 July 1 - 10, 2008These 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! July 1, 2008
Blues legend Willie Dixon would have been 94. 
On this day in 1963, The Beatles recorded "She Loves You" and "I'll Get You" at Abbey Road Studios. On this day in 1969, The Doors released their album "The Soft Parade," which featured the scandalous single "Touch Me." On this date in 1981, Steppenwolf bass player John Morey died in a car crash in Los Angeles at the age of 32. He is best known as the author of "Magic Carpet Ride." On this day in 1987, The Grateful Dead released their most successful album, "In the Dark," featuring the song "Touch of Grey." On this day in 1995, legendary D.J. Wolfman Jack suffered a heart attack and died in his home in Belvidere, North Carolina. He was only 57. 
Free Macca For QuebecWhile the ever-vigilant British press continues to proclaim that Paul McCartney is putting together a world tour, the former Beatle has arranged to give away another show. A few weeks ago 350,000 turned out for Macca's free show in Kiev. Now comes word that he'll play a free show in Quebec City on July 20th in honor of the city's 400th anniversary. Wonder if he'll be speaking any Canadian? Jovi All-StarsSure they played a Super Bowl gig before, but now Bon Jovi will play a free All-Star Concert in Central Park on July 12th. The gig is a prelude to the July 15th Major League Baseball All-Star game, which will highlight the final season at Yankee Stadium. The Jovi boys will wrap up their North American tour with paying gigs on July 14th and 15th at New York's Madison Square Garden. Who For Rock Band ReleaseOn the heels of the release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith comes word that the Rock Band video game will unleash 12 songs by The Who on July 15th. The tunes were personally selected by Who guitarist Pete Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey — neither of whom appear in the game. REO/PBS/Benefit"REO Speedwagon: Live in the Heartland (2008)" — a 16-song set that was recently shot in Chicago for the PBS concert series Soundstage — will air on Thursday (July 3rd). Then on July 16th, REO Speedwagon will headline the "Ridin' The Storm Out – Floods of 2008 Relief Concert" at the Prairie Meadows in Polk County, Iowa. As usual for REO's benefit concerts, 100% of the proceeds will go to the flood victims. Free Bowie CompTo go along with their typically trashy Brit tabloid news, this weekend's edition of "The Daily Mail" gave subscribers a David Bowie compilation album with songs hand-picked by the singer himself. David also wrote in detail about his selections, explaining, "Few of them are well known, but many of them are still sung at my concerts. Usually by me." To read what Bowie had to say about each, click here. To get the compilation, you'll have to wait until he's ready to release it Stateside. Aero Nuggets Of InfoTwo interesting nuggets of information came out of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith press conference last Friday. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler revealed that the band had to re-record several of their songs for the video game because their record label, Geffen, couldn't locate the master tapes! Tyler said, "The record companies play games — it's sad." The group also talked about returning to the studio to work on their first album since 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo," with guitarist Joe Perry revealing, "Some time in the late Summer, early Fall we'll get back in there and start putting it together." 
Quote Of The DayIt was Thomas Jefferson who said: "The most valuable of talents is that of never using two words when one will do." July 2, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
NASCAR racing icon Richard "The King" Petty is 71.
On this day in 1566, Michel de Nostradamus, the French astrologer and "seer of the future," died at the age of 62. His last documented words: "I knew this was going to happen." On this day in 1947, an object crashed near Roswell, New Mexico. The U.S. Air Force insisted it was a weather balloon, but eyewitness accounts gave rise to speculation it was an alien spacecraft or, at worst, another KISS Farewell Tour. On this day in 1969, bass player Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell quit the Jimi Hendrix Experience because of frustration with Jimi's escalating personal and professional problems. On this day in 1971, Queen was finally set when bassist John Deacon made his live debut with the band at a college gig in Surrey, England. On this day in 1981, Foreigner released their album "4," considered by many to be their best. On this day in 1981, Bruce Springsteen played the 21,000 seat Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey — the first of six Springsteen concerts that launched the arena's opening. On this day in 1983, the final album by The Police, "Synchronicity," entered the American charts on its way to 17 weeks at #1. On this day in 1987, Sting chose not to attend his mother's funeral in order to stay in Monserrat where he was working on his "Nothing Like The Sun" album. On this day in 2005, Live 8, the largest live concert ever held, involved over a million people listening to rock and pop musicians at 10 venues across four continents, demanding that the G8 nations move to help Africa. The "battle-of-the-bands" type showcase of most of the world's top acts was unprecedented, but it was the co-ordination of so many acts and staging in so many cities around the globe that was nothing short of amazing. The man in charge of the whole event was Live Aid organizer, Sir Bob Geldof.  This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Genesis as well as conversation with Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Peter Gabriel.
