For various reasons many cities have been the center of musical revivals, places where something special either started or was centered. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme (get it, rhyme?) or reason why the seed was planted there, but planted it was. Sometimes big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Cleveland are New York City are involved, other times it’s a small college town like Austin, Texas. Some of the most famous musicians in the world came from places we don’t even associate with music. Hell, John Mellencamp grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. James Brown? Macon, Georgia. And although everyone thinks of Manhattan when hearing the Velvet Underground, they’re actually from Long Island. Of course, we all know what that hot-bed of music, Tupelo, Mississippi produced, right? The King himself, Elvis Presley. And Cleveland? While the term Rock ‘n’ Roll actually originated there with legendary DJ Alan Freed, it doesn’t really have its own sound, right?
I guess the old saying is true – it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.
Anyway, what follows are 10 of the most influential musical cities, cities that changed the world of music as we know it. Let’s start our travels now . . .
DETROIT
We’re talkin’ Motown, baby. The Jackson 5, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder all began their careers in Detroit in the 1960’s. Berry Gordy started Tamla records there in the early 60’s, and it eventually evolved into the legendary Motown Records. Without Motown we wouldn’t have songs like “Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye, “Dancing in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas, “Please Mr. Postman”by the Marvelettes, “My Girl” by the Temptations, “Super Freak” by Rick James, or “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. ‘Nuff said.
LIVERPOOL
Back in the 1950’s Liverpool was one of England’s biggest seaports. Sailors brought all sorts of American goods into the United Kingdom, including books, clothes . . . and records. A lot of these records were of the R & B variety. This made Liverpool one of the centers of American culture and American R & B music, and a couple young men named Paul McCartney and John Lennon were listening. The rest, as they say, is history. The British Invasion was on. Soon came not only The Beatles, but Gerry and the Pacemakers, Echo and the Bunnymen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Las, The Searchers, The Wombats and more.
MEMPHIS
Come on, man, Memphis could be argued as the birthplace of Rock and Roll. It had two legendary record labels, Sun Recored in the 50’s and Stax in the 60’s. The Memphis Sound was an eclectic mix of country, swing, gospel, and blues, and when you put them all together you got Rock and Freakin’ Roll. Legendary producer Sam Phillips once famously said this – “If I could find a white man who had the Negro sound and Negro feel, I could make a billion dollars.” Two years later Elvis Presley walked into his studio, and the rest was history.
NEW ORLEANS
I mean, the Birthplace of Jazz has to make the list, right? Not only Jazz, but Ragtime, Dixieland, Cajun and Zydeco all have strong bases in The Big Easy. Want some names? How ’bout none other than Louis Armstrong, Dr. John, Fats Domino, Harry Connick Jr. and Jelly Roll Morton? And oh yeah, we can’t forget a famous rapper – Lil’ Wayne.
NEW YORK CITY
Hip-Hop, Punk, and Disco all have strong roots in The Big Apple, and the artists from NYC are as diverse as music itself. What city could boast such wide-ranging artists such as Lady Gaga, Simon & Garfunkel, Beastie Boys, Santana, Billy Joel, Lou Reed, Talking Heads, KISS, The Ramones, and Jay-Z? New York has so many different sounds that you can’t really choose just one. PS- I can choose one because it’s my website – Punk.
PHILADELPHIA
Now you’re in my wheelhouse, baby. The Philly Sound! The Philly Sound combined the rhythms of Motown but added symphonies and dare I say Beatlesque production to make some of the best damn sound ever created. God how I loved the music coming out of Philadelphia during the early 70s. I loved a million of these artists, but I’ll list my absolute favorites – Blue Magic, the Delfonics, Hall & Oates, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O’Jays, The Spinners, and The Stylistics. Also, there’s another legend that emerged from Philly during this time that doesn’t really fit any musical genre – Mr. Todd Rundgren. Put him in the Hall of Fame! Fun Fact: The O’ Jays were originally from Ohio!
ATHENS
As in Athens, Georgia to be precise. In the late 70s-early 80s Athens became the city that produced a big part of the sound that was to be called Alternative Music. Bands like The B-52s, Love Tractor, Drive-By Truckers, Pylon, Widespread Panic, The Whigs, and the greatest of all, R.E.M. began playing in the little college town of Athens.
MINNEAPOLIS
Around the same time Alt Music was kicking off in Athens, another alt music revolution was taking place up north in Minneapolis. Bands such as Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Babes in Toyland and Semisonic all came blasting out of the Twin Cities with their unique take on Alternative Music. Oh, and there was another sound coming out of the area as well – a nasty blend of funk-rock by some dude who called himself Prince.
CHICAGO
Although being famous for a lot of genres, Chicago is probably most famous for one – The Blues. Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, and Bo Diddley all sharpened their skills in the Windy City. Other famous bands or artists that originated there? How about Chicago, The Chi-Lites, Rufus, REO Speedwagon and Cheap Trick?
SEATTLE
Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. Need I say more? Actually I need to. Why? Because bands like Mudhoney, Green River, Screaming Trees and most notably The Melvins, all started the whole Grunge movement of the early-80s to mid-90s. Alice in Chains too! By the way, Grunge music was, in a nutshell, music that was loud, tough, raw . . . and with a molasses slow melody.
So there ya go. My Top 10 Cities that influenced music. What did I miss? Who ya got? Lemme hear it.
One of my former students recently asked me how many concerts I had seen in my lifetime, and I told them I had no idea but it had to be over a hundred. I LOVE live music and always have, and I’ve been going to shows for approximately 45-years. Anyway, because I was asked I have attempted to recall all the shows I’ve seen, and believe me when I say there is no way I’ll remember them all. Because of this you can bet this blog will be updated often as the memories come flooding back or somebody reminds me of something I forgot. With all this in mind, let me begin. I’ll list the concerts along with notes on some of them, and they will be in somewhat of a chronological order but not really. An asterisk indicates a Rock Hall of Fame inductee, and I believe I’ve seen 25 bands/artists that have earned that honor. That said, I’ve also seen some shows that might surprise you. Let us begin . . .
Redbone
1974, Kings Island Senior Night. They were Native Americans, they wore full Native American regalia, and their big hit was “Come and Get Your Love.” I was front row and I was forever turned on to live music. Who could not be after seeing this?
Note: I have no idea if that’s politically correct or not, I just know it’s a great song.
Brownsville Station
These cool cats sang the original “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” and followed Redbone. I’ll never forget singer Cub Coda’s roaring vocals and drummer Henry “H-Bomb” Weck destroying the skins. Epic.
Seals & Crofts
Thanks to my Uncle Myrl we always had great seats at the Ohio State Fair. Hence the front row seats for the band that gave us “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl.” It was a very good show.
The Stylistics
Believe it or not I saw this legendary R&B group at the Ross County Fairgrounds. Who booked them there I do not know, but it was the early to mid-70s so they were in their heyday.
Aerosmith*
Ah, the famous (well, at least to me) Aerosmith concert. You know, the one where I drank Stroh’s beer with Joe Perry and Steven Tyler? That one? Yeah, I used to have a cool photo of me sitting between those rock Gods on a backstage couch, smiling broadly, luxurious locks cascading down our backs. Sorry, I got lost in the mists of time there for a second. Anyway, here’s the link: Steven, Joe and Me: Meeting Aerosmith. Read it. I would but it would make me cry again.
Note: I looked it up. It was March 24th, 1978 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Columbus.
Allman Brothers Band*
I saw these guys at an outdoor venue somewhere over near Zanesville. I don’t think it was Legend Valley, but I could be wrong. Anyway, they were as good as you might expect Southern Rock legends to be.
The Beach Boys* (6)
I’ve seen The Boys six times at various venues, including the big return of Brian Wilson sometime around 1977. They’re always a good show. Oh, and remember the time Mike Love tried to steal my girlfriend? If not, here’s the story: In the late 70’s I went to see them, again at Riverfront Coliseum in The Natti. We were once again right down front. From the get-go Mike Love was paying special attention to my date, at one point getting down on one knee and singing a song right up in her grillmix. I don’t remember the song, probably because I was too busy watching the security dude and figuring my odds of getting a shot at Love’s nose. Eventually Love actually sent a guy down to ask if she was interested. She said no and he never came close to us the rest of the show. Bizarre experience.
Chicago* (4)
Yep. This guy.
Chicago was always a good show, especially when they rocked and before they started with all the sappy ballads in the early 80s. The most memorable show was when Peter Cetera nearly stole my date. Yep, it happened again, and this show and The Beach Boys show were only a couple weeks apart. I guess I should look at the bright side and assume I had good taste in women? Anyway, here’s a link to the whole sordid affair: How Peter Cetera Once Ruined a Relationship. Mine. I saw Chicago again on 7.23.22. They only had two original members, Pankow, Loughnane and Lamb (who wasn’t there that night) but I still enjoyed them immensely.
Warren Zevon
I saw the legend back in early ’79 when I was living on West 8th Avenue, just south of The Ohio State University campus. I distinctly recall sitting at a table in the since demolished Serene Lounge, a misnamed establishment if there ever was one. As I sat there enjoying Happy Hour, a buddy came rushing in and said he had tickets to a show up the street at The Agora, which is now The Newport. Of course I asked who was playing, and he told me Warren Zevon. Being the sophisticated music aficionado that I was, I immediately jumped at the chance. O.K., truth be told I’d never heard of Warren Zevon. Seems I’d missed the whole “Werewolves of London” hoopla from a few months prior. Go figure. Long story short, I went, was blown away and became a huge fan.
Note. It’s odd but one clear memory I have of that night was Zevon mentioning that his dad was named Stumpy. That’s a cool dad name, don’t you think? Anyway, one of my big regrets (among many) is the fact that I never saw Warren Zevon live again.
Steely Dan
I think I saw these guys at St. John Arena, but I’ll be damned if I can remember exactly. Anyway, it was the late 70s, a period my loving father used to refer to as “my hazy period.”
The New York Dolls
Believe it or not I actually saw these punk legends at the Fairgrounds Coliseum where they opened for The Babys and, wait for it . . . REO Speedwagon. To say I’d never seen anything like them (spiked collars, high heels, multi-colored hair, hot pants) is an understatement. I’m pretty sure I stood there, mouth agape, during their entire show.
Steppenwolf
These rock legends actually performed at Sam’s Place, a big barn-type venue south on Chillicothe on Route 23. I believe the building is still there. Anyway, they rocked out “Born to Be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride” right here in good ol’ Ross County USA.
The Babys
The Babys followed the New York Dolls, and although “Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You” are great songs, following the Dolls was a tough gig ( not to mention everyone was there to see REO).
REO Speedwagon
I feel like I’ve seen REO more than once, but perhaps not. Anyway, it was a rockin’ show. I remember they closed with “Ridin’ the Storm Out.”
Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra* (13)
Yep, I’ve seen ELO 13-times at least, and every single show was a joy, a revelation and an absolute rock spectacle. Hey, who doesn’t like lasers, giant spaceships and giant butterflies and moths fluttering above the audience? I know I do. Seriously, Jeff Lynne is a musical genius and a rock legend, and I shall see him again in less than a month. However, the most memorable ELO show was the night I found myself in the middle of a Jeff Lynne/ELO scenario of which I wanted no part of. To fully understand, read this: Pimping for the Electric Light Orchestra. UPDATE: Caught ELO again on 7/30 at Nationwide in Columbus. Once again it was an outstanding show.
Roxy Music
I saw Roxy Music open for ELO at Veterans Memorial in 1975, and Bryan Ferry did not disappoint, singing “Love Is The Drug” and others in all his Glam Rock glory.
Gentle Giant
Saw this Prog Rock band open for ELO in The Natti, circa 1977.
Steve Hillage
Hillage was a guitarist of note back in the 70s.
Rick Derringer (3)
I first saw Derringer on the “Frampton Comes Alive” tour at the Tangerine Bowl in Florida. There were several bands before Frampton, and one of them was Kansas. They came out and it was clear from the get-go they were tanked. Just smashed, drunk and/or high as hell. Midway through song two or three they just turned and walked off the stage. The crowd basically rioted until something pretty cool happened. Rick Derringer, who had played a short set earlier, returned to the stage and started playing. Slowly the crowd got into it and eventually he was actually playing requests. That’s a true pro right there, and he saved everyone from a potentially nasty situation. When Frampton finally came out he thanked Derringer profusely and even called him back out for an encore. I’ll always have fond memories of Rick Derringer because of that day.
Led Zeppelin*
Led Zeppelin
At some point a bit before The Who tragedy at Riverfront Coliseum (again, my dates are a little fuzzy) I saw Led Zeppelin there. The whole festival seating/general admission thing was in place, and it was pretty ugly. We got there real early to get in line. The coliseum’s policy at the time was to open just 4-doors at around 6:30 PM (again, hazy) for the 8:00 show. We were right up front, and a little after 5:00 PM things began to get ugly. Remember, 4-doors for 12,000+ people. Idiocy. People in the back began pressing forward and those of us in front were getting crushed against the doors. Guys were begging the security inside to open up, but they weren’t listening. A police chopper suddenly appeared and began hovering about 30-feet up, and a guy with a bullhorn was telling people to back up. Nobody was having it, and at one point I remember a beer bottle being thrown at the chopper and shattering off its side. By this time I was seriously in fear of not making it out of there. My arms were pressed against my sides so tightly that I couldn’t raise them. Occasionally my feet would rise off the ground and I’d have to completely go wherever the crowd took me. Scary stuff for sure. The worst part was when the crowd would start to lean and you feared getting crushed. It was hard to breathe and several people passed out but obviously didn’t fall down. Surreal as hell. Finally, an ignorant security guard did a dumb but ultimately good thing – he cracked a door open, ostensibly to tell somebody when the gates would open. At that point the door was ripped open and the crowd poured in. Glass was flying everywhere, and as I was being pushed through a guard reached out and ripped a flask from my neck, nearly slashing my throat. No tickets were taken and chaos ensued. After I got away from the rushing crowd, I sought out a cop and yelled, “If these people don’t start opening more doors somebody’s going to get killed here!” A prophetic statement, unfortunately. When the news came down months later that 11-people were killed at The Who show, I wasn’t surprised. I knew exactly what had taken place. Oh, and by the way, I scored a front row spot. Hey, it was Zep.
The Eagles* (3)
I first saw The Eagles during their Hotel California Tour, and I remember the big album cover backdrop. Joe Walsh had just joined the group and he was on fire. Great show. As a bonus, no band member tried to pick up my girlfriend.
Todd Rundgren (5)
I’ve seen the greatest rocker never to be inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame four times, and every single time he has been amazing. Just a multi-talented musician and performer. Most recently I saw him at the Taft Theater in Cincinnati and then as a member of the Beatles 50th Anniversary White Album Tour and he was amazing as always.
Elton John*
I was lucky enough to see Elton at the peak of his powers, during the legendary Yellow Brick Road Tour. I can’t recall who opened for him but I do remember Kiki Dee coming on stage for the song, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”. I also remember that we had seats w-a-y at the back of the arena, near the top. At one point Elton stopped to thank his writing partner Bernie Taupin and pointed him out in the crowd. They shone a spotlight on him, and he was sitting right behind me. I asked him why he was sitting in the cheap seats and he said he liked to hear what the acoustics were like from up there. Cool.
Marshall Tucker Band
No clue where this concert took place. Kentucky perhaps. Rupp Arena? I’ve no clue but it was during the “Heard It In A Love Song/Can’t You See” era. What can I say? I fell into the Urban Cowboy country rock phase for a minute.
Cheap Trick*
This one was at St. John Arena in Columbus and I recall that it was on the same Monday night that Marquette won the NCAA Basketball Title. 1977 perhaps? Let me check. Hold on . . . . . . . yep, March 28th, 1977. 67-59 over Dean Smith and North Carolina. Al McGuire’s last game. Anyway, at one point some kid from Zane Trace threw his ZT hat on stage and Rick Neilson put it on and wore it for the rest of the show. Wild night. Can’t remember who opened.
Rush*
Went with a buddy who was a huge Rush guy, I believe it was in Dayton at Hara Arena. On a related note, Rush people are an interesting group.
Edgar Winter Group
“Frankenstein” baby! EWG rocks, man. Saw them at an outdoor show somewhere in Columbus. It was in a big parking lot and was sponsored by QFM-96. I think.
Joe Walsh
I saw Joe just before he joined The Eagles, just after he released his “But Seriously, Folks . . .” album. Dude was really good with the crowd, and of course his guitar playing was amazing.
Kansas
I told you about Kansas when I talked about Rick Derringer earlier. They sucked.
Peter Frampton (3)
Peter Frampton
I was a big Frampton fan back in the day, and myself and 3 friends followed him on his “Frampton Comes Alive” Tour. We saw him in Tampa, Louisville and back in Ohio. He was touring with the aforementioned Kansas, Rick Derringer and the J Geils Band. Trust me, Peter Frampton put on one hell of a show.
John Sebastian*
John Sebastian was the frontman for the Lovin’ Spoonful before embarking on a solo career. He didn’t have much success until he penned the theme song for the TV show “Welcome Back Kotter”. Anyway, I saw him as the opening act for, wait for it . . . Steve Martin. The show was at Mershon Auditorium in, I believe, the Spring of ’77 or ’78.
J Geils Band (2)
Saw these guys during the Frampton tour, and one thing sticks out in my mind. Their Louisville show was the last show of the tour and lead singer Peter Wolf busted out the champagne. As usual we’d worked our way down to the front row, and Wolf poured a good portion of the bottle right over my head before I tilted my head back and drank the rest. Good times indeed.
John Waite
Waite was the lead singer of The Babys before starting a solo career. I saw him at a small venue in Columbus (The Newport?) and he was really good. Remember “Missing You”?
Wild Cherry
Yep, I saw these guys sing “Play That Funky Music” in a small bar on High Street in Columbus j-u-s-t before they hit it big.
Barry Manilow
I told you some of the artists would surprise you. I went with my sister and her husband Jigger, and it was a really good show. Vets Memorial I believe.
Doobie Brothers
Thankfully I saw The Doobies before Michael McDonald arrived to wreck their sound with his so-called “blue-eyed soul”. Newsflash: It was not. I preferred the pre-McDonald days of “China Grove”, “Long Train Runnin'” and “Blackwater”. It was a fantastic show that I saw somewhere in Cleveland.
James Taylor* (5)
Ah, the original JT. I’ve seen him at least 5-times, the most memorable being the night I stole his jacket. From my original blog: I went to see him at Blossom Music Center back in ’78 with my friends Tom and Chris. After the show we ambled down to the side of the stage, just getting a look at the setup really. The roadies were tearing down the set, wandering around doing this and that. At some point I looked up and said, “Hey, look. He left his jacket hanging on the mike stand.” He’d worn it onstage and had taken it off during the show. Anyway, one of us (probably Tom) gets the bright idea to try to grab it. Nice plan but the place was crawling with security and roadies. I turn to Chris for ideas, turn back around, and Tom had already jumped the railing and was halfway across the stage. He was just casually walking like he belonged there. A couple of guys glanced at him but didn’t say a word, either because he looked like he belonged or because he was 6′-3″, 280-lbs and looked like he could rip your heart out and show it to you before you died (which by the way he could have but that’s another story). He casually grabs the jacket, throws it over his shoulder, and hops off the other side of the stage as Chris and I run frantically around to meet him. We walk away without looking back, expecting at any moment to hear, “Stop them! Thieves! They have James Taylor’s jacket! For God’s sake stop the bastards!” Except it doesn’t happen, and we make it to the car. At that point Tom tries it on. Obviously too small. Chris grabs it. Too big. Heh-heh. Fit me perfectly. Apparently, in ’78, James Taylor and I were exactly the same size. Anyway, that’s how I came to own James Taylor’s jacket. By the way, later I woke up wide-eyed in the middle of the night, realizing I hadn’t checked the pockets. The possibilities were mind-boggling. Carly Simon’s phone number possibly? Alas, nothing. Damn . . .
Charlie Daniels Band
Again, this was during my country rock phase, which lasted about, oh, a minute and a half. Charlie was cool back then though, although I felt that way partly because I wasn’t aware of the right-wing conservative assclownery he’s exhibited the last 20-years or so.
Blue Oyster Cult
Dayton, Ohio, in Hara Arena. At the end of the concert the drummer threw his sticks into the crowd. I got my hand on one but it slipped through my fingers, damn it.
Yes*
I was never a big Yes fan, but I attended this show with a friend. As I recall I wasn’t that impressed.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
See Yes above.
Grand Funk Railroad
I watched Mark Farner, Don Brewer and the boys at St. John Arena in Columbus and they were great. I distinctly recall them blowing the roof off the joint with “We’re An American Band”. I think Farner found Jesus shortly after this tour.
Amy Grant
Another shocker, amirite? Yep, I saw Amy at the Ohio State Fair and once again we were right up front. My girlfriend at the time loved her, hence my presence at the show.
Gordon Lightfoot*
I’d forgotten about this show until someone reminded me of it recently. It was at Mershon Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio during his “Sundown” period. I have zero memory of it otherwise.
Hall & Oates*
Talk about a great opening act. I saw these guys open for ELO in Cleveland at Richfield Coliseum. Of course, they were incredible.
Pat Benatar*
Yep. Big Pat Benatar fan, man. Saw her in Riverfront Coliseum back around ’82 ish. I remember being impressed with her lead guitarist and future husband Neil Geraldo too. Dude could shred.
Alabama
Another Ohio State Fair show where I couldn’t turn down the tickets. Hey, it was the early 80s and the band was pretty damn big.
Barbara Mandrell
Same as the Alabama show with one big difference – Barbara Mandrell was smokin’ hot at the time.
Kenny Rogers
You’ll have to give me a break on this one. My mother was a big Kenny Rogers fan and I took her as a surprise for her birthday. She loved it. I’m such a good son.
The Alarm
The Alarm
This show was actually a surprise for me pulled off by my ex-wife Twana, and it was spectacular. I loved The Alarm (still do) and their show at Riverbend in Cincy was great. However, they were just the opening act for the big surprise, which was . . . drumroll please . . .
Bob Dylan*
It was 1988 and like I said, this was a surprise gift for me. Dylan was amazing as you might expect, putting on an unforgettable show.
Pink Floyd*
In June of 1975 I traveled to Pittsburgh to see Pink Floyd at Three Rivers Stadium, and they were insanely good. Obviously this was when Roger Waters was still with them, contrary to the American tour 20-years later when they were without him and I refused to attend. To me, the best part of Floyd was Roger Waters. Anywho, great show with flyin’ pigs and whatnot.
Meat Loaf
I saw Meat at a small venue near Lancaster in the mid-80s. This was after his success with Bat Out of Hell in the late 70s and before his big comeback in ’93, and he was in the middle of his well publicized emotional issues. At one point during the show he stopped mid-song and helicoptered his mic stand into the crowd, nearly decapitating myself and several others. It was like “Meat Loaf! YEAH! Woohoo! Wait . . . look out!” Fortunately he got it together and finished, but I remember his voice was freakin’ shot. Let’s just say Meat did not bring his A game that night.
Paul McCartney* (10)
Yes, I have seen Sir Paul many times at many venues in cities ranging from Cincinnati to Indianapolis to Cleveland to Chicago. Perhaps my favorite show was the one in Columbus where a bunch of us went all out rented a suite. Our seats were right over the stage. Also, one year in Cincy I was in the front 8-10 rows which was incredible. With McCartney every song is legendary, plus there’s always that awareness that you’re watching a freakin’ Beatle. I recently saw Paul at Winston-Salem, NC on 5/21/22 and he was fantastic. He put on a 3-hour show with no breaks at nearly 80-years of age. Amazing.
Dan Fogelberg (4)
Fogelberg was always great live, and I saw him at Blossom in Cleveland, The Palace in Columbus and a couple other places.
Indigo Girls
I’d never heard of the Indigo Girls when first saw them open for R.E.M. at Riverfront Coliseum, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out they were going to be big.
R.E.M.* (15)
I’ve seen R.E.M. more than any other band, first on May 5th, 1985 at a gym in Springfield, Ohio in front of maybe 100-people, and the last time at Blossom in Cleveland in ’04 along with 20,000 other fans. It was pretty cool watching them grow from a small, relatively unknown band to a worldwide sensation. R.E.M. trails only The Beatles on my favorite bands list.
The Minutemen
I saw these alt legends open for R.E.M. at Vets Memorial a couple weeks before lead singer D. Boon was killed in an auto accident. Memorable concert for sure.
The O’Jays*
Ok, technically I never bought a ticket to watch these guys. However, I did hear them sing along with me on an airplane. Not kidding. Here’s the story: It happened when my late friend Jigger and I were heading to Vegas back in the early ’90s. You’ve got to remember that I’ve always been quite the Motown/Philly Sound fan and am pretty knowledgeable about a lot of the groups of that genre. We’d been in the air for a few minutes when I thought I recognized a guy a couple of rows in front of me. Was that Eddie Levert of The O’Jays? I loved The O’Jays! What the hell, I thought. I went up and sat by him (keep in mind there were only about 30-people on the plane). Sure enough, it was Levert and the rest of the group along with about eight roadies sitting here and there. Throwing caution and common sense to the wind, I started singing one of their big hits, “Love Train” and begging the guys to join in. What can I say? I was overcome with joy at meeting the O’Jays and I was pretty sure I’d never have this chance again. Long story short, in a couple minutes all three O’Jays were singing backup to yours truly on lead vocal. One of the guys (Walter Williams possibly) actually got up in the aisle and was doing the dance moves as I stood and sang beside him. Surreal. About halfway through I forgot the words and Levert took over. I then attempted to join the dancing but failed miserably, to the delight of the audience. I then took a theatrical bow with the group as the crowd went wild (at least in my mind, don’t tell me they didn’t), the stewardesses applauded and Jigger sat there shaking his head. I believe I even followed up by trying to start a rousing rendition of “Backstabbers” but my moment had passed. The group got off at our stopover in Minneapolis, bro hugs were shared all around, and the O’Jays went on their way. And you know what? To this day I can’t hear “Love Train” without getting a big grin on my face.
Fetchin Bones
The Bones opened for REM at Bogart’s and they were great. One reviewer described them as such: “a band that must be seen live for a full grasp of their eclectic frenzy.” Couldn’t have said it better.
The dB’s
These guys opened for REM in Dayton, at either Hara or UD Arena (I can’t remember which). The band was led by Pete Holsapple, who later sat in on many an REM gig.
The Neats
The Neats opened for REM at that show in Springfield, Ohio.
Toad the Wet Sprocket
I saw TTWS at The Newport sometime in the mid-90s. Can’t remember much about the show other than the fact that lead singer Todd Phillips didn’t wear any shoes.
Matthew Sweet
Ah, another great Newport show. I’ve loved Matthew Sweet since 1991 and he did not disappoint.
Hootie & the Blowfish
Once again I saw these guys at The Newport, just before they blew wide open. I remember Darius Rucker downed about 8 Budweiser bottles during the show, and he often had one in his hand as he sang.
The String Cheese Incident
I’m not really into Jam Bands, and I have no idea what inspired me to go to this show. Now that I think of it, I have no idea who I was with or where they played. Somewhere outside for sure.
Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees
The Trees were the middle act at College Park, MD in 1992. They followed Gruntruck and preceded Alice in Chains. Of those three bands, I loved the Screaming Trees the most. The show was at Ritchie Coliseum as I recall.
Alice in Chains
See above.
Gruntruck
Also see above.
Fugazi
Great show at the tiny City Lights venue in Indy back in 1993. I remember clearly that the tickets cost a mere $5.00.
The National
The National opened for REM at Blossom in 2004.
Brian Wilson*
I was thrilled to see Brian Wilson during his Pet Sounds Tour in 2002. His backing band was the Wondermints and they were fantastic too. He played the album in its entirety, start to finish. Stellar, and the work of a musical genius. I went to see him again on 7.23.22 and, although came onstage with the aid of a walker, once he sat down at the piano he was magical. Sure, he needs help with the high notes but along with Paul McCartney I consider him to be a an absolute living legend.
Steve Forbert (4)
I put Steve Forbert in my Top 10 All-Time favorite artists. I’ve seen him at small venues in Newport, KY, and Granville and Worthington in Ohio (2). He always puts on a great show. One of music’s most underappreciated talents.
Faith No More
Caught these guys at The Newport (surprise!) in September of 1992. The main thing I remember is that lead singer Mike Patton had some absolutely killer pipes.
Helmet
I have very little recollection of this one. Sorry Helmet.
The Temptations*
I finally got to see The Temps around 2008, and they only had one original member remaining. Still a great show though.
