The original - and still our favorite - Autoextremist logo.
The AE Quote of the Century: Everybody loves The High-Octane Truth. Until they don't. -WG
SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: We'd like to remind you that Peter's first work of fiction, "St. Michael of Birmingham" is out now. Make no mistake, it doesn't resemble anything you've read from him before. In fact, it is quite a dramatic departure. It is mystical. It is sexy. It is funny. It's moving. And it is a flat-out wild ride unlike anything you've experienced. Having said that, it is definitely not for everyone, but then, it is from PMD, so that probably shouldn't come as a surprise! Check it out on Amazon Kindle here. -WG
(Mercedes-Benz images)
Mercedes-Benz USA has announced pricing for the all-new electric CLA. Powered by an advanced 800-volt electric architecture, the new CLA maximizes performance, efficiency and can significantly reduce charging times. "With DC fast charging up to 320 kW, it is possible to add 100 miles of range in just five minutes and up to 202 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. The new CLA comes standard with the most comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems for the compact model series to date, including, Digital Extra: Distance Assist DISTRONIC3, Blind Spot Assist Plus with Exit Warning, Evasive Steering function, Lane Keeping function and more. The optional Digital Extra: MB.DRIVE ASSIST3 package compliments the standard systems with Digital Extras: Steering Assist and Lane Change Assist. The compact sedan "sets new standards with intuitive technologies, striking design, enhanced comfort and up to 374 miles (EPA) of electric range," according to the manufacturer. Prices start from $47,250 (rear-wheel-drive), and it will celebrate its U.S. press launch in December. The first vehicles will hit U.S. roads shortly after the press event, and the volume will progressively ramp up through the first quarter of 2026.
The AE Song of the Week:
In the days of my youth
I was told what it means to be a man
Now I've reached that age
I've tried to do all those things the best I can
No matter how I try
I find my way to the same old jam
Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
Well I still don't seem to care
Sixteen I fell in love
With a girl as sweet as could be
It only took a couple of days
Till she was rid of me
She swore that she would be all mine
And love me till the end
But when I whispered in her ear
I lost another friend, oh
Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
Well I still don't seem to care
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
Well I still don't seem to care
Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
But I still don't seem to care
I know what it means to be alone
I sure do wish I was at home
I don't care what the neighbors say
I'm gonna love you each and every day
You can feel the beat within my heart
Realize, sweet babe, we ain't ever gonna part
"Good Times, Bad Times" by Led Zeppelin from their debut album "Led Zeppelin" (1969).* Written by John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Listen to it here.
*The first song on Led Zeppelin's debut album, John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page are the credited songwriters on this track. Page explained how it came together in his 2012 Rolling Stone interview: "John Paul Jones came up with the riff. I had the chorus. John Bonham applied the bass-drum pattern. That one really shaped our writing process. It was like, 'Wow, everybody's erupting at once.'"
The lyric is a little disjointed, but the song rocks so hard, most listeners don't notice. Robert Plant sings about coming of age, falling in love at 16 and losing his woman to a brown-eyed man (possibly inspired by Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man." The end of the song finds him proclaiming his love for his woman back home, telling her they will never part. Jimmy Page passed his guitar through a Leslie speaker to create a swirling effect. The Leslie contains a rotating paddle and was designed for organs, but some musicians used it to process guitars and vocals. Eric Clapton used it on "Badge." Page also put microphones all over the studio to capture a live sound when they recorded this.
John Bonham used a technique called a "triplet" on his bass drum for this song to get a double bass pedal sound. He used the tip of his toe to flick the bass pedal back fast, creating an effect many drummers tried to copy. Jimmy Page explained in the BBC BookGuitar Greats, "'Good Times, Bad Times,' as usual, came out of a riff with a great deal of John Paul Jones on bass, and it really knocked everybody sideways when they heard the bass drum pattern, because I think everyone was laying bets that Bonzo was using two bass drums, but he only had one." Led Zeppelin played this at their live shows until 1970. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
But I still don't seem to care
I know what it means to be alone
I sure do wish I was at home
I don't care what the neighbors say
I'm gonna love you each and every day
You can feel the beat within my heart
Realize, sweet babe, we ain't ever gonna part
"Good Times, Bad Times" by Led Zeppelin from their debut album "Led Zeppelin" (1969).* Written by John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Listen to it here.
*The first song on Led Zeppelin's debut album, John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page are the credited songwriters on this track. Page explained how it came together in his 2012 Rolling Stone interview: "John Paul Jones came up with the riff. I had the chorus. John Bonham applied the bass-drum pattern. That one really shaped our writing process. It was like, 'Wow, everybody's erupting at once.'"
The lyric is a little disjointed, but the song rocks so hard, most listeners don't notice. Robert Plant sings about coming of age, falling in love at 16 and losing his woman to a brown-eyed man (possibly inspired by Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man." The end of the song finds him proclaiming his love for his woman back home, telling her they will never part. Jimmy Page passed his guitar through a Leslie speaker to create a swirling effect. The Leslie contains a rotating paddle and was designed for organs, but some musicians used it to process guitars and vocals. Eric Clapton used it on "Badge." Page also put microphones all over the studio to capture a live sound when they recorded this.
John Bonham used a technique called a "triplet" on his bass drum for this song to get a double bass pedal sound. He used the tip of his toe to flick the bass pedal back fast, creating an effect many drummers tried to copy. Jimmy Page explained in the BBC BookGuitar Greats, "'Good Times, Bad Times,' as usual, came out of a riff with a great deal of John Paul Jones on bass, and it really knocked everybody sideways when they heard the bass drum pattern, because I think everyone was laying bets that Bonzo was using two bass drums, but he only had one." Led Zeppelin played this at their live shows until 1970. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG