Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Train Set to Release California 37 on April 17, 2012

Follow Up to 2009's Multiplatinum Save Me, San Francisco

First Single "Drive By" building at radio and retail

Third Varietal To Come From Save Me, San Francisco Wine Company

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy Award Winning band Train is set to release California 37 on April 17, 2012. The new record is the follow-up to the band's multi-platinum 2009 release Save Me, San Francisco which featured the biggest song of 2010, "Hey Soul Sister." Train recorded the new album in San Francisco and Los Angeles with Butch Walker and Espionage producing the record.

The first single from California 37, "Drive By," has been rocketing up the sales and radio charts, with over 67,000 singles sold in only the first three weeks. The song has been most added at multiple formats for several weeks in a row and is already charting at Top 40, Hot AC and AAA radio. Internationally "Drive By" has been embraced in the UK, Canada, Japan, France, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland and other countries.

Train will also unveil the third varietal from their Save Me, San Francisco Wine Company, a Cabernet Sauvignon called 'California 37' this spring. This will follow the previous varietals, 'Drops of Jupiter Petite Syrah' and 'Calling All Angels Chardonnay.' A portion of the proceeds goes to the San Francisco charity Family House, which provides temporary housing to families of seriously ill children. For more information please visit familyhouseinc.org.

The multiplatinum band TRAIN made its mark on music history with their GRAMMY-Award-winning song "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" and chart-topping singles "Meet Virginia" and "Calling All Angels." Train earned their third GRAMMY in 2011 for the worldwide smash "Hey Soul Sister" from SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO. "Hey Soul Sister" was the biggest selling single of 2010 and hit #1 at radio in the US and in 15 countries abroad. SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO has sold over one million albums worldwide and over eight million tracks. In addition to taking the sales and radio worlds by storm, Train has been all over television. They have performed on the NFC Championship Game, American Music Awards, the Grammy Nomination Concert, Crossroads, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Monday Night Football, A&E Private Sessions, America's Got Talent, The View, Dancing With The Stars, and Live With Regis and Kelly, Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Bachelor, Rachael Ray and more.

www.trainline.com

SOURCE Columbia Records

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David Lynch to Release Vinyl Box Set for Record Store Day

Last year, David Lynch unveiled the compilation 'Music That Changes the World' as a digital download, with all the proceeds going to the David Lynch Foundation charity. It was recently announced that the digital collection will be released as a limited-edition vinyl box set for Record Store Day on April 21 on Altavoz Distribution.

The star-studded four-LP set includes contributors Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, Arrested Development, Moby, Peter Gabriel, Maroon 5, Donovan, and Ben Folds. Much of the music is rare or exclusive to the collection.

Donovan said in a press release, "As head of the Musical Wing of the David Lynch Foundation, I wish to thank all the amazing artists who have contributed. From the beginning, when the Beatles and I were writing songs to promote Maharishi's meditation, it was always my dream to bring all the musical fraternity onto one great label to promote true peace. This day has arrived and now the world can know as we knew then, that change begins within."

In addition to the vinyl set, buyers will also get a digital version of the documentary Meditation, Creativity, Peace. This centres on Lynch's lecture tour during 2007 and 2008.  Only 2,500 copies of the box set will be made. It comes with a 42-page colour book with an introduction from Lynch himself.

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Godfathers of Grunge Announce New Collection of Original Songs Titled Malfunkshun: Millennium

SEATTLE, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Malfunkshun, a Seattle band often cited as one of the "founding fathers" of the grunge music scene that exploded in the 90's, has released their newest single "Rains of May" off their original collection of songs titled, "Malfunkshun: Millennium."

Malfunkshun, collaborating with a variety of past, present and guest vocalists, will be releasing a compilation of songs which is their first collection since the album "RETURN TO OLYMPUS," released in 1995. Malfunkshun, rich in history, is led by original founder and legendary guitarist Kevin Wood who formed the band in 1980 with his late brother Andrew Wood. Quite notably Andrew Wood also fronted the band Mother Love Bone (other members of MLB went on to form the band Pearl Jam). The collection includes unfinished work from the Wood brothers, including unpublished lyrics of Andrew Wood and music of Kevin Wood.

In its latest incarnation Malfunkshun also includes Jeff Loftis on vocals, Louis McIntosh on bass and Mike Stone on drums. "Rains of May" is Malfunkshun's first new release with Loftis on vocals, although the band has been creating, recording and performing for the past decade. "Rains of May" is the first of several singles slated for release off "Malfunkshun: Millennium," and discussions of a collector's piece on vinyl are in the works. "I am really excited to release 'Malfunkshun: Millennium,' it's some of our best work," says Wood, who co-wrote "Rains of May" with Loftis. "'Rains of May' is a heavy groove; a wall of guitars' track with a sense of rock and roll angst. It's reminiscent of Seattle in the 90's, with a 21st century take on where the band is today," according to Loftis.

Wood says, "The new single is primal, tribal, epic and right in your face. It's a rock song 'I' want to hear." Wood shreds on guitar and won't let fans down. "We think 'Malfunkshun: Millennium' will appeal to the existing fan base while drawing in a new audience," says manager, Jaye English, of Spoondog Entertainment Group.

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KILLING JOKE: New Album Details Revealed

The original lineup of KILLING JOKE will release its new album, "2012", on April 2 via Spinefarm Records. The effort will be released in CD hardcopy and digital formats. It will also be made available on double colored gatefold vinyl.

The album's key is the end of times, an age of flux, a shift in consciousness…

"I can't see the point contemplating extreme life extinction — it's good for nothing. It's nihilism in the absolute even considering it," states KILLING JOKE mainman Jaz Coleman.

Read the rest at Blabbermouth

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Our Lady Peace Reveal Album Artwork For New Effort

The Toronto-based rockers will release their new album, 'Curve,' on April 3. The band had this to say:

“This is the record we’ve been trying to make for the past 10 years. There’s something to be said about being beaten up and being able to dust yourself off and get back in the ring,” says vocalist/lyricist and founding member Raine Maida.

“Jason and I had a very frank discussion about the early recordings of Curve before he came in. He asked why we weren’t making a record that we’d like to listen to ourselves. That was our impetus for abandoning what we started, bringing in Jason and truly challenging ourselves to come up with something more authentic and inspired. He helped us operate without the filter predicated by walking the major label tightrope.”



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this from our friends at www.vinylcollective.com

Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends Repress

Victory Records have repressed Taking Back Sunday’s “Tell All Your Friends” on limited vinyl. You can pick up a copy now at Shop Radio Cast on red wax, limited to only 349 copies. As well SRC has a coupon code “TBS” that gets you Taking Back Sunday’s “Where You Want It To Be” on green or blue wax for only $9.99. Here are the records currently available from Taking Back Sunday:

Taking Back Sunday – Where You Want It To Be LP

Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends LP

Taking Back Sunday – Louder Now

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Madonna Tour Dates

Madonna got a huge boost from her Super Bowl performance. So while the Super Bowl performance is still fresh in viewers’ minds, Madonna has announced her tour dates in North America:

28-Aug Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
30-Aug Montreal, QC Bell Centre
1-Sep Quebec City, QC Plains of Abraham Site
4-Sep Boston, MA TD Garden
6-Sep New York, NY Yankee Stadium
10-Sep Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
12-Sep Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
15-Sep Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall
19-Sep Chicago, IL United Center
23-Sep Washington, D.C. Verizon Center
29-Sep Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
2-Oct Seattle, WA Key Arena
6-Oct San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
10-Oct Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
13-Oct Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand
16-Oct Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
20-Oct Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
24-Oct Houston, TX Toyota Center
27-Oct New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
30-Oct Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
1-Nov St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
3-Nov St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
10-Nov Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
15-Nov Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
17-Nov Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
TBC Miami, FL To Be Confirmed

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and in music history for today february 7th:

In 1957, Iraq bans the films Rock Around The Clock and Bus Stop, saying they are "dangerous to teenagers and youths."

In 1959, more than a thousand people attended Buddy Holly's funeral at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. His widow, Maria Elena Holly, did not attend. Buddy's pallbearers were Joe Mauldin, Jerry Allison, Niki Sullivan, Bob Montgomery, Sonny Curtis and Phil Everly. On the same day, Ritchie Valens was laid to rest in San Fernando Mission Cemetery in California.

