Song #39 On My MP3 Player - Box of Rain by the Grateful Dead

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'Box of Rain' by the Grateful Dead is song #39 on my MP3 player. This is the opening track to their 1970 album titled American Beauty. Bassist Phil Lesh is the composer and singer for this track, which was composed by Robert Hunter. Hunter has stated that the song was a tribute to Lesh's dying father.

The Grateful Dead were a popular band when I attended high school from 1988 to 1992, but I didn't get into their music until I was in college. My sister had a Grateful Dead phase, and I borrowed her copy of American Beauty. 'Box of Rain' hit me immediately and it is my favorite Grateful Dead song. American Beauty is a fantastic album, which is more country and blues rock than hippie jams. Take a listen and enjoy.



TonyDoug Wright is The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Check out Champion City Comics, which is his super cool comic book site.

60's Live: Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin

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It's time to get the Led out, boys and girls. Led Zeppelin's live version of 'Dazed and Confused' is today's selection for 60's live. This song was part of their 1969 in-studio concert for Danish TV.

Zeppelin's released two amazing albums in 1969, Led Zeppelin and Led Zeppelin II. 'Dazed and Confused' is featured on the first album and the band really knocks it out of the park with their 1969 Danish TV performance. John Paul Jones is cool as ever on the bass, Jimmy Page pulls off using the violin bow, and John Bonham is a beast on the drums.

I recall that there is a rather interesting story with this appearance on Danish TV. The history hounds of the internet will need to find the supporting documentation. However, I do recall watching an interview with Robert Plant back in the late 80's or early 90's and he said that backstage there was a woman who screamed loudly when shown the cover for the first Led Zeppelin album. Apparently, she had a relative die in the infamous 1937 Hindenburg accident. Help me out here, kids. Am I the only one who remembers this interview?

I don't know what else to say, so watch Zeppelin rock for the next nine minutes.



TonyDoug Wright is The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll and is also the head writer and owner of Champion City Comics. Follow him @TonyDougWright on Twitter.