Tony Melendez (born 1962)the greatest guitarist with no arms is a Nicaraguan American guitar player, composer and singer and songwriter who was born without arms. His mother took Thalidomide while pregnant, which caused his disability. Melendez has learned to play the guitar with his feet.
Melendez began playing and singing in the Los Angeles area in 1985. On September 15, 1987 Melendez sang Never Be the Same while playing the guitar with his feet in a special performance for Pope John Paul II. Visibly moved, the Pope descended from his chair and embraced Melendez. The pope told Melendez, "My wish for you is that you continue to give hope to others and continue in what you are doing", which inspired him.
Tony Melendez story
As of 2005, his band, Tony Melendez and the Toe Jam Band, has a busy concert schedule. Melendez gives motivational talks and has written a book. He campaigns actively for the pro-life cause.
Melendez now resides in Branson, Missouri with his wife, Lynn.
Awards and recognition
Melendez has won Unity Awards Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA in 2000, 2002, 2004 and in 2002 took Artist of the year. He received the Branson Entertainment Award for Best New Artist in 1999, the "Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at the Super Bowl XXIII and has received special commendations from the State of California for his work with young people and from President Reagan, regarding Tony "as a positive role model for America".
Special Commendation from President Reagan - As A Positive Role Model for America
Special Commendation from State of California - For Work with Young People
Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIII in Miami
Branson Entertainment Awards – Best New Artist (1999)
Unity Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA (2000)
Unity Awards - Artist of the Year UCMVA (2002)
Unity Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA (2002)
Unity Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA (2004)
Discography
Never be the Same (1988)
Ways of the Wise (1990)
El Muro Se Callo (1991)
Debe Haber (1995)
Hands in Heaven (1997)
The Cup Of Life (1998)
Intimate Worship (1999)
See Tony Melendez play guitar and sing "let it be"Tony Melendez website http://www.tonymelendez.com
6/26/08
Tony Melendez story- The greatest guitarist with no arms
6/23/08
Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story - The top progressive rock band
49 min
One of the most famous creators and characters of the psychedelic era, Syd Barrett has not conducted an interview or released music since the early seventies yet his self-imposed anonymity still fascinates fans old and new. The original songwriter for Pink Floyd was only with the band for a vibrant 3 years when he left in 1968, yet when the band released their greatest hits album in 2001 Syd had written over a fifth of the tracks. This year it is 35 years since Syd Barrett left the band yet mystery still surrounds this prodigy of rock. The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story retells the fascinating story of the start of one of the largest and most influential bands in rock and the drug induced breakdown of their original song writer and lead man. The release of this personal and candid profile of the once effervescent musician and now cult figure of Syd Barrett. Roger Waters, Dave Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright retell how Syd slip from reality haunted the band for many years and this is clearly demonstrated in the tracks Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here. There are also insights from former girlfriends, landlords, flatmates, producers, managers, friends and famous fans. Also featuring rare early footage of the band performing; including a live show at the UFO Club, and an appearance with former landlord Mick Leonard on Tomorrows World.
Pink Floyd are The top progressive rock band.
Pink Floyd Live - Delicate Sound Of Thunder
Pink Floyd Live - Live at Pompeii
Pink Floyd Live
Pink Floyd - The Wall (film)
Pink Floyd - Live at Live8
Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story
Roger Waters - In The Flesh Live
Roger Waters Live - The Wall Berlin 90 ( The Wall - Live in Berlin )
Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story - The top progressive rock band
6/21/08
Pink Floyd - The Wall (film) - The greatest progressive band
95 min the movie by Roger Water
Pink Floyd The Wall (film)
Pink Floyd The Wall is a 1982 film by British director Alan Parker based on the 1979 Pink Floyd album The Wall. The screenplay was written by Pink Floyd vocalist and bassist Roger Waters. The film is highly metaphorical and is rich in symbolic imagery and sound.