In 1963, the Vee-Jay label released the first Beatles single in the U.S., "Please Please Me" b/w "Ask Me Why." The first pressings became valuable collectors' items because their name on the label was misspelled "Beattles." A disc jockey at WLS in Chicago at the time and a friend of Vee-Jay executive Ewart Abner, played the song on the radio perhaps as early as February 8, 1963, thereby becoming the first disc jockey in the United States to play a Beatles record on the radio. "Please Please Me" peaked at #35 after four weeks on the WLS music survey, but did not show up on any of the major national American record charts. The label re-issued the single in January 1964 to a much better result: it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, trailing only the group's "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You."

In 1964, just after 1:00 p.m. EST, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 landed at New York City's JFK Airport. An estimated 5,000 screaming fans were waiting to greet the Beatles as they arrived for their first U.S. tour and an appearance on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show." The Beatles were taken to the Plaza Hotel after a press conference at the airport. A sample of the Q&A: "What do you think of the campaign in Detroit to stamp out the Beatles?" Paul: "We've got a campaign of our own to stamp out Detroit."

In 1966, Crawdaddy!, the first magazine dedicated specifically to rock 'n' roll music, was published by Paul Williams in New York City.

In 1969, George Harrison's tonsils were removed at London's University College Hospital and then destroyed so they could not be sold. Harrison remained in the hospital until February 15.

In 1969, in Los Angeles, Jim Morrison of the Doors was arrested for drunk driving and driving without a license.

Also in 1969, at Morgan Studios in London, the Who recorded "Pinball Wizard." The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached No. 4 in the UK charts and No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of a pinball champion, called "Local Lad" in the Tommy libretto book, astounded by the skills of the opera's eponymous main character, Tommy Walker: "That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball", and "I thought I was the Bally table king, but I just handed my pinball crown to him".

Townshend once called it "the most clumsy piece of writing [he'd] ever done" nevertheless, the song was a commercial success and one of the most recognised tunes from the opera. It was a perpetual concert favourite for Who fans due to its pop sound and familiarity

Also in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were pictured on the cover of Rolling Stone and John was named the magazine's Man Of The Year.

In 1970, Led Zeppelin scored their first UK #1 album with Led Zeppelin II. Featuring the U.S. hit single “Whole Lotta Love,” it went on to stay on the chart for 138 weeks, selling over 6 million copies in the US.

Also in 1970, one hit wonders Shocking Blue went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Venus,” making them the first Dutch act to top the US charts. It hit #8 in the U.K. Bananarama took the song to #8 on the UK chart in 1986.

In 1974, soul artist Barry White was awarded four Gold records for the singles "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" (#7), "Love's Theme" (#1 by the Love Unlimited Orchestra, conducted by White), and the albums "Under the Influence of Love Unlimited" (#3) and "Sonte Gon'" (#20).

In 1976, Bob Dylan started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Desire,' his second US #1.

In 1976, Paul Simon had his only solo number 1 hit in the US when "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" made it to the top for the first of 3 weeks.

In 1979, at the Record Plant Studio in Los Angeles, Stephen Stills recorded the first major-label album using all-digital equipment, however it was never released.

In 1979, the Clash kick off their first American tour at the Berkeley Community Theatre outside San Francisco.

In 1980, Pink Floyd began The Wall Tour in the US when they gave their first live performance of the new double album in Los Angeles. A 30 foot high wall made of Styrofoam blocks was constructed across the 160 foot stage in the first half of the show, and then following the intermission, it was thoroughly destroyed. One of its more notable elements was the band's performance of "Comfortably Numb". While Waters sang his opening verse in front of the wall, Gilmour waited in darkness at the top of the wall, for his cue. When it came, bright blue and white lights would suddenly illuminate him, astonishing the audience. Gilmour stood on a flight case on castors, held steady by a technician, both precariously balanced atop a tall hydraulic platform. At the end of the concert, the wall was made to collapse, once again revealing the band. Along with the songs in the album, the tour featured an instrumental medley, "The Last Few Bricks", which was played before "Goodbye Cruel World" to allow the construction crew to complete the scenographic wall.

Also in 1981, a Jersey City sextet called Kool And The Gang, which featured Robert "Kool" Bell on lead vocals, had the top tune in America with "Celebration".

In 1985, Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" became New York City's official anthem.

In 1986, the Rolling Stones shot the video for "Harlem Shuffle" in New York City.

In 1987, Crosby, Stills & Nash failed to show up for a Greenpeace benefit in Vancouver, British Columbia after the RCMP refused to allow David Crosby admission to Canada because of his criminal record.

In 1990, composer Jimmy Van Heusen died from complications following a stroke at 77.

In 1994, Shannon Hoon of the Blind Melon's was ejected from the American Music Awards for loud and disruptive behavior. He was eventually charged with battery, assault, resisting arrest and destroying a police station phone.

In 1999, jazz pianist/arranger/composer /producer/singer/TV game show panelist /actor Bobby Troup died after a heart attack at age 80.

In 2000, singer "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, of Savoy Brown and Foghat, died from double pneumonia while battling cancer at the age of 56.



In 2008, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas announced that Cher had been signed to perform approximately 200 shows over the next three years. The 61-year-old singer agreed to perform 90-minute concerts, four nights a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the shows ranged between $95 and $250.

In 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, Chris Daughtry, Steve Winwood and Queen Latifah performed during the pre-game tailgate party, Carrie Underwood sang the U.S. national anthem, Queen Latifah sang "America the Beautiful," and the Who performed the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIV. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17.

In 2011, Janet Jackson told NBC's Today show that although she has been holding back her grief for more than a year, she has finally started to accept her brother Michael's death. "There's still not a day that goes by where I don't think about him. Not one day, not one day."

birthdays today include (among others): Sammy Johns (66), Garth Brooks (50), David Bryan (Bon Jovi) (50), Sully Erna (Godsmack) (44), Danny Goffey (Supergrass) (38), Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) (37) and Alan Lancaster (Status Quo) (63)

