The group initially performed under several names before settling on “The Yardbirds,” reportedly inspired by the writings of author Jack Kerouac, who used the slang term “yardbird” to describe a drifter or someone living on the margins of society.
The Yardbirds emerged from the vibrant rhythm and blues scene that flourished in London during the early 1960s, becoming one of the most influential British bands of the decade. Although they would later gain worldwide recognition for helping launch the careers of three legendary guitarists—Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page—
This is a series of posts that will talk about my favorite Keyboard players.
In Part One I chose; Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Eumir Deodato, Gershon Kingsley, Jon Lord, and Elton John. I’ll keep it going here with some more excellent ticklers of the ivories!
The album Rumours became a phenomenon almost without precedent, eventually spending 31 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Fleetwood Mac began in London in 1967 during the peak of the British blues explosion, growing directly out of the enormously influential circle surrounding John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
This “Stand Out Single” was a classic for the band Cream.
The 1968 single “White Room” backed with “Those Were the Days” stands as one of the defining releases by Cream during the final phase of the band’s brief but influential career, issued from their landmark double album Wheels of Fire. “White Room” was written by bassist Jack Bruce, who composed the music,
These are songs that contain word “clothes” in their lyrics.
“Underneath Your Clothes” is a lush power-ballad by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira from her fifth studio album Laundry Service (released as a single in early 2002), written by Shakira and longtime collaborator Lester Mendez, and produced by both of them; it showcases a blend of pop and soft rock with Beatles-style brass touches and an
This is a series of posts that will talk about my favorite drug related songs. See if you agree with any of these!
In part one I picked, “Novocaine for the Soul”, “Day Tripper”, “The Pusher”, “White Rabbit”, “The Acid Queen”, and “Poppies”. Here I’ll write about another six that I’ve always liked. “Comfortably Numb” is one of Pink Floyd’s most enduring and psychologically resonant songs, written primarily by David Gilmour with lyrics by Roger Waters
Some great musicians and a wonderful film star have passed.
These artists were the bassist for the Moody Blues; acted in The Godfather series of movies, Play It Again Sam, Reds, and many more; was the bassist for the Yardbirds and Box of Frogs; and was in Buddy Holly’s band the Crickets, and wrote the theme song for the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Several more have passed this summer of 2025.
These individuals have been in Delaney & Bonnie and co-founded Derek & the Dominos; played Dee in What’s Happening!! (1976–1979); was nicknamed “Superlungs”, and turned down lead singer for Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple; and was a pioneering musician in the realm of Contemporary Christian Music.
This is a series of posts that will talk about my favorite Guitar Players. See if you agree with any of these!
Jimmy Page, born James Patrick Page on January 9, 1944, in Heston, Middlesex, England, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative guitarists in rock history. Rising to prominence as a prolific session musician in the 1960s, he played on recordings by artists such as The Who, Donovan, and The Kinks before joining The Yardbirds in 1966. After their dissolution, he founded Led Zeppelin in 1968,
In 1981, during a meeting with CBS Records executives, he bit the heads off two live doves as a publicity stunt.
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England, to a working-class family, and struggled with dyslexia and other learning difficulties in school, eventually dropping out at age 15. He never served in the military and worked a series of odd jobs, including as a construction laborer and slaughterhouse worker, before turning to music.
