June 1 -10, 2006

These 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!

June 1, 2006

Guitarist Ronnie Wood (most notably of The Rolling Stones, Faces and Jeff Beck Group) is 59.

On this day in 1964, The Rolling Stones arrived at JFK Airport in New York for their first American tour. Their first U.S. gig was a high school dance near Boston. [Trivia note: The Stones' arrived on British Airways flight 505, which later inspired their 1966 song "505".]

On this day in 1967, The Beatles released one of the most ground-breaking albums in the history of Rock & Roll — "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Two days later, it was unleashed in America.

On this day in 1975, The Rolling Stones did their first gig with Ronnie Wood as an official member.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of George Thorogood & The Destroyers as well as Joe's brand new conversation with George. (Nice caps on those boys!)

Gilmour Calls Out The Stones

Pink Floyd singer/guitarist David Gilmour has had just about enough of The Rolling Stones, and he thinks it's past time they went away. In an interview with a U.K. newspaper, David said that earning as much money as he's done in his career "is extraordinarily perverse" and "obscene" compared to what doctors, nurses, and teachers are paid, and he added that The Stones embarrass themselves by working just for money. "I think it's ridiculous, actually. Mick (Jagger) and Keith (Richards) should get a life. It's like a strange, sexual compulsion. How much do they need? I think a lot of it is the applause. It's a powerful drug, 50,000 people appearing to adore you." He also said, "I'm a big Stones fan, but they haven't done anything that matches their earlier stuff in years. As Bob Dylan shows, it doesn't have to be that way. He can still come up with material that is completely new and interesting. (Pink Floyd) never wanted to pretend we were anything other than nice, middle-class boys. We never pretended to be working-class, like Mick." Well said by the man who turned down a reported $200 million offer for a Pink Floyd tour following the band's reunion at last summer's Live 8 show in London, and he gave away all the royalties he earned from increased album sales after the event.

Who News Release #348

The Who's Pete Townshend is taking exception to the recent conservative interpretation of the band's 1971 hit "Won't Get Fooled Again." The song tops National Review magazine's recently released list of the Top 50 Conservative Rock Songs. Pete says that the political message in "Won't Get Fooled Again" is often misunderstood — the lyrics aren't about disillusionment with revolution, but are offering a warning that taking such action could lead to unplanned and unexpected results. But he admits that Who singer Roger Daltrey's vocal presentation — particularly when he, "screamed as though his heart was being torn out in the closing moments of the song" — gave "Won't Get Fooled Again" a life of its own. Oh, in case you didn't know, Pete also wants you to know that The Who will be touring the States this Fall.

Filling In For Mike

With ace bassist Mike Inez off touring with his recently reunited band Alice in Chains, Heart needed a fill-in to do some touring. Enter Ric Markmann, best known as the Australian who composed music for the "Wedding Crashers" soundtrack. You can check him out in person when Heart play their only Southland show in early September. Stay tuned!

The Nuge Sues

If you can't shoot 'em, sue 'em! Ted Nugent is seeking over $1 million from an insurance firm that he alleges improperly handled the removal of mold and bacteria from his Concord, Michigan home in 2003. Tedly is looking for compensation for the usual emotional and physical distress, plus a loss of property value and other damages. The guitarist and his clan now reside in Crawford, Texas where only the politics, not the houses, grow moldy.

Quote of The Week

It was General George S. Patton who said, "Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom."

E-mails Worse Than Pot

A 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?

June 2, 2006

Drummer Charlie Watts, the heart & backbeat of The Rolling Stones, is 65.

On this day in 1973, Paul McCartney & Wings' "My Love" hit #1 as "Daniel" by Elton John peaked at #2.

On this day in 1984, Van Halen's "I'll Wait" peaked at #13.

On this day in 1993, U2 briefly became the richest group in rock when they inked a 10-year, six-album, $60 million deal with Island/PLG. The deal included a 25% royalty rate, which would certainly buy a lot of Guinness Stout or Bushmill's whiskey.

