Welcome to Autumn in Colorado and fall foliage has already begun to show up in some parts of the state - particularly in the high country.
Peak color in the mountains occurs during the last week of September and first week of October -- but also varies by Mountain Zone. In other words, fall color starts to emerge first in the Northern Mountains, then works its way south through the Central Mountains then finally into the Southern Mountains.
Warmer weather typically slows the emergence of color overall. Well-timed bouts of cooler weather helps speed the process along. We don't want bitter cold though.
We'll soon experience an "Indian Summer," and then more consistent snows will hit above treeline. This contrast - between snow and fall colors - will provide for the best photos of the season.
Location Suggestions for Viewing Fall Color:
*Rocky Mountain National Park
*Mount Evans
*Rabbit Ears Pass
*Grand Mesa
*Kenosha Pass
*Cottonwood Pass
*Aspen Area
*Vail Valley
*Tennessee Pass
*Crested Butte
*San Juan Mountains around Telluride
*Lake City Area
*Keblar Pass
Classic rock and other genres have been getting a makeover thanks in part to some innovative D-Js in cyberspace. The songs are called mash-ups, which are two or more songs by different artists that are combined into one. One of the more entertaining ones features the vocals to The Beatles' "Dear Prudence" and "The Fool on the Hill" laid over a bed of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Queen guitarist Brian May, who heard it, writes on his website [BrianMay.com], "I have to say it's very entertaining. How amazing it would have been to have John Lennon and PaulMcCartney sing with us." But, he's quick to add that "whoever did this, don't go taking this as an official Queen approval. Queen will probably come after you with a rolling pin...also the Beatles. Ha ha!"Â Audio here...DEAR PRUDENCE-CRAZY LITTLE THING-FOOL ON THE HILL MASHUP
It's one of the new world indignities we are all subject to when flying the used to be friendly skies...getting felt up by the TSA. Today on The List I chose 5 songs to be played in a mocking tribute to the process, not the people. The final song chosen is meant to be our protest anthem against the perhaps necessary but highly unpleasant procedure. I hope you'll embrace it!
See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me-The Who
Touch Me-The Doors
Invisible Touch-Genesis
Lovin', Touchin" Squeezin'-Journey
And finally, in our attempt to preserve some piece of dignity and apparently self awareness...I Touch Myself-The Divinyls
Bruce Springsteen's first car, a yellow 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible with flames on the hood and side, has been auctioned off online for $468,000. He bought it on May 21st, 1975 for $2,000, and reportedly wrote the lyrics for "Born to Run," "Thunder Road" and "Backstreets" in it. Included in the sale were the original vehicle registration, temporary insurance card and Allstate insurance card in Springsteen's name. The car is currently on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Springsteen sold the car in 1976 and bought a 1960 black Corvette, which he still owns.
It started as a girl fight at Denver's Kepner Middle School. "The little girl grabbed her hair and yanked her down to the ground" says Danielle Espinoza, but what happened next to her 13 year old daughter crossed the line. Danielle says a female school counselor, a male staff member and a male police officer strip searched her 8th grade daughter after they found a pipe in her backpack. "To find out she was asked to remove her shirt in front of two males...I don't think that's appropriate" said the girls mother.
Denver Public Schools has a policy which reads, "searches shall be limited to the student's pockets, any object in the students possession..and/or a pat down of the student's clothing. No strip-searches shall be carried out." It wasn't until a local TV station jumped on the story that the school took the complaints seriously.Â
Thoughts-As a parent, I couldn't get down to that school fast enough to handle such an obvious breach of supervisory conduct. It has to be appalling to all of us that these intrusions into our personal dignity continue to be a day to day occurrence. What is the logical rationalization for such an action? There is none. We can't condone the young girls actions in this particular incident just as we cannot allow this personally invasive over-reaction on the part of school officials to stand without consequences. I am all for accountability and it remains to be seen what steps the school takes to make sure the proper discipline is doled out in this incident. We need to let them know we are watching.
Day two saw the Mountain rock sculptors carving in the images of U2-Van Halen-Bruce Springsteen-The Police and Michael Jackson. These artists so honored for their contributions to music and pop culture in the 80's. It was a very uneven decade for music. There was the second British invasion, with bands like The Thompson Twins, Eurythmics and Tears for Fears. Canada gave us Bryan Adams and of course...Men Without Hats. Pop Music, New Wave, Glam Metal Hair Bands and...wait for it...wait...Christopher Cross. Like I said, uneven.Â
Tomorrow it's a much easier as I'll make my selection from the 60's!
Today on The List I carved out my Mt. Rushmore of Rock for the 70's...so many performers, so little space. My choices grace the mountain based on their sheer legendary status and their impact on music history in the 70's. Since "The List" is confined to 5 each day I had to leave off many deserving candidates. My list is as follows, what would you do?
Elton John, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles and Stevie Wonder...let me have it!
Bruce Springsteen's first car, a yellow 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible with flames on the hood and side, is being auctioned off. He bought it on May 21st, 1975 for $2,000, and reportedly wrote the lyrics for "Born to Run," "Thunder Road" and "Backstreets" in it. In his book Songs Springsteen wrote, "In '70's New Jersey, the car was still a powerful image." The original vehicle registration, temporary insurance card and Allstate insurance card in Springsteen's name and address are included with the car, which is currently on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Springsteen sold the car in 1976 and bought a 1960 black Corvette, which he still owns. The bidding starts at $390,000.
Grant Hillâs Response to Jalen Rose
By GRANT HILL
Associated Press Grant Hill currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
âThe Fab Five,â an ESPN film about the Michigan basketball careers of Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson from 1991 to 1993, was broadcast for the first time Sunday night. In the show, Rose, the showâs executive producer, stated that Duke recruited only black players he considered to be âUncle Toms.â Grant Hill, a player on the Duke team that beat Michigan in the 1992 Final Four, reflected on Roseâs comments.
I am a fan, friend and longtime competitor of the Fab Five. I have competed against Jalen Rose and Chris Webber since the age of 13. At Michigan, the Fab Five represented a cultural phenomenon that impacted the country in a permanent and positive way. The very idea of the Fab Five elicited pride and promise in much the same way the Georgetown teams did in the mid-1980s when I was in high school and idolized them. Their journey from youthful icons to successful men today is a road map for so many young, black men (and women) who saw their journey through the powerful documentary, âThe Fab Five.â
It was a sad and somewhat pathetic turn of events, therefore, to see friends narrating this interesting documentary about their moment in time and calling me a bitch and worse, calling all black players at Duke âUncle Tomsâ and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, work ethic and commitment to each other and to me. I should have guessed there was something regrettable in the documentary when I received a Twitter apology from Jalen before its premiere. I am aware Jalen has gone to some length to explain his remarks about my family in numerous interviews, so I believe he has some admiration for them.
In his garbled but sweeping comment that Duke recruits only âblack players that were âUncle Toms,â â Jalen seems to change the usual meaning of those very vitriolic words into his own meaning, i.e., blacks from two-parent, middle-class families. He leaves us all guessing exactly what he believes today.
I am beyond fortunate to have two parents who are still working well into their 60s. They received great educations and use them every day. My parents taught me a personal ethic I try to live by and pass on to my children.
I come from a strong legacy of black Americans. My namesake, Henry Hill, my fatherâs father, was a day laborer in Baltimore. He could not read or write until he was taught to do so by my grandmother. His first present to my dad was a set of encyclopedias, which I now have. He wanted his only child, my father, to have a good education, so he made numerous sacrifices to see that he got an education, including attending Yale.
This is part of our great tradition as black Americans. We aspire for the best or better for our children and work hard to make that happen for them. Jalenâs mother is part of our great black tradition and made the same sacrifices for him.
My teammates at Duke â all of them, black and white â were a band of brothers who came together to play at the highest level for the best coach in basketball. I know most of the black players who preceded and followed me at Duke. They all contribute to our tradition of excellence on the court.
It is insulting and ignorant to suggest that men like Johnny Dawkins (coach at Stanford), Tommy Amaker (coach at Harvard), Billy King (general manager of the Nets), Tony Lang (coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan), Thomas Hill (small-business owner in Texas), Jeff Capel (former coach at Oklahoma and Virginia Commonwealth), Kenny Blakeney (assistant coach at Harvard), Jay Williams (ESPN analyst), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Duhon (Orlando Magic) ever sold out their race.
To hint that those who grew up in a household with a mother and father are somehow less black than those who did not is beyond ridiculous. All of us are extremely proud of the current Duke team, especially Nolan Smith. He was raised by his mother, plays in memory of his late father and carries himself with the pride and confidence that they instilled in him.
The sacrifice, the effort, the education and the friendships I experienced in my four years are cherished. The many Duke graduates I have met around the world are also my âfamily,â and they are a special group of people. A good education is a privilege.
Just as Jalen has founded a charter school in Michigan, we are expected to use our education to help others, to improve life for those who need our assistance and to use the excellent education we have received to better the world.
A highlight of my time at Duke was getting to know the great John Hope Franklin, John B. Duke Professor of History and the leading scholar of the last century on the total history of African-Americans in this country. His insights and perspectives contributed significantly to my overall development and helped me understand myself, my forefathers and my place in the world.
Ad ingenium faciendum, toward the building of character, is a phrase I recently heard. To me, it is the essence of an educational experience. Struggling, succeeding, trying again and having fun within a nurturing but competitive environment built character in all of us, including every black graduate of Duke.
My mother always says, âYou can live without Chaucer and you can live without calculus, but you cannot make it in the wide, wide world without common sense.â As we get older, we understand the importance of these words. Adulthood is nothing but a series of choices: you can say yes or no, but you cannot avoid saying one or the other. In the end, those who are successful are those who adjust and adapt to the decisions they have made and make the best of them.
I caution my fabulous five friends to avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped them back then for their appearance and swagger. I wish for you the restoration of the bond that made you friends, brothers and icons.
I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.
Grant Henry Hill
Phoenix Suns
Duke â94
 Dan's Thoughts-I haven't seen the ESPN film but intend to.  The 30/30 series on our leading sports network has been a fascinating series of examinations dealing with many of the important stories in sports over the past few decades. If you havenât watched them, I highly recommend them.Â
Grant's letter impressed upon me the power of parents who model successful behavior, the importance of extended education, the beauty of a well crafted stream of thought and finally the strength of character it takes to say what needs to be said without injecting any superfluous vitriol. A quality education at home and at Duke has obviously served Grant Hill well.
Batman Forever was arguably the best of the Batman series redux: We had skinny Val Kilmer, young Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Tommy Lee Jones. You get the picture. The car used to promote that film has not aged quite as nicely (or at least as stolidly) as some of its co-starsâthe styling isnât exactly âclassically beautifulââbut if youâre a Batman junkie, todayâs your lucky day: Auctions America by RM is offering the 1995 Batmobile Batman Forever at its March 4 sale in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The car was built in Australia with a fiberglass body and a custom chassis. Its cost $2.5 million to make the body mold alone, plus an extra $300,000 to actually build the thingâwhich is in proper running condition, RM says. The auction catalog estimate lists it at $200,000-$275,000.
 But there is a catch. Warner Brothers must approve the winning bidder before the sale is considered final, and WB can refuse any buyer it doesnât fancy. Itâs largely a formality, spokeswoman Kerrey Kerr-Enskat told meâWB just wants to make sure you wonât be using the Batmobile to promote, say, a Batman movie of your own.
I got to thinking about all the movie and television "mobiles" we have seen over the years. The "Monkee-Mobile", The Munsters car, the original Batmobile...what's your favorite? Mine is a recent addition to the pantheon of movie and television cars...Black Beauty from the new Green Hornet Movie.
And The Oscar Could Go toâ¦BEST PICTURE127 HoursBlack SwanThe FighterInceptionThe Kids Are All RightThe King's SpeechThe Social NetworkToy Story 3True GritWinter's BoneBEST ACTORJavier Bardem (Biutiful)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)James Franco (127 Hours)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
BEST ACTRESSAnnette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTORChristian Bale (The Fighter)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSAmy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
BEST DIRECTORDarren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
David Fincher (The Social Network)
David O. Russell (The Fighter)
BEST ANIMATED FEATUREHow to Train Your DragonThe IllusionistToy Story 3BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAYAnother YearThe FighterInceptionThe Kids Are All RightThe King's SpeechBEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY127 HoursThe Social NetworkToy Story 3True GritWinter's BoneBEST SONG
"Coming Home" (Country Strong) - Gwyneth Paltrow
"I See the Light" (Tangled) - Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi
"If I Rise" (127 Hours) - A R Rahman and Dido
"We Belong Together" (Toy Story 3) - Randy Newman
So, to burn off the holiday calories...how much walking do you have to do. I found this cool link which will instantly calculate how much walking you need to do to burn the fat baby! Follow the link...and Happy New Year! http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blholidaycalories.htm
The man who posed as a Bob Dylan roadie last month and ordered 178 pizzas from an Amherst, Massachusetts restaurant but never picked them up has agreed to pay for the pies and apologize to the restaurant's owners. Police haven't revealed the man's name because the deal precludes it from becoming a criminal case. But the lawyer for the 42-year-old East Brunswick, New Jersey man tells the Amherst Bulletin, "My client regretted what he did and thought he did something out of character for himself."
The pizza tab ran $3,900, not including the big tip the fake roadie promised if the workers stayed past their 2:00 a.m. closing time to make the pizzas.Â
Okay, fess up...what is one of your all time great pranks?
Things have changed out there in Santa Land. It is now easier than ever to get in touch with the man with all the toys. You can text, tweet, and like Santa on Facebook. And now, you can even have Mr. Claus send your kids and loved ones a personalized video message. Just follow the link here...and Merry Christmas! http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message/child
On the list Monday...I'll be featuring songs used to sell us products...7 of them as a matter of fact, because that's the way The List Rolls...the following two...are the best ever.
The Who for Hummer-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV65Z7p2Xy8
Jimi Hendrix and Pepsi-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao6JntNIPHc
What's better? I can't think of two others that were any cooler...your thoughts inserted here!
Today on The List, it wasn't so much about the music as it was about these rock stars of ours...and would they would look like without their powerful "Rock Star" hair. So, for your amusment I present some before and after pictures.
Tom Petty Before ...Tom Petty after...
ZZ Top Before...
And After...
Now, here is cute Beatle Sir Paul McCartney...with hair...
And...lacking just a bit
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones
And...Mick and Keith at their scariest...There you go. So, that was a bit of Friday Fun on The List Today...Have fantastic weekend!
They all scream for air guitar or even better Guitar Hero action! On The List today it was my choice for the the 7 Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 80's-Here is a montage... 80's Guitar Riffs ...They are from 1 to 7-Back in Black/AC/DC-Sweet Child of Mine-Guns N Roses-Start Me Up-Rolling Stones-Photograph-Def Leppard-Crazy Train-Ozzy-Should I Stay of Should I Go-Clash and Limelight from Rush...Thoughts?
Tomorros on The List...it's "The 7 Deadly Sins of Rock and Roll...join me at four!
So today on The List, I played my choices for the 7 greatest Guitar songs...wait for it...wait...Off All Time! It's all about the lick, the texture, the tone, the energy, the inability to ever turn these songs off when they come on the radio! Here you go-
Revolution-Beatles-Fuzzy and legendary
Stay With Me-Faces-see this tutorial on how to play it-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4VpOsp5nA
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page Rules
Walk This Way-Aerosmith-A most memorable lick inspired by the famous Igor line in Young Frankenstein
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Live at the Fillmore East...a must have
Crossroads-Cream-Eric Clapton, need I say more
Johnny B. Goode-Chuck Berry-All of Chuck's Children are still out there playin his licks!
Let me know what you think...and join me fo The List, Â each weekday afternoon at 4
That was my list today on The Mountain. From Boston's first, one of the top selling albums of all time, to the Doors debut, these albums were either unique, legendary, monster sellers, ground breaking, influential or simply a pleasure to be enveloped in. So here are my choices;
Boston's Debut
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Texas Flood
The Band-Music from Big Pink
Jimi Hendrix Experience-Are You Experienced
Led Zeppelin-Debut
The Cars-Debut
The Doors-Debut
Strange how many albums were called "Debut"....Thoughts, suggestions, disagreements...let me have it!
Today on The List I shared with you my choices for Best Rock Artist Female. I sat here this afternoon and was actually 'lobbied" heading up to airtime to make a few additions. I added one, Melissa Etheridge and had to bump Pat Benatar. Sorry Pat...So these are the female rock icons I chose for my list today
7-Melissa Etheridge
6-Ann Wilson (Heart)
5-Stevie Nicks
4-Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
3-Bonnie Raitt
2-Grace Slick
1-Janis Joplin
That's it...That's The List. Okay, here is the part where you share your thoughts...be kind!
Today on The List-I got out some of rocks all time great album starters. You know, you got em home and dropped the needle from cut one...you were sucked in! So here are my choices, and feel free to listen to the audio;
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones from Let it Bleed (hooray for Merrie Clayton)
Black Dog-Led Zeppelin from IV
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding-Elton from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (B. Taupin Audio) Bernie Taupin on Love Lies Bleeding
Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan from Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on his early songs) Bob Dylan on writing his early songs
More Than a Feeling-Boston from their debut album in 1976
Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen's first cut from Born to Run
Foxey Lady-Jimi Hendrix Experience from Are You Experienced (check out this Little Richard audio on Jimi...Hendrix used to play in his band) Jimi Hendrix-Little Richard on Jimi
Well, those songs all make a powerful introduction to the albums they front. Fun Stuff! What would make your list?
Billy Joel's The Last Play at Shea documentary will be shown tonight in theaters nationwide. The film tells not only the story of the last two concerts by Joel at New York's Shea Stadium on July 16th and 18th, 2008, but also of his life, of the life of the stadium and of the New York Mets -- Shea's most famous tenant.
For a list of theaters where you can see the film, head to TheLastPlayAtShea.com.
Billy talks about the Concerts-Billy Joel-Last Play at Shea
I have posted this clip of the new film about John Lennon's youth. It's called Nowhere Boy. Why, it's an excercise in understanding the upbringing that forged the legend. You must admire the honesty of John who always said in public, what he thought in private. Your thoughts on John?
First comment, I'm surprised the sensors of the day (1954) let this photo fly! The Creature From The Black Lagoon is for me, the scariest movie of my childhood. I found out in later years that "The Creature" seen here having a heart to heart with Julie Adams, is actually a vegetarian and a world class quilt maker. But as Bill Murray once said in Meatballs..."It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Creature is easily one of the all time scary classics that is actually....wait for it...SCARY! What would you add to this list?
So, Casey and I were talking today about some of rock's most underrated guitar solos. I threw out the dude; I don't even know his name, who played on Two Tickets to Paradise. Mike countered with Reeling in the Years from Steely Dan. Elliot Randall's playing was certainly stellar, but underrated. So my question is...what guitar solos would you introduce into the discussion?
So, with Halloween coming our way at the end of the month, it's beginning to look a little orange and black and creepy all over. If you find yourself wanting to have the bejeebers scared out of you or if you want something a little milder for the season, I've got a couple of links bellow  Fact-Americans will spend an estimated 5.8 Billion dollars on this year...For creepy Halloween fun, follow this link http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16207001
Today, the fine folks at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland submitted their initial list of artists being considered for the class of 2011. They are; Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits and Chuck Willis. Okay, now let me vent a bit...uggh! Bands more worthy than Chic or LL Cool J for the "Rock and Roll" hall of fame. Yes, Chicago, Journey, Def Leppard, Rush, The Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, The Steve Miller band all of those off the top of my ever so slightly balding head. Who have I left out? To quote a movie line-"I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
It's official, Steven Tyler will be a judge on American Idol next season, which could signal the end of Aerosmith as we know it. Here's Tyler on how the band feels about his new gig-Aerosmith-Steven Tyler on how the guys in the band feel about his being Idol Judge-
It's obvious Idol is going for star power to bring back departed viewers. My question to you is...will it work and will you tune in? Mediocre talent is still mediocre talent.
 Tonight on âThe Listââ¦itâs my Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rockâ¦thereâs more than fourâ¦cause itâs a big Mountain! The 7 bands and artists who changed the game. Â
Led Zeppelin-Over a 10-year, nine-album career from 1969-79, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock group in the world, ultimately selling more than 50 million records in the U.S. alone (more than 200 million worldwide), developing the blues-based power trio-plus-lead singer archetype in many directions including mystical English folk-rock, Middle Eastern-influenced exotica, quirky pop reggae and every manner of heaviness. Led Zeppelin caused many parents blood to boil in 1969 when the revolution of their first album blasted out the bedrooms of kids all over America!Â
Jimi Hendrix-In Clapton the Autobiography Eric writes of Jimi; âWhat I found refreshing about him was his intensely self-critical attitude toward his music; Clapton writes; He had this enormous gift and a fantastic technique, like that of someone who spent all day playing and practicing, yet he didnât seem that aware of it. I also got to see the playboy in him. He loved to spend all night hanging out, getting drunk or stoned, and when he did pick up the guitar, it was very throwaway to him, as if he didnât take himself too seriously; Follow this link to read what Pete Townshend has to say about Jimi.  http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jimi_hendrix_the_greatest_guitarist_of_all_timeÂ
Bruce Springsteen-In spring 1974 critic Jon Landau saw a Springsteen show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and wrote in the Real Paper, âI saw rock & roll future and itâs name is Bruce Springsteen;â It took a while to put the masterpiece that would deliver on that boast togetherâ¦but when Born To Run was released in 1975 and Bruce appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, The future arrivedâ¦and the timeline is still being written.Â
Elton John-When Elton John and Bernie Taupin hooked up in the late 60's, one of rocks great partnerships was formed. Elton's "genius' as a tunesmith is legendary. He could take a page of Taupin's lyrics and in 20 minutes, turn out another memorable melody. From 1970-76 Elton put out an album about every 6 months. Each, with a totally different musical texture. That was the Elton John adventure. In 1975 his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album became the first album to ever debut at number one on the charts. According to a 2004 BBC profile, John "has the rare accolade of charting a Top 40 single every year from 1970 to 1996"...It's the stuff of legend. Elton is about to release a new album with his idol Leon Russell. It's produced by T Bone Burnett and advance reviews are excellent. Think "Tumbleweed Connection. Â
The Beatles-Unquestionably the best and most important band in rock history, as well as the most compelling story. Almost miraculously, they embodied the apex of the form artistically, commercially, culturally and spiritually at just the right time. They Changed the World!Â
U2-The most important and influential band of the post-punk era, joining ringing guitar rock, punkish independence, Celtic spirituality, innovative production techniques and electronic experimentalism â all held together by Bonoâs transcendent vision and charismaâ¦They are easily the most important and impactful band of the past 30 years.Â
And finallyâ¦Â
Bob Dylan-The uncontested poet laureate of the rock and roll era and the pre-eminent singer/songwriter of modern times. PERIOD. When you heard The Beatles John Lennon sing a song like Norwegian Woodâ¦he was just trying to keep up with Bob. Dylan is Front and Center on the Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rock!Â
Thatâs itâ¦thatâs âThe Listâ tonight on The Mountain. Keeping in mind that our Mountain is built to honor 7â¦what changes would you make? Iâm waitingâ¦Have a fantastic weekend!
The Quarrymen circa 1958
The current lineup of John Lennon's first band is coming to America later this month. To honor what would have been his 70th birthday, The Quarrymen will appear at selected screenings of the movie Nowhere Boy, which tracks Lennon's pre-Beatles life. The tour will close on October 9th in New York, not far from the Strawberry Fields tribute site in Central Park.
The movie, starring Aaron Johnson as John and Kristen Scott-Thomas as his Aunt Mimi, opens officially on October 8th. --Mike McCann
QUARRYMEN U.S. APPEARANCES
9/23 - Newark, NJ - NJ Performing ArtsCenter
10/3 - Chicago, IL - Music Box Theater
9/24 - Woodstock, NY - Rosendale Theater
10/4 - New York, NY - PaleyCenter for Media
9/26 - New London, CT - GardeArtsCenter
10/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
9/28 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
10/6 - Albany, NY - The Egg
9/29 - Aspen, CO - Wheeler Opera House
10/7 - Arlington, MA - Regent Theater
9/30 - Los Angeles, CA - Grauman's Egyptian Theater
Last week was a rough one for Aerosmith. First Joe Perry accidentally nudged Steven Tyler off the stage in Toronto, and then, two nights later, Tyler accidentally clocked Perry over the head with his microphone stand, cutting the guitarist. Perry writes on his Twitter page, "Living through [my recent] motorcycle accident, getting bashed on the head with [the] mic stand [and] almost flying off end of ramp, I know I'm gonna see this through." As for reports that Perry intentionally pushed Tyler off the stage, a spokesperson for the band says, "Joe wanted his fans to know that he would never deliberately push Steven off the stage." Perry writes on Twitter, "It's a contact sport, but when they make me out to be the villain it pisses me off. At least now you just gotta use your own eyes and ears." Aerosmith are in Holmdel, New Jersey tomorrow night. --Sal CirrincioneVideo of Perry getting hit over the head with Tyler's microphone stand:http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=4d8f7465-84d0-4e4c-bfb2-7397f3e0f509
 Last month, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and David Gilmour reunited for a benefit show in England. Now, the Hoping Foundation, which helps Palestinian children, has posted the video on its website in hopes that if you log on to watch, you'll make a donation. Commenting on the video, Waters says, "The sound quality is crap, but it was a great night for me and for him and also for 'Us and Them.'" The close to 30-minute video features the two former Floyd members doing "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two."
The Broncos are locked onto training camp now at Dove Valley, with all eyes on number 15-rookie Tim Tebow, he of the top selling rookie jersey in the history of the NFL. He will be scrutinized by those who are irked by his highly visible faith based stance, simply tolerated by others, and hailed as a stellar and heroic role model by those who agree with his views. Either way, Tim Tebow will be watched. I personally am excited to see an athlete of Tim's ilk in a Denver uniform. Skill set aside, it may be that we have a genuine roll model for our children,  playing a game in our our home town.Â
Did you catch âThe Listâ tonight? It was âRocks Greatest Frontmenâ. I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and David Lee Roth. Freddie Mercury is my pick for number one! Thatâs my takeâ¦whatâs yours? Who would you add to this list and to make room...who would you drop? Hey, shoot me your suggestion and tune again tommorow night for a 1985 Class Reunion...on The List!
You can take a look at two of the performances from Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming DVD, London Calling: Live in Hyde Park, before it goes on sale on June 22nd. Log onto www.BruceSpringsteen.net for clips of "Glory Days" and "Out on the Street." You can listen here to Out in the Street...enjoy!Bruce Rocks Live
Roger Waters is seeking your help with his production of The Wall, which he will tour this fall. He writes on the newly launched RogerWaters.com, "'Fallen Loved Ones' is a request, from me, reaching out to ask you to provide a photograph and personal details of a loved one lost in war. Your loved one's pictures and details would be included, along with those of my father Eric [killed in World War Two], in my upcoming show The Wall as an act of remembrance. The ''Fallen Loved One' does not have to have been a soldier. Civilian deaths are equally, if not more, harrowing."
Tonight on "The List" I presented 7 tunes I feel make for fun, sometimes even head turning ringtones. Intro, hook or both...these songs add some fun to your phone! So here you go;
Who Can it Be Now-Men at Work-(intro or title hook)
Who Are You-Who-(Intro or title hook)
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones (Awesome intro)
Who Do You Love-George Thorogood-(Rockin' Guitar Intro)
Twilight Zone-Golden Earring (Intro-moody!)
Sweet Child of Mine-Guns n Roses-(Intro will turn heads as phone ring)
Baba O'riley-The Who (The Best Ever)
So that's it...that's The List of fantastic ringtones. I am looking for more. What do you use or what would you add? Now tomorrow night on "The List" it's "Band" Bands...you know, Steve Miller Band, Allman Brothers Band and 5 others who make the cut. Number one is without question the top "Band" Band of all time!
I played 7 songs which resonate with me on the deepest level or just simply stick in my head and I can't get them out on "The List" December 17th...my birthday! It was totally self indulgent and a treat to hear! So hear are my selections and a brief explanation why I chose each song;
Radio Free Europe by REM-I was early in my radio career and working in Boulder at KADE, a small and very cool AM station with a loyal following. I used to cheat and play Radio Free Europe more than I should have because I simply couldn't get the song out my mind. Even though, until I read the liner notes, I had no idea what Michael Stipe was saying. It was the sound of the song and the promise of the band from Athens Georgia that caught my attention. When I listen to this day, memories of my early days in radio and my first few years of marriage wash over me. It's a good feeling.
Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen-When this song came out I was still deciding whether or not I was going to go all in with Bruce. When he dropped his guard on the Tunnel of Love album and looked inward to ponder a love gone wrong, he gave us all a very personal look at his life and times as a husband, rock star, and cultural icon in the 80's. It was an unselfish, revealing and healing gesture.
Bad by U2 (live)-It's all about memory connections for me. Bad (live) off the Wide Awake in America EP by U2 reminds me of my first big radio job. I was doing mid-days on 106.7 KAZY in my hometown of Denver. Friends from Cheery Creek, and South Junior High and Greenwood Elementary School would find me on the radio and call to renew friendships. For some reason, this song brings out those memories. I don't know why, but I don't care! For that reason and the mad skills of U2 live...it is one of my all time favorite songs.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John-Elton is the first artist I ever latched on to as a favorite. When his albums came out, every six months or so during his prime, I would have to have them on the first day. I head out on my Schwinn 5 speed with the ram handlebars and ride down to Budget tapes and Records on Colfax in Aurora and pick up the album. I couldn't wait to get home, pop open a cold one (Pepsi), and listen along while I read the liner notes. When I first heard Mona Lisas, I was lost inside my Koss Headphones listening to Elton's pure vocals and the amazing "self harmonizing" he pulled off. It is his best work and my all time favorite song...period!
Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones-I like it! Plain and simple. The single from the double album Exile on Mainstreet is the Stones at their best. Not a note is out of place.
A Man I'll Never Be by Boston-An album cut from Boston's historical first album. It's the soaring nature of both Brad Delp's vocals and Tom's sonic guitar meeting in perfect precision that makes the song for me. These past few years, since the suicide of Brad Delp, the singerâs tale of failing to meet expectations, personal and external, and the inherent sadness truly resonate. Having spent an hour speaking with Brad at Red Rocks about a decade ago and finding him to be the most genuine and warm "rocker" I have ever encountered, I am saddened by the loss of a man I could have been friends with.
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox-Strings, Annieâs voice, a 19th century vibe...it all works for me in a way that few songs do. At this time of year, for some reason, I think old time English Christmas in my imaginary Castle in Kent. It is nice to dream!
So that's it, that's the list for December 17th. Friday night I'll be rockin around the Menorah with some of our greatest Jewish rock stars in celebration of the last night of Hanukah.
I start with a definition;
EPIC-Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem â1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic <an epic poem>
2 a: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic
With that in mind, I share with you now, what I feel are the only 7 Epic Songs in Rock History
Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen: An anthem for a generation and a true statement of arrival for Bruce
Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen:Â It was in Wayne's World...Party on Garth!
Freebird-Lynyrd Skynyrd: You have to admit, the fiery guitars and the tribute to Duane Allman make Freebird the Truly Epic Southern Rock Classic
Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin: On par with Freebird in it's massive amount of radio requests for decades,  Stairway is one of Rocks all time great songs. It regularly tops classic rock radio  lists around the world 38 years after it's release.
Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who: Pete Townshend stated in 2006 that: "It is not precisely a song that decries revolution - it suggests that we will indeed fight in the streets - but that revolution, like all action can have results we cannot predict. Don't expect to see what you expect to see. Expect nothing and you might gain everything. The song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause."Â Wrap that message with the amazing power of The Who and you've got one of the Truly Epic rock songs.
You Can't Always Get What You Want-Rolling Stones: The London Bach Choir opens the song in totally Un-Stones way and from note one the mind wanders through the song, taken on a gospel journey punctated by the choir, Al Kooper's organ and Micks vocals. Plus...it was prominently featured in The Big Chill during the opening funeral scene. Dead guy hands compliments of Kevin Costner. Epic!
A Day in the Life-Beatles:  John's atmospheric vocals and Paul's always optimistic lilt followed by a massive chord struck simultaneously on many pianos brings The Beatles masterpiece album Sgt.Pepper to an Epic close
That's it...that's "The List" tonight. Rocks only 7 Truly Epic Songs. Tomorrow night at 7 I'll be playing the top 7 British bands that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream or The Kinks.
Tune in!
I really enjoyed "The List" tonight...hope you did as well. It was my choice for 7 of the best "guitar songs"  in rock history. Now clearly there are more songs that could make such a list but as always...I am limited by the 7 song structure of "The List." Jim, listening on-line in Florida wondered how I could leave Stevie Ray Vaughan out. Well Jim, I gave it some thought and while Stevie Ray had a wonderful playing style and a signature sound, I just couldn't identify one "Guitar Moment" from his library of work which stood out the way the others did for me. Now keep in mind...it's just one mans opinion and it's fun to go back and forth on it a bit. So Blog away! Now, here is tonight's edition of "The List."
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Duane Allman taught himself to play the slide guitar after hearing Taj Mahal cover the old Blind Willie McTell song. He was a natural!
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page in his realm...showing off the savage mastery he achieved as a top session player.
Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Kurt Cobain with the riffs and that sound that defined 90's Rock.
Derek and The Dominos-Layla-Eric Clapton gets the credit but once again it was Duane Allman's brilliance that caught our attention from note one on this legendary guitar song. It was Duane's lick.
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze-Guitar â you can play it or transcend it," said Neil Young when he inducted Hendrix into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. "Jimi showed me that."
Van Halen-Eruption-Eddie Van Halen's 102-second mission statement was a piece he invented onstage: a solo showcase for his mastery of tone and technique, notably the rush of notes he produced with his fretboard tapping. Every 80's metal band took note!
Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode-"If you want to play rock & roll," Joe Perry told Rolling Stonein 2004, "you have to start here." Recorded almost 52 years ago, on January 6th, 1958, at the Chess Records studio in Chicago, Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" was the first great record about the joys and rewards of playing rock & roll guitar. He invented it!
That's it...that's "The List." I'm looking forward to reading your comments. And feel free to suggest any lists you may want to hear on future nights!
So the deal with "The List" tonight was this...Awesome tunes with the word "bad" in the title. Simple but cool!Â
CCR-Bad Moon Rising-John Fogerty says he took the inspiration from the old movie The Devil and Daniel Webster
Bad Company-Bad Company-Also inspired by a 1972 Western starring Jeff Bridges
Tom Petty-Yer So Bad-Very Dylan
Steely Dan-Bad Sneakers-The first Steely Dan song to feature Michael McDonald on background vocals
ZZ Top-I'm Bad I'm Nationwide
Cream-Born Under a Bad Sign-Also available by Homer Simpson on "The Simpson's Sing the Blues"
U2-Bad (live)-Bono says the song is about Heroin-specifically about a friend who almost died from to much of it on his 21st birthday
So that's it...that's "The List."Â Tomorrow night at 7 I'll play what I feel are the 7 most memorable guitar songs of all time!
I love it when we disagree on "The List", presented each night to you here on The Mountain. Tonight it was my 7 top female vocalists. Now, Jim called me and wondered how in the heck I could put Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday on tonight...well, it's MY list. But let me make a case for Aimee. First of all, incredible songwriter (I know, not singing) but it is the interpretation of her own material that has resonated with me. She writes from pain, bitterness, betrayal, love, humor, and all those emotions and traits come through in her singing. Not powerful in presence but emotive and penetrating. So that's my rationalization Jim...and I'm sticking to it! So, let me lay out "The List" tonight of my<operative word there> Top 7 Female Vocalists;
Stevie Nicks (pre-cocaine)-Enchanting
Aimee Mann-I explained Jim!
Ann Wilson-Pure Power with Heart
Christine McVie-Simple and Sensitive
Bonnie Raitt-Incredibly Cool...Sultry and Fun
Janis Joplin-Well...She's Janis
Annie Lennox-Soulful, Powerful, Operatic, Whimisical, Gets down in the Gravel...she can do it all!
That's "The List" tonight. My 7 top Female Vocalists. There are so many who could be included if you were to make your own list...so Go Ahead! Tomorrow night I'll play the 7 Best Rock and Roll songs of all time...Literally. Join me again for "The List."
It was an awesome set on "The List" tonight. Rocks 7 Greatest Drummers were hard at work making the room shake! I must tell you, it was a tough call for me on the top two. It's probably one of those if you ask me again tomorrow questions...I might just change my mind. Here is "The List" tonight-Rocks Greatest Drummers;
7-Ringo Starr-Phil Collins, Max Weinberg huge fans. Max says he is one of the top Five drummers...period.
I was pressed for time on Monday nights edition of "The List" so the entire set rocked by in less than 20 minutes. It was my 7 favorite short rock songs. Al but one of them, Santana's "Everybody's Everything" were well under 3 minutes. So here are my selections and a brief explanation of why I chose them;
Kinks-You Really Got Me-Primitive, gnarly sixties guitar vibe with raw power
Mountain-Mississippi Queen-"Gotta have more Cowbell"...nuff said
Led Zeppelin-Livin' Lovin" Maid-Robert Plant just showing off
CCR-Travelin' Band-Fogerty singing rock is an American treasure
ZZ Top-Tush-Bite sized "Texas Blues Rock"...ZZ Top rules!
