Ronnie Hammond 1950-2011

This is my post to remember the late Ronnie Hammond who was the lead singer for the southern rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section he died last week at the age of 60. Ronnie is on the far left.

Dark Star

I have just finished reading a book about the life of Roy Orbison. I did not know very much about Roy. It was a very sad book due to the fact that many of his friends and family died young in tragic accidents including his wife,two of his sons and his older brother. It also talked about that he was not as pretty as Elvis and Ricky Nelson. Reading this book made me see how underrated Roy Orbison was. But to many in the music world he was a god. Some of these included Bruce Springsteen,Bono and Jeff Lynne of ELO. Springsteen honors him in his album Born to Run.  He was raised only a few miles from Buddy Holly in Wink. He never became poplar in the U.S. as much as he did in England. He was still poplar even after those four men came in the music scene. He did record the smash hit Oh, Pretty Woman which knocked the Animals and Herman's Hermits off the English charts.    which has been covered by every one from Bon Jovi and Al Green to Green Day and most notably Van Halen. He made many other classics including Sweet Dreams Baby,Crying and Blue Bayou. Roy Orbison was also a big daredevil  when it came to Motorcycles and broke his foot once while riding. We can't forget his part in the greatest supergroup of all time the Traveling Wiburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan,Tom Petty and Jeff  Lynne. The debut album by the Wilburys, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 would be released in 1988 and be the last album for Roy who would be be dead soon after from a heart attack at age 52. Overall it was a good and interesting book. Here on the left is Roy with some of his friends from the Sun Years. Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.  

1980

Today I will talk about the year I have come to call the music year. 1980 was the break out year and ending year for many artists and bands. First on January 7th R&B/Rock 'n' roll songwriter  Larry Williams is found dead he is known for being a big influence for John Lennon and the Beatles. This year many bands/artists would would have there debut album such as Iron Maiden,The Pretenders,Bryan Adams,The Romantics,U2,Survivor,INXS, Loverboy and Huey Lewis and the News are some of the many that would start out in this year.

This year would be big for British Metal artists such as Judas Priest with the classic ablum "British Steel,"Motorhead with the classic album "Ace of Spades."Black Sabbath with new lead singer Ronnie James Dio released one of there best albums "Heaven and Hell." Former lead singer Ozzy Osburne along with guitarist Randy Rhoads would go on to make "Blizzard of Ozz" which with the songs "Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley" would become one of the greatest metal albums of all time.

 


 1980 would also become the biggest year for AC/DC first on February19th lead singer Bon Scott would die. Then they would bring in Brian Johnson and make the best rock and second best selling album of all time "Back in Black." Two more deaths would come in the rock world on September 25 Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham would be found dead by band member John Paul Jones this would cause one of the biggest bands in the world to break up. Then one of greatest song writers of the 20th century and former Beatle John Lennon would be shot to death outside his home in New York City just three weeks after the release of his latest album Double Fantasy. The album would become big all around the world. Others who died that year include lead singer Darby Crash of the Germs,Ian Curtis of Joy Division,Blues Piano player Professor Longhair,Tommy Caldwell bass player of the Marshall Tucker band,Keith Godchaux piano player for the Grateful Dead,Steve Peregrin Took who played  percussion for T. Rex,John Poulos drummer for the Buckinghams and Tim Hardin a composer who's songs were covered by Johnny Cash,Robert Plant,Rod Stewart and The Byrds to name a few.

Bob Seger would have his first and only number 1 album this year "Against the Wind" spending six weeks at the top and earning him two Grammy awards. Billy Joel's album "Glass Houses" would be big for him With the hits "It's Still Rock 'n' Roll to Me" and "You May Be Right" it would be the 4th biggest album of the year. "Emotional Rescue" By the Stones would be the number one album in the U.S. and UK and spend 7 weeks on the charts. "Hold Out" remains Jackson Brwone's only album to date to reach #1 on the Billboard chart. This year was huge for Queen with there album "The Game" which along with the classic songs "Another One Bites the Dust" and Crazy Little Thing Called Love" would become number 1 in America and around the world. It would go platinum in the U.S,U.K and Canada.Other big albums include "Remain in Light" by Talking Heads,"The River" by Bruce Springsteen and "Crimes of Passion" by Pat Benatar.

One of the biggest Musicals of all time was released this year. "The Blues Brothers" about a traveling blues band led by Dan Akroyd John Belushi. It also stars many blues and soul artists such as the Mg's,John Lee Hooker,James Brown,Ray Charles,Big Walter Horton,Pinetop Perkins and Aretha Franklin to name a few. since it's release it has gained a  cult following.


 Many of the eighties biggest Bands REM,Mr Mister, Stray Cats,Depeche Mode,Soft Cell and Eurythmics would be founded in this year.


Hear is a list of some of the many songs that were big in this year "You Shook Me All Night Long, Hells Bells, I Wanna Be Sedated, Hungry Heart, Turning Japanese, I Can't Tell You Why, The Long Run, The Tide Is High, Call Me,  Hit Me with Your Best Shot ,Once in a Lifetime ,Celebration, Any Way You Want It, Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin',  Living After Midnught, You Make My Dreams, Run Like Hell, Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2), Escape (The Piña Colada Song), Sailing, Brass in Pocket, Flirtin' With Disaster, Cars" and "Hit Me with Your Best Shot".

RIP Gary Moore

I am sad to hear of the passing of Irish Blues-Rock guitar great Gary Moore. Gary Moore is known for playing with Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. Moore played with Thin Lizzy on and off thought the late 70's and was a good friend of Phil Lynott. Then after Lizzy he went solo playing blues with Albert King,Albert Collins,B.B King and others. Some of my Favorite Moore songs are Picture of the Moon and Still got the Blues. Another Legend is gone. Good bye Gary.

Brothers of Rock the ten best.

1. Angus and Malcolm Young AC/DC

2.  Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan

 

3. Gregg and Duane Allman  The Allmand Brothers band

 

4.Ronnie,Donnie and Johnny VanZant  Lynyrd Skynyrd

 

  5. Eddie and Alex Van Halen Van Halen

6. Vinnie Paul and "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott Pantera

7.Dennis,Carl and Brian Wilson The Beach Boys

8. Toy and Tommy Caldwell The Marshall Tucker band

9.  Johnny and Edgar Winter The Edgar Winter Group

10. Don and Phil Everly The Everly Brothers

honorable mentions 

Chad and Mike Kruger Nickelback

rick and Sean woolstenhulme Lifehouse

John and Tom Fogerty  CCR

Chuck and John Panozzo Styx 

Charlie and Craig Reid  The Proclaimers

George Thorogood  and the Destroyers Move it on Over was one of the first Cd's I'd ever listened to and ever since then he's become one of my favorite musical acts. So when I saw an ad for Taste of Minnesota that said George Thorogood and the Destroyers were coming I freaked out. We arrived at Harriet Island early because I wanted to make sure I was up close to the stage. I saw a stand selling George Thorogood and the Destroyers T shirts. My mom would not let me get the I drink alone or One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer shirt because of the alcohol reference. So instead I got the Move it on over T shirt.   GB Leighton was to perform first. I Liked the show since it was my first time seeing him preform. Then GB finished and they started setting up for George. I was right there hearing George play all his hits like Bad to the Bone,Who do you Love and I Drink alone to name a few. It was one of the best concerts ever. Best of all it was free.

I have just learned of the death of Gerry Rafferty. Rafferty Was born in Scotland in 1947. He first started out with the band Stealers Wheel who is most known for the hit Stuck in the Middle with You. After he departed from Stealers he had a successful solo career with the album City to City which in 1978 went to one on the charts with the hits Baker Street and Right down the line. After City to City he released seven more albums. Gerry Rafferty died at the age of 63 on 4 January 2011 of liver failure.