So clearly, when I said " my hint for TOMORROW'S post, I meant like 4 days later. Forgive me. I've been a little 'busy', if I may say so myself. Here it is!
Apart from listening to 'Spice Up Your Life' by the Spice Girls constantly, I grew up listening to some of the best bands and artists of all time. Those bands that set the trend for the much heavier, distorted and versatile music that I listen to today. I'm talking bands from the 60's, 70's and 80's who created waves in the music world with simple riffs and lyrics. The parent genre for all the music that's come around today. These bands revolutionized the music scene completely forming a pathway between the earlier swing and jazz-oriented styles to rock 'n' roll and the much more modern sub genres of rock, metal and the like. At this point I'd like to mention my parents, especially my Dad for their/his absolutely commendable taste in music. A lot of the classy stuff I listen to is all thanks to those endless numbers of tapes and cassettes that my parents devoted much of their free time to creating and recording!
Can you believe that audio tapes are a thing of the past? I miss them to be very frank. I used to love stacking up all my favourite tapes together, and of course, the destructive side of me would pull one out from underneath to make my audio tape skyscraper come crashing down which I found positively hilarious. I remember how excited I used to get every time I had saved up enough money to buy a cassette of my very own. That's another thing I'd like to thank my Mum and Dad for. Teaching me that you don't just get things when you ask for them. You have to blood, sweat and tear your way there. I'm quite the extravagant individual, I like pretty, shiny, loud, tasty and expensive things, But I know that I can't have any of that posh world unless I work my caramel coloured arse off for it. I'd do odd little jobs around the house, help them with anything that had to be stuck, typed, plucked at, burned. You name it, I've done it. And it's because of them that I have a decent amount of respect and value for money. I'm hoping to improve on that!
Back in 2006, during the FIFA World Cup in Germany, I was desperate to get the Official FIFA audio tape that had a mix of football songs and anthems as a part of the 2006 World Cup promotion. I was beyond psyched when the parentals took me to a music store and told me I could pick it up. Life was always so simple. That one audio tape gave me so much happiness I listened to it over and over and over again till I actually had to put back the spools myself due to over usage. Those were the days.
The bands I'm talking about here cannot even be remotely compared to any others. They're in a league of their own which is why I have an entirely separate HD just for music from that era. Classic Rock, Rock n Roll, Hard Rock, Heavy metal, Blues, Jazz, Grunge, Country. I loved it all. Still do. A lot of the things that I know today are because of the awesome lyrical themes that most of these bands based their music on. For instance, Pink Floyd's deep and philosophical lyrics about war, exploitation, empathy,with an obvious dark element, subjects that we do not dare to approach in everyday life, the Beatles discussing perception, love, spirituality and joy through their masterpieces, to more political and rebellious themes by the likes of bands such as U2 and The Clash. There's so much more! With all the music I listen to, I absolutely love analysing the themes that a band's music centers, which brings me to another one of my favourite subjects: Mythology. A lot of the Scandinavian metal bands, other European bands too, bring alive through their music the wonders and mysteries of those fascinating mythologies from centuries ago. I'll probably do an entire post just on that.
This isn't something I can cover in the confines of a single post, plus I thought it'd be fun to do it over a period of time, looking into all of my favourite bands from what I would call the Golden Era of Music. To start off with, today I just want to mention my top 30 band's from the 60's to the 80's. I took a long, long time to decide this and after much thought, cookies and sore ears, I listed my favorites. But my favoritism only differs from one to another on a very VERY minute scale.
1.
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AC/DC ( or as I affectionately refer to them - Acca Dacca ) - =) My first ever proper band that I started listening to. I love them. Absolutely. They're what got me into the whole genre of rock, hard rock and the like. And I liked them even more when I discovered they're from Sydney, Australia. ^_^ AND the Young brothers are Scottis. Hee. Kidding. Jokes apart, AC/DC are so much more than just a band to me. Just like Gojira. They're all about rocking out and living life the way you want. Although their lyrical themes aren't exactly of the UG category, every single one of their albums is listener-friendly (just made that up). Anyone who listens to these powerhouses will want to get up, break and then jump on something. I listened to all the Brian Johnson albums initially, I think the first AC/DC album I listened to was Ballbreaker or Flick Of The Switch. There's always debate on who the better vocalist is, that is putting aside Dave Evans who was the original vocalist of the band. But he wasn't around for very long. Both Scott and Johnson have their own special and unique styles but they are both absolutely mad vocalists. Of course, Cliff Williams (love the man's hair) ,Angus and Malcom Young are among some of my favourite guitarists, with some major, powerful and groovy riffs. The same can be said about the three drummers that the band has had over the years. Each one contributed different elements to the albums but what I love the most about my favourite rock band, is the fact that despite the number of line-up changes and the death of someone close, they pulled through to become absolute legends, maintaining a loyal fan base and constantly evolving in the kind of music they create.
Favourite Albums: Highway To Hell, Back In Black, High Voltage, Let There Be Rock
"For Those About To Rock, We Salute You". - AC/DC
2.
THE BEATLES - The Beatles are like putting salt in your food and sprinkles on your ice cream. MUST-HAVE. I've always loved the simplicity of their music, the range of themes that their songs are about. It's always so full of love, the realities of life, and aptly represents what each one of the band's members stood for and what they faced. The Beatles were known for their rather posh and high society yet rather controversial lives and faced many ups and downs throughout their career together. But in spite of all the negativity, they took it in their stride and created a legacy as well as platform, not only for musicians of the 60's but are a major influence for many bands even today. Like I said, their simple yet versatile musical style made them the favourites of millions and also one of mine.
My top Beatles albums include, Help!, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and Yellow Submarine.
3.
