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How Do Springsteen’s Fans Relate to Him?

Nov 262010

Reconsider me?

Here’s a weird thought. See if you can stick with me…

While watching the PBS American Masters piece on John Lennon last night I was constantly reminded how deeply I’ve always related to this public figure. I don’t mean to compare myself to Lennon or anything like that, but—this is embarrassing to admit—I feel about him the way Christians are probably meant to feel about Jesus. (And I don’t mean to compare myself to Jesus, for that matter, so cool your jets.) For a public figure I never met he was a true role model and hero in a world that I’ve always found a little short on both counts. In my imagination and heart Lennon represented just about all that humans can be: creative, intelligent, idiotic, outspoken, witty, angry, tender, cruel, plainspoken, puzzling…. He capped off his abbreviated life by growing the hell up and, on his second try, becoming the father his own father couldn’t have been for him. As a teenager trying to manage growing up without a half-decent father myself that was an especially meaningful final act that I continue to hold onto well into my future.

Among modern-day artists it seems that Bruce Springsteen resonates on almost as deeply a personal level with his fans. Is it anything like the feelings I know Lennon fans feel for their hero? It seems to be, and I hope we don’t have to see The Boss come to a tragic end to gauge just how deeply his fans feel about him. Do you relate to Springsteen on anywhere near as deep a level? What does he represent for you? Continue reading »

What Are You Bringing?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 252010

Let’s say we’re celebrating Thanksgiving in the Halls of Rock with each Townsperson bringing a regional delight from his or her hometown or current place of residence. One song per Townsperson, please. What are you bringing?

The Topic That Must Not Be Named…Is

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 242010

This offlist note just in from a Townsperson who must not be named!

You may remember 2 years ago, at the first RTH gathering I attended, that I brought up a potential RTH topic that I thought was too tasteless to ever actually bring up on the board or start as a post: What would be the “Hitler’s Desk” of rock memorabilia? That is, the most gruesome/tasteless/bad karma infamous rock item that only a truly depraved collector would dare own.

My choice at the time, which I was sure no one could ever top if the topic ever came up—which it wouldn’t, and I would never own up to thinking of even if it did, of course—was the copy of Double Fantasy that Mark David Chapman had when he killed Lennon.

It turns out that the real world has caught up: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/24/album-john-lennon-signed-auction. The auctioneer even agrees: this is so terrible a thing to own that the person selling it must do so in secret, for fear of his/her own life and/or standing on rock message boards around the world.

Yes, Unnamed Townsperson, I remember this discussion and contine to get a good laugh out of that topic. This reality, however, is sick!

Albums That Were Particularly Better or Worse on Drugs

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 242010

Is there an album that you found particularly better or worse on drugs or alcohol?

Reclaimed Gold?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 222010

Which songwriter’s live or demo version of a song given away to another artist to record as a hit single do you like best (in live or demo form by original songwriter, that is)? The given-away hit single could not previously have been released in studio form by the songwriter.

Songs that come to mind that fit these criteria include “Because the Night” and “Fire,” by The Boss; “All the Young Dudes,” by David Bowie, and “Come and Get It,” the demo of which Paul McCartney told Badfinger to follow note for note to ensure the gold!

Rock on the Tube

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 222010

Have you seen any worthwhile rock on the tube of late? I’m really looking forward to the Lennon thing on PBS tonight, so much so that I’ll probably forget to watch it and/or DVR it. Feel free to send me a note reminding me of it later tonight, OK?

I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to see The Boss last week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, right? I thought He was pleasantly charming, from His appearance as His younger self in a duet with Fallon as Neil Young through His time chatting with Fallon and then playing with The Roots, Little Steven, and Roy Bittan. His version of “Because the Night” made me appreciate, as always, His generosity in giving that song to Patti Smith, who made it something special.

This weekend Florence + The Machine appeared on Saturday Night Live. She/they were incredibly annoying, like Annie Lennox done by the tone-deaf Cher. Not that I ever expect to, but I don’t get it. At least Lennox could carry a tune. The band’s use of a plus sign rather than an ampersand makes me wonder if there’s ever been a good band that used a plus sign.

Other than that I caught a Jimi Hendrix doc on Ovation centered around his Monterrey performance that never fails to amaze me, an interesting history of Da Blooz on the same cable network, and some episodes of the always-entertaining That Metal Show. What a genius format for presenting a genre of music that otherwise doesn’t interest me in the least!

Surely I’ve missed something else worthwhile. Do tell.

With Which Obscure ’70s Band from Down Under Would You Most Like to Jam (and Party)?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 212010

Every once in a while I stumble on a run of YouTube videos of performances by Australian and New Zealand bands from the early-to-mid-1970s. Man, that continent was loaded with fired-up rock ‘n roll bands playing mediocre boogie tunes without the silly trapping of the UK’s Glam scene. AC/DC and the Stooges-influenced punk bands from the end of the decade were no accident! If I could go back in time and be a part of any half-decent music scene, this one would have to be considered.

Following are a few videos by bands that are obscure to me, at least, if not most of our US Townspeople. I know a lot of you fancy yourselves experts in all that is mediocre and manly. Which of the following bands would you most want to jam – and party – with? I’m hoping some of our Townspeople from the great continent of Australia help set us straight on.

The Dingoes, “Way Out West”

For my money The Dingoes might be the best band to hang with in a quiet bar and knock back some tall ones. Their singer’s a real man’s man, with no pretensions. He’d probably want nothing to do with my company, but I find him about as intriguing as any of the singers under review.

As the lyrics of “The Last Place I Wanna Be” make clear, it’s no wonder they spend so much time hanging at that corner pub.

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