Team HC

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Anne Erickson Week of May 27th - June 3rd May 27 through June 3 brought some timeless rock albums to the world, from Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. That's not to mention the births of Ronnie Wood and Tom Morello. Keep reading for some major releases, historic events and notable births and deaths happening May 27 – June 3. Events 1959 - Atlanta's Herndon Stadium hosts one of the first outdoor rock concerts. The lineup includes Ray Charles, Jimmy Reed and B.B. King. 1961 - Chuck Berry opens the Berryland amusement park in Wentzville, Missouri. 1961 - Jimi Hendrix officially joins the U.S. Army. 1964 - The Rolling Stones hit New York to kick off their first U.S. tour. 1975 - Ronnie Wood performs his first show as the guitarist for the Rolling Stones. It was on his 28th birthday. 1976 - The Who set the Guinness Book record for "World's Loudest Rock Band" with a show in London measuring 126 decibels. Guinness eventually stops certifying the record, due to hearing loss. 1983 - Kiss play their final concert in their makeup. Well, until 1996, that is, when they start playing with painted faces again. 1997 - Jeff Buckley’s body is discovered floating in a harbor running into the Mississippi River. He had disappeared the week before while taking a swim in a Memphis harbor. Releases Bob Dylan, Down in the Groove, 1988 The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 (U.S. release) David Bowie, David Bowie, 1967 Bruce Springsteen, Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978 The Rolling Stones, Still Life, 1982 Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A., 1984 Sting, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, 1985 Metallica, Load, 1996 Deaths Jeff Buckley, May 29, 1997 John Kahn (The Jerry Garcia Band), May 30, 1996 David Ruffin (The Temptations), June 1, 1991 Boyd Bennett, June 2, 2002 Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead), June 2, 2006 Bo Diddley, June 2, 2008 Leon Redbone - May 30, 2019 Births Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship) – May 27, 1948 Neil Finn (Crowded House) – May 27, 1956 Susan Ballion (Siouxsie Sioux) – May 27, 1957 Neil Finn (Crowded House) – May 27, 1958 Sean Kinney (Alice In Chains) – May 27, 1966 John Fogerty – May 28, 1945 Noel Gallagher, May 29, 1967 Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds), May 29, 1960 Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), May 30, 1964 Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary), May 31, 1938 Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), May 31, 1938 Pat Boone, June 1, 1934 Ron Wood (The Rolling Stones, The Faces), June 1, 1947 Alan Wilder (Depeche Mode), June 1, 1959 Simon Gallup (The Cure), June 1, 1960 Mike Joyce (The Smiths), June 1, 1963 Alanis Morissette, June 1, 1974 Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones), June 2, 1941 Steve Brookins (.38 Special), June 2, 1951 Pete Farndon (The Pretenders), June 2, 1952 Fabrizio Moreti (The Strokes), June 2, 1980 Dave Alexander (The Stooges), June 3, 1947 Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd), June 3, 1952 Kerry King (Slayer), June 3, 1964 Mike Gordon (Phish), June 3, 1965 Week of June 3rd - 9th This week in Rock Rewind, the world’s greatest pop group undertook their first recording session, The Rolling Stones replaced one of their founding members, and one of New York’s most influential bands reunited after 24 years. A trove of classic albums was released as well, including landmark records by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and The Cars. Read on for a look back at other noteworthy moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1962 -- The Beatles undertake their first recording session at Abbey Road studios. “Love Me Do” was among the four tracks recorded. 1963 -- The Rolling Stones release their first single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On.” 1964 – The first single to feature David Bowie is released. Titled “Liza Jane,” the recording is credited to “David Jones and the King Bees. 1966 – Great Britain’s “Melody Maker” magazine reports the formation of supergroup Cream. 1969 – Blind Faith play their first show, staging a concert in London’s Hyde Park. 1969 – The Rolling Stones replace Brian Jones with Mick Taylor. 1971 – Grand Funk Railroad topples a record previously head by The Beatles for the highest gross proceeds for a concert staged at New York’s Shea Stadium. 1974 – Keyboardist Rick Wakeman leaves prog-rock band Yes to begin a solo career. 1974 – Paul McCartney & Wings’ single “Band on the Run” hits Number One on the U.S. charts. 1975 – Elton John’s ninth studio album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, becomes the first LP to enter the U.S. album chart at Number One. 1989 – The Doobie Brothers kick off a reunion tour. The tour is the first to feature the band’s original lineup since 1975. 1993 – The Velvet Underground reform for their first show in 24 years, performing at London’s Wembley Arena. 1993 – A ground-breaking ceremony is held in Cleveland for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. 2006 – Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant met and rehearsed songs for a benefit tribute for Atlantic Records’ co-founder Ahmet Ertegun. It was the first time the three had played together since their 1995 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 2013 – Judas Priest’s Rob Halford announces the band will be reforming after a two-year absence. 2016 – All four members of ABBA perform together for the first time since 1982. The performance occurs at a private event to commemorate 50 years since songwriting partners Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson first met. Releases 1960 – Roy Orbison: “Only the Lonely” (single) 1965 – The Rolling Stones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (U.S.) 1967 – Moby Grape: Moby Grape 1969 – Elton John: Empty Sky 1969 – Three Dog Night: Suitable for Framing 1970 – Bob Dylan: Self Portrait 1972 – David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars 1974 – Bill Wyman: Monkey Grip 1975 – Eagles: One of These Nights 1977 -- The J. Geils Band: Monkey Island 1978 – Rolling Stones: Some Girls 1978 – The Cars: The Cars 1979 – Wings: Back to the Egg 1979 – The Knack: Get the Knack 1980 – Bob Marley & The Wailers: Uprising 1981 – The Psychedelic Furs: Talk Talk Talk 1983 – The Kinks: State of Confusion 1985 – Bob Dylan: Empire Burlesque 1985 – R.E.M.: Fables of the Reconstruction 1985 – Talking Heads: Little Creatures 1989 – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: In Step 1986 – Genesis: Invisible Touch 1991 – Lynyrd Skynyrd: Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 1994 – Boston: Walk On 1995 – Soul Asylum: Let Your Dim Light Shine 1998 – John Fogerty: Premonition 1999 – Shelby Lynnne: I Am Shelby Lynne 2000 – Alice Cooper: Brutal Planet 2002 – David Bowie: Heathen 2007 -- Paul McCartney: Memory Almost Full 2007 – Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band: Live in Dublin 2011 – Def Leppard: Mirror Ball Deaths Stan Getz – June 6, 1991 Conway Twitty – June 5, 1993 Ronnie Lane – June 5, 1997 Dee Dee Ramone – June 5, 2002 Dave Rowberry (The Animals) - June 6, 2003 Ray Charles – June 10, 2004 Billy Preston – June 6, 2006 Marvin Isley – June 6, 2010 Stuart Cable (Stereophonics) – June 7, 2010 Dr. John - June 6, 2019 Births Les Paul – June 9, 1915 Jackie Wilson – June 9, 1934 Levi Stubbs – June 6, 1936 Gary U.S. Bonds – June 6, 1939 Tom Jones – June 7, 1940 Jon Lord (Deep Purple) – June 9, 1941 Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night) – June 8, 1942 Michelle Phillips (The Mamas & The Papas), June 4, 1944 Clarence White (The Byrds) – June 7, 1944 Boz Scaggs – June 8, 1944 Freddie Stone (Sly & the Family Stone) – June 5, 1946 Dave Alexander (The Stooges), June 3, 1947 Nancy Sinatra, June 4, 1940 Laurie Anderson – June 5, 1947 Tom Evans (Badfinger) – June 5, 1947 Mick Box (Uriah Heep) – June 9, 1947 Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship) – May 27, 1948 Trevor Bolder – June 9, 1950 Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd), June 3, 1952 Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) – June 5, 1956 Prince Rogers Nelson – June 7, 1958 Steve Vai – June 6, 1960 Mick Hucknall (Simply Red) – June 8, 1960 Tom Araya – June 6, 1961 Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran) – June 8, 1962 Kerry King (Slayer), June 3, 1964 Mike Gordon (Phish), June 3, 1965 Dave Navarro – June 7, 1967 James Shaffer (Korn) – June 6, 1970 Stefan Lessard (The Dave Matthews Band), June 4, 1974 Matt Bellamy (Muse) – June 9, 1978 Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) – June 5, 1979 -HC- ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

by Anne Erickson At any given Aerosmith show, Joe Perry can usually be spotted with a Les Paul dangling around his neck. The legendary guitarist is such a Les Paul fan that on top of playing a range of varieties of the guitar over the decades, he also has a signature model, the Joe Perry 1959 Les Paul. Perry also made headlines for something other than his music: a book. ROCKS: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith tells his life story and the ups and downs of rocking with one of the biggest bands in the world. In the following quotes, Perry talks about his new book and the first moment he heard a guitar sing. On the guitar that’s on the cover of his book, ROCKS: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith he told Harmony Central. No, the guitar on the cover is one of my ‘59s, but it’s not the ’59. It’s the one that I take on the road with me. Several years ago Gibson did a run of copies of that original tobacco burst ’59. They did an amazing job of getting it down to the last scratch. They spent two days with me taking pictures of it--measuring everything you could measure, tape-recording it, everything. In fact, when I got some of the first issues of it, I had brought the original ’59 on the road, and I had my guitar tech hand me one or the other on-stage, without my knowing which was which. And it was almost impossible for me to tell the difference. Practically speaking, in the heat of the gig, I couldn’t tell the difference. On “Movin’ Out,” the first song he wrote with Steven Tyler, as told to Rock Cellar Magazine: Yeah. It did put us on the path. It was really an exercise in learning how to write together and seeing how that worked. Up until then we hasn’t written together. The original songs we had were basically songs that Steven had from his other bands before that. He had a notebook with some songs in them and some of those showed up on the first and second albums. He was a couple of years older than us and had been playing professionally for five years at that point. On hearing the guitar for the first time, as told to MusicRadar.com: The first time I heard a guitar was when my uncle played. He had a homemade instrument - it was shaped like a ukulele but sounded like a guitar - that I remember he used to pull out around the holidays to play Portuguese folk songs on it. That was my first exposure to that type of instrument. He let me play it and put my hands on it, and it just felt good. It felt comfortable. Then, later on, I got a Silvertone. The action on that was unbelievable. It had to be a half an inch across the neck. If there was ever a guitar designed to turn you off from playing guitar, it was that one. It hurt so much to play, to have to press down those heavy strings. When you have that calling, you do the best with what you’ve got. At that point, when you have that calling, you do the best with what you’ve got. That was when I first fell in love with it. Then hearing the teenagers play in their band in the kitchen next door, playing rockabilly stuff, that’s when I first started hearing rock ’n’ roll, hearing it on the radio, and realizing that it was pretty much based on one guitar. On his favorite Aerosmith songs to play live, as told to Song Facts: "Toys in the Attic." And also "Rats in the Cellar." I don't know if that counts as a big song, but I like it because we play it different every night. There's kind of a jam at the end and it's really up to the band to make it good or great - it just changes from night to night. That's the real basis of what the band is: reading the audience and seeing if we can really get them off with some of our 30 years of experience. So it's kind of a vehicle for that. We have four or five songs like that that we throw in there, but they're not as well known. But "Rats in the Cellar" is pretty close to that. The other ones we play pretty much the way that they were written, and we pretty much stick to that format because that's what people are expecting to hear. I think they would be disappointed if we didn't play it that way. I don't see any reason to play "Dream On" reggae, you know what I mean? We just try to stick to what people would expect. But then there are some songs that have these places where the band can jam built into them. That's the same kind of stuff we would have done in clubs back in 1972. On the importance of a solid live shows, as told to GuitarCenter.com: Our template has always been playing live, selling the band live and trying to gain fans by playing live. That's the era we came out of. Back in the day, when we were touring, going into our second, third and fourth records, there were places even in the States where we weren't well known. We were always touring-we might be selling 12,000 seats in Detroit or Boston, but still be playing clubs in Tampa. So we'd have to go out there and make our bones. That is a deeply ingrained facet within the band-and it's stayed with us. I don't look at us as any different than any other band of garage guys. On whether there are any similarities between writing a book and making an album, as told to ArtistDirect.com: There's quite a bit actually. You set out to do an album, and you know it's going to be the sum of a combination of parts. Whether they're songs or bits of songs, you're going to look at it piece by piece. You don't write an album from the perspective of the whole unless you're doing an opera, but we're talking about doing a record. You may write 20 songs, pick the best ones, and then fine tune them. In a book, you get a chronology of what your life is, and then you start filling in the blanks. You pick out the best story to exemplify each part of your life, and you work on it just like you would a song. You go through, edit, and fix it. Then, you put it together. Obviously, the chronology is self-explanatory. Finally, you get this finished work about two weeks before it's going to come out with the cover and everything after you've been doing it in pieces. The one thing that really is the same happens when you finally get the album. It's all together with the package, the cover, all of the content, and the actual music. It's the same with the book. You've worked on it in pieces for years, literally, and you finally get the complete thing. You almost have to read it like you just picked it up in a bookstore to get a real idea of what it's like and see how it's going to strike you because you've been working on it in pieces for so long. There are a lot of parallels between them. On being a grown-up who still rocks, as told to MensHealth.com: When I was 38 and the band got back together, I went through this stage of "Is this any way for a grown man to make a living—jumping around on the stage in tight pants and long hair?" Then I'd put on an AC/DC record and go, "Yup, still gives me goose bumps." Chuck Berry? "Yup, still gets me hot." It's such a cliché... that rock 'n' roll keeps you young, but not being afraid to feel the rock 'n' roll energy truly pervades your life. You're not trapped by that thing that says, "You're too old to rock." That means I'm not too old to do a lot of things. I'm not too old to chase my wife around like a teenager, because that's how I feel. When I plug in my guitar and play it really loud, loud enough to deafen most people, that's my shot of adrenaline, and there's nothing like it. That's what it's always been for me—to be the flame the tribe dances around. On what gives a riff real staying power, or turns it into a classic, as told to Gibson.com: I think it’s something people can sort of sing along to. It depends on who it is, but for the average fan, who are really the people you’re playing for, it’s something that’s memorable. Take “Walk This Way” as an example. Even in the solo, there are certain phrases that are important to keep in there, because they’re part of the song. Your ear is expecting to hear that, just as your ear expects to hear the vocal melody. As a guitar player, when you listen back, say, to The Ventures, or to Duane Eddy--those were really simple riffs, from a guitar player’s point of view. One of the greatest examples is the original Batman theme song. It’s just three notes, but if you hum that, everyone recognizes it, or at least everyone who grew up in that era does. The same is true of the theme for Bonanza. Those are really simple riffs, but they’re so unique. They hang right in there. On his top three albums in the Aerosmith catalog, as told to BostonMagazine.com: Night in the Ruts ; that was the one where I left before it was finished. I think it would’ve gotten more notice if we had been able to tour behind that as the original band. Rocks, we were at our peak creatively; we were just warming up to Rocks when we did Toys in the Attic, and Rocks was just kind of the payoff. And I have to say that the blues record (Honkin’ on Bobo), that was just unfettered fun making that record. We put every bit of creativity into that record, and that’s one of the records I like to listen to; and I don’t listen to our stuff that often, but that’s one I do. -HC- ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

by Anne Erickson Rock ‘n’ roll has birthed music books and memoirs packed with more twists-and-turns than even the best fiction novel. Summer is here, and with it comes the chance to sit outside on a breezy day and leaf through one of these rock reads. From Slash to B.B. King, here are 10 great music books to put on your summer reading list, including some of my favorites. Blues All Around Me, B.B. King This is a timely read, in light of legendary blues guitarist B.B. King’s recent passing. In Blues All Around Me, King offers up a very real account of life as a touring musician. He details the riveting performances, detachment from his family and feelings of loneliness with which any touring musician can relate. It’s an honest, heartfelt tale from the Mississippi native who grew to be the “King of the Blues.” Cash, Johnny Cash Cash gives a poignant look at the life and career of country rebel Johnny Cash, from his emotional lows of addiction and disappointment to radiant highs of playing with Elvis and praying with Billy Graham. He also discusses his famous friends, including Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan. In Cash, the Man in Black relives his prolific 40-year career, and that makes for a fascinating read. Chronicles, Volume One, Bob Dylan Bob Dylan’s Chronicles is devoted to his time in the Greenwich Village folk scene, when he first got to Manhattan. Dylan accounts those early days, everything from the friendships formed to career hurdles, as well as trips to Woodstock, New Orleans, Minnesota and further. After reading Chronicles, you have a good idea of the people and experiences that inspired Dylan and his music. Coal Miner’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn Coal Miner’s Daughter gives readers an intimate look at Lynn’s early days in Butcher Holler, Ky., and her rise to success in the music world. Lynn’s story doesn’t follow your average “gal scores a record deal” blueprint. She was married at 13, had six children and was a grandmother by age 29. Her unique talent for singing and songwriting led to Lynn becoming one of the most groundbreaking artists in country music. Experiencing Nirvana: Grunge in Europe, 1989, Bruce Pavitt Before Nirvana topped the charts with hits such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Lithium,” the band was like many other late-‘80s Seattle “grunge” groups, playing countless shows and trying to get noticed amid the underground Seattle scene. Experiencing Nirvana: Grunge in Europe, 1989, written by Sub Pop Records co-founder Bruce Pavitt, takes readers through the beginning of Nirvana, before Dave Grohl was in the band. The book centers around the band’s “Bleach” period and Nirvana’s extensive 1989 European tour. (This is one of my favorite books.) Just Kids, Patti Smith Just Kids takes readers inside Smith’s close friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who passed away in 1989. In Just Kids, Smith describes her relationship with Mapplethorpe, as the two struggled together in Manhattan in the 1970s and 1980s and worked to bring their art to a larger audience. Life, Keith Richards Life gives fans a personal look at Keith Richards’ life before the Rolling Stones and his adventures with the band. The guitarist, songwriter and founding member takes readers inside the formation of the Stones with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones, crafting everlasting rock songs such as “Jumping Jack Flash,” dealing with the death of Jones, falling in love with Patti Hansen, marriage and so much more. It’s a wild ride. Many Years from Now, Paul McCartney Many Years from Now is an “authorized biography” penned by Barry Miles, and although it’s not a full-fledged memoir, the book is a captivating, personal look at the Beatles’ evolution and rise in the 1960s. Many Years from Now also details the composition of McCartney and John Lennon’s most popular songs. Miles’ writings set up McCartney’s long quotes and stories, so Sir Paul’s voice certainly comes through. Slash, Slash Sure, other Guns N’ Roses members have published tell-all memoirs, but Slash’s is special. I mean, it’s Slash, the guitar icon known for towering riffs and solos, knocked out on his fiery Les Paul. There’s a certain allure in Slash’s memoir, simply titled Slash, which has the guitarist in a reflective, at times humorous mood. It’s Slash’s tale of how Guns N’ Roses got together, catapulted to the top of ‘80s rock and metal and, then, how it all came to a halt. ROCKS: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith, Joe Perry Joe Perry has spent almost 50 years playing leads with American rock ‘n’ rollers Aerosmith, and he has documented the excitement in a new memoir, ROCKS: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith. The book gives fans a peek at the professional and personal sides of Perry. Doing an autobiography doesn’t mean he’s finished with music, though. “By no means is it a case of, ‘Okay I’m retired, I’m going to do my memoirs,’” Perry states. “It just captures things up till now, or up to about a year-and-a-half ago. I certainly could have been adding chapters over the past year.” ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Team HC MAY 13th -19th We saw the births of Trent Reznor and Krist Novoselic to the passing of Ronnie James Dio. All of this happened these past two weeks in Rock 'N' Roll history. Events 1963 - The debut Monterey Folk Festival takes place, featuring Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary and Joan Baez. 1964 - The Animals start recording "House of the Rising Sun." 1975 - Fleetwood Mac performs for the first time with new members Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in El Paso, Texas. 1980 - Drummer Peter Criss exits Kiss but returns to the fold, with Ace Frehley, in 1996. 1991 - Paul McCartney issues Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) in the U.K., marking the first album released from an MTV Unplugged performance. 1993 - Depeche Mode kick off their Devotional tour in Lille, France. 2000 - The Artist Formerly Known As Prince publicly states he will start using his name again. 2010 - Inspiring vocalist Ronnie James Dio passes away from stomach cancer. He was 67 years old. Releases Bill Haley and His Comets, “Rock Around the Clock” (single), 1954 The Who, Live at Leeds, 1970 Paul and Linda McCartney, Ram, 1971 Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On, 1971 Uriah Heep, Demons and Wizards, 1972 Elton John, Honky Château, 1972 Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1973 The Kinks, Soap Opera, 1975 Elton John, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, 1975 Rainbow, Rising, 1976 David Bowie, Lodger, 1979 Run-DMC, Raising Hell, 1986 Foo Fighters, The Colour and The Shape, 1997 John Fogerty, Blue Moon Swamp, 1997 Pearl Jam, Binaural, 2000 Motörhead, We Are Motörhead, 2000 The Go-Go's, God Bless the Go-Go's, 2001 Weezer, Weezer (aka The Green Album), 2001 Lynyrd Skynyrd, Vicious Cycle, 2003 Lenny Kravitz, Baptism, 2004 Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown, 2009 Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Apocalyptic Love, 2012 Births Brian Eno, May 15, 1948 Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen (Toto), May 15, 1951 Robert Fripp, May 16, 1946 Jonathan Richman, May 16, 1951 Krist Novoselic, May 16, 1965 Jesse Winchester, May 17, 1944 Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson), May 17, 1949 Steve Earle, May 17, 1955 Trent Reznor, May 17, 1965 Josh Homme, May 17, 1973 Rick Wakeman, May 18, 1949 Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), May 18, 1950 Pete Townshend, May 19, 1945 Dusty Hill (ZZ Top), May 19, 1949 Joey Ramone, May 19, 1951 Deaths Bob Flanigan, May 15, 2011 Django Reinhardt, May 16, 1953 Sammy Davis, Jr, May 16, 1990 Ronnie James Dio, May 16, 2010 Johnny “Guitar” Watson, May 17, 1996 Donna Summer, May 17, 2012 Elvin Jones, May 18, 2004 MAY 20th -27th Memorable events occurred during this week in rock and roll history. The Rolling Stones appeared on TV with one of their blues idols, David Bowie presented Mott the Hoople with a glam-rock anthem, and a classic rock band from the ‘70s reunited following a 14-year hiatus. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1957 -- The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) is established. The organization quickly becomes known for their Grammy Awards, which kicks off the following year. 1965 -- The Rolling Stones share the stage with Howlin' Wolf on the TV show, Shindig!, as Wolf performs one of his blues classics, "How Many More Years." 1966 -- The Doors perform their first show in a public venue, playing at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood. 1968 -- Cream's Disraeli Gears album is certified gold. 1969 -- The Guess Who make their American television debut, appearing on American Bandstand and lip-synching the hits "These Eyes" and "Laughing.” 1970 – Peter Green makes his last appearance as a member of Fleetwood Mac, performing with the band at the Bath Festival in England. 1971 -- The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album begins a four-week run atop the U.S. album charts. 1971 – The pioneering psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly breaks up. 1972 -- David Bowie, upon learning that Mott The Hoople is planning to break up, offers the band a song he just wrote called “All the Young Dudes.” The song revives the group’s career and goes on to become a glam-rock anthem. 1973 -- Deep Purple releases "Smoke on the Water." 1975 -- Earth, Wind & Fire's soon-to-be-classic R&B hit, "Shining Star,” tops the U.S. singles chart. 1976 -- Wings begin a five week run at Number One slot on the U.S. singles chart with “Silly Love Songs.” The song is fifth Number One U.S. hit penned by Paul McCartney since the breakup of The Beatles. 1977 – Future Police members Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers perform together for the first time, taking the stage in Paris as part of the band Strontium 90. 1977 -- Marc Bolan performs his last show with T. Rex, staging a concert in Stockholm, Sweden. Tragically, the glam-rock icon dies later that year in an automobile accident. 1979 -- The Who's acclaimed film documentary, The Kids Are Alright, makes its debut in New York City. 1986 -- The Monkees, without Mike Nesmith, kick off their "20th Anniversary World Tour." The ambitious trek stretches to 145 dates. 1987 -- The original members of the Doobie Brothers—including singer-guitarist Tom Johnson--reunite for a benefit show at the Hollywood Bowl. The event leads to a full-scale reunion tour. 1994 – The Eagles perform their first concert in fourteen years, staging a show in Burbank, California. 2006 – Led Zeppelin are awarded the Polar Music Prize during a ceremony on Stockholm. The award is presented by the King of Sweden. 2010 – The much-trumpeted re-release of the Rolling Stones’ 1972 classic, Exile on Main Street, provides the band with their first Number One album in the UK in sixteen years. Releases 1963 – Bob Dylan: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan 1967 – The Mothers of Invention: Absolutely Free 1967 – The Monkees: Headquarters 1968 – Johnny Cash: At Folsum Prison 1969 – The Who: Tommy 1971 – Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On 1971 – Graham Nash: Songs for Beginners 1971 – Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells a Story 1972 – Peter Frampton: Wind of Change 1973 – Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells 1974 – David Bowie: Diamond Dogs 1974 – Sparks: Kimono My House 1974 – Santana: Lotus 1974 – 10cc: Sheet Music 1975 – Wings: Venus and Mars 1975 – Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger 1977 – Steve Miller Band: Book of Dreams 1978 – David Gilmour: David Gilmour 1978 – Cheap Trick: Heaven Tonight 1979 – Kiss: Dynasty 1980 – Peter Gabriel: Peter Gabriel (i.e. “Melt,” his third album) 1980 – Roxy Music: Flesh and Blood 1982 – Blondie: The Hunter 1982 – Glenn Frey: No Fun Aloud 1983 – Dio: Holy Diver 1986 – Laurie Anderson: Home of the Brave 1988 – Van Halen: OU812 1989 – Queen: The Miracle 1989 – Tin Machine: Tin Machine 1990 – The Jeff Healey Band: Hell to Pay 1991 – The Smashing Pumpkins: Gish 1992 – Ringo Starr: Time Takes Time 1993 – Donald Fagen: Kamakiriad 1994 – Frank Black: Teenager of the Year 1995 – Everclear: Sparkle and Fade 2000 – Matchbox Twenty: Mad Season 2004 – The Cardigans: Long Gone Before Daylight 2005 – Audioslave: Out of Exile 2005 – Shelby Lynne: Suit Yourself 2006 – Def Leppard: Yeah! 2006 – Dixie Chicks: Taking the Long Way Births Joe Cocker, May 20, 1944Leo Sayer, May 21, 1948 Marc Ribot, May 21, 1954 Miles Davis – May 26, 1926 Robert Moog – May 23, 1934 Bob Dylan – May 24, 1941 Jessi Colter – May 25, 1943 Levon Helm – May 26, 1943 Verden Allen (Mott the Hoople) – May 26, 1944 Steve Upton (Wishbone Ash) – May 24, 1946 Mick Ronson – May 26, 1946 Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult) – May 24, 1947 Klaus Meine (Scorpions) – May 25, 1948 Stevie Nicks – May 26, 1948 Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship) – May 27, 1948 Hank Williams Jr. – May 26, 1949 Bernie Taupin – May 22, 1950 Neil Finn (Crowded House) – May 27, 1956 Susan Ballion (Siouxsie Sioux) – May 27, 1957 Paul Weller – May 25, 1958 Neil Finn (Crowded House) – May 27, 1958 (Steven) Morrissey – May 22, 1959 Lenny Kravitz – May 26, 1964 Sean Kinney (Alice In Chains) – May 27, 1966 Rich Robinson – May 24, 1969 Jewel (Kilcher) – May 23, 1974 Deaths Robin Gibb, May 20, 2012 Ray Manzarek, May 20, 2013 Trevor Bolder, May 21, 2013 Elmore James – May 24, 1963 Sonny Boy Williamson – May 25, 1965 Duke Ellington – May 24, 1974 Gene Clark (The Byrds) – May 24, 1991 Eric Gale – May 25, 1994 Domenic Troiano (The Guess Who) – May 25, 2005 Desmond Dekker – May 25, 2006 Jay Bennett (Wilco) – May 24, 2009 Paul Gray (Slipknot) – May 24, 2010 -HC- ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

by Anne Erickson Whether you’re sweating through the boiling temps at Lollapalooza, fist-pumping at Mayhem Festival or rocking out at any of a bazillion festivals around the world this summer, festival preparation is crucial to having a good time. Here are 5 Tips for Summer Music Festival Survival that are appropriate for festival newbies and vets alike. The basics: Sunblock, portable cell-phone charger, earplugs. These are the bare essentials for surviving the day (or days). If you’re one of those people who claims to “tan instead of burn,” that’s not going to fly at an all-day summer show. Put sunblock on repeatedly throughout the day to avoid turning into a walking tomato. A portable cell-phone charger will keep you connected all day. Earplugs, no matter how un-hip, will save your ears in the long run. Just do it. Don’t pass out. Water, water everywhere. Avoid being one of those guys or gals that gets dragged out of the festival by security for passing out in the middle of the mosh pit. Drink lots of water, all day, even if you have to splurge on the pricey onsite bottled variety. Also, remember that drinking alcohol all day will only dehydrate you more. Bring toilet paper…and hand sanitizer. It’s not the most glamorous essential, but it’s important. Whether there is toilet paper at the festival porta-potty station or not is always a gamble. Remain on the safe side with a pack of toilet tissue or flushable wipes. The same goes for hand sanitizer; keep those mittens clean all day with a small bottle tucked away. Avoid wackos. Music festivals can bring out the best, and worst, in people. For the latter, it usually involves those who are drinking way too much alcohol in a massive crowd of people, many of them acting like morons. Go with friends and look out for each other. Having to babysit compromised friends isn’t a great way to spend the day, but it might be necessary. Likewise, if you sense any out-of-control types in your vicinity, move to safe territory. Ladies, always beware of the creepy guys who want to get too friendly with you, too. Plan, plan and plan. Think about logistics. Get there early, or else you run the risk of being stuck in standstill traffic for hours while latecomers trickle into the venue. When you’re faced with multiple stages and different bands performing at the same set times, do some planning to get to the right stage at the right time. Once you have your “A-list” of bands to see, don’t be ashamed to bring it on an old-fashioned piece of paper, in case cell-phone reception is spotty. Oh, yeah—and don’t forget to have fun! After all, that’s the whole point. -HC- Photo Courtesy: Rad Season Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Anne Erickson Week of May 1st - 6th May's arrived, and with it comes a collection of memorable rock events that happened during the first week of May. From birth of Bob Seger to the release of Johnny Cash’s great song “I Walk the Line," keep reading for some major events, historic record releases and notable births and deaths happening May 1 – 6. Events 1957 - The Kingston Trio get together in Palo Alto, California. 1959 - The first Grammy Awards are held in Los Angeles. 1966 – The Beatles perform their last ever concert (not including their Apple Records rooftop performance in 1969) in England when they play at a gig put on by the New Musical Express. 1968 - Steppenwolf rocks the U.S. TV airwaves for the first time, performing “Born to Be Wild” on American Bandstand. 1970 – Diana Ross exits The Supremes to focus on her solo music. 1982 - Adam and the Ants break up. 1982 - Diana Ross gets her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 1991 – MTV Unplugged, for the first time, has rap acts on the show with LL Cool J, De La Soul, MC Lyte and A Tribe Called Quest. 1991 - Texas Governor Ann Richards declares May 4 ZZ Top day in Texas. 1997 - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame moves its induction ceremony to Cleveland for the first time, home to the Rock Hall. Releases Johnny Cash, I Walk The Line, 1956 Elvis Presley, Speedway, 1968 The Rolling Stones, Brown Sugar, 1971 (U.S.) Sum 41, All Killer, No Filler, 2001 Living Colour, Vivid, 1988 Queensrÿche, Operation: Mindcrime, 1988 Poison, Open Up and Say...Ahh!, 1988 Deaths Hugo Peretti, May 1, 1986 Sergio Franchi, May 1, 1990 Otis Blackwell, May 6, 2002 Donald "Ean" Evans (Lynyrd Skynyrd), May 6, 2009 Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beastie Boys), May 4, 2012 Births Johnny Colt (The Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd), May 1, 1966 Tim McGraw, May 1, 1967 D'Arcy Wretsky-Brown (The Smashing Pumpkins), May 1, 1968 Bob Henrit (The Kinks, Argent), May 2, 1944 Goldy McJohn (Steppenwolf), May 2, 1945 Lou Gramm (Foreigner), May 2, 1950 John Glascock (Jethro Tull), May 2, 1951 Bing Crosby, May 3, 1903 Pete Seeger (The Weavers), May 3, 1919 James Brown, May 3, 1933 Frankie Valli (The Four Seasons), May 3, 1937 Bruce Hall (REO Speedwagon), May 3, 1953 Mick Mars (Motley Crue), May 4, 1951 Randy Travis, May 4, 1959 Gary Holt (Exodus), May 4, 1959 Gregg Alexander (The New Radicals), May 4, 1970 Mike Dirnt (bass player Green Day), May 4, 1972 Chris Tomlin, May 4, 1972 Lance Bass ('N Sync), May 4, 1979 Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), May 5, 1948 Ian McCulloch (Echo & the Bunnymen), May 5, 1959 Kevin Mooney (Adam and the Ants), May 5, 1962 Adele, May 5, 1988 Chris Brown, May 5, 1989 Bob Seger, May 6, 1945 Mark Bryan (Hootie & the Blowfish), May 6, 1967 Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), May 6, 1971 Week of May 7th - 12th This week in rock music history was marked by abundance of significant events. “The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” recorded their very first single, England’s most influential punk band signed a record contract, and a beloved ‘60s pop band kicked off their final reunion tour. A trove of classic albums was released as well, including landmark records by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Heart and Frank Zappa. Read on for a look back at other noteworthy moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1963 – The Rolling Stones record their first single, a cover version of Chuck Berry’s “Come On.” 1965 – The Byrds appear on American television for the first time, performing their cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” on NBC’s “Hullabaloo.” 1967 – Pink Floyd stages the first rock concert to feature quadraphonic sound, employing the technology for a show at Queen Elizabeth Hall in England. 1972 – Billy Preston headlines New York’s Radio City Music Hall, becoming the first rock and roll artist to do so. 1974 – Led Zeppelin launch their own record label, Swan Song Records. Bad Company and Dave Edmonds are among the label’s highest-profile artists. The label shuts down in 1983. 1975 – Apple Records officially comes to an end as a corporation. 1977 – The Sex Pistols ink a record deal with Virgin Records. The group had previously been signed—and dropped—by the labels EMI and A&M. Their deal with Virgin yields the punk classic, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols. 1985 – The Go-Go’s announce they are breaking up. Five years later the classic lineup reunites for several shows. 1993 – Aerosmith enter the U.S. album charts at the Number One spot, with Get a Grip. The album goes on to sell more than 20 million copies and earns the band two Grammys. 2006 – The Rolling Stones cancel an upcoming European tour when Keith Richards undergoes emergency brain surgery. The Stones guitarist had suffered a mild concussion after falling out of a tree while on vacation in Fiji. 2011 – The Monkees, sans Michael Nesmith, kick off a 45th Anniversary tour in Liverpool, England. The trek becomes their final reunion tour, as singer Davy Jones passes away the following year. Releases 1966 – Small Faces: Small Faces 1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced 1969 – Muddy Waters: After the Rain 1969 – Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 1970 -- The Jackson 5: ABC 1970 – The Beatles: Let It Be 1970 – Various: Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More 1971 -- Pink Floyd: Relics 1972 – The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street 1973 – Wishbone Ash: Wishbone Four 1974 – New York Dolls: Too Much Too Soon 1974 – Bill Wyman: Monkey Grip 1974 – The Kinks: Preservation Act 2 1975 – Hawkwind: Warrior on the Edge of Time 1977 – Roger Daltrey: One of the Boys 1977 – Heart: Little Queen 1980 – Elton John: 21 at 33 1980 – Devo: Freedom of Choice 1981 – Frank Zappa: Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar 1982 – Duran: Rio 1982 – The Clash: Combat Rock 1984 – Twisted Sister: Stay Hungry 1984 – Chicago: Chicago 17 1985 – New Order: Low-Life 1985 – Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms 1988 – Prince: Lovesexy 1989 – John Mellencamp: Big Daddy 1990 – The Bangles: Greatest Hits 1991 – Elvis Costello: Mighty Like a Rose 1992 – Iron Maiden: Fear of the Dark 1992 – The Black Crowes: The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion 1993 – Blur: Modern Life is Rubbish 1994 – Sonic Youth: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star 1994 – Weezer: Weezer (aka “The Blue Album”) 1996 – Def Leppard: Slang 1996 – Peter Wolf: Long Line 1998 – Widespread Panic: Light Fuse, Get Away 2000 – The Jayhawks: Smile 2001 – The Black Crowes: Lions 2001 – R.E.M.: Reveal 2002 – Rush: Vapor Trails 2003 – Fall Out Boy: Take This to Your Grave 2003 – Marilyn Manson: The Golden Age of Grotesque 2005 – Dave Matthews Band: Stand Up 2006 – Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium 2006 – The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers 2006 – Neil Young: Living with War 2010 – The Dead Weather: Sea of Cowards 2014 – The Black Keys: Turn Blue Deaths Martin Lamble (Fairport Convention) – May 12, 1969 Graham Bond – May 8, 1974 Lester Flatt – May 11, 1979 Bob Marley – May 11, 1981 Noel Redding – May 11, 2003 Ed Gagliardi (Foreigner) – May 11, 2014 Births Robert Johnson – May 8, 1911 Burt Bacharach – May 12, 1928 Bobby Darin – May 14, 1936 Sonny Curtis (The Crickets) – May 9, 1937 Ricky Nelson – May 8, 1940 Eric Burdon – May 11, 1941 Ian Dury – May 12, 1942 Danny Whitten (Crazy Horse) – May 8, 1943 Paul Samwell-Smith (The Yardbirds) – May 8, 1943 Bill Legend (T.Rex) – May 8, 1944 Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield) – May 9, 1944 Donavan Leitch – May 10, 1946 Graham Gouldman (10cc) – May 10, 1946 Dave Mason (Traffic) – May 10, 1947 Butch Trucks – May 11, 1947 Steve Winwood – May 12, 1948 Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick) – May 9, 1950 Billy Squier – May 12, 1950 Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire) – May 8, 1951 Chris Frantz (Talking Heads) – May 8, 1951 Sly Dunbar – May 10, 1952 Alex Van Halen – May 8, 1953 John Edwards (Status Quo) – May 9, 1953 Dave Mason – May 10, 1956 Sid Vicious – May 10, 1957 Eric Singer (Kiss) – May 12, 1958 Billy Dufy (The Cult) – May 12, 1959 Paul Hewson (aka Bono) – May 10, 1960 Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) – May 9, 1962 Joe Bonamassa – May 8, 1977 -HC- ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

