Gregg Allman 1947 - 2017

Gregg Allman passed away Saturday at the age of 69. The singer, keyboardist, guitarist, and songwriter is best known for his work with the Allman Brothers Band.

The band was originally formed by Allman and his brother, Duane. The heart and soul of the band, Duane, died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24 in 1971. The following year, bassist Berry Oakley was also killed in a motorcycle accident nearly 100 yards away from the very spot of Duane's crash. Oakley was also 24 at the time of his death. Despite the setbacks and emotional struggles, the band rebounded in 1973 with their biggest commercial success, Brothers and Sisters.

Turmoil returned in 1975 when Allman was forced to testify against his road manager, Scooter Herring, who was accused of purchasing drugs from the Dixie Mafia. The band felt that Allman betrayed them and it ultimately lead to the breakup of the band. Later that year, Allman started his solo career, releasing Laid Back. It was a critically acclaimed album with material that was unexpected, including a cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days."

Allman was married to pop star Cher from 1975 to 1978. During their short time together, the couple had a son, Elijah Blue Allman, and released a collaborative album Two the Hard Way, which was a major failure.

The band regrouped in 1978 only to split up again in 1982. Allman reached the peak of his solo career with the hit single "I'm No Angel" in 1987. The Allman Brothers reunited for the third and final time in 1989, celebrating their 25th anniversary. They would continue to perform until 2014.

Allman remained busy in his final years, releasing the solo album, Low Country Blues, in 2011 and an autobiography, My Cross the Bear, in 2012. His final solo album, Sothern Blood, is set to be released this year.

Although Allman had his struggles with drugs and alcohol for most of his life, he is a southern rock pioneer who won several Grammy's, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and made the Rolling Stone list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time." 

Chris Cornell 1964 - 2017

Woke up this morning to the news that Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell died in his hotel room last night. It has been determined that he died of an 'apparent suicide.' He was in Detroit on tour with Soundgarden and performed his last show hours before his death.

Cornell was given the gift of a strong and powerful, yet beautiful and delicate voice. He has one of the most underrated voices in all of rock. In addition to playing with Soundgarden, he spent time with Temple of the Dog, Audioslave, and his solo projects. Over the course of his career, he also wrote songs for a number of movie soundtracks, "Seasons" for the grunge film Singles, "You Know My Name" for the James Bond flick Casino Royale, "Misery Chain" for 12 Years a Slave, and most recently "The Promise" for an upcoming movie by the same name.

Although I didn't know him personally, I can't get myself to believe that he would commit suicide intentionally. From the outside, it looked like he had a lot going for him. Soundgarden was on tour and recording a new album, he just came off the first tour with Temple of the Dog, and there is a movie coming out with one of his songs. Not to speculate, Cornell has had struggles with depression, drug addiction, and inner demons. Before becoming a part of Soundgarden, Cornell's friend and roommate Andrew Wood, who was a member of the up and coming Seattle band Mother Love Bone, died of a heroin overdose in March 1990. Cornell and members of what would become Pearl Jam formed Temple of the Dog, releasing only one album as a tribute to Wood. As mentioned earlier, Soundgarden played a show hours before his death. It is interesting to note that they finished their set with "Slaves and Bulldozers" with a refrain of Led Zeppelin's "In My Time of Dying," which heavily references death.

Cornell loved performing but loved his fans even more. I have seen him perform multiple times, twice solo, in 2013 and 2015, and twice with Temple of the Dog, November 4 and 5 in 2016. I remember the first time I saw him in concert. After performing a moving song, fans in the front rows stood up to shake his hand. Instead of Cornell thanking them from the stage, he walked to the edge of the front of the stage to shake the hand of each audience member. Later, during the same show, he took a poster from a fan, signed it, and gave it back, all to a standing ovation.

It is amazing what one man was able to accomplish through music. There are very few musicians who have such charisma. Affection can be seen not only from his fans but for his fans. He meant a lot to so many people, something that words can't describe and only his music can.

UPDATE:
Read the article from The Detroit News for further details on the passing of Cornell.

That Rock Show Podcast

Just started a rock and roll podcast, That Rock Show. You can find it on Mixcloud and make sure to give a like on Facebook. You can also take a listen on the right sidebar.

Read the description below about my new show:
"For those about to rock, we salute you." That Rock Show is a podcast blasting rock and roll through your speakers. We play deep cuts from your favorite bands that you won't hear anywhere else. Playing all rock genres from every decade, we include live songs, covers, and new music from up and coming bands. In addition to music, we talk about rock news, new music, and rock history. Stationed just outside Philadelphia, we also keep you up to date on upcoming concerts in the area. We are here to keep rock and roll alive!

Chuck Berry 1926-2017

"If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry.'"
- John Lennon -

Rock and Roll legend Chuck Berry died yesterday in his home in Missouri. His story telling lyrics, catchy blues riffs, and distinctive guitar solos led the way for future generations of rock. The beat of his songs sound like a chugging train moving down the tracks and when the solo comes along, the train might as well be heading off the tracks. When listening to Berry, similarities can be heard between songs. The opening riffs to "Johnny B. Goode" and "Roll Over Beethoven" are alike with the latter being a little higher in tune. In addition, the opening guitar to "Little Queenie" and the Christmas tune "Run Rudolph Run" are identical. This is not taking anything away from the genius of Berry. In fact, hearing these similarities is pleasing to the ear and give the listener comfort in hearing a recognizable repeated riff. If it works, why change your sound? (Just ask AC/DC). As a pioneer of rock, his sound has influenced the best of the best. Doesn't matter the decade or the type of rock, bands from The Animals to The Rolling Stones have covered Berry. View the list of covers on Berry's website here. It wasn't just his music but his showmanship as well. His 'duck walk' is still one of the most iconic moves in rock (later taken by AC/DC's Angus Young). Not to mention him pointing the head of his guitar into the crowd (reminiscent of Steve Harris from Iron Maiden) and doing the split with the guitar between his legs.

Berry celebrated his 90th birthday back in October by announcing his new album Chuck, his first album in 38 years, which is set to come out in 2017.

Read social media messages from the rock community honoring Berry.

Read Berry's reviews of other rock acts from a 1980 interview.

Sex Pistols: The Final Show

After releasing one album and touring as a band for only two and a half years (minus the lengthy list of cancelled shows), the Sex Pistols capped off their seven date US tour and career at the Winterland Ballroom in San Fransisco, CA on January 14, 1978.

After playing their set and coming out for the encore, lead singer Johnny Rotten told the crowd, "You'll get one number and one number only 'cause I'm a lazy bastard." That one number was a cover of The Stooges' "No Fun." Near the end of the song Rotten was on his knees and spoke into the mic, "There's no fun in being alone. This is no fun. It is no fun at all." After the final cymbal crashed, Rotten laughed and addressed the crowd with one final thought, "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? Goodnight." He and the band left the stage with that and nothing else.

All of the Sex Pistols concerts were influential and their final performance was no exception. Among the crowd of over 5,000 people, more than the previous six shows of the US tour combined, was Eric Boucher who would go on to form The Dead Kennedys and adopt the stage name Jello Biafra and Keith Morris and Greg Ginn who would change their band name from Panic to Black Flag.

Although the Sex Pistols would get back together for a reunion tour in 1996, it was without bassist Sid Vicious who died of a heroin overdose on the same day of this post 38 years ago.

Read the Rolling Stone article of the show here.

Map of Alternative Rock History

Check out this incredible web of alt rock history. Centered around some of the biggest influences in rock with the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Joy Division, and The Smiths, it connects the bands who have influenced one another and maps out their musical similarities. Click here to get a closer look!

Best of 2016 Playlist

Below is my Best of 2016 playlist I put together of my top 25 songs from this past year! Enjoy!