I get many questions concerning new artists and events that would qualify for the strange and unexplained. The legendary bands like the Stones, Zeppelin, and the Beatles originated at a time when Crowley's teachings of "Do What Thou Wilt" was basically taken to mean "It's your thing, do what you wanna do." Metaphysics, far eastern religions and philosophies help create interests that defined a generation.

This time period was an age of exploration of new and unique sounds such as "backward tracks" and subliminal messages. Some of these were chilling and yet other "hidden messages" seemed to poke fun at the entire genre.

There are many fabulous bands that I'm sure will be on their way to Cleveland, Ohio as future members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My question to you is which bands do you see as making the grade? Who will be the next Stones who will be selling out arenas for hundreds of dollars a ticket in their late 60s and early 70s? Also, what does it take to become a legend an develop a following of myth? I would love it if you could share any upcoming and fresh legends or myths surrounding our current rockers. Perhaps you'd like to share an event involving your personal experiences with a song or artist that has some personal meaning? I would like this to be a forum where each of you can post your ideas. If I can answer any questions for you in this public forum, I'll be glad to do so!

Gary

Comments

October 22, 2008 10:49 PM EDT

I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year when I visited my brother in Cleveland. It truly was a wonderful place that sucked me in and wouldn't let me go for five hours.

Honestly, in this day and age, most bands are famous from one single with a high-budget video shoot. Most albums these days have one or two great songs, with the rest being fillers. The great bands of the 60's and 70's released albums with every song being monumental(i.e. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon).

One band that I believe has longevity is Radiohead. They do not fit the classic rock form, but every song on every album are equally chilling and wonderful. This band has the means to change lives through their music. One of their albums, Ok Computer, is what I consider one of the greatest albums of all time. In Rainbows is also their most recent album and also one of their best.

- Diedra D.
October 23, 2008 2:09 AM EDT

Congratulations, Gary, on starting your blog! I will visit often. My only personal meaning attachment to rock 'n' roll is that I was three years old The Day the Music Died on February 3, 1959, when the tragic plane crash took the young lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. I remember watching the Beatles kick off Beatlemania with their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, which was my Mom's 35th birthday. As for new tales, I would be interested in anything concerning Kurt Cobain's untimely exit from this world. Thanks for all you do, Gary! Rock On!

- Rosanne
October 23, 2008 7:18 AM EDT

Perhaps you'd like to share an event involving your personal experiences with a song or artist that has some personal meaning?

Hey Gary thanks for asking us to join your blog. I know I left out some of this short story back in January 27, 2006. When I was in a daze with you and Ian on Coast to Coast Live's first night on the air.

This one below has been unexplainable to me for 34 years. Was it time travel? A gain in time? This wouldn't happen again to me in a million years! Try doing this same time, music, distance experiment. LOL

In late 1974 Rod Stewart's "Stay With Me" and the Faces' 1972 hit song started playing at traffic light number 1. Just as I entered Evansville, Indiana om US Highway 41 going north from Kentucky. There were twelve traffic lights in 7.1 miles. The "green light" for go went perfect with his lyrics, "For tonight your going to stay with me." I never saw a caution light and on other side of the city traffic was tripping the change sensors. I didn't speed with my tractor/trailer's full load of Kentucky hogs, and I made every light green in exactly four minutes and thirty five seconds. Rod's song ended with the drum beat finish at light twelve. In the 40, 45 & 50 mph speed zones I needed to be going way over 90 mph for this to happen!! I only went the speed limit as usual. After this happened my only thoughts were, "Now just how cool was that!" This took years to set in about what may have happened. My wife and I started the song in the same spot five winters ago, and didn't get half way through. With light traffic it took us nine minutes. I've never ever heard a longer version of "Stay With Me". Looking back to that night. I know the song was not tampered with by WJPS 1330 AM.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=43r0hrV71Js

It's non fiction and weird!

I'm happy to be the first one Gary. Good Luck rockin' your new blog. Also thanks for your fresh newsletter's heads up about the E! Channel's Friday special with your involvement at 8:00 PM EST.

- Cody in Indiana
October 23, 2008 12:31 PM EDT

The answer to the question is that there won't be any more bands that are like those bands, or that big. The last few of bands, Guns 'N Roses & Nirvana had their chances, but are no more. Pearl Jam was huge, but seem to have lost their large appeal. Now, music isn't about bands but Rappers and other crap.

- Anthony
October 23, 2008 5:11 PM EDT

Hey Rock God! Great questions and tough to answer, without much thinking. Must be the teacher in you. So let me try.

which bands do you see as making the grade? Of course my biased answer will be Rush, but they won't make it in the RnRHoF, as Jan Winters said, "Rush has made no significance in the rock world...and as long as I work/own for the RnRHoF, they won't be in the museum." Alex Lifeson had a colorful response in a rock magazine, "I couldn't give a 'F' if we're nominated in the RnRHoF, because, we perform for our fans and that's what count."

Who will be the next Stones who will be selling out arenas for hundreds of dollars a ticket in their late 60s and early 70s?

Rush are respectfully 55 and 56 years old and they still sell out arenas. Yes, the tickets are expensive. i had to pay $110 for decent seats...grrr.

Also, what does it take to become a legend an develop a following of myth?

Most rumors, like the top 10 legend/myths: http://tinyurl.com/rockmyth stem from talk. For example, I can say R. Gary patterson is a Rock God, but people may think he's God? Imagine that Gary? So in conclusion, Rush will never receive the commercial fame most receive, and Gary is a Rock and Roll God

- Tim From Los Angeles
October 23, 2008 11:54 PM EDT

New stories to explore,
http://www.davesweb.cnchost.com/index.html
http://www.davesweb.cnchost.com/nwsltr99.html
("Let's wrap up this installment" = good intro)

- KSB
January 8, 2009 12:49 AM EST

New tale on old Elvis legends...hear this Laffoley interview. Part of it was the real gravesite von Elvis. He's not alive, but not where you think.
http://www.911blogger.com/node/12754
http://www.911blogger.com/node/13090#comment-172444
http://www.911blogger.com/user/2926/track

If I misremember, it was still a Laffoley talk with Freeman, ask them which.
http://www.paullaffoley.net/

- Jurgen
January 9, 2009 7:03 AM EST

I'd love to see Rush and other progressive bands there too. The only bands that has emerged in the past twenty years or so that I believe can make the grade are Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Nirvana.

- TC
April 8, 2009 1:52 PM EDT

heard you again last night, many times on Noory -love your books. for the record I'm a 50 something who saw most ofthe great ones in their prime. By sheer chance I was sent to Clarksdale Miss. for work several years ago and stayed three more days to soak up the whole scene. Again by sheer chance (work) I ended up at Stovall Farm where Muddy Waters spent some time. I only found this out later by going to Ground Zero and the blues museum and saw Muddy's shack with the description that it was moved from Stovall. If you talk to Billy Gibbons ask him if the story is true that he built aa guitar out of a piece of Muddy's house. The story goes that he had an appointment to see the place in the cotton field one day. On the prior night lightning struck Muddy's shack and a stray piece of the roof was given to Billy for the guitar body. Also went to Rosedale,Riverside Hotel and Greenwood and an actual BARREL-HOUSE! Despite the poverty (which is disgraceful in the USA)I was simply enthralled by the whole delta experience and saw, felt, and heard phrases from songs I've been listening to all my life. The people were realy great and didn't mind answering questions they have heard many times. I would love to see a good book about the names and faces who actually invented the sound a diehard Eric, Jimi& Jimmy, fan like me will love forever. The concentration of "originals" from Clarksdale and about a 25 mile radius is startling and unique to anyplace in the world IMHO.(hint: the blues museum has a map type poster covered with names next to the town they are from-way too many to mention& some are still around. Keep up the great work .

- steve in rhode island
April 8, 2009 6:19 PM EDT

:ove the work that you do. I am having a hard time finding the books on "Hellhound" and the 13 curses. Keep up the awesome work. Looking or listening forward to hearing you on "C2C'

- jacki
June 25, 2009 12:42 PM EDT

Mr. Patterson you were the greatest teacher ever. I was in your history class. For graduating you said you would give me a copy of Hellhounds. You are the only one that got me through High School. I never got to see you to get a copy, and I regret that now. Anyway, keep up the good work. You're a great man.

- Jason Howard
July 3, 2009 10:16 PM EDT

Just writing to say that yes, Michael Jackson was a very gifted person but, there is just something that seems to be dark and sinister lurking behind close doors. Be it his life growing up, the depression, plastic surgeries, drugs and his court cases with child molestation. I don't know, I love his music and the way the danced was just awesome. But what really gets me is the children involved in his life, I mean who names their kid blanket? Thats really weird, I'm sure we will hear more as these doors open and reveal whats behind them.

- Dave
August 2, 2010 7:34 PM EDT

Have you ever looked at the 7 day theory of Tupac Shakur.Being of the X generation Hip Hop had an immense impact on social change as did Rock and Roll . The prophecies of NWA, Public Enemy and Tupac didnt try to hide their messages in cryptic lyrics and album covers as the previous generation, they straight out spelled it out! As the Beatles talked about Revolution, Hip hop took this to the next level and opened our eyes to all the Social injustices of the time. Tupac Shakur song Ghost contains back masking cryptic messages as do songs from Jay Z and
current pop star Rhianna.Hip Hop too has its Mysteries! I can remember playing the ACDC album Back in Black backwards in the 80s looking for satanic messages. It will be interesting to see what develops from this new generation
of aspiring artists...........Rock On!

- Anonymous