this conclusion because he decided to move to Paris and just hide for the last years of his life. I've always thought Jim was a poet at heart and rock stardom had something to do with his ultimate demise.

Anyone else have an opinion?

Doors Trivia

The Doors Trivia Quiz (from About Classic Rock)


I finally aced one of these quizzes!

(was it super easy or do I just know Jim, I mean The Doors)

The Doors - 40 Years!

This weeks marks the 40th anniversary of The Doors. Hard to believe. I'm going to talk about them for a few days and will start out by asking this:

What are your top five Doors songs?

CHECK IT OUT!

Okay, before you get too excited (like I did at first) I now realize that this email has probably be sent to thousands of people. I'd like to think it was sent to me because this guy somehow KNOWS how I feel about Bruce - but how could he? Anyhow, pass the word to any Springsteen fans you know, it seems to be open to anyone:

The email:

Hey Layla,

We read recently that you are a fan of Bruce Springsteen.

We are editing a new book on Bruce and was wondering

if you would care to contribute a word or two

on what you think of him as a person and or performer.

Filled with amazing stories we are looking

for written contributions documenting your experience

with Bruce Springsteen and his music.

We invite you to visit: www.foryoubruce.com

Sincerely,

XXXXXX (just in case this is only to me I xxxx'd out his name - lol)

www.foryoubruce.com

Note to Jeff:

I miss you! I know you're busy with work and school, just wanted to let you know that your absence is felt cause you always have interesting things to say.

(Jeff as in Imagine Echoes)

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

I was so HIGH from the AFTER effects of SEEING, HEARING AND EXPERIENCING - U2 at Staples Center in Los Angeles

Sadly, I think I accidentally deleted my review of the concert! But by far, it was the best show I have ever seen.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE CONCERTS OF ALL TIME?

Here are mine:

1. U2 (Vertigo Tour) 2. Springsteen at The Forum, 2002 (The Rising Tour) (see note) 3. Van Halen (Diver Down Tour - front row) 4. Stevie Ray Vaughan at The Golden Bear (small club) 5. David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust Tour)

(note: All 16 times I saw Bruce were FANTASTIC, EXCELLENT and sort of fall into a category all their own).

Guilty Pleasures

Contrary to my seemingly devoted love for classic rock - my music taste expands beyond one genre. I like just about any type of music except for country - and I can tolerate some of that on occasion.

Today I am listening to some music I don't know exactly how to classify, I guess its a form af rock. It's my guilty pleasure - Lenny Kravitz. Why do I love Lenny so much? What is there not to love? **Sigh**

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

It's that time of year again when the nominations are in for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I hate to say this, but I this is probably the least excited I've ever been about a list of possible inductees.

Which five do you want to see make it in?

• Chic
• Dave Clark Five
• Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
• R.E.M.
• Ronettes
• Patti Smith
• Stooges
• Joe Tex
• Van Halen

I cast my vote for Van Halen, Patti Smith, REM, The Ronettes and ????

I LOVE THIS!

I posted this on my other blog too, and asked people if they could see who it was/what it meant....he artist that did it is Steven Lynch.

Must See Movie: The Prestige

For some reason I did not know that one of my all time favorite people ever is in this movie! A friend saw it tonight and asked me if I knew David Bowie was in it. I was surprised! I will have to check it out. Mr. Bowie is an excellent performer. I did hear he was doing a guest spot on Sponge Bob - to please his little girl who loves the show. Apparently he's also a wonderful dad.

David Lee Roth and Van Halen Reunion? - MY VH Memories

Just read over at Heavy Metal Addiction that David Lee and Van Halen may be touring together. I commented on his blog that I would probably not go...but who am I kidding? I probably will.

Here is my Van Halen story:

The first time I saw them was 1981. I took my sis, it was her very first concert.
The show was great. BUT not as great as when we saw them FRONT ROW in '83.

