This has been a long fought debate among rock fans. I think that keyboards are an integral part of rock music. Keyboards have been around from the birth of rock, to its current evolution. Like everything else keyboards can be (in my opinion) misused in rock music. Again everything in this post is just my opinion and is open for (and welcomed) discussion. Let’s get crackin’:
Some early rock songs had a prominent piano sound in them that was integral to the sound. Let’s look at a video from Jerry Lee Lewis for 1957:
Jerry Lee Lewis made this song come alive with the piano. The song was rockin’ for it’s time and it would not be the same without the piano.
The Doors brought forth some great keyboard laden music on the late 60’s. Ray Manzarek took keyboards and made them cooler. The distinct sound of Ray’s playing gave the Doors their signature sound.
Foreigner in its early incarnation brought some great songs. Who doesn’t recognize the intro by Al Greenwood to “Cold As Ice”? This song was rocking us back in ’77. Although I was personally unhappy with the direction Foreigner took later on, these early songs remain dear to me.
Up until the release of Van Halen’s “1984” keyboards were not a part of the band. “Jump” took me by surprise, it was even a cool keyboard riff. What was happening to my hard rocking band???? But, it was Van Halen so most of us forgave them….maybe.
In the 90’s Guns N’ Roses gave us “November Rain”. Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed provided the keyboard/piano work for this epic song. People liked the song but I felt it was the beginning of the end for that hard charging five pieve (originally) band. Good song though.
“Du Hast” is one of those songs where the keyboard has no place in my opinion. Christian “Flake” Lorenz is adept as playing but the “keyboard riff” just confuses me in this song.
Those are but a few of “keyboard” heavy songs that come to mind. Here are some keyboard players worth noting and you should definitely check out their work:
Billy Preston
Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins)
Jon Lord (Deep Purple)
Keith Emerson (ELP)
Stevie Wonder
Warren Zevon
Joe Jackson
Fats Domino
Paul Carrack
Rufus Wainwright
Donald Fagan (Steely Dan)
Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band)
Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
Gary Wright
Jackson Browne
Richard Manuel (The Band)
Bill Payne (Little Feat)
Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)
Chuck Leavell (Session player, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes)
I am going to leave you with one of my favorite keyboard heavy songs:
“Bohemian Rhapsody”, Freddie Mercury’s piano playing on this is a beautiful thing. The song is timeless and is an art form to be cherished forever.
Thanks Freddie you will always live in our hearts and our ears.
L to R: Charlie Owens (Bleach Bangs Radio/Rock U-Night), Micke ColdSpell (ColdSpell guitars/vocals), the Hellion (Bleach Bangs Radio/ Rock U-Night/ the Hellion Rocks!), and Perra Johansson (ColdSpell drums)
Was lucky enough to catch these guys last night in NM. If you get a chance make sure you see them. Here is their video for “Heroes”:
Sometimes you see a band that just sticks with you. I mean pretty soon they are eating your food, ordering pay-per-view, making long distance phone calls, on and on and on… Beelzebubba is one of those bands. Seriously though, on a recent trip to Hollywood I caught their performance at the Whisky A Go-Go. Prior to the show several people had asked me if I had ever seen Beelzebubba before. To be honest I hadn’t, nor had I ever heard of them before. I was quite taken aback when they took the stage dressed as people right out of my worst nightmares. Cowboy hats, western shirts, and pointy boots OH MY! I thought I was at a rock show?!?! As soon as they started playing though….everything was gonna be ok, or was it?
I caught up with Adrian Jackson Dunham (A),and Zachary Maxwell Dunham (Z) and tried to figure out the question, What in the HELL is Beelzebubba?
Z: I’m not really sure how to define it…
A: A really fun band, the inception of which is from our heads… We dress like Texans who are trying to look sharp for the ladies… We do songs you might not expect to come out of a ten-gallon hat… We are a country band.
How did this unholy union come to be?
A: Zach and I always liked to play music together. Beelzebubba is a vein we hit and ran with. We have always been fascinated with outsider art, primarily music and concept albums of this genre. Thor’s “An-Thor-Logy”, AKA “Ride of the Chariots”, The Shaggs “Philosophy of the World”, and anything by The Kids of Whidney High are my greatest influences. I feel that these all reflect the way the world really is.
