the Rock Report

The word’s finally out: Jann Wenner and his Rolling Stone™ cadre has decided on who’s up for the nod as HoF inductees for the 09. Now, normally, they have some of rock’s most earth-moving acts on-board.
But, this time, they missed.

Now, nobody’s gonna deny that Little Anthony and the Imperials belong centerstage on the list. Not only have they given us some tremendous hits and even, to this day, has one of the most exciting and moving stage shows of any “doo-wop” group. To add to the mix, Jerome Little (”Little Anthony”) and crew are among the most fan-friendly of any band, always takin’ time to share a smile or a word with audience members.

But Chic?? Now, I know why Wenner added this one-hit-wonder band: They actually influenced early rap with their LP, Risque. But all we remember them for is the song Le Freak (btw, didja know that the big shout-out “aaah, FREAK-OUT” at the start of the song was actually supposedta be — and I’m not makin’ this up — “aaaah, F— OFF!” The band was PO’d because they weren’t allowed to play the famous Studio 54).

And Run DMC?? Look … I dig the Reverend and his fellow rappers as much as anyone, but they didn’t really hit mainstream until they paired with Steven Tyler for the cover of Aerosmith’s Walk This Way. Personally, I think rap oughtta be included … but, IMHO, the nod oughtta go to Heavy D and the Boyz. They built a solid bridge between reggae, rap and rock!

But Jeff Beck deserves a spot without goin’ through the nomination process! This former Yardbird has hit all the highspots with his flaming guitar work! He, along with Clapton (already in … and also a former Yardbird!) and Page (already in … and also [fill in the rest]), set the stage for hundreds of axe-grinders like Angus Young of AC/DC and John Mayer (hmmm … where’ve we heard his name before?). One of his ground-breaking, most influential early instrumentals was Jeff’s Boogie on the B-side of the Yardbirds’ Over, Under, Sideways, Down.

Then you’ve got War (remember Spill The Wine with Eric Burdon and Why Can’t We Be Friends?), Bobby Womack, Wanda Jackson, The Stooges (must be talkin’ Moe, Larry and Curly, ’cause I wasn’t impressed with Iggy Pop — except for that stage dive he took a few years back; tryin’ for a “mosh pit” dive, but the crowd parted, and he ended up on the floor! Got a few broken bones in the process …) and …

Metallica!! Now, if any metal/rock band deserves the nod, it’s these guys! I mean, think about it: From the early days to bassist Cliff Burton’s horrible death (a bus wreck in Switzerland, where he was thrown from the bus, then it fell on him — twice!) to lead vocalist James Hetfield’s on-stage accident (he was burned by mega-thousand-degree pyro onstage. Nearly lost his arm … but was back in the studio just days later! Ahhh, the energy of ROCK …) and, later, successful treatment for alcoholism, to bass replacement Jason Newsted’s angry departure, their introduction of and influence on Dave Mustaine (later of Megadeth) when he was in the band … and one of rock’s modern anthems, Enter Sandman (didja know that this song was actually covered by Pat Boone??), they’ve covered all bases (speakin’ of “basses” … well, sorta … the new one is Robert Trujillo. Nothin’ short of awesome!). So these guys oughtta go in, like, NOW!!

Well, that’s it for now … but tune in tomorrow for more! Until then, remember …

Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Didja know that, in 1965, The Beatles recorded a song for their Rubber Soul album that was almost immediately banned for promoting domestic violence?

Yep … and, while The Relic despises DV, whether physical or verbal (y’see, I wuz a victim of it, thanx to my ever-lovin’ ex), it’s a shame to hear such great music paired with what, forty-plus years ago, were scary lyrics!

The song was Run For Your Life, and was based on one line of a song from (of all people) Elvis Presley! The lyric, I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man, was from Baby, Let’s Play House — and the Beatles tune built from it was considered threatening, paranoid and even controlling (in the line And I can’t spend my whole life trying just to make you toe the line). To read the entire lyrics, just go here.

Of course, it was written to reflect another part of this matrix we call humanity, and, quite frankly, John Lennon despised this “throwaway” tune, as he called it. Later, he attempted a bit of an apology with his solo effort, Jealous Guy. But it was still used as added fodder against the Fab Four when the “Jesus” issue hit a year later. Ironically, while the song was panned and banned in so many markets, it’s one that was covered on the national rock show, Shindig!, shortly after its release by Gary Lewis and The Playboys.

