the Rock Report

Hard to find these days, but, when you do, it sorta makes your mouth water even before you dig in.
No, I’m not talkin’ about sex (sigh!) … I’m talkin’ tostadas, man (at least for now …)

Here’s why:

Awhile back, in the back pages of an old, dusty Sanskrit manuscript that I found hidden in the top shelf of my library, Ye Untolde Saga of Rocque and Rolle, there was an interesting tidbit.  After removing it (it was part of that Archway cookie I lost last Christmas), I read a question posed to early performers by some obscure TV anchorman:

What do you do onstage to keep from getting stage fright?

Natch, that means so you won’t freeze up on the vocals or guitars, etc.  It was almost uninaninimouse:  The performers would think of something pleasant — something to look forward to after the show, for example — first.

One club singer said, I think of my girl, and how she’s waiting for me to come home.  She’ll have a hot meal and also some hot kisses waiting at the door.  Which is nice.  But a hot meal waiting at the door is an open invitation to every cat in the house to eat it before ya get there.

Another said:  A nice, hot cup of the finest coffee, two sugars, one cream.  I suppose “shaken, not stirred”.  Still another, You can’t tell if there’s an impresario in the audience.  I want to impress the hell outta him.

But the kicker was the young rocker who said:  Beefy tostadas.  I dunno, maybe he was doing a Tex-Mex act.  Nonetheless, they all had a valid point.

Look ahead of your gig … check the waters beyond, and give yourself something to look forward to after the show.  Score points toward the big reward by pulling your best set out, dusting it off, and doing it like you mean it!
Then, after the show’s over and the last fan’s gone … go out and enjoy!

Another question (being a mid-’70s, post-Watergate publication, it was after the ad for that deodorant that says it’s working but has its own agenda to cover up the tell-tale odours.  It was called Nix-On …) was How do you face the audience without being afraid?

Some said they looked just above eye level, checking the fans’ foreheads instead of their expressions.  Worked well with everyone except Manson followers.
Others?  We just imagine everyone sitting there in their underwear.  I believe this trick folded when mothers-in-law were invited to gigs …

John Lennon had a great concept on handling audiences:  “They’re out there, and they’re me, and I’m them, and she’s he, and he’s her and we’re all together.”  And, if we’re all together, we’ve got nothin’ to worry about, right??

Okay, the quarter’s up (actually, I still had some minutes left from the last one), so just remember to tune in tomorrow for more musical madness.  I’ll see ya on the flip side!

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 …

So ya dig classic rock, huh??
Well, ya oughtta meet the creatures that inhabit this info superhighways’ fave rock oasis, a Sixties-and-beyond-and-before rock forum called, appropriately, Rock-Talk!

Now, you’ll not only get to talk oldies and more, but you’ll be able to listen to them through their “jukebox” page.  And dig this:  It’s the first actual community (not just names on a screen; these folks actually become your friends if you approach them gently and feed them right. lol) I’ve ever been involved with (and this bird has been around the pike a few times)!

Oh … and, after ya join, be sure to check out the tracks from the man who wrote some of the Dave Clark Five’s greatest hits and introduced Jimi Hendrix’s drummer to rock, Ron Ryan!  In fact, in the main forum, you’ll be able to talk a bit with him!

The membership is free, btw, and it doesn’t matter if yer a guy, a gal or a Martian: just come on over and check it out!

THE FORE TO (sorta) DOUBLE??

Well, not exactly (that is, as far as the band itself), but there are a few “additions” that require some serious and happy congrats and props:

First, to superstar guitarist Matt Hardy (center, on the Rickenbacker) , as he and his lovely wife are expecting their second child soon!  (Y’know, it proves the flexibility of math:  When two people get together, it shows that “1+1=2″.  But, when the lady luv gets in “the family way”, it shows that “1+1=1″!  [Think about it])  Anyway, Matt and Victoria, your children are just as blessed to have you as parents as you are to have them as your own!

And the band’s fearless leader (and amazing bassist and songwriter), Spencer Hannabuss, has just announced his engagement to the lovely Natalie (sorry, ladies!  But she is a treasure, and they complement each other so much …).  Hope they have a zillion years together in happiness and love …

BEHIND THE SCENES …

There are a lotta things happening over here in RockCentral, and even more great things going on in The Fore camp!  It’s a pleasure working with these lads (who’ve just come back from their respective holidays), and their star just continues to rise in the worldwide skies of rock …
Speakin’ of holidays:  I want to send out a special and heartfelt wish for the good health and recovery of the lady Annette.  She’s wife of Fore manager Neil, and, whilst he was away, she suffered a nasty fall.  With her hubby at side now, though, she’s recuperating well.  Still, keep her in yer thoughts and prayers, okay?

