Since getting into music through my dad when I was around 6 or 7 in the early 70's I've embraced every type of music and genre including RocknRoll, Pop, Easy Listening, Sunshine Pop, Singer Songwriters, Punk, Funk, Disco, Northern Soul, Soft Rock, Heavy Rock, Synth Pop, Europop, Tamla Motown etc etc the list is endless. I now have a collection of around 100,000 tracks all on vinyl and CD and DJ at specialist 'Beat the Jock' gigs where punters can ask for any song 1957 to 1990 and if I can't play it they win a free drink. This includes any top 50 track up to 1977, top 75 thereafter and even non charting singles of which I have many 1000's. I don't do Live music as I just don't have the time due to DJ'ing and Pop Quizzing but did see most of my favourites between 1980 and the early 90's including ELO, Genesis, Rush, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Slade, Status Quo, Black Sabbath (Ronnie James Dio on vocal) Roxette, and a few others.
Bands and artists I've loved and will always love -
Beatles, Rolling Stones, ELO, Hollies, Searchers Eddie Cochran, Sam Cooke, Tremeloes, Marmalade, Small Faces, 4 Tops, Temptations, Supremes, Kinks, Rainbow, Genesis, Manic St Preachers, Shed 7, Slade, Sweet, Smokie, Dusty Springfield, Billy Fury, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Idle Race, Christopher Rainbow, Madness, Specials, Love Affair, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Byrds, Simon and Garfunkel, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morrisette, Kate Bush, The Babys, The Cars, The Ramones, Blondie, The Stranglers, The Boomtown Rats, The Smiths, The Cult, Big Country and literally hundreds more.... I have tried my hardest to listen to today's music but it does nothing at all for me, I am just listening to less and less of it and really struggle to recognise any of it when it comes up in a monthly Pop Quiz I go to in Knutsford. I have pretty much decided to just play what I enjoy now and still love to find a record from the 60's or 70's I don't know though there aren't many now. Unfortunately doing what I do on a Friday night means I have to miss a fair few games and that's the biggest drawback of all. My son was able to go to Hull KR whilst I listened for score updates and he'll be at Warrington this week too. I'm looking forward to retiring and being able to get to all the games, I feel I'm missing out but your bread and butter comes first so roll on a few more years for that.
Nice to read about everybody's different tastes in music, it's certainly been my life and will continue to be so, a very interesting thread indeed.

Is there any post-hardcore fans on here? I'm thinking stuff like Glassjaw, Letlive., At the Drive-In and all the stuff that was influenced by the hardcore punk scene but turned it into something a bit more technical musically?

Don't know if anyone has heard of them but Propagandhi are my favourite band so far in my life. They started off as a pop-punk band back in like 1992 but they're more metal/thrash/pop-punk these days. It's a weird blend but they are fantastic musicians. Tracks to check out: Tertium Non Datur, Dear Coaches Corner (sports relevance), Mate Ka Moris Ukun Rasik An, Adventures in Zoochosis and Lotus Gait. If you're into decent guitar driven music, I would recommend!

I've almost got a like for like as far as bands from the 60s/70s but I have to admit the Rolling Stones never did anything for me and it's not as if i haven't heard most of their tracks because my mum loves them, she went to top of the pops in the 60's to watch them as well as other gigs at the time. Nothing to do with how popular or not embracing a winner, or care less about all that crap or any of the other things, especially when I've got Beatles, Floyd and Led Zep on the list 3 of the biggest selling acts ever. I will admit though I do like Paint it black but I'm not sure if that's from loving the film Platoon lol.

One other thing, wished I'd got to see the Small Faces too, but I suppose I was lucky enough I got to see The Who a couple of times though and everything you say about the Rolling Stones for me applies to them, for me the best live act ever with some of the most enduring songs as well . Shame they lost Moon and more recently Entwhistle but they're still going strong and just finished touring the US and have a gig in London tomorrow, wish I could go. I've missed so many recently last year at The Albert Hall, then Manchester, then Sheffield, bloody life keeps getting in the way lol.

A couple of bands I've not mentioned and I don't know how I forgot them were Joy Division and then from the ashes of that New Order, who I saw at the Hacienda a few times. Love both but particularly the darkness and lyrics if you can really enjoy them of Joy Division. Also went through a period of never really listening to anything, especially on long rides home from Uni in the car was Bob Dylan, never seen the dude though lol.

A man after my own heart.

See I'm like that with the Beatles, I don't deny their genius but they don't rock me never have.

Stones are a fanatics band tbh although most people like yourself like certain tracks.

I don't expect everyone to like them, Jagger's voice alone is a put off for some. But that's what I like they are the ultimate garage band done good yet some of there work is exceptional.