We got the tickets totally by accident. We were purchasing tickets for Springsteen and happened to notice that Van Halen had JUST announced a tour...like that hour. So we were lucky enough to get the best seats possible. Standing AT THE STAGE and having Eddie and David slap our hands was pure rock 'n' roll heaven for two young female VH fans - you guys may not recognize the beauty of this, but Eddie and David were SO HOT LOOKING and TALENTED - THEY WERE ON FIRE! We melted. (remember this was back in '83 - Eddie is still cute but DLR has totally lost his hotness). Anyhow, Therese and I loved it. The show was LOUD and fun and I'd have to say is probably in my top five of all time. I never bothered to see them with Sammy....love him as a solo act, but to me there is only one real Van Halen.

Here's a video of "Jump" which was their big hit on that tour: Please note - David Lee's ballet lessons paid off - they guy is an athlete in spandex...especially the stuff he does at the end if you actually watch the whole thing. One other note: These guys SMILE. That kind of set them apart from other bands of the 80's. VH has always seemed to have fun and make fun where some bands take themselves WAY too seriously and have perfected "the scowl".

Gov't Mule

Hey, do any of you listen to these guys?

Gov't Mule?

I just got their new CD and think I like it.

Ben asked if I'd write a review of the CD. I will, but review writing is not my forte...I feel really self conscious writing reviews for some reason (unless it's U2 or Bruce - then you can't shut me up!).

In the meantime I will post what my good friend, Mike, has to say since he's responsible for turning me on to this band in the first place. Mike doesn't write often, but he's got EXCELLENT taste in music, you should check out his blog and say hello, give the poor dude a few comments ;)

But before you feel too sorry for him - get this: HE HAS FRONT ROW SEATS TO THE WHO AND THE PRETNENDERS in December. I am envious beyond words because I love The Pretenders!!! And who would not want to see The Wo up close and personal!!!

Mike said:
Gov't Mule
This is a band that is really on my radar this year. They began as a offshoot of the Allman Brothers. Warren Haynes is the lead guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter. He is extremely talented and very underrated as a singer. If you love soul music ( 1960's-70's), blues, jazz that wont put you asleep, and straight ahead rock, mixed into blender for a unpredictable 3 hour show.....these guys will grab you. I have always been a fan of guitar music and Mr. Haynes is one of the best. You will never see him in a list of the 10 most handsome men in the world. But, his lyrics and ability makes this guy one of the best. Most of his songs reflect broken love, triumph over adversity, and determination in something you believe in. I have 7th row seats for this show. I am very excited to see this concert. They are showing up at a time where I am totally into them, and ready to see them live! Plus.....they record all of their concerts and you can buy a copy online ! NICE!

Cancer takes another one from our midst

Today I was saddened when I opened Will & Ben's blog to read about Sandy West. Sandy was one of the original members of The Runaways, one of the first female bands to be succesful in rock/punk. That was back in '75, she was only 15 at the time! Sandy was their drummer and is famed for inspiring Tommy Lee.

I looked all over for a decent video to give tribute to her, but this was the best I could do that actually shows off her drumming talent. It was taken back in ancient times (1984) so the quality is not so great, but you get the idea.

Rest in Peace, Sandy! (tears.....)

We all have one.....

...a favortie Hendrix tune that is.
What's yours?
Mine is (ok, I can't pick one) mine are
"Little Wing" and "Crosstown Traffic"

I Missed Bob Last Night

I missed an opportunity to go see Bob last night. My friend Isaac had 60 tickets - I have no idea why he had that many, but he made a party of it. I saw Dylan last time he was on tour, about 3 years ago or so. I like him, but he's not my favorite person to see live since it's hard to understand what he is saying.

One of my all time favorite songs is a Dylan song. I secretly pretend he wrote it for me because it's so true:
Ah, you fake just like a woman, yes, you do
You make love just like a woman, yes, you do
Then you ache just like a woman
But you break just like a little girl.

Lindsey Buckingham

Lindsey has a new CD out, I probably won't get it but I'll sample it to see what it's like.
Click here for a sample off his new CD.

NOW, for the real topic of this post:

Do you guys think I am bragging when I share stories about meeting famous people (usually rock musicians)? Cause I am not bragging - but I feel funny about it sometimes like it comes across "oh look at me, I've met so and so and so and so".

I've just been in the right place at the right time a few times. I met Lindsey Buckingham in the '80s in Laguna Beach. He actually stopped and pet my dog - the coolest dog to ever live, I will brag about my Scooter! Then we (a gf was with me) had a few drinks at the "White House" (not the one in DC, the one in LB). I wasn't even sure it was him till he inrtoduced himself. He's a nice guy.