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - February 7, 2012

A Place To Bury Strangers - Onwards to the Wall (EP)
Air - Le Voyage Dans La Lune
Alison Balsom - Seraph
Amanda Palmer - Polly
Asleep - Unpleasant Companion
Bahamas - Barchords
Battles - Dross Clop 1 (vinyl)
Ben Kweller - Go Fly A Kite
Beth Jeans Houghton - Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose
Big Sir - Before Gardens After Gardens
Big Time Rush - Elevate
Blasters - American Music / Trouble Bound (2 CDs)
Blondes - Blondes
Bob Dylan - Another Side of Bob Dylan (reissue) (vinyl)
Bob Dylan - Basement Tapes (reissue) (vinyl)
Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (reissue) (vinyl)
Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home (reissue) (vinyl)
Bob Dylan - Freewheelin Bob Dylan (reissue) (vinyl)
Byrds - Preflyte (2 CDs)
Caliban - I Am Nemesis
Capybara - Dave Drusky
Chairlift - Something (vinyl)
Chimp Spanner - All Roads Lead Here
Chuck Berry - In the 1950's
Chuck Prophet - Temple Beautiful
Cloud Nothings - Attack On Memory
Cocteau Twins - Stars And Topsoil-A Collection 1982-1990 (reissue) (vinyl)
Compa - Boka Artillery Vol.2 (EP)
Conrad Glimpse - Float (EP)
Davila 666 - Pa Que VivesDeer Tick: Tim (EP)
Dear Superstar - Damned Religion
Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (reissue) (vinyl)
Dick Dale - Tribal Thunder / Unknown Territory (2 CDs)
Die Antwoord - TEN$ION
Dierks Bentley - Home
Douglas Dillard - Banjo Album
Dr. Dog - Be The Void
EMA - Past Life Martyred Saints
Eddie Holland - It Moves Me: The Complete Recordings 1958-1964 (2 CDs)
Etta James - Time After Time / Mystery Lady
Francis Harris - Leland
Fredrik - Ornament (EP)
Fucked Up - Year of the Tiger (12") (vinyl)
Garland Green - I Should've Been the One
Glen Campbell - Meet Glen Campbell (reissue with bonus tracks)
Goldfrapp - The Singles
Goth-Trad - New Epoch (vinyl)
Grateful Dead - Wake of the Flood (remastered) (vinyl)
Hadwynn - Monuments
Harper's Bizarre - Anything Goes
Harry Chapin - Dance Band on the Titanic / Living Room Suite (2 CDs)
Hawkwind - It Is the Business of the Future to Be Dangerous (2 CDs)
Hazylujah - Too Many Ghosts (EP)
James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning
Jefferson Starship - Best of Mick's Picks (2 CDs)
Jo Jo Gunne - Jo Jo Gunne / Bite Down Hard / Jumpin the Gun & So (2 CDs)
Johnny Otis - Show On With the Show - The Johnny Otis Story Volume 2: 1957-1974
Kiros - Lay Your Weapons Down
Lapalux - When You’re Gone (EP)
Lindstrom - Six Cups of Rebel
Lucky Paul - Elephant Island (EP)
Manhattan Transfer - Live / Extensions
Manic Street Preachers - Lipstick Traces (A Secret History of Manic Street Preachers) (reissue)
Mark Lanegan - Blues Funeral
Maverick Sabre - Lonely Are The Grave
Mount Eerie - Distorted Cymbals / Anglepoise Cymbals (vinyl)
Mux Mool - Planet High School
Objekt - Cactus / Porcupine (EP)
Of Montreal - Paralytic Stalks
Olivia Newton-John - A Few Best Men: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Remixes
Patrice O'Neal - Mr. P
Paul McCartney - Kisses on the Bottom
Pet Shop Boys - Format
Philip Glass - Essential Philip Glass
Plimsouls - Beach Town Confidential: Live At The Golden Bear 1983
Pretty Good Dance Moves - LIMO
Prinzhorn Dance School - Clay Class
Psycroptic - The Inherited Repression
Queen - A Kind of Magic (remastered with bonus CD)
Queen - Innuendo (remastered with bonus CD)
Queen - Made in Heaven (remastered with bonus CD)
Queen - The Miracle (remastered with bonus CD)
Queen - The Works (remastered with bonus CD)
R.E.M. - Document (reissue) (vinyl)
Raffertie - Mass Appeal (EP)
Red Hot Rebellion - Red Hot Rebellion
Residents - Coochie Blues (vinyl)
Richard Marx - Stories to Tell (2 CDs)
Roberta Flack - Let It Be: Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles
Rococode - Guns, Sex, and Glory
Royal Baths - Better Luck Next Life
Savage Messiah - Plague Of Conscience
Scuba - The Hope / Flash Addict (EP)
Senses Fail - The Fire
Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Silver Swans - Forever
Silverstein - Short Songs
Skip Battin - Topanga Skyline
Sterim - Omnilab / Solnaksis (EP)
Sunshone Still - ThewaytheworldDies
Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird
Swell Maps - A Trip to Marineville
Synkro - Progression / Progression (Indigo Remix) (EP)
The Darlings - The New Escape
The Duke Spirit - Bruiser
The Fray - Scars & Stories
The Lemonheads - Hotel Sessions
The Light (with Peter Hook) - 1102/2011 (EP)
The Plimsouls - Beach Town Confidential: Live At The Golden Bear 1983
The Twilight Sad - No One Can Never Know
The Unthanks - The Songs of Robert Wyatt and Antony & the Johnsons: Live at the Union Chapel (Diversions Vol. 1)
The Valery Trails - Ghosts & Gravity
Thelonius Monk - The Unique Thelonious Monk
Therapy? - A Brief Crack Of Light
Todd Rundgren - A Cappella / Nearly Human / Second Wind (2 CDs)
Tommy James & the Shondells - Live! at the Bitter End New York
Tony Bennett - Isn’t It Romantic?
Trailer Trash Tracys - Ester
Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
Various Artists - Deep Roots of the Ramones
Various Artists - Dirtybird Hatched (Part 2) (EP)
Various Artists - NOW 41
Various Artists - Secret Sessions
Various Artists - Sixties Transition
Various Artists - Smash Boom Bang! The Songs and Productions of Feldman - Goldstein - Gottehrer
Various Artists - Waylon: Music Inside: Collaboratios 2
Various Artists - Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions Of Depeche Mode
Various Artists - Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Honouring 50
Various Artsts - The London American Label - Year By Year: 1957
Vern Gosdin - Till the End / Never My Love / You've Got Somebody 2 CDs
Whistla - Knosis / Coconut Udder (EP)
Willie Nelson - On the Road Again: Live on Air
Wire - The Black Session: Paris 10 May 2011
Wooden Wand - Briarwood (vinyl)
Wymond Miles [of The Fresh & Onlys] - Earth Has Doors (EP)
Young Guns - Bones
Zee Avi - Concrete Wall
Zoltan - Pluton (EP)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

super article in the wall street journal online about a super band an iconic album cover

For R.E.M. Fans, Tunes May Linger But Trestle Faces Day of Reckoning

Rotting Railway, From Iconic Back Cover, Divides Music Purists and a Town.

By CAMERON MCWHIRTER

ATHENS, Ga.—In a verdant park tucked away in this southern college town sits a partially demolished railroad trestle. Strands of dead kudzu hang from its log supports. Parts of the wood crumble to the touch.

Abandoned as a working rail bridge in 1984, the rotting monster would have faced its reckoning long ago were it not for a random photograph that transformed it into a shrine for devoted fans of legendary rock band R.E.M.

A photo of the trestle graced the back cover of the band's first full-length album, "Murmur," released in 1983. That album was dubbed best record of the year by Rolling Stone, beating out Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

Now, the birthplace of R.E.M., the B-52s and other alternative rock bands is wrestling with what to do with the trestle. The cash-strapped local government says it can't afford to keep it and calls the wooden edifice unsafe. "It either falls down or we take it down," says Andy Herod, a county commissioner.

Read the rest at online.wsj.com

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If These Trees Could Talk Vinyl Release

Post-rock quintet If These Trees Could Talk highly anticipated album called "Red Forest," is scheduled for release on March 20th via Science of Silence Records.

Pressing Information:
Bone w/ Oxblood Inside (100) [Band Exclusive]
Highlighter Yellow w/ Neon Green & Orange Splatter (200)
Ultra Clear w/ Blood Red Swirl (200)

SIDE A
Breath of Life
The First Fire
Barren Lands of the Modern Dinosaur
They Speak With Knives
The Gift of Two Rivers

SIDE B
Red Forest
Aleutian Clouds
Left to Rust and Rot
When the Big Hand Buries the Twelve

Pre-order HERE

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this from cbs news

New documentary highlights classic Doors album

By David Chiu

For the Doors, 1969 was a year marked by singer Jim Morrison's arrest on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior and indecent exposure following the group's chaotic Miami concert. Because of the incident, the rest of the group's tour was canceled. So the Doors--Morrison, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore--were in the studio to work on their next album, "L.A. Woman." But the legal hassles that included a trial were on Morrison's mind.

"The fact that he was still under the gun being appealed, they convicted him of lewd and lascivious [behavior]...so he was looking at jail time in Florida," Krieger tells CBS News. "It was hanging over his head. He probably would have beaten it...but that definitely affected him. But in making the record, it was a release for him because he was having fun and not thinking about it."

Released in 1971, "L.A. Woman" became one of the band's successful albums, yielding classic songs in the title track, "Love Her Madly" and "Riders on the Storm."

Read the rest at cbsnews.com

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Slash Sophmore Effort Set For May Release

Apparently Slash is putting the finishing touches on his second solo album. The as-yet-untitled disc is scheduled for May 22 release date his label Dik Hayd International. The album will be produced by Eric Valentine and also feature Slash's recent touring band which includes Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass).

Slash commented on the upcoming album: "Myles and I basically collaborated on the new material. The main thing is we wrote these songs together which is a big difference from the last album where I wrote each song with all of the different collaborators. The whole creative nucleus is between Myles and me. On top of this, the whole rhythm section of Brent and Todd brings something to the table and changes the dynamic completely from the last record--it's much more cohesive."

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Halloween New LP Coming Soon

Metal vets Halloween are set to release the band's new LP 'Terrortory,' their first album in six years. The effort is being released on February 24 via Pure Steel Records.

Tracklist:
1. Traipsing Through The Blood
2. At The Gates
3. Terrortory
4. Images Quite Horrible
5. Her Ghost Comes Out To Play
6. Caught In The Webs
7. Scare You
8. Not One
9. Darkside, Inside
10. Re-Inventing Fear
11. I Lie Awake
12. Hands Around My Throat
13. Say Your Prayers
14. Where Is Michael?
15. Dead On...
16. Into The Afterlife

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and in music history for february 6th:

In 1943, Frank Sinatra began a two-year stay as the featured vocalist on CBS Radio's "Your Hit Parade," four months after leaving the Tommy Dorsey band.

