In honor of Johnny Rotten’s birthday, here’s the punk rockin’ Sex Pistols with an absolutely scorching version of “Anarchy in the UK.”

January 31, 1956: John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, was born.

Johnny Rotten was a member of the much-loved yet short-lived (save for a few reunion tours) Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols were the definitive punk band and left a legacy well beyond their brief existence.

These were some deeply demented cats, and God bless ‘em for that. The band fired Johnny in 1978. The reason for dismissing him: he wasn’t weird enough anymore.

How cool would that look on a resume? Reason for leaving last job? They said I wasn’t weird enough anymore, but I’m striving to improve in that area.

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.

On this date in 1964 the Fab Four recorded 4 takes of “Can’t Buy Me Love” & 11 takes of “Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand.”

Here they are rockin’ the former on the show ‘Ready Steady Go!’

The Eagles’ Desert Island Disc, “Hotel California,” hit #1 on the charts 35 years ago today.

Here they are playing the title track in 1998 at their induction into the Rock Hall.

Buffalo Springfield released their anthem, “For What It’s Worth,” forty-five years ago today.

Love this video of them playing it on the Smothers Brothers.

Nice hat, Stephen

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!

John Lennon wrote AND recorded “Instant Karma” 42 years ago today, and it was released ten days later.

John said he “wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch, and we’re putting it out for dinner.”

I say “totally groovy.”

Enjoy the live video and have fun!

Credence Clearwater Revival released one of their classic songs, “Proud Mary,” 43 year ago today. Could it really have been that long ago?

Here they are playing it way back when…

Since it would have been his 64th birthday, I’ve been listening to lots of Warren Zevon today. “Keep Me in Your Heart” is hauntingly beautiful.

Love the line “I’m tied to you like the buttons on your blouse.”