Anyhow. That was it. Not bragging, I just think its cool when stuff like that happens.

This is a good one. I got 75% right

Classic Rock Photo Quiz

A Springsteen Story for Rita Wilde

When I was a teenager there was a great AM station here in Orange County called KEZY. My sister and I listened to it all the ti me and our favorite DJ was a chick named Rita Wilde.

Rita wasn't all that much older than us, and she loved Bruce Springsteen. We'd call the station often when she was on air and request Bruce songs. We got to know her and another DJ, Mike Kennel, so well that they invited us down to the station to hang out with them. RAD!

The station was very dumpy
humble. But it was SO FUN to hang out with there and see how a radio station worked. They actuall had...vinyl. (if you don't know what that means ask your parents).

Rita went on to become a DJ and then music director for the biggest rock station in Southern California - KLOS. She's a well known name here and I admire her. She's the ultimate rock n roll chick!

So anyhow - I decided to write her an email and congratulate her on all her success and I wrote the below to go with it. Inside this "story" there are the TITLES of over 70 Bruce Springsteen songs! See how many you can find. I'll post the answers later this week:

Today I was over at Mary’s Place, in Atlantic City. I gazed out the window, across the river into an empty sky, reminiscing about my glory days back in my hometown.

When I was growing up I met Rosalita and she said “let’s be friends”. We’d hang out in the street or visit our secret garden, we’d flirt with Pony Boy and tell him “you can look but you better not touch”. Then we’d go to Candy’s rtoom and talk about romance and the tunnel of love and Valentine’s Day.

Those days were so carefree. It was all that heaven will allow while you’re still in the real world. Times change and those memories fade away. Now I see a darkness on the edge of town but I’m still counting on a miracle.

Today I wear a brilliant disguise. Its like I have two faces. Oh sure, I’m a rocker and at times I’m tougher than the rest but more often my hungry heart is longing for a real man to say “she’s the one” or “I wanna marry you.”

I thought I found him but he’s a very cautious man and even though I’m on fire and thought our two hearts seemed like one, he wanted living proof and a reason to believe he’d get his beautiful reward, this Jersey girl. I promised him “my love will not let you down!” but he won’t stand on it, says he’s not a lucky man.

I suppose that’s the price you pay when your worlds apart, I was born in the USA and he’s in Darlington County across the border. When I begged for a rendezvous I told him “I ain’t got you, its’ like you’re a nothing man and you’re missing”. And he reminded me, point blank that “you’re alone, even though I wanna be with you. We can’t have a meeting across the river, it’s trouble river with a border guard, like walking into a lion’s den.”

After that, there was trouble in paradise and now he’s probably in Maria’s bed. I miss my sweet lover man with the sad eyes.

So here I am on this lonesome day, longing for a human touch. I believe in better days, and when it’s here maybe I’ll take another roll of the dice and light the fuse of some spirit in the night on a street of fire.

I made a promise to myself: I have a reason to believe that someone in my Father’s house will cover me, if I should fall behind I must remember “no retreat, baby, no surrender.”

Stand Alone Lyrics

I almost always have a song "playing in my head" but sometimes just a part of a song. Today this will not leave me, but it really stands alone as a nice poem. Wish I would have written it. I know you'll recognize it:

You treat me like I was your ocean
You swim in my blood when its warm
My cycles of circular motion
Protect you and keep you from harm
You live in a world of illusion
Where everythings peaches and cream
We all face a scarlet conclusion
But we spend our time in a dream

The Perfect Day, a video created to benefit children in need

One of you had this on your blog the other day and I loved it so much I had to put it here. There are 29 different artists featured. For a list of who they are and they line they sang check HERE. (I need to ask David where he got that earring - I want one like that).

Rock and Roll Reunion!

Okay, are there any bands out there that have NOT had a reunion? It seems like all of the old bands are touring again these days. Just read that Blind Faith was going to tour. Considering how old I am - these guys must be ancient!
If you could see any band reuinte for a tour - who would it be?

Happy 66th, John, I Miss You!

