I Want My MTV - In Memory of Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger, one of America's great young actors, died today at the age of 28, the result of a possible overdose. Below you'll find (mostly unofficial) music videos for songs that were featured in some of the films Heath Ledger appeared in. RIP Heath.


"The Wings" by Gustavo Santaolalla (above), featured in the film Brokeback Mountain


"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Heath Ledger and some marching band (above), featured in the film 10 Things I Hate About You


"We Will Rock You" by Queen (above), featured in the film A Knight's Tale


"Nervous Breakdown" by Rise Against (above), featured in the film Lords of Dogtown


"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Antony and the Johnsons (above), featured in the film I'm Not There

Don't Wanna Let You Go - In Memory of Kevin DuBrow

Kevin DuBrow, the lead singer of the 1980s heavy metal band Quiet Riot, has died at the age of 52.

For me personally, Quiet Riot was one of those milestone bands in my life. As I've mentioned elsewhere, Quiet Riot's Metal Health was the very first album I ever owned. My mother bought the record for me at a Wegmans grocery store in Syracuse, NY back in 1983 and I listened to it hundreds of times in my formative years. In fact, I still have that same copy of the album in my collection today. Thanks to outstanding vocals from DuBrow, an amazing original guitarist (one Randy Rhoads, pictured here alongside Kevin), and a couple of very smart cover songs, Quiet Riot's Metal Health laid the foundation for an entire generation's love of metal (myself included) by proving that the genre could find success on the charts in ways never before imagined (the album hit No. 1 in 1983).

From CNN:

DuBrow died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to TMZ.com. The Clark County coroner's office was examining the body to determine the cause of death, according to TMZ.

"I'm at a loss for words. I've just lost my best friend," Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali told CNN. "Out of respect for both Kevin and his family, I won't comment further. There's going to be a lot of speculation out there, and I won't add to that. I love him too much."

Quiet Riot hit the top of the charts with its 1983 album, Metal Health, considered by some sources as the first heavy metal album to hit No. 1. The album was driven by the group's cover of Slade's "Cum on Feel the Noize," which hit the Top 40.

The band's other hits included "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)" and another Slade cover, "Mama Weer All Crazee Now."

The band formed in the mid-1970s behind DuBrow and guitarist Randy Rhoads, who later joined Ozzy Osbourne's band and died in a tour accident. After several years, during which time the band disbanded, regrouped and built an audience, everything came together for Metal Health, which put Quiet Riot in the vanguard of the Los Angeles heavy metal movement.

Listen:
"Metal Health (Bang Your Head)"
"Cum on Feel the Noize"
"Don't Wanna Let You Go"

Buy Metal Health on Amazon/on iTunes.

Have A Funky Christmas - In Memory of James Brown

Early this morning the world lost a pioneer, a true legend, when James Brown died after being hospitalized with pneumonia. Brown was one of the most elite and influential musicians of the past century. He brought the funk (he invented it) but he also sang and acted with the goal of bettering the lives of African Americans and poor people across the country. These are the things we should remember James Brown for - let's make Christmas mean something this year.

Have yourseleves a very Merry (funky) Christmas.

Listen:
"Funky Christmas" (via silence is a rhythm too)
"Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" (via who killed the mixtape?)
"Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year Pts 1 & 2" (via FPSA)

Buy James Brown's Funky Christmas HERE.