Which Swan? Guitar vs. Cello (by C. Saint-Saens) - The Lone Piper The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-07-08 | I recently recorded two version of the Swan, one on guitar and a more traditional version on cello. I decided to overlap the recordings to compare them. Which Swan do you perfer?The Swan (Le Cynge) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo. You can hear the full guitar version here ... youtu.be/Wd7xgBjS00EAnd the more classic cello version here ... youtu.be/gUzGNAGkixQFor the Backing Track, click here ... youtu.be/hZ5Sd-Ho45g
Diggin a Hole (Big Sugar) - The Lone Piper cover The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-12-10 | Gated snare, distorted bass, overdriven guitar and vocals that I'm pretty sure were recorded throught the harmonica mic ... take that and add two chords and you get what blue-rock was meant to sound like.Wanna Jam?I've remixed the tracks to knock out the key instruments, so ...To play guitar, click here ... youtu.be/mZ1J7utxMVoTo play drums, click here ... youtu.be/H8dK7DTd_8oTo play bass, click here ... youtu.be/50ZpFXEL2fcAnd to sing Karaoke style, click here ... youtu.be/uRP_Tc4v1KU
Diggin a Hole (Big Sugar) with Lyrics - Backing Track The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-12-09 | Let's Jam!I recently recorded Big Sugar's classic hit "Diggin' a Hole", so I remixed it to knock out the guitar and vocals... now you can play-along and do your best Gordie Johnson imitation!Hear the full track here ... youtu.be/YVp0gIKeDssWanna Jam?I've remixed the tracks to knock out the key instruments, so ...To play guitar, click here ... youtu.be/mZ1J7utxMVoTo play drums, click here ... youtu.be/H8dK7DTd_8oTo play bass, click here ... youtu.be/50ZpFXEL2fcAnd to sing Karaoke style, click here ... youtu.be/uRP_Tc4v1KU
Diggin a Hole (Big Sugar) with Lyrics - Guitar Play Along Version The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-12-09 | Let's Jam!I recently recorded Big Sugar's classic hit "Diggin' a Hole", so I remixed it to knock out the guitar... now you can play-along!Hear the full track here ... youtu.be/YVp0gIKeDssWanna Jam?I've remixed the tracks to knock out the key instruments, so ...To play drums, click here ... youtu.be/H8dK7DTd_8oTo play bass, click here ... youtu.be/50ZpFXEL2fcAnd to sing Karaoke style, click here ... youtu.be/uRP_Tc4v1KU
Diggin a Hole (Big Sugar) with Lyrics - Drum Play Along Track The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-12-09 | Let's Jam!I recently recorded Big Sugar's classic hit "Diggin' a Hole", so I remixed it to knock out the drums... now you can play-along! Take you cue from the count-in speed and if you need a click track, set it to 114.12 BPM.Hear the full track here ... youtu.be/YVp0gIKeDssWanna Jam?I've remixed the tracks to knock out the key instruments, so ...To play guitar, click here ... youtu.be/mZ1J7utxMVoTo play bass, click here ... youtu.be/50ZpFXEL2fcAnd to sing Karaoke style, click here ... youtu.be/uRP_Tc4v1KU
Diggin a Hole (Big Sugar) with Lyrics - Bass Play Along Version The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-12-09 | Let's Jam!I recently recorded Big Sugar's classic hit "Diggin' a Hole", so I remixed it to knock out the bass... now you can play-along! Take you cue from the count-in speed and the kick drum.Hear the full track here ... youtu.be/YVp0gIKeDssWanna Jam?I've remixed the tracks to knock out the key instruments, so ...To play guitar, click here ... youtu.be/mZ1J7utxMVoTo play drums, click here ... youtu.be/H8dK7DTd_8oAnd to sing Karaoke style, click here ... youtu.be/uRP_Tc4v1KU
Diggin a Hole (Big Sugar) with Lyrics - Vocals Knocked Out for Karaoke The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-12-09 | I recently recorded Big Sugar's classic hit "Diggin' a Hole", so I remixed it to knock out the vocals ... now you can sign along Karaoke style!Hear the full track here ... youtu.be/YVp0gIKeDssWanna Jam?I've remixed the tracks to knock out the key instruments, so ...To play guitar, click here ... youtu.be/mZ1J7utxMVoTo play drums, click here ... youtu.be/H8dK7DTd_8oTo play bass, click here ... youtu.be/50ZpFXEL2fc
The Postage Stamp The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-09-29 | I build a golf hole last week (sort of).
Paranoid Android arranged for 3.5 cellos - Radiohead cover by The Lone Piper The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-07-12 | A strange video and mix. I transcribed this tune for a quartet, but then mostly didn't include the fourth part. The sheet music was to my left but is not on camera, so I am randomly looking in that direction. For the mic'ing, it was a real experiment. I couldn't find any good source to tell me where to place a mic to record cello, so I used for different mic placements to experiment with the sound. Most videos show Yo-yo Ma with a mic in front of the cello, but I have concluded that this is just for show. The close mic picks up way too much string scratching and bow noises. A far mic picks up the ambience of the room without the background noises. For this recording, I chose a strange mic the middle part. A harmonica mic, about a foot away from the cello, distorts into a sin wave that almost produces a sound like a French horn. I wouldn't do this again (except on purpose), but it proved to be the better all-round recording of the various mic's for that part and I kinda like the distortion!To me, the chord structure at 3:48 is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written ... youtube.com/watch?v=_BckJvcAh8I&t=228s
The Swan (Le Cynge) by C. Saint-Saens - Backing Track The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-07-05 | Le Cynge (The Swan) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo. For the Cello Solo, click here ... youtu.be/gUzGNAGkixQFor the Guitar Solo, click here ... youtu.be/Wd7xgBjS00EFor the Guitar & Cello version, click here ... youtu.be/et4qQTD7Oy4
The Dying Swan by C. Saint-Saens - The Lone Piper Cello Version The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-04-04 | The Dying Swan, a solo ballet dance choreographed by Mikhail Fokine and performed over 4,000 times by the ballerina Anna Pavlova. The music is based on the piece The Le Cygne (The Swan) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo. The top right corner features Oksana Baiul skating to The Swan (Le cygne) at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games Figure Skating Gala Exhibition, based on The bottom left features performances of The Dying Swan ballet by Svetlana Zakharova and The Royal Ballet featuring Natalia Osipova.Four months ago, my wife gave me a cello for Christmas, and I've played this piece everyday since. Having never mastered orchestral instruments, my time was spent practicing string crossings and vibrato. Both of these skills were required to play this piece, so after about 1,000 plays my wife is probably regetting her present choice.To record the piece, I've used a non-traditional set-up using compression, a limiter, an EQ boosting 100 Hz to 1 KHz, as well as reverb, delay and a slight flanger. The reverb was required to give the sense of playing in a larger hall, rather than a studio that eats up the sound reflections. The flanger and delay were added towards the end, to provide a timbe as though the Swan was flying away.For the Backing Track, click here ... youtu.be/hZ5Sd-Ho45gFor the Cello Solo, click here ... youtu.be/gUzGNAGkixQFor the Guitar Solo, click here ... youtu.be/Wd7xgBjS00EFor the Guitar & Cello version, click here ... youtu.be/et4qQTD7Oy4
Le Cygne by C. Saint-Saens - The Lone Piper Cello Version The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-04-04 | The Le Cygne (The Swan) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo.Four months ago, my wife gave me a cello for Christmas, and I've played it everyday since. Having never mastered orchestral instruments, my time was spent practicing string crossings and vibrato. Both of these skills were required to play this piece, so after about 1,000 plays my wife is probably regetting her present choice.
Cello Instrumental - Le Cynge (The Swan) by C. Saint-Saens - The Lone Piper The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-04-04 | Le Cygne (The Swan) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo.Four months ago, my wife gave me a cello for Christmas, and I've played it everyday since. Having never mastered orchestral instruments, my time was spent practicing string crossings and vibrato. Both of these skills were required to play this piece, so after about 1,000 plays my wife is probably regetting her present choice.To record the piece, I've used a non-traditional set-up using compression, a limiter, an EQ boosting 100 Hz to 1 KHz, as well as reverb, delay and a slight flanger. The reverb was required to give the sense of playing in a larger hall, rather than a studio that eats up the sound reflections. The flanger and delay were added towards the end, to provide a timbe as though the Swan was flying away.For the Backing Track, click here ... youtu.be/hZ5Sd-Ho45gFor the Guitar Solo, click here ... youtu.be/Wd7xgBjS00EFor the Guitar & Cello version, click here ... youtu.be/et4qQTD7Oy4
The Dying Electric Swan by C. Saint-Saens - The Lone Piper Guitar Version The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-04-04 | The Dying Swan, a solo ballet dance choreographed by Mikhail Fokine and performed over 4,000 times by the ballerina Anna Pavlova. The music is based on the piece The Le Cygne (The Swan) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo. The top right corner features Oksana Baiul skating to The Swan (Le cygne) at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games Figure Skating Gala Exhibition, based on The bottom left features performances of The Dying Swan ballet by Svetlana Zakharova and The Royal Ballet featuring Natalia Osipova.I decided to record this one on guitar, using the wammy bar to replicate the cello vibrato feel. For the video, I tried to have a little fun by grabbing a guitar out of a TV screen ... thus the need for the weatherman opening sequence.For the Backing Track, click here ... youtu.be/hZ5Sd-Ho45gFor the Cello Solo, click here ... youtu.be/gUzGNAGkixQFor the Guitar Solo, click here ... youtu.be/Wd7xgBjS00EFor the Guitar & Cello version, click here ... youtu.be/et4qQTD7Oy4
The Electric Swan by C. Saint-Saens - The Lone Piper Guitar Version The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-03-19 | The Electric Swan (Le cygne) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo.I decided to record this one on guitar, using the wammy bar to replicate the cello vibrato feel. For the video, I tried to have a little fun by grabbing a guitar out of a TV screen ... thus the need for the weatherman opening sequence.
Guitar Instrumental - The Swan (Le Cygne) by C. Saint-Saens - The Lone Piper The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2024-03-18 | "The Swan" (Le Cygne) is the 13th and penultimate movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Originally scored for solo cello accompanied by two pianos, it has been arranged and transcribed for many instruments but remains best known as a cello solo.I decided to record this one on guitar, using the wammy bar to replicate the cello vibrato feel. For the video, I tried to have a little fun by grabbing a guitar out of a TV screen ... thus the need for the weatherman opening sequence.For the Backing Track, click here ... youtu.be/hZ5Sd-Ho45gFor the Cello Solo, click here ... youtu.be/gUzGNAGkixQFor the Guitar & Cello version, click here ... youtu.be/et4qQTD7Oy4
Time to Grow Up … I mean Morph Up! The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-11-03 | I found an old Morph software package on CD and after locating a CD drive that plugged into USB, I was pleased to find out it still runs! The package is called FantaMorph and I don't know if they still sell it, but it was easy to use. So for my 65th birthday, I rummaged through all my old school photos and put the morph to a tune I wrote in my 65th year! The background music, is called "Before I Go" and the full track is here: youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY ... enjoy!