by Anne Erickson Pop stars aren’t the only ones ruling the Twitter world. If you’re a fan of metal music and on Twitter, you’re in luck, as a bevy of metal royalty make noise on the social network. Here are 10 metal musicians to follow on Twitter. @Slash If you’re new to Twitter, the first thing you need to do is follow Slash. So, do it! The former Guns N’ Roses guitarist posts regular updates on Twitter, including photos from the road, news on new music, personal musings and updates on his horror film fetish. Another good reason to follow Slash on Twitter: Be the first to find out if he and Axl are going to put together a reunion of the original Guns N’ Roses lineup in 2016. Pretty please? Follow: @Slash @OzzyOsbourne So, what’s the best reason to follow Ozzy Osbourne on Twitter? The metal icon posts some fantastic throwback photos—we’re talking vintage Ozzy pics. Ozzy also tweets out updates on Black Sabbath, show announcements, behind-the-scenes photos, personal statements and more. It’s metal mayhem. Follow: @OzzyOsbourne @TonyIommi If you follow Ozzy Osbourne on Twitter, then you have to follow Tony Iommi, too. Among Iommi’s mélange of tweets is Black Sabbath news, a “thank you” for receiving the annual Les Paul Award at the Q Awards, backstage photos, charity work and more. Follow: @TonyIommi @RichieFaulkner When Richie Faulkner stepping into Judas Priest in 2011, he signed on as much more than just a touring guitarist—he became a full-fledged members of the band and helped write the band’s 2014 album, Redeemer of Souls. Faulkner breathed new life into Judas Priest, and his Twitter feed is packed with fiery photos from the road, interviews, plugs for his favorite gear (He’s a Gibson Flying V player, of course) and more. He’s very in touch with his fans and constantly RTs them. Follow: @RichieFaulkner @KirkHammett Metallica’s Kirk Hammett is a fun one to follow on Twitter. Hammett uses the social network to promote his friends (Corey Taylor and Scott Ian got recent shout-outs), profess his love for Halloween and all things horror and dish on Metallica news. He tweets out plenty of random photos, to boot. Following Hammett will surely spice up your Twitter feed. Follow: @KirkHammett @MatthewkHeafy Trivium singer and guitarist Matthew Heafy is a fun one to follow on Twitter. Not only is Heafy a consistent tweeter with a mix of professional and person posts, but he’s mega-interactive with his followers. He does plenty of RTing and replying to fans, plus interactive with Trivium supporters. Follow: @MatthewkHeafy @RealAliceCooper When you need your metal fix on Twitter, look no further than Alice Cooper. The shock rocker sprinkles his Twitter feed with throwback photos, show announcements, Coop-approved articles and more scary fun. He’s not the most regular tweeter, but still worth following. Follow: @RealAliceCooper @DaveMustaine Whether or not you agree with his beliefs, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine always has something to say. That desire to share his thoughts on everything from music to politics makes Mustaine a perfect candidate for Twitter. He’s is constantly on Twitter, and he’s interactive, tweeting and responding to fans’ questions, Megadeth rumors and much more. Follow: @DaveMustaine @MissScabbia Lacuna Coil frontwoman Cristina Scabbia has been on Twitter more than six years, so at this point, she’s something of a Twitter expert. Scabbia keeps fans posted on Twitter with album updates, show news, Instagram photos, personal musings and more. She’s also tight with fans and RTs often. Follow: @MissScabbia @GeneSimmons Kiss’ Gene Simmons likes to rock ‘n’ roll all night and party every day on Twitter. Simmons is all about Twitter, posting several times a day and promoting everything from Kiss news to his daughter Sophie Simmons’ music. There’s truly never a dull moment when you’re plugged into Simmons’ Twitter. Follow: @GeneSimmons -HC- Photos by Anne Erickson Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Team HC April 15th -21th This was a week of memorable events in rock and roll history. An iconic alternative-rock band performed in public for the first time, sessions for a landmark ‘70s album began in San Francisco, and an unlikely rock opera (not by The Who) opened on Broadway. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1951 – Les Paul and Mary Ford’s “How High the Moon” hits Number One. 1963 – The Beatles and The Rolling Stones meet for the first time, at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, Surrey. 1965 -- The legendary “T.A.M.I. Show” film opens in London under the title “Teenage Command Performance.” The film features The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, James Brown, the Four Tops and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. 1967 – The Beatles wrap up recording sessions for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. 1968 – Deep Purple make their debut stage appearance, in Kastrup, Denmark. 1969 – The Who perform Tommy in its entirety for the first time, at a show in Dolton, England. 1969 – John Lennon officially changes his full name from John Winston Lennon to John Winston Ono Lennon. 1969 -- The Band perform their first solo concert, staging a show in San Francisco, California. 1970 – Elton John makes his solo stage debut, opening for Spooky Tooth, T.Rex and Jackie Lomax at The Roundhouse in London. 1970 – Santana begin sessions for their breakthrough album, Abraxas. Upon its release in September, the album tops the U.S. album charts. 1971 – Three Dog Night’s recording of “Joy to the World” hits the Number One spot, where it remains for six weeks. 1973 – The original Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies album hits the Number One spot in the U.S. 1975 -- Alice Cooper’s first TV special, “Welcome to My Nightmare: The Making of a Record Album,” airs on network television in America. 1978 – Bob Marley appears as headliner at the One Love Peace Concert in Jamaica. It’s the reggae legend’s first public appearance in his home country since the attempt on his life two years earlier. 1980 – R.E.M. perform their first show under the name R.E.M., at a small, unlicensed venue in Athens, Georgia. 1981 – Prog-rockers Yes disband temporarily when Chris Squire and Alan White leave to begin rehearsing with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. The intended “supergroup” fails to materialize, however, and Yes later reforms to release the hugely successful 90125 album. 1990 – In Rio de Janeiro, a record crowd of 184,000 turn out to see the final show of Paul McCartney’s 330-city tour. 1991 – Small Faces and Humble Pie frontman Steve Marriott dies tragically, when a fire sweeps through his home in Arkesden, Essex. He is just 44 years old. 2010 – Green Day’s “American Idiot” rock opera opens on Broadway, one year after its debut at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. 2015 – Ringo Starr becomes the last of The Beatles to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. Releases 1957 -- Ricky Nelson: “I’m Walkin’” (single) 1965 -- The Beatles: “Ticket to Ride” (single) 1966 -- The Troggs: “Wild Thing” (single) 1968 -- The Zombies: Odessey and Oracle 1970 – Paul McCartney: McCartney 1970 -- Jethro Tull: Benefit 1971 -- The Doors: L.A. Woman 1971 -- The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers 1973 – Eagles: Desparado 1974 – Robin Trower: Bridge of Sighs 1975 -- ZZ Top: Fandango! 1976 – The Rolling Stones: Black and Blue 1976 -- The Ramones: Ramones 1980 -- Pete Townshend: Empty Glass 1982 – Laurie Anderson: Big Science 1985 – Prince: Around the World in a Day 1988 – The Jesus and Mary Chain: Barbed Wire Kisses 1989 – Pixies: Doolittle 1993 – Shania Twain: Shania Twain 1993 – Aerosmith: Get a Grip 1998 -- Jimmy Page and Robert Plant: Walking Into Clarksdale 2002 – Paul Westerberg: Stereo 2002 – Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Deaths Skip Spence – April 16, 1999 Joey Ramone – April 15, 2001 Eddie Cochran – April 17, 1960 Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) -- April 21, 1978 Felix Pappalardi – April 17, 1983 Steve Marriott -- April 20, 1991 Johnny Shines -- April 20, 1992 Bernard Edwards (Chic) -- April 18, 1996 Linda McCartney – April 17, 1998 Earl King – April 17, 2003 Nina Simone -- April 21, 2003 Danny Federici (E Street Band) – April 17, 2008 Levon Helm -- April 19, 2012 Storm Thorgerson (album designer) -- April 18, 2013 Births Dave Edmonds – April 15, 1944 Henry Mancini – April 16, 1924 Dusty Springfield – April 16, 1939 Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep) – April 16, 1947 Peter Garrett (Midnight Oil) – April 16, 1953 Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum) – April 16, 1964 Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown -- April 18, 1924 Don Kirshner – April 17, 1934 Paul Rothchild (Producer) -- April 18, 1935 Skip Spence -- April 18, 1946 Iggy Pop -- April 21, 1947 Jan Hammer – April 17, 1948 Paul Davis -- April 21, 1948 Luther Vandross -- April 20, 1951 Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks) – April 17, 1955 Robert Smith (The Cure) - April 21, 1959 Liz Phair – April 17, 1967 April 22th -28th From the births of Ace Frehley and Kim Gordon to the release of 1976 - AC/DC’s High Voltage, the final week of April is packed with rock ‘n’ roll history and nostalgia. Read on for some major events, historic record releases and births and deaths. Events 1969 - Led Zeppelin performed “Whole Lotta Love” live for the first time. It was at a concert at The Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. 1975 - Pete Ham of Badfinger commits suicide by hanging himself in his London home. 1973 - Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of The Moon went to No. 1 on the U.S. charts. 1977 - The final live recordings of Elvis Presley to be released were done during a performance in Saginaw, Michigan. 1977 - Talking Heads starts their first European tour, opening for the Ramones. 1978 - Queen's "We Are the Champions" is certified Gold. 1991 – Nirvana inks a record deal with Geffen Records’ DGC label. 1997 - U2’s famed Pop Mart Tour kicked off in Las Vegas. Releases 1969 – The Moody Blues: On the Threshold of a Dream 1970 - Ringo Starr: Sentimental Journey 1971 - Thin Lizzy: Thin Lizzy 1973 - Paul McCartney and Wings: Red Rose Speedway 1974 - J.J. Cale: Okie 1976 - AC/DC: High Voltage 1977 - Alice Cooper: Lace and Whiskey 1980 - Black Sabbath: Heaven and Hell 1981 - Van Halen: Fair Warning 1985 – Exodus: Bonded by Blood 1989 - Tom Petty: Full Moon Fever 1993 - Porno for Pyros: Porno for Pyros 1994 - Johnny Cash: American Recordings 1994 - Live: Throwing Copper 1996 - Dave Matthews Band: Crash 1998 - Dave Matthews Band: Before These Crowded Streets 2000 – Papa Roach: Infest 2004 - Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose 2005 - Bruce Springsteen: Devils & Dust 2008 - Def Leppard: Songs from the Sparkle Lounge 2009 - Halestorm: Halestorm 2010 - Bullet for My Valentine: Fever 2015 - Zac Brown Band: Jekyll + Hyde Deaths Richie Havens -- April 22, 2013 Johnny Thunders -- April 23, 1991 Pete Ham – April 24, 1975 Bobby "Boris" Pickett – April 25, 2007 Tommy Caldwell - April 28, 1980 Steve Currie - April 28, 1981 Jack Ely - April 28, 2015 Births Glen Campbell -- April 22, 1936 Peter Frampton -- April 22, 1950 Paul Carrack -- April 22, 1951 Roy Orbison -- April 23, 1936 Steve Clark (Def Leppard) -- April 23, 1960 Barbra Streisand – April 24, 1942 Steve York – April 24, 1948 Boris Williams – April 24, 1957 Billy Gould – April 24, 1963 Tyson Ritter – April 24, 1984 Ella Fitzgerald - April 25, 1918 Albert King - April 25, 1923 Stu Cook – April 25, 1945 David Sikes – April 25, 1955 Paul Baloff – April 25, 1960 Eric Avery – April 25, 1965 Duane Eddy - April 26, 1938 Kate Pierson - April 27, 1948 Kim Gordon - April 28, 1953 Francis Rossi - April 29, 1949 Lonnie Donegan - April 29, 1931 Willie Nelson - April 29, 1933 Ace Frehley - April 27, 1951 Patrick Stump - April 27, 1984 -HC- ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

Slash - 10 Things You May Not Know Is he a metal head conspirator? by Anne Erickson Over the decades, Slash has weathered the rock ‘n’ roll storm, going from playing lead guitar in one of the biggest rock bands of all time, Guns N’ Roses, to forging ahead with his solo work, backed by Myles Kennedy (of Alter Bridge) and the Conspirators. In this feature, we unearthed the Les Paul player’s interviews from years past to dig up 10 interesting tidbits. Aerosmith’s Rocks was a major part of his early years playing guitar. “I remember first hearing Rocks at a party I was at, and it immediately caught my attention,” Slash told Guitar World. “Then shortly after I started picking up guitar, I was exposed to it again and started listening to it over and over. It had this manic, punk rock attitude and a rhythm and blues sleaziness to it. There was something about that particular album that really hit a nerve with me. It was everything—the vocals, the bass and drums, Brad (Whitford) and Joe (Perry). Their sound really set me off in the direction I wanted to go.” He has an interest in reptiles. “I started with the whole reptile, dinosaur and monster fascination as far back as I can remember,” Slash told Reptiles Magazine. “When I was young and lived in London, I think that one of the biggest thrills that I had was going to Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace is a big park, and it had huge, life-size sculptures of dinosaurs. The figures they had, though, were completely anatomically incorrect. I kept going there and looking at the sculptures and was very much into that.” He stays current with music and is a fan of some newer rock and metal bands. “One of my favorite bands out there is Rival Sons. Another one is Monster Truck,” he told ArtistDirect.com. “They’re really good. Another one is from Australia—Airbourne. They’re very much like AC/DC. Gojira is just starting to make waves now. They are killer. There’s a band from L.A. called Hillbilly Herald. They’re one of the best live bands I’ve seen in recent memory.” He’s a huge metal head. “There’s a big metal influence that I’ve always had, (since) I was first turned on to Black Sabbath. I’ve always loved metal bands, this entire time they’ve just been making music with whatever resources they have and gaining a hard-core fan base,” he told The Independent. “Now that we’re in this place where everybody’s in a panic because the music business has turned completely upside down, they’re like, ‘Well we’re cool! We’ve been doing it our own way all along.’ To this day, the only thing in Rock n’ Roll that’s survived the test of the millennium has been metal.” What’s his favorite thing about rock music? Riffs. “Riffs have always been such a cool thing, one of the things I love most about rock and roll music,” he explains. “I think that’s the biggest thing, what influenced you and what excites you as a player. You have to be attuned to it. A great riff makes you feel something special inside when you’re playing it. Most great riffs have something within the rhythm that’s sexy, something you feel that makes it work for you.” He produces horror films on the side. “Everything about doing this is exciting to me, a lot because I've had a passion for movies, and especially horror movies, for as long as I can remember,” he told Rolling Stone. “So at this stage of the game, to have the opportunity to be able to produce horror movies is great, and to be hands-on behind the scenes and getting to finally be involved where you can influence the outcome of what the picture is gonna be and what it's gonna look like is very exciting.” When it comes to his band the Conspirators, he takes the jam band approach. “We’ve always had a collective like-mindedness. Everybody just wants to play,” he told The Independent. “There’s nothing else that we really concern ourselves with, we just like jamming. When we get together and work, we work really hard, but you don’t even realize. Whatever ideas come, everyone’s very enthusiastic about trying to figure out their own version or their own interpretation. We’re just having such a good time and we’re all on the same page.” The scariest movie he’s ever seen is Night of the Living Dead. “The most scared I've been in a movie that I can remember was when I was a kid and I saw Night of the Living Dead in the backseat of my mom's Volkswagen at a drive-in,” Slash told Rolling Stone. “I was like seven or eight years old, and it was a double feature with the Exorcist. And the Exorcist, because I love monsters and those kind of practical effects, I was more fascinated and developed a crush on Linda Blair. But Night of the Living Dead was a very ominous, haunting and brutal movie, and I remember specific scenes that have stayed with me all these years. Since then I'm more fascinated in – I love creepy stuff. I don't go for psycho movies or people that run around killing each other.” He has a deep appreciation for vinyl. “Being a musician, it’s important to me how a record sounds, how it’s packaged, how you can make it more personable,” Slash told Bundle.Media. “I grew up in the age of vinyl, which is a huge contrast to what it feels like to purchase an album now and what that felt like as a fan, from sonic quality to artwork. Now the packaging is gone and people are recording from their laptops and their phones. It’s drastically changed and become much more convenient and immediate, but it’s become faceless at the same time. I’m excited to see how this changes in the future.” He favors individual expression over technique in guitar playing. “A lot of players in my neighborhood—in West Hollywood—or who I was hearing in clubs at that time, were losing the vocal aspect of lead guitar playing,” he explains. “I just stuck to what I had always dug about lead playing, which was never about technique as a goal. It was about the individuality of the guys I had grown up listening to, the fact that each had his own personality. I never jumped on that bandwagon of trying to out-flash the next guy.” Photos by Anne Erickson ________________________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Team HC April 1st - 7th The start of April brought everything from the debut release for‘80s rockers Whitesnake to the untimely death of Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley. It doesn’t stop there. Keep reading for some major events, historic record releases and notable births and deaths happening April 1 through April 7. Events 1956 - Elvis Presley performs "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Blue Suede Shoes" on Milton Berle's NBC-TV show. 1960 - The Everly Brothers have their British concert debut. 1964 - "The Times They Are a Changin'" scores Bob Dylan his first hit on the UK singles chart. 1964 - The Beatles snag five spots on the singles charts with their songs “Twist and Shout,” "Can't Buy Me Love," "She Loves You," "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me." 1965 - The Beach Boys work in the studio, recording the instrumentals for "California Girls." 1968 - Pink Floyd announce that original member Syd Barrett has left the band due to having psychiatric disorders worsened by using drugs. 1970 -Paul McCartney exits the Beatles. 1993 - Construction begins on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. 1994 - Kurt Cobain of Nirvana commits suicide by shooting himself with a shotgun at the age of 27. 2008 - Apple becomes the No. 1 music seller in the United States. Births Jeff Porcaro, April 1, 1954 Marvin Gaye, April 2, 1939 Emmylou Harris, April 2, 1947 Leon Wilkeson, April 2, 1952 David Robinson, April 2, 1953 Richard Manuel (lead singer of The Band), April 3, 1943 Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), April 3, 1968 Drew Shirley (Switchfoot), April 3, 1974 Muddy Waters, April 4, 1915 Clive Davis, April 4, 1934 Berry Oakley (The Allman Brothers Band), April 4, 1948 Pick Withers (Dire Straits), April 4, 1958 Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy), April 4, 1952 Craig Adams (The Cult), April 4, 1962 Mike Starr (Alice in Chains), April 4, 1966 Tony Williams (The Platters), April 5, 1928 Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) April 5, 1965 Pharrell Williams, April 5, 1973 Merle Haggard, April 6, 1937 Michelle Phillips (The Mamas & the Papas), April 6, 1944 Billie Holiday, April 7, 1915 Mick Abrahams (Jethro Tull), April 7, 1943 Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), April 7, 1946 John Oates (Hall & Oates), April 7, 1949 Deaths Marvin Gaye, April 1, 1984 Buddy Rich, April 2, 1987 Danny Rapp (Danny & the Juniors), April 3, 1983 Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), April 5, 1994 Layne Staley, (Alice in Chains), April 5, 2002 Cozy Powell (ELP, Black Sabbath, Rainbow), April 5, 1998 Tammy Wynette, April 6, 1998 Releases Elton John, 11-17-70, 1971 David Bowie, Drive-In Saturday, 1973 Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic, 1975 Prince, For You, 1978 Rick James, Street Songs, 1981 Whitesnake, Whitesnake LP, 1987 The Offspring, Smash, 1994 KISS, Greatest Kiss, 1997 April 8 - 14 This week in rock music history was marked by abundance of significant events. One of the songs that launched rock and roll was recorded, one of contemporary music’s greatest bands announced their breakup, and, sadly, an R&B/funk giant performed his final show. A trove of classic albums was released as well, including landmark records by David Bowie, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Cult. Read on for a look back at other noteworthy moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1954 – Bill Haley records “Rock Around the Clock.” A world-wide smash, the recording eventually achieves sales of 25 million. 1957 – Ricky Nelson performs his debut single, “I’m Walkin’,” on the TV show “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” effectively launching his music career at age 16. 1961 – Bob Dylan performs his first New York City live gig, opening for John Lee Hooker at Gerde’s Folk City. 1966 – Buffalo Springfield make their live debut, performing at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. 1967 – Marvin Gaye records his version of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” 1968 – Janis Joplin makes her first American TV appearance, performing on “The Hollywood Palace” with Big Brother & the Holding Company. 1969 – The 5th Dimension’s recording of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” tops the charts and remains in that spot for six weeks. 1970 – Paul McCartney issues a press release announcing the breakup of the Beatles. It later comes to light that John Lennon had decided to leave the Beatles much earlier than McCartney, but had kept his intentions secret from the press. 1970 – The Beatles’ Let It Be album tops the U.S. charts. 1970 – Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” is certified gold in the U.S. 1972 – Electric Light Orchestra make their live debut, performing at the Fox and Greyhound Pub in Croydon, England. 1975 – Ronnie Wood is announced as the replacement for recently departed Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor. 1976 – Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive! album hits #1 on the U.S. charts. It goes on to occupy the top spot for 10 non-consecutive weeks, and remains on the chart for a total of 97 weeks. 1973 – Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy album is certified gold. 1979 – Mickey Thomas—previously best known as the lead vocalist on Elvin Bishop’s “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”—becomes the new lead singer for Jefferson Starship. 1994 – More than 5,000 people attend a memorial service for Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, held at the Seattle Flag Pavilion. 1994 – Oasis release their first single, “Supersonic.” 2002 – S.C. governor James Hodges declares singer James Brown the state’s “Godfather of Soul.” 2009 – Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” is determined to be the most-played song in public places during the past 75 years, according to BBC Radio 2. Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” comes in at Number Two. 2014 – REM’s Michael Stipe inducts Nirvana into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Stipe’s comments include the observation that Nirvana “spoke truth and a lot of people listened.” 2016 – Prince stages his final show, performing at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The last song he performs is “Purple Rain.” Births Steve Howe (Yes), April 8, 1947 Izzy Stradlin (Guns N' Roses), April 8, 1962 Kevin Martin (Candlebox), April 9, 1969 Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), April 9, 1977 Loretta Lynn – April 14, 1935 Herbie Hancock – April 12, 1940 John Kay (Steppenwolf) – April 12, 1944 Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane) – April 13, 1944 Lowell George – April 13, 1945 Ritchie Blackmore – April 14, 1945 Al Green – April 13, 1946 Bunny Livingston – April 10, 1947 Fred Smith (Television) – April 10, 1948 June Millington (Fanny) – April 14, 1949 Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic) – April 10, 1950 David Cassidy – April 12, 1950 Max Weinberg – April 13, 1951 Jimmy Destri (Blondie) – April 13, 1954 Vince Gill – April 12, 1957 Stuart Adamson (Big Country) – April 11, 1958 Brian Setzer – April 10, 1959 Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) – April 12, 1964 Deaths Little Eva – April 10, 2003 Stuart Sutcliff – April 10, 1962 Josephine Baker – April 12, 1975 Sam Kinison – April 10, 1992 Anthony Newley – April 14, 1999 Ritchie Cordell – April 13, 2004 Johnnie Johnson – April 13, 2005 June Pointer – April 11, 2006 Mississippi Slim – April 14, 2010 Jesse Winchester – April 11, 2014 Percy Sledge – April 14, 2015 Releases 1970 – Elton John: Elton John 1972 – Raspberries: Raspberries 1972 – Creedence Clearwater Revival: Mardi Gras 1972 – Stephen Stills and Manassas: Manassas 1973 – The J. Geils Band: Bloodshot 1973 – David Bowie: Aladdin Sane 1973 – Bob Marley & The Wailers: Catch a Fire 1974 – Lynyrd Skynyrd: Second Helping 1975 – The Beach Boys: Spirit of America 1976 – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: Live Bullet 1978 – Various Artists: Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture 1979 – Thin Lizzy: Black Rose: A Rock Legend 1980 – Judas Priest: British Steel 1980 – Iron Maiden: Iron Maiden 1981 – Public Image Ltd.: The Flowers of Romance 1982 – John Cougar: American Fool 1982 – Van Halen: Diver Down 1983 – R.E.M.: Murmur 1983 – David Bowie: Let's Dance 1984 – Rush: Grace Under Pressure 1987 – Fleetwood Mac: Tango in the Night 1988 – Iron Maiden: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 1988 – Neil Young and the Bluenotes: This Note's for You 1988 – Cheap Trick: Lap of Luxury 1989 – The Cult: Sonic Temple 1989 – Garth Brooks: Garth Brooks 1990 – Lou Reed and John Cale: Songs for Drella 1991 – Temple of the Dog: Temple of the Dog 1994 – Hole: Live Through This 1998 – Widespread Panic: Light Fuse, Get Away 1999 – Shelby Lynne: I Am Shelby Lynne 2002 – Sheryl Crow: C'mon C'mon 2003 – ZZ Top: Mescalero 2003 – Fleetwood Mac: Say You Will -HC- ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

by Anne Erickson With video cameras and video editing software so accessible today, a lot of bands are opting to make their own music videos, especially when money is right. Posting a DIY music video on YouTube can be a choice vehicle to get your music heard. If you’re looking to DIY your next music video, here are some tips to get started. Find the tools What video equipment will you use for filming? Your options are endless. Some bands and musicians have shot great videos using just an iPhone or Android. You can also opt for a camcorder, point-and-shoot or SLR with video capabilities. The good news here is that audio isn’t a factor, because you’re just going to add your song to replace the audio of your footage. You’ll also need a laptop or PC with some video editing software to produce the video. Get a video concept What kind of video do you want to create? A live performance music video is fairly straight-forward, while a storytelling clip might involve some acting and shooting in multiple locations. Before you push “record,” decide on a solid concept for your music video, as well as filming locations. It will save you time during the filming process. Start filming Get set up in an area with good lighting. Make sure the footage doesn’t have any areas that are too shadowy or extremely bright. Also, make sure your phone or camera is on a flat surface, such as a tripod, to avoid jittery filming. If possible, set up multiple camera, so you have more footage to work with when you’re in the editing process. Edit the video Once you’ve shot the video, it’s time to edit. Download some video editing software onto your computer or laptop. Some free, basic options are Movie Maker for Windows or iMovie for Mac. Some more advanced programs include Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas and Corel VideoStudio. Splice in your video, and use your song as the audio track while muting or deleting the existing audio from your footage. You can make the editing process as simple or as complex as you want. Add effects and transitions, or keep it bare bones. Before you post the video, show it to family or friends to get their opinion. They might have some ideas to make it a better watch. Hello, world! Once you've the finished music video, you’re ready to post it for the world to watch. YouTube, of course, is the most popular video-sharing website and a great place to reach music fans. Start a YouTube account, upload your video, choose the correct tags, add a description and go. Use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to direct people to the video. -HC- ________________________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Anne Erickson Week of March 18th - 24th It’s a rocky week in rock history, with the tragic deaths of Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads and Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood to the release of iconic albums Let There Be Rock by AC/DC and Van Halen II from Van Halen. Events 1945 – The first LP Chart was officially published by Billboard in the U.S. 1969 – John Lennon wed Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. 1975 – The film version of the Who's rock opera Tommy debuted in America. 1975 – Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti hit No. 1 on the U.S. album chart and stayed there for a lengthy six-week run. 1976 – Alice Cooper gets married for the first, and only, time to Sheryl Goddard. 1978 – Billy Joel performs for the first time in the UK at London's Theatre Royal. Releases 1996, Barenaked Ladies: Born on a Pirate Ship 1975, Kiss: Dressed to Kill 1962, Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan 1963, The Beatles: Please Please Me 1963, The Beach Boys: Surfin' U.S.A. 1965, Bob Dylan: Bringing it All Back Home 1970, Jimi Hendrix: Band of Gypsys 1972, Deep Purple: Machine Head 1974, Eagles: On the Border 1975, Lynyrd Skynyrd: Nuthin' Fancy 1976, Wings: Wings at the Speed of Sound 1977, AC/DC: Let There Be Rock 1979, Van Halen: Van Halen II 1982, Iron Maiden: The Number of the Beast 1983, ZZ Top: Eliminator 1986, Van Halen: 5150 1994, Pantera: Far Beyond Driven 1995, Monster Magnet: Dopes to Infinity 2003, Linkin Park: Meteora Deaths John Phillips – March 18, 2001 Chuck Berry – March 18, 2017 Paul Kossoff, March 19, 1976 Randy Rhoads, March 19, 1982 Andrew Wood, March 19, 1990 Jeff Ward, March 19, 1993 J. Pero, March 20, 2015 Dan Hartman, March 22, 1994 Rod Price, March 22, 2005 Neil Aspinall, March 23, 2008 Buck Owens Jr., March 25, 2006 Births Charlie Pride – March 18, 1938 Wilson Pickett – March 18, 1941 Jerry Cantrell – March 18, 1966 Ricky Helton Wilson, March 19, 1953 Paul Atkinson, March 19, 1946 Jimmie Vaughan, March 20, 1949 Chester Bennington, March 20, 1976 Solomon Burke, March 21, 1940 Deryck Whibley, March 21, 1980 Randy Hobbs, March 22, 1948 Damon Albarn, March 23, 1968 Jimmy Miller, March 23, 1942 Chad Butler, March 24, 1974 Linkin Park photo by Anne Erickson Week of March 25th - 31st From the birth of Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell to Kirk Hammett famously joining Metallica - this last week of March is full of significant events in Rock 'n' Roll history. Events 1967 – The photo shoot for the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band happened at Chelsea Manor Studios in London. 1967 – Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire for the first time at a gig at The Astoria in London. He would do it again many times throughout his career. 1974 - The Ramones played their first gig in front of an audience. 1983 - Kirk Hammett became a member of Metallica. 1985 – David Lee Roth exited Van Halen. 1986 – Sammy Hagar played his first gig as Van Halen’s lead singer at a show in Louisiana. 1987 – U2 performed a rooftop concert in Los Angeles to film their music video for “Where the Streets Have No Name.” 1990 – Nirvana began work on demos with producer Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Wisconsin. Some of the tracks would end up on Nevermind. 1996 - Phil Collins announced he would exit Genesis to focus on a solo career. 2005 - U2 set off on their Vertigo Tour in San Diego, California. Releases 1958, Chuck Berry: “Johnny B. Goode,” single 1973, Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy 1975, Jeff Beck: Blow by Blow 1976, Led Zeppelin: Presence 1976, Rush: 2112 1980, Scorpions: Animal Magnetism 1985, Bon Jovi: 7800° Fahrenheit 1987, Bryan Adams: Into the Fire 1992, Bruce Springsteen: Human Touch 1992, Bruce Springsteen: Lucky Town 1992, Def Leppard: Adrenalize 1993, Suede: Suede 1994, Pink Floyd: The Division Bell 2003, The White Stripes: Elephant 2004, Aerosmith: Honkin' on Bobo 2007, Kings of Leon: Because of the Times 2008, The Black Keys: Attack & Release 2014, Band of Skulls: Himalayan Deaths Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, March 28, 1974 O'Kelly Isley, March 31, 1986 Selena, March 31, 1995 Phil Ramone, producer, March 30, 2013 Duster Bennett, March 26, 1976 Randy Castillo, March 26, 2002 Births Elton John, March 25, 1947 Jeff Healey, March 25, 1966 Rufus Thomas, March 26, 1917 Steven Tyler, March 26, 1948 James Iha, March 26, 1968 Kenny Chesney, March 26, 1968 Tony Banks, March 27, 1950 Andrew Farriss, March 27, 1959 Johnny April, March 27, 1965 Dave Keuning, March 28, 1976 Chad Allan, March 29, 1943 Perry Farrell, March 29, 1959 Eric Clapton, March 30, 1945 Joey Castillo, March 30, 1966 Mick Ralphs, March 31, 1948 Angus Young, March 31, 1955 Jack Antonoff, March 31, 1984 -HC- ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Anne Erickson Week of March 4th - 10th This week features a host of musical milestones, from the release of U2's The Joshua Tree to births of Peter Wolf and Rick Rubin to the start of Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" tour. Read on for some significant events, historic record releases and births and deaths taking place March 4 through 10. Events 1963 – The Beatles record their songs "From Me to You" and "Thank You Girl." 1965 – The Temptations reach No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "My Girl," co-written by Smokey Robinson, making them the first male Motown act to reach No. 1 on that chart. 1969 – Steve Marriott exits the Small Faces and forms Humble Pie. 1971 – Badfinger starts their first tour as headliners with a show in Toledo, Ohio. 1971 – Led Zeppelin kicks off their "Thank You" tour of small clubs that helped them when they were first getting started, charging the same ticket costs that they did in 1968. 1970 – David Bowie releases “The Prettiest Star” in the U.K., following the popular “Space Oddity.” 1974 – Bad Company performs their first concert, a gig in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. 1976 – Elton John gets his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds in London. 1984 – Ian Gillan leaves Black Sabbath. 1985 – The single “We are the World” is released. 1997 – Paul McCartney is knighted by Elizabeth II. 2001 – Eric Singer steps in for Peter Criss as the drummer for Kiss on the groups “farewell” tour in Japan. 2002 – MTV debuts a new reality television show, The Osbournes, which looks at the life of Ozzy and his family. The show becomes the most-viewed series on MTV in its first season. Releases 1969, Genesis, From Genesis to Revelation 1970, Mountain, Climbing! 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Déjà Vu 1972, Thin Lizzy, Shades of a Blue Orphanage 1972, Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick 1974, Queen, Queen II 1974, Chicago, Chicago VII 1975, David Bowie, Young Americans 1977, T.Rex, Dandy in the Underworld 1980, Billy Joel, Glass Houses 1981, Joe Walsh, There Goes the Neighborhood 1983, Quiet Riot, Metal Health 1985, Eric Clapton, Behind the Sun 1987, U2, The Joshua Tree 1988, The Beatles, Past Masters 1989, Julian Lennon, Mr. Jordan 1993, Lenny Kravitz, Are You Gonna Go My Way 1994, Elvis Costello, Brutal Youth 1994, Nine Inch Nails, The Downward Spiral 1994, Soundgarden, Superunknown 1998, Eric Clapton, Pilgrim 1998, Motörhead, Snake Bite Love 1999, Silverchair, Neon Ballroom 2001, Aerosmith, Just Push Play 2006, David Gilmour, On an Island Births Bobby Womack – March 4, 1944 Chris Squire – March 4, 1948 Jason Newsted – March 4, 1963 Evan Dando – March 4, 1967 Richard Manuel (The Band) – March 4, 1986 Ornette Coleman – March 9, 1930 John Cale – March 9, 1942 Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere & the Raiders) – March 9, 1942 Hugh Grundy (The Zombies) – March 6, 1945 Arthur Lee (Love) – March 7, 1945 Mickey Dolenz – March 8, 1945 Robin Trower – March 9, 1945 David Gilmour – March 6, 1946 Matthew Fisher (Procol Harum) – March 7, 1946 Peter Wolf – March 7, 1946 Randy Meisner – March 8, 1946 Kiki Dee – March 6, 1947 Carole Bayer Sager – March 8, 1947 Tom Scholz – March 10, 1947 Dave Lambert (The Strawbs) – March 8, 1949 Gary Numan – March 8, 1958 Martin Fry (ABC) – March 9, 1958 Rick Rubin – March 10, 1963 Edie Brickell – March 10, 1966 John Frusciante (former Red Hot Chili Peppers) -- March 5, 1970 Deaths Patsy Cline -- March 5, 1963 Hawkshaw Hawkins -- March 5, 1963 Cowboy Copas -- March 5, 1963 Randy Hughes -- March 5, 1963 Songwriter E.Y. "Yip" Harburg -- March 5, 1981 John Belushi (The Blues Brothers) -- March 5, 1982 Richard Manuel (The Band) – March 6, 1986 Andy Gibb – March 10, 1988 Lavern Baker – March 10, 1997 Michael “Smitty” Smith (Paul Revere and the Raiders) – March 6, 2001 Danny Joe Brown (Molly Hatchet) – March 9, 2005 Brad Delp (Boston) – March 9, 2007 Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) – March 6, 2010 Micky Jones (Man) – March 10, 2010 Mike Starr (Alice in Chains) – March 8, 2011 Alvin Lee – March 6, 2013 Peter Banks (Yes, Flash) – March 7, 2013 Lew Soloff (Blood, Sweat and Tears) – March 8, 2015 George Martin – March 8, 2016 Week of March 11th - 17th The second week in March has historically been marked by a ton of memorable rock and roll events. Eric Clapton left one of rock’s seminal bands, Metallica performed their first show, and one of the Rolling Stones kicked off his first-ever solo tour. Several classic albums were released this week as well, including landmark records by the Velvet Underground, R.E.M., and Iggy Pop. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1955 – Fats Domino records “Ain’t That a Shame” in Los Angeles. 1965 – Eric Clapton leaves The Yardbirds. 1968 – The Rolling Stones begin recording “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” 1968 – Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” tops the U.S. singles chart. 1969 – The Temptations become the first Motown recording artists to receive a Grammy, earning the award for the single, “Cloud Nine.” 1969 – Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman. 1969 – Tommy Roe’s “Dizzy” begins a four-week run atop the U.S. singles chart. 1971 – The Allman Brothers Band stage the first of the two shows recorded for their Live at the Fillmore East album. 1972 – Carole King is awarded the “Album of the Year” Grammy for Tapestry. Carly Simon receives the “Best New Artist” honor. 1972 – Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” begins a three-week run at Number One on the U.S. singles chart. 1975 – Olivia Newton-John’s Have You Never Been Mellow tops the U.S. album chart. 1982 – Metallica make their live performance debut, appearing at Radio City in Anaheim, California. 1983 – Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Alec John Such form Bon Jovi. 1988 – Mick Jagger kicks off his first-ever solo tour with a series of concerts in Osaka, Japan. 1994 – Darryl Jones steps into the role of bassist for the Rolling Stones, filling the slot vacated by Bill Wyman. 2006 – The Sex Pistols opt not to attend their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 2008 – Stone Temple Pilots announce they will reunite for a final tour. 2013 – Bob Dylan is voted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Releases 1967 – The Velvet Underground & Nico: The Velvet Underground & Nico 1967 – Grateful Dead: The Grateful Dead 1969 – Free: Tons of Sobs 1970 – Tyrannosaurus Rex: A Beard of Stars 1971 – James Taylor: Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon 1975 – Justin Hayward and John Lodge: Blue Jays 1975 – Earth, Wind & Fire: That’s the Way of the World (soundtrack) 1976 – Kiss: Destroyer 1976 – Marvin Gaye: I Want You 1977 – The Band: Islands 1977 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Works Volume 1 1977 – Iggy Pop: The Idiot 1978 – Generation X: Generation X 1978 – Elvis Costello and the Attractions: This Year’s Model 1979 – Bad Company: Desolation Angels 1980 – Def Leppard: On Through the Night 1981 – The Who: Face Dances 1982 – Asia: Asia 1982 – Richard and Linda Thompson: Shoot Out the Lights 1984 – The Cars: Heartbeat City 1984 – Joe Jackson: Body and Soul 1988 – Talking Heads: Naked 1988 – The Smithereens: Green Thoughts 1990 – Robyn Hitchcock: Eye 1991 – R.E.M.: Out of Time 1991 – Throwing Muses: The Real Ramona 1991 – Juliana Hatfield: Hey Babe 1992 – No Doubt: No Doubt 1993 – Coverdale-Page: Coverdale-Page 1994 – Mötley Crüe: Mötley Crüe 1995 – Radiohead: The Bends 1995 – Goo Goo Dolls: A Boy Named Goo 1995 – Linda Ronstadt: Feels Like Home 1995 – Annie Lennox: Medusa 1995 – Matthew Sweet: 100% Fun 1996 – Kiss: Unplugged 1996 – The Beatles: The Beatles Anthology, Volume 2 1997 – Aerosmith: Nine Lives 1998 – Van Halen: Van Halen III 1999 – Jeff Beck: Who Else! 1999 – Blur: 13 2001 – Gary Moore: Back to the Blues 2001 – Rod Stewart: Human 2001 – Eric Clapton: Reptile 2002 – Bob Mould: Modulate 2003 – Paul McCartney: Back in the World (live) 2007 – Neil Young: Live at Massey Hall 1971 2013 – David Bowie: The Next Day 2016 – Iggy Pop: Post Pop Depression Deaths Jimmy Greenspoon (Three Dog Night) – March 11, 2015 Keith Emerson – March 11, 2016 Charlie Parker – March 12, 1955 Michael Hossack (Doobie Brothers) – March 12, 2012 Tammi Terrell – March 16, 1970 T-Bone Walker – March 16, 1975 Ric Grech (Traffic, Blind Faith) – March 17, 1990 Doc Pomus – March 14, 1991 Alex Chilton – March 17, 2010 Scott Asheton (The Stooges) – March 15, 2014 Mike Porcaro (Toto) – March 15, 2015 Andy Fraser (Free) – March 16, 2015 Joe Osborn (Session Bass Player) - December 14, 2018 Hal Blaine (Wrecking Crew Drummmer) - March 11, 2019 Dick Dale (Surf Guitarist) - March 17, 2019 Births George Kooymans (Golden Earring) – March 11, 1948 Bruce Watson (Big Country) – March 11, 1961 Lightnin’ Hopkins – March 15, 1912 Leonard Chess – March 12, 1917 Nat King Cole – March 17, 1919 Quincy Jones – March 14, 1933 Fred Neil – March 16, 1936 Neil Sedaka – March 13, 1939 Al Jarreau – March 12, 1940 Phil Lesh – March 15, 1940 Mike Love – March 15, 1941 Paul Kantner – March 17, 1941 Jerry Jeff Walker – March 16, 1942 Sly Stone – March 15, 1944 John Sebastian – March 17, 1944 Michael Martin Murphey – March 14, 1945 Walter Parazaider (Chicago) – March 14, 1945 Ry Cooder – March 15, 1947 James Taylor – March 12, 1948 Michael Bruce – March 16, 1948 Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) – March 17, 1951 Nancy Wilson (Heart) – March 16, 1954 Dee Snider – March 15, 1955 Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) – March 12, 1956 Adam Clayton (U2) – March 13, 1960 Brett Michaels – March 15, 1963 Melissa Auf Der Maur (Hole) – March 17, 1972 Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) – March 17, 1975 Pete Doherty (The Libertines) – March 12, 1979 ______________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

Ten Rock Songs We Celebrated for St. Patrick's Day May the luck of the Irish last you all year... by Anne Erickson Rock, Irish-style? We celebrated this year’s St. Patrick's Day with a playlist of rock songs that fit the Irish theme. From serious songs about Ireland to punk-tinged Irish tunes to bagpipe rockers, here are 10 tunes fit for a St. Patrick’s Day playlist. If you're still celebrating this week...may they songs carry you. U2, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” We can’t have a St. Patrick’s Day playlist without including one of the biggest rock bands out of Ireland. U2's “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which is about the Bloody Sunday occurrences in 1920 and 1972, is one of the band’s most enduring songs. The anthem begs to bring Irish Catholics and Protestants together as Christians, but the group has often devoted it to other violent incidents. John Lennon, “The Luck of the Irish” John Lennon sings about his distaste with British rule in Northern Ireland in “The Luck of the Irish,” as well as the problems that blew up in the late ’60s. The protest song – which is off Lennon’s Some Time in New York City – has Lennon and Yoko Ono talking in Irish terms, mentioning everything from leprechauns to shamrocks. Wings, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” Here’s another Beatle singing a political Irish tune. Paul McCartney released the song “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” as the debut single from Wings. The song discusses the Bloody Sunday massacre in Northern Ireland on Jan. 30, 1972, and was released less than a month after the event. “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston,” Dropkick Murphys Dropkick Murphys hail from Boston, but they sure make Celtic punk like they’re Ireland natives. The tattooed rockers work bagpipes, accordions and banjos into their Irish punk, and “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston” is a shining example of their sound. Kyuss, “Green Machine” Okay, Kyuss is simply cool. The band, which got its start with Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, isn't Irish but has a song that fits on a St. Patrick’s Day playlist about green: “Green Machine.” The tune is off the band’s 1993 full-length, Blues for the Red Sun. Flogging Molly, “Speed of Darkness” Flogging Molly is a fierce outfit that blends punk, rock and folk into a catchy Celtic concoction. We’re going with a slightly more niche Flogging Molly tune for this playlist: “Speed of Darkness.” Why? The song, off their 2011 release by the same name, is their heaviest and speediest ditty. AC/DC, “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” Hailing from Australia, AC/DC are anything but an Irish rock band. So, why is “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” on this list? It has bagpipes, of course! The tune is famous for bringing bagpipes and hard rock together, with late, Scottish-born band member Bon Scott rocking the bagpipes. For that, AC/DC, “We Salute You.” Thin Lizzy, “Dublin” Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott is from Dublin, Ireland, and he croons about his hometown in this somber ballad. In the tune, he laments over a girl who broke his heart, along with his Dublin roots. The song is off the band’s only EP, New Day. Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Black Rose” are other good picks. Gary Moore, “Blood of Emeralds” The guitar hero recounts his unique musical history in this electrifying epic. In “Blood of Emeralds,” Northern Irish musician Gary Moore tells the tale of being born in Northern Ireland and crossing the border to perform music in Dublin. The tune, off After the War, is a sort of call for Irish unity, and it shows off Moore’s unbeatable guitar skills. Van Morrison, “Celtic Ray” Northern Irish rocker Van Morrison honors his roots on “Celtic Ray,” the lead track off Beautiful Vision. What makes this song really Irish is the inclusion of towering bagpipes. Morrison went on to record “Celtic Ray” with Irish folk band the Chieftains. -HC- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

by Anne Erickson Of all of rock ‘n’ roll’s many styles, metal is the most brutal, with its high volume, broadening textures and pure drama. No matter the exact sub-genre, metal music is held together by a reliance on loud, riffing guitars and, of course, an inspiriting lead guitarist. In honor of these electrifying players, HC counts down our Top 10 Metal Guitarists of All Time, showcasing axemen who pack both fantastic soloing and technical percussion, inspiring generations to keep on shredding. 10. George Lynch (Dokken) With fantastic solos and a high-energy, guitar-wizard style, George Lynch helped drive Dokken towards mainstream rock success, before the original lineup disbanded, leaving Lynch to pursue his own solo fame. Lynch still issues solo albums regularly, and tracks such as “Rattlesnake” (which packs a pretty snazzy hook from Lynch) and smoky blues-rocker “Son or Scary” off 2011’s Kill All Control show creativity and killer shred-work haven’t run dry from this former headbanger. 9. Dave Murray, Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) When Iron Maiden came onto the scene, guitarists Dave Murray and Adrian Smith were quickly recognized for their high-speed agility of soloing, sinuous technique and telepathic rhythm work in partnership together. This duo, so it seemed, were true musical soulmates. Adrian Smith left Iron Maiden after 1988’s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, altering the band’s musical chemistry and foreshadowing a grim creative drop for a period. But with Smith and Murray both back in toe, Iron Maiden is at their proggiest, and almost every track on 2010’s The Final Frontier has a riff-heavy chorus that leaves its own stamp. 8. Adam Jones (Tool) Tool had a talent for capturing the choked up angst of ‘90s alternative America and spitting it out in the form of striking metal songs that had something meaningful to say. Much of that knack had to do with guitarist Adam Jones’ winning combination of heavy riffs, technical brilliance and artsy, experimental passages. With Jones’ unorthodox technique and disciplined aggressive attack, Tool proved that underground metal could be intellectual, emotional, vicious and very commercially popular. 7. Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) With a musical backstory that includes playing lead guitar for Ozzy and fronting his own heavy metal group Black Label Society, Wylde is certainly one of the most distinguished metal guitarists in the world. As the axeman for Ozzy, each song became a guitar showcase. Blues-inspired hooks, sky-scraping solos and snarling riffing became something of Wylde’s crowd-pleasing stage shows, and his golden guitar still shines bright in Black Label Society. 6. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) Guitar icon Eddie Van Halen altered what it means to play electric guitar with Van Halen’s 1978 self-titled debut, creating a dazzlingly, lightning-fast technique with meticulous tapping, hammer-ons, pull-offs and wild-sounding effects. It was madly dramatic, and coupled with theatrical singer David Lee Roth, the style brought metal to a new level of performance art. Flying solo, Eddie also backed other artists’ records, everyone from Michael Jackson (on “Beat It”) to Rodger Waters (“Lost Boys Calling”). With Van Halen’s new album reportedly almost finished, Van Halen interest is at a peak, and Eddie, once again, is stealing the spotlight. 5. Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan) The most popular metal band of the first part of the '90s, Pantera cut through ‘80s hair metal to establish their own unmistakable style. That signature sound largely came from guitarist Dimebag Darrell, whose rhythmic attack and hard-hitting sledgehammer tactic proved metal guitar could shred wildly, but still groove. Tragedy struck on December 8 of 2004, when Darell, then 38, was shot and killed by a concertgoer during a club show in Columbus, Ohio. He’ll always be remembered as one of the most significant engineers of modern metal. 4. John Petrucci (Dream Theater) When Dream Theater’s rank rose in the early ‘90s, six (at times, seven)-stringer John Petrucci was straight away recognized as one of the most technically proficient guitarists in all of contemporary heavy metal. Even as the band makeup has changed, Petrucci’s hard work and constant drive to push have helped take Dream Theater to new heights with their instruments, delivering imaginative, razor sharp progressive metal music. 3. Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne) With Randy Rhoads on lead guitar, Ozzy Osbourne's debut solo release, 1980's Blizzard of Ozz, had no chance to fail. The record was one of heavy metal’s supreme releases, very much thanks to Rhoads' blistering playing. While other guitarists of the era emulated Eddie Van Halen, Rhoades stepped out on his own, incorporating classic music into his passages. His untimely death in a freak airplane accident in 1982 remains one of metal’s biggest heartbreaks. 2. Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield (Metallica) Metallica is the definitive metal band, and Flying V man Kirk Hammett certainly helped secure that tag, shaping the band’s sound on 1984's wildly popular Ride the Lightning and 1986's groundbreaking Master of Puppets. As the years went on, Hammett’s playing evolved and shifted from primarily metal to a soul-filled, near-blues style, locked in with James Hetfield’s metal riffs and shout-y vocals. 1. Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) Tony Iommi’s dark, distinct guitar textures in Black Sabbath helped spearhead the heavy metal movement and its signature massive riffing. “Iron Man” “Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid” boast some of the most memorable riffs of all time, with lumbering heavy metal and crushingly heavy choruses. Iommi’s playing is certainly immortalized through the generations of heavy metal bands that have followed. -HC- ________________________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Anne Erickson Week of February 19th - 25th From the release of Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti to the birth of George Harrison to the sad passing of AC/DC's Bon Scott, this week is jam-packed with music nostalgia, both good and tragic. Events 1878 – Thomas Edison patents the phonograph. 1962 – Ray Charles records “I Can’t Stop Loving You” at United Studios in Hollywood. The single later tops the charts in both the U.S. and the U.K. 1964 - A young Billy Joel joins his first rock group, a U.K. cover band called the Echoes. 1969 - The Beatles start recording "I Want You (She's So Heavy)." 1972 – Steppenwolf announce their break-up. By way of explanation, the hard rock band says, “We were locked into an image and style of music and there was nothing for us to look forward to.” 1973 - The Byrds perform their final concert in Passaic, New Jersey. 1973 – Free perform their last concert, staging their final show in Hollywood, California. Singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke move on to co-found Bad Company. 1974 - Kiss appear on TV for the first time on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. 1974 - The first annual American Music Awards is broadcast on ABC. 1975 - "Johnny Cash Day" is officially declared for February 20 in Los Angeles. 1987 – Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” begins a four-week run atop the US singles chart. 1989 - Jethro Tull win the first Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance over Metallica. For real. 1990 - Paul McCartney is honored at the 32nd annual Grammy Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award. 1990 – Queen receive the BPI award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, at the annual BRIT Awards. The event marks the last public appearance that Freddie Mercury will make with the band. 1992 – Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love of Hole are married at a ceremony in Hawaii. 1993 – Faces reunite at the BRIT Awards in London, were Rod Stewart receives a Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill Wyman fills in for Faces bassist Ronnie Lane, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis. 1995 – Pamela Anderson of "Baywatch" marries Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. 1998 - Elton John is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. 2001 – Peter Frampton is awarded the Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor widely viewed as the guitar industry’s equivalent of an Oscar or Emmy. Releases 1971 – Yes: The Yes Album 1970 - John Lennon, Instant Karma! 1986 – Jackson Browne: Lives in the Balance 1974 – KISS: KISS Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti, 1975 George Harrison, Self-titled album, 1979 Alabama, Mountain Music, 1982 Mick Jagger, She's the Boss, 1985 1990 – Peter Wolf: Up to No Good 1991 – Dinosaur Jr.: Green Mind Radiohead, Pablo Honey, 1993 Joey Ramone, Don't Worry About Me, 2002 Deaths Bob Stinson (The Replacements) – Feb. 18, 1995 Kevin Ayers – Feb. 18, 2013 Bon Scott (AC/DC) - Feb 19, 1980 Grandpa Jones - Feb 19, 1988 Johnny Paycheck – Feb. 19, 2003 Kelly Groucutt of (Electric Light Orchestra) - Feb 19, 2009 Papa John Creach (Jefferson Airplane/Starship) - Feb 21, 1994 Andy Warhol (former manager of The Velvet Underground and designer for The Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers album cover) - Feb 21, 1987 Howie Epstein (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), - Feb 23, 2003 Melvin "Blue" Franklin (The Temptations) - Feb 23, 1995 Johnnie Ray- Feb 24, 1990 Births Yoko Ono – Feb. 18, 1933 Bobby Hart – Feb. 18, 1939 Dennis DeYoung (Styx) – Feb. 18, 1947 Robbie Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) – Feb. 18, 1953 Smokey Robinson is born William Robinson Jr. - February 19, 1940 Tony Iommi – Feb. 19, 1948 Mark Andes (Spirit) – Feb. 19, 1948 Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash) – Feb. 19, 1950 Francis Buchholz (Scorpions), February 19, 1954 Jeff Daniels, February 19, 1955 Dave Wakeling (The English Beat) – Feb. 19, 1957 Seal, real name Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, February 19, 1963 John Geils (The J. Geils Band), February 20, 1946 Walter Becker (Steely Dan), February 20, 1950 Randy California (Spirit), February 20, 1951 Jon Brant (Cheap Trick), February 20, 1955 Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), February 20, 1963 Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), February 20, 1967 David Geffen, February 21, 1943 Vince Welnick (The Tubes, Grateful Dead), February 21, 1951 Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), February 21, 1949 Mark McLaughlin (Mark Arm), February 21, 1962 James Blunt, February 22, 1974 Rusty Young (Poco, Buffalo Springfield), February 23, 1946 Steve Priest (Sweet), February 23, 1950 Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), February 23, 1952 Howard Jones, February 23, 1955 Michael Wilton (Queensryche), February 23, 1962 George Thorogood, February 24, 1950 Dennis Diken (The Smithereens), February 24, 1957 George Harrison, February 25, 1943 Week of February 26th - March 3th Historically speaking, the last week in February has been marked by a trove of memorable rock events. The Yardbirds lost a key member, U2 kicked off their first U.S. tour, and filming began on a landmark film starring the world’s greatest pop band. A spate of classic LPs was released as well, including touchstone records by Pink Floyd, Todd Rundgren, and Metallica. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1941 – The world’s first commercial FM radio station begins broadcasting from Nashville. 1945 – Billboard reports that, for the first time, 45rpm records are racking up more sales than the old-style 78rpm discs. 1960 – The Miracles (featuring Smokey Robinson) make their debut TV appearance, performing “Shop Around” on “American Bandstand.” 1964 – Filming begins on The Beatles’ movie A Hard Day’s Night. 1965 – Eric Clapton performs with The Yardbirds for the last time. Jeff Beck steps into the spot vacated by Clapton. 1966 – Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay form Buffalo Springfield. 1967 – The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Rod Stewart as vocalist, make their performance debut in London. 1971 – Janis Joplin’s Pearl album begins a nine-week run atop the U.S. album chart. 1972 – The Joe Tex single “I Gotcha” tops the R&B chart. 1973 – Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player tops the album chart in America. 1975 – Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks tops the US album chart. Two weeks later it’s bumped from the top spot by Olivia Newton-John’s Have You Never Been Mellow LP. 1981 – U2 kick off their first major tour of the U.S., performing two shows in Washington, D.C. 1983 – Michael Jackson’s Thriller LP tops the US album chart. 1983 – CD players become commercially available in America for the first time. 1987 – The Beatles (aka The White Album) becomes the first LP by the Fab Four to be released on CD. 1991 – The Doors, a bio-pic directed by Oliver Stone, makes its premiere in Los Angeles. 1994 – Nirvana perform what is to be their final concert, staging a show in Munich, Germany. 1995 – Jimmy Page and Robert Plant kick off a world tour in support of their 1994 No Quarter live reunion album. 2002 – The Bee Gees stage their final concert, performing a benefit show in Miami Beach. Releases 1968 – Laura Nyro: Eli and the Thirteenth Confession 1968 – The Mothers of Invention: We’re Only in it for the Money 1970 – The Beatles: Hey Jude (compilation) 1970 – Van Morrison: Moondance 1971 – Soft Machine: Fourth 1972 – Stevie Wonder: Music of My Mind 1973 – Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon 1973 – John Cale: Paris 1919 1973 – Todd Rundgren: A Wizard, a True Star 1973 – The Doobie Brothers: The Captain and Me 1974 – Aerosmith: Get Your Wings 1974 – Rush: Rush 1974 – ABBA: Waterloo 1978 – Patti Smith: Easter 1979 – Sex Pistols: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (soundtrack) 1979 – Rickie Lee Jones: Rickie Lee Jones 1979 – Roxy Music: Manifesto 1979 – Frank Zappa: Sheik Yerbouti 1981 – Judas Priest: Point of Entry 1983 – U2: War 1983 – Thin Lizzy: Thunder and Lightning 1983 – Spandau Ballet: True 1986 – Metallica: Master of Puppets 1988 – Robert Plant: Now and Zen 1988 – Toto: The Seventh One 1989 – XTC: Orange & Lemons 1989 – Fine Young Cannibals: The Raw and the Cooked 1990 – Cowboy Junkies: The Caution Horses 1992 – David Byrne: Uh-Oh 1993 – The Cranberries: Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? 1994 -- Beck: Mellow Gold 1994 – Cheap Trick: Woke Up with a Monster 1995 – PJ Harvey: To Bring You My Love 1995 – Steve Earle: Train a Comin’ 1997 – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: The Boatman’s Call 1997 – U2: Pop 2000 – Oasis: Standing on the Shoulder of Giants 2000 – AC/DC: Stiff Upper Lip 2000 – Steely Dan: Two Against Nature 2002 – Teenage Fanclub: Words of Wisdom and Hope 2007 – Arcade Fire: Neon Bible 2008 – The Black Crowes: Warpaint 2009 – U2: No Line on the Horizon Deaths Bukka White – Feb. 26, 1977 Mike Patto (Spooky Tooth, Patto) – March 4, 1979 Peter Tork (Monkees) - Feb. 21, 2019 David Byron (Uriah Heep) – Feb. 27, 1985 Mark Hollis (Talk Talk) - Feb 27, 2019 Richard Manuel (The Band) – March 4, 1986 Dusty Springfield – March 2, 1999 Hank Ballard – March 2, 2003 Buddy Miles – Feb. 26, 2008 Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five) – Feb. 27, 2008 Jeff Healey – March 2, 2008 Ronnie Montrose – March 3, 2012 Births Fats Domino – Feb. 26, 1928 Johnny Cash – Feb. 26, 1932 Joe South – Feb. 28, 1940 Mike Pender (The Searchers) – March 3, 1941 Brian Jones – Feb. 28, 1942 Lou Reed – March 2, 1943 Roger Daltrey – March 1, 1944 Mike D’Abo – March 1, 1944 Bobby Womack – March 4, 1944 Mitch Ryder – Feb. 26, 1945 Rory Gallagher – March 2, 1948 Eddie Money – March 2, 1949 Jonathan Cain – Feb. 26, 1950 Karen Carpenter – March 2, 1950 Robyn Hitchcock – March 3, 1953 Neal Schon (Journey) – Feb. 27, 1954 Cindy Wilson – Feb. 28, 1957 Johnny Van Zant – Feb. 27, 1959 Jon Bon Jovi – March 2, 1962 Eryka Badu – Feb. 26, 1971 Chris Martin – March 2, 1977 ______________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

