Slashdot Mirror


More Guitar Hero 80s Tracks Announced

Activision has released information on eight more tracks from the upcoming Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s. In addition the previously announced songs, the company has now confirmed that the following glam and metal ballads will be available: "'Hold On Loosely' (as made famous by .38 Special), 'No One Like You' (as made famous by Scorpions), 'Only a Lad' (as made famous by Oingo Boingo), 'Radar Love' (as made famous by White Lion), 'Ballroom Blitz' (as made famous by Krokus), 'The Warrior' (by Scandal), 'What I Like About You' (as made famous by The Romantics), and 'Wrath Child' (as made famous by Iron Maiden)." Would have liked "Dead Man's Party" or "Weird Science" better from Boingo, but you can't have everything.

143 comments

  1. Huh? by Otter · · Score: 1
    'Radar Love' (as made famous by White Lion), 'Ballroom Blitz' (as made famous by Krokus)

    That's an odd choice of 'as made famous by's, although I confess I can't remember who Ballroom Blitz was actually made famous by. And where's Sister Christian?!?!? And Photograph?

    1. Re:Huh? by deftcoder · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Could they have picked a worse Iron Maiden song?

      Number of the Beast? Wasted Years? THE EVIL THAT MEN DO?

      C'mon, seriously.

      --
      Peace sells, but who's buying?
    2. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      They're saving the Def Leppard songs for Drum Hero.

    3. Re:Huh? by wowbagger · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yes, considering that "Radar Love" was composed by Golden Earring — in fact I'd never heard anybody ELSE do Radar Love — and "Ballroom Blitz" was composed by Sweet, and again, until "Wayne's World" I had never heard anybody BUT Sweet perform "Ballroom Blitz".

    4. Re:Huh? by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 1

      Well, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that you'd get semi-popular 80s covers of both of those songs in Guitar Hero 80s. Maybe you'll get lucky and get the originals in Guitar Hero 70s.

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    5. Re:Huh? by deftcoder · · Score: 1

      The intro would be pretty boring aside from the bass guitar, but I suppose it wouldn't be much worse than Carry On Wayward Son was...

      --
      Peace sells, but who's buying?
    6. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The original versions were in the 70's. The game is 80's GH.

    7. Re:Huh? by Knara · · Score: 2

      There's a lot of songs... a LOT of Iron Maiden songs that are easier than Wrathchild. Granted, it's not the hardest song either, but it's guitar-heavy and has a lot of interesting rhythms. Plus I bet the licensing cost on it was low.

    8. Re:Huh? by Knara · · Score: 1

      The Krokus one was fairly well circulated, though I'm slowly beginning to believe that Krokus never did an original song...

      I'm kind of perplexed by the White Lion selection, though. They had at least 3 popular singles, so why pick a cover?

    9. Re:Huh? by baxissimo · · Score: 1

      There seem to be an awful lot of "made famous by"s there. And even though I was there in the 80's I don't recall any of those songs, so I question how famous they really are. I'm guessing what we have here is a creative way to license songs associated with big name 80's bands very cheaply by not dealing directly with said big-name 80's bands or their labels.

    10. Re:Huh? by brouski · · Score: 5, Funny

      They're saving the Def Leppard songs for Drum Hero.

      Meh, I could do those with one hand tied behind my back.

      --
      Proud member of the American Non Sequitur Society. We might not make much sense, but boy do we love pizza!
    11. Re:Huh? by xero314 · · Score: 1

      And even though I was there in the 80's I don't recall any of those songs By "there" I assume you mean "born in" or "really stoned" since there is more than one #1 Main Stream Rock song listed, and most of them were top 10 MSR at some point.
    12. Re:Huh? by Belgand · · Score: 1

      If you're doing well-known covers (and not just to get around the fact that Van Halen won't license you an original track) from the 80s I'd think Joan Jett's "Crimson and Clover" cover would have been on the list.

    13. Re:Huh? by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 1

      Would have loved "2 minutes to midnight" myself. And where's Motley Crue or GnR?

      --
      Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
    14. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      though I'm slowly beginning to believe that Krokus never did an original song...

      That's just because their biggest hit, "Screamin' in the Night" was so incredibly 1980s that it's difficult to play it without first building a time machine and going back to 1984. Otherwise hearing the song outside the confines of the 80's tends to cause the kind of dangerous space/time stress usually associated with Chuck Norris doing a triple roundhouse. In the interests of not ripping a hole in the universe, most radio stations have opted to never play it again.

    15. Re:Huh? by ResidntGeek · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I guess you're right. It might not be as exciting to play as some of their other songs, now I think about it, but damn is it good to listen to.

      --
      ResidntGeek
    16. Re:Huh? by ari_j · · Score: 1

      No way! Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Thirteen minutes and thirty-nine seconds of Samuel Taylor Coleridge goodness. Plus, it will help stave off the ADD that video games tend to be involved in.

    17. Re:Huh? by John+Courtland · · Score: 1

      The Damned also did a (bad) cover of Ballroom Blitz.

      --
      Slashdot is proof that Sturgeon's Law applies to mankind.
    18. Re:Huh? by geminidomino · · Score: 1

      'Radar Love' (as made famous by White Lion), 'Ballroom Blitz' (as made famous by Krokus)

      That's an odd choice of 'as made famous by's, although I confess I can't remember who Ballroom Blitz was actually made famous by.

      "The Sweet?"
    19. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Ballroom Blitz" was REALLY made famous by The Sweet

    20. Re:Huh? by The+Ultimate+Fartkno · · Score: 1

      No, no. In keeping with the "made famous by" theme of the 80's edition of Guitar Hero, they've decided to go with the fabulous Def Leppard cover of that Smashing Pumpkins song from a few years back. I forget which one it was. "Bullet With Butterfly Wings?" "1979?" "Cherub Rock?"

      Oh, now I remember...

      "Disarm."

    21. Re:Huh? by Sporkinum · · Score: 1

      I can't remember who Ballroom Blitz was actually made famous by.

      Sweet. Desolation Boulivard. Excellent old album that I bough on vinyl new. "Jesus I'm old!"

      --
      "He's lost in a 'floyd hole"
    22. Re:Huh? by rsmoody · · Score: 1

      For real! I mean, I loved White Lion back in the 80's, Vito Brata was awesome and their version of Radar Love was pretty good, but there is no comparison to the original by Golden Earing! Good grief!

      --
      45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
    23. Re:Huh? by kalidasa · · Score: 1

      How the hell could anyone live through the 1980s (except maybe as an infant) and not know the lines "We've got a thing that's called radar love?"

    24. Re:Huh? by Knara · · Score: 1

      Well, I can't speak to why you've never heard of the songs, but if you look at the previous Guitar Hero game song lists (in-game, at that), you'll see that aside from the bonus/original/boring tracks (and I think 1 track in GH2), they're all "As Made Famous By" credits.

    25. Re:Huh? by tweek · · Score: 1

      That is the single funniest thing I've read today.

      --
      "Fighting the underpants gnomes since 1998!" "Bruce Schneier knows the state of schroedinger's cat"
    26. Re:Huh? by jZnat · · Score: 1

      The "as made famous by" tracks just mean they used their bands to do a cover rather than the original band playing it (e.g., Primus was in GH2).

      --
      'Yes, firefox is indeed greater than women. Can women block pops up for you? No. Can Firefox show you naked women? Yes.'
  2. Radar love by steeph · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Radar Love by White Lion? I guess that should have been Golden Earring.

    1. Re:Radar love by nimrod108 · · Score: 1

      I agree. Golden Earring made this famous. What is this White Lion BS?

      --
      $2.50 for a decade.
    2. Re:Radar love by jchennav · · Score: 3, Informative

      People might be more familiar with the White Lion cover of "Radar Love".

      This is not the first time that a song in a Guitar Hero game is based on a cover version:

      "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" is based on the Joan Jett & the Blackhearts cover of a song by The Arrows.
      "Higher Ground" is based on the Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of a Stevie Wonder song.
      "Crossroads" is based on the Cream cover of two Robert Johnson songs.
      "You Really Got Me" is based on the Van Halen cover of a song by the Kinks.

    3. Re:Radar love by josteos · · Score: 1

      The White Lion version is the one that still gets airplay, and its the one I heard first and still like the best. I've got the Golden Earing CD with the Radar Love track, and I tell you.... I'd rather hear the White Lions. Why? The radio station I used to rock out to played White Lion's "Radar Love" followed by White Zombies "Thunderkiss 65" as a combo.

      --
      Save the Music; Save the World at http://www.TuneTriever.com (Our latest Android game)
    4. Re:Radar love by xero314 · · Score: 1

      This is not the first time that a song in a Guitar Hero game is based on a cover version: Though it is the first, or maybe second, time that the cover version in question was less popular than the original. I say second because I happen to be a Kinks fan, though I might be willing to admit that the VH version was more popular. I think if you took a random poll you would find more people that said Radar Love was performed by Golden Earring than by White Lion, but I doubt the equivalent would happen for the other songs.

      On the other hand, if it weren't for White Lion we wouldn't be getting to play Radar Love on the 80s Edition of Guitar Hero (though we could be doing Twilight Zone or a number of other Golden Earring songs).
    5. Re:Radar love by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because the White Lion version is far, far more interesting guitar-wise, that's why. And it was made in the 80's whereas the Golden Earring version was not.

    6. Re:Radar love by rsmoody · · Score: 1

      Do wha? The last time I heard the White Lion version was right after I re-ripped my CD collection after a drive crash. I never hear White Lion's version, I always hear Golden Earing's version on the radio. But, what do I know.

      --
      45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  3. Don't Forget by PateraSilk · · Score: 2, Informative

    "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany and "Venus" by Bananarama.

    --
    Danke tres mucho, tovarishch.
    1. Re:Don't Forget by Bill+Dog · · Score: 1

      Heh. Or "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Guns N' Roses.

      --
      Attention zealots and haters: 00100 00100
    2. Re:Don't Forget by KORfan · · Score: 2, Funny

      Heavens, no. hitomi's remake of Bananarama's remake of "Venus" is far more pop and current.

    3. Re:Don't Forget by gbobeck · · Score: 1

      How about "Stray Cat Strut"? Thats on every "Best of the 80's" album.

      --
      Navicula hydraulica plena anguilarum est. Omnes castelli tuus nostri sunt. Ed elli avea del cul fatto trombetta.
  4. Weird Science? Dead Man's Party? by moderatorrater · · Score: 3, Interesting

    No, Insanity or Stay by Oingo Boingo. You know, the ones not based on movie plots.

    1. Re:Weird Science? Dead Man's Party? by Tol+Dantom · · Score: 2, Funny

      Actually, I think songs which pretty much represented an entire movie in theme and complexity (and vice versa) really capture the zeitgeist of the 80s... For instance, once you saw something strange in the neighborhood and realized who you were going to call, the exposition(/development of the plot) was about over.

    2. Re:Weird Science? Dead Man's Party? by Luyseyal · · Score: 1

      Agreed. And I cannot STAND Dead Man's Party. That song sucks and it's like 20 minutes long. Or at least it seems like it.

      $0.02USD,
      -l

      --
      Help cure AIDS, cancer, and more. Donate your unused computer time to worldcommunitygrid.org. Join Team Slashdot!
  5. I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by theantipop · · Score: 2, Insightful

    But the distinct lack of really great songs as well as tons of "As made famous by..." really put me off. I suppose I can wait for GH3 for the Wii and hope the track list stays as top notch as the songs released already.

    1. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by Knara · · Score: 1

      Just FYI, with rare exception the first 2 GH releases have all been "As Made Famous By..." tracks. Yes, there were the "original" tracks, but I personally didn't have much interest in them. At any rate, 99% have been covers anyway, so unsure why you'd be surprised that these are also covers.

    2. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by xenocide2 · · Score: 4, Funny

      But the distinct lack of really great songs as well as tons of "As made famous by..." really put me off. I think you just summed up the 80s for me.
      --
      I Browse at +4 Flamebait

      Open Source Sysadmin

    3. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by theantipop · · Score: 1

      Well yea, and the horrrrrible "As made famous by"s in GH1 & 2 made some great songs really hard to enjoy. Seriously, if it's not Ozzy, Cobain, de la Roca or Weiland the song is just going to sound foreign.

    4. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by xero314 · · Score: 1

      ...Ozzy, Cobain, de la Roca or Weiland... Ah yes name the songs where the cover was better than the original, with the possible exception of Killing in the Name, but that had nothing to do with the singing. Come on, this is almost as bad as the complaints about the Megadeth covers not sounding like Mustaine as if that is a bad thing. Ozzy, was never much of a singer, like him or not, de la Roca has one tone at one volume, Weiland, while an interesting front man and the best of the 4 mentioned, not exactly hard to cover well, and as for Cobain... I have to admit that he was responsible for the best thing to happen to music in the past 20 years, and that happened on April 5th, 1994.

