E.C. and DT

Eric. Derek and Doyle. No intro needed.

My Hero, Just for One (More) Day?

He was my hero, but just for one day.

The date was October 20, 2001 and I was entering my favorite place in the world, yet I didn’t know how to behave or what to do. None of the nineteen thousand, five hundred-plus people attending the Concert for New York knew what to expect as they settled into their seats at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a little more than a month and a lifetime after the dark day of September 11 that year. 

Were we supposed to enjoy ourselves again? Can we laugh and smile? Can we go back to the way it used to be?

As it turned out, the cue, that evening, came from a rock legend and his message was the same as it ever was. He performed and the underlying message was simply to be yourself and to be authentic with your emotions, your friends, your neighbors and those you were about to meet that night as we took a giant first step towards healing.

The show began with a single spotlight on a performer seated on the stage floor, legs criss-crossed in front of a small synthesizer which provided a rhythmic backbeat. That performer was David Bowie, dressed casually cool with his contemporary haircut framing his youthful good looks as he was only 53 years old at the time. The show’s organizers had decided to start the show with an old, familiar face. 

That face was on many of the albums I had purchased. In fact it was on some vinyl, some cassettes and some CDs. In a few cases, the same album was purchased for each of those now-ancient delivery systems for popular music. I guess I missed the 8-tracks he sold? The face sometimes had make-up, and it sometimes was adorned atop glamorous attire that pushed modern fashion further than the latest and most garish layout in the Sunday Times magazine section, whether the fashionistas hailed from Milan, London or New York. The face, while youthful, showed some mileage, too. That is what I loved about him. David Bowie was a rock’n roller who had withstood the test of time.

His music was not on my “Top 10” lists nor was his name the first that would come to mind when I would look at the list of touring bands for a summer treat. Yet, David Bowie was in a place in my musical tastes that felt safe and secure, despite the fact it was amazingly progressive. Bowie was alternative music before we even knew it existed.

A walk into a dive bar in New York, south of 14th Street, might prove to be stressful to the average man never mind one trying to find the courage it might take to drop a few bucks into an idle jukebox to the start the evening off with a few tunes. Your mind would be rushing with questions and trivial worries, "What artist and which song should I play?” "Everyone in this joint is going to know the song I’m choosing.”

You would twist the knobs, and flip the album covers, as the stress began to build. Then, an enlightenment. “Ahh, Bowie!”

It wasn’t too “Pop” (Top 40) and it wasn’t too safe (The Beatles). Bowie fit in with The Rolling Stones, or maybe Eric Clapton’s latest. It felt just right.

“Ashes-to-Ashes, Modern Love, China Girl, or Young Americans” would always work out nicely to start-up an evening of music and a few frosty cold ones.  If you wanted to go a little deeper, a little further, you might play something he passed along to another artist, and maybe play some more obscure stuff from the great Iggy Pop or Mott the Hoople. And, if the jukebox had “All the Young Dudes,” it was truly a sign of some music aficionados calling the shots on their music box and you'd found a place to return to at anytime.

Thinking back to that momentous night at The Garden, Bowie began his two-song set with the perfect entree, covering Simon and Garfunkel’s cinematic epic, “America,” which took on an entirely different meaning that night than its more uppity ‘60s origins. With film clips and images from New York City playing behind him, the great Bowie carved into the night while the fire-fighters and other first responders stood-up and applauded the selection, as crowd cut-aways on the big screens or a glance to your left or right proved it was okay to smile again. Three and a half minutes later, we began the process of recovery and we did it together with music, along with some smiles, some laughs (especially from Adam Sandler’s depiction of Opera Man), some tears and even some boo’s (Harrison Ford). It was okay to be ourselves.

Bowie’s second selection that night is probably more memorable to many. He played the very fitting “Heroes” from his 12th studio album, recorded in 1977, my senior year in high school. He performed with Paul Schaffer and his orchestra, which included Fab Faux fave, Will Lee, singing back-up vocals. While Ziggy Stardust, Space Oddity, Ch-Ch-Changes, or his Jagger-esque duet on “Dancin’ in the Street” will go down as all-time rock epics and fan favorites, I will always remember Bowie from that October evening, sitting in my favorite room, legs crossed, setting the mood, and blazing an important trail, yet again. 

