Music Monday - Legends "Ronnie Lane"

Ronnie Lane - Bass player Ronnie nicknamed Plonk (don't ask me why) was born in London in 1946 and sadly passed away at the age of 51 in 1997.

He first came to the publics attention as part of the insperational 60's group "The Small Faces" were he teamed up with Singer Steve Marriott, Lead Guitarist Ian McLagen & drummer Kenney Jones. The group have been cited by many other performers as hugely influentual in the British Music industry.

In 1970 along with McLagen & Jones, Lane joined ranks with Rod Stewart & Ronnie Wood to form "The Faces".

In 1973 Ronnie also formed his own group Slim Chance and had a couple of chart hits.

Sadly in 1977 Ronnie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and his health slowly started to deteriate. In 1984 he moved to Austin Texas because the climate was good for his health where he became a king among mucisians for 10 years. His last live performance was at a Roy Wood concert in 1992. An album has been released "Live in Austin" of his studio work while living in the City.

Eventually Lane moved to Trinadad, Colorado in 1994 where he eventually passed away of his illness. Sadly he died a Poor man as he never recieved any Royalties for his work with the Small Faces. Eventually after his death these were secured by the two surviving members of the group McLagen & Jones (Marriott had died in a house fire).

Ok we'd better have some Small Faces as part of this tribute :-

Ronnie was thought of so highly that many mucisians paid for his medical treatment in his later years, the majority by such famous people as Rod Stewart & Jimmy Page.

In 2000 one of my favorite mucisians Paul Weller wrote a song "He's the Keeper" as a tribute to the life of the great Ronnie Lane :-

Enjoy this Final tribute to a true superstar of British Music :-

RIP Ronnie your memory lives on.

White Christmas

Well Boxing Day is all about Sport so I thought I'd post this for today's musical christmas offering from them two big Leeds Fans Bing & Frank. This is to celebrate Leeds going top of the league. Ok it was only because we kicked off early but we did stick our noses in front for a couple of hours with today's hard fought draw at Hartlepool. We're only half way through and considering we gave everyone 15 points start it really is a White Christmas.

Music Monday - Legends "Kirsty MacColl"

For Christmas Eve I thought I'd choose an artist that was part of what many people think the best of all the Christmas songs.

Kirsty Anna MacColl was born in Britain in 1959 and was sadly killed in a boating accident aged 41 years in December 2000 while on holiday in Mexico with her family.
She was brought up in Croydon South London daughter of Dancer Jean Newlove and Folk Singer Ewan MacColl so had plenty of showbiz encouragement.

At an early age she started to write and perform music in her own Folk/Pop/NewWave style and first released a single she had written herself "They don't know" in 1979. However despite plenty of radio airtime a record producers strike at the time stopped it ever charting. However the song was performed four years later by Tracy Ullman and became a success for that lady.
She first hit the British charts in 1981 with that song with the short title "There is a Man works down the Chip Shop thinks he's Elvis", great song though :-


MacColl eventually made the top 10 of the British charts with the classic "New England" in 1985.


In 1986 Stiff records who MacColl recorded with went bust and nobody came in to buy her contract from the reciever so she was unable to record. Her recording engineer husband Steve Lillywhite (whom she divorced in 1994) arranged for her to do some vocals for a few other artists including, The Smiths, Talking Heads & Big Country.

In 1987 she scored her biggest hit when she teamed up with Punk Group "The Pogues" to make the Christmas Classic "Fairytale of New York". Many people regard this as the best Christmas song ever and it is a great performance (isn't Shane MacGowan lovely girls). The song peaked at No2 in the UK chart kept from top spot by The Pet Shop Boys "Always on my mind".

Her life came to a tragic end in December 2000 while taking a well earned holiday in Cuzumel Mexico. MacColl was skuba diving with her two young sons in a designated "No Boats Area" when she saw a speedboat enter the area heading straight for her group. The boat was going to miss Louis but hit her youngest son Jamie so MacColl went to push him out of the boats path and was struck herself, she died at the scene.

The boat was owned by a Mexican supermarket millionaire Guillermo Gonzalez Nova who many witnesses claim was at the wheel at the time of the accident. However one of his workers took the wrap and was sentenced to 2years 10 months for manslaughter but was released by someone paying a fine.

And we can't finish without that song and this is today's Christmas offering :-

RIP Kirsty

Music Monday - Legends "Keith Moon"

Well now my alphabet challenge is complete I need to do something for my Monday Music Post and I'm sure some of you who are regular readers of my music post will appreciate this one.