Born on this day in 1945, Bob Marley, singer / songwriter and guitarist who had the 1981 UK #8 single with ‘No Woman No Cry’, plus over ten other UK Top 40 singles and the 1976 US #8 & UK #15 album ‘Rastaman Vibration’. Marley died of cancer on May 11th 1981. The 1984 ‘Best Of’ album spent 330 weeks on the UK chart. In 1990, February 6th was proclaimed a national holiday in Jamaica to commemorate his birth. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

In 1958, in Liverpool, Paul McCartney introduced his friend George Harrison to John Lennon following a Quarry Men performance at Wilson Hall. At that time the group consisted of John, Paul, Colin Hanton, Eric Griffiths and John Lowe.

In 1959, the body of J.P. Richardson, the "Big Bopper," was laid to rest in Beaumont, Texas.

In 1960, singer/songwriter Jesse Belvin died in an automobile accident at the age of 27. His wife, who was with him in the accident, died of her injuries a week later. They had been trying to make a quick
getaway from the first concert with a mixed race audience in Little Rock, Arkansas, after threats had been made against Belvin's life.

In 1965, the Righteous Brothers led the US hit parade with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin". According to the RIAA, the song has now been played on US radio stations over 8 million times, more than any other record in history.

In 1970, in New York City, Eric Clapton played the first of two nights at the Fillmore East.

In 1971, in a rare feat, a Country song crossed over to the Pop charts and became the best selling single in America when Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden" climbed to the top of the Cash Box hit parade.

In 1976, jazz pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi suffered a fatal heart attack at age 47.

In 1981, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr – although they were never all in the studio at the same time – began recording the John Lennon tribute song, "All Those Years Ago."

In 1981, conductor/composer Hugo Montenegro died of emphysema at the age of 55.

In 1987, Sonny Bono declared his candidacy for Palm Springs, California mayor.

In 1988, Dusty Springfield returns to the US Top 10 for the first time in nineteen years with a duet with Pet Shop Boys called "What've I Done To Deserve This". Her last big hit in America was "Son Of A Preacher Man" in December, 1968.

In 1990, more than 200 women filed court actions against Chuck Berry, alleging he secretly filmed them in the washrooms of the restaurant he owned. Berry claimed that he had the camera installed to catch an employee who was suspected of stealing. Although the charges were never proven in court, Berry agreed to a settlement with 59 of the women that cost him more than $1.2 million, plus legal fees.

In 1998, Carl Wilson, lead guitarist and vocalist for The Beach Boys, died of cancer at the age of 51. Although Brian Wilson and Mike Love were featured on many of the band's biggest hits, it was Carl's voice that took the lead on "God Only Knows", "I Can Hear Music" and ""Good Vibrations".

Also in 1998, singer Falco died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident at age 40.

In 2001, guitarist/songwriter Don Felder was fired by the Eagles and responded by launching a $50 million law suit against the band's Don Henley and Glenn Frey, alleging wrongful termination and breach of implied contract. Henley and Frey then countersued Felder for breach of contract, claiming that Felder had written and attempted to sell the rights to a "tell-all" book about the group. The suits were combined and settled out of court in Felder's favor in 2007 for an undisclosed amount. In April 2008 Felder finally issued his book, "Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)" in the U.S., six months after it appeared in the UK.

In 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, the Black Eyed Peas, Earth Wind & Fire, Charlie Daniels, John Fogerty, and Gretchen Wilson performed in the pre-game show, Alicia Keys sang "America the Beautiful" in tribute to Ray Charles, and the combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy sang the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XXXIX. Paul McCartney performed during the halftime show in front of a TV audience estimated at one billion people. The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21.

In 2005,songwriter/country music singer Merle Kilgore died of congestive heart failure while receiving treatment for lung cancer at the age of 70.

In 2007, singer/songwriter/actor/TV host Frankie Laine died of heart failure and complications during hip-replacement surgery at the age of 93. The big voiced singer sold over 100 million records and placed seven songs on Billboard's Top 40 between 1955 and 1969, including "Moonlight Gambler" and "Love Is A Golden Ring".

In 2010, Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in an attempt by L.A. prosecutors to prove he caused the pop star's death. With several members of the Jackson family in attendance, Dr. Murray entered a plea of not guilty and was released on $75,000 bail. His trial began on September 27, 2011, and on November 7 Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Three weeks later, he was sentenced to the maximum penalty of four years of incarceration, but is expected to serve a little less than two years in the Los Angeles County Jail due to California prison overcrowding.

In 2010, Barbra Streisand turned down a $100 million offer to appear at a Las Vegas hotel for a three-year run. The 67-year-old singer opted for a summer tour of the United States instead.

In 2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Keith Urban and Maroon 5 performed during the pregame show, Christina Aguilera sang the U.S. national anthem (with the wrong lyrics for the fourth line of the song), and the Black Eyed Peas, Slash and Usher entertained at halftime of Superbowl XLV. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25.

Also in 2011, guitarist/singer Gary Moore, formerly of Thin Lizzy, died after a heart attack at age 58.

birthdays today include (among others): Natalie Cole (1960), Rick Astley (1966) and Axl Rose (1962)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

very interesting and well writen article about the sounds of music:

Music lovers pursue return to high fidelity

Today's listeners of MP3s and Internet radio are missing many of the nuances of original recordings. But some music lovers are determined to bring them back.

Written by Anita Wadhwani / The Tennessean

Recording engineer Pat McMakin approaches his work with an almost obsessive pursuit of the perfect sound.

Even a millimeter misdirection of a microphone or a minor adjustment in bass can mean the difference between a good recording and an inferior one to his ears.

By the time a recording makes its way to fans via iTunes or over Internet radio, it possesses a fraction of the total sound information captured in the studio — as little as 3 percent of the original, live sound waves. Even CD formats are stripped of up to 90 percent of the live recording to fit onto a 4¾-inch disc.

Often gone are the last lingering notes of a bass guitar, the echo of a drumbeat, the very high and very low notes.

But now, in Nashville, a handful of Music Row businesses are beginning to invest in new products and technologies to increase the fidelity of music at every stage of the recording and listening process, from new in-studio recording technologies to new music formats to home stereo equipment.

Whether consumers who have grown accustomed to listening to tunes over $10 ear buds will be willing to pay for better sounds, however, remains a big question mark.

“I already invest a lot in my music, in my laptop and my iPhone and my Wi-Fi at home,” said Corey First, 28, a marketing assistant from Franklin. “I don’t have the bucks to spend more. I have no complaints about my music.”

Still, the steep drop in sound quality as digital music has taken hold remains a source of aggravation for artists and music professionals — and audiophiles among consumers — who argue that music is losing many of the subtle qualities that gave it emotion, spaciousness and depth in order to make songs Internet ready.

“The irony is that we’ve been making better- and better-sounding records in the studio, but the technology has been dumbing them down for years,” said McMakin, director of operations at Ocean Way Studios on Music Row.

Read the rest at tennessean.com

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Lethal Saint Announces 7" Vinyl Release

Cyprus metallers vets Lethal Saint have released an update about a new 7" vinyl release:

"The great news has finally arrived!

"Lethal saint has joined forces with 'Emanesmetal Records' (France), to release the first mind-blowing 7’ inch vinyl record in collaboration with 'Dying Victim’s Productions' (Germany) and 'Under Siege Records' (France)! This release will be composed of two songs already present in the 'Saint Strikes Back' single’s tracklist.

"We’re proud to announce the release of the first Lethal Saint 7’ inch vinyl record on the 2nd of March 2012 at the UP THE HAMMER’S FESTIVAL in Athens!"

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16 Reveals Album Cover Art

Los Angeles, California-based sludge rockers 16 have revealed the cover art for their new album called 'Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds,' which is due on April 24th. The artwork was created by Orion Landau. The album was recorded with the band's friend and longtime engineer Jeff Forrest at Double Time Studios in San Diego and then mastered by Pig Destroyer's Scott Hull at Visceral Sound Studios.

Pre-order packages are available directly through Relapse Records.















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Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane (1957) – Jazzland/Fantasy
Thelonious Monk – Something Blue (1971) – Black Lion/Pure Pleasure

Two great Monk sessions on vinyl.

