As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the birth of the phenomenal Carole King, it’s time for me to commit Rock & Roll Heresy.
My all-time favorite Carole King Desert Island Disc is “Simple Things.”
Yes, I adore “Tapestry,” and it was an incredible treat to see her and Sweet Baby James play nine of the twelve songs live a couple years ago.
That said, I’m ready to accept my flogging…just meet me at the “Hard Rock Cafe.”
Happy Birthday to the splendiferous Marty Balin!
Marty is the silky smooth vocalist who co-founded of the Jefferson Airplane and helped to define the San Francisco sound. I fell in love with Marty’s voice the first time I heard him sing “Today” from Surrealistic Pillow, the Airplane’s second album. In the seventies there were a ton of hits as the Jefferson Starship that featured his beautiful voice. My personal favorites from that era include “Caroline,” “Miracles” and “Tumblin.’”
I was a little too young and never got to see the Airplane, but my most memorable Jefferson Starship concert was a grand event in 1978 at Milwaukee County Stadium right after they released the album Earth. The opening act was Bob Welch, the year after he released his terrific solo album French Kiss…and he was outstanding. Starship was absitively phenomenal that night, opening with a kick-ass “Ride the Tiger.”
Feels like yesterday…sorta.
George Harrison’s lovely song, “My Sweet Lord,” from the Desert Island Disc All Things Must Pass, was released in the UK 40 years ago today.
Synchronistically, that was the same day John Lennon wrote and recorded “Instant Karma.”
Enjoy the video and have fun!
Happy Birthday again to the phantabulous David Bowie!
Happy 65th birthday to the inimitable David Bowie, Rock & Roll’s total package. I did this birthday tribute video two years ago, and everything I said is still applicable 
Enjoy the video and have fun!
Happy Rock & Roll Birthday to the most excellent Stephen Stills.
With or without his buddies, Stephen is a true classic as both a songwriter and guitarist.
One of the grooviest albums of the last few years is Stills’ Just Roll Tape. It’s full of stuff he laid down alone with his guitar right after a Judy Collins recording session in 1968. Since that was before the first CSN album, there are fantastic early incarnations of “Change Partners,” “Suite Judy Blue Eyes,” “Helplessly Hoping” and “Wooden Ships.” The quality of the recording is not particularly good (ok, some of it actually sucks), but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the work.
My all-time favorite Stills lyric comes from the song “Treetop Flyer” which is, coincidentally, on Just Roll Tape. “I don’t do business that don’t make me smile.” That’s a basic tenet of my Rock and Roll Philosophy…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Happy birthday to the very groovy Grace Slick.
Gracie is one of my favorite female vocalists of all time. After performing with her then husband Darby in The Great Society, she fronted the outstanding 1960s San Francisco band Jefferson Airplane and, later, the Jefferson Starship.
The legendary rocker brought a couple of classic songs with her to the Airplane, most notably “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.” Both of those tunes appeared on the band’s second album, the brilliant Desert Island Disc Surrealistic Pillow.
Gracie is also fortunate to share a birthday with my phenomenal, beautiful & brilliant twin daughters, Alex & Rachel. Happy 16th birthday, girls!
Happy 61st birthday to the very groovy Tom Petty.
I love Tom Petty. I love his work with the Heartbreakers, the Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch, as well as his solo stuff.
I remember vividly when he exploded onto the scene with Damn the Torpedos 31 years ago. Although the Heartbreakers already had two excellent albums out, this is the one that catapulted them to superstardom. I’ve always felt this one was almost a greatest hits, with a slew of classic tunes including “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “Don’t Do Me Like That” and “Even the Losers.”
Petty is one of those cats that I’ve seen a slew of times, and it has always been a stone groove.
Happy Rock & Roll birthday to Justin Hayward, the massively talented guitarist, singer and composer for The Moody Blues.
Sweet Loretta, I love me some Moody Blues. They are one of my Desert Island Bands. The majority of their albums qualify in my world as Desert Island Discs, and I’ll continue to see them every chance I get for as long as they keep touring. Their musicianship, harmonies and phenomenal songs have been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember.
Justin’s songwriting chops were evidenced early on, as he penned the beautiful “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” from 1967’s classic Days of Future Passed album.
A couple of the best concerts I have ever experienced involved this amazing band performing with symphonies.
I am truly grateful for Justin Hayward and The Moody Blues. Few bands have provided as much joy in my life as these classic rockers.
Happy 68th birthday to Stevie “Guitar” Miller, who was born here in Milwaukee.
Stevie is a masterful blues guitarist who also happens to have a penchant for writing the catchy pop-rock hits that have played a significant role in the soundtrack of my life.
Miller holds a special place in my heart. He’s a local boy made good, and I distinctly remember when he hit it big after releasing the Desert Island Disc Fly Like an Eagle. I’ve been fortunate to catch him live several times, and he still serves up a significant serving of that album in his shows.
A little note of trivia…Steve Miller’s godfather was the late, great Les Paul.
