November 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!
November 11, 2009
Yardbirds guitarist Chris Dreja is 63.
On this day in 1972, The Allman Brothers 24-year-old bass player, Berry Oakley, was killed when he plowed his motorcycle into a bus in Macon, Georgia. Ironically, the accident happened just three blocks from the spot where Allman Brothers' guitarist Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident 13 months earlier.
On this day in 1978, The Rolling Stones' "Beast Of Burden" peaked at #8 on the singles chart.
On this day in 1983, the album "90125" by Yes was released.
On this day in 1986, Pink Floyd issued a statement saying that although Roger Waters had declared that he would no longer work with the band, they would continue using the name. As they figured, that made Roger very, very angry.
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of, and new conversation with, Tom Petty. Stream on!
Neil's Big Night
John Mellencamp, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sheryl Crow will be among the artists paying tribute to Neil Young at the 2010 MusiCare's Person of the Year gala on January 29th at the L.A. Convention Center. They'll be honoring both Young's legendary musical achievements as well as his philanthropic work, which includes leading roles in both Farm Aid and the Bridge School benefit concerts. The gala will be among the highlights in the week leading up to the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on January 31st at the Staples Center. Past honorees of the MusiCares Person of the Year award include Bono, Brian Wilson, Billy Joel and, most recently, Neil Diamond.
Hall Hails Joplin
Janis Joplin is being honored this week in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's "Kozmic Blues: The Life And Music Of Janis Joplin" exhibit. A special tribute show is scheduled for Saturday as part of the 14th Annual American Music Masters series. Among the items featured in the Hall's exhibit is Janis' 1960 high school yearbook photo, her iconic dress/tunic from 1967, a Big Brother & the Holding Company concert handbill, reproductions of lyrics, and her personal scrapbook. Joplin was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1995.
Judgmental Chef Geddy
Rush frontman Geddy Lee will be a guest judge at "Gold Medal Plates" — the Canadian "Culinary Olympics" on November 19th in Toronto. In the last five years, "Gold Medal Plates" has raised $2.8 million dollars for Olympic and Paralympic athletes north of the border, and generated a TV series, "Gold Metal Plates: The Quest for Canada's Best Chef."
New Ratt
Sorry — you'll have to wait until next March for the release of Ratt's "Infestation," their first new album since 1999. Until then, the current band — original members singer Stephen Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini and drummer Bobby Blotzer, along with new guitarist Carlos Cavazo (formerly of Quiet Riot) and bassist Robbie Crane — will continue their tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1984 breakthrough album, "Out Of The Cellar."
It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither."
Veterans Day
Veterans Day is the national holiday set aside to honor the men and women who served the United States in war. Initially known as "Armistice Day," it was established in 1926 to recognize the end of fighting in World War I at 11am, November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). It was renamed "Veterans Day" after World War II, and has always centered on special memorials at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. At some point today, take a moment to remember those who fought to protect our freedom, especially those who paid the ultimate price, from the fields in France to the deserts of Iraq.
November 12, 2009
Keyboard great Booker T. Jones of Booker T. & the MG's is 65.
The incredible Neil Young is 64.
Guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser of Blue Oyster Cult is 62.
On this day in 1966, the Hollywood Sunset Strip Riot took place, providing the lyrical inspiration for Stephen Stills to write Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."
On this day in 1970, The Doors performed live for the last time with Jim Morrison. Drummer John Densmore later said that Morrison seemed to lose "all his energy" when the show ended.
On this day in 1973, Queen began their first tour of Britain at Leeds Town Hall in Yorkshire, opening for Mott the Hoople.
On this day in 1980, Bruce Springsteen hit the top of the charts with his double album "The River."
On this day in 1983, David Bowie's "Modern Love" peaked at #14 on the charts.
On this day in 2008, Jimi Hendrix's acclaimed drummer Mitch Mitchell was found dead in a Portland, Oregon hotel. The 61-year-old's death was due to natural causes.
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of, and new conversation with, Tom Petty. Stream on!
Aerosmith Soap Opera's Latest Episode
Estranged Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler made a surprise onstage appearance with guitarist Joe Perry's solo band Tuesday night in New York. Tyler told the crowd (and a very surprised Joe Perry), "I just want New York to know, I am not leaving Aerosmith. Joe Perry, you are a man of many colors, but I... am the rainbow!" Then the band launched into "Walk This Way," after which Tyler disappeared without even talking with Perry. Joe later said, "He wants to take two years off from the band, and the rest of the band wants to keep on working... Anything is possible at this point. Basically, any communication that we've had over the last couple of months has been through managers, so that's been pretty strange." Perry added, "I never won any money trying to second-guess what goes on in Steven's mind. I guess this is just Aerosmith business as usual."
Woodie's Single (Sort Of) Again
After lengthy court proceedings, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood's 24-year marriage is officially over. His wife Jo initiated divorce proceedings last year after Woodie ran off with a Russian cocktail waitress. There was no official word on how large the financial settlement was, but now you know why Ron's pushing so hard for The Stones to tour next year!
All Macca/No Giblets
ABC will be serving up tasty nuggets from Paul McCartney's Summer concert at New York's Citi Field Thanksgiving evening. "Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City" will also include clips of The Beatles 1965 Shea Stadium concert as part of Macca's discussion of those early days.
Kinks Again?
Word is that The Kinks are back in the studio. Frontman Ray Davies is working on new material with the band's original drummer, Mick Avory, and their later bassist and keyboardist, Jim Rodford and Ian Gibbons. Ray says, "We've got four, five new songs and I'm just sort of getting them motivated and seeing what they're playing like, because I haven't played with The Kinks for eight or nine years." No word on the involvement of brother Dave Davies, who suffered a stroke in 2004.
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards."
It was Confucius who said: "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."
November 13, 2009
On this day in 1965, The Who's "My Generation" entered the British charts. The music world would never be the same.
On this day in 1968, The Beatles' animated feature "Yellow Submarine" premiered in the U.S. The movie was the fourth film to be made by or about The Fab Four, although the other three were live-action and not animated.
On this day in 1976, Rod Stewart hit #1 with "Tonight's the Night" as "Do You Feel Like We Do" by Peter Frampton peaked at #10 on the charts.
On this day in 1982, Tom Petty released his "You Got Lucky" single.
Super Who
Authoritative reports say that The Who will take the stage for the 2010 Super Bowl Halftime Show February 7th in Miami. Touring right now with his solo band to keep his voice in shape, Roger Daltrey had to cancel Tuesday night's Baltimore concert when his doctor advised him to give his ailing throat a break. The Who frontman issued the apology, saying "I am desperately trying to reschedule as it's not my style to let people down." Right so, Roger... and we're really looking forward to The Who's first U.S. gigs since 2008!
Pay Per U2
Considering that no one made money off of U2's massive YouTube concert a few weeks back, you had to wonder what they had in mind. Turns out that the record breaking webcast from The Rose Bowl was viewed by over 10 million people online and may have actually created a new business model. The band is seriously considering a pay-per-view set-up for their next North American tour (which includes two shows at Angels Stadium in June). Their manager says, "We don't think that it will cannibalize any sales of DVDs because the audiences are separate." And as long as they keep the pay-per-view price under $100, they shouldn't be cannibalizing their ticket sales either.
A Festive Stinger
Sting, the occasional frontman of The Police, should be feeling doubly festive this holiday season. He's just released his new "If On A Winter's Night" album, and he'll be starring in a holiday concert for an upcoming PBS special. Of course being The Sting, he's bypassed typical yule fare like "Jingle Bells" for authentic English and Scottish folk songs that none of us know. Just the same, as part of PBS's "Great Performances" series, "Sting: A Winter's Night" will air on Thanksgiving night.
James & Carole
Remember how much fun we had when James Taylor joined me on the air the evening of November 28th, 2007 just before his first reunion show with Carole King at the Troubadour? He was so jazzed to be working for the first time since 1970 with Carole and his original band — guitarist Danny Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Leland Sklar, famous in their own right as "The Section." Now just a short two years later, James and Carole have announced that their Troubadour Reunion Tour (featuring The Section) will kick off in March in Australia, and will roll through New Zealand, Japan, Europe and the rest of America before hitting the Hollywood Bowl on May 14th.
