What is the Best?

1 song, 5 versions what is better?

Today ..... Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Bob Dylan




Eric Clapton





U2




guns n' roses



Bon Jovi

Rolling Stones Play Club Gig to Preview Tour

 

 

Rolling Stones Play Club Gig to Preview Tour

by Sterling Whitaker April 28, 2013 9:57 AM

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The upcoming Rolling Stones tour will see the band performing in the biggest venues in the world, but on Saturday night (April 27), the Stones played a tour preview gig at a tiny Los Angeles club, wowing the crowd with a 14-song set that included an appearance by former guitarist Mick Taylor.
New Musical Express reports that tickets for the gig at the Echoplex in the trendy Echo Park neighborhood were distributed mostly by lottery after news of the show broke Saturday morning. “Welcome to Echo Park, a neighborhood that’s always coming up,” front man Mick Jagger saluted the crowd after the group played ‘Respectable,’ the second song of an hour-and-a-half-long set. “And I’m glad you’re here to welcome an up and coming band.”
That crowd included celebrities like Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis, Owen Wilson and members of Green Day and No Doubt, who elbowed in alongside other Stones fans to enjoy classics including ‘Start Me Up,’ ‘Brown Sugar’ and ‘Street Fighting Man.’ The group also gave a nod to their own heroes with covers of Chuck Berry‘s  ‘Little Queenie,’ Otis Redding’s ‘That’s How Strong My Love Is,’ and ‘Just My Imagination’ by the Temptations — like a window back to the group’s early years in the London club scene.
Taylor joined his former band mates onstage for their rendition of the Robert Johnson classic ‘Love in Vain,’ as well as ‘Midnight Rambler.’
Jagger was in classic form throughout the night, at one point thanking the crowd for “the first show of the tour, probably the best one!”
The group closed with a high-energy rendition of ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash,’ with Jagger flashing back to the ’60s as he left the stage. “Thank you very much everybody, you’ve given us hope, peace, love and understanding,” he told the fans. “Goodnight!”
The Rolling Stones’ ‘50 & Counting‘ tour will formally kick off on May 3 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and run through July before wrapping up in London.

 Rolling Stones Set List at the Echoplex:
‘You Got Me Rocking’
‘Respectable’
‘She’s So Cold’
‘Live With Me’
‘Street Fighting Man’
‘That’s How Strong My Love Is’
‘Little Queenie’
‘Just My Imagination’
‘Miss You’
‘Love in Vain’
‘Midnight Rambler’
‘Start Me Up’
‘Brown Sugar’
‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’

The Monkees Announce Summer 2013 Tour Dates

One more time! With the success, both critical and commercial, of last fall’s mini tour, the Monkees are coming to your town again this summer.

The 24 date US tour is being called ‘A Midsummer’s Night With the Monkees,’ and kicks off July 15 at the Capitol Theater in New York. “The reaction to the last tour was euphoric,” Micky Dolenz recently told Rolling Stone, “It was pretty apparent there was a demand for another one.”

Though the passing of Davy Jones in early 2012 marked any kind of Monkees activity as uncertain, it was more than a pleasant surprise when it was announced that Mike Nesmith would be returning to the live stage for the first time in several decades. After reconnecting with Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz at a memorial for Jones, Nesmith decided the time was right for him to rejoin his friends. Throughout the tour, Nesmith seemed overwhelmed by audience response and genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself. Prior to his rejoining, Nesmith told Dolenz, “I just started listening to my own songs. I realized that stuff wasn’t half bad. Then I just started picking up my guitar and playing a bit. It sounded pretty good.”

The 2013 tour will be a continuation of last year’s run, with a set list that covers not only ‘all the hits,’ but also lots of more obscure material, including a big chunk of the band’s self realized album ‘Headquarters.’ As for tributes to Jones, Dolenz said, “This time we probably won’t lean so heavily on the David situation. I think we have to move on. Everybody has to move on. He’ll always be remembered and acknowledged.”

