Search RHT!

Today In Rock History

April 25th . . . 1918 - Legendary jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald is born in Newport News, VA . . . 1923 - Blues guitarist Albert King is born . . . 1933 - Jerry Leiber is born in Baltimore. With Mike Stoller, he’s written witty rock hits like “Yakety Yak” and “Jailhouse Rock” . . . 1945 - Bjorn Ulvaeus of Abba is born in Gothenburg, Sweden . . . 1945 - Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is born this day . . . 1950 - Steve Ferrone, drummer with the Average White Band and Eric Clapton, is born in Brighton, England . . . 1956 - Elvis Presley reaches top of US chart with Heartbreak Hotel, his first No. 1 . . . 1961 - Elvis Presley makes his last stage appearance for nearly eight years at Bloch Arena in Hawaii . . . 1964 - The Beatles have an amazing 14 singles on the American chart . . . 1967 - The Beatles perform “All You Need Is Love” during a global satellite broadcast . . . 1974 - Jim Morrison’s widow, Pam, dies in Hollywood at the age of 27. Police suspect heroin use may have played a part in her death . . . 1977 - Elvis Presley makes his last-known recordings during a live concert at the Saginaw (Mich.) Civic Center . . . 1981 - Wings break up after Denny Laine leaves the band. Paul McCartney says he will carry on as a solo artist . . . 1987 - Crowded House had their biggest U.S. hit when “Don’t Dream It’s Over” peaked at #2; U2 replace Beastie Boys at top of US LP chart with The Joshua Tree . . . 1990 - The Fender Stratocaster on which Jimi Hendrix played “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock sells at a London auction for $295,000 . . . 1994 - The Eagles played the first of two shows where they recorded their ‘Hell Freezes Over’ album . . . 1994 - A judge sentences Beastie Boy Adam Horowitz to 200 hours’ community service after he beats up a TV cameraman during River Phoenix’s funeral . . . 1994 - A judge determines that Michael Bolton’s “Love Is a Wonderful Thing” sounds a little too similar to the Isley Brothers’ “Love Is a Wonderful Thing.” Ya think? . . . 1997 - Warren Haynes and Allen Woody quit the Allman Brothers Band to tend to their careers as Gov’t Mule . . . 1999 - Funk star Roger Troutman, 47, dies in a hospital in Dayton, Ohio, after being shot several times . . . 2000 - Eric Clapton is reunited on a TV stage in London with his former Derek & the Dominos keyboard player Bobby Whitlock, for their first performance together in 29 years . . . 2002 - Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, the effervescent, sometimes volatile rapping member of the Grammy-winning R&B trio TLC, is killed in a car crash in Honduras . . . 2003 - The late jazz great Nina Simone is laid to rest in Carry-Le-Rouet, France . . . 2004 - Piano man Billy Joel drives his car into a house in Long Island. Nobody is seriously injured. It’s his third car crash in two years . . . 2007 - American singer Bobby “Boris” Pickett died of leukemia at the age of 69. He scored the Halloween anthem ‘The Monster Mash’ in 1962 . . .

Just in time for the Beavis & Butthead revival!! Woo-hoo!

A sneak peek at My Morning Jacket's new album....

I think I got a contact buzz just watching this....

RHT Pic 'o' the Week

RHT Pic 'o' the Week
Prosecution evidence leaked from the Barry Bonds trial

Randon Non-Rock Notes. Rock Notes, get it? I'm awesome.

Car wrecks! Woohoo!

Here's a baby rabbit eating a flower.

Best commercial on TV right now. You dang woodchucks!!

Quite simply, the greatest redneck car ramp jump ever. Period.

Slippery slide accidents are always money, aren't they?

Let's revisit this famous soccer bitch.

Yo. My man. Seriously, this is not the best way to get free ice cream.

Good boy.

I want this lamb! Oh, and this lamb!

