R.I.P Jerry Jeff Walker

 Jerry Jeff Walker a songwriter, Country Music performer, and an artist who has appeared on my Battle of Bands posts a few times has passed away. 

Most recently I used his song "Trashy Woman" and he lost a battle with Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett on a Guy Clark cover. 

He is best known for writing this classic tune..."Mr. Bojangles"

Some of us are just "Gettin' By

Here he performs a song he wrote with Jimmy Buffett "Railroad Lady" 

He left behind a bunch of songs, I'm sure there are plenty of stories out there too. He will be missed by his fans, fellow musicians, family and friends.

Battle of the Bands Results: Once Bitten Twice Shy

 The Rocktober Battle was close decided by one vote. Shuan Cassidy won this one 4 to 3 over Great White. We celebrate his win,,

                                            Perfect for Rocktober "That's Rock and Roll"

"The Doo Ron Ron"

My next Battle will be November 1, hope to see you there!

R.I.P Spencer Davis

 The Spencer Davis Group performing "Gimme Some Lovin'" circa 1967..

The name sake of the band, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist Spencer Davis has passed away. He was 81.

"Keep on Running"

Steve Winwood would go from the Spencer Davis Group to Traffic. However in the 60s and Early 70s they created some magic!

"I'm a Man"

He will be missed by family, friends and fans but his music will live on.

Battle of the Bands: Once Bitten Twice Shy

It is time for the second Battle of the Bands for Rocktober. Today's song is the classic "Once Bitten Twice Shy." I didn't know it was a cover. Here is the original for your listening pleasure.

                                             Ian Hunter "Once Bitten Twice Shy"

Here is how it works. I select two covers. You tell me which one you like the best in the comments. I count up the votes and announce a winner in about a week.

Contender One: Great White

Contender Two: Shaun Cassidy

Let me know which one you like best! I hope you enjoyed this battle. I will be back soon!

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers

 In a year where sports have taken a back seat to the world the Los Angeles Lakers have won the 2020 NBA Championship 4 games to 2 over the Miami Heat.

Here are the final moments of game six...

The MVP was Lebron James...

It adds to the debate where Lebron ranks all time. Is he the best? Is he better than Jordan? The Lakers add their 17th Championship. Is this their best team? They certainly give us some topics to discuss. Congratulations to the Lakers I hope they enjoy!

R.I.P Joe Morgan

 Baseball great Joe Morgan has passed away. Many considered Joe Morgan one of the best second baseman to ever play baseball. Joe enjoyed a Hall of Fame career and was a big part of the Big Red Machine of the 70s. The argument for Joe to be considered one of the best second baseman could start with being named a 10-time All Star. His five Gold Glove awards help.       

He was on two World Series winning teams. He was the National League MVP in both Championship seasons.  His number has been retired by the  Cincinnati Reds. He was elected  the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

A look back at his career and life from the MLB Network...

                                             

                                            Higlights from the 1976 World Series...
             

Joe Morgan was a great one who will be missed by his fans, friends and family.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  . 

Monday's Music Moves Me: Roctober 80s Edition

Roctober edition. Today is Monday October 12, 2020.  It is time for Monday's Music Moves Me! Today's theme is pick a decade and celebrate Rocktober. I am picking the 80's so crank up your Walkmans and Boomboxes it is time to rock!

I am Mike and I will be counting down the top Rock songs from 1980-1989, my source playback.fm.

                                            1980 "Keep on Loving You" REO Speedwagon

1981 "Start Me Up" The Rolling Stones

1982 and 1983 The Police "Every Breathe You Take"

1984 Foreigner "I  Want to Know What Love Is"

1985 Dire Straits "Money For Nothing"

1986 Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer"

1987 U2 "With or Without You"

1988 R.E.M "Orange Crush"

1989 Alannah Myles "Black Velvet"

 

Did any of these surprise you? Well I will see you soon with a new post!

R.I.P Whitey Ford

 Whitey Ford died at the age of 91 watching a playoff baseball game. I imagine watching a game that made you a Hall of Famer, a legend is an appropriate way to pass on. 

The Yankee legend won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1950. The following two years he served his country in the Korean War. Serving in the Army would be enough to get him some respect.

He came back and was a 10 time All star and was on six World Championship Teams. He also won a Cy Young.

A clip of him pitching..

The New York Yankees pitcher is in Baseball's Hall of Fame and his jersey retired by the Yankees. Nearly 2000 strikeouts and 236 wins highlighted his career.

He will be missed!

Battle of the Bands Results: No More Mister Nice Guy

 It's Rocktober and Pat Boone beats Megadeath in covering Alice Cooper? It was close 3 to 2, or 4 to 2 if we count the guest vote. Stay tuned as Barry Manilow takes over Rocktober next with his thrashing cover of Metallica. The Stray Cat in Heat Orchestra does add so much to his version.

In the meantime we celebrate the winner...

"Love Letters in the Sand"

"Speedy Gonzalez"

"Enter Sandman" it wasn't all sarcasm when I mentioned Metallica

Well thanks for playing, I will have another Battle on the 15th. More than likely I will post something on here between now and then. Stay tuned!

R.I.P Johnny Nash

 

Starting the post with "Hold Me Tight" the singer Johnny Nash has passed away at the age of 80.

Johnny was best known for a particular song but he was far from a one hit wonder.

"You Got Soul"

Sharing more than the obvious is probably the best way to show tribute to this singer.

"Tears on My Pillow"

I'll wrap up with his claim for fame...

"I Can See Clearly Now"

The world lost a talented singer and he will be missed!

R.I.P Eddie Van Halen

 My introduction to Van Halen was this song "Jump" which came put when I was in seventh grade...

In high school our wrestling team would come out to "Running with the Devil"

When Sammy Hagar joined it was a big deal..."Best of Both Worlds"

Then there was the Van Halen that didn't go far..."Without You"

He was the guitar hero of my generation..

Here he is with Michael Jackson...

He was a legend on the guitar and will be missed!

"Ain't Talkin' Abut Love"

What is your favorite Van Halen sing? Any special memories? Favorite songs? Please feel free to share.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Number One Hits for the first week of Rocktober

 It's Rocktober, it's time for Monday's Music Moves Me, and the theme is a freebie. I thought I would time travel and see if I can find some Rock songs topping the Billboard charts for the first week in October. Get your retro dance outfit and let's start this Rock and Roll sock hop.

The week ending October 2, 1965..."Hang on Sloopy" by The McCoys

On Today's Date 1968 The Beatles "Hey Jude" topped the charts..

On October 2, 1971 Rod Stewart topped the Chart with "Maggie May"

October 4, 1975 David Bowie "Fame" was on top..

October 2, 1976 time to "Play That Funky Music" Wild Cherry

Queen ruled on October 4, 1980 with "Another One Bites the Dust"

On October 2, 1982 John Cougar (Melloncamp) with "Jack and Diane"

On October 6, 1984 Prince and the Revolution ruled with "Let's Go Crazy"

On this date in 1985 it was Dire Straits "Money for Nothing"

Hope you enjoyed and I will see you soon!

R.I.P Mac Davis

 Mac Davis wrote some hits for the King, Elvis Presley.  One of them was this one...

He created some hits of his own like "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me"

It was hard for him to be humble..

He had a television show, he was in a Broadway show, all in all he had a successful career. May he rest in peace.

R.I.P Bob Gibson

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson has passed away. He was on two World Series winning teams and was named the MVP in both series! He was a National League MVP and two time Cy Young winner. He was a 9 time All Star who struck out over 3000 batters in his career.

Below is his induction to the Hall of Fame...  

He pitched a no hitter and won 251 games.  Below are some highlights...

Baseball lost another great!

 

Battle of the Bands: No More Mr Nice Guy in Rocktober

 Welcome to my nightmare, I mean Welcome to Rocktober!  It's 2020 been a crazy year. However it is that time to rock. Alice Cooper I am sure is working on a new song called "School's Out for Covid." But we are all fed up and today's song is "No More Mr. Nice Guy"

Here's Alice....

Contender One: Pat Boone

I try to give you something different and unexpected from time to time. From his Metal Album..

Contender Two: Megadeth

I think this was from their easy listening album...

Has the real world made your Roctober less rocking? Well I will try to share some here!

Anyway most of you know the routine. Which do you like best Pat Boone or Megadeth?

In a week or so I will count the votes and write a post about the winner.

Enjoy, have fun and come back!