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

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.

My Favorite Albums from the 1990s

Actung Baby- U2 (1991)

Ten- Pearl Jam (1991)

Vs.- Pearl Jam (1993)

Monster- REM (1994)

Automatic for the People- REM (1992)

New Adventures in Hi-Fi- REM (1996)

Metallica- Metallica (1991)

Use Your Illusion I and II- Guns n Roses (1991)

From the Cradle- Eric Clapton (1994)

For Unlawful Carnel Knowledge- Van Halen (1991)

Singles Soundtrack (1992)

Albums of the 90s

Here are the top 10 albums of the 1990s. Basically based on impact. Interestingly, six of the ten came out in 1991 or 1992. They are not listed in any particular order. These are not necessarily my favorite albums. Too lazy to do write-ups...if questions, ask or look it up...

Nevermind- Nirvana (1991)

Ten-Pearl Jam (1991)

Ok Computer- Radiohead (1997)

Automatic for the People- REM (1992)

Actung Baby- U2 (1991)

The Chronic- Dr. Dre (1992)

Metallica- Metallica (1991)

Jagged Little Pill- Alanis Morrisette (1995)

Unplugged- Nirvana (1994)

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)- And then she went crazy...

Best Guitar Riffs of the 1990s

These are not in any order.

Enter Sandman- Metallica

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3LAFJbKyY

Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana

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

Alive- Pearl Jam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0zINtulhM

Outshined- Soundgarden

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

Symphony of Destruction- Megadeth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8i2i2ZRHA

Man on a Mission- Van Halen

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

Come As You Are- Nirvana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vabnZ9-ex7o

Man in the Box- Alice in Chains

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAqZb52sgpU

Smooth- Santana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z84CgD3o-xg

Plush- STP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5w0ierGzTM

When I Come Around- Green Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8dh9gDzmz8

Tool of the Decade: The Aughts

Here are the candidates for Tool of the Decade:

Ron Artest: Artest is the headcase that initiated the Malice at the Palace. This tool goes nuts in Auburn Hills and Detroit gets blamed.

Barry Bonds: He cheated…and he cheated because he was jealous of Sosa and McGwire. Oh yeah, he’s also a racist asshole.

Barry Bonds Fans: They are like the Jonestown cult. Despite overwhelming evidence, they still support this guy, his behavior, and make excuses for him.

Hugo Chavez: I am not sure why this thuggish dictator is so popular amongst the left. His heavy handed dictatorship has destroyed the Venezuelan economy and crushed freedoms. Yet, he is popular in American leftist circles.

Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears: Talentless people that are famous for their trashy public behavior.

Perez Hilton: A minor annoyance to be sure. Just when you thought celebrity stalking could not get worse, enter Hilton, TMZ, and other filth.

Bernie Maddoff: He even bankrupted George Castanza (See Curb Your Enthusiasm).

The Music Industry: They eliminated cassette singles, overpriced CD singles to force people to buy full length albums. This created the download craze which they then started suing over (PR Nightmare). All of this and then came American Idol. If you are good at karaoke, then try out! The end result was a collapse of profits, the industry, and the worst crap to be heard on radio since the early 50s.

Reality TV Stars: Who is worse? The fools on reality TV or the fools that watch reality TV?

Michael Vick: Dog fighting? He should have been hung up by his testicles and given an electric cattle prod up his ass.

Kanye West: Where to start…

The Winner: Barry Bonds and his fans

My Favorite Aught Albums

Overall a weak decade...

Audioslave- Audioslave (2002)

All That You Can’t Leave Behind -U2 (2000)

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb- U2 (2004)

The Rising- Bruce Springsteen (2002)

Magic- Bruce Springsteen (2007)

American IV: The Man Comes Around -Johnny Cash (2002)

American Idiot-Green Day (2004)

Gladiator Soundtrack (2000)

Welcome Interstate Managers-Fountains of Wayne (2003)

Have a Nice Day- Bon Jovi (2005)

Nostradamus- Judas Priest (2008)

Albums of the Decade: The Aughts

Here are ten of the most important albums to be released from 2000-2009. They are arraigned chronologically.

The Marshall Mathers LP- Eminem (2000): Hip Hop had gone stale and then Eminem came along. Ten years later, Hip Hop is once again stale.


