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.

Since he just turned 70 earlier this week, I thought I’d point out that 49 years ago today, Bob Dylan’s second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, was released.

I’ve always been partial to the very early Dylan and Freewheelin‘ is one of my Desert Island Discs.

It blows me away that he was in his early twenties when he wrote “Masters of War,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” “I Shall Be Released,” “Girl from the North Country,” “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

Sweet Loretta, it’s a freakin’ greatest hits album and it was only his second record!!!!

Happy Rock & Roll birthday to the legendary Levon Helm.

Levon is best know as the drummer and vocalist for The Band. I absolutely love the sound of Levon’s voice. He’s without a doubt the greatest singing drummer of all time.

Nothing says roots rock & roll to me more than The Band. What a phenomenal group of musicians! They hold a special place in my heart as one of the grooviest bands ever assembled. From the early days of playing with Ronnie Hawkins as The Hawks, they helped define classic rock in my world.

From Music from Big Pink through The Last Waltz, which I’m listening to as I write this, The Band & Levon make my heart sing. Additionally, Levon’s last two albums, “Dirt Farmer” and “Electric Dirt,” are absolutely outstanding.

We were fortunate to see Levon deliver an outstanding set at Summerfest last year and eagerly await his next time through the Midwest.

Love you, Levon!

Celebrating Dylan’s birthday watching him play “Tangled Up In Blue” from the Desert Island Disc Blood On the Tracks.

Billy Joel helped me mow the lawn yesterday.

At this point you may be asking “Whatchu talkin’ bout Willis?”

Like many folks who deal with bipolar disorder, day-to-day living is often baffling to me. In this case, that means forgetting to take the lawn mower in for a tuneup and blade sharpening until about the time I needed to use it. Consequently, for a few days I’d been getting “the look” from the neighbors in our cul de sac of finely manicured lawns.

Fortunately, we got the mower back yesterday morning just a couple hours before a storm was gonna hit. As I looked out at our virtual forest, I knew I was in for a pretty intense workout so I’d need some kick-ass live music to give me the juice necessary to beat the rain…which brings me to Billy Joel.

Before starting the machine I tuned into Billy’s “12 Gardens Live” and was off to the races. I’d forgotten what an absolutely incredible album this is. If you’re not familiar with it, you might wanna grab a copy cuz I think it’s Billy’s quintessential work.

It turned the task into a joyful romp that left me both drenched and grinning from ear to ear.

Thanks for the help, Billy!

Happy Rock & Roll birthday to the splendiferous Pete Townshend!

A true rock & roll legend, Pete is a founding member of The Who, perhaps the greatest live band ever. He is an extraordinary songwriter and composer, as well as one of rock’s most underrated vocalists.

Pete wrote most of the material recorded by The Who, including two brilliant rock operas, Tommy and Quadrophenia.

Additionally, he has had an amazing solo career. I’ve always thought the Desert Island Disc Rough Mix, Pete’s spectacular album with Ronnie Lane, is one of the finest recordings ever made.

Please support Record Store Day.

If you’re like me, record stores have played an integral role in your life. The stores are hurting and this is an opportunity to give back by thanking them for all the joy they’ve helped provide.

As I think back, I can’t help but smile at the names 1812 Overture, Peaches Records & Tapes, Atomic Records, Record Head (where we got our bootlegs in the 70’s) and, my all-time fave, Dirty Jack’s Record Rack.

I kow I’m forgetting a bunch, but the kids and I are getting ready to head out for another fun Record Store Day excursion, and I encourage you to join us.

Today’s agenda includes Stardust Records and Collectibles, Exclusive Company & Rush Mor Records.

Have fun!

This Desert Island Disc represents exactly why we call Bruce Springsteen The Boss. I felt like I was back at a Springsteen show from the early days as I listened to this concert from the Hammersmith Odeon in London from 1975.

I’ve actually got a 36-year-old warped vinyl copy, but the sound quality on that one is atrocious and the warps make the needle bounce up & down on a couple songs.

Long regarded as one of Springsteen’s greatest concerts, this two disc set is fan-freakin’-tastic. It’s what high energy, kick-it-out live rock & roll is all about. In other words, the E Street Band in all their raging glory.

From the opener of “Thunder Road” to the closer of Gary U.S. Bonds’ “Quarter to Three,” I was completely captivated and undeniably back under the Boss’ glorious spell once again.

I’ve always felt Bruce’s first five albums were his seminal work, and this one draws primarily from the first three.  After hearing the 17-minute “Kitty’s Back,” followed by extended versions of “Jungleland” and “Rosalita,” I’m more convinced of that than ever.

This Desert Island Disc is pure magic in my world, rockers!

And this ain’t no April Fool’s joke.

Celebrating guitar legend Robin Trower’s Rock & Roll Birthday with the title track from his Desert Island Disc “Bridge of Sighs.” This album blew my mind when I first heard it way back when…

Dedicated to my friend Ron the Roadie.