 May 21 - 31, 2006These are the scripts Joe Benson used on the air at 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles. They all received final editing by Jan Benson, without whom the task would have been far too daunting. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and enjoy! May 21, 2006
Stan Lynch, the original drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, is 51. 
On this day in 1966, Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35" peaked at #2 as "Eight Miles High" by The Byrds topped out at #14. Those were the days! On this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" was the #1 album in the U.S. On this day in 1977, Steve Miller's "Book Of Dreams" album entered the charts. May 22, 2006
Drummer Dallas Taylor, who worked with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, is 70 and glad to be alive. Elton John's longtime collaborator, lyricist Bernie Taupin is 56.
On this day in 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis announced he'd married his 13-year-old cousin Myra. It's a wonder she never appeared in "Playboy." On this day in 1965, The Beatles' "Ticket to Ride" knocked "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits out of the #1 spot on the American charts. On this day in 1971, The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" album, considered by many to be their finest, topped the American charts. On this day in 1976, Steely Dan's classic "The Royal Scam" album entered the charts. On this day in 1997, a reunited Fleetwood Mac taped an "MTV Unplugged" special here in Los Angeles. The concert later became their best-selling "The Dance" album and video. Stand By, History Buffs
It was on this day: 
Another Van Zant's DownLynyrd Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant is recovering from an emergency appendectomy that's forcing him to skip the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Johnny was to have performed at the event with his brother Donnie. The pair, under the name Van Zant, are among the nominees for Top Vocal Duo. The medical setback has also forced Skynyrd to cancel a number of concerts. Health permitting, Johnny will be back in action with Skynyrd in North Carolina this Friday and Saturday. Sammy Hagar DayTomorrow is Sammy Hagar Day in San Bernardino! The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Fire Department and Board of Supervisors will present Sammy with an official document proclaiming May 23rd to be "Sammy Hagar Day." The former resident of San Bernardino County, will open his tour there on June 3rd. Some of the ticket sales for that show will benefit the local Burn Center's efforts to fund a local burn camp for children who are recovering from burn injuries, and to purchase special medical equipment necessary to treat burn injuries. The benefit tickets can be purchased online at SBCounty.gov. Elty Spouts Off (Again)He has been a bit too quiet recently, hasn't he? Well Elton John is finally spouting off again. The hot-tempered icon's most recent obscenity-laden tirade came Saturday night at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Pesky photographers interrupted Sir Elty as he was presenting an award to actor Kevin Zegers for his work in the movie "Transamerica." John briefly interrupted his praise for the 21-year-old actor to lash out at the shutterbugs, using the "F" word twice in sharply observing that "you should be all shot." While giving Zegers the award he also told the young star, "they are a nightmare." No sugar-coating from our Elty! Who's Punching Axl?Even though he has never been a member of Guns N' Roses, designer Tommy Hilfiger is acting just like one. Tommy was reportedly carried out of the New York City club The Plumm by his own security personnel last Thursday night after he threw two punches at singer Axl Rose. The scuffle happened at actress Rosario Dawson's birthday bash where Guns N' Roses were playing an acoustic set for large dollars. Word is that Axl didn't attempt to fight back (because Hilfiger has more lawyers?), but he did fill out a police report and dedicated the song "You're Crazy" to "my good friend Tommy Hilfiger." Talk about a couple of publicity seeking comedians! Alice in Chains Draws 'Em InAlice in Chains kicked off their reunion tour at the Roxy last Friday with a number of special guest appearances. The guys were joined on stage by Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan and Screaming Trees/Queens of the Stone Age vocalist Mark Lanegan. Alice in Chains' mini-tour of the U.S. runs through the end of the month. After that, they'll head to Europe and Japan for festival appearances before returning for a Stateside tour. Petty To Do AustinTom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Van Morrison and former Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan are among the many artists who will perform at this year's Austin City Limits Music Festival. The newest edition of the annual extravaganza will take place September 15th through the 17th in Austin's Zilker Park. More than 130 acts are expected to take the stage during the three-day event.  Quote of The WeekIt was Malcolm S. Forbes who said, "Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are." Top 10 Living Legends of SexThe new issue of "Maxim" magazine lists the Top 10 Living Legends of Sex and although there's plenty of well-known names, an unknown tops the list. According to "Maxim," Umberto Billo, a hotel porter in Venice, Italy, has slept with a staggering 8,000 women! Hollywood Bad Boy Charlie Sheen is #2 on the list with a reported 5,000 conquests, followed by one of the most lucky/homely men in the world, KISS bassist Gene Simmons. Next in line are singers Julio Iglesias and Engelbert Humperdinck, former tennis pro Illie Nastase, Jack Nicholson, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead (!?!), basketball legend Magic Johnson and former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman. May 23, 2006
Robert Moog, the guy who made synthesizers manageable, would have been 72.
