Category: Music

It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me

I’ve been seeing quite a few concerts over the last handful of years. It’s become a running joke with my wife that I never listen to any new music. I guess I kind of worked my way into a groove in the mid 1980s, and haven’t really ventured too far from there since. There have been some more recent performers that I have come to appreciate, and certainly some that I’ve gone to see live (almost always attending with others who were fans of those acts.) But I usually get excited when a band that I’ve loved for 30 or 40 (or more) years has a concert near me.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I went to see the Doobie Brothers. I’ve seen them before – the last time was around 2011 or so. The lineup then and now was a little different. It got me to thinking. the only 2 founding members still with the band are Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons. Now, don’t get me wrong – the Doobie Brothers put on great shows at both concerts. And they played all of the great hits that I came to hear. But I started thinking about other bands that are still touring – both those that I’ve seen live, as well as those I haven’t seen, but that I liked “back in the day.” Bands like Chicago, Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, Red Hot Chili Peppers…. The list could stretch on for miles. But my point is that NONE of them still have all the original members. Members were fired, retired, died, or quit for other projects.

In fact, in some cases, there are NO original members in the lineup. I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd last summer. Two of their original members died in a plane crash in 1977. The rest of the band continued after they had recovered, with other talent taking the place of those absent. Johnny Van Zant (younger brother of the original – now deceased- lead singer Ronnie Van Zant) explained that the last surviving ORIGINAL band member, Gary Rossington, had died earlier that year, and they had dedicated the tour to him.

I began to ponder the idea. If the original members are gone, is it STILL the band, or does it morph into a tribute band? And is the “official” band any more sacred than a group that was inspired by the original, and who preforms that material? Tribute bands names are often a play on words to the originals’ name or songs. Bands such as Brit Floyd, ZUSA, American Eagle, and Rumours are all tribute bands that bring a well honed representation of their source act.

Here’s my takeaway. When you see a tribute, they are bringing their interpretation of a band, at its prime – the “classic line up” of that group, in their heyday. Their goal is typically to sound like the best iteration of that group.

Contrast that with the “name brand band.” They may not have the original players, but they typically carry with them the traditions and sounds that have evolved over time. They usually play a lot of hits, as well as newer material that has continued to move them forward. People don’t go to see a tribute band to hear them play the original group’s latest, current record. They want a “best of” experience. But seeing the “real” group (even after a long line of changes,) continues that evolution.

I’ve seen excellent examples of both. I see a tribute band as a reenactment. They provide an experience – “as if you were there.” Compare  that with a current lineup of an original band- it’s like a favorite sports team. A Yankees fan may look back lovingly on the days of Mickey Mantle. Some of those fans weren’t even born while he was playing. But the Yankees remain THEIR team. If they visit NY, they want to see a real game, as “preformed” by THE CURRENT TEAM. Mickey Mantle (or Joe DiMaggio, or Babe Ruth) have been dead for years. There are no “original” members. But they’re still the Yankees.

The bottom line (at least for me) is this. The “name brand” (I really need a better way to describe them than that!) carries the fans along with them – old and new – into who they ARE today. A tribute group is a picture (albeit a photo shopped one) of the greatest moments of that group; like a docudrama is to an historical event.

Both can provide a great experience to the music fan. If the new sound of your old favorite is something you have enjoyed as they evolved, continue to see that group. If you prefer the “glory days” of something that no longer exists, see the tribute. No matter what – as the Doobie Brothers suggest – listen to the music.

-Toph

Coda

56 years ago, The Yardbirds played their final show. They were an English band with quite a resume. They introduced the world to several of the greatest rock musicians of all time. Most notably, guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. When they played their last concert in the late summer of 1968, it left Jimmy Page with the opportunity to continue with his own project. He initially called them “The New Yardbirds,” but eventually, they evolved into my favorite band…

(Drum-roll…)

Led Zeppelin. I’m guessing I’m not unique with that revelation. They are a LOT of peoples’ favorite band. Here’s how I came to appreciate them. I was a few years too young to follow them in their glory days. In fact, by the time I was a fan, they had broken up. Bonzo (drummer John Bonham) had died in 1980, in “classic rock star” fashion. He drank too much, passed out, and vomited in his sleep. The rest of the band released their final album in November of 1982. Fittingly named CODA (as in, the closing or finale of a musical piece.) That album was a compilation of outtakes from their previous 8 studio albums. CODA was the first album of theirs I owned, and it happened to be the only Zeppelin album I bought as a current release.

If you ask music critics or other “experts,” CODA doesn’t get a whole lotta love. (I know. I tried to stop myself.) It is generally viewed as a lackluster, obligatory contract fulfillment. While that is partially true (they did owe the studio another record,) I feel it was truly a fitting last chapter. During their heyday, the Zeppelin was plagued by bootleg releases. Several other bands had similar frustrations – Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Who, and Pink Floyd were some of the biggest targets. The Grateful Dead figured out a way to beat them in the live performances – they ENCOURAGED concert attendees to record their shows, pulling the rug out from under the pirates. But I digress- Led Zeppelin put together a collection of the best of their officially unreleased stuff that wasn’t already available to the casual listener.

It introduced me to them. Although I had obviously HEARD songs by Led Zeppelin, I didn’t own any. When I bought CODA, it opened my ears to them in a way radio hadn’t. Through the rest of high school, college, and to this day, they remain number one in my heart. As time has passed, I’ve come to more fully appreciate the musicianship they brought to the table. The late Jon Bonham is arguably the best rock drummer of all time. Page likewise is one of a handful vying for the “best of” title among rock guitarists. John Paul Jones began his tenure with Led Zeppelin as a highly skilled multi-instrument session musician, and proved to be every bit the rock bass player they needed. And he skillfully remained the quintessential bass player. He’s frequently the overlooked one, in spite of his amazing talent. And more than just a singer, Robert Plant is a front-man for all time. (Freddie Mercury, David Lee Roth, and Ozzy Osborne may think otherwise. It’s ok- let them write their own blog!)

I’m giving CODA some much overdue praise. Although I’ve had multiple copies of all their different releases (vinyl, cassette, disk, and DVDs) I still have that original album. I think I might even do a little Wearing and Tearing later this evening!

-Toph

My first was actually their last.