If an alien asked me, “What is rock music,” and I had to play only one song to define it, it would be, “You shook me all night long,” by AC/DC. YMMV, of course.
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July 30, 2008
Apropos of nothing 3 [cranky-d]
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Comment by Dan Collins on 7/30 @ 1:24 pm #
Hey, cranky: if you had to define what rock is using one . . . nevermind!
Comment by Ouroboros on the Thrid Stone on 7/30 @ 1:27 pm #
Although your world wonders me,
With your majestic and superior cackling hen,
Your people I do not understand,
So to you I shall put an end.
And you’ll never hear surf music again.
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/30 @ 1:33 pm #
Mama Kin
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 1:34 pm #
As much as I love me some Jimi, his work was so singular, so unique, that I would not hold it out as emblematic of “rock music” in general.
I’ve had a similar discussion with another blogger. She and I agreed that “You Shook Me All Night Long” was definitely in the team photo. Had he specified “rock and roll,” I might have gone with something older.
Comment by RR Ryan on 7/30 @ 1:35 pm #
You Really Got Me-The Kinks
Comment by cranky-d on 7/30 @ 1:41 pm #
If the alien wanted to know about rock and roll, I would guess something by Chuck Berry would be appropriate.
Comment by Subterranian Ouroboros Alien on 7/30 @ 1:42 pm #
And up above, aliens hover
Making home movies for the folks back home.
Of all these weird creatures who lock up their spirits,
Drill holes in themselves and live for their secrets.
They’re all…
Uptight.
Uptight.
Uptight.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 1:44 pm #
#5: Yes.
BTW, my comment about if it was “rock and roll,” I might have gone older means that I think r&r tends to describe Chuck berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, etc. more. Even early Beatles. But The Kinks? Rock. You could go with an early Stones or Who track here also. But AC/DC is a perticularly good choice because I think they still carry a lot of the Chuck Berry vibe into a pure rock context, usually without being obvious about it.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 1:45 pm #
cranky-d beat me to the first part.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 1:47 pm #
And though we hear entirely too much of it now, for an alien, “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin would be a good example (ironic, given my prior comments).
Comment by Ouroboros Stardust on 7/30 @ 1:48 pm #
For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do
Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles
I’m feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much… she knows
Comment by Bill Ramey on 7/30 @ 1:53 pm #
I’d play the finale from Camp Rock. Then the alien would zap me with his photon gun, because even aliens wonder why a movie called “Camp Rock” contains no actual rock music.
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 1:57 pm #
I’m thinking “My Generation” both musically and lyrically for early Who. Stones? Probabaly a tough choice but either “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” or “Honkey Tonk Woman” would do the trick.
I’d throw out George Thorogood’s “Move It On Over” into the team picture as well.
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 2:08 pm #
If you say so. Don’t really listen to rock as such. Does that make me the alien?
Much more musically narrow, myself. Pretty much only listen to punk, alt, folk, industrial, foreign-language rap, the occasional classical. But not rock.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:10 pm #
Ouroboros Stardust,
I tend to think of Bowie in the same general vein as Jimi — too creative and idiosyncratic to be symbolic of “rock” in general — though he’s a bit closer with songs like “Suffragette City” or “Rebel Rebel.” But once you get into the glam, I could argue that TRex’s “Get It On (Bang A Gong)” is more exemplary of the rock genre in general.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:14 pm #
I’d have to go with something by Led Zeppelin.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:15 pm #
urthshu,
I ’spose it depends on the punk. The Clash’s cover of “I Fought The Law” would have that same bringing of the r&r vibe into a modern setting. And certain Ramones tracks aree — “Blitzkreig Bop,” “Rockaway Beach,” and any number of their covers (though the Ramones vibe may be a bit too classic pop to be a true “rock” vibe).
BTW, though people know the original is by the Bobby Fuller Four, it was actually written by Sonny Curtis, who would later go on to write the theme to the Mary Tyler Moore show. But don’t get me started.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:16 pm #
#16: kelly – see #10.
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 2:19 pm #
I think I’ll just paint a target on my forehead.
