August 1 - 10, 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!
August 1, 2008
Grateful Dead demi-god Jerry Garcia would have been 65.
Guitarist Tommy Bolin, who worked with Deep Purple and the James Gang, would have been 56.
Def Leppard singer Joe Elliot is 48.
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.
This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Jethro Tull and Joe's brand new conversation with group leader Ian Anderson.
On Stage Tonight
Rod Stewart & Bryan Adams will be playing at the Verizon Amphitheater as Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo are rocking the Pacific Amphitheatre and the Doobie Brothers hit the Ventura County Fair tonight.
On Stage Saturday
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band will take the stage at the Greek Theatre just as Motley Crue is headlining their Crue Fest at the San Manuel Amphitheater (formerly the Glen Helen Pavilion) Saturday night.
On Stage Sunday
The Scorpions and Sammy Hagar will be rocking the Pacific Amphitheatre as ZZ Top are co-headlining with Brooks & Dunn at the San Manuel Amphitheater (formerly the Glen Helen Pavilion) Sunday night.
Queen + Paul Set The Date
It's finally official! "The Cosmos Rocks," the new Queen + Paul Rodgers album, will be released on October 14th. Among the songs expected to be included on the combo's first album are "Say It's Not True" (initially available as a free World Aids Day download) and "C-lebrity." The album will also feature Queen's first ever cover song (perhaps Del Shannon's "Runaway"). The boys will be touring Europe this Fall in preparation for a U.S. jaunt early next year.
Even More Photos
This has really been a huge year for rock photography exhibits in the Southland! The latest show is "Gibson Through The Lens," a collection of 70 photos of rock legends alongside their Gibson or Epiphone guitars. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Pete Townshend are among the featured artists. Images of Bruce Springsteen, Gibson guitar pioneer Les Paul and blues great B.B. King are also included, along with shots of U2's Bono and The Edge, Prince, The White Stripes' Jack White, and the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl. The Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas (the infamous scene of legendary guitarist debauchery in the Seventies) is hosting the display through August 24th.
A Motley Day
It's not like there was a lot of music business going on this week in the Southland, but did anybody know that Thursday was "Motley Crue's 'Saints of Los Angeles' Day"? Guess Motley Crue's publicist was just too busy manning the buffett line. Well, at least we can all enjoy the boys headlining Crue Fest at the San Manuel Amphitheater (formerly Glen Helen Pavilion) Saturday night.
New/Old Cocker
The Joe Cocker concert DVD "Cry Me A River" will be released on September 16th. Just like the Lynyrd Skynyrd DVD announced earlier this week, Joe's compilation features footage from the classic German TV series "Rockpalast." The Cocker DVD features a 1980 Halloween gig in Berlin.
A Thought For The Weekend
A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
More Mid-Summer Factoids
More females than males have been depicted in the nude by painters and sculptors in every society except that of ancient Greece.
Every cat on Chatham Island in the Pacific — and there are thousands — is black.
The rule of thumb to calculate the weight of a blue whale is a ton and a half per foot.
August 2, 2008
Keyboardist Garth Hudson of The Band is 66.
Traffic drummer/singer Jim Capaldi would have been 64.
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 Anniversary
On this day in 1876, famed gunfighter/pistoleer/U.S. Frontier Scout & Marshall James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was killed dead by a shot in the head 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!
August 3, 2008
Tony Bennett is 82.
Metallica guitarist James Hetfield and
Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland are both 45.
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."
August 4, 2008
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.
On Stage Tonight
Steely Dan will be putting on a real musical performance at the Honda Center in Anaheim tonight!
Rog Lost In The Supermarket
What's harder to imagine: Who frontman Roger Daltrey shopping in a supermarket or having his passport returned by a young lady after he lost it? How about all of the above? Soon after Lisa Gillespie discovered Roger's very own passport while shopping in a Maidstone, England supermarket, she turned it over to a BBC announcer friend of Daltrey's. Then Ms. Gillespie found herself regaled by the ever vigilant Brit press, perhaps looking for scandalous insight into Roger's shopping patterns. All she would say was, "I didn't mean to cause such a stir... I just wanted to get the passport back to him so he could go on tour in America." And for this, young Lisa, all of America is grateful!
Ozzy/Goatwhore/Fun For The Whole Family
No need to stay up all night worrying about it. The full line-up is set for this Saturday's one-day OzzFest at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas. Main stage highlights will include Hellyeah & The Dimebag Tribute, Serj Tankian, Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica. Goatwhore will kick off the show on the Second Stage, while the Texas Third Stage will feature Rigor Mortis. Truthfully, once Goatwhore and Rigor Mortis finish their sets, does any other band really need to play?
