Rick N. Backer

When they took the makeup off and stopped the live circus they either had to have good songs or they were sunk. But just for fun, I took a look at the track listing on Double Platinum, their compilation through Love Gun. Ace wrote 1 song with Gene and Paul, and 1 song himself (in fairness his signature Shock Me isn't on it). Go back and look at the first 6 albums and you get about 5 tracks he has a writing credit on. So slightly more prolific than Ringo.

Like Keith Richards? Tony Iommi? Eddie Van Halen? There are many great guitarists who created "some of the most famous guitar music ever," for much longer than 10 years.

In all seriousness, an entertaining guy. But he is almost inarguably the most overrated guitar player ever. Like Page, at some point you have to ask why, after his big gig ended, he did next to nothing.

I wouldn’t be shocked if he thought that.

That’s a silly thing to say. Ace is an engaging character. He’s not talented enough to be the guitar tech for the Kulick brothers, Vincent or St. John.

I would place it top 5, to be honest. Of course, I think their best stretch BEGINS with Creatures of the Night.

I would call it quits here.

Criminally undervalued.

I wouldn't say Dehumanizer is the best album with Dio, although it's certainly the heaviest. My only quarrel with it is that there's not much variety in the vibe of the songs. Appice's drums sound like garbage cans on every song, which is a little grating to my ears. The Tony Martin albums are functionally Iommi solo albums but technically they are Sabbath albums. I agree with your unstated point that Iommi should have retired the name after Born Again. The reunited Dio-era did use the name Black Sabbath when they released 3 new tracks with The Dio Years. Ozzy sued Iommi to keep him from using the Black Sabbath name on tour. IMO, Iommi should have fought him, because Ozzy, Geezer and Bill all sold their rights to Iommi when they left (all separately of course). You can say Sharon was behind that I guess, but Ozzy made a lot of public statements at the time, so he should not be absolved of all blame. I give 13 the edge of The Devil You Know, but it's pretty close.

Yesterday and today: The Doors - s/t The Doors - Strange Days The Doors - Waiting for the Sun

John Lennon - Walls and Bridges

John Lennon - Cleanup Time from Double Fantasy: Stripped Down.

John Lennon - Some Time in NYC John Lennon - Mind Games

John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band John Lennon - Imagine RIP John

McCartney III McCartney II Archive Collection

Whatever, "heavy metal" (snicker) Jackie.

Since I've been told since forever that the Beatles are a "boy band" and "pop," the correct answer to the first question is She Loves You. To the implied question of which is better, the correct answer is The Reflex.

May 30 at Gillette. I'm going to make a run at getting seats because, "this could be the last time," although I said that in 1989, and 1994, and 2003 and . . .

There's a place the next town over from us that serves a Big Mac pizza. It's as great as it sounds. I can't remember if it had the shredded lettuce though. Of course, the fact that I had a couple of beers before the pizza probably plays a role here.

No apologies needed, my friend. The wishes are always welcome. And your mom is in my thoughts.

And then what? You discovered Giuffria and your mind was opened?

Totally agree. We went to the Boston College hockey game last night. They play Switch 625 coming out of timeout to fire the crowd up.

One of the 5 best studio albums of all time IMO

Actually, you listened to the best one first.

Dweezil does a good job too. Makes you appreciate how incredible EVH was because he CREATED it.