Ziggy Marley
Ziggy
I can attribute this one to pure luck. One night in the Caribbean I was sitting at a little Tiki Bar, and a guy came up and casually mentioned that Ziggy was playing a couple hundred yards down the beach. Wait. What? Hell yes mon. I hustled down there and the rest is history.
They Might Be Giants (8)
Man, I’ve seen the two John’s 8 times since 1992 (the last this past winter) and every show has been awesome. One of my favorite bands ever.
OK GO
This group opened for TMBG the night the electric went out at The Newport and everything was delayed a couple hours. They were great, but my main memory was after the show when the lead singer tried to pick up my nephew’s wife out by the merch stand. Musicians, man.
Eels (7)
Eels
I’ve seen E and the boys on several occasions, usually in Columbus but at least once in Cleveland. Big, big fan and E never, ever fails to entertain. I’ve been on E’s bandwagon since his early solo albums “A Man Called E” and “Broken Toy Shop”. One of the most underappreciated artists of my lifetime.
The Flaming Lips
Love the lips, and I saw them at the Nelsonville Music Festival a few years ago. And yes, Wayne Coyne got in one of those big bubbles and walked out over the audience. Fun aplenty.
Beck
I used to volunteer for a company that worked concerts around Columbus (actually I only did it twice) but on one occasion I ended up being Beck’s damn backstage bodyguard. He actually invited me to stand beside the stage and watch the show. Dude really liked me for some reason, man. You can read all about it here: Bodyguarding Beck. True story.
Martina McBride
I must have received good reviews for being Beck’s bodyguard, because a couple weeks later they asked me to be the bodyguard for Martina McBride. Once again I was allowed to watch from the wings. Hey, I’ve never owned a Martina McBride song but damn she was a hottie. Anyway, I protected two famous singers and neither were harmed under my watch. My record is unblemished.
Carbon Leaf (22)
Carbon Leaf
I’ve been a big Carbon Leaf fan since around 2000, and I’ve become acquainted with lead singer Barry Privett and the other band members. I’ve seen them at Kelly’s in the Outer Banks, The Basement and a few other places in Columbus, a little bar in Chapel Hill, the Southgate House in Newport, KY and The 20th Century Theater in Cincy among other places. I highly recommend this band! Update: I caught them at The Kent Stage on March 8th, 2020. Still amazing. Update II: Saw them again on October 16th, 2020 at Natalie’s Grandview. Amazing again. Update III: I saw them at the A & R in Columbus Ohio on 4.16.24 and believe me, they only get better with age. Go see these guys!.
The Wallflowers
I have no earthly idea where I saw these guys. Maybe the old Capital Theater on High Street in Columbus?
Paul Westerberg
I’d waited many a year to see the former Replacements frontman in person, and it was one helluva show. It was at The Newport, which was perfect, and one of my friends said it was the first time he’d actually seen a real life rock star. Westerberg growled/wailed his tunes in black jeans, boots and a leather jacket, all the while smoking a cigarette and barking at the occasional roadie. At one point he played while laying on his back, and he added covers like “If I Had a Hammer” and “Daydream Believer” along with his solo stuff and some Replacement classics. Just an amazing, powerful performance from a rock legend that I’ve admired for years. I’ll never forget it.
Ben Folds (4)
Ben always puts on a great show, and the interaction with his fans is incredible. I last saw him in the fall of last year and he hadn’t lost a step.
Billy Bragg
This show was at Mountain Stage, West Virginia, and was actually broadcast live on National Public Radio. For some reason I remember Billy telling the audience that on the way to the show his bus had passed a little town with an interesting name – Bragg. Weird the stuff you remember.
MC Honky
MC Honky was actually Mark Oliver Everett, otherwise known as E of the Eels. He opened for, you guessed it, The Eels. Strange but interesting night.
Taylor Swift
Yep, I saw her at OU-Chillicothe at the very beginning of her career back in 2007, performing before maybe 2500 people. She’d only had a couple hits at that time, and I remember she stood at the back of the gym after the show until she’d signed every single fan’s autograph. There was no dancing or anything like that, she basically just sat on a stool and played her songs solo.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band* (2)
Quite simply one of the best live performers to have ever lived. There was no big light show, no video screens, no theatrics. Just Bruce and the band playing straight ahead rock and roll. I saw The Boss at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, and it was unforgettable. Update: I saw Bruce again on 4.21.24 and he was even better than he was in 2002. His voice was incredible and the E Street Band sounded amazing.
Buddy Guy*
Buddy opened for Clapton at The Schott in the late 00s, and he was spectacular.
Bon Jovi* (4)
An ex of mine had a deep, unapologetic love for Jon Bon Jovi, hence the many trips to see the band. They’re crazy good live, and the trips were worth it to me to watch Richie Sambora play guitar. All the shows were at large arenas.
Goo Goo Dolls
I saw the Goos in their heyday, which was sometime around 1998-1999. according to my internal heyday meter. I must say Johnny Rzeznik and the boys were pretty damn good. I cannot recall where I saw them. Update: I recalled. I saw them open for Bon Jovi at Nationwide or The Schott. Update 2: I saw them again this past Sunday, 11.6.22, at The Embassy Theater in Fort Wayne, IN. They were in fine form I must say.
Cracker (3)
Love me some Cracker, and I’ve seen them at Kelley’s in the OBX, the Southgate House in northern Kentucky, and the Picktown Palooza (yes, such a thing exists). I’ve had the pleasure to meet guitarist Johnny Hickman a few times and am happy to report that he’s a good dude.
Green Day*
I took my son to see these guys at The Schott in Columbus as part of my Expose My Kid to The Legends Project (he’s seen McCartney, R.E.M., AC/DC, The Eels, and several others) and they were just about what you’d expect. Those little dudes are like Energizer Bunnies, man. It was their American Idiot Tour I believe.
AC/DC*
Tremendous show at The Schott, and for some reason I was pleasantly surprised at how good of a guitarist Angus Young is. I should have known I guess? Anyway, there were more 50-year old boobs on display than I care to recall.
Eric Clapton*
Saw Slowhand at Nationwide Arena, and it was something to behold. See, even though the show was 2 1/2 hours long Clapton didn’t play that many songs. All the tunes were a long, bluesy numbers and every one was breathtakingly good. Although a few morons were yelling for them there was no “I Shot the Sheriff” or “Tears in Heaven.” To top off the greatness of the show, Derek Trucks was a part of the band and Robert Cray came out to jam during the last 30-minutes or so. Legendary.
Robert Cray
See Eric Clapton above.
Angels & Airwaves
A & A is led by Blink-182’s Tom Delonge, and I went to The Newport with my son to see the band in the mid-00s. Kip wanted to get down front, so we worked our way down to the right front of the stage with yours truly against a railing. Suffice to say the mosh pit was deadly, my ribs were crushed repeatedly against the railing, and I could barely get out of bed the next day. Hey, you have to sacrifice for family. On a related note, it was totally worth it.
The Color Fred
These guys opened for A & A and I have very little recollection as to whether they were any good.
Fuel
I caught Fuel at a small venue in Columbus, but I can’t remember the exact location. Interesting crowd at Fuel shows.
The Smithereens
I saw these guys at the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, NC as part of a big summer show with 4 other acts. I’ve always loved The Smithereens and they did not fail me.
Scars on 45
Scars on 45 are English band that was a part of the Mateo show. They impressed me.
Gin Blossoms (4)
I’ve seen these guys at the Manteo Festival, Summerfest, Bogey’s in Dublin, OH and with Toad the Wet Sprocket and Barenaked Ladies at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights.
Spin Doctors
Another band at the Manteo concert, and believe me when I say they still have it.
Joan Jett*
Joan headlined the big Manteo show and she was stunningly good. On a related note, the Roanoke Festival Park is a stunning venue with the backdrop to the stage being the Roanoke Sound. Beautiful.
Social D
Social Distortion
After years of trying I finally got to see Mike Ness and Social D at what was then LC Pavilion in Columbus a few years ago. They were everything I expected them to be.
Mudhoney
My buddy Goose and I caught the legendary grunge rockers at tiny Café Bourbon Street in Columbus in 2010. Lead singer Mark Arm, the man who coined the term “grunge”, was in top form. I felt lucky to have seen them, and Arm gave me the setlist. Boom.
Manchester Orchestra
This band opened for My Chemical Romance and Blink-182 in Cincinnati. My only recollection is that they had a lush, orchestral sound, hence their name choice I guess.
My Chemical Romance (2)
I’ve seen MCR twice, once opening for Green Day in Columbus and once for Blink-182 in Cincinnati. On both occasions they were very good, and it turned out that the Cincy tour was their last.
Blink-182
My son was a big Blink guy and this show was pretty special. I recall sitting in the parking lot waiting for the rain to stop, and when it did we debated whether to make a run for the gates. We decided in the affirmative, and when we were exactly halfway to our destination the torrential downpour began anew. We were drenched for the entire show. I also remember that the banter between Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppes was hilarious. Really good show.
Band of Horses
Saw Band of Horse open for My Morning Jacket a few years ago and I thought they were fantastic. I actually enjoyed them more than the headliner.
My Morning Jacket
I don’t know, there’s something about these guys that’s sort of monotonous to me. Can’t say I loved it.
Bowling for Soup
A couple years ago I went to see Bowling for Soup at the A&R in Columbus. The show was at 7:00, but as I am want to do I went up around 4:00 to scout out the terrain. I could hear the band doing a soundcheck inside, and there was a line of probably 150 people sitting outside the door and down the sidewalk. I thought what the hell, I’ll take a shot at this. I walked past all the people, up to the door, and as luck would have it the door was open. I walked in, nodded at a few security guys in A&R polos, and sauntered on to the front of the stage and watched the guys warm up. After a bit I walked to the back of the venue and was leaning against the wall when I was approached by a very large dude. I was expecting the worst, but the guy said, “Hey, have you seen Greg?” I looked around as if I knew who the hell Greg was, then told him, “No, not recently.” He then thanked me and gave me a knuckle-bump before departing. Crisis averted. Then, a short while later I swear this happened: The band stopped and the lead singer looked straight at me and asked, “Whaddaya think? Is that enough bass?” The world stopped for a second as the entire band and everyone in the venue looked at me. I nodded knowingly and gave the thumbs-up sign as the bass player shot me a return thumbs-up before kicking into another tune. At that point I had cred with the entire place so I could basically do whatever I wanted. What can I say? The secret is acting like you belong. Bottom line, I saw the soundcheck and the show, and both were great.
Bacon Brothers
I was invited to this show at an outdoor mall somewhere in Dayton, and I have to say Kevin Bacon and his brother were pretty good. Somebody opened but I can’t recall the band name.
Lit
I saw Lit along with the Gin Blossoms and the next three bands during the Summerland Tour a few years back. Lit was excellent, Gin Blossoms were very good, Marcy Playground was Ok, Sugar Ray was surprisingly amazing and Everclear was disappointing.
Sugar Ray
See Lit.
Marcy Playground
See Lit.
Everclear
See Lit.
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady
Caught these guys in Cincy at Bogart’s (I think). They were excellent. Really underrated band in my opinion.
Nathanael Rateliff & the Night Sweats (3)
Saw their show at the Nelsonville Music Festival a couple years back and they were great. They also opened for Kings of Leon last summer, and I saw them at Express Live! in early October. Always stellar.
Sister Hazel
Urban Meyer’s favorite band played Bogey’s in Dublin/Muirfield a couple years ago along with the Gin Blossoms. And yes, Urb and Shelley were in attendance. I used to know Shelley back in the day, and here she is giving me a shout out:
Soul Asylum
For the life of me I cannot recall where I saw Soul Asylum, but I remember it being a grungy little bar type of establishment. Go figure. It was towards the beginning of their success.
Kings of Leon
Attended a KOL show at Riverbend in Cincinnati last summer. Great band, great show.
Guided by Voices (2)
One of my friends is a big fan so I went with him to see his hero Robert Pollard. I’m glad I went. Update: Caught GBV again at the Bellwether Festival in Waynesville, Ohio. Once again a fantastic performance.
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Amazing band I saw during their Wheels of Soul Tour back in 2015 at the PNC Pavilion in The Natti. They’re unbelievable live.
Avett Brothers (9)
I first laid ears on The Avetts around ’05 in the Outer Banks, and have since seen them in Raleigh, NC, The Louisville Palace in KY, and several other venues in Ohio. One of my favorite live bands currently. Update: Caught The Avetts at Timberwolf on 6.28 and once again they were incredible. One of the best live bands out there today.
Tall Heights
I saw this band open for Ben Folds last fall. Cool sound.
Todd Snider
Todd is one of my friend’s favorite artists, and I must say I enjoyed the show. I think we saw him in Cincinnati. I think. UPDATE: I checked. It was at the Madison Theater in Cincy.
The Pixies (2)
The Pixies were on my Bucket List, and thankfully I’ve seen them twice in the last year or so. The first was at Express Live! in Columbus and the second at an amazing show I’ll talk about shortly. Just a legendary, influential alternative band.
John Hiatt
I love John Hiatt and I finally got to see him a couple years ago in Columbus. I think it was The Palace, and it was just John and his guitar. Incredible performance.
Rick Brantley
Opened for John Hiatt, and I remember his song “Hurt People” the most.
G-Love
G-Love opened for Jack Johnson and he was great. He came out later with Jack to sing “Rodeo Clowns” and it was amazing.
Jack Johnson
I was never a huge Jack Johnson fan but he won me over a few weeks ago at Riverbend in Cincinnati. It was a laid back, mellow show with a tremendous vibe.
Foo Fighters* (5)
Ah, The Foos. I’ve seen them 5-times in the past few years and they blew me away. The first show was in Cincy at US Bank Arena (formerly Riverfront Coliseum) and the second at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center in Noblesville, IN outside Indianapolis. The Indy show was special because we were 12-rows back. Incredible night. The third time I saw them was at CalJam ’18, which I’ll talk about below. Then I saw them at the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, Ohio and they were epic. We had backstage passes and spent some time in keyboardist Rami Jaffee’s private box. Amazing stuff. Finally, I saw them in their first live tour performance after the pandemic in Cincy and their return was incredible.
PS – Dave Grohl is a God.
The Struts (3)
The Struts are a Queen-influenced group fronted by a guy named Luke Spiller, who is fantastic. They opened for the Foo Fighters all three times I saw them. High energy, rockin’ band.
The Wombats
I loved The Wombats back in the late 80s, and if you didn’t like “Let’s Dance to the Joy Division” you are a phony, a pretender, and you have the musical taste of a ferret. I finally saw them a couple weeks ago as the opener for The Pixies and then Weezer, and as expected they killed it.
Weezer
To be honest I went to the Weezer show for opening acts The Wombats and The Pixies, but to my surprise Weezer blew the roof off at Riverbend. I mean, I knew they’d be good but they were way better than I expected. Incredible show that actually shocked me, and I don’t shock easily.
Jimmy Buffett (3)
I first saw Buffett in 1977, again in the late 80s, and finally a couple weeks ago in Cincinnati. Buffett shows are basically one big beach party, replete with leis, bikinis and margaritas, among other things [clears throat]. You get the picture.
Some of the bands below have been mentioned before, but I saw them all at Cal Jam ’18 the weekend of 10/4-10/6. What an amazing experience:
Nirvana*
Joan Jett, Pat Smear, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl.
Still can’t believe I was at this legendary show where Nirvana (minus Kurt Cobain of course) reunited with Joan Jett and Deer Tick lead singer John McCauley to perform seven songs at the end of the regular Foos show. When Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic walked out the place erupted, and Joan and John sounded great singing the lead with Dave Grohl back on the drums. Incredible.
Post Pop Depression
LOVED these guys. PPP is Godfather of Punk Iggy Pop (The Stooges), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal), Dean Fertita (QOTSA, The Dead Weather) and Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) among others. Amazing show, and at 71 Iggy is still going strong.
Garbage
I really liked Garbage a lot. Shirley Manson definitely still has it, and her band was tight.
Yungblud (2)
I was surprised how much I liked this guy. Trust me, angry British punk is alive. The Sex Pistols would be proud. I saw him at both CalJam and Sonic Temple.
Metz
Enjoyed this show as well. Rockin’ young band.
Tenacious D
Yep, Jack Black’s band was there too, and I have to say I didn’t love them. Hard to take Jack Black seriously as a musician after School of Rock, you know?
Greta Van Fleet
Honestly, I can take or leave these Led Zeppelin sound-alikes. Didn’t dig it at all.
Deer Tick
LOVED these guys. Great band with 3 different lead singers. Reminded me a little of The Band in that way.
Gang of Youths
I really liked frontman David Le’aupepe and this Australian band. Sort of a cross between U2, Springsteen and The Alarm. Lots of anthemic rock.
The Front Bottoms
The Front Bottoms
Probably my favorite new band I saw in California. I got to meet lead singer Brian Sella briefly, and I can report he is a good dude.
Thunderpussy
This all-girl band rocked the hell out of it, and Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins sat sidestage and watched their drummer, who was fantastic.
Giants in the Trees
This is Krist Novoselic’s band, and I cannot say I’m a fan of the dreamy, psychedelic vibe they were putting out.
Billy Idol
Billy played the first night, and he did not disappoint. Dude still has the pipes, and guitarist Steve Stevens was as good as ever.
Cal Jam Bonuses:
At the backstage layout, I absentmindedly asked out loud what kind of pasta they were serving. From behind me I heard a voice say, “That’s Couscous Mac ‘n Cheese, man. You have to try it.” I turned around and it was Foo Fighter’s drummer Taylor Hawkins. Update: Rest in Peace Taylor.
I also got to meet and spend a little time with the man who played drums on one of my favorite songs of all-time, The Church of Logic, Sin and Love by The Men. Suffice it to say that Dave Botkin was a great guy.
I also had a brief encounter with Josh Homme that was very pleasant.
The Hives
Caught these guys at Sonic Temple and they were great. I’s always wanted to see them and was glad I did.
The Interrupters
At the Sonic Temple again, and if you like music akin to Elvis Costello you’ll love these guys.
Phish
My buddy had been begging me to see these guys for years but I just didn’t get the whole Phish thing. Having gone, I must say I had a good time. It was great music, great people and a great vibe. I’m not going to quit life and follow Phish, but I’ll certainly go again.
Selo
Saw this band at the Bellwether Festival and I was impressed. Good new band.
Strfkr
Yep. That says what you think it says, and they were a lot of fun. Because hey, who doesn’t like spacemen crowd surfing and blow-up dolls being tossed into the audience?
Nick Lowe
Caught the legend himself at the Joanne Davidson Center in Columbus and he did not disappoint. His voice is as good as ever, and his backing band, the legendary Los Straightjackets, were tight as hell. Loved every minute of it.
Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz, Christopher Cross, Joey Molland of Badfinger and Jason Scheff of Chicago
Saw these guys perform The Beatles’ White Album in Cincinnati on its 50th Anniversary and it was special to say the least. Amazing show.
Smashing Pumpkins
Finally caught the Pumpkins on 5/28/22 at Kemba Live! in Columbus, Ohio and they were amazing. Great great show.
Toad the Wet Sprocket
I finally saw Toad on 7.19.22 with both the Gin Blossoms and Barenaked Ladies at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, OH (a GREAT venue by the way) and they were really good.
Barenaked Ladies
See Toad the Wet Sprocket above.
Roddy Ricch
This cat opened for Post Malone on 9.18.22 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH and I must say I liked the hell out of him.
Post Malone
Caught Posty at the above aforementioned show and he was electric. His stage presence is unreal, his songs are melodic and his relationship with his audience is really, really special. I have to say the crowd was as loud as any I’ve experienced. Loved this concert.
Whitehall
Caught this up-and-coming band when they opened for The Goo Goo Dolls in Fort Wayne, IN on 11.6.22 and I have to say I loved them. YouTube the song “Don’t Check Your Phone” to catch the vibe. Cannot wait to catch them again.
Joe Walsh
Finally saw Joe at his Concert for Veterans at Nationwide Arena in Columbus featuring bands from Ohio. He was the final act and still has it, man. Great show, great night.
Dave Grohl
Dave was at the aforementioned Joe Walsh show and played with Joe and The Black Keys. Sadly no individual set though.
The James Gang
I missed the James Gang in their heyday but I saw them at, you guessed it, the Joe Walsh Concert for Veterans. They were stellar.
The Breeders
Also at the Walsh show, and I’d always wanted to see them. Excellent.
The Black Keys
I’ve never been a Black Keys fan but I enjoyed their set at the Walsh show. However, they were overshadowed by . . .
Nine Inch Nails
Holy Mother of God these guys blew me away. I’d liked a few of their songs previously but immediately downloaded a ton of their stuff after the show. As Joe Walsh said when he followed them onstage, “I’ve never heard Nine Inch Nails live but I feel like I’ve been in an earthquake.” I will see those guys again for sure.
Brantley Gilbert
Saw this hard rockin’ country cat open for Nickelback at Riverbend in The Natti and he was great. Pleasant surprise.
Nickelback
These guys get a bad rap from a certain genre of music fans and I know not why, because they rock. I saw them before a sold out show in Cincy with 20,500 other unapologetic fans and they sounded amazing.
J-u-s-t Missed Shows:
The Who
Yep, we had tickets to Riverfront Coliseum the night of the tragedy where 11-people were crushed to death, and we were actually on the way to the concert. It was my birthday (12/3/79) and fortunately we were stupid enough to think a party for me in Chillicothe would be more fun, and it might have saved our lives. And yes, I know about a million people claim to have had tickets to that show. We actually did.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
I had tickets for a show at St. John’s Arena in Columbus on October 28th, 1978, but unfortunately we all know what happened 8-days prior – their plane crashed in Mississippi. I’ll never forget waking up the morning and my roommate Jed telling me what had happened. And, being the 21-year old jackass that I was, I returned my ticket because I thought I needed the $8.25 or whatever the hell the ticket cost back then, probably to buy beer.
Pearl Jam
I had tickets for Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field in the summer of 2018 but sadly my father was buried the day of the concert. He would have probably told me to go but of course that wasn’t going to happen. I’ll catch them at some point I’m sure.
Upcoming shows: Bruce Springsteen and Tedeschi Trucks.
Well, for me at least. I entered the 60s as a 4-year old listening to my Dad’s Al Martino records and left them rocking out to Led Zeppelin, The Doors and Creedence Clearwater Revival. And in between, of course . . . The Beatles. Hell of a decade for music, man, because the leap was incredible and music hasn’t changed so dramatically since. Narrowing down my list wasn’t easy, but nevertheless it was done. Without further ado . . .
The Beatles
Der. No brainer, kids. Everything you hear today owes something to The Beatles. John, Paul, George and Ringo were all individual talents in their own right. As a band they were the best ever and if you say otherwise I will fight you. Favorite song: Nowhere Man. Favorite album: Abbey Road.
The Beach Boys
Probably the most underrated band in rock history. The Boys are much, much more than songs about the beach, girls and fast cars. And Brian Wilson? Genius. Favorite song: Caroline, No. Favorite Album: Pet Sounds.
The Band
The Band had a unique, never duplicated sound. They were the greatest collection of musicians since The Beatles. Favorite song: Acadian Driftwood. Favorite album: Music From Big Pink.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Swamp rock from a bunch of California boys, mainly John Fogerty. Again, a unique sound. Favorite song: Bad Moon Rising. Favorite album: Green River.
The Doors
Another band with an amazingly new and different sound, and the combination of Jim Morrison’s vocals and Ray Manzarek’s keyboards made it all happen. Favorite song: Touch Me. Favorite album: The Soft Parade.
Bob Dylan
The greatest rock poet ever, period. He changed the music world with his intelligent, thoughtful lyrics. Favorite song: Positively 4th Street. Favorite album: Highway 61 Revisited.
The Byrds
The favorite American band of The Beatles. Their jangly guitars were legendary and influenced future artists like Tom Petty and REM. Favorite song: Bells of Rhymney. Favorite album: Turn! Turn! Turn!
Led Zeppelin
When Zep released their first album it was pretty clear they brought a different vibe. By their fourth album and Stairway to Heaven they were legends. Favorite song: Battle of Evermore. Favorite album: Led Zeppelin IV.
The Who
LOVED The Who. They had the knack for combining hard rock with catchy melodies and hook-filled songs, not as easy task. Roger Daltrey’s voice and Pete Townsend’s guitar was one helluva combination. Favorite song: Won’t Get Fooled Again. Favorite album: Tommy.
Van Morrison
Van the Man brought a bluesy mood to 60s rock that was fresh and exciting. I heard Brown-Eyed Girl and I was done. Favorite song: Already told ya – Brown-Eyed Girl. Favorite album: Astral Weeks.
Special Mention:
The Animals
We Gotta Get Out of This Place rocked my world., and Eric Burdon’s voice is amazing.
The Rolling Stones
I’ve always liked but not loved The Stones. So shoot me.
Elvis Presley
I liked 50s Elvis (Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock) mush better than 60s Elvis (Suspicious Minds, In the Ghetto).
Honorable Mention:
Crosby, Stills & Nash, 13th Floor Elevators, BeeGees, Jimi Hendrix, The Four Seasons, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, the Grass Roots, Herman’s Hermits, Neil Young, The Rascals, The Hollies, The Righteous Brothers, The Guess Who, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Tommy James & the Shondells, Steppenwolf, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Buffalo Springfield, Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, The Yardbirds, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Velvet Underground, Sly & the Family Stone, The Kinks, Cream, Marvin Gaye.
You all know the deal. That moment in a film where someone breaks out into a song or maybe it’s during an action scene when some kick-ass rock song ups the ante. It can give you chills I tell ya. With that in mind, here are my Top 20 favorite scenes in film that involve music.
Let’s start with an absolute classic from the 60s, the opening scene to Easy Rider. This Steppenwolf song immediately sets the tone to an incredible movie. Fun Fact: The term “heavy metal” was first used in this song.
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Born To Be Wild – Easy Rider
Next up is the Vietnam intro during Forrest Gump. Written and sung by John Fogerty of CCR, the lyrics fit the scene perfectly.
Fortunate Son – Forrest Gump
Great scene from the 90s classic Reality Bites. The song is the 1979 hit by The Knack. Love it.
My Sharona – Reality Bites
Ah, one of the last scenes from Back to the Future where Marty McFly breaks out Johnny B. Goode to a gym full of 1950s students who’ve never heard Rock and Roll. Timeless. See what I did there? Timeless? Never mind.
Johnny B Goode – Back to the Future
No respectable blog about music in movies would be complete without the boys from Wayne’s World singing Bohemian Rhapsody as they cruise down the street in their AMC Pacer.
Bohemian Rhapsody – Wayne’s World
Hell yes I’m including a Beatles song, especially since it’s my favorite scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. When Ferris disappears and then reappears on a float lip syncing to John Lennon, well, it’s pure magic.
Twist and Shout – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
I like The Kingsman movies, and this fight scene with Free Bird playing in the background is somehow a perfect mix.
Free Bird – Kingsman
Loved this scene so much. The Blues Brothers are playing a country bar and the crowd isn’t into blues at all. Not knowing much about country music, the boys play the only country song they know – the theme to the 1960s classic TV show Rawhide. Of course it works.
Rawhide – Blues Brothers
When Joel Goodsen’s parents leave town he has the house to himself. It was after this scene when things start to go askew.
Old Time Rock and Roll – Risky Business
Anchorman is one of my favorite comedies of all-time, and when the crew kicked into the Starland Vocal Band’s 1976 hit Afternoon Delight it was movie magic.
Afternoon Delight – Anchorman
From another great 70’s comedy, Animal House, here’s fictional band Otis Day and the Knights version of the classic song Shout. A definite highlight of the movie.
Shout – Animal House
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made my Top 20 movies of all-time list, and this scene where Butch is taking Sundance’s girlfriend for a spin on a bicycle is great. BJ Thomas’s hit song just adds to the vibe.
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
From one of the most disturbing films I’ve ever seen, this scene from the beginning of the movie shows one of the main characters jamming with a local kid. Turns out the kid is pretty damn good.
Dueling Banjos – Deliverance
Another movie that I absolutely loved. Just like this scene, it’s a dark, twisted movie about a serial killer. Somehow, hearing Huey Lewis sing as a man is hatcheted to death fits my weird sense of humor.
Hip To Be Square – American Psycho
A classic 80s movie fo sho, The Breakfast Club is about a group of students serving Saturday detention. Being a John Hughes movie, of course there had to be a dance scene. This one is great.
We Are Not Alone – Breakfast Club
Flashdance was another great movie from the 80s, this scene came at the end of the movie when the poor girl from the streets of Pittsburgh performs for the folks judging her to see if she’s good enough to join a hoity toity dance troupe. Jennifer Beals was amazing as the dancer, and Irene Cara’s song fit perfectly.
