July 21 - 31, 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!
July 21, 2011
Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens is 63.
Comedian Robin Williams is 60.
Former Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers bassist Howie Epstein would have been 57.
On this day in 1979, Robert Palmer released "Bad Case Of Loving You" and The Knack's "My Sharona" entered the charts as "I Want You To Want Me" by Cheap Trick peaked at #7.
On this day in 1980, AC/DC's "Back In Black" album was released.
On this day in 1986, The Police began trying to record an album that they never came close to finishing. When Sting opted for his solo career instead of working with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, the trio released a greatest hits package and called it a day.
This weekend, over 90 stations will air OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson featuring the music of Yes and Joe's brand new conversation with bassist Chris Squire and keyboardist Geoff Downes. Check out the promo... and Stream on!
Carlos' Tequila
Just in time for his 64th birthday, Carlos Santana has bought into the Casa Noble Tequila company. "We have come together because I love the tequila," he says. "I feel at home with my new family at Casa Noble. They strive for excellence and don't take shortcuts. Just like the music of Santana, one note or one drop… they are the same thing." Except for having a headache the day after...
The Love We Make
Paul McCartney's "The Love We Make" documentary about his experiences in New York City immediately after 9/11 will premiere on Showtime the day before the 10th anniversary of the historic attack. The black and white film focuses on Macca's work to prepare the Concert for New York City benefit show six weeks afterward. Footage includes artist rehearsals, conversations with New Yorkers on the street and appearances by Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Leonardo DiCaprio and Bill Clinton. The film was directed by Albert Maysles, half of the famed filmmaking duo that made The Rolling Stones movie "Gimme Shelter."
T-Bone's Buddies
Gregg Allman, Elvis Costello, Elton John and John Mellencamp are among the featured artists who T-Bone Burnett assembled for his new "T-Bone Burnett Presents: The Speaking Clock Revue album. Recorded live last October during a benefit concert the famed producer organized at New York's Beacon Theater, the LP is due out on October 18th. Proceeds go to the Participant Foundation, which supports music and arts education in public schools.
Leslie's Moving Ahead
Mountain singer/guitarist Leslie West, who lost part of his right leg due to diabetes last month, will join former Scorpions guitarists Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth as part of the Three Guitar Heroes Fall tour. No Southland dates have been booked yet, so be thinking mid-November. Just before the Three Guitar Heroes tour launches, Leslie's new "Unusual Suspects" album — featuring Slash, Billy F. Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Joe Bonamassa and drummer Kenny Aronoff — will be released on September 20th.
It was John Lennon who said: "There's a great woman behind every idiot."
It was Katherine Whitehorn who said: "The easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any."
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "I like to see a man proud of a place in which he lives, and I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him."
Tonight! Tonight! Tonight!: Steve Miller returns to the Orange County Fair for the first time in two years. Of course Uncle Joe will be there, so you know the Pacific Amphitheatre will be rockin'! Here are a few shots from one of last year's shows.
This Afternoon, 1:30pm: Join J.B. as he welcomes Duff Goldman, the Star of the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes," to the Hangar Stage at the Orange County Fair! Duff, who is known for his unusual and daring creations, will be sharing his secrets for making spectacular, larger-than-life cakes... and Joe is willing to try each and every one of them!
July 22, 2011
Pianist/singer Rick Davies of Supertramp is 67.
Songwriter/singer/drummer/occasional Eagle Don Henley is 64.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" entered the charts as The Doors hit #1 with "Light My Fire."
On this day in 1972, "Take It Easy" by the Eagles peaked at #12 as "Rock & Roll Part 2" by Gary Glitter entered the charts.
On this day in 1978, Bob Seger's "Still The Same" peaked at #4 as Bruce Springsteen's "Prove It All Night" topped out at #33 on the charts.
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "It isn't what you do, but how you do it."
It was Steven Wright who said: "24 hours in a day; 24 bottles in a case of beer. Coincidence? I think not."
It was Joseph Conrad who said: "Being a woman is a terribly difficult task since it consists principally in dealing with men."
July 23, 2011
British movie star David "Rock On" Essex is 64.
Guitarist Blair Thornton of Bachman Turner Overdrive is 61.
Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash is 46.
On this day in 1977, Foreigner released the song "Cold As Ice" as Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" entered the charts.
On this day in 1977, Led Zeppelin's manager and drummer, Peter Grant and John Bonham, as well as three of their security guards were arrested in Oakland, California for severely beating three of promoter Bill Graham's employees after a concert in that city.