LED ZEPPELIN - Led Zep Led Zep. I don't even know where to begin when it comes to them. But I'm going to try. They. are. Led Zeppelin. I'm not quite sure how to elaborate on the sheer awesomeness of this quartet, but they are just that: the personification of awesome and the redefinition of perfection. Of all bands, LedZep are definitely the most versatile, with their brilliant mix of blues, folk rock and being considered one of the pioneers in the genre of heavy metal. I remember the first songs I heard by these guys: Kashmir and The Immigrant Song. OH MY FRIGGIN LORD. I DIED. came back to life and then lost my head again. I still love singing the opening to The Immigrant Song and pretend like I'm swinging from vine to vine in the Amazon. What a song! What lyrics! You know what the best part is? ALL their music is like this. I am such a hardcore LedZep fan I can't put it in words how much I love them. Not only did their music become the influence for many many bands of the 70's and 80's later on such as Sabbath, Megadeth, Dream Theater etc, but their style in general was and still is unmatched. Page and Plant are among my favourite muscians. =)
Favourite Albums: Houses of The Holy, Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin IV
4.
THE DOORS - Jim Morrison's husky, crisp and strong voice always got me into this weird trance. Needless to say, The Doors are one of my all-time favourites and a must-have on anyone's classic rock playlist. Or any playlist for that matter. Morrison Hotel, L.A.Woman, An American Prayer, they don't make it like that anymore. The pure goodness of psychedelic and classic rock with the vibrant melodies of more blues-y, jazz and swing elements. I remember these guys being one of my first ever classic rock bands that I'd love chilling to. Versatile and fun, their music is for anyone! I have listened to some stuff by The Butts Band which was formed by Krieger and Densmore, the guitarist and drummer of The Doors respectively, but nothing matches up to the awesomeness of all four talents collaborating together. I love them!
Favourite Albums: Strange Days, Morrison Hotel, Doors
5.
GUNS N ROSES - I have a major attachment to this band because it was Guns N Roses tunes that I first started learning to play on my initial adventures with my guitar. Definitely one of the most successful bands of the 80's and the 90's. Classic hard rock, crazy lyrics and videos. Their music is like a mix of all of my other favourite bands such as Acca Dacca, Led Zep, Van Halen, Guns N Roses tunes have it all. Honestly, they've got a pretty mad but weird line up now. And I hazd a sad when Slash and Axl Rose decided to be a bunch of stuck up snobs. ( Slash I love you). Neverthless, Guns N Roses still remain on the top of my list because of the influence they had on my early music taste.
Favourite Album: Appetite For Destruction DEFINITELY.
6.
CREEDANCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - I fell in love with the name. So you can imagine how I feel about their music. =) John Fogerty's lyrics are unbelievable. So simple yet so deep. It gives me so much peace listening to these guys. Their songs primarily being about the Southern culture led me to discover another awesome sub genre: Southern Rock, with bands/artists such as ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers Band, Black Oak Arkansas, Bo Diddley, Lynrd Skynrd, Canned Heat and so many more. I'm aware of only a few of these bands but I love Southern rock. So peaceful and really fun music. I haven't heard all the CCR albums in their entirety but I love Green River and tracks such as Have You Ever Seen The Rain?, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Bad Moon Rising, Pagan Baby and Susie Q. Definitely should be on your playlist!
7.
BLACK SABBATH - I don't think I need to say a whole lot here. The band's name says it all. Sabbath have been one of my all time 70's metal band's to listen to and they're now back with a bang with their latest album '13', after 18 years, which, btw, TOPPED THE BILLBOARD 200 CHART. That is saying SOMETHING in the music world! So proud! The first time I heard 'Crazy Train' I had a coronary and went ballistic. Became my caller tune for a year and a half before I had people threatening to never call me again. Didn't stop me. Gloomy, bluesy, dem downtuned guitars, Sabbath are a must have on your classic rock/classic heavy metal playlist. They're a treat to listen to once in a while given their unique sounds.
Favourite Sabbath albums: Paranoid, Heaven and Hell, Seventh Star.
8.
PINK FLOYD - Whatever knowledge I have of Pink Floyd and their music, has been engraved into my pretty little brain probably since I was crouched in a fetal position as a fetus. Venu (my dad) is one hardcore Floyd fan if I've ever seen one. I used to watch, if I remember correctly, it was 'The Wall tour' which Venu had recorded on video tape. What a psyched out video! I know for a fact if I ever watched Floyd live, It'd be hard to get me back to reality for quite sometime, even if you happened to be Irish. There is only one word I always use to describe their music : frigginmadasspsychedelicshizz. WHAT. It is a word. Well, now I've made it one! The eerie, bone-chilling voices of Waters, Gilmour and Co, the perfectly synchronized drumming of Mason ( love him ), SYD BARRETT. Is it just me or does Barrett look like the human version of that guy in 'The Corpse Bride'? But if anything, the band's major strength was the themes on which they based their lyrics. Mum still gets the heebie-jeebies listening to them, but I really like how open they are! They're lyrics for 'Brain Damage' and 'Welcome To The Machine', have been, as I read recently compared to Karl Marx's 'Alienation theory. I absolutely flipped when I read that! That's another thing I recommend to people who really like to get into their music, read the lyrics of a band you really like. You'll be taken aback by some of the much deeper, underlying meanings that are hidden in the realms of the very song itself. Read up on Floyd's lyrical themes. Good stuff. Favourite albums: Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall, Ummagumma.
9.
AEROSMITH - Tyler and co. I swear are by far the band personification of 'rocking out'. Every time I listen to a typical Aerosmith tune, I start jumping around, using my leg as a guitar, it just gets you into that whole mood. I've always been a fan of Steven Tyler's extremely versatile voice. That man can reach notes that can start earthquakes. It's not that uncomfortably, ear-bleeding high pitch, but a really husky sort. First ever Aerosmith song I heard was 'Dude looks like a lady' when I watched 'Mrs. Doubtfire'. Such an epic song. Mum reckons it should be my theme song. Reasons are because I am apparently the son of the family. A post on that later maybe?
They are without a doubt one of the greatest rock n roll bands ever and cannot be missed! Favourite Albums: Nine Lives, Music Fromm Another Dimension, Rock In A Hard Place. They've got some really beautiful soft tracks too which I love!
10.
