Zeppelin News du Jour

It seems like every week there is some new news about the (hopeful) reunion tour. Today I read this over at Imagine Echoes:

No tour till at least September - after Robert is done touring with Allison.

Jeff has a well written and more detailed post but that's the bottom line.

Velvet Underground

I was just listening to "Sweet Jane". There's something about Lou Reed's voice that I really like.

Here's something interesting Wikipedia had to say:

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band first active from 1965 to 1970 (and 1970 to 1973 in a different incarnation). Its best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale. Although never commercially successful while together, the Velvet Underground are often cited by critics as one of the most important and influential groups of their era.^[1] A famous remark, often attributed to British musician Brian Eno, is that while only a few thousand people bought the first Velvet Underground record upon its release, almost every single one of them was inspired to start a band.^[2] Their sound influenced many later musicians in many genres, including experimental, post-punk, new wave, and gothic rock.

What I want to know is WHICH bands did they influence? Anyone know?

I'm in a book about Bruce!

The long anticipated book "For You" by Lawrence Kirsch was well worth the wait! I received my copy yesterday and immediately flipped through to find myself quoted on page 137. What a thrill! The book is one of the best I've ever seen on Springsteen because its a compilation of stories, thoughts and photos from HIS LEGENDARY FANS. I can't wait to read it from cover to cover. Its a large coffee-table style book. I highly recommend it.

Be sure to check out his site and if you know someone that loves Bruce as much as me - this book is a MUST OWN item!

U23D Movie Opens 1/23

Check out this line up!!!

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
The Black Crowes,
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Blind Melon
Blue Oyster Cult
Buddy Guy
Cameo
The Crave
Daughtry
Dierks Bentley
Dr. John
Gary Allan
Foghat
Peter Frampton
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Los Lonely Boys
Puddle of Mudd
War
ZZ Top

Thanks to Pete for pointing this out! The concert is to commemorate the 150 anniversay of Harely Davidson! Pretty good reason too fly to Milwaukee!

In Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Guilty Pleasures

The guys over at Rock Revival have challenged me to admit 20 songs that are guilty pleasures.

I challenge: Bob Vinyl, Jeff, and ANGIE!!! (and anyone else who feels up to it!)

This will kill my reputation! No comments on the last song! I can't help it!!

(be sure to stop by their site and also visit our friend Rock of Ages for his list in response to the same challenge!)

1. Daydream Believer, The Monkees
2. Rock On, David Essex
3. Hold Your Head Up, Argent
4. Superman, Five for Fighting
5. Call Me, Blondie
6. Wasted, Carrie Underwood
7. Anything by....Daughtry
8. Touch Me in the Morning, Diana Ross
9. Its a Motherf*cker, The Eels
10. Le Freak, Chic
11. Brick House, The Commadores
12. Iris, Goo Goo Dolls
13. Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson
14. You're Beautiful, James Blunt
15. Green Eye'd Lady, Jerry Corbetta
16. I Hate Myself for Loving You, Joan Jett
17. Hey Baby, No Doubt
18. Careless Whisper, Wham!
19. Too Shy, Kajagoogoo and Limahl
20. I Want it That Way - Backstreet Boys

Dickie Betts & Kid Rock?

The Rock and Roll Revival Tour (30 US shows January 25 - March 22) Starring: Kid Rock

Kid is touring with two really great CLASSIC ROCKERS and a Rapper turned Reverend!

Dickey Betts (kick-ass guitar player for Allman Brothers),
Peter Wolf (vocals for J. Geils Band)
Reverend Run (Run D.M.C.).

I read this over on Dave White's site, under "Bits and Pieces" (always some interesting news over there).

I have nothing personal against Kid Rock, but, does he even have talent? I know Dickey and Peter have loads of it. Just seems like a weird combination. And Reverend Run? I guess he'll do any rap lyrics that pop up.

Very interesting. Looking forward to checking out the reviews/youtube videos of one of these shows!

Depp - Sweeny - Bowie?

I found this interesting, I have no desire to see this movie, but I would like to hear JD sing and decide for myself if he sounds like one of my favorites of all time...David Bowie:

Depp denies David Bowie comparison

Tuesday, January 15 2008, 16:42 GMT

By Beth Hilton

Rex Features

Johnny Depp has denied rumours that he modelled his singing on David Bowie in new movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

The actor, who sings for the first time onscreen in director Tim Burton's horror musical, famously based himself on Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards in the Pirates of the Caribbean

However, although he admitted that several people had likened him to the '70s icon, he denied trying to copy any existing singers.

He said: "I wouldn't ever dream of attempting to channel David Bowie, he's a big hero of mine. If there's a similarity, it wasn't intentional, certainly not. [But] it's a nice compliment."

