A while ago, I did a blog on my top 25 favorite songs of all time and that list tends to change. Like that list, I will be doing the same for my favorite bands and performers of all time. This list will chage too over time. I hope you enjoy the stories as to why these bands are so influential to me...
1) Billy Joel - He is the main reason I play the piano and love music so damn much. If it weren’t for this genious, music wouldn’t be as big a part of my life as it is today. I remember being 5 or 6 years old when "River of Dreams" came out and I would listen to it every night. Also the song "Piano Man" was very influential on me wanting to play piano in first grade. I saw him for the first time on 3/7/06 in Philly.
2) Dave Matthews Band - If Joel is my influence on piano, than Dave is my influence on guitar. No band that I like reached this high on my list as fast as DMB has. I go into them in 05 thanks to my brother playing "Ants Marching" for me. I saw my first Dave concert on 6/23/06 in Hershey and they closed w/ "Ants." Their combination of a regular rock band w/ violin and brass has grabbed my full attention. They musically are the best out there today.
3) Pink Floyd - Thanks to my friend Steve, I got into them with the song "Wish You Were Here." I had their greatest hits album and I liked some things. It wasn’t until I put money down for "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall" that I began to like them a lot ("The Wall" is one of my favorite albums ever). I then started to listen to "Animals" and I was convinced they were such an amazing band and Roger Waters was one of the greatest writers ever. The guitar playing of David Gilmour also attracted my liking to them. I saw Waters on 6/1/07 in Philly and he was absolutely amazing. They are a unique band and totally one of the greatests.
4) Led Zeppelin - One of my wishes is that they go on a world tour. Like Pink, Steve was also the reason I got into them. "Stairway to Heaven," "Over the Hills," and "Kashmir" are my three favorite songs. Jimmy Page is a living legend and Robert Plants voice just sends chills down my spine. They play hard rock, folk, blues, anything. They are simply amazing.
5) The Beatles - This was a family band. My mom and dad both love them and so do I. I saw Paul McCartney in 2003. This band revolutionized rock. I just love everything about them. My favorite song of theirs was not written by either John Lennon nor Paul but George Harrison, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
6) O.A.R. - My brother asked me if I was interested in seeing them in Camden back in 05. I never even heard of them but I said OK. Well I was 3rd row from the stage and they were amazing! I was dancing to this music I never heard before. "Wonderful Day" became my favorite song that night. I’ve seen them the most of any band (6 times) and that number will grow. Can’t wait to hear when their tour dates will be released.
7) Eric Clapton - I love all his stuff from his 4 bands, including Cream. He is one of the best guitarists ever. His blues CD w/ BB King is amazing and so are his "Crossroads" DVD’s. My favorite song of his is the "MTV Unplugged" version of "Layla." His autobiography is also one of my favorite books I ever read.
8) AC/DC - They save me from my bad music days of listening to Creed, Default, Trapt, and Limp Bizkit (don’t get me wrong, I still love Bizkit but they are 26 on the list). This is my first favorite classic rock band and "Highway to Hell" is one of my favorite songs ever. I love the energy the band brings, especially from guitaris Angus Young. AC/DC is the hardest rockig band out there, no doubt.
9) Eminem - The only rapper on the list and he makes the top 10. He must be good. I get inspired by "Lose Yourself" and I just love everything about the way he writes. He spits from his heart and not for pop culture. He truely is a
Protégée of Dr. Dre.
10) Eagles - Amazing sound. Don Henley can still sing after all these years. "Hotel California" is a favorite. I saw this band back in 03 or 04 in Atlantic City and they blew my mind.
11) Guns n’ Roses - Before Axl Rose had a hissy fit and chased away Slash, this band was amazing for it’s 6 years of recording. They suck now but that doesn’t take away the awesome music they made in the late 80’s/early 90’s. I love their cover of "Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door" and "Welcome to the Jungle" always get me pumped. My love for Slash has allowed me to follow Velvet Revolver, his current band, as they are 25 on the list.
12) Jimmy Buffett - God I wish I was him; owning my own island, tequilla, beer, and resort in Florida. Jimmy’s music has always been very good and geared towards the crowd who loved to relax and go on vacation. Saw him in AC on 6/30/07 for the first time. Fins up Jimmy. I think "He Went to Paris" is my favorite song and always makes me tear up.
13) Elton John - Seen him twice. Despite being gay (which means nothing to me), he is one of ym heros as well as far as music. My goal is to see him and Billy Joel "Face2Face." He is a wonderful writer and pianist and "Rocket Man" is my favorite song by him.
14) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Even though they sing about California a lot. I love these guys. Good music, a crazy bass player in Flea, and kick-ass attitude. Can’t wait to hear the new album. "Dani California" is my favorite.
15) Queen - Again, gay means nothing to me. An amazing British rock band and may Freddie Mercury rest in peace. "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Fat Bottomed Girls" head my list of songs. I love playing BR on the piano and singing it because it’s such a difficult task to reach his range.
16) Five for Fighting - Beautiful singing and piano playing by John Ondrusek. "100 Years" brings tears to my eyes when I sing it and I want to sing it to my wife on my wedding day. They are an underrated band and I love them.
17) Aerosmith - Just an awesome, bluesy, hard rockin’ band. Joe Perry is amazing on guitar and Steven Tyler has just an awesome voice. Favorite song has to be "Dream On."
18) Blues Traveler - The Hook certainly brought me back to mellow/bluesy styled music thanks to my brother. "Run Around" is my favorite no doubt and I think John Popper is the coolest guy alive. He, of course, plays a bitchin’ harmonica. I’m eventually learning that instrument next.
19) Metallica - James Hettfiled is a BA even though they kinda sold out. I still love their old shit as "One" is truely a rock anthem. I also like "Nothing Else Matters."
20) John Mayer - Saw him in AC. I became a fan of his thanks to Brittany and thanks to Live Earth. He’s an amazing guitarist but his writing is only OK. His new single "Say" is probably gonna be my favorite only behind "Gravity."
21) Foo Fighters - Jimmy got me into them and I became an even bigger fan after seeing them in Philly in January of 08. David Grohl has such a great stage presence that he can entertain anyone w/ his singing, guitar playing, drum playing, and even his sense of humor. "The Pretneder," "Times Like These," and "Monkey Wrench" are my favorites.
22) The Who - Great classic rock band. I’m starting to listen to "Tommy" which will hopefully get into them like "The Wall" did for Floyd. my favorite song of there’s is "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Baba O’ Riley
23) Rolling Stones - "Sympathy For the Devil" is one of my favorite songs ever. It’s kinda hard to like classic rock and not like the Stones. They are such a cool band.
24) Smashing Pumpkins - Live Earth got me into them. They have a unique sound and I enjoy their music so much. "Today" is my favorite song by them.
25) Velvet Revolver - Thank you Slash for giving me good music to get into. They passed Limp Bizkit for the last spot because of Slash and my growing interest in them. They will be great very soon.
Honorable Mentions:
-Limp Bizkit - good before Fred Durst sold out
-Blink 182 - best punk band ever
-Green Day - 2nd best punk band ever
-Gomez - thanks to OAR, I wouldn’t have liked them. They allowed me to appreicate Indie rock
-Jimi Hendrix - he is just amazing
-Bob Marley - one day he’ll get his wish and the world be a happy place