Me?  Gotta get off here for awhile.  My quarter’s about to run out …
See ya on the flip side …

Man, I dunno about you, but I really admire Bruce Springsteen.  He’s sorta taken center-stage as America’s “working class hero”, and has worked just about every type of gig in his career.

The Boss’ first big gig was years ago when superstar Anne Murray brought him onstage as support act.  Before that, though, he was honestly thinkin’ of packing it in (musically), thanks to a promoter who thought his last name was Springsong.  

Anyway, he’s gonna be playin’ the 25th anniversary concert for the Rock Hall of Fame tonight (Thursday) — three days after the death of his cousin (and assistant road manager) Chris Sullivan. Bruce was to play Kansas City on Monday night but cancelled when Chris was found dead in his hotel room there. According to police, there doesn’t appear to be any foul-play, drugs or whatever involved.
Obviously, we send our heartfelt condolences to Bruce, the team and Chris’ family …

But while Bruce is playing the show, another big star has backed out. Eric Clapton will be recovering at home in England after gall bladder surgery, so he won’t be making his scheduled Friday evening appearance. But another Yardbirds’ mate, Jeff Beck, will take Eric’s place on the bill that night.

Two more hit-makers have also had to take a bite outta their schedule:  Elton John had to cancel both his Sheffield and Newcastle shows due to a serious bout of the flu (I understand they will be rescheduled, though), and Rod Stewart — who was supposed to be on the stateside gabfest The View this past Tuesday — had to cancel due to a viral infection.  He’ll probably pop up on one a bit later (btw, he was dynamite on the new Jay Leno Show recently.  Did an old Four Tops number, (It’s The) Same Old Song.

WAS LED ZEPPELIN TO RE-FORM?

According to the RockFeed, yes!  Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and the late Bonzo Bonham’s son, Jason, were pulling together some material as they tried to decide who would take former lead singer Robert Plant’s place.
Verdict:  Since no one seemed to fit the bill, John went on with the new “supergroup”, Them Crooked Vultures (with Josh Homme and Dave Grohl).  Still, they did try, so, for just a little while, we had some hope …

THE FORE ON NEW BEATNIK GEEK LABEL!

Just got word from the home office that Spencer, Matt, Si and Nathan — collectively known as The Fore — are now one of the anchor signings on the new Beatnik Geek record label! The band is wildly popular throughout the UK and, now officially with the label, their stars are gonna soon be shining here in America as well as they have in Europe!
Keep watching this blog for more frequent updates …

But, for now, we’re gonna take a short break for a few hours’ zzzzz’s, so I’ll see ya tomorrow … on the flip side!

Look, I know they’re legends by now, but, though the BonoBand U2 is selling out their shows whilst on this new 360 tour, they haven’t even broken even yet, despite strong ticket prices.

The reason?? Naaah … it’s got nothin’ to do with the economy. Y’see, their manager (Paul McGuinness) says the band’s expenses are running about … $750,000 a day! Yup: every single everlovin’ day they’re on the road with this gig! That evens out to about $31,000 every hour!

But the guys aren’t headin’ for the McDonald’s value menus yet! McGuinness says they’ll be break even before the end of the U.S. side of their tour, and believes they’ll be makin’ a gross rev of about $300 million before the last notes are played.

And what’s up with the sudden cancellation of the rest of Def Leppard’s North American tour? I know the band says it’s due to “unforeseen personal matters”.
According to a statement from the band, “[W]e don’t take cancelling shows lightly, but unfortunately life’s commitments need to be the priority.”

Y’know, if that’s for real, I can understand. Let’s face it –the band’s been around since 1977 (formed from a band called Atomic Mass). They’re all nearly 40 years old now (lead singer Joe Elliot hit it in August), have families and matters of their own, and, considering their schedules, just may need the break to tie it all in together and do some TCB with TLC.

