Mötley Crüe - Smokin' in the Boys Room

This is the music video to the song "Smokin' in the Boys Room" in the version done by glam metal band Mötley Crüe.
The song was originally done by the band Brownsville Station in 1973 on the album "Yeah!". The song is about students avoiding the smoking ban by smoking in the boys lavatory, quite simple premise really.
The version done by Mötley Crüe was released in 1985 as a single and it became the band's first top 40 hit. The song is from the album "Theatre of Pain".
I actually kind of like this version of the song. It's glam metal which I'm usually not a big fan of, but really this has much more a rock 'n' roll/bluesy feeling to it. The only thing that's glam really is their outfits and outfits don't matter to me. Also the harmonica on this sounds really good, it was done by Vince Neil which surprises me, didn't know he knew how to play the harmonica. It's a really good and catchy song.

Enjoy ; )

Chuck Berry - No Particular Place to Go

This is a live performance by American rock 'n' roll artist Chuck Berry playing the song "No Particular Place to Go" live on a French TV show. I don't know exactly when it's from, but the footage is in black and white, so I'd guess about the 1960's.
The song was initially released in 1964 through the Chess Records record label.
It's a great classic rock 'n' roll song, and a great piece of performance footage of Berry. It's black and white, but they get a lot of close-ups and semi close-ups of Berry's playing and expressive animated face during the performance. A great little piece of performance footage of one of the best rock 'n' roll artists of all time.

Enjoy ; )

Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits

This is a live performance by American rock and pop artist Tina Turner doing a smoking performance of the song "Nutbush City Limits".
The song is a semi-autobiographical song written by Tina Turner commemorating her rural background in the town of Nutbush, Tennessee. It was written by Tina Turner and initially released in 1973. It was recorded with Ike Turner whom Tina divorced shortly after the release of this song, making it the duo's last hit single. The song has since been covered by other artists and also been re-recorded by Tina on several occasions. In fact Tina has released the following re-recordings: A 1988 live version, a 1991 remix, and a 1993 re-recording for the autobiographical film "What's Love Got to Do With It?"
Other artists who have done versions of the song include: Bob Seger, Martin Barre from Jethro Tull, and in 1980 Brian Johnson sang the song as part of his audition for AC/DC.
It really is an amazing song. And this performance that Tina puts on, it's truly amazing. She's dancing, singing, and walking on a crane arm reaching out to the audience. She just loves performing and it just shines through so good. This is what Tina's all about to me, a great rock 'n' roll performer with more energy than anyone, truly a rock 'n' roll queen!

Enjoy ; )

Steve Vai - Juice

This is a live performance by guitarist Steve Vai playing his instrumental song "Juice" live. The performance is from 2003 and it was shot in Denver.
Juice is the second track on Steve Vai's 1995 EP "Alien Love Secrets". The song is a fast instrumental in a boogie-woogie style time signature. Also the riffs used in the song are very boogie-woogie like.
It's basically Vai's take on a boogie-woogie, using a lot of advanced techniques like tapping and pinch harmonics, but also with a lot of traditional boogie-woogie and rock 'n' roll licks thrown in. The performance style is that flashy style Vai is known for.
It's a great performance of a little instrumental by a really good guitarist.

Enjoy ; )

Jerry Lee Lewis - Wild One

This is a live performance by American rock 'n' roll pianist and singer Jerry Lee Lewis. He plays the song "Wild One" which became a staple in Lewis' live performances.
The song was originally recorded by Australian rock 'n' roll act Johnny O'Keefe in 1958. The song was written by O'Keefe, Johnny Greenan, and Dave Owens.
Jerry Lee Lewis recorded a version of the song in 1958, but it wasn't released until 1974 on the album "Rockin' and Free". Lewis also re-recorded a version of this song for the motion picture soundtrack to the film "Great Balls of Fire".
The song has been recorded by a large number of artists, including: Albert Lee, Iggy Pop, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and Brian Setzer.
It's a great rock 'n' roll number and it's always nice to see Lewis hammering away on those piano keys, gotta love that!

Enjoy ; )

Motörhead - Killed by Death

This is a live performance by heavy metal band Motörhead playing their classic song "Killed by Death" live.
The song was released in 1984 on both 7" and 12" vinyl. It peaked at #51 on the UK Singles Chart. The single also had a music video, it's pretty cheesy, but pretty hilarious as well (click here to check out the music video). The song is credited to: Lemmy, Phil Campbell, Würzel, and Pete Gill.
It's a great song, straight forward rock 'n' roll with a lot of sexual innuendo in the lyrics, great song and performance.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Messin' with the Kid

This is a live performance by Irish blues and rock guitarist Rory Gallagher playing his version of the classic blues song "Messin' with the Kid".
The song was originally done by Junior Wells in 1960. The song became a signature song for Wells. This original recording also featured acclaimed guitarist Earl Hooker.
I really love Gallagher's take on this classic song. It's more rock oriented, but still keeps the blues alive. It features a harmonica which was also on the original recording of the song and Gallagher's playing is superb.
The song has also been done by a number of other artists, such as: AC/DC, Johnny Winter, The Blues Brothers, and Freddie King.
It's a great tune. I also recommend checking out some of the above mentioned versions of the song. I especially like the AC/DC version because it perfectly shows that rock 'n' roll and blues are related genres. (Click here to take a look at the AC/DC version)
It's a great song and Gallagher's performance of it is just stunning.

