#11 Jimy Hendrix

Jimy Hendrix is rock’s greatest guitarist. He became the most influential musician of the rock era. Despite this, he had problems breaking into the American market and even opened for The Monkeys. Lack of success in the states sent him overseas. His career took off in Europe. It was not until the Monterey Pop Festival that his career took off in the United States. By 1969, he was headlining Woodstock.

Hendrix became infamous for his sexually charged stage performances and the use of feedback which had previously been seen as undesirable. Hendrix overdosed in September, 1970 and became even bigger in death. He’s now an icon and legend. Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Robert Johnson, Peter Ham, Pigpen, and Kurt Cobain are all members of the 27 club. Those are artists that died at age 27.

Rock n Roll Moment: At the Monterey Pop Festival, Hendrix and The Who’s Pete Townsend had a friendly rivalry. The Who blew up the stage. Hendrix followed that by humping the amps and setting his guitar on fire.

Essential Hendrix:
Are You Experienced (1967)
Axis: Bold as Love (1967)
Electric Ladyland (1968)

Jimy’s Top 10:
All Along the Watchtower
Purple Haze
Fire
The Wind Cries Mary
Hey Joe
Manic Depression
Foxy Lady
Castles Made of Sand
Are You Experienced?
Crosstown Traffic

#12 The Clash

The Clash were among the first wave of British punk that emerged in the mid-seventies. Their first album, The Clash, was an instant smash and propelled them to stardom. They were different than their punk brethren in two major ways. First, they were neither anarchists nor nihilists. Instead, the incorporated leftist politics into their music. Second, they branched out beyond punk and included Ska, Reggae, Funk, Hip Hop, and Rockabilly into their music.

All the these elements were in place by their third album, London Calling. This post-industrial apocalypse is considered the greatest album of the eighties. It also opened the American market up for The Clash. By 1983, they were one of the biggest bands on Earth, toured with The Who, played Shea Stadium, and were considered “The Only Band that Mattered.” Inner tensions eventually broke the group apart and they were done by the mid-80s.

After the breakup, Mick Jones formed the successful band, Big Audio Dynamite. In 2008, Jones formed Carbon Silicon. Joe Strummer struggled with the breakup, did some movie work, and eventually returned to music with Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. Rumors of a Clash reunion began around 2000. In 2002, the band was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and considered reuniting to celebrate. However, Strummer died of an undiagnosed heart condition in 2002.

Rock n Roll Moment: The band demanded the record company offer the 3 album Sandinista! be offered at a fan friendly price.

Essential Clash:
The Clash (1977)
London Calling (1979)
Sandinista! (1980)

The Clash’s Top 10:
Complete Control
Career Opportunities
White Riot
English Civil War
London Calling
Train in Vain
The Guns of Brixton
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Rock the Casbah
Know Your Rights

Greatest Movie Scenes: Bill Murray Edition

131. Space is a disease: Star Trek (2009): McCoy meets Kirk for the first time. All I know is I do not ever want to catch Andorian Shingles.

132. The Dark Knight: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): I'll bite your leg off!

133. Bill Murray vs. Gopher: Caddyshack (1980): Nothing like mass destruction on a gulf course.

134. Whistle Dixie: The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976): Three blue coats run into Josey Wales, they don't want to face him, so Wales (Clint Eastwood) asks them if they were going to "pull their pistols or whistle Dixie?"

135. Stay Puft Marshmellow Man: Ghostbusters (1984): When the Ghostbusters were given the choice to choose their own doom...Ray (Dan Akroyd) remembered the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man.

#13 U2

U2 formed in Dublin while still in their teens. They emerged during the New Wave era and really did not seem all that different from other Euro New Wave acts. However, they soon began to distinguish themselves. By 1983, they were clearly superior to their New Wave contemporaries. They added credibility and depth with hits such as "New Years Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday". They continued their socially conscious brand of rock with The Unforgettable Fire which was an ode to Martin Luther King Jr.

U2 were stars by the mid-80s. In 1987, they became superstars when they released The Joshua Tree which was a concept album inspired by America. The album scored a number of hits; some of which criticized modern materialism. Stardom seemed to trouble the band. Despite this, they filmed a movie. Rattle and Hum was perceived to be nothing more than an ego-fest and seriously annoyed fans. After the tour, the band went into hiding.

They re-emerged in Berlin and seemed to see where the music biz was going. They reworked their sound and incorporated electronic and alternative influences into their music. Actung Baby is now considered classic. The album included the song, "One", which documents the band’s near breakup. The band also mocked the materialistic lifestyle by embracing it through satire. They invented the modern large-scale concert event with their Zoo TV Tour and continued it through the decade. By the end of the 90s, the band scared fans away by overdoing the satire and appearing as The Village People in the video for "Discotheque". Additionally, their Pop Mart Tour was a money pit.

After the Village People/Pop Mart fiascos, the band returned to its roots. They released two monster albums and were the biggest band in the world for the third time. They began to rack up the awards once more, were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and played the Superbowl. In 2009, they released No Line On the Horizon which incorporates Middle Eastern influences and The Edge filmed a movie with Jimmie Page and Jack White.

Throughout their career, U2 have been activists for various causes. In recent years, Bono has campaigned for Third World Debt Relief and launched his One Campaign to help achieve this goal. In 2005, he organized the Live 8 Concerts to bring the cause to the attention of the world.

Rock n Roll Moment: During the Pop Mart Tour, they got stuck in a giant electronic lemon ala Spinal Tap.

Essential U2:

War (1983)
The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
The Joshua Tree (1987)
Achtung Baby (1991)
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)
How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb (2004)

U2’s Top 10:

I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
New Year’s Day
Bad
Pride (In the Name of Love)
With or Without You
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Where the Streets Have No Name
Beautiful Day
Mysterious Ways

2009 Baseball Awards

AL MVP- Joe Mauer- Twins

NL MVP- Albert Pujols- Cardinals

AL Cy Young- Zach Greinke- Royals

NL Cy Young- Chris Carpenter- Cardinals

AL Rookie- Rick Porcello-Tigers

NL Rookie- J.A. Happ- Phils

AL Manager- Ron Washington- Texas

NL Manager- Jim Tracy- Colorado

AL Comeback-Justin Verlander- Tigers

NL Comeback- Chris Carpenter- Cardinals

#14 Little Richard

Little Richard is a key figure in the transition from R&B to Rock n Roll. Like Jerry Lee Lewis, he combined R&B with Boogey Woogey for a distinctive sound. His over-the-top delivery and inflections foreshadowed 1970s funk. It could be argued that Richard was the first funk artist. In 1955, he hit the big time. In 1957, he became born again and went into the clergy. Eventually, he returned to rock and opened for the Beatles in 1962. Little Richard would not be able to reconcile religion and rock until the 1980s. The conflict cut deep and led to substance abuse. It probably hampered Richard’s career. Despite the conflict, Richard managed to score some hits into the 1970s. He still occasionally records and makes appearances.

Rock n Roll Moment: Richard quit Rock n Roll to become a preacher. He tossed all his gold into the river. What river? Only Richard knows.

Essential Little Richard:

Here’s Little Richard (1957)

Little Richard’s Top 10:
Tutti Frutti
Lucille
Long Tall Sally
Rip It Up
Slippin’ and Slidin’
Ready Teddy
The Girl Can’t Help It
Good Golly Miss Molly
Jenny Jenny
Keep A-Knockin’

#15 Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis is a rock pioneer. He combined Boogey Woogey piano with Country and R&B to create his own sound. Growing up in a religious household led to conflict with his family, so Lewis left religion behind and signed with Elvis’ label, Sun Records. Afterwards, he engaged in an impromptu jam session with Johnny Cash and Sam Perkins. When Elvis was added to the mix, they formed the “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Lewis’ music was sexually charged and he was known for his wild stage show. He often kicked his piano bench out of the way and go into a frenzy. At one show, he set the piano on fire. His stage show and song material conflicted with Lewis’ religious beliefs more than he let on. At one point, Lewis worried he was sending his audience to hell.

