These bands will give context into what I’m sharing. They are this site’s guiding lights. Obvious, obscure or simply under-rated, they impacted my taste and sensibilities. Remember, in the late 70’s/early 80’s, I was fully committed to both college radio and commercial radio. These bands range from mundane to freakish with no apologies.
This is one of my two favorite pages on the website (along with Hip Songs) because I get to write good things about music I love. Check back often as I’ll always be adding more here. Have fun!
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The Allman Brothers Band Legendary rock radio personality B. Mitchel Reed clued me in to the ABB when I was an intern at KLOS-FM/Los Angeles. BMR told it straight. Jazz, funk, country, rock… all melding into a wonderfully weird, countrified, blues-infused psychedelic stew. Instantly I swooned. Perfect for bad days, good days and rainy days. Added bonus: discovering Brother Duane’s solo work, songs that still knock. Me. Out. And don’t get me started on the solo work of Gregg and Dickie… I could write about their glory all day long….
The Beatles My first band-crush and my first album purchase (Yellow Submarine in 1974, not their greatest but certainly side one is their most psychedelic). My “favorite Beatle” has cycled through all four, finally coming to rest on George for a variety of earthly and existential reasons.
Chuck Berry Mr. Berry has been the topper on my fave list for as long as I can remember. Real rock all… all… flows from him. If a performer is not referencing him at least a little, something has gone terribly wrong. Johnny B. Goode has long been my dopamine rush of choice, the classic opening riff as well as the guitar refrain at 1:43 (for my money, this is the superior version of the riff, having a more insistent slur and higher energy). While in the chair during dental work I sing JBG in my head and feel no pain. Play it often. Play it loud. Play it again. And again.
The Blasters More proof the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is irrelevant. These guys top my list of bands that ought to be in but are not. I’ve seen them at venues ranging from the Whisky to the Forum (!!!). Original, innovative, spearheading both the rock-a-billy and Americana movements simultaneously and still on the road today, they continue to inspire. The link is a terrific version of their classic “American Music” from Farm Aid ’85 that still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. No, Timmy, it does not get better than this.
Creedence Clearwater Revival This was the first band I ever considered “mine.” All of 9 years old, I borrowed my dad’s copy of Cosmo’s Factory and it just lit me up — “Up Around the Bend” in particular. That opening riff was my first encounter with musically-inspired dopamine. THAT is the feeling I’ve spent the rest of my life chasing. THAT is the reason behind this website. Having never been so joyously tweaked before, that song is my Ground Zero. You have yours. This is mine. Years later when I saw Fogerty live for the first time, I wept as he played it. Thanks, Dad!
Dick Dale “The King of the Surf Guitar.” Damn straight. His sound was as innovative as anything put out by peers Chuck Berry and Les Paul, and his technical innovations almost rival those of Les as well. Mr. Dale’s music LIGHTS ME UP. If you’re not familiar, you are in for a treat. He invented a genre. Not many artists can claim that. Dick is truly the shit.
Devo I first saw Devo in 1978 on Saturday Night Live. Their cover of Satisfaction blew up everything I thought I knew about pop music. So weird but…. so fucking awesome! The next morning I bought their debut album. Mainstream rock is STILL trying to catch up with these spuds. They blended industrial, metal, art-rock, electronica and surf… and they still had hits. Big hits. Go figure. And to think people thought I was weird for evangelizing them (insert smug smile here).
The Dream Syndicate In college, Days of Wine and Roses was new and Halloween was the song of choice for my fellow KCR staffers — a group generally older and more experienced than me. I followed their lead and am considerably better for it. DS touches so many happy places: loud, jangly guitars verging on noise, understandable lyrics… mostly… but just… a little… weird. And the best news? They’re still together. They fell into the whole Paisley Underground scene, which still inspire me, and their singular and dark psychedelic vibe remains a reference point for my musical choices.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions I bought “This Year’s Model” on a dare with myself. Robert Hilburn of the LA Times was all about Elvis early on but no one in town was playing him on the radio. “He looks suspiciously punk,” said a naive me, “but maybe it’ll work out.” Yes, yes, it did. I can safely say I still know every word to every song of his first three albums. Precisely the kind of fan Elvis hates, as I understand, but c’est la vie. BTW, my supreme Elvis buzzes always come from Oliver’s Army, Radio Radio and What’s So Funny (About Peace, Love and Understanding).
Jason and the Scorchers I first heard JATS on KMET/LA when Jim Ladd got interested in their first album, Fervor. Their smoking-hot cover of Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie” instantly… instantly… touched my happy place. Wow! I bought the record, the next one and the next one and am still happy their music exists. See, corporate radio? When experienced air talent pick their own music, they can get it right. For the record, I hate the term ascribed to them: “cow punk.” Tip of the hat to Jason Ringenberg, lead singer, and Warner Hodges, original lead guitarist. I’ve NEVER seen you guys live — please come to Los Angeles!
