Listen to the Music...

... or not. Today in rock history, in 1982, Doobie Brothers announce their breakup (for the next five years). Well, it only seemed like 3 or 4 years. Here's some rare Doobie Bros. footage from 1975. Dust off those bell bottoms and boots and enjoy! Thanks to http://www.oldiesmusic.com/cal.htm for the info, and keep on rockin'!

Ain't No Cure...

… for the Summertime Blues... Today in rock history, in 1968, The Blue Cheer hits #14 with their crude, loud and feedback-laced cover of Eddie Cochran's 1958 hit "Summertime Blues." Back in high school, I was both fascinated and repelled by this rude, crude, loud, early version of an '80's hair band...but ya gotta admit, it's a great version of this tune...Thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock/ for the info, and keep on rockin'!

What can a poor boy do...

... except sing for a rock and roll band? Today in rock history, in 1965, the Rolling Stones earn their 'Bad Boy' reputation when the group members are fined £5 each for urinating in front of a public filling station after a concert in Essex. Probably not a big deal these days (if you've ever pissed on a dumpster when the bars are closed after a long night of bar-hopping, you know what I mean), but a major scandal apparently in jolly old England in '65. Let's play something fittingly bad boy-ish, then...Thanks to www.bgo-records.com for the info, and keep on rockin'!

Just got to have...

... 'bout a half a million framed autographs. On this date in rock and roll history, in 1958. Chuck Berry's Sweet Little Sixteen is US R&B No. 1. Let's hear it for everyone's favorite high school rock and roller. "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'". John Lennon - 'nuff said... Thanks to http://www.bgo-records.com/today/today_in_rock_history.htm for the info, and keep on rockin'!

Makes No Sense Dept.

Today in rock history, in 1988, The album 'Jazz from Hell' wins Frank Zappa a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental. I’ve always thought that the Grammy’s were just a little out of touch with reality, and here’s proof – if you think this song “G-Spot Tornado” is a “rock instrumental", you’re…well, crazy… This song, assumed by Zappa to be impossible to play by humans, would be performed by Ensemble Modern on the concert recording "The Yellow Shark." The track ends in nearly two minutes of applause. Another bit of trivia: Although an instrumental album, the Fred Meyer chain of stores sold "Jazz from Hell" in their Music Market department featuring an RIAA Parental Advisory sticker, which is most likely the result of his feud with the PMRC, or due to American objections to the use of the word "hell.” Oookayyy then…check out the video here, thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_from_Hell for the info, and keep on rockin’, in an advant garde way!