R.I.P Gary Rossington

 The last survivor of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd Gary Rossington has passed away.

                                            "Last of the Street Survivors"

The Rossington Band "Take it on Faith"

Rossington Collins Band "One Good Man"

Lynyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man"

A Southern Rock legend, a link to an era and one of the greatest bands to ever come out of Jacksonville, Florida has passed away. His legacy will live on in tribute bands, current country and rock bands. He will be missed by his family, friends and fans,

Battle of the Bands: Simple Man

My Battle of the Bands this go around features Lynyrd Skynyrd and their song "Simple Man."  

 

My contenders feature a Metal Band versus a Rock Band.  One version is a popular cover the other less commercial. A battle with a few contrasts. 

Deftones "Simple Man"

Shinedown "Simple Man"

The normal rules apply. In the comments you tell me which cover you like the best. You can expand and tell me and my readers why if you like. I sometimes quote voters or find inspiration for future Battles from the comments. However the main purpose is to decide a winner. After I count up the votes in a week or so I announce the winner in a future post. A pretty simple process.

I hope you enjoy the Battle and I will be back soon!

R.I.P Steve Holland

"Flirtin' with Disaster" is probably my favorite Molly Hatchet song.  Probably a good place to start as I write a tribute for the last original member of the band who passed away this week, guitarist Steve Holland. Steve had left the group in 1984. In 1999 Holland played  benefit concert for ailing original vocalist Danny Joe Brown, former Hatchet members Bruce Crump, Banner Thomas, and Dave Hlubek. They performed the benefit under the name The Dixie Jam Band.

Here they perform "Flirtin' with Disaster" there is1 to 2 minutes of talk before they perform the song...

In the years he left Molly Hatchet Steve played in a group called "Gator Country" comprised of Hatchet alumni.  

Here is that group covering Bad Company's "Oh, Atlanta"

Here is the original Molly Hatchet performing the song "Gator Country"

Maybe a different flavor "Fall of the Peacemakers"

Sad that the original band has all passed away. Being raised in "Gator Country," to heckling (it was in good fun) a guitarist who's band singer would eventually front Molly Hatchet I would have to say the band has a place on my musical shelve and it is nice to play the songs from time to time. I guess Rock and Roll Heaven needed to complete the band for some Southern Rock and Roll!

R.I.P Phil McCormak

My memories of Phil McCormack go back past the last 24 years where he has been the lead singer for the iconic Southern Rock band Molly Hatchett. I remember him from fronting perhaps the best Southern Rock group in the Washington D.C. area "The Roadducks."


Here he is with The Roadducks "Laughing Eyes"...  

The video was probably a good five years before I would see the band. I heckled the guitarist in the band at one of his solo gigs and the band owned a club where I would see a bunch of bands through the years.

"Sad Situation"

Phil passed away last week. It wouldn't be right not to pay tribute without some Molly Hatchet tunes as well.

here is an original from his time in the band "Son of the South"

Guess he was "Flirtin' with Disaster"

May he rest in peace!

Blogging from A to Z 2018: L is for Lynyrd Skynyrd

A lot of classic Rock bands are throwing in the towel.  Lynyrd Skynyrd  is one of them. The band down to one original member but the band has been going strong with a revolving cast of characters. Well today's letter is L so why not celebrate from Skynyrd...

                                                       "Gimme Back My Bullets"

Perhaps my favorite song by them "Simple Man"

Sometimes you need to ask someone to "Gimme Three Steps"

                                             and the anthems "Freebird"...

                                                             and "Sweet Home Alabama"

                                           


                                                      

Battle of the Bands Results: An Outlaw Won

Another close battle on my Battle of the Bands battle but not a tie.



Willie Nelson versus Waylon Jennings in a tribute to Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. Jam Bands, Southern Rock and Outlaw Country combining for this battle. Yes, I have a musical blender I throw song titles in and boom I my battle is created.

The Battle was streaky but Waylon Jennings prevailed 5 to 3.

We celebrate winners so hold on for some music!