Clapton - Cocaine Question

I'd really like some opinions on this topic - what do you think about Eric's decision to start playing "Cocaine" in concert again? I've heard various comments but I want to know what YOU think!



"One of the first things Eric Clapton did when he began his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction was to quit performing the song, "Cocaine" in concert. "I thought that it might be giving the wrong message to people who were in the same boat as me," Clapton tells Associated Press. He says he has taken another look at the lyrics and believes it can be interpreted as an anti-drug song.

"Cocaine" was written by J.J. Cale, whose duet album with Clapton, The Road To Escondido will be released next month. Clapton is currently on the North American portion of a world tour. "
the rest of this article can be read at About Classic Rock (Thanks, Dave, for always having the latest info on your site!!!!)

(was listening to some SRV and had to repost this)

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Tears for Stevie.....

I was searching for a photo of Stevie when I came across this. WOW. This really spoke volumes to me. He truly was one of the greatest blues/rock guitarist...the person with this tattoo wanted to communicate that permantely on his arm! Awesome!

I had the complete and total honor of meeting Stevie once. It was at the Golden Bear in Huntingon Beach. It was a hot summer day and when we got there in the evening the sun was setting over the ocean. Very California. But walking into the club, suddenly it felt like we were worlds away in a real Blues club. The room was dark, filled with smoke and the smell of beer. Stevie came out and just started playing. I don't think he took a break for hours.

Afterwards, my friend, Nuel, and I went up to meet him. I don't think he had smiled once on stage all night, and he was wearing his usual hat...but when we met he shook my hand and gave me a warm smile. I think I just said something stupid like "that was great". I remember noticing that he was totally soaked in sweat, and seemed really wiped out like he had given every ounce of his energy and passion to his performance. Yet in a way, he played like no one else was in the room...just him, his Fender and his band.

We've lost a lot of the great musicians to tragedy. For some reason this one (and Michael Hutchens) got to me the most. I have tears remembering when I heard the news. Was it because I had met him? Or did I just resonate with him as a person? I know it was more than the music. He seemed kind of shy and humble to me. He had overcome a drug addiction, he had just started a new tour - this was truly tragic. He so was damn good.

The tragic end came on August 26, 1990. Stevie and Double Trouble had just finished a gig that included an encore jam with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Robert Cray. After the concert they boarded a helicopter bound for Chicago. Minutes after it took off, the helicopter crashed, killing Stevie and the other four passengers. He was only 35 years old.

RIP Stevie Ray

Mike and the Mechanics...

... are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis. They are best known for the international hit singles "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)", "All I Need Is A Miracle", "Over My Shoulder" and "The Living Years".

The main lineup for the band were vocalists Paul Carrack and the late Paul Young (formerly of chart band Sad Café), keyboardist Adrian Lee and drummer Peter Van Hooke. By their 1995 album "Beggar On a Beach of Gold" only Rutherford, Carrack and Young were permanent members of the line-up until Young's death in 2000.

(taken from Wikipedia)

One of my FAVORTIE songs of all time is called "Don't" . It was never one of their big hits but I love the sound and the lyrics. I don't know how to post music to Blogger so I can't play it for you but if you get the chance give it a listen or two and let me know if you like it.

Groupie vs Backstage Pass?

I'm depressed about something (a guy, what else) and when I am down, I write. So here is a story from my past that is somewhat interesting. Up front I will say that a good friend once called me his "Penny Lane" but he was not insinuating that I did the things she did (in the movie Almost Famous) and I took it as a it was meant - a huge compliment about my capacity to listen, care and be compassionate to someone when they need a true friend. In this story I was asked if I wanted to be a "Backstage Pass" which I had never heard of at the time and found to be very insulting, how would you have reacted if you were me and/or my boyfriend in this situation?
I was 23 years old and lived to go to concerts. I'd met a few "rock stars" but no big names, and I never thought I'd have the chance...until that night.

It was the Los Angeles Forum. Aerosmith was playing and I was seeing them for the 3rd or 4th time. My boyfriend and I both liked the band, and I had a huge crush on Steven Tyler.

We decided to try to get down the the area that was near backstage lounge area. We'd done it before and got to hang out a bit with people we didn't know - but seemed "important". We had never even tried to make it to the real backstage area, we figured that would be impossible so why even try.