by Anne Erickson Some guitarist were ahead of their time and then in a cruel twist of fate, left us when they were young. Wes Montgomery was one of those guitarist gems. We've included some rare footage at the end so, let's go for some jazz genius with the peerless Wes Montgomery. Who was he? A titan of jazz guitar. Or, frankly, any guitar playing. John Leslie Montgomery (1923 – 1968) was just 45 when he passed, but left an incredible legacy. “Wes”, a skewed nickname of his middle name, only started playing 6-string guitar when he was 20 – inspired by Charlie Christian, among others – but soon became a star. I am maybe not alone if I say jazz can be hard. Hard to play, certainly. Sometimes, harder to even listen to. Wes, however, made it all sound easy. He could play rugged, raw, smooth, even “pop”… but what shone was his sheer musicality. Boy, could Wes play the guitar. Not that this really matters, but he was an impeccable dresser, too! Wes, for all his smooth sounds, was “hardcore”. He toured with jazz bandleader Lionel Hampton early in his career (1948-1950), but eventually went back to his birthplace of Indianapolis. To support his family of eight, Montgomery worked in a factory from 7am to 3pm, practiced guitar, and then performed in local clubs from 9pm to 2am. Now, that's work! Montgomery was self-taught. He somehow learned, just by listening note-for-note, Charlie Christian solos. Jazz always includes a lot of reinterpretation, but Wes put his own stamp on the tunes of the day. And took them forward. He then wrote his own songs. He had a unique technique. A bold vision to take jazz guitar into the mainstream. And, simply, a love of guitar that any player should appreciate. Signature Sounds Octaves! Montgomery's sound was soon defined by this. Jazz guitar educator Wolf Marshall says Montgomery often approached solos in a three-tiered manner: he would begin a repeating progression with single note lines, derived from scales or modes; after a fitting number of sequences, he would play octaves for a few more sequences, finally culminating with block chords. Montgomery used mostly superimposed triads and arpeggios as the main source for his soloing ideas and sounds. But it was Montgomery's use of octaves - playing the same note on two strings usually one octave apart - that became his “signature.” It became known as “the Naptown Sound”, Naptown being a nickname for Indianapolis. Former editor of Guitar Player magazine, Jim Ferguson, said that Wes “played guitar like a horn. He phrased like a horn player. It was really different.” Wes was different. But soon, many others were trying to emulate him, such as Pat Martino, Emily RemlerPat Metheny, and, probably his closest heir, George Benson. Even Joe Satriani cites Wes as a major influence. It's no surprise. Wes could solo like a rocket. But Wes Montgomery remained “different”. Instead of using a pick, Montgomery plucked with the fleshy part of his thumb, using down-strokes for single notes and a combination of upstrokes and down-strokes for chords and octaves. Montgomery developed this unique technique not for technical reasons but for his neighbors. When he worked long hours as a machinist he practiced guitar late at night. To keep neighbors from complaining, he began playing more quietly by using his thumb. George Benson, in the liner notes of the Ultimate Wes Montgomery album, wrote, “Wes had a corn on his thumb, which gave his sound that point. He would get one sound for the soft parts, and then that point by using the corn. That's why no one will ever match Wes. And his thumb was double-jointed. He could bend it all the way back to touch his wrist, which he would do to shock people.” Add everything up, and it's true to say there will never be another Wes Montgomery. If jazz guitar ever became “mainstream”, it was because of Wes. Wes Montgomery's Gibson Guitar Wes nearly always played Gibson, but the model he is most associated with is the L-5 CES. Gibson Custom makes a period-correct replica. He'd early-on played L-5s with Gibson’s single coil P-90 or Alnico pickups but then ordered a custom L-5 with a rounded cutaway – instead of the sharper Florentine cutaway – and a single humbucker pickup situated at the end of the fingerboard. It's a big beautiful “jazzbox.” Essential Listening As with all “heritage” artists, there's a wealth of compilations. Ultimate Wes Montgomery is a solid collection of just 12 highlights from the guitarist's Verve label recordings, selected by George Benson who also provides the sleeve-notes. But it's better to go for boxsets of original albums. The Classic Recordings 1958 – 1960 and The Classic Recordings 1960 – 1962 boxes bundle together original albums (well, most tracks) at bargain prices. And some of these earlier Riverside label recordings have a lot more grit. Watch! Filmed performances of Montgomery are quite rare, but there's a Live in '65 set (three gigs, three different bands) that shines. For a taster of live Montgomery, here he is live in London with good close-up camera work on those magic fingers. If you think you don't like instrumental jazz guitar, Wes Montgomery is the man who will change your mind. -HC- ______________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Anne Erickson Week of February 1st - 10th A trove of memorable events occurred during this week in rock history. A rock and roll pioneer began work on his first album, The Beatles staged their last-ever public performance, and Kiss kicked off their career as one of rock’s most dynamic live bands. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1949 – RCA Records introduces the 45rpm single, thus making possible the advent of the jukebox. 1956 – Elvis Presley begins recording what will eventually become his first album. 1960 – Frank Sinatra launches Reprise Records, the first wholly-artist-owned record label. 1961 – Bob Dylan plays “Song to Woody” to Woody Guthrie during a visit to Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey, where Guthrie is being treated for Huntington’s disease. 1963 – Neil Young plays his first show, performing at a country club in Winnipeg. 1964 – The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” begins a seven-week run atop the U.S. singles chart. 1965 – James Brown records “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” The song is the first Brown recording to feature his renowned lead guitarist Jimmy Nolen. 1966 – The Who perform their first-ever headlining show. 1969 – The variety show “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” airs on CBS for the first time. 1969 – The Beatles stage their famous rooftop concert atop the roof of Apple Records. The event constitutes the band’s final public performance. 1969 – Tommy Roe’s “Dizzy” lands on the pop charts. 1969 – Tommy James & the Shondells’ “Crimson and Clover” tops the U.S. singles chart. It holds that position for two weeks. 1971 – Harry Nilsson’s animated feature “The Point!” makes its TV debut on ABC’s “Movie of the Week.” 1973 – Kiss stage their first concert, performing at a club in Queens, New York. 1973 – The rock variety show “The Midnight Special” makes its debut on NBC. 1973 – Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” begins a three-week run atop the U.S. singles chart. 1974 – Grand Funk records “The Loco-Motion.” 1976 – The Ohio Players’ “Love Rollercoaster” tops the U.S. singles chart. 1976 – David Bowie unveils a new persona – The Thin White Duke – on the opening night of a U.S. tour in support of his Station to Station album. 1983 – Men at Work top the singles chart and the album chart in both the America and the U.K., with the hit single “Down Under” and the album Business as Usual. 1985 – John Fogerty performs his first live show in years. Two weeks earlier he had released his landmark solo album, Centerfield. 1988 – The Cars break up. 2007 – Prince stages what’s generally considered one of the greatest Super Bowl halftime shows. 2011 – The White Stripes call it quits after releasing six albums. 2017 – Black Sabbath stage the final concert of the farewell tour, performing in their hometown of Birmingham in the U.K. Releases 1966 – Gordon Lightfoot: Lightfoot! 1967 – Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow 1968 – The Velvet Underground: White Light/White Heat 1968 – Steppenwolf: Steppenwolf 1969 – Moby Grape: Moby Grape ‘69 1972 – Neil Young: Harvest 1972 – Al Green: Let’s Stay Together 1972 – Flash: Flash 1972 – Jackson Browne: Jackson Browne 1973 – Alice Cooper: Billion Dollar Babies 1974 – The Doobie Brothers: What Were Once Vices are Now Habits 1976 -- Lynyrd Skynyrd: Gimme Back My Bullets 1976 – Grand Funk Railroad: Born to Die 1976 – Genesis: A Trick of the Tail 1976 – 10cc: How Dare You! 1976 – Mahavishnu Orchestra: Inner Worlds 1976 – Bad Company: Run with the Pack 1977 – Fleetwood Mac: Rumours 1977 – The Runaways: Queens of Noise 1980 – The Ramones: End of the Century 1983 – Earth, Wind & Fire: Powerlight 1985 -- Hüsker Dü: New Day Rising 1986 – The Firm: Mean Business 1989 – The Replacements: Don’t Tell a Soul 1991 – Divinyls: Divinyls 1991 – Susanna Hoffs: When You’re a Boy 1994 – Green Day: Dookie 1997 – David Bowie: Earthling 1999 – Blondie: No Exit 2002 – Dream Theater: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 2004 – Scissor Sisters: Scissor Sisters 2008 – Iron Maiden: Live After Death 2012 – Ringo Starr: Ringo 2012 Deaths Buddy Holly – Feb. 3, 1959 Ritchie Valens – Feb. 3, 1959 Sid Vicious – Feb. 2, 1979 Alex Harvey – Feb. 4, 1982 Karen Carpenter – Feb. 4, 1983 Lux Interior (The Cramps) – Feb. 4, 2009 Don Cornelius – Feb. 1, 2012 Reg Presley (The Troggs) – Feb. 4, 2013 Maurice White – Feb. 4, 2016 Guitar Slim – Feb. 7, 1959 Dave Alexander (The Stooges) – Feb. 10, 1975 Hugh Montenegro – Feb. 6, 1981 Bill Haley – Feb. 9, 1981 Del Shannon – Feb. 8, 1990 Brian Connolly (Sweet) – Feb. 9, 1997 Falco – Feb. 6, 1998 Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys) – Feb. 6, 1998 Tim Kelly (Slaughter) – Feb. 5, 1998 Dave Peverett (Foghat, Savoy Brown) – Feb. 7, 2000 Keith Knudson (The Doobie Brotehrs) – Feb. 8, 2005 Gary Moore – Feb. 6, 2011 Births Don Everly – Feb. 1, 1937 Mike Campbell – Feb. 1, 1950 Graham Nash – Feb. 2, 1942 Al McKay (Earth, Wind & Fire) – Feb. 2, 1948 Dave Davies – Feb. 3, 1947 Arthur Kane (New York Dolls) – Feb. 3, 1949 Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) – Feb. 3, 1956 Johnny “Guitar” Watson – Feb. 3, 1935 Alice Cooper – Feb. 4, 1948 Cory Wells – Feb. 5, 1941 Tom Rush – Feb. 8, 1941 King Curtis – Feb. 7, 1934 Brian Bennett (The Shadows) – Feb. 8, 1940 Carole King – Feb. 9, 1942 Chuck Winfield – Feb. 5, 1943 Fabian – Feb. 6, 1943 Jim Capaldi (Traffic) – Feb. 8, 1944 Bob Marley – Feb. 6, 1945 Joe Ely – Feb. 9, 1947 Jimmy Greenspoon (Three Dog Night) – Feb. 7, 1948 Dan Seals (England Dan & John Ford Coley) – Feb. 8, 1948 Nigel Olsson – Feb. 10, 1949 Simon Phillips (Toto) – Feb. 6, 1957 Vince Neil (Motley Crue) – Feb. 8, 1961 Axl Rose – Feb. 6, 1962 David Bryan (Bon Jovi) – Feb. 7, 1962 Travis Tritt – Feb. 9, 1963 Duff McKagan (Michael Andrew McKagan) – February 5, 1964 Chris Barron (Spin Doctors) – February 5, 1968 Week of February 11th - 17th This week packs plenty of major music events in rock history, including Ringo Starr's first performance with the Beatles and the births of Guns N' Roses guys Axl Rose and Diff McKagan. Your week will surely rock with these noteworthy events, historic record releases, births and deaths happening Feb. 11 through 17 in music history. Events 1958 – George Harrison becomes a member of the Quarrymen. Other members include John Lennon and Paul McCartney. 1962 – Ringo Starr performs with the Beatles for the first time at Liverpool's Cavern Club. 1963 – The Beatles' debut single, “Please Please Me,” arrives in the U.S. via the Vee Jay label. 1966 – Crawdaddy! publishes its first issue. It's the first magazine devoted specifically to rock music. 1969 -- The Who record the great “Pinball Wizard” at Morgan Studios in London. 1972 – Wings play their first concert at England’s Nottingham University. 1972 – David Bowie performs for the first time as Ziggy Stardust at the Tolworth Toby Jug in London. 1977 – The Clash start recording their debut album at CBS Studios in London. 1982 – The J. Geils Band start a six-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Centerfold.” 1983 – Toto's "Africa" hits No. 1. 2006 – David Bowie is given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Releases The Byrds, Younger Than Yesterday, 1967 The Troggs, Trogglodynamite, 1967 The Beach Boys, 20/20, 1969 The Doors, Morrison Hotel, 1970 Carole King, Tapestry, 1971 Judas Priest, Stained Class, 1978 Van Halen, Van Halen, 1978 Roy Orbison, Mystery Girl, 1989 Elvis Costello, Spike, 1989 Public Image Ltd, That What Is Not, 1992 Social Distortion, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, 1992 Mick Jagger, Wandering Spirit, 1993 Blur, Blur, 1997 Deaths Guitar Slim – Feb. 7, 1959 Dave Alexander (The Stooges) – Feb. 10, 1975 Hugh Montenegro – Feb. 6, 1981 Bill Haley – Feb. 9, 1981 Del Shannon – Feb. 8, 1990 Brian Connolly (Sweet) – Feb. 9, 1997 Falco – Feb. 6, 1998 Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys) – Feb. 6, 1998 Tim Kelly (Slaughter) – Feb. 5, 1998 Dave Peverett (Foghat, Savoy Brown) – Feb. 7, 2000 Keith Knudson (The Doobie Brotehrs) – Feb. 8, 2005 Gary Moore – Feb. 6, 2011 Oliver – Feb. 12, 2000 Rick Huxley (The Dave Clark Five) – Feb. 11, 2013 Births Josh White – Feb. 11, 1914 Gene Vincent – Feb. 11, 1935 Roberta Flack – Feb. 10, 1939 Bobby “Boris” Pickett – Feb. 11, 1940 Sheryl Crow – Feb. 11, 1962 ______________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Team HC January 15th - 22nd Historically speaking, this week in rock music has been marked by a trove of memorable events. Buddy Holly made his final recordings, a great southern band reunited following a tragic loss, and a British icon achieved his first Number One album in America. A spate of classic albums was released as well, including landmark records by The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Def Leppard. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1957 – The Cavern Club opens in Liverpool. 1957 – Johnny Cash makes his first appearance on national TV, performing on “The Jackie Gleason Show.” 1959 – TV ratings service Arbitron reveals that “American Bandstand” is the most popular daytime show in the U.S. 1959 – Buddy Holly makes his final recordings, sitting alone with an acoustic guitar in his apartment in Greenwich Village. 1965 – The Rolling Stones and The Kinks make their debut on the pioneering music variety show, “Shindig!” Other guests include the Dave Clark Five and Gerry and the Pacemakers. 1967 – The Monkees perform live for the first time, staging a concert at The Cow Palace in San Francisco. The show is a sell-out. 1970 – Robert Moog unveils his “minimoog” synthesizer. Carrying a retail price of $2,000, the portable synth becomes the first such instrument to be taken out on tour by rock bands. 1973 – Jerry Lee Lewis performs at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. 1974 – Former Free members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke team with ex-Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and former King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell to form the super-group, Bad Company. 1975 – Paul McCartney and Wings arrive in New Orleans to begin recording their Venus and Mars album. Sessions take place at Allen Toussaint’s Sea Saint studios. 1979 – Lynyrd Skynyrd reunite to perform for the first time since the horrific 1977 plane crash that took the lives of three band members. 1980 – Iconic southern rock label Capricorn Records files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 1980 – Pink Floyd’s The Wall begins a 15-week run atop the U.S. album charts. 1981 – Motley Crue forms when bassist Nikki Sixx begins rehearsing with drummer Tommy Lee and singer-guitarist Greg Leon. Leon soon departs, with guitarist Mick Mars stepping in as replacement. Singer Vince Neil joins the band in April. 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off a bat during a performance, believing the animal to be fake. Later it’s reported that Osbourne underwent a series of rabies shots. 1982 – B.B. King donates his 20,000-record album collection to the University of Mississippi’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Among the albums are 7,000 discs King played during his years as a Memphis disc jockey in the ‘50s. 1988 – Tina Turner performs for a crowd of 182,000 at a concert in Rio de Janeiro. At the time, the show marked the biggest-ever attendance turnout for a concert staged by a solo artist. 1996 – David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and the Velvet Underground are among the artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during this year’s ceremony. 2000 – Carlos Santana’s Supernatural begins a multi-week run atop the U.S. album charts. The comeback LP goes on to earn eight Grammy wins. 2008 – Charlie Daniels is inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. 2016 – David Bowie’s Blackstar reaches Number One on the American album charts. The album is the first LP by Bowie to achieve this distinction. Releases 1964 – The Beatles: Meet the Beatles! 1966 – Simon & Garfunkel: Sounds of Silence 1967 – The Rolling Stone: Between the Buttons 1968 – Dr. John: Gris-Gris 1968 – Iron Butterfly: Heavy 1968 – Aretha Franklin: Lady Soul 1968 – Spirit: Spirit 1971 – ZZ Top: ZZ Top's First Album 1971 – Mountain: Nantucket Sleighride 1972 -- Blue Öyster Cult: Blue Öyster Cult 1974 – Bob Dylan: Planet Waves 1974 – Brian Eno: Here Come the Warm Jets 1974 – Gordon Lightfoot: Sundown 1975 – Bob Dylan: Blood on the Tracks 1976 – Lou Reed: Coney Island Baby 1978 – Journey: Infinity 1980 – The Pretender: Pretenders 1983 – Def Leppard: Pyromania 1984 -- Bon Jovi: Bon Jovi 1987 -- Hüsker Dü: Warehouse: Songs and Stories 1988 – Megadeth: So Far, So Good... So What! Deaths Alan Freed – Jan. 20, 1965 Jackie Wilson – Jan. 21, 1984 Colonel Tom Parker – Jan. 21, 1997 Carl Perkins – Jan. 19, 1998 Wilson Pickett – Jan. 19, 2006 Denny Doherty (The Mamas & the Papas) – Jan. 19, 2007 Don Kirshner – Jan. 17, 2011 Johnny Otis – Jan. 17, 2012 Etta James – Jan. 20, 2012 Glenn Frey – Jan. 18, 2016 John Stewart – Jan. 19, 2008 Steve Knight (Mountain) – Jan. 19, 2013 Births Earl Hooker – Jan. 15, 1930 Bobby Bloom – Jan. 15, 1946 Ronnie Milsap – Jan. 16, 1946 Mick Taylor – Jan. 17, 1949 Leadbelly – Jan. 20, 1888 George Handy – Jan. 17, 1920 Sam Cooke – Jan. 22, 1931 Bob Bogle (The Ventures) – Jan. 16, 1937 Phil Everly -- Jan. 19, 1939 David Ruffin (The Temptations) – Jan 18, 1941 Richie Havens – Jan. 21, 1941 Janis Joplin -- Jan. 19, 1943 Rod Evans (Deep Purple) – Jan. 19, 1945 Dolly Parton – Jan. 19, 1946 Robert Palmer – Jan. 19, 1949 Steve Perry (Journey) – Jan. 22, 1949 Dewey Bunnell (America) – Jan. 19, 1951 Randy California – Jan. 20, 1951 Paul Stanley – Jan. 20, 1951 Ian Hill (Judas Priest) – Jan. 20, 1952 Steve Earle – Jan. 17, 1955 Michael Anthony (Van Halen) – Jan. 20, 1955 Susanna Hoffs – Jan. 17, 1959 Michael Hutchence – Jan. 22, 1960 Steve Adler (Guns N’ Roses) – Jan. 22, 1965 Luther Dickinson – Jan. 18, 1973 Nick Valensi (The Strokes) – Jan. 16, 1981 Orianthi – Jan. 22, 1985 Sam Cooke, January 22, 1931 Nigel Pegrum (The Small Faces), January 22, 1949 Steve Perry (Journey), January 22, 1949 Teddy Gentry (Alabama), January 22, 1952 Michael Hutchence (INXS), January 22, 1960 Steve Adler (Guns N' Roses), born Michael Coletti, January 22, 1965 Orianthi Panagaris, January 22, 1985 January 23nd - 31th From the birth of Eddie Van Halen to the release of Elvis Presley’s timeless tune “Heartbreak Hotel,” the week of Jan. 23 through 31 is a good one for rock ‘n’ roll. Let’s not forget Nirvana recording a special demo tape with the Melvins’ Dale Crover, to boot. Read on for some major events, historic record releases and births and deaths taking place Jan. 23 through 31. Events 1962 - Warner Brothers Records signed a deal with Peter, Paul & Mary. 1969 - Jethro Tull performed their debut U.S. concert in New York City. They opened at the show for Led Zeppelin. 1986 - The first musicians were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. 1988 - Nirvana recorded a 10-track demo tape with producer Jack Endino. Dale Crover from the Melvins played drums. 1990 - "Tom Petty Day" was made official in Petty’s hometown of Gainsville, Florida. Births Danny Federici (E Street Band), January 23, 1950 Robin Wayne Zander (Cheap Trick), January 23, 1953 Earl Falconer (UB40), January 23, 1959 Ray Stevens, January 24, 1939 Neil Diamond, January 24, 1941 Etta James, January 25, 1938 Richard Finch (KC and the Sunshine Band), January 25, 1954 Corky Laing (Mountain), January 26, 1948 Lucinda Williams, January 26, 1953 Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen), January 26, 1957 Norman Hassan (UB40), January 26, 1958 Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), January 27, 1944 Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy), January 27, 1951 Seth Justman (The J. Geils Band), January 27, 1951 Gillian Gilbert (New Order), January 27, 1961 Mike Patton (Faith No More), January 27, 1968 Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel), January 27, 1970 Corky Laing (Mountain), January 28, 1948 Tommy Ramone (drummer for Ramones), January 29, 1952 Eddie Jackson (Queensryche), January 29, 1961 Jonny Lang, January 29, 1981 Marty Balin – Jan. 30, 1942 Andrew Loog Oldham – Jan. 29, 1944 Charlie Musselwhite – Jan. 31, 1944 Terry Kath – Jan. 31, 1946 David Byron (Uriah Heep) – Jan. 29, 1947 Tommy Ramone – Jan. 29, 1949 Jonny Lang – Jan. 29, 1981 Steve Marriott – Jan. 30, 1947 Phil Collins – Jan. 30, 1951 Phil Manzanera – Jan. 31, 1951 John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) – Jan. 31, 1956 Jody Watley – Jan. 30, 1959 Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) – Jan. 31, 1964 Deaths Terry Kath (Chicago), January 23, 1978 Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd), January 23, 1990 James "Shep" Sheppard, January 24, 1970 Lamar Williams (The Allman Brothers Band), January 25, 1983 Jim Capaldi (Traffic), January 28, 2005 Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd), January 28, 2009 John Martyn – Jan. 29, 2009 Rod McKuen – Jan. 29, 2014 Professor Longhair – Jan. 30, 1980 Lightnin’ Hopkins – Jan. 30, 1982 Slim Harpo – Jan. 31, 1970 John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia) – Jan. 31, 2017 Releases Elvis Presley, Heartbreak Hotel, 1956 Prince, Take Me With U, 1985 Van Halen, Balance, 1995 Dream Theater, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, 2002 Bruce Springsteen, Working on a Dream, 2009 ______________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A ______________________________________________________ HC's Rock Review is sponsored by Gibson

HC's Rock Rewind A look back at the past two weeks in Rock History by Team HC Week of January 1st - 7th Another Auld Lang Syne of memorable events occurred during this week in rock history. Fleetwood Mac took on two new members, a key member of the Rolling Stones announced his departure from the band, and Gibson launched one of the company’s most visually striking guitars. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1950 – Sam Phillips opens the Memphis Recording Service, later to be renamed Sun Studio. 1958 – Gibson launches the legendary “Flying V” electric guitar. Albert King, Dave Davies and Lonnie Mack are among the many renowned players who come to be associated with the instrument. 1959 – ABC’s “American Bandstand” leads the daytime television ratings for the first time. 1966 – Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” tops the U.S. singles chart. 1969 – The Beatles begin rehearsals for what will eventually become their Let It Be album. 1970 – B. J. Thomas’s recording of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” tops the U.S. singles chart. It remains in the top spot for four weeks. 1971 – George Harrison’s triple album, All Things Must Pass, begins a seven-week run atop the U.S. album chart. 1973 – Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” reaches the Number One spot on the Hot 100 chart. 1975 – Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks join Fleetwood Mac. Among the songs the two bring to the band are “Landslide” and “Rhiannon.” 1979 – The soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever” tops 25 million in worldwide sales, making the double-LP the best-selling album in history at that point. 1979 – Prince makes his live debut, performing at the Capri Theatre in Minneapolis. 1980 – David Bowie makes his final appearance in the title role of “The Elephant Man” at the Booth Theatre on Broadway. 1987 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1989 – Nirvana enters into a one-year recording contract with the Sub Pop record label. 1993 – The Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman announces he is leaving the band. Wyman had been the group’s bassist for 30 years. 2010 – Chris Cornell announces via a tweet than Soundgarden are reuniting. The group had split up 13 years earlier, in 1997. Releases 1967 – The Doors: The Doors 1969 – Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bayou Country 1970 – Syd Barrett: The Madcap Laughs 1973 – Thin Lizzy: Vagabonds of the Western World 1973 – Aerosmith: Aerosmith 1973 – Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. 1974 – Joni Mitchell: Court and Spark 1976 – Journey: Look into the Future 1976 – Bob Dylan: Desire 1976 – Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive! 1979 – Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Armed Forces 1979 – Joe Jackson: Look Sharp! 1983 – Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 1986 – The Bangles: Different Light 1988 – L.A. Guns: L.A. Guns 1993 – Neil Young: Lucky Thirteen 2006 – The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth 2008 -- The Smashing Pumpkins: American Gothic Deaths Hank Williams – Jan. 1, 1953 Tex Ritter – Jan. 2, 1974 Charlie Mingus – Jan. 5, 1979 Alexis Korner – Jan. 1, 1984 Phil Lynott – Jan. 4, 1986 Dizzy Gillespie – Jan. 6, 1993 Ted Hawkins – Jan. 1, 1995 Randy California – Jan. 2, 1997 Sonny Bono – Jan. 5, 1998 Lou Rawls – Jan. 6, 2006 Ron Asheton (The Stooges) – Jan. 6, 2009 Willie Mitchell – Jan. 5, 2010 Gerry Rafferty – Jan. 4, 2011 Patti Page – Jan. 1, 2013 Jay Traynor (Jay & the Americans) – Jan. 2, 2014 Phil Everly – Jan. 3, 2014 Births Sam Phillips – Jan. 5, 1923 Earl Scruggs – Jan. 6, 1924 George Martin – Jan. 3, 1926 Roger Miller – Jan. 2, 1936 Paul Revere (Paul Revere & the Raiders) – Jan. 7, 1937 Rory Storm – Jan. 7, 1938 John McLaughlin – Jan. 4, 1942 Van Dyke Parks – Jan. 3, 1943 Stephen Stills – Jan. 3, 1945 Dave Cousins (The Strawbs) – Jan. 7, 1945 John Paul Jones – Jan. 3, 1946 Syd Barrett – Jan. 6, 1946 Kenny Loggins – Jan. 7, 1948 Morgan Fisher (Mott the Hoople) – Jan. 1, 1950 Chris Stein (Blondie) – Jan. 5, 1950 Malcolm Young – Jan. 6, 1953 Diane Warren – Jan. 1, 1956 Bernard Sumner – Jan. 4, 1956 Grandmaster Flash – Jan. 1, 1958 Kathy Valentine (Go-Go’s) – Jan. 7, 1959 Michael Stipe – Jan. 4, 1960 Marilyn Manson – Jan. 5, 1969 Week of January 8th - 14th You know it's a big week in music when you have ES-335 player Dave Grohl's birthday and the release of debut albums from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. We're celebrating the week of Jan. 8 through 14, and read on for some significant events, historic record releases and births and deaths taking place this week in rock history. Events 1967 - Jimi Hendrix records the massively successful "Purple Haze" at De Lane Lea Studios in London. 1969 - George Harrison leaves the Beatles, but it's only for a brief time. 1974 - Kiss ink their first major recording deal, with Casablanca Records. 1978 - The Sex Pistols perform their final show and soon after break up in San Francisco, California. 1992 - Nirvana's Nevermind record reaches No. 1 in America, taking the place of Michael Jackson's Dangerous. 2012 - The White Stripes singer Jack White appears on the History Channel program American Pickers. Releases The Beatles, Introducing... The Beatles, 1964 Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin, 1969 David Bowie, Low, 1977 Rush, Permanent Waves, 1980 David Bowie, Where Are We Now? (single), 2013 Deaths Steve Clark (Def Leppard) – January 8, 1991 Chester Arthur Burnett “Howlin’ Wolf,” January 10, 1976 Margaret Whiting, January 10, 2011 Mickey Finn (T. Rex percussionist), January 11, 2003 Jimmy Griffin (Bread), January 11, 2005 Spencer Dryden (Jefferson Airplane, New Riders of the Purple Sage), January 11, 2005 Maurice Gibb (The Bee Gees), January 12, 2003 Jerry Nolan (The Heartbreakers and New York Dolls), January 14, 1992 Births Elvis Presley – January 8, 1935 Robby Krieger – January 8, 1946 David Bowie – January 8, 1947 Joan Baez, January 9, 1941 James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, January 9, 1944 Cassie Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd), January 9, 1948 Paul King (Mungo Jerry), January 9, 1948 Steve McRay (.38 Special), January 9, 1950 David Johansen (New York Dolls), January 9, 1953 Eric Erlandson (Hole), January 9, 1963 Carl Bell (Fuel), January 9, 1967 Steve Harwell (Smash Mouth), January 9, 1967 Dave Matthews (The Dave Matthews Band), January 9, 1967 Frank Sinatra Jr., January 10, 1944 Rod Stewart, January 10, 1945 Ronny Light, January 10, 1945 Aynsley Dunbar (Journey, Whitesnake, Jefferson Airplane), January 10, 1946 Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), January 10, 1948 Pat Benatar, January 10, 1953 Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO), January 10, 1955 Clarence Clemons (E Street Band), January 11, 1942 Tony Kaye (Yes), January 11, 1943 Tom Dumont (No Doubt), January 11, 1968 Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers), January 11, 1971 William Lee Golden (The Oak Ridge Boys), January 12, 1939 Cynthia Robinson (Sly and the Family Stone), January 12, 1946 Charlie Gillingham (Counting Crows), January 12, 1960 Rob Zombie (White Zombie), January 12, 1966 Trevor Rabin (Yes), January 13, 1954 Fred White (Earth, Wind & Fire), January 13, 1955 Zach de la Rocha (Rage Against the Machine), January 13, 1970 T-Bone Burnett, January 14, 1948 Geoff Tate (Queensryche), January 14, 1959 Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), January 14, 1969 Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A

by Anne Erickson What good is jamming on guitar if your rhythm section isn't tight, in the pocket, and simply a hearty backdrop on which you can slap melodies and riffs? The drums are the essential backbone of a band. A bad drummer loses the listener. A good drummer keeps the audience engaged and bobbing their heads along to the beat. Harmony Central is pleased to pay homage to such drums stars with our Top 10 Rock Drummers of All Time. 10. Ringo Starr (The Beatles) Ringo Starr was far from a flashy drummer, and he saved his only drum solo in The Beatles for the last song on their final album. But even with a low-key profile, Ringo was an integral part of The Beatles. Not only did his inventive, offbeat drumming help give The Beatles a unique sound, but he fulfilled other band roles. Ringo was seen as the most relatable Beatle and eventually became the moderator during band arguments, especially in the later days. After the Fab Four disbanded, Starr went solo, and he had many great solo hits with “Photograph,” “You’re Sixteen” and "It Don't Come Easy.” Without Ringo, The Beatles wouldn’t be The Beatles. 9. Stewart Copeland (The Police, Oysterhead) Stewart Copeland is famed for his imaginative fusion of rock, jazz, Middle Eastern and reggae beats. As drummer for The Police, he brought momentum and excitement to Sting’s melodies. After The Police wrapped up touring in 1984, Copeland dabbled in experimental projects with Les Claypool (Oysterhead), Orchestralli (his orchestral project) and composed soundtracks for movies Airborne, Wall Street, Highlander II: The Quickening and others. 8. Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Devo, Nine Inch Nails) One of the most sought-after studio drummers in rock music both for his precision and jackhammer groove, Josh Freese has appeared on nearly 300 records, including Puddle of Mudd, The Offspring, 3 Doors Down, Avril Lavigne and Tracy Bonham. He’s also the skins man for A Perfect Circle, Devo and The Vandels and has toured with Nine Inch Nails and Guns N' Roses. Not many drummers can honestly claim to have experience in every given style of music, from rock to jazz to metal, but his capability runs the gamut of modern music. 7. Ginger Baker (Cream) During his time manning the drum kit for Cream, Ginger Baker essentially invented the rock drum solo. His pioneering use of double bass drums marked Baker as one of the most influential drummers of the ‘60s, with a thick, thunderous sound that has inspired nearly every heavy metal drummer that’s followed. Even after Cream broke up in 1968, Baker went onto prove just as influential in world music and jazz, demonstrating a true talent that transcends genres. 6. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) As drummer and founding member for Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy helped define the progressive rock drumming style with a basic but meticulous approach to technique. While Portnoy wasn’t the fastest player or flashiest soloist, his main objective was to serve the greater musical picture and experiment whenever it fit. It’s that careful attention to detail and creativity that caught the attention of young metaller Avenged Sevenfold, who recruited Portnoy to tour with them in 2010. While the move shocked Dream Theater fans, it showed Portnoy’s continued motivation to evolve and take on stunning challenges. 5. Lars Ulrich (Metallica) Metal hasn’t seen a more interesting and perhaps eccentric drummer than Lars Ulrich. As a founding member, songwriter and drummer for metal goliaths Metallica, Ulrich has been the thrashing force behind some of the best-known metal tracks ever recorded. His drumming style is simple, but always smart and strong. He doesn't get in the way of the message with flashy fills and double bass drums, but instead uses restraint with his drum parts, leaving the basic, muscular essentials. With Metallica’s massive influence, it’s no wonder Ulrich is one of the most popular and inspiring drummers of the past few of decades. 4. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures) Rock's hardest working drummer during his time with Nirvana, Dave Grohl first took to the mic on “Marigold” off Nirvana’s, Heart-Shaped Box. Grohl has gone on to front the Foo Fighters on seven studio albums, but hasn’t left his drumming talents behind, making a much-anticipated return to the drums on Queens of the Stone Age’s albums and with the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. Grohl has come a long way since his early heavy-handed drumming with Freak Baby and Scream, and it’s a career filled with taking chances and following his heart. It’s no wonder everyone wants to jam with him. 3. Keith Moon (The Who) Keith Moon's wild drum technique was part of the Who’s core, and they haven't sounded the same since he passed away in 1978. Moon played the skins with the kind of untamed recklessness that most schooled drummers before him would have seen as crazy, but it’s that intensity that brought such personality to the Who and made Moon’s wild, brash playing the soul of the band. His solo album, Two Sides of the Moon, captures his spirit, bringing a bizarre, haunting blend of '50s/'60s rock ‘n’ roll, pushing character into every beat. 2. Neal Peart (Rush) Drummer and lyricist for Rush, Neal Peart is hailed in many circles as the quintessential rock drummer. He’s known for his ingenious drum parts and intense solos with lead passages that rock hard and prove the drums, indeed, can be a lead instrument. No Rush concert is complete without Peart’s sparking, obligatory drum solo, and his syncopated drumming style certainly has its own distinct sound and aura. You can always tell when it’s Peart playing. 1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) Bonzo was famous for his speed, intensity and swift right foot, but above all, he was a “soul” drummer. Even with all the attention given to his dazzling soloing, cool beats and fills, and bass drum know-how, in the end, John Bonham was simply a groover. For this ability to make a band sway and groove like no other, never hogging the spotlight but remaining the subtle champion of Led Zeppelin, Harmony Central recognizes him as our Top Rock Drummer, a talent unrivaled and irreplaceable. ________________________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.

