Music has always been a part of my life -- now welcome to the journey. Just a little blog to reminisce, review, rant and rave about the music in my life. "Music is my mother and my father. It is my work and my rest,my blood, my compass, my love" ~Jeff Buckley
Aidan Gillen is one of the most superb actors that I have been enchanted with since I first saw him in 1995's Circle of Friends. By the way this movie also stars Alan Cumming and Colin Firth. Cute actor I was smitten with. But then I saw how good of an actor he really was when I saw Some Mother's Son.
The film is the story of the 1981 Hunger Strike in Northern Ireland. Aidan, along with (swoon) David O'Hara, play IRA prisoners who embark on the hunger strike with their comrades, while their mother's are caught between honoring what their sons want and keeping their sons alive.
The Wire - yes, he played Tony Carcetti, the cheating, idealistic, fast- tracking politician Mayor Carcetti in the critically acclaimed HBO drama.
Mr John is about a very dark and sad journey that Aidan's character, Gerry, goes on in his deceased brother's home in Singapore.
You might have seen Mr. Gillen gracing the screen in The Dark Knight Rises, his brilliantly quiet performance in Shadow Dancer, his outstanding portrayal of an eccentric man in Treacle Jr, Identity, and more recently, in Beneath the Harvest Sky. The most dramatic change from his Irish boy cuteness, has to be his portrayal of Irish politician Charles Haughey in the three part mini-series. With over 37 films 26 tv shows leads or appearances, and 19 theatre productions to his name, he's earned the reputation of being a tremendously great actor that is able to morph into any type of character from a medieval Lord to a drug smuggling divorced father from Maine. His penchant seems to be characters with secrets, eccentric traits, and he plays evil, dark characters with frightening perfection.
So this brings us to Game of Thrones. Yes, Petyr Baelish is an evil, conniving, jealous, back stabbing medieval pimp who worships the daughter of the woman he could not have. What's so wrong about me having a little soft spot for the guy?
And how is any of Aidan Gillen relevant to my music blog? He has been hosting the weekly Irish music show, Other Voices. It's like a visual version of Fordham University's WFUV. They film live, local artists at Dingle's St. James Church. What I love about the show is that it not only introduces you to new artists that you probably would not see here in the states for a year or so, but it showcases how much the Irish love their music.
AND ... he also "stars" along with a snail and a hurt fox in Sigur Ros' Ekki Mukkvideo.
Hope you have enjoyed this! And of course, enjoy more of my weekly sympathy posts towards Petyr Baelish.
And thank you to Jen and Alison who inspired me to throw this post together.
Jen:Paula, I think you're the only person who feels sympathy for Peter ;)
Paula:I think you're right. It's like having sympathy for Judas, isn't it?
Jen:I dunno. At least Judas was fulfilling a predestined biblical role. This might be worse :)
I don't remember exactly how it all started, but somehow, Boy George became a part of my life very early on -like when I was six. And I have to say, it might have been Boy George and Culture Club that began my music obsession. Kissing to be Clever and Colour by Numbers were on constant play. It wasn't just the Karma Chameleon and Tumble 4 Ya that I liked, it was my first experience of reggae - songs like Love Twist exposed me to something I had never heard before.
But I also have to say that because no one, even my veteran, old school father, did not stop me from listening to someone who was so ahead of his time. This cross-dressing, gayenigma was not banned from my room or my ears. To my parents, I thank you. To my sister who had to listen to the 45 of That's the Way every single morning ... yeah, sorry about that. But you know, he was on the A-Team and yes, that is my favorite episode of all time.
While Culture Club went away, Boy went out on his own and continued in the reggae, jazz, and even ventured into DJing. Songs like The Crying Game, Bow Down Mister, and Sweet Toxic Love replaced the pop-esque 80's George. After some incidents he'd like to forget, he's come out looking better than ever with credit to practicing Nichiren Buddhism and his adoption of a vegan / raw lifestyle. Even the sound on his new album is full of energy, great lyrics, and his voice sounds timeless.
Hearing that Boy George was going to play Irvin Plaza, of course I was going. Was that ever a question? I did hope that most people would understand it would not be a Culture Club show. They did. Apparently, according to George himself, we were the best crowd he had in the few shows he had already done.