Today, the song is mild in comparison to the music on both radio and the web. While many say rap music condones violence and illicit sex, others point to radical “industrial or thrash” metal as promoting everything from violence and sex to racism. But the fact that this came in 1965, from a band that was the most popular and admired in the world, made it anathema (Latin term literally meaning, “against the theme”. Used here for “against the theme of rock music at the time”)!

Now, the band you’re lookin’ at on your left is (wait … yer thinkin’ “Relic, that’s … old people!” Well, you’re correct! It’s …) The Zimmers, who honestly did a charted version of The Who’s My Generation last year!
Most of ‘em are in their 80s and 90s, but they’ve still got a lotta kick, evidently.
Anyway, someone wrote in and asked what their follow-up hit would be, and made a suggestion of the Knickerbocker’s The Coming Generation.
Of course, I don’t know which “coming generation” he’s talkin’ about, so we’re still wonderin’:

What would you recommend? Doctor, Doctor by The Who? I Can’t Help Myself by The Four Tops? Shotgun by Junior Walker? (wait … sorry; that one’s booked by Dick Cheney)
Just lemme know by comment or e-mail, but remember: Keep it light-hearted, okay? The rock world actually respects these elderly gems for their lively (and often humorous) vigor.

Now, before I sign off to get my zzzzz’s for the night … er, morning … lemme remind ya that what I mentioned about The Beatles’ Run For Your Life is only about the reaction to that one song!  Yardbirds, yer Uncle Relic’s a diehard fan (and I’m not talkin’ Sears batteries here!), so don’t take it the wrong way, okay?  Ooookay!

So, I’ll see ya tomorrow, same time, same place (you bring th’ chips this time! lol).  Until then, remember:

Keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, yer heart with the music …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Yup! We’re sayin’ “good-bye” to the old look and content, and “hello” to the new, improved look, with all-original stuff!
So tell yer neighbours, friends, bill collectors, IRS agents and whoever … give ‘em a ticket to this Musical History Tour by sharin’ this blog’s address with ‘em! (pssst — and lemme know yours so’s I can add it to m’blogroll, k? Thanx …)

Now … on with the program:

PAUL NEWMAN: ROCKER IN ACTOR’S CLOTHES

Seems a little strange on the surface, doesn’t it? (Come to think of it, so does my coffee cup right now. Heck … it’s only been sittin’ here since 3:45. PM. Yesterday. It’s now a bit after 5 AM …)
Actually, this awesome actor — whom we’re already missin’ — woulda made a superstar rocker if he’d wanted (no, he wasn’t too old! Lookit Chuck Berry. Fats Domino. Little Richard. Me.). He had all the stuff to become a solid #1-with-a-bullet time and again!

I mean, think about it: The dude was the epitome of “cool” (and, for anyone who followed him in bios or the trade rags, ya know it’s more than that Luke character he played!). Not a lot could faze the man!
He had a sense of humor, which is deffo important if you’re a rock performer! Ask anyone from The Stones to The Fore to even Slipknot: If yer gonna be shakin’ it onstage night after night, you’ve gotta ease up on the serious side or you’re gonna burn out!!

He was also the master of rhythm. No jerky movements from this cat on-screen! Smooth as slightly-heated peanut butter (well, wha’td ya think I was gonna say? Silk??), because he knew how to keep everything paced!
Well, that’s whatcha gotta do in performance — unless ya want yer crowd to get impatient, confused and ultimately walk out on ya! Natch, (and here’s somethin’ a lotta today’s rockers need to learn) you’ve also gotta have a solid rhythm in yer songs! While a good backbeat can get fans hoppin’, the rhythm’s what gets ‘em to listen!

Of course, Newman always put on a good, confident show (get the word? Confident?? If you don’t have that on-stage, I guarantee you’ll screw up somewhere!).
And, when the money started comin’ in for himself and his lovely wife Joanne, he took it and invested it into somethin’ that’d keep on givin’ and helpin’ people as well as themselves! Now, a good band will invest their hard-earned bux into the band, a good cause or somethin’. Not only would it help whoever gets the investment, but it’ll pay back some great dividends — not the least of which is great press for you and yer crew!

