 September 21 - 30, 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! September 21, 2006
Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder is 59. 
On this day in 1966, during his flight to London in search of a record deal as well as fame & fortune, James Marshall Hendrix changed the spelling of his nickname to Jimi. Upon arrival in England, he discovered he only had a few short days to assemble a band or he'd be kicked out of the country for lack of a work visa. Within the week the Jimi Hendrix Experience was playing on stage.  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 conversation with Roger Waters and David Gilmour. 
Eagles/Dylan/Big Ass PartyTalk about a party! The Eagles, Bob Dylan, the Black Eyed Peas and Foo Fighters all performed during Monday's private 30th anniversary party for the giant biotechnology firm Genentech. As for the cost, you can be sure none of those folks cut their fee to play — and Dylan's never really done a corporate party like this before. No wonder Genentech was #1 on Fortune's 2006 tally of the 100 Best Companies To Work For! Bob Sells Well/Does TVBob Seger's "Face The Promise" album moved more than 150,000 copies in its first week to grab the #4 spot on the Billboard 200, Bob's highest chart debut in his 30+ year career. You can see Seger and his Silver Bullet Band next Wednesday on CBS's Late Show With David Letterman and next Thursday's appearance on The View. Carlos Goes HomeCarlos Santana returned to his birthplace of Autlan, Mexico, on September 8th to celebrate the impending opening of a health and community center that he and his wife helped fund. The facility will provide not-for-profit health care to Autlan's 60,000 citizens, and will include a library, a computer room and other meeting spaces. Santana spoke to the crowd during the festivities in the city's Plaza Carlos Santana, which was named after the guitar great in 2001. Right so Carlos! Woodie!The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is ready to celebrate next Tuesday's release of his retrospective "Anthology: The Essential Crossexion." The compilation features one unreleased track — the Rod Stewart collaboration "You Strum and I'll Sing" — as well as songs from Wood's solo releases and his days with the Jeff Beck Group and Faces. Also included are two Stones tracks Ron co-wrote — "Everything Is Turning to Gold" and "Black Limousine."  Bull X MotoRodeo!Tonight! Tonight! 8pm: Unc will be hosting the L.A. County Fair's first-ever Bull X MotoRodeo in front of the main grandstand. With six professional bull riders, two freestyle big air quads, an off-road truck long-jump contest and a monster truck wheelie contest, let's just hope Joe doesn't try to do anything more than talk on the mic! Quote Of The WeekIt was Elvis Presley who said: "I never met anybody who learned by talking." Top 10 Handy Animal Factoids For The WeekHouseflies hum, middle octave, key of F. Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump. Rats can't vomit. Giraffes have no vocal chords. Cats can hear ultrasound. An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain. Male goats will pee on each other in order to attract mates. A barnacle has the largest penis of any animal in relation to its size. A male gypsy moth can smell a female gypsy moth in heat up to a mile and a half away. A cockroach can live several weeks with it's head cut off (which sure explains a lot of corporate decisions). September 22, 2006
Vocalist David Coverdale of Whitesnake is 59.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles appeared on the cover of "Time Magazine." On this day in 1985, the first Farm-Aid concert, organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young to help the nation's farmers, was held in Champaign, Illinois and raised $10 million. 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 conversation with Roger Waters and David Gilmour.
