Tag Archives: Classic Rock

Music Monday: March 16, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees was released 50 years ago in February 1976. Seven months later, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. It produced four singles, one that peaked at #2 and another which was a Top 20 hit. This was Scaggs’ seventh solo album and proved to be his breakthrough record.

The blues/R&B/rock singer-born William Royce Scaggs on June 8, 1944 in Canton, Ohio-started his singing career in 1959 as the lead singer for The Marksmen, which was guitarist’s Steve Miller’s first band. Scaggs was a member of The Steve Miller Band as well from 1967-1968, then pursued a solo career. Eight years later, the two former bandmates would meet on the music charts when Miller’s Fly Like An Eagle album was released in May 1976, three months after Silk Degrees.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Scaggs on stage during an October 2021 show in Florida. (Image courtesy of his official Facebook page. Original source unknown.)

One of the funniest films ever made just turned 30 years old. “The Birdcage”-based on the 1978 French-Italian film, “La Cage aux Folles”, which was based on the 1973 play by Jean Poiret-was released March 8, 1996. The stellar cast was led spectacularly by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a gay couple trying to hide their relationship from their son’s ultra conservative future in-laws, played to perfection by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest. Dan Futterman & Calista Flockhart play the young couple trying to merge the two polar opposite worlds.

Lane-who turned 70 last month-turned shrieking into an art form in the movie. He was on “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” last year & discussed how Mike Nichols cast him in the role of Albert opposite Williams as Armand. Lane tells a great story, full of laughs, insight & interesting information such as Williams was originally slated to play Albert opposite Steve Martin as Armand. As much as I adore Martin, I cannot picture anyone in the roles better than Lane & Williams. The movie is still one of my go-to’s whenever I need an intense laugh.

The official movie poster. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A still from the dinner scene (L-R): Calista Flockhart, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dan Futterman and Dianne Wiest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lane and Hackman in mid-song, with Williams in the background at the piano. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs: “Lowdown” (1976, written by David Paich and Boz Scaggs).

Boz Scaggs: “Lido Shuffle” (1976, written by David Paich and Boz Scaggs).

Boz Scaggs: “We’re All Alone” (1976, written by Boz Scaggs).

The Cast Of “The Birdcage”: “I Could Have Danced All Night” (1996, written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. Cast in order of appearance: Dianne Wiest, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Calista Flockhart, Dan Futterman and Hank Azaria).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 9, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company’s third studio album, Run With The Pack, was released 50 years ago in January 1976. The supergroup had cemented their place in classic rock with their debut album in 1974, and by this third album in as many years they were known for the intensity of their live shows as well.

Run peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 in 1976 and produced three singles: the title track, “Young Blood” which peaked at #20-and was a Lieber & Stoller cover originally recorded by The Coasters in 1957-and “Honey Child” which peaked at #59. The album is one of my top picks by the band as it features three of my all time favorite songs by them.

Bad Company circa 1975 (L to R): Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell and Paul Rodgers. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Speaking of the great songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller-who gave us so many of the songs Elvis made famous-I recently discovered another one of their tracks during an “Ally McBeal” rewatch.

Near the end of S1 E2, Vonda Shepard starting singing a song that was unfamiliar to me. After a quick Google search of the lyrics, I found the original recording from 1977. It is by English singer Elkie Brooks who I never heard of before but what a discovery. She has an incredibly soulful voice with a hint of rasp that gives Rod Stewart vibes. I cannot find Shepard’s version on line but she did a fabulous job on it, as she did on most of the songs she covered on the show.

Elkie Brooks circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another new-to-me song from my “Ally” rewatch is from Gladys Knight & The Pips. It was written by singer, songwriter & Mississippi native, Jim Weatherly (March 17, 1943 – February 3, 2021). He wrote five songs for their 1973 album, Imagination, their first release for Buddah Records, the label they landed at after leaving Motown. The group’s two biggest hits-“Midnight Train To Georgia”, which was #1 for two weeks in October 1973 and “Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)”, a #2 hit in April 1973-were also written by Weatherly. A year later, the group took yet another one of his compositions, “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me”, to the #3 spot in April 1974.

