Either if you know me or if you’ve been reading my posts, you can probably gather that I don’t listen to a lot of modern music. Part of this is because I already have such a glorious music collection from the 1950’s to the 1990’s that there is little I need to add. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like any modern music at all, I just don’t know as much because I don’t listen to those radio stations. I only get new music from new movies, sometimes work, a suggestion from friends or family- that’s pretty much it. I still love finding new music, but honestly what’s more thrilling for me at times is when I discover something previously unknown to me by somebody I already admire.
Almost a few years ago now, I was really quite depressed. One of the things that helped me get through it (aside from therapy and whatnot) was the Who. I remember one night I was at Barnes and Noble and I found Pete Townshend’s autobiography, Who I Am, and I decided the read the first few pages. In doing so, I was helplessly drawn to it and I knew I needed it. I immediately bought it and was immediately hooked. The first night I had it home, I was up until about 3am because I simply couldn’t stop reading it. I fell in love with Pete. I honestly feel like that was healthy for me at the time, as silly as that sounds. But anyway, he talked a lot about the albums, the process of making them and writing the songs for them. I felt like I was missing something, not actually knowing the albums he was talking about, so I ordered three of them to start with online, listened to them all in one night, and was in love with all of them. Right now, I’m just going to focus on one of them, my favorite of the trio I had ordered: The Who Sell Out.
Yes, Pete is holding a giant stick of deodorant, Roger is in a tub of baked beans, and on the back you’ll find Keith with an acne cream (also giant), and John in a leopard Flinstones/Tarzan-ish dress thing, advertising the power of his muscles.
It’s a commercial themed album and it’s amazing, clever, and hilarious at times. At the very beginning and in between some songs, you’ll hear brief commercial-like jingles and women singing announcements as if you’re listening to a radio station live every time you listen to the album. I love it so much; I love listening to this CD in my car because I feel like it’s my own private little Who radio station and I’m back in time in the 60’s.
But they don’t stop at the little things, like singing about Coca-Cola and cars in between full tracks. Many of the full songs themselves are an advertisement; Pete sings a lovely little song called Odorono but it’s only at the end you realize it’s about deodorant.
I love every single song on here, but here are my highlights:
Odorono-Like I mentioned before, you don’t know until the very end that this whole story of a young budding actress is actually just to advertise deodorant. Also, it’s sung by Pete. I love his angel voice. And it’s one of the many times Pete has used “glittering” as an adjective. Actually…let’s just pause this focus on The Who Sell Out for a moment. I want to show you that I’m right and Pete just loves the word “glittering”.
Here are all the times (at least that I can think of right this second) where Pete Townshend uses the word “glittering“:
-Obviously in Odorono: “She ripped her glittering gown, couldn’t face another show, no; her deodorant had let her down; she should have used Odorono”
-In Tommy, in The Amazing Journey, Pete describes a tall stranger “dressed in a silver-sparked glittering gown, his golden beard flows nearly down to the ground”
-In Quadrophenia, in 5:15 (probably my favorite song from that album) Pete writes “He man drag in the glittering ballroom, greyly outrageous in my high heeled shoes”
-Later on The Who Sell Out, there is a song simply called “Glittering Girl”
Okay…I can’t actually think of any more….I swear there’s at least like one more….oh well. I just like that Pete likes that word. And yes, I say Pete; he was and is the brainchild, the main lyricist, the creative one.
That isn’t to discredit the other members, though. Because they were all amazing. They all sing songs on this album…actually, Keith might be the only one who doesn’t sing alone on this album, but he certainly did on other albums. Besides, he was the best drummer this world has ever known. It doesn’t matter how much he sang solo.
Oh my goodness, I digress….back to some of my favorite songs from the album!!
Tattoo- the simple story of two brothers trying to be more manly. I have quoted this song in a previous blog post talking about a BB-8 illustration I was drawn to due to its’ tattoo style.
I Can’t Reach You- love is difficult. My favorite lyrics from this song are “our fingertips touched and then my mind tore us apart”
Relax- it’s fun and trippy, and I love the sound of all of them singing together. And of course, my Pete
Someone’s Coming- for all the youngins out there who have parents that don’t approve of their boyfriends or girlfriends; “your father doesn’t like me, told you that you couldn’t see me anymore, that’s why we meet in secret, that’s why we’re hiding here…you say you’ll take the dog out, then you sneak out here to me”
Jaguar- there’s actually not a lot of lyrics in this, it’s mostly just an awesome instrumental song and then all of a sudden they sing “jaguar” at the end. I love the subtle commercialism they throw in there. It’s also a jab at how they had to do similar things for real at the time.
Early Morning Cold Taxi- I don’t know what I like about this one in particular. “3:36, it’s cold. I know I’m growing old”. I just like it. It’s at the end of this one that they sing about Coca-Cola. Does it have to do with the song at all? Nope. It’s just a commercial in between but done so much cooler.
Hall of The Mountain King- this is actually a very famous instrumental…I can’t think of where it’s normally used but I guarantee you’ve heard it before. But not like this. Their version is so fantastic. I get so excited when it comes on…just fantastically done and they even have their own goofy noises going on in the background. They also simply sing “ah” much of the time, and it’s lovely. But overall it’s just spectacular, I can’t stress it enough.
Girl’s Eyes- the song is alright, I mostly just like these lyrics: “Each time you play a melody, it means the Earth to this little girl”. Are they singing about me?! I think so.
