Tag Archives: The Rolling Stones

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs

It was only appropriate that I found out about Steve Jobs’ passing on Twitter. Jobs basically revolutionized the world of technology, and it was only fitting that we all found out about it with the only social network that is going to be deeply integrated into iOS5.

Jobs’ greatness goes beyond computers. Jobs reinvigorated a struggling Apple in the early 2000s with the introduction of the iPod. At the time, it seemed like a ridiculous idea. Who in their right mind needed 20GB of music with them? Most people were content with carrying around a Discman and a small CD-sleeve (though some of us would carry the CD-books that held hundreds with us everywhere we went); who could need that much music with them at once?

What Steve had, and what the iPod represents, is vision about music and how people relate to it. Jobs was able to see that people wanted to be able to take all of the music with them, and he wanted to make it as easily accessible as possible. I have no idea what the New York City subways looked like in the 90s, but in the 2000s, you would’ve been hard-pressed to be in a subway car without seeing four or five people with those iconic white earbuds in their ears.

No longer was it just the music geeks who walked around the city with headphones in – now it was everyone. And while the music of the masses may not always agree with me, that the masses were always listening to music was a good thing and revolutionized the music industry.

So to a great innovator, a brilliant visionary, and a damn good computer scientist – this one’s for you. Rest in peace, Steve.

The Rolling Stones – Shine A Light

Pearl Jam: 8th Greatest Live Act

Rolling Stone just released the results of their reader’s poll for the Top 10 Greatest Live Acts, and our beloved Pearl Jam made the cut. That’s pretty significant since they’re the only band in the list that wasn’t formed in the 60s or 70s. Also awesome is that all of these bands have clear influences in Pearl Jam’s music.

Bruce, The Dead, and Zeppelin have given PJ the model for both touring intensity and tenacity. Mike and Matt are hardcore Kiss superfans. The guys toured with U2 in ’92, and have spoken of the stuff they learned from Bono. They’ve covered the Stones, and Eddie seems to be somewhat in love with Pete Townshend – turning Pearl Jam into the greatest The Who cover band ever.

After my first ever concert – a Pearl Jam show in 2000 – I turned to my dad, who came along for the ride, and asked him what he thought.

“They were good, but it was no Pink Floyd.”

No, it wasn’t. But it was pretty darn close. Congrats PJ on this honor.

Pearl Jam – No Way

From Rolling Stone:

When you see Pearl Jam you never quite know what kind of show you’re going to get. Sometimes they play all the early hits like “Jeremy,” “Black” and “Alive,” while the very next night be mainly deep tracks from Yield, Riot Act and No Code. Regardless of what they perform, Pearl Jam approaches every show with a Springsteen-like level of passion and respect for their fans. They go out of their way to make each show special, often extending out the encores for well over an hour. It’s one reason why they continue to pack giant venues without radio hits or much media mainstream attention.

The List

  1. Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band
  2. The Rolling Stones
  3. The Who
  4. Pink Floyd
  5. Led Zeppelin
  6. U2
  7. Queen
  8. Pearl Jam
  9. Grateful Dead
  10. Kiss

The Rolling Stones – Brussels 1973

I’ve been reading Keith Richards’ informative, entertaining, and enjoyable autobiography Life for the past few weeks, and it’s given me a bad case Stone’s nostalgia. Not real I-saw-them-on-the-Exile-tour nostalgia – I wasn’t born until 13 years after Exile was released, and didn’t truly appreciate the band until I was about 20. More of an I-can’t-believe-I-don’t-listen-to-this-band-more type of nostalgia. Continue reading

Subway Mix #2

Sorry for the lack of posting. Job searches, final projects, and the impending doom of finals are upon me. But despite all that (actually because of all of that) I’ve been taking the subway a heck of a lot lately – going back and forth between school and my apartment.

And so I present to you Subway Mix #2.

My Morning Jacket – Aluminum Park

Foreign Born – Blood Oranges

Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

The Rolling Stones – Shine A Light

These United States – Conquest & Consequence

Wilco – Ashes Of American Flags