Those are great songs, but they fell afoul of my ten-year rule, which I mention in the essay. The songs have to be about events (or people) that are at least ten years old to be considered "historical." It's arbitrary but I needed to have some kind of cut off. I would consider "Ohio" to be more a protest song anyway.
A solid list, brother. I loved the inclusion of Rooster by Alice In Chains — I grew up on grunge; a lot of people close to me during childhood were Vietnam vets — this song was always on the radio. The Band!! Always a phenomenal choice and their work always shined with poignancy. I saw The Band (minus Richard Manuel) in the early 90s in Vermont when I was super young. I once heard a critic call them “the greatest musical act of the 19th century” (or maybe it was “album”), but still, ironic and apt enough. A thoughtful list!
Thank you sir! "Rooster" was one of the pleasant discoveries I made while compiling the list. I remember not liking the song as a kid when it came out but knowing the back story made it much more compelling to me. Oh, man you got to see the Band! Too awesome. I don't think I knew who they were until I was in my twenties. Probably could have put their song number one, but the top two were a cut above I thought. Thanks for the kinds words. Cheers!
I was sure I would see the Edmund Fitzgerald on this list And CSNY's Ohio?
Those are great songs, but they fell afoul of my ten-year rule, which I mention in the essay. The songs have to be about events (or people) that are at least ten years old to be considered "historical." It's arbitrary but I needed to have some kind of cut off. I would consider "Ohio" to be more a protest song anyway.
A solid list, brother. I loved the inclusion of Rooster by Alice In Chains — I grew up on grunge; a lot of people close to me during childhood were Vietnam vets — this song was always on the radio. The Band!! Always a phenomenal choice and their work always shined with poignancy. I saw The Band (minus Richard Manuel) in the early 90s in Vermont when I was super young. I once heard a critic call them “the greatest musical act of the 19th century” (or maybe it was “album”), but still, ironic and apt enough. A thoughtful list!
~ alexej
Thank you sir! "Rooster" was one of the pleasant discoveries I made while compiling the list. I remember not liking the song as a kid when it came out but knowing the back story made it much more compelling to me. Oh, man you got to see the Band! Too awesome. I don't think I knew who they were until I was in my twenties. Probably could have put their song number one, but the top two were a cut above I thought. Thanks for the kinds words. Cheers!