Remember When Arena Rock Rocked?

Sure you do...everyone coming of age in the 70s and 80s. The guitars, the pyro, the lights...all creating a mind-blowing concert experience. Oh, and $20 was an expensive ticket.

Some of the biggest names in arena rock from the 70s and early 80s were REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Heart.

And then - MTV happened.

When Arena Rock Sold Out

Shall we bow our heads for a moment and remember when Nancy Wilson kicked everyone's ass?

Genre-Bending Music...

Cover songs don't always work. Sometimes a song is just "right" - there's not much that can be done to improve it. Then, an artist of a different genre will come along and make that song his or her own and give it to the world in a completely different way.

Best Genre-Crossing Songs Ever

I can say with almost 100% certainty that my Dad would never have willingly listened to a song written by Trent Reznor and enjoyed it...or would he?

For Dad's Birthday...

This is one of my Dad's favorite songs. I figure anyone who makes it to 71-years old can have one of his faves on his birthday!!

Eve of Destruction...

One night while the man and I were in the office, he was playing his I-tunes and "Eve of Destruction" came on. For whatever reason, instead keeping it in the background I became distracted by the song.

I really listened to the words of "Eve of Destruction" for the first time that night. I had to google the lyrics because I wanted to be sure I was hearing what I really thought I was hearing.

"Eve of Destruction" is still relevant (now) 45 years later...

Eve of Destruction Still Relevant

I love the Blues...

I've always had an appreciation for blues music. Leadbelly, Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith gave way to John Lee Hooker, Koko Taylor, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

While Memphis is considered the home of the blues, W.C. Handy didn't start his blues career in Tennessee. Look a little to the South to Clarksdale, Mississippi. A short trip down highway 61 brings you to the original home of the blues and the alleged site where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his incredible guitar chops.

Clarksdale, Mississippi - The Original Home of the Blues

On the Cover of the Rolling Stone...

Growing up through the 70s and early 80s, I was witness to the passing of the baton from AM Pop Radio to FM AOR (album-oriented radio). Many of my "take me back" songs were standard AM fare in the 70s and some of them find their way onto annual "best-ever" countdowns at FM AOR stations around the country.

Dr. Hook made that transformation...

Dr. Hook's 10 Greatest Hits

And in case you've missed this one along the way...another of Shel Silverstein's masterpieces!

Kenny Chesney takes me back...

Take Me Back, Trisha...

This is probably my favorite song about "going back". Trisha Yearwood's voice and delivery bring a tear - mostly happy - to my eye every time I hear it.