Lewis reputation and antics placed him on the morals police radar. His career ended with scandal. At 23, he married his 13 year old cousin. The scandal ruined him. Eventually, Jerry Lee made a comeback in the Country market, but he was never as big. The Rock n Roll Hall of Famer just released a new song, "Mean Old Man".

Rock n Roll Moment: Jerry Lee’s third wife was his 13 year old cousin. This ruined his career for a time.

Essential Jerry Lee:

High School Confidential (1958)
Class of ‘55 (with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison)- (1986)
All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology (Box Set) (1993)
Last Man Standing (2006)

Jerry Lee’s Top 10:

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Great Balls of Fire
You Win Again
High School Confidential
Me and Bobby McGee
Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
Chantilly Lace
Breathless
Fools Like Me
Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Greatest Movie Scenes: De Niro Edition

136. Jimmy cleans house: Goodfellas (1990): Bodies turning up as Layla is playing in the background was genius.

137. Motorcycle vs. Joker: Dark Knight (2008): This not only looked good, but showed the difference between Bats and the Joker. The Joker would have killed Batman. Batman crashed to avoid hitting the Joker.

138. Capone plays baseball: The Untouchables (1987): Cross De Niro and meet his Louisville slugger; even while at the dinner table.

139. Stonehedge: This is Spinal Tap (1984): "I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object."

140. Dueling banjos: Deliverance (1972): Nothing puts the fear of God into a man than hearing dueling banjos...

#16 James Brown

James Brown is known as “The Godfather of Soul”, “Soul Brother #1”, and was “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” Brown was a musical force as a song writer, singer, dancer, and band leader. His work provided the basis for go-go music and hip hop. Brown began in the mid-50s and evolved into his persona. By the late 60s, the transformation was complete. His most notable work came in the early 70s as music began branching out and Brown’s style became more acceptable. Throughout his career, Brown was socially active. After the King Assassination, Brown kept Boston from rioting. He supported the Civil Rights Movement and later Black Power movement and Jesse Jackson’s PUSH. Brown died in 2006.


Rock n Roll Moment: In 1988, James Brown led police on a wild two state chase before being arrested and charged with gun and drug possession and numerous driving infractions.

Essential James Brown:

Live at the Apollo (1963)
Get on the Good Foot (1972)
The Payback (1974)
Hell (1974)
In the Jungle Groove (1986)
Star Time (1991)

James Brown’s Top 10:

Papa’s Got a New Bag
I Got You (I Feel Good)
It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World
Please, Please, Please
Say it Loud--I’m Black and I’m Proud
Sex Machine
Living in America
Licking Stick
Super Bad
Hot Pants

Football Picks

Last Week: 3-0

This week's picks:

U-M over EMU

Notre Dame over MSU

Nebraska over Va Tech

CMU over Alcorn State

Vikes over Lions (by a lot)

#17 The Beach Boys

They emerged from the 1960's surf craze and rode that wave to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The band's leader and creative force Brian Wilson transformed the band from an adolescent surf band into serious artists. Wilson was the main difference between the Beach Boys and other surf craze groups. Wilson’s experimentation and music diversity eventually led to the album, Pet Sounds. This album is still considered a masterpiece. During this period, the Beach Boys were competing with the Beatles to see who was the best band. Sgt. Peppers came out in 1967 and the pressure got to Wilson. The next album is a record of a man losing his mind. The record did include “Good Vibrations” which is considered one of the greatest songs ever written. On the other hand, it included tracks such as “Vega-Tables” and other assorted weirdness. Wilson went to bed and did not return for several years. The band carried on without Brian, but their main creative force was gone. They continued to tour without him. In the late 80's, they scored their first #1 in 22 years with “Kokomo.” In 2006, they celebrated the 40th anniversary of Pet Sounds. At the event, Brian Wilson hinted the original surviving lineup (Carl and Dennis Wilson died in 1998 and 1983) might reunite.


