Comments on: Dead Rock Stars: Heaven’s Best Pick-Up Band (Or Hell’s) http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/ culture blogging for the good of the planet Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:47:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Resumes http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-134840 Resumes Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:31:00 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-134840 Maybe this was part of the gift of fame to them, because of the fame they had forgotten their health having too many vices like smoking drinking and drugs can also be one of the reason. Maybe this was part of the gift of fame to them, because of the fame they had forgotten their health having too many vices like smoking drinking and drugs can also be one of the reason.

]]> By: group health insurance http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-132573 group health insurance Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:47:39 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-132573 Maybe this was part of the gift of fame to them, because of the fame they had forgotten their health having too many vices like smoking drinking and drugs can also be one of the reason. Maybe this was part of the gift of fame to them, because of the fame they had forgotten their health having too many vices like smoking drinking and drugs can also be one of the reason.

]]> By: Greg OG http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-72568 Greg OG Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:26:57 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-72568 im gunna hafta say Cliff Burton deserves to be on this list, Died at 26 i believe, being one(IF NOT THE) best bassists to ever walk the earth! im gunna hafta say Cliff Burton deserves to be on this list, Died at 26 i believe, being one(IF NOT THE) best bassists to ever walk the earth!

]]> By: sean http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-24295 sean Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:05:22 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-24295 D. Boon (Minutemen) D. Boon (Minutemen)

]]> By: Jim Tourtelott http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22843 Jim Tourtelott Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:40:24 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22843 Dan, you're certainly right about Bloomfield and Butterfield, and about the far cheaper costs of admission back in the late 60s. Balanced against five buck tickets, though, it's only fair to remember that minimum wage (which I was getting as a bus boy in a Chinese restaurant) was about a buck and a quarter. Dan, you’re certainly right about Bloomfield and Butterfield, and about the far cheaper costs of admission back in the late 60s. Balanced against five buck tickets, though, it’s only fair to remember that minimum wage (which I was getting as a bus boy in a Chinese restaurant) was about a buck and a quarter.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22817 Dan Leo Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:43:23 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22817 Oh, and Jim, thanks for jogging my addled brain cells again, but your comment reminded me that somewhere on the list of great guys who lived too hard and died too young were Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield. The first two Paul Butterfield Band albums are a couple more that I've never gotten tired of. Oh, and Jim, thanks for jogging my addled brain cells again, but your comment reminded me that somewhere on the list of great guys who lived too hard and died too young were Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield. The first two Paul Butterfield Band albums are a couple more that I’ve never gotten tired of.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22814 Tom Watson Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:37:53 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22814 TK - Who Are You was, in many ways, a minor record, but the single was huge and has endured big-time. And Moon's drumming drives it. Besides, I'd take Moonie over Bonzo 100 times out of 100, taking nothing away from Zep either. I based the list of people I wished I could have heard more from who died under 50. TK - Who Are You was, in many ways, a minor record, but the single was huge and has endured big-time. And Moon’s drumming drives it. Besides, I’d take Moonie over Bonzo 100 times out of 100, taking nothing away from Zep either.

I based the list of people I wished I could have heard more from who died under 50.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22813 Dan Leo Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:36:09 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22813 Hey Jim, Yeah, one of the nice things about the 60s was that rock hadn't got so damn popular yet. Until around '69 I don't remember many bands playing stadiums unless they were the Beatles. I came from a working-class Philly hood, and it was no big hardship to me to use my teenage after-school supermarket-job money to hear good music at cheap prices in small venues. It is kind of mind-boggling to think we heard people like Hendrix and the Cream and Janis and the Mothers and the Dead in medium-size clubs and college basketball auditoriums for about five bucks a shot. Hey Jim,

Yeah, one of the nice things about the 60s was that rock hadn’t got so damn popular yet. Until around ‘69 I don’t remember many bands playing stadiums unless they were the Beatles. I came from a working-class Philly hood, and it was no big hardship to me to use my teenage after-school supermarket-job money to hear good music at cheap prices in small venues. It is kind of mind-boggling to think we heard people like Hendrix and the Cream and Janis and the Mothers and the Dead in medium-size clubs and college basketball auditoriums for about five bucks a shot.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22810 Tom Watson Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:33:48 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22810 Sandy Denny, yeah Dan - who knows where the time goes? Sandy Denny, yeah Dan - who knows where the time goes?

