It has been brought to our attention that Roy Clark has passed away. He reached the ripe old age of 85. His death was in his home and due to complications from pneumonia.

He is best known for his work on “Hee-Haw”, a show that aired for 24 years and he was either the host or co-host for the entire series.

He is best known as a guitar virtuoso, but he also played banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and even played a harmonica. He was not just a talented guitarist, he was a talented multi-instrumentalist, which is quite a rarity and exceptional.

He had worked with such institutes as the Boston Pops and, even more strikingly, helped to cool down the “Cold War” when he performed, in 1976 in the USSR. He was also a respected member of the Grand Ole Opry.

In 2009, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. This was an emotional experience for him and this is what he had to say during the induction ceremony:

“… just to be associated yourself with the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and imagine that your name will be said right along with all the list.”

Clark was even a guest on The Tonight Show, which is exceptional because they seldom have country music guests. He had fans across all genres of music and was a favorite among listeners and musicians alike.

He was fond of corny jokes, one-liners, and making music, having begun his music career in his father’s square dancing band at the age of 15. He will surely be missed and mourned by many and we’d like to take a moment to recognize his accomplishments in the industry.

Let’s examine some of his work, shall we?

If you thought he was “just” a country music player, a genre that isn’t known for fancy guitar playing, this is Roy Clark playing flamenco in a song called Malaguena.

Next, this is a more traditional Country & Western tune called Ghost Riders in The Sky. However, in this video you can see his traditional corny jokes and hear the twist he could put on a song like nobody else.

And, finally, you can hear him back in his early days when he really accentuated his comedy routine and examined the boundaries of the tones you can make with an amplified guitar.

It’s not just the death of a country star, it’s the death of a guitar legend. As you can hear from that last track, he’s very much doing what all guitarists do -and that is chasing sound. You’ll have heard him make guitar sounds you may have not known were possible, and surely they weren’t recorded before by anyone else but have now entered our lexicon of techniques.

So, let us pay homage to a guitar legend. Let us spend a moment thanking him for the influence he has had on the music we all know and love, as well as to thank him for the examples he gave us when we too chased sound. The world is a slightly lesser place today, as another legend passes.

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I just learned this now and don’t have time to do it proper justice, but today is National Album Day. This appears to be the first ever of such days and is marking the 70th anniversary of the much celebrated album format for music.

Alas, it appears to be a UK-only celebration, but I don’t see any reason why the rest of us can’t join in on the fun! You can also read more about it here.

In the days when I often mourn the loss of the concept album, it’s nice to see that people still remember and celebrate the format. Once upon a time, albums were total bodies of work and often told a story as you progressed through the music. Today, we tend to pick and choose and listen more to what we used to call ‘singles.’ That was not always the case.

As I said, I don’t really have time to do this article justice. I’d still like to encourage you to leave comments about your favorite albums, your memories associated with those albums, or what your impressions were the first time you listened to those albums.

I do know what I’ll be doing, however. I will listen to a complete album as I ride along and someone else drives me. The album I have chosen is the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty.

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In what might be the most unusual tribute to a rock band, Australia has (in their infinite wisdom) decided to put AC/DC on official currency.

This is a quote from MusicFeeds:

AC/DC can now add ‘legal tender’ to their long list of achievements, after The Royal Australian Mint today announced two new commemorative coins in celebration of the band’s 45th anniversary.

The new coinage has been created in the spirit of the band’s hit single ‘Thunderstruck’, and some of them have actually been struck by 3,500,000 volts of artificial lightning.

There’s a new 50 cent coin available, as well as a black, nickel-plated five dollar coin, which has been made in a triangular shape in order to resemble a guitar pick.

I’ve seen bands on stamps. I’ve seen them get awards. I’ve never seen any band be honored by being placed on official currency, though I expect they’re not meant to be spent.

As a musician, I think that’s a very fitting tribute and has to be a very emotional high for the band. (To them, it’s probably the best day ever.)

With that in mind, let’s listen to a few of my favorite AC/DC songs.

That is pretty much the quintessential AC/DC song. That’s what they do, that’s how they do it, and that’s exactly what you can expect. That’s not a bad thing – that’s the AC/DC thing.

