Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Chuck Berry Edition

It has been a long, long while since I’ve done a Rockin’ Roundup here at the Guru. However, the recent news on the passing of Chuck Berry made me consider the need for the first roundup since I don’t know when. I was toying with the idea of penning a eulogy to the late great Chuck Berry, but what could I say that hasn’t been said already? What words could I put down that others haven’t stated more eloquently? Instead, I did the research and rounded up the best tributes and memories that are out on the world-wide-web.

Chuck Berry was a true legend of real rock and roll. He paved the way for countless musicians to pick up a guitar and make their way into rock music. He inspired numerous musicians and invented a truly unique style. From Angus Youngs’ on stage duck walk copy, to The Rolling Stones endless (and fabulous) covers, Chuck Berry was a creative force that everyone wanted to emulate but very few could. He lived a long and productive life and his music will live on forever.

Here’s the Chuck Berry tributes that rocked:

New York Times Obituary

The New York Times always write great obituaries and their tribute to fallen hero Chuck Berry is no exception. Part biography, part farewell, and filled with numerous facts, The New York times gave a touching remembrance on Chuck Berry.

Musicians React To The Passing Of A Legend

Billboard did a nice little roundup of their own. They collected tweets and statements from musicians across the web paying their respects and saying goodbye to the master. Chuck Berry truly crossed all genres and influences countless musicians whether they were rock, rap, country, jazz, or some other type of music. It’s hard to find someone who didn’t love Chuck Berry’s music.

Berry’s Life In Photos

Time magazine put together a wonderful collage of photos from Chuck Berry’s life. There are some real classics shots included as well as some poignant photos. Pictures of him with some legends including Michael Jackson, John Lennon, and Mick Jagger are all there. I am particularly fond of the simple photo of Chuck Berry in London wearing a three piece suit and looking very content. I hope that he was able to live most of his days that way.

Chuck Berry AndJohn Lennon

Guitar World dug up the clips of John Lennon and Chuck Berry performing together on the Mike Douglas show in 1972. These videos are fabulous and definitely worth a few minutes of your time if you haven’t seen them already. And if you have seen them, they are certainly worth a re-watch.  

The National Review

And finally, we have The National Review’s remembrance of Chuck Berry. It combines an articulate obituary and several video clips of musicians covering Chuck Berry songs or jamming with the master himself. If you plan to watch them all, be sure to set aside a good chunk of time. You’re going to need it.

Album Review: The Rolling Stones - Blue and Lonesome

The Rolling Stones have returned to their roots of 1962 and it is a fantastic and unexpected blessing for fans of the band. The Stones began as the best blues rock band ever formed and Blue and Lonesome reminds all the faithful why they were the best blues rock band ever formed. Sure, it’s a covers album, and most readers of The Guru know how I feel about covers albums, but this is THE ROLLING STONES. And on top of that it’s The Rolling Stones doing what they do best---playing the blues. Every song on Blue and Lonesome is a masterpiece; a treat for the ears. Covering the greats of yesteryear like Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Willie Dixon (just to name a few), The Rolling Stones pay tribute to some of their heroes and influences on an astounding record.

I will admit my bias here. The Rolling Stones are one of my favorite bands (number 4 on the all-time list), but that only means I am more critical of a new release from the group, not less. Each song on Blue and Lonesome is a short, sweet, sharp blast to the solar plexus; a reminder of how great music can be if celebrated correctly. There’s also plenty of harmonica to go around. Mick Jagger dusted off his harp skills and served a memorandum to how great a harmonica player he is. Keith and Ron’s guitar riffs hang in the air, each guitarist playing off the other in fabulous fashion. Charlie Watts and Daryl Jones keep the rhythm section tight on the drums and bass respectively. It all adds up to one of the best records ever released in the Rolling Stones long and storied career. My one lingering thought is what would this album sound like if Brian Jones were still alive and in the band? Could he have improved on the near perfection of Blue and Lonesome?

After a few spins of Blue and Lonesome you are bound to dust off your copies of early Rolling Stones records and give them a whirl as well. This record would fit into the early 62/63 era Stones with the best of them. However, the real treat, is that we get this record in 2016, close to 50 years after the Stones changed their style from the greatest blues rock band ever formed to a famous pop/rock band that took over the world. Blue and Lonesome is a return to the blues done right; loose, easy, and fun. It’s that quick and easy style that makes the record so grand. Originally intended to be warmup sessions for the next album of original material, Blue and Lonesome should have The Rolling Stones rethinking that idea. More records like this would be welcomed and well received. And while I liked A Bigger Bang, I LOVE Blue and Lonesome.

My lone complaint, and it’s a minor one, is that Keith does not have lead vocals on any songs throughout the record. This is the first Stones album without a lead vocal by Keith since Their Satanic Majesties Request in 1967. To some, they may be a welcome treat, but I’ve always liked Keith sung songs for the contrast they provide.

Overall, the Rolling Stones have provided us with an early Christmas present. I can’t think of a better gift to be had this holiday season. If Blue and Lonesome doesn’t please your musical palate, you may have to ask yourself if you are truly a Rolling Stones fan.