My Cowboy Song by The Lone Piper (Album Version Remix) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-09-10 | I wrote this song in 2020 and recorded it in the basement of my sister's place during COVID lockdown. I decided to remix the music and video slightly. The music was an attempt to combine surf music with classic cowboy themes. This version includes my best Ritchie Blackmore imitation in the guitar solo (with the most complex backing rhythm that I've ever played) and some green screen trickery to allow me to step out of the television to get a better guitar (How To ... youtu.be/204-_MqVRVI).The lyrics in limerick form deal with the loss of innocence, specifically when you realize that your childhood version of Cowboys and Indians was a warped reality that was taught to you by your parents, your schools and cinematic fantasies. The words and video reflect a cowboy false narrative, then an Indian false narrative and finally a Native reality. In light of the past few years and the discoveries at Canada's residential schools plus the subsequent lack of adequate reconciliation by the Catholic Church, I didn't realize in 2020 how poingnant the line "then take their kids way" would be. This is not a case of the sins of the father, as some of this happened in my lifetime.
Guitar Influences - Who Made Me Play the Way I Do? The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-08-07 | Keith Richards once said that Chuck Berry wrote a guitar lick and everyone else has been ripping him off ever since.I recently wrote a guitar tune and sat back to think about where each likc came from. I was surprised by how little I actually wrote and how much I had been infleucned by others; sometimes in notes, sometimes in sound or tone, sometimes in style. Actually, the two biggest influence for this piece were Alex Lifeson and John Jorgenson. I had trouble ID'ing one segment for Jorgenson .... the pick tapping is almost directly lifted from Passion, but I had to credit Randy Rhoads because he was the first person I heard using this technique so aggressively.Here were my incluences (notes, tone and style):0:00 Start of Video0:19 Jo DiBlasi (hate the man, love his sound)0:27 Stephe Stills (So much treble it should work, but it does)0:35 Sting (easy bass for a guitarist)0:42 Robert Fripp (if it sounds wierd, it's Fripp)0:51 Bruce Watson (I overlooked his style for years)1:00 Alex Lifeson (melodic use of the whammy bar)1:10 Steve Vai (agressive use of the whammy bar)1:15 Megan Lovell (the queen of slide blues )1:33 Ritchie Blackmore (how I learned to descend a scale)1:42 Eric Johnson (a masterclass in string skipping)1:55 Leslie West (the first guitarist I heard doing violin swells) 2:03 David Gilmour (anytime you're stretching above high D with reverb)2:20 John Jorgenson (the most melodic player)2:43 Joe Satriani (can't beat that legatto tone)3:14 Pete Townshend (time for showmanship)3:19 Randy Rhoads (the first person I heard pick tapping)3:30 Terry Kath (speed without shredding)3:47 Peter Frampton (the talkbox king)4:12 Jimmy Page (an electric and acoustic master)You'll find my original track here ... youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGYAnd my green screen background video screen here ... youtu.be/xjD9PCSIk9k
Before I Go by The Lone Piper The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-29 | I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, usually writes in a monor key and usually dies ... and usually tragically. I quickly reworked the theme to be returning home through space and time (totally not dying). Then when I realized I was in a minor key, I dropped the lyrics altogether and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe!The new melody has an ethereal backing track, which is then layered on top with usually seven or eight guitar tracks playing at the same time. The music alone now fully represents a life, from birth through childhood and adolescence, to adulthood, then fading into the final years before departing (on a space voyage ... not death). I've included the chord structure in the video, but it is in the Key of F just so I could go up to the highest point on the two octave fretboard and still have to bend it up for the screaming lead in the rebelious years chorus:0:00 Start of Video0:19 Washburn Classical Guitar picking the 5-note chords0:27 Epiphone acoustic strumming x 2 (a la Stephen Stills high treble boost)0:35 Ibenez Soundgear Bass Guitar with mid-bass pumped (a la Chris Squire, the sound not the skill)0:42 Line 6 Variax holding long notes using an E-Bow (a la David Bowie Heroes)0:52 Godin 5th Avenue semi-acoustic picking melody with clean delay1:00 James Tyler Variax with plenty of overdrive, delay, reverb and the occassional pitch shift1:14 Peavey Power Slide lap steel guitar wih some distortion and hall reverb2:02 Fender Telecaster power chords through a Twin Reverb on the right channel2:03 Fender Stratocaster power chords through a Twin Reverb on the left channel3:48 Castrol oilcan guitar pumped through a Heil talkbox into a Rode microphone4:12 Seagull fingerstyle acoustic lead (a la Jimmy Page on the solo for Babe I’m Gonna Leave You)If you are interested in taking my spaceship out for a ride, you'll find the green screen here ... youtu.be/xjD9PCSIk9k
Why Ill Never Write or Record a Song about Death or Dying The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-22 | Here's everything that I learned ...I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically, often by suicide. Weirdly, some of the most poignant songs appear on the artist's first album or their last, or in several cases the song is recorded but not released until after their passing. I pulled together this video to encapsulate what I found (the list is not exhaustive).Here are the artists I covered, with a link to their individual stories:0:00 Start of Video (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)0:16 Jimi Hendrix (youtu.be/7V-5XhM7g2k)0:43 Buddy Holly (youtu.be/2nONGGML6uI)1:50 Freddy Mercury (youtu.be/3JdhIWgeQPk)2:48 Jim Morrison (youtu.be/D1dCGmYz1TE)3:30 Kurt Cobain (youtu.be/XVteNYbpk-4)4:25 Layne Stayley (youtu.be/F2PLyFG-kp4)5:12 Tommy Bolin (youtu.be/ZbmujyLpiI0)6:07 Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gains, Cassie Gains, Allan Collins (youtu.be/LbInuae8HzA)7:10 Juice WRLD (youtu.be/mmcGhEQFQgw)7:57 Randy Rhoads (youtu.be/rXVjyCAeLXI)8:44 Stevie Ray Vaughan (youtu.be/-d0ivwXV6fA)10:59 Cliff Burton (youtu.be/ejfDQhKHfUI)12:43 Doug Stegmeyer (youtu.be/boiGicry05c)13:19 Terry Kath (youtu.be/mtsVStP4L7A)14:40 Jill Janus (youtu.be/nR9XRP8Vzsk)15:26 2Pac Shakur (youtu.be/yPyBH9rIwOM)16:14 Biggie Smalls (youtu.be/6maxC8jVB6s)17:01 Pete Ham and Tom Evans (youtu.be/N4uPIFeiDBs)18:12 A Song for You - Donnie, Karen Whitney and Amy19:07 Amy WInehouse (youtu.be/_E_AEheNEvA) 20:01 Donnie Hathaway (youtu.be/hdckKlLP3mw)20:53 Naya Rivera (youtu.be/uQ5CfhBZGCU)22:26 Marc Bolan (youtu.be/a1ahd3OL0JM)23:14 Hank Williams (youtu.be/vFzF9re-aOw)24:32 Andrew Wood (youtu.be/h_SgswiXsFU)25:23 Chris Cornell (youtu.be/GpFgKbUdaW0)26:25 Chester Bennington (youtu.be/Xgp5-sDoHgU)27:19 Ian Curtis (youtu.be/cFuuQEcyt-U)28:12 Marvin Gaye (youtu.be/eNiw2b2ckQg)29:05 Michael Hutchence (youtu.be/L5CzG_T8BSY)30:00 Thomas Wayne (youtu.be/wH5pQVAWQls)30:46 Michael Jackson (youtu.be/jUcz7cVllvg)31:42 Prince (youtu.be/vFzF9re-aOw)32:32 Helmut Koellen (youtu.be/7XPkZQZ0nk0)33:21 John Lennon (youtu.be/iiKYpN5jIHQ)35:20 Harry Chapin (youtu.be/sY7YGpx2jx0)36:11 The Rev (youtu.be/j7sRrInqy3U)36:58 Gary Thain (youtu.be/O-NLJb7ATsI)37:43 Laura Nyro (youtu.be/Y6b0DWIeb3M)38:32 Jani Lane (youtu.be/2fnPYlxYjqc)39:17 Chris Bell (youtu.be/VyRDV75vykc)40:02 Pete de Freitas (youtu.be/7SanDbJvcKk)41:03 Andy Gibb (youtu.be/H5kj7e1kLNQ)41:49 Allan Wilson, Bob Hite, Henry Vestine (youtu.be/crvIagVLock)42:50 Rob Pilatus (youtu.be/eCiscpB5T8Q)43:54 Subscribe!Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Death Records: Songs about Dying, from people who then Died shortly after making the record The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-16 | I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically, often by suicide. Weirdly, some of the most poignant songs appear on the artist's first album or their last, or in several cases the song is recorded but not released until after their passing. I pulled together this video as a summation of what I found (the list is not exhaustive).Here are the artists I covered, with a link to their individual stories:0:00 Start of Video (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)0:18 Buddy Holly (youtu.be/2nONGGML6uI)0:28 2Pac Shakur (youtu.be/yPyBH9rIwOM)0:38 Biggie Smalls (youtu.be/6maxC8jVB6s)0:48 Freddy Mercury (youtu.be/3JdhIWgeQPk)0:58 Amy WInehouse (youtu.be/_E_AEheNEvA)1:08 Donnie Hathaway (youtu.be/hdckKlLP3mw)1:18 Karen Carpenter (youtu.be/Obxh1mdGcB0)1:28 Whitney Houston (youtu.be/Obxh1mdGcB0)1:38 Cliff Burton (youtu.be/ejfDQhKHfUI)1:48 Doug Stegmeyer (youtu.be/boiGicry05c)1:58 Jimi Hendrix (youtu.be/7V-5XhM7g2k)2:08 Marc Bolan (youtu.be/a1ahd3OL0JM)2:18 Jill Janus (youtu.be/nR9XRP8Vzsk)2:28 Jim Morrison (youtu.be/D1dCGmYz1TE)2:38 Kurt Cobain (youtu.be/XVteNYbpk-4)2:48 Layne Stayley (youtu.be/F2PLyFG-kp4)2:58 Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gains, Cassie Gains, Allan Collins (youtu.be/LbInuae8HzA)3:08 Randy Rhoads (youtu.be/rXVjyCAeLXI)3:18 Stevie Ray Vaughan (youtu.be/-d0ivwXV6fA)3:28 Terry Kath (youtu.be/mtsVStP4L7A)3:38 Tommy Bolin (youtu.be/ZbmujyLpiI0)3:48 Pete Ham and Tom Evans (youtu.be/N4uPIFeiDBs)3:58 Juice WRLD (youtu.be/mmcGhEQFQgw)4:08 Naya Rivera (youtu.be/uQ5CfhBZGCU)4:18 Hank Williams (youtu.be/vFzF9re-aOw)4:28 Andrew Wood (youtu.be/h_SgswiXsFU)4:38 Chris Cornell (youtu.be/GpFgKbUdaW0)4:48 Chester Bennington (youtu.be/Xgp5-sDoHgU)4:58 Ian Curtis (youtu.be/cFuuQEcyt-U)5:08 Pete de Freitas (youtu.be/7SanDbJvcKk)5:18 Marvin Gaye (youtu.be/eNiw2b2ckQg)5:28 Michael Hutchence (youtu.be/L5CzG_T8BSY)5:38 Thomas Wayne (youtu.be/wH5pQVAWQls)5:48 Prince (youtu.be/vFzF9re-aOw)5:58 Michael Jackson (youtu.be/jUcz7cVllvg)6:08 John Lennon (youtu.be/iiKYpN5jIHQ)6:18 Harry Chapin (youtu.be/sY7YGpx2jx0)6:28 Helmut Koellen (youtu.be/7XPkZQZ0nk0)6:38 The Rev (youtu.be/j7sRrInqy3U)6:48 Allan Wilson, Bob Hite, Henry Vestine (youtu.be/crvIagVLock)6:58 Gary Thain (youtu.be/O-NLJb7ATsI)7:08 Laura Nyro (youtu.be/Y6b0DWIeb3M)7:18 Chris Bell (youtu.be/VyRDV75vykc)7:28 Andy Gibb (youtu.be/H5kj7e1kLNQ)7:38 Jani Lane (youtu.be/2fnPYlxYjqc)7:48 Rob Pilatus (youtu.be/eCiscpB5T8Q)Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words (sort of): Rob Pilatus (Milli Vanilli) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-15 | "When I Die ..."I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Milli Vanilli was a German-French R&B duo from Munich. The group consisted of Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus, and was founded in 1988. They sold millions of records in the early 90s and won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.They were set to release their third album, when success turned to infamy. It was discovered that Morvan and Pilatus did not sing any of the vocals. Pilatius would have been credited with singing "When I Die", one of the songs on the new album.Pilatus sadly died at age 32. After struggling to deal with the fallout from the Milli Vanilli scandal, Pilatus died of an overdose of alcohol and pills.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Alan Wilson (Club 27), Bob Hite nad Henry Vestine - Canned Heat The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-14 | "Speed Kills"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Canned Heat was an American blues and rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by two blues enthusiasts Alan Wilson and Bob Hite. The band's third frontman was lead guitarist Henry Vestine.In 1968, they achieved global success with their second album, which included the song "On the Road Again" (a boogie about depression while on tour) and "Amphetamine Annie" (a warning about drug abuse).In 1970, a depressed Wilson died of a barbiturate overdose. He was 27. In 1981, Hite collapsed from a heroin overdose during a show in Los Angeles. He died at the age of 38.Sadly, in 1997, a tired and cancer stricken Vestine died in Paris following the final gig of a European tour.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Andy Gibb The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-13 | "I'm Too Young to Die"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Andy Gibb was an English-Australian singer and songwriter and the younger brother of the Bee Gees (the Brothers Gibb). In the late 1970s, he had three number one hits and released his only three albums (1978, 1979 and 1980).Andy went into steady decline as the 1980s rolled in. His partner, Victoria Principal, told him to choose between her and the drugs. After several stints in rehab, in 1986 he started recording again. The final song he recorded was Arrow Through the Heart, with the haunting line "I'm too young to die".Gibb continued to have issues with alcoholism, drug addiction and depression. He died on March 10, 1988, five days after his 30th birthday.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Chris Bell (Big Star) - Club 27 The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-12 | "Feel Like I'm Dying"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Chris Bell was an American musician, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Along with Alex Chilton, he led the power pop band Big Star on their 1972 ablum "#1 Record".Despite the band name and album name, they were not big stars and did not have a hit record. However, the band has gained cult status and are often refered to as "the unsung heroes of pop music" ."Feel", the first song on the first side, talks about dying. Bell died in 1978, when he lost control of his Triumph TR7. He was 27 and had been working on a solo album (released in 1992). The band finally had a hit in 1998 when their song "In the Street" was used as the theme music for That 70s Show.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Gary Thain (Uriah Heep) - Club 27 The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-11 | "Suicidal Man"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Gary Thain was a New Zealand bassist, best known for his work with British rock band Uriah Heep, where he played on their first five albums.Uriah Heep were part of the early 1970s rock scene, and have been referred to as pioneers of the hard rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide, where its best-known songs include "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'" and "The Wizard". The final album Thain played on featured the song "Suicidal Man".In 1975, after being electrocuted on stage, Thain killed himself by a heroin overdose that resulted in respiratory failure. He was 27. Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Laura Nyro The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-10 | "And When I Die ..."I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Laura Nyro was an American songwriter and singer who achieved critical acclaim in the late 1960s.A number of artists had hits with her songs, including The 5th Dimension, Peter, Paul and Mary Barbra Streisand, Three Dog Night and Blood, Sweat & Tears (with her song "And When I Die").Her career stalled in 1975, when her mother passed away with ovarian cancer at age 49.Laura released her final album of original material in 1993, which sparked reappraisal of her place in popular music, and new offers came in. She developed ovarian cancer and passed away at age 49.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Jani Lane (Warrant, Saints of the Underground) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-09 | "Everybody Wants to be My Friend nowWhen I'm six feet Under Ground"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Jani Lane was an American singer and the lead vocalist, frontman and main songwriter for the glam metal band Warrant with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million and the single "Heaven" reaching No. 2 in Billboard.Warrant's light lyrics and hairband image fell out of favour with the rise of grunge and Jani left the band in 2004. His solo album, contained the song "6 ft Under". He then joined the band Saints of the Underground in 2008 and recorded Dead Man Shoes, Tomorrow Never Comes, Exit and Signs of Life.In 2011, the LAPD announced that Lane was found dead of acute alcohol poisoning at a Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 47.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Prince The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-08 | "I Would Die 4 You"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Prince was a singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist who combined R&B, funk and pop to create the Minneapolis sound.After a few minor hits, Prince smashed the charts with his song/movie "Purple Rain" in 1984. The movie concludes with a performance of I Would Die 4 You/Baby I'm a Star. His 1985 album featured the obsessive love song Condition of the Heart.In 2016, Prince died when his heart stopped after an accidental overdose of fentanyl at his Paisley Park home/recording studio in Minnesota. Prince was 57 years old.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-07 | "Everybody's Got to Die Sometime"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Jimmy Sullivan, a.k.a. The Rev, was a composer, vocalist and pianist, best known as the drummer and a founding member of the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The Rev played a triple bass drum kit and perfected "the Double Octopus", a technique where he doubles up at a fast tempo between the double bass and ride cymbals.Death, dying, violence and the afterlife were featured on all four of the Avenged Sevenfold albums that The Rev played on.On Dec 28, 2009, the Rev was found unresponsive in his Huntington Beach home. Toxicology results revealed that he died from an overdose of oxycodone, oxymorphone, diazepam (Valium), nordiazepam, and alcohol.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Harry Chapin The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-06 | "Now if a man triedTo take his time on EarthAnd prove before he DiedWhat one man's life could be worthI wonder what would happen to this world"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Harold Chapin was an American singer-songwriter, philanthropist, and hunger activist best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs. He achieved worldwide success in the 1970s selling over 16 million records worldwide.Chapin often told stories about life and the evalualtion of a man's worth. On his 1978 album, the song "I Wonder What Would Happen To This World" asks what a man needs to prove before he dies.In 1981, Chapin died in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway en route to perform at a benefit concert. Chapin is buried in Huntington, New York, where his epitaph is the lyrics from "I Wonder What Would Happen to This World".Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Thomas Wayne The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-05 | "All that's left is the Dark Below ... Tragedy"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Thomas Wayne Perkins was an American singer and the brother of Johnny Cash's guitarist, Luther Perkins. In the 1950s, he released several singles that failed to make a mark.Finally in 1959, he became a one-hit wonder with the song "Tragedy" (credited to Thomas Wayne with the DeLons), which peaked at #20 on the R&B Singles chart and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. It sold over one million copies, earning gold disc status.In 1971, Perkins' life was tragically cut short when he drove his car across four lanes of traffic, over a median, and slammed into an oncoming car. He was 31.