Top 10 Magnum P.I. Episodes

1. Did You See the Sunrise? (1982): A brutal Soviet colonel, Ivan, travels to Hawaii to kill Magnum and T.C. The episode features one of the greatest scenes in TV history when Thomas must decide whether to allow Ivan to live or die.


2. Home From the Sea (1983): Magnum’s tradition of spending the 4th of July alone on his surf ski turns into a struggle for life. The surf ski overturns and he spends hours treading water. Meanwhile, he friends experience an overwhelming sense of dread and begin searching for him.

3. Flashback (1982): Magnum travels back to 1936 while dreaming. The dream is populated by 1936 versions of his friends. Meanwhile, the case he is working on in 1982 is resolved in his dream.

4. Death and Taxes (1986): While Thomas struggles with a tax audit, a killer calls him with cryptic riddles about his crimes. At first, Magnum does not take him seriously, but later realizes a killer is on the loose.

5. Limbo (1987): Magnum was shot in a warehouse and hovered near death. While in a coma, he visits his friends in spiritual form. Originally, this was meant to be the series finale, but the show was renewed for one more season.

6. Infinity and Jelly Donuts (1987): The episode opens with Magnum in a coma. He wakes up returning from limbo and tracks down the gunman that shot him.

7. Memories Are Forever (1981): While working a case, Magnum sees his dead wife. He thought she died in Vietnam and begins a frantic search. He discovers she is alive and a suspected traitor.

8. Black On White (1982): Higgins’ past returns when someone is killing members of his old regiment.

9. Little Girl Who (1986): Magnum’s ex-wife leaves her daughter, Lily, in Thomas’ care while she flees assassins. It turns out Lily is his daughter.

10. Resolutions (1988): In the series finale, Rick decides to get married-or does he? Higgins admits to being Robin Masters-or does he? Meanwhile, Magnum re-ups in the Navy bringing his life and the series full circle.

Presidential Songs: Ronald Reagan

President Reagan did not have any real campaign songs. He did try to use John Mellencamp's "Pink Houses," but the artist protested. Mellencamp vehemently opposed Reagan's policies.

Pink Houses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfkpu6749w&ob=av2e

Since Reagan is credited with ending the Cold War, perhaps this would have been a better Mellencamp selection:

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

My All-Time Grammy Awards

Best Vocals: Roger Daltrey: Love Reign O’er Me

Greatest Guitar riff: Smoke on the Water- Deep Purple

Greatest Guitar Solo: David Gilmour: Comfortably Numb

Greatest Bass Line: Another One Bites the Dust: John Deacon (Queen)

Greatest Bass Solo: My Generation: John Entwhistle (The Who)

Greatest Drum Performance: Moby Dick: John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)

Greatest Keyboard Performance: Light My Fire: Ray Manzerek (The Doors)

1980s Movies Top 10

There are the ones I think were the best done...not necessarily my favorites (although some are).

The Empire Strikes Back

The Wrath of Khan

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Full Metal Jacket

Gandhi

A Christmas Story

Glory

A Soldier’s Story

Field of Dreams

Caddyshack

Favorite 80s Albums

Appetite for Destruction- GnR (1987): Gritty and unglam. It was fresh and refreshing. The anti-Poison.


The Joshua Tree- U2 (1987): The anti-everything at the time.

Back in Black- AC/DC (1980): AC/DC doesn't need Bon Scott?

Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen (1984): Who needs Michael Jackson or Prince?

Synchronicity- The Police (1983): Made them the biggest band in the world; then Copeland broke Sting's ribs.

Document- REM (1987): It's the end of the world...

Hysteria- Def Leppard (1987): Probably the most important album during my HS years. This was a greatest hits album.

Pyromania- Def Leppard (1983): Almost as good as Hysteria.

War- U2 (1983): U2 broke from New Wave here. The album has all time classics on it.

New Jersey- Bon Jovi (1988): I just like the album...better than Slippery When Wet.

Best Riffs of the 80s

Here are the best riffs of the 1980s...not in any order...

