R.I.P Kris Kristofferson

             

Kris Kristofferson passed away leaving Willie Nelson as the last remaining Highwayman.

It was a "Sunday Morning Coming Down"

Above is a classic trailer of the 1981 film "Rollover" not only was Kris a singer/songwriter but he had an acting career. His roles in The Blade Trilogy stand out to me. However, I did get to see him in concert opening up for Bob Dylan.

He wrote "Me and Bobby McGee" which was made famous by Janis Joplin.

He had a successful life and career. At 88 he lived a full life, but he will be missed by his friends, colleagues and fans. 

"Why Me Lord"

R.I.P Meat Loaf

 

Marvin Lee Aday, also known as Michael Lee Aday, and best known as Meat Loaf passed away earlier this month at the age of 74. I open the segment with an interview where he discusses his role in the movie "Fight Club." 

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light"

"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"

"I'd Do Anything for Love"

Even though he did some acting he was best known for his music career. That career highlighted by the above trio of songs. He will be missed by family, friends and family.

R.I.P Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson was a founding member of the Supremes, a long time Las Vegas singer, and a best selling author. Sadly she passed away on the 8th. 

                                                   The Supremes "Come and Get These Memories"

                                                                        Here she performs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"

Her place in Motown and music history was sealed when she was in the Supremes. She will be missed by her friends, family and fans.

R.I.P Johnny Nash

 

Starting the post with "Hold Me Tight" the singer Johnny Nash has passed away at the age of 80.

Johnny was best known for a particular song but he was far from a one hit wonder.

"You Got Soul"

Sharing more than the obvious is probably the best way to show tribute to this singer.

"Tears on My Pillow"

I'll wrap up with his claim for fame...

"I Can See Clearly Now"

The world lost a talented singer and he will be missed!

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 Roky Erickson

Roky Erickson was a singer songwriter best known for his work with The Thirteenth Floor Elevators. I used perhaps the best known song from the catalog on my recent Battle of the Bands post. There is still time to vote on that.

I thought I would share more of his music and do a more proper tribute.

                                              "Cold Night for Alligators"

"Slip Inside This House" from The Thirteenth Floor Elevators days...

"Rollercoaster"

Back to solo stuff "If you have Ghosts"

"Goodbye Sweet Dreams"

May he rest in peace!

R.I.P Nancy Wilson Jazz Singer

She would probably hate the term jazz singer but I didn't want her to be confused with Nancy Wilson of Heart fame. The Nancy Wilson my post is about is the 81-year old three time Grammy Award winning vocalist who passed away yesterday.


A news clip or tribute about her below...

I want to share her music and celebrate her life and talents!

"How Glad I Am" which won her first Grammy...

                                            Here she is with "Guess Who I Saw Today"

                                       
                                              "Don't Ask My Neighbors"
         

She leaves behind a recorded legacy and will be missed by fans, family and friends.

                                              

Happy Birthday Smokey Robinson!

Today is Smokey Robinson's 76th birthday! I celebrated his 75th birthday last year with this post.  I am also featuring one of his songs in my current Battle of the Bands post. There is still time to vote if you like!

Five years ago, I had the honor of reviewing his performance at the Kennedy Center. It was for a charity event and Robinson still gave a full show. You can read my review here.

Enough about what I've posted, you know my celebrations are all about the music.

Here he is with the Miracles, "You Really Got a Hold of Me"

Elliptical Man posted last year his favorite song from Smokey was "Just to See Her"

I do requests and mentions so feel free to share your Smokey Robinson memories, favorite songs and such in the comments. Here is "Baby Come Close"

Hope you enjoy and I will be back soon!

R.I.P Al Jarreau

Seven time Grammy Award singer Al Jarreau passed away today. His music crossed the genres of R&B, jazz, and soul. If you were a television fan in the 80's you might remember him for the Moonlighting title track...

He won his first GRAMMY Award for this song.."Look to the Rainbow"

He won his last GRAMMY Award by himself for this song..."Heaven and Earth"

He would win another one for a song featuring Jill Scott and George Benson as well. What is your favorite Al Jarreau song? Do you have any Al Jarreau memories? If you do feel free to share in the comments. We will miss Al Jarreau's vocals but we are thankful for his recordings.

R.I.P. Holly Dunn

November has not been a good month for singer songwriters. This time around Holly Dunn who had eight top ten singles has passed away at the age of 59. She lost her battle with cancer.

She is probably best known for this song that peaked at number seven on the Country charts "Daddy's Hands"..

Dunn had two singles that topped the Country Charts. This one called "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me"

The other number one was "You Really Had Me Going"...

Dunn had retired from music to devote more time for her other passion art. She is an artist who will be missed.

R.I.P Leon Russell

I was considering going to see Leon Russell on Tuesday at the local music club, I missed him the last time he was in town. He was scheduled to open for a group I was interested in seeing in January. So, I thought I had a couple of chances to catch him. Now I will never get catch him live as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame passed away at the age of 74.

The songs he left behind are the greatest gift the songwriter could leave. Amazingly over 100 acts have covered his song "A Song For You." As I listen it to it now I find it just as haunting as I find it beautiful.

One of his own hits "Lady Blue"..

"Tight Rope" was another hit...

