I guess hate is "More Than a Feeling" for aging rocker Tom Scholz, former member of the band Boston. Scholz, it appears, is none too happy that presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was using his old Boston tune,"More Than a Feeling" on the campaign trail and he wants him to stop it.
Like John Mellencamp -- who got his leather pants in a bunch over McCain's usage of one of his pop tunes -- Mr. Scholz is another musician who imagines that people are so stupid that when they hear a song at a campaign rally, they must automatically imagine that the producer of the song supports the candidate in question.
As reported by the AP, Scholz sent a letter to the Huckabee campaign telling Huckabee to dump the song and Don't Look Back.
"Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and will all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," wrote Scholz, adding that he is supporting Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. "By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed. In other words, I think I've been ripped off, dude!"
Yeah... dude. Good thing he is a guitar player because thinker seems to be out of the question. (I can’t help it, but it just seems a little childish for a 60 some year-old man to be calling people “dude”)
But, here is the thing, Huckabee, a bass guitar player, has actually appeared on stage with a former member of Scholz' own band. Boston band member Barry Goudreau has jammed with Huckabee in the past, so it is only natural that Huckabee felt he could use the song. After all, he had a member of Boston on stage with him!
Of course, the cantankerous Scholz even seems to claim that his old band mate is somehow not a real member of the band!
Scholz, who said Goudreau left the band more than 25 years ago after a three-year stint, objects to the implication that the band and one of its members has endorsed Huckabee's candidacy.
I guess it shouldn't be surprising that Scholz is such an uncivil, "dude," though. He has a long history of suing people and feuding with band mates. So it isn't surprising that this guy is in need of some distemper shots.
But, here is the real issue with these has-been rockers getting mad at Republicans who use their songs. Not one person at a campaign rally who hears some old rock standard blaring out of the loudspeakers will imagine that the band that recorded the tune supports the candidate. We Americans have grown up with rock-n-roll as the background music, the soundtrack if you will, to our lives. We hear the songs and we merely enjoy them (or not as the case may be). No further statement is placed into it than that. Do we imagine that if a discjockey plays a tune that the band supports the discjockey? The radio station? Even the city the radio station is in? No would be the answer to that.
So, I'd like to offer Tom Scholz some Peace of Mind. Your music is just entertainment, "dude." Nobody but you takes it that seriously.
I have to say, though, that I'm glad that Scholz is a Man I'll Never Be. How about you?
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
There goes another one
February 17, 2008 - 14:06 ET by sentforth5Why in the whole wide world does an actor or singer or entertainer of any sort feel like they have to stand for something?! I mean, of course, in a public sense.
I've been told that I sing well and play a pretty mean guitar, and I have never equated that with an importance in my mind to spout my political opinions.
Frank Zappa said it best:
'Shut up and play yer guitar.'
Zappa rules. "He was, and
February 17, 2008 - 14:54 ET by JasonCZappa rules.
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
Zappa for president.
February 17, 2008 - 18:55 ET by upcountrywaterLMAO (11 sec.)
You'll be getting your wish Frank.
iranian uranium; iranian ICBM's iranian satellites..
Keep the change Bob. h/t Sam Peckinpah
Sentforth
February 17, 2008 - 14:58 ET by Noel SheppardSF,
Well, as a devout Zappa fan, I never agreed with this sentiment. After all, without question, the best Zappa compositions, both live and in the studio, were when Frank was conducting.
This is why when I saw him live, the group I was always sitting with wanted him to put down his guitar, and pick up the baton. :-) ns
Favorite Albums? I'll go
February 17, 2008 - 15:09 ET by JasonCFavorite Albums? I'll go first:
Zoot Allures
Hot Rats
Chunga's Revenge
Freak Out!
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
what??
February 17, 2008 - 15:14 ET byno Absolutely Free or Shiek Yabbuti
call any vegetable
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
I hear the sound of marching feet...
February 18, 2008 - 06:33 ET by sentforth5Down Sunset Blvd. to Crescent Hights, and there at Pandora's Box we are confronted with a vast quantity of Plastic People!
JC
February 17, 2008 - 15:16 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
Different, more orchestral direction for me:
ns
What, no "Jazz from
February 17, 2008 - 15:25 ET by JasonCWhat, no "Jazz from Hell"?
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
"You cant do that on Stage
February 17, 2008 - 15:39 ET by general company"You cant do that on Stage anymore" Live
"Overnight Sensation"
"Apostrophe"
"Cheap Thrills" Some live stuff
"Were only in it for the Money" Mothers of invention, very silly, funny.
Live was good, but some of his studio ones were great as well.
I also have some Lowel George when he played with Zappa, "Lightingrod Man" is great as well as "Rat Face Dog"
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
F. Zappa ;TV dinner by the pool aren't U glad u finished school
February 17, 2008 - 18:24 ET by upcountrywater"200 Motels " anyone?
blast from the past NB gang! Ian Underwood; Jean Luc Ponty /
RIP Frank.
iranian uranium; iranian ICBM's iranian satellites..
4 (unthinkable) H-bombs, NOW THAT'S SOME CHANGE
Keep the change Bob. h/t Sam Peckinpah
Nowhere do I see...
February 18, 2008 - 06:35 ET by sentforth5Joe's Garage
A direct assault on Algore and Tipper
Don't Forget Flo & Eddie!
February 17, 2008 - 19:57 ET by Del DolemonteThe Phlorescent Leech and Eddie, who previously had worked in a band called The Turtles, are still out there touring, replete with plenty of jokes about the drugs they take these days (Viagra being #1). They also feature a Zappa medley during their set; when I saw them live last summer they opened with "Peaches en Regalia".
