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Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

Friday, March 8, 2024

Steve Lawrence


  

One of - perhaps the - last crooner of the mid-20th century, Steve Lawrence, died yesterday at the age of 88.

To me his name is synonymous with the partnership he had with his wife. He wasn't "Steve Lawrence;" he was "Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme." 

RIP



Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Toby Keith


Toby Keith, the country music legend with 32 #1 hits, among them "Should've Been A Cowboy," has died of stomach cancer at age 62.

In the '90's, when country music surged on the heels of Garth and I listened to the genre pretty regularly, I had a couple of Keith's albums. I'm familiar enough with his work that his early death came as a shock to me this morning. 

RIP

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Roger Whittaker





 I try to restrict my memorial posts to public figures who had some impact on my life, even if its a secondary connection to a memory I hold dear. 


Roger Whittaker, who died on the 13th at age 87, meets that definition by the slimmest of margins. The folk singers' name and face echo strongly in my memory but for the life of me I can't think why; was he popular with my parents or grandparents? Did I see a concert of his on TV? I'm drawing a blank. 


None-the-less: RIP



Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Mitski Listening Party

In celebration of one of his favorite artists, Mitski, releasing a new album "The Land is Inhospitable and So are We," Smiley went to a listening party at Lilliput records, along with Junie and one of her Core Four, Kevin. 







Saturday, September 2, 2023

Jimmy Buffet


Jimmy Buffet might have had only one top ten hit (Margaritaville, which topped out in the 8th spot), but he turned his laid back, sing along friendly music into an empire Forbes said was worth $500 million by 2016.

He passed away yesterday at age 76.

I was introduced to Jimmy's music by my friend Ervin, and his aptly named greatest hits compilation Songs You Know By Heart deserves its place in your music library.

RIP sir. You did your part to make this world a more joyful place.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience

As Led Zeppelin disbanded after John Bonham's death in 1980, when I was six, I've never had a chance to see the band in concert. My closest brush with Zeppelin? Meeting Jimmy Page in 2003. But I'd long remained aware of Bonham's son Jason, who not only went on to forge his own name in rock but filled in expertly at the sole LZ reunion show in 2007. When I saw his LZ tribute band was coming to Milwaukee, I had to get tickets. 



As my friend Tre has a leg problem we were "upgraded" to handicapped seating in the balcony. The venue quickly began to fill with a crowd my age and slightly older, with maybe a fifth of the seats by 20 and 30 something year olds. 


My view was great but as normal here in 2023 camera phone zoom sucks. But here's some pics I took: 




The pics that follow were taken by the Rave's official event photographer

You may note that the guitarist, while Asian, bears more than a passing resemblance to Jimmy Page. His name is Akio Sakurai, a man so famous for his dedication to Page's work that there's an entire movie about him (Mr. Jimmy). I must say his playing is *phenomenal*, far, far about whatever I had anticipated. 

That goes for the band as a whole too. I didn't doubt Bonham's ability, but I had expected him to be surrounded by a collection of B list musicians. Not so. Song after song, the band nailed it, not merely copying Led Zeppelin but playing tight, wonderfully adept versions of their catalog. I think, having heard it with my own ears, that they were A BAND of their own that just happen to be devoted to the music of another. 

My heart bled for Jason Bonham too, as he told the audience of losing his Dad at 14, and how he was ashamed that he had been so embarrassed by him during his lifetime. "Why?," he said, "because he was they guy on the news who threw a telly out hotel windows? How foolish of me. He was John Bonham, the best drummer in the world, playing in the best band in the world, and he was my Dad."







Yo, I'm the guy in the white and orange shirt circled below!










A great time, and a great show! I'd love to see them again!

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Sinead O'Connor

 



Sinead O'Connor, the Irish singer who seemed to court controversy as much as fame, has died at age 56 of yet to be disclosed causes. 

By her own admission, drugs and mental illness ruled over much of her life, and that puts some of her actions in a different life. But at the height of her career, I doubt it was either that caused her to court drama - tearing up a picture of the Pope on SNL (and John Paul II no less!), getting into a beef with Frank Sinatra, etc. 

Regardless:  the power and sorrow in her cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" rights a lot of wrongs, it is a version that will still be played in the decades to come. 

RIP

Friday, July 21, 2023

Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, the last of the great mid-20th century crooners, died today at 96. 

Bennett's signature song may have been I Left My Heart in San Francisco but that was but a miniscule part of a legacy that includes 70 - SEVENTY - albums and 19 competitive Grammy Awards. 

Late in life, he drew in  a new generation of fans as he mentored Amy Winehouse, befriended and worked with Lady Gaga, and became the oldest performer to have a number one record on the Billboard 200 at the age of 88. 

What a life. 

Thanks for letting us tag along Mr. Bennett. 

RIP




Monday, July 17, 2023

Joe McIntyre at the Turner Hall Ballroom

Saturday night Lisa and I went downtown to the Turner Ballroom, right across from the Fiserv Forum, to see Joe McIntyre. This was the 3rd time I've seen him perform solo, and Lisa - I don't know if she can even count the times, given the cruise, the convention, etc. 




There was of course merchandise, and my lady bought - and looked great - in a t-shirt from the stand. 




This might be one of my favorite pictures of us, ever: 


This picture is from well before the show started. The main floor was sold out (400 seats if I heard the guard correctly), but the balcony, where we bought tickets, only sold 20 or 30 seats. I think that had to be by design, because what the heck otherwise? Yet why turn down revenue; tickets were being offered for $100 on the secondary market, so it isn't like the demand wasn't there. 

(even though Harley's 120th birthday party was in town) 



That pic too was well before the show but even so, we were front and center to the stage, had a table to ourselves, and best of all (hey, I'm almost 50!) there was a restroom only 25 feet away. It was like we lucked into a private suite LOL!


Now Joe, of course, is a member of New Kids on the Block, and idgaf if you like the group or not, as I do, but the point is moot at a Joe solo show. He performs a couple of NKOTB hits, some of his solo stuff, and covers.  He leans traditionally to the standards of the Rat Pack era, and included a few, but this time around it was largely covers of rock artists. 

He performed accompanied only by backing tracks and a single guitarist/pianist who also co-wrote a song Joe performed. 

I will not come up for excuses for his bright red sequin suit. 



 Turner Hall was built in 1882 and wears its age on its sleeve as a badge of honor. This includes netting to prevent any stray chunks of ceiling to crash into the crowd - something that Joe mentioned between songs, along with a few other friendly jabs to the appearance of the venue.  I don't believe it was said with anything other than affection; Joe is a sarcastic and blunt performer. Case in point: two women insisted on standing in front of the stage, in front of all 400 seats. He sarcastically called them out: "I appreciate you coming and standing there, but you know, you can see the same thing sitting in your seat"



It was a fun show, full of the talent and natural theatricality of Joe. Here's a setlist from a PRIOR show on the tour (none was available for this one yet.)


Like I said. A great show, a great time, a great night with a great woman!


Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Tina Turner

 On June 29th, 1997, Lisa and I attended a concert at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest, Milwaukee's lakefront music festival. We watched a very pregnant Cyndi Lauper open the night, which was a nice bit of nostalgia,  and then the great Tina Turner took the stage. 



Here's the setlist from that day: 

  1. Whatever You Want
  2. Do What You Do
  3. River Deep, Mountain High
  4. Missing You
  5. In Your Wildest Dreams
  6. GoldenEye
  7. Private Dancer
  8. We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)
  9. Let's Stay Together
  10. Undercover Agent for the Blues
  11. I Can't Stand the Rain
  12. Steamy Windows
  13. Givin' It Up for Your Love
  14. Better Be Good to Me
  15. Addicted to Love
  16. The Best
  17. What's Love Got to Do With It
  18. Proud Mary
  19. Nutbush City Limits
  20. On Silent Wings
  21. Something Beautiful Remains
Cyndi Lauper setlist:


  1. Ballad of Cleo & Joe
  2. I Drove All Night
  3. Time After Time
  4. You Don't Know
  5. Sisters of Avalon
  6. Money Changes Everything

Tina Turner died today at age 83. There's nothing I can write about her life that hasn't been documented better elsewhere: her rise to fame, her abusive marriage, her time in the entertainment wilderness, her magnificent comeback. 

So I will merely say this:  thank you for a heckuva show. RIP. 

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian singer/songwriter who immortalized the doomed Great Lakes freighter Edmund Fitzgerald, died yesterday at age 84. 

RIP, and may the crew of the Fitzgerald guide you home. 




Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Harry Belafonte

Continuing the rather somber tone of this site lately, Harry Belafonte - pop singer, actor, and activist - has died at age 96. 

Rest in peace sir. 




Monday, March 13, 2023

Victoria's Secret

 I know Victoria's secret

And, girl, you wouldn't believe
She's an old man who lives in Ohio
Making money off of girls like me"
Cashin' in on body issues
Sellin' skin and bones with big boobs
I know Victoria's secret
She was made up by a dude (dude)
Victoria was made up by a dude (dude)
Victoria was made up by a dude

If you aren't exposed to TikTok or Top 40 radio maybe you don't know of the song 'Victoria's Secret' by Jax. It is a catchy tune, certainly promotes a positive body image for women, and I am pleased to say that I knew of Jax, and her social media presence, long before the song became a radio hit. 

But Saturday morning Lisa and I listened to an interview with Jax in which she was praised umpteen times for exposing the "truth" behind Victoria's Secret - that it isn't run or founded by someone named Victoria, but instead is or was run by a businessman in Ohio.* The topic of the day, apparently, was this stunning bit of insider knowledge. 

I was annoyed and ranted to Lisa.

"WTF thought 'Victoria's Secret' was named after the founder? Dude. It's alluding to the Victorian era and pointing out that the fact that even a prim and proper woman can be sexy in the bedroom. I mean, come on. I got it the first time I heard it as a kid. Who are these idiots? Who doesn't know that?"

Silence. 

"Dan, I guarantee you I never once thought Victoria's Secret had anything to do with the Royal Family or anything that you just said, and neither has any woman I've ever met."


*It was actually founded by a married couple, so a woman *did* help found it but it was later sold to and expanded by said "old man in Ohio." And yes, I'm right about the meaning of the name. I just checked. So pbbbtt. 

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Apparently, it's Retirement Day

Tom Brady announces his retirement from the NFL (again). 

Dr. Phil announces he's retiring his show after 21 years on the air. 

And Ozzy Osbourne says he's done touring. 

They say things happen in threes . .  .


Thursday, January 19, 2023

David Crosby

Folk singer/Songwriter, David Crosby, a founding member of both Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Byrds has passed away.  The day before he died he tweeted that heaven was "overrated" and "cloudy."

RIP.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

New Music from Miley Cyrus

Miley and her pettiness is the perfect storm that creates memorable music. I'm so here for it. Released on his bday too? Lol...she's never going to behave, she will 100% find a partner who embraces the misbehavior! -Lisa 

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift

For Christmas we bought the 4 kids - Swifties all - tickets to a candlelight tribute to Taylor Swift.

Tonight they journeyed there together, and by all accounts it was money well spent.



The venue was certainly GORGEOUS.


And aside from a tired, introductory joke about Swift's exes (followed, ironically,  by playing Lavender Haze, a song about get current six- year relationship), the show was a respectful and entertaining tribute.

I'm happy they enjoyed it, and even happier they enjoyed it together!