Good Old Rock n' Roll: The Fruit of Our Looms
Greetings, bretheren of music! I'm glad you're all here, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about; Something very important to me and even to you, although you may not realize it. I'm here to talk to you about the fruits of my loom: Classic rock. Classic rock is a huge part of the basis of most, if not all, rock musicians these days. Whether it's punk, alternative, hardcore, thrash/speed/black or death metal, I'm sure you'll find your favorite artisits likely have someone like Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith amongst their list of influences. Even if you aren't a fan of that raw, revolutionary, powerful genre known as classic rock, imagine if your favorite band never had that in their musical background? Who knows what rock would be like today?
I've got a few big influences myself, without which I would have a completely different take on music. Queen has made an incredibly huge impact on me. That was a dream team of musicians. Freddie Mercury's amazingly versitile voice accompanied by Brian May's distinct and elegant guitar playing was a pair unmatched by any other in musical history. Queen greatly influenced multiple members of Guns n' Roses as stated by Axl Rose and Slash in interviews in mid 1980's. Guns n' Roses was an amazing addition to 80's and 90's rock and metal and I don't want to know what they'd be like without the influence of classic rock.
Black Sabbath is another band that inspired me in the ways of my musical explorations. They practically single-handedly invented metal. We all know Ozzy Osborne and Tony Iommi are elders in the clan of classic rock, but we mustn't forget Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, the second half of this incredible four-piece. Butler is hands down one of my top 3 favorite bassists of all time, and Ward's drum style dug a pathway for many drummers from then on. Metallica has stated that Black Sabbath is an influence of theirs, and seriously, the formula of inspiration that creates Metallica's music is something of perfection and any difference in that is unthinkable.
Black Sabbath is another band that inspired me in the ways of my musical explorations. They practically single-handedly invented metal. We all know Ozzy Osborne and Tony Iommi are elders in the clan of classic rock, but we mustn't forget Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, the second half of this incredible four-piece. Butler is hands down one of my top 3 favorite bassists of all time, and Ward's drum style dug a pathway for many drummers from then on. Metallica has stated that Black Sabbath is an influence of theirs, and seriously, the formula of inspiration that creates Metallica's music is something of perfection and any difference in that is unthinkable.
I know, you're probably saying, "Come on, Laura! The only bands influenced by classic rock are 25-year old metal bands!" I say NAY! at age 14 I saw The Dresden Dolls at Soma in San Diego, CA. They covered "War Pigs", by Black Sabbath. Needless to say, I nearly soiled myself with excitement. I got a chance to speak to the lead vocalist and pianist, Amanda Palmer, after the show and I thanked her for covering a Sabbath song and she said, "Of course, they're my favorite band!" Boom.
So, next time you go to a show and get a chance to meet your favorite band ask them, "Who influences you in your music?" You might be surprised by their response. To sum things up, I request that you respect the gods of rock, such as The Who, The Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, Sabbath, The Doors, Rainbow, Rush, and so-on, even if you don't listen to them. They're likely a part of the recipe of music that changed your life.
So, next time you go to a show and get a chance to meet your favorite band ask them, "Who influences you in your music?" You might be surprised by their response. To sum things up, I request that you respect the gods of rock, such as The Who, The Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, Sabbath, The Doors, Rainbow, Rush, and so-on, even if you don't listen to them. They're likely a part of the recipe of music that changed your life.
- Tunage
Written by Laura Sullivan
Written by Laura Sullivan
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