On Stage TonightGeorge Thorogood & The Destroyers along with Dr. John and Buddy Guy will be rocking the Greek Theatre while Little Feat will be swinging at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills tonight. On Stage SaturdayAsia will be playing at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills tomorrow tonight. Fake Rocker Hits Inland EmpireA classic rock impostor has been raking in money and favors by pretending to be a member of various bands. Police in Redlands have a warrant out for 47-year-old Walter Louellen Stearns (who also goes by various names including "Rob" or "Rob Valenti") for posing as a member of REO Speedwagon in order to be wined and dined by real estate agents, wooed by car dealerships and even given over $600 in cash with promises of gifts. According to the Redlands Police Department, Stearns has claimed to be the lead guitar player for the rock band 38 Special, a former member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the owner of several music production companies and the son of a Mafia kingpin. Stearns is described as 6 feet, 5 inches tall, about 200 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Investigators say he was last seen on Sunday at a hotel in Rancho Mirage where he was dropped off by a pizza delivery driver who believed Stearns was a rock star. REO leader Kevin Cronin says that if he ever meets the guy who posed as a member of his band to bilk unknowing REO fans out of cash and gifts, he'll "smack him one.... If they catch him and need someone to come in and positively ID him as never having been in the band, I'm available!" Right so Kevin! Return Of The Stones/Keef's HeadNo doubt about it — The Rolling Stones are back in action! They kicked off another North American leg of their A Bigger Bang tour Wednesday night in Massachusetts by playing several songs that they'd skipped in recent European shows, including "Monkey Man," "Sweet Virginia" and "Under My Thumb," as well as the Keith Richards-sung "Little T&A" and "You Got the Silver." Meanwhile, Keef is getting plenty of PR with his declaration that he doesn't take drugs anymore because, "I don't like the way drugs now are working on your brain instead of just through the blood stream." He says he now prefers alcohol, noting his beverage of choice is vodka with Sunkist soda. But he also joked that he liked the morphine drip he received while in a New Zealand hospital earlier this year recovering from a head injury. Hmmm... is anyone surprised by that? More Honors For The TopZZ Top will be among the recipients of the 2006 Recording Academy Honors from the Texas Chapter of The Recording Academy. The Recording Academy Honors was established to celebrate outstanding individuals whose work embodies excellence and integrity and who have improved the environment for the creative community. The annual event — featuring a cocktail hour, a dinner, an awards show and a silent auction — will be held on November 13th at the Austin Convention Center Ballroom, and both boots and a tie are recommended. Historic Nirvana DVDNirvana's breakthrough album, "Nevermind," was released 15 years ago this week, so it must be time to release their first ever DVD! The "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!" DVD will debut on November 14th, and include footage of the "Nevermind" hysteria that raged from 1991 to 1992. The project was conceived by Kurt Cobain and overseen by drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic — who were both there for the whole thing and survived to talk about it! Top 10 Handy Animal Factoids For The WeekHouseflies hum, middle octave, key of F. Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump. Rats can't vomit. Giraffes have no vocal chords. Cats can hear ultrasound. An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain. Male goats will pee on each other in order to attract mates. A barnacle has the largest penis of any animal in relation to its size. A male gypsy moth can smell a female gypsy moth in heat up to a mile and a half away. A cockroach can live several weeks with it's head cut off (which sure explains a lot of corporate decisions). September 23, 2006
Jazz legend John Coltrane would have been 80.
On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released the song "Positively 4th Street" as "Yesterday" by The Beatles entered the charts. On this day in 1967, The Doors released "People Are Strange." On this day in 1972, Elton John's "Honky Cat" peaked at #8 on the charts. On this day in 1978, "Double Vision" by Foreigner entered the singles charts. On this day in 1978, Boston played the first of two "Summer Fest" dates at Anaheim Stadium. On this day in 1989, Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down A Dream" peaked at #23 on the charts. September 24, 2006
Linda McCartney would have been 65.
On this day in 1966, The Beatles' song "Eleanor Rigby" peaked at #11 on the charts. On this day in 1966, Jimi Hendrix arrived in London with his new manager, Chas Chandler of The Animals. It was on that flight from New York that Hendrix changed the spelling of his name from "Jimmy" to "Jimi." On this day in 1977, Styx released "Come Sail Away." Four months later, it peaked at #8. On this day in 1977, "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac peaked at #3 as "Telephone Line" by ELO topped out at #7 on the charts. On this day in 1978, Boston played the second of two dates ("Summer Fest") at Anaheim Stadium. On this day in 1979, Led Zeppelin's final studio album, "In Through The Out Door," hit #1. September 25, 2006
On this day in 1967, The Beatles recorded Paul McCartney's "Fool On The Hill" in Abbey Road Studios. On this day in 1970, Janis Joplin recorded "Me and Bobby McGee." On this day in 1971, Yes released the song "Your Move" and Cat Stevens released "Peace Train." On this day in 1976, Boston's debut album entered the charts. It eventually climbed up to #3 and became the fastest-selling debut album in history. On this day in 1976, Paul McCartney's band Wings played a benefit and raised $50,000 for the restoration of water-damaged art treasures in Venice's St. Marks Square. But the 25,000 audience members unknowingly set back the restoration project when their combined weight loosened paving stones and allowed water to seep through into the Square. On this day in 1980, Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham died of overindulgence at the age of 32. Bonham passed away at guitarist Jimmy Page's home after a night of heavy drinking (reportedly 40 shots in just a few hours). The coroner reported that both asphyxiation and alcohol poisoning caused his death. On this day in 1981, Genesis released their "ABACAB" album. On this day in 1982, Aerosmith released the album "Rock in a Hard Place" as Don Henley's solo debut album, "I Can't Stand Still," and The Who's last studio album, "It's Hard," both entered the charts.