Santana-Everybody's Everything-Because it's my favorite Santana tune...hey, it's my list
Tonight on "The List" in honor of Roger Daltrey's concert at The Paramount...Roger's 7 best vocal performances. Join me for "The List" every weeknight at 7 on The Mountain
So you need to understand, when I put together "The List" each night the outcome is totally subjective. And if you asked me again tomorrow...I might change my mind. It's like when someone asks you what your favorite song, movie, or book is...the answer may depend on what day it is! Tonight on "The List" I played my favorite 7 Guitar Licks of all time;
Guns and Roses-Sweet Child of Mine
Steely Dan-Reeling in the Years
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze
Rolling Stones-Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
Lynryd Skynyrd-Sweet Home Alabama
Dire Straits-Money For Nothing
Beatles-Day Tripper.
That's it...That's "The List". What would you add? I can't wait to hear. Hey, if you would like to suggest a future edition of "The List", visit my host page right here on this very website. Join me again tomorrow at 7 for 7 of rocks Greatest Bass Players...on "The List".
Did you catch "The List" tonight? It's a new feature weeknights at 7 on The Mountain and the first ever edition was "Rocks Greatest Frontmen". I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Bono and David Lee Roth. That's my take...what's yours? Tomorrow night on "The List"-7 bands that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that aren't feeling the love yet. Tune in at 7 and let me know that you think about "The List".
I have fond memories of field-days as a child at Greenwood Elementary School on Holly. Fifty yard dashes run while hoping that Lisa Nock would see me win...the crab-walk domination both frontwards and backwards...I was determined to win. The blue, red and white ribbons have long been lost to the years...but my inflated memories of little "Danny Mitchell's" field-day dominance live on! And now, a chance to create some new ones.
June 27th, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to ski, kayak, camp, bike and more, is holding a field day event! Your 22 dollar registration fee goes directly to them. Hey, you can even win some more ribbons! The deadline for entry is this Friday, June 5th
For details visit www.fielddays.eventbrite.com
It was quite a playoff run with our Denver Nuggets these past few weeks. And once again I was reminded how we love our sports here in Denver! Now, some may bring out the phrase "Bandwagon"...and I say...bring it on. The beautiful thing is family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have all been a little bit closer thanks to Chauncey, Melo and the "Birdman"!Â
We've seen Broncos win Super-Bowls ... our local puck-whackers kissing the Stanley Cup...a mighty September rally that took the Rockies to the World Series... and now the Nuggets going deep into the playoffs. Life is good people!
Bring on the next "Bandwagon"...I love the sense of community!
Genesis is planning to release a "Live" box-set sometime in the near future and they need your help. If you attended a Genesis concert between 1972 & 1992 and snapped off some photos...they wouldn't mind seeing them. Who knows, your future as a rock and roll photo journalist could begin with your next brave step! Visit www.genesismusic.com
Good Luck!
And The Oscar Could Go toâ¦BEST PICTURE127 HoursBlack SwanThe FighterInceptionThe Kids Are All RightThe King's SpeechThe Social NetworkToy Story 3True GritWinter's BoneBEST ACTORJavier Bardem (Biutiful)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)James Franco (127 Hours)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
BEST ACTRESSAnnette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTORChristian Bale (The Fighter)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSAmy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
BEST DIRECTORDarren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
David Fincher (The Social Network)
David O. Russell (The Fighter)
BEST ANIMATED FEATUREHow to Train Your DragonThe IllusionistToy Story 3BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAYAnother YearThe FighterInceptionThe Kids Are All RightThe King's SpeechBEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY127 HoursThe Social NetworkToy Story 3True GritWinter's BoneBEST SONG
"Coming Home" (Country Strong) - Gwyneth Paltrow
"I See the Light" (Tangled) - Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi
"If I Rise" (127 Hours) - A R Rahman and Dido
"We Belong Together" (Toy Story 3) - Randy Newman
So, to burn off the holiday calories...how much walking do you have to do. I found this cool link which will instantly calculate how much walking you need to do to burn the fat baby! Follow the link...and Happy New Year! http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blholidaycalories.htm
The man who posed as a Bob Dylan roadie last month and ordered 178 pizzas from an Amherst, Massachusetts restaurant but never picked them up has agreed to pay for the pies and apologize to the restaurant's owners. Police haven't revealed the man's name because the deal precludes it from becoming a criminal case. But the lawyer for the 42-year-old East Brunswick, New Jersey man tells the Amherst Bulletin, "My client regretted what he did and thought he did something out of character for himself."
The pizza tab ran $3,900, not including the big tip the fake roadie promised if the workers stayed past their 2:00 a.m. closing time to make the pizzas.Â
Okay, fess up...what is one of your all time great pranks?
Things have changed out there in Santa Land. It is now easier than ever to get in touch with the man with all the toys. You can text, tweet, and like Santa on Facebook. And now, you can even have Mr. Claus send your kids and loved ones a personalized video message. Just follow the link here...and Merry Christmas! http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message/child
On the list Monday...I'll be featuring songs used to sell us products...7 of them as a matter of fact, because that's the way The List Rolls...the following two...are the best ever.
The Who for Hummer-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV65Z7p2Xy8
Jimi Hendrix and Pepsi-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao6JntNIPHc
What's better? I can't think of two others that were any cooler...your thoughts inserted here!
Today on The List, it wasn't so much about the music as it was about these rock stars of ours...and would they would look like without their powerful "Rock Star" hair. So, for your amusment I present some before and after pictures.
Tom Petty Before ...Tom Petty after...
ZZ Top Before...
And After...
Now, here is cute Beatle Sir Paul McCartney...with hair...
And...lacking just a bit
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones
And...Mick and Keith at their scariest...There you go. So, that was a bit of Friday Fun on The List Today...Have fantastic weekend!
They all scream for air guitar or even better Guitar Hero action! On The List today it was my choice for the the 7 Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 80's-Here is a montage... 80's Guitar Riffs ...They are from 1 to 7-Back in Black/AC/DC-Sweet Child of Mine-Guns N Roses-Start Me Up-Rolling Stones-Photograph-Def Leppard-Crazy Train-Ozzy-Should I Stay of Should I Go-Clash and Limelight from Rush...Thoughts?
Tomorros on The List...it's "The 7 Deadly Sins of Rock and Roll...join me at four!
So today on The List, I played my choices for the 7 greatest Guitar songs...wait for it...wait...Off All Time! It's all about the lick, the texture, the tone, the energy, the inability to ever turn these songs off when they come on the radio! Here you go-
Revolution-Beatles-Fuzzy and legendary
Stay With Me-Faces-see this tutorial on how to play it-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4VpOsp5nA
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page Rules
Walk This Way-Aerosmith-A most memorable lick inspired by the famous Igor line in Young Frankenstein
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Live at the Fillmore East...a must have
Crossroads-Cream-Eric Clapton, need I say more
Johnny B. Goode-Chuck Berry-All of Chuck's Children are still out there playin his licks!
Let me know what you think...and join me fo The List, Â each weekday afternoon at 4
That was my list today on The Mountain. From Boston's first, one of the top selling albums of all time, to the Doors debut, these albums were either unique, legendary, monster sellers, ground breaking, influential or simply a pleasure to be enveloped in. So here are my choices;
Boston's Debut
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Texas Flood
The Band-Music from Big Pink
Jimi Hendrix Experience-Are You Experienced
Led Zeppelin-Debut
The Cars-Debut
The Doors-Debut
Strange how many albums were called "Debut"....Thoughts, suggestions, disagreements...let me have it!
Today on The List I shared with you my choices for Best Rock Artist Female. I sat here this afternoon and was actually 'lobbied" heading up to airtime to make a few additions. I added one, Melissa Etheridge and had to bump Pat Benatar. Sorry Pat...So these are the female rock icons I chose for my list today
7-Melissa Etheridge
6-Ann Wilson (Heart)
5-Stevie Nicks
4-Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
3-Bonnie Raitt
2-Grace Slick
1-Janis Joplin
That's it...That's The List. Okay, here is the part where you share your thoughts...be kind!
Today on The List-I got out some of rocks all time great album starters. You know, you got em home and dropped the needle from cut one...you were sucked in! So here are my choices, and feel free to listen to the audio;
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones from Let it Bleed (hooray for Merrie Clayton)
Black Dog-Led Zeppelin from IV
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding-Elton from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (B. Taupin Audio) Bernie Taupin on Love Lies Bleeding
Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan from Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on his early songs) Bob Dylan on writing his early songs
More Than a Feeling-Boston from their debut album in 1976
Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen's first cut from Born to Run
Foxey Lady-Jimi Hendrix Experience from Are You Experienced (check out this Little Richard audio on Jimi...Hendrix used to play in his band) Jimi Hendrix-Little Richard on Jimi
Well, those songs all make a powerful introduction to the albums they front. Fun Stuff! What would make your list?
Billy Joel's The Last Play at Shea documentary will be shown tonight in theaters nationwide. The film tells not only the story of the last two concerts by Joel at New York's Shea Stadium on July 16th and 18th, 2008, but also of his life, of the life of the stadium and of the New York Mets -- Shea's most famous tenant.
For a list of theaters where you can see the film, head to TheLastPlayAtShea.com.
Billy talks about the Concerts-Billy Joel-Last Play at Shea
I have posted this clip of the new film about John Lennon's youth. It's called Nowhere Boy. Why, it's an excercise in understanding the upbringing that forged the legend. You must admire the honesty of John who always said in public, what he thought in private. Your thoughts on John?
First comment, I'm surprised the sensors of the day (1954) let this photo fly! The Creature From The Black Lagoon is for me, the scariest movie of my childhood. I found out in later years that "The Creature" seen here having a heart to heart with Julie Adams, is actually a vegetarian and a world class quilt maker. But as Bill Murray once said in Meatballs..."It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Creature is easily one of the all time scary classics that is actually....wait for it...SCARY! What would you add to this list?
So, Casey and I were talking today about some of rock's most underrated guitar solos. I threw out the dude; I don't even know his name, who played on Two Tickets to Paradise. Mike countered with Reeling in the Years from Steely Dan. Elliot Randall's playing was certainly stellar, but underrated. So my question is...what guitar solos would you introduce into the discussion?
So, with Halloween coming our way at the end of the month, it's beginning to look a little orange and black and creepy all over. If you find yourself wanting to have the bejeebers scared out of you or if you want something a little milder for the season, I've got a couple of links bellow  Fact-Americans will spend an estimated 5.8 Billion dollars on this year...For creepy Halloween fun, follow this link http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16207001
Today, the fine folks at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland submitted their initial list of artists being considered for the class of 2011. They are; Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits and Chuck Willis. Okay, now let me vent a bit...uggh! Bands more worthy than Chic or LL Cool J for the "Rock and Roll" hall of fame. Yes, Chicago, Journey, Def Leppard, Rush, The Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, The Steve Miller band all of those off the top of my ever so slightly balding head. Who have I left out? To quote a movie line-"I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
It's official, Steven Tyler will be a judge on American Idol next season, which could signal the end of Aerosmith as we know it. Here's Tyler on how the band feels about his new gig-Aerosmith-Steven Tyler on how the guys in the band feel about his being Idol Judge-
It's obvious Idol is going for star power to bring back departed viewers. My question to you is...will it work and will you tune in? Mediocre talent is still mediocre talent.
 Tonight on âThe Listââ¦itâs my Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rockâ¦thereâs more than fourâ¦cause itâs a big Mountain! The 7 bands and artists who changed the game. Â
Led Zeppelin-Over a 10-year, nine-album career from 1969-79, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock group in the world, ultimately selling more than 50 million records in the U.S. alone (more than 200 million worldwide), developing the blues-based power trio-plus-lead singer archetype in many directions including mystical English folk-rock, Middle Eastern-influenced exotica, quirky pop reggae and every manner of heaviness. Led Zeppelin caused many parents blood to boil in 1969 when the revolution of their first album blasted out the bedrooms of kids all over America!Â
Jimi Hendrix-In Clapton the Autobiography Eric writes of Jimi; âWhat I found refreshing about him was his intensely self-critical attitude toward his music; Clapton writes; He had this enormous gift and a fantastic technique, like that of someone who spent all day playing and practicing, yet he didnât seem that aware of it. I also got to see the playboy in him. He loved to spend all night hanging out, getting drunk or stoned, and when he did pick up the guitar, it was very throwaway to him, as if he didnât take himself too seriously; Follow this link to read what Pete Townshend has to say about Jimi.  http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jimi_hendrix_the_greatest_guitarist_of_all_timeÂ
Bruce Springsteen-In spring 1974 critic Jon Landau saw a Springsteen show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and wrote in the Real Paper, âI saw rock & roll future and itâs name is Bruce Springsteen;â It took a while to put the masterpiece that would deliver on that boast togetherâ¦but when Born To Run was released in 1975 and Bruce appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, The future arrivedâ¦and the timeline is still being written.Â
Elton John-When Elton John and Bernie Taupin hooked up in the late 60's, one of rocks great partnerships was formed. Elton's "genius' as a tunesmith is legendary. He could take a page of Taupin's lyrics and in 20 minutes, turn out another memorable melody. From 1970-76 Elton put out an album about every 6 months. Each, with a totally different musical texture. That was the Elton John adventure. In 1975 his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album became the first album to ever debut at number one on the charts. According to a 2004 BBC profile, John "has the rare accolade of charting a Top 40 single every year from 1970 to 1996"...It's the stuff of legend. Elton is about to release a new album with his idol Leon Russell. It's produced by T Bone Burnett and advance reviews are excellent. Think "Tumbleweed Connection. Â
The Beatles-Unquestionably the best and most important band in rock history, as well as the most compelling story. Almost miraculously, they embodied the apex of the form artistically, commercially, culturally and spiritually at just the right time. They Changed the World!Â
U2-The most important and influential band of the post-punk era, joining ringing guitar rock, punkish independence, Celtic spirituality, innovative production techniques and electronic experimentalism â all held together by Bonoâs transcendent vision and charismaâ¦They are easily the most important and impactful band of the past 30 years.Â
And finallyâ¦Â
Bob Dylan-The uncontested poet laureate of the rock and roll era and the pre-eminent singer/songwriter of modern times. PERIOD. When you heard The Beatles John Lennon sing a song like Norwegian Woodâ¦he was just trying to keep up with Bob. Dylan is Front and Center on the Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rock!Â
Thatâs itâ¦thatâs âThe Listâ tonight on The Mountain. Keeping in mind that our Mountain is built to honor 7â¦what changes would you make? Iâm waitingâ¦Have a fantastic weekend!
The Quarrymen circa 1958
The current lineup of John Lennon's first band is coming to America later this month. To honor what would have been his 70th birthday, The Quarrymen will appear at selected screenings of the movie Nowhere Boy, which tracks Lennon's pre-Beatles life. The tour will close on October 9th in New York, not far from the Strawberry Fields tribute site in Central Park.
The movie, starring Aaron Johnson as John and Kristen Scott-Thomas as his Aunt Mimi, opens officially on October 8th. --Mike McCann
QUARRYMEN U.S. APPEARANCES
9/23 - Newark, NJ - NJ Performing ArtsCenter
10/3 - Chicago, IL - Music Box Theater
9/24 - Woodstock, NY - Rosendale Theater
10/4 - New York, NY - PaleyCenter for Media
9/26 - New London, CT - GardeArtsCenter
10/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
9/28 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
10/6 - Albany, NY - The Egg
9/29 - Aspen, CO - Wheeler Opera House
10/7 - Arlington, MA - Regent Theater
9/30 - Los Angeles, CA - Grauman's Egyptian Theater
Last week was a rough one for Aerosmith. First Joe Perry accidentally nudged Steven Tyler off the stage in Toronto, and then, two nights later, Tyler accidentally clocked Perry over the head with his microphone stand, cutting the guitarist. Perry writes on his Twitter page, "Living through [my recent] motorcycle accident, getting bashed on the head with [the] mic stand [and] almost flying off end of ramp, I know I'm gonna see this through." As for reports that Perry intentionally pushed Tyler off the stage, a spokesperson for the band says, "Joe wanted his fans to know that he would never deliberately push Steven off the stage." Perry writes on Twitter, "It's a contact sport, but when they make me out to be the villain it pisses me off. At least now you just gotta use your own eyes and ears." Aerosmith are in Holmdel, New Jersey tomorrow night. --Sal CirrincioneVideo of Perry getting hit over the head with Tyler's microphone stand:http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=4d8f7465-84d0-4e4c-bfb2-7397f3e0f509
 Last month, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and David Gilmour reunited for a benefit show in England. Now, the Hoping Foundation, which helps Palestinian children, has posted the video on its website in hopes that if you log on to watch, you'll make a donation. Commenting on the video, Waters says, "The sound quality is crap, but it was a great night for me and for him and also for 'Us and Them.'" The close to 30-minute video features the two former Floyd members doing "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two."
The Broncos are locked onto training camp now at Dove Valley, with all eyes on number 15-rookie Tim Tebow, he of the top selling rookie jersey in the history of the NFL. He will be scrutinized by those who are irked by his highly visible faith based stance, simply tolerated by others, and hailed as a stellar and heroic role model by those who agree with his views. Either way, Tim Tebow will be watched. I personally am excited to see an athlete of Tim's ilk in a Denver uniform. Skill set aside, it may be that we have a genuine roll model for our children,  playing a game in our our home town.Â
Did you catch âThe Listâ tonight? It was âRocks Greatest Frontmenâ. I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and David Lee Roth. Freddie Mercury is my pick for number one! Thatâs my takeâ¦whatâs yours? Who would you add to this list and to make room...who would you drop? Hey, shoot me your suggestion and tune again tommorow night for a 1985 Class Reunion...on The List!
You can take a look at two of the performances from Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming DVD, London Calling: Live in Hyde Park, before it goes on sale on June 22nd. Log onto www.BruceSpringsteen.net for clips of "Glory Days" and "Out on the Street." You can listen here to Out in the Street...enjoy!Bruce Rocks Live
Roger Waters is seeking your help with his production of The Wall, which he will tour this fall. He writes on the newly launched RogerWaters.com, "'Fallen Loved Ones' is a request, from me, reaching out to ask you to provide a photograph and personal details of a loved one lost in war. Your loved one's pictures and details would be included, along with those of my father Eric [killed in World War Two], in my upcoming show The Wall as an act of remembrance. The ''Fallen Loved One' does not have to have been a soldier. Civilian deaths are equally, if not more, harrowing."
Tonight on "The List" I presented 7 tunes I feel make for fun, sometimes even head turning ringtones. Intro, hook or both...these songs add some fun to your phone! So here you go;
Who Can it Be Now-Men at Work-(intro or title hook)
Who Are You-Who-(Intro or title hook)
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones (Awesome intro)
Who Do You Love-George Thorogood-(Rockin' Guitar Intro)
Twilight Zone-Golden Earring (Intro-moody!)
Sweet Child of Mine-Guns n Roses-(Intro will turn heads as phone ring)
Baba O'riley-The Who (The Best Ever)
So that's it...that's The List of fantastic ringtones. I am looking for more. What do you use or what would you add? Now tomorrow night on "The List" it's "Band" Bands...you know, Steve Miller Band, Allman Brothers Band and 5 others who make the cut. Number one is without question the top "Band" Band of all time!