Rock n Roll Moment: When Brian Wilson heard The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”, he had a complete breakdown and spent 3 years in his bed. BNL later wrote a song about it.

Essential Beach Boys:
All Summer Long (1964)
The Beach Boys Today! (1965)
Pet Sounds (1966)
Smiley Smile (1967)

Beach Boys’ Top 10:
Surfin’ Safari
Surfin’ USA
Surfer Girl
Little Deuce Coup
I Get Around
Help Me, Rhonda
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Fun, Fun, Fun

Greatest Movie Scenes #141-145

141. The exploding stomach trick: Alien (1979): Sitting around the table, a guy's stomach explodes, and an alien pops out.


142. Always look on the bright side of life: Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979): Poor Brian. He was being crucified for being the messiah (I AM NOT THE MESSIAH)! The others being crucified with him strike up a song...life's a piece of shit, when you look at it...

143. You Look Like: A Hard Day’s Night (1964): A brief interlude during the film has John and a lady going back and forth. She could not quite place John. As he's leaving, he claims, "She looks more like him than I do."

144. The War is Over: The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976): Set after the Civil War, but analogous to Vietnam, Wales goes on a killing spree to avenge his pain. At the end of the film, Wales runs into an old friend, Fletcher (John Vernon). Fletcher tells him that the war is over. Wales (Clint Eastwood) responds, "I guess we all died a little in that damn war." That sums up America in the aftermath of Vietnam.

145. The Vendetta Ride: Tombstone (1993): This is what we should have done in Afghanistan.

#18 Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder was a star at 13. He billed himself as “Little Stevie Wonder” and was a novelty at first. However, he soon proved a gifted songwriter and is considered the greatest artist of the seventies. Between 1972 and 1976, Wonder released classic after classic. On top of this, he performed the majority of the instruments on his albums. One exception to this was when guitar god Jeff Beck was in town. Despite the fact his best work was in the early to mid-1970s, the late 70s to mid 1980s saw his greatest success. Ironically, his most successful single was also one of his weakest. “I Just Called to Say I Love You” went #1 in the U.S. and U.K. in 1984. The following year he performed on “We Are the World” with USA for Africa. Stevie continued to record into the new millennium. During the mid-90s hustle craze, Wonder’s “My Eyes Don’t Cry” supplanted the original 1970s Hustle by Van McCoy. Nowadays, he seems to pop out during presidential campaigns supporting Democratic candidates.

Rock n Roll Moment: During his most creative period, Wonder often played all the songs on his album except when Jeff Beck was available.

Essential Stevie Wonder:
Talking Book (1972)
Innervisions (1973)
Fullfillingness’ First Finale (1974)
Songs in the Key of Life (1976)

Stevie Wonder’s Top 10:
Higher Ground
You Are the Sunshine of My Life
Superstition
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered I’m Yours
Fingertips (Part 2)
Uptight
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (w/The Jackson 5)
Master Blaster (Jammin’)
Sir Duke
I Wish

Presidential Legacies: Hoover and Roosevelt

This is a continuation of the examination of the Post-Progressive Presidents. These are the presidents that served between the end of World War I and the end of World War II. Their policies were either a reaction to or influenced by the Progressives that ruled between 1901 and 1921.

Herbert Hoover followed Coolidge. He could have been a Democrat, but joined the more popular of the two parties. Shortly after assuming office, the economy collapsed. The main cause of the collapse was under consumption of products. In other words, people stopped buying goods. As a result, credit collapsed, people lost their jobs, and the stock market collapsed. Hoover should have been the right man for the job. He led European relief efforts during World War I. He seemed overwhelmed and inadequate. On the other hand, Hoover did attempt to use government to fix the economy. He failed. He does not get credit for what he did try because his efforts were dwarfed by the New Deal. Hoover became synonymous with poverty. New words entered the vernacular under Hoover's watch. Hoovervilles were shanty towns. A Hoover blanket was a newspaper. This combined with his dour personal image doomed his re-election effort.

Franklin Roosevelt came in like a breath of fresh air. He instituted the New Deal. This was a massive governmental effort to end the depression. Some programs worked while others failed. The idea was to try something. Roosevelt’s greatest success was saving the banks and saving capitalism. Upon entering office, he declared a bank holiday and closed the banks. People were taking everything out of the banks. FDR stopped them and thereby stopped the bank failures. When the banks reopened, deposits far exceeded withdraws.

FDR never scrapped capitalism. In fact, today’s leftists, liberals, and progs resent him for not instituting socialism. While some of his policies were antithetical to laissez faire capitalism, they did manage to save and restore capitalism. In an age where fascists and communists were eliminating freedoms worldwide, and some in this country advocating these types of policies, this is no small achievement.

Despite saving the system, the New Deal did not end the Depression. Instead, it was World War II that got people working again. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the unemployment rate collapsed. People were back to work. However, it would not be until the Eisenhower Years that the economy would truly recover.

As commander-in-chief, Roosevelt would save the world and his historical legacy. By leading the “arsenal of democracy”, he supplied the allies with wartime materiel. By pushing the Atlantic Charter with Winston Churchill, he offered an alternative to Nazism and Communism. By leading the coalition, choosing the military leaders, and allowing the generals to do their job, he liberated Western Europe. In the end, Roosevelt saved capitalism, democracy, and the world.

In sum, each of the Post-Progressive Presidencies were influenced by the Progressive Era. Warren Harding wanted to return America to normalcy, end the aggressive foreign interventions of Woodrow Wilson, and work on arms control. Calvin Coolidge operated a minimalist government with the only reform being in the tax code. Herbert Hoover attempted an unprecedented governmental response to the Great Depression. Roosevelt was Hoover on steroids. However, his economic policies ended up creating a barter economy not unlike Medieval Europe. Roosevelt’s saving grace was his leadership through World War II.

All Favorites Team: 2000s

C- Ivan Rodriguez- Tigers

C- Joe Mauer- Twins

1b- Justin Morneau- Twins

2b- Craig Biggio- Astros

3b- Brandon Inge- Tigers

SS- Nomar Garciappara- Red Sox/Dodgers

OF- Torii Hunter- Twins

OF- Ichiro- Mariners

OF- Johnny Damon- Red Sox/Yankees

OF- Curtis Granderson- Tigers

DH- Aubrey Huff- Rays

RHP- Curt Schilling- Diamondbacks/Red Sox

LHP- Tom Glavine- Braves/Mets

SP- Pedro Martinez- Red Sox

SP- Justin Verlander- Tigers

SP- Roy Halladay- Blue Jays

RP- Jonathan Papelbon- Red Sox

Major League Baseball's All 2000s Team

C- Joe Mauer- Twins

1b- Albert Pujols- Cardinals

2b- Jeff Kent- Giants/Astros/Dodgers

3b- Alex Rodriguez- Yankees

SS- Derek Jeter- Yankees

OF- Ichiro- Seattle

OF- Vlad Guerrero- Angels

OF- Manny Ramirez- Red Sox

DH- David Ortiz- Red Sox

RHP- Roy Halladay- Blue Jays

LHP- Randy Johnson- Diamondbacks

SP- Curt Schilling- Diamondbacks/Red Sox

SP- Pedro Martinez- Red Sox

SP- Johan Santana- Twins

RP- Mariano Rivera- Yankees

Greatest Movie Scenes Ever: #146-150

I got bored...so I came up with the 150 greatest movie scenes of all time...as picked by me! It took about an hour total to do it.