He was a quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels from 1962-1964 while he was a student at the University of Mississippi. After graduation he pursued music which included his own contract from Buddah after the success of “Midnight Train”. Weatherly released 11 albums between 1972 and 2008. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 20 years ago in 2006 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. His songs were also recorded by Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond, amongst others.

Jim Weatherly circa 1973. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company: “Simple Man” (1976, written by Mick Ralphs).

Bad Company: “Love Me Somebody” (1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

Bad Company: “Silver, Blue & Gold“(1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

Elkie Brooks: “Pearl’s A Singer” (1977, written by Ralph Dino, Jerry Leiber, John Sembello and Mike Stoller).

Gladys Knight & The Pips: “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” (1973, written by Jim Weatherly).

Jim Weatherly: “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” (1973, written by Jim Weatherly).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 23, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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“Come down off your throne and leave your body alone
Somebody must change
You are the reason I’ve been waiting so long
Somebody holds the key

Well I’m near the end and just ain’t got the time
And I’m wasted and I can’t find my way home

Come down on your own and leave your body alone
Somebody must change
You are the reason I’ve been waiting all these years
Somebody holds the key

Well I’m near the end and just ain’t got the time
Oh and I’m wasted and I can’t find my way home

But I can’t find my way home
But I can’t find my way home
But I can’t find my way home
But I can’t find my way home
Still I can’t find my way home
And I ain’t done nothing wrong
But I can’t find my way home”.

Celebrating 57 years of one of the most beautiful tracks I ever heard.

Blind Faith’s 1969 self-titled album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Blind Faith: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (1969, written by Steve Winwood).

Steve Winwood: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (2012, written by Steve Winwood).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: July 14, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Fleetwood Mac, the band’s self-titled album (not to be confused with their 1968 eponymous debut album) was released 50 years ago on July 11, 1975. The record marked a new chapter in the group’s history as it was the first to feature Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks who were recruited by Mick Fleetwood. In actuality, just Buckingham was asked to join the band but he would only agree if Nicks-his musical partner & girlfriend at the time-was given a spot in the group as well. I do not think there is a music fan alive who does not know how the story ended.

Drummer Mick Fleetwood (L) and bassist John McVie (R) were the two band members featured on the cover of the 1975 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Buckingham brought more than his voice & guitar prowess to the band. His gift for producing and arranging helped define the group’s new rock sound, taking them from a blues oriented band-founded in 1967 by English guitarist Pete Green-to one which helped establish the classic rock sound of the 1970’s.

The album’s first single, penned by Christine McVie (July 12 marked her 82nd birth anniversary), peaked at #20 on the U.S. charts in January 1976. It was the group’s first Top 20 song. Another one of her songs, “Say You Love Me”, was the album’s third single which peaked at #11 in September 1976. The second single, written by Stevie Nicks, also reached #11 in June 1976. And the first track on the album, written by Lindsey Buckingham, made me fall head over heels in love with his voice, his talent and his incredibly sexy appearance.

The group’s follow up album, 1977’s Rumours, is the one that skyrocketed them to fame while telling the story of their romantic entanglements & heartaches. But it was the 1975 album that changed the band’s direction, their sound and rewrote their place in music history.

Pictured L-R: Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks circa 1976. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Fleetwood Mac: “Over My Head” (1975, written by Christine McVie).

Fleetwood Mac: “Rhiannon” (1975, written by Stevie Nicks).

Fleetwood Mac: “Monday Morning” (1975, written by Lindsey Buckingham).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: June 9, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Levon Helm was born 85 years ago on May 26, 1940 in Elaine, Arkansas. Best known as the drummer and primary singer for The Band, the multi-instrumentalist eventually branched out into acting. His best known role was as Loretta Lynn’s father in the 1980 film, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Helm also appeared in “The Right Stuff” (1983), “Smooth Talk” (1985) and “In The Electric Mist” (2009).

