In Memory of Lonnie Mack. 1941-2016

While largely over shadowed by the death of Prince the same day it is important to remember Lonnie. I first heard of him through Stevie Ray Vaughan who was heavily influenced by him. Mack is credited with helping to create the blues-rock genre. I don't think he got the credit he deserved for his contributions to blues and rock 'n' roll. Below is his pioneering album The Wham of that Memphis Man!

2016 the death of the rock band

Looks like this may the finale nail in the coffin of my favorite band.Everyone including myself thought last year would be their the end with Malcolm's dementia and then Phil's arrest. But they showed their strength as a band by replacing Malcolm with his cousin Stevie and Phil with former drummer Chris Slade who played on The Razors Edge and AC/DC Live.They went on a small stadium of North America and I took the bus to see them in Chicago thinking it was the end. I was wrong again. They would go on to announce an arena tour in 2016. Because they had a stop in St. Paul and it was early in the tour I would get to see them again. Sadly this would not be the case for those on later dates. Today it was announced that Brian Johnson would have to stop tour or he would have permanent hearing loss. The band has talked about getting a guest vocalist to fill in for the last ten U.S. dates but I personally don't think the tour could go on without Brian. They had a good run.

The demise of the rock band started in December of 2015 which December 31st being the last concert of Motley Crue before their breakup. I caught them on this tour for the first time on their last Minnesota show. Although Crue's demise had been in the works for a while it was the news of the sudden death of Lemmy from cancer which really hit me hard. I had wanted to see Motorhead the last time they were in town but was not yet of age to get in to the venue they were playing. Lemmy was the only original member left in the band and with the death of original drummer Phil Taylor leaves only Eddie Clark the only survivor of the classic lineup. The death of Lemmy meant the death of yet another classic band. 

Then 2016 rolled around and that meant more bands ending. Black Sabbath had announced their final tour in August of last year so I decided to get a ticket. This was due to guitarist Tony Iommi being diagnosed with lymphoma back in 2013.They had the chance to do what few bands of the 70's could. Tour as the original band with all it's members. But due to Health problems and conflict drummer Bill was not part of the line-up.

Then came the end of one of my favorite bands Eagles. We lost Glenn Frey at the age of 67 from a chronic condition. I am still in shock over his passing. They were supposed to be honored at the Kennedy Center honors but Frey was to sick. I am glad I got to see them in 2013.

Happy Birthday to the late great Alvin Lee

R.I.P Smokin Joe Kubek 1958-2015

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees-The Hits and Misses

Recently the Rock Hall released the nominees to be inducted in 2016. The list includes a who's who of rock, rap, disco, R&B and soul.The nominees The Cars, ‪‎Chic‬, Chicago, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Janet Jackson, The J.B.’s, Chaka Khan, Los Lobos, Steve Miller, Nine Inch Nails, N.W.A , The Smiths, The Spinners and Yes.

Of course there the obvious ones who shouldn't get in like N.W.A and Janet Jackson.Then there are the ones who should have been inducted long ago like Deep Purple and Yes. But since the hall is not to big on progressive rock Yes will be waiting a long time to get in much like Rush did. I'm also super excited that other great rockers are finally getting a shot like Chicago, Steve Miller and The Cars. Other newer rock groups who were nominated like Los Lobos, Nine Inch Nails and The Smiths. While I have nothing against these groups I don't think they should be getting in before Yes, Chicago or Deep Purple. And even those three should not be getting in before pioneers like Dick Dale, Link Wray and Danny and the Juniors.


But those three pioneers won't get in because the no longer cares about the pioneers because they aren't popular like Janet Jackson or Madonna. It's now just a popularity contest. But of course you have the fake rock fans who think Janet Jackson is rock. I went to her Wikipedia page and was able to put any question of her being a rock artist to rest. Under the genre category the three genre's listed are pop, R&B and dance. Nowhere is rock  listed. These rock posers only seem to be-able name one Janet Jackson song in defense of her being inducted. That song is Black Cat and it seems to be her only rock sounding song.

Should Willie Nelson get in because did one song with Carl Perkins? Absolutely not. Doing one duet with a rock artist or having one rock sounding song does not make you a rock artist. You rock posers should just go back to your R&B and leave rock 'n' roll to the real rock fans.  I enjoy the music of Chaka Khan and The Spinners but their music isn't rock and that is why they shouldn't get in. Neither should N.W.A who is a hip hop group. Rock is not listed on their Wikipedia page under the genre section. But sadly I don't see Yes or Deep Purple getting in since they've been nominated many times before and haven't won.   

Happy 80th birthday Jerry Lee Lewis

Lou Gramm at The State Fair

Last night I got the chance to see the Lou who was the lead singer of Foreigner. He had suffered a brain tumor in the late 90's and the surgery caused damage to his voice. Although he couldn't hit the highs on songs like Juke Box Hero he still sounded pretty good. This was one of the free shows at the Minnesota State Fair. It was at the the Leinenkugel Loge. This was the second time I had been to this venue. The last time I'd seen a show there was Blue Oyster Cult back in 2013. Although when he talked it was hard to hear because of all the noisy drunks. But thankfully the music was able to drown them out. This is much better then Foreigner aka Mick Jones and friends. although these free shows aren't very long he. was able to pack in many of foreingers greatest songs. Some of the songs he sang were I Want To Know What Love Is, Double Vision, Hot Blooded, Cold as Ice,Head Games and Urgent. He also sang his big solo hit Mightnight Blue. After the show I went to get a record and tape signed that I brought. He was nice enough to sign both. I liked that he put a limit on the number of things you could get signed. Then I was able to get a picture with the man himself. I had a great time overall. It is still surreal to know that I got to see live for free and meet the voice behind some of classic rock's greatest hits.