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Prakash John Reflects on the Influence of Wagner and Hunter While I Reflect on the Death of Boston Lead Vocalist Brad Delp

Mar 122007

From former Parliament/Funkadelic, Lou Reed, and Alice Cooper bassist Prakash John, whose thoughts on the influence of Rock ‘n Roll Animal-era guitar tandem Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter I came across while reflecting on the death of Boston lead vocalist Brad Delp:

Wagner and Hunter – I remember this clearly – all these guys that came after Wagner and Hunter in ’73, all these guys in that band Aerosmith, and a band called Boston, they’d have those dueling guitar things, you know… leads, harmonizing – they got that all from Wagner and Hunter. These guys use to come and follow us all over the place – New York, Boston, wherever we were playing with Lou Reed. Next thing I know, I listen to their albums, and it sounds like Wagner and Hunter. And good for them, but people should acknowledge that Wagner and Hunter were the originators. They’re the guys who made that sound. If you hear that live album, Rock N Roll Animal, play the intro to “Sweet Jane.”

Lou Reed backing bands.

All-Star Jam TwoferTuesday Edition

Posted by Gerry Todd

Mar 122007

The truth must be free.

Let the HOT, LIVE BLOGGING ACTION Commence!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 122007

What: HOT, LIVE BLOGGING ACTION during the 2007 Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies
When: Monday, March 12, 2007, beginning at 8:30 pm EST
Where: VH1 Classic and your computer

Remember, if you haven’t done so already, you must Register to log on an join in on the hot, live comments!

Don’t just sit there. Sit there with a laptop!

Where Do You Stand on R.E.M.

Posted by Oats

Mar 122007

I’m a little surprised R.E.M. doesn’t seem to get its props from the general RTH community. They have (well, had) a driving, melodic rhythm section; a wankery-eschewing guitarist with (judging from interviews) an encyclopedic knowledge of rock; and an eccentric lead singer who pushed them into new territory. They’re kinda like XTC in that regard.

Sure, their brand of jangly college rock became a cul de sac thanks to lesser lights. And yes, their preachy brand of political gesture sure can grate. But – of their early work — I submit that Murmur is a still-intriguing bit of mystery with genuninely innovative production, and Reckoning shows that they dial down production quirks and still make interesting music.

So what’s the deal? Their sound has aged much better than most of their ‘80s-era brethren. Is it Michael Stipe’s androgyny? Isn’t that taking RTH’s pro-wrestling inclinations a little too far?

At the very least, please watch the above clip and tell me that’s not a great performance of a great song!

Michael Stipe: Is He an Irritating Dickhead, or What?

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Mar 122007

So: REM is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. There have been a number of laughably inane choices made by… well, by whoever does the choosing over there — but this one causes an especially bitter bile to rise in my gullet. I mean, really — why REM? Okay, so that first album was a breath of fresh air with a good four or five songs on it, worth listening to more than once. And you might get me to admit that you could make a decent C-30 mix tape of their better material from across their career, but — I mean, come on! What good did their existence bring us? Who’s next? The B-52s?

Anyhow, as much as I find REM’s music boring, repetitive, and just plain irritating, I’m not going to waste any of your valuable time trying to explain just how much they suck. And I’m certainly not going to do so in the context of a spurious discussion of whether they “deserve” to be in the RRHOF. (In truth, I suppose they’re perfect for the Hall. Just don’t put ’em anywhere near the Seeg, or the Zeez.)

No, instead, I thought I’d just riff on a central component of that band’s utter lame-assedness: their front man, Michael Stipe.
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Dissect Your Idols: The Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 122007

All week on Rock Town Hall we will be dissecting the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007. By the end of the week, you won’t be able to resist trying to engage non-rock nerd coworkers in passionate discussions of the merits of The Ronettes’ selection or the gross oversight of the RnRHoF in bypassing a band like The Stooges or Roxy Music.

Along with daily posts on the inductees and Your Comments (remember to Register, if you haven’t done so yet), we hope to get some Hot Live Blogging Action going. Tonight, Monday, March 12, at 8:30 pm EST, VH1 Classic will be broadcasting the event live. If you’re near the tube and your computer, we encourage you log on and get in on the live blogging. On Saturday, March 17, and numerous times in the days that follow, the standard VH1 will rebroadcast the induction ceremonies. We’ll encourage continued Hot Live Blogging Action. It doesn’t matter that the show’s no longer live as long as you are.
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Opening Thoughts on 2007 Inductees to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 122007

Townsman BigSteve checks in with these opening thoughts on the 2007 inductees to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. We encourage you to share your thoughts – profound and otherwise – on this year’s crop.

I actually agree with Phil Spector about The Ronettes. Sure “Baby I Love You” and “Be My Baby” are iconic, but how deep is their catalog? I guess I have a problem with people who are just singers being in the Hall of Fame. To me you have to write/produce/play to be a real artist. I feel the same way about the overempasis on actors in the movies. Producers or directors may sometimes need puppets (I probably don’t want to hear Phil Spector sing “Be My Baby”), but I think it’s better to keep the roles in perspective.

In general the class this year is pretty weak, which has been true for a while now. Rap is not rock and roll, so I don’t get Grandmaster Flash‘s induction. And Van Halen is barely music. I actually like Patti Smith, but come on seriously? I can go with REM, but them getting in the same year probably means Stipe will “induct” Smith (that always sounds so stupid). I remember when The Rascals got in thinking that they were really moving to the second tier now, and again I like The Rascals. But once you start letting journeymen like Aerosmith and Bob Seger in all bets are off. My guess is Rush will get in before The Stooges.

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