What Inspired Me

I was the only one of my friends in high school that could play the piano. I thought this was kind of cool at first. It was kind of nice to raise your hand in class when a teacher asked if anyone played an instrument or if it came up in idle conversation when girls were around. I was pretty good at it too and even played hymns for my church during services when I was growing up. But man, when it came down to it, in the end, the dudes who played guitar were always the coolest. No matter how douchey, no matter how ugly, not matter how trashy…these guys always took the cake. It wasn’t like all girls were sold on this group of guys, but they certainly pulled more attention then if they couldn’t play the guitar. I often attended parties where some douche would just come out with is guitar and just start playing…I mean, who does that. No intro, no heads up warning, no “hey guys, you want to hear some music?” It was all just smoke and mirrors to them I guess. It made things even cooler or more dramatic if they just came into the house all of a sudden holding a guitar and strumming out Bush’s Glycerine. Perhaps I sound a little too vindictive or lame as I reflect on this matter…but seriously, look into a mirror and tell yourself that you don’t think that the guy I just described to you is most likely an ugly douche…I’ll wait…what’s that? Oh I know I was right, you don’t have to tell me.

Radiohead

The band Radiohead as a whole has influenced modern day music more than anyone really knows. At the time of their first album release, Pablo Honey, they were already extremely unique in both sound and technique. Creep was their first single, which was on Pablo Honey, and put the band on the world circuit after 7 years of song creation. Radiohead coupled in multiple genres of music into one strange and yet awesome sound. Some of their songs consist of sounds that I am not even sure how they make. They aren’t as bad as Beck…because sometimes I think that guy is literally banging pots together of different size to get some of his crazy background noise, but Radiohead always keeps it unique. Many Indy type alternative and rock bands today list Radiohead as one of their top influences, and they recently landed on the top 100 bands of all time list as well. Some of my favorite songs of theirs would be Idioteque, Body snatchers, and High and Dry. All of them, in my opinion support their own unique instrumentals that make them all different, and yet you somehow still know that it’s all from the one amazing source. Radiohead is commonly found under the alternative Genre, but most label them as a combinational entity made up of experimental, alternative, Indy, and even electronica as well. They are seemingly the original pioneers of change and transitioned the world away from the grunge rock era of the early 90’s and into what we still listen to today.

Freddy Mercury

Freddie Mercury was another pioneer in music and lyric writing. The band Queen was a hit sensation and is still considered one of the best rock bands of all time to this day. Mercury was a genius when it came to mixing and matching of styles and genres of music and somehow making it work. Many of his songs would start out with very slow and even lovely beats and tones and then suddenly rip into heavy guitar rifts coupled with ballad type lyrics, only to fall back into a slower paced ending. Somehow he made these dramatic transitions not only possible, but they sounded awesome. You almost never quite new what to expect from him, and that’s what made him so good. He was also very influential and a pioneer for the gay community as well. There are many famous quotes he gave about him being openly gay and loving it. He was one of a very small group of famous people in his time to actually come out and give the whole “I am what I am” speech…and people loved him for it. Seemingly, his music was so good that no one really cared about his sexual orientation, because the concerts were always full of fans (gay and straight alike). He was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and has gone down in history as one of the greatest Asian musicians of all time (he is from Indian decent and moved to Britain later on in his life)

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash is one of the most interesting musicians of all time. He was a man who commonly dressed in all black (one of his most popular nicknames was the man in black) and was well known for his deep baritone type voice. He began his career as a gospel type singer but eventually had to add more flare into his music in order to make it into the spotlight. He had a unique blend of genres consisting of country, blues, folk-pop, and gospel. This array of styles eventually transformed him into a legend. At the time he was seemingly the king of country while Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll. Cash, was so great because he was able to incorporate his own life and experiences into songs that most people could relate to in some way or another. Today, most bands like to have political motives and themes behind their music, which can be moving and great, but you almost always know which bands or musicians are influenced by Cash due to their almost bluntness in which they talk to their audience. Cash continued to write music up until his death and even released a very successful single which was themed to the movie the Punisher. It was kind of fitting since the song was written regarding the death of his wife and the movie was about a man who lost his family. Cash was one of the last singers to successfully incorporate “soul” into his music and inspires others today to do the same.

Radiohead

Radiohead is the best rock band out there today. There, I said it. I said it and there is no way I am going to take it back. No band has been able to put out consistently good music and reinvent themselves in as many ways as Radiohead has over the last two decades. You look at the breadth of musical sounds they have created, combined with their longevity, and you have musical genius in one easy-to-digest package. And not only have they defied conventional musical rules, but they have also rewritten the book on how music can be released and distributed.

Their latest album, “In Rainbows,” was released completely independent of any major label. They released the album on the basis of paying whatever you wanted, and inexplicably made more than they would have under the typical compensation package offered by the major labels. I personally paid $10, because I believe in supporting the artists and music that I love. The CD release was lauded as revolutionary, and I am inclined to agree. I would like to think that more artists feeling constrained by the moneymaking machine of a major label will shed their shackles and release their own music. Creativity should not be hobbled or determined by the bottom line on an accounting report. But innovation on the business side of music pales in comparison to how successful they have been on the artistic and creative side.

