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(Blur - put Britpop on the map - and we're glad they did)

Blur tonight. From the Popscene ep from 1992 - Mace. I always loved this band. I could never quite figure out the whole Blur vs. Oasis thing - I suspect it was more a publicity device than anything else. It was a bit like the Beatles vs. Rolling Stones supposed rivalry in the 60s. It was and is still possible to like both bands and their music and not play favorites. Especially on a Friday night.

Life is too short anyway.

We'd like to take the time to note Thursday's passing of Gordon Waller, who comprised half of Peter and Gordon (the other half being Peter Asher). That's Waller singing the lead vocal in this video.

This harmonious pair of British Invasion heartthrobs will always be closely linked with The Beatles, primarily because Paul McCartney pseudonymously authored a number of their songs- including their chart topping A World Without Love, as well as Woman- while Macca was dating Asher's sister, Jane. After Peter and Gordon went their separate ways in 1967, Waller earned considerable success as a record producer. For more, see Gordon Skene's post at our excellent sister site, Newstalgia.

Here's a word from Peter.

Godspeed, Mr. Waller.

Here's one I didn't know existed. Tiny Tim is a memory from when I was very very young, five or so. I would sing Tiptoe Through the Tulips. I also remember singing Hey Jude by The Beatles at that age.

What music was playing, what did you sing along to, when you were five

(h/t Rehctaw)

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(Bocky & The Visions - Sounding a bit like James Brown on Steroids)

In anticipation of Hump Day, I thought I would add this somewhat frantic entry by Cleveland's own Bocky & The Visions. Released in 1964, I Go Crazy was the James Brown track, only this version pre-dates crack by about 30 years. It is so turbo-charged and over-the-top that, as a 14 year old, it answered just about every one of my hormone imbalances.

Sadly, it didn't chart all that well (it was the year The Beatles and the entire British Invasion dominated the charts) and the few other singles they issued didn't fare much better. But if they released nothing else, this track alone would gain them a toehold on immortality.

This track might go well with the first cup of coffee . . . just sayin' . .

The Rock Band video game franchise is here to stay, and Harmonix unveiled their first artist-specific version, Beatles: Rock Band, at the E3 conference yesterday in LA. Some special guests were on hand to make the intro.

It was a Beatles reunion, with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney sharing the stage at this morning's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. The two living members of the legendary band dropped in on the Microsoft press conference to show off a new video game: the Beatles: Rock Band, developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Networks. [snip] Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon, and Olivia Harrison, widow of lead guitarist George Harrison, also took their bows at the press conference.

This non-gamer who gets repeatedly sucked into a Rock Band frenzy at parties is hoping some of his friends who might read this go out and buy this game when it comes out September 9th.

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(The Bonzo Dog Band - Cheerfully poking holes in credulity)

Vivian Stanshall was probably one of those most gifted, absurd, hysterical performers to come out of England in the 1960's. The band he helped form, The Bonzo-Dog (Doo-dah) Band gained an enormous cult following among musicians and lovers of theatrical insanity from 1966 to the eventual demise of their first incarnation in 1970. Many people attribute the rise of Monty Python to The Bonzo's influence and in fact, Neil Innes (another founding member of the band) figured prominently in the early stages of their success. The Bonzo's were also featured in The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, and their featured song "Death Cab For Cutie" became the namesake of a band currently on the scene (but with no other connection other than name).

But it was Vivian's contribution, his vision, that gave him such a cult following. One which continues to this day, some 14 years after his premature death.

There are a number of sites devoted to Stanshall and the work of The Bonzo's. This is one of the best sites. It's well worth checking out.

In 1971 Stanshall was recruited by John Peel to act as substitute DJ while Peel went on vacation. The result was a series of programs for the BBC entitled "Vivian Stanshall's Radio Flashes.

This show also features the talents of his pal and drinking buddy Keith Moon acting as straight man and foil.

The combination is perfect, the madness bounces out of the speakers and the genius behind it all is sorely missed.

Listen and enjoy - and tell your friends.

I once heard someone say that Janet Jackson was a guilty pleasure. If I ever have to feel guilty about liking this song, someone smack me in the face and tell me to get it together, because this song slays.

Rhythm Nation 1814 was a hugely successful album about social injustice that A&M Records didn't want Janet Jackson to make. She and her production/writing team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis knew better -- the album has sold over 12 million copies and consistently makes lists of the Top 100 albums of all time. The title track is without a doubt the heaviest hit of 1989, and it never once got a spin on Headbangers Ball.

Particularly unique about this song is the fact that it's just one chord (E). There's not a single chord change in this song, which makes its wealth of emotion and energy particularly stunning. The only other one-chorders I can think of are Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue," Placebo's "Pure Morning," Beck's "Loser," and "Love You To" by the Beatles. Speak up, musos! What am I missing?

I heard Joe Cocker's version of "With a Little Help From My Friends" in the car yesterday, which started a long discussion about what everyone's favorite Beatles cover is. This one is mine, but I haven't heard nearly enough to make a great judgment.

No band has been covered as often or in so many different styles -- so bring on your favorites!

Twenty-eight years since John Lennon was killed. Boy, it seems like yesterday ...

Shine on, John.