February 28, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
BONNIE RAITT...Takin My Time  (1973)
Takin' My Time was released 40 years ago in 1973 and reached number 87 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  The criteria for today was once again to listen to an album I had never heard before.  Folks, I picked an excellent record.  This could be my favorite album from Bonnie (even tho I have not heard them all).  Bluesy, jazzy and just plain cool would be an excellent way of describing the album.  Bonnie delivers some great vocals, as usual.  "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy" is an outstanding track.  Other highlights include "I Feel The Same" and "I Thought I Was A Child" (written by Jackson Browne)  I give a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars and definitely recommend it
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 28
Donnie Iris is 70; Pat Monahan of Train is 44;

ON THIS DATE
1942 Brian Jones of the Rolling Stons is born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Jones died in 1969
1970 Led Zeppelin had to change their name to the Nobs for a show in Copenhagen in order to avoid a lawsuit from the family of airship creator Ferdinand Von Zeppelin
1976 At the Grammys: The Eagles - "Lyin' Eyes' Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group
1984 At the Grammys: The Police - "Every Breath You Take" Best Pop Performance and Song of the Year, "Synchronicity" Best Rock Performance
1996 At the Grammys: Hootie And The Blowfish - Best New Artist, Allman Brothers Band - "Jessica" Best Rock Instrumental
2007 The Doors receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. John Densmore does not attend the ceremonies as he is still angry with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger
2012  Adam Clayton of U2 sues his former assistant  for misappropriating $7.5 million of his money over a five-year period and seeks full restitution

 ON THIS DATE IN ROCK HISTORY FOR FEBRUARY 29
1968 At the Grammys album of the year honors went to The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
1972 John Lennon's visa expired, beginning a three year battle for permanent residency status
2000 Dennis Danell of Social Distortion dies of a brain aneurysm. Danell was 38
2012 Davy Jones of the Monkees dies of a hear attack in Indiantown, Florida. Jones was 66

February 27, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
MUSE...The 2nd Law  (2012)
The 2nd Law was released last year and it reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  This is the 6th album from Muse but is the first one of theirs I've ever listened to.  I have always heard that they were Radiohead clones but I don't hear it on this album.  In fact, they're better than Radiohead.  This was a cool listen and I'll give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  It's different than the albums I usually listen to.  Each track is different sounding than the rest as they incorporate hard rock, funk, soul and lush orchestral sounds into the mix therefore making for an interesting listen.  Highlights are "Follow Me", "Explorers" and "Save Me".  All 3 of those are slow numbers, but were the best.  Recommended
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 27
Neal Schon from Journey is 59; Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden is 57; Johnny Van Zant from Lynyrd Skynyrd is 53; Mike Cross from Sponge is 48; Jared Champion of Cage the Elephant is 30;

ON THIS DATE
1977 Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones is arrested in Toronto for heroin, cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia. Police believe his intentions are to traffic the drugs. He got off with a fine and community service
1980 At the Grammys: Billy Joel - 52nd Street Best Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year
2002 At the Grammys: U2 - Best Rock Album for All That You Can’t Leave Behind, Record of the Year “Walk On”, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group “Elevation”
2006 It is announced that Cold has broken up. They reunited in 2009
2006 Dave Wyndorf of Monster Magnet is hospitalized due to a drug overdose
2011 Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Atticus Ross win an Oscar for their score for The Social Network
2013  The Stone Temple Pilots announce that they have fired lead singer Scott Weiland

February 26, 2013

Check out What We're Listening To This Week


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
BON JOVI...New Jersey  (1988)
New Jersey was released 25 years ago in 1988.  It reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Bon Jovi had achieved major success with their previous album Slippery When Wet as their videos from that record were splashed all over MTV (remember when they were a good network?).  As we've all witnessed throughout the rock n roll era when an artist has such a major hit their next album finds it almost impossible to match the success or quality.  New Jersey didn't match the album sales of Slippery When Wet but the quality is better, in my opinion.  The album opens with the powerful "Lay Your Hands On Me".  The set continues to rock with other highlights "Bad Medicine" and "Born To Be My Baby".  The power ballad "I'll Be There For You" is really good, too.  Highly recommended, receiving 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 26
Fats Domino is 85; Paul Cotton from Poco is 70; Jonathan Cain from Journey is 63; Tim Commerford from Audioslave is 45;

ON THIS DATE
1943 Bob “Bear” Hite of Canned Heat was born in Torrance, California. Hite died in 1981
1985 At the Grammy's: Best Rock Male Performance - Bruce Springsteen "Dancing In The Dark"
1996 At the 38th Grammy's: Best Hard Rock Performance - Pearl Jam “Spin The Black Circle”
2008 Buddy Miles dies at the age of 60. He had been the drummer for Jimi Hendrix. He had also performed with Carlos Santana and David Bowie

