Elmore James: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/elmore-james/bio/

James was known as “the King of the slide guitar” and loudness.
He began playing music by age 12 and performed at dances as a teen.
James served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he tinkered with amps and guitars to create his electric sound. He earned his first contract in 1952.

Dust My Broom (1952):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKo80b-QfK0

I Believe (1953):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tb7OmdiiKc

The Sky is Crying (1960):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKEdlSTHjtU

Done Somebody Wrong (1960):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNBk1faWI-k

Look on the Younder Wall (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRVYj57Yl-Q

Stranger Blues (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI3Zoa-5KMI

Bleeding Heart (1965):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl8_pmSfJF0

Shake Your Moneymaker (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn77rGEV6XM&feature=related

Elmore James died of a heart attack, his third, in 1963.

Johnny Cash: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Official Site:

http://www.johnnycash.com/

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/johnny-cash/bio/

1935: Family settled in Arkansas where Cash worked the cotton fields.
1944: His brother Jack died.
1950: He enlisted in the Air Force.

Hey Porter (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bksZ4Qu18kc

Cry! Cry! Cry! (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGTh-m21jKo&feature=related

Folsom Prison Blues (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7gV5C5mB7A

Million Dollar Quartet (1956):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFpxQOd5tHA

I Walk the Line (1956):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEV58ztuihs

Ballad of a Teenage Queen (1958):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wT5BL7UJ9s&feature=fvst

Big River (1958):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_21p14TAXM

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town (1959):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMMp_llzBT4

In the Jailhouse Now (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLfYVFamso8

Busted (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8kRsoAZjpM

Ring of Fire (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY

The Ballad of Ira Hayes (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKDLQWEvubc

In 1965, he accidentally started a forest fire in Los Padres National Forest. He told a judge "I didn't do it, my truck did, and it's dead, so you can't question it."

Orange Blossom Special (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAmrKeyeHKA

Jackson w/June Carter Cash (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzhzCF77GDo

Daddy Sang Bass (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGUP8oc9Bgs

In 1968 and 1969, he released the seminal live albums At Folsom Prison and At San Quentin.

A Boy Named Sue (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n--1wR4L7zg&ob=av3n

The Johnny Cash Show ran from 1969-1971.

The Johnny Cash Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzhKhTP4b_U

Sunday Morning Coming Down (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g2ELFGUbkg&feature=fvst

Man in Black (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXRmJyIyJbM

Any Old Wind that Blows (1972):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4F74wWP7sY

The hits began to dry up and he took up occasional acting roles.

One Piece at a Time (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM

There Ain’t No Good Chain Gang w/Waylon Jennings (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woEYm8cPbWw

Ghost Riders in the Sky (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mynzbmrtp9I

He grew tired of his label and tried to get out of his deal, so he wrote…

Chicken in Black (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_uM87NTFW4

The Highwaymen (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsUM7V6Ku_8

The Wanderer w/U2 (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov0BsOYoRrc

He continued to struggle until the early 1990s when he teamed up with Rick Rubin.

Delia’s Gone (1994):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1iKEPzF1Js

Rusty Cage (1995):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtbuUlSGXzc

Hurt (2003):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho

Cash died in 2003:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4E5G8IzRzo

Walk the Line (2004):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydrr5zDJGzA

God’s Gonna Cut You Down (2006):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlN9jdQFSc&ob=av3n

Redemption Day (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_uI1BUnzws

Professor Longhair: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/professor-longhair/bio/

Professor Longhair did not seriously begin to play the piano until his 30s and his career began in 1948.

His only hit:

Bald Head (1949):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZNxSOQtQp8

Tipitina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBSN7WOPkQ0

Mardi Gras in New Orleans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXAE0NmeVh4

Big Chief:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhYyFnFPhBg&feature=related

Go to the Mardi Gras:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wAMr3V5lN4

　
He suffered a stroke and returned in 1957. Longhair struggled in the 60s and became a gambling addict.

His appearance at the 1971 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival revitalized his career.

Professor Longhair died in 1980.

Bob Seger: Little Drummer Boy (1989)

Posted Johnny Cash's version yesterday...now it's time for Bob Seger's. IMO, this is the best version of this song ever recorded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOe6REmAf8g

Johnny Cash: The Little Drummer Boy (1963)

Johnny Cash's version from the Johnny Cash Show. He originally recorded it in 1963...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yYHN9pVohc

Leo Fender: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/leo-fender/bio/

Fender designed and invented guitars, bass guitars, and amps that remain relevant to this day. The Stratocaster is perhaps the most iconic guitar ever created. His guitars powered rock n roll while his bass liberated soul music and R&B. Famous strat users include David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

From the Stratocaster 50^th anniversary show…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fG-_St6fVI

Sam and Dave: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/sam-and-dave/

The pair began performing together in 1961. They met on the Gospel circuit.

I Need Love (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ANa7HEQWw

They recorded at Stax from 1965-68.

You Don’t Know Like I Know (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpYLPnYYKs03

They broke through with…

Hold On, I’m Coming (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9iiO-EVb-A

Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLnAWwYo8Bo

You Got Me Hummin’ (1967):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLRZJl4FKc0

When Something is Wrong with My Baby (1967):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ddPhDZgUA

Soothe Me (1967):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8JUN085KZA

Soul Man (1967):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B26ORjxQdNA

In 1968, they moved to Atlantic Records

I Thank You (1968):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLtKYFP-Zso

By this point, they were known as “Double Dynamite” for their live shows.

Soul Sister Brown Sugar (1969):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgzLhbjRnLw

The duo split in 1970, but reformed.

