August 21 - 31, 2009
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 21, 2009
Bassist/singer Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple fame is 58.
Guitarist/singer Joe Strummer of The Clash would have been 58.
Former Journey drummer Steve Smith is 55.
On this day in 1954, Bill Haley & the Comets broke into the Top 40 with "Shake, Rattle and Roll." Music would never be the same.
On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones' "Out Of Our Heads" album hit #1.
On this day in 1968, Cream's "Wheels Of Fire" album hit #1.
On this day in 2005, Robert A. Moog, one of the most influential innovators in the history of Rock & Roll and the guy whose self-named synthesizers turned electric currents into sound, passed away at the age of 71 at his home in Asheville, North Carolina.
On over 100 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Rush as well as conversation with drummer Neil Peart and bassist/singer Geddy Lee. Stream on!
One Giant Lit Up Ozzy
Wait till you see how they're honoring Ozzy Osbourne as the 2009 Sunset Strip Icon at next month's Sunset Strip Music Festival. Yep, that's him on one of the largest billboards in L.A. — just hanging over the Sunset Strip across the street from The Roxy Theatre. The 12-story high Ozzy is lit at night and can be seen from miles away. The Ozz-man will be honored in person at a tribute event on September 10th, the first day of the festival.
Eddie's Better
Just weeks after undergoing hand surgery, Eddie Van Halen has begun rehearsing with bandmates Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen. He says, "It feels great to play... I am not entirely up to speed yet, but I am getting there." Way to go Edward!
Yellow Sub II?
"Polar Express" director Robert Zemeckis is negotiating with Disney to create a digital 3-D adaptation of the 1968 animated Beatles flick "Yellow Submarine." The studio is currently trying to work out a licensing deal to use the original Beatles songs for the performance-capture 3-D digital production. The goal is to have the film premiere in London in conjunction with the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Vice President Robert
They say that occasional Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant has been a fan of England’s Wolverhampton Wanderers soccer team for over 55 years. But imagine his surprise when the team named him their new Vice President. He said that he is flattered to get the position, but embarrassed because there are other fans who see more games and know more about the team. Nonetheless, Plant will take on the job of whatever soccer team vice presidents do. Do you think that maybe he's doing it for the season tickets?
Thought For The Weekend
Antarctica is the only continent without reptiles or snakes. One could only assume that this indicates a total lack of commercial radio."
He's Baaaack!
The first step of re-entry is complete: yer Unc will be back on the air at 2pm Saturday and 11am Sunday. Don't be late!
August 22, 2009
Blues legend John Lee Hooker would have been 92.
Dale Hawkins, the guy who wrote "Susie-Q," is 71.
Former Grateful Dead singer Donna Godchaux is 62.
Singing sprite Tori Amos is 46.
Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley would have been 42.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles played the Hollywood Bowl. A live recording of the concert was finally released in 1977.
On this day in 1966, New York police managed to talk two teenagers down from a 22nd-floor ledge where they had threatened to commit suicide unless they met The Beatles. Instead, the girls were sent to Roosevelt Hospital to get their heads examined, then were charged with disturbing the peace. And all they really wanted was a little Beatle love!
On this day in 1968, a day before their sixth anniversary, John Lennon's wife, Cynthia, sued the Beatle for divorce after discovering Yoko Ono living in their London home. Definitely not the kind of anniversary gift or home accessorizing she had in mind.
On this day in 1969, The Beatles were together for the last time in one room. The four gathered at John Lennon's Tittenhurst Park home just outside of London for a photo shoot for the cover of the "Hey Jude" album.
On this day in 1970, Eric Clapton, under the guise of Derek & the Dominoes, began work on "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs."
On this day in 1970, Neil Young released his third solo album, "After The Gold Rush," just as Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Cosmo's Factory" album hit #1 for the first of a nine-week run.
On this day in 1979, Led Zeppelin released their final studio album, "In Through The Out Door."
On this day in 1981, Foreigner's "4" album hit #1.
On this day in 1981, "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones entered the singles chart.