Newly Discovered Really Old BeatlesUntil it was recently stumbled upon, a nine-minute interview with The Beatles spent 44 years in a damp garage in south London. The Scottish TV interview of John Lennon and Paul McCartney was taped at the height of their popularity on April 30, 1964, just after The Fab Four's first trip to America. Amazingly, the audio portion of the decrepit recording was still understandable, so this week the BBC aired clips of the long lost chat. In it Lennon casually described the day when he first encountered McCartney, and how they soon joined up with a teenage guitarist named George Harrison. John and Paul also discussed the haphazard way they composed when they were under intense pressure to generate hits while keeping up a bone-crushing touring schedule. I'm guessing Chris Carter will air some of the interview on KLOS' Breakfast With The Beatles this Sunday. U2's Studio Painting Sells LargeA piece of art that famously hung in U2's Dublin studios ever since they bought in 1989 sold for over $10 million in an auction held in London. While the U2 connection no doubt affected the final purchase price of "Untitled (Pecho/Oreja)" by the late American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, his work has previously sold for as much as $14.6 million. Lindsey/StevieFleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham has just announced another round of solo dates. This time around his Gift of Screws tour will hit UCLA's Royce Hall on September 14th and The Grove in Anaheim on September 19th. Meanwhile, a two-part episode of PBS' "Soundstage" featuring Stevie Nicks will now premiere on July 17th and July 24th. The DVD/CD of Stevie's "Soundstage" performance is still coming out on September 9th. Def & TaylorDef Leppard will join country singer Taylor Swift for a Nashville performance in October that will be taped for an episode of CMT's "Crossroads" series. The show will premiere on November 8th. Swift describes the partnership as a "dream come true," adding, "I have been screaming the words to Def Leppard songs for years." Funny thing, young lady — so has the band!
Quote Of The DayIt was Thelonius Monk who said: "Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy." Popping ToastTalk about having too much time on your hands — British art student Freddie Yauner has rigged a toaster to shoot bread eight-and-a-half feet up into the air. Sure he used a CO2 canister to make it happen, but Freddie's feat of derring-do got the lad listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. In justifying his continued student-status at the age of 26, Fred said his work is mostly "satirical," adding that society is always seeking "objects that do far more than they need to do." Sounds like a government job is right around the corner! July 3, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Guitarist Paul Barrere of Little Feat is 60.
On this day in 1965, The Yardbirds' song "For Your Love" peaked at #6 on the charts. Eric Clapton left the band once they started recording the song, and can be heard only on the second bridge. Jeff Beck played the rest of the guitar on the final recording. On this day in 1969, Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones died in his swimming pool at the age of 27. High levels of alcohol and barbiturates were found in his blood, and, despite rumors of suicide and murder, authorities declared his death an accident. On this day in 1971, vocalist Jim Morrison of The Doors died in his bathtub in Paris at the age of 27. No autopsy was ever done, but most figured that, like Brian Jones two years earlier, Jim had just reached the end. On this day in 1971, unaware that their lead singer had died in Paris, The Doors released "Riders on the Storm." On this day in 1973, David Bowie announced at a London concert that he was retiring from public performance. He was back on stage in 11 months, a turnaround record later challenged by Elton John and KISS. July 4, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Guitarist Jeremy Spencer (of the 2nd Fleetwood Mac line-up) is 60.