Unc Joins Hagar/Anthony/Wabos

Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony are formally launching their collaborative Livin' It Up Tour 2006 tomorrow (Saturday) night at the Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen in Devore. Hagar and his band the Wabos are headlining the shows, but midway through each set the Wabos bassist will step aside and Anthony will take over as the group morphs into The Other Half. From there on, Van Halen tunes will crank! Hagar has devised the shows to be decked out like a south of the border festival, with food and drink venders and beach volleyball contests amid an atmosphere of mariachi bands, body builders, and bikini-clad women. Yer Unc will be introducing the boys on stage around 7:45... so don't be late!

A Brucely Update

After rocking the Greek Theatre Monday evening, Bruce Springsteen & The Seeger Sessions Band will guest on NBC's Tonight Show With Jay Leno Tuesday and Late Night With Conan O'Brien on June 23rd. Meanwhile, the AOL Music website will stream video footage of one performance from every date on Bruce's current North American tour. The clips are being posted online the morning after each concert.

Michael Helps

Last Thursday, Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony spent time at the San Dimas home of 18-year-old Brian Mammen, an aspiring guitarist suffering from bone cancer. During the visit, which was arranged by the Helping Heroes Productions (an Azusa-based nonprofit organization), Anthony jammed for an hour with Brian and some buddies, playing "Panama" and other classics. In addition, a bass autographed by Anthony and Sammy Hagar will be auctioned at a June 11th benefit for Mammen at St. John Lutheran Church in West Covina. Right so, Mikey!

Long Delayed Crowes

After years of delay, the Black Crowes will issue a double-CD compilation called "The Lost Crowes" on August 29th. The collection will include 26 songs from the sessions for 1993's "Tall" and 1997's "Band," albums that were never officially released. Meanwhile, a DVD version of the Crowes' 1992 concert video, "Who Killed Your Bird Out on That Windowsill," will also hit stores on August 29th.

Holy Horsepower!

This Weekend Only! It's a 2-for-1 deal at the California Speedway! J.B. will be racing the Jim Sleeper-prepared Uncle Joe's Nissan 300ZX on the infield road course at the same time that NHRA Division 7 Super Gas Champion Randy Balough will be rocketing down the brand new California Speedway Auto Club Dragway in his Uncle Joe's Racing Super Gas Corvette! Unc's last race at the Speedway was the biggest of his career (here's the story) and Randy will be debuting his brand new 1050 horsepower engine. Both teams can't wait to let it rip and have a Rock & Roll weekend!

June 5, 2006

Badfinger bassist Mike Evans would have been 59.

On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones released the song "Satisfaction" in the U.S. just three weeks after recording it in a 30-minute session at RCA Studios in Hollywood. It went on to become the biggest song of the Sixties.

On this day in 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy was shot and killed in Los Angeles. David Crosby writes "Long Time Gone" which is immediately recorded by Crosby, Stills & Nash. The next day, The Rolling Stones recorded "Sympathy for the Devil," including the lyric "..who killed the Kennedys...".

On this day in 1976, "Fool To Cry" by The Rolling Stones peaked at #10, "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac peaked at #11, and "Crazy On You" by Heart peaked at #35 on the charts. Whew!

On this day in 1993, Aerosmith's "Living On The Edge" peaked at #18 on the singles chart.

On this day in 2002, Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Colvin) died of an accidental drug overdose in Los Angeles at the age of 49.

On Stage Tonight

Bruce Springsteen and his 17-piece Seeger Sessions Band will be rocking the Greek Theatre and guesting on NBC's Tonight Show With Jay Leno tonight. They'll also be playing on Late Night With Conan O'Brien on June 23rd. Meanwhile, the AOL Music website will stream video footage of one performance from every date on Bruce's current North American tour. The clips are being posted online the morning after each concert.

A Fantastic Floydian Finale

Pink Floyd's latter-day line-up reunited onstage Thursday when drummer Nick Mason made a surprise appearance during the last of guitarist David Gilmour's three solo concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall. Throughout the show, Gilmour and Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright — who is part of Gilmour's current backing band — were joined again by a number of special guests, including David Crosby and Graham Nash. But the hall completely erupted when Nick sauntered on stage and sat down behind the drum kit for "Wish You Were Here"! Remaining in place for the a cappella "Find The Cost Of Freedom," Nick picked up his sticks again to lead the band into "Comfortably Numb." We can only hope they were filming for the DVD!

