Nowadays Olive Can't Even Write

Today we remember Rolling Stones founder and multi-instrumentalist Brian Lewis Hopkin Jones on the 54th anniversary of his death. Source: Morgan Media Partners/Ed Caraeff Jones, who had already established himself as a blues musician at the time, posted an advertisement in the May 2nd, 1962 edition of Jazz News looking for musicians to audition for an R&B group. Pianist Ian Stewart was the first to respond (and was a member of the band until his removal in 1963) and Mick Jagger followed soon after, bringing his childhood friend Keith Richards to rehearsals, where he joined as well. The three members shared a flat for a year, and recruited bassist Bill Wyman due to the fact that he always had cigarettes as well as a spare VOX AC30 guitar amp. In January of 1963, the four stones had convinced drummer Charlie Watts to join. It was at that moment that a significant piece of rock history was truly born. In the band's early days, Jones proved to not only be a gifted multi-instrumenta...

On February 20th, 1959, a 16-year-old Jimi Hendrix made his stage debut at the Temple De Hirsch Sinai synagogue in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. Source: Morgan Media Partners/Ed Caraeff Playing with an unnamed band at the time, he was supposed to perform pop songs that were, by the sounds of it, supposed to be easier to play. There wasn't a need for flashy solos, but Hendrix had already gained much of the skill he would eventually become known for and couldn't really help himself. His bandmates, however, seemed to still be in the brunt of their learning, and just wanted to play without messing up.  His first gig turned out to be rather short-lived, as he was fired in the middle of the band's set due to the fact that they thought he was trying to show off. But despite the sudden setback, that night was enough for Hendrix to know for sure that he had found his calling as a musician and performer.  If that doesn't scream "Guitar master in the making", I do...

 Today we celebrate the birthday of one of rock and roll's most powerful and unique singers, Janis Joplin! Janis Lyn Joplin rose to fame in 1967 after her performance at the Monterey Pop Festival as the front woman of psychedelic rock band Big Brother & the Holding Company, which she recorded two albums with before departing in 1969. She toured solo for the remainder of her career with the exception of her backing bands. The Kozmic Blues Band lasted from January to December of 1969, while the Full Tilt Boogie Band (formerly named Main Squeeze) lasted from around April up until her death in October of 1970.  Source: Lisa Law She had a unique and powerful voice that continues to set her apart from other rock singers to this day, and remains one of the top-selling musicians in the US as a result with over 18.5 million album sales to her name. I often like to joke that Janis "raised me" due to the fact that I grew up on her music. Many memories of my childhood involve mus...

Today we celebrate the birthday of James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, who turns 79 today! He started playing guitar at the age of 12, and by 13, had appeared on Huw Wheldon's show, All Your Own in a skiffle quartet. When asked by Wheldon what he wanted to do post graduation, he replied, "I want to do biological research to find a cure for cancer, if it isn't discovered by then." Source: Michael Ochs Archives Page eventually left secondary school (which is like a combination of middle and high school for us American folk) to pursue music full time, but eventually enrolled in Sutton Art College when he kept coming down with infectious mononucleosis. In the late '60s, he joined the Yardbirds, although he was initially reluctant. He was offered Eric Clapton's spot but declined out of loyalty to his friend, but ended up replacing former bassist Paul Samwell-Smith before moving to 2nd lead guitar weeks later.  He joined Led Zeppelin in 1968, whose sound was large...

Today, December 29, marks 54 years since the second day of the Miami Pop Festival.  Held from the dates of December 28-30, The Miami Pop Festival made history as the first major rock festival to take place on the east coast, and included bands and artists such as Joni Mitchell, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Chuck Berry, and many more. The total crowd size for all three days was estimated to be around 100,000 people.  At the festival, concertgoers received comic books commemorating their favorite musicians as superheroes in the form of the official program and map. If you're a collector (or just a fan) and would like one, there are some for sale, but they will run you a pretty penny. They're valued around 200-400 dollars now. Source: Heritage Auctions I've found a touched-up version of one of the promotional posters, which includes details on when performances are scheduled. There were two stages, several hundred yards apart, known as the Flower Stage and the Fl...

Today we're celebrating the 76th birthday of Edgar Holland Winter, a talented multi-instrumentalist who is mainly known for his material with the Edgar Winter Band (which also included musicians Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose, and Chuck Ruff), as well as his involvement with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band. He has several genres under his belt, including rock, jazz, blues, pop, and soul.  Source: Rich Zimmermann Although I admittedly haven't listened to much of his material, I must give him proper credit for his skill. He's known for blending genres in a way that gives him a lot of freedom without compromising his signature style. He mastered it in a way that many musicians haven't.  With that being said, I would love for someone to send me some music recommendations. What are your favorite song of his? Happy birthday, Edgar! Happy listening!

Today we're wishing a happy birthday to the one and only Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna, The Band, etc), who was born today in 1940. Although he wasn't a highly prolific songwriter during his time in Jefferson Airplane (in which he named the band, as well as recruited bassist Jack Casady), he and Casady later formed Hot Tuna, a spin-off group that gave him more freedom. That's when he really came into his own. Photo Courtesy of IMDb To this day, he still actively tours. He is set to embark on a solo tour in early 2023, and later join up with Hot Tuna in April. You can check for dates near you here . Just be sure to note the rules on photography and recording beforehand.  I should also mention that if you're a Vermonter (or traveling to Vermont for this concert), you may see me in Essex Junction on March 4th. Don't be a stranger! Happy Listening!

Today we are remembering the legendary Jimi Hendrix, who would have been celebrating his 80th birthday today.  James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington to parents Lucille Jeter and James Allen "Al" Hendrix in 1942. He began learning guitar at age 15 after taking an interest in rock 'n' roll artists of the time such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley. While enlisted in the army at age 19, he spent his free time listening to blues artists such as Jimmy Reed and Albert King, as well as listening to Bob Dylan's records repeatedly. He was discharged a year later and moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he and fellow serviceman Billy Cox formed their first band, The King Kasuals. He also got the idea to learn to play with his teeth around this time after seeing Butch Snipes perform that same trick back in Seattle.  Hendrix in 1969 By David Redfern/Redferns (GettyImages)   Hendrix worked with numerous bands and artists befo...