On this day in 1969, Grand Funk Railroad played the Atlanta Pop Festival, impressing Capitol Records so much that they signed the band within days. On this day in 1976, Paul McCartney & Wings released the song "Let 'Em In." On this day in 1981, "Urgent" by Foreigner entered the charts. On this day in 1982, in a year that saw him bite the head off a bat and watch his guitarist Randy Rhoads die in a plane crash, Ozzy Osbourne married his manager, Sharon Arden.
Quote Of The DayIt was Gandhi who said: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Factoids For The FourthThe Declaration of Independence, unanimously declared by the 13 United States of America, was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. But the fact is that not one single signature was signed on that day. While most of the 56 names were in place by early August, one signer, Thomas McKean, did not actually sign the Declaration until 1781. Nevertheless, July 4th was the day singled out to mark the event of the United States establishing itself as a nation. Of the signers, 24 were lawyers and jurists; 11 were merchants; 9 were farmers and large plantation owners; all were men of means and well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War, with five captured by the British and tortured before they died. Most of the 56 lost family members, 12 had their homes ransacked and burned, and many died bankrupt. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. The first celebrations occurred shortly after the declaration in various locales along the Eastern Seaboard. Much of the tradition inherent in the way we celebrate today was evident almost from the beginning. Sound, spectacle, and sentiment played an important role in that tradition. One of the most elaborate celebrations in 1777 and the first organized celebration of its kind occurred in Philadelphia. This event had all of the elements of typical future celebrations — the discharge of cannon, firing one round for each state in the union; the ringing of bells; the use of music; the drinking of toasts (it would subsequently be traditional to have one toast for each state in the union); "loud huzzas;" a parade; fireworks; and the use of the nation's colors. Whatever you do to celebrate, have fun, but please keep the fireworks away from the kids. And give pause to say a prayer for our troops still at war so far away from home. God bless America! July 5, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Guitarist/singer Robbie Robertson of The Band is 65.
On this day in 1954, Elvis Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black started messing around on a song called "That's All Right" at Memphis' Sun Studios. Scotty Moore remembered saying, "Good God! They'll run us out of town when they hear this." Studio owner Sam Phillips remembered, "I knew we had a hit." On this day in 1964, the young Irish band Them, featuring singer Van Morrison, recorded "Gloria." Henceforth, raw lust as a component of lyrical content was considered fair game. On this day in 1966, former Animals bassist Chas Chandler happened to see Jimi Hendrix play at Cafe Wha? in New York's Greenwich Village. Blown away, he immediately convinced Hendrix to move to London in order to launch his career. On this day in 1968, promoter Bill Graham opened the premier West Coast concert hall of the late Sixties/early Seventies: The Fillmore West in San Francisco. On this day in 1968, The Doors played the Hollywood Bowl, backed by Steppenwolf and the Chambers Brothers. The concert was later released as "The Doors at the Hollywood Bowl." On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones gave a free concert for 250,000 fans in London's Hyde Park to introduce their new guitarist Mick Taylor. But since their original guitarist Brian Jones had just died, the concert became a strained tribute instead. On this day in 1975, Steve Miller showed off his new band (featuring C.C.R.'s Doug "Cosmo" Clifford on drums) and a brand new song ("Rock 'N Me") as he opened for Pink Floyd at England's Knebworth Festival. No slackers themselves, the Floyd premiered their "Wish You Were Here" album with a performance that included fireworks, real Spitfire fighter planes flying overhead, and a very large model plane crashing into the stage. EEEE-yowee!! July 6, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Rock pioneer Bill Haley would have been 83.