The Monkees 2013 Tour Dates

7/15 — Port Chester, N.Y. — Capitol Theatre
7/16 — Boston, Mass. — Citi Performing Arts Center
7/17 — Red Bank, N.J. — Count Basie Theatre
7/19 — Westbury, N.Y. — NYCB Theatre
7/20 — Philadelphia, Penn. — Mann Music Theatre
7/21 — Washington, D.C. — Warner Theatre
7/23 — Raleigh, N.C. — Memorial Auditorium
7/24 –  Nashville, Tenn. — Ryman Auditorium
7/26 –  St. Augustine, Fla. — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
7/27 — Boca Raton, Fla. — Mizner Park Amphitheatre
7/28 — Clearwater, Fla. — Ruth Eckerd Hall
7/31 — Austin, Texas — Long Center
8/1 — Houston, Texas — Arena Theatre
8/2 — Grand Prairie, Texas — Verizon Theatre
8/3 — Tulsa, Okla. — Brady Theater
8/5 — Denver, Colo. — Paramount Theatre
8/9 — Mesa, Ariz. — Mesa Arts Center
8/10 — Henderson, Nev. — Green Valley Events Center
8/11 — San Diego, Calif. — Humphreys
8/12 — Long Beach, Calif. — Terrace Theatre
8/14 — Saratoga, Calif. — Mountain Winery
8/15 — Napa, Calif. — Uptown Theatre
8/17 — Seattle, Wash. — Benaroya Hall
8/18 — Portland, Ore. — Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

AM I OR AM I NOT

Should I or Should I not....

Do I or do I not...

Am I or am I not...

Love I or Love I not...

Live I or Live us not..

Bob Dylan & George Harrison - The Concert for Bangladesh em 1971. simple and direct = LOVE

ORGASMIC ROCK WITH MR Q...ENTER PARADISE..APRIL 2013

45 YEARS AGO: BEATLES END SPIRITUAL RETREAT

On April 19, 1968, the Beatles parted ways with the Mararishi Mahesh Yogi. After submerging themselves in his teachings for what was supposed to be a three-month spiritual course, cracks began to appear. The band had flown to Rishikesh, India, in February 1968 along with friends like Donovan, Mia Farrow and the Beach Boys‘ Mike Love to begin an education in enlightenment.

After only a week, Ringo Starr left for home, complaining about the spicy food that left his stomach in knots. But the others learned much and were creatively fueled by their stay. Several songs from ‘The White Album’ even took root here. Everything was fine until rumors surfaced about the Maharishi’s behavior toward some of the female guests.

Paul McCartney was gone within a couple of weeks. Both John Lennon and George Harrison stayed on, but they ultimately split the cosmic scene just two weeks shy of completing the three-month course.

“We thought there was more to him than there was,” McCartney said at the time. “He’s human. We thought at first that he wasn’t.” Lennon reportedly told the Maharishi, “We’re leaving. If you’re so cosmic, you’ll know why.” His experiences became the basis of the song ‘Sexy Sadie’ (“What have you done? You made a fool of everyone“).

In later years, both McCartney and Harrison expressed some doubt about the rumors surrounding the spiritual leader. They had reason to believe that they were started by Beatles associate ‘Magic’ Alexis Mardas, who apparently had a personal agenda for spreading lies. Both Beatles eventually contacted the Mararishi (the “giggly little guy,” as McCartney affectionately called him) and apologized.

After the leader’s 2008 death, McCartney issued a statement on his website: ”My memories of him will only be joyful ones. He was a great man who worked tirelessly for the people of the world and the cause of unity. I will miss him but will always think of him with a smile.”

PAUL MCCARTNEY ADDS BROOKLYN CONCERTS

The legendary Sir Paul McCartney has added two more dates to his growing live schedule for 2013. The former Beatles member and music icon will perform at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.. on June 8 and 10 as part of his 2013 ‘Out There’ tour. This will be McCartney’s first performance at the new venue, which opened in Sept. 2012.

The Out There World Tour is scheduled to play in Orlando, Austin, Memphis, Tulsa, Boston, Washington D.C., Seattle and Indianapolis in addition to Milwaukee on its U.S. leg. The road trek will also visit such far-flung locations as Poland, Austria, Brazil and Italy. McCartney’s stated intent is to perform in both places of historical significance to him, as well as markets he has not played before. The three-hour-plus shows will feature songs from his entire career, encompassing the Beatles, Wings, and his solo albums.