CREAM: Definitely one of the most underrated bands from the 60's. People today are not even aware that there was a band called Cream, much less aware of the fact that my man Eric Clapton was an integral part of it! They were really big during their time though so that's comforting. World's first super group that had some major success which reflects in their music. 'Sunshine Of Your Love, 'Crossroads', 'Sitting On Top Of The World', so beautiful. When it comes to blues rock, these guys are what you want to listen to. I mean come on, it's Clapton, need I say anymore? well collaborated with the likes of Bruce and Baker, cream will (canIpleasebecheeseyhere?) make you feel all creamy in the head. And happy. *cheesey grin*
11.
KISS - These guys are the 70's rock version of ' Ghost'. The black and white make up, the loud outfits the crazy live performances with the fire breathing, the levitating drum kits. Yes I said levitating drum kit, I don't know what shenanigans is up there but if you don't believe me, look down south. Even if it is all shenanigans, it's still bloody cool! Simmons is a badass! Love his style! The whole band in fact are leagues apart from their contemporaries with their loud, rockstar, unorthodox rock demeanor. To be honest, I miss the vocals of Frehley, such a fun guy. Their newer stuff 'Monster' and 'Sonic Boom' aren't all bad, but I'm more attached to the original KISS style from the 70's. Again, I haven't listened to all their albums, something I have on my to-do list for the next few months.
Favourite Albums: Alive!, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over and KISS.
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12.
CHUCK BERRY - When I think multi-talented and the King of Rock and Roll, I think Chuck Berry. Instantly. He's songs are upbeat, rhythmic, crisp guitar sounds, his music has it all! All the hits, Johnny B Goode, Rock and Roll music, Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven, Too Much Monkey Business. You haven't heard classic music if you haven't heard Mr Charles. Absolutely brilliant man!
13.
HOWLIN' WOLF/MUDDY WATERS - When it comes the blues, I turn to Waters and the Wolf. They're amazing. You need to listen to them to know what I mean. Someday, and it's on my bucketlist, I want to go to New York like Tom Hanks in The Terminal, and chill out to some classy blues and jazz music at one of them jazz bars. The life man.
14.
JIMI HENDRIX - It's Hendrix. Need I say a word more? But I will. He's an insane muddah. I don't have a favourite Hendrix album but I love tons of his songs. So friggin unique. Such an amazingly talented guitarist and musician.
15.
NIRVANA - I wanted to marry Cobain until my dreams as a 13 year old were shattered and I realized he was dead. Oh well. Cobain's music came straight from the heart. I was pretty taken aback when I read that for most of his songs, he wrote the lyrics just minutes before recording. If that isn't sheer talent, I don't know what is. Nirvana was the first grunge rock band I came across, actually that's where I even learnt what the word 'grunge' meant.
16.
JUDAS PRIEST- The band that led to my discovery of the twin-guitar sound. Halford's vocal range is like going into Haagen-Daas and looking at all the flavours. Priest created a genre of their own and are said to have created the basal point from which heavy metal grew in leaps and bounds. They truly have a unique style, a rather unpredictable band if I may, but in a good way of course, with the right balance of aggressive tempos and slower-paced tunes. Basically, you will never ever get tired of Judas Priest tunes. And that is why they're one of my favourites. I haven't listened to all of their albums, but I will get to it at some point! They are an absolutely brilliant band, especially if you're a fan of the classic heavy metal sound.
Favourite albums: Painkiller, Stained Class
17.
IRON MAIDEN - Can I just not say anything about these guys and muck up the moment? Perfection = Iron Maiden. I love this band so very much. Sheer class merged with brutality. Heard my first Maiden song on my first day of sixth grade at a new school. Definitely helped me get through the day and the days after that. That is all I will say.
Favourite Albums: The Number Of The Beast, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, Fear Of The Dark.
VS 
THE RAMONES/THE CLASH - I know this is sort of cheating but I can't help it. A choice cannot be made. They took punk rock to new heights. The Clash weren't around for too long, making waves in the rock scene for about ten years but those were some pretty massive waves. What I love most about The Clash is that they do live up to their name. Or did. Music by the band was based mainly on the members rather extreme views and political ideologies. Much like a lot of metal music today, this was a radical and unorthodox concept for a band of the 70's. But not surprising given the insane amounts of political affairs that were going down. Although they managed to create a hell of a lot of controversy with their music, it is bloody good music. It just echoes revolution, and is also evident with the names of some of their songs. Favourite album: London Calling.
The Ramones are my other favourite punk rock group. I would add in the Sex Pistols here as well but I heard them much later, so I have a natural attachment towards these two heh. I just love The Ramones for their unmatched uniqueness. You can spot a Ramones tune anywhere without thinking twice. Favourite albums: Rocket To Russia, Too Tough To Die.
19.
RUSH - Oh the epicness of this band. I loved them right from the very first song I heard. Rush, I remember a friend of mine introduced me to, back when I was a youngin still in school. We used to sit in class everyday and talk about all of the classic rock greats and then he asked me, " Have you heard of this band, Rush?" I'm like - "Not really, no". *jaw drops, ninja jumps to bag, pulls out iPod and almost shoves it up my nose in excitement and absolute disbelief* That would be a summary of said friend's reaction. And you do not want to know what my reaction was when the proggy, metal tunes of Rush captivated my ear drums for the next 15 minutes. Let's just say my excitement got me into trouble. SUCH A BIG FAN. The really interesting lyrics, the heavy sounds, the culmination of elements from various genres into just one track, beautiful! I've listened to a good amount of Rush and their style has definitely seen a shift over the years. Less heavy, more alternative and electronic, nevertheless any Rush tune is goodstuff. Geddy is a genius.
Favourite Albums: Hemispheres, Moving Pictures, Fly By Night
20.
DEEP PURPLE - And as is the case with most people, I came across this amazing bunch when I heard 'Smoke On The Water' and 'Highway Star'. Those tracks NEVER get old. Deep Purple, might I just say ARE FRIGGIN CRAZY. I was reading about them a couple of days ago and they were apparently listed in the Guinness Book Of Records, 1975 for being "the Globe's Loudest Band". That's as high a milestone as it gets for a heavy metal band. Big fan of Ritchie Blackmore, the man is a genius. As is everyone in the band and no I'm not being diplomatic. One of the best band's I've ever heard in my 20 years, and they still remain so today. These classic rock maestros know how to make good music.
Favourite Albums: Machine Head, Stormbringer, In Rock
21.
THE SEX PISTOLS - PUNK PUNK PUNK. When a band has a member with a name like Sid Vicious, who wouldn't want to listen to them?
22.
JANIS JOPLIN- My favourite lady rocker. She had the most soulful voice I've ever heard and the first time I listened to one of her songs, I felt complete bliss. I love when some artists are just a 18621876817 in one and she's one of those specimens. It always inspires me and gives me hope.
23.
DURAN DURAN - When I watched a tribute concert held in honor of Princess Diana, I heard Duran Duran for the very first time. They most certainly do not make it like Duran Duran anymore. That mysterious air about them, their funky music, first pop band I really liked. I'd say they were the disciples of David Bowie. Pop-punk, glam, so many descriptions about these guys but whatever the opinion, absolutely fantastic music. You see the softer side of the band in some of their music and it makes you like them even more, to see a band maintaining such a balance. When it comes to elegance yet glamorously rebellious, Duran Duran are the band for you.
Favourite Albums: Duran Duran, Notorious, Seven And The Ragged Tiger
24.
OASIS - The Manchester Boys. One of the most successful alternative rock bands. It's like listening to The Who, Nirvana, The Six Pistols, Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd all in one. And that's why they're one of my favourites. I thought Bittersweet Symphony was originally by them. They sound EXACTLY like The Verve I can STILL never tell the difference. Hardly.
Favourite Albums: Heathen Chemistry, Dig Out Your Soul
25.
THE WHO -" People try to put us d-dowwwwn, talkin' 'bout my generation". WHAT.A.SONG. Not surprising, that was my very first The Who song I heard, when I watched an episode of Full House and Jesse was singing it with his band. I love their music solely because they're just fun to listen to! That's also how I discovered that there was a genre called 'art rock' which I found really, really fancy! Pete Townshend is an awesome musician too! I love some of his solo albums. Really good, soothing and creative music! The Who's are a definite must-have on a Classics playlist.
Favourite Albums: My Generation, Who Are You
26.
MOTORHEAD: To be honest, I never actually listened to Motorhead initially, I found out about them because I randomly saw Lemmy on some website and I was all =O DAT DUDE IS COOL. Motorhead's one of my other favourites from the 70's/80's era when Metal was just coming to the fore and Motorhead's insane energy and completely wild attitude was converting people into what they call their fans: The Motorheadbangers. Motorhead tracks are loud, gritty, supersonic, with Lemmy's completely unorthodox style of bass guitar. Absolutely love this band. If you're into thrash metal, Motorhead's the way to go!
Favourite albums: Bastards, Ace Of Spades, Inferno
27.
U2 - IRISH. ROCK. SAYS IT ALL. This band is all about the rock + punk feel. U2's music has the perfect balance between melodic, heavy punk rock and to make everything a whole lot more awesome (that doesn' sound grammatically correct to me but I can't be bothered right now. I'm cocoa-deprived and freezing my arse off) their lyrical themes are what made me a big fan of them! I think it's a punk thing, rebel against anything that is even remotely connected to or involves the government. Also, Bono is DA MAN. Hardcore humanitarian with such an ardent passion. When I grow up I want to be just like him. Yes when I want to grow up. I'm only 20, not sagging and wrinkly. Anyway, first ever U2 song I heard was 'Elevation' and I basically acted like I had just seen the ghost of a skimpily clad Hitler. U2 are so upbeat but can be the softest sounding band. Favourite albums: The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby
28.
GENESIS - PHIL COLLINS PHIL COLLINS PHIL COLLINS. That is all. The band is pretty awesome too! Perfect for when you want to go for long drives and pretend like you're in a Disney movie. Truly beautiful, symphonic rock. Their albums slowly evolved into more progressive music which made me like them even more. Did I mention I love Phil Collins? He's awesome. 'Invisible Touch', 'Dance On A Volcano', 'Follow you follow me', 'Supper's ready', Just kick back, listen to Genesis and get all trippy.
29.
BOB MARLEY - Would you look at that face? I'm not quite sure why he's on the bottom of this list because I love him the most. Apart from being one of the most celebrated reggae artists, Marley is one of the most inspiring human beings I know. I absolutely love the Rasta culture and it was all because of him! This man was all about the love. Love for music, for his tiny little island of a country, for football, for the Rasta culture. And it all reflected 100% in his music. Apparently there's a Carribean parasite species named after Marley. Talk about impact. 'Buffalo Soldier', 'Iron Lion Zion', 'No Woman No Cry', 'Three Little Birds', I can go on. He's one of my idols. Ya blooodthaangs gotsta get yoself some Marlay on ya museek leest. Bloodfiyaah maan. Oh he was an Aquarian. *does the happy dance*
30.
VAN HALEN - I think in terms of stage presence and performances, no one takes the cake like Van Halen. This band is so full of life and energy and it reflects in their music 120%. They've probably enjoyed the most success among all of their contemporaries. They're are incredibly unique which I know is what I say about a lot of the bands I talk about, but that's the beauty, each one is different from the next! Especially during the 60's to the 80's era, each band had their own style, so much so you could never mix them up. David Lee Roth and Eddie are again, two of my favoruites, Roth can play the Sax! Something I'm desperate to learn! Eddie Van Halen is just a beast!
Favourite albums: Van Halen, 5150
Well there you have it. My TOP 30 from the decades before I was born. I shall of course repeat here that all of these above mentioned artists are just SOME of my favourites.
The best part about my top 30 is that none of them are very genre specific, extremely versatile, revolutionized their respective decades with a style that they could call their very own. There's something special about all of these bands, it's probably the fact that I'm a 90's kid and this is the first kind of music I listened to. I love it! Real music, real lyrics, the crisp sounds of maddening guitar solos and killer drum beats, not to mention all them glamorous outfits and rebellious attitudes, the classics shall forever occupy a large cubicle in my heart. It is without a doubt, the base on which all of today's awesome hard rock and of course my love, metal has been created. One big happy family if you may. I'm not going to say much more except that, those of you who haven't really heard what music from the 60's is, you should. You're honestly missing out on a whole other world, one that you'll find yourself getting attached to rather quickly if you know what to listen to and have an open mind as well as the patience to explore.
