August 21 - 31, 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!

August 21, 2006

Bassist/singer Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple fame is 55.
Guitarist/singer Joe Strummer of The Clash would have been 55.
Former Journey drummer Steve Smith is 52.

On this day in 1954, Bill Haley & the Comets broke into the Top 40 with "Shake, Rattle and Roll." Music would never be the same.

On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones' "Out Of Our Heads" album hit #1.

On this day in 1968, Cream's "Wheels Of Fire" album hit #1.

On this day in 2005, Robert A. Moog, one of the most influential innovators in the history of Rock & Roll and the guy whose self-named synthesizers turned electric currents into sound, passed away at the age of 71 at his home in Asheville, North Carolina.

ZZ To Houston's Hall

Being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in '04 was all good for Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard of ZZ Top. Now they've got another honor coming up that involves ludicrous amounts of bodacious barbecue! This Wednesday night "that little ol' band from Texas" will be inducted into the City of Houston's Hall of Fame. They say that the Houston Hall of Fame is full of Houstonians who have played key roles on the national and international scene in categories ranging from sports and music to medicine and politics. Don't know if there's a special hell-raisers category, but the Top's official statement says: "We're thrilled to be recognized by the city we love for doing what we love for all these years. We did a song a while back entitled, 'Heaven, Hell or Houston' and we're now quite convinced that the city is much closer to the former than the latter." This isn't the first time the band was previously awarded the title Heroes Of The State Of Texas, Ambassadors Of Goodwill and Admirals Of The Texas Navy. In addition, they've been deputized in their home county of Harris, as well as in Dallas, Bell and Ector counties, and May 4th, 1991 was declared ZZ Top Day in the entire state. Damn!

Bruce & Bob & Drew

The soundtrack to the upcoming poker-themed film "Lucky You," starring Drew Barrymore, will include two songs each by Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. Word is that the 12-track disc will feature the Boss' "Lucky Town" and "The Fever," while Dylan apparently has contributed "Like a Rolling Stone" and a new song titled "Huck's Tune" to the movie. The album is scheduled for an October 17th release, with the flick hitting screens 10 days later.

Always Room For A Bowie Update (Or Two)

The Christopher Nolan-directed film "The Prestige," which features David Bowie portraying inventor Nikola Tesla, will open in select U.S. theaters on October 20th. Then, on November 9th, David will perform "a couple of songs" at the Keep a Child Alive organization's annual Black Ball fund-raiser in New York. The charity seeks to eradicate the AIDS epidemic plaguing the African continent.

Eric Adds More (But Not Here)

Still no Southland dates announced for Mr. Eric Clapton, three time inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But he has added four November shows in Japan and — for the first time since 1990 — five shows in Australia in January and February. Following his sold-out Spring/Summer run through Europe, Slowhand's U.S. tour begins on September 16th in Minneapolis. But what about us?

ELP Redux

The Shout! Factory record label — which most famously re-released "Good To See You Again, Alice Cooper Live 1973," — has acquired the North American rights to Emerson, Lake & Palmer's catalog. A reissue campaign of the progressive rock supergroup's 10 albums will begin in January with a two-disc retrospective, "The Essential Emerson, Lake & Palmer." Keyboardist Keith Emerson, singer/bassist/guitarist Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer formed ELP in 1969, scoring four Top 10 albums between 1971 and 1974. The group disbanded in 1979 but reunited to tour and record in the early Nineties. The group's last album was 1994's "In the Hot Seat." While another reunion tour would be surprising, we'll just have to wait and see.

Quote Of The Week

It was Carl Sandburg who said: "Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."

Wot a Language!

The bandage was wound around the wound.
The farm was used to produce produce.
The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
The cowboy decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
I did not object to the object.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when the does are present.

August 22, 2006

Blues legend John Lee Hooker would have been 89.
Dale Hawkins, the guy who wrote "Susie-Q," is 68.
Former Grateful Dead singer Donna Godchaux is 59.
Singing sprite Tori Amos is 43.
Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley would have been 39.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles played the Hollywood Bowl. A live recording of the concert was finally released in 1977.

On this day in 1966, New York police managed to talk two teenagers down from a 22nd-floor ledge where they had threatened to commit suicide unless they met The Beatles. Instead, the girls were sent to Roosevelt Hospital to get their heads examined, then were charged with disturbing the peace. And all they really wanted was a little Beatle love!

On this day in 1968, a day before their sixth anniversary, John Lennon's wife, Cynthia, sued the Beatle for divorce after discovering Yoko Ono living in their London home. Definitely not the kind of anniversary gift or home accessorizing she had in mind.

On this day in 1969, The Beatles were together for the last time in one room. The four gathered at John Lennon's Tittenhurst Park home just outside of London for a photo shoot for the cover of the "Hey Jude" album.

