 October 21 - 31, 2006These are the scripts Joe Benson used on the air at 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles. They all received final editing by Jan Benson, without whom the task would have been far too daunting. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and enjoy! October 21, 2006
Guitarist Steve Cropper and bandleader/keyboardist Manfred Mann are both 65. 
On this day in 1961, 20-year-old Bob Dylan recorded his first album. It cost $400 to produce, was finished in one day and you could understand every word on it. On this day in 1972, America released their song "Ventura Highway." On this day in 1983, Yes released "Owner of a Lonely Heart," which went on to become their first #1 hit.   This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Police as well as Joe's brand new conversation with drummer Stewart Copeland. 
On Stage TonightSammy Hagar & The Wabos with special guest John Lovitz will be rocking the Red Rocktober party at the Gibson Amphitheatre as Bob Dylan swings at the Forum tonight. On Stage SaturdayBob Dylan will be swinging at the Long Beach Arena Saturday night. Bridge School Benefit This WeekendNeil Young's 20th annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts will take place at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View tomorrow and Sunday. Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson is joining a line-up that's heavy with modern rockers, including longtime participants Pearl Jam and the Dave Matthews Band. Proceeds from the acoustic shows will go to the Bridge School, a special educational facility that helps children with severe speech and learning disabilities. Young's two sons both went to the Bridge School. What If No One CaresReports are floating around that say Axl Rose threw a listening party for Guns N' Roses' long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" album late last month. Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach — never before sited as an arbiter of musicality for his generation — says the disc is "f**king epic... bad ass with killer screams, killer guitar riffs [and] a totally modern sound." Meanwhile, G&R's manager insists that "Chinese Democracy" will come out this year, although he maintains that it may be issued without a release date being announced. Ah! The old "surprise 'em" routine — kinda like getting your car egged! Peter Says No (Sort Of)For a major event that hasn't been announced, the long-in-discussion Genesis reunion tour sure is getting a lot of ink. When asked about the chance of it happening, former singer/founding member Peter Gabriel said: "It's not that I've ruled it out, but I've got some new material that I'll be working on." Gabriel also says he's "very happy" for former drummer/singer Phil Collins, guitarist Mike Rutherford and keyboardist Tony Banks, who haven't officially confirmed any thing. When he first addressed the subject of a reunion last November, Collins said original guitarist Steve Hackett would also be approached about coming on board. Considering Hackett releases solo albums three or four times quicker than Gabriel, it's unlikely he'd try to use the old "I've got some new material that I'll be working on" excuse to get out of the gig. Sue Me/Sue You Blues #493Art for art's sake, money for God's sake. John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, is suing the EMI Group and its Capitol Records subsidiary for more than $10 million worth of her late husband's royalties she claims she is owed. In court papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court yesterday, Ono alleges that the London-based EMI, quote, "abused the nearly half-century-old relationship of trust and confidence by willfully and knowingly under reporting royalties." The Beatles also sued EMI in 1979 and again in 1987 over royalty issues. In both instances they eventually reached an undisclosed settlement. Grand Marshal BillyBeing inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 by The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards was certainly one special honor, but next weekend ZZ Top singer/guitarist Billy F. Gibbons will be the Grand Marshal of the Sixth Annual ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway! Known worldwide as an avid collector of cars and guitars, Billy says "If you think of it, an NHRA race is really the ultimate hot rod show, with some bad hot rods flying down the quarter-mile, and having it in Las Vegas only makes it that much better... a great excuse to come out to the desert and get my horsepower fix." Right so! Ric Says Yes/NoFounding Cars frontman Ric Ocasek says putting together the just released Cars Unlocked – The Live Performances DVD/CD package helped him gain perspective on the band and its history. He wryly says that, "This project confirmed that we'd picked a good place to stop." As for the New Cars, Ric maintains, "I'd always said I didn't want to be one of those bands that came back after the fact."  Quote Of The WeekIt was Confucius who said, "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." Three More Curious FactoidsThe animal responsible for the most human deaths worldwide is the mosquito. The four taste zones on your tongue are bitter (back), sour (back sides), salty (front sides) and sweet (front). The name for Oz in "The Wizard of Oz" was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence "Oz.". October 22, 2006
Guitarist Leslie West of Mountain is 61.
On this day in 1976, Keith Moon played his last show with The Who before a paying audience at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. On this day in 1977, "Cold As Ice" by Foreigner peaked at #6 as Queen's "We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions" entered the singles charts. On this day in 1982, "The Eagles Greatest Hits Volume II" was released. On this day in 1983, "Burning Down The House" by the Talking Heads peaked at #9 on the singles chart. On this day in 1994, producer Jimmy Miller died in Boulder, Colorado. After surviving The Rolling Stones' lifestyle from the late Sixties through the mid-Seventies, Jimmy finally succumbed to lung cancer. October 23, 2006
Johnny Carson would have been 83.
On this day in 1965, "Turn!, Turn!, Turn!" by The Byrds entered the charts on it's way to becoming their third big hit. The song's lyrics were drawn from the Biblical 'Book of Ecclesiastes.' On this day in 1975, Elton John played a sold-out show at Dodger Stadium on the final night of his "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" tour. On this day in 1976, ELO released the song "Livin' Thing." On this day in 1982, "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac peaked at #12 and "Hold On" by Santana topped out at #15 on the charts.
Eagles/Wal-Mart/WowWord is that the Eagles are signing a deal with Wal-Mart to give the discount retailers exclusive rights for future recordings and other releases from the band. The group will perform at a party for the company's CEO, Lee Scott, at New York's Rockefeller Center today and will play a show for Wal-Mart execs and investors at the city's Nokia Theater tomorrow. No word on which of those two shows Satan is expected to make an appearance, or if Don Henley has ever been in a Wal-Mart. Stay tuned! Hear The Bridge School BenefitNeil Young's 20th annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts took place this past weekend at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson joined a line up heavy with modern rockers including longtime participants Pearl Jam and the Dave Matthews Band. Proceeds from the acoustic shows will go to the Bridge School, a special educational facility that helps children with severe speech and learning disabilities. If you'd like to hear how it turned out, iTunes will begin selling live performances from past Bridge School concerts by more than 70 artists on November 14th. East Coast Bozo Fears MaccaCanton, Connecticut resident Paul McCartney began legal proceedings last week after learning that former Beatle Paul McCartney is attempting to trademark the name, which would allow the rock legend to brand a variety of products with the moniker. "I don't want to cause any problems," says the non-famous McCartney, who could be limited in his use of the name if the trademark is granted. "I just don't want to lose the rights to my name." Yeah, sure — whatever you say, Connecticut boy. Melissa's New KidsCongrats to Melissa Etheridge and her partner Tammy Lynn Michaels on the birth of their twins. Although the births took place last Tuesday, the couple just made the announcement over the weekend. They named their son Miller Steven and the daughter has been named Johnnie Rose. In August of last year, Etheridge announced she was free of cancer, nine months after undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor in her breast. Stones' Truth & LiesA documentary covering The Rolling Stones' career from the legendary band's formation in 1962 to the start of its Forty Licks tour in 2002 has been released on DVD. Truth And Lies features 87 minutes of film, including footage of Mick Jagger's 1971 marriage to Bianca Moreno de Macias (and that was a party!) and a look at the infamous 1967 drug bust at Keith Richards' country estate. The Official Story Of Cream (Finally)It only took 30-some years, but Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker have finally given their permission for Cream's story to be told. The double-disc "Cream: Classic Artists" DVD will feature new interviews with Clapton, Bruce and Baker, as well as rock contemporaries, journalists and music industry associates, plus rare performance footage and photos. The package will also include a bonus audio CD with previously unreleased versions of five tracks from a 1967 radio performance in Sweden. Now you just gotta wonder if one of the guys in the rhythm section will change his mind and tank the project before the November 21st release date! Quote Of The DayIt was Hank Aaron who said, "It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course." Quote Of The WeekIt was author Ambrose Bierce who said, "The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling." October 24, 2006
Bassist Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones is 70.
On this day in 1967, Pink Floyd arrived in the U.S. to begin their first North American tour. Their first stop was Bill Graham's famed Fillmore West in San Francisco and, by all accounts, group mastermind Syd Barrett was physically present — no more, no less. On this day in 1970, The Kinks' "Lola" peaked at #9 on the charts. On this day in 1980, Paul McCartney received a rhodium disc from the Guinness Book of World Records celebrating his status as the world's best-selling songwriter. On this day in 1981, "Leather & Lace," the Stevie Nicks/Don Henley duet, entered the singles chart. On this day in 1983, Stevie Nicks released her album, "The Wild Heart." On this day in 1987, George Harrison's cover of "Got My Mind Set On You" entered the singles chart.
All Hail Don!Don Henley has been chosen as the 2007 MusiCares Person Of The Year. The occasional Eagle will be honored at a gala dinner and concert February 9th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, two days before the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Henley will be honored for his exceptional professional achievements as well as his commitment to a range of philanthropic causes from environmental issues to artists' rights concerns. Proceeds from this annual GRAMMY week gala provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need. Macca Divorce Muck #841Will somebody please tell Heather Mills McCartney to put a cork in it? Now she's claiming that the former Beatle was abusive to both her and his late first wife, Linda. Meanwhile, a former aide of the pair is all over the British press saying that it was Mills who was violent towards her husband. And her own father, former paratrooper Mark Mills, says, "She can't tell fact from fiction. She wasn't telling the truth in the past about me hitting her. That was all lies. They were false allegations about me and she's doing the same thing now to him. The difference is that I can't defend myself whereas McCartney can. I hope he really goes to town. Heather is mad. She's doing it for the money." Macca has not directly commented on the specifics of Mills' testimony — yet. New John From The GarageJohn Mellencamp's new song, "Our Country," that he licensed to Chevrolet for a truck commercial is just one of 14 new tunes that will be on his new album, "Freedom Road." Mellencamp says the recording actually "sounds very 1966, but it sounds now... 'Our Country' is the most John Mellencamp-sounding record on it. I think people are gonna go, 'Wow!,' or they're gonna go, 'What is he trying to do?'" When he says 1966, Mellencamp means a "garage rock" sound, and to get the flavor right he recorded his new music in the garage of his studio. "We tore apart... every song from 1966, 1965," Mellencamp says. "We listened to all that music, then we learned it, we listened to it, we examined it... 'How did they do that?' We were inspired by it, we copied it, we stole it. We did everything we could from that era." The album is due out in January, followed by a national tour. Who Swallowed Cooper's Sword?Someone took Alice Cooper's sword during his show in Pennsylvania last Friday night, and Alice would like it back. It seems that one of his swords got caught up in a dancer's whip and flew into the audience. There were no injuries, but someone snuck away with a cool souvenir. Alice is offering a $500 cash reward for the sword's return, as well as a pair of tickets and a backstage meeting and photo opportunity for his show in Reading this Friday night. Even in Pennsylvania, don't you think that someone would have seen the perpetrator stick the sword down his pants? Bassist Down/OutWeeks after choosing a lead singer on CBS's TV show Rock Star: Supernova, the band Rock Star Supernova has lost its bassist to sports injuries. Former Metallica member Jason Newsted tore the anterior labrum in his left shoulder and a rotator cuff and bicep in his right shoulder while trying to catch a 90-pound amplifier head that had fallen from atop his speaker cabinets during a rehearsal. Following surgery, Jason will enter an intense physical rehab for up to nine months. With the group's debut album due out on November 21st and a national tour launching in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, Lukas Rossi, Tommy Lee and Gilby Clarke are searching for a replacement. Sandy West R.I.P.Sandy West, a founding member and drummer for the all-female Seventies band The Runaways, died Saturday after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 47. Founded in 1975, the Runaways' original lineup also included Joan Jett, Lita Ford and Cherie Currie. Having worked with Sandy in the late Seventies and early Eighties, I can say she was a great person and will be missed. Rest in peace. Deadly OnesHere are four true stories from BizarreNews.com. Attila the Hun (453 AD) bled to death from a nosebleed on his wedding night. Jockey Frank Hayes (1923) had a heart attack during a race. His horse, Sweet Kiss, won the event, making Hayes the only deceased jockey to win a race. Actress Isadora Duncan (1927) was killed by accidental strangulation when her scarf got caught in a car wheel. 71-year-old author/playwright Tennessee Williams (1983) choked to death on a nose spray bottle cap that accidentally dropped into his mouth while he was using the spray. Now, have a nice day! October 25, 2006
Vocalist Jon Anderson of Yes is 62.