Kid A- Radiohead (2000): It took less than a week for Kid A to go platinum. Would not be an accurate list without Radiohead.


U2- All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000): U2 decided to get out of electronic music and return to form. The end result was a monster.


Songs in A Minor- Alicia Keys (2001): Keys mixed blues with jazz and R&B. The comparisons to Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Billie Holiday followed.

American IV: The Man Comes Around- Johnny Cash (2002): This album signalled the greatest comeback in music history. All of a sudden, a 70-year-old was a superstar once more.


A Rush of Blood to the Head- Coldplay (2002): After this album, they were being compared to U2. This made Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.


The Rising- Bruce Springsteen (2002): Reinvigorated after a decade of experimentation, Springsteen returned with one of his strongest albums ever harkening back to his 80s glory.

Elephant- The White Stripes (2003): Garage rock lives! The White Stripes are one of the last of the rock bands.


American Idiot- Green Day (2004): American Idiot is probably the album of the decade. Green Day really connected to its audience as well as the zeitgeist of mid-decade America.


Magic- Bruce Springsteen (2007): This is generally considered the best (or second best) album of 2007. The album is about disillusionment with society, condemns the Iraq War, and could almost be a companion piece to American Idiot.

Most Liberal Songs of All Time

American Idiot- Green Day: The song is about the brain dead public going along with the Iraq War.

Beds Are Burning- Midnight Oil: Beds Are Burning is more Euro-focused. Essentially, the West raped and pillaged the third world and now it is time to make amends.

Fight the Power- Public Enemy: The title could lend itself to any ideology. However, this is geared toward militant revolution. The power is society itself and that needs a fundamental transformation.

Fortunate Son- Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son is the best of the Vietnam Era anti-war songs. The song tells the story of a man that is not fortunate enough to be born into wealth and privilege and thus can not escape the draft. The song was resurrected during the Iraq War as many tried to paint Bush as the fortunate son.

Fuck the Police- NWA: The title says it all.

Imagine - John Lennon: Lennon’s masterpiece is generally considered a left wing anthem. Although, Lennon was a leftist agitator at times, the song itself ponders a world where everyone can get along. What strikes many as uber-liberal is Lennon’s imagining no religion and no countries. To some, this smacked of Marxist Revolution.

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday- Carole King: The Monkeys made this famous. The song is about conformity and modern life. It’s about how the American dream can become the American nightmare. Instead of enjoying life, people have to keep up with the Joneses and maintain status.

Sleep Now In The Fire- Rage Against The Machine: Rage takes on capitalism, religion, history, genocide, and imperialism. Michael Moore directed the video filmed at Wall Street. The band’s ideology is simple and the song’s understanding of history is clearly lacking. On the other hand, the riff is as good as it gets.

This Land is Your Land- Woody Guthrie: This is the 1930s version of “spread the wealth around.”

War Pigs- Black Sabbath: The song originally was going to be about the witches’ sabbath. However, the band changed the term “Walpurgis” to War Pigs and an anti-war song was born. The song re-emerged during the last decade as some radio stations decided to protest the Iraq

Songs of the Year 2009

Here is my list of songs of the year. I tried to go with a variety of genres as opposed to whatever I liked…

Check My Brain- Alice in Chains: It’s 1995 again. The 90s are making a major comeback. We seem to have jump skipped right over the 80s and right to the flannel.

East Jesus Nowhere- Green Day: If you are religious, this is not for you. Green Day goes off on organized religion and sings “of blasphemy and genocide.”

I Got a Feeling- Black Eyed Peas: They had quite a year. This song touched a chord. The basic premise is everyone is stressed, so let’s spend all our money and drink.

(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To- Weezer: Classic Weezer.

Mean Old Man- Jerry Lee Lewis: Jerry Lee covers Kris Kristofferson and still sounds good.

No Rest for the Wicked- Cage the Elephant: Everyone has heard this one even if they don’t know it. It’s appeared in a few commercials. Interesting that a bunch of white guys around 20 are the ones doing the Mississippi Delta thing.

Oh Yeah- Chickenfoot: Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Chad Smith bring back 80s hard rock. Since they are the only ones doing it, they had a hit record.

Outlaw Pete- Bruce Springsteen: Bruce channels old school cowboy tales into an 8 minute epic.

That’s Not My Name- The Ting Tings: This reminds me of “Mickey” from the early 80s. Who hasn’t forgotten a girl’s name the morning after?

Uprising- Muse: Muse brings back the synthesizer and sings about rebellion. This should be the Tea Party Movement’s anthem. It’s a mishmash of everything that has come before and gets played as bumper music on every sporting event out there.

#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

#23 David Bowie

David Bowie is the great chameleon. His image is forever changing. Bowie emerged from Britain’s Art Rock scene in the late 60s and his first album was barely noticed. However, he caught people’s attention in 1969 with “Space Oddity” which coincided with the moon landing. After which, he spent some time searching for a direction.

In 1972, Bowie moved away from Syd Barrett influenced Art Rock and created an androgynous alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. Bowie was so wrapped up in the role, people did not know where Ziggy started and Bowie ended. Bowie’s creation launched the glam scene. Presentation, image, and the visual became as important as the music. Shortly after creating Ziggy Stardust, Bowie killed him.

By the mid-70s, Bowie was scoring pop hits. He altered his music and persona and alienated and confused his listeners. Then, he went to Berlin to look for the next thing and ran into Iggy Pop and Brian Eno. The albums he created represented the successful “Berlin Trilogy.”

By 1980, Bowie was a successful pop star that appeared in decline. Then came MTV. Music Television suited Bowie perfectly. One of the first hit videos on the channel was Bowie’s surreal “Ashes to Ashes.” He also recorded “Under Pressure” with Queen. Bowie then decided to change it up again and did a pop album. 1983’s “Let’s Dance” spawned several hits. David Bowie was now one of the biggest stars around and played Live Aid in 1985. The rest of the decade was at best uneven. Although, he did get to play Pontius Pilot in The Last Temptation of Christ. Bowie has appeared in a number of films including Labyrinth, The Prestige, and Zoolander.

After doing a farewell tour of sorts, Bowie formed Tin Man. This minimized Bowie and made him part of a group. Although the band was good, it did not catch on. Once again, Bowie confused people.

In the 90s, Bowie went electronic and bordered on industrial. He did perform the old stuff at the Freddy Mercury Tribute in 1992. He also played “Heroes” at the Concert for New York following the 911 attacks. Bowie was one of the show's highlights. In 2004, he suffered a heart attack, but continues to show up from time to time. His most notable appearance in recent years was with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall. He is a member of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and continues to act and record.

Rock n Roll Moment: Bowie outed himself as a bisexual in 1972...long before it was hip. He later recanted.

Essential Bowie:

Hunky Dory (1971)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
Young Americans (1975)
Station to Station (1976)
Low (1977)
Heroes (1977)
Lodger (1978)
Let’s Dance (1983)

Bowie’s Top 10:

Space Oddity
The Man Who Sold the World
Changes
Life on Mars?
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
The Jean Genie
Rebel Rebel
Young Americans
Heroes

#24 Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles defined the Motown Sound. They were the first major Motown act to break. Frontman Smokey Robinson went on to become one of music’s greatest songwriters and producers. The Miracles music encompassed doo wop, soul, R&B, rock, and disco and scored 16 Top 20 hits including two #1s (Love Machine and Tears of a Clown). Smokey left the group in 1971 and they experienced continued success. For some reason, Smokey was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, but the Miracles were excluded.

Rock n Roll Moment: Smokey and the Miracles wrote Ooo Baby Baby during an impromptu jam in the middle of a show.

Essential Smokey:
Hi! We’re the Miracles (1961)
Going to a Go-Go (1965)
One Dozen Roses (1971)

Smokey’s Top 10:

Shop Around
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
Ooo Baby Baby
The Tracks of My Tears
Going to a Go-Go
I Second That Emotion
The Tears of a Clown
Love Machine- Pt 1
Do It Baby
My Girl Has Gone

#32 B.B. King

B.B. King essentially influenced every blues and blues based guitarist that followed him. After a failed trip to Memphis, King decided to learn music. His hard work paid off. In 1949, he earned a recording contract. By the 50s, King was one of the most important R&B artists. His biggest hit came in 1968 with “The Thrill is Gone.” King continued to work throughout the 70s. He recorded less frequently by the 1980s. However, in 1988, he recorded “When Love Comes To Town” with U2. It was a smash. Today, he occasionally performs at festivals. In 2008, he performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in honor of Morgan Freeman.