I didn’t even mention the only song that most people (not super Who fans) would know from this album, the only hit single: I Can See For Miles. That song is of course just wonderful. Even Pete Townshend himself thinks it should have been number one on all of the charts and it’s the best thing he had written in that point in their career. I learned this from watching Tommy: The Amazing Journey, which is a movie about the making of that iconic album. I just wanted to tell you about the songs you definitely wouldn’t know but should most certainly check out.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, this was when I was madly in love with Pete Townshend (I still am in a much subtler way, of course). One of the things in his autobiography that made me want to know this album was him talking about how awkward the photoshoot for it was for him. He was a tall, lanky, skinny lad, and he didn’t feel sexy at all. But I think he looked absolutely adorable. This was the background on my phone for quite some time:
Bad news on the doorstep, I couldn’t take one more step.
I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride.
But something touched me deep inside, the day the music died.”
I must have heard this song about million times now, but every time I hear it, it makes me cry. If you didn’t already know, it’s American Pie by Don McLean. He declares that 57 years ago today was “the day the music died”, but in my heart and to so many other fans, that music is never dead. Buddy Holly already had a few successful years in establishing rock and roll when he took his last steps onto that doomed plane in 1959. He was only 22 when the plane crashed (which was due to a massive mistake of the pilot but I’ll be nice and say nothing else). Ritchie Valens, a talented singing and guitar playing American teen of Mexican heritage (like me!) had perhaps less than a year of rock and roll fame when he had passed. He was only 17. J.P. Richardson, famously known as The Big Bopper, was the third musician on that plane, and he was 29. Like Valens, his music career was still extremely fresh; he was previously a radio DJ personality but only recently released his own novelty hit, “Chantilly Lace”.
I have been raised knowing all about this day. My dad is a huge Buddy Holly fan, so naturally I grew up listening to a lot of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. “True Love Ways” was the first song my parents danced to as husband and wife at their wedding. After that, of course, they danced to “We Belong Together”, which is originally by Ritchie Valens, but I remember them saying that for some reason it had to be the Los Lobos version…which is decent, I guess. It’s the version from the La Bamba soundtrack, a movie about Ritchie Valens’ short rock and roll career. But at my own wedding, I’m definitely having the original version play. I didn’t know as much about Ritchie Valens as I did about Buddy Holly until I was 13 or so. I felt more connected to Ritchie Valens than Buddy Holly because he was a young American of Mexican heritage, like me, and also didn’t know Spanish, like me. But he can sure sound like he does; in “La Bamba”, he sounds so beautiful and you don’t doubt the authenticity. Like I said before, the poor dear was only 17! His career was just starting! And he was already so successful. I have no doubt that he and Buddy Holly would have continued to bring us fantastic rock and roll songs had they not been persuaded by the February cold on a cheap and lousy bus to ride on a plane to continue performing in “The Winter Dance Party” tour.
One of the reasons that Don McLean saying he may have cried reading “about his widowed bride” is referencing that Buddy Holly’s wife, Maria Elena, had just found out she was pregnant but then suffered a miscarriage. And again, that makes me cry. But, here’s why I don’t necessarily think “the music died”; they live on, and they always will. Not only in the music they have made, but also in the artists that they have influenced as well. For example, you wouldn’t have the Beatles without Buddy Holly and the Crickets (Beetles+Crickets=Beatles). Or the Hollies, who straight up named themselves after Buddy Holly; they’re another beautiful sixties band. The Rolling Stones loved Buddy Holly as well and have one of the few covers of a Buddy Holly song that I accept; “Not Fade Away”. Ritchie Valens influenced so many amazing artists, like Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, who is arguably one of the greatest guitar players of all time, and then fellow Latino artists, like Carlos Santana. Actually, all Latino artists of today can thank Ritchie Valens for paving the way. Granted, his white management insisted he go by Valens instead of his actual last name, Valenzuela, but sadly this was the 1950’s; it’s hard to say if he would have been given the same chances had his name been shortened to sound more white and less Latino.
I could go on and on about how amazing Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens were, but their music speaks for itself. Here are a few of my favorites of theirs:
And of course, both of their lives have been immortalized in film…but to be honest, I’m waiting for new films. I haven’t seen The Buddy Holly Story in a while, but I just can’t get over the casting of Gary Busey. There just has to be somebody better out there. Also, evidently the racist comments the Crickets band members make about Maria Elena, who is of Puerto Rican descent, allegedly did not happen. They could also simply be trying to save their reputation, but I want to believe they weren’t racist. And La Bamba…it’s good, but I hate that they made Ritchie Valens obsessively afraid of flying. I’ve read that his mother said he was not, not any more afraid of other Americans who had not flown yet, seeing as how it was still a newer thing back then. Isn’t the abrupt and super early end of a rock and roller sad enough without trying to add more drama to it? Oh well. I’m waiting for the remakes. As of right now, the Big Bopper has not had any films solely about him, though he is of course featured in the other two. I know his son has been trying to make something happen for him, but it just hasn’t happened yet.
Guys, look at the Big Bopper’s leopard print jacket. I freaking love it.
Look at this goofy guy.
And then…my favorites. My darlings.
Buddy Holly…so adorable and sweet. And with his classic glasses.
And of course, my fellow Mexican-American, my Ritchie Valens.
I couldn’t resist…..
And I still can’t! Here’s another to keep you dancing!!
It’s that time of the week again!! Even though when I post on here in the evening it often pushes itself to the next day….but I assure you, it’s still Monday evening for me.
