 August 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! August 1, 2007
Grateful Dead demi-god Jerry Garcia would have been 65. 
On this day in 1964, The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" hit #1 on the singles charts. On this day in 1969, the 3-day Atlantic City Pop Festival opened in New Jersey. Over 110,00 came out to hear Iron Butterfly, C.C.R., Jefferson Airplane, Little Richard, Janis Joplin, Santana and Joe Cocker perform. On this day in 1971, George Harrison held his first Concert for Bangladesh at New York's Madison Square Garden. The concert, featuring Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, raised money to combat famine in the Southeast Asian nation — although they never saw that money for years and years due to legal problems. On this day in 1981, MTV made its debut on America's television screens. The cable channel was launched in approximately 2.1 million homes, and the first video aired was "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles. It was 10 full months before any of the V.J.s appeared in "Playboy," the final arbiter of success. On this day in 1987, the #1 hit in the U.S. was "Shakedown." Bob Seger's song from the "Beverly Hills Cop II" soundtrack was also the Detroit rocker's first #1. Originally, the tune was supposed to be recorded by Glenn Frey, who contracted laryngitis. We can only assume Seger sent him flowers. 
New Eagles LP (Might Be) FinishedGuitarist Joe Walsh says that the Eagles' first full-length studio set since "The Long Run" in 1979 is "almost out. We're just finishing vocals and mixing it. We're all finally signing off on it." Walsh says that all of the band members — himself, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Timothy B. Schmit — wrote songs for the album, which he says "go in some really, really new, different directions. It's hard to compare to anything that I hear out there now." The Eagles officially began working on new material back in 2003. After extensive touring, they began to develop the basic tracks into full songs last August, then took this year off the road to finish the project. Though they'll tour extensively next year, I think we'll see them on stage about the time the album is released this Fall. Stand by for more details! Keef Gets His BucksLittle, Brown and Company has won the high-stakes bidding war for the rights to Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards' autobiography. The fee for the memoir, which Richards will pen with author James Fox, is reported to be between $7 million and $8 million — far eclipsing Eric Clapton's $5 million autobiography deal. Keef's book will hit stores in Fall 2010, giving Mr. Fox plenty of time to figure out what Mr. Richards was saying/mumbling. In other related news, the upcoming Stones concert film directed by Martin Scorsese, "Shine a Light," will premiere in IMAX theaters on September 21st, the same day it debuts in regular cinemas. Pagey Makes Bootlegger ConfessNot only is Led Zeppelin mastermind Jimmy Page a guitar god, he's one hell of a prosecution witness! Last Thursday, Pagey testified in the trial of a 57-year-old British man who had skated on major bootlegging charges three times in the past. Robert Langley had denied three trademark and two copyright infringements after being caught at a record fair in Glasgow with $25,000 worth of of counterfeit Led Zeppelin material including a box set of the Zep's Japanese tour. The trial was expected to last up to three weeks. But the scofflaw surprised the Glasgow, Scotland courtroom on Monday by changing his plea to guilty. "Page's evidence was important to the trial and, after how impressive he was, Langley knew that... the game was up for him," said a source at the court. A sentence will be handed down in August. Copeland CompilesA compilation album of drummer Stewart Copeland's work outside The Police will be out on August 14th. The 21-track "Stewart Copeland Anthology" will include solo tunes, collaborations, music from film scores and various other recordings featuring the stickman. As for the most successful touring band of the year, The Police still haven't added another Southland swing — but they will! Honors To StyxStyx will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Entertainment Buyers Association this Fall. The arena-rock vets will receive the honor October 16th in Nashville at a gala held in conjunction with the annual iebaLIVE! conference/party. 
Quote Of The DayIt was Ogden Nash who said: "Middle age is when you've met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else." Fulfilling Food Factoids* Five percent of people who frequent restaurants claim they eat out because they do not know how to cook. * Lemon Pledge contains more lemons than Country Time Lemonade. * Chef Boy-ar-dee was a real chef (Hector Boiardi) who created the first take-home, ready to fix pasta meals. His sauce became so popular among U.S. troops during World War II that demand after the war made him a superstar. * Betty Crocker was a fictional spokesperson created by General Mills in the early 1920s to answer letters from consumers. Alas, Jim Ladd still has a crush on her. August 2, 2007
Keyboardist Garth Hudson of The Band is 65.