Published on January 19, 2012

Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane (1957) – Jazzland /Fantasy OJC-039 *****:

Thelonious Monk – Something Blue (1971) – Black Lion /Pure Pleasure Records BLPP30119 *****:

The older session of this pair should not be confused with the Coltrane and Monk at Carnegie Hall album which was issued not long ago. It’s a studio session with better sonics than the Carnegie Hall, and although nearly all jazz albums before 1958 were mono, you’ll hear stereo on both “Off Minor” on Side A and “Epistrophy,” the second track on the B side. With headphone listening, that’s a dead giveaway. These are two of the three tracks on the album listed as “alternate masters” and two of them turn out to be early stereo. [This reissue should really be labeled "stereo/mono" but the practice now seems to be to have no identification of either on any of these earlier jazz reissues since many of them are just mono and some collectors may not want to pay a premium price for a mono reissue. Our Amazon link is for the 2003 Fantasy SACD reissue—probably very similar to this vinyl reissue—since Amazon doesn't carry the vinyl version...Ed.]

Anyway, two of the tracks here are a quartet with Coltrane and Monk, two are a septet with Coleman Hawkins, Gigi Gryce and Ray Copeland added (plus Art Blakey on drums replacing Shadow Wilson), and “Functional” – the final track on Side B – is just Monk’s solo piano. Coltrane was already experimenting with his more avant material such as “sheets of sound,” but he sounds also heavily influenced by the quirky and original Monk sound. The liner note-writer quotes Steve Lacy as saying you’re got to get the fragrance of Monk’s poetry, and observes that Coltrane is doing some deep breathing. The two septet tracks are a bit of a surprise; they reminded me of the Monk for big band sessions with Hall Overton. Don’t think I’d heard Monk’s solo piece “Functional” before. It really points up the way he could stick in supposed wrong notes but make them sound perfectly right by what he plays around them.

Something in Blue is an all-stereo session originally recorded in London and beautifully re-mastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering there. It’s a trio session thruout, with Al McKibbon on doublebass and Art Blakey again the drummer. Monk had been less active around this time, having lost his cabaret license and also had been ill. George Wein booked him for a world tour with “Giants of Jazz,” and this recording was made while he was on that tour. This was his first trio recording in 15 years and the first one with his old drummer Art Blakey in since the 1957 session.

All eight tracks are Monk originals except for Gershwin’s “Nice Work If You Can Get It” (in whose coda Monk throws in a quick reference to his own “I Mean You” and chuckles a little at the very end). “Criss Cross” has an amazing craggy Monk tune which had not been recorded again by him since its original 1951 version (on which McKibbon was the same bassist). “Evidence” is based on the melody of “Just You, Just Me” – in fact Monk bases most of his solo choruses on the “Just You” part. The title tune is a slow one, with double-time triplets and single notes as well as some boogie woogie bass here and there. We also get “Nutty” again as the closer.

There is never any surface noise on the Pure Pleasure vinyls, and on headphones one hears manifold little details in the trio that might escape one both with speakers and CDs, such as Monk’s chuckle.

TrackList:
Monk/Coltrane = Ruby, My Dear; Trinkle, Tinkle; Off Minor; Nutty, Epistrophy; Functional (solo)
Something in Blue = Blue Sphere; Hackensack; Nice Work If You Can Get It; Criss Cross; Something in Blue; Evidence; Jackie-ing; Nutty

—John Henry

Special thanks to John at www.audaud.com  for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.

AUDIOPHILE AUDITION focuses on recordings of interest to audiophiles and collectors, with an accent on surround sound for music, and on all hi-res disc formats. Over 100 SACD, DVD Video/Audio and standard CD reviews are published during each month, and our archives go back to January 2001.

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for those with those phone thingees and such, you may be interested in something like this:

New George Harrison Guitar Collection App Coming February 23rd

BANDWDTH Publishing, in conjunction with the George Harrison Estate, announces the release of a special iPad app celebrating the guitarist and his historical guitar collection. The Guitar Collection: George Harrison iPad app will be released through iTunes on February 23, two days before Harrison’s birthdate.

The app brings George Harrison’s private guitar collection to life through photographs, detailed descriptions, audio, and video footage. For the first time, with the help of unique 360° imaging by photographer Steven Sebring, fans can see the scratches, dings, and worn threads on the guitars as if they were themselves holding the instruments.

Fans will be able to examine Harrison’s private guitar collection, through personal audio recordings from Harrison himself as he introduces many of the guitars and plays sections of songs.

The history of each guitar is laid out in great detail; including the origin of the guitar, when and how it became part of Harrison’s collection, modifications he made to it and why each was so important in creating his distinctive sound. Songs from his catalogue are organized by the guitars used on each track, which allows the user to appreciate the personalities of each instrument.

The video section of the app contains footage of Ben Harper, Josh Homme, Mike Campbell, and Dhani Harrison each playing and showcasing the guitars and exploring their feel and tone. In addition, Conan O’Brien and Dhani discuss what make these guitars so exceptional. Also in this section, guitar great Gary Moore shares his views on what made George Harrison such a distinctive and influential guitar player.

The app will sell for $9.99 at the Apple App Store.

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and in music history for february 5th:

Alex Harvey Band

Born on this day in 1935, Alex Harvey, vocals, guitar, with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Harvey died on February 4th 1982.

In 1955, New York radio station WNEW announces the results of its annual music popularity poll. The winners are Perry Como, Patti Page, The Crew-Cuts and Ray Anthony.

In 1957, two years after his "Rock Around The Clock" had exploded on the music scene and at a time when his popularity had waned in the U.S., Bill Haley arrived in Southampton aboard the oceanliner Queen Elizabeth for his first British tour. When Haley and his band reached London's Waterloo Station later that day, an estimated 5,000 fans were at the train station to greet the group in a raucous display that the press dubbed "the Second Battle of Waterloo." He was the first major American rock 'n' roll artist to tour the UK. According to Paul McCartney, "The first time I really ever felt a tingle up my spine was when I saw Bill Haley and the Comets on the telly. Then I went to see them live. The ticket was 24 shillings, and I was the only one of my mates who could go as no one else had been able to save up that amount. But I was single-minded about it....I knew there was something going on here."

In 1958, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) formed a New York chapter. NARAS is better known as the Grammy Awards organization.

In 1962, Ringo Starr appeared live with The Beatles for the first time when he filled in for an ailing Pete Best. They played two shows that day, a lunchtime date at the Cavern Club and an evening show at the Kingsway Club in Southport.

In 1965, Martha & The Vandellas released the single "Nowhere To Run."

In 1966, Petula Clark had the number one record in America with "My Love". It made #4 in the UK.

Also in 1966, an instrumental called "No Matter What Shape" by The T-Bones reaches the US Top Ten after being featured in Alka-Seltzer commercials. The group contained Dan Hamilton, Joe Frank Carollo and Tom Reynolds, who would go on have a number four hit in 1971 called "Don't Pull Your Love" as Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds.

In 1967, the British tabloid News of the World published an article called "Pop Stars and Drugs – Facts that Will Shock You," claiming that most UK rock stars were LSD users. The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper after reading in the article that he was alleged to be hooked on Benzedrine and hashish. The reporter had overheard the Stones' Brian Jones admitting to this and mistook him for Jagger. Keith Richards' drug bust five days later was thought to have been a result of the feud that had erupted between the band and the tabloid.

Also in 1967, the Beatles filmed part of the promo clip for 'Penny Lane' around the Royal Theatre, Stratford, London and walking up and down Angel Lane.

In 1971, Black Sabbath started recording what would be their third album, 'Master Of Reality' at Island Studios in London, England. Released in July of this year, it is sometimes noted as the first stoner rock album. Guitarist Tony Iommi, decided to downtune his guitar down three semi-tones, Geezer Butler also downtuned his bass guitar to match Iommi. The result was a noticeably 'darker' sound that almost two decades later would prove hugely influential on at least three of the biggest grunge acts, namely Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, and Nirvana.

In 1972, Paul Simon releases his first new song without Art Garfunkel, "Mother and Child Reunion", which will peak at number four in the US. Simon got the idea for the song's title from a chicken-and-egg dish called Mother and Child Reunion that he saw on a Chinese restaurant's menu.

CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:

Also in 1972, Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold" was released. The record will prove to be his only US number one solo hit.

