In 1998, we wanted to share our love of the music that provided the soundtrack
to his youth: Rock and Roll from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s. After a
two year period of research and development, the domain name ClassicBands.com
was registered and the website went online on November 2nd, 2000. Content came
together slowly, starting with biographies of Rock and Roll artists of the
Classic Rock era, followed by Rock trivia, artist’s birthdays and U.S. and U.K.
record charts.

The quality of the website took a giant leap forward when Mr.
Gary James, who has spoken with over 1200 entertainment personalities, agreed to
include his fascinating interviews at ClassicBands.com. Since that time, over
300 interviews with the artists who actually made the music, have been added.
Gary James has sat down with the likes of Gene Simmons, Cliff Richard, Eric
Burdon, Fabian, Gene Pitney, Paul Revere, Dave Clark and members of The Doors,
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Chicago and hundreds more. He has also looked into
the circumstances surrounding the deaths of John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Kurt
Cobain and Elvis Presley, with in-depth talks with informed authors and experts.
Gary promises our readers that the best is yet to come.

Some of the challenges the website has faced over the years is the
accuracy of the content. On several occasions, artists themselves have made
contact to correct or make additions to their profile. Respect for copyright is
always a prime consideration, and on the rare instance that an offence occurs,
action is swiftly taken to correct the situation and apologies are issued. For
those who are planning or currently have a website, we would highly recommend a
similar policy. Simply copying and pasting material from other sources is a
recipe for trouble.

Classicbands.com is constantly growing. Readers continue to suggest new
material and make recommendations. All of their proposals are considered. New
additions include a web poll where viewers can register their opinions, a Rock
and Roll quote of the week and a section called “Who Sang That Hit“, where
readers can look up who recorded a song and where it peaked on the U.S. Top 40.

The subject of Rock and Roll covers a wide variety of musical tastes and
interests and while you can’t please everyone, we will continue to explore as
many genres as possible, from Rock-a-billy, British Invasion, Disco, Bubble Gum
and Hard Rock. As Billy Joel wrote: “It’s All Rock and Roll To Me.”

The site really is amazing. It’s a got very clean layout, extremely organized categories and most of all- tons of amazing classic rock information! Visit classicbands.com, I think you’ll like it as much as I do!

Laylas Classic Rock

When did you start the Laylas Classic Rock?

Back in 2005

What was your motivation to start Laylas Classic Rock?

Someone talked me into starting a blog.  I insisted I had nothing anyone would be interested in hearing about.  She said, just pick something you’re passionate about and see what happens.  So, I did!

Has running Laylas Classic Rock changed the way you think about music?

Great question!  It has opened up my curiosity to discover new music either from new artists or lesser known artist.  Hearing a really talented new band for the first time is exhilarating.

What are your 3 favorite articles/posts you’ve written?

I wrote one on the connection between rock musicians and heroin use that got published in a few other places, I liked that one.  None others come to mind - some were more popular but not necessarily favorites.

What makes Laylas Classic Rock different from other classic rock sites?

The people who stop by to comment!  I was very flattered by the way the guys from The Ripple Effect described it.  They said something like, “Visiting Layla’s is like stopping by the local bar on the way home from work to see what’s going on and talk about music.”  The people who comment share my passion for music.  They all have an extensive knowledge of their favorite bands and each add their unique personality to the blog when they comment.  I feel like we have a little community because many of us read each other’s blogs.  It goes beyond music too – when I was dealing with some serious issues with my son recently I felt cared for and encouraged by my “blog family”.

What is the ultimate goal for a classic rock website in your opinion?

To introduce people to some of the great music that is considered “classic rock”.

What has been the biggest challenge for Laylas Classic Rock? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I’ve never had goals or expectations for any of my blogs so therefore no real challenges.  For me its fun, and if it stops being fun it will be time to hit “delete”.   Each blogger is unique and has different reasons for starting a blog.  I started “Layla’s” with a very casual attitude and wrote whenever and whatever I was thinking about or interested in on any given day.  I don’t put too much effort into my words (ha, that’s probably obvious), its more like having conversations with friends.  If I felt like I was trying to impress anyone or write a “really good post” I’d freeze up and never write again!

I do have more of a challenge with my blog “Gone But Not Forgotten” because people are always giving me new names to add (which I love, keep it up!).  So as soon as I feel caught up, the list grows!  But if I kept only one blog, that would be the one.  It means a lot to me to give tribute to many of the great musicians who are no longer with us, their music lives on!

Any specific tips you have for newbie bloggers who want to make a music site?

Yes, be yourself and share about what interests you.  Visit other music blogs (you can find them via links on other blogs or do a search).  I have joined several blog directories but I’d say 75% of my traffic comes from other bloggers.  Leave comments, people will come over to see who you are.  Most important, have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously.  Don’t be afraid to ask other bloggers for help or tips, I LOVE IT when new bloggers ask me, it’s so fun to help someone get started.

What other classic rock websites do you recommend? Why?

Check out the links in my blogs, all other blogs and sites that I like are listed there.  I can’t name one because they are all special to me in one way or another (that’s my diplomatic way of saying I can’t stand leaving anyone out so I rather not name any at all!)

What is the best album released in the last 40 years or so and why?

My brain will explode if I trying to answer this one!  I think I could make a list of 100 but never narrow it down to one.

What is your earliest classic rock memory or experience?

I will age myself with this, but it was a life changing moment for me.  It was 1964, I was 4 years old.  My dad and I watched The Ed Sullivan Show together every Sunday.  He was in his recliner and I’d sit on the floor next to him.  When the Beatles came on stage, even at my tender young age, I knew I there was something important going on and that music made me feel good.  I started listening to The Beatles with my dad from that day forward which led to other bands.  So I guess I can say I’ve had a lifelong love of rock and roll.

What’s on your current playlist?

“Acoustic Soul” India Arie
“Astral Weeks”, Van Morrison
“Bad Co.”, Bad Co.
“Blood on the Tracks”, Bob Dylan,
“Hot & Nasty Anthology”, Humble Pie
“Kick”, INXS
“Led Zeppelin II”, Led Zeppelin
“Live at the Aladdin”, Prince
“Live Rust” Neil Young
“Neon Bible” Arcade Fire
“News of the World”, Queen
“No Line on the Horizon, U2
“Only By Night”, Kings of Leon
“So Real”, Jeff Buckley
“The Fray”, The Fray
“The Wall” Pink Floyd
“Working on a Dream” Bruce Springsteen

Are there any good classic rock books you recommend?

“For You – Original Stories and Photographs by Bruce Springsteen’s Legendary Fans” by Lawrence Kirsch (One of my stories is in the book!)

“Into The Heart – Stories Behind Every U2 Song” by Niall Stokes

“Whole Lotta Zeppelin – The Illustrated History of the Heaviest Band of All Time” by Jon Bream

Is Elvis really dead?

Of course not, he was frozen and is going to make his comeback in 2020.

Any last words?

Thanks for interviewing me, it was fun!

Now get your butt over to Laylas Classic Rock and subscribe to the feed!

Here’s MY Top Ten Classic Rock Albums:

1. Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
2. IV (unnamed 4th album) - Led Zeppelin
3. Let it Bleed - Rolling Stones
4. Sgt. Peppers - The Beatles
5. Hotel California - The Eagles
6. Tommy - The Who
7. The Doors - The Doors
8. Van Halen - Van Halen
9. Are you Experienced - Jimi Hendrix
10. Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith

It took me a week to get this one written. Too many honorable mentions to, erhhh, mention. At some later point, maybe I’ll post a top 11 through 20?

Love it, Hate it? Lemme know. Leave a comment!

After a number of tries, well, this is F&%#@ing hard! I ended picking songs that I could relate to. These are songs that have meaning for me. They are not the necessarily the best musicians or best lyrics or any of that. Just good classic rock songs that I like.

So here’s my top 10 best classic rock songs:

1. Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
2. Freebird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
3. Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
4. Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)
5. Stranglehold (Ted Nugent)
6. Back in Black (AC/DC)
7. Dream On (Aerosmith)
8. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
9. Baba O’Riley (The Who)
10. Hotel California (The Eagles)

Here are some different versions of these songs that you may have never heard, some great, some just funny. Listen and see what you think!

So obviously your top ten best classic rock songs will be different than mine, right? So tell me! Leave your Top Ten list in the comment form below…