On this day in 1961, The Beatles began a regular booking at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Although the club was really just a basement, it played host to literally hundreds of aspiring bands from Northern England. On this day in 1969, Paul McCartney produced Badfinger's Abbey Road recording session for "Come and Get It." On this day in 1971, The Who released their incredible "Who's Next" album. On this day in 1974, Steely Dan drummer Jim Hodder and guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter quit the group. Baxter soon joined The Doobie Brothers and Hodder reportedly went to work at Pink's Hot Dogs on La Brea. Their departures helped pave the way for Steely Dan to become a two-man studio project featuring Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. On this day in 1975, Fleetwood Mac's self-titled album entered the charts as the band toured the States in two station wagons, opening for Loggins & Messina. It was the former blues band's first record with pop-oriented songwriters Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. A full 54 weeks later, it became the Mac's first #1 charting, multi-million selling album. A Special AnniversaryOn this day in 1876, famed gunfighter/pistoleer/U.S. Frontier Scout & Marshall James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was shot in the head and killed while playing poker in a Deadwood, South Dakota saloon. Wild Bill died holding a poker hand which consisted of the Ace of Clubs, the Ace of Spades, two black eights, and an odd card which some say was either the Queen of Hearts, the Queen of Spades or the Jack of Diamonds. The combination of two aces and two eights has since been known as a "Dead Man's Hand." Now shuffle 'em up again, my friend.  This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Bad Company as well as more of Joe's conversation with singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke.
Mal's Unseen BeatlesA slew of unseen Beatles footage shot by the famous Beatles roadie, Mal Evans, can now be purchased online. The film clips include performances, private conversations between band members, the Fab Four chatting on a boat sailing down the Thames, and The Beatles in a car with The Beach Boys as they're driving through London. Evans was killed in 1976, and his widow eventually discovered the footage in their attic. A private owner purchased the films from her, and has now licensed them exclusively to the online store, MBop, which reformatted and restored the footage before making it available to you and me. Also included in the previously unseen footage are clips of Jimi Hendrix playing in front of the Beatles and Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts discussing celebrity. You can find it all at http://www.mbopmegastore.com — just don't let KLOS' Breakfast With The Beatles host Chris Carter get in your way! Mellencamp & King's Play May HappenAfter years of development, John Mellencamp's theatrical piece is getting some very positive attention. Word is that the recent New York workshop performances of "The Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County" sparked the interest of backers who agreed to help fund the show's development. Mellencamp first began collaborating with horror writer Stephen King on the project seven years ago. Dylan Portraits For VisionsWhat better way to hype the forthcoming three-CD Bob Dylan compilation "Dylan" than a photo exhibit? Bryan Adams, Patti Smith and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood are among the musicians who will contribute photographs to the Visions of Dylan opening on October 1st in London. But when will it move over here? AC/DC Goes Digital (Sort Of)While there's no word on their long overdue new album, AC/DC has finally made their back catalog available digitally. But not on iTunes. Verizon Wireless snagged the exclusive rights to sell the band's back catalog through March 2008. However, the deal is limited to full-album downloads, which are too large and too expensive to sell from mobile phones. So you can only buy AC/DC's albums digitally through the PC version of Verizon's VCast Music service. Additionally, the wireless company has gained the rights to sell ringtones and ringback tones of 18 AC/DC tracks not available from other operators, and the company plans to broadcast the "Live At Donnington" concert and other performances via the VCast TV service. Brian ResurfacesFormer Beach Boy Brian Wilson will debut his new collaboration with Van Dyke Parks, "That Lucky Old Sun (A Narrative)," during a six-night run at London's Royal Albert Hall next month. Word is that the concerts will also feature Wilson performing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" to honor the 40th anniversary of The Beach Boys rivals' classic album.
Quote Of The DayIt was Thomas Jefferson who said: "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." August 3, 2007
Tony Bennett is 81.
