UFO - Rock Bottom
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Fangus - Pyre of Love
I usually include the year the song comes from, but this time I didn’t. It’s because I want you to guess which year this song is from. See if you can get it 
If you guessed 1970 or 71, you are wrong. This is actually from 2026. In fact the song is from an album that hasn’t been released yet. Emerald Dream will be out the upcoming Friday, and is the band’s debut album.
Fangus is a new Canadian band, and they sound pretty damn fine, if you ask me.
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Happy Birthday to the American guitarist Harvey Mandel, who is turning 81 today. He first gained attention when he joined Canned Heat in 1969. The Woodstock Festival was his third gig with the band. He quit Canned Heat after about one year, and went on to play in John Mayall’s band for a couple of years.
During the first half of the 1970’s Harvey Mandel also released a small handful of records, both solo and as part of a band project. Before we move on to some rather interesting rock history trivia, let’s make a stop with Canned Heat.
Canned Heat - I’m Her Man (live at Woodstock, 1969)
Now we’ve come to 1975 and what could have been Harvey Mandel’s big break. Mick Taylor had quit The Rolling Stones, and guess who one of the hottest tips for his replacement was. Yes, it was Harvey Mandel. When the Stones were to record Black and Blue, he holed up with Keith in Munich, jamming and playing together.
Allegedly Harvey and Keith had a great chemistry between them, both as musicans and as mates. Rumour even has it that Mick got jealous of the situation. It was him and Keith who were the Glimmer Twins. Eventually Harvey got to play on two tracks on Black and Blue, namely Hot Stuff and…
The Rolling Stones - Memory Motel (1976)
Another contender to replace Mick Taylor was Ron Wood. He did agree to help out if needed, but he did not want to quit The Faces. It so happened that the Stones had a tour in the US in 1975. They were of course one guitarist short. Harvey Mandel had other obligations at the time, so Ron Wood was asked to help out. He said yes and the rest is history. Harvey Mandel was…close, but no cigar.
Instead Harvey Mandel had to carry on by himself, and albeit it’s been a low-key career, he’s been busy enough. There’s been several several Canned Heat reunions, along with plenty of other gigs. He’s also released between 30 and 40 albums through the years, either solo or in collaborations. His last solo album was as late as last year.
So here’s a toast to another one of the fine musicians who seem doomed to remain in the background. Happy Birthday to Harvey Mandel 
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Happy Birthday to Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, who is turning 70 today!
Maiden’s bassist, main songwriter and the only one who’s been in the band all the way!
Iron Maiden - Aces High (1984)
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Happy Birthday to the American singer/songwriter James Taylor, who is turning 78 today
James Taylor is a highly esteemed and respected songwriter and artist. It is estimated that he’s sold around 36 and a half million records during his career!
James Taylor - Sweet Baby James (live at BBC, 1970)
James Taylor’s career started in 1966 and is still going strong.
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Lovely Peter Green tribute from Mick and friends
Mick Fleetwood Blues Band feat. Rick Vito - Love That Burns
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Saturday a week ago another old veteran of rock ‘n’ roll left us. Although mostly forgotten today, this man has served his dues. So here’s a short tribute to the American keybord player Augie Meyers, who has passed away at the age of 85. He is best known from from The Sir Douglas Quintet.
Sir Douglas Quintet had a big hit in 1965 with She’s About A Mover, a song that shows up on almost any compilation of 1960’s garage rock, along with The 13th Floor Elevators, The Count Five, The Electric Prunes, The Seeds,The Standells and so on. I’ve posted the song before, so to pay tribute to Augie Meyers, here’s another one. Thank you for the music Augie, may you be remembered 
Sir Douglas Quintet - Mendocino (live 1981)
On Augie Meyers birthday last year I posted this…
It seems the video with She’s About A Mover is no longer working, so I take the liberty to post it again, to the memory of Augie Meyers. It’s such a great song!
The Sir Douglas Quintet - She’s About A Mover (1965)
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To be honest, I didn’t even know the original “Mendocino”.
I was only familiar with the German version of it until now.
Michael Holm - Mendocino
After the original version by the Sir Douglas Quintet was released in 1968, it was covered by Michael Holm in 1969, making him a star.
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Just found out that long time Motörhead guitrist Phil Campbell passed away yesterday at the age of 64. Motörhead needs no further introduction here, so what’s left to say, but thank you for the music Phil, may you be remembered
Motörhead - Killed By Death (live in Germany 2005)
These guys had their quiet and more thoughtful moments too…
Lemmy & Phil Campbell - I Ain’t No Nice Guy (BBC, circa 2011)
After Lemmy’s passing, Phil Campbell continued to play together with his three sons, calling themselves Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons. Here’s a damn fine version of an old Hawkwind classic, which originally had Lemmy on vocals.
Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons - Silver Machine (2017)
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Wow, that was interesting to hear, thank you. This version even got Augie Meyers’ characteristic organ sound. Goes to show the good songs get around 
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