U2 Since The Turn Of The Century
Next in the onslaught of U2 publicity leading up to the release of their new album in November: A 68-minute documentary DVD focusing on the lad's activities since the turn of the century. Due out on September 30th, "The Rebirth Of The Cool: U2 In The Third Millennium" will include interviews with all four bandmembers, live footage and the obligatory commentary from various others. Personally, I'm thinking "Since The Turn Of The Century" is a better name for their new album than the more likely "No Line On The Horizon" — so if you talk with the boys, let 'em know!
No Surprise/No Welsh Zep
Remember the 6.3 million Led Zeppelin tour rumors following their reunion show at London's O2 Arena last December? And remember those wacky Welsh Millennium Stadium officials who swore that they were in talks with the band's management about hosting the first gig of the tour? Oops! Last week the stadium manager said, "It's dead in the water. Because the concert was a success there was hope of a tour, but that was a lot of speculation. It would be great if they would, but as far as we know that is dead in the water." Wow, what a surprise. But with Wales off the itinerary, maybe Robert Plant can finally be talked into touring!
Rafferty Missing
In a sad development, British authorities are on the lookout for Scottish singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty after he vanished Friday from a London-area hospital where he was under treatment for alcohol-related liver failure. The 61-year-old singer, best known for his 1978 hit "Baker Street," reportedly left all of his belongings behind.
Quote Of The Day
It was Thomas Jefferson who said: "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."
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 5, 2008
Guitarist Rick Derringer is 61.
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.
ZZ/Foos/Love Ride
Talk about a powerful double-bill! ZZ Top and the Foo Fighters will co-headline the 25th annual Love Ride motorcycle event on October 26th! Love Ride 25 — the world's largest one-day motorcycle fundraising event — will be held in conjunction with the October 24th - 26th California Bike Week at the Fairplex in Pomona. About 25,000 people are expected to participate, including "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, the fundraiser's grand marshal, and yer Uncle Joe.
Ozzy's Surprise
Guitar ace Dave Navarro's all-star covers band Camp Freddy usually features a couple of prime guests at each of their gigs. But last Friday night it was Ozzy Osbourne himself who surprised Dave and the band at their ESPN/X-Games show at the House Of Blues on Sunset. After powering through an hour and a half set that included appearances by most of Alice In Chains and Lemmy from Motorhead as well as Billy Duffy from The Cult and Mark McGrath, the Metal Madman lumbered on stage to sing "Crazy Train," "Paranoid" and "Iron Man." Afterward, Navarro said,"Having the opportunity to perform live with Ozzy is literally a dream come true." Right so!
More Nuge On TV
Heads up metal heads and meat eaters! Over on the Travel Channel, you'll find both Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper talking about and eating strange food on the latest edition of the "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" show. Then you can see the Nuge fire his crossbow (while talking a mile-a-minute) at Criss Angel on the August 25th episode of A&E's "Criss Angel: Mindfreak." Let's all just hope that Tedly doesn't miss!
Steppenwolf Docu Ready
The long-in-production documentary about Steppenwolf and their frontman John Kay has just been scheduled for a September 23rd DVD release. The 80-minute "John Kay & Steppenwolf: A Rock & Roll Odyssey features performance clips, archival footage and interviews. Evidently John likes how it turned out, so he'll autograph DVDs that fans pre-order via the band's website.
Quote Of The Day
It 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."
The U.S. Chamber Of Party Animals
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that lobbies on behalf of over three-million American businesses — and they party like your old neighbors. Seems that a hundred or so members recently ran up an $8,200 tab at a Washington, DC sports bar after the group's "Chamber Bowl" softball tournament. The bar reported that the partiers purchased 155 pitchers of beer, 37 bottles of beer, 208 mixed drinks, 111 shots, 43 margaritas and 11 open bottles of liquor. All Chamber Chief Operating Officer David Chavern had to say was, "It wasn't a terribly huge amount of money." That's the non-profit spirit!
August 6, 2008
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.
On Stage Tonight
Steve Miller and Joe Cocker will be rocking the Nokia Theatre LA Live tonight!
Let It Be Might Be
After stories published in England claimed that The Beatles movie "Let It Be" wouldn't be coming out on DVD because of the film's negative tone, something appears to have changed in the Fab Four's Apple Corps offices. Monday a spokeswoman for the band said, "We do have plans to release it some time in the future." Of course, said Beatles spokeswoman did not elaborate on her parameters for the word "future."
