the Rock Report

PRELUDE TO A KISS (ALBUM)

KISS are (is??) gettin’ ready to enter the studio to finally start work on their new album – and it’s gonna happen sooner than you might think!

The band’s rhythm guitarist/vocalist, Paul Stanley, was a recent guest on ‘Happy Hour’ on the Fox Business TV network. During his interview, he confirmed that KISS will be entering the studio next week to record a new, yet untitled record, scheduled for release this Fall.

Here’s what he had to say about the upcoming record:

“It’s very much an album that picks up where we left off in the 70s. It’s not an album that reflects trying to pick up whatever current. We’ve been out a lot on the Kiss Alive 35 tour. Our biggest and most successful tour of Europe, we did 30 shows and about 400,000 people and we leave for South America — a bunch of stadiums — in April. And the band has never sounded better or more focused. And playing the Kiss Alive album and a lot of other classic songs has really just whetted our appetite to go in the studio and transfer that, that same feeling and ferocity into new material.

“(But) I would never, ever grow tired of (the old) songs. The songs have made me both incredibly satisfied and rich and made a lot of other people very, very happy. It would be a show of disrespect — and maybe not deserving — to grow tired of something that’s meant that much.”

IN OTHER NEWS …

The late Eartha Kitt’s publicist lashed out at the Academy Awards this past Wednesday for leaving her out of the tribute to the recently deceased at Sunday’s Oscars. But, then, Harvey Korman, Patrick McGoohan, Neil Hefti and even Don LaFontaine — who was the announcer at the Oscars — were left out.

The CLIO Awards (given for outstanding advertising) announced Tuesday that they’ll honor Barry Manilow with an honorary CLIO at their annual ceremonies, which take place on May 14. Manilow is being honored for once producing advertising jingles for advertisers like State Farm and Stridex. He won a CLIO for writing “I am stuck on Band-Aid ‘cuz Band-Aid’s stuck on me” and for performing in a Tab commercial.

ARE YOU BEING SERVED? Camping In (Pt. 2)

Now … with that bein’ played, I’m gonna take a short break for a little sleep, but stay tuned ’cause there’ll be more in less than 24!
Until then, I’ll see ya on the flip side …

While my office computer’s bein’ worked on, enjoy this little gem from the Rockfiles:

First, can ya name this SONG?:

”Well you’re the cutest thing that I did ever see
I really love your peaches/wanna shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time”

I’ll give you the answer at the end of this post.

THE MAN WAS THE SONG:

Unless you live in the UK, you’ve probably never heard of Tony Burrows — but you’ve definitely heard his voice before. As the lead vocalist with several “studio” bands, he appeared on several Top 40 hits from these pseudo-groups:

“Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” - (Edison Lighthouse)
“My Baby Loves Lovin’” - (White Plains)
“Gimme Dat Ding” - (The Pipkins)
“United We Stand” - (Brotherhood Of Man)
“Beach Baby” - (First Class)

Tony was a member of a British band (The Flower Pot Men) who had a #4 hit in England (“Let’s Go To San Francisco”). Two other members of that band (Jon Lord and Nick Semper) went on to be founding members of another UK band that had a little more success…Deep Purple

Those background noises you hear on “Telstar”by the Tornadoes were pulled off by producer Joe Meek.
The sounds intended to symbolize radio signals were actually produced by Meek by

• running a pen around the rim of an ashtray, and
• the “rocket launch” was actually the sound of a flushing  toilet.

In both cases the recordings were then played in reverse to create the desired effect.

In 1975, Carly Simon lived in a house on Rockingham Drive in Brentwood, California–the same house which, 20 years later, would become infamous as the residence of accused murderer O.J. Simpson.

Hey … didja like the late Bobby Darin’s big hit, Dream Lover?  Well, didja know that Neil Sedaka played piano on this rock classic?
Or that Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan of the Turtles sang backing vocals on “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” by T. Rex?

