Only the good die young

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[quote]Originally posted by ricknbokker: [b]I'm with you, Dylan. Some time ago, I had heard that someone wanted to give Cobain a 'lifetime achievement' award, or some such nonsense.[/b][/quote] I liked Nirvana's music, and it was good for what it did -- It shook up the mainstream a little, and for better or for worse (usually for the better, though), it made many pop fans in the '90s demand "authenticity" -- whatever that means. The positive thing is that it made the average Nirvana fan want to hear other music where it felt like the singer/songwriter *meant* what they were singing, even if it was in a really oblique/confused way. So it's not really the music or Cobain that was important, but more about the attitude that was briefly made popular. I'm not a big fan of Radiohead, but they've seemed to take that same attitude and the fans respond in the same way -- like they want something that [i]appears[/i] to have some *substance* or meaning to their lives. Whether Nirvana actually said somehing or how good they are at saying it is almost besides the point... I'd rather listen to someone [i]appearing[/i] to have substance rather than something like N'Sync, which wears its brainlessness on its sleeve... [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/eek.gif[/img] On the other hand, it's show business any way you cut it. And as far as the lifetime achievement awards... It reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live sketch where some record executives talk Dana Carvey (I think it was him as the "choppin' broccoli" character) into killing himself for his next album as a "career move". There's that whole "dead rock star" worship-like thing that the press and public love to get enthusiastic about. I dunno -- there are certain deceased-before-their-time artists who I really enjoy (Nick Drake, Marvin Gaye, Jeff Buckley, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and -- I kid you not -- Andy Gibb), but the music is always the main reason why I dig the artists, not because of a tragic demise. I don't think that's true for most record buyers, though. When I worked at a record store, as soon as a famous musician -- who hadn't sold many albums for the past few years -- would die, inevitably there would be a significant number of people buying that artist's album the next day. This message has been edited by popmusic on 07-30-2001 at 10:10 PM

[meccajay]

Lol Popmusic - He was shot a few years ago by his own brother over an argument about the band... -I will always miss SRV, Marvin Gaye and Cobain too!!!

[Jeff Klopmeyer]

[quote]Originally posted by Curve Dominant: [b] Jeff, I was in 9th grade, and tickets for the Philly show had gone on sale that day. I literally didn't believe it when a friend told me, but when I went to the AV room, and "Moby Dick" was playing on the radio, I thought, "Shit, man, they NEVER play that song..." Eric[/b][/quote] Yeah, man. You must be one year older than me...I was in eighth grade that year. And that was the thing...we'd [b]just[/b] put down our ticket deposits the weekend before and were so jazzed that we were [b]finally[/b] going to see our favorite band live. Strange that you didn't believe your friend who told you about this. I remember I got to school, and my little girlfriend came up and asked what was wrong. I told her Bonzo was dead, and she freaked out, slapped my face, called me a liar, then ran away screaming. Apparently she was a Zep fan as well. - Jeff

[Hippie]

Y'all remember Harry Chapin? I was sorry to hear when he died. At the latter part of his career, the music industry mags. used to just have a "field day" with negative reviews of his work and openly print "below the belt" criticisms, like I've never seen before or since! But in some wierd way, it was comforting knowing he was out there somewhere, fighting the good fight, doing the best he could musically -albeit not that terrific, and standing up for the things he believed in. He was a voice for the average Joe just doing his thing, and dealing with troubles along the way. The world needs more people like that. Two others guys that come to mind is Jim Croce & his partner Maury. -(I was a little young to remember when they died). Those cats were terrific, just great! I love the sounds of their *almost dry* guitars, and I often use their CD's for a mixing reference. For only a short run, they had a ton of great songs. -hippie "I'm not a racist, I hate everyone equally" -Archie Bunker

[michael saulnier]

Here's a few more that fit the "influentual but deceased" category for me... - Roy Buchanon. Huge emotion and awesome tele technique... make it SQUEAL! - Danny Gatton. Really these two guys are tele kings... master of the telecaster. - Rory Gallagher. Blues from the gut... great slide player... saw him live once and was bowled over. - Luther Allison. When I lived in Madison, WI saw him dozens of times... always rocked the house with amazing authentic Chicago blues... a real Bluesman. - Muddy Waters. Kinda the "god-father" of the electric blues. - Albert Collins. The ice-man had style. Another tele madman. - Albert King. Influenced almost every player I respect. Complete Bluesman! - Terry Kath. Color my world... It was his soulful voice on that song that I remember the most. - Ronnie Van Zant. Heart of Skynyrd. Sad about their bass player today as well... - Keith Richards... WHAT? He's NOT dead yet? How can you tell? [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] I also fall into the SRV, Lennon, Hendrix, Morrison category already mentioned here. To all... Heaven's got a HELL OF A BAND!!! guitplayer ------------------ http://www.mp3.com/acousticvoodoo Guitar Forum CD Info http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/Forum19/HTML/000537.html

[D. Gauss]

[quote]Originally posted by Dylan Walters: [b] And I even like most of Nirvana's music, so don't take me as someone who is against the man. I just don't see him as a rock icon or legend like I do with a person like John Lennon. -Dylan This message has been edited by Dylan Walters on 07-30-2001 at 06:06 PM [/b][/quote] have to agree, though kurt was the first to admit whom he stole from i.e. the pixies... -d. gauss

[Beatheavy]

Cliff Burton Metallica Bassist. Hit my friends and I pretty hard. It really sucked at the time. We even ran around for awhile wearing black armbands. I was 15 at the time. When Tito Puente died........it kinda really hit home. I grew up listening to his music. You really have no choice if you're a Puerto Rican in the bronx. It was an end of a dynasty. Viva El Rey!!! JLB

[Philip OKeefe]

[quote]Originally posted by guitplayer: [b]Here's a few more that fit the "influentual but deceased" category for me... - Roy Buchanon. Huge emotion and awesome tele technique... make it SQUEAL! - Danny Gatton. Really these two guys are tele kings... master of the telecaster. - Rory Gallagher. Blues from the gut... great slide player... saw him live once and was bowled over. - Luther Allison. When I lived in Madison, WI saw him dozens of times... always rocked the house with amazing authentic Chicago blues... a real Bluesman. - Muddy Waters. Kinda the "god-father" of the electric blues. - Albert Collins. The ice-man had style. Another tele madman. - Albert King. Influenced almost every player I respect. Complete Bluesman! - Terry Kath. Color my world... It was his soulful voice on that song that I remember the most. - Ronnie Van Zant. Heart of Skynyrd. Sad about their bass player today as well... - Keith Richards... WHAT? He's NOT dead yet? How can you tell? [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] I also fall into the SRV, Lennon, Hendrix, Morrison category already mentioned here. To all... Heaven's got a HELL OF A BAND!!! guitplayer [/b][/quote] Great list here! Buchanan and Gatton were amazing plank spankers and that's for sure. Roy Gallagher never got the credit he deserved, but he was an amazing stratmaster... Obviously the bluesmasters you mentioned are sorely missed... Terry Kath... I was in high school at the time, and was playing as much sax as guitar... but while I was a big Chicago fan in general and loved CMW, it's his guitar playing I miss the most. The cat had some serious chops... As far as the Keith Richards comment, I'm not going to agree with that one and incur the wrath of Lee Flier and Fletcher... [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Besides, I'm of the opinion that if there's ever a nuke war, roaches and Richards will be the only survivors. [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html pokeefe777@msn.com

[videoeditor1]

I did FOH for the Zepp FOUR DAYS before their tragedy. The show was in North Carolina....3..4...5 years ago. Otis Redding Marvin Gaye Notorious B.I.G. and old obscure guy none of you may remember [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] called Louis Armstrong NYC Drew

[chedrob]

Charlie Christian and Jimi Hendrix were both "pioneers" of the electric guitar. They both completely changed the way the instrument was being played. They both died when they were 28 years old

[dj3]

I would like to add Townes Van Zandt to the list. A wonderful songwriter. thanks, dave pybas

[AlChuck]

Three that were special to me: Ollie Halsall, a terrific, underappreciated and virtually unknown English guitarist. His most well-known work was the fantastic George Harrison-styled solos on the Rutles songs, but his signature stuff was done with Patto. Lowell George. I was a complete Little Feat fan and loved George's playing, songwriting, sense of humor, and production savvy. Those Little Feat records from his lifetime are absolute gems from every angle -- I'm always amazed that the are so detailed and meticulous yet the overall impression is of a great live band. Jaco Pastorius. A huge talent, I was crushed when he died so young in such a pitiful and pathetic manner.

[Guest]

[quote]Just play. Then along came all the hair bands and shredders and EVH and Yngwie etc...someone had to take it back to the basics. Nirvana did that. They put rock and roll back in everyone's hands, rather in a choice group of elitists.[/quote] This resulted in rock and roll turning into utter trash. Kurt Cobain once said that "everyone was sick of Warrant." I like "Cherry Pie" a lot more than "Smells Like Teen Spirit." (Although Nirvana at least had some catchiness to it. They did have to compete with all the good metal bands, after all.) When I hear all these guys who just "play for the song" I think "New Metal/ Alternative/ etc." Boring. When I hear that first power chord dissolving into a flurry of notes from "Eruption," I go "Ahhh. That's rock and roll." In rock and roll, "just playing for the song" is an excuse to be lazy. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. When "Promises" from Def Leppard's "Euphoria" album was getting airplay, it seemed like all was right with the world again, if only for a few minutes. I'm getting out my "Monsters Of Rock" CD so that I can hear Winger's "Seventeen." Cool song, awesome guitar solo, real rock and roll. -Danny ------------------ Of all the things that I have lost, I miss my mind the most.

[Tedster]

Danny said... >>>This resulted in rock and roll turning into utter trash. Yeah, it has resulted in countless headaches for music store staffers, no doubt, but at least kids were picking up the guitar again. Rock and roll has always had an element of "utter trash", ever since the songs I mentioned. But it was that "utter trash" that made it a lot of fun. Yep, it's fine that people came along and put astounding musicianship in there, but it's also fine that people just want to have fun with it. And we're free to listen to what we want. I don't listen to Nirvana or any of the other "trash" bands...but, what the hey...I don't listen to much Warrant either. I only listen to Tunisian Goat Herder music, so THERE.

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Sounds like someone should start a "Nirvana vs. Warrant" thread... It oughta be fun! Nirvana: Cynical, angst-ridden, "tortured artist" posturing, vaguely intellectual lyrics, drugs, catchy songs Warrant: Upbeat, ready to party, anti-artistic, anti-intellectual lyrics, sex & drugs, catchy songs I don't really see where the "trash" part is... [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] This message has been edited by popmusic on 07-31-2001 at 02:54 PM

[strat0124]

I was in high school when Elvis went to the Burrito bar in the sky.....traumatic for my mom and aunt, but I just thought it sad..... Lennon was a real shocker. I was under the sea on a submarine when we got the wire. What a huge waste. I still mourn his passing......and often think of what could have been....

[Gus Lozada]

[quote]Originally posted by popmusic: [b]Sounds like someone should start a "Nirvana vs. Warrant" thread... It oughta be fun! Nirvana: Cynical, angst-ridden, "tortured artist" posturing, vaguely intellectual lyrics, drugs, catchy songs Warrant: Upbeat, ready to party, anti-artistic, anti-intellectual lyrics, sex & drugs, catchy songs I don't really see where the "trash" part is... [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img][/b][/quote] Well... I do preffer watching WARRANT Videos than Nirvana's ones... the Cherry Pie Video's model was ... well... Ready to party [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] Back to subject... Wasn't this thread about Dying YOUNG?? Or young is way beyond the 50's ? None is missing Freddie Mercury?

