the Rock Report

Ahhhh, November!  Along with the leaves, pumpkins and cooler weather, this week brings some of the most interesting memories in rock history:

5 November 1954 — Elvis Presley actually did a radio commercial — the only one he ever made, in fact. The product?? What else?: It was for Southern-Made Doughnuts, and was broadcast on the Louisiana Hayride radio program.

On 1 November, one year later, a local R&B group called The Famous Flames, led by an energetic and very soulful young singer named James Brown, cut their first demo called “Please, Please, Please”.  Recorded at a radio station in Macon, Georgia, it got the attention of King Records, which jumped at the chance to sign ‘em!

On that same date in 1957, Buddy Holly and The Crickets hit #1 on the UK singles chart — and stayed there for three weeks — with their biggest hit “That’ll Be The Day”.

Two days later brought the release of “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. It turned out to be his biggest hit (now, who doesn’t know that??), and hit the musical trifecta, coming in at number two on the Billboard Pop chart, number three on the R&B and number one on the Country and Western chart.

Now, the fifth of November, 1960, added an eerie slant to this rundown as the C&W legend (back then, it was still called “country and western music”, btw) Johnny Horton (he did Battle of New Orleans, North to Alaska and a double-E fave, a cover of Ray Charles’ Busted) died (his Cadillac was hit by a drunken trucker in Milano, Texas).
What was so weird about that? Well, Johnny had just played his last show at the Skyline in Austin, where Hank Williams had played his last show (remember: Hank was found dead in his Caddy seven years earlier).
Oh … I almost forgot to add that Johnny Horton’s widow, Billy Jo, was also Hank Williams’ widow!

The folk/protest movement began blowin’ in the wind when the inimitable Bob Dylan played his first gig on November 4, 1961. It was at the Carnegie Chapter Hall in New York City, and only drew an audience of about 50 (most of them were Dylan’s friends).

Of course, there’s more — but, since I’ve gotta get to work in about an hour, lemme close off this post with the Fillmore West. Rock impresario Bill Graham opened the legendary venue in San Francisco to complement the original Fillmore East in New York. Now, it was this gig that launched the careers of the “hippie/yippie” bands (well, that’s what they were called by mainstreamers and Republicans! lol) like The Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Big Brother and The Holding Company and others.
Y’know, while that “mainstream” America thumbed their noses at the Haight-Asbury phenoms, it might do ‘em well to realise that many of these acts helped maintain the rock continuity between The Beatles and today’s music.

Okay … ’nuff said; my quarter’s about run out. Now … if I don’t get to work, I ain’t gonna have one for the next show later tonight. So …
I’ll see ya on the flip side …

Have ya ever wondered where a band or song got its name? Or what it means?

Now, I’m not talkin’ about today’s acts, ’cause they can pull their monikers outta anything, with very little imagination (see earlier post about the “F” “bands”).  I’m talking about the classic acts.
Here … lemme give ya some examples:

Best to start with Jefferson Airplane.  Back-in-the-day, some old farts thought it meant drug use.  Others took it (and don’t ask me how!) as bein’ a “swipe at the government”.
Actually, Grace and the guys took it from the name of a roach clip – one that was made from used matches!  Y’see, ya formed ‘em to hold the last of the J so ya wouldn’t burn yer fingers while getting that last toke …

On the music front, everyone who dug Johnny Cash in 1969 wanted to know if there really was a “Boy Named Sue”.
Well … there was!

The dude-in-question was actually Sue Kerr Hicks, a male prosecutor who was involved in the famed Scopes Monkey Trial (no, it wasn’t about a mouthwashing chimp!  ‘Twas the evolution trial in 1925 Tennessee). His dad named him that after his mom died giving birth to him (btw, the writer of that song, Shel Silverstein, is probably better known by kids as the writer of Where The Sidewalk Ends.  All former hippies knew him … well, another way …).

And what about the sounds of Sopwith Camel?  (C’mon … somebody out there’s gotta recognize the name!  The band did “Hello, Hello” about forty years ago!)
Yeah, the name did come from Snoopy’s famous flyer.  But, y’see, lead singer Peter Kraemer actually planned to give another band that name.  Fortunately, they turned it down, thinking it was too weird.
Why’d I say “fortunately”?  Because they decided naming themselves … Big Brother and the Holding Company!