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Michael Hutchence (INXS) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-04 | "Put a rope around, rush into the ground"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Michael Hutchence was an Australian singer, songwriter and actor. Hutchence co-founded the rock band INXS, which sold over 75 million records worldwide.In 1993, for INXS' ninth studio album, Hutchence penned "Cut Down Your Roses", including the line 'Put a rope around, rush into the ground'. The band entered a period of declining commercial success and lukewarm reviews.In 1992 Hutchence was hit by a taxi while riding a bike. The resulting brain damage led to periods of depression, increased levels of aggression and a dependence on pain killers. In 1997, in his hotel, depressed over a custody dispute, Hutchence hung himself with his snakeskin belt.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Helmut Koellen (Triumvirat) - Club 27 The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-03 | "About the only thing left in each generation, is loving and dying and death and frustration"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Helmut Koellen was a German bass and guitar player as well as a singer for the band Triumvirat.The lyrics to the first song on Triumvirat's first album begins with "A song for all who've tried and lost" and concludes with "Your life has been in vain".In 1975, Koellen left Triumvirat to pursue a solo career and record an album "You Won't See Me".In 1977, Koellen died from carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 27 while listening to some of the studio tracks in his car's cassette player and running the engine in his garage. His debut solo album was issued posthumously.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: John Lennon The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-02 | "I Don't Want to Die"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.John Lennon was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Beatles.In the Lennon/McCartney song writing duo of the Beatles, John Lennon's songs were initially about love, and then later shifted to more philosophical and psychedelic themes. As a solo artist, Lennon's music would typically thought to be about peace, love or protest. However, death, dying and killing was actually a more dominant theme in his music, appearing in several songs on every one of his solo albums.Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono moved to New York City, where he was very active in the early 70s. In the mid-70s, he separated from Yoko and stopped recording as a solo artist.Following a five-year music hiatus, Lennon was reunited with Yoko and the pair returned to the recording studio. In 1980, they released the collaboration "Double Fantasy" to critical and commerical success.Three weeks after the album release, on December 8, 1980, a deranged fan, shot and killed Lennon outside Lennon's New York City home, The Dakota apartment building. The assailant was sentenced to 20-years-to-life and remains incarcerated.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Michael Jackson The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-07-01 | "Gone Too Soon"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Michael Jackson was an American singer/songwriter, and is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.Jackson sang about the undead (Thriller), gang wars (Bad) and murder (Smooth Criminal). In 1983, Jackson saw Dionne Warwick perform Gone Too Soon, dedicated to Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and other musicians who died young. He included the song on his 1993 album Dangerous and dedicated it to his friend Ryan White (a hemophiliac who died of HIV from contaminated blood).Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Usher sang Gone Too Soon at the memorial service.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Marvin Gaye The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-30 | "Oh, If I Should Die Tonight, oh Baby, Though it be Far Before My Time"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Marvin Gaye was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter who helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, with songs such as "What's Going On" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown".On his 1973 album, Let's Get It On, he included one dark song entitled "If I Should Die Tonight". On his 1978 album, he included an anti-violence song entitled "Anger".In 1984, Gaye intervened in a fight between his parents and his father shot Gaye twice, once in the chest, piercing his heart. Gaye was 44 when he died.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Pete de Freitas (Echo & the Bunnymen) - Club 27 The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-29 | "The Killing Moon, Will Come Too Soon"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Peter Louis Vincent de Freitas was an English musician and producer. He was the drummer in Echo & the Bunnymen (replacing a drum machine), and performed on their first five albums.All five albums have lyrics concerning death and dying, starting with their first album which featured "Happy Death Men".In 1984, they attained commercial success with their fourth album "Ocean Rain", featuring the song "Killing Moon" which reached the UK's top 10 charts. After a breakup in 1988, the band reformed in 1989. While driving a motorcyle at night, to take part in the band's first rehearsal, de Freitas collided with another vehicle. He died at age 27.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Ian Curtis (Joy Division) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-28 | "The Strain's Too Much, Can't Take Much More"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Ian Curtis was the vocalist for Joy Division, a Manchester rock band formed in 1976 (the name of the band sounds happy, but the name came from the sexual slavery wing of a Nazi concentration camp mentioned in the 1955 novel House of Dolls.). Curtis struggled with personal problems including a failing marriage, depression, and epilepsy. His lyrics often reflected his depressed nature.Joy Division struggled to find fame. On the eve of their first U.S. tour in 1980, Curtis committed suicide at the home of his estranged wife. He was 23. Prosperity followed tragedy with the success of the single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and the subsequent release of the band’s second album.