Hey again everybody I want to apologize for the long wait. I had to take a few days off during the weekend so I could relax and work on group projects. Now that I’m back I’m going to make an extra long post and jam everything together to make up for the lost time.
In case you wonder what I was doing over the weekend, I was busy watching the cardinals win game 3 of the world series on Saturday. This was the longest game of baseball I have ever watched. It was very good to watch but, at the same time I was at a bar for 5 hours so the bill got kind of expensive. For 15 people we racked up a $500 bill. My Saturday and Sunday went something like this:
3 hours of sleep + Tailgate at phi kappa psi before during and after the game (who decided a tailgate at 8:30 on a Saturday was a good idea?) + Meeting with network connected Alumni (who wanted to relive the glory days) + 5 hours at a bar + 5 hrs of sleep + 2 Wineries + 1 Brewery + 1 more bar for a few hours = exhausted and priceless.
Why is it people wonder why I sleep in on Mondays? (sarcasm)
I have an awesome treat for everybody reading this today. Today I am in a good mood so I will share my known knowledge of crazy music legends and try to prove and disprove rumors.
1) The lead singer of Iron Butterfly was baked and accidentally created “In Da Gadda Of Vida”.
True. I don’t know have of the stuff bands in the 60′s were on but this must have been some powerful stuff. For those of you that don’t speak hippie let me translate: In Da gadda of Vida is supposed to be In the Garden of Eden. Iron Butterfly released this as a single which had to be shrunk for radio play. The original song clocks in at 17:05.
2) Bob Dylan introduced the Beatles to the drug culture.
True. Every single person has heard of the Beatles. The Beatles are a timeless group that have a lot of interesting facts about them. One of them was that they had the “nice guy” vibe going for them in the early 60′s. The Beatles began the British invasion which would change pop culture forever. This story starts off with them arriving at an Airport during one of the early tours. The Beatles get the chance to meet the great American icon Bob Dylan and he introduces to drugs. The world would never be the same.
3) The mars bar incident with the Rolling Stones.
False. For those of you who don’t know already, the Rolling Stones are my favorite band of all time. Besides the fact they make really good music, they have quite a few good stories. This rumor circulated in the 1960′s when the Rolling Stones were considered to be the polar opposite of the Beatles. The Rolling Stones were known to have drug parties and that eventually caught up with them. Eventually a police raid occurred during one of these parties and it was thought that the police caught Mick Jagger in a compromising position with a young lady and a mars bar. The truth is that he was in the living room during the police raid with Keith Richards and a female companion. This did not stop the media from making more accusations against them and as a result they became more popular.
4) Johnny Cash almost wiped out an entire species.
Unsure. The truth is Johnny Cash is a symbol of anti authority and did a lot of crazy stuff back in the day. This story revolves around him driving a truck in the middle of a national park in California. His car caught on fire and any reasonable person would have called 9-1-1 or do something to put it out. Not Johnny Cash. He decided it was time to go fishing. This supposedly resulted in a forest fire that killed 49 California Condors. These birds were very endangered and it is estimated that he killed over half of them in this fire. Looks like Chuck Norris has some catching up to do.
5) Backward messages in songs. (The Beatles, led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, and more…)
True. Remember how I said before that the Beatles were introduced to drugs and they changed music dramatically? This is a cool side effect from that. The Beatles were the first musical talent in the world to record music backwards. I have no idea how this started out or who discovered it. On the infamous white album a popular rumor circulated that the Beatles were sending secret messages audiences nationwide including the famous “Paul is dead” rumor which I will mention later. The concept caught on and many bands are well known for having messages.
Led Zeppelin might be considered to be one of the greatest heavy metal influences of all time. Most people know that a lot of bands such as led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden were accused of Satanic worship. In the song Stairway to heaven it is believed to mention Satan and 666. This is most likely a mumble that just sounds like it. Although I find that a pretty awesome coincidence considering Led Zeppelin . Iron Maiden is a little different and never actually worshiped Satan. Instead they dressed up people in devil costumes a lot for the Number of the Beast tour back in the early 1980′s. When the media started accusing them of Satanic worship, they decided to include on the next album a little message for people who play it backwards.
Pink Floyd are on a different level when it comes to Music. Most bands are satisfied with a sentence backwards. Pink Floyd was not and created an entire conversation backwards on the double album the wall. They have Youtube videos of it even. Speaking of Pink Floyd…
6) Dark Side of the Moon actually goes together with the Wizard of Oz.