Keith/Stones Good To Go

It's finally official! The Rolling Stones have announced that guitarist Keith Richards "has made a complete recovery" from his recent accident and the band has rescheduled most of the European concerts postponed because of his injury. The boys will return to the road on July 11th in Milan with their itinerary mapped out through a September 3rd show in Denmark. Additional dates (including, perhaps, a U.S. mini-tour) will be announced soon. In the "official" statement, Keef said: "Sorry to disrupt everyone's plans but now — it's full steam ahead! Ouch!"

Michael's Special Doobies

The Doobie Brothers will reunite with their former frontman, singer/keyboardist Michael McDonald, to perform during the first day of the B.R. Cohn Winery's 20th Annual Charity Fall Music Festival on October 7th in Glen Ellen, California. Former Bad Company/Free/Queen singer Paul Rodgers is also on that evening's bill. The Doobies — McDonald — will also headline the festival the following day.

Fresh Zombies

The Zombies are once again returning to the U.S. stage. Founding members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone will take the latest incarnation of the group on the road for a North American tour following Argent's Summer tour with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band. Stay tuned for dates!

Were Grateful Dead Keyboardists Cursed?

Vince Welnick, a keyboardist for The Tubes, Todd Rundgren and the Grateful Dead, died Friday in Sonoma County at the age of 55. Authorities said the cause of death appears to be suicide. Welnick is the fourth Grateful Dead keyboardist to die prematurely, and the only Grateful Dead keyboardist to live past the age of 40. In 1973 founding keyboard player Ron "Pigpen" McKernan died at the age of 26 from liver disease, while his replacement, Keith Godchaux, was killed in a car accident in 1980 — two days after his 32nd birthday. Brent Mydland worked with the band throughout the Eighties, and died at the age of 37 of a drug overdose in 1990. Welnick joined the Grateful Dead in 1990, playing with the band for five years before the death of lead singer Jerry Garcia.

Quote Of The Week

It was Gandhi who said: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Who's Counting?

850 peanuts are needed to make an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter.
95% of the entire lemon crop produced in the U.S. is from California and Arizona.
A one-kilogram package of sugar will have about 5 million grains of sugar.

June 6, 2006

Guitar god Steve Vai is 46.

On this day in 1962, The Beatles entered London's Abbey Road Studios to audition for producer George Martin. He signed the group the following month, and the world was changed forever.

On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" hit #1 on the U.S. singles charts.

On this day 1968, The Rolling Stones reworked the song "Sympathy for the Devil" to reflect the recent assassination of Robert Kennedy.

On this day in 1969, Rod Stewart signed a contract as a solo artist with Mercury Records while he was still the lead singer for The Jeff Beck Group.

On this day in 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released "Teach Your Children" as "Up Around The Bend" by Creedence Clearwater Revival peaked at #4 on the charts.

On this day in 1972, David Bowie released his classic "The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album.

On this day in 1975, The Rolling Stones released their "Made in the Shade" greatest hits compilation.

On this day in 1976, Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak" album was released.

On this day in 1982, over 85,000 packed the Rose Bowl for the Peace Sunday concert that featured, among others, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne and Stevie Wonder. Do you know someone born in April 1983? It took forever to get out of the parking lot that night!

On this day in 1987, Genesis became the first group in the history of rock to spend a full year on America's Top 100 singles chart with tracks from just one album. "Invisible Touch" was the album, and the streak began when the album's title song entered the charts on this day in 1986.

On this day in 1987, "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi peaked at #7 on the charts.

On this day in 1989, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble released their classic "In Step" album.

On this day in 2002, following an eight-year battle with AIDS, Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby died at the age of 42.