What a Feeling – Flashdance
Quite simply my favorite song ever. I have covers by Eric Clapton, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. However, nothing really tops the original.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – The Wizard of Oz
Finally, here’s Ducky from Pretty in Pink lip syncing to Otis Redding’s Try a Little Tenderness. Classic scene, plus any movie with Molly Ringwald is worth a watch.
Oh yeah, this one has been around for years, and noted level head Shaquille O’Neal swears it’s true. What say you? Is it true that Stevie Wonder Isn’t Blind? There are a few fascinating clues.
Mike D Of The Beastie Boys Was Screech From Saved By The Bell
This one’s been around forever, and there’s another variation that says they’re brothers. Truth – they are neither. Both have the last name Diamond, hence fueling the rumors. Also RIP Dustin Diamond.
Marilyn Manson Is Actually Paul From The Wonder Years
Was Marilyn Manson on TV in his younger days? The internet slueths say he was that nerd Paul Pfeiffer on The Wonder Years. Although Josh Saviano certainly looks like a young Marilyn, it wasn’t him. Nice try interner slueths.
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon Syncs With The Movie The Wizard Of Oz
Oh hell yes it does. I’ve seen it, and you can too by clicking here – Dark Side of the Rainbow.Chilling I tell ya.
Elvis Was In The Movie Home Alone
Whadaya think? Was Elvis In Home Alone? Because damn that looks like Elvis. Also, just Google “Is Elvis Alive” to see a ton of photos that are purportedly The King living the good life in Venezuela, Argentina, Ibiza and a hundred other places.
A Woman Was Murdered While The Ohio Players Were Recording Love Rollercoaster
I remember hearing this one in high school, and yes, that certainly is a bloodcurdling scream (and nobody wants their blood curdled, amirite?). Anyway, legend has it that a woman was murdered in an ajoining room during the recording of the song. Alas, it was just keyboardist Billy Beck letting off some steam.
Jim Morrison Is Alive
This one goes all the way back to the weeks after Morrison died, and it stems from a few things. First of all, he’d mentioned faking his death a few times. Said he wanted to live peacefully as a poet. Secondly, he was facing prosecution in Florida so a new start would’ve been a nice play on his part. Thirdly, only a couple people were at the funeral or actually saw the body. So, did Mr. Mojo actually rise like he sang in that song?
Tupac Shakir Is Alive
Hell, he’s spotted a gazillion times. Here are just the Top Ten. Then again, it seems like a lot of people have that Tupac look.
Phil Collins’ Song In the Air Tonight Is About The Time Phil Watched Someone Let A Man Drown
This one stems from a line in the song that says, “Well, if you told me you were drowning I would not lend a hand.” Yeah, I don’t get it either. Anywho, Phil says the rumor is balderdash so there.
Charles Manson Auditioned For The Monkees
Love this one. Although Charles Manson’s connection to the Los Angeles rock scene of the late ’60s, through his friendships with Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys and Byrds producer Terry Melcher, is well-documented, he did not audition for the Monkees. According to Snopes’ research, Manson was incarcerated at McNeil Island, Wash., when the show was cast in September 1965 and wasn’t released until March 1967. Damn.
So there ya go. Weird Rock ‘n’ Roll urban myths. Say hello to Elvis for me, will ya?
I’ve always been a big gym guy. I love to walk into high school gyms when I’m out of town, look at the banners, old team photos, all of that stuff really fascinates me. I also love the college and NBA arenas too, although I’ve been to many more college facilities than pros. That said, I was talking with a friend the other day she was asking me where my favorite place to watch a basketball game would be. Aha! Writing material. What follows are some of the favorite arenas I have been to personally and my thoughts regarding each. I’ve omitted high school gyms because really, nothing compares to Donald E. Anderson Gymnasium, better know as The Jigger. Aaaaand we’re off . . .
Cole Field House, College Park, MD – Ah, Cole Field House on the campus of the beautiful University of Maryland. I worked summer camps there from 1989-2003 and became a big Terrapin fan, thanks to my friends Billy Hahn and Gary Williams. Cole was an old, hangar shaped, no air conditioned monstrosity, and God was it awesome. I was behind the bench for many a Maryland game, and when Duke, North Carolina or a number of other teams rolled into that place it rocked. The Maryland student section was insane, man. Here’s something I wrote about my experiences there: Memories of College Park. The story I tell at the end illustrates what Cole Field House meant to Hall of Famer Gary Williams. Cole also hosted the historic 1966 National Championship game where an all black Texas Western team coached by Don Haskins beat the all white Kentucky squad led by Adolph Rupp. Bottom line, I put Cole Field House at the top of my list regarding basketball arenas. And oh, the new Xfinity Center is great but it ain’t Cole.
St. John Arena, Columbus, OH – Once again, a case of the old being better than the supposed newer, and better, arena. St. John Arena, which still stands on the campus of The Ohio State University, is an incredible venue. When you’re on the floor it appears as if the seats and crowd go straight up, and when it was filled to capacity it was loud. Its replacement was The Schottenstein Center (or Value City Arena) and its antiseptic, industrial feel where the fans in the upper seats seem a mile away from the action. Nope, it has never come close to matching the atmosphere of St. John Arena. Note: Nationwide Arena, Columbus’s other downtown arena, is better too.
Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, OH – Shoemaker Center has succumbed to the corporate naming game and is now sadly known as 5th Third Arena. It’s a place that’s near and dear to my heart because 1) It was named after my late great Uncle Myrl Shoemaker, and 2) It’s the home of the Cincinnati Bearcats, a team coached by my friend Bob Huggins from 1989-2005. I have many great memories of Shoemaker Center, but none better than the night Huggs returned to the city with his West Virginia Mountaineers and I was behind the Neers bench.
Good God.
West Virginia Coliseum, Morgantown, WV – I’ve had some amazing times in the WVU Coliseum, seeing some great games and having some incredible experiences thanks to my old friends Huggs and Billy Hahn. WVU Coliseum is unique in that, although it holds 14,000 people, seems almost like a high school gym. I mean, you walk in and it seems everyone knows you. People are friendly and extremely rabid in their love for their ‘Neers. And when that muzzle loader fires after a big win or important moment in the game? Good God man, you will jump. And I’ll never forget the night I met Hot Rod Hundley and Freddie Schaus. You can read those stories by clicking on these links: My Father, WVU and Meeting the Legends and Helping Hot Rod Hundley.
Convocation Center, Athens, OH – If you’re a high school coach in southern Ohio “The Convo” is the mecca of basketball. It’s where you want to make it to and it’s where the District and Regional Tournaments are played. My teams played there 9 times in my 13-year high school coaching career, and every single game was special. It’s the crown jewel of Harvard on the Hocking.
UD Arena, Dayton, OH – Dayton may have the most underrated facility in the country, and they have a rabid, basketball smart fan base to boot. There’s really not a bad seat in the house, and during games there’s something about those dark upper corners that are intimidating. Home of the NCAA play-in games.
Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN – Ah, the home of the great Bobby Knight. It’s now Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and I spent a weekend there back in the mid-80s and even got to meet The General himself as well as Shawn Kemp. Good times and great memories indeed. The arena rocks, and it’s also the site of the 1979 National Championship game between Magic Johnson’s Michigan State Spartans and Larry Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores. Classic.
The Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN – I’ve only been to The Metrodome once, but the games were doozies. It was the 2001 Final Four and my Maryland Terrapins were there playing the Evil Empire, Duke. Arizona vs. Michigan State was the other matchup, and when Duke took the floor the fans of the three other teams booed them mercilessly. Looooved it. Maryland lost the game after losing a 17-point lead (I won’t blame the officials but damn they had their heads up Coach K’s ass the whole game), but bounced back the next year and won it all in Atlanta.
Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY – I haven’t actually watched a game there but I did take a tour of this legendary arena. Knowing that The Fight of the Century between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier took place there as well as the legendary Will Reed game in the 1970 NBA Finals gave me chills. Can’t leave out all the rock bands either as virtually every famous band has played there.
Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH – LOVE the home of the Xavier Musketeers. It seats a little over 10,000 but seems much smaller. It really has an intimate feel. I was on the floor for Xavier’s upset of #1 Villanova a few years ago and the place was electric.
Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY – I’ve seen several games at Rupp, the first being when I watched the Rex Chapman’s team in the 1980s. The place was huge, holding 23,000 people. My best memory though? Attending the last show of the 1978 Peter Frampton Tour and J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf pouring champagne into my mouth from the stage. Weirdly memorable, man.
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV – Long story here, but I became acquainted with UNLV legend Jerry Tarkanian after I met him in a bar in the aforementioned Lexington, Kentucky. It’s actually a pretty cool story that I called Meeting Tark the Shark. Tark was a cool dude, man. A few years after I met him I gave him a call when I was in Vegas with my friend Jigger, and long story short I was given a tour of the arena and locker room facilities by The Shark himself. I even got to meet Stacey “Plastic Man” Augmon, a starter on the 1990 National Championship team and future NBA player. All told Tark probably spent an hour that day with me, a guy he’d met in a hotel bar years prior. Unforgettable memory, and I’ll never forget Tark’s kindness and generosity. I never saw a game in the Shark Tank, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t sit in Tark’s chair and look around in wonderment at the arena. Thanks, Tark.
Breslin Center, Lansing, MI – Again, I’ve never seen a game on Michigan State campus but I did go to MSU to coach a couple summer camps back in the late 90s so I spent some time in the arena. Very cool, historic place that gave off some really cool vibes. I also spent a night in Head Coach Tom Izzo’s basement, which is whole other story to tell on another day. By the way, Izzo? Great guy.
Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH – I have so many great memories of Cincinnati Gardens, which was sadly demolished in 2018. My father took us to many games there to watch the Cincinnati Royals, an NBA team that featured hoop legends Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. I also watched players like Wilt Chamberlain, Pete Maravich, Jerry West and many more there. We were once at a Royals-76ers game and I really wanted Wilt Chamberlain’s autograph. He was by far my favorite player. Anyway, not knowing any better I decided to go down at halftime and tried to get it as the players walked off the court. At that time both teams exited at the same point, right at half-court, walking together and then going into opposite locker rooms. So, I’m standing there waiting for my hero when there he comes. Listen, I was probably 10-years old but Wilt looked 20-feet tall to me. He was walking right beside Jerry Lucas, and they were yelling at each other, saying words I’d never before heard in my young life. Then, right in front of me they stopped. They were nose-to-nose, just completely going at it. Other players came in and broke it up, but before Wilt left he looked down at me, rubbed my head, and shook my hand. I guess I should say he shook my forearm because his hand gripped mine practically all the way up to my elbow. Hell, even then I realized that was WAY better than an autograph. And years later, in 1992, I got to watch one of my former players Roman Diekan play in The Gardens as a member of the Xavier Musketeers. Special for sure.
Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN – I only visited Mackey once, but I loved it. My friend Jimmy Patsos was coaching at Siena and they played a game at Purdue. I loved the atmosphere of the arena. The floor is elevated which is always a unique feature. Siena came close to winning, too.
Millett Hall, Oxford, OH – My memories of Millet Hall are special because my cousin John Shoemaker played there from 1974-75 to 1977-78. Miami was really good back then (made the NCAA tourney) and the crowds were insane. Loved that arena.
Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, OH – I attended many a rock show at this arena, and I even had tickets to the infamous Who concert on my birthday in 1979. Yep, my buddies Tom, Andy and I had tickets the night 11-people were crushed to death, and we were actually on the way to the concert. Fortunately, since it was my birthday we thought a party in Chillicothe would be more fun, and that fact might have saved our lives. And yes, I know about a million people claim to have had tickets to that show. We actually did. We went to the party, and we found out what happened when we returned to Andy’s house around 2:30 in the morning and found his wife sitting on the floor in front of the TV, crying. She thought we’d gone to the concert, and when she saw us walk in she leaped up, hugged us all, and told us the news. Chilling stuff, and I’m glad we turned back. I also saw the Elton John Yellow Brick Road Tour, the Eagle’s Hotel California Tour, Led Zeppelin, Peter Frampton, ELO, R.E.M. and many more acts there. On the sports side I watched my cousin Mick play his home games for the University of Cincinnati there and it was generally not a good experience. UC students actually had to be bussed to the games. Fun Fact: My Uncle Myrl (Mick’s father), unhappy with this setup, soon directed funds so a new on-campus arena could be built – the soon to be named Myrl H. Shoemaker Center.
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA – This arena holds a special place in my heart for one reason and one reason only – it’s where Gary Williams and his Maryland Terrapins won the NCAA Championship in 2002. I’ll never forget it. Sadly, the Georgia Dome has since been imploded.
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC – Yes, I ventured into this den of iniquity several years ago just to have a look-see. I was actually offered a personal tour by a friendly Duke employee after I stopped in on the way to the Outer Banks. It’s bigger than I thought and holds 9300 idiot Duke nerds named Hunter, Chase, Bradford, Geoffrey, and well, you get the idea. Anywho, overrated.
Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC – Of course after visiting Cameron Indoor I had to make the 12-mile drive over to the The Dean Dome, and once again I simply walked in an open door and sauntered around. What can I say? People generally leave me alone for some reason. Anyway, Dean Dome? BIG. It holds 21,750. Place is cavernous, man, and sort of had that antiseptic Schottenstein Center feel to it. On a positive note it lacked that Duke stench, so there’s that.
United Center, Chicago, IL – Ah, yes. The United Center. Famed home of the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you I have not watched a game in the United Center, although I have been in the lobby. Sigh. Ah, hell, it’s too embarrasing to type again. Just click this damn link: Regrets, I’ve Had A Few: Missing One Of The Graetest Moments In Sports History. I’m sorry. I truly am.
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA – I was invited to watch some NCAA tournament games there a few years ago (2012 I believe) when some coaching friends all happened to have teams playing there on the same day/night. Those friends were Bob Huggins at WVU, Dave Dickerson at Ohio State and Jimmy Patsos at Loyola-Maryland. Gonzaga was also there. I watched Ohio State beat Loyola and Gonzaga beat WVU. It was a very cool experience knowing coaches from three of the four teams though. Cool venue as well.
So those are the arenas I can think of off the top of my head, arenas I’ve either been to or had some type of involvement with. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, but if one comes back into my addled brain I’ll let you know.
I was talking with a friend the other day and he brought up my odd habit of serendipitously running into rock stars over the years. Man, that was a weirdly worded sentence. Anyway, it is sort of interesting so I thought I’d put everything I’d written about this phenomenon in one magnificent blog for your reading pleasure. Consider it my gift to you, my loyal readers. You’re welcome. Let us begin . . .
Meeting David Crosby
My regular readers will know that I have a habit of running into famous people, most notably rock stars and their ilk. In fact, sometimes their ilk are more fun than the rock stars, if you know what I’m sayin’. My encounter with Soupy Sales in a Cleveland Airport bathroom is legendary, and I was once nearly beaten to death by one of Eminem’s bodyguards. Good times. Anyway, here’s another of my many rock star run-ins.
It was late summer 1999, and I was in Cleveland with my late, great, good friend Tim to see the Cleveland Browns open their new stadium. We were staying at the Renaissance downtown and I rose early on the day of the game to go down to the lobby and find a drink newspaper. As I was heading down, the elevator doors opened and a guy with shades stepped in and leaned against the wall opposite me. After about 30-seconds of awkward staring from me and nervous avoiding eye-contact from him, the following conversation transpired:
Me: “Man, you look just like David Crosby.”
David Crosby: “Mmrumph.”
Me: “You are David Crosby, aren’t you?”
David Crosby: “Yep.”
Encouraged, I babbled on for a few minutes about his music. At some point I think I wore him down and he realized I actually appreciated and knew his work. I believe that because he proceeded to open up and actually began a nice, intelligent conversation with me regarding the state of rock music, as it was, in 1999. The fact that I may have mentioned him providing the sperm for Melissa Etheridge’s successful attempt at motherhood didn’t seem to bother him at all. Hell, at one point I didn’t think I was going to get rid of him. He finally walked with me through the lobby, wrote me a nice note and autograph, and actually gave me a bear hug that went on j-u-s-t a smidge too long before he left.
All in all a nice, albeit somewhat weird, encounter that I’ll never forget.
Anyway, David Crosby and I?
Buds.
Running into the Runt
This was a quick encounter but special nonetheless since it involved one of my musical heroes, Mr. Todd Rundgren, once known as “Runt.” Read on . . .
I was casually walking through City Center in C-Bus a few years ago (City Center was a cool mall, amirite?) when I ran into a rock and roll legend right there in the record store. My hands flew to my face as I yelled this:
“TODD RUNDGREN!”
Because I’m quick like that, ya know? Immediately his hands flew to his face as he responded:
“YES!”
Bastard was mocking me.
Anyway, after a couple minutes of my blathering on about his music and what it meant to me and him realizing not only that I wasn’t a lunatic but I in fact knew what I was talking about, we had quite the in-depth conversation about the state of music in general. Finally, I moved on to get a corndog and he left for parts unknown.
And that was my brief encounter with Todd Rundgren. Nice life-moment for me, I must admit.
Pimping for the Electric Light Orchestra
I guess it was around 1977, and a friend of mine named Omar was a roadie that worked shows around the midwest. He never traveled with a band, but rather was hired out as part of a group of guys to help set up shows and whatnot. Anyway, he got to know a lot of bands, had access to backstage passes, and he included me occasionally.
One night I get a call asking if I wanted backstage passes to the Electric Light Orchestra Show at St. John Arena in C-Bus. Well, hell yes. I was a big fan and still am to this day. It’s well known how I feel about Jeff Lynne and his absence from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With his work with ELO, The Traveling Wilburys, George Harrison and others it’s a damn shame he’s not in there, an absolute travesty.
UPDATE: He’s in.
But as I’m prone to do, I digress.
I eagerly snatched up the backstage pass and looked forward to the show. To say I was amped for this one was an understatement of the highest variety. I couldn’t wait for the show, but more importantly getting backstage and meeting the boys themselves, in particularly Jeff Lynne. The day finally arrived and I headed over to the arena. By the way, I was living at 178 West 8th Avenue, Apt. C, just south of campus, which is not relevant but is nevertherless burned into my brain forevermore. Alas, when I got there I found that I never had a ticket to the show, just a backstage pass, and it wouldn’t get me in at any of the regular gates. What the hell? I was flummoxed. Just when I was at my lowest, in despair and ready to head to High Street and drink away my pain, I heard a voice . . .
“Shoe! Hey! SHOE! Over here!”
I look around, and there walking towards a side door was my boy Omar. They had those portable iron fence things blocking people, and it formed a path the band took from their bus to the arena. I ran over and told Omar of my plight, and at that point he just told me to hop the fence and follow him in with his group. A guard started to object but a long-haired guy waved him off with the classic, “He’s with us.”
Only then did I realize the long-haired cat was none other than Bev Bevan, ELO’s drummer. Seems Omar had been sent to get the band from the tour bus and I happened along at the right time. I recognized Richard Tandy a couple other guys, but my hero Jeff Lynne was nowhere to be seen.
I made my way in and ended up at the side of the stage and was never told to move, evidently due to the pass I had hanging from my neck. The show was great and the view was interesting to say the least. Let’s just say some of those girls in the front will do, well, almost anything to get the attention of the band.
However, it was after the show when the real fun began.
I really had nothing to do immediately following, and Omar was busy doing what roadies do, so I just wandered around looking for the party.
Lucky for me I found it.
It was basically a curtained-off area with some tables and chairs scattered about, along with a boatload of various types of boozes and appetizers. I also remember candles and a lot of incense. There were also a couple of tables with some other stuff on them that I really don’t feel comfortable mentioning here. I’m sure you could guess pretty easily. Hey, it was the late 70’s after all. I grabbed a beer and took a seat on a comfy little loveseat type of thing that was positioned in a good spot and prepared to watch the festivities.
After a half hour or so the man himself walked in, Mr. Jeff Lynne. He was shaking hands and people were generally fawning over him, so I decided to hold back and play it cool for a bit. A couple of times I could have sworn he actually looked over at me, but I figured it had to be my imagination.
A little later my buddy Omar came walking in, looked over, did a double-take, and did the old olympic speed walk over to me.
Omar: “What the hell are you doing? Jesus.”
Me, offering him a beer: “Thanks, but you can call me Shoe. What’s wrong with you?”
Omar: “You’re in Jeff Lynne’s chair, dude. Get the hell up.”
Me: “Really? Nobody’s said anything.”
Omar: “Get. Up. NOW.”
Me: “But it’s a really comfy chair.”
Omar: “Good God, man, you’re going to get me fired. Get up. Why do you think this chair is at the front of the room and on a raised platform?”
Me, glancing around: “Wow, it is in a good spot. And I never noticed the raise platform thing. Damn. Are you sure I can’t stay here? Nobody’s said a word.”
Omar: “I’m saying a word! Oh God, here he comes.”
At that point I was done messing with my friend and thought the best course of action might be to actually get up. Lynne came over and stopped right in front of us, I’ve no idea why. For a second I thought I was going to get yelled at for sitting in his chair but as it turns out he had a question, and for whatever reason he thought I might have the answer . . .
Jeff Lynne: “Mate, do you know where we might find some tarts?”
Me: “Pop Tarts? I’m sure somebody could run and pick some up for you.”
Jeff Lynne nods approvingly. He was looking at a man of action, a go-getter, a quick decision-maker of the highest order. I was impressing Jeff Lynne! How awesome I was!
But he was still staring at me.
Me: “Oh, you want me to go get them?”
Jeff Lynne: “That would be wonderful. How long will it take?”
Me: “Well, there’s a 7-11 nearby. It should only take a few minutes.”
Jeff Lynne, my hero, again nods approvingly. I only learned later that he had no idea what a 7-11 was.
At that point, as I’m walking out, another roadie dude comes running up to me with a weird look on his face.
Roadie: “Dude, do you understand what he wants?”
Me: “Sure, he wants some Pop Tarts. Do you guys have a toaster in here?”
Roadie: “No, no, no. Dude, tarts are hookers. He wants some hookers.”
Wait. What? Pop Tarts I was good for. Ladies of the Night? Hey, I was good but not that good. Who did he think I was, a pimp?
Good God.
At that point, as you could imagine I was in a bit of a pickle, because, well, I’d just promised I’d supply the leader of the Electric Light Orchestra and future rock hall of famer with some hookers. Not exactly my specialty.
In retrospect I probably could have run over to High Street, gone into a bar, told some girls ELO wanted to meet them, taken them over and hightailed it out of there before the confusion ensued. As it happened though, I only did one of those things.
I hightailed it out of there.
What can I say? I had no idea what to do, I was pretty sure I’d never meet Jeff Lynne again, so I vamoosed. Cut and ran. I scrammed.
I never heard exactly what happened after I left. Omar had gone on to load some trucks or something so he had no idea. Maybe somebody else took care of the band. Maybe something else grabbed Jeff Lynne’s attention.
Or maybe, just maybe, he sat there for hours in his special chair, watching the door, waiting for the tarts that never came.
The O’ Jays and I
For some reason I’ve had more than my share of random encounters with famous people over the years, both from the rock world and elsewhere. Hell, I was once standing at an airport urinal, looked to my right, and there stood Mr. Soupy Sales himself. For you kids under 50 out there Mr. Sales was Peewee Herman before Peewee Herman was Peewee Herman. Sort of. Anyway, my friends seem to enjoy hearing about these random encounters of mine so I thought I’d share them from time-to-time.
It happened when my friends Jigger, Jerry (sadly, both gone now) and I were heading to Vegas back in the early ’90s. You’ve got to remember that I’ve always been quite the Motown/Philly Sound fan and am pretty knowledgeable about a lot of the groups of that genre.
We’d been in the air for a few minutes when I thought I recognized a guy a couple of rows in front of me. Was that Eddie Levert of The O’Jays? I loved The O’Jays!
What the hell, I thought. I went up and sat by him (keep in mind there were only about 30-people on the plane). Sure enough, it was Levert and the rest of the group along with about eight roadies sitting here and there. Turns out Levert was a great guy who appreciated the fact a Southern Ohio white boy loved his music so much, so an idea was hatched in my brain.
Throwing caution and common sense to the wind, I started singing one of their big hits, “Love Train” and begging the guys to join in. What can I say? I was overcome with joy at meeting the O’Jays and I was pretty sure I’d never have this chance again.
Long story short, in a couple minutes all three O’Jays were singing backup to yours truly on lead vocal. One of the guys (Walter Williams possibly) actually got up in the aisle and was doing the dance moves as I stood and sang beside him. Surreal. About halfway through I forgot the words and Levert took over. I then attempted to join the dancing but failed miserably, to the delight of the crowd. Jigger and Jerry? They just sat there with mouths agape, stunned at the surreal scene in front of them.
I then took a theatrical bow with the group as the crowd went wild (at least in my mind, don’t tell me they didn’t), the stewardesses applauded and Jigger and Jerry sat there shaking their heads. I believe I even followed up by trying to start a rousing rendition of “Backstabbers” but the moment had passed. The group got off at our stopover in Detroit, bro hugs were shared all around, and the O’Jays went on their way.
And you know what? To this day I can’t hear “Love Train” without getting a big grin on my face. If only camera phones were in existence back then. Damn it, man.
By the way, my buddies The O’Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. I wonder if they remember me . . .
The Legend of James Taylor’s Jacket
Well, it’s a legend in my circles anyway. And yes, kids, I have circles.
Anyway, as many of you know I have a jean jacket that once belonged to James Taylor. For you younger readers there was a pretty good singer known as JT before Timberlake. Here’s how I got the jacket . . .
I went to see JT at Blossum Music Center back in ’78 with friends Tom and Chris. After the show we ambled down to the side of the stage, just getting a look at the setup really. The roadies were tearing down the set, wandering around doing this and that. At some point I look up and say, “Hey, look. He left his jacket hanging on the mic stand.” He’d worn it onstage and had taken it off during the show.
Anyway, one of us (probably Tom) gets the bright idea to try to grab it. Nice plan but the place was crawling with security and roadies. I turn to Chris for ideas, turn back around, and Tom had already jumped the railing and was halfway across the stage. He was just casually walking like he belonged there. A couple of guys glanced at him but didn’t say a word, either because he looked like he belonged or because he was 6′-3″, 260 lbs and looked like he could rip your heart out and show it to you before you died (which by the way he could have but that’s another story). He casually grabs the jacket, throws it over his shoulder, and hops off the other side of the stage as Chris and I run frantically around to meet him. We walk away without looking back, expecting at any moment to hear, “Stop them! Thieves! They have James Taylor’s jacket! For God’s sake stop the bastards!” Except it doesn’t happen, and we make it to the car.
The Jacket.
At that point Tom tries it on. Obviously too small. Chris grabs it. Too big. Heh-heh. Fit me perfectly. Apparently, in ’78, James T and I were exactly the same size.
And that’s how I came to own James Taylor’s jacket.
By the way, later I woke up wide-eyed in the middle of the night, realizing I hadn’t checked the pockets. The possibilities were mind-boggling. Carly Simon’s phone number possibly? Alas, nothing. Damn . . .
How Peter Cetera Once Ruined a Relationship. Mine.
It was the late 70’s and a bunch of us went down to The Natti to catch a
Yeah. This guy.
Chicago concert. This was back when Chicago was cool, still using horns in their songs, long before they went all schlocky and sappy with the lame ballads. Sure, they did slow stuff like “Color My World” before, but unfortunately Peter Cetera sort of took over with tunes like “You’re the Inspiration” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” and it all went downhill from there. It would have never happened had guitarist Terry Kath knew that gun was loaded when he put it upside his head, but that’s neither here nor there. Well, maybe to Terry.
But I digress. And maybe there’s another reason I don’t like Peter Cetera.
Back to the concert. This was before those 11-people got crushed to death at The Who concert, so it was still General Admission at the gate. Trust me, when it was General Admission I always ended up right down front, and that’s where this all started.
The show was great, Robert Lamm and Cetera and the boys were rockin’, and my date and I were having a good time. Keep in mind I’d been dating this girl for about 2-years, which will become relevant shortly. Anyway, after a couple of the obligatory encores the lights came up and we’re sort of standing there talking to friends, waiting for the crowd to thin. At that point some guy comes walking up to my girlfriend and asks to speak with her. Hell, I thought something had happened, an emergency or something, and he had been sent to find her. He sort of took her elbow and walked her a few feet away to have a private conversation. She listened intently and nodded her head a couple times, the guy did the same, then she turned and walked back over to me.
The guy stayed where he was. I was getting a bad vibe.
What followed was a conversation that basically ended a relationship.
Me: “What was that about? Is everything OK?”
Her: “Yes, it’s . . . fine.”
Me, senses on high alert: “So. . . what’s up?”