Rest in Peace, David Bowie. You have earned the ultimate in terms of global respect. You have earned immortality, but I wish I could steal time. Just for one day.

Throwback Thurs, You Ask?

How about a little show clip from a concert I was fortunate enough to attend?  It started with the last public performance by Tears for Fears in the rain at about Noon. Midway through, Elton joined up with Clapton, and a few songs later ... Mark Knopfler. And, oh yeah, later on?  Genesis Reunion - w Rutherford-Banks and Collins, then Page and Plant. McCartney and then Pink Floyd in a glorious finale.  I'm forgetting a few. Twelve hours, plus of rock.

(Please note the way Clapton just backs Knopfler up...)



Knebworth 1990.

TL

Ladies & Gentlemen... Mr. Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits

You are hereby instructed to "Pass Go" and head straight to 1:06:20 ... On Every Street.

In the lifelong discussion of the "greatest" guitarists, Mark Knopfler is often left with the also-rans.  I must admit, I do it myself. I often cite Clapton and Trucks or Hendrix or Townshend but, when I think about it, very often, I'll play Mark Knopfler.

Of course, if time permits, stay for my fave Knopfler song, "Brothers in Arms," at 1:40:00. Stay thirsty, guitar fans. 

Here you go:

My Way Home ...

I just enjoyed a short business trip to Southern California. As I travelled from Boston to LA late this week, I remembered that the first day of my journey happened to be on the 22nd anniversary of the day Earvin "Magic" Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA because of the HIV+ diagnosis he was given after he took a physical for his life insurance policy.

Thank God, Earvin is doing very well today. While his playing career was cut short, he went on to two miraculous curtain calls with the '92 NBA All-Star Game (one of my fondest memories) and with the '1992 USA Basketball Dream Team at the Barcelona Summer Olympic Games.

The rest is history. (My prior post noted the news reports).

So, now I'm up early and happy to be heading "home."  I don't take "home" for granted.  None of us should ever, ever take home for granted because sometimes, some of us -- well -- just can't find their way home.

Note Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, of course, Derek Truck, on rhythm guitar no less, along with drummer Doyle Bramhall.  The video was shot at Clapton's Crossroads festival in 2007.  In 2011, Bramhall passed away in his sleep at the age of 62.



Gotta Go! Time to pack up and head home.

Look into ...

Happy Father's Day ... think about the words of this soul-searching classic. (see the words below)...

Lyrics by E.C.

Sailin' down behind the sun

Waitin' for the Prince to come

Praying for the healing rain,

To restore my soul again

Just a toe rag on the run

How did I get here?

What have I done?

When will all my hopes arise?

How will I know him

When I look in my father's eyes?

My father's eyes

When I looked in my father's eyes

(Look into my father's eyes)

My father's eyes

Then the light begins to shine

And I hear those ancient lullabies

And as I watch this seedling grow

Feel my heart start to overflow

Where do I find the words to say?

How do I teach him?

What do we play?

Bit by bit, I've realized

That's when I need them

That's when I need my father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

My father's eyes ...

That's when I need my father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

My father's eyes

... Yeah

Then the jagged edge appears

Through the distant clouds of tears

Now I'm like a bridge that was washed away

My foundations were made of clay

As my soul slides down to die

How could I lose him?

What did I try?

Bit by bit, I've realized

That he was here with me

And I looked into my father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

My father's eyes

I looked into my father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

My father's eyes

My father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

My father's eyes

I looked into my father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

My father's eyes

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

... Yeah, yeah..

<< Look into my father's eyes >>

Eric Clapton

Cool, Cool Reign ...

When in doubt? Music is the answer.

Winwood and Clapton

Every now and then, I'm not sure what to post on The Blog at Terry Lyons (dot) com ... and I know my loyal readers often check in and expect a few lines of mayhem, politics, sports or music.  Sometimes, you disagree with my viewpoint.  Sometimes, you are reminded of good times gone by. Sometimes, I amuse you while other times, I annoy you.

But, when have I ever steered you wrong with some music?

So, when I'm not sure what to post... what topic to delve into ... what sport to promote ... what daily occurrence in my life to share ... I turn to music.

