Tag Archives: John Lee Hooker

Music Monday: March 23, 2026

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This year will mark the 85th birth anniversary for a singer & songwriter best known for songs made famous by others. Tim Hardin was born December 23, 1941 in Eugene, Oregon. His father played bass in an Army jazz band and his mother played violin in the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Hardin learned guitar while he was in high school before he quit to enlist in the Marines where he served in Asia. He honed his musical skills during that time, so when he was discharged in 1961, he moved to NYC and began playing in small clubs. Two years later he moved to Boston where he was approached by Columbia Records. Unfortunately, they did not move forward with his demos.

In 1965 he relocated to California and by July 1966, he released his first record, Tim Hardin 1, on Verve Records. One of the tracks, “Reason To Believe”, was the first single from Rod Stewart’s 1971 breakthrough album, Every Picture Tells A Story. When the B-side, “Maggie May”, started receiving more air play, it catapulted the double-sided single to the #1 spot in the country for five consecutive weeks in the fall of 1971. Over two decades later, Stewart included “Reason” as part of his MTV “Unplugged” performance and the song became a hit again as a Top 20 hit in October 1993.

In November 1966, Bobby Darin’s recording of Hardin’s song, “If I Were A Carpenter”, peaked at #8. He included his own version on his second album, Tim Hardin 2, released in 1967. He also sang it live during his Woodstock performance in August 1969.

Hardin released nine albums in his lifetime before his death in 1980 from an accidental overdose of heroin, an addiction he struggled with since he was introduced to it during his military years in Asia. His 10th album, Unforgiven, was released posthumously in 1981. His music has been covered by many artists including Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, The Four Tops, The Carpenters and Don McLean.

My favorite album of Hardin’s-Bird On A Wire-was released 55 years ago in June 1971. The title track is my favorite vocal performance by him.

James Timothy Hardin: December 23, 1941 – December 29, 1980

Tim Hardin circa 1968. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

 Hardin’s 1971 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another artist we lost too soon was English musician Paul Kosoff. Last year marked his 75th birth anniversary (born Sept 14, 1950) and March 19 marked the 50th anniversaryof his death in 1976 at age 25. He was the lead guitarist & co-founder of the rock band, Free.

He studied classical guitar from the ages of 9 to 15, at which time he decided to pursue a career in music after attending a show by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In 1966 Kosoff was in the band Black Cat Bones with drummer Simon Kirke. Ttwo years later they co-founded Free with vocalist Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser. Their debut album, Tons Of Sobs, was released in March 1969.

They found their greatest success from their third album-Fire and Water, released in June 1970-thanks to the their breakthrough single, “All Right Now”. It is one of the greatest rock anthems in music history. I have been obsessed with this track since I was a child and a century later I still cannot get enough of it. Four standout performances by each member of the band combined together to make an intensely masterful and sublime track.

Free initially disbanded in 1971 due to internal tensions but came together a year later to record Free at Last. That was followed by Fraser’s departure, reportedly due in part to Kosoff’s undependability because of his growing substance abuse issues. The band broke up for good in 1973 and later that year, Kosoff released his solo debut, Back Street Crawler. He was set to be on tour with Rodgers’ & Kirke’s new band, Bad Company, beginning in April 1976. Sadly, Kosoff died from a pulmonary embolism a month before.

Paul Francis Kossoff: September 14, 1950 – 19 March 19, 1976

Paul Kosoff circa 1974 (L) and 1970 (R). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

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

Tim Hardin: “Bird On A Wire” (1971, written by Leonard Cohen).

Tim Hardin: “Hoboin’” (1971, written by John Lee Hooker and Joe Josea, arranged by Joe Zawinul).

Tim Hardin: “Georgia On My Mind” (1971, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, arranged by Joe Zawinul).

Free: “Moonshine” (1969, written by Paul Kossoff’ and Paul Rodgers).

Free: “Oh I Wept” (1970, written by Paul Kossoff’ and Paul Rodgers).

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

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 132

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the 77th birthday for one of the greatest frontmen to ever strut across a stage, Mick Jagger.  He and The Rolling Stones have been making music together since 1962.  It all started when Jagger met fellow bandmate & co-songwriter, Keith Richards, and both men realized they had similar musical tastes, citing blues legend Muddy Waters & rock & roll master Chuck Berry as inspirations.  The name of their band even came from a Waters song.

There is not much left to say about a band that has been around nearly 60 years.  They have played with all their heroes, released 25 albums here in the states (23 in the U.K.), had countless hit songs and continue to tour as recently as 2019.  I love so many of their songs but really love the covers they have done of their favorite blues numbers.  When the Stones closed out the American leg of the Steel Wheels Tour in December 1989, the show was broadcast via a pay per view concert from NJ that featured guest stars like Axl Rose & Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’Roses, blues legend John Lee Hooker & Eric Clapton, who joined the Stones on stage for today’s song.  He absolutely slayed it with two unbelievably sublime guitar solos (and did so while looking breathtakingly gorgeous), with the second one featuring a call and response exchange with Jagger and his harmonica.  As The Stones song goes, it’s only rock & roll, but I like it.

