Thanks to the folks who submitted ideas for my "Top Ten" list. I'll take all I can get. So when you think of more, make a comment.
By the way, I once read that Letterman has 12 writers for his list. Each day that they tape a show, the writers get the name of the list that morning. Each one has to come up with his own list of ten within a few hours. Then, Letterman sits down with the list of 120 and makes his picks.
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This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees should have included The Cars instead of Blondie. And that's a fact.
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Two recently-seen bumper stickers:
"Save the Whales -- Collect the Whole Set!"
"God Bless John Wayne"
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Michele and I are thinking about a trip that would take us to Carlsbad Caverns, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas. If you've recently gone to any or all, I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Cars over Blondie? You gotta be kiddin. I could have dealt with them going in with D. Harry and bunch but not instead of.
ReplyDeleteCars over Blondie? You gotta be kiddin. I could have dealt with them going in with D. Harry and bunch but not instead of.
ReplyDeleteStever,
ReplyDeleteThis is reminding me a little of that debate at Cope's blog over Beatles vs. U2. I guess what it comes down to is, Which band had the big impact on you? All that aside, and speaking objectively, The Cars were 10 times better than Blondie ever thought about being. Oh, and the Cardinals are better than the Braves too.
My two cents as a long-time fan of both Blondie AND The Cars --
ReplyDeleteThe Cars were a great 80's band and their best hits were some of the most fun music of the decade -- "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," "Shake It Up," and "You Might Think", in particular. Elliot Easton was one of my guitar idols of the time, and I mourned Benjamin Orr's death.
But I've gotta give Blondie the advantage based on their willingness to stretch the boundaries of pop music at the time. They integrated rap ("Rapture"), disco ("Heart of Glass") and reggae ("The Tide is High") as well as playing some great straightforward pop/rock. While I love The Cars, it feels very stuck in the 80's when I hear it. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...) But songs like "One Way or Another or "Call Me" (minus the synthesizer solo) could have been recorded anytime and been hits.
They both pale in comparison to Elvis Costello, of course, which is why he got in long before either of them. But that's another argument...
:-)
The great thing about arguing about music, is that because it's strictly a matter of opinion and taste, we can all be exactly right!
Matt n Steve. Right.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard the list, I thought, "Blondie?!" Then I started remembering that variety and mix, etc., and I thought, "Oh, alright." It's just that the first Cars album was a ninth-grade epiphany for me and my friends.
Btw, it looks like Blondie and The Cars will be touring together this summer. . . .
Also, I think most people don't realize how many of the lead vocals on Cars tunes were sung by Ben. For some reason, my buds and I always thought it was all Ocasik, until we saw them.
Frank,
ReplyDeleteWe've been to Carlsbad Caverns, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam and all three are excellent choices.
It's been years since we have been to Carlsbad. We were actually there on the day the world was predicted to come to an end.
Las Vegas and Hoover Dam have been much more recent.
Las Vegas has chamged its image a lot. It is much more family-friendly. You must see the water show at the Bellagio, ride the roller coaster at New York, New York, see Tournament of Kings at Excalibur, see CIRQUE DU SOLEIL at MGM Grand and, most importantly, see Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace. You might also want to go for the thrill rides atop the Stratosphere and walk through the Conservatory and the Gallery of Fine Arts at the Bellagio.
Hoover Dam is also a great trip. It's a long drive, but the view over the side of the dam is breathtaking. The dam has gotten very commercial over the years. On my first trip, it was just the dam. Now, they have parking garages, gift shops, a restaurant, etc.
You won't go wrong with any of these picks for a vacation.
Glad to hear that everything is well with you.
Micah Brinkley