The Band: The Weight (1968)

This song has everything in it. It's part gospel, part rock, part folk, and part R&B. It's Biblical, it's someone coming home from work, it's a world traveler. The song is everything to everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCw3-YTffo

Eric Clapton: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000 part 1

Rock Hall Bio: http://www.rockhall.org/inductees/eric-clapton/bio/

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

Clapton got kicked out of school for focusing too much on his guitar. He joined his first band at 17 and left in 1963. He joined The Yardbirds that October.

For Your Love w/The Yardbirds (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2LSSgQMc2E

He left the Yardbirds and joined John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for a few months.

I’m Your Witchdoctor w/John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5PA5RJOCc4

In July 1966, he joined one of the first supergroups with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Cream emerged as one of the great bands of the period. They split in 1968.

Crossroads w/Cream (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg1pHeYmaQE

Baker and Clapton teamed with Steve Winwood for Blind Faith in 1969.

Presence of the Lord w/Blind Faith (1969):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrOcRtQUj48

Clapton also joined John Lennon for a performance on Lennon’s Shaved Fish:

Cold Turkey by John Lennon (1969):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu3_2w4ff6Q

E.C. hoped to deflect attention from himself by forming a new band without needing to be the star.  This led to Derek and the Dominos.

Tell the Truth (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUQw8s-QZOg

Bell Bottom Blues (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1oLU4FAq8E

His passion for George Harrison’s wife made him lose his mind leading to the Dominos hit…

Layla (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA

Clapton’s professional success proved a contrast to his private life. He was racked with addictions and longings. In fact, Pete Townshend held a benefit to help Clapton’s addiction.

The Rainbow Concert (1973):

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

 Despite the problems, he had an amazing solo career.

After Midnight (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwYE-5A10RU

I Shot The Sheriff (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O36luh8nx9I

He made a guest appearance in The Who’s Tommy as the Preacher in 1975:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIKU0mXRLrA

Lay Down Sally (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7wP57s_hsg

Clapton appeared on The Last Waltz as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WDmMWF83x4

Wonderful Tonight (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl7Hd2r0LOs

Promises (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4vdrmlG3Cg

 

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

Rock Hall Bio:

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

The Band combined country with old rock, and Motown. They formed in the early-to-mid 60s and backed up Bob Dylan. Dylan had gone electric and needed a backing band.

After touring with Dylan, they cut their own album in a pink house leading to the album Music from Big Pink.

The Weight (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LAcP_v-j3I

Woodstock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blz_sef-jj4

Up on Cripple Creek (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDnlU6rPfwY

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (1969):

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

King Harvest (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_hsp4SBwO4

Easy Rider:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMy3AbpkYvw

The Shape I’m In (1971):

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

Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) w/Bob Dylan (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djUzDcX3vCM

The Band tired of touring and decided to break up, but not before they filmed the seminal concert film, The Last Waltz. Directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring a group of all stars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RjqcTsxx-8

Acadian Driftwood (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ykBbB4D_-I

The Band reunited without Robbie Robertson in 1983

By 1986, they were a three-piece. Since then, they have played with Ringo Starr’s All Star Band, Roger Waters, and the Grateful Dead.
　

Cream: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1993

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/cream/bio/

Cream represented rock’s first super group. Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker, three alpha males, united to create a unique blend of blues, hard rock, and psychedelic music.

Their first album disappointed some.

Wrapping Paper (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jpI7RbN4qY

I Feel Free (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeB9JZmX1JI

Their second work, Disraeli Gears, lived up to the hype.

Strange Brew (1967):

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

Spoonful (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lRmVOGw3M

Sunshine of Your Love (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqh54rSzheg

Wheels of Fire came next.

White Room (1968):

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

Crossroads (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hwnb8AB2kc

Bruce and Baker could not get along. On top of this, Clapton fell in love with The Band and took some negative reviews about his playing to heart. The band had to be convinced to produce one final work.

Goodbye

Ringo Starr misread “bridge” while Clapton worked on this song. He called it “Badge” and the name stuck.

Badge (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7rHCYtbZRo

They performed a farewell concert at Royal Albert Hall and broke up. Cream reunited in 2005:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Mskdg5_HA

In 2010, Bruce proclaimed “Cream is over.” Cream’s music had a dramatic impact on British metal and hard rock as well as prog rock. In Cream’s wake came Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Rush, and the Allman Brothers Band.

　

Bob Dylan: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/bob-dylan/bio/

Home Page:
http://www.bobdylan.com/

Born Robert Zimmerman, he planned to “Follow Little Richard,” but changed his orientation to folk music at the University of Minnesota. He later changed his name to Bob Dylan.
In 1961, he dropped out of college and visited Woody Guthrie in a New York hospital. That year, he got a record contract. His first album made little impact.

Blowing in the Wind (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zY_cM0_6vA

In 1965, Dylan plugged in angering folk fans. The previous year, he met John Lennon and told the Beatle he needed to learn to write about something meaningful. Lennon took it to heart and the Beatles evolved dramatically following the meeting.

The Times They Are a-Changin’ (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vou4qUu5YY

Maggie’s Farm (1965): Dylan declares his independence from the folk community
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW4y-9RoMFU

At the Newport Folk Festival: He got booed for plugging in. The folkies could not handle it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1TKUk9nXjk

Subterranean Homesick Blues (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ujAXxNxU0

Like A Rolling Stone (1965):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk3mAX5xdxo

Positively 4^th Street (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2wuPssClKs

Mr. Tambourine Man (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVuVXqWfQeE

Just Like A Woman (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5yQ8JJ8R9E

In 1966, he crashed his motorcycle breaking several vertebrae. Recuperation period allowed him time to regroup from the pressures of fame. He did not tour again for eight years.

All Along the Watchtower (1968):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swbcFnkeMwE

Dylan decided to go Country in 1969.

Lay Lady Lay (1969):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_yvrugtnpo&feature=related

On the Johnny Cash show (1969):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KlkN1y7-2o

In the 70s, Dylan confused critics and fans with the varied quality of his music.

Dylan did the soundtrack and played a member of Billy the Kid’s gang in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CcadC-S8-E

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1973):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJpB_AEZf6U&ob=av2e

Tangled Up in Blue (1975):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSZvHqf9qM&feature=relmfu

In The Last Waltz (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JObWTtWQiq0

In the late 70s, he became a born again Christian.

Gotta Serve Somebody (1979):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FavBDpg91gA

Jokerman (1984):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FavBDpg91gA

He performed on We are the World (1985)

The Traveling Wilburys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReQsRgQXgQY
MTV Unplugged (1995):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgrnC1r1XMw

Not Dark Yet (1998):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZgBhyU4IvQ&ob=av2e

Things Have Changed (2000):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9EKqQWPjyo&ob=av2e

2006: Began his own radio show playing music from the 1930s-the present.

I’m Not There featured various actors playing Dylan at different points in his career.

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

Must Be Santa (2009):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qE6WQmNus&ob=av2e

In 1988, he began the Never Ending Tour. By 2011, he had played 2300 shows in the tour.

The Band: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (1969)

Canadian Robbie Robertson wrote a sad Civil War tale from the Confederate perspective. The war is nearing its end and the South decimated. The Union army is tearing up railroad tracks and has destroyed the crops. People are starving and many young men will never return. The song evokes extreme sadness and extreme hopelessness in the South that still exists to some extent to this day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMHyovwX7JM

Muddy Waters: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life and career in links.

The Official Muddy Waters:

http://www.muddywaters.com/

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/muddy-waters/bio/

Born in Mississippi in 1913. Although, he sometimes claimed 1915. He played in the mud as a child leading to his stage name.

1940: Moved to Chicago and was introduced to juke joints and cheap booze.

Country Blues (1941):

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

I Feel Like Going Home (1948):

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

I Can’t Be Satisfied (1948):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSF-T5gwdxU

Waters’ label, Aristocrat, changed it’s name to Chess Records after the twin 1948 hits.

Rollin’ Stone (1950) influenced Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and Keith Richards and provided a name for their band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_vsvX2qiLM

I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man (1954):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ4NFsw4bOU

I Just Wanna Make Love to You (1954): Written by Willie Dixon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnlvHP1AXPo

Mannish Boy (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS2QQNDHQGk

Got My Mojo Working (1956):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEYwk0bypY

You Shook Me (1962):

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

Muddy Waters deeply influenced British Rock n Roll. Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Steve Winwood are just some acts Waters impacted.

With the Band (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQzZhkn0h98

Mean Old Frisco Blues (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFqB4ly4-64

In 1981, he performed at ChicagoFest in a now legendary performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtOy0-Ebn2A

His last performance was in 1982 with Eric Clapton. He died in 1983.

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

880. Levon by Elton John (1971)

The character for this song was named after Levon Helm of the Band. The song contains some of my favorite lyrics. "He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day when the New York Times said God is dead and the war's begun Alvin Tostig has a son today." That's gold.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vke6sYTxgJA

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #31-50

31. Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin- Stairway begins in the middle ages and contains words inspired by a book about Celtic Britain and then transforms into a stadium rock epic as it continually builds to its crescendo 8 minutes later.

32. Sympathy for the Devil: The Rolling Stones- Anastasia did scream in vain…Mick was right!

33. River Deep-Mountain High: Ike and Tina Turner- Overrated if you ask me…

34. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling: The Righteous Brothers- You can tell this is a Phil Spector produced song about 1 note into it…

35. Light My Fire: The Doors- This made the Doors stars, but they had to cut the 7 minute song down to 3.

36. One: U2- U2 drops their 80s self righteousness for irony. Written as the band was falling apart…it helped bring them back together.

37. No Woman, No Cry: Bob Marley- Probably the greatest Reggae song of all time.

38. Gimme Shelter: The Rolling Stones- Rape, Murder…it’s just a shot away. Allegedly inspired by rioting in the U.S.

39. That’ll Be the Day: Buddy Holly- Inspired by a John Wayne phrase in The Searchers,

40. Dancing in the Street: Martha and the Vandellas- Wonder what Martha is doing now?

41. The Weight: The Band- Robbie Robertson wrote about the impossibility of sainthood.

42. Waterloo Sunset: The Kinks- Not about Napoleon; it’s about a guy that does not feel he needs friends.

43. Tutti-Frutti: Little Richard- Always thought this was about a sandwich or ice cream or something.

44. Georgia on my Mind: Ray Charles- A cab driver convinced Charles to record this.

45. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley- a song about suicide?

46. Heroes: David Bowie- Bowie opened the 911 tribute concert with this.

47. All Along the Watch Tower: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- and Hendrix made it howl…

48. Bridge Over Troubled Water: Simon and Garfunkel- Friendship done at an epic level.

49. Hotel California: The Eagles- The Eagles take on Los Angeles hedonism.

50. The Tracks of My Tears: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles- Pete Townsend was inspired to write “Substitute” after hearing this song.

Rolling Stone Mag's Top 500 Songs #231-250

231. Moondance: Van Morrison- I picture little faeries dancing around to this song at night.


232. Just Like a Woman: Bob Dylan- This might have been about a former girlfriend’s early death. Edie Sedgwick also influenced the Cult’s “Edie.”

233. Sexual Healing: Marvin Gaye- Reminds me of the old record store. Some 40something guy brought in his 20 year old girlfriend looking for something to screw to. He set off pedophile vibes and she was dressed in white lace.

234. Only the Lonely: Roy Orbison- All time classic. Probably ranked too low.

235. We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Animals- Every Junior High Schoolers feeling…then every high schoolers feeling and then…every person in the workforce’s feeling…then every person that Jack Kevorkian visits feeling…

236. Paper Planes: MIA- How in the world did this crap make it? And how did it score so high? This is just mind boggling.

237. I Feel A Whole Lot Better: The Byrds-Not a bad song. Not sure why it made the list or is this high.

238. Everyday: Buddy Holly- A great example of Holly’s studio genius.

239. I Got a Woman: Ray Charles- Ray Charles rewrote old gospel songs. Wish I’d have thought of that…anything out there without a copyright nowadays?

240. Planet Rock- Afrika Bambaataa- This belongs in the Star Wars cantina.

241. I Fall to Pieces: Patsy Cline- The Tigers theme song every August since 2006.

242. Son of a Preacher Man: Dusty Springfield- One of those rare instances of a white Euro girl sounding like a black American

243. The Wanderer: Dion- Ted Kennedy’s theme before he got remarried.

244. Stand!: Sly and the Family Stone- A civil rights anthem

245. Rocket Man: Elton John- Put this with Bowie’s Space Oddity and you have rock sci-fi.

246. Love Shack: B-52’s- The love shack burnt down a few years back.

247. Gimme Some Lovin’: Spencer Davis Group- This bombards the senses.

248. Higher and Higher: Jackie Wilson- Another Jackie Wilson tune.

249. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down: The Band- A Civil War rock song…about the end of the Old South….written by a Canadian!

250. Hot Fun in the Summertime: Sly and the Family Stone- One of those all time summer songs that (ironically) got released as kids went back to school.