Tag: photos

Hardcore 1970’s Blues

Album Covers - Wet Willie Band and J. Geils Band
Album Covers – Wet Willie Band and J. Geils Band

I’ve read a few things about distraction free writing. In fact, WordPress offers a toolbar option for distraction free writing, which I am using now to write this. As long as my PC is connected to the internet and my brain is even half-working, I’m going to get distracted. Like yesterday, which led to this post. Here is what happened.

Yesterday morning I decided to listen to Wet Willie and J. Geils as I tried to finish some overdue paperwork. As I listened and worked, I decided to write a post to share a couple of songs from these two bands. As I started writing, I searched Google to verify where Wet Willie hailed from. In doing so, I found out from their web site that they are still together, recording and touring. Wow! Next I checked their touring schedule and saw their next date this year was October 9 at a venue in AR. I mapped the venue location and driving directions from my home; then started scheming how to go see them. That is how I got distracted just within a couple of hours on Wednesday. Here are a couple of cuts; one from each band’s seminal live album.

First up is the Wet Willie Band performing Macon Hambone Blues from their 1973 live album “Drippin’ Wet,” recorded in New Orleans, LA. This is one of the finest live recordings ever produced.

 

Next up is Serves You Right to Suffer, from J. Geils Band’s “Live, Full House.”

 

 

Then, later in the day, I had a major distraction. I blacked out in my garage, fell and hurt a bunch of me. My wife took me to the ER, who in turn admitted me for at least an overnight stay. As I prepare to publish this, that is where I am. Piled up in a hospital bed, waiting to find out what is next.

“Super Sport” | Photo Challenge – Letters

1970 Chevelle SS-396
1970 Chevelle SS-396

For this week’s photo challenge, I chose one letter, used twice. In the photo you see the letters “SS.” If you look hard, there are also a couple of numbers visible under the right headlights. They don’t count. Of course, there is an historical connotation for these two letters, the infamous “SS” from World War II, but in this case, they represent something much pleasanter.

The picture is of the 1970 Chevelle SS-396 I owned from 1973 to 1975. To anyone my age, at least any American male my age, these two letters represent performance, horsepower and speed – they represent the heyday of American muscle cars. This one was rated at 350 horsepower – and yes, I drove it very fast on occasion. I think the statute of limitations on speeding charges has expired, so I can confess this. The 1970 Chevelle SS also came in a 454 cubic inch, 450 horsepower variant. Both versions are highly desired collectibles. The latest offerings on Hemmings.com include a rare 454 convertible listing for $350,000.

For a little historical context about “SS” badged vehicles produced by Chevrolet, here is some information plagiarized from Wikipedia:

Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by Chevrolet on a limited number of its vehicles. All SS models come with distinctive “SS” markings on their exterior. The package was first made available for the 1961 Impala. Some of the other models bearing the SS badge include the Camaro, Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, and Nova.

In 1961, the SS “kit” was offered on any Impala for just $53.80. The package included Super Sport trim for both the interior and exterior, chassis reinforcements, stronger springs and shocks, power brakes, spinner wheel covers, and narrow-band whitewall tires. The car’s dashboard received a Corvette style passenger hand bar and a steering column mounted 7000-rpm tachometer. Chevrolet built 491,000 Impalas that year and 453 had the SS package, of which 311 received the 348 cid and 142 received the 409 cid. Since 1994, the SS package has been used on a variety of GM vehicles, including pickup trucks, four-door sedans, and front wheel drive cars.~Wikipedia

Chevy is still producing “SS” badged automobiles. Their latest is the 415-horsepower rear wheel drive performance sedan seen here.

I loved this car. Wish I still had it! If you own, owned or just like muscle cars and you enjoyed reading this, or not, how about taking a minute to vote in the poll I published on Friday. Here’s the link. You’ll feel special if you do.