Untitled

Bigger View of the poster

SETLIST courtesy of setlist.fm

This is one of those nights that I wish I could actually re-live. The following will have to do: A night that was jam packed with amazing moments. Luckily, many of the 1100 people at the Fillmore had their phones out, recording the once-in-a-lifetime moments. Including me! This was a benefit concert for the Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. The mostly acoustic evening was born out of a conversion between Sammy Hagar and James Hetfield. This event, in 2014, was the FIRST ANNUAL one. The last one was number eight and took place in 2023. No word yet on 2024…

Your hosts for the evening

Hagar was already a supporter of the phenomenal work that the pediatric cancer program was doing and mentioned a benefit concert to his neighbor, James Hetfield, and very quickly they had an all-star lineup lined up. How the idea of ‘’acoustic’ came up is not clear but the lineup contained artists who are not necessarily known for their acoustic work. The organizers, Metallica lead singer James Hetfield and The Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar are definitely plugged in most of the time. Add Joe Satriani, the electric guitar magician, and the evening gets a little more interesting. 

The Poster

A look at the poster reveals the other musicians participating: Joe Satriani, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Pat Monahan (Train), & Scott Mathews. Besides the ‘stars’ were Sammy’s guitarist, Vic Johnson and guitarist Lauren Langner Larson (UME)  This Fillmore poster artist is uncredited.

James Hetfield

Billie Joe Armstrong

Nancy Wilson

Sammy Hagar

Surprise Collaborations

When it comes to benefit shows, expect the unexpected. The vibe is usually loose and when Sammy is running things, it can get super-loose. Performers meander on and off stage, joining in on each other's little sets. This night did not disappoint on that front. The buzz on anticipation was in the air all night. The big payoff for me was the collaboration/mashup of James Hetfield and Billie Joe Armstrong. Picture the scene of Hetfield stage right and Armstrong stage left. Acoustic guitars at the ready (one doesn’t have to picture the scene, it’s preserved for all to see as hundreds of us in the crowd lifted our phones to capture the moment). 

Hetfield & Armstrong

Hetfield started the mashup with a Bob Segar classic, “Turn The Page”. Metallica covered the song years ago. After singing a verse and chorus, all eyes shifted over to Billie Joe. The crowd erupted when he began the familiar chords of Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. The two exchanged verses of their respective songs. Very fun time. 

Acoustic 'Dreams'

The special night started with it’s founders Sammy and James addressing the crowd. Seeing two of my favorite artists teaming up is special. They explained the origin of the benefit and their commitment to making it an annual event. Meanwhile Vic Johnson was tuning up his twelve string, getting ready to start the show. Vic has been Sammy’s guitar player on and off since 1997 so I am confident that we are in good hands. A fun, acoustic version of the snappy Sammy classic “Red Voodoo” started the show. Next was a huge sing-along with the Van Halen hit “Dreams”.  

https://youtu.be/9zH1jhwmE04 Higher and Higher

The first cool collaboration of the night came next when Nancy Wilson walked out to join Sammy! Wilson appeared on the duet album “Sammy & Friends” , released a year prior. She joined Sammy on their song from that album , the tropical “All We Need Is An Island”, adding her soft vocal harmonies. It sounds great on the album. It sounded even better live! Sammy plays the 12 string on this song. 

Heart of the Matter

Nancy Wilson stayed onstage as it was her turn next to shine.  I was really looking forward to seeing her on the acoustic after hearing her jam on one for so many years. She is a true acoustic rocker! Of course, she did not disappoint! Heart’s power ballad, “These Dreams” started her set and was followed by “Let Me Roll It”, a Paul McCartney & Wings cover. Little did I know that Heart sings this song all the time in concert. I was beyond excited to hear this old favorite! Guitarist Lauren Langner Larson joined Wilson for another cover; Neil Young's “Hey, Hey, My, My (into the Black)”. Lauren is a dynamic performer BTW! Wilson's set ended with Heart’s rocker “Even It Up”. A short but lovely set.

Lauren Langner Larson

Nancy WIlson

All Aboard "Train"

San Francisco transplant Pat Monahan, from Train, was featured next. The stars kept coming out on this night! Monahan's voice filled the Fillmore as he sang the Train hit: ''Soul Sister”. Sammy was back out to join in on “Ramble On", the Led Zeppelin classic. Sammy jumped on the conga drums.  Monahan’s tenor voice is perfect for singing a Zep song. 

Red Rocker CONGAS?

Pat Monahan

Ramble On!

Satch Smoked

Chickenfoot in the house!

Another artist I earmarked was Joe Satriani. How would his electric guitar gymnastics translate to acoustic? The answer to that was: “very nicely”.  It turns out that “Always With Me, Always With You” (2013) works beautifully acoustically. Satriani’s set was only three songs but he expanded on them masterfully. Sammy joined in for the last song “Something Gone Wrong”, from Chickenfoot - the Hagar/Satriani/Michael Anthony/Chad Smith supergroup. 

Unplugged Metal

Next up was the other host for the evening, Mr. James Hetfield! He started off with his nerves on full display, claiming “It’s just me up here”, with no band behind him. Just him and a guitar that's not even plugged in. He started on familiar ground with a slowed down version of Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters”. A perfect song to translate to acoustic.  He next impersonated a bull in a China shop as he growled through the intimate Beatle ballad “In My Life”. If he was still nervous, it didn't show as he immediately launched into “Until It Sleeps”. A dark Metallica song that sounded extra menacing as an acoustic.

https://youtu.be/JRmBNMgdj34?si=j4ZxChxqM5bNcEvJ Until It Sleeps

Speaking of James Hetfield: Seeing him in this small venue is special, in of itself, but hearing him interpret some classic Metallica songs acoustically, is amazing. He seemed a little uncomfortable, maybe feeling caged in on the small stage. Sitting on a stool, playing an acoustic guitar over his knee is not a typical ‘Papa Het’ pose. 

James ended his set with the aforementioned mashup with Billie Joe Armstrong. The sheer surprise of the moment still sticks with me today. The anticipatory cheers when Billie Joe walked out were giddy.  It was like a lightning bolt when Billie Joe launched into his part. Joe Satriani also joined! My shaky video posted below:

https://youtu.be/ARmVH_4KJxE Turn the Page/ Boulevard of Broken Dreams

After that crazy song combo, the excitement did not stop. As Hetfield said his goodbyes, Green Day guitarist Jason White joined his bandmate Billie Joe and they launched into a rockingly acoustic version of Green Day’s “Holiday”. The energy stayed way up for Billie’s little set which included boisterous sing-a-longs from the Green Day fans! Billie remembered his first visit to the Fillmore when he was 15 years old. He mentioned that he stood "RIGHT THERE" pointing to an area in front of stage right.He came to see The Replacements. Armstrong’s four-song set ended with a plugged-in “American Idiot”. 

All Star Jam Finale

The only thing left was the final jam. Everyone came out for Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Woman (Everybody Must Get Stoned)” Another raucous sing-a-long ensued. A special “Only In SF” night had come to an end. Today, some 10 years later, I still pinch myself remembering back. Yes I was THERE! Got the poster to prove it hanging right here in my room.

I have been in a used record buying frenzy for about 3 years now. I am buried with albums that I haven't even listened to yet. However, I keep buying and collecting. What used to be only occasional record store visit is now an (almost) every day occurrence as online record sales have skyrocketed. In an effort to self-reflect (never a strong skill), I examine my collecting habits and my collection. In hopes of understanding my motivations and reasons for diving back into record collecting.

My OG is VG

Pick something to play

First off, I didn’t really dive into it. It wasn’t a THING when I started buying albums. It was a part of life for most people. You go to the grocery store to buy milk and you go to the record store to buy music. As a lover of pop music my whole life, I purchased whatever format they sold music in at the time. First albums, then cassette tapes (because I needed my tunes in my car), finally CDs. I did own a few 8 tracks too. A person my age could have a decent size ORIGINAL record collection and I do. I took care of my records, as did my parents. So the OG collection I have is in VG shape.

My turntable broke in about 1984 and I didn’t get a new one. Why should I? Any favorite albums I had were replaced by CDs. Soon came digitization and downloading songs became a way to collect music. Remember the wild West free MP3 landscape? Lars, from Metallica, was right! It practically killed the business.

Just a Matter of Time

I sat on my old albums for years. Moved the heavy boxes 3 times. When my parents passed, I took their collection, and later, two friends gave me their old collections. My used record collection was growing, I finally bought another turntable in 2018. The best part of this was the rediscovery of my old collection. Then I bought another collection from a storage shed sale. I was now in IT. Whatever IT was.

What(not) Have I Done?

I think the pandemic supercharged my album collection. With the spare time, my rediscovery went into overdrive and I began looking online for more additions. The game changer for me was WhatNot. Live online auctions! This is where I really found myself taking chances on artists I always had an interest in, but never owned any albums of. The auction format on WhatNot creates an urgency because it moves fast. One has to be quick with the online research while the clock is ticking down. Many of my winning bids are more reactionary. I can only look back now and wonder why I have made these particular purchases.

Another 'honey-hole' for record collecting are estate sales. They are definitely 'hit or miss' but the good ones make up for the high-priced, no-deals ones. It's wonderful when you come across a collection that was well cared for in combination with a seller who just wants to get rid of stuff.

In My Pocket

I am attracted to music from the 1960's through all the ‘70’s. Why THIS time period? I can only guess that it is because this was the music of my youth. It comforts me. Music was always in the air for me. My parents, my older sister, THE CAR RADIO all formed my tastes . I find that the pop hits of the 70’s are absolute gold to me. Fifty year old albums appear to be where my interest lies when it comes to laying down actual dollars.