I do it often.

As I write, Blind Faith is bellowing from the Bose with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood  and Ric Grech entertaining my lonesome ears as I dig deep into some serious "catch-up" writing projects. Humor me for a minute as I make note to some of the music aficionados tuning in here, most who know I just revel in the music of Eric Clapton, so I remind us all that Blind Faith consisted of Clapton (John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream and Traffic) Winwood (from the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic) and Ginger Baker (Blues Incorporated, Cream, Traffic) - among others, all - recruited Ric Grech (1946-1990), a session bass guitarist who had jammed with Clapton and Winwood when they played in some of the groups just listed. Grech was playing with Family, a progressive rock/blues group seldom heard of in these parts. He bounced around playing on a few tours but was deemed somewhat unreliable in terms of touring and in music, to the point where he died of kidney and liver failure, largely the result of his alcoholism. He was 43.

On that happy note, I return you to the regularly scheduled program to note the two key music pieces I am highlighting today.

The first, my all-time favorite instrumental - is JESSICA. Penned by Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, the song was released in 1973 and was one of the first the ABB performed without bass player Berry Oakley who died in a motorcycle accident on November 11, 1972. Jessica was written for Betts' daughter and its amazing claim to fame is that the song won the Grammy 23 years after it was released, as a live performance took home best rock instrumental in 1996. Although the song is often cut down for AOR (album oriented rock) stations, the original comes home in about 7:30. Be sure to note the 2:33 mark when Chuck Leavell switches over from his Fender to the keyboards and cranks the Grand Piano up then passes the torch to Betts at about 3:45-50 for one hell of a guitar solo ... Here is a recording:

Now, to the headliner...

Although Jessica is one of two or three of my all-time favorite Allman Brothers Band songs (In Memory of Elizabeth Reed still #1), I have to place it on the Silver Medal stand when it comes to the greatest all-time instrumental.

The best?

Quadrophenia. The Who.

Please see: Quadrophenia for all the background...  But, I'll spot you my FAVORITE instrumental of all-time... The Rock which leads in - perfectly - to Pete's theme - a.k.a. "Love Reign O'er Me."

And, now, to leave you something to think about... Like I love to do - I make you wait -- deep into my posts - for the best stuff.  Here is an interesting interview conducted with Derek Trucks - which gives you some incredible insight into his music, the way he learned the guitar, learned what to look for and how to perform and bring the audience "for a ride." -  And, oh, how I love the journey when I get to see Derek perform. (Listen to the first 5 minutes to absorb the important stuff, but please note, at the 5:50 mark of this interview, it gets "ridiculous").

Bonus from way above, in case you missed it... Click HERE:

Beware of Darkness

George Harrison wrote the tune with an attempt to warn his listeners, the multitude of fans of The Beatles, to warn against the many influences which might corrupt our lives and our thinking.  Harrison was a devout follower of the Indian culture and Hinduism.  He died of lung cancer in 2001.

This version of "Beware of Darkness" was performed by Eric Clapton who led "George's Band at the Concert for George.  That band included, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Jools Holland, Albert Lee, Sam Brown, Gary Booker, Joe Brown, Ray Cooper, Andy Fairweather-Low, Marc Mann, Klaus Voormann and George's son, Dhani.

Harrison's song and its message and lyrics seem appropriate this week:

TL

Crossroads: Layla Meets Guitar Gently Weeps.

MARCH MADNESS of a DIFFERENT KIND, says TL, noting, "When I finally get to execute my rocker radio/tv/online mega-promotion of all-time with the greatest 64 rock n' roll songs and artists/guitarists all squaring off in a LIVE song-by-song, bracket-by-bracket "March Madness-like" playoff system, the two finalists might just be:

Steve Winwood, with One Hell of a Back-Up Band

After contributing as a frontman with Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith and Traffic, Steve Winwood  launched a solo career in 'circa 1977 and, by doing so, he became a household name of fame in the world of rock 'n roll. 

More recently, he re-united with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker to play a few sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden - one of which I took-in with my buddies Jim and Craig. It was fantastic.

This morning, a (youthful, wonderful, as opposed to old) Trinity high school friend, Kit, passed along a post via facebook of Steve Winwood playing lead guitar while being backed-up by my two all-time favorite guitarists, Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks.  The clip is featured on The Blog (at) TerryLyons.com today.

Derek is very much on my mind, as I saw him perform with the Allman Bros. Band last week, and I'm looking forward to seeing the ABB play yet another legendary night at The Beacon this Wednesday.  Last week, I witnessed an epic night with a "One Way Out to Blue Sky" segue that ramped up the show in only its third and fourth songs of the night.  Later on, I chuckled as Trucks and bass Othiel Burbridge smiled brightly as Gregg Allman brought it home during Desdemona. It was a classic and a wonderful moment to share with DT as he was only six rows away.

Later on that night, The ABB brought along the era of "The Band" with Gregg Allman's eerily wonderful vocals on "Tears of Rage." It was a religious experience and certainly was along the three highlights of the night, the third being a brass-section-led version of one of my all-time favorite Van Morrison tunes, "Into the Mystic."

The headliner for that tune, aside from living guitar legend Warren Haynes' lyrical performance, was "The Dude," a musician that I just met in February of this year at a Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools show in NYC.  Neal "The Dude" Pawley plays Trombone in the Southside Jukes Horns but he plays just about everything when he's jammin.'

Check out "The Dude" with the Poor Fools. 

And, now, Steve Winwood, E.C. and Derek Trucks...

TL

Stormy Monday. And Tuesday's Just as Bad.

It's an easy decision to dedicate this nasty storm to Gregg Allman, Eric Clapton and the late Duane Allman. Today (Sunday), we closed up all the summer stuff on our porch, brought every single thing that might go airborne inside, and did all of the things the American Red Cross recommends. Water? Check, All the flashlights and candles in strategic places and easy to light and reach - check. Snacks and non perishables - check. We're as ready as we're gonna be.

So, here ya go - They call me Stormy Monday ... and Tuesday's just as Bad.

Thanks EC

And a little '93 Derek Trucks

Then 13, Derek Trucks lays down the second half of Eric Clapton's "Layla," one of, if not the most beautiful piece of rock music every written and recorded.  

Monday Morning Maniac Music

Note Derek Trucks in the background, backing Eric Clapton:

Ramble on: The Derek Trucks Band

BOSTON (LOGAN) to DETROIT (DTW) – APRIL 4 -- “Lord, how long have I got to keep on running? All I know, since you’ve been gone, feel like I’m drowning in a river… drowning in a river of tears.”
- EC

Every once in a while, music moves me to tears.

Eric Clapton holds the indoor record for driving that emotional road from my gut with a right-hand turn towards the golf ball-sized lump in my throat, merging through the highway paved by my heart and soul.

The second half of “Layla” frequently stirs up my emotional rescue and, quite frankly, I don’t think you are human if the segue of Tears in Heaven to River of Tears doesn’t make you sob like a baby.

If that doesn’t do the trick, ask yourself a quick question? “Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?”

The Concert for New York brought on a different set of emotions after the horror of September 11, 2001. That night – October 20, 2001, if I remember correctly, was the greatest night in the history of Madison Square Garden. It gave all of us the power to climb out of the terrible six-foot deep funk of human loss and terror on USA soil. Adam Sandler taught us that it was okay to laugh again while Pete, Zach Starkey and The Who blew the roof off the joint by playing their three very best rock and roll songs before 19,000+ first responders and their loyal brothers and sisters called the citizens of New York City and the world.

If you didn’t cry at the Concert for New York, you simply had no heart or soul.

Now, if that isn’t enough to set you off, remember back to November of 2001 when U2 played MSG and projected the name of every lost soul from the flights, Pentagon and WTC as they played One. I remember trying to count the names as they scrolled down the projection screen, but couldn’t keep my composure after hitting 244, 245, 246 and I totally lost it on the shoulder of one of my very best friends in the world, Howie Singer who had to hold me for a good five minutes. Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry followed that up by playing the same gig at the February, 2002 NFL Super Bowl halftime.

“Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...

One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it.”
- U2

The great thing about music is the fact that it brings out the very best in each if us, along with the different emotions from every listener at different times for different reasons. And, sometimes, it happens when you least expect it. Guess what? It happened to me last night as I watched Derek Trucks play at the new House of Blues in Boston.