On this day in 2006, Bruce Gary, the original drummer for The Knack, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 55. As a longtime L.A. session musician, he worked with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart, Cream's Jack Bruce and Robby Krieger of The Doors as well as blues masters Albert Collins and Albert King.
August 23, 2009
Rock drumming god Keith Moon of The Who would have been 62.
Singer/actor/heartthrob Rick Springfield is 60.
On this day in 1962, John Lennon married his first wife, Cynthia, almost six years to the day before she filed for divorce. The lucky couple's wedding night was spent with The Beatles playing Liverpool's Riverpark Ballroom.
On this day in 1968, Ringo Starr temporarily walked out on The Beatles during sessions for "The Beatles (White Album)."
On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" hit #1 Stateside.
On this day in 1974, Bruce Springsteen hired drummer Max Weinberg, completing the line-up for the most famous version of The E Street Band.
August 24, 2009
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, the bluesman whose "That's All Right Mama" was Elvis Presley's first single, would have been 104.
Uriah Heep singer/guitarist/keyboardist Ken Hensley is 64.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles had their first meeting with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Mick Jagger and his girlfriend Marianne Faithfull tagged along. John Lennon later said the experience was like "going somewhere without your trousers," a situation that Mick was very familiar with even then.
On this day in 1968, to celebrate his 21st birthday (which was actually the day before), Who drummer Keith Moon drove a Lincoln convertible into the pool of a Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. Rock & Roll!
On this day in 1979, The Cars played a free concert to an audience of 500,000 in New York's Central Park. No, they didn't really move around much on stage.
On this day in 1989, The Who performed their rock opera "Tommy" at the Universal Amphitheatre with an all-star cast that included Elton John, Billy Idol, Phil Collins and Patti LaBelle.
Tyler Rumors
Long simmering rumors about Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler's sobriety are surfacing in the Boston press. Focusing on the canceled Summer tour and failed Spring recording sessions, the situation sounds sad. Of course there's been nothing official from the band or Tyler, but we're all hoping everything works out.
Mega Hall Box
You'll have to raise the Xmas tree another foot off the floor to get this behemoth under it! Better not delay pre-ordering your nine-DVD highlights collection of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies. Off course the pairing of Springsteen and U2, The Doors with Eddie Vedder and Tom Petty with CSN will be front and center. But will the star-studded 25th anniversary compilation's 125 performances include bad-blood-between-old-bandmates segments like those dampening Blondie and The Pretenders inductions? A deluxe version of the collection includes a special book and "Time Life's The History of Rock n' Roll" series on DVD, just in case you have spare viewing time left.
More Rock Band
Heads up gamers! Songs from Fleetwood Mac, Billy Idol and, for the first time ever, Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" and "Runnin' Down A Dream" will be added to Rock Band this week. Rock & Roll!
New Young Flick
Neil Young's latest in a long line of concert films, "The Neil Young Trunk Show," will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14th. Neil and collaborator/director Jonathan Demme, who shot the footage in Philadelphia in 2007, will both be on hand.
Quotes Of The Day
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
It was Mark Twain who said: "Few things are harder to put up with than a good example."
Fulfilling Food Factoids
* Five percent of people who frequent restaurants claim they eat out because they do not know how to cook.
* 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 25, 2009
KISS frontman Gene Simmons is 60.
Judas Priest singer Rob Halford is 58.
Master songwriter Elvis Costello is 55.
On this day in 1970, Elton John played his first American concert at the Troubadour in West L.A. That week-long gig helped to break Sir Elty in America before he became a star in his British homeland.
On this day in 1970, Emerson, Lake & Palmer played their first-ever gig at the Plymouth Guild Hall in England.
On this day in 1973, The Allman Brothers Band's biggest single, "Ramblin' Man," entered the chart. It eventually peaked at #2.
On this day in 1979, The Knack scored two chart toppers in one day: their debut album, "Get The Knack," and their first single, "My Sharona," both hit #1. "My Sharona" stayed at #1 for five weeks.
On this day in 1994, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant recorded an episode of MTV Unplugged. The success of that show led to two albums and several tours by the duo.
On this day in 2000, producer Jack Nitzsche died in Los Angeles. As well as having worked closely with Neil Young and The Rolling Stones, Jack won an Oscar in 1982 for co-writing "Up Where We Belong" for the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman."
KISS Alive
The North American leg of KISS' KISS Alive 35 tour will kick off in Detroit Rock City on September 25th with a performance of their classic "KISS Alive." The rest of the tour, which will rock the Honda Center in Anaheim on November 24th and the Staples Center on November 25th, will feature a mix of KISS classics plus some new tunes off their upcoming effort "Sonic Boom," which hits shelves on October 6th. Rawk on!
Zakk's Down
Guitarist Zakk Wylde did not play with Ozzy Osbourne in his BlizzCon '09 concert in Anaheim over the weekend. Instead, Wylde was in admitted to a Missoula, Montana hospital last Wednesday night for treatment of a blood clot. Then, on Saturday, the day Ozzy was performing at BlizzCon, Wylde was back in the hospital for further treatment. In his place, Ozzy brought in Firewind guitarist Gus G. Get well soon Zakk!
Joan Sues
Joan Jett is suing her former Runaways bandmate Jackie Fox, saying that her former bassist has been a nuisance with the production of the biopic about the band, demanding money even though there is no character based on Jackie in the film. Joan, who owns the trademark to the band’s name, wants damages for the suffering from all of Jackie’s meddling and also for the court to declare that Fox has no right to the band name or money made from it. Sounds like there might be a new song in that story.
Bowie/Belew Redux
Turns out the Thin White Duke is only an 'occasional man of leisure.' David Bowie is personally prepping a four-disc reissue of his classic 1976 album "Station To Station" for release early next year. Two CDs will feature the original album and a remastered version; the second two CDs will contain a soundboard recording of Bowie's March 23, 1976 Uniondale, New York concert. Not sure why Uniondale, but any chance to hear Adrian Belew's guitar work with Bowie is worth it!
Quotes Of The Day
It was Bob Roll who said: "Slow boiled rage is the most lethal."
It was Winston Churchill who said: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
August 26, 2009
On this day in 1967, The Beatles appeared with their new guru, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, at a press conference where Paul McCartney announced that the bandmates had given up drugs. Yeah, sure.
On this day in 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience released the single "Purple Haze." No one said it wasn't about drugs.
On this day in 1970, Jimi Hendrix played his last live show at the Isle of Wight festival. Three weeks later, he was dead.
On this day in 1970, guitarist Duane Allman joined Eric Clapton's Derek & the Dominos sessions in Florida.
On this day in 1972, Rod Stewart released the song "You Wear It Well" as "Hold Your Head Up" by Argent peaked at #5.
On this day in 1989, Don Henley's song "The End Of The Innocence" peaked at #8 on the charts.
Aerosmith On Hiatus
It's official. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry says that the band will be on hiatus while frontman Steven Tyler heals from injuries suffered in his recent stage fall — but the band "is not breaking up." Joe expects that once the singer is healthy again, the band will finish their new album and launch an upgraded tour. Good luck guys!
A Busy Townshend
Pete Townshend of The Who is working on "an ambitious new project... in the style of 'Tommy' and 'Quadrophenia'" called "Floss." He's claiming that several of the songs from the project will be featured first on a forthcoming Who recording targeted for release next year. The actual debut of "Floss" in concert should be sometime in 2011. You go boy!
Roddy's Throat
Word is that Rod Stewart was forced to cancel the final three dates of his recent tour because of a throat infection. Seems that a doctor diagnosed Roddy with a throat infection, gave him antibiotics and then instructed him to take at least four days of vocal rest. Of course Rod was initially "ignoring the doctor's advice" and "attempted to go through his normal warm ups," but it was impossible. While the missed shows will not be rescheduled, we sure hope Mr. Stewart takes all of his antibiotics!