February 25, 2013

R.I.P.  Dan Toler

Check out the Rock genre New Releases


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
GEORGE HARRISON...Living In The Material World  (1973)
Living In The Material World was released 40 years ago in 1973.  It reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts and receives a 5 out of 5 stars.  It is a fantastic record.  There are some points in the record that are very low key that for the average listener might seem boring.  For a huge Harrison fan and for a huge music fan the low key elements are as wonderful as the so-called "radio friendly" type songs.  The number 1 hit single "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" is on this album.  Other highlights include "Sue Me Sue You Blues", "Be Here Now" (one of the low key elements but is quite good) and "Try Some Buy Some".  George was not the greatest singer and at times it shows on this release but the songwriting and the playing are excellent.  Being an ex-Beatle at this point for three years was a sticky point for Harrison. He mentions it a few times:  "Sue Me Sue You Blues" is in reference to the on-going lawsuits the 4 Beatles were going through at the time.  "Who Can See It" is in reference to the fans wanting him (and the other 3) to remains the same boys from Liverpool everybody fell in love with.  There is a mention of the other 3, by name, in "Living In The Material World", which includes some real cool guitar work from George.  When it comes to his solo work George is always going to be known for All Things Must Pass, which is an awesome album, but so much of his other work should as recognized.  For George's 70th birthday I suggest you check this one out.  It's good, really good so it is highly recommended
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 25
Dennis Diken from The Smithereens is 56; Mike Peters from The Alarm is 54; Richard Liles, formerly with 3 Doors Down, is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1943 George Harrison is born in Liverpool, England. Harrison died in 2001
1963 VeeJay Records releases "Please Please Me" by the Beatles in the U.S. It does nothing
1981 At the Grammys: Billy Joel-Glass Houses Best Rock Vocal Performance, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band-“Against The Wind” Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal
1985 U2 begin their first U.S. tour. That same night Sting performed his first solo gig in New York City
1986 At the 28th Grammys: Don Henley-“The Boys Of Summer” Best Rock Male Vocal Performance
1992 At the 34th Grammys: Bonnie Raitt-"Luck Of The Draw" Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo and “Something To Talk About” Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
1990 At the 40th Grammys: The Wallflowers-"One Headlight" Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance By A Group. That same evening Roy Orbision is inducted into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
2008 Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The topic: their failed marriage
2010  Bob Dylan is awarded the National Medal of Arts, which recognizes “the breadth and depth of American architecture, design, film, music, performance, theater and visual art.” Dylan does not attend.
2011 Vince Neil of Motley Crue is released from jail after serving 10 days of a 15 day sentence stemming from an arrest of drunken driving on the Las Vegas strip June 27, 2010
2011 Suze Rotolo, artist and girlfriend of singer Bob Dylan, who was his lyrical muse when he came to prominence in the early 1960s, died in New York at age 67
2013  Dan Foler, formerly with the Allman brothers band, died in Sarasota, Florida.  Foler was 64

February 24, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
JOURNEY...Journey's Greatest Hits  (1988
15 million sold and counting. It only reached number 10 on the US Billboard album charts but it continues to sell around a million units a year. Pretty good for an album that's 25 years old. It is a fun listen, containing all the favorite Journey hits we all know and love. I highly recommend it for your collection
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 24
Paul Jones from Manfred Mann is 71; Lonnie Turner, formerly with the Steve Miller Band, is 66; George Thorogood is 63;

ON THIS DATE
1969 The Jimi Hendrix Experience performed their last concert in London at the Royal Albert Hall
1992 Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain married Hole lead vocalist Courtney Love in Hawaii
1993 At the Grammys: Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" is the big winner of the evening, Melissa Etheridge’s "Ain’t It Heavy" wins Best Rock Performance, Female, Best Hard Rock Song goes to the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give It Away"
1998 The Smashing Pumplins are sued by Virgin Records, who claim the band owed them an album three months earlier
2004 After We Go by Tantric is released
2008 ZZ Top play a pre-race show at the '08 Auto Club 500, the debut West Coast event of the NASCAR season, at the California Speedway

