Category Archives: 80′s

Watch the best live concert video ever made!

by 00s, 80's, 90s, all time favorites, concert review, pop, rock • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m not sure how their u2label hasn’t found this on YouTube and taken it down yet (and maybe after my posting it they will), but here is one of the best live concert films ever made. It’s from U2′s 2001 Elevation Tour, live from Boston.

To me, this was U2 in its prime. They were at the peak of their career and influence, they had just put out their album All That You Can’t Leave Behind which was chock full of classics from beginning to end, they had a creative new stage layout and HD and multi-camera recording technique in place. Socially, Bono was in the midst of his big ONE Campaign against poverty and his global influence was booming. Historically, it was a significant moment as well because the albums popularity and the Elevation Tour took place around the tragedy of 9/11 and for many living in NYC at the time, myself included, the album became a soundtrack to the healing process.

This video was certainly an all time favorite of mine and I urge you to watch it in its entirety, especially when he sings “With or Without You” and ruins the night for whatever guy came with the girl he brings up on stage! hahaha

ALL TIME FAVORITE: Best November song ever?

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by 80's, all time favorites, rock • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Granted, there arent a ton of songs with November in them, but when I think of November and music I cant help but think of what I consider the greatest rock ballad of all time…November Rain by Guns N’ Roses.

This hit from their epic 1992 album Use Your Illusion I is legendary for a number of reasons:

  • its just incredibly well written song
  • it includes not one, not two, but three epic guitar solos by Slash which progressively build on each other until the climax at the end which gives me the chills even today when I hear it
  • the song it nearly 9 minutes long
  • the story and art that went into creating the music video for this redefined that art form by inspiring artists to create larger story lines in videos
  • a symphony plays in the song, which was written and conducted by lead singer and writer Axl Rose

I really dont know of a more epic rock ballad than this, what do you think?

Enjoy!

Coldplay tribute to Beastie Boys’ MCA

by 80's, concert review, cover, hip hop, rap, rock • Tags: , , , ,

The music world lost an icon this week with the passing of Beastie Boys Adam “MCA” Yauch. When they released their first album, the legendary License to Ill, in 1986 many people had trouble taking this trio seriously. Some of that came from their sophmoric humor and antics, some came from the fact that it was three white kids from NY trying to fuse rock and roll and burgeoning rap music genre.  The result however was pure innovation that paved the way for so many others and in many ways led to the music we see so often today which mixes hip hop, rock and dance.

Their influence went far and wide, and that is exemplified below in a beautiful tribute by Coldplay on May 4, 2012 at the Hollywood Bowl. Just another reason to love Coldplay too.

Check it out.

Who does Vienna better? Billy Joel or The Fray?

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by 80's, rock, who does it better? • Tags: , , , ,

I have to admit, I think both of these songs are fantastic. Very different, but both very soothing and reflective.  I think its hard to go against Billy Joel on this, but part of that comes from it being sacrilegious for a New Yorker to vote against Billy Joel in anything :)

Check them both out and you choose, but you really cant go wrong.

Take a Walk Down Memory Lane…

by 80's, rock • Tags: , , , ,

I dont know how this one got into my rotation recently but it has and I couldnt be happier. “Goodbye to You” by Scandal with Patty Smyth is just a classic 80s song, and this video definitely brings you back to the early days of music videos when bands werent sure yet how to operate with this new medium. Classic all the way around, in my mind this is a great feel good song both for its melody and its message of telling some who’s wronged you to kiss off! haha