The theme of SLS this week is to find a musician who was born in the month of February.

Michael F. Wilton (born February 23, 1962) also known as The Whip, for how fast his fingers “whip” around the guitar fretboard, is an American musician, best known for being a guitarist and songwriter in the progressive metal band Queensrÿche, which he co-founded in 1982.

After high school, Wilton attended the Cornish Institute of Allied Arts in Seattle (now known as Cornish College of the Arts), where he studied among others music theory, jazz improvisation and classical music (piano and guitar). This was a big step in his life as he began to appreciate more ethnic and improvisational music, which later gave him influences as a progressive rock musician. After studying for 1–5 years, he ran out of money, but by this time, he had met bass guitarist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield In 1980, Wilton and Rockenfield had founded a band called Cross+Fire, which DeGarmo and Jackson joined shortly thereafter. The quartet began to play at parties, by which time they called themselves The Mob. In late summer of 1982, Geoff Tate was involved as vocalist to record a four-song demo. The band changed its name to Queensrÿche, and the demo was released in 1983 as the eponymous EP: Queensrÿche.

I have several vinyl albums by the band and one of my all time favourites is their Opperation: Mindcrime concept album from 1988.

In the album Operation: Mindcrime, the protagonist of the the story is Nikki a heroin addict off the street; in this song Doctor X the antagonist offers him a “deal”.

[Intro: Nikki, Dr. X]
“Hello?”
“Mindcrime”

[Verse 1]
It just takes a minute, and you’ll feel no pain
Gotta make something of your life, boy, give me one more vein
You’ve come to see the doctor ’cause I’ll show you the cure
I’m gonna take away the questions, yeah, I’m gonna make you sure, yeah

[Verse 2]
A hitman for the order when you couldn’t go to school
Had a skin job for a hair-do, yeah, you looked pretty cool
Had a habit, doing mainline, watch the dragon burn
No regrets, you’ve got no goals, nothing more to learn

[Pre-Chorus]
Now I know you won’t refuse
Because we’ve got so much to do
And you’ve got nothing more to lose
So take this number and welcome to

[Chorus]
Operation: Mindcrime
We’re an underground revolution working overtime
Operation: Mindcrime
There’s a job for you in the system, boy, with nothing to sign

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Hey Nikki, you know everything that there is to do
Here’s a gun, take it home, wait by the phone
We’ll send someone over to bring you what you need
You’re a one man death machine, make this city bleed

[Pre-Chorus]
Now I know you won’t refuse (I know you won’t refuse)
Because we’ve got so much to do (We’ve got so much to do)
And you’ve got nothing more to lose
So take this number and welcome to

[Chorus]
Operation: Mindcrime
We’re an underground revolution working overtime
Operation: Mindcrime
There’s a job for you in the system, boy, with nothing to sign
Operation: Mindcrime
We’re an underground revolution working overtime
Operation: Mindcrime
If you come to see the doctor, yeah, he’ll give you the cure
Operation: Mindcrime
Make something of your life, boy, let me into your mind
Operation: Mindcrime
There’s a job for you in the system, boy, with nothing to sign

[Outro: Nikki]
“Hey, hey, listen to me”

source: Genius Lyrics

written by: Wilton, Tate, DeGarmo

No doubt some of my followers are concerned of my whereabouts? Well, I’ve been in hospital for 6 days with heart failure!

I’ve been given a few new medications and I will be back in action tomorrow.

1. Which country do AC/DC come from?

2. Which classic band were “Paranoid” ?

3. Who were producing “Holy Smoke” in 1990?

4. Who had the Hindenberg airship on the cover of their first album?

5. Deep Purple took a Black what into the singles charts?

6. Hysteria was a #1 album for which band?

7. What word goes before Fudge in an early heavy metal band?

8. Who were in the charts with “Wind of Change” in the early 90s?

Answers posted next week. No Googlin’.

Here are the answers to the Beatles quiz:

1. A Hard Days Night
2. Paul McCartney
3. Stella
4. (Brian) Epstein
5. Wings
6. Ringo (real name; Richard Starkey)
7. (George) Martin
8. Ringo Starr

The theme of SLS this week is to find a song that mentions time in the lyrics. Thanks to Jim Adams for the prompt.

Haymaking Time is the last track featured on UK, Birmingham based City Boy‘s self titled debut album from 1976. The melody is superb throughout, as is the harmonies. It’s always been one of my favourite albums (I’ve posted a few other tracks from the album for SLS etc. over the years) but surprisingly, the album didn’t sell well for some reason? It was produced by Robert (Mutt) Lange and City Boy were (apparently) responsible for launching the celebrated production career of said producer.

The band consisted of: Lol Mason: Lead Vocals, Percussion. Steve Broughton: Rhythm & 12-String Guitars, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Percussion. Mike Slamer: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals. Max Thomas: Keyboards, Backing Vocals, 12-String Guitar. Chris Dunn: Bass, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar. Roger Kent: Drums, Percussion.

