Musicians As Artists

Spent one day this summer at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Though it didn't blow me away, mainly because in doing what I do for a living I've been able to get closer to many artists than most even dream of, The Hall is a must see for a music lover. If we ever do get that weather or snow museum in Buffalo, it would be great if it were half as nice as the design of the R and R Hall. As I toured the museum, one thing really stuck out to me, and was also a major memory for my wife; Musicians are not just artists with their instrument and voice, but also have a creative talent for painting and drawing. It was best illustrated by the displays for two of rock's most legendary acts, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison.

Hendrix was a major fan of West Coast college football growing up, and as a child made some incredibly accurate drawings of his favorite players and teams, right down to the uniforms on which he used "True Colors" (his term) for in his drawings, much like kids in Buffalo would draw pictures of Ryan Miller or JP Losman today. His drawings continued to grow in thought as he got older, including pictures of a bucolic countryside, showing the same grace and power with which he played guitar, only on paper.

Morrison was just as talented as an artist, but in a much more disturbing way. In the special DOORS area, there is a normal piece of plain white paper that is totally covered with very straight, exact, and almost maniacal doodles from Jim. In one corner of the paper there is an exact copy of the back of a dollar bill, which segues into a head wrapped up almost like a mummy, many demonic things around it like lightning bolts, straight jackets, rambling messages and words...a veritiable idiot's delight time ten. If you could put the DOORS classic "THE END" on paper, this would be it. Unlike Jimi Hendrix, who was a free spirit who loved people, but was swept up by drugs, Morrison's drawings showed him to be a disturbed man, suspicious of all, and eager to see what was on "the other side."

But I still could listen to either 24/7 and never be bored.

ELO's OUT OF THE BLUE has been re-released in a special 30th Anniversary Edition.

After looking for this vintage double CD for about 2 years (it was out there on line, I just wanted to find in old school, in a store), I snapped it up the other day at Best Buy. Haven't seen it anywhere else, even though it has been out since February. It's only $11.99 and seems to be the real deal with some new liner notes (haven't listened to it yet, waiting for when I can go beginning to end without interruption). OUT OF THE BLUE is one of the brilliant concept albums of the 70's, if not all time. The type of masterwork that may never happen again given the current setup of the music business and it's focus away from concept albums (IE, not necessarily hit filled)

Hey...I've just done 2 posts in 10 days! Another Rob Lucas blog success story.

Now go do something productive!

With Apologies To Letterman...

When we started these blogs, I wrote how I never really understood the concept or why "blogging" was so popular. I also mentioned how my blog would probably be the lamest out there. But that gives me no excuse for not updating this page in over a month. To those of you who have checked backed often only to find no update, I give you my Top Reasons For Not Updating My Blog. Not as funny as Letterman's, but I bet if you took away his team of 10 writers he wouldn't be as funny either.

Rob Lucas Top Reasons For NOT Updating His Blog:

10. It's been just too nice outside to sit in front of a computer and type

9. I talk about myself on the air 20 hours a week; you really think I have
anything leftover to put on here?

8. I was busy standing "Under My ‘Umbrella’ with Rihanna

7. Why the hell are you people so interested in my life? Get away from the computer,
live your life and make something happen!

6. Not updating my blog until the new peace bridge is built

5. Not updating my blog until the Aud is torn down

4. Sat down to update blog many times over the past two months, but somehow
always ended up playing Madden 2007

3. I've tried 10 times to get the spacing on this list right, and it won't come out even!

2. Was busy helping Tim Tielman take down his Christmas tree. No wait that’s not
possible, Tim doesn’t want to take anything down. (for those who don't know, Tim is
the preservationist /obstructionist who is against progress of any kind)

1. I was just too damn lazy