Lastly, though Paul was in the biz for some time, he never stopped learning! That’s required if ya wanna keep yer band fresh and in the news (as well as on the charts)! Sometimes, just as with his characters, you’ve gotta re-invent yourself in order to get over with your audience!

So we’ve learned quite a bit from Paul Newman — and, from the Relic and alllll the yardbirds in the Rock Pen, we send our deepest condolences to this amazing dude and all he taught us.

Goodbye, Hello?? Well, we’ve just lost this giant, and say “good-bye” to his flesh-and-blood here. But, as time goes on and more of his wit, finesse and coolness begins to influence a new generation, we’ll be saying “Hello” once again, because they’ll be carryin’ the superstar in their own style and performances.

Okay … that’s all I’m gonna do for now … but tune in tomorrow when we get back to the business of ROCK — FEVERR style!

Until then, remember:
Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

NOTE: Yeah, I know the last post wuz almost a copy of the one before it. My apologies, yardbirds … I wuz in a rush!
Now … on with the show:

LOOK! … he DID it!

Against the recommendation of agents and friends, Paul McCartney performed his tremendous set in front of fifty thousand anxious fans in Tel Aviv, Israel, yesterday.

Y’see, some terrorist nut said he was gonna kill the former Beatle/Wing if he played. Of course, Macca’s no stranger to death threats — they go back to even before the 1966 Memphis cherry bomb incident. But, backed up with 5,000 security, he didn’t have anything to worry about, and certainly didn’t show any worry onstage!

Before the show, he went to Bethlehem and lit candles at the Church of The Nativity, wishing for peace between Israel and Pakistan.
“I am bringing a message of peace and I think that’s what the region needs,” he said. “It’s my own small way I can bring my message.”
So kudos to Sir Paul for his fantastic show as well as his bravery and compassion! He’s still an inspiration to every rocker — and a good time was had by all.

RATS!! The Hard Rock Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has filed for bankruptcy protection! Yeah, it happened on Wednesday after the Park closed much earlier than they expected!

Fortunately, a park spokesman says they’re still gonna open the Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” and Eagles “Life In The Fast Lane” roller coasters again next year.

Man, don’t these cats understand?? You’ve gotta give it about three to five years for it to start turnin’ a healthy, continuous profit! And they could’ve kept that bankruptcy wolf away from their door if the suits had spent only according to expected receipts. Geez … (and they call themselves “businessmen”? Look — thousands of great acts gave it all they had to make it, and this park was an ultimate tribute. So DON’T TAKE AWAY THE ROCKFEST!)

Awww, c’mon … you’ve gotta be kiddin’, right?

Apparently, the honchos at Geffen Records and Sony Television are tellin’ us “C’mon … get happy!”, and are (groan!) working on an updated Partridge Family TV show. Sure … like we need (OH NO!!! That … that could mean we might end up with another [dare ya say it, RelicmanOkay, I will …] DANNY BONADUCE!]) …
nevermind. If it happens, then forget Wall Street; this’ll be the end of the world as we know it … lol

The Relic and all the Rockaholics send their condolences and best wishes to Patricia Keiter’s family upon her passing Wednesday at 79. Why was she so important? Well, lemme tell ya the Lubbock, Texas lady’s name again: Patricia … HOLLEY … Keiter. She was Buddy’s sister!

And if you’ve read any blogs that’ve had entries from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and his “girlfriend” that talk about his … er, “intimate” activities, fergiddabouddit! It’s bogus! And the real rocker is suing the two freaks who are posing as Tyler. (Can you believe they’re even hittin’ on the death of his mother? How low can you go, jerks??) Hope he burns their axxes!

Okay … that’s it for this edition. Tune in tomorrow for more, including updates and a coupla ketchup pieces (read it phonetically, yardbirds!). Until then, (okay, okay … “CATCH up” … “ketchup” … get it? Geez …) remember:

Keep yer eyes on the skies, your nose to the wind, your heart with the music … and
I’ll see ya on the flip side.

Hey … remember 1968?? If you were into the peace/love/understanding movement back then, then let’s see if these bring back a few flicks of disgust:

thoughts of men dying in that endless war called Vietnam, blacks being beaten in the streets, women being sexually harassed, young men being allowed to go off to war, possibly to die — but still too young to vote …

heard enough? Okay … let’s see if these bring the same response:

thoughts of men and women dying in that endless war in Iraq, African-Americans still being treated with hatred and bigotry, women having to work because they can’t afford insurance — but with bosses who won’t allow them extra for child-care while they work, young men and women allowed to go off to war, possibly to die — but still too young to even buy a single can of beer.

Waiiiiit a minute: I’m not through …

Skyrocketing gasoline prices, global warming destroying natural habitats (and animals), sexual predators bein’ given little more than “slaps on the wrists” by judges, Wall Street’s bailout and …

heard enough?

So, where are the radicals who were angry enough to stop a war, bring so much prejudice to light and finally win equal civil rights, raise the voting age and bring more equality to women? (NOTE: For all you nay-sayers: It was done through the influential pressure on The Establishment; a mix of demonstrations, protests, music and, above all, persistence)

Today, they’re mainstreamers in their 60s. The long hair has gone gray, cut short or lost; in some cases, the minds that, at one time, could leap over political obstacles now only jump to conclusions. Many of us aren’t as concerned about keeping the peace moving as we are keeping up with the Joneses. We’ve turned from the radical eye to watching CSI on the telly. There are some who (and I’ve WITNESSED this recently!), if you mentioned the dying in Iraq, will shake their heads forlornly and go back to readin’ their newspapers; but they’ll go to pieces if their horoscopes don’t sound sweet for the day!

Man, we did it once! WE CHANGED THE FRIGGIN’ COUNTRY!! So we’ve got the experience! And we’ve got the clout, now that we’re boomers! We’ve got the greatest purchasing power in the world now!

And, now, the country needs that expertise … that knowledge … that power once again! Have we forgotten it? Or, much worse, are we too complacent to do anything? Maybe … maybe we figure “let the new generation handle it. We did our job!”
If that’s the way ya think, you shouldn’t've been one of “us” to begin with, bunky!
Listen …

THE QUEST FOR PEACE … FOR UNDERSTANDING … FOR EQUALITY … IS NEVER-ENDING!! It didn’t end when we were 20 or 24 or when a war in Southeast Asia ended, and it’s not gonna end now … unless we kill it off ourselves.

Then what kind of world would this be?
So, to ALL baby-boomers who read this (and, once ya do, pass it around, huh?):

THE TIME IS NOW!! WE’VE GOT TO SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO DO IT!! IT NEEDS THAT ’60s MAGIC ONCE AGAIN … BOTH IN OUR INVOLVEMENT AND OUR MUSIC!!

LET’S DO IT AGAIN !

for the sake of peace …

Trouble down on Wall Street, Daddy’s tryin’ to make ends meet,
Workin’ just to get the sack, make a friend but watch your back …

And so went the lyrics of a song I wrote and performed — once — back in 1968, at a show in Charlotte, NC. I said “once” because the club owner thought it was a bit too radical (my band was pretty much pegged as a Beatles/Everly-type foursome).

But all across the country, literally millions of kids were thinkin’ the same thing as what was in those lyrics. Well, that and a little spot on the glove called Vietnam. The bottom line was that we were all tired of the doubletalk and rhetoric of “The Establishment” — we wanted to see fairness, equality — and some ridiculous five-letter verboten word called peace.

So we’d set out to change things a bit — whether in song, demonstrations or just speaking up; peace and equal rights just had to come somehow. And we knew that “the people, united, will never be defeated!”
Although stung by the Tet Offensive, Martin Luther King’s and Bobby Kennedy’s assassinations and the DNC protests, we kept up the pressure until, finally, the High L7s of the Establishment gave in: Our black brothers and sisters were shown more respect; the free world started lookin’ at women’s abilities more than just “anatomy”; 18-year-olds were given more rights (after all, they were dyin’ in the ‘Nam “for our country”. They earned these liberties!) … and, in ‘73, The War was over for us!
Our driving desire for peace and equality … and a perseverance to make it all happen … influenced the governments — Fed and local — to make it happen!

Ah, but, today, the dreamers of the ’60’s are mainstreamers in their 60s. The long hair has been brought short or lost; in many cases, the minds that, at one time, could leap over political obstacles now only jump to conclusions. Many of us aren’t as concerned about backing up our fellowman than we are keeping up with the Joneses. We’ve turned from the radical eye to watching CSI on the telly.

Meanwhile, guess what’s happening around us?

Hate crimes toward our African-American brothers and sisters. Troubled moms whose employers won’t help with day care for their kids … though they need their jobs because, otherwise, they can’t get insurance and benefits (such as “income”). 18-year-olds who, though they can fight and die “for our country”, aren’t even allowed to buy a beer.
And a stupid, unwinnable war that, as we’ve seen recently, is strangling our country financially.

So now is the time that every member of this “baby-boomer” generation has to ask himself or herself a very heavy question:

IF WHAT WE FELT IN THE SIXTIES WAS REAL AND DEEP, THEN WHY AREN’T WE RISING UP NOW TO STOP THIS NONSENSE??

Have we lost our touch? Or has the “good life” become so attractive that we’re satisfied with living with things as they are? Was our desire for peace and equality just a phase we went through?? Or is it still within us?

If it is, then why aren’t we rising up and doing something about these troubles TODAY??
Listen … this country needs our experience … our knowledge … to get on the right track once again. Now, it’s obvious that we’re not spry young 20-year-olds anymore; but we can write, call and verbalize, even today! Can you imagine what we could do en masse — as a people, united for a common cause again??

We’ve got the highest influence … the greatest purchasing power … the most clout now! What better time to use it all and, once more, make a difference??
Besides, who’s gonna inspire the next generation … the one that follows in our footsteps … to reach out for change, for peace … for equality?

It’s just something to think about …

Now, tomorrow, we’ll get back to the rockin’ side of the coin … but, tonight (and in view of today’s mix of the recent “bailout” bungle, the elections and the war), this was wayyyy heavy on the Relic’s mind.

I’ll see ya (a little more light-hearted) on the flip side …

Can you believe this??

Some cat in Doncaster, England is askin’ locals to sign a petition to ban Chuck Berry’s appearance there on November 23! And get this: He’s comparin’ Berry to that jerk Gary Glitter! On top of that, he’s plannin’ to ask the City Council why it’s lettin’ Chuck perform, since he was convicted in 1944 for armed robbery and in 1959 for transporting a minor across a state line for an immoral purpose (man, that’s nuts! What’s that Doncaster dude smoking??). Promoters have already responded, though — and very rightly — by saying, “This is a spent conviction. Since then Chuck Berry has performed for the US President Jimmy Carter, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th Grammy Awards and been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Look … Johnny B. Goode’s 81 now, and still kickin’ it onstage (though he had that little tantrum after his daughter wouldn’t let him speed through London recently). He’s the one about whom John Lennon said, “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’.” He’s the one that took an old country-western song called Ida Red, renamed it Maybelline, and took rhythm-and-blues to a new and more exciting level (not to mention Chess Records, who’d signed Chuck)! He created the duck-walk, but, more importantly, a 4/4 block-rhythm that’s been copied by almost every rocker who knows what this genre’s about!

RIP NATTY BROWN

WOAH, the Night-Time … yeahhh, it’s the Right Time … to beeEEE .. to be wit’ th’ one ya LOOoove …”

Now, how many of us have heard that song — whether by the great Ray Charles, CCR … or by the writer himself, Natty Brown? I met Nathaniel Culp in Charlotte (where he was born-and-bred) for the first time when I was nine-years-old. He was the ultimate musician and a walking encyclopedia of the blues … and, as he proved time and again over the years, one of the easiest-going, most positive and upbeat men you’d ever wanna meet.

Sadly, Natty passed away this past Saturday at the age of 78. He started out by singing gospel music with the Heavenly Lights, who recorded for the Savoy label in 1954. Well, they liked what they heard and asked Nappy to sing as a solo artist– but performing R&B. Over the years, his songs “Don’t Be Angry”, “Pitter Patter” (covered by Patti Page on the pop charts), “Little By Little”, “It Don’t Hurt No More” and “I Cried Like A Baby” scored high onthe Rhythm-and-Blues charts. He left Savoy in 1962, but recorded for other labels in 1969, 1984, 1987 and his last album in 2007.

Man, you’re gonna be missed. RIP, my friend — for all your work and kindness, you really deserve the rest …

Well, listen — it’s comin’ up on the 5:30 AM hour here, and I’ve gotta get my standard 360. But stay tuned, ’cause there’s gonna be more comin’ up a little later today! Until then, remember to:
Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

RELIC’S NOTE:IF YOU’RE READIN’ THIS IN THE UK and LIVE IN THE LONDON AREA, THIS COULD BE FOR YOU!

You yardbirds have heard me rave about the fab new rockers, THE FORE, and have read their interviews, etc. on-site here. These lads are so popular with their Mersey-Hamburg-Sixties sound that, without a doubt, they’re on their way to the top of the rock world (or, as Spencer says) “toppermost of the poppermost”!)But, alas, Luke Bentley, who’s provided the churning, hard-driving rhythm for the band, is leaving due to health problems (and, man, thousands of fans are gonna miss his boyishness!). He’s definitely gonna be missed, but …It leaves an opening that you (or a rockin’ musician you know) might be able to fill!
Now, all ya gotta do is go to their site and find out how to audition! Or, if yer interested, just email me and I’ll forward ya on to the lads’ managers (in this case, I gotta say “serious inquiries only!” okay?).Who knows?? It just might be you that countless thousands of fans will see and hear as part of the band — especially when they break out in the US soon! Hey … it’s worth the shot, right??

IN THE NEWS

First, gotta give cred to Reverse Falcon for updatin’ us on David Marks (original guitarist for The Beach Boys. He preceded Al Jardine [see the last post]). He writes:
“Update on David Marks: He beat his battle with Hepatitis C and was declared virus free in 2004 and is in perfect health! David has already joined the Beach Boys for a 10 day tour of the UK last April and another show in Edinburgh in May. He also plays the occasional show in the US.David also has a new re-issue of The Marksmen which has just been released - its best described as South Bay Surf meets early British invasion influences. Available on Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and DavidLeeMarks,com.”
And, listen … you’ll find more great stuff about David on Jon’s blog! So, many thanx, my friend. Sometimes, even The Relic’s contacts can be a bit off. Happens to the best of us, right?
If you’ve got an addition, correction, suggestion or whatever, lemme know! If we use it here, I’ll give you the credit and run whatcha haveta say in italiquotes! Fair enough??

STATE ROCK SONG FOR OKLAHOMA?? Hey … it’s true! You can cast your vote for a song, written or performed by a native Sooner, to become Oklahoma’s first state rock song!
As it stands, here are some of the nominations (geez … sounds like the Emmys!):

Now, the voting continues until November 15, and the winner’s gonna be celebrated at a shindig in May, 2009.
You can cast your vote at this site.

Well, that’s it for this late night edition. Tune in tomorrow, when we’ll get this puppy up a little earlier! Until then, remember:

Keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, your heart with the music …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Whenever ya think about the British Invasion, chances are ya think of February 7, 1964 when The Beatles landed in NYC for their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, right?

But didja know that, twice in 1962, they sneaked into our charts? First, ya had The Springfields who gave us a great folkish recording of Silver Threads and Golden Needles on Sepember 20. Though it wasn’t exactly rock standard, it set the stage for their female singer, Dusty, to break through with some great songs as a solo artist.

Then ya had Cliff Richard, whose It’s All In The Game beat Tommy Edwards’ original. Cliff — real name Harry Webb — had already made a name for himself in the UK with Move It and Living Doll, as well as being the front man for The Shadows.

Also this month, two more UK wonders hit the charts with their lively sounds: First, it was Herman’s Hermits who, on September 26, hit with I’m Into Something Good, their first release. On that same date, The Kinks made their debut with the rocker, You Really Got Me.

The songs, themselves, played heavily to two different markets. It seems that the boyish sound of one Peter Denis Benard Noone (aka Herman) charmed many pre-teen girls, who were just learning about boys and (ewwww!!) kissing and stuff.

Meanwhile, the heavy rhythm of Dave Davies’ guitar on YRGM (which, according to his brother, Ray, was described by their producer as a dog-barking sound), along with the crescendo of the chorus, was a fave among millions of teen boys. (In fact, didja know that one guitar manufacturer produced an electric that was designed to help budding guitarist make that type of sound? Tis true!)