February 23, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
BOB SEGER...Back In '72  (1973)
Back In '72 was released 40 years ago in 1973 and it reached number 188 on the U.S. Billboard Album Charts.  This was before Bob Seger would achieve his superstar status with his big FM-friendly hits, but one should not ignore this record just because it doesn't have those familiar tracks on it.  It does, however, contain an excellent studio version of "Turn The Page", which is just as good as the live one we've all heard for almost 4 decades (it's just an excellent song to begin with).  Back In '72 also opens with the Gregg Allman classic "Midnight Rider" but it sounds nothing like the original.  Also included is a cover of Free's "Stealer", done very well and Van Morrison's "I've Been Working"  The other 6 are penned by Seger.  The album rocks, Bob Seger's familiar vocals add to the flavor (Seger stated he doesn't like the vocals on the record), plus for this writer it was refreshing to hear Seger singing something besides the hits.  I think it deserves a very strong 3 1/2 out of 5 stars and is highly recommended.  Just the studio version of "Turn The Page" makes it worth a listen.  Unfortunately, Seger has never officially released the album on CD and it has also never been reprinted on vinyl, making it a rare find.  The provided links for the CD are bootlegs
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 23
Johnny Winter is 69; Brad Whitford from Aerosmith is 61; Michael Wilton from Queensryche is 51; Jeff Beres from Sister Hazel is 42;

ON THIS DATE
1965 The Beatles begin filming their second movie Eight Arms To Hold You, later named Help!, in the Bahamas
1978 At the Grammys The Eagles win Record Of The Year for Hotel California and Fleetwood Mac wins Album Of The Year for Rumours
2000 Carlos Santana won eight Grammy awards, including album of the year for Supernatural, tying the record set by Michael Jackson in 1983 for most trophies in one night. Elton John receives the Living Legend Award
2005 Muscle Shoals Studio in Sheffield Alabama has to close due to lack of business. We've all heard music that was recorded there by acts such as the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Dylan and others
2006 The Rolling Stones have a free concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 20 people are injured as the crowd becomes a little rowdy
2010 The British Culture Minister declares Abbey Road studios, where The Beatles recorded nearly all their albums, an official historic landmark due to "the historic merit of the studios" and because of its "huge cultural importance."

February 22, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE...Temper, Temper  (2013)
Temper, Temper is the latest album from Bullet For My Valentine and is currently at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  This is a in-your-face hardcore heavy metal.  It is loud, it is raunchy, it rocks and I liked it much more than I thought I would.  I'll give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars and recommend it.  It's nothing groundbreaking whatsoever, it's just a rockin' album to have a good time to, definitely something for twenty-something year olds.  No tracks really stand to me as highlights, however the most interesting track is their cover of the AC/DC classic "Whole Lotta Rosie".
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)



ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 22
Jon Brant, formerly with Cheap Trick, is 58; Scott Phillips of Creed and Alter Bridge is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1963 Northern Music Publishing Company is formed by the Beatles
1965 The Beatles leave for the Bahamas to begin filming Help!
1967 "A Day In The Life" is finished by the Beatles, which would appear 4 months later on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1978 Sid Vicious is arrested in New York for drug possession
1989 At the 31st Grammy's: Jethro Tull beats out Metallica for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental
2005 It is announced that Brian "Head" Welch has left KoRn. Welch had recently became a Christian
2007 It is announced that Ryan Yerdon is the new drummer for Puddle Of Mudd
2012  Tommy Lee of Motley Crue settles a court battle with Michael Sullivan, Lee's former assistant.  Lee is ordered to pay $400,000 and issue a public apology for being"the boss from hell."

February 21, 2013

Check out the Top !0 Rock Genre Albums For This Week


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
BOB DYLAN...The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan  (1963)
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was released 50 years ago in 1963 and reached number 22 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Critics and fans alike just love this album, some even saying it's the greatest album ever recorded.  Folks, that is hogwash!  I just don't see the huge appeal of Dylan, especially before he brought in an electric guitar into his sound.  He cannot sing whatsoever and I could not wait for the record to get over.  Just not my cup of tea and I'll give it 1 out of 5 stars.  Not recommended
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 21
Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads is 64; Michael Ward of the Wallflowers is 46; Eric Wilson from Sublime is 43; Tad Kinchla from Blues Traveler is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1951 Vince Welnick of the Tubes and the Grateful Dead is born in Phoenix, Arizona. Welnick died in 2006
1968 The rights for Hunter Davies' authorized biography of the Beatles is given to McGraw-Hill Publishing
1990 Bonnie Raitt wins big at the Grammys, Album of the Year (“Nick Of Time”), Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (“Nick Of Time”), Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (“Nick Of Time”)
2001 At the Grammy's: Steely Dan wins Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Two Against Nature, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Rock performance go to "Beautiful Day" by U2
2006 Kid Rock files a lawsuit in Detroit seeking to halt the sale and distribution of a '99 videotape featuring him and Scott Stapp of Creed engaging in sex acts with four women
2007 Danny Carey, drummer for Tool, undergoes surgery for a torn bicep

February 20, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
KID ROCK...Rebel Soul  (2012)
Rebel Soul is the latest album from Kid Rock and it reached number 5 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Kid Rock has used a formula that has worked surprisingly well.  That formula is to take hard rock, southern rock, country and R&B with a hint of blues, then add vocals that are reminiscent of AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Otis Redding, blend that all in with a bad boy attitude who loves his country, his women and his hometown of Detroit, Michigan and you have THE rock n roll winning formula for success.  Rebel Soul is no exception.  I enjoyed the record with the exception of the bad language.  I'll give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  recommended
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 20
J. Geils is 67; Walter Becker from Steely Dan is 63; Jon Brant, formerly with Cheap Trick, is 59; Ian Brown of the Stone Roses is 50;

ON THIS DATE
1967 Kurt Donald Cobain from Nirvana was born.
1976 Kiss embedded their platform boots into wet cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood
1980 Ronald Belford Scott of AC/DC is pronounced dead
2003 A fire broke out during a rock concert at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island killing 100 people and injuring about 200 others. Great White was performing that night. Ty Longley from the band was one of the 100 to die
2007 Dave Navarro of Jane's Addicition and the Red Hot Chili Peppers has his divorced finalized from Carmen Electra
2008 Devon Townsend receives a 2 year sentence behind bars. She is found guilty of harrassing Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and his wife

February 19, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY 
THE BLUES TRAVELER...Save His Soul  (1993)
Save His Soul was released 20 years ago in 1993 and reached number 72 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I'll give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.  My thought for today was to check out an album I had never heard from a band I don't listen to very often.  I got lucky and picked a very good album.  My first thought, however, was "oh wow, it has 14 songs and clocks in at more than an hour" but that turned out to be not a problem.  Of course, the best track on the album is the last one, the 7 1/2 minute 'Fledgling'.  This could be the best BT track I've ever heard.  Throughout the album is the very familiar BT sound with some very cool harmonica.  Recommended, for sure
(CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 19
Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell is 65; Mark Andes from Heart is 64; Jon Fishman of Phish is 48; Daniel Adair from Nickelback is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1974 Kiss appear on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
1980 Bon Scott from AC/DC goes out drinking on the town with friends. This is the night that Scott would end up passed out in a car and found unconscious the next day. Doctors were unable to help him
1996 Oasis win a couple of awards at the BRIT Awards in London for Best Video ("Wonderwall") and Best Album (“(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?”). During one of the acceptance speechs they refer to record industry folks as "Corporate pigs"
2009 Kelly Groucutt, formerly with Electric Light Orchestra, dies in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Groucutt was 63

February 18

Check out the New Releases


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ALABAMA SHAKES...Boys And Girls  (2012)
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)
Boys And Girls is the debut album from Alabama Shakes it reached number 8 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I had read that Alabama Shakes was similar to Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers but I don't hear that.  Lead vocalist Brittany Howard definitely has her own unique voice while the rest of the band give her a good backing.  I'll give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  All of the reviews I have read have given it a much higher rating.  Check it out, see for yourself
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 18
Dennis DeYoung, formerly with Styx, is 66; Robbie Bachman, formerly with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, is 60; Larry Rust, formerly with Iron Butterfly, is 60;

ON THIS DATE:
1968 David Gilmour becomes the guitarist for Pink Floyd, replacing Syd Barrett
1974 Kiss by Kiss is released
1980 Bill Wyman announces he will be leaving the Rolling Stones. However, he doesn't do it until 1992
1995 Bob Stinson from the Replacements passes away in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stinson was 35

February 17, 2013

R.I.P. Tony Sheridan

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ROD STEWART...Blondes Have More Fun  (1978)
Blondes Have More Fun was released 35 years ago in 1978.  It reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  It receives 4 1/2 out of 5 stars and is recommended listening.  Disco was the big thing in the late 70's and a few rockers experimented with some disco sounds (the Stones, McCartney, Kiss, Elton John) and so did Rod Stewart.  "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" to this day is still a great track to listen to.  Other highlights include the ballad "The Best Days Of My Life" and the cover of the Four Tops hit "Standing In The Shadows Of Love".  Check it out
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 17
Timothy J. Mahoney of 311 is 43; Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1960 The Everly Brothers sign a $1 million - ten year contact with Warner Brothers Records
1972 Pink Floyd perform the Dark Side Of The Moon album in a concert in London. The album would not be released for another year
1973 In Hollywood, Florida Free performs their final concert
1975 Rock And Roll by John Lennon is released
1976 Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 by the Eagles is released. It is currently the second highest selling album of all time in America
1990 Aerosmith appear on "Saturday Night Live" in a "Wayne's World" skit
2011  A butcher cover of Yesterday...And Today by the Beatles sells for more than $26,000 at the Heritage Auction in Beverly Hills

February 16, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
COHEED AND CAMBRIA...The Afterman: Descension  (2013)
Descension is currently number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Album Charts.
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review) 

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 16
Andy Taylor from Duran Duran is 52; Dave Lombardo from Slayer is 48; Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1975 Lou Reed gets hit with a brick while a political group tries to stop his concert and police use tear gas
1993 At the 12th annual BRIT Awards in London Nirvana is given the award for Best International Newcomer
2005 In London Jimi Hendrix memorabilia go on auction. A 1965 Fender Stratocaster owned by Jimi goes for $190,000
2005 An arrest warrant is issued for Kid Rock after he allegedly punched a DJ at a strip bar. Rock turns himself in to Nashville police and is charged with misdemeanor simple assault and released after posting a $3,000 bond
2006 Elton John wins a libel case he filed against London's Sunday Times newspaper over an article it ran claiming that he exhibited rude behavior at an '05 charity ball
2007 Ian Astbury leaves Riders On The Storm, the band formed by Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger
2013  Tony Sheridan, who recorded with the Beatles in 1961, died in Hamburg, Germany.  Sheridan was 72

February 15

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE EAGLES...Desperado  (1973)
Desperado was released 40 years ago in 1973.  It reached number number 41 on the U.S. Billboard Albums Charts and receives 4 out of 5 stars.  The Eagles would soon be releasing much better albums than this one.  Desperado leans more towards a country feel.  The best tracks are the very familiar "Tequila Sunrise" (one of their best ever) and the title track "Desperado".  Another great track is "Bitter Creek".  Recommended listening 
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 15
Mick Avory from The Kinks is 69; John Helliwell from Supertramp is 69; Stevie Benton from Drowning Pool is 42; Brandon Boyd from Incubus is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1947 David Brown, who was a member of Santana twice, is born. Brown died in 2000
1977 Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is released
1998 The Rolling Stones wrap up their Bridges To Babylon tour in Las Vegas
2006 The National Trust heritage organization declares the gravesite of Bon Scott of AC/DC in Fremantle, Australia a historic site
2007 It is announced that Audioslave has officially called it quits
2008 Don Henley of the Eagles and his wife donate $4,000 a piece to Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue of North Carolina, who is running for governor. Her rival, Richard Moore, holds a press conference apologizing for using "Life In The Fast Lane" in commercials without permission
2011  Vince Neil of Motley Crue begins serving his two week sentence for DUI in a Las Vegas jail

February 14, 2013

Check out the Top 10 ROCK genre albums for this week

THE ALBUM OF THE WEEK
RED...Release The Panic  (2013)
Release The Panic was recently released and is currently at number 7 on the US Billboard Album Charts.  This is hardcore metal mania right here, buddy!  It's a bit to hardcore for me.  However, Red is a Christian based band and that is always an A+ in my book.  If you're fans of bands like Chevelle and Stone Sour than this is right up your alley.  Best tracks: "So Far Away" "Hold Me Now".  Recommended if you like this type of metal, because it's in your face, for sure

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 14
Roger Fisher from Heart is 63; Ricky Wolking from The Nixons is 47; Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty is 41; Kevin Baldes of Lit is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1970 The Who perform at Leeds University in Leeds, West Yorkshire in the UK. This turns out to be the Live At Leeds album, which totally will ROCK your butt off!!!
1972 John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin a week long stint as co-host of The Mike Dougles Show. An interesting week, indeed
1984 Aerosmith performs in Boston. In attendance were original members Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. They rejoin the group after meeting the band backstage after the show
2008 An ex member of Boston, Barry Goudreau, had been performing the Boston classic "More Than A Feeling" at rallies for Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee. Tom Scholtz sends Huckabee a letter asking him to stop using "something of mine and using it to promote ideas to which I am opposed"
2010 Doug Fieger of the Knack died in Woodland Hills, California. Fieger was 57

February 13, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
RUSH...Hemispheres  (1978)
Hemispheres was released 35 years ago in 1978.  It reached number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Album Charts.  I'll give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  The only reason I don't give it a 5 star rating is because during the track "Circumstances" Geddy Lee's vocals are almost irritating.  Other than that this record is fantastic.  The album only has 4 tracks but that's absolutely ok.  The other 3 are great listening.  The best of the 4 is "La Villia Strangiato".  Check it out
 (CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 13
Peter Tork from The Monkees is 71; Peter Gabriel is 63; Ed Gagliardi, formerly with Foreigner, is 61; Henry Rollins is 52; Todd Harrell from 3 Doors Down is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1955 Elvis Presley performs in Lubbock, Texas. Buddy and Bob open for Elvis. The Buddy is, yes, you guessed it, none other than Buddy Holly himself
1970 Black Sabbath release the debut album Black Sabbath
1972 Government officials in Singapore refuse to let Led Zeppelin off of their plane simply because their hair was to long
1982 Police find the stolen gravestone belonging to Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd in a dry river bed
2005 The Grammy Hall Of Fame inducts Let It Bleed by the Rolling Stones. The 47th Grammys award U2 with the Best Rock Song for 'Vertigo', Best Rock Album goes to Green Day for American Idiot, Best Hard Rock performance-Velvet Revolver for 'Slither'. In the meantime Slash has his tophat stolen that he had worn for 15 years
2006 It is announced that Brett Scallions has left Fuel
2011   At the 54th Grammy Awards: Best Rock Song "Angry World" by Neil Young, Best Solo Rock Performance "Helter Skelter" by Paul McCartney (a live version from Good Evening New York City) and Best Rock Instrumental Performance 'Hammerhead' by Jeff Beck

