October 11 - 20, 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!
October 11, 2009
Drummer Gary Mallaber (Van Morrison, Steve Miller, Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen) is 63.
Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates fame is 60.
On this day in 1969, a car crash in Chicago seriously injured blues legend Muddy Waters and killed three others.
On this day in 1975, the first Saturday Night Live show was broadcast with George Carlin as the first guest host. The ratings really took off the following week, spurred by the reunion of host Paul Simon with his former partner Art Garfunkel. Comparing those first shows to the current SNL should make us appreciate how lucky we were to watch a TV show when it was truly funny.
On this day in 1986, The Pretenders released the Top 10 hit "Don't Get Me Wrong" from their "Get Close" album.
October 12, 2009
On this day in 1965, The Beatles recorded "This Bird Has Flown," which was later retitled "Norwegian Wood." During the session, George Harrison played a sitar for the first time on a Rock & Roll recording.
On this day in 1966, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was officially formed when guitarist-turned-bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell joined Hendrix in the studio.
On this day in 1975, Rod Stewart played his final gig with the Faces at Long Island's Nassau Coliseum.
On this day in 1994, MTV aired Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's "Unplugged" session, dubbed "Unledded." The London Metropolitan Orchestra and a group of Egyptian musicians provided the backing.
On this day in 1997, John Denver died at the age of 53 when his experimental plane crashed with him at the controls.
Woodie's Dresses
Sure Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood is a celebrated painter as well as a great foil for Keith Richards. But it turns out that he's taken to designing clothes, as seen at http://Liberty.co.uk, where his tops sell for around $300 and dresses for about $800. Knowing Woodie, personal fittings can probably be arranged.
Slash At Bat
You were correct! That was former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash who performed the National Anthem at last week's Major League Baseball playoff game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals. You can see footage of it now at MLB.com.
Ferocious Fotos
"Who Shot Rock And Roll?," a new collection of photos of music's biggest stars including The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Chuck Berry, Blondie, U2 and Frank Zappa, will be released on October 22nd. The photographs were all taken by some of the biggest names in the medium, icons like Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz. The book tells the story of Rock & Roll photography with both color and black & white portraits as well as concert shots and candids. No Southland showings have been scheduled yet, but selections from the book will be on display at New York's Brooklyn Museum starting October 30th.
Sean Lennon/Ralph Macchio
Sean Lennon, youngest son of Beatle John Lennon, has composed the original score for the upcoming "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead" film. The indie vampire comedy stars Jake Hoffman, Devon Aoki and Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio. Now that's scary!
It was Dave Barry who said: "If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
It was Joe Benson who said: "The oft-lauded extra leisure time of underemployment is vastly overrated."
Bug Smelling/Shrimp Swimming/Pigs Burning
* A snail breathes through its foot.
* An ant's sense of smell is stronger than a dog's.
* Shrimp can only swim backwards.
* Pigs get sunburned.
October 13, 2009
Rhyming Paul Simon is 68.
Keyboardist Robert Lamm of Chicago is 66.
The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar, who has also worked with Montrose and Van Halen, is 62.
On this day in 1963, Beatlemania officially began when The Beatles appeared on the BBC's Sunday Night at the Palladium TV show. Some 15 million people watched the program, while thousands more crowded the streets around the London theater to get a glimpse of the band.
On this day in 1965, The Beatles began recording "You Can Wear My Diamond Ring," which soon became "Drive My Car."
On this day in 1968, John Lennon recorded "Julia," the last song for the "White" album and the only solo recording he ever made for The Beatles.
On this day in 1973, "Ramblin' Man" by the Allman Brothers Band peaked at #2 as "Free Ride" by the Edgar Winter Group topped out at #14 on the charts.
On this day in 1978, Led Zeppelin began rehearsing for what became their last album, 1979's "In Through the Out Door."
On this day in 1979, Supertramp released the "Take The Long Way Home" single.
On this day in 1994, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band's "Greatest Hits" album was released. It eventually sold over six million copies.
Pink Radiohead Speak
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will partake in a civil debate on the future of the music industry and cutting off serial file-sharers on October 28th. The "Survival In The 21st Century" debate will also include outspoken Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien. O'Brien and Mason agree that illegal file-sharers should be "squeezed," not banned from the internet. "We wish to make it clear to all parties that we believe the creative work of artists should be paid for by those who enjoy it and that whenever our music is used, royalties should be paid. However, we seriously question the wisdom of seeking to deal with this problem by terminating the internet connections of individual music fans." Amen!
