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Middle Aged Dummies - Artist - Round 5 - #25's have been posted. Link in OP. (10 Viewers)
- Thread starter Zegras11
- Start date
zamboni
Footballguy
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Chaos34
Footballguy
Yeah, he's been right there under the radar for 25 years. So much material I feel a little over my head making a list. I was a big fan from the time he got the gig with David Lee Roth in 98 through his first three solo albums in the 00s. Those instrumental albums were a big part of the 00s for me and the stuff I've highlighted here a time or two. I've seen him twice. Once with DLR in Vegas and once at Guitar Center promoting his signature series telecaster. Cool dude. Regular Joe. Humble. No drugs and wild partying. Just a working guitar player and truly a virtuoso. While watching Hee Haw at age 6, he saw Roy Clark do Roy Clark things and decided he was going to be a guitar player. It's all he's ever done.
After picking him yesterday, I discovered he's the current lead for Motley Crüe.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Yes I read he’s been touring with them since 2022.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
So he has great taste. This should be fun.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Well, Neil Diamond is in the building. That's assuming I did it correctly. There are no guarantees since I'm a Luddite.
Intro to follow. (Just not now.)
Intro to follow. (Just not now.)
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
I live in fear of Binkying the list.
Zegras11
Footballguy
I'll send it later tonight. I'm somewhere in kauai right now.
Eephus
Footballguy
Big week for MADs adjacent album releases
Lo-fi live album from Big Thief's Adrienne Lenker
Not to be outdone on either lo-fi or live, it's Neil
Single named lady of the week is the magnificent Ledisi
It's a nice day for new Billy Idol
When Smokey Sings, I hear violins
Another of Fela's sons
Also Joan Osbourne sings Dylan, Deerhoof, the swingin sounds of Jeff Goldblum, Viagra Boys, @Northern Voice favorites Wishy, Samantha Fish and Sunflower Bean.
Lo-fi live album from Big Thief's Adrienne Lenker
Not to be outdone on either lo-fi or live, it's Neil
Single named lady of the week is the magnificent Ledisi
It's a nice day for new Billy Idol
When Smokey Sings, I hear violins
Another of Fela's sons
Also Joan Osbourne sings Dylan, Deerhoof, the swingin sounds of Jeff Goldblum, Viagra Boys, @Northern Voice favorites Wishy, Samantha Fish and Sunflower Bean.
Eephus
Footballguy
My first spin of the week is the new album by Mexican singer Natalia Lafourcade. I don't know much about her but supposedly this album is a conscious retro turn. She has a lovely voice that's flattered by strong arrangements and production. It has the mood of a late night party in my swanky Acapulco pad after a busy day of cliff diving.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Our local society columnist used to refer to that as a "swankienda".
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
He also auditioned for the Stones, during the Black and Blue album sessions, to replace Mick Taylor in the band - the gig, of course, went to Ronnie Wood. Mick Jagger did not think Mariott would be happy staying in the background.
zamboni
Footballguy
Indeed - Marriott was also linked with Led Zep, which I'll get into early on in my countdown.
ETA: there is a lot of crossover in many of the bands of the time
Eephus
Footballguy
One more MADs adjacent album I missed last night. Heart of Gold vol. 1 is a tribute to Neil Young with proceeds benefiting the Bridge School. Artist include Brandi Carlisle, Fiona Apple, the Doobie Bros., Eddie Vedder and Rodney Crowell. Of course Steve Earle is on it as well because he appears on every benefit album.
open.spotify.com
Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 1
Various Artists · Compilation · 2025 · 14 songs
open.spotify.com
Don Quixote
Footballguy
When I pulled up his artist page on Spotify, I noticed that it mentioned touring the US this summer. I feel like I need to do the 9:30 Club.Another of Fela's sons
Femi Kuti Tour 2025: Politics Don Expose Them
Experience Femi Kuti's electrifying Politics Don Expose Them tour in 2025 across North America. Don't miss it!
Yo Mama
Footballguy
Apologies in advance for some serious ear worms on my list. I’ve got a couple still bouncing around my head - good songs, they just stick with you.
There was even one song that stuck in my head so long after working on my rankings that I left it off my playlist. We used it as a drinking song back in the day because it was so repetitive.
