Battle of the Bands: Rocktober War Pigs

 It is Roctober and time to rock out a bit. Little by little getting back into the Battle of the Bands thing. October was once referred to Rocktober by a local radio station and I am sure they borrowed that from someone. Rock and October kind of go together. Anyway, with the recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne it also marked the end of the road for Black Sabbath. Tipping the hat in tribute this month's song is "War Pigs."

The original above. I will now select two challengers and you my wonderful readers. viewers get to select the winner by telling me which one you liked the best.

                                             Contender One: Samantha Fish

Contender Two: Gov't Mule

We got a great battle of guitars. The Blue Rockin' Samantha Fish showing girls can rock out! In the other corner Jam Band Warren Haynes led Gov't Mule. 

Don't be shy tell me which one rocked the best for you in the concerts. 

Thanks I will be back with a results post in a week or so!

R.I.P Phil Lesh

 

"Box of Rain"

Below the story of the song...

Perhaps the song pertains not to the father but perhaps Phil himself. Today the legendary bassist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead has passed away.

The news below from the New York Post...

Deadheads, friends, family and other musicians mourn his loss, but he did live long and enjoyed a long, strange trip of a life.

"Truckin'"

Below Phil Lesh "Get By"

Thankful for the songs that are left behind may he rest in peace!

Battle of the Bands: Getting the Led Out for Rocktober

Welcome to October, often referred to Rocktober. I haven't rocked out in a Battle of the Bands for a while. I love Rock and Roll, I just enjoy other music as well. I enjoy throwing in twists and bouncing genres during the battles. Let's go with a little Led Zeppelin.

This time around it is "Heartbreaker" off of Led  Zeppelin II...

Next I have two contenders. Hopefully you will give them a listen and tell me which version you like best in the comments. I count those as votes and announce a winner in about a week. It is really pretty simple. Today I am pitting two guitarists against each other Alvin Youngblood Hart versus Steve Morse I hope you enjoy!

 Contender One: Alvin Youngblood Hart

Contender Two: Steve Morse

Thanks for visiting! Stay tuned for new posts and the next Battle will take place 11.01.21

R.I.P Dusty Hill

 Dusty Hill was more than a bass player, he was a lead singer, a backing singer, a keyboardist, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, and one third of the legendary rock band ZZ Top! Joseph Michael Hill better known as Dusty will be missed by his family, his bandmates, fans and friends.

Today we celebrate his live, his musical career and  "I Want to Thank You" Mr. Hill...

They were blues they were rock and roll and at some point worked their way into the soundtrack of our lives.

"Got Me Under Pressure"

He was a "Sharped Dressed Man"

"LaGrange"

I could go on and on with the bands long catalog, but that little band out of Texas 

has become a lot smaller. Rest in peace Dusty Hill!

R.I.P Michael Stanley

 Michael Stanley passed away yesterday. Cancer claimed another rocker. He was also a popular radio personality in Cleveland.                    

                                             Let's "Strike Up The Band"

                                              

                                                His last Top 40 hit "My Town"

"He Can't Love You" was his first

Cleveland lost one of their musical heroes. He will be missed by his city, his family, friends and fans.

       

Battle of the Bands: Simple Man

My Battle of the Bands this go around features Lynyrd Skynyrd and their song "Simple Man."  

 

My contenders feature a Metal Band versus a Rock Band.  One version is a popular cover the other less commercial. A battle with a few contrasts. 

Deftones "Simple Man"

Shinedown "Simple Man"

The normal rules apply. In the comments you tell me which cover you like the best. You can expand and tell me and my readers why if you like. I sometimes quote voters or find inspiration for future Battles from the comments. However the main purpose is to decide a winner. After I count up the votes in a week or so I announce the winner in a future post. A pretty simple process.

I hope you enjoy the Battle and I will be back soon!

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!

R.I.P Peter Green

A founder of Fleetwood Mac, a blues, rock, guitarist extraordinaire Peter Green has passed away today at the age of 73. 

Before the Mac he replaced Eric Clapton in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers..."The Supernatural"

Then there was Fleetwood Mac, way before the girls!

"Rattlesnake Shake"

"Albatross"

If you thought this was a Santana song surprise..."Black Magic Woman"

A talent who will be missed. 

A to Z Challenge: V is for Van Halen

I can't believe I haven't used Van Halen for an A to Z Challenge. Well I will today.

"Jump"was the Van Halen song that really introduced me to the band. A few years later "Runnin' with the Devil" was a song we used to come out to during my wrestling years.