Earlier today before I went to work, I enjoyed a coconut mocha I made for myself at home in my mini Keurig. I chose one of my shorter, wider mugs so that it would cool faster so I could drink it all before work.
101 Dalmatians is my number one favorite classic Disney movie, and of course Pongo is one of my favorite Disney characters ever. I love it all so much; the puppies, the Britishness, the Twilight Bark, the Labrador façade- it’s all brilliant. (What do I mean by favorite classic Disney movie, you ask?! I have other categories of favorite Disney movies, of course). This mug is almost as adorable as all of the 99 puppies are! As cute as this is, I definitely want more 101 Dalmatians mugs, in addition to my very own Dalmatian plantation. When I was little, I had a Dalmatians themed bedset, and so many toys and stuffed animals of the dogs because I was so obsessed. I still am; I still watch this movie regularly and laugh and enjoy it so much. This mug helps me bring my childhood obsession casually into my adulthood. Also, Disney Store mugs are actually my favorite mugs; they’re always fantastic, both beautifully designed and made well. I have a lot of Disney mugs, as you will eventually see in the upcoming Mondays, but I still want more. I seriously just want my own huge kitchen with entirely Disney things. I don’t care how silly that sounds; if it wasn’t acceptable for me to have fancy Disney silverware and plates and such, then why does it exist?! I rest my case.
Today is Ahsoka Day!! I’ve actually already written about how awesome Ahsoka Tano is on here before for no particular reason, but because today is her day, I will gladly do it again.
Ahsoka Tano means a lot to me, and my admiration and love for this character honestly took me by surprise. On this day in 2008, she made her debut in the Star Wars universe. While the Clone Wars series was actually on air, I was hesitant to watch it, worried any characters would disappoint me. I am so thankful for Hot Topic and Her Universe; without knowing about how awesome Ashley Eckstein is, I don’t know what else would have brought me to the show. Just in case you didn’t know, Ashley Eckstein is the voice of Ahsoka Tano, both as Anakin Skywalker’s teen padawan on Clone Wars back then and as the older, wiser, even more badass Torguta-Jedi on Rebels now. But she’s not just an amazing voice actress; she is an amazing fangirl herself who started a clothing line catering to all the wonderful nerdy women out there…like myself, of course. As I became this huge Ashley Eckstein fan, I felt bad and even less of a supporter of hers not knowing diddly squat about Ahsoka. I ended up looking up everything about her online, but I decided I still wanted to watch at least a bit of the series, to at least get a taste. I’m actually quite happy to say that I couldn’t stop and I fell in love with the Clone Wars series and Ahsoka Tano herself.
Why do I love Ahsoka? It’s hard to pick even just a few reasons, but I will try to start:
She’s a Torgruta; she’s naturally awesome-looking and quite beautiful. It’s always fun for me to look at the non-human characters in Star Wars
She’s a strong, independent Torgruta Jedi that don’t need no man…but seriously, she can kick anybody’s ass
She uses two lightsabers which used to annoy me but then I just decided I liked it. It is merely dependent on Jedi preference.
She’s feisty but is also still sweet and gentle
As Anakin’s padawan learner, she kinda takes after him. They had a beautiful older brother and little sister relationship
Sure, she started out with tube top, but she eventually graduated to her maroon-ish tunic with those funky sleeves and I think that suits her much better
Ashley Eckstein has a fantastic voice, from spunky teenager to sage Jedi woman, her voice is just always perfect for Ahsoka.
Here is my Ahsoka collection…it’s small, but it has only just begun:
You may recognize the ballerina print by Ashley Taylor from one of my recent posts, as well as my little Disney Infinity Ahsoka. The shirt on the left isn’t official, but it’s still damn cute. It’s from LookHuman.com. The “AHSOKA LIVES” is of course from Her Universe, celebrating the fact that Ahsoka survived Order 66 and continues to fight on in Rebels. However, I ordered it too small so I can’t wear it until I do some things I found on Pinterest. And the card? That is autographed by Ashley Eckstein herself!! You know what’s even cooler? She also signs as Ahsoka Tano underneath her name. And the coolest thing about it? That was a Christmas present from two of my best friends; they love me and they are awesome.
“People let me tell you about my beeest friend,”
PSSSSTTTT….the sweater I’m wearing has R2-D2 and is of course by Her Universe.
But anyway…HAPPY AHSOKA DAY!!!!
And…not exactly Ahsoka news but still Star Wars, today I received the print I ordered from http://www.spooksieboo.bigcartel.com/ and it’s perfection.
Yes, that’s our sweet Finn. FN-2187. It’s weird, because I have fainted at both the sight and just the mere thought of blood, but the blood on Finn’s stormtrooper helmet is just one of the coolest images in Star Wars history to me. And look at the little melted Darth Vader pin!! The lovely artist just threw that in there as an awesome freebie!!
As you may know by now, I’m a woman of many obsessions. I decided that on various Mondays I am going to showcase part of one of my favorite collections: my mugs.
I love mugs. They combine two of my favorite things: coffee and pop culture. Sure, you can put anything in a mug, but coffee is its’ true soulmate.
Some people think that I have way too many mugs. Those people are wrong. However, until I move out into my own bachorlette pad, I can’t use all of my mugs; not all of them will fit in our kitchen cabinets. I have several in my room as décor, a sunglasses holder, and make-up storage for now. It is my way of hiding them so the two people who think I have too many mugs do not necessarily notice and therefore cannot stop me.