A Diaper Changin' Drummer
When the guys from Rush get together later this year to start work on a new album, drummer Neil Peart will still be on diaper duty. Neil and his wife, photographer Carrie Nuttall, are the proud parents of a "healthy, beautiful" baby daughter named Olivia Louise Peart. Congrats — and good luck to the family!
Quotes Of The Day
It was Malcolm Forbes who said: "Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are."
It was Robert Anthony who said: "We fear the thing we want the most."
Late Summer Musings
* Remember, half the people you know are below average.
* A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
* Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
August 27, 2009
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson is 56.
On this day in 1965, The Beatles spent four hours with Elvis Presley at his home in Bel-Air. It was the one and only time they ever met, and the King of Rock & Roll's first words were "Can I get you Beatles a drink?"
On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released the album "Highway 61 Revisited." Folk purists were once again horrified to hear him using electric guitars, but the album's first single, "Like A Rolling Stone," became one of Dylan's best-loved songs.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, died at the age of 33 of a medication overdose.
On this day in 1977, "Just A Song Before I Go" by Crosby, Stills, & Nash peaked at #7 as "Give A Little Bit" by Supertramp topped out at #15 on the charts.
On this day in 1977, Jackson Browne recorded "Stay" and "Running On Empty" live in concert in Columbia, Maryland. Later, he said that was the only night they ever got both songs exactly right.
On this day in 1983, The Police released the song "King of Pain" as "China Girl" by David Bowie peaked at #10, "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top topped out at #56 and "One Thing Leads To Another" by The Fixx entered the charts.
On this day in 1990, guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash in dense fog following a gig with Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton in Wisconsin. All five people aboard the helicopter, including members of Eric Clapton's entourage, were killed.
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Rolling Stones as well as more of Joe's in-depth conversation with bassist Bill Wyman. Stream on!
Santa Dylan
Just call him Mr. Unpredictable. Turns out the rumors were true. Bob Dylan will release an honest to God Christmas album on October 13th. "Christmas In The Heart" will feature holiday standards including “Must Be Santa,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.” All U.S. royalties from the collection will benefit the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, Feeding America. Other proceeds from the disc will benefit hunger relief organizations around the world. This could be mindboggling!
More Top Video
The new ZZ Top "Double Down Live" double-DVD will be out on October 20th. The special package will include a 22-song set the band played in 1980 in Essen, Germany as well as performances from their 2008 European trek. In addition to a dramatic display of fashions from two different eras, the DVDs will also include interviews and behind-the-scenes clips.
Macca On John
One of the Brit magazines published a touching, insightful response from Paul McCartney over the weekend. In a recently discovered interview, John Lennon can be heard complaining that he was tired of being Paul McCartney’s sideman. Paulie's response: a lot of Lennon’s outbursts were due to drugs and they weren’t sincere. Macca said, “John said so much crap that he later said he hadn’t meant... Whatever bad things John said about me, he would also slip his glasses down to the end of his nose and say, ‘I love you.’ That’s what I really hold on to. That’s what I believe. The rest is showing off.” Amen brother Paul, amen!
Quotes Of The Day
It was John Lennon who said: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
It was Sophia Loren who said: "Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent." And that does explain a lot about this town, doesn't it?
August 28, 2009
Drummer Danny Seraphine of Chicago is 61.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles played the first of two concerts at New York's Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. After the show, the Fab Four met Bob Dylan, who immediately introduced them to marijuana. All of the giggling eventually led to an interesting relationship.
On this day in 1965, The Beach Boys' song "California Girls" peaked at #3 on the charts.
On this day in 1976, Peter Frampton's song "Baby, I Love Your Way" peaked at #12 on the charts.
On this day in 1986, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young and Mick Fleetwood performed in Long Beach at a concert billed "Get Tough on Toxics." Hmm... wonder if it worked?
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Rolling Stones as well as more of Joe's in-depth conversation with bassist Bill Wyman. Stream on!
Mega Doors Live Set
After playing Madison Square Garden in 1969, The Doors showcased their brand new "Morrison Hotel" album in the much smaller Felt Forum (next door to the Garden) on January 17th and 18th, 1970. Now those final four New York concerts with Jim Morrison will be released in one big box on November 10th. Some of the material will sound familiar to fans, but at least 30 of the 90 songs on the six-disc "Live In New York" have been previously unreleased. This should be good!
Bob's Pre-Halloween Xmas Shows
Is Christmas coming early this year? On October 13th, the same day his first-ever Christmas album will be released, Bob Dylan will take to the Hollywood Palladium stage for the first of three special engagements. Of course with Bob being Bob, your guess is as good as mine on whether he'll actually play anything from the new album.
Dio's Paying His Bills
Of course Heaven & Hell singer Ronnie James Dio is going to do a European tour with his band Dio — after all the man has bills to pay! But this isn't the end of Heaven & Hell, who are already booking next year's shows. Guitarist Tony Iommi needs to have surgery on his hand (similar to Eddie Van Halen's recent procedure) and will require some serious downtime for recovery. That's when Dio will hit the other continent to make some cash.
Target/iTunes/P.Jam
Target and iTunes have teamed up for a Target exclusive section of iTunes. The first album to be sold in that section will be Pearl Jam’s upcoming album "Backspacer," which is due out on September 20th. Fans who pre-order the album now will get to download the band’s single “The Fixer” and its video for free.
Fogerty's Rolling It Out
Next Tuesday, fans can finally pick up their copy of John Fogerty’s latest album, "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again." After warming up on the Jim Ladd radio show this past Wednesday night on KLOS, John will play a free show at New York’s South Street Seaport next Wednesday, then move onto The Late Show with David Letterman on Thursday. Go John, go!
A Thought For The Weekend
If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.
August 29, 2009
Jazz legend Charlie "The Bird" Parker would have been 89 (his nickname as a kid was "The Yardbird").
Pop icon Michael Jackson would have been 51.
On this day in 1895, the real Eleanor Rigby was born in Liverpool.
On this day in 1959, George Harrison recruited John Lennon and Paul McCartney to play a last minute gig as the Quarry Men at Liverpool's Casbah Coffee Club after the Les Stewart Quartet had an argument and refused to play. The Quarry Men's performance immediately secured them a regular Saturday-night show. Too bad for Les and his Quartet!
On this day in 1964, Roy Orbison released his classic "Oh Pretty Woman."
On this day in 1965, The Beatles performed at the Hollywood Bowl. The show was recorded for possible release, but Paul's microphone broke, making the recordings unusable. Isn't it interesting that through all the little girls' screams, no one in the crowd noticed that they couldn't hear Paul.
On this day in 1966 in San Francisco's Candlestick Park, The Beatles played their last concert. Of the 25,000 present, it's doubtful that anyone heard any of the 11 songs that the Fab Four played.
On this day in 1970 Neil Young released his "After The Gold Rush" album as The Kinks released their classic song "Lola."
August 30, 2009
On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released his all-electric album "Highway 61 Revisited." Rock & Roll would never be the same.
On this day in 1969, the Chicago Transit Authority and Led Zeppelin headlined the Texas International Pop Festival at the Dallas International Motor Speedway. No matter what they say, no one who was there really remembers.
On this day in 1973, The Doors finally broke up, following Jim Morrison's death in July 1971.
August 31, 2009
Rock icon Van Morrison is 64.
Evacuated To Safety
As of Monday morning, J.B. and his family are out of harm's way under the Station Fire evacuation orders. As they await clearance to return to their home, he expects to be posting the updates here (and at twitter.com/unclejoebenson) throughout the day.
Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out this "Orange County Register" article on yer Unc.
Quotes Of The Day
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "It isn't what you do, but how you do it."
It was Ethel Barrymore who said: "The best time to make friends is before you need them."
Three Animal Quickies
* A hare can travel up to 45 miles per hour, whereas the rabbit can achieve an average speed of just 35 miles per hour.
* The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds.
* The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump.