We're Comin' to Your Town...

… we'll help you party it down...Today in rock history, in 1973, Grand Funk Railroad hits #1 with “We're An American Band.” I know I've posted this vid before, but, gotta do it again, the drum part on this tune is so fun to do, and we can always use “more cowbell.” Thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock/, for the info, and keep on rockin'!

Tangled Up In Blue

It's "Covers Tuesday" here at WHABHB (like it? I just started right now!), and let's turn to the afore-mentioned Dylan tune, covered here by my former band, Whiskey and Rebellion. Nicely done, if I do say so myself, check it out, and keep on rockin'!

PS - this one's for you, Mr. Who!

I hope I Die Before I Get Old…

… and his wish came true: On this date in rock history, in 1978, Keith Moon of the Who dies at the age of 32 of an overdose of the drug prescribed to control his alcoholism. A sidebar on the self-destructive behavior that led in part to Moon’s demise: On the 1973 Quadrophenia tour, at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California, Moon took a large mixture of horse tranquillizers and brandy. He passed out during "Won't Get Fooled Again" and again in "Magic Bus". Townshend asked the audience, "Can anyone play the drums? – I mean somebody good". An audience member, Scot Halpin, filled in for the rest of the show. Geeze – I wish I would have been there – I would have given them what for! Ah Moonie, we hardly knew ya! See the whole story here, and thanks to http://rockhall.com/story-of-rock/today-in-rock/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Moon for the info, and keep on rockin’!

Take a Load Off Fanny...

... take a load for free. Today in rock history, in 1969, Bob Dylan receives 38,000 pounds sterling for a one hour performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, backed up by the Band. This would be about $76,000 in today's dollars, depending upon the exchange rate, and that ain't hay! Let's enjoy a vid from that performance (the camera operator didn't seem to get that the drummer was the lead vocalist, and never gave ol' Levon much screen time at all), thanks to www.bgo-records.com/today_in_rock_history.html, and keep on rockin!

I Was Born a Ramblin' Man

... tryin' to make a livin', doin' the best I can...On this date in rock history, in 1973, Allman Brother Butch Trucks breaks his leg in an auto accident in Macon, Georgia, only yards from the spot where Duane Allman was killed two years earlier. Jeeze! You’d think they’d put up a big sign there saying “This is a Bad Place” and then they would all stay the hell away from it. Oh well, I guess they were all born to ramble – what can ya do? Thanks to www.bgo_records.com/today_in_rock_history.html, Enjoy the vid, and keep on rockin’!

Yeah...yeah...yeah...

... do the Harlem Shuffle. Turns out that James, a co-worker and fellow DOLI Llamas bandmate, is also heavily into the Fabulous Flippers, an 8 piece show band known for their synchronized dance steps, out of Lawrence, Kansas, the first of its kind in the Midwest in the mid-'60's. While I was diggin' the band at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake, IA and at the Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnold's Park, IA, he was also checkin' 'em out up here in the Twin Cities. The Fab Flips are still around, and just played in Marcus, IA on 8-13; James got to see them, I wasn't so fortunate. Here they are, now and back then, with their signature tune; enjoy, and keep on rockin'!

I'm a Road Runner, Baby!

Today in rock history, in 1963, the first annual Richmond Jazz and Blues Festival opens with Rolling Stones. Well, I don’t know about the jazz part, but back in the day, the Stones were certainly more of an R&B group than anything else. And what a great blues band they could have been, with Jagger's harp and vocals, Brian Jones on rhythm and Keef on the amazing 5-string Tele! Let’s enjoy some early Stones (a rare version of "(I'm A) Road Runner)", and reflect on what could have been. Thanks to http://www.bgo-records.com/today/today_in_rock_history.htm for the info, and keep on rockin’!