On this day in 1979, keyboard player Keith Godchaux of the Grateful Dead died of complications from head injuries suffered in a car accident two days earlier. Keith and his wife Donna Jean Godchaux (the only female member of the band) had played with the Dead since 1972.
July 24, 2011
On this day in 1971, "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones peaked at #28 on the charts.
On this day in 1976, "Take The Money And Run" by the Steve Miller Band peaked at #11 as Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" topped out at #12 on the charts.
On this day in 1982, Fleetwood Mac's "Hold Me" peaked at #4 on the charts.
On this day in 1987, The Grateful Dead's "Touch Of Grey" entered the charts.
July 25, 2011
Drummer Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds is 68.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles' album "A Hard Day's Night" hit #1 on the charts.
On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan went electric at the Newport Folk Festival and played a few tunes he had just recorded. Outraged folkies booed him off the stage and accused him of becoming a "sellout." There was so much to be outraged by in 1965.
On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones played their last American concert with founding guitarist Brian Jones. Although Brian didn't really know where he was, San Francisco was the scene.
On this day in 1968, George Harrison recorded the first acoustic take of his song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." A few weeks later he worked up the electric version, but wasn't happy with it until he got his friend Eric Clapton to play the guitar solo on September 6th. The song — a true classic — was eventually released on The Beatles "White Album."
On this day in 1969 at Bill Graham's Fillmore East, Neil Young appeared onstage with Crosby, Stills & Nash for the first time.
On this same day in 1969, Led Zeppelin played in Milwaukee at the cleverly named Midwest Rock Festival. Guitar god Eric Clapton, who performed with Blind Faith the next day, caught the set by fellow former-Yardbird guitarist Jimmy Page's new band. Eric's observation: "They were very loud. I thought it was unnecessarily loud. I liked some of it; I really did like some of it. But a lot of it was just too much. They overemphasized whatever point they were making, I thought." Being a member of Cream, E.C. evidently never witnessed his original "overemphasized" band.
On this day in 1970, Chicago released the song "25 Or 6 To 4" as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Teach Your Children" peaked at #16 and Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Cinnamon Girl" topped out at #55 on the charts. Neil was a busy guy back in 1970.
On this day in 1981, Stevie Nicks released "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."
Seger Starts With A Festival
Sure they'll be coming to the Southland, but first Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band will start their Fall tour by headlining the final day of the inaugural Orlando Calling festival at Orlando's Citrus Bowl Park. The November 13th concert will be Seger's first festival appearance since he headlined the Toledo Speedway Jam in 1983. By the way, The Doobie Brothers, Kid Rock, Warren Haynes and Chris Isaak are just a few of the other artists appearing at the Orlando Calling fest.
Big Bucks Beatles Pix
The previously unpublished photographs of The Beatles shot by a teenager at their first U.S. concert sold for over $360,000 in an auction at Christie's in New York last week. Original estimates of the value of the black-and-white prints fell between $2,000 and $3,000 because the photographer, Mike Mitchell, is an unknown. Most of the extraordinary photos were taken the Fab Four's Washington Coliseum concert on February 11, 1964, only two days after their debut on the "Ed Sullivan Show." Those were the days when the lads still had that wide-eyed sense of wonderment across their faces. Nice!
They're (Rockin') Marketing Masters
It's the perfect way to feed their fans' anticipation of their first studio album in 10 years! Aerosmith has been releasing short videos showing the band working together in guitarist Joe Perry's Boneyard home studio. They're including cool bits of conversation with the boys and producer Jack Douglas (who worked on the classic "Get Your Wings," "Toys in the Attic," "Rocks" and "Honkin' on Bobo" albums) as well as Steven Tyler free styling on a ukulele with Perry watching. Having fun rocking!
Sorry Girls
Forget the rumors! Paul McCartney is going to marry his current girlfriend Nancy Shevell in a small, private ceremony late next month. The pair began dating in 2007 while Paul was in divorce proceedings with Heather Mills. Shevell, a New York native, described the ring as "a vintage 1925 Cartier engagement solitaire diamond," and added that it was "a total surprise." Sure, if you say so Nancy.
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "I like men who have a future and women who have a past."
It was Michael Jordan who said: "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
It was Marcel Proust who said: "True discovery consists not in finding new landscapes, but in seeing the same landscape with new eyes."
