March 21 - 31, 2008

These 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!

Where Is He?

There's nothing wrong with your radio (or computer if you're streaming). Joe's just taking some well-deserved time off this week.

March 21, 2008

Keyboardist J.S. Bach would have been 323.
Original Yes guitarist Peter Banks is 58.
Guitarist Roger Hodgson of Supertramp is 58.

On this day in 1961, The Beatles played Liverpool's Cavern Club for the first time.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles' "She Loves You" hit #1 as "I Saw Her Standing There" peaked at #14. So what did you accomplish today?

On this day in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began their famous "bed-in" at The Amsterdam Hilton (later referred to in The Beatles song "The Ballad Of John And Yoko").

On this day in 1970, The Beatles "Let It Be" debuted at #6 as "Evil Ways" by Santana peaked at #9 and The Guess Who's "American Woman" entered the singles charts.

On this day in 1980, Bob Seger's "Against the Wind" album hit #1.

On this day in 1981, REO Speedwagon's "Keep On Lovin' You" hit #1, John Lennon's "Woman" peaked at #2 and Styx's "The Best Of Times" topped out at #3 on the pop singles chart.

On this day in 1983, Pink Floyd released "The Final Cut," the last album of new studio material that featured Roger Waters.

On this day in 1986, The Rolling Stones released their "Dirty Work" album.

On this day in 1987, U2's "With Or Without You" entered the charts.

On this day in 1991, Leo Fender, the inventor of the electric guitar, died at home at the age of 81.

On this day in 1994, Bruce Springsteen won the Best Song Oscar for his "Streets of Philadelphia" from the movie "Philadelphia." It was the first song Springsteen had written specifically for a film.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Doors as well as more of Joe's conversations with engineer Bruce Botnick, drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek.

On Stage

Margaret Cho will be making them laugh at The Orpheum Friday and Saturday nights.

Plant/Krauss/Platinum

"Raising Sand," Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant's collaborative album with bluegrass star Alison Krauss, has been certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The album has actually remained in the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 since its release last October, even through all of the Led Zeppelin reunion mania. Robert and Alison's shows at the Greek Theater in late June should be superb!

All Hail Alice & Slash!

There are many awards in the entertainment industry, but a few mean a whole lot more than all the others. Alice Cooper and Slash will be feted at the MusiCares MAP Fund's fourth annual benefit concert on May 9th at The Music Box in the Fonda Theater in Hollywood. Cooper will be presented with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award and Slash will receive the MusiCares From The Heart honor at the event, which raises money for the organization's efforts to help musicians fighting addiction. Both Slash and Cooper plan to perform at the event, along with Blind Melon and Dave Navarro's all-star group Camp Freddy. Right so!

Keef's Baggage

No week is complete without a Keith Richards quote, so here's a goodie about posing for the Annie Leibovitz-photographed Louis Vuitton print ad. Richards explained, "I told them, 'I'll only do it if you make me a guitar case with the logo on it. They've done it. I'm very proud of it. I'll probably never travel with it because it's just too beautiful." The photo shows The Rolling Stone guitarist in a hotel room causing many wags to say things like, "If you're selling leather bags, why not hire one to do it?" In response, Keef said, "It's never from the ladies. It's always male journalists. If I got annoyed about it, there would be a lot of dead journalists and I'd be in jail." And except for that very last part about jail, don't you think the world would be a better place!

Petty/Mudcrutch Ever So Briefly

Tom Petty has resurrected his mid-Seventies Florida band Mudcrutch a full 33 years after the group morphed into The Heartbreakers. The briefly reunited band consists of Petty on bass and vocals, Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench as well as guitarist Tom Leadon (brother of former Eagle Bernie) and drummer Randall Marsh. They launch an 11-date mini-tour on April 12th with a benefit for The Midnight Mission at the Malibu Performing Arts Center. The boys will hit Santa Cruz, Ventura and San Francisco before concluding with a four-night stand at the Troubadour April 25th, 26th, 28th and 29th — the day their debut album is released. The 14-track self-titled album was recorded in two weeks flat with the band playing everything live with no overdubs. A few Mudcrutch songs appeared on the 1995 Petty boxed set "Playback," including its version of the future Heartbreakers hit "Don't Do Me Like That." On May 30th, well after the Mudcrutch project concludes, Petty and his Heartbreakers will begin a North American tour with Steve Winwood.