On this day in 1963, The Beatles gave their 294th and final performance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Their departure from the club also coincided with their first entry into the American singles charts with "From Me To You," although the song only reached #116. On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones recorded "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow" in Los Angeles, where even that title seemed unusual. On this day in 1968, The Doors scored their last #1 hit with "Hello, I Love You." On this day in 1968, the first Newport Pop Festival opened to over 100,000 people (most without sunscreen) in Costa Mesa. Performers included Steppenwolf, Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead. The neighborhood just recovered last year. On this day in 1973, in an extremely rare TV appearance, an Eagles gig at U.C.L.A. was featured on ABC's "In Concert."
On Stage TonightEmerging from the recording studio, The Cult will be blowing the walls out at the Grove in Anaheim tonight. On Stage SaturdayREO Speedwagon will be rocking the Ventura County Fair Saturday night, just as Dennis Miller hits the stage at the Canyon Club in Augora Hills. Gilmour Tops AnotherPink Floyd's David Gilmour has topped another list of the Greatest Guitar Solos ever. This time it was Britain's excellent "Q" magazine that offered its choice of the 20 Greatest Guitar Solos. Gilmour's work gave the song "Comfortably Numb" the top spot. (Note: That track was also voted #1 last year in a listeners poll from the U.K.'s Planet Rock radios.) Second on the new "Q" list is Brian May's efforts on Queen's "Killer Queen." Somehow Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page tied for third, for "Purple Haze" and "Stairway to Heaven." Others in the Top 10 Guitar solos include: Guns N' Roses' Slash in "Sweet Child O' Mine"; Eric Clapton in The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"; Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter and Elliott Randall's duet in Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years"; and Lindsey Buckingham's blazing solo in Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way." The "Q" Top 20 also includes: Neil Young's workout in "Like A Hurricane"; Angus Young's scorcher in AC/DC's "Let There Be Rock"; Roger McGuinn's solo in The Byrds "Eight Miles High"; and Mick Ronson's fret work in David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream." More CrowesNot only have the Black Crowes added more September and October dates to their U.S. tour, Chris and Rich Robinson will perform on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman tonight. The appearance will promote their "Brothers Of A Feather" live CD/DVD due out on September 4th. Depending on reaction to the new album, the boys may extend their tour beyond the October 28th appearance at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans, but you can see them at the Orpheum Theater in L.A. on October 7th or The Grove in Anaheim on October 12th. Elty's B-day DVDTalk about a home movie! "Elton 60: Live at Madison Square Garden," the double-DVD set documenting Elton John's 60th birthday concert in Madison Square Garden will be released on September 25th. The package will contain a variety of bonus material as well as all 33 songs from the gig. In addition, a collector's box featuring an extra live CD, a booklet and a poster will be available. Everything except Sir Elty himself (and that can be arranged!). Mas WilburysThe Traveling Wilburys — the supergroup that featured Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne as well as the late Roy Orbison and the late George Harrison — only existed long enough to record a couple of dozen songs. They never toured and their original CDs weren't available for more than a couple of years. But now a deluxe edition of The Traveling Wilburys Collection, which adds a linen-bound case and a 40-page collectible book to the double-CD, single-DVD set that was issued in June, will be out on November 29th. Just in time for Christmas — how cool is that?! Acoustic BenatarAfter they get off the road next month, Pat Benatar and her husband/co-writer Neil Giraldo will record an album of acoustic versions of their songs. As Pat says, "We have to reinvent them and change the arrangements. It's fun to do because the songs are really in their bare-bones state, which is the way you wrote them... things that were good always stand up." They're also working on an autobiography focusing less on their personal lives and more on "what the world was like when women were emerging on the rock scene and all the sexism and everything." Pat says, "When it comes to that (personal) stuff, I'm so boring — I'm married to the same man for 30 years, right? So (the business) seemed like a much more interesting thing to focus on."
A Thought For The WeekendNo one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car. What Are The Odds?
