I believe I did not articulate the point well. A better way of putting it is Zeppelin always were and always planned to be an album orientated band so the entirety of each album was filled with strong material, no fillers. Even what some would consider to be fillers (Living Loving Maid, Hats Off, The Crunge, and Hot Dog) were still well constructed, excellent songs. People bought Zep albums because they knew every song on their albums would be great. So because they focused on the whole album vs. a couple of strong singles and F the album, they sold a shit-ton of albums. The Stones started earlier and in the early days did not have the control they would gain later on, plus, they were still a product of the early 60's when you HAD to have a single so that was the focus. I assume that's why Exile & Sticky are such strong, amazing albums with little filler compared to the earlier albums and later albums. Zep had the ability to consistently produce excellent material, album after album over the entirety of each album. I believe this is what sets Zeppelin apart from their contemporaries. Good post about Elvis, the man is "The MAN" all over the world, a damn icon. As you pointed out, no one can sing as good on record or live as Elvis did. Shit, when he had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel in June of 77' he delivered one of the greatest vocal performances of his life with his rendition of Unchained Melody on June 21st (ironic huh) in Rapid City. Not only was his voice crystal clear but his emotion and delivery was unmatchable, on par with Judy Garlands 1955 performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and Maria Callas 62' performance at Covenant Garden.

Brooks is a bloody goat-fucker. Yes, he took country mainstream...by literally destroying country music and turning it into pop music with a shitty twang. In case you have not noticed, I hate Garth Brooks. I like all music types and have no problem stretching boundaries within a particular genre, but Brooks just diluted country to such a point it was no longer country. Randy Travis was really the last of the true country artists IMO. At least Metallica stayed within the genre of metal, just smoothed out its rough edges a bit. So if you take Striders numbers LZ vs. Stones, it shows Zep's strategy of not releasing singles paid off.

One of my favorite movies King. Start to finish, the movie is golden.

Happy "better late than never" Birthday Sean. I hope your day was amazing.

Well, its just that, Van Hagar, had...too many notes. Yep, that's it. There are only so many notes the ear can hear and, um...

and I thought I was the only one. Jagger is by far the most overrated singer in music hands down. Sure, he is a great performer with magnetic presence, but his singing...meh at best.

+1, never liked it either, in fact I find the art rather off putting and nasty.

The man was exercising his 2nd amendment rights, something you yourself have supported several times on this board. Second, he had it to protect his quadruple amputee wife who was there in a wheelchair. Third, the driver who murdered him was in the process of driving toward the mans wife, the man only got in front of the car to prevent the driver from running over his wife. Fourth, the man did not have his hands on the weapon, it was strapped across his chest. If you truly believe a man getting murdered while defending his wife is something that makes you happy, you are in desperate need of help because you are seriously sick and deranged.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

83 and sunny...I know that sounds almost perfect but I like the cold, rain, and snow. I would seriously move to the UK if I were not married, either that or Germany.

How is Jesus tap dancing Christ did I forget about the Floyd & Tull? I figured Deep Purple and BS were big at that time but I did not think they sold anywhere near what those other bands did, albums or concert wise but then again I did not do me proper research. Regarding Eagles and FM I should have specified 76'-80' for those two. Even though I am a huge Yes fan I never knew they were at that level of popularity but again, should have researched. Either way, I figure the ultimate goal is to achieve the musical success, the financial success, and even a certain modicum of fame but anything beyond that and your life becomes a prison. Someone like Jagger or Elton John thrived in the spotlight, lived for the attention but for most its a drag. Others like Freddie Mercury, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin were just chewed up and spit out. No thank you. Zeppelin had the best of all worlds up until the abuses started in, and that was of their own making.

The July 24th Oakland gig is seriously underrated. The band gives a nice, tight performance and no Moby Dick which is fine by me. I dig a good drum solo but anything longer than 10 min is just silly overindulgence.

From 1972 to 1978 the top grossing bands (albums and tours) were primarily the Stones, Zeppelin, Bowie, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Elton John, the Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac. I did not put Frampton in there because he only had two big albums. Out of all those bands / performers I would argue Zeppelin had the lowest profile in regard to press. The Stones, Jackson 5, Elton John, & Fleetwood Mac had the highest profile press wise. I would say Zeppelin wins hands down because unlike the rest, the Zep boys could still walk around in public and enjoy their success. The rest needed serious security just to go to the market. I would rather be Robert Plant in 1976 than Mick Jagger in 1976, that's for sure.

liked the puppies

Suffering I have to take a two week rotation of the after hours emergency line, this is my last weekend but its brutal. Believe me, the freaks come out at night. Have not had a decent sleep in two weeks.

Yep, that's what I did. Then again I am the type of guy to go to a Mercedes dealership before a big event like a wedding, test drive a sweet ride, then give the sales person a "business card" and let them know I will be making a fleet purchase. Man, even the sales manager is shitting himself. Then I say I need to keep the car for a couple of days as this will be for a fleet purchase / lease and I need to make sure the model for my sales force. Keep the car for two days, then bring it back letting them know I need to think about it. That used to work about 50% of the time up until the late 90's, nowadays, no bueno. Bastards got wise.

Thanks Sean, you bet I will. Best stuff I have heard in ages.

How could you forget Nana Visitor & Michelle Forbes? Typically such a sin is unforgivable but I will chalk it up to lack of space on the picture board. I know they are in the collage, but they should be on the picture board too!!! 🙂 Picard was pretty damn good IMO. It was almost as if the writers had taken a few tips and lessons from The Expanse and applied them to Picard. So the show was more serious and adult orientated than prior Trek and it was darker as well, especially regarding Picard's dealings with Starfleet and personal relationships. So it was much deeper than what you would expect. On the flip side it was also more poignant as his relationships with the crew, Riker, Troi, and others was much more nuanced and textured. IMO it is the best Trek series hands down. Not perfect but damn good.

That was a crazy good tune, I never heard of them before so I started YouTubing videos. Really dig the music and the use of microtonal guitars really gives a middle eastern feel. I am surprised Page never played one, maybe they did not exist outside of the middle east / Turkey / Greece until recently? Great stuff

and TBH I was a bit confused when I heard the song as the reports through the years about this song said it was either about / for his daughter Scarlet and that it was more pastoral sounding, at least that is what I remember reading. If this is a song about his daughter, her past is more scandalous than Jimmy's, and at only three to boot!

Still don't dig it, just nothing there for me. And his solo is all of 12 seconds long and not a stand out or even anything special. Could have been played by anyone.

Sorry, not impressed and as said above, not much Jimmy on it.

Yep, the croak would have actually worked for CP as it is recorded with Plant's voice in Kim Carnes mode anyway. Kinda like Tom Waits does Zeppelin. BTW I love Tom Waits so, good to go for me.