Full ticket information for all dates on the tour can be found at his http://www.paulmccartney.com/live/27468-out-there

Paul McCartney 2013 Out There World Tour Dates

5/4 — Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Mineirao Stadium
5/6 – Goiania, Brazil – Serra Dourada Stadium
5/9 – Fortaleza, Brazil – Castelao Stadium
5/18 — Orlando, Fla. – Amway Center
5/19 — Orlando, Fla. – Amway Center
5/22  – Austin, Texas — Frank Erwin Center
5/23 — Austin, Texas — Frank Erwin Center
5/26 — Memphis, Tenn. — FedEx Forum
5/29 — Tulsa, Okla. – BOK Center
5/30 — Tulsa, Okla. — BOK Center
6/8 — Brooklyn, N.Y. — Barclays Center
6/10 — Brooklyn, N.Y. — Barclays Center
6/13 – 6/16 — Bonnarroo Festival, Manchester, Tenn. (date TBD)
6/22 — Warsaw, Poland — National Stadium
6/25 — Verona, Italy – Roman Amphitheatre
6/27 — Vienna, Austria – Ernst Happel Stadion
7/9 — Boston, Mass. — Fenway Park
7/12 — Washington, D.C. — Nationals Park
7/16 — Milwaukee, Wisc. — Miller Park
7/19 — Seattle, Wash. — Safeco Field
8/9 – 8/11 — Outside Lands Festival, San Francisco, Calif. (date TBD)

5000 REACHED...CLIMAX?

SUN SEEKING BIRTHDAY BLUES

Forum Musical de MrQ 13-apr-2013 Sun Seeking Blues

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013

April 12, 13 at Madison Square Garden

OVER 30 OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST GUITARISTS PLAY SIDEMEN TO EACH OTHER OVER TWO NIGHTS AT THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS ARENA, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, APRIL 12-13!

CURRENT CROSSROADS FESTIVAL ARTIST LISTING

(Note: Two Different Nights of Music. Not All Artists Will Perform Both Nights)

Albert Lee
Allan Holdsworth
Allman Brothers Band
Andy Fairweather Low
BB King
Blake Mills
Booker T
Buddy Guy
Citizen Cope
Dave Biller
Doyle Bramhall II
Earl Klugh
Eric Clapton
Gary Clark Jr.
Jeff Beck
Jimmy Vaughan
John Mayer
John Scofield
Jonny Lang
Keb Mo
Keith Urban
Kurt Rosenwinkle
Los Lobos
Robbie Robertson
Robert Cray
Robert Randolph
Sonny Landreth
Taj Mahal
Vince Gill

Julian Lennon - Someday (feat Steven Tyler)

Julian lennon presentando su nuevo tema Someday.. junto al groso de Steven Tyler. disfrútenlo..Ain't that a bitch..!!!! & HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIAN! 50 eh?



What if... McCartney and Julian got together and performed The Beatles (McCartney - Lennon) songbook and solo songs.....adding Sean and Dhani Harrison on a few songs.
And why not ?

Keith Richards has goofy conversation with Jimmy Fallon

Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards stopped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night for a hilarious conversation in which the guitarist answered questions submitted by fans on Twitter, chatted about the enormous lemons he gave the host as a gift and opened up about his friendly relationship with the Beatles. When asked whether he and Paul McCartney will ever collaborate on a record, Richards coyly replied, "The thought is there, but the actual deed is yet to be done."

 

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards discusses his personal history with heroin and other hard drugs. "Getting in is easy, getting out is difficult," says Richards. "It took me a while."

-----

Outlaw, hellraiser, and one of rock music's most gifted and influential guitarists, Keith Richards has forged a life that most of us can only imagine--and often envy. Amazingly he's lived to tell about it, and now this rock Icon has given us the definitive rock autobiography.

In Life, the man himself tells about life lived fast and hard in the creative hurricane--from his days as a young boy growing up in a council estate, listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records, to joining forces with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones to form The Rolling Stones.

In conversation with Anthony DeCurtis, a music journalist, and contributing editor for Rolling Stone, Keith Richards will discuss the storied journey of the Rolling Stones, as well as his passion for books and for history. He will chronicle how he created the revolutionary, high-octane riffs that defined "Jumping Jack Flash," "Gimme Shelter" and "Honky Tonk Woman," his affair with the equally infamous Anita Pallenberg (the mother of three of his children), and the tragic death of Brian Jones. He will also discuss the personal values that have made him a proud, successful father, and a happily married man for more than twenty-five years.

From falling in love with his wife Patti Hansen to his relationship with his "brother," Mick Jagger, we follow Keef on the ultimate road trip we have all longed to know more about-- the story of an unfettered, fearless, on-the-edge life lived to the absolute fullest. - NYPL

Keith Richards is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, record producer, best-selling author and actor, best known as a founding member of the Rolling Stones. As a guitarist, Richards is known for his innovative rhythm playing and ranked 10th in Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 "Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." With songwriting partner and Rolling Stones lead vocalist Mick Jagger, Richards has written and recorded hundreds of songs, fourteen of which are listed by Rolling Stone magazine among the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

FORUM MUSICAL DE MR Q APRIL 2013

FORUM MUSICAL DE MR Q_APRIL 2013. TUNE IN OR DROP OUT!

