Musiscian You'd like to see banned from the airwaves, for speaking views

[CanuckAmok]

Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull spoke out against "flag patriotism" the other day, and some classic rock stations are banning Tull from their airwaves as a result.

Finally, a way to purge the playlists!

Who would you like to hear tear GWB a new one, and be pulled from the air as a result?

[Loonman]

1. Pink

I'll try anything to get her off the air.

[meegbear]

6. I'm with you on that one ...

she proves It's not what you know, it's who you %* (censored due to the regulation of no naughty posts).

[Forkboy]

2. I like Molly Hatchet

:shrug:

[Zomby Woof]

9. I do too!

I have been a fan ever since 1979, when "Flirtin' With Disaster" hit the airwaves. Saw them in concert more times than I can count, too. They don't have any of the original members, but still going strong these days.

Here is an example of some great lyrics by them from the mid-90's:


"Heartless Land"

I see it on TV watch it everyday
Men with no conscience don't care who they slay
Children killing children for insult or greed
Don't want what they have don't know what they need

Shot for a dollar or the color of your car
You try to find justice you won't get far
Too many families living on the street
Too many babies with nothing to eat

To clear the land they build a wall of fire
To get their way they use a gun for hire
Just trying to do the best I can
To live in this heartless land

So many people doing without
They have no power no political clout
Cutting down the forest, killing off the seas
Don't look to the future they just do what they please

We got to stand up find another way
To solve these problems it gets worse every day
Hand in hand as hard as it seems
We can save ourselves and our children's dreams

I'm trying to live we got to learn to forgive
I'm doing my best - don't you know - to live in this heartless land

---1996

[Forkboy]

21. I've had people tell me they're racist

I just point them to the lyrics for Fall of the Peacemakers.Not many racists praise MLK...but maybe I just dont get out enough :)

[Fenris]

3. CREEEEEEED

Nickelback, Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Simple Plan, Godsmack...take your pick from the post-grunge losers.

[CanuckAmok]

11. Mrs. Amok calls them "Knee Rock"

Because there's always some "sensitive ponytail guy" on one knee, head lowered, singing guterally into a mic he has cupped in both hands, introspective postmodernist lyrics about having the girl, losing the girl, and getting the girl back (or getting beyond needing the girl).

[NuckinFutz]

12. Da Vinci's Notebook

has a really funny parody song about boy groups and balads. You'd probably get a big kick out of it, if you haven't heard it yet.

It's available for download on their website www.davincisnotebook.com

The name of the song is "Title of the Song"

[Guaranteed]

4. Toby Keith

That guy's the biggest clown I've ever seen. Not one neuron in his head.

[imax2268]

39. Second that one...

Toby Kieth should be banned from everything...he makes me sick...

[av8rdave]

5. You forgot a couple...

How about Ted Nugent and Charlie Daniels!

av8rdave

[CanuckAmok]

8. That's like having 16th Century Chamber Music pulled from Top 40

Nobody even plays those losers anymore--why do you think they jumped on the political bandwagon? So at least *somebody* is still talking about them.

[NuckinFutz]

7. Lee Greenwood

eom

[Richardo]

10. NONE for speaking their views. PLENTY for lack of talent.

[Zomby Woof]

13. underestimate Skynyrd at your peril

The ignorance of "Red White & Blue" aside, the band has a liberal in guitarist Rickey Medlocke, who writes the only good material they do any more (hint: he had nothing to do with that excrecable song mentioned above).

In the song "The Way", which is from the same album from this year, Medlocke's lyrics decry Ashcroft and the potential for quagmire abroad:

"...that ain't the Constitution they wrote for me/got our heads stuck in something way overseas..."

Despite the lapse of judgment and flirtation with jingoism represented in "Red White & Blue", Johnny Van Zant is capable of better judgment than the Worrelys (who co-wrote the piece). His choice during the 2000 election debacle was keeping Clinton in instead, if it were possible. Plus, he said referring to 2004, "if you don't like Bush, don't vote for him next time". Their support of the troops is not contingent on being Bush lackeys. Many well-meaning, but naive souls, believed it was important to "get behind the president" as the invasion of Iraq took place. That was Skynyrd's crime with "RW&B", but that song had more to do with 9-11 than the pending war with Iraq. Still, with Medlocke in the band, there is not a monolithic unity to the band's writing.

Skynyrd DOES see more nuance in the world than let's say, Charlie Daniels, who would NEVER write lyrics about being "stuck" overseas or questioning the 'Patriot Act'.

[CanuckAmok]

15. I always found "Saturday Night Special" quite progressive, lyrics-wise

[Zomby Woof]

16. the original band was progressive

I was speaking about the current incarnation, with only 3 original members, and the unfortunate hit single they put out this year.