Ryo’s Rating: 9 (out of 10)

Track Listing

Just Your Fool

Commit a Crime

Blue and Lonesome

All Your Love

I Gotta Go

Everybody Knows About My Good Thing

Ride ‘em on Down

Hate to See You Go

Hoo Doo Blues

Little Rain

Just Like I Treat You

I Can’t Quit You Baby

50 Rock Albums To Start Your Collection

Everyone gets this question eventually, but writers of the genre get it more frequently: If you were starting a music collection what albums would you recommend? I’ve been giving that question a lot of thought lately as I go to the roots of my personal album collection and try to reconnect on a deeper level with the music I love. If I had to strip it down to 50 records, what would they be? If I was telling someone to start their own rock music collection, which 50 albums would I tell them to buy?

Below is my list of recommendations. It blends modern rock, classic rock, metal, punk, guitar rock, and all other versions of “rock music” smoothly. For the purpose of this recommendation, I included bands such as Wilco and The Eagles as rock music. Some may argue that they are alt country, or pop, but whatever. First, as most of you know, I am not a big fan of labels to begin with. Second, if it has a guitar solo, it is close enough for me to call it rock.

Knowing that growing a music collection can be painfully expensive, I have arranged the list by putting the must have albums first. In other words, if you could only afford 10 of the 50, those 10 are marked 1 through 10. Hence the numbers listed next to the album is not necessarily a ranking order, as this is not a best rock album list, but more of a priority order.

I also purposefully left out double albums, live albums, and greatest hits. The goal of this exercise was to make a list of 50 great rock albums to start a music collection with. Many factors go into making that decision, and one of the major factors was that it had to be an album in the purest sense of the word. Live albums and greatest hits records are compilations. As for double albums, I’ve always felt they are too gimmicky. Yes, you could make a strong argument that Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins should be on this list and I could not disagree. But for the purpose of this list, I wanted single albums only.

If you are just starting out your music collection, it can be an uncharted sea that is tough to navigate. The following albums are my map to the start of a great collection. I hope it helps those starting out and those who have been collecting for years.

1.       Appetite For Destruction – Guns N Roses

Any rock music collection must contain the self-titled debut from Guns N Roses, and it should be the first album in the collection. Appetite For Destruction was revolutionary and influenced countless bands. It is also a flawless record that can be consumed over and over and over again and never get old. There really is no other album to launch a rock music collection than this.

2.       Destroyer – Kiss

3.       IV – Led Zeppelin

It’s not even my favorite Led Zeppelin album, but every rock record collection needs to include “Stairway To Heaven.” It’s a must.

4.       Nevermind – Nirvana

5.       Back In Black – AC/DC

6.       Under The Table And Dreaming – Dave Matthews Band

7.       Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

8.       Rumors – Fleetwood Mac

Rumors is one of the best selling albums of all time for good reason. This is an exceptional record that is high on the priority list because it is so darned good.

9.       Paranoid – Black Sabbath

10.   Bat Out Of Hell – Meatloaf

This is progressive rock and roll at its finest. Every song on Bat Out Of Hell is like a mini-opera. The record is perfect and meant to be savored.

11.   Dark Side Of The Moon – Pink Floyd

12.   Van Halen – Van Halen

13.   Vs. – Pearl Jam

There is a reason that this album sold over one million copies in one day---it’s exceptional!

14.   Night Moves – Bob Seger

15.   Hotel California – The Eagles

16.   Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan

17.   Revolver – The Beatles

18.   Metallica (The Black Album) – Metallica

19.   The Stranger – Billy Joel

20.   Dookie – Green Day

Punk pioneers that paved a path to the mainstream and kicked down the door for many acts to follow, Green Day were at their absolute best with their major label debut album, Dookie.

21.   Number Of The Beast – Iron Maiden

22.   Eat A Peach – The Allman Brothers

23.   Moving Pictures – Rush

24.   Cowboys From Hell – Pantera

25.   Up From Below – Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes

26.   Boston – Boston

27.   Tattoo You – The Rolling Stones

This is perhaps one of the greatest records The Rolling Stones ever recorded. Ever song is brilliant.

28.   White Blood Cells – The White Stripes

29.   Night Visions – Imagine Dragons

30.   Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi

31.   The Joshua Tree – U2

32.   The Lucky Ones – Doug Keith

33.   Heartbreaker – Ryan Adams

34.   MusicForTheMorningAfter – Pete Yorn

Ever since I first heard the opening notes of “Life On A Chain,” I have been in love with this record. It’s magnificent and an exceptional gateway into other genres of rock music.

35.   No Depression – Uncle Tupelo

36.   Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – Wilco

37.   Hi Infidelity – REO Speedwagon

38.   Sigh No More – Mumford and Sons

39.   Nothing’s Shocking – Jane’s Addiction

40.   Hozier – Hozier

Brilliant! Just freaking brilliant! One of the best albums I have heard in a long, long time.

41.   Whitesnake – Whitesnake

42.   Synchronicity – The Police

43.   Celebrity Skin – Hole

44.   British Steel – Judas Priest

45.   Hybrid Theory – Linkin Park

46.   War of Angels – Pop Evil

47.   Pretty Hate Machine – Nine Inch Nails

48.   News Of The World – Queen

49.   How Will I Laugh Tomorrow…When I Can’t Even Smile Today – Suicidal Tendencies

Thrash metal at its finest! This album opened so many doors for me and turned me on to the whole speed metal genre.

50.   Damn The Torpedoes – Tom Petty

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - The Best Of The Guru 2011 Edition

Welcome July! We’ve reached another halfway point in the year and it’s a perfect time to reflect on what the Guru has done right thus far in 2011. This edition of Friday’s Rockin’ Roundup consists of nothing but links to the best of The Rock And Roll Guru circa 2011 (so far).

As always, if you have any ideas, desires, or ways that you think would improve the website, please drop me a line and let me know. RyoVie@gmail.com Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated.

Have a happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Here’s what rocked in the first half of 2011:

Remembering Behind The Music
I still miss this show. And I still wonder why they haven’t put it out on DVD yet. I would have to believe that it would be a huge seller.

Will There Ever Be Another Rolling Stones?
In a short, one word answer---no. They are one of the greatest rock bands ever, and they are still going strong. I can’t wait to see their 50th reunion tour.

My First Record Club
I still get goosebumps when I think about the first time I joined a record club. Columbia House and BMG were certainly responsible for helping me build a healthy portion of my music collection. Unfortunately, they were also responsible for taking a lot of my money. I guess in the end, it was worth it.

Lower Your Prices, Dummies!
Man, concert promoters can be so dumb. Do you know why no one is attending concerts like they used to? Because no one can afford them! $250 for decent seats? Over $100 for crap seats. Yeah, I am real shocked that no one is going to big concerts!

The Price Of A Concert: Breaking Down Where The Money Goes
On the other side of the argument, it does take a lot of money to put on a spectacular show. In this post, I break down where all of the money goes, who gets what, and how much really goes to the performers.

The Gaslight Anthem
This is one of my favorite new bands that I discovered this year. My only regret is that I did not discover them sooner. The Gaslight Anthem is what the future of rock music is all about.

Time For A Change
And so I began my journey on the Every Album Challenge. This is the story of how it all came together and a prediction of how long it will take to see it through to the end.

Pretty Boy Floyd
They came to M3. They kicked off the second stage. They rocked the hell out of it! I hope that next year, they are invited to perform on the main stage. Pretty Boy Floyd was freaking fantastic!

Sebastian Bach
The biggest surprise at this year’s M3 was hands down, Sebastian Bach. I was expecting a horrendous performance. What I got instead was a blast of metal right in my face. This performer made me a believer and threw me up high on the Bach bandwagon.

For more reviews, news, rants, raves, updates, and odd shout outs, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Dave Matthews Band Caravan Edition

The Caravan begins today. As most regular readers of The Guru know, Dave Matthews Band is doing four shows this year (and only four). Each show is in a major city, with DMB set as the headlining act for all three nights of each festival. The first event kicks off today in Atlantic City, New Jersey. These festivals will probably go down in DMB history as some of the greatest performances the band ever gave and I have a strong feeling that DMB is going to pull out some real gems during their three headlining nights.

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend this festival, thanks to a wedding that is taking me away all weekend. I’m sure I will be able to find several clips on the internet come next week, but I am still disappointed that I cannot attend the first ever Caravan. However, you can attend if you’d like. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the box office at Bader Field. For more details visit www.dmbcaravan.com

Here’s what rocked this week:

Free Caravan Sampler
Looking for some free music? The Dave Matthews Band is offering the Caravan sampler, free on ITunes. It includes songs from O.A.R., Gomez, Dawes, and of course, the Dave Matthews Band. Free is a price that’s hard to argue. Head on over to ITunes and pick up your copy today.

New Music Coming From Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger has been hard at work recording a new album, but not with the Rolling Stones. It’s a super group called Super Heavy and features Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. The album is due out in September. There is no word on whether the band will tour behind the record.

More Music From Chickenfoot
This was some of the best news I read all week. Chickenfoot is mixing their new album. I didn’t even know that the band recorded a new album or planned to release any new material. I honestly thought Chickenfoot was a “one and done” band. Now there are even rumors of a tour. That’s some great news indeed!

Every Album Challenge Update
Albums Listened To: 132
Albums Remaining: 1,921

For more news, reviews, rants, raves, Every Album Challenge updates, and other odds and ends, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

The Rolling Stones - September 28, 2002

In 2002, the Rolling Stones granted their fans a huge treat with a 2-disc greatest hits package. This set was rare in that it not only featured a disc of their recent hits combined with four brand new songs, but it also contained a disc full of their early smashes (previously only available on Decca Records). This was a fan’s fantasy collection. The set was entitled Forty Licks. Shortly after its release, the band announced they would embark on a world tour in support of this phenomenal double album. A tour behind a greatest hits package could only mean one thing---greatest hits being performed live.

As part of this tour, the Rolling Stones were offering a very unique opportunity. For the right price, which if memory serves me was $400, fans could actually sit on the stage where the Rolling Stones were performing. While that was a tempting offer, a hard working lad such as I, could not afford the experience. Thus I was relegated to getting the best possible tickets that were not on the stage.