After a bout with throat cancer in 1998, he regained his voice to record his 2007 album, Dirt Farmer. It won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2008. Two more Grammy wins soon followed, one in 2010 for Best Americana Album for his 2009 release, Electric Dirt and the other in 2012 in the same category for 2011’s Ramble at the Ryman.

Helm’s autobiography, “This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band“, was published in 1993. He died from throat cancer on April 19, 2012 at age 71.

Top: Levon Helm circa 1977. Bottom: Helm (R) with Sissy Spacek in 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, better known as Tom Jones, celebrated birthday #85 yesterday. The Welsh superstar was born June 7, 1940 in Wales. He started singing as a child and by 1964 he was signed to Decca Records. Two years later he won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966. From 1969 to 1971 he hosted his own TV show, “This Is Tom Jones”.

That exposure coupled with his signature powerhouse baritone voice made him one of the leading sex symbols of the 1970’s. He eventually branched out into acting and by the 1980’s started recording country music as well. In 1988 he teamed up with The Art Of Noise for a cover of Prince’s song, “Kiss”. Jones has spent the last 40 years performing, recording music (his last studio album, Surrounded by Time, was released in 2021) and participating in shows like “The Voice”. Jones’ 60 year career remains a part of music & pop culture history.

Top: Tom Jones circa 1970. Bottom: The performer circa 2019. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

April marked the 80th birth anniversary of one of my favorite voices from Motown. Tammi Terrell was born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery on April 29, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA. By the time she was 15, she was discovered by songwriter & record producer, Luther Dixon. A year later she was a backup singer for The Godfather of Soul, James Brown. In 1963, she released a song he co-wrote, “I Cried” on his label, Try Me Records. On Terrell’s 20th birthday in 1965, she was signed to Motown Records. By 1967, she was recording duets with Marvin Gaye. Their songs were successful on both the R&B and the pop charts.

In October 1967 she collapsed on stage and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Terrell fought a brave fight that ended 55 years ago when she died on March 16, 1970 at the age of 24.

Top: Tammi Terrell circa 1968 by Earl Fowler for SOUL Newspaper. Bottom: Terrell (R) with Marvin Gaye (L), circa 1967. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

John Fogerty turned 80 last month. Born John Cameron Fogerty on May 28, 1945 in Berkeley, California, his most successful solo album was released forty years ago in January 1985. It hit the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for one week on March 23, 1985. Between his years as the lead singer & primary songwriter for Creedence Clearwater Revival and his solo career of 52 years, Fogerty’s voice remains a constant in the classic rock genre.

Top: John Fogerty from his days with Creedence Clearwater Revival circa 1970. Bottom: The singer circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Michael James “Mick” Hucknall was born 65 years ago on born June 8, 1960 in Manchester, U.K. He was the lead singer for the band, Simply Red. The group’s undeniable sound was led by the incredibly rich soulful timbre of Hucknall’s voice & the poignancy of his poetic lyrics. The band’s debut album, Picture Book, was released nearly 40 years ago in October 1985.

The third single put the group on the map and garnered them overnight success. Hucknall wrote it when he was 17. It hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week on July 12, 1986.

Another of their songs that I simply adore is from their fourth album which was released in September 1991. It is the title track which was the second single and like every Simply Red song, Hucknall’s incredible voice makes it an experience worth hearing again and again.

Top: Simply Red’s 1985 album. Middle: The band in the 1980’s with Mick Hucknall featured in the center, seated. Bottom: Hucknall circa 2021. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Levon Helm and Sissy Spacek: “Ain’t Got The Time” (1980 appearance on The Midnight Special. Credit(s) unknown. NOTE: The video cuts out just before the song ends, but it is a great performance nonetheless).

