R.I.P Charlie Watts

 

The drummer, the time keeper of the Rolling Stones Charlie Watts has passed away at the age of 80. 

It wasn't the spotlight, the flash that made Charlie a star. It was the absence of that. It was simply his talent. 

Below CBS News reports of his death...

"Miss You"

The songs will probably fade away on this post. Charlie's legacy will live on in the recordings, he will always be the beat of the Rolling Stones, Charlie will be missed by peers, bandmates, family, friends and fans may he rest in peace!

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!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Songs about Neighbors and Sons

 It's another Monday's Music Moves Me and today's theme is songs about Neighbors and Sons.  Let's go ahead and get straight to the music!

We'll start with a neat video of Mister Rogers aging as he sings "Won't you be my Neighbor"

We go from the music of your childhood to one of the World's Greatest Rock and Roll Bands, Ladies and Gentleman the Rolling Stones...

Cat Stevens "Father and Son"

"Son of a Son of a Sailor" Jimmy Buffett

Sheryl Crow "There Goes the Neighborhood"

CCR "Fortunate Son"

Dusty Springfield "Son of a Preacher Man"

Hope that got you moving! I will see you soon!

Monday's Music Moves me; songs that Start with J

It's Monday, it is time for Monday's Music Moves Me, so lets rock, dance, laugh  and enjoy as I pick some songs that fit today's theme.

Well I am gonna start things out with The Rolling Stones "Jumping Jack Flash"

I went live and vintage on that one.

John Cougar Mellencamp "Jack and Diane"

Paul McCartney and Wings "Jet"

Johnny and June Cash "Jackson"

Dolly Parton "Jolene"

Continuing with classic country Hank Williams with "Jambalaya"

 

"Johnny B Goode" may have eaten Jambalaya, give it a go Chuck Berry...

I'll wrap up with a fun one. Rick Springfield "Jessie's Girl"

Thanks for visiting! I will see you soon.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Songs about Flowers or Gardens

It's been a while but I will join the 4m blog hop today! The fun theme is songs about Flowers and/or Gardens. 

                                                 "Dead Flowers" The Rolling Stones

The Grateful Dead "Sugar Magnolia"

Scott McKenzie "San Francisco"

Tom Petty "Wildflowers"

"Octopus's Garden" The Beatles

"Wicked Garden" Stone Temple Pilots

"Every Rose Has a Thorn" Poison 

Seal "Kiss from Rose"

David Lee Roth "Yankee Rose"

A little something for everyone! Enjoy and I will be back soon!

Battle of the Bands Results: 3, 2, 1

In my last Battle of the Bands of 2019  I went with a vintage cartoon theme. Featured a vintage tune from Bo Diddley performed by a couple of vintage bands. Everything becomes vintage as time ticks away. Soon 2019 will be vintage!


                                           A bit of a cartoon for my December themes...

Bo got one, The Pretty Things got two votes, and the winner was the Rolling Stones with three.

The Rolling Stones "Baby What's Wrong"

"Roll Over Beethoven"

and for my retro mood "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday"

I will ring in the New Year with a new Battle

The Battle of the Bands: Road Runner

Beep! Beep! I am back for another Battle of the Band. Last time it was "Coyote" so this time Roadrunner.
                                            Theme music..

Bo Diddley "Roadrunner: is the song for today...

The Rolling Stones "Road Runner"

The Pretty Things " Road Runner"

A lot of Looney Tunes going on! You know the deal vote for the Stones or The Pretty Things in the comments and I will count up the votes before 2020.

Battle of the Bands Results: Mother's Little Helper

A Rolling Stones song, Eric McFadden and Liz Phair help me create a Battle of the Bands that ends with a tie. Eric had already won one of my Battle of the Bands back in November.  Liz Phair was a first time contestant. Funny thing Eric won his last battle 5 to 4 and this one was 4 to 4. He needed that last vote!

Above is her song "Why Can't I." Well you can't win because you were a vote short. But go on with your "Supernova" self...

On May 1 I will be returning with a brand new Battle of the Bands so stay tuned.

Blogging from A to Z: Mother's Little Helper and a Battle of the Bands

My Mother has reached that age where she needs a little help, and can use all the Little Helpers she can get. I'm still keeping with my theme and I am multitasking this one into a Battle of the Bands as well!

I am using the classic Rolling Stones tune "Mother's Little Helper" as the song. I am not going to post the original this time.