On this day in 1970, The Beatles' song "The Long And Winding Road" entered the charts on its way to #1 as their farewell album "Let It Be" set a record with 3.7 million advance orders. On this day in 1979, Tom Petty filed for bankruptcy after MCA bought his old record label and tried to change his personal contract. The result was a new contract and his breakthrough "Damn The Torpedoes" album. On this day in 1979, The Who's excellent documentary "The Kids Are Alright" debuted in theaters. On this day in 1981, John Lennon's song "Watching The Wheels" peaked at #10 on the charts. On this day in 1987, 12 of the 16 former members of The Doobie Brothers gathered for a reunion concert at the Hollywood Bowl to raise money for Vietnam veterans. It marked the first and last time that so many Doobie alumni ever gathered on the same stage.
Three Zeps At OnceKing Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden presented Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones with the prestigious Polar Music Prize yesterday in Stockholm. Zoe, the daughter of drummer John Bonham who died in 1980, accepted on behalf of her father. In accepting the prize, Plant recalled that the group recorded its last album, 1979's "In Through the Out Door," in ABBA's Stockholm studio (though no mention was made of the Zep's legendary interaction with female fans). The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, manager of the Swedish pop group ABBA, who named it after his record label, Polar Records. The prize recognizes excellence and innovation in music, and is typically awarded to a rock and a classical artist. The Zeppelin was chosen for helping define hard rock, and this also marked the first time the award went to a group rather than an individual. Past winners include Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. Billy's Playing For Buck TonightZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and former Byrds guitarist Chris Hillman will be taking part in the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards show tonight as part of an all star tribute to the late Buck Owens. Hillman had considered Owens both a mentor and a friend, and last month also paid his respects to the country legend at his funeral by performing "Turn! Turn! Turn!" at the service. The C.M.A. show will air on CBS-TV from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Rainforest/Stinger RecapSting was joined by Billy Joel, James Taylor and other stars at his annual Rainforest Foundation benefit concert last Friday in New York. The various musicians performed a variety of classic tunes by artists including The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Buffalo Springfield and the Youngbloods. Meanwhile, Sting has confirmed that his new studio album due out in October will feature lute music written by 16th century composer John Dowland. Sounds compelling, doesn't it? Santana's Back At Macy'sCarlos Santana is re-entering the fashion world on the back of his success in footwear. He and his wife, Deborah, will be making an appearance at Macy's in New York on June 5th. This time, its not his shoes Carlos is hyping, it's his new self-titled men's fragrance. Guess it's better to smell sweet than smell feet! Aerobic Cleaning By The Numbers
* Vacuuming – burns 180 calories an hour May 24, 2006
Bob Dylan turns 65 today. Bob has released over 42 albums since his self-titled 1962 debut, and it was he alone that introduced lyrics that meant something to pop music.
On this day in 1963, legendary blues slide guitarist Elmore James died in Chicago of a heart attack at the age of 45. On this day in 1965, John Lennon published his second volume of prose, "A Spaniard in the Works." On this day in 1969, The Beatles' "Get Back" hit #1 on the singles chart. On this day in 1969, The Who released their landmark "Tommy" album in the States. On this day in 1970, founding member/guitar wizard Peter Green quit Fleetwood Mac to become obscure. On this day in 1974, American jazz great Duke Ellington died in New York from cancer at the age of 75. On this day in 1979, fans buying tickets to a Genesis benefit show at the Roxy were shocked to find the band members manning the box office. On this day in 1991, vocalist Gene Clark of The Byrds died in Sherman Oaks at the age of 46.
