This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
I most have lost my mind taking an epic, masterpiece like Stairway to Heaven and use it on a Battle of the Bands. It's worse than playing the song in a guitar store. What's worse is one of the cover versions I plan to use many regard as the best one. So this nut job of a blogger thinks he has a version that can compete! Well I think I have one. What I think and how the votes come in can be quite different. I've had nail biters, ties, blowouts, and shutouts so let's start this riot.
Since the song is pretty long I am not going to dig out the original. I'm pretty sure everyone has probably heard Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. If you haven't go check out their fourth album.
Heart with Jason Bonham
Mary J Blige
Mary like Heart has some help on this song. Mary has the guitars of Steve Vai and Orianthi.
Heart or Mary. Let me know in the comments. I'll write about the winner in a week or so.
Even though Stephen "wouldn't even drive across the street to see Sammy Hagar." I did drive across the state to see Sammy. It was a a good excuse for me to hangout with a friend who I have been friends with for 28 years. Even though we don't live close we still do things together quite often. It also gave me an excuse to spend some time with my Dad. I also got to spend sometime walking in the ocean, with my feet in the water. Even though I have beautiful white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico were I live, I still like the Atlantic. As a bonus for the concert if your an 80s music fan Night Ranger was the opening act.
Sammy and Jason Bonham
Sammy and Michael Anthony
All pictures by me. The Saint Augustine Amphitheater ended up being a nice venue, great seats and a great friend made it a great night. Well I picked "Bad Motor Scooter" for my Battle of the Bands selection. The evening I saw Sammy he picked "Rock Candy" as his Montrose song to play. The rock cover by Pete Manley got no love in my Battle, making the contest really between an instrumental and the funky version. The Chi-Lites defeated the L.A. Underscore 4 to 2.
The Chi-Lites with "Have You Seen Her"
"Oh Girl"
I will be back tomorrow with another Battle of the Bands! Hope you enjoyed the last one and this look into a day of my life!
A super group consisting of Glenn Hughes, Steve Vai and Chad Smith won my Battle of the Bands over Type O Negative convincingly. No shut out. Not really a surprise since Glenn Hughes was in Deep Purple for a time.
Here is Deep Purple way back in 1974 with David Coverdale on vocals..Glenn is on bass and vocals as well the song is called "Burn"
Here is a pic of Glenn Hughes performing live with Black Country Communion..
Steve Vai is a great guitarist here he performs "Tender Surrender"..
Chad Smith is a drummer for The Red Hot Chili Peppers and is almost as good as Will Ferrell...
Red Hot Chili Peppers.."Under the Bridge"
Here is Glenn Hughes with Jason Bonham and Joe Bonamassa in a group called Black Country Communion...the song "Black Country"
Thanks for visiting I hope you enjoyed! Congrats to Glenn Hughes, Steve Vai and Chad Smith!
Today is a great birthday for blues artist. Today of course is Robert Johnson's birthday. However, I wrote about that last year here. Today is also blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa's birthday as well. He is more contemporary and for those who may not like the blues as much I will throw in a rock crossover as well.
Here he is with Beth Hart on "I'll Take Care of You"..
Here he is with a song called "Driving Towards Daylight"
Here is something to rock out with. Joe with Black Country Communion featuring Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple fame and Jason Bonham,,"The Ballad of John Henry"
Happy Birthday Joe and thanks everyone for visiting. I will be back soon with a new post!
Jason Bonham has certainly been busy lately touring with Sammy Hagar (currently), his own Led Zeppelin Experience, and with Heart. Rumor has it he is apparently going to be the drummer on the new Phil Collins album.
Jason with Sammy Hagar performing Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll"
I enjoyed Jason Bonham working with Glenn Hughes in their last band Black Country Communion..
Here is "I Can See Your Spirit"
I thought these bands would steer Jason a bit out of his Father's shadow. Being in a band that isn't a Zeppelin cover band or a band with a similar sound. Jason is a heck of a drummer but being the son of John is a blessing and a curse I would imagine.
Anyway I was looking forward to catching California Breed live somewhere down the road..
Here they pay tribute to Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin...(Mr. Hughes was in Deep Purple)
Oh well. I enjoyed Jason in a rock trio setting while it lasted..
I wish him luck in whatever he pursues. I mean I have been following him since the 80's. Catching him live in 1988 with Jimmy Page and again in 2012 with Black Country Communion.
You might not have heard about California Breed. They are a brand new power trio in the rock world. Collectively the group can be linked to Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Black Country Communion. I'm ready to hear their debut being released in the United States on May 20, 2014. I mean I haven't been this excited for a new band's debut since Black Country Communion's first release.California Breed consists of Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes and Andrew Watt.
The beginning:
Jason Bonham and Glenn Hughes made up the rhythm section of the supergroup Black Country Communion. Mr. Hughes adding his legendary vocals with his energetic stage presence easily could be considered a frontman in the band.
BCC had more ingredients including blues guitar maestro Joe Bonamassa and keyboard master Derek Sherinian.
Then they split up and out of the ashes came California Breed. Though in honesty, BCC didn't go down in flames. Probably the reason falls more on logistics and conflicting music projects.
Older Past:
Glenn Hughes first made his mark in the music world with bands like Finders Keepers and Trapeze. His status took a legendary leap as a member of Deep Purple. A successful run with Black Country Communion brought Glenn Hughes into the now. Now California Breed is set to put him into the future..
Jason Bonham has the bloodline being Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. He has cut his teeth on rock and roll. He has recorded with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. The first time I saw him play live was in 1988 with Jimmy Page on The Outrider Tour...
He played in his own band and Bonham in the 80's. Did some Zeppelin tribute tours. He played as a member in Led Zeppelin in a couple of one off reunions including The Celebration Concert at the O2.
He even honored Led Zeppelin with Heart at The Kennedy Center..
The New
Andrew Watt at 23 represents a new generation of guitar heros playing with the established Hughes and Bonham.
You know this year's Kennedy Center Honors was on my radar. Led Zeppelin and Buddy Guy being honored. The show alone would be interesting with one of Late Night Televisions best in David Letterman, actor Dustin Hoffman, and ballerina Natalia Makarov.
If you missed the show on PBS check it out on youtube. No none of the honorees performed. However, Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Vaughan, Gary Clark Jr, Bonnie Raitt, Beth Hart, and Jeff Beck played tribute to Buddy Guy. It is hard to say Led Zeppelin is my favorite band of all time, but they are at least the most influential band on my music taste. Now they were honored, I am a big fan of Buddy Guy, and then they add my favorite guitarist performing in Jeff Beck.
During the Led Zeppelin tribute part of the show. They had The Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock, and Heart. Heart performed with Jason Bonham on drums and they brought the house down with their performance of "Stairway to Heaven." They even added a choir to the song.
Here is Lenny Kravitz...
That is just on the music side. Add in Tina Fey and Robert DeNiro and others and you have one fantastic show. Something to check out...
Everyone likes a little recognition. I am no different. Today, I was awarded Yahoo's Hot 500 badge for February. Meaning I will have a badge on my Associated Content profile page for the month of March.
I've been away from the blog recently. Sorry, I had a bit of a bug going around and then when I wasn't under the weather sleep and other things got in the way. I am back and I will blog much more.
Short blog today but more tomorrow. Tomorrow I have two big interviews. The first one will be with Jason Bonham ans the second one will be with Gathering of the Vibes founder Ken Hays. Needless to say tomorrow will be exciting!
