Oops, I guess I messed up big time. Thought it was possible to go back to the 1st post and edit it/ expand the list / etc. (Specifically just now I would have added Ray Davies) So sorry!

I always thought BHP is relatively memorable because... how many bands have you seen who play musical saw? And 3MP haven't played a live gig or released any studio recordings since 1998. But last year in November they announced 2 nights at the Casbah 20th anniversary (January 20009) - the tickets sold out rather quickly... so a 3rd night was added - and also sold out. On the whole Casbah roster no other band matched that. I think they were a bit shocked - thought they've been forgotten after 10 years of silence. But 3MP is a true legend in San Diego. Pall and Tim are good friends as far as I know... so that's probably covered. God, I feel so helpless. They're such wonderful, genuinely kind people. And yes, everyone formerly with Touch & Go will be out on the street corner, that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Corey Rusk just celebrated 25th anniversary of his label in 2006 (a September 2006 festival in Chicago) and now it's gone. So sad.

Freddie Mercury (Sept 05 1946 - Nov 24 1991) born Farukh Bomi Bulsara - lived with his family in Zanzibar till the age of 8, then attended boarding school in India, where he played piano in a school band, the Hectics. Soon after he finished school and returned to Zanzibar his family was forced to leave due to political instability in the region. The Bulsaras settled in London, and 17 y.old Freddie went to Isleworth Polytechnic and later to Ealing to study art. His first college band was Ibex (later Wreckage) then he joined Sour Milk Sea. Both bands were short-lived. While still in Ibex Freddie was introduced to the band Smile by its singer Tim Staffel, who was a fellow student at Ealing. In 1970 Tim left the band, and Freddie joined the Smile guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor to form what eventually became Queen. The band famously auditioned several bassists before settling on John Deacon. From that point on Freddie's biography is the story of Queen, though he had a successful solo career in the mid-80s, when the band members needed a break from each other. Besides the amazing vocal range and crystal clear operatic quality voice, Freddie possessed undeniable charisma as the frontman, which no doubt contributed to unforgettable performances. Freddie's illness in 1989-91 brought the band back together for their final glorious effort, the Innuendo album. His death of AIDS in 1991 was mourned by millions of fans wordwide. (better than the album version IMO. Bri looks like a a ghost - he barely survived that year)

Lord have mercy. I don't know where to even post this, I feel so completely devastated. This message from a blog spelled nightmare: hey this is pall--- anyone want or know anyone who wants to release the new black heart record --- just lets us know --- we need a good company --- touch and go is no longer releasing new records --- so all the bands have to find new homes -- sad times I know no one on this board even heard of them, but Three Mile Pilot and Black Heart Procession are the legendary independent bands from San Diego. Three Mile Pilot sold completely out three nights in a row at the Casbah and now they're without a label. Pinback will be next. The world is falling apart. I don't know anyone with connections to record labels. This is hopeless. I'm sorry I posted here. Just cannot see through the desperation. I've been waiting for the next 3MP album for 11 years. Now that they're recording it, their label is folding. I can't believe this is happening.

Glicine, Aquamarine, Ninelives and meself had a lovely conversation over at the Plant replacement (*cringe* what a blasphemy! sorry, that was the name of the thread) so this thread is largely a result of that. Here's the idea: - Take a singer from the list - make sure he/she hasn't been taken already (some of us are slow pokes, myself included, and may take days/weeks to complete the post in progress) - Make a compact post with two mandatory features: their name and links to 2-5 definitive songs... not just any songs but preferably those that really show their voice in all its glory (not necessarily the best/most popular sings by their band). You can add a photo, a mini-bio and any amusing facts you like. If you need some time to compile your post, you can reserve the name - just comment about it. (LOL first come, first serve) - If the singer you'd like to present is not on the list, then by all means go ahead and post about them - don't wait for anyone else. I decided to start off with Freddie Mercury. And Tel is also mine - sorry, ladies (though I'm not ready to post about him just yet) - with these two it's effortless, I don't need to look anything up because their bio and discography is in my head (also most of it on CDs/vinyl), photos on my hard drive and most relevant links bookmarked; and I can mentally sift through their songs to pick the ones showcasing the vocals. (Just like we all could with LZ) I could do more but I don't want to be so greedy; and teamwork is more fun anyway. The List (the names that came in the most recent discussion) Buckley, Jeff *taken* Buckley, Tim Burdon, Eric Cocker, Joe Farlowe, Chris Marriott, Steve Mercury, Freddie *taken* Morrison, Van *taken* Reid, Terry *taken* Rodgers, Paul Stewart, Rod Winwood, Steve of course lots of great singers also belong here, but we can start with these few and then do a big whooping add-on... what do you guys think? (hope no one's toes have been stepped on yet... )

Y? How short are you?

