Glenn Frey...the time has come to fly...

Glenn Frey...singer, songwriter, producer, actor, guitarist, musician.  He flew with the Eagles, was a part of the tapestry of music that circled the country in the 70's first as a member of Stone Ponies, Linda Ronstadt's backup band.

Miami Vice gave him time to hone up his acting chops, and adding his music to the mix wasn't a bad deal for him either.  He had a natural ability, unlike many musicians who tried to do film or TV.  His humor seemed to push through the camera lens.  But it was his music that grabbed us all.

The magic created by the melodies he wrote singly and with Don Henley, JD Souther, Bob Seger, Jackson Browne and others, sung with his achingly warm voice became staples for classic rock stations.  He sang, played piano, keyboards, guitar and wrote songs everyone knew by heart: Take it Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Lyin' Eyes, Heartache Tonight, Tequila Sunrise. He evoked an  intimate conversation with the listener.  His harmonies with Henley, Timothy B Schmit, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner and Don Felder are the things dreams are made of. They were instinctive. Beautiful. Memorable.

Although his guitar playing was secondary to his songwriting and vocals,  Henley deserves the recognition of someone who Sang & Played From The Heart.  

David Bowie R.I.P.

David Bowie

January 8 1947- January 10, 2016

Not a guitar player, but he inspired so many in the music world, he belongs on this blog.

He was certainly one of the "Kings" of the underground, noted by Billy Idol where he used "Golden Years"  in the title track of the album Idol released last year, "Kings & Queens of the Underground". 


David Bowie was the consummate artist: without being an asshole.  I met him briefly during his "Glass Spider Tour" and found him to be quiet, unassuming.  He looked directly into my eyes and acknowledged me without guile. He was totally present for that short encounter.  I was stunned by his aura, his presence, his lack of pretense.  Graceful, gracious, a class act.  He left the room more empty, but the positive feelings prevailed.

From Labyrinth

Throughout my radio career I was totally in awe of this artist.  Not in lust, in awe.  The reasons were simple.  He was a chameleon.  He easily transformed himself in every genre of the musical environment without selling his soul.  He let his artistic side boldly move where most musicians would not dare to go as he embraced soul, jazz, rock, pop, dance.  His attitude to experiment, to carve new niches, no: to blow holes in the status quo without becoming a cliche, THAT was his magic.  He encouraged musicians around the world to push the envelop, be who they were, not what others wanted them to be.  He did the same for those that listened to him, saw him perform, stood in his presence, or watched him in films.  He had the "X Factor" before anyone thought to name it.

He was an enigma.

He was fearless on stage.
To be fearless as an artist is a gift.

In his artistic life, he was a king.

I will never pretend to say I "knew" him.  I met him.  I can say the impression was lasting.  I didn't meet Ziggy Stardust.  I met David Bowie. It wasn't when he was "in character" before hitting the stage,  or directly after the show when his adrenaline was still pumping through his veins.  It was a moment that clearly defined him as an elegant man- with intellect. Every person that encountered him seems to have had the same opinion.  You have read the posts, the stories, the articles.  A Superstar without pretense.  An artistic genius.


His unpredictability was always a radio programmer's biggest challenge..."But it's BOWIE!!!" was often the best reason I had to play it.

Today is one day I wish I were still on the air.  Find the wonderful deep tracks that spoke volumes, mix them with those amazing songs we all know and love without saying a word.  There would be no need.  He really did say it all, even to the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8  


His final album "Darkstar" was released on his 69th birthday.  It was his 25th album.  It is his farewell to fans and friends alike. 

Thank you David Jones "Bowie".  

update:  found this amazing interview from 15 years ago...proves what a brilliant visionary and artist he really was as he discussed music and the internet. He is SO animated!  Love this .  Had to share.  Paxman/Bowie interview

Lemmy.....has left the building

Lemmy

You were not a respectable fan of metal unless you had at LEAST one Motorhead album in your collection.  And you were not a true guitarslinger unless you attributed some of your influence to Lemmy, a man so well known and revered that you only needed to mention his first name.

A man that had over 280,000 people watching YouTube as they streamed the live funeral service on Saturday. (January 9)

A man that has had over 130,000 more views since then...perhaps for those that were working, or did not know, or just wanted to see it again.

His influence was the earthquake that shook the world of rock and roll.  The echoing thunder of silence left his wake will be felt in every generation to come.

Its appropriate that the backdrop to the service were Lemmy's Marshall amps.  The picture of that alone was not just fitting, it was the most perfect.   His top hat and boots were next to his ashes.  His son called him a "Free Spirit"...the most famous guitarists in the world called him "friend", "mentor", "hero".   His sense of humor was appreciated throughout as memories were shared.  His grin was easy to picture in the mind's eye as people spoke, and the room would erupt with laughter. 

The final note on the guitar fed back through the stack of Marshalls says it all.

David Grohl's eulogy is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVMbwvLTDgM

Lemmy: You will be missed...and you will certainly be remembered.




(photo by Robert John)