The song, which features backup vocals of James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, is one of a series of soft acoustic pieces which were written partly as a result of a back injury. Unable to stand for long periods of time, Young could not play his electric guitar and so returned to his acoustic guitar, which he could play sitting down.

"Heart of Gold" was taped during the initial sessions for Harvest in early 1971 at Quadrafonic Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Ronstadt and Taylor were in Nashville at the time for an appearance on Johnny Cash's television program, and the album's producer Elliot Mazer arranged for them to sing backup for Young in the studio.

Originally this song was meant to segue with "A Man Needs a Maid", and was therefore played on piano. It was played in this manner during Young's solo shows in 1971, but he abandoned this approach midway through the tour and began to play it on guitar as it is now known. Additionally, one line that was cut when the two songs became separate entities was "Afraid/A man feels afraid." An example of the segued version appears on Young's 2007 release Live at Massey Hall 1971.

Young wrote in the liner notes of his 1977 compilation album Decade: "This song put me in the middle of the road. Traveling there soon became a bore so I headed for the ditch. A rougher ride but I saw more interesting people there." This statement was in response to the mainstream popularity that he gained as a result of the number-one status of "Heart of Gold".



In 1973, Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" becomes his first US number one hit. To date, Sir Elton has had twenty-seven US Top 10 records and has placed a total of fifty-eight songs on the Billboard Top 40

In 1976, 51-year-old Rudy Pompilli, sax player for Bill Haley's Comets, passed away after a long battle with lung cancer, even though he himself was not a smoker. He had been with the band for twenty years and had played on their biggest selling records.

In 1977, an unknown singer named Mary MacGregor had the top tune in the US with "Torn Between Two Lovers", a song that she would later say that she has never liked. Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary co-wrote the song and chose MacGregor to sing it over several other established artists. The song reached #4 in the UK.

In 1983, after cracking the US Top 10 in 1978 with "Hold The Line" (#5) and again in 1982 with "Rosanna" (#2), Toto has their first and only Billboard #1 hit with "Africa". Over the next five years, they would reach the Top 40 five more times.

Also in 1983, Def Leppard's album 'Pyromania', started a 92 week run on the US charts, it never reached No.1 but sold over 6 million copies in the US alone.

In 1993, backed by his former band mate Ron Wood, Rod Stewart records "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" for MTV's Unplugged series. The resulting single will be certified Gold and reach #5 in the US and #20 in the UK.

In 1998, Tim Kelly (Slaughter) died after a being injured in an auto accident in Arizona at the age of 34.

In 2005, Paul McCartney performed during the half-time show at Superbowl XXXIX (39) in Jacksonville Florida and pocketed a cool $3.3 million for his 12 minute performance. That translates into $278,000 per minute. Sir Paul played in front of an estimated TV audience of one billion and sang the Beatles songs "Drive My Car", "Get Back" and "Hey Jude", plus his Bond theme song "Live and Let Die".

In 2006, the Rolling Stones played three songs during the half-time show of The Super Bowl in Detroit. After the event, the Stones expressed their displeasure over having Mick Jagger's microphone turned down during the song "Start Me Up." The line "you make a dead man come" was cut short and a barnyard reference to "cocks" in the new song "Rough Justice" also disappeared.

In 2008, the Indian guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced The Beatles to ancient Hindu meditation methods, died in his sleep at his home in the Netherlands. He was 91.

Born on this day in 1941, Barrett Strong, US songwriter who was the first artist to record a hit for Motown records. Wrote many Motown hits with Norman Whitfield including, 'Money', 'War', 'Ball Of Confusion', and 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone'.

also celebrating birthdays today (among others): Corey Wells -Three Dog Night (1942), Al Kooper - Royal Teens/Blood Sweat & Tears (Kooper played organ on Bob Dylan track "Like A Rolling Stone")(1944), Duff McKagan - Guns N' Roses (1964), Bobby Brown (1969) and Chris Barron - Spin Doctors (1968)

The Day The Music Died

written by Robert Benson

The day is immortalized in the legendary Don McLean song “American Pie.” It was a day that saddened music lovers all over the world and shocked the music industry. It was the day the music died.

We are of course referring to the plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa, that claimed the lives of rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. The crash, which occurred on February 3, 1959, is now over fifty years old. Let’s explore some of the details of “the day the music died.”

The Winter Dance Party began at the Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 23, 1959. It featured the aforementioned stars, Dion Deuce as well as an aspiring teen idol named Frankie Sardou. The tour was set to cover twenty-four Midwestern cities in a span of three weeks. The tour was a logistical nightmare with the amount of travel that was required. Adding to this problem was a tour bus that was ill-equipped to deal with the weather conditions in that part of the country; its heating system broke down shortly after the tour began. In fact, one musician, drummer Carl Bunch, developed a severe case of frostbite to his feet that required hospitalization (Holly and Valens took turns on the drums). It got so cold on the bus that the musicians started burning newspapers in the aisle in a desperate attempt to keep warm.

What’s interesting is that the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake was not intended to be a stop on the tour, but the promoters, hoping to fill an open date, contacted the manager of the establishment and offered him the show. He accepted and the date was set for February 2nd.

However, Holly was so frustrated and tired of the malfunctioning tour bus that he told his fellow musicians that, once the show was over, they should attempt to charter a plane to get to the next stop on the tour; which was Moorhead, Minnesota. So flight arrangements were made with Roger Peterson, who was a local pilot employed at Dwyer Flying Service, based in Mason City, Iowa. The fee was $36 per passenger and the single-engine plane could seat three musicians in addition to the pilot.

But there was a dilemma, who would fly and who would get to the next destination via the tour bus? Obviously, Holly and the pilot were aboard which left two seats open. Dion was approached to buy a seat, but he thought that the price of $36 was way too much. He recalled his parents arguing about the rent, which coincidently was $36 per month and he could not bring himself to pay an entire month’s rent for a short plane ride.

J.P. Richardson had come down with a bout of the flu and asked one of Holly’s band mates, Waylon Jennings, for his seat on the plane and Jennings gave up his seat. Ritchie Valens, who was also feeling the effects of the freezing tour bus, asked Holly’s other band mate Tommy All sup for his seat. Allsup replied that he would flip a coin, with the winner getting the last seat on the plane. Now, contrary to what has been depicted in the biographical movies, the coin toss was not done by Holly; nor did it occur at the airport. The coin toss occurred at the Ballroom shortly before they departed for the airport and was actually done by a DJ who was working the concert that night.

The plane took off at 1 a.m. on February 3, 1959 from Mason City Municipal Airport. Approximately 1:05 a.m., Jerry Dwyer, owner of Dwyer Flying Service could see the lights of the plane start to descend from the sky to the ground. The pilot was supposed to file his flight plan once airborne, but he never contacted the tower. By 3:30 a.m., after multiple attempts to contact his pilot and the fact that the airport in Fargo, Minnesota had not heard from Peterson, Dwyer contacted the authorities to report the plane missing.

The doomed aircraft had just made it a few miles from the airport. The pilot (who was not certified to fly at night) may have been confused by the darkness and the light snow that was falling. The plane hit the ground nose first at an estimated 150mph killing all four men instantly.

crash site

Interesting Facts:

In 1976, when the first Buddy Holly Week was held, Paul McCartney was presented with the cuff links Buddy Holly wore the night of the crash. McCartney purchased the rights to Holly’s song publishing and began organizing the annual celebration five years later.

On February 29, 1980, an old police file containing Buddy Holly’s horn rimmed glasses and a watch owned by J. P. Richardson were located by the Mason City Sheriff. The items were recovered at the crash site.

In the 2000 film Almost Famous, the band's plane is caught in bad weather, at which point one of the band members begins to sing the Buddy Holly song "Peggy Sue.”

Deciding that the show must go on at the next stop, Moorhead, MN, they looked for local talent to fill in. Just across the state line from Moorhead, in Fargo ND, they found a 15 year old talent named Bobby Vee.

The crash that ended the lives of Holly, Valens, and Richardson was the break that began the career of Vee.

Tommy Allsup would one day open a club named "The Head's Up Saloon," a tribute to the coin toss that saved his life.

Waylon Jennings would become a hugely popular Country singer.

Dion DiMucci would enjoy a long lived solo career.


Ritchie Valens:

Inscribed on Ritchie Valens' grave are the words, "Come On, Let's Go."