[Tedster]

[quote]Originally posted by GusTraX: [b] Well... I do preffer watching WARRANT Videos than Nirvana's ones... the Cherry Pie Video's model was ... well... Ready to party [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] Me too. None is missing Freddie Mercury?[/b][/quote] Of course! Queen was like a major influence. My teen years were more like Wayne and Garth that I'd care to elaborate on...probably the reason why those silly movies were so popular...a lot of us were Wayne and Garth. the whole Queen thing...BIG everything...HYOOOOGE vocals...just blew me away.

[Rod S]

The death of Freddie Mercury was quite a shock, but then again he had been sick for a while, so his death was in a way expected, as opposed to Lennon who was shot. I've always been a Queen fan, but I was pretty dissapointed with the later stuff (Innuendo et al.) And I always thought Nirvana was over rated (which can probably be said about other bands as well) I'm going to mention someone who most of you guys probably never heard of, but her death had about the same impact in Brazil as the death of lennon here in the US. I was talking to my aunt when I was down there last month, and she said that most people who were fans know exactly what they were doing the moment they heard she had died. Elis Regina (died January, 1982) Since I don't know too much of her history (I was 10 when she died), I'll point you to a website if anyone cares to find out more. She was huge in Brazil at the time, and very loved by everyone. http://www.caravanmusic.com/Articles/ReginaE_StLouis.htm

[fantasticsound]

Someone mentioned Charlie Christian, because he died at age 28. I have a feeling noone on this forum was even drooling and filling diapers when Charlie passed, let alone was directly affected by his passing. Having said this, I'd mention Hank Williams Sr. Almost every song a winner, and he died WAY before his time at age 29. I also missed John Denver in my original list. It is most disheartening for me several years after his passing as we rediscovered his music and stage presence in the aftermath of his death. Take a listen to the live album he released in the 1990's or the train songs themed album of the same period. What a fantastic musician, writer, and performer who is overlooked because it's not cool to like the all american boy with the environmentalist/sensitive guy personality. Lost far too soon. ------------------ Neil [b]Reality[/b]: [i]A few moments of lucidity surrounded by insanity.[/i]

[Mark Zeger]

[quote] I'm going to mention someone who most of you guys probably never heard of, but her death had about the same impact in Brazil as the death of lennon here in the US. I was talking to my aunt when I was down there last month, and she said that most people who were fans know exactly what they were doing the moment they heard she had died. Elis Regina (died January, 1982) Since I don't know too much of her history (I was 10 when she died), I'll point you to a website if anyone cares to find out more. She was huge in Brazil at the time, and very loved by everyone. http://www.caravanmusic.com/Articles/ReginaE_StLouis.htm [/B][/quote] I'm a big fan of Ivan Lins, so thanks for the insight on a legendary Brazilian superstar. Here's a name that has been inconceivably missed: Bob Marley. Charismatic, political, romantic, inspirational. What a loss at age 36.

[jflush]

When I was 12, John Lennon was everything. Was anybody else listening to Monday Night Football on the radio when the bad news broke? Holy shit! ... The first person I talked to was my mother...She knew how much John meant to me...I think it was the next day , she got me a copy of Double Fantasy... To this day, that record gets me all choked up...

[JES]

Mark Sandman, Morphine. Unique bass player, good singer.

[D. Gauss]

[quote]Originally posted by JES: [b]Mark Sandman, Morphine. Unique bass player, good singer.[/b][/quote] yes yes! his earlier band "treat her right" is still one of my favorites... -d, gauss

[Chip McDonald]