February 12, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE BLACK KEYS...El Camino (2011)
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)
"El Camino" was released in 2011 and reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Album Charts.  I'll give it a 3 1/2 out out of 5 stars.  This was surprisingly a pretty good record.  I think I was a little hesitant to check this one out as I wasn't a big fan of their previous albums.  Then I heard the single "Gold On The Ceiling" and it is a great track.  Other highlights include "Lonely Boy", "Sister" and "Stop Stop".


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 12
Steve Hackett, formerly with Genesis, is 63; Michael McDonald is 61; Jim Creeggan of the Barenaked Ladies is 43;

ON THIS DATE
1939 Ray Manzarek of the Doors is born in Chicago, Illinois.  Manzarek died in 2013
1967 Keith Richard becomes the third member of the Rolling Stones to be arrested for “various substances of suspicious nature.”
1968 Jimi Hendrix receives the key to the city in his hometown of Seattle, Washington
1988 Axl Rose walks off the stage in Phoenix, Arizona at a concert where Guns 'N' Roses were the opening act for David Lee Roth. The rest of the shows with DLR are cancelled
1997 David Bowie receives a star on Hollywood`s Walk Of Fame
2005 Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and Jerry Lee Lewis receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award the day before the Grammys.
2007 Heaven And Hell announce that Vinny Appice will be their drummer instead of Bill Ward
2012  At the 54th Grammy Awards the Foo Fighters  win for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for "White Limo", 'Walk" winds Best Rock Performance and "Wasting Light" wins Best Rock Album

February 11, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE WHO...Quadrophenia  (1973)
"Quadrophenia" was released 40 years ago in 1973.  It reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard album charts. It receives 5 out of 5 stars and is highly recommended.  Some Who fans feel that this is the best album the band put out.  I personally don't know about that, but it's definitely a fabulous record.  It's a double album that Pete Townshend did another rock opera, and in this case I think it's way better than 'Tommy'.  The best track is the last one on the set "Love, Reign O'er Me" (which Pearl Jam did a great version of).  Other highlights..."5.15", "Drowned", "I've Had Enough" and "The Real Me".  Definitely check it out
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 11
David Uosikkinen from the Hooters is 57; Sheryl Crow is 51; Peter Hayes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is 37; Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park is 36;

ON THIS DATE
1935 Gene Vincent is born in Munden Point,Virginia. Vincent died in 1971
1963 The Beatles record their debut album Please Please Me in one day.
1964 The Beatles play their first concert in America in Washington, D.C.
2004 An attorney for Courtney Love tells a judge that it is because of a security issue that she cannot appear in court for a pretrial hearing concerning felony charges that she was in illegal possession of two painkillers
2006 Scott Stapp of Creed is arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport for alleged public intoxication. Stapp had gotten married the day before. The charges are later dismissed
2007 At the Grammys the Red Hot Chili Peppers win 4, including Best Rock Album ("Stadium Arcadium") and Best Rock Song ("Dani California"), Bob Dylan wins in the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Bruce Springsteen wins the Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Long Form Music Video
2008 Lenny Kravitz has severe symptoms of bronchitis, therefore he is admitted to a hospital in Miami Beach, Florida

The 2013 Grammy Award winners from last night for the ROCK Genre:
 BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Kisses On The Bottom
Paul McCartney
Label: Hear Music

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
Lonely Boy
The Black Keys
Track from: El Camino
Label: Nonesuch

BEST HARD ROCK/METAL PERFORMANCE
Love Bites (So Do I)
Halestorm
Track from: The Strange Case Of…
Label: Atlantic

BEST ROCK SONG
Lonely Boy
Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton & Patrick Carney, songwriters (The Black Keys)
Track from: El Camino
Label: Nonesuch; Publisher: McMoore McLesst Publishing

BEST ROCK ALBUM
El Camino
The Black Keys
Label: Nonesuch

BEST BLUES ALBUM
Locked Down
Dr. John
Label: Nonesuch

February 10, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
 FLEETWOOD MAC...Rumours  (1977)
"Rumours" has just been re-released for its 35th anniversary.  It was originally released 36 years ago in 1977.  It reached number 1 on the US Billboard album charts.  It receives 5 out of 5 stars and is highly recommended.  It is a stupendous album as Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie wrote some of the most recognized songs ever in rock/pop history.  Half of the album became a hit single as Fleetwood Mac dominated the radio airwaves (along with the Eagles) in 1977 and 78.  The expanded 3 CD edition includes the original album and the b-side "Silver Springs, " a dozen unreleased live recordings from the group's '77 world tour, and an entire disc filled with unreleased takes from the album's recording sessions

ON THIS DATE
1962 Cliff Burton of Metallica is born in Castro Valley, California. Burton died in 1986
1969 The Beatles company "Apple" takes control of all of their business affairs
1978 Van Halen release their debut album Van Halen
1979 Rod Stewart is at number one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart with "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
2004 Lucky by Melissa Etheridge is released
2005 ZZ Top, along with Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Dickie Betts perform in West Hollywood at the Jam Sessions Concert, where proceeds benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation
2005 Mick Mars from Motley Crue is sued for $10 million by an ex girlfriend claiming Mars promised to support her throughout her life but hasn't
2006 At the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy Yoko Ono took to the stage making a plea for peace, and afterwards Peter Gabriel performs John Lennon's "Imagine"
2006 Scott Stapp from Creed marries former Miss New York, Jaclyn Nesheiwat
2006 It is announced that James LoMenzo is the new bassist for Megadeth
2008 At the 50th Grammy Awards The Foo Fighters won Best Hard Rock performance for "The Pretender" and Best Rock Album for "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace", Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Rock Song went to Bruce Springsteen for "Radio Nowhere", Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media went to the Beatles for "Love" and the Eagles won Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal for "How Long"
2010  Craig Nunenmacher resigns as drummer for Black Label Society
2012  The former drummer for Cake,  Pete McNeal, is arraigned on charges of child sex abuse in an Los Angeles court

February 9, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE ROLLING STONES...Beggars Banquet  (1968)
Beggar's Banquet was released 45 years ago in 1968.  It reached number 5 on the US Billboard album charts.  First, let me just go ahead and say it gets 5 out of 5 stars and is extremely highly recommended.  Opening with 'Sympathy For The Devil' followed by 9 more gems makes it one of the more popular Stones albums.  It is heavily blues-influenced, with some magnificent slide guitar throughout the record.  If you've never heard it check it out, soon!!
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 9
Joe Ely is 66;

ON THIS DATE
1961 The Beatles (with Stu Sutcliffe and Pete Best) first performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England
1964 The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

1981 Bill Haley dies of a brain tumor at the age of 55
2005 Roger Daltry of the Who is given the honor of "Commander of the British Empire"
2005 A Los Angeles court rules that Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue is entitled to $600,000 from a shoe company for using his likeness in a magazine ad without permission
2006 Paul Stanley of Kiss appears at a New Jersey Gallery to promote exhibitions of his artwork
2007 During Grammy Week in Los Angeles Don Henley of the Eagles is named the 2007 MusiCares Person of the Year
2012  Paul McCartney is inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame

February 8, 2013

 THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
HATEBREED...The Divinity Of Purpose  (2013)
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)



ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 8
Vince Neil from Motley Crue is 52; Sammy Llanas of The BoDeans is 52; Keith Nelson of Buckcherry is 44; Will Turpin of Collective Soul is 42; Phoenix from Linkin Park is 36; Jeremy Davis of Paramore is 28;

ON THIS DATE
1969 Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker (both formerly of Cream), Traffic’s Steve Winwood and bassist Rick Grech announce the formation of Blind Faith
1980 David Bowie and Angela Bowie are divorced after 10 years of marriage
1988 The Who receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Music honor at the BPI Awards in London
1990 Del Shannon commited suicide. He was 55
2004 At the 46th Grammy's: Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance-Evanescence. Best Rock Album-Foo Fighters. Best Metal performance-Metallica
2005 Keith Knudsen, drummer for the Doobie Brothers, dies due to complications with penmonia. He was 56
2005 Seventeen Days by 3 Doors Down is released
2006 At The 48th Grammy's: Album of the Year and Song of the Year-U2. Record of the Year - "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, Best Hard Rock Performance-System Of A Down, Best Metal Performance-Slipknot. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Dire Straits also get trophies
2009 At the 51st Grammy's: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss won five Grammys, including Album of the Year, for "Raising Sand". Best Rock Song-"Girls In Their Summer Clothes" Bruce Springsteen
2010 Ringo Starr gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2010 Max Weinberg of the E Street Band undergoes open heart surgery
2011 Dave Ellefson returns to Megadeth after an 8 year absence

