Battle of the Bands Results: No Fooling Van Halen Handly defeats Ann Wilson

 The battle of The Who's "Won't get Fooled Again" was won easily by Van Halen over Ann Wilson 6 to 1. The cover by Van Halen was recorded during the Sammy Hagar years. As usual we celebrate winners. 

                                                      "Right Now"

"Dreams"

I will be back soon with another Battle of the Bands on May 1st!

Battle of the Bands: Black Dog Hart Vs Heart

 The winner of my last Battle of the Bands was Pomplamoose beating Weezer 4 to 1. Pomplamoose does mostly covers so no celebratory post this time around. Anyway this time around I am getting the Led out with Led Zeppelin's Black Dog.

Contender One: Beth Hart

Contender Two: Heart

Tell me which version you liked the best in the comments Beth Hart or Heart. I count the votes and in about a week or so I announce the winner in a new post. Hope you enjoyed the battle.

Monday's Music Moves Me: A Celebration of The Foo Fighters

 My last post was announcing the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Today's theme is your choice, and mine is to continue celebrating the Foo Fighters.

                                                 "Best of You"

"Everlong"

"All My Life"

"My Hero"

Hope you enjoyed the songs and see you soon!

R.I.P Taylor Hawkins

 The drummer of the Foo Fighters has passed away at the age of 50. Confirmed by the band and numerous media reports. Cause of death hasn't been revealed. 

In this clip the Foo Fighters are joined by John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Dave Grohl plays drum and Taylor gets to front the band on "Rock and Roll."

Here Taylor does a drum solo...

The Foo Fighters "The Pretender"

The news was shocking. I had fallen asleep earlier and woke up to the sad news. The drummer will be missed by fans, friends, his band and family may he rest in peace.

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!

Battle of the Bands: Long Tall Sally

The world lost an icon when Little Richard passed away. Scroll down my blog and you can see my tribute post. I honor of Little Richard today's Battle of the Bands features the song "Long Tall Sally."

Well I will pick a couple of covers. You my readers select the winner by telling me which one you like the best in the comments. I count them up and post about the results in a week a so.

Led Zeppelin

Bruce Springsteen

Raw live Rock and Roll. Led Zeppelin versus the Boss!

Who has your vote Led Zeppelin or Bruce Springsteen?

A to Z: T is for Triumph

"World of Fantasy" kicking us off our look at the Canadian Rock and Roll inducted band Triumph.

Next up is the song "Spellbound" 

"Follow Your Heart" above and "Somebody's Out There"

Why don't you "Lay it on the Line"

Hope you enjoyed!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Merry Rock and Roll Christmas

Monday's Music Moves Me theme for December is Christmas and Holiday music all month long. I've been playing along and adding my own twists. My first one was about getting ready "Christmas Lights," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "First Noel." Next I went with Annoying, Band and Controversial. Now I am back with Rock and Roll. Turn it up and enjoy!

Chuck Berry "Run Rudolph Run" 

                                         
                                               Elvis Presley  "Blue Christmas"

38 Special "Wild-Eyed Christmas Eve"

                     George Thorogood and The Destroyers "Rock-n-Roll Christmas"

John Lennon "Happy Xmas (The War is Over)

Queen "Thank Good It's Christmas"

Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoyed the songs!

Happy Holidays and I will see you soon!

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!

Roctober Birthday: Chuck Berry's 90th

Perhaps the most fitting Roctober birthday is Chuck Berry's.  Mr. Berry celebrates his 90th birthday today and of course I am going to celebrate it on my blog! A true pioneer of Rock and Roll who is set to release his first studio album in 38 years next year. He has been awarded a Lifetime Grammy Award and is a Kennedy Center Honoree. Chuck Berry was among the first acts to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I could go on an on. His influence on Rock and Roll is overwhelming.

But enough writing and rambling let's get this party started!

"Roll over Beethoven"

"Johnny B Goode"

Chuck performing "Nadine" with Keith Richards

Well that's a party! I will be back with a new post soon!

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!

Battle of the Bands: Rocktober, Rock and Roll and Shelter

It's October but I like to call it "Rocktober." I heard some radio station call October that many years ago and I like it. It certainly fits well for a theme of my monthly Battle of the Bands. I've thought a bit of some future battles in November and December and thought well they are going to be different twists than plain ole Rock and Roll. Of course I also have given this post some thought and already nixed one battle.



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:

The 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!

If you are looking to get back to good ole Rock and Roll well the Rolling Stones sounds like a great place to start. 

The Original Song: "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones

Challenger One: Merry Clayton

Challenger Two: Grandfunk Railroad

A jewel from the Rolling Stones catalog, an original vocalist on The Stones version with her version, against another Rock band Grand Funk Railroad, All we need now is votes and I will be back on the 7th with results.