Another Rush Comp
What better way to buy time until your next album and tour? "Working Men," Rush's latest live greatest hits album, will be out Tuesday. The compilation features performances from the group's 2008 release, "Snakes & Arrows Live," 2005's "R30" and 2003's "Rush In Rio."
It was Steven Wright who said: "There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."
It was Robert Frost who said: "Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence."
Triskaidekaphobia
The "fear of the number 13," and today is Friday the 13th. Here are some of the factoids and superstitions surrounding both the number 13 and Fridays in general.
All months whose first day falls on a Sunday will contain a Friday the 13th.
A maximum of three Friday the 13ths can appear in one year, but every year will have at least one.
In ancient times, Friday was the day of the pagan goddess Freya, and 13 was her sacred number, because the pagan calendar had 13 months. Christian monks considered anything having to do with goddesses to be unlucky and anything having to do with pagans as being evil. When pagans worshipped Freya on Friday the 13th, the monks accused them of "devil worship."
The Bible points to Friday as being the day Eve gave Adam the apple.
For some, the number 13 is also considered to be unlucky because Jesus Christ was the 13th guest — in addition to his 12 Apostles — at the Last Supper, which took place on a Friday — the night before he was crucified.
Ancient Norsemen used 13 knots in the nooses they used to hang people.
In the 19th century, Lloyd's of London refused to insure any ship sailing on Friday the 13th. The U.S. Navy still won't launch ships on that date.
Hotels and office buildings often don't have a 13th floor. Many airports skip the 13th gate and airplanes have no 13th row.
The ill-fated Apollo 13 mission was launched at 13:13 military time, from launch pad #39 (that's 13 X 3), and had to be aborted on April 13, 1970.
November 14, 2009
Styx guitarist James "J.Y." Young is 60.
Former Bon Jovi bassist Alec John Such is 53.
On this day in 1969, Led Zeppelin began recording their third album at Olympic Studios with a run-through of "Since I've Been Loving You" live to tape. That recording turned out so well, they included it on the album, and Robert Plant later described it as "the closest thing ever to a Led Zeppelin live concert."
On this day in 1970, "Cry Me A River" by Joe Cocker peaked at #11 as Van Morrison's "Domino" entered the singles chart and Santana released "Black Magic Woman."
On this day in 1973, Billy Joel released his breakthrough "Piano Man" album as Bruce Springsteen released his classic "The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle" album.
On this day in 1975, Queen released the "A Night At The Opera" album, which contained their signature song, "Bohemian Rhapsody."
On this day in 1978, Led Zeppelin began recording their "In Through the Out Door" album in Abba's Polar Studios.
November 15, 2009
Singer Chad Kroeger of Nickelback is 35
On this day in 1992 at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Ozzy Osbourne swore he was playing his last concert ever. Then he was joined in an emotional reunion onstage by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. No matter if it was clever marketing or happenstance, the Ozz-man has toured continuously ever since.
November 16, 2009
On this day in 1978, in their usual flamboyant style, Queen spiced up their Madison Square Garden concert with a group of mostly naked women riding bicycles onto the stage during the performance of "Fat Bottomed Girls." Oh, the glory!
On this day in 1978, the film version of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" opened, starring Peter Frampton, the Bee Gees, Earth Wind & Fire, Alice Cooper, Steve Martin and a lot of other people at the lowest point in their careers.
On this day in 1979, Pink Floyd released their single "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" in the U.K., where it went directly to #1.
On this day in 1985, Stevie Nicks' "Talk To Me" entered the singles chart.
Macca Saves Woody
Beatle Paul McCartney has been dealing with the paparazzi throughout his adult lifetime. So Macca had a very clever response when Woody Harrelson bumped into him in a New York restaurant immediately after Woody's April 2009 LaGuardia Airport scuffle with photographers. The "Zombieland" actor says Sir Paulie's advise was, "'You ought to try this' and he had this idea of saying that I mistook (the photographer) for a zombie. I never would have thought of that." Harrelson released a statement the next day saying that he'd attacked the paparazzo because, "I quite understandably mistook him for a zombie." That's Rock & Roll!
(Another) New Beatles Doc
Leave it to the History Channel to air a new documentary about The Beatles. "The Beatles on Record," which traces the band's artistic growth from the early Sixties to the early Seventies, was produced by Bob Smeaton, who worked on "The Beatles: Anthology" collection. November 25th will be the first day you can see it.
