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Neil Youngs’s Resume Buffalo Springfield – Though they only stayed together for a couple of albums, Buffalo Springfield, which included Stephen Stills, left an indelible mark on Rock music. They’re best remembered for the tense hit “For What It’s Worth.” However, that song was easily eclipsed by Young’s “Mr. Soul” which sounded like a bridge…
Countless groups have covered Chuck Berry. Nearly all stayed relatively close to the source. One notable exception was Electric Light Orchestra’s rendition of “Roll Over Beethoven.” Aside from the inescapable guitar riff, the song had definite “classical” overtones (figures, given the song’s title) with a creative arrangement. What made it work was the violins and…
Emerson, Lake & Palmer were noted for Rockin’ classical works (“Hoedown,” “Fanfare For The Common Man” and “Pictures At An Exhibition”) and even the “Peter Gunn Theme” from the late-50’s/early-60’s TV detective series. Emerson, Lake & Palmer were prime exponents of the Art-Rock movement. They were also known for flamboyant performances, extended solos, time signature…
There are some groups so “on trend” it’s scary. MTV, launched in the early ’80s, was initially in dire need of content. Equally important, they needed to find musicians who “got it.” Artists who understood making a video was more than standing in front of a camera lip-synching. Enter Duran Duran from Birmingham, England. Duran…
Pantera‘s major label debut album, “Cowboys From Hell” released in ‘90, was recently certified (May 26th) double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 2-million copies in the United States. “Cowboys From Hell,” originally certified platinum in July ’97, has been called one of the most influential Metal albums of the…
MTV IS TEACHER APPROVED It’s doubtful MTV would have ever used the above as an advertising slogan when they launched in the ‘80s but they could have. From Dire Strait’s “Money For Nothing,” with Sting’s guest vocals, came the ethereal demand “I want my MTV.” Both Sting (The Police) and Dire Straits frontman, guitarist/vocalist Mark…
Creed got slammed by critics but rather than ignore them, the reviews took root. Creed’s third full-length release “Weathered” hit the streets in ’01. The symbolic title, as in “weathered the criticism,” should have been a warning – even for a group with a pretty incredible track record. To add insult to injury, the critics…
A Jeff Beck tribute concert, organized by Eric Clapton and Sandra Beck, the guitarist’s widow, took place Monday night (5/22) at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The event featured Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, ZZ Tops’ Billy Gibbons and actor/guitarist Johnny Depp. A second all-star concert was held Tuesday night. Beck, who passed away earlier this year, was…
In a world populated by Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival might have seemed a little boring. Don’t be fooled. This group of journeyman musicians led by singer, songwriter, guitarist John Fogerty delivered potent Rock. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Fogerty somehow channeled the Southern Rock bayou…
Foo Fighters’ “Rescued” is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart (dated 5/20). Released on April 19th, “Rescued” is the first single off the Foos eleventh studio album, “But Here We Are,” which will drop June 2nd. The track references the passing last year of drummer Taylor Hawkins. According to the band, it’s “the first…