On this day in 1970, Eric Clapton, under the guise of Derek & the Dominoes, began work on "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs."

On this day in 1970, Neil Young released his third solo album, "After The Gold Rush," just as Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Cosmo's Factory" album hit #1 for the first of a nine-week run.

On this day in 1979, Led Zeppelin released their final studio album, "In Through The Out Door."

On this day in 1981, Foreigner's "4" album hit #1.

On this day in 1981, "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones entered the singles chart.

On Stage Tonight

Ted Nugent will be rocking the House Of Blues in Anaheim tonight.

Tyler's Ready To Talk/Tour

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler says he's recovered nicely since undergoing experimental laser surgery to treat a broken blood vessel on his vocal cord five months ago. Tyler's treatment, which involved getting zapped with a pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser, is an increasingly popular procedure offered by Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital. Having put the recording of their next album on hold, Aerosmith will return to the road on September 5th, eventually hitting the Southland on November 7th and 11th.

Elty Does It Right

Elton John is among the artists appearing in TV public service announcements to promote Daniel Pearl World Music Days, an international series of concerts in honor of the murdered journalist. Running from October 6th through the 15th in various locations, the events are being staged to use "the universal language of music to diminish hatred, respect differences and reach out in friendship."

Fogerty/Baseball

John Fogerty says he never imagined that his song "Centerfield" would be embraced by Major League Baseball in the way that it has. This past Sunday the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Wrigley Field during the Chicago Cubs' 7th inning stretch. He told the TV announcers that he's been "blessed" with the song, noting that he wrote the song as a "tribute to the game I love." Fogerty's currently on tour with country legend Willie Nelson.

Hendrix Estate Says "No Way!"

Experience Hendrix, the company that manages the rights to Jimi Hendrix's music, is challenging the validity of an October 26th New York auction that's alleging to sell the intellectual rights of the late guitar legend's catalog. The Hendrix family company says, "The assertion that the catalog is the property of [the estate of late Hendrix manager Michael Jeffery] has never been upheld by any court," and that Experience Hendrix will "vigorously protect its rights to [Hendrix's] catalog." When the Jeffery Estate asserted a similar claim against Warner Records in the late Nineties, a New York court rejected the claim as a fabrication. However, there is one bit of uncontested Hendrix music in the Ocean Tomo Auctions event. It's an unreleased song called "Station Break," which Hendrix recorded in New York City in 1966. The winning bidder will get the actual reel-to-reel tape, along with one-half of the copyright on the song, while the other half stays with Experience Hendrix.

August 23, 2006

Rock drumming god Keith Moon of The Who would have been 59.
Singer/actor/heartthrob Rick Springfield is 57.

On this day in 1962, John Lennon married his first wife, Cynthia, almost six years to the day before she filed for divorce. The lucky couple's wedding night was spent with The Beatles playing Liverpool's Riverpark Ballroom.

On this day in 1968, Ringo Starr temporarily walked out on The Beatles during sessions for "The Beatles (White Album)."

On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" hit #1 Stateside.

On this day in 1974, Bruce Springsteen hired drummer Max Weinberg, completing the line-up for the most famous version of The E Street Band.

Selling Syd's Stuff

It seems like only a month ago that he passed on, but now various items belonging to founding Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett will go on sale at a fine art auction in Cambridge, England on November 29th and 30th. Among the articles being sold are some of Barrett's never-before-seen artwork — some of which he actually signed — two hand-painted bicycles, homemade speakers and a classical guitar. Barrett, who left the Floyd in 1968, passed away on July 7th at age 60 after living for decades in relative seclusion.

Macca's Farmhouse Conundrum

Paul McCartney's still trying to keep the log cabin on his East Sussex country estate. First the Rother District Council ordered that the cabin be torn down to preserve the quality of the country landscape in Peasmarsh. Then the former Beatle submitted a proposal in which he agreed to remove a three-bedroom house and two agricultural barns on the property instead of his treasured cabin, which he had built before receiving permission from the local planning officials. Macca has argued unsuccessfully that he needs the cabin because its secluded location provides him and his family the extra safety, security and privacy they require since the land is a working farm. A council rep says the district will hold off on enforcing the demolition order until the planning committee can review McCartney's latest petition. One thing for sure, no matter if it really is a working farm, the smell of manure permeates the entire saga!

Ozzy's Really Working (Zakk)

Remember when Ozzy Osbourne (or his manage/wife Sharon) didn't want to pay longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde to take time off to record Ozzy's new LP? Well the check must have cleared! The multi-talented Wylde — who has served as Osbourne's sideman for the past 20 years — has cancelled three upcoming shows for his own group, Black Label Society, so he can continue working on the Black Sabbath frontman's latest recordings. Ozzy is actually putting together two new albums, which was one reason he cited for his limited participation in this year's edition of Ozzfest. The first disc of new material is reportedly set for a February 2007 release. The second will be the soundtrack to the Metal Madman's long-planned musical about the infamous Russian mystic Rasputin. "It's the traditional Fiddler on the Roof type of music, plus the kind of Beatle-ish kind of influence," says Osbourne of the latter project. "I'm really happy about it. I hope the rest of the world is." We'll have to check with Zakk!