After the DJ got us in dancing mode, George appeared looking fit, sounding soulful, and was as sarcastic yet kind as ever. His new lifestyle was really paying off. Throughout the show, he would blow kisses, wave at people, and chit chat with the crowd. Every now and then he would remind those who did shout out old Culture Club songs, that they would be disappointed. That constantly reminiscing and being nostalgic wasn't good for the soul. But, if we behaved ourselves we would get some surprises.
He did not disappoint. The surprises were numerous covers including George Harrison, Lou Reed, and Bob Dylan. He re-touched Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want to Hurt Me beautifully into reggae and jazz, with some hints of the classics we all listened to on MTV. His new songs from the album This is What I Do were well received and show a much more mature and respectful George. His songs, King of Everything, My God, and Nice and Slow deserve more airplay - so go ahead and take a listen sometime soon.
Now, two songs for me were stellar. First, Bow Down Mister was a Hare Krishna Baptist revival. Once everyone got moving, jumping, swaying, and chanting Hare Krishna, there was an energy I have never felt at a show with everyone in the crowd. Usually you get a few to participate, but everyone was into this song.
Second, a song that for some reason I did not have on my iPod: Victims. As soon as I heard it begin, the lyrics came back to me instantly. It is a haunting song and it was just as if I was in my room and I was eight years old again. At one part, where there is one loud drum beat and then it cascades into the back up vocalist and the horns, I remember putting my hands up to my mouth in awe and crying. YES! I cried. This sort of sad song, brought back a happy memory and made me even happier that I was there, almost thirty years later, seeing the very person who taught me about love, music, and being myself.
As I said before, throughout the show, George would interact with the crowd, a kiss, a wave, something to let them know he was paying attention and grateful for them being so supportive. Now, I am going to swear that he pointed at me - but you be the judge - this isn't my video, I'm just glad I found it. (here is the link - go to 2:40
In all, it was better than I expected. If you had told me when I was six years old that I would still have the sameexcitement, enjoyment, and still know every word to every song, I probably wouldhavethat conceptisprettycool. I'm thankful that I have been able to discover musicians that have longevity and want more than to be a recycle of their past.
You've heard me mention them a few times: Gogol Bordello. Just what the hell is Gogol Bordello anyway? Well, I am here to set you straight.
While backstage at Bonnaroo in 2008, I was thrown into the world of Gypsy Punk.
Saturday was a day of new bands and performers I had never seen play live. I was able to see Little Feat and Levon Helm in The Other Tent. In the band lounge with Dino, I kept on asking who was playing outside on the Which Stage. I didn't know who Gogol Bordello was but I was determined to find out. I was not prepared for insane time that would follow. Gogol Bordello are a gypsy punk band with members from everywhere. They play, what my friend has deemed, hard rock polka. Their jams are contagious. Fiddles, girls in red spandex banging drums and cymbals, a lead singer straight from the Ukraine via the lower east side, accordions (this was like the year of accordions, I swear). I began to dance with a kid from Manchester Michigan. It felt like we were flying as we attempted to keep up with the music. At one point, he looked at his watch and proclaimed: I think we broke time. My watch isn't working. I went back stage as soon as they were done to share with Billy and Dino my new favorite band. Dino (the drummer)was in an all out Guitar Hero dual and Billy was talking to a writer for High Times Magazine. I wanted to move to Bonnaroo!
I have never looked back since. But WHO are Gogol Bordello? Their named derived from famed Ukrainian author Nikolai Gogol and a word that means brothel, Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy Punk band from New York City's Lower East Side. Formed in 1999, it's current and past members are as diverse as their songs.
Lead singer and pied piper Eugene Hutz is the son of Ukrainian musician and half Roma mother. The gypsy behind the punk, Eugene champions the plight of the gypsies.
Back Up Singer / Percussionist Chinese - Scottish Bad Ass Elizabeth Sun is the only girl in the band but she packs a punch. She sings and plays the cymbals ... and the first I saw her she was wearing red spandex.
Sergey Ryabtsev is a Russian bear of power and the brawn behind the violin that gives us the Ennio Morricone-esque backbone of these songs.
Pedro Erazo hails from Ecuador and is a lively guy, known to crowd surf on his drum while rapping. He recently broke and arm doing said crowd surfing. And that is me down there in the crowd at Webster Hall.
Tommy T is an Ethipoian wonder on the bass. This is the bass that hold everything together - the accordion, the violin, the crazy dancing.
Oliver Charles (drums) and Michael Ward (guitar) are both USA natives and carry the band through some quick paced, jump worthy solos.
