Showing posts with label rock concerts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rock concerts. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Motley Crue Interview 1987

In 1987, Mötley Crüe was a Heavy Metal band on the climb. They had their big hit "Girls Girls Girls", which became a legendary MTV video. Mötley Crüe was filling arenas as they performed wild concerts on tour for their fans. I found two interesting short videos on You Tube from 1987. The first video is with Nikki Sixx discussing Mötley Crüe's music, the generation of fans at the time, and the direction of the band. Nikki Sixx had a good perspective of the Glam Rock music scene which was starting to peak. While the Nikki Sixx interview was more of a serious tone, the second video is an interview about the partying and fun the band, the road crew, and fans were experiencing. Check out the clothes, the hair and the Heavy Metal music in the videos below. - Kenny Leibow

The two video interviews are from Good Rockin' Tonite a Canadian television series, which aired on CBC Television from the early 1980s to 1993. The program, similar to the American Friday Night Videos, played popular music videos. It was produced at CBUT Vancouver and aired on Friday nights at midnight. The program also featured interviews with musicians, viewer contests and a countdown of the week's most popular singles and albums. The program's original host was Terry David Mulligan, who left to join MuchMusic in 1985. He was replaced by Stu Jeffries.

CHECK THIS OUT!
In my post on Mötley Crüe in June 2009, "Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood", I discussed the history and success of the band. I included some infamous music videos, which I invite you to go back and check out on this blog or click here: Mötley Crüe. ** There is another great interview with Motely Crue back in 1987 by Rolling Stone Magazine, where Mötley Crüe was on the cover "HEAVY METAL, It's Loud, It's Ugly, It Won't Go Away, On the Road with MOTLEY CRUE". Visit Rolling Stone to read the article.


Update September 2, 2012: Canadian Interview of Motley Crue pulled down from YouTube. Below are 2 very cool interviews I have replaced it with from back in 1986-1987. ~Kenny Leibow

Mötley Crüe Nikki Six and Tommy Lee Promoting Girls Girls Girls New Album






Mötley Crüe Interview and Fans Interviewed 1986





Mötley Crüe - Girls, Girls, Girls




Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Bon Jovi’s Circle Rocks



Last night, at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska, I attended my third Bon Jovi concert in 23 years. The first time I saw Bon Jovi was with Deniz in South Florida in the late 1980s. It was September 2002 when I last saw Bon Jovi in Times Square with my friend Ernest from NJ, where we were just 5 feet from the stage. Today Bon Jovi still Rocks just as hard and puts on a fantastic performance.

The night opened with a young band called “Dashboard Confessional”. They are an American alternative rock band from Boca Raton, Florida. Dashboard Confessional has been around since the early 2000’s with several Gold Records. Personally I never really listened to them before. Dashboard Confessional puts on a good show; and I believe this should be a career boost for them to be able to open for a legendary band like Bon Jovi.

I took my wife to the Bon Jovi concert. Like many women she is crazy for Jon Bon Jovi. Yes, our personal song we danced to in 1988 was “Never Say Goodbye”, which by the way they performed last night. I would have thought that “Always” was the more popular love ballad, so this was a nice surprise. The other trivial connections are that I am also from New Jersey and that we share the same wedding anniversary as Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, whom were married in April 1989.









The Qwest Center was sold out of course. The seating capacity is about 16,000. I had to buy my tickets from a broker online, “StubHub” of which I have had good experiences getting tickets. The stage has a “Circle” which is connected with VIP seats inside. (See image of the The Circle stage diagram). Everyone was standing up - off their seats - screaming and singing during the entire concert. There was a lot of energy. Bon Jovi played songs from their new album, "The Circle", like “We Weren’t Born to Follow” and “Superman Tonight”. In an interview given to Rolling Stone Magazine, guitarist Richie Sambora says the album is a return to "rock and roll" and said "There’s going to be some big choruses on there. It sounds like Bon Jovi, but it sounds fresh. We experimented with a lot of new sounds and had a really good time working with John Shanks, who is also a really good guitar player, so he and I did a lot of ‘weaseling’ with the guitar sounds. There are a lot of really good guitar sounds and new kind atmospheres on the new Bon Jovi record, that I think makes it really modern. I think people are going to dig it, man. And it rocks hard." Personally I agree with Richie and do like the new music. Check out The Circle track listing and music video below.