I remember standing there smoking a cigarette and feeling someone stare at me. I looked and sure enough there were two guys looking at me and talking about me. After a minute or two they approached us and said, "do you want to be a backstage pass?"

At first I didn't get it "Oh, we don't have backstage passes." I told him.

My boyfriend just stood their looking like a dope (he was a dope). The guy ignored my boyfriend completely and put his arm around me, he got right in my face and smiled, "No, sugar - you are the backstage pass, I'm giving you the opportunity to get backstage. Do you want in?" It didn't take a genius to get his message - he was suggesting that I would have to "do something" to get the privilage to meet the band.

Even though I was being faced with the opportunity to possibly meet STEVEN TYLER! I was disgusted, ever so slightly flattered to be "chosen", pissed off and excited all at once. I don't know what the expression on my face said. The guy was waiting for my answer. I looked at my boyfriend and he was grinning from ear to ear - like "yeah go for it!"

I was furious! I looked at the guy and very coolly said "no thanks". Inside I was crying cause my boyfriend was such an ass and I was also kicking myself for missing a chance to possibly meet Steven Tyler, but mostly I was just shocked that someone had the audacity to suggest that I would be willing to perform some sexual favor in return for going backstage.

I'm sure plenty of girls would have jumped on it, but there was no way I would lower myself. The experience left me depressed which is probably why I thought of it today.

My boyfriend could not understand how I passed it up, he said HE WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD IF I WANTED TO GO BACKSTAGE! Like he didn't even care if I did "something" to some other guy!!!! UGH!

So, I never got to meet Steven but I did keep my integrity and self-worth intact which is far more important to me than meeting a "rock star".

Oh - and I broke up with my boyfriend the next day!

Irish Rock Quiz

You answered 7 items out of 10 correctly.

Your score is 70%. Bleedin' deadly!

Ok, my score was only "so-so", see how you do. This is another quiz off Dave White's About Classic Rock site: Irish Rockers

One Man's Opinion:

I have a guest today! This is Arlen's opinion on how Rock 'n' Roll has changed over the years and has lost a lot of its talent and originality. Your opinions welcome too!

When music started to drift into rap and grunge, I abandoned the “popular” music scene, the Top 40 and the underground, which seemed to be filled with ecstasy-popping industrialized rhythms and semi-one hit wonders. I believe this occurrence happened for me in the mid 1980s.

Back in the 60s and 70s, artists tended to be more creative (my opinion)
because:

1) The public and the record companies demanded it

2) Social culture was changing in a much more radical way and

3) Technology did not drive everything; creativity did.

Here are my explanations:

1) Artists such as the Beach Boys, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones would
produce an album of original material, sometimes as often as ever six
months. The public was hungry for it and the record companies wanted
profits. In the 70s, this evolved into an original LP about once a year

But when Michael Jackson released Off The Wall in 1979, he basically took three years off. Now it’s true he came back with Thriller in 1982, but then he took 4 years off. And after the release of Bad, he took another 4 years off before 1991’s Black & White.

The Beatles released Paperback Writer in 1966 and were on hiatus for only 9 months. But then came arguably the best album of the rock era, Sgt. Pepper. And then Magical Mystery Tour. And then The White Album (a double LP I might add…) And then Abbey Road. And then Let It Be.

Check out how many releases Elton John had between 1970-1977. He was arguably the best selling act of that time period. (Sidebar: when Elton took longer times between releases, his commercial success rapidly declined and his music was but a shell of its former glory.) Now artists have to be pushed to release something every other year; partially because they fail to come up with something new and partially because niche radio passes them by.

2) Socially, there was a major difference in the culture. My parents are only 20 years older than me, yet we were worlds apart on musical tastes. My kids are 28-34 years younger than me, but for the most part, we like pretty much the same artists. Many of today’s so-called artists have to “sample” in order to have a hit. Ventura Highway, Every Breath You Take, Oh Girl and countless other numbers have been sampled, not actually covered, but sampled. Why don’t today’s artists try to do something original?