New Eagles Coming (Sort Of)

The long-awaited new Eagles album is on the (distant) horizon — but the boys are all in good humor about it! In a BBC interview last week, singer/drummer Don Henley said they're trying to get the album finished this year. Singer/bassist Timothy B. Schmit said that was possible but not really likely, to which Henley replied, "More realistically, we're looking at February or March of next year." Uber goofball/singer/guitarist Joe Walsh added, "We don't do anything 'til we have to," and singer/guitarist Glenn Frey joked, "We're gonna put the 'dead' in deadline." Fortunately, no one debated Henley's announcement that the album's title is "The Long Road To Eden." Stay tuned!

Who Update #471

OK, The Who haven't announced any U.S. tour dates yet. But PeteTownshend.com has posted a few pictures and videos of their rehearsals, which began in England last week. Pete says, "We are knocking the old Who show from the 2004 tour into shape" for their first show, which will be the Teenage Cancer Benefit in London this week. Then they'll begin rehearsing the "mini-opera" that Pete wrote, and may add "a few 'rarities' to spice up the Summer shows."

Honors To Mr. & Mrs. Young

Neil Young and his wife, Pegi, were given honorary degrees by San Francisco State University during its May 25th commencement ceremonies. The couple was recognized for their work with the Bridge School, a nonprofit facility which Pegi co-founded that aids children with severe physical and speech impairments. This year's Bridge School benefit all star concerts, which Neil organizes, have been scheduled for October 21st and 22nd in Mountain View. Stay tuned for the line-up announcement.

Beatles/Vegas/Cirque/Love

The Beatles-endorsed Cirque Du Soleil show, "Love," is currently in rehearsals at the Mirage Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. The show takes place on an expressly built "in the round"-style stage with a sound system featuring 6,305 speakers — including one in every seat. Famed Beatles producer Sir George Martin and his son, Giles, made the music for the show using Beatles demo tapes and original masters from the vaults. Songs include retooled versions of "Strawberry Fields Forever" and a mix using George Harrison's vocals from "Within You, Without You" with the music of the "Revolver" song "Tomorrow Never Knows." The show is being described as a mix of Dr. Seuss, Salvador Dali and "Yellow Submarine" with the eye-candy costumes, acrobatics and choreography of Cirque Du Soleil. "Love" will premiere to the paying public on June 30th.

Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp

The next Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp is set for August 13th through the 17th in New York. Featured appearances will include George Thorogood, Yes vocalist Jon Anderson, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, former Grand Funk Railroad frontman Mark Farner and former Allman Brothers Band singer/guitarist Dickey Betts. Counselors will include Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, former Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau and former KISS fill-in Bruce Kulick. While the extravaganza will cost $8,499 to attend, you will get a t-shirt.

Dumbest Drivers Are In Northeast

Oregon drivers answered the most questions correctly and the tiny state of Rhode Island still ranks rock bottom in terms of driving knowledge, according to a national test conducted by GMAC Insurance. Based on average scores, northwestern states generally ranked highest while the bottom-ranking states were mostly in the northeast. Somehow, California ranked 14th. The 20-question test was based on questions asked in state driver's license examinations. The test and an accompanying survey were completed by 5,288 licensed drivers including at least 100 from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Fortunately, a live test of parallel parking ability was not included.

June 7, 2006

Tom Jones and Prince — one turns 66 and the other 48, you figure it out.
Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro is 39.

On this day in 1969, The Who's "Tommy" album entered the U.S. charts. On this day one year later, they performed "Tommy" in its entirety (for the last time until 1989) at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. No significant damage to the Opera House was reported, but there were several dazed individuals in the audience!

On this day in 1969, Blind Faith debuted with a free concert for over 120,000 fans in London's Hyde Park. The "supergroup," which featured Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton, split up a few months later after one album and one tour.

On this day in 1975, Elton John's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" album debuted on the U.S. chart at #1 — the first time an album entered the chart at the top spot.

On this day in 1994, Boston released their third album, "Walk On."