Because so many of you have written in sayin’ that you loved the show — and in tribute to Wendy Richard (Miss Brahms), who passed away this week of cancer –
here’s the first of a three-parter from Are You Being Served?
CAMPING IN (Pt. 1 of 3)

Okay … that’s it for this run. See ya tomorrow, same time, same … er, station. Until then,
see ya on the flip side …
(* The name of the song was Lovey Dovey by the Clovers. If ya thought The Joker, you’re also right. Y’see, Steve Miller used lines from the 1954 Clovers hit when he sings “Really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree / Lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time”)

A quick note here:  UK television viewers, as well as millions of fans around the world, are saddened by the death of Wendy Richard (who was probably better known as Miss Brahms from the UK series, Are You Being Served?).  She passed away of cancer yesterday.
Aside from being an actress (also in the East Enders, which she ultimately quit after refusing to work a script that mocked former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher), Wendy was also a backing singer, early on, for The Rolling Stones, and had a hit with Mike Sarne called “Come Outside”.  She was also a staunch advocate for animal welfare.
To her husband, John Burns, and family, the double-E joins the rock world in sending his condolences and fond memories of a wonderful lady …

President Obama has honored Stevie Wonder, his musical hero, with America’s highest award for pop music at a ceremony at the White House. The president said the Motown legend had been the soundtrack to his youth and he doubted that his wife would have married him if he hadn’t been a fan! Presenting him with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin prize, Obama said Wonder’s style was uniquely American.  His song, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, was a theme song during Obama’s campaign. The First Couple also used Stevie’s You and I as their wedding song.  “I think it’s fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me, we might not have married,” President Obama said.  “The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship.” In an interview last year, the then-senator said: “If I had one musical hero, it would have to be Stevie Wonder.” Michelle Obama called Wonder “one of the world’s greatest artists” and said that Wonder’s Talking Book was the first album she bought.  Stevie’s sold more than 70 million albums since he was signed by Motown Records at the age of 11.  He was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys in 1996 and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years later. In 2005, he released his first album in 10 years, A Time to Love, following it with concerts in the US and Europe in 2007 and 2008. The Library of Congress had decided to honor Wonder before President Obama won the election last year.  This is only the second time the Gershwin prize for Popular Song - which honours George and Ira Gershwin - has been awarded. Paul Simon won the first prize in 2007. Okay … that’s all for this round; but stay tuned:  There’s more to come in less than 24  (hadta “bump” the vids ’til next ish due to the special report of Wendy’s death)!  ‘Til then,
see ya on the flip side!

Yup …  we’re goin’ down Memory Lane tonight, to see what was really shakin’ in the world of rock during the week of February 22, 1969.  Let’s see how many memories we can trigger out there …

He was EVERYWHERE!
New York based designer/artist Peter Max became a leading developer of the psychedelic poster. His explanation: “Repetition and symmetry are characteristic of all living things.”

His target-shaped compositions were a mix of Op, Pop, Art Nouveau and Indian Mandala. A reviewer said that, basically, he was “a light, decorative, backward-looking artist who entertains his audience rather than challenges them with visual or conceptual problems.”

A new format of “underground music” was introduced by Armed Forces Radio.
Casey Kasem – then of radio station KRLA in Pasadena, California, emceed the once-a-week show.
He said, “It is an area of music AFRS has not been into enough and it is the kind of fare the young servicemen are starting to get used to in this age.”
Kasem said he would give free rein in selection of records “though a lot of discretion will be used in what material will be used.”

Janis Joplin and her band (Big Brother and the Holding Company) played New York City for the first time at the Fillmore.
Before the gig, Janis was asked if she was scared.
“Oh yeah, I’m scared. I think, oh it’s so close, can I make it? If I fail, I’ll fail in front of the whole world. If I miss, I’ll never have a second chance on nothing. But I gotta risk it. I never hold back, man. I’m always on the outer limits of probability.”

Soul singer James Brown won FCC approval of his purchase for $377,500 of radio station WRDW, in Augusta, Georgia. His goal was to change the format from top-40 to soul!

Elvis Presley signed a contract to make his first major stage appearance in 13 years. He would star at the Las Vegas International Hotel beginning that summer.

In Beatles News: City officials in Cleveland said the nude pictures of John Lennon and Yoko Ono on cover of their “Two Virgins” album were too raw and offensive for local consumption.
Clarence James, Cleveland’s city law director, officially warned local record distributors, Main Line, that it would face prosecution if the controversial albums were not yanked off the local market!

Mick Jagger produced a comeback single by his actress/girlfriend Marianne Faithfull. Penned by Gerry Goffin and Barry Mann, it was called “Something Better.” Jack Nitzche arranged the session.

And the legendary Cameo-Parkway Records changed its name to ABKCO Industries Inc., named after the initials of its board chairman, Allen B. Klein.

(Me?? Why, I was a scrawny 18-year-old who was spendin’ his after-school time writin’ his first published rock article and playin’ weekend gigs with his band [lead guitar and vocals]. I was also gettin’ ready for our first distant gig of the year, some 150 miles away.)

What were you up to during that week in 1969? Gimme a shout-out and lemme know, okay?

