Drugs, Death and Rock’n Roll

Is there a price for fame in being a pop or rock star when you’re a young artist? Why do drugs take a big part in a music artist life? I always wonder why these young pop and rock singers have destructed lives and it seems that some managers, parents and friends exploit them for their money. Some of today’s newer young artist have made millions of dollars with their music and concert performance. The three chapters in some young music artists lives are drugs, death and rock’n roll. In that order, first of all is the drugs, the artist is probably already addicted to drugs before starting their music career or they were turned on to drugs during their music career. Next is death, the artist is gone, some tears and it’s their judgment day. Finally, rock’n roll never dies, the artist is now a legend and the record company will cash in for many years. This is nothing new with young performers never living to the age of 40 and it has been a problem since the 1930’s.

One of the early artist that I can remember with a drug problem was Frankie Lymon, an artist who sang with his group “The Teenagers”. His career began in 1956 with his song “Why Do Fool Fall in Love” a fourteen years old teen from Harlem, New York would be the first teen idol that was African-American. Frankie Lymon and The Teenager was one of the first early groups of early rock’ n roll. He would join other rock’n roll performers with radio jockey and promoter Alan Freed to do rock and roll revues shows. In 1957, Frankie would have an addiction on heroin and his career would decline in a few years. He would enter a drug rehabilitation program, but he would never be successful in winning his battle with drugs. In 1968, at the age of twenty-five years old, Frankie Lymon would die of a heroin overdose.

So many great young singers have died at a early age, artist such as; Robert Johnson , Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin , Jim Morrison of the Doors and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana . All six artists died at the age of 27. The legendary blues singer Robert Johnson played and sang his music in the 30’s but he loved his whiskey and women. One night he flirted with the wrong woman, the bar owner’s wife. The bar owner insert poison into his bottle of whisky he was drinking, he died painfully a few day later. Brian Jones drown in a swimming pool, this death was consider a mystery. Many believe that drugs and alcohol may have contribute to Brian’s death. Jimi Hendrix, one of greatest guitar players of all time, met his death with popping too many sleeping pills with some wine. He was found dead in his hotel room. Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison, both died of a heroin over dose. Kurt Cobain from the band “Nirvana” shot himself in head and he also had a heroin addition habit.

Today, the most publicize case in having problems with life, family, drugs and alcohol is the twenty-six year old pop singer Britney Spears. She has a fast living life style that if she keeps it up, she could be end up in the 27 years old death club. I hope she beats the demons within her and just lives a healthy life. She has been too easy of a target for the press to write about to sell their papers and magazines. There have been many other music artist that have had drugs and alcohol related deaths such as; Keith Moon of The Who, John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys, Shannon Hood of Blind Melon and James Honeyman Scott of The Pretenders. It’s just not the young rock stars that has had drugs and alcohol related deaths, it also old rock stars, celebrities and everyday people. For some the ride of life is a lot easier with drugs and alcohol, as faith stays locked up in the back trunk.

Remembering The Early Years of MTV

It's was August 1,1981, MTV would land on to the television waves of America. The new music channel was intended to be viewed and reach teens and young adults. I was only twenty-one years old and I found this new channel interesting. The first thing that I observed was that some of the music videos on MTV showed an expression of art from the music artist. What about the introduction montage of the showing of the moon landing of the Apollo 11 with the astronaut and the MTV flag. This montage was a clever way for the MTV to promote themselves as a television historical event to launch the television air-waves. The first music video that would be aired was "Video Kill the Radio Star" and before you knew it music video became another format to sell music.

I remember hearing for the first time on MTV the term VJ, which meant video jockey. The 1981 original cast of VJs for MTV were Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson, Mark Goodman, Martha Quinn and Nina Blackwood. These five MTV VJs had fitted in so well with this new music television station, they all had a very good knowledge about the music and the artist on the videos. The world welcomed them in their homes and felt comfortable with television VJs of MTV. As the years would go by a new generation of music had arrived and a new cast of MTV VJs would take the television stage.

In the early 80's, MTV helped the careers for Michael Jackson and Madonna by showing the music artist videos. Michael Jackson would become the first popular black artist to have music videos shown on MTV. Who can forget the classic 1983 fourteen minute music video "Thriller"? A short story showing Jackson's turning into a werewolf and his dancing zombies. Also the video "Billie Jean" and " Beat It' which had a electrify guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen but too bad he wasn't in the video. Madonna was new to the music scene. She wasn't like Michael Jackson that was a child music star in the 70's with the Jackson Five. MTV made Madonna, without the music channel were would she be now? Madonna did learn well from MTV, with more music videos decades later. Other artists and groups that had videos were; Val Halen, Duran Duran, The Police, Eurhythmics and The Cars would also use MTV to sell their music.

By the nineties MTV would get involved with political and social activities with the younger generation. They began their makeover by following the fads and what interest the young adults of the world. They would have different music channels around the world such as; MTV India, Russia, Spain and many other counties. So you had programs like; Beavis and Butthead, Celebrity Deathmatch and Darla, which were cartoons and a animated show for a mature audience. MTV would also venture into comedy and practical jokes show like; Jackass, The Tom Green Show and Punk'd. The music channel still had some good music programming shows in the nineties, one of my favorite was MTV Unplugged. This was a show that we would see new artists and groups performing their music with no electrical instruments. This was a concept that the Elvis camp and NBC came up with back in 1968 with the Elvis Comeback Special. Today, MTV seems to be ten percent music videos and ninety percent reality TV shows, these show like "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila" is what today's young adults wants to view on MTV. I have good memories of the early years of MTV and I don't watch much of MTV anymore today. It's just a matter of time before TV reality kills the music video star.

Remembering Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent

In rock and roll music there are many music artists that have contributed their unique style of singing and have given us great songs but only a few names are recognized today. We don’t need anymore Elvis Presley’s compilation of his hit on Cd, he was great but he wasn’t the only name in rock and roll. If you ask anyone out in the streets of America who is their favorite rock and roll artist of all-time, they probably would say Elvis or The Beatles. There are many people that are rock and roll enthusiastic about the music, but the average person has only heard of a few names in early rock music. The unfamiliar rock and roll artists like Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent have been a big influence with music artist such as; Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Eddie Cochran was a glitzy dresser when he performed and had that James Dean look with a his guitar strap around his shoulder. He had a rough voice when he sang, he was a true rebel to rock and roll music. It was nothing real fancy with his guitar but it would introduce his rockin’ hit songs such as; “Common Everybody”, “Summertime Blues” and “Twenty Flight Rock”. In February, a plane crash would take the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P Richardson who was known as “The Big Bopper”. Eddie would record “Three Star” a couple days later as a tribute to the three falling rock and roll singers. Eddie was upset with the death of the three singers and was also performing on that same rock and roll tour. A year later, on April 17, 1960, Eddie Cochran, his fiancée and rock and roll singer Gene Vincent would be involved in serious car accident while taking a taxi to the airport in Britain. Eddie would die on Easter Sunday, a couple days later from severe head injuries. Cochran’s fiancée endured a broken pelvis and Gene Vincent had broken his ribs and collarbone from the accident. A month later, Cochran’s song “Three Steps To Heaven” would be released and would be a number one hit in the UK. Gene Vincent was physical and mentally distress over the death of his friend Cochran. He collapsed in the back stage at a concert and was held for 48 hours in a hospital. This was several days before leaving back home to the states.

A few years before the car incident that took the life of Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent had a big hit in 1957 called “Be-Bop-A-Lula”. This song that peaked at number 7 and was on the Billboard charts for 20 weeks. He would also make a television appearance on the Ed Sullivan in 1957. Many people thought that Elvis was singing “Be-Bop-A-Lula” it sounded like Elvis and even today people will still say “ that Elvis was singing that song”. Gene had the same rock and roll rebel image like Eddie Cochran but would never got as popular as Elvis or Chuck Berry. Vincent’s songs would not have the commercial success but it was real rock and roll music like; “Bluejean Bop”, “Lotta Lovin” and “She She Little Sheila”. His career had pretty much dissolved by 1965, doing some recordings and some shows until his death on October 12, 1971, he died from a bleeding ulcer, he was 36 years old.

In 1981, the band “Stray Cats” would revise Cochran and Vincent music style with the album “Stray Cats”. This album would have the Stray Cats singing Cochran’s “ Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie”. In later albums and concerts they would play some songs from Cochran and Vincent. In 1987, Eddie Cochran would be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later in 1998, Gene Vincent would also be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Probably the only awards these two music artists ever got in their career, sadly not being a live to see that their music was a huge influence to rock and roll music.