Details On Yes' 40th

A mere four years after their (belated) 35th anniversary tour, prog rock giants Yes are hitting the road for their 40th anniversary tour. Billed as "Close To The Edge And Back," the 26 date American tour launches in Quebec on July 12th and wraps up August 20th at the Honda Center in Anaheim and two days later at the August 22nd Gibson Amphitheatre show. The line-up for this tour includes founding members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire joined by Steve Howe, Alan White and Oliver Wakeman, son of former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Note: Rick hasn't ruled out returning to the fold for something "very special in the not too distant future."

Pearl Jam's Road Trip

After playing just two shows in 2007, Pearl Jam will return to the road for a 10-date East Coast tour starting on June 11th in West Palm Beach. The dates are centered on the group's co-headlining appearance at Tennessee's Bonnaroo Festival in mid-June and will wrap with a two-night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden. Bassist Jeff Ament says, "The thing that's probably the most exciting to me is that we've been a band for 17 or 18 years and there's still things like this that we haven't done." Right so!

Taking A Break

Yer Uncle Joe is on vacation this week — no doubt doing all of his Spring cleaning! Do not fear and don't despair, he'll return next Monday whether the clean-up is done or not.

Quote Of The Day

It was Mark Twain who said: "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer."

Random Animal Factoids

* Cats can hear ultrasound.

* An elephant may consume 500 pounds of hay and 60 gallons of water in a single day.

* A giraffe can clean its ears with its tongue. (Easy there pal — I said a giraffe!)

March 22, 2008

Emmy Award-winning actor William Shatner is 77.
Singer Keith Relf of The Yardbirds would have been 65.

On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released his "Bringing It All Back Home" album, which contained his first electric guitar driven rock. Oh, the scandal!

On this day in 1967, The Who played their first live gig in America, a 20-minute set at New York's Paramount Theater.

On this day in 1975, Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" was the #1 album in the United States.

On this day in 1975, The Rolling Stones began working in Munich, Germany on what eventually became the "Black and Blue" album.

On this day in 1986, Heart's "These Dreams" hit #1 on the singles chart.

On this day in 2005, Foghat guitarist Rod Price died after suffering a heart attack and falling down a stairway in his home. He was only 57.

March 23, 2008

Singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek of The Cars is 59.

On this day 1958, George Harrison first played on stage with John Lennon and Paul McCartney as a member of the pre-Beatles group The Quarry Men (sometimes listed as The Quarrymen). They played at the cellar club called The Morgue in Broadgreen.

On this day 1963, the Beach Boys released the single "Surfin' U.S.A."

On this day 1979, Van Halen released their "Van Halen II" album.

On this day 1983, ZZ Top released their most successful album, "Eliminator."

Easter Bunny/Candy Factoids

The idea of the Easter Bunny with baskets of eggs started in Europe as the Easter Hare. The hare was originally a symbol of Easter for the Germans who came to America in the 18th century.

By the 19th century in America, the Easter Hare had become the Easter Bunny delighting children with baskets of eggs, chocolates, candy chicks, jelly beans and other gifts on Easter morning.

By the 21st century, five million marshmallow chicks and bunnies were produced daily just for Easter.

March 24, 2008

Bassist Dougie Thompson of Supertramp is 57.

On this day in 1962, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards first performed together in public as Little Boy Blue & the Blue Boys. Can't imagine why that name didn't stick.

On this day in 1973, Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side Of The Moon" album entered the charts both in Britain and Stateside. It stayed on the U.S. "Billboard" album chart for over 700 weeks.

On this day in 1974, The Doobie Brothers released their "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" album, featuring the hit "Black Water."

Brand New/Really Old Skynyrd

A previously unreleased song featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd's original lineup may surface on the band's next studio album. Guitarist Gary Rossington says that he recently unearthed the song, "Cottonmouth Country," from the archives. "It has Ronnie Van Zant singing and Leon (Wilkerson) on bass and Bob Burns is on drums," Rossington says. "It's a cool track, pretty cool lyrics — it's about the swamps. And we never put it out with (producer) Al Kooper on the first or second album. We just kind of let it sit there and never finished it. It's pretty well done, but the recording isn't as good as it could be. So we might put that out as a bonus track — a whole new Skynyrd song nobody's heard." As for the rest of the album, which is expected out early next year, Rossington, frontman Johnny Van Zant and guitarist Rickey Medlocke have been spending time in Nashville working with various songwriters.

