 February 1 - 10, 2007These 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! February 1, 2007
Guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers is 57. 
On this day in 1963, Neil Young, at age 17, performed his first professional date at a country club in Winnipeg, Canada. On this day in 1964, the British Invasion of America officially began as The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" hit #1. On this day in 1964, Bob Dylan released his classic "The Times They Are A Changin'" album. On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones released their legendary "The Rolling Stones Now" album. On this day in 1967, The Beatles began their official sessions for "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," laying down the rhythm tracks for the title cut. On this day in 1969, The Beatles soundtrack album "Yellow Submarine" was released. On this day in 1970, Van Morrison released his "Moondance" album. On this day in 1986, John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A." entered the Top 40. On this day in 1988, The Cars officially broke up. 
Mellencamp ScoresJohn Mellencamp's new album "Freedom's Road" debuted at #5 on the latest Billboard 200 — John's highest-ever debut on the chart. It also marks the highest a Mellencamp album has charted since his 1985 effort "Scarecrow," which peaked at #3. You can see John and his band perform next week with a February 8th performance on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman, as well as appearances the following day on NBC's Today and Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Tyler Wants PeaceAerosmith singer Steven Tyler will perform at the Peace Alliance's educational gala Turning Peace Into Political Force at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. next Monday. The event, which supports a congressional campaign to create a U.S. Department of Peace. A New Pete CompPete Townshend has just released a solo career-spanning compilation called "The Definitive Collection." It features 17 tracks from Townshend's main studio albums, including such classics as "Pure And Easy," "Let My Love Open The Door," "Rough Boys," "Slit Skirts," "Give Blood" and "A Friend Is A Friend." The cover features a 1978 black and white performance shot of Townshend taken during The Who's "The Kids Are Alright" movie. Hank/SkynyrdBeginning in mid-April, Hank Williams Jr., and Lynyrd Skynyrd will co-headline the Rowdy Frynds arena tour. The initial run of shows includes 20 dates that completely avoid the West Coast — so far. The two artists teamed up for a brief but successful run several years ago, and Williams' appearance on the "VH1 Classics" show with Skynyrd last summer revived their synergy. While Skynyrd is a notorious road warrior, over the past decade Williams has only worked 20-25 nights a year in choice markets for top dollar. To that end, all of the announced Frynds tour dates are on Friday or Saturday nights, save the Wednesday opener in Huntsville. Remastered WarrenThe late Warren Zevon's "Excitable Boy," "Stand In The Fire" and "The Envoy" albums have been remastered and expanded with unreleased bonus tracks. In addition to the three remastered albums hitting retail stores on March 27th, there will be an exclusive iTunes-only version of the album which will feature rare photos. Plant Will WorkFormer Led Zeppelin singer/rock god Robert Plant will be the Saturday headliner at the 2007 Green Man Festival taking place August 17th through the 19th at Glanusk Park in the Brecon Beacons. It's doubtful that Plant and his backing band, Strange Sensation, will actually be painted green, but one can never tell with those wacky U.K. festivals. 
GRAMMY GRAMMYThis Saturday night at 7 on 95.5 KLOS, the second two-hour installment of "A Look Back At The GRAMMYS" hosted by yer Uncle Joe Benson will feature interviews, acceptance speeches and stories from artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, KISS, The Clash, Boston and many more. For those outside of Southern California, check your local listings for air times. Quote Of The DayIt was Woody Allen who said: "I'm not afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." Zippy Language Tips for Doo-Dah PeopleThe word "tip," as in a gratuity, is actually an acronym for "To Insure Promptness." The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language. The letters "YKK" on zippers stand for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushibibaisha, the largest zipper manufacturer in the world. The only English word that contains a triple letter is "goddessship." In English pubs, drinks are served in pints and quarts. In old England, bartenders would advise unruly customers to mind their own pints and quarts. It's the origin of the phrase "mind your P's and Q's." Why do golfers yell "Fore!"? British infantry once fired volleys from two ranks, rear rank standing behind front rank kneeling, to double the firepower. Rear rankers about to fire warned front rankers to keep heads down by calling out, "Beware before!" Then, "'Ware before!" Then just, "'Fore!" "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" is commonly believed to be the only English sentence devised to include all the letters of the alphabet. However, for years typesetters have had another such sentence: "Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs." Once word of this gets out, typing classes may never be the same. February 2, 2007
Singer extraordinaire Graham Nash is 65.
On this day in 1978, after four years of playing virtually every club and backyard in Southern California, Van Halen signed their first recording contract. It was at that time that publicists subtracted a couple years from each member's age to make them seem even more astounding. On this day in 1979, 21-year-old Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious died in New York of a heroin overdose. He was not a hero. On this day in 1980, the Eagles' song "The Long Run" peaked at #8 on the charts.  This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Doobie Brothers as well as more of Joe's conversation with guitarist/singer Patrick Simmons.
The Who/Cancer FundraiserThe Who will once again close out the U.K.'s annual Teenage Cancer Trust concert series developed by Who frontman Roger Daltrey. The charity works to meet the needs — both medical and personal — of teens and young adults battling cancer in Britain. The six-night concert series at London's Royal Albert Hall will run from March 26th through the 31st. Another V.H. Comp/RumorOne thing is finally official: The new 19-song Van Halen "Best Of (1978-1984)" compilation is due out March 13th, the day after the band will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The album will be the first single-disc collection focusing solely on the group's Dave Lee Roth-fronted years. Meanwhile, rumors continue to rumble that the fourth version of Van Halen (V.H. IV) will warm up for their proposed reunion tour April 27th and 28th at Las Vegas' Palms Casino. Waiting On The Ozz-manOzzy Osbourne's long-awaited new album is now slated for a May release. While the occasional Black Sabbath frontman has a 17-stop European tour launching in Moscow on May 27th, Ozzy hasn't announced any North American tour plans — yet. An announcement regarding Ozzfest 2007 should be coming in the near future. Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne's husband isn't directly taking part in this year's Super Bowl, but the Prince of Darkness was reportedly in South Florida yesterday to join representatives from the National Football League in handing out hearing aids to underprivileged children. The event took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino as part of the Starkey Hearing Foundation's donation of $1 million worth of audio equipment to kids in need. Right so Ozz-man! E.C. Gets MiffedReports out of New Zealand say Eric Clapton was quite upset when he spotted Eric Clapton-labeled wine before his show at the Mission Estate Winery. It seems that the Winery has been bottling special wines with performer's names on the label for the past 15 years, but Clapton, who has battled drug and alcohol addictions, came close to refusing to play the show when he saw some of the bottles. The Winery chief executive admitted that there was an issue and said, "On legal advice, we elected not to make the wine available for sale." Clapton and his band kick off a new round of North American dates on February 28th in Dallas. There's talk about a second Crossroads Festival being held this Summer in Chicago, but nothing's been confirmed — yet. A Thoroughly Thorogood DVDA great limited-edition live DVD featuring George Thorogood & The Destroyers has been made available for sale online. Produced by Morgan Freeman, "The Clarksdale Jook Joint Jam Volume 1" captures George and his band performing at a tribute to bluesman Eddie Shaw in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Back in the Southland, Thorogood will rock the House Of Blues on Sunset on April 11th and the House Of Blues in Anaheim on April 15th.
The Longest..."Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order. Groundhog HeavenToday is Groundhog Day, and over 15,000 spectators gathered at "Gobbler's Knob" this morning to see the large rodent named Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his/her lair to see its shadow. Legend has it that if P-Phil can see its own shadow on February 2nd, winter will last another six weeks. Today's verdict: Expect an early Spring because P-Phil did not see its shadow! Since 1886, P-Phil has seen its shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 15 times and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The whole event, as well as Punxsutawney (a rural community 90 miles northwest of Pittsburgh), were made even more famous worldwide in the movie "Groundhog Day," which starred Bill Murray. Strangely enough, no one has seen Murray's shadow since 1999... but that's another story for another time. February 3, 2007
Dave Davies, the fist swinging, guitar playing younger brother in The Kinks, is 60.
On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens were killed when their small plane crashed in bad weather shortly after take-off from the Mason City, Iowa airfield. They had decided to pay for plane tickets rather than travel by bus to Fargo, North Dakota. At the last minute, Holly's bass player, Waylon Jennings, gave up his seat so that the Big Bopper could make the flight. On this day in 1968, The Beatles recorded "Lady Madonna" in three takes at Abbey Road Studios in London. On this day in 2004, saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus, who played with the The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan among many others, died from a heart attack on a commercial flight from New York to California. He was 58. February 4, 2007
Alice Cooper is a shocking 59.