Mojo Awards

"Mojo," the U.K. music magazine, is one of the best music-intensive publications on the planet, and the annual Mojo Honours List ceremony has become a huge event in jolly old London. Monday night's gala featured Sir Elton John's induction into the Mojo Hall of Fame. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour also received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Queen's Brian May accepted the Les Paul Award and The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde was honored with the Songwriter Award. You can count on many, many saucy stories of the event in the next issue!

Heather's Naughty Bits

Sir Paul McCartney is reportedly holed up in his English farmhouse, shocked to learn his estranged wife, Heather Mills-McCartney, posed for a series of pornographic photos for a 1988 German sex manual. Called "The Joys of Sex," the publication reportedly contains explicit, raunchy pictures, including Mills performing sex acts on a man. On Monday, the British tabloid "The Sun" ran a front-page picture of a young, virtually naked Heather Mills showering with a man under the headline "Lady Macca In Porn Shame." Macca is said to be "devastated" by the pictures. Lawyers for Mills-McCartney have admitted that she took part in an erotic photo shoot, but denied that it was pornography. And the fun is just beginning!

Who Update #472

Still no U.S. dates, but The Who's P.R. machine is cranking away. On June 17th, the boys will return to the scene of one of their most famous gigs, England's Leeds University, to officially launch their 2006 tour. The band will reportedly re-create the set that was captured for its revered concert album "Live at Leeds" after a commemorative plaque marking the 1970 event is unveiled.

A Moonie Re-Release

Keith Moon, The Who's legendary drummer, is the subject of two key releases set for next month. Premier Percussion Ltd. has just announced a special limited edition drum kit which will contain the same drum sizes played by Moonie, include the same artwork that adorned the original kit, and retail for about $8,000 — many times the cost of the original (which was destroyed on stage many, many times). Then on July 3rd, Keith's rarely heard solo album "Two Sides of the Moon" will be rereleased with previously unreleased out-takes, special mixes, spoken word and extensive liner notes. Guest musicians include Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Harry Nilsson, Ronnie Wood, Steve Cropper, Joe Walsh and Dick Dale. The crazed drummer, who passed away at the age of 32 on September 7th, 1978, would have celebrated his 60th birthday this August 23rd.

Billy Preston R.I.P.

After being comatose for the past eight months, 59-year-old keyboardist Billy Preston died of kidney failure yesterday while being treated for liver disease in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over his career, Preston played with The Beatles on "Let It Be" and the "White Album" as well as with Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Al Green, Sly & The Family Stone, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Little Richard and Elton John. He recorded and toured extensively with The Rolling Stones, and also wrote the Joe Cocker classic "You Are So Beautiful." No matter what personal demons he fought off at various times in his life, Billy was a musician's musician, and his presence will be missed.

Quote Of The Week

It was Gandhi who said: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Cows! Cows! Cows!

1611: the year the pilgrims brought cows to America

10 million: number of milk cows in U.S. today

920: number of different cow breeds

25 years: average life span for cattle

14: number of times a cow stands up and sits down per day

4: number of stomachs cows have

June 8, 2006

Crooner Boz Scaggs is 62.

On this day in 1968, The Rolling Stones released the single "Jumpin' Jack Flash."

On this day in 1969, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones left/was kicked out of the group. He was soon replaced by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers alumni Mick Taylor.

On this day in 1974, Paul McCartney & Wings' "Band On The Run" hit #1 on the U.S. singles chart.

On this day in 1974, Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman left the band (for the first time) to pursue a solo career.

On this day in 1985, Dire Straits' blockbuster "Brothers in Arms" album entered the charts on its way to nine weeks at #1.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Pink Floyd as well as Joe's conversation with drummer Nick Mason.

Mojo's Top Beatles Songs

I never thought I'd agree with any U.K. music magazine's list of faves, but this one sure is interesting! Mojo magazine's newest issue identifies "A Day in the Life" as the best Beatles song of all time. The publication's list of the Fab Four's 101 best tunes ranks the 1967 hit "Strawberry Fields Forever" at #2, while the legendary "Yesterday" captured the #3 spot. "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Loves You" round out the Top 5. "In My Life" came in at #6, "Something" is #7 followed by "Happiness is a Warm Gun," "Penny Lane" and "A Hard Day's Night." Makes you wonder where "Yellow Submarine" ended up, doesn't it?

