A Tribute to Roxy Music

The Long Career of Roxy Music by Marcel Van Brienen

In 1972, an album appeared on the UK scene that captured the attention of many music fans. The album was eclectic and presented a significant departure from the common musical styles of the day. While the rest of the music world was slipping into the common early 1970's folk theme, the self titled album debut of Roxy Music was very, very different. Roxy Music drew its influences from all over the musical spectrum. These influences were on display in a brilliant debut and it truly did make music history.

Of course, not all of the work of Roxy Music should be spoken about in a historical sense.

In 2001, the entertainment industry saw a legendary band re-unite for a very successful tour. That band was Roxy Music and they are an enduring fixture on the music scene that has been around since 1972. Yet, despite their longevity, the Roxy Music discography is not as well known as other bands. Actually, that is not an entirely true assessment as Roxy Music achieved a solid degree of popularity in Europe. However, it did not have the significant worldwide appeal that other Euro bands achieved.

The Unique Sound

To a degree, Roxy Music did not receive all the credit it was due in terms of the band's influence on other bands. This is somewhat surprising since a number of legendary punk rock and new wave bands such as Devo consider Roxy Music to be one of their many influences. Then again, maybe it should come as no surprise since the type of music Roxy Music produced pre-dated the punk/alternative movement by many years. This is somewhat bittersweet - yet common - component of many band biographies; being ahead of one's time sometimes leads to not getting the credit one deserves. For many years, this was the curse of the Roxy Music discography

Brian Ferry's Contributions

Brian Ferry was the front man of the band who was a major factor in making Roxy Music popular. No, Brian of Roxy Music was not the only reason for the aforementioned success. The other principle members (Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and Paul Thompson) all contributed greatly to the popularity of Roxy Music. However, it would be fair to say Brian of Roxy Music was by far the most influential member of the band. This is because he was the primary architect of the musical direction the band took. It was this specific musical direction that allowed the band to connect with its audience.

The Comeback

That is why the group was able to reform quite successfully many years after their original 1983 breakup. In 2001, the Roxy Music concerto returned to the stage for a very well received tour (the Roxy Music DVD chronicles many of these performances). Some doubted that the band would be a hit after such a long absence but those doubts were quickly quelled when the tour started. The reunion of Roxy Music has turned out to be an ironic new chapter in the group's history as the acclaim that had been denied them for so many years was finally achieved. This just proves that in the music world truly anything can happen.

Marcel van Brienen is a senior ezine article writer, and editor for an online community of experts on Gemzies.com. This article is written together with one of our Roxy Music fans of the Roxy Music Gemzies. This Gemzies page is an Online Roxy Music Community where fellow fans can share, rate and find websites, videos photos, books and news.

We have got some interesting content on Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, and Phil Manzanera. We invite you to visit and join our Roxy Music Gemzies.

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VIDEO: Commune Life in the 1960s

Get a load of this amazing video from YouTube entitled "Taos Journal - Hog Farm 60's Hippie Commune". A great insight into 1960s commune life! Enjoy!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=aY6zG4Y6uoI

OPINION: Classic Tracks of the 1960s and 1970s

Classic Rock - The Other Essentials by Wendy Pan

Ever since Rolling Stone, VH1, and the like began creating top classic rock song lists, debates among enthusiasts have raged in college dorm rooms, city bars and taverns, and in cars on cross-country road trips. Of course, we all are familiar with the usuals: the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone," and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."

However, there are tons of top classic rock songs from these same artists that are almost always ignored when these lists are compiled. Fans of these artists are certainly familiar with these songs, but the uninitiated might overlook them. The next time you and your friends are creating your own top-song list, include these gems to flex your musical knowledge muscle:

Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up": "Satisfaction" gets all the hype and has been named the number-one classic rock song by Rolling Stone magazine, but "Start Me Up" is a lot more fun and has had enjoyed longer staying power. Bursting onto the scene in 1981, this song quickly became a staple on classic rock radio, and the opening riff by Keith Richards is one of the most recognizable guitar parts in all of music.

Bob Dylan, "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues": Appearing on "Highway 61 Revisited," this classic Dylan tune is often overshadowed by the album's standout lead track, "Like a Rolling Stone." However, an argument could be made that this song is actually superior, and is a better example of Dylan's fusion of folk and rock. When Dylan sneers, "I don't have the strength to get up and take another shot, and my best friend, my doctor, won't even say what it is I've got," the weight of his exhaustion is nearly tangible.

Led Zeppelin, "Since I've Been Loving You": The band's "Whole Lotta Love" had defined the new heavy blues sound by the time "Stairway to Heaven" arrived. However, in between the release of those two songs, the band recorded "Since I've Been Loving You," which could be the blusiest song of their catalog. The first half of the song is rooted in Robert Johnson, but by the time the song ends, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page add their own signature screeches and solos.

