Rock Band Turns 5 Years Old! Stories From The Community

[rkbdgurl]

"The Too Quiet Castle"

Once upon a time there was a princess who spent many lonely hours locked away in her too quiet castle. No longer content with just spinning her hair into gold, she rode out on her trusty steed. She galloped over meadows, and glens, until she eventually came upon a small cottage. To her suprise, she heard the merry sound of music coming from inside. When she opened the door, she was amazed to see villagers dancing, singing and playing all manner of instruments. The villagers invited her to join in the festivities, where they all played into the wee hours of the morning. The princess had never known such joy, and was very sad when she had to return to her too quiet castle.

One day, a peddler came to the too quiet castle, bearing a large box of bright shiny music makers. The princess was delighted, and bought up everything the peddler had. She spent many hours practicing her music. ( beats the heck out of spinning hair into gold or cleaning cobwebs from castle walls.) When she had finally learned how to play her instruments, she begain searching for others like her. She was astonished to find that there were people from many villages who also loved making merry music as much as she did.

The princess eventually discovered that her melodies could float magically above the castle, out across the fields, and forests, from village to village, and cottage to cottage, culminating in a grand symphony that could be heard around the world. Surprisingly, people came from many different countries to make music with the princess. Though she didn't fully understand how they actually appeared in her castle, she was delighted none the less, and played with her new found friends day in and day out.

Happily, the too quiet castle would never be quiet again. THE END

God bless you HMX. Thank you for Rock Band

[ricecake]

I don't have time to tell my whole story, but in short, I met my girlfriend thanks to a recurring Guitar Hero event at a bar, and we went on our first date to a Rock Band event at a different bar. We have now been together for almost 5 years

[CJHobbes]

These are great stories! I've enjoyed reading all of them (and rkbdgrl, yours felt like a medieval bard spinning a tale of wonder and awe, awesome and an inspiration for the rest of my post).

I was going to be shameless and copypasta what I wrote in the 4 year thread, but I gave in to my better judgement and decided to be the better man than my 5-minute-ago self and write something new. However, this won't stop me from ripping off one of my favorite authors and poets. Without further ado, I give to thee my utterly ridiculous and completely hacked and abridged rendition of "The Rock Band".

Once upon a party cheery, we entered carrying gifts of merry,
shouldering those snacks and drinks of recently purchased chore --
While we greeted a news of sharing, suddenly there came a blaring,
As of the airwaves loudly tearing, tearing at my audial core.
"Tis some loud music," I muttered, "blaring at my eardrum core --
Only this and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the tepid November,
When of this suaré another member pointed to the TV upon the floor.
Eagerly I cast my sight upon this newly discovered delight
Of gems and colors and dexterous plight -- plight I've ne'er seen before.
An instrument and friend entwined like ne'er before.
Of this I gazed and watched some more.

I suddenly felt upon my cuff, a forceful tug which was enough
to cast my person to a spotlight I had yet to before endure.
Then thrust into my hands a curious instrument of gaming lands,
a five button cousin to a band's six-string weapon of lore.
It held the concept of rock and fame and fortunes of lore,
spoils of stardom and promises of more.

Instructions of this and that were thrown, buttons were pressed to audible groans,
a bevy of music appeared to warn of what's in store.
As eyes scanned and quickly scrolled and viewed a song well known of old,
and Boston became my genesis to an addiction I've ne'er felt before.
Frozen in time of joy like ne'er before.
I was T Scholz, if for one night and never more.

Five years of charts have come and gone, yet kicks and snares continue strong,
feasting upon Harmonix' buffet of classics, and pop, and metal core.
Five years of singing, shredding and grooving while friends and life continue moving --
carrying a pace which pauses with every strum I click once more.
Creating my world of headlines and talent and more.
I thank you Harmonix, forever more.

[rkbdgurl]

Well done, CJHobbes

[bigmf]

Ok.

I guess the journey started on Boxing day 2007. That's the day after Christmas to all the Canadian wannabes; lots of stuff on sale - almost as big as black friday. I want out with a bunch of cash and bought... Guitar hero 3. Look, there was a bit of a shortage on Rockband sets up here and it was not readily available. That game was my first plastic guitar game. I played it a fair bit for a few months, and figured I'd get RB so I could play more songs. I wanted to just get the disc because I already had the guitar, but if you'll remember, there was the big compatibility mess where you couldn't play the competing game with the guitar. That pushed me into getting the big box Rockband set in the summer of 2008 (when it was finally available everywhere without having to search), thinking the drums might be fun to mess around with and maybe someone would like to sing.

Rockband was so much better, it shut down all DLC purchases for the other game. I was still playing guitar exclusively and on medium.

Then it happened. I tried out the drums.

Four and a half years later, I have about $3000 invested in an accoustic drum set and a cheap electronic set so I can practice in quiet sometimes. I've taken lessons and I've learned a great many songs on real drums. I've even performed in front of an audience.

Learn to play a real instrument indeed.

[CJHobbes]

Well done, CJHobbes

*bows* I only aspired to match your creative enthusiasm.

I don't know of any other gaming franchise that can make me think I'm both Freddie Mercury and Poe.

Harmonix works miracles!

[HeyRiles]

My story's pretty short

[Numskull]

Two days ago, SheSaidSheSaid finally gave in to my awesome powers of persuasion and bought some Spinal Tap DLC. Victory!

Actually, I made the suggetion mostly in jest when the half-price sale began and then never mentioned it again because I didn't think she'd actually do it. My powers of persuasion were no more relevant than the fact that I was wearing a blue shirt that day. But it's fun to pretend. Plus, now maye she'll write something. I want to read it, too.

Now, do I talk her into some Iron Maiden, or do I push Spinal Tap on some of my other friends? Decisions, decisions.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Now, do I talk her into some Iron Maiden

Not gonna happen.

[FujiSkunk]

Thanks to Rock Band I've made several new friends, gotten to know and love a lot of new songs and bands, played in a charity gig raising money for a children's hospital, and even pocketed a little money of my own, $56 to be exact, earned in a couple of Rock Band tournaments. But one of my favorite and most amusing Rock Band moments was on Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

My roommate is not much of a Rock Band fan, and is even less of a disco fan, but he does like the Need for Speed series. He and I had both been looking forward to the new Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, especially since it was developed by Criterion, famous for the beloved Burnout series. I own the only XBox in the house, so it was up to me to buy the game. So, on the day of it's release, I bought the game. However, I also had some catching up to do on Rock Band DLC, so I picked up the previous week's Bee Gees 6-pack as well.

That evening, I told him I had something new to play. "Need for Speed?" he asked excitedly. "Hang on," I said, while loading the game.

The look on his face when "Stayin' Alive" started playing was priceless. And yes, I was on vocals.

But, all was forgiven when I unwrapped and loaded Hot Pursuit immediately afterward.

Thanks for the good times, Harmonix. Here's hoping for another five years.