Paradise City- GnR

Rock You Like a Hurricane- The Scorpions

Back in Black- AC/DC

Breakin’ the Law- Judas Priest

Master of Puppets- Metallica

Seek and Destroy- Metallica

Photograph- Def Leppard

Sharp Dressed Man- ZZ Top

Money for Nothing- Dire Straits

Start Me Up- The Rolling Stones

Rockin’ in the Free World- Neil Young

Spirit of Radio- Rush

Eminence Front- The Who

Run Like Hell- Pink Floyd

Couldn’t Stand the Weather- Stevie Ray Vaughn

Crazy Train- Ozzy

Eye of the Tiger- Survivor

You Shook Me All Night Long- AC/DC

I Love Rock n Roll- Joan Jett

Sunday, Bloody Sunday-U2

The 10 Greatest Albums of the 80s

Not in any particular order...

Thriller- Michael Jackson (1982): It's now fashionable to claim Off the Wall was better, but those folks are on crack. This was a monster that opened doors for black artists and changed pop music. Today's hip hop, pop, and rap are all influenced by Thriller. No Thriller, no Hip Hop and today's pop is different.

Purple Rain- Prince (1984): For a time, people asked "Michael Jackson or Prince?"

The Joshua Tree- U2 (1987): U2 went in a totally different direction than everyone else in the mainstream with Joshua Tree. It was a rejection of plastic modern society and is probably more relevant today than in 1987.

Raising Hell- Run DMC (1986): Rap comes to the suburbs. Blondie introduced it to white America, Grandmaster Flash brought the streets to MTV, but Run DMC brought Hip Hop to the forefront and legitimized it. Although MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice made it mainstream, Run DMC became the first to explode onto the scene.

Appetite for Destruction- GnR (1987): Like U2, Guns n Roses took popular music in a radical direction in 1987. Unlike U2's examination of America and modern materialism, GnR took a darker approach and examined the underworld in a way no had since Exile on Mainstreet.

Back in Black- AC/DC (1980): AC/DC somehow survived the death of Bon Scott and turned that loss into one of the greatest tribute albums ever.

Born in the USA- Bruce (1984): Just about every song on this album became a hit. Bruce became a phenomenon and the embodiment of America. No one bothered to listen to the lyrics of the title track...

Murmur- REM (1983): While pop music was heading in multiple directions during the eighties including hair metal, new wave, hip hop, and some groups which defied categorization (Huey Lewis was played on rock stations that would follow Heart of Rock n Roll with Led Zeppelin), R.E.M. ushered in the alternative movement. Murmur represented an attempt to get back to basics and bring fresh rock n roll back to an audience.

London Calling- The Clash (1980): The west appeared on the verge of utter collapse in the late seventies. High unemployment, stagnant economies, and disheartened populations wanted to go to the disco. London Calling reflects the postwar apocalypse that hit during the seventies. Despite the coming ice age and sun zooming in, the album ends on an uplifting note with "Train in Vain."

Synchronicity- The Police (1983): Synchronicity made the Police the biggest band in the world. The album and its songs was omnipresent from summer of 1983 and into 1984. "Every Breath You Take" is one of the songs that defined the eighties.

Previous Winners: Men of the Decade (1900-1999)

1900s- Albert Einstein: Something about relativity...

1910s- Henry Ford: Assembly line and $5 day set up the 20th century.

1920s- Babe Ruth: People had disposable income for the first time and spent it on sports.

1930s- Mohandas Gandhi: The Salt March and non-violent protest inspired MLK and helped India gain independence in 1948.

1940s- Franklin D. Roosevelt: Turned the weight of American power on the Germans and Japanese militarists. Essentially saved the western civilization.

1950s- Laika: First dog in space. I like dogs.

1960s- Apollo 11: We really need to return to the moon and set up colonies before the Earth becomes too populated.

1970s- No one!: What a crap ass decade this was.

1980s- Ronald Reagan: Bed time for Communism.

1990s- Steve Yzerman: The decade was a "holiday from history." Steve led the Wings to two Stanley Cups (1997-1998) and broke the curse.

Greatest Games of the 1980s: #1-10

1. Tigers: 8 Padres: 4 (October 14, 1984): There’re Greeaat! World Series Game 5. The Tigers flexed their muscles and dispatched the Padres. Kirk Gibson hit 2 homers. After the second blast off Goose Gossage, he paraded around the bases in celebratory fashion---he roared as the crowd chanted “Goosebusters.”

2. Michigan: 23 Huskies: 6 (January 1, 1981): Bo’s first bowl win. Bo finally wins a bowl game. No heart attacks, no phantom touchdowns, and no bizarre incidents.

3. Detroit: 105 Lakers: 97 (June 13, 1989): How sweep it is! NBA Finals Game 4. The Pistons polished off a sweep of the two-time defending champs. The game was close, but Bill Laimbeer finished off LA with a jumper with 28 seconds remaining. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished his career with a basket. The crowd and the Pistons gave him a standing ovation as he left the game.

4. Lakers: 103 Pistons: 102 (June 19, 1988): Championship denied. NBA Finals Game 6. Isiah Thomas twisted his ankle and still managed to score 25 in the 3rd quarter. Detroit led the series 3-2 going into Game 6. They led 102-99 with a minute left. Byron Scott cut the lead to one with 52 seconds to go. The Pistons failed to score on their next possession. Piston defense stifled LA and forced a desperation shot by Kareen Abdul-Jabbar. Then, the NBA took over. Bill Laimbeer got whistled for a foul. It was clear he did not come near Kareem and instant replay proved it. Kareen hit the foul shots and forced Game 7. The Pistons really won 3 titles in a row despite what the history books state.

5. Detroit Tigers: 1 Toronto Blue Jays: 0 (October 4, 1987): Comeback complete. The Tigers finished off an amazing comeback behind Frank Tanana’s 6 hit shutout. Larry Herndon homered for the game’s only run. The Tigers went 5-2 down the stretch while Toronto did not win in the final week.

6. Tigers: 4 White Sox: 0 (April 7, 1984): He has his no-hitter! Jack Morris throws a no-hitter on national TV. It was part of Detroit’s 35-5 start and Chet Lemon homered.

7. Hawkeyes: 12 Wolverines: 10 (October 19, 1985): #1 vs. #2. #1 Iowa took on #2 Michigan and escaped. Through five games, Michigan’s defense surrendered 21 points while Iowa was averaging 44 points a game behind Chuck Long. Neither offense did well and Michigan held a 10-9 lead early in the 4th quarter. Long drove down the field with 5:27 to go and Iowa kicked a field goal with seconds remaining. This was one of the best college games of the decade.

8. Wolverines: 26 Buckeyes: 24 (November 22, 1986): The guarantee. Jim Harbaugh guaranteed a victory. Ohio State blew a 14-3 lead as Jamie Morris racked up 210 yards. OSU missed a game winning field goal with 1:06 remaining. Chris Spielman had 29 tackles in the loss.


9. Red Wings: 3 Maple Leafs: 0 (May 3, 1987): Bro-phy! Bro-phy! The Wings fell behind 3-1 in the playoffs to Toronto. They won the next two games, 3-0 and 4-2. In Game 7, they shut out the Leafs 3-0. During the series, Leafs coach John Brophy accused the Wings of choking. In the third period, the JLA crowd shouted “Bro-phy! Bro-phy!” taunting the Leaf coach.

10. Michigan: 80 Seton Hall: 79 (OT) (April 3, 1989): Goodbye Bill, Hello Steve. Michigan wins the NCAA Tournament. Michigan coach Bill Frieder decided to move on to Arizona State, so athletic director, Bo Schembechler, fired him and elevated assistant coach Steve Fisher to head coach. Fisher started his career 6-0 as he swept through the tournament. Glen Rice was the tournament’s outstanding player as he averaged 29 points a game.

2010 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Here are the 2010 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The top 5 vote getters are elected each year. Of course, there has been rumors of vote fraud by one Jan Wenner, but that is just alleged.

and now the Class of 2010:

Abba: I don't get this one and neither does Bjorn Ulvaeus of Abba. Oh well. They are best known for their disco hit, "Dancing Queen." Amazing the region that brought us the 9th century Viking invasions also gave us Abba.

The Stooges: The Stooges were punk before punk. Not sure why it took so long for them to get in. Madonna may have helped by asking them to perform at her induction. Their signature song was "I Wanna Be Your Dog."

Jimmy Cliff: Cliff is one of the great Reggae artists. His signature song is probably "Many Rivers to Cross." Although, his best known song is a cover of "I Can See Clearly Now."

The Hollies: They came with the British Invasion and should have been inducted 20 years ago. They are best known for their unique harmonies. Their hits include "Bus Stop" and "Carrie Anne."

Genesis: Genesis began as Prog Rock and evolved into a pop band. They survived the departure of Peter Gabriel by replacing him with Phil Collins. Guitarist Steve Hackett's guitar style predated Eddie Van Halen and they influenced acts such as Dream Theater. In the early days, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway stands out. During the Collins era, they hit their zenith with the Invisible Touch album. They should have been inducted long ago.

#8 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Bruce is part Woody Guthrie, part Bob Dylan, part John Lennon, and part Elvis. His brand of heartland rock combined themes of youth and Americana and made him a star. It took several years and albums for Bruce to break. It’s doubtful many artists would be given the chance by modern record companies that Bruce and the E Street Band got. Eventually, they broke with Born to Run in 1975. At the time, rock had drifted and disco was becoming a force. As a result, Bruce was hailed as rock’s savior. Meanwhile, the band itself became stars as it was full of colorful characters such as Little Steven Van Zandt, The Mighty Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Garry Tallent, Roy Bittain, Danny Federici, Patti Scialfa (as of 1984), Soozie Tyrell (as of 2002), and the Big Man, Clarence Clemons.

Bruce remained a star into the 1980s. In 1984, he achieved mega-stardom with Born in the USA. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were a phenomenon. Bruce changed it all up for the next album, Tunnel of Love. Then, Springsteen fired the band. He went into the wilderness. His next couple of albums faced mixed reviews In the mid-90s, he went folk.

The September 11 attacks motivated Springsteen to reunite the band. In 2002, they released their first album together in 18 years, The Rising. It was a return to his mid-80s form. Once again, Bruce experienced mainstream success. The band put out two more albums inspired by real world events and the zeitgeist. This 911 trilogy has been a commercial and critical success. In 2009, he played at a pre-inaugural concert for Barack Obama. Currently, he is on tour.

Rock n Roll Moment: In 1976, Bruce attempted to see Elvis by scaling the fence at Graceland. He was escorted off the premises while trying to explain who he was.

Essential Bruce:
Born to Run (1975)
The River (1980)
Nebraska (1982)
Born in the USA (1984)
The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995)
The Rising (2002)
Magic (2007)

Bruce’s Top 10:
Rosalita
Born to Run
Thunder Road
Badlands
The River
Atlantic City
Born in the USA
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
The Rising

#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

#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

My Favorites: 1980s Baseball

C- Ted Simmons- Brewers
C- Lance Parrish- Tigers
1b- Keith Hernandez- Mets
2b- Frank White- Royals
2b- Lou Whitaker- Tigers
SS- Alan Trammell- Tigers
SS- Cal Ripken- Orioles
3b- George Brett- Royals
DH- Darrell Evans- Tigers
OF- Dale Murphy- Braves
OF- Willie McGee- Cardinals
OF- Willie Wilson- Royals
OF- Dwight Evans- Red Sox
RHP- Orel Hershiser- Dodgers
LHP- Bruce Hurst- Red Sox
SP- John Tudor- Cardinals
SP- Bret Saberhagen- Royals
SP- Jack Morris- Tigers
RP- Dan Quisenberry- Royals

#26: The Police

The Police formed at the height of Punk and outlasted it. Some consider them the first New Wave Act since they were neither classic rock nor punk. They incorporated jazz, punk rock, and reggae into their work. In fact, they were one of the first acts to incorporate reggae into their music.

In 1977, The Police began their slow climb to greatest band in the world. Drummer Stewart Copeland formed the band with Sting and Henry Padovani. Padovani was a weak guitarist and was later replaced by Andy Summers. Their fusion of rock, jazz, and especially reggae into their act was novel especially in the United States. They soon earned a recording contract.

Their first album contained the hit “Roxanne” which was completely unique. It did not sound like rock or punk or disco. The song provided an introduction into the U.S. and Australia and got them a gig at the CBGB punk club. Their second album made them stars in England and included “Message in a Bottle.” They toured the world and released a third album that included “Don’t Stand So Close To Me.” The band was now a worldwide sensation.

While the band thrived, front man Sting became a star. He appeared in movies such as Quadraphenia and later Dune. This led to a conflict of egos with Stewart Copeland. The tension continued throughout the early 80s and served to destroy the band as they conquered the world. By 1983, they were the biggest band in the world. Their album Synchronicity spawned several smash hits including one of the decade’s most iconic songs, “Every Breath You Take.” In fact, that song beat out “Billie Jean” for song of the year at the Grammy Awards.

