1. JOHN LENNON
John Winston Ono Lennon was born on 9 October 1940 in the Liverpool Maternity Hospital, Oxford Street, City of Liverpool, England. He was the son of Julia and Alfred Lennon. John was named after his paternal grandfather, John 'Jack' Lennon, and Winston Churchill. John started his music career by forming a band called QuarryMan. From then he meet up with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe to form the first line-up of the famous The Beatles. After The Beatles, many didn't know that John join a band with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell to form a supergroup called Dirty Mac. John died in 8 December 1980, being killed by his fanatics fans, Mark David Chapman. If Mark didn't stupidly killed John, i think he will still be alive untill today and would give greater impact than he had given the world by his music. John Lennon was a very influential person not only as a musician, but as a fighter of freedom and a philosopher that inspire with his music. His songs "Imagine" and "Give Peace A Chance" is my all time favourite and inspire me a lot in songwriting.
2. JOHNNY CASH
Many didn't know this but the King Of Rock n Roll (FOR ME), supposedly is Johnny Cash. Not Elvis Presley!!! Why did i say that? Simple. He start first. Johnny started to express himself in rock n roll first before Elvis Presley. The only thing why he is not recognized earlier is because they hate him. Johnny is nothing like fancy cloth Elvis. He wears black suit with a black tie. Something that you'll wear to a funeral. You know why? sadly this is not his wanting. At the early days, he didn't have lot of money and that is the only fine clothing he have(then become his trademark). Johnny's wrote lyrics theming sorrow, moral tribulation and redemption. He once perform at San Quentin Prison and shows the equality among people, when he discover that the prisoners are being treated like animals and being fed shit. He was offered a clean water to drink by the guards but choose to drink dirty water that prisoners drink everyday. Johnny is also one of my favorite lyricist and among his songs that inspire me a lot is "Walk The Line" and "Ring Of Fire". Seriously, have a listen to his songs and you'll see why i admire him so much.
3. BB King
Dude. I really don't have any other word to describe this great man. Pure talent!!! Soulful!!! And i would say the pioneer of the Blues guitar solos!!! Yes, he actually did introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that would influence virtually every electric blues guitarist that followed. And you know what, he is ranked #3 in the Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Guitarist Of All Time. This man here is my man. The style of Blues drag me in to listen and play a lot of Blues songs. I did also listen to his songs and licks to get the feelings whenever I'm in need. My favorite songs that he actually sings is "Rock Me Baby". Thats the songs that i can say because if i mention all, there would be not enough spaces and i would spend my whole day typing my favorites BB King songs. If you never listen to this guy, grab your keys, drive to your nearest records shop, and buy yourself a BB King CD. Its worth it.
Here’s a lil bit of RocknRoll early history for you, Fadzly. RnR originated in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The terms "rocking and rolling" were used to describe the motion of a ship at sea, as in the 1934 song ‘Rock and Roll’, featured in the 1934 film Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round, and in Buddy Jones ‘Rockin' Rollin' Mama’ (1939). It referred to the motion of a railroad train in the 1951 ‘Rockin and Rollin' by singer Tommy Scott. Broadcaster Alan Freed was the first to use the phrase ‘rock and roll’ for airplay in 1951 (maybe you can catch himif there's a replay on Hallmark).
ReplyDeleteAmong the earlier batch of RnRollers were: Hank Williams, Bill Haley & many others. In 1954, Elvis Presley recorded ‘That's All Right (Mama)’ & Bill Haley & His Comets ‘Rock Around the Clock’ & in 1956, ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ was recorded by Johnny Cash, ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ by Carl Perkins and ’Heartbreak Hotel’ by Presley.
Among the first inductees to the RnR Hall Of Fame were: Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard & Elvis Presley. Here’s an excerpt from Rolling Stones list of Immortals ‘ It is a fundamental lesson in the history of rock & roll and its continuing power to inspire and transform. The Immortals is a tribute to those who created rock & roll, written by their peers and heirs, those who have learned from their innovations, struggles and legacies. The top 10 in the list are: 1) The Beatles 2) Bob Dylan 3) Elvis Presley 4) The Rolling Stones 5) Chuck Berry 6) Jimi Hendrix 7) James Brown 8) Little Richard 9) Aretha Franklin 10) Ray Charles & ….. 31) Johnny Cash
So Fadzly, you can bullshit the young but not us who were born & raised in the early years of RnR. Maybe it’s your personal opinion but please, please & please, do get your facts right first!!! May I know who are 'they' that hate Johnny cash?
If you read Johnny Cash history, you will see that radio Station and Church hated Johnny Cash because they think that Johnny influents youngsters at that time with different kind of gospel.(church especially). There are a few history of Johnny Cash if you search in the net, but mine was told by my friends late grandfather who is in your era as you might say..More, this writing is basically about the musician of whom influence me a lot, especially in term of songwriting. In my personal opinion, Johnny Cash is the King Of Rock n Roll bcoz his songs give more meanings rather than Elvis. No offense if you are an Elvis Presley's fans.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you may say Fadzly! I just want to put things in the right perspective but if it's so hard for you accept it, no harm done. Its up to you & I know what kind of person are you. It's not about Elvis - it's about RnR ,dude!
ReplyDeleteYes kimmy...Thanks for sharing your perspective..But please noted that i didn't say that i don't believe in your bit of history of rock n roll. Maybe you just misunderstand me. Whatever it is, thanks for taking your time reading my blog..=) If by reading your comments, i know that you actually are one very passionate music lover...And if we could keep the discussion open on nothing to do with personal feelings, that'll be greater..=D
ReplyDeleteThis blog of yours is open to the whole wide world. If just by reading a few history of Johnny Cash & from what was told by your friend's late gandfather, you came out with the statement 'Many didn't know this but the King of Rock N Roll, supposedly is Johnny Cash', just go ahead then. Who am I - a mere mumbling old man deserved to be ignored & laid & by the wayside - to say that the statement is not right. If you think that Johnny Cash's songwriting, music, vocal & singing style entitled him to be the King of Rock N Roll, just go ahead - it's all your prerogative & not mine. If my statement '...... bullshit the young' had touched your feelings and became personal to you, then I'm truly sorry. Never did I belittle Johnny Cash ( & idolise Elvis) & vice versa. But I know that I do recognise him as one great icon in music history who had dared to break all of the rules of traditional country music by blending it with elements of rock n roll,rockabilly, blues, folk & gospel and also one who had been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & the Songwriters Hall of Fame. So go ahead, Fadzly. You're bestowed by God-given talent & all that I really want is please, please, please do not jeopardise that by becoming a dumb, selfish & egoistic musician!
ReplyDelete1st of all i would like to state that i didn't take your comments personally but appreciate it. Thanks for telling me something that maybe i cant see for myself.I will make better study and and get my facts right before writing in the future. And also try to phrase my words right to avoid misunderstanding. Please keep on commenting and give critics as your critics may make me become a better writer and blogger.
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