STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

The Story Behind the Song By Kathy Unruh

Stairway to Heaven was the song that everyone wanted to learn when I first started playing the guitar. It was the one song that could define you as a good guitarist among your peers.

Stairway to Heaven was written by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. They began recording in 1970 and the project was slowly brought to completion one year later in 1971 (after the lyrics were added.) Here are some interesting facts about Stairway to Heaven...

• It was performed by Led Zeppelin for the very first time in conjunction with the first concert they gave in Northern Ireland at Belfast's Ulster Hall.
• It is cited as the most played song on FM radio stations in the United States, despite never being released as a single there.
• Stairway to Heaven is one of the most well-known popular songs in rock and roll history, despite the fact that it was never released as a single.
• It is the biggest-selling single piece of sheet music clocking up an average of 15,000 copies yearly.
• It is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time.
• The opening chord progression in Stairway to Heaven is nearly identical to the 1968 instrumental "Taurus" by the group Spirit.

Some critics have accused Led Zeppelin of recording a hidden Satanic message in Stairway To Heaven that can be heard when it's played backward. The band has ignored such claims for the most part. Singer/composer Robert Plant replied to a question on this subject by saying:

"To me it's very sad, because 'Stairway To Heaven' was written with every best intention, and as far as reversing tapes and putting messages on the end, that's not my idea of making music."

Swan Song Records also issued the following statement at the time which said:

"Our turntables only play in one direction—forwards."

I personally don't believe there is anything sinister at all about the song Stairway to Heaven. The words are really quite thought provoking. It begins with words about living a life that is only satisfied with material things...

"There's a lady is sure,
all that glitters is gold,
and she's buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows,
if the stores are all closed,
with a word she can get what she came for."

As the song progresses it becomes more reflective and even somewhat spiritual...

"Your head is hummin' and it won't go, in case you don't know,
the piper's calling you to join him.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run,
there's still time to change the road you're on."

I guess everyone must decide for themselves how they feel about this song. As a guitar teacher, I definitley think it's worth learning because it is a true rock and roll classic.

If you're just beginning to learn guitar, you might find Stairway to Heaven a bit of a challenge to play, but it's not impossible. Those of you who have been playing for awhile shouldn't have any problem. Of course, if your in a band, then this song is a must to know as it is a great crowd pleaser. You will definitely gain recognition and a good response if you can play it well.

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Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 25 years.

For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com

Paul Simon Surprise Rock Music CD Review

Surprise is the latest release from Rock Sensation Paul Simon, and I can only think of one word to describe this CD… AWESOME!

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Surprise. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Paul Simon has been a heavy hitter in the Rock genre for quite a while now and Surprise is an excellent illustration as to why. One of the nicer things about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if Rock isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

Rock music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Simon on several of the tracks. Artists like Bill Frisell and Herbie Hancock just to name a couple.

If you’re a Paul Simon fan, or just a fan of Rock music this is a CD your collection simply should not be without as Surprise is a very solid release. Quite possibly Paul Simon's best to date. Really spectacular from beginning to end. If you're even mildly into Rock music you'll enjoy this CD.

While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1 - How Can You Live In The Northeast, track 2 - Everything About It Is A Love Song, and track 9 - Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 4 - Sure Don't Feel Like Love. Wow!

Surprise Release Notes:

Paul Simon originally released Surprise on May 9, 2006 on the Warner Bros. Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. How Can You Live In The Northeast 2. Everything About It Is A Love Song 3. Outrageous 4. Sure Don't Feel Like Love 5. Wartime Prayers 6. Beautiful 7. I Don't Believe 8. Another Galaxy 9. Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean 10. That's Me 11. Father And Daughter

Personnel: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar); Adrian Simon, Jesse Dixon Singers (vocals); Vincent Nguini (acoustic guitar); Bill Frisell (electric guitar); Herbie Hancock (piano); Gil Goldstein (harmonium, keyboards); Alex Al (bass instrument); Abraham Laboriel, Pino Palladino (bass guitar); Leo Abrahams (fretless bass); Robin DiMaggio, Steve Gadd (drums); Jamey Haddad (percussion); Brian Eno (electronics).

