Ozzy can barely talk, but for some reason, he can sing clearly. After leaving Sabbath, Ozzie launched a comeback that has never really stopped. In the early 80s, “Crazy Train” proved he could make it on his own. Even after the loss of his guitarist Randy Rhodes in a plane crash Ozzy could not be stopped. In 1991, he released “No More Tears” which produced multiple hits. As he approached 60, he became a cuddly TV dad. I thought he was the Prince of Darkness..
Rock n Roll Moment: He never bit the head off a bat, but he did engage in a snort off with Motley Crue. He snorted a line of ants and even his own piss.
Essential Ozzie: Blizzard of Oz (1980), Diary of a Madman (1981), No More Tears (1991)
Ozzie’s Top 10:
Crazy Train
Over The Mountain
Flying High Again
Mr. Crowley
Suicide Solution
No More Tears
Bark At The Moon
Road To Nowhere
Mama, I’m Coming Home
Shot In The Dark
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
#75 Rush
Rush is the most eclectic band around. They have been a blues-rock band, a sci-fi band, prog rock, alt rock, classic rock, and hard rock. They have influenced bands ranging from Metallica to Symphony X to Primus. Only the Beatles, Stones, and Aerosmith have had more consecutive gold or platinum albums. Their fan base is the most loyal in music. Despite their achievements and success, they are continually ignored for induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. They belong in over Madonna, Grandmaster Flash, and others. However, the band does not seem to care.
Rock n Roll Moment: Geddy Lee donated 200 baseballs signed by Negro League greats to the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City.
Essential Rush: 2112 (1976), Permanent Waves (1980), Moving Pictures (1981)
Rush Top 10:
Working Man
Fly By Night
The Spirit of Radio
Tom Sawyer
Limelight
Time Stand Still
Roll The Bones
Subdivisions
Bastille Day
Manhattan Project
Rock n Roll Moment: Geddy Lee donated 200 baseballs signed by Negro League greats to the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City.
Essential Rush: 2112 (1976), Permanent Waves (1980), Moving Pictures (1981)
Rush Top 10:
Working Man
Fly By Night
The Spirit of Radio
Tom Sawyer
Limelight
Time Stand Still
Roll The Bones
Subdivisions
Bastille Day
Manhattan Project
Saturday, January 24, 2009
#76 Bill Haley and the Comets
Bill Haley was an unexpected rock star. He came out of rockabilly, was overweight, and over 30. How can anyone like this appeal to youth looking to rebel and smash things? Somehow he connected. “Rock Around The Clock” was an anthem. Kids rioted when they heard "Rock Around The Clock" and it appeared prominently in “The Blackboard Jungle.” Haley would eventually be eclipsed by a younger, sexier boy from Memphis.
Rock n Roll Moment: Bill Haley had the first rock fans to ever riot. For that alone, he deserves an eternal place in the top 100.
Essential Bill Haley: Rock Around the Clock (1955)
Bill Haley’s Top 10:
Rock Around the Clock
Shake Rattle and Roll
See You Later Alligator
Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town)
Rudy’s Rock
Razzle Dazzle
The Saints Rock n Roll
R-O-C-K
Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie
Skinny Minnie
Rock n Roll Moment: Bill Haley had the first rock fans to ever riot. For that alone, he deserves an eternal place in the top 100.
Essential Bill Haley: Rock Around the Clock (1955)
Bill Haley’s Top 10:
Rock Around the Clock
Shake Rattle and Roll
See You Later Alligator
Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town)
Rudy’s Rock
Razzle Dazzle
The Saints Rock n Roll
R-O-C-K
Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie
Skinny Minnie
Bush: Worst President Ever
Well, some folks without historical knowledge would have you think so. In reality, there are a slew of presidents worse than W. Of course, this can change based on information that comes out through the years and sometimes what seems unimportant today is viewed as important in the future. So, this list is fluid based on what comes out.
As we know, there have been 44 presidents. Grover Cleveland counts twice since he served two non-consecutive terms. We shall count him once. Also not included: William Henry Harrison (served one month), James Garfield (served 6 months), and Barack Obama (less than a week).
Presidents are arranged chronologically:
John Quincy Adams (1825-1829): Completely ineffective as a result of himself as well as congress.
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841): Martin Van Ruin: Southern Lapdog
John Tyler (1841-1845): Became a man without a party; helped the South to secession; did have some accomplishments
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853): Who?
Franklin Pierce (1853-1857): Kansas-Nebraska
James Buchanan (1857-1861): Complicit with secession
Andrew Johnson (1865-1869): Impeached, blocked Reconstruction, his actions helped set up a century of racial strife
U.S. Grant (1869-1877): Different scandal every week...and there were some doozies
Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893): Economic policies (protectionism and inflationary monetary policy) created a depression.
William H. Taft (1909-1913): The Era of Bungled Diplomacy; TR ended up coming back to challenge him
Warren Harding (1921-1923): Teapot Dome, Nan Britton, and other assorted scandals
Herbert Hoover (1929-1933): The Bonus March, Hoovervilles, and his own version of the New Deal...
Jimmy Carter (1977-1981): Hostages in Iran, gas lines, Misery Index, the Carter years are a model of incompetence
Bill Clinton (1993-2001): Warren Harding on steroids. Impeached, turns down a deal for Bin Laden, regulatory policies that led to the crash of 2008, bureaucratic rules that helped lead to 911...the Clinton Years sell themselves!
As we know, there have been 44 presidents. Grover Cleveland counts twice since he served two non-consecutive terms. We shall count him once. Also not included: William Henry Harrison (served one month), James Garfield (served 6 months), and Barack Obama (less than a week).
Presidents are arranged chronologically:
John Quincy Adams (1825-1829): Completely ineffective as a result of himself as well as congress.
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841): Martin Van Ruin: Southern Lapdog
John Tyler (1841-1845): Became a man without a party; helped the South to secession; did have some accomplishments
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853): Who?
Franklin Pierce (1853-1857): Kansas-Nebraska
James Buchanan (1857-1861): Complicit with secession
Andrew Johnson (1865-1869): Impeached, blocked Reconstruction, his actions helped set up a century of racial strife
U.S. Grant (1869-1877): Different scandal every week...and there were some doozies
Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893): Economic policies (protectionism and inflationary monetary policy) created a depression.
William H. Taft (1909-1913): The Era of Bungled Diplomacy; TR ended up coming back to challenge him
Warren Harding (1921-1923): Teapot Dome, Nan Britton, and other assorted scandals
Herbert Hoover (1929-1933): The Bonus March, Hoovervilles, and his own version of the New Deal...
Jimmy Carter (1977-1981): Hostages in Iran, gas lines, Misery Index, the Carter years are a model of incompetence
Bill Clinton (1993-2001): Warren Harding on steroids. Impeached, turns down a deal for Bin Laden, regulatory policies that led to the crash of 2008, bureaucratic rules that helped lead to 911...the Clinton Years sell themselves!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
2009 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees
Here is the Cooperstown Class of 2009...
Joe Gordon- One of the first power hitting second basemen. Finished with 253 homers. Played 11 seasons and was a 9 time all star. He was the 1942 AL MVP and 5 time World Champion (1938, 1939, 1941, 1943 with NY and 1948 with Cleveland).
Jim Rice: The dominant right handed power hitter for a decade (1975-1986). He finished with 382 Homers and 1451 RBI. 8 time All-Star, 2 silver sluggers, & the 1978 MVP.
Rickey Henderson: 2295 runs, 3055 hits, 2190 walks, 1406 steals, and the most lead-off homers in history. 10 time all star, 1990 MVP, 1989 ALCS MVP, Gold Glove (1981), 3 silver sluggers, 1989 and 1993 World Champion.
Gordon and Rice should have been inducted awhile ago. For whatever reason, Gordon was forgotten. Rice's production was overshadowed by the steroid hulks of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Rickey is the greatest leadoff hitter ever and might be the best major league player of the last 40 years. He made it on the first ballot.
Who's missing? The usual suspects: Andre Dawson, Bert Blyeleven, Jack Morris, Lee Smith, and Alan Trammell. Dawson was as dominant in the NL as Rice was in the AL. However, stat geeks are stuck on his .323 OBP. Blyleven had 60 shutouts, over 3000 Ks, and 287 wins. What does it take? Smith was the all-time leading save guy until recently. Goose and Sutter are in, why not Smith? (Maybe it's the Garvey homer). Morris won 254 games and was dominant in big games. His 3.90 ERA is keeping him out. The ERA went up dramatically as he got older and hitters began looking like Female Soviet Olympians. Trammell is overshadowed by Yount and Ripken.
Joe Gordon- One of the first power hitting second basemen. Finished with 253 homers. Played 11 seasons and was a 9 time all star. He was the 1942 AL MVP and 5 time World Champion (1938, 1939, 1941, 1943 with NY and 1948 with Cleveland).
Jim Rice: The dominant right handed power hitter for a decade (1975-1986). He finished with 382 Homers and 1451 RBI. 8 time All-Star, 2 silver sluggers, & the 1978 MVP.
Rickey Henderson: 2295 runs, 3055 hits, 2190 walks, 1406 steals, and the most lead-off homers in history. 10 time all star, 1990 MVP, 1989 ALCS MVP, Gold Glove (1981), 3 silver sluggers, 1989 and 1993 World Champion.
Gordon and Rice should have been inducted awhile ago. For whatever reason, Gordon was forgotten. Rice's production was overshadowed by the steroid hulks of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Rickey is the greatest leadoff hitter ever and might be the best major league player of the last 40 years. He made it on the first ballot.
Who's missing? The usual suspects: Andre Dawson, Bert Blyeleven, Jack Morris, Lee Smith, and Alan Trammell. Dawson was as dominant in the NL as Rice was in the AL. However, stat geeks are stuck on his .323 OBP. Blyleven had 60 shutouts, over 3000 Ks, and 287 wins. What does it take? Smith was the all-time leading save guy until recently. Goose and Sutter are in, why not Smith? (Maybe it's the Garvey homer). Morris won 254 games and was dominant in big games. His 3.90 ERA is keeping him out. The ERA went up dramatically as he got older and hitters began looking like Female Soviet Olympians. Trammell is overshadowed by Yount and Ripken.
2009 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame
Here are the 2009 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees...
Interestingly, it's the fifth year in a row where the Hall inducts five acts. This weird fact combined with all the rumors about ballot fixing makes one wonder if some acts have actually been elected, but passed over for whatever reason...
Jeff Beck - One of Rock’s greatest guitarists. He ranked #14 in Rolling Stone’s list of Greatest Guitarists. He played in the Yardbirds and later formed the Jeff Beck Group. His style incorporated blues, rock, metal, and even jazz. He played on Jon Bon Jovi’s solo hit “Blaze of Glory” in 1990. Beck should have been inducted years ago.
Little Anthony & the Imperials - This group goes back to the 1950s and is just now being inducted. Their biggest hit was “Tears on my Pillow” in 1958. They were a doo-wop group, but incorporated R&B and Soul as the times changed. Recently, they appeared on Letterman pushing their latest album.
Metallica - This one is a no-brainer. Metallica was a reaction to the LA Hair Metal scene. They pioneered thrash and speed metal and began to experience mainstream success by the late 80s. In 1991, they became superstars with their “Black” album. They continued to experience success throughout the 90s as a mainstream rock act. In the early 2000s, they released “St. Anger.” It sucked. On top of this, their movie, ‘Some Kind of Monster” made them look like a group of teenage school girls. They also waged a war on Napster which further eroded their popularity. In 2008, they returned to their roots with Death Magnetic and appear to be back on top.
Run-D.M.C. - Having a rap act in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is like having a football star in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but here we are. Run DMC is the most important rap act of all time. Rolling Stone placed them at #48 on the list of most important acts of all time. They built on the work of acts like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa and were stars by the mid-80s. They began the rap-rock thing with their cover of “Walk This Way” in 1986. This propelled them to superstardom.
Bobby Womack - Womack began as Sam Cooke’s guitarist. He wrote The Rolling Stones’ hit “It’s All Over Now.” Womack’s an R&B artist, but he has also done funk, soul, and blues. His music has appeared in Jackie Brown, Meet The Parents, American Gangster, and has been covered recently by Kelly Rowland.
Interestingly, it's the fifth year in a row where the Hall inducts five acts. This weird fact combined with all the rumors about ballot fixing makes one wonder if some acts have actually been elected, but passed over for whatever reason...
Jeff Beck - One of Rock’s greatest guitarists. He ranked #14 in Rolling Stone’s list of Greatest Guitarists. He played in the Yardbirds and later formed the Jeff Beck Group. His style incorporated blues, rock, metal, and even jazz. He played on Jon Bon Jovi’s solo hit “Blaze of Glory” in 1990. Beck should have been inducted years ago.
Little Anthony & the Imperials - This group goes back to the 1950s and is just now being inducted. Their biggest hit was “Tears on my Pillow” in 1958. They were a doo-wop group, but incorporated R&B and Soul as the times changed. Recently, they appeared on Letterman pushing their latest album.
Metallica - This one is a no-brainer. Metallica was a reaction to the LA Hair Metal scene. They pioneered thrash and speed metal and began to experience mainstream success by the late 80s. In 1991, they became superstars with their “Black” album. They continued to experience success throughout the 90s as a mainstream rock act. In the early 2000s, they released “St. Anger.” It sucked. On top of this, their movie, ‘Some Kind of Monster” made them look like a group of teenage school girls. They also waged a war on Napster which further eroded their popularity. In 2008, they returned to their roots with Death Magnetic and appear to be back on top.