Timothy's Mini-Tour
Timothy B. Schmit has added more West Coast concerts to his solo tour. The occasional Eagle is promoting "Expando," his first solo album in eight years. His new gig schedule includes Portland, Seattle, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and San Diego, as well as a Troubadour gig on December 17th.
Booking The Sting
Sting will perform a number of his better known songs (both from The Police and his wide ranging solo career) with the Philadelphia Orchestra on January 30th. The concert at Philly’s Academy of Music will celebrate the venue’s 153rd anniversary and raise money for its restoration.
Newer/Old Neil
Neil Young's "Dreamin' Man Live '92," his next release as part of Reprise Records' Archives Performance Series, will be out on December 8th. This collection of songs from various 1992 solo acoustic shows presents a complete live performance of the singer's "Harvest Moon" album as performed before the actual "Harvest Moon" album was released. Classic Neil!
It was Leopold Stokowski who said: "A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence."
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."
November 17, 2009
Gordon Lightfoot is 71 and glad to be alive.
Byrds guitarist/songwriter Gene Clark would have been 65.
Jethro Tull lead guitarist Martin Barre is 63.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles completed the recording sessions for their "The Magical Mystery Tour" soundtrack album.
On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones released their classic "Let It Bleed" album.
On this day in 1970, Elton John recorded his "11-17-70" album live in a New York studio in front of an invited audience of 100 people.
On this day in 1978, Led Zeppelin recorded their song "All My Love" in just two takes.
On this day in 1979, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' "Don't Do Me Like That" entered the singles chart.
On this day in 1979, Jethro Tull bassist John Glascock died of a heart attack at the age of 28.
On this day in 1987, during a concert in the Los Angeles Sports Arena, U2's Bono pulled a fan from the audience up on stage to sing along to "People Get Ready." Once he got into the spotlight, the aspiring star handed Bono a demo tape. No, he never got signed.
Hail Hail Sir Paulie!
Paul McCartney is the latest winner of The Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize of Popular Song. The former Beatle/current rock god will formally accept the honor (along with an all-star tribute concert) next Spring. Macca will be the third recipient of the award, which commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the legendary prolific songwriting brothers. The past two winners were Paul Simon in May 2007 and Stevie Wonder in February 2009.
Speaking His Mind
Speaking for all of us, as he is wont to do, Sting has blasted "American Idol" and its English counterpart, "The X Factor." The master musician/singer described "The X Factor" to the Brit press as, “a preposterous show, and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion.” He gladly added, “Basically, I was looking at televised karaoke where they conform to stereotypes. It’s a soap opera which has nothing to do with music.” Word is that Simon Cowell, who as a judge on the programs personally makes millions and millions, called Sting’s comments “pompous,” then invited him to make an appearance on the series. True to form for both those boys!
Jovi's Newest DVD
You would think that with all their NBC network exposure, Bon Jovi would be pretty darn busy promoting their new album, "Circle," right now. But darned if they won't be releasing a live DVD next week! The featured show was the band’s final gig of their 2008 "Lost Highway" tour, filmed at Madison Square Garden 19 years to the day after the New Jersey rockers’ first played the legendary venue.
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights."
It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said: "I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.'"
November 18, 2009
Mickey Mouse, occasional banjo player and full time icon, is 81.
John McFee, guitarist with the Doobie Brothers and Elvis Costello, is 55.
Former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell is 55.
Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett is 46.
On this day in 1968, The Rolling Stones classic album "Beggars Banquet" was released.
On this day in 1972, Steely Dan released the song "Do It Again," and no one could figure out who this Dan guy was.
On this day in 1978, "Double Vision" by Foreigner peaked at #2 as "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" by Styx topped out at #21 on the charts.
On this day in 1987, U2, while performing a second night in the L.A. Coliseum, decided to support themselves as a fictional country group called the Dalton Brothers. Good thing it was supposed to be a joke, because they really, really sucked.
On this day in 1988, Pink Floyd released the "Delicate Sound Of Thunder" album.
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Bad Company as well as more of Joe's conversation with singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke. Stream on!