As it turns out, I wanted to fill the gaps and learn about artists like: Dusty Springfield, Leon Russell, Bobby Gentry, and Glen Campbell. Deeper dives into the catalogs of some favorites like: Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, Chicago. Music that was around me all the time. Life soundtracks, pre se.

How To Collect Records the Correct Way

Only buy music that appeals to you. Don’t buy an ‘investment’ if you are not a fan.  If you are running a business, then it’s different. But if you are a music fan primarily, collector secondary, stay away from the trap. Vinyl is hot right now. Who knows how that market will go. New record production is at it's highest volume in decades. I don’t want to be stuck holding records I would never listen to.  More used record stores are opening rather than closing, these days. The ‘record store process' is glorious! You never know what you’ll find. Holding the physical album in hand is a luxury that buying online doesn’t offer. Refer to blog article: "New Record Stores Pale In Comparison"

Tips:

Keep track as your collection grows. I get excited when I see something I know in the wild, forgetting that I bought it already 5 years ago. Hello Joe Cocker's debut album! There are more than a few online options where you can list your albums and get an estimated value, too. Discogs is the big dog. This brings us to the selling items from your collection. I have more than a few “doubles” in my collection. I have NOT ever been a seller. That day may never come for me. But if I do start selling, I start with these double purchases. Many places to sell your LPs: Discogs, eBay, Whatnot, record stores... Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the value of a collection as much as the next guy. However, I will not buy something only because it’s a good deal (even if they are hard to find). It’s all about the songs!

Here’s a question for music lovers: When a favorite artist releases new music, do you buy the streaming version, the CD, or the vinyl?  All three?

Most people don’t want to spend 3x the money. I think it’s a generational thing. Us older folks might still embrace the physical media. I know I do. It’s Amazon for the CD which adds the songs to Prime Music. Then download to my iTunes and store the CD. No vinyl, usually, for new music. However, I am a sucker for those colored vinyl from Walmart. When they released the Metallica ones….no-brainer. I will also buy an autographed album, if I have the opportunity.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it is the music of my youth, my pre teen years, that formed my musical taste.  It is the place I keep going back to. Sure, there’s other music, from later in life, that mean a lot to me, but nothing feels better than a funky Tower of Power song!

bigger image

I have a large number of live albums in my collection. In fact, the first album I ever bought with my own money was Gratitude by Earth Wind and Fire. A funky double live album with the genius move of making the 4th side all new studio tracks. Looking back on it, I point to a handful of LIVE albums that shaped my music tastes and future. What was the attraction? Why the strong influence?

Just My Imagination

When I was young and without means, these live albums were an escape. I imagined the performances. There wasn’t much concert-coverage on TV in the 70’s. It was there, but hidden on late night TV. I didn’t know it then but, the things I found to be cool on Gratitude are common live albums staples. I suppose this steady diet of live records built up the desire to attend live concerts. Because as soon as I had the money and the transportation, I was combing the pink section for shows.

"It's Great to be in Cleveland!"

The artist to audience chatter is always a favorite part of the live album. Whether it's introducing a song or relaying a story, it is a break from the music. Perhaps a chance for your more athletic rockers to take a minute to catch their breath. Listening to Ted Nugent’s Double Live Gonzo got me in trouble at home. Uncle Ted is nasty and Mom didn’t appreciate his language blaring through the house with my younger siblings running around. Springsteen is the king when it comes to storytelling behind his songs. He has no issue with stopping the music for a good period of time to relate a story or highlight an issue. The payoff is usually worth it as he transitions from story to song. It's powerful, even just listening to it on a record.

Cover Me

On a few occasions, the live album will contain the band doing a cover song or two. These are fun because it’s usually a surprise that gets a big reaction. The best example of this is the amazing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on the‘97 Fillmore recordings: the cover songs on this recording take up about 20% of the whole package. I happened to attend one of these historic concerts and, I must say, these cover songs were the most exciting moments of the night.

You Were There!

A very big part of any live recording is the audience reaction. It takes an expert engineer to choose just the right level of crowd noise on a live album. The cheers, whistles and shout outs all add to the soundscape. Whether it's the roar of the crowd when the hit is played, or the encore chants that bring the band back, these sounds are crucial.  I love the explosion that happens when the band is introduced. All of it adds to the flavor of the recording. The call and response trick brings the audience into your living room. A fun example of this is when Freddie Mercury plays with the audience while showing off his vocal skills On Queen’s‘Live Killers’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc58nCRqwJA&list=RDCc58nCRqwJA&start_radio=1 Freddie Knows How to Fire Up a Crowd

You Burn It, I'll Buy It

I eat it up when the band releases a live album from a concert I attended. WHAT A MEMENTO! I did know a few people who attended the infamous Frampton Comes Alive concerts at Winterland in San Francisco. THAT album turned into the world’s BEST known live record. One time, at a KISS concert, they were selling CD’s of the show. How did they have CDs of a show that hadn’t happened yet? Of course, they didn’t. However, they had a CD waiting for us right after the show. The CD did not contain the last 30 minutes of the concert but it had everything else from the intro on. The CDs were burned during the encore. The last 30 minutes were available online a few days later.

Metallica records every show and offers them up, for a price, on their website. Didn’t we pay enough for the ticket? Just saying…..I buy every one of the shows I have been to. I MUST! I realize that the show I saw is, most likely, the exact same show the people in Fresno are seeing the next night. If it wasn’t for the shout outs from the stage, the listener wouldn’t know where the show was taking place. This fact doesn't bother me in the slightest. I am always looking to memorialize my concert experiences. Personal photos and videos are great but having the audio (usually sounding great on the recording), is fantastic! Plus I can always hear myself cheering!

Live for Live

Live albums help bring fans closer to the object of their affection. Fans feel like they may learn a little more about their heroes by listening to a live album. It’s hearing the songs in their rawest form. It's listening to the artist’s banter with the crowd. It's an unfiltered look at the artist. The live album is a memory of the band in concert. It's a time capsule.

CLASSIC ROCK LIVE ALBUM FAVORITES

Going to see Samantha Fish in concert is a no-brainer. It was my 4th time seeing her come through town and each time was better than the last. In 2025 she is out there supporting her latest, the 2025 album Paper Doll. I’ve had the record for a few months now and have grown to appreciate the power of Samantha’s songwriting. As always, her ever-growing guitar mastery is out front. So on November 19th, 2025, my cousin Paul and I returned to the Fillmore for a mid-week rock-blues-soul infusion. 

Dues - PAID

If you don’t know about her, why not?  Fish has been on the scene for quite a while. She comes from Kansas City, which apparently,  has a fantastic music scene. She came from a musical family and took up the drums at first. Most of her family played guitar so she wanted to do something different. It didn’t take long for her to be drawn to the six strings, She never looked back. The guitar opened up the world to young Samantha. As she listened to her favorite rock stars, like Tom Petty and the Stones, she was inspired. Her curiosity was piqued, wondering what music inspired these rock stars! This, of course, brought her to the blues. She found her home.

Fish has been a recording and touring musician since 2009. In that year she recorded and produced a live album, "Live Bait” that landed her a recording contract. Since then she has recorded 12 records and racked up the accolades:

GrammysNominations in 2024 and upcoming 2026!Blues Blast Music AwardsContemporary Blues Album for “Chill & Fever” (2017)  Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the year (2018) Independent Blues Awards Over 20 awards to date beginning in 2016 OffBeat Magazine 13 awards to date starting in 2017

So Samantha is seasoned and respected in the business. She has paid those dues everyone talks about. And yet, because of the genre she plays in, she will probably never hit it really big. That is lucky for the rest of us who enjoy a raucous time at a concert. And enjoy hearing rock and the blues in smallish venues.  But it makes it hard for the artist to break through. 

Celebrating the New Music

As mentioned, I had been enjoying Paper Doll for a few months. The record took on a whole new meaning for me as I watched her work through those songs at the Fillmore. It’s not uncommon to find a deeper appreciation of the music after seeing it performed.  Certain things just do not transfer as well when listening. Samantha can really deliver a song!

SETLIST - Samantha Fish 11-19-25 Fillmore SF!

Samantha and bassist Ron Johnson

She opened the show with a surprise (to me at least). “Kick Out The Jams”, the old MC5 banger. A perfect way to get the crowd quickly onboard. Her set was a snappy 14 songs. Six songs off the new Paper Doll record and the rest were “Fish favorites’ from the past. “I’m Done Runnin’” was a highlight for me. It’s a song that displays the essence of Fish. She plays a mean slide guitar as well as performing a stinging solo. This song is a locomotive with a great riff. “Fortune Teller” was another memorable song played live. It’s a slow -starting, quiet song that builds and builds until it explodes. I just remember vibing to the slow jam only to be jolted back to reality when she started the solo. I caught some of the fire on my phone!

https://youtu.be/369lM6uzxHY

Samantha Fish leaves it all on that stage. She delivers her music with confidence. This latest effort has some serious subject matter also. This lady’s songwriting is only getting better. Her playing can be as brawny as a bear or as subtle as a butterfly. It’s a tribute to how hard she works at it. She is either on the road or in the studio and has been on that treadmill for 15 years.  MORE CONCERT PHOTOS HERE

A highlight to any Samantha Fish show is when she brings out the cigar box guitar.  She can take the gritty sound that the instrument produces and squeeze the emotion out. Her skill playing the slide can pull out all kinds of different colors. Such a simple 4-string instrument, made out of an actual cigar box. Samantha knows how to entertain, all those road-miles pay off. Her shows are bursts of energy and she looks just as good as she plays. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/CqZSXx4b3nw?feature=share Slide it!