Enjoy ; )

Neil Young and the Bluenotes - This Note's for You

Neil young - This Note's For You by ivaxavi
This is the music video to the song "This Note's for You" from Young's album of the same name. The album was released in 1988.
The song is a comment on the commercialisation of rock 'n' roll and rock 'n' roll tours in particular. The video features a Michael Jackson look-a-like who's hair catches fire. This caused the video to, at first, being pulled of the air on MTV who had been threatened by Jackson's legal department. They did, however, bring back the video in heavy rotation when it became a hit on the Canadian music channel "MuchMusic". And it also won the 1989 MTV Video Music Award for best Music Video.
It's a great song, I really love the simple straight forward guitar riff. And Young's somewhat unique lead guitar playing really fits the song well, as well as the horn section. A great song by a great artist.

Enjoy ; )

AC/DC - Stiff Upper Lip

This is a live performance by Australian rock band AC/DC playing the song "Stiff Upper Lip" live in concert.
The song appears on the band's 2000 album "Stiff Upper Lip" so it's the title track from that album. It was composed by Malcolm and Angus Young and was the first single from the album.
I really love the riff in this song. It's so simple, but so good at the same time. A truly magnificent riff composed by the Young brothers. Good old school rock 'n' roll, simple as that and it rocks!

Enjoy ; )

Guns N' Roses - Dust N' Bones

This is a live performance by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses performing the song "Dust N' Bones". The performance is from 1991.
The song is from the band's 1991 double release Use Your Illusion I. (Of course the second album of that double release was Use Your Illusions II). "Dust N' Bones" is the second song on the album and it was written by Slash, Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan. It is the first song on the album that is sung by Stradlin and also the first song to feature Dizzy Reed on piano. I really think the piano is crucial to what makes the song good, it gives it an old school rock 'n' roll feel a la The Rolling Stones. Both the live version and the album version features Slash playing talk box guitar on the song which also adds to the sound of the tune.
It's a great song and the live performance is very good as well. (Though the audio could have been better).

Enjoy ; )

Chuck Berry & Keith Richards - Carol

This is a live performance by Rock 'n' Roll legend Chuck Berry performing his classic song "Carol" which he also has writing credit for. Keith Richards is sitting in as this is the rehearsal footage prior to the main performance celebrating Berry's 60th birthday in the film "Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll" from 1987.
The song "Carol" was first released by Berry in 1958. It was later covered by a long list of artists, including: The Beatles, Charlie Daniels, The Doors, and of course also by The Rolling Stones.
I really love this piece of post concert footage. I love the tension that is between Berry and Richards, it is very entertaining to watch. Berry's solos on this are amazing, Richard's not so much as he screws up a bit on a lick or two and also has a hard time getting the intro down. But Berry's solos and Johnnie Johnson's piano solo makes for a really good performance- When they finally get through it.
A great little piece of footage from Berry when he was in his prime performing-wise. A great performance and very entertaining as well.

Enjoy ; )

AC/DC - Highway to Hell

This is a live performance by Australian hard rock band AC/DC playing their classic song "Highway to Hell" live at Donnington '91.
The song is the title track of the album and the album was released in 1979. This was band's sixth studio album (It was the 5th international release by the band). This was also the last album to feature singer Bon Scott, at this performance Brian Johnson who replaced Scott is singing. The album is one of the band's best selling ending at 7x platinum which was very very good, though they outdid these numbers with their following releases.
It's a great song and it's all that rock 'n' roll and hard rock is supposed to be. The lyrics reflect the hard life style of being on the road and Angus Young does a solo where he borrows heavily from Chuck Berry. Doesn't get much better than that.

Enjoy ; )

ZZ Top - What's Up with That

This is a live performance by Texan blues rock band ZZ Top performing the song "What's Up with That" live on Jools Holland in 1996. He also gives the band a fitting introduction as a rock 'n' roll band and protectors of rock 'n' roll which I can only agree with him on. On this performance they're joined by a choir and James Harman plays the blues harp on this number. Also I love how Holland actually introduces and mentions him. He's a musician himself and you always feel that in his hosting, you feel his genuine respect for his fellow musicians.
The song is off ZZ Top's 1996 album "Rhythmeen", so I assume they're doing a promotion tour or something on this performance.
Any ways a great song and a great little performance.

Enjoy ; )

AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long

This is a live performance from Australian hard rock/rock 'n' roll group AC/DC playing their classic song "You Shook Me All Night Long". The performance is from 1991.
The song is one of the band's signature songs and it's from their most successful 1980 "Back in Black" album. The title of the song comes from a Muddy Waters song with the title "You Shook Me" in which the line "you shook me all night long" appears. The song is also very popular at live gigs where it's very rarely excluded from the set list.
It's a very good song and I always love watching AC/DC live. I love how the sound just blasts to another level when Malcolm and Angus play the rhythm part together. Also the solo Angus does, it's him at his best, his rock 'n' roll influenced best.

