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 […]
Robert F’ing Plant
Today, Robert Plant turns 76. I had the great fortune of meeting Mr. Plant once at the Gatwick Airport Hotel. He was a true gentleman in every respect. There is not a single entertainer who experienced more joy and more sorrow during the 1970s. Think about it: Jimmy and Robert had no peers in the […]
THE BIRTH OF HEAVY METAL
On this date, an event occurred which has had a profound effect on my life. And likely on yours, too. See, on August 12, 1968, Jimmy first jammed with Robert, John Paul and Bonzo in a tiny basement room in London. The song was Train Kept ‘A Rollin’ (which Page had played both in its […]
Ahmet
Ahmet Ertegun was born on this date 101 years ago today. He, along with folks like Berry Gordy, Clive Davis, Jerry Wexler, David Geffen, and the Chess brothers, were instrumental in the release of mountains of music we know and love. As co-founder and president of Atlantic Records, Ahmet personally helped launch the careers of […]
Dylan and Zeppelin
This date marked the beginning of one legend’s rise and the end of another’s. On July 24, 1965, for the first time one of Bob Dylan’s performances charted in the U.S. It still might be the best song he ever wrote, Like a Rolling Stone. Other artists, notably Peter, Paul and Mary, had previously charted […]
Best Drummer and Best Acoustic Guitarist Share Same Birthday
The man I consider the best drummer and the man I consider the best acoustic guitar player ever were both born yesterday. First, the drummer. John freakin’ Bonham would have been 76 today if he hadn’t drank 40 shots of vodka on October 26, 1980. John did everything with ferocious excess including beating the life […]