A New U2 iPod

If you missed out on getting a U2 iPod when they first came out, you're in luck! The band and Apple have released a new version which, like the original, is black with a red click wheel and has the group's signatures engraved on the back. But the new U2 iPod plays video and has 30GB of storage, as opposed to the original music-only 20GB model. The current version also comes with a coupon for a free 30-minute iTunes video of band interviews and performances and has a list price of $329 — $20 cheaper than the first model.

Metallica Debuts A New One

Metallica played a new, untitled song during its headlining appearance in Berlin on Tuesday. Fans at the show described the number as being about eight minutes long and containing a "killer main riff" as well as "lots of double-bass (drum) parts." As it did on the first two dates of its current European tour, the band also played its classic 1986 album "Master Of Puppets" in its entirety about halfway through the 19-song set. Metallica will head back into the studio to resume work on its ninth studio effort after completing this Summer's festival run.

CDB's Sparky Joins Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd have hired former Charlie Daniels Band member Mark "Sparky" Matejka to be their third guitarist, taking over for the departed Hughie Thomasson. You can see how he blends in on the weekend of July 14th -16th. That's when Skynyrd's June 30th Milwaukee Summerfest concert will be featured in a three-part CMT special.

Insider's Story Of KISS

Former KISS drummer Peter Criss' ex-wife is ready to kiss and tell. Lydia Criss' autobiography, "Sealed with a KISS," chronicles her life as the spouse of the band's drummer during the group's rise to fame. The book includes more than 1,500 photographs of the band that have never been published before (hopefully none of Gene Simmons naked). "Sealed with a KISS" will be available exclusively through lydiacriss.com by late Summer.

Geographic Factoids

* Bosom, Wyoming is actually a town with two peaks.
* Mount Derby, Colorado is hat shaped.
* Sodom, Vermont changed its name to Adamant, Vermont in 1905 by people who shuddered at the thought of having their incoming mail addressed to Sodom. No word on who originally came up with the name, but you have to figure... well, you can take that where ever you want.

June 9, 2006

Les Paul, guitar god and major inventor, is 91.

Former Deep Purple/Whitesnake keyboardist Jon Lord is 65.

Jimi Hendrix's drummer, Mitch Mitchell, is 59.

Bassist Trevor Bolder, of David Bowie's Spiders From Mars, is 56.

Gregg Bissonette, drummer for Santana, Joe Satriani, Don Henley and David Lee Roth, is 47.

On this day in 1973, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones peaked at #42 on the charts.

On this day in 1977, George and Patti Harrison (the inspiration for the song "Layla") were granted a divorce. Soon after, she married George's best friend, Eric Clapton.

On this day in 1979, "Renegade" by Styx topped out at #16 on the charts.

On this day in 1984, "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry of Journey peaked at #3 on the charts.

On this day in 1987, over 20 guitar legends packed New York's Hard Rock Cafe to celebrate the 72nd birthday of guitar pioneer Les Paul. Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Rick Derringer were among the attendees who jammed on stage. Regrettably, a recording of the event was never released.

T.P.'s Set To Go

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers will kick off their Highway Companion tour in Charlotte, North Carolina tonight. The first leg of the tour will also feature former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio as well as Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks on the first eight shows — including the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. T.P. & The H.B.s will also play three two-night stands with Pearl Jam. In mid-August, they'll share the bill with The Allman Brothers Band. Besides getting them out of the house for the Summer, the purpose of the tour is to celebrate Tom and his band's 30th anniversary as well as promoting their next album, "Highway Companion," which is due in stores on July 9th. Southland dates will be announced soon!

