Guilty Pleasures: Ted Nugent

What in the world is a vegetarian, anti-hunting person like me doing listening to the Nuge? Well, I like his raw, in-your-face approach to life. While I don't hunt, I do share his enthusiasm for guns (target shooting only!), bows (ditto), and wild guitar work (can't do it but enjoy listening to it). He really makes his Gibson Byrdland scream with the help of a bank of Fender Twins that will peel the paint off the walls. Ted should have been born 150 years ago. He is unique.

Guilty Pleasures: The Sweet

I saw Sweet in 1973 and 1975. They put on quite entertaining shows. Sometimes the "glam" image they had and the outrageous lifestyles made people forget that they were actually good musicians. "Action", "Sweet FA", and "Love Is Like Oxygen" are a few of their memorable hits. Time has not been kind to the members of Sweet. The singer Brian died young, aided at least in part by alcohol use. Mick the drummer died of leukemia. The only two living original members do not play together any more. The guitarist Andy Scott occasionally fronts his Andy Scott's Sweet group. The bass player, Steve Priest, now lives in California. Unfortunately like so many other groups of that era the egos, drug use, and other excesses caused a great group to disintegrate.

Guilty Pleasures - KISS

OK, I admit it. I've been a fan of the original lineup of KISS since the 1970's. Their music isn't intricate and it will never be mistaken for classical music. In spite of that, the great drumming of Peter combined with the smooth solos of Ace, raspy singing of Paul, and solid bass of Gene gives their energetic performances a special spark that most groups today simply don't have. When I'm depressed and need a lift I reach for their DVD set 1. It's time to... call out the firehouse!!