“Rock and roll is a nuclear blast of reality in a mundane world where no one is allowed to be magnificent.”
- Kim Fowler
Today is the birthday of Joan Osborne, born in 1963. Most know her from the song One of Us that was a massive hit back in 1995. The song was written by Eric Bazilian of the 80s band The Hooters, but Osborne's distinctive vocal performance made it her own. The song asks thought-provoking questions, spiritual and metaphysical, unusual for a tune on the popular charts.
I saw Osborne a few years ago at a small venue. She was out doing an all-Dylan tour, nothing but Dylan covers…except, of course, her closer. For most artists, a song like One of Us comes along once in a lifetime. You don't leave that one out.
On another topic, I got a welcome email from a cousin up north last week. You know, for the last many years there's been concern that the kids will abandon rock and roll altogether. But they never do. There are always those who carry on, thankfully. The cousin sent me a performance by the young rocker, 20-year old Violet Grohl, just out with her debut album. We all know her daddy, yes, Dave Grohl, of Nirvana and Foo Fighters. Dave's been carrying the rock flag for 35 years now, never taking his foot off the gas. Good to see that his daughter doesn't think Daddy's thing is uncool.
Another guy who's never stopped rockin' is Jack White. One thing you never hear said of Jack, that he's predictable. Tomorrow's his birthday, by the way. He's 51. Can't believe that.