the Rock Report

TEXT-TRACKING THE FORE

First, for all the FOREMANIACS who are tuning in today, a treat:
There’s a new which will enable anyone to download tracks from the hot UK band THE FORE directly to their phone or PC! It’s called Text a Track and is a great way to keep Spencer, Matt, Si and Nathan with you wherever you go!
It costs nothing, apart from the time to upload and set up, and the texts are only £1 each (and that’s the total amount!).
Right now, you can get their fab hits Little Louisa and You’ll Be Mine — but more are to be added soon! Here’s how it works:

text 3133 to 83262 for Little Louisa and/or
3294 to 83262 for You’ll Be Mine
Just pay a simple £1.00 and the track is uploaded to your cell or PC!

Now … on with the show:

Awww, c’mon … don’t tell me ya didn’t expect it …

Phil Spector was sentenced Friday to 19 years to life in prison for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. The judge also ordered him to pay $16,811 in funeral expenses, $9,740 to a state victims’ restitution fund and other fees (Hmph … shoulda charged him more for wearing that goofy wig. Remember … he’d shaved his head only a couple of weeks ago …).

After the sentence was handed down, Spector was quickly taken away, with his attorney asking that his client’s transfer from county jail to a state prison be immediate (it’s understandable, really. The press and paparazzi would be hanging around like vultures, making it too easy to breach the jail’s security). At least for now, nobody knows which prison will house Spector.

NEW BEATLE MUSEUM OPENS …

A new Beatles museum (obviously) entitled Beatlemania, opened its doors Friday in Hamburg, Germany (most rock historians agree that it was their gigs in this city that actually “made” the Fab Four!)

It has a total of five floors of exhibits, and the museum is in the same Reeperbahn section where John, Paul, George, Pete Best and Stu Sutcliffe first performed in 1960 (but, if you remember, George Harrison was later sent back to the UK for being underaged).

Wanna follow The Beatles’ during their all-important “make-it-or-break-it” year? Just check out THE SAVAGE YOUNG BEATLES page by clickin’ that link you just passed! You’ll find some things ya didn’t know before!

Awwww, rats!  Y’see — bein’ America’s Chief ForeManiac, I couldn’t wait to try the “Text-A-Track” myself!  But, bein’ so excited, I … er, welllllll, I made a little … mistake in typin’ the link into the address bar!  “Text-A-Track”, right?
One little friggin’ letter was off …

So now I gotta write ‘em back and tell ‘em I don’t need a Ford pick-up …

See ya on the flip side …

To paraphrase Mark Twain, who, upon hearing of his demise, said, Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated, is to describe the events surrounding original Association drummer Ted Bluechel, Jr.

Earlier this week, it was reported that he had died — but, according to the daughter of member Larry Ramos, he’s still very much alive; she just talked with him over the past day or so!

Here’s what happened: apparently, the New York Times ran an obituary for someone named Richard Blue, claiming that Blue was actually Ted. But (unless Larry’s daughter’s been secretly in touch with the “beyond”) the real Bluechel is still kickin’ …

PHIL-LING IT OUT

This past Wednesday, the lawyer for Phil Spector asked the judge in his murder trial that Phil be sentenced to 18 years-to-life in prison! (Fifteen-to-life is the minimum sentence with three-to-five added for the use of a gun.)
Sounds kinda strange for a defense lawyer — but here’s why he did it: The prosecution had asked for a sentence of 19 years-to-life.  Since the verdict’s already handed down, the only thing defense can do at this point is to make a sentence recommendation.  Still, in the document filed for the request, the lawyer repeated Spector’s belief in his innocence and said an appeal would be forthcoming.

“ARCHIE”’s GETTING MARRIED!

And there’s breaking news outta ToonTown as perennial teenager, Archie Andrews,  says (through his writers) that he’ll be marrying his girlfriend of the past 50 years, Veronica Lodge.

In a statement released on her blog, Ms. Lodge’s rival, Betty Andrews, expressed her sorrow over Andrews’ decision.
“I am so sad, I don’t even know what to say.”
This reporter has learned that, in an obvious attempt to console her, Roger Rabbit has been offering his shoulder for her to cry on, and is presently conferring with artists to create those shoulders so he can make good on his offer.
This just in:  Andrews has just asked long-time friend Jughead to be his best man.  And, in a related update, it’s been learned that Ron Dante has been approached to sing at the wedding.
Look for the “comic book of the century” to appear on newsstands in September …

With that, I’m gettin’ outta here for a few … but stay tuned, ’cause there’s more to come later this evening!

See ya on the flip side ….

Hey … remember how, a few posts ago, I mentioned that Barbra Streisand’s ex was shelving his plan for a “tell-all” book (at least, in his mind)?  It seems that, with Babs’ “circle of influence”, he sorta backed off on the idea (one reader said: Its like the Maffia (sic) was after Mr. Peters. Well, she (the reader) may not be too far off, knowing Streisand’s temper …).