Of course, all music lists are subject to the opinions of those creating them. And while a few songs are - and should be - always included among the top classic rock songs of all time, there are so many excellent songs to choose from, it seems narrow to think that there isn't room for more. Be sure to check out these songs from three of the top artists in rock music, and then branch out even further to discover even more tunes worthy of inclusion in anyone's rankings. And remember to have fun first; arguing over lists has its place, but don't forget to just enjoy the music as well.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about
classic rock, please visit Oldies Music Site for current articles and discussions.

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A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

Life Story of Jimi Hendrix by Wendy Pan

Who was the greatest rock and roll guitarist ever? Always and forever the name of Jimi Hendrix will be nominated answering that question. A vastly talented musician and instrumental technician, the legendary Hendrix combined the Blues, Soul, R&B and Rock & Roll into an innovative and mold breaking style. Coupled with flamboyant stage antics and uncharted mixing arrangements, Hendrix became an international, Rock & Roll and pop culture star. Unable to read music, and largely self taught, Jimi became a virtuoso who could play, compose and introduce spell-binding magic that will rock in musical posterity. The life story on Jimi Hendrix played like the comet he was; flashing across the heavens, burning hot, intense and bright - attracting attention, adulation, curiosity, and then suddenly flaming out.

Johnny Allen Hendrix was born in 1942 in Seattle, Washington; the son of seventeen year old Lucille Jeter and Army soldier James Allen Hendrix. Jimi's early childhood was marked by poverty and personal tragedies. Of the five Hendrix siblings, three were given up to state custody due to physical disabilities and blindness. Jimi became a shy and reserved boy, isolated and withdrawn. But he loved music and would strum a broomstick as if it were a guitar.

When Jimi was 15 his mother died and he bounced between relatives for a time. The sensitive boy was deeply affected and carried within him a burden of sadness, abandonment and neglect. Sensing his son's detachment and loneliness, Jimi's father paid five bucks for a used acoustic guitar to replace a one-string ukulele Jimi had bonded with for a number of years. At age 17, with his talent blossoming, Jimi received his first electric guitar and thereafter the life story on Jimi Hendricks changed forever.

Jimi began his formal musical career playing with local Seattle area bands, some paying gigs, some not. He was fired more than once for over-the-top stage stunts, but his talent was without question and he played left-handed, behind his back and with his teeth.

Still in high school, Jimi was an indifferent student who curiously received an "F" in music. He was eventually expelled for attendance and discipline problems and soon found himself in minor trouble with the law. The solution; Hendrix was ordered to enlist in the Army. But he was a poor soldier and was discharged within a year.

After his Army stint, Hendrix went on the road playing small towns, honky-tonks, warm-up and background for larger, better known acts. Ever expanding, Jimi was soon playing with notable acts such as the Isley Brothers, Ike and Tina Turner and Little Richard.

With his star rising and reputation growing, he traveled to London where he was introduced to the British rock scene. With the help of a few English musical luminaries, Hendrix formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience, a band that would soon hit the top of the charts and play to sellout crowds. Their first album, Are You Experienced, became a mega-seller, second only to the Beatles epic Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Back in the United States, The Experience, now a rock and roll wonder very much in demand, played the Monterey Pop Festival, Fillmore East, and headlined venues coast to coast. Hendrix's fame grew exponentially and in the "sex, drugs, and rock and roll", culture of the times, he was an accomplished practitioner, or if you like - victim.

Legal and personal entanglements mounted including a drug possession arrest and contractual disputes. During this time of high flying success and excess, The Experience broke up. Other notable musicians joined Jimi and as his schedule excelled and his popularity peaked, so did his use of drugs and alcohol, sometimes affecting his work on stage and in the studio.

Hendrix's signature performance was at the famous, iconic, epic, historically footnoted Woodstock Musical Festival in August of 1969. Jimi and his group played a two-hour set, climaxing in Hendrix's solo rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, which has become a representation and marquee of the turbulent times of the 1960's.

Hendrix played his last concert in the contiguous United States in August, 1970 at Seattle's Sick,s Stadium, blocks from his childhood home. He didn't like the area or his memories growing up and he cursed the rain and played badly. He left abruptly, did a show in Hawaii and returned to England. The next time he would be on American soil would be for his funeral. The life story on Jimi Hendrix was over.

Jimi died September 18, 1970 at the age of 27 in the London flat of friend Monika Danneman after drinking heavily and taking a handful of sleeping pills. His sudden, shocking demise engendered speculation and innuendo. Some rumors claimed suicide, others hinted at murder, still others espoused that he was not dead at all, that reports of his death were only a publicity stunt.

The life story on Jimi Hendrix will be memorialized every time one of his songs is played, replayed, copied, re-copied, stolen or new renditions attempted. There was only one Hendrix and though his legacy may be clouded by his risky, showman's lifestyle, he was truly a man for his times. After all, Jimi was one of the first black Rock and Rollers to capture a predominately white audience while incorporating, mixing, and modifying culturally identifiable genres of American Music and turning out his own unique sound.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about life story on jimi hendrix, please visit My Rock Legends for current articles and discussions.

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OPINION: Which is Better? Abbey Road or Revolver?

The Beatles - Abbey Road Vs Revolver by Johnny Moon

Between 1966's Revolver and 1969's Abbey Road (the last album The Beatles recorded) there was Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, The White Album, Yellow Submarine, & Let It Be (although it wasn't released until 1970, it had already been recorded.) It's truly incredible how much great music The Beatles recorded in such a short period of time.

This article compares Revolver and Abbey Road. Both are truly great albums. For me, neither is quite as great as The White Album & Sgt. Pepper but that doesn't make me appreciate either of these albums less, as they are truly remarkable even 40 years later.

I think Revolver is a more consistant album mostly because "Yellow Submarine" is a better track than "Octopus's Garden." The songwriting on Revolver is at an incredibly high level. Songs like "Eleanor Rigby," "Here, There And Everywhere," "I'm Only Sleeping," & "For No One" show The Beatles to be at the peak of their game.

On the other hand, Abbey Road is a more cohesive album. It does, after all, have the medley on side two where the songs all blend together. It's also The Beatles most "modern" sounding album (mostly because it was their only album recorded on the new 8 track studio at Abbey Road.)

And it's not like Abbey Road doesn't have great songs too. How about "Something," "Come Together," "Here Comes The Sun," & "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" just for starters.

So, in the end, what would be my choice if I had to choose just one or the other? I think I would have to go for Revolver because of it's slightly higher level of songwriting and that it's just a more adventerous album (see: "Tomorrow Never Knows.") This decision is in no way a put down of Abbey Road, it's just that Revolver is that good!

CLICK HERE: Music Blog.

Rocket Piano Lessons Review.

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Chicago Blues

Blues and Chicago - The Blues Capitol of the World by Wendy Pan

Blues and Chicago are always mentioned in the same sentence and there's a good reason for it. Chicago is the proclaimed "Blues Capital of the World". Such greats as Buddy Guy, BB King and Muddy Waters have called it home. Blues in Chicago is still very much alive and and kicking its soulful heels up. Anyone that lives or has visited the Windy City will tell you that blues in Chicago are the best you will ever see and hear!

Places like Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S. are located in the famous Blues Alley District by Halsted and the famous and cozy Rosa's Lounge is a short walk away. Also keeping blues in Chicago going strong are places like Buddy Guys Legends and the historic Checkerboard Lounge on Chicago's South Side. There are numerous other blues establishments in the city and suburbs.

Blues in Chicago got its start probably in the pre-Depression era when folks were migrating North from the Southern Mississippi Delta region. People were lured to the big city thinking of better jobs, houses and more opportunities. It did work out for many but not all. People brought with them their dreams, Southern hospitality and their love of music. Big city life meant night life and there were plenty of places for entertainment in Chicago.

Blues changed dramatically in the 1940's but particularly blues in Chicago with the advent of electric guitar. Styles of blues were:

traditional
jump
electric

The electric style of blues is without a doubt what made Chicago famous. BB King and his "Lucille" and Buddy Guy made the Chicago electric blues style a household word by the late 50's and early 60's. The blues were more then just music and notes. It was an emotional outlet and a creative outpouring that could easily captivate and mesmerize an audience of two or twenty thousand. Blues transcended being a music genre and became more of a culture and life style to many.

There are so many ways to enjoy the blues in Chicago. The city is loaded with neighborhood pubs that play blues music live on a nightly basis so people can hang out with friends after work, eat a good home-cooked meal and catch up on conversation while listening to some up and coming blues talent. There are annual blues festivals every year at Grant or Lincoln Park not to mention all the concert venues in and around the city.

Next time you are in the Midwest, you absolutely have to make a stop in the "City of Big Shoulders", Chicago, and check out the finest blues entertainment in the whole wide world! You will not be disappointed. If you are not a blues fan yet you certainly will find yourself tapping your feet and swaying to the music.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about
blues clubs in Chicago, please visit The Chicago Blues for current articles and discussions.

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Wolfman Jack is Back? What the . . . ?

Former Dutch Pirate Targets Baby-Boomers Worldwide by Susan Kensington

The Dutch radio-pirate Eric van Willegen gave up his illicit broadcasts from high-rise apartments and ships at sea after being raided by the authorities for the 20th time. He is still "bringing on back the good-times" of 1960s music by hiring an old Soviet transmitter in Lithuania and rebroadcasting tapes of The Wolfman Jack Show all over Europe and beyond on 6055 kHz from 21.30 to 22.30 UTC.

"Let the kids listen to pod-eyes and Internet Radio" Eric dictates, "my station is for those of us used to twiddling the knobs and finding good ol' rock'n'roll in the hiss and whistle of a distant station, that's all part of it."

The Wolfman Jack tapes were recorded back in those days when teenagers would tune in transistor radios late at night to hear their kind of music beamed from high powered radio stations across the US border in Mexico. King of the airwaves was the legendary Wolfman, whose name became synonymous with "Rock and Roll." Not until 1974 did the loyal radio audience get to see the face behind the gravelly voice that rocked the airwaves. That was when George Lucas released his movie "America Graffiti" featuring the disc-jockey that a whole generation of Americans had come to love.

