Big Head Todd and The Monsters - 40th Anniversary Tour

John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" is probably the best-known blues song that most people don't know they know. It's everywhere, from The Blues Brothers (in which Hooker performs it onscreen, of course) to the ad for Mafia II. And why not? From the opening chord progression to the explosion after the first minute, it's one of the most irresistible blues songs ever written. Many have covered it, but Big Head Todd and the Monsters got it. Of course, their hit version had a little help, since they got Hooker to play on it. But that's the key appeal of this Colorado band - they could cover a blues song, or crank out a straightforward, slow-burning rocker like their biggest hit, "Broken Hearted Savior," or bring the funk on "Groove Thing." Throughout the ups and downs with their records over the last two decades, they've made their reputation - and their staying power - on the powers as a live band. - Steve Palopoli