The List V.1

I’ve always come up with these lists in my head, usually when I’m driving, about different things I’ve come across. But I never write them down and usually forget the components with in two hours. That’s the price you pay for drinking your college years away. But I feel its time I give this a shot and record some of my lists. So I’m going to start with a basic one, My Top Five Rock Bands of All Time. Now keep in mind that I love classic rock and feel that for the most part that bands that have surfaced since about 1985 are nothing but recycled crap. Some of them have good stretches but never anything that’s going to persevere. So with that in mind lets get started…

5. The Who

Probably the most underrated band ever. You never hear them mentioned in the same breath with the other greats. But they had all the components of an incredible band. A great song writer, talented guitar and bass man, powerful drummer, and a lead singer with a siren for a voice. Pete Townsend is one of the greatest songwriters of any generation and could flat out sling a guitar, his skills as a player are as underrated as the band. Roger Daltrey could whale out any note and make it sound great. John Entwistle laid down great bass tracks that were some of the best in the 1960s, an era full of screaming guitars. And finally Keith Moon was the back bone of the band with his steady and at times flashy drum play. What truly set them apart was the groups uncanny stage presence that permeated from every member, not just the front man.

Personal Favorite Song: Won’t Get Fooled Again (Behind Blue Eyes is a close 2nd)

4. Creedence Clearwater Revival

I know this wouldn’t be on most people’s lists, but I’m not most people. To me I believe that CCR was the original “alternative” band. Because isn’t “alternative” music just music that is an alternative to what is popular? So in the time of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and softer Stones, CCR was market ably different. They were the original “Southern” rock band even though they were from California. John Fogerty’s raspy voice gives CCR’s songs a uniqueness that is unmatched. The late Tom Fogerty was as good as any guitar player when given the chance to shine. Stu Cook laid down heavy base lines for many of the tracks that would define the band. And Doug “Cosmos” Clifford is probably the least appreciated drummer of all time. He was truly the character of the group and gave them a lot of the southern personality that led to their success.

Personal Favorite Song: Green River

3. The Rolling Stones

What else can you say about a band that hasn’t lost a thing in 40 years? They still rock out on tour to sell out crowds while still attracting new fans. Mick Jagger is the ultimate front man. He gives the Stones enough personality for ten bands. With a smooth, bluesy voice he truly makes you feel every note. And he has the most stage presence of any front man ever. Keith Richards is another grossly underrated lead guitar man. Keith is as laid back as anyone, except for maybe his other three band mates. Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and Mick Taylor make up the one of the most unsung trios ever. These epitomize sacrifice. Everyone knows Mick and Keith, but very few people could name these three.

Personal Favorite Song: Paint it Black

2. The Beatles

Some people may call this a cop out, but you can’t argue that this is one of the greatest bands ever. There influence is all over music and their music is timeless. Not very often to you get two of the greatest songwriters ever (Paul McCartney and John Lennon) in the same group with a guy that was a pretty good songwriter in his own right (George Harrison). Paul and John were both great lead singers. And Paul’s versatility gave the band a lot of different options when writing music. George is another horribly underrated guitar player in the history of music. He was as good as Townsend and Richards and proved it when he started performing on his own. Though Ringo may not have been the great drummer he got the job done and never cried for more attention because he realized he was in on the best thing ever. And finally Lennon was just Lennon. He wanted to be the star. But he was an incredible writer and a great lead man.

Personal Favorite Song: You Never Give Me Your Money

1. Led Zeppelin

Was there ever any doubt that Zeppelin would be #1 on this list? This band crossed so many lines in the music world that no other band will ever touch them. Based in blues they experimented with country, jazz, and everything in between. John Bonham is arguably the greatest drummer ever. As much as the drummer in the Beatles was inconsequential, the drummer in Zeppelin was as important as Jimmy Page. John Paul Jones really got to show what he could do in this band. His bass track on “Since I’ve Been Loving You” is one of the greatest of all time. Robert Plant ranks up there is Jagger as one of the greatest front men ever. His voice could run the gamete and his songwriting is better than almost everyone. And finally Jimmy Page. What can you say besides that he’s one of the top guitar players ever (that’s a future list)? He made many of the songs hits with his whaling solos. The fact that Zeppelin is #1 is up for argument with some people but not with me. They were true musicians who could create any sound they wanted and roll with it like they’d been doing forever.

