February 28, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ELVIS COSTELLO...Spike  (1989)
Spike was released 25 years ago in February 1989.  It reached number 32 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 28
Donnie Iris is 71; Pat Monahan of Train is 45;

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 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
QUEEN...The Works  (1984)
The Works was released 30 years ago today in 1984.  It reached number 23 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

 ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 27
Neal Schon from Journey is 60; Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden is 57; Johnny Van Zant from Lynyrd Skynyrd is 55; Mike Cross from Sponge is 49; Jared Champion of Cage the Elephant is 31;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
GREEN DAY...Dookie  (1994)
Dookie was released 20 years ago in February 1994.  It reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 26
Fats Domino is 86; Paul Cotton formerly with Poco is 71; Jonathan Cain from Journey is 64; Tim Commerford formerly with Audioslave is 46;

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 in Austin, Texas at the age of 60. He had been the drummer for Jimi Hendrix. He had also performed with Carlos Santana and David Bowie
2011 The Doobie Brothers make their debut at the Grand Ole Opry

February 25, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
SCORPIONS...Lovedrive  (1979)
Lovedrive was released on 35 years ago today in 1979. It reached number 55 on the U.S. album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 25
Dennis Diken from The Smithereens is 57; Mike Peters from The Alarm is 55; Richard Liles, formerly with 3 Doors Down, is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1943 George Harrison is born in Liverpool, England. Harrison died in 2001
1963 VeeJay Records releases the single "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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ANGEL...Sinful  (1979)
Sinful was released 35 years ago this month in 1979.  It reached number 159 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 24
Paul Jones from Manfred Mann is 72; George Thorogood is 64;

ON THIS DATE
1947  Lonnie Turner, who was a member of the Steve Miller Band, was born in Berkeley, California.  Turner died in 2013

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 Pumpkins 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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE GOO GOO DOLLS...Jed  (1989)
Jed was released 25 years ago in February 1989.  It did not chart on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 23
Johnny Winter is 70; Brad Whitford from Aerosmith is 62; Michael Wilton from Queensryche is 52; Jeff Beres from Sister Hazel is 43;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
TEN YEARS AFTER...Stonedhenge  (1969)
Stonedhenge was released 45 years ago today in 1969.  It reached number 61 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

 ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 22
Jon Brant, formerly with Cheap Trick, is 59; Scott Phillips of Creed and Alter Bridge is 41;

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.  Thus, we all learn that the Grammy's are pretty well clueless about rock and roll
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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ROY ORBISON...Mystery Girl  (1989)
Mystery Girl was released 25 years ago in February 1989.  It reached number 5 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 21
Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads is 65; Michael Ward formerly with the Wallflowers is 47; Eric Wilson from Sublime and Sublime with Rome is 44; Tad Kinchla from Blues Traveler is 41;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
TED NUGENT...Penetrator  (1984)
Penetrator was released 30 years ago in February 1984.  It reached number 56 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 20
J. Geils is 68; Walter Becker from Steely Dan is 64; Ian Brown formerly with the Stone Roses is 51;

