 February 21 - 28, 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 21, 2007
Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison is 58. 
On this day in 1975, David Bowie released his "Young Americans" album. On this day in 1976, Peter Frampton's "Show Me The Way" entered the singles chart. On this day in 1981, AC/DC's "Back In Black" peaked at #37 on the singles chart. 
On Stage TonightVan Morrison will begin his concert at the Gibson Amphitheatre precisely at 7:30pm tonight. That's what he said and none of us doubt him in the least.  No Smiles HereNow we know why no one is smiling in Van Halen's Rolling Stone magazine cover shot. The much-ballyhooed reunion tour with David Lee Roth — which was never officially announced — has been postponed indefinitely. Don't know if that means forever or just until someone needs more cash. Stay tuned! Police Selling Huge (Reunion Update #654)The upcoming Police reunion tour is selling out in minutes. Yesterday, two Madison Square Garden shows sold out in just 14 minutes, before a Giants Stadium show was added. It took just a bit longer to sell out the July 28th and 29th Fenway Park shows in Boston. Our first Dodger Stadium show (June 23rd) will go on-sale next Monday (February 26th). Stay tuned for more info and your chance to win tickets! Pete's BusyThe Who's Pete Townshend will begin publishing online excerpts of his long-in-the-works memoir, "Pete Townshend (who he?)," this Sunday. Since he'll be in town for Monday's Long Beach Arena Who concert, maybe he'll surface to explain what the memoir covers. Name That Metallica TourThey won't be touring America this year, but Metallica has invited its fan club to pick a name for the band's three-week European Summer festival tour. Here's a hint: last year's Metallica Summer tour was called "Escape From The Studio." The band is supposed to enter the studio on March 12th to begin recording its ninth studio album, which should be released in late 2007 or early 2008. Producer Rick Rubin said in an interview last week that he wants the band to make a "defining album, like the purest of what Metallica is." Other than a group which will be touring Europe instead of America this Summer. Aerosmith Surprise LondonAerosmith played a surprise set at London's Hard Rock Cafe on Monday to hype their first European tour in eight years. The stripped-down set in front of a small audience included a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Rattlesnake Shake". After the tour ends with a July 12 gig in Moscow, the boys will return home to play some gigs before settling into the studio to record their next album. 
Quote Of The DayIt was Hal Lee Luyah (was that really his name?) who said: "There's a deception to every rule." Top 10 Mid-Winter Factoids1. 75% of Americans want to change their bodies in some way, while only 13% say they'd want to change their intelligence. 2. Americans eat almost one million tons of potato chips each year. 3. The can opener was invented 44 years after canned food. In fact, until they came along, the thick-walled metal storage canisters had to be busted open with a hammer and chisel or bayonet. 4. If you pour a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death. 5. The 'spot' on 7UP comes from its inventor who had red eyes. He was an albino. 6. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. 7. The 57 on Heinz ketchup bottles represents the varieties of pickles the company once had. 8. Coffee is the world's second largest item of international commerce. Petroleum is the first. 9. M&Ms are named after Frank Mars, the candy maker, and his business associate, Bruce Murrie. 10. The original lollypop (lollipop) was named after a racehorse, Lolly Pop, in the early 1900's. February 22, 2007
On this day in 1965, The Beatles flew to the Bahamas to begin filming their second movie, "Help!" On this day in 1967, The Beatles recorded the piano chord used at the end of "A Day in the Life." On this day in 1968, Genesis released their debut single, "The Silent Sun." It really wasn't very good, but they eventually scored a commercial breakthrough — 10 years later. On this day in 1969, The Beatles began sessions for their "Abbey Road" album with a take of John Lennon's "I Want You (She's So Heavy)." On this day in 1969, T. Rex kicked off a British tour with a young David Bowie as the opening act. For this auspicious debut, David bypassed a musical performance to do a mime about a Tibetan monk. No, really — I didn't make that up. On this day in 1975, Grand Funk Railroad's "Some Kind Of Wonderful" peaked at #3 on the pop singles chart. On this day in 1978, The Police appeared as blondes in an advertisement for Wrigley's chewing gum. They never made a group decision to keep the look, but it sure worked out for them. On this day in 1979, "Rolling Stone" magazine reported that Journey had entered into a deal with Budweiser, becoming one of the first corporate sponsorship agreements between a company and a rock act. Thus did their staging become bigger, video screens were added and Mick Jagger took serious notice of a new way to finance tours.
