The Doors are one of the best rock bands in music history. Their unique blend of keyboard, bass and vocalized poetry has no peer. There really is nothing like The Doors.

I wanted to see how far back I could go, to hear songs that are enjoyable to the modern rock ‘n roll fan (i.e. me).

The turmoil from 2003 lead to true happiness in ’04. But if I were to nail down the year were I began to be distanced from the music scene it was this one.

It was a year of turmoil for yours truly. And unlike the other difficult year of my single life (1998), this one wasn’t helped along by music. In fact, I started drifting away from newer rock and tried to gain some appreciation for pop. I stress the word “some”.

Fogerty is such a huge talent. His songwriting is excellent. Just perfect for the genre – good, clean southern rock. Look no further than the million movies that use his songs for any seen involving the Vietnam war, or any scenes that take place in backwater country. And he had the voice to match. Or perhaps it was his voice that created that style of music to begin with.

The power struggle within the band that ultimately cost them an extended run was a real shame.

Fleetwood Mac was formed in 1967, but started off as a blues band. It wasn’t until 1974 that Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham joined – and it’s no coincidence that my favorite songs from this group begin to appear in 1975.

In 2002, as the world deals with the fallout of 911, I spend the entire year living in Oshawa and commuting to work in Markham. That commute would include Howard Stern in the morning, and new rock or classic rock on the drive home.

My opinion, my taste, but after thorough research of the songs released in the 80s, these are the best.