Monday | 7-20
In 2008, Jackson Browne sued the John McCain campaign and Republican National Committee for using his ’77 song “Running on Empty” in an attack ad against Barack Obama. Since this was a time where manners and civility still mattered, the GOP and McCain apologized to Browne following the settlement. Fun fact – Browne was once roommates with Glenn Frey, leading to both gents collaborating on the Eagles’s song “Take it Easy.” Browne later recorded a version for one of his own albums and continues to perform the song to this day. We rocked Jackson Browne (and The Eagles song he helped craft).
Tuesday | 7-21
In 1969 The Beatles began recording their iconic track “Come Together” at EMI Studios, which eventually became Abbey Road Studios. Not only did it become one of their most iconic songs, it led to the creation of the Abbey Road album, one of their most influential, which was released September 26 of that year. Earlier that year it was originally requested as a campaign song from American psychologist (and an early LSD advocate that Lennon admired) Tim Leary, who was planning to run for Governor of California the following year. Taking inspiration from Leary’s campaign slogan “Come Together – Join The Party!” Lennon got to work composing a song, but it never fully came to fruition. Lennon did, however, recall the “Come Together” concept later that year and eventually went ahead composing a new song. We rocked The Beatles songs from Abbey Road, including “Come Together”, of course.
Wednesday | 7-22
Ozzy Osbourne Day! Today Birmingham as a whole celebrated Ozzy one year after his passing, including live performances of Ozzy and Sabbath music with the Boston Brass and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Tons of what are now called “fan activations”, or little events for fans to gather and pay tribute or pick up merch or other rare collectibles, going down across the city. Exhibitions at the museum in town including an art gallery and photo gallery. And what’s called the Black Sabbath Heritage Trail! Essentially a glorified Hollywood celebrity sighting tour, except you go around checking out landmarks and other things tied to Ozzy and the rest of Sabbath. There’s a mural, a bench, a pub. I don’t know, we had none of these things to celebrate Ozzy with here in Austin, so we just went the standard route and played his music.
Thursday | 7-23
Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, was born today! Originally from London, he moved to LA when he was 6 and joined the glam metal band Hollywood Rose in ’83, after which he joined Guns N’ Roses in ‘85, many of which were former members of Rose. He replaced GNR founding member Tracii Gun, who left after an argument with Axl Rose, citing that he was no longer having fun in the band. In ’94 he formed a supergroup called Slash’s Snakepit. In ’96, after what seems like a pattern with Axl Rose, Slash left the band after growing tension between the two of them. Often considered one of the greatest guitarists in history, Slash has made a name for himself in both Guns N Roses, solo, and in his other co-founded supergroup Velvet Revolver. He also lent a song to Lenny Kravitz after Guns n Roses drummer Steve Adler couldn’t quite nail down the drumming for it. “Always on the Run” ended up on Kravitz’s ’91 album Mama Said. We also played “Slither” from Velvet Revolver. And kicked things off with Nightrain from GNR.
Friday | 7-24
AC/DC performed at the Alamodome! Well, they hadn’t yet when Blue Plate aired, but in honor of the show we did three songs from the Aussie rockers.