Now, though, she’s apparently ready to strike back …

Already, she’s been signed to create a book on her Malibu dream house and title A Passion For Design, which should be on the stands sometime next year. But she’s also said she’s ready to write her memoirs!
Now, you’ve gotta know that whatever Ms. S. writes, there are gonna be a few “pot-shots” taken within it — and the lady definitely doesn’t mince words!

As we wait for further updates on the condition of superstar Farrah Fawcett (and, sadly, they’re not good to this point), I wanna take a mo to reflect on something:

Whether it’s she (btw, didja know nine million viewers watched NBC’s documentary, Farrah’s Story, here in the states alone?) or Jade Goody or whomever (and don’t kid yourselves: these two ladies could rock … and was into the music), the world has seen something that we rockers have known and experienced for ages:

The unbending determination to survive, perhaps to defeat, calamity in all its forms is the noblest of human causes.

Now, it doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily win all our battles, but we sure give the devil a helluva fight!
We look at the Rick Allens (Def Leppard), Moulty Moulton (The Barbarians), Pete Dintino (all drummers),  James Hetfield (Metallica), Paul Stanley (KISS) — even bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd — and see that our desire to win over some of the worst calamities can have a profound effect, not only on our profession but on our personalities.

What is it about rock that keeps our stars from hanging it all up, anyway?  Recently, a doctor from Ashland, Ky., USA (which is largely country-music oriented), gave me his view:
“It is my opinion that rock music artists have an engrained attitude that won’t allow defeat.  It’s a positive one in which they’re constantly seeing the glass not just as half-full, but optimistically expecting it to be refilled!”

WOW!!  Does that say it all, or what??

See ya on the flip side ….

Of all the soul artists of the Sixties, the one I most admired was the legend himself, James Brown. (Hmph … in that photo, he looks like he just saw Superman™ in the distance. Anyway …)
For awhile now, fans have been wonderin’ what they were gonna do about the late great’s estate.
Well, that brouhaha appears to be over.

A judge in SC decided yesterday on a settlement that gives half of his money to a charitable trust that’ll pay for his grandkids’ education (also, it’ll be used to help needy children in the state as well as in Georgia). Twenty-five percent will go to James’ widow, Tomi Rae Hynie (and, yes, she was determined to be Mr. Brown’s legal wife at the time of his death) and their son, James II. The rest will be divided among his adult children.
(To answer a question from Carol in Cincinnati: Why do u call him MR. Brown all of the time? Well, I had the honor of meeting the “Godfather of Soul” a few years ago and found that everyone called him that, face-to-face. ‘Sides, it’s more respectful, right? Ya wouldn’t call the President “Barack” wouldja? And you wouldn’t call Ringo … ever …)

WHEN IN GNOME, DO AS GNOMANS DO …

Yesterday, flamboyant activist/ivory-tickler Elton John said he was gettin’ involved in a new 3-D animated movie called Gnomeo and Juliet, which will be produced by Starz Animated Toronto.

It’s supposed to be an “irreverent comedy set in the back-drop of suburban English gardens and inspired by Shakespeare’s renowned love story” (or so the blurb goes!) and the characters are … garden gnomes from feuding families!

With the lead … er, figures voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, it’ll feature old and new songs by Sir Elton. It has sortuva socioeconomic (whew! long word for this blog …) slant, too: The venture’s gotten over $23 million in funding from the Government of Ontario’s Next Generation of Jobs Fund.

A WORTHWHILE SITE TO JOIN …

Awhile back, guitarist-supreme Carlo Santana — a man who actually lives the “peace and love” theme, unlike a certain drummer who was withpsst … it’sRingothe Beatles — designed a site dedicated to the creation of a new global network, featuring uplifting and positive media.

It lives up to its purpose, and, natch, I’ve already joined. Now, lemme introduce you to Architects of a New Dawn. Click the link … read more about it — and tell me whatcha think.

Now, till later this evening, remember …
Keep your head level, your spirits high, your heart with the music…
and I’ll see ya on the flip side …

You’ve heard me say it time and again, rockers: The Fore know how to ROCK!!
And Saturday night was no exception as they took to the Cavern Club stage during the Liverpool IPO and, within mere minutes, had the audience in the palms of their hands!

But don’t just take my word for it: Here’s a video of their gig (one, incidentally, that was so exciting that fans begged for [and got] an encore — the only one of all the bands there!):

‘Nuff said? Not by a long shot! More on its way tomorrow … so …

see ya on the flip side …

By now, you’ve probably heard there’s gonna be a big “tell-all” book about Barbra Streisand, right?
Unh-unnnhhhh!! Nope. No dice …
Y’see, the ex-Mr. Streisand (well, one of ‘em), Jon Peters, has given back his $700,000 advance and won’t publish Studio Head after all.

Peters says, “I have been besieged by potential lawsuits and threatened litigation by some of the most important figures in the world of show business…I somehow feel that the cat got out of the bag before the cat was ever in the bag, and the cat became a wild jungle tiger on the loose.”

But some sources tell me that she actually used intimidation and other threats (through her contracts … er, contacts) to scare Peters into submission.
(After re-reading his quote — and if he writes like he talks — ya gotta wonder if the book would sell at all …)

She’s no stranger to concert cancellations, but, this past Wednesday (20th), Aretha Franklin took it just a bit further by canceling her appearance at Rhode Island’s Brown University, where she was to receive an honorary degree on Sunday.

The soul diva explained that a family emergency was the reason she couldn’t come for the very special “gig” — and, quite frankly, if it’s true, there’s not a thing wrong with that (now, don’t tell me that you’ve never had an emergency that took you from work for a day or so!).
But, ahhhh — it’s happening so often that ya wonder “how many ‘emergencies’ can one person have?” Aretha, wake up! It’s 2009! There are hundreds of other soulful songbirds ready to take yer place if you’re not up-to-speed with your shows and appearances.

Now, no one’s certain whether the Ivy League school will still bestow the honor on her. I’m guessin’ they will … it’s still good publicity for them. And I don’t know of any school that wouldn’t want that, right??

Yeah, it’s a slow news day … which means it’s time for another installment of:

THIS WEEK IN ROCK
(yayyyy, clap hands, cheer, and … andokay … nevermind …)

Hey … who doesn’t dig the great Stevie Wonder, right? Well, 46 years ago this week, he recorded his first hit, Fingertips, Pt. 2 (named so because the entire song — recorded live, natch — was 7 minutes long! So the producers hadta cut it in half for airplay.)

Two years later (same week!), The Beatles went #1 (for the eighth time at that point) with Ticket To Ride. Incidentally, the lead guitar (including the now-legendary opening notes) on the record was played by Paul McCartney, not George Harrison!
It’s not the first time roles have been switched, though:  If you remember side “B”, last song of the LP Meet The Beatles (the original) was the definitive Not A Second Time.
But it wasn’t The Beatles, per se.  Nope.  John and Ringo, with George Martin.  That’s all.
Of course, The Ballad of John and Yoko was just Paul and John.
And then … there was The White Album (was to be titled A Doll’s House) …

Now, follow me on this next one, campers. It took place this week, back in 1966:

The Who’s Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey grew tired of waiting for bandmates John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for a concert they were scheduled to play at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England.
Sooo, they took to the stage anyway — but with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally showed up about mid-set, Townshend whacks Keith on the head with his guitar! Both Moon and Entwistle quit the band (yeah — it lasted about a week!).

Oh … didja know that, while Paul Simon’s Kodachrome hit the stateside top of the charts in 1973 (this week … oh. You knew that, huh??), it was banned in the UK … because it used a brand name in the title!
(PS:  If ya wanna know more about Simon & Garfunkel’s recent tour of Japan, Australia and New Zealand, just click here, okay?)

No word yet on whether the Simon and Garfunkel tour will reach America or the UK.  According to sources involved with the duo, they’ve still got issues to deal with, but they’re doing it as they go …

Speakin’ of Beatles (welll, we were!):
The closest thing to a Beatles’ reunion happened this week in 1979 when Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr played together at Eric Clapton’s wedding reception.
Joining them for a jam session were Clapton, Mick Jagger and Ginger Baker.
The bride, Patti Boyd, was married once before … to George Harrison!

Now, if you’re a UK rocker who’s used to wading through sweaty rehearsals, wrestling with guitars that don’t wanna stay tuned, stretching the vocal cords and power-lifting heavy amps and P.A.s for a great performance, this one oughtta interest ya:

A mere 27 years ago this week, the Central London chapter of the British Musicians Union introduced a resolution to ban synthesizers and rhythm machines from all recording sessions and live engagements. The proposal was defeated, though (dammit!).
Gee … I don’t know why! All it meant was that performers would have to use something called, ummmm,  “talent” … to make solid recordings and great shows!

Oh, well.  Hey, listen:
I’ve gotta take a break here to prep for the debut of Solid Gold Rock! this weekend — but I’ll be back tomorrow, so stay tuned …

I’ll see ya on the flip side …

Ahhh, Mr. Starkey … is that the symbol of peace you’re flashin’, or how many old ladies you’ve made cry with your attitude lately??

We know ex-Beatle Ringo Starr has told fans not to send any more gifts nor requests for autographs to him because they’d all be thrown out.
But what he did at the Chelsea Flower Show recently was despicable … and makes fans wonder why he even bothers with that “peace and love” gesture if he doesn’t show it.