Apart from listening to 'Spice Up Your Life' by the Spice Girls constantly, I grew up listening to some of the best bands and artists of all time. Those bands that set the trend for the much heavier, distorted and versatile music that I listen to today. I'm talking bands from the 60's, 70's and 80's who created waves in the music world with simple riffs and lyrics. The parent genre for all the music that's come around today. These bands revolutionized the music scene completely forming a pathway between the earlier swing and jazz-oriented styles to rock 'n' roll and the much more modern sub genres of rock, metal and the like. At this point I'd like to mention my parents, especially my Dad for their/his absolutely commendable taste in music. A lot of the classy stuff I listen to is all thanks to those endless numbers of tapes and cassettes that my parents devoted much of their free time to creating and recording!
Can you believe that audio tapes are a thing of the past? I miss them to be very frank. I used to love stacking up all my favourite tapes together, and of course, the destructive side of me would pull one out from underneath to make my audio tape skyscraper come crashing down which I found positively hilarious. I remember how excited I used to get every time I had saved up enough money to buy a cassette of my very own. That's another thing I'd like to thank my Mum and Dad for. Teaching me that you don't just get things when you ask for them. You have to blood, sweat and tear your way there. I'm quite the extravagant individual, I like pretty, shiny, loud, tasty and expensive things, But I know that I can't have any of that posh world unless I work my caramel coloured arse off for it. I'd do odd little jobs around the house, help them with anything that had to be stuck, typed, plucked at, burned. You name it, I've done it. And it's because of them that I have a decent amount of respect and value for money. I'm hoping to improve on that!
Back in 2006, during the FIFA World Cup in Germany, I was desperate to get the Official FIFA audio tape that had a mix of football songs and anthems as a part of the 2006 World Cup promotion. I was beyond psyched when the parentals took me to a music store and told me I could pick it up. Life was always so simple. That one audio tape gave me so much happiness I listened to it over and over and over again till I actually had to put back the spools myself due to over usage. Those were the days.
The bands I'm talking about here cannot even be remotely compared to any others. They're in a league of their own which is why I have an entirely separate HD just for music from that era. Classic Rock, Rock n Roll, Hard Rock, Heavy metal, Blues, Jazz, Grunge, Country. I loved it all. Still do. A lot of the things that I know today are because of the awesome lyrical themes that most of these bands based their music on. For instance, Pink Floyd's deep and philosophical lyrics about war, exploitation, empathy,with an obvious dark element, subjects that we do not dare to approach in everyday life, the Beatles discussing perception, love, spirituality and joy through their masterpieces, to more political and rebellious themes by the likes of bands such as U2 and The Clash. There's so much more! With all the music I listen to, I absolutely love analysing the themes that a band's music centers, which brings me to another one of my favourite subjects: Mythology. A lot of the Scandinavian metal bands, other European bands too, bring alive through their music the wonders and mysteries of those fascinating mythologies from centuries ago. I'll probably do an entire post just on that.
This isn't something I can cover in the confines of a single post, plus I thought it'd be fun to do it over a period of time, looking into all of my favourite bands from what I would call the Golden Era of Music. To start off with, today I just want to mention my top 30 band's from the 60's to the 80's. I took a long, long time to decide this and after much thought, cookies and sore ears, I listed my favorites. But my favoritism only differs from one to another on a very VERY minute scale.
1.
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AC/DC ( or as I affectionately refer to them - Acca Dacca ) - =) My first ever proper band that I started listening to. I love them. Absolutely. They're what got me into the whole genre of rock, hard rock and the like. And I liked them even more when I discovered they're from Sydney, Australia. ^_^ AND the Young brothers are Scottis. Hee. Kidding. Jokes apart, AC/DC are so much more than just a band to me. Just like Gojira. They're all about rocking out and living life the way you want. Although their lyrical themes aren't exactly of the UG category, every single one of their albums is listener-friendly (just made that up). Anyone who listens to these powerhouses will want to get up, break and then jump on something. I listened to all the Brian Johnson albums initially, I think the first AC/DC album I listened to was Ballbreaker or Flick Of The Switch. There's always debate on who the better vocalist is, that is putting aside Dave Evans who was the original vocalist of the band. But he wasn't around for very long. Both Scott and Johnson have their own special and unique styles but they are both absolutely mad vocalists. Of course, Cliff Williams (love the man's hair) ,Angus and Malcom Young are among some of my favourite guitarists, with some major, powerful and groovy riffs. The same can be said about the three drummers that the band has had over the years. Each one contributed different elements to the albums but what I love the most about my favourite rock band, is the fact that despite the number of line-up changes and the death of someone close, they pulled through to become absolute legends, maintaining a loyal fan base and constantly evolving in the kind of music they create.
Favourite Albums: Highway To Hell, Back In Black, High Voltage, Let There Be Rock
"For Those About To Rock, We Salute You". - AC/DC
2.
THE BEATLES - The Beatles are like putting salt in your food and sprinkles on your ice cream. MUST-HAVE. I've always loved the simplicity of their music, the range of themes that their songs are about. It's always so full of love, the realities of life, and aptly represents what each one of the band's members stood for and what they faced. The Beatles were known for their rather posh and high society yet rather controversial lives and faced many ups and downs throughout their career together. But in spite of all the negativity, they took it in their stride and created a legacy as well as platform, not only for musicians of the 60's but are a major influence for many bands even today. Like I said, their simple yet versatile musical style made them the favourites of millions and also one of mine.
My top Beatles albums include, Help!, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and Yellow Submarine.
3.