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Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones (R) congratulates Eric Clapton (L) on a job well done after the guitarist played two scathing solos for the band in Atlantic City, NJ December 1989.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Rolling Stones featuring Eric Clapton:  “Little Red Rooster” (recorded live in Atlantic City, NJ in December 1989.  Originally released in 1964, written by Willie Dixon).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 102

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

If you ask most people who the greatest band of all time is, many will tell you The Beatles.  However, the question as to who comes in second would spark a debate by fans and music scholars alike since there are so many to consider.  But not for me.  Only one answer is clear.  It is The Funk Brothers.

They were a group of blues and jazz musicians who became the house band at the Motown label for 14 years, from 1959 until 1972.  Look at those dates again carefully because what they reveal is every song recorded for the label in the 1960’s had The Funk Brothers on it.  That is every song by Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Marvelettes, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Mary Wells, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Junior Walker & The All Stars and every other act on the label during that time.  That is an absolutely staggering accomplishment.

The Funk Brothers story was told in the 2002 documentary, “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown”.  During the opening credits it is revealed they played on more number one hit records than Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys combined.   Even the word genius does not seem to adequately describe that achievement.  And the only reason why their streak ended is because Berry Gordy moved the label’s base of operation from Detroit to Los Angeles without including the band in the relocation.  And prior to that they were never given the proper recognition they deserved during Motown’s heyday.

The film identified 13 men as Funk Brothers.  Remember the Apostles were 13 when they were with Jesus.  Coincidence or the second coming?  You decide.  Outside of the Motown label, The Funk Brothers played on The Contours “Do You Love Me”, Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher” and on the song “Boom Boom” by one of the greatest blues singers to ever pick up a guitar, John Lee Hooker.

Of course, the songwriters and performers were needed to deliver the sound created by The Funk Brothers, but without their incredibly talented and intense consistent playing the songs would have never soared like they did.  For example, today’s track was written by the same two men who wrote Gaye’s smash “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and I find it nothing short of hypnotic.  There is a lead guitar riff played quickly and sporadically throughout the song that just reaches inside of me and leaves me gasping for air despite it being all around me.  It is just that intense.

A couple of my musical heroes list Motown/Funk Brothers songs as ones they cannot live without.  For Eric Clapton it is “I Was Made To Love Her” by Stevie Wonder.  For Bruce Springsteen there are two (because he is just that cool):  “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye & “Baby I Need Your Lovin'” by The Four Tops.  Covers of Motor City songs were made by The Beatles (“You Really Got A Hold On Me”), Rod Stewart (“I Know I’m Losing You”), The Rolling Stones (“Going To A Go-Go”) and countless others.  Motown’s influence, lead by the music of The Funk Brothers, is so far reaching it would be nearly impossible to comprehend.  But without it, the landscape of music would be devoid of soul.  I may bow at other altars of music, but I am brought to my knees in the church of the Brothers Funk.  Can I get an amen?

Stevie Wonder in the Motown studio with some of The Funk Brothers circa 1967 and the movie poster for 2002’s “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown” (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Marvin Gaye featuring the music of The Funk Brothers:  “That’s The Way Love Is” ( 1969, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 36

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

music heart

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

We have been taught that nothing is perfect.  Perhaps, but I think many songs have a near perfect vocal.  Examples that come to mind include Frank Sinatra on “My Way”, Otis Redding on “A Change Is Gonna Come”, Elvis on “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and Aretha Franklin on “Respect”.  But every now and then, an almost perfect vocal performance comes out of nowhere and hits me like a tsunami.  That is exactly how I felt when I heard today’s song for the very first time.  And it’s been knocking me down ever since.

It was written by Elvin Bishop, a guitarist who was an original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the 1960’s.  He left to form his own group in 1968 and played alongside such notable acts as the Allman Brothers Band, the Grateful Dead and John Lee Hooker.  Bishop also sang but when he was recording his 1975 album, “Struttin’ My Stuff”, he did not think his voice was polished enough to record today’s song.  So, he asked one of his backup singers, Mickey Thomas, to do it.  The result was epic.

His vocal delivery, the soul in his voice and the power behind it were as close to perfect as one could hope for.  And added to Bishop’s guitar riffs, great lyrics and sublime arrangement turned this song into a powerhouse hit of the 1970’s.  It went on to become a rock classic and earned Thomas the lead singer spot with Jefferson Starship after original member Marty Balin’s departure.  Thomas may not be as well known as other blue eyed soul greats like Michael McDonald and Daryl Hall, but there is no denying the contribution he made with this song.  This is only my opinion but I believe a great soulful rock vocal  does not get much better than this.

 

Elvin Bishop & Mickey Thomas (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elvin Bishop:  “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” (1975, written by Elvin Bishop).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.