BTW, Flo and Eddie's first two CDs from the early 1970s have recently been reissued as a "twofer".
I am surrounded!!!
February 18, 2008 - 06:23 ET by sentforth5I wasn't picking a favorite!
I am amazed, however, that so many NBers are zappa fans.
My favorite?? 1975 "Apostrophe"
I'm just sayin' is all...musicians should busy themselves making music.
Noel!
February 18, 2008 - 06:31 ET by sentforth5I must be small, cuz when you singled me out I got excited!
When I lived in Ft. Wayne Frank came to conduct at Perdue university and I was a cook at the Holiday Inn. I fixed his meal one night( broiled swordfish steak and steamed vegetables and a baked potato- no spice, no butter). I begged management to let me serve it to him, but they wouldn't let me.
I used 'Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar ' because I was tryin' to be clever!
SF
February 18, 2008 - 11:35 ET by Noel SheppardSF,
Well, here's my "I met Frank Zappa once" story.
In 1983, after he recorded with the London Symphony, Frank did a concert with the Berkeley Symphony. It was a pretty wild event, for the numbers were also being danced to on stage by kind of a Mummenschantz group. Weird stuff. However, the music was astounding, as conductor Kent Nagano brought along 125 members, including 25 percussionists.
As I gave a contribution to the Berkeley Symphony that year -- in anticipation of the event -- I was seated in the front row behind the orchestra, and witnessed some of the most extraordinary music I had ever seen.
In particular, one piece was called "Sinister Footwear." Incredibly complex time signatures, so much so that there was a separate conductor counting out time for the percussionists. Wild.
Anyway, also with my contribution came an invitation to a private party after the show with Frank as the guest of honor. Sadly, attendee after attendee approached the composer asking for his autograph, and just wanting to take a picture of him. It was really embarrassing.
Well, after about an hour, Frank was saying his goodbyes, and starting to head downstairs to leave the facility (Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley). Realizing my dream was coming to an end, I chased him down before he got to the front doors. I said, "Frank, I'm not interested in an autograph, and I don't want to take a picture of the two of us together. I just want to talk to you for a couple of minutes if you don't mind."
His bodyguard -- the big bald guy that always followed him around after that time someone pulled Frank from a stage breaking his leg -- looked at me funny, but Frank simply said, "Okay."
I said, "So, what was it like watching your work being conducted by somebody else? Did you like Kent's interpretations? Anything you'd do differently?"
He said, "It was hard actually. There were times when I found myself tapping my foot faster, hoping Kent would speed things up a bit, and vice versa. Also, there were syncopations that I would have stressed that I felt he underplayed. However, all-in-all, it was a marvelous experience for me."
I asked, "How about that goofy Mummenschantz stuff? I felt that got in the way a bit, and was distracting from the music."
Frank: "Yeah, I can see that. However, this whole thing was an experiment, and I'm glad we tried it."
Noel: "Finally, when you spoke at the Palace of Fine Arts a few weeks ago, you mentioned that on your next tour, you're not going to have a percussionist in the group. As your music has always been so percussion-dominated, I wonder why you ever go on tour without one."
Frank: "Well, between this and the London Symphony album, I've been working on very serious music for more than a year. It's been rewarding, but stressful, and time-consuming. So, I just want to go on tour, and have some fun doing some good old R&B." At that point, he reached out his hand to shake mine, and leaned in, "Fair enough?"
I smiled, "Fair enough." ns
Man!
February 18, 2008 - 18:58 ET by sentforth5Color me jealous! Daggone the Holiday Inn. Frank was a walking music extravaganza and is sorely missed.
Sometime I'll tell you my 'I had a beer with America' story.
Boston sucks
February 17, 2008 - 14:09 ET by Lame CherryI remember Boston being named in the NRA as one of the big anti gun groups long ago. This ilk is always the same bunch of burnt out doped up sexed over has trolls no one could care less about.
Some advice to Huckabee would be to play more Boston songs, quote Boston lyrics and talk about old geezer rockers being what is wrong with the democratic party.
Worked for Rush with his theme song.........not a thing they can do about it but whine.
Play it loud and long GOP. Rock on.
Oh and by the way, Ted Nugent and Aeorsmyth love blasting gaping holes in things with big guns and have no problem with their music showing up.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Ummm...
February 17, 2008 - 14:41 ET by River DogGuys... Tom Scholz is a guitar player. Not a singer. Bostons singer killed himself last year. So we don't know if he approves or not.
I want to hear one of these guy use Alice Coppers "I want to be Elected" as their song! That would rule...
I will...
February 17, 2008 - 14:43 ET by Warner Todd Huston... take the "singer" part out.
Thanks for the correction.
Obama's theme song
February 17, 2008 - 20:15 ET by CobraManThat would have to be Obama's theme song since the lyrics contain:
Kids want a savior, dont need a fake
I wanna be elected
The complete lyrics:
I'm your top prime cut of meat, Im your choice
I wanna be elected
I'm your yankee doodle dandy in a gold rolls royce
I wanna be elected
Kids want a savior, dont need a fake
I wanna be elected
We're gonna rock to the rules that I make
I wanna be elected, elected, elected
I never lied to you, I've always been cool
I wanna be elected
I gotta get the vote, and I told you about school
I wanna be elected, elected, elected
Hallelujah, I wanna be elected
Everyone in the United States of America
We're gonna win this one, take the country by storm
We're gonna be elected
You and me together, young and strong
We're gonna be elected, elected, elected
Respected, selected, call collected
I wanna be elected, elected
That sounds just like the message Obama keeps making. Heh.
