The Classic Rock Thread

[BarnDoor]

I think it's about time we had an appreciation thread on the subject. I've always liked a lot of old rock artists but over the past year I've found myself increasingly listening to classic rock from the 60s to early 90s (I've always got Absolute Classic Rock on, and though it's turned me on to some new stuff, it tends to play the same old stuff these days).

I'm building a pretty big playlist on Itunes at the moment (140ish tracks), but I could do with some more recommendations, particularly from lesser known artists. Just to give an idea, here's some of the artists I have on there (some as little as one song, some as many as ten):

AC/DC, America, The Animals, Bad Company, Bon Jovi, Boston, Bruce Springsteen, CCR, Cream, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Dire Straits, The Doobie Brothers, Dr. Feelgood, The Eagles, Eddie Money, The Edgar Winter Band, Eric Clapton/Derek and the Dominoes, Extreme, Foghat, Foreigner, Genesis, Grand Funk Railroad, The James Gang, Jimi Hendrix, Journey, Kansas, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Frampton, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Styx, Thin Lizzy, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Toto, The Who

The rest I forget. Before you recommend, know this:

1) I hate Pink Floyd, ZZ Top and Fleetwood Mac

2) I'm not generally a fan of big-haired 80s bands - Van Halen, Motley Crew, Def Leppard, Scorpion, etc.

3) I don't really consider The Beatles and Queen classic rock.


With that done, here's a couple of my favourites at the minute:

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[Mjällharth]

1) I hate Pink Floyd, ZZ Top and Fleetwood Mac



My only contribution to this thread: Fuck off. Thank you and good day :)

[Barry]

Crosby Stills Nash & Young? Though I noticed you missed out Led Zeppelin....which is either a glaring omission or....ehh....blasphemy!

[BarnDoor]

Zeppelin was a glaring omission, of course a good selection of their stuff is on there. Also Page and Plant stuff from Unplugged.

I also hate Neil Young - not least for 'Rockin' in the Free World'. And I stand by my comments - Pink Floyd is pretentious shit.

[Original?]

I also hate Neil Young - not least for 'Rockin' in the Free World'. And I stand by my comments - Pink Floyd is pretentious shit.

How do you stand on The Doors then?

[BarnDoor]

I like The Doors, especially Riders on the Storm and L.A. Woman.

I also hate Meat Loaf and Status Quo. Sorry if that's stating the obvious.

[Dan]

In terms of bands from a similar period, you've got;

Big Brother & the Holding Company - The album Cheap Thrills is the only one worth checking out.

Frank Zappa - Very hit and miss and probably not worth bothering with unless you're willing to go through so shit to get to the good. We're Only in It for the Money is probably my favourite of his, but it's not exactly rock.

Grateful Dead - Their first couple of albums are more traditional rock, but their most well received album American Beauty is more folk/country.

Jefferson Airplane - If you've see Fear and Loathing you'll have heard White Rabbit and Somebody to Love which are their best known songs.

Jethro Tull - Their best album/song is Thick as a Brick which is 45 minutes long and uses all kinds of instruments and techniques

Roxy Music - More art/glam and probably not what you're looking for, but some of their stuff is quite similar to Bowie during that time.

Rush - Probably the only decent thing to come out of Canada. Their better stuff came many years after the other bands I've mentioned, but it was a major influence on bands like Metallica and the Smashing Pumpkins. Judging by your list, I'd say you'd like these best.

The Doors - Probably my favourite on the list and the one I'd must recommended, though I'm sure you already knew of their brilliance.

The Velvet Underground - My second favourite, but I'm not sure if you'd care for them much.

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[Original?]

Velvet Underground - seconded.

[BarnDoor]

If you're putting up Roxy Music, you could at least have put up Do the Strand. I like Ferry but again don't really consider them classic rock in the conventional, bearded sense. I also like a couple of Jethro Tull's songs - Witches Promise and Nothing is Easy.

I heard Tom Sawyer by Rush and thought it was shit.

[Barry]

I'm a big fan of Grateful Dead, but I know it's not for everyone and you are no fan of Pink Floyd, both well known for their long tracks and tendency to stretch out their tracks.

The Kinks? Ramones? Billy Idol? Allman Brothers Band? Scorpions? The Clash? The Jam?

[BarnDoor]

Most of those I like in small doses (Ramones notwithstanding) but for various reasons I would not deem suitable for my needs, with many betraying more punk influences. The Allman Brothers Band are on my radar though. Any specific recommendations?

[Barry]

Most of those I like in small doses (Ramones nowithstanding) but for various reasons I would not deem suitable for my needs, with many betraying more punk influences. The Allman Brothers Band are on my radar though. Any specific recommendations?

Live At Fillmore East is my favorite album, but they too stretch out their songs live. Ramblin' Man is a well-known track, Jessica is famous because of Top Gear but I don't know if you like songs without vocals. Whipping Post is great too, Statesboro Blues, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.

Idlewild South would be their best non-live album.

[BarnDoor]

I am indeed a vocals man. If they turn out to be shit you don't want to be here when I get back.

[Barry]

Oh, I'll be here, vaseline in hand.

[fick]

(I've always got Absolute Classic Rock on, and though it's turned me on to some new stuff, it tends to play the same old stuff these days).

Do yourself a favour and get listening to Rock Radio (it's Manchester based but you can listen on-line via their website: http://www.rockradio.co.uk/manchester/

In my opinion it's the best station for classic rock through more recent stuff (but avoiding new-metal) that you can get in one place.

On the subject of artists, I cannot be arsed to list multitudes that enjoy listening to, but am going to mention one glaring omission from your list: Warren Zevon. Werewoles of London is a classic, the tune from which was mixed and mangled (and ruined) with sweet home alabama by Kid Rock last year so it might sound familiar.

[muscularmatt]

Pink Floyd is pretentious shit.

Okay, pretentious I'll give you, but they still made some really good music.

[BarnDoor]

I just don't like them mate, sorry. Boring to me.

Fick of course I know that tune, though for some reason I don't have it on itunes. I'll rectify it.

I'll give that shit station a listen. I went off Planet Rock because they play a lot of bullshit and newer stuff though (like Kings of Leon).

[fick]

I went off Planet Rock because they play a lot of bullshit and newer stuff though (like Kings of Leon).

No risk of that. Their playlist is pretty impressive if you like your classic rock.

Out of interest, where do you stand on prog?

[BarnDoor]

I don't mind certain songs from certain prog rock artists, but the majority of their output I probably couldn't care for.

[fick]

Fair enough, after seeing your comments on the likes of Floyd & Zappa your comment doesn't really suprise me.

[BarnDoor]

I don't actually remember saying anything about Zappa in this thread. I haven't really heard his stuff so can't comment.

[Haribo]

Most artists I can think of under the classic rock category have already been mentioned. Only other ones I considered: T.Rex, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, The Police, Steve Miller Band.

And surely you of all people need some Gary Glitter?

[muscularmatt]

Even before I found out that Glitter was a raging kiddy fiddler, I struggled to give his music any serious credibility. Yeah sure fine for a sing along after 180 pints on a Friday night, but to be mentioned in the same post as Hendrix and Sabbath? GTFO of here!

[BarnDoor]

To be honest I gained more respect for Glitter after I learned of his nonce shenanigans.

[Original?]

Marc Bolan & T.Rex are another good shout, obviously you have famous ones like Children of the Revolution, Bang a Gong, 20th Century Boy etc. My personal favourite, however, is either Cosmic Dancer or Monolith.

[BarnDoor]

Not really a fan of T-Rex. Stardust-era Bowie aside, I find glam rock a bit faggy.

Now, upon listening to Grand Funk Railroad, I've come to the conclusion that these are my mandate.

[fick]

I don't actually remember saying anything about Zappa.

So you didn't, my mistake. Well worth a punt though. His stuff varies wildly in quality & style from some excellent rock based stuff through Jazz into just plain weird shit like the title track from Weasels Ripped My Flesh...

"One size Fits All" is a great album to start with.

I also like a couple of Jethro Tull's songs - Witches Promise and Nothing is Easy.

Try Aqualung. Most of the album might leave you cold but the title track is an absolute classic.

I heard Tom Sawyer by Rush and thought it was shit.

Certainly is.

[BarnDoor]

I don't like the lead singer of Rush's voice, he sounds a real fag.

[TH]

What's everyones thoughts on the new "supergroups" Chickenfoot and Them Crooked Vultures?

[fick]

What's everyones thoughts on the new "supergroups" Chickenfoot and Them Crooked Vultures?

Love what I've heard of Chickenfoot's stuff. Can't say I've heard enough of Them Crooked Vultures to have an opinion...

[Barry]

Chickenfoot's rather shit, but Them Crooked Vultures are good enough.

King Crimson is a shout but if you think Pink Floyd is pretentious then you are probably not going to like a band called "the thinking man's Pink Floyd". I'd label the Velvet Underground with the pretentious moniker too, if you think Pink Floyd can be classified as such.

The Yardbirds or the Zombies maybe? Free? The Small Faces? I'll be fair in that I can't come up with another song that Free made.

[BarnDoor]

Free are brilliant. All Right Now, My Brother Jake, Wishing Well - all classics.

[Barry]

Fair enough, at gunpoint I could only name All Right Now. What about Golden Earring? Radar Love, Another 45 Miles, That Day?

[BarnDoor]

I've got Radar Love, I'll have to check out the other songs mentioned.

[Dan]

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All the young duuuudes

[BarnDoor]

The Allman Brothers checked out Barry, so you're in luck.

This thread needs more videos:

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[Barry]

One man's luck is another man's misfortune!

[Jonno394]

Just watched the simpsons episode Homerpalooza, and it sparked my interest in some of the bands he mentioned and boy, I had no idea what I was missing. Really digging the following tracks:

uW3nPqPPBDw

YCt4bTNIpTQ

sXmrMMYpQL4

[BarnDoor]

Fuck right off, Grand Funk Railroad are my band and you know it. You can like Jefferson Starship because they're shit.

[Jonno394]

Fuck off and blow an IRA'er you fag. Just because you have them on your iPod doesn't mean they're yours.

[nath_scfc]

I'd probably go for 'Bigger & Blacker'. Although I'm a fan of most stuff of his.

[BarnDoor]

Fuck off and blow an IRA'er you fag. Just because you have them on your iPod doesn't mean they're yours.

I found them first, ergo I invented them, thus making them my band. You know this is the law in our relationship, that of the 'original fag', who reigns supreme.

[Dragonfly]

Two potentially good documentaries on BBC4 this weekend: 'The Fall: The Wonderful and Frightening World of Mark E Smith' and 'Oil City Confidential: The Dr Feelgood Story'. They're being aired first on Friday night, then on Sunday.

[BarnDoor]

I'm definitely watching Oil City Confidential, Feelgood are brilliant. Can't beat the performance of Roxette on the Old Grey Whistle Test.

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