“We have to do something about his skinny legs. He has to do squats." -- California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Barack Obama's wimpiness.
"I ain't got time to die." -- Ann Nixon Cooper, 106, of Atlanta, Georgia, on living through the white supremacist south and now witnessing Obama's run.
"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig." -- Barack Obama in what sounded like an attack on Republican vice-president nominee Sarah Palin.
"What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick." -- Sarah Palin at Republican convention.
"Barack, he's talking down to black people. I want to cut his nuts off." -- Jesse Jackson
"This may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind." -- Bill Clinton
-- the fundamentals of our economy are strong." --John McCain (McCain's "There is no Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe" moment)
“It’s not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations. - Obama on people not like him
"Stand up Chuck, let ‘em see ya!" -Joe Biden to wheelchair bound Chuck Graham
"We are the president." - Hillary sounding very much like The Borg
Friday, November 14, 2008
#85 Lynryd Skynyrd
Lynryd Skynyrd
FREE BIRD! Play some Skynyrd! These are classic cries to cover bands across the country thirty years after Skynyrd’s peak. To this day, Lynryd Skynyrd is the symbol of southern rock music. Even when they are not on the charts, they chart! On more than one occasion, Kid Rock has mentioned them or sampled them in his work. Metallica covered “Tuesday’s Gone” in the late 90s. Sweet Home Alabama became a Reese Witherspoon movie. They are also known for a fictional feud with Neil Young (Southern Man vs. Sweet Home Alabama) and a tragic plane crash that cost the lives of several members. The Free Bird still flies in the south.
Rock n Roll Moment: They are the symbol for southern rock.
Essential Skynyrd: (pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd) (1973), Second Helping (1974), Street Survivors (1977)
Lynryd Skynyrd Top 10:
Free Bird
Sweet Home Alabama
That Smell
Saturday Night Special
Gimme Three Steps
What’s Your Name
Gimme Back My Bullets
Simple Man
Tuesday’s Gone
You Got That Right
FREE BIRD! Play some Skynyrd! These are classic cries to cover bands across the country thirty years after Skynyrd’s peak. To this day, Lynryd Skynyrd is the symbol of southern rock music. Even when they are not on the charts, they chart! On more than one occasion, Kid Rock has mentioned them or sampled them in his work. Metallica covered “Tuesday’s Gone” in the late 90s. Sweet Home Alabama became a Reese Witherspoon movie. They are also known for a fictional feud with Neil Young (Southern Man vs. Sweet Home Alabama) and a tragic plane crash that cost the lives of several members. The Free Bird still flies in the south.
Rock n Roll Moment: They are the symbol for southern rock.
Essential Skynyrd: (pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd) (1973), Second Helping (1974), Street Survivors (1977)
Lynryd Skynyrd Top 10:
Free Bird
Sweet Home Alabama
That Smell
Saturday Night Special
Gimme Three Steps
What’s Your Name
Gimme Back My Bullets
Simple Man
Tuesday’s Gone
You Got That Right
Monday, November 10, 2008
#86: The Allman Brothers Band
86. The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is one of the creators of Southern Rock. Duane and Greg Allman formed the band in 1969 and for a seven year period, they dominated. In 1971, Rolling Stone called them the best rock band around and in 2004, the same magazine placed them at #52 on their all time list (ok I only differ with them by 34 spots). The Allman Brothers Band went from a southern garage band to platinum superstars and then Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. The band carried on to even greater success. After a defunct period, the band reunited and still puts out material today. They have eleven gold records and 5 platinum to their credit.
Rock n Roll Moment: They are the achetype for the VH-1 Behind the Music.
Essential Allman Brothers: At Fillmore East (1971), Brothers and Sisters (1973), Seven Turns (1990)
Allman Brothers Top 10:
Whipping Post
Midnight Rider
Ramblin’ Man
Midnight Rider
Melissa
Jessica
Little Martha
Blue Sky
One Way Out
Ain’t Wastin’ No More Time
The Allman Brothers Band is one of the creators of Southern Rock. Duane and Greg Allman formed the band in 1969 and for a seven year period, they dominated. In 1971, Rolling Stone called them the best rock band around and in 2004, the same magazine placed them at #52 on their all time list (ok I only differ with them by 34 spots). The Allman Brothers Band went from a southern garage band to platinum superstars and then Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. The band carried on to even greater success. After a defunct period, the band reunited and still puts out material today. They have eleven gold records and 5 platinum to their credit.
Rock n Roll Moment: They are the achetype for the VH-1 Behind the Music.
Essential Allman Brothers: At Fillmore East (1971), Brothers and Sisters (1973), Seven Turns (1990)
Allman Brothers Top 10:
Whipping Post
Midnight Rider
Ramblin’ Man
Midnight Rider
Melissa
Jessica
Little Martha
Blue Sky
One Way Out
Ain’t Wastin’ No More Time
Friday, November 7, 2008
#87 Dire Straits
87. Dire Straits
Here is some trivia: Dire Straits had the first CD Single when they released “Money for Nothing.” That song, the cutting edge (for 1985) video, and the whole “Brothers in Arms” album was about as big as it gets. Dire Straits took their name from their financial state at their formation in 1977. By 1985, they were one of the biggest acts around. Dire Straits began as a classic rock act. Their stripped down sound was fresh for the late 70s and early 80s. By the mid-80s, they were a stadium rock act which is ironic since they began as the antithesis of arena rock. After “Brothers in Arms,” the group continued on into the 90s producing hits such as “Calling Elvis” (a classic) and “Heavy Fuel.” As of today, the band is no longer together, but with acts of this nature, never count out a reunion.
Rock n Roll Moment: Their name is derived from their financial state on the eve of their first album.
Essential Dire Straits: Making Movies (1980), Brothers in Arms (1985)
Dire Straits Top 10:
Sultans of Swing
Money for Nothing
Walk of Life
Brothers in Arms
So Far Away
Calling Elvis
Romeo and Juliet
Heavy Fuel
Tunnel of Love
Private Investigations
Here is some trivia: Dire Straits had the first CD Single when they released “Money for Nothing.” That song, the cutting edge (for 1985) video, and the whole “Brothers in Arms” album was about as big as it gets. Dire Straits took their name from their financial state at their formation in 1977. By 1985, they were one of the biggest acts around. Dire Straits began as a classic rock act. Their stripped down sound was fresh for the late 70s and early 80s. By the mid-80s, they were a stadium rock act which is ironic since they began as the antithesis of arena rock. After “Brothers in Arms,” the group continued on into the 90s producing hits such as “Calling Elvis” (a classic) and “Heavy Fuel.” As of today, the band is no longer together, but with acts of this nature, never count out a reunion.
Rock n Roll Moment: Their name is derived from their financial state on the eve of their first album.
Essential Dire Straits: Making Movies (1980), Brothers in Arms (1985)
Dire Straits Top 10:
Sultans of Swing
Money for Nothing
Walk of Life
Brothers in Arms
So Far Away
Calling Elvis
Romeo and Juliet
Heavy Fuel
Tunnel of Love
Private Investigations
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
#88: Judas Priest
88. Judas Priest
Judas Priest is one of the “Big Five” metal acts (Priest, Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC, and Sabbath) and the first on the countdown. Priest displayed attitude and style that influenced a generation of metal heads. What distinguishes Priest from every other band in the world is Rob Halford. Halford’s voice is unique in all of music and would be just as suitable to opera as rock. Classic Priest is rebellious and in your face. If you don’t like it, then you got another thing coming.
Rock n Roll Moment: In 1990, they defended musicians everywhere by standing trial. In 1985, two American teens attempted suicide after listening to Priest. The prosecutor argued the band place a subliminal message ordering listeners to commit suicide. They were acquitted. Later, Rob Halford commented that placing messages in the music encouraging fans to commit suicide would not be wise. Having fans die would be career suicide.
Essential Priest: British Steel (1980), Screaming for Vengeance (1982), Painkiller (1990)
Judas Priest Top 10:
Breaking the Law
Living After Midnight
You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
Painkiller
Electric Eye
Turbo Lover
Hell Bent for Leather
Screaming for Vengeance
A Touch of Evil
Freewheel Burning
Judas Priest is one of the “Big Five” metal acts (Priest, Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC, and Sabbath) and the first on the countdown. Priest displayed attitude and style that influenced a generation of metal heads. What distinguishes Priest from every other band in the world is Rob Halford. Halford’s voice is unique in all of music and would be just as suitable to opera as rock. Classic Priest is rebellious and in your face. If you don’t like it, then you got another thing coming.
