April 30, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
PAUL McCARTNEY AND WINGS...Red Rose Speedway  (1973)
Red Rose Speedway was released 40 years ago today in 1973.  It reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Being such a huge McCartney fan this album gets a 5 out of 5 stars.  To me, this is an excellent album.  The songs are great, with the hit single "My Love" being the highlight.  Other highlights include, well...the rest of them.  The album opens with a twisty rocker "Big Barn Bed."  Twisty is the only way I know how to explain it.  "Get On The Right Thing" is a fantastic track for Paul's rock voice (he could belt them out when needed).  "Little Lamb Dragonfly" is a beautiful song that was dedicated to John Lennon, pretty much asking him to end the feud between the 2 legends.  "Loup (1st Indian On The Moon)" is an instrumental that has Paul playing an incredible bass, as he is a master on the instrument.  The album closes with a medley of 4 songs that are edited together, but they all 4 seem to fit perfectly together.  Granted, it's probably unfair for me to do a review of a Paul McCartney album because I like them all, but to my ears this is a fabulous album
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 30
Clark Vogeler of the Toadies is 44; J.R. Richards of Dishwalla is 41; Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down is 42;

ON THIS DATE
1971 The New York Times reports that Bill Graham is planning on closing the Fillmore East. Graham ends up closing both the Fillmore East and Fillmore West
1983 The original Manfred Mann reunites for a London concert. Also that day Muddy Waters dies in his sleep at his home in Westmont, Illinois at the age of 68
1991 Nirvana signs a recording deal with DCG Records
1993 Elton John’s “Simple Life,” from his 1992 album The One enters Billboard’s Top 40 breaking Elvis Presley’s longstanding record with 24 consecutive years of Top 40 hits
1999 Darrell Sweet of Nazareth suffers a fatal heart attack in New Albany, Indiana at the age of 51. That same day the members of Aerosmith visit with Lance Kirklin, a shooting victim at Columbine High School

THE ROCK SHOW

Check out this week's edition of "The Rock Show" with Mr. Rock 'N' Roll, Michael David. We'll check out the Rock Show Top 3 tracks for the week, hear some new music from Pop Evil, Deep Purple and Rod Stewart, the Album Spotlight of the Week is "Strangers In Town" from Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Three Days Grace hit the Boneyard with all things hard rock/heavy metal, we pull out the Beatles from the Vintage Vinyl Vault, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite are in the Blues Corner, and we Flashback to 1983. Download the link provided HERE and a splendid time is guaranteed for all

April 29, 2013

Check out the rock genre New Releases

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE...Thirty Seconds Over Winterland  (1973)
Thirty Seconds Over Winterland was released 40 years ago in April 1973.  It reached number 52 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  This is a live album recorded in 1972.  I recommend it with a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  I have never really got into Airplane.  They always sound like they can't sing in harmony and this album is no different.  However, the lack of good vocals doesn't take away from their playing.  They can jam!  Just check out the 11 minute "Feels So Good."  It's a great track.  But then check out "When The Earth Moves Again."  Man, they sound terrible. I thought "Trial By Fire" was a good track with some cool guitar. To sum it all up, this album would rock if it were all instrumental
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 29
Klaus Voorman of Manfred Mann is 75; Mike Hogan of The Cranberries is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1970 George Harrison announces the Beatles will eventually reunite
1976 Bruce Springsteen tries to climb over the fence at Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate in an attempt to see Presley. He is escorted off the premises by guards
1998 Aerosmith postpone the remaining 14 shows on their North American tour after Steven Tyler has a knee injury during a show in Anchorage, Alaska
1999 Tommy Lee quits Mötley Crüe to spend more time with his new band Methods of Mayhem
2002 Scott Stapp has a car accident in Orlando forcing Creed to cancel their remaining dates on their tour
2007 My Chemical Romance cancel a State College, Pennsylvania, concert after band members and road crew are hospitalized with food poisoning following their concert a day earlier in Williamsburg, Virginia
2008 Mudcrutch by Mudcrutch is released
2008 Nine Lives by Steve Winwood is released
2008 Songs From The Sparkle Lounge by Def Leppard is released

April 28, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS...The Twain Shall Meet  (1968)
The Twain Shall Meet was released 45 years ago in April 1968.  It reached number 79 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  It was produced by Tom Wilson.  If you want to relive the 60's for around 45 minutes this is the record to do it with.  Sitars, war anthems, sound effects and the psychedelic San Francisco based sounds...the record sends you on a groovy trip for sure, and you need no drugs to do it.  I had never heard the album before except for the single "Monterrey" and I was pleasantly surprised.  The final track "All Is One" was the highlight for me, as it seemed to roll the Beatles, the Doors and the Stones all into one track.  It was actually a magnificent track for me.  I'm going to give this album a 3 out of 5 stars, it was that "trippy."
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 28
Chuck Leavell formerly with the Allman Brothers Band is 61; Kim Gordon, formerly with Sonic Youth, is 60;

ON THIS DATE
1963 Andrew Loog Oldham becomes the Rolling Stones’ manager
1973 The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd is number one, but only for a week. Interesting for an album that stayed on the charts for 700 weeks
1980 Tommy Caldwell of the Marshall Tucker Band dies in a car accident in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Caldwell was 30
1981 Steve Currie of T-Rex dies in a car crash near Val De Parra, Portugal. He is 33
1991 Bonnie Raitt marries actor Michael Noonan O’Keefe in New York
1999 Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2006 Donna D'Errico files for divorce to end her nine year marriage to Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue
2008 Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots is sentenced to eight days in jail for drunk driving
2009 The Devil You Know by Heaven And Hell is released
2009 Together Through Life by Bob Dylan is released
2009 Warpaint Live by the Black Crowes is released
2013 Lonnie Turner, formerly with the Steve Miller Band, died in Lebanon, Oregon.  Turner was 66