On Stage TonightJackson Browne and Willie Nelson are doing a benefit at the Gibson Amphitheatre while Styx performs at the Pechanga Resort & Casino tonight as Big Head Todd rocks the House Of Blues on Sunset. Whew! Sammy Will Rock FontanaSammy Hagar is scheduled to perform at this evening's free Fontana Racefest at the California Speedway. Saturday afternoon, Sammy will serve as Grand Marshal of the Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Busch Series race. He'll also play a three-song set live on FOX-TV prior to Sunday's Auto Club 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race. Yer Uncle Joe will also be on hand MCing events and announcing during the races, so be prepared to jump back! No Pagey/Plant LoveRobert Plant, quoted in the new Mojo magazine, says that, although there's no bad blood between him and Led Zeppelin co-founder Jimmy Page, the two have fallen out of touch. Plant said, "I'd like to talk to him but I never do. Lives change. The unfortunate thing is that whenever John (Paul Jones), Jimmy and myself meet up, the points of reference are always about the past. If there wasn't any previous triumph then we probably wouldn't be in touch." As to a full scale Led Zeppelin reunion: "It's not that I've been obstructive. It's just that it meant what it meant when it meant it, and beyond that there was no story, and with John's (Bonham) passing and all that stuff, it was gone. There's no need for it." Since disbanding, Plant, Page and Jones have reformed live three times as Led Zeppelin: On July 13th, 1985 at Live Aid in Philadelphia with Tony Thompson and Phil Collins on drums; on May 18th, 1988 at the Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary concert at New York's Madison Square Garden with John Bonham's son Jason Bonham on drums; and on January 12th, 1995, when the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Jason Bonham again filling in for his dad. Robert is currently recording his latest solo album in Nashville. Dancing With...The latest cast of ABC-TV's hit reality competition "Dancing with the Stars" will feature former Beatle Paul McCartney's estranged wife Heather Mills, who has a prosthetic leg. Others in the cast include former one-hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus, TV personality Leeza Gibbons, the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali, Olympic speed-skating champ Apolo Anton Ono, retired NBA star Clyde Drexler, supermodel Paulina Porizkova (spouse of The Cars' Ric Ocasek), "Beverly Hills 90210" alum Ian Ziering and Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey. Sorry, you'll have to wait until March 19th for the premiere. Slash Will Write It (Sort Of)Velvet Revolver/former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash has just sold his autobiography to the Harper Collins publishing house. Slash, whose real name is Saul Hudson, will collaborate on the book with writer Anthony Bozza, whose previous credits include Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee's memoir "Tommyland." The book is scheduled to be finished by next Fall. Velvet Revolver's sophomore album, titled "Libertad," is tentatively scheduled for an early June release.
 NASCAR/Cal SpeedwayThis Friday - Sunday: Like he's done every year since the track opened in 1997, Uncle Joe will be announcing at the California Speedway's NASCAR Nextel Cup Automobile Club 500. Starting with a Friday afternoon broadcast of his KLOS show from the big stage in the Opportunity California Fan Zone, Unc will also serve as the Fan Zone's Master of Ceremonies Saturday (featuring The Cult in concert) and Sunday (featuring The Kevin Costner Band in concert). Here are a few action shots from last year. Quote Of The DayIt was Mae West who said: "She's the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong." The Latest Legal Dept. E-Mail DisclaimerThis transmittal (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed or anyone else who really gives a s^!% and may contain information that is irrelevant and trivial. You are hereby notified that any retransmission, copying or other reproduction methods, or taking any action in reliance upon this communication, towards anyone other than the original recipient is stupid since no one gives a crap anyhow. If the reader of this transmittal is intelligent, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, dissemination, copying, or other use of, or taking any action in reliance upon this communication, is strictly prohibited since that would make you look like a jackass. If you have received this communication in error or are not the original recipient of this communication, then it sucks to be you, deal with it. Please delete this information from your computer. February 23, 2007
Blues guitarist Johnny Winter is 63.
On this day in 1972, Pink Floyd began recording the soundtrack for "Obscured by Clouds" at the Chateau d'Herouville in France. On this day in 1974, Billy Joel's "Piano Man" entered the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. On this day in 1979, Dire Straits began their first American tour in Boston. On this day in 1980, Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" hit #1. It's true, Freddie Mercury wrote it while in a bathtub. On this day in 1980, the Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why" broke into the Top 40. On this day in 2003, bassist Howie Epstein of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers died of an overdose in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 47.   This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Whitesnake as well as more of Joe's conversation with singer David Coverdale.
On Stage TonightCheap Trick will rock the Canyon Club in Augora Hills while Dave Mason and John Mayall play the Galaxy Theater in Anaheim tonight. On Stage This WeekendThe Cult will rock the main stage at the California Speedway Saturday night and Styx will rock the House Of Blues in Anaheim Sunday night. Sammy Will Rock FontanaSammy Hagar will play a three-song set live on FOX-TV prior to Sunday's Auto Club 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at the California Speedway. Still No G&ROh, the shock! Oh, the surprise! The never-ending saga of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" album continues with yet another postponed release date. (Did you really think it would be out on March 6th?) However, it is still entirely possible that "Chinese Democracy" may someday be the first Guns N' Roses album since the 1993 covers collection "The Spaghetti Incident." As a reference, since 1993 the group has lost every original member besides vocalist Axl Rose, and a reportedly $13 million has been spent (to date) on the project. You may now return to your regularly scheduled life. Van Halen/Hall UpdateWhile the proposed Van Halen reunion tour is toast, even the group's participation in their March 13th induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame is precarious. David Lee Roth has confirmed that no one is sure if guitarist Eddie Van Halen or drummer Alex Van Halen will even attend the ceremony. Roth expressed his mix of hope and skepticism in quipping, "We have fragile politics in Van Halen." He also confirmed that he, bassist Michael Anthony and singer Sammy Hagar will take part in the event in New York City whether or not the brothers make the trip. Looking For A SingerFounding Doors member Ray Manzarek has confirmed that he and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger will soon be auditioning new lead singers for their band Riders On The Storm. In other Doors news, the band's 1985 "Best of the Doors" compilation has been certified diamond (over 10 million sold) by the Recording Industry Association of America. Who Threw Out That Beatles Stuff?EMI Music and Apple Corps are suing a cleaning company for $1.4 million after an unidentified janitor allegedly threw away two boxes containing rare and valuable Beatles photographs. Among the items lost in the 2001 incident at an EMI office in London were seven original Fab Four images, including the picture that was used on the cover of the band's debut U.K. album, "Please Please Me." Wonder how much that would bring on eBay? Robert/Tommy/DubaiRobert Plant, Iron Maiden and Tommy Lee will be gigging in Dubai next month. Plant will headline the second day of the Desert Rock Festival 2007 with his band The Strange Sensation. The Maiden will headline the first day on March 9th. Meanwhile, Tommy Lee will perform a drum set and act as a DJ at next month's Bikefest in Dubai. February 24, 2007
For many years George Harrison believed he was born on February 25th, but in 1992, he announced, "I only learned recently after all these years that the date and time of my own birth have always been off by one calendar day and about a half hour on the clock." So in fact, though we still celebrate it on the 25th, his birthday was really today. He would have been 64. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, who most notably played with The Rolling Stones and The Who, would have been 63.
On this day in 1958, The Champs' "Tequila" broke into the Top 40, thereby assuring the fall of Western civilization. Within a month and stayed on top of the charts for five weeks. On this day in 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed its last concert, at London's Royal Albert Hall. On this day in 1975, Led Zeppelin released the album "Physical Graffiti," the group's long awaited follow up to 1973's "Houses of the Holy." The double-album hit #1 on the "Billboard" charts two weeks later, a record at the time. On this day in 1979, "Roxanne" by The Police entered the singles charts. On this day in 1998, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Elton John at Buckingham Palace. February 25, 2007
For many years George Harrison believed he was born today. But in 1992, he announced "I only learned recently after all these years that the date and time of my own birth have always been off by one calendar day and about a half hour on the clock." So in fact, his birthday was really yesterday, February 24th. He would have been 64.
On this day in 1957, Buddy Holly & The Crickets did their first session with New Mexico record producer Norman Petty. They recorded "That'll Be the Day," which soon became their first #1 and biggest hit. On this day in 1967, The Beatles released the single "Penny Lane" backed with "Strawberry Fields Forever." On this day in 1993, Marshall Tucker Band guitarist Toy Caldwell died of heart failure at age 45 in his Spartanburg, South Carolina home. February 26, 2007
Johnny Cash would have been 74.
