The grandeur of Genesis
F--k Johnny Rotten—Genesis is not boring. They deserve this newfound R-E-S-P-E-C-T. (Phil Collins LOVES Aretha!)
I know Collins is loved and loathed worldwide. (Tarzan songs BAD, drumming GOOD.)
Guitarist-bassist Mike Rutherford is a polite gentleman who plays polo and makes unassuming solo records with Mike & The Mechanics.
If you really want to know why Genesis fans love Genesis, it’s because of keyboardist Tony Banks. Banks’ secret? Thick and ethereal chords. Think “Mama” and practically everything on Wind and Wuthering. Don’t believe me? Put on the headphones, close your eyes and blast Duke.
Genesis will take you places even good drugs couldn’t manage. –Steven Ward
I hearted Heart!
Thirteen years ago, I made a mix tape of songs that reminded me of plot points from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Track one was Spin Doctors’ “Two Princes.” Track two was The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” and track three was Heart’s “Will You Be There (In the Morning).” “Straight On,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda” and “Crazy On You” are charming little ditties and all, but when you’re a raving lunatic of a teenager, “Morning” is where it’s at. Now baby, you’re my obsession, my addiction, my drug. So let the candle grow into a great fire of love, oh yeah.
Track four was Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love.” –Julie Seabaugh
Discovering the Ozzman
When I joined the BMG record club (remember those?) at around age 12, picking “metal” as my primary musical interest (I was a very metal 12-year-old), my first monthly selection was some Ozzy Osbourne album that my mom immediately declared I was not to buy. Thus Ozzy had a cool Satanic cachet about him until I actually did buy one of his albums a few years later, only to discover he’s about as menacing as Ozzie Nelson. But he also isn’t just the cartoon he’s made out to be, and if VH1 is smart, they’ll let the man’s classic music speak louder than his incoherent, no-longer-amusing TV ramblings. –Josh Bell
ZZ as pie
Every Christmas, ZZ Top sends me a pie. I’m not sure exactly why (I suppose because I once interviewed guitarist Billy Gibbons), but that’s beside the point. The important thing is that once a year, my co-workers and I enjoy a fine, Texas-made pecan pie, courtesy of ZZ Top. If that isn’t the mark of a great band, I don’t know what is. Sure, sure, the Texas trio has also contributed some tunes to the blues-rock lexicon—“Just Got Paid,” “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and so forth—but ultimately, that’s all secondary. Damn, those pies are good. –Spencer Patterson
VH1 Rock Honors
May 12, 8 p.m., $80.75-$185.75. Mandalay Bay Events Center, 632-7580.
(airs May 24)