Cause of death/lifetime odds August 4, 2007
On this day in 1970, The Doors singer, Jim Morrison, was charged with public drunkenness in L.A. when he was found passed out on the doorstep of an elderly woman's house. Authorities never officially said if she had turned down the Lizard King's advances. On this day in 1975, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and his family were seriously injured when their rental car careened over a cliff on the Greek island of Rhodes. On this day in 1979, Led Zeppelin played their first British gig in four years. Over 120,000 filled Knebworth Park to its limits to show their appreciation. On this day in 1979, "Don't Bring Me Down" by the Electric Light Orchestra entered the charts. On this day in 1980, John Lennon secretly began recording his comeback album, "Double Fantasy," in New York City. On this day in 1984, Bruce Springsteen released the song "Cover Me" as The Cars song "Drive" entered the charts. August 5, 2007
Guitarist Rick Derringer is 60.
On this day in 1966, The Beatles released the British version of "Revolver," considered by many to be the best album ever recorded. On this day in 1967, Pink Floyd released their debut album, "Piper at the Gates of Dawn." No one ever said it was the best album ever recorded. On this day in 1972, Eric Clapton's "Layla" single peaked at #10 as Chicago released "Saturday In The Park." On this day in 1972, record mogul Clive Davis signed a young band called Aerosmith to CBS Records after seeing them play Max's Kansas City in New York City. After throwing one heck of a party with their $125,000 advance, the band went directly into debt. On this day in 1978, "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones hit #1 as "I Need To Know" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers peaked at #41 on the charts. On this day in 1983, David Crosby was sentenced to five years in a Texas jail for drug and gun possession after sleeping through most of his trial. On this day in 1992, Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro died of cardiac arrest at his Hidden Hills home. He was only 38 years old. August 6, 2007
On this day in 1965, the British version of The Beatles "Help!" album (superior to the U.S. version in all ways) was released. On this day in 1981, The Rolling Stones' song "Start Me Up" was released. On this day in 1981, Stevie Nicks released her first solo album, "Bella Donna," which produced four hits, including "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" and "Edge of Seventeen." Fortunately for the band, she continued on as a member of Fleetwood Mac. On this day in 1982, the $10 million film version of Pink Floyd's best selling double-album "The Wall" had its U.S. premiere in New York City. With virtually no dialogue, the film was a series of surreal episodes equating rock & roll with fascism, women & sex with pain, and death & life with an inescapable madness. Not what you'd call uplifting. On this day in 1983, "Cuts Like A Knife" by Bryan Adams peaked at #15 on the charts.
Robert & AlisonFormer Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning Alison Krauss have finished their eclectic collaborative album called "Raising Sand." Among the tracks appearing on the T Bone Burnett-produced project, due out on October 23rd, are an Everly Brothers song, a Tom Waits number, two tunes written by Gene Clark of The Byrds, and a composition Robert co-wrote with his old Zeppelin buddy Jimmy Page for their 1998 "Walking Into Clarksdale" album. Plant and Krauss — who truly has the voice of an angel — first performed together in 2004 at a Leadbelly tribute at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, but it was last year before they found time to team up with Burnett in Nashville and Los Angeles. No word yet on if the duo will perform live, but you know that tour would sell out in minutes! Brian Turns In Homework 36 Years LaterQueen guitarist Brian May has finally handed in his 48,000-word astronomy PhD thesis, called Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud, 36 years after abandoning it to join the band. The guitarist will discuss his thesis with an examining board on August 23rd, and the results should be known some time shortly after that date. "If I fail I will fail big time," May said. "It will be a very public failure with all this press." Jackson Plays For LowellJackson Browne will appear at an acoustic tribute concert in honor of Little Feat frontman Lowell George. The August 19th show at The Will Greer Theatricum Botanicum on North Topanga Canyon Boulevard will feature several Little Feat alumni, and was organized by George's daughter, Inara. Queen DVDsTwo new, interesting Queen DVDs will be available on October 29th. "Queen Rock Montreal" features material from sold-out shows on November 24th and 25th, 1981 at the Montreal Forum — the only Queen shows ever shot on film. The 95-minute disc has been digitally restored from the original film and the sound has been newly mixed and mastered for DTS Surround Sound and PCM Stereo from the original multi-track tapes. The second DVD, "Queen Rock Montreal + Live Aid" includes the Montreal show and the band's Live Aid gig, as well as 11 minutes of never before seen Live Aid rehearsal footage.
