UFO Strangers In The Night will always remain on my list of top albums;
virutally every song on that disc is a keeper.
My older brother was in a group with the ex-members of Great White.
They did a really great demo. However, in the midst of them about to
sign contacts, Nirvana and the Seattle thing happened. The offer was
removed from the table. What a drag; but that's what life does though, doesn't it?
(03-26-2012 01:05 PM)MAL_ONE Wrote: [ -> ]UFO Strangers In The Night will always remain on my list of top albums;
virutally every song on that disc is a keeper.
My older brother was in a group with the ex-members of Great White.
They did a really great demo. However, in the midst of them about to
sign contacts, Nirvana and the Seattle thing happened. The offer was
removed from the table. What a drag; but that's what life does though, doesn't it?
Wow - serious respect. I have certainly heard of Great White - if not their music - for some reason I am thinking John Sykes played for them - ex Tygers of Pan Tang?? Or am I wrong......dunno will go and Google it....
Well some research later I see I was wrong - nonetheless Great White is certainly a band I have heard of, and mentioned with great respect.....
Talking of deals on tables being withdrawn. I became mates with another NWoBHM band called Tokyo Blade - very good rockers and a classic album out, they were signed to tour the States. Off they set drinking the plane dry of all alcohol, not knowing somewhere over the Atlantic their management and label dropped them.
They arrived in NYC, resplendant with big hair, spandex, and studded belts and arm bands, only to find their tour was a none starter without their management and label commitment, and worst still, they didn`t have the money for any accommodation or the flight back.....they had to bum around until their parents got the cash to them to fly home.......Rock `n` Roll.......hey!! It is a sh*tty business.
Another example of music biz sh*ttyness - another band we were really close to, toured the States about 3 times, had three albums out, and seemed most likely to succeed, (I was sick with envy), fell out with their record label / management, and the story goes, (as they were thinking of going it alone), that the record label / management, reported them to HM Customs and Excise for tax evasion, (these people are not to be messed with!!! A little like your IRS I imagine), and they were "greeted" by said officials on their return from the US - end of a dream - they were lucky to avoid prosecution, but they never played again....
(03-26-2012 01:31 PM)NWoBHM Wrote: [ -> ]Well some research later I see I was wrong - nonetheless Great White is certainly a band I have heard of, and mentioned with great respect.....
Talking of deals on tables being withdrawn. I became mates with another NWoBHM band called Tokyo Blade - very good rockers and a classic album out, they were signed to tour the States. Off they set drinking the plane dry of all alcohol, not knowing somewhere over the Atlantic their management and label dropped them.
They arrived in NYC, resplendant with big hair, spandex, and studded belts and arm bands, only to find their tour was a none starter without their management and label commitment, and worst still, they didn`t have the money for any accommodation or the flight back.....they had to bum around until their parents got the cash to them to fly home.......Rock `n` Roll.......hey!! It is a sh*tty business.
Another example of music biz sh*ttyness - another band we were really close to, toured the States about 3 times, had three albums out, and seemed most likely to succeed, (I was sick with envy), fell out with their record label / management, and the story goes, (as they were thinking of going it alone), that the record label / management, reported them to HM Customs and Excise for tax evasion, (these people are not to be messed with!!! A little like your IRS I imagine), and they were "greeted" by said officials on their return from the US - end of a dream - they were lucky to avoid prosecution, but they never played again....
Wow,,, that is a drag. But hey, three albums and 3 tours, that's quite
a success in itself; I wish I had something like that under my belt. I bet
there are stories to tell that will last a lifetime. We only get one go 'round
and sometimes its toughing out the crappy things that make it all worthwhile.
I enjoyed my youth tremendously. Now, I am treasuring the memories
and being thankful I lived through it all.
Any Don Brewer fans in here?
(03-27-2012 10:32 AM)Detroit Dan Wrote: [ -> ]Any Don Brewer fans in here?
To be honest DD I had not heard of him - but a quick Google and I see he is the drummer for Grand Funk Railroad (what a brilliant band name?), and I at least know of the band - and had a quick listen to him. I will need to do some research and report back, but the tiny bit I heard seemed like the boy could play!!
Not sure why the text is underlined???
Well - I did my usual drive over to John Bonham`s grave at Rushock Church ( a few miles from here) - see my posts here about a year ago.
As usual it was a beautiful peaceful time there - loads of stuff around his marker - drum sticks, drum heads, (even a drum this time), AAA pass tags for Download?? - there was at one time a Paiste 2002 - (I guess someone nicked that).
Anyway, this time around I went into the Church (always open), and I must say I love small Church`s, and this was probably one of the nicest I have seen.
In it there is a visitors book - and I was amazed at the entries from people from Sydney, Toronto, Germany, (the world) who had taken time to go to this Church and pay their respects to the great man - most said, "Bonzo - RIP", 32 years since he died and he is still "pulling `em in".
Ya' know NWo, as a drummer and a HUGE Zep fan, I'd always had the greatest respect for Bonham growing up...then "it" happened: I was in 10th grade in the fall of 1980, and had just purchased my ticket for the Zeppelin "In Through the Outdoor" tour, which would have been my first "real" concert! I think they were only going to do like 4 shows on the US leg of the tour, New York, Chicago, New Orleans(My ticket), and Los Angeles...their first U.S. appearence since '77. Me and my buddies were all stoked, playing their albums over and over, toasting, smoking whatever, getting ourselves "prepared" for what was going to be a life changing event for sure! My friend Kyle came by that balmy afternoon, September 25th, crying for some reason, and after I'd calmed him down a little he broke the news to me. We just sat there, staring at the speakers, listening to the Song Remains the Same for what seemed like hours, to the drummer that was no more. I think I still have the concert ticket too, but I did lose quite a bit of respect for the man, not as a drummer though.
When I grew up it was Ian Paice for me, all the way. I liked what Bonzo did, and I loved Led Zep, just seemed to like Ian more - then of course later I had a huge interest in Brian Downey and later Bubba. In recent years though I have really come to appreciate what Bonzo did, and especially his sound, and that at heart, he seemed to be a family man, who loved to be with his family, and at home - living in the limelight was certainly not an easy place to be for him. Hence I suppose his drinking, and ultimately death. I like the fact he lived a few miles from where I live, and I can go to his resting place, (also a few miles from where he lived and drank), and reflect and give respect.
I saw Zep at Knebworth in 79, (what is now part of the How the West was Won DVD), before they went to Germany and were described as Ubermensche - I suppose they were headed out West thereafter to see you, but did not make it.
Some say out here - when you here Thunder, it is Bonzo playing his drums.....
I have found that old drumsticks make excellent fire lighters, cut in half using Tan`s garden loppers, hey presto....
I am currently burning up the last 10 to 15 years of knackered sticks, (seem to remember doing the same about 15 years ago).....they do burn well.....