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 Addiction 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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
GEORGE HARRISON...George Harrison  (1979)
George Harrison was released 35 years ago today in 1979.  It reached number 14 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you my personal favorite album of all time.  For 35 years I have been playing this album at least twice a month (sometimes more, and that's no exaggeration).  I can remember when I was just a 14 year old kid listening to this album and thinking how amazingly beautiful 'Dark Sweet Lady' and 'Your Love Is Forever' are, and they are back-to-back on the album.  George is always going to be remembered for his "All Things Must Pass" album, and his so-called come back highly successful album "Cloud 9" (and those are 2 fabulous albums) but I'll pull this one (and his album 33 1/3) off the shelf more than those 2.  Generally this album receives little praise, as you will see on the Allmusis review, but sometimes I think to myself that George recorded this record just for me and these idiots know nothing.  I know he didn't, of course, but it's stuck in my mind like that and that's ok.  Extremely, highly, favorably, relentlessly, respectfully recommended for EVERYONE.  Buy it! Here are the links:
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 19
Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell is 66; Mark Andes formerly with Canned Heat, Spirit and Heart is 66; Jon Fishman of Phish is 49; Daniel Adair from Nickelback is 39;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
KISS...Kiss  (1974)
Kiss was released 40 years ago in 1974.  It reached number 87 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  What's interesting about this album is...everything.  I love debut albums because it is the youngest you will ever hear that artist.  On this debut the band is setting a clear path to the direction the band would go in the future with their hard rock sound, the incredible playing (especially from the 2 members that always get bashed, Ace and Peter), and the makeup.  The makeup would go through some changes in the next few years, especially Peter and Gene's.  Paul Stanley has some great vocals on this record.  Another interesting thing is that when it was released 40 years ago it was largely unnoticed.  Even tho this album is very good and is highly recommended it wasn't until the next year when they released their first live album we found out just how significant they are to rock 'n' roll.  'Deuce,' 'Cold Gin' and 'Strutter' are the highlights.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 18
Dennis DeYoung, formerly with Styx, is 67; Robbie Bachman, formerly with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, is 61; Larry Rust, formerly with Iron Butterfly, is 61;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
ROGER DALTRY...Parting Should Be Painless  (1984)
Parting Should Be Painless was released 30 years ago in February 1984. It reached number 102 on the U.S. Billboard album charts
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 17
Timothy J. Mahoney of 311 is 44; Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is 42;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
DEEP PURPLE...Burn  (1974)
Burn was released 40 years ago in February 1974.  It reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 16
Andy Taylor from Duran Duran is 53; Dave Lombardo formerly with Slayer is 49; Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters is 42;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE MONKEES...Instant Replay  (1969)
Instant Replay was released 45 years ago today in 1969.  It reached number 32 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, 3 CD box set, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 15
Mick Avory from The Kinks is 70; John Helliwell from Supertramp is 69; Stevie Benton from Drowning Pool is 43; Brandon Boyd from Incubus is 38;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
APRIL WINE...Animal Grace  (1984)
Animal Grace was released 30 years ago in 1984.  It reached number 62 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 14
Roger Fisher, formerly with Heart, is 64; Ricky Wolking from The Nixons is 48; Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty is 42; Kevin Baldes of Lit is 42;

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, 2014

Check out the Top 10 Rock Genre albums for this week


THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND...Enlightened Rogues  (1979)
Enlightened Rogues was released 35 years ago in February 1979. It reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 13
Peter Tork from The Monkees is 72; Peter Gabriel is 64; Ed Gagliardi, formerly with Foreigner, is 62; Henry Rollins is 53; Todd Harrell from 3 Doors Down is 42;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
CHEAP TRICK...Cheap Trick At Budokan  (1979)
Cheap Trick At Budokan was released 35 years ago in February 1979.  It reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 12
Steve Hackett, formerly with Genesis, is 64; Michael McDonald is 62; Jim Creeggan of the Barenaked Ladies is 44;

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" wins Best Rock Performance and "Wasting Light" wins Best Rock Album

February 11, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS...What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits  (1974)
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits was released 40 years ago in 1974.  It reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 11
David Uosikkinen from the Hooters is 58; Sheryl Crow is 52; Peter Hayes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is 38; Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park is 37;

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

February 10, 2014

Check out the rock genre New Releases

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
MOUNTAIN...Twin Peaks  (1974)
Twin Peaks was released 40 years ago in February 1974.  It reached number 142 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

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 And 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 a Los Angeles court
2013 At the 55th Grammy's: Best Rock Performance and best Rock Song The Black Keys "Lonely Boys", Best Rock Album The Black Keys "El Camino",  Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Halestorm "Love Bites (So Do I)"

February 9, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
HUMBLE PIE...Thunderbox  (1974)
Thunderbox was released 40 years ago in 1974.  It reached number 52 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 9
Joe Ely is 67;

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, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
RICHARD MARX...Paid Vacation  (1994)
Paid Vacation was released 20 years ago today in 1994.  It reached number 37 on the U.S. Billboard album charts
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 8
Vince Neil from Motley Crue is 53; Sammy Llanas of The BoDeans is 53; Keith Nelson of Buckcherry is 45; Will Turpin of Collective Soul is 43; Phoenix from Linkin Park is 37; Jeremy Davis of Paramore is 29;

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
2013 Bruce Springsteen  is named the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year at a ceremony in Los Amgeles
2013 Axl Rose of Guns 'N' Roses loses in court against Activision. Rose had claimed that Activision violated an agreement over the use of "Welcome To The Jungle" in '07's Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock because they used the image of Slash on the cover and in the game

February 7, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT...Ammonia Avenue  (1984)
Ammonia Avenue was released 30 years ago today in 1984. It reached number 15 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 7
David Bryan from Bon Jovi is 52; Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit is 39;

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, 2014

Check out the Rock genre Top 10 Albums for this week

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
BADFINGER...Badfinger  (1974)
Badfinger was released 40 years ago in February 1974.  It reached number 161 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 6
Simon Phillips from Toto is 57; Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses is 52;

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

February 5, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
VANILLA FUDGE...Near The Beginning  (1969)
Near The Beginning was released 45 years ago in February 1969. It reached number 16 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 5
Duff McKagan from Duff McKagan's Loaded and formerly with Guns 'N' Roses is 50; Chris Barron from the Spin Doctors is 46;

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

 

February 4, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
MC5...Kick Out The Jams  (1969)
Kick Out The Jams was released 45 years ago in February 1969. It reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Label – Elektra
Producer – Bruce Botnick and Jac Holzman
Art Direction – William S. Harvey
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 36:17

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Ramblin' Rose
2. Kick Out The Jams
3. Come Together
4. Rocket Reducer No 62
5. Borderline
6. Motor City Is Burning
7. I Want You Right Now
8. Starship

“Kick Out the Jams” is the debut album by Detroit’s MC5. The decision was made that a studio record could not adequately capture their sound and energy, so it was recorded live at Detroit's Grande Ballroom over two nights of Halloween 1968.
This is in all actually a tedious record to listen to. First of all Brother J.C. Crawford's rambling introductions while entertaining to a point, get old quickly and Rob Tyner's ‘singing’ voice has a lot to be desired. Their material also isn’t that great and the playing is ragged, many times out of tune and really rough. That said, this record is more about attitude and power – easily ranks up there as likely the most energetic live album ever made, refuses to be played quietly and simply MUST be heard.
There is of course the classic "Kick Out the Jams" with the controversial opening “kick out the jams mother f%$kers” that garnered most of the attention upon release, and actually cause the record to be banned from many retail stores, and eventually led to the band being dropped by Elektra records. This track is their lasting statement, and has inspired a ton of cover versions over the years. (Blue Öyster Cult’s version on their 1978 live album ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ comes immediately to mind).
The LP peaked at #30 on the Billboard album charts and an edited version of the title track peaking at #82 in the Hot 100. In 2003, the album was ranked number 294 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. (Funnily enough, original Rolling Stone legendary reviewer Lester Bangs didn’t like the record at all calling it "ridiculous, overbearing, and pretentious") In March 2005, Q magazine placed the song "Kick Out the Jams" at number 39 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. The same track was named the 65th-best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
It is recommended – with caution.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

 ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 4
John Steel from The Animals is 73; Alice Cooper is 66; Phil Ehart from Kansas is 64; Henry Bogdan, formerly with Helmet, is 53; Noodles from The Offspring is 51; Rick Burch of Jimmy Eat World is 39;