Steven/Sting/Boston Pops
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Sting of The Police and Josh Groban will be among the stars performing with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and the Boston Pops on September 18th and 19th. Footage shot at the concerts will then be featured in a PBS special premiering next March. The "Chris Botti Live In Boston" soundtrack CD is tentatively scheduled for a December release, while the DVD should be out next April. Meanwhile, HarperCollins has secured the rights to an upcoming Tyler autobiography. Terms of the deal and a release date were not disclosed, nor was there any indication that he'd emphasize bedding fans more in detail than doing drugs.
Jackson's Packing
If you haven't seen him lately, it's probably because Jackson Browne is busy packing for a world tour in support of his upcoming "Time the Conqueror" album, due out on September 23rd. Jackson's first U.S. tour leg will run from September 15th through November 3rd, with an October 2nd stop at the McCabe's 50th Anniversary concert at UCLA's Royce Hall. Then Mr. Browne will visit Japan in November, Australia in February and March, and Ireland and the United Kingdom in March and April. After that, he's going to really tour the States!
Fantasy Camp Road Trip
The Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp is on the road! It's a new spin on the event, in which would-be rockers get a chance to learn about the music business from veteran performers and fulfill their rock star dreams. Counsellors on the Camp Tour include singer/bassist Glen Hughes of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, and former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade, who's also logged time with Tom Jones and Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The paying-campers have the option of a one-day seminar, jam session and performance or a multi-day package that includes five days on the road. Wonder if Joe Walsh will give a special seminar on chainsawing a hotel room while on tour?
Police/Best Buy
The previously announced CD/DVD documenting The Police's December 2007 Buenos Aires, Argentina concerts is now set for an October 7th release exclusively through Best Buy outlets. "The Police: Certifiable" will be sold as a double-CD/double-DVD set, as well as a double-CD/Blu-ray disc package and a three-LP vinyl collection.
Quote Of The Day
It was Erma Bombeck who said: "Never lend your car to anyone to whom you've given birth."
August 7, 2008
Bassist Andy Fraser of the band Free (the guy who wrote the riff to "Alright Now") is 56.
Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson is 50.
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.
This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Aerosmith and conversation with singer Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford and bassist Tom Hamilton as well as producer Jack Douglas and A&R guru John Kalodner.
Rare Prime Clash
Long bootlegged by collectors, The Clash's October 13, 1982 performance at New York's Shea Stadium will finally be "officially" released on October 7th. The legendary punk band was opening for The Who that night, and their set featured most all their classics, including "London Calling," "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" and "Rock The Casbah." Word is that late Clash singer/guitarist Joe Strummer found the Shea tapes while preparing to move into a new house just before his death.
$23,000+ Worth Of (Beatles) Giggles
The tape of The Beatles, believed to have been recorded while they were working in the Abbey Road studios in 1964, was sold for almost $23,500 yesterday. The undisclosed buyer purchased the the 30-minute tape — recently discovered in an attic in northern England — through Cameo Auctioneers in Great Britain. The aged tape recording features the band trying (with varying degrees of success) to record vocals for "I'll Follow the Sun," which was eventually released on "The Beatles For Sale" album. On that tune, John Lennon and Paul McCartney repeatedly collapsed in laughter amidst vocal horseplay. No word on which of three or four Abbey Road engineers was responsible for making the tape, but I'm sure KLOS' own Chris Carter will be airing some of it soon on his Sunday "Breakfast With The Beatles" show!
South Dakota Politicos KISS Off
Granted, stranger things have happened in past election years... but this one has Top 10 potential. Coinciding with the band's appearance at the Rock'n The Rally festival in Sturgis, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds proclaimed this past Monday to be KISS Rock & Roll Day in his state. The choice photo op came when the Gov and Sturgis Mayor Maury Larue joined KISS onstage to present them with the honor.
Woodstock Repackaged
If you're really into planning ahead, the 40th anniversary edition of the Woodstock: 3 Days Of Peace & Music concert film will be released on DVD and Blu-ray disc next July 28th. The remastered package will offer an hour of previously unreleased footage — including performances by The Who and Joe Cocker — as well as new commentary and a 40-minute bonus documentary. Hopefully, no extra warnings about the brown acid will be necessary.
Doobie Drummer Down
Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossack is currently hospitalized in stable condition after a taxi he was riding in was involved in a traffic accident last weekend. The group's second drummer, Ed Toth, will handle all the percussion duties until Hossack returns, which we hope will be by the September 9th Brothers' L.A. County Fair gig.
Quote Of The Day
It was George Carlin who asked: "If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted and musicians denoted?"
What Sleep?
According to a new "Consumer Reports" survey, 44% of Americans consider themselves to be "problem sleepers," meaning they have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or wake up too early at least eight nights per month. The survey also found that one in five Americans take prescription or over-the-counter medicines at least once a week to help them sleep, while 14% of those polled say they took some type of sleeping pill on at least eight of the past 30 nights, while five-percent took a pill every night of the month. Sadly, 24% of respondents say they became dependent on the sleeping pill they used. Of the six characteristics that problem sleepers have in common, "Consumer Reports" found that high stress levels was the most prevalent. Kinda stresses you out just thinking about it, doesn't it?
August 8, 2008
The Edge (Dave Evans), U2's guitarist, is 47.
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.
The Police Bow Out
The reunited Police took their final bow Thursday night at New York's Madison Square Garden, capping a 151-show tour that goes in the record books as the third highest-grossing of all time with $358,825,665 at the box office. [The top two of all time are The Rolling Stones' 2005-2007 A Bigger Bang tour ($558 million), and U2's 2005-2007 Vertigo tour ($389 million).] Bassist/vocalist Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland ran through their song catalog with great skill and humor in about two hours. At one point, Sting told the crowd, "It's been a huge honor to get back with my good friends. The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other... that doesn't mean it hadn't crossed my mind." Just prior to starting their encore with a dexterous run through Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze," the video screens revealed the heavily bearded Sting being shaved backstage while simultaneously getting a manicure, pedicure and massage from several blonde women — and finished off with a kiss from Stewart. The final song "Next to You" was one last reminder of the English band's punk-era roots. At its conclusion, Sting, Summers and Copeland bowed, hugged and jogged off the stage with smiles on their faces, while the proverbial Fat Lady (one of their roadies in drag) operatically sang in the background and the Looney Tunes theme "That's All Folks" played through the speakers. The tour will be chronicled on the live CD/DVD "The Police: Certifiable," due out on October 7th exclusively through Best Buy. While farewell tours are a longtime joke in Rock & Roll, I believe this is really it for The Police... there's no denying they went out on top!
The Stones Save A Man
The sound of The Rolling Stones song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is being credited for bringing a British man out of a 10-week coma. Word is that 60-year-old Sam Carter opened his eyes for the first time when his wife played the song through headphones. He later said that the tune was the first recording he ever bought, adding "I can't remember much from being in a coma, but I do remember that when that song came on it took me right back to when I was a youngster." Sam has since expressed his thanks to The Stones... but I'll let you tie Keith Richards into the story on your own.
Eagles Keep Going (And Going And Going)
If you think about it, these guys could go on forever! The Eagles, who just wrapped the latest leg of their North American tour last Saturday, will start up again on September 6 in Tulsa. That in itself seemed like such a good idea that they've now added dates in Nashville, Minneapolis, Little Rock, Green Bay, Houston, Dallas and Chicago. So much for September!
Foreigner's Air Guitar
Foreigner just put a new compilation of their classic songs called "No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner, and they've joined the AARP to launched the Air Guitar For My Guitar air-guitar and lip-sync contest. The winner gets a real guitar signed by Foreigner leader Mick Jones as well as a trip to the band's New Year's Eve bash in Honolulu. You can find all of the rules, etc at http://www.winmickjonesguitar.com/.
Repacking The Sab
Black Sabbath's classic "Paranoid" album will get the deluxe reissue treatment on September 29th. The triple CD package will feature the original album, a quadraphonic mix and never-before-released demo versions of "Paranoid" songs. However, that third CD won't contain a demo of the song "Paranoid" because guitarist Tony Iommi made it up in the studio (and you can quote me on that!).
A Thought For The Weekend
No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car.
Bullet-Proof Bras
It lifts, it separates and it can stop a bullet flat (so to speak). At least 3,000 female police officers throughout Germany are being issued bullet-proof bras. Officials realized that female cops were routinely being injured when wearing traditional bras under their bullet-proof vests because the metal and plastic portions of the undergarment would be pushed into their flesh. The new bullet-proof bras have no metal or plastic, and are thickly padded. That's correct, the German government is issuing bullet-proof padded bras. Now have a good weekend!
August 9, 2008
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.
August 10, 2008
Leo Fender, inventor of all those electric guitars, would have been 99.
Jethro Tull's head guy, Ian Anderson, is 61.
INXS drummer Jon Farriss is 47.
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.