Wow, boys and girls! It’s been too long! I guess I had to
take a hiatus after the lengthy stories I told you this summer. And since those
posts had a somewhat serious tone, I thought I’d get back to surface and
superficial things. I’ve given you lists of my favorite TV shows and movies, so
here it is: my favorite bands or musical artists of all time! Keep in mind,
that I’m not necessarily saying these are the “greatest” or “best” bands ever-
just my favorite ones. And just like other pop culture discussions we’ve had,
my picks in this category have changed over the years, and will probably
continue to evolve as I slide slowly into middle-age. So without further adieu, here are my Top Ten
bands, ranked from last to first.
10. U2- Ah, those rebellious lads form Ireland. What’s
funny, is that when they were breaking big here in the 80’s when I was a teen,
I really didn’t like them that much. In fact, I remember my freshman year in
college and everyone freaking out because “The Joshua Tree” was being released,
and I thought “What’s the big deal? They’re ok.” But I matured, and they
matured as a band. And by the late 90’s, I really started to like them. I think
they really stretched themselves as musicians, and tried some different things,
which a lot of bands won’t do. And they put on one of the best concerts I’ve
ever seen, a few years ago in Norman. Plus- they created one of the best lyrics
ever to be sung in falsetto- “Lemon!”
9. AC/DC- Yes, here’s a guilty pleasure on my list. Unlike
U2, these guys haven’t tried to stretch themselves at all. They just kept
cranking out head-banging rock-n-roll music. I remember back in junior high
when “Back in Black” came out. Of course, they were one of the bands we were
warned about in church because they worshipped the de-vil. But when I heard
that crunching guitar riff that kicks off the song “Back in Black”, I didn’t
care. In fact, that’s the first song I taught myself how to play air guitar on.
When that song is played, I have to crank up the volume to 11. I’ll always remember
the mortified look of embarrassment on my daughter Sabrina’s face when I rolled
up in the pick up line at the middle school with “Back in Black” blasting.
Sorry Sabrina- I just can’t help myself.
8. Pink Floyd- Once again, I flashback to junior high when I
think about the Floyd. “The Wall” had just come out, and I just assumed that
their music was just for all the potheads and druggies at school. It wasn’t
until a few years later when my BFF Alex played me some Floyd that I realized
just how great they really were, and that I could enjoy their music completely
sober and drug free. Here was another band where you had two dominate musical
geniuses, Roger Waters and David Gilmour, battling for control of the band.
It’s unfortunate that the relationship completely soured, because although they
have done good things separately, they were brilliant together. Waters was the mastermind
lyricist and songwriter, and Gilmour was a great singer and genius guitarist. I
don’t think he gets enough credit for his guitar work. The solo in “Comfortably
Numb” is one of the greatest guitar solos ever. I got to see Pink Floyd (post
Waters, unfortunately) in concert, and to this day it’s still the best show
I’ve ever experienced. Shine On, You Crazy Diamond.
7. Ben Folds- Ben burst onto the scene in the 90’s with his
trio “Ben Folds Five”, and had a few commercial hits. But I fell in love with
his virtuoso piano skills, and his dry, sardonic lyrics. He just writes some
doggone catchy songs. I remember thinking “He’s the new Billy Joel!” His first
solo album, “Rockin’ the Suburbs” is one of my favorite albums ever. It has
everything- the snappy, peppy pop tunes, the hard rockin’ anthem, and the
gorgeous, heartbreaking ballads. He’s one of the few artists who can make me weep
with his beautiful arrangements and lyrics, and also make me shake my groove
thing with his bouncy piano rhythms. I’ve also seen him in concert in Norman,
and it was a blast. He’s definitely a great showman.
6. Billy Joel- The Original Piano Man. Billy was the first
musical artist that I really connected to. When I first really started
listening to music around the age of 12, he was one that I was drawn to. Just
like Ben Folds, Billy’s keyboard skills just blew me away. He also had a great
singing voice, and was able to do a variety of styles in his songwriting and
performing. I guess I loved that his songs told a story. He was the first real
concert that I ever went to. It was my sophomore year in high school, and I
found out he was going to be playing at the Myriad in Oklahoma City. I had a
few friends who were also big fans, and we decided that we wanted to go. There
was one big problem though- the concert was on a Wednesday night. And in those
days, my family attended church services whenever the doors were open, and our
church had Wednesday night services. I begged and pleaded with my parents- I
had to reassure them that he was not one of those devil- worshipping Satanists
that was going to make me take drugs and become a hooligan. And finally they relented
and said I could go- I was stunned! So we went, and it was fabulous- a show
I’ll never forget.
OK- on to the Top 5!!!
5. The New Pornographers- Ok- this is probably the “newest”
band on my list, even though they’ve been around for more than a decade. This
is a band I discovered about 5 years ago, and I quickly fell in love. They’re
basically a Canadian “supergroup”, but they really haven’t had huge mainstream
success here in the US of A. Why do I love them? Catchy pop songs. Great guitar
riffs. Tight harmonic vocals. Bizarre, trippy lyrics. I quickly bought all of
their albums, and they have rocketed to the top of my favorites. Funny story-
about 4 or 5 years ago, my daughter Sabrina was in a Sunday School class at
church. When asked by the teacher who her favorite bands were, she replied “The
New Pornographers”. I was told by witnesses that the look of shock and dismay
on the teacher’s face was quite humorous. It was a proud moment for me!