Alice
February 18, 2008 - 06:25 ET by sentforth5I see I am in good company. We are listing Sean's favorites today.Alice Cooper is a national treasure!
COOPER...
February 18, 2008 - 16:45 ET by danybhoyHis last book is very interesting. "Golf Moster, A Rock n' Roller's 12 Steps to Becoming a Golf Addict"
It's about his life, & how his family, music, sports, golf, & booze have shaped who he is today. I loved it, & would go with the audio version. It sounds like he's just talking about his life, he does a very good job.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
See kids... Don't mess
February 17, 2008 - 14:17 ET by rbosqueSee kids...
Don't mess with drugs!
Boston Symphony
February 17, 2008 - 14:28 ET by CobraManThis "dude" needs to remember to Don't Be Afraid about song use in political campaigns and he needs to stop his Cryin' about it. After all; if he doesn't like hearing it he can always Turn It Off.
From the "Shut up and sing" file...
February 17, 2008 - 15:02 ET by tomchrisSomehow I'll bet this "dude" Scholz had no problem with the millions of conservatives who have doled out cash for Boston albums, t-shirts, and concerts over the years.
"Mr. Scholz is another
February 17, 2008 - 15:06 ET by ckc1227"Mr. Scholz is another musician who imagines that people are so stupid
that when they hear a song at a campaign rally, they must automatically
imagine that the producer of the song supports the candidate in question"
Well, democrats probably would. After all, they're stupid enough to believe that when that empty suit Obama(or Hillary even) speaks about "change", he means good change, even though they have zero clue about the kind of changes he wants to make. Now that I think about it, since some republicans seem to think an Obama victory would be a good thing, republicans aren't immune either.
Hmm, Mr. Scholz might be right.
Take the money and run
February 17, 2008 - 15:15 ET by nkviking75If the Huckabee campaign is complying with the law, they're paying fees to ASCAP or BMI or both to use the song (technically, "performing" the song as defined under copyright law). I bet Scholz isn't turning down the royalty checks.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
EL RUSHBO...
February 17, 2008 - 16:39 ET by danybhoyEl-Rushbo pays to use "My City Was Gone" by The Pretenders, & I know they are not fans of Limbaugh by any stretch of the imagination. He talked about it a few times over the years.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
I've heard him say
February 17, 2008 - 17:02 ET by fitzfongI've heard him say that Chrissy Hynde's parents were fans of the show, and that although she skews liberal, she was OK with the use. By the way, were Pete Farndon and James Honeymon-Scott part of the band when they recorded that song, or had they already died?
Danny & fitzfong; Chrissy Hates Rush, She sued him, however
February 17, 2008 - 18:29 ET by upcountrywaterSome union thing? he can use the song. he pays her big bucks like a 1/2 a mill a year, she sends it to PEDA.
iranian uranium; iranian ICBM's iranian satellites..
4 (unthinkable) H-bombs, NOW THAT'S SOME CHANGE
Keep the change Bob. h/t Sam Peckinpah
I thought you didn't have to
February 17, 2008 - 17:35 ET by PeskyDaneI thought you didn't have to pay to use bumper music if you kept it within a certain length. I did know that a few years ago Hynde expressed her differences with Rush when the audiance started chanting his name at the opening bass riff. In a moment of class, Hynde ammended, "but the music is free." Any more details on this would be appreciated.
PD.... This is the latest
February 17, 2008 - 18:51 ET by bigtimerPD....
This is the latest I could find...
I too have heard the deal Rush made regarding all of this, but can't remember the details...this is the best site I could find with explanation but it is from '05....
Just because he wrote it,
February 17, 2008 - 15:23 ET by Jack BauerJust because he wrote it, doesn't mean he owns the rights to it. Ask Paul McCartney about all the songs he wrote that he doesn't own.
I assume all politcal campaigns pay royalties to the copyright owners of the music they use.
Besides.. didn't "Boston" steal their "name"?
Nah, Jack, they just steal-at-will
February 17, 2008 - 15:38 ET by sarcasmoThe funniest example being Pat Buchanan's old campaign's unofficial theme-song, which was Queen's "We Will Rock You" right as Freddie Mercury was occupied dying of AIDS...
JMR
If this is winning, I think I'd rather lose...
How much money does scholz
February 17, 2008 - 15:47 ET by wiwfHow much money does scholz make? A helluvalot? dude...
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Great. Then I'll steal
February 17, 2008 - 16:18 ET by Jack BauerGreat.
Then I'll steal Pretty Vacant by the Sex Pistols for my Obama parody, because that just about sums up the average Obamaniac voter.
We're vacant... and we don'r caaaare....
Jack why not the Police
February 17, 2008 - 16:36 ET bydoo doo doo daa daa daa is all i have to say to you
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
botg, that's perfect.
February 17, 2008 - 22:36 ET by R D HelmLMAO!
There is also the Witch Doctor song, too, but I have never been able to noodle out the lyrics on that.
Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah
February 18, 2008 - 12:02 ET by Hero SquadHow about "Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah" by Jet Screamer?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
botg!
February 18, 2008 - 19:00 ET by sentforth5Thanks! First time I laughed today!
Ramones
February 17, 2008 - 17:06 ET by dmntd1I wanna be sedated if a (D) gets elected!
I really think that questioning others' masculinity is a game probably better left to people who haven't had more cock in and out of them than a Tyson Chicken regional distribution center. AceOfSpades 06162007
"We will rock
February 17, 2008 - 17:32 ET by PeskyDane"We will rock you..."
Yes, and being non-libs, irony is NOT lost on us... Hee, hee....
