Man, hearing the news of Gregg Allman passing, this one stings way too much. On a personal note ABB is one of my favorite bands of all time. Never saw them enough but boy did I see Gregg Allman every chance I got. Of course you knew the health complications, the constant rumors, etc. but to many he was immortal and that musician who kept on fighting to play another show. But hey you know what, I bet Duane is the happiest up above right now, reunited with his Brother. Thanks for the memories, now it’s time to eat a peach and crank it up. We’ll raise a glass or 7 and listen to ABB wishing I was at that concert going on up above.
Sadly the list in 2016 continues to grow as over the weekend Leon Russell bid us farewell. You can read words from the New York Times, here. Time to dig in, crank it up and hit play. If you’re unfamiliar, get familiar because they sure don’t make them like this anymore.
These are getting really sad to keep writing in 2016. Gone way too young, R.I.P. Phife Dawg.
My love of hip-hop I can say was sprouted from listening to A Tribe Called Quest. Sure there were others too but there was always something about ATCQ, a realness and authenticity. Like other groups, they had their issues and eventually disbanded (and got back together on special occasions, lastly I believe in Nov. 2015 on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) but together, they were simply the best.
2016 continues to be a year of mourning in the music industry and this one, personally hits hard as Sir George Martin has passed away at the age of 90. The “fifth Beatle” as he was widely referred to died “peacefully at home” according to reports. The producer of the Beatles and the man who helped bring their sound to life was a pure genius and regarded as one of the finest and most intelligent people in the business. I encourage you to take some time today to learn a bit more about Sir George Martin and the impact he’s had over his lifetime.
For me it obviously began with my parents playing The Beatles music growing up and continuously being surrounded by it. Then it was 10 years ago in Las Vegas when Cirque du Soleil announced a collaboration for The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and having a chance to sit through dress rehearsals and media days (I was assisting on the PR end as the company I worked for handled PR for Cirque) and listen to how the soundtrack for the show came together and how Sir George Martin worked with his son Giles to put together one of the most incredible arrangements I had ever heard. This was also the time when Apple Corps didn’t own the original catalog of The Beatles’ music, Michael Jackson did and so the two Martin’s were using outtakes, other recordings, etc. and still delivered an amazing 90 minutes of music for Cirque du Soleil to perform with. Then in 2014 I had a crazy idea, could I bring together my favorite show, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra for a first time performance at Life is Beautiful? This wild pipe dream became a reality thanks to Giles Martin and the team at Cirque du Soleil and of course the LV Phil. Giles rewrote the score for this 30 minute performance and it was an incredible moment and one that I will never forget.
We lost a legend. A man who not only changed the way we listened and fell in love with music but also a man who was regarded as one of the best. We lost a Beatle today. May you rest in peace Sir George Martin.
I still can’t accept that musicians seem to be dropping like flies this year. Crazy and sad but there has to be something to be done in their honor and that is celebrate their lives and the music they gifted us. This one, this one strikes me in a whole different way, I grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire because of my parents. They were a staple on rotation in the car, on reel to reel, cassette to CD to iPod, etc., really for my whole life thanks to my parents (and where I get my music tastes from) and this one hits us hard as a family but we’ll raise a glass, crank up the stereo and pay respect to Maurice White. Your music and place in history will never be forgotten. Now go enjoy that amazing concert that’s happening in a far, far away place!
Man, there is a heck of a concert, festival, event, or something going on in a far away place. Another music legend has left us, RIP Glenn Frey. More words about The Eagles’ founding member from Pitchfork, here.
