Bon Jovi
It’s the 1980s and Hard Rock is king. Enter Bon Jovi. The band was more talented than most of the eras hair metal bands and was originally a loud band chicks could love. They pumped out hit after hit and had two mammoth albums. Burn out followed. Then came Nirvana. As 80s metal disappeared in the wake of grunge, Bon Jovi survived. They continued to chart in the mid-90s, and in the 00s, they peaked again. Why did they survive? They cropped the hair extensions and reworked their image. Their music did not change all that much, but they did expand. Recently, they did a country album.
Rock n Roll Moment: At the 1989 VMA's, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora did an acoustic version of "Wanted Dead or Alive." The performance spawned MTV Unplugged.
Essential Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet (1986), New Jersey (1988), Keep The Faith (1992), Crush (2000), Have A Nice Day (2005)
Bon Jovi’s Top 10:
Living on a Prayer
Keep the Faith
It’s My Life
You Give Love a Bad Name
Blaze of Glory
Wanted Dead or Alive
Runaway
Always
I’ll Be There For You
Who Says You Can’t Go Home
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Past Men of the Year
I forgot to list past winners of my prestigious "Man of the Year." No women winners yet, but this is just 3 years old.
2008: Barack Obama
2007: Al Gore
2006: Rahme Emmanuel
2008: Barack Obama
2007: Al Gore
2006: Rahme Emmanuel
2008: Man of the Year
Here are the candidates for man (or person) of the year: They are listed alphabetically.
Chinese Companies: They are not on the list for the good they do. Rather for their incompetence. For awhile, it seemed we had a different Chinese product being recalled for being laced with some poison. In the US, when companies screw up, they get a bailout. In China, the CEO's are shot.
The Dalai Lama: His followers are under Chinese occupation. He still remains a major force.
Mitch Daniels: Barack Obama won his state, but Indiana Republican Governor Daniels was re-elected with 57% of the vote. Watch for him in the future.
Robert Downey Jr.: From addict to Oscar. He was impressive in both Iron Man and Tropic Thunder.
Heath Ledger: He should win an Oscar for The Dark Knight. Too bad he died when we discovered he was really a good actor.
John McCain: 2008 was the last hurrah for the Vietnam generation. McCain put on a spirited campaign despite long odds and bad luck.
The Media: There has never been a campaign in recent history as bad as this one. This is not a criticism of Obama or McCain. The Media's behavior was reprehensible. Pew Research reported that only Fox News was even handed this time around.
Barack Obama: Obama overcame long odds to win the Democratic nomination and then the presidency. He is the first African-American President. Electorally, he is the first Democrat to win the White House with over 50% of the vote since 1964 and he won several states that should never have gone Democratic. He is a great speaker that can inspire. The big question now is can he govern or are we stuck with another Jimmy Carter?
Sarah Palin: She became a superstar to some and a Palin in the neck to others. She drew large crowds that rivalled Obama's. Polls showed that she appealed to many middle class soccer moms. Whether she is a long term player or a flash in the pan is yet to be determined.
The Philadelphia Phillies: They won their first championship since 1980 and second title overall.
and the winner is....
Barack Obama
Chinese Companies: They are not on the list for the good they do. Rather for their incompetence. For awhile, it seemed we had a different Chinese product being recalled for being laced with some poison. In the US, when companies screw up, they get a bailout. In China, the CEO's are shot.
The Dalai Lama: His followers are under Chinese occupation. He still remains a major force.
Mitch Daniels: Barack Obama won his state, but Indiana Republican Governor Daniels was re-elected with 57% of the vote. Watch for him in the future.
Robert Downey Jr.: From addict to Oscar. He was impressive in both Iron Man and Tropic Thunder.
Heath Ledger: He should win an Oscar for The Dark Knight. Too bad he died when we discovered he was really a good actor.
John McCain: 2008 was the last hurrah for the Vietnam generation. McCain put on a spirited campaign despite long odds and bad luck.
The Media: There has never been a campaign in recent history as bad as this one. This is not a criticism of Obama or McCain. The Media's behavior was reprehensible. Pew Research reported that only Fox News was even handed this time around.
Barack Obama: Obama overcame long odds to win the Democratic nomination and then the presidency. He is the first African-American President. Electorally, he is the first Democrat to win the White House with over 50% of the vote since 1964 and he won several states that should never have gone Democratic. He is a great speaker that can inspire. The big question now is can he govern or are we stuck with another Jimmy Carter?