About The Author

Clyde Lee Dennis a life long music enthusiast, writes CD reviews and is also the Automotive Editor at http://Atlanta.eNewsBriefs.com covering topics like Atlanta Used Car Dealers and more. Visit Atlanta eNewsBriefs for the latest Atlanta News

Neil Young Living With War Rock Music CD Review

The exceptionally talented Rock artist Neil Young has released him CD entitled Living With War. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Neil Young fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Living With War Neil Young’s artistic excellence is on full display as Young has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be him best work to date.

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Living With War. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

It seems a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

Neil Young possesses the characteristic of being able to win you over with him talent alone. The kind of artist I frankly just flat out enjoy listening to.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Neil Young’s most impressive releases ever.

Overall Living With War is excellent from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Rock fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.

While this entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 1 - After The Garden, track 6 - Flags Of Freedom, and track 10 - America The Beautiful.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 9 - Roger And Out. This is a great track!

Living With War Release Notes:

Neil Young originally released Living With War on May 8, 2006 on the Reprise label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. After The Garden 2. Living With War 3. Restless Consumer 4. Shock And Awe 5. Families 6. Flags Of Freedom 7. Let's Impeach The President 8. Lookin' For A Leader 9. Roger And Out 10. America The Beautiful

Personnel: Neil Young (vocals); Tommy Bray (trumpet); Rick Rosas (bass instrument); Chad Cromwell (drums).

About The Author

Clyde Lee Dennis a life long music enthusiast, writes CD reviews and is also the Food and Dining Editor at http://Seattle.eNewsBriefs.com covering topics like Seattle Restaurants and more. Visit Seattle eNewsBriefs for the latest Seattle News

Pearl Jam Rock Music CD Review

Pearl Jam is the latest Rock CD put out by the extremely group Pearl Jam and they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Pearl Jam fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

This CD literally grabs your attention right from the very first note with Life Wasted and doesn't let go until the very last note of the very last song Inside Job, which is another great track by the way.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Pearl Jam most impressive releases ever.

Overall Pearl Jam is an outstanding release. Quite possibly Pearl Jam's best to date. Really sensational from beginning to end. If you're even mildly into Rock music you'll enjoy this album.

I’m of the opinion that Pearl Jam is certainly some of this groups best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual Rock fan can appreciate and enjoy.

Listen to and I think you’ll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Pearl Jam is clearly a group that is in top form.

While the entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - World Wide Suicide, track 5 - Marker In The Sand, and track 10 - Wasted Reprise.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 12 - Army Reserve. It’s a great track!

Pearl Jam Release Notes:

Pearl Jam originally released Pearl Jam on May 2, 2006 on the J-Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Life Wasted 2. World Wide Suicide 3. Comatose 4. Severed Hand 5. Marker In The Sand 6. Parachutes 7. Unemployable 8. Big Wave 9. Gone 10. Wasted Reprise 11. Army Reserve 12. Come Back 13. Inside Job

Pearl Jam: Eddie Vedder (vocals, guitar); Mike McCready, Stone Gossard (guitar); Jeff Ament (bass guitar); Matt Cameron (drums, percussion). Additional personnel include: Boom Gaspar (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, pump organ); Gary Westlake.

About The Author

Clyde Lee Dennis a life long music enthusiast, writes CD reviews and is also the Real Estate Editor at http://Sacramento.eNewsBriefs.com covering topics like Real Estate in Sacramento California and more. Visit Sacramento eNewsBriefs for the latest Sacramento News

Angelina Jolie Receives Sunflowers From A Rock Star

What do rock stars buy for their mega-movie star friends after the birth of a child? Well, rocker Gwen Stefani recently answered that question when she and her husband, Gavin Rossdale, brought an enormous bouquet of sunflowers to actress Angelina Jolie after the birth of her daughter with her boyfriend, actor Brad Pitt.

Sunflowers are aptly named since their enormous golden blooms closely resemble the sun. They also, quite literally, follow the sun; their blossoms turn to follow the sun as the day goes on.

Sunflowers come in several varieties, such as:

* Autumn Mix: These are the giant plants that grow over six feet tall. They come in yellow and rust colors with blooms five or six inches wide.

* Teddy Bear: This variety is a smaller type that has a full, fuzzy bloom. It grows to around 18 inches tall.

* Italian White: These sunflowers aren't the typical sunny, golden color; they're a creamy whitish color. The plants grow to a height of approximately four feet and produce small blooms.

* Large Varieties: These varieties include the huge 20-inch blooms of the Russian Giants and the ten to fifteen foot tall plants of the Kong Sunflower.