FORUM MUSICAL DE MR Q

A Last Stand for the Xingu - HELP to SAVE OUR People & our Planet - what is more important? World Cup football?

THIS IMAGE SHOULD BE SEEN BY THE WHOLE WORLD

While magazines and TV chains report about the lives and love affairs of movie actors and actresses, football players and other celebrities, the Chief of the Kayapo tribe heard the worst news of his entire life:

Mrs. Dilma, the president of Brazil, has given her approval for the construction of an enormous hydroelectric central (the world’s third largest one).

This means the death sentence for ALL the tribes living at the shores of the river because the barrage will flood more or less 988,421 acres of the forest. More than 40 000 natives will have to find other living surroundings where they will be able to survive. The destruction of the natural habitat, the deforestation and the disappearance of several species of plants and animals will be a fait accompli.

We know that a simple image is the equivalent of a thousand words, it shows the price to be paid for the “quality of life” of our so-called “modern comforts.” There is no space in the world anymore for those who live differently. Everything has to be smoothed away, that everyone, in the name of globalization must lose his and her identity and way of living.

If this enrages you, I urge and implore you to "SHARE" this message to all your friends, relatives and acquaintances.

Thank you in the name of life, nature and biodiversity.

AND SIGN THE PETITION!: follow link:
http://amazonwatch.org/take-action/stop-the-belo-monte-monster-dam

Muddy Waters and The Stones concert at The Checkerboard Lounge in 1981

Muddy Waters was born 100 year ago today!

The Stones rushed into the small club unannounced. There was no VIP area, so they sat in front of the stage as Muddy kept playing. Drummer Charlie Watts sat out the Checkerboard trip, but Jagger, Richards, Ronnie Wood and keyboardist Ian Stewart were all willing participants. One of the highlights is “Mannish Boy,” with Waters standing up from his stool for the first time to jump up and down with Jagger as they wail “I’m a rolling stone.”
Richards swigged Jack Daniel’s straight out the bottle. Mick Jagger chewed lots of gum. “The Stones drank about five bottles of Jack in two hours,” said Thurman.

Full concert (where he is joined by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ian Stewart and Ron Wood about half an hour into the show):

Eric Clapton to Play Acoustic Set at Crossroads Guitar Festival

Eric Clapton may have said that he’s going to give up touring when he turns 70 in 2015, he’s still interested in changing things up now and then. Sources say that he has a few surprises in store during his Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden later this month.

Rolling Stone is reporting that Clapton will open the two-day festival with an acoustic set at 7:30 on April 12. In addition, it is also believed that he will sit in with many of the performers on that first night, including the Allman Brothers for their headlining spot. Slowhand is already set to close the concert with a headlining spot the next day.

Although the schedule has not been announced, the lineup for the fourth Crossroads Guitar Festival is nonetheless impressive. Clapton has recruited top guitar slingers from blues and rock (Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, B.B. King), jazz (John Scofield, Earl Klugh) and country (Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley) for the concerts. More information can be found at the festival’s website.

The Crossroads Guitar Festival will also serve as the final dates on Clapton’s current tour in support of his new album, ‘Old Sock.’

The Rolling Stones Announce 2013 North American Tour with ‘Special Guest’ Mick Taylor

The Rolling Stones have announced the first dates of their 2013 ’50 and Counting’ North American tour, which will visit nine cities in May and June. Former guitarist Mick Taylor will be a “special guest throughout the tour,” to use the band’s own words.

The trek will hit arenas in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Jose, Las Vegas, Anaheim, Toronto, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. According to Billboard, the band has given their promoter 18 dates to work with, making it likely that additional dates will be added in some or all of these cities.

Frontman Mick Jagger issued a statement that gives fans an idea of what to expect from the group’s stage show. “’50 and Counting’ has been pretty amazing so far. We did a few shows in London and New York last year…and had such a good time that we thought…let’s do some more. It’s a good show. Lots of the classic stuff everyone wants to hear…with a few little gems tucked in here and there. The stage is shaped like lips and goes off into the venue so I get to run around in the crowd. It’s great fun to be able to get that close to the audience.”

We can’t tell you the opening date of the tour, exactly, because it depends on when the Staples Center won’t be occupied by an NHL playoff game. Tickets for Oakland, San Jose, Toronto and Chicago go on sale beginning Monday, April 8 at 10AM local time and will be available at www.rollingstones.com.

