Some irrefutable truths about rock and roll

Please do not confuse me with Schubert!

Rock was never metaphysical but visceral. Rock, rock n roll or whatever words you want to describe it, was always rebellious, at least the notorious side of it. It was always about lost love, cheating girlfriends, revenge, and redemption. Rock was seductive, particularly, to middle class suburbia angst. I wanted fast cars like the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean had. I wanted a GTO. I wanted girls and sex like the Rolling Stones promised. But perhaps by 1967 things changed, it became mainstream, the capitalists could make a ton of money off of it. We went from clubs, to arenas, to stadiums. To some extent the music became slower [beats per minute], even turgid, because the acoustics in stadiums back then were horrendously bad. [ not unlike why plainchant was so slow, not because they do not want to speed up things a bit, but the acoustics in cathedrals were ghastly with reverb! Machaut used this to his advantage!]. And what is truth, in a post modern world? Whatever gets the most applause.......;-)))

Again, from my other posts.....Rock and Roll is purely a mode of self identification, at least for me. Case in point loved the Beach Boys, saw them 1964 at U of Del campus. Could not wait to hear Shut Down 409 Little Deuce Coupe I Get A Around, loved it. It was all about me identifying with what I wanted in life at 14. Fast Cars and Surfing. After 1965, I could not identify with them anymore. I do not care for Sloop John B or Wendy, or Brian's latest, Smile, could not relate at all.....but Under My Thumb, Last Time.....well..... being 16.....

Actually Schubert, my moniker is Shubertmaniac [ unfortunately when I signed in I misspelled; should have had the "c" and you forgot the "c" at the end, which makes a world of difference] Actually, I wish I was 18 years old again. I did get my car....1968 Dodge Charger R/T [ rip roaring good time with it, and the back seat was put to good use as well!] But when I could no longer feel my youthful suburban middle class pain of alienation, I lost interest in rock music. Not totally, but the passion was gone. I trudged off to college and found classical music. Now I never look back to rock music as an aesthetic experience, but a trip down memory lane as fun and loads of good times. It is nothing more.....but then again nothing less.......and rock as good and/or evil???? As Mick put so succinctly....."it's only rock and roll". Ah yes...one more thought....how many of you danced to rock? And how many times did a cover band play "brown sugar" a night in 1971 at the Stone Balloon in Newark, DE or Tony Mart's in Somers Point, NJ; at least once a set....had to get the people moving.....what's the point.....by 1975-76, if your band was not playing funk or party music...you were not going to get a gig.

Hot Tuna.....now does anyone who they were?????

Ah,,,,,,,,,,agree with Wildoats......."THE" greatest rock and roll band, the greatest garage band, absolutely, the Rolling Stones....... Only Link Wray and the Yardbirds trail the Rolling Stones for 60s American Rock inspiration. I have over 10,000 45 rpms from the 1960s. Of course, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley influenced them, Which in turn where influenced by Muddy Waters, which in turn were influenced by Robert Johnson.....which was influenced by the work songs of the South....along with Steven Foster.... let us not forget Stephen......and let's not forget the greatest garage band song of all time, the Keggs.....;-))

Ah....let me digress a little......I saw the Rolling Stones in 1965 1966 1968 and 1971. Of the 4 1971 was the best. The 1968 concert was OK, but Mick Taylor was just getting into the groove.....I mean......is there a greater song then Gimme Shelter in 1971 with Mick Taylor on lead......???? An anthem like no other????

You do know about Ron Wood, no Mick Taylor. Basically they wanted someone who would more or less conform to the basic tenets of the Rolling Stones. No more guitar riffing like Mick. In fact from what I understand, Ron's contract states how much face time he has in a video or movie. How much time he gets to show off his guitar licks in a show, etc etc. They no longer wanted a free form guitarist like Mick Taylor. Though Keith as much said, " he was the best". I have a bootleg copy of Gimme Shelter from 1971-72, unbelieve-able, Mick free wheeling with Keith trying to match him......sort of did.....