All posts by Egil

May 23: “Tommy” by The Who was released in 1969

the who Tommy

Ever since I was a young boy I’ve played the silver ball.
From Soho down to Brighton, I must have played them all.
But I ain’t seen nothing like him in any amusement hall.
That deaf, dumb and blind kid, Sure plays a mean pinball!

It is 46 years ago that the rock opera, Tommy was released, one of the first attempts at treating rock as an art form. The artists were The Who.

It’s a double album telling a loose story about a “deaf, dumb and blind kid”, Tommy was the first musical work to be billed overtly as a rock opera. Released in 1969, the album was mostly composed by Pete Townshend. In 1998, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for historical, artistic and significant value.

the_who_1

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Bob Dylan: 5 Great live versions of Senor

bob dylan 1978
Photo: Chris Bradford

Señor, señor, do you know where we’re headin’?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon?
Seems like I been down this way before
Is there any truth in that, señor?

Señor, señor, do you know where she is hidin’?
How long are we gonna be ridin’?
How long must I keep my eyes glued to the door?
Will there be any comfort there, señor?

A Great song from Street-Legal (1978).

Dylan has performed it ~250 times live, top year was 1978 with 77 performances.

Universal Amphitheater
Los Angeles, California
7 June 1978

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May 22: Bruce Springsteen played Milton Keynes in 1993 (videos)

Bruce Sprinsgteen-milton keynes 1993-poster

 

May 22: Bruce Springsteen played Milton Keynes in 1993 (videos)

Great 93-concert – 22 years ago today!

The concert (all or some of it) was professionally shot with multiple cameras for an (never happened) upcoming DVD release. Instead a DVD bootleg is circulating:

Bruce Springsteen The lost 1993 TV Special

I’ve always had a weak spot for “Downbound Train“.. and this is a great version:

Continue reading May 22: Bruce Springsteen played Milton Keynes in 1993 (videos)

May 20: Joe Cocker Birthday

joe-cocker

God, I’m just a fat bald guy, 60 years old, singing the blues, you know?
~Joe Cocker

It’s all a matter of hearing what I like and seeing if I can make it fit into my style.
~Joe Cocker

MK: Who are your favorite contemporary singers?
BD: Oh, let me see, Joe Cocker, I suppose. Graham Nash can sing. Van Morrison’s fantastic.
And so is Stevie Wonder, but of all of them, Joe’s the greatest.
~Bob Dylan (to Martin Killer – July 1983)

With A Little Help From My Friends– 1969 Woodstock:

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Happy 70th Birthday Pete Townshend

pete townshend

No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
~Pete Townshend (Behind Blue Eyes)

“If you don’t want anyone to know anything about you, don’t write anything.”
― Pete Townshend

“Rock ‘n’ Roll might not solve your problems, but it does let you dance all over them”
― Pete Townshend

Baba O’Riley:

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