Run-D.M.C. - Having a rap act in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is like having a football star in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but here we are. Run DMC is the most important rap act of all time. Rolling Stone placed them at #48 on the list of most important acts of all time. They built on the work of acts like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa and were stars by the mid-80s. They began the rap-rock thing with their cover of “Walk This Way” in 1986. This propelled them to superstardom.
Bobby Womack - Womack began as Sam Cooke’s guitarist. He wrote The Rolling Stones’ hit “It’s All Over Now.” Womack’s an R&B artist, but he has also done funk, soul, and blues. His music has appeared in Jackie Brown, Meet The Parents, American Gangster, and has been covered recently by Kelly Rowland.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Greatest Inaugural Addresses
I have read every Presidential Inaugural Address from Washington to W. I have seen every Inaugural Address from Kennedy to W (Thank you C-Span). So, here is my list of the five greatest addresses and four honorable mentions...They are arranged chronologically.
1. Thomas Jefferson (1801): Jefferson tried to heal wounds caused by a decade of intense partisanship. People think today's politics are hyper-partisan. However, the 1790s were worse. As Obama has been doing, Jefferson attempted to reach across the aisle and proclaimed one American nation with the refrain, "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."
2. Abraham Lincoln (1865): The partisanship of Jefferson's time was intense, but not as intense as the 1850s. By 1860, compromise was not possible and war broke out after Lincoln's inaugural in 1861. Speeches do not have to be long to be good. Lincoln's second address was short and to the point. He wanted to heal the nation, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
3. Franklin Roosevelt (1933): FDR reassured a nation deep in despair by promising "that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Compared to the dour Herbert Hoover, this was a breath of fresh air. Additionally, with improvements in technology, we can see and hear FDR's speech today.
4. John F. Kennedy (1961): JFK's inaugural was a call to arms for a new generation. It was a message of hope. Mankind can eliminate poverty and other social problems. Liberty will spread. America's good words would be transformed into good deeds. Kennedy also challenged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
5. Ronald Reagan (1981): Reagan always performed for his audience. After four years of the Carter Malaise, and almost 20 years of bad luck, divisions, and disasters, Reagan had come on his white horse to set things right. Reagan promised a new beginning. As a result of leftist policies, the economy was shattered and America's prestige abroad at an all time low. Like today, solutions to problems does not come from government. Instead, America's problem was government.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Andrew Jackson (1829): Jackson's election marked the beginning of a new age. (It also led to the greatest party in American History as the White House got trashed). Jackson's address was similar to Reagan's. Liberty is more important than government expansion.
2. Abraham Lincoln (1861): The South left the Union. How would Lincoln respond? He attempted to alleviate Southern worries, but he also let it be known that states can not leave the Union. He asks Southerners to be patriots and appeals to their "better angels."
3. Benjamin Harrison (1889): Harrison was known to be "icy." He was not very likable, but he managed to get elected. Despite his inability to be warm and fuzzy, he gave a pretty good address. It was a celebratory unity speech.
4. Richard Nixon (1969): Nixon came back from the abyss to win the presidency in 1968. During his exile, he became an expert in foreign affairs. Like Kennedy, he appealed to something bigger than himself. It was a "Summons to Greatness." Nixon pushed for a peaceful world. He asked Americans to seize the opportunity for greatness. It was time to end war, "The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker."
1. Thomas Jefferson (1801): Jefferson tried to heal wounds caused by a decade of intense partisanship. People think today's politics are hyper-partisan. However, the 1790s were worse. As Obama has been doing, Jefferson attempted to reach across the aisle and proclaimed one American nation with the refrain, "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."
2. Abraham Lincoln (1865): The partisanship of Jefferson's time was intense, but not as intense as the 1850s. By 1860, compromise was not possible and war broke out after Lincoln's inaugural in 1861. Speeches do not have to be long to be good. Lincoln's second address was short and to the point. He wanted to heal the nation, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
3. Franklin Roosevelt (1933): FDR reassured a nation deep in despair by promising "that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Compared to the dour Herbert Hoover, this was a breath of fresh air. Additionally, with improvements in technology, we can see and hear FDR's speech today.
4. John F. Kennedy (1961): JFK's inaugural was a call to arms for a new generation. It was a message of hope. Mankind can eliminate poverty and other social problems. Liberty will spread. America's good words would be transformed into good deeds. Kennedy also challenged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
5. Ronald Reagan (1981): Reagan always performed for his audience. After four years of the Carter Malaise, and almost 20 years of bad luck, divisions, and disasters, Reagan had come on his white horse to set things right. Reagan promised a new beginning. As a result of leftist policies, the economy was shattered and America's prestige abroad at an all time low. Like today, solutions to problems does not come from government. Instead, America's problem was government.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Andrew Jackson (1829): Jackson's election marked the beginning of a new age. (It also led to the greatest party in American History as the White House got trashed). Jackson's address was similar to Reagan's. Liberty is more important than government expansion.
2. Abraham Lincoln (1861): The South left the Union. How would Lincoln respond? He attempted to alleviate Southern worries, but he also let it be known that states can not leave the Union. He asks Southerners to be patriots and appeals to their "better angels."
3. Benjamin Harrison (1889): Harrison was known to be "icy." He was not very likable, but he managed to get elected. Despite his inability to be warm and fuzzy, he gave a pretty good address. It was a celebratory unity speech.
4. Richard Nixon (1969): Nixon came back from the abyss to win the presidency in 1968. During his exile, he became an expert in foreign affairs. Like Kennedy, he appealed to something bigger than himself. It was a "Summons to Greatness." Nixon pushed for a peaceful world. He asked Americans to seize the opportunity for greatness. It was time to end war, "The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker."
The Worst Inaugural Addresses
Here is a list of the five worst Presidential Inaugural Addresses. They are arranged chronologically.
1. Thomas Jefferson (1805): Jefferson breaks into a tirade during his inaugural. He attempts to justify his policies and accomplishments and then attacks his critics and calls them ignorant. And people thought Nixon's 1962 farewell speech was bitter.
2. John Quincy Adams (1825): Adams was slow to recognize the revolutionary changes overtaking American politics in the 1820s. However, he did recognize his precarious situation after the contested Election of 1824. His address was long, rambling, and boring. He felt the need to mention the aqueducts of Rome. At the end, he admits he is a handicapped president and might not be able to get much done.
3. William Henry Harrison (1841): Harrison's address was so long, he caught a cold, which turned to pneumonia. He died a month into office. His speech was so bad, it killed him.
4. James Buchanan (1857): The word clueless comes to mind with Buchanan. The country was on the eve of Civil War, but Buchanan did not seem to understand this. The Kansas situation had created a war within the territory. Buchanan claimed sectional differences were of no importance. He then rambles on and on and on...
5. Warren Harding (1921): Another long and rambling speech. The first Bill Clinton gave one of the worst addresses ever. Reading the speech is something akin to watching paint dry. No, that is unfair to paint.
1. Thomas Jefferson (1805): Jefferson breaks into a tirade during his inaugural. He attempts to justify his policies and accomplishments and then attacks his critics and calls them ignorant. And people thought Nixon's 1962 farewell speech was bitter.
2. John Quincy Adams (1825): Adams was slow to recognize the revolutionary changes overtaking American politics in the 1820s. However, he did recognize his precarious situation after the contested Election of 1824. His address was long, rambling, and boring. He felt the need to mention the aqueducts of Rome. At the end, he admits he is a handicapped president and might not be able to get much done.
3. William Henry Harrison (1841): Harrison's address was so long, he caught a cold, which turned to pneumonia. He died a month into office. His speech was so bad, it killed him.
4. James Buchanan (1857): The word clueless comes to mind with Buchanan. The country was on the eve of Civil War, but Buchanan did not seem to understand this. The Kansas situation had created a war within the territory. Buchanan claimed sectional differences were of no importance. He then rambles on and on and on...
5. Warren Harding (1921): Another long and rambling speech. The first Bill Clinton gave one of the worst addresses ever. Reading the speech is something akin to watching paint dry. No, that is unfair to paint.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
#77: The Animals
They came with the British Invasion. Their style was more bluesy than most invasion bands and later included the psychedelic. The Animals also had an edge. Their songs were darker and grittier than the other British acts. Their hits included “House of the Rising Sun,” “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” They are in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Rock n Roll Moment: The band earned their name with their wild stage act.
Essential Animals: The Best of the Animals (1966)
Top 10 Animals:
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
The House of the Rising Sun
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
Bring It On Home To Me
It’s My Life
Inside-Looking Out
Don’t Bring Me Down
San Franciscan Nights
I’m Crying
Baby Let Me Take You Home
Rock n Roll Moment: The band earned their name with their wild stage act.
Essential Animals: The Best of the Animals (1966)
Top 10 Animals:
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
The House of the Rising Sun
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
Bring It On Home To Me
It’s My Life
Inside-Looking Out
Don’t Bring Me Down
San Franciscan Nights
I’m Crying
Baby Let Me Take You Home
Monday, January 12, 2009
#78: Fats Domino
Fats Domino is one of the “Original 6” great rock performers that burst onto the scene in the 1950s. Unlike his contemporaries, he survived into the 1960s (Elvis would return after a stint in the army). Other than Elvis, the others had demons that destroyed their careers and Buddy Holly died in a plane crash. Growing up in New Orleans, Domino knew how to play the game with the white press. He was safe while the other rock stars were dangerous. As a result, he survived. Unfortunately for Fats, he was unable to adapt with the times. As the British Invasion hit, he was pushed aside.