And last but certainly not least, the accordion players (and I love accordion players). Yuri Lemeshev was the original accordion player for Gogol and was recently replaced by Pasha Newmer. Growing up in a polka loving, Slovak family, the love for the accordion player is akin to my love for the bass player. It's what makes the gypsy punk, gypsy.
They have seven albums under their belt since 1999. Heavy on the violin, drum and accordion, their songs deal with the serious - nationalism and hate; to the funny and inane - think WEARING PURPLE.
Their albums in order of release:
Voi-La Intruder
Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony
Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
Super Taranta!
Live from Axis Mundi
Trans-Continental Hustle
Pura Vida Conspiracy
Pura Vida has to be their most comprehensive album to date. While I love all of their albums, songs such as Not a Crime, Ultimate, and Hats Off to Kolpakoff, their songs on Pura Vida (or Pure Life) are progressive gypsy punk. And again the songs are not only upbeat in tempo, but also in message. Songs like Dig Deep Enough, and It is the Way You Name Your Ship are empowing songs about moving along on your own journey, even if it doesn't take you exactly where you want to be at first. Malandrino is a typical happy Gogol song on the album.
Why do I think it's the best album yet? Each song is different. It's got a different vibe and message. The album feels like Eugene is at a apoint in his life where he is stopping to review where he has been and charting a course for the future journey.
And I love Gogol Bordello much that I have not only travelled to see them, but I have spent numerous New Year's Eve celebrations with them. Their live shows are nothing but energy. Warning to you first timers: if you go front row, be prepared to dance, mosh, be swept up in a wave of people, and possibly wear red wine. It's a global music celebration.
My favorite film of all time is Stand by Me. One of my favorite books of all time is Stephen King's Different Seasons; within that book is the novella, The Body - the story that Stand by Me is based on. When I was going through and making a wish list of films to see this year at the Tribeca, I noticed people comparing Beneath the Harvest Sky to Stand by Me. This was a comparison I did not take lightly.
So first, why is Stand by Me my favorite film? Coming of age films are a popular genre, but I think the genre that impact people the most - there is always something that reminds us of our childhood. I loved the journey the boys went on when I saw it as a teenager. As an adult, of course I can relate to the Gordie Lachance that is narrating the film; going back and reliving a memory of when your life changed forever. And when you were that young, there were moments in life that shifted everything into another orbit completely and it was never the same as you remembered it.
Beneath the Harvest Sky, is directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. The story is about friends Dom and Casper (Callan McAuliffe and Emory Cohen) and their existential teenage crisis of sorts while on the potato harvest break in their small Maine town. Muddying those waters more for troubled Casper is his father Clatyon (AidanGillen) who survives by selling prescription drugs. Of notes, is Emma, played by Sarah Sutherland. Her genes will take her far.
While I don't want to spoil the story, I will guarantee you that the writers have creatively worked a Facebook status into a plot line. Between the very real dialogue of high schoolers and anyone of authority, the questions of love and life are sprinkled throughout. The emotions were raw and uncertain, as is anything at that age in your life.
One of the things the film did was bring back a high school memory that I had not thought of since the spring of 1995. Every class had the cool, really hot kid that all girls wanted to hang out with. Befriending him was huge. So while taking full advantage of my freedom from a study hall, he and I walked around the halls chit chatting. Without reason, he basically said, don't look up to me. Don't become me. That isn't you. It wasn't said with a dismissive tone, he almost said it with realization.
This film reflected more of my experience of growing up in Western Pa . The sheer boredom, silly things that only make sense in Pa (instead of Moosefaris, we had snowdrift busting and deer spotting), and the need to bust your butt during your time off to make any money to support your dreams are all apart of this film and memories from my own youth.
And yes, I can relate this to music. Dustin Hamman is the brilliancy behind the music to this film. I did some very quick research on him and his project RunOnSentence seems like something I need to check out. There is life in his music and it really was perfect for the film. Check out his website http://runonsentencemusic.com/
And finally, what is it with Aidan Gillen and adorable animals? (re: this film, Treacle Jr and Sigur Ros videos)
Watch out for music. It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous. It can make you feel so alive, so connected to the people around you, and connected to what you really are inside. And it can make you think that the world should, and could, be a much better place. And just occasionally, it can make you very, very happy. ~ Peter Gabriel
Years ago, I disowned the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their disregard of the fans. The real reason was KISS. A band that inspired so many artists that were already in the Hall was denied again and again. Upon hearing the ceremony would be in Brooklyn, I was slightly jealous. When I heard that KISS was finally going to be inducted - there was not stopping me from going.
