Best Heavy Metal Band of all time. (Do people still listen to metal?) (1 Viewer)

[Hedon James]

Mine is Titties and Beer.

Baltimore contributed John Doe (X), Mama Cass Elliott, and Frank Zappa to music history.

I'll 2nd Titties and Beer. A very close 2nd favorite is Dumb All Over. listen to the lyrics, consider that it was released in 1981, and then recognize just how far ahead of his time Zappa truly was.

 

[saintmdterps]

As an aside, one of the reasons I like the Dio-led Sabbath is that after a concert in 1981 we actually met Ronnie James Dio and Black Sabbath. It was December and a stop on the Mob Rules tour here in Salisbury. We had camped out to get front row seats ($8.50).

After the concert we waited in an adjacent parking lot and watched the back door of the venue through which the band had to emerge to get to their limo. We waited 45 mins and they came out, bundled up against the cold. We jumped out of the car and ran across the verge as the band hustled to the limo. Ronnie Dio saw us and I heard him say to the others "Hold up, we have some fans" We walked up and asked the band to autograph our albums which they did. Ronnie Dio looked at us and said "I saw you guys in the front row, it looked like you really enjoyed the show" We assured him it was great and he asked if we camped out to get the tickets, We told him we did and he replied "we're honored you would do that, I hope you feel you got your money's worth tonight" I said it was well worth the money and time and Dio said if we weren't happy he's refund our money right there. He then asked "What do you do when you're not going to rock concerts?" and I told him we were students at University of Maryland. "Great! Get your degree. Regardless of what you do after that, no one can ever take that degree from you" We were awestruck that this band made time for 5 fans on a cold, windy night after a 2-hour show.

We spent 10-15 minutes talking to one of the most iconic rock bands ever, and they, especially Ronnie James Dio, could not have been more gracious. Dio was genuinely interested, and was very well-spoken and articulate. Years later I learned that Dio had a long history of spending a lot of time with the fans. Ronnie Dio is hall of fame in my book.

 

[Hedon James]

As an aside, one of the reasons I like the Dio-led Sabbath is that after a concert in 1981 we actually met Ronnie James Dio and Black Sabbath. It was December and a stop on the Mob Rules tour here in Salisbury. We had camped out to get front row seats ($8.50).

After the concert we waited in an adjacent parking lot and watched the back door of the venue through which the band had to emerge to get to their limo. We waited 45 mins and they came out, bundled up against the cold. We jumped out of the car and ran across the verge as the band hustled to the limo. Ronnie Dio saw us and I heard him say to the others "Hold up, we have some fans" We walked up and asked the band to autograph our albums which they did. Ronnie Dio looked at us and said "I saw you guys in the front row, it looked like you really enjoyed the show" We assured him it was great and he asked if we camped out to get the tickets, We told him we did and he replied "we're honored you would do that, I hope you feel you got your money's worth tonight" I said it was well worth the money and time and Dio said if we weren't happy he's refund our money right there. He then asked "What do you do when you're not going to rock concerts?" and I told him we were students at University of Maryland. "Great! Get your degree. Regardless of what you do after that, no one can ever take that degree from you" We were awestruck that this band made time for 5 fans on a cold, windy night after a 2-hour show.

We spent 10-15 minutes talking to what was one of the most iconic rock bands ever, and they, especially Ronnie James Dio, could not have been more gracious. Dio was genuinely interested, and was very well-spoken and articulate. Years later I learned that Dio had a long history of spending a lot of time with the fans. Ronnie Dio is hall of fame in my book.

Cool story MDTerps! Closest I've gotten to meeting a rock star was Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees.

I lived in Gettysburg, PA in the late 1980s and my friend Jeff comes busting in on a guitar lesson/music jam, almost too excited to talk. Jack Blades....Night Ranger Tour Bus....Baltimore Street by Farnsworth House....eating dinner....let's GO! So we hop into the car and park out front by the restaurant and wait for him. Finally, we see him exit the restaurant with a small entourage and who we quickly learned was his wife and small child. We're running down the sidewalk hollering "Jack Blades!" and waving pieces of paper and pens. He ushers the wife and kid onto the bus, and all but two HUGE bodyguards onto the bus, but he stands by the bus door and greets us "hey fellas, what's up?"

We tell him we heard he's in town, but didn't want to disturb his meal and decided to wait by the bus to meet him. He thanks us for NOT interrupting his meal with his wife and kid and asks how long we've been waiting by the bus. We tell him "about an hour" and he seems kinda surprised. We chat a little about music, our favorite Night Ranger tunes, and ask for his autograph. He smiles and says "of course...you have something you want signed?" Jeff does, but I left with him in a hurry and all I have is the small notebook in my glovebox that I use to track oil mileage and filter change intervals...but a whole lot of empty pages.

When it's my turn, Mr. Blades notices my spandex pants and 80's-style cut-up shirt that I still had on from music lesson/band jam and comments that "Brad Gillis would love those pants. Wanna sell 'em?" I laugh and say "sure, but I'm going commando underneath, so you might have to drop me off at my car (as I point up the block)." He starts laughing really hard and finally says "that's okay, you keep 'em. But I'm gonna tell Brad to get a pair just like 'em." All I could say was "ummm....okay", but feeling somewhat relieved I wasn't going to have to drive home naked. And that was it. He thanked us for being fans, hopped on the bus and drove off.