Going to see Samantha Fish in concert is a no-brainer. It was my 4th time seeing her come through town and each time was better than the last. In 2025 she is out there supporting her latest, the 2025 album Paper Doll. I’ve had the record for a few months now and have grown to appreciate the power of Samantha’s songwriting. As always, her ever-growing guitar mastery is out front. So on November 19th, 2025, my cousin Paul and I returned to the Fillmore for a mid-week rock-blues-soul infusion. 

Dues - PAID

If you don’t know about her, why not?  Fish has been on the scene for quite a while. She comes from Kansas City, which apparently,  has a fantastic music scene. She came from a musical family and took up the drums at first. Most of her family played guitar so she wanted to do something different. It didn’t take long for her to be drawn to the six strings, She never looked back. The guitar opened up the world to young Samantha. As she listened to her favorite rock stars, like Tom Petty and the Stones, she was inspired. Her curiosity was piqued, wondering what music inspired these rock stars! This, of course, brought her to the blues. She found her home.

Fish has been a recording and touring musician since 2009. In that year she recorded and produced a live album, "Live Bait” that landed her a recording contract. Since then she has recorded 12 records and racked up the accolades:

GrammysNominations in 2024 and upcoming 2026!Blues Blast Music AwardsContemporary Blues Album for “Chill & Fever” (2017)  Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the year (2018) Independent Blues Awards Over 20 awards to date beginning in 2016 OffBeat Magazine 13 awards to date starting in 2017

So Samantha is seasoned and respected in the business. She has paid those dues everyone talks about. And yet, because of the genre she plays in, she will probably never hit it really big. That is lucky for the rest of us who enjoy a raucous time at a concert. And enjoy hearing rock and the blues in smallish venues.  But it makes it hard for the artist to break through. 

Celebrating the New Music

As mentioned, I had been enjoying Paper Doll for a few months. The record took on a whole new meaning for me as I watched her work through those songs at the Fillmore. It’s not uncommon to find a deeper appreciation of the music after seeing it performed.  Certain things just do not transfer as well when listening. Samantha can really deliver a song!

SETLIST - Samantha Fish 11-19-25 Fillmore SF!

Samantha and bassist Ron Johnson

She opened the show with a surprise (to me at least). “Kick Out The Jams”, the old MC5 banger. A perfect way to get the crowd quickly onboard. Her set was a snappy 14 songs. Six songs off the new Paper Doll record and the rest were “Fish favorites’ from the past. “I’m Done Runnin’” was a highlight for me. It’s a song that displays the essence of Fish. She plays a mean slide guitar as well as performing a stinging solo. This song is a locomotive with a great riff. “Fortune Teller” was another memorable song played live. It’s a slow -starting, quiet song that builds and builds until it explodes. I just remember vibing to the slow jam only to be jolted back to reality when she started the solo. I caught some of the fire on my phone!

https://youtu.be/369lM6uzxHY

Samantha Fish leaves it all on that stage. She delivers her music with confidence. This latest effort has some serious subject matter also. This lady’s songwriting is only getting better. Her playing can be as brawny as a bear or as subtle as a butterfly. It’s a tribute to how hard she works at it. She is either on the road or in the studio and has been on that treadmill for 15 years.  MORE CONCERT PHOTOS HERE

A highlight to any Samantha Fish show is when she brings out the cigar box guitar.  She can take the gritty sound that the instrument produces and squeeze the emotion out. Her skill playing the slide can pull out all kinds of different colors. Such a simple 4-string instrument, made out of an actual cigar box. Samantha knows how to entertain, all those road-miles pay off. Her shows are bursts of energy and she looks just as good as she plays. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/CqZSXx4b3nw?feature=share Slide it!

click for bigger picture

Every year at this time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces their list of inductees. Every year at this time, people argue about it. This year is no exception. Some controversy always erupts. So much of it is around the definition of ‘Rock and Roll’. We can just forget about the name on the building. It’s not just about just rock and roll anymore. Here are your 2025 inductees. They will be honored live on Saturday, November 8th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. Let the debate begin!

Bad Company

Bad Company Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Long overdue induction! Paul Rodgers is an iconic voice in rock history. Bad Company’s self-titled debut album was recorded in 1973  and contained 8 songs. Four of which have become classics. Bad Company was a British super group of sorts. Comprised of former Free, King Crimson, and Mott the Hoople members. Seasoned musicians from established groups joining forces. Led Zeppelin's charismatic manager, Peter Grant, took over their management. Between their iconic songs and tremendous exposure, Bad Company hit BIG. Their first 4 albums still get staples played on your Classic Rock stations. If there is to be a ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame, Bad Company deserves to be represented. 

Thom Bell

Thom Bell Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Whenever a new induction list comes out, there are always a few lesser-known names on it. Thom Bell is someone I did not recognize. I sure am glad he was inducted because it gives me the chance to learn about him. It turns out, I have been a big fan of his work! Bell is one of the architects behind “The Philadelphia Sound” genre of the late 1960s-1970s.  Also called Philly Soul, this was a unique sound coming from a relatively small group of musicians. Soul music that integrated funk and lush horn and string arrangements. Thom Bell was a producer, songwriter,, and arranger of some of soul music's greatest acts. He was one of the more prolific architects of the Philly sound. He was responsible for an unprecedented ‘groove’ in American music that set a standard. Groups like the Delfonics, Stylistics, The O'Jays and The Spinners all had classic hit songs crafted by Thom Bell! These songs defined a city, a generation and a movement!

Chubby Checker

Chubby Checker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

This was a courtesy induction. Chubby Checker is an important figure in early Rock and Roll, but his accomplishments don’t rise to the HOF level. He had tremendous success with a dance song, a genre still popular today, called “The Twist” in 1960. He was just 18 years old and the song was a cover from the year before. He appeared on TV’s “American Bandstand” many times and the song became a sensation. Checker never moved on from this success. Even though he complained that the song's popularity stifled his growth as a musician. He could not escape being “the Man who taught us how to Twist”. He continued to release ‘dance’ songs and other versions of the “Twist” in order to make a living. His other projects could never get traction. Checker is now 83 yrs old, so it will be nice for him to accept this reward in person. He might feel that it is a little late, though. In 2002, he protested outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, stating that he was being snubbed. Well, 23 yrs later he has been UN-snubbed.

Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Great, great pick of Joe Cocker! Long overdue. Cocker is a unicorn. One of one! Never has anyone taken no vocal skills and awkward movements to such heights. Why is that? It is because Joe Cocker is all about the groove, the pocket. His strange movements and raspy vocals are always tightly wrapped around the music. He is unabashedly uninhibited onstage.   The young Cocker hit the big time by covering the Beatle’s, “With a Little Help from My Friends” . He drank from the Beatle well a few times. Cocker’s magic lay in his unique approach to the cover songs. For example, Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher released a song on Preston’s 1974 album, “The Kids and Me”. The song was released as a B side to a single called “Struttin’”. Cocker took that B-side song, slowed it down, and turned it into his biggest hit. In Cocker’s hands,  “You Are So Beautiful” is a soulful, gentle, emotional song. 

Nicky Hopkins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Nicky Hopkins

Like Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins was not someone on my radar. Also like Bell, I was already, unknowingly,  a fan of Nicky Hopkins’ music. This is because Nicky was a piano and organ session player for the most popular bands of the British Invasion. He initially played with the Kinks, on four studio albums (1965-68). His name found it’s way to Mick and the Rolling Stones. Hopkins played on ALL the Stones’ studio albums from 1967 through 1981 (except “Some Girls” in 1978).  He was asked to JOIN the Who in 1965 while recording their debut album, “My Generation”. He declined. However, he did become an official member of the Jeff Beck Group. He played on Beatle albums and Beatle solo records. I was very excited to learn that Hopkins jumped the pond and landed in the SF Bay Area. This was at the height of “The Summer of Love”. He played with some local heroes like, The Steve Miller Band and the Jefferson Airplane. He spent the rest of his life in beautiful Mill Valley, just outside of San Francisco. A well-deserved Hall of Famer! 

FUN FACT: Nicky played on fellow inductee Joe Cocker's song ,"You Are So Beauutiful"

Carol Kaye

Carol Kaye Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Only music insiders knew of Carol Kaye. That was until the long-overdue documentaries started popping up about “The Wrecking Crew”. The Wrecking Crew were a group of Los Angeles session players who shaped popular music in the 60’s and 70’s. The group played on just about every record coming out of Los Angeles during that time. Carol Kaye was part of this group. Carol Kaye was the only female in the Wrecking Crew. Considering it was the 1960’s, this was unique if not incredible! Kaye is famous for her bass playing with the Wrecking Crew as well as The Beach Boys. As part of the Crew, she was trusted to find her own way on a song. She was a master at evaluating the song and inserting just the right bass lines. She was a favorite of famed producer Phil Spector as well as Quincy Jones. Her bass can be heard on over 10,000 recordings in a career of over 65 years. The bass lines you hear on famous songs like 'The Beat Goes On' and 'Good Vibrations' are Kaye's. Everyone from Sinatra to Zappa leaned on Carol Kaye for their bottom end.

FUN FACT: Carol was a guitar player first. Good enough to get studio work. One day, the bass player didn't show up and Carol was asked to sit in on the bass. She was good, very good. She decided to pursue the bass because it was much easier, logistically, to handle. She didn't have to carry around multiple instruments like she did with guitars. She became a world-class bass player...out of convenience!