There was even one song that stuck in my head so long after working on my rankings that I left it off my playlist. We used it as a drinking song back in the day because it was so repetitive.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
When Smokey Sings, I hear violins
I suppose I’ve been doing some last out drips and drabs with the previous Snoop drop on 4/20. I’ll leverage the Smokey Robinson album drop reference to post this one from a few years back, in which Smokey Robinson featured on a Charlie Wilson song. This one gives a bit of a sense for Charlie Wilson’s solo R&B style. I think YouTube is better as get a music video with the two of them going at it.
- YouTube
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youtu.be
Eephus
Footballguy
New MADs adjacent mural going up a block from my house.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Wait- you have Smell-O-Vision?
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
If it smells like Wookie Cookies, it is not me.
New Binky the Doormat
Footballguy
entering a little late here but based on @Zegras11 approval I"m gonna take another crack at
"The Doobie Brothers"
...I had them a couple drafts ago, but ran into some problems so they never officially entered
John Maddens Lunchbox
Socialism for Dummies
Yambag
Footballguy
The Smashing Pumpkins
Personal Connection
Without a doubt, the Smashing Pumpkins is the band I connected to the most when I was younger. Like many teens, I rode the wave of metal phasing out and grunge taking its place. Of course I was into Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the like, but the Smashing Pumpkins represented something different to me. As a teen in college with a pretty mundane and lonely life, I instantly connected with Billy Corgan’s lyrics and depth of musicality. Sure, there were catchy hooks all around, but it was the longer, more dynamic songs that really got me.
For me Siamese Dream remains a perfect album, one I never get tired of. When Mellon Collie hit, it took me into overdrive and some would say I got a bit obsessive. I was in the fan club, I was in early online communities to trade cassettes of various live shows, I had endless mix tapes and would sometimes go months without listening to any other band. I wouldn’t doubt if this was one (of the many) reason why my girlfriend of three years broke up with me. All that did was push me deeper into their music, until Adore was released, which was a big departure in sound that I was disappointed with. Even though Machina was a turn towards their original sound, I had moved on to other places in my life. Despite not continuing to follow them much after that point, I still consider them one of the greats that got me through some tough times.
Band Summary
The Smashing Pumpkins were formed in Chicago in 1988 by singer and guitarist Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha. Soon after they recruited bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Early influences cited are The Cure, New Order and Black Sabbath. The band is known for its diverse, densely layered sound, which evolved throughout their career and has integrated elements of gothic rock, heavy metal, grunge, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, shoegaze, dream pop, and electronica.
The band's debut album, Gish (1991), was well-received by critics and became an underground success as it was at the time the best selling independent album of all time. In the advent of alternative rock's mainstream breakthrough, their second album, Siamese Dream (1993), established the band's popularity. Despite a tumultuous recording process, the album received widespread acclaim and has been lauded as one of the best albums in the genre. Their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), furthered the band's popularity; it debuted atop the Billboard 200, received a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, and continued the band's critical success. After the release of Adore (1998) and a two-part project in 2000—Machina and Machina II—the group disbanded due to internal conflicts, drug use, and diminishing sales by the end of the 1990s.
Billy Corgan went on to helm multiple side projects including the band Zwan, two solo albums and several albums released under the Smashing Pumpkins Name (Zeitgeist, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Oceania and Monuments to an Elegy). In 2018, Iha and Chamberlain re-joined the band and have been together since, releasing four albums (Shiny and Oh So Bright, Cyr, Atum, and 2024’s Aghori Mhori Mei, which is a welcome return to their rock roots.
With 35 million albums sold worldwide, the Smashing Pumpkins were among the most critically and commercially successful bands of the 1990s, and one of the most important acts in the popularization of alternative rock.
Personal Connection
Without a doubt, the Smashing Pumpkins is the band I connected to the most when I was younger. Like many teens, I rode the wave of metal phasing out and grunge taking its place. Of course I was into Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the like, but the Smashing Pumpkins represented something different to me. As a teen in college with a pretty mundane and lonely life, I instantly connected with Billy Corgan’s lyrics and depth of musicality. Sure, there were catchy hooks all around, but it was the longer, more dynamic songs that really got me.
For me Siamese Dream remains a perfect album, one I never get tired of. When Mellon Collie hit, it took me into overdrive and some would say I got a bit obsessive. I was in the fan club, I was in early online communities to trade cassettes of various live shows, I had endless mix tapes and would sometimes go months without listening to any other band. I wouldn’t doubt if this was one (of the many) reason why my girlfriend of three years broke up with me. All that did was push me deeper into their music, until Adore was released, which was a big departure in sound that I was disappointed with. Even though Machina was a turn towards their original sound, I had moved on to other places in my life. Despite not continuing to follow them much after that point, I still consider them one of the greats that got me through some tough times.