Beatles Bootlegs Suit #499

Apple Corps and Apple Records finally filed a federal lawsuit in Miami to once again stop bootleg Beatle recordings from being released. The suit names a group of defendants including Fuego Entertainment and Jeffrey Collins, who tried to release the same recordings several years ago before he was sentenced to probation for violating sound recording piracy laws in connection with other recordings. In January, Fuego announced it had acquired 15 tracks of unreleased performances of The Beatles at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany that were made just before the group signed its first record deal in 1962. While The Beatles did perform at the club a month before they signed their record deal, the contract with the club did not permit any recording and no one with the band ever gave permission to record their performances. To no one's surprise, Apple Corps is suing for infringement of various common law copyright, trademark, unfair competition name and likeness, and performance rights... and damages of at least $10 million.

Steve & Jon & Richie & Jackson

Steve Miller and Bon Jovi's Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora will join Jackson Browne for a chat session April 10th during ASCAP's I Create Music Expo. The three-day expo for songwriting and composing is part of a week-long ASCAP event that brings songwriters, composers, publishers and industry leaders together. The expo itself will take place on April 10th through the 12th at L.A.'s Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Miller will also be honored with ASCAP's Golden Note Award at a special gala on the evening of April 9th.

Danny's Doing Better

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's Danny Federici is on his way back. The keyboardist joined the group for several songs at last Thursday's concert in Indianapolis. This was Federici's first set with Springsteen since November when he announced that he had been diagnosed with melanoma and was temporarily leaving the band to undergo treatment. No word on if Danny will rejoin Bruce's "Magic" tour for more than a guest spot.

New Twist On Old Pete

A new Pete Townshend biography has just been published overseas and will be available in U.S. stores in September or October. "Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend" is an updated version of Mark Ian Wilkerson's 2005 tome about the famed Who guitarist. The revamped book features more than a dozen new interviews, including one with Townshend himself, as well as a foreword by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder.

John/Paul/Tom/Ringo

A new DVD featuring John Lennon's final televised interview is due out on April 1st. Besides the 1975 Lennon clip, the double-disc set "The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom, Ringo" also includes footage of Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney on Snyder's program in the Seventies and Eighties.

Quote Of The Day

It's a Chinese proverb that said, "To believe in one's dreams is to spend all of one's life asleep."

Girls vs. Men vs. Pillows

The gender gap also exists in the bedroom. According to a new "Comfort Zone" poll by PrimaLoft, 47-percent of men prefer to sleep next to someone, while only 29-percent of women find human companionship in bed comfortable. On the flip side, 53-percent of women sleep best snuggling up with pillows or blankets, while just 32-percent of men agree. Both men and women find a warm hug and a quiet room to be comforting.

March 25, 2008

Soul goddess Aretha Franklin is 66.
Sir Elton John is 61.

On this day in 1960, Roy Orbison recorded "Only the Lonely" and Ray Charles recorded "Georgia on My Mind." So, what have you done today?

On this day in 1967, The Doors' incredible debut album entered the charts.

Joe/Steven Surgered

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry is expected to be released in a few days from the hospital after undergoing a successful knee replacement surgery last Tuesday. The guitarist had put off the operation for two years so that he could tour with the band, but finally went through with it when his doctor said it became "now or never." He is expected to be totally back to normal by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler had a surgical procedure done on both of his feet recently, apparently to alleviate lingering pain from injuries he sustained in an early-Eighties motorcycle accident.

Rush Delayed/Jam With Foos

The release of Rush's "Snakes & Arrows Live" concert album has been delayed a week to April 15th. The two-CD set was recorded last October in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In other news, Rush frontman Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson gave a surprise performance at Sunday's Foo Fighters' concert in Toronto. The two rockers joined Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins to rock out on "YYZ," a spiraling progressive-rock instrumental from Rush's 1981 album "Moving Pictures." The members of the two bands know each other through Nick Raskulinecz, a U.S. record producer who has worked with both groups, most recently on last year's Rush album, "Snakes & Arrows."

Miller DVD Release

Steve Miller has been selling millions of records since 1968, but he'll be releasing his first ever DVD on May 20th. The three-disc "Live From Chicago" includes two DVDs and a 12-song CD, most of which was recorded at Chicago's Ravinia Festival last July. The set also contains a documentary on Steve, exploring the musician's life and career with sometimes hilarious true stories. How good is the package? PBS will be airing portions of the concert during their June pledge drive.

