Floyd Cramer: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/floyd-cramer/bio/

Pianist Floyd Cramer was one of the originators of the so-called “Nashville Sound.”  He taught himself to play piano.

After his first single, Dancin’ Diana in 1953, he toured with Elvis Presley.

He moved to Nashville in 1955 and played alongside country and rock greats.

Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley  (1956): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PotB76gi2_4

He was mainly a session man, but had a hit of his own in 1960.

Last Date (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvfG9uFswis

On the Rebound (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKwq6UW9bnU

San Antonio Rose (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUR2EAXycTY

After his brief solo success, he continued as a session man and solo artist.

He died of cancer in 1997.

 

AC/DC: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/ac-dc/bio/

Official Site: http://www.acdc.com/us

AC/DC began as a blues rock/hard rock band out of Australia. They underwent a number of lineup changes before releasing their first album in 1975.

T.N.T (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TA7AkINkIg

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHcKkBWR4Mk

Whole Lotta Rosie (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kmLmjz_cFs

Lead singer Bon Scott died of “misadventure” in 1980 and was replaced by Brian Johnson.

Johnson’s debut album with the band, Back in Black, is the second highest selling album of all time behind Thriller.

You Shook Me All Night Long (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zakKvbIQ28o

Hells Bells (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etAIpkdhU9Q

Back in Black (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA

Who Made Who (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiZHNw1MtzI

Heatseeker (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWG4-4Y6Z60

Thunderstruck (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

Money Talks (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqdErI9uss

Big Gun (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2KM-_zpCno

Trevor Hoffman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffKW-RLA9D8

Still Upper Lip (2000): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Z8WIlaPH4

Rock n Roll Train (2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lermqfhhJx4

Iron Man 2 (2010): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRQnJyP77tY

The Clash: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-clash/bio/

Official Site: http://www.theclash.com/

The Clash formed in the initial stages of British punk in 1976. Although they began as punks, they later incorporated ska, reggae, funk, rockabilly, and other musical forms into their music. They were unabashed revolutionaries and engaged in leftist politics, which later influenced other bands such as U2.

White Riot (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzXkbV4lEKU

Complete Control (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeTw_p_WglY

Clash City Rockers (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzmNzJgvKFo

(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTnijX0TH-w

Tommy Gun (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFHEuKkTa5k

The band was accused of selling out.

English Civil War (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6zcTRAeNp0

I Fought the Law (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsS0cvTxU-8

London Calling became a seminal rock n roll record, which provided a very dark analysis of post-industrial Britain.

London Calling (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK-WX2pa8c

Clampdown (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVYMppMiSmc

Train in Vain (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNot47WRBFk

The Magnificent Seven (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijiazWlawUY

This is Radio Clash (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk0MnQft85M

Rock the Casbah (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ9r8LMU9bQ

Should I Stay or Should I Go? (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMaE6toi4mk

Drugs led to Topper Headon’s departure in 1982. Mick Jones left  the following year after fighting with Joe Strummer.

Their final album was universally panned, but led to one classic:

This is England (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROj_1R36lX0

The Clash broke up in 1986.

The members considered a reunion in 2002. Joe Strummer died of a congenital heart defect before it could take place.

The Police: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-police/bio/

Official Site: http://www.thepolice.com/

Sting’s Official Site: http://www.sting.com/

Stewart Copeland’s Site: http://www.stewartcopeland.net/

Andy Summer’s Site: http://andysummers.com/

The Police formed in 1977 out of the ashes of Stewart Copeland’s Prog rock band Curved Air. Copeland hooked up with teacher and ditch digger Sting, and guitarist Henry Padovani. Copeland and Sting dispatched Padovani in favor of Andy Summers that summer. The Police originated in the punk scene, but evolved into something much more. Copeland’s brother, Miles, took their single, “Roxanne”, to A&M and got the band signed.

Outlandos d’Amour

Roxanne (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T1c7GkzRQQ

Can’t Stand Losing You (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH0vjLwMyc4

So Lonely (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNt9-QkiHI

Reggata de Blanc

Message in a Bottle (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXWrmQW-OE

Walking on the Moon (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk4WRhPQuyo

Zenyatta Mondatta

Don’t Stand So Close to Me (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNIZofPB8ZM

De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2GDbEmjGE

The band branched out with their fourth album for a multi-textured sound and darker lyrics.

Ghost in the Machine

Invisible Sun (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIylUcGDi-Y

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ

Spirits in a Material World (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4KtVSCzw7c

Synchronicity

By the summer of 1983, The Police were the biggest band in the known universe.

Every Breath You Take (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs

Wrapped Around Your Finger (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svWINSRhQU0

Synchronicity II (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TUK0glcRz4

King of Pain (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3l0kpl5tA4

Internal frictions led to a hiatus. The band released a greatest hits album in 1986.

Don’t Stand So Close to Me ’86 (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1hVOz_NwXI

Sting’s solo career exploded and the band broke up for 20 years. They reunited in 2007 for a spectacular reunion tour. Rumors swirled about another album, but it never happened. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TasAjuT-A6k

 

The Righteous Brothers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

The Righteous Brothers created “blue-eyed soul.” The duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield recorded together from 1963-68 and 1974-75 and then continued to perform until Hatfield’s 2003 death.

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Zinw1uDJo

Just Once in My Life (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHqPWQuhyyM

Unchained Melody (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrK5u5W8afc

Ebb Tide (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmaOTCgmPLk

The pair recorded with Phil Spector, but did not like the producer.  Their contract was sold to MGM in 1965.

(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I39nbvHVtzI

He (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcseuA7nu2A

The White Cliffs of Dover (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5NcBkmlNro

They broke up in 1968, but regrouped in 1974.

Rock n Roll Heaven (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFO0TeFdAas

Dream On (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbaszKbBC8s

They continued to tour and record solo.

“I’ve Had the Time of My Life”  Bill Medley with Jennifer Warnes (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVNTPJKuVQg

In 1990, “Unchained Melody” became a hit again with its appearance in Ghost.

Hatfield died in Kalamazoo, MI on November 5, 2003 from a cocaine-induced heart attack.

Steve Douglas: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/steve-douglas/bio/

Steve Douglas was a member of the vaunted Wrecking Crew session band. He worked with The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy, Sammy Hagar, and the Ramones.

Clup Your Hands:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4i6MHelFH0

Mo Ostin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/mo-ostin/bio/

Mo Ostin was a record exec that artists loved.

He worked with everyone from Sammy Davis Jr. to Nellie Furtado.

Ostin signed Hendrix in 1967 after Monterey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP2xcjtgcIc

At Warner Brothers, he signed The Beach Boys, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Van Halen, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Prince.

Songs about, or referring to, Ostin:

A Apolitical Blues by Little Feat w/Mick Taylor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfN_F2TC0xs

Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze by Neil Young: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9_vwofmsIM

The Ventures: Hawaii Five-O (1968)

This is the greatest TV theme show of all time. The original series ran from 1968-1980 and the reboot began in 2010. It was the longest running crime drama until Law and Order passed it.

Original Show open:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

The Ventures original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcvo4U33_L4

Brian Setzer cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02IsUKV9Rf8

Sammy Davis Jr w/lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn06KJNbVEs

2010 reboot:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Ba_jz22sI

Green Day: Welcome to Paradise (1994)

Green Day members moved out of their parents’ homes and into an abandoned house in Oakland, California. They turned the experience into this song. Although the house was dilapidated, they paid no rent and it became home (i.e. paradise).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTKm2Tf97D4

Gin Blossoms: Until I Fall Away (1994)

Many of the bands breaking in the early 90s captured alienation and youthful frustration. The Gin Blossoms captured frustration in a different way. They were melancholy!  Here is an example. The song reached #13 on the modern rock charts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39mUEE3_xS8

The Bloody Beatroots and Paul McCartney: Out of Sight (2013)

The Bloody Beatroots is an Italian electro-dance project by Sir Bob Cornelius.  Edward Grinch joined in 2010 and the pair don Venom masks for appearances. Venom is a villain from Spiderman comics. In a bizarre collaboration, Paul McCartney joined the Beats for “Out of Sight.”

http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/07/04/the-bloody-beetroots-paul-mccartney-out-of-sight-video/

Neil Diamond: Freedom Song (They'll Never Take Us Down) (2013)

Neil Diamond channels himself in this song inspired by the Boston Marathon attacks. "I was moved by the unity and the attitude of the people in Boston." He appeared at Fenway Park performing "Sweet Caroline" after the bombings and then went home to write "Freedom Song." This is classic Neil Diamond.

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

 

     

The Doors: Riders on the Storm (1971)

Robby Krieger claims “Riders on the Storm” was inspired by “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” The song employs thunder and rain effects to create a dark ambiance. According to legend, the song was performed live only once.  Also, it was the last song recorded by the band before Jim Morrison’s death. Leave it to Morrison to go out with a song about a serial killer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9o78-f2mIM

Megadeth: Supercollider (2013)

The latest, greatest from Megadeth. Love the flashback to 1983 and 1993...also love the supercollider theme.

http://www.vevo.com/watch/megadeth/super-collider/USUV71300935

Dire Straits: Money for Nothing (1985)

“Money for Nothing” is an iconic song from 1985. It contains a classic guitar riff, the line “I want my MTV”, and backing vocals from Sting.  Mark Knopfler overheard some guys in a store complaining about rock musicians not actually working and wrote the song from that perspective. In fact, Knopfler used some of the real words from the appliance store worker. Dire Straits was criticized for homophobic lyrics, but they were just parroting the blue collar worker. It continued to stir controversy as late as 2011, when people were much more lame.  The video employed groundbreaking computer effects and is considered one of the great productions of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAD6Obi7Cag