AC/DC Week, Back in Black

Posted in AC/DC, Youtube Favs on July 14th, 2011 by Willie

So Bon Scott died and in comes English native and Geordie lead singer Brian Johnson.  Johnson never would match Bon’s rock star charisma, but he would out sing him in every demonic capacity.  Scott had a high raspy McCartney/Plant like voice, not nearly as good as those guys, but similar.  Johnson had something altogether different; a screeching high octave voice of dark power.  The vocal gymnastics this guy was able to achieve is mind-blowing, continuously topping his highest notes while never going into a falsetto while always maintaining his vaunted rock and roll roar.  It was pure cartoon attitude, not only a perfect fit for the likes of AC/DC, but a voice that was able to elevate them to a higher level of abstract universalism.  A match made in rock and roll heaven.  Teaming with famed 80s rock producer Mutt Lange, the boys put together their Back in Black album, which was their first true world wide smash.  The song that carries the album’s name was a tribute to Bon Scott, a crazy celebration of his nutty life all wrapped up in a hilarious dark banner of victory.  Check it out.

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The Doors, Break On Through (To The Other Side)

Posted in The Doors, Youtube Favs on June 17th, 2011 by Willie

Part 92 of my youtube countdown tears you into another dimension with the Doors, “Break On Through (To the Other Side).”  This is one of the greatest psychedelic pop singles you’ll ever hear.  It’s got an iconic pulsing keyboard bass intro played by the genius Ray Manzarek, propulsive drumming by John Densmore, stunning pickless riffs by Robby Krieger, and perfect dark lyrics and singing by the immortal Jim Morrison.  This version is actually a special remix featuring the original, “She Gets (high)” lyric that was censored for over 30 years until the 1990s.  The Doors are one of the coolest bands that ever existed for a bunch of reasons.  #1.  The name- In 2011, all amazing rock band names have been taken, and the Doors grabbed that special piece of real-estate all the way back in 1965, bastards.  #2., #3, #4, Manzarek, Densmore, and Krieger-  These 3 were all geniuses of rock and roll.  Manzarek is the greatest psychedelic keyboard player of all time.  Krieger could hold his own with anybody on guitar in the 60s, which says a lot.  Oh, he also wrote “Light My Fire.”  Densmore was a fantastic and exciting drummer who contributed a lot to the bands overall sound.  #5. Jim Morrison-  One of the greatest lead singers of all time.  To me, he is better than all the 70s hard rock bands he inspired, and that includes Led Zepplin’s Robert Plant.  He was an outrageous real rocker with no inhibitions who blazed a comet of artistic unstopability!  One last rock and roll fun fact before I go.  My dad was at the infamous Miami concert when Jim Morrison supposedly pulled his cock out and got himself arrested for indecent exposure.  Well according to my then 19 year old father, Morrison NEVER did it.  He said the cops were on the stage, and he threatened them that he would pull dick out, but he didn’t.  He said the cops just jumped him and dragged him off stage!  Of course we all know what happened next.  Morrison escaped to France to avoid prosecution, and soon died of a heroin overdose in his bathtub at age 27…Seems unfair in light of what really happened, no?  Luckily we have “Break On Through” so Jim can live on.  Enjoy.

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