Do I still have problems with the Hall? YES! They are like people who have money and buy tickets to shows and talk the entire time because they don't care about the music they are seeing. But I hope that this year is a turning point. This year's induction really was about the fans. And not just the in the audience fans; the show allowed the musicians who were fans to induct their influences into the Hall.
For me, this was truly a lifelong dream. I'd always heard about the Induction, watched it on TV, dreamed of being there. I live and breathe music. Music is my life and I could not imagine a day without it. To be in the same room with bands and artists I grew up listening to and were influenced by is a moment of my life I will never forget.
The show itself was so very tightly scripted as there was no waiting between inductions and performances; if there was we would have been there until 5am. The sound at the Barclays is always great and Thursday night was no different. Special shout out to the technicians and crew for a well orchestrated show.
I knew immediately it was a rock and roll party when I heard this announcement: To get everyone into their seats, the bars will close until 7:05. Thank you, please make your way to your seats.
Brian Epstein and Andrew Long Oldham, managers for the Beatles and The Rolling Stones respectively were inducted first. "Finally somebody to bring the Beatles and the Stones fans together in glorious harmony, "Asher said to the reporters. "The Hatfield and McCoys of rock and Roll."
Without a pause, Peter Gabriel hit the stage with Digging in the Dirt following his video history. Sad not to hear Mercy Street, as that is my favorite song, but I digress.
Chris Martin of Coldplay inducted Peter. Chris' speech was simply brilliant: I didn't know how to start, so my mom always told me to look to the Bible. I'd like to start by reading from the Book of Genesis ...And Phil Collins said unto him, 'Who are you oh angel?' And the angel replied 'I am Gabriel. I bring you this good news. I am going solo. Ye, shall be the singer of Genesis.' Chris is a genuine fan of Peter's, confirmed by the story of when he listened to Us on cassette while lost in Paris as a young school kid.
There was a general theme of everyone's speeches. Music is happiness, a community, and such a large part of who we are. Peter reflected greatly on what influence music had in his life and on all of us.
Then, we got some more music from him. Washing of the Water was first and Chris Martin joined Peter in singing it. Talk about the ultimate fan dream. What came next was, I think, on everyone's wish list for the night. In Your Eyes with Yousou N’Dour was possibly the most energetic performance of the night and we were only getting started.
Kiss They were the reason I was sitting in the building. This was the band that influenced so many already in the hall. It was beyond time for them to be inducted: 28 Gold records, over 100 million albums sold, and a fan base known simply as the Kiss Army.
Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, a super Kiss Army fan, was the perfect choice to induct Kiss. His speech was filled with humble reverence for Kiss. The honor to induct them must have been incredible!
What if you had never seen or heard Kiss before? What if you had never heard a note of their music, never viewed a YouTube clip, never seen a reality show featuring any of the members? And what if you wandered into a divey club in your hometown and saw Kiss in all their glory thrashing the place to the ground? One guy belching fire and spraying blood past his gargantuan tongue. A drum riser bursting through the roof. A guitar player so incredible his axe billowed smoke and shot rockets. A frontman flying back and forth across the joint like a superhero Tarzan. All of them in frightening horror movie/comic book superstar,
sexifying kabuki make up. All of them in black and silver warrior bondage gear and 7 inch platform heels. The place blowing up with explosions, screeching with sirens, raining confetti, all to the pounding soundtrack of bareknuckle badass heavy duty liberating rock and roll. What would you say if you saw THAT? You’d say, 'That band’s fucking AWESOME and deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame!!' That’s what you’d say. ~Tom Morello
For the fans, it was nice that the members played nice. Gene Simmons thanked everyone, including Paul Stanley, calling him the brother I never knew I had. It was Paul Stanley that would openly criticize the Hall, [Fans] don't want to be spoon fed by a handful of people choices. The people pay for the tickets, the people buy albums, the people who nominate don't. Let's not forget that these are the people who make it all possible. We just benefit from it.
Cat Stevens
What I like about Cat / Yusuf is that he put fame aside and did what his heart wanted. But, I am selfish and very thankful that he realized how much music and fame was a part of him - and that he could still influence people without sacrificing his principles.
Art Garfunkel was a surprise, but then I realized what great respect he had for his friend Yusuf: The most sincere seeker, a loving man with an ever-expanding embrace, my friend Yusuf Islam, the artist we call Cat Stevens.