Once again, they’re not the least bit bashful about telling you what to expect from them. AC/DC is pretty good at that. They’re a fairly simple band to replicate, but they do what they do and they do it very well.

They’re going to tell you what they do and think. They’re going to be loud. They’re going to keep a rhythm. They’re going to drive the music with simple  melodies that are repeated, they are masters of the riff.

You may notice that I didn’t link their popular Thunderstruck song. It’s just not very good – even though it’s insanely popular. AC/DC is a hell of a band, and for them to be most known for Thunderstruck is actually a shame.

I will add something confusing. There’s nothing wrong if this gets ignored or edited out.

The truth is, I’m not a huge AC/DC fan, but they did some masterful things and did their thing very well. I have lots of respect for them, but I am not a fan. I probably would not attend a concert, even for free. My own opinion doesn’t make them less awesome – and they have been pretty awesome. I’m hard pressed to think of a better tribute than that done by the Royal Australian Mint.

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Two of the most influential bands in Rock history are releasing 50th anniversary celebration remembrances. Since they both will never perform as their original configurations again, this is the closest we will be allowed to celebrate and remember those glorious days when all you had to do was turn on the radio to revel in the majesty of these legends.

My personal journey into Rock n Roll started the evening I heard this

I clearly remember my older sister and her friend excitingly talking all afternoon about their plans and preparations to watch the Ed Sullivan show that evening. I wondered what could possibly be so important on the show to warrant her excitement. I had seen his show many times, and enjoyed the plate spinners, puppets, and the other fun people he would have on.  Little did I know how my life would change that night. It’s been a passion that has lasted 54 years, and I couldn’t have wished for a more rewarding path to have taken.

We all listened and sang along in the early years ( well, those of us alive at the time) and waited for the next song to come out. And they did, hit after hit.

In 1967 they released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. A stunning album to say the least. Taking a break from those recording sessions, they went to India and attended a Transcendental Meditation course under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The retreat involved long periods of meditation, conceived by the band as a spiritual respite from all worldly endeavours – a chance, in John Lennon’s words, to “get away from everything”.

Due to that influence, while there and after their return, they wrote 40 new compositions, 30 of which became their next album commonly called “The White Album” but officially named “The Beatles”. That album was released in November 1968.

It’s been 50 years since then (I checked and it adds up). They are releasing a remastered collection of that album with extras. It would be better to send you to this article which will explain it all.

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/the-beatles-the-white-album-50th-anniversary-super-deluxe-edition/

The next item is a book, not an audio collection. What can I say about Led Zeppelin that hasn’t been said? One of the most talented, groundbreaking, innovative groups to ever play Rock and the Blues. Asking what your favorite song of theirs is can’t have a single answer. They have, and will continue, to hold a place in music history which they rightly deserve. In lieu of a song from them, here’s some younger kids listening to them for the first time:

I’m pretty sure Jake is in a metal band by now.

In celebration of their formation 50 years ago, they are releasing “Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin, the first and only official illustrated book to be produced in collaboration with the members of the band.” It will be released on 2 October 2018. Check it out

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/led-zeppelin-book-preview/

I just thought you all might enjoy these and wanted you to be aware of them. I guess I should point out that I am not associated or involved in any way with these websites, any companies or parties of the products, the bands involved, and that I am not currently, and have never been, a member of these bands.

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Legendary Chicago blues guitarist Otis Rush, whose passionate, jazz-tinged music influenced artists from Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton to the rock band Led Zeppelin, died Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the age of 84, his longtime manager said. He is survived by his wife Masaki Rush, eight children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren

He was a key architect of the Chicago “West Side Sound” in the 1950s and 1960s, which modernized traditional blues to introduce more of a jazzy, amplified sound. Rush succumbed to complications from a stroke he suffered in 2003, manager Rick Bates said.

His contributions to the Blues, and the influence he had on Rock, has and will echo through the years. He has recorded a catalog of music that contains many songs that are now considered blues classics, and influenced many Rock artists that followed. He was placed at Number 53 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists.