Her: “W-e-l-l . . . that guy told me that Peter Cetera wanted to ask if I’d like to come out to his bus.”
Damn Cetera. Lotta nerve, huh? But my girlfriend was just looking at me.
Me: “Uh, you know what he wants, right?”
Her: “Yes.”
Next came the words that are etched in my mind to this day.
Her: “What should I do?”
Wait. What? What should I do? What should I do?
Me, after about 15-seconds of stunned silence: “What should you do? Well, do what you want, but Mr. Cetera better be ready to give you a ride back to Chillicothe because if you get on that bus I’m not waiting on you.”
At this point she actually thought about it for a minute and discussed it with her friends. Then, she decided she’d stick with me. Boy, did I feel special. Did I mention we’d been dating for 2-years?
Turns out she probably should have gone to the bus. And stayed there.
As you can imagine, we had the “How could you have even considered going off with Peter Cetera like that? How?” conversation about 173 times over the next couple of weeks, and naturally she had no reasonable answer. What was she supposed to say, “Well, I thought it would be nice to boink a rock star?” After that it was all downhill. I couldn’t get past it.
Yes my friends, fame and money are a powerful attractions indeed.
Then again, could I resist if Kate Beckinsale saw me somewhere and sent an assistant over with an invitation to board her bus? No freaking way. Probably not.
Wait. So I would do the same thing I was mad at my girlfriend for considering? Something’s wrong here.
Maybe it’s a double standard?
Maybe I should have just laughed it off?
Maybe I made a mistake?
Maybe I overreacted?
Crap, the more I think about it now the more I think I’m guilty of all of the above and was being a jackass. Or maybe I wasn’t? The mind reels. I’m so confused.
So I come out of this little self-therapy session realizing three things. The first is that I’ll never fully understand the whole dynamic between men and women. The second is that I still hold a grudge against Peter Cetera. The third? I really need to let this go.
Sigh.
Bodyguarding Beck
His life was in my hands.
A few years ago I had a rather interesting experience involving Beck. Here’s how it went down:
A buddy of mine used to work for a company in C-Bus that provided concert workers. You know, to take tickets, stuff like that. He asked if I’d be interested in working one of the shows and I said sure, what the hell, might be fun. So, he talks to the folks in charge and they make the approval. Didn’t know me from Adam but that didn’t seem to bother them. A couple of weeks later I get the call – Beck is playing Veteran’s Auditorium and they needed extra workers. Cool. I mean, at the time Beck was one of the biggest rock stars on the planet, a darling of the critics. Anyway, we get there, are given the yellow T-shirts with Security on the back, and then the head guy comes in to assign jobs.
He goes down the line, grabs my buddy and his wife, and tells them they’ll be assigned rows to help people get seated. Awesome. They’d get to stand there and watch the show. He looks me up and down and says, “I’ll need you in the back” then walks away. Damn. My friend looks at me and says, “Sorry dude. Looks like you’re out at the back door or back gate or something. Sorry you won’t get to see the show.”
Oh well. I took a shot, right?
Finally the guy comes back for me and says to follow him. I do and we end up in the “back”, as in “backstage.” He says, “I want you to stand right here. Under no circumstances do you let anybody through this door.” I look up at the door that says “Beck” on it and ask rather wittily, “You want me to guard Beck’s dressing room?”
And he sure enough did.
Just me, who’d never guarded anything in his life, as the only thing between Beck and the hordes of lunatics wanting a piece of him.
I stood there for a couple hours trying to look menacing, the opening act started, and finally some guy walks out the door – Beck’s drummer. He sits on the floor across the hallway from me and we proceed to shoot the breeze. A few minutes later another band member comes out and sits down as well. Long story short, pretty soon the whole band was out there, including the man himself, Beck, and three backup singers.
I eventually sit down because they asked me to and I figured it was OK. The only time I froze for a sec was when the drummer asked me what I was currently listening to. I really didn’t want to look like an idiot so I said The Eels. I breathed a sigh of relief as that answer was met with approving nods all around. Sweet. At that point I believed, perhaps irrationally, that I’d earned instant credibilty.
Eventually they all went back inside to get ready, and upon their return I was invited by the drummer to stand at the side of the stage and watch the show. Very cool. To top off my evening, afterwards Beck looked at the men assigned to escort him to his bus and instead requested that I do the honors, which I did. Dude must have thought I was a trained professional or something.
Maybe the best part was later, when I met up with my friend and he asked how it was in the back. “Well,” I said. “Let me tell you about it . . .”
A Monkee and Me
Many of you have read about my serendipitous encounters with rock stars and their ilk, most notably David Crosby, Todd Rundgren, Jeff Lynne, and Beck. Hey, I even shared a cold brew with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith on one memorable occasion.
There’s another encounter I had, however, that didn’t occur face-to-face, but rather over the phone. Here’s what happened . . .
Back in the late 70’s I was perusing the back of Rolling Stone magazine and came across an interesting little ad. It was in regards to The Monkees, the wildly popular band from the 60’s that had pretty much disappeared over the prior decade or so. Hey, but at one point Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davey Jones and Michael Nesmith were household names. They even had a TV show and everything.
Anyway, the ad basically said something along the lines of, “Wonder what the Monkees have been up to? Call this number to get a rundown on their latest activities!” It then explained that you’d be connected to a recording that would fill you in.
Being a big 60’s music guy I was sort of interested to see what the boys had been up to, so I thought what the hell? I’ll give the number a call.
Remember kids, this was before the internet and to get information you had to, you know, work for it and whatnot.
I dialed and was listening to the phone ringing on the other end when I got a surprise – somebody answered! What the hell?
Being the witty guy that I am, I said the first thing that came to mind:
“Who is this?”
“Who’s THIS?”
“Well, I was trying to call the Monkee’s hotline to see what was going on. I found it in an ad in The Rolling Stone.”
“Oh yeah. You called the right number. The recording is down so I went ahead and answered.”
At this point I figure I’m talking to some secretary or something and am ready to hang up. But then . . .
“What do you want to know? This is Michael.”
Wait. Michael? As in Michael Nesmith?
Yep. Sure enough was. The one who always wore the skull cap, or toboggan if you will. Long story short he filled me in on everything, from Davey Jones and his work on Broadway to Peter Tork’s addiction problems. But what has stood out over the years, though, was what Nesmith told me he was doing:
“Yeah, I’m really into making music videos. That’s going to be the next big thing.”
Huh? Music videos? Why the hell would anyone want to watch that? I had no idea what he was talking about. Of course, MTV started a couple years later and everything became clear to me.
And Michael Nesmith? He ended up producing, among others, the music video for the Lionel Richie single “All Night Long” and the Michael Jackson single “The Way You Make Me Feel”.
Music videos? Who knew?
Turns out Michael Nesmith did.
My boys. Well, for a minute.
Back around 1978 Aerosmith was on a bit of a downward spiral. Something about drug addictions and whatnot. Anyway, it was after “Dream On” but before the album “Permanent Vacation” marked their return to prominence. A friend of mine was a regional roadie, one of those guys who doesn’t travel with the bands but works a certain area where he helps set up shows and the like. Well, he had backstage passes to Aerosmith and asked if I wanted one.
Well, yeah.
I watched the show (not so good actually – something about drug addictions and whatnot) then headed backstage for the festivities. I don’t really know how to explain it other than saying it’s exactly what you’d expect it to be. Lots of girls, drugs, alcohol, and things I didn’t recognize and haven’t seen since. Rock and Roll decadence at its highest form. Back in those days I blended right in. My hair was as long as theirs and I looked like a taller Charley Manson, minus the God complex and murderous intentions (well, maybe just the murderous intentions).
I worked my way over to Steven Tyler and struck up a conversation, probably saying something witty and insightful like “nice show” which incidentally would have been a complete lie. He looked at me through glazed-over eyes and offered me a beer (for the record, it was a Stroh’s – dead serious). One thing led to another and I ended up on a couch sitting between Tyler and Joe Perry.
Kids, there once existed a picture of me, between those two, all three of us holding up a beer for the camera with half-crazed smiles on our faces. Later, in one of the dumbest moves of my life, I gave the picture to a girl I was dating, who displayed it proudly on her apartment wall. Sadly, when we had an ugly break-up, she hit me where it hurt most – she burned the picture.
For years I waited for her to show up and say she had really kept the picture, then hand it to me with a smile. That moment never happened, but there’s still hope, right? Right?
Damn it.
When a Beach Boy Tried to Steal My Girl
In the late 70’s I went to see The Beach Boys, again at Riverfront Coliseum in The Natti.
Assclown.
It marked the return of Brian Wilson, quite a big deal at the time. Anyway, we were once again right down front. From the get-go Mike Love was paying special attention to my date, at one point getting down on one knee and singing a song right to her face. I don’t remember the song, probably because I was too busy watching the security dude and figuring my odds of getting a shot at Love’s nose. Eventually Love actually sent a guy down to ask if she was interested. She said no and he never came close to us the rest of the show. Bizarre experience. And oddly enough, a few years later almost exactly the same thing happened with Peter Cetera of Chicago.
Saluting Boz Skaggs
Back in the mid-10s a girlfriend of mine at the time and I went to a Cincinnati Bengals game in The Natti. It was a night game and we were staying at The Cincinnatian, a cool old hotel and a favorite of mine that’s located downtown and within walking distance from the stadium. After the game we went to a few local establishments to celebrate the victory with Bengal fans, then we decided to have a nightcap at the hotel bar. My girlfriend had to run up to the room so I went on into the bar to grab a couple stools. Turns out the place was nearly empty (probably because it was 1:30am), save for a lone gentleman sitting across from me wearing a suit and loosened tie. I didn’t really pay attention to him until my date rejoined me, but when I looked again I said, “Damn. I think that’s Boz Skaggs over there.” After a minute or two I walked over, stuck out my hand said, because I’m quick like that, “You’re Boz Skaggs aren’t you?” I know, not my best work but still. Anyway, he looked me right in the eye and said, “You are correct, sir.” At that point I told him I loved his self-titled first album back in ’69 and particularly loved the song Loan Me A Dime where Duane Allman played some killer guitar. I think he liked that because most people know him from his mid-70s album Silk Degrees which is less bluesy and a little more poppy. After a nice chat he bid me goodnight, gave a hug to my girlfriend as he left, and since he was taking a drink back to his room he raised his glass in salute and was gone.
We got back to the room, and since my girlfriend had never heard of Boz Skaggs, I played her a few tunes on my phone. She said, “What? That was THAT guy?”
Yep. It was that guy.
Eating Mac and Cheese with Taylor Hawkins
Couscous Mac and Cheese Fan.
It was at CalJam ’18 and I was backstage thanks to a buddy of mine whose daughter happens to be on the Foo Fighters management team. I was causally going through the food line, opening those stainless steel chafing containers as I went. As I opened one I said out loud to myself, “Huh. I wonder what that is?” Next thing I knew a voice from behind me said, “That’s Couscous Mac and Cheese man! You have to try it!” I turned around, and there stood none other than Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who proceeded to grab a spatula and fill my plate with a generous portion of Couscous Mac and Cheese. Then he slapped me on the back and sauntered away. Thanks Taylor Hawkins. By the way, the Couscous Mac and Cheese was indeed spectacular.
Update: Taylor Hawkins tragically passed away a couple weeks ago (March 25th, 2022). It was a shocking loss for the rock world, but I’ll always have that great memory of him. So sad.
So that’s all I got. Oh, I’ve met the guys from Cracker, Carbon Leaf and a few other bands, and I finally got to meet Steve Forbert a couple years ago which was a big thrill for me. He even autographed his book for me.
I’ve also had some near misses as they say, like the time I attempted to approach Eminem at an airport in Miami only to be stopped by a couple bodyguards the size of Rhode Island. Oh, and I approached Eric Carmen at the Cleveland Airport once and he couldn’t have been more dismissive. Go to hell Eric Carmen. Still love The Raspberries though. Finally, I spotted Eric Clapton walking down the other side of the street in the Short North of Columbus, Ohio in the late 00s and gave him a yell and a wave. His wife was a Columbus gal and I read later it wasn’t unusual to see him strolling through the area. And yes, he waved back.
Everyone knows what a huge Beatles fan I am. I will fight you if you say they were overrated or anything less than the greatest rock band of all-time. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times – The Beatles advanced rock music more in 7-years than music has been advanced in the years since they broke up.
So trust me when I say there are not many bigger fans of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr than me. I wrote a blog about my first experience with The Beatles entitled The Transformation of a Kid that you can read by clicking here.
Fun fact: I was once paid off to leave a Beatles Trivia Contest on a cruise ship because I was dominating the competition and ruining the fun. The DJ running the contest actually asked the crowd to pitch in and buy me off. I think I was paid around $200.00 not to play. Not even kidding.
I tell you all this so you’ll better understand what this date means to me.
On December 8th, 1980 at around 11:30 I was relaxing on my couch with my headphones on, listening to “Double Fantasy”, the new album by John Lennon that had been released a couple of weeks prior. Lennon hadn’t recorded in 5-years so the album was a big deal. The Monday Night Football game was on but I wasn’t really watching, I was just lounging with my eyes closed, listening to the music. The TV was actually behind me and I was facing the fireplace. At some point I opened my eyes and glanced into the glass doors of the fireplace. There I saw the reflection of the TV and John Lennon’s face was on it. Weird. I took the headphones off and turned to the television, and they were talking about Lennon being a former Beatle who had just released an album, just giving a brief bio of his life.
Uh-oh. This wasn’t good.
I soon learned that John Lennon had been shot dead outside his New York City apartment. I was stunned. A few minutes later my phone started ringing as people were calling to share the news and talk about this unspeakable thing that had happened. Soon my friend Tom showed up and we spent the night just talking about it in disbelief.
The following Sunday Tom, I and our friend Andy attended a memorial in Columbus where thousands of people stood to honor John Lennon. Yoko, John’s wife, had asked the world for 10-minutes of silence and I’ll never forget standing with 20,000 people outside the statehouse in the midst of a complete and utter calm. Not a noise was to be heard, and even the cars and busses in the street had stopped. At the end of the 10-minutes “Imagine” began playing over the loudspeakers and there weren’t many dry eyes to be found.
John Lennon had been such a big part of my life. He greatly impacted me and how I viewed the world. He spoke his mind, even when he had an unpopular opinion. He was intelligent, witty, and thought-provoking. Oh, and he wrote such beautiful music.
And now, suddenly, he was gone. It was like losing a friend. I really felt as if I’d known him.
Music, such a influential part of my life, would never be the same.
Christmas songs. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you just can’t avoid ‘em this time of year. Like most of you I have my own collection. It makes no difference if you like the classics, the contemporary or the ornery, Shoe: Untied has them for you. With that in mind, let’s take a look-see into The Shoe Musical Archives to find what’s filed under “Christmas” . . .
O.K., first let’s take a look at some of my personal all-time favorites, the old rock standbys if you will:
Happy X-Mas (War is Over) – John Lennon
John singing of Christmas, peace, love, and the end of war. What more could you ask for?
Father Christmas – The Kinks
A traditional Christmas song that tells the story of a department store Santa Claus who is beaten up by a gang of poor kids who tell him to give them money instead of toys. Sure to hit you right in the feelz.
Punk Rock Christmas – Sex Pistols
Pretty much a straight-forward punk rock Christmas song. How they got the lads to do it I’ll never know. Well, money I suppose.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2
The great U2 remake of the 1963 Darlene Love classic. Bono shreds on lead.
Little St. Nick – The Beach Boys
Christmas in the original Beach Boys style. I can’t have Christmas without this one.
Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town – Bruce Springsteen
The Boss’s live version that brings down the house. “It’s all cold down on the beach . . . “
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Chrissie Hynde
The classic as only Akron’s own Chrissie can sing it. Simply beautiful.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – The Beatles
You didn’t think I’d have a mix without the the lads from Liverpool, did ya? Good stuff.
Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum – Jimmy Buffett
Along with Christmas in the Caribbean, Buffett’s best holiday party song.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – John Mellencamp
Great rockin’ version of this Christmas classic, but with a Mellencamp touch. Great fiddle too.
Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty
“And right down our block, little kids start to rock . . .”
Honorable Mention: Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid, Merry Christmas Baby – Bruce Springsteen, Christmas in the Caribbean – Jimmy Buffett, Santa Baby – Rev Run & The Christmas All-Stars
Next, let’s take a look at some newer fare, tunes that have caught my ear in recent years:
Christmas Time – Smashing Pumpkins
Simply one of the most beautiful, touching Christmas songs I’ve ever heard. More emotion than in any other Billy Corrigan vocal. Check out the video at the end of this blog.
Everything’s Gonna to Be Cool This Christmas – Eels
Mr. E telling himself that maybe, just maybe, everything’s going to work out.
The Man in the Santa Suit – Fountains of Wayne
Only the quirky band from the east coast could sing it like this.
Lonely Christmas Eve – Ben Folds
Ben’s version from the “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” soundtrack. Stellar.
Christmas – Blues Traveler
Bluesy number from the early 90’s. And yes, Popper blows the harmonica.
Christmas Time Again – Extreme
Maybe Gary Cherone couldn’t stick with Van Halen, but he kills this song.
The Lights and Buzz – Jack’s Mannequin
“It’s Christmas in California, And it’s hard to ignore that it feels like summer all the time, But I’ll take a west coast winter to remove my splinters. It’s good to be alive.”
Waking Up On Christmas – The Smithereens
Straight-ahead rocker by the legendary Smithereens.
Santa’s Beard – They Might Be Giants
“I saw my baby wearing Santa’s beard, She kissed him once and whispered in his ear, I saw my baby wearing Santa’s beard, I wish he would go, He’s breaking up my home . . .”
I Want an Alien for Christmas – Fountains of Wayne
FoW pretty much saying that, well, they want an alien for Christmas.
Honorable Mention: Snowman – Barenaked Ladies, Last Christmas – Jimmy Eat World, I Hate Christmas Parties – Relient K, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Sister Hazel
I also would like to mention a few other Christmas gems you might enjoy. You may not hear these in your local Walmart, but here goes:
Who Put the D**k on the Snowman? – Rodney Carrington
A heartwarming story about some kids who made a snowman in honor of their father. Sure to pull at your heartstrings.
Ho Ho F***ing Ho – The Monty Python Singers
A Christmas song with a Monty Python twist. Great for Christmas office parties or church socials.
Merry F***ing Christmas – Mr. Garrison from South Park
As politically incorrect as you can possibly imagine.
I’ve Got a B**er for Christmas – Nerf Herder
Pretty much what the title suggests. Perfect for sitting on front of the fire with that special someone.
Well, there ya go. I also have a ton of the usual suspects such Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano, McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime and the like. Yeah, yeah, I have some Alvin & The Chipmunks too. What can I say? I enjoy Christmas music of all kinds.
Yeah, age really creeps up on you man. Seems like yesterday I was hanging out on the mean streets of Bourneville, Ohio on my Schwinn bike with the butterfly handlebars, banana seat, sissy bar and the racing slick tire on the back. Alas, time has surged onward and here I am, writing about said times (and some other stuff) on something called the internet. But enough of that silly nostalgia. Let’s get going with some facts that will rattle your brain, shake your cranium and blow your gourd because hey, that’s what we do here at Shoe: Untied. To wit . . .
THE KARATE KID IS NOW OLDER THAN MR. MIYAGI
Yessir, Ralph Macchio, who played Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid, was supposed to be a teen in the 1984 movie. However, he was actually 22. Today, Macchio is all grown up—so much, in fact, that he’s now older than Mr. Miyagi was at the time. Pat Morita, who played Miyagi, was a mere 52-years old back then, while Macchio is currently 59. Mind? Blown.
2. THE LAST SEINFELD EPISODE AIRED 25-YEARS AGO
T’was in 1998, not even kidding. The Friends finale? 19-years ago, in 2004. And do you want to really feel old? The last Cheers episode aired in 1993, 30-years ago.
3. KIDS GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 2023 WERE BORN AFTER 9/11
And to think Prince’s song 1999 once conjured up thoughts of a far distant future. Sweet Mother that makes me feel old.
4. BART SIMPSON IS 42-YEARS OLD
Bart was likely born in early 1981, which means that today he’d be 42-years old. Of course he’s always 8-years old on the show, but still.
5. KURT COBAIN WOULD HAVE BEEN 56-YEARS OLD THIS YEAR
John Lennon? 83. Elvis? 88. Buddy Holly? 87. Jim Morrison? Only 80.
6. THE FUTURE IN BACK TO THE FUTURE IS NOW 8-YEARS IN THE PAST
Remember in BTTF 2 when Marty McFly and Doc took the time-traveling DeLorean into the future? They picked a date that, at the time, seemed ridiculously far away. Who knew what the world would look like on October 21, 2015? Sure, we don’t have ejection seats, self-drying jackets, bionic brain implants, self-tying shoes or hoverboards that actually hover, but we do have other things we couldn’t have imagined like the internet, iPhones and and African American ex-president.
7. THE CHARACTER MOLLY RINGWALD PLAYED 16 CANDLES IS NOW 54-YEARS OLD
Yep. The character was 16 in 1984. do the math. Good grief.
8. THE MEDIAN AGE OF THE TRAVELING WILBURYS WAS 44
Remember how old they all seemed when they released that awesome debut album in 1988? Well, the youngest Wilbury was Tom Petty, who was just 37 at the time. Roy Orbison was the oldest, at 52. The others—Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and George Harrison—were all in their 40s. In fact, the median age of the Traveling Wilburys was a mere 44-years old, 20-years younger than yours truly.
9. SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH IS NOW A 48-YEAR OLD MOM
Melissa Joan Hart’s oldest kid is now 18, which was 2-years younger than her character’s age when the show began.
10. MONICA FROM FRIENDS IS OLD ENOUGH TO BE A GOLDEN GIRL
Courteney Cox—who played Monica Geller—will be turning 60, which just so happens to be Blanche Devereaux’s (Rue McClanahan) age during the first season of The Golden Girls in 1985. Holy Mother of God.
11. MOST 21-YEAR OLDS HAVE NEVER USED A DISCMAN OR A WALKMAN
And they don’t even know what the hell we’re talking about when we say the names. And I won’t even mention cassette players. And hey, just for kicks ask them what a Motorola Razr is. That’ll be fun.
So there ya go. Sorry if I made ya feel old but not really.
Due to popular demand and after much thought, reflection and intensive research I have compiled my list of favorite supergroups. For you non-rock fans out there, a supergroup is a group comprised of band members that were stars in other groups or on their own but combined together to form, yes, a SUPERGROUP.
Theoretically.
Because sometimes, for whatever reason, things didn’t work out so well. Then you ended up with bands like Power Station, Zwan (look it up but be forewarned), and Chickenfoot. Sorry Chickenfoot fans, but I refer to this band comprised of Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Joe Satriani and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) as Chickenshit. Ugh. Not a fan.
But hey, let’s get to the good stuff. I’ll start with #10 and work up, because that’s how I roll. Remember, this is just my personal opinion, so save your vitriol for somebody else. That said, there may be some controversy among the top two or three.
Let’s do this:
HONORABLE MENTION:
Audioslave
Any band that has Chris Cornell singing lead and Tom Morello on guitar is good enough for me. Their blend of 90s alternative music with 70s hard rock was stellar.
Tired Pony
Tired Pony was a relatively recent band that included lead singer Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows and guitarist Peter Buck of R.E.M. If you want a sample, give a listen to “All Things at Once” to get the vibe. Also, if you watch the video you’ll also see why Peter Buck is one of the coolest dudes alive.
Tinted Windows
I loved these guys. They were comprised of guitarist James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins, singer Taylor Hanson of Hanson, bassist Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, and drummer Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick. Here’s a link so you can take a look at this supergroup and their catchy power pop.
And now to the Top 10.
#10.Them Crooked Vultures
Grohl, Homme and Jones.
Them Crooked Vultures is a band formed in 2009 and included Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, The Foo Fighters and Nirvana’s Dave Grohl, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Give a listen to “Mind Eraser, No Chaser” and you’ll see why I loved these guys. Update: I met Josh Homme backstage at Cal Jam ’18. Good dude.
#9.Velvet Revolver
A lot of folks didn’t like this group, but I thought this band comprised of Slash, Duff McKagen and Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses, Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots was awesome. Listen to “Slither” for some hard drivin’ rock and roll.
#8. Blind Faith
Blind Faith was one of the first supergroups, and its main contributors were Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood. They only released one album, “Blind Faith” in 1969. Here’s some rare video of Blind Faith performing “Can’t Find My Way Home” for your perusal.
#7.Temple of the Dog
Again, any band with Chris Cornell of Soundgarden singing lead is OK by me, but add Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and a couple members of Mother Love Bone into the mix and you’re good to go. Hell, even Eddie Vedder sat in with then from time-to-time. Here’s a sample: “Say Hello to Heaven“
#6.Emerson, Lake and Palmer
ELP was formed when Keith Emerson of The Nice, Greg Lake of King Crimson, and Carl Palmer of Atomic Rooster* got together to play some progressive rock and roll. I saw these guys at the Fairgrounds in C-Bus and they were great live. Watch them play “From the Beginning” and be swept downstream by their haunting, beautiful sound.
*Greatest band name ever.
#5.Bad Company
Bad Company was formed in 1973 by two former Free band members—singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke—as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Favorite song? “Can’t Get Enough.” Enjoy.
#4.Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
They can’t stand in order? Here’s Young, Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Only #4 you say? Well, Neil’s sort of a part-timer so that’s why I dropped them a tad. They were formed when David Crosby of The Byrds, Stephen Stills and Neil Young of Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash of The Hollies got together. CSN & Y had a million good songs, but my favorite was probably “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (without Neil). Even today it still sounds pretty fresh.
#3.Cream
Not to be confused with Blind Faith, Cream consisted of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. If you haven’t noticed, Clapton had a little issue with forming and leaving bands there for awhile. Bruce was an amazing bassist and vocalist, hence the higher ranking than Blind Faith. Anywho, there’s not many better songs than “White Room” in rock history. Here’s a performance by a reunited Cream in 2005. Love it.
#2. The Highwaymen
Holy smokes, how can a band consisting of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings be topped? Well, they almost weren’t. They are #2 after all. They guys got together around 1985 and performed off and on for 10-years or so. And yes, I know they’re country but they’re also too good to be left off my list. If you’re questioning me, watch them perform “The Highwayman” at Farm Aid in 1993.
#1. The Traveling Wilburys
Dylan, Lynne, Petty, Orbison and Harrison
Of course I have The Travelling Wilburys at #1. They got together in the late 80s and had some of my favorite all-time rockers in the band – Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and George Harrison. They only recorded two albums and Orbison died before the second one, but damn were they good. They had several great tunes, but if you don’t love “Handle With Care” you have no Rock ‘n’ Roll soul.
Like I said, I know there will be disagreements and debate regarding my choices and that’s cool. Discuss!
Or maybe you did. What do I know? Anyway, cover songs are nearly as old as music, and while some are highly credited, some are decidedly not. It’s almost as if some artists don’t want people to know the song had been done previously.
I started with about 40-songs but narrowed it down, cutting songs like “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston that was originally a Dolly Parton song. I figured a lot of people already knew that one anyway. The 28 I chose are covers that I thought maybe people would find surprising.
But like I said, maybe not. Still, I’m willing to bet there are at least a couple of surprises on here, even for the biggest music aficionados.
Sidenote – There are a thousand white artists who took black artists songs and made them hits. Hell, Pat Boone made a career out of lifting Little Richard songs and creating bestsellers for white audiences. And man, did they suck. Listen to his version of “Tutti Frutti” by clicking here and you’ll get my drift. That’s brutal, man.
Without further ado, here are my 28 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers (or maybe you did):
Cocaine – Eric Clapton
Nosiree Bob, Slowhand did not record Cocaine first, although he did have a well documented love affair with it before getting all clean and sober and whatnot. The original was done by his old buddy J.J. Cale merely a year earlier, in 1977. Here ’tis:
Something in the Air – Tom Petty
Yep. Tom covered the original by the gloriously named Thunderclap Newman, who performed the tune back in 1969. In fact, it was #1 in the country when man first landed on the moon. Check ’em out . .
House of the Rising Sun – The Animals
Nope. Not an original. In fact, the author of the song is unknown. It’s a traditional folk song believed to be brought from English immigrants in the 1800’s and appropriated to a more current form in New Orleans. Here’s a version from 1933 by Tom Clarence Ashley & Gwen Foster:
Bet that got your attention, huh? Let’s continue . . .
Twist and Shout – The Beatles
Eh, maybe some of you knew this was a cover. Still, I had to include it. The Isley Brothers did a killer version as well. Here’s the original by the Top Notes in 1961:
Factoid: The song’s original title was “Shake It Up, Baby”.
