R.I.P Bobby Hull

 Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull passed away at the age of 84 on January 30, The legendary skater scored 741 goals in a career that scanned 23 years. He was the NHL's MVP twice and lead the league in points three times. 

He was a NHL All-Star 12 times, a two-time WHA MV and five-time WHA All-Star. 

Bobby Hull will be missed by his fans, friends and family.

R.I.P Jeff Beck

 Jeff Beck without a doubt was one of the greatest guitarists ever.  An artist I saw several times, the last time being September 30th. He is the reason I bought a Fender Stratocaster and an artist I have featured numerous times on my Battle of the Bands. Jeff was in the Yardbirds and had an incredible solo career. He played sessions with a who's who list of artists.

Jeff Beck performing on David Letterman the piece "What Mama Said"

Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart "People Get Ready"

His cover of "A Day in the Life"

"Where Were You"

with The Yardbirds

Jeff Beck an influencer, a creative artist, and a guitarist who's music will live on.

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!

R.I.P Bunny Wailer

 Neville O' Riley Livingston  passed away yesterday at the age of 73. He was better known as Bunny Wailer, a pioneer of reggae and a founder of The Wailers. Besides playing with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh  Bunny also won three Grammy Awards. 

                                                       "Cool Runnings"

"Another Dance"

Bunny with Peter Tosh and Bob Marley "Stir it Up"

A legend has passed but his music will live on.

R.I.P Hank Aaron

 Hank Aaron's baseball career ended probably before I discovered baseball. He was the Home Run King most of my life. He earned that title, in a different time, and earning it meant something. He endured stuff he shouldn't have had to when he broke the record. His homerun record broken in 2007 by Barry Bonds. Looking back I don't think it meant as much as when  Hank set the bar. 

Hank Aaron was a 25 time All Star. He is still the all time leader in runs batted in, extra base hits, and total bases. Obviously a Hall of Fame player. A class act. 

                                               Home Run 715

A sports legend, a hero, who will be missed by his fans, family and friends. 

R.I.P Diego Maradona

 One of the greatest, perhaps the greatest soccer player of all time Diego Maradona has passed away at the age of 60. The superstar footballer lead Argentina to one World Cup Championship and one runner up  in four World Cups. 

Highlights from the 1986 World Cup.....

Below more of his highlights...

The man had his controversy, battled his demons,  and died to soon. However, what he could do on the field defined him as a legend. May he rest in peace!

R.I.P Kenny Rogers

Away from the laptop I am writing this post so I may have to revisit and edit later. Kenny Rogers the Country singer legend and sometime actor has passed away at the age of 81.

His death was from natural causes and not related to the pandemic. Maybe a look back at his amazing career can help us all.

"Through the Years" is an appropriate starting point.

Of course there is "The Gambler"

"Coward of the County"

"The Greatest"

A few of my favorites? What are yours?

He will be missed but his songs will live on!

R.I.P Dr. John

Another New Orleans music legend has passed away.  Malcolm John Rebennack better known to the world as Dr. John passed away today from a heart attack at the age of 77.

Most of the world know him for his hit song "Right Place, Wrong Time"

To call him a one hit wonder would be selling the six time Grammy Award winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted artist short. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Tulane University.

"Such A Night"

"There Must Be A Better World Somewhere"

"Craney Crow"

He will be missed!

Happy Birthday Kobe Bryant!

Today August 23, 2016 is Kobe Bryant's 38th birthday. Bryant just wrapped his storied NBA career this Spring. A career spanning from 1996 to 2016.


His 60-point effort during his final game...

With the Olympics in Rio just wrapping up, it is interesting to note that Kobe was on two Gold Medal Olympic teams.

He was one five NBA Champion squads. He was named the NBA Finals MVP twice.

Kobe had an award winning career and today is his first birthday in his next chapter.

Over the Weekend Chuck Berry turned 89

Over the weekend Chuck Berry turned 89. Since it is Rocktober celebrating Chuck Berry's birthday is very appropriate even if it is a bit belated.

Perhaps the first rock and roll song "Maybellene" ..

A vintage version of "Johnny B. Goode"...

Here is Chuck and Etta James performing "Rock and Roll Music"..

Thanks for visiting! I will be back with a new Rocktober post soon!

Happy Birthday Buddy Guy!

This is the fourth year in a row I have celebrated Buddy Guy's birthday on the blog. With the passing of B.B. King I feel a bit more urgency to celebrate it a bit more. Here is a link to my first birthday tribute to him.

My second tribute is here. Here is last year's celebration. Adding them because they contain more music. Speaking of music let's add some in!

Here Buddy performs "I Can't Quit You" with the legendary B.B. King..

I can't quit the blues. I am thankful I was able to see B.B. quite a few times and I am glad to say I have seen Buddy a couple of times.

This is how Buddy Guy said goodbye to Wannee Fest in 2012..

Below Buddy Guy performs "Fever" with one of my favorite guitarists Tab Benoit...

While we are having Buddy play with some of my favorites we might as well have him jam with the Rolling Stones.."Champagne and Reefer"..

Cheers! I hope he sticks around for a few more birthday celebrations!

Thanks for visiting and I will be back soon!

A to Z Challenge: Percy Sledge

I would have done this post earlier if it wasn't for the challenge. However, a few days late might be a better way to show tribute to a great singer.

The 74 year old musical legend passed away April 14, 2015. He has been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. He is also honored in the Delta Music Museum. Percy was a Pioneer Award Recipient from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and his album Blues Night won a Blues Music Award for Best Blues/Soul album

He is best known for this song..

Here is a news clip about his death..

This song from 1974 was probably his last hit called "I'll Be Your Everything"

His songs had some great advice like "Take Time to Know Her"

I know I have a lot of music fans who visit my blog what are your favorite Percy Sledge songs? Do you have any Percy memories? Please feel free to leave comments.

Percy Sledge certainly will be missed. He had a voice that won't be replaced. His songs will live on.
Thanks for visiting and I will continue on with the A to Z Challenge on Monday!

Happy Birthday Django Reinhardt!

A year and a half ago I blogged about the 60th anniversary of Django Reinhardt's death. You can revisit that post here. Today I celebrate what would be Django's 105th birthday.

Here he performs "Minor Swing"

Again with this post I am celebrating his life and legacy while trying to make sure my musical celebrations don't repeat my previous post.

Below is a piece called "Star Dust"

I will rap this post up with one more tune "Belleville"

Thanks for visiting I hope you enjoyed some Django jazz!

Les Paul has passed away

No one lives forever, and 94 is a nice long life. I am sad Les Paul has passed away today. His music will live on. People will event more things. However, there won't ever be another Les Paul. The innovator of muti track recordings and amplification. Not to mention the beautiful Les Paul line of guitars made by Gibson.

One of my favorite bands is Led Zeppelin. I know musically we would be comparing apple and oranges with Led Zeppelin and Les Paul. Not that Jimmy Page and Les Paul could find musical common ground, they did and they have played together. However, without Les Paul's inventions on multi track recording and effects Led Zeppelin would not have been the same. Zeppelin is just a good example that comes to mind but the same could be said about any band from the birth of rock and roll to now.

I am thankful to his contribution to the music I like. I am thankful for the music he created. I am thankful for Les Paul guitars. I am sorry for his families loss. As a fan I hope their will be tributes for him so we will be able to appreciate his life and music some more. As a fan of his life, I offer this bit of appreciation and I am grateful for his contributions to the world.