Exclusive: Rolling Through the Decades with Ron Finch

The absolute high point of my 70th Daytona Bike Week experience was an exclusive interview with legendary bike builder Ron Finch, written for a limited edition of the Daytona Beach Ratty Rag.

The 20,000 commemorative copies disappeared into the wave of rally fans at the "world's largest rally." But here for my readers to enjoy is the entire article (c) 2011 By MJ Reynolds & RH Swan.

May 27, 2004 - Ron Finch, Billy Lane and Indian Larry leave Ron’s Studio in Pontiac to ride for 10 or so miles together with dozens of their friends and a film crew to Boomer’s Bike Night in Waterford a suburb of Detroit, Rock City – 1,000 bikes! The three famous bike builders are signing autographs with felt markers across tank tops worn by big-breasted young women. The place is packed to the rafters. Everyone loves them! Billy and Larry have just finished a couple of Biker Build-Off reality TV episodes and Ron is next up in 2005.



Here's Ron at home in Michigan with his Biker Build-Off bike, "Double Cross."





And here's the Boomer's Bike Night video - produced in Detroit City by Brad Bloch & Lyle Brous - Music by KISS




Fast forward to 2006 – Ron is rolling down the highway (at age 67) from Kansas City to Vegas in the cold rain with bike builder, Paul Yaffe and John Green after the Easy Rider Show. “You’ve gotta be tough,” says Ron. “I can put up with cold, but cold and wet is too much. I don’t have anything to prove anymore, so when our friend Bean’re had a bike breakdown, I rode with him in the truck for a hundred miles or so.”

Ron Finch launched his career back in the ‘60s about the same time that Arlen Ness and Dave Perewitz were starting to customize motorcycles.

“I was just doing my own thing,” said Ron. “I learned to pin stripe when I was a boy, living at home but spending a lot of time hanging out at Paul Hatton’s paint shop. I used to come home and pin stripe the refrigerator. I had a piece of glass that I used to pin stripe and then wipe off and pin stripe again. Later, I started striping for customers and working on their motorcycles. Until now, today, I can do anything with a bike – except, I don’t modify engines. That’s something Indian Larry did. On the other hand, I always encouraged Larry, and he was inspired to do a lot of metal work fabrication and metal sculptures by what he saw me doing.”

In 1969 - Ron built “Odin’s Axle,” which introduced the concept of asymmetrical motorcycle design. One side of the bike is completely different from the other side, including the front forks. Covering the bike’s sheet metal, he also introduced the 3-dimensional metal “rod work” patterns that have become his signature.

In 1970 - Odin’s Axle debuted at the Detroit Autorama in January 1970. Later that year by request, Odin’s Axle was exhibited at the Michigan Artists Exhibition in the Detroit Institute of Arts, the first motorcycle ever in a museum!

In 1971 - Motorcycle World Magazine named Odin’s Axle “Best U.S. Custom of the Year.” Restored in 2005, for Donna and Darryl Smith of Rochester, New York, Odin has recently traveled to shows and museums, including the Clinton Presidential Library in 2009.

Ron was a Rat’s Hole judge in the 70’s and 80’s. - Click bike images to enlarge.

In 1982 – Ron built “Aorta,” a custom 1970 Ironhead Sportster. The rods that make up the frame of “Aorta” were designed to flow towards the motor, the heart of the motorcycle like the main artery of the human heart. Ron also refers to this bike as his “suitcase motorcycle” because the frame is actually two-parts held together by the engine. It can be disassembled in three parts and literally be carried away in a suitcase. The rear fender houses the gas tank and is molded with flame tips and a “Frenched” license plate. The oil tank is a 1950’s aluminum cylindrical tank, modified to clear the one-off custom straight pipe exhaust. The front end is an old Harley JD Springer. The handlebars are custom made to eliminate the risers and stimulate a tiny windshield. The headlight is an unknown, purchased by Ron at an antique auction. The 1000 Cu. In. engine has polished cases, a Joe Hunt Magneto, S & S carb and Sifton cam. The air cleaner was hand formed in the shape of a heart with arteries made of metal rods. Leatherman of Flint, Michigan molded the leather seat in the shape of a human heart. The battery is incased in leather that has been dyed and molded to match the seat and the grips are braided in leather.

