Believe it or not, even though an older brother had both of those on 8-track, I don't recall ever hearing a single note from either of them.

Quite the contrary, I do have the right guy. You seem to constantly be going on about Queen. I didn't mean you liked them.

I was never a huge fan but they came along at a time when rock n' roll definitely needed a kick in the pants.

My favorites are anything from the I.R.S. Records era but I love all of their albums to different degrees. Are you totally unfamilar with them? From your previous post you seem to indicate you're at least familar with their 80s output. My favorite is Fables of the Reconstruction. Of their Warner Brothers output I favor New Adventures in Hi-Fi.

I remember when the beginnings of the current "jamband" movement were starting to rear their head back in the late 80s/early 90s via groups like Phish, Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, Col. Bruce Hampton, Dave Matthews, etc. I had a friend that was big into them and had tix to see Phish at the Boathouse in Norfolk circa 1991. We all piled in a car and went up there. This was years before their popularity burgeoned but there were license plates there from all over the U.S. While I enjoyed the show and some of their studio work, I wasn't too taken by them. I still enjoy the occasional cut but never got into them as some of my Deadhead friends did (and do). Once Garcia died it seemed like a lot of them immediately flocked over to the Phish scene. There's nothing the matter with that but it just wasn't my thing. Once Garcia died things just weren't the same to me and still aren't. Thankfully bands like Phish were there to provide sort of a cushion for those that needed it though.

I was never huge into Deep Purple (nor did I dislike them) but I always loved Sabbath, Zep, Tull, Steppenwolf and the like. Like so many of my friends I was on a huge metal binge in the late 70s leading into the early 80s but my interests began to change once I heard the first strains of U2, R.E.M. and others that told me there was more to the "New Wave" movement than synth-heavy, skinny-tie bands that were beginning to dominate rock radio due to their popularity on MTV.

As I recall School's Out wasn't bad either. Then again it's been eons since I last listened to it. The only two Alice records I've purchased on CD are Killer and Billion Dollar Babies. I'm sure I'll add some of his other early albums to my collection in due time. To my ears, that era of his stuff has stood the test of time much better than a lot of the Kiss I used to listen to.

I understand his guitar prowess and his genuine desire to move away from his status as a "pop" star but I wouldn't call myself a fan. The guy does have my respect though but that's about it. As guitar players go he's only recycling what so many find familiar (such as the well worn Clapton/SRV riffs), I'll take someone like Derek Trucks (who's actually breaking new ground) any day of the week over John Mayer.

I'm not sure how to define "cool" either but I've always liked this song: Your daddy was mad as hell He was mad at me and you As he tied that chain to the front of my car and pulled me out of that ditch that we slid into Don't know what his problem is Why he keeps dragging you away Don't know why I put up with this shit When you don't put out and Zip City's so far away Your daddy is a deacon down at the Salem Church of Christ And he makes good money as long as Reynolds Wrap keeps everything wrapped up tight Your mama's as good a wife and mama as she can be And your sister's puttin' that sweet stuff on everybody in town but me Your brother was the first-born, got ten fingers and ten toes And it's a damn good thing cause he needs all twenty to keep the closet door closed Maybe it's the twenty-six mile drive from Zip City to Colbert Heights Keeps my mind clean Gets me through the night Maybe you're just a destination, a place for me to go A way to keep from having to deal with my seventeen-year-old mind all alone Keep your drawers on, girl, it ain't worth the fight By the time you drop them I'll be gone And you'll be right where they fall the rest of your life You say you're tired of me taking you for granted Waiting' up till the last minute to call you up and see what you want to do Well you're only fifteen, girl, you ain't got no secretary And "for granted" is a mighty big word for a country girl like you You know it's just your daddy talking Cause he knows that blood red carpet at the Salem Church of Christ Ain't gonna ever see no wedding between me and you Zip City it's a good thing that they built a wall around you Zip up to Tennessee then zip back down to Alabama I got 350 heads on a 305 engine I get ten miles to the gallon I ain't got no good intentions... Words by Mike Cooley, Music by the Drive-By Truckers From the album Southern Rock Opera

I was also there. The more diverse the bill, the better. I don't know about "interesting" but perhaps the strangest bill I ever saw was Nantucket (NC band), The Spinners and Jimmy Buffett at Apple Chill Weekend in Chapel Hill, NC back in the late 70s on the campus of UNC. Buffett even thanked the Spinners' choreographer for putting on such a dazzling show.

Ozzy chose to let MTV's cameras into his house. My guess is, it could have also been almost anyone else in rock and they could have equally have been made fun of. Some folks may now think less of Ozzy but he laughed all the way to the bank. It didn't change my opinion of him one iota, Sabbath are still among my very favorites.

I suggest starting with their album Let It Be. If you like the punk-like strains of that record you might want to check out their earlier work. If you like the more pop-influenced aspects of it you'll probably like their latter day works. Myself, I'm more of a fan of everything from Let It Be on as I've never been much on punk rock.

I was a huge Alice fan back in the day and still am to a degree but I recently bought the deluxe edition of Billion Dollar Babies found myself skipping over a great deal of it. I'd say I favor Love It To Death and Killer much better.