Well although he died some ten years ago, Wolfman Jack is back courtesy of "THE MIGHTY KBC," Eric van Willegen's own power-house. With 100 kilowatts of radio woomph, and acres of antenna, this former Soviet border-blaster can reach-out worldwide. Every Saturday it's running a test transmission to America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand on 9770 kHz shortwave, from 10.30 to 11.00 UTC, bringing on back The Beatles, Beach Boys and Rolling Stones to Babyboomers who prefer the Transistor to the Internet. Give it a shot, guys like Eric need some support! http://www.kbcradio.eu

Reception Reports please to: info@k-po.com

http://www.kbcradio.eu

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OPINION: Three Great Rock Acts!

Legendary Rock Stars by Wendy Pan

Everybody loves to rock! There are rock stars and then there are legendary rock stars. A legendary rock star is one that makes an impact when they release their recordings and that impact continues into today's music. This can be by influencing the sound of today's artists, or simply being an inspiration from their personal stories. A lot of bands struggle to "make it", but the ones who's music stands the test of time are the true legends. Some good examples are The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and The Beatles.

The Rolling Stones began their recording career in the 1960's and are still touring today. They have influenced most of our present rockers with bluesy music and memorable lyrics. They have proved time and time again that their recordings can span the generations and still influence. Fronted by Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones have kept to their own unique style and have proved that the formula works. With the introduction of MTV the music of The Rolling Stones has made even more of an impact with great music and awesome visuals.

One band influenced by the Stones is Aerosmith. Beginning their recording career in the 1970's and still very much alive, Aerosmith has proved that rock and roll can cross the decades. One of their earlier recordings, dream on, still remains an anthem and one of the most popular songs ever recorded. Like a lot of musicians, Aerosmith was sucked into the life of drugs early in their career, but after getting sober, Aerosmith has come back as one of the most in demand acts today. Their music has reached millions over 2 decades, proving that they can evolve with the times. This makes them legendary rock stars.

The Beatles began their career in England, but quickly crossed over to an American audience. I'm sure everyone remembers Beatlemania! Everyone wanted to be like the legendary performers, copying their style of music, and even their haircuts. Beatles member John Lennon touched millions with his want to world peace and liberal ideals. He eventually was killed by a fan who was so into him that he wanted to be him. Even though we have lost some members of the original band, their music lives on. Their songs have been used for a lot of different advertising campaigns, and their music still continues to influence musicians today.

There are a lot of rock bands out there that play music that inspires, and some would say influence everyone. Their music is heart felt and comes from a place that most people can relate to. Whether these songs are dark, haunting, happy, upbeat, or sad the music of legendary rock stars spans generations and speaks to the heart. Everyone can find a song that relates to them and their situation.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about legendary rock stars, please visit Legends of Rock Today for current articles and discussions.

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Great Blues Vocalists

Famous Blues Singers - Legends of the Blues by Wendy Pan

Perhaps the best know blues singer in all the universe is B.B. King, who has been satisfying audiences worldwide with his vast talents on his famous guitar "Lucille" to accompany his soulful voice for more than half a century. B.B. King is also perhaps the most influential of all famous blues singers and all that have followed have taken a bit from this multi-talented yet humble superstar.

The seeds of his talents were sown early in the blues rich delta of Mississippi where he was raised. Life was by no means easy for him as a young man. He was continuosly shuttled back and forth between his mother's and grandmother's homes where he spent many long hours working hard as a sharecropper and just as many hours praising the lord in church, as he belted out gospel songs and honed the skills that would later be enjoyed by millions worldwide.

Jimmy Rushing has been called the greatest of all big-band blues singers and many of today's blues standards are credited to his writing skills, such as "Good Morning Blues", "Goin' to Chicago", "Boogie Woogie" and many others. The song "Mr. Five-by-Five" was penned in his honor and is said to describe him as being five feet tall and five feet wide.

Marlena Shaw was born in 1942 in New York and given the birth name Marlina Burgess. She was influenced by her uncle and grandmother early in life who exposed her to gospel music early on and helped to develop her love for music and her seductive and sultry sound.

At the tender age of ten she made her debut before a live audience at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, where she performed with her uncle. She was such a big hit they were invited to perform again the following week. As it turned out her uncle had double-booked the night and the pre-teen went on to perform solo before a stunned and very pleased audience.

Her big break came when she was invited to preform with the Count Basie Orchestra and as they say the rest is history. It is easy to understand the attraction to her versatile style and her smooth as satin vocals. Marlena is still performing today and her voice is still as sweet, seductive and sultry as ever.

Born in Mississippi in 1934 Otis Rush is a well known blues singer and guitarist. His style is unique and distinctive with a slow burning style and the long bent notes he made his own. His style of blues became known as West Side Chicago style and has proven to be an influence on such singers as Eric Clapton, Luther Allison and Magic Sam among others.

Other famous blues singers include but are not limited to:

Bill "Hoss" Allen
Ralph Bass
Chuck Berry
Blind Blake
Big Bill Broonzy
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Ray Charles
James Cotton
Arthur Crudup
Magic Sam
Robert Lee McCollum
Fred McDowell
Brownie McGhee
Lillian McMurry
Jay McShann
Blind Willie McTell
Jimi Hendrix

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about
famous blues singers, please visit The Jazz Blues for current articles and discussions.

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Another Popular 1960s Genre: The Blues

Blues and Chicago - The Blues Capitol of the World by Wendy Pan

Blues and Chicago are always mentioned in the same sentence and there's a good reason for it. Chicago is the proclaimed "Blues Capital of the World". Such greats as Buddy Guy, BB King and Muddy Waters have called it home. Blues in Chicago is still very much alive and and kicking its soulful heels up. Anyone that lives or has visited the Windy City will tell you that blues in Chicago are the best you will ever see and hear!

Places like Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S. are located in the famous Blues Alley District by Halsted and the famous and cozy Rosa's Lounge is a short walk away. Also keeping blues in Chicago going strong are places like Buddy Guys Legends and the historic Checkerboard Lounge on Chicago's South Side. There are numerous other blues establishments in the city and suburbs.

Blues in Chicago got its start probably in the pre-Depression era when folks were migrating North from the Southern Mississippi Delta region. People were lured to the big city thinking of better jobs, houses and more opportunities. It did work out for many but not all. People brought with them their dreams, Southern hospitality and their love of music. Big city life meant night life and there were plenty of places for entertainment in Chicago.

Blues changed dramatically in the 1940's but particularly blues in Chicago with the advent of electric guitar. Styles of blues were: traditional, jump, and electric.

The electric style of blues is without a doubt what made Chicago famous. BB King and his "Lucille" and Buddy Guy made the Chicago electric blues style a household word by the late 50's and early 60's. The blues were more then just music and notes. It was an emotional outlet and a creative outpouring that could easily captivate and mesmerize an audience of two or twenty thousand. Blues transcended being a music genre and became more of a culture and life style to many.

There are so many ways to enjoy the blues in Chicago. The city is loaded with neighborhood pubs that play blues music live on a nightly basis so people can hang out with friends after work, eat a good home-cooked meal and catch up on conversation while listening to some up and coming blues talent. There are annual blues festivals every year at Grant or Lincoln Park not to mention all the concert venues in and around the city.

Next time you are in the Midwest, you absolutely have to make a stop in the "City of Big Shoulders", Chicago, and check out the finest blues entertainment in the whole wide world! You will not be disappointed. If you are not a blues fan yet you certainly will find yourself tapping your feet and swaying to the music.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about
blues clubs in Chicago, please visit The Chicago Blues for current articles and discussions.

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A Tribute to Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger Biography - A Legend in Classic Rock by Wendy Pan

Mick Jagger is one of the most well-known and highly respected musicians in the world. He is a living legend whose career has spanned 5 decades and he, with the help of his Rolling Stones band members, have sold millions of albums worldwide.

So when did it all start? When did Mick Jagger decide he would be part of one of the most popular bands in the history of the world?

He was born in Dartford, Kent (England) in on July 26th, 1943. Amazingly, he met Keith Richards at the tender age of 4, lost touch, then became reacquainted on a train in 1960. Mick left the London School of Economics to become a rock musician. The Rolling Stones formed between 1960 and 1962. Mick Jagger played the harmonica and was on lead vocals, Keith Richards and Brian Jones on guitar, Charlie Watts played the drums, Bill Wyman on bass. Their style was a mix of blues and rock, combining the styles of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry.

Mick Jagger Biography: The Early Years

The first album released by the Rolling Stones was entitled, "The Rolling Stones," in 1964. The band spent the years 1966-1969 touring after they had accumulated several hits in England and the United States. Brian Jones committed suicide in 1968 and was replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. With his band, they spawned several top hit recordings such as "I Can't Get No Satisfaction," "Brown Sugar," and "Start Me Up." The Rolling Stones are thought to be one of the most successful rock bands, next to The Beatles.

While recording albums, Jagger was also acting in films. In 1970 he landed roles in Performance, and Ned Kelly. In the 1980's Jagger was cast in Fitzcarraldo. Jagger was also a highly regarded, jet-setting celebrity, and on the down side, The Rolling Stones as a band was spiraling into increased drug abuse.

Mick Jagger Biography: A Change in Direction

By the time the 80's had come around, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were conflicted over the direction the band should be headed. Keith wanted to stay to the bluesy rock roots, whereas Mick wanted to head the band into more of a pop, dance direction. The result of this was a solo album by Jagger called "She's the Boss" released in 1985. The recent onset of MTV was helpful in promoting Jagger's solo career by airing several music videos from this album. "Just Another Night," and "Lucky in Love," were singles that became hits.

