Guys,Â
My buddy told me that in the mid-70s, Stephen Stills had a bodyguard to protect him from members of the Clash, the Ramones and other bands. Is this true? And if so, what did Stills do that made these punks hate him so much?Â
thanks,
Tim Hawkins
Tim,
For a brief period in the mid-seventies, Rolling Stone magazine featured a section called “Rock Star Rate-A-Record.†The concept was simple: Sit a rocker down with a handful of current releases and let them give mini-reviews. Nothing illustrated the chasm between the new punk upstarts and the older rock establishment better than the
Ramones –“Sheena is a Punk Rockerâ€: This is that punk shit everyone’s going nuts over? Sounds like four 6-year-olds picking up instruments for the first time. This sucks.
The Clash –“White Riotâ€: This is worse than the one you just played me. Whatever happened to singing? Is this some kind of pro-KKK thing? This is what we marched against back in the sixties!
Fleetwood Mac –“Dreamsâ€: Now that’s more like it. This is a monster record by a great band. Listen to that groove my man Mick is laying down. Oh, Stevie, you are my number one gypsy goddess.
Sex Pistols –“God Save the Queenâ€: Johnny ‘Rotten’ is right. What a crock of shit this band is. They think they’re dangerous? They’ve never seen
The Eagles –“Hotel Californiaâ€: Wow. This could be the best thing these cats have ever done. And that is saying something. Joe Walsh is killing it on that solo, too. A+
Patti Smith –“Hey Joeâ€: First question: is this a guy or a chick? Second question: How much do I have to pay him/her to never ruin another classic rock song again?
Foreigner –“Feels Like the First Timeâ€: Now THIS is what the new rock and roll should sound like. The guitar is loud and dirty but also tasteful. And this guy can sing. Hey, Clash…school’s in session…and Foreigner is your teacher!
Richard Hell and the Voidoids –“Blank Generation’’: You belong to the Blank Generation, huh? Well, I belong to the Musician’s Union, and I will do everything within my power to get your and all these other punk asshole’s instruments impounded. Let me take this one home with me, ok? I’m out of toilet paper.