Ozzy's Cooking?A businessman with a lot of cash paid $117,000 to eat a meal cooked by Ozzy Osbourne at a charity auction in Hertfordshire, England. The Ozz-man's reaction? "I hope that guy knows all I can f**kin' cook is beans on toast!" But they'll be really expensive beans! A Park For JimiDo they know they're 35+ years late? The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Monday to name a new park in the Central Area after Seattle native Jimi Hendrix. The new five-acre park, expected to open this Fall, would be next to a proposed $20 million Northwest African American Museum. Now, the city's only official memorial to Hendrix, who died in 1970, is a rock named after the guitarist in Woodland Park Zoo. Of course you have to admit that there's something poetic about that, though. Oops — Elty Didn't Get Picked Up"Him and Us," Elton John's sitcom about an aging rocker, has not been picked up by ABC-TV. The show, which was to be executive-produced by John, didn't get past the pilot. Do you suppose the rejection will inspire a new song? A Lizzy ReunionEarlier this year, the current members of Thin Lizzy — guitarists John Sykes and Scott Gorham, bassist Marco Mendoza and drummer Michael Lee — saluted the 20th anniversary of group leader Phil Lynott's death with a 20-date European tour called the "20/20 Tour." Now, though nothing is official yet, is sounds like the Thin Lizzy boys will be touring the States this Summer. Stay tuned! Pulse Be Coming SoonThe long-delayed DVD version of the Pink Floyd concert video "Pulse" will finally be released on June 27th. The feature, which originally was issued in 1995 in the VHS format, was filmed during a series of 1994 Floyd shows in London while the band was supporting its last studio album, "The Division Bell." The two-disc set will offer a variety of bonuses, including music videos, a documentary and footage of Floyd performing at the 1996 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Losing/Really LosingIs this a win-win or a lose/really-really-lose situation? The Eat'n Park Restaurant Chain is offering a $100,000 recording contract, a trip to Pittsburgh and a lifetime supply of 'Smiley Cookies' to the runner-up of "American Idol" just to sing their new jingle. There would also be a series of personal appearances in the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia areas for the almost-winner. Sounds like someone's been smoking 'Smiley Cookies.' May 25, 2006
Jazz icon Miles Davis would have been 80.
On this day in 1968, the second Monterey Pop Festival was canceled because of pressure from the local government and citizenry. In the wake of the cancellation, $52,000 was discovered missing from the previous festival's profits and the festival's bookkeeper, Mrs. Sandra Beebe, couldn't be located. The shock! The horror! On this day in 1969, Led Zeppelin and The Who appeared together in concert at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Not one person in the crowd could hear anything whatsoever when the show finally finished. On this day in 1978, The Who performed a second "secret" concert in London for their documentary movie on the band's history, "The Kids Are Alright." That marked Keith Moon's last public performance with the band before his death.  This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Doors as well as more of Joe's conversations with drummer John Densmore, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger.
Slowhand's ComingAs we've been saying, Eric Clapton will be touring the States this Fall. Reports are that he will play at least 22 shows in major cities across North America, beginning in Minnesota on September 16th, and finishing with a two-night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden. No Western U.S. dates have been specifically named yet, but they will be — real soon! A Later Bigger BangAs anticipated, The Rolling Stones have officially announced the postponement of the European leg of their A Bigger Bang tour, originally scheduled to start Saturday. By delaying the start of the tour until July at a venue and city to be announced, they plan on giving Keith Richards time to recover from the concussion and "head" surgery that resulted from his April 27th palm tree incident in Fiji. The rescheduled dates are expected to be announced shortly... Let's just hope this doesn't mess up the boy's yet-to-be-announced Fall U.S. tour! Pete's Talking TrashJust as The Rolling Stones did last year with "A Bigger Bang," The Who are getting ready to tour and release a new album. However, Who leader Pete Townshend says the comparisons end there. "We are not The Stones, so we are not just making another CD to support a tour and vice versa. Today, a lot of what I write might appear to be designed for music theater — it certainly reflects where I am musically. What it clearly does not reflect is where Roger (Daltrey) is today... I think Roger waits for his next 'role' as written by me and hopes he can play it. I am trying to honor Roger's commitment to me, rather than fight any limitations he might think he has. This is a part of the challenge of the moment." Pete will turn in the finished master tapes for the new record on June 28th, which means it will be released in the Fall. Until a better name comes along, they'll be calling the new album "Who2" — and talking trash about The Stones! Why Sir Elty Is Cranky (This Week)Elton John's side projects certainly aren't having a good week. On the heels of ABC-TV passing on his proposed sitcom "Him and Us" comes word that Sir Elty's vampire musical "Lestat" is closing on New York's Broadway after just 39 performances. The show is based on the vampire writings of best-selling author Anne Rice and is up for two Tony Awards. Critics have not been kind to the