Who was your musical idol when you were growing up?

1. 71

   Kaili Bissonposted 12 years ago

   We collectively have lost a few of our idols from the world of music in the last few months…Davy Jones of the Monkees, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston.
   
   Who did you follow?

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   1. 82

      MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Growing up... The Jackson Five! I'm old!

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         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Marlene, who doesn't love "I'll be there"? They were really popular.

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      2. 69

         nina64posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         When I was growing up, I just loved The Jackson Five!!!!!!!! They did it for me.....I have all their music to this day!! Whether it was Michael, Janet, or Jermaine, I loved any music made by the Jackson Family. I guess I'm just a die hard Jackson fan.

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         1. 82

            MarleneBposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Do you remember that song, "Ben"? I cried almost every time I heard it. Even now, tears are welling up just thinking about it. Maybe the movie by the same name has a lot to do with it.

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               Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I thought Jermaine was cute  :-)

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                  krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  I am a huge Michael Jackson fan.  I once entered a Michael Jackson look alike contest.  Did not win....lol.  Love you Michael

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                     Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     lol...too funny about the contest.
                     
                     Michael will be missed.

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                        krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        I know, I had a sparkly glove and the right outfit...I was really bummed out.  Then I fell hopelessly and momentarily in love with the boy who won, because he actually did look like Michael Jackson.  ha ha ha.
                        
                        Cause this is thriller.....

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                        1. 71

                           Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           :-)

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   2. 76

      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      1st was Paul McCartney, then Davy Jones, then David Cassidy But in between that I loved most of the music of the 60s...Motown especially.

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      1. 71

         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Oh yes, David Cassidy. I remember there was one camp who loved him, and another who loved Bobby Sherman.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Between my friends it was David Cassidy vs Donny Osmond

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            1. 71

               Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Now THAT's a contest!  :-)

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   3. 0

      mts1098posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have enjoyed the music of Billy Joel since my early teens...

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      1. 71

         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         He is a wonderful artist. My fave is "We didn't start the fire".

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            mts1098posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            That is a great song and I still do not know all the words ) Piano man was my first tape but now I have all cds...

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      2. 0

         Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Me too - since I was in junior high.    The man is an absolutely brilliant songwriter, and obviously among the best piano players in popular music. 
         
         

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            Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            He really is such a talented musician and songwriter, no question.

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   4. 77

      Barbara Kayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The Beatles were almost everyone's idol when I was growing up. This answer makes my age show.

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         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Barbara, the Beatles are timeless  :-)

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   5. 60

      Babypenguinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Kurt cobain, idiolised him

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      1. 71

         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hi there and welcome to the HP community! Kurt was such a talent.

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            krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Kaili, this is a wonderful discussion you started!  Inspiring and thought provoking.  Music truly brings people together.

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            1. 64

               krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               MelissaBarrett did call us old though...ha ha ha. Bless her heart.

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            2. 71

               Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Thank you for the feedback. Music truly does bring people together!

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         2. 60

            Babypenguinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you. I was 4 when he died but about 9/10 i started lisening to nirvana and since then, ive always idolized  kurt. I went through my teens with all the albums, t shits hoodies, all the books & dvds. I love my collection lol

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            1. 71

               Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I only had Nevermind on CD, but I have downloaded other songs. I love "About a Girl".

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                  Babypenguinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Mine has to be smell like teen spirit, sad as it is, i used to jump about my room to that song lol

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   6. 64

      Shakka Jamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Michael Jackson, Monica, Brandy and Mary J Blige

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      1. 71

         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hello Shakka and welcome to HubPages! Lots of Michael fans here on this forum, he was such a unique talent. Brandy has some great tunes...lovely voice!

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   7. 77

      Shinkickerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Jeff Lynne. Rock and Pop genius, writer, producer, singer and guitar player. What a talent!!

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      1. 71

         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Do you appreciate him more as writer, producer or performer? What about his work with ELO?

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2. 59

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 12 years ago

   neil young when i was really young, and then mick baby when i became a teen...

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh ya, Neil is great. I personally didn't hear about him until I was a little older though. Beatles and Stones were my first albums.

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      1. 71

         Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         ...by a little older I'm talking about the release of "Déjà Vu"  :-)

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3. 56

   OLDNAVYposted 12 years ago

   Michael Jackson

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He was an amazing artist, both with his brothers and on his own.

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4. 60

   walkingwithhimposted 12 years ago

   Eric Carmen: "ALL BY MYSELF"!

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A great choice...was there something about that song in particular that made you a fan?

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      walkingwithhimposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It probably did hit a chord but there were others, I just couldn't think of them.

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5. 67

   aviannoviceposted 12 years ago

   I liked everything that came my way, but I really enjoyed the Carpenters, The Eagles, The Beatles, the BeeGees.

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, the Carpenters. People forget what a great drummer Karen was. Eagles for sure, unique sound at the time. How about the Monkees? I was a fan of theirs...I wanted to marry Davy :-)

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6. 84

   quicksandposted 12 years ago

   Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger and many more artists and bands which include Jethro Tull, Chicago, Three Dog Nite, Bee Gees ...

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Elvis for sure! I loved his movies. Tull, yes, I was a fan of theirs too when I was a teen. Chicago's "Colour My World" is still a great song. Three Dog Nite...I think the first song from them that was on the radio here was "One".

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         quicksandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You sure have great taste! Three Dog Nite had a smashing track called "Chambala."  Remember? 

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         1. 71

            Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            "...wash away my troubles, wash away my pain..."

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7. 76

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   Good topic!
   
   Elementary school the Fab 4, The Animals, Guess Who, Doors (and yeah, Monkees).
   Junior High: Sweet Baby James Taylor and Carole King, Paul McCartney solo (not Wings tho), George Harrison.
   Bee Gees and Donna Summer definitely my fave disco era singers.

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Mighty Mom, yes we have different idols through the different stages of our lives, don't we. I am totally in-step with your timeline too, but would add Cowsills early on. I was not a big fan of Wings either.

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8. 72

   Ddraigcochposted 12 years ago

   Madonna, Guns n Roses and a bit further back Bananarama and Petshop boys. 80s music has so much to explain when I get near a psychiatrist!

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Madonna is on many a list. G n'R for sure. And yes, so many great bands came out of the UK in the 80s. Bananarama had some excellent videos! And I loved the Petshop Boys "West End Girls".

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      1. 84

         quicksandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You may remember a female artist called Sandie Shaw. If you like Madonna, you would have liked Sandie Shaw too.

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9. 68

   Michael Willisposted 12 years ago

   Donna Summer!!! Was and still is. Will miss her dearly.

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   1. 71

      Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      She was amazing. What a voice!

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10. 88

    TheMagicianposted 12 years ago

    Henry Rollins.
    Then again, I'm a bit of a new-ager

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       He was in a punk band in the 80s, wasn't he?

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          spartucusjonesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          He was in Black Flag which was a highly influential hardcore band. From there he had the Rollins Band and he also did some really interesting spoken word stuff.

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             krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Hey teammate, did you ever see the Rollin's spoken word tour?  I saw it at KU at the Lied center and he is phenomenal!

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                spartucusjonesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                No I haven't. Now I am very envious of you!

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                   krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                   He has a new show also called Animal Underground, it's pretty strange.  He's very intelligent, an educated man.  I was impressed with him. He has a hilarious sense of humor too.

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11. 81

    Rafiniposted 12 years ago

    David Cassidy - amazing talent!
    Michael Jackson - super amazing talent!
    Alabama
    Van Halen
    Journey
    Madonna
    Duran Duran

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Duran Duran was hugely popular. And Journey...the voice on that man!

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12. 67

    shin_rocka04posted 12 years ago

    Hmm. Michael Jackson, James Brown, Prince, Bob Marley, and a bunch others.

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       James Brown...yes! Prince for sure, amazing guitar player. Marley is fantastic. I love "Three Little Birds".

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          krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Prince is awesome, remember The Time?  I grew up in MN and saw the Prince at First Ave.  He had a purple house there.

