This question is likely to be a Hobson's Choice for many of you, but I think it's important that those of you who feel this way contribute. Considering that the term song held little weight in the glory days of progressive rock, our most song-oriented Townspeople, who may have an aversion to this subgenre of rock music, may be best qualified to help determine the answer to this question...Once and For All!

I'm torn between a couple of Yes songs that may be helpful in starting this discussion, but I'm thinking the following may be met with the least resistance for at least beginning this dialog.

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Why didn't I learn about this stuff the year I lived in Hungary? I've come across a boatload of Hungarian rock 'n roll videos from the '60s through early '80s, and I've got to share some with you. It's our Magyar Retro All-Request Weekend, and this first number goes out to my main Townsman, dbuskirk!

This next one goes out to General Slocum. I imagine that the bass part is something he would have dug as a teenage boy living in Budapest in the mid-70s.

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I must ask one of those questions that seems really dumb but may possibly demonstrate the sort of rock insight that's characteristic of our special powers as Townspeople:

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I still regret not buying one of these things, which E. Pluribus Gergely can attest to my nearly buying one day, many moons ago.

As I once stated, the vest may be the only unnecessary piece of clothing cooler - at least in concept - than the poncho. However, as with the poncho, the vest has proven extremely difficult to apply to rock 'n roll fashion.

Although my posts are usually known for their diligent, thorough research, I'll state up front that I haven't taken the time to research the first instance of a rock 'n roll artist featuring a vest. I would bet that vests first crept into rock fashion through country music. Cowboys in Westerns wear a type of vest, right? A highly unscientific stroll through my mind, however, tells me that vests first caught on among rock 'n rollers in the mid-60s, possibly through American garage bands.

As I first thought about this piece, the following image of this famous rocker and His early band sprang to mind:

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Link: http://www.indiemusicforhaiti.com

Fellow Townspeople, I come before you one more time as an honest supplicant, begging your favor and craving your collective indulgence on behalf of a devastated nation, still reeling from the effects of disaster.

You may remember about a month ago, my company co-sponsored a benefit concert for victims of the Haiti earthquake, at which we raised nearly $6,000. What I don't think I told you then was that the artists at the show were being filmed by a multi-camera HD film crew, and that they'd be edited together by some of the finest editing professionals in the DC area. The idea was that these performances would form the "seed content" for a Web site that would allow unsigned bands and artists to share their music with the world, while urging listeners to donate to the charity of their choice.

Well, many weeks of volunteer work later, we have a Web site: www.indiemusicforhaiti.com. Now, we need your help. If you're a musician, we want you to help us populate the site with great music -- and we want you to spread the word about the place with fellow bands and musicians. If you're an avid listener, we want your eyes and ears. And Haiti, of course, would appreciate your money, if you have any to spare.

I urge all Townspeople to check the site out. There's already a lot of great music up there for you to enjoy -- including a track penned and performed by yours truly, with the able assistance of Paul Garisto, drummer for the Psychedelic Furs!

Thanks, townspeople. As always... I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSES.

HVB

I am proposing that musicians in the Halls of Rock participate in perhaps the most daunting thread ever: Rock Town Hall's First Annual Talent(less) Search: My First Demo.

Details follow the jump.

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Another long-suffering musician commits suicide, opening new opportunities to explore the signs of his downfall in his lyrics. An old music-scene friend whose deadpan humor was a set-up for truly good times passes through town and plays a last-minute show. Thomas Newman, brother of Randy [CLICK HERE to see that I've already been corrected about this blatant inaccuracy - it was noisy in the kitchen while I was trying to hear this interview the other day, sorry], is interviewed on NPR regarding his Oscar-nominated score for some movie, probably Up. Did you know Thomas Newman talks nothing like brother [CLICK HERE to see that I've already been corrected about this blatant inaccuracy - it was noisy in the kitchen while I was trying to hear this interview the other day, sorry] Randy?

We've long been aware of the pitfalls of the Sincerity Fallacy, but let's face it: there are times now and then when even the most enlightened among us like a little sincerity.

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In our recent RTH Confessional thread detailing Rock Crimes we've committed over the years, Townsman cherguevara confessed to owning and playing on stage a set of Simmons drums. Then he offered to organize a Simmons/Steinberger jam session.

We may be set with our aesthetically clueless band's rhythm section, but can we construct a band with the (aesthetically) worst collection of gear ever? Please be specific, and feel free to provide links to the offending pieces of gear.

Word is that Ace Frehley takes umbrage with my characterization of him as the KISS member who most benefited from makeup. His people report that he especially objects to my insinuations that he was once the most cowardly member of the band.

To refute insinuations of Frehley's timid place within KISS, we have been provided with video record of the band's appearance on Tom Snyder's Tomorrow show, an appearance on which Ace showed the night owls of the world who had the biggest personality in rock's most supersized band.

Note how Ace distracts from the serious legacy building that Gene Simmons was working to construct. You know Gene's thinking it's time to devise a new character/band member.

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Let he who is without a Rock Crime record cast the first Rolling Stone!

Whether your personal Rock Crimes are big or small, we know you've committed at least one. If nothing else, you were born with original an Rock Crime. It's time you 'fess up and come clean with a Rock Crime you've committted. Those who confess and apologize will be granted immunity. Those who continue to run from The Truth will be suspects in the next sweep of the Nebraska Manhunt!