Archive for jimi hendrix

On This Day In Metal History – October 15 – From Jimi Hendrix To Van Halen

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music, world news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 15, 2020 by Metal Odyssey

October 15, 1965 – Rock icon Jimi Hendrix signed a recording contract with Ed Chalpin. The contract was for three years.

October 15, 1984 – An EP of previously released songs, ‘74 Jailbreak, was released by the invincible AC/DC, via Atlantic Records.

October 15, 1987 – Guitar wizard Joe Satriani released his second studio album, Surfing With The Alien, via Relativity Records. This proved to be Joe Satriani’s breakout album, with the title track receiving world-wide commercial success.

October 15, 1988 – Hall Of Fame band Bon Jovi saw their fourth studio album, New Jersey, reach #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Whoa.

October 15, 1995 – The mighty Van Halen performed at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Los Angeles California. Van Halen were touring in support of their tenth studio album: Balance.

Rest In Peace, Eddie Van Halen.

Stone.

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Guitar Icon Merrell Fankhauser Revisits Jimi Hendrix’s Legendary ‘Rainbow Bridge’ In New Documentary

Posted in classic rock, Guitar, guitarists, Hard Rock, hard rock news, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 14, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

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London, UK – Rainbow Bridge was a peculiar 1972 film featuring Jimi Hendrix (who had died two years before) and a cast of local eccentrics using Hendrix’s music and a whole slew of UFO sightings to explore their spirituality. 41 years later, musician and filmmaker Merrell Fankhauser revisits the film to explore its message more fully. The Rainbow Bridge Revisited documentary was really Maui journalist Steve Omar’s idea, and Merrell and Steve produced it together. The two had fun looking up and interviewing the original cast of the 1972 Jimi Hendrix movie ‘Rainbow Bridge’ that was filmed on Maui. It was interesting to hear what they had to say about hanging out with Hendrix making the movie. The one-hour DVD documentary also features some great surfing and music by Merrell Fankhauser, The Space Patrol and Omar and The Wavespies. The package includes a 12-song soundtrack.

Merrell explains: “As you know I lived on Maui for 14 years and I moved there in ‘73 just a year after the Jimi Hendrix ‘Rainbow Bridge’ film came out. And when I moved there I met a lot of people that were in the movie, and a lot of them were hippies, surfers and cosmic people that were seeing UFOs, and they said Jimi was really into the whole UFO thing, and that there were even some hovering about when they were shooting over there. So we contacted the ones that we still knew were on Maui and we went over and interviewed them and it was really interesting what some of them had to say about hanging out with Hendrix and everything. Then we went down to Southern California, because some of them lived down there, and we interviewed a few of those, so we’ve got some really interesting interviews with an insight into some of the things that were going on with that movie with Hendrix that didn’t come out. In the original ‘Rainbow Bridge’, it follows Pat Hartley the actress from the Sunset Strip over to O’ahu and then to Maui where she meets all these characters, and ultimately Jimi. And the message, because of all of her travels and the way it was put together, kind of got lost a little bit in the different scenes and things. I talked to one of the guys from Warner Brothers who was in on the editing and he said that when they brought the film over it was in all of these bags and there was sand in it and they were almost afraid to put it on their machine, and had to clean it all and they kept going through this stuff and it was just a lot of hippies talking about cosmic stuff and getting high on drugs, and everybody kept saying ‘Where’s Jimi, where’s Jimi? Where’s the concert’ You know they were afraid they weren’t going to have enough to make the movie really good, but finally they got to the ‘Concert’ footage. So what we did, we kind of condensed these interviews down and we segue into some really great surfing on big waves over there, because a lot of the people that were interviewed were surfers and we have old footage of them surfing, and then we cut to surfing footage from now. I have about ten of my newer instrumental surf songs in there with the surfing, and then it goes to a couple of band performances – there were two Maui bands featured on the soundtrack: Omar and The Wavespies and The Space Patrol – the lead singer, Les Potts,  was in the original ‘Rainbow Bridge’ movie.”

