Music Times had the chance to speak with Bob Thiele Jr., music supervisor of FX's Sons of Anarchy, a few weeks ago about his journey in music and television so far. He created another character on the hit show, which was the episode-ending montages that were often some of contemporary music's most-beloved songs.
Well, that never scared Thiele, The Forest Rangers or vocal guests like Curtis Stigers and Paul Brady away. They reworked the tunes to complement scenes of graphic violence and inner turmoil.
The question is, what is in store for tonight's finale?
Here is a look back at some of the finer musical moments from the show:
6. Paul Brady and The Forest Rangers: "Gimme Shelter" (Season 2)
The Season 2 finale was one that kept you on edge. Jax and the rest of the Sons are in pursuit of an Irish competitor who kidnapped the protagonist's first son, Abel. That is the primary focus as Brady sings lines famously performed by Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones. It is a perfect setup for Season 3, when Jax and Co. have to head to Ireland in search of his baby boy.
"Gimme Shelter" also lends itself well to Gemma's plotline: The matriarch is skipping town after some legal troubles.
5. Curtis Stigers and The Forest Rangers: "This Life" (Theme Song)
Although the theme music captures the musical spirit of the show, Thiele explained that it was not intentional. It has been a cornerstone of the series for seven years — the menacing intro, the bluesy drop and Stigers jamming effortlessly with The Rangers.
I will bet most people stuck around for the drama, but some came back week after week to hear those acoustic notes over "Riding through this world, all alone."
4. The Forest Rangers featuring Audra Mae, Curtis Stigers, Billy Valentine, Katey Sagal and Franky Perez: "Everyday People" (Season 6)
Thiele brought in everyone for this epic montage. Clay is in prison, a crooked cop is trying to frame Gemma's new flame, Nemo and things are looking bleak for Tig.
The song comes off more like a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song rather than Sly Stone's original funk classic. It clocks in around 5:30, and every minute is moving.
3. The Forest Rangers featuring The White Buffalo, Billy Valentine and Franky Perez: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Season 7)
The "Bohemian Rhapsody" montage from earlier this season is basically a foreshadowing of what the end of the series will look like. After the death of Jax's wife Tara in Season 6, the young motorcycle club president is out for revenge. For close to seven minutes, we get to see the unfortunate after-effects of her brutal murder. For one, Gemma has gone crazy with all the lies she has had to tell in order to save herself.
"Momma, I don't wanna die / Sometimes wish I'd never been born at all," Perez sings on the Queen classic before one wrongfully accused man is viciously slaughtered.
2. Alison Mosshart and The Forest Rangers: "What a Wonderful World" (Season 4)
This montage is the predecessor to Season 7's "Bohemian Rhapsody" blood bath. Opie is getting married and things look like they are peaceful with the gang for once. I mean, "What a Wonderful World," which Thiele's father co-wrote for Louis Armstrong, is playing at a wedding. How much more serene could you get?
But that does not fool any die-hard Sons fan. Clay and Jax kill off some of the Russians — at the wedding, no less — while the rest of the crew ruthlessly murder others at a gun deal. And I think to myself, what a wonderful episode ...
1. Curtis Stigers and The Forest Rangers: "John the Revelator" (Season 1)
Sons had plenty of musical moments to be proud of during its run, but the crowning moment surprisingly came at the end of its first season. The club had some internal struggles that needed to be hashed out after Clay went behind Jax's back and tried to kill Opie. He instead murdered Opie's wife Donna.
Stigers sings the gospel song as Jax glares at Clay and Tig, the triggerman, at the slain woman's funeral. It is a pivotal moment for Jax because now he knows the darkness that looms inside his beloved club. It is the same darkness that looks to be consuming him in this final season.
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