April 27, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
QUEENSRYCHE...Operation: Mindcrime  (1988)
Operation: Mindcrime, the third album from Queensryche, was released 25 years ago today in 1988.  It was produced by Peter Collins. It reached number 50 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I will give this a 3 out of 5 stars.  The music itself is fantastic, with fantastic vocals from Geoff Tate while the band just flat out rocks!!  This is a concept album and the subject matter is a little dark.  It deals with a guy who is disillusioned with America, especially it's political state and he is now thinking of assassinating political leaders he deems corrupt by joining a revolutionary group which now tells him to kill a corrupt priest and a nun.  In the meantime he falls in love with the nun who once had been a prostitute.  She is killed but he can't remember if he is the one who killed her.  Besides the crazy story this turns out to be a cool listen.  The nearly 11 minute "Suite Sister Mary" is alone worth the price of admission, with Michael Kamen leading the orchestra (even though the lyrics are a bit ridiculous).  If you want to hear some good jammin' metal check out "Breaking The Silence." That has to be the highlight of the album for me.  The other highlight is the final track "Eyes of a Stranger."  Check it out, it's a good album
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 27
Kate Pierson of The B-52's is 65; Ace Frehley is 62; Rob Squires of Big Head Todd and the Monsters is 48; Travis Meeks of Days of the New is 34; Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy is 29;

ON THIS DATE
1947 Pete Ham of Badfinger is born in Swansea, Wales
1981 Ringo Starr marries Barbra Bach
1990 Axl Rose marries Erin Everly, daughter of Don Everly from the Everly Brothers. It lasts 29 days
2006 Cheap Trick and the Allman Brothers Band initiate a class-action suit against Sony BMG claiming that the music company hasn't paid them what’s due from digital-download sales
2006 Slash of Velvet Revolver and his second wife Perla file for divorce in Los Angeles
2008 The giant pig that is part of the Roger Waters stage show escapes. It was found a few miles away
2009 Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam suffers a head laceration after he is robbed outside a recording studio in Atlanta
2010 Fearless Love by Melissa Etheridge is released

April 26, 2013

Check out the Top 10 Rock Genre CD's/LP's/Downloads for this week


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE AMBOY DUKES...Journey To The Center Of The Mind  (1968)
Journey To The Center Of The Mind was released 45 years ago in April 1968.  It reached number 74 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  It was produced by Bob Shad.  The Amboy Dukes are our first introduction to a very young Ted Nugent.  Now, no matter what you might think of Ted's politics or his love for guns and hunting, Mr. Nugent is first, and foremost, an extremely talented guitar player.  This album by no means sounds like the solo albums Ted would put out in the future, but this record fits right in with the other albums coming out in 1968, with its hard rock lead by the dynamic guitar playing of Nugent.  Also noticeable are the psychedelic sounds that run throughout the record.  "Flight Of The Bird" has Nugent just jammin' on his guitar.  "Dr. Slingshot" reminded me of some Cream music, as it is a very good jam.  Of course there is the very familiar title track, which is probably the albums highlight.  "Prodigal Man" has each member of the band having their own moments to shine. This is a very cool album, I recommend it and give it a 3 out of 5 stars
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 26
Duane Eddy is 75; Gary Wright is 70; Roger Taylor of Duran Duran is 53; Chris Mars formerly with the Replacements is 52; Jose Pasillas of Incubus is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1994 Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane pleads guilty to pointing a shotgun at police
1995 Oasis fires their drummer Tony McCaroll
2005 Devils And Dust by Bruce Springsteen is released

April 25, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE FACES...Ooh-La-La  (1973)
Ooh-La-La, the final album from the Faces, was released 40 years ago in April 1973.  It reached number 21 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I had not realized that the Faces released a record as late as 1973 as Rod Stewart was already enjoying a very successful solo career by that time.  This did turn out to be their last album together.  It is a fine album, I will give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  The title track "Ooh La La" was the highlight for me because it sounded so familiar and then I remembered Stewart recorded it for his album 'When We Were The New Boys' in 1998.  On the Faces version Ron Wood sings the vocals.  I gotta say, however, that the cover for the album is terrible.  It just struck me wrong, I guess.  This is a good rock n roll record, check it out.
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 25
Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival is 68; Steve Ferrone of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers is 63; Billy Rankin, formerly with Nazareth, is 54; Eric Avery, formerly with Jane's Addiction, is 48;

ON THIS DATE
1968 The Beatles turn down a request to do a concert for the Queen
1981 Denny Laine officially leaves Wings
2006 IV by Godsmack is released
2006 Let Love In by the Goo Goo Dolls is released
2006 We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions by Bruce Springsteen is released
2006 All The Roadrunning by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris is released
2013 Bob Weir, formerly with the Grateful Dead and now with Further, collapses onstage in Port Chester, New York.  Further finishes the concert without Weir

April 24, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ROGER DALTREY...Daltrey  (1973)
Daltrey, the debut album from Roger Daltrey, was released 35 years ago in April 1973.  It reached number 45 on the U.S. billboard album charts. I'm not exactly sure how to do a review of this album.  First, it was good that Roger didn't try to do a "Who-sounding" album.  In fact, Leo Sayer wrote 8 of the tracks on this album (along with David Courtney).  This is before Sayer became famous in his own write.  Second, it's an ok record.  Roger would definitely put out much better solo efforts in the future.  I think I'll give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  The highlight for me was "You And Me" with its orchestral music
(CD, vinyl,  Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 24
Doug Clifford of Creedence Clearwater Revival is 68; Glen Cornick, formerly with Jethro Tull, is 66; Rob Hyman of the Hooters is 63; Jack Blades of Night Ranger, the Damn Yankees and Shaw/Blades is 59; Boris Williams, formerly with the Cure, is 56; Billy Gould of Faith No More is 50; Patty Schemel formerly with Hole is 46; Shannon Larkin, who has been a member of Godsmack, Candlebox and Ugly Kid Joe, is 46; Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors is 45; Brian Marshall of Creed and Alter Bridge is 40; Jasen Rauch formerly with Red, is 32;