Z: Me too. My brother and I have been playing music together since 1998. Our stuff has always been just for us, trying to make each other laugh. We grew up in a small town where we’d get snowed in a lot, so we needed to entertain ourselves. It started as really silly rock (we sang songs of praise about the wrestler Goldberg and Yassir Arafat). Then we got really into NES video game music – covering classics and making our own. In 2005 we formed our first band called Hokma Gandhi. We sucked, playing at one or two total shit hole bars, and believing all the time that we were geniuses; and we didn’t have to work hard because we were going to be discovered and magically whisked away to the realm of stardom. We did that for two years, until Hokma Gandhi blessedly dissolved. Then Adrian and I sort of went our separate ways – I moved to NYC and he stayed in LA. Do you want to add anything about Hokma Gandhi?
A: No. You said it, that’s fine.
Z: We reunited in 2009 when I moved back for work. One day in the summer of that year, we were driving around listening to a mix Adrian had made. The only song that wouldn’t skip was “Cop Killer” by Body Count. We love that song, always have ever since we were kids. Adrian said, “How awesome would this be as a country song?” I said, “Fucking awesome. In fact, this should’ve been a country song.” Adrian said, “Let’s record it – like a slow country shuffle,” and I replied, “No, let’s do it as a moderately peppy two-step.” We then immediately set up the laptop and recorded it in his kitchen in about a half hour. That was the first track we did. Adrian and I reinvented the song as a country song, almost an exact rendition except for the chord progression in the chorus – Adrian makes very careful, considerate musical liberties with every cover we do. We showed “Cop Killer” to some people and they all laughed their asses off. Then we sort of left it alone, and did other stuff to make each other laugh, like traditional Jewish Power Metal…
A: Hineih Ma Tov is still one of my favorite things we’ve ever done…
Z: A few weeks later, Adrian came to me and said we should start a band. But what kind of band? Our tastes are so varied and eclectic? He suggested that we just do like we’ve always done and just do whatever we want – kind of like Mr. Bungle or Ween or Frank Zappa. But I came back and said that Cop Killer is really something to be proud of and we can take our secret formula of comedic song writing and do an entire album of country-fried punk, heavy metal or gangster rap songs. Now we had a country band with a Satanic through line. Adrian came up with the name by combining an ancient pseudonym for Satan (Beelzebub – Lord of the Flies) and Bubba, a pretty standard redneck name…
A: Which coincidentally is also the name of a Dead Milkmen album.
Z: And that is the birth of Beelzebubba. I’m the manager of the band – getting gigs, scheduling rehearsal, etc – and I also have a lot of creative input. I came up with the flag and the costumes, for instance. But the feel, the overall artistic vision, is Adrian’s. He designed the website, he orchestrated every song.
Tell me about the magical alchemy of players that comprise Beelzebubba.
Z: I’m the lead singer. My background, all of my training and stuff, comes from musical theatre. Freddy Mercury, Mike Patton, Stevie Wonder, Rob Halford and Ozzy Osbourne are my favorite singers.
A: I’m the lead guitarist and I sing backing vocals. I went to music school, studied experimental music. My favorite musical style of all is Judas Priest. I met John in school – he’s our drummer. He’s good at just about everything from blast beats to Bach. And he’s really good at World music, like African ensemble drummer and Indian tablas.
Z: Aaron, the bassist, is one of my buddies. He’s got a sick sense of humor and he loves outlaw country music above all other things in life. Although this is his first band, he’s been playing guitar and bass for years with his brother, who is a drummer. And James, the pianist, is someone I met through doing choral work. He’s a veteran, highly proficient in both guitar and piano, and also music composition. He’s written several musicals and teaches regularly.
What does the future hold for the band?
Z: The future holds a lot of fun and a lot of work. We hope that this can be our full-time job. We want to play all over the US and the world. We’re very confident that we reach a wide audience, and what we represent and what we’re saying really hits a nerve in our current sociopolitical climate. We’re definitely interested in fame and fortune, but we abhor complacency. We want to rock. We want to disturb, challenge, infuriate and horrify. This could be the best job ever.
