YankeeLuvnGator

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Excellent blogging for a gatorluver!!!!!! I was sorry to see the Who go down as well. I've never been a great fan of vote offs as they tend to be more popularity contests than critical evaluations. But everyone has done an outstanding job of being objective in their picks. Props to all. And besides, everyone is entitled to their own opinions(at least until The Patriot Act can be amended to take that personal privilage away too) not matter how much I personally disagree. So here's my opinions for everyone to shoot at.

BAND ACTS

THE BEATLES - You have to have grown up in the 60s to realize just how much The Beatles changed SOCIETY, not just musically. Musically, I rank side 2 of Abbey Road, starting with Here Comes The Sun through Golden Slumbers as the single best album side in rock. So I don't offend too many people, #2-10 could be #1 on any given day depending on my mood(DSotM, Sticky Fimgers, WSWH,etc.)

THE ROLLING STONES(BY A LIP) - This one is tough. So many similarities, length of career, body of work, musical diversity and influence,consistently great albums, musicianship. Again, my sixties childhood memories prevail. I knew who everyone of the Rolling Stones were in 1965, I never heard of Pink Floyd until Dark Side of The Moon(Discovered some other things that enhanced the listening experience about the same time. Hmmmmmmm....) My personal favorite group of musicians are the Mick Taylor Stones(68-74). He could sure play lead and Keith was free to play the best rythym guitar riffs I've ever heard. Listen to "Cant You Hear ME Knocking." Hard rock, drugs, jazz, latin, sax, guitar, fuzzbox, did I mention drugs, all in one song. Then flip it over and listen to side 2.

SOLO ACTS

BOB DYLAN - I love to listen to Eric Clapton play the guitar and I walked out of a Dylan concert around 1980 because his voice hurt my head. Still, Dylan has influenced more singersongwriters(I don't think that word existed before Dylan) than anyone. And he has morphed through several religious changes and not been afraid to incorporate them into his music. He never met a lyric he was afraid to sing, as long as it was an intelligent one, he was political well before it was fashionable to be so(see U2, Bono), and he was a Wilbury. Tough choice, but someone had to take the knife, even if I like him better.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN -  Same as above. Jimi invented ways of playing guitar that computers still haven't caught up to. Brevity of career hurts him here as his talent was limitless. I watched an interview with Pete Townsend who talked about going to see Jimi in London with Clapton and how mad they were afterwards because they knew they would never be as good as Jimi was. It just don't get any better than that for compliments. However, Bruce is the 70s version of Dylan.(Dylan2.0 for geeks). Only records what he wants to hear and say, doesn't really care if you or the label or the critics(me!me!me!)like it. A true artist for art's sake. That's what every musician should strive for. I don't even like Bruce, but I have the utmost respect for him.
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines        maybe the best lyric ever.

OK vultures. Pick my bones clean.

Semi-finals Are Ready For Voting

Hey Yank, doing a great job

Bands:

Beatles:  still relevant

Pink Floyd: The Stones used to be 1 of my favorites, however, IMHO, over the years their music just doesn't have the same quality as their earlier stuff.  Kind of like a ball player that stays in the game past his prime.

Solo:

Clapton:  Looks like Dylan is the cinderella and going for another upset

Hendrix: Almost 38 years after his death,  he is still going strong and still considered 1 of the greatest guitar players ever. This bracket was the hardest to decide, because Springsteen isn't exaclty a slouch either

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Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd

Clapton
Jimi

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Band Bracket

Beatles

Solo Acts

Jimmi Hendri

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Semi Final Match Ups:
Band Bracket:
The Beatles:  I'm a big Zeppelin fan but the body of work and the influence of the Beatles are tooo much to overcome.

Pink Floyd:  Nothing like it.  PK grows and grows on you.  A band in a league of its own.

Solo Acts:
Eric Clapton:  May not have the impact that the music Dylan wrote did, but I can listen to Clapton all day long.

Jimi Hendrix:  It's the Experience.  Crosstown Traffic.

Semi-finals Are Ready For Voting

Great job Yank.
I personally agree with your tie-breaker vote to get Dylan into the next round. Like someone mentioned earlier, he is the Cinderella of the tournament (Just don't tell HIM that!).

I also enjoyed fansince66's comments. Great insight on all of the remaining choices. I guess your screen name doesn't lie! I always enjoy your posts.

Now to the voting. Wow. you were right Yank. It REALLY gets tough now!

Bands:
The Beatles
As great as Zep was, they didn't change the face of music the way the Beatles did in the 60's. I don't think it's possible for any band to ever have the same impact on society that the Beatles did.

The Rolling Stones
For me, it was the body of work that won out. The Stones have so many songs that I just love. Pink Floyd definitely will always have their place in history but the Stones songs will just always be classics to me.

Solo Acts:
Bob Dylan
I know that Bob will probably lose his glass slipper in this round but he won't go down without a fight. To me he will probably always be the greatest songwriter of all time. His singing style will probably be what prevents him from winning this round. And there really is no disgrace in losing to a legend like Ol' Slowhand.

Bruce Springsteen
I guess if you notice my avatar this vote should come as no surprise. ever since I heard Thunder Road back in '75 I have been hooked. His songwriting is incredible - really paints such a vivid picture. His first 2 albums contain so many wonderful stories of so many lovable, wacky characters. And he continues to get better and better. Not to mention his live shows are like an out of body experience. Still doing nearly 3 hour shows at the age of 58 with no opening act. Incredible.
Jimi is definitely a legend but unfortunately had his career cut way too short.

Great thread Yank!

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Wow Yankee, very difficult to choose.  With much deliberation.

Band -  Led Zeppelin

              Pink Floyd

Solo -   Bob Dylan

              Bruce Springsteen 

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tough one.....sheesh

the beatles

pink floyd

clapton

springsteen

Semi-finals Are Ready For Voting

Band Bracket:
The Beatles(1) vs. Led Zeppelin (5)
The Rolling Stones(2) vs. Pink Floyd (6)