the Rock Report

In 1971, John and Rod each produced a side of Baldry’s most popular album, It Ain’t Easy (it made the top 100 of the US album charts). It featured “Don’t Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll” which became his most successful song in the states (his first tour of America was at this time).

In the late ’70s, Baldry was institutionalized for mental health problems. His 1979 album, Baldry’s Out, was recorded after his release — and was touted to be the public announcement of both his release and his homosexuality.

John played his last live show in Columbus, Ohio, on 19 July 2004, at Barristers Hall with guitarist Bobby Cameron. The duo played to a small group, with some coming all the way from Texas. His final British tour was with ‘The Long John Baldry Trio’ — the last performance being on Saturday, 13 November, 2004 in  Norfolk, England.

He last recorded with the Stony Plain label and his 1997 album, Right To Sing The Blues, won the award for Blues Album of the Year in the Juno Awards of that year.

John died on 21 July 2005, in a Vancouver hospital (he’d moved there years before) of a chest infection.  Despite his lifestyle (and he could be rather bold about it), the man had a commanding stage presence and singing style.  He was instrumental in not only the growing blues movement in the UK during the ’60s, but brought quite a few future superstars to the limelight.  If you ever get a chance to pick up one of his albums, do it … ’cause you’re in for some great music …

AUTISM SPEAKS

Autism Speaks — an organization that works on behalf of children with the disorder — held a fantastic and memorable Concert for Autism Tuesday night in Carnegie Hall.

This year’s event featured comedian Jerry Seinfeld, with a special appearance by … “The Boss”, Bruce Springsteen. Hosted by NBC’s Meet the Press moderator, David Gregory, the event benefits the families and individuals who live with autism every day by supporting research, awareness and family services initiatives.

Jamie Foxx, Ellen DeGeneres, Tina Fey, Conan O’Brien, Seth Rogen, Martha Stewart, Katie Couric, Meredith Vieira, Glenn Close, Céline Dion, Will Ferrell, Edie Falco, Troy Aikman and Harry Smith were just a few of the committee members supporting this unprecedented, one-of-a-kind event. Serving as the evening’s honorary co-chairs were Sir Elton John, Senator Al Franken,  and Donald and Melania Trump.

Now, I’ve worked with autistic children over the years, and can tell you that they’re some of the most talented, genuine and loving kids you’d ever wanna know.  And it’s very cool to know that some of America’s top talent are involved in the fight against autism!
Wanna know more?  Just click into their Autism Speaks website and find out how you can help out!!

Okay … that’s all for this edition.  But stay tuned, ’cause there’ll definitely be more coming up in about 24!  Until then, remember to keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side.

This is Part II of our post on Long John Baldry.

We left off with the blues giant’s  Steampacket and, when it folded, Bluesology and Elton John.
In 1968, when that band called it quits, Baldry continued his solo career and Elton John formed a songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.

In 1969, Elton tried to commit suicide after relationship problems with a woman. But, thankfully, Taupin (who’s straight) and Baldry (who’s openly gay) found him. Long John talked him out of marrying the woman and helped make Elton comfortable with his sexuality. In fact, his later hit, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy) was about the experience.

Baldry was openly gay during the early 1960s when homosexuality was still considered a serious moral crime. He supported Elton in coming to terms with his own sexuality and, in 1978, his album, Baldry’s Out, made his sexual orientation official as such. In fact, he addressed the issue on one of the album’s cuts, “A Thrill’s a Thrill”.

Now, we’ll be heading into Part III and the latter part of Baldry’s career in tomorrow’s post. Until then, grab the popcorn, sit back and dig the music, because this vid’s got Baldry’s Hoochie-Coochie Men (along with 19-year-old Rod Stewart singing counterpoint and much lead) doing Up Above My Head. (No, I don’t know why they keep re-playing the motorcycle clip. Been better with one of the band, right? Still, the music’s great)

See ya on the flip side.

Okay … now that we know Steven Tyler has left his post as front man for Aerosmith, what’s gonna happen to rest of the band?

As I reported on another post, Tyler’s gotten quite a rep for letting this “success” stuff go to his head — and, now, after the fall in Sturgis and his “less-than-100%” work on their last shows, he’s trying to put something together on his own.
But, according to lead guitarist and legend Joe Perry, they’re not gonna split just because he’s gone.

“As far as replacing Steve, it’s not just about that, it’s also four guys that play extremely well together, and I’m not going to see that go to waste. I really don’t know what path it’s going to take at this point, but we’ll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer and then we’ll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch.”

Apparently, they’ve just found someone, but they’re keeping it all under wraps for the time being.

HOWEVER …

It’s a different story for Brian May and the kings of Queen. They’ve allegedly found who they want to replace the late Freddie Mercury in the band (they’d already tried with Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers, but it apparently didn’t work out).

The new singer’s said to be the flamboyant runner-up on last season’s American Idol — the eccentrically gay Adam Lambert. Now, I’m not knockin’ his preference (though I don’t dig “that” scene), but, if the three surviving members of Queen hire him on, then the first sound you hear won’t be Brian’s guitar but the band shooting itself in the foot.

Y’see, this kid’s got an ego that’s sky high — and has hardly worked is way up from the trenches as Freddie did. That means he could end up playing rock “diva” whilst turning in less-than-perfect shows. Obviously, that could turn the three seasoned pros against him, and break up the reunion attempt.

And, though we all suspected Mercury of being “closet-free”, he still kept his private life just that: private! But Lambert, being a veritable rookie who hasn’t put in nearly as much time and effort into his career, is flamboyant about his preferences. That can hurt an established band like Queen.

In other words, there are some artists who just can’t be adequately replaced. And Steven Tyler and Freddie Mercury are two of them, IMHO.

Well, that’s it for now … but stay tuned, ’cause there’ll be more coming up sometime Tuesday evening! ‘Til then …

I’ll see ya on the flip side.

Ummm … am I missing something here??

As I recall, when superpopper Michael Jackson died, his father, Joke … er, Joe, decided it was time to announce his big “record label” venture (funny … didn’t seem to mention small things like “grief” or anything that we-who-were-born-with-hearts do). He made us think he was a real entrepreneur … and was headin’ for the big time again!

Then why did he have to go to court this past Friday, asking that Michael’s estate pay him over $20G a month-plus in living expenses? (Now, remember: Michael’s will specifically left out his father.) A judge refused to let him have an immediate hearing, so it’s a pretty safe bet he’s not going to get a dime from the estate (and who says the court system doesn’t work?? IMHO, let “Mr. MoneyBags” work for a living, like millions of others do).

Even though Michael’s father didn’t get his way (fortunately), it’s not keeping his brothers from cashing in on the Pop King’s death.
Y’see, four of the remaining Jackson brothers (Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito. Randy had enough sense to stay out of it, I guess …) will star in a new reality series on the A&E channel called “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty.” So far, only six episodes have been ordered. The show supposedly follows the brothers getting ready for their tour then dealing with Michael’s death. It’s due to premiere on 13 December (I’m guessing it’ll be good for at least a couple of episodes before the fans catch on …).

Have ya ever wanted (or tried) to trace your family roots?

Almost two years ago — after learning the Big Secret that’d been held from me for decades — I hired a genealogist to shake the family tree as hard as possible and see where this Hinson madness really came from.
I mean, I was told we were Norwegian by decent descent, and that we wouldn’t leif Eriksen alone until he put us on his ship to America. (His shiplist? Word sounds similar to the list I’ve been on many times …)

Welll, the genealologicolical dude said, ” … it’s partly true. Your ancestors lived in Norway until the 13th Century. Then they moved to England, where they lived until the late 1800’s.”
Impossible. We lived there that long … without being kicked out??? WOW … are these folks patient!

He went on. “Your particular family came from a John Hinson (prob. w. name variation) near the town of Hereford (near Worcester). From there, they moved to London, then proceeded to America, prob. by way of Liverpool.

You, therefore, have more British blood in you than Norse and, considering the date of John Hinson’s arrival in America, possibly more British than American.”

I’m glad he prob.ed that for me, actually. But that last line was a kicker. Yeah, I really love the UK — it’s truly a mix of old-world charm, ingenuity of the modern world — and wonderful people. Not only that, but it has some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northern Hemisphere.
But, yardbirds, this writer’s an American … and, whilst I admire the British with every ounce of my being, quite proud of it!

Still, it’s quite an honour to know that this leg of Hinsonia got its footing there …

Well, that’s all I’ve got for this round, but stay tuned … there’ll be more on-board in less than 24!  So, until then, remember to 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 …

Well, yeah … according to the Q Awards, Marianne Faithfull is considered a living icon (they named her that after saying she has an “enduring influence upon the music world”).Oooooookayyyy … if you say so ….IMHO, the lady is one helluva survivor … no, make that winner in life’s field.  I mean, without question, has had more than her share of bad bumps in the road whilst traveling this musical highway:  drugs, booze, Jagger, breast cancer, hepatitis C, and more.   And, granted, her voice needs just a bit of dusting off — after all, ya can’t go through all that she has and come out without at least a little wear-and-tear.  

