Jonah Koslen's YTunes Shuffle Fave5 Songs

JONAH KOSLEN is most known for his work with the Michael Stanley Band (MSB). A composer, producer and performer, Koslen has written some of rock n'roll's best songs including "Waste A Little Time On Me,” “Strike Up The Band” and “Nothings Gonna Change My Mind.”

Koslen left MSB in 1977 to work with another successful band, Breathless, the following year. Breathless had the distinct pleasure to open for KISS.

He's even worked with some interested folks including Tiffany, Jimmy Crespo (Aerosmith) Gilby Clark (Guns N Roses) and appeared on tv with Wayne Newton. He also appeared at Farm Aid with Bonnie Bramlett in Bandaloo Doctors and then wrote and recorded several songs for an episode of TV show “Fame."

Here is the music that informs his life:

FOUR SEASONS “Sherry” (1962)

This song was originally called “Terry.” Eventually they settled on Sheri...the daughter of Producer Bob Crewe's best friend, DJ Jack Spector.

CHUCK BERRY “Maybellene” (1955)

Chuck Berry was very careful to sing the lyrics clearly to cross over and have a white audience appeal. He says this is not a rock song, “Maybellene was very much a country song, with country lyrics. Maybe a littler faster but basically it was country.”

THE WHO “Magic Bus”(1968)

In the early days, Roger Daltrey worked in a sheet metal factory and made the band's guitars himself.

SIMON & GARFUNKEL “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)

Art Garfunkel says they probably never would have recorded this song if it weren't for The Graduate. They were about to throw it out, but when director Mike Nichols heard it, he asked them to adapt it for the film.

THE ROLLING STONES “Street Fighting Man” (1968)

Radio stations in Chicago played this song tirelessly. Then the DNC came through Chicago and police met protestors in the streets and suddenly, radio stations (everywhere) wouldn't play this song anymore because they were worried it would bring on more violence.  

Want to know why he picked these songs? Make sure to check out this episode of YTunes Shuffle whever you download podcasts!