Warm and happy applause welcomed Yusuf back into the spotlight. He was humble, gracious and surprised that he actually was standing on the same stage that Kiss was just moments earlier. [He] doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t throw televisions out of hotel rooms and only sleeps with his wife,” Islam said. “I’d say it was a very brave decision — and one which was unexpected and strangely, outrageously rock & roll. Peace. Mid-speech, a man walked to the stage and handed Yusef a glass of water. Making the night even more remarkable, that man was Bill Murray.
The moment many had waited for had arrived. Cat / Yusuf took the stage and we were transported back to the 1970's. His voice had not changed. The tone of the songs no different from what we all remembered. We were treated to Father and Son, Wild World, and Peace Train.
Linda Ronstadt
My father loved Linda Ronstadt. My father would have LOVED this performance. Glenn Frey inducted Linda into the Hall as a friend of the legend who was unable to attend due to her ongoing battle with Parkinson's Disease. Linda covered so many genres of music over her career, from country-rock, jazz, and even Spanish. Her influence reached many women who would go on to have very successful careers of their own.
Linda Ronstadt recorded 31 albums. She sold over 100 million records and had a career that spanned five decades. She has been a shining example and a true inspiration to every woman who ever stood in front of a microphone and sang her heart out. And through it all, she remains nothing but authentic. You see, Linda lives in a place where art trumps commerce, where self-exploration trumps self-exploitation, where hard work and integrity trump fame and failure. She never wanted to be a star, she just wanted to make good music. ~Glenn Frey
So how do you honor a woman who has influenced so many other women to get out there and work until their dreams are realized? You invite epic talent in the form of five beautiful women with powerful voices and careers to sing Linda's songs. Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crowe, and Stevie Nicks became a super group of female singing legends.
Carrie Underwood: Different Drum Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris: Blue Bayou Sheryl Crow: You’re No Good Stevie Nicks: It’s So Easy Underwood, Raitt, Harris, Crow, and Nicks: When Will I Be Loved
Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band
Bruce Springsteen had been inducted into the Hall years
before, something that he and Steven Van Zandt still find it difficult to speak about. But Thursday night, Bruce welcomed his band into the hall. And with age comes wisdom and the ability to acknowledge bumps in the road along the way. What also happens is the realization that without the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen may have never happened.
So, real bands — real bands are made primarily from the neighborhood. From a real time and real place that exists for a little while, then changes and is gone forever. They’re made from the same circumstances, the same needs, the same hungers, culture. They’re forged in the search of something more pro
mising than what you were born into. These are the elements, the tools, and these are the people who built the place called E Street...But that is the hallmark of a rock and roll band — the narrative you tell together is bigger than anyone could have told on your own. That’s the Rolling Stones; the Sex Pistols; that’s Bob Marley and the Wailers. That’s James Brown and His Famous Flames. That’s Neil Young and Crazy Horse... I told a story with the E Street Band that was and is bigger than anything I could have told on my own.~ Bruce Springsteen
After some long, but very important speeches, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band hit the stage, with the memories of Clarence Clemmons and Dan Federici very near.
We were treated to The E Street Shuffle, The River, and a 16 minute, jam filled Kitty’s Back In Town.
Hall & Oates It was nothing but love for Philly when Questlove inducted Hall and Oates. He remembered the first time he heard Hall and Oates - She's Gone in 1974. Questlove was another example of fan inducting the musicians that inspired him.
A very anxious Daryl Hall and thankful John Oates quickly thanked family, friends, and Philly.
And speaking of Philadelphia, you know, I did some research, and did you know that we’re the only homegrown Philadelphia band that’s been put in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Now, I’m not saying that because I’m proud of it — I’m saying that because it’s fucked up. What happened to Todd Rundgren? The Stylistics? The Delfonics? Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes? Len Barry? Chubby Checker? How about the biggest single in the history of the world? Chubby Checker. Why isn’t he in? You guys tell me. I’m calling everybody out. That’s all I got to say. I wanna go play. ~Daryl Hall
And play they did. She’s Gone, I Can’t Go For That, and You Make My Dreams took us back to the 80's. For me, I Can't Go For That took me back to the days of waiting for Hall and Oates songs on the radio so I could hit record and proceed creating a my magical mixed tape.
