“We want to get this good music to as many people as possible because I think it heals, it soothes, I think music is incredibly important, especially in today’s chaos.”~Graham Nash

Amen, birthday boy!

The Beatles hit number one with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” 48 years ago today. Thus began the British Invasion.

Ironically, it was the same day Bob Dylan’s Desert Island Disc “The Times They Are A-Changin’” was released.

Here’s the Fab Four playing it.

“I’m surprised we aren’t in jail for treason.”-Johnny Rotten in Rolling Stone 1977

I’m surprised you’re not in jail for a lot of things, Johnny.

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!