I know that you started out doing covers, but I have heard rumors of some original tunes coming our way, is this true?
A: Yes. We’ve got two new ones, “Get Away, You Fuckers”, which is about being stuck in Los Angeles traffic, and “Maybe Sandusky”, which is about Jerry Sandusky being President and other characters who in the public eye. We’ve also got a couple more in the works.
(“Out of State Fuckers” comes to mind – the Hellion)
Z: A little over a month ago, I told Adrian we have to start making our own songs. People keep saying “Amazing covers! Do you have any originals?” We’re really good. People are watching. But if we don’t say what’s in our hearts and solely stick to these covers, people will stopwatching.
A: Our approach to playing other peoples’ songs… I mean, listen to our version of “Bitches”, then listen to Insane Clown Posse’s and tell me it’s not original. That being said, I totally agree that if we only do our covers we’ll only get so far. If we want to break out we have to take a risk and put down what we’ve got.
Z: At first we were scared: How do we incorporate who we are and what’s going on with us into the formula, created originally for transforming pre-existing songs. We weren’t sure, and we didn’t want to force it. Then one day I was walking down the street, talking to Adrian on the phone, and this cute Green Peace girl standing in front of a local restaurant, trying to get people’s signatures for something, started mocking me. She put her hand up to her mouth and mimicked me walking and talking on the phone – I assume in an effort to get my attention so I’d sign whatever petition she had. I kept talking, but as I got close I had this irresistible urge to scream, “FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING CUNT” as loud as possible. I didn’t, of course. I went home and explored that urge and realized both my brother and I have a tremendous amount of rage. Rage, I believe, is what separates lasting comedy from comedy that is cute and transient. Comedy in music runs the risk of being cute, which is detestable to Adrian and me. It must be fueled with rage, or else you’ll get stuff like Andy Samberg, Jimmy Fallon and Dimitri Martin…
A: Or that guy… What’s his name… I don’t know, it doesn’t matter.
Z: After we figured out the rage ingredient, we sat down and wrote three songs in one day, all of which we’re really proud and excited for.
A: Yeah, “Maybe Sandusky” took only twenty minutes. We took a quick break, which is when I came up with “Get Away, You Fuckers” while I was taking a shit. I showed it to Zach and he said, “Perfect.” – meaning the song, not my dump.
Z: We proved to ourselves that our formula works, and we’ve sort of hit our stride. Our goal is to get at least 12 tracks by the end of the year. Then we cut an album.
A: And when we cut an album, that doesn’t mean we won’t do “Cop Killer” or “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, et cetera.
I was lucky enough to catch a live show, can you describe a performance to the readers?
Z: It’s a full show, sixty minutes, with no explanation or dialogue, but a definite emotional arch and direction. It’s very theatrical in this sense. It’s challenging for the audience. We set it up as a sort of demented sing along – these covers are popular songs many people know, but presented clean and yet entirely pissed off. So the audience finds themselves indulging in lyrics, screaming lyrics that could probably get you arrested in the real world. However, it leaves the audience with a feeling of completing a fun, crazy and unpredictable journey.
A: Yeah, a lot of it is about a band getting up there and rocking. No excuses, no fucking around, no whining!
Z: Stand flat-footed, facing the audience. No self-indulgent jamming with our backs to the audience, which for some reason is a tasteless trend in most live music.
A: It would be funny if we all turned around during every solo… The drummer, too.
Are there any of today’s artists that give you inspiration?
Z: Not that many popular artists. I’d say a lot of Mike Patton’s projects. All the bands we play with inspire me, however. Young people trying to find their voices against a shit load of obstacles. I’ve been there, and I’m always reinvigorated and inspired by people who have the courage to try to express themselves in a public forum. Pussy Riot inspires me. Aaron, Adrian and I saw Glenn Campbell’s final performance at the Hollywood Bowl. That was incredible.
A: I’ve named a few earlier in the interview. I’m inspired by, the now defunct, Afrirampo, Pussy Riot, Secret Chiefs 3, and I like that song by Selena Gomez, “I Love You Like a Love Song”, baby.
What advice would you give to a group a young people trying to start their musical careers?
