The video for the Christmas Classic by John Lennon – Merry Xmas (War Is Over)
Merry Christmas from Live Musician Central! I hope your day is filled with joy. I am posting this video clip of John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War Is Over) as I believe it still has some relevance in our world today. I often wonder what John Lennon would make of the state of the world in our time. Even though this song is a protest song, I believe it has an underlying message of hope. The song’s actual title is Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and Wikipedia has a great write-up on the song’s origin and history. Check it out here.
A classic video of Band Aid 1984 – Do They Know It’s Christmas. It’s a fine collection of top artists from 1984.
This is one of my favorite celebrity charity get togethers as well as one of my favorite Christmas songs. Spearheaded by Bob Geldof, it features some of the most popular live musicians of 1984. Some of the words are surprisingly gloomy but overall the song is hopeful and has a good message. It’s like looking at old home videos of when your family was young. The people in the video have really changed over the years. Can you dig how cool Sting’s hair looks in this video and how Bono is rockin’ that mullet? I hope you all enjoy it and have a great Christmas Eve tonight! Continue reading “Band Aid 1984 – Do They Know It’s Christmas”
World famous speed drummer Mike Mangini is featured in this video clip from Discovery Channels Time Warp series.
I thought this was a fascinating video looking at some of the physics of drumming. It features drummer Mike Mangini who has played drums for Extreme and Steve Vai. He is currently a faculty member at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston. Mike Mangini is an extremely fast drummer and has held 3 world records for speed drumming.
In this video clip from Discovery Channel’s Time Warp series they discuss the physics of drumming on the drummers body as well as the drumset. They take a super slow motion look at the effects of a drum hit on a snare head and cymbal. What really amazed me is how the cymbal flowed like liquid when it was hit. It’s really incredible to watch. I hope you enjoy the clip! Continue reading “Drummer Mike Mangini on Discovery Channels Time Warp Series”
This clip is of bass playing genius Billy Sheehan and guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert. These two great live musicians played together in their band, Mr. Big. One of the highlights of the show is when the two players took center stage and solo’d on their respective instruments.
Yes it’s the great Brian May, one of the greatest live guitarists of all time. Brian has made some incredible recordings with Queen over the years but his live performance is simply off the charts. This guitar solo is from the Queen DVD “Live At Wembley Stadium“. Brian’s solo is really fun to listen to as he plays around with delay’s and harmonies.
Mitch Mitchell was essential to creating the sound that Jimi Hendrix was after. Todays post on Live Musician Central is in tribute to him.
John "Mitch" Mitchell, July 9, 1947 – November 12, 2008
The world lost another legendary live musician and rock pioneer on November 12, 2008 when Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell was found deceased in his room at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. He was 62 years old which still seems far too young to die. It’s a sad day indeed as Mitchell was an integral part of the music behind the great Jimi Hendrix.
Mitch Mitchell was one third of the great rock trio that made up the Jimi Hendrix Experience. His drumming style was a great example of jazz/rock fusion. He would switch between a traditional jazz drum grip and a matched rock style grip when he played. His playing was very active and he had a great feel for filling the space around Jimi’s lead guitar and vocal work. When Jimi would take a guitar solo Mitch would have a very active interplay with the guitar on the drums. It’s really a pleasure to listen to Mitch and Jimi play music together. Continue reading “In Memoriam – Mitch Mitchell Of The Jimi Hendrix Experience”
