I just want to make sure I get all of the relevant concert tours I’m seeing up before the end of the week because some of these tours are already getting started, so here is L-O:

Lenny Kravitz: Pop and Rock showman Lenny is ready to keep you on the edge of your seat starting October 16 through November 15 all north of the U.S.  - New Foundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Lynard Skynyrd: Maybe the hardest rocking Southern band ever, Gary Rossington and Billy Powell are joined by Johnny Van Zant to bring this perennial favorite to a few lucky venues starting June 18 through July 16 in New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and California. This should be a can’t miss concert for Southern Rock Fans.

Mark Knopfler: Former Dire Straits frontman Knopfler will bring his chet atkins inspired music on tour starting June 24 and running through July 31 in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington State, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Minnesota, Illinois, Tennesee, Ohio, Ontario, Massachusets, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Marshall Tucker Band: Whenever I think of this band I can only think of the intro to “Can’t You See”, but of course they did other songs too. They have a limited engagement for one show I found in Anchorage, Alaska on June 12.

Michael McDonald: Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald will be touring starting June 20, through August 30 in New York, Massachusets, California, Nevada, and Washington State.

The Moody Blues: Ever since my First grade teacher put “Day’s of Future Past” on the turntable I’ve been hooked on these guys. Like Pink Floyd, their music always evokes great imagery. They will be touring from June 5, through June 8 in Ontario, Cincinnati Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.

Neil Diamond: Alright I admit it, I do listen to Neil, He was one of my Mom’s Favorites - yeah I know it’s sappy, but after all he did do the original “Kentucky Woman” which Deep Purple later covered. He’s touring extensively from July 19, through October 30 in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Washington DC, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusets, Wisconsin, Missouri, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Oregon, Washington State, California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida.

Ozzfest: All of the headbangers out there can get their Ozzy Fix for one engagement I found in Frisco, Texas on August 9. Have a Bat on Me!

Gibson Guitars/Mandolins have been around for almost a century and a half and there have been so many classic Gibson designs, the ES-175, ES-335, the Byrdland, the Explorer and Firebird, but perhaps none have every influenced a style of music as much as the “Les Paul”s have influenced Rock Music.

After Fender introduced the Telecaster as the first practical electric solidbody in 1950 Gibson obviously wanted to catch up. Known as a skilled amatuer luthier and innovator Les Paul entertained a collaboration with then Gibson Guitar President Ted McCarty. It seemed to be an on-again, off-again relationship which resulted in the first Gibson Les Paul Goldtop in 1952.

The Goldtop was the original design for the Les Paul because Gibson wanted a more refined, bold and beautifully designed solid body than the ordinary looking Telecaster. It was to be a higher end guitar to appeal to people looking for the highest quality workmanship and features.

But how much was Les Paul himself really involved in the actual concept and design process of the guitar. According to the book “50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul”, not very much. Although it is widely accepted that Les had suggested and pushed to get the original color gold, the only other contribution the book states Les made was suggestions for the trapeze tailpiece and adding a maple cap over the mahogany body for more sustain.

The popular scuttlebut is that Les had made some other suggestions of which most or all were rejected by Gibson, leading one to believe that Gibson agreed to the collaboration if for no other reason than to be able to add Les’ name to the guitar and be able to market it that way.

The collaboration ended between Les and Gibson in 1961, when Gibson started making a double cutaway model to compete with the other double cutaway’s on the market and came up with the Gibson SG. Apparently Gibson added Les’ name to this model as well without his knowledge and when he found out the relationship between the two was history.

Old Les had already sealed his name in stone in  pop, blues, rock and almost any other type of contemporary music though and with his name almost synonomous with electric guitars his legacy has survived well and will live on for many generations to come.

Just one thing though, the next time you see someone wielding one of these axes or you sit down to play one yourself, just ask yourself this question - How much “Les” is in that “Paul”? Maybe it doesn’t even matter.

More concert series for classic rock, blues and pop acts. Here are acts H-K. Tickets are available from StubHub in the right sidebar:

Hot Tuna: The former Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen belt out the blues in this 70’s classic band with limited engagements on December 2-3 in New York, New York.