Steely McDan

Steely Dan and singer Michael McDonald's tour has the absolute best name of the year: Steelyard "Sugartooth" McDan (and the Fab-Originees.com) Tour! The Dan's Walter Becker and Donald Fagan haven't really figured out what they'll be doing with their former singer on the road this Summer, but that's the way they want it. Walter says that they're going to let their on-stage efforts, "evolve sort of organically." McDonald contributed to the "Katy Lied," "The Royal Scam" and "Aja" albums, and Becker says, "It's such a natural collaboration it seems to me there's just so many ways it can work." Sounds like some improv will start things out when the boys' tour begins in Milwaukee on July 7th!

Genesis Reunion?

Phil Collins has dropped another big hint about a possible Genesis reunion. The singer/drummer, who took over as the band's frontman after Peter Gabriel left in 1975, says that he and Gabriel, as well as keyboardist Tony Banks and guitarists Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett, have been discussing working together again sometime in the next few years. If the five of them can't make it happen, there's also a chance Collins, Rutherford and Banks would re-team as a trio. Phil says he'd take part in a Genesis reunion, "with the drop of a hat," but says that other band members have commitments keeping them tied up through next year. However, don't be surprised if something happens this Fall. Phil, Mike and Tony plan to get together this October, "the three of us just playing around, jamming." Stay tuned!

Allmans Benefitting

The Allman Brothers Band will perform during the China Care Foundation's annual gala dinner on July 1st in Greenwich, Conn. This year's event is expected to raise more than $1 million for the nonprofit organization, which assists orphaned children in China. Wonder if there'll be a drum solo when desert is served?

Aerosmith Update

Evidently his emergency throat surgery wasn't exciting enough. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler was spotted limping out of a Boston hospital with a cast on his ankle earlier this week. No word on how the injury occurred, but he is a single man again. Meanwhile, singer Rob Thomas, a collaborator with Carlos Santana and the frontman of Matchbox Twenty, has written a track for the album Aerosmith is currently recording. Of course he doesn't really know if the band will use it. "Just because you write a song doesn't mean it's going to wind up on a record," Thomas explains.

A Fake Tyler

Apparently someone is posing as Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler on MySpace.com. According to the band's official fan site, AeroForceOne.com, fans have been sending emails wondering if the singer's MySpace.com pages are, in fact, created by Tyler himself. A post on the site reads: "One that was up recently claims to be Steven Tyler from MA. The person who created this page may think he/she is paying tribute, but is an impostor who is misleading Aerosmith fans." It goes on to say: "Please know that if and when Steven Tyler of Aerosmith decides to create a MySpace page, we'll let you know right here." Between the lines you should be able to read, "Our lawyers are on it."

Quote Of The Week

It was Gandhi who said: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

List of Lasts

* Adrian II (867-872 A.D.) was the last married Catholic pope. He was actually married before he became pope, but refused to adopt celibacy or give up his wife when he ascended the papal throne.

* The last dodo bird died in 1681.

* Beethoven's last symphony was his 9th.

* The last original "Peanuts" comic strip was published February 13, 2000. Coincidentally, creator Charles M. Schultz died the night before.

* The last bare-knuckle fight of pro boxing took place in 1889. John L. Sullivan K.O.'d Jake Kilrain in 75 rounds.

* The last "Playboy" centerfold to have staples was published in 1985. The model was Venice Kong, who had no other significant piercings at the time.

June 10, 2006

Blues legend Howlin' Wolf would have been 96.

On this day in 1964, The Rolling Stones met two of their idols during a recording session when bluesmen Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters stopped by Chicago's Chess Studios.

On this day in 1969, Brian Jones (a psychedelicized victim of the Sixties) was fired from The Rolling Stones, the band he helped form seven years earlier. Of course, on this day in 1969 Brian Jones didn't really know what day it was, and a couple of weeks later he was dead.

On this day in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace A Chance" during their bed-in for peace in the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal (it was room #1742).

On this day in 1978, Eddie Money's "Baby Hold On" peaked at #11 on the charts as "Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan topped out at #19.

On this day in 2004, legendary singer Ray Charles died at his Beverly Hills home from complications due to liver disease. The Albany, Georgia native lost his sight by age 7, but went on to become an accomplished musician, winning 13 GRAMMY awards over the course of his long career. Charles influenced countless artists and was one of the first inductees to enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was only 73.