There was a great mix of old legendary hits from the Slippery When Wet album like “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Never Say Goodbye” as well as some more current hits like “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” from 2006. Everyone screamed loud and crazy singing along to “Bad Medicine” from the New Jersey album. What was really cool was when Bon Jovi broke into the Door’s “Roadhouse Blues”. --- The encore was Awsome!! Jon Bon Jovi said “Oh oh, it’s 1984 again” and jammed into “Runaway”. Then Bon Jovi played their anthem “Wanted Dead or Alive” and the ultimate predictable finish was “Livin’ on a Prayer”. There’s no better way to end a Bon Jovi concert! It was great!

There were people from all ages at the concert. This demonstrates Bon Jovi’s fresh appeal that has outlasted all Glam Rock bands of their era. Bon Jovi is definitely a class act as they continuously thanked their fans throughout the concert. Below is a crude 55 second video clip from my iPhone of Bon Jovi performing “You Give Love a Bad Name”. I have also included the official video from the “The Circle” album of the song “We Weren’t Born To Follow”. – Kenny Leibow

Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name - Clip
(Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska March 9, 2010)


3/10/2010 I was just on the blameitonthelove blogsite and found a great and clear video clip of Bon Jovi performing "Never Say Goodbye" from the concert in Omaha. Check it out below:















source: www.shallownation.com

The Circle Track List
1. “We Weren’t Born to Follow”
2. “When We Were Beautiful”
3. “Work for the Working Man”
4. “Superman Tonight”
5. “Bullet”
6. “Thorn In My Side”
7. “Live Before You Die”
8. “Broken Promiseland”
9. “Love’s the Only Rule”
10. “Fast Cars”
11. “Happy Now”
12. “Learn to Love”
iTunes Bonus Track
13. “We Weren’t Born to Follow (Jason Nevins Remix)”

Bon Jovi "We Weren't Born To Follow"

Saturday, September 5, 2009

KISS Tribute Band 1991


Deniz performed live with several musicians in the 1990s including his bands Ankara and Sin. In 1991 at Penrods in Miami Beach, Florida, Deniz was on stage playing Paul Stanley in a Kiss Tribute performance. Read the story below by Rudy Landa; and see the video of the live performance with complete Kiss makeup. - Kenny Leibow

"Halloween of '91, while attending Career Institutes
of America in Miami Beach, some buddies of mine
and myself put together a KISS tribute band and
played at South Beach's "Penrod' s on
The Beach" for our school Halloween Party.....

Here's my guitar solo from that night,followed by a
little tune that KISS fans will recognize.....it was a wild
and crazy time the early 90s......so many memories." -Rudy Landa

Denniz (Paul Stanley), Randy (Peter Criss), Alex (Gene Simmons), and me Rudy (Ace Freeley).



KISS Tribute Band 1991

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

SIN - South Florida Rock Bands 1990s

Deniz Kose performed in many venues through out the 1990s. The photo to the left is Deniz performing at Penrods in South Beach (Florida). As I stated in the previous post "Deniz and Kenny Collection 2", Deniz was in the group Ankara and SIN in the 1990s. Here is the story of SIN:

In 1993 Deniz started a studio in Hallandale, Florida called "Jamtite". I remember visiting the studio in 1996 to watch Ankara rehearse. Jamtite studio was located in an industrial type area with a lot of mechanic shops around. At night, it was a party zone packed with cars. One of Jamtite's many customers were two guys who rented studio time, Ray Gutierrez and Caesar Gutierrez. They were brothers whose family was Cuban. Ray and Caesar were customers for a long time, approximately one and half years. Deniz became good friends with Ray and Caesar. By the end of 1996, Ankara had broken up; and at that time, Deniz started jamming with Ray and Caesar. They all decided to put a together a band and called the group "SIN".

SIN consisted of Deniz Kose as the lead singer, Ray Gutierrez on bass and background vocals, and Caesar Gutierrez as lead guitar and background vocals. They played all original music. Ray and Caesar co-wrote the music and Deniz wrote the lyrics. When SIN practiced and recorded in the studio, the musicians on drums and keyboards were not permanent members of the band. They were musicians for hire.

SIN played many popular venues in South Florida such as The Button, Roses, Plus5, Churchill's, Rosebuds, and McFly just to name a few. When SIN performed live, they also used various drummers on stage. Deniz was forced to close Jamtite in 1996 because the building had a new owner who did not want bands playing there any more. About 4 days a week SIN rehearsed at Obenour Studio in Ft. Lauderdale. They rehearsed 5-6 days a week on average as well as performing live. Sometimes SIN would rehearse at a studio in South Miami, which was the group Exposé's old studio.

Deniz - "I remembers when Ray and Caesar invited Rudy Sarzo the bass player from Ozzy Osbourne, Quite Riot and White Snake to come to the studio and hang out at one of our rehearsals. Now that was a cool moment to jam in front of a musician who was one of my rock heroes. He actually liked our Band. That was a good moment and though I never made it to the Lime Light. it is moments like that I consider priceless."

SIN was together almost 4 years. They broke up in 2000. SIN left behind some great music and fun times. You can listen to some of SIN's songs on the music player on this blog. Also please listen to "Doin Fine" below recorded by SIN in 1998. - Kenny Leibow

SIN - Doin Fine


SIN
Deniz Kose - Lead vocals and Lyricist
Ray Gutierrez - Bass and Background vocals and co writer
Caesar Gutierrez- Lead Guitar.Background vocals and co writer

TRACKS

Trapped in the mirror
Whispering trees
Summer Rain
Doin fine
Into the sky
Feel



Venues in South Florida
South Florida is home to several arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters, and other live music venues.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Hollywood Sportatorium - Rush and Yes 1988

How many venues have featured Elvis Presley and Led Zeppelin in its history? A small arena in Hollywood, Florida did exactly that. The Hollywood Sportatorium was a major events facility for Southeastern Florida in the 1970's and 1980's, and at the time was the only venue of its kind in Broward County. Built in 1969 and opened in September of 1970, it had a concert capacity of 15,500 seats. It was located at 16661 W. Hollywood Blvd. (later renamed Pines Boulevard) in what was then Unincorporated Broward County. It was built adjacent to the Miami-Hollywood Motorsports Park, built just four years earlier. At the time, Pines Blvd was a small two lane road.

In addition to Elvis and Led Zeppelin, the Hollywood Sportatorium was host to Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, U2, Rush, Yes and Aerosmith just to name a few great bands and artists. After living in Florida for a very short time, I did get to experience a concert at the Hollywood Sportatorium in 1988. I saw Aerosmith on April 17th, 1988 on their "Permanent Vacation" tour with some friends. It was a fantastic concert! Unfortunately the newly built Miami Arena at the time took away all the business from the Hollywood Sportatorium and it was forced to close in October 1988. It was later torn down in 1993.

The Hollywood Sportatoriium was not only known for great rock concerts in the 1970's and 1980's, but also for Star Trek conventions. The acoustics were notorious for being poor and the building was basically cement and metal; nothing sexy about it at all. Billy Joel at one of his concerts, dealt with echoing sounds by yelling, “This place sucks!”. It is the memories and the experiences that were created along with the great bands who played there is why we want to remember the Hollywood Sportatorium. - Kenny Leibow

Sources: http://www.classics-rock-concerts.com

Below are audience recordings from the Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, Florida of "Yes" and "Rush" concerts. By watching these videos, you can get a sense of the experience from inside the Hollywood Sportatorium. Listen to the crowd go wild when Rush starts to play "Tom Sawyer".

Audience recording of "Yes" from the Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, Florida, Sunday, January 24, 1988.

Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart



Yes - And You and I



Yes - Love Will Find A Way




"Rush" playing at the The Sportatorium in Hollywood, Florida, USA, on February 13, 1988, as part of the Hold Your Fire tour.


Rush - YYZ / The Rhythm Method / Red Lenses 2-13-1988



Rush - Closer To The Heart 2-13-1988



Rush - Limelight 2-13-1988



Rush - Tom Sawyer 2-13-1988

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Skid Row - 18 and Life

Skid Row was formed in Toms River, New Jersey not far from where I grew up. Below is a full biography of Skid Row. I bought their first album "Skid Row" in 1989, which went Multi-Platinum. Below is a list of the tracks from Skid Row's first album. Please watch the two music videos, "18 and Life (Live)" and "I Remember You (1989)". I always thought that "18 and Life" had powerful lyrics. - Kenny Leibow

Biography
Skid Row were one of the very last hair metal bands to hit the mainstream before grunge took over in the early '90s. While the band's self-titled debut employed standard pop-metal riffs and generic lyrics (albeit to great commercial success), 1991's Slave to the Grind and 1995's Subhuman Race broke away from the pop-metal mold with uncharacteristically hard, thrashy guitars and unique songwriting techniques. Though personal differences and changing trends would eventually tear the core lineup apart by 1996, Skid Row showed tremendous promise during their short time in the spotlight.

Based in New Jersey, Skid Row were formed in 1986 by bassist Rachel Bolan and former Bon Jovi guitarist Dave "The Snake" Sabo. The pair added guitarist Scott Hill, drummer Rob Affuso, and a larger than life vocalist named Sebastian Bach to the lineup by early 1987, and the band spent the next year and a half playing a series of local clubs in the eastern U.S. Having remained in contact with Jon Bon Jovi, Sabo convinced the established rock star to land Skid Row a record deal with Mercury Records. In 1989, the band released its first album, Skid Row, which went multi-platinum on the strength of the Top 40 singles "18 and Life" and "I Remember You." Success came with a backlash, however -- the bandmembers had naïvely signed away much of their royalties, and Sebastian Bach's wild, often childlike behavior landed the group in additional trouble. During the subsequent tour, Bach garnered harsh criticism for a T-shirt he publicly sported displaying the message "AIDS KILLS FAGS DEAD." Suits were also filed against Bach after a concert during the supporting tour, where the singer allegedly threw a glass bottle into the crowd and injured a young female fan.

Nonetheless, Skid Row's muscular songcraft retained a devoted audience. Released in 1991, Slave to the Grind debuted at number one on the Billboard chart, an unprecedented accomplishment for a metal band. While the album did not chart any real radio hits, Grind received stronger critical praise and eventually reached platinum status. However, like so many of their peers, Skid Row lost much of their fan base during the grunge invasion of the '90s. As Nirvana stormed the scene in 1992, Skid Row took a hiatus, waiting out the grunge period and pondering breakups (ironically, Nirvana had once gone under the name Skid Row in the '80s). Skid Row returned in 1995 with Subhuman Race, which surprisingly charted in the Top 40 but otherwise did not attract any real attention.

During the supporting tour, tensions between the group members ran high and Skid Row disbanded shortly afterward. Bach went on to form the Last Hard Men with Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, but the group broke up after recording a cover of Alice Cooper's "School's Out" for the Scream soundtrack in 1996. Plans to record new songs for the Skid Row greatest-hits album, 1998's Forty Seasons, fell through, and Bach went on to form a solo project and portray the title role in the Broadway musical +Jeckyll and Hyde. In mid-2000, Skid Row re-formed with new singer Johnny Solinger and toured as the opening band for Kiss' farewell tour. They released Thickskin with Solinger in 2003, followed by Revolutions Per Minute in 2006. Meanwhile, Sebastian Bach enjoyed a surge in popularity when he appeared in a VH1 reality show opposite Ted Nugent and Scott Ian. Barry Weber, All Music Guide

