OK,HERE IS MY "K" DAY BLOG POST!

We continue our journey through the Rock and Roll alphabet with a brief stop at the letter "K." This morning I'll be sharing a couple of my favorite performers.

The first is a female singer/songwriter who made one of the best and most classic albums of my teenage years. Her real name is Carol Joan Klein. You know her better as Carole King.  

Carole was born on February 9, 1942, in New York City. She grew up in the Bronx section of the city. Her mother, Eugenia, was a schoolteacher and her father, Sidney, was a firefighter. Carol learned to play the piano at age four and has been playing ever since.

During Carole's high school years Carole changed her name to Carole King and was friends with Paul Simon with whom she made demo records at $25.00 a session. 

Carole attended Queens College where she met her first husband, Gerry Goffin. Gerry became Carole's songwriting partner. They wrote songs for Dimension Records owned by Don Kirshner. Their songwriting credits include "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" recorded by the Shirelles; "Chains" covered by the Beatles; "Loco-Motion" recorded by Little Eva; "Up On the Roof" recorded by the Drifters; and "I'm Into Something Good" covered by Herman's Hermits.  King and Goffin divorced in 1968.

Carole had her greatest success as a performer in the 1970's. She released one of the most classic albums of the era in 1971 - Tapestry. This was her breakthrough record. Afterwards she released a series of gold records; "Carole King Music (1972), Rhymes and Reasons (1972), Fantasy (1973), and "Wrap Around Joy (1974). During this time she became acquainted with James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. They often played on each other's records and supplied backing vocals. Carole wrote James Taylor's hit "You've Got a Friend." 

Carole has been recognized as one of the best songwriters of her generation and has received many accolades throughout her career.

My "K" band is the midwest's contribution to Rock and Roll history Kansas.  Kansas originated in the 1970's in Topeka, KS, far away from the music industry's centers of activity in New York or Los Angeles. The band is a mish mash of members from progressive rock bands that were playing in the area at the time, specifically,"The Reasons Why" and "White Clover." 

Kansas went through three iterations of the band before they hit upon a combination that produced their unique sound. This third iteration that lasted from 1973-1982 consisted of Phil Ehart, Drums; Dave Hope, Bass Guitar/Vocals; Kerry Livgren, Guitars/ Keyboards/Synthesizers/Vocals; Robby Steinhardt, Violin/Vocals; Steve Walsh, Keyboards/Synthesizers/Percussion/Vocals; and Rich Williams, Guitars. 

It was during this time that the band was signed by Don Kirshner. It was during this time that the band released, in my humble opinion, its two best albums "LEFTOVERTURE" and "POINT OF KNOW RETURN." These two albums produced their best selling single hits "Carry On My Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind." 

The band went on the road touring with such bands as Queen and Aerosmith. They perfected their craft by touring and opening for these bands, and others. They rose to headline their own tours in the largest venues available.

Songwriting duties were shared by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh with Livgren doing the lion's share of the songwriting. Livgren wrote "Dust in the Wind" almost by accident. He was at home and doing some guitar fingerpicking exercises when his wife walked by and told him that what he was playing sounded nice and would make a wonderful hit song. As it turned out, she was right.

As with most successful bands, people left for one reason or another. Other people replaced them and so the cycle continued. Kansas was not immune to this cycle. At one point they disbanded and later reformed. Some iteration of Kansas is still playing these days with Phil Ehart and Rich Williams, the longest tenured members of the group. 

Their music was as unique as it was great! 

"J" DAY AT THE A TO Z BLOG CHALLENGE!

Today's "J" artist is an iconic blues singer who has influenced performers since her untimely death at the age of 27 years. Who is this vocal icon? It is not other than "Pearl," that is, the incomparable JANIS JOPLIN. 

Janis Lyn Joplin was born on January, 19, 1943, in Port Arthur, TX. Her mother Dorothy was a registrar at a local college. Her dad, Seth was an engineer for Texaco Oil Company. Janis had two younger siblings, Michael and Laura Joplin. The Joplin family were conservative Christians who attended the church of Christ. Janis did not adopt her family's beliefs.

