Hey Babe, Take a Walk on the Wild Side

  They are probably the most influential punk band and totally went against what the 60s' were supposed to be about with dark, hopeless, sensual lyrics and drug fueled songs The Velvet underground were without a doubt one of the most interesting bands of their time.  They were an experimental rock n' roll/punk/alternative band even though punk and alternative weren't even invented at the time.  The band had an unusual line up of Lou Reed(the most successful and well known member of the band), John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker(the first girl drummer).  When Andy Warhol discovered them he decided to produce an album with them and his "superstar" at the time Nico The band came out with their first album "The Velvet Underground and Nico.  Although the album was not a commercial success it is highly acclaimed by critics and people who are into the band.  Nico only sang three songs off the album and never did work with the Velvets again but her haunting deep voice is often associated with them.  After an 11 year career together and 10 albums the Velvet Underground broke up.  Although they may not be as well known as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones they are truly something equally extraordinary.      

                    from left: Nico, Maureen Tucker, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Lou Reed

                                                     The Velvets with Andy Warhol

The Velvet Underground and Nico album cover design by Andy Warhol

The velvets after Nico 

A Few of my Favorite Guitarists

"Every time you pick up the guitar to play it play it like it is the last time"

Eric Clapton

Right on, Eric.  I have been playing guitar for quite a while and decided to make a post dedicated to my favorite guitarists.  These are the guys who without them I never would have picked up a guitar in my life and I don't know what I would do if that happened.  So I will post pictures below of my idols/influences and some of the coolest people to ever walk the earth.

Jimi Hendrix... one of the greatest ever and I always love the way he can mix physcidelica with blues. A straight up genius and one of my all time favorites.

Keith Richards...The most elegantly wasted man and probably the coolest. To me he is the epitome of rock n' roll. He has probably had the most influence on me than any other musician.

Jimmy Page...One of the most influential guitarists of all time.  He invented the double neck guitar and would play his guitar with a violin bow.  His skill level is unbelievable.

Eric Clapton AKA God...Clapton is considered one of the best of all time. He has a very bluesy sound (which I love) and is completely self taught.

Bob Dylan...You are probably wondering why I put Bob Dylan on this list since he isn't known for his technical skills.  I put him on my list because he was so influential and he was the one that turned me onto rock n' roll so I couldn't leave him out.

David Gimour...In my opinion David is one of the most underrated guitarists so I had to give him his props. Plus I love Pink Floyd and the first song I ever learned was Wish You Were Here which is one of  my all time favorite song.

I know that I have left out some important people but I don't want this post to be to big so I will make another list in the future so I have not forgotten them. please comment and tell me what you think. 

The sixth Rolling Stone...Anita Pallenberg

So I have always been obsessed with the rolling stones (epically Keith) and as I got more into them i discover Anita Pallenberg.  She was romantically linked to Brain Jones first and then Keith Richards from 1968-1979 and there has been roumers about her and Mick Jagger too so you know she has to be pretty friggn' awesome.  She was more than just the queen of the groupies though she influenced the stones' music too in fact, Mick trusted her opinion about the music so much that he changed tracks on Beggars Banquet because of what she had to say about them.  She has amazing style that has been described as "evil glamour" her style has influenced many of today's it girls including Kate Moss.  She is the epitome of rock n' roll boho chic and is totally bad ass. She has often been described as the sixth Rolling Stone which to me is like the coolest thing ever.  She has also inspired some of my favorite stone's song like Sister Morphine (words by Marianne Faithful), Beast of Burden, You Got the Silver, and Angie.

This photo explains the whole evil glamour thing to me

Anita, Keith and Gram Parsons at villa necolette (keith and anita's home)  during the recording of Exile On Main St.

Keith and Anita I dig the gold beret thing