A major step in the right direction of finally showcasing music groups that aren’t of the extreme norm or voted in by backslapping politics has finally come to fruition in Cleveland, Ohio today as Rush, the Canadian trio whose progressive rock sounds have been thrilling and tantalizing generations of audiences mostly on cult fringes since their debut album in 1974, has finally have been inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
No other band in the entire history of the hall has sported the kind of controversy and division like Rush has in terms of entry to the Hall. For the most part, Rush has been anything but critically lauded throughout its tenure as a band, which is still promoting and touring its latest album Clockwork Angels, their 19th studio release. Fans, however, have seen this differently, scoffing at pseudo-highbrow critics who they pretty much have ascertained have no clue what they are talking about when it comes to the amazing, gymnastically musical elasticity of the sounds and styles of Rush.
ABC News reports that along with Rush, the class of 2013 includes Academy Award-winning singer/songwriter Randy Newman; original purveyors of hip hop Public Enemy; the late disco queen Donna Summer, who died earlier this year; the Wilson sisters-led hard rocking ensemble Heart; and “Born Under A Bad Sign” blues guitarist Albert King. Quite an eclectic mix of artists for sure.
A regular musical cornucopia of number one songs from the 1970s is available right now in MP3 format for only $5.00 on Amazon through the end of this month. Billboard #1s: The ’70s comprises 30 songs from one of the most colorful, controversial, loose, campy, and free decades in history.
The collection covers all bases and genres for the most part, and is an absolute trip down memory lane for most: “What A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers, “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon, “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, “Good Times” by Chic, “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer, “Make it With You” by Bread, “If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago, “Without You” by Nilsson, “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green. There’s 30 tracks in all – view the track listing here below. For a mere $5, it’s just pure pop confection, fun tracks that we all remember, regardless of our musical tastes. This collection remains essential for those who want to shake their groove things, get mellow, and relive a classic, original, and memorable era that we will never see the likes of again.
Browse all 100 albums on sale this month for only $5 each, as well as several albums on sale this week for only $2.99.
The great Queen of Disco music, Donna Summer, passed away today in Florida at the age of 63 after a battle with lung cancer. TMZ was the first to report the news, which was later confirmed by Summer’s family.
Regardless of one’s opinion of her music, her style, or what one thinks of disco music in general, there is no denying that in her passing, comes an end of an era, an era which started in the post-Watergate 1970s, of fun escapism, of having a good times without pretenses, an era which continues to this day with the type of music where one doesn’t have to think about or absorb its tenets, and just simply allows oneself to have a enjoyable excursion with it.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press