This Wednesday! Back by popular demand! J.B. returns to the Orange County Fair for an Uncle Joe Meet & Greet at the KLOS Cool Patrol Booth and the chance to introduce one of the greatest voices in all of Rock & Roll — Paul Rodgers. The Free/Bad Company/Firm/Queen singer will be rocking the Pacific Amphitheatre stage at 8!!
July 26, 2011
Bugs Bunny is 71.
Mick Jagger is 68.
Drummer Roger Taylor of Queen is 62.
Van Halen III singer Gary Cherone is 50.
On this day in 1990, Brent Mydland became the third consecutive keyboardist to die while working with the Grateful Dead. He was 37.
No Olympic Ringo/Beatle Kids
Remember how the Brit tabloids worked themselves into a frenzy yapping about an all-star Beatles reunion/supergroup with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr joined by their sons along with John Lennon's and George Harrison sons for the opening ceremonies of next year's London Summer Olympics? Well, ol' Ringo slammed the door on that ham fisted idea. The Liverpool-born drummer simply said, "I'll be touring America so I won't be doing it." And then someone finally asked Julian Lennon about the rumor, he flat out said, "There will never be a Beatles reunion, because two of the members of the band have since passed... And no one could, or should try to replace them." End of story.
Ray & The 88 Again
The Kinks frontman Ray Davies will be backed by L.A.'s own The 88 when he performs tonight on NBC's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" and tomorrow on "Live With Regis & Kelly." Then The 88 will be featured at our own GRAMMY Museum Thursday evening!
Dr. Dickinson
Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson received an Honorary Doctorate Of Music degree from Queen Mary University in London last week. This time the University was honoring Bruce for his contributions to the music industry; the Bachelor Of Arts Degree in History that he earned there back in 1979 was done the old fashioned way — he actually went to classes! Beyond his skills as a musician and songwriter, Dickinson is also an author, film script writer and TV broadcaster, a champion fencer, a successful entrepreneur and commercial airline pilot who currently flies Iron Maiden around the world in the band's customized Boeing 757 (Ed Force One). Definitely not a slacker!
Record Bucks For John's Signature
The memorabilia company Tracks LTD just paid $40,000 for a John Lennon autograph. Lennon originally signed an insert poster from his "Double Fantasy" album for the RKO Radio Network engineer who taped John's last interview just hours before he was shot dead in 1980.
It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead."
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Don't confuse activity with achievement."
It was Jean Kerr who said: "I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want — an adorable pancreas?"
July 27, 2011
On this day in 1974, Lynyrd Skynyrd released "Sweet Home Alabama," a response to Neil Young's dissing of their home state in his classic "Southern Man."
On this day in 1976, after a four-year court battle, John Lennon received his green card and was granted permanent residency status in the States.
On this day in 1977, Led Zeppelin called off the remainder of their '77 North American Tour after Robert Plant's 6-year-old son Karac died of a respiratory ailment.
On this day in 2001, Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Leon Wilkeson died of heart failure in his Florida home. He was 49.
Robert's (Real) Small Show
Occasional Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant played to one of his smallest audiences ever at the Monmouth, South Wales village hall on July 9th. Surprising everyone involved, Robert joined three local musicians to perform a series of Zeppelin songs and his solo numbers as part of a tribute concert for his old producer and friend Pat Moran, who died in January. No doubt those $4.80 tickets were the best investments the 200 Monmouth villagers ever made!
Now Pete's (Almost) Ready To Tour
After months of dire tales of Pete Townshend's total loss of hearing, now he says The Who are going to stage another "Quadrophenia" tour next year! Yes, it was just last month that Who frontman Roger Daltrey said that Townshend wasn't touring with him this year because of his hearing problems. Now Pete says, "My hearing is actually better than ever... I'm 66, I don't have perfect hearing, and if I listen to loud music or go to gigs I do tend to get tinnitus. DON'T WE ALL????" He continued, "I have computer systems in my studio that have helped me do my engineering work on the forthcoming "Quadrophenia" release. I have had assistance from younger forensic engineers and mastering engineers to help me clean up the high frequencies that are out of my range. The same computer systems work wonderfully well on stage." So there, all you skeptics!
