Guns N' Roses - Rocket Queen

This is a live performance by hard rock 80's group Guns N' Roses. They play their song "Rocket Queen" which was never released as a single, but still played live frequently.
The song is the closing track on the band's '87 album "Appetite for Destruction". The song is, according to Axl, inspired by a real life female friend who wanted her own band and call it "Rocket Queen". The ballady end of the song is a tribute to her and the things she did as a friend for Axl.
The main riff was composed by Slash and Duff and Duff has stated that it is influenced by funk group "Cameo".
As mentioned earlier, they'd very often play this live. The part of the song that Axl raps is actually from the band's unreleased song "It Tastes Good, Don't It".
I really like this performance, mainly because of how well the band plays together on it. It's more a groove than a rehearsed performance, or at least seems like a groove. They take a little time to get into it. Slash takes position and lets the groove go on as he gets into it and starts soloing.
Slash is really good in this performance. He plays in that particular style that he's known for, throws a little slide in at the beginning and does a talk box solo before Axl starts rapping.
A very good performance of a really good and groovy song.

Enjoy ; )

Guns N' Roses - Bad Apples

This is the music video to the Guns N' Roses song "Bad Apples" from their "Use Your Illusion I" album. "Use Your Illusions" was a double release, two albums released at the same time. The albums were released in 1991, and were hugely successful. The albums were different from the band's earlier work in many ways. Their '87 release of "Appetite for Destruction" was much more in the category of classic hard rock. Where as these albums drew on many different influences such as classical music, traditional blues music and country. Of course still blending in their early sound. Axl started playing piano on several tracks, and the band did more ballads than they did hard rock.
"Bad Apples" is the 14th track on the record, it has only been performed live twice and according to Slash the song was written while the band was rehearsing in Chicago for a period of time.
I think it's a good song with a really good groove. The music video isn't their best, but it's still a pretty good song.

Enjoy ;

ZZ Top - Bang Bang

(The resolution isn't very good, so it's the small size player)
This is a live performance by blues, rock and hard rock band ZZ Top. They perform the song "Bang Bang" from their 12th studio album Rhythmeen released in 1996. It's a great little song that does what ZZ Top does best, produce good, funky, bluesy and fun songs.
On this album they sort of went back to a more rock/bluesy sound. In the 80's they had experimented with synthesizers and electronic drum beats. A sound that gave the great air-play and success, but didn't sound like their earlier work.
The album got mixed reviews, but I think that it's a top notch album, prima quality, and just what you'd expect from ZZ Top. If you're a fan, it's a must-have in your collection, definitely.
They do a great performance with a nice set of bongos accompanying Frank Beard on the drums which gives the song a very good rhythm and groove.
A great song, and a great performance.

Enjoy ; )

AC/DC - Down Payment Blues

This is a performance from 1996 by hard rock/rock 'n' roll band AC/DC. The song is from the album "Powerage" which is the band's fourth internationally released album and the fifth Australian studio album, confusing, yeah I know.
The song is also one of Slash's favourite AC/DC songs, as he explains in an interview on the Ronnie Wood show. He says that it's one of the best driving songs, and I agree, it drives you, and it's got that classic AC/DC groove. A really nice song, and a great performance.

Enjoy ; )