Sunflowers are an ancient flower, used by Native Americans as a medicinal flower and food source since as early as 2300 B.C. They provided early Americans with medicines to treat warts, snakebites, and sunstroke. They also provided oils used on the hair and were ground up to create face paints. Foods made from sunflowers included seeds roasted and ground to meal for baking, seed balls much like today's peanut butter, and roasted hulls steeped in water to produce a hot beverage.

Today sunflowers are a very popular garden flower loved for their big, beautiful blooms as well as the ease with which they're grown. They should be planted in full sun after the threat of frost has subsided for your area. If you're starting them from seeds, plant the seeds about one inch deep and six inches apart. If you're planting seedlings, plant them about eighteen inches apart (twelve inches for the smaller varieties). Give them a good dose of water after they're planted and keep seeds damp until the plants pop through the ground. You may need to stake the plants as they grow to provide support and keep them from bending or breaking in the wind.

Even if you choose not to grow your own sunflowers, you can still enjoy them or given them to friends to enjoy just by visiting your local florist who is sure to have these gorgeous flowers on hand. So, go ahead, send some flowers to the movie star in your life-or just to your best friend or mom-she'll appreciate them as much as Angelina Jolie did hers.

About The Author

Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers (http://www.wesleyberryflowers.com), a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. His shops provide flower delivery worldwide through http://www.flowers-worldwide.net and Flower Delivery Express (http://www.flowerdeliveryexpress.com). Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at http://www.800wesleys.com

The Profiles of Some Famous Guitarists

Most of us are quite enchanted by the magic of guitar. The mesmerizing tune and sweet tingling of the guitar strings have enamored many a man who has later moved on to become musical legends in their individual niche. There is a roster of famous and successful guitarists who have mastered this enigmatic art of music.

Amongst the many legendary stalwarts, Jimi Hendrix undoubtedly tops the list of profiles of famous guitarists. A genius in its truest sense, the legendary Hendrix was born in 1942. An American by birth, the maestro was a singer and lyricist, and is considered around the globe as one of the most influential and enigmatic personas in the ambit of rock music. One of the milestones in his career was his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival which raised him to instant fame in the United States and was followed by many accolades.

Besides earning a huge name and fame for himself through his forte as a great singer and musician, the legendary maestro also improvised the art of rock music in his own signature way, and he incorporated a number of innovations and techniques into the older forms of rock and jazz music. Quite recently, Hendrix was inducted into the USA's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

The very meaning of rock music becomes insignificant without the mention of B. B. King, the master craftsman in the art of music. An ingenious guitarist and singer-cum-song writer in the American Blues, B.B. King was considered the Third Greatest Guitarist of All Time in the 2003 listing of Rolling Stone magazine.

The legendary musician started his journey in the world of music in 1946, and worked in the local R&B radio channel as a vocalist. However, soon after this he began recording under big names and became a prominent figure among the best musicians in the R&B music scene. Some of his greatest all time hits during this period include, "Whole Lotta Love," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "You Know I Love You," and "Please Accept My Love." Amidst his many achievements as a successful singer and composer, is included his most recent felicitation at the Three Deuces Building in Greenwood, Mississippi, for his maiden in radio broadcasting. Also, a grand memorial in the name of B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center is all set to be inaugurated on September 13, 2008, in Indianola, Mississippi.

Robert Johnson is another of the famous names in the world of guitar and its magic. Born on May 8, 1911, as Robert Leroy Johnson, the veteran guitarist was one of the brightest stars in the entire Delta Blues group. The period between 1936 and 1937 saw him in great guns when he claimed and proved his forte as a brilliant guitarist and lyricist, as well as an awesome singer. Often regarded as the "Grandfather of Rock-and-Roll," Robert Johnson is believed to have been a great influence in the world of rock music, inspiring many legends of the same genre, including Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Black Keys, and many others. Eric Clapton, another legend of the same kind, has called Johnson "the most important blues musician who ever lived."

by: Patrick Carpen

About The Author

Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/

Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website that provides professionally researched, and up to the minute content on selected subjects.

Rock Pop Music

Rock pop music is a style of popular music with an outstanding vocal melody accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many forms of rock music also use keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, mellotron, and synthesizers. Other instruments sometimes employed in rock include harmonica, violin, flute, banjo, melodica, and timpani. Besides, rare stringed instruments such as mandolin and sitar are used. Rock pop music normally has a strong back beat, and often revolves around the guitar, either solid electric, hollow electric, or acoustic.

