No offense, but does anyone know if a member of Jefferson Airplane was a lapsed fundamentalist of some faith or another? The composition and performance of this song seem to be an attempt at filling some tremendous spiritual void. Please discuss.
So what have we learned? What happened to the dream of the ’60s San Francisco scene?
The burnout was inevitable, but of all rock scenes, who would have thought Haight-Asbury would turn into a bedrock of Winner Rock?
How many typical Thanksgiving foods can you cite in the lyrics of rock songs?
For what is a veteran rock star more thankful in his autobiography: the patience, love, and support of his first wife, who raised their children almost singlehandedly during the rocker’s long journey to unfulfilling superstardom, or the “on-the-rebound” support of his younger, new edition wife?
Which rock musician or entire band would you most like to invite to your Thanksgiving dinner – and why?
When you think pre- or post-song “thank you” from the onstage patter of a live album or concert film what’s the first one that comes to mind? (See my choice, above.)
What’s your favorite song of thanks, specifically a song with the words “thanks” or “thank you” in the title?
Finally, if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, here’s an opportunity to give thanks to a fellow Townsperson for turning you onto something during your time in the Halls of Rock!
Gergs, don’t bother cueing up those Spooky Tooth records in your basement. I thought we were forgetting some worthwhile song by them, but a brief YouTube search turned up extremely poor results.
First, they do the almost unthinkable: they fail to impress, even on an unintentionally humorous level, on a 1969 Beat Club appearance. How many excellent Beat Club videos have we seen through the years, and how often does a band fail to impress – in some way – in those well-shot B&W clips?
Then there’s the following monstrosity. I doubt they are responsible for the video, but this is as ponderous a cover as you’re likely to hear this side of Vanilla Fudge.
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“It will vanish and shrink We’re more popular than Jesus now – I don’t know which will go first, rock and roll or Christianity. Jesus was alright, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.” – John Lennon, 1966
After 40 years, the Vatican has forgiven John Lennon for his “bigger than Jesus” remark. In a piece celebrating the 40th anniversary of “The White Album,” L’Osservatore Romano also stated its preference for the single version of “Revolution” and cited a 1973 radio appearance in which he sang along to Beatles songs, making up nonsensical lyrics, as evidence of the solo Lennon’s ability to poke fun at his time in the Beatles.
The Vatican would not budge on one issue, however:
John Lennon’s 1975 album of pre-Beatles covers, Rock ‘n Roll, continues to disappoint.
This question might be answered sooner than I would hope, exposing an embarrassing oversight by my rock nerd powers, but I’ve been thinking about it for a few days and need your help, Townspeople!
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We once examined artists Artists People Like More Because They Were Ka-Raaay-Zeeeee. Today, let’s discuss artists who may have benefitted from a ka-raaay-zeeeee band member and at least one artist who tried to raise his band’s profile with this angle but could not capitalize on the fact.
To kick things off, I believe The Zombies would have been loved and studied by more than Ken doll-smooth rock nerds if they’d had a ka-raaay-zeeeee band member.
Among failed attempts at playing the ka-raaay-zeeee angle, I’d start with Andy Partridge and XTC. He’s worked hard over the years at pumping up his legacy with “English Eccentric” details that go beyond his irrational fear of performing live, such as stories of his comic books, toy trains, war games, teenage antidepressant therapy, and penchant for masturbation. I’d guess these efforts have been for naught. They keep some of the Chalkhills crowd stokes, but rock lovers either dig XTC or they don’t. Have you ever met some asshole who says, “I’ve been getting into XTC, maaaannnnn. That Partridge guy is whack!”