Some people say that about me, but continuing on..

It is all about "Honkey Tonk Heroes"

and a shout out to Texas..

Stay tuned for a new Battle on July 1.

Battle of the Bands: Brothers, Outlaws and Riders

On my last Battle of the Bands I paid tribute to Chris Cornell. This time I am paying tribute to Gregg Allman. The song I selected has been used to pay tribute to Gregg from a ton of artists. Jimmy Buffett played a bit of the song as a tribute when I saw him earlier this month. It isn't the song I wanted to use, but I do like the match up I came up with.

Oh the song is:  "Midnight Rider"

How it works: I post two versions of the songs. You listen to the songs and let me know which one you thought was the best in the comments. I count up the votes and announce a winner at a later date.

If you enjoyed this battles check out my friends who are participating. The best list is at this blog.

Contestant One: Willie Nelson

Contestant Two: Waylon Jennings

Waylon or Willie? Which cover do you like best? A tribute Battle featuring Brothers, Outlaws and Riders. I hope you enjoy and I will see you soon!

R.I.P Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman a legend of Southern Rock, songwriter, co-founder, organist, singer for the Allman Brothers passed away yesterday. I was able to see the Allman Brothers a couple of times when I went to the Wannee Festival in 2011. I am a fan and have covered many musicians with a closs connection to Gregg Allman. Like many I am saddened by this news.


Perhaps my favorite Gregg Allman solo tune..."I'm No Angel"

Here is an encore for one of the shows I saw the Allman Brothers at..

"No One to Run With" is one of my favorites from the 90s...

There are many classics like "Midnight Rider"

Gregg Allman "Come and Go Blues"

What are your favorite Gregg Allman songs? Favorite Allman Brothers songs? Any memories? Feel free to share in the comments.

Happy Birthday Tom Petty

Today Tom Petty celebrates his 65th birthday. I celebrated his birthday last year with a song filled post which you can revisit here. I will do much the same on this post but with different songs.

"So lets get to the point" and start off with "You Don't Know How it Feels"

As an added twist I thought I would share some music featuring Tom Petty in other bands besides being solo and with the Heartbreakers. Starting with his band Mudcrutch.

Here is Mudcrutch with "The Wrong Thing to Do"..

A fun group he was in was The Traveling Wilburys.."End of the Line"

I'll end with "Don't Come Around Here No More"

Of course you are welcome to come around here as much as you like! Feel free to share any musical memories you would like about Tom Petty in the comments. I will have a new post soon! Thanks for visiting.

Battle of the Bands Number Ten: Chuck Berry's Run Rudolph Run

Welcome to my Battle of the Bands number 10! This month I will be trying to keep it with a Holiday theme for the entire month.

Listen to the song clips in the blog post. In the comment section vote for the one you like the best. Feel free to explain why you voted the way you did. The battles take place on the first and 15th and winners will be announced on the 7th and 21st. I will normally post the winner in the comments. Of course have fun and enjoy!

If you are still looking for more musical fun after you vote, you can check out these sites for more battles:

Far Away Series

Your Daily Dose

DiscConnected

Tossing It Out

STMcC Presents "Battle of the Bands"

A Writer's Life in Progress

Curious as a Cathy

The Creative Outlet of StratPlayer

The Sound of One Hand Typing

Alex J. Cavanaugh

Chuck Berry- Original Artist Not in Battle

Yes, I went to a pioneering artist to pull a song for this competition. Back to the early days of rock and roll. The song written by 

First Challenger Keith Richards

Well Keith Richards wasn't to far behind Chuck Berry and here is his take on the Holiday Rock Classic...

Second Challenger Lynyrd Skynyrd

Keeping it in the classic rock, guitar genre here is Lynyrd Skynyrd's take..

Enjoy the battle. This time I have two studio versions against each other. Vote in the comments and enjoy! Hope it helps to get you in the Holiday spirit. Not into the Holidays well I hope you enjoy the retro-rocking old school sounds!

Edit: Found out from Curious as a Cathy there is a music bloghop on Mondays and I am game!