On this day in 1970, John Lennon and Yoko Ono traded a bag of their cut hair in return for a pair of genuine Muhammad Ali boxing shorts. And you thought the Seventies were boring! On this day in 1974, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began an ill-fated trial separation. The two eventually reunited, perhaps because of Muhammad Ali's boxing shorts. Then again, maybe not. On this day in 1978, Queen's "We Are The Champions" peaked at #4, E.L.O.'s "Turn To Stone" hit #13 and Heart's "Crazy On You" topped out at #62. On this day in 2001, Jimmy Buffett was kicked out of his courtside seats at a Miami Heat/New York Knicks game due to his use of profanity. Unfortunately for Jimmy, that burst of rebellious Rock & Roll-ish behavior didn't help his record sales in the least. February 5, 2007
Legendary session drummer Hal Blaine is 78. As the top Los Angeles studio drummer in the Sixties and early Seventies, he played on more than 8,000 different tracks for hundreds and hundreds of different musicians including the Beach Boys, Byrds and Simon & Garfunkle. It's almost impossible to listen to an oldies radio station for more than 10 minutes without hearing a song with Hal Blaine's drumming.
On this day in 1972, Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold" entered the charts.
V.H. Redux (Again)It wasn't so much an announcement as a confirmation of the rumor. Late Friday afternoon Van Halen confirmed that original frontman David Lee Roth will join Edward and Alex Van Halen for a 40-show Summer tour, with Eddie's 15-year-old son, Wolfgang, handling bass duties. "It feels like a whole new beginning to be back with Dave and to be playing with my brother and my son," Eddie is quoted as saying. No dates have "officially" been revealed, but the strongest rumors say a two-date warm-up in Las Vegas in late April will be followed by a mid-May launch and June Southland dates. Eddie, Alex, Dave, singer Sammy Hagar and original bassist Michael Anthony will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on March 12th. Only Heaven knows if they will be performing. New Ringo Album/BandRingo Starr is wrapping up work on his next album with producer/former Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart. The former Beatles drummer says "It's going really well... it should all be finished a couple weeks from now." Ringo has also parted ways with his longtime backing band, the Roundheads. You gotta wonder if their name finally started bothering him as much as it does us. Ozzy Approves/PreparesAs he prepares to announce Ozzfest 2007 tomorrow, Ozzy Osbourne is giving his blessing to the Black Sabbath-related Heaven and Hell project. But Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler says that wasn't initially the case. "I think [Ozzy] got a bit upset at first, [but] when I told him that we were not going to [use the Sabbath moniker] he was fine with it." You have to wonder if the Ozz-man's wife, Sharon, has arranged for a cut of the Heaven and Hell receipts. Shaw/Blades/Set To GoShaw Blades — Styx's Tommy Shaw and Night Ranger's Jack Blades — will release their covers album, "Influence," on March 6th. Ten days later the duo will kick off a mini-tour that will come to an end April 12th at The Key Club in West Hollywood, April 13th at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano and the 14th at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. New Doobies RollingNew material could soon be surfacing from The Doobie Brothers. Founding guitarist/singer Tom Johnston says that the group has been making progress on a new album. The Doobies' last collection of new studio material was 2000's "Sibling Rivalry." The band's most recent release is the concert disc "Live at Wolf Trap," from 2004.
Quote Of The DayIt was architect Frank Lloyd Wright who said: "Television is chewing gum for the eyes." Top 10 TV CarsThe website www.cars.com has compiled a list of the Top 10 most memorable cars in television history. Topping the list is "KITT," the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am from "Knight Rider," followed by the "General Lee," the 1969 Dodge Charger from the "Dukes of Hazzard." Rounding out the Top 5: "Scooby Doo's" "Mystery Machine," "Magnum P.I.'s" Ferrari, and the original Batmobile. The most contemporary show that made the Top 10 list was "My Name is Earl" for the 1973 Chevrolet El Camino that Earl and his buddies slog around in. Unfortunately, "The Flintstones" rad Flintmobile and the "Rockford Files" rundown gold Pontiac Firebird didn't make the cut. February 6, 2007
Reggae god Bob Marley would have been 62.
On this day in 1965, legendary concert promoter Bill Graham presented his first show when he rented out the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco for $60. The show, a benefit concert for the city's mime troupe, featured the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, who were anything but mimes. On this day in 1965, "All Day And All Of The Night" by The Kinks peaked at #7 on the charts. On this day in 1968, The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" album hit number #1. On this day in 1982, Van Halen's cover of Roy Orbison's classic "Pretty Woman" entered the charts as The Rolling Stones' "Waiting on a Friend" peaked at #13 and the J. Geils Band hit #1 with the song "Centerfold." On this day in 1988, Bruce Springsteen's "Tunnel Of Love" peaked at #9 on the singles chart. On this day in 1998, Beach Boy Carl Wilson died of cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 51.