Well, that’s it for this go-’round. But stay tuned, ’cause there’ll be more in less than 24 … including a vid or two! Until then …

I’ll see ya on the flip side …

A Texas state senator introduced a resolution this past Monday that honored The Picks (they were the backup singers on nine of Buddy Holly’s recordings).  Y’see, the Crickets played on the songs but, aside from Buddy, didn’t sing). John Pickering and Bob Lapham were on hand for the honor (the other member, Bill Pickering, died in 1985).
The resolution read, in part, “The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the musical group the Picks [who] have made important contributions to the rich cultural heritage of our state.”
Y’know, it’s about time that some of the “unseen” performers get the nod from us!  There are too many of ‘em out there that’ve been swept “under the carpet”.  Agree?

Congrats to the 2009 inductee class for the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Here’s the list:
 
Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati of the Rascals; David Crosby, Steven Stills and Graham Nash; Roger Cook and David Greenaway (who have us songs like “You’ve Got Your Troubles,” “Long Cool Woman,”, “Green Grass” [by Gary Lewis and the Playboys] and “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing”. They also did an excellent cover of Michelle as the duo, David and Jonathan);
Galt MacDermot, James Rado and Gerome Ragni (composers of the musical “Hair”);
Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz (who gave us “Pippin” and “Godspell”)
and Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora

They’ll all be inducted in ceremonies June 18 in New York.

Just learned that the widow of Ernie K-Doe has died. Antoinette Kador died early Mardi Gras (February 24) at the Mother-In-Law Lounge in New Orleans, which she ran after Ernie’s death. She will be laid to rest in the same mausoleum as Ernie and (yes) his mother-in-law.
(Wait … the man who sang “Mother-In-Law” as “the worst person I know” is buried with his … mother-in-law?  Then, by “coincidence”, his wife dies at the Mother-In-Law Lounge? Man, tell me there ain’t a Twilight Zone episode in that story somewhere!) 

While you’re mulling over that, I’m gonna get outta here until around midnight tonight.  At that time, I’ll be back with more …. so stay tuned!

See ya on the flip side!

Tom Jones has signed on to appear in a British film called “The Codfather.” The comedy will center around friends in a Welsh fishing village who set out to smuggle drugs inside a catch of cod (now, I don’t really mean to flounder on this issue, or sit on my perch … after all, I do believe in cod.  And cheeses.  Always great with cheeses …). Anyway, the film will begin shooting in June in South Wales and in London.

While comedian Jerry Lewis was accepting an honorary Oscar Sunday night, his son, singer Gary Lewis, was preparing to take a DNA test to determine if a 57 year-old New York woman is his sister. Suzan Minoret (Lewis) says her mother told her Jerry fathered her while performing at the Copacabana nightclub there, though he hasn’t acknowledged her as his daughter. Suzan, who is homeless and disabled after an automobile accident, is publishing a book called “Jerry’s Kid” in April. The results of Gary’s blood test will be revealed next month on TV’s “Inside Edition.”
(Ummm … fathering her while performing??  Uhhh, wouldn’t … wouldn’t that, like, sorta make a mess onstage??)

Lionel Richie is going to be a grandpa again! His daughter, Nicole, and her boyfriend Joel Madden announced the upcoming blessed event Saturday  on the Web site of his band, Good Charlotte. They already have a one year-old baby daughter. Nicole recently guested on the NBC-TV series, “Chuck”.
(“Chuck”?  “Good CHARLOTTE”?  Man, this story was meant for me to tell …)

“Two Tickets To Paradise,” Eddie Money’s autobiographical musical about his decision to quit the New York police force and move to California to become a musician, will have its world premiere June 4 in Long Island, New York. Eddie says he’ll narrate the performances himself. He also indicated there is some interest from producers on maybe taking it to Broadway.

Okay … that’s it for this short edition (I, er, fell asleep at the ‘boards last night and have spent most of the mornin’ trying to extract that damned “F2″ key outta my forehead) … but I’ll be back with more in about 14 (yep … around 2 AM.  Without the “F2″ key …).
So, ’til then …

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 …

THIS PAST WEEKEND WAS ROCKIN’ at the Command House in Chatham, England!  The fans were treated to some great music by two other bands … then ….

A special, thirty-minute set by The Fore knocked ‘em outta their seats!  Here’s what manager Neil White had to say about the gig:

“Safe to say it went really well, the crowd were all in a relaxed Friday night mood but were actually waiting to see the headline band.

What followed was classic.

The Fore came on and blew them away, you could almost see jaws drop as they launched into Little Louisa and You’ll Be Mine. Just a shame their set was cut down due to an over-run but it was fine, it left them wanting more, which is no bad thing.”

For a full run-down of the evening, just take a few moments and visit The Fore’s blog. And, while you’re there, check out the other posts!  What’s been happening on the ForeFront as of late will prove to ya that these lads are truly destined for SUPERstardom!!

Set List from the show (as Spencer says, though, it’s “from vague memory!!”)

Have Me Back Again
We Were Meant To Be
That’s A Lie
A Girl Like You
Someone New
Man Of Few Words
Little Louisa
I Got A Girl
You’ll Be Mine
(maybe a couple more!!)

BY REQUEST:  UPDATED PIC OF ANDREW 

This guy is already building quite a few fans on this side of the pond, as evidenced by some of the e-mails I’ve received.  For example, Jerri in Honolulu and Seth in Wisconsin both said (and, here, I’m quoting from Jerri’s email):
You have shown a lot of pictures of the fore but only one or two that show the new guitar, Andrew.  Do u have any new ones of just him?  What is he like?

Yep … in fact, this one’s hot-off-the-press, as it was made at the CH show itself: Now, as far as what Andrew’s like, just head over to the band’s website and mouse-over their Band link (left side). You’ll get a drop-down menu where you’ll click Meet The Fore. It’s an online .PDF file, and will tell ya all ya wanna know about the new, talented and witty rhythm guitarist!
STAY TUNED FOR NEW AND EXCITING NEWS FROM THE BAND! Remember to bookmark their blog for more updates from the band that’s putting the energy back in rock-and-roll!Okay … that’s it for this edition. But more’s on its way in less than 24, so be here! Until then, I’ll …
see ya on the flip side …

Question:  Do ya like Hootie and the Blowfish (yes, I know Darius Rucker’s got a coupla C&W singles under his belt, but he hasn’t ruled out a H&tB reunion!)?  Well, then … which one’s Hootie?

If ya said Darius, you’re … wrong!!  Y’see, the band’s moniker was taken from a coupla Darius’ friends – one with a face like an owl, while the other one had puffy cheeks.  Soooo, guess what their nicknames were?  (Uh-huh …) So the band adopted the name from these guys.

Yep, pardners, thar’s some mighty interestin’ names out yonder in them rock-n-roll hills!

For example, YES (who, incidentally, has cancelled all their gigs for awhile so that Chris Squire can recover from recent leg surgery [hey … doc’s orders. He can’t be on the limb for awhile]) also had a twist to their popular name! Y’see, while the group members searched for a name, guitarist Peter Banks suggested they called the group Yes, a very short and positive word. The others agreed that the name wasn’t meant to be permanent, though ….

Ever since the get-go, Bono and his band have been dedicated — first to fans, then to causes — in the belief we should all be interactive, with no one excluded. So, they named their band U2!
Incidentally, I wanna remind ya that, all next week, the band’s due to play the Ed Sullivan Theater as guests of the Late Show with David Letterman!

And Scott Weiland’s band, Stone Temple Pilots, got their name from a brand of motor oil! They started their career as Mighty Joe Young — but then they learned a blues musician already carried the handle! So, seeing the initials STP on a container of motor oil, they started workin’ with names from that.
First, they came up with a … well, let’s just say obscene one that didn’t land them any gigs. Then they tried Stereo Temple Pirates before finally deciding on their present name.
By the way: Didja know that Weiland has come out with a new line of clothing? Yep … seems he does know how to diversify, after all!

Okay … that’s it for this edition, but tune in later this evening for more!
Until then, I’ll …
see ya on the flip side!

Though he’s had quite a few physical ailments this year — not to mention his other legal troubles — it appears that Michael Jackson is ready to get his career back on track again.

Sources close to the superstar, as well as unnamed promoters, have said that Jackson is planning a 30-day gig for London’s O2 Arena for later this year.  Supposedly, the negotiations for this venue are in their final stages, and they’re shooting for a possible start this coming July.

Oh … did I mention that MJ would gross a whopping 1 million pounds + … per night??

Stay tuned … I’ll bring ya more on this as it develops. 

IN OTHER NEWS …

Sam Moore, one-half of Sam & Dave with the late Dave Prater, filed suit in Federal Court in Nashville Wednesday against the producers of the movie “Soul Men”, claiming the film “misappropriates the history, trade names and marks” of the duo and “renders the glorious legacy created by Moore and the duo in tatters.” He’s asking at least $75,000 in damages (the film only made $12 million, all told!) and that all copies of the movie be destroyed.

