"AGAIN Obama's press secretary Jay Carney sets the record straight on the issue of greatest American rock band of all…"
A Global Army of Veteran Rockers
"Secret Weapons" of the Super Groups
To the casual fan, the rock world is comprised of the Jaggers, the Pages, the Daltreys. But serious fans know better. They know that any band that achieves greatness does so because of the contributions of a member who may shy away from the limelight but serves as the quiet glue of the entire operation.
Here are my top 3 Secret Weapons of Rock & Roll.....
3. Izzy Stradlin
Yeah, Slash is great. A rock god if ever ther was one. But take Izzy out of the mix and the awesome roar of vintage Guns 'n Roses dissipates into a mild hum. Listen to "Paradise City" with the express purpose of focusing on the rhythm guitar and you'll know precisely what I mean. Great songwriter, too. For me, Izzy is the true foundation of GnR.
2. John Paul Jones
How did a power trio (plus a singer) get to be one of the heaviest sounding bands of all time? How did a bass, guitar and drum end up sounding so much bigger than bands with multiple guitars, keyboards and even horn sections? Answer: they had a genius playing bass. In fairness, calling JPJ a bass player is a little like calling Mozart a songwriter. Yeah, he had a bass in his hands, but he provided more to the overall sound of his band than any bass player in any other band ever did. One of the many treats of Them Crooked Vultures is hearing the Jones sound translated into a different, modern context. Yet there it is, unmistakable and larger than life. What a musician!
1. Malcolm Young
The perfect rhythm guitar player and, by far, the most indispensable member of AC/DC. His bro Angus gets the attention, but Malcolm is the sound. If it had been Malcolm that tragically bit the dust back in '80 instead of Bon Scott, you'd have never heard of the band again. This guy could pick up a ukelele, play "Bicycle Built for Two" and it would sound like an AC/DC song. And, bless his humble little Aussie heart, he's been content to stand in the back, bang his head and let the boys in front take the glory.
OK then, who are your Secret Weapons?
Here are my top 3 Secret Weapons of Rock & Roll.....
3. Izzy Stradlin
Yeah, Slash is great. A rock god if ever ther was one. But take Izzy out of the mix and the awesome roar of vintage Guns 'n Roses dissipates into a mild hum. Listen to "Paradise City" with the express purpose of focusing on the rhythm guitar and you'll know precisely what I mean. Great songwriter, too. For me, Izzy is the true foundation of GnR.
2. John Paul Jones
How did a power trio (plus a singer) get to be one of the heaviest sounding bands of all time? How did a bass, guitar and drum end up sounding so much bigger than bands with multiple guitars, keyboards and even horn sections? Answer: they had a genius playing bass. In fairness, calling JPJ a bass player is a little like calling Mozart a songwriter. Yeah, he had a bass in his hands, but he provided more to the overall sound of his band than any bass player in any other band ever did. One of the many treats of Them Crooked Vultures is hearing the Jones sound translated into a different, modern context. Yet there it is, unmistakable and larger than life. What a musician!
1. Malcolm Young
The perfect rhythm guitar player and, by far, the most indispensable member of AC/DC. His bro Angus gets the attention, but Malcolm is the sound. If it had been Malcolm that tragically bit the dust back in '80 instead of Bon Scott, you'd have never heard of the band again. This guy could pick up a ukelele, play "Bicycle Built for Two" and it would sound like an AC/DC song. And, bless his humble little Aussie heart, he's been content to stand in the back, bang his head and let the boys in front take the glory.
OK then, who are your Secret Weapons?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Roy Anderson on -
Mick Taylor. He didn't look like a Stone or act like a Stone but he played on what many (including myself) consider their classic period (Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St.). I love me some Ronnie, but I gotta give props to the man responsible for making "Moonlight Mile".
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Permalink Reply by Jon Bard on -
Oh yeah. Listen to any bootleg from '69 or '72 and Taylor's brilliance in that band is undeniable.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Anderson on
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I get annoyed when people romanticise destructive behavior, especially when it overshadows true talent. That being said, Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls (he started it and was a better guitar player) and Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols(wrote most of the tunes and essentially got kicked out for being to good).
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Brodeen on -
You beat me to these two, Roy - totally agree.
Matlock made The Sex Pistols, song-wise. Without his pop smarts, the Pistols are a bit more than a footnote but did not change so many lives.
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Permalink Reply by Stan Schwieger on -
If One considers the Attractions--the former backing band of Elvis Costello--a "supergroup," then Pete Thomas must join this group. Imagine--if you can--stuff like (What's So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding or Lipstick Vogue without One of the Finest Men to Ever Drum. In addition, he has thrived in trips through new wave, country, soul, and pretty much everything in between.
I would also add in pinch hitting West Coast Guitarist Waddy Wachtel when he was "with" Warren Zevon. Werewolves of London is not the same without those crunchy rhythm riffs.
Cudos to Jon for another great post, and Roy for his great choices.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Anderson on
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Waddy certainly gave the Laurel Canyon crowd some rock oomph. I dig his gig in the X-pensive Winos, too. Good call, Stan.
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Permalink Reply by Jon Bard on
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How about the beginning "I Don't Want to Go To Chelsea"? That's essentially a hook played on the drums!
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Brodeen on
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As a beyond-huge fan of Big Star since 1975(it's a life long relationship like being a Boston Red Sox fan) and mourning his recent death, Andy Hummel to the classic Big Star line up.
His rhythmic backbone along w/ the Keith Moon-esque busyness of Jody Stephens(more so on "Radio City"), Hummel co-wrote key songs in the catalog of Big Star "Back of a Car," "Life is White" and "Daisy Glaze" and wrote "Way Out West".
The band was never the same after he left and Chilton fell apart.
Granted, it wrought "Third", the most genius slice of soul-dark that pop had ever seen, to that point but Hummel was the glue that held the band together in spirit.
Mick Taylor: man, don't get me going. The Stones with Taylor in the band were consistently amazing, transcendent many times. Before and after him, merely a really, really good rock band with many great moments but, musically, Mick Taylor brought The Rolling Stones to a level of greatness live(and on record) that they never achieved without him in the mix.
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Permalink Reply by Mr. In Between on -
Hi Bruce - as a Big Star fan myslelf - I'd like to chime on Andy Hummel.
Chris Bell was really the catalyst behind the 'idea' of Big Star. Without Chris Bell - that band wouldn't have happened.
I will agree that Andy did contribute alot on Radio City when Chris was out of the picture - BUT remember Radio City still uses some Chris songs (not credited to Chris) as well as guitar tracks (not credited to Chris) - so Andy cannot take all the credit of a 'secret weapon' of Radio City.
And I still contend that 3rd/Sister Lovers is not a Big Star release but is in fact an Alex Chilton solo piece released under the 'Big Star' banner for sales purposes - due to the resurgent in Big Star in the late 1970's.
Also - I'd like to nominate Marc Ford (guitar) and Ed Harsch (keys) of The Black Crowes who colored the music of TBC with great riffs that took the music somewhere magical. Though that's not to belittle Chris and Rich Robinson who write the songs but without Marc and Ed - the music just wasn't the same before or since.
Which brings me back to to Jon's point about Izzy Stradlin - Izzy was a great force in GNR and without him the band wasn't the same.
As a side note - I'm not sure if you know Jon - Marc Ford played on Izzy's 1st solo album (uncredited).
here's the scoop:
From: http://www.izzyontour.com/JimmyAshhurstInterviewPart1.htm
Q: Marc Ford plays guitar and slide guitar on Somebody Knockin' but he isn't credited in the album... why?
Jimmy Ashhurst: Marc isn't credited because at the time he had just joined the Black Crowes. I think at that point he had just gotten back to town from Georgia where they had recorded "The Southern Harmony..." album. His relationship with those guys was still pretty new and neither he nor I were sure about how they would have reacted to Marc working on outside projects. I don't know if he had a contract or what, but it turns out we were all great friends and it probaly wouldn't have mattered if we had credited him. I'm just glad that now there are a few people who know it was him...great playing. One of my other great buddies and amazing players Craig Ross (Lenny Kravitz Band), who was in my first band The Broken Homes with me also played on a few tracks. Whenever I listen to that album I love trying to pick out the different guitar playing styles. I think just about all my favorite guitar players ended up on that album...doesn't happen every day.
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Permalink Reply by Cary Berkelhamer on -
Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. They make the Stones funkey.
Dave Davies of the Kinks. His " Little green amp " made the Kinks. Don't believe me listen to " You really got me " demos.
Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. When Brian wouldn't sing falssetto anymore he took over. Listen to anything after " Do It Again " that high singing? Carl Wilson.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Anderson on
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I don't think I've ever heard any bass player cite Wyman as an influence. Strange. Bill and Charlie are one of my favorite rythm sections-- 2nd to Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson Jr. Danko and Helm are up there too.
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Permalink Reply by Cary Berkelhamer on
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Since I'm not a bass player ( guitar player ) he's not really an influence. But.... the bass bombs on Paint it Black, the " groove " all over Some Girls. You are correct about Dunn and Jackson but I've always considered them " soul " not R&R. Good point about Danko and Helm though. How 'bout George ( no last name needed ) for secret wepon. Great geetar player and awsome background singer. Also Graham Maby and Dave Houghton from the Joe Jackson Group.
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