Z: I have three things to say. First, always be true to yourself, no matter how crazy or unpopular or unmarketable you think your music might be. All of the greatest bands in history did what they wanted to do. Do whatever your instincts dictate, regardless of failure. And when you do inevitably fail, relish it, for it will lead you to what cannot fail. After a decade of not having a totally awesome product, we’re finally doing it, and it’s turning out to be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life. Second, set a noble goal. Mine is to make a really fun product from scratch with my brother. We’re not rich and famous, but we’re making our own totally original thing, and we’re laughing our asses off doing it. This means I’m living in my goal and I feel fucking successful and grateful; it keeps me working hard in rehearsal, finding gigs, playing shows, and all the other tough necessary things a band’s gotta do. And third, don’t buy into your own publicity or image. It’s a show, and at the end of the day you have to wash your dishes and do your laundry.
A: I’d say when you play a gig be sure to stay and watch the other acts. It’s courteous to stay and it’s a good opportunity to network and study live performance. I’ve seen it for years where bands just play and bounce. And the other piece of advice is, I’m paraphrasing Lemmy Kilmister, but he said something to the tune of, “Don’t try to write something great, that’s not how great music is done. Writing music is about putting down what you got.”
What do you guys think of the music scene today?
Z: It depends on what scene you’re talking about. If you mean American Idol or the Grammy’s, I’m sickeningly reminded of the Nazis – how they systematically exterminated the Jewish artists and intelligentsia; and then introduced their own artists, saying, “Ah, now this is how art is supposed to be.” I always like seeing live music. My brother and I saw Primus at the Wiltern last October. That was incredible. We saw Dio twice before he passed, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with Rob Halford… All of these shows were so wonderful and memorable. I also like seeing unsigned, no name bands because I never know what I’m going to get. Sometimes it sucks, sometimes it’s magnificent – either way, it’s always a learning experience. So I guess I think of today’s music scene as school, looking for what works and what doesn’t so I can make the best product possible.
A: Yeah, the coolestscene I ever saw was at Metal Masters in San Bernardino in 2008 – that’s when we saw Motörhead, Heaven and Hell and Judas Priest. You could talk to everyone. Everyone was super friendly and had nothing to prove. Everyone was exactly where they wanted to be.
Are we ever gonna see Beelzebubba spread their music throughout the world on tour?
This is my continued quest to bring to you bands that you might not have heard before. I think these bands are worth checking out and should have the support they deserve. The “corporate world” needs to pull their head out and start listening!
My friend Kurt Arft told me check out this band. HELL YES! Acid Bath, Eyehategod, Pantera, Down, Motley Crue, Blues, Black metal, Country, pagan Chants are the influences this band cites. I’m really liking the vibe these guys have. Check out their video for “The Art Of Mourning”:
What would happen if the children of “Outlaw Country” parents were sneaking away and listening to Metal and Hard Rock? You get Shotgun Rebellion that’s what. “Outlaw Metal” is the calling card of this band. Let’s keep our ears open for these guys! Get some “Devil’s Home Brew” right here:
My good friend Kathleen Holstead got us an interview with these guys for our Bleach Bangs Radio show (http://www.bleachbangs.com/) and they have been on my radar ever since. Hard working good solid band. check out the video for “Guilty Wreckage”:
Heretic was born during the mid 80’s in Southern California. They were one of the top acts in the LA area, love this band and think you will too. Given new life and a new release they are ready to show the world some power! Here’s “Remains”:
I have to thank my friends over at Eddie’s Mates (http://www.facebook.com/eddies.mates) for bringing these guys to my attention. This Power Metal band backs that up! They are headed out on tour so look for them! “1000 Quatrains” :
Dronika are a band I have been fortunate to have witnessed the birth of. Putting the final touches on their debut Album and making plans for GLOBAL DOMINATION. Here’s sneak peek of “Prophets Of Doom” (demo) :
Cyanide Saints is a hard driving band that will make you sit up and take notice. Coming on strong they are ready to take their place on the Rock world! Catch them while you can! “Raising Cain” :
Metallica, Pantera, Anvil, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Unearth, Slayer, The Agonist , Mastodon , Motorhead , Kill Switch Engage have all fired up Caym. Young and with a head full of metal this band is ready to kick your ass. “Jukai”:
I saw The Treatment open for Kiss/Motley Crue recently. Hailing from the UK and opening for icons of rock such as those! Wow! A fresh look at straight up Rock N’ Roll you better see them soon! “The Doctor”:
If you haven’t heard Sunset Riot you are missing out. JP is one of the band’s two guitarists and we appreciate him giving us a moment of his precious time.