Recording Beatles Tunage

Thrashing Beatles? Word is that Alice Cooper, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Styx's Tommy Shaw are among those participating in a new tribute album saluting the Fab Four. Cooper takes on "Hey Bulldog," Gibbons handles guitar and vocals for "Revolution" and Shaw joins Night Ranger's Jack Blades on "Day Tripper" for the upcoming "Butchering The Beatles" album. The 12-track disc will also features Toto's Mike Porcaro and Steve Lukather, KISS' Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, Vanilla Fudge bassist Tim Bogert and former Bowie/Zappa/Journey/Jefferson Starship drummer Aynsley Dunbar, as well as current or former members of Judas Priest, Motorhead, Dio, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and other hard rock and metal bands. The project — which could be very interesting — is due out on October 24th.

Guitar God + Drum God = New LP

Jeff Beck says his next album will mark a return to more of a rock sound after roughly 30 years dabbling in jazz and electronica. He says this version of his band — a five-piece with a vocalist (Beth Hart) for the first time in nearly 20 years — is having a marked impact on the way he's approaching the album. He says he'll first work with drumming god Vinnie Colaiuta while on tour. "He's gonna play the way he plays. Just endless, funky grooves, endless kinds of inventive fills, and I'm gonna take the material away that we do and then work on it. So it'll be guitar- and drums-driven. I think that's the best way to go for me." The legendary guitarist adds that while on tour he can craft the demos with his band so, "they get artistic input." Beck will launch a month-long North American tour in Florida on September 6th, eventually hitting The Grove Of Anaheim on September 25th and the Greek Theatre on September 28th.

Top Partying Schools

"The Princeton Review," a New York-based research group and publisher, polled 115,000 students to rate their schools in various academic and social areas during the 2005-2006 school year. And the biggest partying school in the U.S.A. is (drum roll please) the University of Texas at Austin! Coming in second was Penn State University, followed by West Virginia University. Last year's Top Party School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Mississippi round out the Top Five. Complete rankings are in the new 2007 edition of "The Princeton Review" book "Best 361 Colleges." By the way, Brigham Young University was voted the most stone-cold sober school in the country for the ninth year in a row. Located in Provo, Utah, BYU doesn't tolerate alcohol and is pleased that it is recognized for that fact. Just don't ask them about that ongoing polygamy problem.

August 24, 2006

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, the bluesman whose "That's All Right Mama" was Elvis Presley's first single, would have been 101.

On this day in 1967, The Beatles had their first meeting with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Mick Jagger and his girlfriend Marianne Faithfull tagged along. John Lennon later said the experience was like "going somewhere without your trousers," a situation that Mick was very familiar with even then.

On this day in 1968, to celebrate his 21st birthday (which was actually the day before), Who drummer Keith Moon drove a Lincoln convertible into the pool of a Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. Rock & Roll!

On this day in 1979, The Cars played a free concert to an audience of 500,000 in New York's Central Park. No, they didn't really move around much on stage.

On this day in 1989, The Who performed their rock opera "Tommy" at the Universal Amphitheatre with an all-star cast that included Elton John, Billy Idol, Phil Collins and Patti LaBelle.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd and more of Joe's conversation with the entire band.

Fake Rockers On MySpace?!?

In case you missed the memo about liars inhabiting MySpace.com, both Queen's Brian May and KISS' Paul Stanley are warning fans about bogus MySpace pages in their names. May says on his website that "obviously I will not allow this to go on." He also suggests that anyone who's joined the site should, "send this person a piece of your mind for lying, and being such an infernal nuisance." The official KISS Army website, says that the singer/guitarist is working on getting the illegit pages removed, and adds that Stanley only posts his news on KissOnline.

Oh That Silly Ozzy!

Ozzy Osbourne has taken the top spot in a British "Reader's Digest" poll searching for England's goofiest public figure. Pollsters say that the Ozz-man's notorious past has been overridden by the image left by his family's MTV reality series, "The Osbournes," which "appears to have transformed him from a scary heavy metaller into everyone's favorite clown." As a point of reference, the Black Sabbath frontman's gnarly past includes a penchant for drug and alcohol abuse, a murder attempt on his wife and an infamous meeting with music industry executives during which he bit the head off a live bird. Another Brit who's well known Stateside that made the "Silliest" cut: "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who came in 6th in the survey. Still, you have to admit that if Benny Hill weren't so damn deceased those buffoons would have had a run for their money!

Macca Divorce Update #497,325

The Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce continues to generate headlines and a morbid fascination, which is said to be bothering the former Beatle. The UK's "Daily Mail" says Macca wants to put this chapter of his life behind him and keep the details private. Thus he reportedly made an offer of a lump sum settlement of $66 million to Mills and is said to have offered to pay her $5.6 million every other year for her silence. McCartney's spokesman won't confirm or deny these latest details on the split, but calls stories about divorce terms and payments "speculation." Makes you wonder what the hell they did in less than four years of marriage that he's trying to keep quiet!

Much Adoobie

The Doobie Brothers and William Shakespeare — what a pairing! L.A.'s Troubadour Theatre Company has modernized Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" by adding some Doobie songs and calling the production "Much Adoobie Brothers About Nothing." Word is that the characters wear costumes that vary from denim jeans to Elizabethan costumes, and the dialogue is made up of modern-day phrases spoken as Doobie hits are performed by a rock band. The wacky play is running through September 10th at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica and has at least one show scheduled at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in early October.

Straight As A Stone

So much for the legendary party monsters! Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood says he and his bandmates no longer overindulge. Woodie says that for the most part everyone is "very well behaved these days" and that even Keith Richards "has been watching himself recently." As most fans knew, cancer survivor/drummer Charlie Watts has abstained completely for years, while frontman Mick Jagger only occasionally drinks a glass of wine on nights the group isn't performing. Even Ronnie — who has undergone several stints in rehab over the years — is leading a sober life, saying that his body can't take the hard partying anymore. The Stones will bring their "A Bigger Bang" world tour to Dodger Stadium on November 18th — keep listening to KLOS for tickets before they go on sale!

Hendrix Screening/Q&A

A special screening of the Jimi Hendrix Live at Woodstock film, which documents the late guitar god's 1969 performance at the mother of all festivals, will take place in Boston on April 6th. Following the movie, there will be a Q&A session with former Band of Gypsys bassist Billy Cox and longtime Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer, plus an all-star tribute concert featuring Cox, former Stevie Ray Vaughan drummer Chris Layton and other artists. Sounds like something we should repeat at the Alex Theatre!

Brewtown Is The Drunkest

Surprise! Forbes.com has put Milwaukee at the top of its list of "America's Drunkest Cities." The website ranked each city in five areas, including state laws, number of drinkers, number of heavy drinkers, binge drinkers and alcoholics. Forbes.com says 22% of Milwaukee residents are binge drinkers, who have five or more drinks at a time. Additionally, 7.5% of Milwaukeeans are heavy drinkers. The report says that more than 70% of adult Milwaukeeans say they've had at least one alcoholic drink in the past 30 days. Minneapolis came in second on the list of drunkest cities, followed by Columbus, Boston and Austin. Now when it comes to the most bratwurst consumed...

August 25, 2006

KISS frontman Gene Simmons is 57.
Judas Priest singer Rob Halford is 55.
Master songwriter Elvis Costello is 52.

On this day in 1970, Elton John played his first American concert at the Troubadour in West L.A. That week-long gig helped to break Sir Elty in America before he became a star in his British homeland.

On this day in 1970, Emerson, Lake & Palmer played their first-ever gig at the Plymouth Guild Hall in England.

On this day in 1973, The Allman Brothers Band's biggest single, "Ramblin' Man," entered the chart. It eventually peaked at #2.

On this day in 1979, The Knack scored two chart toppers in one day: their debut album, "Get The Knack," and their first single, "My Sharona," both hit #1. "My Sharona" stayed at #1 for five weeks.

On this day in 1994, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant recorded an episode of MTV Unplugged. The success of that show led to two albums and several tours by the duo.

On this day in 2000, producer Jack Nitzsche died in Los Angeles. As well as having worked closely with Neil Young and The Rolling Stones, Jack won an Oscar in 1982 for co-writing "Up Where We Belong" for the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman."

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd and more of Joe's conversation with the entire band.

On Stage Saturday

Dave Matthews and his band will be jamming at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre while John Mayall is playing at the Canyon Club on Saturday.

Hamilton/Aerosmith Update

While everyone was fretting over singer Steven Tyler's throat problems, it turns out that Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton underwent seven weeks of radiation-therapy treatment for throat cancer! Tom will miss a month or so of the band's upcoming North American tour with Mötley Crüe. One time Joe Perry Project member David Hull will fill in for Tom while he recuperates. The band was due to put out a full album of new music this Fall, but they've changed that release to a greatest hits album with a couple of new songs instead. Guitarist Joe Perry said: "We were working on getting a studio record out, but we just couldn't do it. There wasn't enough time." The new greatest hits compilation, "Devil's Got a New Disguise," takes its title from one of the two new songs on the release; the other is called "Sedona Sunrise." This release is described as a "pared down" single-disc version of 2002's double-CD set "O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits," and will be out October 10th.

