Rock Star Secrets Beneath Red Rocks

What lies beneath the stage at the famous Colorado concert venue Red Rocks? Plenty! Everyone who's anyone in the music industry has performed here. And they've left their autographs on the walls right below the stage.  

Can you find the signatures of Paul McCartney and the rest of the Beatles? What about Sting? Perhaps Karen Carpenter and brother Richard signed their names here when the Carpenters were a hot new band? James Taylor has been here several times. And a million others. 

A friend of mine had the opportunity to go here after a concert as she knew a few of the band members. I'll withhold the name of the headliners to protect her privacy, but she was happy to pass these on.

Enjoy search for the names of your favorite musicians! There's plenty to look at!

How Mercy Looks From Here

Glad to have Amy Grant back with a new disc, How Mercy Looks From Here. It's due in stores on May 14. Featuring music with the likes of James Taylor, Sheryl Crow and hubby Vince Gill, it has all the makings of a significant contribution to the music world.

Best Motown Remakes

After talking about the best Beatles' remakes, let's turn the tables and talk about the best Motown remakes. This label defined the 60s, and their songs started my love for music. There were plenty as artists of all types mined gold from the Detroit label's catalogue. Now, my top five, in no particular order...

1. "More Love" - This Kim Carnes hit covered Smokey Robinson's original smash. The perfect match of song and artist, as her gravelly voice and inspired arrangement produced a major hit in 1980. As convincing a performance as her later hit "Bette Davis Eyes".
2. "You Can't Hurry Love" - Phil Collins. Don't get me wrong: I love the original by the Supremes. But Phil's version brings great snap to this old favorite. Plain old fun. Great backing vocals and a typically hot rhythm track. From 1982.
3. "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" - Another James Taylor megahit, one that defined 1975 and my summer pleasures. The definitive version of the song.
4. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" - During the "Frampton Comes Alive" tour, I ate up every note the man played. He split his set into two halves, an acoustic first half, and an electric second. This Stevie Wonder classic was his closing encore. It was so good, I turned to my friend and said, "This would make a great single!" And it was- from the 1977 album "I'm In You".

Maybe I need more than five remakes! " Heatwave" and "Tracks of My Tears" by Linda Ronstadt are two of my favorites. But then again, the playful "Please Mr. Postman" by the Carpenters sounded so fresh to me that I didn't even realize it was Karen singing the lead at first listen! David Bowie and Mick Jagger swung to "Dancing in the Street" while Toni Tennille belted out a new take on "Shop Around". Lastly, could Michael McDonald's "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" be any better? Not in my book! And as they say "The hits just keep on comin'!" at least as long as artists discover what a treasure chest of classics sit in the Motown vault. Thanks, Berry Gordy, for starting an American institution.

James Taylor: A Friend on the Radio

James Taylor possesses one of the warmest and friendliest voices in American popular music. It has been decades now since he first came on the scene, and what a blessing it has been to grow older with him. From Fire and Rain to You've Got A Friend to How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, James helped define good taste on Top 40 radio when it seemed consumed by gimmicks like Kung Fu Fighting and Disco Duck. Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Hearing your voice on the airwaves is like visiting an old and much loved friend.