R.I.P. Neal

Neal Aspinall, a close friend and business partner of The Beatles, died Sunday night of lung cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. The 66-year-old Aspinall, who went to school with Paul McCartney and George Harrison at the Liverpool Institute for Boys, became their road manager and minder in 1961. As their popularity grew, he stayed with them as an assistant and fixer, until 1968, when he became manager of Apple Corps. Taking on the role on the condition that he would do it "only until they found someone else", he quit it only last year. It is estimated that some 70 million Beatles albums were sold under his guidance during his last 20 years with Apple Corps. Sir Paul flew into New York over the weekend to be by Aspinall's side at the hospital. An official statement on behalf of Paul and Ringo as well as The Beatle widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison said: "As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come. All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man." Rest in peace.

Quote Of The Day

It was Yogi Berra who said: "I didn't really say everything I said."

Dangerous Driving Donut Thief Chased Down

What kind of an idiot would try to out run the police in a donut truck? Frank Alvarado, a 46-year-old Illinois man, stole the vehicle as it sat outside of a Des Moines, Iowa hospital. As many as nine police cars chased him for over 100 miles at speeds up to 100 miles-per-hour. The bakery that owned the van rewarded the cops who captured the crook by giving them all of the doughnuts left in the vehicle. Sweet!

March 26, 2008

Vocalist Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and keyboardist Richard Tandy of the Electric Light Orchestra are both 60.
Fran Sheehan, the original bassist in Boston, is 59.

On this day in 1965, Jeff Beck, as recommended by Jimmy Page, officially replaced Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds. Thus did The Yardbirds encompass the holy trinity of British rock guitar gods (and who knew that they all grew up within 15 miles of each other!).

On this day in 1975, The Who's film "Tommy," directed by Ken Russell, debuted in London.

All Hail The Who

This year, the third annual VH1 Rock Honors will pay tribute to The Who with a televised concert premiering on July 17th. The legendary band will be lauded by their peers and those whom they influenced during their 40+ year tenure. The two-hour homage will include spoken tributes, filmed packages and performances from some of today's "biggest" rock acts, as well as The Who themselves. Stay tuned for info on additional performers, presenters and special guests, as well as tickets for the July 12th taping right here in the Southland.

Mucca Chucka

Are you the kind of gold digging thrill seeker who would want to go through a messy divorce with Paul McCartney? Then you need to play the new computer game based on the court case between the former Beatle and his ex-wife Heather Mills! In "Mucca Chucka," you take on the role of Mills, scoring points by throwing water on Sir Paul and his lawyer, much like Heather did following the announcement of her $48.6 million divorce settlement. Logically, the more points you score, the more of Macca's money you win! See for yourself, you little money grubber, at http://MuccaChucka.co.uk.

The New Mac (Sort Of)

Remember when Stevie Nicks told me last year that if Fleetwood Mac was going to tour in 2009, then she wanted another female in the band — not so much to replace Christine McVie, but to make it easier to work with the boys in the band? Well Stevie's friend Sheryl Crow flat out said that she'll take the job. But Mac singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham says with a laugh, "I think we were all a little surprised (Crow) was announcing that to the world with such certainty... I don't think anything is written in stone yet." He confirmed that the group hopes to tour in the first half of 2009 and that it'll perhaps include some new material. Lindsey himself intends to release a new solo album this Summer. Recorded with members of his touring band as well as Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, it "has a little more of a rock feel to it" than his 2006 solo effort, "Under The Skin."

It's A Zep Show

An exhibition of Led Zeppelin memorabilia will be held at Knebworth House, the historic home in Hertfordshire, England that hosted the final U.K. gig by the band's original line-up. Memories in Music 1968-2008 will run from August 1st to September 3rd, featuring instruments, signed photos and other mementos. Proceeds raised by the display and an affiliated raffle will go toward the Action for Brazil's Children Trust, a charity supported by guitarist Jimmy Page.

Hendrix Estate Wins Another

Jimi Hendrix's estate has won a summary judgment in its U.K. legal case against "The Times of London." Experience Hendrix — the corporation that oversees usage of the late guitarist's back catalog — and a co-claimant sued "The Times" for including a live Jimi Hendrix Experience recording as an insert in a September 2006 edition of the newspaper. The London court determined that the publication didn't establish sufficient rights to the recording and awarded Experience Hendrix as-yet-undetermined damages.

A Busy Heart

Yes, Heart is planning to record a new studio album of original material later this year, and yes they'll hit the road with Journey this Summer. (Have they announced that September 30th Greek Theater gig yet?) But way before that, you can catch Ann and Nancy Wilson taking part in the April 9th "American Idol" charity fundraising special "Idol Gives Back" on FOX.

Quote Of The Day

It was Arthur Baer who said: "It was as helpful as throwing a drowning man both ends of the rope."

Super Chevy Show!

This Saturday, 11am - 1pm: The Super Chevy Hot Rod Show and Drag Race returns to the California Speedway in Fontana, and you just know that J.B. will be there with the KLOS Cool Patrol! Here are some pix from last year.

March 27, 2008

Keyboardist Tony Banks of Genesis is 58.
Guitarist Andrew Farriss of INXS is 49.

On this day in 1965, "The Last Time" by The Rolling Stones and The Who's classic "I Can't Explain" both entered the charts. Good Lord!

On this day in 1971, "What Is Life" by George Harrison peaked at #10 on the singles charts.

On this day in 1979, Eric Clapton finally married George Harrison's ex-wife, Patti Boyd, in Tucson, Arizona.

On this day in 1981, the album "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC was finally released in the States. The album peaked at #4 and sold 2 million copies by year's end.

On this day in 1986, Sammy Hagar played his first gig with Van Halen.

On this day in 1987, U2 filmed the "rooftop" video for "Where The Streets Have No Name" in downtown Los Angeles.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Foreigner as well as more of Joe's conversation with Mick Jones and Lou Gramm.

On Stage

Kansas will be rocking the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center tonight, and the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts on August 27th.

Don't Forget The... Tonight

REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin, Poison's Bret Michaels and Kenny Loggins will all try to recall lyrics and win money for various charities on tonight's episode of the FOX game show "Don't Forget The Lyrics." Each celebrity contestant could win up to $1 million! So who do you think will be the most burned out?

New GN'R Equals Soda Pop

How about a free can of Dr Pepper if Guns N' Roses release their long-delayed "Chinese Democracy" album this year? Actually, the deal is for a free can to nearly everyone in America except for former GN'R guitarists Slash and Buckethead! "It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients," says Pepper marketing director Jaxie Alt. "So we completely understand and empathize with [singer] Axl [Rose's] quest for perfection." Even though it sounds like there's a lawsuit waiting to bubble over, this is one clever promotion, my friends!

Richie Busted

Evidently those 12-day rehab sessions don't work as well as some folks would like you to think. Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence late Tuesday in Laguna Beach. Sambora was pulled over and subsequently failed a number of field sobriety tests. Three passengers were in the vehicle, including the rocker's 10-year-old daughter, Ava, along with another juvenile and an adult woman. If Richie was driving drunk, he could also be charged with endangering the two kids. How'd they finally get home? Sources say that, after Sambora was busted, the cops called Ava's mom, Heather Locklear, and she authorized the adult passenger to drive her daughter home. Sambora's court appearance is set for May 7th, just after the band finishes the first American leg of their tour and begins their European tour.

$48+ Million Just Isn't Enough

Greed is a hell of a thing, isn't it? Now Heather Mills has employed a team of forensic accountants to examine her estranged husband's finances, trying to prove Paul McCartney is worth much more than the $800 million he claimed in their divorce battle. Such information, she figures, will lead to the divorce ruling being overturned and much more than the awarded $48.6 million heading her way. Not quite a warm and fuzzy story, is it?

Quote Of The Day

It was Marty Indik who said: "Confusion is always the most honest response."

Super Chevy Show!

This Saturday, 11am - 1pm: The Super Chevy Hot Rod Show and Drag Race returns to the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, and you just know that J.B. will be there with the KLOS Cool Patrol! Yes, there is a bit of Uncle Joe history with Super Chevy. Joe raced in the event a few years back, and his longtime partner Randy Balough even won the 1997 competition in his Uncle Joe's Racing '57 Vette. No doubt both of those guys will gladly retell the tales when you see them Saturday! Meanwhile, here are some pix from last year.