Enjoy ; )

Chuck Berry - Reelin' And Rockin

This is a live performance from the source of rock 'n' roll: Chuck Berry playing the song "Reelin' And Rockin". The performance is from 1972 in London and it was released on the album "The London Chuck Berry Sessions". The first side was recorded in the studio and the second side was recorded live. The footage is from this recording.
I really think this is an awesome live performance. Berry is very energetic and his playing is that classic Berry style done very well. Dave Kafinetti also delivers a very good piano solo on the track. A very good performance and song, Berry doing stage moves and having that humorous look in his eye. A very good performance.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Shinkicker

This is a live performance by blues legend, sadly not so well known legend, Rory Gallagher. He performs the song "Shinkicker" which is an original rock 'n' roll song by Gallagher.
I really think it's an excellent performance. I really love how much showmanship Gallagher uses. He does everything from running the edge of the stage and jumping around to get the crowd infused to holding his guitar in the position of a shotgun aiming.
Over all a great performance from a great blues man.

Enjoy ; )

Johnny Winter - It's All Over Now

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Johnny Winter. He is known for his southern blues and rock 'n' roll style of guitar playing and his physical appearance as him and his brother both have albinism.
He plays the classic rock 'n' roll song "It's All Over Now". The performance is from 1983. The song was originally released by the band "The Valentinos". This version was released as a single in 1964 and entered the Billboard Hot 100, though only peaking at no. 94. The Rolling Stones did a recording of the song the same year and it became their first no. 1 hit ever.
It's a quite famous song and it has been covered by a lot of different artists, including: AC/DC, Rod Stewart, Social Distortion and Ry Cooder.
I think it's a great song and that Johnny does a great cover. It really fits his style of playing which makes for a really good and energetic performance.

Enjoy ; )

Jeff Beck & Joss Stone - I Put a Spell on You

This is a live performance from "Idol Gives Back" charity show. In this performance Jeff Beck and Joss Stone do a version of the classic soul song "I Put a Spell on You".
The song was originally released in 1956 and on this version it was sung by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. There are rumours of an earlier recording dating back to 1949. This version is rumoured to be more mellow, toned down and laid back, but it has never been confirmed and the so called "original recording" is either non-existing or lost through poor preservation. Until the release of this song Hawkins had been an unknown blues singer. His management suggested a gimmick to go along with the song, and he started performing by rising from a coffin wearing a long cape. He later elaborated his act with props and a smoking skull, and through time has become known as one of the first theatrical acts. He became an influence on later acts such as: Dr. John, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and Marilyn Manson. He can kind of be pin-pointed as the first shock rock/rock 'n' roll act in history. A version of the original performance from Screamin' Jay Hawkins embeded below.

It's one of those songs that have been covered by a huge amount of artists, including: Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Tim Curry, Buddy Guy, Marilyn Manson and Pete Townshend.
The version done by Jeff Beck and Joss Stone was originally recorded on Beck's 2010 album "Emotion & Commotion" which is a very good album that I can only recommend too little. It's great. And this is one of those short little songs that just stick out. It's a great song and both versions embeded are good and interesting, though I probably prefer Beck's and Stone's version over the original.

Enjoy ; )

Joe Satriani - Summer Song

This is a live performance by guitarist Joe Satriani. He plays his 1992 song "Summer Song" live, the performance in this video is from 2006. The song was released on the album "The Extremist" which got quite a lot of radio play and helped Satriani getting his solo career of the ground.
It's a great up-tempo rock song with a happy vibe that just brings good vibrations to the air particles it's moving. It really is a hard rock/rock 'n' roll song in the style of Satriani. He uses a wide combo of licks and techniques, but they aren't all difficult techniques and if you listen carefully you'll hear that he even throws in a Chuck Berry riff at one point.
I also love the ending where Satriani literally sustains a note where it pretty much seems like he could sustain it forever, if he wanted to. As Nigel Tufnel would say; "The sustain, listen to it.[...]you can just hold it and you can go have a bite, you'll still be hearing that one". Spinal Tap joke, gotta love that film!!
This is a great song, and an awesome performance.

Enjoy ; )

Rolling Stones ft. Christina Aguilera

This is a performance by British rock 'n' roll band The Rolling Stones featuring Christina Aguilera. They play the classic Rolling Stones song "Live with Me" from their 1969 record "Let It Bleed". It isn't the most famous song be The Stones, but it is considered an important song amongst fans. It was one of the first recordings where guitarist Mick Taylor contributed. It is the first song where Keith Richards is credited for playing bass (he only played bass on the original recording, and sticks to playing guitar in the performance clip above). This original recording was also the first song to feature sax player Bobby Keys.
The performance in the clip above is from Martin Scorcesse's concert film "Shine a Light" from 2008. It's a really good film, and it hosts some really good and solid performances from the band, and is excellently shot.

Previous posts from the film "Shine a Light"
Brown Sugar
You Got The Silver
Champagne And Reefer (ft. Buddy Guy)

Enjoy ; )