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Hall of Fame inductees must have a uniqueness about them. Something that makes them stand out. Cyndi Lauper fits that bill perfectly.  She hit the scene in 1983 with her album, ‘She’s So Unusual'. It was the first debut album by a female to contain four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs were poppy, edgy and catchy. Her look was different. The fashion clothes and ‘new wave’ haircut were striking in the early 80’s. The cover was not the whole book in Cyndi’s case. She shocked people with her powerful four-octave vocal range. Lauper's debut record was award winning and the timing was perfect for someone like her. MTV was still new and a visual stunner like Lauper quickly became a hit. Cyndi Lauper was no flash-in-the-pan either. She went on to even greater heights by composing for musicals. She received numerous awards (especially for her work supporting LGBT rights). She appeared in numerous acting roles on TV, in theater and film. 2025 marks Cyndi’s farewell to touring as she bops around the country saying “Thank you” to her millions of fans.

Outkast

Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Outkast was a hip hop duo out of Atlanta, formed in 1992.   Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin, formerly known as Dré) were high school students when they formed Outkast. The group offered a new twist to the growing hip hop community. Their first single, “Player’s Ball” (1993) hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. It was also near the top of the R&B chart for six weeks.  The twist was the use of live instruments rather than song- samples.  When the debut album came out, it was embraced. Titled ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994), this collection of songs introduced a southern hip hop style. This style differed from the violent gangsta rap dominating the airwaves. It focused on more traditional themes like love and relationships. The genius of Big Boi and Andre 3000 continued to morph their sound over the years. They tried their hands at film production and soundtrack work with the 2006 film Idlewild. Outkast took hip hop to new heights. For me, personally, I noticed Outkast well after they hit it big. I first saw Andre 3000 when he sang “Hey Ya!”

FUN FACT: : “Hey Ya” came off of an Outkast double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The album featured one disc of Big Boi songs and one was all ‘Dre. Plus, they each produced each other’s album. Outkast thinking outside the box….again!

Salt - N - Pepa

Salt -N- Pepa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Salt -N-Pepa Formed in 1985 in New York. They became the first female rap group to achieve gold and platinum status. It was their debut record, ‘Hot, Cool & Vicious’, dropped on December 1 1986. The group consisted of Cherly James (Salt), and Sandra Denton (Pepa) plus Deidra Roper (DJ Spinderella). Subsequent releases were met with even more excitement and by 1993, their 4th album, ‘Very Necessary’ broke them BIG TIME. The album sold 7 million copies. This made them the first female rap act (group or solo) to have a multi-platinum certified album. The single, “None of Your Business” won a Grammy . Which made them the first female rappers to win a Grammy (followed by Queen Latifah later the same night). Salt-n-Pepa’s career can not be discounted. They enjoyed tremendous success and broke some new ground for women in a traditionally male dominated arena. They dressed like women and had a distinctive fashion style. Are they Hall of Fame worthy? Honestly, I have my doubts. They released a total of 5 albums over an 11 year period. They won only one Grammy (plus one for Lifetime Achievement). Important yes! Hall of Fame, not for me. 

Soundgarden

Soundgarden Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Soundgarden -  A band out of Seattle that formed in 1984 but didn’t hit it big until 10 years later. Soundgarden is considered one of four bands on the Mt. Rushmore of grunge music. Along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Soundgarden DID come from the Pacific Northwest where grunge first took hold. As a band, Soundgarden took grunge music to new levels not touched by the other three ‘founders’.   Grunge as a genre was an answer rock’s  ‘hair metal’ movement. Gone were the fancy costumes, primped up hair, and men wearing makeup that took over the 80’s in rock. Grunge spoke to the people who wanted their rock stars to look like them. Having combed hair and leather pants meant NOTHING to them. To express yourself with loud, aggressive play and angst-filled lyrics felt more real to the young people. Soundgarden is important in this arena because they were the first. The other three bands developed after Soundgarden started the grunge ball rolling. Despite this Soundgarden was not the FIRST grunge band to break through to the mainstream. They became well known because they were the first to break the grunge mold. Their 4th album , ‘Superunknown’ (1994) was their biggest success.  The album pulled from the band’s alt-metal past but also included influences from heavy metal, hard rock,  and psychedelia. The album was said to have “both redefined and transcended grunge”. After Soundgarden’s induction into the Hall,  the only remaining Mt. Grungemore band left is Alice in Chains.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Grub3QstWVSrKoslqyrVD?si=pKFXfVh9TfmSvsw-YXck3A

Lenny Waronker

Lenny Waronker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Lenny Waronker is receiving an award in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for non-performing industry professionals. He was the son of Liberty Records record label founder, Simon Waronker. He parlayed his experience working for his pop into a career that brought him to the heights of Warner records. 

The White Stripes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

The White Stripes

Don’t ask guitarist/producer Jeff Baxter how he got his nickname, ‘Skunk’. He won’t ever tell you. It's not that he doesn't like the name, he just doesn’t want to tell. It’s his secret to keep and he can definitely keep a secret just ask the US Navy

One day, roughly 45 years ago, I was looking at the back of The Best of the Doobies album. Definitely one of the stellar greatest hits collections in American pop music history. On the back of the album is a typical group picture. It’s the 1976 version of the Doobies and one of the members stuck out to my wise-ass teenage mind. I kidded my sister’s boyfriend, Gary, about the guy at the left end of the picture, with the snakeskin cowboy boots. “What kind of boots are THOSE?” “And those tight pants?” “This guy looks like a freak,” my inexperience on full display. 

Gary tells me, “If you are as badass as Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, you can wear whatever you want.” I was a Doobie Brothers fan at the time, everyone was. But I was unaware of Jeff Baxter and his history. In 1976 it was rare to see a rock band on TV so I hadn't caught him in action yet.

Seated?

I did eventually catch the Doobies on TV and noticed Baxter because he performed while seated on a stool. He had headphones and dark sunglasses on. His long hair and walrus mustache flowed as he jammed flawlessly. He was uniquely cool. It is said that Jim Henson, of Muppet fame, designed a rocker puppet based on Jeff’s look to play along with Animal! The Muppet's name is Floyd.

I was unaware that I had already heard Jeff Baxter's guitar work many times on the radio. Baxter was a founding member of Steely Dan. Now it was all making sense. Again it was Gary who turned me on to a song called “Peg” by Steely Dan. My rock and roll heart wasn’t ready for Steely Dan at that time. It was years later that my appreciation came for these masters.  Baxter’s stint in Steely Dan ended up being very advantageous for the Doobie Brothers. It was through Steely Dan that Baxter met a singer/keyboard player named Michael McDonald. Baxter recommended McDonald to the Doobies when leader Tom Johnston left the group. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpaIfCY79gc One of the most memorable Doobie TV performances around this time  is from Soundstage

Musical Success

The addition of McDonald to the Doobie Brothers brought a string of hit records and a new sound. Thanks to Baxter’s recommendation, the band had new life! Baxter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of the Doobies. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter’s music career is considered a smashing success!  At 75 years old, he can look back and see evidence of his greatness all over music. As a bandmate, a session player or producer, Baxter did it all! However his music career is NOT the story I want to tell. 

The fascinating story of Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is his life OUTSIDE of the music business. The impetus for this post is my discovery of Baxter’s first solo album Speed of Heat, released in 2022 (it is extraordinary, by the way). This spurred me to, once and for all, get to the bottom of Baxter’s “day jobs”.  Actually he has multiple day jobs as a consultant on ballistic missiles systems and counterterrorism among other ‘secret agent’ duties. This fact has confused me ever since I heard it mentioned years ago.  Once I learned about Baxter’s early life and achievements, it became apparent, almost destined, that he would become much more than a rock star. From starting classical piano lessons at five to learning Spanish at age 9, after his family moved to Mexico City, the young Baxter was a prodigy. This is about the time a young ‘skunk’ first picked up a guitar.  Baxter was and continues to be an eager lifelong student with an insatiable appetite for learning. 

The Birth Of A Genius

When he was just 10 years old, he was playing in a little Mexican rock and roll combo. It was 1958, rock and roll was in it’s infancy but the young Baxter was absorbing all the music. He was especially fond of surf-rock pioneers, The Ventures. (Baxter’s amazing life came full circle when he produced a Ventures record). His love of the guitar and natural curiosity caused him, like many guitar-heads, to take apart his guitar and learn how it worked. This helped him later in his teens when he began working part-time in Manhattan for legendary guitar maker Dan Armstrong.

The Birth Of A Musician

The young, brilliant Jeff Baxter turned to music full time after he spent a year in New England at the University’s School of Communication. He joined a psychedelic folk-rock band Ultimate Spinach in 1968. Two years later his guitar playing was featured on a recording by Tim Buckley and Linda Hoover that recently resurfaced. This song was written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. These two future Steely Dan founders were impressed with Baxter’s guitar chops. After a move to Los Angeles, Steely Dan was born with Baxter onboard on guitar. That debut album “Can’t Buy a Thrill” drew a lot of attention. Scoring Baxter many, many jobs as a studio musician. In 1974, he left Steely Dan for the Doobies where he remained until 1979.

Finally...the story

Somewhere around this time is when our story takes a severe turn. Baxter was helping a neighbor in Los Angeles dig out from a mudslide. This neighbor was a retired engineer who helped design the Sidewinder missile for the US Navy. As a thank you for his mudslinging, this neighbor gifted Baxter subscriptions to Aviation Week and Janes Defense. Baxter took to these publications and found his interests pointing to missile defense systems. This began a deep-dive that lasted years and resulted in Baxter writing a paper proposing a conversion of the military’s Aegis plane defense program. How does a musician, no matter how brilliant, go from playing and producing music to designing a missile defense system?

