VA - Stairway To Heaven/Highway To Hell (1989) (LP, 842 093-1, Mercury) (24/96 Vinyl Rip)

Is a trubute to those artists who have died from drug related deaths (Phil Lynott, Keith Moon, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Sid Vicious, Tommy Bolin, John Bonham). Each song is a cover from a band who has lost a member through drugs or alcohol. Featuring such bands as Scorpions, Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Mötley Crüe, Skid Row, Ozzy Osbourne, and more

It seems a little strange to be writing liner notes for a record these days, but I felt it was important to say a few things about how this one was put together. Firstly, no one went into the studio to make "the definitive" cover version of any of these songs and no one band went in to "out do" anyone else by trying to sound or play better than the next guy. We just asked each group to pick a song they've always wanted to record, written or performed by an artist or group who had been touched by drug or alcohol problems, and have some fun with it! It was with this spirit in mind that the tracks were cut, each band taking one or two days out of their busy schedules to make it happen. The album includes eight studio tracks as well as some live music from "the jam" that closed the Moscow Music Peace Festival (August 12/13 '89). My thanks to all the great musicians, singers, and engineers, who came together to do it - I'm proud to be a part of it!

Tracklist :

1. Gorky Park - My Generation - 4:40
2. Skid Row - Holidays In The Sun - 3:35
3. Scorpions - I Can't Explain - 3:22
4. Ozzy Osbourne - Purple Haze - 4:22
5. Motley Crue - Teaser - 5:16
6. Bon Jovi - The Boys Are Back In Town - 4:03
7. Cinderella - Move Over - 3:25
8. Drum Madness - Moby Dick - 5:58
9. Bon Jovi/Cinderella/Brigada S/Klaus Meine - Hound Dog/Blue Suede Shoes - 3:14
10. Scorpions/Gorky Park - Long Tall Sally - 2:59
11. Skid Row/Motley Crue/Zakk Wylde/Jason Bonham - Rock And Roll - 4:52