Band Summary
The Smashing Pumpkins were formed in Chicago in 1988 by singer and guitarist Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha. Soon after they recruited bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Early influences cited are The Cure, New Order and Black Sabbath. The band is known for its diverse, densely layered sound, which evolved throughout their career and has integrated elements of gothic rock, heavy metal, grunge, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, shoegaze, dream pop, and electronica.
The band's debut album, Gish (1991), was well-received by critics and became an underground success as it was at the time the best selling independent album of all time. In the advent of alternative rock's mainstream breakthrough, their second album, Siamese Dream (1993), established the band's popularity. Despite a tumultuous recording process, the album received widespread acclaim and has been lauded as one of the best albums in the genre. Their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), furthered the band's popularity; it debuted atop the Billboard 200, received a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, and continued the band's critical success. After the release of Adore (1998) and a two-part project in 2000—Machina and Machina II—the group disbanded due to internal conflicts, drug use, and diminishing sales by the end of the 1990s.
Billy Corgan went on to helm multiple side projects including the band Zwan, two solo albums and several albums released under the Smashing Pumpkins Name (Zeitgeist, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Oceania and Monuments to an Elegy). In 2018, Iha and Chamberlain re-joined the band and have been together since, releasing four albums (Shiny and Oh So Bright, Cyr, Atum, and 2024’s Aghori Mhori Mei, which is a welcome return to their rock roots.
With 35 million albums sold worldwide, the Smashing Pumpkins were among the most critically and commercially successful bands of the 1990s, and one of the most important acts in the popularization of alternative rock.
Yo Mama
Footballguy
Looking forward to this one.
Chaos34
Footballguy
I want to do my guitar player justice in the write-ups so I've read a handful of articles and watched a bunch of interviews. The plan is to write-up the top ten in advance so I don't flake out again.
He's been close friends with Nikki Sixx for over a decade. They did an interview in 2017 long before John joined Motley. I like this interview because the friendship is obvious and they've likely hung out like this 100 times. Good intro to my guitar player for those who hadn't heard of him. 24 minutes. The medley around 14 minutes will put a smile on the face of any rocker.
My Favorite Riff with Nikki Sixx: John 5 (Rob Zombie)
My list has 3 openings, needs some tweaks in the rankings, and 11 candidates for the spots. Dolly Parton is probably not gonna make it. I've gone through the Roth, Manson and enough of the Zombie. I've dug into his gun for hire work. I'm about 2/3rds through his solo stuff. I've really enjoyed his various bands (4 of them) that were short-lived but a bit more than side projects. It's a lot for such an unknown. I don't think I've ever had more fun making a list. 7 NBA playoff games on mute over the weekend with heavy rock, smoking country, lots of new discovery, and lots of reminiscences replacing the game announcers. One and a quarter games to go.
He's been close friends with Nikki Sixx for over a decade. They did an interview in 2017 long before John joined Motley. I like this interview because the friendship is obvious and they've likely hung out like this 100 times. Good intro to my guitar player for those who hadn't heard of him. 24 minutes. The medley around 14 minutes will put a smile on the face of any rocker.
My Favorite Riff with Nikki Sixx: John 5 (Rob Zombie)
My list has 3 openings, needs some tweaks in the rankings, and 11 candidates for the spots. Dolly Parton is probably not gonna make it. I've gone through the Roth, Manson and enough of the Zombie. I've dug into his gun for hire work. I'm about 2/3rds through his solo stuff. I've really enjoyed his various bands (4 of them) that were short-lived but a bit more than side projects. It's a lot for such an unknown. I don't think I've ever had more fun making a list. 7 NBA playoff games on mute over the weekend with heavy rock, smoking country, lots of new discovery, and lots of reminiscences replacing the game announcers. One and a quarter games to go.
Last edited:
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
I just read that he’s playing guitar on Peter Criss’ new album.
