I recently heard of a meeting between two guys that could change the world. Scattered Hamlet‘s own Adam Joad and Randy “The Arsonist”Cooper. One can only imagine the conversations that took place between them. Here’s a video link for an idea:
There’s been FAR TOO MUCH of those things lately. I know I’ve discussed it before, but WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? I mean the Rock N’ Roll community needs to get behind each other and lift each other up, not tear each other apart. I often times reflect to the day when Rock fans would gather in the parking lots of shows,outside of record stores, at parties, AND HAVE A GOOD TIME! Sure there were discussions about how one thought this band was better than another, and there was the occasional fisticuffs, but for the most part we were there to celebrate Rock N’ Roll music. I see far too many people these days dragging down someone for their successes and trash talking them instead of congratulating them, and giving them advice or support. I support each and every artist who makes the effort to step up and share their art. Won’t you? Will YOU help to tighten back up the GLOBAL Rock N’ Roll community? Bands: send me your info to janaya64@msn.com LET’S DO THIS!!!!
As I sit here pondering my 100th post it comes to me. Why I do what I do. There are some extremely wonderful bands out there that really have no outlet to be heard. Why is this? What can be done? How can they be heard? By us the bloggers and internet radio hosts, the internet video shows. We can can herald their cause. By us telling our peers, sharing their music on our sites, telling our friends, going to their live shows, posting their videos, and taking the time to interview them and hear what THEY have to say. I come to know a lot of these bands and they are hard working, genuine people. They usually are barely scraping by by selling their merch. I try to buy their stuff at every turn. Corporate radio and TV might not support them but WE will.
One other thing I am passionate about is not losing touch with music of the past. As with newer bands, there is really no outlet for a lot of bands from the past. So much great music has been made already. But when their marketability starts to lack they are cast away for the next big thing. By listening to these bands we keep them alive. As with the younger bands we need to support them in the same way and NOT LET THEM GET LOST!
I will leave you with this and go now to enjoy my birthday evening. ROCK N’ ROLL WILL SURVIVE!!!
Who remembers the band NITRO? The incredible screaming vocals of Jim Gillette? The unbelievable, insane, lighting fast guitar wizardry of Michael Angelo Batio? The FOUR necked guitar? The HAIR? Well, here’s a reminder:
Michael Angelo Batio started playing piano and writing music at the tender young age of five. At ten he started playing guitar, it is said he was playing faster than his teacher a couple of years later. He soon became a session musician and began recording music for various companies.
He started his recording career in 1984 with Chicago-based heavy metal band Holland, an project set up by ex-Steppenwolf singer Tommy Holland. They released one album Little Monsters released in 1985 on Atlantic Records.
Here’s “Love In On Time” :
In 1987 he joined forces with Jim Gillette to form NITRO. The band released two studio albums – O.F.R. (1989) and Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1991).
In April 1993, Michael Angelo Batio founded his own record label, M.A.C.E. Music. He began recording his first album, No Boundaries, which he released in 1995 on this label. He then released several more solo records, Planet Gemini (1997), Tradition (1999), Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity (2000), Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity part 2 (2004), Hands Without Shadows (2005), 2 X Again (2007), Hands Without Shadows: 2 Voices (2009), In 2011, Michael debuted his multi-media show “Hands Without Shadows – A Tribute to Rock Guitar” in Las Vegas. In 2012 Michael is touring the world with this show. It is a chronological tribute to rock guitar.
Batio is ambidextrous, a skill he taught himself. He is able to play two guitars at the same time either in synchronization or using separate harmonies. This includes playing completely different parts at once, as shown while playing his famous Double-Guitar. Though naturally left-handed, he plays as right-handed when playing one guitar. Batio invented and often demonstrates the “Over-Under” technique, which involves flipping his fretting hand over and under the neck rapidly, playing the guitar both regularly and like a piano.
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.
No video found
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!
During the process of doing interviews for Music U-Night I was given an interview with Charlie Owens from Bleach Bangs Radio. I always like to spend some time before the interview getting to know my subject on a personal level. For me it helps to make the interview process flow easier and seem more natural. In getting to know Charlie it was if we were long lost brothers. We have so many common interests and likes, it was fate.
Charlie Owens from Bleach Bangs Radio on Music U-Night:
A little bit later I was asked to be interviewed on Bleach Bangs Radio. The on air chemistry continued and I was able to “meet” Randy Norris, and john Hennis, Charlie’s co-hosts on the show. It was a great experience.
One of the questions I see the most is “What would your dream band lineup alive or dead be?” I have pondered this question many times and I come up with different answers each time. So I decided to write about it and come up with three bands. One with band members who are no longer with us, one with all living band members, and comprised with both. I will try to give reasons why and even try to give my fantasy bands an appropriate name.
From the other side,
SOPHISTICATED HOOLIGANS:
Bon Scott, AC/DC (deceased 19 February 1980) – vocals
Randy Castillo, Lita Ford/Ozzy/Motley Crue (deceased March 26, 2002) – drums
John Entwistle, The Who (deceased 27 June 2002) – bass
I can only imagine what a jam session with these guys would sound like. I hope that they are hanging out on the other side. I think the combination of these “gentlemen” would make for a unique sound. I chose the name “Sophisticated Hooligans” for them because the oxymoron just suits the attitude I imagine they would have.
Still with us,
COSMIC DESTRUCTION:
Sebastian Bach, Skid Row/Solo – vocals
Zakk Wylde, Ozzy/Pride & Glory/Black Label Society – guitars
Justin Manning, Crowned By Fire – guitars
Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath – bass
Mike Portnoy, Dream Theater/Adrenaline Mob/Flying colors – drums
I shudder to think of the destructive power this band would have, hence the name “Cosmic Destruction”. There would have to be a warning label on the CDs and at the live performances. All of these players have that explosive power that would give this band the ability to crush your chest and have you thank them for it.
Some still with us and some not
RETROGRADE:
Paul Rodgers, Free/Bad Company – vocals
Randy Rhoads, Quiet Riot/Ozzy (deceased March 19, 1982) – guitars
Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers – bass
John Bonham. Led Zeppelin (deceased 25 September 1980) – drums
The mixture of Paul Rodgers beautiful voice combined with Randy Rhoads melodic playing style would compliment each other so well. Combine that with Flea holding down the bottom end and John Bonham keeping the beat and WOW! I know this lineup seems kind of weird but I think it could work. As for calling the band “Retrograde”, I think it just sounds cool.
There you have it those are just my thoughts, please share yours!!!
So… September 23 2009 was the very first time we were on air with BleachBANGS. That date is right around the corner. Crazy. Sitting back listening to some of our very first shows and enjoying. We’ve come along way in 3 years and we’re not done yet. Very happy and proud to have had all these amazing bands on with us over the course of this ride. It’s about you and your music! We’ve had some ups and downs. Tech issues, money issues, idea issues. We’ve overcome all of em. Onward and upward from here. No matter what it is, promoting, housing, feeding, booking, or just talkin it up & playin the tunes on air BleachBANGS is here for you… The bands. Thank you!
We’ll even bang your ugly friends
Cheers,
Charlie Owens.
I have been fortunate to have been asked into the Bleach Bangs family as a co-host, Thanks guys!
the Hellion Rocks 