Oprah asked rock legend Billy Joel
 some really good questions to learn about how the successful musician creates such stirring songs. Billy who doesn’t see himself as a “rock star” didn’t object to Oprah calling him a legend in his own right, though Joel doesn’t consider himself the high-maintenance celebrity type. Billy when asked which of his songs are his personal all-time favorites mentioned he considers them all as children, each dear to his heart. Joel did acknowledge however that any given day his personal favorite can change given the circumstances.

Elvis Presley
 is certainly one of the most renowned names behind music. Even today, we are absolutely obsessed about this sensation who ruled the world for more than a decade. Elvis, in his childhood, was brought up in modest family in close association with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. He got his first taste of music while attending the Assembly of God Church. He was 10 when he made his first performance at the Mississippi and Alabama Fair in a talent contest. In the meantime, his family, struggling money-wise, decided to move to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, hoping for a better life. Things were quite hard in those days, forcing Elvis to work while attending LC Humes High School to help his family.

If ever there was a guitar player who redefined this instrument for anyone who has ever played it before or since, it would be Jimi Hendrix
. Jimi’s exceptionally creative, powerful, psychedelic licks helped him reach a musical standard that has never been duplicated, and in his four short years as a recording star he established himself as a musical legend without equal. His performances at the Monterrey Pop Festival which established him as a star, and later at Woodstock were some of the most awe-inspiring in the history of live music, and history will remember Jimi Hendrix as one of the most influential albeit enigmatic and mysterious musicians who ever graced the stage.

Robert Allen Zimmerman
 was born May 24th 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. His father, Abe, was employed by the Standard Oil Company there, but when Robert was six the family moved to Hibbing, Minnesota. The one riddling note about Hibbing is that is very often the coldest place in the United States. Yikes. Growing up there he taught himself piano and guitar and formed several high school rock bands. Around this time he toyed with the stage name, “Elston Gunn”.

Have you been kind enough to offer your help but now are struggling to know just how to promote a concert?

It’s not that difficult once you apply yourself to the task and really, everything is just common sense. It’s just that you haven’t had to consider it before!

Firstly, time and timing is very important.

Treble check the date of the concert so that there’s no confusion there. (It has happened) Then make sure that any publicity is printed and ready to be displayed in plenty of time. This allows for hold-ups at printers, weekends, bank holidays etc.

You want a good return on ticket sales so don’t leave publicising the event till the last minute. Things like” book now to avoid disappointment” and “when they’re gone they’re gone” are good stock phrases to use.

The design of any posters, flyers or leaflets that you create is vitally important. They have to meet the A.I.D.A criteria. Not sure what that is?

A=attention
I=interest
D=desire
A=action

Basically, the design needs to be good enough/bright enough/unusual enough to attract everyone’s attention. But especially the attention of your target audience.

Some research into what’s grabbing that particular age group’s attention would be a good idea when it comes to promoting a concert.

There should definitely be something of interest in the flyer etc too. Not just a blatant advert. Add some interesting fact, an anniversary of something, the fact that this is a return by popular demand or similar.

Then you’ve got to make the audience want to come – the concert’s got to be unmissable. Why? Use your imagination because people act on their desire.

Finally, if all the above works, then your audience will decide to come because all that’s left for them to do is take action!

Be sure to get this promotional literature everywhere that the potential audience will see it, including the venue itself.

If you or some helpful volunteers are putting flyers out yourselves, it’s best to stick them at around eye level for maximum effect.

Get them in local shops, libraries, shop & café noticeboards, colleges, schools( if that’s the relevant age group), Uni’s, local government halls, council offices, village halls, supermarket & mall boards.

Like I say, any where and everywhere.

Obviously get a good deal on your printing costs if you’re really going for it & don’t worry if you sometimes have to compromise on quality as a ‘rough’ effect for some publicity flyers can have a good unusual effect.

I could go on as there are lots of angles to look at & this has just been a taster on how to promote a concert. But I hope it helps.

New Wave was the third form of music to develop on the indie scene, and like progressive rock it was quickly usurped and mutilated by labels, who would sign anyone with any connection to the true sound. This type of music was pretty much right in between punk and prog; experimental and edgy at the same time. In fact, some of the most influential artists in the New Wave
 movement are still cited by label successes such as U2 today; Elvis Costello was known for his pointed lyrics, and Blondie was perhaps the most well-known band of this era.

Alternative Music embodies a different musical approach and an “anything but” philosophy to the status quo of rock and roll. This movement in music has existed in other forms through the years. Punk, for example, was arguably a precursor to what later developed as Alternative Music. The idea of Alternative Music is music and bands that are not in the mainstream. The genre of Alternative Music currently is hard to define. The wave that started in the early 90s has subsided and has left a lot of carbon copies in its aftermath.

The young band Ampiphy releases their new CD Lonely Road.
Melodic Rock from The LowLands
Popular Music Directory

If I’m not mistaken, there is an old saying that says “rock n’ roll will never die, and although that sounds like a cliche, it may actually be true. Considering the popularity of “classic rock” these days, it certainly is not showing any signs of dying anytime soon. When I hear a classic rock ringtone coming from some teenager’s phone, I know there is hope for its future.

Despite the fact that much of the music we consider “classic” these days is from 20 or more years ago, a lot of young people seem to be flocking to classic rock. This does not surprise me given the quality of what is considered music these days.

I think the Internet has been a great help in introducing a lot of the older music to young people today. Let’s face it, you can get online and download just about any kind of music you can think of. I don’t doubt that in some cases, parents had a hand in introducing classic rock to their kids as well since that was certainly the case in my family.

However, since the Internet has made so many choices available, young people also has the opportunity to discover classic rock music on their own and perhaps feel more like it was their own and that bodes well for the future of classic rock.

The punk rock scene in the 1970s was kick started by the 1971 formed New York Dolls. They influenced countless acts to follow, both in America and the UK, achieving cult status but less commercial success than others who had gloried in their slipstream. They were never credited with being the best musicians in the world but fans loved their high energy music that was just right for the times.

Here is a collection of videos show casing famous guitarists. This collection is ruled by my own preferences to be honest, but some of the material here is absolutely awesome. And more will be added to this collection on a regular basis!

If you want to know more about the Electric Guitar then this is the site for you.

Billy Talent is a Juno Award-winning Canadian rock band formed in 1993 in Mississauga, Ontario. The band consists of Benjamin Kowalewicz (vocals), Ian D’Sa (guitar/vocals), Jonathan Gallant (bass/vocals), and Aaron Solowoniuk (drums/percussion).

Although they are often described as having punk rock roots, the band claims that they have no bands that they have drawn inspiration from; they did not “emulate popular bands at the time.” The sound is original and unique, something different that they recognized when they first started playing together.

The band existed for almost a decade before hitting mainstream success. The members met and played in high school under the name Pezz, and remained underground in Toronto’s indie music scene until 2001. The band renamed itself Billy Talent after running into legal trouble with the old name. It was then that Kowalewicz’s connection with a worker in Warner Music Canada’s A&R landed the band a record deal and launched them into mainstream success. Since then, Billy Talent has made two multi-platinum records in Canada, and continue to expand their success overseas. While currently on tour, the band is expecting to return home in September and start on a third album.

To find out more about Billy Talent and view a great range of band merchandise visit our website

There are so many great artists out there, across all kinds of genres.  Every once in a while there is a band or artist that becomes synonymous with a certain city or area.  Its hard not to think of Jimmy Buffet when Florida Beaches, particularly the Florida Keys, comes to mind.  Jack Johnson is the image of Hawaii for his legion of fans.

For me, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have always been the quintessential image and sound of California.  As I drove around looking at apartments for rent in Los Angeles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the car CD player were a big part of the experience.  It was an even dose of Californication and By The Way on that day.  The Chili Peppers pay homage to Los Angeles probably as much or more than any artist or band recognizes a single place in their song lyrics.  The guys from the Peppers are not just transplants playing the role of LA rockers, these guys are born and raised in LA and alumni of Fairfax High School in West Hollywood.

While my LA days were short-lived, popping in a RHCP disc quickly brings me back to the beauty and excitement of Southern California.  It takes a special artist to become such an integral part of the image of a city and the Chili Peppers

The singer songwriter boom of the 1970s owed a lot to James Taylor, an artist who has been recording and performing ever since and who has written songs that became classics. Most people can hum a James Taylor song and he has the respect of fellow musicians. His contribution was officially recognized when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal/hard rock band from Huntington Beach, California.

The band was formed in 1999. Avenged Sevenfold’s first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, was recorded when the band members were eighteen years old. It was originally released on their first label, Good Life Recordings. After lead guitarist Synyster Gates joined the band, the introductory track “To End The Rapture” was re-recorded with Gates playing, and the album was re-released on Hopeless Records. Their follow-up album, entitled Waking the Fallen, was also released on Hopeless Records and was awarded a positive rating in Rolling Stone magazine. Shortly after its release, Avenged Sevenfold were signed to Warner Bros. Records.

To find out more about Avenged Sevenfold and view a great range of band merchandise visit our website

Classic rock giants, Led Zeppelin, are reuniting for the first time in almost twenty years. The occasion is a tribute and benefit concert for Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, who passed away last year. Ertegun benefacted many up and coming acts in his time and Zeppelin was one of his biggest hits. The concert will be Nov. 26 at the 02 arena in London.

Founding members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones have chosen Jason Bonham to fill the role his deceased father played with the band. John Bonham is considered one of the all time great rock drummers and son Jason has had a long career drumming for several bands and performers.

Read more: Led Zeppelin Reunion

Legendary vocal powerhouse Ann Wilson of Heart fame is set to release her first solo album on September 11. That date, one we will all remember, was not picked accidentally.

Wilson’s new album is intended to send a message about the the current state of things and she shares a lot of her feelings about how things could be improved.

Only one track was written by Wilson herself with all the others being songs originally written and performed by others.

Joining her to record the album are other well-known artists such as Elton John and Alison Krauss and Wilson says she is honored and very grateful for their contributions.

As the release date approaches, the rock news world will likely offer up plenty more information and no shortage of reviews following the album’s release.

Ann, and her sister Nancy enjoyed enormously successful careers leading their band Heart through more than three decades and were responsible for such hits as Magic Man, Barracuda and Alone.

The Who have been around since the mid sixties and are still going strong. The U.K. leg of their latest tour is now coming to a close with a couple of home turf gigs at Wembley Arena, almost just round the corner from where they grew up.
 

With over 40 years worth of material to choose from it must be a case of what to leave out the set rather than what to put in it.
 

With Keith Moon and John Entwhistle sadly departed the flag continues to be flown by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend, now both in their early sixties.
 

Check out the Where’s My Groupie Gig Review
The Who – Wembley Arena