The Doobie Brothers and Producer Ted Templeman, Part 2

Part 2. Picking up where we left off. Warner Bros. was concerned when Tommy Johnston was forced to leave the Doobie Brothers because of his ulcer. He had collapsed at a concert and was in critical condition. “So I was heartbroken when he walked away. I never told anybody this, but some part of me … More The Doobie Brothers and Producer Ted Templeman, Part 2

Classic Band Lineups

What lineups were the best for bands? Membership changes happen for various reasons: death, substance abuse, ego, solo careers, etc. Here are some of my favorites: Beatles. The post Best and Sutcliffe days, obviously. Rolling Stones. The Mick Taylor years, after Brian Jones. The classic era. Fleetwood Mac. Obviously, the McVies, Fleetwood, Buckingham and Nicks. … More Classic Band Lineups

Innovative Guitarists

Let’s assume Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Duane Allman are in the discussion for best guitarists, however you would rank them. Let’s look at some other innovative and versatile guitarists. These players are responsible for defining the sound of their bands, or their own trademark … More Innovative Guitarists

Best Drum Grooves

The job of the drummer is to drive the train. The exceptional drummers do so taking you on a journey you’ve never traveled. The best grooves get your attention, but aren’t showy. Yes, drummers can be self-indulgent with exaggerated playing, tiresome soloing and drum kits that need their own zip code. It’s very difficult for … More Best Drum Grooves

Van Halen Songs

With the passing of Eddie Van Halen, I decided to list some of my favorite Van Halen songs. Many of these were hits, some not. Some have Dave, others have Sammy. VH received so much airplay since the late 1970s that their music is hard to miss.  Many of their songs are hard rock staples … More Van Halen Songs