Group Members:
Johnny Solinger
Phil Varone
Scott Hill
Sebastian Bach
Rachel Bolan
Rob Affuso
Dave "The Snake" Sabo

Source: www.starpulse.com


Skid Row (1989)












Tracks
1. Big Guns
2. Sweet Little Sister
3. Can't Stand The Heartache
4. Pieces Of Me
5. 18 And Life
6. Rattlesnake Shake
7. Youth Gone Wild
8. Here I Am
9. Makin' A Mess
10. I Remember You
11. Midnight / Tornado


Skid Row – 18 and Life (Live)
Warning: Some Strong Language


Skid Row – I Remember You (1989)

With Lyrics

Sunday, April 26, 2009

100 Greatest Guitar Solos Of All Time











I have already listed the top 100 guitar players; and now I am listing the greatest "Guitar Solos" of all time. This is probably the most controversial list I have published on the site because I can't find any consistency on all the lists I researched. There are so many great guitar solos and I am sure that there will be a wide range of opinions on how to rank them. My opinion is that that the best guitar solo is Jimi Hendrix in "All Along The Watch Tower" because of its originality. Jimi Hendrix was ahead of his time. This list does not represent "live performances", it is about recorded guitar solos in the studio. Please put your comments on what you think are the greatest guitar solos. - Kenny Leibow


There are links to the artists, songs and music videos on the top 60 listed below.
Source: digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com


1. Comfortably Numb - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
2. Stairway To Heaven - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
3. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
4. Free Bird - Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
5. Maggot Brain - Edie Hazel (Funkadelic)
6. Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan
7. Eruption - Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
8. Highway Star - Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
9. Cause We've Ended As Lovers - Jeff Beck
10. Hotel California - Don Felder/Joe Walsh (Eagles)
11. Mr Crowley - Randy Rhoads (Ozzy)
12. Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
13. Time - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
14. Layla - Eric Clapton/Duane Allman (Derek & The Dominos)
15. Sweet Child O' Mine - Slash (Guns N' Roses)
16. Cliffs Of Dover - Eric Johnson
17. Nottingham Lace - Buckethead
18. For The Love Of God - Steve Vai
19. Voodoo Child (slight return) - Jimi Hendrix
20. November Rain - Slash (Guns N' Roses)
21. Shine On You Crazy Diamond - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
22. Blue Sky - Duane Allman/Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers Band)
23. Satch Boogie - Joe Satriani
24. Lazy - Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
25. Crazy Train - Randy Rhoads (Ozzy)
26. White Room - Eric Clapton (Cream)
27. Rock You Like A Hurricane - Matthias Jabs (Scorpions)
28. Sultans Of Swing - Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
29. One - Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
30. No More Tears - Zakk Wylde (Ozzy)
31. Since I've Been Loving You - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
32. Floods - Dimebag Darrel (Pantera)
33. Black Star - Yngwie Malmsteen
34. Atom Heart Mother - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
35. Red House - Jimi Hendrix
36. Big Sur Moon - Buckethead
37. The Rocker - Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy)
38. Those Were The Days - Eric Clapton (Cream)
39. Bohemian Rhapsody - Brian May (Queen)
40. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Eric Clapton (The Beatles)
41. Fade To Black - Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
42. Dream - John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
43. Sound Chaser - Steve Howe (Yes)
44. Alive - Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
45. Mood For A Day - Steve Howe (Yes)
46. Aqualung - Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
47. Stone In Love - Neal Schon (Journey)
48. Child In Time - Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
49. Like A Hurricane - Neil Young
50. Dreams - Duane Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
51. Cortez The Killer - Neil Young
52. Over The Mountain - Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne)
53. Money - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
54. Killer Queen - Brian May (Queen)
55. Two Minutes To Midnight - D. Murray/A. Smith (Iron Maiden)
56. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad - D. Allman/E. Clapton (Derek & The Dominos)
57. Southern Man - Neil Young
58. Kid Charlemagne - Larry Carlton (Steely Dan)
59. Surfing With The Alien - Joe Satriani
60. Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan
61. Heartbreaker - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
62. Too Many Humans - Buckethead
63. Under A Glass Moon - John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
64. Desert Rose - Eric Johnson
65. Dazed And Confused - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
66. Tender Surrender - Steve Vai
67. Still In Love With You - Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy)
68. Bold As Love - Jimi Hendrix
69. Don't Keep Me Wondering - Duane Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
70. Ramblin' Man - Dicky Betts (Allman Brothers Band)
71. Always With Me Always With You - Joe Satriani
72. Tale Of Brave Ulysses - Eric Clapton (Cream)
73. Stranger In A Strange Land - Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
74. You Really Got Me - Dave Davies (The Kinks)
75. 25 Or 6 To 4 - Terry Kath (Chicago)
76. Devil Takes The Hindmost - Allan Holdsworth
77. Have A Cigar - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
78. Trademark - Eric Johnson
79. La Villa Strangiato - Alex Lifeson (Rush)
80. Super Stupid - Edie Hazel (Funkadelic)
81. Stranglehold - Ted Nugent
82. Beyond The Realms Of Death - Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
83. Bulls On Parade - Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine)
84. Unrestrained Growth - Buckethead
85. Miserlou - Dick Dale
86. Far Beyond The Sun - Yngwie Malmsteen
87. Brighton Rock - Brian May (Queen)
88. Dogs - David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
89. Master Of Puppets - Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
90. Beat It - Eddie Van Halen (Michael Jackson)
91. Sow Thistle - Buckethead
92. Whipping Post - Duane Allman/Dicky Betts (Allman Brothers Band)
93. The Way It Has To Be - Shawn Lane
94. 21st Century Schizoid Man - Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
95. War Pigs - Toni Iommi (Black Sabbath)
96. Dreams - Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
97. Padmasana - Buckethead
98. Whole Lotta Love - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
99. Working Man - Alex Lifeson (Rush)
100. Love Is The Law - John Squire (Seahorses)

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Vixen - Rocks in '89


Vixen in the late 1980's is one of the bands that lit up the stage with other heavy metal and hard rock bands. Sometimes referred to as the female Bon Jovi; Vixen created great music and fun live concerts. This is my first blog entry regarding female rock artists. Below is a brief history of Vixen. I have included 3 rock videos. The first video is on Vixen's big hit "Edge of a Broken Heart". The second video is a live concert in the late 1980's of Vixen performing "I Want You To Rock Me"; then the last video is the rock ballad "Cryin". Kenny Leibow


History


Vixen was formed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1980 by guitarist Jan Kuehnemund while still at high school. In 1984, an early version of the band with Kuehnemund and singer Janet Gardner appeared in the movie Hardbodies as the on-screen band "Diaper Rash." In 1985 the band moved to Los Angeles to be part of the LA rock scene. Line-up changes happened during the following years until the 'classic' line-up of Jan Kuehnemund (guitar), Janet Gardner (vocals & rhythm guitar), Share Pedersen (bass guitar) and Roxy Petrucci (drums) was formed. This line-up of Vixen was interviewed in 1987 along with many other rock artists of the day by Penelope Spheeris for her film The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.

In 1988 the band were signed to EMI and they began recording their debut album Vixen which was released in September 1988. Singer and Songwriter Richard Marx actually wrote and arranged their signature hit, "Edge of a Broken Heart," on the album. He also produced the song. Rumor was he was asked to assist the all-female band by EMI to produce their first major hit to compete with the all-female band The Bangles. Marx had nothing to do with their follow-up CD since he was becoming a more of a mainline singer than songwriter. The next year Vixen spent touring the world supporting acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions and Bon Jovi as well as headlining their own shows. The band returned to the studio in late 1989/early 1990 to record their follow up album Rev it Up which was released in July 1990. A year of touring followed including headlining their own shows and supporting acts such as KISS and Deep Purple. In mid 1991 the band split due to musical differences.