But … icon??  Just because she’s gone through hell and back, continued to make albums and fill some great gigs and come back on the charts with Easy Come, Easy Go, and …

Come to think of it … she is!!   But as far as being an “enduring influence”?  When ya look at the likes of Carrie Underwood, Joss Stone, Imogen Heap, Taylor Swift,  Adele … and … hear … how … they …

Okay … I stand corrected …

WINEHOUSE MISSES THE MARK

At the same show, our fave rehab occupant, Amy “I-Live-My-Last-Name” Winehouse, was supposed to present an award to The Specials (Q Inspiration Award) but … in true AW fashion … missed her cue twice.

Not to worry, though … she eventually turned up on stage … after the band had accepted their award!

Now, like Marianne in her hey-day, this woman does have a decent, sorta-sultry voice.  But unlike Ms. Faithfull, this Wine House refuses to leave behind all the crap that’s screwing her up! 
It’s already cost her a marriage, jail and rehab time, and thousands of fans who are pretty much saying “When you’ve come to yer senses, look us up.  We’re over in the (Heap, Underwood, etc.) camp now …”

One more thing I noticed:  Spandau Ballet won the award for “Q Idols”  – even though they’ve just recently reunited after a 20-year hiatus!  From what I’ve been hearing, though, their stage presence hasn’t rusted a bit … and their songs are still as fresh as they were in 1989!

Okay … my quarter’s just about up (and so is my lunch break), so I’ll see ya in about 24!  Yeah, it’s on the …
FLIP SIDE!

It’s one of those weird shows that makes ya think “hmmm … why didn’t they think of this for real?”

But it’s actually a 38-minute run through the fantasies of every Democrat  (or whoever disagrees with the shi. … er, mess … that the Bush Administration left us with). 

Created by Roger Rudenstein, this romp (which would almost suit a Monty Python episode) takes the former Prez and his sidekick, Cheney (or wuz it the other way around??  I forget …) through a trial conducted by my ex-wife’s father (the Devil) along with the Grand Inquisitor (not to be confused with the Grand Poobah, who’s still torturing souls with Flintstones) and (of all people!) Angelina Jolie (now, the blurb I had said her part was played by a lookalike … ‘course, they’ve gotta be kiddin’, ’cause noooobody looks like Angelina [well, except for that strange bagboy down at m’ local grocer’s]).

Now, if ya wanna (I kinda like that pic to yer right … somehow, it just … seems … fairrrrr!) as I was sayin’:  If ya wanna get a free shot of the trial (meaning, you can download it for free!), just go here and dig in!
BTW, if you want some really hilarious stuff, be sure to register for their updates …

NOW … ON TO OTHER THINGS

Ireland’s legendary rockers, the Cranberries, have reunited and will be performing at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Riviera Theatre in Chicago, and Club Nokia in Los Angeles soon.  I don’t have the dates yet, but, undoubtedly, the fans are in for some great shows!  Let’s just hope they keep it together this time, huh?

And the remaining members of Wolfmother have announced a huge world tour in support of their upcoming new album Cosmic Egg.  The Australian-based Heavy Metal revivalists hit U.S. stages in Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, California, then take it overseas to Glasgow, Scotland.

ONE MORE THING:  In keeping with the renovations goin’ on, you’ll find the double-E chained to … er, behind the desk at the newly-renamed ForeWord Enterprises.  What was PressOne has changed to reflect the two parts of my career:  U.S. Press Officer for the dynamite UK band The Fore, and a journalist who … well, who’s rather wordy!

Anyway, more about that later. 

Check ya on the flip side tomorrow, okay??

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 …

Eight years ago, on a dark and stormy night in A-Town, I’d just finished the first edition of a hand-held (hmph … sounds more timely.  Usedta be “hard-copy”) newspaper called The Window and didn’t wanna just twiddle thumbs (well, if they’d been mine, maybe …).  Realizing that newspapers have the mystical power of stimulating cats’ bladders, I wanted to build one that would be impervious to the incontinent. 
 
TA-DAAAAA!!!  Enter the Great Internet Newspaper,  a sort-of-literary speed-bump on the info superhighway!! It lasted for all of 312 weeks!  And it apparently caught on pretty well, because, by the time all was said and done, the ’spaper netted around 35,000 faithful followers each month (I assume they were faithful.  Dunno if Letterman or Gosselin were readin’ it or not …).

Due to endeavour-overload (sounds like a NASA phrase, for some reason …), I hadta close shop in 2006 with the promise to readers that it’d be back just as soon as the smoke cleared a bit.

