Category: Music
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The Seventh Best
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The Ninth Best
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The Tenth Best
BY: GURU JAY
#10
Queen
Queen is the definition of the rock genre. It is amazing how many hits the band has made. I love their music. I have been listening to Queen since I was five years old. I vividly remember when I first heard We Will Rock in the Mighty Ducks movie. Then, I thought wow…that’s the coolest thing my ears ever heard. Granted I was only five at the time. It still is one of the coolest.
Ultimate Classic Rock ranks Bohemian Rhapsody as Queen’s top song of all time. You can always count on the band from London, England to make high quality music. There is no other group as dynamic. Watch video…
#9
Coldplay
When it is all said and done, Coldplay should take over as a top five contender. Right now, Coldplay is the ninth best European band of all time. Coldplay has one of the biggest audiences and the longest reach. The band’s Paradise YouTube video currently has over 260 million views. Watch it…
Chris Martin, Johnny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion combine to make the best chemistry project in music today. They are in two genres: alternative rock and post-Britpop. Originally from London, England Coldplay started in 1996 and has not stopped ever since.
#8
Europe
The elite number eight is Europe. Watch Europe- the Final Countdown on YouTube. Originating out of Upplands Väsby, Sweden the band spans across three genres: heavy metal, hard rock, and glam metal. The band reactivated in 2003 after reuniting in 1999. Their best years were from 1979 to 1992. It is definitely the best Swedish band.
#7
Pink Floyd
Lucky number seven is Pink Floyd. The English band is a popular band, who reigned for thirty years from 1965 until 1995. Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Syd Barrett and David Gilmour made the most compelling music Europe and this world’s six other continents has ever seen.
The band has created songs in four distinct rock genres: progressive rock, psychedelic rock, art rock and blues rock. You will enjoy this video directed by Alex Chartland and Justin Thomson. Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here
#6
Rammstein
Recognized in two genres: Neue Deutsche Härte and Industrial Metal, Rammstein is the best German band. It is easily a top ten European band of all time. You can make a case and boost Rammstein into the top five. The band makes the best hardcore music. My favorite song is Ich Will. Watch Ich Will…
The band dominates Germany and much of Europe. It has global appeal. Even if you don’t speak German, you will appreciate the music. Rammstein really is the real deal. You all can follow the band on the website. There is an English option as well.
#5
Led Zepplin
Talk about a unique sound. Led Zeppelin spanned across four genres (hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock and folk rock). Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones made music history from 1968 through 1980. The band had four reunions 1985, 1988, 1995 and 2007.
Rolling Stone ranks WholeLotta Love as the greatest Led Zeppelin song of all time. Joseph Whealan remade the 1969 song in his audition on the X factor. Watch the video here: (the song starts at 3:00 minutes)
#4
Black Sabbath
According to Noise Creep, Black Sabbath is the best European metal band. They are one of the best branded groups in music history. Nine times out of ten, you have heard the name Black Sabbath. From Aston Birmingham, England the band has been around since 1968. In 2011, Toni Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne reunited. Find Noise Creep’s list here.
Look at this cool video. It’s a mashup of Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath.
#3
His Infernal Majesty (HIM)
HIM is the best European rock band. Straight from Helsinki, Finland, the band is the ultimate group. Ask any rock fan and you all will hear praises. They use instruments like no other. This is true rock. If you love rock, then you love HIM. Ville Valo will be President one day. Mark my words. When I heard Wicked Game for the first time, I started to follow them.
The Top Tens rank HIM number 1. No top ten is authentic without HIM somewhere in the middle. The reason HIM is not ranked higher is because they are rock alone. My favorite HIM song is In Joy and Sorrow. Watch the video here:
# 2
U2
U2 is the best active band and second best European band of all time. It’s hard to argue against U2’s place in music history. They are highly successful. U2has been going strong since 1976 across three genres: rock, alternative rock, and post-punk.
What I admire about U2 is that they take a stance. They’re not in it just for the money. U2 loves to make society better with their message. I can only say good things about U2.
The rock stars out of Dublin, Ireland: Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. have made everybody’s eyes and ears a little happier. My favorite U2 song is Beautiful Day which is ranked in the top ten by Ultimate Classic Rock. Listen to her here.
#1
The Beatles
In my first semester of college, I attended a music appreciation course. Here I learned about how the Beatles changed society. The band was the most talked about subject in lecture and discussion. Prior to taking the class, I had no idea the Beatles ruled the entertainment world for two generations.
It is clear why the Beatles are first on my list. The Beatles were the best band ever. It is indisputable. Go visit their page at the All Music website. I like the site because it has a database of their discography along with many others.
The band who formed in Liverpool, England in 1957, disbanded in 1970. Those thirteen years were vital to music. In many ways, the Beatles defined music as well as culture.
My favorite Beatles song is Hey Jude. Listen to her here. Music is a common denominator. If it’s making you dance and sing, it’s good music. The Top Ten European Bands have not only changed Europe, but the whole world.
BY: GURU JAY
Indie Films, Music, and Fashion
Photo By: Wikimedia Commons
My parents made sure that me and my brothers played sports. Name a sport and I played it. Sports are a family tradition. And, sports are cool. And, cool rules.
Why cool rules
The first time I ever touched a hot stove I got burnt. I learned from the very start that fire is one of earth’s most dangerous elements. When the stove burned me, mom arrived; and, she kissed the burn to make it better. Soon after the burn, I figured out I wanted to be cool.
Cool rules. I made a conscience effort to walk, talk and act cool since kindergarten. I started playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. No matter what season, I played sports. When I got to high school, I focused solely on baseball, then golf.
Soon after discovering the duties of the oven, I discovered the duties of the Ice Box. The refrigerator was my friend. I’d like to take the time and thank Albert Einstein personally for inventing refrigeration.
I loved the refrigerator because it had all the right stuff: ice cream, popsicles, soda, and candy. My grandpa used to buy groceries in bulk. Whenever I went over his house, I always went back home happy.
Indie Films
Successful Independent films (Indie) are the coolest movies you want to watch. With such small wiggle room, Indie films have the potential for expansion. Most Indie budgets are tight and constrained.
Let’s say I gave you a thousand dollars. Then you turned my grand into a million dollars. That’s exactly how Indie films work. I believe great Indie films are always better than great blockbusters.
Let’s say I gave you one hundred thousand dollars. Then you turned my 100k into one million. You see the difference. That’s why it’s so hard for major studios to impress me with cookie-cutter material.
With just a little, Indie films make a big impact. Some of the best Indie films are foreign. And, that’s the way the entertainment industry should operate. Quit remaking movies and make original content.
All I am saying is I saw Super Man, Spiderman, and Batman in a dozen of the same movies. What about Hancock played by Will Smith?
If I’m tired of seeing the same crap over and over, then I know you are tired too. Stop buying their overpriced Imax tickets. Make them make an original movie. Give Indie films a try. The reason I support Indie Films is because I find more value in this type of entertainment.
Why cool rules
The first time I ever touched a hot stove I got burnt. I learned from the very start that fire is one of earth’s most dangerous elements. When the stove burned me, mom arrived; and, she kissed the burn to make it better. Soon after the burn, I figured out I wanted to be cool.
Cool rules. I made a conscience effort to walk, talk and act cool since kindergarten. I started playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. No matter what season, I played sports. When I got to high school, I focused solely on baseball, then golf.
Soon after discovering the duties of the oven, I discovered the duties of the Ice Box. The refrigerator was my friend. I’d like to take the time and thank Albert Einstein personally for inventing refrigeration.
I loved the refrigerator because it had all the right stuff: ice cream, popsicles, soda, and candy. My grandpa used to buy groceries in bulk. Whenever I went over his house, I always went back home happy.
Indie Films
Successful Independent films (Indie) are the coolest movies you want to watch. With such small wiggle room, Indie films have the potential for expansion. Most Indie budgets are tight and constrained.
Let’s say I gave you a thousand dollars. Then you turned my grand into a million dollars. That’s exactly how Indie films work. I believe great Indie films are always better than great blockbusters.
Let’s say I gave you one hundred thousand dollars. Then you turned my 100k into one million. You see the difference. That’s why it’s so hard for major studios to impress me with cookie-cutter material.
With just a little, Indie films make a big impact. Some of the best Indie films are foreign. And, that’s the way the entertainment industry should operate. Quit remaking movies and make original content.
All I am saying is I saw Super Man, Spiderman, and Batman in a dozen of the same movies. What about Hancock played by Will Smith?
If I’m tired of seeing the same crap over and over, then I know you are tired too. Stop buying their overpriced Imax tickets. Make them make an original movie. Give Indie films a try. The reason I support Indie Films is because I find more value in this type of entertainment.
Music
I appreciate Indie Music too. Have you ever heard somebody with a unique sound on YouTube or on your local radio station? Artists have to start somewhere. Unless the musician has connections, he or she has to start small. I have the utmost respect for YouTube.
YouTube is my second favorite place on the web after GuruJay.com. First off, Indie Music on YouTube and other video sharing sites is cool. And, cool rules. Esmée Denters started on YouTube. Usher discovered Justin Bieber on the site. And, the rest is history.
I love rags to riches. Riches to riches is too easy. Look at Jay Z for inspiration. He is a prime example of an artist who got turned down, and went independent. Thus, Shawn Carter launched a thriving empire. If you search the Forbes archive, you will find Jay Z and Justin Bieber.
Esmée Denters is my favorite YouTube star. She sounds like an angel mixed with a little devil. She is underrated now, but soon I think she will take off thanks to YouTube and Indie Music. Who knows, she might get an acting gig in the near future.
Never underestimate passionate people. It works in my life and it worked out for Steve Jobs. The underdog has to go after his dreams. Remember it isn’t about the size of the dog in the fight. It’s about the size of the fight in the dog.
Most importantly, be cool. You don’t have to play sports like I did, play some music. Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
Fashion
Everybody wears clothes, hopefully. Someone designed them. I’d bet you that the most successful clothes look cool. By now, I hope you learned people like cool stuff. Look at Ralph Lauren; he started small.
At first, Lauren sold ties with a twist. He conjectured men might want to wear bright ties. He thought there weren’t many makers of bright ties and so he built a market based on this.
There are many others who saw a niche and executed. Find a need and fill it. You can start by finding something you love and never let it go. Hold tight to it like it’s the last thing left in the world.
Beyoncé began making clothes with her mother. She found a niche and delivered to her audience. Deliver to your audience. Give them something cool, calm and collective. Then, make it fresh and hot. And repeat, until it is cool again. P.S. Remember to refrigerate your niche.
The Refrigeration Niche
I don’t want you to think all I have done in life is sports. The truth is…I am well rounded. Think of anything cool and I’ve done it or at least thought about doing it. I have mastered the art of mathematics and the science of politics. I play cards, speak Spanish and I learned a few chess moves as well as aikido moves along the way. Also, I do yoga.
I am cool but I’m not the most interesting man in the world. The Dos Equis guy holds that title. As I got older, I stopped drinking Capri suns and started drinking beer from the fridge.
The Refrigeration Niche is a way of thinking. If you’re using the Refrigeration Niche, don’t forget the purpose of refrigeration, which is preservation. You don’t want things to go bad. You want them to go smooth and easy. Sometimes life is rough and hard.
I like how Indie films, music and clothing make statements. At times, they are bold. Many successful ones are controversial. Don’t be afraid of controversy. As long as you respect others with your art, don’t worry. All actors, musicians, and fashion designers can utilize the Refrigeration Niche.
Albert Einstein invented the refrigerator. I coined the term Refrigeration Niche. In the entertainment industry, you can’t get far without getting rejected. Take constructive criticism and tune out the haters. You must keep your composure at all times. The Refrigeration Niche is about keeping things cool. Hone your craft. Exceed expectations. Be cool.