Uncle Joe's Update Archives - May 11

Unc's Daily Update Archives - 11 Orange 400x100px

May 11 - 20, 2011

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!

May 11, 2011

Eric Burden of The Animals and War is 70.
Drummer Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band is 64.

On this day 1970, The Who unleashed their "Live At Leeds" album and The Beatles released their "The Long And Winding Road" single.

On this day 1981, reggae legend Bob Marley died of a brain tumor at the age of 36.

On this day in 2003, Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding died in Ireland at the age of 57.

Macca/Starr/Ono/Harrison To Vegas

Don't even think about an on-stage performance, but know that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison will all be in Las Vegas on June 8th for the fifth anniversary of "The Beatles' Love" Cirque du Soleil show. And they'll be hooking up with Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles, who both worked on the music for the show.

Floyd Remastered & Unreleased

Considering that Pink Floyd have sold over 200 million albums worldwide, and 45 million copies of 1973's "The Dark Side Of The Moon" in the U.S. alone, you'd think they didn't leave anything unreleased in the vaults. Wrong!! Starting in September, a multi-month schedule of releases of collectors' box sets and remastered studio recordings will be spiced up with previously unreleased tracks that include a few alternate mixes and demos. Even more interesting will be the release (finally!) of a live recording of the legendary "The Dark Side Of The Moon" performance at Wembley in 1974. Storm Thorgerson, the band's longtime Art Director, has overseen the visual design, including new booklets for all the CDs, new artwork for the box sets and menus for the DVD content. Better restock the incense stash and black light bulbs!

Ray To Hard Rock Calling

Legendary Kinks frontman Ray Davies — who is curating as well as performing at the eclectic U.K. Meltdown festival in mid-June — has signed on for this year's Hard Rock Calling festival in London one week later. Ray is expected to hit the Hard Rock Calling main stage on June 25th, halfway through the three-day event in Hyde Park. Other Hard Rock Calling performers will include Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks and Mike & The Mechanics.

Strawberry Field Gate Gone

The wrought iron gates to Liverpool's Strawberry Field, the Salvation Army Children's Home made famous by John Lennon and The Beatles, have been replaced with replicas. The 100-year-old gates are being put in storage to prevent further deterioration. Major Ray Irving, Director of Social Services for the Salvation Army, said: "Although care has been taken to ensure the original gates have remained in good condition, inevitably time has taken its toll."

It was Mae West who said: "It's not the men in my life that counts — it's the life in my men."

It was Robert Anthony who said: "When you blame others, you give up your power to change."

It was Kin Hubbard who said: "Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation."

This Saturday, 11am - 1pm: Join J.B. as he and the KLOS Cool Patrol help Performance Bicycle celebrate the Grand Opening of their Long Beach location just west of the 605 at 7611 East Carson Street in the Long Beach Town Center!

May 12, 2011

Comic genius George Carlin would have been 74.
Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan is 66.
Multi-instrumentalist/singer extraordinaire Stevie Winwood is 63.
Guitarist Billy Squier is 61.
KISS/Alice Cooper drummer Eric Singer is 53.

On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones recorded "Satisfaction" in a 30-minute session at RCA Studios in Hollywood. Two days earlier, they had unsuccessfully attempted to record the song at Chess Studios in Chicago.

On this day in 1967, Pink Floyd played one of their first experimental concerts in quadraphonic sound at the "Games for May" event at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall.

On this day in 1969, Santana recorded "Evil Ways," which went on to become their first Top 10 hit.

On this day in 1971, Mick Jagger married his first wife, Bianca, at the St. Tropez Town Hall. The large Roman Catholic service was attended by the other Rolling Stones, as well as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Steven Stills. Think any of that group caught a buzz?

On this day in 1972, The Rolling Stones released their classic "Exile On Main Street" album.

On this day in 1973, Steely Dan's "Reeling In The Years" peaked at #11 on the singles chart.

On this day in 1979, singer Mickey Thomas made his debut with the Jefferson Starship at a free concert in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

On this day in 2008, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills' divorce became official with a monetary award of nearly $50 million for Mills — far more than the former Beatle had originally offered, but significantly less than his ex was seeking.

This weekend, over 90 stations will air OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson featuring the music of The Kinks as well as Joe's brand new conversation with Ray Davies. Here's the promo... Stream on!

Halen To Australia

Interesting news from Australia: Van Halen with David Lee Roth have been booked for the Soundwave Revolution Festival. Word is that the travelling festival will also feature Alice Cooper, Bad Religion and Alter Bridge, among others. The festival launches on September 24th in Brisbane and wraps up on October 3rd in Perth. But will V.H. have a new album by then? Stay tuned!