Rock n Roll Moment: In 1990, they defended musicians everywhere by standing trial. In 1985, two American teens attempted suicide after listening to Priest. The prosecutor argued the band place a subliminal message ordering listeners to commit suicide. They were acquitted. Later, Rob Halford commented that placing messages in the music encouraging fans to commit suicide would not be wise. Having fans die would be career suicide.
Essential Priest: British Steel (1980), Screaming for Vengeance (1982), Painkiller (1990)
Judas Priest Top 10:
Breaking the Law
Living After Midnight
You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
Painkiller
Electric Eye
Turbo Lover
Hell Bent for Leather
Screaming for Vengeance
A Touch of Evil
Freewheel Burning
Why Obama won...or why McCain lost...
There are four main reasons Obama is now the president-elect. Of these reasons, John McCain could only control one of them.
1. Bush fatigue. People are mad at George W. Bush. They wanted change. Obama did a good job tying Bush to McCain (even though McCain was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004). For his part, Bush did nothing to work on his image. Bill Clinton survived impeachment because he spent 6 years working on being liked. If Bush worked half as hard as Clinton at being liked, he'd be in the mid-40s and a non-factor in the election.
2. Obama ran center-right. Obama did a great job running away from his leftist record. He stood for tax cuts, gun rights, and other center-right positions. Which Obama will show up on January 20? Will it be the hard left partisan senator or the center right candidate?
3. McCain was too nice. McCain ran the cleanest, nicest campaign by any presidential contender in a generation. He should have hammered Obama with taxes and Reverend Wright every night throughout the summer. He didn't.
4. The economic meltdown. Before the meltdown, McCain was winning and beginning to pull away. Then came the meltdown. Obama went into witness protection while McCain pushed the rescue package. Ironically, Obama opposed fixing the very thing that caused the meltdown back in 2005 and benefited from the meltdown he helped cause.
If the meltdown does not happen, McCain wins even with the other deficiencies. However, the market crashed and McCain's chances crashed with them. He was like Charlie Brown running to kick the football. The market was Lucy pulling the football away at the last minute...
1. Bush fatigue. People are mad at George W. Bush. They wanted change. Obama did a good job tying Bush to McCain (even though McCain was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004). For his part, Bush did nothing to work on his image. Bill Clinton survived impeachment because he spent 6 years working on being liked. If Bush worked half as hard as Clinton at being liked, he'd be in the mid-40s and a non-factor in the election.
2. Obama ran center-right. Obama did a great job running away from his leftist record. He stood for tax cuts, gun rights, and other center-right positions. Which Obama will show up on January 20? Will it be the hard left partisan senator or the center right candidate?
3. McCain was too nice. McCain ran the cleanest, nicest campaign by any presidential contender in a generation. He should have hammered Obama with taxes and Reverend Wright every night throughout the summer. He didn't.
4. The economic meltdown. Before the meltdown, McCain was winning and beginning to pull away. Then came the meltdown. Obama went into witness protection while McCain pushed the rescue package. Ironically, Obama opposed fixing the very thing that caused the meltdown back in 2005 and benefited from the meltdown he helped cause.
If the meltdown does not happen, McCain wins even with the other deficiencies. However, the market crashed and McCain's chances crashed with them. He was like Charlie Brown running to kick the football. The market was Lucy pulling the football away at the last minute...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
#89: Coldplay
Coldplay is the most popular band in the world. Their albums are extremely successful in an age where albums are not successful. They have a unique sound that harkens back to “soft” rock, but also incorporate influences such as U2, Kraftwerk, and Pink Floyd. When they hit the scene, they made such an impression they were asked to open for U2. They declined and it has not hurt. In 2008, they scored their biggest hit to date when fewer and fewer people are listening to rock n roll.
Rock n Roll Moment: They turned down an offer to open for U2 believing they were good enough to make it without the exposure a monster tour would bring.
Essential Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), Viva La Vida (2008)
Coldplay’s Top 10:
Yellow
The Scientist
Speed of Sound
Clocks
Vida la Vida
Violet Hill
Talk
In My Place
Trouble
Lost
Rock n Roll Moment: They turned down an offer to open for U2 believing they were good enough to make it without the exposure a monster tour would bring.
Essential Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), Viva La Vida (2008)
Coldplay’s Top 10:
Yellow
The Scientist
Speed of Sound
Clocks
Vida la Vida
Violet Hill
Talk
In My Place
Trouble
Lost
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