Silver Wings by Merle Haggard

 

 

Tomorrow, it will have been one week since Merle Haggard’s death. I am sure his family are still heart broken and wishing they could have just one more moment with him. My prayers are with them and I hope they find some comfort that he is up rocking and waltzing with all of those who have gone before him.

For me, Haggard is part of a California childhood that is drenched in memories of Hee Haw, Lawerence Welk, Dr. Suess, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, along with so other many memories.

Haggard is one of those musicians that crossed boundaries between rock and country without an apology. He basically dared you to listen to his music without tapping your toes, singing along, or letting a few tear drops fall.

Yes, his family will miss him. However, they have the support, the love, the tears, and the prayers of a million or more fans around the world grieving with them.

The boss lady’s other son was named Jesse. The only song I know of with his name is Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield. Her son really hates this song and does not listen to it.

Johnny B. Good by Chuck Berry

The boss lady was talking about her kids and how they are all named after songs or artists.  Which got me thinking, are there enough songs with names in the them to do a full day’s worth of videos? I decided to find out.

We are going to start with the obvious ones of the boss lady’s kids, then I will see what I can find. First up is her oldest Jonathan, or Jon for short, I really know of only one song and that is Johnny B Good by Chuck Berry.

The story goes that when her son was little. Her husband would play this song in the car. Jon would yell out ‘I am being good.’

Guitar Players: Johnny Nap

Image from http://www.guitarsite.com

Today’s pick is Johnny Nap from Spider Rockets. Try to say that name without a lopsided grin on your face.

Now, Spider Rockets found me on Twitter when I first started some blogging with Grindle Music. We chatted through Twitter and have developed a quiet stalking relationship. Meaning, I stalk them and they ignore me; this tends to happen a lot, fair warning.

Anyway, Spider Rockets is another band that I just might get a speeding ticket while listening too but it will definitely be worth the drive.

Guitar Players: Lee Prisby

Image from http://www.klaymore.com

I was right, the boss gave me her cold. This really sucks, you try head banging with a runny nose. Anyway, today’s pick is Lee Prisby from Klaymore.

Klaymore is heavy hitting band with screaming vocals out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lee happens to the vocalist behind the screams as well as one of the guitar players. There is even a Facebook rumor that he may be a future model for L’oreal Paris.

Okay, so the rumor is just a picture on Klaymore’s Facebook page. However, maybe if a few hairstyling companies used rockers for models, people like me would consider buying their over priced sugar water.

Guitar Player: Stevie D.

Image from http://www.therockslide.com

Today’s pick is Stevie D., rhythm and lead guitar for Buckcherry.  He is an awesome guitar player that is in a band that just cracks me up. The whole band has a sense of humor that is awesome.

Buckcherry is known for their profanity laden hits such as Crazy Bitch, Too Drunk To Fuck, and currently Say Fuck It. However, they do have a softer side with songs such as Sorry and Open My Eyes.

They have tackled topics such as addiction, child molestation, sex, and suicide with pounding drums, hour licks, and cool lyrics.  And when challenged, they did make an album without any profanity that shocked fans around the world including this one.

However, they did go back to their trademark style and they are currently rocking fans with the Fuck album. What more is there to say.

Guitar Players: Jason Hook

Jason Hook from Five Finger Death Punch

Okay, I did it again, I skipped yesterday’s post. However, I was in the office. I was just helping co-workers with some editing. Okay, I admit it, I tried to help but might have made things worse. They actually kicked me off the project and told me to go back to my blogging.

Jason Hook, Five Finger Death Punch, is yesterday’s pick of the day. Mainly, because I’ve seen him on that Metal Show and he makes me laugh. Plus, he is a talented guitar player.

There is one other reason why he is on this list. Hook with the rest of the guys did a song titled Wrong Side of Heaven. This song and video gives a brief glimpse of what American soldiers went through doing war and what some of them are still going through with mental problems and physical disabilities.

Here in the office Five Finger Death Punch is playing loudly and starting our weekend off rocking.

Guitar Player: Malcom Young

Today’s pick is Malcom Young, the former rhythm guitarist for AC/DC. Yes, I said former.

Malcom Young was the backbone of AC/DC until he was diagnosed with Dementia recently. Now, all the families involved lead very private lives so not very much information is being released. Which is a very awesome way to handle this situation.

Dementia is not a laughing matter and should be handled with as much delicacy as possible. Especially, when there is no cure and only gets worse with time.

I know this had to be a tough decision for everyone involved and I look forward to seeing what AC/DC pulls out their hat for the future.

Guitar Player: Angus Young

Angus Young from AC/DC

Okay, okay, keeping with the down n’ dirty theme here is today’s pick Angus Young from the one the only AC/DC. He has a larger then life stage personality from the school uniform he wears on stage to the duckwalk dance he perfumes on stage.

He has killer licks, nips, and screams that get fans pumping their fists and, possibly, other parts of their body.  He is entertaining to watch wherever he might be and awesome to listen to.

Here’s a challenge for you, put on an AC/DC album and try really hard not to smile, dance, run, or perform other activities to their music. I bet you can’t do it.

Guitar Player: Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal

Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal

Okay, so here’s the breakdown. Bumblefoot is the other lead guitar player for Guns n’ Roses. He also follows me on Twitter and is a very nice guy.

While talented as all hell, he also has a great sense of humor. I watched an interview with him and DJ Ashba, the interviewer asked Bumblefoot how he prepares for a concert. Bumblefoot smiled and said something about eating blueberries and getting plenty of sleep.  He also mentioned that the hotel they were staying in was haunted.

in another interview, with the guys from That Metal Show he kept joking around when asked a question about a new Guns album. There was lots of laughter but no answers. I guess us Guns fans will have to have a little patience.