A $10,000 T-shirt

Ever wonder what a vintage rock T-shirt might be worth? A mind boggling $10,000 if it's one of the rarest rock T-shirts in the world! The backstory from jolly old England is that an extremely limited quantity of special T-shirts were made to replace conventional backstage passes for one of Led Zeppelin's legendary 1979 Knebworth House concerts. This past week, one of those Zep shirts — perhaps the only one still in existence — sold on eBay for $10k! The buyer, who is located in Australia, declined comment.

Farm Aid To Kansas

Farm Aid 2011 will be held at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday August 13th. As you'd expect, Farm Aid Board Members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews will headline the event with more top artists to be announced shortly.

Roddy Back To Vegas

Rod Stewart, who recently wrapped his "Heart & Soul Tour" with Stevie Nicks, has signed on for a two-year stint at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Roddy's show-in-residence will be called "Rod Stewart: The Hits."

It was Goodman Ace who said: "Familiarity breeds attempt."

It was Martin Van Buren who said: "It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't."

It was Art Buchwald who said: "Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got."

May 13, 2011

Rock & Roll pioneer Ritchie Valens would have been 70 today.
Magic Dick, trumpet and harmonica player with the J. Geils Band, is 66.
The amazing Stevie Wonder is 61.
Danny Kirwan, guitarist/vocalist in the first successful incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, is 61.

On this day in 1966, The Kinks recorded "Sunny Afternoon."

On this day in 1970, The Beatles' pseudo-documentary "Let It Be" premiered in New York.

On this day in 1989, Tom Petty's classic "Full Moon Fever" album entered the charts.

Floyd Again (Briefly)

The surviving members of Pink Floyd reunited on stage Thursday night at London's 02 Arena during a stop on Roger Waters' "The Wall" tour. This was only the second time that Nick Mason, David Gilmour and Waters have played together in the last 30 years. As the crowd went absolutely insane, Waters and Gilmour performed "Comfortably Numb" with David playing his epic solo on the top of The Wall as he did on the original 1980/81 tour. During the finale of "Outside The Wall," Gilmour returned to the stage alongside Mason, who played a tambourine. Last July, David promised that he would play the song during one of Roger's shows, but drummer Nick Mason's involvement was kept a secret. They last performed together at Live 8 in 2005. Original keyboardist Richard Wright died in 2008.

Tyler Nominated

Bet you didn't see this one coming! Steven Tyler has just picked up a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program category for his voice work as The Mad Hatter in Nick Jr.'s animated children's television series "Wonder Pets!." Wow! Just wait until the Emmy nominations come out for "Wackiest Talent Show Judge"!

No OzzFest

As expected, Ozzy Osbourne won't be doing an OzzFest tour this year. His official statements said, "I just finished a lengthy arena tour of the U.S., so I've decided to tour Europe this Summer instead." There's actually been an OzzFest every year since 1996 (except for 2009 when the economy tanked).

Roger's Bringing Tommy

After he finishes his U.K. Summer tour, Who frontman Roger Daltrey will bring his hot solo band Stateside to perform The Who's classic rock opera "Tommy" from start to finish. While The Who presented "Tommy" many times since the late Sixties, they generally left out a song or two. Thus, this is being described as the first start-to-finish performance of the rock opera. The six-week U.S. tour launches in mid-September and hits our Nokia Theatre on October 19th. In addition to guitarist Frank Simes, drummer Scott Deavours, bassist Jon Button and keyboardist Loren Gold, Daltrey will be backed by Pete Townshend's brother Simon (who has also played in The Who and with Roger for years). It's a don't miss show for sure!

It was Dave Barry who said: "You should not confuse your career with your life."

It was Jay Leno who asked: "How come you never see a headline like 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?"

It was Charles Swindoll who said: "The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it."

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.

May 14, 2011

Cream bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce is 68.
The head Talking Head, David Byrne, is 59.

On this day in 1955, "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley And His Comets entered the Top 40 on its way to becoming the first #1 record of the rock era.

On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones' cryptic "Paint It, Black" entered the American singles charts.

On this day in 1966, The Yardbirds' "Shapes Of Things," driven by Jeff Beck's mind-blowing guitar work, peaked at #11 on the charts.

On this day in 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released the song "Ohio," only 10 days after the fatal Kent State University shootings that inspired the song.

On this day in 1976, former Yardbirds vocalist Keith Relf electrocuted himself while tuning his electric guitar in the bathtub.