Here are the details from Cathy's site:

Okay, on behalf of the lovely Dancing Queen, Marie @XmasDolly, and her Solid Gold dancers ~ Callie @JAmericanSpice, Stacy @Stacy Uncorked, Becca @Everyday Life, & myself thank you for joining us for another week of Monday’s Music Moves Me.

Now, it’s time for you to ask us to step out on the dance floor with you. By linking your musical post (all non-music link ups are labeled or removed) URL (not your main blog address) below you are inviting the 4M crew to boogie down to your tunes.

Enjoy! 

Happy Birthday to the late Toy Caldwell

It is a great week to celebrate Toy Caldwell's birthday since earlier in the week it was Veteran's Day. Usually I write a blog post about the holiday. This year I missed it due to life. The Veteran's Day Post I like the best is this one.

What does celebrating Toy Caldwell's birthday and Veteran's Day have to do with each other? Toy Caldwell was a veteran. He enlisted in the Marines and served in Vietnam where he was injured. He returned to service after his injury and served from 1966 to 1969.

Music is what Toy Caldwell is mostly known for and in our tribute to Toy we will post a few songs.
One of his best known songs is "Can't You See" which he did when he was in The Marshall Tucker Band. The song features Toy on vocals this version comes from 1973...

Here he performs "Midnight Promises" which features some session work from Greg Allman...

Here Toy performs "I Hear the South Calling My Name"

Hope you enjoyed the story and the music! Thanks for visiting!

The Allman Brothers End of Era

Well tonight was the last show by The Allman Brothers Band. I shared the news during the A to Z Challenge in this post. Also the post has more music!

How do you celebrate an ending? By looking back and celebrating what is now a legacy.

The band had "Dreams"even back in 1969..

Now the band is going "Into the Mystic" covering Van Morrison on one of their final shows 10/25/2014...

Even now it is hard to find a band that has a better guitar attack than Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. Below is "Blue Sky" performed in Germany in 1991.

I am hoping I am finding different songs to say farewell.

"Trouble No More" might fit..

Thanks for the music, memory, and we will see what tomorrow brings after all you were born "A Ramblin' Man"

Thanks I hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday Tom Petty!

Today is Tom Petty's 64th birthday! His Damn the Torpedoes release was the album that hooked me.

"Refugee"

"Southern Accent"

A newer song, but one of my favorites..

He keeps "Running Down A Dream"

Thanks for visiting come back soon! 

A to Z Challenge: Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd played Wanee this weekend. I caught them a couple weeks ago at a small festival in Pensacola called the Beaulah Festival. Samed like a good place to catch them six hours from their hometime of Jacksonville and just five miles or so from "Sweet Home Alabama."

.

There is a small promo for the fest. Here the band performs at Wanee..

 

Sure guitarist Gary Rossington is the only pre-crash original left in the band. However, the band carries out the spirit of the original band full of that guitar heavy, southern rock that sure does sound good around here.

The last time I saw the band was in Pittsburgh here is "Simple Man" from that show...

Starting your Monday with some southern fried rock and continuing on with the A to Z: Challenge.
Stay tuned as I will think of something to blog about for M.

R.I.P. Dan Toler

Dan Toler was a great Southern Rock guitarists. In the late 70s he was the guitarist for Dickey Betts and Great Southern before he joined the Allman Brothers Band from 1979-1982. He was the guitarist for Gregg Allman during the 80's and is featured on the album "I'm No Angel," the title track is a song I like a lot. He was also on "Just Before the Bullets Fly." In the 2000's he worked with a few all-star jams. 

Unfortunately for us, he has left this world to  jam in Rock and Roll heaven. He passed away on February 25 losing hius battle to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He will be missed by his family and fans.

Thanks for his publicist, Mark Pucci, for sending me info used in this post. LEt me find some jams to celebrate his musical legacy.

Here Dan and friends perform "I'm No Angel"...

"One Way Out" with Dickey Betts...

Here he performs "Messin' with the Kid"

R.I.P Dan Toler