Valens was a pioneer of Chicano rock, Latin rock and was an inspiration to many musicians of Latino heritage. He influenced the likes of Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, and Carlos Santana among countless others at a time when there were very few Latinos in American rock and pop music. He is considered the first Latino to ever successfully cross over into Rock mainstream.

"La Bamba" would prove to be his most influential recording; not only by becoming a pop chart hit sung entirely in Spanish but also because of its successful blending of traditional Latin American music with rock. He was a pioneer and was an inspiration for many after his tragic death. Valens was the first to capitalize on this formula which would later be adopted by such varied artists as Selena, Caifanes, Cafe Tacuba, Circo, El Gran Silencio, Aterciopelados, Gustavo Santaolalla, and many others in the Latin Alternative scene. Ironically, the Valenzuela family spoke only English at home, and Ritchie knew very little Spanish. Ritchie learned the lyrics of "La Bamba" phonetically in order to record the song in Spanish.

"Come on Let's Go" has been covered by Los Lobos, The Ramones and "The Paley Brothers”; (jointly, The Ramones on guitar, bass, and drums and The Paley Brothers on vocals), Tommy Steele, The Huntingtons and The McCoys.

"Donna" has been covered by artists as diverse as MxPx, Cliff Richard, The Youngbloods, Clem Snide, Cappadonna, and The Misfits among many others.

Robert Quine has cited Valens' guitar playing as an early influence on his style.

Donna Ludwig, Ritchie's girlfriend, is today still recognized as "Ritchie's Donna.” Her personalized license plate reads "ODONNA.”

Ritchie's nephew, Ernie Valens, has toured worldwide playing his uncle's songs, including a new version of the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Buddy Holly impersonator John Mueller. This tour has taken place at many of the original 1959 venues in the Midwest.

Valens also appeared in biopic films. Valens was depicted in the 1987 biopic film La Bamba, which was about his life. The film's time period was from 1957 to 1959, in which his age was 16 to 17. It introduced Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens and co-starred Esai Morales as his older half-brother, Bob Morales. Los Lobos performed most of the music in the film.

Valens was portrayed by Gilbert Melgar in the final scene of The Buddy Holly Story and Valens will also be depicted in the upcoming 2009 film The Day the Music Died. Valens will be portrayed by Joseph Thornhillas in the 2009 film Lives and Deaths of the Poet.




Big Bopper:

Richardson's son, Jay Richardson, took up a musical career and is known professionally as "The Big Bopper, Jr." He has performed all around the world.

Notably, he has toured on the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Buddy Holly impersonator John Mueller on some of the same stages as his father performed.

In January 2007, Richardson's son Jay requested that his father's body be exhumed and an autopsy be performed to settle the rumors that a gun was fired or that Richardson initially survived the crash. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Jay was present with Dr. Bass throughout the entire autopsy and observed as the casket was opened; both men were surprised to find the remains well enough preserved to be recognizable as those of the late rock star. "Dad still amazes me 48 years after his death, that he was in remarkable shape," Richardson told the Associated Press. "I surprised myself. I handled it better than I thought I would."

Dr. Bass' findings indicated there were no signs of foul play. He was quoted as saying "There are fractures from head to toe. Massive fractures. ... (Richardson) died immediately. He didn't crawl away. He didn't walk away from the plane."

After the autopsy, Richardson's body was placed in a new casket made by the same company as the original, then was reburied next to his wife in Beaumont's Forest Lawn Cemetery. Jay then allowed the old casket to be put on display at the Texas Musician's Museum.


Buddy Holly:

Contrary to popular belief, teenagers John Lennon and Paul McCartney did not attend a Holly concert, although they watched his TV appearance on "Sunday Night at the London Palladium"; Tony Bramwell, a school friend of McCartney and George Harrison, did. Keith Richards attended one of the gigs, where he heard "Not Fade Away" for the first time. Bramwell met Holly, and freely shared his records with all three. Lennon and McCartney later cited Holly as a primary influence. (Their band's name, The Beatles, was chosen partly in homage to Holly's Crickets.) The Beatles did a cover version of "Words of Love" that was a close reproduction of Holly's version.

McCartney owns the publishing rights to Holly's song catalogue.

A young Bob Dylan attended the January 31, 1959 show, two nights before Holly's death. Dylan referred to this in his 1998 Grammy acceptance speech for his 1997 Time out of Mind winning Album of the Year.

Various rock and roll histories have asserted that the singing group The Hollies were named in homage to Buddy Holly. According to the band's website, although the group admired Holly (and years later produced an album covering some of his songs), their name was inspired primarily by the sprigs of holly in evidence around Christmas of 1962.

After the death of Buddy he would leave a trail of followers from Bob Dylan, to Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, and The Beatles. Also, one of The Rolling Stones early hits was a cover of "Not Fade Away.”

Eddie Cochran, good friend and fellow rock 'n' roll pioneer was so distraught by the deaths of Holly, Valens, and The Big Bopper that he recorded the song "Three Stars" as a tribute. The song was not released until after Cochran's own premature death, because he was too upset to allow it to be issued in his lifetime.

The Smithereens' song "Maria Elena" is a Buddy Holly tribute as sung to his widow.

Blink-182 has a song named "Peggy Sue" which is a tribute to Holly.

Buddy Holly on the Arthur Murray Dance Party 12/29/57



Phil Ochs famously sang a long tribute to Buddy Holly on the infamous Gunfight at Carnegie Hall album.

Mike Berry released a 1961 single called "Tribute to Buddy Holly.” It was written by Geoff Goddard and produced by Joe Meek, who was a great Buddy Holly fan. In the USA, it was released on Coral, Buddy Holly's label.

Weezer's self-titled debut album features the band's popular single "Buddy Holly.”

Musician Albert Hammond, Jr. has a cover of "Well... Alright" on his 2007 album Yours To Keep.

Don McLean's popular 1971 ballad "American Pie" is inspired by the day of the plane crash.




THE ANNOTATED AMERICAN PIE
(What the song is talkin' about!)

By Rich Kulawiec

The entire song is a tribute to Buddy Holly and a commentary on how rock and roll changed in the years since his death. McLean seems to be lamenting the lack of "danceable" music in rock and roll and (in part) attributing that lack to the absence of Buddy Holly et. al. (Verse 1)

A long, long time ago...

"American Pie" reached #1 in the US in 1972, but the album containing it was released in 1971. Buddy Holly died in 1959.

I can still remember how
That music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance,
That I could make those people dance,
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

One of early rock and roll's functions was to provide dance music for various social events. McLean recalls his desire to become a musician playing that sort of music.

But February made me shiver,

Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959 in a plane crash in Iowa during a snowstorm. The news came to most of the world on the morning of February 3, which is why it's known as The Day The Music Died.

With every paper I'd deliver,

Don McLean's only job besides being a full-time singer-songwriter was being a paperboy.

Bad news on the doorstep...
I couldn't take one more step.
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride

Holly's recent bride, Maria Elena, was pregnant when the crash took place; she had a miscarriage shortly afterward.

But something touched me deep inside,
The day the music died.

The same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly also took the lives of Richie Valens ("La Bamba") and The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace"). Since all three were so prominent at the time, February 3, 1959 became known as "The Day The Music dies”.

So... (Refrain)
Bye bye Miss American Pie,

Miss American Pie *is* rock and roll music. Don McLean dated a Miss America candidate during the pageant. (unconfirmed)

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singing "This'll be the day that I die,
This'll be the day that I die."

One of Holly's hits was "That'll be the Day"; the chorus contains the line "That'll be the day that I die"

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

great article from the student newspaper at Marquette University in my neck of the woods, well worth the read....

Vinyl record sales settle into good groove

By Heather Ronaldson

When statistics showed that vinyl record sales reached a new high since 1991, the music business began to buzz. According to Nielsen SoundScan, an information and sales tracking system, 3.9 million units were sold in 2011, a 36.3 percent change since 2010.

Media outlets like Rolling Stone, The New York Times and USA Today swarmed over the report. Some, like the Chicago Tribune and the Shepherd Express, started taking it to the streets, asking independent record stores how vinyl sales have impacted their business.

The Shepherd Express said store owners started noticing the trend in 2004 and saw an increase in vinyl sales in 2009.