No Doubt More Sab
Did any fool ever seriously doubt there would be another Black Sabbath reunion with Ozzy Osbourne? Here's what the Ozz-man said last week: "With Black Sabbath there is always some litigation going on. We're always having a go at each other, it's like being married, I suppose... As for getting back with the band, I never say never anymore. Just not right now. If something came up and it was worth doing it'd be stupid not to do it." Indeed!
Julian Writes For Lucy
Julian Lennon, John's eldest son, has recorded a tribute to the woman who inspired Julian's drawing that inspired his father to write The Beatles "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds." Julian's duet with James Scott Cook will be released later this month, with profits from the song's sales going to support lupus research. Lucy Vodden, one of Julian's childhood friends, died last month following a long battle with lupus. She was just 46 years old.
Jack & Robin's Live One
Former Cream bassist Jack Bruce and renowned guitarist Robin Trower have released their first live album in the U.S. The duo were so pleased with the way their European tour was proceeding in support of last year's "Seven Moons" album, they decided to unleash the cleverly titled "Seven Moons Live" just for us to enjoy right now! Huzzah, say we!
It was Garrison Keillor who said: "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose."
It was Mary Bly who said: "Dogs come when they're are called; cats take a message and get back to you later."
It was Winston Churchill who said: "Dogs look up to you; cats look down on you; pigs treat you as an equal."
October 14, 2009
Coach John Wooden is 99 and going strong!
Singer Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues is 63.
On this day in 1957, Elvis Presley released "Jailhouse Rock."
On this day in 1967, The Who released "I Can See For Miles" just as "Purple Haze" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience topped out at #65 on the charts. America just wasn't ready yet.
On this day in 1972, "You Wear It Well" by Rod Stewart peaked at #13 on the charts.
On this day in 1975, KISS released the live version of "Rock & Roll All Night."
On this day in 1977, Bing Crosby died from a heart attack at age 74.
On this day in 1978, Steely Dan's "Josie" peaked at #26 on the charts.
U2 Checks Into Space
U2 frontman Bono and guitarist The Edge, along with Bono's sons Eli and John, stopped by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston yesterday to speak with the crew living aboard the International Space Station. The musicians and the boys had lots of questions for the astronauts. When 8-year-old John was told that it's really possible to see the Great Wall of China from space, his dad quipped, "What about our U2 production?" After assurances from the astronauts that the massive stage was visible, the Irish lads invited second generation cosmonaut Roman Romanenko to join them on stage with his guitar when the U2 tour stops in Moscow next year. Bono finished the chat by saying, "You remind people on earth the impossible is possible. This is an amazing church of possibilities that you represent." Amen!
Timothy B. Tonight
Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit will be playing the Largo on La Cienega tonight — the first of four shows leading up to the release of his upcoming solo album, "Expando" on October 20th. No word as to whether any of the guest stars featured on the album — including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Benmont Tench, Graham Nash, Kid Rock and Dwight Yoakam — will join Timothy on stage... but if it's going to happen, this is the town and tonight's the night!
New Old/Bob
If you've been dying to hear Bob Dylan's previously unreleased song "California," don't miss the November 3rd episode of the popular NCIS TV show. The tune will also be featured prominently on "NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack, Vol. 2."
Aussie Hall Hails AC/DC (Maybe)
After over 35 years together, AC/DC may finally win an award at the Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards on November 26th. The former bar band, who was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988, has been nominated for Best Group, Highest Selling Australian Album, Best Rock Album and Album of the Year for their 2008 release, "Black Ice."
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
It was Ray Romano who said: "The more I go through parenting, the more I say I owe my mother an apology."
Top 10 Advantages Of Being Over 40
1. You can live without sex but not without glasses.
2. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
3. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
4. Things you buy now won't wear out.
5. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
6. You sing along with elevator music.
7. Your eyes won't get much worse.
8. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.
9. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
10. You can't remember where you saw this list.
October 15, 2009
Chef Emeril Lagasse is a 'Bamming' 50.
On this day in 1966, Pink Floyd played their first major concert, a benefit to help launch Europe's first underground newspaper, "The International Times." The show, at London's Roundhouse, was called "The International Times All-Night Rave," and it lasted almost as long as the newspaper.
On this day in 1968, Led Zeppelin played their first concert ever (Surrey University was the site). Three days later they performed as "Jimmy Page's New Yardbirds" — confusing times indeed!
On this day in 1983, "Crumblin' Down" by John Mellencamp entered the singles chart.
On this day in 1988, Def Leppard set an impressive sales record when they became the first artists in chart history to sell seven million copies of two consecutive albums — "Pyromania" and "Hysteria."
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Jackson Browne, Don Henley and Toto as well as a tribute and more of Joe's conversation with GRAMMY-winning producer Greg Ladanyi. Stream on!
Lick/Stick An Album
Here's a first — a set of first class stamps featuring 10 classic album covers. Among those that England's Royal Mail will immortalize with the limited edition stamps are Led Zeppelin's iconic 4th LP, The Rolling Stones' "Let It Bleed," Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell," "London Calling" by The Clash and David Bowie's "The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars." Starting on January 10th, you can buy souvenir sheets of the stamps at Norphil.co.uk.
KISS' Biggest
KISS' latest album, "Sonic Boom," didn't debut at the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart, but it did roar into the #2 position, making it their highest charting LP ever! Their previous highest charting release was 1998's "Psycho Circus," which debuted at #3. And for the record, KISS has now scored eight Top 10 albums.
Axl's Lullaby
Now you can enjoy the soothing sounds of Guns N' Roses! The latest edition of the "Rockabye Baby" series features the use of mellotrons, vibraphones and bells to create lullaby versions of everyone's favorite Guns N' Roses rippers. While you're patiently waiting for the disc to be released on November 10th, stop by RockabyeBabyMusic.com for an audio sampling. Just don't listen to it while you're driving down the 405.
Jovi Update
Not only does Bon Jovi's new album, "The Circle," hit stores on November 10th, word is that their upcoming world tour will include up to 20 nights at London's O2 Arena. If you can't make any of those dates to see the band, then you might want to get that new book of rare Jovi photos called "When We Were Beautiful."
Box 'O Beatles
Coinciding with the release of the remastered Beatles catalog comes the "Box Of Vision," a cool way to store, organize and display the band's entire body of work. Designed by Jonathan Polk, who was the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Capitol Records when The Beatles released "Let It Be... Naked," the "Box Of Vision" includes a 200-page LP-sized book containing a collection of original Beatles artwork, a "cartography" of the band and a storage book where fans can store the remastered CDs. Available now at boxofvision.com, the product will be released in time for Christmas.
It was Samuel Johnson who said: "Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless. Knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful."
It was Malcolm X who said: "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything."
October 16, 2009
Singer/bassist Fred Turner of Bachman-Turner Overdrive is 66.
Singer/guitarist Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead is 62.
On this day in 1793, during the French Revolution, Queen Marie Antoinette was beheaded — thus eliminating any chance of earning a backstage pass.
On this day in 1965, The Beatles' "Yesterday" held at #1 for the second week in a row.
On this day in 1966, Grace Slick made her first appearance with the Jefferson Airplane at the Filmore West in San Francisco. She replaced Signe Toly Anderson, who left the band to have a baby.
Forget the club tour! On this date in 1968, Deep Purple made their American concert debut at The Forum in Los Angeles.
On this day in 1971, Santana released the song "Everybody's Everything."
On this day in 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival announced that they were breaking up.
On this day in 1982, "Somebody's Baby" by Jackson Browne peaked at #7 on the charts.
God Save The Cream
How classic is this?!? The Sex Pistols — the ultimate non-commercial punk band — are suing a boutique English ice creamery for selling an ice cream flavor called "The Sex Pistol!" But London's Icecreamists are actually huge fans of the "God Save The Queen" band, and market themselves as "more Sid and Nancy than Ben And Jerry." Unlike their namesake dessert, the surviving Sex Pistols are bitter to the end. They're demanding big bucks for copyright infringement. Or perhaps they're just demanding to see their name in the headlines once again.
Tip Top Tours
U2 and AC/DC are competing with Madonna for Top Tour Of The Year at this year's Billboard Touring Awards. Bonnaroo and Coachella are the front runners for the Top Festival honors. Ozzy Osbourne is the Legend Of Live honoree. Winners will be announced during a November 5th ceremony in New York.
Macca Mystery Honors
"Breakfast With The Beatles" host Chris Carter is going to have to explain to me how Paul McCartney won the Songwriter Of The Year honors at Wednesday's American Society Of Composers, Authors And Publishers Awards in London. Sure the remastered Beatles album catalog and "The Beatles: Rock Band" video game were released this year, but two of the songs they honored Macca for — "All You Need Is Love" and "Come Together" — were John Lennon tunes. Others receiving honors for the most performed songs in 2008 at the ASCAP Awards were AC/DC's Brian Johnson, U2, Roger Waters, Phil Collins and The Glimmer Twins: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Finally For Freddie
Not sure why it's taken the city of Feltham, Middlesex, U.K. 18 years to acknowledge their biggest star, but on November 24th they'll finally honor Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. And it turns out that Queen guitarist Brian May will attend the ceremony in the Feltham town center. Mercury lived in Feltham for 10 years, eventually studying art at nearby Isleworth Polytechnic. It was after that stint in school that May and Mercury met while attending Ealing Art College in London.
Just Call Him Doctor Dave
Congrats to Pink Floyd singer/guitarist David Gilmour, who will receive an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England next month. Word is they'll "bestow" a Doctor of Arts degree on Gilmour for his "outstanding contribution to music as a writer, performer and innovator."
A Thought For The Weekend
After a certain age, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead.
Steve Miller/USC Benefit Concerts
Next Thursday and Friday (October 22nd and 23rd), The Steve Miller Band will perform benefit concerts for USC Thornton School of Music’s 125th anniversary. Uncle Joe will be hosting the celebration of the oldest Cultural Institution in Los Angeles in the beautiful historic Bovard Auditorium on the University of Southern California campus. If you move quickly, you can still get good seats in the 1,100 seat venue, maybe even win tickets through 955 KLOS!
October 17, 2009
On this day in 1964, The Zombies released "She's Not There" as Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" hit #1.
On this day in 1969, Led Zeppelin began their third U.S. tour at New York's Carnegie Hall as they released "Led Zeppelin II." Rock & Roll!
On this day in 1969, the American Federation of Musicians rescinded a four-year-old order banning The Kinks from playing in the U.S. The ban — which almost bankrupt the band — resulted from an unauthorized appearance on the television show "Hullabaloo" in 1966.
On this day in 1970, Eric Clapton released the song "After Midnight" as "All Right Now" by Free peaked at #4 on the charts.
On this day in 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd's last studio album with its original lineup, "Street Survivors," was released. The cover art showed the band members surrounded by flames. That artwork was quickly changed when three members of the group were killed in a plane crash three days after the album's release.
On this day in 1979, Fleetwood Mac's double-album "Tusk" was released.
On this day in 1995, Sting's former financial adviser, convicted of bilking the singer to the tune of $9.4 million, was sentenced in a London court to six years in jail.
On this day in 1999, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played the first rock concert at L.A.'s brand-new Staples Center. The state-of-the-art acoustics allowed at least a full one-third of the audience to hear the show.
October 18, 2009
Chuck Berry, the Grandaddy of Rock & Roll, is 83.
Guitarist Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon is 60.
Drummer Keith Knudsen of the Doobie Brothers would have been 57.
On this day in 1957, Paul McCartney made his live debut with the Quarrymen at the New Clubmoor Hall in Liverpool, England. Besides Macca, the line-up included John Lennon, Eric Griffiths, Colin Hanton and Len Garry. Any idea what ever happened to those others guys?
On this day in 1966, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first gig (in front of 14,500 deafened and confused Parisians) just six days after forming.
On this day in 1969, The Beatles released their first single not written by Lennon & McCartney — George Harrison's "Something."
October 19, 2009
Guitarist/singer Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers is 61.
On this day in 1966, The Yardbirds, featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitars, arrived in New York City for their first American tour. After two shows, Beck left, forcing Page to handle all the guitar parts himself. When the group folded upon its return to England, Jimmy inherited the band's name, hired new personnel and changed the group's moniker to Led Zeppelin. For some reason, that really irritated Jeff.
On this day in 1968, Small Faces singer/guitarist Steve Marriott asked singer/guitarist Peter Frampton of The Herd to sit in with the band for a show in London. That marked the beginning of the highly successful Humble Pie, which Marriott and Frampton soon left their respective bands to form.
On this day in 1979, Journey released "Evolution," with Steve Perry behind the mic. The album was so named because the band felt it best described how their sound was changing.