I guess "Good Time Charlie's got the Blues"..

What's your favorite Leon Russell song? Do you have a memory? Feel free to share in the comments. Leon Russell may you R.I.P. 

R.I.P Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen was a true artist and he has passed away at the age of 82. His songwriting made him legendary, his musicianship allowed him to make his songs come alive, and his novels and paintings unleashed more creativity.

He has been inducted in both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame. His talents also landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also honored with the Companion Order of Canada.

One of his latest songs "You Want it Darker"...

He has won numerous awards for his music including several JUNO Awards and a couple of Grammy Awards, His writing also has been recognized with a few awards.

"In My Secret Place"

"Everybody Knows"

"Hallelujah"

May he rest in peace

Happy Birthday Smokey Robinson!

Today is Smokey Robinson's 76th birthday! There is no better way than to share the music of this incredible singer and songwriter.

Let's go "Cruisin'"...

"The Tracks of My Tears"...

"You Can Depend on Me"...

What's your favorite Smokey Robinson song? What's your favorite Smokey Robinson memory? Please feel free to share.

"Being with You"

I'll be back soon!

Happy Birthday Brian Johnson!

Today the lead singer and songwriter for AC/DC turns 68. We wish him a Happy Birthday! Celebrating his birthday will add some solid rock to my Rocktober themed blog this month!

Yes we salute those about to rock, but we also salute those who have rocked!

I was turned on to this band at a very early age. One of those songs that turned me on was "Dirty Deeds done Dirt Cheap"

Are you a fan of AC/DC? If so what song turned you on to them?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Something fairly new from the band "Play Ball"

Yes they are "Back in Black"

Happy Birthday Brian Johnson! I hope you enjoyed your visit. I will be back soon with a brand new post!

Happy Birthday Gwen Stefani!

Happy Birthday Gwen Stefani. I won't give her age because it will make me and her feel old.

I will share the Grammy Award winning artists music.

After all she is just a girl..

She rose to fame with her band No Doubt. However she has spread her musical wings as a solo artist. Here she is with "Hollaback Girl"...

She's "cool"...

Keeping it even I will wrap up the blog with a No Doubt song "Don't Speak"

Hope you enjoyed the birthday celebration. I will be back soon with a new post.

Happy birthday Van Morrison

Today is Van Morrison's birthday. I am doing this blog from my phone so I appologize in advance for any errors or auto in correctness that may occur.

Lets jump right into the mystic..

Van Morrison has provided plenty of great songs through his career. I dedicate this one to my wife..My Brown Eyed Girl..

Hopefully I can get one more moondance..

Her name is not Gloria but if there a e any out there with that name here is a sing for them..

I hope you enjoyed your visit celebrating Van Morrison on his birthday. Come back tomorrow for a new Battle of the Bands post.

Remembering Michael Jackson on his birthday!

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. Michael's album "Thriller" has sold more copies than any other album ever. In total his album sales is higher than 400 million. 13 number one hits certainly helped those sales. He won 26 American Music Awards and 13 Grammys. The Grammys also awarded him a Legend Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Starting off in The Jackson Five..

His career appeared as easy as ABC. 

It certainly had it's thrills. Here is Michael with "Thriller"...

Throughout his career Michael Jackson supported a lot of charities..

He even collaborated with other legends like Paul McCartney..

Here he is with another hit ":Billie Jean"..

Thanks for visiting as my blog remembers Michael Jackson on what would have been his 57th birthday. Do you have a favorite Michael Jackson  song or memory? Feel free to share in the comments. I will be back soon with a new post.

Happy Birthday Kris Kristofferson

 Today June 22, 2015 is Kris Kristofferson's birthday. He was just featured in a blog by a friend of mind called the Far Away Series in a Battle of the Band. He lost that match up with Johnny Cash.

But Johnny Cash and Kris have had some collaborations outside of a Battle of the Bands.

Yes I added Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings because you can never have too many superstars.

I really discovered Kris Kristofferson when I saw him open up for Bob Dylan, But the first time I remember hearing a song he wrote was through Janis Joplin..

"Me and Bobby McGee" was a song Kris wrote. He also dabbled in acting as well..

The above clip was from Blade. My favorite Kris Kristofferson song is "Sunday Morning Coming Down"

Thanks for visiting! What is your favorite Kris Kristofferson song? Movie part?

R.I.P Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack has passed away at the age of 70. Soul legend, songwriter master, singer, guitarist Bobby Womack will be missed..

He wrote that song and now sadly it is our time to cry since "It is All over Now." A song covered most famously by The Rolling Stones ..

.

Below he performs with Patti LaBelle...

.

Some consider this his greatest song...

What is your favorite Bobby Womack song? What is your favorite Womack memory? Leave a comment and share.

This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member will be missed...

A to Z Challenge:Warren Zevon

My blog is a little late today. I ended up being stuck at work due to the wild weather down here! My car was almost flooded, ended up getting drenched and worked 25 hours in a 28 hour span. So I picked Warren Zevon to finish out my blog challenge.

This one sounds appropriate..

A theme for my crazy life...

This one was re-recorded and became a hit..

This song is so true..

This might be the happiest song he wrote..

Happy blogging, I hope you enjoy!