]]> By: Jim Tourtelott http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22801 Jim Tourtelott Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:03:30 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22801 Back in the days before everybody who could play three chords was richer than God and a working class boy in Providence could afford to see genuine giants at venues like Rhode Island Auditorium, the field house at Brown, Veterans Auditorium , the shore dinner hall at Rocky Point, and a hole in the wall on Thayer Street whose name is lost in the mists of time,I saw at those venues Cream, Hendrix, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the J. Geils Band (then a Boston-area band unknown elsewhere) and Joplin. (I also saw, all on the same bill, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Mose Allison. For five bucks. From a fourth-row seat. And in 1966, in a field in Newport, I discovered both Tim Hardin and Taj Mahal on the same afternoon.) I saw Joplin three times and Hendrix twice. Anybody who tries to claim that Janis was anything less than a force of nature and a god of rock and roll will have to answer to me. Mighty interesting survey, though. Soon, they will prove that rock stars consume an inordinate number of recreational chemicals, and that they get more ass than the toilet seat at Larry Craig's house. Back in the days before everybody who could play three chords was richer than God and a working class boy in Providence could afford to see genuine giants at venues like Rhode Island Auditorium, the field house at Brown, Veterans Auditorium , the shore dinner hall at Rocky Point, and a hole in the wall on Thayer Street whose name is lost in the mists of time,I saw at those venues Cream, Hendrix, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the J. Geils Band (then a Boston-area band unknown elsewhere) and Joplin. (I also saw, all on the same bill, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Mose Allison. For five bucks. From a fourth-row seat. And in 1966, in a field in Newport, I discovered both Tim Hardin and Taj Mahal on the same afternoon.) I saw Joplin three times and Hendrix twice. Anybody who tries to claim that Janis was anything less than a force of nature and a god of rock and roll will have to answer to me.

Mighty interesting survey, though. Soon, they will prove that rock stars consume an inordinate number of recreational chemicals, and that they get more ass than the toilet seat at Larry Craig’s house.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22789 Dan Leo Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:37:30 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22789 Where is my brain? Don't answer that, but how could I forget another great woman: Sandy Denny. I've never gotten tired of listening to the albums she did with Fairport Convention. Where is my brain? Don’t answer that, but how could I forget another great woman:

Sandy Denny.

I’ve never gotten tired of listening to the albums she did with Fairport Convention.

]]> By: Tom K. http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22622 Tom K. Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:15:06 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22622 It's not just about age, but also about what it means to be in one's "prime." About half of your list was cleary not in the prime of their careers, as anyone asked the day before they died would have judged it. At least, Lennon, Presley, Thunders and Moon have to come off the list, on that basis. While the Who were floundering (albeit with a minor comeback album) at the time of Moon's death, Zep was rolling on (albeit with a minor setback album) at the time of Bonham's death. If we're really talking prime, and not just preferences, he should be the 70's stadium-rock drummer on the list. It’s not just about age, but also about what it means to be in one’s “prime.”

About half of your list was cleary not in the prime of their careers, as anyone asked the day before they died would have judged it. At least, Lennon, Presley, Thunders and Moon have to come off the list, on that basis.

While the Who were floundering (albeit with a minor comeback album) at the time of Moon’s death, Zep was rolling on (albeit with a minor setback album) at the time of Bonham’s death. If we’re really talking prime, and not just preferences, he should be the 70’s stadium-rock drummer on the list.

]]> By: Kathleen Maher http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22609 Kathleen Maher Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:01:27 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22609 I hearily agree, Blue Girl. Manny gets a reprieve. He'll never sing as well as Robert Palmer--let alone <b>you</b>! (I want this newcritics band for real. Wasn't Brendog a demon ska heart-throb fewer than ten years ago?) Anyway, Manny has made me his main mission most of my life. Wherever that much goodness comes from needs discovery and world-wide proliferation. I hearily agree, Blue Girl. Manny gets a reprieve. He’ll never sing as well as Robert Palmer–let alone you! (I want this newcritics band for real. Wasn’t Brendog a demon ska heart-throb fewer than ten years ago?)
Anyway, Manny has made me his main mission most of my life. Wherever that much goodness comes from needs discovery and world-wide proliferation.

]]> By: Blue Girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22235 Blue Girl Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:44:00 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22235 Manny, well there is one rocker from the 80s (and man, I *still* hate the 80s) that even though he seems to be over the cut-off age for this list, (he was 54) it really hurt me when he died. And if I forgave <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3geoXOdnJQ" rel="nofollow">him</a> for his chauvinistic shenanigans, I guess I can forgive you, too.</i> grasshopper? Do you agree? Manny, well there is one rocker from the 80s (and man, I *still* hate the 80s) that even though he seems to be over the cut-off age for this list, (he was 54) it really hurt me when he died.

And if I forgave him for his chauvinistic shenanigans, I guess I can forgive you, too.

grasshopper? Do you agree?

]]> By: Manny Maher http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22217 Manny Maher Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:06:29 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22217 Ouch, blue girl, I didn't know you were listening! I didn't mean to be chauvinistic. I must have prancing around last night like a drunken fool. Ouch, blue girl, I didn’t know you were listening!
I didn’t mean to be chauvinistic. I must have prancing around last night like a drunken fool.

]]> By: blue girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22203 blue girl Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:32:04 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22203 <i>Hell no, he’s writing me a song and playing lead guitar - for MY band.</i> Can I sing in your band? LOL. ....<i>we'll totally win. :) Hell no, he’s writing me a song and playing lead guitar - for MY band.

Can I sing in your band?

LOL.

….we’ll totally win.

:)

]]> By: Viscount LaCarte http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22178 Viscount LaCarte Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:40:08 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22178 Sorry about the <em>malformed url</em>. Here it is again: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSuN9tMKuA" rel="nofollow">Kevin Gilbert's <em>Certifiable Number One Smash</em></a> Sorry about the malformed url. Here it is again: Kevin Gilbert’s Certifiable Number One Smash

]]> By: Viscount LaCarte http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22175 Viscount LaCarte Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:35:26 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22175 Had he lived, you would have heard of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp_pczrUug4" rel="nofollow">Kevin Gilbert</a>. He should be on this list, but he died before most people ever heard of him. He would have been a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSuN9tMK" rel="nofollow">Certifiable Number One Smash.</a> If you like those sound bytes, run over here and buy <a href="http://www.popplusone.com/gilbert.html" rel="nofollow"><em>The Shaming of the True.</em></a> Had he lived, you would have heard of Kevin Gilbert. He should be on this list, but he died before most people ever heard of him.

He would have been a Certifiable Number One Smash.

If you like those sound bytes, run over here and buy The Shaming of the True.

]]> By: Viscount LaCarte http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22174 Viscount LaCarte Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:28:35 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22174 Had he lived, you <em>would</em> have heard of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp_pczrUug4" rel="nofollow">Kevin Gilbert</a> He would have been a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSuN9tMK" rel="nofollow">Certifiable Number One Smash.</a> If you like those clips, run over to http://www.popplusone.com/gilbert.html and order <em>The Shaming of the True.</em> Had he lived, you would have heard of Kevin Gilbert He would have been a Certifiable Number One Smash.

If you like those clips, run over to http://www.popplusone.com/gilbert.html and order The Shaming of the True.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22162 Tom Watson Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:46:15 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22162 Hell no, he's writing me a song and playing lead guitar - for MY band. Hell no, he’s writing me a song and playing lead guitar - for MY band.

]]> By: blue girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22125 blue girl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:13:49 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22125 Tom, maybe you could pull some strings and get Peter T. to judge it. lol. Tom, maybe you could pull some strings and get Peter T. to judge it.

lol.

]]> By: blue girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22123 blue girl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:11:24 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22123 Dan, between you and <a href="http://byneddiejingo.blogspot.com/2007/08/rick-danko-forever.html" rel="nofollow">Decatur Dem over at Neddie's</a>, I am suffering from major concert envy. TW, RE a Newcritics' Battle of the Bands -- that would be so much fun, I'm not sure I could stand it. Dan, between you and Decatur Dem over at Neddie’s, I am suffering from major concert envy.

TW, RE a Newcritics’ Battle of the Bands — that would be so much fun, I’m not sure I could stand it.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22102 Dan Leo Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:53:06 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22102 Hey, Blue, not only did I used to catch the Velvets at the 2nd Fret, but I saw the Doors at the Civic Center, and Morrison was fantabulous. I guess the other really great dead guys I saw were Jimi Hendrix, who was totally cool and amazing, and Pig Pen, who was just too cool for words. Ah, but Janis... For the back-up dead guy team I nominate Arelster "Dyke" Christian of Dyke & the Blazers, who recorded my #1 fave R&B song ever, the original "Funky Broadway". I highly recommend their greatest hits collection (there's two of them out there, a big one and a sorta big one) for anybody who loves really really nasty 60s soul. Poor Dyke got shot by some fool when he was only around 28... Hey, Blue, not only did I used to catch the Velvets at the 2nd Fret, but I saw the Doors at the Civic Center, and Morrison was fantabulous. I guess the other really great dead guys I saw were Jimi Hendrix, who was totally cool and amazing, and Pig Pen, who was just too cool for words. Ah, but Janis…

For the back-up dead guy team I nominate Arelster “Dyke” Christian of Dyke & the Blazers, who recorded my #1 fave R&B song ever, the original “Funky Broadway”. I highly recommend their greatest hits collection (there’s two of them out there, a big one and a sorta big one) for anybody who loves really really nasty 60s soul. Poor Dyke got shot by some fool when he was only around 28…

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22096 Tom Watson Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:41:27 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22096 BG - So you're saying a live, in-person, newcritics battle of the bands... BG - So you’re saying a live, in-person, newcritics battle of the bands…

]]> By: Fatherflot http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22095 Fatherflot Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:40:30 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22095 Best Rock and Roll death is still Johnny Ace---either he killed himself playing drunken Russian Roulette or was murdered by his manager and Big Mama Thornton. I always thought Nico's bicycle accident was satisfyingly strange end to a strange life, kind of like Roland Barthes dying slowly from injuries caused by a laundry truck. Best Rock and Roll death is still Johnny Ace—either he killed himself playing drunken Russian Roulette or was murdered by his manager and Big Mama Thornton.

I always thought Nico’s bicycle accident was satisfyingly strange end to a strange life, kind of like Roland Barthes dying slowly from injuries caused by a laundry truck.

]]> By: Fatherflot http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22092 Fatherflot Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:34:46 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22092 The article quotes broadcaster John Aizlewood as saying: “It was ever thus. If you look back to Victorian times — Byron, Shelley those kind of people. . ." Note to Mr. Aizlewood and the AP: Shelley died in 1822 and Byron in 1824. Victoria's reign began in 1837. The article quotes broadcaster John Aizlewood as saying:

“It was ever thus. If you look back to Victorian times — Byron, Shelley those kind of people. . .”

Note to Mr. Aizlewood and the AP: Shelley died in 1822 and Byron in 1824. Victoria’s reign began in 1837.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22077 Tom Watson Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:15:07 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22077 Yeah, Billy Murcia we hardly knew ye... Yeah, Billy Murcia we hardly knew ye…

]]> By: Brendan Tween http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22037 Brendan Tween Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:25:42 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22037 What about Stiv Bators? All the dead Ramones? All the other dead NY Dolls? And how could you possibly forget Wendy O Williams? What about Stiv Bators? All the dead Ramones? All the other dead NY Dolls? And how could you possibly forget Wendy O Williams?