Huey Lewis & the News: Huey and the boys hit the “Heart of Rock and Roll” with their tour beginning June 26, through September 11 with stops in Connecticut, New York, California, Massachusets, Michigan, Oklahoma and Washington State.

Iron Maiden: The “Standard” for modern Heavy Metal bands since the 80’s is on tour from May 25 through June 20, in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Washington State, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Massachusets.

James Taylor: The old storyteller is on and extensive tour from May 25 through August 6 in Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Massachusets, Montreal, Toronto, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Washington State, Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

Jethro Tull: Ian Anderson and the boys bring their unique blend of folk, blues and rock to you starting August 3 through August 12 in New Hampshire, Massachusets, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Colorado.

Joe Cocker: The best covers of songs ever by this guy, but I only found one performance on August 14, in San Diego, California.

John Fogerty: The heart, soul and sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival brings his own band’s show starting on August 5, 8 and 10 in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Journey: These 70’s staples have an extensive tour scheduled starting July 9 through October 4 in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, Iowa, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennesee, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusets, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Washington State and New Mexico.

Judas Priest: They have “Another Tour Coming” starting July 22 through August 31 in Washington State, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Toronto, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Kansas: This 70’s staple has a limited schedule of May 31, in Houston, Texas.

make sure to get your tickets.

I can remember in high school that one of things I most looked forward to doing was coming home from school and putting on one of my favorite LP’s. At that time, the cutting edge sound systems sported 8 Track players - truly amazing. One album that I put on religiously every day without fail and listened to side-to-side was Pink Floyd’s Masterpiece “Dark Side of the Moon”.

I think every note played on this album is still embedded in my brain somewhere and although I don’t pull out the album that much anymore, I still have a great love for it just as I did. To me there are 2 types of music - Pure and Completely Commercial. Although there are some that blur those lines and I do have some exceptions to this rule, I strictly like and listen to what I consider Pure Music.

Almost all of Pink Floyd’s original albums were very pure to me, but “Dark Side” was the first Floyd album I owned and it will always be just a bit more special than any of the others for that reason. Right from the beginning this album weaved fantasy with reality and conjured up an incredible spectrum of imagery while I would listen. From picturing Rabbits digging holes in “Breathe” to the Brawny Towering Guitar Bends of David Gilmour in “Time” this album just seemed surreal.

“Money” brought the dirty, gritty, greedy aspects of humanity back into your mind and re-planted you on the ground with incredible sax and guitar playing throughout. Then you were made to almost float away with the ethereal “Us and Them”, but there was just something about “Brain Damage” with it’s sixties keyboards and fantastic lyrics that really sent me off into space. Then finally brought back down to Earth and ending with the steady and insistent heartbeat.

All in all this album really is a work of art. From the constantly used pyrimadal album artwork to the amazing production values of the music within, this album is truly timeless in every sense of the word. If you’ve never heard this album or just want to revisit it here is a link to get it:

Hopefully I have wetted your appetite for the Heaviest of the Heavy Riffs in my Top 10 List. These Top 5 riffs were chosen by me based on their impact on rock music overall, their intensity, their uniqueness and that really all of them have undoubtedly influenced generations of musicians including many of these artist’s contemporaries. So without further banter I present the Top 5 all time Heaviest Rock Riffs:

Number 5: Purple Haze - what classic rock list would be complete without including Jimi. My first Jimi album was the “Smash Hits” LP and between this song and Hey Joe and Red House I think I wore it completely out. What great days those were. Jimi Truly did Kiss the Sky with this one.

Number 4: Heartbreaker - What aspiring guitarist didn’t try and cop this riff. It truly is one of the staples of rock guitar as is most of Jimmy Page’s work with Zep (most everyone had to learn “Stairway”, “Rock and Roll” and “Whole Lotta Love” too). As with all of these riffs, the song that goes along with it is fantastic as well.