LED ZEPPELIN - Led Zep Led Zep. I don't even know where to begin when it comes to them. But I'm going to try. They. are. Led Zeppelin. I'm not quite sure how to elaborate on the sheer awesomeness of this quartet, but they are just that: the personification of awesome and the redefinition of perfection. Of all bands, LedZep are definitely the most versatile, with their brilliant mix of blues, folk rock and being considered one of the pioneers in the genre of heavy metal. I remember the first songs I heard by these guys: Kashmir and The Immigrant Song. OH MY FRIGGIN LORD. I DIED. came back to life and then lost my head again. I still love singing the opening to The Immigrant Song and pretend like I'm swinging from vine to vine in the Amazon. What a song! What lyrics! You know what the best part is? ALL their music is like this. I am such a hardcore LedZep fan I can't put it in words how much I love them. Not only did their music become the influence for many many bands of the 70's and 80's later on such as Sabbath, Megadeth, Dream Theater etc, but their style in general was and still is unmatched. Page and Plant are among my favourite muscians. =)
Favourite Albums: Houses of The Holy, Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin IV
4.
THE DOORS - Jim Morrison's husky, crisp and strong voice always got me into this weird trance. Needless to say, The Doors are one of my all-time favourites and a must-have on anyone's classic rock playlist. Or any playlist for that matter. Morrison Hotel, L.A.Woman, An American Prayer, they don't make it like that anymore. The pure goodness of psychedelic and classic rock with the vibrant melodies of more blues-y, jazz and swing elements. I remember these guys being one of my first ever classic rock bands that I'd love chilling to. Versatile and fun, their music is for anyone! I have listened to some stuff by The Butts Band which was formed by Krieger and Densmore, the guitarist and drummer of The Doors respectively, but nothing matches up to the awesomeness of all four talents collaborating together. I love them!
Favourite Albums: Strange Days, Morrison Hotel, Doors
5.
GUNS N ROSES - I have a major attachment to this band because it was Guns N Roses tunes that I first started learning to play on my initial adventures with my guitar. Definitely one of the most successful bands of the 80's and the 90's. Classic hard rock, crazy lyrics and videos. Their music is like a mix of all of my other favourite bands such as Acca Dacca, Led Zep, Van Halen, Guns N Roses tunes have it all. Honestly, they've got a pretty mad but weird line up now. And I hazd a sad when Slash and Axl Rose decided to be a bunch of stuck up snobs. ( Slash I love you). Neverthless, Guns N Roses still remain on the top of my list because of the influence they had on my early music taste.
Favourite Album: Appetite For Destruction DEFINITELY.
6.
CREEDANCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - I fell in love with the name. So you can imagine how I feel about their music. =) John Fogerty's lyrics are unbelievable. So simple yet so deep. It gives me so much peace listening to these guys. Their songs primarily being about the Southern culture led me to discover another awesome sub genre: Southern Rock, with bands/artists such as ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers Band, Black Oak Arkansas, Bo Diddley, Lynrd Skynrd, Canned Heat and so many more. I'm aware of only a few of these bands but I love Southern rock. So peaceful and really fun music. I haven't heard all the CCR albums in their entirety but I love Green River and tracks such as Have You Ever Seen The Rain?, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Bad Moon Rising, Pagan Baby and Susie Q. Definitely should be on your playlist!
7.
BLACK SABBATH - I don't think I need to say a whole lot here. The band's name says it all. Sabbath have been one of my all time 70's metal band's to listen to and they're now back with a bang with their latest album '13', after 18 years, which, btw, TOPPED THE BILLBOARD 200 CHART. That is saying SOMETHING in the music world! So proud! The first time I heard 'Crazy Train' I had a coronary and went ballistic. Became my caller tune for a year and a half before I had people threatening to never call me again. Didn't stop me. Gloomy, bluesy, dem downtuned guitars, Sabbath are a must have on your classic rock/classic heavy metal playlist. They're a treat to listen to once in a while given their unique sounds.
Favourite Sabbath albums: Paranoid, Heaven and Hell, Seventh Star.
8.
PINK FLOYD - Whatever knowledge I have of Pink Floyd and their music, has been engraved into my pretty little brain probably since I was crouched in a fetal position as a fetus. Venu (my dad) is one hardcore Floyd fan if I've ever seen one. I used to watch, if I remember correctly, it was 'The Wall tour' which Venu had recorded on video tape. What a psyched out video! I know for a fact if I ever watched Floyd live, It'd be hard to get me back to reality for quite sometime, even if you happened to be Irish. There is only one word I always use to describe their music : frigginmadasspsychedelicshizz. WHAT. It is a word. Well, now I've made it one! The eerie, bone-chilling voices of Waters, Gilmour and Co, the perfectly synchronized drumming of Mason ( love him ), SYD BARRETT. Is it just me or does Barrett look like the human version of that guy in 'The Corpse Bride'? But if anything, the band's major strength was the themes on which they based their lyrics. Mum still gets the heebie-jeebies listening to them, but I really like how open they are! They're lyrics for 'Brain Damage' and 'Welcome To The Machine', have been, as I read recently compared to Karl Marx's 'Alienation theory. I absolutely flipped when I read that! That's another thing I recommend to people who really like to get into their music, read the lyrics of a band you really like. You'll be taken aback by some of the much deeper, underlying meanings that are hidden in the realms of the very song itself. Read up on Floyd's lyrical themes. Good stuff. Favourite albums: Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall, Ummagumma.
9.
AEROSMITH - Tyler and co. I swear are by far the band personification of 'rocking out'. Every time I listen to a typical Aerosmith tune, I start jumping around, using my leg as a guitar, it just gets you into that whole mood. I've always been a fan of Steven Tyler's extremely versatile voice. That man can reach notes that can start earthquakes. It's not that uncomfortably, ear-bleeding high pitch, but a really husky sort. First ever Aerosmith song I heard was 'Dude looks like a lady' when I watched 'Mrs. Doubtfire'. Such an epic song. Mum reckons it should be my theme song. Reasons are because I am apparently the son of the family. A post on that later maybe?
They are without a doubt one of the greatest rock n roll bands ever and cannot be missed! Favourite Albums: Nine Lives, Music Fromm Another Dimension, Rock In A Hard Place. They've got some really beautiful soft tracks too which I love!
10.
CREAM: Definitely one of the most underrated bands from the 60's. People today are not even aware that there was a band called Cream, much less aware of the fact that my man Eric Clapton was an integral part of it! They were really big during their time though so that's comforting. World's first super group that had some major success which reflects in their music. 'Sunshine Of Your Love, 'Crossroads', 'Sitting On Top Of The World', so beautiful. When it comes to blues rock, these guys are what you want to listen to. I mean come on, it's Clapton, need I say anymore? well collaborated with the likes of Bruce and Baker, cream will (canIpleasebecheeseyhere?) make you feel all creamy in the head. And happy. *cheesey grin*
11.