“I thought (vinyl sales) would peak out, but they haven’t,” said Terry Hackbarth, store manager at The Exclusive Company, an independent record store with locations throughout Wisconsin. The Exclusive Company in Milwaukee, located at 1669 N. Farwell Ave., has “made the switch,” Hackbarth said, meaning less CDs for sale and more vinyl records.

So what accounts for the switch to vinyl records?

Read the rest at marquettetribune.org

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interesting perspective from the UK print industry:

For the record: printing your art on your sleeve

By Jenny Roper

Florence & the Machine

A few years back, notions like RPM, the B-side and the 12-inch would have got a blank response, at best a snigger, from anyone below the age of 25. In 2012, though, to the astonishment of many in the 'older generation', the youth have become rather fluent in the lexicon of vinyl.

And it has seemingly come from nowhere. Vinyl sales were dying off with the people that used them first time around and a revival seemed about as likely as the original line up of The Beatles reuniting. Yet in 2011, sales of vinyl jumped up 40% compared with 2010 against a backdrop of a massive reduction in the overall market for music sales. Reasons for the leap are as diverse as a reaction against the disposability of modern culture, the retro fads of the latest youth generation and the hunt for profits by the record companies. Whatever the reason, you’d think it would be good news for UK print, but unfortunately that’s not necessarily the case.

Of course, vinyl never disappeared completely – much like many of the artists that first found fame on the medium, it has diligently plugged away out of the glare of the public attention and without the large sales numbers it once commanded. The release of tape, CD and then digital music tore chunks from its share of the sector, but as Gennaro Castaldo, head of press at music retailer HMV, explains, the new media could not kill it off completely.

"Vinyl has never entirely gone away," he explains. "It has long been part of the culture of rock and roll, so for guitar bands in particular it was cool to bring a single or album out on vinyl along with the CD and more recently digital formats. This was replicated among fans – students and ‘bedroom DJs’ like buying and collecting vinyl almost as a badge of honour, they are true music fans."

What changed last year was that interest in the medium exploded beyond the collectors and the few DJs still opting for vinyl and moved into the mainstream.

Read the rest at printweek.com

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JOHN 5's New Solo Album To Feature Cover Art By ROB ZOMBIE

ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5's sixth solo studio instrumental album, "God Told Me To", will be released on April 10. The cover art, which features a painting of John 5 by Rob Zombie, can be seen below.

According to John 5, "God Told Me To"will be "half acoustic and half metal and feature music that will blow you away." He has already whetted the fans' appetite by releasing four digital singles from the album: "Beat It" (MICHAEL JACKSON cover), "Welcome To Violence", "Noche Acosador" and "The Castle".

Read more at Blabbermouth









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NAGLFAR: 'Téras' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

The cover artwork for "Téras", the sixth album from Swedish black metallers NAGLFAR, can be seen below. Responsible for the artwork is Niklas Sundin of DARK TRANQUILLITY, who has previously worked with such bands as IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY and AT THE GATES. The album cover only shows a part of the overall motif, which is going to be shown in its entirety with the release of the new CD.

Read the rest at Blabbermouth















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Jealous Sound Limited Edition Vinyl Release:

The Jealous Sound have a new record out called "A Gentle Reminder" on the Music Is Subjective record label.

A Gentle Reminder LP

Pre-Order Now, will be shipped on or Before March 31st.

Pick from Baby Blue or Pink Vinyl!

Limited Editions.
$15.00

Pre-order







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Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Set to Perform on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Jack Black, Fergie, ?uestlove, and Ringo Starr To Present at the Music Industry's Premier Event

Music's Biggest Night® — Hosted by Rapper/Actor LL COOL J — Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 12, 8 ET/PT

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-time GRAMMY® winner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com). Actor/recording artist Jack Black, six-time GRAMMY winner and current three-time nominee Fergie, three-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Amir "?uestlove" Thompson (The Roots), and nine-time GRAMMY winner Ringo Starr will appear as presenters. Music's Biggest Night® — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are Dierks Bentley, Drake, Miranda Lambert, and Gwyneth Paltrow. LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.

SOURCE The Recording Academy

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and in music history for today, february 3rd:

In 1956, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash record together at Memphis' Sun Studios in what would become known as the Million Dollar Quartet sessions.

In 1958, the Royal Teens' biggest hit, "Short Shorts" enters the US record charts on its way to number 3. The song was originally an instrumental warm up number that the group added silly lyrics to. The tune was recorded in about twenty minutes of left over studio time and released after a record label executive took a liking to it.

In 1960, Frank Sinatra formed Reprise Records.

In 1961, at the East Orange, New Jersey home of friends Sid and Bob Gleason, Bob Dylan made his first recordings, "San Francisco Bay Blues" and "Jesus Met The Woman At The Well."

In 1962, Gene Chandler's "The Duke Of Earl" tops the Cashbox Best Sellers chart for the first of a five week stay.

On this day in 1963, "Hey Paula" by Paul & Paula was the #1 song.

CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:

In 1964, the Beach Boys released "Fun, Fun, Fun." The single was released on the band's album 'Shut Down Volume 2.' The single peaked at the number 5 spot on the Billboard chart.

The song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love about Shirley England, the daughter of the owner of radio station KNAK in Salt Lake City, Utah where she worked as a teenager. She borrowed her father's Ford Thunderbird to study at the library. Instead of driving to the library, she ended up at a hamburger stand. When her father found out, he took the car away. The next day she was at the radio station complaining about it to the staff while the Beach Boys were visiting and they were inspired to write this song.

The song, backed by a single-only mix of a cover version of Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall In Love", became a top-five hit.


The opening electric guitar introduction of the original version of the song was based on Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode


The stereo and mono mixes stem from the same recording but have a significant difference: the fadeout on the stereo mix fades out early into the song's outro, with the instruments fading away before the vocals (and an overdubbed drum part). The mono mix, as heard on the 45 as well as mono copies of Shut Down Volume 2 has an extended outro.



In 1967, Joe Meek, a British Pop and Rock producer, kills his landlady before shooting himself in the head. He is best remembered for the instrumental hit, "Telstar", which he wrote for the Tornadoes.

In 1968, the Beatles began recording "Lady Madonna." They finished the track on February 6. This single was the last release by the band on Parlophone in the UK and Capitol Records in the US. All subsequent releases, starting with "Hey Jude" in August 1968, were released on their own Apple Records label.

Also in 1968, an Oxford, Ohio group called the Lemon Pipers saw their only Billboard chart-maker, "Green Tambourine", reach #1 in the US. It made #7 in the UK.

In 1969, against the wishes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr hired Allen Klein to be the Beatles' new manager. McCartney wanted his father-in-law, Lee Eastman, for the role.

In 1978, Gerry Rafferty released the single "Baker Street."

In 1979, a sold-out concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, is held commemorating the 20th anniversary of the crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Wolfman Jack hosted the show which featured performances by Del Shannon, Jimmy Clanton and The Drifters.

In 2003, legendary music producer Phil Spector was arrested for investigation of murder after police found a woman shot to death at his Los Angeles mansion. The 62 year old Spector, whose Wall Of Sound technique transformed 1960s Pop music, was freed after posting $1 million bond. The body of 40-year-old Lana Clarkson, a TV and film actress, was found in a pool of blood with a gunshot to the face at the marble entrance to Spector's home.

In 2004, Gene Hughes, who sang lead vocal on The Casinos' "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" in 1967, died in Nashville at the age of 67. He had been injured in an car crash and suffered several setbacks during his recovery.



Also in 2004, 58 year old saxophonist, Cornelius Bumpus, formerly of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, suffered a fatal heart attack while on a commercial flight from New York.

In 2007, Wayne Fontana, of "Game Of Love" fame, was arrested at his home in Glossop, Derbyshire, England and charged with arson with intent to endanger life. The 61 year-old, who was already set to appear in court in March on traffic offenses, was accused of pouring gasoline over a bailiff's car and setting it on fire. The following November, he would be sentenced to 11 months in jail, but was allowed to walk free from court immediately after already serving the equivalent of his term while held under the Mental Heath Act.

birthdays today include (among others): Angelo D'Aleo (Belmonts) (72), Chuck Tharp (Fireballs) (71), Eric Haydock (Hollies) (70), Dennis Edwards (Temptations) (69), Melanie (65), Dave Davies (Kinks) (65), Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) (56), Lee Crystal (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts) (54) and Lol Tolhurst (Cure) (53)