Spin That 45

Miles Porcaro, the son of the late famed drummer; Jeff Porcaro of the band Toto, has passed away at the age of 31. Sharing these photos, Miles' mother, Susan Porcaro Goings took to Facebook this evening to post a beautiful public tribute to her son saying, "My heart is broken. I am devastated. My Miles is gone. He's now in heaven with his Daddy." No explanation was posted as to the cause of his death. Soon after the post, family and friends began to pour in, sharing their grief and condolences to Susan and her family. Unfortunately, the Porcaro family has had their share of grief with the loss of Miles' father, Jeff Porcaro, who passed away at the age of 38 from a heart attack in 1992. Jeff was not only a respected studio musician within the recording industry, but was a founding member of the 1980's rock band Toto, which continues to write, record and tour. Another sad loss within the Porcaro family was Jeff's younger brother and Mile...

The music of Earth, Wind & Fire is forever a part of my soundtrack of life! The loss of Maurice White, founding member, still leaves me with a hole in my heart. I'm sure many of us feel the same way. Paying my respects, here is a reprint of my tribute; which appeared on Vinyl Radio when the world suffered the loss of a this great man. This last week, another icon in music left this world. I can’t help but feel that this season, we’ve lost more artists / musicians than at any other time. This year has not started off very well, folks. As most of you might have heard, Maurice White, who founded Earth, Wind & Fire passed away on February 3rd. He was 74 years old. Maurice had been ill since the late 80’s when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. For myself, I was not surprised by the news. But it hurt nonetheless. Maurice’s brother and founding member, Verdine White broke the news by posting on the group’s Facebook page with a simple and beautiful trib...

Sad news for Tears For Fears / Hall & Oates fans. Representatives announced late this afternoon that their remaining 4 US shows are postponed due to a family emergency with the band of Tears for Fears. Good news. . . shows will be rescheduled with dates to be posted. Tears For Fears took their Facebook page to make the announcement: "Tears for Fears regretfully announce the postponement of their last four US tour dates, due to a family emergency. All dates will be rescheduled with details to follow shortly. Please see below dates and venues" Representatives from Hall & Oates posted soon after: "Due to a Tears For Fears family emergency, the Daryl Hall & John Oates and Tears For Fears upcoming dates - have been postponed.  " Tuesday, July 25 SAP Center, San Jose, CA (with Daryl Hall & John Oates) Wednesday, July 26 Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA (headline) Friday, July 28 & Saturday, July 29 STAPLES Center, Los...

  Originally featured on Inside MusiCast This week on my Picks, I am going to be featuring my friend;  Casey Young ; keyboardist, composer, synth programmer, musician extraordinaire. You may not be familiar with his name, but I guarantee you've heard the iconic songs he's been a part of. Casey's credits are like a who's who; working with notable people such as The Pointer Sisters, Manhattan Transfer, Johnny Gill, Yes, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, David Sanborn, Quincy Jones, George Duke, Bill Champlin & Michael Sembello, just to name a few. Over his long career, Casey has designed synthesizers and programed electronic instruments for a string of albums and movies. My Pick today features Casey on two different basses - synth and acoustic, as well as programming. From his 2004 release; "West Coast Groove,"  "Love will Take You" is a cool groove; written by  Greg Mathieson Music  &  Bill Champlin  and features the A List in musicians Abe Labori...

Well it's that time of year again! People all over this nation will be celebrating the birth of America! And let's face it, no celebration is complete without music! So turn your speakers up and let's celebrate the Fourth of July!! A perfect song for a day outside. WAR's "All Day Music " "People Got to Be Free" by The Rascals Have to throw in a couple of Trini Lopez classics. His cover of West Side Story's "America. " "This Land Is Your Land" Jay & The American's - "Only In America" Seattle's own Jimi Hendrix tearing the "Star Spangled Banner" up at Woodstock No list is complete without this classic by Don McLean "American Pie" “America the Beautiful” by The Great Ray Charles Like Jimi and Ray, Stevie Wonder puts his spin on an American Classic. What I love is the integrity of the songs are not compromised but nothing less...

                       Originally featured on Inside MusiCast This has to be one of my favorite songs ever! From the album of the same name, it was arranged & conducted by  Larry Carlton . Written by Minnie, her husband Richard Rudolph & Joe Sample, featured the finest in personnel: Bass – Ed Brown, Guitar – Dean Parks & Larry, Drums / Percussion – Jim Gordon, Sid Sharp - strings, Keyboards – Joe Sample, Tom Scott & Jim Horn on horns. What an incredible lineup! Released in the 1975 as the follow-up to her 1974 album; "Perfect Angel," it's evident that Minnie had grown as an artist and songwriter, but you can totally hear the influences of Larry Carlton in his arrangement on this song as well as the entire album. It's Soulful Smooth Jazz with the Funk thrown in for spice. I love Minnie. . . so much! Her vocal gymnastics are over the top incredible, but I really wish I could find an instrumental on this. The ...

Originally featured on Inside MusiCast This FUNKY song from Leo Sayer was track #3 on Side B of his 1976 "Endless Flight" LP and released as a single in late 1977. Co-written with Barry Mann, this song is all dance and feeling good. The personnel is off the chart... Bass – Chuck Rainey Drums – Steve Gadd Lead Guitar – Ray Parker Jr. Percussion – Bobbye Hall Porter Piano – Richard Tee Rhythm Guitar –  Larry Carlton  who I just happen to see a few days ago. And arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Gene Page From the moment this song begins, it's a journey of Soft Rock, Pop, Disco with some great moments of funk. Our power is off today. And Yinka suggested we spend the time singing!! Ha! So my daughter and I were in the car running errands when this song came on the radio and I had been mulling over what to choose for today's "Pick." She's 18 and totally loves this song and Leo. So what do we do!? We start singing along! With the radio up loud and we both gro...