Apple/Apple SettledAfter 25+ years of lawyering, The Beatles' Apple Corp. and Apple Incorporated have reached an agreement in their licensing feud. In 1980, George Harrison noticed an ad for Apple Computers in a magazine. An original agreement between Apple Corps. and Apple Computers allowed the computer company to keep the name as long as it only used it for computers. When Apple Computers launched the music downloading site iTunes in 2003, the dispute re-ignited. Apple Incorporated will now take full control of the Apple brand, but still license certain trademarks back to the Beatles' Apple Corps. This may finally pave the way for The Beatles to begin selling their music in digital form via Apple's iTunes Music Store. A deal is rumored to be imminent but details have yet to be announced. Money, money, money. Cool GRAMMY Auction Cookin'MusiCares and The GRAMMY Foundation have some hot auctions going. The latest will continue through February 22nd, with items like an Ultimate VIP Experience for next year's ceremony, memorabilia from artists like Anthony Kiedis, Slash, Sheryl Crow, Brian Wilson, and Melissa Etheridge. Other items include a VIP saxophone lesson with Dave Koz, a signed Epiphone Bob Marley guitar and a VIP Day at Yankee Stadium package. Check it out at www.ebay.com/grammy. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards air this Sunday on CBS-TV. Axl Goes To AfricaGuns N' Roses will perform in South Africa for the first time in the band's history at the My Coke Fest 2007. The event, with Evanescence and Hoobastank also on the bill, will hit Johannesburg on April 27th and Cape Town on May 1st. The show is a sort of sequel to last year's Coca-Cola Collab Massive Mix, which featured Metallica's South African live debut. While 45-year-old birthday/singer W. Axl Rose announced — with great fanfare in December — a tentative release date of March 6th for his long-delayed G N' R album "Chinese Democracy," there's been no further word on whether the CD will actually surface on that date. But he's going to Africa so it's all good. Crosby's Illness Cancels tripCrosby, Stills & Nash have postponed their upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand because of David Crosby's unspecified "medical issues." The group's entire Australian itinerary has been rescheduled for December. New REO ComingREO Speedwagon has announced a March 26 release date for the band's next studio album, "Everyone Loves a Happy Ending." So far, REO has lined up over a dozen North American tour dates this year, with many more (including one or two Southland shows) to be announced shortly. St. Bob's Peace TVFormer Boomtown Rats frontman/longtime peace activist Sir Bob Geldof is asking the world to give Peace TV a chance. He's launching a broadband channel aimed at promoting world peace through his own Ten Alps Plc television production company with the financial backing of the Norwegian human rights organization Point of Peace. Geldof's company has been commissioned to create a business plan for the project that is expected to launch sometime next year. Wonder if they'll sign-off by saying "Peace out"?
Quote Of The DayIt was Oscar Wilde who said: "Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow."  NHRA WinternationalsThis Saturday & Sunday, February 10th & 11th: The NHRA CARQUEST Winternationals Drag Races at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona is the first big drag meet of the year. J.B. will be rocking with the KLOS Cool Patrol and NHRA Division 7 Super Gas Champion Randy Balough, driver of the Uncle Joe's Racing Super Gas Corvette! And yes, there will be another Harley giveaway on Sunday! Here are some action shots from last year. February 7, 2007
KISS fan Garth Brooks is 45 and very rich.
On this day in 1894, Antoine Sax, inventor of the saxophone, died in Paris at the age of 79. On this day in 1964, The Beatles landed at New York's Kennedy Airport to make their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was already #1 on the charts, and thousands of screaming fans greeted them at the airport as the first wave of Beatlemania swept across America. Life as we knew it would never be the same. On this day in 1967, Badfinger's song "Come and Get It" entered the U.S. charts. On this day in 1970, Joe Cocker's cover of "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" peaked at #30. On this day in 1980, Pink Floyd played the first live performance ever of their "Wall" album at the Los Angeles Sport Arena. The extremely ambitious multi-media production actually featured a wall built between the band and audience during the first half. The debut performance was stopped briefly near the halfway point when fireworks set fire to the stage curtains. The entire presentation proved so expensive to stage, it was only performed 29 times in L.A., New York and Europe. On this day in 1981, The Police's "Don't Stand So Close To Me" entered the U.S. Top 40. On this day in 2000, Foghat singer/guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett succumbed to cancer at the age of 57 — far too young.
On Stage TonightJohn Fogerty will be rocking the House Of Blues on Sunset tonight! On TVJohn Mellencamp will perform a song from his new album "Freedom's Road" on CBS' Late Show with David Letterman tonight and NBC's Today Show tomorrow morning. Ringo Speaks VolumesRingo Starr has released a statement regarding The Beatles' settlement with the Apple computer company over trademarked names. He said he is "pleased to finally get this contre-temps behind us and expects his free iPhone in the mail." Right so! Free Ozzy (Sort Of)Ozzy Osbourne is returning to Ozzfest in a special way. he and his wife, Sharon, are calling Ozzfest 2007 "FreeFest" because the tickets will be available at no charge. They say that instead of cutting back on Ozz-festivities or charging more for tickets, the Osbournes found sponsors to underwrite the tour. As for the line-up, Sharon said: "We know there aren't any major headlining acts that would tour all Summer for nothing, but we're confident we can turn some of the genre's biggest bands on to what we're doing and have them come out to play a date or two." The 25-date tour, sponsored in part by Jagermeister and Monster energy drink, will launch July 7th in Devore. Details on additional bands, obtaining tickets and the other 24 dates should be announced shortly. Stay tuned!
Quote Of The DayIt was Will Rogers who said: "We're all ignorant, only in different subjects."  DISNEYLAND!Next Monday, 3p - 7p: With his voice front and center in the new Rockin' Space Mountain, it only makes sense that Uncle Joe would broadcast live on KLOS from Disneyland and California Adventure — stay tuned for details! Here are a few fotos from his last visit. February 8, 2007
James Dean would have been 76.
On this day in 1958, the Quarrymen, with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, performed at Wilson Hall in Garston, England. It was there that Paul introduced John to a young guitarist named George Harrison. On this day in 1975, Queen released the single "Killer Queen." On this day in 1986, Robert Palmer released his song "Addicted To Love." On this day in 2005, drummer Keith Knudsen of the Doobie Brothers died of pneumonia at the age of 56.
Police Reunion Update #648The Police will follow their Sunday night GRAMMY appearance with a "special announcement" press conference at the Whisky A Go Go on Monday. In addition to performing at the Whiskey event, the trio is expected to announce their much anticipated 30th anniversary reunion tour. But wait — there's more! From the leaked-date file comes word that Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland will rock Boston's Fenway Park on July 28th and 29th! The home of the Boston Red Sox has hosted big-name concerts over the past few years by The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and the Dave Matthews Band. And every one of those dates was leaked to the press well before the artists announced them. Hmmm... All Hail The DoorsThe Doors have two honors coming their way this month. First, the band will be formally acknowledged at Sunday's GRAMMY Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Then the three surviving band members will be on hand for the unveiling of the group's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, in front of the Virgin Megastore, on February 28th. Jerry's Widow SuesJerry Garcia's widow is suing to gain access to unpublished tapes of her late husband's musical performances. Deborah Koons Garcia wants to professionally restore the so-called "Garcia Tapes." Koons Garcia actually belongs to the limited-liability group she is suing, which is made up of the rock icon's beneficiaries, some of whom oppose her plans. This lawsuit is just the latest in a prolonged legal battle among the famed Grateful Dead singer/guitarist's beneficiaries. A California Superior Court hearing is scheduled for April 13th. Jerry is not expected to attend, but you never know... Gene Does SpongeBobKISS bassist Gene Simmons has just recorded a guest voice appearance for Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants." The "20,000 Patties Under the Sea" episode features Simmons as the angry Sea Monster who SpongeBob and his pal Patrick work to appease by continually feeding him Krabby Patties. Gene says, "I was born for this part. I've been waiting all my life to be a Sea Monster. It's in my blood." The mother of Simmons' children, Shannon Tweed, voiced the role of Sea Monster's mom, who naturally stands up for her son. With luck,"20,000 Patties Under the Sea" will air on Nickelodeon sometime in 2008. Meanwhile, A&E will launch the second season of the "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" reality show later this year. U2 Update #314Did you notice that U2 guitarist The Edge wore a Music Rising t-shirt at several of the gigs the band played last year? Of course Edge a co-founder of the Music Rising organization, which aims to replace lost or damaged instruments in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. If you liked The Edge's look, you can now purchase your very own Music Rising shirt at U2.com or at Hard Rock Cafes worldwide. God-like guitar playing talent is not included.
Quote Of The DayIt was Woody Allen who said: "Dying is one of the few things that can be done as easily lying down." NHRA WinternationalsThis Saturday & Sunday, February 10th & 11th: The NHRA CARQUEST Winternationals Drag Races at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona is the first big drag meet of the year. J.B. will be rocking with the KLOS Cool Patrol and NHRA Division 7 Super Gas Champion Randy Balough, driver of the Uncle Joe's Racing Super Gas Corvette! And yes, there will be another Harley giveaway on Sunday! Here are some action shots from last year. February 9, 2007
On this day in 1964, in a defining TV moment, The Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show." A record audience of 73 million people tuned in to watch the Fab Four's debut American performance. The band performed "All My Loving," "Till There Was You," "She Loves You," "I Saw Her Standing There," and their current #1 single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." George Harrison played despite suffering from a bad case of the flu. Also on that night's show were singer Georgia Brown and the cast of "Oliver!," which included future-Monkee Davy Jones. On this day in 1974, Paul McCartney's "Jet" broke into the Top 40 singles chart. This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Kinks as well as conversation with Ray and Dave Davies.
On Stage TonightBill Engvall will be performing at The Grove in Anaheim tonight. On Stage This WeekendLos Lobos will be rocking the Canyon in Augora Hills and The Tubes will be playing the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano tomorrow night. ZZ Top will be rocking the House Of Blues on Sunset Sunday night. All Hail Don TonightOccasional Eagle Don Henley will be honored as the 2007 MusiCares Person of the Year tonight in Beverly Hills. Henley was selected for the tribute as much in recognition of his accomplishments as a musician as for his support of environmental causes and musician's rights. Former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, Don's Eagles bandmate Timothy B. Schmit and Henley himself are among the evening's scheduled performers, while longtime Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin will co-host the gala. In addition, a Henley-autographed sport-utility vehicle packaged with free admittance to the Eagles' 2007-08 concerts and many other goodies will be auctioned during the festivities. The auction and both the MusiCares Person of the Year concert and dinner are fundraisers for MusiCares, which helps musicians in need. It's GRAMMY TimeBob Dylan and Neil Young are the top classic rock nominees heading into Sunday's 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Peter Frampton have two shots each, while Paul McCartney, David Gilmour and Bruce Hornsby are among the veterans with one chance each. Joan Baez is among those who'll receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, as are The Doors, the Grateful Dead and Booker T & the MGs. That honorary GRAMMY allows the Recording Academy to acknowledge the work of innovative and influential artists who were overlooked in their heyday. Live Petty Collection ComingTom Petty has confirmed that a collection of live performances from his most recent tour with The Heartbreakers is slated for a November release. Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell is handling the production. Petty has also confirmed that his next album will be recorded with The Heartbreakers, but flat-out says, "I haven't started to write it." Gosh — do you think he'll have it done before Peter Bogdanovich's upcoming documentary on the band is released? Stay tuned! Mary Bounces Heather Right OutAll Paul McCartney's 37-year old daughter Mary did was ask PETA to get rid of her ex-step-mom, Heather Mills. So they did. According to the Hindustan Times, the animal rights organization wanted to continue working with the renowned photographer/Macca offspring. She said she'd agreed to — but only if Mills would no longer be involved. The resulting official PETA announcement said: "We have no further plans to work with Heather Mills. We are very grateful for Mary McCartney's involvement on the new "I would rather go naked than wear fur" campaign." And that's the way it works! U2 Update #315It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since U2 released their breakthrough album "The Joshua Tree." To celebrate the album that catapulted the band into superstardom, Britain's Q Magazine has released a special edition with a 25-page spread on the album. This one's a keeper! .February 10, 2007
Psychedelic folk singer Donovan is 61.
On this day in 1973, Steely Dan's "Do It Again" peaked at #6 on the pop singles chart. On this day in 1978, Van Halen released their self-titled debut album, which eventually sold over 6 million copies. On this day in 1979, Dire Straits released the single "Sultans of Swing." On this day in 1987, Roger Waters dropped his lawsuit against his former Pink Floyd bandmates over the use of the band's name. In return, they agreed to pay him some heavy royalties. On this day in 1990, Aerosmith's "Janie's Got A Gun" peaked at #4 on the pop singles chart. On this day in 1997, Sweet's singer, Brian Connolly, died in England of kidney failure at the age of 52. |
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