One Year After Serious Injury - Aorta was finished in the spring of 1982, one year after a serious motorcycle accident. The motorcycle Ron was riding was rear-ended by a drunk driver traveling 50 MPH. Ron suffered a crushed pelvis and a broken hip socket and doctors predicted that he would never walk again. Ron was walking and riding within three months!


In 1987 - Ron built “Loophole,” sourced from a 1973 Shovelhead – Evo Custom 96ci HD bagger. But after a long ride to Sturgis in 1989, Ron decided that he needed more power so he replaced the motor and added an S&S car and a Morris magneto. It features an exhaust system that loops through the cylinder chambers in the frame above the motor, a gas tank in the rear fender, and custom rod work over the front fender and floorboards. Like a loophole in the law, this custom motorcycle stretches the legal limits of imagination and creativity!
Loophole’s frame was machined with a milling machine in the neck and seat area for a layered look. Rod work forms the struts and wraps around the leather saddlebags. Chromed rods were used to create the headlight shroud and the front fender that is accented by blue stained glass facets. The seat mount, six-pack carrier, bag tops and footboards are chromed rod work for balance and contrast. Blue anodizing was done on the headlight; derby cover and shock mount covers. The blue theme was carried to the primary cover with the use of blue flexi-glass. The gas tank was built “Finch Style” into the rear fender. The oil tank was built like an old-style chrome cylinder with concave and convex ends. Finch finished off Loophole with a candy blue paint job with multi-colored blends on the rod work, with black to accent the layered frame.

In 1988 - Ron made his first trip to Europe with “Big Daddy” Karl Smith of Rat’s Hole Bike Shows to exhibit his bizarre 3-wheeler, “Trilogy” at bike shows in Essen, Germany and Paris, France. Trilogy is sourced from a 1971 Triumph Trident – 836cc and features triple gas tanks, triple rear fenders, triple exhaust, suspended handle bars, and a rare 5-speed transmission.

In 1993 – Ron created “Outspoken,” one of the first bikes in the US with 80-spoke wheels from Sweden. This would be Ron’s personal ride for the next six years. It features a 96ci S&S engine, chrome moly frame, gas tanks in the floor boards, and rod work fenders with stainless inserts painted in multi-colored candy paint by Finch.

The gas tank is in the floorboards are made from after-market Corvette exhaust covers! The filler cap is at the front of the frame. The covers also serve as exhaust guards toward the rear. The extended swingarm matches the frame with rod work between the tubes. It requires a 178 tooth belt, which gives the motorcycle an extra long wheel base. The shocks are early FLH mounted under the seat, providing a comfortable cushioned ride. The custom stitched leather seat and braided grips and cable covers were made by Leatherman of Flint, Michigan. The front fork is a stock H.D., with hand-made triple trees that are billet aluminum, machined at a 38 degree angle, making them parallel to the ground. These were made by Finchman, Chuck Kehoe. The headlight is hand-rolled into a cone shape and mounted on rod work between the trees. Finch used extruded aluminum to cover the oil tank and air cleaner. The bike has an overall “industrial look” with the black paint, stainless steel and aluminum. A special effect was achieved with tiny brass hands that hold the cables, made by jeweler, “Shamey” from Pennsylvania.

“This was the first motorcycle in the U.S. to have the large rear tire and the 80 spoke wheels,” said Ron. “Riding Outspoken is a whole different experience!”

In 1990 & 1993 – Ron made two more trips to Europe with Karl of the Rat’s Hole to exhibit bikes at the Essen Show. They also brought the bikes to Sweden and the Netherlands. The bikes chosen for the shows were “Aorta,” “Loophole” and “Outspoken.”

“I’ll never forget those trips,” said Ron. “We traveled all over Europe and drank beer in three different countries one day. It was before the Euro, which made it a mess trying to sort out the money – mostly coins. Me and Big Daddy went up in the Eiffel Tower in Paris together and we took the El train out into the countryside and had dinner. Another time, we were traveling for some reason with a guy named “Jumpin’ Jessie” who would literally blow himself up with dynamite. He was kind of a cool nut.

