Tomorrow’s NBA All-Star Game marks the 30th anniversary of Marvin Gaye‘s spine-tingling take on our national anthem. Here’s a great little piece on that performance (and a 1968 version by Jose Feliciano) from Grantland. Enjoy.
In the spirit of the No-D NBA All-Star Game, feel free to use this space to get your jam on—and check out Gaye’s earlier takes on “The Star-Spangled Banner”…after the jump!
Were seemingly pointless sidekicks especially prevalent in the 1980s, at least in the England? Whether they were actually pointless or not, it’s time we determine—once and for all—the Least-Essential Sidekick of ’80s Rock. The nominees and the RTH People’s Poll follow…after the jump!
Peace Warriors, unite. Can we recapture the unfulfilled promise of this Eric Burdon & War performance and take it to the next level? I think we can. I think we can… Meet me in Copenhagen if you believe.
This is your Rock Town Hall!
If you’ve already got Back Office privileges and can initiate threads, by all means use your privileges! If you’d like to acquire such privileges, let us know. If you’ve got a comment that needs to be made, what are you waiting for? If you’re just dropping in and find yourself feeling the need to scat, don’t hesitate to register and post your thoughts. The world of intelligent rock discussion benefits from your participation. If nothing else, your own Mr. Moderator gets a day off from himself. It’s a good thing for you as well as me!
Groovy, baby! (Click photo for full-size view.)
As we learn during Once and For All February, some rock debates have taken years to settle. Here’s one that has been debated hotly but not been resolved: Who’s Britain’s Best-Dressed Pop Star?
The nominees are right here in this photo: Brian Jones, Ronnie Lane, and George Harrison! (Apologies to Paul Weller.)
Who's Britain's Best-Dressed Pop Star?
Total Voters: 30
Loading ...We received a note from Steve Gadd‘s people informing us that he was a little bummed to have received no consideration, to date, in our ongoing discussion to determine—once and for all—Rock’s Greatest White Afro. The final paragraph of the note is worth sharing with our readers:
Although Steve would have been honored by the Hall’s consideration, he understands he would have been no match for his fellow drummer (and his personal selection) Sib Hashian. On Valentine’s Day, may we suggest that you run another thread to settle—once and for all—another age-old question: Rock’s Most Essential Drum Intro; that is, the one drum intro that is most essential to the success of the song that follows. Steve’s intro to Paul Simon‘s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” has got to rank among the Top 5 most essential drum intros in all of rock, possibly only challenged for the top spot by the intro to The Rolling Stones‘ “Honky Tonk Women.” Another Stones song to consider might be “Get Off My Cloud.” Would that song ever get off the ground without that intro? We ask that you bring this topic to your readers for them to determine—once and for all!
So there you have it, without the aid of an RTH People’s Poll, let’s determine—once and for all—the Most Essential Drum Intro in Rock, beginning with “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “Honky Tonk Women.”
What is rock's most essential drum intro?
Total Voters: 42
Loading ...Previously, you may recall, we suggested “50 Ways…” is a recipient of a Most Valuable Drum Part (MVDP) award.
What have you got?
One’s go-to Valentine’s Day song on a particular Valentine’s Day is subject to change. I’ve been humming “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” the last few days. I’ve always loved that song. I love how everything seems suspended while the arrangement slowly crescendos. Love can feel that way. Very romantic, if you ask this typically not romantic guy.
Yesterday my wife and I had an excellent lunch at Del Posto in New York. As we sat down and the waitstaff fussed with our napkins and water glasses the piano player played “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Nice!
