The hard rock kick ass Steel City bands of Pittsburgh (Tesseract and 18 Names) and the rich bluegrass sounds of East Tennessee. I'm not a musician myself, and I didn't grow up in those places so I don't really understand their music fully, but my experience in Tampa helped me recognize the tip of the iceberg as it poked through and drifted past. I didn't know what was there, but I could at least guess what I was missing. Sometimes we guess just a hint: what about the Liverpool scene helped make the Beatles?

One more diamond of the San Francisco scene passed away today, Paul Kantner, one of the founders of Jefferson Airplane. What a loss.

I watched Guess Who play in Toronto over 40 years ago. Outdoors at Ontario Place. A huge Canadian flag was unfurled on stage, but the Maple leaf was substituted by a cannabis leaf--with a smiling beaver superimposed on it.

Thanks for the kind words, McFly. And here's one for you.

Jocko says "Yes" and I believe him
When we talk about the things I say
She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
When they're standing in each other's way
You're tripping back now to places you've been to
You wonder what you're gonna find
You know you've been wrong but it won't be long
Before you leave 'em all far behind

'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new mother nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's gettin' us all

Jocko said "No" when I came back last time
It's looking like I lost a friend
No use callin' 'cause the sky is fallin'
And I'm getting pretty near the end
A smoke-filled room in a corner basement
The situation must be right
A bag of goodies and a bottle of wine
We're gonna get it on right tonight

"A bag of goodies and a bottle of wine,
We're gonna get it on right tonight!