I played 7 songs which resonate with me on the deepest level or just simply stick in my head and I can't get them out on "The List" December 17th...my birthday! It was totally self indulgent and a treat to hear! So hear are my selections and a brief explanation why I chose each song;
Radio Free Europe by REM-I was early in my radio career and working in Boulder at KADE, a small and very cool AM station with a loyal following. I used to cheat and play Radio Free Europe more than I should have because I simply couldn't get the song out my mind. Even though, until I read the liner notes, I had no idea what Michael Stipe was saying. It was the sound of the song and the promise of the band from Athens Georgia that caught my attention. When I listen to this day, memories of my early days in radio and my first few years of marriage wash over me. It's a good feeling.
Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen-When this song came out I was still deciding whether or not I was going to go all in with Bruce. When he dropped his guard on the Tunnel of Love album and looked inward to ponder a love gone wrong, he gave us all a very personal look at his life and times as a husband, rock star, and cultural icon in the 80's. It was an unselfish, revealing and healing gesture.
Bad by U2 (live)-It's all about memory connections for me. Bad (live) off the Wide Awake in America EP by U2 reminds me of my first big radio job. I was doing mid-days on 106.7 KAZY in my hometown of Denver. Friends from Cheery Creek, and South Junior High and Greenwood Elementary School would find me on the radio and call to renew friendships. For some reason, this song brings out those memories. I don't know why, but I don't care! For that reason and the mad skills of U2 live...it is one of my all time favorite songs.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John-Elton is the first artist I ever latched on to as a favorite. When his albums came out, every six months or so during his prime, I would have to have them on the first day. I head out on my Schwinn 5 speed with the ram handlebars and ride down to Budget tapes and Records on Colfax in Aurora and pick up the album. I couldn't wait to get home, pop open a cold one (Pepsi), and listen along while I read the liner notes. When I first heard Mona Lisas, I was lost inside my Koss Headphones listening to Elton's pure vocals and the amazing "self harmonizing" he pulled off. It is his best work and my all time favorite song...period!
Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones-I like it! Plain and simple. The single from the double album Exile on Mainstreet is the Stones at their best. Not a note is out of place.
A Man I'll Never Be by Boston-An album cut from Boston's historical first album. It's the soaring nature of both Brad Delp's vocals and Tom's sonic guitar meeting in perfect precision that makes the song for me. These past few years, since the suicide of Brad Delp, the singerâs tale of failing to meet expectations, personal and external, and the inherent sadness truly resonate. Having spent an hour speaking with Brad at Red Rocks about a decade ago and finding him to be the most genuine and warm "rocker" I have ever encountered, I am saddened by the loss of a man I could have been friends with.
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox-Strings, Annieâs voice, a 19th century vibe...it all works for me in a way that few songs do. At this time of year, for some reason, I think old time English Christmas in my imaginary Castle in Kent. It is nice to dream!
So that's it, that's the list for December 17th. Friday night I'll be rockin around the Menorah with some of our greatest Jewish rock stars in celebration of the last night of Hanukah.
I start with a definition;
EPIC-Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem â1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic <an epic poem>
2 a: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic
With that in mind, I share with you now, what I feel are the only 7 Epic Songs in Rock History
Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen: An anthem for a generation and a true statement of arrival for Bruce
Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen:Â It was in Wayne's World...Party on Garth!
Freebird-Lynyrd Skynyrd: You have to admit, the fiery guitars and the tribute to Duane Allman make Freebird the Truly Epic Southern Rock Classic
Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin: On par with Freebird in it's massive amount of radio requests for decades,  Stairway is one of Rocks all time great songs. It regularly tops classic rock radio  lists around the world 38 years after it's release.
Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who: Pete Townshend stated in 2006 that: "It is not precisely a song that decries revolution - it suggests that we will indeed fight in the streets - but that revolution, like all action can have results we cannot predict. Don't expect to see what you expect to see. Expect nothing and you might gain everything. The song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause."Â Wrap that message with the amazing power of The Who and you've got one of the Truly Epic rock songs.
You Can't Always Get What You Want-Rolling Stones: The London Bach Choir opens the song in totally Un-Stones way and from note one the mind wanders through the song, taken on a gospel journey punctated by the choir, Al Kooper's organ and Micks vocals. Plus...it was prominently featured in The Big Chill during the opening funeral scene. Dead guy hands compliments of Kevin Costner. Epic!
A Day in the Life-Beatles:  John's atmospheric vocals and Paul's always optimistic lilt followed by a massive chord struck simultaneously on many pianos brings The Beatles masterpiece album Sgt.Pepper to an Epic close
That's it...that's "The List" tonight. Rocks only 7 Truly Epic Songs. Tomorrow night at 7 I'll be playing the top 7 British bands that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream or The Kinks.
Tune in!
I really enjoyed "The List" tonight...hope you did as well. It was my choice for 7 of the best "guitar songs"  in rock history. Now clearly there are more songs that could make such a list but as always...I am limited by the 7 song structure of "The List." Jim, listening on-line in Florida wondered how I could leave Stevie Ray Vaughan out. Well Jim, I gave it some thought and while Stevie Ray had a wonderful playing style and a signature sound, I just couldn't identify one "Guitar Moment" from his library of work which stood out the way the others did for me. Now keep in mind...it's just one mans opinion and it's fun to go back and forth on it a bit. So Blog away! Now, here is tonight's edition of "The List."
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Duane Allman taught himself to play the slide guitar after hearing Taj Mahal cover the old Blind Willie McTell song. He was a natural!
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page in his realm...showing off the savage mastery he achieved as a top session player.
Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Kurt Cobain with the riffs and that sound that defined 90's Rock.
Derek and The Dominos-Layla-Eric Clapton gets the credit but once again it was Duane Allman's brilliance that caught our attention from note one on this legendary guitar song. It was Duane's lick.
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze-Guitar â you can play it or transcend it," said Neil Young when he inducted Hendrix into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. "Jimi showed me that."
Van Halen-Eruption-Eddie Van Halen's 102-second mission statement was a piece he invented onstage: a solo showcase for his mastery of tone and technique, notably the rush of notes he produced with his fretboard tapping. Every 80's metal band took note!
Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode-"If you want to play rock & roll," Joe Perry told Rolling Stonein 2004, "you have to start here." Recorded almost 52 years ago, on January 6th, 1958, at the Chess Records studio in Chicago, Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" was the first great record about the joys and rewards of playing rock & roll guitar. He invented it!
That's it...that's "The List." I'm looking forward to reading your comments. And feel free to suggest any lists you may want to hear on future nights!
So the deal with "The List" tonight was this...Awesome tunes with the word "bad" in the title. Simple but cool!Â
CCR-Bad Moon Rising-John Fogerty says he took the inspiration from the old movie The Devil and Daniel Webster
Bad Company-Bad Company-Also inspired by a 1972 Western starring Jeff Bridges
Tom Petty-Yer So Bad-Very Dylan
Steely Dan-Bad Sneakers-The first Steely Dan song to feature Michael McDonald on background vocals
ZZ Top-I'm Bad I'm Nationwide
Cream-Born Under a Bad Sign-Also available by Homer Simpson on "The Simpson's Sing the Blues"
U2-Bad (live)-Bono says the song is about Heroin-specifically about a friend who almost died from to much of it on his 21st birthday
So that's it...that's "The List."Â Tomorrow night at 7 I'll play what I feel are the 7 most memorable guitar songs of all time!
I love it when we disagree on "The List", presented each night to you here on The Mountain. Tonight it was my 7 top female vocalists. Now, Jim called me and wondered how in the heck I could put Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday on tonight...well, it's MY list. But let me make a case for Aimee. First of all, incredible songwriter (I know, not singing) but it is the interpretation of her own material that has resonated with me. She writes from pain, bitterness, betrayal, love, humor, and all those emotions and traits come through in her singing. Not powerful in presence but emotive and penetrating. So that's my rationalization Jim...and I'm sticking to it! So, let me lay out "The List" tonight of my<operative word there> Top 7 Female Vocalists;
Stevie Nicks (pre-cocaine)-Enchanting
Aimee Mann-I explained Jim!
Ann Wilson-Pure Power with Heart
Christine McVie-Simple and Sensitive
Bonnie Raitt-Incredibly Cool...Sultry and Fun
Janis Joplin-Well...She's Janis
Annie Lennox-Soulful, Powerful, Operatic, Whimisical, Gets down in the Gravel...she can do it all!
That's "The List" tonight. My 7 top Female Vocalists. There are so many who could be included if you were to make your own list...so Go Ahead! Tomorrow night I'll play the 7 Best Rock and Roll songs of all time...Literally. Join me again for "The List."
It was an awesome set on "The List" tonight. Rocks 7 Greatest Drummers were hard at work making the room shake! I must tell you, it was a tough call for me on the top two. It's probably one of those if you ask me again tomorrow questions...I might just change my mind. Here is "The List" tonight-Rocks Greatest Drummers;
7-Ringo Starr-Phil Collins, Max Weinberg huge fans. Max says he is one of the top Five drummers...period.
I was pressed for time on Monday nights edition of "The List" so the entire set rocked by in less than 20 minutes. It was my 7 favorite short rock songs. Al but one of them, Santana's "Everybody's Everything" were well under 3 minutes. So here are my selections and a brief explanation of why I chose them;
Kinks-You Really Got Me-Primitive, gnarly sixties guitar vibe with raw power
Mountain-Mississippi Queen-"Gotta have more Cowbell"...nuff said
Led Zeppelin-Livin' Lovin" Maid-Robert Plant just showing off
CCR-Travelin' Band-Fogerty singing rock is an American treasure
ZZ Top-Tush-Bite sized "Texas Blues Rock"...ZZ Top rules!
Santana-Everybody's Everything-Because it's my favorite Santana tune...hey, it's my list
Tonight on "The List" in honor of Roger Daltrey's concert at The Paramount...Roger's 7 best vocal performances. Join me for "The List" every weeknight at 7 on The Mountain
So you need to understand, when I put together "The List" each night the outcome is totally subjective. And if you asked me again tomorrow...I might change my mind. It's like when someone asks you what your favorite song, movie, or book is...the answer may depend on what day it is! Tonight on "The List" I played my favorite 7 Guitar Licks of all time;
Guns and Roses-Sweet Child of Mine
Steely Dan-Reeling in the Years
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze
Rolling Stones-Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
Lynryd Skynyrd-Sweet Home Alabama
Dire Straits-Money For Nothing
Beatles-Day Tripper.
That's it...That's "The List". What would you add? I can't wait to hear. Hey, if you would like to suggest a future edition of "The List", visit my host page right here on this very website. Join me again tomorrow at 7 for 7 of rocks Greatest Bass Players...on "The List".
Did you catch "The List" tonight? It's a new feature weeknights at 7 on The Mountain and the first ever edition was "Rocks Greatest Frontmen". I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Bono and David Lee Roth. That's my take...what's yours? Tomorrow night on "The List"-7 bands that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that aren't feeling the love yet. Tune in at 7 and let me know that you think about "The List".
I have fond memories of field-days as a child at Greenwood Elementary School on Holly. Fifty yard dashes run while hoping that Lisa Nock would see me win...the crab-walk domination both frontwards and backwards...I was determined to win. The blue, red and white ribbons have long been lost to the years...but my inflated memories of little "Danny Mitchell's" field-day dominance live on! And now, a chance to create some new ones.
June 27th, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to ski, kayak, camp, bike and more, is holding a field day event! Your 22 dollar registration fee goes directly to them. Hey, you can even win some more ribbons! The deadline for entry is this Friday, June 5th
For details visit www.fielddays.eventbrite.com
It was quite a playoff run with our Denver Nuggets these past few weeks. And once again I was reminded how we love our sports here in Denver! Now, some may bring out the phrase "Bandwagon"...and I say...bring it on. The beautiful thing is family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have all been a little bit closer thanks to Chauncey, Melo and the "Birdman"!Â
We've seen Broncos win Super-Bowls ... our local puck-whackers kissing the Stanley Cup...a mighty September rally that took the Rockies to the World Series... and now the Nuggets going deep into the playoffs. Life is good people!
Bring on the next "Bandwagon"...I love the sense of community!
Genesis is planning to release a "Live" box-set sometime in the near future and they need your help. If you attended a Genesis concert between 1972 & 1992 and snapped off some photos...they wouldn't mind seeing them. Who knows, your future as a rock and roll photo journalist could begin with your next brave step! Visit www.genesismusic.com
Good Luck!
And The Oscar Could Go toâ¦BEST PICTURE127 HoursBlack SwanThe FighterInceptionThe Kids Are All RightThe King's SpeechThe Social NetworkToy Story 3True GritWinter's BoneBEST ACTORJavier Bardem (Biutiful)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)James Franco (127 Hours)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
BEST ACTRESSAnnette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTORChristian Bale (The Fighter)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSAmy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
BEST DIRECTORDarren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
David Fincher (The Social Network)
David O. Russell (The Fighter)
BEST ANIMATED FEATUREHow to Train Your DragonThe IllusionistToy Story 3BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAYAnother YearThe FighterInceptionThe Kids Are All RightThe King's SpeechBEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY127 HoursThe Social NetworkToy Story 3True GritWinter's BoneBEST SONG
"Coming Home" (Country Strong) - Gwyneth Paltrow
"I See the Light" (Tangled) - Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi
"If I Rise" (127 Hours) - A R Rahman and Dido
"We Belong Together" (Toy Story 3) - Randy Newman
So, to burn off the holiday calories...how much walking do you have to do. I found this cool link which will instantly calculate how much walking you need to do to burn the fat baby! Follow the link...and Happy New Year! http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blholidaycalories.htm
The man who posed as a Bob Dylan roadie last month and ordered 178 pizzas from an Amherst, Massachusetts restaurant but never picked them up has agreed to pay for the pies and apologize to the restaurant's owners. Police haven't revealed the man's name because the deal precludes it from becoming a criminal case. But the lawyer for the 42-year-old East Brunswick, New Jersey man tells the Amherst Bulletin, "My client regretted what he did and thought he did something out of character for himself."
The pizza tab ran $3,900, not including the big tip the fake roadie promised if the workers stayed past their 2:00 a.m. closing time to make the pizzas.Â
Okay, fess up...what is one of your all time great pranks?
Things have changed out there in Santa Land. It is now easier than ever to get in touch with the man with all the toys. You can text, tweet, and like Santa on Facebook. And now, you can even have Mr. Claus send your kids and loved ones a personalized video message. Just follow the link here...and Merry Christmas! http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message/child
On the list Monday...I'll be featuring songs used to sell us products...7 of them as a matter of fact, because that's the way The List Rolls...the following two...are the best ever.
The Who for Hummer-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV65Z7p2Xy8
Jimi Hendrix and Pepsi-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao6JntNIPHc
What's better? I can't think of two others that were any cooler...your thoughts inserted here!
Today on The List, it wasn't so much about the music as it was about these rock stars of ours...and would they would look like without their powerful "Rock Star" hair. So, for your amusment I present some before and after pictures.
Tom Petty Before ...Tom Petty after...
ZZ Top Before...
And After...
Now, here is cute Beatle Sir Paul McCartney...with hair...
And...lacking just a bit
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones
And...Mick and Keith at their scariest...There you go. So, that was a bit of Friday Fun on The List Today...Have fantastic weekend!
They all scream for air guitar or even better Guitar Hero action! On The List today it was my choice for the the 7 Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 80's-Here is a montage... 80's Guitar Riffs ...They are from 1 to 7-Back in Black/AC/DC-Sweet Child of Mine-Guns N Roses-Start Me Up-Rolling Stones-Photograph-Def Leppard-Crazy Train-Ozzy-Should I Stay of Should I Go-Clash and Limelight from Rush...Thoughts?
Tomorros on The List...it's "The 7 Deadly Sins of Rock and Roll...join me at four!
So today on The List, I played my choices for the 7 greatest Guitar songs...wait for it...wait...Off All Time! It's all about the lick, the texture, the tone, the energy, the inability to ever turn these songs off when they come on the radio! Here you go-
Revolution-Beatles-Fuzzy and legendary
Stay With Me-Faces-see this tutorial on how to play it-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4VpOsp5nA
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page Rules
Walk This Way-Aerosmith-A most memorable lick inspired by the famous Igor line in Young Frankenstein
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Live at the Fillmore East...a must have
Crossroads-Cream-Eric Clapton, need I say more
Johnny B. Goode-Chuck Berry-All of Chuck's Children are still out there playin his licks!
Let me know what you think...and join me fo The List, Â each weekday afternoon at 4
That was my list today on The Mountain. From Boston's first, one of the top selling albums of all time, to the Doors debut, these albums were either unique, legendary, monster sellers, ground breaking, influential or simply a pleasure to be enveloped in. So here are my choices;
Boston's Debut
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Texas Flood
The Band-Music from Big Pink
Jimi Hendrix Experience-Are You Experienced
Led Zeppelin-Debut
The Cars-Debut
The Doors-Debut
Strange how many albums were called "Debut"....Thoughts, suggestions, disagreements...let me have it!
Today on The List I shared with you my choices for Best Rock Artist Female. I sat here this afternoon and was actually 'lobbied" heading up to airtime to make a few additions. I added one, Melissa Etheridge and had to bump Pat Benatar. Sorry Pat...So these are the female rock icons I chose for my list today
7-Melissa Etheridge
6-Ann Wilson (Heart)
5-Stevie Nicks
4-Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
3-Bonnie Raitt
2-Grace Slick
1-Janis Joplin
That's it...That's The List. Okay, here is the part where you share your thoughts...be kind!
Today on The List-I got out some of rocks all time great album starters. You know, you got em home and dropped the needle from cut one...you were sucked in! So here are my choices, and feel free to listen to the audio;
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones from Let it Bleed (hooray for Merrie Clayton)
Black Dog-Led Zeppelin from IV
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding-Elton from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (B. Taupin Audio) Bernie Taupin on Love Lies Bleeding
Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan from Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on his early songs) Bob Dylan on writing his early songs
More Than a Feeling-Boston from their debut album in 1976
Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen's first cut from Born to Run
Foxey Lady-Jimi Hendrix Experience from Are You Experienced (check out this Little Richard audio on Jimi...Hendrix used to play in his band) Jimi Hendrix-Little Richard on Jimi
Well, those songs all make a powerful introduction to the albums they front. Fun Stuff! What would make your list?
Billy Joel's The Last Play at Shea documentary will be shown tonight in theaters nationwide. The film tells not only the story of the last two concerts by Joel at New York's Shea Stadium on July 16th and 18th, 2008, but also of his life, of the life of the stadium and of the New York Mets -- Shea's most famous tenant.
For a list of theaters where you can see the film, head to TheLastPlayAtShea.com.
Billy talks about the Concerts-Billy Joel-Last Play at Shea
I have posted this clip of the new film about John Lennon's youth. It's called Nowhere Boy. Why, it's an excercise in understanding the upbringing that forged the legend. You must admire the honesty of John who always said in public, what he thought in private. Your thoughts on John?
