Rock Town Hall • Rock Music Discussion

What Is It About Roadrunner?

Mar 012013

Last week, I was in England visiting friends and family, and during my journeys several songs came to mind relating to the places I was traveling. You may be able to imagine what was going through my head at Baker Street Station, Waterloo Station, Victoria Station, and along The Strand.

On my flight back to the US, I picked up a copy of The Guardian, and came across an article that also referenced music and place, “Beltway Belter.”

“In 2007 Laura Barton wrote an ode to a Jonathan Richman song. Inspired, Massachusetts now wants it as a state anthem. What is it about Roadrunner?”

In the article, Ms. Barton mentions about her previous newspaper piece, for which she traveled along good ol’ Rt. 128 to visit the locations mentioned in the song. Apparently, the article has since spurred a bill that “seeks to anoint Roadrunner the official rock song of Massachusetts,” and if passed, will join the other official Massachusetts songs (a folk song, a glee club song, a polka, and The Official Song).

So tonight I did a little web research and found the original article, a pleasant foray into music obsession that I believe many of us can relate to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/jul/20/popandrock5

But wait, there’s more. If you thought Jonathan Richman had the nomination for Official Rock Song of Massachusetts wrapped up, you can Dream On: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/feb/27/roadrunner-massachusetts-dream-on-aerosmith

What do you think? I’m reaching out to you, bostonhistorian, misterioso, diskojoe, and others, to help us understand, weigh the evidence, and sort out with this controversy of Official Rock Song of Massachusetts.

And while you all are mulling over all this, does your state have an official song? Apparently, Oklahoma locked on to the Flaming Lips‘ “Do You Realize” in 2009; that’s a lovely song, but is it worthy enough to be official? Does it match Ohio’s “Hang On Sloopy”? Or Washington’s “Louie, Louie”?

RTH, help us determine, ONCE AND FOR ALL, what should Massachusett’s Official Rock Song be, AND what is the best official state song?

All-Star Jam

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 012013

Open your heart and share in this All-Star Jam!

HVB: I Feel Your Pain

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 282013

I was paging through my cable menu last night, when something caught my eye…

Click photo for full-size image.

Happy Birthday, Sammymaudlin!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 282013

Happy birthday to my close personal friend and partner in crime, the producer of our long-running show, sammymaudlin!

Coulda Been a Rocker

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 272013

Any time I think of British jazz guitarist John McLaughlin I’m reminded of his skunk-ass playing on Miles Davis‘ A Tribute to Jack Johnson and Bitches Brew and then quickly regret that fact that he not only stayed in the jazz realm but mostly put down his skunky electric guitar for tasteful, seated acoustic performances.

I must say, the person who posted the following clip on YouTube added probably the unintentionally funniest set up I will read all day:

As well as being a great musician Katia is hell of a sexy looking here. If ever I saw two people making love on a stage before…..

Once and For All: Who’s the Best Singer From Star Trek?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 272013

Wait! Before Once and For All February ends I think you’ll agree it’s time we determine—once and for all—Star Trek‘s Best Singer. The following John Peel special does as nice a job to set up the competition as I could do on my own in the limited time available to me today.

In the few minutes I do have available, however, let’s break it down a little further. No RTH People’s Poll is necessary. Take this opportunity to lobby for a winner…after the jump!

Downton Abbey: The Rock Musical

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 262013

Simon Le Bon as Matthew.

SPOILER ALERT: If you are a fan of the smash Masterpiece Theater series Downton Abbey and have not yet seen the conclusion to Season 3, you would be wise to go no further…unless, that is, your desire to cast the rock musical being made based on Downtown Abbey, retitled Downtown Abbey. If you don’t care about having the season-ending episode spoiler or if you’re up to date on recent developments and know already, proceed to the next page, where your chance to cast this rock musical extravaganza follows!

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