Willie Dixon: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1994

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/willie-dixon/bio/

Willie Dixon helped pioneer Chicago Blues. His work has influenced a ridiculous number of musicians ranging from Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan, Styx, and Queen.

Some of his best known works:

Little Red Rooster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4tUx7cQH4

Hoochie Coochie Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxXflOZ9V_g

Spoonful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOF1ROkvBbA

Back Door Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6DAdDyWZaQ

The Grateful Dead: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1994

Official Site:

http://www.dead.net/

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-grateful-dead/bio/

The Dead emerged as one of the most important acts of the late 60s. They incorporated blues, bluegrass, and hippie culture into their music and became something bigger.

In 1965, they performed as the Grateful Dead for the first time at an acid test.

Dark Star (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLzUme1gN8c

Uncle John’s Band (1970):

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

Casey Jones (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQF8CILMt8c

Truckin’ (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPNgjA4i6gM

Sugar Magnolia (1973):

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

The Music Never Stopped (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQyci8_54gU

Shakedown Street (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lCMUkqpI7o

Alabama Getaway (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgDV_R7Ibek

Their biggest hit came in 1987...

Touch of Grey (1987):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmT6udys8Tc

The band has toured constantly until Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995.

The Animals: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1994

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-animals/bio/

Eric Burdon’s Official Site:

http://ericburdon.ning.com/

The Animals formed in 1962. Fans dubbed them the “animals” because of their live act. They rode the British invasion to superstardom.

Baby Let Me Take You Home (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V17T6uwBO-c

House of the Rising Sun (1964):

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

Ed Sullivan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygJoV4FaAfQ

I’m Crying (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxqm5KD6eD8

Get Yourself a College Girl (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhT2Buk62FU

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2FT4FprxDg&feature=related

We Gotta Get Out of this Place (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUpBSvN1a50&feature=related

It’s My Life (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJUI-NRDflU&feature=related

The band changed their name to Eric Burdon and the Animals in 1966. Burdon released a solo record that same year. Meanwhile, the band was hemorrhaging money.

Don’t Bring Me Down (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FZU4JVOmro

San Franciscan Nights (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmIy7Ch4M84

Sky Pilot (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lroU7apzma8

In 1969, the band broke up. There were reunions in 1977 and 1983. Eric Burdon continues to perform.

1983 reunion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5euwbBip2s

Of Monsters and Men: Little Talks (2012)

Icelandic folk band Of Monsters and Men made an impression at 2012's SxSW festival in Austin, Texas. They topped Iceland's charts with "Little Talks." The track is interesting as it incorporates trumpet and accordion. Don't hear that much nowadays!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I&ob=av2e

Rod Stewart: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1994

Official Site:

http://www.rodstewart.com/us/home

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/rod-stewart/bio/

Stewart left school at 15 to play soccer. He failed and moved to music. As a result, he ended up working odd jobs while trying to make it in rock n roll. He received his big break when he joined the Jeff Beck Group. In 1969, he went solo and worked with the Faces.

Morning Dew (Jeff Beck Group) 1968:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvVpdS-AIYs

He worked with The Faces until 1975:

Stay With Me (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtqF0qBqzZo

Solo:

Reason to Believe (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ-zvISzY3Q

Maggie May (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD_6KqP7K0g&feature=related

You Wear It Well (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtq6NEGXu24

Sailing (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LnC9MDU6I&feature=related

This Old Heart of Mine (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=819RoBdTzsg

Tonight’s the Night (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNcbh3CSdT4

The Killing of Georgie (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uixc025fZRE

The First Cut is the Deepest (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0x9TuaFZHI

You’re in My Heart (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfEJG_qwj4

Disco entered his repertoire.

Hot Legs (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHcjjxYbgNM&ob=av2e

Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hphwfq1wLJs&ob=av2e

Disco never really died, but he moved away from it…

Tonight I’m Yours (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKlQGDqD1A

Young Turks (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgczlrYM4eI

Baby Jane (1983):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aSJZWgnaz8

Infatuation w/Jeff Beck (1984):

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

People Get Ready w/Jeff Beck (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervf7hIxZ3Y

Every Beat of My Heart (1986):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSjdHvChbP8

Forever Young (1988):

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

This Old Heart of Mine w/Ronald Isley (1989):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9eQShsxkj4

Downtown Train (1989):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHqB3v5rNCc

Rhythm of My Heart (1991):

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

The Motown Song (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fc8CP2VFuw

Broken Arrow (1991):

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

Rod did MTV Unplugged in 1993

Have I Told You Lately (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ4NAZPi2js

All For Love w/Sting and Bryan Adams (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofA3URC1wyk