Rock n Roll Moment: By 1959, Elvis was in the army, Buddy Holly was dead, Chuck Berry was in jail, Little Richard joined the clergy, and Jerry Lee Lewis was ostracized. Fats survived. In 2005, Fats survived Hurricane Katrina.
Essential Fats: Greatest Hits: Walking to New Orleans (2007)
Fats Domino’s Top 10:
Ain’t That A Shame
Blueberry Hill
I’m Walkin’
The Fat Man
Walking To New Orleans
Be My Guest
Whole Lotta Loving
I Want To Walk You Home
I’m In Love Again
Blue Monday
Rock n Roll Moment: By 1959, Elvis was in the army, Buddy Holly was dead, Chuck Berry was in jail, Little Richard joined the clergy, and Jerry Lee Lewis was ostracized. Fats survived. In 2005, Fats survived Hurricane Katrina.
Essential Fats: Greatest Hits: Walking to New Orleans (2007)
Fats Domino’s Top 10:
Ain’t That A Shame
Blueberry Hill
I’m Walkin’
The Fat Man
Walking To New Orleans
Be My Guest
Whole Lotta Loving
I Want To Walk You Home
I’m In Love Again
Blue Monday
Friday, January 9, 2009
#79: Dion
Dion
Dick Clark loved to show Italians on the early days of Bandstand. Enter Dion. Dion came out of the Bronx and loved Hank Williams Sr. He combined several styles to create his own sound. Like Hank, he became an addict, but was able to kick the addiction. Dion began as leader of the Belmonts. Since he was the talent, he went solo. By the early 70s, his popularity had run his course. He still records and tries to help prison addicts through prison ministries.
Rock n Roll Moment: Dion was a heroin addict while in his teens. He may have been the first rock n roll heroin addict!
Essential Dion: The Essential Dion (2005)
Dion’s Top 10:
A Teenager In Love
Where or When
Lonely Teenager
Runaround Sue
The Wanderer
Little Diane
Ruby Baby
Lovers Who Wander
Abraham, Martin, and John
Donna the Prima Donna
Dick Clark loved to show Italians on the early days of Bandstand. Enter Dion. Dion came out of the Bronx and loved Hank Williams Sr. He combined several styles to create his own sound. Like Hank, he became an addict, but was able to kick the addiction. Dion began as leader of the Belmonts. Since he was the talent, he went solo. By the early 70s, his popularity had run his course. He still records and tries to help prison addicts through prison ministries.
Rock n Roll Moment: Dion was a heroin addict while in his teens. He may have been the first rock n roll heroin addict!
Essential Dion: The Essential Dion (2005)
Dion’s Top 10:
A Teenager In Love
Where or When
Lonely Teenager
Runaround Sue
The Wanderer
Little Diane
Ruby Baby
Lovers Who Wander
Abraham, Martin, and John
Donna the Prima Donna
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Greatest Breakup Songs
Here is my list of the greatest breakup songs....not in any particular order.
1. She got the Gold Mine (I got the shaft) - Jerry Reed: The title says it all
2. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor: This has become a chick anthem to the point of cliche.
3. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac: What makes this song so unique is the band members were singing it to each other injecting real emotion.
4. You Outta Know - Alanis Morrissette: In the 90s, no one needed prozac more than Alanis...
5. Black - Pearl Jam: If someone listens to this one over and over after a breakup, put them on suicide watch.
6. Goodbye to You - Scandal: Classic 80s synthpop...with attitude.
7. With or Without You - U2: The woman in this song is a whore.
8. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis: Might have been about a real suicide
9. Crying - Roy Orbison: If this does not bum you out...
10. Yesterday - Beatles: The most covered song ever...
11. You're So Vain - Carly Simon: Another pissed off chick.
12. The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King: King is both freed from his situation, but also sad.
1. She got the Gold Mine (I got the shaft) - Jerry Reed: The title says it all
2. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor: This has become a chick anthem to the point of cliche.
3. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac: What makes this song so unique is the band members were singing it to each other injecting real emotion.