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Rainbow Bridge Revisited CD Tracks: 1. All Along The Watchtower, 2. Last Wave at Hanalei, 3. Wild Gyrations, 4. Surfin 101, 5. Waterfall, 6. Hookipa, 7. Mother Sea, 8. The Wind Cried Maui, 9. Monster Swell, 10. Surf Rage, 11. The Wall, 12. Calling From A Star.

Merrell Fankhauser is considered one of the main innovators of surf music and Psychedelic Folk Rock, and is widely known as the leader of the instrumental surf group The Impacts who had the international hit Wipeout. His travels from Hollywood to his 15 year jungle experience on the island of Maui have been documented in numerous music books and magazines in the US and Europe. Merrell has gained legendary international status throughout the field of Rock music; his credits include over 300 songs published and released. Merrell Fankhauser has presented a number of television programs over the years including ‘California Music’, ‘Route 66 TV Live’, and in 2001 he began hosting a music show called ‘Tiki Lounge’ that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii and parts of the East Coast.

To purchase Merrell Fankhauser ‘Rainbow Bridge Revisited’ CD/DVD set:

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15544/MERRELL_FANKHAUSER-Rainbow_Bridge_Revisited.html

For more information: http://www.merrellfankhauser.com/

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(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

Stone - Motorhead Tee pic:small

Long Live Merrell Fankhauser.

Rest In Peace, Jimi Hendrix.

Stone.

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THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE “Live At Berkeley” – Another Rock Music Treasure, From An Iconic Band And Historic Era Of Rock

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 16, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Released on July 10th, 2012, via Sony Legacy, Live At Berkeley is a Rock ‘N Roll gem to own. There’s never been a doubt in my Metal mind, that The Jimi Hendrix Experience were a trio of musicians that helped plant the seeds of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. I always ponder to myself, what would Jimi Hendrix think of today’s Heavy and Extreme Music? How would have Jimi’s guitar playing evolved if he had never passed away at such a young age of 27? I imagine I’m not alone with the wonder of it all. I bought this CD last week and I couldn’t be happier. Then again, if I scored a million dollar lottery ticket, I would be happier.

The production across the board on Live At Berkeley is sensational; the clarity of sound is undeniably first-rate. (The original location recordings were engineered by Abe Jacob). To have The Jimi Hendrix Experience captured live from this momentous evening of Rock history is Classic Rock personified. In my personal Metal opinion, there can never be enough live material of The Jimi Hendrix Experience; these Rock historic recordings recovered and released to the public are sonic journeys into a gilded past of music, in which I absorb like a sponge. There exists that select group of artists and bands that will always meet the demand for their (often times rare) unreleased studio and live music; The Jimi Hendrix Experience is a profound member of this select group.

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As with many live albums that have spanned the history of Rock Music, Live At Berkeley can also be considered a greatest hits. With such iconic Rock/Hard Rock songs such as Hey Joe, Purple Haze, Stone Free, Foxy Lady and Jimi’s adaptation of The Star Spangled Banner, Live At Berkeley showcases the songs that made both Jimi Hendrix and Heavy Rock escalate into the mainstream of popular music, during times of enormous social change. These are the songs that defined an era of Hard Rock, laying the field stone path for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal to follow.

Live At Berkeley was recorded on May 30th, 1970, (the 2nd show) at the Berkeley Community Theatre. On that storied night, Jimi Hendrix, along with Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox (from Band Of Gypsys fame) on bass, most likely never knew of their eventual pop-culture and Rock historical impact they would have on multiple generations of musicians and fans. The Jimi Hendrix Experience left a Rock ‘N Roll impact that can never be duplicated ever again.

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Stones Note: The also legendary Noel Redding will always be included when I reference The Jimi Hendrix Experience; being the original bassist for this band, Noel was no longer a member when this Berkeley concert was recorded.

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The Jimi Hendrix Experience has left me awestruck with their pioneering contributions and immeasurable influence to Rock and Heavy Music. With all of its glorious genres that have spiraled from the bulging and glowing core of Heavy Music, I can thank The Jimi Hendrix Experience (and other select pioneering artists and bands) for all being the incubus that kick-started it all. The very least I can do now, is write about legends the likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and celebrate the release of their live music from the past. The Jimi Hendrix Experience… never to be forgotten and never to be replaced. Metal be thy name.