I’ve seen The Ramones live back in the day and have listened to all of their albums.
Most. Overated. Band. Evah.
I steel myself for the slings and arrows.
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/30 @ 2:23 pm #
We’re Gonna Make It After All- Joan Jett
Comment by Jim in KC on 7/30 @ 2:23 pm #
Much as I love You Shook Me All Night Long, I’d probably have to go with something by the greatest rock band ever, The Rainmakers. Government Cheese, maybe, or Big Fat Blonde.
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/30 @ 2:24 pm #
You’re Gonna Make It After All-Joan Jett
Damn, again!
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:25 pm #
BJTex,
Having head and seen like you, I would disagree, but it may depend on how you are rating them.
As musicians? Not great. Fun, but not great.
As inspiring hundreds of other bands to reclaim the primitive spirit of rock & roll and spawning entire genres of music? Not overrated.
As lyricists? YMMV, but for the time, shattering all sorts of boundaries.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:26 pm #
I saw #10. I was just backing you up.
But to put another twist on our little parlor game, what song would you play to said alien if you could only play the opening eight bars?
The Stones’ Can’t You Hear Me Knocking would be one my first choices.
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 2:27 pm #
>>I’ve seen The Ramones live back in the day and have listened to all of their albums.
Most. Overated. Band. Evah.
You have discovered what punk is all about. Its like a fkn [not zen] koan. Or like a rock garden that you throw in someone’s bay window.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:27 pm #
Being from Mpls, Husker Du did a fab cover of the MTM theme before Joan Jett.
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 2:30 pm #
Karl:
Yeah, I know that, really. Its just that I get tagged for this all the time ‘cuz I can’t stand Led Zepplin, so people are like “you don’t get rock” and I’m all “yay for me”.
‘Cuz, y’know, Led’s dead, man. ;^D
Comment by Clint on 7/30 @ 2:31 pm #
“Court of the Crimson King” ha! I keed!
Sorry Karl, “Whole Lotta Love” or even “When the Levee Breaks” over “Rock and Roll”
But what I really want to know is where does “Barracuda” or “Slow Ride” fall along the spectrum?
Comment by Salt Lick on 7/30 @ 2:31 pm #
“Won’t Get Fooled Again,” by The Who
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:33 pm #
#24: kelly
#10 would almost be in the running, though “Whole Lotta love” works better if we’re just getting the first 8 bars.
The AC/DC cut probably still works (or “Back in Black”).
The opening licks to “Day Tripper” or “Paperback Writer” are workable, as would be “Johnny B. Goode” or “Fun, Fun, Fun.” Maybe “Born to be Wild.” “Walk This Way.” “The Boys Are Back in Town.”
Comment by B Moe on 7/30 @ 2:34 pm #
JiminKC: Let My People Go-Go!
Comment by Ouroboros on 7/30 @ 2:37 pm #
My point is just to illustrate that you cant answer his question with one song… It’s too big a subject.. too many different branches.. but it’s all rock n’ roll
Comment by Salt Lick on 7/30 @ 2:40 pm #
Different tact — What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:40 pm #
Clint,
Not for an alien. The entirety of “WWL” has that spacey break in the middle, while “Levee” is too blues-dirgey. Don’t get me wrong; love both of ‘em… just not as the one song to explain rick to an alien.
“Barracuda” would be a good “first 8 bars” example, though primarily because the song is so Zeppelinesque (so why not go to the source).
“Slow Ride” would be another good “first 8 bars” example, but it gets itno that funky, syncopated groove later that I think makes it a bit to quirky to be the one song (as much as I enjoy it — I have told the story about seeing a band of otherwise grunge 17-year olds launching into a pitch perfect cover of “Slow Ride” as being one of my favorite live music moments).
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:41 pm #
“Its just that I get tagged for this all the time ‘cuz I can’t stand Led Zepplin”
You’re forgiven, my son. ;-)
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:43 pm #
Ouroboros,
It’s all rock, but the question is which song(s) embody the core concept. I was going to say the “heart” of it, but I really want to avoid Huey lewis in this thread.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:44 pm #
I like/love the Zep, but with full acknowledgement of its flaws. Peter Jackson did them such a favor by bringing LotR back to the mass consciousness.
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 2:45 pm #
Hmmm … opening licks? “The Real Me.” The Who from “Quadrophenia.”
And I agree with you about Jimi and Bowie, although “Purple Haze” works.
Local rock station here in Philly is doing a series of top tens with unusual categories like “Top Ten Guitar Hero Songs,” “Top Ten Power Ballads,” etc. Surprisingly to me “Poison” showed up in several categories.
And yeah, Karl, I recognize that The Ramones were hugely influential. The fact that so many punk rock people mistake “influential” for “capable” drives me crazy. The Sex Pistols, for all of their problems, were ten times the band.
I recognize that it’s a personal thing.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:46 pm #
Put another way, I appreciate what is great about both Zep and the Ramones, while acknowledging there are things about both that could turn off a reasonable listener.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:47 pm #
What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
Ooh, good one! Hmm, let me think…I hate to sound like I idolize Zep, but I really think Jimmy Page would and here’s why: uber-creative, heavy influence from antecendent sources, brilliant composer/arranger/producer, and…groupies! (j/k, I threw that in there for the trolls.)
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:51 pm #
BJTex,
Per my most recent comments, i guess one point I am making is that as much as I appreciate musicianship (Richard Thompson, anyone?), I also accept that rock is at its core a music for the young (or young at heart) and thus its authenticity need not derive from musicianship, but from the primitive expression of youth. Take the classics of garage rock — “Louie Louie,” “Wild Thing,” “Gloria,” etc. Not exemplars of musicianship, but rock classics all.
Comment by thor - the non-substantive conditional on 7/30 @ 2:51 pm #
The intro to the audio book Dreams of My Father has a nice opening jazz track. Gotta dig that.
Townsend was always known as a chord man.
Anyone down with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers? Sonny Criss?
Comment by commander0 on 7/30 @ 2:52 pm #
>>I’ve seen The Ramones live back in the day and have listened to all of their albums.
Most. Overated. Band. Evah.
The don’t give a shit what you think and neither do I.
ACDC, Who, Stones, all excellent representatives. Bang a Gong, too. The rest? Oi. Thorogood is Blues.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:54 pm #
#40: At the risk of being wrestled by our host, I’ll suggest that Jimmy Page is too accessible. Richard Thompson maybe. Joe Satriani maybe. Passionate, exacting and out of the mainstream.
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 2:54 pm #
>>What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
Johnny Marr. Vocalist might be Mark Mothersbaugh.
Maybe I’m kidding. Those are just the first to came to mind.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:55 pm #
The intro to the audio book Dreams of My Father has a nice opening jazz track. Gotta dig that.
Is there a prize for non sequiturs?
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 2:55 pm #
and yeah, not checking spelling at all today in comments.
Comment by thor - the non-substantive conditional on 7/30 @ 2:56 pm #
I get sentimental still “when the lights go down on the city by the bay,” of course I speak of Journey.
Longest-nosed lead singer evah!
Comment by thor - the non-substantive conditional on 7/30 @ 2:57 pm #
That dude in Three Dog Night had a helluva schoze as well.
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 2:58 pm #
thor: Love, Art Blakey! I had a chance to see Archie Shepp in Philly back in the 70’s. Small, basement venue on campus. Also got to see Sun Ra, Sonny Rollins, Weather Report, Return to Forever, Chick Corea solo, Herbie Hancock, David Sancious, Larry Carleton (pre-accident) and Larry Coryell.
Saw Dave Brubeck a few years back at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Love me the jazz!
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:58 pm #
Karl: Satriani–good one.
I’d throw in Don Felder. Misunderstood.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:59 pm #
Carlton rules.
Comment by thor - the non-substantive conditional on 7/30 @ 3:00 pm #
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 2:47 pm #
What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
Tommy Bolin.
Too talented for his day and audience.
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 3:02 pm #
I was goinf to say David Gilmoure but he did more with less whereas jeff … um … ah … I’m not going there as I prefer all of my limbs to remain functioning. :-)
Rory Buchanan is my pick. Lyrical, incredibly capable and very unappreciated.