Orrrrr …

It could be just obstinence … or band problems. After all, the third leg of their tour was supposed to begin yesterday, and I’ve been told ticket holders for the 22 Oct date can get refunds. But that means the cancelled dates won’t be rescheduled, and that means possible internal trouble with the band in some way.
We’ll just have to wait and see …

FOLLOWUP: As reported earlier, Peter Criss, former drummer with the legendary KISS, was treated for breast cancer that was discovered a year ago. Fortunately, he beat it (meaning he’s in remission, obviously) … but is ready to spread the word that this cancer isn’t just a woman’s issue! He told a CNN reporter that just maybe a wife or partner will hear his story, nudge their spouse or mate and say, “Honey, maybe you oughtta go and get that check-up!” Pete went further and said it didn’t matter if only five or six men in America had it … he was speaking up to help them.
Totally friggin’ fantastic, mate! Wish other guys had your moxie …

Oh … he’s already got a name for the book he’d write about his experience. Criss says he’d call it … “Rock Knockers” (what else??).

Now … gotta head out on this rainy Friday mornin’ to get some more supplies, but stay tuned: I’ll be back in less than 24 with more. So, until then, remember:
keep yer eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Someone once told me, “It ain’t the amount of stuff that hits the fan that gets to ya, but the size of the fan itself.”

Over the past coupla weeks, there’s been a lady who’s been bent on pluckin’ the feathers outta the Eagle’s hide … and it’s cost me in time, money, headaches and more!  Not to mention a bit of legal dealings to stabilize my own holdings

(DAMN!!  After all this, I’m wonderin’ if it wasn’t the Clarkster in disguise!  Naaah … she’s a woman, which means she ain’t got no … hmmm … maybe it was him, after all … anyway …) word up:  there are readers who already know who I’m talkin’ about.  The rest of you can email me if ya want in on it …

Anyway, fortunately, the fan was bigger than the poop thrown (she was also wantin’ to tax — or stop — my work.  And there ain’t no way in hell that’s gonna happen!  Makes me wanna rock it even harder!)  So, now … the trouble’s behind me, the smoke’s cleared and I’m still stadnin’, and back online with regular, everyday madnes … er, posts … like it usedta — and still oughtta — be!!  So (okay … maybe just a leeeetle wobbly … that shoulda read “standin’” …) let’s do it:

GETTIN’ BACK TO THE BIZ AT HAND

The new noms for the Songwriters Hall of Fame (Class of 2010) were announced this past Saturday, and, amongst the writers/performers, Dion, David Gates, Tommy James, John Cougar Mellencamp, Lou Reed, Leon Russell, Cat Stevens (finally!) and Earth, Wind & Fire. (I still don’t get it; I know these are all American writers/performers, but … look, if anyone deserves to be in the Songwriters’ HoF, it’s Ron Ryan!

But, amongst the writers, you’ve got Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Jackie DeShannon and Joe South (somehow, the SHoF forgot that these all performed at one time), as well as Mark James (”Suspicious Minds”), Luther Dixon (”Soldier Boy”) and the teams of Jerry Ragavoy and Bert Burns (”Twist & Shout”) and Paul Vance and Neil Pockriss (”Itsy Bitsy Bikini” … a song inspired by Paul seeing his three-year-old daughter in a “IBTWYPD Bikini” for the first time!).

Two performers and three non-performers are gonna be chosen and they’ll be announced early next year.

STAMPING IT OUT

One more quick woid: England, yer gonna have some new postal stamps coming your way in January! “Let It Bleed” by the Rolling Stones, “Led Zeppelin IV,” “Ziggy Stardust” from David Bowie and Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” are classic album covers destined to become stamps from Britain’s Royal Mail on 7 January 2010 (there’ll be ten album stamps in all!). Not guaranteed to get yer mail to its destination any quicker than regular stamps, but … hey, it’ll work better than if ya used none at all, right??

Well, that’s all the time we have on this edition. But stay tuned … we’ve got new lights and a coffee machine in the nearly-cat-free RockRoom (I did say “nearly”, right?) and will be back here later this evening with more …
So I’ll see ya on the flip side …

Awww, I knew the day would come sometime …

This weekend, whilst trying to fend off this (fortunately only the) seasonal flu, a run to m’ local grocer brought out a very irate rapper-wannabe, who came down hard on my cuts on electronic sound-enhancements like the dreaded Auto-Tune and computerized loops.

When he said (and I nearly quote): “You ain’t never done it on stage, so how you know what it’s like, man?? We makin’ the sound, man, and the bxxxxs dig it!”

Well, first of all, “man,” I’ve been on stages, big and small (the largest venue was in Charlotte, about 10 grand at the time. The smallest? About 30 children at a birthday “sock hop”).

Secondly, I take the word of a Byrd over the palaver of a musical cadaver: In 1967, the leader of famed rockers The Byrds, Jim McGuinn (known as “Roger” since 1921), said that if you wanna know how good a band/act is, unplug ‘em (obviously, this does not apply to Keith Richard, who, if unplugged, would just stand there …). That way, if they can (no, I meant the man … not the guitar …) still sing/perform (albeit acoustically) and wow a crowd, they deserve the biggest breaks and fan bases.

Ahhhh, but if you need one (or more) of those little headaches on yer right in order to do a show, you’re sunk, IMHO (me, not Jim … er, Roger … talkin’ here. Still a Byrd-brain, though …). You’ve gotta alter your voice, your sound doesn’t come outta yer amps or from your guitar licks but from some weird machine that chews it up and spits it out differently — in other words, you do a 360, musically-tantric Milli Vanilli!

And don’t think yer “fame” is gonna last, either. Back-in-the-day (and still with The Fore and other top young rock acts), the acts WORKED for their sound … their gigs … their balance. The money was small at first, if it was there at all.
Fortunately, all the work and devotion paid off for quite a few of them. And, today, they’re true legends of the music world.

But, man, to think that one simple glitch in your computerized, synthesized and hardly-homogenized nonsense can take ya down! It just doesn’t add up!
And whilst acts like The Searchers, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and The Fore are rockin’ the bejabbers outta the world (the first three I mentioned have been doin’ it for nearly fifty years, all told), your act ain’t gonna do squat if you don’t get serious and get some serious blood, tears, toil and sweat into building that act.

Huh??? Yeah, I did tell him all that. Didn’t set well at first, but he was unarmed and … I mean, he understood where I was coming from. In fact, he’s sending me a demo of one of his unaltered rap songs, just to prove he can do it.

I’m not really into rap, and am involved as US Press Agent for The Fore (a gig I really enjoy!) … but, tell ya what: If I can get clearance from this artist, I’ll share the demo with ya and get your feedback …

More in a bit. See ya on the flip side …

Yep. He’s finally made it to intergalactic stardom …

Former Beatle and working-class hero, the late John Lennon now has a crater on the Moon named after him.

It’s called The John Lennon Peace Crater, and it’s on the earth side (not the Dark Side. That belongs to Pink Floyd …) of the Moon. Six kilometres wide and 990 metres deep, it’s located in the Lake Of Dreams.

Personally, I believe the man deserves the honor! After all, our orbiting orb has long been associated with love and peace. So who better to name part of it after than John??

THE FACES (minus Rod) TO REUNITE

‘Tis true!! The rest of the surviving members, minus Rod Stewart (who has “prior obligations”), will be playing a one-off gig on October 25 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It’ll be part of a Music Members Benevolent Fund benefit.

Though Rod won’t be making it, Classic Rock magazine reports that “a host of special guests will help out on vocals.”

Still, you’ll have guitarist Ronnie Wood (who started touring with Rolling Stones even before Faces broke up in 1975); Kenney Jones (who replaced Keith Moon as drummer for The Who in 1979); and keyboardist Ian McLagan (who went on to solo and session work.).
Of course, their amazing bassist, Ronnie “Plonk” Lane, died awhile back of cancer, so Bill Wyman (ex-Rolling Stones) will fill his spot.

Dickie Peterson, lead singer and bassist with Blue Cheer, died yesterday (12 Oct.) after a long battle with cancer. Jim Morrison called the band “The single most powerful band I’ve ever seen.” They were best known for their re-make of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” (this was the second of three major remakes of that song; the other two were done by The Who and country star Alan Jackson).  Peterson was 61.

Okay … that’s it for now.  i’ll see ya later this evening …

Y’know, there are some television comedies that just won’t leave your mind:
Burns and Allen. Lucy and Ricky. Bush and Chaney.
Or Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

From that almighty foot that could (and would) crush anything in the opening credits to the crazy, sometimes surreal, always hilarious ending (again, with the credits running over them), the tandem of Cleese/Palin(no, not that one. She’s something completely different …)/Jones (there’s one in every crowd, isn’t there?)/Chapman(RIP) and Gilliam made for the wittiest, most colorful TV whenever it was on (hey … it’s no good if the telly’s off, right?? Say no more …).