On this day in 1960, a 17-year-old Mick Jagger coincidentally met his old school chum Keith Richards on a train. While the two bonded over a mutual love of R&B records, fame and the "Glimmer Twins" were still a long way off. On this day in 1964, The Rolling Stones appeared for the first time on the "Ed Sullivan Show." Afterward, letters from concerned parents — chastising the program's producers for the booking — flooded the show's offices. Despite CBS's promise that The Stones would never grace their studio again, they were back on the show a few months later. Oh, the scandal! Oh, the ratings! On this day in 1991, concert promoter Bill Graham (who ran the Fillmore East & West) was killed in a helicopter crash north of San Francisco.
Kurt's Bigger Than ElvisIt's certainly nothing he ever aspired to, but deceased Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain has topped Forbes.com's list of top earning dead celebrities with $50 million last year. Elvis Presley fell one spot from last year with $42 million. Cobain's presence on the list is due to his esteemed widow, Courtney Love, selling a 25% stake of Nirvana's song catalog. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz came in at #3, John Lennon at #4 and Albert Einstein at #5. Seger's Working ItBob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band are over-preparing for their first concert tour in a decade. Seger says, "We're learning so many songs. We're probably a show and a half, and of course we can't play a show and a half. So we keep playing them, and the ones that keep getting better are the ones that stay in." This year's edition of the Silver Bullet Band includes stalwarts Alto Reed on saxophone, Chris Campbell on bass and Craig Frost on keyboards, along with Grand Funk Railroad drummer Don Brewer and longtime backing vocalist Shaun Murphy, who's also a member of Little Feat. The initial leg of Seger's tour kicks off on November 8th in Grand Rapids. He'll hit the Southland after the first of the year. Macca Divorce Muck #842In a move the British tabloids were no doubt expecting, Heather Mills McCartney is suing the "London Evening Standard," "The Sun" and "Daily Mail" over "false, damaging and immensely upsetting" claims surrounding her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney. Her attorneys say their client is being vilified by the media and "stalked" by photographers, and that if Mills had more money, she would sue additional media outlets. Sweet! Wonder if she'll claim the papers drank heavily and abused her with a vengeance? Brian Explains SpaceQueen guitarist Brian May abandoned his studies to join Queen just before receiving his doctorate in astronomy from the prestigious Imperial College in London, but he's never lost his interest in the heavens. Brian is the co-author of a new astronomy book called "BANG! – The Complete History of the Universe." Along with Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott, Brian spent over two years writing and researching to create a book he hopes will "inform," "excite," "entertain" and "provide a new generation of potential astronomers with inspiration" by decoding the mysteries of the universe in plain English. How much does "plain English" differ from the Queen's English? AC/DC In PrintA new, "definitive" AC/DC biography — "AC/DC Maximum Rock & Roll" by Murray Engleheart and Arnaud Durieux — has just been released in Australia. The 480-page book is the result of 75 exclusive conversations with bandmembers and associates, as well as extensive research. It also includes more than 100 rare photos, which is good for a band that doesn't read much. It will hit U.S. stores in January. Raw "War""Living With War – Raw," a stripped-down version of Neil Young's latest album, will be made available via iTunes on November 7th. The remastered recording will also include live studio renditions of the album's 10 songs. In addition, a collection packaging a "Living With War – Raw" CD with a DVD featuring videos for the album's tracks is due out on December 19th — just in time for the holidays! October 26, 2006
On this day in 1965, The Beatles were awarded M.B.E. (Members of the British Empire) medals by Queen Elizabeth II. The Fab Four were the first non-military recipients of the award, which was given in recognition of the amount of attention, financial and otherwise, that the group had generated for Britain. Although none of the other Beatles ever confirmed it, John Lennon said the boys smoked "a bit of marijuana" in one of the palace bathrooms to calm their nerves. Talk about a high point in their career! On this day in 1978, The Police played their first American show at Boston's Rat Club. On this day in 1981, David Bowie and Queen recorded "Under Pressure" in Montreux, Switzerland.
