The Doobie Brothers

Just found out the Doobies are going to be in Long Beach and San Diego in August, both real small venues. I think I'll have to add them to my summer list for sure!

Here is why they wrote the song "Listen to the Music", it's just not easy to describe their sound!

Definitions of The Doobie Brothers:

1. Music group known for blues based songs with a rock edge, often with lush vocal harmonies (see also rock 'n' soul).

2. Assemblage of musicians specializing in country based rock featuring instrumentation such as violin and finger-picked acoustic guitar combined with electrical instruments and drums.

3. Musical entity recognized for incorporating sophisticated jazz stylings into "popular hit" songs.

4. "Rock" band, origins circa 1970, with reputation for exciting live performances and skillfull musicianship.

Robbie Robertson

Robbie

George Harrison

The Band

The Last Waltz

According to guitarist Robbie Robertson, Bob Dylan's backup band resisted all conformity, even naming their ensemble. After getting their own recording contract, the record company pressed them for a group name, but had to settle for simply The Band. I think that's the perfect name for them: Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson.

Richard Manuel passed away in '87, RIP.
Rick Danko passed away in '99, RIP.


A good friend of mine who is also a bass player knew Rick and says this: "He was one of the best and most original bass players of all time, plus he had a great voice and one of the kindest hearts ever".

If you have never seen the film "The Last Waltz" please do yourself a favor and rent it. Do you recognize the people in the photo above? There were so many performers I can't list them all here (maybe later). In this photo:


Check it out, here are the people above and their film credits. Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Rick Danko, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson in United Artists' The Last Waltz

Young Stones

Keith and Mick

Love this early photo of the two most enduring rock n rollers ever to live. Some bands look a bit pathetic out there trying to re-live the past and entertain us as if they were still "hot". But in my opinions the Stones have it and never lost it. Can't wait to see them for the 5th time.

Update: I am very sad to announce that I can not afford tickets to see Mick and the guys one final time. Ticketmaster and the ticket scalpers of the world have made it nearly impossible for an average person to be able to afford decent seats - that is IF - they can even GET TICKETS in the first place!

technorati tags: Classic, Rock

Neil Young

Pink Floyd

Live Aid 8

GREAT NEWS FOR YOUNG PINK FLOYD FANS!
(and us old ones as well)

I've had the privilage of talking to many young people who LOVE PF but were not even born in the era that they played live. Now may be your chance: Live Aid 8 . You may have to travel a ways to get there, but it's a once in a lifetime chance. Let me know if I can contribute to your "I need $$ to get to this concert" fund. I will.

And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forbodings too
I'll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon.

Us and Them

Pink Floyd

Listening to "US and Them" and trying to decide what it's really about... We are more alike than different (after all we're only ordinary men). War is about wealth and resources (with/without), life and truth are difficult to understand (and who knows which is which and who is who), violence is sad and serves others' purposes (forward he cried from the rear and the front rank died), our busy society doesn't have compassion on the weak and hungry (for want of a price of tea and a slice the old man died).

Seems to be a commentary on basic humanity and the ugliness of war, violence, famine, lack of compassion.... Thansk to Liquid Len in Ottawa, Canada for sharing parts of the above on Song Facts.