Now, there’s been a lot of publicity lately on the great Irish quartet known as U2.  But I occasionally get the almost-obligatory email “Where did they get their name??”  One reader even wrote (about Bono): “You can’t have some guy call himself by just one name and be that popular” (hmmm … you mean like Sting? Ringo?  How about some guy called Jesus??). 

Actually, Paul Hewson got the Bono signature after seeing the sign of a hearing-aid store (called Bono Vox).  And the band itself didn’t name itself U2 after the ’60s spy plane.  It came from the fact that they wanted to interact with fans, so they gave them a truncated version of the words, “You, too!”

Now, I’m gettin’ off here for the night, but stay tuned, ’cause we’ll have more coming up in less than 24, okay?

See ya then … on the flip side …

Ummmm ….
Contrary to popular imaging, that’s not a pic of me (I’ve seen me … and I never had that kind of hair!), but of another “Chucky” from some kind of movie (actually, my late mentor and friend, Lloyd Thaxton’s, wife worked on the film, so I know!).

Yesterday, someone from my distant past in a galaxy far, far away (well, I … guess she still drives one. Dunno … it’s been years, but …), after the stock questions people from the distant past ask if they’re not dead, wanted to know why we don’t have the “teenage hang outs like we had then? What made THEM back then so much more special?” (hey .. I said “someone”. I did NOT say “language major”, now did I??)

Actually, we are needin’ to build more decent, non-alcoholic, non-drugged, solid rockin’ clubs for kids under 18. As it is now, most ‘clubs’ cater to older people who liquor-up and are more interested in who they can either impress or … er, land than they are in the music.

A few years ago, Peter Noone and I talked about this, and he gave me a feel of what it was like in the early “Cavern Club”, where kids could grab a Coke (large “C” … the drink …), some chips or crisps and watch bands like The Beatles or Big Three perform. No hassle, no threats … just digging the music (and, natch, yer friends if they were with you).

Today, though — especially in the states — many town/city leaders are afraid to have teen clubs (I know … I’ve addressed the topic with quite a few of ‘em) because, as they’ve told me, “This isn’t the ’60s! There are drugs out there, and violence. We might even have some rough gate-crashers …”

IMHO, they miss the point completely. If they have decent security and enforce some strict rules, then, over time and as the popularity of the venue grows, it can actually enjoy a decent rep, which means the undesirables will leave it alone. In fact, they just might become so interested in the way it’s all put together and operating that they’ll wanna give up their rowdiness — even for just one evening — so they can dig the music.

MORE ROCKIN’ SITES

Sometimes we need a little ‘off-the-wall’ humor; occasionally, we need reminders of just who we are in this world; always, we need the sounds of good rock-n-roll, whether they’re world-famous acts or relatively unknown to the mainstream.
Now, if you can say “amen” to those, then you’ve gotta check out Mr. Cool himself, Unsteady Freddie! The man’s got one of the coolest spots on the web! From where he’s been and who he’s seen to where he’s going and who he’s gonna see, Freddie and his wit, insights and musical madness makes for a great experience!

GROOVY, DUDE … TOTALLY PSYCH-O-DELIC!!

Wanna take a trip back to the Sixties and then slingshot back to the 09 with what you’ve heard?? Then check out the ultimate musical headtrip with Jan at the helm of Psychedelic Central!
No need for ’shrooms, electrical bananas or even the maryjane … you’ve got what you need for that musical contact high right here!
So click on their link … and, while you’re at it, register to win the Ultimate Collectors Edition of Woodstock. You’ll find more info on the front page …

Okay … that’s all for now, but stay tuned … there’s more coming up in 24 or less! Until then …
I’ll see ya on the flip side!

For almost a half-century, they were the premier instrumental band in America …

and, now, The Ventures are playing a requiem as their bassist (once lead guitarist), friend and co-founder, Bob Bogle, has left the band … permanently.

He died yesterday after a long battle with a form of cancer known as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was 75.