And on September 25, 1964, The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein was confronted by a group of stateside businessmen who wanted to buy out his contract with the band. Natch (and, fortunately), he turned it down (besides, he would’ve only made 3½ million pounds from it).

Oh … speakin’ of The Fab Four: Do you remember The Beatles cartoon show? It was one featuring the real songs of the moptops, but someone else doin’ their speaking voices! Anyway, it premiered on ABC television on September 25, 1964 (and lasted five years)!

OTHER SEPTEMBER MEMORIES:

This was the month (in fact, the week) where Roy Orbison hit the top of the charts with what was to be his most famous tune, Oh Pretty Woman. It was the last of nine Top-Tenners that he’d had over the years.

And it also marked the first time The Beach Boys played the Sullivan Show. They performed I Get Around and Wendy. The crowd — and especially Sullivan himself — loved the band.

Today, a reunion of the surviving originals is still in talks — in fact, they’re considering asking David Marks (who preceded Al Jardine), if he’s physically able, to rejoin them for a concert or two. Since David’s been in ill health, only time will tell …

Well, that’s gonna be “it” for this short session. But tune in tomorrow, when we’ll get back to the full-course menu with heapin’ servings of the best of rock-n-roll, Sixties-style! Until then, remember:

Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music …

and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Okay, yardbirds — gotta quiz for ya: What do the following have in common?

“La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues”, Jan & Dean’s “Surf City”, “Cupid” from Sam Cooke, “The Lonely Bull” with Herb Alpert, “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, “77 Sunset Strip”, “I Dream Of Jeannie”, “The Brady Bunch”, “M*A*S*H” and “Looney Tunes” ?

Answer: They all depended on session drummer Earl Palmer for their backbeat (yes, including those TV themes and even the ’60s cartoons!).
The New Orleans-born stickman, who started his career by laying down the beat on Fats Domino’s Walkin’ To New Orleans and Little Richard’s Lucille, died Friday at the age of 84.

Palmer was one of hundreds of session drummers who never got the credit, outside their peers, for the work they did on LPs and singles — including those of the British Invasion!
There, the most sought-after session man — one who worked on records by The Kinks, Herman’s Hermits and, most notably, The Dave Clark Five – was Bobby Graham. In fact, the man was so good at his craft that Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein offered Bobby the job of drummer first — before Ringo! Graham turned the job down — and the rest, as they say, is history …

Another great sessionist was drummer Hal Blaine, who filled the beat bill on many rock songs of the Sixties — it’s him you hear on The Byrds’ Mr. Tambourine Man, for example. He was part of the famous L. A. “Wrecking Crew”, who, along with Larry Knechtel, Carol Kaye (the first female session bassist/guitarist), James Burton and Glen Campbell (the first of those two performing with Rick Nelson, The Shindogs and Elvis Presley; the latter, a famed country/rock recording star in his own right), contributed to many of the hits, including Good Vibrations and Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys.

Yet, these musicians have been virtually overlooked by fans who swear they’re listening to their favorite bands playing the instruments on their trax.
Now, session musicians aren’t “cop-outs” for the stars; in fact, since they wanted a song track to come out exactly the way they wanted it, they’d “hire on” these guys to be sure they had it the way they wanted it. Call it lack of confidence or inability to get a certain lick just right — or just the desire for a few more instruments to fill out the sound a little — but it was to give the very best recording possible to the fans!
Onstage, natch, the acts themselves would duplicate the record’s sound and, in the process, turn on their fans. Believe me, they were more than competent and qualified to do so!

Gettin’ back to “The Pearl” for a moment: Over the past few years, our attention has been on “Nawlins” more and more, especially since their direct-hit from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We’ve heard and studied more about its musical history — and, in order to make it complete, we’ve gotta include Earl along with all the headline stars from the Big Easy (incidentally, one of the greatest session musicians from the area was pianist Mac Rebinnack — who, in later years, became world-renowned as Dr. John, The Night Tripper).

The Relic honors The Pearl’s memory and contributions, and joins the Rockaholics in offering condolences to his family, friends … and the music world at large. He truly was a drummer’s drummer … and will be seriously missed.

Okay … we’re gonna wrap up this edition for tonight, but stay tuned … there’s more comin’ yer way tomorrow when I’ll be addin’ some actual, superfab music to the mix!
So, until then, remember:

Keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, yer heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!