Author: Ric Albano

Father’s Day

    Ric Albano

Pat AlbanoI’ve been twice told that this day would never come.

My father has a whole assortment of chronic conditions including heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes. In March 2010, I got a call from his physician (the first such call I had ever received) and was told bluntly that the convergence of all my father’s conditions left him no more than 3 months to live. During those subsequent months my father lost his right leg as well as one his best friends, circumstances which may have broken most people, but somehow he persevered. This past April, my father suffered his fifth heart attack and my wife, children, and I went to his bedside late at night because we were told there was a chance that would be his last night on Earth. But somehow he pulled through and he’s still here with us.

Although still in dire shape (he was brought to the emergency room just last night), I am going to cherish the time I spend with my father this weekend. Through the years he has offered me little tidbits of potent wisdom at times when I had least expected it. I believe he is still here for a purpose and, perhaps, he has one more lesson to teach me.

~
Update – Pat Albano passed away on August 15, 2012. An online memorial has been set up at Albano-USA.org

The Beatles First Abbey Road Session

    Ric Albano

At the end of the Beatles last ever live performance (on a London rooftop) John Lennon jokingly said “I hope we passed the audition”. Well, there was actually a time when the band had to pass auditions and the last of these instances happened on June 6, 1962, 50 years ago today, when the band entered Abbey Road Studios for the first time.

Although the actual recordings made that day were nothing spectacular, several events happened that day which would change the course of rock history…

Read entire article at Classic Rock Review

2012 Is a Great Year for New Albums

    Ric Albano

We are excited by the quality of new albums being released so far this year. Just yesterday, we reviewed the excellent debut by the “supergroup” Flying Colors, which followed our previous review of Jack White’s debut solo effort, Blunderbuss. Earlier in the year, a reunited Van Halen put out A Different Kind of Truth – their first album with David Lee Roth in nearly 3 decades. Jethro Tull released Thick As a Brick 2, a follow-up to the original concept album from 1972, 40 years ago.

Within the next week or so Joe Walsh will release his first album in 20 solid years and Rush will finally put out Clockwork Angels, which has been in the works for about 3 years now. Due out later in the year are new albums by Smashing Pumpkins, Aerosmith, Dream Theater, and The Badlees.

Of course, there are many more not mentioned here, which will further add to this quality year in music. Please reply with any I have failed to mention.