musical, calling it, "laughable," "deadly dull" and "beyond rescue." John also wrote the music for Broadway's "Lion King" and "Aida," which are both still making money. In the end, I guess two out of three isn't a bad deal. Copeland Passes OnPolice drummer Stewart Copeland's brother, Ian Copeland, died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a long battle with melanoma. Ian founded Frontier Booking International (F.B.I.), which represented The Police, R.E.M., Joan Jett & The Blackhearts as well as other top Eighties bands. He turned 57 on April 25th. Rest in peace. Digging HoffaWord is that the Milford Bakery Company in Milford, Michigan (the town where the FBI is searching for former Teamster's Union leader Jimmy Hoffa's body) can't bake enough Jimmy Hoffa cupcakes. The cupcakes feature a green hand reaching out from the middle of the chocolate cake that's covered with brown frosting and sprinkles to appear like the dirt over Hoffa's grave. Meanwhile, one of the best-selling T-shirts in town reads "The FBI Digs Milford, Do You?" Of course, this might not be the first time jokesters have been knocking them dead in Milford... May 26, 2006
Drummer Levon Helm of The Band is 66.
On this day in 1973, Deep Purple's classic song "Smoke on the Water" entered the U.S. singles charts and the consciousness of the Free World. On this day in 1984, Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark" entered the charts on its way to becoming his biggest hit single ever at #2. Ironically, it was the last song (of over 100) written and recorded for the "Born In The U.S.A." album.
All Hail Ray & IanFormer Kinks singer Ray Davies and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson were among the winners at the 51st Annual Ivor Novello Awards in London yesterday. The British event pays tribute to accomplishments in songwriting. Davies was tapped for the Outstanding Contribution to British Music honor, while Anderson took the International Achievement award. Roddy's Rockin'Sounds like Rod Stewart's return to rock is just about finished. After spending the last few years crooning pop standards, Roddy has recorded versions of Bob Seger's "Still the Same," Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" and Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around and Fell In Love," as well as songs by Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. Word is that the album is about to be mastered for a Fall release. Original Geils One-OffThe J. Geils Band's entire original lineup performed together Monday in their hometown of Boston at a private party celebrating bassist Dick Klein's 60th birthday. That marked the first time the six members played together onstage in more than 20 years! Their brief set included a couple of classics like "Give It to Me." Sad to say, it doesn't sound a tour is in the works. Who News Release #345Just like The Stones, you know The Who is ready to tour when there's a new press release every other day. Yesterday's notice revealed that the forthcoming North American tour will consist of a September 7th through October 10th leg as well as a November 5th through December 5th leg. No cities or venues have been announced (yet), but the band plans to make downloads, webcasts, CDs and DVDs of all of their upcoming concerts available for purchase, and to donate the proceeds to various charities. More Alice DatesYou knew this would happen. Alice in Chains has just announced another set of U.S. concert dates for August. No new Southland shows on the reunion tour yet, but there will be. Stay tuned! Selling John's StuffA letter written by John Lennon to a journalist who accused The Beatles of ripping off black music has sold at auction for $22,000. Lennon's angry, handwritten message says: "Many kids were turned on to black music by us. It wasn't a rip off, it was a love-in." The letter was one of 12 items of Lennon memorabilia under the hammer at Bonhams auction house in London. A copy of the "Sergeant Pepper" album signed by The Beatles sold for about $20,000. However, a black felt hat which Lennon wore in the last official Beatles photo shoot failed to sell — which is good news with my birthday coming up (hint, hint). Memorial DayThanks to everyone who responded to my solicitation for thoughts on Memorial Day. The basic problem is that people increasingly take the holidays we celebrate throughout the year for granted, as nothing more than gimmicks for advertisers and merchandising. Many of us have lost family members, lovers, friends, high school and college buddies to war. Memorial Day was established to honor those men and women who have served, are currently serving, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country and our freedoms. It's also a day to pay tribute to the families whose loved ones died, or were taken captive and never returned. We thank them for shouldering this burden, and for giving us our future at the cost of their own. The idea is that this Monday, before you hit the malls, light up the barbecue or hit the road, STOP for a moment and reflect. Remember the heroes, those who came home and the ones who never made it, all of whom helped build and preserve the American dream. Weekend BBQ FactoidsThe average American consumes about 29.8 pounds of ground beef each year. McDonald's has sold 12 hamburgers for every person in the world. The first fast-food hamburger chain in America was White Castle. It's first restaurant opened in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. As of May 19th, 2003, White Castle had sold 15,245,449,464 hamburgers. It had sold a million by 1923 and a billion by 1952. (McDonald's didn't open until 1955.) May 27, 2006
Bassist/keyboardist Pete Sears, most famous for his work with Rod Stewart and Jefferson Starship, is 57.