Number 3: Sunshine of Your Love - Along with Chuck Berry, Cream took the signature riff to new heights. Hearing the intro to this song still puts shivers up my spine it’s so great. Although I thought Eric Clapton played with a lot more fire and intensity back then (as well as the signature Gibson/Marshall sound), I still love his stuff today. This riff was the invention of the “Woman Tone” of course which inspired countless guitarists to copy e.g. Randy Bachman (American Woman). What a Great Riff!

Number 2: Iron Man - This riff is so intense, that it was a close second to my number 1 riff. Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath really struck a chord (no punn intended) with this song and really the entire “Paranoid” Album. It’s so powerful and intimidating, that it almost seems other-worldly. It’s not a riff that you will forget easily. Great, Great Riff from a great song on an album with a lot of fantastic music.

And Here it is, are you ready…..

My Number 1 Rock Riff of All Time: Smoke on the Water - This riff is equal parts, simplicity, power, great tone and sheer brilliance by Ritchie Blackmore. Has there ever been a more copied riff? I doubt it. What makes it so amazing is that this incredible sound is made up of only a few well placed power chords. (and yes Ritchie himself cleared up any ambiguity as to whether it was the basic power chords or played with major movable chords). The really amazing thing about this riff too is how adaptable it is. When Ritchie came up with the “Man on the Silver Mountain” Riff for his Rainbow Album, it was just a variation of the Smoke on the Water Riff in the same key. No matter how many times I hear this song or play it myself I will never tire of this riff - it’s just the greatest!

I think that post title says it all. I will break down my Top 10 Heaviest, Best Rock Riffs of all time, going from number 10 backwards in two parts. So here is number 10 through number 6:

Number 10:In a Gadda Da Vida - Iron butterfly never sounded heavier than this one and it takes it’s rightful place in my Top 10.

Number 9: Money - David Gilmour will always be one of my top 10 players too. This classic riff really makes you think of Greed and Corruption doesn’t it?

Number 8: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones had alot of great riffs, but this one I think stands above the rest.

Number 7: Cat Scratch Fever - If you’ve ever seen “Terrible Ted” use his ring finger as a slide you will know why I put this one up in the Top 10, really electrifying stuff!

Number 6:Johnny-B.-Goode - This may be the riff that started it all, it would be criminal not to put it in the Top 10. Chuck Berry is a true legend and pioneer.

I hate to keep you in suspense, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out who the Top 5 Heaviest Riffs are, until then

Here are some more classic rock acts (D-G) coming to areas around the country. To get tickets go to the StubHub Link in the sidebar.

Dickie Betts and Great Southern: Dickie Betts is one of my favorite musicians and an original Allman Brothers Member although not currently with them, but he would be worth a special trip. He is touring beginning June 13 and going through August 19 in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and New York - don’t miss him if you can make it!

The Eagles, what more needs to be said. They are on tour beginning May 20 to July 30 in Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Toronto Ontario, and Massachusets - always worth a look.

Eddie Money will be touring starting May 23 through August 26 in Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York.

Elton John, one of the greatest pop artists of all will be touring from May 28 to November 9 in Alaska, Nevada, New Jersey, Vermont and ending up back in Las Vegas, what a show.

Eric Clapton, although I think he still should be using the Gibson/Marshall combo (ha ha), It’s still worth seeing this living legend (I saw him a few years back). He will be touring from May 22 through June 5 in New Jersey, Toronto Ontario, Montreal, Indiana, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusets and New York.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds will have a very limited one stop tour on May 24, at Niagra Falls, New York.

And George Thorogood and the Destroyers are touring from May 30 through August 17 in Toronto Ontario, California, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusets.

Enjoy the shows!

I don’t think enough credit is given to those artists from the past that didn’t get all the fame and fortune, and yet we hear them almost everyday in some of the most popular players’ playing. Lonnie Mack is the perfect example of this. He was a mentor and influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan and an influence to countless big names like Dickie Betts, Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, etc..

He really did put the “Wham” in the “Whammy Bar” too. Using a Bigsby Vibrato unit on his trademark 1958 Gibson Flying V making him the Grandfather of the big dive bomb tremola sounds, from the heavy metal players to the 80’s big hair groups.

