Happy Birthday's all around...

Excellent photos Steve.. Looks like Kiss mania is in full swing in Japan.. But, I must say, I have a hard time watching Tommy Thayer singing Shock me. That was Ace's signature song.. Not the Spaceman character's song ... but ACE FREHLEY'S. Is Eric Singer singing Beth too?

True you weren't the one that commented in the 1st place. But your response pretty much called out the entire forum...at least that's how I took it. If that's how you feel, that's fine. We all deal with death differently.. There is no right or wrong way. I've had too much experience with death this year. I lost my Father in June and a close friend of mine died last week at the age of 29... so I apologize if I took what you wrote too personally. I come here to get away from those thoughts. Black Sabbath online should be thriving right now. They just put out their 1st studio album with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years. I'm still amazed at the level of interest here (lz.com). Peace DL. and Amen to OzzyisDio...

Really? Speaking for myself, I'm starting to think it makes more sense to celebrate John's birth date. I chose to NOT post something this year... but believe me he was in my thoughts the entire day. I remember exactly where I was and what I did on September 25th 1980. For a band that split up 33 years ago, the level of interest is unequaled.

No most likely not.. There's no denying Ginger Baker's influence on John Bonham early on... Bonham freely admitted this influence and acknowledged his admiration of Baker.. This makes it all the more puzzling as to why Baker seems so bitter towards him.. John Bonham showed him complete respect. Bonham also went in his own direction. His playing became more direct, focused and incredibly unique. By the 4th album he was completely in his own element... (at the ripe old age of 23) Those 5 and a half tracks John played on the 4th album are all essential drumming... without a hint of Baker influence. Just read Sag Rising's reply and couldn't agree more.. John McLaughlin influenced EVERYONE from Zappa to King Crimson.. Hell he gave Jimmy guitar lessons... Zappa's Mothers stepped up their game after seeing Mahavishnu live .... and not a hint of bitterness... But he is a special case,

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-21024-iommi_bloody_iommi.html i wasn't sure till i read this the other day,,

Hi It was the other way around.. It was Rick Rubin's idea. Tony Iommi didn't think it would work out.

Rest In Peace Jesse. He never wavered. Neither did his Father.

From Blabbermouth.. pretty interesting... Carl Palmer, the rock percussionist and veteran of hit British rock bands — including EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, ASIA, THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN and ATOMIC ROOSTER — says he turned down an opportunity to play with BLACK SABBATH when the heavy metal legends were looking for a drummer to replace Bill Ward for the "13" album sessions. Palmer told WENN that BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi approached him about laying down tracks on the CD to when it became clear that Ward would no longer be participating in the SABBATH reunion. "Tony and I did talk when they were looking for drummers to make the album and he put me forward," explained Palmer. "I couldn't do it because I was off with ASIA, we were touring and then something else came up. I couldn't have done it but I would have loved to. It just wasn't on the cards." He added: "I was classically trained but, basically, I'm a rock drummer and I've never been in a true out-and-out guitar band like BLACK SABBATH, where it's just big riffs — very simple but very dynamic. It would be extremely invigorating. The older I get, the more I appreciate that music. I was late to come to heavy metal. ASIA had a bit of that, but we were a little bit more corporate rock and melodic." Ward claimed that he sat out the current BLACK SABBATH reunion because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task. Ward was on board for the reunion when it was first announced in November 2011, but backed out soon after. SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on SABBATH's new album, "13", which came out June 11. Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carl-palmer-says-he-turned-down-opportunity-to-play-with-black-sabbath/#HPwDCWqgPE1i6G6t.99

sad news from the new and "improved" Blabbermouth Founding BLUE ÖYSTER CULT keyboardist and guitarist Allen Lanier died earlier today (Wednesday, August 14) of chronic lung disease. He was 66 years old. Said the band in a statement: "We have extremely sad news to report. We've lost our friend and bandmate Allen Lanier. Allen succumbed to complications from C.O.P.D. [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease]. He is survived by his wife Dory, sister Mary Anne and mother Martha. Although he retired from touring in 2006, Allen returned to the stage for what turned out to be his final appearance, reuniting with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT at the 40th-anniversary show in New York this past November. "[Don't fear the reaper] sweet man. We love you and miss you." Added BLUE ÖYSTER CULT frontman Eric Bloom: "My great friend Allen Lanier has passed. I'll miss the guy even though we hadn't spoken in awhile. He was so talented as a musician and a thinker. He read voraciously, all kinds of things, especially comparative religion. We drove for years together, shared rooms in the early days. We partied, laughed, played. All BLUE ÖYSTER CULT fans and band members will mourn his death. Ultimately, smoking finally got to him. He had been hospitalized with C.O.P.D. "It was Allen who heard some old college band tapes of mine and suggested I get a shot as the singer in 1968. A lot of great memories, over 40 years' worth. Maybe he's playing a tune with Jim Carroll right now." Lanier was a member of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT since the band's inception in 1967 until his retirement in 2006. Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/blue-oyster-cult-founder-allen-lanier-dead-at-66/#ElYZ5ObiGjEyZhey.99

They're completely different players... with very different styles. Ginger Baker couldn't play Sick Again or In My Time Of Dying if his life depended on it. It's not in his skill set. To be fair John Bonham would have had problems with some of Baker's stuff too.. I came away from watching that Documentary kind of liking him.. There's no holding back.

