I don’t go much to concerts anymore, but yesterday I had to go. The Dream Syndicate was in Oslo, on a tour playing their classic 1984 album The Medicine Show in it’s entirety 
The Dream Syndicate - The Medicine Show (1984)
I was there, and I noticed a guy two-three meters in front of me filming with his phone.
The Dream Syndicate - Like Mary (live in Oslo the 11. of February 2026)
I’d like to pay tribute to Andrew Ranken, drummer in The Pogues, who passed away Tuesday this week from COPD at the age of 72. He played drums on all Pogues recordings and tours from 1983 until the band’s first breakup in 1996. He was also the drummer when the band reunited in 2001, and stayed with them until the final break up in 2014.
The Pogues - A Pair of Brown Eyes (1985)
Andrew Ranken also had the side projects The hKippers and The Mysterious Wheels. In the latter he was the singer. Both these bands have mostly been live bands, although the has been a few low-key releases. Among them a single The Mysterious Wheels did in 2023 to raise charity for a hospital in London. So thank you for the music Andrew, may you be remembered 
The Mysterious Wheels - Take Me Down To St. Joe’s (2023)
Today the life of a local blueshero of mine has come to an end..
Berend Jan Hegen turned 84 on january 1 2026, he was a big name around here
B. J. Hegen is also known as the white blues negro of Annen. Since the 1960s, Hegen has been fascinated by the blues. His preference is for the Chicago and Mississippi varieties.
“Nice and raw and without any fuss,” says Hegen. Until last year, he performed with his own band, “The B. J. Hegen Blues Band,” but he has since stopped.
Besides the blues, Hegen enjoys drawing comics and playing soccer. Hegen has already completed several comic albums featuring his own blues band. “I draw what happens on the road and during performances. And I can tell you, that’s more than enough.” Hegen has been in talks with several publishers about publishing his comics, but so far, that hasn’t been successful.
Happy Birthdat to Peter Hook, who is turning 70 today! He’s known as the bass player in Joy Division and New Order. Also known as the master of epic bass lines! Happy Birthday, Peter
The eternal Keith Richards
…and here’s another live version of Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Ian Hunter was one of the favourites of my best friend I lost to cancer last year. So when Ian Hunter writes a song for one of his best friends, that he lost to cancer, it gets me… 
Ian Hunter wrote Michael Picasso after his long time guitarist, and friend, Mick Ronson passed away from liver cancer in 1993. Someteimes one really gets the feeling of a song.
Mick Ronson - I’d Give Anything To See You (ca. 1976)
For it feels like
Nothing has changed
But I know it has
Michael, michael picasso
Good night
Happy Birthday to the American songwriter Brian Holland, who is turning 85 today! Together with his brother Eddie (born 1939) and Lamont Dozier (1941-2022), he was one third of the prolific songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote songs at Tamla Motown in the 1960’s and 70’s.
Holland-Dozier-Holland had the most sucess with songs for The Four Tops and The Supremes. 10 of The Supremes’ 12 number 1 US singles were written by them! They also wrote hits for among others Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, The Isley Brothers and The Temptations.
In addition, songs written by them have been covered by numerous artists and bands in both pop and rock. Let’s scratch the tip of the iceberg and mention The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, The Who, The Animals, Grateful Dead, The Band, Dusty Springfield, Rod Stewart, Pearl Jam, Blondie and…so on.
So I’m pretty sure that even the ones who are only casual music listeners have heard a song written by Brian Holland. When it comes to the more “forgotten” names behind the big names, Brian Holland for sure is one of the bigger names. So here is a couple of songs written by him, along with brother Eddie and Lamont Dozier. Happy Birthday to Brian Holland 
Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hanging On (live on German TV 1967)
Motörhead – Leaving Here (Top of the Pops 1980)
Brian Holland did try his luck as a singer on a few occasions, but without the success his songs had. Still, he was pretty decent singer, so I might as well include a song with him singing before I stop…for this time 
Brian Holland - I’m So Glad (1974)
Gogol Bordello - Immigraniada (We Comin’ Rougher) (2010)
Jay Farrar - These Days Have No Shame (2026)
Here’s to the memory of Walter Brown McGhee, best known as Brownie McGhee, who passed away 30 years ago today at the age of 80. Along with his harmonica playing buddy Sonny Terry (1911-1986), he was one of the old blues musicians who lived to see the blues revival in the 1960’s. It secured a good musical career for the rest of their lives. To Brownie and Sonny
Sonny Terry & Brownie Mc Ghee - Born and Livin’ With The Blues (1966)
Icecream Hands - Tambourine Mountain (2026)
Australian band that’s been going for over 30 years. How have I missed out on them?
