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Thursday, October 5, 2017

Rock N Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Nominees- My Thoughts

The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame have announced the nominees have been announced today and much to my surprise, this isn't a bad list of nominees. It still has its problems but there are some good names here. Once again, I'll break it down into different categories and give my thoughts along the way.


Let 'em in: My Ballot
Kate Bush
Judas Priest
MC5
The Moody Blues
The Zombies

The Zombies and the MC5 have been nominated once again while Kate Bush, Judas Priest and the Moody Blues are all receiving their first nominations. I'm particularly impressed by Kate Bush's nod as she's not too famous here in the US. I think we can thank Steve Miller for ripping the Hall a new one when he called them out for not having enough women in the Hall. So if she's there just because of that- bravo.


Why not?
The Cars
Depeche Mode
Dire Straits
Eurythmics
J. Geils Band
Link Wray
Nina Simone

A few other artists here are seeing their first nominations. I'm not really a fan of any of these ats here but I wouldn't mind seeing them inducted. For the J. Geils Band, this nomination comes just months after the death of J. Geils. That's something to keep in mind because the Hall has been known to induct acts after a member dies. With Link Wray, the guy has been on the ballot for years. I would have no problem with him being inducted. I know next to nothing about Nina Simone but I think that documentary from Netfix a few years ago might be helping her.

Meh
Bon Jovi
Radiohead
Rage Against the Machine
Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Bon Jovi are one of the few bands (if not, only) that I've gone from liking to disliking. I liked their 80s stuff but now as the years go on, I just can't stand them. To think these guys were considered glam metal at one point in their career is weird. Like Springsteen, maybe it's because they're from my home state and I find them to be overrated. As for Radiohead and Rage, they're probably going to get inducted in a heartbeat. I don't really have any opinion about either band, although I do like Tom Morello since the guy has been outspoken about Kiss and the MC5.  As for Sister Rosetta Tharpe, I don't know what to say.

Wasted spots
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
The Meters

The Hall has chosen two previous nominees once again. Luckily, the Hall has not nominated Chic- given Nile Rodgers' induction last year. I think these two are the new Chic: they probably won't get in and keep getting nominated until the Hall gets tired.

PISS OFF!
LL Cool J

Don't really need to keep repeating myself. For those new to my blog: I hate rap.





 

Monday, October 2, 2017

Tom Petty dead at 66

Thomas Earl Petty
October 20, 1950 - October 2, 2017
(photo credit- click here)

Legendary singer/songwriter Tom Petty died today after suffering from complications of cardiac arrest. Petty was found unconscious in full cardiac arrest early on Monday morning in his home in Malibu, after which he was rushed to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica. Earlier in the day, CBS News had prematurely announced the singer's death- leading to a surge of social media posts. The story was denied hours later after the LAPD announced that Petty had not passed and was still in critical condition- having been taken off life support. Petty's manager Tony Dimitriades confirmed the news just hours later, saying in a statement to the press that the singer died "peacefully at 8:40 pm PST surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends. Petty was 66 years old.

Born in Gainesville, Florida, Tom Petty was only ten years old when he met Elvis Presley on the set of Presley's movie Follow That Dream. After seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, Petty knew he wanted to become a musician. By 1970, Petty and guitarist Tom Leadon formed Mudcrutch. Along with Petty and Leadon was singer Jim Lenehan, guitarist Mike Campbell and drummer Randall March. During their original run together, the band didn't release any albums- although the band would reunite nearly three decades later in 2007.

After Mudcrutch's split in 1975, Petty brought in ex-Mudcrutch members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. Together, they would end up forming Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Petty and the band would go on the achieve commercial success with hit songs such as "American Girl," "Breakdown," "Refugee," "Don't Do Me Like That," and "Don't Come Around Here No More." Petty was also able to achieve success with a solo album or two, his most popular being 1989's Full Moon Fever- which featured classic rock radio staples such as "Free Fallin'," "I Won't Back Down," and "Runnin' Down a Dream." One year prior to the album's release, Petty joined the Traveling Wilburys supergroup with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. The band's debut, Volume 1, was a commercial success- featuring hits such as "Handle With Care" and "End of the Line." Despite the passing of Roy Orbison shortly after the album's release, the band made another album in 1990 confusingly titled Volume 3.

In his career, Petty released thirteen studio albums with the Heartbreakers and three solo albums. In his life, Petty was married twice. From 1974 to 1996, Petty was married to Jane Benyo. Together, the couple had two daughters- Adria and Anna Kim. In 2001, Petty married Dana York. Through her, Petty had a stepson Dylan- York's son from her previous marriage.

The full statement from Tony Dimitriades was posted on Twitter. Below is the full text:

"On behalf of the Tom Petty family, we are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend, Tom Petty.

"He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu in the early hours of this morning and was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived. He died peacefully at 8:40 PM PST surrounded by family, his bandmates, and his friends."