Redemption Songs? Journey Through Time

Today's post is from our friend HIM.

Neal Schon has been out playing classic cuts from Journey under the ‘through time’ moniker. He brought back some classic players (Gregg Rolie, anyone?). He also brought along Deen Castronovo.

I am no fan of Schon’s preening and pomp. I find it grating. I also find some of his lifestyle choices questionable. Castronovo is in an entirely different orbit. Do a quick Google search if you don’t know. The man did some horrid things. He is reportedly on the clean path these days and making amends for his crimes. But still . . .

So you have pucker lips, the convict, and some classic players out on the road doing Journey songs before they (the band Journey) head to Vegas to do the requisite residency. And what you get is this:

To my mind, three things come up: (1) the first song sounds a bit quicker than normal; (2) the second song is a bit looser than the original; and (3) holy cow, this is amazing!!! Castronovo sounds better than Pineda, and the band sounds better than Journey. That is just me. I am no musician. So I don’t know if either (1) or (2) are me just making mistakes. But I do know that I think (3) is the truth. That is an opinion, humble BBG! readers.

Listening to this, and thinking about Castronovo in particular, makes me think about a lot of things. When do we forgive a person for admitted, and seemingly inexcusable, sins? How do we square our love of good time rock with all the shadows and shades of life? I don’t have the answers. But I am humble enough to say that I found this to be troubling, awesome, and nostalgia-inducing all at the same time. Life can be a paradox, can’t it?

To kind BBG! posters: I took, and am taking, a step back (I posted a comment re: Aerosmith a few weeks ago that made that clear). I am not going to be posting. I just don’t have the stomach for it right now. That is on me. But don’t think that I am not reading, and loving (for the most part), this site. I just want to set a standard for myself that is more about sharing and less about sparring. So entries like this are my way of threading the needle. I can’t begin to thank Allyson enough for providing us with this site.

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Proof of DeYoung: Heavenly!

Today's post is from our friend HIM. 

Styx is an acquired taste. A mix of AOR and garish showmanship. You like them. Or you don’t. It doesn’t seem to be a case of middle ground.

So my opinion of the current Styx is “meh.” They do the hits. They do their thing. I like Shaw and the rest of the band. The new singer, Gowan, does justice to the classics. But I am not in any hurry to see them.

Reason being? DeYoung is the man! He is a bit of a prima donna. He is clearly hurt about how the band handled his departure. His overtures to rejoin the band for one last stand have, thus far, been rebuffed. But I admire him. I also think he has a great set of pipes.

So imagine my surprise (not really) when I heard the recent release by Jim Peterik & World Stage:

“Proof of Heaven” is the song Styx should release. Leave it to Peterik (go take a look at the songs he has co-written . . . now . . . I will wait) to coax DeYoung back into a Styx-like mood. The fact that he is also involved in DeYoung’s next solo album is good news.

Peterik’s hair color? Not such good news. But the video reads like you thought it would. It looks like an updated version of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe’s “Order of the Universe” (1989). But with younger band members rounding out the ensemble. It is cheesy. It is light-hearted. Did I mention Peterik’s hair? It is also a good time and well executed. It takes the theme of spirituality, a no-no for so many nowadays, and makes it palatable with just a few lines.

Listen. This will not convert newcomers to the Styx-style of music. It won’t win over fans that are on the bubble about DeYoung. But, for the right audience, this should be a delight.

Styx. DeYoung calling. Maybe you should pick up the damn phone.

Farewell Phil McCormack

Phil McCormack, singer for Molly Hatchet, has died. He was 58. It seems the cause was a heart attack. McCormack joined the band in 1996. Molly Hatchet originally formed in 1971.

It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of our friend and band member, Phil McCormack. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family during this time of loss. Phil's contributions to Molly Hatchet were heard around the world. He will be missed but never forgotten. pic.twitter.com/xJF6tOGP1i

— Molly Hatchet (@mollyhatchet) April 27, 2019

Watch The Rock Hall Induction Ceremony Tonight

We can finally watch the entire Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony today on HBO. The show is available tonight at 8 p.m. ET - I will be watching!

Winter has arrived, but #RockHall2019 is coming. Tune in to @HBO April 27th to watch the official 2019 Induction Ceremony broadcast. Come for the dragons, stay for rock royalty. pic.twitter.com/l4eqsBRd0w

— Rock Hall (@rockhall) April 17, 2019

Tune in tomorrow and watch Def Leppard get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! The show premieres 4/27 at 8pm ET/PT on HBO, featuring all star jam with our special guests Brian May, Ian Hunter, and more. pic.twitter.com/NkVQ5R8U3b

— Def Leppard (@DefLeppard) April 26, 2019

This Blabbermouth Headline Is Something

I had to read this Blabbermouth headline about five times before it registered. The topic is serious as Ozzy Osbourne is pretty banged up (and has been for awhile now) but the headline is just so extra.

I swear it's been a hell of a long week. Happy Friday.

Video Flashback: Live Aid

The clip below is of Kenny Loggins performing "Footloose" at Live Aid in 1985. I swear there is no more 80s video than this one. The pants, the hair, the crowd, the scene. I discovered this by accident last night while looking up something else. I'll be honest, I didn't even know Kenny Loggins performed at Live Aid. Enjoy.

The Exit 111 Festival Looks Amazing

This October the Exit 111 Festival will go down in Manchester, Tennessee. Def Leppard and Guns n' Roses will headline! I wish I could go to this, but there's no way Eric will agree to it. The weather should be nice too, since this is set for October 11 - 13. Sounds really fun.