Hitching Lifts to Nowhere...

… hung up on the paper sun.... Today in rock history, in 2005, Traffic’s Jim Capaldi, born Nicola James Capaldi on 8-2-44, died after a brief battle with stomach cancer. Capaldi wrote the lyrics for Traffic's first single "Paper Sun", which appeared in the UK singles chart at number 5 in summer 1967. Let’s enjoy the “music video” for “Paper Sun,” and celebrate the life of Jim Capaldi, another sad story of a ‘60’s rock musician gone too soon, but not forgotten. Thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Capaldi for the info, and keep on rockin’!

"Ask not..."

... what the Blues can do for you, ask what you can do for the Blues." Well, that's not exactly what he said, but you get the idea, if you're a blues fan. Today marks the 50th anniversary of JFK's inauguration, and, just out of curiosity, let's see what blues songs were popular in 1961 - ah, here is "Hit the Road, Jack," by Ray Charles, which hit #1 on the Billboard charts on 10-9-61. Thanks to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_the_Road_Jack for the info, check out the video here, and keep on rockin', with some social responsibility, just like JFK would have wanted!

Make a Joyful Noise...

Today in rock history, in 1965, NBC's “Hullabaloo" was first aired. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “hullabaloo” as “a confused noise; an uproar,” and that's exactly what it was at my house watching as a 14 year old. If you could get beyond the go-go girls, you did see some fine music, which is what my eager young ears were trying to pick up there in rural northwest Iowa – some sign of life beyond the farm...check out the Byrds here from 5-11-65 (dig the crazy bird house background), thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock for the info, and keep on rockin!

Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Today in rock history, in 1986, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers back up Bob Dylan on the first date of a world tour. The successful pairing will continue into the next year. I always thought that Tom and Bob could have had the same voice coach. Judge for yourself – enjoy this video from that tour (including special guest Stevie Nicks), and keep on rockin! Thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock/ for the info.