The Devil's Music: The Birth of Rock 'N Roll - Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & Charles Edward Anderson Berry

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the power, influence, and long-lasting cultural and artistic power of Rock 'N Roll Music. From it's origins in the Blues, Rhythm & Blues, and Country Music thru the pairing down of a "Big Band Sound" and the power of Gospel and The Church, Rock 'N Roll is often a misunderstood and difficult subject to discuss. We're going to include looks at Great Balls of Fire (1989 Dir. Jim McBride), La Bamba (1987 Dir. Luis Valdez), The Buddy Holly Story (1978 Dir. Steve Rash), and Chuck Berry: Hail, Hail Rock 'N Roll (1987 Dir. Taylor Hackford) in order to gain a better understanding of the music, the artists, and the times that created these sounds.

At the end of the day all we're trying to do is bring a bit of understanding and convey our appreciation and admiration for this music. Hail, Hail Rock 'N Roll!

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks For Your Continued Love & Support.

I Want My MTV - A Revolution in Music, Image, & Popular Culture

A hell of a stroll down memory lane as Ibrahim & I look back at the power and impact of Mtv. From it's humble beginnings as a throw-away cable channel showcasing popular artists - Top 20 Music and Youth Culture - the channel would rapidly evolve into a driving force in American & World culture. There was a time when Mtv gave us music to listen to, told us what to wear, opened us up to cultural differences and change. The channel brought us dance parties (Spring Break & Club Mtv), game shows, (Remote Control), niche shows (Headbanger's Ball, 120 Minutes, & Yo! Mtv Raps), and news (Mtv News, The Week in Rock, & The Great Kurt Loder). From Michael Jackson crashing through artistic racial barriers to Madonna transforming the very definition of entertainer, Mtv - in its first decade was an artistic and  cultural game-changer. Take a listen to a couple of old  bastards as they reminisce on how great the ride was.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Love & Thanks!

Knight, Priest, King: Remembering the Many Faces of Max Von Sydow (4/10/29 - 03/08/20)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to remember the great Swedish actor, Max Von Sydow. A brilliant actor who starred in some of the most iconic films of our time, Von Sydow passed away last March a few short weeks away from his 91st birthday. This week we discuss the great actor's  career and the various factors that made him unforgettable over a period of seven decades and over 150 films. From his breakthrough role in Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal thru his roles as both Jesus (The Greatest Story Ever Told) and The Devil (Needful Things), Father Merrin (The Exorcist), and numerous supporting roles for directors from Steven Spielberg (MInority Report) and David Lynch (Dune) to Woody Allen (Hannah & Her Sisters) and Martin Scorsese (Shutter Island), Von Sydow proved an actor of incredible range, authority, and sensitivity.

It was a pleasure to remember and discuss this great actor. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

"Two Together, Are Always Going Somewhere." Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, Vertigo, a film that has only grown in power and importance since first playing in theaters in 1958. Hitchcock's examination of obsession, fear, and uncertainty continues to be cited on Lists of the Greatest Films Ever Made. It was a hell of a time for Ibrahim & I to sit down and discuss Hitchcock, James Stewart, Kim Novack, and one of the great Bernard Herrmann scores. Take a a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!