Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 12/21/17

Each Thursday, Hard Rock Music Time Machine takes a journey back in time to feature a variety of songs that date back as far as the ’70s.

In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlist below, all songs featured on Hard Rock Music Time Machine can be listened to individually by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles above each review.

ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

OZZY OSBOURNE – “You Can’t Kill Rock And Roll” (1981)

For years, the death of rock and roll has been declared often.  What’s different in modern times is that the chorus of negativity was started by one of rock and roll’s own legends (Gene Simmons).  It’s interesting how perspective changes as we look back in time…

Ozzy’s classic, “You Can’t Kill Rock And Roll,” was written during (what many of us look back upon now as) the glory days of the genre.  The ‘70s brought us numerous classics that still get played on radio today.  So what was Ozzy talking about?  One can only speculate, but his departure from Black Sabbath may have had people doubting what his solo career would be.  Clearly, any doubters were proven wrong many times over as Ozzy’s solo career is at least as relevant as his work with Black Sabbath.

As you listen to “You Can’t Kill Rock And Roll” all these years later, a few things come to mind.  First is the fact that rock and roll always seems to be dead or dying, regardless of the time period (and never does).  The second is how brilliant Randy Rhodes was on guitar.  You can’t help but wonder what might have been if his life had not be cut so tragically short.
 

 
DIO – “Rock ‘N’ Roll Children” (1985)

Like Ozzy, Ronnie James Dio was a frontman of Black Sabbath (after leaving Rainbow), and he eventually went out on his own to have a brilliant solo career.  Also like Ozzy, his first two solo albums are widely regarded as his best.  However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t outstanding material from the rest of his catalog.

Though it was never one of the most popular songs, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Children” (off of 1985’s Sacred Heart) has always been a personal favorite.

As a teenager in 1985, I identified with the characters portrayed in the song.  As years passed, and I became a parent, the song took on an entirely new meaning.  For a while (until they discovered other genres on their own), I was raising my kids to be “Rock ‘N’ Roll Children.”  I have my fair share of memories of them living up to the moniker, but those days have long since passed.  Still, the song (and being a parent) inspired me to start a business venture that is currently in the works.  More details to follow…
 

KEVIN GRAYSON – HRD Music Scout

WARREL DANE – “Brother” (2008)

From Seattle, Washington, Warrel Dane was a man with a smooth, powerful voice.  Though he was a baritone who could dig deep to the lowest lows, he could also soar to the highest highs.  He was the frontman for Nevermore, Sanctuary, and of course, his solo project.  Dane sang hard rock and metal for 34 years. The song “Brother” is off of his excellent solo album Praises to the War Machine.  Dane died last week at the age of 48 of a suspected heart attack.

R.I.P. Warrel…you will be missed brother!
 

 
HEAR ‘N AID – “Stars” (1985)

Watching the “Stars” video for the first time in years, I had forgotten just how many people were involved in this song.  The late Ronnie James Dio gets the vocals started off before several others join in with their parts.  Some true star power went into the making of this song, so there’s not enough room here to list all the names.  What I will say is that, on this great song (for a great cause), the vocal parts could not have been planned out any better.  Every singer shines like a “star.”