Classical music: Mahler's Third Symphony with James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

IMO, the Doors are one of the bands that best personify 1960's America. My favorite Doors songs: Touch Me Riders on the Storm The End Light My Fire

I've been a fan since Tommy. I was nine years old when it was released; too young to discern Tommy's themes but I loved the songs. I used to sing along when they played on the radio that summer. IMO, that's what makes Pete Townshend a genius. He's a great lyricist with witty lyrics that tell a story. Take one of The Who's earliest songs, Substitute. In it he tells of a girl who he knows is only dating him because he's a pop star even though he knows his trappings of success are mostly illusion. Or the mini rock opera, A Quick One While He's Away, about a lonely young woman who succumbs to an older man while her lover is out of town. However, as clever as the lyrics are, you don't need to understand them to enjoy the songs. The melodies, harmony, and arrangements are that good. As great as Townshend is, the rest of the Who weren't just his sideman. Roger Daltrey, John Entwhistle and Keith Moon all helped shape the band's distinctive sound and stage act. Daltrey doesn't have the best voice in rock but nobody interprets Townshend's songs as well he does; not even Townshend himself. I should add that I don't have a problem with Townshend and Roger Daltrey continuing to call themselves The Who. Daltrey founded the band and Townshend wrote the majority of their songs. What else should they call themselves?

Speaking of Jimmy Page...from what I've read I gather that he and Aerosmith's Joe Perry are mates.

I've liked them since Dream On charted in 1976. A good, tight band with a great front man. I attended one of their concerts when I was in college and they put on a good show. At the time, I found Steve Tyler's stage act fascinating. The way he slithered about the stage and sidled up to his bands mates. He practically wrapped himself around Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton at times during the concert. I remember being surprised that his doing that didn't get in the way of them playing their instruments.

Steve, I usually defer to you when it comes to Zep's history and chronology. However, I'm not sure about your opinion that Bonham wasn't using heroin in 1975. Jimmy Page certainly was. I don't know when Richard Cole started using it but he mentioned in his book that he and Page were both addicted to it by 1976. So it's not impossible or even improbable that Bonham was using heroin in 1975.

A couple of years ago, Adam Ant mentioned during an interview that he and Jimmy Page were going to start a supergroup called Uberpunk. The interviewer didn't ask him any follow up questions about this. Given Adam's history of mental illness, I took his comment about working with Page with a large grain of salt. I suspect the interviewer did the same which is probably why he didn't pursue it. However, it would have been an interesting collaboration.

I don't know that John Lennon was an asshole but I've never understood how he could leave Julian out of his will. I'm under the impression that Julian is currently devoting more time to photography than music.

I've asked this question before here but it bears repeating. Why do journalists get it wrong so often when it comes to rock music?

It wasn't. Like many British rockers of his generation, Pete Townshend attended art school. One of the concepts he picked up at Ealing Art School was "creative destruction". He decided the Who should incorporate it into their stage act and the rest, as they say, is history.

The $64,000 question: What was Robert Plant's natural hair color when he was a young man? Given the color of his eyebrows and beard during those LZ era photos; I'm guessing it was either a sandy or dark ash blond. Does anyone know for sure? When did he adopt his trademark golden blond shade?

I'm reminded of Lisa Robinson's comment about Page in her book. "He looked angelic; he wasn't."

He really rocked that hippie flower child look didn't he?

I wonder what he would look like with a different hair style. Yeah, I know his long blond mane is iconic but I'd love to see him try something different. Let it go gray or cut it. Perhaps both. Heresy I know, but he's more than his hair.

The jacket lining is a nice touch. He's all tailored and severe in head-to toe black clothing then lo and behold, he flashes that vivid floral lining at you.

I like Jimmy's outfit but I've got to give Joe Perry credit for still looking good in a plunging neckline at his age. He must work out.

If you're close enough to hear them then you're close enough for them to catch and eat you.

A grilled cheese sandwich and an iced chai.

A heck of a guitar player and a great songwriter, imo. I was a big fan during the 1980s and saw him perform twice. I kind of lost interest in his music in the 90's.

Would Page need Coverdale's permission to perform or record the songs with another singer? Would he need to pay him royalties?

IMO, the above photo practically screams "wasted rock star". Was he singing when it was taken?

Grilled Colby Jack cheese sandwich and a bowl of beef/barley soup.

To be fair to Gillan, he's not the only person who has accused Ritchie Blackmore of being "difficult". Blackmore is of rock's great guitarists and one of the architect's of Deep Purple's sound. IMO, an argument can be made that he belongs in the same company as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Like Robert Plant, he follows his muse where ever it takes him.

Interesting details about the behind-the-scenes workings of a rock band tour. Thanks Steve for posting this.

peanut butter on saltine crackers and a cup of hot cocoa