Battle of the Bands Results:: The Smoke Has Cleared

Here is a fun cover to start this post. The current guitarist  for Deep Purple Steve Morse and the guitar player from Mr. Big  jamming on Led Zeppelin's "Back Dog."

Paul's band Mr. Big received three votes in my last Battle of the Bands. The winner was the band I dubbed "The Rock and Roll All Stars" who garnered 5 votes.

The All Stars included Paul Rodgers, Bryan Adams, David Gilmour, Brian May, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, RUSH and more.

After  tie we have a winner and we will move to something different in February!

Battle of the Bands: Overtime More Smoke

My last Battle of the Bands ended as a tie. I thought I would try and fine two more covers of the iconic "Smoke on the Water."

The original if you needed a reminder..

The two below are the contenders. I ask you leave a comment telling me which one you liked the best. The winner is the one with the most votes.

Contender One: Mr. Big

Contender Two: Rock All Stars

Who will win? The 80s/90s rock band Mr. Big or the band I am dubbing the Rock All Stars. You all decide. I look forward to your votes.

Battle of the Bands Number 7: Hey Joe

I'm back for my seventh installment of Battle of the Bands. Here is how it works:

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

This rounds song:

Who knows where this song originally claim. Most agree Billy Roberts penned the song so for a point a reference I will use his version.

So many versions to choose for in a battle of bands..

First Challenger

Seal is such an incredible vocalist and David Gilmour is a guitar great. Enjoy their version..

Second Challenger

The late great Roy Buchanan..

Both versions probably draw more from the Jimi Hendrix version than Billy Roberts or any of the earlier versions. Buchanan is perhaps a more undiscovered guitarist. I was going to use underrated guitarist but everyone I know who knows of him raves about him.

Anyway these are my picks for this competition. Vote in the comments!  Feel free to share your favorite versions as well since this song has been done once or twice!

Happy 68th Birthday Pete Townshend!

Today is Pete Townshend's 68th birthday. Best known for his lyrics and guitar work, Pete is without question a talented and great musician.

Let's start the celebration with a solo song by Pete...

Here is a rare track...

The Who...

Here is Peter with David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd fame)

Happy Birthday Pete! I will be back soon with a new post

Happy Birthday Fender Stratocaster

Today in music history May 15, 1954 the Fender Stratocaster was officially released. One of the most popular guitars ever made and often copied.

Here is a video comparing two 1954 guitars...

Here is Buddy Guy playing a Fender Stratocaster, live in concert (photo copyrighted by me, Mike Spain)

Buddy Guy is probably the musician who should have influenced my liking of the Stratocaster.  But this guy is the one wh really turned me onto this guitar...Jeff Beck

This guy probably turned the whole world onto Stratocasters...

Of course there is this guy as well...Eric Clapton. here he is talking guitars..

Here is a look into the man behind Fender, Leo Fender's office...

Okay I don't want to be sexist so here is Bonnie Raitt doing her thing on guitar...

Here is how one is made...

Here is another Strat mand David Gilmour..

okay I have to put Stevie Ray Vaughan on this list as well

From blues, rock to country here is Brad Paisley...

and contemporary here is John Mayer...

The thing about a Fender Stratocaster I could go on and on! Happy Birthday Stratocaster!

Which Ones Pink

Well, I write about music as well as sports and business. ou may have head Roger Waters, the bassist and lyricist of Pink Floyd is planning to tour and perform Pink Floyd's  The Wall. There have been rumors of  a Pink Floyd reunion ever since the Live 8 reunion. Funny, how a super group regroups for a one off show and everyone expects a reunion tour. Well, it is fans wishfull thinking I suppose...

Anyway I investigated the rumors and here is what I found out!

Funny, I have seen David Gilmour's version of Pink Floyd and I have seen Roger Waters in concert. Pink Floyd was the stadium sensation, awesome light show. Roger Waters smaller arena, same vein but different. When I saw Waters he surrounded himself with great musicians.