Well I'm going to start a "Tribute to music legends" post, true legends, yes those that are no longer with us. I'm going to start tonight with a man who many rate as one of the greatest Drummers the World has seen "Keith Moon". "Keith Moon" - Born in in 1946 Keith John Moon sadly passed away at the age of 32 in 1972 after overdosing on drugs he had been prescibed for his Alcohol addiction. On the night of his death he spent the evening having a meal as a guest of Paul & Linda McCartney at the film preview "THe Buddy Holly Story".
Above "The Last Supper".

Moon was the Origional Wild Man of Rock and was effectionally nicknamed "Moon the Loon", he was as crazy as he was brilliant. As a child he failed his 11 plus and lacked the ability to pay attention, some of his school reports called him retarded. His music teacher was the only person to recognise his undoubted talent.At 17 years old Moon was invited to join Roger Daltry, Pete Townsend & John Entwistle in a Mod Band called "The High Numbers" later to become houshold names and one of Britains greates groups "The Who".



Moon was a destructive person and it certainly wasn't unusual to see him trash his Drum kit at the end of shows. Although he spent all his music Career with the who he actually did play the instrument for many famous musicians, including on the famous Jeff Beck instrumental classic "Becks Bolero" others on that recording include Led Zepplins Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones.


Moon also played in a few Film Roles, playing Uncle Ernie in The Who's classic Rock Operas "Tommy" & "Quadrophenia". Another film he played in was "That'll be the Day" with long time friend Ringo Starr and David Essex. Moon played the resident drummer in the holiday camp.

As a tribute to Keith Moon the middle room at the London Astoria is named in his honour.

Here is another tribute to Keith, enjoy my friends :-

RIP Keith

I hope you all enjoy this post and I'm sure you all have your own ideas of some legends I maybe could post about in future posts.

Music Monday - The "Z's"

At last I've completed this alphabetic marathon of Music, today my last challenge is with the letter "Z", not the easiest finish but as always I've managed to come up with some different styles. I hope you enjoy and I hope you've enjoyed my weekly post.

1. ZZ Top "Viva Las Vegas" - The bearded wonders reached No10 in the UK chart with this cover version of some little known male solo artists classic.


2. The Zombies "She's not there" - British sixties group made No12 in 1964 with this
classic.


3. The Zimmers "My Generation" - Thought I'd bring us into the 21st Century with this cover version of a "Who" classic from one of the top up and coming groups in the world. I reckon a great song to finish on what do you think ?






So what will I do with my music monday post next week, you'll have to wait and see.

Music Monday - The "Y's"

Well the penultimate letter is "Y" and I've actually come up with three UK No1 songs, I'm sure you will be all impressed.

1. Yazz "The only way is Up" - This classic topped the chart in 1988.


2. Paul Young "Wherever I laid my Hat" - It was back in 1983 that Paul topped the chart with his debut single.


3. Jimmy Young "Unchained Melody" - Yes this song did top the chart before Robson & Jerome" were born, this is from 1955.






On this last one there is a bonus song from the fifties at the end Adam Faiths "Poor Alfie".

So You think you know about Music ?

Do You know anything about Popular Music if yes take this Cryptic Quiz. There are 70 Groups from the last few decades to find so let me know how you get on.


Here is a couple of examples :-
Eg 1. (Clue) Her Majesty = (Answer) Queen
Eg 2. (Clue) Picture House Tune = (Answer) Roxy Music.


So here is the Clues :-
1. Year Quarters
2. Both of You
3. Silhouettes
4. Sad Fur Coats
5. Nookie Guns
6. Hamlet Humans
7. Dark Sunday
8. Insanity
9. Warm Galaxy
10. Nuclear Cockerel
11. Nun Toboggan
12. Throttlers
13. Unemployment Card
14. Merlin
15. B.A. B.Sc. B.Eng.
16. Revolvers & Flowers
17. Prosperous City Vermin.
18. Spinning Rocks
19. First Man Insects.
20. Refinement Association.
21. Plasters.
22. Hebrew Beginnings
23. Desperate Trouble
24. Pale Serpent
25. Hard of Hearing Wild Cat
26. Babies on the Slab.
27. The lads that sell Mice.
28. Igloo
29. Grafting Blokes
30 Easily Readable
31. Sobs in Panic
32. Skinny Betty.
33. Three of the Elements
34. Sibling of the Bard.
35. Bird of Prey with Colic.
36. 4Owatt Bulb Band.
37. Get Paste from a Tube.
38. Rub out Midge
39. Mr Sinatra is off to make a film
40. Part Time Coppers.
41. Aviation Strikers.
42. Youth Association looking at animals.
43. Treacherous Man of God.
44. Barbers Century
45. Unglossy Cinzano.
46. Nosy Dead Pussy.
47. Correct Commented Trueman.
48. Metal Airship.
49. Orange and Champagne.
50. Changed Pictures.
51. Overseas Person.
52. Tissue Shoe Tie
53. Ready to assemble Vegetable.
54. Big Band moving at night.
55. Late night athlete on Deck “C”.
56. Not a good Firm.
57. Identical Pair of Sub Machine Guns.
58. Senior Teachers Conversation.
59. East End Revolutionary.
60. Doggy Bark
61. Gorgeous Confederacy.
62. Green House Plants.
63. South American Camera.
64. Stop Jock & Stop Jock.
65. Fun Park Magnetic effect.
66. Scrounge a baby cooing.
67. Next Command.
68. Entrance Way and Horse Food.
69. The Germans without Mary & Midge.
70. Cheerful Start to the Week.

