Back to the Future: The 80s vol. 2 - Rockpile -The Bottom Line Club NYC 11/80

Jon Johnson, my sadly departed best friend from college, turned me onto some really cool music.  While I knew Slippin' Away and I Hear you Knockin' by Dave Edmunds, i was knew to his real band, Rockpile.  It was this band that started my life long love of Rock-a-billy music.  Sadly, the band was a one album/tour and done proposition.

Dave Edmunds is an English institution.  While he hasn't put our a record in years, solo or otherwise, he still commands a loyal following during his numerous solo accoustic tours.

For whatever reason, quite a few of the Rockpile shows were recorded for radio.....I guess I should mention who the heck Rockpile are....Dave Edmunds-guitar/vocals, Nick Lowe-bass/vocals, Billy Bremner-guitar/vocals, and Terri Williams-drums.  As you can see, quite a lineup!  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!!!!!

Rockpile at the Bottom Line Club 11/80

Eric

Guitar Masters vol 2: Free - The Lost BBC Tapes -1970 to 1973

Ask Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page to name the great guitar players of their day and undoubtedly they will name Paul Kossoff.  'Kos, as he was known to friends, was like so many of his colleagues of the day.  Inspired by the blues, he was a quiet guy with demons.  Fame quickly came to FREE and the pressure to tour and put out records was an enormous strain on him.  His bandmates, who themselves went onto much greater fame, included Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke of Bad Company fame, seemed to handle things much better.  Fortunately for fans, in 3 short years 6 records and several live records would find their way onto the market.  By 1975, he was gone for good having died of a heroin overdose on a flight to the US.  As always, the download can be gotten from here.

The Rolling Stones (Brussels Affair) Forest National Stadium Brussels, Belg 1973

This show was always at the top of my list to release capturing the Stones at their peak.  Mick Taylor really gave them  a sound that, when he left, Ron Wood was never able to deliver.  check out Dancing with Mr. D.  Enjoy the show here.

Bob Marley Dortmund Germany 6/13/80

Nobody but his most trusted friends and family knew just how sick he was!  What started out as simple toe injury suffered playing his beloved futbol had morphed into cancer.  A cancer, given the treatment options of 1980, that would ultimately claim his life.  But before that fateful trip which would end in death at a Miami hospital, Bob had decided to embark on a world tour that would include the United States and Europe in support of his final studio effort, Uprising. 

By the time Bob reached Europe he had already lost his signature dreadlocks and was wearing a wig to hide his physical decline as result of ongoing chemotherapy treatements.  Each night weak and sick he would channel the energy of his faith and love of the world and step out on stage and wage war with his illness.  And each night, fans would see some of the most powerful and inspirational shows of his career.  For your listening enjoyment, Bob Marley and the Wailers (Dortmund, Ger 6/13/80)

The Grateful Dead - Oakland, Ca 12/31/87 New years at the Coliseum

I was late to the travelling party that was the Grateful Dead.  By the time I was a full fledged fan, it was 1986 and didn't see my first show until Providence, RI in the fall of 1987.  I did manage to make up for lost time seeing the Dead close to 25 times between that date and 1993.    As i like to say, I got busy! 

1987 was before Jerry went into a coma, twice!  1987 was when we were transitioning from Reagan to HW Bush.  It was a strange time.

This show was one of the very first concerts simulcast, which means for those of you from that era, you could watch the show live via your cable provider.  How quaint!  Enjoy it! Grab it here