A.A. RockBlog

The media makes many touching tributes to some of our biggest bands. Biopics have become very popular such as the  "Bohemian Rhapsody" , or the forthcoming one on Elton John, Rocket Man . But what if I told you that there was a quasi autobiopic out called Yesterday ? A movie that really does a great job at paying tribute to the Fab Four - especially now that  it's been five decades since "Abbey Road" came out ." It's more than a tribute... It's not my place in this blog to ruin the surprise or tell you what this is about, but in short, Jack Malik is an asipiring musician who is studying to be a schoolteacher after playing the local cafes and bars doesn't work out. He suddenly suffers a traumatic incident and when he wakes up, it seems the world has never heard of the Beatles. Malik takes advantage of this by "writing" songs, which are in fact of the Beatles. At some point, he confesses that all the songs he performed were Beat...

I have previously made a blog about  the pros and cons of concertgoing versus owning on DVD . To paraphrase while concertgoing allows you to have an enjoyable experience, there are big crowds, iffy sound systems, not to mention that the stage looks like you're in a chopper. Which brings us to... ...so how do you know whether or not you're getting the right experience or the bang for your buck? It's a knee jerk reaction to want to sit at front row, or to go cheap and buy nosebleed seats. (Wondering why it's called nosebleed? It's the section of the stadium where the ball could hit you and you're likely to get...a nosebleed). So, what's the best seat? Take a look at this picture. It's from a Bon Jovi concert I attended some five years ago. While you can't see me, I was at the center of the stage. As you can see, I had a bird's eye view from the stage and I did not have to slant to the left or the right to better see. That's Point #...

Rumors about stars tend to circulate fairly quickly and be intriguing, but somehow when it comes to a mental disorder, they especially eye-opening. The star in question in this posting is Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac fame. Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 after drummer Mick Fleetwood heard a copy of the bootleg record he made with girlfriend Stevie Nicks, Frozen Love , credited as Buckingham-Nicks. Buckingham accepted only of Stevie Nicks could also join. After a brief audition, Mick Fleetwood agreed. What begs the title question? On their first record with Buckingham, Fleetwod Mac (1975), Buckingham wrote the closing track,  "I'm so Afraid" . It was long speculated exctly what the meaning behind the song was, but Buckingham once revealed that the song about his bipolar disorder. He explained that at the time he had been living in San Francisco with Stevie Nicks, and was scared that his bipolar disease would lead him to suicide. Particularly, his su...

The Beatles were "Lads who Shook The World," and shake the world that they did - with some killer records that is. The cover of their 1967 record Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band  is a signature one and has been replicated countless times. But its their next-to-last, Abbey Road (technically the last recorded), that is the most iconic of their work. The Lads were clearly saving the best for last. So why does this one stand out? The album includes some of their most iconic songs and is a trip back to the beginning of their careers. After the Beatles were displeased with the outcome of the Get Back session, they talked to George Martin that they wanted to make an album like it was done before, which Martin agreed to. The album contains several songs reworked from the abandoned Get Back sessions. These are the Lennon-penned Come Together , as well as Maxwell's Silver Hammer . Don't Let me Down had also been considered at the time, but it didn't make ...

Rock bands often end up pushing back tours or even cancelling them due to health issues. As of recently, Metalica's James Hetfield has entered a rehab facility yet again leading to the band having to push back their Oceania tour. In an open letter to fans, drummer Lars Urich, lead guitarist Kirk Emmet, and bass player Robert Trijullio wrote, and I quote " We are truly sorry to inform our fans and friends that we must postpone our upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand. As most of you probably know, our brother James has been struggling with addiction on and off for many years. He has now, unfortunately, had to re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery again.   We fully intend to make our way to your part of the world as soon as health and schedule permit. We’ll let you know as soon as we can. Once again, we are devastated that we have inconvenienced so many of you, especially our most loyal fans who travel great distances to experience our shows. We apprecia...

There are many songs that have been inspired by politics, education, and many other things. However, it is by no coincidence that some songs really stand out and have massive impact on the masses. This has got to be one of the prime examples. Layla  by Clapton's short-lived blues-rock band Derek and the Dominoes from their one and only record Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). A word about the Band: Derek and the Dominoes began as Delaney Bonney & Friends, a band featuring Clapton and his former Blind Faith veteran Steve Winwood as well as Dave Mason who contributed to Derek and the Dominoes' early recordings and shows, Mason alongside Winwood both being of Traffic fame. Three of the members of the American soul band, drummer Jim Gordon, bass player Carl Radle, and keyboardist/additional vocalist Bobby Whitlock, backed Clapton on his self-titled debut solo album released 1970. Radle and Gordon also worked with Clapton off and on on some of his records in the...

Today, Bruce Springsteen, known as the Boss, was born seventy years ago. Born Bruce Joseph Frederick Springsteen in Long Branch, NJ, he has grown to be one of music's most successful artists both as a solo artist and as a member of the E Street Band. In 1972, Springsteen got himself a deal with Columbia Records thanks to Clive Davis and got together with a few members: Garry Tallent on bass, the late great Clerance Clemmons on saxophon, keyboardists Danny Federici and David Sancious, and drummer Viny Lopez. The E Street Band has made a name for themselves not only as Springsteen's backing band, but also working with other prolific musicians. Most recently, in 2011, Clarence Clemmons has worked with Lady Gaga. His first album, 1973's Greetings from Ashbury Park, New Jersey , sold rather slowly due to his folky and poetic melodies and lyrics. His slow rise has been compared to Bob Dylan, but was quickly well received. The E Sreet Band and Bruce Springsteen made worldwide...