Maybe More Bad Co.
The chances of a Bad Company reunion just got a lot better. Although vocalist Paul Rodgers has repeated over and over that he wasn't going to tour, the band has just booked eight English dates running from an April 1st Birmingham gig through a real big April 11th show at London's Wembley Arena. With a live CD/DVD (shot last year in Florida) set for a February 9th release, a U.S. tour after their Brit gigs only makes sense!
All Hail Bono
Bono will be honored in New York tonight by the Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice and Human Rights. The U2 frontman and Wyclef Jean will each receive the Ripple Of Hope Award for their work in spotlighting humanitarian issues. Bono's recognition is for his work with the advocacy organization ONE and (Product) RED. Right so!
More Faces/No Rod
While The Faces may not generate enough cash to interest their old singer, Rod Stewart, it sounds like they're going to tour just the same. As keyboardist Ian McLagan wryly said, "If we don't do it very soon, one of us is gonna check out. I'm 64, for chrissakes!" While the band would prefer to have Rod on board, McLagan, guitarist Ron Wood and drummer Kenney Jones are going to do it themselves. Ian says, "I just want to play." No word yet on who will replace late bassist Ronnie Lane but a possible vocalist could be Simply Red's Mick Hucknall. Stay tuned!
The Drummer's Making Sense
You gotta love Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer's take on the band's ongoing turmoil. He says the band is experiencing "personal differences," and will seek a new singer should Steven Tyler really leave to pursue "brand Tyler." "What kind of singer? A real, real good one," Kramer said. "Just like writers write and dancers dance, we're musicians... We make music. That's what we want to continue to do, so whatever we have to do to move forward in that direction, that's what will happen." While Joey said he wishes Tyler the best in pursuing a solo career, the band does not want to wait for him. "[Steven] wants to do what he wants to do," Kramer said. "That's great. I support him. I will always love him. I have always supported him... but we want to play too. I can't sit around for two years and not play my drums — or not function as a band." Amen!
It was Hugh Elliott who said: "All people want is someone to listen."
It was William Feather who said: "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go."
2009 Road Racing Champion
It's official! Numero uno! Yer Unc won the 2009 Cal Club ITE Driver Championship in his Jim Sleeper built/prepared Uncle Joe's Racing Nissan 600ZX! Now stay tuned for photos of many smiling people holding the SCCA Regional Championship (Improved Touring – large horsepower class) trophy!
November 19, 2009
Drummer Matt Sorum of Velvet Revolver and Gun N' Roses fame is 49.
On this day in 1954, Sammy Davis, Jr. was involved in a serious auto accident in San Bernardino. Three days later, he lost sight in his left eye, which was then replaced with a glass eye. And now you know.
On this day in 1965, Kellogg's Pop Tarts were created. Many historians mark that day as the very moment modern civilization began to implode.
On this day in 1973, Led Zeppelin began sessions for their sixth album by recording a demo called "Driving to Kashmir." The song title would later be shortened to just plain "Kashmir."
On this day in 1977, Steely Dan released the song "Peg."
On this day in 1983, "Suddenly Last Summer" by The Motels peaked at #9 as Journey's "Send Her My Love" topped out at #23 on the charts.
On this day in 1983, Badfinger bassist Tom Evans took his own life just as Badfinger singer Pete Ham had done eight years earlier. Evans was only 36.
On this day in 1984, Don Henley released his classic "Building The Perfect Beast" album.
Jovi's #1
As you expected all along, Bon Jovi's new album, "The Circle," debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. This is the band's second consecutive album to debut at #1. Their previous chart toppers include 1986's "Slippery When Wet" and 1988's "New Jersey."
Ronnie Down
Word is that Dio's European tour has been canceled because singer Ronnie James Dio has been hospitalized. No word on what's going on, but canceling a tour is pretty serious stuff. Get well soon RJD!
More Aero (Soap) Opera
Even though the situation hasn't yet taken on Amy Winehouse proportions, I've had more serious inquiries about Aerosmith and Steven Tyler's ongoing problems than any other music-related story in years. Even CNN has picked up on it, and their take direct from the band is: "Steven, we love you. But you need to get sober, and we need to find a new singer." Echoing guitarists Brad Whitford and Joe Perry, drummer Joey Kramer declined to get specific about drug abuse, but observed: "Steven has made some poor choices as of late, and he's got some bad influences around him, and I think that for the most part he's his own worst enemy... I just really hope that Steven puts the focus on Steven and gets healthy." Second verse same as the first, my friends.