On this day in 1962, Bob Dylan released his second album, "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," which contained two all time classics: "Blowin' In The Wind" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." On this day in 1972, Procol Harum's live version of "Conquistador" entered the U.S. singles charts. On this day in 1978, The Rolling Stones' "Miss You," the first single from their forthcoming "Some Girls" album, entered the charts. It went on to become the Stones' third and final #1 hit in the Seventies, and "the song" of the Summer of '78. May 28, 2006
Blues legend T-Bone Walker, credited as being the first to plug in his guitar and turn the blues electric, would have been 96 today. Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty is 61.
On this day in 1966, The Beach Boys incredible "Pet Sounds" album finally entered the charts. On this day in 1969, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and girlfriend Marianne Faithful were arrested in their London home on marijuana possession charges. Yes, she was naked, but why do you ask? On this day in 1976, the Allman Brothers Band broke up in disgust after Gregg Allman testified against his road manager who transported his drugs. On this day in 1977, Bruce Springsteen settled out of court with his former manager, Mike Appel. Their suits and counter-suits had prevented Springsteen from recording for almost two years. On this day in 1983, the second US Festival opened in Devore. Headliners for each day — Van Halen, David Bowie and The Clash — were paid a cool million dollars each. Last reports were that 237 people are still wandering around the hills, looking for their cars! May 29, 2006
Showbiz legend Bob Hope would have been 103 today.
On this day in 1942, Bing Crosby recorded "White Christmas," which went on to become the biggest selling Christmas song of all time On this day in 1971, The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" hit #1 Stateside, while their "Sticky Fingers" stayed at the top of the albums chart. On this day in 1976, Steve Miller's classic "Fly Like An Eagle" album entered the charts. On this day in 1977, Elvis Presley wandered off the stage in the middle of a Baltimore concert, and didn't come back. That marked the first time "The King" used Van Morrison's personal technique for terminating shows. May 30, 2006
On this date in 1964, The Beatles' "Love Me Do" hit #1 in the States. On this date in 1968, The Beatles began recording their "White" album by doing 18 takes of "Revolution 1" (John Lennon was hard to please that day). On this day 1970, the most powerful live album in the history of Rock & Roll, The Who's "Live at Leeds," and The Beatles last album, "Let It Be," both entered the charts. On this date in 1980, bassist Carl Radle, who played in Clapton's Derek & the Dominos, died from a kidney ailment at the age of 37.
David & David & David & GrahamAs expected, David Crosby and Graham Nash joined Pink Floyd's David Gilmour last night at the first of his three sold-out gigs at Royal Albert Hall. But imagine the surprise when David Bowie came on during the encore! The iconic singer received a standing ovation before joining in on Pink Floyd's "Arnold Layne" and "Comfortably Numb." Bowie had heart surgery in June 2004 in the middle of a European tour and has since kept a relatively low profile, especially around London. With the gigs being filmed for a DVD, you gotta wonder if The Thin White Duke will be back tonight? Stevie Joins TomTom Petty & The Heartbreakers will be joined on the first eight dates of their new Highway Companion Tour by their old friend, Stevie Nicks. Stevie will take the stage with the boys to, "...sing a handful of songs each night." No word on whether or not she'll also perform a set of her own. Beatles-Do-Vegas Story #277Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are slated to make a rare public appearance together at next month's opening night performance of the new Cirque du Soleil show "LOVE." The production, based on The Beatles' music, had Macca, Starr and the late George Harrison involved in the project's lengthy development. In addition, the band's longtime producer, George Martin, has been working with the theatrical company as a musical director for the show. "LOVE" will open at The Mirage on June 30th. Previews for the production begin this Friday, and The Beatles-Do-Vegas Story #278 will no doubt surface by tomorrow. Bono's Writing (Again)To paraphrase Keith Richards, when the muse comes calling, you have to be ready to create. Word is that even with his busy schedule, U2's Bono has been taking piano lessons... and he says that he's also been writing new songs after every lesson. He's told several sources that now it's time "to get lost in the music." We say, right so! Pearl Jam DonatingPearl Jam donated a dollar from every ticket that was purchased for last Saturday's concert in Philadelphia to the Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that helps to free wrongfully accused people through