At this point I'd like to say "Jimi Hendrix". But that was almost before I was born, so... One day I was skateboarding on a little 8' quarter ramp in my parents driveway with an older friend. This guy would sometimes bring his Ibanez Les Paul copy over when he skated, and sometimes would play something like Stairway or some such... This day we had the radio on and the DJ breaks in to announce that Randy Rhoades had been killed in an air plane accident. Curiosly I asked Randy (which was my friend's name... hmm. Actually, he had long blond hair as well, weird. Hmm. Off white Les Paul. Hadn't thought about that before, curious coincidence...) if he listened to him, he said yeah, he was good, fuck, and so forth... I thought it an odd situation, it was just a name to me. I liked "Crazy Train" and "Over the Mountain", but beyond that I hadn't really heard Rhoades. I remember that day perfectly clearly; I remember my friend sitting on the little embankment of grass next to the ramp, I remember the grafitti on the ramp, I remember the tank top I was wearing, what the hedge looked like next to the ramp... I don't know why. Little did I know a few years later on I would end up learning basically everything he played. So it's kind of a weird thing; had he died later, after I was really into his playing, it probably would have been a very heavy thing - probably like if something (knock on wood) happened to one of my influences now. But it's sort of like it happened in reverse - the whole time I went through my "Randy Rhoades Phase" that was sort of in the back part of my mind. Freddy Mercury - that wasn't exactly a surprise. A strange thing - unrelated to music - is that the "announcement" I remember most is when Magic Johnson revealed he had AIDS. I had just bought my last "good" guitar in Atlanta, and had stopped by a McDonalds (one of the extremely rare occasions I do that) to get some french fries to go... and they *announced it over the p.a.*. Suddenly, there's people crying. A mother and her children were all bawling, and guys were shaking their heads, muttering things... It was like the president died. Went outside, and people were pulling off the road, I suppose to listen to the radio. Quite surreal, movie-like. So, I always think of that when I think of the day I got my black Ibanez Sabre. Nothing can just be pleasant, no sir.... ------------------ [b]New and Improved Music Soon:[/b] http://www.mp3.com/chipmcdonald

[dinopop]

Rory Gallagher - I had not even heard of this guy until he was already gone. He was never the big star here in the US as he was in Europe. Thanks to Buddha records re-releasing his catalogue here, I'm catching up.

[Kobb]

Jeff Buckley Jeff Buckley Jeff Buckley Absolutely beyond a doubt I am most saddened by the fact that Jeff Buckley will no longer be making music. It is the most perfect example of a fabulous artist being taken before their full potential has been realized. Lennon, Cobain, and Mercury all had a chance to reach their "pinnacle" of creative output. And while their premature deaths are no less tragic from a general point of view, I feel that from an artistic angle the world lost out on something more when Jeff Buckley died. The only album he ever released in his lifetime, "Grace", was a masterpiece that continues to influence top artists today. And while the posthumously released "Sketches for my Sweetheart the Drunk" wasn't quite as strong (Buckley never intended to release those recordings because he felt he could do better), there are certain moments on that disc that just reinforce the fact that here was a powerful artist just getting ready to bloom. The Book "Dream Brother" is a fascinating read that chronicles the lives of both Jeff and his father, Tim Buckley.

[chessparov]

In addition to all the great musicians named here, I want to add the name of Ted Hawkins. He played to thousands over in Europe, and mainly on the Venice Beach boardwalk here in the states until he was picked up by Geffen Records. He was a big influence on my singing and furthered my appreciation of the great singer-songwriters whose songs he covered, in addition to being a good songwriter himself. He liked to sing rootsy soul and country tunes like "Bring It On Home To Me" and "There Stands A Glass". Right when he was getting his due, he died from a stroke. We sang a lot of songs together on that beach-when he'd first show up or leave, because he could draw big crowds once he got going! Sure miss him...

[chessparov]

In addition to all the great musicians named here, I want to add the name of Ted Hawkins. He played to thousands over in Europe, and mainly on the Venice Beach boardwalk here in the states until he was picked up by Geffen Records. He was a big influence on my singing and furthered my appreciation of the great singer-songwriters whose songs he covered, in addition to being a good songwriter himself. He liked to sing rootsy soul and country tunes like "Bring It On Home To Me" and "There Stands A Glass". Right when he was getting his due, he died from a stroke. We sang a lot of songs together on that beach-when he'd first show up or leave, because he could draw big crowds once he got going! Sure miss him...

[Duhduh]

Interesting fact... All of these rock stars died at 27 years old: Jim Morrison Janis Joplin Randy Rhoads Kurt Cobain Jimi Hendrix Cliff Burton