      And you left out Scott Stevens. I mean he's right up there. I actually thought I might have been a big fan of the Exies after playing GH and then I heard the original.
    5. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by theantipop · · Score: 1

      These are some of the people with the most recognizable voices in the last 25 years of music. They are also some of the worst offenders of bad covers in GH. Don't know how this makes them easy to cover. Regardless, the fact that you don't like them doesn't detract from my point.

    6. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by xero314 · · Score: 1

      You claimed the "As made famous by" songs were "horrrrrible" when what you meant was that they were not an exact duplicate of the originals. As it turns out at least a few of them were arguably better then the original. I think that does "detract from [your] point." I don't know what is worse, that you claim they have recognizable voice, or that you are wrong. Scott Weiland's voice is as generic as it gets, and Cobain's voice has been copied by so many up and comers, including some Asperger's inflicted Australian, that I thought he was back from the dead about 4 years, and please don't get me started on the cockroach, I mean Rage Against the Machine is a great band, but until the drop de la Rocha they never going to make more than the one song they repeated 10 times on their debut album, and I assume their follow ups as well. But Hey atleast with Rage I agree they did a poor job, they should have picked someone with a lot less vocal ability then they chose.

      I don't think you understand the meaning of the term "cover" when referencing music. I think you were looking more for impersonation, and we can only be thankful that Harmonix left that to the Elvises in Vegas.

    7. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by asuffield · · Score: 4, Informative

      But the distinct lack of really great songs as well as tons of "As made famous by..." really put me off.


      The developers have commented on this before - apparently, they initially tried using the original versions of the songs (it's actually cheaper - licensing doesn't cost any more, and you don't have to pay a band), but they ran into a major problem:

      It just wasn't fun

      It turns out that most songs are not centred around the guitarist. While they may have some good riffs and solos in them, a lot of the song becomes quite boring to play, as the guitars take a back seat to the vocals. Also, the timing is often quite uneven, which makes it excruciatingly difficult for somebody to match on the controller - real bands kind of wing it, but GH doesn't work that way, you have to play the right notes at the time they appear in the score. So, in order to make the game fun to play, they recorded specialised versions of all the songs on the primary set lists, suitably rearranged with the guitars in the lead, and rehearsed to be note-perfect.
    8. Re:I was going to buy a PS2 for this... by heinousjay · · Score: 1

      Ah, so you're from the "my opinion is fact" school of nerdery. I'll take note.

      --
      Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
  6. Help me place this Slashvertisement... by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2, Funny

    Help me place this Slashvertisement in the AIDA marketing model. Is this dribbling of useless information intended to raise Awareness, Interest or Desire?

    1. Re:Help me place this Slashvertisement... by Knara · · Score: 1

      I dunno, since somehow, magically, I already knew all these songs were on there... SlashDelay again. Or maybe it's just ZonkDelay

  7. I've never liked their choice of tracks... by posterlogo · · Score: 1

    Maybe I'm just culturally behind the times or whatever, but I don't feel like the majority of Guitar Hero tracks are all at awesome. It probably has something to do with the licensing of content, but I'd say I had rarely or never heard of half the tracks in the GH series.

    1. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by MorpheousMarty · · Score: 1

      I haven't heard of most of the music in GH, but when you consider the totality of all music it's not hard to understand. I don't know half the music any of my friends listen to, and I don't think they know half the music I listen to. There is a lot of music out there, especially if you avoid the radio.

    2. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      I'd say I had rarely or never heard of half the tracks in the GH series. God forbid you should learn something new!
      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    3. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      I actually think that's a good thing. Guitar Hero is a great way to find new music you like. If it weren't for Guitar Hero 2, I wouldn't be a rabid fan of Rush today (seeing them live in 10 days!!!) Nothing wrong with not recognizing every track, that would be boring. But it is nice, from time to time, to get some really great tracks in that you absolutely love. So I am ecstatic about Only a Lad being included.

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
    4. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      Seriously. I don't judge the unknown songs until I actually hear them.

      BTW, offtopic, but it's always nice to see a Firefly reference. I'm a Browncoat myself. ;-)

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
    5. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by xero314 · · Score: 1

      Guitar Hero is a great way to find new music you like. I'd like to second that, even though so far I have been familiar with the vast majority of the main stream songs, I have found many of the unlockables to be very enjoyable.

      Congratulations on learning about the thoroughly enjoyable music of Rush. It may be 33 years since their first album, but better late than never. When you are at the show watch Geddy Lee closely, as h may not be the best bassist in the world (though probably damn close), but he is the best Bassist/Singer/Synth player in the world, sometimes all at once.
    6. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Same here, I haven't even heard of half of the bands (and I'm not counting the indie ones in that, obviously), and I'd say there are only 10 or so songs I'd actually want to listen to without a plastic axe in my hands. Still, given that they are a pretty diverse group of songs it's clear that they're going for something-for-everyone rather than making something that my generation specifically will go for. I know that's good for sales, I heard that GH3 will have a Muse song and I instantly thought "buybuybuybuyBUY". For one song... so why give me 30 I'll like.

      I'm 26, BTW.

    7. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      I'm familiar with most of the classic rock in the games, but less of the modern stuff. I don't listen to the radio, since most music these days is bad.

      Thanks. The story is a bit more involved than that, I was already interested in Rush before the game, and actually looking forward to getting to their song in the game. Then YYZ became one of my favorite songs to play in the game, and I knew I had to check out their albums. The music fit perfectly with my musical tastes, strong musicianship, layered complex instrumentation, and thought-provoking lyrics. I definitely will watch Geddy, in fact I prefer playing the bass in YYZ coop mode. (And it is quite telling that many of the coop songs have boring bass lines. Jordan is super easy to play the bass on expert.) I love when a band brings the bass more to the forefront and actually uses it as an instrument and not just part of the rhythm.

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
    8. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by posterlogo · · Score: 1
      God forbid you should learn something new!


      Wow. You've really opened my eyes.

    9. Re:I've never liked their choice of tracks... by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      Seriously. I don't judge the unknown songs until I actually hear them.

      I actually got to know of Frezepop through GH2, and it turns out I like their plastic pop beats.
      I'd hate it if I already knew all the songs in there, where's the fun in that? Same old, same old... bleah.
      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

  8. Being born in '82... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...I'm just going to pretend and hope that I was too young throughout the 80s to care about music and that it isn't just because these songs are all complete crap that I don't recognise any of them :p

  9. Meh. by morari · · Score: 2, Insightful

    More tracks from what is probably the worst decade of popular music. Guitar Hero III looked to be shaping up fairly well as far as the tunes go, however.