Due to Richards habits and Jagger's libido I think they get trivialised in this country, in the states they are idolised yet we get giddy about Elton John. 24 proper albums of which 6 are genuine classics to me that says it all for me - the British public will take note when there dead I suppose



Obviously I'm a fanatic but there are others who fit in this catagory. I always preferred Blur to Oasis who were actually just a Beatles/ Stones hybrid. I preferred Spandau Ballet to the limp Duran Duran but then I did plump for Betamax over VHS

See I'm like that with the Beatles, I don't deny their genius but they don't rock me never have.

Stones are a fanatics band tbh although most people like yourself like certain tracks.

I don't expect everyone to like them, Jagger's voice alone is a put off for some. But that's what I like they are the ultimate garage band done good yet some of there work is exceptional.

Due to Richards habits and Jagger's libido I think they get trivialised in this country, in the states they are idolised yet we get giddy about Elton John. 24 proper albums of which 6 are genuine classics to me that says it all for me - the British public will take note when there dead I suppose



Obviously I'm a fanatic but there are others who fit in this catagory. I always preferred Blur to Oasis who were actually just a Beatles/ Stones hybrid. I preferred Spandau Ballet to the limp Duran Duran but then I did plump for Betamax over VHS

Uninteresting fact of the day, My uncle was roadie for iron maiden at the time of the unity gig and coincidentally years later he was John entwhistles window cleaner in oxfordshire. My mum tells so.e good tales about unity hall as she worked there as a cleaner and bar staff, she walked in on Bob geldof in the dressing room in his Urine stained Keck's and little else, still has nightmares about it now.

I'm with you all the way regarding the Beatles, I can appreciate their talent and they undoubtedly change the face of music but I can't listen to them all, they actually leave me empty. Regarding voices Springsteen does it to me, all my mates love him but I can 't listen to him at all, never played a track by him.

The Stones I've only seen once, that was at Glastonbury 2013 I think.
I'd never got off my to see them before, they played for an hour and I thought it was all a bit meh, it was then that it seemed that someone decided they were gonna play, the sound seemed better, clearer, louder and they just played a "best of" set. That second hour was incredible, I've watched it back since and the earlier part of the concert was stuff I didn't know or particularly like.
Got a say though, what a voice Jagger's got for an old man.

Glastonbury was the Stones out of their depth in a way. I couldn't agree more as regards the best of which is what they should have done all along. The Stones like U2 and a select group of bands can fill statdiums, hence they don't do festivels, the last time they did was in the very early 1970's I think plus a few charity things maybe. They are used to audiences who know and adore ALL or MOST of there 170+ songs. I don't think they realised at first what a diverse an audience they were in front of and got it a bit wrong.

When on tour they get it all their own way and are far better than Glastonbury though as you say they did eventually save the day. Just how it is I suppose when you've been insulated from real life for 50 years then this is what happens, think Jagger who's super bright always shy'd away from Glastonbury for this very reason. Richards is the romantic but despite what he says the Stones are not a band of the people and never were, there the ultimate headonists and that's how I like my rock'n'roll and they would be the last people on earth I'd seek moral gudence from - Glastonbury is not there natural arena.

If you ever read Richards autobiography and frankly it would be the same for most of he 60'/70's rock royalty he states - the last purchace everyday purchase he ever made with his own money when he still knew the real value of the product was a bottle of milk and that was in 1964! That really stuck with me, reminds me a lot of Belly



On a similar note Springstiens voice is a bit jarring but not as jarring as his man of the people act - I don't doubt he was once but there comes a point where you have to step aside. Never really been a fan of messages in rock music but if you are looking for some then the early stuff is usually the best whilst they still have problems and at least one foot still in the real world.

That said they still offered far more than the vacuous rubbish people like Jay-Z and Beyonce pump out, if anyone can explain that to me I'd be obliged - I'd rather listen to Billy Bragg JUST

Best `Gig` experience i have had was the Electric Light Orchestra back in 82 in Munich, tried to replicate the experience a few years back when i went to see `Jeff Lynne`s ELO` at the new Leeds Arena a few years back, sadly it wasn't a patch on the original experience for me.

If there is one musician i wish I would of made the effort to go and see it would of had to have been Johnny Cash.

A bit of trivia here.

Jinger, on an earlier post, you mentioned Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe.

I have just recently read the Stuart Adamson biography (Skids and Big Country), quite a good read.

Bill Nelson was a big influence on Stuart Adamson's career

Another underrated guy is Red noise album sound on sound was great

Anyone with an interest in electronic music would be wise to invest an hour in a BBC4 documentary called "Synth Brittania" - I watched it again last week, and it's a brilliant story of the origin and emergence of electronica in the UK - dating right back to Kraftwerk and the Sheffield scene that emerged in the late 70's. Well worth a watch if you have even a passing interest in the genre.