KISS - These guys are the 70's rock version of ' Ghost'. The black and white make up, the loud outfits the crazy live performances with the fire breathing, the levitating drum kits. Yes I said levitating drum kit, I don't know what shenanigans is up there but if you don't believe me, look down south. Even if it is all shenanigans, it's still bloody cool! Simmons is a badass! Love his style! The whole band in fact are leagues apart from their contemporaries with their loud, rockstar, unorthodox rock demeanor. To be honest, I miss the vocals of Frehley, such a fun guy. Their newer stuff 'Monster' and 'Sonic Boom' aren't all bad, but I'm more attached to the original KISS style from the 70's. Again, I haven't listened to all their albums, something I have on my to-do list for the next few months.
Favourite Albums: Alive!, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over and KISS.
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CHUCK BERRY - When I think multi-talented and the King of Rock and Roll, I think Chuck Berry. Instantly. He's songs are upbeat, rhythmic, crisp guitar sounds, his music has it all! All the hits, Johnny B Goode, Rock and Roll music, Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven, Too Much Monkey Business. You haven't heard classic music if you haven't heard Mr Charles. Absolutely brilliant man!
13.
HOWLIN' WOLF/MUDDY WATERS - When it comes the blues, I turn to Waters and the Wolf. They're amazing. You need to listen to them to know what I mean. Someday, and it's on my bucketlist, I want to go to New York like Tom Hanks in The Terminal, and chill out to some classy blues and jazz music at one of them jazz bars. The life man.
14.
JIMI HENDRIX - It's Hendrix. Need I say a word more? But I will. He's an insane muddah. I don't have a favourite Hendrix album but I love tons of his songs. So friggin unique. Such an amazingly talented guitarist and musician.
15.
NIRVANA - I wanted to marry Cobain until my dreams as a 13 year old were shattered and I realized he was dead. Oh well. Cobain's music came straight from the heart. I was pretty taken aback when I read that for most of his songs, he wrote the lyrics just minutes before recording. If that isn't sheer talent, I don't know what is. Nirvana was the first grunge rock band I came across, actually that's where I even learnt what the word 'grunge' meant.
16.
JUDAS PRIEST- The band that led to my discovery of the twin-guitar sound. Halford's vocal range is like going into Haagen-Daas and looking at all the flavours. Priest created a genre of their own and are said to have created the basal point from which heavy metal grew in leaps and bounds. They truly have a unique style, a rather unpredictable band if I may, but in a good way of course, with the right balance of aggressive tempos and slower-paced tunes. Basically, you will never ever get tired of Judas Priest tunes. And that is why they're one of my favourites. I haven't listened to all of their albums, but I will get to it at some point! They are an absolutely brilliant band, especially if you're a fan of the classic heavy metal sound.
Favourite albums: Painkiller, Stained Class
17.
IRON MAIDEN - Can I just not say anything about these guys and muck up the moment? Perfection = Iron Maiden. I love this band so very much. Sheer class merged with brutality. Heard my first Maiden song on my first day of sixth grade at a new school. Definitely helped me get through the day and the days after that. That is all I will say.
Favourite Albums: The Number Of The Beast, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, Fear Of The Dark.
VS THE RAMONES/THE CLASH - I know this is sort of cheating but I can't help it. A choice cannot be made. They took punk rock to new heights. The Clash weren't around for too long, making waves in the rock scene for about ten years but those were some pretty massive waves. What I love most about The Clash is that they do live up to their name. Or did. Music by the band was based mainly on the members rather extreme views and political ideologies. Much like a lot of metal music today, this was a radical and unorthodox concept for a band of the 70's. But not surprising given the insane amounts of political affairs that were going down. Although they managed to create a hell of a lot of controversy with their music, it is bloody good music. It just echoes revolution, and is also evident with the names of some of their songs. Favourite album: London Calling.
The Ramones are my other favourite punk rock group. I would add in the Sex Pistols here as well but I heard them much later, so I have a natural attachment towards these two heh. I just love The Ramones for their unmatched uniqueness. You can spot a Ramones tune anywhere without thinking twice. Favourite albums: Rocket To Russia, Too Tough To Die.
19.
RUSH - Oh the epicness of this band. I loved them right from the very first song I heard. Rush, I remember a friend of mine introduced me to, back when I was a youngin still in school. We used to sit in class everyday and talk about all of the classic rock greats and then he asked me, " Have you heard of this band, Rush?" I'm like - "Not really, no". *jaw drops, ninja jumps to bag, pulls out iPod and almost shoves it up my nose in excitement and absolute disbelief* That would be a summary of said friend's reaction. And you do not want to know what my reaction was when the proggy, metal tunes of Rush captivated my ear drums for the next 15 minutes. Let's just say my excitement got me into trouble. SUCH A BIG FAN. The really interesting lyrics, the heavy sounds, the culmination of elements from various genres into just one track, beautiful! I've listened to a good amount of Rush and their style has definitely seen a shift over the years. Less heavy, more alternative and electronic, nevertheless any Rush tune is goodstuff. Geddy is a genius.
Favourite Albums: Hemispheres, Moving Pictures, Fly By Night
20.
DEEP PURPLE - And as is the case with most people, I came across this amazing bunch when I heard 'Smoke On The Water' and 'Highway Star'. Those tracks NEVER get old. Deep Purple, might I just say ARE FRIGGIN CRAZY. I was reading about them a couple of days ago and they were apparently listed in the Guinness Book Of Records, 1975 for being "the Globe's Loudest Band". That's as high a milestone as it gets for a heavy metal band. Big fan of Ritchie Blackmore, the man is a genius. As is everyone in the band and no I'm not being diplomatic. One of the best band's I've ever heard in my 20 years, and they still remain so today. These classic rock maestros know how to make good music.
Favourite Albums: Machine Head, Stormbringer, In Rock
21.