"We traveled up to Sweden, where they called him Yumpin’ Yessy. The first place we stopped was at the best clubhouse I have ever seen in my life. It was in Sofia and the club was Sofia Hogs. I still have the T-shirt they gave me. It was a place converted from an old horse farm with all of the stalls converted for use as custom bike building stalls. They had a party room, a fully equipped machine shop that all of the members could use, and a super-modern spray booth. They already had all of the emission laws over there that we are getting hit with now. I was almost ready to go over there to pursue a dream, because they were getting top money for their work over there.”

2005 - Competing with the top builders of today at the Biker Build-Off Finale in Las Vegas, Ron was awarded the “Biker Blacksmith” Award for extreme metal fabrication.
2006 - He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the V-Twin Biker’s Ball in Daytona Beach. He gratefully accepted the award, but assured the crowd that he has not finished building bikes.
2008 - He received the House of Kolor Prestigious Painter Award for the paint on his creation, “Finicky.”
2008 – Invited to display 12 of his best custom bikes in the in the Milwaukee Art Museum during the celebration of Harley Davidson’s 105th Anniversary and his METALife sculptures were sold in the Harley Museum store.

2008 to 2009 - Ron’s historic 1969 Panhead chopper, “Odin’s Axle” was exhibited in the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas as part of a show that included many of the bikes that Tom Zimberoff wrote about in his books, “Art of the Chopper I” and “Art of the Chopper II.” His work has been featured in hundreds of magazines and has inspired such headlines as “Michigan’s Mysterious Motorcycle Madman” (Ed Roth 1968), “The Fabulous Finch” (Cycle Guide 1969), “The King of French” (Custom Chopper 1973),”Finch Effect”(Bike Bible 1976), “King of Custom” (American Iron 1991), “Mad About Metal” (Supercycle 1995), “Michigan Magician” (Easyriders, Japan 1998), and “ Ron Finch is Nuts” (Easyriders 2004), “Finch Fest” (Easyriders 2007), “Got Finch?” (Tailgate 2008) and “Ron Finch Gets Finicky” (Barnett’s Magazine Oct. 2008).

His custom bikes have been appreciated in museums and art galleries, and in shows throughout the U.S. and in Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Labeled as “too extreme” by some, the work of Ron Finch appropriately proclaims the freedom and individualism that is so often associated with the motorcycle lifestyle.


2011 - Ron's newest build is "Outsider." With all of these adventures behind him, Ron is currently showing off his first-ever side car bike, called “Outsider.”



It is an ultimate expression of his steel 3-dimensional rod work with the gas tank, oil tank, and radio hidden in the trunk. “There is a very good chance it will be at the Daytona Show,” he said… AND IT WAS!

Finch’s Custom Styled Cycles
http://www.finchscustoms.com/

English Don "Old Crew Reunion Run" NYC, March 26, 2011

New York, New York! A big reunion is in the works for March 26th when English Don returns to NYC for an Old Crew Reunion Run.



"For anyone wanting to join the run in Brooklyn....We will be stopping off to film with Paul Cox and Bob Seeger Jr. Bob has thrown out the welcome mat at Indian Larry motorcycles to gather there early afternoon. The pack will leave there at 2pm sharp. Those riding from the start, stay tuned for Queens assembly and gathering point," English Don told friends Saturday night, as he prepared to embark on his return trip to America.

A limited edition Old Crew Reunion Run T-shirt will be available only at Buckley's Inn, located at 159 S. Franklin Ave., Valley Stream, NY. Doors open at 1pm with English Don's ETA at 3pm. The NY Chopper Scene in the 1990's - English Don and Indian Larry - The Grease Monkey Tour - Sideshow Promo.

Here's a video of the Grease Monkey Tour 1998 .

Live To Ride, Ride to Live... Live Your Dreams

"Live to Ride, Ride to Live ... Live Your Dreams" has never been better expressed, in my estimation, than in this video based on the true story of a group of "Dream Rangers," average age 81!!

These five senior riders in Taiwan prepared for six months and road for 13 days together, night and day, 1,139 kilometers from the North to the South of Taiwan. One has hearing problems, one has cancer, three have heart disease, all have degenerative arthritis. Why did they do it? To keep their dreams alive!!