Mick Jagger Biography: Personal Life

May 1971, Mick married Bianca Jagger, who at the time was known as Bianca Perez-Mora DeMacias. About a year later, she gave birth to Jagger's second child, Jade. Jagger's first child, Karis, was born in late 1970 to fellow musician Marsha Hunt. Mick and Bianca divorced in 1980.

Jerry Hall, an American woman had come into his life in the late 1970's and was accused of being the reason he and Bianca had divorced. Jerry gave birth to their first child together in 1984, Elizabeth Scarlett, and in 1985 to their second, James. The two were finally "married" in 1990 in Bali. Afterward their third child was born, Georgia May, and then in 1997, Jerry gave birth to Gabriel Luke. Hall and Jagger's partnership was dissolved in 1999 (due to their original Bali wedding not being recognized under Engligh law) after an affair between Jagger and Luciana Gimenez resulted in yet another Jagger child. This child, Lucas, was born in 1999.

Mick Jagger is one of the world's wealthiest musicians. After 5 decades of rocking the world, he continues even today. In 2006 he played during the SuperBowl halftime special, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about mick jagger biography, please visit Rock Legends Today for current articles and discussions.

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Whole Lotta Love - A Led Zeppelin Classic

Rock and Roll Fans Are Dazzled by Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love by Virgil Vince

For British blues metal pioneers Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love was the track that launched their careers into the stratosphere. Already riding on a wave of popularity stemming from the rousing success of their first album, the band returned to the studio in 1969 to record their follow up. At this point in their careers the group was borrowing heavily from the recordings of American blues singers like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Jimmy Page had come up with a pulsing guitar riff that he played for the band at his home, and singer Robert Plant channeled some words that were very similar to those that he had heard in a recording of a Willie Dixon blues track entitled 'You Need Love'. The songs were so close lyrically that the band would be eventually forced to give Dixon a songwriting credit on the track.

However, in the late 60's that court decision was still very far ahead in the band's future, and living in the moment they did their best to capture the raw energy that the song provoked from every member of the group. During the end breakdown section, the producer and Page went crazy at the mixing console, shifting the sound around as best they could until they came up with the iconic fade and echo of the final lyrics. Jimmy Page himself has said that the session for the song was so wild that he can still hear one or two mistakes that he made during the solo, but to fans, it didn't matter. Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love was destined to hit the charts hard.

Against the wishes of the band, Atlantic Records issued a single version of the track for the American market, but there was really no need - radio stations on both sides of the Atlantic had already picked the lead off track as their best option for airplay. The single was an edited version of the song that removed the sound-effects laden mid-song breakdown. Interestingly there are a few artifacts of the recording process that made it onto the album version of the track. The first is a slight cough that is audible right at the beginning of the song just before the guitar part is mixed in. The second is the famous echo that appears when Plant wails out 'way down inside' at the end. The echo was in fact brought in to mask sound bleed from a previously recorded version of the track on the same tape.

Classic-Rock-Music.com is the mystical rehersal studio for rockers DEMON TWEAK. Listen as they prepare for battle with the evil trickster Loki by playing home brewed classic rock direct from Ragnarok. Also read articles on your favorite classic rock band written by resident historian VIRGIL THE STORYTELLER

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A Tribute to Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey - The Prototypical Front Man by Virgil Vince

Roger Daltrey was the early leader of The Who and would remain its primary voice for the duration of their career. Coming from a working-class Londoner background, Daltrey dropped out of school to focus on rock and roll at the beginning of the 1960's. Perfect timing, it would seem, as he would find himself singing on the first Who record a few years later and plotting a course for rock and roll immortality. As a young man Daltrey had a rough and tumble personality, and he wasn't afraid to fight someone in order to get his own way. He extended this gunboat diplomacy to dealings with his band, and was in fact briefly expelled from The Who early on, due to his rather violent methods of dealing with social interaction. He was re-admitted to the group after promising to limit his angry outbursts to the stage, where they would be most effective.

Never a prolific songwriter, Roger Daltrey was still one of the most electrifying front men in rock and roll history. For many Who fans, it was the twin attack of Daltrey's dynamic stage presence and guitarist Pete Townshend's concert acrobatics that made the band so incredible to watch. The fire that burned inside the two of them also caused them to frequently butt heads behind the scenes, for while Daltrey was an excellent mouthpiece for the ideas and words of Townshend, on occasion they disagreed over business and personnel decisions. This would sometimes lead to violent relapses between the two of them, and after the death of drummer Keith Moon, their relationship deteriorated to such a degree that it became unworkable, ending The Who's existence.

Roger Daltrey had always been busy outside of the group, with both musical projects and film roles. He not only appeared as the title character in the film adaptation of 'Tommy', but he also found parts in films completely unrelated to music. Daltrey was active in The Who Films, which produced Who-related films 'Quadrophenia' and 'The Kids Are Alright', but which also made a foray into drama with McVicar, a film produced by and starring Daltrey. Daltrey would go on to star in several more pictures independent of his in-house production company, and was also active in television and in the theatre. He also continued his singing career past the break-up of The Who, both in terms of solo projects and in tackling new interpretations of the band's material.