Elton John I joined Sir Elton’s party just after “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” buying “Caribou” on its release day. When I first heard “Funeral for a Friend” late at night on K-100 (KIQQ-FM/Los Angeles), such mystical, mysterious and hard rocking music blew… my… mind. That it could be heard on the radio sealed the deal that I would become a disk jockey. True story. That was a big night.
The Long Ryders Under-appreciated yet significantly influential in the Americana genre, I found their first album (“Native Sons”) in the new music rack at my college station. They got my attention to the point that I hung their promo poster in my dorm room. Pioneers of LA’s “Paisley Underground,” they injected a vibe of groovy hip country into a scene heavy with punk and metal. And it gets better: their recent reunion album and tour were totally solid! They rock. They twang. They turned me on to Buck Owens. Enjoy!
Eddie Money The first rock concert I ever bought tickets to was his, at the old and roofless Universal Amphitheater. Touring on his second album, he had hits and riffs… all this kid needed. It was great and I’m glad I went. The opening act redeemed the night: McGuinn, Clark and Hillman, reuniting three-fifths of the original Byrds. THAT was cool… but also sadly lost on me in the moment. C’mon, I was 14!
Morphine This groovy, moody, hip and iconic Boston band was tragically cut short in 1999 due to the death of lead singer Mark Sandman. His 2-string bass (!), along with baritone sax and drum(s), created brooding atmospheres great for midnight mopes or traffic jam daydreams. Original, sly and penetrating, Morphine got very little attention from radio. What a pity.
Ennio Morricone The master of the western-genre movie soundtrack, I found his music via my dad who was a big “spaghetti western” fan. While Sergio Leone’s scripts and plots varied, the soundtracks always delivered. True story: during a family vacation and driving through Monument Valley in the 70’s, a light-bulb local station played The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. The car went silent as this moment of musical perfection played out. Upon concluding, my mom, dad and I all let out a huge breath and laughed for the next five miles. You can’t plan this stuff. Thank you, Maestro.
The Plugz/The Cruzados/Tito and Tarantula In 1985, the Cruzados released their debut: slightly Latin, hard rocking and I totally fell for it. From LA and with punk roots (formerly the Plugz), tangled contracts caused a long delay in getting digital traction. So, the first two bands kind of got lost. In time, though, Tito Lariva’s Tito and Tarantula scored some Robert Rodriguez projects, including “Desperado” and acted as the house band in “From Dusk Till Dawn’s” cantina scene. It’s purely about the vibe… and most excellent news: T&T released a new album in 2019!
Iggy Pop (in and out of The Stooges) Iggy’s music had been dogging me for years before I was finally confronted by his genius. A college-station alumni who landed full-time work at the local rock station (where I also worked) came back to school to do a guest set with my partner and I and he brought his personal copy of Iggy’s “Party.” Originals, covers, decadent stuff, mundane stuff… Iggy at the peak of his 70’s greatness. I soon discovered the Stooges and, well, game over. The man is a freak genius. Bless his peanut-butter-smeared heart. And thanks, Pat Martin!
The Who Totally love this ground-breaking band. Have seen them live more than any other (they were my fourth concert ever), most recently during an oddly painful encounter at Caesar’s Palace (rock and roll at CAESARS?!?). It still had moments, though. They’ve tried to stay relevant with new material in the new millennium but it’s hard to compete with warm memories and outstanding catalog material. Quick story: the last song I played at my first on-air gig was “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” It was that kind of gig. Did I get fooled again? Oh, yes; still, I consider it a valiant gesture.
Link Wray The originator of the power chord? Maybe. Either way, damn cool instrumental music that has strongly affected misplaced weirdos ranging from Quentin Tarantino to Billy Zoom. Let “Rumble” be your gateway drug. “Switchblade” is way cool too. Hear these and you’ll instantly recognize his style. For the record, yes, he deserves to be in the RRHOF. His were the chords that launched a thousand players.
X This band scared me. “Too punk,” I thought. Strictly adhering to a 70’s corporate-rock-radio ethos during my teens, I was all about Skynyrd, Bad Co., Zeppelin, etc. Once I hit college, though, my tastes… evolved. On the cusp of a trip to Europe (go figure), I took a chance with “More Fun in the New World,” running a cassette from my risk-purchase vinyl and listening for six weeks abroad. My mind opened. X’s punk included lots of sped-up rockabilly riffs – I LIKE this! Been evangelizing ever since. Classic LA stuff. They’re still out there with new music coming.
More to come…