On Stage TonightJeff Beck will play the Grove Of Anaheim. U2/Green Day TonightU2 and Green Day will be performing together on the NFL Monday Night Football pre-game show tonight. The performance will take place before the Atlanta Falcons/New Orleans Saints game — the first football game to be held in New Orleans' Superdome since Hurricane Katrina. The 10-minute performance will benefit Music Rising, the campaign to bring music back to post-Katrina New Orleans. Tyler On TV TonightConsidering how many good looking Production Assistants were working the gig, it's not surprising that Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler says that he really enjoyed filming his guest role on the CBS sitcom Two And A Half Men and that he "would love to" be asked back. Steven's episode airs tonight. A Hysteria AnniversaryDef Leppard is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their classic "Hysteria" album with the release of a double-CD "Hysteria – Deluxe Edition." The new release includes a re-mastered version of the original "Hysteria" with 15 bonus tracks — five studio B-sides of the 7" singles, all five live B-sides issued on 7" and 12" and all five extended remixes from 12" and CD singles. Sounds like a lot of music! The special package will be in stores on October 24th. Neil Opens VaultNeil Young is finally ready to release material from his long-in-production "Archives Performance" series. "Live at the Fillmore East 1970," will come out on November 14th, featuring Neil's March 6th and 7th gigs with his Crazy Horse band at the legendary New York venue. The CD/DVD edition features a high-resolution audio mix, photos from the show, Young's handwritten song lyrics and press articles from the era. In addition to core Crazy Horse members guitarist Danny Whitten, bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina, producer Jack Nitzsche sat in on electric piano. Young just wrapped a Summer tour with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young but will return to the stage this Saturday for Farm Aid 20 in Camden, New Jersey, and then on October 21st and 22nd for the Bridge School Benefit outside San Francisco. Boz R.I.P.Bad Company's original bassist, Raymond "Boz" Burrell, died on Thursday at his home in Spain at the age of 60. Boz was reportedly practicing music with Scottish musician/actor Tam White when he suffered an apparent heart attack. Burrell played with Bad Company on and off from 1972 until 1999. Prior to the formation of the band, he also worked with Progressive Rock pioneers King Crimson. Quote Of The WeekIt was golfing legend Gary Player who said, "The harder you work, the luckier you get." More Coffee Now!New research suggests that if you're facing an extra-long workday or a late-night study session, don't tank up on coffee early in the day. Consuming small doses of caffeine frequently, beginning halfway through the workday, translated to greater alertness, better mental performance and a decreased likelihood of dozing off. September 26, 2006
Crooner Brian Ferry of Roxy Music is 61.
On this day in 1964, The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" (their first American hit single) entered the charts. On this day in 1965, Queen Elizabeth decorated The Beatles with the Order of the British Empire. On this day in 1973, Paul and Linda McCartney and Denny Laine of Wings returned to England from Nigeria where they had recorded "Band on the Run." On this day in 1975, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" opened in theaters. On this day in 1979, The Clash released their first single, a remake of the Bobby Fuller Four's classic, "I Fought The Law." On this day in 1981, The Police released their classic "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." On this day in 1986, Boston released their third album, "Third Stage," 10 years after their first. On this day in 1987, Pink Floyd's "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason," Rush's "Hold Your Fire" and R.E.M.'s "Document" entered the album charts. On this day in 1987, The Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey" reached #9 on the singles chart — their only song to reach the Top 20 in a 40-plus year career. On this day in 1987, Billy Idol's cover of the Tommy James & The Shondells song "Mony Mony" entered the singles chart. On this day in 2003, singer Robert Palmer died of a heart attack in Paris at the age of 54.
On Stage TonightTom Petty & The Heartbreakers will be rocking the Hollywood Bowl this evening as George Thorogood & The Destroyers play the House Of Blues in Anaheim. U2/Green Day RecapU2 teamed with Green Day last night to unveil their new collaborative cover of '70's Scottish punk band The Skids' tune "Spirit of the Saints" prior to the Monday Night Football game in New Orleans between the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. The performance started with U2 guitarist The Edge joining Green Day for a version of the latter's "When September Ends." At the end, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong threw in a couple of lines from the blues classic "House of the Rising Son," changing the words "rising son" to "Superdome" to reflect the stadium in which they were performing. Bono and the rest of U2 then joined in for "Spirit of the Saints," which segued into a lyrically altered version of U2's "Beautiful Day." Proceeds from downloads of the song via Rhapsody.com will benefit Music Rising, an organization that replenishes musical instruments lost or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. G&R Biz As UsualTo no one's surprise, Guns N' Roses has postponed several dates on its North American tour, bumping shows scheduled to happen between September 27th and October 5th to dates after October 20th. No official explanation has been given for the new arrangements — so don't be thinking that tickets sales have been spotty! Fortunately, neither of G&R's Gibson Amphitheatre dates — December 17th and 19th — have been canceled or postponed (yet). Tyler's HealthWe know that ZZ Top's Dusty Hill has been fighting the disease for years, but now Steven Tyler says that he too has been battling Hepatitis C, a viral infection of the blood that can lead to chronic liver disease. Tyler, a recovering drug addict, admitted to having symptom-free Hepatitis C for a long time before he underwent chemotherapy-type treatment three years ago when Aerosmith took a break. Now, after 11 months of treatments, "It is nonexistent in my bloodstream... where it's like a complete cure." The 58-year-old singer also says that Hepatitis C is a "silent killer" and that he would like to go on Oprah to bring awareness to it. Right so Steven! Keef Says ArghReliable reports say that a "not terribly sober" Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones got into the pirate spirit(s) before he filmed his cameo as Johnny Depp's swashbuckling dad in Pirates Of The Caribbean 3: At World's End (due in theaters in May 2007). The story goes that Richards was left to his own devices in his trailer before his big scene, and when the time came to shoot, he was a bit "wobbly." To keep him straight, director Gore Verbinski held Richards by the shins. "You've got to keep straight," Verbinski told him. "If you'd wanted straight, then you got the wrong man," Keef replied huskily. Richards' pirate costume, sources say, closely resembles Depp's, with a different colored bandana. Also, the two had such a good time together that Depp kept a souvenir from Richards' short visit: a set of stairs built for Keith to get in and out of his trailer, which he signed to Depp with the salutation, "A step too far." Indeed! Demolition DerbyThis Thursday, 8pm: Do any two words put more fear into auto insurance companies than Demolition Derby? J.B. promised his mom he wouldn't drive in one, but that doesn't mean he can't call the action — or drive one of the tow trucks. All hail the L.A. County Fair for giving you a chance to see for yourself! Doobies/Grand FunkThis Friday, 8pm: Uncle Joe will be introducing his old friends The Doobie Brothers and Grand Funk on the L.A. County Fair's main stage! September 27, 2006
Guitarist/songwriter Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive is 63.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles spent several hours at Abbey Road Studios recording "I Am the Walrus." On this day in 1979, just moments after beginning the tune "Better Off Dead," Elton John collapsed on-stage at the Universal Amphitheatre during an exhausting two man show with percussionist Ray Cooper. Even though he claimed he was suffering from exhaustion brought on by the flu, Elton returned after a ten minute intermission to finish the nearly three-hour-long concert. Thank God Ray didn't have to sing! On this day in 1986, bassist Cliff Burton of Metallica was killed when the band's bus crashed. He was only 24.
