Alright OOT, name YOUR All-Star Band. A band composed of the
greatest or favorite musicians you've seen perform live .
Here's mine, and I hope you kids recognize some of them:
Drums - Keith Moon, The Who
Electric Factory, Phila. PA, 1969
The original maniac drummer, his frantic drumming was actually sedate compared to his rollicking lifestyle. Keith didn't play drums, he attacked them with an unmatched flair and fury.
My favorite Moon memory is him playing "Pinball Wizard", because as you watched him playing, he really wasn't on drums, he was flipping, shaking, nudging, and tilting away on an imaginary pinball machine.
Links to
the man,
his music,
and legacy.
Bass - Jack Bruce, Cream
Camden County Music Fair, Cherry Hill NJ, 1968
Jack was simply the top electric bassist in the world during Cream's brief run. His bass lines were crisp, clean, powerful, and were never overshadowed by his accomplished bandmates.
I was memermized watching him play, his fingers moving over the bass faster than Clapton's on guitar.
Links to
the man,
his music,
and legacy.
Rhythm Guitar - Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones
Richfield Coliseum, Cleveland OH, 1981
Is there a more definitive Rock 'n Roll icon than Keith Richards? Nobody can boast a more successful musical career while simultaneously sampling all of the fruits of the rock superstar lifestyle. His fuzz "Satisfaction" intro embodies the essence of rock.
I met Keith and his lovely wife in JFK baggage claim after a Jamaica vacation. He dropped his bags to shake my hand, leaned in close and muttered "everybody's gotta fly sometime". Amen.
Links to
the man,
his music,
and legacy.
Lead Guitar - Jimi Hendrix, The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Arena, Phila. PA, 1968
The greatest electric guitarist ever. An amazing performer who could play his startingly original music equally well left-handed, behind the back, with his teeth, or humping with his crotch!
I got a tremendous kick when he introduced "the national anthem of rock" and launched into a juiced up rendition of "Wild Thing" for his encore.
Links to
the man,
his music,
and legacy.
Vocals - James Brown, James Brown and the Famous Flames
Latin Casino Nightclub, Cherry Hill NJ, 1967
The most energetic perpetual motion vocalist to ever hit a stage. James Brown brought raw sexuality and incredible musical talent to his performances.
I saw James in a dinner-club setting (think Goodfellas), but the female audience wanted to sample James, and showered the stage with bras and panties, while he tossed his cuff links in return.
Links to
the man,
his music,
and legacy.
So there you have it, my All-Star band (and brag post).
Who's in yours?