    --
    "He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
    1. Re:Meh. by cab15625 · · Score: 1

      Ouch! Them's fightin' words boy!

      Forget emacs vs. vi or windows vs. linux. If you really want to start a flame war slam on peoples music. Like the '90s were much of an improvement ... grunge, gangsta rap and Britney Spears. Oooh. Yeah baby. Hit me one more time.

    2. Re:Meh. by morari · · Score: 1

      Though I won't hold the 90s up as a pillar of great musical acts either, I'd take grunge over hair metal any day. ;)

      --
      "He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
    3. Re:Meh. by Darkfred · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hair metal was the epitomy of Human expression, it is the great star that our society will be judged by for centuries to come. like Homer's epics and Wagner's opera hair metal is simply our greatest legacy to the future.

      --
      ----- 70% of all statistics are completely made up.
    4. Re:Meh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Grunge was just the next generation of Depeche Mode and kind, just substituting hippies for fags. But either way still funeral dirges for the perpetually depressed.

      Hair metal was cheesy, for sure, but at least fun. Better the music that makes you want to gag/blush than makes you want to blow your frickin' brains out.

    5. Re:Meh. by Nasarius · · Score: 1

      GP's point stands. Except for punk, 80s music was a disaster. The 90s still had a fair few gems at the surface like Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Nirvana (but not their copycats), Garbage, Oasis, and No Doubt. But for the most part, guitar-based rock died in the 70s. The kind of crap that's being included in this version of Guitar Hero is godawful, except perhaps for The Police.

      --
      LOAD "SIG",8,1
    6. Re:Meh. by Nasarius · · Score: 1

      Oh, but BTW...I'd say the 2000s are shaping up to be even worse than the 80s. Seven years in and the only decent new group I can think of is Tegan and Sara. Even after perusing the WP list...there's the White Stripes, I guess. And some occasionally decent "indie rock", but not a single standout that I can see.

      --
      LOAD "SIG",8,1
    7. Re:Meh. by xero314 · · Score: 1

      Please don't take a list that features Tool as a band of the 2000s as even semi respectable. Though I didn't have to get past the B's to find a number or very respectable bands on that list. But then again I like my music to have some talent and energy behind it.

    8. Re:Meh. by Catiline · · Score: 1

      Well, when the record companies are retrenching to protect their "core business" of selling overpriced CDs against illegal file trading...

      Of course the mainstream music is going downhill faster and faster. The big record companies only want to "gamble" on the tried and true sure winners. Without new blood, the whole edifice is going to collapse.

    9. Re:Meh. by Lord_Ultimate · · Score: 1

      You forgot those pillars of great music the Spice Girls, (/sarcasm) (reality) who have now been around for over a decade.

      I still want to see Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles. I don't care if it came out in '79, it's still an 80s song.

      --
      -- I might be stupid, but you have to be good at something.
    10. Re:Meh. by Nasarius · · Score: 1

      Though I didn't have to get past the B's to find a number or very respectable bands on that list.
      Examples? I admit to being mostly out of touch with anything that isn't thrown at me by a friend. I mean, you can always find great stuff being done on the fringes, regardless of the time period. But I'm mostly interested in the quality of bands who have achieved a fair bit of success (ie, the state of popular music).
      --
      LOAD "SIG",8,1
    11. Re:Meh. by xero314 · · Score: 1

      Just in the As and Bs of that List I would suggest Audio Slave, Breaking Benjamin and Buck Cherry. All three of them get main stream rock airplay, and contain either talented musicians, good music or both. Sure there is better stuff if you look a little underground, but you wanted good bands that have been successful. If I went to the Fs I could name 3 more of the top of my head, like Fair to Midland, Finger Eleven and Flyleaf, all three of which have been gaining popularity over the last 2 years.

      Again this music is much harder than the examples you gave so I'm not sure if they would be to your liking or not.

    12. Re:Meh. by gfxguy · · Score: 1

      Aaahh... NIN, one of my favorites back when... first single 1988, Pretty Hate Machine was 1989.

      The 80s had a lot of good music, it just had a lot of crap that got really popular and made the whole decade look bad. Sounds a lot like... well... just about every decade.

      I guess there's at least two sides to every decade, and the commercially popular one is usually the most well known and worst side that we remember.

      --
      Stupid sexy Flanders.
    13. Re:Meh. by KlomDark · · Score: 1

      Haven't heard Infected Mushroom or Nevermore, have ya?

  10. Mod Parent Up! by morari · · Score: 1

    But the distinct lack of really great songs as well as tons of "As made famous by..." really put me off. I think you just summed up the 80s for me. Ha! Take that you overrated decade, you! :D
    --
    "He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
  11. Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Alzheimers · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Where's the Van Halen?

    Where's the Bon Jovi?!

    Where's the GUNS AND ROSES?!?!

    (me wonders if Harmonix are really music fans)

  12. What, no Information Society? by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

    Of course, they'd have to include a cardboard guitar controller...

  13. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Two words, amigo: "licensing fees".

  14. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by riff420 · · Score: 0, Insightful

    "Where's the Van Halen?" Guitar Hero II "Where's the Bon Jovi?" Got me there. "Where's the GUNS AND ROSES?!?!?!" Again, Guitar Hero II. (me wonders if you've ever played either Guitar Hero)

  15. My one killer 80's track... by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

    Would be the Top Gun theme. Tell me that thing isn't all guitar...

    1. Re:My one killer 80's track... by Overzeetop · · Score: 1

      Okay, I like Harold Faltermyer as much as the next guy, but I'm going to have to say that it's not exactly what I think of for Guitar Hero. Next thing I know there's going to be a keyboard hero and you're going to want Axel F!

      --
      Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  16. So... by iMySti · · Score: 1

    Anyone else in favor of an all Bowie GH?

    1. Re:So... by Lord_Ultimate · · Score: 1

      No.

      I'm also surprised some disingenuous mod hasn't marked that Flamebait, I've metamoderated and seen it for less.

      --
      -- I might be stupid, but you have to be good at something.
  17. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Radres · · Score: 1

    There's much, much more to Van Halen than "You Really Got Me", and much, much more to GNR than "Sweet Child of Mine". Both of these bands could have entire Guitar Hero games based on their respective bodies of work.

  18. Only a Lad! by The+Barking+Dog · · Score: 1

    I let out a yelp of glee when I saw that Oingo Boingo was going to be included. Sure, if they were going to pick any '80s era Boingo, there's plenty of other great tracks (hell, if they were going to take anything from that album, I'd rather have "Imposter"), but they're still one of my favorite bands, and just having one of their songs on there makes me happy. At least I'll have an excuse to yell "HE LIKED TO BURN THINGS!" without looking like a total idiot...