On TV TonightBob Seger is scheduled to play on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman tonight, and on ABC's The View tomorrow morning. Plant Helps A NeighborFormer Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant has joined a campaign to raise $50,000 for life-saving treatments needed by a neighbor suffering from a brain tumor. Robert will play with a group dubbed the Return Of The Honeydrippers at a December 23rd benefit show in Kidderminster, England. Proceeds from the event will help pay for 41-year-old Jackie Jennings' proton beam therapy at a Boston hospital. Family friend and fundraising organizer Joanne Hill said: "Robert knows Jackie from living in the area and as soon as he heard about her he wanted to get involved. We are so grateful to Robert because he will give us a good chance of reaching the sum in time." Right so Robert! Ozzy Osbourne Bounty HunterHow cool would Ozzy Osbourne Bounty Hunter be?!? Duane "Dog" Chapman says that plans for upcoming episodes of his A&E reality show include having a celebrity join him and his crew as they bring someone into custody. While "Dog" has several stars in mind for the special role, he says Osbourne is on the shortlist, in part because the Black Sabbath frontman provides the theme song for his series Dog the Bounty Hunter. Of course, "Dog" is currently a wanted man himself. Mexican authorities are seeking his extradition in connection with a 2003 arrest stemming from Chapman's apprehension of convicted rapist Andrew Luster. Since the legal proceedings are dragging on, you have to figure that the "Dog" hasn't gotten around to asking Sharon Osbourne for help — yet. John's Gonna Sell ChevysMy records don't go back far enough to directly quote John Mellencamp's reaction to Bob Seger selling his song "Like A Rock" to Chevrolet to help Seger's neighbors keep their jobs around Detroit — but I do remember some harsh words about commercialization coming from John's mouth. Now, many years later, Mellencamp's song "Our Country" will be used in the multi-media marketing campaign for Chevrolet's all-new, 2007 Silverado full-size pickup. John has explained, "About a year ago, I wrote this song to tell a story about some of the challenges our country faces and how our beliefs and ideals can help us meet them. This partnership with Chevy — an American company that is creating jobs and supporting our communities — makes perfect sense for a song that is all about standing up for the working people who are the backbone of our nation... I am also hopeful that this partnership will help promote this song so more people will have a chance to hear it and get to think about its message of hope and tolerance. I write songs for people to hear them and am always glad to find ways to reach a broader audience." No word from Seger on Mellencamp's gig, but Bob's really not the kind of guy who would take a cheap shot. Long Island Music Hall of FameThe inaugural Long Island Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on October 15th in Patchogue, New York (on the South Shore of Long Island on the Great South Bay). The honorees will include KISS' Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss as well as Mountain's Leslie West, Joan Jett and Billy Joel. Criss, West, Jett and Joel all are expected to attend the gala, which will feature an all-star jam and validated parking. Looking ahead, the Hall's 2007 inductees will include Blue Öyster Cult, Pat Benatar, Eddie Money and Steely Dan's Walter Becker (who will probably set a new standard for weirdness – even on Long Island). Jimi's RingtonesWell, I think I'd answer if "Hey Joe" was ringing! Verizon Wireless subscribers can now buy ringtones based on dozens of Jimi Hendrix songs. Excerpts from — and full-length versions of — Jimi tunes like "Foxey Lady," "Purple Haze" and "Crosstown Traffic" can be downloaded online for use in cellular phones to further irritate movie-goers around the world! September 28, 2006
On this day in 1968, Janis Joplin announced that she was leaving Big Brother & the Holding Company next month because she and the band "weren't growing together anymore." Ah, the Sixties! This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Grateful Dead as well as conversation with Mickey Hart and Jerry Garcia.