True. This is another mystery on how it developed but, in the mid 90′s rumors circulated around the internet that you could watch the movie the wizard of oz on mute and play Dark Side of the moon at the same time with some freaky coincidences. Things like a heart beating, a person running, and a clock ticking were all real scenarios. I’m going to try this someday.
7) Both songs “Yesterday” by the Beatles and “I can’t get no satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones were written when everyone is asleep.
True. This one is simply amazing. Paul McCartney admitted that he thought of Yesterday in a dream because he thought it already existed. After checking with numerous sources, McCartney found no known sound similar to the song. He decided to record the song and the rest is history. Keith Richards recently admitted that the fuzz box riff that creates the well known sound for the Song “I can’t get no satisfaction” was created during his sleep and that he had actually woke up in the middle of the night and recorded the sound before going back to sleep. He found the tape the next day and decided to show it to his fellow band members. I can’t get no satisfaction was the first International number 1 hit by the Rolling Stones.
8 ) George Lucas was unknown cameraman who filmed the Rolling Stones Altamont Festival in 1969. The same footage also captured Hells Angels’ members stabbing a man to death.
True. The footage was used in a criminal court case when the family of the deceased decided to sue the people responsible. The footage is from the documentary Gimmie Shelter. One popular rumor was that the song Gimmie shelter was being played as this man was stabbed to death. This is false because the song Under my thumb can be heard. The Hells Angels were actually policing the event and were being incredibly rough on the audience. The reasoning behind the killing is that the man who was killed was planning on taking a gun out and shooting it in the audience or onstage. The Hells angels did not like the publicity that they were getting from the concert so they decided to plot out an attempt on Mick Jagger’s life. Thankfully they failed and the Rolling Stones still play today.
9) Jimi Hendrix predicted his own death in a song from 1965.
True. This information comes from Cracked.com. From the song Ballad of Jimi :
“Many things he would try, For he knew soon he’d die.”
“Now Jimi’s gone, he’s not alone. His memory still lives on.”
“Five years, this he said. He’s not gone, he’s just dead.”
10) Jim Morrison was murdered.
This one is unclear. Jim Morrison is part of the 27 club otherwise known as people who die at age 27. Back in 1971 the world was a very different place and the world was still recovering from the sudden death of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Joplin died of a Heroin overdose in 1970 and Hendrix had chocked on his own vomit a few months apart. Jim Morrison had an unusual death under unusual circumstances. He died in France while spending some much needed time with his girlfriend Pamela. The police in France suspected no foul play and as a result an autopsy was never performed. The police had a hard time determining how the night played out because most of the people involved are now dead. Pamela died a year later when she was 27 from a drug overdose. Rumors still circulate the globe that he is actually still alive and this was a way for him to escape the devastating problems of fame. I do not believe this to be true. Speaking of zombie celebrities…
11) Elvis is still alive or he died while on the toilet.
False. When this craze of dead celebrities that started with Paul McCartney, nobody expected Elvis to be one of them. I liked Elvis ever since I was a kid and even went to Graceland. Something that most people find interesting is that Elvis was actually anti-drugs. President Nixon had actually worked with Elvis Presley on creating a drug free campaign. Elvis might not have taken any hard drugs but, he misused prescription pills so he could manage his hectic life. I have heard stories of fans going to extreme measures to meet Elvis over the years. His level of fame is almost unreachable by today’s standards. He could not go out in public without being recognized by someone and as a result he mostly stayed at his home towards the rest of his life. Eventually he had a heart attack and died at a very young age. Elvis still lives on as one of the greatest entertainers on the planet and Elvis impersonators are common all over the world.
12) Paul McCartney died in a car crash and was replaced.
False. For a brief time after the release of the white album, many people thought Paul McCartney had actually died in a car crash. A phone call was placed to the police saying about the car crash and the media went wild with it. The last track on the white album is known as revolution #9 and is a very mysterious track. This track is mixed with other segments of works and materials and actually sounds like random noise. It is actually the previous song called revolution played backwards mixed in with classical elements and other random music. One belief is that the track revolution 9 actually contained the words Paul is dead. On the next album Abbey Road, the front cover contains an unusual photograph. Some people also took this as a sign that McCartney had been replaced. As turns out, dying and living becomes a common theme for popular musicians especially if they want sell more records.
