Don’t Cross Jeff’s Black Cat Path

Fighting like alley cats. That's what guitarist Jeff Beck and singer Rod Stewart used to do back in the day. And because October 27 was Black Cat Day, it gives me the opportunity to share this 2009 clip of the two battling Brits performing one of my favorite songs. "Ain't superstitious, a black cat crossed my trail." Here they are…

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Marking Your Turf: The Rock Star Tradition of Peeing in Public

As all dog-owners know, male canines urinate in specific outdoor areas to indicate "top dog" status. Are men prone to pee in public to achieve the same goal? And, if so, what tactics do women employ to establish turf? Well, that's a lot more complicated and would take a much longer time to answer. As any guy will tell you, it's a liberating experience to take a whiz in the great outdoors. However, some do actually get busted for it, none more so than male rock stars who tend to be rather indiscreet when it comes to leaving their scent. Here's a look at some famous offenders.

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Robert Plant: In the House of the Holy with The King

Rock blaster Robert Plant, like his Led Zeppelin bandmates, was known to have "entertained" thousands of groupies in hotel rooms all across the land, back in the day when cocksure male rock gods reigned supreme. But when Elvis came to town, the tables were turned, and Mr. Plant found himself playing the part of adoring groupie. Just what went on behind closed door between those two? (It's safe to say it didn't involve a mud shark.) Actually, the story goes like this...

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When Frampton Came Alive

In 1976 the U.S.A. was having a big birthday - its 200th. In the Land of the Free, American rock fans could have their cake and eat it, too. New flavors were popping out of the oven daily, from Punk Pecan to Disco Devil's Food to bland ol' Styx-Style White Cake. But the all-time favorite, Arena Deluxe, was still in big demand. Yes, The Ramones, Kansas, and The Bee Gees were poised to explode, but the electric guitar titans weren't going away any time soon. And Peter Frampton was living proof of that. By the middle of that festive bicentennial summer, nearly every rock fan I knew had a copy of "Frampton Comes Alive," the two-record set released by the very pretty British singer/guitarist/songwriter. It reached the #1 spot on the U.S. charts on April 10, 1976, and ended up being the biggest LP of the year, selling over 6 million copies and remaining on the American charts for 97 weeks!

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Mick Ronson: The Glam Guitarist Who Rocked Ziggy and the Spiders From Mars

One of the most unusual and innovative new performers of the day chooses you for his band, insists you wear eyeliner, satin, and 6-inch platform boots, and then proceeds to engage in deviate sexual activity with your guitar while you stand on stage churning out searing licks. Sound demanding? Well, it's all in a day's work when your name is…

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