Monday, September 20, 2010

Lisa's Book Recommendations

Take a Walk on the Dark Side: Rock and roll myths, legends, and curses (by R. Gary Patterson)
Including chapters entitled "Mr. Crowley," "Waiting at the Crossroads," "Welcome to the Hotel California," and others, Patterson's book covers the tales and ironies that have cursed rock 'n' roll and its icons. Patterson also reveals the mysteries behind hidden messages in songs you've always wondered about.

Classic Rock Stories (by Tim Morse)
A great collection of stories, memories, recollections, and opinions of some of the most beloved rock stars.

Here are some things I learned from reading this book (more useless knowledge--just what I need):
  • "Dust in the Wind" wasn't supposed to be a song. It's original form was actually a finger-picking exercise that Kerry Livgren was working on. In fact, Kerry fought with the rest of the members of Kansas over doing the song. "This is not us," he would keep saying.
  • Keith Emerson thought his Moog synth solo in "Lucky Man" was "shit." It was completely improvised, and the rough version ended up making the cut.
  • The song "Bad Company" by Bad Company was recorded at night in a field in one take.
  • Elton John and Bernie Taupin have no idea what "Take Me to the Pilot" is about. It's all just a bunch of jibberish.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Movie characters I wish were real so that I could hang out with them

William Miller (from Almost Famous). I imagine we would have been best friends growing up. We would have exchanged music and records and have had intense discussions about rock 'n' roll over cups of coffee. He would have taken me backstage to shows on occasion and introduced me to some of the hippest, coolest rock stars on the scene that he was interviewing.

Riff Randall (from Rock 'N' Roll High School). Riff would have been my rock 'n' roll partner-in-crime in high school. We would have attended every rock concert we could possibly manage together. We would wear matching shiny outfits, pigtails in our hair, and run around shouting "gabba gabba hey!"


Jam (from Detroit Rock City). Jam would have been another one of my closest chums. After school, I'd go watch him practice and rock out on his drums and then talk endlessly about the amazingness of KISS.


The Spinal Tap guys.Bold Who wouldn't want hang out with Spinal Tap, the coolest, wildest rock band on the planet!?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

You know who's cool?

Ronnie Wood

Ronnie shows off his guitars backstage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkn5nr_84pA
"You're Watching MTV" Keith and Ron http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7sDGRhP7fk
Rolling Stones "Wild Horses" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhVLiHPUOIM


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

L.A. Guns/ Dokken

August 21st, 2010. La Crosse, WI.
L.A. Guns:

Dokken:

What I've Been Listening To Lately

Scorpions Love at First StingTom Waits The Heart of Saturday Night
Dire Straits Money for Nothing
Dr. John In the Right Place