ON THIS DATE
1961 Bob Dylan plays harmonica on Harry Belafonte’s “Midnight Special” earning $50
1970 Grace Slick is invited to the White House by Tricia Nixon. She is escorted by Abbie Hoffman, who is not allowed by the Secret Service to enter, therefore they leave
1984 Jerry Lee Lewis marries Kerrie McCarver, his sixth wife
1989 Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty is released
1992 David Bowie marries fashion model Iman
2009 Aerosmith settles a class-action lawsuit brought against them after they pulled out of a sold-out concert on Maui, Hawaii, in September ‘07. As part of the deal, the group gives a free performance on Maui in ‘09

April 23, 2013

R.I.P. Richie Havens


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
JOHN FOGERTY...The Blue Ridge Rangers  (1973)
The Blue Ridge Rangers, the debut album from John Fogerty, was released 40 years ago in April 1973.  It reached number 47 on the U.S. Billboard album charts, and number 11 on the Billboard Country album charts.  That's because it is a country album, 70's style.  As I was listening I was picturing a local country band in a West Texas dance hall in 1973, with half of the town's population attending this dance.  The highlight for me was Fogertys' cover of the Hank Williams classic "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)."  Another cool cover was the George Jones hit "She Thinks I Still Care."  If you're a classic country fan and/or a CCR fan check this one out.  It's pretty cool, and it was John's way of trying to distance himself from that familiar Creedence sound
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 23
Tommy DeCarlo of Boston is 48;


ON THIS DATE
1936 Roy Orbison is born in Vernon, Texas. Orbison died in 1988
1960 Steve Clark of Def Leppard is born in Sheffield, England. Clark died in 1991
1975 Pete Ham of Badfinger commits suicide at home in Surrey, England. He is 27
2013 Todd Harrell of 3 Doors Down is freed on $100,000 bond and then checks himself into rehab.  Harrell was arrested 4 days earlier and charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, violation of the implied consent law and possession of contraband.

April 22, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE MONKEES...The Birds. The Bees And The Monkees  (1968)
The Birds, The Bees And The Monkees was released 45 years ago today in 1968. It reached number 3 on the U.S. Billboard album charts. Allmusic.com gives it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. Are you familiar with this album?
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review) 


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 22
Peter Frampton is 63; Paul Carrack of Ace, Mike + the Mechanics and Squeeze is 62; Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down is 39; Daniel Johns of Silverchair is 34;

 ON THIS DATE (April 22)
1969 John Winston Lennon legally became John Ono Lennon on top of the Apple building, and he and Paul McCartney record "The Ballad Of John And Yoko". That same day the Who performed for the first time the rock opera 'Tommy' in Dolton, England
1980 'Love Stinks' by the J. Geils Band is released
1981 Eric Clapton has a car accident in Seattle, suffering broken ribs
1998 Faith No More announce they are finished
2008 Richie Samboara of Bon Jovi pleads no contest to a drunk driving charge due to an arrest a month earlier in Laguna Beach, California
2008 'Good To Be Bad' by Whitesnake is released
2010 Bret Michaels of Poison is rushed to the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix as he suffers a severe headache caused by bleeding at the base of his brain stem
2013  Richie Havens  dies of a heart attack at his home in jersey City, new Jersey.  Havens was 72

April 21, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
STONE SOUR...House Of Gold And Bones, Part 2  (2013)
(CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 21
Mars Bonfire of Steppenwolf is 70; Iggy Pop is 66; Robert Smith of The Cure is 54; David Brenner of Theory of a Deadman is 35;

ON THIS DATE
1961 The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England for the first time
1980 Empty Glass by Pete Townshend is released
1993 Bill Wyman, formerly with the Rolling Stones, marries Suzanne Accosta
1996 Bringing Down The Horses by the Wallflowers is released
2001 Peter Buck of R.E.M. is arrested for assaulting 2 crew members on a trans-Atlantic flight to London

April 20, 2013

THE ALBUM SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
VOLBEAT...Outlaw Gentlemen And Shady Ladies  (2013)
Outlaw Gentlemen And Shady Ladies entered the U.S. Billboard Album charts this week at number 9.  I'm only going to give this one a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  It's not bad, by no means.  They rock, for sure, while at times throwing you a loop and adding country sounds inside the rock songs.  Volbeat reminded me somewhat of Black Label Society.  If you like them you'll enjoy this release
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 20
Craig Frost of Grand Funk Railroad and Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band is 65; Mike Portnoy, formerly with Dream Theater, is 46; Kelly Hayes, formerly with Cold, is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1968 Deep Purple perform their first concert in Tastrump, Denmark
1976 Black And Blue by the Rolling Stones is released
1981 John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas is sentenced to five years in jail after pleading guilty to drug possession charges. His sentence is suspended after 30 days
1991 John Fogerty marries Julie Lebiedzinksi in Bristol, Indiana. That same day Steve Marriott of Small Faces and Humble Pie dies in a fire at his home in Essex, England, at the age of 44
2004 Bono of U2 makes the list of Time Magazines 2004 list of the 100 most influential people
2004 Desensitized by Drowning Pool is released
2004 Mark Evans, formerly with AC/DC is injured in a car accident in Sydney, Australia

April 19, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
PARAMORE...Paramore  (2013)
Paramore, the 4th album from Paramore, entered the U.S. Billboard album charts this week at number 1, which made me realize it should be todays' AOTD.  I was very pleasantly surprised by the album as it was a very cool listen and I will give it a 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it highly.  When I saw that the CD was more than an hour long I was a bit weary but it turned out to be a fun listen. Hayley Williams delivers some strong vocals. The highlight for me was "Hate To See Your Heart Break", a nice ballad.  Also the album has 3 short tracks that had ukelele in it and were quite enjoyable.  In fact, the band sounds like they were having fun making this record.  They rock, as well, especially on "Anklebiters" and "Be Alone."  The final track, "Future," clocks in at over 7 minutes and was an awesome album closer, starting out low and calm but then turning into this bombastic in-your-face sound, fades out and then fades back in.  If you like to check out new music I suggest you take a listen to this one.  I certainly liked it
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 19
Alan Price of The Animals is 71; Rod Morgenstein of Winger is 60; Bekka Bramlett, who was briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1993-1995, is 45;

