9 Reasons the UK Rocks
Posted by Hans Ericsson | Under Music Entertainment, Weekly List Wednesday Sep 9, 2009In honor of the day (09/09/09), here’s a list of my top 9 favorite rock acts to come out of the UK (in no particular order). The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin get a free pass on this one, because really, it just wouldn’t be fair to take up these coveted spots.
Queen – Watch any live performance and try to tell me Freddie Mercury was not the most talented male rock vocalist ever. It doesn’t hurt that the band’s guitarist is a genius- literally. In October 2007 Brian May completed his Ph.D. thesis in astrophysics.
The Who – Come on, how could they not be on this list? The Who not only rocked (and still rock) harder than any band out there, but smashed gear and blew up drums with more efficiency than most small armies.
The Kinks – Recently, I discovered the great album We Are The Village Green. If you haven’t heard it, you should go get it right now.
Pink Floyd – Ever heard Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Meddle, Darkside of the Moon, Wish You Were Here or The Wall? Don’t tell anyone if the answer is no! Run to the nearest music collection of anyone that isn’t you and listen to any/all these albums.
The Clash – London Calling is one of the best albums ever recorded, and it’s a great way to get turned on to the sweet mix of reggae, punk, ska that is the politically charged rock band, The Clash.
David Bowie – From Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane- whatever you want to call him, there’s no denying his presence, humor and genius. Who doesn’t love the Labyrinth?
Elvis Costello – Aside from being a smart, talented songwriter, few people know he produced some of the Pogues’ best albums.
Elton John – We forgive him for all his Disney soundtracks, because Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is so good.
Radiohead – Having grown up in the 90’s, I am obligated to include them on this list, and to own a copy of OK Computer.
Okay, I know I probably left off your favorite band, so let’s hear it. Who did I not put on this list that deserved it? Who should I have left off? When you travel to London, or anywhere else in the UK for that matter, what bands do you hope to see live?
How about Iron Madien or Lady Gaga
BLACK SABBATH!!!
Every time I watch the “Dancing in the Street” video, I imagine myself eating a peanut butter sandwich.
Judas Priest, British Steel dominated.
Def Leppard – Pyromania…brwak out the Union Jacks!
Sabbath for real.
My Bloody Valentine did a good job.
Mogwai has had some moments (Scottish. does that count?).
Portishead “3″
Brian Eno (“Discreet Music”, “Here Come The Warm Jets”)
Vashti also did a good job.
Lady Gaga, hailing from NYC, would not be a cadidate for any UK best-of list. that would just be a difficult equation to master now wouldn’t it?