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers- Back in the early 90’s, I was visiting
a college friend of mine, and we were discussing music. He told me if I really
wanted to rock my face off, I should check out the Chili Peppers. So I got the
album “Mother’s Milk”, and I immediately had to purchase a new face, because
they did, indeed, rock my face off. This was right before their mega-hit “Under
the Bridge” was released, and they became huge. Although their antics and
appearance are quite sophomoric (check out their infamous “sock” pictures),
musically they have really evolved over the years. I simply love their
combination of pulse pounding rock and hot bass-thumping funk. Flea, the
bassist, drives the group with his vast musical talents and his immense energy.
Anthony Keidis is really not the greatest singer, but he is able to convey a
variety of tones and emotions through his voice. They’ve had a mixture of
guitarists and drummers over the years due to drug overdoses and death, but
they have persevered for over three decades. I’ve seen them in concert three
times, and loved every show.
3. Led Zeppelin- Page. Plant. Jones. Bonham. What a
legendary band. Here was a band that I also didn’t really appreciate until I
got older, because, once again, this was another evil devil-worshippin’ band
that I shouldn’t be listening to. Stairway to Heaven?? Sacrilege!! But these
guys can flat out play. Jimmy Page will go down as one of the greatest
guitarists in history. And Robert Plant really was the quintessential rock
star. They had an amazing rhythm section with John Paul Jones on bass and John
Bonham pounding the drums. Most of his drum parts are the ones I play the
hardest when I’m in my car. Their song “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” is my go to
song when I’m flying down the highway and I need some ear splitting rock to
fire me along. I’ve never rocked out harder to a harmonica part, but that song
does it. Years ago I called in to a local radio contest to win tickets to see
Page/ Plant in concert in OKC. I had to do my favorite Zeppelin guitar solo
with only my voice. I chose the solo from the classic “Heartbreaker”- I was
sitting in my car in a parking lot, wailing away. And I won! Second row seats,
baby! It wasn’t Zeppelin, but it was pretty darn close.
2. The Pixies- Back in 1991 I was going through my “angry
music” phase. I was totally into grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc), and had the
look to show it- long, shoulder-length hair, tattered jeans, flannel shirts,
combat boots. I was cool. A friend I worked with at the local cinema had
similar tastes, and one day at work he said “Hey- you should really listen to
‘Doolittle’ by the Pixies. I think you’d like it.” I did- but I didn’t like it-
I LOVED it. To this day, Doolittle is still one of the greatest albums- ever.
The Pixies formed in Boston in the mid-80’s, and really served as a segue from
punk rock to the garage grunge sound. What was unique about them was their
extreme shift in dynamics, going from quiet to LOUD in seconds. Their leader, Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV (aka Black Francis aka Frank Black), wrote bizarre ethereal lyrics, which I have no idea what they mean. Yes, they rocked, but it was often discordant, played in minor keys, that created a sound I had never heard before. In fact, Kurt Cobain cites the Pixies as being a main inspiration for Nirvana. No one can wail like Black Francis, which is often juxtaposed with the sweet sounding backing vocals of bassist Kim Deal. A few years ago they toured and played "Doolittle" in its entirety, and I got to see them in Tulsa. It was outta this world- from the Planet of Sound.
1.The Beatles- Yes, I know, it’s a cliché. But they really
were the greatest band ever. John, Paul, George and Ringo- those Lads from
Liverpool- gelled together to become a phenomenal band. No band has changed the
musical landscape, or influenced more artists, than the Beatles. They did
things that had never been done before- and it was really, really good. You
have to marvel as you trace their career as a band to watch their incredible
growth. Most bands are lucky to have one great musician, but they had,
arguably, three. (Sorry Ringo.) John and Paul were both musical geniuses, and
George was not far behind. You could see it in their solo careers, just how
immensely talented they were. It’s too bad that John and Paul, much like Roger
and Dave in Pink Floyd, couldn’t stay together. Yes, they did some great stuff
individually, but together, they were magic. I believe that if John had lived,
they would have played together again in some capacity, and it would have been
incredible. And baby I’m amazed at how Paul is still going, still writing,
still entertaining in his early 70’s. I just wish I could’ve seen him live, but
every time he comes through I have no money. Wahhhhh!!!! I guess it really was
true- the Walrus is Paul. Just make sure you don’t play their records backwards,
boys and girls, or you may be influenced to take drugs or be rebellious.
Honorable Mention: (Almost made the cut)
-The Police
-The Cars
-Queen
-ABBA
There you have it folks. I’m sure some of you will
vehemently disagree with some of my choices, and wonder how such an intellect
as myself could have such vapid choices in music. A few other tidbits: I’m sure
you probably noticed that I didn’t include any country artists. There’s a
simple reason why- I can’t stand country. Can’t stomach it. Yes, I know, I’m a
good old boy from Oklahoma- but I really can’t bear to listen to it. Sorry.
Also: not a big fan of rap/ hip hop. There’s a few songs I like, but not with
any consistency. So I guess my tastes really aren’t that diverse. Oh well- sue
me. I read an article recently that said most of us lock into our musical
tastes by the age of 35, and I tend to agree. Most of these bands I had latched
on to by that age. I guess that’s why every generation always thinks that the
newest generation’s music sucks. So let me know what you think. Who did I leave
off? Who do you agree with? Sound off- and rock on!