The Who!

Finally — the release date and title change are official! The Who will release "Endless Wire," its first album since 1982's "It's Hard," on October 31st. The set will feature the complete mini-opera "Wire & Glass," a shortened version of which was released internationally last month. Other tracks will include "Mike Post Theme" and "Man in a Purple Dress," which guitarist Pete Townshend has likened to "a Bob Dylan song from the early days." When asked about the new music last month, vocalist Roger Daltrey said: "Pete's music, for me, is still a driving force in my life," and he added that the new songs have "the Townshend magic." Pete's entire solo catalog is being reissued next Tuesday as the band is gearing up for a Fall North American tour that will hit the Southland in early November.

Queen + Paul Rodgers To Record

After successful tours of Europe, Japan and North America, it looks like two of the remaining members of Queen plus singer Paul Rodgers will continue their working relationship by recording some new material. Queen guitarist Brian May has said, "We will be heading into the studio in October... There was an intent there for a while, but we have all been busy picking up our lives in different ways... but now it really looks as if we are on... We will take it gently at first, the priority being to feel good, and put ourselves in the mood to create." It's worth noting that Rodgers and his solo band, which includes former Heart guitarist Howard Leese, have booked a U.K. tour for October.

Kould Kinks Reunite?

A Kinks reunion could be in the works. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers recently got back together to record a new version of their 1964 hit "You Really Got Me" for ABC, which will use it in the "Desperate Housewives" Fall marketing campaign. Although The Kinks got along well enough to re-cut the 42-year-old song, it's not clear if the foursome will stay together long enough for a tour — or even if guitarist Dave Davies is healthy enough to hit the road. Group leader Ray Davies recently said he'd welcome a Kinks reunion and was "still waiting for the call to say let's get together and play," but he evidently had no intention of picking up the phone himself. Stay tuned!

Bruce Gary, R.I.P.

Bruce Gary, the original drummer for The Knack and a longtime L.A. session musician, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Tuesday at Tarzana Regional Medical Center. He was only 55. Gary's three-decade career as a drummer and producer began with a trip to the Monterey Pop Festival, then grew to include work with an incredible list of performers like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart, Cream's Jack Bruce and Robby Krieger of The Doors as well as blues masters Albert Collins and Albert King. An avid musicologist (who helped with my research for the original Uncle Joe's Record Guides), Bruce was an intense Jimi Hendrix and Beatles fan. I'll never forget Bruce's excitement while going over the minutia of Beatles and Hendrix recording sessions. The Canoga Park Drum Club is in mourning — rest in peace old friend.

Look Into The Past/Future

Wisconsin's Beloit College (right near where yer Uncle Joe grew up) released its annual "Mindset List" today. The list looks at what this year's college freshmen know versus things they've never even heard of. For example, the list says that for today's college freshman — most of which were born in 1988 — the Soviet Union never existed and Germany has always been one country. They've never known a time when Manuel Noriega wasn't in a U.S. jail and they've only had three presidents in the White House. The new freshmen, that is the Class of 2010, have always used "google" as a verb and they've always had cell phones.

August 26, 2006

On this day in 1967, The Beatles appeared with their new guru, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, at a press conference where Paul McCartney announced that the bandmates had given up drugs. Yeah, sure.

On this day in 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience released the single "Purple Haze." No one said it wasn't about drugs.

On this day in 1970, Jimi Hendrix played his last live show at the Isle of Wight festival. Three weeks later, he was dead.

On this day in 1970, guitarist Duane Allman joined Eric Clapton's Derek & the Dominos sessions in Florida.

On this day in 1972, Rod Stewart released the song "You Wear It Well" as "Hold Your Head Up" by Argent peaked at #5.

On this day in 1989, Don Henley's song "The End Of The Innocence" peaked at #8 on the charts.

August 27, 2006

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson is 53.

On this day in 1965, The Beatles spent four hours with Elvis Presley at his home in Bel-Air. It was the one and only time they ever met, and the King of Rock & Roll's first words were "Can I get you Beatles a drink?"

On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released the album "Highway 61 Revisited." Folk purists were once again horrified to hear him using electric guitars, but the album's first single, "Like A Rolling Stone," became one of Dylan's best-loved songs.

On this day in 1967, The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, died at the age of 33 of a medication overdose.

On this day in 1977, "Just A Song Before I Go" by Crosby, Stills, & Nash peaked at #7 as "Give A Little Bit" by Supertramp topped out at #15 on the charts.

On this day in 1977, Jackson Browne recorded "Stay" and "Running On Empty" live in concert in Columbia, Maryland. Later, he said that was the only night they ever got both songs exactly right.