Personal Favorite Song: Stairway to Heaven (followed closely by Since I’ve Been Loving You and Going to California)

Honorable Mentions: The Doors, Lynrd Skynrd, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, AC/DC, and Metallica.

So that’s the list. My list. I think that these bands would make a case for anyone’s Top 5, but they are my Top 5.

Dear Football, It Seems Like You Just Arrived

I love the NFL playoffs but in a way it’s bittersweet. Let’s face it; it’s the end of the greatest six months of the year. When training camps and preseason start in August then role into college football in September and so on it just gives me goose bumps. And now with the completion of the conference championship games the end is near (tear). Nothing fills the void of football on the weekends in the fall. The only thing that comes close is the 3 straight weekends in March and the beginning of April that bring us “The Big Dance”. Football is truly the American game and I’ll fight to the death with anyone who claims otherwise.

The playoffs would be much more exciting if my beloved Browns were in them. But alas they are picking up the pieces once again. I do think that Phil Savage is the right choice as GM. He’s proven to be a great evaluator of talent which is something the Browns have lacked since reinception in ’99. Now as long as they hire Romeo Crenell from the Pats we’ll be in good shape. I’m not expecting a miracle, but I fully expect us to be challenging for the division in 2006. I don’t think that that’s too much to wish for.

I would have loved to have seen Ozzie come back, but apparently he turned down the interview. He’s got it pretty good in Baltimore right now so I can’t say that I blame him. That and he knew that Savage was ready. And the fact that Savage has Browns’s ties makes this even better. But nothing could have beaten Ozzie coming back. There’s always a lot of pressure when you come back home especially when people are looking for a miracle. I don’t see Ozzie going anywhere until he gets offered the ‘Bama AD job.

One of the most amazing stats that I’ve seen this year came in the NBA last week. I was watching the Cavs-Kings game on TNT. LeBron became the second fastest player to reach 2500 points, 700 boards, and 700 assists in a career at 117 games. Oscar Robertson is the fastest, at 83 games. 83 games!!! That’s absolutely ridiculous. The Big O is by far the most underrated player ever. You never hear him talked about in the discussions of greatest of all time. He is the Hank Aaron of the NBA.

Speaking of LeBron, he got his second triple-double in a week Saturday. He is just amazing. Flat out spectacular. And you can tell that he has that drive like Michael had. The only other player in the league that has that drive now is Kevin Garnett. And much like Michael I think part of his is born out of frustration. But back to LeBron, he has that innate sense to feel when his team needs him and he responds. Not by throwing up horrible shots like Carmelo Anthony or going out of control to the rim like Kobe Bryant, but by letting the play come to him. If he’s given the shot he takes it. If he can get to the rim he goes. If a double team comes he makes a great pass because he trusts his teammates (something Kobe should learn if he ever wants to get back to the finals).

I hate the fact that Fox has the Super Bowl. I can’t stand Cris Collinsworth in the booth. Joe Buck, while great for baseball, struggles with football. The only one I like is Aikman, but he tends to have some concussion moments. And their camera decisions are horrible. I don’t want to see live action from the end zone angle. There’s a reason that end zone tickets are cheap. It’s because the view sucks unless the drive is heading right towards you. Show me the side angle please.

At the beginning of the season I was not a Jim Nantz fan. I’ve always felt he should stick with golf because I never liked him much for basketball either. But he’s grown on me this season. He and Simms play off of each other very well. And God knows their better than those three clowns on Fox’s #1 team.

If Fox would have show Terrell Owens on the sidelines one more time Sunday I was going to throw my TV through the wall into my fat neighbor’s apartment. I don’t want to see that bum. Show me the players on the field not some injured idiot jumping around on the sidelines. And by the way Philly fans, he’s not going to be back for the Super Bowl. Chris Mortensen, who for my money is the best insider in the NFL, said that his reports say TO’s injury is pretty much the same thing that Steve Smith suffered in Week 1 and missed the entire season. So even if his rehab is ahead of schedule, its not 5 months ahead of schedule. Good luck with that.

And finally, I’m glad to see that Matt Leinart is staying in school. Grant it he is risking millions of dollars, but the dude loves the college life and the college game. What a novel idea. A great athlete that’s not about the money. I don’t know if Leinart will be a great NFL QB, but he clearly has a good head on his shoulders and that puts him ahead of a lot of these idiots in my book.