This is my father in law's neighbor, Kingston Trio member Bob Haworth.
Posted on 11/20/2004 8:57:25 AM PST by ejdrapes
ROLLING STONE magazine says Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" tops its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time in its new issue, released Friday. They wish. Disclaimer alert: Such lists mean absolutely nothing. There's no mathematical formula, based on sales, spins, notes, chords or strength of drugs the artist was or wasn't on when recording. These are totally subjective decisions made by a bunch of writers and editors. So invite people over this weekend and argue about it until you can't talk. Sever friendships, get divorced, write the kids out of the will. In the long run, none of it matters. Because we're all right. And wrong. But really -- what are these people thinking? They want to irritate music lovers for a week or two -- Eminem isn't available for the cover every week. Anyway, their Top 10 goes like this: After "Like a Rolling Stone," the Rolling Stones come in second with "Satisfaction." (Rolling Stones follow "Like a Rolling Stone" for Rolling Stone magazine. Hmmm.) OK. Third is John Lennon with "Imagine." Fourth is Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," followed by Aretha Franklin's "Respect." Which isn't as good as Otis Redding's original, but, OK. I wouldn't tell Aretha Franklin that. She's a big woman. Then comes the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations," a good song, but not Top 30. Seventh is Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," which only pretty much started this whole rock 'n' roll thing. Then comes "Hey Jude." Paul McCartney closes his shows with this. People cry. The RS staffers probably raise their lighters. Fine. Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is ninth, which is acceptable. Ray Charles' "What'd I Say," is 10th, indicating the RS staff wrote this minutes after weeping through a free sneak preview of the new Ray Charles movie. Suckers. I'm not saying money changed hands, but ... The rest of the list goes something like this: Bob Dylan, Beatles, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones, Glen Campbell, Bob Dylan. Actually, Campbell did make the list, twice, which is two more than Pearl Jam. You figure that one out. Instead of picking apart this list until we either die or run out of newsprint, I'll now hit some highlights/lowlights, and pretend that you think I'm right. What's wrong with this list: • Age: Apparently, there are no RS writers under the age of 70. The Beatles and Stones -- with 390 songs on the list -- deserve most of their spots. Dylan, with the other 110, probably doesn't. So much weight is given to age, and there are no clear criteria. As in, are we talking the most influential songs? The best songs? Or simply the songs rock critics think make them look good? Because if I have to hear about the genius of The Band anymore, I may take my own life. • More on ageism: Somehow RS wants us to believe that borderline one-hit wonders in the '50s and '60s are infinitely better than one-hit wonders of the '80s, '90s and 2000s. In other words, Dexy's Midnight Runners took it in the shorts. • 15. "London Calling," the Clash: Of course it's good, but it's also possibly the most overrated song on this list. I realize, to be cool, you have to consider the Clash nothing short of genius. But not that genius. • 18. "Maybellene," Chuck Berry. OK, we already paid tribute. He was a trailblazer, but he really just wrote that one song -- over and over and over. Bump "Johnny B. Goode" to No. 1 and let's move on with our lives. • 70. "Walk On By," Dionne Warwick. Above "California Girls," "Summertime Blues," "Superstition" and "Whole Lotta Love"? Someone call the Psychic Hotline and ask Dionne if she foretold this. • 103: "Hot Stuff," Donna Summer: Disco rules and all, but this is 86 song spots higher than "Stayin' Alive." Criminal. • 158: "Rock Around the Clock," Bill Haley & His Comets: An oldie worth defending. Maybe I just watched too much "Happy Days," growing up, but listen to that guitar. • 200: "Loser," Beck: Yeah, yeah, this was cute. He's a loser, kill him, blah blah. He break-dances and he's white. But if one feels the need to represent Beck on a best song list, surely one can do better. • 314: "Comfortably Numb," Pink Floyd: What, none of these RS writers smoked pot in the '70s? Putting "Wish You Were Here," two spots later reeks of "Hey, uh, guys ... we forgot to include Pink Floyd. Quick, jam something in there." • 257: "Wild Thing," the Troggs: This song should be outlawed. • 340: "Baba O'Reilly," the Who: Arguably the most powerful guitar riff ever comes this late? That's almost as silly as ... • 344: "Piece of My Heart," Big Brother and the Holding Company: The biggest song from the greatest female rock singer ever is No. ... 