Suddenly, all the cheering stopped … Anyway,

It’s back online as promised (awright … just cussed me out??) with news from both sides of the Atlantic and other articles that no cat can pee on.  And, since I just put it back online, there’ll be a lot more added to it as time goes on!
In this issue (and, btw, each one will be archived [andnoitsnotablog]) you’ll find The Fore, Ron Ryan, Look To The Stars, Marge Simpson naked, strange news (other than the preceding), quotes, links and more!

So here’s yer invite to join in the fun!  But, ABOVE all, keep yer dial set Right HERE … because this is where the rock’s gonna thrive, beyond nine-to-five,  stayin’ alive and in overdrive!
Now … enough jive … I fergot to give ya the link to the site: Just click greatinternetnewspaper.com … and yer there (no ads, pop-ups or coffee served …)

Okay … that’s it for my little off-subject thang. So, until tomorrow, when we get back to the bidness of Rocque and Rolle …
see ya on the flip side.

First up: We’ve just gotta give some industrial-strength kudos to Peter Criss, who just dropped some 411 into the mix by admitting he was diagnosed with breast cancer last year … but, thanx to early detection … has beaten the monster!

Natch, we’re thankful … but, infinitely more importantly, Pete has sounded a “wake-up call” throughout this breast cancer awareness mega-cause!

Yes, men can get it!! When they do, they gotta drop the macho BS and get treatment – otherwise, it can spread out and kill them as any other cancer could!

Dudes (yeah, I’m talkin’ to you!!), lemme ask ya: If you’ve been diagnosed as either at-risk or actually havin’ this disease, which is better: Bein’ so damned concerned with your “manly, robust, macho” image that you don’t get any treatment, or wantin’ to live badly enough to swallow yer friggin’ pride and “gettin’ ‘er done”??

Pete, you deserve mega props for bringin’ that out into the open and reminding us male people of this human species that, yeah … it can happen to us!
Great to know yer in remission, mate … hope ya have a lonnnng, healthy and rockin’ life!

Speakin’ of the big “C”, Shelby Singleton, aged 77, who bought Sun Records from Sam Phillips, died this past Wednesday from brain cancer.

After buying the label, e added greats like Roger Miller and Ray Stevens to his roster and songs like Bruce Channel’s “Hey! Baby” (the song — known for its harmonica backing — was the one that influenced John Lennon to add the instrument to Love Me Do).
Shel also produced hits on his own, like Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

While we cheer Pete Criss on during his remission, we also send condolences to Shel’s family and cohorts. The man was truly a legend and, without his influence, the country-music airwaves would’ve ended up sounding a mite different.

Okay … that’s all for this early go-round, but I’ll be back shortly with more, so stay tuned …

In the meantime, whether you’re a guy or gal, take a page from Peter Criss’ adventure and get that all-important check-up! Ya wanna keep yerself alive and well and on planet Earth for as long as ya can! After all … THE PARTY’S JUST STARTING!!

First of all, gotta ’splain why I’ve been away. Seems I’ve got some of those “piggy flu” symptoms, and been tryin’ to rest a bit. (I had bird flu last year and got tweetment. Reckon if this is the swine thing, they’ll probably just give me some oink-ment.)
Ahem … let’s move on:

Awww, c’mon … you’ve gotta know who the dude is in the pic, right??
Suuuuuuuuure … it’s Elvis Presley’s illegitimate son … IF you believe the line of bull he’s tryin’ to serve to the Supreme Court!

Actually, Ernest Young believes he’s actually Jason Presley, the son that Elvis never mentioned because his “dad” knew it’d be poison for his career!
The 52-year-old kook was declared incompetent back in 2006 after two medical examiners told the court that he thinks he’s the heir to the Presley fortune (among other things).
He’s accused of threatening several judges on different occasions for … er, refusing to file murder charges against people he believes conspired to kill Elvis.
Just yesterday, he filed a lawsuit for a DNA test to prove he’s heir to the King’s throne. Natch, it was thrown out …

However, Elvis’ now-17-year-old grandson, Benjamin (the real relative, seein’ as how his mum, Lisa Marie, is Presley’s only daughter), has been offered a $5 million, five-album deal by Universal Music.
But the kid isn’t trying to ride on grandpa’s sequined jacket-tails. “The music will be nothing like Elvis, nothing like him at all,” he said.

Wait … one more:

Kristopher Presley (otherwise known as [ahem!] “Thug Presley” [yes, he’s a rapper wannabe!]) is outta prison now. He was charged back in ‘04 with using his car to kill a guy outside a mini-mart in Las Vegas.
“Thug” is actually a cousin by way of Elvis’ dad, Vernon.

Man, and you think your family’s weird …

Well, gotta hit the bricks in about four (yes, long night! Ever try to sleep with this gunk in yer epiglottis?? It just doesn’t work!). But I’ll be back later this evening with more … so stay tuned …