Now I live near these fly boys "Dreams"

"Everybody Wants Some"

"Right Now"

I mixed in some Sammy Hagar era tunes as well. What are your favorite Van Halen tunes?

A to Z: UFO

I'm keeping my blog rocking with UFO!

No not those UFO's the band UFO!

"Doctor, Doctor"

"Only You Can Rock Me"

"Cherry"

Well I hope your weekend rocks!

A to Z : L is for Living Colour

Flashing back to 1989 with "Glamour Boys" by Living Colour.

Here they are live with "Pride"...

Grammy Award winning "Time's Up"

and there biggest hit "Cult of Personality"

See you soon with a new post!

Rocktober Music Festival: Happy Birthday Peter Green

Happy birthday to Peter Green! If the name isn't familiar to you I am sure you have heard of his old band Fleetwood Mac. The Mac was different log ago, before the girls, before Lindsey Buckingham, and I suppose the really big hits too.

                                                 Santana liked "Black Magic Woman"

"Got a Good Mind to Give Up Living"

He did other things besides Fleetwood Mac.

"Albatross"

"Fool No More"

but he did cool things with Fleetwood Mac

"Oh Well"

Well I think that is a good set for a blues rock birthday!

Rocktober Battle of the Bands Results: Girls Rawk

My Battle of the Bands took it a song from AC/DC's hard rocking songbook, a cover band, and a female rock star. The cover band was a girl band too. Guess I was just trying to show girls rawk! The results Lzzy Hale 3 Hells Belles 3 a tie.

You never know what might happen on my Battle of the Bands that happen on the first and 15th. Shutouts, blowouts, nail biters, and ties.

Let's celebrate with some hard rocking girls!

Let's go back to the eighties with Lita Ford "Kiss Me Deadly"

Jennifer Batten she was Michael Jackson's guitarist, she toured with Jeff Beck for a while. A solo tune and a Jeff Beck cover...

Joan Jett "Bad Reputation"

Pat Benatar "Love is a Battlefield"

That should keep you rocking!

R.I.P Ginger Baker

It is a sad Rocktober post to announce Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer for Cream, has passed away at the age of 80.

Here is a video from their reunion in 2005. Performing "White Room"...

                                                   

A vintage clip of "Strange Brew" from 1967...

"I feel Free"

"Toad" which shows off Ginger's talent

"Sunshine of Your Love"

He leaves behind the drummers he has influenced, a legacy of music, fans and family may he rest in peace!

Battle of the Bands For Those About to Rock in Rocktober

Welcome to October and for "Those About to Rock" welcome to Rocktober! Really AC/DC, the song "For Those About to Rock" sounds like a good way to kick things off!

AC/DC "For Those About to Rock"

Here comes the hard part to find some worthy competitors. It's live, raw and highly and will wake you up better than coffee. Might be a little rough but it will do the job!

Lzzy Hale

Hells Belles

You know the drill! Vote in the comments Lzzy or the Belles. Well I have girls rocking out! It works hope you enjoy.

Battle of the Bands: Morning Dew Grudge Match

"Morning Dew" has been covered by many bands. I could easily pick from The Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck Group, Robert Plant and many more. I chose another route. Two singer songwriters have claimed writing the iconic song. So instead of the tried and true format of original then two contenders I will have a twist. Two songs, two "originals" and they are both contenders. 

Tim Rose

Bonnie Dobson

Vote in the comments! Simply let me know if you like Tim's version or Bonnie's version best. I will count up the votes and announce a winner soon.

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. 

                                                                              

Battle of the Bands: Changes a little rock

Changes in musical inspirations for my Battle of the Bands are not very subtle. Manic changes from one spectrum to the other can happen pretty quickly and often. How can I go from John Hiatt to Black Sabbath? Well here it goes.

The song is "Changes" by Black Sabbath

If you think me shifting gears from John Hiatt to Black Sabbath just wait till you hear the contenders. 

Contender One: The Cardigans

                                           Contender Two: Charles Bradley

                                                      
 Who are you going to vote for The Cardigans or Charles Bradley? Let me know in the comments and I will tally up the votes and post about the winner later this month.

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!

Blogging from A to Z 2018: Q is for Queensryche

Easy way out for Q is with some music. Sit back enjoy the tunes.

"Anybody Listening?"

Good one to start with as sometimes I wonder.

We can rock with "Jet City Woman"

"Silent Lucidity"

Thanks for visiting! I will be back with a new post on Friday!