Bob and rhythm guitarist Don Wilson first got together in 1958, when Bob was shopping for a used car from Don’s father (who owned a dealership).  Finding they both played guitar, they set out as a duo called The Versatones.
They later added Nokie Edwards on bass, a fellow named Skip Moore on drums — and, among the songs they rehearsed was one that Bob loved.  It was a cover of a Chet Atkins track, but made to sound a bit simpler and uncomplicated (this soon became their trademark “sound”).

They recorded the song, pressed and distributed a number of copies to record labels, but were turned down by all of them.  So Wilson’s mother (Josie) started her own record company (Blue Horizon) and sent a copy to a disk jockey who, in turn, used it as an intro for the hourly news!

But the listeners loved the song, and, soon, it became so popular that the head of Dolton Records decided to sign the band to a contract!  Within months, it became a nationwide hit!

The song?  Walk, Don’t Run …

To say that Bob made an impact with his choice of songs would be a complete understatement … but the man never really thought of himself as a star, or that “his” choice was what made The Ventures.  Humble, relaxing, loving the simple pleasures of life — that was Bob Bogle to a tee!

And, believe me, his sound … his personality … is gonna be missed!  Now, some of you might’ve heard that The Ventures are disbanding due to his passing, but, rest assured, they’re still gonna be playing those simple, uncomplicated songs to thousands of happy fans — just as Bob would want them to do!

LIONEL NOT TOYING AROUND

Seems like things are goin’ alright for superstar Lionel Richie, father of Nicole (that’s to identify him to our under-20 readers) and provider of hits All Night Long (no, that’s the name of the song!), Say You, Say Me (say what?!?), and hundreds of others, both with and without The Commodores (Brick House).

First, he performed at private party for a British tycoon named Sir Philip Green a week ago in London. He sang fifteen songs and was paid $1.63 million!
Now he’s gettin’ ready to appear on the hit soap opera One Life To Live as himself. His episode will air sometime in July.

Okay … that’s all for this PM edition, but stay tuned … there’s more to come in just a few hours!

Until then, keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your hands to yourself, your heart with the music …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

I GUESS IT’S APPROPRIATE …
As if they haven’t already found everything to put the King’s name on yet,Elvis Presley Enterprises just announced a new “Elvis Mobile” application for the Apple iPhone and iPod.

It’s a freebie that’ll allow fans to watch a live Graceland cam (and ever-changing pictures and videos), listen to podcasts from Elvis Radio and even report Elvis sightings from anywhere in the world.
(Hey … Elvis is alive! He was found in the Okefenokee Swamp in Florida recently, movin’ slow, lookin’ leathery and eatin’ whatever he can catch. But, despite being (re)discovered, he refuses to answer any questions about his role on Miami Vice.
(Awww, I’m talkin’ about Elvis the alligator that was on that series with Crockett and Tubbs … geez …)

GUESS WHO GOT GUESS WHAT??

And Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive was invested as an officer of the Order of Canada (the nation’s highest civilian honor) Friday.

It’s given for a lifetime of outstanding achievement, and was awarded at Rideau Hall in Ottawa by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Randy has put in some serious time and effort into this business and has weathered some pretty rough storms — so the man really deserves the props he just received!

A FEW QUICK NOTES:

For you who’ve written in and wanted an update on Moulty of The Barbarians (as you recall, he was their hook-handed drummer — lost his hand when a pipe-bomb exploded in it when he was 14):
I just spoke with him by phone this evening, and he’s doing quite well.  Today, he works in the real-estate business and occasionally still pounds the skins with a new lineup of Barbarians.  You can find his (and the original band’s) music at the Sundazed Records site.
BTW:  Remember his big hit, Moulty! ?  It told the story of his accident and how you should never give up, no matter what.  But didja know the band playin’ behind him was  “The Hawks” — later be known as just … The Band??

COMING THIS WEEK!!  Before his death in October of last year, my late friend Lloyd Thaxton and I discussed the possibility of either a “hand-held new Spaper” (his words) or website called Solid Gold Rock!  It’d cover the oldies/classic scene and bridge the gap into today’s rock world.
Well, it’ll finally be a reality!  So, look for the new Solid Gold Rock! website to debut later this week!  I’ll give ya the details in the next couple of posts …

And that’s all the time we have for this episode, but stay tuned … there’s more to come in less than 24!  Until then,
keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your tires rotated, your heart with the music …

and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Yeah, I asked it … are “oldies” on the rocks??