also August 4 1975 - Robert, Maureen, Carmen, and Karac Plant, plus Scarlett Page were in a terrible car accident in Greece. Swan Song Inc. Official Press Release: AUGUST 8, 1975 LED ZEPPELIN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER TOUR POSTPONED FOLLOWING AUTO ACCIDENT OF LEAD SINGER ROBERT PLANT AND HIS FAMILY ON GREEK ISLAND. The August-September tour of English supergroup, Led Zeppelin, has been postponed following an auto accident on the small Greek island of Rhodos in which Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant and members of his family were injured. The accident took place on Monday afternoon, August 4th. Due to the nature and extent of the injuries sustained by Plant and his family, and the inadequate medical facilities in Rhodos, a member of the London staff of Swan Song, Led Zeppelin's record company, flew to Rhodos in a chartered jet equipped with stretchers, blood plasma, and two doctors from Harley St., England's finest medical center. Plant and his family are currently under intensive care in a London hospital. Earlier today, physicians there diagnosed his injuries as multiple fractures of ankle, bones supporting the foot, and elbow. Following this diagnosis, it was announced by Led Zeppelin manager, Peter Grant, and Zeppelin attorney, Steve Weiss, that the August-September American tour was postponed, as was the October tour that had been scheduled for the Far East. Additionally, there is the possibility that the scheduled November tour of Europe and December tour of Japan may also have to be postponed. Within the next couple of weeks, doctors expect to have a better idea of when Plant will be recovered and able to perform again. Plant's wife, Maureen, also in the car, suffered a lengthy period of concussions, and has broken her leg in several places. She has four fractures of the pelvis and facial lacerations. Plant's son, Karac, 4, suffered a fractured leg and multiple cuts and bruises. His daughter, Carmen 7, has a broken wrist, cuts and bruises. The band was due to begin rehearsals for their forthcoming U.S. tour, in Paris on August 14. 110,000 tickets to two shows at the Oakland Stadium were completely sold out at $10 apiece. Among the other concerts which were postponed were those in Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl, Kansas City, Louisville, New Orleans, Tempe, Arizona, Denver, and Atlanta. Danny Goldberg, Vice-President of Swan Song in the U.S.A., said that any fans or well wishers who wish to write to Plant or his family can write care of Swan Song, 484 Kings Road, London S.W.10 OLF, England. Led Zeppelin has been called the biggest group in rock and roll. They hold the record for the largest attendance ever drawn by a single act: 56,800 who paid to see them at Tampa Stadium in Florida on May 5, 1973, toppling a seven year old Beatles record. Their six albums have sold in excess of 15 million copies world-wide, and their most recent tour of America last winter broke records all over the country. Besides Plant, the group consists of Jimmy Page, Lead guitar, John Paul Jones, bass and keyboards, and John Bonham, drummer. Their manager is Peter Grant who is also president of Swan Song.

I know.. I was in a hurry this morning.. I don't think they ever played it start to finish in concert. So yeah they touched on every track that made it onto Houses live except DM..

Plus, the fact that every other song on Houses except The Crunge were performed live at one time or another.. Not crazy about the song either but... I listen to DM whenever it comes on because the drums are recorded so well. Eddie Kramer says he only used 3 mic's. DM has one of the best sounding drums tracks I've ever heard.

I just realized the post was from last year.... thanks SuperDave.

I agree with you.. I wasn't really comparing the 2 bands. The Eagles are an amazing vocal band, but I can't say I'd be too excited to see them either..

But a band like Rush takes great pride in playing the songs pretty much exact live. Drummers in the crowd mimic every Neil Peart fill and cymbal crash and that's a good thing as well.. But even they do little things that keep it fresh..

There's room for both... some songs should follow the studio version and some have built in left turns where the sky's the limit.

Happy Birthday Rick .. sorry it's a little late

Ozzy is defiinitely having a hard time.. shame, he is real good on 13. The rest of the band sounds great... but the Tommy Clufetos arm above the head thing is annoying as hell...

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY STRIDER!!

As far as Bonham not having any swing to his playing.. that is ridiculous. Compared to Ginger Baker who was much more of a Jazz Drummer, yeah he didn't swing as much. But Baker really doesn't rock! Not a slam on him either.. He certainly can, like he did on PIL's Generic album... it's just not really his thing. Drummers are either top kit players, players that lead with their hands ... Jazz players tend to lead with their hands, which are very busy. The Bass Drum and Hi-Hat tend to just add color and accents. Ginger Baker plays like this.. and very well. Or, they're Bottom Kit players, players that lead with their feet. John Bonham played from the ground up...his feet led the way... He was more about Groove and Soul than he was about Jazz... He had the best feet in the business.. That constant left foot on the Hi-Hat / Tamborine all the way through Moby Dick is as impressive as his flying hands.. His right foot was without a doubt the best in Rock Drumming..... and yeah he could also swing like an MF when he wanted to.. A good example of the difference of a top kit and bottom kit players would be to listen to the 2 different Drummers in Yes.. Bill Bruford and Alan White. Both are incredible, but Bill is much more of a top kit Jazz guy and Alan is more of a Bottom Bass Drum heavy player.. Both styles work very well. A lot of Jazz guys are jerks to non Jazzers.. always have been..

Watching that clip makes it hard for me to feel anything but pity. I think he'd rather be disliked than pitied ... DVR is qued up to record it tonight on SHOWTIME.

A great actor.. one of my favorites.. Dennis Farina could play anything. Good guy, Bad Guy, Funny bad guy, Sidekick etc... Movies, TV series, TV movies. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VNddAQwkV_A