Sarah Palin: She became a superstar to some and a Palin in the neck to others. She drew large crowds that rivalled Obama's. Polls showed that she appealed to many middle class soccer moms. Whether she is a long term player or a flash in the pan is yet to be determined.
The Philadelphia Phillies: They won their first championship since 1980 and second title overall.
and the winner is....
Barack Obama
#82 Carlos Santana
82. Carlos Santana
Santana blends Rock with Blues, Jazz, Salsa and Latin beats to create a completely unique sound. Santana offers something for every listener. Carlos Santana and Band broke onto the scene in the late 1960s with “Black Magic Woman” and performed at Woodstock. During the 1970s, he embarked on a spiritual journey and remained popular. By the 80s, he was more radio friendly with songs such as “Winning.” In the late 90s, he reemerged with “Smooth.” Santana is a major influence on artists ranging from Prince to Metallica.
Rock n Roll Moment: Santana performed a 7 song set at Woodstock.
Essential Santana: Santana (1969), Abraxas (1970), Supernatural (1999)
Santana’s Top 10:
Black Magic Woman
Smooth (with Rob Thomas)
Evil Ways
Hold On
Jingo
Soul Sacrifice
Mirage
Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)
Winning
Guajira
Santana blends Rock with Blues, Jazz, Salsa and Latin beats to create a completely unique sound. Santana offers something for every listener. Carlos Santana and Band broke onto the scene in the late 1960s with “Black Magic Woman” and performed at Woodstock. During the 1970s, he embarked on a spiritual journey and remained popular. By the 80s, he was more radio friendly with songs such as “Winning.” In the late 90s, he reemerged with “Smooth.” Santana is a major influence on artists ranging from Prince to Metallica.
Rock n Roll Moment: Santana performed a 7 song set at Woodstock.
Essential Santana: Santana (1969), Abraxas (1970), Supernatural (1999)
Santana’s Top 10:
Black Magic Woman
Smooth (with Rob Thomas)
Evil Ways
Hold On
Jingo
Soul Sacrifice
Mirage
Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)
Winning
Guajira
Saturday, November 22, 2008
#83 ZZ Top
83. ZZ Top
ZZ Top has been together 40 years without a personnel change. Their sound is based on the blues with a Texas twist. If there is a “roots” rock band, it is ZZ Top. Lyrically, their songs are a fusion of humor and sex. They peaked in the mid-80s with the “Eliminator” album. The “Eliminator” videos featured hot women and an even hotter red 1933 Ford. ZZ Top is in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and are currently working on a new album with Johnny Cash producer Rick Rubin.
Rock n Roll Moment: The song “La Grange” is about the same whorehouse depicted in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
Essential ZZ Top: Tres Hombres (1973), Eliminator (1983), Greatest Hits (1992)
ZZ Top’s top 10:
Legs
Gimme All Your Lovin’
La Grange
Pearl Necklace
Sharp Dressed Man
Sleeping Bag
Velcro Fly
Tush
Cheap Sunglasses
TV Dinners
ZZ Top has been together 40 years without a personnel change. Their sound is based on the blues with a Texas twist. If there is a “roots” rock band, it is ZZ Top. Lyrically, their songs are a fusion of humor and sex. They peaked in the mid-80s with the “Eliminator” album. The “Eliminator” videos featured hot women and an even hotter red 1933 Ford. ZZ Top is in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and are currently working on a new album with Johnny Cash producer Rick Rubin.
Rock n Roll Moment: The song “La Grange” is about the same whorehouse depicted in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
Essential ZZ Top: Tres Hombres (1973), Eliminator (1983), Greatest Hits (1992)
ZZ Top’s top 10:
Legs
Gimme All Your Lovin’
La Grange
Pearl Necklace
Sharp Dressed Man
Sleeping Bag
Velcro Fly
Tush
Cheap Sunglasses
TV Dinners
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Quotes of the Year
Here are the best quotes for 2008....not in any order...
"I'm warning you with peace and love, I have too much to do. So no more fan mail." -Ringo Starr
"I go three, maybe four times a year to get tested for sexually transmitted infections and most of the time I don't even need to." -- Kelly Osborne.
