You Didn't Try to Call Me...

… why didn't you try, I was so lonely…On this day in rock history in 1954, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters hits #1 on the R&B chart and #22 on the pop chart with "Work With Me Annie", #2 on the R&B chart with "Sexy Ways and #1 on the R&B chart and #23 on the pop chart with "Annie Had A Baby". All were banned by the FCC from radio air play for being “too risque’” for the time. Hank Ballard, the poster boy for doo-wop music, was always a convenient target for Frank Zappa’s parodies of that genre, as seen here in “You Didn’t Try to Call Me,” a track on the Mothers’ 1967 album “Freak Out!," done here very nicely by Flo and Eddie and featuring the truly amazing Anysley Dunbar on drums. Where am I going with all this? Well, I’m not sure, but it just goes to show how things are related in rock music, and how one thing leads to another…plus, I'm always looking for an excuse to post about Frank and the Mothers’ music!

Thanks to www.rockhall.com and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Ballard for the info, and keep on rockin’!

You In a Heap A Trouble, Boy!

Police brutality, Cool Hand Luke version...check out this vid of my new song "Sandpit," which, while telling a tale of some high school kids about to be in serious trouble with The Law, really has nothing to do with me! Come see Whiskey and Rebellion at the Ugly Mug on 1-15, and keep on rockin'!

Baby, It's a Cold, Hard World Out There...

... broken-hearted people everywhere...I would also submit that it's just freakin' cold pretty much anywhere in the US right now! If you're willing to brave the cold, though, come out tonight and see my band's cover of this great Steve Earle song - Whiskey and Rebellion, Arizona's, Shakopee, MN, 9 to midnight - you won't be sorry. Keep on rockin'!

The Power of Soul

This close to the end of the year, it's time to talk about famous New Year's Eve concerts. One of the most famous and one of my personal favorites was Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsys live at the Fillmore East 12-31-70. This is one of the funkier songs Hendrix ever played, and features a killer riff, Billy Cox on bass, and the magificent Buddy Miles on drums and backing vocals and scat singing. One wonders if, on this night, if Jimi knew he had about nine months to live, he would have done anything differently? We'll never know. So here's hoping that you have a groovy New Years'Eve and a great New Year. Keep on rockin'!

He's Gotta Wear His Goggles...

... cause the snow really flies...On this date in rock history in 1964, the Beach Boys made their first appearance on the TV show "Shindig" (remember "Shindig" - Go go dancers, go go boots, the "Shindogs?" No? Then you're too young to be reading this!), playing, among other things, "Little Saint Nick," which was their attempt at writing a hot roddin' Christmas song, set to the tune of "Little Duece Coupe." Notice how all the girls go nuts when the camera pans to Dennis on the drums...Beachboymania! At any rate, happy holidays to your and yours, and keep on rockin'!

In the Garden of Eden...

... baby! On this date in rock and roll history in 1968 (actually it was yesterday, but I was too busy yesterday to post), the Iron Butterfly single "In A Gadda Da Vida" went gold. Now in my home town, when I was playing in bands in high school, to be accepted as a decent drummer, you had to be able to play the drum solos to either "In A Gadda Da Vida" or "Toad" by Cream. Not meaning to brag, but I could play both... The song, at 18+ minutes, was way too long for top 40 radio, so they did make a shorter version sans the drum solo for radio play. So let's enjoy the video, which I think comes from a public television special on the '60's produced a few years back; it featured Erik Braunn on lead guitar, who, unfortunately, is no longer with us, having died in 2003; Ron Bushy on drums, Lee Dorman on bass, and Charlie Marinkovich doing the keyboard solo on a Hammond B-3 (sounds much better than the ol' combo organ he used in the '60's, for sure!). Thanks to www.rockhall.com for the info, and keep on rockin'!

Just Like Starting Over...

Today in rock history, in 1980, John Lennon is shot by a deranged assailant as he and Yoko return to the Dakota after a recording session. He is pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital. A truly sad day for Beatles fans all around the world. I often think, where would be be if he were still alive today - doing an all-star show like Ringo, or still writing "silly love songs" like Macca? I know, both of them have moved on from these activities, but that's what they're likely to be remembered for. I'd like to think he'd be doing something revolutionary and exciting, still stunning the world with his talent and innovation. Ironically enough, he was poised to re-enter the music world in a big way when he was gunned down. He truly was starting over...let's enjoy the vid, celebrate his life, and keep on rockin'! Thanks to http://www.rockhall.com/notes/today-in-rock/ for the info...