rock guitar power chords | The Musicians blog

A Farewell to Aerosmith…

Recently (as of the date of this blog post) guitarist Joe Perry mentioned that the band, Aerosmith, had been tossing around the idea of reaching a time where a farewell tour was in order.

Wow, can you believe it’s been 47 years at this point? Another rock band legend has reached the proverbial milestone. Like many (considered) old-timer rockers, The Aerosmith boys have apparently found this moment in their career to consider ‘wrapping it up’ for their touring and studio album work.

It also appears that Steven Tyler has started another music genre direction… a solo country singer. Yep believe it or not (or you may already know it by now). Here’s a link to his first (solo) venture into country… (it’s not bad). Maybe it’s also a way for him to save his voice for the fore-see-able future.

Jam On!
-Ron

Go Here to see Steven sing country…

And more on the Aerosmith Farewell Tour…

(via: press release of Aerosmith Farewell Tour from Society of Rock .com)

There are no dates currently in mind for when Aerosmith will hit the road for the final time, and if you’re worried about being able to snag tickets to what’s sure to be one of the greatest farewell tours rock and roll has ever seen, never fear: Steven assures us that while this is the end for Aerosmith, the farewell tour will “probably last forever”.

Small Faces and Humble Pie front-man, Steve Marriott lives on…

Near the end of January each year marks the birth date of the front-man that was in two legendary rock bands, Small Faces and Humble Pie. It’s Steve Marriott’s birthday… time to share some information about his outstanding contribution to rock n’ roll.

According to Wiki: Stephen Peter “Steve” Marriott (30 January 1947 – 20 April 1991) was an English musician, songwriter and front-man of two notable rock and roll bands, spanning over two decades. Marriott is remembered for his powerful singing voice which belied his small stature, and for his aggressive approach as a guitarist in mod rock bands Small Faces (1965–1969) and Humble Pie (1969–1975 and 1980–1981). Marriott was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Marriott died on 20 April 1991 when a fire, thought to have been caused by a cigarette, swept through his 16th century home in Arkesden, Essex. He posthumously received an Ivor Novello Award in 1996 for his Outstanding Contribution to British Music, and was listed in Mojo as one of the top 100 greatest singers of all time!

Not only could he sing with such driving piercing force, his guitar playing was very noteworthy!

Heck, you “don’t need no doctor”… (live ’71)

One of Steve’s most memorable times with Humble Pie (along with the Rockin’ the Fillmore -71 tour) was Woodstock… One can easily see why Marriott is considered one of the best rock front-men on this planet, as the above video provides a flashback for your reference.

Also check out the film release, Humble Pie “The Life & Times Of Steve Marriott” when you get the opportunity.

Jam On!
-Ron

Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane died at 74…

We’ve lost another one… Paul Kantner was (of course) founding member of the 60’s psychedelic rock band, Jefferson Airplane. Not sure what comes to your mind, but as a guitar player, I get the feeling of cool ‘riffs’ and ‘hooks’ when I listen to Airplane…

Paul Kantner, among the titans of the San Francisco music scene, passed away (Jan. 28 2016). Kantner was 74 and experienced a cardiac arrest. Paul was inducted in the Rock Hall of Fame in 1996 as a collaborate with the Jefferson Airplane with the 1967 “Surrealistic Pillow” album.

This article from the Chronicle goes into great details on Paul’s background…
Jam On!
-Ron

(credit given: By Aidin Vaziri via San Francisco Chronicle)

As quoted from the article…
“The band was formed in 1965 in a Union Street bar called the Drinking Gourd, when Balin met Mr. Kantner and expressed his interest in creating a “… folk-rock” band. It didn’t take long for the Airplane to attract a sizable local following, enough so that when fledgling promoter Bill Graham opened his legendary Fillmore Auditorium, the Jefferson Airplane served as the first headliner.”

More here…
https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Jefferson-Airplane-s-Paul-Kantner-dies-at-74-6791483.php?t=b26db710676c5a3c1f&cmpid=fb-premium

Songs Every Guitarist Should Learn to Play…

I recently came across a website that mentions the top 20 songs every guitarist should learn to play. Spending time at this site had me realizing that knowing many great tunes is a nice reference, indeed. However, I was further reminded that having a list of guitar ‘tabs’ is one thing. Yet, also having a great reference to how the chords are developed for each song, is a wonderful compliment.

So, take a look at the website (below) and maybe consider grabbing a Music Dial Chart or two, to make your guitar tab reading much easier.

Jam On!
-Ron

(via: Ultimate-Guitar.com)
This week’s traditional Wednesday Question saw the UG community debating the mater of songs that every guitar player should learn to play. Kicking things off with an all-time classic, we have Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Universally hailed as the tune with the greatest guitar solo of all time, it’s quite apparent why this one made the list…

Find the rest of the list of the top 20 songs every guitarist should learn here, and be sure to visit MusicDials.com to compliment your tabs!…

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/ug_news/top_20_songs_every_guitarist_should_learn_to_play.html

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

Does Your Band Suck?…

Playing gigs in your band…

I’ve always subscribed to the notion that even if you are a cover band, you should definitely play tunes ‘your own way’! Make it sound different and make your tunes (covers and all) sound like ‘you’ not like them. If I owned a bar I’d even go further to require my house band to not only, do covers their way but require a high percentage of songs to be original.
Loving this blog release by Menga on this very subject…
Jam On!
-Ron

(by: rich menga, menga.net)
When you’re in a crappy cover band playing crappy cover songs in crappy local bars, you are pandering to drunken 40-year-olds.

When I said that “play what the people want to hear” is the worst thing a band can do, I wasn’t kidding… read more and watch video here ->
https://menga.net/34786

White Boys and Metal Music…

The Heavy Metal minority includes women and blacks. Interestingly enough, some music does have a fair amount of race and gender exclusions… some that you’d never think would be the case…

Ron-

(by Mike Bell, Postmedia News)

What shouldn’t happen and what is entirely inexcusable, though, is when the self-proclaimed gatekeepers of a certain musical style let more important things such as race and gender enter into their “membership requirements,” and do all that they can to make sure those who don’t fit the bill know they’re interlopers…
Read On Here ->
https://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/heavy+metal+minority/8975442/story.html

Janis Joplin on Girls in Rock n’ Roll…

Janis Joplin… “You are only as much as you settle for.” Check out this excellent (video/audio) biography of one of our era’s most influential musicians and most tragic cultural icons… (click image above)

Ron-

(by blank on blank)
On September 30, 1970, four days before her death, Janis Joplin gave her final interview, a profound conversation about creativity and rejection with Howard Smith of the Village Voice, found in the altogether fantastic The Smith Tapes Box Set — an archive of Smith’s restored interviews with such icons as John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Jane Fonda, James Taylor, Jerry Garcia, and more.

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 →