Quotes of the Month: August 2015

Quote of the Month: “Don’t cry.”

-Rhonda Rousey to Bethe Correia after knocking her out

Stupid Quote of the Month: "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever."

-Donald Trump on Megyn Kelly

And the rest...
"Some people think it's a genius album, but I think it's a mishmash of rubbish, kind of like '(Their) Satanic Majesties.'”
-Keith Richards on Sgt. Pepper's

“I’m the only one to separate Siamese twins.”
-Ben Carson

“She counts on the fact that people are uninformed. The Alinsky model, taking advantage of useful idiots.”
-Ben Carson

“I think God has blessed us, he’s blessed the Republican Party with some very good candidates. The Democrats can’t even find one.”
-Marco Rubio

“I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes.”
-Jimmy Carter on his cancer diagnosis

"Just in case y'all not going to decide to do the right thing, if y'all got a crew, you got to have a fall guy in the crew."
-Chris Carter

"The darkness from a decade ago has lifted, the Crescent City has risen again, and its best days lie ahead."
-George W Bush

Quotes of the Month: October 2012

Quote of the Month: “She certainly didn’t break the group up, the group was breaking up.”

-Paul McCartney on Yoko Ono

Stupid Quote of the Month:

"We know that Pakistan has arrested the doctor who helped us catch Obama-uh-bin Laden."

-Bob Schieffer

And the rest…

“How they can justify . . . raising taxes on the middle class that has been buried the last four years?”

-Joe Biden

“Hope is not a strategy.”

-Mitt Romney

“It’s stunning that he’s in politics, because he really doesn’t like people.”

-Former Clinton aide Neera Tanden on Barack Obama

"The president's remarks are brought to you by the letter O and the number 16 trillion."

-Mitt Romney

“Actually Mitt is his middle name. I wish I could use my middle name.”

-Barack Obama

Top 200 Albums of All Time: S artists part III

Pretzel Logic: Steely Dan (1974)
Before Steely Dan essentially became a duo, they released their best album Pretzel Logic. The supporting tour would mark the last time Steely Dan appeared live for decades. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker grew disillusioned with audience response to their complex music and Steely Dan became a studio tour de force. Pretzel Logic went platinum on the strength of the lead single “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”

Aja: Steely Dan (1977)
Pretzel Logic went platinum, but Aja sold more copies. To date, it has sold over 5 million copies and became the subject of a VH-1 Classic Album documentary. In 2011, the Library of Congress added Aja to U.S. National Recording Registry for being historically important.

The Supremes: Where Did Our Love Go (1964)
The Supremes became the first act to have three #1s off the same album. “Where Did Our Love Go?”, “Baby Love”, and “Come See About Me” hit the top of the charts in succession. The album made the Motown sound mainstream while the Supremes were perhaps the only act to rival the Beatles in popularity.

Greatest 200 Albums of All Time: The Beatles

This is the third (and final) entry for the "B" artists. So far, I have listed 35 albums from artists in four posts.


Please Please Me: The Beatles (1963)

On February 11, 1963, the Beatles recorded their live shows on vinyl in about 10 hours. The album is a time capsule capturing the Beatles of the Cavern Club Era. Producer George Martin considered actually recording them at the club, but time constraints dissuaded the effort. The album represented a dramatic change in the sound of pop music and led to Beatlemania and the British Invasion the following year. For one brief moment, rock n roll was the culture's dominate music form.

Key Tracks:

I Saw Her Standing There
Please Please Me
Love Me Do
Twist and Shout

A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles (1964)

The Beatles’ third studio album was also a soundtrack to a film of the same name. The album demonstrated a marked improvement in songwriting. In particular, “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a monster hit that remains amazingly popular nearly 50 years later. The title came from a malapropism. Ringo inadvertently mentioned his hard day’s night and a title was born.

Key Tracks:

A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Things We Said Today
If I Fell

Help!: The Beatles (1965)

Help! is another soundtrack album. The original release included instrumentals to accompany new studio tracks. The album continues to demonstrate the band’s progression. Among the new songs, “Ticket To Ride” and “Yesterday” enjoyed the most success. “Yesterday” is the most covered song in history.

Key Tracks:

Help!
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ticket To Ride
Yesterday

Rubber Soul: The Beatles (1965)

Many consider Rubber Soul the greatest album ever recorded. The album expanded the Beatles sound and incorporated a variety of influences. The Beatles branched out like no act had ever done before. George incorporated world music into American pop music with the sitar on “Norwegian Wood.” This kicked off a sitar craze in rock. The album also featured studio innovations and more introspective songs. “In My Life” represents both these changes. The song was very personal and the piano solo sounds like a harpsichord thanks to producer George Martin.

Key Tracks:

Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
In My Life
Nowhere Man

Revolver: The Beatles (1966)

George Harrison considered Revolver and Rubber Soul as basically the same album. Although it was more electric than its predecessor, Revolver was just as groundbreaking. The album experimented with musical diversity in new and exciting ways. Often when bands attempt this, the albums are unequal at best. However, the Beatles managed to pull it off with song topics ranging from loneliness to tax protests. Additionally, the work introduces psychedelic music to the masses with "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said She Said."

Key Tracks:

Eleanor Rigby
Got To Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows
She Said She Said

Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles (1967)

For years, many considered Sgt. Peppers the greatest album ever recorded. In recent years, Revolver has surpassed it in the eyes of many. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band furthered the Beatles’ musical expansion and exploration. By this point, the band abandoned touring to concentrate on recording and writing. It allowed the Beatles to incorporate multiple musical styles into the album. It included rock, jazz, Indian, classical, psychedelic and old style music hall.

Key Tracks:

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
She’s Leaving Home
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

Magical Mystery Tour: The Beatles (1967)

The Beatles decided to film a television special. The show bombed mostly because most people did not see it in color. However, the album was a success and included many classics. The album included previously released material such as “Penny Lane,” but also showed the Beatles cutting sense of humor. John Lennon wrote “I Am The Walrus” after reading teachers were analyzing Beatles songs in class. He decided to write a song about nothing. “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” slammed their former manager. The album concludes with “All You Need Is Love” which was originally performed live in the first global satellite broadcast. The album is not as even as their previous albums because it is a collection of new and old, but it still was nominated for a Grammy.

Key Tracks:

Hello, Goodbye
Strawberry Fields
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love

The White Album: The Beatles (1968)

The Beatles released their unnamed double album in 1968. The unofficial title, The White Album, derives from its blank white sleeve. It was their first album after their manager Brian Epstein’s death and ninth overall. The Beatles drew from every potential source including avant-garde, traditional, rock, blues, country, etc. The Beatles provide a complete history of popular music up until 1968 on this record.

Key Tracks:

Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Blackbird
Julia
Yer Blues
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1

Abbey Road: The Beatles (1969)

By February 1969, The Beatles were imploding. Amazingly, they managed to record a masterpiece. The album includes George Harrison’s best known works in “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Additionally, the record is split in two. The first portion contains stand alone singles. The second part contains a number of short tunes that transition into each other culminating in the “Golden Slumbers Medley.” Although technically the band released Let It Be in 1970, Abbey Road is the last album the Fab Four recorded making “Golden Slumbers” the Beatles farewell.

Key Tracks:

Come Together
Something
Here Comes the Sun
Golden Slumbers Medley

Let It Be: The Beatles (1970)

The Beatles released Let It Be following their breakup. The band recorded the album before Abbey Road, but did not like the outcome. They brought Phil Spector in to rework the album and decided to film the sessions which became notorious. The film documented the band’s dysfunction as opposed to their genius. It’s hard for a band with three front men to succeed and cameras recorded the end for posterity.

Key Tracks:

The One After 909
Get Back
Let It Be
The Long and Winding Road
Two of Us

My Favorite Albums from the 1960s

Not in any order...

Sgt Peppers- Beatles (1967)

Revolver- Beatles (1966)

Tommy- The Who (1969)

White Album- Beatles (1968)

The Doors- The Doors (1967)

Let it Bleed- The Rolling Stones (1969)

Magical Mystery Tour- Beatles (1967)

Aftermath- Rolling Stones (1966)

At Folsom Prison- Johnny Cash (1968)

Revolver/Rubber Soul- Beatles (1965 and 1966)

Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 60s

I did not put these in any order. This period was the heyday for guitar rock. These are the best riffs in my opinion...

Whole Lotta Love- Led Zeppelin

Satisfaction- Rolling Stones

Purple Haze- Jimy Hendrix

Sunshine of Your Love- Cream

Day Tripper- The Beatles

Jumpin’ Jack Flash- Rolling Stones

You Really Got Me- The Kinks

Voodoo Child- Jimy Hendrix

Black Dog- Led Zeppelin

Roadhouse Blues- The Doors



Pinball Wizard- The Who

Wipe Out- The Sufaris

All Along the Watchtower- Jimy Hendrix

Revolution- The Beatles

Miserlou- Dick Dale

I Can’t Explain- The Who

Fortunate Son- CCR

My Generation- The Who

All Day and All of the Night- The Kinks

Paint it Black- The Rolling Stones

Greatest Albums of the 1960s

At first, I thought I'd do a little write-up on these. However, rock albums have been so overanalyzed over the years, I thought it'd be redundant. Readers should check them out rather than taking a critic's or a fan's opinion! So, here are my picks for the Top 10 Albums of the Sixties:

1. Sgt Peppers- The Beatles (1967)

2. Pet Sounds- The Beach Boys (1966)

3. Revolver- The Beatles (1966)

4. Tommy- The Who (1969)

5. Highway 61 Revisited- Bob Dylan (1965)

6. Blonde on Blonde- Bob Dylan (1966)

7. Abbey Road- The Beatles (1969)

8. White Album- The Beatles (1968)

9. The Doors- The Doors (1967)

10. Let it Bleed- The Rolling Stones (1969)

Favorite 70s Albums

Not in any order...

Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen (1975)

Who’s Next- The Who (1971)

The Wall- Pink Floyd (1979)

Quadrophenia- The Who (1973)

Sticky Fingers- Rolling Stones (1971)

Some Girls- The Rolling Stones (1978)

Plastic Ono Band- John Lennon (1970)

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd (1975)

Let it Be- The Beatles (1970)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Worthy Acts Part III

Megadeth

Pro: Dave Mustaine is a great guitarist, original, songs with meaning, great songs

Con: They are not named Metallica; Metal acts get no respect; their name

Motley Crue

Pro: The most Rock n Roll act since the Stones, lots of hits, popularized the power ballad; The Rock Hall was made in part for acts like this.

Con: Considered a hair band, from the 80s, popularized the power ballad

Motorhead

Pro: Lemmy, Ace of Spades

Con: Not top of mind; Metal acts get no respect

Willie Nelson

Pro: Crossover act, Farm Aid, bad ass

Con: Country act

Ted Nugent

Pro: Top act of 1976, great guitarist, Motor City Madman, popular into the 90s and even today

Con: Conservative, NRA guy

Ozzy Osbourne

Pro: It’s Ozzy; Still influential

Con: The Osbournes TV Show

Robert Palmer

Pro: His influence is less musical and more cultural, Rock writer, Influence through video,

Con: Popular Songs sounded alike

Robert Plant

Pro: Nothing groundbreaking until Allison Krause

Con: His groundbreaking work post-Zep was in bluegrass/country

The Replacements

Pro: Critical darlings, representative of a genre, Alternative music leaders

Con: REM is in, popularity

Neil Sedaka

Pro: Major songwriter in 50s and 60s, solid solo career

Con: Legacy blown away by British Invasion

Ravi Shankar

Pro: Influenced Beatles, helped bring Eastern music to pop/rock

Con: Sitar does not fire people’s juice

The Greatest TV Episodes #11-20

11. Cheers: What is…Cliff Clavin? (1990): Cliff goes on Jeopardy. The categories are right up Cliff’s alley. He has an insurmountable lead by Final Jeopardy. For some reason, he wagers it all and does not know the Final Jeopardy answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=botdmsQilnU

12. Seinfeld: The Soup Nazi (1995): NO SOUP FOR YOU!

13. The Ed Sullivan Show: The Beatles (1964): While Elvis provided a milestone for the fifties, the Beatles provided the sixties generation with their own moment. 73 million watched the four on Ed Sullivan. The teen girls in the crowd wet themselves and cried uncontrollably. They were hysterical. The Beatles did five songs that night and the television station made sure everyone knew John was married.

14. The Ed Sullivan Show: Elvis Presley (1956): This was the biggest cultural moment for the fifties generation. 83% of the country watched. Critics complained that Elvis was over stimulating teenagers. Like they needed the help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6A3vLlVa3I

15. Star Trek: City on the Edge of Forever (1967): The best episode in Star Trek history. Kirk and Spock return to 1930 to find McCoy and prevent him from changing the future. They discover that to save the future and prevent the Nazis from winning World War II, that Kirk’s new love, Edith Keeler (Joan Collins), must die.

16. Twilight Zone: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (1963): A gremlin tears a plane apart in mid-air. Only a reformed mental patient sees it. He gets a gun and shoots the creature. The plane lands safely and he’s taken away in a straightjacket. However, the creature did exist as the plane's nacelle is ripped open from the outside.

17. 60 Minutes: Mike Wallace vs. Ayatollah Khomeini (1979): Mike Wallace calls Khomeini a lunatic. It does not get better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1fzFNsu15U

18. Frasier: Three Valentines (1999): The three stories center on Valentine’s Day. Niles prepares for a date at Frasier’s apartment and his anal retentive nature gets the best of him. It is one of the greatest moments in TV history (see link). Meanwhile, Frasier can’t figure out if he is on a date or not. Lastly, Martin and Daphne are bummed they don’t have a date on Valentine’s Day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTdD_dVyteA

19. X-Files: Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose (1995): Mulder and Scully investigate murders of fortune tellers. They are assisted by Clyde Bruckman, who knows how people are going to die. Peter Boyle guest stars as Bruckman who has a hard time living with his ability.

20. Battlestar Galactica: 33 (2005): The fleet is pursued endlessly by the Cylons for days. They have to jump to light speed every 33 minutes to avoid the Cylon attack fleet. So, the humans don’t get any sleep whatsoever. The episode is almost as intense as the first half hour of Saving Private Ryan.

The Greatest TV Episodes of All Time #61-70

61. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Passion (1998): Angelus continues to torment the Scoobies. He took his art to new levels by killing Ms. Calendar, who was close to restoring his soul, and leaving her body in Giles bed.


62. MASH: The Interview (1976): Famous newsman Clete Roberts (Walter Cronkite anyone?) visits the 4077th and interviews the gang. Filmed in black & white to approximate 1950s newsreels, the actors improvised their answers.

63. The Beverly Hillbillies: Duke Steals a Wife (1963): Mrs. Drysdale is going to wed her dog with a Parisian Poodle. The dog’s owner accidentally arrives at the Clampet’s house instead. The female poodle hooks up with Jed’s hound, Duke. The couple has puppies and Mrs. Drysdale has a coronary.

64. Cheers: Bad Neighbor Sam (1990): Melville’s is purchased by a famous restaurateur. Sam does not like the new owner and the new customers are yuppies. A feud breaks out. Sam’s new neighbor bricks up the bathrooms and pool room and refuses to take it down until Sam pays rent. Sam loses his mind.

65. Rome: Caesarian (2005): Caesar arrives in Egypt. Pullo and Vorenus save Cleopatra. Pullo impregnates Cleopatra. She later claims Caesar is the father. The end is classic. Caesar shows off his son in front of his men. Pullo and Vorenus exchange looks.

66. Taxi: Cooking for Two (1982): Never invite Reverend Jim over. Jim destroys Louie’s apartment.

67. I, Claudius: Hail, Who? (1976): This episode of I, Claudius covers the exploits of Caligula. The Roman Emperor is living with a prostitute, murders those that annoy him, engages in orgies, has his soldiers collect seashells, and proclaims his victory over the god, Neptune. He is then assassinated.

68. Laugh-In: Nixon (1968): Before Clinton on Arsenio or Obama on Sportscenter, Nixon did Laugh-In. This was a major event as it set a precedent for other presidential candidates to follow. It allowed Nixon to soften his image, define himself, and go around the hostile press.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCp8Edp4pfo

69. Saturday Night Live: The Beatle reunion (1976): Lorne Michaels offers the Beatles $3000 to reunite. They have to sing three songs and can split the money anyway they want--even if that means less for Ringo. John and Paul almost showed that night. George did show up later to collect, but was told he could not collect without the other three.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALZuk8N0TgU

70. Curb Your Enthusiasm: Seinfeld Reunion (2009): Larry brings back the Seinfeld gang and hopes to woo his ex. In the meantime, they film an episode. George loses millions to Bernie Madoff. MADOFF!

The Ten Most Conservative Songs of all Time

Bodies- The Sex Pistols: The Sex Pistols sing about dying babies in this anti-abortion song.

Coming to America- Neil Diamond: Neil Diamond expresses a very Reaganesque message of America being that shining city on a hill providing inspiration to the world.

Don’t Tread on Me- Metallica: Metallica ties themselves to the American Revolution. During that period, one flag featured a snake ready to strike with the words “Don’t Tread On Me” underneath. The song includes many conservative messages such as “liberty or death”, “love it or leave it”, and “to secure peace is to prepare for war.”

I Can’t Drive 55- Sammy Hagar: Hagar rails against the nanny state and its desire to run every aspect of our lives.