But yeah, I am the most ardent defender of the original band, fronted by the late Ronnie Van Zant. Not only for "Saturday Night Special", but "Things Goin' On" (takes on Vietnam and inner-city poverty), "Cry For The Bad Man" (compassion for those who commit crimes against us, rather than vengeance), "All I Can Do Is Write About It" (an environmental anthem, and to the current band's credit, they wrote a similar song called "Tomorrow's Goodbye"), and "Lend A Helpin' Hand", taking on world hunger. Yes, for southern boys, they weren't the rednecks of popular misconception. Ronnie Van Zant had a brain to go with his heart.

[Zomby Woof]

17. Tomorrow's Goodbye

This song is from the current lineup, and shows that they are less ideological, and harder to pigeonhole, than clods like Charlie Daniels or Nugent.

"Tomorrow's Goodbye"

I'm just a city boy
But there's a small town side to me
And I feel it closin' in
Are we too blind to see
That she's dying more each day
And she's cryin' out to you and me

Chances come and when they're gone
They curse the fools who wait too long

So let's take care of what we have
Before the good we know goes bad
And the beauty fades and just slips away
The dirty air, the dying seas
Will this be the world we leave
To the wild and young
I say, just look at what we've done
And right before our yes
Today's yesterday
Could be tomorrow's goodbye

Here comes the rain
And it might wash her tears away
But it doesn't change a thing
Like my brother before me
All I can do is write it in a song
And for her I sing

Chances come and when they're gone
They carve in stone what we've done wrong

So let's take care of what we have
Before the good we know goes bad
And the beauty fades and slips away
The dirty air, the dying seas
Will this be the world we leave
To the wild and young
I say, just look at what we've done
And right before our eyes
Today's yesterday
Could be tomorrow's goodbye

Do you ever think about
The future or the past
Do you ever wonder
How long this world will last

Let's take care of what we have
Before the good we know goes bad
And the beauty fades, and just slips away
The dirty air, the dying seas
Will this be the world we leave
To the wild and young
I said, just look at what we've done
And right before our eyes
Yeah, it's right before our eyes

Today's yesterday
Could be tomorrow's goodbye

[supernova]

18. That Smell

one of the best anti-substance abuse songs ever.

Old LS was awesome.

[Zomby Woof]

19. and one of the best songs ever!

The lyrics are great for the reason you said, but just from a MUSICAL standpoint, there is no better song in rock history to make such effective and incredible use of three lead guitars, plus Leon Wilkeson's amazing bass line. :D

[geniph]

31. They have a couple of songs that are so good

that I have sincerely mistaken them for classic Allman Brothers (and I am a HUGE Allman Brothers fan). Tuesday's Gone is the one I'm specifically thinking of. It is a BEAUTIFUL song, really wonderful. The other, of course, is Simple Man.

I used to sneer at Skynryd as the poor man's Allman Brothers until Zomby made me reconsider my snobbiness.

[Zomby Woof]

34. lol, too cool

The one thing I never got to do when I was up there was play you the VERY FIRST Skynyrd single, which was recorded in 1968 on a local indie label in Jacksonville, called "Need All My Friends". It has all the hallmarks of later Skynyrd - especially the bluesy guitar and heartfelt vocals, plus the lyrics about being torn between settling down and hitting the road. This was a full year before the Allmans debut album, so being a clone was out of the question. Ronnie Van Zant had his own vision of the band, which was based more on being the American Stones or Cream, rather than the Allmans, who at the time were a little-known psychedelic rock outfit called Hourglass (and also the Allman Joys). They sounded more like a refined early Grateful Dead than what they later became as the Brothers.

Also, the main difference between the 2 bands, despite having strong blues roots, was that Skynyrd was heavily influenced by the British invasion bands like the Stones, Beatles, and Cream, whereas the Allmans had the Miles/Coltrane jazz groove going. Throw in the swamp country blues Ronnie learned as a kid from Shorty Medlocke, and you have a unique blend.

Skynyrd no doubt looked up to the Allmans - they opened for the newly minted Allman Brothers in 1969 at a local concert in Jacksonville - and hung out together, sharing tips and so forth.

I love the Allmans, and their instrumental chops were tremendous, but Skynyrd had the edge with the lyrics. Much as I love Gregg singing about his bad luck, lost loves, or what have you, he never got as deep or varied as Ronnie with the subject matter or social commentary. There is nothing approaching the wit or controversy of "Sweet Home Alabama" (Neil Young loved the song, and Ronnie worshipped Neil, so that blows all the myths about the song to hell), nothing approaching the scathing dismissal of handguns like "Saturday Night Special" (which is early heavy metal, actually), or anything about the environment, Vietnam, etc.

The newer incarnation of the Allmans, which is excellent, owes much its social conscience to guitarist Warren Haynes, who counts Skynyrd as one of his main influences as a guitarist and songwriter.

I consider them equally great in the rock pantheon, with neither of the original bands stealing from the other - their evolutions and influences were concurrent, yet fairly separate.

[geniph]

35. I actually heard Tuesday's Gone for the first time

just the other day and was absolutely blown away by it. So was John. What a beautiful song. What beautiful singing. I will probably end up buying the album for that song.

[Zomby Woof]

36. whoa

You had never heard it before??

Well, then, it is a foregone conclusion that my work with you is incomplete! ;-)

I can only imagine what other great songs by them you haven't heard... hmmm... :think:

Glad to hear it, however long it took ya! Same goes for John, lol.

[guitar man]

38. IMHO

When LS really took a huge jump forward is when they added Steve Gaines on guitar,from Miami,OK(I'm gonna sic an Okie on ya)

No doubt Allen Collins and Gary Rossington were phenomenal guitarists,but Steve's playing to me was both over the top and silky smooth at the same time,and that ain't easy to do.(I might be a little biased since I'm an Okie myself)

I still get a chill when I hear the opening guitar runs on "I Know a Little" I burned a lot of midnight oil trying to get those licks down. I learned to play them,but never got anywhere near the natural,graceful flow that Steve oozed out.He is still one of my all time heroes.

[Zomby Woof]

41. You Got That Right!

Steve Gaines was brilliant. "Street Survivors" stands up today after 26 years as a TIMELESS album. His solos are clean, precise, fluid, and fast without being showy or wasting a note. I, too, have had problems getting the intro to "I Know A Little" down.

If you can find it, get a copy of a Gaines 'solo album' called "One In The Sun", released by MCA in 1988, but out-of-print. It is a mid-1970's demo of his band, Crawdad, and is fantastic! He covers Curtis Mayfield's "It's Alright", and hey, Steve could sing too! His own songs are really good, and showcase a jazz and R&B style to his playing that he was JUST getting off the ground with Skynyrd.

Glad to see someone else knows the virtues of Steve Gaines. :thumbsup:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

14. I'd ban Ted Nugent if anyone still played his records.

[Forkboy]

23. As much as I hate the Nuge for his politics

I have to admit to loving the song Stranglehold.Wango Tango is a fun drinking tune as well.

[grannylib]

25. Nuge would get my vote if I didn't believe in free speech...

and I love the guitar riff on "Great White Buffalo"

[CanuckAmok]

29. Check out the hoodscoop! I gotta take that hoodscoop off!

What you gotta do is pretend your face is a Masarati!

Yup, in a vacuum, it's pretty great.

[Kolesar]

27. definitely in the "where are they now" category

Like like line from the movie This is Spinal Tap.

[Terwilliger]

20. NONE...there's already enough anti-American activity to go around

[4_Legs_Good]

22. Paul McCartney

I'd prefer John Lennon, but I don't think he'll be making any statements anytime soon.

Or how about Tony Bennet or someone very old school?

david

On Edit: by chosing Paul (or John), I simply mean that chosing someone so damned awesome, Right-winged Americans would ultimately have to realize how stupid it is to censor someone because of their political views.

[NightTrain]

24. I don't believe anyone should be banned for speaking their mind

Not even a redneck jerk-off like Charlie Daniels.

[prolesunited]

26. My answer as well

I think these banishments and boycotts of artists for their opinions has had a chilling effect on free speech and dissent in this country.

However, if you want to boycott Britney because she is a no-talent bimbo, I heartily concur. :-)

[Endangered Specie]

33. I second that

just dont listen to them.

[NoPasaran]

28. None, for their opinions

Pretty much all of the above because their music sucks!

[LynneSin]

30. Can we find a way to ban Celine Dion???

Thanks!!

[AlabamaYankee]

32. NONE

It's ethically bankrupt to whine and moan about "our" pople being balcklisted, and then turning around and advocating banning "their" people.

Which isn't to say that there aren't a number of "musicians" who should be banned for perpetrating a fraud on the listening public by representing themselves as having talent. :)

[CanuckAmok]

37. It was tongue in cheek :)

Kind of using this wave of McCarthy-esque hysteria to clean house in some of the more stale classic rock stations.

Of course I wouldn't want to see anyone banned for promoting their views.

However, I'd like to see some people banned because they suck!

[Raine]

40. Ted Nugent nt

:puke: