The definition of Southern Rock is a definitely loose one, without many objective criteria. It is more a term that has been put on bands like The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band and some others because they play music that mixes elements from rock, country, blues, and most important – they are from the southern states of the USA. Royal Southern Brotherhood is a band that might be classified as a southern rock band, and yesterday they played at John Dee in Oslo for Oslo Blues Club.
Delbert McClinton – The Smooth Voice Of Blues And Country
In 1992 Delbert McClinton recorded Tell Me About It with Tanya Tucker and reached number 4 on the American country charts. That’s his highest chart position for a single, while he has had four number one albums on the blues charts. He was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. November 4th Delbert McClinton is 73 years old.
Happy Birthday, Frank Ocean
Christopher Ocean has been one of the fastest rising stars on the R& B scene these last few years. He started out writing songs for such different artists as Justin Bieber, John Legend and Beyoncé. Three years ago he joined the hip hop collective OFWGKTA, or Odd Future as they are also known. On October 28th Frank Ocean is 27 years old.
Happy Birthday Steve Cropper
Steve Cropper is 72 years old today, October 21st. He has been active as a musician, songwriter and producer for more than 50 years, and he is still touring as a member of the Blues Brothers Band. Some may know him from his time with Booker T and the MG’s, some will have seen him in the Blues Brothers movies, and some may know the songs he has written or co-written, Knock On Wood, In The Midnight Hour and (Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay.
Happy Birthday Tom Petty
Charles Bradley at Rockefeller
Charles Bradley has become one of my favorite soul artists after I saw him for the first time at the Oya festival in August last year. This year he played the Bergen festival in June, and he confirmed my first impresion. Tonight he played the Rockefeller in Oslo, and showed the fans that grown-ups can do just as well as the young ones.
Satyricon – from Russia to Raade
I recently saw Satyricon at the Norwegian Opera, playing with the Norwegian Opera Choir. The concert was sold out and got great reviews. Since then Satyricon have started a European tour that lasts until Christmas. Yesterday night they played a local festival in Raade, south of Oslo, and two days before they played in Sibir in Russia.
Happy Birthday Paul Simon
Paul Simon is one of rock history’s most important artists. Both as a solo artist from the 70s and on, but first of all from his collaborations with Art Garfunkel in the 60s. They created rock history with their songs, moving the pop music from the high school kids to the college. On October 13th Paul Simon is 72 years old.
Jackson Browne – Artist and Activist
Jackson Browne is probably more famous through his songs sung by others than for his own artistic achievements. He is also known for his activism against political injustice, and against nuclear weapons, co-founding Musicians United for Safe Energy. Today, October 9th, he is 65 years old.
Happy Birthday Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof started his career in the Boomtown Rats, who had one really big hit in 1979, “I Don’t Like Mondays”, about a sixteen years old who killed two and maimed eight. When asked why, she answered “Because I don’t like Mondays”. After Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof starred in the Wall in 1982. The rest is history, as they say. Today he is 62 years old.