Happy Birthday Joan Jett

Today is the Godmother of Punk's birthday and we wish Joan Jett a happy birthday. We will celebrate her birthday by celebrating her career in music.

Let's start with The Runaways and a bomb, a "Cherry Bomb"..

Over the years she developed a "Bad Reputation"...

As far as loving you well she sings "I Hate Myself for Loving You"

\Bur she really loves rock and roll..

Well I wish her a happy birthday and I will be back soon with a new post!

Remembering Otis Blackwell

On this date May 6, 2002 Otis Blackwell passed away. You may not recognize his name but I am sure you are familiar with the songs he wrote. He wrote hits performed by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others.

I am going to post videos of Otis Blackwell songs performed by the artists who made them famous. I hope you enjoy my tribute to Mr. Blackwell.

In 1956 there was "Fever" here is Eddie Cooley. Blackwell used the alias Mr. Davenport on this song.

A little Elvis.."All Shook Up"...

How about some "Great Balls of Fire" performed by Jerry Lee Lewis..

One last song Dee Clark's "Hey Little Girl"

Hope you enjoyed the songs! I'll be back with a new post soon.

A to Z Challenge: ZZ Top

I am ending the challenge with a little Rock and Roll band from Texas. I hope everyone enjoyed the challenge.

Here they are with "Gimme All Your Lovin'"...

I think during the challenge we all wanted a little love for our blogs. Did your blog get the love you were looking for?

This song I am dedicating to Joanne's Word Splash who did a Texas theme during the challenge.

Her L selection was on LaGrange visit it if you would like. I dedicate the next one to all the ladies. I heard this is what you like?

What is your favorite ZZ Top song? What is your favorite ZZ Top Z
Memory? Please share in the comments.

I will leave you with this treat. The late great blues man John Lee Hooker with ZZ Top performing "Boom Boom."

Thanks for visiting I hope you enjoyed!

21 years ago the end of Nirvana

In my late teens and early twenties Seattle's grunge scene was becoming quite popular on rock radio, MTV(yes they once played music) and among my friends. One of the most popular of these groups was Nirvana.

Nirvana ended 21 years ago today when the frontman, singer, songwriter, guitarist for the band blew his mind out with a shotgun joining the infamous 27 Club. I describe his death rather bluntly. There music was blunt, it was rock and roll. For the bluntness I offer..

"All Apologies"

One of their biggest hits and a song I remember hearing a lot of in my college days was "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Nirvana would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. The band has also sold 25 million albums in the United States and over three times that world wide. In 1992 the band won two MTV Music Awards.

"Come As You Are"

It is hard to believe it has been 21 years since Kurt Cobain passed away. It sames like it was not that long ago. However, the music lives on in video and recordings. Thanks for visiting. I will be back soon kicking off week two of the A to Z: Challenge.

R.I.P. Reg Presley

Cancer claimed another Rocker yesterday when Reg Presley died at the age of 71. He was born Reg Ball. The name might not sound familiar but I guarantee you will recognize his voice.

He was in a group called The Troggs and their most famous song was "Wild Thing"

I could do a hold blogs of other artists covering that song but I will save that for another post perhaps. I will share some of the bands other songs as well to give him a proper tribute.

Here's "With A Girl Like You"

and "Love Is All Around"

He contributed a lot to rock and roll and I am sure he will be missed by his family and love ones. R.I.P.

R.I.P. Drummer Ed Cassidy

Ed Cassidy, the drummer for Spirit, passed away yesterday at the age of 89. He served in the Navy during WWII, He played in many jazz bands and a group with Ry Cooder and Taj Mahel before joining what would be come Spirit.

The band's biggest hit was "Got A Line on You"

Cassidy is the bald one. Below is a profile on the drummer.

In the late 60's Led Zeppelin toured with Spirit as an opening band. It has been said Spirit was influential to Zeppelin and Cassidy's drumming was of some influence on John Bonham.

Here is Spirit performing a song live in 1979,,,

Sad news but atleast he Dave Cassidy lived a long life and his music lives on.

R.I. P Jon Lord

Rock and roll lost another great. Deep Purple founder and keyboardist Jon Lord passed away today. He was battling pancreatic cancer. You can read the report here from the BBC. Not only am I a fan of Deep Purple it is also a band my wife and I saw on our first date. So it is sad news in deed.

Here is Jon getting an Honorary degree..

Here is Jon Lord performing "Burntwood."

Here is Jon Lord performing with Deep Purple in 1972 the song is "Lazy"

Thanks for the music, Jon Lord R.I.P. his music lives on due to videos and recordings