LIVE AT BERKLEY – Track Listing:

Introduction

Pass It On (Straight Ahead)

Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)

Lover Man

Stone Free

Hey Joe

I Don’t Live Today

Machine Gun

Foxey Lady

Star Spangled Banner

Purple Haze

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

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LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE.

Stone.

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World EXCLUSIVE Premiere – The Jimi Hendrix Experience “HEY JOE” Is Covered By THE NEW CZARS! LISTEN HERE FIRST!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Metal Odyssey is extremely proud and honored, to present to the Rock Music world, the World Premiere Exclusive listen of Hey Joe covered by The New Czars! Metal Odyssey is the only place you will hear this cover version right now! *(Just click on the arrow in the bar below, to hear this song, in it’s entirety for yourself!). This ultra classic song from the ever legendary and late Jimi Hendrix is timeless. Hey Joe was released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, on their debut album, Are You Experienced in 1967.

This cover of Hey Joe by The New Czars is solid in both it’s relevancy and classic heaviness carried over from it’s time. Greg Hampton adds his unique vocals and guitar skills to a song that some may consider sacred and does so with such rightful Rock reverence, which makes me say whoa, well done! Greg’s vocals have an instilled “Classic Rock sound and vibe” that only makes his singing Hey Joe that much more real to me. In my Metal opinion, Greg Hampton and The New Czars have nailed down the true Rock essence of Hey Joe. Jimi Hendrix is probably smiling from above, as he hears this cover version of Hey Joe.

Greg Hampton tells Metal Odyssey: “I have been a lifelong fan of Jimi Hendrix. With the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing approaching, I’ve been listening to a lot of his music. I wanted to do something to commemorate Jimi Hendrix on this important anniversary, through song. This cover of Hey Joe I’ve been working on for quite some time and I am very proud of it. I hope the fans will appreciate this cover of Hey Joe and like it as much as I do”.

* This cover version of Hey Joe by The New Czars will be available for purchase on itunes, on October 5, 2010.

* Hey Joe will also be featured on the forthcoming EP from The New Czars, titled: Mining The Ruins. This EP is slated for a November 30, 2010 release.

* Greg Hampton, (founding member of The New Czars), plays all instruments on this cover of Hey Joe, except for drums which are played by The New Czars alumni and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier.

* To listen to the World Exclusive Premiere of Hey Joe by The New Czars, click the arrow in the bar below!

Long live the music of Jimi Hendrix!

Long live The New Czars!

Stone.

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JIMI HENDRIX – HIS MUSIC FOREVER LIVES ON

Posted in guitar legends, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – Back on September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix passed away in London, England, at age 27. Forty years ago, the loss of Jimi Hendrix was just getting underway. Getting into the exact details of where Jimi Hendrix died and how he died is not my purpose here. I am solely reflecting on my introduction to his music as a young teen and how his music continues to entertain me to this very day. Check that… the music of Jimi Henrix continues to bring me joy to this very day.

Back when I was in high school in the early 1980’s, (1980-85), Jimi Hendrix was a huge favorite amongst the crowd of kids I hung with who listened to Heavy Metal. (Yes, I did “extra time” in high school… big deal). Even the kids who listened to straight up Rock and Hard Rock listened to Jimi Hendrix too. It seemed as if no one dared to say they didn’t dig Hendrix back then… he was too cool and bigger than life, regardless if he had passed away a decade earlier. There was this mystique, an almost reverent aura about the songs that Jimi Hendrix sang and played guitar on back in those days. I still get that sense of mystique, a brilliant vibe of reverence when I listen to Jimi Hendrix now… in 2010.

Why the reverence? The mystique? Well, in my Metal opinion, who else can be looked upon as the leading pioneer of electric Heavy Metal guitar? The riffs. Oh, those riffs. Seriously, who else back in 1967 was playing that style of “heavy guitar”? On a consistent level? Yes, you can go back through Rock ‘N’ Roll history with a magnifying glass and find those guitarists who “flirted” with some “heavy” riffs before and during the Jimi Hendrix era. I’m only being real about the impact that Jimi Hendrix had on Rock Music history. His guitar and vocals were so unique to the time that it’s a mesmerizing thought to behold.

It is difficult to pinpoint which was the first Jimi Hendrix song I ever heard, although I will venture to guess it was Foxy Lady. The three FM radio stations I listened to, while in high school, were WCCC and WHCN out of Hartford, the third being WPLR out of New Haven, Connecticut. Those three FM stations played Jimi Hendrix like it was going out of style the Beatles, The Who, RUSH and Led Zeppelin were also played so continuously, that I found no reason to buy all of their albums right away. It’s quite possible to admit, that I listened to Jimi Hendrix each day of my high school life due to those FM radio stations. Truthfully.

Of course, I borrowed and listened to Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland from my friends before I owned them. Swapping albums was the norm back then… not too many of us had the cash to run out and buy every album we wanted. Those are and always will be the “big 3” Jimi Hendrix albums for me. Sure, there have been many other studio albums released after his death, only these are the three albums that defined Jimi Hendrix and made me one of his countless fans.

To stop and reflect for a second, on just how many times I have listened to Jimi Hendrix over the years is mind numbing. Then, to realize that I have never grown tired of the music that Jimi Hendrix created is a double shot of mind numb. Yes, this is all my personal opinion and the way I truly feel. Jimi Hendrix was a pioneering guitar player who paved the way for Heavy Metal to be where it is today. I sometimes wonder what Jimi Hendrix would think of Metal Music in 2010? What would Jimi Hendrix have to say, during those “building block” years of Heavy Metal during the 1970’s and 1980’s? Man, it would be very cool to know.

There could never be another set of album releases such as the first 3 from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. To have three albums in a row, with such amazingly memorable songs is unparalleled. Purple Haze, Crosstown Traffic and All Along The Watchtower… really, what more can be said for the originality and pure heaviness of their time? Timeless is a powerful word… Jimi Hendrix epitomizes this word each and every time I listen to his music.

Rest In Peace, Jimi Hendrix.

Thank you for your timeless music.

Stone.

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JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” LIMITED EDITION CD SINGLE I’LL SHOW YA!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock music, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, album covers, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rare heavy metal cds, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – By now, hopefully all Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans know that a brand new, studio album of 12 previously unreleased songs by this legend of guitar legends are being released on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. The album is titled – Valleys Of Neptune. A limited edition, CD single has already been released in front of this forthcoming Jimi Hendrix album, it is aptly titled: Valleys Of Neptune as well. This limited edition CD single is just that… each CD single is individually numbered too!! A total pressing of only 15,000 were passed along to the whole planet! My CD single is numbered 13060/15,000. I bought mine at Walmart… sometimes there are those Metal finds at Walmart… sometimes.

As I see it, whenever a CD, vinyl album or DVD is individually numbered, it is adding credibility to it’s limited edition tag. With just 15,000 of these CD singles available upon it’s release, I would have to guess that there are not enough to go around? C’mon, there has to be throngs upon throngs of Jimi Hendrix fans out in the world that would want to own this CD single… I would hope.

As for the two songs heard on this CD single:

Valleys Of Neptune – this song grooves along, (really, it is a groovy song), Jimi Hendrix sounds great, (as he always did), on vocals. Jimi plays the guitar with his distinctive tone coming through with vintage brilliance. In all Metal honesty, I have listened to this song dozens of times since I bought this CD single, obviously I really like it! I only live once and I’m thankful these new Jimi Hendrix songs have landed in 2010. This song was recorded on September 23, 1969/May 15, 1970!

Peace In Mississippi – this is an instrumental… and it’s all about Jimi Hendrix and his guitar licks. The Godfather of riffs and Heavy Metal leads is heard by me ears as if it were a gift from Heavy Metal heaven. This heavy instrumental is 7:02 long and I wish it would carry on for an hour. This instrumental was recorded on October 24, 1968! I was 2 years and 10 months old when Jimi Hendrix recorded this!!

Jimi Hendrix is in the same class as any of Rock and Roll’s largest of legends, any new songs from him is equivalent to hearing a newly released Beatles or Elvis song. This is in essence, Rock History, re-educating me once again where the true roots of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal were sown.