ON THIS DATE
1980 Brian Johnson replaces the late Bon Scott as lead singer for AC/DC
2002 The body of Layne Staley of Alice In Chains is found in his apartment in Seattle. It is believed he died two weeks earlier of a drug overdose at the age of 34
2006 A Miami-Dade Circuit Judge throws out a lawsuit by a woman who appeared in a sex tape with Scott Stapp and Kid Rock, saying that she cannot sue while remaining annonymous
2010 Iron Man 2 soundtrack by AC/DC is released
2012 Levon Helm of the Band dies in Woodstock, New York. Helm was 71
2012 Ted Nugent meets with the Secret Service because of the statement he made; "If Obama is re-elected I will either be dead or in jail." They decide that Nugent poses no threat to the President
2013  Todd Harrell of 3 Doors Down hits a pickup truck in Nashville, Tennessee, sending the truck down an embankment and killing the driver.  Harrell was intoxicated and was charged with vehicular manslaughter

April 18, 2013

Check out the Top 10 Rock Genre CD's/LP's/downloads for this week

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
DAVID GILMOUR...David Gilmour  (1978)
David Gilmour was released 35 years ago in 1978.  It reached number 29 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I will give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.  The only reason people are not familiar with the music on this album is because it's not on a Pink Floyd album.  That's not to say it sounds like a Pink Floyd album but there are some similarities, of course.  That guitar playing from Gilmour is familiar, and may I add he is a very underrated guitarist.  There's also those familiar vocals, as Gilmour is an excellent vocalist (check out "I Can't Breathe Anymore").  Those 2 things combined with some excellent songs make for a great record.  "So Far Away" is the highlight for me, along with "There's No Way Out Of Here." "It's Deafinitely" is a great instrumental as well as the opener "Mihalis."  All Pink Floyd fans should check this out as it is a very nice solo effort from David Gilmour
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 18
Mike Vickers of Manfred Mann is 73; Les Pattinson of Echo And The Bunnymen is 55; Mick Sweda, formerly with King Cobra and the BulletBoys, is 53; Mike Mangini of Dream Theater is 50; Greg Eklund of Everclear is 43; Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge is 39;

ON THIS DATE
1946 Skip Spence of Jefferson Airplane was born in Windsor, Ontario. He died in 1999 just 2 days shy of his 53rd birthday
2005 Clare Torry wins a lawsuit against Pink Floyd for royalties and songwriting credit for "The Great Gig In The Sky" on the Dark Side Of The Moon album
2006 Every Man For Himself by Hoobastank is released
2006 Gillan's Inn by Ian Gillan is released
2012  5 vintage guitars worth $175,00 are returned to Tom Petty afterthey had been stolen a week before
2012  Dick Clark dies of a massive heart attack at the age of 82.  Clark was the host of American Bandstand from 1956 to 1989
2013  Rush, Heart, Randy Newman and Albert King are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in a ceremony in Los Angeles

April 17, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
DAVID ESSEX...Rock On  (1973)
Rock On was released 40 years ago in 1973 and it reached number 32 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  The title track is one of the most recognizable hits of the 70's.  Def Leppard also did a fantastic version of it.  It's that great of a song.   The rest of the album I had never heard before.  I went in thinking that none of the other tracks would be near as good as "Rock On" and I was right.  The rest were ok.  The album starts off with "Lamplight" (which David wrote with the Bee Gees) and I was like "Uh oh, this won't be good!" Next was "Turn Me Loose" which wasn't very good either. Not looking good, but the rest was a good listen but "Rock On" would be the only highlight for me.  My rating would be a 2 out of 5 stars. 
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 17
Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle is 49; Liz Phair is 46;

ON THIS DATE
1960 Eddie Cochran dies at the age of 21 due to injuries sustained the day before in a car accident in Wiltshire, England
1970 McCartney by Paul McCartney is released
1976 Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy is released
1983 Felix Pappalardi of Mountain was shot and killed by his wife in New York City. Pappalardi was 43
1998 Linda McCartney of Wings dies at the age of 56 due to breast cancer in Arizona
2004 ABC News says that the U.S. Marines rattle Iraqi insurgents by playing "Shoot To Thrill" by AC/DC
2007 Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails is released
2008 Danny Federici, the keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen, died in New York City at age 58
2009 Pink Floyd file a lawsuit against their label, EMI, alleging that the company has shortchanged the band's royalty payments

April 16, 2013

Check out the New Release list


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
DAVID CROSBY...Thousand Roads  (1993)
Thousand Roads was released 20 years ago in 1993 and it reached number 133 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  That just means that a lot of people missed out on a fantastic album.  I'll give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. All the reviews I've read they didn't particularly like it.  They must have gotten the wrong CD to listen to as I found this a great listen. It's just a laid back collection of songs.  Well, laid back with the exception of the title track "Thousand Roads" which has some sparks of heavy guitar and is a pretty good song.  I had heard the opening track "Hero" before, which is a good track (written by Crosby along with Phil Collins, Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff).  The highlight was the absolutely beautiful "Old Soldier"(written by Marc Cohn). "Helpless Heart" was also a nice listen. If you like soft rock you definitely gotta check this one out.  Very well done
(CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 16
Peter Garrett formerly with Midnight Oil is 60; David Pirner of Soul Asylum is 49; Dan Rieser of Marcy Playground is 47;

ON THIS DATE
1924 Rudy Pompilli of Bill Haley and the Comets was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. Pompilli died in 1976 of lung cancer from second hand smoke
1943 Lonesome Dave Peverett of Foghat was born in Dullwich, England. Peverett died in 2000 in Orlando, Florida
1947 Gerry Rafferty is born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Rafferty died in 2011
1960 Shortly before midnight, rock-and-roll performer Eddie Cochran, 21, was fatally injured in a taxi crash in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England; he died the next day.
1972 Electric Light Orchestra makes its debut in Croydon, England at the Fox and Greyhound pub
1993 David Lee Roth is arrested for buying a small amount of marijuana in New York
1996 Kiss announce a world tour with all 4 original members at a press conference in New York
1999 Skip Spence of Jefferson Airplane dies at the age of 52 of lung cancer in Santa Cruz, California
2011 Ozzy Osbourne is the head ambassador for Record Store Day

April 15, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
DAVID BOWIE...Aladdin Sane  (1973)
Aladdin Sane was released 40 years ago in 1973. It reached number 17 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I must admit I'm not a big Bowie fan.  The first thing that jumps out at me was the cover of the Rolling Stones' "Let's Spend The Night Together."  Not too bad, actually, as he put the Bowie twist to it, of course.  The rest of the album  has it's rock moments and then also some jazzy moments.  Nothing really stood out for me so I'll give it a 2 out of 5 stars
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 15
Dave Edmunds is 69; Ed O'Brien of Radiohead is 45; Patrick Carney of the Black Keys is 33;

ON THIS DATE
1966 Aftermath by the Rolling Stones is released in England
1982 Billy Joel collides into a car with his motorcycle breaking his wrist
2001 Joey Ramone of the Ramones dies in New York City at the age of 49 of lymphoma
2004 A prostitute files a civil suit against Vince Neil of Motley Crue, claiming he became viloent toward her after she refused to have sex with him for free
2008 Snakes And Arrows Live by Rush is released
2012 In a radio interview at the NRA convention in St. Louis that he will be either dead or in jail if Barrack Obama is reelected.  This leads to a later meeting with the Secret Service

April 14, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
DAVE EDMUNDS...Information  (1983)
Information was released 30 years ago in 1983 and it reached number 51 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I'll give it a 2 out of 5 stars.  When I saw that the album was produced by Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra I thought "Oh, this might be pretty cool."  I was a little disappointed.  It's not horrible or anything like that, but it's not an album I'm going to listen to again any time soon.  I had picked it for the AOTD because of the song "Slipping Away" (written by Lynne) as it's a good track.  The rest of the album is cool (with the exception of the horrendous cover "The Shape I'm In") but lacks any punch and also has a bit too much synthesizer goin' on (I know, it was the 80's).  You won't hate it but you won't love it, either.
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 14
Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Rainbow is 68; John Bell of Widespread Panic is 51; Vinnie Moore of UFO is 49; Barrett Martin of the Screaming Trees and Mad Season is 46; Martyn Le Noble of Jane's Addiction and The Cult is 44;

ON THIS DATE
1980 A bill is introduced to make the New Jersey state song "Born To Run" by Bruce Springsteen
1983 Pete Farndon of the Pretenders dies of a drug overdose in his home at the age of 30
2008 At the Country Music Television Awards Robert Plant and Alison Krauss win the Wide Open Country Video of the Year for "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)", Bon Jovi and Leann Rimes win the Collaborative Video trophy for "Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore"
2009 George Harrison's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is unveiled
2012   Guns N’ Roses, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Small Faces/Faces are inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland

April 13, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG...American Dream  (1988)
American Dream was released 25 years ago in 1988 and it reached number 16 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I recommend it and I'll give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  First, there are those wonderful harmonius vocals we've grown accustomed to from CSN.  Add in the mix of Neil Young and you've got 4 very talented gentlemen offering their brand of music to make a fine album.  Graham Nash offers a beautiful track called "Don't Say Goodbye.' The highlight for me was definitely the incredibly wonderful track "Compass."  "Drivin' Thunder" was a good jam, showing the boys can rock, as well.  "Got It Made" is another highlight.  This is a very cool album despite what the review from Allmusic may say, check it out
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 13

Jack Casady formerly with Jefferson Airplane is 69; Max Weinberg of the E Street Band is 62; Jimmy Destri of Blondie is 59; Joey Mazzola of Sponge is 52; Lisa Umbarger formerly with the Toadies is 48; Marc Ford formerly with the Black Crowes is 47; Aaron Lewis of Staind is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1945 Lowell George of Little Feat was born in Hollywood, California. George died in 1979 of a massive heart attack
1962 Hillel Slovak of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is born in Haifa, Israel. Slovak died in 1988 at the age of 26 of a heroin overdose
1965 The Beatles win a Grammy for Best New Artist
1967 The Rolling Stones perform in Warsaw, Poland, their first performance behind the Iron Curtain
1979 David Lee Roth of Van Halen collapses on stage in Spokane, Washington due to exhaustion
1987 Tango In The Night by Fleetwood Mac is released
1999 Echo by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers is released
2009 Music producer Phil Spector was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury of second-degree murder in the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson. He was later sentenced to 19 years to life in prison
2010 Emotion And Commotion by Jeff Beck is released
2013  Chi Cheng of the Deftones dies at the age of 42.  Cheng had been in a  in a semi-conscious state since a 2008 car accident

April 12, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL...Creedence Clearwater Revival  (1968)
The debut album from Creedence Clearwater Revival was released 45 years ago in 1968.  It reached number 52 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  By this time of the 60's so many of the American rock bands were getting really heavy into the psychedelic sound, especially the bands from California.  But wait, Creedence is from California.  So many erroneously think CCR is from the South.  This record jams, starting off with a track I've always enjoyed "I Put A Spell On You."  "The Working Man" is a great guitar track, "Suzie Q" is quite cool, but if you're not in the mood it can seem a little long as it goes for eight and a half minutes.  I like how they use the backwards guitar trick in "Gloomy" and then kick it up a notch and just jam.  CCR were to put out some outstanding albums in the coming years and they still remain one of America's favorite bands.  I give this album a 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it as it is a very good debut album
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 12
John Kay of Steppenwolf is 69; Pat Travers is 59; Will Sergeant of Echo and the Bunnymen is 55; Art Alexakis of Everclear is 51; Nick Hexum of 311 is 43; Guy Berryman of Coldplay is 35; Joe Rickard of Red is 26; Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco is 26;

ON THIS DATE
1954 At their first session for Decca Records Bill Haley and the Comets record "Rock Around The Clock", thus pretty much beginning the Rock 'N' Roll era
1979 Mickey Thomas becomes the lead singer for Jefferson Starship, replacing Marty Balin
1993 Lisa Bonet files for divorce from Lenny Kravitz
2000 The fight between Metallica and Napster gets underway as the band files a suit against the file sharing company
2006 Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix is chosen to be preserved in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry
2008 Lou Reed marries his longtime girlfriend Laurie Anderson
2010 Bret Michaels of Poison undergoes an emergency appendectomy at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas
2011 Wasting Light by the Foo Fighters is released

April 11, 2013

Check out the Top 10 Rock Genre CD's/LP's/Downloads for this week

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
CREAM...Wheels Of Fire  (1968)
Wheels Of Fire, the third album from Cream, was released 45 years ago in 1968.  It reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  The double album starts off with the classic "White Room," which we've all heard and love with that infectious bass groove from Jack Bruce.  The rest of disc 1 is ok.  Eric Clapton's guitar playing is fantastic, as usual.  Disc 2 is a live disc that includes spectacular versions of "Crossroads" and "Spoonful."  This is where Clapton shines on the guitar.  Side 4 has a rather long and tedious drum solo from Jack Bruce on "Toad."  Overall, I'll give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 11
Nigel Pulsford, formerly with Bush, is 50; Dylan Keefe of Marcy Playground is 43; Joss Stone is 26;

ON THIS DATE
1958 Stuart Adamson of Big Country was born in Manchester, England. He died in 2001 at the age of 43, due to heavy alcohol consumption
1961 Bob Dylan plays his concert debut opening for John Lee Hooker at Gerde’s Folk City in New York
1964 The Beatles hold 14 positions on Billboards Pop Singles Chart, thus breaking the old record of 9 set by Elvis Presley
1970 Peter Green leaves Fleetwood Mac
1981 Eddie Van Halen marries Valerie Bertinelli
2002 Kid Rock asks Pamela Anderson to marry him
2006 Fifeteen by Buckcherry is released
2007 A Japanese tour for Guns 'N' Roses is postponed after Tommy Stinson tumbles down a flight of stairs and injures his hands
2007 Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear's divorce is finalized
2007 Sully Erna of Godsmack is involved in an auto accident in Methuen, Massachusetts where he rear ended a vehicle and seriously injured 25-year-old Lindsay Taylor. Erna had aches and pains and a split lip
2008 Def Leppard cancel some Canadian shows after Joe Elliott falls ill
2008 Shinedown announce that Jasin Todd was replaced by Nick Perri. Todd had been arrested two days earlier for disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer

April 10, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
CRACKER...Kerosene Hat  (1993)
Kerosene Hat, the second album from Cracker, was released 20 years ago in 1993 and it reached number 59 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Cracker put a lot of musical elements into this album (hard rock, blues, a bit of country) and I quite enjoyed it, so I give it 3 out of 5 stars.  The opening track "Low" was a hit at Mainstream Rock but that wasn't the highlight for me.  "Get Off This" was a jumpy catchy rocker, while the title track "Kerosene Hat" and "Take Me Down To The Infirmary" were very cool bluesy type tracks and were very enjoyable.  "Sweet Potato" is a nice little toe tappin' rocker.  I had always thought that Cracker belonged in the grunge category but that is definitely not the case. This album is more in the Rolling Stones-Black Crowes-Grateful Dead type category, whatever you might want to call that.Also, the track "Lonesome Johnny Blues" sounds like it could have been recorded by some of the newer country artist. I recommend this album. 
(CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 10
Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats is 54; Reni of the Stone Roses is 49; Tim "Herb" Alexander formerly with Primus is 48; Mike Mushok of Staind is 44; Bryce Soderberg of Lifehouse is 33;

ON THIS DATE
1962 The Beatles original bass guitarist, Stuart Sutcliffe, dies of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 21 in Hamburg, Germany
1970 Paul McCartney announces that the Beatles have broke up
1994 At the Seattle Center a public memorial is held for Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
2007  Fans of Jim Morison of the Doors send a petition to Florida governor Charlie Crist asking him to pardon Morrison for charges that were on appeal when he died in 1971.  Morrison had been convicted of exposing himself while in concert in Miami
2013  It is revealed that in 2010 charges had been filed against Tim Bachman, formerly of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, of sexually abusing a girl under the age of 14.  There had been a ban on reporting the story in order to protect girl.  Bachman was on trial in British Columbia, Canada for the charges

April 9, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
COVERDALE/PAGE...Coverdale/Page  (1993)
Coverdale/Page was released 20 years ago in  1993 and it reached number 5 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I recommend it with a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.  Over the years since it's release I've heard it mentioned several times that this was a bad attempt at recapturing Led Zeppelin glory, that David Coverdale doesn't compare with Robert Plant, that the songs aren't that good anyway.  I don't think Jimmy Page was trying to recapture Led Zeppelin glory.  I think he was trying to make the best album he could for where he was in 1993.  Coverdale doesn't compare to Plant, but that doesn't mean he can't carry his own weight, and in this case he does it very well.  The songs are very good.  "Whisper A Prayer For The Dying" is brilliant, while "Take Me For a Little While" and "Absolution Blues" are absolutely terrific.  David and Jimmy did very good here, so forget the nay-sayers and check it out yourself

(CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 9
Gene Parsons formerly with the Byrds is 69; Kevin Martin with Candlebox and the Gracious Few is 44;

ON THIS DATE
1932 Carl Perkins was born in Tiptonville, Tennessee. He died in 1998 at the age of 65
1966 Jeff Beck, as a member of the Yardbirds, collapses while in conert in Marseilles, France
1970 The Beatles are over, as far as a group recording together goes
1973 Queen makes its debut performance in London at the Marquee Theater
1997 Soundgarden are officially over
2008 Jasin Todd of Shinedown is arrested in Jacksonville, Florida for disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer
2010 'When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors' starring Johnny Depp is released in select theaters
2010  Eddie Vedder wins a copyright infringement case revolving around the lyrics to a song he performed for the movie 'Into The Wild' called "Hard Sun" in which the songwriter sued because Vedder changed the lyrics but the judge ruled that under copyright laws lyric changes are allowed
2011 A 12x9 self portrait of Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd that was taken in the early 60's is stolen from the Syd Barrett Arts and Letters Exhibition at the Idea Generation Gallery in London.  it is later returned undamaged