Unfortunately, here in the states, it came on at the behest of PBS (behest (n.) = whim. Also the word “best” when said mid-cough …). Sometimes in the evening three nights a week, sometimes only once.
But it gained a tremendous cult following here. And, while we do miss Graham’s dry wit, the rest of the lads are still with us, and mulling over a possible, steady reunion.

Already, there’s a CD out with tunes from the show, called “The Infamous TV Soundtrack 1969-74″, and many of our present TV comedies, like The Office and NBC Nightly News, takes many ideas from the show (one I’m quite familiar with is the highly-colorful “Test Pattern”. No words, and just some silly high-pitched sound — but it’s as colorful as MPFC!!).

One other thing that the Cleese Clan did: They … er, dragged out a few segments (hey … in the pre-Keith Richard days of the 16th Century, males often performed female roles … even on stage!). They brought a new appreciation to truly feminine stars like Wendy Richard, Cybill Shepard and Richard Simmons. They pioneered comedy in so many ways, that we’d all kinda like to see what they’d come up with in reunion …
Most of all, though, we learned that the English weren’t as “stiff-upper-lip” as we were led to believe. In fact, they have one of the most refreshing senses of humor on the planet!

Okay … now for something completely different:

A short post. Got a client in a few, so I’ll catch up with you all on the flip side …

Okay … I gotta admit, Topo Gigio (the little Italian mouse) isn’t gonna be on the program tonight. He just agreed to lend his name to the bill so it’d sound more like one of Ed Sullivan’s “really big shews”.

Remember?? Between the legendary pop singers like Sammy, Tony Bennett or Mel Torme and the new bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones or Dave Clark Five, ‘Ed-deeeee’ would introduce him and have a little chat with the tiny dude.
And they’d always close the segment with Sullivan giving the little guy a kiss (awwwww!) …

But, before that, there was Sammy. Now, no matter where you are in music, you’ve just gotta give props to that amazingly-cool singer/dancer/actor/writer/comedian and musician (he played drums and some trumpet).
And, in San Diego, California, a stage musical debuted today on the Sultan of Smooth.
“Sammy” was written by Leslie Bricusse, who composed music for the “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” movie (remember Sammy’s mega-hit, Candy Man, came from that film!) and “Stop The World, I Want To Get Off” on stage. I’m told that a relatively-unknown Obba Babatundé is playing the role of Sammy.

Now, I know this cat had some baggage, and was a high-rollin’, solid gold star. But even if he just made eye contact with ya in an airport, he’d flash that famous smile, point at you and make ya feel like he’d known you for years.
Man, I hope that musical really sings, because he deserves the honor, even if it is posthumous. (btw, my favorite song of his was a rendition of Ray Stevens’ Have A Little Talk With Myself)

INTERMISSION If ya thought that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hung it up, yer wronggggg! They played Craig Ferguson’s Late, Late Show last night, doin’ The Simple Life — and these guys haven’t lost a step! Man, if the gig provided some bread, that band really added the jam!

AND NOW, INNNNNNNTRODUCING … FORE LADS FROM … LLLLLLLONDON WHO ARE RRRRRRRRREALLY SETTING ENGLAND ON … FIRE: THE FORE!
Last weekend, the lads had a fab show in LondonTown — one that had some great perks with it. Lemme share what Spencer (bass/vocals) told me a coupla days ago:

“The sun was shining, we played like a well oiled machine and the crowd really loved it. We’re picking up quite a few fans now in Sutton and it’s great seeing that, whilst we’re still selling plenty of albums we are seeing more and more people singing along with the songs. Mad huh?
The Fore have become a familiar friend to everyone in Sutton and we must be household names by now. We also hear rumours (form no less than 6 different sources) that a Fore song was played Saturday morning on a prime national FM radio station (Absolute FM). On top of this, the former guitarist of indie band The Babyshambles (2006/7’s ‘IN BAND’ without a shadow of a doubt) saw us play and wants to throw his weight behind the band and record us in his London studio!”

If you haven’t done it yet (and you oughtta!), come on and join us here at the ForeFront! Just click this link and dig into the greatest UK band since that famous Invasion a few decades ago!!

HOLY COW! DIDJA SEE WHAT TIME IT IS??Man, I’ve been so busy gettin’ things caught up webwise that I forgot to check! So I’m gonna do what Dr. K and even “Dr. Hannabuss” says and get some rest!