The Stones also announced that they will perform at London’s Hyde Park on Saturday, July 6. Last week they announced they would headline the June Glastonbury festival.

The Rolling Stones 2013 Tour Dates

5/?? — Los Angeles, Calif. (date depends on NHL playoffs)
5/5 — Oakland, Calif.
5/8 — San Jose, Calif.
5/11 — Las Vegas, Nev.
5/15 — Anaheim, Calif.
5/25 — Toronto, Ont.
5/29 — Chicago, Ill.
6/12 — Boston, Mass.
6/18 — Philadelphia, Pa.

 Watch the Rolling Stones’ 2013 Tour Announcement

Paul McCartney Announces First US Tour Date at Boston's Fenway Park

The mere mention of a Paul McCartney tour is enough to draw the masses, and we have a feeling his upcoming concerts across the world are going to do just that.

McCartney has already announced a handful of international tour dates, and yesterday, the news broke via official press release that the “Out There” tour will kick off its U.S. portion of dates on July 9 in Boston’s Fenway Park; the first time Sir Paul will perform there since his two-date stint in August of 2009.

American Express cardholders and McCartney fan club members have the opportunity to buy tickets before the general populace. For everyone else, tickets will be available April 5.

Experience the musical talent that is McCartney through nearly three hours of favorites from his time with The Beatles, Wings and as a solo artist.

As with any concert involving a pioneer of Rock and Roll, attending a McCartney concert is a rare (and great) opportunity. According to a review from the Boston Globe, McCartney’s 2009 Fenway show was, "a nearly flawless performance that played heavily to favorites while allowing him to stretch out as an artist who is obviously still vital and relevant."

With concert reviews like that, we have a feeling this show will sell out quickly, so fans are going to want to move fast!

Recently completing his On the Run tour, 2012 was a busy year for McCartney. He released the Grammy-winning album, Kisses On the Bottom, accepted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was the headline artist for the Hurricane Sandy 12-12-12 benefit concert.

More US tour dates are sure to come, so keep an eye on Paul McCartney’s website for ticket info and the rest of his latest news.

40 anniversary : The Beatles’ ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ Albums Released

The Beatles were broken up for a little more than three years when the ‘1962-1966’ and ‘1967-1970’ compilations were released in April 1973. The two-disc sets – known as the ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums, respectively – were neither supplements to nor replacements for the band’s other records. They were merely what they appeared to be: collections of great songs by the greatest band that ever walked the earth.


The albums were initially a reaction against a four-record bootleg compilation called ‘Alpha Omega’ that was sold on TV in 1972. But the ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums had the original masters at their disposal, compiled by the Beatles’ manager, Allen Klein. More importantly, they had a handful of cuts – including ‘From Me to You’ and the single version of ‘Let It Be’ – that were never released on the Beatles’ official albums.

But most of all, ‘1962-1966’ and ‘1967-1970’ trimmed the little fat that could be found on the original LPs and gathered 54 of the band’s best songs — 28 on the former, 26 on the latter, all written by the Beatles — in one place. They’re strung together chronologically, starting with 1963’s ‘Love Me Do’ (the ‘Please Please Me’ album version) and ending with ‘The Long and Winding Road’ from 1970’s ‘Let It Be.’ Before the CD era, they were the only place to hear many of the single versions of hit songs on something other than scratchy old 45s.

The records were an immediate hit. ‘1962-1966’ reached No. 3; ‘1967-1970’ hit No. 1 for one week. Since their release 40 years ago, they’ve sold more than 30 million copies combined.

The compilations have become such a crucial part of the Beatles Capitol catalog that they were reissued on CD in 1993, and they continue to be an excellent starting point for new Beatles fans.

Today - The late Ronnie Lane was born in 1946 – 67 years ago

As the former bassist for the Small Faces, and later the Faces, Ronnie Lane left both bands when he felt the spirit of the group had died, gaining him the reputation of an uncompromising artist, and allowing him the opportunity to release some fine solo material in the ’70s.
~Steve Kurutz 


Ronald Frederick “Ronnie” Lane (1 April 1946 – 4 June 1997) was an English musician, songwriter, and producer who is best known as the bass guitarist and founding member of two prominent English rock and roll bands; the Small Faces where he was nicknamed “Plonk”, (1965–69) – and, after losing the band’s frontman, Faces, with two new members added to the line up, (from The Jeff Beck Group), who dubbed him “Three-Piece” (1969–73). It was for his work in both the Small Faces and the Faces that Lane was inducted posthumously into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012.
Subsequently Lane collaborated with other musicians, leading his own bands as well as pursuing a solo career while remaining close to his former bandmates. In the late 1970s he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and, despite charity projects and financial support from friends, former bandmates and fans, Lane, after suffering from the disease for 21 years, died at 51.>

