Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas

Greetings Readers

Just in case that I am not on or what - May the Holiday be what you want.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Friday, December 09, 2011

Rock in Roll Inductee - Beastie Boys

Greetings Readers


This was the second hopeful that I was hoping for to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.



I know they were nominated before and did not make it, but I do not remember who their competition was for that year(s).


In any way whatsoever I am not insinuating that Beastie Boys were a shoo in with the other list of nominees, but in my opinion I knew their chances this time around was excellent.


Second day in a row that I have to admit something that I do not want to, but tis the truth.


I was not a Beastie Boys fan from the start.


I think that the first time that I heard them was "that" song. "... Fight for your Right to Party." I also remember seeing that music video around the clock on Mtv.


With the song title, again my opinion, it just was not. I am unsure how to say what I want to say. And then the video - Ok I guess, but the "Boys" looking at the camera and singing "... Fight..." That did not resonate with me for some reason.


Time passed and then one day I was a fan of Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock. Oh yes Readers, by that time I knew their names and really did not refer to them as "Beastie Boys" Of course, it helps me, the listener, to hear them say their names in their songs from time to time. ha-hah.

Something about how they sing, their voices and their tunes finally caught my ears. Even though I still did not care for the Anthem of "...Fight for Your..." I was coming to like what they really have done.


Looking back from today they have matured as a band and also kept together after so long. Their music has evolved and they have ventured into new ground through the years.


I have not followed them closely as I should be, but I do follow up later to check out their album(s).

I know they have been political, or still could be, in the past - but that has not deterred me from not listening to them. Granted, I have not even paid attention so you see that was not even a concern in my head

Whether it be Intergalactic, Brass Monkey, So Whatcha Want, 5-Piece Chicken Dinner - I do like what they have published. Interesting.


The last two albums are still a mystery to me, but when I do get around to I am sure it will be well worth the wait.

Do they deserve the induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Of course. Their albums throughout the years have shown that musically. Yes, they have had their hits and misses, but no different from any other band. Again, in terms of music listeners they probably would make people shake their head, but as a whole the nomination and induction was warranted


Yes, it is rap. Yes, most people will say "Rap Crap." Other people will cite that's not rap since they are white, yet these same people say Eminim "Rocks. Beastie Boys have the rap going against them from the get go since that will isolate a lot of listeners to listening to them for that reason alone. Which brings me back to now - for being around this long and still about to pick up a Grammy in 2008 they are doing something right as well as keeping, and perhaps winning more fans.


A personal flashback - I remember back on the Ride the Rockies Bike Tour that I did years ago I was in Aspen lounging outside my tent near the high school. I had finished biking over Independence Pass and now was just chillin in Aspen. Sun was shining, but there was concern for bears since there were Bear sightings as well as some deaths due to bears around that time and area. As I was sitting in my chair with my Ipod playing I heard "The Move" come on and then the part of the song played that I liked "in Stereo" hah hah. So, whenever that song plays I am transported back to that memory in Aspen. Which also reminds me that was where I had a 27.00 dollar Margarita (perhaps for another time and only something that would be done in Aspen)...


With that concludes this post - Congrats to the Beastie Boys for their Induction.


Until the next time


Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Rock in Roll Inductee - Guns N Roses


Greetings Readers

The Final Rock in Rock Inductees were named. There was/is a list and you can go and find out yourself if you want to know all of the nominations - go Google.

However, there were only a few I cared about and only really I wanted to see two to make it into the Hall of Fame that I personally wanted to see. Granted, there were a couple more, but I had to think logically which ones that had a chance and ones that I almost knew were going to get in.

Guns 'n' Roses

I will have to admit that in the beginning I was not a Gun's n Roses fan. Not at all. I think it was that song Sweet Child o Mine. I was in Junior High, I think, when Guns in Roses came onto the scene. That Bandanna wrapped (Blue I remember) around Axl's head in such a way that only Axl can pull it off. Then, when MTV played music videos I remember seeing Sweet Child o Mine and seeing Axl do that move with his body. He sways his body from side to side in a big motion. Again, only Axl could pull that move off. Often imitated, but never could be done as Axl does.

I remember a couple of student, girls in school would dress up as Axel. Funny, but not funny. Funny were the Goths, but lets save that for another time. I remember the posters of the Guns and Roses being on the room walls of my friends. Needless to say I did not join onto the band wagon right then.

Then, it happened - I heard Paradise City. And then I saw the music video. Something about that song got my attention. the guitar riff, then the beat of the drums, then Axl starting to sing.

"Take me down to the Paradise City..."

What an intro as well as lyrics to being with I thought; as well still think as I write this today.

From that point on I have been a fan. Of course, I bought Chinese Democracy and it is not nothing like vintage Guns n Roses. Not at all. And Axl's voice is there, but not there.

In between Appetite for Destruction and Chinese Democracy I have gotten most of their albums - save for a collections and perhaps... what was it String Cheese Incident? Sorry Readers, I do not have time to check Google. Anyway, that album did not interest me or ???? I have forgotten.

Anyway, Guns n Roses. A band that was high and now loss. A rift between Axl and his former original members - minus one or two due to death. I even saw the VH1 special made on them. Wow. Yet, even though it was wow - it was not something unexpected nor would never expected. Guns was Guns. Yet, what was interesting is that either Axl showed up and gave concert goers a concert to remember for a lifetime or he showed up and did not perform at all. That was true. Even said that - Axl was known not for showing up on time and even started a riot in Canada (not literally started himself) for not showing up for a concert. People rioted.

Anyway, the last time I think I saw Guns n Roses play was when Axl showed up for an MTV show with new band members in Guns N Roses. It was weird and even seeing that guy "bucket head" supposedly to be Slash. I still can not figure that one out. Anyway, that was the last time and I was not impressed. I think Axl did that just to kind of stick it to his former band members. Though that is just a guess.

Mind you, I don't hate Guns N Roses now, but it will never be what it was in the beginning. Yes, I bought Chinese Democracy since it was the new album in such a long time. I have the album in my Ipod but the listening to the album is so rare.

I even found out two weeks ago that Guns N Roses is coming to Denver and they will be playing the 1st Bank center on 12/11/11. I kind of toyed with the idea of going, but not really. I do not know what to expect and I really do not know anything after Chinese Democracy nor have followed Axl's journey.

Anyway, so I saw on the list was Guns N Roses for the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame. Even without knowing who else was on the list I was 99% sure that Guns was going in. They paved the wave for... you know I am not sure, but I have this radio commercial saved on a cassette tape and this is what I remember and what I associate to the original Guns N Roses....

"They are the Most Notorious Rock band..."

Notorious, I think, sums up Guns N Roses.

Guns N Roses had hits as well as Bombs. Yet, something about the band makes them a place in history.

And I have been waiting and waiting for the final nominations to be made and they were on 12/07/11. Should I wonder if the remaining original band members will get together for the Hall of Fame concert? I don't know Readers. It may be best not to revisit this past Band.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete