Battle of the Bands: Jeff and Rod rally past Eva Cassidy

 Eva's version of "People Get Ready" jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Then the shutout was broken making it 2-1. Eva and Jeff split the next two votes making it 3-2 Eva. Then Jeff and Rod captures the next 2 (really the last 3) votes to win 4-3.

This was a fun battle featuring a great song. A lesser known but incredible singer against two giants in Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck.

                                            Back from where Jeff Beck nd Rod Stewart began "Ol' Man River" from 1968's "Truth" album

Rod's "Infatuation: featuring Jeff Beck

Thanks for participating in my Battle of the Bands and I will have a new one out on the 1st.

Battle of the Bands: People Get Ready

 Jeff Beck passed away last month so I will work him into this Battle of the Bands. I am picking the lovely Curtis Mayfield song "People Get Ready." It was a hit with The Impressions. Curtis, Eva and Jeff have all left for the great studio in the sky.

Contender One: Eva Cassidy

Contender Two: Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart

Let me know who you like best Eva or Jeff in the comments.

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.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Number One Hits for the first week of Rocktober

 It's Rocktober, it's time for Monday's Music Moves Me, and the theme is a freebie. I thought I would time travel and see if I can find some Rock songs topping the Billboard charts for the first week in October. Get your retro dance outfit and let's start this Rock and Roll sock hop.

The week ending October 2, 1965..."Hang on Sloopy" by The McCoys

On Today's Date 1968 The Beatles "Hey Jude" topped the charts..

On October 2, 1971 Rod Stewart topped the Chart with "Maggie May"

October 4, 1975 David Bowie "Fame" was on top..

October 2, 1976 time to "Play That Funky Music" Wild Cherry

Queen ruled on October 4, 1980 with "Another One Bites the Dust"

On October 2, 1982 John Cougar (Melloncamp) with "Jack and Diane"

On October 6, 1984 Prince and the Revolution ruled with "Let's Go Crazy"

On this date in 1985 it was Dire Straits "Money for Nothing"

Hope you enjoyed and I will see you soon!

Battle of the Bands Results: Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck bests Ann Wilson 7 to 2

 Jeff Beck turns 76 this month and with his latest single he was able to defeat the lovely vocals of Ann Wilson. The battle the aging guitar icon won was over the John Lennon tune "Isolation" which ironically did not feature guitar.

Lennon related tunes have resulted in 25 percent of Beck's eight Grammy Awards. Age has been good for winning Grammys as he has won four of those in the last 11 years.

Jeff was joined by Johnny Depp who better known for his acting then his Rock and Roll. Jeff has hinted there might be more music coming from the duo. Johnny Depp has had a group featuring Alice Cooper and Aerosmith's Joe Perry called Hollywood Vampires. He has also recorded with Oasis.

Here is Hollywood Vampires with "The Boogieman Surprise"

Below Johnny plays with Paul McCartney...

Jeff Beck has played with singers such as Rod Stewart "People Get Ready"

Well I have a week to think of a new Battle...

A to Z: Downtown these Days

 I welcomed in 2020 in what you could call Downtown New Orleans. Okay technically it was a music hall in uptown. 2020 I saw a couple of musicians in downtown Mobile. I was going to go see the same musician I saw on New Year's again in downtown Mobile  last month but my plans got cancellled. I've done my share of travelling through downtown Jacksonville as I have driven from exit 5 to the coast of the Atlantic. 9In my life I have spent plenty of time in Downtowns both big and small. A lot of Downtown fun has been put on hold these days so I thought I would do a musical tribute to downtown.


Rod Stewart with "Downtown Train" ….

Petula Clark "Downtown"

Thin Lizzy "Downtown Sundown"

What are some of your favorite Downtown songs? See you Monday with a new post.

Monday's Music Moves Me: School Songs

This week's theme is songs related to school. So let's get started..




"Schools Out for Summer"  by Alice Cooper

I know it is the wrong season for that song. However when I think of songs related to school that jumps out at me.

Here is a gem, Steely Dan's "My Old School"

Supertramp "School"

Nirvana "School"

The next one makes a reference to school and is for fitting for the season.

Rod Stewart "Maggie May"

Until next time enjoy!

73 Years of Jeff Beck

Today is Jeff Beck's 73rd Birthday! That is a god enough reason to celebrate his career by sharing some music.


A live version of "Train Kepta Rollin'" from 1966. The Yardbirds...

Here he is with Rod Stewart doing "People Get Ready"...

Here they are about 16 years earlier with "You Shook Me"...

It was a  joy to watch him play with Tal Wilkenfeld....

and Jennifer Batton got him releasing albums on a schedule for a while..

The first track of his latest album..

Hope you enjoyed my time traveling celebration of Jeff Beck for his birthday!

R.I.P Ian McLagan

The week is only half over and the rock world has lost a sax legend and now a renowned keyboardist. Ian McLagan has passed away at the age of 69.