I wonder if his real
February 17, 2008 - 16:09 ET by fitzfongI wonder if his real motivation was that he got sick of hearing it ad nauseum, too.
I'm with you, fitz --
February 17, 2008 - 16:17 ET by dervishI was thinking as I read the thread, "How could putting that godforsaken song back on the shelf NOT be a good thing?"
Yeah, there's a hint of
February 17, 2008 - 17:12 ET by fitzfongYeah, there's a hint of self-indulgence to a lot of Boston's music...especially that instrumental bit before "Long Time". Used to call it "musical masturbation".
You mean
February 17, 2008 - 17:45 ET by MivvisForeplay
Foreplay? Playin' it once is
February 17, 2008 - 17:52 ET by Warner Todd HustonForeplay? Playin' it once is too much.
Wonder if Obama...
February 17, 2008 - 17:53 ET by jwm45Wonder if Obama will use James Brown's Funky President for his campaign song? His speeches can be distilled down to about the same substance as these lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3QEEI35uYw
so, after that, am i to understand ...
February 17, 2008 - 18:07 ET by pmohbuckthat if i buy a cd ... i cannont play it in public, due to the possibility of the band not liking me or my political beliefs? is this part of the "change" obama is talking about?
as far as i'm concerned, scholz may be everything BOSTON, but BOSTON would be nothing but forgettable as a band w/out the vocals of brad delp ... and he's not with us to express his opinions (unless scholz owns the rights to his spirit too).
its not hard to tell who the heavy hitters are in rock ... led zeppelin gets 20 million people signing up for a reunion ticket lottery, meanwhile the spokesman for BOSTON pimps-a-fit over a man playing his song on a loud speaker.
Not a spokesman
February 17, 2008 - 19:51 ET by harqmanTom is not a spokesman for Boston. He wrote the song, recorded it in his basement and played all the instruments except the drums on that song.
Also some said something about him being "dimwitted" or something ignorant like that. He has a Masters degree from MIT in mechanical engineering. Hardly dimwitted.
So, do all Master's degree
February 17, 2008 - 23:39 ET by RESTLESS 1So, do all Master's degree recipients from MIT use "dude" and stay up nights worrying about some old coot playing there songs through a loud speaker? May have achieved a degree, but he is definitely dimwitted.
i know he's talented and academically intelligent ...
February 18, 2008 - 00:23 ET by pmohbuckbut common sense as well as respect for someone who bought a copy of his work amount to something too. developing the Rock-man and singing about peace of mind, foreplay and smokin' in our beloved capitalist society have made that engineering grad a very wealthy man ... sometimes, these musicians need to shut the hell up and appreciate the fact that dope-smoking hippies, environmentalists and anti-war zealots aren't the only ones who have contributed to their success in life.
WTH - I thoroughly enjoyed this post. It made me laugh
February 17, 2008 - 18:07 ET by Dee BunkWTH - I thoroughly enjoyed this post. It made me laugh and you made great points.
there is a face that only a
February 17, 2008 - 18:12 ET by USA4freedomthere is a face that only a horse could love...
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Yeah... I had fun working
February 17, 2008 - 18:13 ET by Warner Todd HustonYeah...
I had fun working their old song titles into the thing. After all, the whole story is so ridiculous that it deserved to be treated as such. Like ANYONE cares what a washed up rocker thinks about anything was amusing, at least.
WTH - washed up rockers are sad
February 17, 2008 - 18:27 ET by Dee Bunkand irrelevant. I'm arguing in another spot that I do think current celebs have an influence and that is sad too.
Dee... Include me
February 17, 2008 - 18:19 ET by bigtimerDee...
Include me here...
I liked the Scholz being in serious need of a distemper shot the best.
These idiots haven't had a brain cell left that to make a big to-do about all of this for years now when it comes to anybody with an 'R' after their name using one of their tunes for their campaigns...lets see... when it's free air time and possibly free advertising therefore more sales...the empty-headed twits.
BT - I know the whole thing was so funny. Cat Stephens hysteria
February 17, 2008 - 18:31 ET by Dee BunkRemember when Cat Stephens had a fit and protested radio stations playing his songs? He came off like the fool that he was because the press weren't in the tank for him and his ideas.
Tom is a good guy.
February 17, 2008 - 19:24 ET by harqmanLook I am as conservative as anyone here. But I am a Boston fanatic. Like to a nerdy level.
Tom is a lib. Has always been a lib and always will be a lib. He is NOT trying to get attention through this. He just believes in his guy and doesn't want his song used.
Never mind More than a feeling is one of the greatest rock songs ever. From the greatest debut album ever.
Brad Delp the lead singer of Boston look his own life almost a year ago. So some of the older stuff being used without his say could be tough still. Plus Tom likes control of his music.
Don't bash the guy. Anyong who knows Boston and Tom understand this. Like I said he is not doing it for attention. That is fact.
Just thought you should know.
Good one...
February 17, 2008 - 20:16 ET by Warner Todd HustonThanks for that. I needed a good laugh before I went to beddy bye tonight!
believe what you want.
February 17, 2008 - 20:35 ET by harqmanHe did not do it for the attention. You think you know because you want to stereotype all rockers. I would have to agree wth that on a lot of groups. But Tom does not need the attention of this situation to make him happy. That is a fcat. So sleep tight. I helps when you listen to people who actually know what they are talking about sometimes. You are just wrong on this one.
Glad you...
February 17, 2008 - 21:47 ET by Warner Todd Huston... two are on a first name basis.When he invites you to his next BBQ, ask him all about it.
Are you kidding?
February 17, 2008 - 20:26 ET by CobraMan"Never mind More than a feeling is one of the greatest rock songs ever. From the greatest debut album ever."
Are you kidding? Boston sucked! It was just bubblegum music, endless repetitions of top 40's claptrap, and I speak as someone who grew up in the 60's and 70's. I heard a lot of just this type of bubblegum music pretending to be rock.. Their music had no originality, no imagination. The only thing cool about Boston was their album art!
Cobraman?
February 17, 2008 - 20:31 ET by harqmanReally. You are ou of your mind on this one. The first Boston album is not, never has been been called bublegum music. Never has it been called un-original. You my friend might want to step away from whatever it is you have been sniffing. Your comments are at best laughable.
But you post uing their song names was priceless. You picked to of the worst songs they ever recorded. Very nice job.
Give it up!
February 17, 2008 - 20:51 ET by CobraManGive it up! Boston will never hold a candle to real rockers. Like, for example, Jimmy Hendrix. How can ANYONE compare the bubblegum music of More Than a Feeling with real rock like Voodoo Child or All Along the Watchtower. Are You Experienced? Get Experienced!
Just like Cheap Trick
February 17, 2008 - 21:06 ET by CobraManBoston is no different than bands like Cheap Trick. They were a music industry invention posing as actual rock that was used to produce harmless and uncontroversial music for FM airplay. The only reason you even liked them was due to the unending, repetitive airplay they received on radio. Without that daily exposure, they would have died away as yet another lame garage band, unknown and forgotten.
No invention
February 17, 2008 - 22:32 ET by harqmanBoston was not a music industry invention.
Now I will say this because you are clearly much older than me. I was taught to respect my elders. Because you probably killed many of the brain cells you are trying so hard to fire up right now, I will cede to your many decades of musical experience. I of course said nothing of your music. I understand that The Capt and Tenele (sp?) were popular in the 70's. Quite unfortunate don't you think? Talk about an industy invention.
Jimi to me is a little like elvis. The longer they are dead the bigger the myth around them. If Jimi had lived he would have become the 70's version of Whitney Houston. Ya know "Crack is wack" and all that. I'm just saying.
Jimi put out 3 albums in 13 months. Then he put out nothing new for the next and last two years of his life. So 3 albums in 3 years. Britney Spears put out 3 albums in 3 years too. He has been an inspiration to her in more way than one. I'm just saying. As long as we are comparing.
What do I know though? I am a lover of bubblegum rock.
Tongue in cheek of course. Respectfully respecting my elder;-)
harqman
February 18, 2008 - 01:17 ET by Noel SheppardH,
I'm with you on Boston not being bubblegum, but in reality, that's closer to the truth than your assertion that Jimi Hendrix "would have become the 70's version of Whitney Houston" if he had lived. That's a pretty absurd statement about potentially the greatest rock guitarist that ever graced this planet.
Name a hot guitarist today, and he'll tell you that Jimi was one of his greatest influences.
Do a Google search on "Top rock guitarist." Who do you think will be at the top?
You want to defend Boston, one of the truly lousy bands of the late '70s and early '80s, that's fine. But doing so as you besmirch the guitarist that likely commands more respect from other guitarists than any that have picked up a pick seems rather preposterous.
Furthermore, bringing Britney Spears into the equation is ludicrous, and not just because your math seems to be as bad as your taste in music. After all, you forgot "Band of Gypsys" as well as "The Cry of Love" which was in production before he died.
Of course, I'm not sure why prolificness is a sign of talent or genius. Stanley Kubrick, one of the finest movie producer/directors in history, typically took three years or more to make his films, sometimes much more. Should that lessen the value of his product, or his genius in the eyes of every film critic alive? ns
Jimi v Whitney
February 18, 2008 - 04:39 ET by harqmanSorry I was alittle outside the box on you there. Jimi is great, was great in the end fried his brain on the drugs he could no longer control, wasting his talents and died.
Whitney-great voice, fantastic range. (Bubblegum indeed) She has fried most of her brain cells, wasted all her talents, but has somehow lived to become the brain fried train wreck we all know her as today.
He wasted his talents on drugs. Had he lived I think he would have fried his brain to the point where he too would have dropped a crack is whack kind of statement. And everyone would have said "awwww I remember when he had so much going for him". But we will never know.
The Britney stuff read the whole post again.
As for the stuff Jimi was working on....yea okay, he cooked his brain and it did not get out. The Patriots had a scoring drive in production...until they "died." So intentions don't count. That my friend is a liberal argument.
with your comment as the base of the argument...see quote pasted.
Of course, I'm not sure why prolificness is a sign of talent or genius. Stanley Kubrick, one of the finest movie producer/directors in history, typically took three years or more to make his films, sometimes much more. Should that lessen the value of his product, or his genius in the eyes of every film critic alive?
Tom spent 6 years on the debut album, two years on the second, six years on the third 8 on the fourth. Under your logic and argument Boston wins hands down. I am just saying.
Jimi was great. I understand that. But his myth and legend have contnued to grow since I was a kid. I was 12 when MTAF was released in 1976. Giving credit where credit is due, I also know when to step back from the koolaid just enough to look around and see what else might be going on. If a more talented guitarist came along, we will never know because of the true koolaid drinkers not willingto step back and look outside the box. For them it will always be (and always has been) Jimi number one and there will never be anyone better. That isthe nature of this kind of stuff. "I grew up with Jimi! I know he is the greatest! I am experienced! Get some experience! (whatever the hell that means) So I know that there is no better, never will be a better guitarist ever to play!!!!" Well then why do we let anyone play anymore? Should people try to be great anymore? They will just be called a Jimi wantabe! This is a self fullfilling greatness thing. Nothing can be done about it. No one will ever be greater. Which is on it's face is absurd and rediculous. I am sorry I am not as impressed with all his accomplishments as the rest of the world seems to be. I know it is more popular and chic to drink the koolaid. But someone has to stand outside and ask the tough questions. Like "are you sure there will never be anyone better? Is it possible, it is fashionable to vote him the best ever because we have always been told he was the best ever? Is it at all possible that there will be someone better?" We will never know. Because anyone who would dare vote someone better than Jimi would be labeled a fool, or dare I say unexperienced.
Just a little something to ponder over for your Monday.
No one here said nobody
February 18, 2008 - 12:43 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveNo one here said nobody would ever be better than Hendrix. After 38 years, nobody has made the type of contributions and innovations to guitar playing than he has. Jimi Hendrix has inspired 3 generations of guitarists across all genres of music. Randy Rhoads was an up-and-comer that had extraordinary guitar talent, but he died an early death too. Maybe he was the next Jimi Hendrix...we'll never know. There have been many notable guitarists over the years, but not one of them has surpassed the talent and genius of Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Maybe he will never be surpassed.
Even Mozart (or Bach or Beethoven) has a "myth and legend" (as you put it) about him and he's been dead for at lest 217 years.
Much of this "who is the best" stuff is very subjective. It is very possible that many people are following the crowd or going with the flow and saying that Jimi Hendrix is the best without having a good background in music and guitar playing. But like Noel said, ask any and all of today's guitar greats and they will tell you that Jimi Hendrix is one of their foremost inspirations. That has to count for something.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon", 1942
→ Mean Gene
February 18, 2008 - 12:47 ET by Cool ArrowYou're right of course.
Although Stevie Ray played much more cleanly than Hendrix, and IMHO, technically superior, all the vision was Hendrix.
♣ a seal
Yea he the best that will ever play...
February 18, 2008 - 18:21 ET by harqmanYou are clearly missing the point. While many, if not all of todays best guitarists will point to him as inspiration. However none of them has the balls to say they are better, even if they absolutly believe it. No one can say that. Likely no one will ever be deamed better because no one will have the balls to step on the toes of all those who know Jimi is the man, was the man and always will be the man.
That is just how it goes. They're all following the crowd.
Jimi will never be surpassed. So this dicussion is mute.
No, you are missing the
February 18, 2008 - 19:03 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveNo, you are missing the point. One does not proclaim they are the greatest (unless they are Mohammed Ali). The consumers, the music fans, and fellow musicians indicate who is great. Just about any artist that publicly claimed to be the best (even if they were the best) would be laughed off the stage. And any person who was the best at anything would be smart to not toot their own horn even if they were the absolute best. It just shows a little modesty and class...and from the sounds of it Scholz has neither.
Proclaiming yourself to be the best is setting yourself up to take a pretty big fall.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon", 1942
Mean Gene
February 18, 2008 - 19:22 ET byDon't Think Twice, It's Alright since is there a 'best' or favorites? Jimi will be known for his innovation and ability. there are others who are incredible but most people haven't heard them.
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
That is true. Paco de Lucia
February 18, 2008 - 19:36 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveThat is true. Paco de Lucia is awesome as is Esteban and many others. The problem with many artists of all stripes, their talent/genius isn't well realized or understood until they have passed. Paco and Esteban both would be more highly revered and recognized here in the States if more people liked flamenco/Spanish/classical guitar playing.
It really does come down to being very subjective when choosing the best.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon", 1942
Mean Gene
February 18, 2008 - 20:41 ET by Noel SheppardMG,
Well, aside from Paco, in that genre, I could make the case that John McLaughlin made a huge impact not just on guitar playing, but on music. In fact, without straining a lot of intellectual muscle, I could make the case that he changed jazz almost as much as Hendrix changed rock.
Almost. ns
Just to be clear, Jimi's
February 18, 2008 - 12:53 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveJust to be clear, Jimi's death was not because he "fried his brain on drugs."
He was drinking and took 9 sleeping pills, after passing out he
asphyxiated on his own vomit. He may have been headed down the road to
frying his brain on drugs, but the circumstances of his early death was
a bit different than what you alluded to.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon", 1942
No frying here.
February 18, 2008 - 18:15 ET by harqmanYea all the drugs he took had nothing to do with the shear stupidity of drinking and 9 sleeping pills. His judgement was never impaired from his abuse of drugs. No way. Not here. Protect him if you need to. He was headed down this path. Just like Heath Ledger. What did we hear at first? "Oh this is such a mystery." BS, he was destined to die like he did. So was Jimi.
If you really believe what
February 18, 2008 - 18:48 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"he was destined to die like he did. So was Jimi."
If you really believe what you just said, how do you explain Keith Richards?
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon", 1942
harqman
February 18, 2008 - 13:56 ET by Noel Sheppardharqman,
That clears some things up. However, as others have pointed out, Jimi's position as potentially the best guitarist of all time is not necessarily because he WAS the best. Instead, it's because he blazed a trail creating a style that has been imitated ever since, and will likely be for decades to come.
Are there conceivably better guitarists today, or having played since Jimi's death? Sure. I could probably make several cases, especially if we were to include jazz and classical. However, probably none of these people has made near the lasting impact on music as Jimi.
That's what makes him possibly the best ever in my mind, and in the minds of fans and critics worldwide.
As for him wasting himself on drugs, as others have accurately pointed out, he didn't die of a drug overdose. Instead, he suffocated on his own vomit while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. As such, had this not have happened, I don't believe his talent and contribution to music would have diminished.
By contrast, I think it's very safe to say that Whitney Houston's addictions have negatively impacted her voice, and, as a result, her contribution to music the past decade has been minimal. Make sense? ns
Top 100 Bands of All Time:
February 18, 2008 - 02:41 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveTop 100 Bands of All Time: http://www.avrev.com...
Hendix #4...Boston #37
Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists:
http://www.rollingst...
And here's my question to you: Since Jimi Hendrix died and he couldn't "become the 70's version of Whitney Houston" who filled that slot instead? I'm just curious.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon", 1942
thank you for posting that link...
February 18, 2008 - 21:51 ET by pmohbucki was happy to see zeppelin rightfully sitting on top of that list ... screw boston ... nothing they've ever done will even come close to competing with the diverse catalogue zeppelin put together. and true their musical purity (so far) they keep their mouths shut about american (as well as british) politics ... if only some of these greasy long-toothed american and canadian (neil young) rockers should follow led zeppelin's mantra and just play the music.
I was ripped off, dude!
February 17, 2008 - 19:56 ET by Paul635I didn't know when I bought my Boston album way back when that the group was composed of bleeding Libs. I want everyone to know that my purchase of said album doesn't constitute an endorsement of their politics. As a habit I don't buy albums based on a band's political philosophy, but if I did do so, I certainly wouldn't start with a liberal band.
In short, I feel I was ripped off, dude!
Mr. Scholtz, please stop spouting your political beliefs, or at least, give me my money back.
i hesitate to say...
February 17, 2008 - 20:11 ET by hordogbut, tom scholz is originally from....(ahem) toledo, ohio. (sigh, we just can't buy a break around here)
Tom could've been blackballed y'all
February 17, 2008 - 21:21 ET by kdizzydazeThe entertainment world will blackball anyone and anything within their world that leans even the slightest bit right.
Tom may be old and much of his music forgotten, but he still has connections he would sorely hate to lose by having even the smallest connection to a republican. Face it, the libtards that rule the entertainment world (along with the idiots within it) would've blindly cast Tommy boy into some bottomless pit of eternal nothingness (even if he is already there he probably doesn't even know it) if Huckabee played that song anymore than he already has.
I can hear it now from some hollywierd elite, "McCain was seen drinking a Pepsi so if any of you hollywood wanna be's or has beens even want to consider your future in this biz, you better drink Coke. We see any of you drinking Pepsi and you can consider yourselves done!!!"
Well, I doubt he would be
February 17, 2008 - 23:05 ET by fitzfongWell, I doubt he would be cast into some "bottomless pit of eternal nothingness". I don't think Tom Scholz ever was particularly well connected to the music or entertainment industries. If I remember correctly, he was some kind of engineer who had become independently wealthy, built a recording studio on his property and formed the band not out of necessity, but for his enjoyment. I don't think he had intentions of being a celebrity or of making the band his only (even his primary source) of income. And he seemed to be a relatively private man. In other words, I don't think he would have any fear of being blackballed because he doesn't really need to be in the entertainment business to make money. I will say that it's a bit strange that he'd bother coming out at this point to get the Huckabee to pull the song. It's not like that many people knew Huckabee was using the song...and it's not like he's going to be around much longer.
Does anyone remember how
February 17, 2008 - 23:48 ET by RESTLESS 1Does anyone remember how long it was between their last album coming out and the one previous. None of the members of Boston seemed very invested in the band.
And you're right about Tom Fitz, but I still think he is an idiot for this.
"We Americans have grown up
February 17, 2008 - 22:26 ET by lotr"We Americans have grown up with rock-n-roll as the background music, the soundtrack if you will, to our lives. We hear the songs and we merely enjoy them (or not as the case may be)."
So true. Of course, this is precisely why narcissists like Scholz the putz and "small town" Mellencamp are so narcissistic to begin with. I used to like John Cougar and Boston -- hearing stuff like this just turns me off to them.
For Sale: 3 Boston CDs.
February 17, 2008 - 22:40 ET by R D HelmBesides, Rush blows them right off the stage. And they are still touring, too.
Rush
February 17, 2008 - 23:01 ET by shawn228Rush is awesome, great Canadian band. Tom Sawyer is my favorite on from their albums. Why get rid of 3 albums? If you wrote a hit song, would you have problems letting Hillary use it?
Stupid writers strike now I have to wait till 2009
shawn,
February 17, 2008 - 23:19 ET by R D HelmThey have re-worked and extended their Snakes and Arrows tour (After you enter the sight, click on TOUR to see the dates). I saw this show over the summer. It was, as usual, first quality all the way, and it was the first date on the tour. If you missed them the first time around, you get another chance.
They are playing here again July 22, and this time it will be at or near the end of the extended tour. I will definitely be there. As they are approaching their mi-fifties, this may be the last really big tour for them.
Best concert bucks you will ever spend.
Saw them twice in the late
February 17, 2008 - 23:33 ET by fitzfongSaw them twice in the late '80s and early '90s at the LA Forum. Crappy venue, great show.
RD
February 17, 2008 - 23:36 ET by shawn228Never seen them live. They look like they would be great
shawn, that is one of my favorite vids of them. Great tune, too.
February 18, 2008 - 00:38 ET by R D HelmOf course, they have a completely different look these days.
This is a more recent version of Tom Sawyer.
And they are playing better than ever. I have missed one tour since '78.
BTW-I never saw Boston play live, but everyone I know who did said they weren't very good.
Ageing Rockers Can Still Rock
February 18, 2008 - 02:50 ET by HeikiI saw Iron Maiden at Yokohama last Friday, and they kicked medeival a$$. Bruce needed an echo/sustain reverb on the highest of the highest octaves for songs like Run to the Hills and Number of the Beast, but all in all gave a great performance. I try to separate the political views of bands that I like, when I can. Sometimes I can't. Rage Against the Machine has a groove/energy that I really like, but their message disgusts me, so I blow off buying their stuff. At the same time, bands like Machine Head pen tunes both blatantly politically left-leaning and yet also have material that encompass issues wider in range. It may surprise some here, but the relatively new ''Heavy Metal'' band Avenged Sevenfold has both a wide contemporary following, but is also vehement in its support of our efforts in Iraq and elsewhere. Check out the lyrics to their hit single ''Critical Acclaim'' for affirmation. There are plenty of contemporary rockers out there that love America; thoughtful analysis of respective writers' lyrics will bear this out.
Heiki,
February 18, 2008 - 16:22 ET by R D HelmNever got a chance to see Iron Maiden live, but they have done some killer songs over the years. I did catch The Who three times, but sadly it was after Keith Moon passed.
And like you, I tend to ignore the politics of a particular band if I like their music, unless they get really snotty about it.
Let's face it, the really big (and good) arena bands are dying off now. There aren't many left.
Soon, it will just be those God-awful teeny bopper bands. And Hanna Montana. AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!
Iron Maiden: Irvine Meadows,
February 18, 2008 - 21:47 ET by fitzfongIron Maiden: Irvine Meadows, June of 1988. I had just graduated Catholic High School...so I had short hair, didn't own any jeans and had to wear a collared shirt. Needless to say, I stood out in the crowd. Guns N Roses were supposed to open for Maiden, but Axl Rose picked up some mysterious "throat" ailment. L.A. Guns opened up...they were loud, their instruments were out of tune and they generally sucked. Guns N Roses sans Axl then played two songs before Bruce and the boys took the stage...frankly I thought GNR was better without Axl Rose. I think Slash sang lead. Maiden was great. I still have a tough time deciding who's a better bass player, Steve Harris or Geddy Lee (though I have no trouble giving the nod to Neil Peart on drums).
Iron Maiden Vancouver BC
February 18, 2008 - 22:06 ET by shawn228OMG, fitz. I went to that concert as well. This was way before Guns and Roses was popular and Axel could never get anyone as hot as Stephanie Seymour. "Still have no idea how the lead singer in the Carrs got Paulia Porzkova"
I was in the 10th grade. Cloud of smoke of marijuana fumes. I could not hear for two days afterwards.
Stupid writers strike now I have to wait till 2009
That was the first concert
February 18, 2008 - 23:35 ET by fitzfongShawn,
Wow! That was the first concert I ever attended. My buddy had graduated high school the year before I had and was suitably adorned. He had seen Guns N Roses open up for his favorite band, the Cult, in September or October of 1987. By the time I started college in the fall of 1988 and "Sweet Child O' Mine" had become a big hit, I was already sick to death of "Appetite for Destruction". I had played it almost non-stop throughout my senior year in high school. I never understood how Axl had pulled off the Stephanie Seymour coup, either. Ric Ocasek with Paulina was a huge mystery, too. I guess there's something to that "girls love the rock stars" legend. Irvine Meadows was an outdoor venue, so the ear-ringing wasn't so bad for me...but being my first concert, it was the loudest thing I had ever heard up to that point. Speaking of marijuana fumes, Irvine Meadows was well-known for it. There was an upper tier of standing room only grass seating (no pun intended). The fumes descended from the grass area to the bleacher seats, and Bruce Dickinson admonished attendees about stage diving...but I understand that the annual Halloween Oingo Boingo concert at Irvine Meadows was a notorious pot fest. And speaking of ugly musicians and beautiful women...Oingo Boingo's Danny Elfman (of Simpson's theme fame) is married to Bridget Fonda.
Lauren Harris
February 18, 2008 - 23:47 ET by HeikiI knew it!! A band named Lauren Harris opened for Iron Maiden at the show in Yokohama last week, and they sucked! I was thinking to myself at the time, couldn't they get a better opening act than these losers?! Now I find out that she's Steve Harris' daughter. Wikipedia says that she was "discovered" in a pub by Russ Ballard, but my credence-lending factor is stretched way thin by that idea. Delayed the start of the IM show by 45 minutes! I remember telling my buddy that whoever that chick was, she was either dating or related to someone in the band, to be touring with Iron Maiden. Well, waddya know.
Yeah, kind of like how Jason
February 19, 2008 - 00:37 ET by fitzfongYeah, kind of like how Jason Bonham, the Nelson Twins and Julian Lennon were "discovered". At least Julian Lennon had the decency not to use his given first name...John.
rdh
February 18, 2008 - 10:35 ET by shawn228That song sounds as good as when they first started singing it. There was no hint of old persons voice. Tom Petty was great during the SB, but you can totally tell his voice has gotten older.
They also decided to not mess with Tom Sawyer and they kept it the same. I felt kind of betrayed by Bon Jovi when they changed up all their classic hit songs.
Stupid writers strike now I have to wait till 2009
shawn,
February 18, 2008 - 16:30 ET by R D HelmThere was no hint of old persons voice.
LOL-That's because Geddy Lee hasn't abused himself like so many others have.
He has never really been my favorite singer (although I think he fits Rush's musical style perfectly), but I think he has gotten much better over the years.
Cobraman is right.
February 18, 2008 - 14:31 ET by NiallBoston the band represented the worst excesses of rock music from that era...overblown, soulless, overproduced. Give Tom Scholz credit for being a good guitar player and a whiz in the studio, but no more.