4. You Outta Know - Alanis Morrissette: In the 90s, no one needed prozac more than Alanis...
5. Black - Pearl Jam: If someone listens to this one over and over after a breakup, put them on suicide watch.
6. Goodbye to You - Scandal: Classic 80s synthpop...with attitude.
7. With or Without You - U2: The woman in this song is a whore.
8. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis: Might have been about a real suicide
9. Crying - Roy Orbison: If this does not bum you out...
10. Yesterday - Beatles: The most covered song ever...
11. You're So Vain - Carly Simon: Another pissed off chick.
12. The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King: King is both freed from his situation, but also sad.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
#80: Genesis
Genesis
How many groups lose their lead singer, change their style, remain relevant, and become more popular? Genesis pulled this off. Their original lineup consisted of Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford, and Phil Collins. No one knew how to classify them exactly. Their first album ended up in the gospel section. They began to gain attention when Peter Gabriel began dressing up in bizarre costumes. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, a concept album about a Puerto Rican youth’s quest for his own self identity, marks the high point of the Gabriel years. Soon after, Gabriel left the band for personal reasons.
Steve Hackett was the next to go. Hackett was an accomplished guitarist that actually did the Van Halen fingertap before Eddie Van Halen. Then there were three. The band began a transition to pop music with songs like Follow You Follow Me and Misunderstanding, while still doing the Prog Rock thing (Abacab, Home By The Sea).
By the mid-80s, they were a pop trio. Their greatest success was their poppyiest album; Invisible Touch. After a hiatus to do solo work, they came back in 1991 with We Can’t Dance. That album was less pop and covered some weightier material such as organized religion and child abuse. In 1996, Phil Collins left the band. Banks and Rutherford found another singer and they released a pure Prog album. It tanked and Genesis disbanded until 2006. In 2007, VH-1 honored them and they put on a world tour. Phil Collins has stated a new album was unlikely, but Tony Banks has contradicted this and even dropped hints of a reunion with Peter Gabriel.
Rock n Roll Moment: Peter Gabriel dressed up as a flower during a performance.
Essential Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (1974), Duke (1980), Genesis (1983), Invisible Touch (1986), We Can’t Dance (1991)
Genesis Top 10:
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
The Carpet Crawlers
Turn It On Again
Misunderstanding
Abacab
Mama
That’s All
Invisible Touch
Land of Confusion
No Son of Mine
How many groups lose their lead singer, change their style, remain relevant, and become more popular? Genesis pulled this off. Their original lineup consisted of Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford, and Phil Collins. No one knew how to classify them exactly. Their first album ended up in the gospel section. They began to gain attention when Peter Gabriel began dressing up in bizarre costumes. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, a concept album about a Puerto Rican youth’s quest for his own self identity, marks the high point of the Gabriel years. Soon after, Gabriel left the band for personal reasons.
Steve Hackett was the next to go. Hackett was an accomplished guitarist that actually did the Van Halen fingertap before Eddie Van Halen. Then there were three. The band began a transition to pop music with songs like Follow You Follow Me and Misunderstanding, while still doing the Prog Rock thing (Abacab, Home By The Sea).
By the mid-80s, they were a pop trio. Their greatest success was their poppyiest album; Invisible Touch. After a hiatus to do solo work, they came back in 1991 with We Can’t Dance. That album was less pop and covered some weightier material such as organized religion and child abuse. In 1996, Phil Collins left the band. Banks and Rutherford found another singer and they released a pure Prog album. It tanked and Genesis disbanded until 2006. In 2007, VH-1 honored them and they put on a world tour. Phil Collins has stated a new album was unlikely, but Tony Banks has contradicted this and even dropped hints of a reunion with Peter Gabriel.
Rock n Roll Moment: Peter Gabriel dressed up as a flower during a performance.
Essential Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (1974), Duke (1980), Genesis (1983), Invisible Touch (1986), We Can’t Dance (1991)
Genesis Top 10:
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
The Carpet Crawlers
Turn It On Again
Misunderstanding
Abacab
Mama
That’s All
Invisible Touch
Land of Confusion
No Son of Mine
Bush 2008
Struggles continued between Bush and Congress over the War on Terror, Iraqi War, and presidential power. The Congress rightfully outlawed torture. Bush vetoed the bill because it banned water boarding. One definite stain on the Bush Administration is the use of such tactics, euphemistically called “aggressive interrogations.” Information obtained from such tactics is unreliable. Therefore, the use of such is unnecessary.
Bush did win a couple of victories. The wiretap bill passed. This angered the left which complained that it monitored Americans. However, it is a strong tool that can be used to nail bad guys. The left may have helped the terrorists in this battle. Their initial complaints about the monitoring of people in Afghanistan that happened to call America tipped off the terrorists.
In addition to the wiretap bill and water boarding veto, Bush also won the battle on war funding. Democrats threatened to defund the Iraq War. Many on the left begged and pleaded for it. The Democrats were caught in an interesting quandary. They could take money away from American troops in the field or they could anger their base. The troops got their funds thereby ensuring the continuation of the Iraq War. At present, the war is won. So, those that voted for the funding did the right thing.
