sing a long

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Against my mom’s objections, my dad took me to see Terminator 2 for my birthday. I remember the exact date: August 19, 1991, a Monday. He would always take two weeks off in August and we typically went on vacation somewhere in Michigan. Of course I wanted a Harley Fatboy just like the one in the movie. In 1992 I got my first dirt bike and learned to ride. The Harley had to wait several more years…

Best YouTube comments:

“Fuck”

“T2 the reason why I rode a bike, it was no Harley but it was still bad to the bone.”

“In 1991 there was no cooler band than G&R and there was no cooler movie than T2. I was 9 when this video dropped and I lost my mind with its sheer awesomeness. Parents wouldn't take me to T2 in the theaters so me and my friend theater hopped after buying tickets for a different flick.”

(Me: Sounds like something I would have done but at least my dad took me to see it. And we didn’t say “dropped” back then. But yes it was “sheer awesomeness” or as a late 80’s or early 90’s kid would actually say, “totally awesome.” )

“My favorite Guns and Roses song. That intro is amazing. I just saw them in concert. Slash is worth the admission alone. I highly recommend everybody go see them.”

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Ann and Nancy Wilson.

Best YouTube Comments:

“I leaving my teens when this song hit the airwaves. And that was the era when Western music (or any music for that matter) was at it's peak, and I was in my beloved Penang. Some combination. Music has degenarated to the shit we are listening to today. But we have the music of yesteryears to sustain us.”

(Me: Not everything today is shit. And there was bad music back in the 70’s and 80’s. This song however is a classic.)

“She's so beautiful, and her voice is so fucking awesome.”

“When this song comes on the radio I roll the windows down and crank it up. Love this song!!!”

“That singer is sexy AF.”

“If I didn't watch the video, I'd not have believed it was from 1977! It sounds quite modern.”

"Hayley Williams mom?"

(Sorry, couldn't help adding that last one. Except that I think Ann is the age of my mom. I was born "before 1985" and Hayley was born "after 1985" We could go in endless circles debating who is better. But yeah, I basically agree with the Ann/Hayley comparisons. They're both beautiful and talented with amazing voices. Would love to hear Hayley do "Crazy on You." )

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Growing tired of all those fake ads on CNN that imply that “born before 1985” makes me someone’s grandpa and trying to get me to join AARP or get the senior discount at McDonald's. Saw yet another one today...

Maybe they’re right?

Anyway, time to grow up. Gonna quit listening to all the bands I’ve posted on here and start listening to something more “age appropriate.”

Best YouTube comments:

“OMG this cannot be serious.”

“Now try new improved Geritol with added Cannabis!”

“This is by far THE BEST video I've ever seen in my entire life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A spiritual song.”

“Now I'm a little weirded out knowing this exists. Know if they ever did anything like The Doors, Mama's and the Papa's, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joan Baez, and artists like that?”

“I still love the Welk show and I'm 23.”

(In reference to one of the comments above I'm positive they did "Break On Through" by the Doors. )

[a9127]

Best YouTube Comments:

“Tool is like Pink Floyd for angry people...”

(Me: Best comment. You can stop reading. )

“One of the most badass songs EVER… ”

“I remember I got this album when I was 13. I saw people get beat up in the street, people stabbed. The blackout we had that summer brought out a lot of shit. I remember this song and album made me wonder about people and how they ticked. I'm 28 and it seems to make complete sense now.”

(Me: He must be from Detroit too. )

"Grunge has nothing to do with metal. Its just Seattles special way of saying softcore punk, take the example for every grunge band Nirvana. Tool isnt progressive metal, its munge. munge is metal grunge (why grunge isnt metal because then munge wouldnt exist due to being redundant) that was created by tool, the lead singer confirms this. also, pink floyd isnt prog its Psychedelic Rock, also confirmed by pink floyd themselves. Rush is a hair band, not prog. Progressive is a subgenre area that flip flops, just like indie. Prog metal rn is starting to meld into a technical area ex. Angel Vivaldi, Within the Ruins, Sea in the Sky. Its bound to change soon, just like it has been changing in cycles for years because progressive is only considered progressive if it is a new sound, just like indie."

(Me: Wow. Wasn't aware of any of this... Hell when I bought this album in 1997 the most I had to worry about was explaining "Hooker With a Penis" to my mom. Do you think this guy feels strongly? Time to put down the bong dude. )

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As I’m sure you can tell from looking at my posts in this thread, I grew up listening to this stuff. I’ve even made reference to this particular song in the real-life story of how my first girlfriend, Stephanie, and I got together. In high-school, I used to listen to “Vulgar Display of Power” probably more than anything else, before football games. Even my students know this stuff! I was talking with one just before the semester ended, we were discussing cars and music. He knew this song as well as others from this album. He was born in 1997, five years after this was released.

In December 2004, Darrell Abbott (aka “Dimebag”), Pantera’s lead guitarist was murdered during a concert, along with several other people, by an insane fan. I remember that day.

Today we received the sad news that Pantera’s drummer and Darrell’s brother Vinnie Paul Abbott, passed away. There were many songs I might have chosen. But this one works. RIP Vinnie 1964-2018

Best YouTube Comments:

“Music like this is part of a healthy balanced life style.”

“I could headbutt a tank while listening to this.”

“This is Pantera's most badass song, really makes me wanna break shit.”

“This song is good for working out.”

“Excuse me while I go run through a glass door.”

[bronwen]

[bronwen]