Hey lady, watch where you're goin'.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Only God Knows Why


In the wake of Kid Rock's latest chart topper "All Summer Long" from the "Rock and Roll Jesus" album, I find that, as a fan of the Kid, I find myself defending this true American original at every turn. I know what you are thinking, 'ol SuperV is just out to find a niche of coolness in this white trash rapper turned outlaw in a misguided attempt at making sense of this record selling phenom. Well, if I had any idea what that statement meant, I wouldn't dare trying to justify this "straight out the trailer" rock and roll superstar. But whatever your inclinations may tell you about Kid Rock, consider if you will my defense of what might be the greatest rock and roll star of our generation.

Let's start with this one all you scoffers of the American Bad ass - name me one artist (past or present) that has progressed from rap (hip-hop if you will) on to hard rock then dabbled in ballads and blues before finally kicking the door down with some outlaw country. Not to mention the fact that he has now reversed the trend and ventured back into rock. Anyone? ? Well don't hurt yourself cause there is only one - his name is Kid Rock. Or Robert James Ritchie for all the homeboys from Detroit. Now I'll admit, I'm not really a huge fan of the rap - so when "Devil Without A Cause" exploded on the scene, I wasn't exactly hooked. That was until I heard a slow song near the end of the album called "Only God Knows Why." Wow - this dude can sing (and play guitar and piano) and has a really unique voice. What appeared to be a cheap solo version of Beastie Boys/Aerosmith/Run DMC conglomerate may have some real talent after all.

"History of Rock" is the next compilation for the Kid and now he starts emphasizing that he is the American Bad ass - self proclaimed rock star. We all know that all rock stars let everyone else know they are rock stars. Some just not as in-your-face as the Kid, but hey - maybe this is what Rock needs somebody who isn't afraid to be larger than life. During the "History of Rock" era, by the way - the Kid just happened to guest star in one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all-time - "Joe Dirt." Now the Kid can act? Sounds like a 21st century Elvi . . . . ok, even I won't make that comparison.

"Cocky" was probably my least favorite album, with one exception - a killer duet with rock's princess Sheryl Crow. How many times have you heard this song during karaoke? Well, if this wasn't enough, at this point the Kid decides to get hitched to the hottest sex goddess this side of David Hasselhoff - Pamela Anderson. Did I mention Pamela Anderson? - Yeah, Kid Rock bagged it. Still not convinced - read on my feeble minded followers.

For whatever reason, perhaps still reeling from all the sex with Pamela Anderson, Kid decides to change direction. Teams up with Bocephus for a Crossroads that is still the most watched program in CMT history. And to boot covers a David Allen Coe song to boot! (Single Father was the first Kid Rock tune to hit the Country charts). Who else can make this kind of transition?

Well, if you're reconsidering the Kid - you gotta hear his self-titled album. On this one, Rock blazed the blues trail and even laid down some New Orleans flavored licks on what I consider my personal favorite of the Kid Kollection. Enter "Rock and Roll Jesus" and Kid Rock stands today with the #1 selling record of the year. This album features a stripper-oriented tune called "So Hott" a retrospective ballad "Amen" and a sampling masterpiece - see Shoe about Warren Zevon - "All Summer Long." Who else could get away with this???? nobody. Kid gives shout-outs to everyone from "No-Show" Jones to ZZ Top, Reverend Run to Liberace. Original, brah.

Been alotta cheap talk but I rock stillFrom the streets of Shanghai back to KnoxvilleSittin' high on a mountain top holdin' shop spreadin' the good newsBeen alotta false prophets and quick hitsAnd a lot of unAmerican bullshitBut the time has come to settle and the devil's gonna make u chooseAnd just like a cold wind blowin' can u feel me comin' for uJust like a freight train rollin' packed tight full of rhythm and blues

So, if ya still hate the Kid - I don't know what else I can do for you. You want diversity, hot chicks, respect for elders, workin' for the troops, movie stardom, money-making, rock star superpower? No one else can walk that walk. He's the Bullgod, Cowboy and Bad Ass all rolled up into one. You think he's a fake, poser, trash, imitator . . . . . like the Kid says, "I'm a lowlife, livin' the high life" Keep foolin' em, Kid.

11 comments:

  1. Didn't Tommy Lee kick his ass?

    ReplyDelete
  2. ...maybe with his schlong.

    Kid Rock is cool by me. Never afraid to give props to his roots as a youth.

    BTW...in Joe Dirt he did share a few scenes with the most amazing Brittany Daniel. OMG...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was expecting a little more ridicule. Perhaps my respect and credibility preclude me from second-guessing. If it all goes as planned I'll have an update from the Kid Rock / Lynrd Skynrd show in late August. Wonder what that crowd will look like?

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's Lynyrd Skynyrd man. If you're going to the show at least learn to spell the name. Jesus. Seriously, I like Kid Rock as well. No ridicule here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Saw the Kid opening for Monster Magnet in 1999 at the Holy Cow in SLC. Hated rap, but he blew us away with how great a musician he was. He took over each instrument in the band at one point or another in the show. Played them all better than the session players he had up there with him.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not a huge fan (although Rock/Roll Jesus is one hell of an album title...), but I respect what seems to be Kid Rock's respect for those who came before him. I read a few months ago that while on tour with Rev Run (of Run-DMC of course), he refused to treat Run as some small opening act, and even let Run act as headliner for some shows.

    He has a lot of talent, I just can't get into what he does with it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I knew that didn't look right but Lynyrd Skynyrd (and for the record I just copied and pasted it from your post) was not in my spell check. Maybe I'll pick up a $50 t-shirt at the show to help me out with the next post. I don't remember you being such a spelling freak back in grade 7. How do you spell "crochety?" heh, heh.

    Hang in there Haniff, with all the music Kid covers, he's bound to hit you eventually!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I enjoy Kid Rock's music. I find myself having to defend his style alot because alot of people out there don't take the time to dig into his music and find out that he is pretty much Southern Rock now.

    Chuck

    www.mydenrocks.blogspot.com
    www.ragmag.gather.com
    www.themusicsource.gather.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Clicked on the "Joe Dirt: link. Classic pic.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That couple lives on North Shore Drive...no?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey - 11 comments! That's gotta be like a RHT record or something. Word to fellow bloggers, make sure your posts have links to pics of hot chicks! Score!

    ReplyDelete

RHT Greatest American Rocker: Elvis Presley

RHT Greatest American Rocker: Elvis Presley

RHT Greatest Guitarist: Jimi Hendrix

RHT Greatest Guitarist: Jimi Hendrix

RHT Greatest Artist of the 80's: Michael Jackson

RHT Greatest Artist of the 80's: Michael Jackson

RHT Greatest Album of the 70's: Dark Side of the Moon

RHT Greatest Album of the 70's: Dark Side of the Moon

RHT Greatest Album of the 80's: Back in Black

RHT Greatest Album of the 80's: Back in Black

RHT Most Iconic Guitar Of All-Time

RHT Most Iconic Guitar Of All-Time
The Gibson Les Paul

RHT Greatest Album of the 60's: Abbey Road

RHT Greatest Album of the 60's: Abbey Road

RHT Greatest Artist of the 90's: Nirvana

RHT Greatest Artist of the 90's: Nirvana

RHT Greatest Rock Voice: Freddie Mercury

RHT Greatest Rock Voice: Freddie Mercury

RHT Most Beautiful Woman in Music: Carrie Underwood

RHT Most Beautiful Woman in Music: Carrie Underwood

RHT Greatest Album Cover: Abbey Road

RHT Greatest Album Cover: Abbey Road

RHT Greatest Metal Song: Iron Man

RHT Greatest Metal Song: Iron Man

RHT Greatest Song: Stairway to Heaven

RHT Greatest Song: Stairway to Heaven

Time flies when you're havin' fun . . .

R.I.P. Delaney

I lost my little Scottish Terrier on Monday, September 8th to cancer. Her name was Delaney and she was a warrior. She was a rescue, and in her lifetime she'd been to hell and back. At the risk of sounding like a total wimp, it hurts like a son-of-a-bitch. If you're a dog lover like myself and want to see what she was all about, you can check out this link:

http://delaneywarrior.blogspot.com/

Man, I miss that little dog.

By the way, this link stays up as long as RHT is in existence.