    1. Re:Only a Lad! by EDinWestLA · · Score: 1

      Of course, if they used "Violent Love", you can sing "I want to make violent love to you".

      Not too shabby.

    2. Re:Only a Lad! by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      Ok, I posted before about this, but now I see your post and I need to say something. I am right there with you. I almost fell out of my chair with the news! Only a Lad is a great song for the game. Personally, I think Aint This The Life would work perfectly with the guitar hero gameplay, too (though that one is just before the 80s I suppose.)

      It's great to see that I'm not the only Boingoloid on Slashdot thrilled by this news. I hope they do a decent job of covering Danny's singing style (especially during "HE LIKED TO BURN THINGS!")

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
    3. Re:Only a Lad! by ssuppe · · Score: 1

      Heck yes! My very first Boingo show was their last, unfortunately, but I'd like to think there's a Clown of Death in each of us...

    4. Re:Only a Lad! by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      Alas, I never got to see them live. I was too young when they were still around. (I'm 21 now). The Farewell DVD show, however, is amazing (and I wish they didn't cut some songs from the show, they should have had the whole thing!)

      On the subject of Guitar Hero, it's interesting how it has made me concentrate more on the guitar and bass playing in music. I have gained a whole new appreciation for bands like Boingo. (Plus it's always nice to have a fresh way of listening to a song you've listened to death.)

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
    5. Re:Only a Lad! by bobbozzo · · Score: 1
      Personally, I think Aint This The Life would work perfectly with the guitar hero gameplay, too (though that one is just before the 80s I suppose.)

      FWIW, Ain't This the Life and Only a Lad were both first released on the same E.P., in 1980.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oingo_Boingo_(EP)

      --
      Nothing to see here; Move along.
    6. Re:Only a Lad! by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      True, but the version of Only a Lad that they are using comes from the eponymous album released after the EP. I believe Only a Lad is the Boingo song that has had the most versions (E.P., Only a Lad, Boingo Alive, Farewell).

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
  19. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by k_187 · · Score: 1

    Is harmonix really doing this one? or is it activision?

    --
    11 was a racehorse
    12 was 12
    1111 Race
    12112
  20. Pop Hero? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Honestly, where as it could be argued that there was little of redeeming value in the 1980s, guitar work was not one of them. Randy Rhodes, Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Hammitt, Dimebag, and so forth.

    What the hell kind of shit track listing is Harmonix trying to pull?

    If you're going to charge me out the nose for a plastic guitar, you better at least provide a decent song list--especially when the decade in question was known for some very skillful guitar players.

    1. Re:Pop Hero? by Dacelo+Gigas · · Score: 0

      Honestly, where as it could be argued that there was little of redeeming value in the 1980s, guitar work was not one of them. Randy Rhodes, Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Hammitt, Dimebag, and so forth.
      Excellent choices, but don't forget the Eric Johnson, Mark Knopfler, Eric Bloom, Adrian Smith / Dave Murray, or Vernon Reed.

      What the hell kind of shit track listing is Harmonix trying to pull?
      Instead of Love in an Elevator, we get music from the elevator.

      Dacelo

    2. Re:Pop Hero? by hawkwind · · Score: 1
      ERIC BLOOM? You've got to be kidding.

      Buck Dharma certainly qualifies, but most of the really good BÖC comes from the 70's.

      Eric Bloom plays "stun guitar" and half the time he's not even plugged in

  21. no Metallica? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm guessing this is due to a licensing problem. Yet another reason why the bus should have landed on Lars.

  22. Radar Love? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sorry, but the only song White Lion was famous for in the 80's was that cheesey "When the Children Cry" song. Everything else on the album was dreck. "Radar Love" is a great tune, but NOT made famous by White Lion. Who is the BONEHEAD who made that decision?

    1. Re:Radar Love? by Alkivar · · Score: 1

      Wait was the biggest hit off that album, it charted at #8 and brought the album to #11 on the charts. When the Children Cry charted at #3 but was off the charts in 5 weeks. Wait was on the charts for 18 weeks.

      If we're going to go by chart position, Radar Love was never on the chart; If we want to look at dates the cover of Radar Love didnt get released as a single until February 1990!

    2. Re:Radar Love? by iainl · · Score: 1

      No, it didn't get any chart success, no it isn't even vaguely acceptable as a cover version. But a proper version of Radar Love would need to be on Guitar Hero 70s, instead, so they had to make do.

      --
      "I Know You Are But What Am I?"
    3. Re:Radar Love? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Had to make do? How about just picking a different 80's hit? They have 10 years of top 40 (or even top 100) tracks to choose from.

  23. More Strong Bad by jazzcatzxcvb · · Score: 1

    Needs more Strong Bad. He was playing clubs in the 80s, I'm sure!

    1. Re:More Strong Bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TROGDOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Trogdor was a man...
      He was a dragon man

      TROGDOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  24. Keyboard Hero by ndriscoll · · Score: 1

    You mean like Frets on Fire? Someone out there has probably added Axel F.

  25. Dude! They put Oingo Boingo in the game! by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

    Huge fan (references user name).

    Seriously, I never thought they'd do it, though I certainly hoped for it. I kept checking the track lists that were coming out to see if any would be on it, and lo... Only a Lad. Thankfully not Weird Science (more of a keyboard song) or Dead Man's Party (love it... but come on... it's their best known most commercial track!) Only a Lad is perfect.

    It's nice to see Boingo get some love now and then. They definitely aren't mainstream, and among my generation they're very obscure. I'm thrilled to finally be able to play a song by my favorite band in guitar hero, and I'm thrilled that more people from my generation will be introduced to the sheer awesomeness that is Oingo Boingo.

    My one concern is that it is a cover, and Danny Elfman's singing style is hard to mimic successfully.

    --
    I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
  26. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by gad_zuki! · · Score: 1

    I bought guitar hero two a month or so ago and its become pretty obvious that theyre making an effort to license "budget" songs. Theres an aerosmith song on there Ive never even heard of. There are songs from bands on there that make you go 'huh why this?' They are continuing this tradition with the 80s series. Pretty sad, I'd rather have less songs that are bad ass guitar songs instead of 6 or 8 singles i can recognize and bunch of filler. Hopefully, some enterpising developer will move in with something better using thee gh controler, if the whole this isnt a patent minefield.

  27. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by tomshaq · · Score: 1

    This is all Activision. Harmonix has moved on to rock band.

  28. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by xero314 · · Score: 1

    Both of these bands could have entire Guitar Hero games based on their respective bodies of work. I think they would have to get inline behind, Rush, the Stones, Kiss, Queen, Sabbath, Ozzy, Megadeth, and who knows how many other Bands previously featured in Guitar Hero.
  29. Confessions of a Boingoloid by Alcoholic+Synonymous · · Score: 1

    Oingo Boingo will never die!

    No matter how few records they sold in their day, or how many of their albums are "greatest hits" compilations, it's 12 years "retired" and they just keep popping up in places like this. They had a song in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland not too long ago. Considering noone really knows any of their songs besides Weird Science (and the readers go "Oh! Them" now), the choice of songs (often fan favorites) always seems odd. As an out and proud Boingoloid to this day, it brings a tear to my eye.

    BRING BACK BOINGO!

    1. Re:Confessions of a Boingoloid by ReptilianSamurai · · Score: 1

      Agreed. The ironic thing with THAW, is that the track they included (Who Do You Want To Be) was off the Good for your Soul album, which oddly is out of print right now. Go figure.

      And instead of these constant release of new best of compilations that have the same songs all over again, how about finally releasing rarities? Boingo has many good songs that never made it onto an album, either as a B-side, on a movie soundtrack or on a compilation record, or simply cut from the album entirely, or played live but never recorded in the studio. Many of these songs are excellent (and there are probably even more that noone outside Boingo has ever heard.) Seriously, even if it's as a paid download to avoid the costs of putting it out as a box set, they ought to release them. It's the only way to get more Boingo.

      ... I think I just digressed wildly.

      --
      I installed Linux on a car, but it crashed due to bad drivers...
  30. White Who? by Draconnery · · Score: 1

    Yeah Golden Earring for me too.

    In fact, I listen to XM Radio, so I always have the band name right in front of me, and I've never heard a single White Lion song; I didn't even know White Lion was a thing until 5 minutes ago when I read the song list in the summary.

    So unless the GP lives someplace where White Lion's frontman is the classic rock station DJ... I hesitate to believe him.

  31. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not to mention the bands/artists they haven't been able to get yet like Zeppelin, AC/DC, post-Cream Clapton, etc...

  32. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Squozen · · Score: 1

    Actually that Aerosmith song is taken from what is widely considered their best album. The fact that you haven't heard anything they released before their mid-80s relaunch isn't Harmonix's fault. Blame Clear Channel.

  33. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    Both of these bands could have entire Guitar Hero games based on their respective bodies of work.

    I think they would have to get inline behind, Rush, the Stones, Kiss, Queen, Sabbath, Ozzy, Megadeth, and who knows how many other Bands previously featured in Guitar Hero.

    Sabbath? If they are smart they will stretch it out, so that the remaining 2 hits of theirs will not be on the same version. I mean Seriously... they got "War Pigs" already. Aside from "Iron Man" and "Paranoid" they have ...

    ... what exactly?

  34. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Amateurs all of them.

    Where the HECK is more Spinal Tap?!?!?!?

    If there ever was a quintessential 1980s band, they're it!

    (And why can't I get the umlaut to appear over the n?)

  35. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by gad_zuki! · · Score: 1

    Actually the aerosmith I do like is from the 70s. What I dont like are these non-singles like 'last child' that no one seems to know about being put in the game. No other player I know has heard of it or can sing along to it. They managed to get aerosmith but couldnt pay the fees for a more popular song. This isn't a music geeks game, its a mass produced goofy game. Hell, if licensing for every song on that album was the same why not go with back in the saddle? It really hurts the game to be this cheap.

  36. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by Have+Blue · · Score: 1

    Guitar Hero 1 had Bark at the Moon.

  37. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by bckrispi · · Score: 1

    Aside from "Iron Man" and "Paranoid" they have ...
    Ummm... Children of the Grave, Electric Funeral, Sweet Leaf, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, The Wizard, Never Say Die, Black Sabbath, Hand of Doom, N.I.B...
    --
    Xenon, where's my money? -Borno
  38. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by xero314 · · Score: 1

    Aside from "Iron Man" and "Paranoid" they have what exactly? "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath", "Black Sabbath", "NIB", "Rock and Roll Doctor", "Heaven and Hell"
    Not to mention, "Sweet Leaf", "Changes" and even "The Wizzard" (which I left out because it belongs more on Harmonica Hero)
    Or anything of there 14 gold or better albums.

    Oh, and "Iron Man" was on GH 1 and is available for Download for the 360 version of GH2.
  39. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    Guitar Hero 1 had Bark at the Moon.

    Awesome song. It kicked my ass a few times, even on medium... it was however an Ozzy Osbourne Song/Album after he left Black Sabbath and went Solo.

  40. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    Oh, and "Iron Man" was on GH 1 and is available for Download for the 360 version of GH2.

    You're right! I forgot it was on GH1. Which means that GHIII should have "Paranoid" and then they pretty much ran the gauntlet. Did "Iron Man" recently get added as DLC for the X-box? I haven't seen anything besides the initial 3 packs the posted in April, and of that there was Bark at the Moon (from Ozzy's solo career) but not "Iron Man".

  41. Re: What? No Weird AL ? by trdrstv · · Score: 1
    Why don't they offer some of the same 80's tracks with new unlockable alternate lyrics?

    You could have Weird Al's "Eat it" over Michael Jackson's "Beat it", or Genesis' "Land of Confusion" with the Disturbed version as an unloackable.

  42. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by xero314 · · Score: 1

    I could be wrong about the 360 DLC. I was only guessing from what I have heard, since won't ever own a 360.

    Oh, and way to miss the numerous examples of other well known Sabbath songs.

  43. Weezer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Weezer's first album was not in the 80s, they are not even an 80's band. Weezer's self-titled (blue) album was released in May 1994. What the hell are these guys thinking? Get more hair bands into the mix!!!

    1. Re:Weezer? by h3llfish · · Score: 1

      Weezer isn't in the 80's one - Weezer is in Guitar Hero 3. Two different games, bro.

  44. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    Oh, and way to miss the numerous examples of other well known Sabbath songs.

    Oh, I didn't miss them as much as dismiss them. My issue is with the examples being "well known Sabbath songs". Did you know Devo has been putting out albums for over 30 years? Could you name one song they did besides "Whip it" ?

    It boils down to this, if you ask someone to name 5 Black Sabbath songs, most people would either be stumped, or include songs from Ozzy's solo career to get to that 5. If you ask them to name 5 Van Halen, Bon Jovi, or GNR songs they likely could.

    This is why a Full Guitar Hero game built around Black Sabbath wouldn't work.

  45. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by gfxguy · · Score: 1

    "What I like about you" is the first jamming song I learned on "real" guitar. Can't wait for it in the game!

    --
    Stupid sexy Flanders.
  46. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by xero314 · · Score: 1

    Could you name one song they did besides "Whip it" "Working in a Coal Mine" and "Girl you Want" to name a couple. Plus Devo's last studio album containing original music was 17 years ago, and their number of Gold or better releases pales in comparison to Sabbath's.

    if you ask someone to name 5 Black Sabbath songs, most people would either be stumped I believe that depends on who you ask. Just because you happen to be unfamiliar with music prior to 1980 does not mean the rest of the world is.

    This is why a Full Guitar Hero game built around Black Sabbath wouldn't work We will never find out but I would bet GH Sabbath Edition would out sell the GNR and Bon Jovi Edition combined. I'll give you credit for the Van Hallen choice, but to some Eddy is god, so you can't really go wrong there. And it's also funny that you chose to pick Sabbath as your target when their songs are far better known than Rush's and I put them in the list well above your choices.
  47. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! Sabbath? by xero314 · · Score: 1

    Oh and just look at the number of tribute albums and the number of main stream artist on them. You will see that Sabbath is far more respected than Bon Jovi or GnR. (And VH was a good pick, but I think you just got lucky on that one some how)

  48. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    (And VH was a good pick, but I think you just got lucky on that one some how)

    Those bands were actually the parent's picks and I essentially disagreed with Sabbath being among them. Of all the bands listed I would prefer VH over all, but for Rock Band rather than Guitar Hero. I would be just as interested playing the Drums in say... "Hot for Teacher" than Guitar. Also Eddie and Alex have a good enough catalog to pick from where you can really cycle through their work and highlight the Guitar 1 song and the Drums the next.

    If I were personally pick a band to do a full "Tribute Game" I would do a "Rock Band" style game on VH (or The Beatles) and a Guitar Hero style game on Clapton/Creme.

  49. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by xero314 · · Score: 1

    Seen since the subject line was never really brought into line with the thread and you responded to my response to someone else's response I lost track of who said what. But just for the record I was the one that said Sabbath belongs on the list of bands deserving a tribute as much as VH and more so than GnR, and I stand by it, if for no other reason than their influence on the direction of music from the 60s onward. After all Sabbath was listed as the 85th most influential artists of all times in Rolling Stone, while GnR was 92nd and VH wasn't even on the list. But I guess that's all just a mater of opinion (and since I'm right I'll just leave it at that)

    But if we are seriously discussing possible Rock Band Tribute versions that Rush would have to be the best choice. There talented musicians, including two that are consistently listed in top tens (Peart and Lee) and one that just happens to be highly underrated though people are starting to come around (lifeson). All three play lead roles, so no one sits around playing simple rhythms while the rest of the players rock out. Not to mention the difficult of have to play through what amounts to 3 concurrent (Guitar, Drum and Base) 2 minute solos after getting through the first 18 minutes of 2112, or Having to endure the 6 minute concurent solo that is "La Villa Strangiato."

  50. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    Seen since the subject line was never really brought into line with the thread and you responded to my response to someone else's response I lost track of who said what. But just for the record I was the one that said Sabbath belongs on the list of bands deserving a tribute as much as VH and more so than GnR, and I stand by it, if for no other reason than their influence on the direction of music from the 60s onward.

    Gauging on influence? I'm gauging on potential retail sales, and I'm just saying a Black Sabbath wouldn't bring in "the masses" the way a Van-Halen game would.

    After all Sabbath was listed as the 85th most influential artists of all times in Rolling Stone, while GnR was 92nd and VH wasn't even on the list. But I guess that's all just a mater of opinion (and since I'm right I'll just leave it at that)

    Ok, Since we are debating opinion as if it were fact see my previous post. Where are The Beatles on that list?

    But if we are seriously discussing possible Rock Band Tribute versions that Rush would have to be the best choice. There talented musicians, including two that are consistently listed in top tens (Peart and Lee) and one that just happens to be highly underrated though people are starting to come around (lifeson). All three play lead roles, so no one sits around playing simple rhythms while the rest of the players rock out. Not to mention the difficult of have to play through what amounts to 3 concurrent (Guitar, Drum and Base) 2 minute solos after getting through the first 18 minutes of 2112, or Having to endure the 6 minute concurent solo that is "La Villa Strangiato."

    I never said Rush would be a bad choice, I said Sabbath would. From a purely technical stand point Rush would be a good choice. I don't think they would grab the sales volume of a Beatles, or VH (or even Phil Collins/ Genesis or Clapton/Creme) version. That doesn't mean the songs are bad, just that "by the masses" Rush isn't as popular.

    Honestly I would LOVE 2112 as a downloadable song for GHII, you could likely get the "Millionaire Pair" Achievement on Easy/Medium simply because it's so fucking long...

  51. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by xero314 · · Score: 1

    Gauging on influence? I'm gauging on potential retail sales, and I'm just saying a Black Sabbath wouldn't bring in "the masses" the way a Van-Halen game would. Though there is no proof to back this up I have to disagree with you. Most people under 30 don't recognize VH even if the are into the hard rock/metal scene. Beavis and Butthead walked around air guitaring the intro to Iron Man not Ice Cream Man. The one VH song to make it onto GH so far was actually a Kinks song (and yes I think the Kinks did it better). And as much as VH may sell more in the US I would bet that Black Sabbath does much better world wide. Not to mention the fact that Ozzy, a founding member of Sabbath, is a house hold name. Plus Ozzy/Iommy are more likely to license their work than than Eddy/Dave. But again this is speculation and we will never know.

    Where are The Beatles on that list? The Beatles would be on the list if it were not for the issues that they were not on any other GH (as compared to the other bands listed) and that it would be boring. Don't get me wrong it might sell a lot, but would kill the franchise do to licensing cost and that after playing a half a dozen of the songs any serious player will be tired of it all ready. Just name 3 Beatles songs with a half way decent solo or even one that would qualify for the top tier.