 The Small Faces were Lane on bass guitar, Marriott as guitarist and lead vocalist, Kenney Jones as drummer, and Winston on keyboards, They made their debut in 1965, Ian McLagan replacing Winston in November 1965. Lane and Marriott began writing hit songs consistently, including “Itchycoo Park” and “All or Nothing”. At least a dozen successful songs credit Lane, and the 1968 concept album Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake features songs co-written by Lane with one exception. The album made it to #1 on the UK Albums Chartfor six weeks. The band disbanded in 1969 as Marriott left the group. The group reformed during the late 1970s but Lane did not join them.











 Lane formed The Faces with McLagan, Jones, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart in 1969. He shared primary songwriting duties in Faces with Rod Stewart, composing, or co-composing, many of their best-loved pieces and taking a central role during the recording of their fourth and final album, Ooh La La, particularly, as the band’s front man, Rod Stewart focused on his own solo career. Unhappy due to poor reviews of the album and Stewart’s lack of commitment, Lane quit in 1973, making his last appearance at the Sundown Theatre in Edmonton, London on 4 June. He was replaced by Tetsu Yamauchi but the group split in 1975.







“Solo”
After leaving the Faces Lane formed his own band Slim Chance, who recorded the hit singles “How Come” (UK No. 11) and “The Poacher” (UK No. 36) and the album Anymore for Anymore, showcasing a blend of British rock music, folk and country music.
After initial success he commenced a tour called “The Passing Show”, touring the UK as a carnival complete with tents and barkers. Viv Stanshall, from the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, was a short-lived ringmaster (of sorts). Lane moved to Island Records and issued Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance and One for the Road. …. His ensuing album with Pete Townshend, Rough Mix, produced by Glyn Johns, which was released in 1977, was lauded as contender for best album of the year by many critics, but the label did not promote it and sales were lacklustre.

Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones Talk The Faces on Hall of Fame Induction:

Producer Phil Ramone Dies at Age 79

For those who may have missed it, sad news came this weekend with the announcement of the passing of Phil Ramone.

The renowned producer died on Saturday morning at a New York hospital. In an announcement to the Associated Press (via Spinner), Ramone’s son Matthew stated that events followed his father’s hospitalization in late February for an aortic aneurysm, though his exact cause of death has not been specified.

With five decades in the music industry, 14 Grammys under his belt, and a history filled with working with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Ray Charles, among others, to say Phil Ramone was influential in his work would be an understatement.

Ramone, who was born in South Africa, raised in Brooklyn and a graduate of Julliard, was also co-founder of A & R Recording and an accredited engineer. He was even behind the soundboard when Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday” to JFK.

The personal and professional relationships Ramone built with the artists he worked with through the years were unprecedented, so much in fact that he named two of his sons, Simon and William, after his good friends Paul Simon and Billy Joel.

Ramone was also a big advocate for the digital movement, and was responsible for the first CD to ever be pressed: Billy Joel’s 52nd Street. In more recent years, Ramone was a contributing blogger to the Huffington Post with singer/songwriter Danielle Evin, posting under the name “Dog Ears Music.”

Phil Ramone is survived by his three sons and his wife Karen. He was 79 years old.

Rolling Stones Post Countdown on Website for Upcoming Tour Announcement

The countdown has begun -- literally -- for the Rolling Stones' announcement of its North American tour dates.

The group's website is hosting a countdown to this Wednesday (April 3), accompanied by a video of the group performing "Doom and Gloom," one of two new songs from the 2012 50th anniversary compilation "Grrr!," during its handful of late 2012 shows.

The group is rumored to be playing multi-nights in 18 cities, including Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and others. Chuck Leavell, the Stones' longtime keyboard player, tells us that the various Stones' other concerns made it a bit harder to get its latest tour plans in order:

"I just think everybody's had other things to do and other things to focus on, so it's not as easy as it would seem to get everybody in the same room and say, 'OK, we're gonna do this' and 'What dates are we gonna do?' and so forth. So there's logistics involved, and...all I can say is I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that that phone rings."

The Stones have already announced a June 28 appearance at the Glastonbury festival in England, while a multi-night stand at London's Hyde Park is also being rumored. Stay tuned.