Today I present to you my latest mug! This one is just chilling as décor in my room for now not only because of Operation: Hide Half of My Mugs From My Parents, but also because on the box it said “hand wash only”…1) psh, who has time to hand wash their dishes?! 2) if I used it and left it out to hand wash, there’s a good chance two certain people will think I’m being lazy and just throw it in the dishwasher not realize I would have actually had reason not to put it with the rest of the used dishes.
Look at it!!!
Yes, that is C3PO. The Funko Pop! Force Awakens version of him! Back in November, I subscribed to a box subscription called Smugglers’ Bounty. Every other month, you receive a delightful box of exclusive Star Wars Funko Pop! merchandise. The first box I got two of the figures, the second box I got one figure (a fuzzy Chewbacca) and this mug (along with a t-shirt and other goodies, but I just wanted to clarify that the box is not only giving you the figures they are famous for). Each box has a different Star Wars theme; this box was a Force Awakens: The Resistance theme. I love Threepio with a red arm; “you may not recognize me because of my red arm”. I love the changes he’s went through during all of the films. I love this mug, it’s so adorable. Star Wars + Mugs = Happy Rita.
Just kidding. I do not have any tattoos. But I do like them…however, pretty sure my family would disown me if I ever got one (or if they ever found out if I got one…hehe). I think my own semi-secret affinity for tattoos is precisely why I was drawn to my latest Etsy art purchase:
Tattoos and Star Wars…I’ve admired this piece for a while but waited until after actually seeing The Force Awakens to buy it. I think I saw it first on Instagram and from there found the artist’s Etsy. The adorable little tattoo-style BB-8 is by an artist named Michelle Coffee.
I think I got it last week, and it is shown here with other pieces I ordered from Etsy a while but I’m waiting until I have them arranged perfectly in my mind…I’m trying to do a Disney-Star-Wars-Marvel collection of things on my wall. I’m waiting for another Star Wars inspired print I ordered from http://www.spooksieboo.bigcartel.com yet another awesome artist I found on Instagram but doesn’t have an Etsy shop that I know of. I don’t know how it started, but I just keep finding these amazing artists and buying their work. There are pieces not shown here that I don’t even have at least partially a plan for, not even 12% of a plan; I just keep helplessly collecting artwork. My dad and my brother are tremendously talented at drawing anything, mostly people…I did not inherit that skill, but I can still admire others who have such talents.
Look at my Ahsoka Tano ballerina…I’m so in love with that piece. That’s by Ashley Taylor, who I also found on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley24taylor/ and this was accomplished by either creeping on various Disney or Star Wars pieces. She also did the one of Cher from Clueless and Elle from Legally Blonde. That one doesn’t fit in with my Disney-Star-Wars-Marvel theme, so I don’t even know where I’m going to put that one either! But isn’t it darling?! But anyway, I would love to fill my wall with all of Ashley Taylor’s Star Wars ballerinas but she does not sell them, I think because of some contractual issues (she is a freelance artist and does a lot of work for Disney Blogs). I only acquired the Ahsoka print as a freebie with my purchase of the “Legally Clueless” piece. I have accepted that Ahsoka might be my only Star Wars ballerina I’ll get from Taylor, but I do secretly hope she’ll do another similar promotion because the rest are absolutely exquisite!
And the fancy little Jasmine? https://www.etsy.com/shop/aasilee just another amazing artist I found on Instagram and then have since purchased on Etsy! See, Jasmine fits in with my little plan. Problem is, I need more Disney to even out how many Star Wars art pieces I’ll have on my wall.. Actually, I do already plan to purchase from yet another Instagram-discovery-artist whose Etsy shop I adore: https://www.etsy.com/shop/18thcenturyshop . She has soooooo many Disney inspired pieces…there’s a Pocahontas one in particular I must have, but I’m waiting until I finalize my plans (it’s a bit bigger than the others so I’m still considering my entire layout) and my next paycheck.
And no, I do not personally know any of these artists. I’m just endorsing them because I love their work. #cantstopbuyingart
I’m not really posting as much as I want to. As usual, I end up disappointing myself. In the last week, the only news seems to be sad, anyway. Alan Rickman. Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Brian Bedford, who I only knew as the voice of Disney’s Robin Hood. They have all passed away this past week. Honestly, the loss of David Bowie has upset me the most. This past Sunday morning I had a meeting at work, and as I was warming up my car in the 1 degree weather to leave before returning in the afternoon, I was really upset because Starman was on the radio, but it was ending. But even just the ending was quite lovely to listen to. Then they played Rebel Rebel, and I was still just chilling in my car and this point, shaking it a bit because I couldn’t help but dance, even if it wasn’t to the fullest potential because I was still sitting in my car. Then at least two more Bowie classics played while I was still driving…I can’t remember for sure, but I think it was 97.1fm the Drive pulling on my heartstrings. The music of David Bowie brings me so much joy, and I like to think I’m honoring his memory by dancing when he comes on.
Earlier this week I was going through a drawer in my room (everyday I’m off I attempt to go through things and dispose of what’s unnecessary; I’m a bit of a pack-rat), and I found my little patch collection I had started when I was like…12? 13? I had plans to put them on a jean jacket…that never happened. Alas, I still have the jacket, since I think I only purchased that in high school, and you can see here that I still have the patches…most of them, anyway. I have a Spinal Tap patch somewhere I can’t find.