CDs and Defense Missiles

It was the early 1980s and the music industry was changing from analog to digital! A producer with the curiosity of “Skunk” would have learned all he could about digital compression and how to manipulate it. His deep-dive into the new technology opened up a new world and stimulated him to imagine applying the technology to other scenarios.

He married this knowledge with what he was studying in defense missile systems and the result was a technical paper. Baxter shared the paper with a California congressman friend of his, Dana Rohrabacher, who shared it with the chair of the House Military Research and Development Subcommittee. This must have made an impact because in 1995 Baxter was nominated to chair the Civilian Advisory Board for Ballistic Missile Defense.

Many Jobs

The rocker who sits and plays beautifully, whose likeness is borrowed by a Muppet, is indeed working for the government and he CANNOT discuss any of it with you. This was only the beginning for ‘Secret Agent” Skunk. The government then asked Baxter to lead enemy forces in war game simulations. When pressed, Baxter will reveal his other affiliations over the years.  He is a consultant for the Global Security Sector of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a member of the Director’s Strategic Red Team at MIT Lincoln Laboratories and a Senior Thinker for the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition. He is also the chairman of the Civilian Advisory Board for Ballistic Missile Defense for the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

Rebecca Sapp  Getty Images for The Recording Academy

More Jobs

In between guitar solos, Hall of Fame Inductions and winning 2 Grammys, Baxter has worked as a consultant for Northrop-Grumman, Science Applications International Corporation, Ball Aerospace, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Photon Research, General Dynamics Information Technologies, and other companies. He is also under contract with the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense among others. 

NEW BLOG POST!

✨ Nothing compares to the rush of discovering a new musical artist for the very first time. That electric feeling when you stumble across a fresh voice, a killer riff, or a song that speaks directly to your soul—it’s the kind of moment every true music fan lives for. In this latest post on the Rock Candy Music Blog, we dive into the thrill of finding hidden gems, why being an “early adopter” matters, and how discovering tomorrow’s legends today can make you the envy of your friends. 🎶🔥

Whether you’re a fan of classic rock, 70s vinyl treasures, or modern indie upstarts, this read will remind you why exploring new music is the ultimate fan experience.

👉 Read the full post and celebrate the joy of being the first to say: “I knew them before they were famous.”

It is the biggest thrill associated with being a music fan. It is something that brings excitement, pride and satisfaction. This ONE thing can make someone the envy of all their friends. I am talking about, what I call, an “Early Adopter”. An ‘Early Adopter’ (EA) is someone who discovers a hot new artist or band before anyone in their circle of friends. Not only did you scoop your friends, you probably are ahead of most music fans everywhere. This band you ‘discovered’ must go on to greater fame and fortune before you can officially be an ‘Early Adopter’. So it takes some time before you can earn the badge. Often, people THINK they are in the club only to be thwarted by a dysfunctional band’s early breakup. 

Yes You Can Dance To It

When it comes to music, I can think of a handful of times where I was in-the-know before many. The first time I remember is pretty minor but it was very impactful for me. I was in the 7th grade. I was at an age when all I cared about was appearing cool. Music knowledge was a part of that. The kids in class were loving the song “Boogie Fever” by the Sylvers. It was 1976 and disco was king. We would have little class dances and everyone loved this toe tapper. Well I had the 45 rpm at home and the flip side was the song, “Free Style”. I listened to it and thought it was pretty good. So at the next class dance, I was talking it up. I remember the eye-rolls from the girls. The magic happened when we flipped the 45 over and played “Free Style” . The kids loved it and hit the dance floor. Those eyes stopped rolling. I gained some credentials that day.

Betting On The Money Man

Eddie Money Seriously, that day gave me confidence that I had a good ear. Even at that young age, I knew what I liked AND others agreed! The first REAL time I saw ‘Early Adopter’ energy was with my older sister and her boyfriend. They started talking about this guy they were seeing perform in the clubs in Berkeley. He was a transplanted New Yorker and they were really liking him. He had some catchy original songs and unique takes on the cover songs he sang. Plus he lit up a stage! Eddie Money went on to GREAT fame and fortune and they caught his act in the clubs.

Don't Skip The Openers

My name is Huey..You just Heard the News The most common place to see new bands is as an opener for another band. Before MTV, before the internet, there really was no other way. Unless you were into the local club scene, you often saw an unknown as the opener to your favorite artists. In my case, I was seeing the headliner, Jefferson Starship, on a sunny summer Saturday afternoon in 1981.  The opening band was catchy. I did recognize one of their songs but could not name them. Besides thoroughly enjoying their music, I was struck by the cool way they ended their set. I made the proclamation to my concert-mates, “These guys are gonna be big!” . The band was jamming out their final song, as the singer started introducing each player one by one. Finally the singer, Huey, raised his fist and yelled, “My name is Huey Lewis and you just heard The News!”. Needless to say, it was very exciting to see Huey Lewis and the News blow up! Some headliners pride themselves on finding lesser known but talented bands to open for them. KISS was one of these bands who were never afraid that an opener would out shine them.  Gene and Paul were great judges of talent. Some of the young bands who opened for KISS included baby versions of: Motley Crue, Blue Oyster Cult, Scorpions, and Ted Nugent, just to name a few. So the KISS Army gets a guaranteed GREAT show from KISS and a talented opener. Thank you KISS!

Back In My Day...

In some ways it’s easier today to be an EA than it used to be. There are many, many, many choices if you look into the corners of the interweb. Artists are grown differently today. It is possible to become ‘popular’ without the help of a record company or a live gig. Today’s adopters may find their golden gooses on Tik-Tok. TV shows , like American Idol, try to force the next big thing on us. Unlike past generations, today's listeners will not find them on the radio. Radio stations don't take chances anymore on upcoming bands. Early Adopters are funny. A lot of them will abandon their favorites when the band hits it big. It’s a conundrum. You are happy for them! Now the band will play bigger venues, charge more money. Additionally, these NEW fans don’t even know the old stuff. God forbid a band changes their style a little. Some people call it evolving. An EA may drop a band if they try something new. Like playing slower, but still powerful, songs instead of constant speed metal. Hello early Metallica fans!! Sometimes the negatives can outweigh the positives. But those positives are pretty powerful.

Free Meet 'n Greet

Tommy Castro My favorite is the validation of knowing something is special and being proven correct. Other positives include the very possible chance that you can meet the object of your desire in person. For example, I saw The Tommy Castro Band in the early 90’s.  It was at the Fillmore and he was an opener. After his set, he was in the lobby selling CDs. I told him how much I enjoyed his music as I purchased the CD. He and I had a nice little conversation. Castro is still active some 25  years later. He is not a major star by any means but that is the plight of most blues men. He is well respected and very active in the blues community.  I have seen him many times since and done the same after-show chat with him. As an early adopter, I have continued to support Tommy Castro and enjoyed his evolution.

Discovered on YouTube

YouTube has given us many chances to become Early Adopters. One of the artists that is still cooking in my ‘EA oven’ is Lake Street Dive. YouTube showed me THIS and I was hooked. Now LSD has grown since I first became aware of them but not to superstar level. So we wait and enjoy their journey. Los Lonely Boys is another group I liked from the first time I heard them. Three piece brother-band playing “Texican” rock with harmonies that melt. I have my doubts about them going super big but that’s ok, they have a nice niche fan base. And finally, Charley Crockett, a rebellious western star who just may be on the verge with his latest Album, “Dollar A Day”. I just missed the beginning of his career but have caught up.

Lake Street Dive , Charley Crockett and Alabama Shakes Other honorable mentions in my EA stable are: Y & T, The Greg Kihn Band, and Alabama Shakes. I would pick Journey but, to my surprise, the band had 3 relatively unknown albums before Steve Perry started singing. I thought I had discovered something big that afternoon in 1978, watching Soundstage. It was the start of something big, just not the beginning. 

The Lucky Ones

We would all like to forget it..but it happened. I apologize for bringing it back up. COVID. The world shutdown, locked down in March 2020. An unprecedented event for us all.  When COVID hit American shores, the unthinkable happened. Americans had to join the rest of the world and close schools and non-essential businesses to stop the spread.  Obviously, no one had any idea how long this pandemic could last. The pandemic abruptly ended any group gatherings which included live music. My hope is that recalling the details of this dark time will put it to rest.

Risky KISS

God of Thunder My personal music-pandemic experience started  on March 8th, 2020 with making an uninformed decision about attending a KISS concert. It was their 2nd (maybe 3rd) Farewell Tour and I was very motivated to go for a few reasons. Not the least of them was taking my sister along. She grew up in the house listening to a lot of KISS coming from my bedroom. She never saw them live. Also, I had just reunited with a friend from grammar school. We were early KISS Army Privates as 8th Graders in 1977. I needed to close that circle with him! News of the Covid pandemic was muddled, to say the least. I decided to go. The concert was packed and ‘the greatest show on Earth” moniker remained intact. As we filed out of the arena, in that slow-moving sea of humanity headed for the exits, I wondered if I had just been infected by a deadly virus. - ALL FOR THE SAKE OF ROCK AND ROLL.

10th Ave Shutdown

Only 11 days later, the state of California issued a stay-at-home order. Schools, restaurants, meeting places and many workplaces shut down! I don’t have to tell any reader how terrible it was on many levels. I’d like to focus on how a lover of live music, like myself, scratched THAT itch during this unbelievable stoppage. The symbiotic relationships between artist and fan were strained to the max as both sides scrambled to find their footing in these unprecedented times.  The impact of the pandemic on the music INDUSTRY was quantifiable. According to Pollstar, an estimated $30 billion (with a “B’) was lost by the live music industry in 2020 alone. This included not just musicians but ALL the supporting people who relied on live shows for their living. Festivals, tours and album releases were delayed or canceled.  Benefit concerts, award ceremonies, all of it! Everyone on both sides of this equation (Industry and fans) wanted something, anything, to happen that resembled a return to normalcy.

Feeling Alright

It took a minute for the industry to reply. Slowly individual artists took to social media to strengthen their relationship with their fans.  At first, I started to see little ‘funny’ clips related to the pandemic.  For example, the washing of hands is a big deterrent to the spread of the disease. The ever-whimsical, Peter Frampton, suggested that you wash your hands to his 11 minute “Do You Feel Like We Do?” solo from his Comes Alive record. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GDJQKX9slc It became obvious that our rock and roll heroes were going to come out of the pandemic just fine. Artists like The Rolling Stones, Sammy Hagar, Metallica and Neil Young all had the wherewithal to keep their brand in the public eye. These artists had back catalogs that could be mined for material. Metallica had archival concerts in their vault to release periodically on YouTube. They also held a pay-per-view acoustic concert benefiting their AWMH foundation.  Sammy Hagar still held his annual Birthday Bash on a beach on Catalina Island. His group, The Circle, performed to a lagoon full of boats packed with Red Heads. Again a pay-per-view. No worries for these guys.

Save Music Venues

It was the new artists and the peripheral businesses that would really suffer. A campaign was launched to help “Save Music Venues”. Proceeds from T-shirt sales went to the small music venue of your choice. Homemade virtual concerts were hitting at all levels of popularity. Hard working musicians struggled to get in front of an audience. With no venues, there were no stages for them to take. Artists took to the internet and ‘toured’ out of their living rooms. One independent band called Sure Sure had a unique take with their ‘Home Home’ tour. In this tour each room in their house acted as a new venue. “Today is a travel day as we load our gear into the Dining room for our gig tonight”. Some groups took to playing at Drive-In theaters to accommodate the 'safe distances'.

Online Stars

Some other notably fun sightings during the ‘dark times’ included Brian May of Queen. He showed people how he played some of his famous licks. Actually, May turned out to be a stellar online personality during the pandemic. His soft approach and respectful tone was a nice respite in those crazy times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jqhGouXeFI

Leland Sklar I also ‘discovered’ the amazing Leland Sklar and his frequent video blogs. Leland is a session bass player who has been a participant in an incredible amount of recordings by big names. His big silver beard is famous and I totally recognized him but never knew his story.  He started out by playing bass for a newcomer named James Taylor. 50 years later and he hasn’t looked back. Sklar’s videos featured him playing live, to famous recordings he appeared on. Along with a closeup of a master bass player, one also got to hear the great stories. Leland is a gem and I would have never known this had there not been COVID. Leland still posts regularly. YouTube became a meeting place for musicians and their fans and Spotify helped out by having donation links for struggling musicians. Lack of live concert revenue was partially offset by increased subscriptions to music streaming services. Record companies provided home connection technology to their artists to help them collaborate with other musicians while locked down at home. Sammy Hagar and his group, The Circle, recorded an EP entirely at home. Each member recorded his part from home. Paul McCartney recorded and released “McCartney III” (another album recorded with Paul playing all the instruments).

And We're Back...

click for bigger picture Every year at this time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces their list of inductees. Every year at this time, people argue about it. This year is no exception. Some controversy always erupts. So much of it is around the definition of ‘Rock and Roll’. We can just forget about the name on the building. It’s not just about just rock and roll anymore. Here are your 2025 inductees. They will be honored live on Saturday, November 8th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. Let the debate begin!

Bad Company

Bad Company Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Long overdue induction! Paul Rodgers is an iconic voice in rock history. Bad Company’s self-titled debut album was recorded in 1973  and contained 8 songs. Four of which have become classics. Bad Company was a British super group of sorts. Comprised of former Free, King Crimson, and Mott the Hoople members. Seasoned musicians from established groups joining forces. Led Zeppelin's charismatic manager, Peter Grant, took over their management. Between their iconic songs and tremendous exposure, Bad Company hit BIG. Their first 4 albums still get staples played on your Classic Rock stations. If there is to be a ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame, Bad Company deserves to be represented. 

Thom Bell

Thom Bell Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Whenever a new induction list comes out, there are always a few lesser-known names on it. Thom Bell is someone I did not recognize. I sure am glad he was inducted because it gives me the chance to learn about him. It turns out, I have been a big fan of his work! Bell is one of the architects behind “The Philadelphia Sound” genre of the late 1960s-1970s.  Also called Philly Soul, this was a unique sound coming from a relatively small group of musicians. Soul music that integrated funk and lush horn and string arrangements. Thom Bell was a producer, songwriter,, and arranger of some of soul music's greatest acts. He was one of the more prolific architects of the Philly sound. He was responsible for an unprecedented ‘groove’ in American music that set a standard. Groups like the Delfonics, Stylistics, The O'Jays and The Spinners all had classic hit songs crafted by Thom Bell! These songs defined a city, a generation and a movement!

Chubby Checker

Chubby Checker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee This was a courtesy induction. Chubby Checker is an important figure in early Rock and Roll, but his accomplishments don’t rise to the HOF level. He had tremendous success with a dance song, a genre still popular today, called “The Twist” in 1960. He was just 18 years old and the song was a cover from the year before. He appeared on TV’s “American Bandstand” many times and the song became a sensation. Checker never moved on from this success. Even though he complained that the song's popularity stifled his growth as a musician. He could not escape being “the Man who taught us how to Twist”. He continued to release ‘dance’ songs and other versions of the “Twist” in order to make a living. His other projects could never get traction. Checker is now 83 yrs old, so it will be nice for him to accept this reward in person. He might feel that it is a little late, though. In 2002, he protested outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, stating that he was being snubbed. Well, 23 yrs later he has been UN-snubbed.

Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Great, great pick of Joe Cocker! Long overdue. Cocker is a unicorn. One of one! Never has anyone taken no vocal skills and awkward movements to such heights. Why is that? It is because Joe Cocker is all about the groove, the pocket. His strange movements and raspy vocals are always tightly wrapped around the music. He is unabashedly uninhibited onstage.   The young Cocker hit the big time by covering the Beatle’s, “With qa Little Help from My Friends” . He drank from the Beatle well a few times. Cocker’s magic lay in his unique approach to the cover songs. For example, Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher released a song on Preston’s 1974 album, “The Kids and Me”. The song was released as a B side to a single called “Struttin’”. Cocker took that B-side song, slowed it down, and turned it into his biggest hit. In Cocker’s hands,  “You Are So Beautiful” is a soulful, gentle, emotional song. 

Nicky Hopkins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Nicky Hopkins

Like Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins was not someone on my radar. Also like Bell, I was already, unknowingly,  a fan of Nicky Hopkins’ music. This is because Nicky was a piano and organ session player for the most popular bands of the British Invasion. He initially played with the Kinks, on four studio albums (1965-68). His name found it’s way to Mick and the Rolling Stones. Hopkins played on ALL the Stones’ studio albums from 1967 through 1981 (except “Some Girls” in 1978).  He was asked to JOIN the Who in 1965 while recording their debut album, “My Generation”. He declined. However, he did become an official member of the Jeff Beck Group. He played on Beatle albums and Beatle solo records. I was very excited to learn that Hopkins jumped the pond and landed in the SF Bay Area. This was at the height of “The Summer of Love”. He played with some local heroes like, The Steve Miller Band and the Jefferson Airplane. He spent the rest of his life in beautiful Mill Valley, just outside of San Francisco. A well-deserved Hall of Famer!  FUN FACT: Nicky played on fellow inductee Joe Cocker's song ,"You Are So Beauutiful"

Carol Kaye

Carol Kaye Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Only music insiders knew of Carol Kaye. That was until the long-overdue documentaries started popping up about “The Wrecking Crew”. The Wrecking Crew were a group of Los Angeles session players who shaped popular music in the 60’s and 70’s. The group played on just about every record coming out of Los Angeles during that time. Carol Kaye was part of this group. Carol Kaye was the only female in the Wrecking Crew. Considering it was the 1960’s, this was unique if not incredible! Kaye is famous for her bass playing with the Wrecking Crew as well as The Beach Boys. As part of the Crew, she was trusted to find her own way on a song. She was a master at evaluating the song and inserting just the right bass lines. She was a favorite of famed producer Phil Spector as well as Quincy Jones. Her bass can be heard on over 10,000 recordings in a career of over 65 years. The bass lines you hear on famous songs like 'The Beat Goes On' and 'Good Vibrations' are Kaye's. Everyone from Sinatra to Zappa leaned on Carol Kaye for their bottom end. FUN FACT: Carol was a guitar player first. Good enough to get studio work. One day, the bass player didn't show up and Carol was asked to sit in on the bass. She was good, very good. She decided to pursue the bass because it was much easier, logistically, to handle. She didn't have to carry around multiple instruments like she did with guitars. She became a world-class bass player...out of convenience!

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Hall of Fame inductees must have a uniqueness about them. Something that makes them stand out. Cyndi Lauper fits that bill perfectly.  She hit the scene in 1983 with her album, ‘She’s So Unusual'. It was the first debut album by a female to contain four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs were poppy, edgy and catchy. Her look was different. The fashion clothes and ‘new wave’ haircut were striking in the early 80’s. The cover was not the whole book in Cyndi’s case. She shocked people with her powerful four-octave vocal range. Lauper's debut record was award winning and the timing was perfect for someone like her. MTV was still new and a visual stunner like Lauper quickly became a hit. Cyndi Lauper was no flash-in-the-pan either. She went on to even greater heights by composing for musicals. She received numerous awards (especially for her work supporting LGBT rights). She appeared in numerous acting roles on TV, in theater and film. 2025 marks Cyndi’s farewell to touring as she bops around the country saying “Thank you” to her millions of fans.

