The Beatles: Helter Skelter (1968) - Song Review

The Beatles... A truly amazing band that was defining of it;s generation!

In life there are some songs that just scream some element in history... I mean you could almost say that these songs are an authority for a certain time, or situation that has made it's mark in history!

A great example of this is: Steppenwolf's, 'Magic Carpet Ride' (1968)... This song... When you see movies or what not, a lot of the time this song is playing in those movies, and could be said to be almost like, 'the theme song' to the Vietnam War (considering how often this song is associated with that war!)

Another example is: The Eurythmics, 'Sweet Dreams' (1983)... Now I doubt that a lot of people would tend to put two and two together about this one, but think about it... The look and feel of this song almost certainly encompasses the more corporate hard nose lifestyle with a lot of hidden decadence... Along with a sort of (Science Fictionish) feel that would encompass the 80s (and if you switch out the Science Fictionish and replace it with a more darker, 'horrorish', you could say that about the, '90s' as well!)

Annie Lennox as seen in the music video: 'Sweet Dreams'... A song I would say by and large captured alot of the aspects of the 80s and some in the 90s as well!

Now you might be wondering why I am mentioning this... Because this song is one of the, 'Beatles' more infamous songs... And well unfortunately, it was made infamous for completely wrong reasons... But still became one of the more famous songs that they made... This song being: 'Helter Skelter' from their 1968 album, 'The White Album'!

A great album, with some fantastic music on it!

Now before I go in to the reason why this song has become one of the more infamous songs out there... Let me say this... This song fucking rocks!

This song rocks for it's different nature... It rocks because this song is not like there usually more subtler (or in some cases, more, 'psychedelic') music... And what I mean by this, is that this song is hard rock (boarding on, 'metal' music!) After listening to this song, I could definitely see where people like, 'Metallica' and a lot of other future metal heads would get there inspiration from the work that the Beatles did!

I mean this song is just brilliant;y well made... George, Ringo Paul & John... These guys were an amazing and talented group of guys who truly were able to show their versatility... And it really showed in this album!

The Beatles doing, 'Helter Skelter' live!

Now on to the reason why this song was made more infamous then it would have been on it's own... Well to be honest with you, I hate to say it... But back in the late 60s, Charles Manson used this song as a pre-text to have his cult kill about 6 pretty famous/wealthy people... Including: Roman Polanski's wife, 'Sharon Tate' (The Fearless Vampire Killers)...

Well despite the darker aspects... This song is pretty awesome, and if you haven't checked it out yet, then do so... I think that you are going to really like it... I did, and I think you might as well!

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Counter Culture Songs Of The 60s And 70s, Possible Themes For Writing Modern Horror Movies

This guy is a real killer musician!

Rather or not you are a writer, have you ever listened to a song that inspires you to write script of some sort? Rather it be a movie script or a manuscript (book)?  If so, you rock!

Being a professional writer for more then a few years now, I have found inspiration in all sorts and kind of ways! Some times when it comes to something as simple as thinking up a fun title, and then crafting a story around it! But there is a way to do so that just dawned on me recently... That being using songs to write movies! Or, well in the context of this blog, using music to inspire one to write a horror movie!

An unfortunate, yet valid example of this is, 'Charles Manson'... Ok so maybe Charles Manson never got published... He may not have ever even written anything (I suspect that if he has written a biography, that it was probably actually ghost written...) But the reason why I use this as an example is because unfortunately he found inspiration from The Beatles song, 'Helter Skelter', and where as I do find all of that to be absolutely disgusting... A great song, I think can truly inspire some one to write a great movie!

The right song can inspire some one to write a great horror movie!

In my opinion, a great place to start would be to listen to some of the awesome counter-culture music of the 60s and 70s, such bands as: Iron Butterfly, or Led Zepplin, or Black Sabbath, and that is just to name a few!

I mean have you ever sat and watched one of the older horror movies, (like, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974),) and just thought that this movie thematically seems kind of similar to say: 'The psychedelic nature of Iron Butterfly's (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida)', or say: 'Black Sabbath's (Iron Man) or maybe it is just something as simple as wondering if perhaps this movie was inspired by a particular song...

If you haven't thought with that concept in mind, check out one of these older horror movies and really look at it from the musical concept, I think you will find it to be most illuminating, and may actually be a source of inspiration for your next project!

Four Prolific Musicians/Bands Whose Contributions Helped To Define Heavier Music In The 20th Century!

There are and always will be some truly spectacular musicians out there that really know what the hell they are doing, and it really shows... But in all truth, there are a particular subset of musicians out there that I would say their music is so prolific that even decades after they broke up and or died, that these bands are still heavily influencing new musicians all over the world... So I thought I would let you guys in on a couple of these...

At number 4: Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977):

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Elvis Presley... 'The King Of Rock' now and for ever![/caption]

Now here is a guy that not only had some amazing tunes that really rocked, but when he was still alive, his music helped trailblaze the, 'Rock 'N Roll' genre from being something that annoying old people tried their very best to outlaw, to being a respectable musical form the people admired... And still do! When he was alive, Men wanted to be him, and women wanted to be with him... In the end he had been crowned, 'The King Of Rock' before he died, and to this day he still holds that title!

For more information on, 'Elvis Presley' please enjoy this song:

[embed]http://youtu.be/gj0Rz-uP4Mk[/embed]

For number 3: The Beatles (1960 - 1970):

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="434"] The Beatles... Truly a force to be reckoned with![/caption]

The Beatles... When these guys were together, like Elvis Presley, were people that were frowned upon by old people, but they also held the interests of their ever growing fan base... But as for Elvis making the way for, 'The Beatles' and other bands and musicians to make there way in to the genre in an era of respectability, The Beatles didn't do that... They both had very distinct sounds, but in the case of, 'The Beatles' I am going to have to say that these trailblazers were really the direct ancestors of the modern, 'Metal' scene!

For more information on, 'The Beatles' please enjoy this song:

[embed]http://youtu.be/_HONxwhwmgU[/embed]

For number 2: Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009):

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Michael Jackson is truly one that will be missed...[/caption]

Now this guy was something different... I mean he had his harder music, but as for Michael Jackson... He had the tendency to meld Rock 'N Roll, with Pop/R&B type of music in a  pretty fun melding... And ultimately rather he was doing Disco (which it does seem like he did a lot when he was kid, or playing his more heavier stuff, Michael Jackson was crowned the, 'King Of Pop' before he died, and at this point it is pretty safe to say that he still owns that crown!

For more information, 'Michael Jackson', please enjoy this song:

[embed]http://youtu.be/dsUXAEzaC3Q[/embed]

At number 1: Nirvana (1987 - 1994):

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="533"] At truly prolific band that is missed...[/caption]

The truth is, is that I am not putting these guys up at number 1 on the strength of their music (all though there music is pretty awesome), in this case I am giving them the number #1 spot because these talented musicians, when they were all still apart of, 'Nirvana' were producing music that was so good that it helped pave the way for, 'Grunge', and it is the type of music that has remained extremely popular even after decades after the band dissolved itself!

For more information on, 'Nirvana', please enjoy this song:

[embed]http://youtu.be/G3qRYGopZMU[/embed]

Five Great Photos Of Five Great Rockstars When They Aren't Working

Most of the time when we think about bands, we generally tend to associate them with what ever album they just released, or what ever song they were in the process of singing, or even what venue they are playing at...

Well I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to take things in a different direction and show them when they are not working!

So for the first one we have: Elvis Presley

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="421"] Elvis Presley kicking back at his home with some friends in 1956.[/caption]

And this next one is:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="615"] The Beatles as they are reading mail outside of the limelight or the recording studio![/caption]

And at number 3:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="279"] Ozzy Osbourne and the family...[/caption]

With number 2:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="548"] Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi chilling out with Usher![/caption]

And finally:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="236"] Disturbed's David Draiman & Don Donegan hanging out outside of the world of music![/caption]

The Beatles. Come Together (1969) - Song Review

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="307"] Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils[/caption]

The 60s... Man that was a trippy time, with free love, protests, and a massive change in the social fabric of the United States... Sex, Drugs & Rock N' Roll... Well it was an interesting time anyway...

But, 'The Beatles' were something truly synonymous with the time period, in both awesome and peculiar ways, including the fact that Charles Manson was inspired by their song, 'Helter Skelter', to do the crazy ass stuff thatt he did, but a lot more then the odd ball stuff of that lunatic, The Beatles entertained audiences all over the world back then, and have continued to do so for generations after they broke up!

And for me, I first discovered them with the song, 'Come Together' (1969), a track from probably their biggest album, 'Abbey Road'!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] John Lennon performing, 'Come Together' Live![/caption]

Originally inspired by Timothy Leary and his campaign for Governor of California, and how during this time Timothy Leary was later sent to prison for possession of Marijuana, John Lennon would go on to write this song initially for probably one of their most famous albums of all time, 'Abbey Road'... This song would also go on to have it's own single!

Now as far this song goes, it is a truly awesome beat that is worth checking out, I mean this song even translates so well in to what ever modern day era you are in that various bands over the decades have recorded their copies of this song like: The Supremes (in 1970), Diana Ross (also in 1970), Chairman Of The Board (Also in 1970), Herbie Mann (Also in 1970), Ike & Tina Turner (in 1976), The Brothers Johnson (1976) Aerosmith (in 1978), The Smokin' Mojo Filters (in 1996) and so many more!

In the end, if you haven't tried this song, then I highly recommend doing so, it is truly a fun one and well worth it if you get a chance, I thought so, and maybe you will as well!

John Lennon singing: 'Come Together'!

http://youtu.be/_HONxwhwmgU

The Continued Relevance Of Dead Superstars

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Presley hits are still being released decades after his death![/caption]

Sadly some of musics greatest most historically memorable musicians, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, most of the Beatles... Etc, etc... Have passed away...

It is one of those unfortunate situations in the music scene today... Don't get me wrong, there are still many great musicians out there, but in the case of who I am talking about are those people who were sort of trailblazers that made their specific genres what they are today!

These are the people with whom most musicians may have grown up listening to, but some of them were the inspiration behind a lot of the modern musicians that are around today!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="463"] The BEatles playing live are just one example of the trailblazers that are still relevant today, decades after they stopped making music together![/caption]

There is also another side to these guys that I thought that you guys might find to be rather interesting... The fact that sometimes decades after they stopped being able to produce music, not only are these people having regular posthumous albums being made in their names, but some of them are starting to have a high number of awards and #1 hits posthumously!

A great example of this is, Elvis Presley!

Between 1977 & 1981 10 singles from the King Of Rock were released as #1 hits... Graceland has become one of the most well visited homes in the United States (just behind, 'The White House'.) And after the King passed on, he was inducted in to four different music hall of fames, including: the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (Which he was inducted in to in 1986), the Country Music Hall Of Fame (which he was inducted in to in 1998), the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame (2001) & even the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame in 2007!

Another great example is, The Beatles... Don't get me wrong, I know that they are not all dead, but most of them are, and they have been broken up since the 1970s... But that didn't end it for these guys... You see, after the break up all four of them would continue to make music as solo artists, but not only that but they each one of them would collaborate at one time or another.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="460"] The Beatles & their family reuniting after the death of John Lennon in 1980.[/caption]

As a matter of fact, after John Lennon died in 1980, the remaining Beatles along with Linda McCartney would come together to make a tribute album in honor of their fallen friend!

And the most latest that I discovered is, 'Michael Jackson'... It looks like the King Of Pop will be back entertaining audiences one last time in his second posthumous album called, 'Xscape' which was recently release on May 2nd 2014!

For more information on these guys, and the music they made, please enjoy these songs that were arranged for posthumously albums: Elvis Presley, The Beatles & Michael Jackson!

http://youtu.be/Aa3ZGXRBS-Y

http://youtu.be/_0O0BkKdMx0

http://youtu.be/zqdxYJ3uXuQ

 

The Beatles: Hey Jude (1968) - Song Review

[caption id="attachment_415" align="alignright" width="350"] Official Score = 4 Devils[/caption]

The Beatles... I mean these guys still to this day kick some total ass when it comes to their music! I mean I would say that not only did they help trail blaze some of the awesomeness that is heavy metal, but considering the fact that these guys have been broken up for years, with a lot of the band having died...  And considering the fact that there are still young men and women from all over the world that are getting in to their music,  that not only are they British icons, but historical icons as well!

And you know what? For myself, a guy who has been listening to their music since I was barely in the single digits, I hope that their legacy of true rock 'n roll genius lives on forever!

And you know what guys, their 1968 song, 'Hey Jude' is one of those songs that will resonate with people all over the world for generations to come!

Written by: Paul McCartney  for John Lennon's son to help comfort him during the divorce of Lennon and his ex-wife, and original titled, 'Hey Jules' this song has a great message to it, that can extend well beyond just helping Lennon's kid... The song is so upbeat that it could almost make you feel better if you are in a bad mood, no matter what the reason is!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="650"] 'Hey Jude'... A song that was originally titled, 'Hey Jules', and was meant to help comfort John Lennon's son, 'Julian', during his parent's divorce![/caption]

Now you might be wondering why I am mentioning this song in a site that is about, 'horror and science fiction'?

Well simply, this song is one of the best songs I have ever heard this amazing powerhouse of a rock band ever do... It has some truly awesome and upbeat lyrics, and it is all set to some truly fantastic instrumentals!

In the end if you are looking for a new band, this song I think would be a truly spectacular way to get in to listening to this band that I think will definitely withstand the test of time... They have so far!

http://youtu.be/eDdI7GhZSQA

5 Classic Rock 'N Roll Album Covers From The 1960s

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="301"] The album cover from, 'The Beatles' 1967 classic, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'![/caption]

You know, working on twitter a lot, you find that people generally tend to post a lot of top 10 lists, and well, one of them that I have noticed that generally tends to be thrown around a lot is, 'Book Cover Illustrations', and, 'Album Covers'... And well I never thought to much about them until recently! You see, I am guilty of this, posting these top 10 lists, and well I had done one for foreign pop rock covers from the 1960s, and some one on Twitter had commented on it... And well since I so enjoy thinking outside of the box on these types of things, I thought that it might be kind of fun to do my own unique brand of this with, '5 Classic Rock 'n Roll Album Covers From The 1960s'

At number 5: Elvis Presley.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] From an EP that Elvis did in 1964![/caption]

At number 4: Santana.

[caption id="attachment_2902" align="aligncenter" width="348"] From a self titled album that Santana did in 1969![/caption]

At number 3: The Beatles.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="452"] The cover for the 1969 Beatles album, 'Abbey Road'![/caption]

At number 2: Jimi Hendrix.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="452"] This album is one that Jimi Hendrix did in 1969![/caption]

At number 1: Iron Butterfly's.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="449"] The LP for, 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' an album that was released by Iron Butterfly in 1968![/caption]