Everything was just fine and dandy. After a long day of work, I settled into a comfy chair in a back room at the venue and sipped an ice-cold refreshment to sooth my parched throat and stressed-out mind. The DTB, often accompanied by the great Susan Tedeschi, rocked a packed concert hall– (yes, let me state for the record a PACKED to the brim house) with a set list of perfection.

But, then Derek had to go and do it. He had to take us on a little roller coaster ride and he did it with a song that we all know and love but would never even dream of playing at a rock show, nevermind attempt to play it on a guitar. Derek went out there and played Rogers and Hammerstein’s “These are a few of my favorite things,” which was made famous by Julie Andrews’ rendition in the Sound of Music.

Trucks’ performance, quite honestly, was the most amazing music act I have ever seen and possibly the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed in my life. It was certainly the greatest interpretation of a song that I’ve ever heard in my life.

Taxman ...

April 15th... what better day for a tribute to the TAXMAN?

Winwood and Clapton to tour

Tour info to come. Playing MSG in late February, 2008

Eric and his tribute to George Harrison

Rock on ... at the corner of Zappa and Zevon

This morning, I read the NY Times' "Arts, briefly" section with interest and a little smirk on my face.

It seems as though the good people of Berlin, Germany held a little rock show and dedicated a street in honor of the late Frank Zappa.

July 30, 2007
Berlin Names Street After Frank Zappa


BERLIN (AP) -- Berlin has named a street honoring Frank Zappa.

Zappa's brother, Bobby Zappa, said the Grammy-winning rocker, who died in 1993, would have been pleased, in a letter of thanks.

Frank-Zappa-Strasse or Frank Zappa Street -- formerly Street 13 -- lies on the eastern outskirts of Berlin amid empty industrial buildings in what was communist East Germany.

The street is home to Orwo Haus, a former Communist-era film factory that now provides practice studios for more than 160 bands.

Musicians at Orwo Haus campaigned for two years to have the street's name changed. Eighteen bands, including the Frank Zappa cover band Sheik Yerbouti, celebrated the renaming this weekend with an all-night concert for more than 2,800 people.

So, now? What will be next?

My thoughts turned to Cleveland, Ohio where a downtrodden, down-right dirty downtown area could be revitalized with a little renaming program to bring the good people of Cleveland a little closer to their stroke of genius for tourism, known to all as the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum."

Wouldn't you just love to get an apartment at 100 Rolling Stone Road? Maybe a little bar on Tenth Ave, called Freeze-out? The crossroad? Yardbirds Lane. I would invest my life savings in a real estate venture, as long as it was located at the corner of Clapton and Lennon.

The building boom would hit Cleveland and Public Square would have to become Public Enemy Square, of course, as a popular Rap genre won't be banned from my corner of utopia.

Now, for those who watch the public lottery or participate in a real life, high stakes "Rock the Vote" for naming assignments, then end up living at the intersection of Milli Vanilli and Manilow?

Sell.

:)

The DiMaggio Diaries....

Everywhere you look on the news and the web, the DiMaggio Diaries - an offering of sports memorabilia being auctioned by Steiner Sports Marketing - is being touted as the best collector's item since Clapton auctioned off his guitars for Crossroads.

Here is the yahoo story on the offering:


By PAT MILTON, Associated Press Writer Mon Jul 16, 4:33 PM ET

NEW YORK - The diary entry is obscure. It befits the famously guarded personality of Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, and bears only tantalizing hints about his life as a baseball hero and husband of Marilyn Monroe.

I don't get it? Who would pay $1.2+ million for the Yankee Clipper's scrolls?

The thing I do get? The marketing and PR people for Steiner hit the jackpot with this story. The perfect storm for a PR firm...

What is that?

Decent news item. (check)
Slow news day. (check)
Big star name. (check)
Even more famous girlfriend or wife to said star. (check, checkmate)

"Did Joltin' Joe reveal anything about his marriage to Marilyn Monroe?

Headlines.

It's priceless PR.

The kind of thing I tend to generate along with some interesting clients and some fresh news in the months to come. Stay tuned.