And yes, I know I’m missing Peter Criss, but that’s not my fault; my brother gave me the Kiss ones as part of a large collection of his he passed down to me and either couldn’t find Peter to even purchase, or lost it…but it’s cool, I have other cool Kiss things from him to make up for that.
But just admire my David Bowie patch for a minute. It still has a sticker on the back that says “WILD ROOTS $4.99”. Wild Roots is a little store in the town I’ve lived in my entire life, they sell tie dye shirts, band shirts, posters, incense, hemp jewelry – it’s a delightful hippie store so naturally I love it. And yes, that Rolling Stones one is light pink…because why the hell not?! Isn’t it pretty?!
Again, I need to either actually do my jean jacket plan, or find something else to put these on; they are all way too cool to just sit in a drawer. Or maybe I’ll make something I’ll find on Pinterest, like a collage of patches in a frame…and I didn’t even think of that until just now! I’m a genius!
But guys. Alan Rickman. Such an amazing actor. I like how much he creeped me out in Sweeney Todd and how gentle his heart is in Sense and Sensibility, but as a child he got me the most as Snape. Okay, here’s some background- when I was a child and the Harry Potter phenomenon was invading everywhere, I decided to like Slytherin because little Rita had a crush on Tom Felton, otherwise known as Draco Malfoy. Also, I personally think he has the best name, but that’s besides the point. As a Slytherin fan, of course I loved Snape. When my best friend Hallie and I would play with our Harry Potter action figures, I pretended that one of the Hermione toys we had was a character I had conjured up myself; Star Snape, the daughter of Severus Snape. I imagined a backstory for her, explaining her mother’s whereabouts (she was probably dead in my story) and whatnot, but I don’t remember the details of it. And of course, Star was in love with Malfoy and they were going steady so I could imagine myself with Malfoy. Naturally, Daddy Snape approved the crap out of this courtship. And yes, I realize this is all incredibly silly, but I was a child!
Fellow lovers of rock, today we all mourn the loss of our David Bowie. He had been battling cancer for 18 months. He was 69 years old and his birthday was just this past Friday, he also released his last album that day. I was so shocked when I read the news, because he had kept his illness out of the press. I just kept thinking about how he literally released a new album just days ago, how could this be? Evidently David Bowie actually intended to this last album, Blackstar, to be a farewell gift; the last he would be able to give his fans.
I’ve always loved David Bowie and his ever-changing personas, his style, his voice- heck, I even adore his hair over the years. Sometime mid-afternoon on New Year’s Eve, I got into my car, a bit emotionally distressed. I was sick, stressing out about a lot of things- I was simply a mess. When I turned on the radio, I was excited to hear Bowie’s classic “Golden Years”. I shrieked in excitement by myself in my car because I hadn’t heard that song in a while and I missed it. However, I soon realized it was actually ending. Pretty sure I started swearing in my poor Ruby Tuesday. I wasn’t in the mood or didn’t like whatever played after that, but the next channel I changed it to, “Golden Years” had just begun. I’ve had a lot of lovely moments with my radio, but this one has to be the best. Somehow, somewhere, it was understood that I truly needed that song at that moment. I don’t even remember which station it was, but I simply felt blessed. Like it was meant to be a sign, to show me that I would be alright.
I read the news last night just before I went to bed, and it actually took me over an hour to fall asleep after reading that. I was too stunned, too upset, also in pure disbelief. I read some more of Before the Awakening (yes, it’s a Star Wars book) to focus on something else and eventually I was able to slumber. And I was just thinking about him earlier that night, too; when I was working on my previous blog post, I was writing about Almost Famous, this fantastic rock and roll movie. There is a scene at a hotel where the rock stars are staying at, and David Bowie is there (played by an actor, but still), and this Bowie fan in the lobby who had just been complaining about Bowie’s work at the time just can’t even help himself when he catches a glimpse of his idol heading towards the elevator. Just watch the first twenty seconds or so. Watch him scream in excitement, and look at the other fans around dressed like David Bowie.
Needless to say, I have spent most of my day listening to my favorite David Bowie songs, which include but are not limited to the following: “Let’s Dance”(definitely my #1), “Rebel, Rebel”, “Suffragette City”, “I’m Afraid of Americans”, and so forth. Right now I’m actually watching Guardians of the Galaxy…I know, it only has one David Bowie song in it, but it makes me happy. That’s another movie I can watch a billion times in a row and never get tired of. But when I’m simply listening to the music, I’m dancing around in my room. I’m dancing all over the place, like when Mick Jagger joined David Bowie for some dancing in the street.
Today, my tears and my happiness are dedicated to you, David Bowie. My thoughts and prayers are with your wife, children, and the rest of your family.
I’ve decided to do that fairly standard and slightly stereotypical list thing that websites do; I must present to you a list of the greatest Rock and Roll movies of all time! However, I can’t rank them. There are obviously some I love more than others, but what does that matter? They each deserve recognition and love. And I actually already have dedicated an entire blog post to what I consider to be both the best movie and the best rock and roll movie ever: Pirate Radio. But, to recap briefly, it’s beautiful because it’s funny, charming, filled with friendships and romance, and- most importantly for me- rock and roll and a deep love for that rock and roll. I believe I posted that around the end of December; I delve into my love for that movie pretty thoroughly.