Rock The Casbah- The Clash: Joe Strummer wrote this after the Ayatollah clamped down on rock music in Iran. The song was co-opted by American troops during the First Gulf War and was re-interpreted to mean “bomb the Middle East.” Ironically, Strummer was a committed leftist that despised war.

Small Town- John Mellencamp: Mellencamp is not a conservative. However, Small Town represents the cultural divide between left and right. While the left controls urban areas, the small town remains conservative.

Stormtroopin’- Ted Nugent: Unlike Mellencamp and Strummer, Nugent is a right winger. Uncle Ted warns about big government and provides the real rationale for the 2nd Amendment.

Taxman- The Beatles: Beware of the Taxman. He’ll tax the heat, your car, and even your feet. The government knows what is best, so don’t ask where the money goes!

We’re Not Gonna Take It- Twisted Sister: Since the left tends to like government, it tends to be more institutional than the right. When the left revolts, it tends to be against themselves. When the right revolts, it’s against the left, the government, the system, and the machine.

Won’t Get Fooled Again- The Who: Pete Townsend wrote this in reaction to the sixties. In his view, he felt that we won’t be fooled again by those left wing hippie tools. The song was played at Bush headquarters on election eve 2000.

#1 The Beatles

The Beatles formed in Liverpool, England in 1960. The band moved from its working class roots to become the most popular and influential group in history. In 1957, John Lennon formed The Quarrymen. Paul McCartney and George Harrison joined soon thereafter. Stuart Sutcliffe and Colin Hanton rounded out the band. Sutcliffe would die of a cerebral hemorrage in 1962. It was Sutcliffe that suggested “Beetles” as a name for the group. Drummer Colin Hanton quickly left the band and was replaced by Pete Best.

The Beatles earned their chops touring Hamburg, Germany. They began earning a name for themselves and soon came to the attention of Brian Epstein. Epstein became their manager in January, 1962. Their new manager contacted producer George Martin. Martin took an interest in the band, but did not like the drummer. The Beatles fired Pete Best and replaced him with Ringo Starr.

In 1963, they experienced modest success in England. In 1964, the world exploded. No English band had experienced success in the United States. The Beatles debuted in the states and Beatlemania was born. People went nuts. Girls would faint and soil themselves. The record companies began searching for other British groups.

Musically, the Beatles represented a British reworking of American Rock n Roll. Rock had been shoved aside due to scandals in the late fifties. With the exception of the Surf Craze, popular music had no edge. Lyrically, the Beatles were nothing extraordinary until they met Bob Dylan. Dylan dug the Beatles sound, but was critical of their lyrics. The lyrics did not say anything. John Lennon took the advice to heart and began writing more personal songs.

After the Dylan meeting, the Beatles work improved dramatically. Rubber Soul and Revolver represent a fundamental reworking of rock music. Meanwhile, the band tired of touring. They could not hear each other on stage and that bothered them. As a result, they stopped touring. This, combined with their popularity, gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted.
Creativity and freedom led to Sgt Peppers. The band experimented and created a masterpiece. The album changed the rules of the game and other acts scrambled to keep up. It drove Beach Boy Brian Wilson over the edge. The Rolling Stones countered with their own take on the album with Their Satanic Majesties Request. One month after Sgt Peppers’ release, the Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” for a worldwide satellite audience. It was one of the first satellite feeds to go around the world.

After the worldwide performance, they went to India to investigate the mysteries of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and transcendental meditation. Yogi proved a fraud and the band was disenchanted. At this point, Paul decided to do another movie. Their previous movies were well received. However, The Magical Mystery Tour was perceived as the first real chink in the Beatles armor. The unscripted movie came across poorly to audiences. It lacked direction and most T.V. sets were black and white which meant the colorful film lost its impact.

The Beatles continued to record. They followed the film with Yellow Submarine, The White Album, Let It Be, and Abbey Road. By the end, tensions within the group tore it apart. Many blamed John Lennon’s partner Yoko Ono. However, the real cause appears to be financial. After the Brian Epstein died, the Beatles took control of their finances and had no idea what they were doing. Eventually, they hired Allen Klein. Klein was a shady character and Mick Jagger warned Paul McCartney not to hire him. Paul advocated another candidate, but John, George, and Ringo lined up against Paul. The band eventually fell apart, Paul announced he was going solo and lawsuits followed.

The Beatles reunited in 1995 for the Anthology Project. They released a couple of new songs. Unfortunately, John Lennon was murdered in 1980 amidst rumors of a reunion. George would pass in 2002 of cancer. Paul and Ringo performed at The Concert for George. Ringo continues to record. Paul had a smash hit album in 2007 and scored some minor hits in the 2000s. The Beatles are in Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as a group and John, Paul, and George are in the Hall as solo artists.

