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 …

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!

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 …

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 …

Man, after what’s been happenin’ in the gig world lately, I dare anyone to say ‘rock is dead’.
We’ve seen (and are seeing) a wealth of Seventies and Eighties’ superstars get back together for some solid stagetime!

Check these out when they pull a venue near you:

1970s Hitmakers That Have Re-Formed:

The Eagles (no, they’re still not speaking to each other!); Fleetwood Mac (without Christine — and Sheryl Crow blew her chance at joining);
Mott The Hoople, Kiss, Van Halen, Little Feat (without the late Lowell George), Thin Lizzy (without the late Phil Lynnot), Foreigner (with only one original member), Queen (of course, without the late Freddie Mercury) and Roxy Music (occasionally).

And those are just some of the more famous ones! Now, since the late 70s showed an increase in punk activity on the Rock-O-Monitor, here are some of those who’ve rejoined to raise the proverbial roof:

Squeeze, The Blockheads (without Ian Dury, obviously), The Slits, The Buzzcocks, Blondie (and Debbie sounds just as delicious as she was back-in-the-day), Stiff Little Fingers, The Pretenders,The Boomtown Rats,The Sex Pistols (occasionally, but trust me; they’ve lost a lot of their verve lately)

Now, let’s not leave out the 80s bands that have reformed:

Echo & The Bunnymen, Gang Of Four, Madness, The Specials, PIL, B-52s (hopin’ they left their Rock Lobster at home. And didja catch their rendition of Love Shack with, of all acts, the “country” duo of Sugarland on the CMA Awards?? Frightening!!), Altered Images, Ultravox, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Bananarama, Kid Creole, Heaven 17, China Crisis, Go West, T’Pau (yep … From Head To Toe), Kajagoogoo,
Flock of Seagulls, James, The Jesus And Mary Chain, The Pixies and Happy Mondays (to name a few).

BANDS WHO REUNITED TEMPORARILY DURING THE PAST YEAR

The Stooges, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, The Police, Magazine and Young Marble Giants

So, apparently, reunions are in this year … and, honestly, most of these bands haven’t lost a note (or any popularity)! Which only proves (again!) what I’ve said all along, people …

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 …

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.

For the second time in two days, I’ve lost a dear friend and compatriot to the Grim Reaper.  Yet, in the wake of their passing come lessons that, I hope we can all learn. This first one, sadly, I was just informed of:

Just a few moments ago, I learned of the passing of Carl Lunsford — close friend, collaborator, popular “heel” wrestler known, in the OCW (and, for that matter, throughout the Southeast), as the Dark Shadow, and one of the finest men who graced Planet Earth.

Carl was the consummate entertainer, and, whether you’re in the squared circle or on a sound stage with kleig lighting and mega-amps, you could learn everything about being an entertainment success by watching this man!

Humble outside the ring (he ran Ashland Vacuum Center, but his fans didn’t know his, er, “alter ego”), a man fiercely in love with his wife, Janet and his kids and grandkids, if you were fortunate to have Carl as your friend, you know he’d be one for life! Inside the ring, the man was pure enjoyment!  He knew how to work a crowd (he told me once, “Chuck, tell your friends to always give the audience what they want.  They’ll lift you up higher than a helium balloon in a hurricane!  And, mannnn, what a rush!”)  This from a guy who’d been in the sports-entertainment business for as long as I’ve been in rock!!
Although, at times, Carl would get so excited he’d stutter, he reminded me, “Man, if you got it, and people want it, give it to ‘em!  And don’t back off or go floppin’ around like a fish if you’ve got bad days.”
Then he told me something that, I swear, I’ll remember until I die:
“SEE, WHEN YOU KEEP IT TOGETHER EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL YOU’RE FALLING APART, AND JUST KEEP THAT BELIEF IN YOU … THAT CONFIDENCE … THEN, BOY, YOU’RE HEADING FOR SUPERSTAR STATUS!!  ‘CAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES!”A gentle man … a quiet, humble, family-devoted soul outside the ring …
but, inside the squared circle, the man was wrestling’s version of The Beatles. 

If you’ve got a few moments to spare, how about liftin’ up some words on behalf of his wife, Janet, and his kids and gran’s, huh??  They’d appreciate it …  

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 …