On this day in 1983, The Police released the song "King of Pain" as "China Girl" by David Bowie peaked at #10, "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top topped out at #56 and "One Thing Leads To Another" by The Fixx entered the charts.

On this day in 1990, guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash in dense fog following a gig with Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton in Wisconsin. All five people aboard the helicopter, including members of Eric Clapton's entourage, were killed.

Note: Unc's resting up for September. Hopefully he'll return on Wednesday.

August 28, 2006

Drummer Danny Seraphine of Chicago is 58.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles played the first of two concerts at New York's Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. After the show, the Fab Four met Bob Dylan, who immediately introduced them to marijuana. All of the giggling eventually led to an interesting relationship.

On this day in 1965, The Beach Boys' song "California Girls" peaked at #3 on the charts.

On this day in 1976, Peter Frampton's song "Baby, I Love Your Way" peaked at #12 on the charts.

On this day in 1986, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young and Mick Fleetwood performed in Long Beach at a concert billed "Get Tough on Toxics." Hmm... wonder if it worked?

Mas Dylan

Bob Dylan has announced a Fall headlining tour of North America that will bring him to the Forum in Inglewood on October 20th. His latest album, "Modern Times," will hit stores tomorrow. And if we're really lucky, Bob may actually play some of his latest album when he hits town... or not.

That Darn Keith Broke The Law (Again)

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards ignored Scotland's smoking ban when The Stones played at Glasgow's Hampden Park last Friday night. The crafty codger is facing a $100 fine and Hampden Park may have to pay a $500 penalty for failing to enforce the ban. If that's the biggest problem the boys can come up with after a weekend of Scottish hell raising, then you can expect another media-rousing event centered on Mick Jagger's girlfriend or Ronnie Wood's laughing gas addiction before the week is out.

David Plays On (Sort Of)

Pink Floyd singer/guitarist David Gilmour and his backing band (most of whom toured with Pink Floyd in the Nineties) will play an intimate set at London's Abbey Road Studios tomorrow. The performance of three songs will be filmed for a British TV show cleverly called "The Abbey Road Sessions" that will be broadcast in November. Meanwhile, the release of the remastered versions of David's first two solo albums — "David Gilmour" and "About Face" — has been pushed back to September 12th.

Doors Box Detailed

The cleverly named Doors boxed set, "Perception," will includes the band's original six studio albums remastered on CD, as well as a DVD with a new 5.1 DTS Surround Sound mix, rare audio and video tracks, photos and lyrics. To further hype this massive/definitive release on November 21st, the band's first authorized autobiography — "The Doors by the Doors" — will be in stores by November 7th.

Plant's Big (Xmas) Box

As we mentioned last month, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant will have a big old boxed set out just in time for the holiday season. "Nine Lives," due out on November 14th, will include all nine of Robert's post-Zeppelin solo discs as well as a DVD. Each album has been expanded with bonus tracks and the DVD rounds up 20 music videos, live performance footage, and a career-spanning interview with Plant, as well as interviews with friends including Phil Collins, singer/songwriter/sprite Tori Amos, tennis star John McEnroe and former Atlantic Records President Ahmet Ertegun, among others.

Beck Dismisses Roddy

Can't imagine anybody has been dreaming about a reunion of the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart on vocals, but there are sillier things to get hung up on. Even though Beck and Stewart have had a love-hate relationship over the years, it's a bit surprising that Jeff is publicly saying that Roddy just doesn't have it anymore: "Rod doesn't sound the same. We had a rehearsal, and it was 'People Get Ready,' and he couldn't sing it in the key of D anymore, which kind of threw the spanner in the works for me because the whole song loses its majestic quality when you lower it to C. I don't know what it was, but he can't reach D anymore, and I thought, 'This is not good.' He doesn't sing heavy rock-and-roll anymore — (just) The American Songbook, kind of lightweight ballads and stuff. Which is great — you know, he's sensible not to push his voice if it's not gonna happen." This is a little more pointed than Jeff's comments at Stewart's January 1994 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when Beck said, "He loves me, and I hate him." Stewart will release a new album called "Still The Same... Great Rock Classics Of Our Time" on October 10th, with cover versions of songs by Elvin Bishop, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Seger and Bob Dylan, among others.

Quote Of The Week

It was Napoleon Bonaparte who observed that "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever."

August 29, 2006

Jazz legend Charlie "The Bird" Parker would have been 86 (his nickname as a kid was "The Yardbird").
Pop icon Michael Jackson is 48.

On this day in 1895, the real Eleanor Rigby was born in Liverpool.

On this day in 1959, George Harrison recruited John Lennon and Paul McCartney to play a last minute gig as the Quarry Men at Liverpool's Casbah Coffee Club after the Les Stewart Quartet had an argument and refused to play. The Quarry Men's performance immediately secured them a regular Saturday-night show. Too bad for Les.

