On this day in 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).
There's a scene in the film High Fidelity where Barry (played by Jack Black) asks Rob (played by John Cusack) if the latter day "sins" of a musician nullify their earlier career achievements/succeses. He was referring specifically to Stevie Wonder asking if a musical atrocity like I Just Called to Say I Love You suddenly made null and void the brilliance of material like Songs in the Key of Life. That's just an example of course... With that in mind what do you feel are some of the most egregious musical offenses of great bands?
Here are some of the more profoundly putrid musical atrocities perpetrated on the public by some of rock's most preferred performers:
Emerson Lake & Palmer - Love Beach
How could they do this to us?! How could the same group that gave us such brilliant albums as Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery inflict this fetid festering pile of musical dung upon us? And please don't feed me a line about "contractual obligations" as there are other ways to get around that than to scar the eardrums of their fans and leave such a fecal stain on their otherwise brilliant legacy.
Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 (1986)
I actually heard THIS version first. Having never heard the original version up to that point. I kind of liked it. Then I heard the original and it begged the question, "Huh?" Meaning, "How the hell could they do this to themselves?" David Foster resurrected Chicago from their abysmally bad late 70s material and gave them a renaissance of sorts with Chicago 16 and 17... And then Peter Cetera leaves, Foster sticks around for one more album and I've heard that this remake was actually HIS idea... If it ain't broke... don't fix it. The only good thing I'll say about this remake is that it's better suited to Peter's replacement, Jason Scheff's voice than the original. If I have to hear Jason Scheff sing 25 or 6 to 4 I'd much rather hear him sing this remake than try to sing the original.
Blood Sweat & Tears - Sympathy For the Devil
It takes stones to cover the Stones and cover them well. David Clayton-Thomas & Co. did not have said stones to pull it off. The greatest mistake BS&T ever made was firing Al Kooper and replacing him with David Clayton-Thomas. While they briefly recaptured the brilliance of Child Is Father to the Man with their self-titled follow-up subsequent albums showed what a mistake DCT was... And nothing put it on display more than BS&T's abysmal cover of Sympathy for the Devil.
The Who - Live @ the Super Bowl
Some musicians age well, some actually even get better with age. Pete can still play a mean guitar but as much as I love The Who's early catalog, Daltrey's voice is now shot. Please please please don't tarnish my memories of how great Roger once sounded by making me listen to how poor he sounds today by comparison. Not to mention, to me it's just not The Who any more without John and Keith.
Styx - Cyclorama
Styx put out a halfway decent album in 1999, Brave New World. I'd argue that it hearkens back to their pre-Kilroy Was Here days. Then Dennis DeYoung was forced out/fired/let go/whatever. In 2003 with Tommy Shaw steering the Styx ship and DeYoung replaced by Lawrence Gowan they released this flat, bland, uninspired piece of crap-- Cyclorama. I gave it a chance, I really did but it was unoffensive and boring. Without DeYoung's contributions the only thing this album excelled at was its own mediocrity.
Chicago XIII
I know Chicago already made the list once, but this album deserves at least a dishonourable mention. This was Chicago's foray into disco just as it was coming OUT of vogue. The only shining star on this album is guest trumpeter, Maynard Ferguson's killer trumpet work on Street Player. The band was a generally coked up mess still coping with the death of guitarist Terry Kath. And while he performed at least respectably on Hot Streets (aka XII), guitarist Donnie Dacus was at best a disappointment and at worst a downright embarassment on XIII. This was Chicago's rock bottom.
What albums/songs/moments/etc. would make your list? Do you think when once great bands release real lemons it tarnishes their legacy? Why or why not? And to Barry's (Jack Black) corollary question-- is it better to burn out or fade away?
I just did a post on one of my other blogs and dedicated this song to someone, it seemed fitting. Without looking it up does anyone know what the song is about? I've heard several stories about why it was written so am curious if any of you have heard the same, or different ones.
I've seen this about three times but it never gets old. Right now Pearl Jam is doing "Love Rain on Me" and "Can You See the Real Me". Is it Rain or Reign? Too lazy to look it up and I know one of you will know.
How many of you have seen the movie "Tommy"? Yeah, that's the one, The Who and their "rock opera". I saw it several times back in the day and just watched a few clips of it on youtube. Cheap entertainment for a Friday night.
If you saw it, did you like it? What scenes stick out? What's one word you would use to describe it?
People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
This is my generation This is my generation, baby
Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation) And don't try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just thinking about generations over the years and how different things are now than in the 60's, 70's, 80's.
I think a lot of (not all!) our youth today is really messed up. And who is to blame? Possibly my generation.