February 7, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
LED ZEPPELIN...Houses Of The Holy  (1973)
Very few words need to be expressed here.  This is highly recommended with 5 out of 5 stars.  I would say that about all of Zeppelin's albums, tho.  Houses Of The Holy reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts.  Here are 8 wonderfully crafted rock n roll songs that still, 40 years later, are a joy to listen to.  The highlights are "The Song Remains The Same", "The Rain Song", "Dancing Days" and "The Ocean". However, I have always hated the album cover.
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 7
David Bryan from Bon Jovi is 51; Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1964 The Beatles began their first American tour as they arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport

1971 Tom Fogerty leaves Creedence Clearwater Revival
1980 Pink Floyd play the first show of their 2 city tour for 'The Wall' in Los Angeles
2006 Cream and David Bowie receive the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award
2008 The Rolling Stone's documentary 'Shine A Light' directed by Matin Scorsese premieres at the Berlin International Film Festival, which Scorsese and the band attend
2008 Mel Galley, formerly with Whitesnake, announces he has terminal cancer. Galley died July 1, 2008
2010 The Who perform at halftime at Super Bowl XLIV
2012  A Different Kind Of Truth by Van Halen is released

February 6, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
121212-THE CONCERT FOR SANDY RELIEF  (2013)
On December 12, 2012 many musical artist gathered together at Madison Square Garden for the 121212-The Concert For Sandy Relief to benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund. It was a rather lengthy show but I watched the whole thing. This is a double CD of the evening and it is definitely worth the price. Thankfully they left off any perfomances from Kanye West, which left it to be pretty much a classic rock fest. Amazing performances from Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, the Who and Eric Clapton are the highlights. Recommended with 4 1/2 stars out of 5
(CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 6
Simon Phillips from Toto is 56; Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses is 51;

ON THIS DATE
1946 Richie Hayward of Little Feat was born in Clear Lake, Iowa. Hayward died in 2010
1982 Van Halen's remake of "Oh, Pretty Woman" peaks on the Billboard Pop Singles chart at number 12
1990 Billy Idol runs a stop sign while riding his motorcycle, smashing into a car, fracturing his wrist and breaks his leg
2003 John Densmore of the Doors sues Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, saying that the newly formed Doors with Stewart Copeland of the Police drumming and Ian Astbury singing was hurtful to their legacy. They eventually change their name to the Doors of the 21st Century
2003 Incubus files suit to get out of their contract with Epic Records with four albums to go
2005 Paul McCartney performs the halftime show at the Super Bowl
2007 The Very Best Of The Doobie Brothers is released
2008 After a Velvet Revolver concert in Los Angeles Scott Weiland enters a rehab clinic voluntarily
2009 Steven Adler, formerly with Guns 'N' Roses, is ordered into a rehab program. Adler was arrested in 2008 on drug charges but failed to complete his community service and was arrested for that in January 2009
2011 Gary Moore dies in Estepona on the Costa Del Sol, Spain. Moore was 58

 ROCKLINE with Bob Coburn
Wednesday,  February 6  ALAN PARSONS PROJECT  11:30 PM  Eastern/8:30 Pacific  Listen here
Monday,  February 11  TBA 11:30 PM Eastern/8:30 Pacific  Listen here
Does your local rock  station carry Rockline?  Find out here

February 5, 2013

Check out the New Release list

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
KISS...Double Platinum  (1978)
By this time in 1978 Kiss had become possibly the biggest band of the mid 70's.  They had released 6 studio albums and 2 live albums in only 4 years time.  Now on the plate was a movie and 4 solo albums to be released in 1978.  Casablanca Records done a very smart move with this release, "Double Platinum", which is a collection of tracks from those 6 studio albums, slightly remixed with a new recording of 'Strutter'.  It's 2 albums of some of their better material and is a great listen.  It is highly recommended
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 5
Duff McKagan from Duff McKagan's Loaded and formerly with Guns 'N' Roses is 49; Chris Barron from the Spin Doctors is 45;

ON THIS DATE
1962 Ringo Starr played his first ever gig with the Beatles, filling in for the ill Pete Best
1993 Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood record an 'MTV Unplugged'
 2006 The Rolling Stones perform at halftime of Super Bowl XL
2007 The Beatles Apple Corps and the computer company Apple reach a settlement regarding their names
2008 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a guru to the Beatles who introduced the West to transcendental meditation, died at his home in the Dutch town of Vlodrop; he was thought to be 91
 2008 It Is Time For A Love Revolution by Lenny Kravitz is released

ROCKLINE with Bob Coburn
Wednesday,  February 6  ALAN PARSONS PROJECT  11:30 PM  Eastern/8:30 Pacific  Listen here
Monday,  February 11  TBA 11:30 PM Eastern/8:30 Pacific  Listen here
Does your local rock  station carry Rockline?  Find out here