As one of the more than 1.7 million viewers commented, "my husband has cancer, but when we ride, cancer doesn't ride with us." Here's the video.



Created by Ogilvy Taiwan - Creative Director: Jennifer Hu
Copywriter: Jennifer Hu, Justin Chia
Art director: Leah Chen
Producer: Abby Ku
Director: Thanonchai

Bravo! This is an excellent example of sponsorship funding!

A New American Motorcycle Company is Born: Motus Motorcycles Unveils MST Series of American Sportbikes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl - March 10, 2011 - After months and months of fabrication and development, a new American sportbike engineered from the ground up was introduced to the public at the 70th Daytona Bike Week.

This comfortable touring machine is powered by the mighty KMV4 "baby block" engine, a gasoline direct injected, 90 degree V4.


Motus Motorcycles, a 2-year old company based in Birmingham, Alabama introduced the Motus MST series to a crowd gathered at 2pm Thursday at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Ocean Center. The Motus MST series focuses squarely on performance, comfort and range.

Along with a team of engineers, co-founders Lee Conn and Brian Case are personally riding the MST's on an "American Sport Tour" around the US to make sure the pre-production machines are of the quality and durability they demand. They intend to be seen at more than 250 events across the USA.

"There is just no better way to make sure the MST's meet our standards of durability, comfort, and performance than to personally ride the machines and iterate them as we identify issues. Along the way, we are meeting with friends, supporters and high quality dealers that have inquired about carrying Motus in their area," said Brian Case, vice president and director of design.

"We decided early on that no corners would be cut with the MST series. Motus is about precision, quality and attention to detail rather than speed to production," said Brian Case, vice president and director of design. "We are more focused on building great bikes than rushing to meet artificial deadlines," said Case. "Rather than hype the brand with computer renderings of a bike we hadn't even built yet, we engineered the bikes to be functional and actually work first, and then show the world what we have done so far."



The Motus MST's were developed quietly and revealed privately first at the facility of Motus's partner Pratt & Miller Engineering in New Hudson, Michigan and then at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in the hometown of Motus, Birmingham, Alabama. (Video, Feb. 2011.)

"We are so proud to show the world the MST series," said Motus president, Lee Conn. "We poured our hearts and souls into these motorcycles and hope that it shows in terms of the quality and character of the machines. The MST's are exhilarating to ride - a very powerful experience unlike any other motorcycle I've ever ridden. There is usable power everywhere in rev-range, excellent feedback from the road, very responsive to inputs and...the sound of the KMV4 still gives me goose bumps every time one cranks," said Conn. The MST prototypes, including the base model MST and the premium MST-R, are scheduled to go into production in late 2011 after extensive testing and refinement.

Conceived and designed in Alabama and engineered in Michigan, the MST prototypes were built using a combination of sophisticated computer aided engineering tools as well as rapid prototyping processes. The transmission, chassis, and bodywork are all purpose built at Pratt & Miller Engineering for high performance, durability, all day comfort, and long range.

"Motus came to Pratt & Miller with some very ambitious engineering and technical challenges and we felt we had the right tools and resources to exceed their expectations in terms of a high level of work in a shortened period of time," said Brandon Widmer, director of business development at Pratt & Miller Engineering. "The MST project has been exciting and challenging allowing us to employ many of our core strengths including complex chassis engineering and optimization, gearbox design and testing, metal and carbon composite fabrication and vehicle validation that is taking place now."

"The MST project has been an absolute blast for us at Pratt & Miller. The work ethic and intensity of the guys at Motus meshes well with our mindset and it has been gratifying to apply some of the skills and technologies we have developed from our endurance racing programs to this new American motorcycle," said Gary Pratt, co-founder of Pratt & Miller.

Download full Press Kit with logos, pictures, FAQ's:

http://www.motusmotorcycles.com/press/presskit/2011/2011mar.zip

About Motus

Motus is strategically located in Birmingham, Alabama, in the heart of the growing southern automotive corridor with Honda, Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai, and Volkswagen nearby. Birmingham is also home of the Barber Motorsports Park which houses a world class road course and the world's largest motorcycle museum. Founded in 2008, Motus is a privately held company preparing to enter the market with the first V4-powered American sport touring motorcycle. The MST series motorcycles and accessories will be sold internationally through a network of independent dealers and distributors.

The Motus MST series of comfortable American sportbikes have been engineered from the ground up for performance, comfort, and range. The MST concept is a fresh take on what an American motorcycle can be, with optimum rider and passenger comfort for extended, spirited journeys, and quality components for responsive handling. The Motus MST series, including the MST and the premium MST-R, are powered by KMV4 gasoline direct injected V4 engines that feature proven durability and range extending technologies.

For more information about Motus, please visit the website at www.motusmotorcycles.com or email info@motusmotorcycles.com

About Pratt & Miller

Pratt & Miller Engineering is one of the most sophisticated engineering companies in the world and a respected industry leader in the automotive, motorsports, military, and aerospace industries. Pratt & Miller's extensive design, engineering, manufacturing, and vehicle program management capabilities are well established through their numerous championships in the American Le Mans Series, Rolex Grand-Am series, NASCAR and six 24 hours of Le Mans victories in the GT1 category. In addition to motorsports, Pratt & Miller Engineering has played a prominent role developing commercial, aerospace, and defense projects.

For more information about Pratt & Miller Engineering, please visit the website at www.prattmiller.com or contact Brandon Widmer at or bwidmer@prattmiller.com

SOURCE Motus Motorcycles

Great Video: Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally

The 13th Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally in Panama City, Florida is sure to attract more than 200,000 fans to the white sandy beaches of the "Emerald Coast."

The dates are April 27th to May 1st, 2011. Unlike many rallies, this is a FREE rally in The most biker-friendly town in the USA!


See if you would agree: Here's the new Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally Video!



The Thunder Beach 10th Fall Rally (Oct. 2010) featured the first MS Thunder Beach Pagent for sexy women 35 and over, along with the popular Miss Thunder Beach Kick-Off Party & Pagent. The Old Shool Roadhouse of "mobile" old school bikes and hot rods rolled in for the rally. There were four big concerts, charity bike rides, stunt rider exhibitins, the "Best of The Beach" bike show, the Thunder Beach Bike Parade, a "Sizzle" fashion show and VIP Party featuring famed blues player, The Sauce Boss. The rally is spread across Panama City at 8 participating venues! Details - http://www.thunderbeachproductions.com/.

KISS 1975 Rock & Roll All Nite

They only have like 3 million FB fans:  http://www.facebook.com/KISS#!/KISS

I remember when bikers jammed the roads for 3 hours getting to the Sturgis KISS Concet!
Music video by Kiss performing Rock & Roll All Nite. (C) 1975 The Island Def Jam Music Group. Now this is some Biker Music!
Kiss Rock The Nation Live
KISS (DVD)

CK this OUT: KISS Pinball

Sturgis Valentine's Day Gift: Miss Buffalo Chip Video

Keeping in mind that one thing most biker GUYS like is GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS - The Buffalo Chip emailed a special video as a Valentine's Day gift to loyal fans: Highlights of the Miss Buffalo Chip 2010 bikini competition. Enjoy!

David Uhl's Newest Pin-Up Girl Comes To Daytona Bike Week

The 70th Daytona Bike Week is just around the corner – March 4 to 13, 2011 and I can’t wait to see David Uhl’s Vintage Pin-up Series.

David is always set up in front of Destination Daytona and you can usually catch him working on his latest series of paintings. His vintage pin-up series pays tribute to his favorite pin-up artist, Gil Elvgren.

The paintings have a simpler, lighter background that was the popular choice of most traditional pin-up artists.

His previous 4 pin-up prints sold out in a matter of hours. His newest offering is “Clothing Optional,” now available as a hand-signed, numbered canvas print edition. Each print comes beautifully framed with a certificate of authenticity.

I am also looking forward to meeting the  MeanStreet Riders, a group of musician song writers, who ride together. They did the music behind a David UHL video.



Last year, it was "Stella" who came to Daytona Bike Week 2010 with David UHL

Born in a small fishing village in Michigan, David Uhl earned a scholarship to attend the Colorado Institute of Art. An avid Harley owner since 1988, Uhl's passion would soon coincide with his artistic talent. Harley-Davidson Motor Company executives recognized David's creative talents and introduced him to Segal Fine Art, a licensed publisher of Harley-Davidson fine art. 

David spends endless hours in the Harley-Davidson Archives researching vintage photos to use as reference for his official fine art paintings. Captivated by the extraordinary history of the Motor Company, David's desire is to memorialize the legacy.

Lil Red Riding Hood & The Big Bad (Biker)

... Lil Red Riding Hood, do you think little good girls should?



The fairy tale legend lives on:
"'Lil Red Riding Hood" is a song remade by the group 999, released on their album "Concrete" in April 1981.. it is the groups only top 40 song peaking at #18 on the billboard top 100... remarkably the song remained at #18 for 5 straight weeks. They have had 5 other top 75 hits. They continue to make music today and released their latest album titled "Death in Soho" in 2007.

This song is a remake of the song made popular by "Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs" whom were also famous for making the song "Wully Bully"




This song has been covered by 999, Meteor, Bowling for Soup and The Smashing Pumpkins.... who btw released a new CD Nov. 2010.

Hoka Hey 3/48 in August 2011

Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine shares what it was like for him on the 2010 Hoka Hey Run, covering over 9,000 miles from Key West, Florida to Homer Alaska. He interviews the people on the run and captures some of the incredible scenery.

The 2011 Hoka Hey Run will span 10,000 miles - 3 countries - 48 states

 In June of 2010; some of the most elite riders to straddle the iron horse set out together under the banner of the Hoka Hey 3/48 Motorcycle Challenge ™ and now it is time once more to GET ON YOUR BIKES & RIDE!!

On August 5th, 2011, riders will come together for a 10,000+ mile ride from San Diego, CA to Nova Scotia, Canada. Test your resolve and ride with us across 3 countries and through 48 states in the Hoka Hey 3/48 Motorcycle Challenge ™!!

This year's event will be open to two divisions.

* Division 1 is open to American-made air-cooled V-Twin motorcycles,

* Division 2 will consist of all other makes and models.

Each division will be departing separately and the riders will be vying against motorcycles within their own class for more than $1,000,000 in total event prizes!!!

Prepare to look within yourself and get ready to embrace the limitations and the strengths that you find there. Whether you make it to the first gas stop or all the way to Nova Scotia; participants who are in San Diego at the start of the Hoka Hey 3/48 Motorcycle Challenge ™ will be a part of something that is greater than any single one of us.

How many riders do you recognize on the 2010 Hoka Hey Finishers List?

Biker Music All-Time Favorites

Happy Holidays From MJ Reynolds & Motorcycle Event News

A 1975 video of Arlo Guthrie singing "The Motorcycle Song" and explaining "the pickle" has been viewed 2.5 million times on YouTube. Here it is!

And here's my all-time favorites biker music list. See what you think.
You can click the image or band link to purchase.



    38 Special   

       Aerosmith


    Blackfoot - Train Train: Southern Rock's Best - Live w/DVD.

   Big Engine - high energy, finely tuned Rock 'n Roll machine from Jacksonville, Florida. They play about 300 shows a year and turn down gigs. I saw them opening weekend of 2009 Daytona Bikeweek.







  Bruce Springsteen's special boxed set of  3 CD/3 DVD released in Nov. 2010 takes on the title of a CD released in 1990 and promises to tell the story behind the music. It's also available in Blue Ray. The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town

   Buckcherry - LA hard rockers band formed in 1995 that played Sturgis 2010 with ZZ Top at the Buffalo Chip. Their newest CD "All Night Long" was released in Aug. 2010.

Burnt River Band -  plays original songs like "Broken Down HD Blues" at the Abate State conventions for New York, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, in Canada for the Brotherhood of Toronto (11 years), the Louie Run (all of them), Viet Nam Vets M.C. parties, and  Easy Rider rodeos, including the nationals in Ventura California.

 Charlie Brechtel Band - legendary biker and song writer. Charlie's best known album "Iron Buffalo" includes a tribute song to Indian Larry. He is the chief at BikersInnerCircle.com underground biker radio and video site - and the band has a brand new website. His band is the unofficial house band at the Legendary Buffalo Chip.