On this day in 1957, 15-year-old Paul McCartney first saw The Quarrymen perform at a church social in Liverpool. He immediately struck up a friendship with 16-year-old John Lennon and was soon in the band. On this day in 1964, The Beatles' first film, "A Hard Days Night," premiered in London. The Fab Four didn't actually see the flick until four days later. In Britain alone, the film's soundtrack had already sold a million and a half copies in only nine days. On this day in 1965, Marty Balin and Paul Kantner formed the group that a month later they would decide to call Jefferson Airplane. On this day in 1968, The Rolling Stones hit #3 in the U.S. with "Jumping Jack Flash." On this day in 1973, Queen released their debut single in the U.K., "Keep Yourself Alive." On this day in 1991, Van Halen's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" album debuted at #1. On this day in 1993, U2 released their "Zooropa" album. July 7, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
The one and only Ringo Starr is 68.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles' first film, "A Hard Days Night," premiered in London. The Fab Four didn't actually see the flick until four days later. In Britain alone, the film's soundtrack had already sold a million and a half copies in only nine days. On this day in 1968, The Yardbirds finally called it quits, leaving guitarist Jimmy Page to form the New Yardbirds in order to fulfill some tour commitments. The group, featuring singer Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and bassist John Paul Jones, was soon renamed Led Zeppelin. On this day in 1977 (7/7/77), Styx released their seventh album, "The Grand Illusion." It proved to be their big breakthrough, selling four million copies. On this day in 1980, 12 years after they first formed as the New Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin played their final concert together in West Berlin. Drummer John Bonham would die in late September. July 8, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Drummer Jai Johanson of The Allman Brothers Band is 64.
On this day in 1977, Steely Dan released their classic "Aja" album. On this day in 1978, Gerry Rafferty's album "City to City" (containing "Baker Street") hit #1 on the charts. July 9, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Jimi Hendrix's drummer, Mitch Mitchell, is 62.
On this day in 1956, Dick Clark appeared on TV for the first time as the host of American Bandstand. Except for the bank account, he still hasn't changed. On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones song "Mother's Little Helper" entered the charts. The song's title was the common reference to the recently introduced tranquilizer, Valium. On this day in 1971, Doors singer Jim Morrison was quietly buried in Paris' Pere-Lachaise cemetery. On this day in 1974 in Seattle, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young began their first reunion tour - the first mega-stadium tour in the history of Rock & Roll. It was during that ground-breaking series of concerts that both Neil Young and David Crosby began to question what the hell they were doing. Afterwards, Neil returned back to his smaller, more manageable solo career while David retreated into drug addiction. On this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac released their "Don't Stop" single. On this day in 1977, Steve Miller's "Jet Airliner" peaked at #8 on the charts. On this day in 1983, The Police's "Every Breath You Take" hit #1. On this day in 1995 at Chicago's Soldier Field, The Grateful Dead played their last concert with Jerry Garcia. Jerry died a month later, and Soldier Field was later torn down. On this day in 1996, Deep Purple played "Smoke on the Water" for the first time in the Swiss city that inspired it. The band wrote "Smoke on the Water" in 1971 after surviving a nightclub fire in Montreux. July 10, 2008Unc's On VacationIt's time for some R&R (and desert heat avoidance), so you can expect my reports to be even more sporadic than usual this week!
Folkie Arlo Guthrie is 61.
On this day in 1965, as "Beatles VI" topped the U.S. album charts, The Rolling Stones scored their first American #1 hit single with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." On this day in 1968, as drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce argued in the background, guitarist Eric Clapton announced the break-up of Cream. One of the first bands known as a "supergroup," Cream then launched one of the first successful "Farewell Tours." On this day in 1983, The Police song "Every Breath You Take" hit #1 on the American singles chart for the first of nine weeks. On this day in 1986, The Grateful Dead's Ventura Fairgrounds performance was canceled when guitarist Jerry Garcia was hospitalized after lapsing into a diabetic coma. His illness prompted more than 10,000 phone calls to the band's fan hotline in less than 48 hours. Garcia regained consciousness five days later, and was released from the hospital in a month. On this day in 1993, Bob Seger married Juanita Dorricott. (Did you remember to send a card?) On this day in 2006, singer/songwriter/guitarist Syd Barrett, the man who founded and named Pink Floyd, then fried his brain on LSD, died at the age of 60 from complications arising from diabetes. |
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