Y’see, all around America, “oldies” stations are revising their “classic rock” formats.  They’re dumping most of the ’60s and ’70s hits in favor of newer “oldies” — those from the ’80s forward.
And there are those in the industry that are saying our music (thus, we who either performed it or dug it back then) is washed up (as one told me, like old seaweed on the rocks — once useful, now worn-out)!

To take up the slack on the radio side, a number of AM stations have begun spinning the sounds of Beatles, Brummels, Hollies and others.  Though they’re not as highly publicized as some of the FM megastations, these stations are still showing an increase in listeners.

But, wait a minnit … concerning that “other” statement:  If the Eighties are the new “oldies”, then … then what music are we listenin’ to?  Ancient?  Archaeological?  Fossilized?  Should we stop playin’ shuffleboard an’ playin’ checkers long enough to “modify” our hits (providin’ we kin find our teef?).  Want ‘em to fit our “advanced” age, sonny (can ya tell the double-E’s a mite pissed off here)?
Geez … I can just hear’em now:  The Byrds doin’ Mr. Absorbine Man; Arlo Guthrie tryin’ to wail Cialis’ Restaurant; The Beatles’ With A Little Help from Depends.

Come ONNNNN!!  We’re not just a slowly-disappearing bunch of aging hippies here!!  We’re the ones who brought the “rock band” format to center-stage; we’re the ones who introed yer synthesizers and vocal tricks; we’re the ones who fought for civil rights, freedom of expression and political change in this country.
Dammit, we’re the ones who brought PEACE through our music and protests, for cryin’ out loud!

And that oughtta count for something.  Bottom line?  Without Beatles, Hollies, Byrds, Presleys, Everlys, Raiders, etc.,  you wouldn’t HAVE the rock of today!
Much less the liberties to perform it as you do!!

So, back to the question:  Are “oldies” on the rocks?

HELL, NO!!

And neither are the ones who sang, wrote, performed, recorded, published, promoted, pressed, or otherwise enjoyed them!  They’re not only NOT “on the rocks” … brothers and sisters, they’re ALIVE AND KICKIN’ … bringin’ energy to a just-revitalized society (talkin’ about the new Administration)!

If anything, the music of the Sixties and before is venerated and honoured by millions of fans around the world — and if Arbitron ratings, Rolling Stone Magazine, USA Today newspaper, and various TV specials are right, then the sounds are picking up steam as people are actually preferring it over today’s “classics”!

So, to every nay-sayer out there:  DEAL WITH IT!!!!  

And to the new or modified AM channels that are playing the classics and oldies (I mean, from when rock was truly solid gold):  Just send me an email at electriceagle@rocketmail.com.  I’ll guarantee you’ll get more publicity!

‘Nuff said!!  So, until about 24 from now …
See ya on the flip side!

In the last post, you met two of the greatest songwriters, performers and gentlemen in the business today.  But, for just a minute, I wanna remind you of two other superstars who beat some tremendous odds to inspire a generation or two … or three …

The first is a man who was called “the drummer’s drummer”.  He provided the tremendous beat that drove his band, The Barbarians, on to ’60s stardom.  But there’s one more thing about Moulty Moulton …
he only had one hand!  And you can read an interview I did with him — one that’ll give you the lowdown on his famous “notched-stick” drumming and more — at this site, with the second part of that interview found here.
Today, he still performs with a new Barbarians lineup as well as being a successful businessman and an inspiration to young and old alike. Click those links and you’ll see why …

The other is … well, no other word can describe Peter Dintino than: MIRACLE! This native New Yorker is not only a devoted student of Sixties rock and a witty, intelligent and amicable drummer/songwriter, but he also fought back from death and beat leukemia!
Throughout earlier issues of the Rock Report, I kept everyone up-to-speed on his progress — and here’s where we announced the happy conclusion!
I’m also honored to call both of these my friends and inspirations …

ON THE NEWS FRONT

Gerry Marsden of Gerry & the Pacemakers received the Freedom of Liverpool award yesterday (Monday) — fittingly, aboard a Mersey Ferry (his biggest hit was Ferry Across The Mersey) — for services to both charity and his home town.

Mike Curb received a star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame Sunday. Besides working with the Mike Curb Congregation, he’s been a record company exec in Nashville for quite awhile.

Olivia Newton-John says she’ll be marketing a health drink and skincare line soon. These will be made by using plants from the Amazon River. She’ll be returning to the river with her husband for their first wedding anniversary in June to “mine the plant and fruits,” including the camu camu fruit used in her Zamu drink.

And singer Marianne Faithfull’s manager was arrested Friday when the couple were stopped at London’s Gatwick Airport. After first being told they had too much luggage, Francois Ravard became angry and the airline decided he was too drunk to fly. Said the airline, “He became physically and verbally abusive. Police were called and he was arrested.” Marianne was allowed to fly (alone) to Italy for a Saturday concert. (Incidentally, charges against Ravard will not be filed.)

Okay … that’s it for now, but stay tuned, because there’ll be more in less than 24!  ‘Til then, see ya on the flip side …

Y’know, if there’s anything this balding bird really digs about music (I mean, outside the actual sounds), it’s gettin’ to know the hard-working, goal-oriented and sincere movers and shakers behind the instruments.
On this post, I wanna introduce ya to a coupla mates whose props are long overdue.

THE OFFBEAT SOUL

In the pic up there on the left (yep … they’re at Liverpool’s Cavern Club), you’ll see one of the greatest live acts from the states — The OFFBEATS .  They do some spot-on covers of British Invasion hits and fab music from other rock superstars as well! 

Composed of some of the coolest California cats conceivable, their fearless leader, John Hesterman, is also a very sharp producer and knows more about the classics (I’m talkin’ rock here, so put down yer Tschaikovsky!) than anyone outside the great Ron Ryan.
Not only is he musically sharp (btw, he’s the one on bass guitar in the pic!), but, according to one reader who’s a fan of the band, “he gives the oldies a new twist and makes them all sound new.”

A member of the lively Rock Talk! forum (where everything Sixties is discussed. Ya oughtta join up, btw. We’re all friends there …), he’s one of the finest, busiest and friendliest men you’ll meet! And if you ever get a chance to take in a show featuring The Offbeats, DO it! A good time will be had by all …

FORE THE RECORD

Without a doubt, the hardest-working of rock’s “new breed” is the front man for the wildly-popular UK band, The Fore.

Besides being their bass player/vocalist, Spencer Hannabuss also composes and arranges all the band’s songs, assists the band’s managers in negotiating new venues (both live shows and radio airplay), organizes the live sets, and more!
As founding member of the band, Spencer has also been noticed on an international scale for his songwriting (which some have said sounds like a modern-day Lennon and/or McCartney. Now, ya can’t get better props than that!), holds down a steady job (as the rest of the band wisely does) until that all-important contract is signed, yet still has time for his fans, friends and family!

One of the best tributes to this rock dynamo came from a reader in Virginia Beach, Va. who says “I like Spencer because he’s tall dark & handsom (sic). Hes smart like John nice like George and cute like Paul all in one.”

Not to mention that he leads the most solid, closely-knit and exciting bands to come out of England since the Invasion itself …

Now, there are others who deserve a shout-out or two — both from the present and heroes from the past — and I’ll be coverin’ them shortly. But, before we go, THIS message:

An old grade-school friend Facebooked me awhile back and reminded me of the name I was given back in 7th grade (pre-Eagle, pre-Relic); that of … Doc Rock.
Soooooo, thanx to J.R.’s reminder, I’ve set up my first full domain site with that moniker! It’s at Doc Rock Online, and it’s brand-new, which means I’m still workin’ on it. If I’m not here, or on the Fore-Front, I’m there! So give it a click and tell me whatcha think, okay?

And that’s all for this encounter … but stay tuned: There’s more comin’ up in 24! ‘Til then:
See ya on the flip side!

Awww, every once-in-awhile, I throw a little trivia into the mix here for your readin’ pleasure (’sides, it’s a slow news day).