There was no official split. Sting did a solo album and Copeland did some work on his own. Summers waited for the band to reunite. With the exception of three concerts for Amnesty International in 1986 and a completely reworked re-release of “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” the band would not play again until the 2007-08 reunion tour. Between 1986 and 2007, Sting got married and bragged about 6 hour tantric sex, Copeland made a documentary on the Police (very good), Summers worked as Dennis Miller’s musical director, and the group was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Rock n Roll Moment: In one South American banana republic, Andy Summers kicked a military policeman that was attacking fans. He was threatened with arrest, but managed to get out of the country.

Essential Police:

Outlandos d’Amour (1978)
Reggata de Blanc (1979)
Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Synchronicity (1983)

The Police Top 10:

Every Breath You Take
Roxanne
Can’t Stand Losing You
Message in a Bottle
So Lonely
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
King of Pain
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Synchronicity II
Spirits in the Material World

#27 Queen

Queen is known for their musical diversity, harmonies, and their live shows. In fact, an industry poll ranked Queen’s Live Aid performance the greatest live performance of all time. They debuted in 1973. They originally attempted to merge Metal with Prog Rock. Their first album is considered one of the most underrated albums of all time. They broke the following year with “Sheer Heart Attack.” The album featured a fusion of many genres including Metal, soft ballads, and Caribbean.

They followed their breakthrough with the most expensive album ever produced to that point. “A Night At The Opera” is considered one of rock’s greatest. The album included “Bohemian Rhapsody” which combined opera with rock music and became the third largest selling single of all time. The band continued to release hit after hit in the 1970s. In 1980, “Another One Bites the Dust” became an anthem for the Detroit Lions and other sports franchises adopted it along with “We Are the Champions” for championship runs. Also in 1980, Queen also scored the soundtrack for the forgettable movie, Flash Gordon.

Queen continued to play to massive crowds. In 1981, they performed before nearly 500,000 during a Latin American tour. On several occasions, crowds numbered over 100,000. In 1985, one concert drew 180,000. Then came Live Aid. Freddie did not like Live Aid’s political slant, but Bob Geldof told him he’d have the largest audience ever to perform in front of. That sold Mercury.

In the the late 1980’s or early 1990s, Freddy was diagnosed with AIDS. He began to look sickly. He denied the rumors until November 1991. Mercury died less than twelve hours after releasing the statement confirming his illness. Queen’s popularity increased dramatically as a result of the publicity, a benefit concert for Mercury, and the movie Wayne’s World. People flocked to record stores requesting “the new Queen song, Bohemian Rhapsody.” (Dumb asses). After Mercury’s death, the band never officially disbanded and in 2004 began touring with Paul Rodgers (Bad Company, The Firm) on lead vocals. This incarnation split in May 2009.

Rock n Roll Moment: A biker gang attempted to jump members of Queen. Roger Taylor flashed his college ID and warned them he was a martial arts expert. Taylor claimed the law required he notify the gang three times that he had a black belt. The bikers ran away.

Essential Queen:

A Night at the Opera (1975)
News of the World (1977)
The Game (1980)
Greatest Hits (1981)
Greatest Hits II (1991)

Queen’s Top 10:

Bohemian Rhapsody
We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You
Fat Bottomed Girls
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Another One Bites the Dust
Flash
Under Pressure (with David Bowie)
Radio Ga-Ga
Who Wants to Live Forever
The Show Must Go On

#28 Tina Turner

Elvis may be King, but Tina is Queen. Her career spans fifty years. At 18, she began singing for Ike Turner. Her break came in 1960 when she filled in for an AWOL singer. Her recording of “A Fool In Love” hit #2 on the R&B charts. Ike knew he had something.

Ike and Tina Turner rose to stardom in the 1960s and into the 70s. Tina’s style had it’s own niche and was adaptable to changes in music. The two’s greatest work, “River Deep, Mountain High” was recorded with Phil Spector and his Wall of Sound. They also covered CCR’s “Proud Mary.” This funky, frantic high energy cover is Tina’s signature song.

In the 1970s, Tina’s popularity declined and she divorced her abusive husband, Ike. When she left Ike, she had 36 cents to her name and that was on a credit card. She had difficulty finding a recording contract. It looked like the end.