344? • 391: "Band of Gold," Freda Payne: No better pop hook was ever written, and banishing this so far down the list is shameful. Speaking of banishment (I know, suddenly I'm defending all the old guys), who in their right mind -- their RIGHT MIND -- would make Sly Stone's "Thank You (Falenttinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" No. 402? • 406: "I Believe I Can Fly," R. Kelly: Shut up. • 423: "Blue Suede Shoes," Elvis Presley: So it was a cover. This is Elvis doing "Blue Suede Shoes." • 465: "Surrender," Cheap Trick: There's no way on this planet, this galaxy or this universe that there were 464 rock and/or pop songs better than this. Same goes for Carole King and "It's Too Late," at No. 469. Not when Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" is hot on their heels at 476. Why don't we just induct Reo Speedwagon in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and be done with it? • 477: "Super Freak," Rick James: The guy just died. Cough up a little respect. Maybe they could pretend he played with The Band or roadied for Dylan or something. There were more, to be sure. You can figure it out by calling your friends and starting the debate.Rolling Stone's new list sure to ignite debate
1: Bob Dylan, Like A Rolling Stone
Writer: Bob Dylan
Released: August 1965
Chart positions: UK: 4, US: 2
Notable for being, at six minutes, twice the length of the standard pop single, and for introducing a strain of poetic bile into the pop chart
2: The Rolling Stones, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Writers: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Released: August 1965
Chart positions: UK: 1; US: 1
The song that kick-started a great songwriting partnership
3: John Lennon, Imagine
Writer: John Lennon
Released: November 1971 (US), October 1975 (UK)
Chart positions: UK: 6 (1975), 1 (1981), 3 (1999); US: 3
The most mellifluous of anarchist anthems
4: Marvin Gaye, What's Going On
Writers: Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye and Renaldo Benson
Released: February 1971
Chart position: US: 2
Title-track of the landmark album which announced Marvin Gaye's new, politicised musical direction
5: Aretha Franklin, Respect
Writer: Otis Redding
Released: April 1967
Chart positions: UK: 10; US: 1
The black pride anthem which brought the Queen of Soul overnight success after six years of ill-advised cabaret schmaltz
6: Beach Boys, Good Vibrations 1966
7: Chuck Berry, Johnny B Goode 1958
8: The Beatles, Hey Jude 1968
9: Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit 1991
10: Ray Charles, What'd I Say 1959
11: The Who, My Generation 1966
12: Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come 1965
13: The Beatles, Yesterday 1965
14: Bob Dylan, Blowin' in the Wind 1963
15: The Clash, London Calling 1980
16: The Beatles, I Want to Hold Your Hand 1964
17: Jimi Hendrix, Purple Haze 1967
18: Chuck Berry, Maybellene 1955
19: Elvis Presley, Hound Dog 1956
20: The Beatles, Let It Be 1970
21: Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run 1975
22: The Ronettes, Be My Baby 1963
23: The Beatles, In My Life 1966
24: The Impressions, People Get Ready 1965
25: Beach Boys, The God Only Knows 1966
26: The Beatles, A Day in the Life 1967
27: Derek and the Dominos, Layla 1971
28: Otis Redding, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay 1968
29: The Beatles, Help! 1965
30: Johnny Cash, I Walk the Line 1956
31: Led Zeppelin, Stairway To Heaven 1971
32: Rolling Stones, Sympathy For The Devil 1968
33: Ike & Tina Turner, River Deep, Mountain High 1966
34: The Righteous Brothers, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 1964
35: The Doors, Light My Fire 1967
36: U2, One 1991
37: Bob Marley and the Wailers, No Woman, No Cry 1974
38: The Rolling Stones, Gimme Shelter 1969
39: Buddy Holly and the Crickets, That'll Be the Day 1957
40: Martha and The Vandellas, Dancing In The Street 1964
41: The Band, The Weight 1968
42: The Kinks, Waterloo Sunset 1967
43: Little Richard, Tutti Frutti 1956
44: Ray Charles, Georgia On My Mind 1960
45: Elvis Presley, Heartbreak Hotel 1956
46: David Bowie, Heroes 1977
47: Simon and Garfunkel, Bridge Over Troubled Water '69
48: Jimi Hendrix, All Along The Watchtower 1968
49: The Eagles, Hotel California 1977
50: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Tracks Of My Tears 1965
Where's the debate?
This is a lame press release to boost circulation for a dying boomer magazine.
How lazy.
When I hear Bob Dylan sing, I don't hear a great song.
Incomplete without a Janis Joplin tune. Pick one.
Shows you the limited experience of the people of Rolling stoner.
Huh,Wheres the Archies with sugar sugar?
Piece of My Heart, Turtle Blues and/or Summertime.
Right, and where is dancing queen by Abba?!
To sell magazines!
Not until after they have reconqured Spain.
Me And Bobby McGee, or Pieces Of My Heart.
Ted Nugents Stranglehold should be in the top 50 imo.
257: "Wild Thing," the Troggs: This song should be outlawed.
I LOVE THAT SONG~
Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley; by The Kingston Trio!!!
I LOVE the Beach Boys but I hated
6: Beach Boys, Good Vibrations 1966
One of the Kingston Trio lives behind my father in law in Golden Colorado. They sang the American Anthem at one of the World Series games this year. He wasn't with them from the beginning, but he is in the trio now. Bob something.