Comment by thor - the non-substantive conditional on 7/30 @ 3:02 pm #
Sonny Rollins, oh, that’s my man. I played a lot of asteroids with Stevie Vaughn.
Pat Martino! Love.That.Man.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 3:04 pm #
#51: A little Joe Wash-ish also.
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 3:08 pm #
Kelly:
I was really blessed in the 70’s. As a guitarist I had the opportunity to see and appreciate some of the very best guitarists from Rock and Jazz (or Jazz/Fusion). In one year (1976, I think) I saw Carleton, Coryell, Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Jerry Garcia, Robin Trower and Hot Tuna (which saves me from having to look up the spelling of “joe’s” name.)
I’m grateful that, during that period, my head didn’t explode.
Comment by Ouroboros Doe on 7/30 @ 3:09 pm #
it’s very bad luck to draw the line on the night before the worlds ends we can draw the line some other time
(Here’s some rock n’ roll for ya.. take it Billy Zoom…)
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/30 @ 3:12 pm #
thor: Love, Art Blakey! I had a chance to see Archie Shepp in Philly back in the 70’s. Small, basement venue on campus. Also got to see Sun Ra, Sonny Rollins, Weather Report, Return to Forever, Chick Corea solo, Herbie Hancock, David Sancious, Larry Carleton (pre-accident) and Larry Coryell.
Oscar Peterson, Canonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Jerry Mulligan, Miles Davis…
Comment by thor [user name edited] on 7/30 @ 3:13 pm #
Hey BJ, you ever heard of Stanton Moore? Bit torrent you some of that good foot funk/jazz.
Comment by Smirky McChimp on 7/30 @ 3:14 pm #
Me, I’d have to go somewhere else…
“Sweet Jane” by Velvet Underground, or if I’m feeling obscure “Run Run Run”, or if I’m feeling contrarian, “Sister Ray”. All 17 glorious minutes.
On second thought, I’d just have to say “No Fun” by the Stooges.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/30 @ 3:15 pm #
Art Tatum.
Comment by Ouroboros Vicious on 7/30 @ 3:16 pm #
“..I am an antichrist
I am an anarchist
Don’t know what I want
But I know how to get it
I wanna destroy passer by
Cause I
Wanna be … Anarchy.
Ok, maybe the sound isnt representative of Rock n. Roll but the attitude is.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/30 @ 3:16 pm #
That “Water Song” thing isn’t rock, is it? I liked it well, but rock?
Comment by BJTex on 7/30 @ 3:16 pm #
Thor: Love Martino but never had a chance to see him live. Sonny Rollins is the “man!” All due respect to Archie but Rollins tone and creativity were unmatched. Best jazz show I ever saw.
You played vieo games with Stevie Ray Vaughn?!?!? *swoon*
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/30 @ 3:18 pm #
Good call Sdferr, Charlie Parker, Lee Morgan, and Milt Jackson.
Comment by thor [user name edited] on 7/30 @ 3:18 pm #
Art Pepper.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 3:20 pm #
If thor wants to continue his personal shots at me in the comment threads of other people, I will have ask Jeff to ban him. And given Jeff’s mood at the moment, plus the relative contributions made to the site, I like my odds.
Comment by Ouroboros Says on 7/30 @ 3:22 pm #
My vote for best guitarist goes to Dave Navarro.. he has mad guitar skilz.. of course.. but even more impressive is that he’s boned Carmen Electra… more than once, even..
Comment by Marilyn Manson on 7/30 @ 3:24 pm #
Hey, how bout me ? I strapped Rose McGowan several times..
Comment by thor [user name edited] on 7/30 @ 3:25 pm #
Yes, I actually wasted Stevie Ray’s ass at asteroids. I use to have to show up early before they started checking ID’s at the door and Stevie had to show up to his gig before the kitchen closed so as to get his free meal – not lying. So we became arcade buds.
Sonny Rollins – agreed – in a room full of sax players, they stood up when he walked by. I just put on Blue from Colossus. He was the coolest cat.
