Rest In Peace, Clarence

  We were at the U2 concert when we heard the news.  I have to admit, the sadness I felt at this loss overshadowed the evening so I won't be doing a review of the show.

Anyone who's read this blog for a while knows how I feel about Bruce and the E Street Band.  21 of the best nights of my life were spent in the presence of this man, and no one will ever be able to fill his shoes.

My heart aches for his family, friends, bandmates and, of course, Bruce.

Thank you, Clarence, your talent, your style, your voice and your smile made the E Street Band come alive.  You will be missed.

I'm Going to U2 Tonight!

Will Review Tomorrow.....

Clarence Clemons Had a Stroke

AP Source: Saxophonist Clemons Suffers Stroke : NPR

This is horrible news, I hope he has a full recovery. He's 69 years old, but its hard to think of anyone in the E Street Band as "elderly" because they are all so full of life. Bruce must be a wreck with worry. I remember how upsetting it was for him to lose Danny a few years back.

Please send out prayers, good vibes, positive thoughts (or whatever it is you do) for Clarence's health and for strength for his family and friends.

Peace, Hope and Love,Barbara

The Who - Trivia

On this day in 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).

Source:  This Day In Music

Young Singer/Song Writer

Does anyone recognize this young man?  Hint:  he seems to be following in his father's footprints.

For My Buddy, Dan:

Eric playing Layla with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and some of the Stones.

On The Cover of the Rolling Stone

The very first issue of The Rolling Stone:



All credibility of this once great magazine has officially been flushed.

The current issue has Snooki on the cover of it.

Snooki.

If you don't know who she is, I admire you.  If you do know, and like her, I'm sorry if I insulted you.

Life Changes and It Changed Me

This was my very first blog, my baby. I am not going to stop writing here but I'm not the same person that started this blog in 2005, I'm not the one who lovingly wrote of my personal rock and roll memories, shared my favorite songs, kept up to date on all the music news. On 12/19/08 that person started to die, and a new person has replaced her


It was on that day that I realized my son was addicted to heroin. He had just turned 18, he was still in high school. The first year and a half was a nightmare I tried to wake up from - suicide attempt, jail, mental hospital, jail, overdose, jail, hospital, rehab, jail, another rehab, another hospital visit....

Somewhere during this time I changed. When I chose to skip seeing U2 at the Rosebowl I knew it was serious, that a part of me had died.

I became less fun, but more strong. I learned a lot about myself and I learned more about heroin addiction than I ever wanted to know. I never gave up hope on my son, and I never will. But the person who wrote this blog, well she's just gone. She may show up now and then to throw something up here. She may get her mojo back and get this blog back to the popular, interesting place it used to be.

Until then, I will leave this blog here because I still get tons of hits from people searching for specific things. It makes me feel good to know that Layla's Classic Rock still has a purpose.

Right now, I've got a song on my mind, so I'll leave you with a few words from Mr. David Bowie:

Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth

You pull on your finger, then another finger, 

then your cigarette

The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget

Ohhh how how how, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide...

New Pearl Jam Documentary

A documentary entitled Pearl Jam Twenty, directed by Cameron Crowe, will be coming out later this year. The documentary will be celebrating Pearl Jam's 20th anniversary and will combine new interviews and performances with archival footage. The film will also have a soundtrack. 

Saw this on my radio station: KSWD 100.3 The Sound - All About The Music - New Pearl Jam Documentary

Steve Prestwich (1954-2011)

I read the sad news today that Cold Chisel and former Little River Band drummer, Steve Prestwich died this past Sunday, January 16, 2011.  He was diagnosed with a brain tumor about 2 weeks ago.  Sadly he never awoke after being put under for brain surgery to remove the tumor.  Prestwich was only 56 years old.

Being a fan of Australian music I first came to be familiar with Prestwich from his work with Little River Band (on their Playing to Win and No Reins albums).  As I acquainted myself further with Australian music I learned of his contributions to the definitive Australian pub rock band, Cold Chisel. 

In addition to being their drummer, Prestwich sometimes also played guitar, sang, and wrote music for Cold Chisel including two of their biggest hits-- When the War Is Over and Forever Now (both from their Circus Animals album).  In the early days of Cold Chisel the British Prestwich and Scottish vocalist Jimmy Barnes often came to blows sometimes resulting in Barnes departure from the band (although Barnes always returned).
In honor of Prestwich, below is a live clip of When The War Is Over from Cold Chisel's 2003 Ringside tour.