Alas, here are the others that are secondary to Pirate Radio in being a great rock and roll themed movie:
This Is Spinal Tap
One of my favorite experiences in life is laughing, and that’s pretty much the bulk of my reactions to this movie. I already love rock stars, long hair, ridiculously tight pants, British accents, so I was bound to love this movie. This “rockumentary” does well in catering to rock lovers by showing us that stage life, the performances, the backstage environment, but I think the humor and even the vulnerability of these characters are what make this movie appealing to everyone, rock lover like myself or not. Yes, the movie is about an 80’s metal band (who actually have been a band since the 60’s so it’s not even truly fair to label them as only as 80’s metal band, but that’s just so you have the proper image in your head), but this band actually isn’t hugely successful. You’re able to laugh at them, though, when nobody shows up for their record signing or when gigs are cancelled due to low ticket sales. You’re even more able to laugh at them when stage props go horribly wrong, like when they leave their largely incompetent manager to handle things:
Nigel doesn’t even know it just yet, but that little Stonehenge monument being lowered just slightly behind him was actually supposed to “20 feet high”, but because Nigel gave Ian, their manager, this napkin drawing, and Ian didn’t bother you know…fixing it, you end up with disappointed and humiliated rock stars.
You want them to win, but it’s just too funny when they don’t. They can’t even go to an airport without one of them being searched and discovering they tried to fool everyone with a foiled-up cucumber in their trousers. For the sake of comedy, please enjoy the crap out of this movie.
School of Rock
This movie is similar to Pirate Radio in that part of its’ appeal to me is how passionate the main characters are about rock.
Okay, maybe just Jack Black’s character in the beginning…but how freaking cool is it that he gives these already musically inclined kids the grand gift of rock and roll?! I love his chart of rock and roll history on the chalkboard, how he gives the kids various albums on CD to listen to for homework, and even shows them a bit of rock and roll (the drumming montage featuring Keith Moon is just beautiful). Also, Jack Black and those kids are hilarious. They’re endearing, some sweet, some sassy, and a few of them insecure, like I’m sure many of us were at that tender middle-schoolish age. I know I was. I had no self-confidence whatsoever. “I can’t play rock and roll, I’m not cool enough,”; how adorable and sad is that?! And you know what?! He certainly was cool enough for rock and roll, bless his shy little heart. And here’s my favorite sassy moment:
Paired with an awesome rock and roll soundtrack and references, these hilarious kids and the even more hilarious Jack Black make this movie one of the best ever. ROCK AND ROLL!!
That Thing You Do!
For whatever reason, I don’t think this movie is as well-known as others on this list, and I have no idea why. It’s written and directed by Tom Hanks!! He’s always been one of my favorite actors, and to me, it’s even cooler that he’s a huge classic rock and roll fan; he loves the Beatles (which he also incorporates into this film in more than a few ways but my favorite way is a major spoiler, so….) and is even an executive producer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies. This movie even has the gorgeous Liv Tyler, talented actress but also the daughter of the legendary Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith! It’s just so laced with rock and roll, it’s wonderful. It’s about a band in the early 1960’s making it big with their first major hit single, and the journey ahead of them. Like the others on this list, it’s quite hilarious; Steve Zahn and Ethan Embry are both members of the band and they’re both delightful. But you also get the drama and the tension that forms when a band is successful and it all happens so quickly. And of course, there’s a little bit of romance as well. There’s so many little things I love, like the overall 60’s-ness of it all, the reference to other artists from the time, how the band members are with each other…I could go on, but just take these few specific things I love about it; it includes one of my favorite scenes in cinema EVER.
When they hear their song on the radio for the first time, it’s incredibly blissful and sweet. Liv Tyler, who is the lead singer’s girlfriend/muse, hears it first, and gradually the band all meet at the drummer’s father’s appliances store. Guys, I’m not kidding, this scene makes me tear up every single time. They’re just so freaking happy. Nothing can bring them down in this moment. You’re full of crap if you’re telling me you’ve seen a group of people any happier than these kids are.
Even in this poor quality youtube video of the moment, I still cry.
Other thing I love that is kind of a spoiler…but all you need to know is there’s a dramatic break up at some point, and Liv Tyler delivers this beautiful and sad speech. This is just a snippet, but you really should just watch the movie to hear it all:
Rock and Roll High School
Okay, so based on my previous experiences of showing this movie to my friends who aren’t quite as rock and roll obsessed as I am, this one might be considered more enjoyable for us rock fans. That, of course, isn’t to say that it is exclusively for rock fanatics; it has so much silliness that you can’t resist it. But, back to the rock and roll; like the others, the soundtrack is amazing. Unlike the others, this one actually stars a legendary rock band in the flesh: the Ramones. Released in 1979, this was pretty much at the height of their punk rock career. They actually perform in it and drive the plot. Riff Randell, played by P.J. Soles (who is otherwise known for playing bitches in horror movies in the late 70’s), is just an awesome character. A passionate lover of rock, all she wants in life is to see the Ramones in concert and give them the songs she has written for them. Basically, Riff Randell is the original fangirl. She loves them so much, and I adore that about her. I feel like I am her. Of course, I have never been cool enough to write songs for any of my favorite bands; I’ve only fantasized about the Rolling Stones writing a song about me once I tell them that’s what it will take for them to be a step above the Beatles in my heart. One of my favorite scenes is when the Ramones just show up at the line of people waiting for people to buy concert tickets (in the days before the internet, people actually physically waited in lines to see their favorite artists) and they’re doing one of my favorite songs of theirs (“I Just Want to Have Something To Do”) and Riff is just having the time of her life (when she’s not battling the bitch groupie that cut in front of her in the ticket line while Riff was sleeping). She is dancing, jumping, smiling- you look at her and know she’s in pure ecstasy. For some reason, the internet does not have any pictures of this moment I’m so in love with, so I awkwardly attempted to capture this moment with my phone camera while watching it on DVD…however, my blu ray player kinda sucks and doesn’t let me rewind in slo-mo AND pause- my last one did. Oh well. JUST LOOK AT HER HAPPY FACE, SHE IS TOSSING HER HEAD IN BLISS BECAUSE HER IDOLS ARE A MERE LIKE FIVE FEET AWAY:
Out of context, this looks creepy, but it’s one of my favorite scenes in this movie. You just can’t beat the feeling of rock and roll.
My other favorite scene is when she actually meets them, and she’s just so happy. Joey Ramone, her favorite and her dear crush, remembers her name and even sweetly waves to her as she is rushed out of the room by their stereotypical jerk manager.
So, if you want to see a series of unlikely events like a rock band come to a high school and help its’ students take over the school, you are in for one heck of a treat. Seriously, I can’t get enough of this movie. I’ve watched it a handful of times every year since I was 13.
Almost Famous
I know I said I wasn’t going to rank these movies, but honestly speaking, this is probably the absolute best aside from Pirate Radio. Based on the real-life experiences of former rock journalist turned movie dude Cameron Crowe, this just feels so authentic. We follow the sweet William Miller as he writes a piece for Rolling Stone Magazine, on the road with Stillwater, your stereotypical fighting, dramatic, pain-in-the-ass of a modern rock band. This is the early 70’s, so we are a bit past my favorite decade of rock and roll, but there’s still plenty of references to the best. When William is a little boy and his sister leaves the house, she leaves him her record collection. Sweet little William touches the records and looks at them like they’re gold. Which, to people like me, they truly are. My favorite is that he starts with Tommy, an iconic album by the Who that also happens to be one of my favorite albums ever. Later in the film, you see another album of theirs that is also awesome in the background, Who’s Next, and then one of the band members references the wisdom of Pete Townshend. Anyway, I feel like a lot of the people who love this movie love self-proclaimed-not-a-groupie-but-totally-is-a-groupie-in-that-she-admits-to-preferring-famous-people “band aid” Penny Lane. I actually can’t stand her. Probably because I relate more to the quiet William Miller. I truly feel like I am William Miller. (Yes, he’s hopelessly in love with her, but he really shouldn’t be. Alas, you can’t control your heart.) I just want to punch her when she tells him “you’re too sweet for rock and roll”. She’s so vain and awful. Then again, so are the rock stars themselves, but I couldn’t even hate them if I tried. But any hatred aside, this movie is amazing. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who is also in Pirate Radio, has a smaller part in this movie but I love him just the same- except when he insults the Doors. Again, similar to This Is Spinal Tap, it’s endearing and entertaining to watch a trying band in their best and worst moments- to their performances, to their silly arguments over band merchandise (actually that argument isn’t so silly but their constant bickering with each other in general is), to affairs being revealed and nearly dying with each other, you see all of it. They’re not based on one band in particular, but Cameron Crowe was inspired by many of the bands he dealt with in that time period. This movie already has a billion cool points, but one of my favorite aspects is its’ reference to Creem Magazine, which is a magazine I actually worshipped when I was younger because I had all of my dad’s copies from the late 70’s and early 80’s, and I’m still not over that it’s no longer in publication but Rolling Stone still is. Yeah, Rolling Stone is still cool sometimes, but Creem gave you just rock and roll. Music only, none of these movie reviews, interviews with hot actors at the time, and political crap. Again, those are fine too, but once you’ve read so many issues of a music-only-focused magazine, it’s hard to go back.
Back to the movie…it’s incredible, okay?! Also let this band aid sum up my whole life:
And this as well:
Honorable Mentions:
I decided not to include actual biographical films of my favorite rock stars; for the most part, I find the movies for the fictional bands to be better. The only one that I love dearly so far is called Love & Mercy, written to show the true story of the struggles of Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson. We see both his youth and success with the band, and then when he is basically in captivity by this crazy, manipulative, scary therapist. It’s awesome. But it’s more than a rock and roll movie, it’s even more than a simple biopic of a rock star; it’s a story of triumph over mental health issues. Of course, he wasn’t cured, but still. He gets the proper help and that alone is incredibly inspiring. It’s important for anyone to see. All of the other rock bio films I have seen thus far have honestly been a bit disappointing, like The Buddy Holly Story and La Bamba. Being a huge fan of both Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly, I am simply disappointed with the casting and the historical inaccuracies (Gary Busey? Really? And Ritchie Valens wasn’t actually that obsessively scared of flying. Isn’t dying when your career has only just started tragic and interesting enough?! The poor guy was only 17!). I hope one day that they both get new movies truly deserving of their legacies. As far as the Jimi Hendrix movie that came out within the last couple of years, I haven’t seen it yet. But man, we need more amazing films like Love & Mercy!!! There was rumors years ago of Kirsten Dunst starring as Debbie Harry in a Blondie film, but that hasn’t happened. I’m very upset; I love Blondie and Kirsten Dunst is one of my favorite actresses. Oh well. Maybe that idea will come back someday??