Comment by Ouroboros on 7/30 @ 3:26 pm #
Yeah,, There’s that… but then your Gothy-Emo-rock crap still sucks..
Gotta admit the misshapen pupils are kinda cool though
Comment by donald on 7/30 @ 3:30 pm #
Jason and the Scorchers. “I can’t help myself”. I defy anybody to come up with a faster, harder, rocking song. AND, it’s a love song fer crissakes. The best ever. And by the way, if you’re into rock and you don’t like the Ramones, then you’re really not into rock.
Comment by cranky-d on 7/30 @ 3:34 pm #
I will alter user names to remove offensive crap or delete comment spam at will. I wish I had noticed sooner.
Comment by Ouroboros on 7/30 @ 3:34 pm #
Annelle Zingarelli of Nazi Bitch and the Jews (NBJ) bummed a cigarette from me right before she died of a smack overdose in ‘84..
Ok, it’s not much.. but it’s my one brush with a kinda famous person…
Comment by Smirky McChimp on 7/30 @ 3:34 pm #
Wait wait wait…I got it…. “Cinderella” by the Sonics. Done.
Comment by Gren Gleenwald on 7/30 @ 3:41 pm #
I vote for Wham. Peaches & Herb is a close second. And A Flock of Seagulls.
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 3:42 pm #
OK, provisionally Marr. But only because of the subject matter….
I’m still thinking Mothersbaugh, too, ‘cuz of Mongoloid, which seems such a quintessential Jeff kind of thing to say.
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 3:43 pm #
Mongoloid
Comment by David R. Block on 7/30 @ 3:45 pm #
Dragula–Rob Zombie
Fuel–Metallica
Holier than Thou–Metallica
Comment by urthshu on 7/30 @ 3:46 pm #
for Ouroboros. Sounds like it was recorded on wrinkly wax paper. LOL
Comment by Ouroboros on 7/30 @ 3:50 pm #
I got JG pegged more as a David Byrne… you may ask yourself… kinda guy.
You may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
You may ask yourself
Where does that highway GO to?
You may ask yourself
Am I right?…Am I wrong?
You may say to yourself
MY GOD!…WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/30 @ 3:53 pm #
Too Much Alcohol – Rory Gallagher
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 3:54 pm #
Thanks, cranky.
I would have thought that someone would be smart enough to figure out how this story plays out, but apparently not.
Comment by Ouroboros on 7/30 @ 3:56 pm #
urthshu,
Those arent the Bangles that I remember..
Comment by Clint on 7/30 @ 4:00 pm #
I’m off and didn’t see the answers, did anyone say Robert Fripp as Jeff G?
“Sit down with a cold drink, this is going to take a while and at the end, you’re going to realize how much you actually enjoyed it.”
Goodnight everyone.
Comment by bigbooner on 7/30 @ 4:03 pm #
When I want to piss my fishing buddy off I tell him (he’s from Jersey) that Springsteen is the most overrated fuck ever. It’s like throwing out a top water lure to a hungry bass. Oh yeah, AC/DC sucks some real ass.
Comment by Jim in KC on 7/30 @ 4:07 pm #
Springsteen is highly overrated. Boring, predictable, can’t sing worth a shit.
Comment by RTO Trainer on 7/30 @ 4:10 pm #
“Black Dog” by Led Zepplin
Comment by The Lost Dog on 7/30 @ 4:21 pm #
cranky-d
I salute you sir. I could no more come up with one song to define R&R than I could have a post at Kos last more than thirty seconds.
Comment by Karl on 7/30 @ 4:21 pm #
Fripp is a good pick.
Springsteen was probably always a bit overrated, becomig vastly overrated once Landau fully converted him into a moonbat.
Comment by Techie on 7/30 @ 4:46 pm #
Metallica – Master of Puppets
Comment by TmjUtah on 7/30 @ 4:48 pm #
What? What the …?
?!
92 comments and there is not a whiff of Van Halen? Did no one here ever get to a live show when they were all there, even if Eddie didn’t close his eyes once in three hours thru two encores and David Lee Roth had to be pulled off the blonde(s; might have been twins) in the second row? Twice???
“Hot For Teacher”. Long, Live, LOUD version. “Ain’t Talking Bout Love”. Either or.
Comment by Techie on 7/30 @ 4:52 pm #
Ok, a short list:
Metallica – Master of Puppets
Deep Purple – Highway Star
The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again
Aerosmith – Walk This Way
Tenacious D – Tribute
The Beatles – Paperback Writer
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Van Halen – You Really Got Me
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 4:55 pm #
I’d be interested to know how many guitarists are there that read PW?
I started playing at age ten and learned by ear to play rock. Studied classical and jazz in college and graduated with a guitar perfomance degree. Don’t hardly play a lick now at age 50.
Isn’t B Moe an axe man?
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 4:59 pm #
I agree Van Halen has been overlooked thus far, TmjU. Remarkable talent and really crafted an identifiable sound. Picked himself up some fine trim in his days I reckon.
Comment by Weisenheimer Brainstorm on 7/30 @ 5:00 pm #
That “Woolie Bullie” song is the very definition of rock and roll.
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 7/30 @ 5:00 pm #
I’m more of a Bon Scott man when it comes to AC/DC.
Ain’t No Fun (Waitin’ Round to be a Millionaire), baby.
Lots of good suggestions in this thread, but I think I’d have to pick hyperhedro by hörstreich as my one-song example.
Comment by JD on 7/30 @ 5:06 pm #
America by Neil Diamond
Anything by Jon Secada
10,000 Maniacs
CandyGirl by New Edition
Backstreet Boys LIVE !
Comment by cranky-d on 7/30 @ 5:22 pm #
JD is off his meds again.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 5:23 pm #
I think JD’s fuckin’ with us. I hope JD’s fuckin’ with us.
Comment by B Moe on 7/30 @ 5:26 pm #
If an alien asked me, “What is rock music,â€Â
What makes you think they don’t already know?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM8V5mMGYas&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014
Comment by Jersey Jim on 7/30 @ 5:26 pm #
Elvis Costello “Radio”
Clash ” London Calling”
Sorry – broken arm and one hand typing….
Comment by Salt Lick on 7/30 @ 5:27 pm #
I think JD’s fuckin’ with us. I hope JD’s fuckin’ with us.
He is. Because I know for a fact he owns everything Hall and Oats ever put out.
Comment by lordsomber on 7/30 @ 5:29 pm #
Friend says Gregg Allman was to play at Jimmy Carter presidential benefit in the 70’s. Allman was so drunk they had to wheel him out on stage up to his keyboard, which he immediately vomited all over and passed out in face first.
What other rock story involves vomit and Jimmy Carter?
Oh, that one about the Bxtthole Surfers and Jimmy Carter’s suitcase… another time…
Pingback by Daily Pundit » It’s Still Rock-n-Roll To Me on 7/30 @ 5:36 pm #
[...] Apropos of nothing 3 [cranky-d] If an alien asked me, “What is rock music,†and I had to play only one song to define it, it would be, “You shook me all night long,†by AC/DC. YMMV, of course. [...]
Comment by Jim in KC on 7/30 @ 5:51 pm #
B Moe: That was a damn good one, too. Walkenhorst still has a regular solo gig here in KC. He doesn’t do Big Fat Blonde any more, though. He got all enlightened or something.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/30 @ 5:56 pm #
None of the old guys mentioned Cream, I think. They had a couple of hits.
Comment by JD on 7/30 @ 5:59 pm #
It is Hall and Oates, and I got Daryl to autograph an LP after waiting for/stalking their tour bus in ‘83.
I guess the meds don’t work if you don’t take them.
Comment by bergerbilder on 7/30 @ 6:13 pm #
My pick for best rock and roll tune – “My Generation.” Close second – gotta second “Hot for Teacher.” Third – “Already gone.”
Jeff – definitely Joe Walsh, in a semiotic mood.
Comment by charles austin on 7/30 @ 6:25 pm #
Not bothering to read all the comments, if I had to pick one song to define rock and roll to an alien, off the top of my head I’d probably go with, um, Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin, if not Trampled Underfoot. Any exemplar of the rock and roll song must have a guitar solo, a singer going just a little beyond his vocal comfort zone, an upbeat tempo, and drums, lot of drums. Extra bonus points for female backup singers , a saxophone and lyrics about, well, rock and roll. But, of course, any selections are going to beg arguments about what rock and roll is. As someone once said, rock and roll died with Buddy Holly.
Far various reasons, other choices might be Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who, Start Me Up or Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones, Like a Hurricane by Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull, Legs by ZZ Top, I Want My MTV by Dire Straits, Tied to the Whipping Post by the Allman Brothers Band, You Really Got Me by The Kinks, Layla by Derek and the Dominos, or My Sharona by The Knack, but YMMV.
Anyone else notice how few women have shown up in any of the songs in this thread? Sexists.
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 6:35 pm #
I’m not sexist! I cried when I heard Janis Joplin died in her own puke.
Comment by charles austin on 7/30 @ 6:38 pm #
I’m waiting for Jeff to drop in and name his favorite Billy Joel song.
Comment by bergerbilder on 7/30 @ 6:38 pm #
CA, Knocking me out with those American thighs – Linda Ronstadt
I agree with your idea of the soul of Rock and Roll – Lead, Bass, Drums and VOCALS! That’s why I loves me some “Hot for Teacher!”
Best Lead – Knoffler
Best Drums – Van Halen
Best Vocals – Daltry
Best Bass – Who cares?
Best Keyboard? – No keyboards in Rock and Roll, but there is Jerry Lee Lewis
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 6:39 pm #
I Didn’t Start The Fire.
Comment by bergerbilder on 7/30 @ 6:42 pm #
Ouro – just for you, Higher and Higher.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=js_CuCmUCPo
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 6:43 pm #
None of the old guys mentioned Cream, I think. They had a couple of hits.
Indeed they did. So did Derek and The Dominos. But if there is one
sell-out to pop shit musicguitarist I’ve come to abhor, it’s Eric Clapton.Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 6:45 pm #
Yes, I’ve blasphemed. Stone me. [hey!]
Comment by alppuccino on 7/30 @ 6:49 pm #
Toss up:
Slip Kid – The Who
I Can Feel Your Heartbeat – The Partridge Family
Comment by Sdferr on 7/30 @ 6:51 pm #
I don’t like him either Kelly. After Layla that is.
Comment by charles austin on 7/30 @ 7:12 pm #
What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
How about Duane Allman? Singularly creative, talented, and gone too soon. That empty Coricidin bottle could explain the dolphin thing as well.
Comment by Ouroboros on 7/30 @ 7:35 pm #
Hey, no one’s mentioned The Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent..Hard Rock Guitarist.. Right Wing.. Pro Gun.. Pro Sweet Poontang.. Arent we supposed to promote our own?
Comment by serr8d on 7/30 @ 7:54 pm #
What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
Come on, guys. Steve Howe. Deep tracks.
And, no mention whatsoever of Yes? Sorely disappointed, I am.
Is it because they were classified as progressive rock?
Comment by kelly on 7/30 @ 8:57 pm #
Is it because they were classified as progressive rock?
Yes. Absolutely.
[uh, they were?]
Comment by charles austin on 7/30 @ 9:33 pm #
Yes? No.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/30 @ 9:36 pm #
Better.
Comment by Techie on 7/30 @ 9:39 pm #
Nah, we’d have said King Crimson before Yes.
Though one of my favorite songs is Long Distance Runaround.
Comment by Yackums on 7/31 @ 4:09 am #
Hey, what’s wrong with Huey Lewis?
*ducks*
Comment by Education Guy on 7/31 @ 6:03 am #
Cocaine – Eric Clapton
American Girl – Tom Petty
Walk This Way – Aerosmith
Love Me Two Times – The Doors (substitute LA Woman if you wish)
Because they haven’t been mentioned and they are simple non boutique old school rock and roll songs.
Comment by Richard on 7/31 @ 6:17 am #
Livin’ After Midnight – Judas Priest!
Comment by memomachine on 7/31 @ 8:33 am #
Hmmmm.
Sorry no.
AC/DC: I’ve got big balls.
Appropriate for every occasion including a 5 year old nephew’s birthday.
…
Ok. Some, -some-, yelling from the mother was involved when said nephew started singing the lyrics that night. And it was pretty cute the way he did it. “I got big baaahhhaals!”.
Comment by Weird ALF on 7/31 @ 4:20 pm #
>> If an alien asked me, “What is rock music…?â€Â
Um… Weird Al?
Comment by Unruly Human on 7/31 @ 9:40 pm #
White Stripes. “You Don’t Know What Love Is”.
Trust me.
Comment by Slartibartfast on 7/31 @ 10:05 pm #
Lead guitar: Knopfler will do for starters, but Steve Miller has done some tasty stuff, and David Gilmour is the tits, even if you don’t care for Pink Floyd. Eddie Van Halen should get a mention, but so should Pete Townshend. Jimmy Page, at the top of his game, was at the top of the heap. Alex Lifeson is awesomely underrated. Al DiMeola isn’t quite rock, but he’s quite one of the best. Bela Fleck is better on the banjo than almost anyone in the world is on guitar.
Drums: Oh, please. Neil Peart, Lenny White, Steve Gadd, Futureman all wipe the floor with Alex Van Halen. John Bonham and Keith Moon, too, to name a couple of dead guys who, even though dead, are better drummers than Alex Van Halen. Oh, and Bill Bruford and Alan White.
Vocals, I too have a soft spot in my heart for Roger Daltrey. But Robert Plant could absolutely wail. On the other end of the vocal spectrum, I quite like David Bowie, and I’m undecided about Peter Murphy. Chicks, though: Ann Wilson has teh pipes, and Pat Benatar has the next size up. Hardly anyone can touch those two, vocally.
Bass: of course people care. Let’s start with Geddy Lee, John Entwhistle, and then just fucking blow them both out of the water with Victor Wooten. Don’t believe me? Just look for Victor on Youtube; I guarantee he’ll leave your chin wobbling loosely down around your navel. Victor is Futureman’s brother, BTW. Chris Squire.
And if that doesn’t do you just fine, Stanley Clarke is as good a bass player as anyone could ever want.
Keyboards: well, Chick Corea is as good as it gets. Keith Emerson, if that’s more your style. But it’s slimmer pickings.
I could go on, but it’s late. Have I mentioned that the Flecktones have three guys (out of four) who are each in the top five (arguably, the top one or two) in the world on their respective instruments?
Comment by Slartibartfast on 7/31 @ 10:07 pm #
Not to forget Lenny White on drums. No relation to Alan.
Comment by BuddyPC on 8/1 @ 10:06 am #
43. Comment by commander0 on 7/30 @ 2:52 pm #
>>I’ve seen The Ramones live back in the day and have listened to all of their albums.
Most. Overated. Band. Evah.
The don’t give a shit what you think and neither do I.
That’s cuz they’re dead.
And missed.
33. Comment by Salt Lick on 7/30 @ 2:40 pm #
Different tact  What lead guitarist best personifies the spirit of Jeff Goldstein?
That’s easy.
The hyperliterate, no bullshit Pete Townshend knocking Abbie Hoffman’s melon off The Who’s Woodstock stage with his axe. In less than 50 seconds.
Cuz Zappa’s dead.
—
My three minutes of Rawk! to scare off the aliens?
The Misfits’ RattFink.
Eight letters. What more does anyone need?
Guaranteed to get you a ticket.
Comment by Pablo on 8/1 @ 10:20 am #
No keyboards in Rock and Roll? No Gregg Allman? No “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”? No “Rocking the Paradise”? No “Won’t Get Fooled Again”? No Spinal Tap-esque progression of ivory ticklers through the Grateful Dead? No Benmont Tench?
Comment by BuddyPC on 8/1 @ 12:05 pm #
Booker T. Jones, Fats Domino, and Nicky Hopkins are the 550 tons of uranium in the denial of keyboards in the rock tradition.
That, and Gimme Some Lovin’.
Comment by Slartibartfast on 8/2 @ 10:34 pm #
Epic. That fucker pops up in the wierdest places.