In my dream last night, I heard a song I haven’t listened to in ages: The Dead Next Door, a little-played song from Billy Idol’s biggest album, Rebel Yell. It’s one of my favorite Billy Idol tunes, and I always thought it was an unexpected, underappreciated gem.
It’s been stuck in my head all day, and if you dare play it, it might get stuck in yours too.
Definitely not anything I would’ve predicted.
Wednesday, August 7, 1991: A sunny day at Toronto’s CNE Grandstand, and what a lineup:
…and after the show, we continued the fun at a normally sad nightclub near the airport that had their “alt-rock” night on Wednesdays.
There was already a feeling that interesting things were happening in music. Big Audio Dynamite had put out their single Rush a couple of months prior…
…and we had no idea of the musical gems that were still forthcoming:
…and I was a DJ at Crazy Go Nuts University back then. Great times!
The video below has been making the internet rounds, but I wanted to make sure you saw it — two of the 1970s’ greatest cultural creations: AC/DC and Star Wars, with scenes from the attack on the Death Star from Episode IV and Thunderstruck from AC/DC’s 1990 album, The Razor’s Edge!
This video is only the latest of a long series of classic rock/Star Wars mash-ups…
But wow, Thunderstruck’s a favorite…
I’ll close with one of my favorites, Princess Leia’s Stolen Death Star Plans, a parody of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band:
It would’ve been the band’s last official gig of 2023 for Tom Hood and the Tropical Sons — which includes yours truly on accordion and keyboards — but the venue, Jollimon’s Island, while covered with a roof, is pretty much an outdoor one, and it’s just going to be too cold tonight.
Under warmer circumstances, we’re the house band at JolliMon’s Tuesday “Raw Talent Nights,” where the stage is open to musicians who want to join in on the open mic fun. If you’re in the Clearwater area, come on down (temperature permitting) and enjoy some great live music!
After a summer hiatus, Tom Hood and the Tropical Sons (of which I am a member) are playing gigs again — this time on the third Tuesday of the month at Jollimons Island in Clearwater from 6 to 9 p.m.
We’re part of their Tuesday “Raw Talent Nights,” where the stage is open to musicians who want to join in on the open mic fun.
If you’re down Clearwater way, join us, whether you want to hop onstage and play, or sit back and enjoy the music!
This Tuesday, September 19th at JolliMons Island in Clearwater, I’ll be onstage with the accordion and playing with Tom Hood and the Tropical Sons. Come on down and enjoy some good food, drink, and live music!