   Charlie Daniels Band - known for songs like "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and "Uneasy Rider." I saw him perform at the Myrtle Beach Rally, along with Shooter Jennings, and I tell you, that old boy can play the fiddle!

    David Allan Coe - Outlaw, singer, song writer.

    Doobie Brothers -  It's tempting to stay with what's known and get the "Very Best Of" CD released in 2007. But they released a brand new album in Sept. 2010 titled "World Gone Crazy" and the new album may be most remarkable for the extent to which it stands completely on its own. Yes, World Gone Crazy  is another chapter in one of the great American music stories, but it's neither comeback nor nostalgia


George Thorogood & The Destroyers - 30 years worth of recording classics like "Bad To The Bone" and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer."

  Edgar & Johnny Winter - Together - Live in 2007, they performed "The Harlem Shuffle" and other songs. In 2003 Johnny Winter was ranked 74th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "101 Greatest Guitariests of All Time." I was thrilled to see him perform years ago at a club in Daytona.

But I am also thrilled today when I see Johnny's younger brother, Edgar in concert at bike rallies. He puts on a hell of a stage show, performing jazz, blues and rock on the keyboards, as a vocalist, saxophonist and percussionist.

 Finally, a DVD of  "Johnny Winter - Live Through The 80's" was released Sept. 2010 and all of the reviews are 5-star ratings. Included are performances from MTV Rock Influences '84 "Guitar Greats", Massey Hall (Toronto '83), Roskilde DRTV (Roskilde, Denmark '84), New Hampshire ('84), Sonet Studio (Bromma, Sweden '87), Piazza Duomo (Pistoia, Italy '88), and more. Intermixed with the live content is interview footage from various locations. The dvd is actually close to 2 hours long and starts off with performances of "Sweet Papa John" and "It's All Over Now" and includes  Johnny's great cover of the Stones classic "Jumping Jack Flash" and Dylan's "Highway 61" and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode."

 

Kid Rock has just released his newest CD (Nov. 2010) titled "Born Free" although my all-time Kid Rock CD is still "Rock N Roll Jesus" released in 2007, the year he spent Christmas with the troops.

      Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Collector's Edition is $19.46.

  The MeanStreet Riders music group was formed in the fall of 2008 when a group of songwriters from NW Florida spent 4 days in NC riding some of the worlds most challenging and dangerous roads. The members of the Rock band include Shannon Wallace, Dowlin Mayfield, Blair Colson and Tommy Dawson. Click here to see a video of their hit single, "High On The Hog" used by artist David Uhl in an amazing time-lapse of his painting of "Stella"...


     Molly Hatchet  

    Ozzy Osbourne - His latest CD, "Scream" was released Jan. 2010. You can view the cover music video on the Amazon page.


     Stevie Ray Vaughan - "Couldn't Stand The Weather" (Legacy Edition) was released in July 2010. Digitally remastered and expanded two CD Legacy Edition of the Blues guitarist's 1984 album. This edition contains 16 previously unreleased tracks, studio outtakes and the live recording of Vaughan & Double Trouble's 1984 performance at the Spectrum in Montreal. A great album just got better.

The Last Vegas Band - played the 2010 Big Mountain Run - If you're someone who enjoys bands like Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Buckcherry or AC/DC you should love their music.


  Willie Nelson -  "Essential Willie Nelson" CD released in 2003 is excellent and includes a live performance of "Whiskey River" along with "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." Is it possible to be a successful purveyor of country music and Americana and still be a long-haired, pot smoking, environmentalist, liberal hippie? Willie Nelson is and always has been. His latest album, "Willie Nelson Country Music" was released in April 2010.

ZZ Top - Can "beards and hot rods" describe anyone other than American blues-rock band ZZ Top? The members have always been Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. They have performed at the California Love Ride, Laconia and Sturgis (multiple times.) They ride bikes and they have recorded about 50 CDs that bikers love.








Gotta a favorite Biker Band, email MotorcycleEventNews@gmail.com

Or drop a comment on this blog post with a link if you've got one.

EMAIL: Think you should add something from "GOV'T MULE" with Warren Haynes and also the "Grateful Dead" with Garcia. - Rich Hastings

Other readers suggested:

Allman Brothers

Bob Seger

God Smack

Guns N Roses

Pink

Sex Pistols