It features very little dialogue and is mainly driven by Pink Floyd's music. Although it features a linear storyline, in many ways The Wall more resembles a long-form music video than a traditional narrative feature film.
Pink Floyd - The Wall (film) - The greatest progressive band
Song changes from album:
When the Tigers Broke Free 1 - added
In the Flesh? - extended/re-mixed/lead vocal re-recorded by Geldof
The Thin Ice - extended/re-mixed with additional piano overdub in second verse
Another Brick in the Wall 1 - unchanged
When the Tigers Broke Free 2 - added
Goodbye Blue Sky - re-mixed (moved positions)
The Happiest Days of Our Lives - re-mixed
Another Brick in the Wall 2 - re-mixed with extra lead guitar
Mother - re-recorded completely with exception of guitar solo/lyrics changed
Empty Spaces - deleted, in favor of:
What Shall We Do Now? - added
Young Lust - unchanged but with screams added and phone call part removed
One of My Turns - re-mixed
Don't Leave Me Now - shortened
Another Brick in the Wall 3- re-recorded completely at a faster tempo
Goodbye Cruel World - unchanged
Hey You - not included
Is There Anybody Out There? - classical guitar re-recorded
Nobody Home - vocals re-mixed
Vera - unchanged
Bring the Boys Back Home - re-recorded completely with brass band and Welsh male voice choir/extended, Roger Waters' lead vocals removed
Comfortably Numb - re-mixed with screams added/bass line partially different from album
The Show Must Go On - not included
In the Flesh - re-recorded completely with brass band and Geldof on lead vocal
Run Like Hell - re-mixed/shortened
Waiting for the Worms - shortened but with extended coda
Stop - re-recorded completely featuring Geldof unaccompanied on lead vocal Note: The audio in the background of this scene is of Gary Yudman's Introduction from the Wall Live at Earl's Court.
The Trial - re-mixed
Outside the Wall - re-recorded completely with brass band and Welsh male voice choir/extended
Pink Floyd Live - Delicate Sound Of Thunder
Pink Floyd Live - Live at Pompeii
Pink Floyd Live
Pink Floyd - The Wall (film)
Pink Floyd - Live at Live8
Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story
Roger Waters Live - The Wall Berlin 90 ( The Wall - Live in Berlin )
Pink Floyd - The Wall (film) - The greatest progressive band
6/14/08
Madonna - The Confessions Tour Live From London - Live pop concerts
87 min
The Confessions Tour was the sixth world concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna to support her album Confessions on a Dance Floor. According to Billboard Madonna's tour grossed $194.8 million with a total of 60 shows and 1.2 million people in paid attendance through North America, Europe, and Japan, making it the highest grossing tour ever for a female artist.
Madonna - The Confessions Tour Live From London
If this video is not showing up, You can also see this video here
Setlist
"Future Lovers/I Feel Love"
"Get Together"
"Like a Virgin"
"Jump"
"Confessions" (Interlude)
"Live to Tell"
"Forbidden Love"
"Isaac"
"Sorry"
"Like It or Not"
"Sorry" (Interlude)
"I Love New York"
"Ray of Light"
"Let It Will Be"
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love"
"Paradise (Not For Me)"
"Music Inferno"
"Erotica"
"La Isla Bonita"
"Lucky Star"
"Hung Up"
6/13/08
Kenny Garrett - live - Famous jazz saxophonist
44 min
Kenny Garrett a famous jazz saxophonist is an American post bop jazz saxophonist and flutist. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 9, 1960. His father was a tenor saxophonist. Kenny's career took off when he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, then led by Duke's son, Mercer Ellington. Three years later he played in the Mel Lewis Orchestra (playing the music of Thad Jones) and also the Dannie Richmond Quartet (focusing on Charles Mingus's music). In 1984, he recorded his first album as a bandleader, Introducing Kenny Garrett. From there, his career has included 11 albums as a leader and numerous Grammy nominations. During his career, Kenny has performed and recorded with many jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Brian Blade, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, and Mulgrew Miller. Garrett's music sometimes exhibits Asian influence, an aspect which is especially prevalent in his 2006 recording, Beyond the Wall.
