Just about 44 years ago, on a soggy wet farm in upstate New York, a little festival was taking place. It was originally supposed to be an “Aquarian Exposition, three
If Jon Herington is anything, idle is not it. It may have taken him a little while to get to where he is today, playing guitar in Steely Dan since
You may not be familiar with his name, but Marc Copely’s music has probably passed by you more times than you realize. Even I wasn’t familiar with the young man
This week Joseph Arthur unveiled The Ballad Of Boogie Christ. Fans of the chameleonic singer-songwriter have been waiting for this record, waiting to see what has been on his mind
“Is this Valerie?” Whitesnake guitar player Doug Aldrich asks when I call for our interview. Realizing his mistake he apologizes with a laugh. “I’m sorry, Leslie. That’s what I meant.”
He is the man with the golden guitar. Or rather, he is the man with the golden touch. Robin Trower has sparked many an adolescent music fan’s imagination on fire with one song: “Bridge Of Sighs.” With it’s ethereal intro and elongated celestial blues vibrations, generations have been lost within this unbelievable sensation of sounds. It is one of those timeless pieces that will have life long after we have departed this earth. What more could you ask for when it comes to your art.
But how much do we actually know about Neil Giraldo? Often overshadowed by the powerful spotlight shining on his wife, the man with the still-rocking pompadour certainly knows how to rip out a roaring solo on guitar, as proven in their Biloxi set on “So Sincere,” “Hell Is For Children,” “Everybody Lay Down” and during a climatic encore finale of their “Heartbreaker,” Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire,” into Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” riffs and a little bit of “The Godfather.” It’s strange how some guitar players get so overlooked.
A year ago last spring, the Revivalists released their strongest album to date: City Of Sound. With more attention to the actual sound of the music, they have grown by leaps and bounds into a solid hornet’s nest buzzing with funk, horns and rock & roll while retaining their kicking foal spirit. Shaw, not one to stand behind a microphone and emote, herks and jerks with a spasmodic, almost Iggy Pop versatility that attracts the youth gone wild members of their audience to jump up and down with him, singing along, like the band has been around a lot longer than they actually have. It takes a certain vivaciousness to be the next big thing – and the Revivalists are certainly on their way.
Carl Palmer is not known to sit still for very long. He transitioned into the music video fueled 80’s with Asia, featuring Yes’ Steve Howe and Geoff Downes, and hit #1 with their debut self-titled album and spurning a top 5 single with “Heat Of The Moment.” Palmer has toured and recorded with his solo band and just recently was involved with a project labeled the Carl Palmer Legacy. I spoke with Palmer about his recent endeavors, ELP and what it takes to make a drum solo spectacular.
Today, Lou Gramm is healthy and feeling good. He fronts the Lou Gramm Band, that also includes his brother Ben, and they are currently touring. Plus, he has his autobiography just hitting shelves. An entertaining read, with fun stories and interesting tidbits about life in a super-successful rock band at the height of its popularity, Gramm has left the dirt and gossip to other rockers and has instead provided a Dorothy-like skip through the land of Oz. Juke Box Hero is a delightful memoir and one that Gramm recently took some time out on his birthday last week to talk with us about.
