The Last Of The Breed

True originality and greatness are fading quickly in the music world. As each year goes by, we lose more of musics great pioneers. This year we have already lost Bo Diddley, Eddy Arnold, and Buddy Miles and most of the ones left are to old to continue to record new music or even play live shows. Just over a week ago, however, I had an opportunity to see one of music last remaining music legends. The night before Father’s Day, I went to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis to see the legendary Willie Nelson.

The show was an experience that’s hard to explain. It’s wasn’t a concert that you stand and scream all night or jump around, he did get a number of standing ovations and ruckus applause though. It wasn’t a concert that made you want to act crazy or dive off of the balcony. Instead, it was almost like a religious experience. As, you sat there you knew you were witnessing something special, something that you may never see again.

When Willie first stepped onto the stage, the place went crazy. He received a long and loud standing ovation from the sold out crowd and Willie acknowledged it even though he acted as if he didn’t know what the fuss was about. The applause lasted until the first note of Whiskey River, and the crowd quieted and sat almost in amazement. Willie never missed a beat, he played as many hits as he could cram into his 75 minute set. He played songs he wrote that were made famous by other people.




He played songs that he wrote for himself himself.




He played songs that he didn’t write, but made famous.




And he played a few new songs, before closing the night with the gospel classic I’ll Fly Away.




Willie’s guitar work was dead on and his slow, lazy vocal delivery was as beautiful as ever. The best part about this concert was the fact that I finally got a chance to see another music legend (Chuck Berry being the other). The worst part, is knowing that these opportunities are becoming fewer and fewer. There just aren’t many left like Willie.

I recommend to anybody who is a fan of music, don’t pass up a chance to see Willie. If you can, take your kids. Let them see a real artist at work, maybe they will learn to respect music more and listen to less shit like Fergie, Jay-Z, Rascal Flatts, or what ever shitty actress has a new album out next week.

Willie Nelson is simply one of the greatest songwriters, singers and performers to ever grace a stage. He’s one of the few artist that has been able to transcend his genre of music and just be considered cool, by everyone. He has dueted with everybody from Johnny Cash to Ray Charles and now even Snoop Dogg. Willie Nelson is sadly the last of a breed.

Will Never Be Unforgiven

I will never forgive Metallica for selling out. They were the biggest metal band in the world and simple sold out for the sake of radio. The Black Album was the start of this, but I would have been OK if this was all they changed. Instead we got one "Load" of crap after another. Now, Metallica have promised to go back to there roots. I can't see it happening, but I would take it if they could just go as far back as The Black Album.

Here is one of the big hits that let them to becoming alternative rock radio darlings.

Metallica - The Unforgiven

Sweet Child Of Crow Shit

Some covers should never be made. The perfect example of this is Sheryl Crow's version of the Guns N Roses classic Sweet Child O' Mine. The GNR version is a classic largely due to the guitar solo in the middle of the song. Crow's version sucks not just because of the missing solo, but the whole bluesy slowed down tone just doesn't fit the song.

This song is a disaster and what makes it worse is that the album it appeared on, THE GLOBE SESSIONS, won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.

Here is the video which features clips of the Adam Sandler movie Big Daddy.

American Boy

Tom Petty would have never make it in music today. He wouldn't have ever even gotten a chance, because of no-so attractive face and nasally voice. Luckily for Petty, he came from an era of where all that mattered was talent, and he has tons of it. He has given us some of the most unique and creative songs and video of the last 20 years and his new tours proves that he isn't ready to stop yet. Tom Petty's great career got started with one simple song, American Girl and from there his genius exploded. Here's a look at Petty, in his early days, playing his first hit.

Tom Petty - American Girl (live from Midnight Special)

Mr. Bojangles

Rat Pack crooner Sammy Davis Jr., has often been over looked as a singer. Davis, in my opinion may have actually been the most charismatic member of the Rat Pack. His voice was as smooth as butter and could tell a beautiful story. Here is an excellent interpretation of the Jerry Jeff Walker song Mr. Bojangles.

Sammy Davis Jr. - Mr. Bojangles

R.I.P. Bo Diddley

The music world has once again lost a legend. Rock n Roll pioneer Bo Diddley has died, after months of bad health. Last August, Diddley health problems began after suffering a heart attack. Three months later, he had a bad stoke that affected his ability to speak. After returning to his home in Florida Diddley health problems continued has he tried to rehabilitate from the stroke and heart attack. Diddley died in his home today at the age of 79.



Diddley was known the world over for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, as he was his music. His trademark sound has influence many. You don't have to look far to hear his signature rhythm of, bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, in many of rocks great guitarists. The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Buddy Holly are just a few who were influence by Diddley.

Bo Diddley was an American original, but luckily his music will live on in every rock and blues guitarist that has followed. This impact on music began with a simple beat and continued through a passion and integrity that many of today's artist couldn't touch. Do Diddley's originality and love for music will be missed, but fortunately he inspired generations and left us will hours and hours of great music and memories. Rest In Peace Mr. Diddley.

Here is a look at some of Bo Diddley's best work.



Here's a medley of his hits,Road Runner/Bring It To Jerome/Mona

Natural Lush

In the early 90, alternative rock was at it's height. Radio stations and MTV took notice and started relying heavily on alternative rock to fill their airwaves. This allowed a lot of bands more exposure that the could have imagined. The over abundance of alternative music also caused a lot of band to fall through the cracks.

One of the bands was the English band, Lush. The duel female vocals of Emma Anderson and Miki Berenyi were often haunting and powerful. The group release three full length albums, but never really got the break the deserved. The group may be most known for the lawsuit they filed against Avril Lavigne who's song Girlfriend strongly resembles the Lush song, I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend. The Lush song was actually a cover of the Rubinoos song, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.

Here is a look at the song Nothing Natural from Lush's first album Spooky.

Lush - Nothing Natural

Got To Have Faith

Limp Bizkit were on top of the world, just a few years ago. Now the band is defunct and the band is considered a joke, mostly because everybody hates Fred Durst. Like them or not, they always put on a great performance, and created a handful of catchy songs. The band's breakout hit was the cover of the George Michael hit Faith. Limp Bizkit gave the song a hard edge and a new life. Here's a great performance of the song from some stupid WB music special a couple of years ago.