]]> By: blue girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22027 blue girl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:04:51 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-22027 Tony Alva -- and you, too TW, for that matter -- I'm not talking about lists or writing about lists or adding another name to some list or even dropping in a link about a list! I'm talkin' a real Rock Off. Putting a band together to see who can out-rock who! Again, I say -- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpfo8Oj0Szo&mode=related&search=" rel="nofollow">Bring. It. On!</a> Tony Alva — and you, too TW, for that matter — I’m not talking about lists or writing about lists or adding another name to some list or even dropping in a link about a list!

I’m talkin’ a real Rock Off. Putting a band together to see who can out-rock who!

Again, I say — Bring. It. On!

]]> By: Tony Alva http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21995 Tony Alva Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:19:32 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21995 Blue Girl, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kivbrxvCEQA" rel="nofollow">You lose...</a> Blue Girl,
You lose…

]]> By: wwolfe http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21984 wwolfe Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:53:23 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21984 I can't believe no one mentioned Paul McCartney. Among those more certainly dead, I'd mention Ronnie Van Zant as one who seemed to have a lot more good music to offer when his band's plane went down. A couple who died *really* young - so young, it's hard to know what they might have done had they lived - are Ritchie Valens and Bobby Fuller. (The latter is also a contender for Weirdest Rock Death, as well.) I think Jesse Belvin had a lot more to give, both as a songwriter and a singer, at the time of his too-young death in a car crash. Of the names mentioned already, Sam Cooke is the loss that hurts the most for me. As a songwriter, singer, and executive (head of SAR Records, where he showed a sharp eye for talent), Cooke's potential was unlimited. I can’t believe no one mentioned Paul McCartney.

Among those more certainly dead, I’d mention Ronnie Van Zant as one who seemed to have a lot more good music to offer when his band’s plane went down.

A couple who died *really* young - so young, it’s hard to know what they might have done had they lived - are Ritchie Valens and Bobby Fuller. (The latter is also a contender for Weirdest Rock Death, as well.)

I think Jesse Belvin had a lot more to give, both as a songwriter and a singer, at the time of his too-young death in a car crash.

Of the names mentioned already, Sam Cooke is the loss that hurts the most for me. As a songwriter, singer, and executive (head of SAR Records, where he showed a sharp eye for talent), Cooke’s potential was unlimited.

]]> By: blue girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21973 blue girl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:16:08 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21973 I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier. Freddie Mercury died at 45. Today is his birthday. He was one cool cat. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this earlier.

Freddie Mercury died at 45. Today is his birthday.

He was one cool cat.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21936 Tom Watson Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:16:34 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21936 Hey, I did say Nico almost made the list! Hey, I did say Nico almost made the list!

]]> By: blue girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21934 blue girl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:13:39 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21934 <i>Blue Girl, We girls obviously need to stick together here.</i> You got <i>that</i>, Kathleen. All these boys over here wallowing in their rock star dreams. I challenge any of them to a Rock Off! From <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tah0OnS3nBU&mode=related&search=" rel="nofollow">this</a> to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX3K35jvY9A" rel="nofollow">this</a>. Bring it on! Blue Girl, We girls obviously need to stick together here.

You got that, Kathleen.

All these boys over here wallowing in their rock star dreams.

I challenge any of them to a Rock Off!

From this to this.

Bring it on!

]]> By: Tony Alva http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21914 Tony Alva Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:13:26 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/09/04/dead-rock-stars-heavens-best-pick-up-band-or-hells/#comment-21914 Turns out that rock stars are “at a disproportionate risk of alcohol- and drug-related deaths.” Airplanes too. All good stuff, but I grew up on a slightly different side of the tracks and the loss of a Californian by the name of Randy Rhoads was a crushing blow to my musical world at the time. Listen to the outro to "S.A.T.O" from Diary of a Madman and anybody who doesn't hate rock will hear why this guys light went out WAY too early. Turns out that rock stars are “at a disproportionate risk of alcohol- and drug-related deaths.”

Airplanes too.

All good stuff, but I grew up on a slightly different side of the tracks and the loss of a Californian by the name of Randy Rhoads was a crushing blow to my musical world at the time.

Listen to the outro to “S.A.T.O” from Diary of a Madman and anybody who doesn’t hate rock will hear why this guys light went out WAY too early.

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