First comment, I'm surprised the sensors of the day (1954) let this photo fly! The Creature From The Black Lagoon is for me, the scariest movie of my childhood. I found out in later years that "The Creature" seen here having a heart to heart with Julie Adams, is actually a vegetarian and a world class quilt maker. But as Bill Murray once said in Meatballs..."It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Creature is easily one of the all time scary classics that is actually....wait for it...SCARY! What would you add to this list?
So, Casey and I were talking today about some of rock's most underrated guitar solos. I threw out the dude; I don't even know his name, who played on Two Tickets to Paradise. Mike countered with Reeling in the Years from Steely Dan. Elliot Randall's playing was certainly stellar, but underrated. So my question is...what guitar solos would you introduce into the discussion?
So, with Halloween coming our way at the end of the month, it's beginning to look a little orange and black and creepy all over. If you find yourself wanting to have the bejeebers scared out of you or if you want something a little milder for the season, I've got a couple of links bellow  Fact-Americans will spend an estimated 5.8 Billion dollars on this year...For creepy Halloween fun, follow this link http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16207001
Today, the fine folks at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland submitted their initial list of artists being considered for the class of 2011. They are; Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits and Chuck Willis. Okay, now let me vent a bit...uggh! Bands more worthy than Chic or LL Cool J for the "Rock and Roll" hall of fame. Yes, Chicago, Journey, Def Leppard, Rush, The Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, The Steve Miller band all of those off the top of my ever so slightly balding head. Who have I left out? To quote a movie line-"I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
It's official, Steven Tyler will be a judge on American Idol next season, which could signal the end of Aerosmith as we know it. Here's Tyler on how the band feels about his new gig-Aerosmith-Steven Tyler on how the guys in the band feel about his being Idol Judge-
It's obvious Idol is going for star power to bring back departed viewers. My question to you is...will it work and will you tune in? Mediocre talent is still mediocre talent.
 Tonight on âThe Listââ¦itâs my Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rockâ¦thereâs more than fourâ¦cause itâs a big Mountain! The 7 bands and artists who changed the game. Â
Led Zeppelin-Over a 10-year, nine-album career from 1969-79, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock group in the world, ultimately selling more than 50 million records in the U.S. alone (more than 200 million worldwide), developing the blues-based power trio-plus-lead singer archetype in many directions including mystical English folk-rock, Middle Eastern-influenced exotica, quirky pop reggae and every manner of heaviness. Led Zeppelin caused many parents blood to boil in 1969 when the revolution of their first album blasted out the bedrooms of kids all over America!Â
Jimi Hendrix-In Clapton the Autobiography Eric writes of Jimi; âWhat I found refreshing about him was his intensely self-critical attitude toward his music; Clapton writes; He had this enormous gift and a fantastic technique, like that of someone who spent all day playing and practicing, yet he didnât seem that aware of it. I also got to see the playboy in him. He loved to spend all night hanging out, getting drunk or stoned, and when he did pick up the guitar, it was very throwaway to him, as if he didnât take himself too seriously; Follow this link to read what Pete Townshend has to say about Jimi.  http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jimi_hendrix_the_greatest_guitarist_of_all_timeÂ
Bruce Springsteen-In spring 1974 critic Jon Landau saw a Springsteen show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and wrote in the Real Paper, âI saw rock & roll future and itâs name is Bruce Springsteen;â It took a while to put the masterpiece that would deliver on that boast togetherâ¦but when Born To Run was released in 1975 and Bruce appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, The future arrivedâ¦and the timeline is still being written.Â
Elton John-When Elton John and Bernie Taupin hooked up in the late 60's, one of rocks great partnerships was formed. Elton's "genius' as a tunesmith is legendary. He could take a page of Taupin's lyrics and in 20 minutes, turn out another memorable melody. From 1970-76 Elton put out an album about every 6 months. Each, with a totally different musical texture. That was the Elton John adventure. In 1975 his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album became the first album to ever debut at number one on the charts. According to a 2004 BBC profile, John "has the rare accolade of charting a Top 40 single every year from 1970 to 1996"...It's the stuff of legend. Elton is about to release a new album with his idol Leon Russell. It's produced by T Bone Burnett and advance reviews are excellent. Think "Tumbleweed Connection. Â
The Beatles-Unquestionably the best and most important band in rock history, as well as the most compelling story. Almost miraculously, they embodied the apex of the form artistically, commercially, culturally and spiritually at just the right time. They Changed the World!Â
U2-The most important and influential band of the post-punk era, joining ringing guitar rock, punkish independence, Celtic spirituality, innovative production techniques and electronic experimentalism â all held together by Bonoâs transcendent vision and charismaâ¦They are easily the most important and impactful band of the past 30 years.Â
And finallyâ¦Â
Bob Dylan-The uncontested poet laureate of the rock and roll era and the pre-eminent singer/songwriter of modern times. PERIOD. When you heard The Beatles John Lennon sing a song like Norwegian Woodâ¦he was just trying to keep up with Bob. Dylan is Front and Center on the Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rock!Â
Thatâs itâ¦thatâs âThe Listâ tonight on The Mountain. Keeping in mind that our Mountain is built to honor 7â¦what changes would you make? Iâm waitingâ¦Have a fantastic weekend!
The Quarrymen circa 1958
The current lineup of John Lennon's first band is coming to America later this month. To honor what would have been his 70th birthday, The Quarrymen will appear at selected screenings of the movie Nowhere Boy, which tracks Lennon's pre-Beatles life. The tour will close on October 9th in New York, not far from the Strawberry Fields tribute site in Central Park.
The movie, starring Aaron Johnson as John and Kristen Scott-Thomas as his Aunt Mimi, opens officially on October 8th. --Mike McCann
QUARRYMEN U.S. APPEARANCES
9/23 - Newark, NJ - NJ Performing ArtsCenter
10/3 - Chicago, IL - Music Box Theater
9/24 - Woodstock, NY - Rosendale Theater
10/4 - New York, NY - PaleyCenter for Media
9/26 - New London, CT - GardeArtsCenter
10/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
9/28 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
10/6 - Albany, NY - The Egg
9/29 - Aspen, CO - Wheeler Opera House
10/7 - Arlington, MA - Regent Theater
9/30 - Los Angeles, CA - Grauman's Egyptian Theater
Last week was a rough one for Aerosmith. First Joe Perry accidentally nudged Steven Tyler off the stage in Toronto, and then, two nights later, Tyler accidentally clocked Perry over the head with his microphone stand, cutting the guitarist. Perry writes on his Twitter page, "Living through [my recent] motorcycle accident, getting bashed on the head with [the] mic stand [and] almost flying off end of ramp, I know I'm gonna see this through." As for reports that Perry intentionally pushed Tyler off the stage, a spokesperson for the band says, "Joe wanted his fans to know that he would never deliberately push Steven off the stage." Perry writes on Twitter, "It's a contact sport, but when they make me out to be the villain it pisses me off. At least now you just gotta use your own eyes and ears." Aerosmith are in Holmdel, New Jersey tomorrow night. --Sal CirrincioneVideo of Perry getting hit over the head with Tyler's microphone stand:http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=4d8f7465-84d0-4e4c-bfb2-7397f3e0f509
 Last month, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and David Gilmour reunited for a benefit show in England. Now, the Hoping Foundation, which helps Palestinian children, has posted the video on its website in hopes that if you log on to watch, you'll make a donation. Commenting on the video, Waters says, "The sound quality is crap, but it was a great night for me and for him and also for 'Us and Them.'" The close to 30-minute video features the two former Floyd members doing "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two."
The Broncos are locked onto training camp now at Dove Valley, with all eyes on number 15-rookie Tim Tebow, he of the top selling rookie jersey in the history of the NFL. He will be scrutinized by those who are irked by his highly visible faith based stance, simply tolerated by others, and hailed as a stellar and heroic role model by those who agree with his views. Either way, Tim Tebow will be watched. I personally am excited to see an athlete of Tim's ilk in a Denver uniform. Skill set aside, it may be that we have a genuine roll model for our children,  playing a game in our our home town.Â
Did you catch âThe Listâ tonight? It was âRocks Greatest Frontmenâ. I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and David Lee Roth. Freddie Mercury is my pick for number one! Thatâs my takeâ¦whatâs yours? Who would you add to this list and to make room...who would you drop? Hey, shoot me your suggestion and tune again tommorow night for a 1985 Class Reunion...on The List!
You can take a look at two of the performances from Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming DVD, London Calling: Live in Hyde Park, before it goes on sale on June 22nd. Log onto www.BruceSpringsteen.net for clips of "Glory Days" and "Out on the Street." You can listen here to Out in the Street...enjoy!Bruce Rocks Live
Roger Waters is seeking your help with his production of The Wall, which he will tour this fall. He writes on the newly launched RogerWaters.com, "'Fallen Loved Ones' is a request, from me, reaching out to ask you to provide a photograph and personal details of a loved one lost in war. Your loved one's pictures and details would be included, along with those of my father Eric [killed in World War Two], in my upcoming show The Wall as an act of remembrance. The ''Fallen Loved One' does not have to have been a soldier. Civilian deaths are equally, if not more, harrowing."
Tonight on "The List" I presented 7 tunes I feel make for fun, sometimes even head turning ringtones. Intro, hook or both...these songs add some fun to your phone! So here you go;
Who Can it Be Now-Men at Work-(intro or title hook)
Who Are You-Who-(Intro or title hook)
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones (Awesome intro)
Who Do You Love-George Thorogood-(Rockin' Guitar Intro)
Twilight Zone-Golden Earring (Intro-moody!)
Sweet Child of Mine-Guns n Roses-(Intro will turn heads as phone ring)
Baba O'riley-The Who (The Best Ever)
So that's it...that's The List of fantastic ringtones. I am looking for more. What do you use or what would you add? Now tomorrow night on "The List" it's "Band" Bands...you know, Steve Miller Band, Allman Brothers Band and 5 others who make the cut. Number one is without question the top "Band" Band of all time!
I played 7 songs which resonate with me on the deepest level or just simply stick in my head and I can't get them out on "The List" December 17th...my birthday! It was totally self indulgent and a treat to hear! So hear are my selections and a brief explanation why I chose each song;
Radio Free Europe by REM-I was early in my radio career and working in Boulder at KADE, a small and very cool AM station with a loyal following. I used to cheat and play Radio Free Europe more than I should have because I simply couldn't get the song out my mind. Even though, until I read the liner notes, I had no idea what Michael Stipe was saying. It was the sound of the song and the promise of the band from Athens Georgia that caught my attention. When I listen to this day, memories of my early days in radio and my first few years of marriage wash over me. It's a good feeling.
Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen-When this song came out I was still deciding whether or not I was going to go all in with Bruce. When he dropped his guard on the Tunnel of Love album and looked inward to ponder a love gone wrong, he gave us all a very personal look at his life and times as a husband, rock star, and cultural icon in the 80's. It was an unselfish, revealing and healing gesture.
Bad by U2 (live)-It's all about memory connections for me. Bad (live) off the Wide Awake in America EP by U2 reminds me of my first big radio job. I was doing mid-days on 106.7 KAZY in my hometown of Denver. Friends from Cheery Creek, and South Junior High and Greenwood Elementary School would find me on the radio and call to renew friendships. For some reason, this song brings out those memories. I don't know why, but I don't care! For that reason and the mad skills of U2 live...it is one of my all time favorite songs.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John-Elton is the first artist I ever latched on to as a favorite. When his albums came out, every six months or so during his prime, I would have to have them on the first day. I head out on my Schwinn 5 speed with the ram handlebars and ride down to Budget tapes and Records on Colfax in Aurora and pick up the album. I couldn't wait to get home, pop open a cold one (Pepsi), and listen along while I read the liner notes. When I first heard Mona Lisas, I was lost inside my Koss Headphones listening to Elton's pure vocals and the amazing "self harmonizing" he pulled off. It is his best work and my all time favorite song...period!
Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones-I like it! Plain and simple. The single from the double album Exile on Mainstreet is the Stones at their best. Not a note is out of place.
A Man I'll Never Be by Boston-An album cut from Boston's historical first album. It's the soaring nature of both Brad Delp's vocals and Tom's sonic guitar meeting in perfect precision that makes the song for me. These past few years, since the suicide of Brad Delp, the singerâs tale of failing to meet expectations, personal and external, and the inherent sadness truly resonate. Having spent an hour speaking with Brad at Red Rocks about a decade ago and finding him to be the most genuine and warm "rocker" I have ever encountered, I am saddened by the loss of a man I could have been friends with.
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox-Strings, Annieâs voice, a 19th century vibe...it all works for me in a way that few songs do. At this time of year, for some reason, I think old time English Christmas in my imaginary Castle in Kent. It is nice to dream!
So that's it, that's the list for December 17th. Friday night I'll be rockin around the Menorah with some of our greatest Jewish rock stars in celebration of the last night of Hanukah.
I start with a definition;
EPIC-Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem â1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic <an epic poem>
2 a: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic
With that in mind, I share with you now, what I feel are the only 7 Epic Songs in Rock History
Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen: An anthem for a generation and a true statement of arrival for Bruce
Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen:Â It was in Wayne's World...Party on Garth!
Freebird-Lynyrd Skynyrd: You have to admit, the fiery guitars and the tribute to Duane Allman make Freebird the Truly Epic Southern Rock Classic
Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin: On par with Freebird in it's massive amount of radio requests for decades,  Stairway is one of Rocks all time great songs. It regularly tops classic rock radio  lists around the world 38 years after it's release.
Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who: Pete Townshend stated in 2006 that: "It is not precisely a song that decries revolution - it suggests that we will indeed fight in the streets - but that revolution, like all action can have results we cannot predict. Don't expect to see what you expect to see. Expect nothing and you might gain everything. The song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause."Â Wrap that message with the amazing power of The Who and you've got one of the Truly Epic rock songs.
You Can't Always Get What You Want-Rolling Stones: The London Bach Choir opens the song in totally Un-Stones way and from note one the mind wanders through the song, taken on a gospel journey punctated by the choir, Al Kooper's organ and Micks vocals. Plus...it was prominently featured in The Big Chill during the opening funeral scene. Dead guy hands compliments of Kevin Costner. Epic!
A Day in the Life-Beatles:  John's atmospheric vocals and Paul's always optimistic lilt followed by a massive chord struck simultaneously on many pianos brings The Beatles masterpiece album Sgt.Pepper to an Epic close
That's it...that's "The List" tonight. Rocks only 7 Truly Epic Songs. Tomorrow night at 7 I'll be playing the top 7 British bands that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream or The Kinks.
Tune in!
I really enjoyed "The List" tonight...hope you did as well. It was my choice for 7 of the best "guitar songs"  in rock history. Now clearly there are more songs that could make such a list but as always...I am limited by the 7 song structure of "The List." Jim, listening on-line in Florida wondered how I could leave Stevie Ray Vaughan out. Well Jim, I gave it some thought and while Stevie Ray had a wonderful playing style and a signature sound, I just couldn't identify one "Guitar Moment" from his library of work which stood out the way the others did for me. Now keep in mind...it's just one mans opinion and it's fun to go back and forth on it a bit. So Blog away! Now, here is tonight's edition of "The List."
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Duane Allman taught himself to play the slide guitar after hearing Taj Mahal cover the old Blind Willie McTell song. He was a natural!
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page in his realm...showing off the savage mastery he achieved as a top session player.
Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Kurt Cobain with the riffs and that sound that defined 90's Rock.
Derek and The Dominos-Layla-Eric Clapton gets the credit but once again it was Duane Allman's brilliance that caught our attention from note one on this legendary guitar song. It was Duane's lick.
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze-Guitar â you can play it or transcend it," said Neil Young when he inducted Hendrix into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. "Jimi showed me that."
Van Halen-Eruption-Eddie Van Halen's 102-second mission statement was a piece he invented onstage: a solo showcase for his mastery of tone and technique, notably the rush of notes he produced with his fretboard tapping. Every 80's metal band took note!
Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode-"If you want to play rock & roll," Joe Perry told Rolling Stonein 2004, "you have to start here." Recorded almost 52 years ago, on January 6th, 1958, at the Chess Records studio in Chicago, Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" was the first great record about the joys and rewards of playing rock & roll guitar. He invented it!
That's it...that's "The List." I'm looking forward to reading your comments. And feel free to suggest any lists you may want to hear on future nights!
So the deal with "The List" tonight was this...Awesome tunes with the word "bad" in the title. Simple but cool!Â
CCR-Bad Moon Rising-John Fogerty says he took the inspiration from the old movie The Devil and Daniel Webster
Bad Company-Bad Company-Also inspired by a 1972 Western starring Jeff Bridges
Tom Petty-Yer So Bad-Very Dylan
Steely Dan-Bad Sneakers-The first Steely Dan song to feature Michael McDonald on background vocals
ZZ Top-I'm Bad I'm Nationwide
Cream-Born Under a Bad Sign-Also available by Homer Simpson on "The Simpson's Sing the Blues"
U2-Bad (live)-Bono says the song is about Heroin-specifically about a friend who almost died from to much of it on his 21st birthday
So that's it...that's "The List."Â Tomorrow night at 7 I'll play what I feel are the 7 most memorable guitar songs of all time!
I love it when we disagree on "The List", presented each night to you here on The Mountain. Tonight it was my 7 top female vocalists. Now, Jim called me and wondered how in the heck I could put Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday on tonight...well, it's MY list. But let me make a case for Aimee. First of all, incredible songwriter (I know, not singing) but it is the interpretation of her own material that has resonated with me. She writes from pain, bitterness, betrayal, love, humor, and all those emotions and traits come through in her singing. Not powerful in presence but emotive and penetrating. So that's my rationalization Jim...and I'm sticking to it! So, let me lay out "The List" tonight of my<operative word there> Top 7 Female Vocalists;
Stevie Nicks (pre-cocaine)-Enchanting
Aimee Mann-I explained Jim!
Ann Wilson-Pure Power with Heart
Christine McVie-Simple and Sensitive
Bonnie Raitt-Incredibly Cool...Sultry and Fun
Janis Joplin-Well...She's Janis
Annie Lennox-Soulful, Powerful, Operatic, Whimisical, Gets down in the Gravel...she can do it all!
That's "The List" tonight. My 7 top Female Vocalists. There are so many who could be included if you were to make your own list...so Go Ahead! Tomorrow night I'll play the 7 Best Rock and Roll songs of all time...Literally. Join me again for "The List."
It was an awesome set on "The List" tonight. Rocks 7 Greatest Drummers were hard at work making the room shake! I must tell you, it was a tough call for me on the top two. It's probably one of those if you ask me again tomorrow questions...I might just change my mind. Here is "The List" tonight-Rocks Greatest Drummers;
7-Ringo Starr-Phil Collins, Max Weinberg huge fans. Max says he is one of the top Five drummers...period.
I was pressed for time on Monday nights edition of "The List" so the entire set rocked by in less than 20 minutes. It was my 7 favorite short rock songs. Al but one of them, Santana's "Everybody's Everything" were well under 3 minutes. So here are my selections and a brief explanation of why I chose them;
Kinks-You Really Got Me-Primitive, gnarly sixties guitar vibe with raw power
Mountain-Mississippi Queen-"Gotta have more Cowbell"...nuff said
Led Zeppelin-Livin' Lovin" Maid-Robert Plant just showing off
CCR-Travelin' Band-Fogerty singing rock is an American treasure
ZZ Top-Tush-Bite sized "Texas Blues Rock"...ZZ Top rules!
Santana-Everybody's Everything-Because it's my favorite Santana tune...hey, it's my list
Tonight on "The List" in honor of Roger Daltrey's concert at The Paramount...Roger's 7 best vocal performances. Join me for "The List" every weeknight at 7 on The Mountain
So you need to understand, when I put together "The List" each night the outcome is totally subjective. And if you asked me again tomorrow...I might change my mind. It's like when someone asks you what your favorite song, movie, or book is...the answer may depend on what day it is! Tonight on "The List" I played my favorite 7 Guitar Licks of all time;
Guns and Roses-Sweet Child of Mine
Steely Dan-Reeling in the Years
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze
Rolling Stones-Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
Lynryd Skynyrd-Sweet Home Alabama
Dire Straits-Money For Nothing
Beatles-Day Tripper.
That's it...That's "The List". What would you add? I can't wait to hear. Hey, if you would like to suggest a future edition of "The List", visit my host page right here on this very website. Join me again tomorrow at 7 for 7 of rocks Greatest Bass Players...on "The List".
Did you catch "The List" tonight? It's a new feature weeknights at 7 on The Mountain and the first ever edition was "Rocks Greatest Frontmen". I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Bono and David Lee Roth. That's my take...what's yours? Tomorrow night on "The List"-7 bands that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that aren't feeling the love yet. Tune in at 7 and let me know that you think about "The List".
I have fond memories of field-days as a child at Greenwood Elementary School on Holly. Fifty yard dashes run while hoping that Lisa Nock would see me win...the crab-walk domination both frontwards and backwards...I was determined to win. The blue, red and white ribbons have long been lost to the years...but my inflated memories of little "Danny Mitchell's" field-day dominance live on! And now, a chance to create some new ones.
June 27th, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to ski, kayak, camp, bike and more, is holding a field day event! Your 22 dollar registration fee goes directly to them. Hey, you can even win some more ribbons! The deadline for entry is this Friday, June 5th
For details visit www.fielddays.eventbrite.com
It was quite a playoff run with our Denver Nuggets these past few weeks. And once again I was reminded how we love our sports here in Denver! Now, some may bring out the phrase "Bandwagon"...and I say...bring it on. The beautiful thing is family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have all been a little bit closer thanks to Chauncey, Melo and the "Birdman"!Â
We've seen Broncos win Super-Bowls ... our local puck-whackers kissing the Stanley Cup...a mighty September rally that took the Rockies to the World Series... and now the Nuggets going deep into the playoffs. Life is good people!
Bring on the next "Bandwagon"...I love the sense of community!
Genesis is planning to release a "Live" box-set sometime in the near future and they need your help. If you attended a Genesis concert between 1972 & 1992 and snapped off some photos...they wouldn't mind seeing them. Who knows, your future as a rock and roll photo journalist could begin with your next brave step! Visit www.genesismusic.com
Good Luck!
BEST PICTURE 127 Hours Black Swan The Fighter Inception The Kids Are All Right The King's Speech The Social Network Toy Story 3 True Grit Winter's Bone
BEST ACTOR Javier Bardem (Biutiful) Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) Colin Firth (The King's Speech) James Franco (127 Hours) Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
BEST ACTRESS Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right) Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole) Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone) Natalie Portman (Black Swan) Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Christian Bale (The Fighter) Jeremy Renner (The Town) Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right) Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech) John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Amy Adams (The Fighter) Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech) Melissa Leo (The Fighter) Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom) BEST DIRECTOR Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit) Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) David Fincher (The Social Network) David O. Russell (The Fighter) BEST ANIMATED FEATURE How to Train Your Dragon The Illusionist Toy Story 3
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Another Year The Fighter Inception The Kids Are All Right The King's Speech
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY 127 Hours The Social Network Toy Story 3 True Grit Winter's Bone
BEST SONG "Coming Home" (Country Strong) - Gwyneth Paltrow "I See the Light" (Tangled) - Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi
"If I Rise" (127 Hours) - A R Rahman and Dido
"We Belong Together" (Toy Story 3) - Randy Newman
So, to burn off the holiday calories...how much walking do you have to do. I found this cool link which will instantly calculate how much walking you need to do to burn the fat baby! Follow the link...and Happy New Year! http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blholidaycalories.htm
The man who posed as a Bob Dylan roadie last month and ordered 178 pizzas from an Amherst, Massachusetts restaurant but never picked them up has agreed to pay for the pies and apologize to the restaurant's owners. Police haven't revealed the man's name because the deal precludes it from becoming a criminal case. But the lawyer for the 42-year-old East Brunswick, New Jersey man tells the Amherst Bulletin, "My client regretted what he did and thought he did something out of character for himself."
The pizza tab ran $3,900, not including the big tip the fake roadie promised if the workers stayed past their 2:00 a.m. closing time to make the pizzas.Â
Okay, fess up...what is one of your all time great pranks?
Things have changed out there in Santa Land. It is now easier than ever to get in touch with the man with all the toys. You can text, tweet, and like Santa on Facebook. And now, you can even have Mr. Claus send your kids and loved ones a personalized video message. Just follow the link here...and Merry Christmas! http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message/child
On the list Monday...I'll be featuring songs used to sell us products...7 of them as a matter of fact, because that's the way The List Rolls...the following two...are the best ever.
Today on The List, it wasn't so much about the music as it was about these rock stars of ours...and would they would look like without their powerful "Rock Star" hair. So, for your amusment I present some before and after pictures.
Tom Petty Before ...
Tom Petty after...
ZZ Top Before...
And After...
Now, here is cute Beatle Sir Paul McCartney...with hair...
And...lacking just a bit
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones
And...Mick and Keith at their scariest...There you go. So, that was a bit of Friday Fun on The List Today...Have fantastic weekend!
They all scream for air guitar or even better Guitar Hero action! On The List today it was my choice for the the 7 Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 80's-Here is a montage... 80's Guitar Riffs ...They are from 1 to 7-Back in Black/AC/DC-Sweet Child of Mine-Guns N Roses-Start Me Up-Rolling Stones-Photograph-Def Leppard-Crazy Train-Ozzy-Should I Stay of Should I Go-Clash and Limelight from Rush...Thoughts?
Tomorros on The List...it's "The 7 Deadly Sins of Rock and Roll...join me at four!
So today on The List, I played my choices for the 7 greatest Guitar songs...wait for it...wait...Off All Time! It's all about the lick, the texture, the tone, the energy, the inability to ever turn these songs off when they come on the radio! Here you go-
That was my list today on The Mountain. From Boston's first, one of the top selling albums of all time, to the Doors debut, these albums were either unique, legendary, monster sellers, ground breaking, influential or simply a pleasure to be enveloped in. So here are my choices;
Boston's Debut
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Texas Flood
The Band-Music from Big Pink
Jimi Hendrix Experience-Are You Experienced
Led Zeppelin-Debut
The Cars-Debut
The Doors-Debut
Strange how many albums were called "Debut"....Thoughts, suggestions, disagreements...let me have it!
Today on The List I shared with you my choices for Best Rock Artist Female. I sat here this afternoon and was actually 'lobbied" heading up to airtime to make a few additions. I added one, Melissa Etheridge and had to bump Pat Benatar. Sorry Pat...So these are the female rock icons I chose for my list today
7-Melissa Etheridge
6-Ann Wilson (Heart)
5-Stevie Nicks
4-Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
3-Bonnie Raitt
2-Grace Slick
1-Janis Joplin
That's it...That's The List. Okay, here is the part where you share your thoughts...be kind!
Today on The List-I got out some of rocks all time great album starters. You know, you got em home and dropped the needle from cut one...you were sucked in! So here are my choices, and feel free to listen to the audio;
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones from Let it Bleed (hooray for Merrie Clayton)
More Than a Feeling-Boston from their debut album in 1976
Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen's first cut from Born to Run
Foxey Lady-Jimi Hendrix Experience from Are You Experienced (check out this Little Richard audio on Jimi...Hendrix used to play in his band) Jimi Hendrix-Little Richard on Jimi
Well, those songs all make a powerful introduction to the albums they front. Fun Stuff! What would make your list?
Billy Joel's The Last Play at Shea documentary will be shown tonight in theaters nationwide. The film tells not only the story of the last two concerts by Joel at New York's Shea Stadium on July 16th and 18th, 2008, but also of his life, of the life of the stadium and of the New York Mets -- Shea's most famous tenant.
I have posted this clip of the new film about John Lennon's youth. It's called Nowhere Boy. Why, it's an excercise in understanding the upbringing that forged the legend. You must admire the honesty of John who always said in public, what he thought in private. Your thoughts on John?
First comment, I'm surprised the sensors of the day (1954) let this photo fly! The Creature From The Black Lagoon is for me, the scariest movie of my childhood. I found out in later years that "The Creature" seen here having a heart to heart with Julie Adams, is actually a vegetarian and a world class quilt maker. But as Bill Murray once said in Meatballs..."It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Creature is easily one of the all time scary classics that is actually....wait for it...SCARY! What would you add to this list?
So, Casey and I were talking today about some of rock's most underrated guitar solos. I threw out the dude; I don't even know his name, who played on Two Tickets to Paradise. Mike countered with Reeling in the Years from Steely Dan. Elliot Randall's playing was certainly stellar, but underrated. So my question is...what guitar solos would you introduce into the discussion?
So, with Halloween coming our way at the end of the month, it's beginning to look a little orange and black and creepy all over. If you find yourself wanting to have the bejeebers scared out of you or if you want something a little milder for the season, I've got a couple of links bellow  Fact-Americans will spend an estimated 5.8 Billion dollars on this year...For creepy Halloween fun, follow this link http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16207001
Today, the fine folks at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland submitted their initial list of artists being considered for the class of 2011. They are; Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits and Chuck Willis. Okay, now let me vent a bit...uggh! Bands more worthy than Chic or LL Cool J for the "Rock and Roll" hall of fame. Yes, Chicago, Journey, Def Leppard, Rush, The Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, The Steve Miller band all of those off the top of my ever so slightly balding head. Who have I left out? To quote a movie line-"I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
It's obvious Idol is going for star power to bring back departed viewers. My question to you is...will it work and will you tune in? Mediocre talent is still mediocre talent.
 Tonight on âThe Listââ¦itâs my Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rockâ¦thereâs more than fourâ¦cause itâs a big Mountain! The 7 bands and artists who changed the game. Â
Led Zeppelin-Over a 10-year, nine-album career from 1969-79, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock group in the world, ultimately selling more than 50 million records in the U.S. alone (more than 200 million worldwide), developing the blues-based power trio-plus-lead singer archetype in many directions including mystical English folk-rock, Middle Eastern-influenced exotica, quirky pop reggae and every manner of heaviness. Led Zeppelin caused many parents blood to boil in 1969 when the revolution of their first album blasted out the bedrooms of kids all over America!Â
Jimi Hendrix-In Clapton the Autobiography Eric writes of Jimi; âWhat I found refreshing about him was his intensely self-critical attitude toward his music; Clapton writes; He had this enormous gift and a fantastic technique, like that of someone who spent all day playing and practicing, yet he didnât seem that aware of it. I also got to see the playboy in him. He loved to spend all night hanging out, getting drunk or stoned, and when he did pick up the guitar, it was very throwaway to him, as if he didnât take himself too seriously; Follow this link to read what Pete Townshend has to say about Jimi.  http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jimi_hendrix_the_greatest_guitarist_of_all_timeÂ
Bruce Springsteen-In spring 1974 critic Jon Landau saw a Springsteen show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and wrote in the Real Paper, âI saw rock & roll future and itâs name is Bruce Springsteen;â It took a while to put the masterpiece that would deliver on that boast togetherâ¦but when Born To Run was released in 1975 and Bruce appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, The future arrivedâ¦and the timeline is still being written.Â
Elton John-When Elton John and Bernie Taupin hooked up in the late 60's, one of rocks great partnerships was formed. Elton's "genius' as a tunesmith is legendary. He could take a page of Taupin's lyrics and in 20 minutes, turn out another memorable melody. From 1970-76 Elton put out an album about every 6 months. Each, with a totally different musical texture. That was the Elton John adventure. In 1975 his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album became the first album to ever debut at number one on the charts. According to a 2004 BBC profile, John "has the rare accolade of charting a Top 40 single every year from 1970 to 1996"...It's the stuff of legend. Elton is about to release a new album with his idol Leon Russell. It's produced by T Bone Burnett and advance reviews are excellent. Think "Tumbleweed Connection. Â
The Beatles-Unquestionably the best and most important band in rock history, as well as the most compelling story. Almost miraculously, they embodied the apex of the form artistically, commercially, culturally and spiritually at just the right time. They Changed the World!Â
U2-The most important and influential band of the post-punk era, joining ringing guitar rock, punkish independence, Celtic spirituality, innovative production techniques and electronic experimentalism â all held together by Bonoâs transcendent vision and charismaâ¦They are easily the most important and impactful band of the past 30 years.Â
And finallyâ¦Â
Bob Dylan-The uncontested poet laureate of the rock and roll era and the pre-eminent singer/songwriter of modern times. PERIOD. When you heard The Beatles John Lennon sing a song like Norwegian Woodâ¦he was just trying to keep up with Bob. Dylan is Front and Center on the Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rock!Â
Thatâs itâ¦thatâs âThe Listâ tonight on The Mountain. Keeping in mind that our Mountain is built to honor 7â¦what changes would you make? Iâm waitingâ¦Have a fantastic weekend!
The current lineup of John Lennon's first band is coming to America later this month. To honor what would have been his 70th birthday, The Quarrymen will appear at selected screenings of the movie Nowhere Boy, which tracks Lennon's pre-Beatles life. The tour will close on October 9th in New York, not far from the Strawberry Fields tribute site in Central Park.
The movie, starring Aaron Johnson as John and Kristen Scott-Thomas as his Aunt Mimi, opens officially on October 8th. --Mike McCann
QUARRYMEN U.S. APPEARANCES
9/23 - Newark, NJ - NJ Performing ArtsCenter
10/3 - Chicago, IL - Music Box Theater
9/24 - Woodstock, NY - Rosendale Theater
10/4 - New York, NY - PaleyCenter for Media
9/26 - New London, CT - GardeArtsCenter
10/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
9/28 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
10/6 - Albany, NY - The Egg
9/29 - Aspen, CO - Wheeler Opera House
10/7 - Arlington, MA - Regent Theater
9/30 - Los Angeles, CA - Grauman's Egyptian Theater
Last week was a rough one for Aerosmith. First Joe Perry accidentally nudged Steven Tyler off the stage in Toronto, and then, two nights later, Tyler accidentally clocked Perry over the head with his microphone stand, cutting the guitarist. Perry writes on his Twitter page, "Living through [my recent] motorcycle accident, getting bashed on the head with [the] mic stand [and] almost flying off end of ramp, I know I'm gonna see this through." As for reports that Perry intentionally pushed Tyler off the stage, a spokesperson for the band says, "Joe wanted his fans to know that he would never deliberately push Steven off the stage." Perry writes on Twitter, "It's a contact sport, but when they make me out to be the villain it pisses me off. At least now you just gotta use your own eyes and ears." Aerosmith are in Holmdel, New Jersey tomorrow night. --Sal Cirrincione
 Last month, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and David Gilmour reunited for a benefit show in England. Now, the Hoping Foundation, which helps Palestinian children, has posted the video on its website in hopes that if you log on to watch, you'll make a donation. Commenting on the video, Waters says, "The sound quality is crap, but it was a great night for me and for him and also for 'Us and Them.'" The close to 30-minute video features the two former Floyd members doing "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two."
The Broncos are locked onto training camp now at Dove Valley, with all eyes on number 15-rookie Tim Tebow, he of the top selling rookie jersey in the history of the NFL. He will be scrutinized by those who are irked by his highly visible faith based stance, simply tolerated by others, and hailed as a stellar and heroic role model by those who agree with his views. Either way, Tim Tebow will be watched. I personally am excited to see an athlete of Tim's ilk in a Denver uniform. Skill set aside, it may be that we have a genuine roll model for our children,  playing a game in our our home town.Â
Did you catch âThe Listâ tonight? It was âRocks Greatest Frontmenâ. I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and David Lee Roth. Freddie Mercury is my pick for number one! Thatâs my takeâ¦whatâs yours? Who would you add to this list and to make room...who would you drop? Hey, shoot me your suggestion and tune again tommorow night for a 1985 Class Reunion...on The List!
You can take a look at two of the performances from Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming DVD, London Calling: Live in Hyde Park, before it goes on sale on June 22nd. Log onto www.BruceSpringsteen.net for clips of "Glory Days" and "Out on the Street." You can listen here to Out in the Street...enjoy!Bruce Rocks Live
Roger Waters is seeking your help with his production of The Wall, which he will tour this fall. He writes on the newly launched RogerWaters.com, "'Fallen Loved Ones' is a request, from me, reaching out to ask you to provide a photograph and personal details of a loved one lost in war. Your loved one's pictures and details would be included, along with those of my father Eric [killed in World War Two], in my upcoming show The Wall as an act of remembrance. The ''Fallen Loved One' does not have to have been a soldier. Civilian deaths are equally, if not more, harrowing."
Tonight on "The List" I presented 7 tunes I feel make for fun, sometimes even head turning ringtones. Intro, hook or both...these songs add some fun to your phone! So here you go;
Who Can it Be Now-Men at Work-(intro or title hook)
Who Are You-Who-(Intro or title hook)
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones (Awesome intro)
Who Do You Love-George Thorogood-(Rockin' Guitar Intro)
Twilight Zone-Golden Earring (Intro-moody!)
Sweet Child of Mine-Guns n Roses-(Intro will turn heads as phone ring)
Baba O'riley-The Who (The Best Ever)
So that's it...that's The List of fantastic ringtones. I am looking for more. What do you use or what would you add? Now tomorrow night on "The List" it's "Band" Bands...you know, Steve Miller Band, Allman Brothers Band and 5 others who make the cut. Number one is without question the top "Band" Band of all time!
I played 7 songs which resonate with me on the deepest level or just simply stick in my head and I can't get them out on "The List" December 17th...my birthday! It was totally self indulgent and a treat to hear! So hear are my selections and a brief explanation why I chose each song;
Radio Free Europe by REM-I was early in my radio career and working in Boulder at KADE, a small and very cool AM station with a loyal following. I used to cheat and play Radio Free Europe more than I should have because I simply couldn't get the song out my mind. Even though, until I read the liner notes, I had no idea what Michael Stipe was saying. It was the sound of the song and the promise of the band from Athens Georgia that caught my attention. When I listen to this day, memories of my early days in radio and my first few years of marriage wash over me. It's a good feeling.
Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen-When this song came out I was still deciding whether or not I was going to go all in with Bruce. When he dropped his guard on the Tunnel of Love album and looked inward to ponder a love gone wrong, he gave us all a very personal look at his life and times as a husband, rock star, and cultural icon in the 80's. It was an unselfish, revealing and healing gesture.
Bad by U2 (live)-It's all about memory connections for me. Bad (live) off the Wide Awake in America EP by U2 reminds me of my first big radio job. I was doing mid-days on 106.7 KAZY in my hometown of Denver. Friends from Cheery Creek, and South Junior High and Greenwood Elementary School would find me on the radio and call to renew friendships. For some reason, this song brings out those memories. I don't know why, but I don't care! For that reason and the mad skills of U2 live...it is one of my all time favorite songs.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John-Elton is the first artist I ever latched on to as a favorite. When his albums came out, every six months or so during his prime, I would have to have them on the first day. I head out on my Schwinn 5 speed with the ram handlebars and ride down to Budget tapes and Records on Colfax in Aurora and pick up the album. I couldn't wait to get home, pop open a cold one (Pepsi), and listen along while I read the liner notes. When I first heard Mona Lisas, I was lost inside my Koss Headphones listening to Elton's pure vocals and the amazing "self harmonizing" he pulled off. It is his best work and my all time favorite song...period!
Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones-I like it! Plain and simple. The single from the double album Exile on Mainstreet is the Stones at their best. Not a note is out of place.
A Man I'll Never Be by Boston-An album cut from Boston's historical first album. It's the soaring nature of both Brad Delp's vocals and Tom's sonic guitar meeting in perfect precision that makes the song for me. These past few years, since the suicide of Brad Delp, the singerâs tale of failing to meet expectations, personal and external, and the inherent sadness truly resonate. Having spent an hour speaking with Brad at Red Rocks about a decade ago and finding him to be the most genuine and warm "rocker" I have ever encountered, I am saddened by the loss of a man I could have been friends with.
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox-Strings, Annieâs voice, a 19th century vibe...it all works for me in a way that few songs do. At this time of year, for some reason, I think old time English Christmas in my imaginary Castle in Kent. It is nice to dream!
So that's it, that's the list for December 17th. Friday night I'll be rockin around the Menorah with some of our greatest Jewish rock stars in celebration of the last night of Hanukah.
EPIC-Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem â1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic <an epic poem>
2 a: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic
With that in mind, I share with you now, what I feel are the only 7 Epic Songs in Rock History
Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen: An anthem for a generation and a true statement of arrival for Bruce
Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen:Â It was in Wayne's World...Party on Garth!
Freebird-Lynyrd Skynyrd: You have to admit, the fiery guitars and the tribute to Duane Allman make Freebird the Truly Epic Southern Rock Classic
Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin: On par with Freebird in it's massive amount of radio requests for decades,  Stairway is one of Rocks all time great songs. It regularly tops classic rock radio  lists around the world 38 years after it's release.
Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who: Pete Townshend stated in 2006 that: "It is not precisely a song that decries revolution - it suggests that we will indeed fight in the streets - but that revolution, like all action can have results we cannot predict. Don't expect to see what you expect to see. Expect nothing and you might gain everything. The song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause."Â Wrap that message with the amazing power of The Who and you've got one of the Truly Epic rock songs.
You Can't Always Get What You Want-Rolling Stones: The London Bach Choir opens the song in totally Un-Stones way and from note one the mind wanders through the song, taken on a gospel journey punctated by the choir, Al Kooper's organ and Micks vocals. Plus...it was prominently featured in The Big Chill during the opening funeral scene. Dead guy hands compliments of Kevin Costner. Epic!
A Day in the Life-Beatles:  John's atmospheric vocals and Paul's always optimistic lilt followed by a massive chord struck simultaneously on many pianos brings The Beatles masterpiece album Sgt.Pepper to an Epic close
That's it...that's "The List" tonight. Rocks only 7 Truly Epic Songs. Tomorrow night at 7 I'll be playing the top 7 British bands that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream or The Kinks.
I really enjoyed "The List" tonight...hope you did as well. It was my choice for 7 of the best "guitar songs"  in rock history. Now clearly there are more songs that could make such a list but as always...I am limited by the 7 song structure of "The List." Jim, listening on-line in Florida wondered how I could leave Stevie Ray Vaughan out. Well Jim, I gave it some thought and while Stevie Ray had a wonderful playing style and a signature sound, I just couldn't identify one "Guitar Moment" from his library of work which stood out the way the others did for me. Now keep in mind...it's just one mans opinion and it's fun to go back and forth on it a bit. So Blog away! Now, here is tonight's edition of "The List."
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Duane Allman taught himself to play the slide guitar after hearing Taj Mahal cover the old Blind Willie McTell song. He was a natural!
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page in his realm...showing off the savage mastery he achieved as a top session player.
Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Kurt Cobain with the riffs and that sound that defined 90's Rock.
Derek and The Dominos-Layla-Eric Clapton gets the credit but once again it was Duane Allman's brilliance that caught our attention from note one on this legendary guitar song. It was Duane's lick.
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze-Guitar â you can play it or transcend it," said Neil Young when he inducted Hendrix into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. "Jimi showed me that."
Van Halen-Eruption-Eddie Van Halen's 102-second mission statement was a piece he invented onstage: a solo showcase for his mastery of tone and technique, notably the rush of notes he produced with his fretboard tapping. Every 80's metal band took note!
Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode-"If you want to play rock & roll," Joe Perry told Rolling Stonein 2004, "you have to start here." Recorded almost 52 years ago, on January 6th, 1958, at the Chess Records studio in Chicago, Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" was the first great record about the joys and rewards of playing rock & roll guitar. He invented it!
That's it...that's "The List." I'm looking forward to reading your comments. And feel free to suggest any lists you may want to hear on future nights!
I love it when we disagree on "The List", presented each night to you here on The Mountain. Tonight it was my 7 top female vocalists. Now, Jim called me and wondered how in the heck I could put Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday on tonight...well, it's MY list. But let me make a case for Aimee. First of all, incredible songwriter (I know, not singing) but it is the interpretation of her own material that has resonated with me. She writes from pain, bitterness, betrayal, love, humor, and all those emotions and traits come through in her singing. Not powerful in presence but emotive and penetrating. So that's my rationalization Jim...and I'm sticking to it! So, let me lay out "The List" tonight of my<operative word there> Top 7 Female Vocalists;
Stevie Nicks (pre-cocaine)-Enchanting
Aimee Mann-I explained Jim!
Ann Wilson-Pure Power with Heart
Christine McVie-Simple and Sensitive
Bonnie Raitt-Incredibly Cool...Sultry and Fun
Janis Joplin-Well...She's Janis
Annie Lennox-Soulful, Powerful, Operatic, Whimisical, Gets down in the Gravel...she can do it all!
That's "The List" tonight. My 7 top Female Vocalists. There are so many who could be included if you were to make your own list...so Go Ahead! Tomorrow night I'll play the 7 Best Rock and Roll songs of all time...Literally. Join me again for "The List."
It was an awesome set on "The List" tonight. Rocks 7 Greatest Drummers were hard at work making the room shake! I must tell you, it was a tough call for me on the top two. It's probably one of those if you ask me again tomorrow questions...I might just change my mind. Here is "The List" tonight-Rocks Greatest Drummers;
7-Ringo Starr-Phil Collins, Max Weinberg huge fans. Max says he is one of the top Five drummers...period.
I was pressed for time on Monday nights edition of "The List" so the entire set rocked by in less than 20 minutes. It was my 7 favorite short rock songs. Al but one of them, Santana's "Everybody's Everything" were well under 3 minutes. So here are my selections and a brief explanation of why I chose them;
Kinks-You Really Got Me-Primitive, gnarly sixties guitar vibe with raw power
Mountain-Mississippi Queen-"Gotta have more Cowbell"...nuff said
Led Zeppelin-Livin' Lovin" Maid-Robert Plant just showing off
CCR-Travelin' Band-Fogerty singing rock is an American treasure
ZZ Top-Tush-Bite sized "Texas Blues Rock"...ZZ Top rules!
Santana-Everybody's Everything-Because it's my favorite Santana tune...hey, it's my list
Tonight on "The List" in honor of Roger Daltrey's concert at The Paramount...Roger's 7 best vocal performances. Join me for "The List" every weeknight at 7 on The Mountain
So you need to understand, when I put together "The List" each night the outcome is totally subjective. And if you asked me again tomorrow...I might change my mind. It's like when someone asks you what your favorite song, movie, or book is...the answer may depend on what day it is! Tonight on "The List" I played my favorite 7 Guitar Licks of all time;
Guns and Roses-Sweet Child of Mine
Steely Dan-Reeling in the Years
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze
Rolling Stones-Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
Lynryd Skynyrd-Sweet Home Alabama
Dire Straits-Money For Nothing
Beatles-Day Tripper.
That's it...That's "The List". What would you add? I can't wait to hear. Hey, if you would like to suggest a future edition of "The List", visit my host page right here on this very website. Join me again tomorrow at 7 for 7 of rocks Greatest Bass Players...on "The List".
Did you catch "The List" tonight? It's a new feature weeknights at 7 on The Mountain and the first ever edition was "Rocks Greatest Frontmen". I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Bono and David Lee Roth. That's my take...what's yours? Tomorrow night on "The List"-7 bands that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that aren't feeling the love yet. Tune in at 7 and let me know that you think about "The List".
I have fond memories of field-days as a child at Greenwood Elementary School on Holly. Fifty yard dashes run while hoping that Lisa Nock would see me win...the crab-walk domination both frontwards and backwards...I was determined to win. The blue, red and white ribbons have long been lost to the years...but my inflated memories of little "Danny Mitchell's" field-day dominance live on! And now, a chance to create some new ones.
June 27th, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to ski, kayak, camp, bike and more, is holding a field day event! Your 22 dollar registration fee goes directly to them. Hey, you can even win some more ribbons! The deadline for entry is this Friday, June 5th
It was quite a playoff run with our Denver Nuggets these past few weeks. And once again I was reminded how we love our sports here in Denver! Now, some may bring out the phrase "Bandwagon"...and I say...bring it on. The beautiful thing is family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have all been a little bit closer thanks to Chauncey, Melo and the "Birdman"!Â
We've seen Broncos win Super-Bowls ... our local puck-whackers kissing the Stanley Cup...a mighty September rally that took the Rockies to the World Series... and now the Nuggets going deep into the playoffs. Life is good people!
Bring on the next "Bandwagon"...I love the sense of community!
Genesis is planning to release a "Live" box-set sometime in the near future and they need your help. If you attended a Genesis concert between 1972 & 1992 and snapped off some photos...they wouldn't mind seeing them. Who knows, your future as a rock and roll photo journalist could begin with your next brave step! Visit www.genesismusic.com
BEST PICTURE 127 Hours Black Swan The Fighter Inception The Kids Are All Right The King's Speech The Social Network Toy Story 3 True Grit Winter's Bone
BEST ACTOR Javier Bardem (Biutiful) Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) Colin Firth (The King's Speech) James Franco (127 Hours) Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
BEST ACTRESS Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right) Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole) Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone) Natalie Portman (Black Swan) Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Christian Bale (The Fighter) Jeremy Renner (The Town) Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right) Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech) John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Amy Adams (The Fighter) Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech) Melissa Leo (The Fighter) Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom) BEST DIRECTOR Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit) Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) David Fincher (The Social Network) David O. Russell (The Fighter) BEST ANIMATED FEATURE How to Train Your Dragon The Illusionist Toy Story 3
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Another Year The Fighter Inception The Kids Are All Right The King's Speech
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY 127 Hours The Social Network Toy Story 3 True Grit Winter's Bone
BEST SONG "Coming Home" (Country Strong) - Gwyneth Paltrow "I See the Light" (Tangled) - Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi
"If I Rise" (127 Hours) - A R Rahman and Dido
"We Belong Together" (Toy Story 3) - Randy Newman
So, to burn off the holiday calories...how much walking do you have to do. I found this cool link which will instantly calculate how much walking you need to do to burn the fat baby! Follow the link...and Happy New Year! http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blholidaycalories.htm
The man who posed as a Bob Dylan roadie last month and ordered 178 pizzas from an Amherst, Massachusetts restaurant but never picked them up has agreed to pay for the pies and apologize to the restaurant's owners. Police haven't revealed the man's name because the deal precludes it from becoming a criminal case. But the lawyer for the 42-year-old East Brunswick, New Jersey man tells the Amherst Bulletin, "My client regretted what he did and thought he did something out of character for himself."
The pizza tab ran $3,900, not including the big tip the fake roadie promised if the workers stayed past their 2:00 a.m. closing time to make the pizzas.Â
Okay, fess up...what is one of your all time great pranks?
Things have changed out there in Santa Land. It is now easier than ever to get in touch with the man with all the toys. You can text, tweet, and like Santa on Facebook. And now, you can even have Mr. Claus send your kids and loved ones a personalized video message. Just follow the link here...and Merry Christmas! http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message/child
On the list Monday...I'll be featuring songs used to sell us products...7 of them as a matter of fact, because that's the way The List Rolls...the following two...are the best ever.
Today on The List, it wasn't so much about the music as it was about these rock stars of ours...and would they would look like without their powerful "Rock Star" hair. So, for your amusment I present some before and after pictures.
Tom Petty Before ...
Tom Petty after...
ZZ Top Before...
And After...
Now, here is cute Beatle Sir Paul McCartney...with hair...
And...lacking just a bit
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones
And...Mick and Keith at their scariest...There you go. So, that was a bit of Friday Fun on The List Today...Have fantastic weekend!
They all scream for air guitar or even better Guitar Hero action! On The List today it was my choice for the the 7 Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 80's-Here is a montage... 80's Guitar Riffs ...They are from 1 to 7-Back in Black/AC/DC-Sweet Child of Mine-Guns N Roses-Start Me Up-Rolling Stones-Photograph-Def Leppard-Crazy Train-Ozzy-Should I Stay of Should I Go-Clash and Limelight from Rush...Thoughts?
Tomorros on The List...it's "The 7 Deadly Sins of Rock and Roll...join me at four!
So today on The List, I played my choices for the 7 greatest Guitar songs...wait for it...wait...Off All Time! It's all about the lick, the texture, the tone, the energy, the inability to ever turn these songs off when they come on the radio! Here you go-
That was my list today on The Mountain. From Boston's first, one of the top selling albums of all time, to the Doors debut, these albums were either unique, legendary, monster sellers, ground breaking, influential or simply a pleasure to be enveloped in. So here are my choices;
Boston's Debut
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Texas Flood
The Band-Music from Big Pink
Jimi Hendrix Experience-Are You Experienced
Led Zeppelin-Debut
The Cars-Debut
The Doors-Debut
Strange how many albums were called "Debut"....Thoughts, suggestions, disagreements...let me have it!
Today on The List I shared with you my choices for Best Rock Artist Female. I sat here this afternoon and was actually 'lobbied" heading up to airtime to make a few additions. I added one, Melissa Etheridge and had to bump Pat Benatar. Sorry Pat...So these are the female rock icons I chose for my list today
7-Melissa Etheridge
6-Ann Wilson (Heart)
5-Stevie Nicks
4-Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
3-Bonnie Raitt
2-Grace Slick
1-Janis Joplin
That's it...That's The List. Okay, here is the part where you share your thoughts...be kind!
Today on The List-I got out some of rocks all time great album starters. You know, you got em home and dropped the needle from cut one...you were sucked in! So here are my choices, and feel free to listen to the audio;
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones from Let it Bleed (hooray for Merrie Clayton)
More Than a Feeling-Boston from their debut album in 1976
Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen's first cut from Born to Run
Foxey Lady-Jimi Hendrix Experience from Are You Experienced (check out this Little Richard audio on Jimi...Hendrix used to play in his band) Jimi Hendrix-Little Richard on Jimi
Well, those songs all make a powerful introduction to the albums they front. Fun Stuff! What would make your list?
Billy Joel's The Last Play at Shea documentary will be shown tonight in theaters nationwide. The film tells not only the story of the last two concerts by Joel at New York's Shea Stadium on July 16th and 18th, 2008, but also of his life, of the life of the stadium and of the New York Mets -- Shea's most famous tenant.
I have posted this clip of the new film about John Lennon's youth. It's called Nowhere Boy. Why, it's an excercise in understanding the upbringing that forged the legend. You must admire the honesty of John who always said in public, what he thought in private. Your thoughts on John?
First comment, I'm surprised the sensors of the day (1954) let this photo fly! The Creature From The Black Lagoon is for me, the scariest movie of my childhood. I found out in later years that "The Creature" seen here having a heart to heart with Julie Adams, is actually a vegetarian and a world class quilt maker. But as Bill Murray once said in Meatballs..."It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Creature is easily one of the all time scary classics that is actually....wait for it...SCARY! What would you add to this list?
So, Casey and I were talking today about some of rock's most underrated guitar solos. I threw out the dude; I don't even know his name, who played on Two Tickets to Paradise. Mike countered with Reeling in the Years from Steely Dan. Elliot Randall's playing was certainly stellar, but underrated. So my question is...what guitar solos would you introduce into the discussion?
So, with Halloween coming our way at the end of the month, it's beginning to look a little orange and black and creepy all over. If you find yourself wanting to have the bejeebers scared out of you or if you want something a little milder for the season, I've got a couple of links bellow  Fact-Americans will spend an estimated 5.8 Billion dollars on this year...For creepy Halloween fun, follow this link http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16207001
Today, the fine folks at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland submitted their initial list of artists being considered for the class of 2011. They are; Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits and Chuck Willis. Okay, now let me vent a bit...uggh! Bands more worthy than Chic or LL Cool J for the "Rock and Roll" hall of fame. Yes, Chicago, Journey, Def Leppard, Rush, The Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, The Steve Miller band all of those off the top of my ever so slightly balding head. Who have I left out? To quote a movie line-"I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
It's obvious Idol is going for star power to bring back departed viewers. My question to you is...will it work and will you tune in? Mediocre talent is still mediocre talent.