The 31st annual Kennedy Center Honors proclaimed ‘The Kids Are Alright’. On Dec. 7th The Who received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor as the first rock band ever to do so.
The award ceremony will be aired Dec. 30th on CBS.
Ok, just reviewed this 2 disc DVD and have lots to say about it. First off, as you know I typically give away the CDs and DVDs that are so kindly provided to me be various media companies - but I am KEEPING THIS ONE!
The footage of this concert, The Who at Kilburn: 1977, has been stashed away in the vaults for thirty years but was re-mastered incredibly well. You can find a few clips on You Tube from this performance, but the quality is poor. On the second disc in this set is unseen footage from a performance at the London Coliseum (an opera house) from 1969! Unfortunately the quality of that one was filmed differently and could not be remastered but its still easy to watch because the quality of the performances by Roger, Pete, John and Keith make up for it.
As with all live performances things don't always go perfect. There are a few mishaps and some interesting bantering with the audience. At one point when Roger notoriously flings his mic out over the audience and pulls it back to catch it - he misses, but he doesn't miss a beat in continuing to dance and find another mic :)
Its almost painful to watch the footage of Keith knowing it was his last live performance with them. His boyish face grinning as he pounds out each song. Of course Pete does all his typical Townsend theatrics (and falls once on disc 2), his guitar talent and style is the main focus of many of the songs. And John, a superb bassist, adds his calm charm and deep voice to make them the perfectly well rounded rock band. GREAT STUFF! All the hits you would want plus several surprises.
If you watch them back to back you can see how the band has perfected and polished their act over ten years, although they certainly weren't lacking anything in '69. They were so young - all around 25, and were already a huge success.
For me this DVD has a special significance. I've only seen The Who one time. It was in 1976, a year before this was filmed and the last year Keith played with with the band before his tragic death.
My memory of this day is so clear, I can still see what I was wearing, I can see my boyfriend Scott's red hair and his puka shell necklace. I can feel his hand holding mine so tight as we stood in line for hours, people pushing and shoving (later that same tour several people would die from being crushed in the crowd). I was so scared standing in that line that I told Scott I didn't even want to get on the field so we sat in the stadium seating on Pete's side of the stage with a great view.
The concert was being held at the Angel's Stadium in Anaheim. It was general admission so people had waited overnight in line hoping to rush to the front of the field and get close to the stage. I have searched the Internet for info on this concert but can't find a thing! I know the concert took place, I was there! It had to be the summer of '76 because I was 16 and that's the summer I dated Scott. I did find one photo labeled "The Who at Sunset in Anaheim".
I don't recall any opening act - but there must have been one right? All I know is we sat for literally HOURS waiting and waiting for the show to start. Now, being an outside show we didn't have the usual hints that the band was going to take stage. There was no dimming of the lights for that "THEY'RE ON STAGE" moment.
But there we were, in our seats, the sun starting to set, an orange glow about the sky and seemingly out of nowhere...
the sound of a pianoplaying the opening of Baba O'Riley it went on for what seems like ten minutes, no one on stage,until... suddenly, in a burst of sound and energy, there they were! and Roger BELTs out in his perfect vocals:
Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get my back into my living. I don't need to fight To prove I'm right I don't need to be forgiven...
I'll tell you, it was one of the BEST moments in my long history of attending rock concerts. If you watch this video, you will get a glimpse of what it was like (Roger is also damn good on the harp!) It was great. We had no idea, of course, that it would be one of Keith's last shows.
All this to say: IF YOU ARE A FAN OF THE WHO YOU WILL NEED TO SEE THIS DVD!
Yet Another Music Blog has a great video of The Who today. Its a performance they did on the Smother's Brother's show (for you youngsters, that was a variety show that aired in the 60's when there was actually real comedy and good music on TV every week!)
Anyhow, this performance is legendary because of what happened at the end. I'll let you go read and see it for yourself.
Please try not to laugh at the hairstyles of the guys, Roger looks like a girl, a very pretty girl; Pete's bangs are so short its embarrassing, Keith looks normal (ironically) and surprisingly I found John quite hot back in the day.....
One of my “music buddies”, Darrin, often shares new music with me because we have similar tastes.But not all our tastes are the same!He recently wrote about British Rock and I thought I’d share his thoughts and then add my opinion.I’d love to hear your views of these bands too!
The Beatles
Darrin:They're the standard bearers. They took what they heard coming from across the pond, put their own stamp on it, perfected it, made it their own and became not only musical but also cultural icons. Their influence is undeniable.
Me:Ditto
Rolling Stones
Darrin:While appreciate the influence they've had on other bands, I've never really understood their appeal. I only own one of their albums (Beggars Banquet) and I do appreciate many of their singles, but all in all I think this is a band that for a long time has simply been famous for being famous, not because they're still actually any good-- seeing the Stones live today is kind of like seeing Sinatra long after he'd lost his singing voice-- bragging rights and nothing more.
Me:The Rolling Stones were one of my favorites when I was a teen.If you listen to the deeper cuts on some of the old stuff you will hear great blues music.I still love all their music from “Beggar’s Banquet” to “Tattoo You”.After that they lost my interest.I think Mick Jagger is a great entertainer and love watching him no matter how old he is.
The Who
Darrin:I consider The Who's Next to be one of the greatest classic rock albums ever. I find it superior to Tommy, Quadrophenia, and just about everything else they ever recorded. It IS a masterpiece! I find these guys to be more talented than Led Zeppelin ever was.
Me:I agree about “Who’s Next”, excellent album and I saw them perform it live when it came out – one of the best shows ever.I don’t think they are more talented than Zeppelin.Since we are comparing the two I’d like to say that it was sad to see how easily The Who replaced Keith Moon after his death compared to Zeppelin who disbanded recognizing that one fourth of their band was gone.I think that showed a lot of respect for John Bonham and a lot of class for them as a band.
Led Zeppelin
Darrin:It often gets glossed over that Page & Plant were largely musical plagiarists. They were talented musicians, but much of their songwriting comprised of filching styles and even material from others-- sometimes giving credit where it was due-- sometimes not. The intro to Stairway to Heaven, for example, was taken from an instrumental piece by Spirit titled Taurus. I appreciate the impact these guys had on music and their musicianship but they lose boku points with me for their plagiarist tendencies.
Me:(It’s a good think I like Darrin so much – or his comments would tick me off!)I DISAGREE totally about Led Zeppelin.I don’t think they were plagiarists because all musicians are influenced by others.They took what they liked about other music and made it their own.I think they are the greatest rock band of all time because of their talent, their incredible ability to write moving music/lyrics, their presence on stage, and their great hair.(just kidding about the hair).
Me:DITTO!!
Pink Floyd
Darrin – The best British psychedelic band, arguably the best psychedelic band bar none when they started out. After the departure of the enigmatic and troubled Syd Barrett, their material grew much stronger and quite a bit more ambient. The partnership of David Gilmour and Roger Waters produced far stronger material than that of the troubled Barrett. However, given that much of their later material was done as a tribute to or in honor of Barrett, it could be argued that he remained a member of the band long after he left it.
Me:DITTO!
David Bowie
Darrin left him off his list!I guess that pretty much gives his opinion of the fabulous Mr. Bowie.I LOVE David Bowie and have enjoyed watching his metamorphosis over the years, he was never afraid to be different and experiment.I first saw him live back in the late 70’s and could not believe my eyes when Ziggy Stardust emerged on stage.I’ve seen him several times since then, the last being after Heathen was releases.He’s high on my list of great music.
Jeff has an interesting list done by "Q" magazine over on his blog today. Stop by and answer his questions. Here are the top ten I'd pull off the list of 50 with the ones I've already seen highlighted.
1. AC/DC 5. Pink Floyd7. The Who12. The White Stripes 19. Bob Dylan21. The Rolling Stones 22. Neil Young40. Red Hot Chili Peppers 42. U2
You've probably heard that Paul Rodgers is taking on the role of the new frontman for Queen. They are in the studio right now and should be releasing something in 2008.
What are your thoughts on this? Not just on Paul replacing Freddy, but anytime a valuable member of a band that has died, is replaced? I think of INXS going on the reality show to replace Michael Hutchence and I feel ill. No one can ever replace him. In my mind INXS ceases existing that day. Same with The Doors and Led Zeppelin.
Other bands seem to move on fine after replacing someone who's passed away - The Who for example has lost two its members but still consider themselves "The Who".
This is so cool -Lately I've been thinking about picking up the guitar and learning how to play. I haven't played in years so it will be a challenge, but I just FEEL the need, the passion, the desire - to not only HEAR music, but to make some of my own.
Here is the cool part - all day long I was doubting this, listening to the negatives in my head "no, don't bother, you'll never be any good, you're too old, it's just a passing whim, you won't practice..."
Don't you agree that's a SIGN!!! I am totally jazzed and can't wait to get my guitar and start playing! 'Check out Pete's blog, as my friend Rick says, "The best part is his profile: "I'm in a rock band." How's that for understated elegance?"
I left him a comment - watch him stop by here, I'd die!!
On this day in 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).
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