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Hank Williams The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-27 | "Death May Be Lingering Near"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Hank Williams was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is regarded as one of the most significant and influential songwriters of the 20th century. Williams recorded 55 singles that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western chart, including 12 that reached No. 1, three of which were released after his death.Singing and writing songs that were spiritual and honky-tonk blues, the topic of death came up many times in Hank WIlliams songs, including A Home in Heaven, Angel of Death, The Funeral, I'll Be a Bachelor 'Til I Die, Jesus Died for Me and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. The last song he recorded was I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive.Williams developed serious problems with alcohol, morphine, and other painkillers prescribed for him to ease the severe back pain caused by his spina bifida occulta. When bad weather prohibited him from flying to his next gig, he hired a driver to take him to the performance. On the way, Williams had several bad spells due to drugs. After a 20 hour drive, they pulled over for gas and the driver found Williams was motionless. He had been dead so long that rigor mortis had set in. He was 30 years old. While drugs had contributed to his passing, there were rumours that he had deliberately taken an overdose because of a declining career. His biggest hits were released after his passing.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-26 | "We Die Young"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Layne Staley was the lead vocalist of Alice in Chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of Seattle's grunge movement. He was known for his distinctive vocal style as well as his harmonizing with guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell.The first song on the band's first album is "We Die Young". The album certified triple-platinum, however Staley's deteriorating condition due to heroin abuse led him to enter a rehabilitation clinic.In 2002, Staley's body was found dead in his home, having died 2 weeks earlier from a mixture of heroin and cocaine. His body was found, on April 5 - the same day fellow grunge musician Kurt Cobain died eight years prior.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Andrew, Chris & Chester (Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, Audioslave and Linkin Park) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-25 | I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.In particular, the lives, deaths and words of Andrew Wood, Chris Cornell and Chster Bennington need to be understood through the chain that links them.Andrew Wood was the lead singer and lyricist for the alternative rock band Malfunkshun, a glam rock band with Wood described as "a hippie, glammed-out rock & roll god, equal parts Marc Bolan and Jim Morrison." During his time in Malfunkshun, Wood started relying heavily on drugs, entering rehab in 1985. In 1989, Wood formed Seatle's first true grunge band: Mother Love Bone, with guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament (formerly of the band Green River). The band's obvious talent earned them a recording contract, and Wood wrote several songs that referenced Death.Wood's struggles with drug addiction continued and he checked himself into rehab again in 1989, hoping to get clean for the release of Mother Love Bone's debut album. In 1990, he died in Seattle at the age of 24, following a heroin overdose.In 1991, Mother Love Bone's Ament and Gossard teamed up with Andrew Wood's room-mate Chris Cornell to form Temple of the Dog and recorded "Say Hello 2 Heaven" as a tribute to Wood.Chris Cornell started the band Soundgarden in 1991, while Ament and Gossard started the band Pearl Jam.Considered one of the key figures of the 1990s grunge movement, Cornell joined the supergroup Audioslave when Soundgarden broke up.Both Soundgarden and Audioslave were huge commercial successes, despite delving into lyrics that were often depressing. Audioslave received three Grammy nominations and Soundgarden won a grammy for their 1994 album Superunknown.Cornell recorded "Like Suicide" both with Soundgarden and as a solo artiist.Cornell struggled with depression and had multiple addictions which he was able to manage until Soundgarden disbanded and his first marriage failed. At that point, Cornell turned to OxyContin.In 2015 Cornell shot a video for Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart. He plays a prisoner about to be hanged. Cornell insisted on doing his own stunts and the liquid chemical singeing a noose tied around his neck, left him with second degree burns on his shoulder. Three weeks after Chris Cornell's suicide by hanging, the music video was removed from YouTube.Chester Bennington was an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of rock band Linkin Park. The band combined elements of rock music, hip hop and electronica, and rose international success with their debut studio album Hybrid Theory in 2000.Linkin Park is among the best-selling bands of the 21st century and the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. They have won two Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards and three World Music Awards.Chester struggled with depression and substance abuse. After overcoming his drug addiction he battled with alcoholism. Eventually the band hosted an intervention. Clear of drugs and alcohol, Chester remained depressed.Chester was good friends with Chris Cornell (he was godfather to one of Chris' sons). He sang "Hallelujah" at Cornell's funeral. In his last television performance, Chester dedicated "One More Light" in Chris' honour (the song is about the loss of a friend). Two months after Cornell's death, at the age of 41, Chester committed suicide by hanging on Cornell's birthday.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-24 | "I Had to Fall to Lose it All, but in the End, it doesn't Even Matter"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Chester Bennington was an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of rock band Linkin Park. The band combined elements of rock music, hip hop and electronica, and rose international success with their debut studio album Hybrid Theory in 2000.Linkin Park is among the best-selling bands of the 21st century and the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. They have won two Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards and three World Music Awards.Chester struggled with depression and substance abuse. After overcoming his drug addiction he battled with alcoholism. Eventually the band hosted an intervention. Clear of drugs and alcohol, Chester remained depressed.Chester was good friends with Chris Cornell (he was godfather to one of Chris' sons). He sang "Hallelujah" at Cornell's funeral. In his last television performance, Chester dedicated "One More Light" in Chris' honour (the song is about the loss of a friend). Two months after Cornell's death, at the age of 41, Chester committed suicide by hanging on Cornell's birthday.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-23 | "Promise Something, Kill Me Right Away if I Start to Get Slow"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Chris Cornell started the band Soundgarden in 1991, Considered one of the key figures of the 1990s grunge movement, Cornell joined the supergroup Audioslave when Soundgarden broke up.Both Soundgarden and Audioslave were huge commercial successes, despite delving into lyrics that were often depressing. Audioslave received three Grammy nominations and Soundgarden won a grammy for their 1994 album Superunknown.Cornell recorded "Like Suicide" both with Soundgarden and as a solo artiist.Cornell struggled with depression and had multiple addictions which he was able to manage until Soundgarden disbanded and his first marriage failed. At that point, Cornell turned to OxyContin.In 2015 Cornell shot a video for Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart. He plays a prisoner about to be hanged. Cornell insisted on doing his own stunts and the liquid chemical singeing a noose tied around his neck, left him with second degree burns on his shoulder. Three weeks after Chris Cornell's suicide by hanging, the music video was removed from YouTube.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Naya Rivera (Glee) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-22 | "If I Die Young"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Naya Rivera was an American actress, singer, and model who received two Grammy nominations for her work on the musical comedy-drama series Glee.At the beginning of the second season, Riviera was promoted to a series regular because her "magnetism on screen was undeniable". She was given her first solo in the fifth episode of season two, "The Rocky Horror Glee Show", and her role in the show was radically changed when it was revealed that her character was a lesbian.In 2013, Glee actor Cory Monteith was found in his hotel room, having died of an overdose. Cory died on July 13th ... he was 31.After Monteith's death, Glee was put on hold, then the show decided to deal with the death by having Monteith's character pass. Riviera was given the task of singing "If I Die Young" as a tribute.The song, originally performed by The Band Perry, featured a video with a dead woman floating alone in a boat.In 2020, Rivera's four-year-old son was found asleep, floating alone on a rented boat on Lake Piru. Rivera was declared a missing person and after five days her body was found in lakeby divers. It is assumed that she had been pulled under by the riptide. Rivera's body was found on July 13th, she was 31.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-22 | "Life is What You Make it, and if you Make it Death, well Rest Your Soul Away"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Andrew Wood was the lead singer and lyricist for the alternative rock band Malfunkshun, a glam rock band with Wood described as "a hippie, glammed-out rock & roll god, equal parts Marc Bolan and Jim Morrison." During his time in Malfunkshun, Wood started relying heavily on drugs, entering rehab in 1985. In 1989, Wood formed Seatle's first true grunge band: Mother Love Bone, with guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament (formerly of the band Green River). The band's obvious talent earned them a recording contract, and Wood wrote several songs that referenced Death.Wood's struggles with drug addiction continued and he checked himself into rehab again in 1989, hoping to get clean for the release of Mother Love Bone's debut album. In 1990, he died in Seattle at the age of 24, following a heroin overdose.In 1991, Mother Love Bone's Ament and Gossard teamed up with Andrew Wood's room-mate Chris Cornell to form Temple of the Dog and recorded "Say Hello 2 Heaven" as a tribute to Wood.Chris Cornell started the band Soundgarden then Audioslave, while Ament and Gossard started the band Pearl Jam.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Doug Stegmeyer (Billy Joel) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-20 | "Only the Good Die Young"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.Doug Stegmeyer was Billy Joel's long time bassist, joining the band to play bass in Joel's backing band from his third album to his tenth.While Billy Joel's brand of pop music usually has lighter lyrics, there was at least one song about life, death or dying on every album that Stegmeyer played on.As the 90s approached, Joel wanted to change up his band and he didn't asked Doug to join the new band. Stegmeyer fell into a state of depression and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1995.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Cliff Burton (Metallica) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-19 | "They've Come to Take Your Life. Or Choose Your Fate and Die. Killing scores with demon swords. Now's the death of doers of wrong. Swing the judgment hammer down. You will pay Dying, one thousand deaths. Say goodbye to the world you live in. Our brains are on fire with the feeling to kill. Death! Deliverance for you for sure. Time marches on For whom the bell tolls. Take a look to the sky just before you die. Life, it seems, will fade away. I have lost the will to live. Need the end to set me free. Death greets me warm, now I will just say. I'm creeping death. Die (Die). By my hand (Die, die). I creep across the land (Die, die). Killing first-born man (Die, die, die). Leading on your death's construction. Dedicated to How I'm killing you. Life of death becoming clearer. How I'm killing you. Now your life is out of season. I will help you die."I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.In 1983, Cliff Burton joined the newly formed Metallica and they soon released their debut album Kill 'Em All with no shortage of references to death!In 1984 they released Ride the Lightning and the death theme continued.Master of Puppets was released in 1986 with more songs about death.In September 1986, Metalica's tour bus crashed in Sweden, pinning Burton under the bus. He died as other members of the band tried to free him.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
Dying Words: Jill Janus (Huntress) The Lone Piper (John and Ian) 2023-06-18 | "All that you know now, You must lay it to rest, Sacred realms that await you, Sleep and Death"I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.As the lead vocalist for the band Huntress, Jill Janus drove the band to combine classic heavy metal with influences of thrash and dark metal. The songs featured frequent screaming by Janus, who was classically trained and had a vocal range of four octaves.Each of the three Huntress albums include a song about death, starting with the 2012 song Sleep and Death. Janus suffered from mental health issues, and had been living with bipolar disorder since her early teens. She attempted suicide on several occassions and in 2018, she took her own life.Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
