OK, so I stole this title from Led Zeppelin, but it's really the best way to describe what's going on in today's music industry -- and especially in its marketing. I'm amazed by the continual insistence on the "next big thing" being hyped long before the current big thing has been proven...
Here a Beatle, There a Beatle …
Judging from this week’s media hype, 9/09/09 is the next coming of the Beatles. The folks at Harmonix are releasing RockBand: Beatles Edition, and all things Beatle are flooding the market. I just got back from Blockbuster, where you can pick up Bealtes Monopoly, Beatles Trivial Pursuit, and pre-order your copy of Beatles RockBand. They’re (naturally) also featuring Beatle titles...
Sailing takes me away …
It’s Labor Day Weekend, so I’m taking to the high seas and/or Boston Harbor for a day of sailing. And, naturally, that involves creating the playlist for the day’s activities. Here’s what I’ve got so far. Perhaps you’ll notice the theme? Suggestions and additions welcome … 1. Seven Seas of Rhye – Queen 2. Ocean Avenue – Yellowcard 3. New Pin...
I’m just looking for the bridge…
I’m not sure why I find this so amusing, but …. For those of you interested in playing “The Crunge” by Led Zeppelin, here’s how to count it out (courtesy of our friends at Wikipedia, so you know it’s true …heh…) Intro measure: 1 x 9/8 Part 1: 7 x 9/8 (or 4/8 + 5/8) 1 x 8/8 (or 4/8 + 4/8) Part 2: 3 x 4/4 1 x 5/8 1 x 2/4 3 x 4/4 1 x 5/8 1 x 2/4 3 x...
If the Jews wrote the hits …
Here’re a few thoughts on classic rock tunes if they had (truly) been written by my brethren – the Chosen People: 1. Dirty Deeds Done for a Very Reasonable Price – AC/DC 2. Stairway to Brisket – Led Zeppelin 3. Twist and Kvetch – The Beatles 4. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Cake) – The Four Tops 5. Stayin’ Alive (Thanks to My Son the Doctor)...
Free your iPod !!!
iPod might be the greatest thing to happen to music since ears. But my personal listening habits (and many others who I scientifically polled…), seem to evolve around listening to the same bunch of songs. Granted it’s the same 200 or so songs, but there’s an extreme amount of repetition. Wondering who was being imprisoned in the virtual Siberia of my personal music device, I...
RockGeek Fact of the Day #0713
In 1971, Led Zeppelin IV was the top selling album of the year: 23 million copies sold in the US.
In 2007, The Eagles’ “Long Road Out of Hell” was the top selling album of the year: 7 million copies sold in the US. Digital sales included.
In 2008, 31 million people watched the American Idol season finale.
Insert your own commentary…
Anthemic Rock – or a lack thereof…
Yesterday evening, I went to an NFL game at [Big Corporate Sponsor] Stadium. Alongside the $8 beers, and the $7 hot dogs, I noticed that the music predates many of the attendees. This got me to wondering: doesn’t anyone today write the bone-rattling, crowd maddening, stadium shaking tunes that incite our teams to win? Last night I heard lots of Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, and a bit o’ Led...