Biography: Mary J. Blige

My daughter introduced me to Mary J. Blige music back in the early nineties, with her second album "My Life" It was the first time I heard her beautiful soulful voice, a combination R&B and hip-hop. Today, my daughter has reminisce to me about how her friends would teases her because she knew most of The Police and String's songs when they played on the radio. This was some of the rock music I played when my daughter was younger at home. One day driving home with a co-worker I had a Mary J Bilge's Cd playing in my car, my co-worker was surprised that I knew who she was. In 2003, Mary J Blige and String did a duet together on a song called "Whenever I call your name" two different generations of great singers singing together. Mary J Blige has a voice that at times you can feel it deep inside your soul with her songs.

Mary was raised in Yonkers, New York, living in the housing projects in a bad neighborhood, her mother raising Mary and her sister. She would show her talent for singing at the early age of seven and by the time she was eighteen, she had a recording contact. A few years later, her first album was released in 1992 " What's 411" her album received good reviews from the critics and her fans loved the mix combination of her R&B and Hip Hop music. The record company wanted her to have a bad girl image, but you could see that touch of beauty she has. Many called her the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" and the new Aretha Franklin. Beside having a beautiful soulful voice, her songs naturally seem like it's coming from her heart. Most of her songs are about the pain that women endure in their lives with relationships with men. The 2001 songs like "No More Drama" she sings of no more pain and no more drama in her life, a beautiful song with a little help from the theme of the daytime soap "The Young of the Restless" this theme starts in beginning of the song and at the end of the song, it works and was timed beautifully. Also from the 2001 album " No More Drama" Mary showed a powerful hip hop dance beat with " Family Affair".

If your one of the few that is not familiar with Mary J Bilge's music, a good sampler of a compilation of her hits would be the album " Reflections- A Retrospective". This will have to do until any future box sets Cds are done on Mary J Bilge. This is still a good album to introduce you to Mary's music, with early hits song such as; "Real Love", "I'm Going Down", "Not Gon' Cry" and other hits. This album also has four new songs; "Reflection (I remember)", "We Ride ( I See the Future)", "The Breakthrough" and "King & Queen" a duet with John Legend. The only thing that is missing from the U.S. version of this album is three songs, the song "MJB Da MVP" and two duet song with George Michael and U2. Mary has surround her self with big names through her career with producers such as; Sean "Puffy" Combs, Babyface and Dr Dre. She has also done collaborations with many artists including; Elton John, Sting and Aretha Franklin. Also Mary would win her first Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group with her collaboration with Method Man. Bilge has won many awards through her career including, nine America Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and two NAACP Image Awards.

Life wasn't always so positive for Mary J Bilge, she got caught up with an addiction to alcohol and drugs but eventually beat the demons out of her system. In her album " Reflections- A Retrospective" in the booklet in the credits, she states " I want to start by giving all the praise, honor and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" This may have probably been one of the reasons she may have won her battle with drugs and alcoholic. Mary J Bilge is very talented singer but she's also a very strong role model to women who want to succeed and have a dream.

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The legacy of Jimi Hendrix

I'll always remember when I was in high school in my art class in the late seventies, a student named Jimmy who sat next to me in class. He was a hardcore Jimi Hendrix fan. This student would smoke pot during lunch and he would come into class stoned, he did this two or three times a week. He was a very good artist, but in every picture he drew or painted he had Jimi Hendrix face blended into the picture. This looked really cool and it was his original idea. At times when I knew Jimmy was stoned in class, I would mess with his head by saying to him "The Beach Boys play better music than Jimi Hendrix" he would reply back angrily "The Beach Boys suck and you suck too" I did this for about six months until he finally figured out that I was messing with him. So when I have thoughts of Jimi Hendrix, I remember that crazy art student "Jimmy" who was experienced and worshiped Hendrix but knew he was the greatest guitar player ever.

Jimi Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, under the name Johnny Allen Hendrix and later his name would be changed to James Marshall Hendrix. He had an unstable family life, with his parents being divorced when he was nine. Jimi would be raised by his grandmother who was Cherokee. Hendrix would learn how to play his electric guitar at the age of fifteen and play with several local bands. Jimi would have many troubles as a youth in school. He did not graduate from high school. Hendrix would choose going into the military than spending two years in prisons for riding in a stolen car for the second time. The military didn't want Jimi and he showed he didn't want military. He completed boot camp but after one year, Jimi was discharge from military.

After his short period of time in the military, the music was still in Jimi's heart and he loved playing the electric guitar. In 1962, Jimi would work as a session musician for the next few years backing up artist such as; Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson and the Isley Brothers. In 1966, Hendrix would form his own band, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. His band was popular throughout New York City. In the same year, Jimi would move on to a new band, "The Jimi Hendrix Experience". His band would consist of two British musician in his band, bassist Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The Jimi Hendrix Experience concert was a show to see, with Jimi lighting his guitar on fire, playing his behind his back and also playing it with his teeth. The Jimi Hendrix Experience first album "Are You Experienced" would have be a compilations of some of his most successful and popular hits such as; "Purple Haze", "Fire", "Foxy Lady" and "Hey Joe". The Jimi Hendrix Experience would only have two more studio albums: "AXIS: Bold as Love" and "Electric Ladyland". Like every rock legend that passes on, more studio and concert recordings albums have been made of Jimi Hendrix.

In 1969, The Jimi Hendrix Experience would break up but Hendrix would still perform at other concerts. The most well known concert that Jimi would perform at was the Woodstock Festival on August 18, 1969; Hendrix had a new band called "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows". There were over 500,000 people at the concert to see Jimi Hendrix and also other bands that performed including Santana, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and The Who. The fans at Woodstock would also be treated to Jimi Hendrix performance of his version of the" Star Spangled Banner" with some part of his wild guitar simulating the sounds war. Jimi's final concert performance would be to some hostile and booing fans on September 6, 1970, at the Fehmarn Festival in Germany. Hendrix had played for this type of rowdy audience before, so this was nothing new and he still played his music. On September 18, 1970, Hendrix was found dead at the Samarkand Hotel, he had choked on his own vomit, after taking some sleeping pills. Even with Jimi Hendrix gone, his music and showmanship would still be a big influence to other legendary rock guitarists.

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Assessing who is the greatest rock guitar player of all-time

How does one assess who is the greatest rock guitar player of all-time? Jimi Hendrix once stated that Dick Dale was one of greatest guitarist ever. Dick Dale is "The King of the Surf Guitar" he was a big influence in the early 60's. Dale experimented with reverberation and also had a custom made Fender amplifiers, it was the first ever 100 watt amplifier. It easy to state that rock guitarists are big fans of each other, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan enjoyed the music of Jimi Hendrix. You could hear it when Stevie played "Voodoo Child" a small slight different version of Stevie's style really getting into Hendrix. I had the opportunity to see Stevie Ray Vaughan in Los Angeles in the middle 80's. He was fairly new, just a buzz name that people were already saying "the guy is another Hendrix". I was very impressed with Vaughan's style of music playing rock and blues that night. This makes me think how anyone can assess who is the greatest rock guitar player of all-time when I remember his performance that night.

What about Chuck Berry, could he be considered the greatest rock guitar player of all time? One thing for sure I would consider him the king of rock n' roll. Almost ever song he has made has started with stand out purring guitar sound at the beginning of his songs before you hear Chuck's singing voice. One of Chuck Berry's main influences is T-Bone Walker, a guitarist from 1940's and 1950's. B.B King once said "He was the first electric guitar player I heard on record". King also said "He made me so that I just had to go out and get an electric guitar, that was the best sound I ever heard" Walker was a big influence on many other legendary guitarists. T-Bone's music is like big band swings music and his guitar giving it a little taste of rock n' roll and blues. If you have never heard of T-Bone Walker's music, it's worth finding and buying his Cd.

Robert Johnson is another great blues guitar from the 1930's. He has been a big influence on great rock guitarist such as; Duane Allman, Neil Young, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. In 2004, Eric Clapton released his album "Me and Mr. Johnson" it was his tribute to Robert Johnson. This album was a compilation of Robert Johnson songs. Eric Clapton is one of the greatest rock guitar players of all-time, playing his guitar for five decades. Him and that guitar know how to play the blues and can rock the house down. Clapton played for several groups in the 60's and 70's. Clapton's song "Layla" he played in the band "Derek and the Dominos". He would achieve fame and show off his guitar skills on this seven minute song.

Accessing who is the greatest rock guitar player of all-time is a matter of opinion. There so many great rock n' roll guitarists and anyone could give a good argument on who's the greatest. So who's the greatest rock guitar player of all-time in my eyes, I would say "Jimi Hendrix". As a boy he would study guitarists that had influenced him. He once called T- Bone Walker his childhood hero. Jimi would pretend to play his air guitar on broom stick, until he received his first guitar at the age of 15 and fame was just around the corner. Jimi would crank up his amplifiers and give some adverse sounds from his guitar; this was just how he played his music. Jimi has also influence many rock artists with his style of music. The reality is each generation of great guitarist influences the others. So who really can access who is the greatest rock guitar player of all-time?