Reissuing Bangladesh
It was on August 1st, 1971 that George Harrison staged his Concert For Bangladesh (actually two shows in one day) at New York's Madison Square Garden. The first ever all-star concerts staged to help victims of floods, famine and civil war — featured George's old bandmate Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Badfinger and Ravi Shankar. The film of the event is making its digital debut today exclusively on iTunes and TheConcertForBangladesh.com. It will also stream free in its entirety Saturday through Monday on iTunes, TheConcertForBangladesh.com and GeorgeHarrison.com.
ZZ News?
Check out the new intro screen on ZZ Top's official web site (http://zztop.com). Yep, it's their Mescalero character holding a bottle of "Pura Vida." Word is that the translation is "Pure Life," or perhaps "Great Life," "Fine Life" or "Well Life." Is it the title of the band's long awaited new album? Or just a clever merchandising ploy? Stay tuned!
Dan Peek R.I.P.
Dan Peek, who formed the group America with Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley in 1969, passed away at the age of 60 in his home on Sunday. The trio's tight harmonies and catchy tunes produced a string of international hits, including "A Horse With No Name," "Sister Golden Hair," "Ventura Highway" and "Lonely People" (Dan's signature song). Peek quit the group in 1977 and began a solo career as a Christian musician. Rest in Peace.
It was Albert Einstein who said: "The only real valuable thing is intuition."
It was Josh Billings who said: "As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand."
It was Lily Tomlin who said: "The road to success is always under construction."
July 28, 2011
Keyboardist Richard Wright of Pink Floyd would have been 68.
Blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield would have been 67.
Drummer Simon Kirke of Bad Company is 62.
Guitar god Steve Morse of Deep Purple is 57.
On this day in 1973, The Grateful Dead, The Band and the Allman Brothers Band played for some 600,000 at the world's largest rock festival at Watkins Glen Raceway in upstate New York. All the mud counteracted the nudity, and in May 1974, the birth rate barely showed an increase. Trust me, this was a good thing.
On this day in 1973, Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" peaked at #4 as "Money" by Pink Floyd topped out at #13 and "Over The Hills And Far Away" by Led Zeppelin reached #51 on the charts. Grand Funk's "We're An American Band" also entered the singles chart, but it took the world a few more weeks to notice.
On this day in 1995, James Al Hendrix, the father of legendary rocker Jimi Hendrix, won back the rights to his son's name, likeness, image and music. In the two decades between Jimi's death and this decision, countless businesses made profits off of Jimi. Now, it's his family that's raking it in.
This weekend, over 90 stations will air OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson featuring the music of The Who as well as more of Joe's conversations with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. Check out the promo... and Stream on!
It was Dorothy Parker who said: "Brevity is the soul of lingerie."
It was Sandy Koufax who said: "Pitching is the art of instilling fear."
It was the famed mime Marcel Marceau who said: "It's good to shut up sometimes."
This Thursday, 4p - 6p: The 30th Annual KLOS Blood Drive is your chance to hang with Uncle Joe as you donate a pint of your blood at the Glendale Civic Center! Participate in the worlds biggest Blood Drive (July 26th - 30th) and you'll get a special bitchin' KLOS T-shirt and a ticket to see George Thorogood, Judas Priest, Cheap Trick or Yes/Styx (while supplies last) for every pint you donate! But really, what could be more fun than helping save someone's life while you're joking with Joe? Feast your eyes on a few fun fotos from last year's festivities!
July 29, 2011
Keyboardist Neil Doughty of REO Speedwagon is 65.
Bassist/singer Geddy Lee of Rush and
Singer Patti Scialfa (Mrs. Springsteen) are both 58.
On this day in 1966, Bob Dylan crashed his motorcycle in Woodstock, NY. The legendary accident (which many still don't think really happened) allowed Dylan to disappear from public life at the height of his popularity. He reportedly suffered a concussion, a broken neck vertebrae, and suffered from paralysis and mild amnesia for the next month. For the record, he was riding a Triumph 55 motorcycle, which in 1966 was one hot machine.
On this day in 1965, The Beatles' second film, "Help," premiered in London. The event created chaos by attracting thousands of excited fans to the location, and even Princess Margaret was in attendance. No, she didn't stand in line.
On this day in 1966, Cream kicked off their first tour with a concert in Manchester, England.
Momentary Perry
Steve Perry, the ever reclusive former Journey vocalist will make a rare guest appearance on the upcoming solo album by ex-Antigone Rising singer Cassidy. Follow the Freedom, which is due out this fall, not only features Perry on its title track, but he was involved in mixing the album, as well. Steve's last released work was a backing vocal on Street Sweeper Social Club's self-titled album in 2009. His last solo album, "For the Love of Strange Medicine," was released in 1994. Will he ever release his own songs that he's been recording over the last few years? Stay tuned!