- Community Voice - by Tracy Plunkett You will be hard-pressed to find a musician that doesn’t collaborate with other artists. Even if you are perfectly happy with where you are in your career, there are a lot of benefits to teaming up with other singers and players. For one thing, the press opportunities alone are fantastic. At the same time, though, it also gives you the chance to really grow and evolve as a musician. After all, working with other people is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and determine just how far you can push your musical capabilities. Of course, as you can imagine, having so many creative minds in one place can result in a rather tenuous situation as well. So, to make sure that you get it right, here are some tips that you should follow: Collaborate with the Right People This should go without saying but it is something that needs to be stated, nevertheless. Now, the ‘right people’ does take on two very different meanings here. This is because your first step should be finding musicians or a group who have a complementary sound to you. So, while they don’t need to make the same kind of music or even be in the same genre, there should be similar ground. The right people are also the musicians that you get along with. As you are well aware, it can be difficult for individuals who don’t like each other or have clashing personalities to work with one another. Therefore, before you actually agree to create music together, first determine whether you are a good match. Figure Out Your Arrangement The next thing that you will have to do is to sort out the group’s hierarchy. This precise arrangement will be up to the different members. Some may prefer to have an autonomous structure where everyone has the same amount of responsibility. Others, however, may vote to have a leader so that one person makes most of the decisions with others chipping in as necessary. It is imperative that you get this arrangement out of the way at the very beginning before the creativity part begins. This way, you can avoid a lot of confusion and arguments. Get Organized – Have a Goal After this, it is time to get organized, at least in terms of the music you are creating. Set a goal for yourselves. For instance, what do you hope to achieve with this collaboration? Do you want to release a single or an album? Are you practicing for a live gig? Once you have narrowed down your true purpose, it will become easier to focus on it and take the necessary steps to achieve it. Focus on the Music The final piece of advice is to focus on the music. Even you strive to be organized and responsible, there are a lot of issues that may crop up. As mentioned, you are expecting very different, creative individuals to get along. So, rather than trying to mess with the relationship between the group, stick to the musical aspect instead. Whenever you have disagreements, slowly get everyone to begin focusing on the composition or rehearsal once more. If you take this approach, you will find that everyone is able to stay on track. These are the top tips to follow if you are thinking of working with other musicians. By taking these points into consideration, you can have a rich and rewarding experience and be able to make better music. -HC- _______________________________________________ Author Bio: Tracy Plunkett had a passion for music as long as she can remember. She explores her love for music and instruments through her writing, as evidenced by her consumer help guide post. When she isn’t working, she can be found attending as many concerts and music festivals as she can.

Make Better Music Expert Reviews - 2018 Year In Review To review a review...trust us, it's a good thing... by Team HC Our Expert Reviews are designed to help you make informed buying decisions, take away the fear that can accompany technology, and learn how to integrate the piece of gear into your playing. Our editors have been at this a long time and have become reliable and trusted sources for unbiased "tell it like it is" reporting on gear. Here are our 2018 Expert Reviews ... for your review: January 10, 2018 Earthquaker Devices Westwood Drive You're guitar's gonna love this wood! January 15, 2018 Robert Keeley Caverns V2 Delay and Reverb Pedal Hello, hello, ... hello! January 15, 2018 Hartke HD500 2x10 Bass Combo Amplifier Ultralight bass heavyweight January 15, 2018 Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128 This may be the droid you're looking for... February 12, 2018 Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano Both beginners and pros will find something to like in this recital February 12, 2018 Robert Keeley D&M Drive Sometimes it's best to shut up and drive ... February 12, 2018 Lava Cable Blue Demon, Clear Connect, Ultramafic, and Van Den Hul Instrument Cables When geothermal energy is flowing... February 12, 2018 Electro Harmonix Hot Wax Dual Overdrive One pedal, two classic EHX overdrives, and an invitation to color outside the lines February 26, 2018 Dean Markley Blackhawk Coated Guitar Strings Are these new coated strings all they're wrapped up to be? February 26, 2018 APEX "Hyper-Ellipticals" Series Electric Guitar Strings Tightwire to the top! February 26, 2018 Tech 21 Acoustic Fly Rig Is this the perfect travel companion for your acoustic-electric instrument? February 26, 2018 Yamaha LJ16BC Billy Corgan Acoustic Guitar An acoustic that's simply smashing! February 26, 2018 Kenton MIDI Merge 8 Got the urge to merge? This versatile box can do it in two ways March 1, 2018 Sabian FRX Frequency Reduced Cymbals What do these cymbals and a 20W guitar amp have in common? March 12, 2018 Graph Tech Dry N Glide Musician Talc For hands dry as gin ... March 12, 2018 Yamaha BBP35 5-String Electric Bass When you need to get slap-happy! March 12, 2018 Robert Keeley Compressor Plus A compressor that's not a depressor ... March 26, 2018 TASCAM TM-AM3 Heavy-Duty Microphone Stand Sometimes, not just any mic stand will do... March 26, 2018 Robert Keeley Loomer Wall of Fuzz Reverb Pedal For reverb that looms and looms ... March 26, 2018 Arturia KeyStep Controller & Sequencer Small keyboard, big features, and impressive connectivity March 26, 2018 DPA d:vote 4099G and d:vote 4099D Instrument Microphones One microphone design to capture the world? April 9, 2018 Mackie Thump Boosted Series - Thump15BST - 15" Powered Loudspeaker Thump's got bump! April 9, 2018 Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Zi Instrument DI and Mic Activator A variable impedance Mic Activator to DI for... April 9, 2018 Yamaha Pacifica 611VFMX Impressive playability meets sonic versatility April 23, 2018 MOD Kits DIY Contortionist II High Octane Fuzz Remember...never wear boxers while you solder... April 23, 2018 Samson G-Track Pro USB Microphone and Audio Interface A USB mic with a little something extra for musicians April 23, 2018 JHS Lucky Cat Digital Delay with Modulation Here kitty, kitty, kitty ... April 23, 2018 Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster A '50s era American original makes (another) comeback April 23, 2018 Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo Pedal When you just need to express yourself ... May 7, 2018 DPA d:vice MMA-A Digital Audio Interface Taking the tiny audio interface to a whole new level May 7, 2018 EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids Flanger Flanging the sands of time... May 21, 2018 Spire Mobile Studio Recording System Remember when 'mobile studio' meant a van? May 21, 2018 ESI Audio U168 XT USB Audio Interface Is orange the new black? May 21, 2018 JHS Pedals - The @ Andy Timmons Signature Dual Drive Seeing red @ a different level... May 21, 2018 ROLI Seaboard Block, Lightpad M Block, and Touch Block EVERYTHING ... you wanted to know about ROLI! June 4, 2018 JHS Pedals Unicorn V2 Tap-Tempo Vibe Believe in Unicorns? June 4, 2018 Mackie MP-120, MP-220 and MP-240 In-Ear Monitors Isn't it about time you made the switch to IEMs? June 4, 2018 Heavy Leather NYC Vegan Guitar Straps Get your vegan on with leather! June 18, 2018 T. P. Dodd Inc. Pedal-Lock It's time to stop your pedals from getting away from you June 18, 2018 Stylophone GEN X-1 Analog Synthesizer This is definitely not your grandfather's Stylophone June 18, 2018 TC Electronics 3rd Dimension Chorus A pedal from the Twilight Zone? June 18, 2018 Fender Limited Edition American Elite HSS Telecaster A Tele fit for a king... July 2, 2018 Ampeg Opto Comp Analog Optical Compressor Whether you play guitar or bass, Ampeg wants to be your main squeeze July 2, 2018 Blue Audio Blue Cat's Axiom Multieffect While the cat's here...the mouse will cheer... July 16, 2018 IK Multimedia iRig Stomp I/O Get a foothold on performance technology! July 16, 2018 Focal Listen Professional Headphones Often when something says "professional" in its name, it isn't - are these cans an exception? July 16, 2018 Ernie Ball StingRay 5-String Electric Bass Give all 5 fingers equal time ... July 16, 2018 Electro Harmonix Superego+ Synth Engine / Multi-Effect Believe it or not, more 'ego may be exactly what you need! July 30, 2018 JHS Emperor Chorus V2 Does this stompbox give others the big freeze? July 30, 2018 One Control Honey Bee Overdrive Is this pedal sweet enough for your rig? July 30, 2018 Electro-Harmonix 95000 Performance Loop Laboratory Will this pedal leave you loopy? July 30, 2018 Warm Audio WA-47 Multipattern Tube Condenser Mic Is this new mic destined to become the volksmikrophon of the project studio universe? August 13, 2018 BandLab Link Analog Version 1 Audio Interface for Mobile Now you can be creative inside the box! August 13, 2018 Electro-Harmonix Ocean's 11 Reverb Sand, sunburn, and salt spray not included... August 13, 2018 Fender Player Stratocaster Floyd Rose HSS A new standard for players looking for their first Fender? August 27, 2018 Fender Effects Part 1 In part one of this two part review we look at the Pugilist Distortion, Marine Layer Reverb and Level Set Buffer August 27, 2018 Ampeg Liquifier Analog Chorus Bassists: Don't let your guitar and keyboard-playing friends try it… August 27, 2018 JHS Panther Cub V2 Analog Delay Could it be their most intriguing pedal to date? August 27, 2018 Electro-Harmonix Op Amp Big Muff Pi What could be any better than a big muff pi? September 10, 2018 Fender Effects Pedals Part 2 In part two of this three-part review, we check out The Bends Compressor, Santa Ana Overdrive and Mirror Image Delay September 10, 2018 Roland FA-06 61-Key Music Workstation and Synthesizer Could this be the ultimate all-in-one workstation? September 10, 2018 Earthquaker Devices Aqueduct Vibrato Can this vibrato pedal quench your thirst? September 24, 2018 Chase Bliss Audio Thermae Pitch Shifting Analog Delay Seriously, what could be better than chasing bliss? September 24, 2018 Gothic Instruments DRONAR Master Edition The wait is over! September 24, 2018 Dusky Electronics Hypatia Fuzz Overdrive Distortion Pedal Could this pedal have roots to a Greek philosopher renowned for her intellect? September 24, 2018 CEntrance MixerFace R4 Mobile Recording Interface Part audio mixer, part recording interface, and uncommonly mobile-friendly October 8, 2018 Keeley Aria Overdrive and Compressor This aria isn't an operatic solo! October 8, 2018 Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water Analog Modulation Sometimes...you just need to wade in the water... October 8, 2018 IK Multimedia UNO Synth Just how good can a $200 analog synth really be? October 8, 2018 Yamaha Tour Custom Maple Drumset Like a familiar pair of blue jeans... October 22, 2018 Stacks FX Thsee Anomaly Modulated Delay Does this pedal deviate from what's standard, normal, or expected? October 22, 2018 Cort CJ Retro Does this acoustic-electric's value match its jumbo size and cool vintage vibe? October 22, 2018 RPS Warp Drive Analog Delay To boldly go... October 22, 2018 Govee Smart Hygrometer/Thermometer Humidity and high temps can cause more than a bad hair day-just ask your instrument… October 22, 2018 Frantone Cream Puff Fuzz Pedal One sweet pedal... November 5, 2018 Animals Pedal Tioga Road Cycling Distortion A bear on a bike? I smell a rat... November 5, 2018 Fender Effects Pedals Part 3 In the third (and final?) part of this three-part review, we check out The Pelt Fuzz, Engager Boost and Full Moon Distortion November 5, 2018 Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi Reissue Who doesn't like reheated Pi...? November 5, 2018 JAM Pedals RetroVibe MKII For flower power jammin' ... November 5, 2018 Chase Bliss Audio Condor EQ Overdrive Filter Pedal With a sound as large as an Andean wingspan... November 5, 2018 Bose T8S/T4S ToneMatch Mixers ToneMatch takes tiny on stage... November 15, 2018 TASCAM Model 24 24 Channel Multitrack Recorder with Integrated USB Audio Interface and Analog Mixer November 19, 2018 RPS Tremulus Maximus Optical Tremolo Tremulus maximus for the carnivourus vulgaris guitarist... November 19, 2018 One Control Micro Distro Pint-sized powerhouse November 19, 2018 JHS Kodiak Tremolo Pedal sound so big it's un-bear-able! November 19, 2018 Singular Sound Beat Buddy Mini 2 And the beat goes on ... November 19. 2018 Matthew Effects The Astronomer V2 Celestial Reverb This pedal would make Carl Sagan smile... December 3, 2018 Matthew Effects The Chemist Atomic Modulator Chorus/Vibrato/Phaser/Octave. Who could ask for anything more... December 3, 2018 Yamaha TRBX 600 Series Electric Bass 4 string seismic thunder ... December 3, 2018 Fender Redondo Classic An eye-catching acoustic with electric overtones December 3, 2018 Cusack Music Resound Digital Reverb Resoundingly retro cool ... December 3, 2018 JHS Bonsai Overdrive A nine position tubescreamer that goes to eleven! We look forward to bringing you many more in 2019! -HC-

by Team HC Articles that don't fall under Dear Musician or Community Voice are written by our team of editors each week. The objective is to arm you with more knowledge so that you may feel empowered to make music. As they say, knowledge is power. Below are the articles we published for you in 2018: January 15, 2018 5 Mastering Tips Getting into mastering? Then heed these five tips January 29, 2018 NAMM: Is it Relevant Anymore? Only time will tell … January 29,2018 MV Pro Audio- an Industry Profile Changing with the times ... January 29, 2018 CITES Regulations - What Guitarists Need to Know How to avoid hidden surprises ... January 29, 2018 Team HC's Product Picks from Winter NAMM 2018 Gear that turned our heads ... February 12, 2018 The Value of Group Lessons When three's not a crowd ... February 26, 2018 The State of Live Music, 2018 "Hey, can you play this event for the exposure?" — puleaze! March 12, 2018 Mixing for Better Mastering What you do during the mix can make a big difference ... March 12, 2018 Electric Guitar Switches - a Beginner's Guide Confused about what the switches on your guitar do? We're here to help March 26, 2018 Toby Lee -Inspiring the Next Generation of Blues Guitarists - an Interview Who said the guitar hero was dead? March 26, 2018 Sound Effects with Guitar Think sound effects are solely the domain of keyboards? Think again March 26, 2018 Music Instrument Industry Retail Trends Is it just a case of follow the leader? April 9, 2018 Exploring Explorers with Lzzy Hale - an Interview Sometimes you just need to walk on the dark side ... April 9, 2018 User Reviews Make the World Go 'Round And can help you with your next music gear purchase ... April 23, 2018 Vivian Campbell - Def Leppard, Signature Les Paul, and More - an Interview Pour some 'guitar' sugar on me ... May 7, 2018 James Blunt Talks Guitars, Touring and Making Music Still going strong and making music for a living... May 21, 2018 Chris Cornell - a Retrospective It's hard to believe it's been a year June 4, 2018 Jared James Nichols - Guitars, Chops and More Skill mixed with a little Black Magic ... June 4, 2018 The Death of the Electric Guitar (Part X) You think you've heard the story before ... June 18, 2018 When Noise Attacks Your Signal, Fight Back Yes, it's a beautiful, noise-free world... June 18, 2018 Jason Hook - Five Finger Death Punch, 'Hired Gun,' and More He's more than just a hired gun ... July 2, 2018 Summer NAMM 2018 The Music City Meltdown ... July 2, 2018 George Thorogood - on Music, Guitars, Music ... and Guitars Hey...Party of One please... July 2, 2018 Big Dreams in a Small Town - Making Music When You Don’t Live in the City Sometimes you've gotta hang in there like a hair in a biscuit! July 16, 2018 The Social Musician Get out from under that rock! July 16, 2018 Better Squashing through Multiband Dynamics Processing What can be better than one compressor? Lots of compressors! July 16, 2018 Ace Frehley - What Keeps Him Passionate About Guitar, and More How about a little KISS! July 30, 2018 Dave Amato - on Guitars, Music, and More Riding the Speedwagon ... August 13, 2018 Pearl Jam's Mike McCready - a Guitar Chat Special guitars and special causes... August 13, 2018 Top 10 Mixing Tips The devil may be in the details ... but if you do it right, you'll find an angel instead August 13, 2018 A Brief Tour of Rue de Guitare (Guitar Street) - Paris, France Where the French take their guitars very seriously! August 27, 2018 Eric Church Talks Guitars, Music and More... Should music be this kind or that kind? September 10, 2018 KT Tunstall Talks Music, Guitars, and Women in Music From black horse to white dove... September 10, 2018 Composing at the Speed of Inspiration Tame that technology, and make it work for you... September 24, 2018 The 2018 Guitar Town Festival at Copper Mountain A great place to get a Rocky Mountain high! September 24, 2018 Top 10 Female Guitar Players of All Time - Guitar Gal Greats! What could be better than a killer female guitarist? October 8, 2018 Discussion with DiscoFreq's Guitar Effects Database This guy eats, sleeps, and breathes guitar effects... October 8, 2018 Natalie Stovall Talks About Guitars and Women in Music She's got The Drive.. October 22, 2018 Les Paul Fun Facts One man...lots of hats... November 5, 2018 Little Guitar Shop on the Mountain - a Visit to D'Angelico Guitars Aspen high! Who needs legalized drugs with all these guitars? November 5, 2018 Ten Rising Great Rock and Metal Guitarists - New Blood Making major (sound) waves... November 19, 2018 Rock Guitarist Love Affair Five Rockers come clean about their love for the Les Paul... December 3, 2018 How to Beat Holiday Jet Lag Over the river and through the woods for the holidays—or any other time of the year... December 3, 2018 Have Yourself a Very Merry Metal Christmas Silver and gold, silver and gold. Ev'ryone wishes for silver and gold.... Thanks to our Editors, Craig Anderton, Phil O'Keefe, Chris Loeffler, Russ Loeffler, Dendy Jarrett and Anne Erickson for keeping the music mission alive at Harmony Central. - HC -

Community Voice - 2018 Review It takes a village... by Team HC Community Voice has become a regular part of Harmony Central's Make Better Music in 2018. These articles are submissions from Harmony Central community members as well as editors who are aligned with our mission of inspiring people to make better music. Presenting in review, the Community Voice contributions for 2018: January 15th 2018 Rabbit Hole FX - Factory Visit Run, Rabbit, Run! February 12, 2018 Drummer Andrew Hurley Going the distance to live the mania ... February 26, 2018 Life Throws a Fastball And twenty years of pain … April 9, 2018 Improving the Sound of Your Room with Acoustic Treatment Great gear is only part of what you need for great sound! May 7, 2018 Seeing Shapes and Patterns And I'm not referring to a parallelogram... May 7, 2018 Dusky Electronics - a Tone Seeker by Night One of these things is not like the others... June 18, 2018 How Electronic Drums Are Changing the Drumming World You may be assimilated! July 30, 2018 Komet Amps - a Factory Visit Lighting Up The Sky... August 13, 2018 Surviving Your Next Jam Session Remaining calm, cool, and collected ... August 27, 2018 Why Every Guitarist Should Play the Ukulele They're way more than a novelty! September 10, 2018 A Lesson in Sequence and Rhythmic Variation Because sometimes it's good to mix it up! September 24, 2018 Spicing up Your Drum Set with Electronic Elements Add a new world of sounds to your kit October 8, 2018 Trevor Larkin - the Happy Nomad Guitarist is Stone Rollin' It’s a clichéto say that we’re all basically the same, but it’s true... October 22, 2018 Getting the Most out of Your Piano Practice Don't confuse "playing" with "practice" November 5, 2018 A Visit with Greer Amplification Athens roots...and Lightspeed ahead... November 19, 2018 The Full-Time Musician "Don't You Have a 'Real' Job?" December 3, 2018 Permutations of Chord Tones Bass Players - buckle up for a mind blowing ride... We'd like to thank all of the Community Voice contributors for 2018! -HC-