On Stage TonightJeff Beck will be rocking the Greek Theatre as Candlebox hits the House Of Blues in Anaheim and Dave Mason plays the Canyon Club tonight. Tom Again (Briefly)Aerosmith and Motley Crue rolled their Route of All Evil tour into Aerosmith's backyard in Mansfield, Massachusetts on Tuesday evening, and Tom Hamilton was there to greet them! The Aerosmith bassist, who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer, unexpectedly joined his bandmates onstage to play his song "Sweet Emotion." The concert was filmed for an upcoming National Geographic Channel special focusing on singer Steven Tyler's recent vocal surgery. Don Rejoins Bob (Sort Of)As Bob Seger continues promoting his latest release, "Face the Promise" on Leno and Letterman, you've perhaps noticed another famous face behind the drums. Again this morning, Grand Funk Railroad's Don Brewer will be part of the Silver Bullet Band when Bob performs on ABC's The View. Brewer also worked with Seger in the Eighties, and was on hand a couple years ago when Seger was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Of course, Seger's also expected to hit the road behind "Face the Promise" in early November, but Don's commitments with Grand Funk might keep him from joining in on the lucrative tour. Stay tuned! Sir Elty & Neil & WhoopiGod bless him — Sir Elton John doesn't let up! Next up in his continuing effort to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness, the Elton John AIDS Foundation's fifth annual benefit is set for October 3rd at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Whoopi Goldberg will host the gala dinner, and the evening will include special performances by Sir Elty and fellow Hall Of Famer Neil Young. Now that will be an interesting duo! Dio/Sab RegroupingThe 1979-1980 Black Sabbath line-up — guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward and singer Ronnie James Dio — reportedly will reunite under the name Heaven And Hell for a number of Summer 2007 festivals. Word is that the quartet cannot perform as Black Sabbath for legal reasons and instead will adopt the title of the 1980 Sabbath album they all worked on as their name. To date, no tour dates have been announced and Sharon Osbourne has not issued a statement. Yet. Stones Are Giving It AwayHoly smokes! Rolling Stones fans can win a trip to see the band in Hawaii on the final scheduled stop of the A Bigger Bang tour. The top prize in the contest includes hotel stay, airfare, concert tickets and a backstage meet-and-greet with the legendary Hall Of Famers at their November 22nd Honolulu show, plus a 37-inch television, a DVD player and other goodies. Get thee to a Radio Shack to enter post haste! September 29, 2006
Rock & Roll Icon Jerry Lee Lewis is 71.
On this day in 1959, the cartoon show "Rocky And His Friends" debuted on ABC-TV. The first characters to be introduced were Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose as the heroes, along with Boris and Natasha as their enemies. Dudley Do-Right came on the scene a little bit later. On this day in 1963, The Rolling Stones began their first-ever tour of the U.K. supported by The Everly Brothers and Bo Diddley. On this day in 1964, The Beatles recorded "Every Little Thing," "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" and "What You're Doing" with producer George Martin at Abbey Road Studios. On this day in 1967, drummer Mickey Hart joined The Grateful Dead. On this day in 1967, The Rolling Stones fired their first manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. On this day in 1967, BBC Radio broadcast a production of Shakespeare's "King Lear" at 7:30pm. Not only was John Lennon listening, he also recorded a bit of the broadcast to use in The Beatles' song "I Am the Walrus." On this day in 1972, Cat Stevens played a sold-out show with an orchestra at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium. He was supporting his #1 album "Catch Bull at Four." On this day in 1973, Grand Funk Railroad hit #1 with "We're An American Band." On this day in 1977, AC/DC released their album "Let There Be Rock." On this day in 1979, "Bad Case Of Loving You" by Robert Palmer peaked at #14 on the charts. On this day in 1984, "Drive" by The Cars peaked at #3 on the charts. On this day in 1989, Glenn Frey joined Don Henley onstage in Los Angeles for the first time since the breakup of the Eagles, eight years earlier. On this day in 1992, Peter Gabriel released his "Us" album. On this day in 1996, it was announced that Julian Lennon was the anonymous buyer who had purchased Paul McCartney's handwritten recording notes for the song, "Hey Jude," at auction for about $40,000. The song was written by McCartney for young Julian when John Lennon separated from his mother, Cynthia, in 1968.
On Stage TonightYer Unc will be hosting the Doobie Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad at the L.A. County Fair tonight. On Stage SaturdayPeter Frampton will be rocking the Wiltern as Joe Satriani is ripping at the House Of Blues on Sunset and Dave Mason with Leon Russell will play the Cerritos Center For Performing Arts. Farm Aid TomorrowFarm Aid co-founders John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Willie Nelson are staging the 21st annual edition of the fundraising concert at the Tweeter Center in Camden, New Jersey tomorrow. Jerry Lee Lewis will perform with Roy Head, while Arlo Guthrie and guitar god Wayne Haynes' Gov't Mule will be joining Farm Aid board member Dave Matthews and Los Lonely Boys on the multi-artist bill. Farm Aid was established in 1985. Over the decades the organization has worked to promote family-owned farms and raise money to help the people who continue to till the land. The message of this year's event is aimed at consumers, urging them to buy food cultivated from family farms to help to generate more business for family farmers. Bono Will Be Dave's FirstU2 frontman Bono will be the first guest on musician/producer David A. Stewart's upcoming music-themed interview show for HBO. The "musicians on musicians" show will feature the male half of the Eurythmics (known back then as simply Dave Stewart), interviewing fellow artists about their craft. Six half-hour episodes of the show will air early next year. Romantics ResurfaceDetroit's own Romantics will headline the second leg of E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt's garage rock-themed Rolling Rock & Roll Show tour. And Little Steven is keeping the bands hopping! The first leg of the tour, featuring The Zombies, wraps this weekend and the Romantics line-up — also featuring Chicago's Shadows of Knight — kicks off next Tuesday in San Diego. The traveling festival will hit the Avalon in Hollywood next Wednesday and finish on October 27th in Nashville. Rodgers Hires 'Em YoungWith Queen + Paul Rodgers on hiatus, singer extraordinaire Paul Rodgers is gearing up for his first solo U.K. tour in five years. Rodgers surprised everyone by asking 17 year-old guitarist Kurtis Dengler of the Washington state band Electric Shades of Blue to join Paul's band of Collective Soul drummer Ryan Hoyle, guitarist Howard Leese from Heart and bassist Lynn Sorensen. Coincidentally, Dengler is the same age as Rodgers was when he formed Free with Paul Kossoff. No word on any Stateside dates yet, but let's hope Paul can keep this guitarist alive longer than Kossoff. Now You Can Buy Billy's HouseFour years after purchasing an estate with picturesque views of Oyster Bay Harbor, 57-year-old Billy Joel is moving out. Joel paid $22.5 million for the property in 2002, but will sell it to you for a mere $37.5 million. For that, you get a 40,000-square-foot brick, gabled house containing five bedrooms with three full baths, three half-baths and eight fireplaces on 14.26 acres with 1,550 feet of shoreline on Oyster Bay. There's also a guest cottage and a pool house by the beach. Other amenities include a gym, music room, wine cellar, outdoor pool, bowling alley and tennis courts, and a domed-roof indoor pool room, which has been converted into a space for Joel's grand piano. Billy's 20-something wife was too busy packing to comment on what she'll miss the most. Doobies/Grand FunkTonight! Tonight!, 8pm: Uncle Joe will be introducing his old friends The Doobie Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad on the L.A. County Fair's main stage! Top 10 Advantages Of Being Over 40
1. You can live without sex but not without glasses. September 30, 2006
Drummer Dewey Martin of Buffalo Springfield fame is 64.
On this day in 1955, James Dean, the icon of cool, died in an automobile accident at the age of 24. On this day in 1961, Bob Dylan began his recording career. His harmonica playing in a session for Caroline Hester's debut album captured the attention of record executive John Hammond, who signed Bob to a solo deal the next day. The rest, as they say, is history. On this day in 1966, guitarist Noel Redding was offered the job of bass player in Jimi Hendrix's new band, the Experience. On this day in 1967, "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison peaked at #10 on the charts. On this day in 1969, Crosby Stills & Nash's debut album was certified with "Gold" status, a half-million copies sold. Unfortunately, on that same day, David Crosby's girlfriend, Christine Hinton, died when her Volkswagen collided with a school bus in California. On this day in 1971, Yes began their first tour with keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who had just joined the band the previous month. On this day in 1978, Aerosmith's version of "Come Together" peaked at #23 on the singles chart. On this day in 1982, Bruce Springsteen released his most haunting album, "Nebraska." On this day in 1997, The Rolling Stones released their "Bridges To Babylon" album. The album didn't do so well, but the following tour was one of their most successful — both artistically and commercially. |
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