the Rock Report

Stick around for more ROCK, RHYTHM and RIMSHOTS. But first … these messages:

The Rock Relic wants to congratulate Peter and Mariska Hermann on the birth of their bright, bouncin’ baby boy! Yep … the premiere of their first co-production took place on Wednesday, drawing rave reviews and accolades from the press and viewers alike.
While the premiere of Squawl & Water: SBU (Special Baby’s Unit) was delayed due to not-so-technical problems (production not fully ready), and suspense was starting to build among restless fans across the nation, there was no doubt, upon its release, that this was going to be a show that would be renewed for many seasons to come!
Co-starring Peter “Cloud Nine” Hermann and real-life wife Mariska “Mommy” Hargitay, the first season promises happiness, laughter, tears, warmth and action as the couple confront the delicate and sensitive issue of parenthood …

In all seriousness, I wanna take this time and join with others to wish the new family the happiest, healthiest and most loving of lives. May the new superstar grow strong and healthy in body, attitude and soul …

Knowing of his parents, he’s got a couple of tremendous role models …

For more, click here (from E! Online)

This past Friday, we lost a verifiable giant of the entertainment industry. Aaron Spelling, whose resume boasted of more than 77 different TV productions, died of complications following a stroke. He was 83.
Now, I know this is a rock-and-roll site … but Mr. Spelling brought the equivilent of Top-40 to the TV screen each week: Starsky & Hutch, Charlie’s Angels, Beverly Hills 90210 and others emphasized action, angst, humor, love, suspense — and, yes, a bit of libido — to the small screen. Many were geared to the formula-weary pre-to-post-teen. Still others applied to more “mature” audiences (Dynasty, for example). But they all had the same emphases … just at different levels.
And, of course, he gave us Tori Spelling … his daughter, who is probably the new millennium’s version of us baby-boomers in our heyday — a little amplified, maybe, thanx to the paparazzi, but very much like many of her ’60’s predecessors.
In his own way, then, I guess Mr. Spelling was a rocker … free-thinking, open-minded, witty and at times impish, creative, but very much into his zone …
And we’re gonna miss him …

One more thing: You’ll see some changes at the site (for the uninitiated, it’s The Rock Relic), but it’s still in the reconstruction stage, so keep an eye out for the new additions, okay? Should be ready in about an hour Whoops … heh-heh! … sorry. Got it mixed up with the Lenscrafters commercial! about a week …

If you’re reading this, incidentally, how about making a little noize, okay? I’d kinda like to know where the audience is … I’m accessible: leave a post or gimme an email shout-out at the Rock Relic.

One of my favorite groups has always been the versatile Four Seasons. Whether it was the original lineup with Valli, Gaudio et al (and, one day, I’m gonna find out who “al” really is) or the latest lineup as seen on the PBS special, these guys have ALWAYS been at the top of their game.
Their sound was sort of a Jersey doo-wop, though they could play with it a bit and come up with soul, operetta, rock, pop, and even country sounds! In fact, they did a little experimental ditty — the Dylan tune, “Don’t Think Twice (It’s All Right)” — as the comically sweet “The Wonder Who?” Still, Frankie’s falsetto was unmistakeable.
Having seemingly peaked during the Sixties (their last noticeable hit of the era, I believe, being “Electric Stories”), it seemed the psychedelic, antiwar Seventies all but shelved them … UNTIL they hit the disco stage with “December ‘63 (Oh, What A Night!)” A new backup, with Frankie coming in at the hooks and bridge.

Today, there’s a stage production on the boys called The Jersey Boys which has drawn some rave reviews … and now is being considered for a major motion picture. If anyone deserved the accolade outside the Beatles (and perhaps Lloyd Thaxton), it’s the Seasons. They successfully bridged the gap between pop and rock, influenced acts like Lou Christie, the Happenings, Beach Boys … even inspired Billy Joel’s arrangement and recording of Uptown Girl (which many still believe is the Seasons!).

And who didn’t play “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” at least once when they were in love? Or try the outtasite falsetto in “Sherry”? Or rock to the primal opening bars of C’mon Marianne?

So their accolades are well-deserved; their place in rock music history is definitely secure. Their music will be alive and fresh years from now … fab melodies, great arrangements, dynamite lyrics (often for the “underdog” or the guy who didn’t have much money) … a truly American original.

Speaking of the Beach Boys earlier (another truly American act), I couldn’t help noticing that Mike, Al and Bruce are mending fences and coming back together. Not bad, considering they were the Spirit of America for so many and for so long. Of course, Carl’s left us — and the most obvious replacement (original BB, David Marks) is, as the RR’s heard, dying of cancer. That leaves Brian to step back up to the plate. Ricky Fataar, who did drumwork for them after Dennis’ death, might just be back (he did stickwork for McCartney’s Wings among others) as well. I’ll keep ya updated on this. Maybe the “Good Vibrations” can be felt one more time …

Okay …. I think this eavesdropping thing’s been (as Barney would say) “nipped in the bud” (incidentally … does that mean the beer, the flower or Robert Young’s son on Father Knows Best?) Anyway …
Think ya know your rock stars? Oooookay … try this REAL NAMES quiz (courtesy the fine folks at My Generation):

All are singers, most are 60s, although a few are from other decades.

1. James Marcus Smith:
2. Concetta Maria Franconero:
3. Virginia Patterson Hensley:
4. Robert Smith:
5. Steveland Judkins:
6. Muriel Deason:
7. Harold Jenkins:
8. Randy Traywick:
9. Sophia Kalish:
10. Annie Mae Bullock:
11. Harold Ragsdale:
12. La Donna Andrea Gaines:
13. Gregory Lenoir:
14. Patricia Andrzejewski:
15. Salvatore Phillip Bono:
16. Ernest Evans:
17. Cherilyn Sarkasian:
18. William Board:
19. Frank LoVecchio:
20. Sidney Liebowitz:
21. Brenda Mae Tarpley:
22. Norma Egstrom:

23. Albert George Cernick:
24. Prince Rogers Nelson:
25. John Henry Ramistella:
26. Martin David Robinson:
27. Alan Caldwell:
28. George Spruce:
29. Edward Taylor:
30. Albert Wycherley:
31. Frederick Fowell:
32. Anthony Bookbinder:
33. Elaine Bookbinder:
34. Lionel Walmsley:
35. Donald Maughn
36. Reginald Dwight:
37. Christopher Hamill:
38. Rita Crudgington:
39. Peter Baker:
40. Leonard Borizoff:
41. Francois Silly:
42. Jape Perry Richardson:
43. Douglas Trendle:
44. John Symon Asher:
45. Don Van Vliet:
46. Lugee Sacco:
47. Philippe Pages:
48. Trevor Stanford:
49. Declan McManus:
50. Vito Rocco Farinola:
51. Charles Wilbury:
52. George O’Dowd:
53. Pauline Matthews:
54. Mary
Frances Pennick:
55. Doris Kappelhof:
56. Howard Andrew:
57. Frank Abelson:
58. McKinley Morganfield:

WHEW! Let’s take a break … ahem … once you’ve figured out who’s who, just leave a message at the beep (or on the “comment” page).

Ummmm … what if I said, “please”?