It Was 40 Years Ago Today...

Courant---Okay, you got me! I had a momentary loss of reasoning, not noticing that my nomination of The Ramones as the number one influence since The Beatles applies only to my taste, not to R & R history. I have long thought that Led Zeppelin has had the deepest and longest lasting effect upon the music of anyone since Elvis, including even, yes, The Beatles. Seriously. Whether that's for better or worse is a separate question. I've always found them to sound just as Sonny Boy Williamson described all the white boys that were provided him as backing bands when he toured England in the Summer of '66, telling The Band guitarist Robbie Robertson later that year (The Band had met up with Williamson in Arkansas, and he and they were planning to work together): "They want to play the Blues so bad. Unfortunately, that's how they play it---bad". I think that's the greatest put-down I've ever heard, and one with which I am in general agreement. There are exceptions, however; B.B. King has said that Peter Green was so good he made B.B. sweat.

The Velvets influence stayed mostly amongst similar-minded musicians and music lovers, a very small circle of friends. Van Halen you are certainly correct about---hugely influential, maybe second only to LZ. What was I thinking?! Aerosmith? Eh, I don't know. Doesn't seem like it to me, but I could easily be wrong. Blondie? PU, they're so lame I don't even want to think about that! And it's not just because when I was playing around L.A. with John Wicks (of The Records) he gave his higher-paying gigs to Clem Burke and the crap ones to me ;-(.

Whatthe, those of us who do not care for the music of the E-Street Band are not necessarily missing out on an absolute truth. It's a relative thing. You like what you like, you don't like what you don't like. I wish I liked everything, life would be a little easier. I wouldn't have to push the "skip" button on the remote so often. Still, not a big problem. I've still got healthy thumbs.

Dear Whatthe, I find your arguments for raising Bruce to rock-and-roll sainthood rather ... meh.

Here's the thing. You are knocking Springsteen for you own personal reasons. You have a right not to like Springsteen and/or his music. But you can't change what is fact. Not because I say so. Because the numbers say so. You belittle his achievements and use other bands that have not come close to achieving what he has. Quite frankly your arguments are BS! I am not a fan of classical music but I would not knock Bach and belittle his achievements just because I find it boring. History and facts(numbers) would prove that I would be wrong. Facts are facts. Springsteen's impact on the music industry is indisputable. And your BS does not change that. The earth is round, the sun is the center of our universe, president Obama is a natural born American citizen, climate change is real and Bruce Springsteen is the leader of Rock and Roll!
On another note I drove 6 hours listening to Springsteen straight through. Most enjoyable. I have you guys to thank for it. After a dry spell you got me to revisit the Boss!
I'm just say'in ✌️

The numbers also say Bieber is a pop wonder. If he stays in the business and continues to sell will you put him up there with Bruce?