March 28, 2008

Keyboardist John Evan, whose odd little blues group later struck fame and fortune as Jethro Tull, is 60.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles released the single "Can't Buy Me Love" backed with "You Can't Do That."

On this day in 1967, Van Morrison recorded the song "Brown Eyed Girl" in two or three takes at A&R Studios in New York.

On this day in 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's cover of Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock" entered the charts as John Lennon's "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" peaked at #3.

On this day in 1973, Led Zeppelin released the classic "Houses of the Holy" album.

On this day in 1981, John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels" entered the singles charts.

On this day in 1986, Bob Seger released his "Like A Rock" album.

On this day in 1992, "Tears in Heaven," the song Eric Clapton wrote for his late son, peaked at #2 on the singles chart almost a year to the day that the four-year-old died.

On this day in 1996, singer/drummer Phil Collins announced he was leaving Genesis. In an interesting twist, his announcement came 20 years to the day of his live debut replacing Peter Gabriel as Genesis' singer.

This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Foreigner as well as more of Joe's conversation with Mick Jones and Lou Gramm.

On Stage Saturday

The legendary Ray Davies of The Kinks will be performing at The Wiltern Saturday night.

Dr Pepper Makes Axl Smile

And today we have a surprisingly cheerful response from a surprised Axl Rose to Dr Pepper's offer to give everyone (except Slash and guitarist Buckethead) a free can of soda if Guns n' Roses finally release their long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" album this year. Rose says, "We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album "Chinese Democracy," as for us, this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him." Slash, on the other hand, will still have to buy his can.

Gregg's Down/Allmans On Hold

Whoa! The Allman Brothers Band have delayed their annual 15-show engagement at New York's Beacon Theatre and cancelled a number of upcoming concerts due to singer Gregg Allman's ongoing battle with Hepatitis C. The biggest cancelled date is next month's headlining gig at Florida's Wanee Festival, which they host every year. Allman is successfully undergoing treatment for the virus, which has since been eradicated from his system.  However, the side effects from the treatment require a longer-than-anticipated recovery time. "I'm getting better but I'm still tired," says Allman. "I need to be at 110% to do the shows the way we do them." The Wanee Fest will go on without the Allmans, while new Beacon dates should be announced soon.

Charlie Didn't Want To

When Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts sat down to watch Shine A Light, the Martin Scorsese directed documentary about the group, he wanted to leave early because he wasn't keen on watching the footage of him from decades ago. Charlie said, "He [Scorsese] used a bit of flashback which I don't really like much cause I don't like seeing myself 40 years ago saying something stupid." So why didn't he just leave during the screening? Someone placed Charlie in the front row at the film's premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, and, as he says, "You can't get up and leave cause everyone's looking at you. So we had to sit through it, but actually, about five minutes from the end, I thought, 'Okay, that's enough.'" "Shine A Light" will be out on April 4th.

Macca For Record Stores

Sir Paul McCartney has joined Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Chuck Berry, Deep Purple's Ian Gillan and Joan Jett in supporting Record Store Day on April 19th. The Alliance Of Independent Media Stores is behind the national celebration for the shops that specialize in selling music. The former Beatle gave an in-store performance last Summer at Amoeba Music in Los Angeles as part of his promotion for his "Memory Almost Full" album, and he says that with that single event he, "realized what fantastic memories such a collection of music brings back when you see it all in one place." Right so!

March 29, 2008

Vocalist Bobby Kimball of Toto is 61.
Guitarist Barry Goudreau of the original Boston is 57.
Blues Traveler singer/harmonica wizard John Popper is 41.

On this day in 1967, The Beatles began recording one of their most famous songs at Abbey Road Studios in London under the working title of "Bad Finger Boogie" — by the time it was completed, it was known as "With A Little Help From My Friends."

On this day in 1968, the original Fleetwood Mac, featuring Peter Green, released "Black Magic Woman" in Britain. The song wasn't a pop hit in the U.S. until Santana released their version two years later.

On this day in 1972, Jackson Browne began working on his first album.

On this day in 2005, Neil Young had surgery for a brain aneurysm in a New York hospital.

March 30, 2008

Drummer Graeme Edge of the Moody Blues is 67.
Guitar god Eric Clapton is 63.

On this day in 1967, The Beatles shot the photo for the cover of their "Sgt. Pepper" album.