That's why opinions are like assholes, most of 'em stink. Presence is my favorite Zep album and your Queen fixation strikes me as more than a bit strange.

Believe you me this approach was not unique to the 70s. Plenty of current artists take the same approach but you're not very likely to hear them via traditional commercial outlets like broadcast radio and music television but they are out there, lots of them.

Other than Zep I'm not sure what your other musical tastes are but some of my favorites include: Patty Hurst Shifter The Yayhoos Drive-By Truckers Ryan Adams and the Cardinals Wilco Tim Easton Tift Merritt Tres Chicas Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass Kickin' Team

Ever checked out the Replacements? Odd that some folks couldn't do any better for an 00s release than to pick How the West Was Won. Nothing at all the matter with that album but it consisted of vintage performances. Surely there were some studio albums by new artists that were worth mentioning. It's as though this board has reverted back to an earlier version of the original when there were so many posters stuck in the past/always in search of artists that sound something like Zeppelin.

Not just a story of Bill Graham's life but a rich history of rock n' roll as well as he was there for so much of it. Very highly recommended.

Whiskeytown R.E.M. The Grateful Dead Slobberbone The Replacements The Beatles Bob Marley and the Wailers Chuck Berry Two Dollar Pistols Marah Culture Bob Dylan Natalie Merchant Jimmy Cliff Howlin' Wolf The Minus Five Kasey Chambers The Drams Bash n' Pop The Allman Brothers Band Elmore James Wilco Old and In the Way Pete Townsend Neil Young and Crazy Horse Lyle Lovett The Melodians Paul Westerberg Lucinda Williams Robert Johnson James McMurtry Mike Cross The Earl Scruggs Revue The Itals Tift Merritt Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band Goose Creek Symphony Rusted Root The Mighty Diamonds Doc Watson Peter Tosh Drive-By Truckers Ryan Adams and the Cardinals Jerry Lee Lewis The Backsliders Johnny Cash The Rolling Stones Donna the Buffalo Muddy Waters Southern Culture on the Skids Peter Tosh Emmylou Harris Hayes Carll Todd Snider The Flying Burrito Brothers Crosby Stills Nash & Young The Band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen The New Riders of the Purple Sage Pure Prairie League Black Sabbath Joni Mitchell Lynyrd Skynyrd Waylon Jennings Tony Joe White Willie Nelson Marshall Tucker Band Guy Clark 10,000 Maniacs Guadalcanal Diary David Allan Coe Caitlin Cary John Prine Steve Goodman The Outlaws Leon Russell Jerry Jeff Walker The Gourds Billy Joe Shaver Bunny Wailer The Old 97s Tres Chicas The Yayhoos Frog Holler Charlie Daniels Band

Luther Dickinson is listed above as being "formerly" of The North Mississppi All-Stars. I seriously doubt there's any truth to that.

The origins of rap can be traced back to the 70s (even the 60s if you include the "sound system" scene in Jamaica) so if you're going to discount the entire 90s due to the existance of one musical genre you may as well include all of the decades. Just my opinion, but that's a pretty small minded way of looking at things. As for the "want to be's", that has to be some of the craziest shit I've ever read. I don't see one decade as being musically superior to another, they each have something very worthy to offer. Some faves from the last three decades: 80s Bob Marley and the Wailers "Uprising" R.E.M. "Fables of the Reconstruction" David Lindley & El Rayo-X "El Rayo-X" 90s Gourds "Ghosts of Halleujah" 10,000 Maniacs "Our Time In Eden" Pearl Jam "Vs." 00s Drive-By Truckers "Southern Rock Opera" James McMurtry "Childish Things" Nada Surf "The Weight Is A Gift"

Bob Marley & the Wailers "Survival" Waylon Jennings "Honky Tonk Heroes" Jimmy Buffett "A1A"

I first saw Drew when he sat in on lapsteel guitar with Chip Robinson of the Backsliders during SXSW 2001. I wouldn't see him again until years later when he came through town (Raleigh) on tour with the Silos. The first time they were opening for the Minus Five. More recently it was Drew and Walter from the Silos joining forces with Caitlin Cary (Whiskeytown) and Lynn Blakey (Glory Fountain) from Tres Chicas. He was always very personable and went out of his way to talk with the fans. Drew will be very sorely missed. You can see a slideshow here: http://www.myspace.com/lildeb24

Drew Glackin 1963-2008 From The Silos e-mail list: It is with the greatest sadness that we inform you of the passing of Drew Glackin. He was unaware of an overactive thyroid condition that led to severe heart damage. He was surrounded by family and friends during his final days and hours and we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief. Drew was adored around the world and his larger than life spirit and contagious jovial energy touched everyone he met, everywhere he went. He was a musician of the highest talent and made his mark in countless bands, record albums, and many thousands of live performances. He will be sorely missed and the memories of his music, his great humor, and his magnanimous generosity of spirit and love will be with us forever. A fund will be set up to help his family with expenses and we will keep you informed of memorial concerts and events as they develop. We will all keep Drew in our hearts, Konrad, Rod and Walter.