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When rock legends sell out

Why make a big deal when rock legends sell out? Everyone deserves to make more money for retirement, even rock legends. I remember in the seventies hearing on the radio, a DJ stating "That there were not too many artists like Bob Dylan, that won't sell out their music". In 2004, I saw Dylan singing in a Victoria Secret commercial, he sang "Love Sick" as he was walking next to a tall beautiful brunet with angel wings wearing a bra and panties. That upset a lot of Dylan fans. I didn't see anything wrong with him doing this commercial. He's worked hard writing songs for five decades. Maybe he did this commercial to shock his hard core Dylan fans. Bob Dylan is just one of the many rock legends that have sold out.

The legendary rock group "The Who" has their songs as the theme for three CSI television series. Also Roger Daltrey of "The Who" has appeared as a guest star in one of the episode of CSI. The group "The Who" has also used music for advertising for companies such as; Hewlett Packard, Seven Up and Nissan. What about Pepsi, America Express, and Visa, they all have had their share of rock and pop legends over the years. The money is easier to make doing commercials than touring in concert around the world, especially when you're a rocker in your early sixties. Most of these rock legends are icons to the world and their image will sell anything.

A rock star today should not ever say that they will never sell out because eventually every rock star sells out unless they die at an early age. Elvis Presley would be one that would never sell out in his career, but now that he's dead, you can hear some of his songs on television commercials. Also the Beatles with their ten years being together they never sold out their songs to television commercial advertising. In the early stages of rock n' roll; you probably would have seen a lot of music artist selling out because some artists were working for peanuts. The only problem back then was the money wasn't as good as it is today in advertising and rock n' roll didn't have a very good image in those days.

I see that selling out will not be a problem for any future rock legends, because it all about the money. Just like professional athletes with Nike and other million dollar endorsements. Some of these musicians today have even gotten smarter and are selling their music through the Internet. They decided they don't need the record companies getting their share of their money. Not too many rock artists give up a chance to make a lot of money by selling out. If the big record companies aren't going to pay these artist some good money, the values of a rock artist selling out is not going to be important anymore.

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Folk music and the civil rights movement

It was 1956, as a fresh young Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a crowd of people about social change, nonviolence and civil rights. In the audience was as a young fifteen year old Joan Baez, who listen and was touched and heartfelt by his speech. In the 1960's, Dr King and Joan Baez would become friends and later she would join him to march for the civil rights movement. On August 28 1963, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan would sing together at the civil right rally in Washington DC. At the March at Washington, other folk singers that where at the Washington rally including Peter Steeger and Peter, Paul and Mary. On that day, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. would give his notable "I Have a Dream" speech. Dylan and Beaz would teamed up for more civil right rallies and they would be strong activists for civil rights.

In several civil right marches in the sixties Joan Baez would place herself in the front of the line. This would also include the 1965 March From Selma to Montgomery. When it wasn't Dylan and Baez marching for civil right, it would be Joan Baez and Pete Seeger also strongly supporting the civil rights movement. These folk singers were influence by the father of protect music, Woody Guthrie. Guthrie was a folk singer, activist for the labor union. He was just trying to help the working man. There are many other folk singers who thought highly of Guthrie's actions in helping others and being involved in social awareness. Woody had inspired Peter Steeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and other folk singers to be more politically conscious on what was going on in this country.

The rallies for American civil right ran from 1955 to 1969, these folk singers were supported of Dr. Martin King Dream's of eliminating racial discrimination and racial segregation. For all to live as one with no hatred because of the color of skin. President Lyndon B. Johnson would be able to get the Civil Right Act of 1964 passed, but the civil rights was still not happen in many states and Dylan, Baez and other folk singer would continue to a march for civil rights. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated, silencing the man, but not silencing his dream.

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Deciding if the Beatles really were "bigger than Jesus"

John Lennon gave a true statement about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus, he wasn't saying that Jesus wasn't an important man or god didn't exist. The Beatles music was so different and new, it was just more changes in rock n' roll. The invention of television didn't really make it big till the 1950's, so the mass media also promoted the Beatles in the sixties. There were no televisions, radios, heavy circulation of magazines and newspapers back when Jesus Christ was alive. If there was all this mass media back in Jesus time, he would have been bigger than the Beatles.

The reality is people heard this statement and just freaked out. It's sad to say that today money, sex and drugs are bigger or more popular, than Jesus. There are some devoted Christians that follow their faith but there's Christians that are just hypocrites. The Christian pastor that finally admitted that he has been soliciting sex from prostitutes. He only admits this because someone has a video or some evidence and their planning to come forward to the community and the media. There are also men that go to church every Sunday, but gambles their money in the casinos every other night or their greedy to make a bucket. Finally, the want a be Christian that parties with alcoholic and drugs on Friday and Saturday night. He manages to make it to church on Sunday. I don't condemn and make any judgment on these three examples but this does sound bigger than Jesus.

I like the Beatles music now and in the sixties, but if I was John Lennon, I would of stayed away from that bold statement. It was something he wanted to say to the media. The Beatles were a success band that stayed together for about ten years and had many hit songs. They would never come back for a reunion concert. John Lennon died on December 8, 1980 and George Harrison died on November 29, 2001. The Beatles's music is still around today, just like Elvis. There's money for the big record companies with this music that is almost fifty years old. We shouldn't get so wrap up with song lyrics or statements from music artists. When we make a big deal it seems like more Cd's sell or the artist only gets bigger. This is a material world and your faith in god should be stronger than any statement that a music artist makes.

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Are certain music genres scapegoats for violent behavior?

Music has always seemed to be the scapegoat for violent behavior for many years. Even in the early days of rock n' roll at a 1958 concert in Germany with "Bill Haley and the Comets". A full blown violent riot broke out in the audience and the stage. On July 2, 1992 in St Louis, Missouri at a "Guns N Rose" concert, it ended when twenty-five hundred youths rioted, injuring 60 people at the concert. At the Woodstock 1999 concert in Rome, New York, a riot involving hundreds of concert goers burned telephone trucks, some storage trailers and vandalized three ATM machines. In theses concert events in the past fifty years have shown violent behavior among our youths. Is the music behind this violence behavior?

Today, some rap music is highly publicizes as a strong influence among our youths to commit violence crimes across America. A story sells better in the media to report that it was Rap lyrics that causes the man to shoot his woman in her home. It does seem lately that the media only target rap music for violent lyrics. Some rap music is more degrading toward woman and the "f-word" is commonly used. The media shouldn't discriminate on just one music genre to blame for violent behavior, let also blame rock and heavy metal too.

What about some violent exploit lyrics songs in Rock and Heavy Metal.? The rock group "The Dead Kennedy" has a song called "I Kill Children". Here are some of the lyrics of that song "I kill children, I love to see them die. I kill children to make their mothers cry. I crush them under my car and I love to hear them scream". In news article on October 11, 1985 in USA Today, an article with a study "revealed 700 most popular songs of "heavy metal," 50% speak of killings, 35% of satanism and 7% about suicide", who's really not surprised. This is what heavy metal songs are all about. The strong gross lyric in heavy metal music is shock treatment to a teens parents. Some of this music is too violent behavior and raw.

We shouldn't blame any music genre on violent behavior. When a riot breaks out at a rock concert, it's probably because these youths or adults have mental health problems, poor values, they have taken too much drugs and alcohol or there just plain stupid. We hear stories about the teens that commit suicide while hearing lyrics from heavy metal music. When really the drugs, alcoholic or mental problem has contributed more to the youth suicide than the music. There are many religious groups and special organizations that want to blame certain music genres for violent behavior by are youths. These groups want to sell faith and Christian music. It's more of a problem with our youth not having faith in god and turning to drugs and alcoholic. The truth is we live a violent world and music is just a small part of that world.

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What is music?

Music has been around since the beginning of mankind. Music began when early man felt his own heart beat. He then banged a stick on a rock and that was the beginning of the discovery of music. We come along way from the early days of real rock. The beginning of real listening music started with classical music. The history of classical music started with the following; Medieval from 476 AD to 1400, Renaissance from 1400 to 1600, Baroque 1600 to 1760 and Classical from 1730 to 1820. The classical music would go into the twentieth century. Soon the birth of gospel music, blues, jazz, country, swing and rock n' roll would upstage classical music.