Jovi In Residence
Here's a novel way to promote your new album. Bon Jovi have signed on to be the "artist in residence" on the NBC networks for the next two months. The band will perform on NBC's Today show on four Wednesdays in November, and frontman Jon Bon Jovi will be a guest on cable channel Bravo's "Inside the Actor's Studio," as well as the subject of a character showcase on USA. Music from the group's forthcoming studio album "The Circle," which will be released on November 12th, will also be featured heavily throughout all of NBC Universal's channels. "The Circle" is Bon Jovi's 11th studio album, and their fifth in the last 10 years.
Brian's Lost Town
With a little extra time on his hands, Queen guitarist Brian May (who already has a degree in astral-physics) rediscovered a long lost English village. Brian's passion for stereoscopic imagery — creating 3-D pictures by viewing dual images through special spectacles — led him to TR Williams, 19th-century photography pioneer who achieved rock star status in his day. After two years of ground pounding research, May and art conservator Elena Vidal co-authored "A Village Lost And Found," in which they detail rediscovering the long gone village that was the object of many of Williams' photographs. Kinda puts finding your lost keys into a different perspective, doesn't it.
Bonnaroo For The Rest Of You
If, like most of America, you weren't able to attend this year's Bonnaroo Festival, be assured that a live DVD from the event is coming out just in time for Christmas. "Live From Bonnaroo 2009" will feature performances from Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Phish, the Beastie Boys and many others. December 15th is the release date.
It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."
It was Lawrence Clark Powell (after whom UCLA's Powell Library is named) who said: "Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow."
Steve Miller/USC Benefit Concerts
This Thursday and Friday, The Steve Miller Band will perform benefit concerts for USC Thornton School of Music's 125th anniversary. Uncle Joe will be hosting the celebration of the oldest Cultural Institution in Los Angeles in the beautiful historic Bovard Auditorium on the University of Southern California campus. If you move quickly, you can still get good seats in the 1,100 seat venue, maybe even win tickets through 955 KLOS!
October 20, 2009
Tom Petty is 59.
On this day in 1964, overexcited fans were arrested during The Rolling Stones' first concert at the Olympia in Paris. The stampeding fans broke windows at the theater before 150 people were arrested.
On this day in 1977, just days after releasing their "Street Survivors" album, three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a fiery plane crash near Gillsburg, Mississippi. Ronnie Van Zant, along with Steve and Cassie Gaines were killed in that crash which, after investigation, turned out to be caused by the plane running out of gas.
Psychedelic Empire (State Building)
The Empire State Building in New York City was lit up with psychedelic lights to give it a tie-dye appearance last night in honor of the Grateful Dead. Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh are in Gotham for a special fundraiser at the New York Historical Society, which is also staging a historical exhibit dedicated to the band. "The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New York Historical Society" traces the four-decade career of the band and features objects from the Grateful Dead Archive at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Far out!
Def Lep Cancels
Def Leppard have canceled the third leg of their North American tour due to "unforeseen personal matters." With the tour among this year's Top 20 grossing tours, the band's statement said: "Even if just a single concert, we don't take canceling shows lightly... but feel life's commitments need to be the priority." The mysterious cancellation came on the same day that CBS' "The Early Show" dropped a segment about the band and drummer Rick Allen's Raven's Drum Foundation. Let's hope everything works out well for the guys.
Aerosmith Hiatus
Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry says that after the band's last Hawaiian gig tonight, "We're gonna be on indefinite hiatus... We need some time apart." He intends to use his downtime promoting his new solo disc, "Have Guitar, Will Travel." The two make-good Hawaiian shows follow Aerosmith's troubled Summer tour, during which the group never performed with all five members due to injuries or illness. The tour came to a premature end in early August after frontman Steven Tyler suffered a broken shoulder upon falling from the stage in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Beatles! Beatles!
It's about time! The Beatles' entire "Abbey Road" album is finally available for "The Beatles: Rock Band" series. Meanwhile, the Second Annual Beatles Complete On Ukulele Festival will rock out in Brooklyn on December 5th and 6th. The highlight (so to speak) of the event will be the 16 hour marathon during which all 185 Beatles songs will be performed on ukuleles. The endurance test will feature 60 singers, 40 musicians and 16 Yoko Ono impersonators. Mindboggling to say the least!
Axl May Head North
If it's true, then Axl Rose won't have to worry about heat stroke. Word is that Guns N' Roses will roll through a 13-date Canadian tour in January. — the most inhospitable time of year weatherwise in the Great White North. Then... who knows where the aptly titled Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy World Tour may go in February!
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "I can resist everything except temptation."
It was Arthur Baer who said: "His insomnia was so bad, he couldn't sleep during office hours."