Ooh La La (1998):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnEQ6CNvPSg

I Can’t Deny It (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Iedzd-yGs

Baby, It’s Cold Outside w/Dolly Parton (2004):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9frFggnz4P0

Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (2006):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oX2FSv4Rys&ob=av2e

Beyond the Sea (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8WLwlTifuU

Rod Stewart: Infatuation (1984)

Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck teamed up for 1984's "Infatuation." The song is about obsession and the video portrays this in a humorous fashion. Two versions were filmed. In one, Stewart gets the girl. Doesn't the old man look a little like LBJ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lru_kgkb6x8

Bruce Springsteen: Wrecking Ball (2012)

Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball is the #1 album this week. The title track is an ode to old Giants Stadium and its memories.

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

Moby w/Gwen Stefani: Southside (2000)

Love the video for "Southside." It says so much through parody.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV0KmOYfomM

The Gin Blossoms: Not Only Numb (1996)

The Gin Blossoms formed in 1987 and broke nationally in the early 90s. They called it quits in 1997. As a result, their peak lasted about four years from "Hey Jealousy" in 1993 to "Not Only Numb"in 1996. The band was omnipresent during my college years, so it is hard to hear one of their songs and not think of CMU. Their careers ended when I left school. They returned in 2006, but have yet to make an impact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQBj1NSy6c

Bruce Springsteen: We Take Care of Our Own (2012)

Springsteen debuted "We Take Care of Our Own" at the Grammys. The song states that Americans will help each other in times of need. Although, some believe the song is ironic rather than optimistic. On a side note, Springsteen channels his inner Arcade Fire showing he can adapt to changes in the musical scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkEU3JjNARs&feature=relmfu

Nickelback: How You Remind Me (2001)

Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" was the last rock song to hit #1 on the charts until 2012. It hit #1 in 2002 and was probably the #1 song of the 2000s despite the overall decline in rock n roll. The song was also the most played radio song from 2001-2009. The song is about a man haunted by his ex-girlfriend and sees her wherever he goes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cQh1ccqu8M

Fun: We Are Young (2012)

#1 this week...of note, this is the first time since 2001 that a rock band hit #1 on the Hot 100 chart. The last band to do so, Nickelback with "How You Remind Me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts&ob=av3e

Guns n Roses: November Rain (1992)

"November Rain" is the longest song to ever reach the top 10. Axl Rose began work on the epic in 1983 and actually released a version in 1985. Slash claims the band did an 18 minute version in 1986. Supposedly, Slash and Duff resisted recording the song preferring to stay away from symphonic ballads. The accompanying video is essentially a short film with a $1.5 million budget. The video is a mash up of various music video clichés, but is often considered one of the greatest ever made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE&ob=av2e

Paul Simon: Slip Slidin' Away (1977)

Reminds me of childhood sitting in the back of the car...

Before it appeared in commercials, Paul Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away" hit the top 10. Who hasn't had a period in life like this? The song itself seems to sum up America in the 1970s after the promise of the Kennedy years. It came at a time when the divorce rate began to skyrocket, gas prices jumped, the economy soured, and Watergate left everyone in a "last days of Rome" mood.

The Oak Ridge Boys provided backup vocals.

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f88rdBAJSVY

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_H-LY4Jb2M

The Rolling Stones: Sweet Virginia (1972)

"Sweet Virginia" appears on Exile on Main St. It's a slow country inspired song and a hidden treasure. The band dusted it off for The Bigger Bang and Voodoo Lounge tours. In 1995, the song appeared in Casino.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa3uNiUCrp0

Elvis Presley: Heartbreak Hotel (1956)

Elvis scored his first million seller and the biggest hit of 1956 with "Heartbreak Hotel." The song is based on a man's suicide. Apparently, the poor soul jumped out a hotel window after his woman left him. The song spent seven weeks at #1 on the pop charts and also hit #1 on the Country charts. Both Keith Richards and George Harrison credit "Heartbreak Hotel" with motivating their entry into rock n roll.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efL17ekQZ5k

The Greatest Songs of the 1970s part III

The final installment...my favorites from the polyester decade.

Time- Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYiahoYfPGk

Born to Run- Bruce Springsteenhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3t9SfrfDZM

Layla- Derek and the Dominoeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th3ycKQV_4k

Baba O’Reilly- The Whohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2KRpRMSu4g

The Greatest Songs of the 1970s: Part II

Part 2 (of 3): My favorite songs of the 1970s:

Running on Empty by Jackson Browne:

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

Complete Control by The Clash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TcKiC2yB0s

Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ul-cZyuYq4

My My Hey Hey by Neil Young:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O1v_7T6p8U