While Bush was winning his final political victories against the Democrats, the Supreme Court handed him a defeat. The court cancelled Bush Administration guidelines at Gitmo. The detainees could appeal their detentions. Legally, this is probably the correct decision. Practically, it is moot. Obama has promised to close the detention facility.
On the foreign policy front, Russia invaded Georgia. The Russians were looking to flex their muscles and regain super power status. So, they picked a fight with their smaller, weaker neighbor. They used the same logic that Hitler used to invade Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. (For some absurd reason, many on the left argued Georgia was as responsible for the conflict as Russia.) Bush handled the situation as well as could be. American troops began to appear in the region which forced Moscow to back down after their initial war aims were met.
The other major issue in 2008 was the economy. Early in the year, gas prices spiked to over $4 a gallon as a result of speculators. Prices eventually collapsed as a result of the worldwide economic crisis. OPEC has vowed to cut production to raise prices. In the US, there was a lot of talk, but no action by the administration and congress. Bush appeared helpless, Republicans and some Democrats talked about a gas tax break, while the left opined that the timing was wrong for a massive gas price hike.
Obama was one of those in favor of price spikes. He wants to eliminate fossil fuels and move to alternative energies. That is fine, but price spikes hurt people. Despite his support for high gas prices, Obama won the presidency with 52% of the vote. The vote was anti-Bush, but more importantly, John McCain ran a terrible campaign, and the economy collapsed.
As the year ended, Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinians. The Hamas Government had been lobbing rockets into Israel which is an act of war. Israel responded with devastating effect. The Israelis probably felt pressure to retaliate before the new pro-Palestinian American Administration took power. All out war may have begun.
Moving into 2009, Bush is trying to punt where possible to give Obama some latitude in action upon assuming the presidency. Obama will be handling the worst economic situation since Jimmy Carter’s Administration. The situation has the potential of being as bad as the 1930s. Also, Obama will have to deal with Afghanistan and wind down the Iraq War.
Bush did win a couple of victories. The wiretap bill passed. This angered the left which complained that it monitored Americans. However, it is a strong tool that can be used to nail bad guys. The left may have helped the terrorists in this battle. Their initial complaints about the monitoring of people in Afghanistan that happened to call America tipped off the terrorists.
In addition to the wiretap bill and water boarding veto, Bush also won the battle on war funding. Democrats threatened to defund the Iraq War. Many on the left begged and pleaded for it. The Democrats were caught in an interesting quandary. They could take money away from American troops in the field or they could anger their base. The troops got their funds thereby ensuring the continuation of the Iraq War. At present, the war is won. So, those that voted for the funding did the right thing.
While Bush was winning his final political victories against the Democrats, the Supreme Court handed him a defeat. The court cancelled Bush Administration guidelines at Gitmo. The detainees could appeal their detentions. Legally, this is probably the correct decision. Practically, it is moot. Obama has promised to close the detention facility.
On the foreign policy front, Russia invaded Georgia. The Russians were looking to flex their muscles and regain super power status. So, they picked a fight with their smaller, weaker neighbor. They used the same logic that Hitler used to invade Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. (For some absurd reason, many on the left argued Georgia was as responsible for the conflict as Russia.) Bush handled the situation as well as could be. American troops began to appear in the region which forced Moscow to back down after their initial war aims were met.
The other major issue in 2008 was the economy. Early in the year, gas prices spiked to over $4 a gallon as a result of speculators. Prices eventually collapsed as a result of the worldwide economic crisis. OPEC has vowed to cut production to raise prices. In the US, there was a lot of talk, but no action by the administration and congress. Bush appeared helpless, Republicans and some Democrats talked about a gas tax break, while the left opined that the timing was wrong for a massive gas price hike.
Obama was one of those in favor of price spikes. He wants to eliminate fossil fuels and move to alternative energies. That is fine, but price spikes hurt people. Despite his support for high gas prices, Obama won the presidency with 52% of the vote. The vote was anti-Bush, but more importantly, John McCain ran a terrible campaign, and the economy collapsed.
As the year ended, Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinians. The Hamas Government had been lobbing rockets into Israel which is an act of war. Israel responded with devastating effect. The Israelis probably felt pressure to retaliate before the new pro-Palestinian American Administration took power. All out war may have begun.
Moving into 2009, Bush is trying to punt where possible to give Obama some latitude in action upon assuming the presidency. Obama will be handling the worst economic situation since Jimmy Carter’s Administration. The situation has the potential of being as bad as the 1930s. Also, Obama will have to deal with Afghanistan and wind down the Iraq War.
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