Soooo … without further ado (as if I had any “ado” to begin with …)

GIVIN’ IT THE RASPBERRY:  Back in ‘72, a band called The Raspberries were hittin’ the AOR charts.  But didja know that their debut LP had a scratch-and-sniff raspberry sticker on it to intro the band? (Hmph … somehow, I’m kinda glad that Green Day didn’t do that with their LP, Dookie!)444444444444444444444444444444444444(Sorry.  M’cat got on the keyboard.  She’s a big FORE fan.  Now … where were we??)

A PETTY SITUATION: Now, if you remember, former Eagle guitarist Don Felder did a fantastic show for charity awhile back (see my article about it). But didja know that, as a teenager, he taught guitar to a friend who also had high hopes?
The youngster’s name was Tom Petty!

SEND A COPY TO MY MOTHER … Anyone who follows classic rock remembers Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show — a bunch of self-described “rounders” who, among their Top 40s, hit it big with their cult classic, Cover Of The Rolling Stone.
The song itself was written by Shel Silverstein, who wrote the bizarre children’s book, Where The Sidewalk Ends (he also narrated the “audio-book” version with a voice that some confused as comedian Bill Cosby!).
Well, shortly after the song hit the airwaves, the band did, in fact, appear on the cover of RS … but in cartoon form! (Yeah, they did actually send copies to their mothers …)

WHAT THEY DID WAS:  Hmmm … wonder whatever happened to these bands?

This first one spawned a coupla stars.  It was a folk-soul trio called Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers.  Now, while Bobby made it pretty well on his own, it’s the dude on the leftthat broke away from the music scene, grabbed a bong and some primo and hit the road with a different partner!  (Any idea yet?  Okay … here’s a hint:  Think Cheech and _____!)

Now, I actually had this next LP, and the quasi-psychedelic band, Chamaeleon Church, was pretty good.  Some of their tracks had some decent hooks (like Blueberry Pie), and the drummer kept a strong backbeat.

Ahhhh, yes … the drummer!  As Ferguson says, “Remiiind you of anyone??”  Okay … here’s a hint:  You could hear them Friday night on the radio, or, if they were playin’ near you, on Saturday night, live.

Uh-huh … it’s actor/comedian Chevy Chase!

Okay … with that, I’m gonna take a break (y’see, when I finish here, I start my duty as ‘inner-eyelid inspector’ for a six-hour shift [aka go to sleep]).  But stay tuned … there’s more to come in less than 24!

See ya on the flip side!

The house Jimi Hendrix used to live in has been threatened with the demolition ball!
According to kirotv.com, the home where Jimi Hendrix used to play the ukulele as a teen has hit a sour note with the City of Renton, Washington.

The owner has to move it by March 27th or steps will be made to tear it down. In 2006, the house was moved from Seattle’s Central District to a mobile home park across the street from where the guitar legend is buried. Renton had high hopes for the area, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Many local residents didn’t even know the home was there until it was brought to their attention. “I think out of respect it should be in better shape,” said Renton resident Erin Pattison.

THE SOFTER SIDE OF A STOOGE

Godfather of punk Iggy Pop is releasing “a quieter album” on May 18 that was inspired by novelist Michel Houellebecq’s “The Possibility of an Island”.

Carrying the French title “Preliminaires” (Preliminaries), the album’s cover is designed by Franco-Iranian “Persepolis” comic-book author Marjane Satrapi, record label EMI said Monday.
“I made it really especially for France and people who speak French,” says Iggy.
The 61-year-old singer sings one number in French on the album — “Autumn Leaves”, that was a hit for Yves Montand.
“It’s a quieter album with some jazz overtones,” he says on his website. “I just got sick of listening to idiot thugs with guitars banging out crappy music.”

Iggy Pop — real name, James Newell Osterberg — was lead singer of The Stooges, a 1960s-1970s garage rock band that influenced heavy metal and punk rock and whose live acts included Pop taking drugs, self-mutilating, verbally abusing the audience and leaping off stage.

His best-known solo numbers include “Lust for Life”, “I’m Bored” and “Real Wild Child”.

And with that, we’re closing this episode … but stay tuned: there’s more in less than 24!
See ya on the flip side …