Dream

Black Magic

I Can't Quit You Babe

All Over Now

Beach Babes

The Rock and Roll Myth

I couldn't figure out what was so appealing to me about Rock and Roll for the longest time. It wasn't my childhood. I was raised on country music. It wasn't the music itself. Some of it, I could do without.

So I dug and dug into my soul and I have finally figured it out: it's the myth, the legend that accompanies each band that I worship that draws me in.

When I listen to Led Zeppelin, I am convinced Robert Plant is singing to me, telling me that he wants to be my "backdoor man."

When I hear the Stones, I buy into their excessive boozy image. I buy into the heroin mythology of Keith and the mystery that surrounds Brian Jones death.

When Freddie Mercury hits those insanely high notes, he is sharing in my search to find "Someone to Love."

When Iggy Pop carouses around the stage freaking out on drugs, and rubs peanut butter on his chest, he embodies my sense of adventure.

Rock and Roll says everything I want to say. It says "I fucking hate you", "I love you", "I want to sleep with you", and "I want nothing to do with you". It says everything that is hidden deep below the surface.

So when I put on a Who track, like "Behind Blue Eyes" I really do mean, what is going down behind my blue eyes. I connect with it more than any other type of music no matter how carnal it is.

It's much like what Penny Lane says in Almost Famous (see previous post) when you get lonely, you go to a record store and visit your friends. I really do feel like Mick Jagger is a friend of mine. That I understand the inner workings of Gram Parsons, that Jimmy Page and I connect on a spiritual level.

Rock and Roll myth is that the Rock Stars get you. They understand you. They are your friends. So when I listen to the Doors, I say to myself: "He may not love me but Jim Morrison sure as hell does..."

Thinking How It Use To Be

I would die to see this live.

My fav. singing my absolute fav. song.

Robert Plant with The Band of Joy - "Tangerine" Led Zeppelin cover.

King Of The Concrete Jungle

I am a Golden God

Golden God

Oh my. The golden god that is Robert Plant.

I have to admit that in my fondest day dreams, I imagine that he is my father and we ride around in the Led Zeppelin- mobile all through the English country side together...

Anyways, in connection with my favourite vocalist (like Tori Amos), I must bring up my #1 which is Robert Plant. His voice is just pure ecstasy and magic. I don't care what type of music he is singing, whether it's with Led Zeppelin or country with Alison Krauss, his voice is beyond epic. I love him so much, that I am rendered to childlike words, like saying that he is epic. No one can touch him vocally. That's all I can say.

Some other great vocalists that I truly enjoy, in the ranks of Robert, maybe, are:

Andrew Stockdale from Wolfmother. The track he does with Slash ("By the sword") is just spellbinding.

Adam Lambert. He has a crazy, crazy vocal range. He is sassy, sexy, glam, and I am so glad he has severed his ties from American Idol.

Cedric Bixler- Xavala from The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. He is exhilarating. So much energy and power rolled into a sexy Mexican singing machine. Who else can wail like him and sound sexy? Try singing along to "Goliath". Just try.

Pink. She is often overlooked because she is not a diva like Mariah Carey or Beyonce, but she is more real. Pink is quite a powerful vocalist and she is so real, it hurts to listen to her music. She rips out my heart with her emotional singing.

Anthony Keidis. Another overlooked vocalist. I know he wouldn't be on most peoples top list, but he is one of my most beloved. When he sings "Scar Tissue" I feel it. He started out rapping and now has grown into a true blue vocalist. Such a veteran.

And last, not least Julian Casablancas. I didn't realize I was so in love with his voice until he was absent for 4 years and then he release a solo album. It felt so good to hear that wonderful voice on some new tracks. And now I can't get enough. He has such a iconic voice.

I'm With the Band

It's about time I've credited this lady.

Miss Pamela DeBarres, Queen of the groupies in the late 60's and early 70's. The prettiest member of Frank Zappa created girl group The GTO's. Miss P. was romantically involved with many rockstars. To name drop a few: Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, Chris Hillman, Robert Plant, and Mick Jagger. To name a few.

She wrote a kiss and tell memoir called "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a groupie". You will have to read it to find out more about her trystes and who she rubbed shoulders with.

I admire Miss P for her freedom. She lived life to the fullest with such a vulnerable heart. She fell hard, got hurt, but moved on to love again. She is a true free spirit. Groupie is a little harsh but not necessarily a damning term. The character Penny Lane in Almost Famous is based off her, as well as the character Suzanne in The Banger Sisters. Needless to say, Miss P left quite a legacy.