On this day in 1964, Roy Orbison released his classic "Oh Pretty Woman."

On this day in 1965, The Beatles performed at the Hollywood Bowl. The show was recorded for possible release, but Paul's microphone broke, making the recordings unusable. Isn't it interesting that through all the little girls' screams, no one in the crowd noticed that they couldn't hear Paul.

On this day in 1966 in San Francisco's Candlestick Park, The Beatles played their last concert. Of the 25,000 present, it's doubtful that anyone heard any of the 11 songs that the Fab Four played.

On this day in 1970 Neil Young released his "After The Gold Rush" album as The Kinks released their classic song "Lola."

Queen To School

Move over "High School Musical"! Because of the success of Queen's hit musical "We Will Rock You" — now in its fifth year on stage — it's heading off to school. Beginning on September 4th, Queen will make their show available to schools wishing to stage their own productions. Under the band's guidance, School Will Rock You will provide schools with the official script, the musical score, tutorial videos with the team who helped plan and stage the original production, including guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, plus access to support services that provide help if questions arise as the schools ready their shows. For more information, check out http://www.SchoolsWillRockYou.com .

No Split For Bruce & Patti

In a rare personal post on his website, Bruce Springsteen says that his marriage is far from troubled, and reiterates that he and wife Patti Scialfa have not split up. He calls the time they've been together, "the best 18 years of my life... We have built a beautiful family we love and want to protect and our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married."  The couple celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in June and have three children together. Bruce's post was in response to a story in the "New York Post" that said the Springsteens had separated, and that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was getting close to a woman left widowed by the September 11th terrorist attack. Sounds like a good subject for a sad song, wouldn't you say?

Keef Skates On Smoking Ban

Turns out The Rolling Stones rascally guitarist, Keith Richards, didn't violate the smoking ban in Glasgow, Scotland after all. The legendary rocker, who has smoked a variety of scary things on stage for 40+ years, was puffing away during the band's concert at Hampden Park last Friday. Lucky for him since it turns out that the smoking ban doesn't apply to the stage area of the venue. Of course, had Keef been in violation of the ban, it wouldn't have exactly sent him to the poor house. Richards, who's said to be worth just under $350 million, would have been fined between $95 and $100.

Roger's Opera Finally Debuts

Roger Waters' long-awaited French Revolution opera, "Ça Ira," had its premier in front of 12,000 people in Poland, on Friday. The former Pink Floyd singer/bassist appeared onstage to dedicate the open-air production, which featured some 380 performers, to "those who fought for human rights." Waters plans to stage at least 16 more performances of the opera across Europe next year. Finding 380 out-of-work actors in 16 different markets shouldn't be a problem, but rounding up 192,000 people who give a hoot about the French Revolution — that will be a challenge.

Barbara Gets Kicked

Barbara Bach, Ringo Starr's wife and former Bond-girl, spent her 59th birthday in surgery at a British hospital after she was kicked by a horse and suffered a fracture to her right leg. The operation went "very well." It's not clear whether Ringo was with her at the time of the accident, but the former Beatle has been staying by her bedside at the hospital. Let's just hope his incessant drumming on the table top doesn't drive the nurses crazy!

NASCAR Nextel Cup

This Friday, 2pm - 6pm: Joe will broadcast his KLOS afternoon show "live" from the brand new main stage in the Fan Zone at the California Speedway in Fontana. Stay tuned for details!

This Saturday & Sunday: J.B. will again be announcing at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Sony HD 500 under the lights at the California Speedway in Fontana. Look for him to be all over the brand new Fan Zone during the daylight hours and in the announcers' booth after dark! Here are a few photos of the February event.

August 30, 2006

On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released his all-electric album "Highway 61 Revisited." Rock & Roll would never be the same.

On this day in 1969, the Chicago Transit Authority and Led Zeppelin headlined the Texas International Pop Festival at the Dallas International Motor Speedway. No matter what they say, no one who was there really remembers.

On this day in 1973, The Doors finally broke up, following Jim Morrison's death in July 1971.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Eric Clapton and Cream, as well as conversation with Eric.

Aerosmith In Space

Being a longtime Aerosmith fan, it was only logical that astronaut Mark E. Kelly would take the band's "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" CDs with him as he piloted the Space Shuttle Discovery's recent 13-day, 5.28 million-mile journey to the International Space Station mission. Even cooler was the fact that Steven Tyler loaned him the CDs! Tyler was on hand in Florida for the original launch date of July 1st which was scrubbed due to poor weather. When the flight was postponed to July 4th, Steven's commitment to sing with the Boston Pops in Boston forced him to miss the blast off. After the mission was finished, Kelly returned the CDs to Tyler and bandmate Tom Hamilton (who was undergoing radiation treatments). Can't think of any other band making a 30-year transition from being spaced out to being in space — nice going guys!

Upheaval In B. Crowes-land

The Black Crowes have parted ways with longtime keyboardist Eddie Hawrysch due to unspecified "personal issues." Hawrysch had been an integral component of the Crowes' sound for 15 years, but he will be replaced on the band's Fall tour by Rob Clores. In addition, the Crowes have pushed back the planned August 29th release of their double-disc rarities set "The Lost Crowes" to September 26th due to "a recently discovered manufacturing error." As previously reported, the group will perform on October 8th at the Key Club Morongo in Cabazon, October 28th at the Vegoose festival in Las Vegas and November 12th at the annual Love Ride in Castaic.

Beatles Win Another

Another day, another British music poll — but this one rocked! The Beatles' 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was ranked top of the tops in the U.K. in the BBC's Best British Number One Album Of All Time Top 10. Even more significant, four Fab Four albums were voted into the Top 10 in the BBC 2 poll ranking albums that hit #1 on the British chart. Because so many landmark albums failed to hit #1 when they were first released, the BBC also surveyed to find the Best Of The Rest. Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," which only made it to #2 back in 1973, topped that list.

BBC's Best British Number One Album Of All Time Top 10
1. The Beatles, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
2. Michael Jackson, "Thriller"
3. U2, "The Joshua Tree"
4. Fleetwood Mac, "Rumours"
5. Pink Floyd, "Wish You Were Here"
6. The Beatles, "Revolver"
7. Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
8. The Beatles, "Abbey Road"
9. Queen, "A Night At The Opera"
10. The Beatles, "The Beatles," also known as "The White Album"

New Cars/No Kasim

It's been a bumpy road for The New Cars. Just a couple of months back, original Cars guitarist Elliot Easton broke his shoulder, forcing the cancelation of several dates on the band's debut tour. Now, due to previous commitments, bassist Kasim Sulton has withdrawn from the upcoming Fall/Winter tour. In addition to being a charter member of Todd Rundgren's Utopia band, and along with Todd a charter member of The New Cars, Kasim has been recording and touring with Meat Loaf for the past 13 years. With Meat's "Bat Out Of Hell III" album finished ahead of schedule, it's time for Kasim to return to his paying gig. There's no doubt, however, that a replacement New Car will be found.

August 31, 2006

Rock icon Van Morrison is 61.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Eric Clapton and Cream, as well as conversation with Eric.

Sue 'Em All!

The Beatles are suing EMI and Capitol Records for $20 million in lost earnings and the return of rights to all the Liverpool band's master recordings. After New York State Supreme Court Justice Karla Moskowitz denied the record companies' request for the suit to be thrown out last week, the Fab Four's attorneys are going for it. The current lawsuit, which stems back to a 1979 court case, claims the record labels secretly sold Beatles albums that they had incorrectly classified as promotional copies or destroyed/damaged inventory. The legal action was triggered by an audit of the companies' books from the period 1994 to 1999, which the band says uncovered allegedly deceitful behavior.

Doors Remastering Update

The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek is calling the group's upcoming box set "the culmination of our career." The "Perception" compilation is a six-CD, six-DVD collection being issued in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of The Doors' debut album. Both Manzarek and drummer John Densmore say they're pleased with the efforts of famed studio engineer Bruce Botnick in remixing the material. Manzarek adds that he's looking forward to the unveiling of "little unreleased gems," including outtakes of "Roadhouse Blues." The massive collection is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 21st.

Walsh On James Gang

Joe Walsh is still cautioning fans not to expect a CD or DVD to come from the current James Gang reunion tour, but he also sounds like the group may continue beyond the 13-date mini-tour that brings them to the Southland next Wednesday evening. This late Summer tour marks the first time that Walsh, bassist Dale Peters and drummer Jim Fox have toured together in 35 years.

Sounds Like Roddy's Still Fertile

They still haven't married, but Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster are planning to have another child. In an interview with Sharon Osbourne on her new U.K. talk show, Lancaster said that the pair expect to start trying for another bambino after they marry next year. Penny would love to wed sooner, but she says that "Rod is on tour until next Summer so it will be June, July or August next year." Sounds like typical male commitment avoidance to me!

Phil Joins Andre's Party

Not only is Andre Agassi one of the all-time greatest tennis players, his annual Grand Slam For Children charitable fundraiser always rocks. This year's 11th annual Grand Slam For Children will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on October 9th. The line-up will include former Genesis singer/drummer Phil Collins, the Counting Crows and singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan. Composer/arranger David Foster will serve as the concert's musical director. Money raised through the event goes to the Andre Agassi Foundation which helps abused, underprivileged and at-risk kids in the Las Vegas area. Since its 1995 launch, the Grand Slam For Children has raised more than $52 million for the cause. Right so Andre!