“If they knew the plane was faulty, why did they let it fly?" -- A relative of one of the 153 passengers killed in the Spanair crash at Madrid airport.
"I read the script and it's not bad. The message is I'm a dangerous lunatic, and that I'm possessed by monkeys." -- Singer Iggy Pop on a movie based on his life.
"What is the difference between God and Bono? God doesn't wander down Grafton Street thinking he's Bono." -- Louis Walsh.
"If the human race is to continue for another million years, we will have to boldly go where no on has gone before." -- Stephen Hawking
"I saw this crocodile and thought I'd tease it a bit with a small bit of bait, just to get it in quite close to me for the picture. I was playing around, pointing at it, laughing - when it suddenly jumped at me. I didn't realize crocs were so aggressive" -a tourist in Australia that pissed off a croc
"It's not allowed for a woman to sit with a strange man and talk and drink coffee together." -- Saudi Arabia
"Sorry for being topless." -- Carla Bruni of France greeting a British journalist
"Wall Street got drunk." -President Bush
"I'm warning you with peace and love, I have too much to do. So no more fan mail." -Ringo Starr
"I go three, maybe four times a year to get tested for sexually transmitted infections and most of the time I don't even need to." -- Kelly Osborne.
“If they knew the plane was faulty, why did they let it fly?" -- A relative of one of the 153 passengers killed in the Spanair crash at Madrid airport.
"I read the script and it's not bad. The message is I'm a dangerous lunatic, and that I'm possessed by monkeys." -- Singer Iggy Pop on a movie based on his life.
"What is the difference between God and Bono? God doesn't wander down Grafton Street thinking he's Bono." -- Louis Walsh.
"If the human race is to continue for another million years, we will have to boldly go where no on has gone before." -- Stephen Hawking
"I saw this crocodile and thought I'd tease it a bit with a small bit of bait, just to get it in quite close to me for the picture. I was playing around, pointing at it, laughing - when it suddenly jumped at me. I didn't realize crocs were so aggressive" -a tourist in Australia that pissed off a croc
"It's not allowed for a woman to sit with a strange man and talk and drink coffee together." -- Saudi Arabia
"Sorry for being topless." -- Carla Bruni of France greeting a British journalist
"Wall Street got drunk." -President Bush
#84: The Mamas and The Papas
84. The Mamas and The Papas
John Phillips and Denny Doherty formed a folk rock group with John’s runaway wife, Michelle. Mama Cass Elliot joined them a little later afterwards. The band had run out of money, but Michelle managed to gamble enough to get them to New York. In New York, they became The Mamas and The Papas. In late 1965, they hit the big time with “California Dreamin’.” The song is still very popular to this day. The band began to fade in 1967, but experienced their crowning achievement when they organized the Monterey Pop Music Festival. By the time they took the stage at Monterey, they were already passed their prime.
Rock n Roll Moment: They organized the first major rock festival. The Monterey International Pop Music Festival ran for three days in June of 1967 and helped break Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and The Who. It also influenced a young Sammy Hagar to go into rock n roll.
Essential Mamas and Papas: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966)
The Mamas and the Papas Top 10:
California Dreamin’
Monday Monday
Dedicated to the One I Love
Creeque Alley
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Twelve Thirty
I Saw Her Again
Words of Love
Glad to Be Unhappy
Go Where You Wanna Go
John Phillips and Denny Doherty formed a folk rock group with John’s runaway wife, Michelle. Mama Cass Elliot joined them a little later afterwards. The band had run out of money, but Michelle managed to gamble enough to get them to New York. In New York, they became The Mamas and The Papas. In late 1965, they hit the big time with “California Dreamin’.” The song is still very popular to this day. The band began to fade in 1967, but experienced their crowning achievement when they organized the Monterey Pop Music Festival. By the time they took the stage at Monterey, they were already passed their prime.
Rock n Roll Moment: They organized the first major rock festival. The Monterey International Pop Music Festival ran for three days in June of 1967 and helped break Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and The Who. It also influenced a young Sammy Hagar to go into rock n roll.
Essential Mamas and Papas: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966)
The Mamas and the Papas Top 10:
California Dreamin’
Monday Monday
Dedicated to the One I Love
Creeque Alley
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Twelve Thirty
I Saw Her Again
Words of Love
Glad to Be Unhappy
Go Where You Wanna Go
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