This concert arrived at a surreal time in my life. I was a divorced guy who had just split up with my first post divorce girlfriend. Life was strange. I wasn’t dating anyone, nor seeing anyone, and the girl I was interested in had a boyfriend. Not having anyone to go the Stones concert with, I purchased two tickets in anticipation that someone would want to attend the show. Honestly, I was hoping it would be the girl I was crushing on, and that’s probably the real reason I bought the tickets.

I was also at a low point in life. As mentioned, I was divorced and had recently split up with my girlfriend. I had a crush on a friend who was in a serious relationship and only wanted friendship, and I was working at a job I did not like and was not excelling in. On top of that, I was living with my grandfather and most of the friends from my youth had moved out of state. It was an odd time to be me.

After asking several people if they would like to attend the concert, and subsequently receiving a lot of “no, thank you” responses, I wasn’t sure what to do. This was the Rolling Stones! Living legends! And no one wanted to see them with me. I couldn’t understand it. I recall telling one woman that I had an extra ticket for the Rolling Stones and she said that she might want to go…“as a friend.” I wasn’t asking for marriage! However, I suppose she didn’t want me to get the wrong idea. Needless to say, she did not attend the concert.

Who did end up going? My ex-wife. I bought two tickets to see The Rolling Stones in concert figuring that someone would want to go on a date and I got to take my ex-wife. These were strange times, indeed.

Having answered the question of who would attend the show, Nancy (my ex) and I went to Giants Stadium to see the Rolling Stones. Nancy and I still got along, having dissolved our marriage on the fact that we married too young, but I still viewed it as a personal failure that I had to take my ex-wife to the Stones. It put me in a depressive state.

I started wondering if I wasn’t date worthy to any of these girls that I asked. The fact that I was asking the wrong girls (one had a boyfriend for six years, one was my cousin’s best friend, and one was a woman that I worked with) never entered my mind. Add in the fact that I was confused about my job and not certain that it was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and it summed up to one big hot mess. Yes, that was me driving to the Rolling Stones concert with my ex-wife in tow.

We laughed about the situation, but it didn’t help me feel any better. It’s hard to sob to your ex about how you’re having trouble finding a date. It just creates an awkward, uncomfortable situation. By the time we arrived at Giants Stadium, I tried to shake it off and enjoy the night. I was going to see the Rolling Stones, for crying out loud. This would only be my second time watching them perform live and knowing that they would play nothing but the hits had my anticipation running wild.

Once we found our seats and settled in for the evening, I immediately noticed something. The seats that fans paid $400 for the honor of sitting on the stage were awful. I was under the impression that if a seat on the stage was purchased, it was literally a seat on the stage. Close enough that you could jump in with the band if desired. While the seats were technically on the stage, they were far from what I had imagined. On the stage, behind the band, were what can only be described as giant rafters that the fans on the stage sat in. The below picture provides clarity. If I had paid $400 for those seats, I would have been pissed off!

The Stones kick started the evening with a roaring and rocking version of one of their biggest hits, Brown Sugar. Mick sounded incredible. Ron Wood looked great. Keith was as crazy as ever, having a grand time on stage, and Charlie Watts was the coolest man in the stadium. The Rolling Stones had come to play, celebrating 40 years of greatness. It’s Only Rock And Roll came next and was followed with a rousing Start Me Up. Three songs in and I was a madman, enjoying the inconceivable performance that was the hits of the Rolling Stones.

That night I became a huge fan of Keith Richards. While I had always appreciated his guitar and songwriting ability, I never found Keith to be the greatest member of the band. All of that changed when it was time for Keith to perform lead vocals on a couple of “Keith” songs. He opened his two song soliloquy with Slipping Away, a slow, jazzy number from Steel Wheels. I always felt that Slipping Away was an underrated Rolling Stones tune. The music is fantastic and Keith’s vocals are spot on for the love ballad song. He sounded great that night and the live performance only helped cement my love for the track.

Next up, was the much beloved (and crowd favorite) Happy. This was the moment when I became a permanent Keith fan. Seeing the vast amounts of happiness that erupted from this man’s soul onto the stage, well, I couldn’t help but to be happy. My sorrows were lifted and tossed aside. Keith was the healer to those of us that were hurt, upset, and unsure about life. Keith was the grand fixer of all things upsetting. And he did it with the simple play of a song. By the end of Happy, I was euphoric. Keith had ailed my blues.

The hits kept coming for the rest of the evening. Sympathy For The Devil, Miss You, Gimme Shelter, and of course (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. All of them sounded crisp and ageless. The Rolling Stones performed a phenomenal concert and thanks to the magic of Keith Richards, I left the show feeling better than I had in years. I was optimistic about my future and no longer bothered by the weight of my worries. The Rolling Stones showed me that all would be right in the world, I just had to roll with it and enjoy the moments I was in, regardless of what was going on in the world around me. Keith showed me how to enjoy life that night, and I’ve been heeding his advice ever since.


Setlist
Brown Sugar
It’s Only Rock And Roll
Start Me Up
Don’t Stop
Tumblin’ Dice
Undercover Of The Night
Angie
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Monkey Man
I Can’t Turn You Loose
Slipping Away
Happy
Sympathy For The Devil
You Got Me Rocking
When The Whip Comes Down
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Honky Tonk Women
Street Fighting Man
Jumping Jack Flash
Satisfaction

Will There Ever Be Another Rolling Stones?