Roddy's Lawyers Sue Him
Other than bottled spirits, blondes and lawyers have been the two constants throughout Rod Stewart's life. We all know how the blondes have worked out for him (seven kids and counting), but now Roddy's own lawyers have filed a lawsuit against him. It seems that he employed the plaintiffs for over 20 years, during which time the firm's services have gone unpaid on three different occasions. Now the attorneys want unpaid legal fees amounting to just over $3.3 million. Somehow you'd expect this may not go as well as the blonde wives.
It was Robert Frost who said, "Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper."
It was Rex Stout who said: "There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up."
November 20, 2009
Blues legend Leadbelly would have been 121.
"Spirit in the Sky" Norman Greenbaum is 67.
Guitar god Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band would have been 63.
Guitar god & uber-goofball Joe Walsh of the James Gang and Eagles is 60.
On this day in 1961, Bob Dylan recorded his first album. One of the best known songs on the album was his cover of "House of the Rising Sun," which the Animals turned into a huge hit three years later.
On this day in 1965, Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence" was released in a much different mix than they'd recorded it. Surprise!
On this day in 1970, "Lola" became The Kinks' first Top 10 single in the U.S. in five years.
On this day in 1973, drummer Keith Moon collapsed twice during the first date of The Who's U.S. tour in San Francisco after someone spiked his drink with horse tranquilizer. After guitarist Pete Townshend solicited a volunteer from the crowd, 19-year-old Scott Halpin got up on stage and drummed like a maniac for the last three songs of the set. Despite that shining moment in the limelight, Scott has never been heard from again.
On this day in 1976, Manfred Mann's Earth Band released their cover of the Bruce Springsteen song "Blinded By The Light."
On this day in 1994, David Crosby got the liver transplant that saved his life.
Bad Company OFF THE RECORD airs on 90+ stations this weekend. Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke with J.B. — stream on!
Ringo/Macca
Ringo Starr's got a familiar voice on his forthcoming album "Y Not" — Paul McCartney! The Beatles drummer reports, "Paul was doing the GRAMMYS, so he came over to the house and was playing bass on 'Peace Dream.' I played him this other track and Paul said, 'Give me the headphones. Give me a pair of cans.' And he went to the mic and he just invented that part where he follows on my vocal," Starr said of McCartney's work on "Walk With Me," which was co-written by Ringo and Van Dyke Parks. "That was all Paul McCartney, and there could be nothing better. He makes it bigger and he makes it fuller. It makes the song like a conversation between us, and that was Paul's idea to do his part one beat behind me. That's why he's a gen-i-us and an incredible bass player." Due out on January 12th, "Y Not" also includes the autobiographical "The Other Side of Liverpool" and "Fill in the Blanks," which features Starr's brother-in-law, guitarist Joe Walsh.
Vacation Starts Monday
Time to recharge the Boss' batteries. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will wrap their two-year world tour by performing their 1973 debut album "Greetings From Asbury Park" in its entirety this Sunday in Buffalo. After that, Springsteen's only plans for 2010 are the release of the long-delayed "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" box set and a DVD of the "Working On A Dream" tour. As for a new album or tour, his manager says, "We just had back-to-back tours and back-to-back records. That's never happened before, so we're going to have substantial downtime at this point."
Streaming KISS
If you can't make it into the Staples Center to see KISS next Wednesday, then plan on watching the event from the comfort of your own home. For the first time ever, the band will be streaming a concert — just go to Facebook.com/Kiss!
Loud Screwed
Nice going Oscar! The epic "It Might Get Loud" has been left off the 15-film short list for the Best Documentary Academy Award nominations. Guess the Academy just couldn't handle guitar gods Jimmy Page, Jack White and U2's The Edge talking about their craft and trading riffs.
It was Dean Acheson who said: "A memorandum is written not to inform the reader but to protect the writer."
It was Ella Fitzgerald who said: "It isn't where you came from; it's where you're going that counts."