The first thing I saw was the sun on your skin
Dew on the doorstep, the milk to take in to the house
A mouse running rafters, the cat running after, to catch him a playmate
They tell me it’s Haymaking Time again

The next thing I knew we were sitting apart
You in pajamas and me with my heart on your sleeve
Don’t go, leave the day spoiled, wait till the egg’s boiled, what’s in a moment
Indulging in sentimentality

You know it’s not right, to make a song and dance over night
You know it’s not right, but you do it anyhow
It’s not very bright, to turn it on as you turn out the light
It’s not very bright, but you do it anyhow
Memories shelter in days such as these
Love still remembered in visions you cast with the breeze
Wax on the candle, sand in your sandals, they weather the seasons
Who cares about reasoning anyway
You know it’s not right, to make a song and dance over night
You know it’s not right, but you do it anyhow
It’s not very bright, to turn it on as you turn out the light
It’s not very bright, but you do it anyhow

source: Genius Lyrics

written by: Lol Mason, Steve Broughton

The first music quiz had more likes than dis-likes, so I’ll keep going for the time being. Remember, I just mainly need one or two worded answers (no essays!).

1. What is the title of the first Beatles movie?

2. Who wrote “Yesterday”?

3. What is the name of Paul’s designer daughter?

4. Who was their first manager?

5. What band did Paul McCartney form after The Beatles?

6. Who was the only Beatle to change his surname?

7. Who produced the early Beatles hits?

8. Who sang the solo on “Yellow Submarine”?

Answers posted next week. No Googlin’.

Here are the answers to the Mixed Bag quiz:

1. Abba
2. Elton John
3. My Way
4. Echo (Beach)
5. The Domino’s
6. K.D. Lang
7. Carpenter
8. She died

This week the SLS theme is to find a song that includes a mode of transport, either going by land (road or rail), water, or air hosted by Jim Adams and suggested by Di of pensitivity101.

I’ve chosen space travel as the theme and I came across this amazing video. It honestly doesn’t feel as if David Bowie passed away 10 years ago last week. He would have most certainly been over the moon on seeing the video. It really is a wonderful tribute to one of our greatest performers. I can still remember watching his Starman performance with his band on BBC1’s ‘Top of The Pops’ TV show in 1972! There are many references to his work in the video (songs, movies etc), how many can you spot?

Jason Shulman designed the video. He is a visual effects artist, animator, animation supervisor, amongst other things.

[Intro]
Hey now, now
Goodbye, love

[Verse 1]
Didn’t know what time it was; the lights were low
I leaned back on my radio
Some cat was layin’ down some rock ‘n’ roll, “Lotta soul,” he said
Then the loud sound did seem to fade
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
That weren’t no DJ, that was hazy cosmic jive

[Chorus]
There’s a starman waitin’ in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waitin’ in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it
‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile

[Post-Chorus]
He told me
“Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie”

[Verse 2]
I had to phone someone, so I picked on you
Hey, that’s far out, so you heard him too
Switch on the TV, we may pick him up on Channel Two
Look out your window, I can see his light
If we can sparkle, he may land tonight
Don’t tell your poppa, or he’ll get us locked up in fright

[Chorus]
There’s a starman waitin’ in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waitin’ in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it
‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile

[Post-Chorus]
He told me
“Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie”

[Chorus]
Starman waitin’ in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waitin’ in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it
‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile

[Post-Chorus]
He told me
“Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie”

[Outro]
La, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la
La, la, la-la, la, la, la-la

source: Genius Lyrics

written by: David Bowie

My first attempt at trying something different this year. There will be other music themes as well as random mixed bag quizzes. Just remember….no googlin’ the answers. You can send a link or post your answers here and I will be giving the answers next Tuesday. Not that hard a quiz this week. Good luck.

1. Which Scandinavians were Super Trooper’s in 1980?

2. Whose first of many hits was “Your Song” in 1971?

3. Which song has been recorded by Elvis Presley, the Sex Pistols and Frank Sinatra?

4. Which Beach were Martha and the Muffins on in 1980?

5. Who sang with Derek on the song “Layla”?

6. Which surname was shared by Karen and Mary-Chapin?

7. Whose first names are Kathryn Dawn although she does not use them in full as a stage name

8. What happened to Bobby Goldsboro’s Honey in 1968?

I will be posting a mixed bag music quiz tomorrow instead of song titles and lyrics. It’ll just be random questions at first (8 in total). I will be giving out the answers the Tuesday after. Just don’t google!
Post your answers on your own page but send the links to here.

This week the SLS theme is to find a song that has a girl’s or a boy’s name in the title prompted by Jim Adams and suggested by Ange of Let’s Write. 

I was a fan of the all-female American band The Runaways in the late 70s and I had a crush on the lead guitarist Lita Ford (I still do!). She went solo (as did Joan Jett and Cherie Currie from The Runaways) and although Lita’s 1980 fourth album Stiletto wasn’t her best, I think the track Lisa is one superb ballad from it. Her Mother (Lisa) sadly died of cancer and Lita wrote the song for her. R.I.P. to all Mother’s who are no longer with us.

Lisa, you are the shelter for my soul
Lisa, you heal my heart when I lose control
As I let my fingers trace
Each time worn line upon your face
I know only love creates a masterpiece like you
I know it’s true!

Lisa, Lisa, say you’re gonna live forever
Lisa, Lisa, never gonna say goodbye
Only you know who I am
Only you really understand
Nothing’s gonna take you away!

Lisa, I know we live in different worlds
Lisa, but I will always be your little girl
And on a stormy night you built a rainbow to my door
I’ll alway remember you!

Lisa, Lisa, say you’re gonna live forever
Lisa, Lisa, we’re never gonna say goodbye
Only you know who I am
Only you really understand
Nothing’s gonna take you away from me!

source: Genius Lyrics

written by: Lita Ford and Michael Dan Ehmig

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish a Happy New Year to my small but loyal band of followers and all who made comments.