For nearly 50 years they have graced us with some of the greatest music ever performed. With amazing artists such as Keith Richards and Mick Jagger in the band, it’s easy to understand why The Rolling Stones really are the greatest rock and roll band in the world. It’s hard to imagine a band being together, performing, and producing relevant music for as long as the Rolling Stones have. Sure, Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson come close, but they are solo artists, making all of the decisions. The Rolling Stones are a band, which is akin to marriage. 50 years is an eternity for any band to be together, especially when they still frequently tour and record.

Whether you love or hate them, there is no denying that The Rolling Stones are living legends. They have more gold and platinum albums than any band you can name (except for maybe the Beatles and Kiss). Their music is timeless, their talent is iconic, and the band is still relevant and fun. How many other bands out there can claim that? How many bands currently in existence will be able to hit that mark? Will there ever be another band like the Rolling Stones?

I often wonder if Queen could have been that band. Having formed in 1973, Queen was very prolific until Freddie Mercury’s death (in 1992). They were still recording music that people cared about, but that was only after 18 years. Queen would have needed an additional 30+ years to get near what The Rolling Stones have accomplished. In the end, I’m not so sure that would have happened. Freddie Mercury could be difficult to work with at times, and he and Brian May did not always see eye to eye.

Iron Maiden is another band that comes into my mind. They’ve been touring and releasing great records since 1980. They are 30 years in and still going strong. Iron Maiden shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and they have a world wide appeal as strong as The Rolling Stones. While they may not get much radio airplay, there is no denying the strength of their fan base. The band has the drive to last another 20 years as well, especially if they scale back touring to only one out of every five years (similar to the way the Stones have toured as of late).

Pearl Jam has a shot at making a run at The Rolling Stones and hitting the mark. Although only celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, they are another band that continues to make music fans care about, frequently tour, and are still considered highly entertaining by all those who see them in concert. And with band members only in their 40s, they are young enough to play for another 30 years, provided that they don’t want to hang it up for a quieter life.

Not many bands can do what the Rolling Stones have done. That mostly revolves around the true love that the band has for music. When The Rolling Stones first started out, all they cared about was being the best blues band in London. Brian Jones and Keith Richards practiced guitar and learned the latest blues songs for hours upon hours, daily. Drummer Charlie Watts only wanted to make enough money to support his family, which meant the band had to perform three to four gigs a week. Other than that, The Rolling Stones were happy. And it’s that passion that makes a band truly great.

Will there ever be another Rolling Stones? I doubt it. I can’t see any band plugging along for as long as they have, not even the two mentioned above. It’s hard to make lasting music and complete relevant tours for that many years. It’s even harder when you’re in your 70s. The Rolling Stones are the rarest of rare breeds, a one of a kind, first class act that will never be repeated. They truly are, the world’s greatest rock and roll band.


Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

The Best of The Rock And Roll Guru - 2010

Ahhhh, it’s a New Year! 2011 is upon us and I am hopeful and excited for what this year has in store. While looking ahead to the coming year, it’s always nice to take a step back and reflect on what happened in the past year. It’s nice to pause and reflect on what was accomplished as I shape my goals for 2011. Below is what I feel were the best Rock And Roll Guru posts from 2010. Rock with me as we recap my favorite moments from last year. Enjoy!

What’s A Fair Price?
In this post, I tried to determine what a fair price is for all those insane ticket fees we pay when going to see our favorite band perform live. It was another cry for Ticketmaster to get realistic and stop financially raping the fans. Hopefully someone heard the message, but I doubt it.

Who Sets The Prices For Concert Tickets?
Bands rarely get a say in the price of a concert ticket anymore. As more bands continue to sign multi-million dollar deals with promoters less fans will be able to afford tickets. It’s the sad state of the modern concert.

Milli Vanili - 20 Years Later
This was a look back at one of my guilty pleasures from high school. I loved Milli Vanili when I was a teenager. It was impossible to stop myself from listening to them. It’s tragic what happened to these performers. Corporate greed has been around for a long time, hasn’t it?

Summer Nights And The Rolling Stones
I lost a very dear friend in March of 2010. He was the man who introduced me to The Rolling Stones and taught me how to be a romantic. While we weren’t as close in the last years of his life as we should have been, I still considered him a great friend. I miss him dearly.

Choosing Music Over Baseball
This was a major turning point in my life – I chose Cinderella’s Long Cold Winter over my entire baseball card collection. It was then and there that I knew music was the ruling force in my life – forever.

How To Be A Roadie
Have you ever wanted to be a roadie? The opportunity to go on tour with your favorite band can be very alluring. In this post, I explain the pros and cons to becoming one of the men and women who make the concerts happen.

Yet Another Reason To Hate Ticketmaster
The title says it all. Not that we really need another reason, but Ticketmaster is kind enough to continually provide.

How To Become A Band Manager
Much like being a roadie, becoming a band manager is a long journey filled with hard work. However, if you think you have the talent and skills, you could be the next Doc McGhee. Reading this post is a great place to start your journey.

How The Internet Killed The Bootlegging Industry
Sometimes the internet can be a great tool. No longer do we have to pay a small fortune to own a concert we attended. Now we can download any concert in existence for free.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Family Photos Edition

My sister and my nephew are still up visiting with me. They arrived last weekend, and it has been a joy spending time with them. While they’ve stayed at my house, we dug out some old family photos. We also took some new photos and made sure there were copies for everyone. One thing I’ve noticed is that I don’t have enough family photos. I also don’t display them enough at my house. Having my sister and my nephew here with me has made me rethink that. It’s about time that I started taking more pictures and sharing more memories. I think I’m going to start today.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Jim Morrison To Be Pardoned?
As the governor of Florida prepares his exit from office, there is some unfinished business that he would like to attend to. One of those pieces of business include pardoning Jim Morrison for indecent exposure at a concert in Miami. I guess a pardon would bring closure to the situation. At least the fans would be happy.

Ryan Adams Releasing A (sort of) New Album
This made me very happy. Ryan Adams has announced a new double album from Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. The album was recorded during the Easy Tiger sessions, which really has me excited. Easy Tiger is one of Ryan Adams’ best works, which leads me to believe this new double album will be just as brilliant. No word on the release date just yet.

Spin Doctors To Headline The Miami Music Festival
I didn’t even realize that this band was still together, but it’s apparently true. The Miami Music Festival is a three day concert/conference festival celebrating music of all types. I’d be interested in hearing how The Spin Doctors sound after all these years. I wonder if they can still belt out Pocket Full Of Kryptonite like it’s the 90s?

The Rolling Stones To Release Vinyl Box Sets
This is for the audiophile Rolling Stones fan – Box sets of remastered vinyl albums. There are two box sets. The first covers the years 1964 – 1969. The second covers the years 1971 – 2005 and includes the newly remastered edition of Exile On Main Street. Although pricey, if you’re a fan of the band and love your vinyl, this is a pretty darned good collection to pick up.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Remembering Old Classics Edition

Thanks to a Vie’s Verses column that I wrote for Hard Rock Hideout this week, I’ve been spending some quality time with some serious classic albums. Back In Black, Van Halen, Shout At The Devil, and Led Zeppelin IV (just to name a few) have all been enjoyed and reanalyzed this week. I’d forgotten how great some of these albums are.

It was wonderful to go back and spend some quality time with these amazing, timeless rockers. It really renewed my appreciation for such astonishing hard rock records that I have not listened to in years. It reignited my passion and reminded me why I collect music in the first place. Perhaps I should be spending more time with my collection on a regular basis.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Vie’s Verses – 10 Hard Rock Records To Start Your Collection
As I mentioned above, here is the latest edition of Vie’s Verses. It takes a look at 10 must own albums for every hard rock music collection. Let the debates begin!

Keith Richards Auto Biography Hits Stores This Tuesday
I am anxious to get my hands on a copy of this one. Stephen Davis’ Old Gods Almost Dead really told the story of The Rolling Stones, but this is a biography of a Stone written by a Stone. This is going to be some great stuff. I know what I’ll be doing next weekend.

U2 And Danger Mouse???
This could be really, really good, or really, really bad. I guess we will find out next year!

The Kinks Closer To A Reunion
Oh how I would love a Kinks reunion. There aren’t many bands that I can say I’m sorry I never saw live, but The Kinks are one of them. Their music is amazing, Ray Davies is a master, and it would be so much fun to see these guys in concert. Please don’t make the same mistake Pink Floyd did by waiting too long.

For more news, reviews, reunion announcements, hugs, love, and sarcastic wit, you should follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Dave Matthews Band Tickets Edition

In case you haven’t heard, Dave Matthews Band is going on a fall tour. And in case you’ve been living under a rock, DMB will not be touring in 2011, meaning this is the last chance to see them until at least 2012. Tickets for most of their fall dates go on sale this morning at 10AM including two nights at Madison Square Garden in November. Your Cousin Ryo has the direct ticketmaster link bookmarked, so at 10:00 AM, I can jump on and (hopefully) get great tickets. I still don’t understand why the band doesn’t just send me comp passes. For all the coverage I give them on my site, what the heck?

Here’s what rocked this week:

Stone Temple Pilots Are Taking A “Break”
On one hand, it’s really sad to see that Scott Weiland really hasn’t changed. On the other hand, it’s entertaining and hard to look away from, like a car crash on the highway. If Weiland doesn’t pull it together soon though, the man is going to go into a total relapse.

Another Number One Album For Linkin Park
Like the little band that could, Linkin Park grabbed another number one album. Sales for their latest release, A Thousand Suns, topped 241,000 copies in its initial week of sales. That’s pretty darned good. Who says that no one pays for music? Apparently people pay for Linkin Park.

The Rolling Stones Are Set To Release a 1972 Gem
A very rare, highly sought after, and very enjoyable Rolling Stones concert film is coming to a DVD near you. Ladies and Gentlemen…The Rolling Stones, is a 1972 concert filmed in Texas during the Exile On Main Street tour. With songs such as Dead Flowers, All Down The Line, and Bye Bye Johnny, how can you not add this to your Stones collection? Look for this one on October 12th.

Roger Waters Squashes A Pink Floyd Reunion
But he’s not against another one-off show. We can only hope that it would be a full concert (ala Led Zeppelin at O2). Even though it’s just Waters and Gilmour, it’s still magical.