Yeah it a good documentary about the rise of synthesisers from the post Punk scene.It's quite a few years since I've seen it mind. ago

Ah no, Blur over Oasis, I can get the Stones but come on Vastyicon_smile.gif,

I honestly haven't liked much from Blur maybe apart from the Parklife album and The Great Escape where there was the odd catchy song. Must of heard them on te radio loads since then and nothing has really caught my attention. Tbh Best thing Damon Albarn has done is Gorillaz.

For as much as the brothers are tosspots, Oasis have made some absolute classics, that are still brilliant and relevant today imo. I mean just about every song on there first 3 Albums is a standout tune and even their last Album that I didn't have much hope for really surprised me. Each to their own isn't, music really is one of the most subjective things in the world.

Although I was a bit too young at the time, I agree on Spandau over Duran, just on Hadley's Voice alone they trumped them.

Nope big fan of Blur, always was, witty, imaginative and way more original. I don't dislike the music of Oasis but to me it's pretty formulaic, just my opinion. Also Damon Albarn is just as big a tosspot as the the Gallager brothers just prefer the music.

Been hooked on Oasis ever since the first time I heard Definitely Maybe, one of the best debut albums IMO. Seen em live three times and the first was at Wembley in 2000 with the later lineup- phenomenal.

On debut albums, can anyone name their favourites/ones they regard stand out?

Agree with Definitely Maybe, was at Uni at the time & it was played everywhere and I loved it.

The best debut albums are all about who you were into and I've got a right mixed bag, but I'll have a go who I think released some of the best debuts.
Led Zepplin 1. The Who- My Generation, Pink Floyd - Piper At the Gates of Dawn, The Doors - The Doors. Killers - hot Fuss, The Strokes -Is This It, De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising, Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures, Portishead - Dunny, Nas - Illmatic, Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill, NWA - Straight out of Compton. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang, Run DMC - Run DMC.

I'll of forgot some bands Albums that are classics I bet.

Oh aye, there was a group I discovered after watching a documentary called 'Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me', a really good documentary about them, their music and at times their sad story, but their first album is awesome. it's by a group called Big Star, Album is called #1 Record. It's inspired by the British band invasion at the time and American hard rock. If you like that sort of music it's well worth checking out & so is the documentary because chances are you won't have heard of them.

Debut albums
The Clash- The Clash

Sex pistols- Never mind the ball cocks.

The New York dolls- New York dolls.

Joy division- Unknown pleasures

Stiff little fingers- Inflamable material.

Boston- Boston.

Oasis- Definately maybe.

U2- Boy.

Missed The Clash's great debut off, still I listen to them today. Although it was before my time and got into them years later, but so much of what they had to say meant so much to me at the time.
Also if you're into rap you'll know Eric B & Rakim - Paid n full was a bit of a game changer and Eric B is IMO one of. if not the best MC alive. Of the newer breed Kendrick Lamar's - good kid, m.A.A.d city was the best rap/hip-hop Album I loved in well over a decade and a brilliant debut from the kid to boot.

Them on to a completely different genre and that's The Byrds -Mr. Tambourine Man.

Another one I should have thought of originally is the Stone Roses debut, Stone Roses. For me, it was so in influential to so many bands at that time around the country. i'd also stick The Libertines - Up the bracket in the category of a great first album.

Thank god for the internet in many cases, being able to discover and also remember so many awesome bands that were before my time, or too young to appreciate or they just didn't make it to Britain. Also, it's great nowadays I can literally have every one of these Albums in my Car ready to play, instead of all the old tapes then CD's scattered everywhere.

Stone Roses first album still sounds as good today as it ever did, my personal favourite debut would be the Bluetones, some brilliant songs, never get tired of it, the most recent album which completely bombed regarding sales is some of the best stuff they have ever done for me.

I used to watch this pretty much every time it was on and have to say it's one of the best music documentaries I've seen. It dispels the myth that electronic music is just some ponce pressing buttons to a beat for people to dance to. The highlight for me is Richard H Kirk of Cabaret Voltaire talking about recreating the sound of industrial Sheffield.

Although, I may be a bit biased here, and think all Deacon Blue albums are good, I will be honest and say some are better than others.

Although not my personal favourite, I think their first album, Raintown was their best, and could go into the classic album category. It stayed in the album chart for something like 2 years.

Not a debut album but I secretly love a bit of Donovan - especially The Hurdy Gurdy Man Album. That bloke definitely went in own way as far as music, experimenting with so many different types such as middle eastern, north African , Celtic, hard rock, folk and prose poetry