Source - http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Vixen_(band)

Band Members (1987–1991)
Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar
Share Pedersen – bass
Roxy Petrucci – drums


Vixen - Edge of a Broken Heart



Vixen - (Live) I Want You To Rock Me


Vixen - Cryin

Saturday, February 21, 2009

100 Greatest 'Male' Rock Vocalists



I have posted lists for the top guitar players, bassists and drummers. It is now time to discuss the greatest rock vocalists of all time. The list below has links to the music for some of the artists; and the ones listed in red were recently added. The site where I found this list has other great music lists; however previous lists that I have posted on this blog comes from different sources. To see more music lists, you can visit: http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/index.html.

Let me first say that I had difficulty finding a list of great vocalists that accurately included female rock singers; though I did find some information about great female rock performances, which I will display in a future post. The order of the "100 Greatest 'Male' Rock Vocalists" is disputable; and since I sometimes receive comments about worthy artists who don't appear on a particular list, therefore I have also included 101-200 of the "Greatest 'Male' Rock Vocalists". I will voice the first complaint about the order of the list, which is that I don't agree that Sammy Hagar should be listed ahead of Steve Tyler of Aerosmith. My vote for the number 1 rock vocalist is Robert Plant. I know this is the second time I picked a member of Led Zeppelin as my favorite, but I do believe most rock fans would at least put Robert Plant in their top 5. Please comment on your top rock vocalist. Kenny Leibow