Also, I want to talk about all of the Beatles movies like Help!,A Hard Days Night and Yellow Submarine, but, oddly enough, aside from perfect soundtracks and performance scenes, they’re not quite the same as these other movies I have talked about. Like, they’re not solely about rock and roll. They are just about rock stars…maybe A Hard Days Night could be considered more rock and roll than the others….crap. Now I have regret. Alas, I’m going to return to my previous assessment that they’re just not quite the same as the others.
Okay…ONE MORE!!!
Like Rock and Roll High School, this one stars the actual members of the band…
Scooby-Doo and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery
Okay, so, this one merely features the real voices of the bands members…not quite the same, but still counts.
I almost forgot about this one…that would have been a tragedy. Without the Scooby-Doo factor, this probably would be in the band-movie category along with the Beatles’ movies, but..whatever, this is the honorable mentions category. Screw it, it counts.
If you’re a fan of rock and roll and even more importantly, a fan of Kiss, you’re going to love the crap out of this movie. It’s set in a Kiss theme park, and it’s filled with song and album references and it’s just so cool. Also hearing the guys voice animated versions of themselves is awesome as well.
Not obsessed with Kiss? Not even rock and roll? But you love Scooby-Doo? Don’t fret, you’re still going to love the crap out of this movie. I showed it to my best friend, Hallie, who is a huge Scooby-Doo fan, and she loved it. She doesn’t know diddly squat about Kiss, but she thought this movie was amazing. See, something for everybody! Because, what kind of person are you if you don’t like Scooby-Doo? I don’t even want to know. It has the relationship dynamics of the gang that we know and love, and even more.
Of course Fred is the only one who doesn’t like Kiss and didn’t want to dress up with the rest of the gang. And yes, Daphne is pissed because his driving ruined her Starchild make-up.
Also, for the rock and rollers- it gets super trippy. I love it so much.
The ultimate lesson here? The world needs more rock and roll movies!! It makes me happy!!! And I’m sure I’m not the only one!!!
Sure, it’s mostly a Christmas song, but it’s partly a New Year’s song as well!!
As the year comes to an end, I simply want to reminiscence about the highlights of 2015 for me.
In May, I saw the Who!!! For the first time!! For those who are unaware, I am majorly obsessed with the Who (especially Pete Townshend). I’ve enjoyed them all of my life, but it’s really only been the last few years that I’ve delved deeper and given them the appreciation they truly deserve. When they announced several months beforehand that they would be embarking on a two-part “final/farewell” tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a band, I knew I had to see them. I mean, I would have wanted to see them anyway just because I love them, but I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity just in case this farewell declaration turns out to be legitimate. My heart squealed at every Pete Townshend windmill I witnessed, and Roger Daltrey is still just a majestic and solid rock presence. He still sounds fantastic. I sang right along with him for every song. I had this large Jerry Garcia-lookin’ dude in a button-down dress shirt all up in my business, though. Every time I danced, I nudged him a bit because his right foot was half-way in my spot. But he wasn’t moving, and I wasn’t about to stop dancing. To be fair, he was probably pushed by someone else in the row…but still. Oh well. I didn’t let him ruin my enjoyment. But…I need to see them again. It made me so blissful, they had a phenomenal playlist, and I think I even made my normally modern boyfriend appreciate what he probably considers “elder music” for once.
And this what I wore that night…Joey Ramone and I sorta matched.
Also STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS!! That also made me insanely joyful, and I’ve still only seen it once…guess I’ll have to wait until next year. But anyway, I’m so happy about it. We waited so long and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I love Rey. She is just the coolest woman ever.
Which brings me to one of my New Year’s resolutions; I need to start working out again. I haven’t done so regularly in over a year. I need to get back on that and also find a regime that will help be at least a quarter of as much as a badass Rey is. Daisy Ridley in real life is also an inspiration; she frequently posts her toughest work out moments on Instagram and it’s super intimidating, in a grand and motivating way. Not to put any pressure on myself, but…I CAN DO THIS, RIGHT?!
Only other highlight I want to add from pop culture this year will be…….
Best Album!!! I’ll admit, I really didn’t buy a lot of new CD’s this year…I mean I bought plenty of CD’s this past year but they weren’t all necessarily released just this year. That being said, one of the few truly new CD’s I did buy was Hollywood Vampires’ self-titled debut. Don’t know who they are? But you like Alice Cooper, other classic rock, Johnny Depp and even Christopher Lee?! Then you need this. I bought it on the Alice Cooper factor alone (LOVE HIM TO DEATH (get it?!?!)) and every single song on there is fantastic. Alice Cooper gathered up many other awesome rockers to pay tribute to his fallen friends; the rockers who died too soon. Like Keith Moon, legendary, crazy drummer and John Entwhistle, the also awesome bassist from the Who! They’re not the only ones, of course; this a massive homage to classic rock and roll. They pay tribute with both cover songs and even a few original songs that are absolutely amazing. My favorite new track? “My Dead Drunk Friends”; sounds grim, but it’s so rocking and catchy. I don’t even like drinking but it makes me want to chill at a bar, particularly “in a tavern full of ghosts,” (preferably with the ghosts of the likes of Jim Morrison and George Harrison; ow ow!!). My favorite cover? That’s a toughie…probably a tie between “Come and Get It”, which Paul McCartney actually sings and kills it (also I learned recently he actually wrote that song for Badfinger back in the day) and “Itchycoo Park”…but then again, “Jeepster” is pretty awesome too. Overall it is an excellent album, and if you like rock and roll, you need it.
I have ditched my boyfriend to bring this to you…I think it’s probably time I save him from this weird meat documentary….
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