Outkast

Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Outkast was a hip hop duo out of Atlanta, formed in 1992.   Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin, formerly known as Dré) were high school students when they formed Outkast. The group offered a new twist to the growing hip hop community. Their first single, “Player’s Ball” (1993) hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. It was also near the top of the R&B chart for six weeks.  The twist was the use of live instruments rather than song- samples.  When the debut album came out, it was embraced. Titled ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994), this collection of songs introduced a southern hip hop style. This style differed from the violent gangsta rap dominating the airwaves. It focused on more traditional themes like love and relationships. The genius of Big Boi and Andre 3000 continued to morph their sound over the years. They tried their hands at film production and soundtrack work with the 2006 film Idlewild. Outkast took hip hop to new heights. For me, personally, I noticed Outkast well after they hit it big. I first saw Andre 3000 when he sang “Hey Ya!” FUN FACT: : “Hey Ya” came off of an Outkast double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The album featured one disc of Big Boi songs and one was all ‘Dre. Plus, they each produced each other’s album. Outkast thinking outside the box….again!

Salt - N - Pepa

Salt -N- Pepa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Salt -N-Pepa Formed in 1985 in New York. They became the first female rap group to achieve gold and platinum status. It was their debut record, ‘Hot, Cool & Vicious’, dropped on December 1 1986. The group consisted of Cherly James (Salt), and Sandra Denton (Pepa) plus Deidra Roper (DJ Spinderella). Subsequent releases were met with even more excitement and by 1993, their 4th album, ‘Very Necessary’ broke them BIG TIME. The album sold 7 million copies. This made them the first female rap act (group or solo) to have a multi-platinum certified album. The single, “None of Your Business” won a Grammy . Which made them the first female rappers to win a Grammy (followed by Queen Latifah later the same night). Salt-n-Pepa’s career can not be discounted. They enjoyed tremendous success and broke some new ground for women in a traditionally male dominated arena. They dressed like women and had a distinctive fashion style. Are they Hall of Fame worthy? Honestly, I have my doubts. They released a total of 5 albums over an 11 year period. They won only one Grammy (plus one for Lifetime Achievement). Important yes! Hall of Fame, not for me. 

Soundgarden

Soundgarden Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Soundgarden -  A band out of Seattle that formed in 1984 but didn’t hit it big until 10 years later. Soundgarden is considered one of four bands on the Mt. Rushmore of grunge music. Along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Soundgarden DID come from the Pacific Northwest where grunge first took hold. As a band, Soundgarden took grunge music to new levels not touched by the other three ‘founders’.   Grunge as a genre was an answer rock’s  ‘hair metal’ movement. Gone were the fancy costumes, primped up hair, and men wearing makeup that took over the 80’s in rock. Grunge spoke to the people who wanted their rock stars to look like they them. Having combed hair and leather pants meant NOTHING to them. To express yourself with loud, aggressive play and angst-filled lyrics felt more real to the young people. Soundgarden is important in this arena because they were the first. The other three bands developed after Soundgarden started the grunge ball rolling. Despite this Soundgarden was not the FIRST grunge band to break through to the mainstream. They became well known because they were the first to break the grunge mold. Their 4th album , ‘Superunknown’ (1994) was their biggest success.  The album pulled from the band’s alt-metal past but also included influences from heavy metal, hard rock,  and psychedelia. The album was said to have “both redefined and transcended grunge”. After Soundgarden’s induction into the Hall,  the only remaining Mt. Grungemore band left is Alice in Chains. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Grub3QstWVSrKoslqyrVD?si=pKFXfVh9TfmSvsw-YXck3A

Lenny Waronker

Lenny Waronker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Lenny Waronker is receiving an award in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for non-performing industry professionals. He was the son of Liberty Records record label founder, Simon Waronker. He parlayed his experience working for his pop into a career that brought him to the heights of Warner records. 

The White Stripes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

The White Stripes

click for bigger picture Every year at this time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces their list of inductees. Every year at this time, people argue about it. This year is no exception. Some controversy always erupts. So much of it is around the definition of ‘Rock and Roll’. We can just forget about the name on the building. It’s not just about just rock and roll anymore. Here are your 2025 inductees. They will be honored live on Saturday, November 8th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. Let the debate begin!

Bad Company

Bad Company Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Long overdue induction! Paul Rodgers is an iconic voice in rock history. Bad Company’s self-titled debut album was recorded in 1973  and contained 8 songs. Four of which have become classics. Bad Company was a British super group of sorts. Comprised of former Free, King Crimson, and Mott the Hoople members. Seasoned musicians from established groups joining forces. Led Zeppelin's charismatic manager, Peter Grant, took over their management. Between their iconic songs and tremendous exposure, Bad Company hit BIG. Their first 4 albums still get staples played on your Classic Rock stations. If there is to be a ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame, Bad Company deserves to be represented. 

Thom Bell

Thom Bell Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Whenever a new induction list comes out, there are always a few lesser-known names on it. Thom Bell is someone I did not recognize. I sure am glad he was inducted because it gives me the chance to learn about him. It turns out, I have been a big fan of his work! Bell is one of the architects behind “The Philadelphia Sound” genre of the late 1960s-1970s.  Also called Philly Soul, this was a unique sound coming from a relatively small group of musicians. Soul music that integrated funk and lush horn and string arrangements. Thom Bell was a producer, songwriter,, and arranger of some of soul music's greatest acts. He was one of the more prolific architects of the Philly sound. He was responsible for an unprecedented ‘groove’ in American music that set a standard. Groups like the Delfonics, Stylistics, The O'Jays and The Spinners all had classic hit songs crafted by Thom Bell! These songs defined a city, a generation and a movement!

Chubby Checker

Chubby Checker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee This was a courtesy induction. Chubby Checker is an important figure in early Rock and Roll, but his accomplishments don’t rise to the HOF level. He had tremendous success with a dance song, a genre still popular today, called “The Twist” in 1960. He was just 18 years old and the song was a cover from the year before. He appeared on TV’s “American Bandstand” many times and the song became a sensation. Checker never moved on from this success. Even though he complained that the song's popularity stifled his growth as a musician. He could not escape being “the Man who taught us how to Twist”. He continued to release ‘dance’ songs and other versions of the “Twist” in order to make a living. His other projects could never get traction. Checker is now 83 yrs old, so it will be nice for him to accept this reward in person. He might feel that it is a little late, though. In 2002, he protested outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, stating that he was being snubbed. Well, 23 yrs later he has been UN-snubbed.

Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Great, great pick of Joe Cocker! Long overdue. Cocker is a unicorn. One of one! Never has anyone taken no vocal skills and awkward movements to such heights. Why is that? It is because Joe Cocker is all about the groove, the pocket. His strange movements and raspy vocals are always tightly wrapped around the music. He is unabashedly uninhibited onstage.   The young Cocker hit the big time by covering the Beatle’s, “With qa Little Help from My Friends” . He drank from the Beatle well a few times. Cocker’s magic lay in his unique approach to the cover songs. For example, Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher released a song on Preston’s 1974 album, “The Kids and Me”. The song was released as a B side to a single called “Struttin’”. Cocker took that B-side song, slowed it down, and turned it into his biggest hit. In Cocker’s hands,  “You Are So Beautiful” is a soulful, gentle, emotional song. 

Nicky Hopkins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Nicky Hopkins

Like Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins was not someone on my radar. Also like Bell, I was already, unknowingly,  a fan of Nicky Hopkins’ music. This is because Nicky was a piano and organ session player for the most popular bands of the British Invasion. He initially played with the Kinks, on four studio albums (1965-68). His name found it’s way to Mick and the Rolling Stones. Hopkins played on ALL the Stones’ studio albums from 1967 through 1981 (except “Some Girls” in 1978).  He was asked to JOIN the Who in 1965 while recording their debut album, “My Generation”. He declined. However, he did become an official member of the Jeff Beck Group. He played on Beatle albums and Beatle solo records. I was very excited to learn that Hopkins jumped the pond and landed in the SF Bay Area. This was at the height of “The Summer of Love”. He played with some local heroes like, The Steve Miller Band and the Jefferson Airplane. He spent the rest of his life in beautiful Mill Valley, just outside of San Francisco. A well-deserved Hall of Famer!  FUN FACT: Nicky played on fellow inductee Joe Cocker's song ,"You Are So Beauutiful"

Carol Kaye

Carol Kaye Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Only music insiders knew of Carol Kaye. That was until the long-overdue documentaries started popping up about “The Wrecking Crew”. The Wrecking Crew were a group of Los Angeles session players who shaped popular music in the 60’s and 70’s. The group played on just about every record coming out of Los Angeles during that time. Carol Kaye was part of this group. Carol Kaye was the only female in the Wrecking Crew. Considering it was the 1960’s, this was unique if not incredible! Kaye is famous for her bass playing with the Wrecking Crew as well as The Beach Boys. As part of the Crew, she was trusted to find her own way on a song. She was a master at evaluating the song and inserting just the right bass lines. She was a favorite of famed producer Phil Spector as well as Quincy Jones. Her bass can be heard on over 10,000 recordings in a career of over 65 years. The bass lines you hear on famous songs like 'The Beat Goes On' and 'Good Vibrations' are Kaye's. Everyone from Sinatra to Zappa leaned on Carol Kaye for their bottom end. FUN FACT: Carol was a guitar player first. Good enough to get studio work. One day, the bass player didn't show up and Carol was asked to sit in on the bass. She was good, very good. She decided to pursue the bass because it was much easier, logistically, to handle. She didn't have to carry around multiple instruments like she did with guitars. She became a world-class bass player...out of convenience!

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Hall of Fame inductees must have a uniqueness about them. Something that makes them stand out. Cyndi Lauper fits that bill perfectly.  She hit the scene in 1983 with her album, ‘She’s So Unusual'. It was the first debut album by a female to contain four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs were poppy, edgy and catchy. Her look was different. The fashion clothes and ‘new wave’ haircut were striking in the early 80’s. The cover was not the whole book in Cyndi’s case. She shocked people with her powerful four-octave vocal range. Lauper's debut record was award winning and the timing was perfect for someone like her. MTV was still new and a visual stunner like Lauper quickly became a hit. Cyndi Lauper was no flash-in-the-pan either. She went on to even greater heights by composing for musicals. She received numerous awards (especially for her work supporting LGBT rights). She appeared in numerous acting roles on TV, in theater and film. 2025 marks Cyndi’s farewell to touring as she bops around the country saying “Thank you” to her millions of fans.

Outkast

Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Outkast was a hip hop duo out of Atlanta, formed in 1992.   Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin, formerly known as Dré) were high school students when they formed Outkast. The group offered a new twist to the growing hip hop community. Their first single, “Player’s Ball” (1993) hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. It was also near the top of the R&B chart for six weeks.  The twist was the use of live instruments rather than song- samples.  When the debut album came out, it was embraced. Titled ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994), this collection of songs introduced a southern hip hop style. This style differed from the violent gangsta rap dominating the airwaves. It focused on more traditional themes like love and relationships. The genius of Big Boi and Andre 3000 continued to morph their sound over the years. They tried their hands at film production and soundtrack work with the 2006 film Idlewild. Outkast took hip hop to new heights. For me, personally, I noticed Outkast well after they hit it big. I first saw Andre 3000 when he sang “Hey Ya!” FUN FACT: : “Hey Ya” came off of an Outkast double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The album featured one disc of Big Boi songs and one was all ‘Dre. Plus, they each produced each other’s album. Outkast thinking outside the box….again!

Salt - N - Pepa

Salt -N- Pepa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Salt -N-Pepa Formed in 1985 in New York. They became the first female rap group to achieve gold and platinum status. It was their debut record, ‘Hot, Cool & Vicious’, dropped on December 1 1986. The group consisted of Cherly James (Salt), and Sandra Denton (Pepa) plus Deidra Roper (DJ Spinderella). Subsequent releases were met with even more excitement and by 1993, their 4th album, ‘Very Necessary’ broke them BIG TIME. The album sold 7 million copies. This made them the first female rap act (group or solo) to have a multi-platinum certified album. The single, “None of Your Business” won a Grammy . Which made them the first female rappers to win a Grammy (followed by Queen Latifah later the same night). Salt-n-Pepa’s career can not be discounted. They enjoyed tremendous success and broke some new ground for women in a traditionally male dominated arena. They dressed like women and had a distinctive fashion style. Are they Hall of Fame worthy? Honestly, I have my doubts. They released a total of 5 albums over an 11 year period. They won only one Grammy (plus one for Lifetime Achievement). Important yes! Hall of Fame, not for me. 

Soundgarden

Soundgarden Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Soundgarden -  A band out of Seattle that formed in 1984 but didn’t hit it big until 10 years later. Soundgarden is considered one of four bands on the Mt. Rushmore of grunge music. Along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Soundgarden DID come from the Pacific Northwest where grunge first took hold. As a band, Soundgarden took grunge music to new levels not touched by the other three ‘founders’.   Grunge as a genre was an answer rock’s  ‘hair metal’ movement. Gone were the fancy costumes, primped up hair, and men wearing makeup that took over the 80’s in rock. Grunge spoke to the people who wanted their rock stars to look like they them. Having combed hair and leather pants meant NOTHING to them. To express yourself with loud, aggressive play and angst-filled lyrics felt more real to the young people. Soundgarden is important in this arena because they were the first. The other three bands developed after Soundgarden started the grunge ball rolling. Despite this Soundgarden was not the FIRST grunge band to break through to the mainstream. They became well known because they were the first to break the grunge mold. Their 4th album , ‘Superunknown’ (1994) was their biggest success.  The album pulled from the band’s alt-metal past but also included influences from heavy metal, hard rock,  and psychedelia. The album was said to have “both redefined and transcended grunge”. After Soundgarden’s induction into the Hall,  the only remaining Mt. Grungemore band left is Alice in Chains. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Grub3QstWVSrKoslqyrVD?si=pKFXfVh9TfmSvsw-YXck3A

Lenny Waronker

Lenny Waronker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Lenny Waronker is receiving an award in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for non-performing industry professionals. He was the son of Liberty Records record label founder, Simon Waronker. He parlayed his experience working for his pop into a career that brought him to the heights of Warner records. 

The White Stripes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

The White Stripes

Experiencing live music is one of life’s pleasures that affects a person on many levels. It is one of my favorite things to do. It’s my special time and I try to get the most I can out of it. After over 40 years of attending concerts, I have developed some personal practices to help maximize my experience. I now share these with you. You’re welcome.

PreSale

Be proactive. Use social media and news to keep track of your favorite bands, their album release dates and their touring schedules. Join the fan clubs to get the pre sale codes. Be ready when tickets go on sale. 

Only 2000 PLUS Know your preferences: In smaller venues, I stand for a chance to get close to the action. I am willing to get bumped around a little to get up close. Because of this, I try to get to the venue early. In stadium shows, I try to get middle or upper deck tickets because I enjoy seeing the whole picture Festivals: Don’t expect the music to sound great. Be ready for the vibe to BE great. Get used to watching the action on a big screen. Festivals are a ‘young persons’ event. It’s a lot of work and expense but can also be the best bang for your buck. For most people though, they are waiting and waiting for their favorites to hit the stage. Don’t like crowds? Don’t go to a festival. 

How Much?

Merch: If you want a t-shirt or something to memorialize the event, get it before the show. The line will be long, but at least, you won’t miss any of the band you came to see. Expect to pay a ridiculous amount for a T shirt. It is what it is. Which is why I appreciate a band personalizing the shirt to the venue. It’s a rare occurrence but it used to happen more often. The shirt would have the name of the venue or city and date on it. Not talking about a list of ALL the tour stops, this is personalized to the specific city.  KISS always used to do it. 

One of the Reunion tours

I WAS THERE Plan Accordingly: As with any entertainment event, things are expensive. If you are on a budget, eat before you enter the venue. If you drink alcohol, consider doing a lot of your drinking before you enter the venue.  Because ticket prices are higher than ever, pick and choose your concerts. When someone in my Top 10 comes around, I get THOSE tickets. If a friend has an interest in someone I don’t know or particularly like, I hesitate before I spend the money. Truthfully, I consider the friend and whether I want to show them some grace or not. If they are ‘worthy’, I will join them. It has been a hit and miss for me. It's always fun to hang out with the friend but some of his musical favorites don't excite me that much. But, other times, my friend has opened me up to something fantastic! My friend Scot asked me to join him to listen to some live jazz. I knew the name of the artist but not his work. I love guitarists and Al Di Meola is a master. Man! I was happy I decided to join Scot on that one.

Safety First

Frequent concert goers should wear earplugs. Especially in small venues. My ears have taken a beating over the last 40 + years.. I specifically remember a Def Leppard concert in the 80’s. It was at an indoor venue, where I sat side stage with my left ear near a huge speaker. The Cow Palace was rocking that night, for sure! Having that overload of sound hitting my left ear all night, I believe, did some permanent damage. Some years ago, I began wearing earplugs made for listening to loud music.  I noticed, immediately, that they eliminated the high pitched sound that would interfere with the music. My enjoyment of the music remained even with the plugs in. Get started early with good ear plugs and you’ll save your ears from future harm. Don’t sleep on opening bands. First off, you might be getting an early look at a future superstar. Or, you may find a new passion. This happened to me in 1982 at the Greek Theater in Berkeley CA. We went to see the headliner, Jefferson Starship, but fell in love with the opener, Huey Lewis and The News. In 1981, we went to a J. Geils Band concert. Many people were there to see the opener, who I did not know. In this case it was a new little band from Ireland that called themselves U2. Most times, the opener is forgettable, but I go into a concert hoping that the opener is a winner. It does happens, rarely.  

No Drunk Singing

OK now for behavior DURING a show. Drunks suck. Some people just can’t help themselves. If you are a nasty drunk, try not to ruin your friend’s good time by getting hammered. Nothing is more annoying than having to baby sit your friend.  Find that perfect medium where you are buzzed but not belligerent. Don’t be THAT guy or gal. If you are standing in a crowd and things get 'pushy', do like the headbangers do. Watch out for your neighbor. If someone falls down, PICK THEM UP!  Don’t push your way past people who have been there ahead of you. It’s rude and not fair to those of us who planned ahead and got there early.  If you are a tall person, just be aware that you are blocking the view of the short guy behind you. Not your fault but I just wanted you to know.  Do not to sing along unless officially prompted, especially if you don’t know the words. I came to hear Stevie Nicks sing, not YOU! Nothing more distracting than someone screaming in your ear. Just be aware of your surroundings and always be polite. Sing along if you want but keep it away from other’s ears. There’s a reason why you are in the crowd and THAT guy is on the stage. 

It's Great To Be ALIVE