By T.J. Tranchell

Take members of various 1970s arena-rock groups, mix together songs they played when they were on the radio for the first time, add fans who know all the same songs and what do you get? If you say a bunch of old people having a good time, you are only half right.

It’s true that the days of number one hits for the members of the Classic Rock All-Stars, the Family Stone Project, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and George Thorogood & the Destroyers are long in the past. Of these groups, Thorogood and his band are the only one with the same name.

We have to be honest about this kind of thing. We aren’t getting the Foghat line-up that recorded “Slow Ride” in 1975. Sly Stone isn’t likely to appear from the mist Saturday night during the Family Stone Project set. In many ways, these groups are not that different from the hundreds of tribute bands that play around the country and the dozen or so playing during the rally. The only real differences between Gun ‘n’ Roses (not appearing) and the two GnR tributes Appetite for Deception (playing the Loud American) and Paradise City (at the Broken Spoke Saloon) is that the real GnR still has Axl Rose and the tribute bands cost less to see.

Does any of that really matter? These new incarnations of classic rock groups still include musicians who were there, people who lived the dream and are holding on to what they can of it. The tribute bands are also trying to recreate something for fans who may never get the chance to see the real thing.

The bottom line is that fans still want to see their heroes. If the heroes can’t be there, seeing someone who played with their heroes or someone who looks and acts like their heroes is close enough.

By Todd Williams
The question is this: If there is only one original member of a band left, is it really the same band?
Generally, the answer is no. The world is full of Bill Haley’s Comets, Creedence Clearwater Revisted and the such, and although I don’t mind taking them in on Deadwood Main Street during Wild Bill Hickok Days, Kool Deadwood Nites or something along those lines, the rock snob in me won’t let me acknowledge them.
But there may (or may not) be an exception.
Pre-orders began Wednesday for the so-long-anxiously-awaited-album-that-it’s-just-downright-ridiculous “Chinese Democracy” by Guns n’ Roses. It’s an album that Axl Rose and the gang started on in the mid-1990s and promised release virtually every year since 1997 or 1998. Of course, the “gang” is all gone. In fact, a handful of them got together and formed Velvet Revolver.
So the question is, if you want to hear a good ol’ fashioned Guns n’ Roses album, do you buy “Chinese Democracy” or do you simply wait for the next Velvet Revolver album to come out?

By: Aubrey Watts

Journal Staff

The boards are open for full on discussion…….

Whether you are riding in your car, stuck in an office or out enjoying the weather on a beautiful sunny summer day, what is the best genre/band/group of bands you like to listen to?

By Aubrey Watts
Journal staff

We all know Johnny Cash from his early years of drugs and wild times that were accompanied by the legendary success of the “Man in Black.” Success, which was seen in both the Rock n’ Roll and Country music genres for years to come. Although shunned from country music on and off throughout the years and never being accepted until later in his career, Johnny seemed to forever be a legend on both spectrums.

I fell in love with Johnny - better known as J. R. to his family - for his passion and his drive to make good music. After hearing some of his hit songs “Ring of Fire,” “Jackson” and “Walk the Line” I was hooked. Drawn into his tremendous voice and remarkably truthful lyrics I found myself on a mission. I spent a few short years researching him and reading every book wrote about him.

Diving in head first, I was going to figure out the real life story of Johnny Cash. I have recently come to one conclusion. Johnny wasn’t about being egotistical or following the mainstream of things. He was a compassionate man, a brilliant man. A man who was about the way a song hits the heart. The way the lyrics work in a song. He was all about the lyrics. ‘Humble’ I believe is the perfect, word for him.

After purchasing the “Unearthed” boxed set last year I found myself falling in love with John all over again. Paired with the amazing producer Rick Ruben, this set is purely brilliant. Raw with emotion and an acoustic guitar sets the stage for a lyrically driven piece of art.

There is something about the “American V” CD that hits me hard. Most of the songs being recorded with nothing more than a guitar in a living room gave Johnny an edge on this CD. As described by some, it is either a CD you get or you don’t get. I’ll admit the very first time I heard some of the songs I was a little puzzled. Then I stumbled upon the song “Rose of My Heart” A simple melody accompanied by a very truthful statement of love. Obviously sung with June in mind, it showed how much he really did care for her.

The first song of Johnny’s to ever bring me to tears it will forever have a place in my heart.

Not many artists can accomplish what John did. Not many seem to have that drive any longer due to mainstream standards. There are still some great artists out there, striving to accomplish a mere fraction of what great singers like Johnny did.

Have you ever found a love song by an artist you least expected? And better yet have you ever found an artist that enthralled you so much to learn everything you can about them?

By Aubrey Watts

Jounal staff

As a newbie to Rapid City — by way of Denver — I have found while adjusting to life in a small town that my music, both old and new, has kept me going strong. Some of it seems to be down right the soundtrack to my life. All I would have to do is push play and others would know what I was about. On the other hand some of it goes along with my moods. Whether I am sad, happy, angry or just here it seems that I can find a song I like. Until tragedy happens, that gut wrenching feeling that life is no longer what you want it to be……….

Have you ever had a day where nothing seemed to fit? No song, group or lyric could hit that certain emotion you are seeking to put into words and then *BAM* there it is. Like a light bulb that has suddenly jolted to life in a darkened closet.

For me that song was “Stranger things have happened” by the Foo Fighters. Down on a gloomy day I found myself searching to match the emotions I was running through with a song that could say it all. Flipping through my Ipod it hit me like a ton of bricks. The opening notes of the guitar. Mellow yet extremely seductive notes. Dave Grohl’s voice dripping into the song and there it is.

I would love to know if any of you have a song like that in your life. When you heard that song you knew it would define that exact moment.