April 8, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ROD STEWART...Out Of Order  (1988)
Out Of Order was released 25 years ago in 1988 and reached number 20 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I'll give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.  It's for sure not as good as Stewart's 70's albums but it's still a very good record.  "Dynamite" opens side 2 and is a good jumpin' jammin' track.  The album has some very nice ballads as well, "Forever Young" being the best.  Another highlight for me is "Crazy About Her".  It seems to go, then it stops, then it goes...keeps you anticipating the next step which intrigues me.  Rod sounds great on this album, which he produced with Andy Taylor of Duran Duran and Bernard Edwards (who was a member of the disco band Chic and was also a part of the supergroup Power Station).  Check it out, I recommend it
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

 ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 8
Steve Howe of Yes and Asia is 66; Mel Schacher of Grand Funk Railroad is 62; Izzy Stradlin of Guns 'N' Roses is 51; Julian Lennon is 50;

ON THIS DATE
1972 Paul Gray of Slipknot is born in Los Angeles, California. Gray died in 2010
1994 The body of Kurt Cobain is found in his Seattle home. Cobain of Nirvana had committed suicide three days earlier. He was 27
2004 Vince Neil of Motley Crue is given a 30-day suspended jail sentence and is ordered to complete anger-management sessions and is fined $1,000 for allegedly assaulted a prostitute in Nevada in 2003
2006 The Rolling Stones play in Shaghai, their first concert ever in mainland China

April 7, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
JOE BONAMASSA...An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House  (2013)
An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House is currently number 52 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  There are probably many of you that have still not heard the name Joe Bonamassa, which is a shame because this guy is an extremely talented guitarist.  I would put his talents and abilities on the axe right up there with the Jimi Hendrix-Eric Clapton-Eddie Van Halen-Stevie Ray Vaughan club (yes, I said it).  He is that good.  This is recorded at the Vienna Music Hall and this is a great listen, with the 2 CD's lasting an hour and 40 minutes.  I found myself really immersed into the music, hearing acoustic versions of some of Joe's best tunes, but without that scorching electric guitar I'm used to hearing Joe play.  "Athens to Athens" was one of my highlights, with my foot stompin' as if I was on a porch somewhere in the south listening to some good 'ol musicians.  Other highlights include (but not limited to) "Woke Up Dreaming" and "Dust Bowl." Highly recommended with 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
(CD, vinyl, DVD, blu-ray, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 7
Mick Abrahams formerly with Jethro Tull is 70;

ON THIS DATE
1952 Bruce Gary of the Knack was born. Gary died in 2006 in Tarzana, California of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
1962 Mick Jagger and Keith Richards see Brian Jones perform at The Ealing Club in London. They ask Jones to join their group which eventually will be called the Rolling Stones
1975 Ritchie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple to start Rainbow
1995 At a Burbank airport Eddie Van Halen is detained after a Beretta semi-automatic pistol in his carry-on luggage that is loaded is discovered
1998 Cozy Powell, drummer for Whitesnake, Rainbow and Black Sabbath, dies in a car accident
2004 A misdemeanor battery charge against Vince Neil of Motley Crue is dismissed in a Beverly Hills court following 100 hours of community service

April 6, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE ROLLING STONES...Some Girls  (1978)
Some Girls is the 14th studio album from the Rolling Stones, released 35 years ago in 1978.  It reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts and receives a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, and therefore I highly recommend it.  This is my very favorite Stones album.  That could be because I was introduced to the Stones with this album.  Oh, sure, I had heard the "hits" while growing up but this was the first complete album I had ever heard all the way through and I remember loving it the very first time.  This record also encouraged me to hear the rest of their catalog, while also making me anticipate what would come in the future.  The Stones wrapped alot into this one...their brand of rock (Shattered, When The Whip Comes Down) mixed in with some countryish sounds (Far Away Eyes), some discoish sounds (Miss You, it was 1978), humor (Far Away Eyes), sexuality (Some Girls), and a R&B cover (Just My Imagination).  If you've never heard a Stones album all the way through (there might be 1 or 2 of you) introduce yourself to them with Some Girls
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 6
Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band is 53; Markku Lappalainen formerly with Hoobastank is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1968 Syd Barrett is asked to leave Pink Floyd
2005 The Allman Brothers Band At The Fillmore East (’77) and Nirvana’s Nevermind (’91) are added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. That same day Judas Priest is forced to cancel a show in Katowice because of a decree put forth by the Polish government after the death of Pope John Paul II
2006 Alice In Chains announce that William Duvall will be replacing the late Layne Staley
2009 Divorce proceedings began in London to officially end Pete Townshend of the Who's 40-year marriage to Karen Astley
2010  The Scorpions are added to the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame

April 5, 2013

 THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
SEVENDUST...Black Out The Sun  (2013)
Black Out The Sun is currently at number 18 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  I personally can't recommend this album as the hard-core heavy metal is not really not my cup of tea.  The album starts off with a magnificently beautiful piece called 'Memory', but it serves as an introductory track for the album and only last about a minute and a half.  Another highlight was 'Got A Feeling,' a nice "power ballad" I guess you could call it.  It would be better for someone who's into bands like Sevendust to do this review.  Any takers?
(CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 5
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam is 47;

ON THIS DATE
1948 Kent Henry, who performed with Blues Image and Steppenwolf, was born in Hollywood, California. Henry died in 2009
1981 Bob "the Bear" Hite of Canned Heat died at the age of 38 in between sets at a North Hollywood Club
1994 Kurt Cobain commits suicide
2002 Peter Buck of R.E.M. is aquitted of charges resulting from an incident on a Trans-Atlantic flight
2007 Mark St. John, formerly with Kiss, dies at the age of 51 of a cerebral hemorrhage
2011  Vince Neil of Motley Crue is charged with battery and disorderly conduct for allegedly jabbing his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs, in the Shimmer Cabaret lounge at the Las Vegas Hilton twelve days earlier