1. Freddie Mercury (Queen, Solo)
2. Jackie Wilson
3. Jeff Buckley
4. Sam Cooke
5. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin, Solo)
6. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple, Solo)
7. Steve Perry (Journey, Solo)
8. Roy Orbison
9. Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, Solo)
10. Clyde McPhatter (Drifters, Dominoes, Solo)
11. Elvis Presley
12. Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
13. Marvin Gaye
14. Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle)
15. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden, Solo)
16. Stevie Wonder
17. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Solo)
18. Al Green
19. Tim Buckley
20. Tony Williams (Platters)
21. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
22. Smokey Robinson
23. Curtis Mayfield
24. Roger Daltrey (The Who, Solo)
25. Roy Hamilton
26. Solomon Burke
27. Little Willie John
28. Michael Matijevic (Steelheart)
29. Little Richard
30. Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, Queen)
31. Roy Khan (Kamelot)
32. Burton Cummings (The Guess Who, Solo)
33. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings, Solo)
34. Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
35. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations, Solo)
36. Dan McCafferty (Nazareth)
37. Brad Delp (Boston)
38. Dennis DeYoung (Styx, Solo)
39. Wilson Pickett
40. Sam Moore (Sam & Dave)
41. Joe Cocker
42. Ben E. King (The Drifters, Solo)
43. Luther Vandross
44. Carl Wilson (Beach Boys)
45. Van Morrison (Them, Solo)
46. Peter Cetera (Chicago)
47. Richard Manuel (The Band)
48. Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers, Solo)
49. Barry White
50. Levi Stubbs (Four Tops)
51. Eric Burdon (Animals, War, Solo)
52. David Ruffin (The Temptations, Solo)
53. Billy Joel
54. David Bowie
55. Axl Rose (Guns N Roses)
56. James Brown
57. Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
58. David Byron (Uriah Heep)
59. Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire)
60. Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
61. Layne Staley (Alice In Chains, Mad Season)
62. Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple)
63. Elton John
64. Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)
65. Otis Redding
66. Frankie Valli (The Four Seasons, Solo)
67. Jimmy Beaumont (The Skyliners)
68. Prince
69. John Farnham (The Little River Band)
70. Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Perfect Circle)
71. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
72. Rod Stewart (The Jeff Beck Group, Solo)
73. Dion (Dion and The Belmonts)
74. Jimi Jamison (Survivor)
75. Greg Lake (ELP, King Crimson)
76. Del Shannon
77. Philip Anselmo (Pantera)
78. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel, Solo)
79. Dennis Edwards (The Temptations)
80. Cedric Bixler-Zavalla (At The Drive In, The Mars Volta)
81. Jimmy Gnecco (Ours)
82. Bono (U2)
83. Neil Diamond
84. Bob Seger
85. Jack Bruce (Cream)
86. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Mayfield 4)
87. Steve Winwood (Traffic, Solo)
88. Bill Withers
89. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
90. Russell Allen (Symphony X)
91. Todd Rundgren
92. Klaus Meine (Scorpions)
93. Meat Loaf
94. James Taylor
95. Steve Marriott (Humble Pie)
96. Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Solo)
97. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
98. David Coverdale (Deep Purple, Whitesnake)
99. John Lennon (The Beatles, Solo)
100. John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo)
101. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
102. Don Henley (The Eagles)
103. Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)
104. Bruce Springsteen
105. Lou Christie
106. Jerry Lee Lewis
107. Jon Anderson (Yes)
108. Peter Gabriel (Genesis, Solo)
109. Steve Walsh (Kansas)
110. Nick Cave
111. Gregg Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
112. Aaron Neville
113. Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi)
114. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
115. Joe Elliot (Def Leppard)
116. Don Mclean
117. Sting (The Police)
118. Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon)
119. Lindsay Buckingham(Fleetwood Mac)
120. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
121. Screamin Jay Hawkins
122. John Kay (Steppenwolf)
123. Ray Davies (The Kinks)
124. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
125. Michael Stipe (REM)
126. Cat Stevens
127. Jeff Lynne (ELO)
128. George Harrison (The Beatles)
129. Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
130. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
131. Mitch Ryder (Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels)
132. Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel, Solo)
133. Neil Young(Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo)
134. Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
135. Bryan Adams
136. Phil Collins (Genesis, Solo)
137. Eric Clapton (Cream, Blind Faith, Derek..., Solo)
138. David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat, & Tears)
139. Steve Miller
140. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
141. Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
142. Gary Cherone (Extreme)
143. Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)
144. Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
145. Paul Weller The Jam, The Style Council
146. John Wetton (King Crimson)
147. Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
148. Graham Nash (Hollies, CSNY)
149. Graham Bonnet (Rainbow)
150. Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night)
151. James Hetfield (Metallica)
152. Michael Hutchence (INXS)
153. Levon Helm (The Band)
154. Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)
155. Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers, Solo)
156. Morrissey (The Smiths)
157. Robert Smith (Cure)
158. James Labrie (Dream Theater)
159. Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees)
160. Leslie West (Mountain)
161. Doug Pinnick (King's X)
162. Denny Doherty (The Mamas & Papas)
163. Aaron Lewis (Staind)
164. Felix Cavaliere (The Young Rascals)
165. Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden)
166. Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple)
167. Chris De Burgh
168. Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
169. Tommy Shaw (Styx)
170. Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
171. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
172. Matt Bellamy (Muse)
173. Edward Kowalczyk (Live)
174. John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful, Solo)
175. Elvis Costello
176. James Dewar (Robin Trower)
177. Peter Wolf (J Geils Band)
178. Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls)
179. Tony Martin (Black Sabbath)
180. Peter Frampton
181. Dave Mason (Traffic, Solo)
182. Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze)
183. Robert Palmer
184. Warren Zevon
185. Billy Idol (Generation X, Solo)
186. John Popper (Blues Traveler)
187. Tommy James (Tommy James & the Shondells)
188. Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
189. Brandon Boyd (Incubus)
190. Greg Kihn
191. Billy Squier
192. Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo)
193. Tom Petty
194. Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode)
195. Ian Astbury (The Cult)
196. Chris Robinson (The Black Crows)
197. Geddy Lee (Rush)
198. Corey Glover (Living Color)
199. Lou Reed (Velvet Underground)
200. Joe Strummer (The Clash)