So what is music? It too broad to really describe, one can give their opinion what is music. To me music is a rhythm and sound that your mind and heart enjoys. We can thank gospel, blues, jazz and country for today's pop, rock and rap music. I have always thought of rock music as the son of rock n' roll and heavy metal as his wild grandkids. Elvis Presley and Hank William were influenced by a lot of early unknown blues artists. Also one of Eric Clapton's biggest influence was a old southern blues singer named Robert Johnson. The Beatles influence were rockabilly artist Carl Perkins and early 50's rock n' roll artists. I can't believe even today that people still think that the Beatles screwed up our youth with their long hair, music and their drugs scene. I think that Chuck Berry and Elvis were doing a good job making teens wild and crazy before the Beatles were around. The drugs have been around since the 1930's jazz and blues era, but many still believe that it was the Beatles that started the drug craze. Music has strong influences among many teens and older generations always blame the music for the teens social behavior. It started with rock n' roll in the late 50's to presently now with rap music.

Today, music is a Internet download sound and has a here today and gone tomorrow artist, it seems. There are some artists such as Beyonce, Mary J Blige and rock groups like Green Day that hopefully will be around for awhile. What about today's country music, when I was young kid, country music was for grandpa and the folks in the south. Some of country music is so different now, it's more of a rock sound. The early music from the Eagles would have been considered country music today. What about Christian music, god's music also sells too. Music has something for everyone, what one loves, another may think it sucks. So I've tried my best to narrow that wide range of what is music is and a brief history of music. Music will never die as long as man is alive upon this earth.

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Band reviews: Foreigner

It was the summer of 77 when I first heard Foreigner's first album "Foreigner", I was in high school. This was one of the few albums that I liked all the songs. I thought this album really rocks. I remember inserting my eight track tape of "Foreigner" in my car player and just cruising through the streets of LA singing along to "Headknocker" and listening to the other song likes; "Feel Like the First Time" , "Cold As Ice" and "Long, Long Way from Home". As a teen, I was a big Foreigner fan, just waiting for their next album and I always wondered who is this group "Foreigner"?

The band "Foreigner" was formed in 1976 by veteran British rock singer Mick Jones. He met with Lou Gramm, Ian Mc Donald, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott and Ed Gagliardi. Jones thought of the name Foreigner" because of himself, Mc Donald and Elliot were British and other band members Gramm, Gagliardi, Greenwood were from the United States. In 1977, the first album "Foreigner" was a huge success for the band. The album sold over four million copies in the United States. Also the album was in the top twenty for a year with hits such as "Cold as Ice', Feels Like The First Time" and "Long Long Way From Home" In 1978, the next album "Double Vision" even sold more than their first album, selling five million copies, with song like "Double Vision" and "Hot Blood". Their third album would be "Head Games" which had songs such as " Dirty White Boys" and "Head Games" All of their albums would go Platinum in the seventies. There would be some changes in the eighties with the Foreigner's band members and their music.

In 1980, Al Greenwood and Ed Gagliardi would depart from Foreigner and would join a band named "S.P.Y.S". Rick Willis would replace Ed Gagliardi to join Foreigner to play bass on the next album "4". This 1981 album would include "Jukebox Hero" a soft rock balled called "Waiting For a Girl Like You" and "Urgent" a song which featured legendary Motown Junior Walker with his roaring sax solo. The album "4" was produced by Mutt Lange, which some months early produced AC/DC 1980 classic album "Back in Black". In 1982, Foreigner next album was "Records" this would be a compilation of their top ten hits from their early albums. In December 1984, the group's next album " Agent Provocateur" their biggest hit from the album would be "Want to Know What Love Is" which would reach number one on the charts. The group ventured into a gospel-inspired ballad with "Want to Know What Love Is" this song featured the New Jersey Mass Choir. Their music seemed to be drifting away from their debut album "Foreigner" but for those who like rock and like easy listening, it didn't really matter, their music still sounded good. The next few years, the band would call it quits as Jones and Gramm would try solo careers. In 1987, Foreigner would get back together and released "Inside Information" but Jones and Gramm would make this their last album together, some say it was because of their egos, they could work together. The band would call it quits again.

In 1991, Mick Jones would continue again with the group "Foreigner" with the album
"Unusual Heat" which wasn't as successful as the previous albums. In 1994, Lou Gramm would return to the group as the band would release the album "Unusual Heat" These two albums would not come close to being Platinum like the last six in the seventies and eighties. Today, Mick Jones is still a member of Foreigner with a new cast of band members. Foreigner may not have anymore studio albums but will still make concert tours and play some of their big hits from the past. You can now enjoy the clarity of Foreigner's album "Foreigner" that was remastered in 2001. The band Foreigner could really rock and were my jukebox heroes of the seventies and eighties.

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Band reviews: Led Zeppelin

It was 1974, I was only fifteen years old and one of my favorite eight-track tapes to listen to was Led Zeppelin's "House Of The Holy". I was just a teen learning about sex, drugs and my beginning obstacles of life with peer pressure. I remember listening to Zeppelin's "Rain Song" which begin with a gentle sounds of strings of a guitar. I laid on my bed in a glow of purple in my bedroom from the black light. The walls with posters of Jimi Hendrix and the Zig Zag Man. I really was a puzzled teen, but I had Led Zeppelin's music to help me from being dazed and confused.

The band was formally known as "The Yardbirds" until October of 1968 and their names would be changed to Led Zeppelin, the band members were Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. The band would record in the U.S. for Atlantic Records. The first album was called "Led Zeppelin" it was released on January,1969, with some blues, folk music and their indistinct sound was the beginning of heavy metal music. In the song " Communication Breakdown" Page would display a jamming guitar and Plant's howling voice. In October.1969, Led Zeppelin would release their second album "Led Zeppelin II, this was only after they finished their concerts tour for four days in the U.S. and UK. Their song "Whole Lotta Love" from the album would be edited to be played on the radio and is still popular today on classic rock stations. Led Zeppelin would catch the attention of the U.S audience, meaning more concerts, it was in ballrooms, clubs and eventually bigger auditoriums. Led Zeppelin were on their way to being the greatest hard rock band of the seventies.

The seventies would see Led Zeppelin music intensify with the album "Led Zeppelin III, which was released in October of 1970, the first song on the album " Immigrant Song" is well-known for the howling cry of Robert Plant at the start of this song. Then the song goes into a story about the Vikings searching for new lands. In November, 1971, Led Zeppelin would release " Led Zeppelin IV" the song " Black Dog" showed that Zeppelin's rock would only get better. The song "Stairway to Heaven" a stunning ballad would cause some controversy because of back masked lyrics. There would be unconfirmed claims of satanic messages. Still the song "Stairway to Heaven" would be one of the most played songs on radio.

On March 28, 1973, Led Zeppelin released "House of the Holy" this album had a little bit of everything beside rock, a reggae beat with the song "D'yer Mak'er" or "The Crunge" a funk song. Also an orchestra used on "The Rain Song". On February of 1975, Led Zeppelin would release their album "Physical Graffiti" their first double album. The song "Kashmir" had a wicked sluggish march drum beat to the song. Many critics would consider this Led Zeppelin best albums. In March of 1976, the band released their next album "Presence" which got mixed reviews from their fans and the critics, but still going platinum in sells. Jimmy Page would call "Presence" his favorite album. On October 20, 1976, the film premiere of Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains The Same" in New York, it was the 1973 film footage of three night concerts at Madison Square Garden. The film would receive bad reviews by critics and their fans were also disappointed with the film.

Led Zeppelin would make their last studio album "In Through the Out Door" again the group would receive mixed review from the critics on the album, but the album wouldn't have a problem reaching number one on the charts. On September 25, 1980, the band's drummer Jon Boham died of asphyxiation of his own vomit. He was drinking alcohol all day and was found dead the next morning at Robert Plants house. The band would break up, with the lost of their band member, it was time to call it quits. Through the Led Zeppelin years of the sixties and seventies they have seven out of eight number one albums. In time the band would get together and would perform on July 13, 1985 at Live Aid concert in Philadelphia. The band carried a lot of controversy through the years, but still managed to focus on making good music. Led Zeppelin was a classic masterpiece hard rock band, that once rocked the world.

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Is Elvis really "The King of Rock and Roll"?

Many say Elvis Presley is the king of rock n' roll. Elvis is a legendary singer. A man who shook up the fifties with his evil dance moves that scared some parents in those days. There were many other rock n' roll artists that also shook up the fifties such as; Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and his comets, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran and many other rock n' roll artists. Elvis had that soul voice of a black man in the fifties, which made sense because he admired the blues and the black artists that sang the songs. Elvis would have not made it as big by singing country or rockabilly music. His song " Hound Dog" was originally recorded in 1953 by a blues singer named Big Mama Thornton. Elvis later recorded it in 1956.