April 4, 2013

Check out the Top 10 ROCK genre  CD's/LP's/downloads for this week (April 4, 2013)

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
KISS...Smashes, Thrashes And Hits  (1988)
Smashes, Thrashes And Hits was released 25 years ago in 1988 and it reached number 21 on the US Billboard album charts.  I give it a 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.  This is a compilation album with 2 new tracks, combining the "hits" of the 80's with some of the older classics, such as "Love Gun," "Detroit Rock City" and "Deuce," just to name a few.  The older tracks get a new mix but still stay pretty close to the original mix.  "Beth" gets a new vocal recording from the late Eric Carr and, if I say so myself, it's a much better vocal than Peter Criss did on the original 12 years earlier.  (I will get some hateful comments on that one).  This is a good jamming album, you should check it out again.  
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 4
Craig Adams of The Cult is 51; Josh Todd of Buckcherry is 42;

ON THIS DATE
1948 Barry Oakley of the Allman Brothers was born in Chicago, Illinois. Oakley died November 11, 1972 after having a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia
1960 Elvis Presley recorded "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" in Nashville for RCA Victor
1964 The top 5 songs on Billboard's Singles Chart are "Can't Buy Me Love", "Twist And Shout", "She Loves You", "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me", all by The Beatles
1966 Mike Starr of Alice In Chains is born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Starr died in 2011
1996 Some of Jerry Garcia's ashes are scattered in India’s Ganges River
2006 Operation: Mindcrime II by Queensryche is released
2007 The press has a field day with Keith Richards after he stated that he had snorted his fathers ashes with cocaine in 2002
2009 Jeff Beck and Metallica are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
2010  China's Ministry of Culture denies Bob Dylan permission to perform in China because of his involvement in the 60's counterculture movement
2011  According to papers filed at the Los Angeles County Recorders Office Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne owe $1.7 million in back taxes

April 3, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
COUNTING CROWS...August And Everything After  (1993)
August And Everything After is the debut album from the Counting Crows, released 20 years ago in 1993.  It reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  It is recommended and I'll give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  It had been years since I had heard this album, and as I was listening I remembered that back in '93 when it came out I thought it was ok, while radio and the CD buying public (yes, the physical media of a CD is and still is awesome) thought it a great album.  The highlights for me are "Mr. Jones" (because it was very familiar),   "Round Here" and "Rain King"

(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 3
Mick Mars of Motley Crue is 57; Sebastian Bach, formerly with Skid Row, is 45; James MacDonough, formerly with Megadeth, is 43;

ON THIS DATE
1978 FM soundtrack is released
1988 The Traveling Wilburys begin recording sessions for what will be Volume 1
2005 Mike Starr, who played bass for Alice In Chains from 1987 to 1993, is arrested in Seattle for "investigation of property destruction and theft” after allegedly pulling a hood ornament off a car
2007 World Wide Red Light District agrees to stop distributing a sex tape of 4 women with Scott Stapp and Kid Rock
2007 Vena Sera by Chevelle is released
2007 Black Sabbath: The Dio Years by Heaven And Hell is released
2011 The home of Jon Bon Jovi in  New Jersey is robbed, with over $100,000 worth of jewelry stolen.  The thief is later arrested

April 2, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
COLLECTIVE SOUL...Hints, Allegations And Things Left Unsaid  (1993, 1994)
Hints, Allegations And Things Left Unsaid was first released in 1993 on an indie label called Rising Storm Records, but was later released in 1994 when the band got a major label deal with Atlantic.  It then reached number 15 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  It was all because of the track "Shine" that this album got picked up for a deal with Atlantic.  It is, by far, the best track on the album.  That was the reason I bought the CD in '94.  The rest of the album is not even close to being as good as "Shine."  The band themselves do not consider this as their debut, which is understandable, as their future albums would be much better than this one.  Having said all that I'll give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars and I'll recommend it simply for the fact that "Shine" is such a fantastic track
(CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 2
Leon Russell is 71; Dave Robinson of The Cars is 60; Greg Camp, formerly with Smash Mouth, is 46; Tony Fredianelli, formerly with Third Eye Blind, is 44;

ON THIS DATE
1952 Leon Wilkerson of Lynyrd Skynyrd was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He died in 2001 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida from natural causes at the age of 49
1973 1962-1966 and 1967-1970 by the Beatles are released
1999 Joshua Harmon attends a Black Crowes concert and later sues the band for hearing loss
2006 Gene Simmons of Kiss is the grand marshal of the Honda Grand Prix auto race in St. Petersburg, Florida

April 1, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ANTHRAX...Anthems  (2013)
Anthems is an EP from Anthrax and is currently at number 52 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Anthems is just that...rock anthems given the Anthrax treatment.  They include "Anthem" from Rush, T.N.T from AC/DC, "Smokin'" from Boston, "Keep On Runnin'" from Journey, "Big eyes" from Cheap Trick and Thin Lizzy"s "Jailbreak".  They did a good job, definitely harder than the originals but a good EP, nonetheless.  2 1/2 out of 5 stars
(CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 1
John Barbata, formerly of Jefferson Airplane/Starship is 68;

ON THIS DATE
1946 Ronnie Lane was born in London. He would later become the bassist for the Faces and The Small Faces. Lane died in 1997 at the age of 51
1954 Jeff Porcaro of Toto was born. He died of a heart attack in 1992
1979 The Kids Are Alright by the Who is released
1985 David Lee Roth leaves Van Halen
1992 A judge in Beverly Hills, California fined Billy Idol $2,000 for punching a woman in the face. Idol plead no contest
1994 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana jumps a wall to leave a rehab center in California and returns to Seattle
2003 Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam criticizes President Bush and the Iraq War, promting some to boo and leave the show
2004 Paul Atkinson of the Zombies dies of liver and kidney disease in Santa Monica, California at the age of 58
2008 Scott Weiland leaves Velvet Revolver. Also that day Chad Kroeger of Nickelback is found guilty of drunk driving in Canada June 2006