Dick Clark's SellingFormer American Bandstand host Dick Clark is letting go of his past. He is putting more than 900 pieces of his Rock & Roll memorabilia collection up for auction by Guernsey's Auction House in New York on December 5th and 6th. Among the top items is the microphone Dick used for 31 years while hosting "American Bandstand." Clark, who continues to recover from a stroke he suffered in 2004, said the microphone was an extension of his right arm, and Guernsey's estimates it will fetch between $10,000 and $100,000. Also up for auction are one of Paul McCartney's four Hofner left-handed basses, an electric guitar Bruce Springsteen gave to Clark, a beaded glove worn by Michael Jackson, a sequined bustier worn by Madonna on her first tour, and a suit John Lennon wore as a Beatle. Part of the auction's profits will go to the T.J. Martell Foundation which raises funds to battle cancer, leukemia and AIDS. Hamilton's Taking LongerAerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton's recuperation from cancer treatment is taking longer than expected, so he won't be joining the boys on their current tour. "I'm getting better steadily but kind of slowly," he says. "I'm chomping at the bit, but the real decisions are up to the doctors." Meanwhile, Aerosmith's latest greatest hits collection, "Devil's Got A New Disguise," debuted at #33 on the Billboard 200 this week. Sabbath/Not SabbathAs expected, founding Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward are officially reuniting with former Sabbath singer Ronnie James Dio under the tentative name Heaven And Hell. They'll launch some sort of tour early next year. You may recall that in 1979 Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, singing on the group's "Heaven And Hell" album and tour before departing in 1982. To no one's surprise, shortly after the "Heaven And Hell" press release came out yesterday, Sharon Osbourne's staff released an announcement saying: "Tony Iommi and Ronnie Dio are working on a project together which has nothing to do with Black Sabbath. There is only one Black Sabbath. Ozzy, Tony, Geezer [Butler] and Bill [Ward] will be touring late next year along with a new Black Sabbath album. However, Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their project together." Cool — glad Ozzy's camp cleared that up for us. Paul + QueenWondering what Paul Rodgers and Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor have been up to? Brian says, "Roger and Paul Rodgers and I have been in the studio the last few days working on NEW NEW NEW material... quite an occasion really. Apart from our excursions with Dave Stewart for Nelson Mandela a couple of years back (most of which never got heard) this is our first Queen new recording session for about 15 years. It may turn into an album... it may lead elsewhere, but right now we are HAVING FUN! And... it sounds pretty amazing to my ears... very different from anything Paul or Queen have ever done. And pretty epic!!" No word yet as to when the new material might be made public or if there will be another Queen + Paul Rodgers tour — yet. Coop's Sword ReturnedAlice Cooper's sword, which went missing during Friday night's show in Pennsylvania, has been returned. Mr. Cooper, who lost his prop weapon when it caught in a dancer's whip and flew into the audience, later offered a reward for its return. But low and behold, after seeing a local news item on the incident, an "honest" concertgoer called in to say he had the sword and would be happy to give it back to Cooper. No word if he took the $500 reward. R.I.P. Pink FlamingoResidents of the wacky principality of Florida are mourning the death of one the state's most recognizable icons — the plastic pink flamingo. The 49-year-old pop culture symbol was best known for showing up in people's yards all across the Sunshine State in the late 1950's just as Florida's tourism industry started to boom. The demise of the flamingo comes after its maker, Union Products of Massachusetts, decided to end production in June, with the plant scheduled to shut its doors on November 1st. The company says the plastic bird fell victim to soaring electricity prices and the increasing cost of materials. However, not all hope is lost for flamingo lovers. Other companies have expressed interest in buying the molds in an attempt to save them from complete extinction. October 27, 2006
Bassist Garry Tallent of The E Street Band is 58.
On this day in 1962, the fledgling Rolling Stones made their first recordings at London's Curly Clayton Studios. Vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart and drummer Tony Chapman covered blues songs by Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and Bo Diddley, but no record deal resulted. On this day in 1973, Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" peaked at #12 as Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" entered the singles charts. On this day in 1975, Bruce Springsteen was hailed as the most important artist of the day on the covers of both "Time" and "Newsweek" magazines, even though he'd never had a hit single or sold very many albums. On this day in 1979, Foreigner's "Dirty White Boy" peaked at #12 as Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" topped out at #16 on the charts. On this day in 1984, Pat Benatar's "We Belong" entered the singles chart. On this day in 1986, The Police's compilation album "Every Breath You Take: The Singles" was released. On this day in 2002, Tom Dowd, one of the most legendary record producers in the history of Rock & Roll, died of natural causes at the age of 77 in Florida. This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of the Eagles as well as conversation with Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Timothy B. Schmit.
VH #1 Redux?There's an unsubstantiated rumor floating around that Van Halen may tour next year with original frontman David Lee Roth. Word is that negotiations are under way to reunite Roth and the Van Halen brothers for a money-generating jaunt. It is not known whether bass player Michael Anthony will be involved or if Wolfgang Van Halen's mother will let him play bass. Stay tuned! Dylan Dances On BroadwayThe new Bob Dylan musical The Times They Are A-Changin' officially opened to good reviews at the Brooks Atkinson Theater on Broadway last night. Over 25 of Dylan's songs are represented in the musical, from "Mr. Tambourine Man" to "Gotta Serve Somebody." The collaboration between Bob and director/choreographer Twyla Tharp (who previously directed the Tony-award winning Billy Joel musical Movin' Out) is set in a traveling circus. Dylan, who saw a performance of the musical earlier this year when it had an out-of-town tryout, said that it "hit me like a lightning bolt" and he believed that Tharp's staging enabled his songs to come across "in a way I couldn't get them across." Said Dylan, "dance is not my expertise but I felt like I was flying when I left the theater." Now that would be something to see! Making Excuses For AxlNot that anyone really cares, but a Florida-based promoter says that the postponement of the first two dates of Guns N' Roses' new tour was due to Axl Rose making last-minute adjustments to his long-in-production album, "Chinese Democracy," rather than slow ticket sales. But they do have a lot of tickets available if you want to go to the show. Meanwhile, a song from "Chinese Democracy" — "Better" — is featured in a new Harley-Davidson commercial. Jovi Duo To Award CMAsBon Jovi singer Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora will present a trophy at the 2006 CMA Awards on November 6th. The 40th edition of the annual country music bash will take place in Nashville and will air live on ABC. October 28, 2006
On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley made his second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog" and "Love Me." On this day in 1961, a customer asked Liverpool record store clerk Brian Epstein for "My Bonnie," a single by The Beatles. Epstein didn't have it, but after a second customer requested the record, he ordered it and tracked the group down to the Cavern Club. Epstein later became the band's manager. On this day in 1964, filming of the T.A.M.I. Show began at the Santa Monica Civic. The highly influential concert movie was actually shot over three days, and featured Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, The Rolling Stones and a smoking performance by James Brown. On this day in 1967, The Who's "I Can See For Miles" entered the charts as "People Are Strange" by The Doors peaked at #12. On this day in 1977, the Sex Pistols released their album "Never Mind the Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols" in the United States. The album, which still stands as a testament to what punk rock was all about, eventually sold a million copies — though it took 10 years to do so. On this day in 1977, Steve Perry joined Journey for their first public concert together, in San Francisco. On this day in 1978, Bob Seger released the song "We've Got Tonight." On this day in 1983, almost five years to the day after their first U.S. gig at a small club in Boston, The Police played Miami's Orange Bowl in front of an audience of over 48,000 people. During 1983's "Synchronicity" tour (the band's last), they set box office records with sold-out shows at stadiums across the States. On this day in 1985, two highly successful albums were released: Robert Palmer's "Riptide" and ZZ Top's "Afterburner." On this day in 1986, Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" album began an eight-week stay at #1 on the charts. On this day in 1989, Aerosmith's "Love In An Elevator" peaked at #5 on the charts. On this day in 1991, Genesis released their "We Can't Dance" album. October 29, 2006
Guitarist/vocalist Denny Laine of the Moody Blues and Wings is 62.
On this day in 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival released their "Willy & The Poor Boys" album. On this day in 1971, guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. On this day in 1973, John Lennon released the song "Mind Games." On this day in 1976, the "Best Of The Doobies" was released to buy time as The Doobie Brothers worked up new music in the studio. On this day in 1977, "Come Sail Away" by Styx and Fleetwood Mac's "You Make Loving Fun" both entered the charts. On this day in 1977, Meatloaf released his classic "Bat Out Of Hell" album. On this day in 1981, Rush released "Exit... Stage Left," named after their favorite Yogi Bear line. On this day in 1999, the surviving members of The Who — Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle — reunited for the first time in two years for a concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to promote an Internet video company. Also performing that night were KISS, Tony Bennett and the Dixie Chicks. October 30, 2006
Singer and rock icon Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship is 67 and still very feisty.
Hall Of Fame Nominee Reunions?Do you think that the recent Van Halen reunion rumors and last month's R.E.M. reunion have anything to do with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame? In their first year of eligibility, both groups are on the ballot as nominees for the Class of 2007, along with Patti Smith and the Dave Clark Five. The New York-based Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation creates the ballots, while Hall of Famers, record executives and other industry insiders select the inductees with their votes. The Class of 2007 induction ceremony will be held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York on March 12th. Maybe Macca TourPaul McCartney could be returning to the U.S. concert circuit next year. Word in London says that the former Beatle is planning a five-month world tour in late 2007 which would include shows in North America and Europe as well as in Australia and Japan. They're saying that the road trip would be Sir Paulie's way of getting over his broken marriage and "a rather convenient way of recouping the losses he will make in the divorce courts." Guesses on how much of Macca's fortune could go to estranged wife Heather Mills in the divorce settlement range from $37 million to $380 million. If nothing else, a tour would be one way to meet chicks who aren't afraid of pre-nups! Buy Jimi/LitigationA private bidder paid $15 million for the rights to some of Jimi Hendrix's best known songs last Thursday — as well as the chance to be sued big time by Jimi's family. The auction was organized by the estate of late Hendrix manager Michael Jeffrey. However, Experience Hendrix, the company owned by the musician's family, has long claimed that they own all the rights to the guitarist's music and recordings. A spokesperson for Experience Hendrix says, "Whoever bought this bought themselves the right to be a litigant. It will be contested instantly." Earlier in the week, a temporary restraining order was issued to prevent the sale of three of the auction's disputed lots. The auctioneer, who works for the Chicago-based merchant bank Ocean Tomo, declined to comment on the ownership rights to the songs. Lesh Ill/Not DownGrateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh has prostate cancer. The condition was detected during a routine check up in connection with his liver transplant, and confirmed by a urologist. But ever the optimist, Lesh says that he's "feeling energetic as always" and expects to make "a rapid and complete recovery." The 66-year-old says he'll have surgery in early December but will keep all of his publicity commitments for the release of the CD/DVD set "Phil Lesh & Friends Live at the Warfield." He also has a special lecture/performance slated for the New York City club SOB's on November 8th, and he's scheduled to participate in a multi-artist benefit tribute honoring Bob Dylan at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on November 9th. Quote Of The WeekIt was violinist Ruggiero Ricci who said, "A specialist is someone who does everything else worse." Why Pumpkins Are Better Than Men
1. Every year you get a brand new crop to choose from. October 31, 2006
Singer/guitarist Russ Ballard of Argent fame is 59.
On this day in 1956, Paul McCartney's mother died from breast cancer. Mary McCartney had ignored pains in her chest, dismissing them as symptoms of menopause. By the time she consulted a doctor and underwent surgery, it was too late - the cancer had spread. 14-year-old Paul was devastated and buried his grief in an obsession with music. On this day in 1973, Cheap Trick played their first gig. And yes, they were very, very loud. On this day in 1975, Queen released their signature song, "Bohemian Rhapsody," in Britain. It went on to spend a record eight consecutive weeks at #1 there, then enjoyed a second life on the charts in the Nineties when it was featured in the film "Wayne's World." Scarra-Moosh!! On this day in 1981, "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones peaked at #2 on the charts. On this day in 1981, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" entered the singles chart as Ozzy Osbourne released his "Diary of a Madman" album.
Plant's DuetingFormer Led Zeppelin singer/rock god Robert Plant has been hanging out in Nashville of late, but he's there for more than Southern cooking! Robert's been recording a duets album with bluegrass goddess Alison Krauss and famed producer T-Bone Burnett. Everyone involved should probably book their trips to the 2008 GRAMMY Awards right now. Mick's HurtingThe Rolling Stones won't be performing at New York's Beacon Theater tonight as originally planned. Mick Jagger has been experiencing throat problems, and he's been advised by a doctor to take another day off to rest his voice. Last Friday, The Stones also postponed a show in Atlantic City because of Jagger's condition, but the group took the stage at the Beacon on Sunday with a special birthday performance for former President Bill Clinton. "I'd like to welcome President Clinton... and I see she's brought her husband," quipped the Mickster in reference to Hillary's rumored presidential run. White Stripes frontman Jack White, Christina Aguilera and Buddy Guy joined The Stones on stage throughout the evening which was being filmed by Martin Scorsese. The plan is for the boys to play their second Beacon show tomorrow night, and a make-good concert in Atlantic City has been booked for November 17th. However, that gig may present a problem with the boys' appearance at Dodger Stadium on the 18th. We should expect an updated itinerary to be announced soon. Macca/Heather/Party (Sort Of)Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his very estranged wife reportedly put aside their bitter divorce battle this weekend to celebrate their young daughter's birthday. According to Britain's "Hello!" magazine, the 64-year-old rocker, 38-year-old Heather Mills and about a dozen guests attended a party at an East Sussex children's play center Saturday, for three-year-old Beatrice. McCartney and Mills reportedly left the event separately, about 10 minutes apart. Must have of been a chilly room. New Who Today"Endless Wire" — The Who's first new album in nearly a quarter-century — arrives in stores today. The group will launch the second leg of a North American tour with a pair of shows at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend. Mucho Brit AwardsThe mighty fine British music magazine "Q" just held their yearly awards banquet. U2 received the Q Innovation in Sound Award as well as the special one-time-only Q Award Of Awards: Band of Bands. Peter Gabriel was given the Q Lifetime Achievement Award and The Who received the Legend Award. Because the event wasn't televised, we won't have to watch the perennially boorish Oasis win the really big prizes. KISS ParadingPaul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS will serve as the grand marshals for New York's Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village this evening. The boys will ride on a KISS float in full costume and makeup during the parade. Even if they're not surrounded by nubile young fans, betcha it will seem just like the old days! Scary Halloween Factoids"Hallow" is an old word meaning holy, whilst "e'en" is Scottish for evening. Halloween is believed by some to be the time when the dead and other demonic creatures rise to walk the earth once more. Black cats are a symbol of Halloween because it was once believed that souls could travel back into the world of the living in the body of an animal — usually a black cat. The ancient Celtic fire festival called "Samhain" (pronounced "sow-in") is the origin of modern Halloween. It was the "feast of the dead" that marked the close of the harvest and the initiation of the winter season, which continued from Pagan into Christian times. Halloween marks modern witches' New Year's eve. It is a time spent celebrating death, fertility and renewal. The tradition of witches riding their brooms didn't come about just because they were the handiest flight objects available. The broomstick was symbolic of the magical powers of females because it was used in the cleansing of ritual places. It is estimated that between the 15th and 18th centuries two million people were executed for witchcraft, and 80% of that number were women. Pumpkin FactoidsPumpkins are fruits, not vegetables. Pumpkins, gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the family Cucurbitacae, which also includes cucumbers, gherkins, and melons. Ever try to carve a gherkin? Pumpkins are indigenous to the Western Hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. Jack-o-lanterns are an Irish tradition. In Ireland, oversized rutabagas, turnips and potatoes were hollowed-out, carved into faces and illuminated with candles to be used as lanterns during Halloween celebrations. Pumpkins generally weigh from 15-to-30 pounds, although some weigh as much as 600 pounds (too much time spent watching TV, no doubt). |
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