For more news, reviews, ticket rants, rock and roll, and good times, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Iron Maiden Concert Edition

This Sunday is going to be an excellent day for your cousin Ryo. I am going to be seeing Iron Maiden live for the fourth time in my life. The setlist for this current tour has been taking a lot of punishment from the US fans, but I think it’s exceptional. I love the fact that Maiden is mixing it up and not playing the same nostalgia songs every tour. That’s the beauty of Iron Maiden, they are always willing to try something different. I know that I will be singing along with every song they play, and when they do get to the classics, it will just make them that much more exciting. Iron Maiden is an incredible live act, and this concert is going to be amazing. Expect a full review of the entire show in the upcoming weeks.

Now, here’s what rocked this week:

Nickelback To Tour With Buckcherry and Three Days Grace
Wow! Nickelback, Buckcherry, and Three Days Grace. I am SO there!

Damn the Torpedoes or Full Moon Fever?
Over at 3minutes, 49 seconds, Paul has started a new column entitled rock solid. This column attempts to identify those masterpiece records. His first foray into this arena finds him debating between Damn The Torpedoes or Full Moon Fever. Personally, I think that’s unfair. Damn The Torpedoes is a Heartbreaker’s record, while Full Moon Fever is a Petty solo record. Shouldn’t they both qualify as the greatest work by those artists?

Review – Faith No More In Concert
Blogs N Roses has posted a review of Faith No More live in Philly from July 3rd. Interesting setlist and to me, quite unexpected. Still, if the band were to come a little closer to home, I’d want to check them out.

An Interview With Rudolph Schenker
Deb Rao over at Hard Rock Haven had a chance to sit down and talk with the famed Scorpions guitarist Rudolph Schenker. Note Rudolph’s quote of “of course we’ll play…Still Loving You”. What? I didn’t get that song!

Mick Jagger Reportedly Upset About Keith Richards’ Biography
Are you kidding me? Come on, Mick, what’s there to be upset about? All of your drug use and woman abusing has already been captured in Stephen Davis’ Old Gods Almost Dead. So why do you care if Keith brings it up again? Mick always has been the priss of the band. Personally, I can’t wait for Richards’ biography. I’ve got a space on my bookshelf all carved out for October!

And Finally…
I am VERY proud to announce the launch of my own bi-weekly column, Vie’s Verses. The folks at Hard Rock Hideout were gracious enough to provide me the opportunity to write a bi-weekly column and I am so excited about it. My first post went up last week, discussing the M3 festival and Vince Neil. Check it out by clicking on the link above.

For more news, reviews, and concert revelations, and torpedoes, you should follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - The Best of the Guru Edition

Happy Fourth Of July Holiday Weekend! Barbecues, softball tournaments, Yankees baseball, reading, and of course, music, are all on the docket for my long weekend. July makes it 18 months since I launched this little blog. I still enjoy writing it as much as I did the day it was released and I am still amazed at the response this blog gets. Thank you everyone who reads, comments, emails, and enjoys The Rock and Roll Guru. Without you, this blog would be nothing. It means a lot to me that you keep coming back to read more.

Since July marks the halfway point of the year, I thought it would be a good time to round up the best of The Guru – 2010 (so far). Here’s a list of what I think is my strongest work for 2010. Enjoy the 4th everyone!

The Live Nation Ticketmaster Merger
One of the worst things to happen to the music fan.

Who Sets The Price For Concert Tickets?
This is one of the posts that I am most proud of this year. A lot of work and research went into this article, but the hard work paid off. Many people have stopped to visit this post. That means a lot to me.

STILL the front-runner for best album of 2010
Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones is one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard. It could be album of the decade. The more I listen to it, the more I find to enjoy about it.

The time I met Clarence Clemons
It was an amazing experience and he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I will always remember that night.

Discount Albums Online
As CDs are becoming more and more obsolete and people are ripping off the artists by stealing music online, some stores are countering. Sites like Amazon are offering full albums in MP3 format for $4.00 or less. Not too bad at all.

My trip with Stone to see Pop Evil and Charm City Devils
Stone is awesome. Charm City Devils were ok. Pop Evil was FANTASTIC! Stone left a huge fan.

The Loss of an Old Friend
Earlier in the year, I lost an old friend. Next weekend we will be having a bonfire in his honor. There are bound to be a lot of tears and shared memories and that’s all right. That’s how friends live on forever.

The Summer Tours
Wondering what tours are out there this summer? Look no further! Cousin Ryo did the work so you don’t have to.

Milli Vanilli 20 Years Later
Remembering Milli Vanilli … and a girl.

The Rolling Stones - Plundered My Soul

Check out the new video for Plundered My Soul, the first single from The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street Remastered Edition. The song is excellent, the video is pretty cool.

And yes, I did break down and buy the 2-CD version of Exile. It’s pretty darned good. Expect a full review in the near future.

Happy New Music Monday! Enjoy!

The Rolling Stones - Exile On Main Street Remastered

As we all know by now (and if you don’t, you aren’t reading The Rock and Roll Guru enough), the Rolling Stones are releasing a remastered version of Exile On Main Street. This was their quintessential double album from 1972 that was recorded in a scorching basement in France due to Keith Richards’ visa problems. What they ended up with was one of the finest albums of their career. While I would hesitate to call it their best work, it is certainly in the top 5. The remastered version will be available in several different formats including a single disc of just the original album. However, the disc that most people are interested in is the disc of 10 never before (officially) released outtakes from the Exile sessions. This bonus disc is included with a remastered version of Exile On Main Street and is set to retail for around $30.

Is it worth $30? That’s the real question at hand here. Exile on Main Street is an incredible album, there is no denying that, but is it worth owning all of these songs again, albeit in “remastered” format, just to own the bonus disc? Why aren’t the Stones selling just the bonus disc? I know, all of you electronic downloaders are yelling right now, “Ryo, you can just buy those songs online.” And yes, I suppose that’s true. However, when I buy an album that I already own (in more than one format, mind you), I want the whole album. I want linear notes.

I want the physical element of the compact disc(s) and packaging. I want it all.
So the question remains, is a “new” disc of old Stones material worth $30. The remastered songs are going to sound a lot better than the original disc version, but again, these are not “new” songs. It is a quandary of my rational self fighting with my irrational self. “How can you buy songs you already own?” my rational self muses. My irrational side screams “They are going to sound so much better AND you get a disc of unreleased Stones songs. Come on, man! This is The Rolling Stones! Number 4 on the all time favorite bands list!”

And my irrational self will more than likely win out. I’ll plunk down the money and hate myself later for it. But it is the Stones.

What about you? Are you excited that this is coming out? Is anyone planning on running out on May 18th to own this double-disc version of Exile right away? Is $30 a fair price, or should I wait two more weeks and ask for it as a birthday present?

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Summer Nights and The Rolling Stones

When I was a teenager, I was close friends with two brothers and was practically their third sibling. Ron and Jeff Marx, along with myself, were inseparable for a time period, particularly the summer of 1989. We all worked at Roy Rogers fast food restaurant together (anyone remember those) on the night shift. Summertime was the best time to work there, because it meant that I could work the night shift any night of the week.

After we would close down the restaurant, the three of us (and anyone else who wanted to join along) would head over to the nearest diner, drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, and order some breakfast. When you’re 15, this is the coolest thing in the world. Other times, we would ride around in Ron’s 1973 green Chevy Nova, listen to music and just be happy to be out. I was still two years away from getting my license and Jeff was a year from his, so it was awesome that Ronnie would drive us around. We’d just enjoy the evening doing nothing.

On a lot of nights, there was music. Ronnie was a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, and through him and his influence, I became a much bigger fan than I was. Before I started spending time with him and Jeff, I was a casual fan at best. While Jeff got me hooked deep on AC/DC, it was Ronnie that got me hooked on the Rolling Stones.

We would play Tattoo You on a lot of these nights, particularly side two, the slower side. I have always considered Tattoo You a perfect album. I am very careful with that term and which albums I give that label to, but to me the true definition of a perfect album is when you want to hear the next song as badly as you want to replay the last, then it’s a perfect album. That’s how we felt about Tattoo You. Side two was the perfect soundtrack for late summer nights. Driving around town or home from work with the windows down, the warm breeze on my face, and The Rolling Stones Heaven, or No Use In Cryin’ blasting out of the car stereo; life didn’t get any better than that.

Heaven is the one song I remember best from those days. Jeff was a huge fan of it, because it sounded like Pink Floyd to him. I was always mesmerized by the funky groove and the fact that I couldn’t figure out the lyrics. To this day, I still have trouble determining exactly what Mick is singing.

Ronnie would turn me on to several other Rolling Stones albums, particularly their older works, and I would spend a lot of my paychecks on their music over the years. Trying to collect every release by The Rolling Stones is no easy feat. I would get very close, but I still don’t own them all. I can still remember buying Made In The Shade and Rewind on Compact Disc. Those were two of the rarest Rolling Stones albums and to own them showed that you were a true Stones fan. The sense of pride that went through me when I finally had both of them in my collection was overwhelming.

When I got out of high school and started working different jobs and attending college, I lost touch with Ronnie. Jeff and I remained the closest of friends, but as the years progressed, I would only see Ron at Jeff’s son’s birthday parties. We would always go down memory lane and I always told myself that we needed to get together more often like the old days. Go bowling, blast the Rolling Stones, and hit the diner afterward. We never did get around to having that nostalgic reunion.

Ronnie passed away last weekend. He died suddenly and unexpectedly. When I got the news I was in shock and I am still numb to the whole ordeal. Although Ronnie and I were not as tight as we were back in those summer days, it still felt like I lost a member of my family. It’s hard to believe that he’s gone and that those summer nights with The Rolling Stones were so long ago and will forever be only a memory now.

I’m going to miss Ron a lot. His older brother influences stayed with me throughout my life, especially my love for The Rolling Stones. He taught me a lot of other things and helped to shape some of the principals that are still constant in my life today. For those few critical years he and Jeff were my older brothers and I still consider them family, which is what makes losing Ronnie so hard. The passing of a friend is hard enough, but when it’s someone that you considered a sibling, it’s that much harder. May he rest in peace. His memory will live on forever, and every time I play Tattoo You, I will look back on those summer nights fondly and remember the great times that we had together, however short they were.