|
All news is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves.
Have Joan Jett news to report? Email us at jettfc@aol.com, and please include the source of the information so it can be validated.
10 Thoughts on VH1's 100 Greatest "Hard Rock" Songs
from: Terrible Swift Word
by brianjb
Ó
After surveying their viewers, VH1 has compiled another 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list. When it comes to list shows, I think VH1 does a pretty good job, and while I had some issues this was a pretty good one. So, my 10 thoughts on VH1's 100 including awards within the awards...
1. You Really Need to Define "Hard Rock" First: Same complaint as the last time VH1 did this. How do you compare Journey, Night Ranger and Pat Benetar to Kiss, Metallica and Korn?
2. My What a Big Catalog You Have: Most groups hit the countdown with just one song. For those that had a huge body of work, I found it interesting which one song was selected. Some were logical. Ted Nugent with Cat Scratch Fever. His first and biggest hit. Ditto Quiet Riot's Cum on Feel the Noize.
With Boston (More Than a Feeling) it would have been especially tough since every song sounds like all the others (assuming you throw out Amanda). But the one I really had a problem with was Tom Sawyer for Rush. Had they had two songs on the list that one would have been logical as it was the first big hit after the group's phase change in the early 80's. But with all the top grade stuff they pumped out in their early years...I would have gone with Working Man.Yeah, no kidding. We could pretty much tell that not a lot of effort went into it because of how freaking lame that song is.
3. The Effects of Culture: In a lot of cases I found it really hard to judge songs or groups on their merits because the passage of time has altered my perspective. For example, right after Heartbreaker became a hit I'd have been down with Pat Benetar on this list. But as her career went on she became decidedly more pop and less rock. Still good, but again out of place among the other artists on the list. And while Blue Oyster Cult definitely belongs here, it's so hard to take Don't Fear the Reaper at face value anymore because all I can think is that I've got a fever, and the only prescription is...more cowbell.
4. Biggest Omission: I don't ever expect to completely agree with the whole thing and it is interesting to consider where I differ. But where the crap is Pink Floyd!? Sure, they don't neatly dovetail with hard rock. I think album rock fits better. But given the other soft acts that could barely be considered hard, this is a tragic oversight. Also conspicuous by their absence: Styx, Cheap Trick and Supertramp.
5. Big Influences: There were a number of artists who appeared on the list multiple times with different groups. Dave Navarro is on with Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers. And Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath and solo), with his voice and his guitar chops is the embodiment of hard rock. Black Sabbath was able to part with Ozzy and not miss a beat by adding Dio's stature to the bill.
But my favorite multiple entries were JOAN JETT and Lita Ford (on with the RUNAWAYS and as solo acts). There is nothing hotter than women who get all leathered up and truly rock. I was happy that the crowd bypassed I Love Rock Ôn' Roll in favor of Bad Reputation for JOAN JETT. It represents her better.
6. Sebastian Bach Not Just Another Pretty Face: "Sebastian Bach doesn't sing like he looks." One of the better observations from the show and the reason Skid Row was able to be more than just another hair band. He's got the typical front man appearance with big hair and good looks so you expect a squeaky, girlie man (not that there's anything wrong with that, Geddy Lee), and instead you get a ripping, powerful voice.
7. Van Halen Vindication: I have to applaud the voters for their handling of Van Halen. Two Songs. Nice! Neither one of them was Jump. Well done, voters! And, both were from the David Lee Roth version of the band. Bravo! Runnin' With the Devil and Hot for Teacher are a good representation of the band's killer first album and proof that they could still rock before the whole thing imploded.
8. Like Two Different Groups: Speaking of dramatic changes, I was struck by how some of the groups with multiple entries are the same group in name only. AC / DC fittingly had a Bon Scott song on the list (Dirty Deeds) and a Brian Johnson (Back in Black) entry coming in at #2. Other than the lead singer it was the same group. Same spirit. But entirely different sound. And I've already alluded to how different Black Sabbath sounded when Dio replaced Ozzy for Heaven and Hell.
Then there's Foreigner. After three classic, edgy albums Mick Jones kicked Al Greenwood and Ian McDonald out of Foreigner and the band was never the same again. Thank you voters for honoring the correct version of the band by selecting Hot Blooded off of their second album.
9. What If? I learned that Quiet Riot never really wanted to do Cum on Feel the Noize. So much so, in fact, that they had secret plans to torpedo the song by performing it badly. I have to wonder what would have happened had they succeeded as that was a pivotal moment for metal. Not only was this the huge hit that put Quiet Riot on the map, it was one of the main forces that brought heavy metal into the mainstream. It paved the way for a flood of hair bands to follow. Without Noize, the group would have been relying on Metal Health to carry that album. OK song, but without Noize first greasing the wheels, I'm not sure it would have enjoyed the same widespread appeal, and might have kept heavy metal in the shadows.
10. My Awards: OK, since I didn't vote on VH1's survey, here is where I weigh in.
Poorest excuse for a hard rock song: The Final Countdown by Europe. What? Did we have a bunch of sports arena owners taking this survey? It's amazing that, as time goes on, this thing continues to become an even bigger embarrassment to the genre. Countdown is followed closely by Survivor's Eye of the Tiger in this category.
Hottest Rocker Babe: JOAN JETT, followed closely by Lita Ford.
Under-rated: Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas (#96), Aqualung - Jethro Tull (#90), Tush - ZZ Top (#67)
Over-rated: Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple (#11), I Wanna Rock - Twisted Sister (#17), In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly (#24)
Biggest Losses: Freddie Mercury - Queen, Randy Rhodes - Ozzy Osbourne, John Bonham - Led Zeppelin, Kurt Cobain - Nirvana, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Noteable Quotes:
People like to come to my concerts just to roast marshmallows on the flames coming out of my ass. - Ted Nugent
That is Nugent in a nutshell. Gotta love how that guy rolls.
I can remember how simple and how easy that was to create.- Stephen Pearcy (Ratt lead singer on writing Round and Round)
|
| |
This Week:
No shows scheduled this week.
Click on the LIVE DATES link for upcoming shows |
Item Of The Month:
|