Rock pop music has its origin in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, which developed from blues, country music and other influences. The All Music Guide opines that rock and roll in its purest form has three chords, a strong, insistent back beat, and a catchy melody. Initially,rock & roll took from a variety of sources, mainly blues, R&B, and country, but also gospel, traditional pop, jazz, and folk. All of these impact combined in a simple, blues-based song structure that was not only fast and catchy but also foot tapping.

In the late 1960s, rock pop music was combined with folk music ,blues and jazz to create folk rock, blues-rock and jazz-rock fusion respectively.It created psychedelic rock music irrespective of the time. In the 1970s, rock incorporated influences from soul, funk, and latin music. During the 1970s, a number of subgenres of rock, such as soft rock, heavy metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and punk rock was created. Synth-rock, hardcore punk and alternative rock were the sub genres of rock pop music that was developed in the 1980s whereas, rock subgenres in the 1990s included grunge, Britpop, indie rock, and nu metal.

A rock band or rock group is a group of musicians specializing in rock pop music . Most of the rock groups consist of a guitarist, lead singer, bass guitarist, and drummer, forming a quartet. Few groups may skip one or more of these roles and make use of a lead singer who can play an instrument while singing, forming a trio or duo; others include additional musicians such as one or two rhythm guitarists and/or a keyboardist. Seldom, groups also employ stringed instruments such as violins or cellos, or horns like trumpets or trombones.

by Mary Rose

About The Author

Mary Rose has authored several books including books related to music and harmony.For more information logon http://www.casanads.com/bm/me.htm

The Profiles of Some Famous Guitarists

Most of us are quite enchanted by the magic of guitar. The mesmerizing tune and sweet tingling of the guitar strings have enamored many a man who has later moved on to become musical legends in their individual niche. There is a roster of famous and successful guitarists who have mastered this enigmatic art of music.

Amongst the many legendary stalwarts, Jimi Hendrix undoubtedly tops the list of profiles of famous guitarists. A genius in its truest sense, the legendary Hendrix was born in 1942. An American by birth, the maestro was a singer and lyricist, and is considered around the globe as one of the most influential and enigmatic personas in the ambit of rock music. One of the milestones in his career was his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival which raised him to instant fame in the United States and was followed by many accolades.

Besides earning a huge name and fame for himself through his forte as a great singer and musician, the legendary maestro also improvised the art of rock music in his own signature way, and he incorporated a number of innovations and techniques into the older forms of rock and jazz music. Quite recently, Hendrix was inducted into the USA's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

The very meaning of rock music becomes insignificant without the mention of B. B. King, the master craftsman in the art of music. An ingenious guitarist and singer-cum-song writer in the American Blues, B.B. King was considered the Third Greatest Guitarist of All Time in the 2003 listing of Rolling Stone magazine.

The legendary musician started his journey in the world of music in 1946, and worked in the local R&B radio channel as a vocalist. However, soon after this he began recording under big names and became a prominent figure among the best musicians in the R&B music scene. Some of his greatest all time hits during this period include, "Whole Lotta Love," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "You Know I Love You," and "Please Accept My Love." Amidst his many achievements as a successful singer and composer, is included his most recent felicitation at the Three Deuces Building in Greenwood, Mississippi, for his maiden in radio broadcasting. Also, a grand memorial in the name of B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center is all set to be inaugurated on September 13, 2008, in Indianola, Mississippi.

Robert Johnson is another of the famous names in the world of guitar and its magic. Born on May 8, 1911, as Robert Leroy Johnson, the veteran guitarist was one of the brightest stars in the entire Delta Blues group. The period between 1936 and 1937 saw him in great guns when he claimed and proved his forte as a brilliant guitarist and lyricist, as well as an awesome singer. Often regarded as the "Grandfather of Rock-and-Roll," Robert Johnson is believed to have been a great influence in the world of rock music, inspiring many legends of the same genre, including Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Black Keys, and many others. Eric Clapton, another legend of the same kind, has called Johnson "the most important blues musician who ever lived."

by: Patrick Carpen

About The Author

Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/

Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website that provides professionally researched, and up to the minute content on selected subjects.