ON THIS DATE
1968 The Beatles record "Across The Universe"
1977 Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is released
1997 Ixnay On The Hombre by the Offspring is released
2004 The Veterans of Foreign Wars' commander-in-chief criticizes Kid Rock's "disgusting use of an American flag as a costume prop" during the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show. Rock wore a poncho fashioned out of a flag during his performance, then threw it into the audience
2005 It is announced that Puddle Of Mudd drummer Greg Upchurch has replaced Daniel Adair in 3 Doors Down who left to join Nickelback
2006 Tommy Lee gets beat up. The Motley Crue drummer is assaulted in Detroit for insulting Kid Rock, who is from Detroit. Rock had been engaged to Pamela Anderson, Lee's former wife
2007 Billy Joel sang the National Anthem just before the Super Bowl
2014 Reg Presley of the Troggs dies in  Andover, Hampshire, England from lung cancer.  Presley was 71

February 3, 2014

Check out the Rock genre New Releases

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE...Bless Its Pointed Little Head  (1969)
Bless Its Pointed Little Head was released 45 years ago in February 1969.  It reached number 17 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 3
Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra of Canned Heat is 68; Dave Davies from The Kinks is 67; Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth is 58; Laurence Tolhurst of the Cure is 55;

ON THIS DATE
1959 A single-engine plane crashed shortly after midnight near Clear Lake, Iowa, claiming the lives of rock-and-roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as pilot Roger Peterson
1969 Paul McCartney plays drums for the Steve Miller Band for the track "My Dark Hour"
1969 This Was by Jethro Tull has it's U.S. release
1973 Journey Through The Past by Neil Young is released
1998 Yield by Pearl Jam is released
2002 "Rock And Roll" by Led Zeppelin is heard in a commercial for Cadillac during the Super Bowl. It is the first time a Zep tune is used in a commercial. U2 performs at halftime
2003 Phil Spector is arrested in connection of the shooting death of Lana Clarkson
2004 Cornelius Bumpus, formerly with the Doobie Brothers, dies on a flight from Los Angeles to New York of a heart attack at the age of 58
2008 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform at the Super Bowl halftime
2009 Reflections by Graham Nash is released

February 2, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
IRON BUTTERFLY...Ball  (1969)
Ball was released 45 years ago in February 1969. It reached number 3 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

 ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 2
Graham Nash is 72; Ross Valory from Journey is 65; Robert DeLeo from Army of Anyone and Stone Temple Pilots is 48; Ben Mize from the Counting Crows is 43;

ON THIS DATE
1959 Buddy Holly performed his last concert in Clear Lake, Iowa
1974 Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer is injured when a piano wired to explode does so prematurely
1979 Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols is found dead of a heroine overdose in Greenwich Village, New York. Vicious was 21
2006 It is announced that Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi and Heather Locklear will be divorcing
2010 Hellbilly Deluxe 2 by Rob Zombie is released

February 1, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
TESLA...The Great Radio Controversy  (1989)
The Great Radio Controversy was released 25 years ago  today in 1989.  It reached number 18 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 1
Don Everly of the Everly Brothers is 77; Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is 64; Patrick Wilson of Weezer is 45; Ron Welty, formerly with the Offspring, is 43;

ON THIS DATE
1964 The Beatles hit number 1 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart for the very first time with "I Want To Hold Your Hand"
1964  Jani Lane, who would be the lead singer for Warrant, was born in Akron, Ohio.  Lane died in 2011
1977 Led Zeppelin had to postpone their North American tour because Robert Plant is ill
2004 Aerosmith and Kid Rock both perform at halftime for Super Bowl XXXVIII. However, I bet you don't remember that because that's the year we got to see Janet's tit
2006 A Hurricane Katrina benefit concert put together by former Eagle Don Felder occurs. Green Day drummer Tré Cool, ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke and Alice Cooper perform
2006 Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down is injured in a car accident in Mississippi and he receives stitches to his face
2007 Don Henley says that that the Eagles business partnership with Walmart is good, stating "They can't be any more evil than a major record label"
2009 Dewey Martin, 68, the drummer and singer who'd helped found the country rock band Buffalo Springfield, was found dead in Van Nuys, California