Chaos34
Footballguy
They've recorded together before. He's also recorded with Paul Stanley. He tells three KISS stories in the interview above. Begging his mom in Sears to buy him Love Gun in 1977. Trying and failing to get Gene Simmons autograph when he was 12. Telling Lita Ford he didn't want to tour because he didn't like traveling until she told him they would be opening for KISS. That got him on the road. He's opening a KISS museum in May. He will be displaying over 2500 pieces of his personal memorabilia and doing the tours himself.
Yambag
Footballguy
Smashing Pumpkins Last 5 Out (sort of)
I chose these last 5 out not based on where they rank but rather as a way to highlight the wide variety of songs that they have put out since the original group broke up in 2000. This coincides with when I lost interest and stopped following them for the most part. Every so often I would check out a new single and have a disappointed or even wtf reaction, but that was it.
What I learned from this playlist deep dive of over 400 songs is that Billy Corgan has big ideas, is not afraid to experiment and is fantastic at writing catchy hooks. In pretty much every album since 2000 (except Atum), I found very few duds, a ton of solid songs and a handful that made my playlist much to my surprise.
Dross
Album: Machina II
From the never officially released companion album to Machina. This is a banger from start to finish and a favorite of mine since I have a penchant for the heavier stuff. While not as complete as Machina, this album has some great songs and is rumored to be being remastered for release. Check out Cash Car Star as well.
Bleeding the Orchid
Album: Zeitgeist
This album is not available on Spotify due to either Billy’s dislike of it or album rights, both are constantly debated online. It’s a shame as it is a very good album with quite a few fantastic heavy songs (one of which made my top 31). I really love the mood and vibe of this song. Check out Tarantula as well.
Pinwheels
Album: Oceania
This album is very solid, with no big standouts but also no duds either. I chose Pinwheels as I feel it is the most unique and has a sort of epic feel to it. Check out The Celestials as well.
Cyr
Album: Cyr
Here is one of the “wtf are they doing” moments and a huge departure in sound. I totally dismissed it at first but the more I listened and kept an open mind, the more I realized that the song is super catchy and dare I say it, actually very good. Check out Anno Satana as well.
Aeronaut
Album: Ogilala
This is from one of Billy’s solo albums which is mostly all acoustic with no drums. The lyrics on this album are some of his most personal and since I am a sucker for piano (see my Ryan Star playlist), this one really connects for me. Check out the title track Cotillions from his most recent solo album as well.
I chose these last 5 out not based on where they rank but rather as a way to highlight the wide variety of songs that they have put out since the original group broke up in 2000. This coincides with when I lost interest and stopped following them for the most part. Every so often I would check out a new single and have a disappointed or even wtf reaction, but that was it.
What I learned from this playlist deep dive of over 400 songs is that Billy Corgan has big ideas, is not afraid to experiment and is fantastic at writing catchy hooks. In pretty much every album since 2000 (except Atum), I found very few duds, a ton of solid songs and a handful that made my playlist much to my surprise.
Dross
Album: Machina II
From the never officially released companion album to Machina. This is a banger from start to finish and a favorite of mine since I have a penchant for the heavier stuff. While not as complete as Machina, this album has some great songs and is rumored to be being remastered for release. Check out Cash Car Star as well.
Bleeding the Orchid
Album: Zeitgeist
This album is not available on Spotify due to either Billy’s dislike of it or album rights, both are constantly debated online. It’s a shame as it is a very good album with quite a few fantastic heavy songs (one of which made my top 31). I really love the mood and vibe of this song. Check out Tarantula as well.
Pinwheels
Album: Oceania
This album is very solid, with no big standouts but also no duds either. I chose Pinwheels as I feel it is the most unique and has a sort of epic feel to it. Check out The Celestials as well.
Cyr
Album: Cyr
Here is one of the “wtf are they doing” moments and a huge departure in sound. I totally dismissed it at first but the more I listened and kept an open mind, the more I realized that the song is super catchy and dare I say it, actually very good. Check out Anno Satana as well.
Aeronaut
Album: Ogilala
This is from one of Billy’s solo albums which is mostly all acoustic with no drums. The lyrics on this album are some of his most personal and since I am a sucker for piano (see my Ryan Star playlist), this one really connects for me. Check out the title track Cotillions from his most recent solo album as well.
zamboni
Footballguy
Basically describes every elementary school kid in the U.S. back then.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Could someone clarify something for me, please? Are Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon in the Hall of Fame, or did they just win Miss Congeniality?