Just learned that Charles Avery– better known as “Dirty Chuck” Bennett with Link Wray’s Ray Men — died January 29 of cancer and emphysema at a Fairfax, Virginia hospital. He was 66. He played bass on such hits as “Rumble” and “Rawhide” but eventually left for a solo career. Though he often drove a cab during the day and played at night, he retired for good in 2004.

Barry Manilow is gonna receive the Community Service honor  at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards today in Palm Springs, California. Barry will be honored chiefly for his work in combating AIDS.

“I’ve had four personal assistants in my career since the ’70s and three out of the four have died of AIDS,” he said. “My personal assistants have always become my best friends. They are my brothers.”

Dolly Parton will receive an honorary doctorate degree in humane and musical letters from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville during commencement May 7. (That oughtta be some consolation for her character being left of the script for the next “Hannah Montana” movie!).

And our condolences to Slim Whitman, whose wife Alma, died this past Monday in Middleburg, Florida, at the age of 84. The two were married for 67 years.  (If you remember, Slim was reported as having died last year … but the reports, which had already spread through Nashville and on the web, weren’t true.  But he did credit his longevity, in part, to his loving wife.)

Okay …that’s it for this go-’round (go ahead … blame me for gettin’ it on here a bit late! I fell asleep before I finished inking this post last night, and hadta do a rush job here), but I’ll be back with more (before gettin’ the drowsies) later this evening.

See ya on the flip side …

Tommy James (of the Shondells [”Crimson and Clover”, “Hanky Panky”, “Mony, Mony”]) says not only has he finished his autobiography, “Me, The Mob And Music” (to be published by Simon & Schuster) but Martin Scorsese is interested in turning it into a movie through Triangle Pictures.

“He’s the only one who could do it justice because it’s a combination of rock ‘n’ roll and wiseguys,” said Tommy.
“The reason it’s all such a compelling story is what Roulette Records was. I was there for the bulk of my career and Roulette Records was a front for the Genovese crime family. We didn’t know that when we signed in 1966. Here we were making these pop records and there is this really hairy story going on behind it.”

Now, yardbirds, this is gonna make for some tres interesting readin’!  So, when it comes out (I’ll letcha know, natch!), get it!!

ELO R.I.P.

Kelly Groucutt, bass player with the Electric Light Orchestra from 1974 to 1983 (he’s on the right in the pic, with the mustache), suffered a heart attack Wednesday night and, sadly, died Thursday in a Worcestershire, England, hospital. He was 63.
Kelly was a member of the group Sight And Sound before being recruited to play bass on ELO’s tour in support of the album “Eldorado”. He stayed on to play on such top twenty hits as “Evil Woman” (#10-1976), “Strange Magic” (#14-1976), “Livin’ Thing” (#13-1977), “Telephone Line” (#7-1977), “Turn To Stone” (#13-1978), “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” (#17-1978), “Shine A Little Love” (#8-1979) and “Don’t Bring Me Down” (#4-1979). All told he played (and occasionally sang) on seven ELO albums.
Groucutt left the group in 1983 and sued their managers and leader Jeff Lynne for unpaid royalties, settling out-of-court for £300,000.
He was a superb talent and will be missed by friends and fans (old and new) alike …

DUFFY ACES BRIT AWARDS

New UK singing sensation Duffy walked away from the 2009 Brit Awards with three wins: British Breakthrough Act, British Female Solo Artist and Mastercard&#8482 British Album. And, believe me, this lady deserves them.

But … Iron Maiden as best live act? Geez … these guys could have won British Group instead of just Best Live Act!
Here’s the full list of winners:

:: Mastercard British Album – Duffy ‘Rockferry’

:: British Group – Elbow

:: British Single – Girls Aloud ‘The Promise’

:: British Male Solo Artist – Paul Weller

:: British Female Solo Artist – Duffy

:: British Breakthrough Act – Duffy

:: British Live Act – Iron Maiden

:: International Album – Kings of Leon ‘Only By The Night’

:: International Group – Kings of Leon

:: International Male Solo Artist – Kanye West

:: International Female Solo Artist – Katy Perry

:: Critics’ Choice Award – Florence & The Machine

:: British Producer of the Year – Bernard Butler

:: Outstanding Contribution to Music – Pet Shop Boys

Okay … since we’re headin’ to the 5-in-the-AM hour here, I’m gonna take a bit to unwind. But stay tuned … there’s more coming up in less than 24. Until then, I’ll …
see ya on the flip side!