I posted a similar article about two or three days ago. I saw the top 150 songs and laughed when Baba O'Riley wasn't listed and now I just saw its standing with this article.
Dimwits at Rolling Stone have Post-traumatic Kerry Syndrome. As someone else pointed out I do believe, the magazine was named for the Dylan song so this generates shameless self-promotion by putting that song at the top of the list.
The best song ever written is in the side drawer of a desk written on a paper,now folded not so neatly, with frayed edges and has never been produced. Probably has been heard by friends and family played on a guitar or keys. There are hundreds of songs like gemstones to be mined which will never be widely distributed. I do not know the name of the song. I do not know the writer. But he is out there, somewhere.
LOL! I havent heard that one in ages.
These lists are always completely retarded, especially in how narrow their scope is.
Rock Lobster came in at 146.
And not one single Rush song made the entire list.
Bob Shane
What a crummy list. Only two Queen songs out of 500? Sweet Home Alabama almost 400 spots down? The Cars don't show up at all? Puh-leeze.
Elvis doesn't show up until number 19 - what craziness is this?
Yeah, it's a disappointment not to see even one Rush song in even the top 50. They were and still are a great rock'n'roll band.
29 of those 50 songs are from the 1960s and many more cluster just around it.
That was an unofficial anthem of the Boston Bruins hockey teams of the late 80's/early 90s. Still is to a degree.
The name of the publication is "Rolling Stone". The number one song is "Like a ROLLING STONE". The number two song is "I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by the ROLLING STONES.
Coincidence? I think not!
I have the top 175 from a local newspaper and Rush isn't listed. A Sinead o'Connor song came in at 162 though one notch ahead of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.
" gonna listen to my 45's, aint it wonderful to be alive
when the rock n roll plays...Keeping The Faith..."
Billy Joel
Joan Jett's 'I Love Rock & Roll' and the Drifter's 'Under the Boardwalk' just barely made the list in the 480's. Only one Tom Petty song in the whole thing... Blasphemy.
Feelin' Satisfied would make for a great sports anthem.
I won't waste my time looking for "Someone to Watch Over Me", wrong generation.
Aerosmith - Dream on.
Ugh, Sinead O'Connor. Good lord.
Lets make a list of some Freeper music! We needs Rolling Stone...ugh. God Bless! Tag your it. :)
This is my father in law's neighbor, Kingston Trio member Bob Haworth.
I don't know, but most of the list wouldn't have existed without him.
Maybe the Linda Ronstadt version is there. :)
Bob Haworth Of The Kingston Trio Biography
I sang with the Trio from 1985 until 1988; then Nick Reynolds returned to the group. In 1987, I met my lovely wife, Meri, at a concert in Lakewood, Colorado. We saw each other off and on for the next year, and then in 1988, I moved to Colorado to live with her. We were married on Sept. 6, 1990, and we're living happily ever-after. Between 1988 and 1999, I performed as a solo and occasionally with my band around Colorado. I was also available on several occasions to fill in for Nick Reynolds when he was unable to perform with The Kingston Trio. I recorded a solo album of original music in 1993 and continue to write music on a regular basis.
I also continue to operate Crescent Entertainment, booking national acts and regional entertainers throughout the area. In May of 1999, Bob Shane called to say that Nick would be retiring later in the year and was drastically curtailing his performance schedule with the group. I performed regularly with The Trio during the summer and fall of 1999 until Nick retired officially in December. I am now back with the group full time. In addition to my strong vocal abilities - I sing tenor in the group - I also play many instruments, including: guitar (electric and acoustic), banjo (plectrum, tenor and 5-string), bass (up-right and electric), mandolin, tuba, harmonica, keyboards, mandolin, autoharp, percussion and musical saw. I'm featured in the Trio's shows with my saw, an old Disston hand saw that I inherited from my Great-Grandfather. Although this instrument has never been part of The Kingston Trio's line-up before, it seems to generate a lot of interest from the audiences.
I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world to be part of this group. I know there are thousands of people who have emulated the Trio and know all the songs, but I just happened to be the one who got the job. I consider it my duty to carry on this great American tradition by bringing enjoyment to the many Trio fans that still enjoy this wonderful music.
" he gets off on country music, 'cause disco left him cold.. he has young friends into New Wave, but hes just too friggin' old.."
Old Hippy
The Bellamy Brothers
*tag you're it*
....or for that matter...anything by Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs!!!
I think Cam Neely had an affinity for the tune and it escalalted from there. Please, the song "Dirty Water" is played to ad nauseum and it was written by a Los Angeles based band called the Standells. The song reeks more than the image it tries to portray, IMHO. Boston area bands include the Cars, Aerosmith, J. Geils and of course Boston for starters and each has a list of great tunes.
J. Geils, best live show ever....
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