Chaos34
Footballguy
More importantly, my guitar player did studio work for Salt-N-Pepa. It was on my list early, but just for the oddity of a metalhead laying down the groove from his little desk at Chrysalis before he toured with KD Lang.
zamboni
Footballguy
The RR HOF seems to be doing the same lowering-the-bar thing as Cooperstown did when it started letting in marginal guys like Harold Baines.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
The problem - as with most things related to post-1950s pop history - is Jann Wenner. He and his crew created their version of what "R&R" is (& what it's not) 50+ years ago, and it got baked into the DNA of music fans. I think people our age are so used to it that we'll never get past it, but I think it's changing for younger folks.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
It is not quite the Veterans Committee, but something like that. I read that it was a bit of an end-run around the normal induction process. Zevon had been nominated in the past and not gotten in. So, decided to induct him that way.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Socialism for Dummies
Otis Redding list has been completed.
Not submitted yetSurprise to be revealed soon
For now, Last 10 out (10-6 or songs ranked 41-37)
10 (41) - 6345789
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Such is the depth of Otis Redding that this cool number doesnt get close to the top 31
9 (40) - My Girl
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My Girl
Otis Redding · Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (Collector's Edition) · Song · 1965
open.spotify.com
The Temptations version is more well known, but Reddings version reached ##11 in the UK, whereas the Temptations version there only reached #43. I knocked this version down as it is too similar to the Temptations version despite others having a clear preference to the Otis version.
8 (39) - (Your love has lifted me) Higher and Higher)
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First recorded by the Dells, Jackie Wilsons version was released 5 months later and was the most popular version. Redding’s version was among a slew of songs recorded shortly before his death 5 months after that in December 1967. It wasnt released until the third posthumous album release, Love Man
7 (38) - It’s Growing
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Another cover of a Temptations song. This was the follow up to My Girl for the Motown group.
6 - (37) - I Got The Will
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From the fourth posthumous release Tell the Truth, recorded like many tracks in the weeks preceding his death. This fantastic number is underrated in my opinion, but not good enough to rank higher.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
How the hell did that happen? Were there 42 Beatles' songs sitting in front of it?
zamboni
Footballguy
Probably should have clarified better, and we've had these discussions many times before. Like you, I have no problem with R&B/soul/rap/disco/country, etc. acts getting into the RRHOF. They very well should be despite what Wenner and his cronies pigeonholed as R&R per se.
My comment more related to the nature of acts that they're letting in more and more. One example is Bad Company, who just got in. Solid band that had some very good tunes and a couple of solid albums, but really just disappeared not too long thereafter and kept on going with different personnel on the country fair circuit.
But I digress - it's a tiresome argument that's not worth dedicating much brainpower or time.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Agree on Bad Company. Grand Funk & Chic are my two hills to die on
zamboni
Footballguy
Chic definitely deserves the nod - may not have been around long, but a huge influence on many artists to this day.Agree on Bad Company. Grand Funk & Chic are my two hills to die on
John Maddens Lunchbox
Socialism for Dummies
Interesting story here.
This was only the 4th US hit for the Temptations, but it was their first in the UK
I just dont think the UK “got” the Temptations. Their two biggest hits there were Get Ready and Ball of Confusion.
Considering their US success, those are not the two tracks that define them.
Oddly when My Girl started appearing on every soundtrack in the 90s, it was re-released in the UK and reached #2.
Nothing to do with Otis. But because its a Temptations song, I knocked it down a lot. Other covers where Otis distinguishes himself from the original, we will see much more of.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I noticed you leftChic definitely deserves the nod - may not have been around long, but a huge influence on many artists to this day.Agree on Bad Company. Grand Funk & Chic are my two hills to die on
out of your response
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
And what the hey is Dolly Parton doing in there? She knew she didn't really belong.Agree on Bad Company. Grand Funk & Chic are my two hills to die on
zamboni
Footballguy
Didn’t want to get myself in trouble.I noticed you leftChic definitely deserves the nod - may not have been around long, but a huge influence on many artists to this day.Agree on Bad Company. Grand Funk & Chic are my two hills to die on
It’s dangerous treading these days around here.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
No, I didn't mean that. I meant that the emoji looks like Donnie Brewer from Grand FunkDidn’t want to get myself in trouble.I noticed you leftChic definitely deserves the nod - may not have been around long, but a huge influence on many artists to this day.Agree on Bad Company. Grand Funk & Chic are my two hills to die on
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