Classic Rock

Little did I know that when I wrote what I thought was a fairly mundane blog post six-and-a-half years ago that it would still be generating reader comments today.

All I did was report on some chart research that had been done in the UK that showed that in the 50 years between 1956 and 2006, Queen had sold more albums in the UK than The Beatles. From that little blurb, a battle ensued between the camps occupied by fans of those bands (with an occasional Rush or KISS devotee thrown in.)

Actually, "battle" is too strong a word. It's more like a lively, spirited debate, and as recently as last week, it still continued, showing no signs of stopping any time soon. READ MORE

The release of Rod Stewart's 28th solo studio album next week (5/7) reminds us of the depth and breadth (he recorded six more studio albums with Faces and Jeff Beck Group) of Stewart's back catalog. The occasion also gives us a good excuse look back over his 49 year recording career, and pick the best of the best.

I'm sure each one of us has different choices for the best of Stewart's studio albums, so you get your chance to sound off after you've read my list of the Top 5 Rod Stewart albums.

^{Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images}

Classic rock fans can relate to Richie Havens and his music on several levels. For one thing, the man did a three hour hour set to open Woodstock. For most anyone who is into classic rock, that's huge.

Then there's the way many of us were introduced to his music. The same underground/alternative FM stations who were playing album tracks by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and any psychedelic rock artist, were also playing Richie Havens albums.

Many of his songs dealt with subjects near and dear to the hearts of young rock fans of the day (late '60s and early '70s) like the Vietnam war.

Finally, there were the songs he chose to give his own unique interpretations. I hesitate to call them covers, because they were much more than that. Many of the songs he interpreted were songs originally written for bands like The Beatles and The Who, and solo artists like Bob Dylan and Donovan. Stephen Stills, who occasionally played bass on Havens albums in the pre-CSN days said of Havens, "He lit fire when he started playing within the first song and burned exactly the same way throughout his set. And it never stopped, it never changed."

Havens left us a catalog of 29 albums, if you count original studio releases, live albums, and compilations. So where do you start if you want to gain an appreciation for this unique artist? Try starting with my Top 5 Richie Havens albums.

^{Photo by Ralph Ackerman/Getty Images}

When Richie Havens died this week, I took it very personally.

It took some studious reflection to figure out why it affected me as it did, but I finally realized that it was because I discovered his music during my formative, late-teen years, when I was trying to figure out the world around me and my place in it, while hoping like hell I wouldn't be drafted and wind up in a jungle in Southeast Asia. Richie Havens, through his music, became part of the fabric of my life.

It all finally clicked into place when I read a quote from producer/musician Joe Henry about Havens. "He changed me. He changed you too, know it or not."

• The Richie Havens legacy

^{Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images}

The artists whose names and faces are on the covers of our featured new releases coming up in May are high among the most recognizable, and most listened to in all of classic rock.

Emphasis is on new: Rod Stewart's first original rock album in 12 years; Deep Purple career studio release number 19; John Fogerty with two new songs, 12 classics, and an impressive group of A-list guest artists; a killer live performance by Styx. Fasten your seat belts and prepare to rock!

• New releases in May

^{Album cover image courtesy Eagle Rock Entertainment}

It's almost here. Record Store Day #6. Those who love all things vinyl -- the sound, the album covers, even the smell -- will be much in evidence at their local independent record stores on Saturday (4/20) for the annual homage not only to vinyl but to the independent stores who carry on traditions started when vinyl was the only medium for music.

It isn't only about vinyl (but mostly) and it isn't only about buying stuff (although there will be some very cool stuff to buy) -- it's about bonding with people who share a love of music.

• Record Store Day 101

^{RSD in L.A. 2009, photo by Andy Sternberg / LAist}

Lately I've been pondering classic rock artists who have catalogs of original music released after they died, especially those whose posthumous catalogs are substantial.

You can understand an example like Frank Zappa, who was an incredibly prolific songwriter with his own recording studio and a career that lasted 27 years.

But how can an artist like Jimi Hendrix, who released just three studio albums during a recording career that lasted only four years have amassed enough material for nine more original albums after he died? READ MORE

^{Album cover image courtesy Experience Hendrix/Legacy Recordings}