Signed Copy of The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Sells for Nearly $300,000

What would you be willing to pay for a signed copy of the Beatles‘ 1967 masterpiece ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’?

According to Heritage Auctions, the firm that handled the bids for a recent sale that included a ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ signed by all four members of the band, the most the seller could expect to get was somewhere around $30,000 — which is a pretty hefty chunk of change, but still nowhere near the actual winning bid. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “an unnamed buyer from the Midwest” ponied up $290,500 for the album, which not only set a new benchmark for signed Beatles memorabilia (eclipsing the $150,000 paid for a copy of ‘Meet the Beatles’), but broke the record for all items in its category.

That’s more than it would cost to buy a lot of Midwestern homes, but this isn’t a case of some well-heeled doofus being separated from his money; in fact, according to at least one expert, it’s well worth the investment. “With my being thoroughly immersed in Beatles collectibles for over 30 years, it takes something extraordinarily special to excite me,” said Perry Cox, author of ‘The Official Beatles Price Guide’ series of books. “I consider this to be one of the top two items of Beatles memorabilia I’ve ever seen — the other being a signed copy of ‘Meet the Beatles.’”

These Are the 25 Best Strokes Songs

Twelve or so years ago, the Strokes released Is This It, an album that — depending on your view of things — was either the Second Coming or the Great Downfall of rock and roll. (It turned out to be neither; it was just a very good record.) Julian Casablancas and friends have been living in its shadow ever since, and though they’ve never managed to top Is This It as an album, the Strokes still know how to write a good Strokes song. So in honor of Comedown Machine, their fifth album, Vulture ranked the 25 best Strokes songs of all time. (Listen to them all in the Spotify playlist below.) Sorry, Angles fans; this isn’t the list for you.

25. "Razorblade" (First Impressions of Earth)
First Impressions was all over the place, but "Razorblade" kind of succeeded in spite of or because of this. An anti-love-song love song, it somehow works that the chorus apes the melody of Barry Manilow's "Mandy." Though we like to think they were referencing Homer Simpson's version.

24. "All the Time" (Comedown Machine)
Does it sound like 2013 Strokes trying to be 2001 Strokes? Very much so. Is that a bad thing? Listen to First Impressions of Earth again.

23. "Red Light" (First Impressions of Earth)
It's one of the few songs on First Impressions that sounds like the first two albums. The stars of this one are Albert Hammond Jr. and Nick Valensi, who knock out one of their most whimsical guitar exchanges in the band's catalogue.

22. "Between Love & Hate" (Room on Fire)
Have the Strokes sounded any drunker than this? It's a cross between early Walkmen, Biz Markie's "Just a Friend," and 5:30 a.m. after whatever insanely cool party the Strokes were at that night.

21. "Chances" (Comedown Machine)
This is the sort of straightforwardly pretty song that wouldn't make sense on any other album, but we're happy to have it in the canon. Now it just needs an indie rom-com make-out scene to soundtrack.

20. "Only Wanna Dance With You" (Ke$ha, Warrior)
Never mind that the Strokes are giving away their most disciplined material, or that Julian isn’t even really singing (good job, Max Martin). The energy’s right. (And shouldn’t the Strokes be allowed to share in the Strokes copycatting?)

19. "Trying Your Luck" (Is This It)
The middle stretch of Is This It rightfully gets all of the attention, but this bummed-out, phoned-in three minutes is a welcome breather. Also: “At least I’m on my own again/ instead/ of/ anywhere with you.” Julian Casablancas is pretty much the master of caring by not caring.

18. "Electricityscape" (First Impressions of Earth)
First Impressions has a whole bunch of "rock" songs that just don't really hold up against the other Strokes albums. "Electricityscape" is the best one, despite having the worst title of any of their songs.

17. "Alone, Together" (Is This It)
No Strokes song plays with tension better than "Alone, Together." It builds and pulls back right before release a couple times, until Julian yells "Oh" like he meant to say "all right" but forgot the "right" part. The rest is particularly badass.

16. "One Way Trigger" (Comedown Machine)
Everyone's been comparing this one to A-Ha's "Take on Me." Sure, it has a falsetto and comparable rhythm, but if you told us twelve years ago that the Strokes would have a song that sounded like A-Ha, we would've said, "Give my ears that song immediately."

15. "The End Has No End" (Room on Fire)
This is a deceptively complex song. Forget verse-chorus-verse, it's chorus1-verse-chorus2. They got melodies for days.

14. "Under Cover of Darkness" (Angles)
Collaborative songwriting didn’t serve Angles all that well, but somehow the piecemeal structure works on this one (the album’s lead single). It’s like a funhouse, with choruses instead of weird mirrors.

13. "I Can’t Win" (Room on Fire)
Efficiency has always been a Strokes virtue (or, it was in the glory days), and the Room On Fire closer keeps it extra-tight: two minutes and 42 seconds, with a word limit on the chorus. (That’s why Julian milks the “Iiiiiii caaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn’t winnnnnn” for eight seconds. We timed it.)

12. "The Modern Age" (Is This It)
The first song on their first EP, "The Modern Age" is the song that launched hundreds of bands with leather jackets and vintage amps. (Hell, Kings of Leon basically spent two records exclusively playing southern-accented versions of "The Modern Age.")

11. "12:51" (Room on Fire)
You can hear future Julian in here (next to the Cars and the hand-claps). He warned us.

10. "Tap Out" (Comedown Machine)
In many ways, Comedown Machine sounds like Casablancas having his cake (or his synthy solo album sound) and eating it too (with the Strokes). "Tap Out" sounds like so many things and nothing else, yet still feels like a great Strokes song.

9. "Someday" (Is This It)
For die-hard Is This It fans, “Someday” is a Pavlovian trigger — the good stuff is starting, pay attention now. It’s also vaguely prophetic: “In many ways, we’ll miss the good old day” was true then, but it’s truer now.

8. "Under Control" (Room on Fire)
At some point, the Strokes were going to have to do a ballad. Even the coolest band in New York needs an arms-around-your-buddies'-shoulders belter.

7. "Taken For a Fool" (Angles)
First, it features maybe one of their top two or three catchiest choruses ever, easy. Second, "Monday, Tuesday is my weekend." Come on! Even when they're married with kids, the Strokes can't stop making everyone seem like dorks.

6. "New York City Cops" (Is This It, internationally)
The song was cut from Is This It after 9/11, and it’s taken on a sort of mythic quality as a result — thanks in part to this legendary 2002 Radio City performance, featuring Jack White and Julian’s broken leg. Squint and you can see the cast.

5. "Take It orr Leave It" (Is This It)
It’s last call, everyone at the bar already hates you, and you should probably go home. Not the Strokes, though — closing time is when things get rowdy. Same goes for closing songs.

4. "I’ll Try Anything Once" (demo)
“You Only Live Once” — which this demo eventually became — is a First Impressions standout, and we should also credit the Strokes for getting to YOLO six years before everyone else. But this grainy, barebones version is virtuoso Casablancas — and it’s a straight heartbreaker too.

3. "Reptilia" (Room on Fire)
There is a crop of fans who argue that Room on Fire is better than Is This It. Simply, the argument is that Room took the Strokes rubric and just made it hit harder, faster, louder, Strokesier. "Reptilia" is that contingents theme song. It's the Strokesiest Strokes song.

2. "Last Nite" (Is This It)
You can hear it in the intro — the band comes in one-by-one, confident, no rush. The Strokes know they’re playing for (and from) history. They got this. No big deal.

1. "Hard to Explain" (Is This It)
We end at the beginning. "Hard to Explain" was the Strokes' first single, and it acts like a mission statement for the band's sound: retro yet contemporary, catchy as hell, drums that sound like a machine, Television-like dueling guitars, driving bass. And there's that breakdown — the "I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train" part — which is seriously like the best thing ever. People have personal favorites, but "Hard to Explain" is the Strokes song.

Jim Morrison Documentary

Jess and Jeff Finn are leading the project.
Production has begun on Before the End: Jim Morrison Comes of Age.


Jim Morrison will be memorialized in a new independent documentary that has started production. Before the End: Jim Morrison Comes of Age will give a look into the life of the late Doors singer, examining his early years through his untimely death in July 1971 at age 27. According to Deadline.com, Before the End will feature interviews with Morrison's family and friends, including his brother Andy Morrison and Doors roadie Gareth Blyth, as well as previously unseen home movies and photographs. Z-Machine filmmakers Jess and Jeff Finn are leading the project.

Morrison and the Doors have been the subject of numerous documentaries already. One recent example, Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman – a film about the Doors' final album with Morrison – was released in January

Family and friends of Morrison will be interviewed , including his brother Andy Morrison and Doors roadie Gareth Blyth. Fans will also have a chance to see never-before-released home videos and photographs.

Filmmakers Jess and Jeff Finn are heading the production.