Music Monday - The "X's"

I must say its now getting difficult, I can't really think of too many major acts beginning with the letter "X". Don't criticise the quality of the following if you can't come up with better, X isn't easy.

I've come up with these three.

1. XTC "Making Plans for Nigel" - made No17 in the chart back in 1979.


2. X Ray-Spex " Oh Bondage up Yours" - A bit of Punk from 1977 from the group fronted by that lady called Poly Styrene (classic !).


3. Xscape "Who can I run to" - American Girl Group from Atlanta with a song that charted in the UK in 1996.

Music Monday - The "W's"

Today I've decided to use the letter "W" to have a ladies day, so here are four I've picked out :-

1. Tammy Wynette "Stand By Your Man" - Made No1 spot in 1975 for this American Country singer with her UK debut single.

2. Dionne Warwick "Walk on By" - This 1964 classic made No9 for this superb American singer.

3. Kim Wilde "Kids in America" - Marti's daughters debut single made No2 in 1981. I reckon Kim looks hot in this video.

4. Weather Girls "Its Raining Men" - Couldn't leave out these ladies, got to No2 with their only UK hit in the mid eighties.

Music Monday - The "V's"

A little harder to come up with great acts starting with the letter V, but here goes :-

1. The Verve "The Drugs Don't Work" - I like this one from Richard Ashcrofts group.

2. Ricky Valance "Tell Laura I love her" - No1 in 1960 for this one hit wonder.

3. The Vibrators "Automatic Lover" - Punk Classic made No35 in 1978.

Music Monday - The "U's"

Not quite as much choice with the letter "U" but I reckon I've found a four classics, what do you think ?

1. Ultravox "Vienna" - Classic song that never made No1 for Midge Ure, Joe Dolce's "Shaddup a Ya Face" stole that spot in 1981.


2. Undertones "Teenage Kicks" - The boys from Belfast fronted by Fergal Sharkey made No31 in 1978 with their first Chart song. This was famous Radio One DJ John Peels favorite song.


3. U2 "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" - Can't leave out another Irish group this time this supergroup from Dublin made No6 in the charts in 1987 with this effort.


4. UB40 "Red Red Wine" - These boys named after an employment claims form made top spot in 1983 with this effort.

Music Monday - The "S's"

We are now upto the letter "S" and I reckon this is the letter that most acts name begins with sort of individual talents like Bruce Springsteen, Helen Shapiro, Sandie Shaw, Neil Sedaka, Frank Sinatra & Rod Stewart, sixties super groups like the Small Faces & the Shadows, seventies Glam stars Slade & Sweet, even Punk Groups Sex Pistols, Stranglers, Siouxie & the Banshees, Sham 69, others like Smokey Robinson, Status Quo, Soft Cell, Simple Minds,Simply Red, Showaddywaddy, etc. I'm sure you can all come up with more but I've gone mad and not including any of the above and still giving you 5 classics.

1. Shangri La's "Leader of the Pack"- This song from the origional Girl Band was released on four occasions in the UK reaching No11 on its first visit the only time it didn't make the top ten.

2. The Stone Roses "I am the resurrection" - I love this record and can't understand why it only made No33 in the charts. One of the best groups to come out of Manchester and thats good coming from me.

3. Squeeze "Cool for Cats" - I like some of the stuff Squeeze did although some of their songs can send you to sleep, this was the first I heard of theirs and it made No2 in 1979.

4. Spencer Davis Group "Keep on Running" - Sixties Classic that made No1 in 1965 for a group including a young Steve Winwood.


5. Steppenwolf "Born to be Wild" - Only just made the charts in the UK but a all time rock classic I reckon.






Shit I missed the Spice Girls

Music Monday - The "R's"

I'm now upto the letter "R" and to be honest I'm a litte spoiled for choice so I thought I'd come up with four (yes a bonus track this week) totally different styles.

1. Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" - Remember this song made No1 in the UK in 1994.


2. Otis Redding "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" - This classic made No3 in the charts back in 1968.



3. Ramones "Baby I love You" - Thier highest UK hit when it made No8 in the chart in 1980 for these New York Punks.


4. REM "The One I love" - And how do you like this one from 1987, I reckon its a good song.

Music Monday - The "Q's"

Well upto the letter Q and not so many to choose from this week but I reckon I've come up with three good acts. What do you think ?

1. Queen "Killer Queen" - A group that can truly be called a "supergroup" with a string of top hits. This offering was their 2nd UK chart hit and reached No2 in 1974.


2. Suzy Quatro "Devil Gate Drive" - Another hit from 1974 and this reached the top spot in the UK. I always reckoned she was kind of cute for a girl that wore leather, remember her in some of the Happy Days episodes with the Fonz.


3. Queens of the Stone Age "Little Sister" - I'll bring you more upto date with my final offering from Qeens of the Stone Age. This group were actually playing at the Roxy in Buckhead, Atlanta on the saturday I was in that city and a bloke I got talking to in a bar had tickets to go.

Music Monday - The "P's"

Up to the letter "P" this week so here are three classics from three different decades (60's, 70's & 80's) :-

1 Procul Harem "Whiter Shade of Pale " classic No1 hit from 1967 from a very good group.


2. Police "Roxanne" - Best song ever about a prostitute back in 1979.


3. Poison "Every rose has its thorn" - 1989 classic from a underated group.

Music Monday - The "O's"

Well reached the "O's" today and again a little variation in my choices :-

1. Will You "Hazel O'Connor" - A nice ballad from a great female vocalist, very underated I think. For the record this reached No8 in the UK chart in 19881.


2. Pretty Woman "Roy Orbison" - The big O with his 1964 classic a UK No1. Obviously with a title like this I dedicat this song to all my lady blog friends.


3. Don't Look Back in Anger "Oasis" - Don't normally put people from Manchester on my blog but at least they support the Blues, this was No1 back in 1996 for the brothers Gallagher.

Music Monday - The "N's"

Time for the "N's" and not a massive amount of choice I admit but I reckon I've come up with 3 classics of their own styles.

1. Nirvana "Heart Shaped Box" - This Grunge song made No5 in the UK in 1993, RIP Kurt.


2. New Order "Blue Monday" - First charted in 1983 (twice), then 84, 88 & 95, good song.


3. Willie Nelson "Always on my mind" - Not a massive hit in the UK but I reckon a country classic.

Music Monday - The "M's"

Well following the journey back into the 1950's for the "L's" last week I thought I'd better find some classics for this week. There is a good choice for the "M's" and I've left out may good acts which I'm sure you can all name.

This is my pick I'm sure you'll like them !

1. Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin" - This as got to be up there with some of the all time great songs, I think so anyway it actually only made No19 in the UK charts on its release in 1967 it did better five years later reaching No9.


2. Manic Street Preachers "If you tolerate this" - I thought a few good songs appeared in the 1990's and I reckon this is one of them even though the group is Welsh.


3. Mott the Hoople "All the Young Dudes" - Ok I was brought up on Glam Rock and this is one of my favorites, it was origionally wrote by David Bowie It made No3 back in 1972 for Ian Hunter and the boys. Great photo's in the clip showing a few Glam greats.

Music Monday - The "L's"

Well as the letter "L" is the Roman numeral for "50" I've decided to go back to a era we haven't covered yet the 1950's and post three songs from before most of us were born.
The first is by a singer I know one of my blog friends Airliebird likes and the other two were Rock n Roll classics.

1. Mario Lanza "Because"



2. Little Richard "Good Golly Miss Molly"



3. Jerry Lee Lewis "Great Balls of Fire"

Music Monday - The "K's"

Well we are up to the letter "k" and there are a few interesting choices that I've left out such as Glady's Knight, Kraftwork, Billy J Kramer, Beverley Knight, Kiss, etc. I'm sure you can come up with more.

Anyway these are the three I've chosen I hope you like them :-

1. Toby Keith "High Maintenance Women" - Ok I don't know much about him as I'm not the biggest Country fan, however I do know that my good blog buddy Rachel loves him so thats good enough for me. Great video.


2. Kaiser Chiefs "I Predict a Riot" - The lads from Leeds need I say more.


3. The Kinks "Lola" - I'm a big fan of Ray Davis and this is one of my all time favorites, shit did I just say I like a song about a transvestite. It is a great song from one of the greatest English Bands ever.