Here’s what the UK newspaper The Sun said:

“‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Piers Morgan has lashed out at Ringo Starr, calling him selfish and thoughtless, after it was reported that Ringo refused to give an autograph to an elderly woman at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, making her cry. It’s claimed he snapped at her, ‘I don’t sign autographs. Read that on my website.’”

Seems that Mr. Starkey has forgotten two very important points here:

• He seems to have forgotten who lifted him into his “star” position in the first place. It was the man who was instrumental in hiring him on as Fab Four drummer: John Lennon.
  And, as any good New Yorker can tell you, the post-Beatle John was very much the “working-class hero”, and would greet, talk with and sign autographs for anyone who asked.
  It only made him more of an icon …
• He also apparently forgot that when John and Yoko popularized the peace and love slogan, they didn’t just reel it off like it was an incidental by-line, or a “trademark” or something.
  They meant it!

A wonderfully-insightful lady-rocker named Verity probably summarized it the best when, concerning Ringo’s “snub”, she recently wrote:
I think he really is showing us all exactly what he has been all along . And that is an artist who is revered far beyond what his talents deserve and a colossal ego to go with it. I cannot understand what his problem is! If he does not want to be put in that position he should stop accepting invites etc where he is likely to be approached.

Ringo oughtta “get back to where (he) once belonged” and start paying props to those who humbly ask for his autograph.
After all, it was fans like that woman (and millions of others) who made him, right??

Sultry, second-generation pop singer Natalie Cole finally received a kidney transplant this past Tuesday at a L. A. hospital. Y’see, she’s battling Hepatitis C that, according to the lady, was brought on by her drug use some 30 years ago (hey … at least she’s honest about it!).

Now, she’d been on dialysis three times a week since last fall while she was waiting for a donor, and her prognosis and progress (as far as I’ve been told) is excellent at this point! But …
she will have to postpone her summer tour while she recuperates for the next three-to-four months. And all of her fans (me, toooo!) wish her a very speedy recovery.

And the new musical, The Dark Root Of The Dream, written by Donovan (no, not the Donovan, but the other Donovan … ummm, I mean his son, Donov … awwww, JUNIOR, then!), is gonna have its world-premiere at Largo on the Coronet Theatre in L. A. on June 6.

He describes the musical (which is about the fictional son of poet Virginia Woolf) as “a complete departure from me. I have taken my exploration of the unconscious through dream therapy and married it to the soul clutching sounds of gypsy music.”

Yep … that’s Donovan’s boy awrite! Sounds jus’ like ‘im!!

Okay … that’s it for the afternoon edition (well, here in the states, anyway …). ‘Til later this evenin’, 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!

Actually, there are a coupla breaking news items I wanna bring ya.
The first has to deal with this blog itself:

For some time now, I’ve been privileged to write about the music that so many of us love: ROCK & ROLL! We’ve had some memorable times here, and I’ve heard from hundreds of readers via personal email (which I prefer rather than just the “comments”, really).

But, lately, readership’s been sagging a bit, and I haven’t been able to keep these rascals up on more than a once-a-night (or early-morning) basis.
Sooooooo, I’m gonna ask ya to do me one little favor, alright? If any of yer friends dig classic/oldies rock (whether on radio or CD),tell ‘em about this blog, okay?
In the meantime, I’ll double-up here and give ya more to read, beginning Friday!

Annnnnnd … yer Uncle E is also goin’ back to the style he knows the best (y’all who’ve followed me since the old Relic days know what I’m talkin’ about)!
Thanks in advance, oh ye faithful Rockaholics! May you never dry out …

WACKO JACKO’S BACK … OH … MEBBE NOT … YET!

The second newsbreaker is that Michael Jackson has bumped his O2 shows back! That all-important first show, which was set for July 8, has now been moved to July 13.

But get this: Remember the shows he was gonna do on July 10, 12 and 14? Well, they’ve been moved, too: to March, 2010!
Still, the powers-that-be say that Jackson will do all fifty shows, but those who can’t make the rescheduled dates will get their money back.

Randy Phillips, head of the show’s producers (AEG Live), said the delay’s needed to allow more time for creating the set and prepare for dress rehearsals.

“As much as we agonized over this change in the original schedule,” he said, “we are sure the fans will understand when they experience the level of entertainment Michael Jackson intends to deliver while also ensuring the safety of the musicians, cast and crew and the crisp execution of the production.”

Kenny Ortega, the show’s director (remember him? He’s the one responsible for the High School Musical films), added: “Physically and mentally we’re having a blast. We’re having a great time. This is a high time for Michael, he’s enjoying this. He’s loving the creative process.”

No problem there, as long as Jackson keeps his nose clean, ’cause (wait. Which nose? He’s had so many …) it’s probably the most publicized and anticipated gig of any superstar of any genre.

Okay … for the time being, that’s it. So, until a little later today, 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!