Nirvana While the other bands and artists inducted are so much a part of my childhood, it was Nirvana that musically told the story of who I was at 13. I was angry, sad, lost, didn't want to wear dresses, and very introspective. Bands like Slaughter and Poison were too happy and dying out. Metallica and the Chili Peppers made do with their new albums, but when we all first saw the video for Smells Like Teen Spirit, nothing would ever be the same. It was okay to be angry, to hate the system, wear Docs, and do anything that went against the grain of popularity. As I look back, kind of like the hipters, grunge killed itself because the outsiders became insiders. Someone like Kurt Cobain could not accept that, but someone like Dave Grohl could.
Michael Stipe, close friend of Kurt and Frances Bean's godfather, gave a very eloquent speech about what Nirvana was - not who they were, but what they were.
Lyrically exposing our frailty, our frustrations, our shortcomings. Singing of retreat and acceptance over triumphs of an outsider community with such immense possibility, stymied or ignored, but not held down or held back by the stupidity and political pettiness of the times. They spoke truth, and a lot of people listened.
They picked up the mantle in that particular battle, but they were singular, and loud, and melodic, and deeply original. And that voice. That voice. Kurt, we miss you. I miss you.
Nirvana defined a moment, a movement for outsiders: for the fags; for the fat girls; for the broken toys; the shy nerds; the Goth kids from Tennessee and Kentucky; for the rockers and the awkward; for the fed-up; the too-smart kids and the bullied. We were a community, a generation — in Nirvana’s case, several generations — in the echo chamber of that collective howl, and Allen Ginsberg would have been very proud, here. ~ Michael Stipe
Dave, Krist, Courtney Love and Kurt's mother took the stage to overwhelming applause. Most of us waited to see what Courtney would do. Dave thanked the drummers who came before him and the punk music that drove him to do what he loved. He also thanked his family and gave advice to those who look up to artists such as himself:
Most of all, I have to thank my family because I was lucky enough to grow up in a musical family and in an environment that encouraged music. Parents that never told me not to listen to fucking Slayer, you know what I mean? I listened to some really, really fucked-up shit! But my parents never told me not to, because I was finding myself. So Mom — thanks. Thanks for letting me drop out of high school [laughs, points at trophy]. Kids, stay in school, don’t do drugs — it’s a bad idea.
I have to thank my beautiful wife, Jordyn, and my two daughters, who I hope grow up to inspire people just like every musician I grew up inspired by. Because I think that’s the deal — you look up to your heroes and you shouldn’t be intimidated by them; you should be inspired by them. Don’t look up at the poster on your wall and think, "Fuck, I can never do that." Look at the poster on your wall and think, "Fuck, I’m going to do that!"
Krist Novaselic and Wendy Cobain both reflected on Kurt. Very touching to see how much one man can influence so many.
And Courtney threw her speech away and hugged Dave. I hope it was real - for Kurt's sake.
And to end the night, a spectacular trip into Nirvana history with four wonderful women fronting Nirvana: Joan Jett (Smells Like Teen Spirit), Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon (Aneurysm), St. Vincent's Annie Clark (Lithium), and Lorde (All Apologies). All three choices were absolutely perfect, Lorde especially. I truly feel Lorde embodies the same anti-establishment that Kurt did. I also hope that she overcomes the urge to fight it and overcome it gracefully because she does have a great career ahead of her.
I could not have imagined a more perfect night. I hope that it is only the beginning for the Hall to begin to listen. They need to listen to the Dave Grohl's of the world. He is saving rock and roll, literally and figuratively. He gets it. He was a fan turned musician, but he's still a fan. Those people that Paul Stanley referred to don't get it. They don't know what it's like to pay money for partial view seats, to sit outside a park and listen to the show, to buy bootleg obscure versions of a song you've heard a thousand times-but you just haven't heard that one version.
You know I have my wish list of who I want to see inducted - so here we go: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Alice in Chains (eligible in 2015), TRex, Lou Reed, Warren Zevon, the B-52's, Motely Crue, Dire Straits, Sugarhill Gang, Deep Purple, Chicago, The Cure, Depeche Mode ... you get it. I believe that the fans and the musicians should get the vote. Kiss, the Stylistics, and Chubby Checker influenced artists. They pioneered their craft. Those are the ones who deserve to be in the Hall.
I feel incredible blessed and fortunate to have been able to attend what felt like a family affair. Music lovers speak the same language, finish each other's sentences, and can understand music as if it is an extension of their own soul. It is a beautiful thing and I cannot agree with Peter Gabriel more: It can make you feel so alive, so connected to the people around you, and connected to what you really are inside.