Sting Inna Box
Have you finished listening to Sting's last box set yet? If so, know he's got another one coming on September 27th. They're claiming that "Sting: 25 Years" is the definitive collection, with three discs containing 45 re-mastered solo tracks plus a DVD with unreleased live footage. But wait — there's more! Sting himself picked all of the songs for the set and wrote the introduction for the enclosed book!
Metallica Party
Metallica will celebrate their 30th Anniversary with a week-long run of shows at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco. Four shows for Met Club members only will rock on December 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th. There's be special guests and events, rare songs, varied set lists, odds and ends, and all the nutty stuff you expect from Metallica. Special four pack tickets (one ticket for each of the four shows) will sell for the clever price of $19.81 (get it??), and single show tickets will be just $6.00 each. A blast from the past and a party for the ages!
New Top
It's official! ZZ Top's (as yet untitled) new album is finished, being mixed and will be released this Fall. Guitarist/singer Billy Gibbons says, "It sounds and feels like 'Tres Hombres,' with a few elements of the 'Eliminator' period thrown in. A pretty wide range, from basic blues to slightly more fancy stuff." The legendary Rick Rubin executive produced the session at the famous Shangri La Studios in Malibu with engineer Dave Sardy. The Texas trio then moved back to Foam Box Recordings in Houston with long-time engineer Joe Hardy. Says Billy, "It was the Sardy and Hardy party"... which sounds like a title to me.
Was Nirvana Wiener Banned?
Hard to say if it was a real case of censorship idiocy or (more likely) a PR stunt, but 20 years after Nirvana's classic "Nevermind" album caused a ruckus because of its cover art which featured a naked baby boy floating in a pool, Facebook supposedly banned it. The iconic photo of a swimming baby chasing a dollar bill underwater was removed from the group's official fan page, allegedly for being too graphic. It has since been restored, and Facebook executives say they didn't do it (naked babies are not included under the terms of use nudity clause). The baby himself, Spencer Elden, has no problem with the photo. Say he, "Quite a few people in the world have seen my penis. So that's kinda cool." The commemorative Super Deluxe Edition of "Nevermind" that will be released on September 27th will include alternate mixes, live recordings and a live DVD of the band's 1991 Halloween show at the Paramount Theater in Seattle... unless Facebook bans it.
It was Ingrid Bergman who said: "Happiness is good health and a bad memory."
It was Doug Larson who said: "If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur."
It was Robert Anthony who said: "The one who loves the least, controls the relationship."
Next Wednesday: Ah, the Orange County Fair! A beautiful Summer evening, an Uncle Joe Meet & Greet at the KLOS Cool Patrol Booth and J.B. introducing old friends Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on the Pacific Amphitheatre stage. Good times!
July 30, 2011
Blues legend Buddy Guy is 75.
Jethro Tull bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond is 55.
Eclectic songbird Kate Bush is 53.
On this day in 1966, "Wild Thing" by The Troggs hit #1 as Bob Dylan's "I Want You" peaked at #20 on the charts.
On this day in 1983, Talking Heads' "Burning Down The House" entered the singles chart.
On this day in 2003, Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records and the man credited with discovering Elvis Presley, died of respiratory failure in Memphis. He was 80.
On this day in 2003, the largest paid-admission concert in history came off without a hitch when over 450,000 fans gathered for the Molson Canadian Rocks For Toronto (SARS-stock) concert headlined by The Rolling Stones. The 11-hour show featured 15 acts, including AC/DC, The Guess Who and Rush.
July 31, 2011
Singer/guitarist Bob Welch of Fleetwood Mac fame is 65.
Drummer Bill Berry of R.E.M. is 53.
On this day in 1965, The Yardbirds released the song "Heart Full of Soul," which featured Jeff Beck's groundbreaking guitar work.
On this day in 1971, James Taylor hit #1 with "You've Got A Friend" as Lee Michaels released "Do You Know What I Mean."
On this day in 1976, Blue Oyster Cult released "Don't Fear The Reaper" as Gary Wright's "Love Is Alive" hit #2 and "You're My Best Friend" by Queen peaked at #16 on the charts.
On this day in 1985, John Mellencamp released his classic "Scarecrow" album.
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