True dat. Is called vertebral compression of aging. Bad news, especially for me. I need every millimeter

Very true!

ahhh... that pic does things to me I shouldn't ever mention (LOL Ross style - ain't telling nobody! )

oh dear god... that groove in his upper ab - above linea alba, between the median edges of the rib cage... this should be illegal... *faints*

Song: Kashmir. Album cover: Physical Graffitti Album: LZ III Member: Jimmy Page Live: Dazed and Confused 1969 I love watching JPJ in the beginning. Wow. And Jimmy with the bow... don't get me started. I'm in love with Percy's outfit. Pure class. This is by light years hotter than when he's "wide open." In fact, the way they're all dressed (modestly and unpretentiously) and the way they move (no "suggestive" hip lunges, only very sincere, animated delivery of brilliant music) make them all just divinely sexy in an effortless kind of way. A smoldering piece of live performance.

One of my favs - sorry if it was already posted... http://www.metacafe.com/watch/214211/obess...lushing_toilet/

I definitely agree on both... sweet, gorgeous guys. Awesome guitarists. Great hair, too!

Ah, I felt the same... though we're probably in minority. His longer hair certainly enhanced the rock-god look... but it grows back, you know. May be he just got tired of it, for now.

LOL I almost went to see him with Jack Bruce last July - we were in San Diego - but it would have messed our other plans... You know, I'm so tired of all the sparkly-eyed "replacement suggestions" despite all the hints dropped that there's no replacement... so it's either or humor them. Speaking of replacement... I wish I could afford to go see Clapton & Winwood ...

(and before everybody and their Grammy misinterprets me and gets bent outta shape: this is not a "replacement" suggestion. Repeat: it is not. Just thought it was a funny coincidence that I was listening to this song when browsing this thread.) P.S. haha truly priceless - when I was typing this little paragraph the next song started - The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood... indeed!

* "There is a particular kind of pain, elation, loneliness, and terror involved in this kind of madness. When you are high, it is tremendous. The ideas and feelings are fast and frequent like shooting stars and you follow them until you find better and brighter ones. Shyness goes. The right words and gestures are suddenly there. The power to captivate others, a felt certainty. There are interests found in uninteresting people. Feelings of ease, intensity, power, well-being, financial omnipotence and euphoria pervade one’s marrow. But, somewhere this changes. The fast ideas are far too fast and there are far too many. Overwhelming confusion replaces clarity. Memory goes. Humor and absorption on friend’s faces are replaced by fear and concern. Everything previously moving with the grain is now against. You are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and almost totally in the black in the caves of the mind. You never knew those caves were there. It will never end. For madness carves it’s own reality. It goes on and on and finally there are only other’s recollections of your behaviors. Your bizarre, frenetic, aimless behaviors. For mania has at least some grace, in partially obliterating memory. What then? After the medications, the psychiatrists, despair, depression and nearly lethal overdose. All those incredible feelings to sort through. Who is being too polite to say what? Who knows what? What did I do? Why? And most hauntingly, when will it happen again? Then too are the bitter reminders. Medicine to take, resent, forget, take, resent and forget. But always to take. Credit cards revoked. Bounced checks to cover. Explanations due at work. Apologies to make. Friendships gone or drained. A ruined marriage. And always, when will it happen again? Which of my feelings are real? Which of the mees is me? The wild, impulsive, chaotic, energetic and crazy one or the shy, withdrawn, desperate, suicidal, doomed and tired one? Probably a bit of both. Hopefully much that is neither. Virginia Wolff in her dives and climbs said it all. "How far do our feelings take their color from the dive underground? I mean, what is the reality of any feeling?" *

"Controversial" doesn't even begin to describe Diamanda Galás. Reading her biography will probably make you squirm a few times. I don't agree with all her values/statements (sympathy for a serial killer, anyone? ) but have a huge respect for her because none of this is for the show - she deeply believes in everything she does. Her 2008 album Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! was recorded mostly live and cautiously advertised as "staggering, overwhelming and aurally challenging." Her ex-boyfriend Jim French is still on my dream list of people to meet. He is a musician and musical instrument maker. On Na Vucca Do Lupu - 1st album recorded by Three Mile Pilot (San Diego) - he is credited for playing kalamus, svegl, lur, kuhorn and saxophone. He makes all those bizarre wind instruments (and supposedly sometimes even for sale) but destroys them unless they're perfect. I understand that this truly belongs in Other Artists thread. But the subject was brought up here, so please bear with me. We have If Looks Could Kill on vinyl (Jim French / Diamanda Galás / Henry Kaiser) but I'll be honest it's too avante garde for my untrained ears. JPJ must be infinitely more receptive to such... music.

Same here.

It does sound like a show-off, honestly. If he just needed to mention that he has been doing something useful last week, besides playing with the TV remote, he could have done just that without bringing Jimmy's name into it. Or did he want to make sure that public knows that Jimmy has been doing something useful as well, besides playing with the TV remote? Good going, but we kind of guessed that already anyway.

LZ box set (was a present though, not quite a purchase...)

WTF no such thing exists. Were you drinking something reeeeally good?

You are so right. Can't agree more.

Peter Murphy!!! (I've seen him live 3 times... twice with Bauhaus. What a voice!!!)