Kenny Garrett website http://www.kennygarrett.com/
Kenny Garrett - live
6/12/08
Dave Weckl - World's best drummer
Dave Weckl (born January 8, 1960) is a highly acclaimed Jazz Fusion drummer. Weckl attended Oxford High School in St. Charles, MI and graduated in 1968. He majored in jazz studies at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Starting out on the New York fusion scene in the early 1980s, Weckl soon found himself working with artists such as Paul Simon, Madonna, George Benson, Michel Camilo and Anthony Jackson. His most famous early work though, where his popularity blossomed, was with the Chick Corea's Elektric Band from 1985 to 1991.
Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta jam at Modern Drummer Festival
Weckl spent a total of seven years with Corea, during which he performed on numerous albums and also appeared with Corea's Akoustic Band, receiving considerable esteem for his work. He augmented his work with Corea by continuing his session work and appearing often with the GRP All-Star Big Band. In addition, he recorded four albums in 1988 and '89 with the Manhattan Jazz Quintet. Weckl has also released a series of instructional videotapes, and in 1990, he led his first solo date, Master Plan, for GRP. Heads Up followed in 1992, as well as Hard-Wired in 1994.
He has been the leader of ten recordings since 1990, three under his own name and seven as the Dave Weckl Band. Dave is endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Vic Firth Drumsticks, all of whom he has assisted with the design of new products, such as Sabian's HHX Evolution and HHX Legacy cymbal lines.
He was also known as the "Triplet King."
Around 1996, his style and setup radically changed due in large part from his studies with the legendary Freddie Gruber.
Dave Weckl website http://www.daveweckl.com/
6/6/08
Vinnie Colaiuta - Greatest jazz drummer
An awesome drum and percussion solo performed together by Vinnie and Paulinho at the end of Dudu Falcao's "Question Song" during the Bridge concert with Michael Sembello.
Vincent Colaiuta (born February 5, 1956) is a highly regarded drummer based in Los Angeles. Originally from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, he began playing drums as a child and received his first full drum kit from his parents at the age of 14.
After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston for a year, Colaiuta relocated to Los Angeles and made a mediocre living playing with lounge bands. His break came in April 1978 at the age of 22, when he auditioned for Frank Zappa, an audition that involved performing the notoriously difficult piece entitled "The Black Page". The audition was successful and Colaiuta went on to work with Zappa as his principal drummer for studio and live performances. Colaiuta's performances on Zappa's albums Tinsel Town Rebellion, Joe's Garage and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar are considered by many drummers to be among the most astounding ever recorded. Joe's Garage was named one
Vinnie Colaiuta website http://www.vinniecolaiuta.com/
Vinnie Colaiuta and Paulinho daCosta Drum Solo
6/5/08
Jacob Armen - The greatest jazz drummer boy
Jacob Armen (The greatest jazz drummer boy)is a true child prodigy drummer. Born in 1980, this drummer was playing like a pro at the ripe old age of 18 months. By the age of 6, he was playing with a full jazz ensemble. He was on tv many times between the ages of 7 and 10 years old, some of these video clips are available online. This prodigy drummer was trained in jazz by his father who would place a radio in his baby crib and he would listen to jazz drummers each day until he was able to play as well.
By the age of 7, he was performing with 4 drumsticks, a double bass pedal, and full kit. Some of the most renowned musical product lines sponsor Mr. Armen and his art. Jacob Armen released on NPG Records after being signed to a contract with Prince. Jacob's second release "Breakthrough" was released on his personal label, JAAB Records. For the past 2 years, Jacob has been working on his third release which will feature over 40 musicians!
Jacob Armen website http://jacobarmen.com/
Jacob Armen drum solo when he was 7 years old
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