R.I.P Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant and his 13 year old daughter and others passed away in a tragic helicopter crash yesterday. Today the Basketball Hall of Fame said he was joining them this year. I thought I would pay tribute to him on my blog.

According to ESPN Kobe Bryant is the fourth highest scoring player in NBA history with 33643 which ranks him ahead of Michael Jordan and below Lebron James.

Kobe was an 18 time All-Star. He was the MVP in four of those games.

He won five championships, was the Finals MVP twice, and the leagues MVP once.

Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in one game...

Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players in history. Outside of the game he wrote a book, was active in the music business. He died to soon at the age of 41. The loss of his daughter is perhaps a bigger tragedy as she was just 13 and had her whole life ahead of her. The story is the same for the others in the helicopter.

Battle of the Bands Results:: The Smoke Has Cleared

Here is a fun cover to start this post. The current guitarist  for Deep Purple Steve Morse and the guitar player from Mr. Big  jamming on Led Zeppelin's "Back Dog."

Paul's band Mr. Big received three votes in my last Battle of the Bands. The winner was the band I dubbed "The Rock and Roll All Stars" who garnered 5 votes.

The All Stars included Paul Rodgers, Bryan Adams, David Gilmour, Brian May, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, RUSH and more.

After  tie we have a winner and we will move to something different in February!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Tenative in Relationships

Today's theme is tentative in relationships, personal, spiritual. I guess I'll play. The Lord, Still Standing, Start all over again, or just need my guitar.


                                            Blind Faith "Presence of the Lord"

Elton John "I'm Still Standing"

Desert Rose Band "Start All Over Again"

Jimmy Buffett "Tonight I Just Need My Guitar"

Battle of the Bands: Overtime More Smoke

My last Battle of the Bands ended as a tie. I thought I would try and fine two more covers of the iconic "Smoke on the Water."

The original if you needed a reminder..

The two below are the contenders. I ask you leave a comment telling me which one you liked the best. The winner is the one with the most votes.

Contender One: Mr. Big

Contender Two: Rock All Stars

Who will win? The 80s/90s rock band Mr. Big or the band I am dubbing the Rock All Stars. You all decide. I look forward to your votes.

R.I.P Neil Peart

Opening up my tribute post with Neil Peart doing what he was known for, which was drumming.  This solo was from an appearance on the David Letterman Show in 2011.

In case you hadn't heard the news Neil Peart passed away from brain cancer at the age of 67. Neil was the drummer for Rush.

Rush "Tom Sawyer"

"Fly By Night"

Neil Peart is regarded as being one of the top drummers in rock history.  He is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, named to Modern Drummer magazine Hall of Fame in 1983. In that magazine he has been named Best Rock Drummer 9 times. In Drum! magazine he was named drummer of the year 2007 through 2010. He will be missed by his family, bandmates, and fans.

Battle of the Bands Results: First tie, First shutout

The first Battle of the Bands is in the book for 2020. The first artist to be shut out is Nadja Kossinskaja. She is better known as a classical guitarist and this was more of  an experiment, getting out of her comfort zone.


                                                           "Oblivian"

Ironic that both Ritchie Blackmore and Steve Morse have gone toward classical directions at some point in their careers. The original got a vote. One for Deep Purple, maybe I should have pitted Ritchie versus Steve.

The toss up was betweeen a Reggae Led Zeppelin cover band Dread Zeppelin and the heavy rock of Metallica. 

"Good Times Bad Times"

"One"

A well known song and quite a bite of variety. Putting on my thinking cap fpr the next battle on the 15th.

Monday's Music Moves Me: New Begginings

New Beginnings is the theme for today's Monday's Music Moves Me. Guess it is a good time to start again in Monday's Music Moves Me...

The Desert Rose Band "Start All Over Again"

Whitesnake "Here I Go Again"

Steve Miller Band "Fly Like An Eagle"

One Republic "Start Again"

 

Tracy Chapman "New Beginning"

Battle of the Bands: Smoke on the Water

Sorry for posting my Battle of the Bands a little late in the day. I decided to ring in the New Year's in New Orleans and took the scenic slow ride back home along the Gulf of Mexico. It was a good way to say good bye to a rather unkind 2019 and welcome in the roaring 20s.

Most music lovers know the iconic riff of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" and most guitar shops ban you from playing it. We don't ban songs or riffs here!

We know the song now we need the competitors.

Starting off going heavy with Metallica

Contender Two:Nadja Kossinskaja

Contender Three: Dread Zeppelin

Let's go with three choices. Metallica, a classical guitarist crossover with Nadja Kossinskaja , and a reggae cover band Dread Zeppelin.

Vote for who you like in the comments. I will count them up. Now let me play that riff!