My buddy Jeff and I lost touch over the years. 30 years later, we cross paths again and re-connect. His first words to me after 30 years aren't "OMG, how you been?" or "So nice to see you" or anything like that. Nope, the 1st words he says to me after 30 years..."Remember when Jack Blades wanted to buy your spandex pants?!" The memories all came flooding back, we started laughing our arses off, and we're still in touch.

This is the reason rock'n'roll will NEVER die. At its core, it's not about entertaining the masses, it's about shared experiences and common connections. The shows are just excuses to make those things happen!

 

[sfidc3]

I'll 2nd Titties and Beer. A very close 2nd favorite is Dumb All Over. listen to the lyrics, consider that it was released in 1981, and then recognize just how far ahead of his time Zappa truly was.

Yup, I saw Zappa in 1981 at the Saenger, it was the Dumb all Over tour....his band was like the most bizarre orchestra you could ever imagine....he just sat on his stool and played incredible guitar....incredible show....

 

[Dallas_Saint73]

If you’re going to have Rush and Zepplin in there, you might as well put 3rd Bass and Waylon Jennings

That being said, the correct answer is Gwar

I saw Gwar at Storyville Jazz Hall in the 80's. What a show that was.

 

[Dallas_Saint73]

That song is indeed awesome... I've always loved the tribute Sabbath album 'Nativity in Black' as well...

This is a classic.

 

[sfidc3]

As an aside, one of the reasons I like the Dio-led Sabbath is that after a concert in 1981 we actually met Ronnie James Dio and Black Sabbath. It was December and a stop on the Mob Rules tour here in Salisbury. We had camped out to get front row seats ($8.50).

I think Tony Iommi is a much more dynamic guitarist than most folks realize. My older sister's friend's boyfriend taught me a few songs when I first started playing in like 1980.....he was sharing experiences he had in the music scene...he saw Sabbath in the early 70's and said that before the show Iommi came out and played an incredible 20 minute or so set of jazz guitar....totally floored the musicians in the audience....

 

[saintmdterps]

I think Tony Iommi is a much more dynamic guitarist than most folks realize. My older sister's friend's boyfriend taught me a few songs when I first started playing in like 1980.....he was sharing experiences he had in the music scene...he saw Sabbath in the early 70's and said that before the show Iommi came out and played an incredible 20 minute or so set of jazz guitar....totally floored the musicians in the audience....

Iommi is a cool guy as well. My son was recounting a story he heard about how Iommi frequented a local pub in his hometown. He was pretty quiet and just became one of the regulars. One night he showed up at he pub wearing a navy blue outfit and the regulars yelled at him until he went home and changed into his trademark all-black. When he returned, he just smiled and said "Happy now?"

 

[saintmdterps]

Missed this one

 

[nolaspe]

Missed this one

Here I am w/ Phil during Mardi Gras '96, he later signed the pic at an album signing they did at The Mushroom on Broadway awhile later. Yes, he's wearing a Say No To Drugs sticker lol...

 

[Madmarsha]

Alice Cooper once said the first heavy metal/acid rock song was good vibrations by the Beach boys. The first response is
to say What the Fork!?. Then you listen to it again and realize he's right .

I accidentally went to an Alice Cooper concert one day on my way to lunch in Towson, MD and thought I dreamt it. But unless this video isn't real, I WAS there!

 

[Goatman Saint]

I think Tony Iommi is a much more dynamic guitarist than most folks realize. My older sister's friend's boyfriend taught me a few songs when I first started playing in like 1980.....he was sharing experiences he had in the music scene...he saw Sabbath in the early 70's and said that before the show Iommi came out and played an incredible 20 minute or so set of jazz guitar....totally floored the musicians in the audience....

He gets a lot because he doesn’t really show it in sabbath. That and I guess when you compare Sabbath with what Randy Rhodes did with them it makes a huge gap between them. But Randy had a skill set and gift that very few have, and the freedom from Ozzy to do what he wanted with the songs to make them “his”

 

[faceman]

He gets a lot because he doesn’t really show it in sabbath. That and I guess when you compare Sabbath with what Randy Rhodes did with them it makes a huge gap between them. But Randy had a skill set and gift that very few have, and the freedom from Ozzy to do what he wanted with the songs to make them “his”

Yes indeed sir. I put Rhodes in the same category as Hendrix. We lost both way too soon

 

[sfidc3]

Yes indeed sir. I put Rhodes in the same category as Hendrix. We lost both way too soon

Agreed…wasn’t trying to compare Iommi and Rhodes they are completely different players….my favorite guitar player of all time (Steve Morse) was in a Rhodes tribute band that I think was his idea (Living Loud)

 

[faceman]

Agreed…wasn’t trying to compare Iommi and Rhodes they are completely different players….my favorite guitar player of all time (Steve Morse) was in a Rhodes tribute band that I think was his idea (Living Loud)

One thing I've learned over my years is musicians respect any genre. If you interview a heavy metal guitarist, they'll
tell you Merle Haggards life story. It's a gift we should all have. Most of us don't though