Elvis had the advantage over other black rock n' roll artist, for one thing he was white and that was easier for teen parents to swallow in the 1950's. Elvis was a great singer and in the later years, he sang more country, gospel and blues music. Elvis had more films than any rock and roll artists. The film "Jailhouse" showed the early years of Elvis and his wicked dance move in his jail stripe shirt and coat. He also had success in some television specials. Even today his music sells to a new generation of Elvis fans. It seems like every two years another Elvis greatest hit album comes out with the same songs. The truth is Elvis' music and his image will probably sell for the next hundred years or more. I'm sure there's some Elvis haters out there, like there was in the fifties, but the reasons are different now. Some people hate him because of the same songs still being played by a singer who died in 1977.

Elvis was one of the greatest rock n roll singers of all time but wasn't the king of rock n' roll. Chuck Berry and other rock n' roll artists has also influence many artist like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and other music from the sixties, seventies and eighties. I like Elvis and his music but my personal choice of the king of rock n' roll is Chuck Berry, with his wild guitar licks and a voice that blended into music. Even though Chuck Berry will never be an icon like Elvis and doesn't have the recording accomplishments like Elvis. Chuck Berry is rock n' roll music.

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The most influential folk music artists

It's about listening to a storyteller giving their words that hit your heart in folk music. Bob Dylan admired Woody Guthrie, he called him his hero, and he was his mentor. These are powerful words to say about another folk singer. Woody Guthrie has been influential to other singers such as Jack Elliot, Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen. There were so many reasons why Guthrie was appreciated; the man could paint a story with his music. Some of his songs were about the struggle of the working class, the beauty of this country's land and children songs. Guthrie was an activist with a voice for the labor union to help the migrant workers. In the 1980's, artists of folk, pop and rock did benefit concerts called Farm Aid, to help the America Farmers; this shows how Guthrie's influenced social awareness in helping others.

Bob Dylan continues to follow his mentor ways in helping others. Dylan songs in the earlier sixties such as "The Time They Are a Changin'" and "Blowin' in the Wind" These songs were against the Vietnam War and supported the civil rights movement. In 1963, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez both sang at the March on Washington, both singers felt strongly for civil rights in this country. Many artists from pop, rock and country have been influence in the last five decade by Bob Dylan music. In the 90's Dylan toured concerts with Santana briefly and Paul Simon. He has received many music awards and has been inducted to Rock and Roll Hall Of Frame. Also in 2004, Bob Dylan was one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

Finally, Joan Baez. Her most popular song was "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" which was a top ten hit in the U.S. Several of her other songs were about social issue. Joan had seen poverty as a child. Her father's job had the family traveling through out the world. She once was deeply moved by the horrible things in the streets of Baghdad. She witness people being beaten to death and people begging. She later wrote about incident, that all the affliction of the people became a part of her. She was a woman who first heard a young Martin Luther King back in 1956, Joan was heartfelt about Dr. King's speech about civil rights and nonviolence. She became friends with Dr. King some years later.

Together, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan played a strong activist role for the civil rights movement, non-violence and human rights in the sixties. Guthrie, Dylan and Baez are the most influential folk music artists, beside their music they have influenced other artist to get involved in social awareness. Today it's an environment issue, it's about saving the plant.

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The legacy of Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie was the father of protest music and the most famous American folk singers of the 20th century. One of his songs that comes to mind is "This Land is Your Land " I remember singing that song in elementary school. Today, this classic song is still sung at schools across America. Woody Guthrie had such a strong influence among everyone with his songs. He be a strong influence to other folk singer such as; Peter Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Jack Elliot. Woody Guthrie was a simple man that traveled from Oklahoma and Texas to Los Angeles in 1936. He made a living as a singer and songwriter. He never knew that later in years his songs would be significant to be entered into the Library of Congress.

Woody Guthrie was born on July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma, his full birth name Woodrow Wilson Guthrie. His parents named him after President Woodrow Wilson. As a child his father taught Woody; Indian songs, Western Song and Scottish folk songs. Woody was one that could absorb the way of the life with people, music and the land for his songs. He was one to listen and observe his surroundings.

When Guthrie was a teen he had to the battle of living through the 1930's Dust Bowl in the Great Plain states. This was during the Great Depression. In Woody Guthrie early journeys across the United States. He would take the time to learn blues songs, traditional folk music and songs for the working class. Guthrie worked a variety of jobs which included; a dishwasher, fruit picker, sailor, radio host and a sign painter. He also served in the army. He became an activist for the labor unions. Guthrie just wanted to help the working man. He followed the migrant workers through the Great Plains to California.

In 1944, Woody Guthrie made his first recording "This Land Is Your Land" This would be one of the hundreds of songs for Folkways and Stinson Records. The two recording companies had the rights to his recordings. By the late fifties and early sixties there were many artist thinking highly of Woody Guthrie song writing and his ideology. Bob Dylan called him his hero. As other folk singers were having more political interest of how America was heading with Vietnam and civil rights.

In 1967, Woody Guthrie died of Huntington's disease. Guthrie did not receive very many awards in his lifetime. Some folk believe it was because he was very out of spoken in his political views. In 2002, Guthrie was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Award. This award that was over due to this legendary America folk singer. Woody Guthrie should also be remembered as one of the first singer/songwriters to encourage other artists that beside the music. His voice was there to help mankind.

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The legacy of Bob Dylan

I remember playing one of my very first forty-five records on Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" on my small record player box. My father even turn me on to his music, he loved it too. I played that record so much that eventually there was a hissing and cracking sounds to his singing words of " so how does it feel". Its forty-seven year later and he still singing today. Now with laser technology, I can listen to his music on CD if it's "Bob Dylan Greatest Hits" or his latest CD "Modern Times".

Bob Dylan's birth name is "Robert Allen Zimmerman, he was born on May 24, 1941, in Dututh, Minnesota. How did this young Jewish boy become one of America's greatest songwriter, singer, musician and poet. As a young teenager, who loved rock n'roll and his favorite singers was "Little Richard". In the early sixties, his heart was not into rock n'roll but more into folk music. He wrote and sang songs like "Blowing In The Wind" and The Times Are Of Changin" these song became a theme for the Vietnam war and the civil rights movement. In 1963, Bob Dylan also sang in Washington DC, at the Civil Right March, were Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a dream" speech.

There were famous groups that also sang Dylan's songs, like; Peter, Paul and Mary, The Byrds, and the Turtles. The songs were more pop music with these groups, compared to his heartfelt voice. In the seventies, Bob Dylan performed at George Harrison's 1971 "Concert For Bangladesh" and The Band's film " The Last Waltz". Bob made the song "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" for Sam Peckinpah's film "Pat Garret and Billy the Kid" He has continued to make more albums in the seventies to this present date. In 2006, Bob Dylan's album " Modern Times" made number one in the U.S. album chart. At 65 years of age, he is the oldest artist to have a number one album.

Mr. Dylan has keep up with the times with his music and there is still an audience for his style of music. How does anyone tell his career without writing a book on a man with five decades of music, playing folk, blues, country, rock music and has many countless recording awards. He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Songwriter Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame. Also nominated many times for the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. You either love his music or hate it, it doesn't matter, he still a legend and icon in American music.

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Band reviews: U2

It was a hot May afternoon at Glen Helen Park in San Bernardino. My wife and I attended
the third show of the 1983 Us Festival of the three day Memorial weekend. It was a concert with over hundred thousand people. The concert featuring artists and groups for that day were; Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul, Berlin, Quarterflash, Missing Persons, Pretenders, Joe Walsh, Stevie Nicks, David Bowie and U2. A performance that made U2 shined that day. The band U2 was new to me, the music was so fresh and different as The Edge's guitar aroused the crowd. Bono with his showmanship, as he climbed over hundred feet through metal fixtures to get to the top of the stage. As a young Bono with a black t-shirt with cut off sleeves looks down and sang to the large crowd. Their performance made it worth going through the large traffic jam, watching in the burning heat of the sun, and using those unbearable dirty portable restrooms. I was twenty-three years old, back then that was just a small inconvenience for me cause I loved a good rock concert and U2 was the band that made it worthwhile that day.

They're the pride of Dublin, Ireland and a band that is well known through out the world. They were just young teenage boys when they formed the band in 1976. The U2 band members are; Bono (Paul Hewson), The Edge (Dave Evan), Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton. In March 1980, the album "Boy" would be U2's first album and they would receive good reviews from the critics. They would also do their first Europe and United States concert tour and also received praise for their concert performance by the critics. The early music material of U2 helped establish their unique sound in rock music. Anyone that's into rock music can always recognize U2's music on the radio. Bono has his own distinctive voice that blends with the band so well, songs such as; Sunday, Bloody Sunday and "New Year's Day" from the 1983 War album. These songs could be considered rock anthems as much as they're played on the radio.

One of my favorite rock documentaries is the 1988 film "Rattle and Hum". The opening scene starts with the Paramount Picture logo appears you hear Bono's voice saying " This song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles, were stealing it back" as U2 performs on the concert stage the song "Helter Skelter". The combination of The Edge's guitar playing, Bono's singing and bending of the music to the sound of the crowd shouting. What makes this concert scene work so well is the camera showing the thousands of fans at the concert. Also the concert footage in Tempe, Arizona, at Sun Devil Stadium. The lighted reddish colorful stage and for several seconds no one is on stage, you only hear the sound of The Edge's guitar starting the song " Where the Streets Have No Name. The band soon appears on stage and a helicopter aerial shot the stadium with thousands of fans shouting. This is not the best rock documentary but after you see this picture once, next time you view this film, you'll find yourself jumping straight to the concert. The concert scenes from Rattle and Hum is worth the purchase of this DVD. There are other newer concert footage of U2 on DVD such as; Zoo TV: Live From Sydney, Elevation 2001: Live from Boston and Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago.

Not much has changed today with U2, they can still electrify thousands of fans at their concerts. It's twenty something years later and they still have their loyal fans and the music still sounds good, old or new material. They have already conquered the music business world with over 170 million albums and winning 22 Grammy Awards. Bono and the band has also always been involved in spreading social awareness, showing that musicians also care what goes on in this crazy world.

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The life and musical legacy of Madonna

I remember a young Madonna in the early eighties and the beginning of the MTV era. Her debut album "Madonna" was released on April 24, 1982, her songs like Holiday, Borderline and Lucky Star made the top 100 singles. Her album had sold three million copies worldwide. In 1984, Madonna would perform "Like a Virgin" at the first MTV Video Music award show. She was wearing a wedding gown and lacy stockings laying on the stage looking sexy and being provocative. Madonna would continue to be provocative through most of her career.

Madonna was born on August 16, 1958. Her full name is Madonna Louise Ciccone. She was born in Bay City, Detroit. She was very intelligent young girl in high school, a straight "A" student. She later attended the University of Michigan for a couple of years. Madonna quit college and went to New York to become a dancer. She would come to New York City with thirty five dollars in her pocket, stating that it was the bravest thing she has ever done. Madonna's early jobs in New York were working at "Dunkin Donuts" and a nude model. She also would perform for several dance companies in New York.

Madonna would form her first a rock band "The Breakfast Club" she already knew how to sing, play the guitar and drums before she started her band. Madonna and her former boyfriend Stephen Bray would write and produce dance songs which caught the interest of the New York clubs. Madonna demo recordings amazed record producer Mark Kamin, who let the founder of Sire Records Seymour Stein listen to the recording. This was the break Madonna needed and she would rule the eighties with her music. Her albums in the eighties included; "Madonna" (1983), "Like a Virgin" (1984), "True Blue" (1986) "You Can Dance" (1987) and "Like a Prayer". (1989) she also did the soundtrack for "Who's That Girl".

The early nineties seem to be about Madonna's sexuality, her freedom of expression. Her music video in 1990 "Justify My Love" a black and white film with sexual material, bondage with gays and lesbians with a crucifix to add to the controversy of video. MTV would show it late at night, but eventually it was banned from the music channel. In 1992, Madonna was not done with controversial music videos. Madonna's "Erotica" music video would only be shown three times on MTV because of the strong sexual content. The album "Erotica" would label a porn album with most of the tracks having songs with sexual contents. A couple years later would be no more controversy just good music. Madonna would release her album "Bedtime Stories" with a little bit of R&B sound and a success album that would peak at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The single "Take a Bow" would reach number one for seven consecutive weeks on Billboard.

In 1998, Madonna album "Ray of Light" this would be the best review since "Like a Prayer" Her music would be accepted into another decade with her albums; Music (2000), American Life (2003) and Confession on the Dance Floor (2005). Through the years, Madonna has been the bad girl of music, being open about sex in her videos and lyrics. She has also offended the Catholics and the Pope with her songs. The young girls watching Madonna on MTV wanted to be like her, so sexy and open about sex. Madonna is a singer, entertainer and smart business woman. She got her foot in the door of the music industry and she collected her money with sex and controversy in her early years. She has made some good music from her early days with "Madonna" to "Ray of Light" I have enjoy Madonna the singer. I never cared much for Madonna the shock entertainer. Today, Madonna is in her late forties, a mother of two and seems happily married, still making music and still being a little controversial. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of Madonna, she made it big and she's a legend to pop music.

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Band profile: Peter, Paul and Mary

This was a group that sang folk music with a sweet harmony. As a kid in the 1960's, I was introduce to Peter, Paul and Mary with their song "Puff the magic dragon" This story song sounded so real to a seven year old child many years ago. Peter, Paul and Mary had that gift of making their music sound so genuine. The group was formed in 1961. Peter, Paul and Mary would play at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village in New York City. This was the beginning for Peter, Paul and Mary, not knowing that they would be one the most successful trio groups in America in the sixties.

Who was this group of gifted singers, Peter, Paul and Mary? Peter Yarrow has a psychology degree at Cornell. Noel Paul Stookey was a stand up comic in New York. Mary Travers was a actress singer living in New York. The singing folk trio was created and managed by Albert Grossman. The groups first album was in 1962, "Peter, Paul and Mary" this album was very successful for this folk music trio. The album made the top ten list on Billboard Magazine, also stayed on Top One Hundred for over a few years.

The trio had three albums in the top ten in one week, sadly to say this was the same week that John F Kennedy was assassination. Peter, Paul and Mary had sang at the 1963 March on Washington, with other folk singers like; Bob Dylan, Joan Baez. Peter, Paul and Mary had their only number one hit song in 1967 "Leaving On A Jet Plane" from the album "Album 1700". The trio also showed that they could sing some up beat pop music with the song "I Dig Rock and Roll Music". This song was their tribute to Rock and Roll and had a good sound like imitation of The Beatle and The Mamas and The Papas. The sixties era was ending. The last top 100 hit for Peter, Paul and Mary would be "The Day Is Done", the group would also be done in the seventies for awhile.

In the seventies the group broke up to try solo careers. There was no magic in their music as solo performers. In 1978, Peter, Paul and Mary as they reunited at a concert against nuclear energy. Since 1978, Peter, Paul and Mary has been performing today, no top 100 hits like the sixties, but they still have magical harmony and they still sound great. The singing trio has been recognize over the years for their work. They were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Frame in 1999 and in 2006 they were recipients of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from Songwriters Hall of Fame. Peter, Paul and Mary is one best America's folk music trios, this is my opinion, someone that grow up listening to them in the sixties.

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The demise of rock: What happened

Rock has not demised, it's hidden in today music, just a different generation playing it. For how long that maybe a better question. Most of today's rock artists just fade away in a few years. The youth of today are just looking for fad and good beat, like most young generations do. The only thing is the youth of today has a short term loyalty to groups or artists. The days of the true loyal teen fans are gone. Not like the other young generation fans with; The Beatles, The Rolling Stone, Ozzy Osborne or groups from the other decades. Not many rock artists or groups from the 1990's to 2000 have survived. What makes today's generation lose interest in the rock groups and artists compared to other generations. Is the new technology with mp3 players, ipods and other devices out in the market. Today's generation is more intelligent and they can find more variety of music from the Internet.

Each generation evolves to wanting something different, not what their parents listened too. The last time that teens and their parents really listen to the same music together was in the 30's and 40's with swing music. They listened to artist like Frank Sinatra. Then came Rock n Roll with Chuck Berry, Elvis and the Beatles. The teens felt they had their own music and their own independence from the older generation. As you get older that mentally to follow musical group or fad is not your interest anymore. Your more concerned about the house payment, your retirement or just surviving another work week.

I am not saying that once you hit your thirties or forties that you don't listen to music. That age group has already been baptized on what music their going to listen too. Most folks in that age group listen to Classic Rock, R& B and some vintage oldies. Also with maturity as you age comes intellectual music such as opera. I just wonder what this next generation is going to listen to when they hit the age group of their thirties or forties, especially if most of the rock groups are forgotten in a few years. Some of today's music sounds great, but the music and artists flies in and flies out. So rock has not demised yet, but it's looks like we may be at the end of the road for rock with the future generations.

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The legacy of blues musician Robert Johnson

It was midnight as a young Robert Johnson with burning desire to play the blues would meet large black man at the crossroad in a rural area in Mississippi. This large black man took his Robert Johnson's guitar and turned it for him. He gave back Robert Johnson guitar and he would become the king of Delta Blues singers. The large black man was the devil and Robert Johnson greatest talent of playing the blues would cost him his soul. This mystic tell was told by his fellow blues singers; Son House, Johnny Shine and Tommy Johnson. Robert Johnson was born on May 8, 1911, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. His parents were Julia Major Dodds and Charles Dodds. Julia Major Dodds and Charles Dodds parents were born into slavery in the south. Julia Major Dodds had ten children from her husband Charles Dodds. Robert was born out of wedlock and was the eleventh child. Julia had an affair with a man named Noah Johnson while her husband was out traveling on business. This affair would cause the Dodds marriage to end. Charles would change his last name to Spencer. Robert would also take the last name of Spencer. Charles and Robert got along, even though Robert was fathered by another man. Robert Johnson wouldn't find out that Noah was his father until his teen years. Robert would again change his last name to Johnson.

The Dodd family had many moments of drama in their lives. His stepfather Charles Dodd was chased out Hazlehurst by an angry mob of men. Some say Charles had to dress like a woman and sneak out of town. Julia Major Dodds would stay behind with her two daughters. Julia would get evicted from her home for not paying her taxes. Julia would work in the cotton field as an itinerant field worker and live in the camps of different plantations. Robert would live with Julia's youngest sister while his mother worked the fields. Robert would live with different family member throughout his life.

Several years later, Julia would eventually remarry a man named Dusty Willis. Robert Johnson would live with his mother and Dusty Willis for awhile. Robert had just started playing the harmonica and Jew's harp and also played the guitar. Dusty did care much for music and would not let him play music in family home. Robert Johnson left home to join his musician partners and never went back. Being a sharecropper was not on this young fellow's mind, he wanted to become a blues musician. Robert Johnson was not as good as his musician buddies in his early days, but he was accepted. He played music for a couple of years with his friends at clubs. Robert left his musicians buddies in search of his father. It is not known if he ever found his father or not. He did run into a man named Ike Zinnerman who Johnson enjoyed hearing him play the blues. Ike would be Robert's mentor. Robert would play music with Ike at small joints. Robert would become very good in playing the blues. Many still believed that it was still the meeting of the crossroad with the devil were Johnson got his talent. When Robert got back with old musician buddies, they were so surprise on how well he played the blues. His career would soon kick off with making his first recordings for Brunswick Records. Johnson would be well known with his music, in the south and most of the country.

Robert was a good looking man. He had no problem getting women. He tried marriages twice but he just had some unfortunate luck. His first marriage was to a young lady by the name of Virginia Travis. She died at 16, with her baby while giving birth. A couple years later, he married an older woman, with three children. Her named was Calleta " Callie" Craft. She really supported him in playing the blues, even if it meant him staying out all night with his musician buddies. She died of some illness from some unknown illness. Robert's life would end with the woman at a bar and a jealous bar owner. One night at a bar where he was performing, he was offer two bottles of whiskey. The first bottle was given to him by lady. When Robert attempted to drink it, Sonny Boy William slapped out of his hand on to the floor breaking to pieces. Sonny warned him about drinking out of broken seal bottle and telling him he didn't know what was in bottle. This happen again later, but there was no one to slap the bottle out of Robert's hand. Johnson drank from the broken seal bottle of whiskey. Robert died three day later of arsenic poisoning. Robert Johnson died at the age of 27 years old, leaving his legacy name in blues music at an early age. His life story was not document very well the sources of information came from memories of his friend and family. Robert Johnson has influence many rock artists such as; Eric Clapton, Keith Richard and many more artists. Robert Johnson is thought of the grandfather of rock n' roll by his fans, many blues and rock artists still today.

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Biography: Miles Davis

I remember the hot summer nights, living in a rundown apartment in Los Angeles in the early eighties. I was young and I had just gotten married. The old black man who worn the thin John Lennon glasses who lived next door would play his music, a stunning sound of a mellow smooth horn. His music would flow into my living room through the screen door, as I enjoy the sounds, and drank a cold beer in my heated apartment. Some weeks later I asked him "What is that mellow jazz music, you play at night" He just smiled and said "That's Miles Davis". Later I would add Miles' albums "Kind of Blues" and "The Man With The Horn" to my other albums collection such as; Led Zeppelin "House of The Holy", Aerosmith "Toys in the Artic" and some Beatles albums. Miles' jazz music was the first music to make me open up to take interest into jazz and in time other types of music.

This legendary American jazz musician Miles Davis, was on born May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois. Miles learned how to play the trumpet at the age of thirteen, he received a new trumpet and took lessons. Davis would say later that his father chose the trumpet for him to learn to annoy his wife. Miles' mother wanted her son to be taught the piano. His mother knew how to play the piano. She was able to play the blues on the piano but she never let Miles know about her talent. When Miles was seventeen he played his trumpet with bandleader Eddie Randle's "Blue Devils" for a year. Davis would soon head to New York City to begin his education music.

Miles moved to New York City in 1944, he attend Juilliard School of Music for awhile but eventually dropped out. A year later he would make his first recording, with blues singer Rubberlegg Williams and tenor saxophonist Herbie Fields. Davis would join his mentor and roommate Charlie Parker, for his second record with Parker on a song called "Now's The Time" he had a solo playing. The young nineteen Mile Davis had a unique sound with his trumpet but lacked the experience and would sometimes stagger through his solos. In 1948, Davis would begin a solo career and would sign with Capitol Records. Davis would release numerous singles the two years he was with Capitol Records. The album "Birth of the Cool" was also recorded between 1949 and 1950, but wasn't released until 1957. Miles would move on to Prestige and Blue Note Record and having some success, but Davis would soon have addiction problems to heroin. This addiction came from performing in the jazz clubs of New York. In 1953, Miles would go back home to St. Louis to his father's farm. Davis sheltered himself in a room for many days until his heroin demons was completely gone and it was back to recording records again.

Mile Davis would have a successful recording career for the next five decades, albums such as; Milestones, Sketches from Spain, In a Silent Way and his final album " You're Under Arrest". Davis would collaborate with legendary jazz musicians like; John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and many others. Davis would overcome a drug and alcoholic addiction again in his later stage of life, with the help of an actress, a friend and his wife at that time, Cicely Tyson. On September 28, 1991, Davis died from a pneumonia, a stroke and respiratory failure, he was sixty-five. Miles Davis was a significant figure in jazz music in the 20th century. He gave different styles of jazz music through his career. He was truly the man with the horn.

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Mozart's influence on Rock-n-Roll

A young child at the age of three would learn to play "Classical music" that was taught to him by his father. At five years old, he would write his first two compositions; Andante K. 1a and Allegro K. 1b. This young child would also learn how to play violin, clavier and organ. This would be the beginning for a legendary classical musician named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His father Leopold Mozart was considered one of the best musical teachers in Europe. Leopold would travel in different parts of Europe with young Wolfgang to perform his music. Leopold would display his son as a child prodigy to his audience. Wolfgang would continue to travel and perform concerts as he matured to manhood. He was like today's rock stars and he had many fans. You could choose any three parts of his names; Wolfgang, Amadeus or Mozart and it would be a cool name for a singer or a group. His name sounds just as cool as; Aerosmith, Prince and Nirvana.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Archbishopric of Salzburg, which is known as Austria. Many people would say that Mozart has been an influence in rock n' roll music. I would agree with that statement and that he was living a life of a rock star in the eighteenth century. One thing for sure his life style could be compared to a rock n' roll singer. Mozart has over six hundred compositions, like Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles, he wrote a lot of music and also he performed some at his concerts. Wolfgang had to travel and perform concerts to earn his money and he also had some hard times financially as a musician.

Mozart loved wearing well-designed clothing. Mozart would be stylish also at rehearsal on the stage with the orchestra. He would wear his gold-laced cocked hat and his crimson pelisse, as he would jam with his orchestra, having a good time. They have been many stylish and flashy dressed roll n' roll artist such as Elvis with his white outfit and Little Richard, Ray Charles and Jerry lee Lewis jamming their rock n' roll on the piano in their stylish clothing. This is pretty common even for today's musical artist, its part of also showing that the music is successful and has money. Mozart had earned 50,000 florins per year which is the about 142,000 US dollars today. He was one of the top one percent earners in the eighteenth century. Mozart died on December 5, 1791. Wolfgang would be buried in an unmarked grave and many believed he was penniless. It was written about Mozart by his mother that "When Wolfgang makes new acquaintances, he immediately wants to give his life and property to them." There have been some rock artists that have died penniless, especially in the early days of rock n' roll with the black artists. Some artists didn't know how to manage their money and some were just taken advantage of by the music business.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been an influence on rock n' roll, with groups like the Beatles, The Moody Blues and groups in the past utilizing classical sound of orchestra music. Mozart is not the main source where rock n' roll was influenced, but he was sure living the life style. The main source of rock n' roll music influence is the blues, country and swing music of the 30's, 40's and 50's. Mozart was doing classical music because that was really the only music that existed in those days. Would have Mozart played rock n' roll if he lived his life in the 50's and 60's, I think so.