On this day in 1968, David Bowie made his debut with the Lindsay Kemp mime troupe in the show "Pierrot in Turquoise." It sucked.

On this day in 1974, the Ramones played their first live show at the Performance Studio on East 23rd Street in New York. At least some of the 30 people in the audience paid to be there.

On this day in 1976, the Sex Pistols performed their first show for a group of 50 at London's 100 Club. It's still not clear if anyone paid to be there.

On this day in 1977, the Eagles' "Hotel California" hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

On this day in 1982, the Doobie Brothers announced their break-up.

On this day in 1994, Pink Floyd released their final studio album, "The Division Bell."

March 31, 2008

Guitarist Mick Ralphs of Bad Company is 60.
Guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC turns a bouncy 53.

On this day in 1967, Jimi Hendrix torched his guitar on stage for the first time, at a concert at Finsbury Park, England.

On this day in 1972, America's self-titled debut album hit #1.

On this day in 1976, Led Zeppelin's "Presence" album was released.

On this day in 1998, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant released their "Walking Into Clarksdale" album.

No Zep Yet (If Ever)

So what's the latest on a Led Zeppelin world tour? We all know that the Zep was offered hundreds of millions of dollars to take to the road after December's Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in London — their first full concert in 27+ years. And we all know that guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones both (more or less) said "Let's go!" Now perennial holdout/singing icon Robert Plant says that there is a chance of more one-off live performances from the band, if the reasoning was right. "Hopefully, one day, we could do it again," he said. "Our profit is... it's metaphysical." Plant also said he: "sang his nuts off" and says it was weird that the "personality of the audience has changed from those days when everybody was in the same condition as the band. Now it was more like the 68th wonder of the world rather than a gig. So I felt a bit embarrassed." How many hundred million dollars do you think it would take to overcome that embarrassment?

Kevin Wins Large

REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin kicked major butt on last week's special celebrity edition of Fox's "Don't Forget the Lyrics!." The singer successfully remembered the words to the Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me," the "Ghostbusters" theme and — surprise! — REO's own "Keep On Loving You" to win $350,000 for the MusiCares charity! Right so!

A Dr Pep For You/A Couple Managers For Axl

Remember how Dr Pepper surprised everyone last week with an offer of a free can of Dr Pepper if Guns N' Roses release their 13-years-in-the-making "Chinese Democracy" this year? Now comes word that singer/group leader Axl Rose and his band will now be represented by Irving Azoff and Andy Gould. Azoff has famously managed the Eagles and Van Halen, while Gould is a former member of the huge talent agency The Firm. If these two guys can't whip Axl into shape, then "Chinese Democracy" will likely remain a goofy legend.

Patti's An Artist

Hall Of Famer Patti Smith has her first major solo exhibit of drawings and photographs opening in Paris this week. The "Land 250" show, named after the type of Polaroid camera she used to take many of the photos between 1967 and 2007, is surprisingly apolitical. The iconic poet/songstress says, "Music and performance within the arena of rock 'n' roll has given me an opportunity to use my voice to communicate with many people, to speak out for human rights, against social injustice, against war, for our environment. But the other fields in which I work give me an opportunity to express my own inner world, which is not political. Artists must have the freedom to express their own vision, which is sometimes celestial, universal, on a whole other plane than the political situation in the world." Right so!

R.E.M. On TV

R.E.M.'s new album "Accelerate" is out tomorrow, the the boys will be doing some TV to promote it. Tomorrow morning they'll perform on NBC's "Today" and on Wednesday evening they'll visit Comedy Central's "Colbert Report." The next round of appearances should be announced shortly.

April Fool's Day

As you know, tomorrow is April Fool's Day. Personally, I live by Mark Twain's observation, "Without fools, the rest of us could not succeed." Just the same, here's a primer on this weird little 'Holiday.'

In sixteenth-century France, the start of the New Year was observed on April 1st much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. But in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and his New Year began on January 1st. Communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people didn't receive the word on the new calendar for several years. As for the more obstinate French folks, they continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1st. Eventually, the general populace labeled these people as "fools." They were subject to ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes. Over time, this kind of harassment evolved into a tradition of prank playing on the first day of April. By the eighteenth century, the tradition had spread to England and Scotland, and was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international funfest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.

Around the world these days, April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but one on which we must remain forever vigilant. Now come on mate, pull my finger.