MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Today Aaron Burckhard turns 61. You’ve never heard of him, right? Here’s why: He is the modern era Pete Best. Just as Pete was the first drummer for the Quarrymen (what a great name for a rock band), the band that became, by far, the biggest, wealthiest, most influential group in the ‘60, poor Aaron […]
NEIL
Today a musician who has continued making relevant music longer than any other from the 1960s, Neil Young, is turning 79. I have read many reviews and bios on Neil and not one of them truly gets why he has remained so popular among every generation. The hippies loved him, the folk crowd loved him, […]
CREAM
Today, we’ll be celebrating the groundbreaking Disraeli Gears released fifty-seven years ago on November 2. Disraeli Gears, Cream’s sophomore album, was miles ahead of their debut. Disraeli Gears was an essential ingredient, along with music of The Beatles, Airplane, Jimi, Floyd, and The Doors, of the Summer of Love. It is almost incomprehensible how much […]
Rhapsody in Bohemian
On this date in 1975, one of the unlikeliest of hit songs was released. It was a song without a chorus. It had an entire operatic section, a genre of music as far removed from pop or rock audiences as one could find. The title of the song didn’t appear in any of the lyrics. […]
DYLAN
Today in history marked the birth of a career at the forefront of creating the musical tapestry which is the soundtrack to our lives. On October 26, 1961, Bob Dylan signed his recording contract with Columbia Records, a relationship that would span five decades and produce numerous anthems for the Baby Boomer generation (not to […]
Ted Templeman
One of the greatest producers of music to ever grace our planet turns 80 today. Ted Templeman is a name that, if you don’t know it, you should. Every classic Doobie Brothers song, China Grove, Long Train Runnin’, Listen to the Music, Rockin’ down the Highway, Jesus Is Just Alright, Without You, Takin’ It to […]
SAMMY!
Sammy Hagar turns 77 today. Some people seem to be perpetually young and Sammy is one of them. Know why? Because he is truly appreciative of everything that has happened in his life. And what a life it’s been. Why is Sammy more appreciative than other rock singers? His family worked in the lettuce fields […]
Train Kept A-Rollin’ All Night Long!
All right, raise your hand if you recognize the name “Tiny Bradshaw.” Thought so. Myron Carlton “Tiny” Bradshaw co-wrote The Train Kept A-Rollin’ and recorded it on this date in 1951 in my hometown of Cincinnati. I would argue that this song was responsible for more great rock bands than any other in history with […]
Elton’s Peak: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
More than any other non-classical piece of work, it has everything the cinema can offer: the big dramatic opening with Funeral and Love Lies Bleeding; the passionate highs of Saturday Night and Alice; the inevitable downfall and tragedy of Danny Bailey and the title song; the longing for love of Candle in the Wind and I’ve Seen That Movie; the comedy of Social Disease; and, of course, the big, happy ending of Harmony.
Stevie, Lindsey, and Keb’
Three of my favorite guitarists have November 3rd birthdays. Let’s start with the one who, sadly, is no longer with us, the inimitable Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie almost single-handedly made the blues popular again in the 1980s. He was the only guitarist I’ve ever heard who played as if his life depended on it. And, […]