Rush was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi in 1935 and began teaching himself the guitar at age eight. He moved to Chicago in 1949 and was inspired to pursue music full time after seeing Muddy Waters live. Catapulted to international fame in 1956, Rush released his first, and most successful single, “I Can’t Quit You Baby.” Along with its chart success, Led Zeppelin famously covered the cut on their 1969 debut album.

Rush recorded with a revolving cast of musicians that included Ike Turner, Big Walter Horton, Little Walter and Little Brother Montgomery. His output also featured classic cuts such as “My Love Will Never Die,” “All Your Love (I Miss Loving)” (later covered by John Mayall) and “Double Trouble” (Stevie Ray Vaughan later named his band after that track). His direct influence continued on to many Rock artists including John Mayall, Mike Bloomfield, Led Zeppelin,  Peter Green and Eric Clapton, among countless others.

Rush won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Recording in 1999 for “Any Place I’m Going,” and he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984. The Jazz Foundation of America honored Rush with a Lifetime Achievement Award on April 20, 2018 “for a lifetime of genius and leaving an indelible mark in the world of blues and the universal language of music.”

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Jefferson Airplane co-founder Marty Balin has died. He was 76. His cause of death at this time is unknown. Balin’s family confirmed his sudden death on Facebook writing, “With a heavy heart we share this sad news.” His wife, Susan Joy Balin, was by his side.

The Grammy-nominated musician died in Tampa, Florida, while en route to a nearby hospital, spokesman Ryan Romensko said.

In addition to his wife Susan, Marty is survived by his daughters Delaney Buchwald and Jennifer Buchwald with ex-wife Karen Deal.

Born Martyn Jerel Buchwald, Balin was a struggling folk guitarist on the San Francisco scene when he formed a band with Paul Kantner after meeting the 12-string guitarist at a hootenanny. They met up with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady, drummer Skip Spence and singer Signe Toly Anderson and cut their 1966 debut LP Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. They developed a strong following around the budding San Francisco rock scene, but became nationwide superstars in 1967 when Anderson left the group and was replaced by Grace Slick.

Balin co-wrote five songs on their breakthrough LP Surrealistic Pillow , including “Comin’ Back to Me” and album opener “She Has Funny Cars,” and his tenor voice became a key component of their signature sound. He played with the group at all of their most famous gigs, including the 1967 Human Be-In in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, The Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and Altamont. At the latter gig, Balin was brutally beaten by the Hells Angels after he dove into the audience to help an audience member in distress. “I woke up with all these boot marks all over my body,” he told Relix in 1993. “I just walked out there. I remember Jorma saying, ‘Hey, you’re a crazy son of a bitch.’”

Marty had a historic career as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and platinum and gold solo artist.

We here at MFU wish his family and friends tranquility during this time of sadness and loss, and thank Marty for the joy he gave so many in his life.

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On the 18th of September, Dickey Betts announced he was going to do a makeup show because he’d canceled tours dates after having a stroke. His recovery was going better than expected and he was pleased to be able to return to live performances.

On the 19th of September, Betts was playing with his dog when he fell and hit his head. This caused bleeding on the brain – but details are rather scant. Betts is now being kept sedated at an undisclosed hospital location.

On the 20th of September, Betts is scheduled to undergo surgery. Given the emergency nature of the surgery, that’s likely already taken place – or will take place soon. Details are scant and we have no more specific information at this time.

In a conversation with a medical doctor, who is not specifically a head injury specialist, I’m told that they have some advanced ways to stop bleeding and that the main concerns will most likely be tissue damage due to the increased pressure.

On PlayGuitar, there are some links to follow for more information, as well as some music to keep us company while we await additional news on Betts’ health. This link will take you there. At the bottom of that article you will find some links to some music, including a full concert from 2009.

We here at MFU wish his family and friends tranquility during this time of stress. We sincerely wish Betts a speedy recovery.

If you have any comments, please do add them. How have the Allman Brothers, or Betts himself, impacted your musical experiences? What influences have southern-fried rock had on you as a person? Have you seen them in concert? Do you remember where you were, when you first heard Ramblin’ Man?

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