In school Janis befriended the outcasts. She began singing blues and folk music with her friends. She listened to, and was influenced by, the great blues artists of the day like Billie Holliday, Big Mama Thornton, Bessie Smith and others.

Janis was rebellious most of her life. She left Texas for northern California where she settled in the Haight-Ashbury section of San Francisco. She recorded and album where a typewriter was used as a percussion instrument called the "Typewriter Tapes." During this period in her life Janis used a variety of drugs and copious amounts of alcohol. She became so emaciated from drug use that her friends persuaded her to return home to Port Arthur.

Once home, Janis changed her life and quit using drugs and alcohol. In 1966 Janis joined Big Brother and the Holding Company, a blues band with whom she recorded most of her best known songs such as "Piece of My Heart," "SummertimeB," "Down on Me" and so forth.

Janis played at tow of the most famous music festivals of the 1960's...The Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock. She also performed on the same stage as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens and many others.

Janis battles substance abuse all of her adult life. She lost her battle on October 4, 1970, and died from a drug overdose just 16 days after Jimi Hendrix died from the same cause. 

Janis Joplin is the quintessential blues singer who later blues singers are measured by. Janis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

As we continue on our Rock and Roll journey, I give you the band "JOURNEY." This band was formed in 1973 in San Francisco, CA. The original members came from the bands Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. Parenthetically, whoever came up with the name "Frumius Bandersnatch" must have been using some significantly powerful drugs. Just saying...but I digress!

Journey achieved it best commercial success between the years of 1978 through 1987. During this period Journey received 2 old records, 8 multi-platinum records, 1 diamond record and 18 top 40 singles. They sold a total of 47 million records worldwide. 

The band hit it's commercial stride when lead singer, Steve Perry, joined the band in late 1977. Perry and Journey became a hit making machine releasing such hits as Wheel in the Sky, Lights, Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin, Who's Cryin Now, Open Arms, Don't Stop Believin, and Faithfully. 

Journey, not unlike many other bands, have a history of multiple personnel changes throughout their existence. Journey changed its lineup from Lead Vocalists to various instrumentalists on a fairly regular basis. Despite these changes, Journey has maintained a loyal fan following and are still rocking to this day.

IT'S EYE, I MEAN AYE...NO IT'S "I" DAY

As we continue our journey though the history of Rock and Roll we come to the letter "I." You know, there are not a lot of famous groups or artists whose name begins with the letter "I." Don't you worry, the internet is a wonderful research tool and it has not failed us this morning.

Let me call to your attention Mr. Chris Isaak. Chris was born in Stockton, CA, on June 26, 1956. His mother Dorothy worked in a potato chip factory. His dad, Joseph drove a forklift. Chris graduated from high school in 1974. He was the student body president and class valedictorian. He was also captain of an all-male cheering squad. He graduated from the College of the Pacific in 1981 with a degree in Communication.

Chris was signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1984. He contributed songs and music to movies, most notably Blue Velvet, a cult classic, and Wild at Heart. Both movies were directed by David Lynch. 

Chris' most famous record is Wicked Games which was released in 1989. Chris displayed his high vocal range on this song. Through the years Chris has continued to play music but he also branched out into acting. He had bit parts in several movies and television shows. He even had his own talk show for a couple of years.

Chris Isaak isn't the brightest star in the Rock and Roll galaxy but his voice is solid as is his talents.

Next on our Rock and Roll "I" Chart is the band Iron Butterfly. This group pioneered what was known as Psychedelic Rock which became known as heavy metal in later years. The band formed around 1966 in San Diego, CA. 

In 1968 they had their greatest commercial success with their album In A Gadda Da Vida. I have read somewhere (I forget exactly where) that the title of the album is really "In the Garden of Eden." However, the lead singers vocalization made it sound like In A Gadda Da Vida and the name stuck. This album was the first ever to be awarded a platinum album. It sold over thirty million copies.

Iron Butterfly went through many personnel changes. In 1974 their bass guitar player, Philip Taylor Kramer, joined the band. Taylor was the subject of much controversy and speculation after he left the band. 

Taylor obtained a degree in Aerospace Engineering and performed work on the MX rocket guidance system for a Department of Defense contractor. He also made contributions to the computer industry. He worked on fractal compression which allows movies to be compressed to fit on a DVD and facial recognition systems. Kramer reportedly made a mathematical breakthrough that would make "faster than light communication" possible.

In 1995 Kramer mysteriously disappeared. It was speculated by some that he had been kidnapped by our government, a foreign government or more outlandishly by extra terrestrial aliens. At the time of his disappearance he went to LAX to pick up a colleague. He never met the colleague and made a flurry of calls to several people. The most bizarre call being to "911" where the recorded message was "I'm going to kill myself."

Theories of Kramer's disappearance continued until 1999 when Kramer's skeletal remains were found inside his Ford Aerostar van at the bottom of Decker Canyon, near Malibu, CA. The cause of death is presumed to be suicide. Because of his classified work for the DoD and his math breakthrough some conspiracy theories still persist.

"H" IS FOR A HEART HOLLY DAY!

On today’s post of the A to Z Blog Challenge I present to you Mr. Charles Hardin Holly, better known to us as Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly was really a shooting star in the rock and roll sky. Buddy was born in 1939 and graduated from High School in 1955. He died less than four years later in 1959. What he did in that short time had a major impact on future rock and roll stars.

Have you seen the “Buddy Holly Story” movie starring Gary Busey. The movie bears little resemblance to the facts of Buddy's life. For example, the Crickets did not originate in Holly’s garage. The demo tape of “That’ll Be the Day” was recorded in a Clovis, N.M, recording studio, not the show at the Roller Skating Rink. There are so many inaccuracies that the writers of the movie script should have their “poetic license” revoked.

Buddy had three older siblings, Larry born in 1925; Travis, born in 1927; and Patricia Lou, born in 1929. With the exception of Buddy’s dad, Lawrence, everyone in the family played an instrument or sang.

After High School Buddy pursued a music career. He opened for Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and the Comets. Buddy’s first record flopped. He then hooked up with Norman Petty who recorded the demo of “That’ll Be the Day” at his recording studio in Clovis, N.M, and became Buddy’s manager. Unfortunately for Buddy, Petty was depositing Buddy’s record royalties into his (Petty’s) own account. While Buddy was trying to get his royalties back he needed money so he went on that ill fated tour that ended his life.

On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JD Richardson, a.k.a. The Big Bopper, played a show in Clear Lake, Iowa. They were all killed after the plane that they were riding in crashed shortly after take off enroute to their next show’s venue.

Buddy Holly’s music influenced the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John and others too numerous to name. Buddy was one of the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Buddy was also ranked at thirteen by Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the top 100 Greatest Artists. One can only imagine Buddy’s impact on American music had he lived.

There are a couple of rock and roll pioneers that had their beginning in Seattle, WA, in the mid 1970’s. I’m talking about  Ann and Nancy Wilson, better known to all of us as HEART. Ann Wilson has an iconic powerhouse of a voice. She provides all the lead vocals. Nancy is a gifted guitarist who provides backing vocals.

Heart is one of the first rock bands to break the gender barrier and have women up front and rocking! Heart has had a number of personnel changes over the years as many bands do, but the one constant was the Wilson sisters.

Their first commercially successful album, Dreamboat Annie, gave us two of their greatest hits, Magic Man, and Crazy on You, two of my absolute favorite Heart songs. Heart has rocked out hard driving heavy metal music as well as sweet romantic rock ballads and folk rock standards.

Through the years Heart has been able to hold their own on the same stage and keep up with such artists as Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Van Halen and Journey, playing before crowds exceeding 100,000 people in sporting arena’s. They are an exceptional band with a proud legacy of great rock and roll music.

Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Another example of the respect that they have earned is when Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin were honored at the Kennedy Center, Heart appeared and performed “Stairway to Heaven” and gave such a fine rendition of that song that both Page and Plant had tears in their eyes.

Through the years Heart has given back by playing many benefit concerts or appearing and performing at other benefits shows. This group is truly the “Heart” of Rock and Roll. Long may they continue to Rock!

"G" IT'S HODGEPODGE DAY...I ALMOST FORGOT!

     Today is "G" day at the A to Z Blogging Challenge but it is also Wednesday Hodgepodge time. Being too lazy to write two blog posts my "G" post will appear in the Random Thought, question #8. Thanks Joyce for another essay test of our psyche. I hope you all enjoy this edition.

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house?
     As I look around the office I see a basket containing a bunch homemade cards waiting to bring cheer to their recipients. I see another basket containing gift wrapping paper for all occasions. Still another basket serves as a waste basket. We have many more baskets around the house because my beloved SWMBO loves baskets. You might say that she's a basket case! (Oh, yes I did!)

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti 

So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?
     It depends on the time of my life. There have been times that I aimed too high and failed miserably. There are other times when I aimed too low and knew that I could have done much better. I have never seen the Sistine Chapel and I still don't know Michelangelo's last name.

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?
     I do like beer. My favorite kind of is a light lager. Nothing tastes better than an ice cold beer when you're over heated on a hot summer's day. 

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go?
     Last fall SWMBO and I packed up the fur babies and drove to Bar Harbor, Maine, and visited Acadian National Park. It was a wonderful time. We would love to go back someday.

5. The value of _________________________is greatly overrated.
     Two things come to mind. One is "FAME." I have seen many interviews with famous people who once obtaining fame, most long for the days when they were unknown. Bill Murray once advised people who want to be rich and famous to try the "rich" thing first and see if that doesn't satisfy you. He ruefully opined that fame is not all it's cracked up to be. 
     The second thing that comes to mind is "EDUCATION." Education without wisdom can be dangerous. Being a well educated idiot still makes you, well, an idiot. Pardon my cynicism but it seems to me that we have too many Ivy League educated idiots in high government positions. Look at the havoc that they have wrought!

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?
     I love going out to a restaurant with my beloved SWMBO. I love being able to share a nice meal and a time of adult conversation about nothing in particular without the fur babies nosing around for table scraps, the phone ringing or other distractions. My pet peeve is the waitstaff coming by every five minutes to ask if you need anything. I would prefer that they come after the meal is served and we've had a chance to take a bite or two and then come by to ask if everything was okay...ONCE! Other than that quietly, keep the drink glasses filled and walk by periodically to see if we have finished our meal. Other than that leave us the heck alone!

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.
     "There once was a man from Nantucket..." Just kidding! I don't really have a favorite poet or poem. I do like poetry in the form of song lyrics, though.  There are some songs that resonate with me on an emotional level for one reason or another. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

     My theme for the A to Z Blog Challenge is a walk through Rock and Roll history from A to Z. Today being "G" day I am remembering "THE GRASS ROOTS." The Grass Roots was a manufactured band not unlike the Monkees. Dunhill records was trying to cash in on the Folk Rock movement in the mid 1960's. Two songwriters who worked for Dunhill, P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, wrote several songs, they just needed a band to play them...and so The Grass Roots was born. The band went through a number of revisions and personnel changes until the arrival of Creed Bratton, Vocals/Guitar; Rick Coonce, Drums/Percussion; Warren Entner, Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard; and Rob Grill, Bass Guitar. It was this lineup that performed most of their hit songs. 
     Interestingly, most of the studio music on their records was performed by the now famous "Wrecking Crew," a number of studio musicians who performed the music on the records of many famous artist of the day. The Grass Roots did play their own instruments at concerts and on tour. Another interesting factoid is that the Grass Roots was one of the first bands to use a brass section in their music. They included brass instruments before Chicago and before Blood, Sweat and Tears. 
     Some of my favorite songs are "Midnight Confessions," "Things I should have Said," "Bella Linda," and "Temptation Eyes," to name a few.  The Grass Roots, for being a manufactured band, made quite an impact during the 1960's despite never having a number one hit. Do you have a favorite Grass Roots song?