On this day in 1966, "19th Nervous Breakdown" by The Rolling Stones entered the charts. On this day in 1977, the song "Hotel California" by the Eagles entered the charts. On this day in 1987, the first four Beatles albums were released on Compact Disc.
On Stage TonightThe Who will blow the walls out of the Long Beach Arena tonight. Long live rock! Sammy Got ScrewedSammy Hagar played a great four-song set prior to yesterday's Auto Club 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at the California Speedway. He was even joined by his old Van Halen bandmate Michael Anthony. But did FOX-TV broadcast his entire set like they did American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson's set at the Daytona 500 the week before? Nope. Evidently having half of a Hall Of Fame band playing a killer set doesn't carry as much weight with the Fox folks as featuring one of their contest winners. And so it goes. Ace Ain't Dead (Yet)Kind of weird, but Ace Frehley's publicist had to issue a statement from the former KISS guitarist to refute internet rumors that Ace had committed suicide. In Mr. Frehley's own words: "I don't know how this ridiculous rumor got started." He also said that he was currently eating "his daily allotment of wheat germ" and "preparing to jump back on his treadmill." Now that all by itself is a disturbing visual. Stand By For GenesisThe (temporarily) reunited Genesis will officially announce the American leg of their 2007 tour with a breakfast press conference next Wednesday. The "Turn it on Again" tour will hit large venues all across North America after they finish touring Europe in June and July. Zep/Halen SueThe surviving members of Led Zeppelin and the company that oversees Van Halen's music are part of a copyright infringement suit filed against a club in Vail, Colorado. The venue is being sued for allegedly allowing bands to perform cover songs without having obtained the correct license. They claim that 10 instances of copyright infringement occurred on January 15th and 16th, and the musicians are suing for as much as $30,000 per song. The proper license would have cost a sixth of that. Download Elty SoonStarting next month, you'll be able to download Elton John's entire catalog which will be available for legal download. According to EltonJohn.com, nearly 500 Sir Elty songs will be available online as of March 26th. Dave's ReissuingRemastered versions of three of David Lee Roth's solo albums will be reissued on April 3rd. The original Van Halen singer's 1991 "A Little Ain't Enough" and 1994 "Your Filthy Little Mouth" albums will be released with the first-ever CD edition of "Sonrisa Salvaje" — the rare Spanish-language version of his 1986 effort, "Eat 'Em and Smile."
Quote Of The DayIt was Mahatma Gandhi who said: "There is more to life than increasing its speed." Brain Power/ManagementThe average adult in one day speaks 48,000 words, exercises seven million brain cells, takes 23,000 breaths, laughs 15 times, and his/her heart beats 104,000 times. There is also an inverse proportion between the number of brain cells exercised and words spoken, i.e. more words/fewer brain cells used. And, of course, the closer one is to upper level management, the fewer times one's heart beats. February 27, 2007
Guitarist Neal Schon of Journey and Santana fame is 53.
On this day in 1967, Pink Floyd recorded their debut single, "Arnold Layne." Based on the true story of a man arrested for stealing women's underwear off of clothes lines (three years before The Kinks recorded "Lola"), the single eventually sold tens of copies. On this day in 1977, Rolling Stone Keith Richards got busted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who found 22 grams of heroin, five grams of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia in his Toronto hotel suite. Talk about your wicked room service! On this day in 2003, pioneering children's TV host Fred "Mister Rogers" died of cancer at age 74.
Police Sell Out (Again & Again & Again)Astounding really isn't a big enough word to describe it. The Police have sold out the first 16 announced shows on their reunion tour, no matter how big the venue. Concerts at the 56,000 capacity Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and 52,000 Dodger Stadium tickets sold out shortly after going on sale Monday. McAfee Stadium in Oakland sold all 48,000 of its available tickets Sunday, joining arena sellouts in Denver and Seattle, both of which added/sold out second shows to meet the overwhelming demand to see Sting, Andy Summer and Stewart Copeland together on stage again. The first Police tour in over 20 years begins May 28th in Vancouver. How many more Southland shows do you think will be added by then? Sir Elty's Benefit Rocks Big TimeGod bless Elton John. The pop superstar collected $4.2 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at his 15th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Dinner & After-Party fundraiser Sunday night. The event features a lavish multi-course meal, live music, and a live auction. A top auction item was a trip for two to Elton's 60th birthday bash at New York's Madison Square Garden next month. Ultimately, two trip packages — including concert tickets, travel and hotel accommodations for two — sold for $250,000 each. The Dan's Revving UpSteely Dan is starting to roll out dates for the upcoming Heavy Rollers 2007 tour. The duo indicated in December that they planned to hit the road this year, noting on their website that they'd reassembled the 10-piece touring band that they used last Summer. So far Walter Becker and Donald Fagen have booked seven shows, starting with an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 6th. You can expect their Southland mid-Summer dates to be announced soon. Tribute To BonLast Sunday's Bon Scott Celebration Concert, a tribute to the late AC/DC frontman, attracted more than 10,000 fans to Perth, Australia's Claremont Showgrounds. Performers included former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans and original AC/DC singer Dave Evans. Over $80,000 was raised to fund a statue of Bon Scott to be erected in his hometown of Fremantle, Australia. Let's just hope that it's bigger than life size. February 28, 2007
Driving legend Mario Andretti is 67.
On this day in 1970, under the threat of a serious lawsuit from the family of Ferdinand Von Zeppelin, the brand new Led Zeppelin band performed in Denmark under the name The Nobs (English slang for male genitalia). On this day in 1970, "No Time" by the Guess Who peaked at #5 on the charts as Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" hit #1 for the first of six weeks. On this day in 1970, "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" by John Lennon and "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum both entered the charts. On this day in 1976, the Eagles released their "Greatest Hits" collection, which eventually became the best-selling record in America ever. On this day in 1977, bluesman Booker T. Washington "Bukka" White died of cancer in Memphis at age 75. On this day in 1981, Billy Idol left Generation X to pursue a solo career just as Rockpile drummer Terry Williams joined Dire Straits. On this day in 1983, U2 released their "War" album. This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Van Halen as well as conversation with Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar.
On Stage TonightStyx will be rocking the House Of Blues on Sunset tonight! The Mick & Marty PartyThe Rolling Stones documentary that Mick Jagger and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese have been working on for months is now due out this Fall. Once that project is featured, the same duo will be co-producing a movie centering on the music industry under the working title "The Long Play." Scorsese has even agreed to direct the film, and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of "The Departed," Bill Monahan has also signed on. The film will chronicle two friends who take a 40-year ride through the music business, based on a storyline that Jagger has been playing around with for years. Bruce/Super Bowl?The next Super Bowl is only 11 months away, but word is that Bruce Springsteen is already being considered for the half time show. Reports from New York say that The Boss, along with Norah Jones, is at the top of the NFL's wish list. Both seem like pretty safe choices, since the organizers have been very cautious after the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake incident a few years back, choosing only "family friendly" talent like Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. Super Bowl XLII will take place on February 8th, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Stay tuned! Bowie DelayedThe long-in-production two-disc reissue of David Bowie's 1975 "Young Americans" album has been bumped from its March 6th release date to May 8th. The package will offer a remastered version of the original eight-song album with three bonus recordings, plus a DVD featuring those same 11 songs in 5.1 Surround Sound as well as video footage from Bowie's December 1974 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show. May 8th is also the due date for a CD/DVD version of the previously import-only compilation "The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987." Purple PulledThe reissue of Deep Purple's "NEC 1993" is being taken off the shelves. Longtime Purple frontman Ian Gillan says the live album, recorded in Birmingham, captured one of their worst ever concerts and it had been re-released without his knowledge. Gillan said he and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore were barely on speaking terms at the time of the 1993 concert. "It was one of the lowest points of my life — all of our lives, actually. In fact, it (that line-up of the band) only lasted five or six shows after that Birmingham show. Then Ritchie left the band. And we've had 13 years of stability ever since then." Because this reissue was a Europe-only release, you should expect bootlegs to be showing up around here real soon.
Quote Of The DayIt was Steven Wright who said: "You can't have everything... where would you put it?" Cookie Time!When some Alabama Girl Scouts decided on a promotion stunt to boost cookie sales, they invited local chefs to take part. What emerged was some interesting menu items. The adult winner combined Girl Scout Lemonade cookies, chicken, water chestnuts, sliced mushrooms, sour cream, and cream of celery soup. Another innovation was baked chicken strips breaded in crushed Girl Scout shortbread cookies. A third entry of note was roasted caramel apple delight cobbler using Scout Caramel DeLite cookies. In related news, did you know that mixing hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps can give you a Thin Mint flavored beverage? At least that's what Skylord tells me... |
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