You can read the official announcement at his website. Ian is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. He was a member of the Faces and Small Faces.


Here he performs "Never Say Never" on David Letterman's show with special guest Patty Griffin..

Here is a vintage video of him performing in The Small Faces "Tin Soldiers"

A video from 1972 The Faces featuring Rod Stewart...

Peace and prayers to his family. Ian McLagan thanks for the music!

Happy Birthday Jeff Beck!

I can't believe I haven't written a Jeff Beck happy birthday post  before. He is probably my favorite guitarist. He has a distinct sound that I can almost recognize every time and say that's Jeff Beck.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

He is probably most famous for his version of "People Get Ready"

I have to give the two time Rock and Roll  Hall of Fame member credit he is always pushing the envelope and is never satisfied resting on his past accomplishments.

Here he is back in 1965 with the Yardbirds...

Here he is with "Where were you"

Jeff Beck has won 5 Grammy Awards including one for this Beatles' cover...

I could go on and on. However, I think it is best to let you discover..

Celebrating Curtis Mayfield on his Birthday

Today Curtis Mayfield would have turned 72 except he passed away in 1999. It was Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart's version of "People Get Ready" that turned me on to Curtis Mayfield. Though Bob Marley would have gotten me to the same reference play adding parts of the song on "One Love." If not someone else on the long list of musicians he influenced would have turned me on to his music. A list that includes Hendrix, Clapton, Kravitz, and John Mayer. In Mayer's case just listen to "Waiting on the World to Change."

Here is Curtis Mayfield's take on "People Get Ready"

Here he is with The Impressions performing "It's Alright"

He was "Superfly"..

Let's all "Keep on, Keeping On"..

Remembering a great musician, an influencer, and the legacy that is Curtis Mayfield.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014

Back for another round of who's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2014.

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is officially a two-timer! A two time member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that is. The first time around he was inducted as a member of Genesis, this time around he is being honored for his solo work.I agree with his selection. He had a big hit with Sledgehammer and a lot of his songs got a tremendous amount of airplay.

"Solsbury Hill"

Cat Stevens

It is a "Wild World" out there and Cat Stevens deserves this honor just ask Mr. Big. But Mr. Big wasn't the only superstar to have a hit due to a song Cat Stevens wrote, Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow will tell you "The First Cut is the Deepest."

Hall and Oates

I remember liking them as a young kid. Somewhere down the line it became not as cool. But I like what I have seen Daryl Hall do recently with his live from his house show or what not.In truth they were very talented.

"Private Eyes"

Linda Ronstadt

A good call she belongs here. You might be "No Good" but she is. 11 Grammy good.

There you have it, and next year maybe..

Sara Evans at the Fair

Sara Evans was quite a contrast from Grand Funk Railroad as far as entertainment choices. Grand Funk Railroad is a classic rock band while Sara Evans is contemporary country star. Still the stage was set up or an intimate fair experience.

Sara Evans in concert...



Sara Evan played an hour long set or so packed full of hits like :Grow Abit Stronger"..

"Suds in the Bucket"

And " I Could Not Ask For More"

During her set she also played a cover of the song "My Heart Can't Tell You No" which ROd Stewart brought to the limelight in 1988..

However, that cover could not prepare one for her encore which was a series of covers of popular songs performed by Sara backed by her six piece band.

Here she is live covering Bruno Mars hit "When I Was Your Man"

She also covered Pink's monster hit "Just Give Me A Reason" during her encore..

Sara Evans gave a fun show. Her country hits do make her a star and her choice of covers displayed her love of other music and showed off her vocal talents. She also appealed to a larger group of ans with her choice of covers. They may have been unexpected choices however she did perform the songs well.

Happy Birthday Ronnie Wood!

Today is Ronnie Wood's 66th birthday!  A musival career including work in the Jeff Beck Group, The Faces, and The Rolling Stones. Some how he managed to have a solo career and work as an artist. Cheers Ronnie and keep on rocking!

Here he is with The Jeff Beck Group...

Here he is with The Faces performing Paul McCartney's Maybe I'M Amazed...

Here is a solo track from his last solo album...

Here he talks about his art...

With The Stones...

And Katy Perry. Happy Birthday~

Happy Birthday Rod Stewart

Today is Rod Stewart's 68th birthday. January appears to be a great month to be born if you want to be a rock star. Well let's get right to the fun stuff of spanning Rod's career.

Here he performs "Mountain Dew" with the Jeff Beck Group

Rod Stewart with The Faces

Here is Rod Stewart in the 80's with Some Guys Have All the Luck..

Here is an ad he did with Tina Turner..

Here is something a bit for recent...

and a fun one just for kicks...

Happy Birthday Rod Stewart..thanks for the songs and the jams with Jeff Beck, Ron Wood and moore.