Rock n Roll Moment: He named his guitar “Lucille.”

Essential King:

Singing The Blues (1956)
Indianola Mississippi Seeds (1970)
The Ultimate Collection (2005)

BB King’s Top 10:

Three O’Clock Blues
When Love Comes to Town (with U2)
Worried Life
The Thrill is Gone
Paying the Cost to be the Boss
Please Love Me
You Upset Me Baby
Don’t Answer The Door
Sweet Sixteen (part 1 and 2)
Chains and Things

#35 Neil Young

Neil Young is the ultimate singer-songwriter. He’s got the most unique voice to go along with his distinctive guitar style and deeply personal lyrics. Young broke in the 1960s and has remained the folk hippy curmudgeon. His music ranges from acoustic to electric; from swing to rockabilly; and from jazz to grunge.

Young was a member of the super group Buffalo Springfield. “For What It’s Worth” is one of the defining songs of the 60s. The band quickly fell apart as a result of tensions between members and with their management. Young moved onto a solo career and immediately recorded “Cinnamon Girl” and “Down by the River.” Then, he joined Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The highpoint of CSNY was “Ohio” about the Kent State Massacre in 1970.

Outside CSNY, Young recorded classics such as “Southern Man” and “The Needle and the Damage Done.” Young’s biggest hit (and only #1) was “Heart of Gold.” He quickly moved to the “Ditch Trilogy” before returning to spotlight in the mid-70s. His last great 70s song, “Hey Hey My My” would have been a grunge classic had it come out in 1992.

In the 80s, Young experimented with his music. After some time off the beaten path, 1988 brought Young back. He lampooned Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson for selling out in “This Note’s For You.” The next year, “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” provided a transition between 1980s and 1990s music. The song had the big 80s sound with early 1990s social consciousness. The feedback used on his Freedom album hearkened back to the 1970s and served as a precursor to the 1990s.

Neil Young was dubbed “The Godfather of Grunge” in the early 90s as Pearl Jam and Nirvana borrowed from his work. In fact, Kurt Cobain’s suicide note quoted Neil Young. At the same time, Young went folk with his Harvest Moon album. He continued to tour and record into the 2000s. In 2006, he stirred controversy with an anti-Bush album, Living With War.

Young has always been an activist. He protested Vietnam, co-founded Farm Aid, campaigns for the environment, and also directs films. He continues to tour and record.

Rock n Roll Moment: Neil Young performed anti-war songs during the Iraq War which resulted in his audience walking out on him. This did not dissuade him from continuing at the next show.

Essential Neil Young:

Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)
After the Gold Rush (1970)
Harvest (1972)
On The Beach (1974)
Tonight’s The Night (1975)
Rust Never Sleeps (1979)
Freedom (1989)
Prairie Wind (2005)

Neil Young’s Top 10:

Cinnamon Girl
Heart of Gold
Hey Hey My My
Old Man
Rockin’ In The Free World
Down By The River
Like a Hurricane
The Needle and the Damage Done
Four Strong Winds
Southern Man

#37 Simon and Garfunkel

Folk music became huge in the early 60s between Elvis induction into the army and Beatlemania. Simon and Garfunkel found their calling during this period. The childhood friends decided to do music. After a false start, they recorded “Sounds of Silence” in 1966. They continued to release hit singles. In 1968, they worked on the soundtrack to “The Graduate.” In 1969, “Mrs. Robinson” won the Grammy for Record of the Year. Their last major hit occurred in 1970. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” capped their career. The two split in 1970. Paul Simon continued to record (see #56) and was very successful. Art Garfunkel recorded and acted. Simon was clearly more successful. They’d reunite occasionally through the years including the 1981 Central Park concert, the 2003 Grammy Awards, and a two month tour in 2003. They toured again in 2005 and plan a 2009 tour.

Rock n Roll Moment: They played to 500,000 fans at their 1981 Reunion Concert in Central Park.

Essential Simon and Garfunkel:

Sounds of Silence (1966)
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme (1966)
Bookends (1968)
Bridge Over Troubled Waters (1970)

S&G’s Top 10:

The Sound of Silence
Homeward Bound
I Am A Rock
A Hazy Shade of Winter
Scarborough Fair
Mrs. Robinson
The Boxer
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Cecilia
America

#38 The Velvet Underground

Although not commercially successful, the Underground is one of the most influential acts in history. In one sense, they were the American version of Pink Floyd. They loved experimentation and their music was nihilistic. They could be considered the first “Alternative” band long before R.E.M. created college radio. After the breakup, Lou Reed and John Cale experienced success as solo artists.

Rock n Roll Moment: The Velvet Underground were part of Andy Warhol’s underground art scene in the 1960s.

Essential Velvet Underground:

The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)
White Light/White Heat (1968)
The Velvet Underground (1969)
Loaded (1970)

Velvet Underground’s Top 10:

Heroin
I’m Waiting for the Man
Sunday Morning
White Light/White Heat
Candy Says
Pale Blue Eyes
Sweet Jane
All Tomorrow’s Parties
There She Goes Again
The Black Angel’s Death Song

#39 Aretha Franklin

If this was a popular music list, Aretha would be in the top 10 and maybe the top 5. However, the Queen of Soul is relegated to #39 on the rock list. Aretha’s versatility led her to branch from soul to rock to gospel to R&B to pop to jazz. She was voted greatest singer of all time and is the first woman in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. In 2009, she created a fashion fad with the hat she wore at Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Rock n Roll Moment: Aretha got into a tiff with Beyonce recently. Beyonce called Tina Turner “queen.” Aretha took it as an insult because Aretha is the Queen of Soul.

Essential Aretha:

I Never Loved A Man the Way I Love You (1967)
Lady Soul (1968)
Amazing Grace (1972)
Who’s Zoomin’ Who (1985)

Aretha’s Top 10:

I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)
Respect
Baby I Love You
Natural Woman
Chain of Fools
Think
Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)
Spanish Harlem
Rock Steady
Freeway of Love

#42 Nirvana

It’s hard to believe that Nirvana’s recording career lasted only 5 years. They released their debut, “Bleach” in 1989 and their final album, “Unplugged in New York”, came out in 1994. However, their impact was huge. Nirvana is considered the flagship band of Generation X. They just happened along at the right time. People were tired of the old 80s scene and were moving toward Hip Hop and Country. Then, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” came out and that spelled the end of the plastic 80s. Their album, “Nevermind” beat out Michael Jackson on the pop charts and quickly became the most important album in years. The band was not sure if they liked being successful and it took it’s toll on front man Kurt Cobain. In 1994, he committed suicide.

Rock n Roll Moment: Smells Like Teen Spirit launched the 90s Rock Revolution.

Essential Nirvana:

Bleach (1989)
Nevermind (1991)
In Uetero (1993)
Unplugged (1994)

Nirvana’s Top 10:

Sliver
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Come As You Are
Lithium
In Bloom
Heart Shaped Box
About A Girl
Pennyroyal Tea
All Apologies
Rape Me

#44 Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac has gone through so many incarnations, it’s hard to believe they are still around. The name derives from the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood (drums) and John McVie (bass). They began in the 1960s as a blues act led by Peter Green. Bob Welch (not the pitcher) led the band in the early 70s as they transitioned from blues to pop. Then, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined. The duo propelled Mac to super stardom. However, the band experienced inner turmoil as two couples made up the group. Lindsey and Stevie were breaking up and Christie and John McVie were divorcing during their peak years.

After the “Rumours” album, they went experimental with “Tusk.” They continued to be popular throughout the 80s and then Buckingham left. They toyed around with different lineups before he returned in the late 90s. The band is currently working on a new album.

Rock n Roll Moment: The “Rumours” album was based on the real life trials and tribulations of two couples (and band mates) breaking up.

Essential Mac:

Fleetwood Mac (1975)
Rumours (1977)
Tusk (1979)
Tango in the Night (1987)
The Dance (1997)

Fleetwood Mac’s Top 10:

Oh Well
Rhiannon
Landslide
Monday Morning
Dreams
Don’t Stop
Go Your Own Way
The Chain
Gold Dust Woman
Tusk