Got My Mind Set On You – George Harrison
This was a big Jeff Lynne produced song for George back in 1987, but a cool cat by the name of James Ray did it first, way back in 1963:
Cum On Feel the Noize – Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot blatantly swiped this one in ’83, but my boys from Slade had rocked it 10-years prior, back in 1973. On a related note, Slade was a great band. Listen to “My Oh My” and “Run Runaway” to get the vibe. Good stuff.
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
This tune was originally performed by Gloria Jones way back in 1964. Marilyn Manson also recorded it in the ’90s, but Soft Cell had to biggest hit with it in the ’80s. But here’s the very first version:
Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
Elvis pilfered a lot of songs, just like Pat Boone. The difference was that Elvis performed them with a helluva lot more soul. “Hound Dog” was first done by the legendary Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton back in 1952. Just an awesome performance:
Damn that’s good.
Turn! Turn! Turn! – The Byrds
Before The Byrds had a monster hit with this featuring beautiful harmonies and jangly guitars, Pete Seeger sang it with just an acoustic guitar and a gravelly voice. Give a listen:
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Yep this was done by none other than Otis Redding prior to Aretha’s version. Of course, coming from a woman (especially in the 60s) the lyrics took on a whole new connotation. In addition, Aretha added the iconic R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the song, and the rest is history. However, here’s the original:
Love Hurts – Nazareth
Now here’s a good one. Did you know that the Everly Brothers recorded this song first? Sure did, w-a-y back in 1960. Here’s proof, ya skeptic:
I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
Before the all-girl group made this a smash back in the 1980s, a band of dudes called The Strangeloves recorded it in the Swingin’ ’60s. Here it be:
Those go-go dancers were fabulous, amirite?
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Now here’s a weird one. This song was originally performed and sung by a man, and his name was Robert Hazard. Weird but true. He released it in 1979, 4-years prior to Miss Lauper. Here ’tis:
Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Again, some of you may know this but it must be included. This one was originally written and recorded a young singer by the name of Bruce Springsteen, and it was on his “Live from Asbury Park” album in 1972, with Manfred Mann’s version coming out in 1976. This is actually a rare case where I prefer the cover. Sorry Bruce. Anyway, here’s the real deal:
Time Is On My Side – Rolling Stones
Before The Stones had a hit with it, a singer named Irma Thomas had recorded it in 1963. And man, I have to say I like her version better. If you listen you can see The Stones pretty much copied it straightaway. By the way, if you want to get technical, the tune got its start as an instrumental for trombonist Kai Winding and his Orchestra earlier that year. Here you go:
Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix
Here’s another tune that is almost solely associated with one artist but in reality is a cover. You see, it was performed earlier by a band named The Leaves. I know, I’d never heard of them either. Great song though. Classic garage band rock.
The First Cut is the Deepest – Rod Stewart
I’ve never been a fan of Rod’s covers, and this one is no exception. Here’s the original done by the unfortunately named but cute P.P. Arnold. Oh, and the song was written by Cat Stevens. Cool.
I Love Rock & Roll – Joan Jett
Yep, bet you never knew that this song was first sung by The Arrows back in 1975, did you? And they did it well, I might add. Honestly, it’s badass. Check it out:
Dazed and Confused – Led Zeppelin
Ah, can’t leave this gem out. Although Zep is widely identified with this song, it was in fact sung first by a gent named Jake Holmes in 1967. Hey, I kid you not. The song was also recorded by the Yardbirds. Led Zeppelin, who also have been accused of stealing the riff for “Stairway To Heaven” off the song “Taurus” by Spirit, somehow managed to pull off a separate copyright for their cover. What? Jimmy Page discovered the song when Holmes opened for the Yardbirds in 1967. Incredibly, Holmes later discovered his own track on Led Zeppelin’s album. He wrote Page asking for credit, but never got a response. Here’s the original:
Red Red Wine – UB40
Sure, UB40’s reggae-flavored rendition was great, but guess who did the original? None other than Mr. Neil Diamond, back in 1968. I wouldn’t lie to you. Neil’s version was a hell of a lot slower and more somber fo sho. Check it:
Killing Me Softly – The Fugees
The Fugees’ cover of “Killing Me Softly” is one of those tracks that perfectly captures ’90s nostalgia, but before Lauryn Hill became everyone’s new favorite vocalist, there was Roberta Flack, and before Flack was Lori Lieberman’s acoustic ballad. I bet you thought Roberta Flack did the original, amirite? Nope. Here ’tis:
Fun Fact: Lieberman wrote the song after seeing Don McLean in concert. You know, the American Pie dude.
Mickey – Tony Basil
Toni Basil’s “Mickey” is so fine, but it might blow your mind to know that the song was first recorded by a British pop quartet called Racey, and it was about a woman named Kitty. True story.
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
Admit it. You did not know Johnny’s sister-in-law Anita Carter did this song first. Yep. Sure did.
Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
A year before Billy Ray Cyrus and his mullet had us concerned for the hopefully unruffled state of his heart, the country music trio The Marcy Brothers released the track titled as “Don’t Tell My Heart.” Coincidentally, The Marcy Brothers also sported mullets. Hey, it was 1991.
Piece of My Heart – Big Brother and the Holding Company
Did you know Aretha Franklin had a sister named Erma? Yep. She recorded “Piece of My Heart” in 1967. It was a Top 10 hit on the R&B chart but didn’t get past No. 62 on the Hot 100. A year later, Big Brother and the Holding Company released it on the album “Cheap Thrills” where it reached No. 12 and went gold. Shortly thereafter Janis Joplin left the band and then the earth.
Jet Airliner – Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller heard “Jet Airliner” from his keyboardist, Ben Sidran, who had produced Paul Pena’s “Night Train” record in 1973. Pena’s album wasn’t released until, amazingly, 2000, but Steve Miller’s version became a hit.
You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt
“You’re No Good” was first recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, Dionne’s sister, in 1963, though Betty Everett charted with it later that same year. Another sister, man.
The Tide is High – Blondie
This tune was originally recorded in 1966 by the Jamaican rock steady band the Paragons and allowed Blondie, as many New Wave bands did, branch into reggae. Good stuff.
So there ya go kids, 28 songs you may or may not have known were covers. In some cases I like the original better, others not so much. Bottom line I hope you learned something today.
What can I tell you? I’m a sucker for acoustic songs. There’s something so simple and pure about them. They seem to cut right to the core of the song. And to me, they’re more soulful. You can really tell how good an artist or band is when they strip it down to just a voice accompanied by a guitar or piano. Maybe even a violin. Anyway, here are some of my favorite acoustic versions of songs. They cover a variety of genres and time periods, but they’ve all touched me on some level. Enjoy.
Nowhere Man – Paul Westerberg
I usually hate Beatle covers, but Westerberg’s version is hauntingly beautiful.
All for You – Sister Hazel
This version included John Popper of Blues Traveler. Well done boys.
Sister Christian – Night Ranger
Yep. Big Hair Band doing it acoustically. You’ll like it.
Better Days – Goo Goo Dolls
Great version of a wonderful song.
Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
Make fun of me, yes, even mock me if you will, but my girl KC has some amazing pipes. Here’s proof. Now leave me alone.
Selling the Drama – Live
Loved these guys. Great tune.
So Cold – Breaking Benjamin
Love this band.
This Night Won’t Last Forever – Michael Johnson
Just an incredibly sad song.
Tell Her This – Del Amitri
“Tell her something in my mind freezes up from time to time.” Amen brother.
*For mature readers only, and trust me when I say you’ll look at that little dog differently by the end of this article.
But seriously, I’m talking songs about killers. Death Songs. Rock and Roll has been rife with these types of oddities since its inception. Probably the heyday of morbid rock was in the 60’s, with songs like “Dead Man’s Curve” or “Last Kiss” (Pearl Jam did a brutal cover of that one a few years back) although that’s not exactly the type of song I’m going to talk about here. I’ve always been fascinated by the tunes with more of an edge, songs with a more threatening tone if you will. If they have a happy little melody to balance things out, well, that’s even better. Hey, there’s nothing cooler than humming along merrily to a song about a serial killer, right? Right?
So without further ado, a list of my favorites:
Run for Your Life – The Beatles
This gem from John Lennon seems harmless enough, at least until you actually listen to the lyrics. It was on Rubber Soul and John pulled no punches regarding what would happen if his girlfriend left him:
Let this be a sermon,I mean everything I’ve said,Baby, I’m determined and I’d rather see you dead.You better run for your life if you can, little girl,Hide your head in the sand little girl,Catch you with another man, that’s the end, little girl.
Yikes. How in God’s name did that get past the honcho’s way back in 1965? This, my friends, was an early indicator that the friendly moptops weren’t as innocent as they seemed.
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer – The Beatles
This Paul McCartney song (from Abbey Road) is a great example of how downright nasty lyrics can be when hidden behind a catchy tune and how, incredibly, a lot of people miss the point. Hey, it’s upbeat and bouncy, it can’t possibly be about a guy who murders his girlfriend Joan, his teacher, and then the judge presiding over his trial. Or can it? I’ve got to give you the full song on this one:
Joan was quizzical, studied mataphysical science in the home, Late nights all alone with a test-tube, ohh-oh-oh-oh… Maxwell Edison majoring in medicine calls her on the phone, “Can I take you out to the pictures Joa-oa-oa-oan?” But as she’s getting ready to go a knock comes on the door…
Bang, bang, Maxwell’s silver hammer came down upon her head Bang, bang, Maxwell’s silver hammer made sure that she was dead.
Back in school again Maxwell plays the fool again, teacher gets annoyed Wishing to avoid an unpleasant sce-e-e-ene, She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away, so he waits behind, Writing 50 times “I must not be so-o-o-oo…” But when she turns her back on the boy, he creeps up from behind…
Bang, bang, Maxwell’s silver hammer came down upon her head, Bang, bang, Maxwell’s silver hammer made sure that she was dead.
P.C. Thirty-One said “we caught a dirty one,” Maxwell stands alone, Painting testimonial pictures ohh-oh-oh-oh, Rose and Valerie screaming from the gallery, say he must go free, The judge does not agree and he tells them so-o-o-oo, But as the words are leaving his lips a noise comes from behind…
Bang, bang, Maxwell’s silver hammer came down upon his head, Bang, Bang, Maxwell’s silver hammer made sure that he was dead.
I’m going to tell you something now that you may not believe. I actually heard an elementary music class singing this song at school once. I stopped outside in the hallway to make sure I was hearing what I thought I was hearing, and I was sure enough correct.
Another great song about rape and murder set to a catchy melody. Hey, he’s just an excitable boy:
He took little Suzie to the Junior Prom Excitable boy, they all said. And he raped her and killed her, then he took her home Excitable boy, they all said.Well, he’s just an excitable boy.
After ten long years they let him out of the home, Excitable boy, they all said.And he dug up her grave and built a cage with her bones, Excitable boy, they all said.Well, he’s just an excitable boy.
That last line about building a cage with her bones just finishes it off with the right touch, don’t ya think?
Marie Provost – Nick Lowe
God, I love this song. It’s just chock full of ironic, tongue-in-cheek madness. Basically it’s a song about a silent movie actress who couldn’t adjust when the talkies came to Hollywood. She lives all alone in a house with her little dachshund, becomes depressed, passes out on pills, and uh, things take an ugly turn. Here ya go kids! Sing along!
She’d been lyin’ there for two or three weeks,The neighbors said they never heard a squeak,While hungry eyes that could not speak,Said even little doggies have gotta eat.
And later . . .
Those qualude bombs didn’t help her sleep,As her nights grew long and her days grew bleak,It’s all downhill once you’ve passed your peak,Marie got ready for that last big sleep.
The cops came in and they looked around,Throwin’ up everywhere over what they found,The handiwork of Marie’s little dachshund.That hungry little dachshund!
She was a winner that became a doggie’s dinner,She never meant that much to me,Whoa oh, poor Marie.
Try though as I might to elaborate on those lyrics, I got nuthin’. That is all.
The End – The Doors
Ooh, this song gave me the willies back when I was a young, impressionable kid (insert age joke here). Even now it’s a powerful song in many respects. To this day it’s hard to believe Jim Morrison went where he went with these horrifying lyrics:
The killer awoke before dawn, he put his boots on.He took a face from the ancient gallery, And he walked on down the hall. He went into the room where his sister lived, and then he . . . paid a visit to his brother, and then he . . . walked on down the hall, and he came to a door . . . and he looked inside.
“Father?” “Yes son.” “I want to kill you.” “Mother? I want to . . . . f**k you.”
Holy . . . what the hell? Man, you think rap music goes to dark places? They got nothin’ on The Lizard King. Whoa.
Great song from the early 70’s about three guys who become trapped in a cave and uh… let’s just say only two are left when the rescuers get to them. Hey, nothing wrong with a catchy little song about cannibalism, is there? Enjoy . . .
Hungry as hell no food to eat,And Joe said that he would sell his soul,For just a piece of meat
Water enough to drink for two,And Joe said to me, “I’ll have a swigAnd then there’s some for you.”
Timothy, Timothy, Joe was looking at youTimothy, Timothy, God what did we do?
I must have blacked out just around then,‘Cause the very next thing that I could, Was the light of the day again,My stomach was full as it could be, And nobody ever got aroundTo finding Timothy . . .
So there you have it. My favorite songs about murder, rape, cannibalism, death by dachshund, and screwing your mother.
Weird, but a lot of my readers won’t know what this is.
I was talking to a friend the other day about how much not only music has changed over the past 40-50 years, but how much we buy and listen to it has changed as well. After we talked I began thinking about music and how I became so involved in it, and my mind went back to the early 60’s, when I was just a young whippersnapper . . .
Mom and Dad always had records around, but they were by guys like Dean Martin and Al Martino. Then my sisters started bringing records home by Elvis and artists like Gene Pitney, Bobby Vinton and The Four Seasons. Of course, The Beatles arrived and changed everything, but I began to get really immersed when one of my sister’s boyfriends, Dave, started bringing 45s to the house and playing them for me. Not only would he play the 45s, he would describe the group to me and give me background he’d learned from music magazines and other sources.
If this isn’t it exactly it’s pretty damn close.
In those early years I listened to everything on Mom and Dad’s massive stereo. It was one of those giant wooden ones with the lid that popped up, revealing the fascinating array of knobs and buttons with which to adjust the sound and volume.
Anyway, I was endlessly fascinated by Dave talking about the people behind the music, so as time went on I got into it more and more. I’d lie in bed listening to WLS radio out of Chicago every single night, just soaking up the sounds and imagining what the bands and singers looked like. I recall DJs like Larry Lujack and Wolfman Jack, and lying there the music just seemed so magical. It also, in my mind, came from exotic, faraway places.
That’s why I disliked music videos so much. They told us what to see, not what our imaginations could create. After MTV the song brought to mind the video, and that was sad to me. But back to my childhood . . .
As the late 60’s came along, so did my teenage years. Sometime around then I began buying my own records, and in the beginning it was always 45s. I remember going to Central Center with my father every other Friday to get haircuts. I’d go first, and then I’d walk down to Woolworths where they sold records. They had a display where they’d have the Top 20 singles and I’d always go there first, followed by the “New Releases” section.
Yep. Like this.
The 45s cost 79¢, and I usually had $5.00 that I had saved (I used to get an old guy’s mail that lived in Bourneville and he’d pay me a whopping $5.00 a week!) so I had to choose wisely. That’s six 45’s every 2-weeks for you non-Math folks out there. Sometimes I’d only buy 3 or 4 records so I could buy a Coke Float and Grilled Cheese sandwich over at the Woolworths soda fountain and bar. They had those cool stools and everything and I loved it.
Then I’d walk back up to the Barber Shop, meet Dad and head home. I could not wait to get there, take that record from the wrapper, drop it on the turntable, close my eyes and let the music take me away. Man, you couldn’t beat the late 60’s groups like The Rascals, Tommy James and the Shondells, The Four Tops, and of course The Beatles and others.
Later, around the time I got my driver’s license I believe, I started buying albums, or LPs. See, in the early 60’s albums were basically one hit song and a bunch of filler tunes. The songs were all independent of each other. The Beatles changed all that by making concept, or theme albums. On these albums the songs were all connected, like on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Because of this you wanted the entire album, or at least I did.
I bought most of my albums back then at Hart’s department store and places like that. If I really wanted to buy stuff out of the mainstream I went to Columbus and visited places like the gloriously named Magnolia Thunderpussy to find hard-to-get music. Up through the early to mid-80’s you couldn’t find alternative bands like R.E.M. and The Replacements in regular department stores.
Great LP cover. On a related note, I sat at a desk like this at the old Twin Elementary.
And kids today will have no concept of this, but there was nothing better than taking the cellophane off of an album and reading all the information on the back. It was even better if it was an album (usually a double album but not always) that opened up like a book. Often the lyrics were contained somewhere, either on the back of the album itself or maybe on the actual sleeve in which the record was contained. Posters could be in there, and some albums were really unique, like Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” LP which opened up like an old school desk. Cool. I’d spend hours going over everything on an album jacket, over and over and over.
Soon, LPs were pushed aside in favor of 8-track tapes. You couldn’t put much information on an 8-track, which sucked. 8-tracks had four sections and when the tape went from one to the other it made this clunky sound as it switched over. Sometimes, if the tape was dragging, you had to press a matchbook or something between the tape and player to tighten it up. I bet everyone who owned a tape player has done that a few times.
Next came the cassette. The cassette was even smaller than the 8-track, which led to even less information on it. Of course the CD followed, and by then you could go straight to a song without listening to other songs on the album. I remember hearing kids say, “Hey, play #4!” Hell, they didn’t even know the name of the song, let alone the background of it or, God forbid, the lyrics.
Alas, nowadays everything is downloaded from the internet and a lot of people don’t purchase the entire album. That’s sad because a lot of the time you have to listen to a song a few times before it grows on you. With an album you put it on and listened to everything, then you flipped it over and listened to Side 2. There was no fast-forwarding unless you wanted to get up and move the needle, man.
On a related note, LPs have made a pretty significant comeback. The sound is just different, and somehow better.
Bottom line, technology and the subsequent downloading of music has led to young people missing out on the depth and breadth of the music and the musicians that created it, you know? Nobody gets into the “Deep Cuts” anymore. And now that I think about it, isn’t that sort of describing the state of music today? That it’s lacking depth and breadth? It’s all tied together. Yep, it’s all becoming clear to me now.
Sigh.
Aw, maybe I just sound like an old guy lamenting the way things used to be. Then again, maybe not. I really believe that most of the changes have been for the worse. Advances like autotune, digital recording, even multi-tracking have cheapened the whole process.
Bottom line though? Even though I mostly prefer the older methods of recording and listening, I still love a lot of today’s recordings.
Why? Because it’s music, man. I couldn’t live without it.
Yep, one of my favorite songs of all-time is “Over the Rainbow.” Sorry if you were expecting “Stairway to Heaven” or “Freebird”. I simply love “Over the Rainbow” and have my entire life. I’ve loved it ever since I was a kid and heard it as I watched “The Wizard of Oz” on television (some of you may remember that “The Wizard of Oz” aired at some point around every Thanksgiving). I love it so much, in fact, that I have several versions of the song in my collection.
That said, I thought I’d rank my favorites. Let’s get it on . . .
First, the original. The song that originally caught my ear as a kid . . .
Judy Garland
What can I say? The song touched me on so many levels, even as a youngster. It’s all about dreaming of a better place, although we all know that, in the end, Dorothy found there was no place like home.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
How can you not like this version? Fast and full of punk. I’m sure that Harold Arlen, the dude who wrote the song, did NOT have this in mind when he penned the tune back in the 30’s. I dare you not to tap your foot.
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
I love this breezy version. It obviously has an island feel to it, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
Ray Charles
Why do I like this version? Well, it’s Ray Charles. Duh. Amazing take on the song.
Eric Clapton
Simply breathtaking.
So there you have it. My five favorite versions of one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s a great tune, and if Ray Charles and Eric Clapton agree, I mustn’t be wrong.
So I ran across this list the other day and thought I’d share it with you. I also wondered to myself how many of the bands listed I’d seen live. It may not be interesting to you, but what the hell, it’s my site. It’s not to late to turn back, by the way. Click off and go back to Facebook, man.
Anyway, let’s get to it . . .
20. Greatest Hits – Elton John
Hey, I like Elton John a lot. Favorite songs? “Levon” and “Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding)”. As is often the case, I like his earlier stuff much better than his 80’s material. Can’t say I’m a big fan of stuff like “I’m Still Standing”, but whatever. I saw Elton during his Yellow Brick Road tour back in the mid-70s and it was outstanding. Boom. 1 for 1.
19. Hotel California – The Eagles
I’m a fan of The Eagles, even though my boy The Dude from The Big Lebowski hated them. I’ve seen The Eagles a couple times too, most notably on the Hotel California tour itself. It was before the Who tragedy, and it was General Admission so of course we were front row. Good times. 2 for 2.
18. Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin
I’m sort of surprised that this album is one of their top selling ones to be honest. Yep, I’ve seen Zep too, and was nearly killed getting in. It was a few months before 11-people were killed at the aforementioned Who concert, and after the Zeppelin show I’d predicted something terrible was going to happen. They only opened 4-doors for 12,000 people, and it was first come first serve for getting your seats. Bad combo right there. Anyway, I was nearly crushed by the throng of people pushing to get in and had a flask ripped off my neck as I rushed past a security guard. Wild night. On a related note, I’m 3 for 3.
17. Metallica – Metallica
Damn it. 3 for 4. I’ve never seen Metallica. This is a pretty good album, and it includes “Enter Sandman” and “Wherever I May Roam” which are good tunes. Most of my metal friends don’t like it because they think it’s too soft. Most metal folks think anything with a melody is soft. True story.
16. Cracked Rear View – Hootie and the Blowfish
This is actually a great pop album with hooks for days. Love it. And yes, I was ahead of the Hootie phenomenon. I read a short blurb on them in Rolling Stone and snatched up some tickets when I heard they were going to be at The Newport in Columbus. We were right up front of the small venue, and they were outstanding. As I recall they were on Letterman a few days later and subsequently went through the roof. Just a couple months after performing at The Newport in front of a few hundred people they were selling out 15,000 seat arenas. Annnnnd, I’m 4 out of 5.
15. No Fences – Garth Brooks
Damn it. Just as I was starting to get cocky. I’ve never seen Garth Brooks, and although I enjoy some of his stuff I’ve never been a huge fan. They say he’s great live though, and I’ve no reason to doubt it. Oh, and 4 out of 6.
14. Boston – Boston
I have never seen Boston. 4 for 7. This is a GREAT album though. Every single song is a classic. “More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” “Rock & Roll Band,” and “Let Me Take You Home Tonight” were all spectacular. Brad Delp’s vocals were amazing and Tom Scholz was a great guitarist and producer. Good stuff.
Note: Sadly, Brad Delp took his own life back in 2007. Depression sucks.
13. The Bodyguard – Whitney Houston
What? A movie soundtrack at #13? That’s weird. And wasn’t the biggest song on this album a cover of a Dolly Parton song? Oh, and I just checked. I recognize three of the 13 songs on the album and all are covers. Stunned that it’s this high. I’ve never seen Whitney Houston. 4 for 8. I’m in a slump.
12. The Beatles 1967-1970 – The Beatles
Well, der. I’m just shocked that a double album with all the hits of The Beatles during their last 4-years isn’t higher. Pure gold. And 4 for freaking 9. Does it count that I’ve seen Paul 9-times?
11. Appetite for Destruction – Guns n’ Roses
“Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “Paradise City,” sure, what’s not to like? Guns n’ Roses best album for sure. Favorite song? “Sweet Child”, hands down. Great opening guitar riff. And damn it! 4 for 10. Down to 40%.
10. The Beatles – The Beatles
Always and forever to be known as “The White Album,” this is my second favorite Beatles album, behind Abbey Road. It’s sort of a disjointed mishmash of songs, and this is because the boys were fighting so much they barely collaborated on anything. Thankfully they corrected this on Abbey Road, their last album. 4 for 11. I’m dyin’ here.
9. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
Listen, I like this album, I really do. But the massive success it attained does surprise me a bit. I mean, the album has some good, catchy songs but nothing on the album was groundbreaking, correct? Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar work is amazing, but enough to put this album at 9? 4 for 12.
8. Come on Over – Shania Twain
Seriously? 4 for 13. But Shania Twain at #8? All-time? I mean, she’s a cutie and whatnot but Good Lord almighty that’s not Top 10 material, man. On a related note, I just realized that Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” has outsold every Beatle album ever recorded. The world is a confusing place.
7. Double Live – Garth Brooks
4 for 14. I’m dying a slow death over here. Again, I do not get the Garth hysteria and never have. Do I like some of his music? Sure. But to me he’s a tinny-voiced Average Joe of a singer. Sorry kids. Shoot me Garth fans.
6. Back in Black – AC/DC
Woot! 5 for 15 and I’m back in it. I took my son to see AC/DC when he was 19 because I’ve tried to take him to see all the big boys. So far that includes Paul McCartney, Green Day, The Eels, REM, AC/DC and others. Damn I’m a great dad. You’re welcome, Kip.
5. Greatest Hits Volume I & II – Billy Joel
I’ve never seen Billy Joel in concert but I met him in an airport once and he was a total jackass. Did he write some great songs? Yes he did. Am I surprised his greatest hits rank this high? I am. Oh, and 5 for 16.
4. The Wall – Pink Floyd
The Wall is one of my five favorite albums of all-time, so I can’t argue with the people who bought it and gave it this #4 ranking. It’s actually pretty amazing since it only had a couple “hits”, with “Another Brick in the Wall” and “Comfortably Numb”. On a related note, Pink Floyd without Roger Waters is a shell of its former self. And yes, I’ve seen them live and they were spectacular. 6 for 17.
3. IV – Led Zeppelin
No we’re talkin’. Just an amazing album, which I suspect is this high in sales because of one song – “Stairway to Heaven.” However, the album had other great tunes like “Black Dog”, “Rock and Roll”, “The Battle of Evermore”, and my personal fave, “Going to California”. And yes, as I mentioned before I saw Zep at Riverfront Coliseum a few months before The Who tragedy and almost suffered the same fate as those 11 unlucky souls. General Admission seating was a terrible idea, man. 7 for 18.
2. Thriller – Michael Jackson
It may or may not surprise you to to learn that I was a big MJ fan, and this album deserves to be where it is in all-time sales. Have I seen him live? I have not. 7 for 19.
1. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – Eagles
Like I said, I saw The Eagles at the peak of their existence during the legendary “Hotel California” tour and they were ungodly. You know, if you were into that California Soft Rock sorta thing, which I was at the time.
And hey, I was 8 for 20 baby. That’s 40% which is pretty good, right?
Note: This article is definitive proof that my crack staff here at Shoe: Untied will never run out of material. The world is a bottomless pit of content, man.
So yeah, there have been a ton of great songs that feature stuttering. Again, I know this is an odd topic but this website is an eclectic and sometimes mystifying place so deal with it. Hey, you clicked on the link for some reason, not me. So without further ado, I give you my Top 12 songs that include stuttering. I can’t believe I just typed that.
12.Saturday Night – Bay City Rollers
Gonna rock it up Roll it up Do it all, have a ball Saturday night Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night S-S-S-Saturday night S-S-S-Saturday night!
Note: These guys were actually advertised as being the next Beatles. Hilarity. Catchy tune though.
11. My Sharona – The Knack
Never gonna stop, give it up. Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch Of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo! M M M My Sharona.
Yeah, I know. Those lyrics don’t really hold up well. Still, you can’t beat the “My my my I yi woo!” though. Timeless.
Note 2: These guys were also lauded as the new Beatles. They weren’t.Fun band though.
10. Lola – The Kinks
She walked up to me and she asked me to dance I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said Lola L-O-L-A, Lola Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola.
Believe me when I say that the lyrics get even more interesting from there.
9.Movin’ Out – Billy Joel
Anthony works in the grocery store Savin’ his pennies for someday Mama Leone left a note on the door She said, Sonny, move out to the country Workin’ too hard can give you A heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack You oughta know by now.
That’s really sort of a backwards stutter though, right? It’s at the end rather than the beginning. Still a stutter to me and it’s my site so there.
Update: Billy actually stutters another time in the song when he sings “M-m-m-Mamma Leone left a note on the door . . .”. Just noticed that.
8. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – Bachman Turner Overdrive
Oooh, oooh she looked at me with big brown eyes and said, You ain’t seen nothin’ yet B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet Here’s something that you never gonna forget B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet.
Just stuttering aplenty in this one. It’s also a great, great song.
7.Jaded – Aerosmith
Hey j-j-jaded, you got your mama’s style But you’re yesterday’s child to me So jaded You think that’s where it’s at But is that where it’s supposed to be You’re gettin’ it all over me and serrated.
Did I ever tell you the story of meeting the boys from Aerosmith? Of course I did. Still, here’s the link.
6. My Generation – The Who
Why don’t you all f-fade away (talkin’ ’bout my generation) Don’t try to dig what we all s-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).
Quite possibly the first stuttering song I ever heard. The Who used to use it to end their shows, just before they destroyed everything on set.
PS- Thanks to Paul Cunningham for pointing out I forgot to include it originally!
5. Katmandu – Bob Seger
K-K-K-K-K-K-Katmandu I think that’s where I’m going to If I ever get out of here I’m going to Katmandu!
I’m pretty sure Seger had never been to Katmandu (Kathmandu is the correct spelling by the way) but he’s said it just sounded like an exotic and cool place to want to go to.
4. Back in the U.S.S.R. – The Beatles
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out They leave the West behind And Moscow girls make me sing and shout That Georgia’s always on m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-my mind.
You knew I’d include The Beatles, right? Again, sort of a reverse stutter but I love it.
3. Changes – David Bowie
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange) Ch-ch-changes, don’t want to be a richer man Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange) Ch-ch-changes, just gonna have to be a different man Time may change me But I can’t trace time.
Such an iconic song and one of my all-time favorites. I read a great story about the time Bowie was at rehearsals, paused, and asked his backup singers to sing without accompaniment. Turns out that for 2 1/2 months they’d been singing “turn and face the strain” rather than “turn and face the strange.” On a related note, now that I read that back it’s not that interesting. Gorgeous song though.
2. Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood
On the day I was born The nurses all gathered ’round And they gazed in wide wonder At the joy they had found The head nurse spoke up Said “leave this one alone” She could tell right away That I was bad to the bone.
Bad to the bone Bad to the bone B-B-B-B-Bad B-B-B-B-Bad B-B-B-B-Bad Bad to the bone.
One of the greatest rock songs ever, I always loved this George Thotogood cover. I also love the “B-B-B-B-Bad” repeated over and over. Good stuff.
And now, here’s #1 . . .
Bennie and The Jets – Elton John
Say, Candy and Ronnie. Have you seen them yet? Ooh, but they’re so spaced out B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets Oh, but they’re weird and they’re wonderful Oh, Bennie. She’s really keen She’s got electric boots, a mohair suit You know I read it in a magazine, oh Bennie and the Jets.
One of my favorite Elton songs, and it reminds me of a few years ago when I had a kid from Seneca HS in northern Ohio come to one of my basketball camps. His name was Bennie, and of course I sang “B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets” to him constantly. Kid had no idea was I was singing about.
WARNING: There are 80 freakin’ albums (pared down from 124) listed, so this is for true music lovers only. That said, I spent a significant amout of time on it so read the damn thing. Maybe you’ll discover a nugget or two.
I know, I know. How has this subject not been addressed on Shoe: Untied already? God knows I’ve posted a lot of lists in the 10+ year duration of this site. However, the thought of narrowing down my favorite albums has been too daunting for me.
Until now.
Please remember that these albums don’t necessarily have to be the greatest or most influential of all-time to you or the general public, but they are to me. In one way or another, they’ve impacted my life. So, don’t yell at me because Highway 51 Revisited isn’t included. Sorry Mr. Zimmerman.
I did make a couple rules, with the main one being I would include no greatest hits albums, the other being no live albums. I mean, those would be sort of cheating, right? Let’s get to it . . .
THE 1960s
Introducing the Beatles – The Beatles (1963)
Ah, the album that started it all. I have written often of the day I first laid ears on it. I was on the couch in our living room, listening to music on one of those big stereo cabinets that were the size of a coffee table. I was playing an album by somebody, probably Bobby Vinton or Gene Pitney or somebody like that because it’s all we listened to at the time. But one day, in walks my sister Karen . . .
She’d been to town shopping and immediately pulled the needle off the album that was playing, which annoyed the hell out of me. But before I could say anything, she shushed me and said, “Just listen.”
At that point the guitars kicked in, and the lyrics began: “1-2-3-4 . . Well she was just seventeen, if you know what I mean, and the way she looked, was way beyond compare . . .”
Yep, life as I previously knew it was over. Sis had dropped the needle on the album Introducing the Beatles, and I probably listened to it at least 1000 times in the months to follow. Sure, I probably would have discovered them anyway, but thanks to Sis I was clued in from the beginning.
PS- This record ended with The Beatles’ cover of Twist and Shout. Sublime.
Revolver – The Beatles (1966)
I knew the minute I heard this album that something was . . . different. It saw a huge leap in the band’s creativity and inspiration, and it also saw them drawing on their experiences with drugs and their interest in eastern religion. Every single song was killer, and The Beatles changed studio recording as we knew it with this album. They distorted sounds, experimented with sound effects, and worked with engineers to create distortion effects. And guess what? Double Tracking, a technique now commonly used in music to create multiple vocal tracks, was invented in the Abbey Road Studios in 1966 on this album.
The result? Songs so complex they were impossible to play live, and sure enough, none of the songs on Revolver were ever performed in front of an audience. With songs like Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, Here, There and Everywhere, Good Day Sunshine and Got To Get You Into My Life, this was a glorious record.
Pet Sounds – Beach Boys (1966)
When John Lennon first heard this album he went straight to Paul McCartney and allegedly said, “We’re finished. We can’t top this.” Paul agreed and the two listened to it over and over and over. Brian Wilson’s production was incredible and his songwriting was unsurpassed with tunes like Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Sloop John B, God Only Knows and Caroline No. Simply a gorgeous album that’s usually ranked as the #1 or #2 album ever recorded. Oh, and The eventual response from The Beatles? An album called Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966)
The 13th Floor Elevators were a short-lived, wild little band that I saw on American Bandstand and I was captivated. They actually have a guy blowing into some sort of utensil they called an “electric jug” and making bubbly noises. These cool cats were from Texas and were a huge inflence for none other than ZZ Top among others. Since I’m assuming many of you haven’t heard of these guys, let me give you a taste:
Man, that’s g-o-o-o-o-o-o-d. Dick Clark had no idea what just hit him.
The Doors – The Doors (1967)
The Rolling Stone recently called this “still one of the most dangerous albums ever.” When Break On Through (To the Other Side) kicked in I new this was something completely different. Jim Morrison’s voice, Ray Manzarek’s keyboards, it was all beyond anything I’d ever heard. Then, when Light My Fire started playing? I was all in.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles (1967)
Well, der. This album is widely thought to be the greatest album in the history of music, and there’s good reason for that. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the most important album ever made, an unsurpassed adventure in concept, sound, songwriting, cover art and studio technology by the greatest Rock & Roll group of all time. And kids, it was the first concept album ever. All the songs were tied together. I spun that record a million times as an 11-year old, marveling in its mystery and imagination. From the opening track Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to the A Day in the Life finale, this album is close to perfection.
At San Quentin – Johnny Cash (1969)
Yes, I said said no greatest hits or live albums. However, where Johnny Cash is concerned it’s fine to break the rules. I was just a kid, so the sole reason I bought this album was because I loved A Boy Named Sue, probably the silliest song on the album. But when I listened to the record and the way Johnny Cash sang so raw and emotionally, the way he interracted with the prisoners in San Quentin, I was touched deeply. I mean, the man stood on stage and sang these lyrics in front of not only the inmates but the warden and guards as well:
San Quentin, what good do you think you do? Do you think I’ll be different when you’re through? You bend my heart and mind and you warp my soul; Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold
San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell. May your walls fall down and may I live to tell. May all the world forget you ever stood. And the world regret you did no good.
Clearly, as you watch the video below, the inmates loved it. The others? Not so much. Vintage Cash.
The Beatles (White Album) – The Beatles (1968)
Most people refer to this as The White Album, but in reality the correct album title is simply The Beatles. After the pageantry and complexity of Sgt. Pepper’s, and with everyone else now mimicking that style, the lads chose to go in another direction – simple cover, simple title. This was a double album, and it was obvious the boys were beginning to grow apart. Most of the songs were clearly solo efforts, but the album was still stuffed with classics, both simple and groundbreaking. To name just a few, Back in theUSSR, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blackbird, Birthday, Helter Skelter, and that’s naming just the most well-known songs. Just a wild, diverse mix of rock history. Give a listen to the first heavy metal/grunge song:
Astral Weeks – Van Morrison (1968)
I have to admit I got on the Vanwagon a little late and bought this record a decade after its release. This jazz-influenced acoustic album featured minimal percussion, an upright bass, flute, harpsichord, vibraphone, strings, and stream-of-consciousness lyrics about being transported to “another time” and “another place.” Wild stuff, even for the free-thinking, out-of-the-box late 1960s. The album only contained eight songs, but man, every one was a haunting, melodic masterpiece. Astral Weeks is always listed among the top all-time albums, and deservedly so.
Sweetheart of the Rodeo – The Byrds (1968)
In one inspired blaze of creativity, The Byrd’sSweetheart of the Rodeo leaped over the cultural divide between the acid-taking, peace-preaching long haired hippies and the beer-chugging, flag-waving good old boys by creating Country Rock. With rippling guitars and silky vocal harmonies, The Byrds sang a mix of country traditionals and originals. This record permanently shattered the wall between Country and Rock. Hell, the group even cut their hair and played the Grand Ole Opry. Kids, without this LP there would likely be no Eagles, no Lynyrd Skynyrd, no Marshall Tucker Band, no Allman Brothers, and by extension no Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban or Luke Bryan. A stretch? Perhaps, perhaps not.
Music from Big Pink – The Band (1968)
I love The Band, and their farewell showThe Last Waltz is one of my favorite concert films and albums of all-time. However, it was Music from Big Pink that started it all. The Band had previously been the backing band for the legendary Ronnie Hawkins, and after that for the even more legendary Bob Dylan. On this, their initial LP, their mix of Country, Blues, Gospel, Western Classical, and Rock was incredible. While Jimi Hendrix, Cream and The Who split eardrums, The Band turned down the volume, revealing the intricacies of their arrangements and complexity of their lyrics. While The Beatles and Brian Wilson were working in state-of-the-art studio laboratories, The Band holed up in a dank concrete cellar in the wilderness of the Catskills to make their magic. The result was different from anything being recorded at the time.
Note: Big Pink was a regular, ranch style home. It still stands. Here’s a pic.
Bucket List!
Abbey Road – The Beatles (1969)
Abbey Road is my favorite Beatles album. It was the very last album they recorded, although Let It Be was released after it. After the disjointed White Album and the aforementioned Let It Be, John, Paul, George and Ringo put it all together one last time for an amazingly beautiful, harmonic masterpiece. It includes the songs Something and Here Comes the Sun, hinting at what was to come from George Harrison. John Lennon’s Come Together also kicks off the album, but it’s the Side 2 medley that blew me away. Little did we know that when Paul McCartney’s little ditty “The End” finished the album, it really was the end.
Here’s the medley:
THE 1970s
Sweet Baby James – James Taylor (1970)
Pretty sure it was the voice that drew me in initially. I heard the single Fire and Rain on WLS out of Chicago late one night on my little transistor radio, and I’m guessing the DJ was Larry Lujack. Out of curiousity and my interest in that song, I bought the album. With the songs Sweet Baby James, Steamroller, Oh Suzannah and of course Fire and Rain emanating from the stereo speakers of my souther Ohio bedroom on many a warm summer night in 1970, I was hooked.
Note: James Taylor was at the forefront of the singer-songwriter movement that was to come.
After the Gold Rush – Neil Young (1970)
Although this album contained the songs After the Gold Rush, Southern Man (a great song about civil rights in the deep south) and I Believe In You, it was Only Love Can Break Your Heart that cut straight through to my heart. Neil and the other members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young had all released solo albums after their album Déjà Vu, and Neil’s was by far my favorite. Just a stellar album from start to finish.
All Things Must Pass – George Harrison (1970)
After spending the previous 10+ years largely in the shadow of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George let loose with a torrent of creativity in this classic album. It was a little surprising to some that it became massively popular. All Things Must Pass spent 7-weeks at No. 1, and its’ lead single, My Sweet Lord, occupied the same slot on the singles chart, marking the first time a solo Beatle had occupied both spots. The 6-sided album (hey, I told you George had some pent up energy) also included the great songs What Is Life and All Things Must Pass. Incredible album.
The Harrison Estate ran a contest, asking fans to make a video for the song What Is Life. This video won:
Imagine – John Lennon (1971)
Any respectable music fan was waiting for this album, and John did not disappoint. This is a great album full of brilliant songs with great hooks, but also mixed with John’s ever-present barbed wit to avoid it from becoming the kind of music that John found irrelevant and boring. Of course it included the legendary song Imagine as well as great songs like Jealous Guy, Oh My Love and How Do You Sleep?, the famous attack on his old friend Paul McCartney. This was another sign for broken-hearted Beatles fans that even though The Beatles had broken up, the incredible music would continue.
IV – Led Zeppelin (1971)
I had never gotten into Zep before this fourth album, and I know not why. Like a gazillion others I took one listen of Stairway to Heaven and rushed to the record store to by IV (actually I couldn’t drive yet so it was probably Mom or a Sister who drove me). Imagine this – I was a a freshman in high school, had only heard Stairway to Heaven, put on my headphones, dropped the needle on the album, and the first two songs are Black Dog and Rock and Roll. Those were followed by the slow, acoustic The Battle of Evermore and then Stairway concluded Side 1. What. The. Hell? My ears, and musical sensibilities, were forever altered.
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye (1971)
Marvin Gaye’s career as tuxedo-clad heart-throb ended when he cut this concept album dealing with Civil Rights, the Vietnam war and ghetto life. Equally startling was the music, softening and double-tracking his voice against a wash of percussion, strings and guitars. Motown boss Berry Gordy hated it, but the album’s social awareness caught the public mood. It ushered in an era of socially aware soul. My favorite tunes include What’s Going On and Mercy Mercy Me, a song about the environment:
So s-m-o-o-o-o-o-t-h-e.
Something/Anything? – Todd Rundgren (1972)
My opinion of this record have been well documented on this site. For a comprehensive read about this album, click this link: Something/Anything?: Todd Rundgren’s Magnum Opus. Quite simply one of rock’s great masterpieces.
School’s Out – Alice Cooper (1972)
I wore out this album in the summer of ’72 and beyond. The song School’s Out was the anthem of a generation, man. You think we didn’t have this blaring from our tape decks on the last day of school in 1973? You know it. Aside from the title song, though, there were tunes like Luney Tune and Gutter Cat vs. The Jets that rocked your socks off. The cover lifted like an actual school desk too. Far out, man.
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (1973)
I realize I keep saying this, but you knew immediately upon hearing it that this music was something very different. Dark Side of the Moon was an artistic concept album that included topics on wealth (Money), war (“Us and Them”), madness (“Brain Damage”), squandered lives (“Time”) and death (“The Great Gig in the Sky”). The sound was so unique at the time that it was difficult to describe, although David Gilmour attempted to when he said it was “that psychedelic noodling stuff.” Bottom line? Dark Side of the Moon was a dizzying, mind-bending joy ride from start to finish.
Note: Since we all have alot of time on our hands, dig this – there’s a video where the movie The Wizard of Oz is synched with Dark Side of the Moon. It’s called Dark Side of Oz and it’s freaky as hell. It’s almost as if it was done purposely. At one point the lyrics say “drives the faithful to their knees” just as the Scarecrow falls to his knees. And believe me, there’s more. Wild stuff.
Muscle of Love – Alice Cooper (1973)
A bit of a surprise here possibly, but I absolutely loved this straight ahead, full bore album full of Rock and Roll. Included is one of the best hard rock songs of all-time, Muscle of Love. The album also contains such classics as Big Apple Dreamin, Teenage Lament ’74 (with the Pointer Sisters singing backup!) and Working Up a Sweat. Yeah, I loved the albums Killer and Billion Dollar Babies, but I’ll take Muscle of Love any day. Check out the title track:
Band on the Run – Paul McCartney (1973)
In my opinion Paul McCartney’s greatest solo effort. I mean, the album includes the songs Band on the Run, Jet, Bluebird, Let Me Roll It, Helen Wheels, and the underrated Picasso’s Last Words (Drink To Me). Just spectacular stuff. The album was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, and Paul and his wife Linda were actually robbed at knifepoint one evening. Bottom line, this was the album that proved Paul could put out an amazing album without the help of John Lennon.
On the Third Day – ELO (1973)
I’d bought the album ELO II, the song with Roll over Beethoven and Mama on it, and I loved it. But this, this one blew me away. The violins, the energy, the melodies, I loved everything about it. And the tracklist? Wow. Ocean Breakup/KIng of the Universe, Bluebird is Dead, Oh No Not Susan, New World Rising/Ocean Breakup (Reprise), Daybreaker, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, Dreaming of 4000 and In the Hall of the MountainKing are all groundbreakingly outstanding. Of course, this was followed by Eldorado, Face the Music, A New World Record, Out of the Blue and more. With On the Third Day, ELO was just getting started.
For a taste, watch this video:
On the Border – The Eagles (1974)
This was a record that probably wouldn’t have existed without Sweetheart of the Rodeo by The Byrds and Music From Big Pink by The Band back in 1968. It was one of the first mainstream albums kids my age had heard that had that Country Rock feel to it, with emphasis on the Rock (and yes, I know The Eagles had recorded The Eagles and Desparado before it). While I loved the hits Already Gone (a blistering missive aimed at a former lover) and Best of My Love, there are a couple of forgotten gems on the album as well, most notably My Man, James Dean and the Tom Waits classic Ol’ 55.
Diamond Dogs – David Bowie (1974)
Without a doubt my favorite David Bowie album, and it’s not even close. Called “a glitter apocalypse” by one critic, it has one of my very favorite starts of any album. Called Future Legend, it begins with a distorted howl and features Bowie’s spoken-word vision of a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, now renamed Hunger City. He describes “fleas the size of rats” and “rats the size of cats“, and compares the humanoid inhabitants to “packs of dogs.” Halfway through the narration, the Richard Rodgers’ tune “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” strikes up. Future Legend then morphs into Diamond Dogs with the cry “This Ain’t Rock and Roll, This Is Genocide!”. Out. Standing. Oh, and don’t forget the classics Sweet Thing and Rebel Rebel. The LP concludes with a little ditty called Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family, perfect for those family barbeques this summer.
A Night At The Opera – Queen (1975)
Queen had released three albums before this one, and of course I’d heard Freddie Mercury’s sensational voice on the single Killer Queen from Sheer Heart Attack a year prior. But this album, released in late 1975, was different. From the searing Death On Two Legs that opened the album, to the smooth pop sound of You’re My Best Friend, to the achingly beautiful Love of My Life, this record had it all. And then, deep into Side 2 was song #11, the next to last song on the album. That song was Bohemian Rhapsody. What in the HELL? The rest, my friends, is history.
Bonus Vid: Love this scene from Bohemian Rhapsody.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – Elton John (1975)
I know, I know. Elton John had released 11-albums before this one, including classics like Madman Across the Water and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (I saw the tour!). He’d even released a greatest hits compilation the year before. That said, this album is my favorite. It’s an autobiographical account of the early musical careers of Elton John (Captain Fantastic) and his long-term lyricist Bernie Taupin (the Brown Dirt Cowboy). It was a simpler album, no overproduction or overarranging, less grandiose and more laid back than those prior, and I loved it. The only single from the album, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, wasn’t even close to my favorite from this one. Instead, I loved the songs Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Tower of Babel. Bitter Fingers, Curtains, and especially Writing. And you know what? It’s simplicity is one of the reasons it still holds up today.
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (1975)
I’d heard a little from Bruce’s previous albums, Greetings From Ashbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle and I liked what I heard. I knew the music was a throwback to simpler, more straightforward Rock and Roll, and I was ready for it. After buying the album in the summer of ’75, I brought it home and dropped the needle on Side 1. Imagine how I felt when the first two songs were Thunder Road and Tenth Avenue Freeze Out. I was stunned. But the real life-changer for me came from the first song on Side 2. When the drums and guitars began on Born to Run, I knew Rock had really gone back to the basics. And a Springsteen concert reflected his style – no giant balloons, no laser shows, no glam makeup – just flat-out Rock and Roll like it was meant to be. I now knew what music critic Jon Landau meant when he said this after seeing Springsteen live:
“I saw my Rock and Roll past flash before my eyes. I saw something else: I saw Rock and Roll’s future ,and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”
PS – And oh yeah, Jungleland closed out Side 2. Amazing.
If you didn’t get a chill at the 3:33 mark you have no musical soul.
Bankrupt – Dr. Hook (1975)
This might seem like an odd choice, but it’s an album that I’ve played it over and over for 45-years. Dr. Hook had hits with Sylvia’s Mother on Doctor Hook and Cover of the Rolling Stone on Sloppy Seconds. But then they released an aptly titled album called Belly Up! that tanked at #141, followed by an album called Fried Face that was so bad no record company would release it. Then came Bankrupt, named because, well, you can figure it out. And guess what? This album wasn’t a hit either but that didn’t stop me from loving it. With witty, quirky tunes like Levitate, I Got Stoned and I Missed It, Wups, The Millionaire, and Everybody’s Makin’ It Big But Me, it was right up my musical alley. Their cover of Sam Cooke’s Only Sixteen was awesome as well. I still adore this album. And I dare you to watch this video and not smile:
Tales of Mystery and Imagination – Alan Parsons Project (1976)
Alan Parsons was no stranger to great music. He was involved with the production of several of the most significant albums in history, including the Beatles‘ Abbey Road and Let It Be, and Pink Floyd’sThe Dark Side of the Moon. Well, he went solo and his debut album knocked my socks off. The musical themes of the album, which are retellings of horror stories and poetry by Edgar Allan Poe (who I love), attracted a cult audience, me included. The title of the album is taken from the title of a collection of Poe’s macabre stories of the same name. Give a listen to the song To One In Paradise to get the vibe. Groundbreaking album that once again led to a lifetime obsession.
The Ramones – The Ramones (1976)
If I thought Bruce had taken us back to the 1960’s, The Ramones upped the ante. To really get rock back to its roots Joey Ramone and his three “brothers” (they weren’t really, not even related) did it with one album and 16 tracks, all under 3-minutes, just like back in the early days of Rock. They did it all with with speed, a distorted guitar thrash and a line in silly, dumb lyrics. In an era of Progressive Rock pomposity and 12-minute tracks, The Ramones back-to-basics approach was rousing, raw and confrontational. And although it was called Punk Rock or New Wave, what it really was was basic, garage Rock and Roll.
Fun fact: The Ramones were inspired by Paul McCartney, who would check into hotels as “Paul Ramon.”
Bonus Fun Fact: The Ramones real names were as follows – Joey Ramone (Jeffery Hyman), Johnny Ramone (John Cummings) and Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Colvin).
Out of the Blue – Electric Light Orchestra (1977)
If Something/Anything? was Rundgren’s Magnum Opus, Out of the Blue was Jeff Lynne’s. A double album containing 25-songs, it’s the result of Lynne retreating to a chalet in the Swiss Alps and unleashing a burst of creativity. Although it didn’t have the overall impact of On the Third Day to me, basically because the style was so jarring on that one, Out of the Blue has many more incredible songs. To name just a few, how about Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin’ Woman, Night in the City, Steppin’ Out, Standin’ in the Rain, Big Wheels, Summer and Lightning, Mr. Blue Sky, and Sweet is the Night. Man, I spent many a night on 178 West Avenue, Apt. C, in Columbus, Ohio just off OSU campus listening to this one.
Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf (1977)
Speaking of 178 West Avenue, Apt. C, I was just around the corner from there when I first heard the dulcet tones of one Mr. Marvin Lee Aday, also know as Meat Loaf. The sound was something unusual, sort of Operatic Rock if you will. That made sense because Meat was an actor who’d performed in the musical Rocky Horror Picture Show. This album was prduced by my man Todd Rundgren, who also voices the introduction to You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night). Other amazing tunes are Bat Out of Hell, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad and of course Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Really good record that I just about wore out.
Alive On Arrival – Steve Forbert (1978)
Ah, Steve Forbert. Somehow I got into Steve with this album before his 1980 record Jackrabbit Slim, which included the hit Romeo’s Tune. I loved the sound immediately. It’s really hard to describe his style, so I’m not even going to try. I will say that Steve Forbert is a true poet and an absolute master storyteller and lyricist. And perhaps the most unique thing about Steve Forbert is his voice. Listen to it, man. I’ve been lucky enough to see him live a few times and even met him twice. Romeo’s Tune was his only commercial hit but that hasn’t stopped me from buying every single album he’s ever recorded. Love the songs Goin’ Down to Laurel and especially Settle Down, which has always touched me on a personal level:
If I’m caught up in a whirlwind, babe, I know I’ll make it through, I’ve seen that spinning power rise an’ fall. I can ride it sailin’ higher. I can ride it comin’ down. It’s a natural kind of cycle, babe, that’s all . . .
Fantastic album that introduced me to a life-long musical addiction.
Labour of Lust – Nick Lowe (1979)
I knew a little about Nick Lowe from his work in Rockpile, a great band he was in with Dave Edmunds. I’d heard a couple songs from Jesus of Cool, his first album. But when Labour of Lust was released in ’79 it blew me away. It wasn’t just Cruel to Be Kind, it was Born Fighter, Switchboard Susan, Dose of You and American Squirm that drew me in. Like I’ve done with Steve Forbert, I’ve purchased every Nick Lowe record since that debut album.
Note: Saw him live for the first time recently. He did not disappoint.
Tusk – Fleetwood Mac (1979)
Sure, Rumours was awesome. But the great Lindsey Buckingham was determined to make an album nothing like it, and he did. It was experimental and was influenced by Buckingham’s infatuation with Post-Punk. I loved it from the get-go. The songs Tusk, Think About Me, Sara, What Makes You Think You’re the One, Storms, every one was amazing. Remember that the big hits from Rumours were Don’t Stop and Go Your Own Way? Compare those to this song (wait for the USC Marching Band):
So yeah, different.
The Wall – Pink Floyd (1979)
Yes, I know. The original cover had no text.
Dark Side of the Moon was incredible, but The Wall is my favorite Pink Floyd album. A double album masterpiece, it is a rock opera that explores Pink, a jaded rockstar whose eventual self-imposed isolation from society is symbolized by a wall. Roger Waters father was killed during WWII and Pink’s father also dies in a war, which is where Pink starts to build a metaphorical wall around himself. The album includes several references to former band member Syd Barrett, including Nobody Home, which hints at his condition during Pink Floyd’s abortive US tour of 1967, with lyrics such as “wild, staring eyes,” “the obligatory Hendrix perm” and “elastic bands keeping my shoes on.” The song Comfortably Numb was inspired by Waters’ injection with a muscle relaxant to combat the effects of hepatitis during the In the Flesh Tour while in Philadelphia. Just an amazing record that I played over and over and over back in ’79. And of course everyone remembers one of the most amazing choruses of all-time:
We don’t need no education . . .
THE 1980s
Hootenanny – The Replacements (1983)
Oh my. Sure, The Replacements had released one album before this one called Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (also an EP titled Stink), but Hootenanny is the one that grabbed me by the ears and rattled my brain. This was a band that could somehow come off as both sensitive and sarcastic and darkly poetic but also strikingly sophomoric. The Mats were raw, basic rock and roll with hooks, man. It was almost like The Beatles and Sex Pistols had a baby and that baby was The Replacements. I love Paul Westerberg’s voice (hoarse and real) and the guitars sounded like something you heard in your buddy’s garage in 1973. The songs on Hootenanny range from the raucus Color Me Impressed to the sublime Within Your Reach. What. An. Album.
Murmer – REM (1983)
A-n-n-n-n-n-n-d here it is. The record that ignited my lifelong obsession with R.E.M. This band influenced so many future bands that when younger folk hear R.E.M. today it doesn’t even sound original to them. Peter Buck’s ringing, jangly guitar style, Michael Stipe’s distinctive vocals and obscure lyrics, Mike Mills’ melodic basslines and backing vocals, and Bill Berry’s tight, economical drumming made for a singular original sound, unlike anything we’d heard before. Peter Buck described it as “Minor key, mid-tempo, enigmatic, semi-folk-rock-balladish” and I believe that explains it. So many songs on this record are special to me – Radio Free Europe, Pilgimage, Talk About the Passion, Laughing, Moral Kiosk, Perfect Circle, Catapult, Sitting Still, 9-9, Shaking Through, We Walk, West of the Fields . . . wait, did I just name the entire album? I did.
