B.B. King - "The Thrill is Gone (Live at Montreux 1993)" - Song of the Day - 5/15/15

Today, the entire music community weeps. After 89 years in this world, the king of blues, B.B. King passed away last night in Las Vegas. King left an everlasting impression on the music industry with a career that spanned over six decades. His influence on blues music paved the way for so many great musicians that came after him, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer and just about anyone else who has ever picked up a guitar.

We remember King for his one of kind style, the way he told stories through his guitar "Lucille." We remember him for his passion and hard work, a man who toured relentlessly even well into his eighties. He truly was a one of kind talent, someone who's music has and will continue to influence generations of musicians for years to come.

King's emotional style of play landed him several noteworthy awards throughout his career including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and many more.

In remembrance of him, today's Song of the Day throws us back to 1993 where King played his classic "The Thrill is Gone" to a warm crowd at the Montreux music festival. As you listen to this song, let the notes from Lucille take you away and remember that the music we listen to and enjoy today is largely thanks to the work of Mr. King.

B.B., we love you and we miss you. You may be gone now, but your music will live on in our hearts and minds forever. You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

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Daryl Hall & John Oates - "I Can't Go For That" - SOTD - [3/3/15]

This was as classy as it got back in 1983. It's the massive track "I Can't Go For That" by Daryl Hall and John Oates. These guys pumped out a huge collection of hits for three decades starting back in in the early 70's. Hall and Oates would record six No. 1 hits on the Billboard hot 100 charts with "Maneater", "Rich Girl", "Kiss On My List", "Private Eyes", "Out of Touch", and this song too. Just last year they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. I became a big fan of the group after seeing them perform live at the former Pine Knob Amphitheater in Clarkston, Michigan back in the 90's. I didn't even realize prior to going, but many of their songs I knew the words to, and they sounded impeccable playing live. So get groovy today with "I Can't Go For That" one of the many funk/jazz songs from the legendary Daryl Hall and John Oates.

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Stone Temple Pilots - "Trippin on a Hole in a Paper Heart" - SOTD - (11/23/14)

Growing up in the grunge rock era naturally Stone Temple Pilots are one of my favorite bands. They represent a quintessential grunge rock style very popular in the 90's. Other than maybe Nirvana, there really is no band better at firing me up. This song "Trippin on a Hole in a Paper Heart" comes from the album Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop the 3rd album released by the band back in 1996. This was a more experimental album for the band compared to the mostly hard rock music on the first two albums Core and Plush. This video is footage of the guys from around the same time as when they were producing the album. They locked themselves in a house/recording studio and busted out some amazing riffs. I will always love Stone Temple Pilots, they represent a great part of my life when I first started playing guitar in a band with my friends. This video is from the Official STP Youtube Channel, go there to check out more from this legendary grunge rock group.

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Big L - "Put It On" - Song of the Day - (9-15-14)

Big L was a legend, and he was taken from us too soon. He tells amazing stories of the streets growing up in Harlem, New York. Back in 1999 Big L was shot in a drive by shooting which turned out to be fatal. He lives on today through his amazing music. Before that terrible day, Big L was busy launching his own record label Flamboyant Entertainment, and putting it down old school. If you don't know the story of Big L just listen to his music and he will fill you in himself, he was one of the best story tellers ever in hip-hop.

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Notorious BIG - "Everyday Struggle" - Song of the Day [3-25-14]

Possibly the best hip-hop lyricist of all time was The Notorious BIG. "Everyday Struggle" is my favorite track from the album Ready To Die. The song speaks the truth about the life led by a real hustler with a smooth classic beat. The Notorious BIG, also known as Biggie Smalls, told incredible stories in his lyrics. With his extensive drug vocabulary he brilliantly described situations he had lived through. Biggie was also a very humble man unlike many of the so called rappers today, he would rarely ever talk about his money or fame. The Notorious BIG was the superlative hip-hop lyricist right up until his death, and his music still holds up strong.

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