Word circulated late last night that drummer Bill Rieflin lost his battle with cancer at the age of only 59. The discography of Rieflin's work reads like a "who's who" of industrial rock. Rieflin played either in studio, on tour, or both with a wide variety of bands. A quick scan of the list shows … Continue reading Rest in peace, Bill Rieflin: Ministry, “Work For Love (1983)”
1980s
Rest in peace, Kenny Rogers: “Love Will Turn You Around” (1982)
(Above: Recognize any of those kids?) This morning we got the news that Kenny Rogers passed away at the age of 81. I've already seen a lot written about Rogers' expansive career in both Pop and Country music. (I already covered one of favorite songs of his, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)," when … Continue reading Rest in peace, Kenny Rogers: “Love Will Turn You Around” (1982)
Rest in peace, Marie Fredriksson: Roxette, “The Look” (1989)
(Above: If you didn't have this LP, someone that you know did.) Word is circulating this morning that Gun-Marie Fredriksson passed away yesterday at the age of only 61. Fredriksson had been battling a brain tumor. She, along with Per Gessle, were the forward faces of a band that you couldn't get away from hearing … Continue reading Rest in peace, Marie Fredriksson: Roxette, “The Look” (1989)
Rest in peace, Ric Ocasek: The Cars, “Since You’re Gone”
(Above: "How does he walk on the pool?" we asked, dumbfounded.) The news of the death of Cars frontman Ric Ocasek came as a bit of a surprise yesterday. I was perhaps more surprised by the fact that he was 75. That would have made him about 34 when the band hit it big initially, … Continue reading Rest in peace, Ric Ocasek: The Cars, “Since You’re Gone”
“Born in the USA” at 35: Ranking the tracks
It was 35 years ago today - June 4, 1984 - that the album that may be Bruce Springsteen's best known, Born in the U.S.A., was released. If I didn't buy it that day, I bought it on the 5th. It was during my junior year of high school, which would also have ended about … Continue reading “Born in the USA” at 35: Ranking the tracks
Rest in peace, Leon Redbone: “Seduced” (1981)
I guess thing I was most surprised about in hearing about the death of Leon Redbone today was his age. I figured he was 69 a long time ago. I first remember seeing Leon on Saturday Night Live, back in the days when I was told I was too young to be watching it and … Continue reading Rest in peace, Leon Redbone: “Seduced” (1981)
A Mother’s Day Jukebox (various)
(Flashback to Mom showing me how the record player worked.) It's Mother's Day in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, India - in other words, most of the places where this blog gets read. I thought it might be fun to craft a playlist for Moms, Moms-to-be, people who … Continue reading A Mother’s Day Jukebox (various)
Rest in peace, Mark Hollis: Talk Talk, “Life Is What You Make It” (1986)
Word circulated today that Mark Hollis, the leader of UK group Talk Talk, passed away at the age of 64. The band hit the music scene in 1981 but first saw chart success the following year with their eponymous first release. "Talk Talk" failed to chart in the US the first time around, but a … Continue reading Rest in peace, Mark Hollis: Talk Talk, “Life Is What You Make It” (1986)
Rest in peace, James Ingram: “Just Once” (1981)
Word circulated this afternoon that Grammy-award winning singer James Ingram passed away today at the age of 66. In total Ingram put 21 records on the Billboard R&B chart and crossed over to the Pop chart 11 times. All but three of those songs made the Top 40, and two of them - "Baby Come … Continue reading Rest in peace, James Ingram: “Just Once” (1981)
1984 turns 35: Van Halen, “Jump” (1984)
(Above: An album cover that doesn't need explanation.) For the past few days on Facebook, many have taken the "How has aging treated you?" challenge. The premise, basically, is that you post your first profile picture, and then your current, and see how time has treated you. In most cases, the span is about ten … Continue reading 1984 turns 35: Van Halen, “Jump” (1984)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 