Eddie Van Halen 1955 - 2020
Johnny Nash 1940 - 2020
Two music legends, two totally opposite music genres, two artists who left us on the same day, Oct 6 2020.
Strange bedfellows to put together in one post I agree, neither of whom I intended to review but neither could be allowed to pass without acknowledgement. So, these are not reviews, just a way of saying thanks.
I never really 'got into' Eddie Van Halen past the single 'Jump'. Didn't delve into the album tracks and I listened more to David Lee Roth's solo work than Eddie Van Halens guitar, but there is no dispute as to the impact he and his eponymous band made on the music of the 80's.
'1984' is perhaps the best known album, not only for the the tracks that came from it and entered the charts - 'Jump', 'I'll Wait', 'Panama' and 'Hot For Teacher', but also the distinctive cover of a child with a pack of (candy) cigarettes. In a reversal of the usual sensitivities, the cover was OK in the US, but in the UK a sticker was placed over the cigarette in the child's hand and the pack sitting in front of him.
I bought Johnny Nash's album in 1972 on the strength of the title track and was not disappointed with the rest of the songs. A few more Nash originals and some Bob Marley covers for a slightly sanitized but catchy and enjoyable reggae based selection.
Van Halen sang ..
"I'm hot for teacher
I got it bad, so bad,
I'm hot for teacher, whoa"
and Johnny Nash sang ..
"Groove it
Here I am
Come rub it 'pon me belly
like guava jelly"
Both (tongue in cheek) looking for love in their own way. Thanks Eddie and Johnny.
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