Rock n Roll Moment: John claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. He was right.

Essential Beatles:
Please Please Me (1963)
With the Beatles (1963)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Rubber Soul (1965)
Revolver (1966)
Sgt Peppers (1967)
The White Album (1968)
Abbey Road (1969)
Let it Be (1970)

The Beatles’ Top 10:
Please Please Me
I Want to Hold Your Hand
A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Yesterday
Norwegian Wood
Eleanor Rigby
A Day in the Life
Strawberry Fields
Something
Here Comes the Sun

Greatest Movie Scenes #116-120

116. Anakin vs. Obi-Wan: Revenge of the Sith (2005): Steven Spielberg allegedly helped formulate the battles between Yoda and Palpatine and Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. Anakin's transition from hero to villain is complete as he literally descends into hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY-mbzr_pl8

117. Euthanized: Soylent Green (1973): The joys of Obamacare! Edward G. Robinson gets to commit suicide courtesy the government. As the Kevorkian-style drugs enter his veins, he watches video images of Bambi and grassy fields.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbJTBBoDFH0
118. Punching out of a coffin: Kill Bill (2004): Mythbusters showed this was not possible, but it was a fun scene. The bride requesting water at the diner afterward is awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZpw8NgL_2M

119. Missing Breakfast: Falling Down (1993): Michael Douglas just misses breakfast at the local fast food establishment. He complains. They refuse to accommodate him. He pulls out an automatic weapon. Who hasn't wanted to do that? Later, he blows up a construction zone. So much for traffic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eREiQhBDIk

120. Beatles on the Run: A Hard Day’s Night (1964): This is an iconic film moment and has been imitated several times. The most notable imitator was Austin Powers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD4TAgdS_Xw

#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.

#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

#52 George Harrison

George was the “Quiet Beatle” and the most underrated. John and Paul ignored a lot of his work. The end result was the seminal triple album “All Things Must Pass.” In 1971, he put together the first major rock benefit concert for Bangladesh. He produced films and recorded into the 80s. By the late 80s, George was everywhere. His “Cloud Nine” album with hits such as “Got My Mind Set On You” was a blockbuster and he joined the Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison. George passed in 2001 from lung cancer and posthumously released the well received “Brainwashed.” His son Dhani continues the Harrison legacy as a performer in his own right.

Rock n Roll Moment: George was the first to put together a major benefit concert.

Essential George:

All Things Must Pass (1970)
The Concert for Bangladesh (1971)
Cloud Nine (1989)
Brainwashed (2002)

George’s Top 10:

My Sweet Lord
What is Life
All Things Must Pass
All Those Years Ago
Got My Mind Set On You
When We Was Fab
This is Love
Cheer Down
God
Cockamamie Business

#55 Paul McCartney

Yeah, he was in the Beatles, but Paul McCartney also had a very successful solo career. He broke the Beatles up and promptly released his first solo album. As the 70s wore on, McCartney mostly followed the trends and remained popular. In August 1971, he formed Wings (which led to a now very dated joke).

In the mid-70s, Saturday Night Live offered the Beatles some cash to appear on the show. Paul was watching at the time with John Lennon. The two briefly considered wandering over to the studio, but decided against it. (George showed up the next week as a gag). Rumors began to swirl and then John was gone.

Paul’s solo career remained strong until the mid-80s. In 1989, he started touring once again and is still a major draw. That year, he released “Flowers In The Dirt.” The album was edgier than a lot of Paul’s stuff as a result of a collaboration with Elvis Costello.

McCartney continues to record and even scored a major smash with “Memory Almost Full.” He released the album through Starbucks in 2007 and quickly went Platinum. Even his videos appeared on the TV again. (Amazing what advertising and promotion can do!).

Rock n Roll Moment: Paul got busted in Japan with pot. At the time (1980), it was a big scandal.

Essential Paul:

Band on the Run (1973)
Tug of War (1981)
Pipes of Peace (1983)
Flowers in the Dirt (1989)
Flaming Pie (1997)
Memory Almost Full (2007)

Macca’s Top 10:

Maybe I’m Amazed
Band on the Run
Jet
Live and Let Die
Give Ireland Back to the Irish
Get it (with Carl Perkins)
No More Lonely Nights
Spies Like Us
Put It There
Ever Present Past