Wastin’ Away Again
The late Jimmy Buffett was born on this date in 1946. Only in America could a person earn a billion dollars with one word. Jimmy would never have gotten past being an opening act if he had called the song “Bloody Maryville.” (He used to just bring his guitar and play for free in front […]
Paul Rodgers
Paul Rodgers turns 75 today. It is hard to overstate how much Paul’s voice and Bad Company’s sound connected with partying, hormone-heavy, long-haired teenage boys in the mid-70s. It was like our feelings were wrapped in slightly less-than-heavy music and coupled with what we were thinking flowing from one of the best-ever, soulful rock voices. […]
Alien, AI and ELP
Brain Salad Surgery was released on this date 51 years ago. Before Brain Salad Surgery, I hadn’t been a big fan of ELP. Of course like everyone, I loved Lucky Man and From the Beginning. Still do. But the rest sounded like a band trying too hard to be grandiose. Brain Salad Surgery though […]
Paul on the Run
51 years ago today my favorite Beatles solo album was released. Best Beatles solo album? Certainly George’s All Things Must Pass and John’s Imagine could qualify. But my favorite, the one that most approximates the genius and joy of The Beatles for me, is still Paul’s Band on the Run. It opens with the title […]
Sax, Drugs, and Rock and Roll
Bobby Keys passed ten years ago today at the age of 70. Every fan of rock and roll knows Bobby’s work. And only Bobby could keep up with Keith during the height of the Stones most wasted years. The killer sax on Brown Sugar: Bobby. The wailing sax on Can’t You Hear Me Knocking: Bobby. […]
BEING THANKFUL
There are so many albums and musicians for us to be thankful for. One of the albums I am thankful for has had heavy rotation on my turntable since I first heard it over 50 years ago. Fragile was released 53 years ago today. Prog rock has its seminal albums by luminaries such as Genesis, […]
NATIONAL SLIDE DAY
Today should be designated “Slide Guitarist Day.” The greatest slide guitarist of all time, Duane Allman, was born on this date in 1946. There have never been tastier slide solos and fills than Duane’s on Statesboro Blues, One Way Out, You Don’t Love Me, and Layla. Man among boys until his untimely death. One year […]
Rebirths
Probably the most important date in the history of The Rolling Stones, other than the date Keith saw Mick at the train station in 1961, was on this date 56 years ago. On May 24, 1968, the Stones released Jumping Jack Flash. To say that the Stones were in a bad way at the time is like saying Mick Jagger is a bit famous.
Andy Johns
Today is the birthdate of the great Andy Johns. Andy was the engineer on many, many albums that we loved over the years including Zeppelin II, III, IV, Houses of the Holy, and Graffiti as well as the Stones Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends On Tour with Eric […]
Rick Wakeman
Today one of my two favorite keyboardists turns 75. Yes, I’m referring to Rick Wakeman. He also might have been the luckiest keyboardist in rock history. How lucky was he? Wakeman’s first booking as a session musician, and his first time in a recording studio, occurred after guitarist Chas Cronk entered the music shop where […]