Classic-Rock-Music.com is the mystical rehersal studio for rockers DEMON TWEAK. Listen as they prepare for battle with the evil trickster Loki by playing home brewed classic rock direct from Ragnarok. Also read articles on your favorite classic rock band written by resident historian VIRGIL THE STORYTELLER

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Across the Universe - Classic Beatles

Reaching Across the Universe - Beatles Resonate Even Today by Virgil Vince

While Paul McCartney was the most well known member of the band to indulge in seemingly ethereal song concepts, John Lennon was also from time to time given to contribute his own musical visions. With Across The Universe Beatles fans were treated to a glimpse into Lennon's creative process. In 1967, Lennon was inspired during an argument he had with his wife. While listening to her talking at him, rather than to him, the first line of 'Across The Universe' kept repeating in his mind: 'words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup'. Whether this indicated the state of Lennon's feelings regarding his marriage or was truly a transcendental moment the world will never know, but the line persisted in Lennon's imagination and he began to search for music and verses to accompany it.

At the time, the Beatles were in their Indian guru / meditation phase, which accounts for the inclusion of the 'Jai guru deva om' mantra, spoken in Sanskrit in the chorus of the song. The song was somewhat hastily recorded prior to a trip to India, and Lennon was not satisfied with the results. It was shelved, and other tracks were released to tide the public over until the group could return from their vacation. He later groused that he felt McCartney had tried to steamroll the song through the studio, a glimpse of the impending breakup of the band due to constant inner squabbling. The song was remixed in order to be part of a charity release before it was properly packaged onto the 'Let It Be' album. It was one of the few contributions Lennon made during the recording sessions for that album.

Interestingly, the song has had a lasting impact on world culture long after its original release. In a film named Across The Universe Beatles songs and themes were used to tie together a rather loose plot. The film was more of a visual and musical exploration than a proper narrative. 'Across The Universe' also had the honor of being broadcast into space on X band radio raves by NASA in 2008. It was only the second time that a piece of music had been intentionally transmitted into deep space, although radio waves from all over the planet routinely bridge the gap between the stars. This was done in celebration of the 50th anniversary of NASA, and hopefully anyone out there on the receiving end will be converted into a Beatles fan.

Follow the exploits of rockers DEMON TWEAK and the racing clan HARD DRIVING HEROES, as they battle the evil trickster Loki at http://www.classic-comic-books.com/

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A Short History of the Mellotron - Child of the 1960s

The Mellotron - A Child of the 60s by Victor Epand

The word "mellotron" (the word is also a trademark and therefore sometimes capitalized) sounds to me like some kind of robot that would be encountered on the original Star Trek series. It's not, of course, but is rather an electro-mechanical polyphonic (able to produce more than one note simultaneously) keyboard. The only resemblance between this instrument and Star Trek is that they are both the progeny of that age of experimentation, the 1960s. A mellotron has a bank of magnetic audio tapes, each of which has approximately eight seconds of playing time. A playback head is located under each key, and the depression of that key triggers the playing of a pre-recorded sound. Although these sounds have varied over the years and on various models, they include strings, flutes, brass and eight-voice choirs.

As mentioned, the development of the mellotron is usually attributed to the early 1960s, although keyboard-driven tape instruments were available prior to that time. However, it was during this decade and the one succeeding it that mellotrons experienced their greatest popularity and in consequentially, had the strongest influence on music. Mellotrons found a home in the rock and roll industry and it was there that they created their strongest legacy. However, it is also interesting to note that at the time of its initial popularity, the sheer novelty of the instrument attracted a number of celebrities. Individuals like King Hussein of Jordan, L. Ron Hubbard and Princess Margaret of England are all known to have purchased and kept these instruments in their homes.

The psychedelic era of the 1960s was ideally suited for the use of the mellotron. Its music was used in a number of songs that are still famous today, including The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" and The Rolling Stones' "2000 Light Years from Home." Artists, like civilians, were drawn to the novelty of the instrument. It usually came pre-loaded with string instrument and orchestral sounds, although as mentioned, other sounds were also available.

In 1970, a new model called the M400 was released. This mellotron had the advantage of easily removable and replaceable tapes. It allowed artists to load banks of tapes containing many different sounds, such as percussion loops or synthesizer-generated sounds. The popularity of the instrument continued to grow during this decade, and it was adopted by many progressive rock groups of the age. Progressive rock is usually defined as an attempt to raise the artistic credibility of the rock genre, and the mellotron was instrumental (yes, that was a pun) in shaping this musical movement. Bands and artists of this era that utilized the mellotron included The Alan Parsons Project, David Bowie and Genesis.

The mellotron continued to be a presence in the music industry, its popularity waxing and waning with the trends of the times. The advent of punk rock in the mid 1970s dampened many people's enthusiasm for this instrument, which began to be viewed as a relic of a bygone and pretentious era. However, the mellotron enjoyed a revival in the 1990s and was used by some of the most famous artists of that decade, including: Lenny Kravitz, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson, Counting Crows and other prominent names. The mellotron is still occasionally used in the music of the 21st century, and it is doubtful that it will ever entirely disappear from the music industry, at least not until we're all living on space ships.

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OPINION: Great Guitar Soloists

The Guitar Solo and Rock and Roll by Victor Epand

The image of a lead electric guitarist rocking out on a solo is probably one of the most ubiquitous images associated with the rock and roll industry. Whether you associate rock guitar solos with the afros, fringe and political turmoil of Jimi Hendrix's age or the spandex, makeup and general debauchery of the 1980s, these musical masterpieces are undeniably part of the American rock and roll heritage. Of course, guitar solos can be and are used in any kind of music, and genres like jazz, swing and blues regularly make use of them. But there's nothing quite like the piercing notes from an electric guitar as it makes its presence known on the stage of a rock and roll concert.

Perhaps the reason that guitar solos are so often associated with rock music is the singularly dramatic effect of the performance. The electric guitar is amplified, sometimes to the point of threatening the audience's ear drums, and often played with a technique known as distortion. This technique makes the instrument's sounds fuller and adds harmonic overtones, making for an even more spectacular overall impression. And of course, the other essential component to a good rock and roll guitar solo is an enthusiastic performance. It's all very well for a guitarist to be insanely talented and able to induce incredible music from his instrument, but if he can also manage to thrash around on stage as though having an epileptic fit, so much the better.

As a general rule, the rock guitar solo is a relatively short and purely instrumental portion of a song. In the classic song form that alternates verses with the chorus, the solo often falls between the second chorus and third verse. The other common approach is to place the solo at the end of the song. These solos are usually extended and create a memorable finale to the melody. Songs like Guns N' Roses's "November Rain" and The Eagles's "Hotel California" are examples of the effectiveness of such wrap-up solos. Of course, "Hotel California" is also begun with a guitar solo, albeit a shorter one, so one might say that that particular song is bracketed by guitar solos.

Other famous guitar solos from the rock genre include those in Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" and Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower." And let us not forget the song that Michael J. Fox memorably revamped in "Back to the Future," Chuck Berry's immortal "Johnny B. Goode."

It is worth mentioning that in many rock bands, two guitarists actually are actually responsible for the guitar solo(s). The lead guitarist is the one you notice, the one making the incredible music, but the rhythm guitarist is just as important, as he accompanies the lead with chords and riffs. Also occasionally heard are solos by bass guitarists, although these are less popular in rock music than in genres such as heavy metal, jazz, and punk. When they are used in rock music, bass solos are structured and performed in a similar fashion to that of a typical guitar solo, sometimes with the musical accompaniment from the verse or chorus section.

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OPINION: Heroes of the Electric Guitar

Famous (And Infamous) Artists of the Electric Guitar by Victor Epand

Does the artist make the electric guitar, or the electric guitar make the artist? I suspect the answer to that question would vary significantly depending on who you asked. A manufacturer such as Gibson, Fender, or Yamaha would probably reply that an artist can only be as good as his instrument. But a guitarist, while likely to acknowledge the importance of a good guitar, would probably want to take the lion's share of the credit for himself. This is the "chicken and the egg" question of the musical world and one to which we will probably never know the answer. Fortunately, even without knowing it, we can still enjoy the outrageous talent that electric guitarists have displayed over the decades.

Keith Richards. My favorite quote about this gentleman comes from comic Robin Williams's 2002 Live on Broadway performance: "I know there is a cure for whatever bioterrorism they send at us. I know that there is one, and it lies within Keith Richards, I know that. He's the only man on the planet who can go 'Anthrax? (sniff) Alriiiight!'" Sums it up, don't you think? Mr. Richard, guitarist for The Rolling Stones, is a wonderful example of the rock and roll electric guitar player. He's rebellious, scandalous, filthy rich and still going strong.

Eddie Van Halen. A poster child for the big hair era of the 80s, this man is still recognized thirty years after the release of his band's first album, which was entitled "Van Halen." Hey, if both the band and the album are named after you, that kind of says it all. Van Halen didn't confine his talents to his own band, either, and he contributed a guitar solo to the song of another 80s icon. The icon was Michael Jackson and the song was Beat It. No wonder this guy is still (in)famous.

Carlos Augusto Santana Alves. No, I didn't know he had four names either, to me he'll always be "Santana." This gentleman first became famous over forty years ago and he's showing no sign of slowing down. His genres include rock, blues, salsa and jazz fusion. His music has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the last decade or so and in 2003, Rolling Stone named Santana number 15 on their list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time. Talk about getting the industry's stamp of approval.

Jimi Hendrix. There has possibly never been an electric guitarist who more strongly influenced the industry or who more perfectly embodied a generation. He has, posthumously, been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a statue on the streets of his hometown, Seattle, Wash., and an eternal place in the annals of not only American music, but American history as well. A tremendous performer and a brilliant innovator, Rolling Stone named him number one on its 2003 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He remains one of the most famous artists ever to have lived.

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