3) Finally, technology has spoiled today’s artists. ProTools software make people like Rosie O’Donnell sound great, though I would venture to say that she wouldn’t know an in-tune piece of music if it bit her. Drum machines, electronic percussion and vocal software have made stars of the likes of Brittney Spears, Jessica and Ashley Simpson, Hillary Duff, Christina Aguliara and on and on and on. Not one of them, or all of them combined, could equal the command, power, yet subtle tones of Linda Ronstadt.

Please Allow Me to Introduce:

an artist and a musician:

Josh Cassidy at
My Painting a Day

Josh paints a on small canveses, 5 x7, and posts one of his pieces each day on his blog. They are for sale but even if your not interested in a purchase CHECK THEM OUT . Because he's alos a musician with a LOVE of CLASSIC ROCK you'll appreciate seeing music themed art among his other work.

Genesis Reunion?

Do you guys get the newletter that Martin puts out every week? It's called "the 80's Nut Newstetter". I always pick up some interesting tidbits from it. Here was today's item that interested me:

The much-rumored Genesis reunion tour may actually happen next year...
without Peter Gabriel. Gabriel's scheduled will not allow him a break
to join his former bandmates until 2008. Phil Collins, Mike
Rutherford and Tony Banks are expected to hit North America and Europe
together.


Marten
80's Music Central
http://www.80sMusic Central.com

Editor: Martin Hennessy
http://www.MartinHe nnessy.com

__._,_.___

"And now welcome, Mr. Peter Frampton!!!"

I'll never forget the night I sat in the audience anticipating the concert of this newly famed artist. He put on a great show and was so adorable (still is).

I have always felt his talent is under-rated. He's a really good guitarist and songwriter and vocalist! Sadly I think somehow he got looked over because he was so cute and baby-faced and did that totally lame movie "Sgt. Pepper" (does anyone remember that????) Here is a snippet from Dave White's review of Peter's new album:



Peter Frampton - Fingerprints From Dave White, Your Guide to Classic Rock. 'Def Leppard did it with Yeah!. Ozzy Osbourne did it with Under Cover. Peter Frampton is doing it with Fingerprints. "It" is artists recording albums that are tributes to other artists whose music has influenced them. Frampton took it a step further an invited some of those artists to join him on the album. Fingerprints is "the album I’ve been waiting my entire life to make," Frampton said when the album was announced. "I wanted to play with people from all over the world, and I wanted to make the selections as diverse as possible."


Did he succeed? Oh, yeah. Styles range from rock to swing to r&b, blues, and country. Guest players include present and former (respectively) Rolling Stones Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman; Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and Mike McCready; original members of The Shadows, Hank Marvin and Brian Bennett; Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule). The guest list also includes several well-known session guitarists Paul Franklin and John Jorgenson, and Courtney Pine on saxophone. Frequent co-writer (and the album's co-producer) Gordon Kennedy is featured, along with Frampton's regular band-mates, John Regan on bass, Arthur Stead on keyboards, and Shawn Fichter on drums."

Awesome Young Drummer

Take one minute and watch this kid (age 11)play drums.

David Amulet's Blog

David never fails to entertain and amuse me with his posts. He's a professional writer, and it shows on his blog. Today he had something very creative that relates to Rock so go check it out!

Tell him Layla sent you :)

Song Title "Quiz"

Just for fun, see how many songs you can list (without doing a search!) with these words in the title. There are at least ten for each one:

“Fool”

"California”

“Dream”

“Gone”

“Girls”

September 23 - Happy 57th Birthday Bruce!

You just keep getting better with age!

Boz Burrell - RIP

I just heard the sad news that Bass player Boz Burrell died on September 21st. I found this out over at Will and Ben's Record Room
and have cut and paste this from their site:

Originally a lead singer of his own band during the 60's Boz joined up with King Crimson in 1971 to play Bass, and then in 1973 formed Bad Company alongside former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers. The band were a major influence on many late 70's and 80's Rock bands including Foreigner, Rainbow, and Whitesnake.

I am disturbed that I can't find more about this in the news. My heart goes out to his friends and family.

HELP NEEDED!

Does anyone know how to get script from running on a page....I don't even know that that means, but I keep getting this thing that pops up and says "script is running on this page" and its slowing done the site.

Thanks.