On this day in 1988, Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary celebration at New York's Madison Square Garden saw the surviving members of Led Zeppelin reunite with John Bonham's son Jason on drums.

On this day in 1998, Frank Sinatra died at the age of 82.

May 15, 2011

Former Roxy Music keyboardist Brian Eno (Uber-producer for David Bowie, Talking Heads and U2) is 63.

On this day in 1965, The Byrds made their first entry into the charts with their cover version of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." Three months later, the song peaked at #1, and was a strong factor in Dylan's decision to switch from acoustic to electric music.

On this day in 1965, "For Your Love" by The Yardbirds entered the charts. The song featured Eric Clapton on all the guitar parts except the solo, which was recorded by his replacement, Jeff Beck.

On this day in 1967, Paul McCartney met Linda Eastman for the first time at the Bag O' Nails nightclub in London. They clicked big time and married on March 12th, 1969.

On this day in 1970, Pink Floyd played a concert in front of a large lake at the Crystal Palace Bowl in South London. Not only were a great number of fish in the lake killed by the loud music, a full one-third of the audience blew their minds!

On this day in 1970, Black Sabbath released its self-titled album.

On this day in 1971, The Doors' "Love Her Madly" peaked at #11 on the singles chart.

On this day in 1971, two truly classic albums, The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" and Jethro Tull's masterpiece "Aqualung," both entered the charts on their way to #1.

On this day in 1975, the most famous Fleetwood Mac line-up (Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and John & Christine McVie) made their live debut in El Paso, Texas.

On this day in 1976, Steve Miller released his "Fly Like An Eagle" album.

On this day in 1976, Thin Lizzy's classic "The Boys Are Back In Town" entered the singles charts.

On this day in 1984, guitarist Nils Lofgren was drafted into The E Street Band by Bruce Springsteen to replace "Little Steven" Van Zandt.

May 16, 2011

Foghat drummer Roger Earl is 65.
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic is 46.

On this day in 1970, Randy Bachman left The Guess Who.

On this day in 1987, U2 topped the charts for the first of three weeks with their song "With Or Without You."

On this day in 2010, singer Ronnie James Dio died in his home of stomach cancer at the age of 67.

Eagles' Wedding Gig

With all the attention given to the recent marriage of England's Prince William and his beautiful bride Princess Catherine, you've probably been worried sick about how Monaco's Prince Albert II would celebrate his early July wedding to South African swimming champion Charlene Wittslock. Turns out that the Sovereign Prince of Monaco has arranged for the Eagles to play a June 30th pre-wedding gig at the Stade Louis II stadium... and the party will be free for 15,000 folks who live or work in Monaco! So, if you want to attend, you'd better find a Summer job in the Principality pronto!

Aerosmith's Fall Tour

Frontman Steven Tyler really should have asked the four other members of Aerosmith before he announced they'd be playing the finale episode of this year's "American Idol," The band's management has now informed the show's producers that Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford would rather appear on "Idol" when the band has something to promote, like an upcoming tour or a new album. But, no matter how strained relationships are within the 40-year-old Hall Of Fame group, they will be playing a series of shows in Latin America starting on October 22nd in Peru.

KISS In 53 Languages

How many ways can you say KISS? The band has hooked up with Ortsbo.com — a real time, language translation platform that converts dialogue into any of the 53 languages on the fly — so KISS fans can enjoy online chat in the language of their choice. And this Friday KISS masterminds Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons will team up with Ortsbo.com for their first interactive global fan chat via live streaming to computers, iPhones and Android devices. Fans should pre-register with Ortsbo.com to participate in the Q&A session.

Mac Will Be Back

Fleetwood Mac star Stevie Nicks has confirmed what we all suspected: the band will reunite next year. The Mac last toured in 2009 and their most recent album, "Say You Will," was released in 2003. So, as soon as Stevie and her bandmate Lindsey Buckingham are finished promoting their solo material later this year, they plan to resurrect Fleetwood Mac to hit the road in 2012 — whether or not the band's recorded a new album.

It was Tom Waits who said: "I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a prefrontal lobotomy."

It was David Letterman who said: "The worst tempered people I have ever met were those who knew that they were wrong."

It was Mark Twain who said: "Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."

May 17, 2011

Drummer Bill Bruford, who rose to fame with Yes and King Crimson, is 63.

On this day in 1846, Antoine Sax patented the first Rock & Roll instrument: the saxophone.

On this day in 1969, the Chicago Transit Authority's debut album entered the charts — the first time a group ever debuted with a double album. In short order, they were threatened with a lawsuit by the real C.T.A., and were forced to shorten their name to Chicago.