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Little Richard, Faith and Rock' n Roll Music

What is rock and roll without Little Richard, with his thunderous voice in his song "Good Golly Miss Molly" as he’s jamming on his rockin' piano. He is known by many as "The True King Of Rock n' Roll, The Architect Of Rock n' Roll, The Emancipator and The Originator. Some say that Elvis once told Little Richard "Your music has inspired me, you are the greatest" these words may sound corny but probably true. In 1957, Little Richard felt it was important to trade in rock and roll music for being a Christian. He saw a vision that rock’ n roll was evil. He eventually shared his faith with rock and roll and did his first come back concert in Oct 8, 1962 in Britain. In November, 1962, The Beatles would open up for Little Richard at Hamburg Star Club. The Rolling Stones would also open up for Little Richard in 1963 and a unknown young Jimi Hendrix would join his band in 1964. It would be a matter of time before Little Richard would give up rock and roll music again.

Little Richard is Richard Wayne Penniman, he was born in Macon, Georgia on December 5, 1932. He was raised in poverty but his family had a solid spiritual background. His family believed that singing only made their faith in god stronger. The family would perform at local churches and young Richard was known as “War Hawk” because of his screaming voice that would follow him into his rock and roll career. Young Richard hustled to make his money, if it was singing in clubs or washing dishes it was all about surviving. In 1951, Little Richard would record for Peacock Records and was under that label till 1954. His music just wasn’t selling under Peacock Records. In 1955, Little Richard would sign with Specialty Records and this would be a positive out come in Richard’s music career.

Little Richard would have all his biggest hits with Specialty Records, songs such as; “Tutti Frutti”, “Long Tall Sally”, “Slippin’ and Slidin’ ”, “Lucille” and many more. In his first three years at Specialty Records, he had three number one records and several top ten hits on the R&B charts. On the song “Tutti Frutti” the ending lyrics are “A-wop-bop-a--loo-mop-whop-bam-boom” these original lyrics were used in other Richard’s songs. In 1977, Little Richard would leave rock and roll once again, to follow his path with god and leave rock and roll. This all because of the death of his nephew, someone he had a strong love for and he needed positive changes in his life.

In the 1980’s to the present, it was Little Richard’s rock and roll icon image people wanted to see. Little Richard is still everywhere, from music videos, television appearances and commercials. He didn’t sell out to god, but just a making living for what he deserves on this earth. He didn’t make the money that some these fly by night promoted music artist are getting today. These artists can really thank music artists like Little Richard for the birth of rock and roll.

Reflections of Buddy Holly

I really didn’t get into Buddy Holly’s music until I was a young teen and I saw George Lucas 1973 film “American Graffiti”. I remember hearing the songs “That’ll Be The Day” and “Maybe Baby” so within weeks I bought the soundtrack “America Graffiti” and my first Buddy Holly album. I thought this guys music is great but looking at his picture on the album made me wonder about this music artist. This album cover with a photo of a young skinny man with his thigh black frame glasses, wearing a tie and suit, holding a guitar. I wish I had saved that Buddy Holly album. Later in my twenties, I bought another Buddy Holly album called “ Buddy Lives” which I still have today, which survive a fire that destroyed my home in 2005. As a teen I never knew much of Holly, just that I liked his music and he died young.

Buddy Holly is “Charles Hardin Holley” he was born in Lubbock, Texas, on September 7, 2007. Buddy was raised with a musical family, so it was very easy for him to get influence to play music. As a boy he would learn how to play piano, violin and guitar. Buddy’s first music influence would be bluegrass, as he teamed up with a friend in middle school by the name of Bob Montgomery. They were known as Buddy and Bob, they would sing at high school talent shows and clubs. In 1955, it would be rock and roll music that would influence the young Holly, as he watched Elvis Presley perform in Lubbock. Three months later, Buddy would have the opportunity to perform on the same menu with Elvis and later in the year with Bill Haley & His Comets. In 1956, he would sign a contact with Decca Records, they misspelled his last name on the contact, that would change his name from Holley to Holly. In 1957, Buddy’s song “That’ll Be The Day” would be Holly’s only one hit ever on the U.S Billboard Charts. Buddy Holly’s music would do well on the R&B and U.K Charts.

A small-plane carrying Buddy Holly, J.P “Big Bopper” Richardson and Ritchie Valens would crash into a cornfield nearby Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all three singers and the pilot. “The Day the Music Died” would become famous words from Don McLean the 1971 song “America Pie” a mark of respect for the singers in the plane crash. Even with the death of Buddy Holly in 1959, his music wouldn’t died, it would live on. He made many recordings before his life had ended that winter night. He had only been recording professionally for three years. Buddy’s music would still be a big influence to other rock n’ roll artist and groups such as; Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stone and The Beatles. One of Buddy’s biggest fans is “Paul McCartney”. He would buy the rights to all of Holly’s songs.

Today, I can still listen to his music. I still sometimes listen to one of my first CD‘s, I bought back in 1986 called “From The Original Master Tapes”. This CD has a collection of twenty of Buddy Holly’s songs. The one song I enjoy hearing is the out-take version of “True Love Way”. In the beginning of this song, you get to hear an out take of a studio recording with a producer’s voice, a piano and Buddy clearing his voice before he sings his first few words “Just you know why”. The studio out-take is only ten seconds long but gives that feeling of being there and blends so well with the song. The best and affordable Buddy Holly CD today that I would recommend is the two CD set called “Buddy Holly Gold” a collection of fifty of his songs, it’s been re-mastered, with his music sounding superb. He’s still an icon and his name or life is still bought up in many songs after his death. If his life wouldn’t of ended so early in his musical career, it makes me wonder how far he would of gone with his music. Would Holly have been like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, expanding to newer music and sounds? I guess we will never know, but the life he did have on this earth with his music was a stepping stone to rock n’ roll.

Remembering "The Godfather of Soul" James Brown

I remember seeing James Brown performing on the television in the late 60’s. James’ music would send high energy vibes with his shout, singing and his exciting dance moves and today other musicians mimic. This energy in Brown’s performance would continue for the next five decades. James Brown is recognized as one of the most significant names in R&B and rock n' roll music and was generally called “The Godfather of Soul”. Brown struggled in the early years of his life but in time things would get better and his music would win and reach over a world wide audience.

James Brown was raised as a child in the period of the Depression era. Young James and his family would live in great poverty. At the age of 4 years old, his mother would leave his father for another man. As James’ father would raised him for a short period of time and would eventually have some relatives raise the young James Brown. Brown would drop out of school and only completed up to the 5th grade. The times were rough and James needed to earn money, he did many odd jobs such as; picking cotton, shinning shoes and washing cars. James would teach himself to play a harmonica that his father gave him and he learned other instruments including the guitar, from an acquaintance of his aunt. When James was sixteen years old, he saw his first brush with the law and he was found guilty of armed robbery. Brown would do some time at a juvenile detention center, he would perform at musical show for the detention center and other local prisons in the area. Brown would only serve three years but under the condition that he find employment and not return to Richmond Country. Another reason why he was released early, he had a little help from a old reform school acquaintance by the name of Bobby Byrd and Byrd’s family. After his time in the detention center, James would venture into trying to be boxer and a semi-professional baseball player. An injury to his leg would end his plans of being a professional athlete. He would try a career in the music business and the rest would be history.

In 1955, James Brown would join Bobby Byrd’s band “The Avon” the group name would be changed to “The Flames”. Brown and the Flames released his first song in 1956 for Federal Records called “Please, Please, Please”. This song reached number five on the R&B chart, it didn’t do very well on the pop charts but still managed to sell more than a million copies. The song “Please, Please, Please is also where James’ famous Cape routine originated. In 1958, the bands biggest hit for Federal Record would be “Try Me” it would reach number one on the R&B Charts and number 48 on the pop. James and the band would leave Federal Records in 1960. James would continue to have number one R&B hits in the sixties and seventies with songs such as; "Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag", "I Got You (I Feel Good)", " It's a Man's, Man's World" and my favorite "The Payback, Pt 1". James would never reach number one on the pop chart be he had several top ten hits.

James would have controversy in his life with the law and his wives, which over shadowed the best of Brown. He was advocated in teens staying in school and not dropping out. He would meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, the president would express his thanks for Brown’s money donations to prevention programs against students dropping-out of school. He was a big supporter of civil rights and did benefit concerts for numerous civil rights groups. James was against violence in America, when Dr. Martin King Jr. was assassinated and riots broke out across the country. He would call out for peace in the city streets at a televised performance in Boston. On December 25, 2006, the country would awake on Christmas morning to learn that James Brown had died from congestive heart failure. His memorial service would be public and was held on December 28, 2006 at the Apollo Theater in New York. Also on December 30, 2006 at James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia. There would be thousands of fans and many celebrities attending Brown’s services for the two days. James Brown was a man that once lived in poverty as a child and gave us great music and he surly earned to be called “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business”.