Note: Without R.E.M. artists like The National, Beck, Eels, Pavement, Gin Blossoms, The Decemberists, and many more would not exist. True story.
Behold, 1983 R.E.M.
The Final Cut – Pink Floyd (1983)
In my opinion oner of the most underrated Pink Floyd albums, and it was Roger Waters’ last record with the band. Waters and David Gilmour fought constantly during the recording of the album, leading to Roger getting the hell out. Anyway, The Final Cut was basically a Roger Waters solo album and is an anti-war concept piece that explores what Waters regards as the betrayal of fallen British servicemen—such as his father—who during the Second World War sacrificed their lives in the spirit of a post-war dream. I know, heavy stuff. As for me, I loved the general dreamy feel of the record and songs like Paranoid Eyes, The Fletcher Memorial Home and Two Suns in the Sunset. Great album.
Note: The Final Cut was not included Floyd’s 1992 box set, Shine On.
1984 – Van Halen (1984)
Without a doubt my favorite Van Halen record. There were five before this one, all pretty good. Lead singer David Lee Roth scrammed in 1985 for a sad solo career, but not before contributing mightily to this album. It grabbed me right away with the instrumental 1984, which kicks right into the legendary Jump. Add Panama, Top Jimmy and Hot For Teacher and you have one hell of an album.
Note: A lot of Van Halen hardliners didn’t like Jump because it wasn’t “hard” enough, being synth heavy and whatnot. I do not care. Loved it.
Fables of the Reconstruction – REM (1985)
Here’s one of the reasons I love R.E.M. – after their first two incredible albums, most bands would try and build on what they’d accomplished to try and really go over the top. Not my guys from Athens, Georgia though. They went in another direction and unleashed Fables of the Reconstruction, a big departure from Murmer and Reckoning, their first two records. Hell, the song Can’t Get There From Here even had horns! The record is chock full of great music and includes the R.E.M. classics Feeling Gravity’s Pull, Maps and Legends, Driver 8, Life and How to Live It, Old Man Kensey, Green Grow the Rushes, and Wendell Gee. Man, did my buddy Goose and I play the hell out of this one back in the glory days of 1985.
Mars Needs Guitars! – Hoodoo Gurus (1985)
Back in the day I would sometimes buy records on a whim, just taking a chance because I liked the band name or album cover. Such was the case at the gloriously named Magnolia Thunderpussy record store in Columbus, Ohio back in the fall of ’85. While perusing the selections I laid eyes on Mars Needs Guitars! by a band named the Hoodoo Gurus and I was smitten without hearing a note. Weird I know, but guess what? I loved it and I’ve purchased every Gurus album since because they are awesome. Anyway, Mars Needs Guitars! contains some amazing songs, including Bittersweet, Show Some Emotion,The Other Side of Paradise and the incredible tunes Death Defying and Like Wow – Wipeout!. Yep, my hunch was right.
Behold, Like Wow – Wipeout.
Lifes Rich Pageant – REM (1986)
The album title comes from a line in a Pink Panther movie:
Maria: “You should get out of these clothes immediately. You’ll catch your death of pneumonia, you will.”
Clouseau: “Yes, I probably will. But it’s all part of life’s rich pageant, you know?“
Lifes Rich Pageant is varied, kicking off with the rockin’ Begin the Begin and These Days, then slowing down with one of Michael Stipe’s favorite R.E.M. songs, Fall On Me. Add Cuyahoga, I Believe and a raucous cover of The Clique’s Superman and you have another R.E.M. classic.
Note: The absence of an apostrophe in the title was intentional and I know not why.
They Might Be Giants – They Might Be Giants (1986)
I can’t recall who first turned me on to this quirky little duo from New York City. It may have been my friend Goose or maybe Jed, I cannot recall. Anywho, my first reaction upon hearing them was “What . . . in . . . the . . . world?” The music of TMBG is, shall we say, different. It’s whimsical, funny, odd, tuneful, sometimes deep, and always amazing. On this, their debut album, the two Johns (Linnell and Flansburgh) unleashed the tunes Everything Right Is Wrong Again, Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head, Don’t Let’s Start and Youth Culture Killed My Dog on an unsuspecting public. Hey, I told you they were quirky. This album set the stage for my lifetime love of They Might Be Giants.
Cloud Nine – George Harrison (1987)
George had released several albums since All Things Must Pass, and I bought them all. I particularly liked Thirty Three and 1/3 and Somewhere In England, but it was George’s big comeback album after a 5-year absence that blew me away. Co-Produced by Jeff Lynne (and you can certainly hear his influence), Cloud Nine featured guest appearances by Lynne, Ringo Starr and some cat named Elton John. The big hit from the album was the cover of Jimmy Ray’s 1962 song Got My Mind Set On You, but I loved the tunes That’s What It Takes, This Is Love, When We Was Fab, and Devil’s Radio as well. Just a a sublime, infectious record and nice return for George.
Rehab Doll – Green River (1988)
Green River was Grunge before Pearl Jam and Nirvana, kids, but obviously never achieved the commercial success of those two bands. Green River made very little commercial impact outside Seattle, but what the band lacked in commercial success it made up for in influence. In general, Green River is widely regarded as being one of the pioneers of Grunge music. With its sludgy mix of hard rock, punk and metal, that was heavily influenced by The Stooges, Black Sabbath and Aerosmith, coupled with Mark Arm’s twisted lyrics and vocal delivery, Green River greatly influenced both its peers and bands that followed them. Even without the fact that some of its members would later go on to form some of the biggest bands of the Northwest music scene, Green River is still remembered for its musical foresight and innovation, years ahead of the rise of grunge. My faves from this album are Swallow My Pride and Porkfist. ‘Twas the earliest grunge.
Note: The Green River band members went on to be in other, more famous bands are Mark Arm (Mudhoney), Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam), Steve Turner (Mudhoney), Steve Gossard (Pearl Jam), Bruce Fairweather (Mother Love Bone), and Jason Finn (The Presidents of the United States of America). ‘Nuff said.
The Traveling Wilburys, Volume 1 – The Traveling Wilburys (1988)
Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and George Harrision – quite simply the greatest Super Group of all-time. This album though. It’s Rock with a dash of Country and it’s great from start to finish. They boys originally got together to record a b-side to Handle with Care for Harrison to release in Europe. The result was deemed too good for such a limited release, however, so the group agreed to record a full album, titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. The rest is history.
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1989)
I’ve always felt like The Stone Roses were Oasis before Oasis was Oasis. Only, you know, better. This record, their first, was a breakthrough success for the band and received critical acclaim, many regarding it as one of the greatest British albums ever recorded. Their sound is lush, harmonic and beautiful. The band had so many internal difficulties they could only eke out one more album, Second Coming, in 1994. It received mixed reviews although I loved it as well. Watch the video below to get that Roses vibe.
PS – Whilst reseaching the band I found out they released an album in 2016. W-h-u-u-u-t? Must. Check. Out.
Doolittle – The Pixies (1989)
Oh my. The Pixies came on like bats out of hell with this, their second release. The album’s offbeat and dark subject material, featuring references to surrealism, Biblical violence, torture and death, contrasts with the clean, poppy production sound. That, my friends, is right up my musical alley. Debaser and Here Comes Your Man, in particular, are absolutely killer tracks. Band members Black Francis (who later recorded solo as Frank Black), Kim Deal (amazing bassist and singer), Joey Santiago and David Lovering all contributed mightily to this legendary record.
PS- I saw them in the summer of 2018. So damn good.
THE 1990s
Flood – They Might Be Giants (1990)
Why is the world in love again? Why are we marching hand in hand? Why are the ocean levels rising up? Here’s a brand new record for 1990, They Might Be Giants brand new album, Flood!
I promise you that any middle school kid I taught in the early to mid-1990s will recognize that intro to Flood, the fantastic album by They Might Be Giants. That intro kicked into Birdhouse in Your Soul and the rest is history. This is the band’s most recognizable and definitive album, and it’s also their best-selling. But really, how could it not with songs like Birdhouse, Instanbul (Not Constantinople) and Particle Man? Holy hell man. Oh, and there are two other special gems there as well – Twisting and They Might Be Giants. Love love love.
Nevermind – Nirvana (1991)
This album pretty much has to make any discerning music lover’s list, amirite? Although Grunge music had been around for years, it was generally this record that brought it into the mainstream. The album started selling slowly, but with the help of the video for the song Smells Like Teen Spirit it eventually rocketed to the top of the charts (it replace Michael Jackson’s Dangerous by the way). For listeners who had heard bands like Green River or Soundgarden this wasn’t such a shocking sound. For others it was ear-opening. Amazing, music-changing album that featured drummer Dave Grohl for the first time.
Ten – Pearl Jam (1991)
This album was released less than a month before Nevermind, giving the world a 1-2 punch of Grunge and knocking it on its ass. Hair Metal, my friends, was essentially over. While Nirvana had done it with a punk attitude, catchy hooks and Kurt Cobain’s suffering, hoarse vocals, Pearl Jam did it with arena-sized riffs, choruses and Eddie Vedder’s wails. Nirvana’s sound was unique – nobody ever really tried to mimic them. On the other hand, Pearl Jam influenced great bands like Stone Temple Pilots and not-so-great bands like Creed.
Bandonwagonesque – Teenage Fanclub (1991)
Do you like The Byrds? R.E.M.? Gin Blossoms? Then you’d love Teenage Fanclub. On their third album, Bandwagonesque, they are firing on all cylinders. Like I mentioned, they were heavily inluenced by The Byrds and even the Beach Boys and Beatles. With hooks and harmonies, songs like The Concept, Star Sign and Metal Baby, this is the first Teenage Fanclub album that caught on with the masses. It was also critically acclaimed, and get this – it topped Spin Magazine’s Album of the Year poll, beating out . . . wait for it . . . Nirvana’s Nevermind. Just a wonderful, 60s vibed record.
Apollo 18 – They Might Be Giants (1992)
Another spectacular album by the two Johns (Flansburgh and Linnell), and this one has an interesting twist. Sure, it’s overflowing with catchy, melodic, weird tunes like I Palindrome I, Mammal, Dinner Bell, and See the Constellation, but the real treat is what ends Side 2. I’m talking about Fingertips and it’s 4:25 minutes of the strangest, most peculiar, most glorious music these ears have heard. Fingertips is composed of 21 short tracks ranging in length from 4 to 71-seconds and includes wild tunes such as Everything’s Catching On Fire, Who’s That Standing Out My Window?, Come On And Wreck My Car, What’s That Blue Thing Doing Here?, Something Grabbed Ahold Of My Hand, and I’m Having a Heart Attack. Stellar in every way. Here ’tis, but be warned – your ears may be twisted and turned inside out.
The MEN – The MEN (1992)
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the first single from this album. I was driving south down State Route 104 from Columbus, Ohio nearing Chillicothe, and I was passing between the two prisons there. I was listening to QFM-96 and on it came – Church of Logic, Sin and Love by a band called The Men (The Men consisted of two men and two women by the way). The song immediately blew me away, and guess what? It still does. I drove straight to the record store and ordered it, waited the requisite week or so, and when it arrived I was thrilled to find the entire album was incredible. In addition to Church of Logic, Sin and Love there were other great tunes like I Built My House This Way, She’s All Mine, Goodnight Sally, and Where You Found Me. Sadly The Men vanished from the airwaves after this one astonishing album, like a comet streaking across the night sky.
It’s the kind of place where space explorers could have landed around 1963 – when Kennedy was in Life Magazine and everything was aquamarine . . . aquamarine.
Note: I met drummer Dave Botkin online and then in person at CalJam ’18 in San Bernardino. Great guy.
Piece of Cake – Mudhoney (1992)
As I mentioned before, Mudhoney was formed by lead singer Mark Arm, who was in Green River and is credited with actually coining the term “Grunge.” Pretty cool. Mudhoney’s earlier song Touch Me I’m Sick and the Superfuzz Bigmuff EP were massively influential on the Seattle music scene. More than almost any other release of the era they inspired the dirty, high-distortion sound that would become grunge. On Piece of Cake, Mudhoney unleashed Suck You Dry, Blinding Sun and No End In Sight on the shell-shocked masses. I got to see Mudhoney back in 2007 on their tour and am happy to say I scored their setlist, handed to me than none other than the man himself, Mark Arm.
See? I wouldn’t lie to you.
Automatic for the People – REM (1992)
R.E.M. had sure come a long way since 1983 when I first fell in love with them. Automatic for the People, their eighth studio album, put them smack dab at the top of the game. Out of Time, released in 1991, had been a huge success and included the smash single Losing My Religion, but this album is the one I loved the most. The songs are simply beautiful, and Automatic for the People is generally regarded alongside 1983’s Murmur as one of the band’s supreme achievements. The album yielded an astonishing 6-singles – Drive, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon, Nightswimming and Find the River. Just an exquisite record from beginning to end.
Fun Fact: The star on the album cover was in front of a Miami restaurant and Michael Stipe dug the way it looked. It has since been destroyed in a hurricane.
14 Songs – Paul Westerberg (1993)
I loved The Replacements and I loved their enigmatic frontman Paul Westerberg, so it makes sense that I loved his first solo album. I even wrote about him in a piece called Man Without Ties: Paul Westerberg. On this album Paul was in peak form, churing out cool songs like Knockin’ On Mine, Runaway Wind, First Glimmer and the sarcastic take on plastic surgery, Mannequin Shop. The album features contributions from Ian McLagan, former keyboardist for the Faces, a band that Westerberg has often cited as a favorite. I’ve loved a lot of Westerberg’s solo albums over the years, especially 1999’s Suicaine Gratification, but 14 Songs remains my favorite.
PS – I had the opportunity to see Paul Westerberg live in the late 90’s and he was everything I hoped he’d be.
Hi-Fi Sci-Fi – Dramarama (1993)
Dramarama had released 5-albums since 1985, but it wasn’t until 1993’s Hi-Fi Sci-Fi that I finally caught up with them. It was the song Work For Food that caught my ear, which led me to buying this album and subsequently every album they’d recorded previously. In addition to Work For Food, the songs Senseless Fun, Late Night Phone Call and Shadowless Heart make this an exceptional album. Oh, and John Easedale’s vocals are supreme throughout. Sadly this was Dramarama’s last album until 2005’s Everybody Dies. Great band.
PS- There’s also an acoustic version of Work for Food that is amazing.
100% Fun – Matthew Sweet (1993)
Matthew Sweet may be the most underrated artist this side of Todd Rundgren. The two albums preceding this one, Girlfriend and Altered Beast, were outstanding as well. On 100% Fun, Sweet delivered a hook-filled guitar-fused power pop record for the ages. With a soft, warm voice, he always keeps the emphasis on the melody, no matter how aggressively hard songs such as Sick of Myself and Super Baby may seem. However, the gem on this album comes in at song #3 with the incredible tune We’re the Same. It evokes memories of the early Beatles, Raspberries and even Cheap Trick with it gorgeous harmonies, chorus and jangly guitars. Give it a listen below, and you’re welcome in advance.
PS- Who does Matthew Sweet credit with being his biggest influence? None other than R.E.M.
Monster – REM (1994)
I feels like R.E.M. may have become a little weary of the commercial success that albums like Out of Time and Automatic for the People brought them. Monster didn’t sound like anything on the radio, and it certainly didn’t sound like 1992’s Automatic for the People. On Monster, the boys wanted a return to their roots and displayed a much harder edge with great, rockin’ songs like What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?, Crush With Eyeliner, Bang and Blame and Star 69. Was this a different R.E.M. record? It was. Was it awesome? Hell yes it was.
Note: What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? referred to the the infamous attack on Dan Rather on a NYC street where the assailants repeatedly yelled the line.
The Hearing and the Sense of Balance – Fury in the Slaughterhouse (1995)
Fury in the Slaughterhouse is another band I’ve loved for years, and this is my favorite album of theirs. A German band, these guys have made a ton of good music. And don’t let the name fool you – they’re basically a straight ahead rock band with guitar led, hook-filled melodies. One song led me to this record, a song I’d heard on an alternative compilation of new and upcoming bands. That song was Milk and Honey, and I was smitten. Upon buying the album I was turned on to tunes like Down There, Hello and Goodbye, and Rainy April Day, a song about Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Great album, great band.
Here’s a taste of the song that started it all, for me at least:
Nerf Herder – Nerf Herder (1996)
Ah, the Herders of Nerf. I cannot quantify how much enjoyment these knuckleheads have given me over years. They describe themselves as a Geek Rock band, and are known for simplistic modern punk-style songs with frequently humorous, juvenile, and pop-culture-referencing lyrics. This, their first album, contained the cult classics Down On Haley (not what you think), Sorry (not safe for children), and Van Halen (where they rip the band for replacing David Lee Roth). Nerf Herder is simply a band that sings nerdy, funny, irreverent, and sometimes inappropriate songs. Love these guys.
Note: Lead singer Parry Gripp is the nut who’s responsible for all those wild videos like Cat Flushing a Toilet, Hamster On a Piano and Baby Monkey Going Backwards On a Pig. Good stuff.
The Colour and the Shape – Foo Fighters (1997)
The Foo Fighters had recorded one album prior to this one, Foo Fighters, but it was with The Colour and the Shape that I got on board. When Dave Grohl started The Foos after the death of Kurt Cobain ended Nirvana, nobody knew what to expect. Hell, we’d just seen Dave back there pounding the drums, many thought he couldn’t be a frontman. They were wrong. The Foo Fighters turned out to be one of the greatest rock bands in the world. This record grabbed my ears with great songs like Monkey Wrench, My Hero and the iconic Everlong. With The Colour and the Shape, the Foo Fighters were just getting started.
PS- I’ve been lucky enough to see several Foo shows over the last few years (including CalJam ’18), and thanks to a friend I’ve had backstage access. Incredible experiences all.
Electric.
Electro-Shock Blues – Eels (1998)
Everyone knows that The Eels are one of my Top 5 all-time bands. Mark Oliver Everett, who’s essentially the band, is a damn musical genius. I wrote about him in a piece called Mark Oliver Everett: A Man Called E if you want to know his story. However, it was this album that turned me onto him. Following the success of the band’s first album, Beautiful Freak, E experienced a difficult time in his personal life. His sister committed suicide and his mother was diagnosed with cancer (he’d discovered his father dead years earlier in their home). These events inspired him to write Electro-Shock Blues, which focuses on his family, which he had never written about previously. Electro-Shock Blues deals with many difficult subjects including suicide, death and cancer. However, don’t let that scare you off. The album is soothingly melodic, with intelligent lyrics. You’ll love this record. Check out Last Stop: This Town for a sample:
Imagination – Brian Wilson (1998)
Everyone knows Brian Wilson was the genius behind the Beach Boys and created one of the greatest albums in the history of music, Pet Sounds (see above). Years after the Beach Boys broke up, in 1988, Brian released a much anticipated solo album, his first. It was great, but then he pretty much vanished again. He released a couple inconsequential albums in the 90s, one that included a lot of remakes and another was a collaberation with old friend Van Dyke Parks. Neither were very good. And then, it happened. In 1998 he let loose with only his second solo album of original material, Imagination. The first song on the record was called Imagination as well, and it blew me away. Those old harmonies were back and the song was breathtakingly beautiful. Another tune, Lay Down Burden, is an amazing ode to his late brother Carl. South American is a catchy, beachy song he wrote with Jimmy Buffett. Keep An Eye On Summer could have fit right in on any 60’s Beach Boys album. All in all a spectacular return for the legend Brian Wilson.
PS- Shockingly, this album wasn’t received well by critics. Critics are idiots.
The harmonies at the 2:40 mark brought tears to my eyes when I first heard them.
THE 2000s
Daisies of the Galaxies – Eels (2000)
If you’re not aware of The Eels, this is the album you need to listen to. Daisies of the Galaxy is incredible from start to finish and has no weaknesses. Hell, its hidden track was undoubtedly its most popular song. The album is cheerful on the surface (helped by its quirky, upbeat tone) but contains cynical undertones. E shows genuine calmness as he displays his sadness. It’s amazing really. It’s hard to explain, but E’s music juxtaposes itself effortlessly. From the carefree opening minutes of Grace Kelly Blues to the last, happy-go-lucky last song, Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues, Daisies Of The Galaxy has undertones of desolate emotion behind quirky, upbeat pop tracks. So, so good. My personal favorites, although they’re all excellent – Grace Kelley Blues, Packing Blankets, I Like Birds, Daisies of the Galaxy, It’s A Motherfucker (don’t let that title fool you, it’s a gorgeous, heartfelt song), Jeannie’s Diary, Wooden Nickels, Selective Memory (a great song about E’s late mother), and the aforementioned hidden track, Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues. Essential Eels, man.
Rockin’ the Suburbs – Ben Folds (2001)
This one is right at the top of my Ben Fold’s treasure trove of records. Released on 9/11/01, this was Ben’s first solo album since leaving Ben Folds Five. It contains the usual Ben Folds piano based, hook-filled gems. The record’s best songs are Annie Waits, Zak and Sara, Still Fighting It, Rockin’ the Suburbs, and one of the most beautiful songs ever written, The Luckiest. The whole album has a Burt Bacarach feel to it (look it up if you’re under 60), and believe me when I say that’s a good thing. And as always, Ben maintains that signature sarcasm throughout. I’d expect nothing less.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots – Flaming Lips (2002)
I always liked the Lips, but this album is by far my favorite of theirs. It’s a weird, haunting, lush, symphonic record with gorgeous melodies and and an incredible, moody vibe. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots appeared in the best-albums-of-the-decade lists of several music publications, such as Rolling Stone (#27) and Uncut (#11), with Uncut also declaring it the greatest album released in the magazine’s lifetime. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. I absolutely love the songs Flight Test, Are You a Hypnotist?, and Do You Realize?. What an amazing album with Wayne Coyne at the peak of his powers.
American Idiot – Green Day (2004)
Green Day had released a pretty bad album, Warning, just before this and the band was dropping in popularity big-time. They released a greatest hits album to buy some time, healed some old wounds in the band, and promptly unleashed their best album ever (in my humble opinion). American Idiot was not a traditional Green Day album. This was different. The band not only listened to classic rock operas and concept albums like The Who’sTommy and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, but also pulled ideas from Broadway musicals. The record also includes classic rock influences (The Beatles) and the boys also allowed some of the top Rock and Hip-Hop acts of the day to factor into their sound and approach. According to Billie Joe Armstrong, “We decided we were going to be the biggest band in the world or fall flat on our faces.” What resulted was one fantastic album with songs like American Idiot, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Wake Me Up When September Ends. Spectacular album.
PS – I saw the band live right after this album dropped. Electric.
Indian Summer – Carbon Leaf (2004)
Carbon Leaf is the greatest relatively unknown band I’ve ever known. They burst onto the scene in 2002 when they won the Best New Band award at the American Music Awards. After that they settled in on a solid, successful career. Their sound has a Celtic, Irish feel to it, although lead singer Barry Privett calls their sound “Ether-Electrified Porch Music” which seems about right. Indian Summer is chock full of that unique, patented Carbon Leaf sound with tunes like Life Less Ordinary, What About Everything?, Grey Sky Eyes, Raise the Roof, and Let Your Troubles Roll By. I highly recommend you listen to this band, and you can start by watching the video below.
PS- I’ve seen the guys live several times and have become aquainted with them. Great, down-to-earth people.
PPS- Carter Gravatt is an incredible guitarist.
I And Love And You – Avett Brothers (2009)
I first heard The Avett Brothers in the early 2000s when I was driving my car through Kill Devil Hills in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was on station 99.1 The Sound, where I always seemed to find new bands. The song was I and Love and You, and my proverbial socks were knocked off. The Avetts sound is really hard to describe. They combine Bluegrass, Country, Punk, Pop, Folk, Rock, Indie, Honky Tonk, and Ragtime to produce a unique sound described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the raw energy of the Ramones.” Yep. I would say that about covers it.
The 2010s
Something for the Pain – Redlight King (2011)
Redlight King is another band that hasn’t really received its due and I know not why. They formed in Canada in 2009 and released this, their first album, in 2011. Lead singer Mark Kasprzyk made news on this record for his success in securing permission from Neil Young to allow him to sample the 1972 song, Old Man, and the results were incredible. It’s sampled in Redlight King’s song of the same name, a tune about Kasprzyk’s father. I got a recommendation to listen to this album from a friend, and I’m forever grateful for that. In addition to Old Man, the songs Something for the Pain, Bullet In My Hand, Comeback and When the Dust Settles Down are all stellar. Give Redlight King a listen. You won’t be disappointed.
III – Paul McCartney (2020)
Just when you thought 78-year old Paul McCartney was getting close to the end of his career he dropped this bombshell on us. Ladies and gentlemen, III is amazing. As Rolling Stone reviewer Rob Sheffield said, “Make a list of all the songwriters who were composing great tunes in 1958. Now make an overlapping list of the ones who are still writing brilliant songs in 2020. Your list reads: Paul McCartney.” Man that’s impressive. Give a listen to songs like Long Tailed Winter Bird, Deep Deep Feeling and Find My Way and you’ll know what he’s talking about. Did this record surprise me? It did. Should it have? Hell no. It’s Paul Freakin’ McCartney.
So there you go, my 80 favorite albums of all-time. Eclectic? Yes. But I sort of pride myself in that. There’s really no musical genre I don’t like. And while making this list I realized that the album’s of today are not the same as the albums of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. In the 60s and 70s, in particular, there was nothing better than buying an album, taking it home, peeling off that plastic cover, and reading the liner notes. If it was a double album it was even better. Today we just download a particular song to our iPhone and that’s that. Sad really.
Anyway, to those of you that stuck with me all the way through this l-o-o-o-o-o-n-g blog, I appreciate it. Please let me know if any of my albums match yours, or if there are other albums not included here that had an impact on your life.
Ever wonder what was happening the year you were born? Me too. I even looked up what was happening the day I was born and it wasn’t too exciting. It was a Saturday, and apparently some dude named Osvald Harjo returned to Norway after 13-years in a Soviet prison camp. Meh. Anywho, if you’re between 18 and 80-years old I’m here for ya. Read on . . .
1940
First McDonald’s opens in Cali, people worldwide begin getting fatter.
Penicillin invented. Eat it, syphillus.
Morton Salt is patented.
The Jeep makes it’s debut, just in time for World War II. In fact it was made for World War II.
Hitler invades Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. It has begun.
The debut of none other than Bugs freakin’ Bunny.
I’ll Never Smile Again by Tommy Dorsey was the top song in America. Rock is still 15-years away. Ish.
1941
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor, is about to get their asses kicked.
USA declares war on Japan, Japan in some deep shit.
Superman movie released, the first of a gazillion.
Edward Hopper finishes Nighthawks, one of my favorite paintings ever.
Amapola by Jimmy Dorsey was the top song, making it two years in a row for Jimmy D.
1942
Nazi leaders attend the Wannsee Conference to coordinate the systematic genocide of Jews.
Duct Tape invented! Woot!
The Coconut Grove nightclub fire in Boston killed 491 people.
The U.S. government established the Manhattan Project, which would turn out to be bad news for Japan.
White Christmas by Bing Crosby topped the charts, and it’s still a banger.
1943
The Slinky is here! And get those plastic Slinkys out of here. The metal ones were the bomb.
The Pentagon is completed.
I’ve Heard That Song Before by Harry James was the best selling song, and I’ve never heard that song.
1944
D-Day happens as the baddest sumbitches to ever live land in France with the sole mission of kicking Nazi ass.
The Mark 1 Computer is invented and weighs a 9,445 pounds. Dead serious.
Swinging On A Star by Bing Crosby rocks the charts, and I’ve actually heard it. Take your moonbeams home in a jar and whatnot.
1945
Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan says oh hell nah and quits.
Hitler commits suicide because he was a coward and the US of A and Russia was closing in.
‘Til the End of Time by Perry Como was the top song.
1946
Electric Blanket invented, toasty comfort ensues.
Microwave oven invented, tasty goodness ensues.
It’s a Wonderful Life hits theaters, and oh what a movie it was.
First meeting of United Nations happens.
The Gypsy by the Ink Spots leads the charts.
1947
Elmer’s Glue invented! Not sure if the inventor was named Elmer.
Jackie Robinson joins Brooklyn Dodgers, and it was about goddamned time.
The Black Dahlia Murders happened in Los Angeles.
Near You by Francis Craig topped the charts.
1948
First LP (long playing album) made it’s debut! The LP was 25-minutes per side, the previous record, the 78, was 4-minutes. So, big deal.
The Polaraoid Camera was invented.
President Harry Truman ends segregation in the military, a very big deal at the time.
Buttons and Bows by Dinah Shore topped the music charts. Rocker.
1949
Silly Putty invented! I loved Silly Putty!
First Emmy Awards held and Shirley Dinsdale wins for Most Outstanding TV Personality. Wait. Who?
Cable TV introduced but it wouldn’t became popular for 30-years ish.
45 rpm record invented, and boy did I own plenty in my time. Factoid: 45s cost 72 cents in ’72.
George Orwell’s 1984 published and totally predicted the future. Love that book.
First around the world nonstop flight took place.
Riders in the Sky by Vaughn Monroe rocked the airwaves.
1950
The first Credit Card makes an appearance, intense personal debt soon follows.
Korean War begins, although it was referred to as a “conflict.” Sigh.
Saturday morning kids programming starts, and it was glorious.
Peanuts comic strip begins, Charlie Brown begins climb to immortality.
First Xerox machine produced.
Goodnight, Irene by the legendary Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers tops the charts.
1951
Super Glue is invented!
Videotape Recorder invented!
Power Steering in cars invented! I actually remember driving cars without it and it was a bitch.
Color TV introduced, and I didn’t see one until around 1963.
DJ Alan Freed coins the term Rock ‘n’ Roll in Cleveland, Ohio.
Alan Freakin’ Freed.
One of my favorite books, The Catcher in the Rye is published.
Too Young by Nat King Cole is released, is actually a great song.
1952
Velcro invented but won’t be used until its patent expired in 1978 and everyone could use it. True story.
Mr. Potato Head rears his ugly head! The first Mr. Potato Heads used actual potatoes and you just stuck the ears, nose and eyes into it. Not kidding.
Barcodes were invented but for some reason weren’t used until 1974. Life’s little mysteries, man.
The Today Show premiered on NBC and was hosted by Dave Garroway. He committed suicide in 1982. Bummer.
WWII war hero Dwight Eisenhower elected President of the USA.
Blue Tango by Leroy Anderson topped the charts.
1953
Radial Tires invented, and I’m still not sure what they are.
The synthesizer is invented, hits its peak in the rad 80s.
The transistor radio is invented.
Playboy hits the newstands with Marilyn Monroe on its cover.
The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart) by Percy Faith is the best selling song.
1954
The Pill becomes available to women, sexual revolution on horizon.
Teflon is invented.
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka occurs, Supreme Court unanimously bans racial segregation in public schools.
The Fellowship of the Ring and Lord of the Flies books are both released.
Little Things Mean A Lot by Kitty Kallen tops the charts, Rock and Roll just around the corner.
1955
Optic Fiber invented.
Bill Haley and His Comets.
I was born!
Rosa Parks refuses to sit at the back of the bus. You go RP.
James Dean dies in car accident.
Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a bus boycott in Montgomery.
Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets released and here comes Rock.
Cherry Pink by Perez Prado tops the charts although Rock Around the Clock actually the best song.
1956
Go-Cart racing becomes a thing.
The Hovercraft is invented!
Liquid Paper is invented by future Monkee Michael Nesmith’s mother and I swear to God that’s true.
Elvis Presley breaks out with Heartbreak Hotel, music as we know it changes forever.
1957
The Sugar Packet is invented! Woohoo!
Bubble Wrap is invented! Woohoo!
Leave It To Beaver debuts on CBS.
All Shook Up by Elvis Presley tops the charts as Rock and Roll takes root.
1958
The Zip Tie is invented.
The Hula Hoop is invented and a national craze follows.
The very first video game is invented. Physicist William Higinbotham created it. It was a very simple tennis game, similar to the classic 1970s video game Pong, and it was quite a hit at the Brookhaven National Laboratory open house. They had no idea.
NASA initiates Project Mercury, aimed at putting a man in space within two years. They did.
Volare by Domenico Modugno leads the charts.
1959
The Pacemaker is invented.
Barbie makes her first appearance!
The first Weather Satellite is put into use.
Fidel Castro takes over Cuba.
Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states in the USA.
The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton tops the charts.
1960
John F. Kennedy elected President.
Psycho hits theaters, terrifies masses.
First Child Safety Seat sold.
Astroturf invented, will soon be used at Astrodome.
First Laser Beam used.
First Etch-a-Sketch sold, and I became proficient at using it. Perhaps the best ever. Seriously. I was good. Very good. Legendary even.
A French company called Feudor invented the first disposable lighter. This was named “The Stick” until eventually being bought out by Gillette and renamed “The Cricket.” “The Stick” seems somehow cooler to me.
Theme From a Summer Place by Percy Faith tops charts. Beautiful song.
1961
Slurpees are invented!
Valium is invented!
Cordless Tools are invented!
The first US astronaut, Alan B. Shepard, rocketed 116.5 miles up into space on a 302-mile trip, and more importantly made it back.
Tossin’ and Turnin’ by Bobby Lewis tops charts, Crazy by Patsy Cline is actual best song. JMO.
1962
The first audio cassette is invented.
Silicone Breast Implants are invented.
The Cuban Missile Crisis scares the bejesus out of America.
James Meredith registers at the U of Mississippi.
Marilyn Monroe dies, supposedly of an overdose.
Ohio’s own John Glenn orbits the Earth.
Big Girls Don’t Cry by The Four Seasons is the best selling song.
1963
The Lava Lamp was invented by Edward Walker, who had been a WWII pilot for England. I don’t see the connection either.
The Post Office introduced Zip Codes, which amazes me because I thought it would have happened a lot sooner.
John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas and a nation mourned.
Nightclub owner Jack Ruby shoots Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald on national television as he was being transported from the Dallas Police Headquarters.
Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington D.C.
Beach Music hits the airwaves as Surfin’ USA by the Beach Boys tops the charts.
1964
The Beatles arrived in the USA on February 7th, changing the face of music forever. For a nation still reeling from the Kennedy Assassination just 6-weeks prior it was an arctic blast of fresh air.
Bob Dylan hits the big-time with his powerfully and intelligently written folk music.
Harvey Ross Ball was hired by State Mutual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, Massachusetts to create something to raise the morale of its employees. Ball created the design in 10-minutes and was paid $45.00. That design was the Smiley Face.
The Ford Mustang rolls off the assembly line, and it was awesome.
Buffalo Wings were invented at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, when co-owner Teressa Bellissimo cooked leftover wings in hot sauce as a late-night snack for her son and his friends. They loved it and boom, chicken limb tasty goodness was born.
First VCR is sold for use in the home.
8-Track Tape invented, would surpass albums sales in about 10-years.
Nelson Mendela sentenced to life in prison in South Africa.
Civil Rights workers Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Cheney are murdered in Mississippi. There’s a great book about it called “We Are Not Afraid” that should be required reading for all.
US Surgeon General Luther Terry affirms that cigarette smoking causes cancer, nation basically turns a deaf year.
I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles was the #1 song in the USA. They’re h-e-e-e-e-r-e!
1965
Superball invented by some dude named Norman Stingley. The ball was made of a synthetic material he called Zectron. Cool.
The first American combat troops arrive in Vietnam. Ugh.
Malcom X was murdered in Harlem.
The Watts Riots erupt in Los Angeles.
I Can’t Help Myself by the Four Tops is the nation’s best selling song and it was a good one, but . . .
Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan is the nation’s actual best song.
1966
Kevlar, the lightweight fiber used in bulletproof vests and body armour, is invented by chemist Stephanie Kwolek.
Star Trek premiers, nerds everywhere rejoice.
Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood hits the bookshelves, I read it as a 10-year old and was scarred for life. Chills, man.
First Insulin is made made in China.
Richard Speck murders 8 nurses in Chicago.
The Ballad of the Green Berets, a patriotic, pro-war song by soldier Sgt. Barry Sadler, tops the charts.
We Can Work It Out by The Beatles is the actual best song. Just my opinion but I’m right.
1967
Light Beer was invented by the Rheingold Brewery in New York State and was called Gablinger’s Diet Beer.
First ATM debuts in northern London.
Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as first black US Supreme Court justice.
Astronauts Col. Virgil I. Grissom, Col. Edward White II, and Lt. Cmdr. Roger B. Chaffee were killed in a fire during a test launch.
Rolling Stone magazine debuts with John Lennon on the cover.
Yeah, it looked a lot different back then.
Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is released, shocking the music world.
Surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant in South Africa.
Respect by Aretha Franklin tops the charts, and I can’t argue with that one. Classic.
However, I still have to mention that Ruby Tuesday by the Rolling Stones, Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane, Sunshine of Your Love by Cream, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield, Light My Fire by The Doors, Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles, and Purple Haze by The Jimi Hendrix Experience were all released this year. So, you know, take your pick.
1968
The Pocket Calculator is invented and it was amazing. I recall somebody bringing one to school around 1972 and we played with it, amazed you could punch in stuff like 919 x 77 + 505 and getting the answer immediately. It was a simpler time, kids.
Richard M. Nixon is elected president in a landslide.
American soldiers massacre between 347 and 504 civilians at My Lai. Victims included men, women, children, and infants. Some of the women were gang-raped and their bodies mutilated. It was the most shocking event of the Vietnam War.
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy are assassinated. King is murdered on April 4th. Kennedy is shot on June 5th and passed away a day later. Shocking times for sure.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos bow their heads and raise glove fists during the National Anthem at the Olympics in Mexico City.
60 Minutes debuts.
Senator Rankin Fite completed the first 9-1-1 call made in the United States in Haleyville, Alabama of all places.
Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders are the first humans to orbit the moon.
Hey Jude by The Beatles tops the music charts, because by God it should have.
1969
Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon. I watched it with my father, then I walked into the yard and looked up at the moon, amazed that people were actually standing on it.
The Taser was invented and it still doen’t seem like we use it instead of bullets enough.
Four Manson Family members murder 7 people, including actress Sharon Tate.
Unleaded Gas is introduced into the United States.
The Woodstock Rock Festival took place in Bethel, New York on Max Yasgur’s farm.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid hits theaters, and damn it was one helluva movie. “Who are those guys?”
Mario Puzo’s book The Godfather is published.
The first in vitro fertilization of a human egg is performed in Cambridge, England.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency goes online in December, connecting four major US universities. It’s the beginning of the internet!
Sugar Sugar by The Archies, who were not a real band but a Saturday morning cartoon band, is the best selling song of the year.
Hot Fun in the Summertime by real band Sly and the Family Stone was the actual best song of 1969.
1970
Four students at Kent State University are slain by Ohio National Guardsmen during riots protesting the Vietnam War.
The Beatles break up after a decade of amazing music.
Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin both die drug related deaths.
Monday Night Football debuts.
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel tops the charts but The Long and Winding Road or Let It Be or Get Back by The Beatles or perhaps James Taylor’s Fire and Rain should have.
1971
The first email is sent by some cat named Ray Tomlinson. He said that most likely the first message was QWERTYIOP or something similar since it was just a test message. Bottom line, “That’s one small step for man” it was not.
US Supreme Court rules unanimously that busing of students may be ordered to achieve racial desegregation.
All in the Family debuts.
Jim Morrison dies in Paris, probably of a drug overdose but it’s never been proven.
Duane Allman dies in a motorcycle wreck.
Joy to the World by Three Dog Night tops the charts. “Jeremiah was a bullfrog . . .”
1972
Hamilton introduced the world’s first commercial electronic digital wristwatch. It retailed for the pricey sum of $2,100.00. Today you can get one for $12.99 at Walmart.
Hacky Sack is created by John Stalberger (an Oregon athlete) to help rehabilitate his injured knee. He also coined the awesome name Hacky Sack.
Eleven Israeli athletes are murdered at the Olympic Games in Munich by the terrorist group Black September.
Alabama Governor and presidential candidate George Wallace is shot in Maryland. He lives but is left paralyzed from the waist down.
The Supreme Court rules that the Death Penalty is unconstitutional.
Five men are arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC. We didn’t know it at the time, but President Nixon’s downfall had begun.
Time Incorporated transmits HBO, the first pay cable network. It’s only the beginning.
Atari introduces the arcade version of Pong, the first video game. The home version will come out in 1974.
M*A*S*H debuts on CBS and I loved that show.
Deliverance hit the theaters and scarred me forever. If you don’t know what I’m talking about go to YouTube, type “Squeal like a pig Deliverance scene” in the search box and wait for the cringe.
Let’s Stay Together by Al Green tops the charts, and deservedly so.
1973
Global Positioning System is invented, and I can’t believe I didn’t use one until the late 90s.
The first BIC disposable lighter was invented. Before this people had those cool silver Zippo lighters you could snap open and close. So cool.
Kawasaki released the first Jetski.
The mobile phone was invented! Motorola was the first company to produce a handheld one. On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper made the first mobile telephone call. He placed a call to Dr. Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs, his rival. Ultimate burn, man. On a related note, I think the battery life was about 37-seconds.
Answering Machines become widely popular. You youngsters have no idea of the joy of coming home, seeing that little light blinking on your answering machine, and thinking, “I have a message!”
A ceasefire is signed, ending involvement of American ground troops in the Vietnam War.
American Graffiti, The Exorcist, The Sting, Last Tango in Paris all debut in theaters. Helluva year for movies.
Skylab is launched as America’s first space station.
Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye tops the charts. Wise choice.
1974
The first Barcode appeared. It was on a pack of Wrigley’s Chewing Gum and I know not why.
Henry Heimlich invents his maneuver, and it seems odd it took until 1974 until someone thought of it.
Post-It Notes were invented. Fun Fact: They were invented accidentally when someone was trying to develop a super strong adhesive.
Erno Rubik invented his cube.
Patty Hearst, granddaughter of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, is kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army as case rivets nation.
President Nixon resigns over the Watergate Scandal.
People magazine hits the stands.
The Way We Were by Barbara Streisand tops the charts, beating more worthy songs such as Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens and The Bitch is Back by Elton John.
1975
The first Digital Camera is invented by Kodak engineer Steve Sasson.
The Vietnam War ends to the relief of many, including me since I had no interest in being drafted.
President Ford escapes two assassination attempts, one by Charles Manson follower Squeaky Fromme.
The Cincinnati Reds, known as the Big Red Machine, win the World Series.
Saturday Night Live premiers and it was spectacular.
The movie Jaws debuts and nobody wants to go in the ocean anymore.
Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille outsells Shining Star by Earth, Wind and Fire, Listen To What The Man Said by Paul McCartney, and I’m Not In Love by 10cc and damn people were stupid in 1974.
1976
Basketball Breakaway Rim invented.
First Ink Jet Printer invented in Japan.
US Supreme Court changes its mind and rules that death penalty is not inherently cruel or unusual and is a constitutionally acceptable form of punishment.
USA celebrates its Bicentennial. 200-years man!
Jimmy Carter elected President of the USA.
Reds win World Series again, sweeping the New York Yankees
The movies Rocky and Taxi Driver premier and they are awesome. “You talkin’ to me?”
Viking I lands on Mars.
Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Wings is the top seller, is Sir Paul’s 109th best song. Ish.
1977
MRI is used for the first time.
President Carter pardons all Vietnam draft evaders.
Star Wars, Saturday Night Fever and Close Encounters of the Third Kind premier. Great movies all.
Elvis Presley dies at Graceland.
Serial killer who calls himself Son of Sam is loose in New York City.
Rod Stewart’s Tonight’s the Night tops the charts. Hated it. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Queen’s We Are the Champions were much better.
1978
Breakaway Rim first used in college basketball at the Final 4.
Microwaveable Popcorn Bag invented, wouldn’t be approved until 1981.
The video game Space Invaders is created!
909 people die as Jim Jones’s followers commit mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana.
The first test-tube baby is born at Oldham Hospital in London and people freaked out.
Mass murderers John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy are arrested and the details that emerged were horrifying.
Shadow Dancing by Andy Gibb is the top song, horrifyingly. I’d pick Joe Walsh’s Life’s Been Good to Me So Far but whatevs. I’m numb to these poor song choices by now.
1979
The first Sony Walkman is sold.
A nuclear power plant accident at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania happens, scares the bejesus out of everyone.
It’s Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson in the NCAA Title game, Magic wins.
The first music CD is sold and it was a collection of Chopin waltzes by Claudio Arrau but I’m sure you knew that.
The Sugar Hill Gang release “Rapper’s Delight,” most likely the first rap song ever recorded.
Hostages are taken at the American Embassy in Iran, beginning a 444 day seige.
ESPN debuts. Sports!
My Sharona by The Knack tops the charts. Shockingly, I liked it.
1980
Personal Computers began to make their way into households.
John Lennon is murdered in New York City.
Ronald Reagan elected President of the USA in a landslide.
Ted Turner launches CNN. News!
Blondie’s Call Me is the USA’s best selling song, and I cannot complain.
1981
Microwaveable Popcorn Bag hits the market, bachelors everywhere rejoice.
MTV hits the airwaves, first video is Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles (MTV used to play videos). Music!
The world sees its first official game of Paintball. Still have never played it.
Iran hostages are freed just as Reagan takes office.
Pope John Paul II is shot, survives.
President Reagan is shot, survives.
Pacman sweeps the nation!
Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes is the top seller, wasn’t that bad.
1982
Princess Grace tragically dies in a car crash in Monaco.
Michael Jackson releases Thriller.
John Belushi dies of a drug overdose.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is released and Steven Spielberg is on an absolute roll.
A permanent artificial heart is implanted in a human for the first time.
The space shuttle Columbia makes its first mission.
Physical by Olivia Newton-John is the best seller and I cannot make this shit up. Personally I’d take John Mellencamp’s Jack and Diane, The Clash’s Rock the Casbah or The Alan Parsons Project’s Eye in the Sky.
1983
Sony releases the first camcorder.
A terrorist explosion killed 237 US Marines in Beirut.
Sally K. Ride becomes first US woman astronaut in space.
The last episode of M*A*S*H was viewed by 125-million people.
Crack cocaine is developed in the Bahamas and soon appears in the United States.
Every Breath You Take by The Police tops the charts. Good tune but I’ll take the entire R.E.M. album Murmer any day and twice on Tuesday.
1984
DNA Testing is perfected.
Ronald Reagan re-elected in landslide.
Apple introduces the user-friendly Macintosh PC.
Prince’s When Doves Cry tops the charts, but I’ll take Van Halen’s Jump or U2’s Pride (In the Name of Love).
1985
Microsoft Windows is introduced.
Rock Hudson dies of AIDS.
Live Aid concerts are held in London and Philadelphia. In London, Queen steals the show.
Careless Whisper by George Michael is the top seller, incredibly, because Money for Nothing by Dire Straits and Can’t Get There From Here by R.E.M. were also released. Amazing.
1986
DNA testing is first used in criminal cases.
The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, shocking the nation.
Major nuclear accident at Soviet Union’s Chernobyl Nuclear Plant.
Nintendo makes its debut, marking the day kids stopped playing outdoors.
We Are The World is recorded, featuring most of the major musical artists of the day. It’s organized by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.
The first disposable camera was developed by Fujifilm.
That’s What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder tops the charts and oh my Lord it was awful. Especially since the songs Don’t Get Me Wrong by The Pretenders, Dear God by XTC and the album Lifes Rich Pageant by R.E.M. were all released this year.
1987
Prozac invented.
President Reagan and Russian President Gorbachev meet in Washington D.C.
Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles sells the most copies, although I preferred Suzanne Vega’s Luka or Girlfriend in a Coma by The Smiths. On a related note, 1987 was a really slow year for world events.
1988
Prozac is made available to the public.
Caller ID is made available to the public, people can now ignore people they don’t want to talk to.
Wheeled luggage with retractable handles go on sale for the first time, and HOW THE HELL DID IT TAKE SO LONG?
George H. Bush elected president.
CDs outsell LPs for the first time.
Faith by George Michael tops the charts, but I’ll take Fast Car by Tracy Chapman or the album Green by R.E.M.
1989
World Wide Web is born, porn industry explodes, dirty magazines begin an agonizing death spiral.
Nintendo Gameboy released.
Tiananmen Square Rally for Democracy is held in China, famous photo of Tank Guy emerges.
Berlin Wall opens to west, people flee from East Germany to West Germany.
Earthquake erupts in San Francisco during World Series game, killing 67 people and causing more than $5 billion in damages.
Look Away by the new and sappier Chicago ruled the charts, whilst albums like Doolittle by The Pixies, Bleach by Nirvana, The Real Thing by Faith No More, Don’t Tell a Soul by The Replacements, and The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses all included better songs.
1990
South Africa frees Nelson Mandela after 27½ years.
East and West Germany are reunited.
Reds sweep the World Series, defeating the Oakland A’s of Tony LaRusso, Mark McGwire and Jose Conseco.
The Simpsons debut on Fox and they’re still going strong 30-years later.
Seinfeld debuts on NBC.
The Gulf War begins.
Hold On by Wilson Phillips tops the charts even though Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might Be Giants was released this year. Abomination I say.
1991
CDs outsell cassettes for the first time and nobody under the age of 25 will understand what that means.
The Gulf War ends quickly as the USA kicks ass in record time.
The Soviet Union crumbles, which would have been unimaginable 10-years earlier.
Nirvana releases the album Nevermind and includes the song Smells Like Teen Spirit. The song helps to popularize Grunge music.
Serial killer and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer arrested in Milwaukee.
Queen’s Freddie Mercury dies of Aids.
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams outsells all songs, including Smells Like Teen Spirit, R.E.M.’s Losing My Religion and Pearl Jam’s Alive. Ladies and gentlemen, this was something that actually happened.
1992
George H. Bush and President Boris Yeltsin of the Soviet Union declare the end of the Cold War (look it up, kids).
Bill Clinton elected President of the United States.
Spinner Wheels on cars are introduced. Spinners!
Four officers acquitted in Los Angeles beating of Rodney King; all hell breaks loose in Los Angeles.
CDs outsell cassettes for first time.
Johnny Carson’s last Tonight Show airs.
End of the Road by Boyz II Men is the top seller and I can live with that. However, I’d take the entire album by R.E.M. called Automatic For the People. I mean, Man on the Moon? Everybody Hurts? Nightswimming? Find the River? Come on, man.
1993
Paint Valley Boys Basketball wins its first SVC boys basketball title in 28-years.
The Waco Seige takes place at the Branch Davidian Complex in Texas as David Koresh and 75 of his followers perish.
The World Trade Center basement is bombed, six people die.
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston tops the charts. As for me, I’ll take The Ugly Truth by Matthew Sweet or Dream All Day by The Posies.
1994
Apartheid in South Africa ends!
South Africa holds first interracial national election and Nelson Mandela is elected President.
Skater Nancy Kerrigan attacked 2-days before the Olympic Trials, turns out rival Tonya Harding hired the men responsible.
NFL Football Hall of Famer, Announcer and movie actor OJ Simpson arrested in double homicide after a chase through Las Angeles.
Major League Baseball players strike on August 12th, settle 232 days later.
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain commits suicide.
Friends debuts on NBC.
Woodstock ’94 is held, lamely.
A calf is cloned, world as we know it begins downfall.
The Sign by Ace of Base tops the music charts and I cannot make that up.
1995
OJ Simpson trial begins as nation watches.
Bomb explodes at the Murrow Building in Oklahoma City as 168 people die and over 680 are injured. American terrorist Timothy McVeigh is soon arrested as planner.
OJ Simpson found not guilty, nation is split after hearing the verdict.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opens in Cleveland.
A sheep cloned as humanity inches closer to extinction.
Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio tops the charts and I’m cool with it.
1996
Unabomber arrested, identified as Ted Kaczynski.
Bill Clinton re-elected as US President for a second term.
Rapper Tupac Shakur is murdered in Las Vegas.
Braveheart beats Fargo and Sling Blade for Oscar in gross display of injustice.
6-year old JonBenet Ramsey is murdered in Colorado and nation is riveted by the case, still unsolved.
Macarena by Los del Rio tops the charts as nation hits an all-time low in its musical taste. For the love of God, Novocaine for the Soul by Eels, A Long December by Counting Crows, Follow You Down by Gin Blossoms and Radiation Vibe by Fountains of Wayne were all released in ’96. Get it together, people.
1997
Oklahoma City bomber Timothy J. McVeigh sentenced to death.
Titanic hits theaters, nation loses its collective mind.
Princess Di killed in car wreck in Paris.
Notorious B.I.G. is murdered.
Gianni Versace is murdered outside his home in Miami.
Mike Tyson fights Evander Holyfield, bites off chunk of his ear.
Something About the Way You Look Tonight by Elton John tops the charts, is clearly one of his all-time worse songs.
1998
Seinfeld airs final episode, wasn’t very good.
Google is founded.
Microsoft becomes the biggest company in the world.
Too Close by Next is the best selling record and I promise you this is the first time I’ve ever heard of it.
1999
World awaits Y2K disaster as everyone is worried computers aren’t prepared to make the switch from 1999 to 2000.
US Senate rejects President Clinton’s impeachment.
15 people die in the Columbine High School Massacre, including the two shooters who committed suicide.
John Kennedy Jr. is lost at sea in a plane crash.
The Blair Witch Project premiers, everyone loves it for some reason.
Woodstock ’99 kicks off in Rome, New York. The crowd set fires, destroys property and there were several reports of sexual assaults. A love-in it was not.
Believe by Cher topped the charts, giving her a #1 song in four straight decades. Cher, man.
2000
Y2K was nothing, turns out everyone was worried for no reason.
George W. Bush elected President of the USA in controversial election.
Survivor premiers as reality shows start to catch on.
Peanuts creator Charles Schulz dies.
Breathe by Faith Hill is the #1 song, but The Eels album Daisies of the Galaxy was top to bottom outstanding.
2001
Timothy McVeigh, American terrorist who planned Oklahoma City Bombing, is excecuted.
9/11 happens. 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people are killed.
20,000 die in an earthquake in India.
Segway goes on the market but never changes the world as promised.
Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse is the #1 song, and I say meh. Average song.
2002
Snipers John Allen Muhammad (aged 41) and Lee Boyd Malvo (aged 17), commit murders and robberies in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Washington and Washington DC. The snipers killed 17 people and wounded 10 others total.
The Maryland Terrapins win the NCAA Basketball Championship and I couldn’t have been happier.
Elizabeth Smart kidnapped outside Salt Lake City, nation captivated by case.
How You Remind Me by Nickelback is the top selling song and I’ve never heard it.
So there ya go. Anything cool happen in the year you were born?
The Beatles notoriously hated lip-synching, and it’s never been more evident than in this video. There’s John, barely containing his disgust. Then we have Paul and George, gamely trying to stay professional. Finally we have Ringo, at times not even pretending to play drums. Classic stuff, man.
![My Concert History: 1974-2024 [UPDATED 4.21.24]](https://shoeuntied.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/bruce-1.jpg?w=40&h=40&crop=1){kind=small}
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or was centered. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme (get it, rhyme?) or reason why the seed was planted there, but planted it was. Sometimes big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Cleveland are New York City are involved, other times it’s a small college town like Austin, Texas. Some of the most famous musicians in the world came from places we don’t even associate with music. Hell, John Mellencamp grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. James Brown? Macon, Georgia. And although everyone thinks of Manhattan when hearing the Velvet Underground, they’re actually from Long Island. Of course, we all know what that hot-bed of music, Tupelo, Mississippi produced, right? The King himself, Elvis Presley. And Cleveland? While the term Rock ‘n’ Roll actually originated there with legendary DJ Alan Freed, it doesn’t really have its own sound, right?
Back in the mid-10s a girlfriend of mine at the time and I went to a Cincinnati Bengals game in The Natti. It was a night game and we were staying at The Cincinnatian, a cool old hotel and a favorite of mine that’s located downtown and within walking distance from the stadium. After the game we went to a few local establishments to celebrate the victory with Bengal fans, then we decided to have a nightcap at the hotel bar. My girlfriend had to run up to the room so I went on into the bar to grab a couple stools. Turns out the place was nearly empty (probably because it was 1:30am), save for a lone gentleman sitting across from me wearing a suit and loosened tie. I didn’t really pay attention to him until my date rejoined me, but when I looked again I said, “Damn. I think that’s Boz Skaggs over there.” After a minute or two I walked over, stuck out my hand said, because I’m quick like that, “You’re Boz Skaggs aren’t you?” I know, not my best work but still. Anyway, he looked me right in the eye and said, “You are correct, sir.” At that point I told him I loved his self-titled first album back in ’69 and particularly loved the song Loan Me A Dime where Duane Allman played some killer guitar. I think he liked that because most people know him from his mid-70s album Silk Degrees which is less bluesy and a little more poppy. After a nice chat he bid me goodnight, gave a hug to my girlfriend as he left, and since he was taking a drink back to his room he raised his glass in salute and was gone.
*For mature readers only, and trust me when I say you’ll look at that little dog differently by the end of this article.
Shoe: Untied 