Led Zeppelin
The obvious
choice, I mean how could I even write this article without paying homage to the
legends themselves. We should all be able to respect the diversity in Zeppelin
works, the grandeur of Stairway To Heaven and Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, the
healing melodies of Tangerine and That’s The Way, and the abundant outright
headknockers The Ocean, Trampled Underfoot, Communication Breakdown, Whole
Lotta Love, Dancing Days ….. (I could go on and on).
In short, Zep
should be the first on your kick ass rock playlist. And don’t be sparing,
indulgence is the bread and butter of 60s/70s rock.
Boston
At least give
me More Than A Feeling. This playlist should be as shameless as when I walk
around my store singing Stevie Nicks, lets enjoy it.
Why is their
self titled album so Effing impossible to find!? That’s the one with A Whiter
Shade Of Pale and that’s exactly the somber note this playlist needs. Keep
those eyes dry love.
Kansas and
Styx
Carry On My
Wayward Son and Renegade compliment one another brilliantly, trust me on that,
it’s a recipe for the best kind of disaster.
Mick Jones does
NOT sing from the hair. If you make the claim, you will feel the pain. Mark my
words. You can not ignore their high points and there is no shame in lip
syncing the words in public. To kick it into overdrive I recommend an opening
serve of Long, Long Way From Home. Then Urgent, Feels Like The First Time, Cold
As Ice and Hot Blooded, but don’t think you can ignore Waiting For A Girl Like
You and I Want To Know What Love Is. If you do you’re a hater, no one likes a
hater. If you’re satisfied with your Foreign additions let’s move on.
Golden Earring
Radar Love is
enough, just enough to prepare you for…
It is crucial
that Magic Carpet Ride makes the playlist, Born To Be Wild makes for a good
time though, so be generous.
Bad Company
The song Bad
Company is far more necessary than the rest but I’m all for splurging so feel free…
on that note…
Now I’m tired
of people saying Free was an unnecessary chapter in the life of Paul Rodgers.
Shut Up and stop claiming All Right Now is their only hit (but on that note,
put it in the playlist) (don’t look at me like that, I’m not finished yet). For
a start they had a ridiculously good bass player who they picked up at the age
of 16! Tell me that ain’t some Almost Famous shit there! Little Bit Of Love,
The Stealer, Wishing Well and The Hunter are amazing songs, so put them in. And
yes, I’m aware they covered The Hunter, but it’s a great cover and on the note
of great covers…
Girl You Really
Got Me… Epic cover. However I personally don't feel the need for any further VH additions.
Survivor
Eye Of The
Tiger. Come on, did you really think I would miss it?
Scorpions
Rock You Like A
Hurricane and No One Like You are essential!
Easy Livin’,
put it on and don’t roll your eyes.
Toto
Hold The Line!
Love isn’t always on time. Not that I’m a poster boy for patience but they had
a point.
The Guess Who
Almost Famous
said it best, “They got the courage to be drunken buffoons, which makes them
poetic!” Give me an American Woman people.
I don’t care if
you love or hate Jim Morrison, he died at 27 and that alone puts him in the
ranks with Hendrix for at least one reason. But in the interests of keeping
some pace, you’ll only need to add Break On Through (To The Other Side).
Fleetwood Mac
Now calm down!
I know they kick ass in a less agressive ass kicking manner than their company
in this list, but if you want an amazing change and interlude, you can’t go
past The Chain. Wait till the end and tell me I’m wrong.
Three cheers
for the years before John Fogerty started making lame music. Now I feel that
Run Through The Jungle doesn’t get the credit it’s due, I mean it’s bad ass
blues if you really give it the time of day so put it on. But lets not skip the
hits, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son and Have You Ever Seen The Rain have a
place too! In fact put Fortunate Son on the end and we’ll wrap the night up with flipping
off the man.
Now I know I’ve
missed a heap of great tracks and bands but I am by no means suggesting you
stop here. Go forth shamelessly with your air guitar and make your journey
through the world that once was!