What were some of your early experiences with music as a child in Australia?
JP: Well music was always around me from as early as I can remember old blues, rock, Gospel and old church hymns where what my family listened too. My Grandfather on my mum’s side played the ukulele and the organ and my grandmother and he would sing hymns together. I spent a lot of time around them while I was young and the two things that really rubbed off them was their unshakable Faith and love for music. I always loved music. It would just seem to evoke so many emotions in me and take me places! I would even at times just make up a story around the song and try to tell people that the song was about that! They always told me it wasn’t what I claimed it to be hahah I remember trying to tell a family friend that this one Petra song was about a ninja defeating the bad guys but he only just one etc etc. It must have been so funny for them because I just believed it to be true!!
Did you play a musical instrument as a child?
JP: My parents always encouraged me to play an instrument but I never stuck at anything. While I was in primary school I think I started to learn the piano, clarinet and the trumpet.
I learnt the trumpet for a few years only because I was forced to. Most of the time I had no idea what I was doing and would look at the person next to me to see what they were playing and follow them.
Then I gave it up once I hit high school and skateboarding became my main focus. I wanted to be a Pro.
What decade of music inspires you most?
JP: you know I don’t think there is anyone decade. I’m inspired but all genres and eras of music. I’m very eclectic.
I will say though lately I have been really enjoying stuff out of the 60’s and 70’s. There is just something about the music that comes from those eras!
Something so honest and I don’t hear it very often in today’s music. I often wonder if I will ever feel the feeling I got when I heard ACDC’s “TNT” for the first time, “Since I’ve been loving you” by Led Zeppelin, any number of Queen songs or “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix.
What were the reasons for learning to play guitar?
JP: I don’t think I have any real reason other than it was just something that I really felt I should do! I didn’t understand that feeling or really know where it would take me.
I just decided after Christmas with the family in 2004 I would get my mum’s old nylon string guitar from my Auntie’s house and I was going to be a guitar player.I can’t imagine my life without the guitar now it feels like such a huge part of who I am and what I’m doing with my life.
Were you self-taught or did you have formal lessons?
JP: For the most part I am self-taught.
I got one formal lesson from a music school when I was first starting out. He was a local guy that everyone raved about and he went to my church so I would see him play on Sunday mornings. I was pumped because he was good!
I got there and he kept trying to teach me “sweet home Alabama” and at that stage I wasn’t interested in learning that song. I wanted to learn acoustic style songs! So I flat-out told him “teach me something else”. That’s when I was introduced to the amazing song writer that is Paul Kelly and the song I learnt was “To Her Door”. That song is killer such a great story! Since then I would learn off other people or artists that would pop into my life. If I liked something they were playing then I’d get them to teach me it or I would watch from a distance and try to learn it in my head then take it home to work on!
How do you go about writing music?
JP: Well most of the time it starts with an emotion and I try to get out how I’m feeling through chords a riff or a lead line. I will gradually put pieces of lyrics, chords, riffs and lead lines together and start to build a song.
There is no real structure sometimes all I get is a chorus and I sit on it for a long time till something triggers the rest of the song.
I try to be really honest and only work on the really good songs that I come up with. I refine them and try to make them the best possible song I can on my own. If I’m writing for Sunset Riot then I do the same thing but once we get in a room together the song really comes to life! There is a great writing chemistry within our band. Del is great to write lyrics with as well we connect with each other’s lyrics and feel things deeply so we collaborate well.
If you could step in and do one performance with any band which would it be? And why that particular band?
JP: I would love to play alongside Elvis! He had such a huge influence on me when I was a kid! So I would have to say Elvis!
I can see it now!! HAHAH I wish that could happen so badly!
You have been fortunate to be in a touring band. What is the single most memorable moment you’ve had while touring?
JP: I don’t know if I can put it down to one particular thing! It’s all so amazing! Just waking up every day and doing what you love to do and meeting so many amazing people and hearing so many different stories! It’s not just about the big things it’s about all the little things. I never want to take any of this for granted and just enjoy every part of it the huge ups and the massive downers. Cause one day I may never be able to do this again (touch wood). This is all I want to do with my life is play music and guitar for people and bring them some joy, hope, peace or something they can relate too in any part of their life and hearts.
What music would people find surprising to find you listening to?
JP: People are often surprised that I listen to Blues, folk and Gospel. But that’s what I was brought up on and I can’t escape my roots. Blues will always be a part of my life one way or another! There is just so much in it!
If you could give a lecture to young musicians, what would you tell them?
JP: I would tell them the truth about the music industry and how hard and cut throat it can be! I would also tell them to stay away from drugs and the drink and not let those things become the focus. It’s about the music, the songs and the fans! Stay in school and learn as much as you can because these days you have to be a business man. The industry has changed and it’s not all Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll.
What do you think of the music scene both at home and here in the US?
JP:The Live music scene in Australia is in a really bad place! It used to be vibrant but now days seems to be considered “dead”. The Australian pub scene produced some of Australia’s biggest bands! Some of those venues that created the platform for those bands have now since shut down. To the people who come out and watch live music it’s still so alive but to the masses I think it’s a case of them “not knowing” what they are missing out on! There is a rock revival to happen around the world and it is time!! America is a fantastic scene! We have had the best tours over there!! You guys are really flying the flag high for live music!
America has really set the standard for me and the rest of the SR boys!
But to all the fans in every country we are so very thankful for all the support that you give us! We are completely independent and do it all on our own with no label support or management!
It’s the fans that keep the Sunset Riot machine going and we could not do it without you so thank you!!
—
Peace, Love and Rock n Roll
JP
Thanks for sharing JP! I know we will be hearing more from JP and Sunset Riot in the near future! I’m gonna leave with a couple of live videos of “Trash VS. Class” and “Stir Crazy”:
Who remembers the Rock anthems of the past? The songs that made your heart pound, sing at the top of your lungs, and pound your fist to the sky? The songs of legend, the songs that were sent down from the Gods? I’m gonna look at a few of those anthems. And ponder…where are the NEW anthems?
“We Will Rock You” – Queen
This song is so strong that I believe it will never fade into obscurity. Used at sporting events and the like it is a true rock anthem. I cherish this song and always have.
“Rock and Roll All Nite” – KISS
Some say this is the worldwide Rock N’ Roll anthem. I know it is said that Kiss wrote this exactly to be that. Another classic that will live forever.
“Denim And Leather” – Saxon
This perhaps is my favorite of all of the Rock anthems I present here. I lived it and it has a special place in my soul.
“Breaking The Law” – Judas Priest
This is another anthem that was part of my youth. I can identify with this on so many levels.
“Highway To Hell” – AC/DC
I will always love this song, even though it was the song I was listening to right before a horrible auto accident. Those first notes…..
“Born In The USA” – Bruce Springsteen
Originally written in the protest song format it was reworked into the anthem that EVERYONE knows. Not particularly fond of it but it was iconic enough to be included.
“We’re An American Band” – Grand Funk Railroad
What can I say does it get anymore anthemic than this? Just one of the songs that gets in and sticks with you.
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Twisted Sister
Everyone from the MTV (when they played music videos) remembers this video. A true fist pumping anthem.
“Youth Gone Wild” – Skid Row
One of the newer Rock anthems that is worthy of mention. Skid Row came on the scene like gangbusters and this is the song that did it.
“Nothing But A Good Time” – Poison
Ahhh the 80’s this was a good time. Poison was a true party and live like there;s no tomorrow band. Thanks for that.
So, there’s a few anthems for ya. Anyone have any others to talk about? Let’s make this post a truly interactive one, tell me your thoughts!
I often wonder if Ozzy himself reflects on his history of guitarists. I know I have on several occasions. I have also wondered about other guitarists and how they would have fit in Ozzy’s band. Let’s look at the history of Ozzy’s guitarists and then we’ll imagine some other players and see what we think.