* The recording dates for these two songs are courtesy of the liner notes.

* This CD single was released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings.

So there you have it, two newly released Jimi Hendrix songs on this limited edition CD single, just a heavy prelude to the full length album of 12 songs.

GOD BLESS JIMI HENDRIX.



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JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” RELEASES MARCH 9th, 2010!!

Posted in 1960's acid rock music, 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock guitarists, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock vocalists, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history, rock music vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – what else can I actually say that has never been said about this uniquely elite, guitar legend? One of the originators of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal guitar, the greatest or one of the greatest guitarists in Rock history… still, is that enough praise? Nope. I don’t think I could come up with the correct praise for Jimi Hendrix, really. All I can do is listen to the songs, the albums that Jimi Hendrix has his signature on and be glad I did. In my wildest of Metal dreams, a brand new Jimi Hendrix – 12 song, studio album is actually going to be released on March 9th, 2010 – Valleys Of Neptune. Less than a week away. Wow. Metal miracles do happen. From reading the advertising that is promoting this new Jimi Hendrix album, there is over 60 minutes of unheard music on Valleys Of Neptune!!

As with any true legend, they live on decades after their passing. Jimi Hendrix has always lived on through his guitar brilliance, song writing, vocals and pure Rock and Roll majesty… now Jim Hendrix lives on even louder come March 9th, 2010. It’s inevitable, another generation of Jimi Hendrix fans shall be recruited in 2010.

Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal as I know it in 2010, would not be the same, if Jimi Hendrix did not play guitar so many years ago.

God Bless Jimi Hendrix, his music has and always will live on for me.

JIMI HENDRIX – VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE

* Released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings

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HEAVY METAL 101: GREATEST HITS CD’S WORTH OWNING

Posted in 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, guitar legends, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, progressive metal music, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

In striving to make the world a better place, by spreading the blissful two words of Heavy Metal (and any and all Extreme Music), here is a cool list of Greatest Hits CD’s from some very worthy bands and musicians. This list may quite possibly trigger a mad dash to itunes or your nearest record/CD store upon your review. Greatest Hits or Best Of CD’s are sometimes the perfect fix if you do not have any of the respective band’s albums/CD’s already. If you are like me, (a collector and sometimes over excited fan), you may like some or many bands so much, you just need to own everything that is available by such bands, including Greatest Hits. If this list of incredible Greatest Hits CD’s recruits even one new fan to the Heavy/Extreme Music genres, then I have done a fine Metal deed. Please note, I own each Greatest Hits or so named CD on this list… I could never recommend an album/CD without listening to it’s entirety and/or having ownership of. Integrity in Heavy Metal Music recommendations is an ethical must.

The Best Of Ted Nugent – Great Gonzos! – Absolutely a Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal fusion with The Motor City Madman. Cat Scratch Fever, Stranglehold, Wango Tango, Free For All and Dog Eat Dog are late 1970’s into early 1980’s FM radio Classics. Old School and not a lick here that isn’t memorable for Metal life. Plus, the reissue has 3 bonus tracks too.

IRON MAIDEN – Somewhere Back In Time/The Best Of 1980 – 1989 – An undeniably great assortment of Iron Maiden classics, spanning the unreal Metal ’80’s. 2 Minutes To Midnight and The Trooper are enough to get me psyched out of my Metal mind for at least an hour. In my Metal opinion, Iron Maiden could have/should have released a 2 – disc greatest hits, they have that many incredible songs in their Metal catalog. Yes they do.

Jimi Hendrix – Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix – A Hard Rock evolving into Heavy Metal history lesson is heard here on this album. This album of Jimi Hendrix songs are beyond great… their damn sacred. Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, Hey Joe, Foxy Lady, All Along The Watchtower and the Rock historical – Star Spangled Banner… c’mon, these songs are the Metal building blocks of every Heavy Metal and/or Hard Rock genre out there today. 20 songs total on this masterful collection, not a must have… a no brainer must own.

DIO – The Very Beast Of DIO – Ronnie James Dio is a living Metal legend. His vocals for me, are the epitome of what Heavy Metal singing is all about. Dio’s solo career takes center stage on this amazing collection of greatest hits. Holy Diver, Rainbow In The Dark, Rock and Roll Children, Mystery and The Last In Line are DIO songs that pack the same potent Metal punch to my ears and senses… as they did back in the 1980’s. 16 songs total on this DIO disc. Metal masterpieces only sound better with age.

Black Sabbath – The Dio Years – I find this collection of Black Sabbath songs to be uncannily irresistible. These are the Black Sabbath songs from the Ronnie James Dio era, with the Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules, Live Evil and Dehumanizer albums all represented. This same Black Sabbath lineup may be called Heaven and Hell in 2009, yet does it really matter? Their still Black Sabbath to me.

Twisted Sister – Big Hits and Nasty Cuts – Dee Snider made Heavy Metal all the more visible on MTV with the Twisted Sister video We’re Not Gonna Take It, back in 1984. This Twisted Sister greatest hits album is loaded with 6 live bonus tracks as well. This is another band that could easily fill up more than one disc of great songs from their Heavy Metal catalog. Under The Blade and The Kids Are Back are my two favorites on this one.

KISS – Double Platinum – I have proudly owned this album since it’s release back in 1978. I was in seventh grade back then and this was my very first KISS album. My Double Platinum album is still in beautiful condition too. A 2 record set, opening up as a gatefold, this album also included a platinum record certificate to the fan who purchased it. (I wish I kept this piece of KISS memorabilia, it was just made of paper and it hung on my bedroom wall for several years, when I was a kid of course). The important thing is I still have Double Platinum on vinyl… plus I upgraded Double Platinum by buying the CD many years ago too. (It is not a double CD, all the songs are on just one… I don’t know if this ever changed over to a double CD over the years). Just about every important and cool KISS song from the 1970’s is on Double Platinum, with Hard Luck Woman and Calling Dr. Love being my two vintage KISS favorites.

Queensryche – Sign of the Times, The Best Of Queensryche – Buying this CD suited me well since many of my Queensryche “albums” were purchased on cassette years ago. Queensryche has always been a favorite of mine, a high powered – progressive Metal Band that crossed over into Rock and Hard Rock too. Musical diversity is no stranger to Queensryche. My two favorites are Queen of the Reich and Jet City Woman. Yes, those two songs are tops on my list.

Alice Cooper – Alice Coopers Greatest Hits – This album was released back in 1974, it is the Greatest Hits of Alice Cooper (The Band). Man, this is Old School Heavy Metal. Sure, some may argue it is comprised of Old School Hard Rock as well… that is fine by me. The Metal bottom line is this: Alice Cooper (The Band), was just as much as important to the creation of Heavy Metal as any other band of their time or before them. That is my Metal opinion and I have to tell it to the world. Oh, yeah, my favorite songs from this Greatest Hits are – No More Mr. Nice Guy, Under My Wheels and well, just every song on this Greatest Hits is great.

Motorhead – The Best Of Motorhead – This is one great and comprehensive double disc, greatest hits of Motorhead. I bought this Motorhead disc due to my needing any and all of their releases, regardless if I already have the songs. This Best Of was released in 2000, with two live bonus tracks included. There are 40 songs total on this double disc Motorhead bounty! Also found on The Best Of Motorhead are: Hawkwind playing Motorhead, Girlschool covers Bomber and Headgirl covering Please Don’t Touch. The history of Motorhead is covered up to the year 2000, from Ace of Spades to the Motorhead cover version of God Save The Queen. Plus, my favorite Motorhead song of all time is on here too – Killed By Death, from the No Remorse (Greatest Hits album). Long live Lemmy and Motorhead.

I could go on and on with this list of Heavy Metal Greatest Hits CD’s worth owning. Showing and quipping about some of the Greatest Hits CD’s I own, can maybe help out someone who is on the fence about one of these bands or musicians. These CD’s above are all consistently listened to by me, they are perfect for when I’m in the mood to hear the choice songs from these bands/musicians. As Dee Snider has sung, with Heavy Metal pride: You can’t stop Rock and Roll!

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