Tom Jones: “She’s A Lady” (1971, written by Paul Anka).

Tammi Terrell: “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You” (1967, written by Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock and Harvey Fuqua).

John Fogerty: “Centerfield” (1985, written by John Fogerty).

Simply Red: “Holding Back the Years” (1985, written by Mick Hucknall and Neil Moss).

Simply Red: “Stars” (1991, written by Mick Hucknall).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: June 2, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Solomon Burke was born 85 years ago on March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of the pioneers of R&B and soul music in the 1960’s. Before his death 15 years ago on October 10, 2010 at age 70, he released 38 studio albums in his 55 year career as a professional singer.

Solomon Burke circa 1962. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

He was signed to Apollo Records when he was only 15 years old in 1955. Five years later he signed with Atlantic Records. Under the guidance of label co-owner Jerry Wexler, Burke’s voice & his string of hit records not only established the range and depth of his talent, it also kept Atlantic afloat after powerhouse performer Ray Charles left for ABC Records in 1959. Burke’s sound and influence reached an array of future performers almost instantly, especially the members of The Rolling Stones.

They may have released their debut album in the U.S. in May 1964, but it was 60 years ago in 1965 when they really established themselves as a force to be reckoned with thanks to two significant albums. The Rolling Stones, Now!​ is their third American studio album of mostly cover songs. It was released in the U.S. in February 1965 and the opening track is a cover of Solomon Burke’s 1964 hit.

The album also includes includes the Don Raye song, “Down The Road A Piece”, Allen Toussaint’s “Pain In My Heart” and Willie Dixon’s “Little Red Rooster”. The Stones performed my favorite version of his track during a 1989 Pay-per-view concert where they were joined by Eric Clapton.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Out of Our Heads was released in July 1965 and also includes another Burke classic from 1962. The album’s highlight, however, is The Stones’ first #1 hit, a Jagger-Richards song released as a single in the U.S. 60 years ago on June 4, 1965. A month later, it hit the top spot where it stayed for four consecutive weeks.

Their second #1 hit, “Get Off of My Cloud” was released in Sept 1965 & hit #1 two months later for two consecutive weeks. Six more top selling songs would follow for the band, giving them a total of eight #1 songs in their career to date.

Top: The Rolling Stones album from July 1965. Bottom: From L-R: Charlie Watts (on drums), Mick Jagger and Solomon Burke on stage in 2002 in Los Angeles. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Mick Jagger released his debut solo album in 1985. She’s The Boss premiered in the U.S. in February 1985 (a month later in the UK). It includes appearances by such high profile artists as Herbie Hancock, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck and Nile Rodgers, who also co-produced the album with Jagger and bassist Bill Laswell. The album peaked at #13 in April 1985, with the first single reaching #12 a month earlier. Jagger released three more solo studio records, but his first was the most successful.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Special shout out to Ron Wood, who turned 78 on June 1. This year also marks his 50th year as a member of The Rolling Stones, whom he joined on Keith Richards’ invitation in 1975 after Mick Taylor’s departure.

Today also marks the 84th birth anniversary of the band’s drummer Charlie Watts, who was born June 2, 1941 in London, England. He passed away on August 24, 2021 at the age of 80 after a 59 year tenure with the band.

Charlie Watts (L) and Ron Wood (R) circa 2010. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Solomon Burke: “Cry To Me” (1962, written by Bert Berns).

Solomon Burke: “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” (1964, written by Bert Berns, Solomon Burke and Jerry Wexler).

The Rolling Stones: “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” (1965, written by Bert Berns, Solomon Burke and Jerry Wexler).

The Rolling Stones: “Cry To Me” (1965, written by Bert Berns).

The Rolling Stones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Mick Jagger: “Just Another Night” (1985, written by Mick Jagger).