RANDY RHOADS 1979 – 1982
Blizzard of Ozz (1980), Diary of a Madman (1981), Tribute (1987)
Any fan of Ozzy knows of Randy. When the world first got their ears filled with the sounds of Randy’s guitars they knew everything had changed. It is in my opinion that Randy changed the game forever.
“Crazy Train” -Randy version
BERNIE TORME 1982
No albums made with Ozzy
Bernie was the immediate successor to Randy following his death. Big shoes to fill as he was hired to play makeup dates, and he was playing through Randy’s gear, AND he had to learn all of the songs in a week. Bernie only stayed on tour for three weeks before leaving to form his own band.
“Crazy Train” – Bernie version
BRAD GILLIS 1982 – 1983
Speak of the Devil (1982)
Brad came in following the departure of Bernie. He filled in and recorded a live album with Ozzy before leaving for Night Ranger.
“Crazy Train” – Brad version
JAKE E LEE 1983- 1987
Bark At The Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986)
Jake E Lee was in the running with George Lynch for the coveted spot. He obviously won out which I think was good move for Ozzy as Jake seemed suited for his band. We got some good songs from the Jake E Lee lineup as well.
1988: No Rest For The Wicked, 1990: Just Say Ozzy (live album), 1991: No More Tears, 1993: Live & Loud (live album), 1995: Ozzmosis, 2001: Down to Earth, 2002: Live At Budokan (live album), 2007: Black Rain
Zakk Wylde (he seems to make a lot of my blog posts) was, in my opinion, Ozzy’s strongest guitarist. The successful period with Zakk cannot be ignored. The writing combination of Zakk/Ozzy made some of the most memorable in Ozzy’s career.
“Crazy Train” – Zakk Wylde version
STEVE VAI 1994
No recordings
After one of Zakk’s departures Steve filed in temporarily for Ozzy. Vai began writing and recording with Ozzy Osbourne. One track from these sessions, “My Little Man”, was released on the Ozzmosis album. Despite Vai penning the track, he does not appear on the album.
No video found.
ALEX SKOLNICK 1995
No recordings made
Alex had a brief stay in supporting Ozzy and not much else was done other than that.
“Crazy Train” – Alex version
JOE HOLMES 1995–1998, 1999–2001
Song “Walk on Water” From Beavis and Butt-Head Do America Soundtrack (1996)
In 1995, after Ozzy Osbourne had finished recording the Ozzmosis album, a replacement for Zakk Wylde was needed for the tour. Joe got a call from Dean Castronovo (Oz’s drummer) to let him know they were seeking a guitar player. Joe went down to Audible studios in Los Angeles and played three Ozzy classics. Holmes did not mention that he had taken lessons from Randy Rhoads as he thought it would hurt his chances at the job.
“Crazy Train” – Joe Holmes version
JERRY CANTRELL 2004–2006
Under Cover (2005)
Jerry did Ozzy’s cover album for him and it was a damn fine job. If you haven’t heard it you should definitely check it out.
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GUS G 2009-present
Scream (2010)
Gus was brought in when Ozzy and Zakk parted ways. Ozzy was trying to get away from what he perceived as a blurring of the lines between himself and the BLS sound. We shall see what becomes of writing future records with Gus. More power to him!
“Crazy Train” – Gus G version
Whew! What an impressive list of players! But what if Ozzy had tapped Dime, EVH, Herman Li, Buckethead, John5, or DJ Ashba? Something to think about…..thanks for playing!
I was recently asked my opinion on several new cover songs. So I thought I would talk about a few here. I’m not gonna bash any artists here, but there are some covers that I don’t like. I like the bands that did them but not their covers.
“Whiskey In The Jar”
A cover of a cover. Yes this is a traditional Irish folk song originally that was transformed into a modern rock version by Thin Lizzy. Metallica then covered Thin Lizzy’s cover. Now these are the most noted versions of this song. Many , many others have covered this song in many forms. I am still partial to the groove of the Thin Lizzy version. Let’s check out a traditional version, Thin Lizzy’s, and then Metallica’s :
THE DUBLINERS
THIN LIZZY
METALLICA
“Bad Company”
This is one of my favorite songs of all times. It is one of those magical songs that takes me to a different place and time. I can readily imagine living as an outlaw in the old west. Bad company really captured magic with this song. Five Finger Death Punch covered this song recently. I like Five Finger Death Punch but their cover, not so much. I just feel that they changed the entire vibe of the song. They made it heavier, and changed some of the lyrics in a way that doesn’t sit right with me. For example:
Bad Co.
Oh I was born 6-gun in my hand
Behind a gun I’ll make my final stand
FFDP
I was born A shotgun in my hands
Behind the gun I’ll make my final stand
Bad Co.
Now these town They all know our name 6-gun sound is our claim to fame
FFDP
Now these towns they all know our names The death punch sound is our claim to fame
BAD COMPANY
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
“SEASONS OF WITHER”
I always preferred the songs that weren’t hits over the ones that were by Aerosmith. I think of all this would be my favorite Aerosmith song of all. I love the haunting progression of this song, it is pure magic for me. Tesla did a cover of this and stayed true to the song and did it justice in doing so.
AEROSMITH
TESLA
“SMOKE ON THE WATER”
This iconic song and it’s signature riff has been covered over and over. Again we shall look at only three of them. Deep Purple’s original, Loud House’s cover, and Vains Of Jenna’s cover. Of course I love the original in all of its anthemic glory. Loud House covered it and changed it up so much that I feel the song got lost and never found its way home. Vains Of Jenna took a bold move and took out the signature riff of the song and made it work. Let’s listen:
DEEP PURPLE
LOUD HOUSE
VAINS OF JENNA
There’s my take on some covers. No disrespect intended to any of the bands who have covered songs. As everything is open to interpretation and music means different things to different people. These are just my opinions. If you want, please share your thoughts on here on these or any other covers.
Now and again you meet people who you connect with on multiple levels. Robert is one of these people for me, we are on the same wavelength on so many things, from musical tastes to life experiences. Robert and his band VOICE OF DECEMBER are currently perfecting their craft and working on new music. Robert has also been busy recording other artists, side projects, and various other duties in the music industry. I cornered him for a few and got him to talk a bit.
I have heard rumors that you have dark and mysterious origins which lead to your unique musical style. Are these rumors true?
The dark origins…..hmmmm I really don’t know how to answer that other than I was born in Roswell shortly after the UFO crash…..
Ha ha, right on, when did music become a part of your life?
At a very young age, my mother was a folk singer/guitarist so I have always been exposed to some form of music.
What was your inspiration to start playing music?
KISS Alive One nuff said….
What some of your first band experiences?
I started as a Bass Player because I share a birthday with Gene Simmons but soon moved to guitar because it was easier to express myself.
How did you get to Voice Of December?
VOD happened after a series of events in my prior band (they kicked me out lol) and around the same time my long time partner in crime Traci had moved back to Albuquerque. Voice of December was up and running 4 days later, I hate idle time.
what inspired the imagery for Voice Of December?
That would come from Traci and our Artist Kreig, who creates the look based on Traci’s lyrics, which are inspired by the band’s music, so in a small way, we all contribute to the imagery.
Are you currently working on any side projects?
I am involved with another band which also includes VOD drummer Mikey Kimura called Darken the Day. The band also includes Rusty Tramps Tommy Brown and Mike “Gutter” Garcia as well as Ace Armstrong from Green Street Elite. I also work with Polyram/Mysteria in various capacities.
What would your dream band lineup be?
Lol, it wouldn’t include me…. Geoff Tate on vocals, Chris Degarmo and Frank Aresti on guitars, Dug Pinnik on bass/vocals Neil Peart on Drum/Lyrics
What do you think of the goings on in the music world today?
It is very disappointing right now, the ability for anyone to record/distribute is a double-edged sword, yes anyone can be heard but that in itself makes it harder for quality to shine through. That and downloading killing the record companies has really made it harder to make a living in music. That being said, there is some amazing stuff out there.
What advice would you pass on to young musicians?
Be true to your self, be stubborn but open to suggestion, never be satisfied with where you are, always strive to be better and remember, those who support your music, allow you to do what you do, so do it for them as well.
There you have it, a little peek into the head of guitarist Robert Smith. Check out some Voice Of December here:
the Hellion Rocks 