 Tonight on âThe Listââ¦itâs my Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rockâ¦thereâs more than fourâ¦cause itâs a big Mountain! The 7 bands and artists who changed the game. Â
Led Zeppelin-Over a 10-year, nine-album career from 1969-79, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock group in the world, ultimately selling more than 50 million records in the U.S. alone (more than 200 million worldwide), developing the blues-based power trio-plus-lead singer archetype in many directions including mystical English folk-rock, Middle Eastern-influenced exotica, quirky pop reggae and every manner of heaviness. Led Zeppelin caused many parents blood to boil in 1969 when the revolution of their first album blasted out the bedrooms of kids all over America!Â
Jimi Hendrix-In Clapton the Autobiography Eric writes of Jimi; âWhat I found refreshing about him was his intensely self-critical attitude toward his music; Clapton writes; He had this enormous gift and a fantastic technique, like that of someone who spent all day playing and practicing, yet he didnât seem that aware of it. I also got to see the playboy in him. He loved to spend all night hanging out, getting drunk or stoned, and when he did pick up the guitar, it was very throwaway to him, as if he didnât take himself too seriously; Follow this link to read what Pete Townshend has to say about Jimi.  http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jimi_hendrix_the_greatest_guitarist_of_all_timeÂ
Bruce Springsteen-In spring 1974 critic Jon Landau saw a Springsteen show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and wrote in the Real Paper, âI saw rock & roll future and itâs name is Bruce Springsteen;â It took a while to put the masterpiece that would deliver on that boast togetherâ¦but when Born To Run was released in 1975 and Bruce appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, The future arrivedâ¦and the timeline is still being written.Â
Elton John-When Elton John and Bernie Taupin hooked up in the late 60's, one of rocks great partnerships was formed. Elton's "genius' as a tunesmith is legendary. He could take a page of Taupin's lyrics and in 20 minutes, turn out another memorable melody. From 1970-76 Elton put out an album about every 6 months. Each, with a totally different musical texture. That was the Elton John adventure. In 1975 his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album became the first album to ever debut at number one on the charts. According to a 2004 BBC profile, John "has the rare accolade of charting a Top 40 single every year from 1970 to 1996"...It's the stuff of legend. Elton is about to release a new album with his idol Leon Russell. It's produced by T Bone Burnett and advance reviews are excellent. Think "Tumbleweed Connection. Â
The Beatles-Unquestionably the best and most important band in rock history, as well as the most compelling story. Almost miraculously, they embodied the apex of the form artistically, commercially, culturally and spiritually at just the right time. They Changed the World!Â
U2-The most important and influential band of the post-punk era, joining ringing guitar rock, punkish independence, Celtic spirituality, innovative production techniques and electronic experimentalism â all held together by Bonoâs transcendent vision and charismaâ¦They are easily the most important and impactful band of the past 30 years.Â
And finallyâ¦Â
Bob Dylan-The uncontested poet laureate of the rock and roll era and the pre-eminent singer/songwriter of modern times. PERIOD. When you heard The Beatles John Lennon sing a song like Norwegian Woodâ¦he was just trying to keep up with Bob. Dylan is Front and Center on the Mt. Rushmore of Classic Rock!Â
Thatâs itâ¦thatâs âThe Listâ tonight on The Mountain. Keeping in mind that our Mountain is built to honor 7â¦what changes would you make? Iâm waitingâ¦Have a fantastic weekend!
The current lineup of John Lennon's first band is coming to America later this month. To honor what would have been his 70th birthday, The Quarrymen will appear at selected screenings of the movie Nowhere Boy, which tracks Lennon's pre-Beatles life. The tour will close on October 9th in New York, not far from the Strawberry Fields tribute site in Central Park.
The movie, starring Aaron Johnson as John and Kristen Scott-Thomas as his Aunt Mimi, opens officially on October 8th. --Mike McCann
QUARRYMEN U.S. APPEARANCES
9/23 - Newark, NJ - NJ Performing ArtsCenter
10/3 - Chicago, IL - Music Box Theater
9/24 - Woodstock, NY - Rosendale Theater
10/4 - New York, NY - PaleyCenter for Media
9/26 - New London, CT - GardeArtsCenter
10/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
9/28 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
10/6 - Albany, NY - The Egg
9/29 - Aspen, CO - Wheeler Opera House
10/7 - Arlington, MA - Regent Theater
9/30 - Los Angeles, CA - Grauman's Egyptian Theater
Last week was a rough one for Aerosmith. First Joe Perry accidentally nudged Steven Tyler off the stage in Toronto, and then, two nights later, Tyler accidentally clocked Perry over the head with his microphone stand, cutting the guitarist. Perry writes on his Twitter page, "Living through [my recent] motorcycle accident, getting bashed on the head with [the] mic stand [and] almost flying off end of ramp, I know I'm gonna see this through." As for reports that Perry intentionally pushed Tyler off the stage, a spokesperson for the band says, "Joe wanted his fans to know that he would never deliberately push Steven off the stage." Perry writes on Twitter, "It's a contact sport, but when they make me out to be the villain it pisses me off. At least now you just gotta use your own eyes and ears." Aerosmith are in Holmdel, New Jersey tomorrow night. --Sal Cirrincione
 Last month, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and David Gilmour reunited for a benefit show in England. Now, the Hoping Foundation, which helps Palestinian children, has posted the video on its website in hopes that if you log on to watch, you'll make a donation. Commenting on the video, Waters says, "The sound quality is crap, but it was a great night for me and for him and also for 'Us and Them.'" The close to 30-minute video features the two former Floyd members doing "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two."
The Broncos are locked onto training camp now at Dove Valley, with all eyes on number 15-rookie Tim Tebow, he of the top selling rookie jersey in the history of the NFL. He will be scrutinized by those who are irked by his highly visible faith based stance, simply tolerated by others, and hailed as a stellar and heroic role model by those who agree with his views. Either way, Tim Tebow will be watched. I personally am excited to see an athlete of Tim's ilk in a Denver uniform. Skill set aside, it may be that we have a genuine roll model for our children,  playing a game in our our home town.Â
Did you catch âThe Listâ tonight? It was âRocks Greatest Frontmenâ. I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and David Lee Roth. Freddie Mercury is my pick for number one! Thatâs my takeâ¦whatâs yours? Who would you add to this list and to make room...who would you drop? Hey, shoot me your suggestion and tune again tommorow night for a 1985 Class Reunion...on The List!
You can take a look at two of the performances from Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming DVD, London Calling: Live in Hyde Park, before it goes on sale on June 22nd. Log onto www.BruceSpringsteen.net for clips of "Glory Days" and "Out on the Street." You can listen here to Out in the Street...enjoy!Bruce Rocks Live
Roger Waters is seeking your help with his production of The Wall, which he will tour this fall. He writes on the newly launched RogerWaters.com, "'Fallen Loved Ones' is a request, from me, reaching out to ask you to provide a photograph and personal details of a loved one lost in war. Your loved one's pictures and details would be included, along with those of my father Eric [killed in World War Two], in my upcoming show The Wall as an act of remembrance. The ''Fallen Loved One' does not have to have been a soldier. Civilian deaths are equally, if not more, harrowing."
Tonight on "The List" I presented 7 tunes I feel make for fun, sometimes even head turning ringtones. Intro, hook or both...these songs add some fun to your phone! So here you go;
Who Can it Be Now-Men at Work-(intro or title hook)
Who Are You-Who-(Intro or title hook)
Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones (Awesome intro)
Who Do You Love-George Thorogood-(Rockin' Guitar Intro)
Twilight Zone-Golden Earring (Intro-moody!)
Sweet Child of Mine-Guns n Roses-(Intro will turn heads as phone ring)
Baba O'riley-The Who (The Best Ever)
So that's it...that's The List of fantastic ringtones. I am looking for more. What do you use or what would you add? Now tomorrow night on "The List" it's "Band" Bands...you know, Steve Miller Band, Allman Brothers Band and 5 others who make the cut. Number one is without question the top "Band" Band of all time!
I played 7 songs which resonate with me on the deepest level or just simply stick in my head and I can't get them out on "The List" December 17th...my birthday! It was totally self indulgent and a treat to hear! So hear are my selections and a brief explanation why I chose each song;
Radio Free Europe by REM-I was early in my radio career and working in Boulder at KADE, a small and very cool AM station with a loyal following. I used to cheat and play Radio Free Europe more than I should have because I simply couldn't get the song out my mind. Even though, until I read the liner notes, I had no idea what Michael Stipe was saying. It was the sound of the song and the promise of the band from Athens Georgia that caught my attention. When I listen to this day, memories of my early days in radio and my first few years of marriage wash over me. It's a good feeling.
Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen-When this song came out I was still deciding whether or not I was going to go all in with Bruce. When he dropped his guard on the Tunnel of Love album and looked inward to ponder a love gone wrong, he gave us all a very personal look at his life and times as a husband, rock star, and cultural icon in the 80's. It was an unselfish, revealing and healing gesture.
Bad by U2 (live)-It's all about memory connections for me. Bad (live) off the Wide Awake in America EP by U2 reminds me of my first big radio job. I was doing mid-days on 106.7 KAZY in my hometown of Denver. Friends from Cheery Creek, and South Junior High and Greenwood Elementary School would find me on the radio and call to renew friendships. For some reason, this song brings out those memories. I don't know why, but I don't care! For that reason and the mad skills of U2 live...it is one of my all time favorite songs.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John-Elton is the first artist I ever latched on to as a favorite. When his albums came out, every six months or so during his prime, I would have to have them on the first day. I head out on my Schwinn 5 speed with the ram handlebars and ride down to Budget tapes and Records on Colfax in Aurora and pick up the album. I couldn't wait to get home, pop open a cold one (Pepsi), and listen along while I read the liner notes. When I first heard Mona Lisas, I was lost inside my Koss Headphones listening to Elton's pure vocals and the amazing "self harmonizing" he pulled off. It is his best work and my all time favorite song...period!
Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones-I like it! Plain and simple. The single from the double album Exile on Mainstreet is the Stones at their best. Not a note is out of place.
A Man I'll Never Be by Boston-An album cut from Boston's historical first album. It's the soaring nature of both Brad Delp's vocals and Tom's sonic guitar meeting in perfect precision that makes the song for me. These past few years, since the suicide of Brad Delp, the singerâs tale of failing to meet expectations, personal and external, and the inherent sadness truly resonate. Having spent an hour speaking with Brad at Red Rocks about a decade ago and finding him to be the most genuine and warm "rocker" I have ever encountered, I am saddened by the loss of a man I could have been friends with.
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox-Strings, Annieâs voice, a 19th century vibe...it all works for me in a way that few songs do. At this time of year, for some reason, I think old time English Christmas in my imaginary Castle in Kent. It is nice to dream!
So that's it, that's the list for December 17th. Friday night I'll be rockin around the Menorah with some of our greatest Jewish rock stars in celebration of the last night of Hanukah.
EPIC-Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem â1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic <an epic poem>
2 a: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic
With that in mind, I share with you now, what I feel are the only 7 Epic Songs in Rock History
Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen: An anthem for a generation and a true statement of arrival for Bruce
Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen:Â It was in Wayne's World...Party on Garth!
Freebird-Lynyrd Skynyrd: You have to admit, the fiery guitars and the tribute to Duane Allman make Freebird the Truly Epic Southern Rock Classic
Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin: On par with Freebird in it's massive amount of radio requests for decades,  Stairway is one of Rocks all time great songs. It regularly tops classic rock radio  lists around the world 38 years after it's release.
Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who: Pete Townshend stated in 2006 that: "It is not precisely a song that decries revolution - it suggests that we will indeed fight in the streets - but that revolution, like all action can have results we cannot predict. Don't expect to see what you expect to see. Expect nothing and you might gain everything. The song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause."Â Wrap that message with the amazing power of The Who and you've got one of the Truly Epic rock songs.
You Can't Always Get What You Want-Rolling Stones: The London Bach Choir opens the song in totally Un-Stones way and from note one the mind wanders through the song, taken on a gospel journey punctated by the choir, Al Kooper's organ and Micks vocals. Plus...it was prominently featured in The Big Chill during the opening funeral scene. Dead guy hands compliments of Kevin Costner. Epic!
A Day in the Life-Beatles:  John's atmospheric vocals and Paul's always optimistic lilt followed by a massive chord struck simultaneously on many pianos brings The Beatles masterpiece album Sgt.Pepper to an Epic close
That's it...that's "The List" tonight. Rocks only 7 Truly Epic Songs. Tomorrow night at 7 I'll be playing the top 7 British bands that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream or The Kinks.
I really enjoyed "The List" tonight...hope you did as well. It was my choice for 7 of the best "guitar songs"  in rock history. Now clearly there are more songs that could make such a list but as always...I am limited by the 7 song structure of "The List." Jim, listening on-line in Florida wondered how I could leave Stevie Ray Vaughan out. Well Jim, I gave it some thought and while Stevie Ray had a wonderful playing style and a signature sound, I just couldn't identify one "Guitar Moment" from his library of work which stood out the way the others did for me. Now keep in mind...it's just one mans opinion and it's fun to go back and forth on it a bit. So Blog away! Now, here is tonight's edition of "The List."
Statesboro Blues-Allman Brothers Band-Duane Allman taught himself to play the slide guitar after hearing Taj Mahal cover the old Blind Willie McTell song. He was a natural!
Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Jimmy Page in his realm...showing off the savage mastery he achieved as a top session player.
Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Kurt Cobain with the riffs and that sound that defined 90's Rock.
Derek and The Dominos-Layla-Eric Clapton gets the credit but once again it was Duane Allman's brilliance that caught our attention from note one on this legendary guitar song. It was Duane's lick.
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze-Guitar â you can play it or transcend it," said Neil Young when he inducted Hendrix into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. "Jimi showed me that."
Van Halen-Eruption-Eddie Van Halen's 102-second mission statement was a piece he invented onstage: a solo showcase for his mastery of tone and technique, notably the rush of notes he produced with his fretboard tapping. Every 80's metal band took note!
Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode-"If you want to play rock & roll," Joe Perry told Rolling Stonein 2004, "you have to start here." Recorded almost 52 years ago, on January 6th, 1958, at the Chess Records studio in Chicago, Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" was the first great record about the joys and rewards of playing rock & roll guitar. He invented it!
That's it...that's "The List." I'm looking forward to reading your comments. And feel free to suggest any lists you may want to hear on future nights!
I love it when we disagree on "The List", presented each night to you here on The Mountain. Tonight it was my 7 top female vocalists. Now, Jim called me and wondered how in the heck I could put Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday on tonight...well, it's MY list. But let me make a case for Aimee. First of all, incredible songwriter (I know, not singing) but it is the interpretation of her own material that has resonated with me. She writes from pain, bitterness, betrayal, love, humor, and all those emotions and traits come through in her singing. Not powerful in presence but emotive and penetrating. So that's my rationalization Jim...and I'm sticking to it! So, let me lay out "The List" tonight of my<operative word there> Top 7 Female Vocalists;
Stevie Nicks (pre-cocaine)-Enchanting
Aimee Mann-I explained Jim!
Ann Wilson-Pure Power with Heart
Christine McVie-Simple and Sensitive
Bonnie Raitt-Incredibly Cool...Sultry and Fun
Janis Joplin-Well...She's Janis
Annie Lennox-Soulful, Powerful, Operatic, Whimisical, Gets down in the Gravel...she can do it all!
That's "The List" tonight. My 7 top Female Vocalists. There are so many who could be included if you were to make your own list...so Go Ahead! Tomorrow night I'll play the 7 Best Rock and Roll songs of all time...Literally. Join me again for "The List."
It was an awesome set on "The List" tonight. Rocks 7 Greatest Drummers were hard at work making the room shake! I must tell you, it was a tough call for me on the top two. It's probably one of those if you ask me again tomorrow questions...I might just change my mind. Here is "The List" tonight-Rocks Greatest Drummers;
7-Ringo Starr-Phil Collins, Max Weinberg huge fans. Max says he is one of the top Five drummers...period.
I was pressed for time on Monday nights edition of "The List" so the entire set rocked by in less than 20 minutes. It was my 7 favorite short rock songs. Al but one of them, Santana's "Everybody's Everything" were well under 3 minutes. So here are my selections and a brief explanation of why I chose them;
Kinks-You Really Got Me-Primitive, gnarly sixties guitar vibe with raw power
Mountain-Mississippi Queen-"Gotta have more Cowbell"...nuff said
Led Zeppelin-Livin' Lovin" Maid-Robert Plant just showing off
CCR-Travelin' Band-Fogerty singing rock is an American treasure
ZZ Top-Tush-Bite sized "Texas Blues Rock"...ZZ Top rules!
Santana-Everybody's Everything-Because it's my favorite Santana tune...hey, it's my list
Tonight on "The List" in honor of Roger Daltrey's concert at The Paramount...Roger's 7 best vocal performances. Join me for "The List" every weeknight at 7 on The Mountain
So you need to understand, when I put together "The List" each night the outcome is totally subjective. And if you asked me again tomorrow...I might change my mind. It's like when someone asks you what your favorite song, movie, or book is...the answer may depend on what day it is! Tonight on "The List" I played my favorite 7 Guitar Licks of all time;
Guns and Roses-Sweet Child of Mine
Steely Dan-Reeling in the Years
Jimi Hendrix-Purple Haze
Rolling Stones-Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
Lynryd Skynyrd-Sweet Home Alabama
Dire Straits-Money For Nothing
Beatles-Day Tripper.
That's it...That's "The List". What would you add? I can't wait to hear. Hey, if you would like to suggest a future edition of "The List", visit my host page right here on this very website. Join me again tomorrow at 7 for 7 of rocks Greatest Bass Players...on "The List".
Did you catch "The List" tonight? It's a new feature weeknights at 7 on The Mountain and the first ever edition was "Rocks Greatest Frontmen". I chose Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Bono and David Lee Roth. That's my take...what's yours? Tomorrow night on "The List"-7 bands that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that aren't feeling the love yet. Tune in at 7 and let me know that you think about "The List".
I have fond memories of field-days as a child at Greenwood Elementary School on Holly. Fifty yard dashes run while hoping that Lisa Nock would see me win...the crab-walk domination both frontwards and backwards...I was determined to win. The blue, red and white ribbons have long been lost to the years...but my inflated memories of little "Danny Mitchell's" field-day dominance live on! And now, a chance to create some new ones.
June 27th, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to ski, kayak, camp, bike and more, is holding a field day event! Your 22 dollar registration fee goes directly to them. Hey, you can even win some more ribbons! The deadline for entry is this Friday, June 5th
It was quite a playoff run with our Denver Nuggets these past few weeks. And once again I was reminded how we love our sports here in Denver! Now, some may bring out the phrase "Bandwagon"...and I say...bring it on. The beautiful thing is family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have all been a little bit closer thanks to Chauncey, Melo and the "Birdman"!Â
We've seen Broncos win Super-Bowls ... our local puck-whackers kissing the Stanley Cup...a mighty September rally that took the Rockies to the World Series... and now the Nuggets going deep into the playoffs. Life is good people!
Bring on the next "Bandwagon"...I love the sense of community!
Genesis is planning to release a "Live" box-set sometime in the near future and they need your help. If you attended a Genesis concert between 1972 & 1992 and snapped off some photos...they wouldn't mind seeing them. Who knows, your future as a rock and roll photo journalist could begin with your next brave step! Visit www.genesismusic.com
Today on The List I carved out my Mt. Rushmore of Rock for the 70's...so many performers, so little space. My choices grace the mountain based on their sheer legendary status and their impact on music history in the 70's. Since "The List" is confined to 5 each day I had to leave off many deserving candidates. My list is as follows, what would you do?
Elton John, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles and Stevie Wonder...let me have it!
Associated Press Grant Hill currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