Quote Of The DayIt was Albert Einstein who said: "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." August 7, 2007
Bassist Andy Fraser of the band Free (the guy who wrote the riff to "Alright Now") is 55.
On this day in 1965, The Beach Boys' "California Girls" entered the charts as "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" by Herman's Hermits peaked at #1. They don't write 'em like that anymore, do they? On this day in 1970, Fleetwood Mac welcomed singer/keyboardist Christine McVie into the band. The new wife of bass player John McVie had previously worked with Chicken Shack. Her stint with the Mac lasted twice as long as the marriage. On this day in 1976, Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown" entered the charts as "Last Child" by Aerosmith peaked at #21. On this day in 1982, "Hurts So Good" by John 'Cougar' Mellencamp peaked at #2 on the charts. John used the money earned from that hit single to hire lawyers to remove the tag 'Cougar' from his name forever.
Eagles Live (Finally!)Well, I finally got to make the official announcement yesterday. The Eagles and Dixie Chicks will open the new 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre on October 18th and 20th. Word is that these will be the Eagles only U.S. shows this Fall — even though their new album is expected around mid-October. The state-of-the-art 7,100 seat venue is part of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live sports and entertainment project being constructed next to the Staples Center and Los Angeles Convention Center. Heads Up On Halen TourYou can expect a Hollywood press conference next week to announce a 50-date American arena tour by Van Halen. Beginning in October, the long anticipated tour will feature founding Van Halen members David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, with Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass. A proposed Summer tour by the group never got off the ground when Eddie went into rehab in March. Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million. Roth has not fronted the band on tour in over 20 years. New CrowesThe Black Crowes have completed their first studio album in six-plus years. In total, 16 songs were recorded, none of which have been performed live. New guitarist Paul Stacey produced, while keyboardist Adam MacDougall contributed in the studio and will join the band on the road in the future. North Mississippi All Stars' guitarist Luther Dickinson also guests. The yet-to-be-titled project is due next Spring. The group currently has tour dates booked into late October. Heart's Dreamboat CD/DVDRemember when we gave away all those tickets last April for Heart's performance of their entire debut album, "Dreamboat Annie"? A CD and DVD of that show will be issued on October 23rd. Footage from the gig aired as a DirecTV special in May. The discs will be the first in a series dubbed "Legendary Albums Live." Somebody Please Tell Keith To Shut UpDo we really need to know this? Keith Richards now says he did, in fact, inhale his late father's ashes, despite earlier claims that he was misquoted when he made the infamous revelation in a British tabloid interview published in April. "What I found out is that ingesting your ancestors is a very respectable way of... y'know, he went down a treat," the Rolling Stones guitarist tells Mojo magazine. Richards does refute part of the original quote, however, insisting, "The cocaine bit was rubbish. I said I chopped him up like cocaine, not with." Yeah yeah, and tell us again about stretching the truth, Keef. Jovi Blows ItJon Bon Jovi's legal objections to the Mijovi energy drink have backfired. Jon's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company owner, Marcos Carrington, demanding he change the name of the drink as it was too similar to Jon's registered trademark name. Marcos replied that the brand name was inspired by his girlfriend, Jovita, and not Jon. Now, according to the ever reliable Jovi-bashing New York Post, publicity created by the legal tussle has driven up sales of the drink, especially in Red Bank, New Jersey where Jon lives. Sources say, "One store had people coming and getting their pictures taken with the drink. And it's even spawned a cocktail named the Angry Rocker."
Quote Of The DayIt was Dave Barry who said: "The only really good place to buy lumber is at a store where the lumber has already been cut and attached together in the form of furniture, finished, and put inside boxes." Mascot Hall Of FameHere's your chance to vote for the 2007 Mascot Hall Of Fame and sign-up for a newsletter all at the same time! In the professional category, the six nominees include the New York Mets' "Mr. Met" and the New Orleans Hornets' "Hugo the Hornet." Among the collegiate hopefuls are the University of Nebraska's "Lil Red" and Ohio State University's "Brutus Buckeye." You can find the entire list and cast your votes at http://www.mascothalloffame.com. Voting wraps up on September 6th. And now that you ask, until now I didn't know there was a Mascot Hall Of Fame either. August 8, 2007
The Edge (Dave Evans), U2's guitarist, is 46.
On this day in 1964, The Animals' soulful cover of the traditional blues song "The House of the Rising Sun" entered the charts, marking the first time most American kids ever heard a blues song. On this day in 1964, "I Should Have Known Better" by The Beatles peaked at #53. On this day in 1966, on the same day that their incredible "Revolver" album was released, The Beatles were banned in South Africa because of John Lennon's infamous remark about the group being more popular than Jesus Christ. On this day in 1969, The Beatles posed for the famous picture which was used on their "Abbey Road" album. A policeman had to hold up traffic for several minutes at 10am as the band was photographed crossing the street in single file in front of the Abbey Road Studios. It was a hot day in London, so Paul McCartney walked barefoot. Later, when the "Paul is dead" hoax broke around the world, his walking barefoot was seen as a clue that Paul was, in fact, dead (in some countries, corpses are buried without shoes). The late Sixties/early Seventies were full of sketchy clues like that, you know. On this day in 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival released "Looking Out My Back Door" as "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young peaked at #14 on the charts. On this day in 1970, Janis Joplin bought a headstone for her idol and inspiration, blues legend Bessie Smith, who had been buried in an unmarked grave. Joplin used to sing many of Smith's songs when she was with Big Brother & The Holding Company. On this day in 1976, Boston's self-titled first album was released and became the fastest-selling debut ever. On this day in 1987, U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" hit #1 on the charts.
Heads Up On Halen TourYou can expect a Hollywood press conference next week to announce a 50-date American arena tour by Van Halen. Beginning in October, the long anticipated tour will feature founding Van Halen members David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, with Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass. A proposed Summer tour by the group never got off the ground when Eddie went into rehab in March. Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million. Roth has not fronted the band on tour in over 20 years. Big Big Big Police BucksThe first leg of The Police reunion tour has grossed $107,592,002 from 38 shows that drew 929,941 people. That does not include stops at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in June or the V Fest in Baltimore last weekend. The biggest payday of the first leg was July 5-6 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, which took in $9,494,248 from an attendance of 79,458. The Police will play Europe from August 28th through October 20th. The band returns to North America on Halloween night for a sellout at Madison Square Garden in New York, then will play three more weeks in the U.S. before heading to Latin America. Plans call for Australian and Japanese tours in the first quarter of next year. Go ahead — you can draw your own conclusions on when they'll hit the Southland again. Wetton/Asia DownAsia has had to postpone the second leg of their North American Heat Of The Moment tour due to frontman John Wetton's recently discovered heart condition. While the singer will require surgery, he is expected to make a full recovery. With a typical Wetton wit, he said: "God didn't save me from drowning only to beat me up on the beach... I look forward to getting back on tour." And we wish him a speedy recovery! The canceled gigs are expected to be made up next year. A Mellencamp KickoffJohn Mellencamp, Faith Hill and Kelly Clarkson will perform as part of the "NFL Opening Kickoff 2007" on September 6th in Indianapolis. Mellencamp will sing at the RCA Dome, while Hill and Clarkson will play a free show at Monument Park. The pregame show for the first NFL game of the season between the defending champion Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints will be broadcast on NBC. As you've probably noticed, the NFL has made flashy music events — featuring Bon Jovi and Aerosmith among others — a central part of its season openers in the past several years. To date, unlike some football players, no musicians have been busted for steroid use in the season opener. Earthshattering AccoladesIn what has to be a high point in their career (this week), both U2 and Bono have been nominated for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. U2 received a nod in the Most Earthshattering Collaboration category for the cover of The Skids' "The Saints Are Coming" they recorded with Green Day, while Bono will vie for the Quadruple Threat Of The Year prize. To find out if they won, you'll have to wait until the Most Earthshattering Show Ever airs live from Las Vegas on September 9th. Sorry Ace & PeterPersonally, I can't remember KISS frontman Gene Simmons ever holding back an opinion, but he's finally talking about his falling out with drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley. The blood-spitting bassist, whose reputation includes an intolerance for drug and alcohol abuse, told TVGuide.com it's not that he's unilaterally opposed to working with Ace and Peter again. But he's just not sure that it's possible, saying, "It's difficult enough to agree with someone who is straight, much less having to deal with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." He went on to say, "They were thrown out of the band because they were drug addicts and alcoholics... They're damaged. You're talking about 30 years of abuse. Everybody cares about Ace and Peter. I love them to death. But I don't want them to die on tour." TVGuide.com has posted the entire interview.
