Power Chords | The Musicians blog

Soundgarden and Audioslave, Chris Cornell, dead at 52…

According to wikipedia… Cornell was known for his role as one of the architects of the 1990s grunge movement, for his extensive catalog as a songwriter and for his near four octave vocal range] as well as his powerful vocal belting technique.

Chris released four solo studio albums, Euphoria Morning (1999), Carry On (2007), Scream (2009), Higher Truth (2015) and the live album Songbook (2011). Cornell received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his song “The Keeper” which appeared in the film Machine Gun Preacher and co-wrote and performed the theme song to the James Bond film Casino Royale (2006), “You Know My Name”.

He was voted “Rock’s Greatest Singer” by readers of Guitar World, ranked 4th in the list of “Heavy Metal’s All-Time Top 100 Vocalists” by Hit Parader, 9th in the list of “Best Lead Singers of All Time” by Rolling Stone, and 12th in MTV’s “22 Greatest Voices in Music”.

The singer had played a show with Soundgarden, who were midway through their tour, when shortly after Chris Cornell was found dead on his MGM hotel by an apparent hanging.

But many are asking, why would a man who was worshiped by his fans, had a beautiful family and successful career, take his own life? Well, his wife and family attorney have come forward with a potential reason, here…
https://countercurrentnews.com/2017/05/chris-cornells-wife-just-blamed-his-death-on-an-fda-approved-psychoactive-drug/

Here’s a clip of his last performance before this unfortunate event…

(By Kory Grow via Rolling Stone)

“Born Christopher John Boyle in Seattle on July 20th, 1964, Cornell – who took his mother’s maiden name after his parents divorced – was the son of a pharmacist father and accountant mother in Seattle. He had two brothers and three sisters and jokingly likened his family to The Brady Bunch in interviews. Cornell eventually carved a path for himself after taking piano and guitar lessons before finding his way to the drum kit, which he played in an early incarnation of Soundgarden.”

More on Chris Cornell’s death here…
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/soundgardens-chris-cornell-dead-at-52-w482882

Keith Emerson of, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Died…

For those among us musicians that loves the keyboard player in the band… I for one, have always appreciated the great sound and jams that, Emerson, Lake and Palmer laid-down. Unfortunately, Keith has passed… yet, he has left us with a great legacy for our reference of his wonderful keyboard rock style.

As noted on ELP’s Wiki, regarding Keith… “Keith Emerson was the co-founder of one of the most popular and commercially successful progressive rock bands in the 1970s!… ”

“Their musical sound included adaptations of classical music with jazz and symphonic rock elements and was dominated by Emerson’s flamboyant use of the Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, and piano.”

Let the Keyboard player in the band live forever!
Jam On!
-Ron

Michael Putland, Getty Images

(By Nick DeRiso – via UltimateClassicRock.com)
As this article notes: “Keith Emerson, the outsized co-founding keyboardist in Emerson Lake and Palmer has died. Long-time bandmate Carl Palmer said he passed last night (March 10) in Santa Monica, Calif. ELP later confirmed the news. No cause of death has been mentioned; Emerson was 71.”

“Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come,” Palmer said. “He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz.”

Learn and read more about Keith’s death, here ->
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/keith-emerson-dies/

Former Rolling Stones manager nixes Rock Hall of Fame…

You might find this story of interest as it relates to our music industry and as a musician… Andrew Loog Oldham, the Rolling Stones’ early manager has essentially told the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to go take a hike. The article provides some pretty cool insights as to why Andrew finds the commercialism of their event not living-up to the original intention of Rock’n Roll. I personally have to give him credit for holding-down the rock scene as it was in the 60s!
Jam On!
-Ron

(by Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times – via:arcamax.com)
Rolling Stones former manager protests Rock Hall of Fame, skips own induction… Andrew Loog Oldham, the Rolling Stones’ early manager, producer and publicist who is being inducted this year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has announced that he will skip the ceremony…
Read more at https://www.arcamax.com/entertainment/entertainmenttoday/s-1502699#9ttVOHj5Jbcksjbd.99

Forming Your Band…

So, I found this thread (below) that has a wonderful discussion… ‘How long does it take to form a band?’ What I enjoyed about it was the fact that some of the essential elements of forming a band are detailed. eg., the biggest factor is if the forming band-member has a gig or more in the bag… as this does indeed contribute to experienced players paying attention to answering ads and to practice time…
Jam On!
-Ron

(via:TalkBass.com/forum)

I am currently in the process of recruiting 6 musicians for a new funk cover band. In two weeks, I have filled 2 of the 6 positions using my current contacts. Not a bad start, I suppose…
… read more here:
https://www.talkbass.com/forum/f67/how-long-does-take-form-band-1067847/

Joan Jett at 55 Still Rockin’…

You’d have to admit that Joan Jett (whether you like her or not) is considered one of the main women Rockers of all time. Here’s a quick recap of her October (’13) tour gigs with pics…
Ron-

(By Cassie Carpenter for Online Mail @ dailymail.co.uk)
She penned The Runaways’ Cherry Bomb in 1976.

And 37 years later, Joan Jett still looked toned and taut in her red catsuit as she rocked out Santos Party House in New York Wednesday.

The 55-year-old guitarist – born Joan Larkin – finished off her signature slinky look with a silver belt and Converse high-tops…

Revisting Shredding Fusion Genious, Hugh Ferguson…

Although it was the early part of 2012 when fusion guitar extraordinaire, Hugh Ferguson passed-away… it just seemed like a good time to revisit his wonderful writings and sounds. The first article I found was from a Truth in Shredding blog, which spends some time devoted to Hugh’s past. The other site I found fascinating was the actual (still exists as of today) Hugh Ferguson .net website. The section I really found intriguing was his ‘ask’ section of the blog. The questions were the type that real players would ask, eg., gear, recording, sounds, scales, etc (you know, deeper stuff)…
Ron-

(by Laurie Monk via, Truth in Shredding blog)
Hugh started his career in music on the drums at the age of six, playing his first concert at eight. Originally from the Boston area, he grew up in a musical family with two older guitar-playing brothers. Switching to guitar at eleven. Hugh grew up with the sounds of rock and roll through the 60’s and early 70’s. By the ripe old age of 14 he was already playing the Boston Club scene…
>read more here->
https://www.truthinshredding.com/2013/07/hugh-ferguson-bostonian-legato-legend.html

AND, be sure to read this section of ‘Ask Hugh’ on Hugh Ferguson’s blog… good, deep musician questions and answers to be had…
https://www.hughferguson.net/ask_hugh.php

Guitar Power Chords

“Guitar Power Chords” relating to the Music Dials…

Hi –

Rhythm and chords have always been the popular foundation for all types of music. Power chords are essentially, just 2 (many times 3) of the strongest tonal notes in the key of the song, which creates powerful sounding chords all to themselves.

In this case, by playing these notes as viewed on the Music “Power Chord” Dial, you will immediately find yourself laying down some substantial rock and blues sounds, indeed. Generally, they are played on the lower registered (bass) strings, where they have the most ‘punch’ to them. Continue reading Guitar Power Chords →