Lets Rock

If music be the food of love, does that mean I want a very heavy, very loud, axe wielding distorted woman in spandex!!!!

(I know it doesn't make sense, but what does anymore)

Rock music is more than just entertainment to me, more than something on the radio between a witty DJ's musings (A witty DJ? am I delusional). Rock music for me is the ultimate mood lifter and enhancer, don't sniff stuff up your nose, forget the hypodermic, stop pouring medicinal alcohol down your throat, (fun alcohol is ok but only with rock music). Just intoxicate your ears, power chords, grungy riffs, blues, metal, country, whatever hits that spot between your brain and your soul, you can find the whole of life in your music, things are never so bad when your favorite tune bursts from your speakers.          

The first song that made me sit up and think, "What the **** is this", was "Oh Well" by Fleetwood Mac, still a good song, although not as heavy as I thought it was then. "When I were a lad, all this was industrialized and we had prog rock, bad hair and bronchitis". Lets be honest Led Zeppelin the heaviest band of their day, now seem very melodic, (try listening to Slipknot first). From this point on I listened to anything I could get hold of, I needed a rock music education and I wanted it now! Initial favorites, Jo Jo Gunne, The Nice, ELP, King Crimson, Free, etc, but the list becomes endless. My first concert was Curved Air at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, 1973, I was so knocked out by the show I went to the next two concerts that week without knowing who they were, I saw Status Quo, (their first come back tour), then Hawkwind, then saw everyone and anyone who came to town.

Best ever gig? recently it is a toss up between Tom Petty in Fort Lauderdale 2008 or James McMurtry at the Maze in Nottingham 2009, Tom because I have wanted to see him since the 70's and always missed him, James is a genius and on a spiritual level it is the best gig ever for me. After that I think it would have to be Thin Lizzy at the Shed in Stafford, for no other reason that I loved Lizzy and that I had a great time at the gig, I know the acoustics were poor but it was a great show, AC/DC at the Wolverhampton Civic. Also Greenday at the NIA in Birmingham, Foo's at "V", Muse at "V", the list goes on and on.  

So I dedicate this page to all those rockers out there who will understand how I feel, what's great about the love of rock music is that the feelings run deep, its unexplainable why a certain song just gets to you, yet leaves others totally cold. Rock music transcends all status and walks of life there are no social boundaries when recounting stories of great gigs and bad hair.

My Bedroom 1979, it doesn't get any louder than this, sorry mom.

Some great guitars we loved and enjoyed, but sold, usually for the most mundane reason, (to pay bills).

A rare blue sparkle 1975 Les Paul Deluxe.

And a wonderful three pick-up Les Paul Custom.

Where are they now?