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          1. 71

             Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             I do remember the Time, though I didn't really follow them. Now, a purple house would be hard to miss  :-)

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13. 61

    xstaticposted 12 years ago

    Reading these responses makes me feel older than dirt! I was a huge fan of Nat King Cole & Sinatra, listened to a lot Jazz from junior high on. Oh and the Four Freshmen too.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Nat and Frank I know...Sinatra is one of my faves. But I don't recall the Four Freshmen...will have to look them up.

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          xstaticposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          They were a very tight harmony vocal jazz  quartet who all played multiple instruments, were great in person as well.  Did lots of great ballads.

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14. 79

    spartucusjonesposted 12 years ago

    As a kid I was exposed to a lot of the "oldies" through my mom, and I went through a phase where I was really into Elvis, and I would try to shake my hips like The King. Then later on in the 80's I went through a little bit of a rap phase. But once I got into my teenage years I got into the grunge and alternative rock that was popular in the 90's. I was especially into Nirvana, and Kurt Cobain's death impacted me hard. In many ways Nirvana was a musical gateway drug for me. I started to listen to many obscure underground rock bands of the 70's & 80's because Kurt Cobain cited them as influences.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Nirvana was amazing; so powerful, both in terms of the raw energy in the music and in the lyrics. I only have "Nevermind" on CD. How about the "Godfather of Grunge", Neil Young?

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       1. 79

          spartucusjonesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I am a huge Neil Young fan! My first real concert (I don't count Sharon Lois & Bram) was a Neil Young & Pearl Jam double bill back on August 18th, 1993 in Toronto at the now defunct Exhibition Stadium. Blues Traveler & Soundgarden opened. 
          
          I went to the concert primary for Pearl Jam, but that concert was a huge musical awakening for me. Afterwards I immediately purchased the Decade anthology, and shortly after that I would buy all of the Neil Young that I could get my hands on.

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15. 0

    Motown2Chitownposted 12 years ago

    My only sibling was nearly eleven years older than I, and my parents were fairly advanced in age to have children my age.  As a result, I grew up listening to a TON of music older than I.
    
    I absolutely love the Eagles, the Beatles, the Rolling Stone, the J. Geils Band, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Carole King, and a ton of classic and southern rock.
    
    From my own era, I'm a huge fan of Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains.  Later, Audioslave, and solo Chris Cornell.
    
    I LOVE old jazz standards - Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole.
    
    Anything by Cole Porter...
    
    And, I am from Detroit, and love everything Motown ever put its name to.  Most especially the Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I can totally relate...my Father was a fan of "Big Bands", so I love Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and others from that era. Sinatra too. I was a huge Zep fan when I was a teen. I have been listening to WNCW via the internet. They have introduced me to some amazing new artists like "Alabama Shakes" and "The Broadcast", a superb band from Asheville NC.

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          spartucusjonesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I absolutely love the Alabama Shakes! Brittany Howard is a real vocal powerhouse and I have a tough time listening to their music without experiencing goosebumps.

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          1. 71

             Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Hey there spartucus, this link is for you (and for anyone who has not heard this band before):
             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbDJW2oK7zw
             
             and here is The Broadcast doing "Whipping Post" at the Merc in NYC (not the best quality but the only clip I could find):
             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lKOBF9M8cY

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16. 72

    Reality Bytesposted 12 years ago

    Musical Idol:
    
    Jim Morrison

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Oh ya...Doors. Could there be a more poignant song than "The End"? Jim's poetry was art.

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17. 59

    MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

    You guys are really really old...

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    1. 84

       quicksandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Me too? ...

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18. 85

    peachpurpleposted 12 years ago

    I love Michael Jackson songs. Not those rock ones, the ballad ones. Very beautiful especially the song he sang for his wife, Ms Presley.

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       "You are not alone"...that ballad?

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    soundtrack junkieposted 12 years ago

    led zeppelin

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Me too...the very first song I ever heard by them was "Immigrant Song". Still crank that one on the car stereo  :-)

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       quicksandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It's been a long time since I rocked and rolled ... !

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          Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          :-)

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20. 61

    FatFreddysCatposted 12 years ago

    James Hetfield of Metallica (pre-1991)
    
    Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P.
    
    Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap.

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       krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Why pre 1991?

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          FatFreddysCatposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I'm one of those grumpy old metal dudes who lost interest in Metallica after the "Black Album," because up until then they were "our" band (i.e. big with headbangers, but not with everyone else) and I didn't like having to share them with the rest of the world.
          
          I know, it's irrational, but once Metallica belonged to "EVERYONE" they weren't as much fun anymore.

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             krsharp05posted 12 years agoin reply to this

             I understand...pre-mainstream.  Makes sense.  Fight for your rights. Love it.

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             Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             I lost interest in Metallica when Lars Ulrich went on a whining campaign against Napster.  The greedy little ....!

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          3. 71

             Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             But "Enter Sandman" is OK, right? I love that song.

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21. 59

    thatguyCmposted 12 years ago

    I'm of a more instrumental guy. I'm a fan of Yiruma (lee-ruma) the way he dance with his hands..amazing.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Welcome to the HP community thatguyCm!
       I see that Yiruma has some stuff on YouTube, so I will check him out for sure.

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22. 69

    Lorne Hemmerlingposted 12 years ago

    Being slightly ahem, older, The Beatles. They are the reason I started playing guitar.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Lorne from Port Hope! Yes, a few of us on this forium are ahem, a little older. Beatles were a huge influence on so many. I see you teach guitar. I tried to teach myself "Stairway to Heaven" and, much to all my friends' delight, gave up guitar after that  :-)

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23. 0

    EmpressFelicityposted 12 years ago

    Joy Division, New Order, The Cure (early), Sisters of Mercy and the Human League.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hello Empress, I must check out your gardening blog.
       Yes, I loved "Love Will Tear Us Apart". And Human League were hugely popular here. Did you like Ultravox?

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          EmpressFelicityposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, they were good too.

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          1. 71

             Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Midge Ure is such a talented guy  :-)

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    thatguyCmposted 12 years ago

    Thank u ms kaili. You should try 'kiss the rain'..btw this site has friendly members.

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi again, yes lots of very friendly folks here on HP.  I will for sure check the song you recommended !

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25. 78

    Ole Number Oneposted 12 years ago

    Roger Waters.

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Roger is a musical genius.

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    talfonsoposted 12 years ago

    As a 90's kid, I'm pretty much a fan of Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, and the Spice Girls. Oh, and when I really got into classical music in elementary school, I idolized most classical music artists and composers that aren't as well known as the late, great Pavarotti. Some of them I follow on Twitter.
    
    I first became enthralled that Howard Goodall, my musical idol in middle school, became a Twitter user. I didn't hesitate to follow him (as well as his brothers) because I remembered watching his documentaries as a kid and listening to his music from his sitcoms and other TV shows!

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    1. 71

       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Oh Spice Girls were just fun. And I'm pretty sure I heard some of Howard's work on CBC one time...choral music.

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    ftclickposted 12 years ago

    Bowie, Elton John

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Both great artists. I had Bowie's "Rise and Fall..." album.

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    steveamyposted 12 years ago

    Springsteen............still is

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       He has such a huge following and for good reason. I really like his early stuff.

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    gin300dposted 12 years ago

    I have always been a big Queen fan. They were a talented group of guys and Freedie Mercury had an amazing voice.

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Queen were amazing and so different when they first came along. Freddie had a super voice, and Brian May is a fantastic guitarist.

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30. 61

    Night Magicposted 12 years ago

    Mine was the Moody Blues.  I saw them in concert years ago and they were fantastic.  I saw them again in concert about six months ago but they sure didn't put on the show that they did years ago.

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I know what you mean. I too saw them many years ago, then again about 2 years ago. They really were amazing in their prime.

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    ftclickposted 12 years ago

    in the late 70s - earth wind & fire (shining star and many others)
    in early 80s - U2 (sunday bloody sunday and new years day )

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       Kaili Bissonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, Earth, Wind and Fire. They had a really different sound.
       And yes, U2 was amazing back then...I think I liked them better in their early days when everything they did had a rawness about it.

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