THE SEX PISTOLS - PUNK PUNK PUNK. When a band has a member with a name like Sid Vicious, who wouldn't want to listen to them?
22.
JANIS JOPLIN- My favourite lady rocker. She had the most soulful voice I've ever heard and the first time I listened to one of her songs, I felt complete bliss. I love when some artists are just a 18621876817 in one and she's one of those specimens. It always inspires me and gives me hope.
23.
DURAN DURAN - When I watched a tribute concert held in honor of Princess Diana, I heard Duran Duran for the very first time. They most certainly do not make it like Duran Duran anymore. That mysterious air about them, their funky music, first pop band I really liked. I'd say they were the disciples of David Bowie. Pop-punk, glam, so many descriptions about these guys but whatever the opinion, absolutely fantastic music. You see the softer side of the band in some of their music and it makes you like them even more, to see a band maintaining such a balance. When it comes to elegance yet glamorously rebellious, Duran Duran are the band for you.
Favourite Albums: Duran Duran, Notorious, Seven And The Ragged Tiger
24.
OASIS - The Manchester Boys. One of the most successful alternative rock bands. It's like listening to The Who, Nirvana, The Six Pistols, Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd all in one. And that's why they're one of my favourites. I thought Bittersweet Symphony was originally by them. They sound EXACTLY like The Verve I can STILL never tell the difference. Hardly.
Favourite Albums: Heathen Chemistry, Dig Out Your Soul
25.
THE WHO -" People try to put us d-dowwwwn, talkin' 'bout my generation". WHAT.A.SONG. Not surprising, that was my very first The Who song I heard, when I watched an episode of Full House and Jesse was singing it with his band. I love their music solely because they're just fun to listen to! That's also how I discovered that there was a genre called 'art rock' which I found really, really fancy! Pete Townshend is an awesome musician too! I love some of his solo albums. Really good, soothing and creative music! The Who's are a definite must-have on a Classics playlist.
Favourite Albums: My Generation, Who Are You
26.
MOTORHEAD: To be honest, I never actually listened to Motorhead initially, I found out about them because I randomly saw Lemmy on some website and I was all =O DAT DUDE IS COOL. Motorhead's one of my other favourites from the 70's/80's era when Metal was just coming to the fore and Motorhead's insane energy and completely wild attitude was converting people into what they call their fans: The Motorheadbangers. Motorhead tracks are loud, gritty, supersonic, with Lemmy's completely unorthodox style of bass guitar. Absolutely love this band. If you're into thrash metal, Motorhead's the way to go!
Favourite albums: Bastards, Ace Of Spades, Inferno
27.
U2 - IRISH. ROCK. SAYS IT ALL. This band is all about the rock + punk feel. U2's music has the perfect balance between melodic, heavy punk rock and to make everything a whole lot more awesome (that doesn' sound grammatically correct to me but I can't be bothered right now. I'm cocoa-deprived and freezing my arse off) their lyrical themes are what made me a big fan of them! I think it's a punk thing, rebel against anything that is even remotely connected to or involves the government. Also, Bono is DA MAN. Hardcore humanitarian with such an ardent passion. When I grow up I want to be just like him. Yes when I want to grow up. I'm only 20, not sagging and wrinkly. Anyway, first ever U2 song I heard was 'Elevation' and I basically acted like I had just seen the ghost of a skimpily clad Hitler. U2 are so upbeat but can be the softest sounding band. Favourite albums: The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby
28.
GENESIS - PHIL COLLINS PHIL COLLINS PHIL COLLINS. That is all. The band is pretty awesome too! Perfect for when you want to go for long drives and pretend like you're in a Disney movie. Truly beautiful, symphonic rock. Their albums slowly evolved into more progressive music which made me like them even more. Did I mention I love Phil Collins? He's awesome. 'Invisible Touch', 'Dance On A Volcano', 'Follow you follow me', 'Supper's ready', Just kick back, listen to Genesis and get all trippy.
29.
BOB MARLEY - Would you look at that face? I'm not quite sure why he's on the bottom of this list because I love him the most. Apart from being one of the most celebrated reggae artists, Marley is one of the most inspiring human beings I know. I absolutely love the Rasta culture and it was all because of him! This man was all about the love. Love for music, for his tiny little island of a country, for football, for the Rasta culture. And it all reflected 100% in his music. Apparently there's a Carribean parasite species named after Marley. Talk about impact. 'Buffalo Soldier', 'Iron Lion Zion', 'No Woman No Cry', 'Three Little Birds', I can go on. He's one of my idols. Ya blooodthaangs gotsta get yoself some Marlay on ya museek leest. Bloodfiyaah maan. Oh he was an Aquarian. *does the happy dance*
30.
VAN HALEN - I think in terms of stage presence and performances, no one takes the cake like Van Halen. This band is so full of life and energy and it reflects in their music 120%. They've probably enjoyed the most success among all of their contemporaries. They're are incredibly unique which I know is what I say about a lot of the bands I talk about, but that's the beauty, each one is different from the next! Especially during the 60's to the 80's era, each band had their own style, so much so you could never mix them up. David Lee Roth and Eddie are again, two of my favoruites, Roth can play the Sax! Something I'm desperate to learn! Eddie Van Halen is just a beast!
Favourite albums: Van Halen, 5150
Well there you have it. My TOP 30 from the decades before I was born. I shall of course repeat here that all of these above mentioned artists are just SOME of my favourites.
The best part about my top 30 is that none of them are very genre specific, extremely versatile, revolutionized their respective decades with a style that they could call their very own. There's something special about all of these bands, it's probably the fact that I'm a 90's kid and this is the first kind of music I listened to. I love it! Real music, real lyrics, the crisp sounds of maddening guitar solos and killer drum beats, not to mention all them glamorous outfits and rebellious attitudes, the classics shall forever occupy a large cubicle in my heart. It is without a doubt, the base on which all of today's awesome hard rock and of course my love, metal has been created. One big happy family if you may. I'm not going to say much more except that, those of you who haven't really heard what music from the 60's is, you should. You're honestly missing out on a whole other world, one that you'll find yourself getting attached to rather quickly if you know what to listen to and have an open mind as well as the patience to explore.
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