13) David Bowie and Mick Jagger slept in the same bed together.
True but very misleading. David Bowie had a nasty divorce with his wife and she decided to get a little revenge. Bowie who is already bisexual was revealed to have slept with Mick Jagger in the same bed in her autobiography. As it turns out, the two admit that nothing happened and that after a crazy night of partying they crashed in bed. The wife then walked in on them sleeping.
14) The first two albums by the Doors were written before the doors had almost any musical experience.
True. This is another strange fact about the Doors. Before they started playing together almost all of the members had no musical experience playing. Jim Morrison had actually written the song Moonlight drive before he even met the band in a poem. The doors became popular when they played the Ed Sullivan show and decided not change the lyrics to the song Light my fire. The media wanted them to change “girl we couldn’t get much higher.”
15) “Ain’t no rest for the wicked” was written on a bathroom stall before it became a popular song.
True. Cage the Elephant is a modern rock band with a cool introduction story. The band was originally called Perfect confusion but decided to change the name after playing at a local bar. A homeless man went up to the show and told them they have to Cage the Elephant. The name stuck but had trouble starting out. It wasn’t until “Ain’t no rest for the wicked” became single until they started receiving national attention. The story goes that some of the lyrics were taken from a bathroom stall and became a popular song. I look forward to hearing more stories like this in the future.
16) The who find a replacement drummer during the isle of wright festival after Keith Moon passes out.
True. The who were also a popular 60′s band that played at Woodstock and other famous concerts. Keith Moon the drummer played in a frantic style that became an influence among drummers. Keith was also a heavy drug user. During 1971 before this famous concert Keith took an unknown substance and passed out on stage in the middle of playing. Keith Moon had actually taken Horse tranquilizer and needed to go to the hospital to receive medical attention. In order to prevent a riot, Pete Townsend asked if anybody could play drums. Some lucky concert viewer actually played on set with the rest of the Who. Talk about a story to tell to your kids.
17) CCR plays Woodstock at 4 A.M.
True. Woodstock is considered one of the best concerts of all time. You had the who, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Janis Joplin performing to name a few. The problem was that the concert was basically free and people just showed up to watch this talent play. CCR is one of those bands that only lasted a few years but had a huge impact on the world of music. They unfortunately had to play to a crowd that was mostly asleep at 4:00 A.M. in the morning. In one version of the story, a fan avidly cheers them on in the middle of the night. The lead singer of CCR later revealed that he didn’t like playing at 4:00 A.M. and felt upset that not many people were listening until that fan started cheering him on. In other words, CCR played just for that one guy.
18) Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off a dove during an executive meeting with his record label.
True. Ozzy is known for two things in life: 1) Black Sabbath 2) biting the head off of various animals. During this time period many rock bands were on various substances. Ozzy probably had more than enough before he went in to a meeting with his record label and bit the head off a dove while in front of them. This probably did not leave the best impression of him but really boosted his sales.
19) The band members of the White Stripes are cousins and married.
False. This band started off with an interesting career twist. At a time when they were unknown the band thought it would be smart to sell themselves as a family in order to boost sales since they look related. However, fans started noticing that a thing was going on between the two. During a peak in popularity they told the public the truth that were actually married and not cousins. The band split in 2011 after creative differences but it might also have to deal with the fact that they are divorced and seeing other people. They maintain a friendship.
20) The plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the big bopper had decided seats based on a coin toss.
False. When Rock and Roll was in its early stages, these were the famous people you wanted to see. What makes this story sad is that these performers were so young. Buddy Holly was 22 and Ritchie Valens was 17. During the winter tour in Iowa in the late 50′s, these two performed together on tour. The manager had not properly booked a flight or a bus ride to the next town. The performers at the event had room for only 4 people in a private Airplane that would take them to the next town. The rest of the crew would spend an evening on cold bus. Supposedly a coin toss decided the fate of these two young gentlemen.
21) The Who have been kicked out of almost every hotel they have ever stayed in.
Unsure. The band is notorious for destroying property and even instruments. They would regularly fill toilets in every hotel they stayed in with a small cherry bomb. They could afford to pay the damages but were banned from staying in certain hotel chains. I imagine this is not the only damage they did to hotel rooms.
22) Led Zeppelin takes the A out of Lead because they think American Audiences are stupid.