"F" DAY BLOG POST

I love music, particularly Rock and Roll music, in case you haven't deduced that by this point in the A to Z Blog Challenge. My tastes run from the mellow sounds of soft acoustic artists to the hard driving sounds of heavy metal bands.

My first artist this morning is at the softer end of the spectrum. His name is Dan Fogelberg. Dan was born in Peoria, Illinois, on August 13, 1951. His mother, Margaret, was a classically trained pianist. His father, Lawrence, was the band leader at the local high school.

Dan joined a Beatles cover band, The Clan, at the age of 14 years. He went to the University of Illinois and studied Painting and Theater Arts. While in school Dan played in local venues and cafes. He eventually became a session musician in Nashville, TN. 

A few of my favorite songs are "Longer," "The Leader of the Band," and "A Same Auld Lang Syne." Each one of these songs sparks a vivid memory of a specific time in my life.

The song "Longer" is often sung at weddings. I once sang an a cappella version  of this song as part of a choral group at a church wedding. It is a beautifully romantic love song that sounded wonderful in the slight reverb acoustics of the church building.

"The Leader of the Band" is somewhat autobiographical. It's a tribute to his dad who taught him his craft and exemplified discipline and hard work for achieving success. Dan laments in the last verse of the song that he didn't tell his father that he loved him near enough times.  This song resonates with me.

The last song, "A Same Auld Lang Syne,"  tells the story of a chance meeting with an old lover in a grocery store on New Years Eve. The song explains how they talked over old times, how their lives were now and the sadness at having to part anew.

Dan Fogelberg never achieved "superstar" status, but his music endures to this day. If you enjoy a softer kind of rock and roll and you haven't listened to Dan's music, do so...you'll be glad that you did!

Towards the other end of the Rock Spectrum we find the group "Foreigner".  The driving force behind Foreigner's success is Mick Jones, lead guitar/songwriter, and Lou Gramm, Lead Singer. It was these two men who gave Foreigner their distinctive sound. Lou Gramm had a distinctive voice that complemented Mick Jones' songs very well.

Foreigner's first album "Foreigner" sold about four million copies and gave the group it first three hit singles. Their second album, "Double Vision," sold about five million copies. It's unusual for a sophomore album to do better than the first album. Foreigner's third album is "Head Games." This album didn't do as well as the first two, only selling about three million copies.

There have been many changes in the bands line up over the nearly forty years of rocking. I suppose that it's inevitable that people will come and go if a band endures as long as Foreigner has. Lou Gramm left the band in the late 80's only to return in 1992 and then left the band permanently in 2003. Mick Jones is the only founding member still with the band.  Like I said, he is the driving force behind the bands songs and musical direction. 

I really like Foreigner's song catalogue. It makes a good background to working around the house or in the yard. They have been rocking for almost forty years. I hope that they continue to do so!  

"E" IS FOR EVERLY BROTHERS

In the beginning of Rock and Roll there were not a lot of duo acts. Most of the pioneering acts were soloists and bands. My first "E" subject is an exception. They were a duo that blazed the trail for others to follow. I am talking about the Everly Brothers.

Don and Phil Everly were born in Kentucky, grew up in Iowa and Tennessee. They come from a musical family. Their father Isaac played guitar and their mom sang. Isaac Donald Everly "Don" is named after his father. Don was born in February 1937 and Phil was born two years later in January 1939.

Don and Phil got their start singing together on their dad's radio show in Shenandoah, Iowa. There were called "Little Donnie and Baby Boy Phil." Their first commercial success was in 1957 "Bye Bye Love." Some of their other hit songs are "Wake up Little Susie," All I Have to Do is Dream," I'll Do My Crying in the Rain," and "Till I Kissed You," to name a few. 

Don and Phil toured with Buddy Holly, spent a couple of years in the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves, and then went through a series of tough times. They fought with song publishers, drug addiction and became estranged from each other, off and on, for many years. Phil died in 2014 at the age of 72  from lung disease. 

The Everly Brothers were one of the first ten acts to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.