Quote Of The DayIt was Coach John Wooden who said: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." August 9, 2007
On this day in 1973, guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell told Paul McCartney they didn't want to go to Africa to record the album that became "Band On The Run." Because of that, this also marks the day they officially left Paul's band Wings. On this day in 1995, Grateful Dead icon Jerry Garcia died of a heart attack at the age of 53. He was in drug rehab at the time. This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Bob Seger and Bon Jovi as well as more of Joe's conversation with super drummer Kenny Aronoff.
 Bill Engvall will be joining me on the Five O'Clock Funnies today! Allmans AddedThe Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows and Gov't Mule/A.B.B. guitarist Warren Haynes will join Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds for the September 9th Farm Aid benefit in New York. Now in its 22nd year, this Farm Aid will dovetail with New York's new biofuel initiative. Beginning next Summer, 30% of the city's heating oil purchases will be required to contain 5% biofuel, with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Perhaps if L.A.'s major government figures kept their pants zipped up, they could focus on something as important as greenhouse gas emissions. Mick's Solo StuffThe long awaited "The Very Best of Mick Jagger" 17-track retrospective will feature songs from Mick's four solo albums, as well as soundtrack cuts, special singles and three previously unreleased tunes. Those three include 1973's John Lennon-produced "Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)," with Cream bassist Jack Bruce, Harry Nilsson on backing vocals and keyboardist Al Kooper, among others. Two lost tracks from a session with producer Rick Rubin will also see the light, including a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Checkin' Up on My Baby" done with the L.A. blues band The Red Devils. The compilation will be released on October 2nd. Play With A Little JoviAt last you can finally sleep with Jon and Richie worry free! McFarlane Toys' Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora action figures will be out by the end of this month. You can take a peek at them at http://mcfarlane.com/news/news6.aspx?id=13088. Just remember that they're probably smaller than you had been imagining for all those years. A Book On MellencampA new John Mellencamp biography will be published on November 1st. "Born in a Small Town: The John Mellencamp Story," written by Heather Johnson, will feature rare photographs and a detailed discography, as well as interviews with some of John's bandmates. The book logically traces John's career from his Johnny Cougar days through his latest release, "Freedom's Road." In addition to exploring the evolution of his music, the book also chronicles the development of his social activism. Capaldi TributeAn album chronicling a star-filled benefit concert that paid homage to late Traffic member Jim Capaldi is set for an August 21st release. "Dear Mr. Fantasy: A Celebration for Jim Capaldi" documents a January 2007 London show that featured performances by Capaldi's Traffic bandmate Steve Winwood, The Who's Pete Townshend, former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, occasional Eagle Joe Walsh, Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke and former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord, among others. A companion DVD will follow on September 18th.
Quote Of The DayIt was G. K. Chesterton who said: "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it." Does Size Matter?A new survey of 2,000 women found that 78% of them are larger than they want to be. The Slim-Fast sponsored poll also revealed that 56% of the respondents want to be a size eight or smaller. Among the other findings: * Women avoid certain activities when they don't feel good about themselves. Sixty-five percent don't go to the beach or the pool while 42% avoid shopping for clothing and 40% avoid nudity in front of their significant other. * When asked why they wanted to lose weight, 80% said in order to be healthy, 76% said to feel better and 74% said to have more energy. * With no one to question their truthfulness, 20% of the respondents said that they are at their ideal size. August 10, 2007
Leo Fender, inventor of all those electric guitars, would have been 98.