Then, she recorded a European hit and Capitol took a shot. The end result was the “Private Dancer” album which spawned the #1 smash, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” She hated the song, but it revived her career. She experienced a renaissance and released hit after hit. Her life story became a movie starring Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishbourne. In the 90s, Turner scored a Bond theme for “Goldeneye.” In 2008, she embarked on a 50th Anniversary Tour, performed with Beyonce at the Grammy’s, and won a Grammy at 68. She continues to tour.

Rock n Roll Moment: After a steep decline in popularity in the mid-70s, no label wanted Tina. Capitol took a shot and she scored one of the great comebacks in history in 1984.

Essential Tina:

River Deep Mountain High (1966)
Private Dancer (1984)
Simply the Best (1991)
What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)

Tina’s Top 10:

Proud Mary
What’s Love Got To Do With It
Private Dancer
Better Be Good To Me
We Don’t Need Another Hero
Typical Male
The Best
GoldenEye
River Deep Mountain High
Nutbush City Limits

#30 AC/DC

You have to love AC/DC. They do rock one way--loud. They are probably the only long lived band not to have a ballad of some sort. AC/DC music is straight forward, loud, and full of piss and vinegar. What’s even more amazing is the band survived the death of their front man and grew even more popular with his replacement.

AC/DC are from Australia. The brothers Young (Angus and Malcolm) formed the band in 1973. The band’s first lead singer, Bon Scott, was a rock and roll hellion. He drank himself to death after the band’s most successful album, Highway to Hell. Scott's death nearly broke the group.

Instead of disbanding, AC/DC recruited Brian Johnson for lead vocals. Johnson’s vocals are the most unique in rock and Johnson’s AC/DC debut, Black in Black, is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. AC/DC became superstars and remain so to this day. Although considered Heavy Metal pioneers, they consider themselves a regular rock band. AC/DC are Rock n Roll Hall of Famers and recently teamed with Walmart to release the multi-platinum album, Black Ice.

Rock n Roll Moment: As a youth, Bon Scott spent 9 months in juvenile detention for “giving a false name to police, having escaped legal custody, having unlawful carnal knowledge, and the theft of 12 gallons of petrol.” As an adult, Scott drank himself to death. The coroner declared it “death by misadventure.”

Essential AC/DC:

High Voltage (1976)
Highway to Hell (1979)
Back in Black (1980)

AC/DC’s Top 10:

Dirty Deeds
Back in Black
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Girls Got Rhythm
Shoot to Thrill
Hells Bells
It’s A Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock n Roll
Thunderstruck
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

#34 Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison is known for his dark emotional ballads. He could hit four octaves which gave his work authenticity and an emotional impact few could duplicate. Unlike most artists that oozed masculinity, Orbison portrayed a quiet, mysterious vulnerability. The fact he suffered many tragedies in his life added credibility to his image and his music. His career suffered for a time before an amazing late 80s comeback as a solo artist and as a member of the super group, The Traveling Wilburys. Orbison died on top at the age of 52 in 1988.

Rock n Roll Moment: Orbison was known as the anonymous celebrity. He played to that with his dark sunglasses and clothes. He created a persona based on mystery.

Essential Roy Orbison:

Greatest Hits (1977)
Class of ‘55 (1986)
Mystery Girl (1989)

Roy Orbison’s Top 10:

Ooby Dooby
Only the Lonely
Crying
Oh, Pretty Woman
You Got It
Running Scared
It’s Over
In Dreams
Mean Woman Blues
I Drove All Night

#56 Paul Simon

Paul Simon is of the 100 people that have shaped our world. (At least according to Time Magazine). What do you do when you’re the talented half of the greatest duo in music history? Go solo! Simon was wildly successful through the 1970s with songs such as “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” which struck a chord in a era with skyrocketing divorce rates. His popularity continued into the 1980s most notably with “You Can Call Me Al” featuring a video dominated by Chevy Chase. He also experimented with African music in his much acclaimed "Graceland" album. In the 1990s, he wrote a Broadway Musical. Today, he continues to write and record. His latest, “Surprise” is highly acclaimed.

Rock n Roll Moment: He married Princess Leia and then hippie Edie Brickel.

Essential Simon:

The Paul Simon Songbook (1965-UK, 2004-US)
Paul Simon (1972)
There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973)
Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)
Graceland (1986)
The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)
Surprise (2006)

Paul Simon’s Top 10:

You Can Call Me Al
Graceland
Slip Slidin’ Away
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
I am a Rock
Kodachrome
Late in the Evening
Still Crazy After All These Years
Loves Me Like A Rock