On this day in 1987, Tom Petty's Encino home was torched by arsonists. That directly inspired Tom to write "I Won't Back Down."

On this day in 1999, producer Bruce Fairbairn (who had worked with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Yes, among others) died at the age of 49.

P.J.'s Big Party

Pearl Jam have finally announced their 20th anniversary concert. The boys will headline a Labor Day weekend festival at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin (halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee) Special guests will include the Strokes, Queens of the Stone Age, Mudhoney, among others, and $2 from each ticket will be donated to P.J.'s Vitalogy Foundation, which grants funds to nonprofit organizations. And, as previously announced, the 20th anniversary celebration will also include the release of Cameron Crowe's retrospective documentary "Pearl Jam Twenty," along with a corresponding book and a soundtrack album. The film will also be broadcast on PBS stations on October 21st. Party!

Johnson's Been Writing?

Who knew that Brian Johnson, AC/DC's frontman, was writing a book? His "Rockers And Rollers: A Full Throttle Memoir" will be out on May 24th, and he's lined up a few book signings — solely back East so far, but out here soon enough. The memoir is told through Brian's lifelong love affair with cars, from teenage memories in the back of beat-up coupes to a side career as a racecar driver. Should be interesting!

Keef's Recording

When the muse recently struck Keith Richards — and his partner Mick Jagger was out doing his own thing — The Rolling Stones guitarist started working on the new material with songwriter/producer Steve Jordan and Keef's old solo band the X-pensive Winos. If the album is actually finished and released (that's always a big "if") before The Stones tour next year, it will become Richards' first solo album with his X-pensive Winos since 1992's "Main Offender."

Beatles/Seinfeld's Retirement

Comedic icon Jerry Seinfeld says that The Beatles inspired him to call it quits while his television show was at its peak. "The Beatles ended too soon for me," said Seinfeld. "That hunger for The Beatles has lasted my whole life. Whenever a Beatles song comes on the radio I reach for the volume and turn it up, because I still haven't gotten enough of them. That was really how I made the decision." He was also fully aware that both The Beatles and his sitcom, "Seinfeld," each lasted nine years. Too bad he didn't dig The Stones, say we!

It was Jack Handy who said: "I hope that after I die, people will say of me: 'That guy sure owed me a lot of money.'"

It was Kin Hubbard who said: "Now and then an innocent man is sent to the legislature."

It was James Thurber who said: "There are two kinds of light: the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures."

Does Size Really Matter?

Ever wonder why that outfit doesn't look the same on you? While the average American female model is five feet 11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds, the average American woman is five feet four inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

Although most people think that Napoleon was short, he was actually five feet, six inches tall, an average height for a Frenchman in those days.

A ten-gallon hat actually holds 3/4 gallon or three quarts. So why did they call it a ten-gallon hat? Because everything's bigger in Texas — especially the lies!

May 18, 2011

Keyboard whiz Rick Wakeman of Yes is 62.

On this day in 1963, The Beatles began their third U.K. tour, this time supporting Roy Orbison. The Beatles' set list consisted of "Some Other Guy," "Do You Want to Know A Secret," "Love Me Do," "From Me To You," "Please Please Me, "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Twist And Shout." By the end of the 21-date trek, the Fab Four was headlining.

On this day in 1966, The Animals recorded the old American blues classic "House Of The Rising Sun." It became their first #1 hit in the U.S. four months later.

On this day in 1974, Bachman Turner Overdrive released the "Taking Care of Business" single.

On this day in 1985, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' "Don't Come Around Here No More" peaked at #13 on the singles chart.

On this day in 1992, Ozzy Osbourne announced another in a long series of retirements from touring.

This weekend, over 90 stations will air OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson featuring the music of Boston as well as more of Joe's extensive conversation with Tom Scholz and Brad Delp. Here's the promo... Stream on!

It was Mark Twain who said: "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it."

It was George Carlin who said: "'I am' is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that 'I do' is the longest sentence?"

It was Winston Churchill who said: "A man is about as big as the things that make him angry."

May 19, 2011

Guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who is 66.
ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill is 62.
Singer Joey Ramone would have been 60.
Longtime AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is 57.

On this day in 1969, The Who released the classic "Tommy" album.

On this day in 1979, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr reunited for an impromptu jam at a wedding reception for Eric Clapton and his new wife, Patti (George's ex). The couple got married in March while Clapton was touring, so the reception doubled as an end-of-tour party as well.

On this day in 1984, "Legs" by ZZ Top entered the charts on its way to becoming their first Top 10 hit.

On this day in 1986, Peter Gabriel released his landmark "So" album.

On this day in 2000, The Allman Brothers Band fired founding guitarist Dickey Betts over "creative differences."

Eagles Golfing In F.V.

So what's so special about the 5th Annual Alumni & Pro-Sport Celebrity Golf Tournament Monday July 11th at Mile Square Golf Course in Fountain Valley? All four members of the Eagles will be playing! For details, check out http://www.ehsgolftourney.com — and tell 'em yer Uncle Joe sent you!

Bucks Up For Lucy

John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and the opening words for "She's Leaving Home" sold at the Calabasas-based Profiles In History auction last weekend for $237,132. The working versions of the songs from The Beatles' 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" were on a single sheet of paper.

Texas Kudos For Billy

You may recall that this past February ZZ Top were one of the recipients of the 2011 Texas Medal of Arts, spotlighting the creative excellence, exemplary talents and outstanding contributions by Texans. Now comes word that the Top's guitarist, Mr. Billy F. Gibbons, has been named the official 2012 Texas State Musician. While the Texas State Legislature makes the appointments, which carry no official duties or additional compensation, it was the Texas Commission on the Arts that announced the awards on Monday. Boy howdy Billy!

Steven's Book

Steven Tyler's new autobiography, "Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?," debuted at #2 on last week's New York Times Best Seller list, just behind "Bossypants" by Tina Fey. Tyler's book traces his youth, early music career, legendary partnership with Joe Perry and the rise, fall and rise of Aerosmith over the last three decades — and more sex, drugs and Rock & Roll than a reader could ask for.

It was Dr. Seuss who said: "Adults are obsolete children."

It was Fats Waller who said: "If you don't know what it is, don't mess with it."

It was Erma Bombeck who said: "The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one."

May 20, 2011

Singing icon Joe Cocker is 67.
Diva Suprema Cher is 65.

On this day in 1960, Johnny & The Moondogs changed their name to The Silver Beetles for their first tour of Scotland, backing pop singer Johnny Gentle. The Silver Beetles were made up of John Lennon, Paul Ramon, Carl Harrison, and Stuart de Stael. The last three were actually pseudonyms for Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe.

On this day in 1965, The Beatles' "Ticket to Ride" hit #1. It was the first Beatles single to feature Paul McCartney on lead guitar.

On this day in 1968, Janis Joplin recorded "Piece Of My Heart" with Big Brother & The Holding Company.

On this day in 1970, The Beatles released the movie "Let It Be" in London and Liverpool. However, none of them attended any of the premieres.

Macca Covers 'Em

Word is that Paul McCartney is set to release his new covers album early next year. He's been recording the as yet untitled album in Los Angeles, specifically focusing on songs from the 'pre-rock' era. Macca said, "I've wanted to do that kind of thing forever, since The Beatles days. But then Rod [Stewart] went mad on it. I thought, 'I have to wait so it doesn't look like I'm trying to do a Rod.'" Jazz singer Diana Krall added some vocals as well. Sir Paulie says, "I'm trying to steer away from the obvious ones. It's get-home-from-work music. You put it on and get a glass of wine."

Pete's Writing

Looks like it's finally going to happen. Pete Townshend's long-in-production memoir, "Who He?," has been scheduled for release next Fall. The Who guitarist has been working on his autobiography since the mid-Nineties, documenting a very painful past. Unlike most of the other recent rock autobiographies, Pete's done his own writing — with a pen, in long hand on legal pads.

More Journey Greatest Hits

A lot of people don't remember what an original, powerful, multi-faceted band of musicians Journey was with vocalist Steve Perry. Well, not only has the band's multi-million selling "Greatest Hits" compilation and Steve Perry's solo album "Street Talk" just been remastered back to vinyl, Journey's new "Greatest Hits - 2" will be released in all formats (including vinyl) very soon. The new "Greatest Hits - 2" will compile 17 songs such as "Stone in Love," "Patiently," "Feeling That Way"/"Anytime," "Still They Ride," "After the Fall" and "Chain Reaction." You'd expect the Hall Of Fame to be listening, wouldn't you?

Richardson R.I.P.

After a lengthy illness, legendary Canadian record producer Jack Richardson passed away at the age of 81 on May 13th. Jack produced several classic albums in the Sixties and Seventies with The Guess Who, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Badfinger and Poco, among others. He came to prominence when he recorded The Guess Who's highly regarded 1968 "Wheatfield Soul" album (featuring the single "These Eyes") after he mortgaged his house to pay for the sessions. He produced two more albums with the group, including their masterpiece, "American Woman." He is survived by his son, Rage Against the Machine producer Garth Richardson.