I find myself drawn to vlogs about music that I watch on the television before calling it a night and sleeping peacefully. I find Adam Reader (Professor of Rock) pretty interesting. The stories behind the songs always peak my curiosity. I am not a fan of countdowns or lists of “Greatest” anything, but that works for Reader’s content. I’m not being critical of him in any way. His story telling and analysis are excellent without becoming repetitive. I think he sleeps with a thesaurus… I’m joking. I just don’t sort my music into countdowns or lists usually. I find music that peaks my interest and I listen to it. I love having actual copies of the material (record or cd) so I can read the liner notes and see who plays on the record. I find it interesting that Jerry Hey plays trumpet or arranges a ton horn parts for various popular artists. He grew up a scant 11 miles from where I grew up. I ate his family’s ice cream (Hey Bros.) Two degrees of separation between me and Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson… Oh how I wish I could be that cool and know the great artists that Jerry knows.

Today I am going to follow Reader’s example and list some artists in an alphabetical sense and just share how this rock music got into my library. Yes, I have some questionable purchases here. I usually collect stuff from auctions or used brick and mortar stores that sell media. Here we go.

A-AC/DC (Back in Black) This recording has been in my library for decades. I think it is their best work, and they do simple rock tunes well. I purchased this one on sale shortly after graduating from college.

B-Boston (Third Stage) This was my first Boston recording. I have the previous two. When I heard Amanda my teenage self ran to Sam Goody and purchased the LP. I really love the craftsmanship in the orchestrations. Boston is a sound worth experiencing.

C-Counting Crows (August & Everything After) I picked this recording up in an auction. The box it came in was about 12x24x16 inches and it held about 150 compact discs. I spent $10 on the whole box. I kept about 30-35 of the discs mostly adult contemporary pop recordings. This was one of the better discs.

D-Dream Theater (Octavarium) Just after my children were born we got a Wii gaming system and the rock band game with a drum/guitar set up. I started paying attention to popular trends in music again thanks to this game. Panic Attack was my introduction to DT. I loved their virtuosity and textural conceptions. I now own several recordings by them. They always interest me now that I am paying attention to them.

E-Evanescence (Fallen) Late in the 2000’s I was introduced to Amy Lee through an algorithm on You Tube. My oldest son was dinking around on my laptop listening to music. My Immortal started playing and my son stopped scrolling and sat transfixed. I was too…. We share a love of their music. I have purchased most of their catalog at Walmart of all places.

F-Fleetwood Mac (The Dance) I was in grade school when FM was at the height of their popularity. I listened to them when they came on classic rock/album oriented radio. When they reunited and recorded The Dance I just had to get their greatest musical achievement.

G-Godsmack (Good Times, Bad Times: Ten Years of Godsmack) I found this best of compact disc at a Goodwill for $1.99. My oldest son and I bonded over their music on Sirius-XM Radio “Turbo” channel. We enjoy Sully Ema’s musicianship so when we found this recording it had to come with us.

H-Heart (Steamboat Annie) I have always enjoyed Ann Wilson’s singing, but I never felt the desire to spend big money on their recordings. I found this recording at a Goodwill about a year ago and it jumped into my hand. Finally the album that started their rise to fame.

I-Chris Isaak (Heart Shaped World) I remember when Isaak was popular in the 80’s, but I didn’t really get into his introspective material. That changed in the last few years along with Elvis Costello. I’ve really started to pay more attention to the poetry of lyrics rather than the orchestration. This shift of focus improved my appreciation of singer/songwriters.

J-Billy Joel (Greatest Hits Vol. III) I have numerous Joel recordings in the library. I chose this one as it contains some of the lesser known hits Baby Grand, Leningrad, And so it Goes, and Downeaster Alexa. The darker and somber tunes from the Joel catalog always pull at my emotions. There are vocal arrangements of And so it Goes for a cappella choirs that just demonstrate the mastery of Joel’s writing.

K-Kansas (Leftoverture) I have seen Kansas in concert and I also dined next to them at a restaurant in Wisconsin. I didn’t purchase their music until recently at the oldest bookstore in Iowa. The television show Supernatural had a lot to do with recognizing that omission.

L-Led Zeppelin (The Complete Studio Recordings) Zeppelin is one of the greatest bands in history. I had a few of the recordings, but when I spied the box set for cheap I just had to have it. Physical Graffiti is my favorite record in the bunch, but I never turn down any Zeppelin tune when it comes on the radio or my laptop.

M-Metallica (S & M) Metallicas rise to prominence began during my high school years. I had listened to some of their music during that time, but I was more interested in progressive rock in my youth. When Michael Kamen created the orchestrations for this album and it was released to the world my interest went from fleeting to full on obsessed. I have corrected this omission with several purchases of the classic material.

N-Nine Inch Nails (Pretty Hate Machine) Trent Reznor the genius behind NiN came to my attention with the song Closer from The Downward Spiral. I went from a passive fan over the years to devoted. I like Reznor’s conceptual process of sound synthesis. I have added a lot of his work to my library, and it never fails to deliver.

O-Billy Ocean (Love Zone) Ocean is definitely not a rock artist, but he is the only popular artist beginning with an “O” in the library. This record was in the same box as the Counting Crows record. I had forgotten how smooth and supple Ocean’s vocals were. His music is definitely a post card to the 1980’s.

P-Primus (Sailing the Seas of Cheese) When this album came out in the early 90’s I was hooked on Les Claypool’s bass playing. I liked the strangeness of the songwriting leading to some spectacular jams. I have followed Claypool’s career with interest since this album. I think I bought this one at Coop Records in Moline, IL.

Q-Queen (Classic Queen) I bought the two best of discs used. I would rather have a box set of all the studio albums with the Live-Aid performance included, but this at least gave me the hits. If the surviving members can get an authorized boxed set, I would stand in line to buy it at full price!

R-Rush (Moving Pictures) I was introduced to Rush in high school band. We performed an arrangement of YYZ in marching band. This album was my first. I’m on my 3rd compact disc and second LP. I have worn out the previous copies. I saw them twice in concert. I would love to see them on the 50-something tour, but it is far too expensive to buy a ticket.

S-Styx (The Grand Illusion) The band Styx was everywhere when I was growing up in NW Illinois. WLS-890 played them regularly as they were a Chicago staple. The Grand Illusion is a perfect album from them. I own almost everything they have produced, but I must say the Shaw line up from 76-80 was their most creative and productive.

T-Tool (Lateralus) I enjoy Tool for the same reason as I enjoy Dream Theater. The complexity of their music draws me in. Progressive Metal or Rock still interests me all of these years later. I got this record in the same auction, but I had Undertow and 10,000 Days in my library already. This was my greatest find in that auction collection.

U-U2 (The Joshua Tree) I am not the biggest of U2 fans. I find Bono’s swagger pompous and arrogant. Yet, everything I read about him says otherwise. Is he acting? Not sure. The Edge is a special effects wizard on guitar, but that is where it stays. This album is their rawest and most authentic in my opinion, and I am glad I have it in my library.

V-Van Halen (5150) I have enjoyed Van Halen since my teens. 1984 and 5150 are the top two from their catalog. I think each album captures the best songwriting and performances of each lead singer. Eddie’s guitar playing is the hallmark of wizardry in the early albums, but the arrangements and songwriting are better in the later albums. III just sounds like the band Extreme and Van Halen had a baby together.

W- The Who (Greatest Hits) This is the only recording I need from the band. The original cast recording of the broadway production of Tommy also graces the library but the band just doesn’t impact me the same way as Led Zeppelin or other progressive rock bands in the same era.

X- Nothing, Nada, Zip

Y-Yes (90125) This album was my introduction to Yes. I was in high school when this album was released, and I went to the library to check out their previous albums. Albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge expanded my love of progressive rock. I still enjoy this popular recording. The production is what interests me here. In terms of musical skill the earlier albums is where Yes is truly at.

Z-Frank Zappa (Joe’s Garage) My first Zappa recording was a rock opera of sorts. I have since added dozens of recordings to the library by Zappa. His experiments within music continue to surprise me even decades after his death. I wonder where he would be musically if he survived his cancer. I imagine he would be living in Europe at the very least.

There you have it. My A-Z of mostly rock music that sits in my music library at home. Yes, I have a library. It would take me more than six months to listen to all of my music 24/7. I may have to do a classical, jazz, pop, and broadway list for kicks. I hope you enjoy this little tour through my record library.

Take care of your loved ones… …so it goes…