“Kid A” is regularly voted as one of the top 10 albums of all time, and I think every single album released by Radiohead is always drooled over by critics. What is more, these guys have not been content to stick to any tried and true formula, but have put out consistently innovative and amazing music with each consecutive album. Radiohead also loves their fans, unlike some other acts that I have seen. They tour all the time, and usually have a huge assortment of pyrotechnics onstage to wow the crowd. I last saw them in May in Charlotte, North Carolina and had a grand time with my friends. We had tickets that were practically front and center, which was amazing considering we only paid $45 for each of our tickets. The stage had a massive liquid crystal display stretching from top to bottom behind the band, and they had images and colors synced to their music throughout the show. They played their whole set with 3 or 4 encores in addition, and I left the show light-headed from copious amounts of cheering. Radiohead can do wrong in my mind. They are unique because they have bridged the gap between critical success and commercial success, while also retaining their creative freedoms. I am waiting with bated breath for their next CD release, which I have heard they are currently at work on. Thom Yorke took some time off for his solo project, but I am hoping they are now back in the studio to blow the world away with their next unbelievable release!

Muddy Waters

Most music fans know McKinley Morganfield simply as Muddy Waters. He is considered as one of the greatest influences for music in the twentieth century and his contribution to the blues is immense. His guitar playing was simple and mesmerizing at the same time. He was able to add layers of new meaning to the lyrics by his guitar playing. Amazingly a large variety of music genres are influenced by him – some of these are country, jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, folk and rock ‘n’ roll.

Muddy Waters gave one spell-binding performance after the other, down the years. But by the year 1982, his health was not supporting him as before and his last public performance was with Eric Clapton’s band in Florida in the same year. He died the following year at his residence. The tribute which was given to him at his funeral cannot be described in words. It gave him the respect he deserved. He has been ranked seventeenth on the Rolling Stone list of the 100 greatest artists of all times in 2004. He has also been honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame by inducting his recordings in the same.

The Riff Lord from Guns N’ Roses

Who can ever forget the guitar solo part from the single November Rain? It is one of those songs which have the longest guitar solo act ever. It was performed by Saul Hudson, better known as Slash to music fans. Slash was the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses and right now is the lead guitarist of Velvet Revolver. He and Axl Rose, the lead singer of the Guns N’ Roses became good friends after they were introduced to each other by a common friend. Slash was later called to be a part of the band formed by Axl Rose – Guns N’ Roses.

Guns N’ Roses were able to get commercial success very quickly. Their single – Sweet Child o’ Mine was the first #1 hit for them. It starts with an enticing riff and guitar solo performance by Slash. Thus Slash became an integral part of Guns N’ Roses right from the start. Sadly Guns N’ Roses started getting involved in a lethal mixture of alcohol and drugs. But they kept churning out one amazing song after the other. After a disagreement with Axl Rose over some material for a forthcoming album, Slash, formed a band – Slash’s Snakepit and released its material in 1995. The music did well commercially as well as critically. Velvet Revolver is the last big band he has been associated with. Whichever band he might be a part of, Slash will always manage to increase the adrenaline of all his fans at all times.

Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen is well-known all over the world as the lead guitarist and founder member of the hard rock group – Van Halen. His fans love him for his rapid guitar playing as well as tapping. He is not just a musical showman but a talented keyboardist, songwriter and a good producer too. Van Halen, the band was created in 1972 in California, United States. Eddie has an innovative technique for playing the guitar. It involves a number of accessories. He uses both his hands for tapping. He also uses a combination of natural and artificial harmonics to keep his fans going mad.

Besides this the use of the Floyd Rose fulcrum vibrato and tremolo picking are a hallmark of his guitar playing. He has been selected as one of the top 100 guitarists of the world by Rolling Stone. Eddie has previously had differences with David Lee Roth, another important member of the band. This has very often nearly led to the band’s break-up. But Eddie has had his bout of good luck too. He has twice suffered from cancer, but fought it bravely to fight another day. Both the experiences have not stopped him from playing music later in his life.

Guitar Accessories

If you are a guitar lover, your job is not over when you have selected a good guitar of your choice. You would need to have a number of guitar accessories if you claim to be an enthusiastic guitar player. Collecting accessories is not only fun but also helps you to add value to your guitar. Every musical instrument shop will always store a large number of guitar accessories which will appeal to most guitar lovers. You may need to visit more than one musical instrument shop before you are satisfied with what you plan to buy.

The first thing on your accessories’’ list should be a guitar case – the best option would be to opt for a hard sell case for your guitar. You can also buy a large number of picks for your guitar. They are available in different shapes, thicknesses and sizes. Don’t forget to add a colorful strap to your guitar. Also include a strap lock in your list. You would also need to buy some strings for your guitar whenever a string breaks off from it. Finally don’t miss picking up a book of songs which you plan to play on your guitar. The book should include all the chord diagrams which are needed by you to play the tune properly on your guitar.