Solomon Burke: “The Judgement” (2002, written by Elvis Costello and Cait O’Riordan).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 19, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Lou Gramm turned 75 this month. Born Louis Andrew Grammatico on May 2, 1950 in Rochester, NY, he was the powerful and unmistakable voice of Foreigner for their most successful years-from 1976 to 1990-and rejoined them from 1992 to 2003. Their self-titled debut album was released in March 1977 to immediate success courtesy of the one-two punch of the first two singles, led by “Feels Like The First Time” which peaked at #4 in June 1977. All in all they had nine Top Ten hits and a #1 record 40 years ago-“I Want To Know What Love Is”-which was in the top spot for two consecutive weeks in February 1985.

In January 1987, Gramm released his debut solo record, Ready Or Not. Two more solo albums followed in 1989 and 2009. In 2024, he was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with Foreigner.

Top: Foreigner’s 1977 debut album. Middle: Lou Gramm circa 1979. Bottom: The singer circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On of the greatest rock anthems in existence turned 55 last week. It was released on May 15, 1970 in the UK and performed by the band, Free. It is from their third album, Fire and Water, released a month later. The track features Paul Rodgers on an absolutely scorching lead vocal, an insane guitar performance by Paul Kossoff, an infectious beat courtesy of Simon Kirke on drums along with an unbelievably intense bassline by Andy Fraser, who co-wrote the track with Rodgers.

It marked a complete shift from 1960’s rock to the sound that would come to be known as classic rock because the song is just that powerful and spectacular. Free may have officially disbanded in 1973, but luckily for music Rodgers and Kirke went on to form Bad Company who will finally be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame later this year as part of the Class of 2025.

Free (L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In March of this year Michael Martin Murphy turned 80. In early 1975 when he was known as Michael Murphy (he added the middle name around 1980 to avoid confusion with an actor by the same name), the singer & songwriter released the first single from his fourth album, Blue Sky – Night Thunder. The track peaked at #3 forty years ago in June 1975. I always loved the song and was thrilled when it became such a point of interest for David Letterman in 2007 during his “Late Show” tenure.

That phenomenal show ended 10 years ago on May 20, 2015. There are a plethora of moments I adore from it, but Letterman’s conversations about this song with his bandleader, Paul Shaffer, especially the musing over the line “gonna leave sod busting behind”, are some of my absolute favorites. They were hilarious and memorable, especially since the song was a favorite of Dave’s. And in a fabulous moment of appreciation, respect and class, he had Murphey perform the song on “The Late Show” 18 years ago on May 22, 2007. I miss Dave so much.

Top: Paul Shaffer (L) and David Letterman on “The Late Show” circa 2014. Middle: Shaffer (L) and Letterman in an IG post from 2024. Bottom: Michael Martin Murphy circa 2012. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Foreigner: “Cold As Ice” (1977, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Foreigner: “Head Games” (1979, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Lou Gramm: “Midnight Blue” (1987, written by Lou Gramm and Bruce Turgon).

Free: “All Right Now” (1970, written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers).

Michael Martin Murphey: “Wildfire” (1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Michael Martin Murphey:  “Wildfire” as performed live on “The Late Show With David Letterman” on May 22, 2007 (originally released in 1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 11, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

President Harry S. Truman delivered the quote below on April 17, 1945 during his address over Armed Forces Radio following the death of his predecessor, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. As a WW1 veteran himself, Truman also shared his firsthand experience:

“I know the strain, the mud, the misery, the utter weariness of the soldier in the field. And I know too his courage, his stamina, his faith in his comrades, his country, and himself.”

To all our veterans & to the men and women currently in uniform, thank you for your service.

Veteran's day

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dan Fogelberg’s second album, Souvenirs, just turned 50 years old. Released in October 1974, all 11 songs were written by the singer/songwriter himself. The most well know track was “Part Of The Plan” and set him up for the future success that followed. In 1978 he collaborated with flutist Tim Weisberg for Twin Sons of Different Mothers which includes a song I really enjoy, “The Power Of Gold”.

But when 1979’s album, Phoenix, came out featuring the hit, “Longer”, I must admit it put Fogelberg on my periphery. It did not speak to me at all and was way too soft rock for my taste. But 1981’s “Hard To Say” & 1982’s “Missing You” were more my vibe and put him back into my focus. And what holiday season is complete without his sweet reflective “Same Old Lang Syne”?

As for Souvenirs, it also has a great song for anyone who has ever felt the need to “stay inside for a while” when the noise starts to drown out the peace.

“Don’t you think it’s kind of sad to say
Don’t you think it’s gonna change
Makes you think you’ll have to stay inside
For a while“.

Dan_Fogelberg_-_Souvenirs

Dan Fogelberg’s 1974 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Herb Alpert hit the #1 spot in the country 45 years ago. His 1979 top selling song-co-written by his nephew, Randy “Badazz” Alpert-stayed in that position for two consecutive weeks. Herb’s first #1 song, “This Guy’s In Love With You”, topped the charts for 4 weeks eleven years earlier in June 1968. And if you know your GH trivia, you know what controversial scene the 1979 song was featured in (hint: It involved Luke & Laura).

The 89 year old trumpeter-who released his 50th album, 50, in September-is actively touring with his wife, Lani Hall, and will be joined by The Tijuana Brass early next year in anticipation of the 60th anniversary of Whipped Cream & Other Delights which was released in April 1965.

Rise

Herb Alpert’s 1979 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Julian Lennon released his debut album in October 1984. It was produced by Phil Ramone and had two Top Ten songs, the title track and “Too Late For Goodbyes”. The comparisons to his father, John, were inevitable, especially due to the similarities in their voices and their looks. But Julian’s inner voice was very much his own and came through in every song on this record. Six more albums followed (including his 2022 release, Jude) while Julian found other passions to pursue as well. In 2010 a book featuring his Beatles memorabilia collection was published. That same year, he was featured in the first of several photography exhibits, a passion he discovered while taking pictures for the 2007 musical tour for his half brother, Sean.

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Julian Lennon’s 1984 debut album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Fortunate Son” (1969, written by John Fogerty).

Dan Fogelberg: “Changing Horses” (1974, written by Dan Fogelberg).

Herb Alpert: “Rise” (1979, written by Randy “Badazz” Alpert and Andy Armer).

Julian Lennon: “Valotte“: (1984, written by Justin Clayton, Julian Lennon and Carlton Morales).   

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 4, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lindsey Buckingham celebrated birthday #75 last month. Born October 3, 1949 in Palo Alto, CA, he is the man credited as the driving force behind Fleetwood Mac from the moment he joined the band at the end of 1974. And by now we all know his only condition to becoming a member of the group was that his then girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, be invited as well.

It was not only Buckingham’s undeniably impressive skills as a musician featuring his notable fingerstyle technique on electric and acoustic guitar along with the banjo, or his talent for songwriting but his prowess for arranging and producing that made him invaluable to the group’s success in its second life. Formed in 1967, the band’s sound was more blues based before it shifted its focus to rock led by his lead guitar which helped to introduce FM to a much wider audience, leading to their enormous success and recognition.

Buckingham’s presence was evident in 1975’s self titled album and the one which followed that documented all the romantic drama that took place (including his & Nicks’ breakup in 1976) and became the subject for the next album, 1977’s Rumours, which catapulted the group to superstardom. By 1981, he released his first solo album, Law And Order, and by 1987 he left FM for a creative and personal break.

In 1993 Buckingham joined the band for a performance of “Don’t Stop” for the Clinton inauguration. That opened the door for some other collaborations with the group before they reunited for 1997’s, The Dance, which he co-produced. Over the next 20 years he continued with FM while also working on solo projects and other collaborations including his 2017 album with Christine McVie. As much as I loved that, I will forever be grateful to Lindsey for appearing on “Saturday Night Live” in 2011 to participate as himself in the ongoing skit, “What’s Up With That“, where he was portrayed by Bill Hader. Funny stuff.

McVie’s death in 2022 effectively laid FM to rest, but many fans including myself believe the band officially ended in 2018 when Buckingham was fired due to an ultimatum Nicks made to the rest of the group. Some reports say she was upset with his behavior at an awards function while others said it stemmed from her not being included on his & McVie’s album while the two other members of FM-Mick Fleetwood and John McVie-were a part of it.

However, it has been well documented by Nicks herself in nearly every interview I have seen (most recently last month’s appearance on CBS Sunday Morning) that she continues to blame Buckingham for choices she made over four decades ago, indicating there is a great deal of baggage behind her reasons for forcing the band to choose between them. He sued the group for his termination and by the end of 2018 the case was settled. If the magnitude of his shadow did not speak for itself, the fact that not one but two other guitarists were brought in to replace him for FM’s 2019 tour puts it into perspective quite clearly. But without Buckingham, it was just not the same.

That same year he underwent emergency heart surgery which reportedly affected his vocal chords. Thankfully, he recovered and released his self-titled seventh solo album in September 2021. He has been married to Kristen Messner since 2000 and together they have three children. To me, he remains the heart & sound of Fleetwood Mac. And I am forever thankful for that.

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Top: Lindsey Buckingham & the rest of Fleetwood Mac on the back cover of 1977’s smash album, Rumours (large photo l-r: John McVie, Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie). Middle 1: Buckingham circa 1979. Middle 2: The 2017 Buckingham McVie album cover. Bottom: The artist circa 2017. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Fleetwood Mac: “Monday Morning” (1975, written by Lindsey Buckingham).

Fleetwood Mac: “Go Your Own Way” (1977, written by Lindsey Buckingham).

Fleetwood Mac: “The Chain” (1977, written by Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie and Stevie Nicks).

Lindsey Buckingham: “Trouble” (1981, written by Lindsey Buckingham).   

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: October 14, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Heart of Saturday Night, the second studio album by singer & songwriter Tom Waits, was released on October 15, 1974 on Asylum Records. The title song was written as a tribute to writer Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac, better known as Jack Kerouac, the author of one of my all time favorite books, “On The Road”.

It is easy to see the similarities between he and Waits. They both observed and then relayed stories about the invisible and forgotten people of the world. On Day 189 of my Lockdown Countdown, I wrote about “the souls Waits zeros in on and shares with his audience. The ne’er-do-wells, the alcoholics, the hookers, the broken-hearted, the sad sacks, the angry types, the ones wondering where their lives went, the ones haunted by their choices or the ones just broken by life. Waits is their voice. And to me they are all people I want to get to know because, as the saying goes, there but for the grace of God. Waits extends a hand to each of them. And that in and of itself gives us all hope.” I love Waits’ view of the world. I believe Kerouac would, too.

Waits

The cover of Waits’ 1974 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Hall & Oates 12th studio album, Big Bam Boom, was released 40 years ago on October 12, 1984. The first single & its fabulous video were released a week earlier and the song hit the #1 spot for one week in Dec 1984. The second single, “Method Of Modern Love”, peaked at #5 in February 1985. The duo has six #1 songs and 16 Top Ten hits in their career to date, which sadly may now be over after 50+ years. The two musicians are currently engaged in a legal battle over Oates allegedly trying to sell his half of the duo’s business without Hall’s required consent. I love these guys and I am seriously hoping they can resolve this matter amicably so we can all see them reunite on “Live From Daryl’s House”. Fingers crossed.

Hall Oates

The cover of the duo’s s 1984 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Tom Waits: “(Looking for) The Heart Of Saturday Night” (1974, written by Tom Waits).

Hall & Oates: “Out of Touch” (1984, written by Daryl Hall and John Oates).

Stay safe and well.