You know what’s sad, before I even read this article I was ready to refute this because I grew up believing Chuck Berry created Rock and roll. It’s said how so many knew of this great woman yet none spoke on her greatness.
I also discovered Big Mama Thornton, who’s another hugely influential early inventor of rock and roll — I’m pretty sure Hound Dog was originally popularized by her, before Elvis stole it.
Everybody has experienced the defeat of their lives. Nobody has a life that worked out the way they wanted it to work out. We all begin as the hero of our own dramas, in centre stage, and inevitably life moves us out of centre stage, defeats the hero, overturns the plot and the strategy and we’re left on the sidelines, wondering why we no longer have a part, or want a part, in the whole damn thing. So everybody’s experienced this. When it’s presented to us sweetly, the feeling goes from heart to heart and we feel less isolated and we feel part of the great human chain, which is really involved with the recognition of defeat.
Leonard Cohen on why people enjoy listening to melancholy songs. From a BBC radio interview in 2007. (via elviskeepsmypictureinhiswallet)
“When Arjen (Lucassen) asked me if I was interested in doing a role on his latest Ayreon concept album, I immediately said yes. It´s great that someone still does independent prog, rock and metal albums of quality totally out of the mainstream. I have, and I´ve been listening to previous albums of Ayreon myself a lot!”
Marco Hietala
“Wow… thanks so much for your kind words, Marco! It’s been a true honor and a pleasure working with you, you belong exactly where you are… at the top :)”