    I don't think they would grab the sales volume of a Beatles, or VH (or even Phil Collins/ Genesis or Clapton/Creme) version. That doesn't mean the songs are bad, just that "by the masses" Rush isn't as popular. Collins and Genesis are out because the games, even Rock Band, are about guitar. Cream (correct spelling) is probably deserving of a Tribute game if it were not for the fact that their entire catalog of original songs wouldn't be but 30 songs. Rush on the other hand has 23 gold records and 14 platinum (3 multi-platinum) records placing them fifth, behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, KISS and Aerosmith, for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums by a rock band and ranked 78th in U.S. album sales according to the RIAA with sales of 24.5 million units. That's over a 30 year span of music and well over 200 songs to chose from. Rush also just released an album in the past couple months that hit #3 on the Billboard 100 chart, where as Clapton has not been their in a number of years. Not to mention their 13 #1 mainstream rock songs.

    Care to counter any of that?
  52. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    Care to counter any of that?

    Sure, but at this point we are mearly pissing in the wind over a matter of opinion. Since you asked however...

    The one VH song to make it onto GH so far was actually a Kinks song (and yes I think the Kinks did it better).

    Agreed. At least it should have notes "As made famous by the Kinks." There is plenty in the Van Halen catalog that could have used, but they went with a cover? Weak.

    And as much as VH may sell more in the US I would bet that Black Sabbath does much better world wide. Not to mention the fact that Ozzy, a founding member of Sabbath, is a house hold name.

    If they did such a tribute Album they would be better off Calling it an "Ozzy Osbourne Tribute" and include Sabbath songs as well instead of the other way around. Even if it was the exact same game, the Ozzy branded one would sell more.

    Plus Ozzy/Iommy are more likely to license their work than than Eddy/Dave. But again this is speculation and we will never know.

    I think that's unwarranted speculation based on the fact they both have licensed music in Guitar Hero. They seem to not have minded putting in "Bark at the Moon", "Iron Man", "War Pigs" or the afore mentioned Kink's cover, with a VH slant.

    The Beatles would be on the list if it were not for the issues that they were not on any other GH (as compared to the other bands listed) and that it would be boring.

    I Disagree it would be boring, but that's a personal taste issue. It also wasn't the list I was refering to. You stated "Sabbath was listed as the 85th most influential artists of all times in Rolling Stone, while GnR was 92nd and VH wasn't even on the list." My question is where did the Beatles fall on THAT list?

    Collins and Genesis are out because the games, even Rock Band, are about guitar.

    Doesn't have to be. Rock Band can focus more on drums, especially if they are focusing on a specific band.

    Cream (correct spelling)

    Thank you. Brain fart on my part.

    Rush on the other hand has 23 gold records and 14 platinum (3 multi-platinum) records placing them fifth, behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, KISS and Aerosmith, for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums by a rock band ...

    I DO believe you but could you please provide a link?

    and ranked 78th in U.S. album sales according to the RIAA with sales of 24.5 million units.

    24.5 Million units across their entire catalog? Appitite for Destruction sold 15 million units by itself. Add in both the Use your illusion albums, and you have 29 million units sold and 42 songs.

    I think I found your source for the RIAA sales, and if you follow the link you'll notice Guns 'N Roses with 38.5 million sold to date, and farther up (towards the top) Van Halen is sitting Above U2 and just below Metallica at 56.5 million units sold. Which leads me to believe that a game based on those bands would be more successfull than one based on Black Sabbath (at 15 million), and since you drug them into it Rush (with 24.5 million sales) as well. Do we need to keep debating our opinions on the matter? or can we Agree to disagree on this one?

  53. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by xero314 · · Score: 1

    There is plenty in the Van Halen catalog that could have used, but they went with a cover? Weak. True, the could have gone with "Pretty Women."

    My question is where did the Beatles fall on THAT list? #1 of course, but you can check the list for yourself.

    Which leads me to believe that a game based on [Guns 'N Roses (38.5 million) or Van Halen (56.5 million)]would be more successfull than one based on Black Sabbath (at 15 million), and since you drug them into it Rush (with 24.5 million sales) as well. First I don't disagree with the Van Halen idea, and I never compared VH to Rush in this aspect, I as comparing Rush to Cream and/or Genesis. But there is another aspect that you might have missed from my previous post that GnR doesn't have enough songs to find a full set for a GH game (assuming you are trying to get a decent best of) since even their greatest hits is a total of 14 songs including 4 covers and one who's lead instrument is whistling. And neither VH or GnR have an album of original music in a number of years where as Rush has remained relevant. Again, I'm not saying a VH Tribute game would not do well, or that even a GnR one wouldn't (I just don't think they have enough songs), I'm just saying that if you are making a list of Bands to create tributes for Rush would be above GnR, Genesis and Cream, and only a little below bands like VH, the Stones, Aerosmith and Kiss (regardless of my preference). And I have based this off of sales, longevity, and anecdotal evidence, such as the number of successful tribute bands.

    And regardless of which would would sell more, I couldn't imagine a more well rounded band with a wider range of easy to extremely difficult songs than Rush, with the possible exception of Led Zeppelin, when you are talking about an entire Band (VH is better suited for Guitar Hero than Rock Band, in my opinion).

    Oh and as long as I am learning something new, like a bands record sales or other statistics, I could keep this up forever.
  54. Re:Van Halen Tribute game. by trdrstv · · Score: 1

    There is plenty in the Van Halen catalog that could have used, but they went with a cover? Weak.

    True, the could have gone with "Pretty Women."

    Nice. If you're gonna flame, it was "Pretty Woman. " Apparently Roy Orbison wasn't Mormon.

    I'm just saying that if you are making a list of Bands to create tributes for Rush would be above GnR, Genesis and Cream, and only a little below bands like VH, the Stones, Aerosmith and Kiss (regardless of my preference). And I have based this off of sales, longevity, and anecdotal evidence, such as the number of successful tribute bands.

    And if you put Black Sabbath at the bottom of that pile (below Rush, GnR, Genesis, Cream) Then we are in agreement.

    I couldn't imagine a more well rounded band with a wider range of easy to extremely difficult songs than Rush, with the possible exception of Led Zeppelin,

    Again, no disrespect to Rush (I'd play it), but Zeppelin would be amazing...

    when you are talking about an entire Band (VH is better suited for Guitar Hero than Rock Band, in my opinion).

    I see where you're coming from and, on a whole... yes. The band has focused on Eddie for the most part but Alex Van Halen is amazing at what he does, and for the songs where he does shine I would like play those parts as well.

    Oh and as long as I am learning something new, like a bands record sales or other statistics, I could keep this up forever.

    Right. It's a shame I can't. Sorry Mate, its' been fun.

  55. Re:Van Halen? Bon Jovi?! GNR?!?! by Squozen · · Score: 1

    The Back in the Saddle riff is played on a 6-string bass, there's no guitar riff to play! Personally I wish they'd chosen Combination.