Dave Grohl has always intrigued me. I have the most vivid memory of being ecstatic to pick up the Foo Fighters first CD, of my father explaining to me (I was just a little young) about Nirvana. About how this guy couldn’t possibly live up to what that was. Different perspectives, different realities, of course. To me, Dave came out of the shadows and emerged as an icon. I respected everything I listened to, I eagerly tried to find out everything I could. And as time moved on, the aura, the man, the legend, grew.
More than even in just music, Grohl was an experimenter. I fell in love with every album, every interview, every tour. I saw concerts every chance I could. I watched behind the scenes, him being a father, putting that first. Connecting with his community, his fan base. Speaking out when it was the right thing to do. Mourning what we’ve lost. Celebrating the good.
From the music to the exploration of generations, of meaning – that’s where I think Grohl transcends. Some musicians create. Others document, ask why, uncover.
Sound City moved me as a piece of art regarding rock and roll. Paying homage to and honoring the pieces of production and passion we connect with when we listen. Grohl came up with the idea after purchasing pieces from the studio. Love it! The place meant something to different people, from different genres, in different ways. But it was the same. It brought people together. This review moved me to tears “Grohl’s aim is to explore the aura of a place, but what he winds up proving is that people make the magic.”
Sonic Highway was another piece I ate up. The HBO miniseries is a must see. Thinking about places and how THEY influenced the time, the production, the space. Unreal. The cities visited were Chicago, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York. The episodes begin with a quote from a song that was recorded in their respective location and ends with a music video for that same song with animated lyrics appearing in the background. Goosebumps.
This September, Foo Fighters will release another album, and again, this one is influenced by what’s going on, who we are, and the time we’re in. I for one look forward to what he feels, and imagine I’ll identify with it. Anyone else?
No matter what you think about Grohl (he seems to be one of the more polarizing figures out there) the man has seen an incredible amount of highs, lows, adventures and history in his time. Can’t wait to see how he pushes the envelope next.
Bonus read that had me rolling: Dave Grohl: I crawled out of Mark Ronson’s studio
Everlong
My Hero
Check out more Foo Fighters music at Amazon.
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