True. Led Zeppelin is another famous international rock band. They were already off to a good start when they acquired Jimmy Page from the Yardbirds. While developing a name for the band someone suggested Lead Zeppelin. The name changed developed because the band members felt that American audiences would be dumb enough to misspell it. Led Zeppelin has many cool stories and this is a tame one compared to some others. As it turns out Keith moon suggested the name Led Zeppelin because he thought the band would go like a lead balloon or failed idea.
23) Hinder has the worst best selling album of all time.
True. Back in 2006 I remember this song being on every radio station…all the time. It was replayed endlessly over pop and rock stations. Although this is one of my favorite songs growing up, Hinder received very negative reviews. Many perceive them as very similar to the already bland modern rock genre. Even though it felt like the world was against them, the band sold many copies of the debut album. The reviews of most critics explain how terrible the sound is terrible. In the end the sales overpowered and Hinder became one of the best selling rock bands of modern memory.
24) Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles.
True or False. This one depends on your point of view. The Beatles were only around for 10 years and hold the record for the best selling musical group of all time. The only other person who can compete is Michael Jackson. One thing most people don’t understand about the Beatles is that every group member became successful after the break up of the band. Now some were more successful than others but, that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have careers. The Beatles started out in early rock and roll and changed with the times. Social movements of the 1960′s were well known and even the Beatles had a part in it. The band began to have problems after Lennon started saying “We are bigger than Jesus”. He also divorced his wife in order to date a young Yoko who encouraged him to expand his musical taste and ability. It was also believed he was bisexual and had an affair with the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. A lot of rumors circulated around Lennon but the big one has yet to be revealed.
25) Led Zeppelin and the shark.
False. Led Zeppelin is known for many things including getting many girls over the years. The band had many groupies over the years but, nothing compares to this. Supposedly the band was staying in an expensive hotel with a nice aquarium and the band was having fun playing with a pet shark. Groupies came back to the room and the rumors began. This rumor is not true but circulated when people began thinking of led zeppelin as followers of the occult. They are followers because the symbols that are on many posters and album covers represent different ideas and each personality.
26) The FBI researched the song Louie Louie by the Kingsmen.
True. Radio airplay back in the early 1960′s was a lot different. Today you can hear many curse words or bleeps where those words are obvious. Back then even swinging your hips like Elvis made you seem loose and suggestive. The Kingsmen were creative and decided they would purposely write a song that had very vague lyrics. Back then it was really difficult to look up the lyrics of your favorite band. Many people assumed because the song was hard to follow it must contain profanity. This was not true but made the song popular.
27) The FBI was secretly spying on John Lennon.
True. As I stated earlier Lennon and the Beatles became the spokesperson’s for the social movements of the 60′s. Because of the immense influence Lennon had over his fans, he was considered a possible threat to the United States of America. Lennon had much trouble getting into the United States and quickly found out that his phones were being bugged and he was being followed by mysterious agents. Lennon was very outspoken against the Vietnam war and famously protested with Yoko Ono. Lennon was shot in 1980. The reason given for the murder was that Lennon was considered a hypocrite by mark chapman . He claimed that Lennon was hypocrite because he preached love and peace and yet had millions of dollars and influence.
28) Cassy Elliot from the Mama’s and the Papa’s choked to death on a Ham Sandwich.
False. Cassy Elliot had health problems because of her weight. One popular myth that has persisted over the years is that she died from choking on a ham sandwich. A partial eaten sandwich was found in the room at the time of her death but, it was later revealed that she had a heart attack at age 32. A tragic story indeed.
29) Led Zeppelin IV is an anonymous record.
True. This one also took a little research from Cracked.com. Basically, Led Zeppelin was heavily criticized by critics during the first 3 albums. The band thought that the name Led Zeppelin and its thinly veiled insult towards Americans was finally coming to light. So they decided to release an album proving that music can be nameless and still sell millions of records. It sold 37 million copies.
30) Kiss and marvel comics.
False. Kiss is one of those crazy marketing bands. They had good music but even better marketing. In this case, a rumor circulated around the band members as being crazy enough to mix a vile of blood with the ink of Kiss the 1st comic book. I highly doubt this is true since Kiss did no drugs at all. Instead they had sex with a lot of women. Someone should probably test that book for STD’s.
Thanks for reading.
October 25, 2011
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: Geek, Holidays, Music, Nerd, Rockstars, Rumors, Sports, Tailgaiting, Thanksgiving, Vinyl . Author: htskot . Comments: Leave a Comment