Don’t Pull Your Love (1971):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIKBDSn7fkU

After 1972, they failed to win another record deal, but kept touring.

Why Did You Do It (1977):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7XdE7w1Zcs

The Blues Brothers (1979) led to a resurgence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ehMrK3itM

They opened for the Clash in 1979-80. They also opened for Sha Na Na in 1980.

The pair later split for good and did not speak for 13 years.

In 1988, Dave Prater died in a car accident.
Sam Moore performed with Bruce Springsteen in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame concert in 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTplny76s7M&feature=related

The Isley Brothers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-isley-brothers/bio/

1954: Formed as a Gospel band

Twist and Shout (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTaqn8_gMR0

The band hired Jimi Hendrix to play guitar. He left by 1966.

This Old Heart of Mine (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yiOqTG9Nno

It’s Your Thing (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMimqfJVedE

I Turned You On (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1loKmKz8EE

(Who’s) That Lady (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18C5bGDWmas

Summer Breeze (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T88fbHOmvRk

Fight the Power (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRkw9UnVhug

For the Love of You (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd2sOqbIcaM

The Pride (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF29wpFkl-I

It’s a Disco Night (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IY8DtmHok0

Don’t Say Goodnight (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8wufqK59Y

Group split in 1984, but reformed in 1991 From 1991 on, they found success working with R&B and rap artists such as R. Kelly, Puff Daddy, and Lil Kim.

If You Were There (1984): WHAM! Cover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f8f2ndBXOU

Contagious (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qnSz6Lh5pY&ob=av2n

Andy Williams: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)

For whatever reason, I always thought Johnny Mathis did the original. The song always confused me somewhat...why would people tell "scary ghost stories" for Christmas and what sort of glories occurred during "Christmases of long long ago"? Maybe Charlemagne's coronation in 800...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73UqDX_quk0&ob=av2n

Johnny Mathis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pI-gtDY5jA

Greatest Songs of the sixties part II

The second, and final, listing of my favorites from the decade.

Fortunate Son- CCR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ahDHwYWg8E

Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY

Sunshine of Your Love- Cream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDZqmF3zS04

Gimme Shelter- The Rolling Stones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJDnJ0vXUgw

Strawberry Fields-The Beatles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7uBrx5aJ20

Greatest Songs of the Sixties part I

Just my favorite songs...


House of the Rising Sun- The Animals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmdPQp6Jcdk

Get Back- The Beatles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G7MkBMVxE

All Along the Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AuxJH2Mj30

Paint it Black- The Rolling Stones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9DDpmyPZZA

I am the Walrus- The Beatles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnpil_pRUiw

I’m Free- The Who

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5roebfnD-bc

Def Leppard: White Lightning (1992)

Def Leppard suffered through many hardships in the 1980s. After the success of Hysteria, the worst appeared behind them. In 1991, guitarist Steve Clark died from a combination of alcohol, painkillers, and anti-depressants. The band claimed he literally died in the gutter. In response, they recorded "White Lightning" chronically his struggles. They featured the song on the Adrenalize album, which is probably the last major hit record for the pop metal genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eqkNuCjiHw

Guns n Roses: Yesterdays (1992)

Once upon a time, Guns and Roses ruled the world.  "Yesterdays" was released on Use Your Illusion II. The album, released alongside Use Your Illusion I, certified GnR as one of the biggest bands in the world. They toured for several years in support of the records destroying hotels along the way. Then, Axl Rose lost his mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5QHBZrDLvc

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (1996)

"Don't Look Back in Anger" is the first single to feature Noel Gallagher on lead vocals. The band admits to swiping lines from John Lennon and the piano resembles Lennon's "Watching the Wheels." Lennon was not the only legend Oasis borrowed from. The b-side "Step Out" resembled Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" leading Wonder to request 10% royalties. The song went platinum following its release.


...and yes that's Patrick Macnee (aka John Steed) in the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8OipmKFDeM

Queen: We Will Rock You (1977)

Brian May wrote "We Will Rock You" in response to an overwhelmingly emotional response from an audience following a show at Bingley Hall in Stafford. The song is essentially a cappella with the exception of May's brief guitar blurb. Other than that, the only accompanyment is some stomping and clapping. "We Will Rock You" has since emerged as the preeminent stadium rock song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk&ob=av2e

Clarence Carter: Strokin' (1991)

Clarence Carter's career suffered greatly when disco rose to prominence. He had some hits in the 1960s and reemerged in the 80s and 90s. "Strokin'" became a surprise hit in the nineties after appearing in Eddie Murphy's remake of The Nutty Professor. Also, hip-hop artists discovered Carter's work and began sampling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGVnH39UzI8

Fitz and the Tantrums: MoneyGrabber (2011)

Fitz and the Tantrums formed in 2008 and released their first album in 2010. They are an indie band heavily influenced by soul music in the vein of Stax or Motown. These influences are keenly felt in "MoneyGrabber" which has a huge sound. There is a lot going on in this record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb6cBKE3WzQ

Lady Antebellum: We Owned The Night (2011)

#1 on the country charts this week...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIAu-dx21Bs&ob=av2n

Greatest Songs of the Fifties Part 2

This is the second (of 2) posts containing my favorite songs from the 1950s.

Johnny B. Goode- Chuck Berry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ofD9t_sULM

Rock Around the Clock-Bill Haley and the Comets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjBDK35FRjo&ob=av2n

Folsom Prison Blues- Johnny Cash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7gV5C5mB7A

Honey Don’t- Carl Perkins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TMF3eK2ojY&feature=related

Jailhouse Rock-Elvis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxA2oIQtYWU