The 44-year-old also dismissed claims that he had based his performance as Willy Wonka in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory on Michael Jackson, although he joked that he may one day play the pop legend in a TV movie.
trilogy.

But I May as Well Try and Catch the Wind....

Over on Rock Revival there's a post about a new Donovan DVD that's coming out this month. The post starts out:

Please don't scoff, while Donovan may never have lived up to his promotion as the British answer to Dylan, he did have moments of absolute brilliance during the days of Flower Power.

Watch this video, its only a minute long, please just watch, it would make me so happy!



I have no problem admitting I am a life long fan of Donovan and am going to see him live next month near my home. I was a very young hippy in the 60's (ok, I was only 4 years old when his first song came out) and Donovan embodies all things Hip, Psychedelic and Groovy.

New Priest?

According to a recent interview with Metal-rules. com, Rob Halford has
said that the mixing is about to begin on the new Judas Priest
album. Plans are to release it this year with a tour to follow.

got this info from The 80's Nut Newslwetter

Found a new blog:

Actually, he found me.

These guys are out of Australia and have a radio show, wish I could tune in from over here!

Check them out: Rock Revival

The closest I'll ever get to being a real rock star...

...don't know if any of you read my other blog, Writing from the Inside Out, but the post today is sort of music related! I am SO excited!

...and speaking of my favorite female rocker, Chrissie Hynde, it was this week in 1980 that The Pretenders came out with their first album!

Kinks Reunion?

L - O - L - A, Lola, La La La Looooooooooo La.

Ok, I know that's just one of many classics by the Kinks but I have always just loved that song because of its quirkiness and the fun tune.

According to Dave White at About Rock, there is a chance that the ORIGINAL line-up may do a reunion tour (why not everyone else and their cousin is doing it!)

Check this out:

We're talking about the original lineup of The Kinks, dating back to the band's beginnings in 1963: Ray Davies, his brother Dave on guitar and harmony vocals, drummer Mick Avory and bassist Pete Quaife. That lineup hasn't performed together since Quaife left the band in 1969. Avory left in 1984, and the Davies brothers continued to perform with a frequently changing lineup until 1996.

Should I Get My Hopes Up for Zeppelin?

According to this post I read on Real Rock News, John Paul, Robert, Jimmy and Jason are having a meeting in May to discuss the possibility of doing

"MORE FUN STUFF"

That sounds like a tour to me.....one can only hope, pray, beg, and start saving up money NOW

Another Important Birthday

Today is the one and only Bob Vinyl's Birthday!

Stop by his blog, Rock and Roll Meandering Nonsense, and give him a hard time for his taste in music and tell him I sent you!

Have a Rockin Birthday, Bob!

The Week in Rock Birthdays!

January 7

Kenny Loggins - Loggins & Messina - 1948

January 8

David Bowie - 1947
Robby Krieger - Doors - 1946
Terry Sylvester - Hollies - 1947

January 9

Jimmy Page - Led Zeppelin - 1944
David Johansen - New York Dolls - 1953

January 10

Pat Benatar - 1953
Donald Fagen - Steely Dan - 1948
Rod Stewart - 1945
Michael Schenker - UFO - 1955
Martin Turner - Wishbone Ash - 1945
Aynsley Dunbar - Journey, Whitesnake - 1946
Neal Smith - Alice Cooper Band - 1946

January 11

Clarence Clemons - E Street Band - 1942
Tony Kaye - Yes - 19431

Lyric Challenge:

I used to do quizzes, etc. all the time on this blog. I think I'll try to do more of that this year. Name the song each of these lyrics came from:


1) I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"

2) People asking questions lost in confusion,
Well I tell them there's no problem
Only solutions

3) Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice

4) Top coat, top hat,
And I don't worry 'cause my wallet's fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
Lookin' sharp lookin' for love.

5) I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins
Like dolphins can swim
Though nothing
Will keep us together

6) But I just keep on rollin' along
With the grace from the Lord above.

7) We smoked cigarettes and stared at the moon

and my favorite lyric of all time:

8) I learned more from a three minute record, baby,
than I ever learned in school

Blogness at the Edge of Town

A few wonderful things occurred in 2007:

1) Bruce came out with a new CD, Magic, and it got rave reviews - which it deserves!

2) He's on tour! Saw him in October '07 and have a ticket in hand for April '08 - something to look forward to!

3) Peter Chianca (a famous writer!) started a blog all about Bruce. This is a guy after my own heart, a brother in Bruce, a kindred Springsteen spirit. He even has a music player on there LOADED with Bruce's music! I love it: Blogness at the Edge of Town.

4) A new book was published about Bruce and I am in it. No sh*t! I am not joking - more on that later.