Contestant One: Eric McFadden

Contestant Two: Liz Phair

Tell me which version you like best in the comments. I will count up the votes and announce a winner  before The Rolling Stones reschedule their postponed tour. Yes, I have a ticket to see them in Jacksonville. The plan was to visit my Mom and see the Stones. That's life for you it changes plans. However, I will have the results probably on the 28th.

Battle of the Bands: December's Children, Tears, Covers

I know it is December and everyone is thinking the Battle of the Bands is going to be filled with Holiday music. I'm not quite ready for Holiday music. Well the Rolling Stones are going on tour and they had an album December's Children (And Everybody's). I am picking one of the singles from that album because it is December.

The song "As Tears Go By" by The Rolling Stones...

It is a short one so you will still have time for your Holiday Shopping!

                                                Contestant One: Marianne Faithfull

Contestant Two: Melanie

                                               

The contenders are both ladies. Vote in the comments on what cover you like best. I will total them up and have the results posted in a week or so. Hope it is fun and I will be back soon!

Battle of the Bands: Stones beat out Zep in Blues Battle

My last Battle of the Bands featured two of the biggest bands in Rock history the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Zeppelin's version of the song came from the prime of their career. The Stones version came from their latest release. The Stones were aided on their version by some lead guitar from Eric Clapton. In the end the old Stones beat the mighty Zeppelin 5 to 2.


Celebrating the winner! Here are some other blues by the Rolling Stones.


"Little Red Rooster"

"Love in Vain"

"Hoochie Coochie Man" with Muddy Waters..

"Midnight Rambler"

I will have a new battle on the 15th!  Thanks for visiting and stay tuned.

Battle of the Bands: I Can't Quit You, Baby!

Welcome to my Battle of the Bands battle for Rocktober 1st! I am picking a blues tune by Otis Rush who passed away over the weekend. The song was written by Willie Dixon.

In case you need a reference here is the original...

I will pit two bands against one another. You vote for which version you like best in the comments and I count the votes and announce a winner. 

The Rolling Stones

Led Zeppelin

A nice way to pay respects to an influential bluesman and kick off Rocktober in style with two of the biggest Rock and Roll Bands of all time. 

                                                                              

Monday's Music Moves Me: The Crossover Edition

This week's theme for Monday's Music Moves Me comes from Alana. "Crossover" songs done by a group/singer known primarily for one type of music, but in another type.


                                                Rock to Country

                                                 The Rolling Stones

                                                    "Far Away Eyes"
                                                 

                                                                

                                                Led Zeppelin

                                                 "Hot Dog"

                                              

                                              Rock to Reggae

                                              Eric Clapton

                                              "I Shot the Sheriff"


                                              

                                              Rock to Classical

                                            Jeff Beck (Ravel's Tunes gets Amplified)

                                           "Beck's Bolero"

                                             

                                           Jimmy Page

                                          "Chopin Prelude Number 4"

                                         

Classic Rock from yesteryear exploring musical genres such as Country, Reggae and Classical. Hope you enjoyed! Stop by again for more fun!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Songs with Colors in the Title

Finally in this New Year I am able to fit in another Monday's Music Moves Me. This week the theme is songs with colors in the title..



Music is an art and there is a lot of colors in the music.  So come and join me on this colorful journey of music..


The Rolling Stones "She's A Rainbow"..

The Psychedelic Furs "Pretty in Pink"..

Led Zeppelin "Black Dog"

UB40 "Red, Red Wine"

Bad Company "Silver, Red and Gold"

Jimi Hendrix "Purple Haze"

See the full list of participants at Xmas Dolly's blog. Also check out my Battle of the Bands post.

Thanks and have a great Monday!

Rocktober Birthday: Happy 80th Bill Wyman

Bill Wyman turns 80 years young today. He became a legend by being the bass player for The Rolling Stones. He decided to retire from the Stones in the 90s and pursue his own band and other projects.


Here is a track from his recent release called "Running Back to You"

A vintage clip from The Rolling Stones "Rocks Off" circa 1972...

MTV's clip about Bill Wyman leaving...

A one off return...

Bill and his Rhythm Kings "Melody"

Well I hope you enjoyed the celebration and I will be back soon with another post!

Happy Birthday Mick Jagger!

Being the front man for The Rolling Stones apparently keeps Mick in shape and adds to his longevity. Today, Tuesday he turns 73.

Fitting song for today..

Fitting to mix up the songs with some solo songs, Stone songs and a surprise or two I hope.

A flashback to Live Aid...

His latest news...

Of course it is still "Only Rock N Roll"

or is it a twist with Peter Tosh..

a little blues..

He's a Monkey Man

Long may he Rock!

Battle of the Bands: The Song Remains the Same

Perhaps my anniversary post is a fitting time to tip my hat to Far Away Eyes (FAE). She started this with Stephen and is credited for having the first Battle of the Bands. She's moved on, she's missed, and the Battles continue. Interestingly, she left the first comment on my first Battle of the Bands. However, as I reflect back to where I started with the Battle of the Bands she deserves at least a Thank You!



My first Battle of the Bands was two year ago, you can see it here. Jeffrey Scott started my wheels turning on what to do to mark my two year anniversary with one of his questions he adds to his Battles. I think only one of my contenders got a vote and the rest went for the original.

I started with "Dead Flowers"by the Rolling Stones. My original thought was to just redo the Battle. But that Battle had it's season. I'm looking back but moving forward as well. So the contenders have changed but the song remains the same.

Contender One:  The Cowboy Junkies

Contender Two: The New Riders of the Purple Sage

Not putting the original on this one. Vote in the comments and I'll announce the winner around the 21st. Also please visit the other Battles a list can be found here! Tune in again on the 1st and I will have a brand new battle!

Battle of the Bands: Fortune Teller

One of the greatest songwriters in New Orleans and perhaps the World passed away recently. I paid tribute to him with this post. His songs offer so many choices so I will narrow it down to one.

The rules are simple I pick a song and present a couple of bands battling it out with the song. You pick the one you like best by casting your vote in the comments. The why's and other comments are always welcomed.

Please check out the other battles:

 list of Battle of the Bands participants..

 I snagged it from STMcC Presents 'Battle of the Bands': 

@ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. 

It's a win win really. They get another visit and they treat you with some more battles featuring cool songs, musicians and bands!



Today's song "Fortune Teller"

Contender One: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Contender Two: The Rolling Stones

Short and sweet today. One great song writer. One of the greatest Rock and Roll bands, one of the greatest voices in Rock and the awesome voice of Alison Krauss. I hope you enjoy! It is all up to you, just vote in the comments for the one you like the best! I went to the Fortune Teller and she told me the winner is...stay tuned!

Country Birthdays Done Rocktober Style

It's Rockltober but there are a couple of notable Country music birthdays today. So I am probably ruining a couple of Battle of the Band contests today. However it is Rocktober so I was thinking we would celebrate these birthday's with a little rock!

First up Charlie Daniels celebrates his 79th birthday..

Here he is with Lynyrd Skynyrd doing "Call Me the Breeze"..

Next up is Brad Paisley...with The Rolling Stones performing Dead Flowers..

Short and sweet post today. Just celebrating two birthdays with a Rocktober twist!

Battle of the Bands Update: Merry Clayton

When I chose Merry Clayton as a participant on my October 1, 2015 Battle of the Bands that she recently had both of her legs amputated due to a near fatal car accident in 2014. I did vnot know she was going to be honored this month by the American Jazz Foundation with the first ever "Clark and Gwen Terry Courage Award."

I knew her because she provided the original female vocals on the chosen song for my Rocktober Battle of the Band song "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones. I thought her own version of the song would be cool to feature.



She lost the Battle to Grand Funk Railroad and Grand Funk Railroad had their day as victors wish you can revisit here.

However with all that Merry Clayton is going through and still have the attitude of "I Still have the voice" I think she deserves a post as well!

Here she talks about doing that song, Mick Jagger offers his thoughts, and a bit of just her..

Interesting trivia early in her career she worked with Ray Charles as one of The Raelettes. Her backup vocals ended up helping singers such as Pearl Bailey, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Carol King, Neil Young and more. If backing up The Rolling Stones on "Gimme Shelter" wasn't big enough her vocals also are featured on Lynyrd Skynyrds "Sweet Home Alabama."

In the 80s there was a movie called "Dirty Dancing" which was kind of big. Merry Clayton
is featured on the soundtrack with a song called "Yes"..

Here is a funky song called "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow"

I didn't realize she also was featured on the Tori Amos song "Cornflake Girl" and was married to jazz musician Curtis Amy. Curtis brother is Sam Clayton who was a percussionist with Little Feat.

Merry Clayton plans to continue to sing and her voice will be featured on the  next Coldplay album.

I will be back with a new post soon.