On this day in 1976, Elton John opened the first of seven shows at Madison Square Garden. That run broke the house record set the previous summer by The Rolling Stones, and marked the absolute peak of his staggering popularity. On this day in 1995, Bob Dylan released his classic statement about the death of The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, who died the day before. Bob said, "He's the very spirit personified of whatever is Muddy River country at its core and screams up into the spheres... There's a lot of spaces and advances between The Carter Family, Buddy Holly and, say, Ornette Coleman, a lot of universes, but he filled them all without being a member of any school... There's no way to convey the loss. It just digs down really deep." That's exactly what Bob said. This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Bob Seger and Bon Jovi as well as more of Joe's conversation with super drummer Kenny Aronoff.
On Stage TonightJ.B. will be hosting the Five O'Clock Funnies Live featuring Bill Engvall, Craig Shoemaker and Don Friesen at the Pacific Amphitheatre tonight as part of the 95.5 KLOS Mark & Brian Summer Concert Series. Meanwhile, Cheap Trick is performing The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" album with the orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. On Stage SaturdayPaul Rodgers, Riders On The Storm and Pat Travers will be rocking the Pacific Amphitheatre Saturday night as part of the 95.5 KLOS Mark & Brian Summer Concert Series. Mark & Brian and Jim Ladd will co-host. Meanwhile, Cheap Trick is performing The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" album with the orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. On Stage SundayDeep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult and Edgar Winter will be rocking the Pacific Amphitheatre Sunday night as part of the 95.5 KLOS Mark & Brian Summer Concert Series. Yer Uncle Joe and Gary Moore will co-host. David's Down AgainWith his birthday right around the corner, a respiratory infection has forced David Crosby to cancel an Aspen, Colorado performance scheduled for next Thursday. The gig was to have been part of the Lyrically Speaking series organized by the Aspen Writers' Foundation which features artists performing and discussing their writing process. David's health issues also caused the postponement of Crosby & Nash and Crosby, Stills & Nash tours earlier this year. Mistake Or Ugly Censorship?Pearl Jam, its fans and Internet watchdogs are up in arms after it was revealed that AT&T censored portions of the band's live Lollapalooza concert cybercast on Sunday. While performing "Daughter," the band segued into Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," during which Eddie Vedder sang, "George Bush, leave this world alone" and "George Bush, find yourself another home." Those lyrics were missing from the broadcast. While Vedder also railed against oil giant BP Amoco during the set, and later brought a disabled Iraq War veteran onstage to call for an end to the conflict, neither of those segments were edited. AT&T attributed the bleeping to "a mistake by a Webcast vendor" that was "contrary to our policy... We very much regret that this happened in the first place." The company also says it is "working with the band to post the song in its entirety," a sentiment echoed by Pearl Jam on its official Web site. Bruce's Old PianoThe piano Bruce Springsteen kept in his New York apartment from 1977 to 1979 when he was living with his then-girlfriend, Lynn Goldsmith, is being auctioned off on eBay. Goldsmith sold the piano to the Symbolic Collection, a group that specializes in rare music collectibles. Word is that Bruce wrote many of the songs from his 1980 album "The River" on the piano, and that the likes of Bob Dylan, Keith Richards and Patti Smith have all played it. With a minimum bid of only $10,000, just remember that you'll have to bring it home from San Diego. Daniel's U2 FootageDaniel Lanois, the famed musician/GRAMMY-winning U2 collaborator who produced "The Unforgettable Fire," "The Joshua Tree," "Achtung Baby," "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in addition to Bob Dylan's "Oh Mercy" and "Time Out of Mind") has produced a documentary called "Here Is What Is." Shot over an 18 month stretch, the film includes footage of U2 rehearsing songs from their upcoming album. The project will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival next month. But doesn't the movie's description sound a bit trippy? "Lanois' psychedelic past continues to haunt him throughout the film as the hyper-realism of the in-studio documentation is contrasted by moments of wild fantasia." Indeed!
A Thought For The WeekendEveryone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film. |
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