Mama, Ozzy's Gone Home

The GOAT has been laid to rest. The city of Birmingham paid tribute to the Clown Prince of Rock n' Roll, with the kind of funeral procession usually reserved for the parasitical Royal Family. The GOAT is gone, but we still have the memories and the music.

Remember the Sabbath

This excerpt is posted to observe the ceremonies in Birmingham over the weekend...

The Muses Choose Broken Vessels

The Secret History of Rock n' Roll was a situation in which I told the editors I needed at least 100-120K words and if I didn't get it the book would suffer for it. 

Sunday Sabbath: After Forever

The funny thing about Sabbath is that they could do a tune whose lyrics read like a Fundamentalist sermon, yet still sound like they are channeling Azathoth. 

That's a talent.

The Only 1983 Playlist that Really Matters: Headbangin' and Slam Dancin'

1983 was a huge year for Heavy Metal, and not only because of Quiet Riot’s soundalike cover of Slade’s 'Cum On Feel the Noize' sending the Metal Health LP to the top of the charts, the first metal band to ever do so.

The Witches' (Black) Sabbath

 

Back when I was a kid the only you got to see your favorite rock bands was on late weekend nights -- usually Saturdays -- with shows like Don Kirschner's Rock Concert or Midnight Special. 

There were a few scattered shows here and there that showed music videos, and if you absolutely had to, there was Dick Clark's loathsome American Bandstand.