DNA testing. The organization has helped free 175 people in its 14 years. Three Great Drummers DrummingDozens of rock stars and their fans made a lot of noise at the first-ever VH1 Rock Honors show Thursday night in Las Vegas. Among the highlights was Foo Fighters leader/Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl joining Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Queen drummer Roger Taylor in a three-kit performance of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions." Damn, that had to be tight! The program begins airing tomorrow night on VH1. Wanna See The Future?Warner Home Video plans to reissue the "director's cut" of Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi classic "Blade Runner" in September. The reissue will only be available for fourth months, after which "Blade Runner: Final Cut" — said to be Scott's final word on the subject — will open in theaters for a limited 25th-anniversary run. Distractions Are Killing Us
Now that the numbers are all in for 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission says that negligent driving (speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving) is the main reason for an increase in highway fatalities. May 31, 2006
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham would have been 58.
On this day in 1969, The Guess Who's "These Eyes" peaked at #6 on the singles chart. On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones recorded "Honky Tonk Women." On this day in 1975, the Eagles released the "One Of These Nights" single.
Queenly MeatQueen guitarist Brian May flew into town last Friday to lay down tracks for the new Meat Loaf album. Brian added his signature guitar on a song called "Bad For Good," which he called "truly epic and... unashamedly massive! And everything that might be expected from Bat 3!" The album is officially called "Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose" and is being produced by famed songwriter/producer Desmond Child who has also worked with Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. Todd Rundgren and the Loaf's longtime songwriting partner, Jim Steinman, also are contributing to the collection which is due out on October 31st. Who News Release #346Just like The Stones, you know The Who is ready to tour when there's a new press release every other day. In the latest release, Who guitarist/leader Pete Townshend says fans shouldn't expect the "Who2" album to be audaciously loud. "My approach on this record is to try to make a sound that is intimate and friendly, not intimidating stadium rock, or sexed-up pseudo-metal." Meanwhile, the Pete-ster confirmed that the recording sessions for the disc wrapped on Friday and the mixing should be finished by mid-June. Carl's ComingFormer Emerson, Lake & Palmer drummer Carl Palmer is doing his first ever solo tour across North America with a new three piece group creatively called The Carl Palmer Band. The trio is doing renditions of some of the instrumental masterpieces done by the Seventies progressive rock super stars sans keyboards. Carl says they've replaced the synthesizers with, "some very powerful guitar interpretations." The "Carl Palmer Celebrates the Music of ELP" tour will visit The Roxy on June 22nd and the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana on June 23rd. Good Dio/IommiRonnie James Dio says that his recent songwriting session with old Black Sabbath mate Tony Iommi was quite productive. Ronnie said, "I think we both said inside to ourselves, 'Damn... I forgot how good he was!'" The boys got together to work on bonus tracks for a forthcoming Dio-era Sabbath box set. Kinda surprising that Sharon Osbourne hasn't made any noise about that project yet. All Hail GramInterviews with The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards and founding Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon are featured in "Fallen Angel," a new documentary about country rock pioneer Gram Parsons, the one-time Byrds member who died in 1973. The film will be screened in select U.S. cities prior to the DVD release on June 20th. Quote of The WeekIt was General George S. Patton who said, "Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." E-mails Worse Than PotA survey of 1,100 Britons has revealed that workers distracted by phone calls, e-mails and text messages suffer a greater loss of IQ than a person smoking marijuana. The constant interruptions reduce productivity and leave people feeling tired and lethargic, according to a survey carried out by TNS Research and commissioned by Hewlett Packard. In 80 clinical trials, the IQ of workers was monitored throughout the day. The IQ of those who tried to juggle messages and work fell by 10 points — the equivalent to missing a whole night's sleep and more than double the 4-point fall seen after smoking marijuana. The IQ drop was even more significant in the men who took part in the tests, which really doesn't seem all that surprising — does it? |
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