146. Attica! Attica!: Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Al Pacino robs a bank, police arrive, and to distract them, he begins screaming "Attica" out front the bank. Attica was a violent prison riot that became a cause celeb in the seventies.    


147. Mexicans attack the Alamo: The Alamo (1960): Completely inaccurate, but it looked good. The Mexican assault portrayed in the film would have turned the real Alamo to dust inside an hour.

148. Superman appears: Superman II (1980): Superman loses his powers, Earth falls to three Kryptonian super villains, and they are about to kill Lois and Lex. Then, newspapers are blown off the stand and Superman appears out front the Daily Planet. It's on!

149. Tank goes through wall: Goldeneye (1995): Pierce Brosnan becomes Bond as he adjusts his tie after blasting through a wall.
150. White House Blows Up: Independence Day (1996): People were cheering in the aisles as Aliens blew up the White House in Independence Day. On a more scientific note, a ship that size hovering over the world would cause massive Tsunamis.

#19 The Supremes

The Supremes were Motown’s flagship band in the 1960's. The act is America’s most successful vocal group in history with twelve number one hits. At their height, The Supremes were nearly as popular as the Beatles. The Supremes laid the foundation and groundwork for subsequent all female groups. En Vogue, TLC, Destiny’s Child and others owe their success to the formula put forth by Motown’s Supremes. As the sixties wore on, Diana Ross began to receive the lion share of attention and soon became the headliner. This caused dissension within the group and within Motown as a whole. Ms. Ross left in 1970 and the Supremes continued on until 1977.


Rock n Roll Moment: Diana Ross and Barry Gordy dated for a time causing all sorts of problems. The Supremes were jealous of the relationship and it caused tensions. Other Motown acts, such as Martha Reeves (imagine that), also felt Gordy paid too much attention to The Supremes and not enough on them.

Essential Supremes:

Where Did Our Love Go? (1964)
More Hits by the Supremes (1965)
I Hear a Symphony (1966)

Supremes’ Top 10:

Where Did Our Love Go?
Come See About Me
Stop! In the Name of Love
I Hear a Symphony
My World is Empty Without You
You Can’t Hurry Love
You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Reflections
Love Child
Love is Here and Now Your Gone

#20 The Eagles

The Eagles derived their name from the Folk Rock band, The Byrds. They combined country with rock music and became one of the most successful bands in history. During the 1970s, they had five #1 songs and have five #1 albums for their entire career. Their greatest hits album is the best selling album in US history. By the end of the 1970s, they moved away from country and group tensions eventually broke them up in 1980. In 1994, Hell froze over and the band reunited. In 1998, they made the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Nine years later, they released their first album of new material since 1979. They are now back together, continue to tour, and scoring #1 albums once more.

Rock n Roll Moment: Don Henley was arrested when a 16 year old girl OD’d at his house. She survived and he was charged with drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Essential Eagles:

Eagles (1972)
Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (1976)
Hotel California (1976)
Hell Freezes Over (1994)

Eagles’ Top 10:

Take it Easy
Witchy Woman
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Desperado
Tequila Sunrise
One of These Nights
Lyin’ Eyes
Take it to the Limit
Hotel California
I Can’t Tell You Why

My Favorites: 1990s Baseball

C- Darren Daulton- Phillies
1b- Mark Grace- Cubs
2b- Craig Biggio- Astros
3b- Robin Ventura- White Sox
SS- Nomar Garciappara- Red Sox
OF- Bobby Higginson-Tigers
OF- David Justice- Braves
OF- Chad Curtis- Angels/Tigers/Dodgers/Indians/Yankees
DH- Paul Molitor- Brewers/Blue Jays/Twins
RHP- Roger Clemens- Red Sox
LHP- Tom Glavine-Braves
SP- Pedro Martinez- Expos/Red Sox
SP- Curt Schilling- Phillies
SP- Orel Hershiser-Dodgers/Indians
RP- Todd Jones-Tigers

MLB: All 1990s Team

C- Ivan Rodriguez- Rangers
C- Mike Piazza- Mets/Dodgers
1b- Frank Thomas- White Sox
2b- Roberto Alomar- Blue Jays
3b- Dean Palmer- Rangers/Royals/Tigers
SS- Barry Larkin- Reds
OF- Barry Bonds- Giants
OF- Ken Griffey Jr- Mariners
OF- Tony Gwynn- Padres
DH- Paul Molitor- Brewers/Blue Jays/Twins
DH- Edgar Martinez- Mariners
RHP- Greg Maddox- Braves
LHP- Tom Glavine- Braves
SP- Roger Clemens- Red Sox
SP- Pedro Martinez- Expos/Red Sox
SP- Randy Johnson- Mariners
RP- Dennis Eckersley- A’s

#21 John Lennon

John Lennon was a rock star, songwriter, artist, author, peace activist, and cultural icon. Along with Paul McCartney, he formed the most influential writing tandem in history. He provided a counterpoint to McCartney while with the Beatles. Lennon was the witty, sarcastic one. After the band broke up, Lennon launched a successful solo career.

Lennon’s post-Beatles life can be broken into two periods. The first period ran from 1970-1975. During this period, John released the bulk of his solo material (some came out before the Beatles broke up). The first post Beatles album, Plastic Ono Band, was emotionally charged which allowed Lennon to vent. The next album, Imagine, provided an anthem for the anti-war crowd. Some of his songs created controversy. “Working Class Hero” was banned for using the word “fucking.” Many stations did not bother to listen to the message in “Woman is the Nigger of the World” and simply banned it outright.

John’s political activism often got him in trouble. His anti-war stance during the Vietnam period found him on the receiving end of the Nixon White House. Lennon underwent several years of deportation proceedings as a result of a late 60s drug bust. Lennon also made friends with several radicals (some of which robbed him blind).

After several years of political wars, John went on sabbatical to raise his son, Sean. Lennon re-emerged in 1980. He recorded Double Fantasy with Yoko and prepared to return to public life. On December 8, 1980, he was murdered by a deranged fan outside his home.

Lennon’s assassin came from Hawaii. He applied for a gun despite having served time in a mental institution. The Hawaiian police did a shoddy background check. Additionally, the gun made it through airport x-ray machines and metal detectors. Once in New York, the murderer met Lennon out front the former Beatles’ home, The Dakota, and got his autograph. Later that evening, he shot Lennon in the back.

There was a memorial and moment of silence for Lennon six days later on December 14. He was later cremated. Three posthumous albums and a number of collections followed. John's son, Julian scored a hit in the mid-1980s. Yoko occasionally appears for interviews and makes some public appearances. For his part, John has become linked to John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. He was the last victim of the 60s. However, unlike the others named, Lennon’s death was not a political act. Instead, it was a deranged loser which clearly represents the culture of the late 1970s.

Rock n Roll Moment: The “Lost Weekend” In 1973, John and Yoko split for a time. John took up with his personal assistant, May Pang. He spent the next 18 months inebriated and called that period, his “lost weekend.”

Essential Lennon:
Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Imagine (1971)
Rock n Roll (1975)
Double Fantasy (1980)
Lennon (1990)- Box Set

Lennon’s Top 10:

Mother
Working Class Hero
Imagine
Jealous Guy
Instant Karma
Power to the People
Mind Games
(Just Like) Starting Over
Watching the Wheels
#9 Dream

2009 Football Preview

College Football:

BS Championship Game: Florida-Penn State

Big Ten: Penn State champs

Michigan: 8-4

MSU: 6-6

Ohio State: 9-3

Upset Special: CMU over MSU

Local:

Central Michigan: 11-1 (Loss at Arizona in week 1)

Eastern Michigan: 1-11

Western Michigan: 8-4

Notre Dame: 8-4

Pro Football:

Superbowl: Pats-Giants in a rematch

Lions: 2-14 and in the running for the quarterback of the next decade Sam Bradford...oh wait!