Adding to One's Musical Resume'

Doug: How about musicians who get around? OK, you're thinking "sex, drugs, and rock -n- roll". But I'm thinking of a guy like Steve Winwood. You almost need a scorecard to follow the guy's career. Notable stops included the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and of course his fine solo career. Another singer/guitarist is the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar. From Montrose to a solo career to Van Halen to a solo career to Chickenfoot. Wow. Lots of tickets punched with just those two examples.

So today we're discussing rock and roll artists (and if you want to branch into other genres, that's fine -- some of us will appreciate the education) who've been in multiple bands with perhaps a solo career squeezed in for good measure. And don't feel like you have to stick within any temporal parameters, and our comic book Silver Age will have some wonderful examples we can kick around, too (I'm looking at you, Graham Nash). Have fun -- artists, albums, favorite tracks, etc. It's all fair for today.

Who's the Best... Song About School?

Back Me Up on This, Will You?

Doug: Back in 2013 we ran a post about surprise back-up singers. Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, James Taylor, and many others made our list of suggestions for conversation. Today we're not talking surprises at all, but those regulars who appeared... regularly on the songs of certain bands or solo acts.

Doug: Below I've pictured some vocalists/band members who came to mind when, well, this post came to mind. We'd like you to expound on favorite performers of your own, but also favorite performances. We all know that Paul McCartney sang lead on many, many Beatles hits. But one of my favorite performances from Sir Paul is his backing of John Lennon's lead on "One After 909" (the 1963 version).

For those who occasionally enjoy a little AM pop...

Face-Off: Dave, or Sammy?

Doug: Beatles or Stones? Betty or Veronica? Ginger or Mary Ann? Cockrum or Byrne? Such are some of the ages old questions that plague our pop-culture minds. But here's one we've yet to broach on this blog... In the arena of Bronze Age pop/rock, do you prefer your Van Halen fronted by David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar?

Doug: I won't even get into the convoluted history (shoot -- we talk about Spidey as a soap opera; you should check this out if you want a soap opera!) of the band. I'm more interested in discussing their music. My faves from the "Dave era" include Jamie's Crying, Hot for Teacher, Feel Your Love Tonight, and their cover of the Kinks' smash You Really Got Me, of course with Eruption as the intro. They had a lot of fun with songs like Ice Cream Man and Big Bad Bill (is Sweet William Now), and I did, too. For the Sammy Hagar years, you can't go wrong with Dreams, Why Can't This Be Love, Finish What Ya Started, Right Now, or Poundcake. One could argue that in spite of three of the band members staying consistent through these two lead singers that the sound is so different that it's almost like two different bands. Of course Eddie's guitars and Michael Anthony's backing vocals hold it all together.

Doug: So, which Van Halen era do you like best?