BRANNON KLEINLEIN:
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LAST EXIT LIVE
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right TRACK A PEEK INSIDE THE PLAYLISTS OF PHOENIX’S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI • COLLEGE TIMES
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rannon Kleinlein is Arizona music’s biggest cheerleader. He moved to the Valley in 1994 from LaSalle, Illinois, so he could attend ASU. A fan of music and nightlife, he and two associates purchased BJ’s Meeting Place in Downtown Tempe and opened Last Exit Live. Now located in Downtown Phoenix, Last Exit Live is a bastion for local—and international— music. He wanted to take his love of the Grand Canyon State’s music scene a step further and founded the Apache Lake Music Festival, which has swelled in popularity. This month, Kleinlein shares his music tastes with College Times readers.
TOP SIX FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME “End Of The Line,” The Traveling Wilburys Not only is this song done by some of the greatest musicians of all time, it’s just a really happy, feel-good song that puts you in a good mood and helps keep things in perspective when you might be feeling a little down.
“Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town,” Pearl Jam This song holds a lot of meaning for me because I grew up in a small town in Illinois and always dreamed about moving out West to a bigger city. The song is about someone who never got the chance to move away and now feels stuck and forgotten in their small town. The song actually helped motivate me when I was a teenager to make sure I gave it a shot and moved out West when I had the chance. “Say Hello To Heaven,” Temple of the Dog This was a tribute song for the late Andy Wood that was written by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and performed with members of Pearl Jam. It had two of my favorite grungeera acts collaborating. Being that it’s about death and the passing of a friend, the song is a bit depressing, but is one of the most beautifully written anthems about the subject. “My Sweet Lord,” George Harrison My favorite Beatle is George Harrison and, in my opinion, his solo work is the best among his
former bandmates. Although this song is considered to be quite religious, it’s my understanding George wanted it to be a call to abandon religious discrimination between different groups and faiths. Because I am not really a religious person, the song for me is more about the feeling it gives when listening to it. The lyrics are quite repetitive with almost a chant feel, but the song really works and evokes a pretty peaceful feeling. PHOTO • COURTESY BRANNON KLEINLEIN
“Zion Train,” Brannon Kleinlein is a fan of music and nightlife. Bob Marley Spent a lot of time listening to Bob Marley in my late our sound system. It’s the closest thing teens and 20s, and just love the way that gives the feel of being at a real the reggae beat and sound of this song concert, I’ve found. feels. It really just makes you want to bop your head along to the DESERT ISLAND ALBUM groove. “Greatest Hits,” Bob Marley & The Wailers “The Waiting,” Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers To me, Tom Petty is one of WHAT ARTIST WOULD the greatest American rock PROVIDE THE SOUNDTRACK stars in history. He has a way FOR THE MOVIE of connecting to his audience ABOUT YOUR LIFE? through his songs and lyrics Eddie Vedder that makes it feel believable by the audience. I think this song is my favorite of his just FAVORITE SONG based upon the many times BY AN ARTIST I got to see his band live and FROM YOUR COUNTRY? the way this song came across “Paul Revere,” Beastie Boys in a live performance.
PREFERRED WAY OF LISTENING AND WHY?
PHOTO • COURTESY BRANNON KLEINLEIN
Brannon Kleinlein and two associates purchased BJ's Meeting Place in Downtown Tempe and opened Last Exit Live. It has since moved to Downtown Phoenix.
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On the sound system at Last Exit Live. Sometimes, when I’m down at the venue doing work on nonshow days, I like to put on some of my favorite music and blast it on
GO-TO GUILTY PLEASURE TRACK OR CLASSIC KARAOKE TUNE? “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond I don’t sing karaoke but if I did this would be a go-to because it always gets the crowd singing. CT
