Tales of True Adventure for Rugged Men Not Unlike Yourself
Ringo Starr was more than just a lucky drummer who hooked up with The Beatles. This video makes the argument that his originality, technique, skill, patience, and influence all add up to making him an unqualified genius of his instrument. He was, by all meaningful ways, the FIRST rock and roll drummer.
Also want to add that something about this guy reminds me of Lurker.
Massively influential, but hard to mourn his passing. Long but informative obit here.
Sublime.
You’ve all seen the Who’s legendary version of “My Generation” at the Monterey Pop Festival; it was in both the official MPF movie release and The Kids are Alright. Here’s a video of MPF outtakes with more songs from that set beginning at 1:12:52: “Substitute,” “Summertime Blues,” and “A Quick One.” AQO doesn’t quite have the knockout power of the Rock and Roll Circus version, but it’s still far better than most of what transpired at that festival. Scrolling through this and watching a little of each band reinforced what I already knew: San Francisco bands of that era could not play. Their amateurism is pretty staggering. The LA acts acquit themselves much better. But it took the Who, a Seattle guitarist backed by Brits, and Otis Redding backed by Memphis boys to really show how things are done.
The intro by vocal harmony popsters The Association is surpsringly bizarre.
If you’re truly bored, sample the LA bands, The Associaion, Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and Mamas & Papas Then sample the SF ones, Country Joe, Jefferson Airplane, and especially Big Brother and the Holding Company (Quicksilver Messenger Service actually sound OK). The LA bands were products of an established and highly competetive musical culture that thrived around a hit-making city. The SF bands were products of a new scene that revolved around getting fucked up and jamming. The difference shows. And even if you like Janis Joplin as a singer (I don’t), you can’t deny that Big Brother was an execrable band. Their incompetence is just jaw-dropping. I think she ditched them pretty quickly as her star rose. Good move.
Fun fact of the day: Country Joe was one of several bands unfortunate enough to get blown off the stage by an unkown opening band called Led Zeppelin on LZ’s first US tour. By the end of that tour CJ and various other headliners such as Iron Butterfly and Vanilla Fudge weren’t even bothering to show up.
Fascinating stuff for your Monday. Or not.
I’m the guy you want. I play E minor pretty well.
Six years since the last one! This needs to be a series.
If you haven’t watched I Think You Should Leave you should. I had to rewatch this because hot dog guy is becoming a meme. And that’s what really matters these days.
Very entertaining Heroes era Bowie TV appearance.
New Bowie single celebrating his birthday.
Nice enough, but lacks the gut-punch raw emotion of Lennon’s original.