Too many people just don’t realize where the sounds from their favorite artists come from, but when you listen to Stevie Ray’s playing there is just so much Lonnie Mack in it you can’t help but think he had to be his main influence growing up (certainly alot of Albert King too).

Lonnie Mack came out at around the time that alot of the early rock-and-roll and surf music was dominating the scene, but he decided to take his music in a different direction, a bit more blues based, spontaneous and daring than most of the other pop music of that time. He immediately pre-dated groups like the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and so many others and opened so many doors for these bands.

Always humble about his accomplishments, Lonnie deserves a tribute to how many artists and groups he affected and influenced, whether it be in the gospel, rock-and-roll, rock, blues, rockabilly or bluesgrass genres, he touched ‘em all. This tribute is for you Lonnie, your influence on today’s and yesterday’s music will never be forgotten.

With summer coming, I thought it would be helpful to list different tours by some of the great acts still touring these days. I can’t do it all in one post so I will break it down alphabetically a few each post. So here are the A-C artists I have info on:

The Allman Brothers-Always loved these guys and they are touring starting August 12 through the Month of August in the New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts area.

BB King-What a classic and a real Living Legend! He is touring starting on May 31 and through into August and there is a possible show date in October tentatively. He is performing in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Mississippi, California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Alabama and Massachusetts.

Bob Dylan-How many people has he inspired e.g. Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Robbie Robertson, etc… he has a very limited tour May 21, 23 and 24 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and in New Foundland, if you can get there, make sure you get to see him.

Brian Wilson-The Beach Boys Frontman has a limited tour schedule too on July 8, 11, 12 and 13 in Niagra Falls, Ontario, New York and New Hampshire.

Chicago with the Doobie Brothers-a double classic here starting June 3 through August 31 going through Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Georgia, New Jersey, New York and ending up in Reno Nevada, this should be a great show.

Crosby, Stills and Nash-Yes you can still see this original Woodstock trio with shows starting May 31 through August 9 in California, Oregon, Vancouver, Victoria, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and memphis. It’s hard to tell how many chances to see these great acts you still will have. Make sure you make a memory with them now. Enjoy

When I first started listening to YES in the 70’s I was very young and really didn’t have a clue who Steve Howe was or what instrument he played or what great music his influence would inspire, not only for YES, but for the emerging Prog Rock segment of the Pop/Rock industry. All I really knew was that I really loved the music YES made.

It wasn’t until the early eighties when I was in college that I re-discovered YES and wanted to know who was behind the music. I found the answer pretty quickly; Steve Howe was this Genius. Not to demean the efforts of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Alan White, etc…, as they were all virtuosos in their own rights, but somehow I just couldn’t get the catchy riffs, moving rhythms, innovative and daring solos and great melodies out of my mind and Steve Howe was the key to this almost magical sound.

The songs they made were more like modern classical compositions than standard pop or rock (any song on “Tales From Topographic Oceans” will illustrate this) as they incorporated fragments of blues, bluegrass and rockabilly, classical, jazz and many other forms spliced together to make it all one cohesive performance. I still can’t understand how a band can compose such complex and different songs and be able to make them appeal to so many people.

Steve Howe particularly amazes me when I see him play, whether it’s a lute, classical acoustic, and electric, pedal steel or whatever type of guitar he uses, his technical skill looks and sounds both so fluent and melodic that he makes it seem easy and simple. I have tried to cop some of his licks and songs and believe me they are anything but easy (of course, I’m just this side of lousy on a guitar talent wise), but still I putz around all the time and most of his music is a challenge to say the least.

I saw YES on a reunion tour about 5 or 6 years ago and then later that year I saw Steve Howe’s one man show. I was so blown away. I already had “Not Necessarily Acoustic” so I kind of new the material he would cover, but even so, my expectations were exceeded by many times. It helped that it was a small auditorium and it was a very intimate concert in which Steve interacted with the audience quite alot. Truly a fantastic show I will never forget.

I have to attach a video from one of YES’ live shows that I found on youtube, but it is such a great little solo performance by Mr. Howe I can’t resist linking to it here-enjoy: